Alphabetically listed by surname.

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*Quotes from our Western based scout Sandman's Scouting Notebook.

*Photos by Nate Shore

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RW/C Tanner Adams is one of the youngest players in this year's crop, with a Sept.2nd birthday. In 2021-22, he put up 12 goals and 32 points in 62 USHL games for the Tri-City Storm, compared to 12 goals and 33 points in 49 games in 2022-23. This year's edition of the Storm scored 213 goals in 62 games, which is 47 less than the previous year, which probably cut into how much he was able to progress numbers-wise. He still managed to tie a 20 yo for the highest point total on the team in the playoffs, with 5 points in 4 games. Adams is a very strong skater, who plays a very hard-nosed, physical style, evidenced by his 65 PIM, despite being only 5'11". He does a lot of the dirty work for his line, digging the puck out of the hard areas all over the ice, and battling for possession- showing relentless puck-pursuit. He has displayed very good transitional numbers, being able to enter and exit with control, and confidently carry through the neutral zone. He's a fierce forechecker, and plays with high motor and energy. Adams comes with a solid base of 3-zone awareness, but he has room to further develop his offense, and he will get a chance to do that next year at Providence College-being so young, he might have a slightly longer runway. He could have a fairly high floor perhaps, with his speed, snarl, and all-around game already giving him a shot at an NHL team's bottom-6 in the future. 4th/5th round is my prediction.

LD Onni Amhamdi struggled at times against the Americans in the round-robin of the U-18's, yet somehow ended up with an even plus/minus in the contest for Finland. He bounced back the following game with a strong showing against arch-rival Sweden, but wore the goat horns as the goal that eliminated the hosting Finns from the tournament went in from a deflection off of his stick. Amhamdi had no stats to show for his five games in the tournament, other than a plus-2, and it was a similar stat-line at last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he put up all zeros in 5 games, while wearing an "A" for the Finns. All in a day's work for Amhamdi, who is a low-event, stay-at-home defender and isn't depended on to be involved in the offense. In league play for the Pelicans U20, the sturdy 6'2",205lb defender scored 9 points in 41 games, with 32 PIM.

Amhamdi plays a very simple game, with no elite qualities, and definitely won't wow anyone with his bare-bones approach. He has enough poise and confidence to make safe decisions with the puck while limiting mistakes, and does what he can to advance plays northward. He has above-average passing skill, but isn't a big creator or driver, and while he can competently support the play in the offensive zone when needed, he's mostly depended on for his contributions to his shutdown role. Amhamdi is defensively reliable, as well as valuable on the penalty kill, and doesn't mind handling all of the dirty work. He's physical, competitive, hard to play against, and rough on forecheckers- he comes out of most battles along the wall and in the corners with the puck. He's hard to get past 1-on-1 with his exemplary positioning, keeping a tight gap on opponents and forcing them to the wall, where they are taken out of the play and separated from the puck. He keeps the crease clear with his size and strength, while slapping away loose pucks, and will put his body on the line to block shots. In his own zone, he displays an ability to read the play well, and owns good IQ and awareness defensively- he can intercept passes, or intercept the player receiving it, and employs a smart stick to make well-timed poke-checks. He doesn't take risks with the puck, and makes a quality first-pass- the shorter, the better.

While Amhamdi's skating has reportedly improved immensely over the course of the year, his speed remains average at best. He has good enough edges to skate backwards well, but needs more explosiveness going north, better acceleration, and an upgrade in his top-speed. With his skilled puckhandling, he can play a support role in transition, and can contribute to the rush with his passing skill. Though I like his game, he will likely never be more than a bottom-pairing defenseman with penalty-killing duties if he makes it. He may not even be drafted, but if he is- he'll have to wait until the late rounds.

It would be easier to gauge the potential of LW Robin Nico Antenen if he was already playing his hockey in North America, but as it stands, he's plying his trade right now in his native Switzerland, mostly with Zug U20, where leads his team by 11 points with 20 goals and 40 points in 44 games. Those totals put him 13th overall in league scoring, tied for 8th in goals, and 2nd overall for U-18 players. In the playoffs, RNA was third in scoring for Zug, behind a couple of National League players (The Swiss Men's Top-Tier League) who were returned to junior in 20 year-old Tim Muggli, and 21 year-old Louis Robin. Antenen himself took a spin in the NL this season, getting six games under his belt, but unfortunately no points. At the European 5 Nations tournament in December, he was named Captain of Switzerland, and he performed well with 3 goals and 4 points, and put up 2 points in 4 games in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The most recent U-18 tournament was a bit of a disaster for him though, as the Swiss were only able to score 8 goals in 5 games, and he unfortunately went without a point. The 6'2",187lb winger was given a "C" rating by Central Scouting at the beginning of the season, casting him as a potential 4th, or 5th-round pick.

RNA plays a dependable game in all 3 zones, and is an all-situations player in Switzerland. Though he's often counted on to be a top offensive player for the Swiss, he doesn't possess any elite skills, and he's not really dynamic, or a play-driver- he's more of a straight-line winger. He already has a pro frame, and he's an above-average skater with a quick short-burst, who can fly at top speed. He's disruptive on the forecheck, and very effective around the net and down low, with no fear of cutting to the middle, attacking the crease, or operating in the slot. His numbers make him look like a dual-threat, but he leans far into being a goal-scorer, and can sniff out open space in high-danger. He can beat goalies in a number of ways, and he has a rocket of a wrister, but he could use a little work on his release as it's a little slow and not really deceptive. To get around in traffic, RNA has some nifty inside-outside moves to beat defenders, but his stickhandling could use a slight tweak as he can sometimes overhandle in flight- as he did against team USA in the U-18's, just outside of his zone resulting in a goal against. Though he has the ideal size to play a power game, he doesn't use his body nearly enough, but will lean into opponents to make room for himself, or power opponents off of the puck with his strength in 50/50 contests.

Antenen contributes to transition by pass or carry, and likes the give-and-go to pressure opponents. Off the puck, he sees the angles and stays playable, and gets to high-danger to await a pass from a teammate. He is a very responsible two-way player who can play against the opposing team's top players and shut them down. He displays acute awareness in his own zone, and is highly disruptive with an active stick and intelligent positioning, utilizing stick-lifts and a few slashes to his opponents twigs. He covers his net well, switching off with his D when they have to leave their post, and competes hard behind the net and in the corners. RNA is a hard-worker with a decent motor, but sometimes his pace is a problem as he can stop moving his feet with, or without the puck while waiting for the play to develop, instead of challenging defenders. When he turns on the switch, he can beat opponents wide, and force defensemen back. There are many times when watching him where you wish he would play with more intensity, even without playing a very physical game. At the NHL level, his offense might not translate, but I could easily see him making it as a bottom-6 two-way player, and there's nothing wrong with that. I think he'll be picked in the later rounds, anywhere from the 5th, to the 7th round.

Unlike most Russian prospects his age, 5'11",187lb winger Nikita Artamonov has played most of his hockey this season to date against men in the KHL with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, putting up an impressive 19 points in 46 games, putting him 3rd in the league for U-20 players. His numbers put him ahead of already drafted Russians- names like Daniil But, Roman Kantserov, Timur Mukhanov, and Yegor Rimashevsky. He's a bit older, with a November 17th birthday, but plays in Torpedo's top-six and PP, at the tender age of 18. Artamonov is having the third-best season ever for a draft-eligible player from the KHL, behind only Tarasenko and Michkov.

Artamonov is a dynamic, hyper-skilled winger, with near-elite IQ and vision, who is always in the thick of the play, attacking high danger areas. He processes the play quicker than most, and exhibits spatial awareness- if there's no seams available for a play, he'll open them. He's a dangerous playmaker, perhaps elite, and makes quick decisions- he doesn't need to hold the puck long. Instead, he pushes pace by moving the puck quickly, and is very aggressive. He uses the same technique in transition, with give-and-go's to push pace and manipulate defenders into giving up the space to make a controlled entry. He's a smooth skater with the shiftiness to throw off attackers, and gets around quite easily. He is a tenacious forechecker, applying immense pressure on defenders to create turnovers and disrupt plays, and battles in the hard areas with bigger, older players. Artie is relentless in puck-pursuit, and a pest to opponents, giving them fits with his high motor- he is often noticed as the hardest working player on the ice. Shooting isn't his main choice of weapon, but he has good hands in tight, and doesn't need much space to unleash a wicked snap-shot that can stun a goalie. Off the puck, he knows where to be to maximize his offensive chances, and to provide puck-support to teammates. He possesses good small-area quickness and puck-skills.

Defensively, he works hard, pressures the point, and pesters attackers along the walls, but doesn't have the same effectiveness in his own zone as he does on offense. This part of his game needs to shored up. He has a good shot, that needs improvement, but he also needs to shoot more. Despite having a fast stride, there's an awkwardness to it that needs to be cleaned up in order to maximize his power and balance. He's not overly physical, but that doesn't seem to be his game. I've heard it said that he'll make a good 2nd-liner in the future, but I believe he's capable of more. I think he's 2nd round, with a good shot at sneaking in to the 1st.

This isn't another one of those fantasy tales about a huge player that skates well. I'm talking about 6'7", 190lb LW Nathan Aspinall of the Flint Firebirds, a team that finished 15th out of 20 in the OHL, and were 16th in goals-for. Aspinall managed to rack up a respectable 18 goals and 34 points in 65 games this season, but had only 1 point in the playoffs as Flint were swept by the mighty London Knights.

Aspinall's skating is somewhere around average at best when going full throttle in a straight-line, and his acceleration and start-up are severely lacking. His stride is a bit short and choppy, and he loses speed in turns. Some of this problem will work itself out as he gets stronger, and he has a long way to go in the strength department, but I doubt that even the best skating coach could turn him into anything close to a speedster in the future. He does have good hands though, and a hard, heavy shot. He can cash in from in-close, has the hand-eye coordination to get tips, and will shovel in rebounds. Around the net, he's a load to handle, and he's valuable as a net-front presence, providing a screen and causing havok. He's also a force down low using his size as leverage in battle to win pucks, but disappointingly, he's not a big hitter and not a true power-forward. With his enormous reach, he is able to protect the puck well, but his puck-skill is average. He has a reasonably good IQ and sees the ice fairly well, locating seams to pass through, but he keeps it simple and risk-free most of the time.

Aspinall won't hurt you defensively, but he's far from elite in his own zone. In this area he contributes a long reach to disrupt plays and close lanes, and shows good positioning and awareness. Right now, his NHL ceiling is that of a bottom-6 winger if he can significantly improve his mobility. He also needs to bulk up and get significantly stronger, and adding a little toughness and physicality would go a long way. He looks to be a long-term project at the very least. If he is drafted, it likely won't be until the later rounds.

Right-handed LW Fyodor Avramov has been turning heads this season by leading Kapitan Stupino of the MHL by 15 points, with 23 goals and 44 points in 49 games. Impressive, considering his team is one of the worst, and lowest scoring in the league. Avramov is a big power forward with skill, at 6'3",190lbs.

Avramov is a physical player, who uses his size well in all 3 zones. He hits hard, bullies his way around the ice, powers through checks, and leans into opponents on his way to the net. He can finesse his way around too, with high-end skill that enables him to dangle around, or through opponents, and he protects the puck well too. His forte' is goal scoring, and he owns a wide array of hard, heavy shots to choose from, all with a lightning-quick and deceptive release. He can beat goalies from a distance, or from close-in, and finds soft spots in coverage to operate in, with a wicked wrister and a blistering one-timer at his disposal. He attacks the middle, uses opponents as screens, and can unleash in full flight. There's sometimes flashes of high-end playmaking, and he can set teammates up for high-danger chances around the net, but he has a shoot-first mentality. Though his stride is clunky, he can still generate surprising power, and can fly when he gets to top speed. His knock-kneed stance should hurt his agility, but he still manages to be able to turn quickly, and pivot away from checks. His explosiveness needs work, and his mechanics will need to be addressed in order to get the most out of his stride.

Avramov is a valuable threat in transition with his speed and quick hands, but his defense is inconsistent- sometimes he's aggressive, sometimes he's a pedestrian. When he's on, he's highly adept at pressuring puck-carriers with his quickness and physicality. Too often though, he's caught puck-watching and cheating for offense. Avramov is quite raw, and may need plenty of time to develop his game, but there might be a huge payoff in the end. His numbers on a bad team are hard to ignore, but he needs work on his consistency and his decision-making under pressure for the next level, as well as his strength and skating. Watching him skate, he reminds me a bit stylistically of former New York Rangers draftee, Vitali Kravtsov. Look for him in the 4th, or 5th round.

6'3",201lb RW Matvei Babenko hasn't put together the kind of season that was expected of him. In 2022-23, he had a pretty good draft-minus-1 year, with 22 goals and 32 points in 40 MHL games, for a ppg of .80, but has only mustered 10 points in 16 games this year, for a ppg of .63. He also put up 8 points in 10 playoff games last season. Granted, he has played 18 games in the VHL, with 3 points, and 8 games in the KHL, with 1 point. With numbers like he posted last year, he should be dominating play at the MHL level, although his team, Tolpar Ufa, is not as good as they were last season.

Babs is a huge winger who is involved in all facets of the game, specializes in goal-scoring, and has one of the best shots amongst Russia's crop of draft-eligibles this year. He recognizes how to open space and exploit it, and can make plays under pressure. I think he takes a bit too much flack for his skating- don't get me wrong, he's not fast, but he keeps up to the play, and doesn't fall behind. He is guilty though, of coasting too much, and not keeping his feet moving. There's plenty of work needed to improve his acceleration, agility, and top-speed. Babenko plays a physical brand of hockey, protects the puck well, and battles to win pucks in the greasy areas and in front of the net. He uses his size to his advantage, and finishes his checks. When he goes to the net-front, he's virtually impossible to move- and he has soft hands in tight. Defensively, he works hard, stops plays with his physicality, and blocks lanes with an active stick. In short, most of Babenko's game hovers around average, and he's not supremely fast or skilled- the only quality that stands out is his shot. I'm going to guess 4th /5th round.

Czech-born RHD Dominik Badinka moved from Finland to Sweden before the season started, and the 6'3",183lb rearguard started his journey in Malmo by dominating the J20 league, with 12 points in 15 games to go with 39 PIM. Since then, he's been up in the top men's league, the SHL, and has only 1 point in 23 games in limited deployment and ice-time. Despite his age, he's reportedly looked quite good against men in the defensive zone. In Finland, in 2022-23, he was 13th in D scoring in the U20 league for Jokerit, 1st for players under-18, with 26 points in 43 games. He followed up his Finnish experience with a trip to the Hlinka Gretzky for Czechia, and scored 2 points in 5 games. Not a lot of defensemen get 0.80 ppg in their draft year in the J20- that mark puts him in the same stratoshere as Sahlin-Wallenius (.85), Radivojevic (.85), and Freij (.81). The only draft-eligible defenseman from that league to eclipse that mark from last year's draft was Sandin-Pelikka (1.16). Badinka is an older player in this draft, with a Nov.27th birthday.

This is a highly intelligent player, able to think ahead due to his acute anticipation in all 3 zones. He knows where to be to block plays, intercept passes, and cut off lanes- he's excellent defending the rush as well. He makes a big physical contribution, dominates along the walls, and is a bulldozer in the crease. He exhibits strong stick positioning, and well-timed poke-checks. Badinka is very mobile for his size, with fantastic 4-way manouverability, and is hard to knock off the puck with his size and balance. He can rapidly turn the play around to offense with his puck-retrieval ability, and can play the puck out of danger while under pressure with accurate breakout passes- or he can opt to carry it up the ice himself with his puckhandling. On his way through transition, he can also embarrass would-be checkers with his fine array of 1-on-1 moves and deception. He will stay high and run the point more often than not, but he will jump in to act as an extra forward off the rush, or pinch down low if the opportunity presents itself. He has an above-average point shot, and soft hands around the net, and can QB a powerplay. He's like a heat-seeking missile, always looking to assert himself physically, but they say he needs to pick his spots a lot better as he can sometimes blow plays looking to engage opponents. The same can said for his decision-making from time-to-time- he doesn't always see the best option, and should keep things simple. This kid is a very underrated player who is flying under the radar, but I'm betting he's taken in the first part of the second round.

I admire the Americans' National Team Development Program in the way that they turn the lesser players on the team into hardworking soldiers. It's for the same reason that I also dislike the NTDP. A player like LW Austin Baker would be playing further up a team's lineup if he were playing in the USHL, and would have more of a chance to show off his offense and put up greater numbers. On the national team however, he's playing behind the more elite players like Cole Eiserman, Teddy Stiga, James Hagens, Kamil Bednarik, Max Plante, and Christian Humphreys, and getting bottom-6 minutes in mostly checking scenarios, while the top players get more of the prime opportunities. Baker, who stands 6'0" and weighs in at a sturdy 192lbs, accumulated 31 points in 53 games (with 29 penalty-minutes) for the NTDP this season, and is currently over in Europe with the national team at the U-18 Tournament, with no points so far, and a high of 11:30 TOI. Baker is a well-rounded player, who's capable of playing in any situation, and spends time at the center position.

Baker is not flashy, but plays a reliable meat-and-potatoes style, winning battles with his positioning, stick, and tenacity- he's not overly physical in terms of hits, but will use his body as leverage to push his way around. He forechecks hard, dislodging pucks by leaving no time to react, or make decisions, and helps to wear down opponents on the cycle. There's nothing too fancy about his puck-skills, and he keeps things simple and risk-free, making sure he always keeps possession for his team. With the puck on his blade, he doesn't really drive play or push the pace too much. He's skilled, but not elite in any aspect, though he shows glimpses of high-end playmaking from time-to-time. He's smart enough that he can make good decisions quickly without forcing passes that aren't there, and has a fairly hard shot with superb accuracy to bulge the twine. He plays a greasy game in front of the net, fishing for loose pucks and pouncing on rebounds, with excellent hand-eye coordination to tip incoming shots. He's proficient at finishing plays, but has the hands and the moves to beat goalies in-close as well. Baker is not a burner, but moves well and can cover a ton of ice in a short time, with the ability to get to top speed quickly, and the lateral agility to lose checkers. To augment his mobility, he stays active and keeps his feet pumping hard- he also has strong edges, and can pivot on a dime. The wide stance he employs helps him to protect the puck, as well as his ability to handle away from his feet, and the way he angles his body against the sticks of checkers.

Baker is highly aware defensively, applying his work-ethic and relentless motor to this part of the game, and to his penalty-killing- where he plays a ton of minutes. He simply shines in his own zone, and has the reputation of being one of the national team's most reliable players in this area, with an acute attention to detail and good habits. Admirably, he is often the first forward back in the zone, and the last to leave. He supports his D down low, and smothers attackers by taking away all time and space with exemplary positioning, and an active stick. He has a disruptive mentality in all 3 zones, and can often stop the rush in the neutral zone, before it ever reaches the blueline. After stripping opponents of the puck in the defensive zone, he is adept at kickstarting the rush with a pass, or by completing a clean exit with control. Sometimes though, he can be caught watching the play, which ends up with him losing his man in traffic. There are plenty of questions about Baker's overall upside, but more specifically his offense. I see Baker as a future third-liner, with smart two-way play. Look for him in rounds 5 or 6.

LW Andrew Basha may have more to prove in this draft than most other players, as he's an older player (Nov.8th Birthday), and in his third season in the WHL- which some say should give him a leg up. Another advantage he has is that he plays on Cayden Lindstrom's wing in Medicine Hat- where he has amassed 61 points in 42 games to date.

Basha is an all-around player who stays away from playing an overly flashy game. He's an exceptional skater, and highly elusive due to his edgework and agility. His decision making keeps pace with his speed, and he plays an energetic game, dominating transition, and pushing pace. He has become much more comfortable carrying, but still relies too much on quick touches. Basha makes good reads in the defensive zone, working to create steals and turnovers, eager to get the play going back the other way, and kickstarting the rush. He has exemplary anticipation and positioning in all 3 zones. There's no problem making clean entries with control for Basha, and he applies solid pressure on the forecheck. While he's not very physically intimidating, at 6'0",185lbs, he has become more willing to support his teammates down low, battle in front of the net for rebounds, and to wade into the greasy areas to compete for pucks. Playmaking is much more his forte than shooting, and he has the top-tier vision and IQ to make decisions without the benefit of much time or space. He can execute tape-to-tape passes through opponents, or layers of traffic, as well as over or under sticks- and consistently finds teammates in high danger. There are some who view him as one of the top playmakers in this draft, which is high praise. He handles the puck well, and does so at high speeds, and can make plays in full flight. Despite not being very physically inclined, he is a good competitor, with high motor and energy.

Basha's defensive game has grown by leaps and bounds, but there's still plenty of room to improve his effort and consistency in this area. Some say he needs to refine his puck skills, namely his puck reception, and keeping his hands going at the same speed as his feet and brain. He's far from getting the most out of his shot, which has a fairly quick release and good accuracy, but could improve in power with adjustments to his shooting mechanics. There will be questions answered soon about how much he feeds off of Lindstrom, as he's out with an injury for the next six weeks (I believe?), but some still think Basha might not be a top-6 player in the NHL. Second round, I'm thinking.

Back in the day, the term "power forward" was normally reserved for the larger players, like 6'2"or bigger- but lately there's been a number of stocky, beefy six-footers that have been adorned with that term, players like Brennan Othmann, Koehn Ziemmer, and Ryan Leonard. 6'0",205 lb RW Jacob Battaglia is a member of that group, although I would hesitate to compare him to those players talent-wise. Battaglia (no relation to former NHLer Bates Battaglia) was the Kingston Frontenacs' second-round pick, 27th overall, in the 2022 OHL Draft, and is currently second in scoring for that club, with 25 goals, 25 assists, and 50 points in 50 games.

As stated, Battaglia (who looks like an eight year-old) is a power-forward who uses his size and strength well, and plays a hard, heavy game, with goal-scoring being his main forte. He's a load to handle on the forecheck, is hard along the wall, and is often seen fighting for pucks in the greasy areas. He's an above-average skater, with excellent puck-protection skills, and soft hands around the crease- he goes to the net hard, with and without the puck, looking for rebounds, tap-ins, and tips. He's a stubborn net-front presence, and is very hard to move or put off balance- especially with a lower center of gravity. Off the puck, he knows where to be to maximize his chances of recieving a high-danger pass, and he can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. The thing that may get him noticed the most is his hard, heavy shot, and the lightning-quick release that goes with it. He has a strong wrister with plenty of whip, as well as a strong slapper, and one-timer- he might be the most talented shooter coming out of the OHL in this Draft. Though he leans to shooting, he's quite skilled, and he has the smarts and vision to make plays, and hook up with teammates on some nice passes. He's a smooth puckhandler, and an elusive enough skater to be able to carry the puck north through the neutral zone, and make clean entries with control. Defensively, he might not be a stalwart at this point, but he works hard and competes all over the ice- he supports teammates on the backcheck, and has the awareness to contribute.

I like this kid very much, he's a gamer, and a fairly complete player. He has work to do on his strength and skating, but I believe he has middle-six upside. Look for him to be picked as early as the 2nd/3rd round.

One of the players that I was most impressed with at the most recent edition of the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup was 6'2", 198lb LHC Cole Beaudoin. 3 goals and 6 points in 5 games, tied with Maxim Masse for 6th in scoring for Team Canada- ahead of names like Justin Poirier and Cayden Lindstrom. Beaudoin was seemingly everywhere, constantly in his opponents' faces, displaying a work-ethic and physicality that made him really stand out. He skated hard, taking away all time and space from his enemies and applying constant pressure with his speed, wingspan, and tenacity. This season, in OHL play, he has collected 19 goals and 35 points in 39 games for the Barrie Colts, who are currently 3rd-worst in the league, and have the 3rd-worst goals-for. Those 35 points put him second on the team in scoring, and his 19 goals are first. I believe there's more in this player than what the numbers say.

Beaudoin's most prominent attribute may be his size/skating ratio. He moves very well for a big man, with excellent acceleration and straight-line speed, and is fully capable of winning races to pucks against smaller players. His east-west may be a little weaker, but he's more of a north-south linnear player anyway. His speed helps him be effective in transition, and in storming back to the defensive zone. As one can imagine, he's a nightmare on the forecheck, and a load to handle in puck-battles. He also owns great balance, and is strong on his skates, making him hard to knock off the puck, or off stride.

Size and physicality are another pillar to Beaudoin's game, and he uses his size often, finishing checks, punishing opponents along the boards, and using his body to leverage his way to the net. He consistently wins puck battles, and is dominant down low. He likes to play in the middle of the ice, and will go to the front of the net to cause havok. He's quite competitive, and very gritty, and wears opponents down with his physical game. Beaudoin is an effective player in all 3 zones, and really seems to take pride in his defensive game. He's an excellent penalty-killer, and has substantial defensive awareness- he backchecks as hard he forechecks. His most prominent offensive weapon is his shot, and his hands-as his 19 goals might attest. He's got good hands around the net, and can capitalize on tips or rebounds, and he's got moves to beat goalies in tight. He can also score from further out, as he owns a top-notch wrister, and snapshot, with a quick release. Like most goal-scorers, he knows where to be to recieve a pass in order to unleash his shot, and he knows how to create, and exploit, open space.

Beaudoin should not be overlooked in the early-to-mid second round, and could conceivably slip into the first, as he could one day make a fine middle-six center in the NHL. His weakness may be the questions about whether he possesses high-end vision for playmaking, and thus, what his offensive ceiling really is. A lot of the more difficult passes he attempts miss their mark, increasing the chance of turnovers- so he needs to work on getting more crisp in his distribution, but he'll likely never be a big playmaker. He's the type to play a simpler, more linnear game, while providing a valuable two-way presence. He skates well now, but must continue to build his stride, and he'll be a scary, Ferland-type.

LHC Kamil Bednarik is not a Czech Import, but rather an American- born in Elmhurst, Illinois, and is currently one of the top-5 players in scoring in the USDP- given a "B" rating by Central Scouting. The 6'0",185lb Bednarik is not a flashy player, or dynamic- he's one of those "good at everything, but not great in any one thing" types, who doesn't hold any real gamebreaking qualities. Still, he's an all-situations player, with an all-around skillset, and smarts.

Bednarik has very good mobility, and is smooth and strong on his skates- he can drive through checks, and with his excellent puck control is very difficult to knock off the puck. He keeps it simple, and doesn't gamble on edge-of-your-seat plays, preferring to keep things safe and tidy. He has good anticipation, and reads the play well, exhibiting a plus-passing game, and a coolness under pressure. Bednarik is a balanced attacker, being equal parts playmaker and shooter, with good hands to generate chances off the rush, and the cycle. Where he really makes his mark is with his grit, and his ability to play a heavy game. He's ferocious, hard-working, and has endless motor- he doesn't give up on plays, or slow down. He will dish out big hits, and has a chip on his shoulder. Defensively, he's a stalwart, and backchecks hard.

Bednarik is a pretty safe bet to make it to the NHL, as he's already suited to bottom-6 duties, with his defensive acumen and physicality. He reminds me a little bit of Colin White when he was drafted, but offers the potential of more to come as he develops. There's a long runway to come for him in College to grow as a player, as he's committed to Boston University. Look for him to be picked in the 2nd, or 3rd round.

With how often he activates into the play, it's a shock that LD Adam Belusko didn't get more than his 1 point in 7 games at the U-18 Tournament, where he wore an "A" for Slovakia. Belusko put up some gaudy numbers in league play back home in Slovakia, finishing 21st overall in scoring (and 3rd in ppg for defensemen) in the U20 league with 19 points in 17 games split between HC Kosice (6 assists in 6 games), and Team Slovakia's U18 team (13 assists in 11 games). In Slovakia, the U18 team plays games against opponents in the U20, and opponents in the second-tier men's league to get prepared for international tournaments like the U-18's. Against men in the second-tier, the 5'11",187lb blueliner put up 11 points in 24 games (8th-overall for U-18 players), to go with 20 PIM. He wore the "A" in last summer's Hlinka as well, but only managed 1 goal in 4 games, and had the opportunity to play a game in the Extraliga for HC Kosice, where he scored a goal.

Belusko is a solid two-way player who does a little of everything, and can play in all situations, including both special teams. At times, Belusko seems to be everywhere all at once in the offensive zone, touching every inch of ice in one shift. At the U-18's, in the first period against Team USA, Belusko seemed to be rarely at his post, abandoning the point to activate deep into the zone for long periods, letting his forwards fill in for him. He was so rarely at the blueline that he seemed like he was playing pond hockey, which showed a bit of immaturity to me. The period ended with Team USA up 2-1 on the Slovaks, and Belusko came out in the 2nd playing a much more responsible game. Belusko will join the rush to support the attack, and will pinch in to keep plays alive or to kill the rush coming back in it's early stages. He can fly at top speed, but his acceleration and first-step need refinement- he can be beaten to pucks in small-areas. In certain situations, such as walking the line to open space to distribute in the offensive zone, he displays solid edges and footwork. In the contests I watched, he had difficulty in getting his point shot through to the net, but he's not really a big goal-scoring threat right now anyway, and not much of a puck-rusher, either. Despite his small stature, he is punishing along the boards and physical in front of the net, with no fear of competing for pucks in hard areas.

With his style of play, it would seem like Belusko is a big, mobile shutdown defender trapped in the body of a small, high-octane offensive blueliner- his best contribution to his team is his defensive play, as his offense is a question mark going forward. He is very preoccupied in playing defense in all 3 zones, stopping plays as early as possible and playing a disruptive game. Against the rush, Belusko is indispensable, killing entries with his footwork, positioning, and physicality- he also uses a well-timed, active stick to cause turnovers, and pick pockets. He is tenacious in puck battles, difficult to play against, and positions himself well off-puck to support his partner with his stick on the ice to be ready for passes, and be proactively positioned defensively. He covers his net well, and manages to box opponents out from the crease, taking their sticks with lifts and slashes, and blocking shots. In every corner the ice, Belusko hounds puck-carriers and cuts off lanes, while angling attackers away from the middle. On retrievals, he needs to scan better as he can make mistakes under pressure, and his breakout passes can be inconsistent. He can pinch at innopportune times as well, leaving his team short-handed. Belusko is an excellent junior player back home in Slovakia, but it remains to be seen how his offense will translate to North American hockey, and his size isn't ideal to play a shutdown game at the next level- he may not have enough to hear his name called at the draft, but if he does, it will be in the later rounds.

LHC Jack Berglund comes from a strong hockey background, being the son of former-NHLer Christian Berglund (who played for the Devils and Panthers), and nephew to Swedish pros Carl Berglund, and Daniel Berglund. Jack, who measures 6'3",207lbs, spent most of this season with Farjestad's J20 team, posting 15 goals and 34 points in 41 games- but had an 8-game cup of tea with the SHL team, nabbing a goal in 8 games. He turned heads in the most recent edition of the 5 Nations Tournament, with 4 points in 3 games, and scored a natural hat-trick in the first game against Finland- including the game-winner in OT.

Though it seems like Jack has been talked about forever, most see him turning out to be more of a shutdown, defensive player going forward, as was his role in the 5 Nations, and in all other international play. Berglund is not the greatest skater- it pervades many aspects of his game, and he can be exposed when he's not in position. He's not particularly great on his edges either. Good thing for him is that he's a meat-and-potatoes type of player, and is at his best when keeping things simple. On the plus side, he's a smooth stickhandler with quick hands, and is tenacious on the puck with airtight control- this, combined with his reach and protection skills, makes it hard to strip him of the puck. Berglund flashes high-end skill and playmaking ability- he makes good decisions with the puck, and his passes are crisp and accurate. On occasion, he can connect on a difficult, more complicated pass in traffic. His shooting arsenal is fairly deep, but he could use more zip on his shots. He plays very well around the net, and displays silky soft mitts to beat goalies with, and the understanding of how to dip in and out of open space around the crease.

Berglund is a physical player, and can outright bully opponents in junior, but he's not really mean- he needs to be more aggressive, and use his size better to impose his will, and wear down opponents. He pays attention to his defensive duties as a center, and doesn't cheat. He has the ability to play his man closely, and can cut off lanes, and intercept passes, while keeping the crease clear. The coaching staff trusts him in defensive situations, and gives him penalty-killing duties. This may help him, as his defensive game might just be his bread-and-butter one day in the pros, and if he improves his skating, he'll make a great option for bottom-6 duty. Look for him in the 5th/6th round.

RW David Bernier played 5 years in the QMJHL between 1993 and 1999, but despite being drafted by the Oilers in '96, and then the Ducks in '98, his NHL dream never came to fruition. David may yet get the chance to live his dream through his son, RHD Alexis Bernier, who was given the rank of "C" by Central Scouting, pegging him as a potential 4th, or 5th-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The younger Bernier was 2nd in scoring by defensemen this season on the best team in the league, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, and the 26th-highest scoring D in the QMJHL, with 4 goals and 31 points in 67 games. Bernier is currently tied with teammate Niks Feneko for 2nd in playoff scoring by defensemen, with 5 points in 4 games, and his regular-season +38 was 15th in the league. Bernier is a little on the young side, with a June 21st birthday, and stands 6'1", weighing in at 190lbs.

Bernier plays a good two-way game, but isn't elite in any area- he's a minute-munching, all-situations D who plays both special teams. Like his father, Alexis plays an intense, aggressive brand of hockey with an edge. He's ultra competitive with snarl, and applies physicality any chance he gets. His puck game is kept fairly simple, but smart- he doesn't take risks or try to do more than he's capable of, although his breakout passes seem to be a strength, with his ability to connect tape-to-tape with streaking forwards. When handling, he exhibits smooth, fast hands, and has good puck-control and protection skills. In the offensive zone, Bernier has the appearance of a true offensive defenseman with the way he will pinch in from the point- often it's with the objective of getting the puck deep, or keeping the play alive in the zone, but he will also activate in on the weak side for scoring chances. He distributes well from the line, but can also generate opportunities for rebounds and tips by getting shots on net- his shot is hard and heavy, but lacks accuracy. He also has no reservations about joining the rush. Unfortunately, Bernier's skating is a bit of a detriment- it's pretty average, and it needs work in all areas, which may have hurt his numbers and also his draft stock.

Even with his current mobility issues, Bernier still has plenty of upside. He plays a pretty tight defensive game, and manages to keep good gaps- he's able to keep up in man-on-man coverage as well. He kills rushes with his long reach and active stick, and angles opponents towards the boards where he finishes them physically. He covers the net well, roughing up opponents in performance of this task, and plays heavy down low- he hunts down puck-carriers along the boards, dishing out big hits or rub-outs. Bernier will also put his body on the line to block shots, and despite his age, he's a leader, and vocal with teammates on the ice. He's aware of his skating deficiencies, so he employs pro-active positioning to offset those limitations, but he can still be beaten by faster players. There are many who think Bernier's ceiling is that of a 2nd-pairing defenseman in the NHL, and if he can fix his skating, the sky might just be the limit. He could also stand to work on his discipline, as he can sometimes step over the line, and he takes bad penalties that cost his team. I'm thinking 4th, or 5th round.

Have you heard about C/LW Alexandre Blais of the Rimouski Oceanic? Most people haven't, and that's a shame, because he really deserves the attention. Blais was 6th overall in QMJHL scoring, and was the top-scorer in the league for first-time draft-eligibles, with 84 points (24 goals) in 68 games, and finished 2nd in the Q for assists, with 60. He is the main focus of Rimouski's offense, and also the main focus of every opposing team's checkers every night, leading his team in scoring by 21 points. The Oceanic were recently eliminated from the playoffs in five games by the Cape Breton Eagles, but Blais led the team in scoring, with 6 points in 5 games. The only reason I can think of to explain his anonymity is his size, as he's only 5'10",154lbs.

This is the kind of player that you might describe by saying that "the puck seems to follow him around". Blais is a dynamic playmaker, with a highly intelligent passing game, and can sniff out gaps in coverage to operate in. His vision and IQ are second to none, and he makes good, quick decisions under pressure, while problem-solving on the fly. If he can't outsmart you, he'll beat you with speed, as he's close to elite in the skating department. He has the kind of explosiveness and acceleration to back off checkers, and overwhelm defensemen- he can beat opponents wide, and is hard to stop with the way he pushes pace. He's also shifty with good edges, and has the agility to stop and start on a dime- he doesn't need to make wide turns. Blais' brilliant passing is peppered with layers of deception which, when combined with his speed, help him to pick apart defenses. He employs every little fake, deke, look-off, and feint, along with changes in speed and direction, to manipulate defenders into giving up lanes. Often, he will delay and rag the puck until the right play comes along. He possesses magnificent puck-protection, with smooth handling, and will fearlessly cut inside to the middle- he can create off the wall, as well as off the rush, and skates with his head up to scan his surroundings.

Blais is patient and poised with the puck, and makes pinpoint, accurate passes of the saucer or backhand variety through bodies, over sticks, and between feet. He will draw attackers, and wait until the last second to make the pass in order to win more open space and time for the teammate who recieves it. He has a soft touch, and will dish right to his teammates blade, with the right amount of velocity, just out of the reach of opponents' sticks. He's not a big shooter, but has added a nice shot and release to his arsenal after only scoring 7 goals in 2022-23, and displays a wicked drag-and-release wrister- he will also crash the net looking for second-chance opportunities. Off the puck, he takes good routes, and attacks open space as soon as he makes a pass to be ready for the next play. Despite his diminutive stature, he fights hard for loose pucks, and shows competitiveness and high-motor. There's some push-back in his game, as his 40 penalty-minutes would attest, and he carries a bit of a chip on his shoulder- which he may need in order to survive. On the forecheck, he's industrious, and turns pucks over aplenty which he then converts into scoring chances.

Though he's perhaps not a stalwart, he makes himself useful in the defensive zone with hard work and the speed to close fast on puck-carriers. He's disruptive with his stick, and has the smarts and anticipation to break up plays, but his lack of size and strength hurts him in the physicality department, as he can be overpowered and pushed around. With the high number of passes he makes, a certain percentage don't work out, which is to be expected, but he needs to cut down on errors for the next level, and will need to make quicker decisions when he turns pro, without high-end flashiness. He sometimes tries to do too much on his own, and can lose the puck when deking, or overhandle it in possession. The biggest detriment to his game is his lack of size and physicality, and it's really the only glaring weakness. Look for him in the third round.

LHC Raoul Boilard (6'2",190lbs) really turned heads at the CHL Top Prospects Game, earning Player of the Game honors after scoring 2 goals (including the game-winner), and an assist. The gifted offensive center plays for the best team (and highest scoring) in the QMJHL, Baie-Comeau, and has amassed 18 goals and 45 points in 47 games to date, with an incredible +31.

Boilard is perhaps equal parts scorer and playmaker, and he's highly skilled with great vision and playmaking ability. He posesses quick processing ability, and uncanny IQ, with creativity and high-end puck skills. He's poised with the puck, and makes high-danger feeds in high-pressure situations. Boilard makes plays off the rush, and once set up in the zone, he will activate off the wall to the middle to create high-danger opportunities. He has superior protection skills, which may be an underrated part of his game, and he's hard on the puck, giving him the ability to maintain posession under duress. Boilard plays hard around the net, and will clean up garbage in the crease, but he can also rely on his shot, which is hard, heavy, and accurate with an outstanding release. Though he cannot be called a true power-forward, and isn't overly physical, he finishes his checks, and competes in the hard areas. His skating is solid, perhaps not spectacular, but he does have nice balance and agility. There is work to be done on his acceleration, and top speed. It should be mentioned that Boilard is quite strong on faceoffs.

Defensively, he's average. He shows the right kind of positioning and awareness in the defensive zone, but not the same zeal. He will still support his D down low, and will aid in transition going the other way. He has very good size, and it would be nice to see him use it more. I think he'll be picked in the early second round.

Quebec-born LHC Sacha Boisvert was selected 12th overall in the 2022 QMJHL Draft by Chicoutimi, but elected to go the NCAA route, starting with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he currently has 19 goals and 35 points in 34 games, to go with 40 PIM. He's 14th in points, 4th in goals, and is on pace to score 34 goals in 61 games. Boisvert is a coveted C with size, at 6'2",179 lbs, and is a power forward who plays a physical brand of hockey. He is one of three USHL players who have been given an "A" rating by Central Scouting- the others being Trevor Connelly, and Cole Eiserman.

Obviously, Boisvert is a bit more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he's fully able to make high-end plays through traffic, or off the rush. He makes plays in full-flight, showing high-end vision and creativity. He is able to best his enemies with power or pace, and has plenty of jam. He's an effective forechecker, bearing down on puck-carriers like a hawk. Boisvert's skating mechanics aren't perfect, but he generates excellent speed from a wide stride, with the acceleration to separate from attackers, and surprising small-area quickness. His feet, combined with tight puck-protection, make it difficult to strip him of possession. Boisvert makes good decisions with the puck, and exhibits good skill, control, and stickhandling. He's confident in carrying, and surprisingly- he can weave in and out of traffic, and his game carries plenty of deception. Boisvert's shot is NHL-calibre, and he can score off the rush, but he's also hungry in tight- driving the net for tips and rebounds, and to cause havok. His off-puck game is a plus, and he has spatial awareness, so he knows where the holes are, and where to be. He battles hard in the grease, intimidates along the wall, and is a load down low.

As much as Boisvert is considered to be a good 200-ft player, his defense gets mixed reviews- specifically, the ebbs and flows in his focus and work-ethic in this area. When he's on, he clogs lanes quite well with his body and wingspan, and he's already used regularly on the PK. He can pull off highlight-reel plays that dazzle, but some wonder how it will translate to the NHL. Good news is, he's committed to North Dakota of the NCAA, which is a highly respected program, so he has plenty of runway. First-round pick for sure.

Whatever organization drafts RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will be getting a future fan-favorite. The 6'1",195lb power-forward has so far played most of his games with Mora's AllSvenskan Team, the second-highest tier in Sweden, and is currently 7th in scoring for U-20 players, with 11 points in 27 games. He's also put in 7 games with the J20 team (12 points in 7 games), and scored 3 goals and 5 points in 5 WJC games for a weak Team Norway. The main reason he's in the AllSvenskan is that he plays a mature game with good habits. He's big and sturdy, and incredibly strong on his skates, making it virtually impossible to knock him off the puck- couple that with his air-tight puck-protection, and one can see why he never gets stripped of possession. MBN can be a mean power forward who bullies his way around the ice, and is a constant physical threat. He hits often, and hits hard, is very tenacious with high motor, and a load to handle on the forecheck. Very competitive and hard-working. "Explosive" is a word often used to describe his skating- he has excellent speed, uncanny agility and edges, and superb acceleration. He's like a freight train when he's in full stride, but he also has the ability to be elusive with his puck control, deception, and 1-on-1 skill- so he can go around you, or through you. He's a dual-threat, as a powerful shooter, as well as a deft playmaker. He's got a wide array of hard, accurate shots with plenty of deception, but he also has soft hands for the pass, and high IQ and vision to make the right decisions. Nygard works to make himself an open option for offense, and always wants to make something happen. He's more than capable of moving the puck, and contributes well to transition. He has an arsenal of moves, deception, toe-drags, and dekes to weave his way around the ice. If all that wasn't enough for you, Nygard is also an excellent 200-ft player, and some say he's one of the best defensive players in the draft. He uses his speed and physicality to pressure attackers, cut off angles, separate man from puck, and force turnovers. His mobility aids him in transitioning from offense to defense rapidly, and he can often stop rushes before they reach his zone. He will initiate contact in the corners, or along the boards to gain possession. I love this player, and most writers are hard-pressed to find a true weakness. Some say he can look nonchalant in the defensive zone, and that his intensity can wane sometimes. Others question if he truly has high-end offensive ability, as he should perhaps have more points this year, but I might put him in the top-10. I see him as a riser.

RHD Harrison Brunicke was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to Calgary when he was two years old- later playing for the Royals. He's been given a "C" rating by Central Scouting, meaning they believe he's a candidate to be picked in the 4th or 5th round, but it's my guess that he goes in the 2nd or 3rd. The 6'3",187lb rearguard has 18 points in 41 games this season to date with Kamloops of the WHL, who are dead last in the league, and second-last in goals-for. This is a player who is much more than his stats, as he doesn't have much to work with, and I think scouts will recognize this. Brunicke's 18 points are second-best for defensemen on a very poor squad. In 2022-23, Brunicke got to participate in the Memorial Cup, as Kamloops was the host, and he put up 1 goal.

Brunicke is a fairly raw, all-around defenseman with size, skating, skill, and snarl, who can munch minutes. He's quite physical and intense, and has bite to his game- he will even drop the gloves when needed. He is used in all situations for the Blazers, and plays both special teams. His highlight reel is very entertaining, and fans say he's good for a least few jaw-dropping moments each night. This is a big guy who is highly mobile, maybe even explosive- with great agility, balance, and edgework, who can beat smaller players in a foot race. He did well in on-ice testing leading up to the CHL Top Prospects Game, and finished 4th in the field in "Weave Agility with Puck". Brunicke likes to join the attack, and has a good, hard shot, with soft hands in close. He will pinch low, manipulating opponents to open space, and make plays to teammates in high-danger. He's a supremely talented stickhandler, with some dynamic skill, and has an arsenal of 1-on-1 moves to make opponents look silly- he can fake them out of their skates, then deke around, or through them. He's highly deceptive on breakouts as well, using little fakes in his body, stick, and feet to shake off attackers, then form a quality breakout. He shows intensity in the D-zone as well, angling opponents to the boards, then finishing them. One has to ponder how he would look on a better team...

Brunicke is very raw, and will need time to round out his game. He needs to learn patience, and has to tighten up his defensive positioning. Many say he's prone to mistakes in transition- he can throw the puck away, or pass into his teammates' skates. He's much better off carrying it in himself. I love this kid, and I think he has major upside- the ceiling is high, but the floor is low.

The "experts" keep saying that LHD Zeev Buium's torrid scoring pace in the NCAA is just an anomaly, and the numbers will soon come back down to earth- but there doesn't seem to be any sign of a slide any time soon. So far to date, Buium is tearing up the college ranks at Denver U, with 34 points in just 26 games, which would put him in the top ten all-time for pts/gp by an 18 year-old D if he can maintain that pace, with 1.31- ahead of names like Brian Leetch (1.27), Adam Fox (1.14), Zach Werenski (1.00), Luke Hughes (0.95), Seamus Casey (.78), and Quinn Hughes (.78). Buium was 5th overall in scoring for defensemen in the U-18's, with 6 points in 7 games, and 8th in scoring for defensemen in the WJC, with 5 points in 7 games.

Buium is a supremely talented two-way blueliner, who obviously leans heavily to offense, and plays big minutes against the best opponents. He's very well-rounded, but not overly flashy, like some of his contemporaries. The first pillar of Buium's game is his otherworldly skating- he can be beaten in a straight-line race by some of the faster skaters out there, but very few can match his elite edgework and agility. He can go wherever he wants to on the ice with full possession, without getting slowed down, due to his footwork- he's highly evasive and shifty, makes quick turns and changes of direction and pace on a dime, and shakes off pressure in the D zone. He can weave in and out of traffic, which helps him with another pillar in his game- his highly valuable work in transition. Buium is consistently involved in the breakout, either with a crisp pass, or by carrying it himself through layers of defenders. He's facilitates zone exits and entries with control at a high success rate, and is a lightning bolt on the rush, pushing the pace and putting defenders on their heels. His first-pass is hard and accurate, and he can connect to streaking teammates with stretch passes. He's a master of deception, and employs every little toe-drag, deke, fake, and look-off to manipulate defenses, along with changes to the angle of his stick blade and feet. He also has excellent lateral mobility, and shiftiness as another layer of deception to throw opponents off. When Buium is on the ice, defense is quickly turned into offense. Despite not being the absolute fastest player out there, his feet stay moving, and he pushes pace while driving play.

Buium thinks the game at an elite level, and may be the smartest player in the Draft- his top-tier IQ is the third pillar of his game, and is his best asset. He's highly creative, and his processing speed is faster than most- he's often a few steps ahead of the play, and is a problem-solver on the fly. He likes to jump into the rush when the opportunity presents itself, and he attacks high danger- or generates high danger chances from the slot. His wrister is quick and accurate, and he likes to cut to the middle to unleash it. He walks the line to look for an avenue to dissect coverage by opening seams, while dodging defenders- and he knows when to pinch into the play without leaving his partner hanging out to dry. He's the ideal powerplay quarterback, with poise and patience.

Unlike some other offensive defensemen, Buium has a defensive conscience, and though he is always in constant motion, he's a calming presence on the backend for his teammates. He's an asset in his own zone, hounding puck-carriers, staying stapled to his man to eliminate time and space, and separate man from puck. He understands space and angles, uses a well-timed stick, and keeps tight gaps against the rush. Buium is feisty, but not the most physical player- he will throw hits when necessary, but seems to prefer to use his speed and skill to win pucks. He doesn't shy away from the rough-going though, and will gladly take a hit to make a play, or pin an opponent to the boards. Big minutes are never a problem for him- he stays active, and has a high motor.

Buium is listed on most sites as being 6'0",183lbs- but he's listed on the NCAA website as measuring 6'2", and some writers describe him as having size. It wouldn't surprise me, as both of his brothers are above 6'3", but either way, he needs to get a lot stronger to win more board battles, and be much harder to play against. His shot is accurate, and he gets great whip on his wrister, but could use more power and velocity in his shooting arsenal. If he truly is 6'2", we will see his draft stock rise dramatically. He has excellent mobility, but has room to improve his straight-line top speed- otherwise, he's a pretty complete player and a future top-pairing defenseman, who may go top-10 in the Draft.

LHD Eric Burger finished 11th overall in the J20 league for scoring by defensemen, with 26 points in 46 games for Orebro, and added 51 penalty-minutes, which tells you something about the kind of player he is. The 6'0", 181lb rearguard sees a ton of ice in all situations, and plays a rugged, hard-nosed game. He seems to make a positive impact for his team whenever he takes to the ice. Burger is difficult to play against, with a hard-nosed style, and constantly contributes with his physical play. He is competitive and determined to win puck battles- he separates man from puck, then steals possession. He has excellent puck-skill, and it's hard to rob him of possession. He's strong on the puck, and handles smoothly. Most of the time, he's calm and composed when it comes to his decision-making, but he can sometimes be pressured into making mistakes. With regards to his playmaking, he keeps things simple and risk-free, and takes the same approach to his first-pass. His shot is fairly hard and heavy, and he uses it as another playmaking tool to facilitate second-chance opportunities for teammates, and uses screens effectively. His numbers are strong, but some say he is a benefactor of the team he plays for, and the quality of teammates around him.

Burger thrives in his own zone, and he is always in the right position to be disruptive. He exerts tight gap control, with the ability to match footwork with attackers, and neutralizes opponents along the wall with physicality. He keeps opponents at bay with an active stick, that he also uses to block lanes. He could stand to be meaner in front of his net though, as he's not afraid to rough up opponents in other areas of the ice. Though he could use more explosiveness and an extra gear, he's a good skater with mobility in all directions. He owns a powerful stride, and keeps a low center of gravity for better balance, and to make himself hard to knock off the puck. He employs good edges for extra manoverability, and quickness in turns, with smooth transitions to be able to switch from offense to defense seamlessly. With work on his decision-making, strength, and speed, he could make it as a bottom-pairing defenseman in the NHL. Look for him in the later rounds.

This year's recipient of the Mr. Hockey Award, given out annually to the most outstanding male senior high school player in the state of Minnesota, is first year draft-eligible LW Hagen Burrows, who posted 19 goals, and 59 points in only 28 games, for the Minnetonka High Skippers. He is the 40th player to have received this award. Burrows is a bit older than most of his contemporaries in this year's draft, having been born in October, and missing being eligible for last year's draft by a month. Burrows actually started the year with Sioux City of the USHL, where he put up 16 points in 16 games, and it's much easier to make a projection on a player from that league, than it is to do so from the High School circuit, where the competition is inferior. For the last 2 years, Burrows has been the best player on a deep and talented Minnetonka team, and led them to the State Championship in 2023. He has earned the nickname,"The Professor", not only for his smarts on the ice, but also because he sports a 4.3 GPA.

Burrows measures 6'2", but is thinly built, at 165lbs; despite this, he plays much heavier than his weight, employing a physical, power-forward style. He's a smooth, fluid skater with a long stride, but could use work on his edges, top speed, and acceleration- a lot of this will work itself out as he gets stronger. He can still dart into open space, and find seams to pick defenses apart, using his high-end vision and playmaking. He's confident and decisive, with a lightning-quick processing speed- he uses his teammates well, and makes them better. He can often be spotted around the net, where he like to create chances with passes to the slot, and acros the crease. There's plenty of deception in his distribution game in order to mask his true intentions, such as look-offs and fakes, and he can pull off difficult passes that few others can. He's unafraid to attack the net. or to park himself in front of it to set up a screen, or establish a net-front presence in order to shovel in rebounds. He has an excellent shot with a stunning release that he doesn't use nearly enough, and he has dazzling moves to beat goalies with, but he defers mostly to his passing. He's calm and composed with the puck, having solid puck-skill, smooth handling, slick 1-on-1 moves, and he protects well.

Burrows is a positive presence in the neutral, and defensive zone, contributing to a high number of both exits and entries in transition. He causes turnovers with his anticipation, and uses his long reach and a well-timed stick to dislodge pucks in both zones. He plays with energy, and high motor, but his intensity and compete can wane- particularly in the defensive zone. The level of his engagement in the zone fluctuates, and results in him losing his man, and doing a little too much puck-watching, and playing too passively. When he fills out, he will be monster with a robust physical game. Hagens is committed to the University of Denver for the 2025-26 season, which is considered to be an excellent program, and will play in the USHL next season, so the team that selects him will have his rights for the long haul- which is good news, as he needs a while to marinate. Look for him in the 3rd round.

The Moose Jaw Warriors won their first-ever WHL Championship tonight, sweeping the high-powered Portland Winterhawks in the process, and a few draft-eligibles on the losing side caught my eye- one of them being LW/C Diego Buttazzoni. The 5'9",183lb Buttazzoni had a bit of a disappointing playoff, finishing 11th on the team in post-season scoring with 3 goals and 9 points in 18 games, after a regular season where he was 6th in points with 53 in 67 games. I wouldn't say that's an indictment of his play necessarily, as the Winterhawks are a deep, veteran team, and every player ahead of him was older, with 6 of them being NHL draftees. Buttazzoni was originally drafted by Medicine Hat, 37th-overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, but was traded to Portland in the summer of 2022. He had originally spurned the WHL to go the college route, and had even played a few games with the BCHL's Coquitlam Express in 2021-22, but he changed his mind when he got the call from the Winterhawks. In his rookie year in the WHL, he played a third-line center role for the 'Hawks, putting up 15 points in 56 games, and went 56% in faceoffs. This season, he was reportedly cast mostly in a top-6 winger role, scoring 29 goals and 53 points in 67 games on a talent-laden Portland team that was 3rd-best in the league, and scored the most goals.

Buttazzoni is one of those players who seems to have the puck following him all night, he's fun to watch. He's an excellent skater with long, powerful strides who can make sharp cuts to change direction instantly to get past defenders and deke goalies out of their jockstraps. He's a nightmare for opposing defensemen with his superb footwork, and his ability to separate in open ice. He's shifty and slippery, and can spin away from checks with apparent ease. On the forecheck, he's the ultimate pest, hounding puck-carriers with an active stick, and the speed to smother them of time and space. He wins battles in the greasy areas with impeccable positioning and doggedness, and while he isn't very physical, he plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, and never shies away from the rough stuff. As a dual-threat performer, he flaunts high IQ and vision, and can find passing lanes to the middle of the ice; but it's his dazzling arsenal of hard, heavy shots that are the greater of his offensive contributions, with 29 of his 53 points being goals. He can shoot in full flight without losing speed in his stride, or power in his shot, and every blast comes with power and velocity, as well as an explosive release. His one-timer is a bomb, his wrister is a laser, and he can shoot it backhand faster than some can shoot forehand- in short, he can really rip the puck. He materializes at the right place at the right time in danger areas to unleash, sneaking in-and-out of soft spots with immaculate timing, and finds holes in coverage to beat defenders to the inside- all with the purpose of having a split-second of time and space to fire at an opportune time. He can also score the ugly ones, and is good around the net with the patience to score on tips and rebound opportunities.

In transition, Buttazzoni shows his value, as he can carry through the neutral zone with his speed, combined with deception in the form of fakes, feints, and dekes to make a clean entry. He owns quick hands and feet, and can work the give-and-go to get from one zone to the other as well. He's an expert stickhandler with high-end 1-on-1 skill, mostly relying on quick touches in carries, and doesn't often hold on to the puck for too long- but when he does, he appears confident and poised. In the defensive end, he has worked to become trustworthy defensively, and the coaches will give him defensive-zone starts and faceoffs. He's a fairly responsible two-way player, but is not quite a stalwart yet- he keeps one eye on his duties at all times, but he's still developing his own-zone game to it's fullest. While he seems to know his limitations as a smaller player, he is considered to be a character player with intangibles that won't appear on any scoresheet- he works hard in practice, hustles hard on the ice, and stays active, keeping his feet moving at all times. Buttazzoni will get an opportunity in the coming two seasons to be more of a go-to guy for the Winterhawks, and may be seen at that time as a bit of a steal, but right now- I can see him getting picked anywhere from the 5th, to the 7th round. He needs work on his strength, and his defensive game going forward, but the best upgrade he could make would be growing another few inches, sadly.

I've seen LW Clarke Caswell bounce all over the map since the start of the season in various Draft lists and mocks, but his situation seems to improving with the arrival of Conor Geekie to the Swift Current Broncos before the WHL trade deadline. A sample size of Caswell's last 10 games shows him putting up 14 points, and he currently (no pun intended) leads the Broncos by 7 points, with 66 points in 60 games. The Broncs took Caswell 6th overall in the 2021 WHL Draft, and the 5'11",176lb winger plays in all situations for them.

Caswell isn't flashy, and doesn't show any superstar talent, or any high-end tools, but he is both quick and smart. With only 20 goals this season to date, it's apparent that he's more of a playmaker than a shooter. He shows a high level of offensive IQ and vision, and the anticipation to stay one step ahead of the play. He's got creativity, and sharp instincts, and packs a wide array of first-round quality passes that travel from blade to blade, over sticks, between feet, and through triangles, with many of them being the high-danger variety- he is first on the Broncos for passes to the slot per 60. He's highly deceptive, in order to cloak his intentions, using a variety of dekes, toe-drags, look-offs, and fakes to throw off checkers. He's also proficient at drawing defenders towards him, thereby opening up space for him to exploit, and is confident enough to hold on to the puck for the extra second or two he needs when waiting for an opportunity to unfold. He sees the ice well, and knows where to go to support teammates, and make himself a high-quality option for passes. Caswell's shot is hovering around average, and in need of an upgrade, but he has soft hands to beat goalies in tight. He's an efficient forechecker, drives the net, and attacks the middle.

Caswell's other standout trait, besides his playmaking skill, is his skating. He is agile, quick, and can outmanouver opponents with his shiftiness, or lose them with his separation speed. He's very hard to defend off the rush, with his excellent acceleration, and smooth edges- he's always in motion, and keeps his legs pumping. With his puck control and protection skills, he can weave in and out traffic, and aid in transition. Caswell shows a strong desire to make a difference in all 3 zones, and he is trusted with important defensive assignments in Swift Current- he kills penalties, and his coach will put him out to protect leads late in games in short-handed situations with the opposing goalie pulled. There's hustle and grit in his game, with high compete and motor, but at the present time, he's quite thinly built and can be overpowered in battles, or knocked off the puck. His board game has been described as being weak, and he doesn't get involved enough in battles along the wall- but the good news is that he has acknowledged the need he has to build muscle on his frame. There's a way to go for Caswell to round out his toolbox, but he could be a candidate for middle-6 duty in the NHL someday. Look for him to get taken off the board in the 3rd round.

LHC Berkly Catton had an eye-catching Hlinka Gretzky Cup performance as Captain of Team Canada, scoring in each game and ending up with 8 goals in 5 games. He was first in tournament goal-scoring by 3, and led all skaters in points, with 10. To date, he has amassed 67 points in just 41 games with Spokane of the WHL, a pace that puts him on a 111-point trajectory, on a team that sits currently in 19th place, and 13th in goals-for. Catton leads the team in points by 7, and is 19 points ahead of the 3rd-highest scorer. He's capable of playing all 3 forward positions, both sides of special teams, and you can put him out when your team is down, or when you are protecting a lead.

Catton is a special talent, a complete player, and is said to be one of the best playmakers in this Draft. He can get tape-to-tape passes off through traffic, and has a wide variety of ways he can distribute. He sets pace, drives play, and is a dazzling offensive weapon- always a step or two ahead of everyone else. He possesses elite skill, IQ, spatial awareness, and vision, and always makes good decisions with the puck. Catton is also a dynamic skater with blistering speed, and effortless agility and edges. He's highly elusive, with excellent lateral mobility and changes of pace. Defenders often end up looking stupid trying to play him 1-on-1, as his puck-control is infallible, and he protects well, with stunning 1-on-1 skill. He rarely loses the puck or overhandles, it's like it's glued to his stick. It's seemingly impossible to get a takeaway from him, and he's composed and confident under pressure. Catton is a clutch player with unending motor and compete, and has a slight chip on his shoulder, evidenced by his 33 PIMs.

Catton's shot is quick and accurate, and obviously effective, but he doesn't use it enough, and needs to work on it's power. He likes to weave in and out of the high slot, and has the hands to capitalize on tips and rebounds, as well as the moves to beat goalies in tight. Catton is always in the thick of the action, does all the little things to win, and backchecks hard. He's a quality defensive player, and is always in position to pressure attackers with stick checks, and take away time and space- when he's not outright beating them to pucks with his speed. There's very little to nitpick here, except maybe size- he's listed at 5'11",163lbs, so he needs to bulk up significantly, and get much stronger. Even then, the team that drafts him may elect to keep him on the wing, rather than center. Look for him in the top-10.

The projected consensus first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, LHC Macklin Celebrini, is in the midst of the 4th-best season by a U-18 player in NCAA history, with 48 points in just 30 games at Boston University, for a 1.60 ppg. Celebrini will be 17 years old until June 13th, whereas recent draftees from the NCAA, like Jack Eichel (1.78 ppg) and Adam Fantilli (1.81 ppg), were 18 for the entirety of their draft years, highlighting just how amazing, and perhaps underrated, Celebrini's season has been. It doesn't end there; Celebrini put up the 4th best U-18 tournament all-time by a U-17 player, with 15 points in 7 games, and the 15th best ppg by a U-18 player all-time at the World Junior Championship, with 8 points in 5 games for Team Canada this year, ahead of players like Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid. At the age of 15, he had the second-best season by a 15 year-old for ppg in Shattuck St.Mary's history, behind only Crosby, with 117 points in 52 games, and at age 16, he posted the most points by a U-17 player in USHL history, with 86 points in 50 games for the Chicago Steel. Celebrini is youngest player in the NCAA this season, and is currently 6th in scoring. He had shoulder surgery in the off-season, but it didn't seem to slow him down.

Celebrini is a dynamic player, with an elite brain and high-end skill, who is best classified as a dual-threat who can do it all- and is doing it against older, more developed players in the NCAA. Though he can both score and make plays, he leans a bit more towards scoring, and his 26 goals are second-most in the NCAA, behind Cutter Gauthier. Obviously, he has an elite goal-scorer's touch, with other-worldly instincts, and a lot of the damage he does comes from high-danger, in-close. He can score from farther out though, as he has a cannon of a shot, with a release that can freeze time- and he can unleash it in full flight without losing a step. He owns a potent one-timer, and a wrister that absolutely explodes off his blade. Celebrini is far from a one-trick pony though, as he makes players around him better by consistently making good split-decisions under pressure, using his elite hockey sense and IQ to find teammates in high-danger. He's a top-flight playmaker who manages the puck well with very few giveaways, and makes something happen with every puck-touch. His passes come through feet, over sticks, between legs, and through triangles- his feel for the game is on another level, and he sees dangerous seams that nobody else can detect. Celebrini picks apart defenses, capitalizes on openings, and takes over games with his ability to drive play.

Mack could stickhandle around a defender in a broom closet- he's cool and confident with the puck, beating checkers 1-on-1 through transition on the rush. The puck seems to stick to him, and he can deke around the ankles and sticks of opponents. Celebrini's speed is explosive, and his edges are smooth, with the ability to separate from opponents in open ice, and the elusiveness to shake off checks. He plays an intelligent off-puck game, knowing where to be several steps ahead of the play with his proactive positioning and awareness, and works himself into areas advantageous to recieving passes for high-percentage opportunities. He doesn't like to make too many perimeter plays, instead opting to play between the dots. Though he measures 6'0" tall, he's built like a fire-hydrant at 190 lbs, and isn't just another finesse player, as he employs some physicality in his game- he will bully opponents off the puck, finish his checks, and win board battles. He has an unrelenting motor, and a tireless work ethic, with a determined game in all 3 zones- he plays with high energy, and pushes pace. Celebrini is a difference-maker, and plays his best in the most important moments- like when he scored the game-winner in the Bronze-Medal game against Slovakia in the U-18's.

Celebrini puts in a solid effort in his own zone, pressuring opponents with his speed, stripping pucks from attackers, and causing turnovers. He doesn't cheat for offense, and applies good attention to detail. He keeps his stick active, and contributes to turning the puck around in the breakout, and jump-starting the offense. He's even good in the faceoff circle. Celebrini's father Rick is the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, so Macklin has the inside track when it comes to athletic development. Mack is uncommonly strong, but needs to get stronger for the next level, as he can still be knocked off the puck by bigger opponents. There are other small criticisms out there, like the fact that he can be beaten defensively sometimes, or that he needs to be more selfish, but he has no glaring weaknesses in his game. This is a future superstar in the making.

RHLW Igor Chernyshov is a big (6'2",192lb) power-forward who can generate offense from anywhere in the zone, and can play all 3 forward positions. He currently sits 8th in the MHL for MHK Dynamo Moskva in ppg (1.33), with 24 points in 18 games, and is also currently 13th in the KHL for players 18-and-under with 4 points in 31 games. He's a bit older, with a November 30th birthday.

Chernyshov is a smooth skater, with big-time acceleration that is fun to watch. He can control the pace of the game at top speed, and is adept at creating off the rush- either by dishing, or by attacking the middle. He's good at making plays around the net, from behind it, or in front. Chernyshov goes to the net to clean up rebounds and cash-in on tips, but he likes to shoot from the slot- he has an excellent shot with a quick release than can freeze goalies. Many of his goals are of the one-touch variety- from being in the right place, at the right time, thanks to his clever off-puck game. He leans a bit towards playmaking though, and possesses plenty of creativity, and a top-tier IQ. In transition, he uses give-and-go's to increase the pressure on defenders, and drives play- carrying with his head up to map out his surroundings. He's unnaturally strong, and will use his size and wingspan to outmuscle opponents, or he'll bully them along the boards to strip them of possession. He's physical, and can hit hard, but needs to do it more often. Chernyshov is an impressive 1-on-1 player, with lateral mobility to criss-cross the ice quickly, and the moves to go around, or through them. The puck sticks to him with his sublime puck-control, and virtually impregnable puck-protection skills. He plays with plenty of energy, has a solid work-ethic, and high motor.

As one can tell, Chernyshov may be a high-octane offensive player, but is somewhere in the vicinity of average defensively- he's a bit passive, and doesn't have the same zeal in his own zone. He doesn't participate in his team's penalty-kill, either. He's still a bit raw, and needs some time to develop. In addition, I've read that he's got chronic shoulder injury issues- which may be of concern to teams wanting to draft him. He's a first-round talent for sure, but I wonder if he'll have to wait until the second round to hear his name called, due to the Russian factor and the shoulder.

Off-ice controversy aside, 6'1",161lb LW Trevor Connelly is a star in the making. I got my first look at him in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and couldn't help comparing him to Trevor Zegras, as he was a human highlight reel every night. 10 points in 5 games, which was first on team USA by 3, and tied for 1st overall with Berkly Catton of Team Canada, and Adam Benak of team Czechia. For Tri-City of the USHL, he has amassed 12 goals and 39 points in just 28 games to date, and is currently tied for 4th in the league in assists. Connelly's 1.38 pts/gp is better than anyone else in the top-40.

Obviously, Connelly's offensive talent is undeniable. He's much more of a playmaker than goal-scorer, and he has uncanny vision with high-end IQ. His 5 goals at the Hlinka indicate that he's no slouch as a shooter though, and he's got a goal-scorer's soft hands with a lightning-quick release on a hard shot. TC's skating is nearly elite, with explosive start-up and acceleration. He can go from full stop to top-flight very rapidly, and can execute dazzling plays at top speed. He's shifty, and hard to predict with plenty of deception in his game, to go along with stellar edgework, quick changes of pace and direction, and good east/west speed. If one can call his skating nearly elite, then it's fair to call his puck skill elite- he can weave through, or around attackers, and make high-end plays in tight coverage. His puck-control and stickhandling are outstanding, making him highly elusive, and it's difficult to take the biscuit off of him. He's confident in carrying, and likes to have the puck on his stick, which helps him in transition- he likes to lead the breakout, and creates offense off the rush. He's a play driver, and one of the most skilled players in the draft. His off-puck game is also an asset, and he knows where to be proactively to facilitate scoring.

Connelly's work ethic is inconsistent, and his defensive game has come into question, but it's an off-ice social media incident that occured in 2022 that may be what determines where in the first round he is ultimately picked. I've read he's taken plenty of steps in an effort to redeem himself, namely training courses in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as being involved in an organization called Hockey Players of Color. Whether or not that's enough to rehab his image remains to be seen. Connelly has been accused of trying to do too much with the puck, but it's admirable that he makes attempts. He won't be able to get away with being too cute in the pros, though. First-round talent for sure, and has committed to Providence College.

The Windsor Spitfires have tumbled down the standings this season, going from 3rd best in the OHL in 2022-23, and 1st in goals-scored, all the way down to 18th overall currently in 2023-24, and 12th in goals-for. They lost Head Coach Marc Savard, who was replaced by Jerrod Smith to start this season- but Smith was fired and replaced by current interim coach Casey Torres after winning only 4 games in their first 21 games. Gone are some big names, like Matt Maggio (who scored 111 pts, and was a First-Team All-Star), Alex Christopoulos, Shane Wright, and Brett Harrison, amongst others. D Rodwin Dionicio only played only 16 games this season, before being traded to Saginaw. The Spits have suffered, and so has the season of draft-eligible RHD, Anthony Cristoforo. In 2022-23, he made the Second All-Rookie Team, with 41 points in 63 games, but with 33 points in 50 games so far this year, he's on pace to put up only 45 in 67 this season, which would show no progression at all. He currently leads the Spits in scoring from the blueline by 13, over the departed Dionicio, so it's not like he has a dynamic supporting cast to give him any help. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he only managed 2 points in 5 games, finding ice-time hard to come by, and looking ineffective for the most part.

Cristoforo is a highly mobile offensive defenseman, who jumps into the rush, and plays aggressively in the attacking zone. He's an excellent skater, who can back defenders off with his speed, and elude checks with his smooth edgework. He quarterbacks the PP, but keeps it simple, dishing it off to teammates in shooting position, or those in high danger- he only has 2 goals via the PP the last 2 seasons. His vision and IQ are excellent, and he sees the ice very well, threading the needle with accuracy, while moving at top speed. He's a high-end playmaker, who makes good decisions consistently, and uses layers of deception to manipulate attackers. Cristoforo has a good shot with accuracy, but needs to improve it's velocity and power, although shooting isn't a big part of his game, but rather, another vessel to make plays- he gets the puck on net mostly to create opportunities for teammates around the net. In exiting the zone, he keeps his outlets simple, but can carry it out through transition, while spearheading the rush. Defensively, he lacks the strength to outmuscle opponents, and doesn't really play a physical game. Still, he has shown success defending the rush and breaking up the cycle using his preventative awareness, and his proactive positioning, combined with an active stick to block lanes, and separate his man from the puck.

Cristoforo was recieving some first-round buzz earlier this season, but his numbers have not progressed like they were expected to, which has something to do with his team's struggles, and perhaps the instability behind the scenes in Windsor. He simply doesn't have the same swagger or confidence, and he's playing a little more conservatively without the supporting cast he had last season. He's forcing plays, and is lacking poise with the puck at times- being pressured into making mistakes. Defensively, he has been knocked for a lack of compete, and the absence of a physical game- he sometimes coasts on the backcheck, and often cheats for offense. Still, this is a player who has plenty of upside, and could potentially develop into a bottom-4 defenseman in the NHL, with PP duties- but he needs time to round out his game, get stronger, and further develop his shot. I'm thinking round 3 or 4.

Not many draft-eligibles had as much bad luck with injuries this season as RW Logan Crosby of the Halifax Mooseheads. He was playing just his second game back in November from an 11-game absence due to an upper-body injury he suffered in October, when a hit from behind sidelined him until January 20th. Crosby started the season with 8 points in 8 games, but his injury woes limited him to just 33 games, with 22 points. While those numbers prorated equal a respectable 44 points in 66 games just for an example, I have to believe he would have been closer to a point-per-game had he stayed healthier over the course of the season. The 6'2",183lb winger was given a "C" rating at the start of the season, denoting a likely 4th, or 5th-round pick. The Mooseheads traded two picks (27 and 42) to move up in the 2021 QMJHL Draft in order to secure Crosby's rights in the first round, 20th overall.

Crosby plays in all situations for the Mooseheads, and both sides of special teams, despite having no real dynamic qualities or high-end traits. He's the type that does most of the heavy lifting for his line, competing in the hard areas, and winning pucks in the corners and along the wall. He makes a better screen than a window as a net-front presence where he cleans up garbage, pounces on rebounds, and uses his body to cause havok. He has soft hands in-close, and most of his goals come from within 10-feet of the net- he plays in front of the net on the powerplay as well. He owns a hard, accurate shot with a beautiful curl-and-drag release at his disposal, and explodes off the wall to attack the middle for shots, with the help of his wingspan- which helps him protect the puck skillfully. Crosby has a long, powerful stride that puts out above-average speed, and he's quick in a straight line. He could use a better top speed with more explosiveness however, and has to improve his edgework as he is relegated to taking wide turns where he tends to lose speed. He isn't quick enough in small areas, but he manages to move fairly well laterally. There are flashes of high-end vision and creativity, but at the very least he is a skilled distributor, finding seams through traffic, and can make cross-ice passes look effortless. He's capable of dishing in full flight, and faciltates plenty of chances for his teammates. Crosby scans well to get a good knowledge of his surroundings, and uses deceptive feints to open space to move in, and lanes to pass through in the form of fakes, dekes, and look-offs.

Crosby's puckhandling is nothing special- he has some nice 1-on-1 moves, but knows his limitations. In transition, he will dump-and-chase and work the give-and-go's, leaving most of the carrying to his teammates. He is a power-forward with a physical presence and shows intensity on the forecheck as well as in puck-battles, but is very disciplined, with a miniscule 2 penalty-minutes this year, and only 6 penalty-minutes last year. He uses his body as leverage to separate man from puck, and will lean into defenders on his way to the net. He works incredibly hard, stays active, plays aggressive, and has a seemingly never-ending motor. One of the mainstays of his game is his relentless, sustained checking game- he's highly disruptive in all three zones. He will hound puck-carriers in the neutral zone, and kills rushes before they reach the blueline with his brand of hard, heavy defense. The cherry on top is his breakout passes when he wins possession, and he can stretch the ice with some long-bomb passes to streaking teammates. While he's more of a complimentary player at this point, and not really a play-driver, he's able to play up and down the lineup in any situation, and hopefully will make a good two-way, bottom-6 winger in the NHL, with the potential for more. I believe that injuries derailed his season, and that he's better than his stats. I will go with Central Scouting's assessment, and put him in the 4th, or 5th round.

I've been avoiding doing a profile of LHC Maxmilian Curran, because I'm not at all sold on him. He's polarizing to scouts as well, with some ranking him as high as the the first round at various times this season. Curran is a Czechian import, but his father is Irish, hence the name. He was selected by the Tri-City Americans, 39th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, and as a rookie this season he racked up 32 points (only 5 goals) in 40 games, before an injury ended his WHL season in January. When prorated to 68 games, his points total would be 54, which sounds a bit better, and is impressive considering that he doesn't play much with Tri-City's top players. Most players struggle getting used to the smaller ice surface when they come to North America, but Curran stormed out of the gate with 13 points in his first 15 games. Curran is currently a member of Czechia's entry in the U-18's, and is playing well with 3 points in 4 games, including a 2-point game against the Swiss, in which he scored the game-winner. In last summer's Hlinka Gretzky, he and his countrymen came away with a silver medal, with Curran putting up 3 points in 5 games. With an August 27th birthday, he is one of the younger players in the draft, with size on his side, at 6'3",190lbs, and versatility as he can play all three forward positions, as well as both special teams.

Curran is a playmaking pivot with a pass-first mentality who is known for his two-way game. He is patient with an effective delay-game to hold and wait for the right play to unfold, rather than throwing the puck away, or forcing a bad pass. He can dish in full flight, forehand or backhand, over sticks, between feet, and through triangles, and exhibits high IQ and vision in doing so. He flashes the ability to push pace, but doesn't do it nearly often enough; he plays too much on the perimeter, but can be a load to handle on the forecheck with the way he protects the puck using his body and reach, and his top-notch puck-possession skills. He seems to be in the thick of the play a little more often at the U-18's than in the WHL. There's no questioning his puck-skill or offensive awareness, but the reason for his low goal scoring numbers seems to be a bit of a mystery as he reportedly takes a reasonably high number of shots, with a very low success rate. He does own a sneaky good shot with some zip and accuracy, and has the moves to deke out goalies. He will go to the net for chances in-close, and will park himself in front to provide a screen and pick up garbage. Mobility-wise, he moves very well but could use another gear, as he can be beaten in races- this will improve as he gets stronger, but he will never be a burner. He employs some nice edgework, as he can pivot quickly and make quick turns. Too often though, he stops moving his feet, with and without the puck, and can be caught gliding or standing still.

Curran will use his body as leverage in puck battles to overpower his foes, but he is disappointingly not a physical player, and doesn't initiate contact. He is considered to be a responsible two-way center, and does get plenty of penalty-killing minutes, but his performance in the defensive zone has some good and bad points. The good is that he exhibits excellent positioning and awareness, and an active stick to apply pressure to attackers. He uses his reach to kill plays and strip opponents of possession, then turns the play around to offense. This disruptive defensive mentality extends to the other two zones, as he can intercept breakout passes, thereby keeping the play alive in the offensive zone, and he can close on attackers in the neutral zone to eliminate them as threats. Curran seems to understand the defensive role of a center, and can take away the middle from the opposition. The bad is that he's too often a pedestrian in his own zone, sometimes coasting on the backcheck and standing still when he gets into the zone, puck-watching and cheating for offense. His performance in faceoffs could use a slight tweak, as he sits at 49.77%.

Curran may be a long-term project, as he came over from Czechia as a young, raw prospect. His game has plenty of warts, but it doesn't help that he plays for Tri-City, a team that missed the playoffs with the second-worst record in the WHL, and the third-worst goals-for, playing on a line with less offensively-inclined players. Right now though, he lacks intensity, plays with very little aggression or physicality, and too often plays on the perimeter. He desperately needs to use his size better, and get stronger and faster. He might be a bargain-bin deal for an NHL team looking for a big center in the third or fourth round, and still has immense potential, but I'm not convinced that he's much more than another version of Adam Ruzicka.

At last summer's Hlinka tournament, I thought 6'0", 176lb RHD Ben Danford was vanilla at best- he made a few errors that resulted in goals for the opposition, and put up no points in 5 games. As it turns out, most believe that wasn't the real, everyday Ben Danford that we were watching. With Oshawa to date this season, he has put up 26 points in 44 games, which is tied for 25th in the OHL for defensemen, and 5th for U-18 defensemen. Those stats would put him on pace for 41 points in 68 games, underrated numbers when one considers that some of the better two-way, offensive CHL defensemen from last year's draft had stats very much in line with his projections.

Danford is already considered to a shutdown D, with improving puck-skills and confidence. He does all the little things, and always moves the puck out of danger- quite the contrast to his performance at the Hlinka. He's a workhorse in the D-zone, and is an expert in retrievals- always looking over his shoulder to choose his next move. He is one of the best shot-blockers in the league, with well-timed stickwork to break up plays, and magnificent gap control. Defends his crease like he was 6'3"- he's quite strong for his size, and wins puck battles with will and tenacity. He plays a physical brand of hockey and finishes his checks, but can also throw some nifty open-ice hits. He will separate man from puck with his stick or his body. Danford exhibits excellent positioning, and thinks well ahead of the play, keeping attackers to the outside, clogging lanes, and disrupting passing plays. His defensive awareness, smarts, and anticipation will already get him attention from scouts, but there's more to his game.

Danford is an excellent skater, but could use more explosiveness, and better acceleration. He's quite agile though, strong on his skates with good balance. He's getting better at joining the rush, and even leading the charge, but he's already fairly adept at running the offense from the blueline- holding the puck in and extending zone time, playing the point on the PP, and distributing while eluding defenders under pressure. Danford has an underrated shot that he can get on net through traffic, but he doesn't use it near enough, and he can really thread the needle at times. He also doesn't pinch into the play enough, but when he does, he shows assertiveness and creativity. He can contribute to transition, skating with his head up to scan for options, and traversing the neutral zone by carrying or passing. His exit passes and outlets are best kept simple. Danford is already a fine defensive player, but still raw in other aspects of his game, but he has real upside, and is getting more confident and assertive with the puck. I think he'll be taken in the 2nd round.

LW Cole Davis is a bit diminutive at 5'10", 174lb, and though he plays for Windsor of the OHL, he might be the human embodiment of the word, "Spitfire". This season, he garnered 41 points in 63 games which, for a player on the Spits, is quite a feat. Windsor is the Liam Greentree show this season, but there's been a lot of tumult surrounding the team. Head Coach Jerrod Smith was fired four months into the season with the team in the OHL basement, after taking over for Marc Savard in the summer, leaving interim coach Casey Torres in charge of mopping up the mess. Windsor finished second-last in the league, with Greentree leading the scoring by 27 points over the next-best Spitfire, and Davis finishing 4th in scoring on the team. Davis was chosen in the 4th round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, 65th overall by the Spits. With a June 22nd birthday, he is still quite young and a rookie, having played only 5 games for Windsor in 2022-23, wtih most of his time spent in Junior A with the GOJHL. It's a pretty big step up to Major Junior but Davis handled it well, even being named the OHL Rookie of the Month for November with 12 points in 13 games. He was also named the OHL West Academic Player of the Month for December.

Davis isn't a specialist in any one area as he's not a high-end playmaker, and doesn't own an overwhelming shot- he's just simply a good hockey player who can play in all situations, and both special teams. He has a supreme work ethic, and is a high-energy player who is always active on the ice and pushing the pace of the game. Few can match his never-ending motor or his compete level, and despite his size he wins more than his fair share of battles in the hard areas. He's a fantastic skater, and an aggressive one, who can manouver through the neutral zone while separating from attackers, and beat defenders wide for scoring chances. On the forecheck, he gives opponents fits with how much he cuts down their space and time, and how rough and tumble he is in performance of this task. Davis' 55 penalty minutes shows he's not out to win any sportsmanship awards, and his physicality helps him win battles. He plays without fear, and throws his weight around like a bowling ball. Earlier in the season, he dropped the gloves against 6'4", 210-lb defenseman David Bedkowski, but thankfully the refs intervened- possibly saving his life. In another incident, Saginaw Spirits' center Ethan Hay, who measures 6'1"and 190lbs, dropped his gloves and pummeled him off the faceoff before he even knew what was happening. To say the least, he gets under the skin of opponents. Davis fights through checks, attacks the middle of the ice, and will drive the net to cause havok, set up the screen, and open space for teammates.

Davis has good hands around the net, and likes to beat goalies in-close with his slick moves and his ability to pick corners from the slot. He has a fairly good shot-and-release combo, but most of his goals are scored within 10 feet of the net. His puck skills and deception give him room, with good control, and puck-protection. He has some nice moves to get around the ice through traffic, with some clever dekes and dangles that make defenders look silly, and the spatial awareness to find open lanes to move through. He's an off-puck force, and one of the Spitfires' best defensive performers, displaying moxie and a physical approach. As he does on the forecheck, he hounds puck-carriers relentlessly, and removes all space and time. Davis could still be considered a raw prospect as he didn't have the head start of playing Major Junior in his draft-minus-one year, as most kids do. Though he plays on a poor team, his offensive game needs further development, with his shot and playmaking in need of an upgrade. If he also adds significant strength, he could develop into a middle-6 energy winger. I think he'll be off the board in round 5 or 6.

There are many who describe 5'11",165lb LHRW Ivan Demidov as possibly being a better hockey player than last year's top Russian, Matvei Michkov. There are arguments to be made for, and against that claim- but consider this: In 2022-23, as a 16 year old, Demidov set the record for points by a U-18 player in the MHL, with 64 points in 44 games, besting the likes of Nikita Kucherov, and the aforementioned Michkov. It's hard to compare the Draft year of each player though, as Michkov played his in the top 2 Russian pro leagues against men in the KHL (20 points in 27 games), and the VHL (14 points in 12 Games), while Demidov has played almost the entire year in the MHL, Russia's version of Major-Junior, piling up 45 points in 23 games to date with SKA-1946 St.Petersburg. Demidov has had brief stints in the higher leagues, spending 1 game in the VHL, and 4 games in the KHL, putting up zero points in both. An argument could be made in favor of Michkov being the better player, as he was good enough to play with men, while Demidov apparently is not, but the fact of the matter is that Michkov was way too good for the MHL- but so too, is Demidov. Another thing to consider is that for most of the year leading up to Michkov's Draft, he was compared to incumbent first-overall choice, Connor Bedard. This year, in Demidov's Draft year, he's being compared to Michkov. I don't hear a lot of comparisons between Demidov and this year's Draft darling, Macklin Celebrini.

Ivan Demidov is the flashiest, most exciting player in this year's crop, and if the Draft were based on talent alone, he would be top-2 for sure. He is simply an electrifying game-breaker, with exceptional skill. The first pillar of Demidov's game is his otherworldly puck skill and handling- he's an absolute wizard with hands faster than his quick feet, the puck just sticks to him. He can deke around, or through multiple layers of opponents without looking like he's even trying, much like the old adage, he "has the puck on a string". It seems like when he's out on the ice, he's always around the puck, like there's a magnet drawing them together- it just follows him around. Those same silky soft mitts can unleash a hard, heavy shot with a release as quick as a hiccup, and the precision to pick the smallest holes.

Demidov is highly elusive with his stick, but his feet make him even more slippery. He has dynamic mobility, with elite edges and agility, and the ability to turn on a dime. His shiftiness and lateral mobility can throw off opponents, and dismantle defenses. His straight-line speed may be a notch below the level of his evasiveness, but even still- there are very few that could catch him in a footrace with the puck. There are even fewer who can match his elite vision and creativity, and his high IQ gives him smarts in all 3 zones. He can create in small spaces, and can thread the needle through traffic. Demidov is well-trained in the art of deception and manipulation, and can freeze defenders with his array of dekes, look-offs, and fakes with his body and stick. He has a swagger when carrying the puck, and he's highly sucessful in transition, often carrying the puck from the defensive zone, and turning it into a controlled entry on his own. Demidov is a play-driver, and a pace-pusher. He plays with energy, and works hard in the offensive zone to win back possession, and pick off passes when needed- he's known to have a very high motor.

Demidov's defensive game can be very inconsistent- he can look like a stalwart one shift, and like he's outmatched in another. I don't think he has the same passion for the defensive zone as he does in creating in the other end of the rink, and there can be an apparent lack of intensity in the performance of these duties. There's no real physical component to his game, and that's fine if he wants to be a finesse player- but it would seem that he doesn't like to be hit, and can be sometimes thrown off his game by physicality. Part of that might have something to do with his lack of size and strength, as he currently weighs in less than 170 lb- so he could certainly use more strength and bulk. It's been a very difficult year for a young man who is being watched by the entire hockey world, and to make matters worse, he missed two and a half months to a knee injury. He often grandstands to showcase himself, trying to do too much on his own, which doesn't always turn out well- he can give up turnovers by trying to make everything a 1-on-1 scenario, without using his teammates. This can lead to dead-ends, turnovers, and giveaways. He was an analytics darling in 2022-23, but even his fancy stats have taken a hit this season. At any rate, he has things to work on, but he reminds many of Kirill Kaprizov, and he's a first-line winger all day long. I think if Michkov lasted until pick # 7 in 2023, it's certainly possible that Demidov falls out of the top 5 in this year's Draft, although he has a more palatable contract situation than Michkov did, as he’s only signed in Russia through 2024-25. He’s sure to be a top-line player in the NHL.

 LHC Thomas Desruisseaux might be a player who's flying way under the radar for the 2024 NHL Draft. He was selected 11th overall in 2022 by Cape Breton of the QMJHL, but was traded part-way through the 2022-23 season to Chicoutimi, where he has since piled up 90 points in the last 100 regular-season games for the Sageneens. This season, the 5'11", 154lb pivot was tied for 13th in the league for assists with 44 ( 2nd for first-time draft-eligibles in the Q), and registered 60 points in 68 games, but is currently tied for points in the playoffs with 8 in just 4 games. Desruisseaux was playing Adam Oates to Maxim Masse' for most of the season, but the duo was split up in late January, and after the split, Desruisseaux went on to produce 26 points in the next 24 games, with better defensive results. He was even named the Q's Player of the Week on March 17th, with 7 points in 2 games.

It's plain to see that Desruisseaux leans heavily towards playmaking, and he is indeed a superb distributor. He plays at a high pace, and stays active at all times, with a brain that can match the speed of his feet and hands- he reads and reacts quickly, and solves problems on the fly. He has a nice fine touch on his passes- they connect tape-to-tape, with just the right amount of velocity, right to his teammates' wheelhouse. He can connect through traffic, through opponents feet, an  d over their sticks. He possesses high IQ and vision, is highly creative, and generates high-danger opportunities by identifying passing lanes that others can't see. He's poised and patient, and will hold on to the puck while evading checkers in order to wait for the best option to unfold. Though he isn't quite a burner, he's an effortless skater with a good short-burst, and a separation gear. He wins races to loose pucks, and is shifty and agile on his edges. His hands are rather quick too, and he's an excellent stickhandler, with the ability to protect the puck by angling his body and skates away from checkers, and by carrying close to his feet. Those hands serve him well around the net, as he can score from in-close, and has the 1-on-1 moves to beat goalies- though he needs to better develop and utilize his finishing skills as an extra offensive dimension. He has shown play-driving capabilities in the way he carries the puck through the transition from the defensive zone, through to the offensive zone with clean entries. He can create off the rush, and he can dish in full flight without missing a beat.

Desruisseaux has anticipation and awareness in the defensive zone, but his game in this area has warts. He helps his D down low to win pucks, and has an active stick to disrupt plays, cut into passing lanes, and cause turnovers, but he runs into problems because of his lack of size and strength. He doesn't have much of a physical game to speak of in the first place, but he's overpowered in board battles rather easily, so bulking up and getting stronger is an absolute must. With such a robust passing game, there are plenty of bad passes in the bunch that need to be eliminated, and developing a stronger shooting game will better diversify his offense, and make him less predictable. There are instances where he holds on to the puck for too long and runs out of real estate, which leads to turnovers, throwaways, and bad passes- so getting quicker with his decision-making and playing with more urgency would help. He's not very good in the faceoff circle, and many have suggested that he will need to be switched to the wing when he turns pro. Desruisseaux has plenty of potential, but it's likely long-term potential in his case. I'm thinking 4th or 5th round.

How do you write a profile on a prospect that has everything, and no real weaknesses? LHD Sam Dickinson is one of my favorites in this year's draft, so this write-up should be classified as more of a "fluff piece", than a profile. Dickinson- who is fairly young, with a June birthday- is currently 4th in OHL scoring for defensemen, with 53 points in 52 games with the London Knights, and second in the league with a plus-42. My first viewing of Dickinson was in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he helped lead team Canada to a Gold Medal, with 3 points in 5 games. He is blessed with size (6'3",194lbs), speed, and skill, and is a minute-munching workhorse who plays against the best competition every night, and can do so in any situation. He is a calming presence on the backend, composed and never in a rush, and plays the right way- never cheating the game. Dickinson was selected 4th overall in the OHL Draft by Niagara, who traded him to London for 3 seconds, 3 thirds, and a 5th- a shrewd move by the Knights, as Dickinson helped lead them to the OHL Finals in his first season, and was selected to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.

Dickinson is a smooth, powerful skater in all directions, blessed with speed that's near-elite- at 6'3", he can can separate from opponents on the rush, and win races to pucks against smaller players. It's almost impossible to get around him, with his quickness and size, combined with his wingspan and stick. He can carry through transition, spearheading the rush, after initiating the play in the defensive end. He has to be the most calm, poised, and patient defender I've ever seen- those words don't even begin to describe his smooth demeanor on the ice. He is never in a rush- he has the patience to hold on to the puck until the best play becomes available, and consistently makes smart decisions with the puck. He's a treat to watch for that reason- he sometimes looks likes he's not doing much, when in reality, his game is so smooth and fluid, and his moves are just so calculated. Dickinson's usual defense partner in London is Oliver Bonk, who is a rover and likes to activate early and often, so Dickinson is usually relegated to being the conservative one in the pairing- which suits his game just fine, as he seldom goes below the hashmarks in the offensive zone. Dickinson stays high, smoothly walking the blueline, distributing high-danger passes, and keeping the puck in the zone- thereby extending zone time. He will not sacrifice quality defense for offense. He's highly intelligent, with top-tier IQ, and the ability to problem-solve on the fly. Off the puck, he is always in position to recieve passes, and support his teammates. He's a dynamic playmaker, and his passes are hard, crisp, and accurate- he can get them through traffic, under sticks, and between legs. He can connect on some pretty stretch passes, when he wants to push the pace. He owns a booming point shot, and an accurate wrister.

Though Dickinson is seen as an offensive type, he is one of the best defensive blueliners in the CHL, and most likely in this year's Draft- he defends at an elite level. His defensive awareness and IQ are off the charts, and when combined with his physical gifts, make him extremely hard to play against. He's a menace in the D zone, and the kiss of death to an oncoming rush with his feet, stick, and physicality- he can often stop it before it ever comes near his blueline. His gap-control is perfect, and he guides attackers to the boards where the play is terminated, and he wins possession. In-zone, he boxes opponents out of the crease, giving his goalie a clear line of sight, and takes their sticks so they can't get tips or rebounds. He hounds puck carriers, suffocates them of time and space, and blocks shots with aplomb. Off-puck, he's as good defensively as he is in the other end of the rink, and is always in position to intercept passes, and clog lanes. At the Hlinka, he showed his penalty-killing talents off- he was excellent. Dickinson plays hard, and is a strong competitor who plays a physical brand of hockey. He uses his size well to body opponents off the puck, win battles, and bully his way around the ice- and when he dishes out a hit, he hits hard.

There's precious little to nitpick in Dickinson's game, but there are times he could show a little more urgency, as he can sometimes hold on to the puck too long, while waiting for the perfect play to develop, which can paint him into a corner- resulting in turnovers of the more dangerous variety. There's also instances where he can go down to early, or too low, to block a shot, thereby taking himself out of the play. Dickinson is the third D available on most lists, but I wouldn't blame a team for taking him as the first defenseman chosen in the Draft. This kid is abolute stud, with a very high floor. At the very least, he ends up riding shotgun on a top-pairing in the NHL, much like a Brent Seabrook- but I think this kid is better.

Charlie Elick is a 6'3"198lb RHD who hails from the great city of Calgary, and is the son of Royals alum Mickey Elick, who once played for the Saint John Flames. Elick toils for the Brandon Wheat Kings, who currently sit in 5th place in the East, and 10th overall, with a 12th-placed goals-for, and to date has posted 20 points in 44 games (4th in the league for U-18 defensemen), to go with 43 penalty-minutes. I love this player, and anyone who appreciates the finer points of the game will too. Elick is already an advanced shutdown defender, a workhorse minute-muncher, and a calm and steadying presence on the backend. He's an advanced puck-mover, and makes contributions to all aspects of the game.

Elick is a smooth skater, with excellent 4-directional speed, who can keep up with smaller players. His quick backwards mobility, paired with his reach and smothering defensive awareness, give him superb gap-control and the ability to stifle rushes in their early stages. Elick doesn't seem to ever get cleanly beaten, but when the play gets to the defensive zone, he blocks shots and clogs the lanes. He allows little to no time or space for opponents to make decisions. Elick is a mature player, and doesn't cheat the game. At the Hlinka, where he put up 2 points in 5 games, he was given preferred ice-time in the top-4 over players like Zayne Parekh, Ben Danford, and Anthony Cristoforo.

Elick can play in any situation, both sides of special teams, and can easily ride shotgun on a top-pairing. He is not devoid of offensive skills, owning a hard, heavy shot, and a crisp, accurate passing game. He consistently makes good decisions under pressure, and usually keeps it simple when completing a pass, but he can pull off pinpoint stretch passes as well. Elick always stays calm, scans the ice for options, and gets the puck out of danger. He contributes well to transition with his outlets, but will join the rush and support teammates in the offensive zone- he doesn't pinch much though, and prefers to stay near the line. His repertoire is highlighted by his high IQ and intelligence, but he also plays a hard, heavy game, uses his size well in puck battles, and has his own version of the tunnel of death.

Elick fits the mold of the modern puck-moving, shutdown defenseman that teams covet in the first-round, much like a Braeden Schneider, Kaiden Guhle, or a Nolan Allan, but with the potential for a bit more. There's room to get bigger and stronger, and develop his offensive skills and skating further. He's a safe pick, and will play in your second pairing, giving you solid two-way play.

At the conclusion of the current season, 6'0", 196lb LW Cole Eiserman may very well be the top goal-scorer in NTDP history, eclipsing Cole Caufield's record of 126 goals- Eiserman currently sits at 109. Eiserman's 69 goals in 62 games with the U-17, and U-18 teams in 2022-23 are 2nd for goals in a season in the NTDP, behind Caufield's 72, but set a record for players under the age of 17 in the program. He seemed to be able to score at will at the U-18 tournament, with 9 goals and 11 points in 7 games, and displayed perhaps the best shot and release I can ever recall seeing from a kid his age at the time. Also remarkable is the fact that Eiserman is one of the youngest players in this draft, with an August 29th birthday- almost missing being eligible for this year's draft by just 18 days, so he may have a longer runway than most.

With all due respect to Tij Iginla, Eiserman is the best goal-scorer available in the 2024 Draft by a wide margin. He's an elite scorer who possesses almost as many dazzling releases as he does lethal shots in his deep arsenal, and he can score in every way imaginable from near or far. He's a volume shooter, with tunnel-vision to the net, and has a goal-scorer's knack for finding the most dangerous holes in coverage to go to recieve a pass, and can slip into the soft spots to shoot. He can fire the puck in full flight off the rush without slowing down, and can put the puck in the net from anywhere in the zone- including in-tight, where he shows excellent hand-eye co-ordination and soft hands to beat goalies with nifty moves, or shovel in garbage goals. Eiserman will park himself in front of the net to screen, get tips, and pounce on rebounds and second-chance opportunities. His shot comes with pinpoint accuracy, and he practices high-end deception to disguise his potent release- which has been compared to that of Auston Matthews. To deceive goalies, he will change the angle of his shot, and has a mastery of every deke, fake, and look-off one could imagine to manipulate the six opposing players on the ice. He doesn't need time or space to unleash, and all of his shots seem to be elite- from his backhand to his hard wrister, to his bomb of a one-timer.

Eiserman is a possession player, and seems to have the puck on his blade for the majority of any shift, with his 1-on-1 play being amongst his best assets. He displays advanced puck-protection, and his hands are very quick in handling the puck, giving him the ability to weave around, or through traffic. These skills are aided by his strong skating stride, which comes with a bit of an explosive burst when carrying, but he can also bully his way around, leaning into opponents on his way to the net. Eiserman isn't a true power-forward, and isn't the most physical player, but he has some sandpaper in his game, and will deliver hits to dislodge the puck, or dole out some punishment when necessary. He's stronger than he looks, has good motor, and is quite competitive- he puts up a good fight along the boards, in front of the net, and in the corners. While Eiserman is clearly a shoot-first player, he can make plays when needed, and flashes some distibution skill, but this part of his game needs work- he gets picked off frequently, as he telegraphs his plays and doesn't seem overly confident in making the more complicated passes. He prefers to carry through transition, but would benefit from using his teammates more, using give-and-go's to be more predictable, and further push the pace. He's quite good, though, at making plays to teammates in the slot from below the goal-line. Eiserman's defensive game is deficient, and his engagement is lacking, as he often coasts on the backcheck without urgency, sometimes being the last to enter the zone. His awareness is lacking, or at least raw, and his effort is poor.

Nobody doubts that Eiserman's goal-scoring ability will translate to the NHL, but what about the rest of his game? He must work to become a much better 200-ft player if he hopes to make it as a top-6 winger in the big leagues, and while he has strength and speed, he must get stronger and faster. He could afford to use his teammates more, and to develop his playmaking, as his high-volume shooting means that some of his shots hit opposing players on the way to the net, or get blocked. Another dimension to his game would make him more predictable. The good news is that he has plenty of time to develop his game, as he's committed to Boston University next year, after de-committing to the U of Minnesota.

If you haven't already heard of LHD Gabriel Eliasson, he's a 6'6",205lb monster who is pretty high on some lists- McKenzie has him at #55, and McKeen's has him at #96, just to name a few. Eliasson is one of the youngest players in this year's draft class, with a September 9th birthday, and he put up 6 points in 36 games for HV71 of the J20 this season, to go with 103 penalty-minutes. He participated in Sweden's entry in the Hlinka, with no points and 12 PIM in 4 games, but he drew some attention at the 5 Nations, where he was one of the culprits that started a bit of a brawl after the game ended against Team USA.

Chances are, you will be told at some point that Eliasson fits the old adage that, "he's a good skater for his size", which usually means, "he has average speed at best when compared to smaller players". From a technical standpoint, his technique looks smooth and fluid with long strides, so I have no doubt that his mobility will improve as he gets stronger, but he needs plenty of improvement in all areas. The real reason he's getting so much attention from scouts is the intimidation factor he brings- he's hard to go up against, with his surly disposition, and his nasty physical game. Eliasson plays a borderline dirty game, but sometimes steps over that line, with questionable hits, elbows, crosschecks, and various other shenanigans. He doesn't have to be told to finish his checks, as he hits every chance he gets, and engages physically along the boards, and in the corners. He's a force down low, and keeps the crease clear. He keeps his play with the puck very plain and simple- he doesn't pinch in from the point, or join the rush very often, and makes very basic outlets. Eliasson offers next to nothing in terms of offense.

Eliasson is called a "stay at home" type, or a "defensive defenseman", and while he passes the eye test, the underlying stats say that he doesn't make a significant impact in this end of the ice. One issue that hurts him in this area, apart from his skating, is that he gives his opponents too much room in regards to his gap control, and another is his stickhandling, which is said to be rough- he often loses the handle on the puck, and can commit fumbles. It also affects his passing game. Discipline is a problem as well, and he can hurt his team with bad penalties. If you're selecting Eliasson, it means you accept the fact that he will be a long-term project, as he's extremely raw, and there's so much to work on. His skating needs to be upgraded, but his puck skills need significant improvement. Eliasson reminds me a bit of Bruins' 2023 7th-rounder Kristian Kostadinski, and Flames' 7th-rounder from the same year, Axel Hurtig- both of whom, after one of last year's International tournaments, I referred to as looking like Frankenstein's Monster on the ice. In my opinion, both of these players had much more game than Eliasson does now. I have a feeling, though, that Eliasson gets picked in the 4th, or 5th round by a team that sees him for what he could be in the future, and not for what he is now.

Unlike most 17 year-old draft prospects from the CHL, LHC Lucas Ellinas of the Kitchener Rangers played his 2022-23 season in Junior A for North York, so he had the disadvantage of starting this season getting used to the speed of the OHL. Ellinas was originally selected by the Barrie Colts, 29th-overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, but was traded to Kitchener last summer. He ended up finishing the regular season with 16 goals and 33 points (to go with 75 PIM) in 67 games, but went on a bit of a hot streak just before the playoffs with 12 points in the last 16 games. The heater followed him into the post-season, where he was 5th in scoring for Kitchener with 5 goals and 8 points in 10 games, and he made the highlight reel with the OT goal over Erie that sent the Rangers to the second round, beating 2 defenders coming through the neutral one on a breakaway. The 6'1",176lb pivot is versatile, being able to play all 3 forward positions.

Ellinas is a feisty power-forward who's game is built on his energy, tenacity, and work-ethic. He's a bit of an average skater with deficiencies in his acceleration and top speed, but he makes up for this problem somewhat by pumping his feet hard, and by applying a high work-rate to his stride. He has a modicum of offensive smarts, but isn't a true playmaker, with his skill and potential only coming in flashes. He could stand to shoot more though, as he carries a pretty good shot with a deceptive release that could perhaps use more zip, with amazing accuracy that he can use to pick corners with, and the ability to score off the backhand as well. He attacks the middle of the ice, and goes to the net to pick up garbage or to pounce on rebounds using his soft hands. He forechecks hard and heavy, fights for pucks in all the greasy areas, and is able to hunt down open space in coverage. Ellinas is a physical player with a large chip on his shoulder who finishes his checks and will drop the gloves in defense of a teammate, exerting an extremely high compete level and a highly contagious work-ethic. Being a true leader and character player for his team, he drags the troops into battle, and seems like a really humble, likeable kid off the ice.

Ellinas is a quality defensive player with superb stickwork to disrupt plays and deflect passes in all 3 zones. He's positionally sound, and highly aware with the anticipation to kill plays proactively. He's a penalty-killing specialist for the Rangers, and a good faceoff man, trusted in critical defensive scenarios by the coaching staff. I have no doubt that Ellinas has more offensive skill that he was able to show for the majority of the season, but he'll be drafted to be a defensive bottom-6 center who kills penalties, plays a robust physical game, and brings intangibles that don't show up in the boxscore. He needs plenty of work on his skating, shot, and strength for the next level, and could stand to round out his skill-set. Look for him in later rounds.

6'3" RHD EJ Emery grew up in Surrey, BC, but plays in the US Development Program, with 9 points and 51 PIM in 36 games for the U-18 squad, and 5 points and 22 PIM in 16 games for the USNTDP Juniors. Emery is a huge, mobile, athletic shut-down defender who keeps it simple. He's a stalwart defensively, and specializes in killing rushes. Skating is a pillar of his game, as he moves extremely well for a big man, and he's agressive and physical with plenty of snarl.

Emery has good gaps, and closes on plays quite quickly. He excels on retrievals, and kickstarting the rush with solid outlets. He makes good reads, and employs hard, crisp passes. His puck-movement is effective when keeping it simple, but he's growing in this area, and working on his puck-posession game. He keeps the slot clear, and patrols high-danger with the IQ to intercept passes, and to clog passing lanes proactively. His positioning in the defensive zone is exemplary, with uncanny anticipation- he causes a multitude of turnovers, and breaks up plays consistently. There's no problem with his work-ethic, motor, or compete, and he can be relied upon to log big minutes. He's a good penalty-killer, although he's not currently on the first unit.

Emery needs to bulk up considerably, get stronger, and continue to fine-tune his skating. He seems committed to developing his offense. There's potential here, although it's unrealistic to expect him to become a top-pairing defender. Even though he's quite raw, some pundits have him in the first round on their lists, as his ratio of size, physicality, and skating are tantalizing.

Here's a player who I think will surprise with how early he is taken in the Draft. LW Kristian Epperson has had a miserable year in the NTDP, failing to live up to the hype he generated in a starring role for two years at Shattuck St.Mary's between 2020-2022, or even his output from 2022-23 in the NTDP. During his time at Shattuck, he was considered one of the USA's best players for his age group, and in 2022-23 for the USNTDP Juniors against USHL competition, he was 6th on the team with 29 points in 39 games- eclipsing fellow 2024 draft-eligibles such as Christian Humphreys, Max Plante, Austin Baker, Lucas Van Vliet, and Teddy Stiga. This season, he could only muster 11 points in 32 games for the USNTDP Juniors, with a meager total of 16 points in 42 games on the NTDP's U18 Team. Not only did he fail to show progression in this, his draft year, but his points-per game dropped from 0.74 down to 0.38 against USHL competition. At one point this year, he was even demoted to the U-17 team, where he also didn't set the world on fire, with 7 points in 14 games. Nobody in the hockey world seems to be able to explain his fall from grace, but it's been said that the Development Program has been trying to turn him into a checker, as he's playing behind some elite talent on the team, and that he needs to be put in situations where he can produce offense, as that's his game. He has definitely been playing in the team's bottom-6, but I can't honestly say if he earned that with sub-par play, or if he's been miscast for some reason, such as not meshing properly with a coach, injury, etc.

Epperson might not be putting it all together this year, but he's got the full array of tools at his disposal, other than the fact that he measures only 5'11", and 183lbs. There's plenty of finesse in his game, wrapped up in a crusty outer shell. The first main pillar of his game is his skating, which is effortless and fluid, with supreme edges to dodge attackers and explosive acceleration. To enhance his speed, he plays with pace and high-energy, and the second pillar of his game, his work-ethic, which has been praised since his days at Shattuck. The third pillar of his game is his main offensive weapon, his bullet of a wrister that he can use to pick corners with, that comes with a quick, deceptive release. He has a goal-scorer's built-in ability to find, or create open space to unleash and will drive the net to pick up garbage, or to beat the goalie 1-on-1. His ability to see the ice is pillar number four, and though he leans towards shooting, he has shown slick playmaking ability and high IQ combined with skillful passing. He's patient and poised, and will wait for the right play to unfold rather than throw the puck away or try to force the wrong play, and can spot teammates in high-danger. Epperson has excellent puck-skill, and it's almost impossible to strip him of possession with how hard he is on the biscuit- he can slip through checks along the boards even when being pinned.

While Epperson isn't the most physical player, his game has plenty of pushback and his 46 PIM says he's no gentleman. He goes to the dirty areas without fear and battles hard, and shows high effort and tenacity on the forecheck to force turnovers. He hounds puck-carriers in all 3 zones, and does all the little things for his team that don't show up on the scoresheet- he's details-oriented, wins battles, and retrieves loose pucks. That brings me to the fifth pillar of his profile, which is his stellar defensive play- he has keen awareness in his own zone, and smart positioning. He tracks down pucks, eliminates threats, and gets the play going the other way by moving the puck out of the zone quickly and efficiently. He relieves pressure by breaking up plays with his anticipation, and can cover multiple attackers at one time, sometimes delivering hard hits to get the job done. Epperson can take on a number of roles on any line, and the coaches in the NTDP trust him with penalty-killing duties.

While I can't say exactly what happened this season, I think there will be plenty of teams that are still interested in taking him, knowing him for the player that he is- and there will be plenty of teams that regret not taking him sooner. Some say he would have been better off as an everyday USHL player, rather than making the NTDP, and perhaps he would have looked better in the CHL (The OHL's Saginaw Spirit drafted him in the 2022 Priority Selection Draft in Round 5, 84th overall). Epperson needs to get bigger and stronger, as he can sometimes get pushed around, and he has to find his old offensive swagger, but he has time to work on his game as he's committed to the University of Michigan for 2025-26. A team could concievably pick him as low as the third round, but I would guess 4th, or 5th round.

LHC Linus Eriksson is showing up lately as a potential first-rounder on some lists, and it's not really because of his offensive play, like most prospects. Sure, offense is an important component of his resume, but I think scouts love him for his uncompromising defensive game, his character, and his leadership capabilities. Eriksson has had stops this season in Djurgardens' J20 team (a rather pedestrian 21 points in 24 games), and has aquitted himself well in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier men's league, with 6 points in 22 games- which makes him the highest U-18 scorer in that league. He's been heating up there recently, with 5 points in his last 10 games. In International play, it seems that Eriksson and Lucas Pettersen are always the ones in their age group wearing the letters for Team Sweden, with Eriksson wearing the "C" at the Hlinka, and the World Junior A Challenge- tournaments that saw him get rave reviews for his play, and it was more of the same at the Five Nations Cup.

Eriksson is a solid, two-way center, who is pehaps one of those "good at everything, but not elite at anything" types, but he does all the little things that a team needs to win, that often go unappreciated. If there's an elite quality in his repertoire, it may be his work-ethic, as he's always the hardest working player on the ice. He plays a mature, pro-style game, with good habits, and will not cheat the game. He's a leader, and can often be seen directing traffic on the ice in the defensive zone, and when defending the rush. Defense may be his defining trait, and he's a play-killer, covering huge swaths of ice in the neutral-and defensive zone on his own, and making those areas impossible to cross. It seems like he's everywhere because of his proactive awareness, and always in the right place at the right time to make stops by smothering his opponents, and robbing them of all time and space. He intercepts passes, blocks shots, snuffs rushes, wins faceoffs, and strips pucks, and does so with energy and a high motor. There's a physical component to his game, and he will battle all over the ice for possession, and will throw hits to separate man from puck. He can be put up against the best players on a nightly basis, and he will shut them down.

Eriksson wouldn't be a first-round candidate if he was just a shut-down player. On the other side of the puck, Eriksson employs the same work-ethic to be a consistent offensive threat- he has sublime IQ and vision, and has shown flashes of being a high-end playmaker, but also has a wicked shot with a potent release, that he can pick corners with. He employs the same principles of taking away time and space from opponents that he uses in the defensive zone, when on the forecheck- he smothers his prey, and dislodges the puck. Eriksson is an excellent skater, perhaps not a burner, and he plays with pace, making smart decisions on-and-off the puck to maximize his effectiveness. In transition, his speed helps him get through open ice, and he can make clean, crisp passes in full flight.

While Eriksson is not really a play-driver, or an elite offensive weapon, he's the kind of player that teams need to win. If the stars align, he could end up being a David Kreijci-lite, or he could settle in as a reliable middle-6 two-way player, like a Mikael Backlund. I think he gets picked in the 2nd round.

Expectations were high for LHD Will Felicio coming in to the current season, after a 2022-23 season with the USHL's Madison Capitols that saw him set a record for points by a U-17 defenseman in that league, with 28 in just 55 games. He further cemented himself as a player to watch for the 2024 NHL Draft in the summer, turning heads at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he scored 5 points in 5 games- 2nd in scoring by defense in the tourney, and 3rd in goals (3) and points overall for Team USA. Unfortunately, his scoring in the USHL hasn't shown any progression this season, with 25 points in 50 games, split between the Capitols and the Waterloo Blackhawks, his new team after an early January trade. The change of scenery was actually detrimental to his numbers, with 13 points coming in 23 games with Madison (where he was reportedly playing under 18 minutes per game), and 12 points in 27 games with Waterloo. The numbers are still not that bad though, as his 25 points puts him 20th overall in scoring by defense in the USHL, and second for U-18 defensemen.

Felicio is not your typical fly-by-night defenseman, as he's a puck-moving, offensive rearguard, but still plays a responsible 200-ft game. He's a bit diminutive, at 5'10",161lbs, and has made some adjustments to his game that help him compensate somewhat. He mostly plays simple, risk-free hockey, but will pinch into the play as another forward if the coast is clear. In the offensive zone, he's fairly active, making room for himself and teammates with his agility and stickhandling, and opening seams to pass through. He exhibits quick processing speed, and can change the course of a game with his offensive play. He's smart with the puck, confident and poised, and has high IQ- he makes a high number of difficult, dangerous plays to teammates in the slot. Felicio runs the offense effectively from the point, walking the line to spot openings, and loves to sneak in on the weak side to get better looks. He's an excellent distributor from the line on the PP, and has the patience to hold on to the puck while the optimum play develops. His shot is accurate, with precision and a quick release, but it has been said that his mechanics need to be refined in order to strengthen it's power and velocity. Felicio's off-puck game is sound as well, as he's usually in position to support his teammates, and can sneak in and out of holes in high-danger while making himself playable.

Felicio has excellent footspeed, perhaps not elite, and his strong edges give him quick lateral mobility, making him hard to catch and giving him the ability to stop and start quickly. Analytics show that he's a top-notch puck-moving defenseman, with play-driving capabilities- he's excellent in transition, making a high number of exits and entries, and can pass in full flight. Despite his size, he's tenacious in puck-battles and doesn't shy away from the rough stuff, although he has to rely primarily on his active stick and smarts, as he gets outmatched physically. Defensively, he keeps tight gap control, and has solid positional awareness, with the ability to close on puck-carriers quickly. Felicio gets a lot of takeaways, and has the anticipation to intercept passes, and cause turnovers- he also shows a proficiency against the rush. Time will tell if his two-way game will be enough to offset his size issues, and he doesn't put up the kind of offensive numbers that make smaller defensemen enticing to scouts in the higher rounds of the draft. He needs to get stronger and faster for the next level, and round out his offense. The good news is that Felicio is committed to the University of Denver for the 2025-26 season, with one more year of USHL competition- meaning the team who picks him will get him for the long haul, while he develops his game. I think Felicio goes in the fourth round, but there's a possibility a team takes a shot at him in the third, as his puck-movement capability has value.

Melvin Fernstrom is a 6'1"187lb shoot-first RW, plying his trade in the J20 with Orebro, where he's third in league scoring (1st for U-18 players) with 21 goals and 40 points in just 32 games. He was also 2nd in scoring for Sweden at the Hlinka, with 3 goals and 5 points in 4 games. Fernstrom has a little power-forward in his game, and will battle along the boards and down low, and is known as a dangerous forechecker. He will lean into opponents, squeeze them out along the boards, and throw the odd hit to impose his will- though he is not known as the most physical player per se. As a goal-scorer, Fernstrom owns a wicked wrister and one-timer, with a quick release- and his play away from the puck in the offensive zone is a plus, as he knows where and when to be to make himself an option for a pass, or create an opportunity to score. He also shows good recognition of how to find, or open space, and scans for options to make a play rather than taking low-danger shots. He's a shoot-first player, but is no slouch in the playmaking department, and his IQ is first-rate. Ferny is a good, but not great skater, who could stand to work on his explosiveness- his agilty and edges serve him well when playing down low. Defensively, his game gets some mixed reviews- the effort is there, but his play away from the puck in this zone might be lacking a bit- though he's still known by most as a good two-way player. He's plays much better defense in the offensive zone, and the neutral zone, where he seems to be able to proactively stop the rush going the other way. He's competitive, works hard, and wants to do the things necessary to win. Look for him early in the second round.

LHD Jakub Fibigr is a first-year import from Czechia playing for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL, but unlike most Europeans coming across the pond, he didn't struggle very much to produce- piling up 12 points in his first 13 games. The 6'0", 172lb rearguard was originally paired with the team's mainstay on the blueline, Chas Sharpe, but has played most of the year on an effective pairing with the rugged Parker Von Richter. Fibgr is still a young man of 17, with a July 22nd birthday, but gets tons of ice-time in all situations, and is a solid two-way defender. After a Hlinka Gretzky Cup appearance where was a stand-out for team Czechia with 2 points in 5 games, he finished the 2023-24 regular season in Mississauga with 7 goals and 43 points in 61 games, and is currently one of the team's top performers in the playoffs, with 4 assists in 5 games.

Fibigr is highly aggressive, and effective at both ends of the ice. He's quite active, and frequently activates to attack the middle, never standing still. He always seems to be looking for gaps in coverage to slide in to, with or without the puck, and he likes to sneak in on the weak side to surprise goalies. While he's not a burner, he possesses excellent four-way mobility with smooth transitions, and uses his edges well, rarely skating in a straight line. His lateral agility gives him elusiveness, and he can match footwork with attackers when moving backwards. His speed gives him the ability to rapidly recover from his aggressive pinches down low. Fibigr can either join or lead the rush, navigating through all three zones, after completing a clean exit- he's very effective in transition, and can make a high percentage of smart, accurate breakout passes. On the PP, he quarterbacks the play from the blueline, walking the line and staying active to open lanes. He's an effective passer and reads the ice well, though he doesn't do anything dynamic, relying instead on safe, simple plays. His point shot isn't very threatening, as it lacks power and accuracy- he's much more effective when shooting from the slot after exploding off the boards on the powerplay. He shows confidence in handling the puck, and exerts good control and protection. His off-puck play is a plus, as he's always looking to get open and be playable. Fibigr is reliable in his own end, and has top-notch defensive awareness and positioning- he always seems to be on the right side of the puck. He racks up stops against the rush using his anticipation, speed, and an active, well-timed stick. He exhibits solid timing and gap-control, and eliminates entries.

While Fibigr is solid in all three zones, he's not much of a play-driver, and relies on utilizing his teammates- he's not elite in any skill, or situation. There's a risk/reward factor in his offensive aggression, and he can sometimes be caught down low with the puck going the other way, and there's always a chance of turnovers occuring. His decision-making has been called into question, and he's not a very physical player. In the defensive zone, he is prone to lapses in focus that can lead to him losing his man, and he's not very intimidating to go up against in front of the net. Fibigr is not a high-end offensive creator with his safe and simple approach, and he may not have the highest ceiling- but he does still have some skill, and a solid two-way game. Craig Button has him ranked 25th, but I think he'll have to wait until the third round.

6'4",181lb LHD Lukas Fischer is the son of former NHLer Jiri Fischer, and with a September 9th birthday, is among the very youngest players in the Draft, missing the cutoff by 6 days. Fischer toils for the Sarnia Sting, who currently sit 17th in the OHL, with the 3rd-worst goals-for, and has managed to post 22 points in 46 games, to go with 46 PIM, to date. Don't sleep on this kid- he's awesome, and is one of the best-kept secrets of the Draft.

Fischer is a true unicorn, as he's a naturally athletic, physical specimen who is a exceptional skater with excellent 4-way mobility. His speed is the cornerstone of his game- he gets around very easily and quickly, pivots smoothly, and is agile and well-balanced. Fischer is a two-way D, who has oodles of potential, and is a stabilizing presence for his team- making few mistakes, and keeping calm under pressure. His size and speed make an impact all over the ice- he's a shutdown defenseman for Sarnia, and plays against the best in the league, but also often quarterbacks their powerplay. He's a good puck-mover, and is getting more comfortable rushing the puck, and there's top-notch vision and playmaking ability in his vast repertoire, but he doesn't get to use it as much he should playing in Sarnia. He also has a hard, accurate bomb from the point. Fischer isn't shy about using his size to his advantage, as he's physical and finishes his checks.

Fischer is a hard player to play against in the neutral, and defensive zones, with his enormous wingspan and his stick- which he uses as a tool to break up plays and clog lanes. He is quick to kill plays defensively, even in the neutral zone, by closing on players with his speed and stick to exert pressure, and remove time and space. He kickstarts the breakout through quick, clean retrievals, and makes smart decisions under pressure that lead to precision passes out of the zone. He employs strong gap control, angling opponents to the boards, closing lanes, and removing options.

I love this kid, and I believe he has huge upside. He could still grow a few more inches too, as his father is 6'5", and his brother is 6'7", and he's still just 17. Right now, he's looking like a bottom-4 defenseman in the NHL, with some puck-moving, and shutdown ability, but he still has time to develop his offense, and make no mistake- the sky is the limit with this one. Who knows what his numbers would look like if he were on a different team. He needs to bulk up and get significantly stronger for the next level, though. I think he gets picked in the early second round, but there's a chance he's taken in the later part of the first. I'm gonna be watching him in the future, for sure.

When searching for info to digest on Leo Sahlin Wallenius, one may come across a highly unheralded defenseman playing for Farjestad in the J20, and leading all D in that league in goals and points, by the name of Noel Fransen. 15 goals and 34 points in 33 games- Axel Sandin-Pelikka had 16 goals and 36 points in 31 J20 games in his Draft year. From all accounts, Fransen is a first-round talent, but isn't appearing on anyone's lists. I urge anyone to go watch his highlights and tell me that he's not first/second round material. Fransen exhibits high-end skating and vision, and has every weapon at his disposal- passing, shooting, hockey sense, and is even a good defensive player. Franson is cool and collected, skating with his head up to scan the ice for options, and always seems to make the right choice. Defensively, he shows anticipation, keeping his opponent to the outside, and employing an active stick. He seems to be ahead of the play in all 3 zones. Fransen is a quality puck-mover, and is a confident and capable carrier as well- he has the speed, agility, and stickhandling to weave through traffic from one end to the other with possession. He stays active in the offensive zone to scan for options, and open up space for teammates. If there's a weakness, it may be his size (6'0",179lbs),and physicality. It will be interesting to see what happens, but I think we'll hear more about this kid the closer we get to the Draft- much like last year, with Simashev and Gulyayev.

Central Scouting thought enough of LHC Gabriel Frasca that they gave him a "B" rating at the beginning of the year, indicating a potential 2nd, or 3rd-round pick. Frasca comes from a hockey family, as older brothers Jacob and Jordan were OHL players, with Jordan being drafted by Pittsburgh- and there's still two younger brothers on the way. Like his older brothers, Gabriel plies his trade in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs, who finished 13th overall out of 20 teams, and has compiled 15 goals and 32 points in 44 games, missing the first 24 games of the season due to injury. More was expected offensively this season from Frasca, as he was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team in 2022-23, with 34 points in 58 games. Frasca stands 6'0", and weighs in at 170lbs.

Though he would have liked to put up more points this season, Frasca is still an intelligent, 200-ft player, who plays in all situations, with a mature, pro-style game. He is a dual threat, and a game-breaker who is at his best in big moments, when the stakes are high- in his first 8 games back this season from injury, he scored 2 OT game-winners, both off of beautiful snipes. Frasca has a hard-nosed approach, but applies a lot of finesse to his offensive game. He has excellent IQ and vision, with the anticipation to know where everyone on the ice is going to be, a few steps ahead. He makes teammates better with his unselfish play, and is a good passer, with the ability to connect with teammates through traffic, and off the rush. Frasca attacks open space in the middle to unleash his shot, which is powerful, and comes with a lightning-quick release. His one-timer is a laser- hard, heavy, and dangerous, and he can shoot from anywhere in the zone with accuracy, including from bad angles, and off the rush. On the PP, he is often the trigger man for the Fronts. Frasca is a good skater, but not a burner by any means, and could use a bit of a top-up in all areas. He is savvy off the puck, finding holes in coverage to make himself playable, including in transition, and sneaks in and out of high-danger, looking for opportunity.

Frasca is defensively responsible, and doesn't cheat or take short-cuts. He hounds puck-carriers like a dog on a bone, taking away time and space and stripping opponents of the puck- he brings this mindset to all 3 zones, along with an active stick, and a dose of physicality. He supports his D down low, helping to win pucks and start the breakout, and sticks to his man like glue in coverage. He employs a physical game to disrupt plays, and he will pin opponents to the boards in order to neutralize them. Frasca has high-end motor and compete, and fights hard in the trenches to win pucks and extend plays. He's excellent on faceoffs, and takes important draws for the team. Though Frasca has better offensive ability than he was able to show this season, he still has potential as a bottom-6 player in the NHL if his offense fails to develop- which makes him a fairly safe pick. Improving his strength and speed is a must, and he has to keep rounding out his game, but this might be the kind of player that ends up dominating the OHL as soon as next year. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th round.

Wallenius' teammate on both the Vaxjo Lakers, and team Sweden at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, is smooth skating rearguard Alfons Freij- who, like Wallenius, has put up some great numbers in the J20. 9 goals and 23 points in 29 games, which puts him 5th in the league for D, and he put up 4 points in 4 games at the Hlinka, putting him 5th for D in that tournament as well. Freij has a touch more size than Wallenius, at 6'1",192lbs, and is an explosive skater in his own right with a very aggressive, dynamic style. He has an attack mentality, and loves having the puck on his stick, carrying it with confidence with his skillful puckhandling. He's an excellent transporter of the puck, both with his feet in skating from the D zone all the way through to the other end of the rink, or through his deft passing- be it either the short pass, or his expert long bombs to streaking teammates. Freij may be one of the top puck-movers from the backend in this draft, and he can pull off passes that most can't see- and the confidence to try, even when they don't connect sometimes. There's a risk-taking component to his game, and not everything he tries works 100% of the time, but more often than not, it does. He's always working hard to make things happen. He has top-tier vision and creativity, and sees the ice better than most. Freij makes it look easy, and is a threat in the offensive zone, both on and off the puck with his ability to perform and move in traffic, draw attackers to him, and his ability to attack (and create) open space. He can shoot the puck hard and accurate, and get it on net through traffic pretty consistently. There's a physical component here too, although he's not a huge hitter, and needs to get a bit stronger. As good as he is offensively, he can be an adventure in his own zone- he can defend the rush with his speed, but lacks the same zeal in his own zone as he puts into his offensive play. Freij is still considered a two-way defenseman, but this dimension in his game needs work-it's definitely not a glaring weakness. He still exhibits excellent gap control, and has an active stick. Many say that his decision-making in the D zone is a concern, and that he can be pressured into making mistakes. Freij is another D to look for in the late first, early second.

LHD Tomas Galvas spent the first game of the WJC in the press box as an extra body for Team Czechia, but an injury to Adam Jiricek in that contest opened a spot for him in Game #2, and he took off from there, earning more and more responsibility and ice-time as the tournament wore on. He only managed 2 points in 6 games, but was named Player of the Game for the Czechs against Switzerland, and turned heads with his stellar play, despite the lack of points. Scouts already had a pretty good book on him going into the current season anyway, with similar great performances in the 2023 Five Nations, as well as the Hlinka- garnering rave reviews for each. To date, Galvas is 7th in ppg for defensemen in Czechia's U20 league, with 13 points in 16 games, split between HC Olomouc and Bili Tygri Liberec. Most of his season was spent in Czechia's top men's league, the Extraliga, with Bili Tygri Liberec, and he is currently 1st in both games-played and points for U-18 players, with 7 in 32 games.

Galvas is dimunitive, at 5'10",158lbs, but manages to be an effective two-way presence with outstanding skill, and a positive influence on the game for his team. The first thing one might notice about Galvas is his exceptional skating ability, with speed that's among the best in the draft. He's explosive in all directions, and escapes pressure with lateral agility that few can match- he's sharp on his edges, light on his feet, and can turn or stop on a dime. Luckily for him, his hands are fast enough when handling to keep up with his feet, and he offsets his size deficiencies by staying super active, buzzing all around the zone, seemingly touching every square foot of space, including activating along the boards. To augment his speed and activeness, he plays at a higher pace than anyone on the ice around him, and makes plays at top speed. He's shifty, which is enough to confuse defenders, but he also uses a wide array of fakes, look-offs, dekes, and other deception to manipulate opponents into going one way, while he goes in a different direction. He's active with, and without the puck, and he has advanced spatial awareness with the knowledge of how to exploit it, getting precise passes to high-danger through seams he creates. Galvas makes quick, decisive plays with his high-end IQ and vision, and reads the ice at a high level to solve problems instantaneously. He often spearheads the rush, getting behind defenders, and makes beautiful plays around the net. In the zone, he walks the line and quarterbacks the offense, activating into the play when he's clear to do so, with well-timed pinches.

Transition is an area where Galvas makes some of his best contributions- he's more than willing and able to carry through the neutral zone, weaving through checks, or skating wide routes if necessary; or he can QB the play with crisp, quality breakouts, and give-and-go's. He is highly elusive 1-on-1, but can separate from opponents after completing a clean retrieval with his head up to scan for threats, and map out his surroundings. He's cool and composed under pressure, and is a good possession player who drives play. A lot of smaller defensemen don't hold up well in the defensive zone, but this is not true of Galvas, who sports a strong defensive game with sharp positioning, and keen anticipation. He's amazing at picking pockets, and closes gaps quickly, forcing mistakes aplenty by constantly buzzing in the face of puck-carriers, and removing all time and space. He sticks to his man like glue, and if they get possession, he pursues the puck like a dog on a bone, poking it loose and pouncing on it. He's not afraid to engage bigger players in the corners, or along the wall, and wins battles with sheer will, smarts, and an active stick- though he has a pinch of physicality to work with.

It seems fairly unanimous among scouts that Galvas will be even more sucessful defensively as he adds strength and mass, as he still struggles to handle opponents in front of the net, and can be pushed off the puck when opponents catch up to him. He knows how he wants to play, but can't always execute it, because of his lack of strength. Galvas can hold on to the puck too long, while searching for the right opportunity, which can cause him to run out of real estate. He can pinch at inopportune times, thereby being caught deep in the zone with the puck going the other way, so he has to learn to pick his spots a bit better. Many think he'll be selected in the top-2 rounds, and while I believe that's very possible, I could see him lasting into the third. In terms of small defensemen in this draft, I'm not so sure he's in the same league as Kiviharju, or Hutson- even though he does a lot of things very well.

6'3",179 lb RHD Spencer Gill (he's actually closer to 6'4") was selected 5th overall by the Rimouski Oceanic in the 2022 QMJHL Draft, and is paying dividends- collecting 29 points in 45 games so far this campaign, to go with 48 PIM. Gill is one of the younger players in this Draft, with an August 17th birthday, but plays a rather mature game. His numbers would be dismissed by most fans, but consider that those numbers put him 12th in league scoring for defensemen, and 16th overall in pts/gp at 0.64. Consider also that those stats put him on pace to end the regular season with 42 points in 65 games, putting him in the vicinity of the draft-year totals of 2023 CHL draft-picks like Oliver Bonk (40 in 67), Tanner Molendyk (37 in 67), Beau Akey (47 in 66), and Caden Price (40 in 65), who are all considered more or less to be offensive defensemen. I'm not saying he's a future Erik Karlsson, but his numbers shouldn't be ignored. Gill played quite conservatively at the Top Prospects Game, but perhaps showed off what might be his best asset, and his ticket to the NHL, which is his calm and poised shutdown defensive game, and his ability to munch minutes.

Gill is highly defensively aware, and plays a solid positional game with a well-timed stick, and some physicality to boot. He may not be a burner, but he's an excellent 4-directional skater, which aids his ability to snuff the rush, and gives him tight gap control, especially when paired with his enormous wingspan. He can play in all situations, and both special teams. Gill has solid puck skills and passing, and skates with his head up to scan for options, while carrying the puck confidently. He's a good puck-mover, helps in transition, and makes a safe first pass- but will connect on more flashy stretch passes when the opportunity presents itself. He makes solid contributions to the offense, and to the PP, and is excellent at spotting open seams, particularly to teammates in the slot. Gill usually plays the safer, simpler game, and doesn't pinch much, instead preferring to man the line- but he has the hockey sense and IQ to take more chances, and be more aggressive. There's untapped offensive potential here, but he will need to work on his shot, and his strength, while continuing to build on his speed. Don't sleep on this kid! Look for him in the second round.

The 2023-24 season has been a two-part saga for RW Hiroki Gojsic- the first part was about a player who struggles to adapt to the jump to the WHL after spending the previous campaign playing with the BCHL's Penticton Vees, and in the second act, he starts to put it all together. In his first 20 WHL games, Gojsic only managed 7 points- by contrast, he amassed 25 points in the last 20 games of the regular season, finishing at 50 points in 68 games, to go with 51 penalty minutes. Gojsic played the 2022-23 season performing bottom-6 duties for the Vees, on the same squad as Aydar Suniev, and managed only 21 points in 36 games. He was originally drafted by the Victoria Royals in the second round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft (23rd overall), but was traded to Kelowna in May of 2023, just a few weeks after his younger brother Kanjyu was drafted by the Rockets. Hiroki has been a frequent linemate of Tij Iginla's this season.

Gojsic is a 6'3", 198lb power forward with a nose for the net, and a goal-scorer's ability to find open space in dangerous areas to shoot- and he packs a lethal wrister. He can snipe with his bullet of a shot, or he can finish in-close, driving the crease with a defender draped all over him. He's a net-front presence, with superb hand-eye coordination to cash in on tips and rebounds, and he will collect garbage- if he is given an inch, he will go a country mile. He doesn't need to score pretty goals, he'll take them any way he can get them, and most of his tallies (there have been 21 of them this season) are from within 10 feet of the crease. Gojsic is skilled, but definitely not flashy or dynamic in any way. He's also not a high-end playmaker, and keeps his passes short and simple- he doesn't try to pull off complex plays, or stretch the ice. His playmaking is mostly extending plays in the zone, and getting pucks deep, but he can occasionally find teammates in high-danger with short passes off of quick touches- his shoot-first mentality facilitates a ton of rebounds and second-chance opportunities as well. Mobility isn't a problem here, as he moves around the ice well, and can pressure opponents with his speed, but he's definitely not a burner and his first-step, acceleration, and explosiveness all need work. He has a long reach, which helps him to protect the puck well, especially along the wall.

Gojsic's defensive game has improved immensely- he's usually on the right side of the puck these days, and doesn't cheat for offense the way he was earlier in the season. Though he's still not a stalwart, and has work to do in this area, the effort is there these days, as well as the positioning. In the same vein, while his physicality is inconsistent, this area of his game is really coming around as well. He battles for pucks in the greasy areas, and is becoming a force down low and in the corners. He uses his body to separate man from puck on the forecheck, and will lean into defenders on his way to the net. Another area of his game that has come around is his off-puck awareness, which used to be a negative, but he is now making himself playable in all three zones, and finding open space to be easy to find for passes. The coaches in Kelowna have worked very hard with this kid, and he's improved by leaps and bounds. There was criticism in the past regarding his GAF meter, and his unwillingness to battle, but while those problems have mostly been fixed, his overall consistency is still a work in progress- there are still lapses in his physicality and battle level now and then. Gojsic needs to continue to build his strength and skating for the next level, but he has a shot at middle-6 winger duties at the NHL someday. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th round.

Before he joined the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL this season, LHD Jan Golicic dominated the Austrian U18 league in 2022-23 with 37 points in 18 games. It must have been a massive adjustment to play this year in Canadian Major Junior, but the 6'6", 198lb monster rearguard did ok, with 3 goals and 29 points in 65 games. With defensemen seemingly not scoring as much as past years in the Q, his 29 points puts him in a tie for 31st overall in league scoring by D. He's first in scoring from the blueline on the Olympiques, with numbers that are actually impressive when one considers that Gatineau finished 14th out of 18 teams in the standings, and was third-worst in scoring goals. The native of Jesenice, Slovenia was selected 44th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, and is still quite young with a June 30th birthday. Gatineau was just recently eliminated from the playoffs by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 5 games, and Golicic had no points.

Though Golicic excels in his own end, he still retains an offensive mindset, perhaps from his days in Austria. He contributes to the offensive side of the puck by distributing well when his team is installed in their opponents' zone, and he can find teammates with passes through traffic to high-danger areas. He will join the rush at times, and sometimes seizes the opportunity to pinch into the play from the point. His shot from the point isn't very threatening right now, but he gets it on net consistently and uses it as a playmaking tool to facilitate second-chance opportunities for his teammates, and to cause havok in the crease. He protects the puck well using his body and enormous wingspan, with reasonably good puck skill and handling- it's difficult to strip him of possession. Unfortunately, his mobility is an issue as his boots are a bit heavy right now, with sluggish acceleration- though he makes up for it somewhat with his size and reach, at least at the junior level. He uses his size well to win battles, overpower opponents, and leverage his way around the ice.

Despite his mobility issues, he's a contributor to the Olympiques' transition with short carries, and give-and-go's. He's quite adept at retrievals, scanning the ice over his shoulder and making simple, short-range first-passes to kick-off the breakout. He will stretch the ice with a long-bomb on occasion, but can miss the mark if pressured when doing so. He seems to be in his element in the D zone, and is able to make stop after stop with his gigantic reach, combined with his active stick. He angles opponents to the outside, where they are either bowled over or pinned to the boards, while being separated from the puck. Opponents who venture near his crease are either boxed out or roughed up. There's a ton of potential in this package, but I don't think he'll put up big points at the next level. If he can fix his skating, and we're living in an age where that might be possible, he would make a fine bottom-pairing D in the NHL, with the potential for a bit more. There's some attributes here that make GM's salivate, but I don't see him getting picked before the 5th/6th round.

I don't know what has happened to 5'11", 161 lb C Yegor Graf. His playoffs have been a disaster, between missing 7 of his team's 18 games (I'm assuming due to injury), and putting up only 1 point in 11 games. In the regular season for SKA-1946 St.Petersburg, he was sometimes part of a dominant trio made up of himself, draft-darling Ivan Demidov, and Ignat Lutfullin, amassing 13 goals and 38 points in 39 MHL games. From what I can tell, Graf only played on that line part of the time, as he spent the season bouncing around the lineup, trying to fit in- there were times he didn't even get top-6 minutes. His wildly fluctuating ice-time game-to-game reflects this, especially down the stretch, as he could get over 19 minutes one game, and under 8 minutes the next. Graf should be a star in the MHL, as he finished 4th in scoring in 2022-23 on another SKA squad, SKA Varyagi St.Petersburg, with 19 points in 34 games- ahead of several older players on the team, and 2024 draft-eligibles in the MHL such as Matvei Korotky, Fyodor Avramov, and Daniil Anatsky. Graf has youth on his side though, with a June 25th birthday.

Graf leans heavily towards being a playmaker, despite the fact that he owns a blistering wrister with a quick, deceptive release that he can unleash in full flight. He's also good around the net, and can score in-close with 2nd, and 3rd efforts. His IQ and vision are high-end, and he's a creative distributor with the ability to find teammates with crisp, accurate passes while in flight. He can dish forehand or backhand, and over sticks, between feet, and through triangles. He's a fine manipulator, and adept at drawing defenders to him, in order to pass to open teammates. Off the puck, he's always in the right position to support the play and be an option for passes. Puckhandling is a huge plus for him, as his hands are quick and smooth, and he controls well- he can weave through traffic with the puck on a string. It's difficult to strip him of possession. Despite an almost complete lack of physicality, Graf forechecks well, finding ways to be disruptive with his stick, anticipation, and smart positioning. The same can be said in the defensive zone, as he's reliable and understands the center position in taking away the middle from opponents. He's considered to be an excellent defensive forward, and he's also strong in faceoffs, as well as both sides of special teams. With his passing, vision, and stickhandling, he's an asset in transition and is often seen quarterbacking the rush.

Graf is strong on his skates and hard to knock off stride, but his skating is around average speed-wise. Despite this, he has fairly good agility and can move laterally quite well. Some of his issues will be cleared up as he gets stronger, which is another must going forward. Graf might be another long-term project, and I'm not sure how his game will translate to the next level. At this stage, he's not really a play-driver- more of a complimentary player. There must be reasons why his ice-time is so up and down this year, and his playoff performance will hurt his draft stock. Even though he's in the top-50 on some lists, I will say he goes in the 5th round.   

Jerrod Smith, who took over coaching duties of the OHL's Windsor Spitfires from Marc Savard, was fired 4 months into the current season after the Spits came out of the gate poorly, to say the least. After a 2022-23 season that saw the team winning a Division title, finishing 3rd overall, and scoring the most goals in the league with 320 (22 more than the next highest team), they are currently in last place in the OHL and tied for 12th in goals-for. Players like Matt Maggio and Brett Harrison are gone. The one thing giving Spits fans a reason to cheer this season is team Captain, power-forward Liam Greentree- a 6'2", left-handed RW who is currently sitting at 57 points in 39 games, a pace that would put him at 95 points in 65 games. Greentree is performing this feat without much help, as he's up 10 points on his next highest teammate, Oliver Peer (who attended Flames camp), and 25 points up on Windsor's third-highest scorer. In 2022-23, he led all OHL rookies in goal-scoring with 25, and had 45 points in 61 games.

 When you watch Greentree's highlights, the first thing you will likely notice is his deficient skating, so let's get that out of the way first. Greentree owns a bit of a short, choppy stride that lacks power and explosiveness, and pervades many areas of his game. His start-up, acceleration, and top speed are all concerns, and make it hard for him to evade pressure in all 3 zones. The good news for him is that he's extremely strong on the puck, with magnificent puck-control, and his balance is outstanding- he's strong on his skates, and hard to knock off the puck, meaning he can play keep-away with the biscuit while eluding defenders. Puck-protection is not an issue here, as he handles the puck with ease, and keeps it close to his body. His east/west quickness is actually not bad as well, giving him some extra evasiveness. Despite his mobility issues, he can drive play, gain the blueline, and make entries with full control. Greentree's stickhandling is exceptional, and he exudes confidence and poise when carrying the puck, as well as outstanding decision-making. While he can be considered a dual-threat offensive player, his specialty right now is goal-scoring- he has a deep arsenal of hard, accurate shots with power, and a lightning-quick release, and is threat to score from anywhere. His hands are silk-soft, and he can score in tight, outmanouvre a goalie, or park himself in front to capitalize on tips and deflections. 

There has been criticism this year in regards to Greentree's physicality, as he's not hitting nearly as much as previous years (or in the Hlinka), but still uses his size well in puck battles, jockeying for position in front of the goalie, and driving to the middle of the ice, or to the net. These attributes make him a big presence on the forecheck, and down low, where he applies good pressure and battles hard to win pucks. Like most players who carry elite IQ and vision, LG shows a heightened sense for positional awareness, and always finds the best places to be to execute plays with his creativity, or to score. As the marquee player for the Spits, he draws plenty of attention from checkers, but that opens ice for his teammates, and he has that uncanny spacial awareness to capitalize. Usually, he's the most skilled player on the ice, and those skills are polished and well-developed. There are no issues with work-ethic, as he's quite competitive and hard-working- definitely not a perimeter player. While he's considered a fine 200-ft player who engages opponents in the defensive end of the rink, putting pressure on attackers, his skating can give him some trouble with closing space and time. Still, he exhibits positional awareness, and will readily engage in battles along the boards, or down low in the defensive zone. This player reminds me a bit of a former Spitfire- Gabe Vilardi, who had (and still has) mobility issues while being a top offensive player in his draft year. If Greentree can improve his speed, he will surely become a top-line force in the NHL.

Left-handed RW Matvei Gridin was drafted 223rd overall in the 2022 USHL Draft, and he has exceeded all expectations for Muskegon, piling up 18 goals and 41 points in just 34 games for a club that currently sits 3rd in the East, and 5th overall (3rd in goals-for). Despite playing mostly on the second line, albeit with top PP duties, he leads the team in scoring while taking the 2nd overall spot in the scoring race, 5th in goals, and first overall for U-18 players. Those numbers pro-rate to 32 goals and 73 points in 61 USHL games- in a league that's considered to be hard to score in. Gridin currently has 14 points via the PP (7g,7a), and is tied for 2nd in the league with 5 game-winners. He plays on the same club with potential first-rounder, Sacha Boisvert.

Gridin's game is facilitated by his supreme puck-skills, and some say he's the best 1-on-1 player in the league. He doesn't always need to rush, as he's patient and can slow the game down, and he's highly elusive- he can go around you, or play the play the puck right through you. Shooting is definitely his perferred choice of weapon, as he averaged 6 shots per game in the first few months of action (and sometimes hit double-digits), but he's a dual-threat winger who shows some high-end playmaking, with crisp, accurate passing. His hard, accurate shooting arsenal comes with an NHL-caliber release, but he will also go the net hard to cause havok, or capitalize on tips and rebounds. Gridin is a smooth skater with separation speed, remarkable edgework and agility, and can cover a lot of ground quickly. He's not all finesse, as there's a little power in his game, and he will battle hard along the walls, corners, and in front of the net, and won't hesitate to lean into opponents to leverage his way to the middle, or to the net.

Despite his talent, Gridin's off-puck game is minus in the eyes of scouts. He often seems to be marching to his own drum- out of position, or late to the play. This problem affects his defensive zone play as well. It has has led to questions about his work ethic, as he has obvious hockey sense. He can drive play, but too often plays on the perimeter, waiting for the play to come to him. These are fixable problems, and it's impossible to ignore his tremendous offensive upside, but he will have time to work his problems out, as he's committed to the University of Michigan next year. Most likely a first-rounder.

In my search for information on various draft prospects, I keep coming across the name of LHD Viggo Gustafsson, but there's precious little out there to see or read on him. He plays primarily for HV71's J20 club, on the same defense group that boasts Edvin Nilsson, Gabriel Eliasson, Wilhelm Hallquisth, and Sharks' 5th-rounder Axel Landen. Though Gustafsson is considered to be a defense-first player, he has outperformed all of his D teammates offensively, other than Hallquisth, with 19 points in 41 games- 8 of those points coming in the last 8 games of the regular season. His offensive production ranks 7th in the league for U-18 players, and 25th overall, so at the very least, he has potential on the offensive side of the puck that he's not getting credit for. Still, Elite Prospects calls him the best defensive performer outside of the first round. Gustafsson is one of the youngest players in the draft with a September 11th birthday, and measures a sturdy 6'2",194lbs.

Gustafsson is mainly a shutdown D who plays PK, and 5-on-5. He has excellent awareness, and plays well against the rush. He makes excellent reads, and keeps a tight gap on attackers, angling them to the outside where he either pins them to the boards, or finishes them physically- his 44 penalty-minutes show that he's not the most friendly guy out there, and he has been called a physical presence. He uses his reach, and an active stick to disrupt the cycle, and he frequently kills plays as early as the neutral zone. In possession, he keeps things very simple with the puck, and doesn't activate into the play very often. Most of the time, he's just trying to move the puck out of danger, but he can run the point with basic passing, and will pinch down to keep the puck alive in the zone. His skating is said to be above-average, but nothing special, and devoid of top-end speed right now. He's certainly not a burner, but his mobility will improve as he gets stronger. In transition, he relies on short passes to move the puck, but on occasion, he can connect with teammates on more complex plays- such as stretch passes in breakouts. Gus is a workhorse who plays big minutes, often against the opposing teams' best players. I think there's there's some potential here, but Gus has to play a less tentative game. I'm guessing he'll be picked in the fourth round.

More and more, I'm seeing RHC Michael Hage's name come up, and he seems to be on a sharp rise on most lists. At the tender age of 17, he's already the marquee player for the Chicago Steel, who are perrenial contenders, but are in a bit of a rebuild right now. Gone from last year's team are Macklin Celebrini, Nick Moldenhauer, Jack Harvey, Jayden Perron, Quinn Finley, and Zam Plante. The Steel are currently 6th in the East out of 8, and are in a 3-way tie for 11th out of 16 teams overall, with a goals-for that puts them 12th. Despite having a weaker supporting staff, Hage has piled up 34 points in 30 games to date, good for 16th in scoring, with only 8 points coming via the PP. His current pace puts him on track to get 66 points in 58 games- to put that into a bit of perspective, Johnny Gaudreau had 72 in 60 in his draft year on a USHL team that won the Championship. Hage missed the entire 2020-21 Covid season, and only put in 13 games in 2022-23, due to injury.

Hage is the type of player that makes his teammates better, and drives play. He's equal parts scorer and cerebral playmaker, with top-tier advanced intelligence and vision, and a good shot with a deceptive release. Hage is an effortless skater, and extremely agile, with high-end skill. He seemingly attacks traffic, skating with his head up to scan for options, and can create something out of nothing in small spaces. Most scouts that have seen him play rave about his smooth stickhandling, and his wide array of 1-on-1 moves that he uses to slip in between attackers, and weave through traffic. He also has excellent lateral mobility, and will battle in the hard areas. Hage pushes pace, and has high motor.

Hage is fully capable defensively, but is often caught cheating for offense on a low-scoring team. His numbers are impressive, but 5 of his points came in one game. He is committed to the University of Michigan, but not until 2025-26, so there's oodles of runway for him to get bigger, stronger, and to round out his game. I believe we'll see him picked in the latter part of the first round.

LW Kevin He was born in China, and lived there until he was 6, when his father moved him and his family to Montreal to finish his schooling. That's where the elder Mr. He fell in love with the game of hockey, and wanted his son to experience the joy of playing the sport. When the younger He was 12, the family moved to Toronto. These days, Kevin is the leading scorer for the worst team in the OHL, the Niagara IceDogs, with 45 points in 52 games.

The first thing you notice when watching He play is his exceptional skating. He's one of the fastest players in the OHL with the puck on his stick- he can separate from attackers, get behind the D for breakaways, and puts defenders on their heels. On the rush, he can pick apart defenses with his explosiveness, elite edgework, and quick change of pace. His speed is game-breaking. Of his 45 points, 26 are goals- so it's easy to see that his main field of expertise is goal-scoring. He doesn't need a whole lot of space or time to get serious power behind his shot, and he has a potent release that can stun goalies. Though he's lethal from anywhere in the zone, he's not a perimeter player, and most of his goals come from working in the hard areas, or from dropping a shoulder and driving the net. He will wade into the greasy areas to battle for possession, and is relentless on the forecheck, pursuing and hounding puck-carriers, and applying all kinds of pressure, including that of the physical variety. He catches defenders by surprise when coming off the rush, as he can shoot in flight, but he's also got the offensive toolbox to make high-end plays with his passing. Smooth puck-handling, and protection skills help him carry through the neutral zone in transition, making clean entries and attacking the middle, exploiting holes in coverage. Though he is only 6'0", and 183lbs, he competes hard, and plays a feisty game, as his 47 PIM would attest. He plays in all situations for the IceDogs, and both sides of special teams.

He is known to have tunnel-vision for offense, but it's hard to blame him for that, as he's one of the few players on his team who can provide offense. Conversely, it is said that his defensive game is lacking, but that's difficult to gauge, as Niagara is currently the 2nd-worst defensive team in the league. His coach says he strips a ton of pucks from opponents in the neutral zone, though. There are times where he disappears for stretches, and his consistency game-to-game is lacking. Still, this is a player with some good tools, and huge upside. I would guess 3rd/4th round.

C/RW Konsta Helenius is currently in the midst of the 4th-best season ever by a U-18 player in the Liiga, with 34 points in 45 games- ahead of names like Laine, Lehkonen, Kotkaniemi, Lundell, Teravainen, Lambert, Aho, and Rantanen. He's leading the Liiga in scoring for U-18's by 23 points over Emil Hemming, while playing top-6 minutes for Jukurit. At the World Juniors, he had 2 points in 7 games, and impressed at the U-18 Tournament, with 6 points in 5 games.

Helenius' game is built on skill and IQ. His hockey sense is among the best in the draft, and he's a play driver. He's a pass-first player, with expert manipulation, but he's a dual-threat with his arsenal of shots. Helenius consistently finds teammates with perfect passes while under pressure. Those passes are crisp and accurate, and he can connect through layers of traffic, over sticks, between feet, and through triangles, as well as off the rush, or while flying at full speed. His vision is uncanny, and he can see lanes that others can't. His head is always up to scan his surroundings, and he won't be rushed or panicked by pressure- he will calmly and patiently wait for the right play. His shot is sneaky good, with a potent release, and while it's not the most powerful, he can pick corners in full flight, off the rush. He will go to the net and compete for rebounds, and attacks the middle of the ice. finding pockets of space in the slot to unleash. Despite having a smaller frame, at 5'11", and 180lbs, he will get his nose dirty, battle hard in the trenches, and play a physical game.

Helenius is an exceptional skater, nearly elite, and regularly beats pros at the age of 17 with his speed. He moves smoothly and fluidly, and is light on his feet, with edges that make him elusive- he can pivot on a dime, change direction and pace almost instantly, and move laterally to get past defenders. He keeps his feet pumping constantly, and has the shiftiness to confuse opponents- he will use tight button-hooks to open space and evade checks. Helenius' stickhandling isn't very flashy or dynamic, but his puck-control and protection are a plus, giving him the ability to squeeze past opponents, while holding on to the puck. Off the puck, he makes sound decisions, always making himself a good option, and finding his way to being open in high-danger spots. This ability helps him to be a solid contributor in transition, making him an option for neutral zone passes, where he can use his teammates in give-and-go's- or he can fly through transition with the puck on his stick, weaving through attackers. Helenius has a relentless motor, with high compete, and plays with pace- he's very hard to pin down with the way he's always in constant motion.

Helenius is a complete player, and has a defensive conscience. He often gets important starts in the defensive zone, as he's excellent in faceoffs, and plays a sound game. He takes away the middle, causes turnovers aplenty, picks off passes, and takes sticks. He leverages body position along the boards to win possession, and will throw hits to separate man from puck. In order to play this kind of style in the NHL though, he will need to get stronger. He could also stand to be a bit more selfish, as he passes up shot opportunities too often, in favor of feeding his teammates. Even though he's a capable scorer, his shot needs to be further developed, in terms of power and velocity. Whether Helenius makes it as a center or winger, he's a top-6 NHL player all day long, and most likely a top-10 pick in this upcoming draft.

Emil Hemming is a 6'2", 196lb RW, who is one of the younger players in this draft, with a June 27th birthday. He wears the "A" for TPS in Finland"s U20, where he has so far collected 9 goals and 15 points in 9 games. His play has earned him 28 games for TPS's Liiga Team, where he has put up 6 goals, and 8 points. In the WJC, as one of the younger players, he has 2 points in 7 games. Lastly, he amassed 9 points in 5 games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. 

Hemming has a little power in his game, as he will use his size to leverage his way around, or bull his way to the net. Obviously, he's an avid shooter with lethal deception, and a lightning quick catch-and release- and needs little time or space to get his shot off. He's got that goal-scorer's mentality, and spacial awareness, as he knows where to be to create offense. Supreme vision in the offensive zone, and high-end skill- he loves to have the puck on his stick- he has slick 1-on-1 moves, and superb puck control. Hemming also likes to go to the net and play in-tight, where he has the hands for tip-ins, and the moves to beat goalies. There are many ways he can put the puck in the net, but he has the vision to make plays as well. 

He's not afraid to get his nose dirty in puck battles, or in danger areas to keep possession. His skating is said to be above average, with good first-step quickness, but he needs to improve his top speed. I've also read that he loses a lot of speed in turns, and needs more jump in his crossovers. Defensively, he makes good reads, and has good anticipation and awareness, but sometimes lacks intensity battling for possession in this zone. Also, he can hang on to pucks for too long, resulting in turnovers. Too often, Hemming will opt for the shot when a pass is an option, and that can cost his team, but it can also make him too predictable. First-rounder for sure, but he could drop a little.

Though he's not getting a lot of ice time in the U-18's, C/RW Adam Hesselvall has caught my eye. He had some draft buzz early on in this campaign, but his season has hit some potholes along the way. He recorded 10 goals and 30 points in 43 games for Sodertalje SK of the J20, to go with 38 penalty-minutes, which earned him a 1-game call-up to the Allsvenskan. Hesselvall started the season with 10 points in his first 10 games in the J20, but hit a slump in early October where he went 11 games with only 1 point, and then put up 19 points in his next 22 games. In limited minutes at the U-18's, Hesselvall is currently sitting at 1 goal in 5 games., but he registered 3 points in 6 games at the World Junior A Challenge, where he was tied with Melvin Fernstrom for 10th on Team Sweden. The 6'0"190lb winger can play center and both special teams, but is largely a complimentary player, and doesn't really push pace or drive play.

It's very difficult to describe Hesselvall's style. His one goal at the U-18's had him appearing out of thin air to swat in a pass from his teammate behind the net- which pretty much encapsulates his routine in the offensive zone. He often looks like he's floating around aimlessly, but he's actually stalking the puck by lurking around undetected, exploiting open space and time. He's like a ghost down low and around the net, sneaking in and out of soft spots and high-danger, unbeknownst to his enemies, getting open and waiting for the right moment to strike. It's not like he's waiting for the play to come to him, he's just extremely opportunistic with excellent hockey sense and impeccable timing. When entering the zone off-puck though, he will break hard for the net once the puck is over the line, and on the forecheck, he's disruptive and causes havok. Though he flashes high-end playmaking and passing skills, he is always looking to shoot, and perhaps relies too much on his shot. He does have a hard, accurate shot though, with a quick release and a skillful use of deception, and he's always putting himself in prime positions to unleash. He uses that shot as a playmaking tool as well, firing low and hard to provide rebound opportunities for his teammates, and to cause havok in the crease. He's not afraid of the greasy areas, and will muck and grind for possession. He's also not afraid to apply a bit of physicality in order to dislodge pucks.

When he takes the opportunity to make a play via the pass, he shows soft hands and good vision, with the ability to thread the needle through traffic with crisp, accurate passes. Hesselvall is an above-average skater with a good top-speed, but he needs work on his explosiveness and acceleration, as he can be beaten in short-area races and arrive a split-second too late to grab loose pucks. He handles extremely well, and the puck often looks like it's glued to his stick, but he makes his decisions quickly and doesn't carry the puck for too long. Against attackers 1-on-1, he makes them miss with his slick moves, exhibiting patience and poise. He's very slippery with his ability to dodge checks, and roll off of hits. Off the puck, he skates smart routes to stay available for passes, and to support the rush. Hesselvall demonstrates awareness and anticipation on both sides of the puck, and although he's not a stalwart, he works hard defensively to be disruptive and support his D. He always seems to be ahead of the play mentally, reading and reacting with an active stick and exemplary positioning.

Hesselvall is not a shoe-in to be drafted, and his production throughout the year might have cost him. He shows some impatience, and will opt for a low-percentage shot on net, when he should delay and wait for more options. This is tied to his shoot-first mentality, but he will need to learn to use his playmaking skills better, to diversify his attack to be less predictable. He has to change his style a bit, and learn to play with pace, or he'll be left behind when he gets to the pros. He's very streaky and inconsistent, which will have to change, and he needs to upgrade his skating. In the current U-18's, he's being used on a bottom-6 energy line, and he doesn't look out of place which gives me hope that he could fulfill that role at the next level, if all else fails. Hesselvall could be a long-term project, and will have to wait until later rounds to be picked, if he is picked, but I like the kid.

C/RW Miroslav Holinka is another "asterisk" player, as everything he has showcased this season came in in Czechia's U20 league, which is an inferior level of competition compared to other junior leagues. Holinka played 29 games for HC Ocelari Trinec U20, amassing 20 goals and 41 points, good enough for 39th in scoring but with a ppg of 1.41, which puts him near the top of the list. His efforts in junior earned him a 16-game stint in the Extraliga, Czechia's top league, and he was able to post 3 points. For the post-season, he was sent back to the U20 league, where he was 4th overall in scoring with 14 points in 15 games. Holinka is a bit older than some draft-eligibles, with a November 10th, 2005 birthday, and measures 6'1", 183 lbs. Versatility is his middle name, as he can play center or wing, both special teams, and makes an impact in both ends of the rink.

Holinka is a two-way C, with effort and awareness in both ends of the rink, garnering good reviews for his play against men in his time in the Extraliga. He is aggressive and tenacious in board battles, staying active and focused while causing havok for opponents in all three zones. He is responsible and disruptive, with high-end defensive awareness and exemplary positioning. He won't cheat for offense, always supporting the play in all three zones, often being the first forward back in the zone and the last to exit on the backcheck. He's effective at taking away the middle, while breaking up plays with his body and stick, and supporting his D down low. At the other end of the ice, he demonstrates quality offensive instincts with excellent IQ and vision- he exhibits patience and makes sound decisions with the puck. He finds and creates open space, and draws defenders towards him to create seams for passing- he sees the ice well, and is a skilled passer. His shot is fairly hard and accurate, and he will attack the crease for tips and rebounds. Holinka's stride is a bit awkward, but he can generate surprising power and mobility from it, with good edges for agility and evasiveness in small areas.

Holinka is competitive, hard-working, and plays with pace. He engages physically, battles hard in front of the net, and is not afraid of the greasy areas of the ice. He possesses excellent puck skill, with quick, smooth hands to handle closely at high speed, and in tight space- skills that make him useful in transition. Often, he looks like he has the puck on a string, and protects well with his body and reach. Holinka has been called a fairly safe pick, but he might not have much offensive upside in the show. If he makes it, it will most likely be as a bottom-6 defensive player, and penalty-killer who can chip in a bit of offense. If he is drafted, it won't be until the late rounds.

Before the 2023-24 season began in Regina, many folks in the hockey world were wondering how Pats' Captain C/LW Tanner Howe would fare without the great Connor Bedard, who departed for the NHL. The pressure has been on Howe to be the main man for the team all year, and he's handling the burden quite well, despite being the main focus of opposing teams' D on a nightly basis. Howe has a late 2005 birthday, and though he's 18 years old, he's already an elder statesman in the WHL, with this season being his third full season in the league- and he's never been below a ppg, amassing 227 points in 192 games, and counting. In this current campaign, Howe has answered his doubters by piling up 73 points in 61 games to date, good for 23rd in WHL scoring, and leading the Pats by 28 points. He was picked in the 4th round of the 2020 WHL Draft, 73rd overall, and he has paid off handsomely for them. Central Scouting has rated him an "A" prospect, meaning they see him as being worthy of a first-round pick, and I'm sure the rest of the hockey world would agree. When I watched Howe at the most recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he struck me as a Colton Sissons-type, that of a utility forward who brings energy, sandpaper, tight-checking, and defensive acumen to the table, while chipping in a bit of offense. He finished the tournament with 4 points in 5 games, which was 12th for Team Canada, and has also taken part in the last 2 U-18 Tournaments, with only 1 point in 11 games.

Howe is so much more than the sum of his parts, as he's not a flashy or dynamic player at all- his skills don't seem to be high-end, and there's not much that pops off the page when you watch him, he just gets the job done. The puck seems to follow him around, and he's always in the thick of the action. Howe plays an honest 200-ft game, with good pro-style habits, attention to detail, and diplays offensive prowess as the straw that stirs the drink in Regina. His IQ is sky-high, and he processes the game at an elite level, with good instincts and anticipation, and a quality playmaking game. Howe relies alot on small-area plays, and quick touches, and he's been described as "the master of the 5-10 foot slip-pass" more than once. Speed-wise, he's an excellent skater, perhaps not elite, but he has smooth edges for escapability and quick movement in small areas. As a shooter, he can pick corners with any of the shots in his arsenal, including his slapshot, and he spends plenty of time around the crease, cleaning up garbage and finishing off second-chance opportunities. When he wants to, he can beat goalies in-tight with his soft hands. He can carry the puck through transition, and create chances off the rush, but alot of his offense comes from capitalizing on broken plays, steals, pouncing on mistakes that he causes, and from winning battles and races.

Despite being only 5'11", 181lbs, Howe plays like a power-forward, being always involved physically, throwing his weight around with hits aplenty. He battles in the trenches and the corners, always outworking opponents, turning steals and puck battles into offense. He has that fire in his belly that drives his high-end motor, and elite compete level- his feet never stop moving, and he stays active at all times. Howe is a respected leader, who leads by example, and doesn't cheat- he's tenacious on-and-off the puck. He's a good handler who can move through traffic, but doesn't dazzle with 1-on-1 moves- he has tight puck-control and protection, and it's hard to strip him of possession. His own-zone play is one of his best qualities, and he's already a seasoned defensive player with acute awareness and IQ on the backcheck. Howe is a part of shutting down opposing teams' best players on a regular basis, while winning key faceoffs, and contributing on PK1. It remains to be seen where Howe's place will end up being on an NHL roster, but he has much better tools and more offense in his game than the aforementioned Colton Sissons. I'm guessing middle-six C, with the chance at top-line winger, if he works to refine his puck skills, gets stronger, and even faster. Reminds me a bit of one of my all-time favorites- Mike Peca.

RHC Christian Humphreys has been given the grade of "B" by Central Scouting, meaning that they see him as potential 2nd, or 3rd round pick; I was seeing him in the first round in some mocks though, around the start of the season. His game has been trending upwards since last year, and he's gained an inch and twenty pounds, now measuring in at 5'11", 170lbs. He's much less tentative now, and is playing more in the hard areas- which was the major knock on him in year's past. As of right now, Humphreys sits at 44 points in 36 NTDP games with the U18 team, including 20 points in 17 USHL games, which are solid numbers.

It might be fair to call Humphreys a jack of all trades, but a master of none- still, he's a well-rounded offensive threat. He's a good skater- well above average, but definitely not elite, and he can turn on a dime with his slick edgework, with rapid changes in speed and direction to help his evasiveness. If there's a talent of his that stands out, it may be his puckhandling, which gets rave reviews- he carries the puck on a string, dangling around defenders feet and sticks. It's hard to strip him of the puck, as he executes tight puck-control by handling close to his feet. He's got quick hands, and plays a good small area game- unlike last season, he's playing well in traffic, and creating chances between the dots. His shot is fairly good in terms of velocity, but it's his accuracy and release that factor in the most to his scoring touch, as well as the inate ability goal-scorers have to find open space to sneak into. Humphreys has a good feel for the game, with excellent instincts on-and-off the puck, and high-end vision as a playmaker. He is able to make players around him better, and sets up chances aplenty for his teammates. He's smart and effective off the rush, and contributes to transition.

Humphreys has an excellent motor, and regularly outworks opponents- which comes in handy on the backcheck. He's a conscientious 200-ft player, and carries a ton of value in his defensive game. A details-oriented checker, he's an expert at intercepting passes, breaking up plays, and he pounces on loose pucks, winning footraces in the process. He can kill penalties, and win faceoffs as well. One area of his game he could improve is his physicality, another is his consistency- his numbers seem to come in bunches. Like most kids his age, he needs to keep bulking up and getting stronger. Humphreys has committed to Michigan, after de-committing to Michigan St, so he has some runway to work with on the path to becoming a middle-6 NHL center. If he can keep up his scoring pace, he might get selected in the 2nd round.

When discussing LHD Cole Hutson, it's natural to want to compare him to his older brother Lane, a second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2022, so I'll just say this: Cole plays a similar style to his brother, but is bigger than Lane was in his Draft year (5'10" to 5'9"), and he's faster, more dynamic, more aggressive, better defensively, more physical and aggressive, and has a higher ceiling. In 2022-23, Cole set a record for points by a defenseman in one season in the NTDP, with 68- and he has 37 in 41 games this season. In the most recent 5 Nations Tournament, Cole was the highest-scoring D in the tournament, with 8 points in 4 games. He is a younger player, with a June 28th birthday.

Obviously, Hutson is an uber-aggressive offensive defenseman, with an attack mentality. He's a high-end puck-mover who can create offense off the rush like few can. He is highly skilled, smart, and exhibits exceptional vision, and elite creativity. He models his game after Adam Fox, and is the ideal PP quarterback. Playmaking is the main pillar of his game, and he can complete passes that many can't- over and under sticks, through traffic, and from both sides of his stick blade, and uses every bit of deception imaginable to open seams, make room, fool defenders, and stay unpredictable. Hutson is an elite manipulator, maybe the best in this draft, and it helps him get out of trouble, and break coverage in all zones. In the offensive zone, he runs the point and walks the line with poise and confidence, opening and exploiting seams, dodging defenders, and punching it on net to facilitate rebounds and tips for his teammates. When shooting from distance, it is his lethal release and accuracy that brings him scoring success, as his shot is a bit on the weak side- but he has good hands in tight, and is never afraid to pinch into the play, with or without the puck to create opportunities for himself or teammates, or to make himself available for a pass. Skating-wise, he has outstanding speed in every direction, his movements are smooth and fluid, and he has supreme shiftiness to throw off checkers. His straight-ahead speed can put defenders on their heels, and he can skate backwards almost as fast as he can going forward. Hutson is incredibly light on his feet, with the edges to turn or change direction on a dime.

Hutson is a top puck-mover, and turns defense into offense through the transition, either by skating the puck out with his quick feet and smooth handling, or with his expert first-pass. He's a valuable facilitator of clean entries with control for himself, or teammates. If he sees a streaking teammate, he can hook up with them using difficult, but well-timed stretch passes to pressure opponents. In retrievals, he scans with his head up for an outlet, with poise under pressure. Despite his rather diminutive stature, he isn't the least bit afraid to engage physically, or to throw his weight around. He plays bigger than his size, or at least tries to, and his low center of gravity makes him hard to knock off the puck, and makes his hits more effective. He tries to be disruptive, and hard to play against, and will not back down in puck contests. He's got good motor, and a high compete level, but will still lose battles due to his lack of size and strength.

Like his brother, Cole's defensive game needs plenty of work. He has to rely on his smarts, anticipation, and an active stick to defend, as he comes up short in most physical battles. His awareness in the defensive zone has come into question, and his decision-making is deficient- he can make bad passes that turn into dangerous turnovers, and can be pressured into coughing up the puck. With his skating, you would think gap-control would come easy, but he still gives attackers too much room to operate. In the offensive zone, he needs to learn to manage his game when pinching into the play, as he can do so at inopportune times, leaving him out of position, and behind the play coming back. Is he a bottom-pairing PP specialist, or can he take a regular role on a second pairing, like Samuel Girard in Colorado? Like most D of his stature, there is also a boom-bust factor, but most scouts will look to his brother at Boston U, who's overall game is progressing nicely, and will see the merits in taking a chance on Cole- who will be playing with his brother on the Terriers next season. I would say mid-second round.

It seems like LHC Topias Hynninen has been around forever, but I haven't heard his name that much this year, after being pretty highly touted the last few seasons. Perhaps it's his paltry-sounding 9 points in 43 games with Jukurit of the Liiga in Finland, the top league in that country, that's putting people off. In the Liiga, Hynninen ranks 13th in scoring for U-20 players, and 6th for players 18-and-under, with limited ice-time and responsibility as a young player. If he were playing full-time in the U20 league, I have no doubt he would be amongst the top -scoring draft eligible players coming out of Finland, and there might be a little more buzz surrounding him. In 2022-23, he put up 38 points in 39 games in the U20, and he had 19 points in 41 games the year before that, so he's already a veteran in that league. He's been around a bit this season, with stops in the second-tier Mestis (2 points in 3 games), the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (3 points in 5 games), and Jukurit's U20 team (9 points in 8 games). It was a big shock to many that he was left off the roster for the World Juniors, especially considering that he can play a wide variety of roles, on any line. Hynninen is a little older, with a Dec.19th birthday, and stands 5'10",170lbs.

As stated, Hynninen is a very well-rounded player, with a smart 200-ft game. Hynninen is an excellent skater, with good acceleration and top speed, and can win most races to loose pucks- he's very agile, with lateral quickness, and strong on his edges, which helps him to navigate through traffic. His shot could use more zip, but his release is quick and deceptive enough to fool goalies. He has quick hands to finish in tight, and can roof it, but he can also cash in on rebounds and tips. Hynninen is much more of a playmaker than scorer though, and he's known for his high-end IQ and anticipation, though he doesn't get too many oportunities to make big plays in the Liiga with less ice-time, and much tighter checking to contend with against men. He's adept at creating off the rush, and can pass from both sides of his blade in full stride. There's plenty of deception and manipulation in his passing game, as well as spatial awareness- he baits attackers into coming at him, then passes into open space. He has the presence of mind to hold on to the puck in order to wait for a higher-percentage play to develop, rather than make a less effective pass. Stickhandling is one of his better traits, and he can dangle to the inside for dangerous opportunities. On the forecheck, he pressures well, and creates plenty of turnovers and steals- his speed allows him to close space quickly, and he uses his stick effectively.

Hynninen is useful in transition, and can separate from opponents, or advance the play through passing. One of his main strengths is his versatility in being able to play anywhere in the lineup, and both sides of special teams. He's an excellent defensive player, and has played a bottom-6 role in some international tournaments. Despite not being the most physical player, he's got high motor and compete, and can energize his team- he gets under the skin of opponents with his relentless, in-your-face style, and never lets up in forcing mistakes. He battles hard in the greasy areas for loose pucks, and takes away time and space from forecheckers. While he's quite fast, he could get his skating to another level if he fixes his hunched-over stride, and he needs plenty of work on his strength. Everything you can say about Hynninen's game comes with an asterisk, as he's still adapting to pro hockey and developing, so his game in the Liiga is much more muted and less aggressive than it would be against his peers in the U20. I think he's much better offensively than a player like Tuomas Suoniemi, but can't show it right now. I will guess 4th round.

When talking about C/LW Tij Iginla, there are going to be instances where it will sound like you're talking about Iggy Sr. Tij is still quite young, with an Aug.1st birthday, and has amassed 70 points in 54 games to date, with an incredible 40 goals, good for 8th in the WHL. He was Player of the Game for Team White in the CHL Top Prospects Game, up against top talent- despite the fact that he didn't register a point. Tij is perhaps the most improved player in this draft over the last few years, as he wasn't even on the radar before last season. Like his father in his draft year, he is not the fastest, or most skilled, but has high-end instincts, plays in all situations, and has a distinctive "IT" factor.

Iggy is an extremely industrious player, and seems to cover every inch of ice in a shift- he's everywhere all at once, and dangerous from any point in the offensive zone, and off the rush. He thinks well ahead of the play with his high-end IQ and awareness, and though he's a high-volume shooter, he doesn't get nearly enough credit for how good he is as a playmaker- he can complete the most difficult passes, tape-to-tape through traffic with saucers over sticks, between legs, and through triangles. His passing game can match most of the top playmakers in junior. Iggy is a top sniper, and finisher (two different things), and doesn't need time or space to unleash his lethal shot. He has a potent release, perhaps the best in the draft, that can freeze goalies, and he can change the angle of his shot and his blade, to further decieve the opposition. He can shoot from anywhere with power and velocity, and he has every shot imaginable in his repertoire, all of them hard and heavy- including backhands, catch-and-release, curl-and-drags, wristers, and one-timers. He will also go the net to get rebounds, tips, and second-chance opportunities, and has soft hands around the net. He will drive the slot off the rush, with or without the puck, and when in-zone, he explodes off the wall to attack the middle.

One of Iginla's most important skills, and the trait that facilitates his offense, is his quick hands and stickhandling which, when combined with his mastery of deception, enable him to freeze checkers and move through attackers, even along the wall. He frequently beats defenders 1-on-1; he's shifty, with plenty of fakes, dekes, look-offs, and deception to create separation, as well as time and space to exploit. He's confident with the puck on his stick, and calm under pressure, and baits checkers into going one way, while he's going in another direction. Like Iggy Sr., he wins most 50/50 battles, and is dominant along the boards and down low, using his unnatural strength, tight puck-protection, high-end handling, and his deception, to play keep-away on the wall, or just power his way through coverage. He always wins inside position, engages physically, absorbs contact, and has a bit of an edge- he battles hard in the trenches, and will work to establish position in front of the net. The ability he has to be a possession player makes him valuable to his team, and when there's no play, he works to keep the puck alive in the offensive zone. Off the puck, he knows where to be to make himself an option for passes, whether it's in the zone, or in transition.

Speed-wise, Iginla is not a burner, but is still above average, and gets up to full speed very quickly, with a nice first-step, and good acceleration. His stride is long and powerful, and his edges are excellent, giving him a good change of direction to evade checks, and the ability to start and stop on a dime. He is uncommonly strong on his skates, and difficult to knock off the puck. Any shortcomings he has in his straight-ahead speed are compensated by his indomitable motor- he's always going flat-out, all the time, keeping his legs pumping vigorously. Iggy is hyper-engaged, highly competitive, and always the hardest working player on the ice- seemingly in the thick of the play at all times. He has a good understanding of his responsibilities in the defensive zone, with good positioning and awareness- always sticking to his man like glue. He will assist teammates down low, throw a hit to dislodge the puck, and is trusted in penalty-killing situations.

Iginla doesn't have a whole lot of weaknesses, but he can get caught holding on to the puck for too long, particularly when looking for a shot. This same thing can affect him in his decision-making, as he can run out of real estate when waiting for the right play to develop. He must avoid being too fancy, and looks indecisive at times. Being a high-volume shooter, some of his shots are of a low-percentage variety, so he could stand to use his teammates more in these situations. He must work to further his skating and strength for the pro ranks, but this is undoubtedly a future first-line goal-scoring winger, as it remains to be seen if his game suits the center position at the next level. Look for him in the top-12 in this year's draft.

The scouting world loves C/RW Adam Jecho; he's an "A" rated prospect by Central Scouting, and has been ducking in and out of the first round in mocks all year long. Jecho, who is Czech, has been playing in Finland the last 3 years, and also has 3 consecutive Hlinka Gretzky appearances- the latest bringing him a silver medal, with 2 goals in 5 games. This season, he's toiling for the Edmonton Oil Kings, who chose him 3rd overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, and are currently 19th in the standings out of 22 teams in the WHL. Jecho started the year well, showing no difficulty in adjusting to North American ice, with 18 points in his first 19 games, but his production has fallen off a bit since returning from an injury in mid-November, with 19 points in 30 games since late December, for a total of 37 points in 49 games.

Jecho is a behemoth, at 6'5", 201lbs, but his skating right now is a bit of a detriment, with an awkward stride that needs plenty of work in it's acceleration, and explosiveness. When he gets to top speed though, he's looks fairly smooth and fast, and much like a freight train, is hard to stop. To me, his edges look fine, as he can pivot quite quickly in small spaces, and despite the concerns with his overall speed, he can still go coast-to-coast with the puck, deking through checkers with his elite puck-protection and control. For the Oil Kings, Jecho divides his time between center and the wing, and is much more of a goal-scorer than playmaker- his shot is a cannon, and he gets a solid whip on his wrister, and both come with a nearly invisible release. Though he has a Frankenstein-like appearance on the ice, his hands are as soft as silk, and can beat goalies 1-on-1. He's not supremely skilled, but has solid hockey-sense, and stays active to open up lanes for himself and teammates. Off the puck, he plays a smart game, sneaking in and out of the low slot as a moving screen, making himself a solid pass-option, or to pounce on rebounds and tips. He uses his size well to play a heavy game along the boards, win battles, and to bully his way around. As one can imagine, he's a load to handle down low, and impossible to move when he parks himself in front of the net. He demonstrates passing skill, but generally keeps it very simple- he's not much of a playmaker.

A real plus to Jecho's game is his his defensive presence- he backchecks hard, hounding puck-carriers with his enormous reach, while disrupting plays, blocking shots, and intercepting passes. He gives an honest effort in trying to prevent goals, though there are times when he seems to be coasting, or doing some puck-watching. AJ doesn't throw a lot of hits, but would be a much more valuable player if he played with more of an edge, and was more punishing physically. There has been times when his IQ has been in question, as he sometimes makes bad decisions with the puck, forces plays, and can be pressured into mistakes. His effort in the past has been criticized, but I think he's put that to bed for the most part in the WHL. Most writers seem to think he's an NHL 3rd-liner, but I would bet there's plenty of scouts who like him more than that. I still don't think he's a first-rounder though- I'm thinking late second.

Hopefully, the scouts have built up a good enough book on RHD Adam Jiricek, because it would be hard to evaluate him based on the current season- which ended in the first game of the WJC, after he sustained a season-ending knee injury, that required surgery. He missed time in the weeks leading up to that event, with a concussion as well. Before that, Jiricek was toiling in the top men's league in Czechia, with only 1 point in 19 games, and looking competent, but losing battles due to his slight build- at 6'2", but only 168lbs. Playing in the Extraliga wasn't the ideal way to showcase his plentiful offensive skills either, in my opinion, as he wasn't getting the ice-time or responsibility as he would be getting in the U20 league, and he's able to be much more aggressive in supporting the offense in lower levels. In 2022-23, Jiricek was 8th in the U20 league in scoring for D, first for U-18 defensemen, with 29 points in 41 games, at the tender age of 16. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Jiricek was the top defenseman for Czechia, with 3 points in 5 games. With a June 28th birthday, he's still a younger player in this draft, and perhaps a bit raw, but make no mistake- he's an all-around, two-way defender who has all the tools. Adam bears some similarities to his brother- Columbus Blue Jackets' prospect David Jiricek, but is not nearly as polished or mature at the same age, and his skillset is not quite on the same level. Still, Adam is a top-flight prospect in his own right.

Jiricek skates with his head up at all times, and in all situations, to map out the landscape and scan for his next few moves- he shows poise, creativity, and vision. He will join the rush to support the attack, but usually stays at the top of the zone, and doesn't activate a whole lot, especially in the Extraliga. Right now, he keeps it fairly simple- he keeps the puck in the zone, and gets the puck on-net to provide his teammates with rebounds, and cause chaos in front of the goalie. When he really wants to try and score, he cuts inside to the slot, but isn't really known for scoring goals- he has a quick wrister, but doesn't own a booming shot like his brother. He understands the art of manipulation, and uses deception to open lanes to facilitate his high-level passing game- he's an excellent distributor, who can execute the most difficult plays. Jiricek has smooth puck skills, and slick 1-on-1 moves to get around defenders, and tight puck-protection along the boards. He possesses excellent 4-way mobility, good footwork and agility, and a quick first-step.

Jiricek is confident with the puck on his stick, and stays calm and composed- he's an asset in transition, and can carry it through the neutral zone after winning possession in the defensive zone, beating forecheckers on the breakout. He also connects with a great first-pass. In retrievals, he makes several shoulder-checks to select the best course of action, and facilitates clean exits under siege from opponents. Defensively, he's smart, aware, and positionally sound. Jiricek is money against the rush, using his reach, an active stick, and his smarts. His gap control is tight, and he pushes opponents to the outside where he's strong against the wall, and finishes his checks- he's not the most feared physical player, but he will engage in order to separate man from puck. He will block shots, and boxes attackers out from the front of the net- but will do better with added strength. He can be trusted with penalty-killing duties, and he even directs traffic when performing in man-down situations. Even if his offensive skills weren't there, he would still be an excellent defensive player.

This is a player who is far more potential, than finished product, and may need a bit more runway than his brother did. Adam is a bit more raw, whereas David was doing well in the Extraliga in his Draft-minus-1 year. I think Adam might be to good for junior, but not mature enough to excel in the men's league. He needs to get much stronger, work on his shot, and improve his decision-making in regards to risk-management- he can sometimes opt for the fancy play, instead of the simple one, which doesn't always work. His injury may scare a few teams off, which means he will fall in the draft to a lucky team that will end up with an absolute steal. He's bound to be a solid, all-around D who will play top-4 duties in the NHL.

They came to see Aron Kivharju, but they stayed for the Mitja Jokinen show. The defensive duo of Kiviharju and partner Veeti Vaisanen should have been the marquee pairing at the U-18's, but unfortunately for them, LD Mitja Jokinen decided to throw his own coming-out party, finishing 3rd in tournament scoring with 5 points in 5 games, including his breakout game in a 9-4 loss to Team USA where he had a goal and two assists. Even when he wasn't scoring, MJ showed off his ability to generate chances and play an all-around game, meshing well with partner Niklas Nykyri. Along with Heikki Ruohonen and Konsta Helenius, he was named one of Finland's Three Players of the Tournament. The honor came under dour circumstances, as the hosting Finns were eliminated from the tournament by their arch-enemies, the Swedes, with a 2-1 loss. This was Jokinen's second U-18 appearance, with one assist in 5 games at the 2023 event, and he was the top-scoring D for Finland in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky with 3 points in 5 games. Jokinen, who measures 5'11",168lbs, was 25th in scoring by D in the U20 league this season, 3rd for U-18 defensemen, with 6 goals and 21 points.

Jokinen is a solid all-around defenseman, who isn't particularly flashy, and doesn't possess many dynamic traits, but is very enjoyable to watch. He moves around like a pinball, exploding at loose pucks with his snappy short-area burst. He's blessed with excellent speed in all four directions, with quick edges to spin off of checks and make tight turns. He might not be getting the most power he can out of his mechanics yet though, as his stride looks a little choppy at times, but he's still quite shifty and elusive. With his team installed in the offensive zone, he's very active and will jump into the play with or without the puck to author offensive chances, keep plays alive, and manipulate space for himself and his teammates, with pinches that are usually smart and well-timed. He expertly walks the line with patience to open seams, and he's a smart disributor with sharp vision. Jokinen is a quality playmaker with refined passing skills, but he also owns a bullet of a shot with pinpoint accuracy, and his overwhelming one-timer was on display against the Americans. Even under duress, he's usually calm and poised, and seems to love having the puck on his blade. He's strong on the puck, and a gifted stickhandler with tight protection skills who can move around in small areas like he's playing ringette- he employs a cerebral possession game, and wields deception to make room to move.

MJ uses his speed in the defensive zone, along with a well-timed, active stick to be disruptive, and can guide attackers to the outside to make his stops at the boards. He is able to keep good gap control on his opponents, and snuff entries. In retrievals, he scans well to get the lay of the land, and is able to shake off opponents to either skate it out through the neutral zone, or make one his accurate breakout passes. He's competitive and hard-working, with no fear of battling in the greasy areas, but many of his issues stem from his lack of size. He has all kinds of trouble defending his net, with an inability to push attackers out of the crease, and he gets rather easily overpowered in physical battles. In the defensive zone, he sometimes has trouble identifying his man, and even when he does, he can lose them in traffic- he's sometimes out of position to properly defend against the rush as well. In the other end of the rink, he can pinch at inopportune times, leaving his team a man down if the play goes the other way. He's a good puck-mover who keeps the play flowing north, but doesn't do anything at an elite level, and can't yet be called a top-tier offensive defenseman- but there's big potential here. I think he could one day be a good second-pairing defender with some powerplay duty if he gets stronger and improves his awareness in the D zone. Look for him in the fourth, or fifth round.

Whatever team is lucky enough to draft 6'0" 181lb C/LW Ollie Josephson will be getting an instant fan favorite. He's a speedy, energetic firecracker who plays the game the right way, and doesn't cheat. Josephson was picked in the first round of the WHL Draft, 5th overall, by Red Deer- and this season to date he has put up 6 goals and 32 points in 46 games for a club that sits 6th overall in the standings, but 3rd-worst in goals-for. Josephson was born in BC, not Sweden as one would deduce by his name, and is one of the younger players in this draft, with a July 22 Birthday. He has been given a "B" rating by Central Scouting, meaning that they expect him to be selected in rounds 2 or 3.

Supreme hustle is the name of the game for OJ- he's all-out, all the time, always going 110% with never-ending motor, putting opponents on their heels with relentless puck pursuit. He's a super-pest, always buzzing in the face of puck-carriers, and can really push pace. Excellent skater who could use a little more explosiveness, but if there's any flaws in his speed he compensates with sheer hard work and determination, keeping his feet pumping, while never tiring. When he gets going though, he can flat-out fly. He's strong on his skates, and hard to knock off stride, or off the puck, and shows good balance and agility. Bigger players can't take the puck from him along the walls, or in the corners- he's like a Running Back, and won't be slowed down, pushing through bodies and sticks, and absorbing hits. He plays hard and gritty like a Tasmanian Devil, finishing his checks, and being miserable to play against. He causes turnovers aplenty with his tenaciousness, then pounces on the loose pucks. Josephson sees the ice well, and has an excellent off-puck game, knowing where to be proactively in all 3 zones. He's a crisp, accurate passer with high-end vision, and can thread the needle through many layers of traffic to teammates in high danger. He's a great defensive presence, with instincts and anticipation, who gives attackers fits. It should be said that he's good in the faceoff circle as well.

IMO, the fact that he only has 6 goals is a major concern. True, he's a pass-first player on a highly conservative team, but one would expect a potential second-round forward to have more. On the flipside, if you look at the Rebels' roster, no player has more than 12 goals, other than veteran Kai Uchacz- who has 29. 2023 Predators 2nd-round pick Kalan Lind only has 9 goals. At any rate, Josephson will need to improve his shot and perhaps the rate at which he uses it. OJ has some wonky mechanics in his stride they say- it seems his stance is off a bit, perhaps too wide, so he will get even more power and speed if he works to correct this. It's also been said that he could be more patient, and perhaps slow down a bit at times and wait for plays to develop, and take the time to properly scan for options, so as not to miss out on plays, and open teammates. Josephson has a high floor, as he's already a good defensive player with grit and energy, with an underrated offensive side. Late 2nd round, early third, IMO.

Only two teams in the Quebec league out of 18 fail to make the playoffs each year, but luckily for LHD Marcus Kearsey, his team wasn't quite bad enough to miss out on the postseason. The Charlottetown Islanders finished 15th, but unfortunately for them, the team below them in their conference slid over to the West because of the numbers situation, and as a result, the Islanders drew the best team in the Q, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, as their first round opponent- and they were promptly swept. In the regular season, Kearsey was tied for 5th overall (although he played a lot more games than 2 players ahead of him) in scoring by defensemen in the Q, with 49 points in 68 games, which was 2nd on the low-scoring Islanders, and first for D on that team by 20 points. He wasn't able to do much against the Drakkar in the playoffs though, with only 1 assist in 4 games. In 2022-23, Kearsey was named Top Defensive Rookie in the Q, with 29 points in 68 games.

Despite only turning 18 in March, Kearsey wears an "A" for the Islanders, and is considered to be a leader in the locker room, and on the ice- some say he's a future Captain. He plays big minutes for the team, and is used in all situations, but excels on the powerplay, and even finished 2nd in the league with 22 powerplay assists. Kearsey, who measures in at 5'11",172lbs, is a superb skater, with separation speed, and smooth edges for agility and lateral mobility. He can pinch low on the rush, and still make it back to the point in no time to cover his defensive duties. His slap-shot from the point is overwhelming, and his wrister is a bullet with a sublime release. He likes to walk in and unleash from the top of the circle, and his shots facilitate offensive chances for teammates in the form of rebounds and tips when there is layers of traffic in front of the crease. There's high IQ and vision in this package, and he will join the rush to act as an extra forward, or pinch in along the boards to look for pass opportunities to the middle. He will also activate on the weak side to look for shooting chances. Kearsey walks the line on the PP to manipulate opponents into opening lanes, and distributes extremely well- he's a good quarterback with the extra man, and 5-on-5. He's a good stickhandler with some nice 1-on-1 moves, and plenty of deception to create space for himself in the form of fakes, look-offs, and feints to get around. His head is always up when skating, so he can scan and map out his surroundings.

Kearsey makes accurate outlet passes to kickoff offensive transitions, but can also skate the puck through the neutral zone with confidence. His passes are crisp, and he can stretch the ice if the option presents itself. Conversely, he is adept at killing rushes coming the other way by intercepting passes from the opposition's breakout, and turning those pucks around into offensive chances. He defends the rush well with his speed and an active stick, and can often stop it before it ever gets to the blueline. In the defensive zone, he shows awareness and adequate positioning to get into lanes and block passes, but loses battles because of his lack of strength. He's virtually ineffective in defending the front of the net, and can be outmuscled and pushed around, so obviously- size and strength are big issues for him, and need plenty of attention if he wants to make it to the next level. It's very hard to say what his projection is, but I would guess that if he's not contributing offensively in some way, he won't be effective. I think his floor will have to be that of a bottom-4 powerplay specialist, or bust. On the other hand, TJ Brodie had a similar profile in junior, so you never know. I'm guessing 4th or 5th round.

Left-handed RW Juho Keinanen might be another forgotten Finn when all is said and done, but when I think about the fact that his countryman Rasmus Kumpalainen was taken last year in the second round by Minnesota, I think there's hope for Keinanen to be drafted, and earlier than expected. Kumpalainen can play C, which makes him more valuable than Keinanen, but both are power-forwards with a bit of skill. In 2022-23, Kumpalainen was 5th on the low-scoring Pelicans U20 team, who finished in the lower half of the standings, with 34 points in 41 games. Keinanen finished 2nd this season on the low-scoring Jokerit U20 team, who also finished in the lower half of the standings, with 31 points in 43 games. In the most recent 5 Nations tournament, Keinanen was tied for 1st on Team Finland, and 5th overall with 4 points in 4 games, but only managed 1 point in 4 games in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also took a 6-game spin on Jokerit's Mestis squad, their second-tier pro team, with no points in limited ice-time.

Keinanen is a 6'1",185lb power-forward who uses his size effectively, but still has some skill and finesse. He wins puck battles in the hard areas, and has an effective board game. He's good in front of the net, where he absorbs punishment to capitalize on tips and deflections, and to shovel in rebounds, while screening the goalie. He's got a bit of passing skill, with good vision, and he uses deception in the form of look-offs to disguise his intent. His shot is hard and heavy, but he could afford to improve it's accuracy, and use it more. His skating is average at best, and could an upgrade in all areas, but he offsets it a bit by keeping his legs pumping hard, and staying active. Still, he is sometimes late to the play in all 3 zones. Keinanen is a hard-working backchecker who uses his physicality to create loose pucks, but his off-puck game could use work, as he needs to make himself more playable by skating better routes. If Keinanen is drafted, it will be in the later rounds.

It took some time this season for LHC Quinn Kennedy of the Rimouski Oceanic to gain the confidence to start showing off his offensive skills, starting the year with only 3 points in his first 12 games. He finished the regular season with 45 points in 52 games, but only managed 1 assist in the playoffs as Rimouski was eliminated by the Cape Breton Eagles in 5 games.

Kennedy has a long, powerful stride with rapid acceleration and excellent agility for lateral mobility, and escapability. He can push pace, and plays with high energy, always moving and keeping his legs pumping. He has soft hands to finish in-close and moves to beat goalies, but he also has a laser of a snapshot with some whip, and a deceptive release. He always seems to be open and ready to shoot with his stick on the ice, and he also has the hand-eye coordination to score off of tips. He became more confident as the year wore on in making plays of the more difficult and complex variety, but high-end vision and IQ only came in flashes most of the time. He can distribute with poise and confidence, but isn't really a playmaker. On the forecheck, he grinds with tenacity to force turnovers and wreak havok, despite measuring only 5'10", 172lbs. He's highly disruptive and aggravating to play against, and gives opponents fits. In battles, he's gritty and hard-working with constant second-and third efforts. He's hard-nosed and competitive, and works down low and around the net like he was a big power-forward. There's no fear in him to storm the crease, or attack the middle of the ice. In possession, he's shifty and elusive with smooth puckhandling and he protects the puck well. These skills, when combined with his speed, make him effective in transition, as he stickhandle through layers of traffic to make clean entries with control.

Going forward, it's likely that Kennedy will not be known for his defensive abilities, as he's not currently a stalwart in his own zone- although he works hard, and exhibits good positioning. He's undersized, and his frame doesn't quite match the rambunctious style that he plays, so he may have to temper his physical approach a bit for the next level. Even if he does, he still needs to add a ton more strength, as he can be manhandled by bigger players. He needs to round out his skillset, and upgrade his shot as well. Look for him in round 5 or 6.

5'10",165lb LHD Aron Kiviharju has been heavily discussed in the last few years, but I fell in love with him as a player watching him at both the U-18's, and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. I'm usually quite bullish about small defensemen, but I wouldn't blame a team for taking this kid with a first-rounder- he's that good. Kiviharju played in Finland's U20 League at the tender age of 15- and dominated, putting in the best season ever for a player his age in that league, with 30 points in 35 games, which are good totals for a draft-eligible forward, nevermind a 15 year-old, diminutive defenseman. The following season, in 2022-23, he had 20 points in 22 U20 games, but was given time in the Liiga, Finland's top men's league, with 3 points in 21 games- paltry numbers, but he still got good reviews for his play. Last year's U-18 tournament was his second appearance for team Finland, and he wore an "A", finishing 4th in D scoring overall, by putting up 7 assists in 5 games, with 6 of those being primary. He was the second-highest scoring D in the Hlinka, with 6 points in 5 games. His season back home in Finland's Liiga has been limited to 7 games with HIFK, with 2 points, as he's missed most of the year with a knee injury that required surgery.

Kiviharju is an exceptional talent, with dynamic puck-skill, and is elite in most areas of the game. He is highly creative, with IQ and vision that are immeasurable, and he produces hightlight reel play after highlight reel play. Few players can process the game the way AK can- he has hockey sense through the roof, and is always a few steps ahead of everyone else on the ice. He's an amazing playmaker, with uncanny timing, and can see open lanes that nobody else can, and can complete passes most can't see- nevermind connect on. Even when flying at top speed, he can dish accurate, hard passes to teammates through the smallest of holes, and pass over and under sticks, between the feet of attackers, and through layers of traffic. He can hit teammates with saucer passes who are in full flight. Deception and manipulation are near the top of his list of considerable abilities, and help facilitate his playmaking, making him unpredictable and opening space, with fakes in his head and hands, look-offs, toe-drags, and misdirection in the angle of his stick and feet. He can dangle like a forward, and moves through checkers like a ghost.

Kiviharju is a top-tier puck mover, with elite puckhandling and control, and doesn't often get touched when moving through transition. He drives play, and plays with pace. His breakout passes are hard and accurate, and he evades pressure in retrievals, as most forecheckers can't catch him. He doesn't just throw the puck away- he is extremely patient, and he will wait for his teammates to get in position to recieve his pass. He advances the puck under pressure, while side-stepping forecheckers and skating with his head up to survey his surroundings. Kiviharju is calm and composed at all times, poised and mature beyond his years, and confident when carrying the puck. He consistently makes smart decisions with, and without the puck, and knows when to jump into the play, be it off the rush, or off the point. He walks the line like an NHL vet, manipulating lanes and exploiting them, and is the ideal PP quarterback, who can find teammates in high-danger consistently. Patience is one of his virtues, and he will wait for a better play to develop, rather than just dumping it in. His shot is a bit lacklustre, and could use more power, but he uses it as another playmaking tool, punching it on net to create rebound and tip opportunities for teammates. Skating-wise, he has been called elite, but I think there is a percentage of players who could beat him in a straight-line- still, he has high-end mobility, with masterful edges and agility that make him highly elusive. With his low center of gravity, he's actually deceptively hard to knock off the puck.

Defensively, Kiviharju is actually quite competent in his own zone, unlike other diminutive defensemen- there's very few goals scored when he's on the ice, partially because the puck is usually in the other end of the ice, but also because of his anticipatory defensive awareness. He defends well with his stick, using poke checks, blocking shots, clogging lanes, and regularly cutting off plays. He thinks proactively to be in the right place, at the right time to limit the time and space that opponents have to operate in- he's quite good against the rush, and is defensively responsible. With his size deficiencies, he won't win many physical battles, and his stature will always be scrutinized, but it's less of a concern with this player, because he dominates in spite of his size, and has already proven that he can play against men. Only 10 U-16 players have played more than 20 games in the U20 league in a season, and only 4 have played more than 30- Kiviharju being one of them. 30 points in 35 games as a 16 year-old trails only Patrik Laine, and is better than those of Sasha Barkov, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Kasperi Kotkaniemi. Kiviharju needs to get stronger, work on his shot, and perhaps be a bit more selfish, but this is a player who I believe could be a star. I'll be watching to see how his season goes when he's back playing again, but some team might just take this kid in the first.

D Adam Kleber has the profile of a player that most NHL GM's would salivate over: that of a 6'5",215lb mobile right-handed defenseman. Kleber is already a shutdown D who plays big minutes for Lincoln of the USHL, but he's also 25th in scoring from the backend in that league, with 16 points in 30 games currently. Respectable feat, when you consider that his team currently sits 6th out of 8 teams in the West, and 12th out of 16, with a goals-for that ranks second-worst in that circuit. Kleber leads his own team from the backend by 5 points over the next highest scoring D, a player who has played 6 more games. Kleber's offensive contributions can't be overlooked.

AK is not an elite passer or playmaker, but makes consistently good decisions, and is much more effective when keeping things simple. He's very mobile, especially for a big man, and can keep pace with smaller forwards. He's strong on his skates, and nearly impossible to knock off the puck, but could still use work on his explosiveness, top speed, and lateral agility- still, it's hard to get around him with his enormous wingspan. Kleber is a very good defensive player, who makes impressive reads to intercept passes and break up plays, and has effective gap control. He's imposing down low, good against the rush, keeps the crease clean, and uses his big body and well positioned stick to clog lanes. He can sometimes take himself out of the play looking to physically engage, so he will need to learn to pick his spots. His head is up, scanning for options on retrievals, and makes quality breakout passes under pressure. Kleber plays a robust physical game, and is hard against the wall. In the other end of the ice, he will sometimes jump into the play, and can cause havok with his booming shot from the point. There's definitely plenty of offensive inclination here, and some good instincts, but this part of his game might not end up being his bread and butter in the pros.

The Portland Winterhawks of the WHL thought enough of Kleber to select him 34th overall in the WHL US Draft, but obviously he wanted to go the college route, as he has committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. This means that he's got plenty of time to round out his game, improve his play with the puck, and top up his skating. We still don't know exactly what kind of player Kleber is, but I would guess his ceiling is a Brian Dumoulin-type, who can move the puck and play sound defense. Most likely a third-rounder, if he doesn't go late 2nd.

If there was an award for the most improved player in the 2024 NHL Draft, the trophy would surely go to Saku's son, RHC Aatos Koivu. He wasn't even on the radar last year, with only 7 points in 20 games in the U18 Sarja with TPS, and even spent 2 games in the U18 Mestis- the secondary league at the U18 level, so his rise has been nothing short of meteoric. His 2022-23 season was also limited to 30 games due to injury. This season, he has shuffled between the U18 level (22 points in 20 games), the U20 (31 points in 28 games, 5th in scoring for U-18 players), and even the Liiga (4 games, no points), and is as late-blooming as you can get, growing 6 inches over the last two seasons. He now measures 6'0" (some say he's 6'1"), weighs in at 165lbs, and is still quite young with a June 22nd birthday. Koivu centered the top line for Finland at the most recent 5 Nations, where he tied for 10th overall in scoring with 3 points in 4 games, and is currently in the playoffs with TPS' U20 squad, posting 6 points in 6 games.

As one can deduce, Koivu is still very much physically raw, and I can't imagine that going through a growth spurt like the one he has experienced would be easy, or good for one's co-ordination. Still, his top asset might just be his skating, with superb first-step quickness and acceleration, to go with a separation gear at top speed, and smooth edges for balance and agility. Koivu has flashes of playmaking ability, but leans more into his goal-scoring ability, as he owns a dangerous shot that he can pick corners with, and a release that fools goalies. His wrister could use more zip, but he can uncork an absolutely blistering one-timer that is hard to stop, and is already NHL-quality. He's good in-close too, with soft hands, and the moves to deke a netminder out of his jockstrap. As far as passing goes, he doesn't really do anything that would qualify as being too dynamic, and though he has a fair amount of smarts and awareness, he keeps it fairly simple. Like his father, Aatos is scrappy and plays with a big chip on his shoulder- he's ultra competitive, aggressive, and tough to play against. He finishes his checks, throws hits to dislodge pucks, and battles hard in the greasy areas. He is effective in transition, and can make clean entries with possession. He has shown the ability to pass off the rush, or attack the middle to shoot. On the forecheck, he catches up to puck-carriers quickly, and makes life difficult for them, taking away time and space.

Koivu's defensive game is in need of improvement, and he himself acknowledges that fact. He shows good puck-pursuit, and can cause turnovers on occasion that he then turns into offensive rushes, but he lacks composure, and tends to rush things when pressured. He doesn't always know where to be, and can be caught puck-watching from time-to-time. His overall IQ and awareness has been called into question, with some saying that he needs to speed up his processing, and use his teammates more. Koivu needs to add a lot more strength and bulk, as he can be overpowered in puck battles, and knocked off the puck- adding more muscle will help him in front of the net, as well. His stickhandling could use a tune-up, as he can overhandle the puck in flight, which leads to turnovers. Some of these issues could be tied to how much he's grown physically in such a short time, as it must cause some co-ordination problems, but he seems to have the right attitude, character, and mindset to improve his weaknesses and become an NHLer, as well as a fantastic support system in his corner. McKenzie has him ranked 60th, which is the late 2nd-round- I could definitely see that happening, but I'm going to guess early 3rd round.

I didn't think too much of LHD Timur Kol up to this point in the season, but I saw his name a little higher up in a mock draft (I believe it was 3rd round), so I thought I would look in to him again. Right now, his MHL team (Omskie Yastreby) is in the second round of the playoffs, and Kol is tied for the league lead in scoring by defense, with 3 goals and 5 points in 7 games. In his last 8 regular season games with that club, he had 7 points for a total of 8 points in 14 MHL games. Kol is also 5th in scoring by U-20 defensemen in the VHL (Russia's second-highest men's league), with 8 points in 23 games, and played 2 games in the KHL with no points. He is one of the youngest players in the draft, with an August. 23rd birthday, and stands 6'3", weighing in at 198lbs. It's hard to watch Russian players these days for obvious reasons, but i watched two games he participated in last night, one from the VHL, and one from the MHL.

Kol is a solid two-way defenseman, and like a lot of big kids coming out of Russia these days, he possesses excellent 4-way mobility- not Simashev excellent, but still very smooth and fast. He regularly wins races to loose pucks, and can dance around opponents with his agility. There's a nice, quick burst when he stops and starts, and his transitions are quite fluid. If he has the opportunity, and some men back to cover for him, he will join the rush like a winger, or spearhead the rush himself- he has shown plenty of flashes of puck-rushing ability. Kol runs the offense from the blueline like a quarterback, and distributes quite proficiently, walking the line to open up seams and stay available for back-passes when not in control of the puck. He's a quality PP point-man, and has a bomb of a snap-shot from the point, with the accuracy to find holes, and employs a lightning-quick release. The rest of his arsenal of shots are hard and heavy as well. He will pinch into the play to support the offense, but will also charge up the boards to keep loose pucks alive in the zone, and he likes to sneak in on the weak side to the net for close-in chances. Kol will angle his skates and body away from checkers and their sticks in order to protect the puck, and though his stickhandling isn't that fancy, his long reach helps his puck control in these situations.

While Kol shows potential in his offensive game, only time will tell how well this side of his game translates to the next level- the good news for him is that he already has the hang of the whole "defensive zone" thing. On the backcheck, Kol is extremely disruptive, and highly active in the zone, with superb positional awareness. He works hard, stays engaged, and is often the last man out of the defensive zone, and the first man in. He skates well backwards, and stays in front of the play, and on the right side of the puck- his gap control is tight, as he can match even small opponents step for step, but on occasion, he can give his adversaries too much room to move. Most of the time, he is able to angle his prey to the boards where they are either pinned, or finished off with a hit. He covers his net well, supports his teammates in battles, and has good awareness of where his enemies are on the ice. His skating and stick help him to hound puck-carriers and take away space, but he can sometimes get caught chasing, taking himself out of position. Kol has no problem with putting his body on the line to block shots.

Kol's main weakness, and it's a big one, is his decision-making, particularly in his breakout passes- he quickly establishes body positioning on retrievals, but is often pressured into forcing ill-advised passes, throwing the puck away, or making egregious mistakes. It's more of a problem in the VHL against better competition, but the problem still exists when playing against juniors. He uses his body as leverage to impose his will, win battles, and push opponents off the puck, but aside from the odd hit, he isn't overly physical- or at least not a sphysical as he could be. This is another area that looks a bit better in junior than he shows against men, which is to be expected. There's a ton of potential here, with a fairly high floor, so I will guess third/fourth round. He's quite young, and still developing his offense- which looks to be coming around lately.

RHC Matvei Korotky doesn't get many minutes in the top-6 of one of the MHL's best teams, SKA-1946 St.Petersburg- a club laden with top talent, including 2024 draft-darling Ivan Demidov. Despite this, he still managed to post a respectable 20 goals and 38 points in 51 games, and has proved himself valuable in the playoffs as the team's 4th-leading scorer with 14 points in 18 games, to go with 31 penalty-minutes. Korotky is a blend of skill and finesse, mixed with power and grit.

Korotky will attract scouts with his warrior mentality- he's fearless, and doesn't back down. He wins battles in all of the hard areas, and pounces on loose pucks. He plays a hard, heavy game along the boards, and has no problem taking a beating in front of the net. Korotky plays with high energy, an unrelenting motor, and pushes pace- he's quite competitive, and gets under opponents skin with his cockiness in the form of taunts and over-exhorbitant goal celebrations. On the forecheck, he's hard-nosed and disruptive with the way he attacks puck-carriers, cuts to the inside, and crashes the crease. He's physical, finishes his checks, and will drop the gloves if challenged. His main contribution to his team's offense is his goal-scoring, and he's considered to be pretty clutch in this regard, with a hard, heavy wrister and a lightning-quick release. He doesn't need to always score the pretty ones though, as he will go to the net to clean up garbage as well, and is always working the puck to the net. Though he loves to score, he has the hockey sense and IQ to make plays, showing the confidence and creativity to make quick decisions based on good instincts, and solving problems on the fly.

Korotky has a fairly high skill set to go with his sandpaper, and is a skillful puck-carrier with quick hands and tight protection skills. As is the case with most Russians it would seem, he skates well and augments his speed by staying active and by keeping his feet pumping. He always seems to be in the right place, at the right time to support his teammates, and be playable. He's effective in all three zones, and can fly through the neutral zone for clean entries with control. He brings his work-ethic and physicality with him to the defensive zone, where he's quick to shut down puck-carriers. Korotky has a pretty high floor, as he could concievably play in an NHL team's bottom-6 in the future if all else fails, with his size and grit to go along with his two-way mindset. The only question is how his overall game will translate, specifically his offense. He's still raw in many ways, and will need time to round out his skill set, strength, and skating. Look for him in the 5th round.

6'3" C/LW Jakub Kos was taken in the 6th round, #184th overall, by the Florida Panthers in 2021, and was heralded as a future bottom-6 defensive player in the NHL, due to his grit and work-ethic, but apparent lack of offensive skill. Jakub's brother, Ondrej, is draft-eligible this summer, and has many of the same traits as his older brother- and thus, many of the same projections by scouts- but the younger Kos may possess a higher ceiling, with a bit more offensive potential. Ondrej only managed 3 goals in 8 games for Ilves in Finland's U20 league, but he's the second-highest scoring U-18 player, and first in ppg, in the Mestis- Finland's second-highest men's league, for Koovee, with 5 points in 14 games. OK had an impressive Hlinka Gretzky, finishing third on Team Czechia, with 3 goals and 5 points in 5 games. Ondrej stands 6'2", and weighs in at 167lbs.

Kos is an excellent skater, with a good top speed to separate from opponents, but could perhaps use more explosiveness. He possesses excellent balance, that makes him hard to knock off-stride, or to bump off the puck. Kos keeps his feet pumping hard, and pushes pace. He's a good handler, with tight puck-control, and is hard on the puck. He can change direction and speed quickly to throw off defenders, and is well versed in the art of deception to manipulate opponents into giving him time and space- he also has some slick 1-on-1 moves to move through coverage. He knows how to draw opponents towards him, and exploit the open space they leave in their wake. Kos' anticipation is quite good, his IQ is sharp, and he flashes high-end offensive skill at times, with a fine touch as a playmaker, though he doesn't exactly put up stellar numbers. There's a good sense of where he should be at all times, in order to be ready for what is coming next in all 3 zones- his off-puck play is exemplary. In transition, Kos is often seen spearheading the rush through the neutral zone, with his head up, using his speed and hands to manouver around checkers.

Kos' true defining trait might just be the fact that he's a top-notch defensive player, and he demonstrated his value in this area at the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament. He works as hard on the backcheck as he does on the forecheck, and is relentless on puck-carriers to win pucks by smothering them. Scouts love the compete on this kid- his motor never quits, and he never takes a shift off. He's always moving his feet, and playing with energy and physicality. Many say his offensive ceiling is limited, with some declaring him a middle-6 NHL player, and some saying bottom-6, with PK duties. Decision-making with the puck can sometimes be an issue, and he has a long way to go to get to his proper weight. He has a good shot, but needs get more power on it. I'm going to say 3rd/4th round.

Here's a player that I've liked since I saw him in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and I think he's got a good shot at being an NHL defenseman. I'm talking about 6'2",181lb RHD Adam Kral of Czechia, who put up 6 goals and 19 points in 50 games for Bili Tygri Liberec of the U20 league, good enough for 30th in scoring by D. His play in the U20 earned him 4 games (but no points) in the top men's league. Kral also earned a spot in December's U-18 5 Nations, but he had no points, unfortunately.

Kral is firstly a defensive defenseman who eats minutes, but he can contribute to offense, and play in all situations, including both sides of special teams. Kral is not a burner, but he possesses above-average speed, with a quick first-step, and good small-area quickness. He's also agile, and can change speed and direction quickly, or pivot away from checkers in an instant. Kral plays a rugged, hard-nosed game, and applies plenty of physicality- he's a force down low, and along the boards. Though his puck-skill isn't elite, his handling is good enough to get around, and his use of deception on top of that helps him to navigate through traffic. He's more of a facilitator than a playmaker, as he moves the puck up the ice to his forwards, then provides support- although he will jump into the rush as an extra forward on occasion, or activate from the point if the coast is clear. He's cool and composed with the puck, and distributes well. In off-puck situations, he's always in a good position to be playable in both ends of the rink. He gets good power on his shot, but he could stand to work on it's zip, and accuracy- though his shooting creates plenty of second-chance opportunities for teammates.

Kral does his homework on retrievals, scanning with his head up to be aware of his next option, and makes good decisions with quality breakout passes under pressure to kickstart the offense. He has keen awareness and high IQ, making consistently good reads in all three zones. Against the rush, he racks up stops with his tight gap control and physicality- he can kill plays before they develop in the neutral zone with his long reach and active stick. There's plenty to work on here, including rounding out his offensive game, though I doubt he'll be more than a bottom-pairing guy in the NHL, if he makes it. Improving his strength, puck-skill, speed, and shot will go a long way. Look for him in the later rounds.

Team Slovakia came to play this year at the U-18 tournament, finishing in 4th and making their presence felt in every game. It was no different for Slovak LD Samuel Kupec, who was a defensive presence every time he stepped on the ice, as well as a physical one. Kupec is already built like a man, at 6'3",209lbs, and spent most of his time this season playing in men's leagues, with 26 games in the Slovenska hokejova liga (Slovakia's second-tier men's league) picking up 2 assists and 18 penalty minutes, and 32 games in the Extraliga (Slovakia's top men's league) for HK Dukla Trencin, putting up 1 assist. On Dukla Trencin's U20 squad, he posted 3 points in 8 games to go with 12 PIM, and contributed 4 points in 9 playoff games. In the U-18's, he formed a formidable shut-down duo with Fabian Licko, and both managed to tie for second-place on the team in D scoring, with 2 points apiece, although these points came in the contest against Norway, who aren't exactly a powerhouse opponent.

Kupec is a stay-at-home, shutdown defenseman who can ride shotgun with the more offensively-inclined rearguards on his team and compliment them. He plays a very simple, risk-free game with the puck, and employs a meat-and-potatoes style to avoid turnovers. He is hard to play against, first- because of his intimidating physical game, and second- because he skates very well. He's very difficult to outrun, both in open ice and in small-areas, as he owns a quick first-step and has a peppy short-burst. He's agile as well, with the ability to turn quickly, and transitions fairly seamlessly. Kupec plays a physical game, and likes to deliver big hits and play the body, but he also won't hesitate to lay some lumber in the form of slashes to the stick, and crosschecks. Though he lacks offense and creativity, he handles and protects the puck well, and can make a good first-pass when he has reasonable time and space to do so. His numbers in junior are respectable at first glance, but the Slovakian U20 league is rather inferior when it comes to quality of competition.

Kupec can cover a huge patch of ice defensively with his reach and his disruptive stick, especially when combined with his mobility and awareness- he is able to intercept passes, and cut off lanes expertly. He boxes opponents out from the net quite well, showing strength when pushing attackers out of the crease, and when he pins them to the boards to smother them. Kupec competes hard, and has a solid work-ethic. In retrievals, he scans over both shoulders to survey his options and wins the puck quickly, but the main knock on him is that he can be pressured into making mistakes on his breakouts. I didn't see any turnovers in this situation, as it seemed like he would use the boards and glass to clear the puck if he got into trouble. His decision-making has been called into question at times, but it's his rush-defense that's most concerning- he was burned a few times, most notably by James Hagens, although Hagens burned just about everybody in this tournament. I think that the problem may lie with his gap-control, and his anticipation in these situations- sometimes he gives his opponents too much room to move, and too much time to think. Based on what I saw at this tournament, Kupec may be in tough to get drafted, but if he is chosen, he'll wait until the later rounds.

Left-Handed RW/C Felix Lacerte may be diminutive, at 5'10", 168lbs, but he's carrying most of the load this season for Shawinigan, leading the team with 31 goals and 59 points in 52 games, to go along with 51 PIM. He's the main focal point for opposing checkers every night, and he's doing it without much help, as he's 13 points ahead of the next highest-scoring teammate- and Shawinigan is 15th in the 18-team QMJHL in goals-for. Lacerte led the Cataractes in scoring in 2022-23 as well, and was named to the All-Rookie Team, with 52 points in 67 games, to go with 5 goals in 5 playoff games. I think it's fair to say that Lacerte would have much more impressive numbers on a better team.

Lacerte leans a bit towards scoring goals as his preferred offensive contribution, but he sees the ice well in all 3 zones, and has finely tuned instincts. He's highly proficient at finding open lanes, which serves him well as a smaller player, and has the patience to wait for a play to develop, rather than throw the puck away, or force a rushed pass. His deception abilities are top-notch, and he can control and manipulate space for himself and teammates. He has a sniper's hands, with a lethal shot, and diguises the point of his lightning-quick release to fool goalies. He's a high-volume shooter, and scores a lot of his goals within ten feet of the net- he has soft hands in-tight, and can beat goalies 1-on-1. Lacerte is a slick puckhandler, cool and confident in possession, and can weave through traffic. Speed-wise, he's decent, with good acceleration, but needs to add another gear or two on top. His edges are strong, and he has the agility to elude checkers, along with a low center of gravity which makes it hard to knock him off the puck. Lacerte plays with a huge chip on his shoulder and a robust physical game. He can throw some heavy hits, and battles hard in the greasy areas against much larger opponents. He's a bit of an agitator, and gives defensemen fits with the way he causes havok in the crease, and his chippy play down low on the forecheck.

Lacerte has good awareness defensively, with the anticipation to intercept passes and close on forecheckers, but he lacks intensity in his own zone, and fails to put pressure on opposing attackers. In addition, his play with the puck in the zone, and his outlet passes are often sloppy. The main problem he has, and the reason some suggest he may slip to the late rounds in the draft, is his poor tempo, and the way he lacks pace in his game. Some players like to slow the game down, but Lacerte often shows a lack of urgency, and it's a big concern. Lacerte will need to build his strength and bulk considerably for the next level in order to be able to deal with larger pros, and he has to get a bit faster. His production can't be ignored, so I will guess 5th, or 6th round.

LD Sam Laurila might be another casualty of the NTDP program, playing down the lineup on a very talented team, with little opportunity to show what he can truly do. The 6'0",187lb rearguard posted 3 goals and 11 points in 61 games this season, to go with 36 penalty-minutes, and picked up an assist in 7 games at the U-18 tournament. In May's edition of the USHL's Phase 2 Draft, in which eligible junior-aged players who are not the property of another team get selected, Sioux City used their second-round pick (20th-overall) to select Laurila, 5 spots ahead of highly-regarded NTDP defenseman John Whipple- so it looks like he will get the chance to showcase his skills next season with the Musketeers. An added bonus for any NHL team selecting him is that he is committed to the University of North Dakota, which is known to have a top-notch program. Laurila is one of the youngest players in the draft, with a September 2nd birthday.

Laurila is a smart two-way defender who is skilled enough that he can be paired with some of the more higher-end offensive defensemen, and compliment them well. He is a smooth, fluid skater in all directions with a good first-step, and quick acceleration- he's not elite, but very fast at top speed. Though he's been cast in a more shut-down type of role, he still retains a bit of an offensive mindset, and distributes well from the line to teammates in high-danger, and will pinch in to the play to keep pucks alive, or to make plays in the high slot. He's a skiled passer, but mostly prefers to keep things simple and risk free, as well as short-distance if possible. He flashes high-end playmaking ability though, as his assist in the U-18's was a cross-ice pass while in motion to Max Plante at the opposite face-off circle, through a pair of opposing defenders. He has a hard, heavy bomb of a one-timer from the blueline, and will shoot low to create rebound opportunities for teammates in the slot. Off the puck, he supports the rush well, and skates intelligent routes to be available for passes. Laurila is uncommonly strong, and plays hard and physical, finishing all of his checks.

Though he contributes to the offensive side of the puck, he takes care of his defense first before anything else and always has an eye on his duties in his own end, often being the first player back in the zone. He transitions quickly, and exerts good gap control, closing quickly on attackers with an active stick and his long reach. Laurila is defensively sound, and a steadying presence who identifies his man, sticks to them, and neutralizes their capacity to make a quality play. He covers his net well, keeps the crease clear, blocks shots, and swats away loose pucks. He makes a crisp, accurate first pass, and will use the boards if he gets into trouble, although one of the knocks on him is that he can be pressured into giveaways in performance of this task. Laurila is still a bit raw, but he has big potential, and will get plenty of time to develop his game in the coming years. Look for him in the late rounds.

Cape Breton is currently 4th in the East, and 7th overall, but only 3 teams have scored less. Conversely, only 3 teams have allowed less goals-against than the Eagles, so obviously, we're talking about a very defensively conservative team. 6'4",225lb RHD Tomas Lavoie was chosen first overall by Cape Breton in the 2022 QMJHL Draft, and to date this season has scored 18 points in 44 games, doing what he was meant to do- be a minute-munching workhorse.

Lavoie is a huge D with surprising mobility, solid 4-directional speed, with good edges and agility in his pivots. He is deployed as a shutdown defenseman by Cape Breton, and has the awareness, smarts,and quality gap control to fulfill the role, and he likes the physical game. He's solid defensively, and plays against the top offensive players in the league. Not so much of an offensive threat right now, but he has potential. There's solid puck skills in his repertoire, and he's an excellent passer who can move the puck, and find seams through traffic. He has a hard, heavy shot with a quick release, and an excellent one-timer- and hits the net most of the time. He's been known to have the ability to QB a PP, and he can kill penalties. Lavoie can carry with confidence, and he has a quality first-pass. He's a steadying influence on teammates with his calm, collected demeanor, but is very hard-working and competitive. Lavoie is still quite raw, and has plenty of room to grow his game. I wonder how much his numbers are affected from playing on such a conservative team. I would say he's taken in the second or third round.

It's quite difficult to project a player from the Prep School league, even when that player has the physical tools that RHC Dean Letourneau possesses. As of right now, Letourneau and teammate Jack Good are tied for 1st in scoring in the Prep Hockey Conference (PHC), with 33 points apiece- 9 points ahead of the third-place scorer (Ryker Lee), and 11 points ahead of well-regarded American forward Will Zellers. Part of Letourneau's season with St. Andrew's College has been played at the U18 AAA level, where he has dominated, with 57 goals and 121 points in 54 games. As we all know, Letourneau measures 6'7", and weighs in at 210lbs, and has been assigned the rank of "B" by Central Scouting, projecting him as a 2nd, or 3rd round pick. According to Bob McKenzie though, scouts are very divided on this kid, with some ranking him in the 15-20 pick range, and some having him as far down as the 3rd round. It's hard to find much to go on with this kid, as games at the Prep level don't typically end up on the internet, but most descriptions of his play should come with an asterisk, as he's a huge kid playing at a lower level of hockey; however, he was called up to the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede for 2 games over the post-Christmas break, and I took the opportunity to watch him in these games.

At the USHL level, Letourneau looked over-cautious and tentative, keeping his play safe and simple, getting no points in limited minutes, and not really moving the needle much. He seemed to be content with just keeping the opposing team from scoring. It likely won't hurt his draft stock much though, as it amounts to a very small sample size in a very different, and more difficult league. At any rate, the reports are true- this kid is a very solid skater, and covers a lot of ice in a very short time. He has excellent agility and co-ordination, with smooth edges to pivot quickly. His top speed is very good, and though he could use better acceleration, he had no trouble keeping up with USHL competition, even winning a race or two. At the Prep School level, he's dominant in both ends of the rink- especially offensively- and knows how to find soft spots in coverage to make plays, or to drive the net. His puckhandling is high-end, and his protection skills help him keep constant possession. With his speed and puck-control, he can carry the puck up the ice through transition. Right now, he's a dual offensive threat, but leans a bit towards shooting, which may change as he ascends to higher levels. From what I've seen, both his one-timer and wrister are hard and heavy, and his release can freeze goalies. He can score from far out, and he can also beat goalies from in-tight with his soft hands. When he had the opportunity to shoot in USHL play though, I felt like he was a bit nervous, and telegraphed his release. He sees the ice quite well, and can pull off some difficult plays to teammates in high-danger, but can he do the same at higher levels?

For a player with Letourneau's size advantages, it's frustrating that he doesn't use his body more, instead opting to rely on his skill more often than not to impose his will. He's not completely devoid of physicality though, as he will still use his frame as leverage in puck battles, and will finish his checks when the opportunity is there. In lower levels, he usually comes out on top in 50/50 contests. Letourneau is very mindful of his defensive duties as a center, and is always on the right side of the puck, with exemplary positioning, and doesn't cheat. He patrols the middle of the ice, taking away slot opportunities from attackers, and guarding the front of his net. It helps to have his enormous wingspan, and he uses it to break up plays, and block lanes. Many scouts however, do not love his intensity or his compete level- he tends to glide a lot, and does a lot of puck-watching. Letourneau is still pretty raw, and will undoubtedly be a long-term project- the scouts that want to take him early see his potential down the road, and know that he's far less a finished product than most kids his age. The good news is that he is committed to Boston College for the 2025-26 season, so the team that takes him will own his rights for the long haul. The other bit of good news is that he hasn't yet filled out, and if he makes it to the NHL, he could be playing at 230lbs. For that to happen, he has to increase his GAF meter, and learn to use his body more- but even then, he could just end up being another Logan Brown. We will know more next season, as I assume he will play full-time in the USHL. Personally, I would be nervous to take him before the third round, but some GM might just pick him late first/early second.

I want to preface my profile of D Artyom Levshunov with a few bullet points from an article I read in the Athletic:

-Michigan State Head Coach Adam Nightingale describes him as a "worker", and that sometimes they have to pull him back. Levshunov is often still in the arena long after practice, using the gym facilities, or practicing by himself on the ice. The staff and players call this,"Arty time." He's a big-time gym rat.

-Apparently, he's jacked, without an ounce of body fat. He's already got an NHL physique. Teammate Red Savage said he's a "big ball of muscle", and that,"he's never seen an 18 year-old that big". People gasp and do double takes when they see him, as he is bigger than his 6'2",198lb frame.

-Michael Leone, GM and Coach of the Green Bay Gamblers, where Levshunov played in 2022-23, has worked with future NHLers like Luke Hughes, Will Smith, and Logan Cooley, and he says Levshunov is the most talented player he's ever worked with, and has a higher upside than Hughes.

-When the Spartans ran off-ice testing at GVN- a gym that trains players from the NTDP, and NHL players like the Hughes brothers, Mark Scheifele, and Dylan Larkin- Arty was faster than anyone on the Spartans, and all of GVN's clients, except the aforementioned Luke Hughes.

RHD Artyom Levshunov is in his second season in North America, and is a freshman with the Michigan State Spartans, in the midst of what could turn out to be one of the most productive seasons ever by an 18 year-old defenseman in the NCAA- currently sitting at 27 points in 29 games, to go with 40 penalty-minutes,  and a sterling +24- as the third-youngest player in the circuit. His first season across the pond in 2022-23 was equally impressive, as the Belarussian made the USHL All-Rookie Team, and was a 3rd-Team All-Star, with one of the best seasons of all-time in that league by a U-18 defenseman, after piling up 42 points in 62 games.

Levshunov is the "unicorn" scouts look for, with size, mobility, and elite IQ- he's a two-way player, and a complete package who is deployed in all situations, and eats minutes. He's a beast in the gym, and looks for any little edge he can find to make him a good pro, and he already has all the high-end tools to be an offensive weapon. First off, Arty has uncommon 4-way mobility, especially for a player his size, and can cover a lot of ground very quickly. He has superb edgework and agility, can turn on a dime, and looks quite light on his skates- he can often win races to loose pucks with smaller skaters. He plays with pace, and is highly agressive on offense- he regularly joins the rush, but can also rush the puck through the neutral zone by himself. He safely and smoothly exits and enters with full control, and transitions from defense to offense very rapidly, after performing a smooth, efficient retrieval- he can connect on safe, clean outlet passes with precision as well. He handles with confidence and poise, has nice 1-on-1 moves to play keepaway with attackers, and can stickhandle in tight spaces. His point shot is hard and heavy, his wrister is a laser-beam that can pick corners from far out, and he has a beautiful curl-and-drag around defenders. Arty can play a physical brand of hockey, but those who try to throw a hit against him often end up on their backs. He exhibits elite IQ and vision, and sees plays that most don't see- long before they develop. He makes high-end plays, and is consistently looking to filter the puck to high-danger. Levshunov knows how to walk the line, controlling the play, and finding seams to distribute, and has a high success rate at keeping the puck in the zone- he also makes smart pinches, jumping into the play and taking the puck to the middle. He also makes for an excellent PP quarterback, with poise and smarts. He's a workhorse who is always in motion, and plays huge minutes for the Spartans without tiring.

Defensively, Arty plays a smothering, physical game, using his size, speed, and long reach to limit the time and space of attackers. He boxes opponents out proficiently, and rubs them out along the wall. He has become one of Michigan State's top penalty-killers, but it wasn't always this way- he didn't perform PK duties at all at the beginning of the year. The rest of his defensive game is similar, and he's had a long runway since coming over from Belarus to get to this point, and he's still refining this part of his game. He's a much more complete player than he was, even at the beginning of the NCAA season. His decision-making has been knocked, moreso earlier in the year than now, as he's cleaned up a lot of his mistakes. He still has to improve his defensive positioning, and his gap control- he has had issues defending the rush in the past. He can be over-aggressive, pinching at inopportune times, or making inaccurate breakout passes- both potentially leading to odd-man rushes. Everything about his game has improved though, and continues to get better- he's not even close to his ceiling. This is my favorite for first defenseman taken on Draft day, and he's a #1 defenseman in the making.

Slovakian LD Fabian Licko looks like a two-way D in lower levels of hockey but like countryman Adam Belusko, the offensive dimension he shows might only exist in junior. Licko was 26th in scoring by defenseman in Slovakia's U20 league, and 18th in ppg, with 2 goals and 14 points in 22 games for HC Slovan Bratislava. The 6'2",196lb rearguard played a combined 24 games in Slovakia's 2nd-tier men's league, split between the U18 National Team (1 assist in 10 games), and HC Modre Kridla Slovan (2 assists in 14 games), and had no points in 2 games in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He managed to tie his D partner Samuel Kupec for second in points on Team Slovakia in the U-18's with 2, but all of their points in the tournament came in a win against Norway, who aren't exactly a powerhouse opponent.

The first thing one notices about Licko is that his skating is average at best when travelling at top speed, with a start-up and acceleration that are deficient. He seems to have good balance and fairly good edges, as he can turn quickly. Despite the challenges he faces with his mobility he flashes some puck-rushing ability, demonstrating the ability to carry the puck up the ice and through transition on occasion, with his solid puck-control. He uses his reach to protect the puck efficiently, but I wouldn't say his handling is anything special. Though he doesn't score a lot of goals (only 9 in the last 2 seasons, including international play), he has a good shot with accuracy- his wrister is a laser with a quick release that he can fire off with very little room, and his one-timer is a bomb. He will shoot with the purpose of making plays and causing havok in the crease, and uses opposing skaters as screens with proficiency. If he gets close to the net, he has some 1-on-1 moves to challenge goalies, and he can roof it in tight. I wouldn't call him a playmaker exactly, but he's a precision-passer who makes mostly simple, risk-free passes, but teases the ability to connect on the more difficult ones, and shows some quality vision at times.

Licko was paired with stay-at-home defenseman Samuel Kupec at the U-18's and the duo proved to be a good shutdown pairing. Licko contributes soundly to the defensive side of the puck, and reads the play quite well in his own zone, with keen anticipation and smart positioning. He plays a physical game, throwing hits to separate man from puck, and will lay the lumber to opponents who get too close to his goaltender. He defends his net well, keeping his goalies' line of sight clear by moving players away from the crease, and competes hard down low- although he mistakenly put a puck in his own net in the game against Czechia. Against the rush, Licko uses his long reach and an active stick to kill plays in the neutral zone before the play ever gets to his blueline, and forces oncoming forecheckers to the outside with tight gap control. He is adept at intercepting passes and shutting down lanes, and will block shots. On breakouts, he can be pressured into making sloppy plays and committing mistakes, but he will often use the boards or the glass to clear the puck if he gets into trouble. He usually makes a good first-pass at short-range, but he can sometimes miss his mark in long-distance breakouts. The level of competition in Slovakia is inferior to that of other junior leagues, so his offensive game might be a mirage, but he can still develop into a quality stay-at-home defensive rearguard. If he gets drafted, he will have to wait until later rounds.

LHC Valter Lindberg arrived at the U-18 Tournament still on a high from winning Gold with Skelleftea AIK in the J20 playoffs just over a week prior, forming a dominant line with Viggo Nordlund and Oskar Vuollet, and collecting 13 points in 9 games along the way, good enough for 4th overall in playoff scoring. In the regular season, the 5'9",168lb pivot was tied for 18th in league scoring and was 2nd on his team with 12 goals and 47 points in 45 games. With limited minutes at the U-18's, he only managed to post 3 points in 7 games, playing only 11:15 in the semi-final against Canada, and a mere 5:02 in the bronze-medal game against Slovakia. He did however, score the OT game-winner against the Swiss with a highlight-reel goal, that saw him cut to the middle between 2 defenders and fire it five-hole from the high slot. By draft standards, he is still relatively young with a July 13th birthday.

Lindberg is two-way center who can be deployed in a variety of roles, on either side of the rink. He is a skillful playmaker with high-end vision and IQ, and can dish at full speed, threading the needle through layers of traffic. His passing skill was the best I saw on display in the U-18's, and I would dare say that he might be one of the best in the draft in this regard- he's a wizard with the puck. He makes consistently good decisions, and makes very few mistakes, but there were many instances where his teammates couldn't finish, or extend the plays he created- especially on the powerplay, where his elite vision was evident. He can make cross-ice passes through defenders, or deliver the puck cross-crease through a crowd, and even sent a long-bomb from the corner to his D at the opposite point position through bodies. He can see seams that few other players can. Unfortunately, his skating is average at best right now, and although he offsets it somewhat with a high workrate in races, and by keeping his feet moving on the forecheck, his speed when combined with his size may keep him from being drafted. He's not explosive, his acceleration is sluggish, and he is need of a better top speed, but he has good agility to make sharp cuts for quick changes in direction, and can pivot away from checks. There's also a bit of lateral mobility in his repertoire for a more elusiveness.

Lindberg is very effective and quite disruptive on the forecheck, and gives opponents fits using a well-timed stick. It doesn't stop there though, as he hounds puck-carriers tenaciously in all three zones. He will go to the front of the crease to absorb abuse and to make plays, and he's surprisingly good down low and behind the net. Despite his diminutive stature, he doesn't shy away from contact and will throw the odd hit to win a puck, or take a hit to make a play- though he isn't really a physical player. With only 12 goals in league play, it's obvious that he's a pass-first playmaker, but he could stand to use his shot more often; his wrister could use a little more zip, but it's solid and accurate, and he can get it off quickly with little space to work in. Off the puck, he supports the play well, skating smart routes and staying in the right position to be playable, although he sometimes appears to be coasting and puck-watching. Lindberg displays awareness in all 3 zones, and is constantly disruptive to opponents. He is very good against the rush in the neutral zone, with uncanny anticipation to intercept passes, or the player they were meant for. He's solid defensively, and reads the play extremely well, taking away the middle of the ice with impeccable positioning and well-timed poke-checks. He's often the first forward back in the zone, and the last to leave.

It's not really Lindberg's speed that bothers me, it's his pace. He will not have the time at higher levels to slow down to analyze what's happening around him, and he won't always be able to wait for the play to come to him. It's a must that he learns to play a bit more aggressively. He needs a ton of work on faceoffs, though I doubt he will play center in the NHL- and that's another big problem, as his game seems tailor-made for the center position. It's one thing to be small, but it's another to be small AND slow- he needs plenty of work of his mobility, and also his strength as he can be overpowered rather easily. The brain is there, as well as the talent, but he's a long-term project at best, and it remains to be seen if any NHL teams will spend even a late-round draft pick to secure his rights. I'm leaning heavily towards no.

LHC Markus Loponen is one to watch in my opinion, as he has some assets that GM's salivate over, but he's currently flying under the radar for the most part. He's a 6'1", 185lb power-forward who is currently Captain of Karpat's U20 team in Finland, and he's been a leader and a producer at every level he's played at. Loponen finished the season third in scoring for his team, and 11th overall in the league, with 54 points in 45 games, to go with 31 penalty-minutes, and a plus-40, which was first in the league by 6. This is Loponen's second season wearing a "C" on his jersey, as he was Captain of Karpat's U18 team in 2022-23, and finished 4th in the league with 59 points in 42 games. At the most recent 5 Nations, Loponen was tied for 1st in scoring on team Finland, 5th in the tournament, with 4 points in 4 games, and made a one-game appearance in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, registering a point in Finland's 9-6 win over Team Canada. Loponen is relatively young, with a June 17th birthday.

Loponen plays a rugged, physical brand of hockey, and is hard to play against when he's on top of his game- he's a simple, meat-and-potatoes scorer with very little flash or dash. He uses his size well in puck battles, and to leverage his way to the net. He can throw big hits, or absorb hits to make a play, and will bully his way around in traffic, and along the boards. He's an intimidating forechecker, and a force down low that will use his body to separate man from puck, and plays well around the net- he has excellent hand-eye co-ordination to score on tips and rebounds, and deploys a good screen in front of opposing goalies. His shot is hard and heavy, and his hands are soft, enabling him to score in-tight. Loponen has a good two-way game, and reads the play well defensively, while displaying effort in disrupting plays and intercepting passes. As he does on the forecheck. he uses his size and physicality to cause turnovers along the boards in the defensive zone. When it comes to his mobility, there's plenty of work to be done- his speed hovers around average, and his stride needs a tune-up in most areas, as his edges, acceleration, and top-speed are all deficient.

Loponen's effort shift-to-shift has way too many ebbs and flows- one shift, he will look like a world-beater, the next he will be invisible. There needs to be much more consistency of effort. His off-puck game is insufficient, as he's often in the wrong place, at the wrong time to make himself an option for passes- this issue might have something to do with his footspeed. It is a concern that Loponen has not been called up to higher levels, with no games at the pro level under his belt, which might be telling. Improving his strength, and especially his speed, is a must. Loponen might be found in later rounds, but I wonder if some teams are scouting him for the 4th, or 5th round, due to his size, scoring prowess, and power game....

I wonder, did RHC Jett Luchanko's parents have a premonition of his skating ability when they named him? Luchanko is young, with an August 21st birthday, which makes his 20 goals, and 64 points in 59 OHL games to date even more impressive. He's first in scoring for the 11th-placed Guelph Storm, 3 points ahead of second-leading scorer Braeden Bowman, and 18 points ahead of the third leading scorer on the team. Strangely enough, 30 of his points have come via the PP, and he's 3rd in the OHL for powerplay assists with 27. Luch was rated a "B" by Central Scouting at the beginning of the year, indicating a likely 2nd or 3rd round pick, but he was showing up briefly in mocks in the first round a short time ago.

Luch is perhaps more of an opportunist than a play-driver, but he definitely doesn't lack creativity. This is a player with high IQ and quick processing speed that matches his fast feet. His playmaking game is strong, and he manufactures opportunities for teammates in positions to capitalize. Speed-wise, he's close to elite in a straight-line, with the ability to separate in open-ice, and push the pace. His edges are smooth and strong, and help him move around checkers, or put them on their heels when combined with his array of 1-on-1 moves. In the on-ice testing leading up to the CHL Top Prospects Game (where he picked up an assist), he finished first overall in the skating drills. His shot is strong and accurate, but could use more power and velocity- most of his scoring comes from in-close, and from capitalizing on tips and rebounds. Luchanko has a good understanding of how to find open space to move to, and open seams to pass through, by drawing defenders towards him. He's engaged without the puck in all 3 zones, capitalizing on loose pucks and broken plays, turning them into offensive chances. Even at top speed, he exhibits confident handling and control, and is able to carry through the neutral zone to make smooth entries- he's an impactful transitional player, and works his way to open ice to outrun defenders. Though his speed is one of the pillars of his game, his success is built off of his compete- he works with a high-end motor, and can outwork bigger opponents along the boards, and in front of the net. He's a passionate and ferocious competitor, who is not afraid to drive the middle, or crash the net.

Defensively, Luch is inconsistent, and though the effort is always there, he can sometimes appear lost and out of position. He will still compete in his own zone, using his stick and body to block lanes, and disrupt plays, but he must improve this area of his game. His even-strength production is another question mark, but I believe he'll be chosen late in the second round, and could make a good middle-6 forward in the NHL.

A unicorn amongst unicorns, LHC Cayden Lindstrom is a swift-skating behemoth, at 6'5",215lbs, with snarl, a nice two-way game, and multiple projectable tools- proof that sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too. An upper-body injury that required surgery has kept him sidelined since December, but before that, he had piled up 27 goals and 46 points in only 32 games, to go with 66 penalty minutes, for Medicine Hat. In last year's Hlinka Gretzky, in a support role, he managed to post 3 points in 5 games, with 12 PIM.

Lindstrom is a power forward who plays a pro-style game, and can take over any game with either skill or brute force. He has a high-end offensive toolkit, with the ability to shoot, or make plays. He's not just an excellent skater for his size, he's an excellent skater for any size. His stride is powerful, and he generates blazing speed from it, with agility and explosiveness from his edges, and the ability to turn on a dime. He's strong on his skates, and hard to knock off the puck. He plays with pace, putting defenders on their heels, and can skate just as fast with the puck, as he can without. His arsenal of shots, and the lightning-fast release that comes with them are all NHL-calibre, as is the deception he uses to disquise them. His one-timer has blistering velocity behind it, his snapshot is hard and accurate, and he can shoot in full flight without losing speed in his stride, or power in his shot. Around the net, he finds open space in the slot to facilitate chances, and he will pounce on rebounds, tap-ins, and tips- or set up an effective screen, using his massive frame. He forechecks hard, driving the net to present himself as an available option for a high-danger pass.

Lindstrom's playmaking ability and creativity are highly underrated- he shows good vision, with the ability to find teammates with difficult, and complicated passes to high-danger, through traffic- he's a proficient tape-to-tape passer, and problem-solver. His hockey IQ has come into question, but I think it's largely because Lindstrom is not afraid to try, and fail, with these plays. He is calm and patient with the puck, even when he's going all-out, and will buy time to wait until the right play unfolds, rather than force a pass, or throw the puck away. He skates with his head up to map out his surroundings, and draws opponents to him to open space to use, and he creates lanes for himself to operate in. He can find holes below the goal line to generate chances, and recieves passes in stride, without the need to slow down. Lindstrom's deception skills are off the charts, and he bends the opposition to his will, manipulating his way around the ice- one of the pillars of his game. He will fake a shot to dish to an open teammate, he will sell going wide to attack the middle, or feign attacking the middle to go wide. He has a dazzling array of feints and manouvers to beat defenders, and is one of the most feared 1-on-1 players in the WHL, moving through coverage with the puck on a string, to dangle around opponents. The puck-control he commands is scary, and his stickhandling is one of the strengths of his game- it's nearly impossible to strip him of the puck, as it seems like it's glued to his stick, and he protects extremely well. For a player as big as he is, it's rare to see such a well-developed small-area game, as he can move around in traffic without hardly getting touched, as if he's skating around pylons.

It's pretty hard to play a physical game, or to lay a hit, when you're in constant possession of the puck, and while Lindstrom prefers to do most of his damage with his skill, he does use his size well, and will dish out punishment in the form of big hits when the opportunity presents itself. Even when he's not hitting, he uses his size to leverage his way around, win battles in the hard areas, as well as dominate along the wall and down low. He's tough and mean, stirs the pot and agitates, and opponents don't fare well when they poke the bear. He's always highly engaged and competitive, finishing his checks, working hard for every puck, and playing with high levels of energy and desperation. His feet are always in motion, and he's highly industrious, seemingly touching every square foot of ice in a single shift. Lindstrom is a solid two-way player, with consistently good stick and body position in all 3 zones- he can intercept plays in the offensive zone, thereby extending possession, and he commands play in transition by skating through the neutral zone, evading checks like he was a ghost. He makes an inordinately high number of entries with control, and attacks the middle lanes with vigor.

Lindstrom backchecks as hard as he forechecks, with a long reach that stymies attackers in the defensive zone, and after performing a smooth retrieval, he will turn the defense around into offense quickly. In the defensive zone, he has a proactive off-puck game that puts him in a good position to take away the middle of the ice, and kill plays. He supports teammates well, blocks shots, wins faceoffs, and is physically engaged against puck-carriers, playing them hard and mean. He can match footwork with anyone, including smaller, more shifty opponents. While he works hard, and understands his duties defensively, he's still quite raw in this area, perhaps because he only started playing C a few years ago- he can be caught puck-watching, and needs to learn how to stick to his man better. This part of his game needs to be shored up. He often tries to do too much on his own, holding on to the puck too long, and trapping himself, or overhandling the puck- all of which can result in turnovers. Lindstrom's hockey IQ has come into question by some, as he makes some bad decisions when in trouble, such as passing to the first teammate in sight, when that teammate is already covered by an opponent. He makes bad passes on occasion, and takes strange routes in the offensive zone, where he gets lost in traffic. Another big issue is that he gets frustrated too easily, and loses his temper, which leads to bad penalties. All in all though, Lindstrom has a skillset that is highly translatable, and a frame that is highly coveted by GM's. I expect him to be picked in the top-5 of this year's draft.

Remember this kid. LW Miguel Marques is the main straw stirring the drink for the Lethbride Hurricanes, with 23 goals and 60 points, in 53 games to date- which aren't small numbers when you consider that the 'Canes sit 14th overall in the WHL, and 19th overall in goals-for. Marques was drafted 10th overall by Lethbridge in the 2021 WHL Draft, and actually played 10 games (with 6 points) for that franchise as a 15-year-old, which was followed by a rather disappointing draft-minus-one season, with 20 points in 59 games. They've been patient with this young man, and it's paid off this season.

Marques is a 5'11",170 lb high-end playmaker with a power-forward mentality, who flashes glimpes of being a special player. He drives play, and controls the pace of the game like few can- he will transport the puck quickly into the offensive zone, but then slows the play down while he patiently and methodically picks the opposing defense apart. There's never a wasted play, as he doesn't throw the puck away or waste time on a low-percentage pass, and instead slows up to either regroup, hit the trailer, or play keep-away until a higher danger opportunity becomes available, or a teammate in scoring position becomes open. In the same vein, he will pass up an easy shot on net in favor of waiting for a more dangerous play to develop, unless he sees a teammate with a possible rebound opportunity. He will simply hold on to the puck to wait for the best play to unfold. Marques is supremely skilled, confident and composed, and is one most talented players in this draft in terms of vision and IQ- he's that good. He could stickhandle in a broom closet, with his ability to deke through defenders and their sticks, and is gifted in the art of deception and spatial manipulation- he has every fake-out in his arsenal to make room for himself, from using false angles in his body, stick, and head, to toe-drags, look-offs, and dekes.

Creativity and playmaking is where he makes his biggest mark, and he can pass over and under sticks, between legs, through layers of traffic, and into the smallest holes. He's very inside-driven, and gets the puck to the slot for high-danger opportunities with great success- he's top-5 in the league for assists on slot shots. Marques will also cut inside to the middle to shoot from the slot, or to create rebound and tip opportunities for his teammates- another layer to his playmaking. His shot isn't elite as far as it's velocity, but he's an expert in using defenders as screens, and he has a lightning-quick release that can stun goalies, even from a distance. He has soft, slick hands in-tight, and can find the smallest holes in coverage around the net. Marques' skating is above-average, but he uses his edges well in moving around quickly in small areas, and is hard to knock off the puck with his balance. He's a highly effective transporter through the transition, and causes havok on the forecheck, putting defenders on their heels, while dislodging pucks. Marques is a mean, edgy player, as his 47 penalty-minutes would attest, and he plays with a swagger- he's quite physical, battles for possession in the hard areas, and dishes out some big hits to wear down opponents.

Marques has many translatable skills when the puck is moving north, but his effort and effectiveness in the defensive zone is lacklustre. His awareness is there, as he demonstrates an ability to identify his man, and then stick to that player, but he's often spotted coasting back into the zone without much urgency. He sometimes cheats for offense, and can leave the zone early- but I find it hard to blame him much for this, as I imagine there's a lot of pressure on him to create offense on a team that's starved for goals. There has to be a lot more effort and compete in winning pucks and preventing offense in this area of the ice. Marques can play all 3 forward positions, and is a righty, but he looks to be a candidate for top-6 LW duty in the NHL someday, if he can iron out his deficiencies in the defensive zone, get faster, and work on his shot. He's been climbing the rankings lately, and I'm seeing him in the first round more often, so I'm thinking late first/early second.

It's hard not to like LHD Frankie Marrelli, a frequent partner for Henry Mews on the Ottawa 67's, who collected 25 points in 60 games this season, to go with 62 penalty-minutes, and a +30 that led the team by 14. In last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Marrelli made a name for himself by being one of Team Canada's best defensemen- playing in all situations, eating up the minutes, and putting up 3 assists in 5 games. He was the 67's first-round pick, 21st overall in the 2022 OHL Draft, and currently has 3 points in 6 playoff games. The one true weakness in his profile is his size, at 5'11",185lbs, but nobody has told Marrelli.

Marrelli doesn't fit the profile of a below-average sized defenseman, as he's highly tenacious and competitive, hard to play against, and wields physicality. He doesn't back down, and is much stronger and tougher than his size would depict. He battles in the greasy areas, along the walls, and in front of the net like he was 6'2". He's a very strong skater, smooth and effortless with remarkable edgework, and moves well in all 4 directions. Marrelli has a good feel for the game, and processes quickly while staying calm and composed under pressure. He makes the right decisions with the puck consistently, with smart and efficient passes that are usually short, as he doesn't hold on to the puck for very long, relying mostly on quick touches. He can stretch the ice with a long-bomb on the breakout though, as he often jumpstarts the transition with a quality first-pass, and will hold on to the puck while teammates get open, even under duress. He will join the rush as an extra forward, and will pinch down on the weak side for dangerous shot opportunities. Marrelli has much more offensive potential than what his numbers show- he's got potential to QB a powerplay, and performs in all situations, including both sides of special teams.

Marrelli has good motor, and plays with energy and pace. He's a stifling rush-defender, who suffocates opponents with his exemplary gap control and positioning, and steps up with big hits on attackers early, often stopping rushes before they get to the blueline. He's effective 1-on-1 against larger players, and employs an active stick with an aggressive approach. He forces forecheckers to the boards and rubs them out, boxes opponents out from the net, and frustrates opponents with his tenacity. He shows anticipation and awareness in the way he knows where the play is going, and he reacts proactively. Off the puck, he's always in the right place at the right time to thwart plays in the defensive zone, or find open space to be playable, and recieve passes. There are plenty of questions about how his game will translate though, as he's not the ideal size to be a stay-at-home defender at the next level, and he hasn't put up the kind of numbers one would expect an offensive-defenseman to have. There are even some who question if playing with Mews has pumped up his numbers, but I would disagree. I think this is a player who takes off offensively in the OHL in the next two years. Look for him in the 4th round.

RHD Luca Marrelli, who measures 6'3", and 187lbs, may have been the Oshawa Generals' best defenseman in 2022-23, according to some. This season to date, he's racked up 36 points so far in 45 games, a pace that would put him on a trajectory to end the year with 54 points in 68 games. He is Oshawa's top-scoring D, and 12th overall in the OHL for defenders. Marrelli is one of the older prospects in this draft, with an October 4th birthday, and cousin to another draft-eligible defenseman, Frankie Marrelli of the Ottawa 67's. The Gens are currently 4th in the East, 9th overall, and 7th in goals-for.

Marrelli is a developing puck-moving, two-way rearguard, leaning towards offense, showing above average vision and playmaking, and a penchant for running the show from the point with patience and poise. He's adept at walking the line and opening lanes, keeping the puck in the zone and extending offensive zone time, and he's a crisp, accurate passer who consistently finds teammates in high danger. He uses deception in his body language, and has the moves to manipulate open space for well-timed passes, or to get a shot on net. Marrelli has excellent puck skills, and stays composed under pressure, making good decisions. He's confident and cool with the puck on his stick, efficient in retrievals, and makes a good first pass to ignite the offense, often opting for a stretch pass on his outlets to push the pace. In the defensive zone, he positions himself quite well against the rush, and the cycle, and employs his stick and quick lateral movement to keep opponents to the outside. He's aggressive and competitive, with good anticipation, and will finish his checks. Skating is not a glaring weakness for him, as he can close fast on attackers and has good agility and lateral mobility to get in lanes and break up rushes, but he needs a better top speed and more explosiveness- he's still quick and smart enough to take away space and time from opponents, and uses plenty of deception in his feet and stick placement to make himself room to move.

Marrelli gets some criticism for inconsistencies in his effort from time to time, and he has been known to cheat a bit for offense. He needs to get stronger and faster to win more battles, improve his top-speed and explosiveness, and work on his shot, but he's looking like a good two-way, second-pairing D in the NHL someday. Listen for his name to be called in the second round.

Eriks Mateiko is a huge (6'5"210lbs) winger, who wears an "A" while plying his trade for the second-worst team in the Q- the Saint John Sea Dogs, who are also 3rd last in goals-for. Mateiko is second in scoring for the rebuilding club, with 22 goals, and 42 points in 47 games, and sees a ton of ice-time there in all situations, as a solid, two-way player. He was Latvia's Captain in the U-18's, where he put up 2 points in 5 games, and played in the World Junior Championship, with a goal in 5 games. He's a little older, with a November birthday.

Mateiko is a good puck-possession player, and carries with confidence, elite puck-protection, and some slick 1-on-1 moves. He's an excellent handler, and can dangle through defenders, and weave through traffic, which is impressive for a big man. Goal-scoring is his main contribution to the offensive side of the puck, and he has a blistering shot with a wicked release, but does his best work below the dots- most of his goals are scored within 5 feet of the net. He has soft hands in-close, and the moves to beat goalies 1-on-1, but has no problem with shoveling in garbage goals, or converting on rebounds. His stick is always cocked and ready to shoot, and he's an imposing net-front presence on the PP. Mateiko moves quite well, with a long, powerful stride, and can flat-out fly in a straight-line, in open ice. He further propels himself forward by keeping his legs pumping hard. In the on-ice testing leading up to the CHL Top Prospects Game, he tested quite well according to reports, and even finished 4th overall in the 30M Forward Skate With Puck. He plays a physical brand of hockey, and hits hard, but also has no problem absorbing a hit to make a play. He will battle in the trenches to win pucks, and will go to the net to set up a screen- he's a menace in the crease. Mateiko is not much of a playmaker, but can complete passes of a more difficult variety from time-to-time, with accuracy, even in full stride.

Mateiko is a character player, and he leads by example with a high-energy approach to the game, and a solid work-ethic. He's a disruptive force on the backcheck, with a fantastic reach to disrupt plays, and dislodge pucks- he's very reliable defensively. He always seems to be on the right side of the puck, with sound positioning, and excellent anticipation in closing lanes, and blocking shots. He supports his D down low with physicality, and is trusted with penalty-killing duties. In transition, one could say that Mateiko doesn't contribute much, as he defers to others to do the carrying- but he will engage with give-and-go's in the neutral zone to keep opposing defenses on their toes. He needs to work on his puck-skills and passing game, but could be an excellent depth player in the NHL, with the potential for much more. I like this kid a lot more than Adam Jecho, who I think will be selected in the second round, so I will say that Mateiko will go late second, early third. He reminds me a little of a poor-man's Jesse Puljujarvi, in a good way.

6'2" 181lb RW Maxim Masse should be in the top half of the first round of this year's draft, but he hasn't shown the expected progression from last year. Right now, Masse has racked up 63 points in 57 games (including 17 points in his last 10 games), but after a 2022-23 season that saw him put up 62 points in 65 games, a bigger offensive output seemed to be destined this season. Not much has changed for the Chicoutimi Sageneens, who drafted Masse 3rd overall in 2022, as they have the same coaching staff, and are in virtually the same position in the standings that they ended the season in last year, with the same rank in goals-for. Strangely enough, many of his teammates have had the same lack of progression, including draft-eligible Thomas Desruisseaux, who went from .88 ppg in 2022-23, down to .85 this season. Masse was impressive at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, making an impact in both ends of the rink, and chipping in 5 goals, and 6 points in 5 games. He is the lone player from the Q to be awarded the grade of "A" by Central Scouting, denoting a likely first-round pick.

Masse has all the tools and smarts that one looks for in a power-winger, with high-end offensive skill, and sublime IQ. He's a dual threat, with both scoring prowess, and high-end distribution abilities. He shows creativity in the offensive zone, seeing the lanes before they even appear, and finding open space to make passes to high-danger. Masse is around the net alot, making life difficult for the opposition, creating opportunities for teammates, screening goalies, and getting rebounds and tips. It's hard to move him from in front of the crease. He packs an excellent shot with great power, and a lethal release that creates problems for goalies- his arsenal is deep, with a good drag-and-release, one-timer, backhander, and wrister, and he's deadly in the slot. His off-puck game is a plus, as he knows where to be to maximize his chances, and sees the holes in coverage to make a pass, or to shoot. Masse has capable puck skills, with good puck control, and even better puck protection, and it's hard to strip him of possession- he makes quick pivots to shield the puck, and performs the odd reverse-hit to make room. I believe that reports of his skating being sub-par are false- I think he's got average speed in a straight-line, maybe slightly above, but his mobility does need work. He could use upgrades to his acceleration, east-west, and agility- his top speed is ok, and his mechanics look good.

Masse plays a power game, and is physical, with the ability to win battles in the tough areas of the ice. He is strong along the boards, and down-low behind the goal-line. He's not really a punishing hitter, but will use his size to impose his will, and bully his way around. His work-ethic is solid, he plays with energy, and he forechecks and backchecks tenaciously. Defensively, he gets in shooting lanes, and supports his D down low. He has a smart, active stick with a long reach to disrupt plays, and force opponents into making mistakes. He will throw his body around to separate man from puck, and exhibits good positioning and awareness- however, he sometimes cheats for offense, and can be caught leaving the zone early. Masse's decision-making has been in question at times, as he can make the odd boneheaded pass, and can be forced into mistakes under pressure. He could use more intensity in his game as well. I've read that he's been making an effort this year to simplify his game, in order to cut down on turnovers, and he's focusing much more on his two-way play, which may be affecting his numbers this season. It's also been said that he's been hyper-focused on shooting lately, which might be a good thing, as he's got 17 goals in his last 20 games. I think that the totals on the year don't tell the true story here, and that he's better than most believe- his numbers lately (30 points in his last 20 games) show the player he really is. If he can improve his skating, get bigger and stronger, and keep working on his two-way play, there's a top-6 NHL winger here. With the surge in his numbers lately, he may be taken in the late first round.

RHD Will McIsaac is a very simple meat-and-potatoes stay-at-home player, with very little flash, and no dynamic qualities. Still, if you're going to draft a defensive defenseman, you would do well to take a player with McIsaac's skillset. There has been plenty of talk about McIsaac's supposed lack of offensive awareness, but his 27 points in 67 games for the 16th-placed Spokane Chiefs shows that he's doing something right in that end of the ice, and those numbers put him in a tie for 47th in the WHL for scoring by defensemen. The two players he's tied with are Charlie Elick and Colton Roberts, two blueliners who are a bit more heralded than he is. McIsaac, who measures 6'3", 192lbs, plays a surly, physical brand of hockey that earned him 70 penalty minutes over the course of the season, with some of those minutes coming from a few fighting majors, as he's more than willing to drop the gloves, if necessary.

McIsaac is a fluid skater with excellent mobility, although he could perhaps use more explosiveness. He has long legs with a powerful stride, transitions smoothly, and gets good power out of his backwards skating and lateral mobility. He flashes some two-way potential, but keeps his play with the puck as simple and risk-free as he can. When manning the point, he keeps puck deep, and carries a hard, heavy shot with decent accuracy. Unfortunately, his offensive awareness is a bit deficient, as he takes shots even when there are quality passing options available, although those shots often facilitate rebound opportunities for teammates. Though his distribution skills are not very dynamic, he is still adept at making crisp, accurate first-passes out of the defensive zone, and he completes retrievals cleanly and calmly. With his fluid backwards skating, he is able to keep tight gap control, and angle opponents to the outside, where they are often finished with a hit, or stripped of the puck by way of his enormous wingspan, and active stick. His defensive IQ is not in question, as he excels in his own zone, and is a strong rush defender. He shows the awareness and anticipation to intercept passes, and clog lanes.

McIsaac reminds me a bit stylistically of two defensemen who were drafted in 2021, in Ethan Del Mastro (round 4, Chicago), and Jack Matier (round 4, Nashville)- both defensive defensemen who can move the puck, but weren't known at the time for their offensive prowess. Like those two, McIsaac still makes an impact- and also like those two, I'm betting his offensive game will pick up in the next few years. He could make the NHL as a bottom-pairing, defense-first rearguard, but there's a chance he could move up if he develops his puck skills, and rounds out his game. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th round.

Future fan-favorite Brendan McMorrow is playing down the lineup for Team USA at the U-18 Tournament, but despite having no points in 5 games, he's been noticeable. It should feel familiar to the 5'11", 190lb left-winger, who has been playing a similar role all season on a talented NTDP team, with 8 goals and 22 points in 58 games. I feel like he would have benefitted from playing in the USHL instead, where he would be playing more minutes in better situations with more of an opportunity to show off his offensive ability. He was chosen in the second round of the WHL US Prospects Draft, 29th overall by the Spokane Chiefs, but chose the college route.

BMM plays like a 6'2" power-forward who forechecks with ferocity, battling tooth and nail for every inch of real estate- he is able to create turnovers against top defensemen. He's a puck-hound who chases down carriers and makes their life miserable, and despite his lack of size, he's a force down low. He does more than just finish his checks, he hits everything, and plays a physical brand of hockey with amazing discipline, as he only had 16 penalty-minutes. McMorrow is gritty and hard-nosed, and a bit of an agitator, as he's constantly buzzing around in his opponents' faces- giving them fits, and getting them off their game. He wins battles along the wall, and isn't at all afraid of the greasy areas down low, in corners, and around the net. Though he plays hard, he manages to find the soft spots on the ice, and has offensive upside with passing skill- though he isn't a high-end playmaker or creator. There's also flashes of a useful deception game to manipulate defenders into giving up space. As one would suspect, he's a net-front presence who gets most of his scoring opportunities in-close, and will look for rebound chances and tips. He can also lean into his hard, heavy one-timer to get the job done.

McMorrow is an excellent skater with smoothness and agility, which makes him even more dangerous. He can spin off of checks, or make sharp cuts to the front of the net from below the goal-line- he plays with pace, and has an explosive short area burst. Of course, he plays with relentless motor and a sky-high compete level, giving 110% each and every shift. He's a high character kid, and a team-first player who accepts his role and sets an example for his teammates, playing with high energy and giving them some jump. His bread and butter is his sound defensive game, where he demonstrates keen awareness and high IQ to force even the best players to make mistakes. He doesn't cheat, and shows good attention to detail. McMorrow anticipates the play well, and makes stops proactively by intercepting passes, blocking shots, and disrupting lanes- he will also throw his body around to dislodge pucks. Wherever he goes in his career, his coaches will trust him in man-down situations, as he'a a superb penalty-killer. There's upside here, and I think scouts will recognize it, so I believe he'll be taken in the fourth, or fifth round. He's still likely to be a bottom-6 forward in the future, but he will have the opportunity to develop his offensive game at the University of Denver this fall, with a long runway.

RD Gian Meier created a bit of a buzz at the U-18 Tournament, accumulating 2 goals and 4 points in 5 games for the Swiss, which would be a feat considering that they only managed to score 8 goals in 5 games. The problem as I see it is that 3 of those points came against the upstart Kazakhstan team, so I wouldn't call his numbers there a breakout performance. Meier, who stands 6'2",170lbs, was a mainstay on the blueline this season for the GCK Lions of the U20 Elit in Switzerland, collecting 3 goals and 20 points in 41 games, putting him in a five-way tie for 10th in points by defensemen in the league. He added 4 points in 8 playoff games, which was also top-10. He was named Captain of Switzerland's entry in the European Five Nations in December with 1 point in 4 games, and had identical numbers in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. By Draft standards, he is still on the young side, with a July 10th birthday.

Though he has shown numbers that might make one believe he has offensive potential, I think his future at higher levels will be as a stay-at-home, minute-muncher type who can move the puck. Meier plays a safe, simple game, devoid of flash and dash, and doesn't do anything at an elite level. To his credit, he makes sure to cover his defensive duties before he even attempts to do anything further. His puck-skills are in need of improvement, as he doesn't handle very smoothly, and often has trouble recieving passes- he can overhandle the puck and turn it over without being touched. Meier's skating is nothing special either, with short and choppy strides when accelerating, and not much power in his start-up, however- his mobility when he gets going is good, but far from elite. Fortunately, he transitions fine and his backwards crossovers are sufficient enough to be able to keep good gap control over his opponents, with keen anticipation to keep him from getting burned.

Meier is quite good defensively, displaying smarts, awareness, and solid positioning, and he can be seen directing the troops in his zone. He protects his net well, blocks shots, and uses an active stick to slap away loose pucks, lift sticks and slash lumber. He will use his size and strength to move opponents away from the crease, but he isn't a very physical player, although he plays a chippy game, and is active in scrums. He's quick to win the puck in retrievals, but his breakouts aren't usually pretty as he can be forced into blindly rimming the puck off the glass, and he often uses the boards to clear the puck, rather than attempting a pass. When he has time, his first-pass is actually crisp and accurate, and he can support the transition through the neutral zone. He gets plenty of penalty-killing minutes, and shows proficiency in this area.

When his team is established in the offensive zone, Meier will direct the play from the point, but doesn't often pinch into the play. He has a bullet of a wrister from the top of the zone with accuracy and a deceptive release, and he will shoot low and hard to facilitate rebound opportunities for teammates, consistently getting his shot on net. He distributes well from the blueline, walking the line to manufacture space, and contributes to the cycle. Scouts have criticized his deficient decision-making as he can struggle at times when pressured, and this may be the area of his game that's the most in need of attention. There might be enough here to make a team comfortable in selecting him with a late-round pick, but he needs a long runway with plenty of development time.

Henry Mews is another D-man I had an opportunity to watch in the Hlinka, and has many of the same attributes and deficiencies as another standout in the tourney in Sahlin-Wallenius. Like his Swedish counterpart, he plays an advanced two-way game, and plays a more simplified approach in order to preserve his defense, sacrificing some flash and dash. Many OHL watchers wanted to see Mews explode offensively more than he has, despite having 34 points in 36 games currently, but he doesn't activate as much as they want him to- this tells me that there is much more in this player than he's showing numbers-wise, even though his numbers are exceptional. Mews is an effortless skater and puck-mover, and from what I've seen, he often shines in transition- both carrying and passing. He is capable of driving play from the backend, but perhaps showed this off more in the Hlinka more often than he does in the OHL, as scouts would like to see him do it more often. Mews' primary weapon is his playmaking and passing, augmented by his elite vision and IQ. He has an excellent shot, but perhaps doesn't use it enough, as he only has 6 goals so far. 7 points in 5 games to lead all D in the Hlinka, even though he often had less ice-time than some of his teammates, and was relegated to the second units of both special teams much of the time. He was one of my favorites to watch. Mews is calm and poised under pressure, comfortable in any situation, and has the will and compete to win board battles- despite not being the biggest skater on the ice (6'0",185lbs). There's an inate ability here to seemingly always make the right play at the right time, in all 3 zones. Like most D of his size and ilk, he will need to bulk up and get stronger, and play with more pace to better showcase his play-driving capabilities- I'm betting his numbers skyrocket next season. Look for him in the late first, early second.

LW/C Julius Miettinen was given a "C" rating earlier this season by Central Scouting, meaning they expected him at the time to be picked in the 4th/5th round of the Draft, but I would bet he's risen significantly since then. He was selected 30th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft by Everett of the WHL, but his adjustment to the North American ice this season was difficult at first. In his first 27 games, Miettinen had only 15 points- but he's been playing like a first-rounder since then, with 29 points in his last 21 games, for a total of 44 points in 48 games to date. Everett is currently 2nd overall in the 'Dub, and 6th in goals-scored. The 6'3",205lb Miettinen was selected to play for team Finland last summer at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but only managed 1 point in 5 games.

Miettinen is a dual threat offensively, but leans a bit towards shooter, and has a power-forward makeup, playing a hard and heavy game. He uses his size well, to bulldoze his way around, and wear down the opposition by finishing his checks. He moves very well for a big man, as he demonstrated at the CHL Top Prospects Game, with a smooth stride that could perhaps use a bit more explosiveness. He shows good positioning and a smart off-puck game in both ends of the ice, and knows where to be to get the job done. He's very strong on the puck, and on his skates, making it very hard to get a takeaway from him, or knock him off stride. Miettinen owns a high-level of vision and IQ- his head is always on a swivel, scanning for his next option, and makes good decisions with the puck- although he's not an elite playmaker. His shot is strong, with a fine release, but he gets a lot of his goals by playing hard in the slot, and by being a net-front menace- he's good in tight, and will stand in front of the goaltender to hack and whack, capitalize on rebounds, or score off of deflections. His hands are soft, and he can pick corners, or deke out goalies. You would think he was a Canadian, with his superior work-ethic and compete, and his high-motor. He plays with energy, and is purported to be an excellent teammate who wants to win. Miettinen can be a shutdown center, and there are precious few flaws in his defensive game, which will bode well for getting his foot in the door in the NHL. His awareness defensively is high-end, and he consistently shuts down lanes, kills plays, and drives attackers to the outside with his physicality, and an active, well-timed stick. He played D for the first 7 years of his hockey career, so he understands the defensive side of the game. His floor is most likely high because of this, but he has potential for much more.

Miettinen is a good candidate for middle-6 NHL duty in the future, but will at least be a quality defensive forward. He needs to keep growing his offense, his shot, and his skating, but he's looking like a solid 2nd-rounder, IMO.

LHC Luke Misa is the brother of 2025 Draft wunderkind, Michael Misa, who was granted exceptional player status to enter the OHL in 2022-23, at the age of 15. Luke is no slouch either, being drafted 9th overall in the 2021 OHL Draft by Mississauga, and currently sitting 13th in league scoring, with 77 points in 59 games, which when prorated, equals 89 points in 68 games. It's a transition year for the Steelheads, with some of their star players being moved out at last year's trade deadline, and some overagers and Europeans leaving at season's end, so Misa has been counted on to be an offensive leader for the 9th-place team, and has responded admirably.

Misa, being all of 5'10",165lbs, is a dual threat, leaning towards playmaking. He can play in any situation, and logs significant ice-time in important moments. The first thing one might notice about him is his blazing speed with, or without the puck that he can use to separate from opponents in open-ice. He plays at a high pace, beating defenders with his lateral quickness, and his strong edgework. Misa is an offensive genius, with elite vision, and his creativity is hard to defend. He likes to play a quick possession game, with give-and-go's to keep opponents on their heels, and a cerebral passing game to put them on edge. He makes plays in full flight, generating chances aplenty off the rush, and exploits open space when attacking in the zone. He can dissect defenses with his distribution game, threading the needle through traffic, and can complete any type of pass imaginable- forehand or backhand, along the ice or over stick blades. Misa sees the ice better than most, and despite his size, puts himself in the thick of the action. He has an accurate shot that could use a bit more power, but it's his stunning release that catches goalies and D off guard, and he has good hands to beat netminders 1-on-1.

One of the main pillars of Misa's game is his ability to drive transition, either by passing, or by carrying. He's an exceptional transporter of the puck, darting through checkers in the neutral zone, and making clean entries where he distributes off the rush. He's superb at capitalizing on opponents' miscues, missed passes, and broken plays, and kickstarting the offense in the other direction. Off the puck, Misa's routes make him ready for receptions at high speed, and he positions himself the best way possible to create opportunities. He's a skilled handler, and despite his smaller frame, he protects the puck well, with good puck control. He has high motor, plays with pace, works hard, and even though he doesn't employ a lot of physicality, he forechecks relentlessly. Misa plays a smart defensive game, starting the backcheck in the neutral zone, cutting off the middle lanes and blocking passes. He picks pockets, strips pucks, and hounds puck-carriers- causing turnovers, and disrupting plays. He has also built up his ability to win faceoffs. Misa is a sparkplug, and will go to the greasy areas to win pucks, but he can be overpowered and lose battles. His size and lack of physicality might always be an issue against larger opponents, but he won't back down. Still, he needs to build his strength up for the next level, and further develop his shot. Misa looks to be a candidate for middle-six duty at the NHL level, and his superior speed, IQ, and vision are good enough to get him drafted in the second round.

C/LW Tomas Mrsic was given a "C" rating by Central Scouting at the beginning of the year, meaning that they saw him at the time to be a likely 4th, or 5th round pick; however, they probably didn't foresee him putting up the kind of offense he has shown for Medicine Hat of the WHL, with 23 goals and 61 points in 61 games. The way I see it, Mrsic's numbers have been pumped up a little by two factors: first of all, the absence of Cayden Lindstrom due to injury since mid-December has most likely given him more ice-time and responsibility (35 points in 29 games since the start of 2024)- and second, the fact that coach Willie Desjardins likes to deploy 5 forwards on the PP, which ranks second-best in the league, at 29.2%. Out of Mrsic's 61 points, 29 have come via the powerplay, which usually features Mrsic, Lindstrom, McKenna, Basha, and Weisblatt. Mrsic, who is actually a Canadian from Surrey, BC with Croatian decent, was selected 8th overall by the Tigers in the 2021 WHL Draft.

Mrsic was tasked over the the summer by coach Willie to get faster and stronger, as well as improve his shot, and give the kid credit- he went to work in the gym and on the ice, and shot 300-400 pucks every day. The results are noticeable- he looks much bigger (and has grown a few inches, now measuring 6'0",170lbs) and much faster on the ice, and his shot looks better. He still isn't an elite skater, but he moves very well with good acceleration and a little explosiveness, and strong edges to make tight turns, and move quick laterally. He's always had a hard and heavy selection of shots, and a variety of quick releases, with a cannon of a one-timer that has earned him a spot on the left wall on the PP. He can score from in-tight, or from a distance, with the pinpoint accuracy to pick corners in full flight, and the moves to beat goalies 1-on-1. He is able to snipe or finish, and has uncanny hand-eye co-ordination to knock down passes, or tip shots. In past seasons, in lower levels, Mrsic has looked like he leaned heavily towards scoring goals, but he seems to be comfortable playing the role of skilled playmaker these days, and has the vision and anticipation to read gaps in coverage, with the passing skill to capitalize. He can thread the needle through traffic, over sticks, between legs, and through triangles.

Mrsic handles the puck well, even in tight spaces, and he can roll off of checks, or outwit opponents with his small-area game. He does a good job of drawing defenders towards him, thereby opening space for himself and teamamtes to operate in, or pass through. His puck-control and protection skills are a plus, and it's difficult to strip the puck from him. Mrsic is good at capitalizing on opponents' mistakes, turning them into offensive opportunities- he pounces on turnovers, and picks off passes well. He plays with good energy, and a high pace, and will fight in the trenches for pucks. Despite being 10th in goals-against, all of the personnel on the Tigers have bought in to Coach Desjardins' defensive scheme, and Mrsic is no different- he hounds puck-carriers, forces mistakes, pounces on loose pucks, breaks up plays, and helps turn the tide to offense. He uses an active stick to execute clever poke-checks, and block lanes. He is also trusted with penalty-killing duties. I wouldn't say Mrsic is elite in any way, but is fairly good in many areas, however- his dependency on the powerplay might be a bit of an issue for scouts. Still, I don't think it will keep him from being picked past the 4th round in this year's draft.

This is a player I like a lot. LHD Leon Muggli bucks the stereotype of the Swiss being neutral, as he's quite physical and competitive, and does a bit of everything to help his team win. Muggli is on the young side for this draft, with a July 9th birthday, but he plays in Switzerland's top-tier men's league for EV Zug, with 11 points in 37 games- tied in points with David Reinbacher, albeit in 7 more games. That number makes him 3rd in the league for U-20 players, and first overall for U-18 players. Muggli also made stops at the World Juniors, the Hlinka Gretzky, and the U-18's, putting up 1 point in each. In the WJC, his coaches bestowed a ton of trust on him, using him heavily in all situations, and on both special teams, and he played 26:58 in the quarterfinal against Sweden. Some say he might be bigger than his listed height of 6'0", and his listed weight of 165lbs. Central Scouting gave him a "B" rating, which projects him as a 2nd, or 3rd-round pick.

Muggli plays a well-rounded, mature game, and is a two-way performer who competes against men, regularly winning battles in a league full of former NHLers. He doesn't have many true weaknesses, and makes few mistakes defensively- which may be the main strength of his game. He has strong positional awareness, and stops rushes with regularity using his smothering gap control, an active stick, and his unrelenting physicality. In this side of the game, he takes few risks, and keeps things simple, using his superior speed to take away time and space from attackers, and keeping them to the outside, and out of danger. He's highly competitive, and doesn't ever want to be beat, which motivates him to kill plays over and over. He's usually calm and composed in retrievals, making shoulder checks to be aware of oncoming attacks, and to plan his next move. He can kick off the transition with his feet or hands, but he can also make smooth, accurate outlet passes- he's a good puck-mover. Muggli is an effortless skater, who can match speed with anyone, and is agile with smooth edges, and quickness in every direction.

Muggli likes to join the rush, and is ambitious and confident in doing so, pressuring defenders on the cycle, and opening lanes with his fantastic mobility. He has become an effective offensive contributor, with solid playmaking skills, and an ability to quarterback the offense from the point. He can stickhandle through, or around checkers, and never seems to overhandle. He's got a quick wrister with accuracy and a blinding release, that could perhaps use more velocity- and he's got soft hands around the net. Muggli gets time on both sides of special teams, with plenty of touches on the PP. He's very physical along the walls, in the corners, and in front of the net- he has some jam. He dishes out hits to dislodge pucks, and will engage in possession battles- where he establishes body position early. If there's a weakness, it may be that he can pressured into making mistakes with the puck in the defensive zone, or it could be the question of how his offense will translate to North American rinks, never mind the NHL. Some see him as a #4 D, or a bottom-pairing guy with PK duties. His profile reminds me a bit of Ryan Lindgren from the NYR- that of a physical, defensive D, who can move the puck a bit. Late second, early third.

There was talk last season that 6'4", 185lb LHD Niilopekka Muhonen might be worthy of a first-round pick in 2024, if he could upgrade his offensive game from the 6 points in 18 U20 games he put up with KalPa in 2022-23. That didn't quite happen, but his ppg did rise from 0.33 last season, to 0.41 this year, with 11 points in 27 contests. Muhonen also got a cup of coffee in the Mestis (the second-highest men's league in Finland), on loan to JoKP, where he had 3 points in 12 games, and last summer, he played in his second Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with 2 points in 5 games. Those numbers, though, don't really paint an accurate picture of who this kid is a a player, as he's actually a puck-rushing defenseman, with excellent puck-moving potential, and a minute-muncher who can play in any situation.

First thing one will notice when watching Muhonen, apart from his monsterous frame, is his skating ability- he moves very well, especially for a player his size, with long, powerful strides. He skates backwards quite fluidly as well, which helps his gap control, and he even has a fair amount of agility, and decent edgework. Muhonen is highly confident in carrying the puck, and quite calm and composed under pressure, with airtight puck-protection along the boards due to his long reach, and the way he angles his body against checks. He has a keen understanding of how to open up, and exploit space in many ways- he's particularly good at drawing opponents towards him in order to make space for teammates to occupy, to ready themselves for his pass. His distribution game is a plus- he has good vision and anticipation, to go along with crisp, accurate, well-timed passes. There's plenty of flashes of offensive potential in his game, by the way he joins the rush to create odd-man advantages, or by the way he runs the offense in-zone by walking the line, and quarterbacking the play. When he sees a safe opportunity, he will pinch down into the action as an extra forward, and he has the hands to finish plays. He has a hard, heavy shot from the point, but could sharpen up his accuracy.

Muhonen isn't gentle- he bullies players off the puck in greasy areas, and plays a physical game. His 43 penalty minutes in 27 games shows that he's not eager to win any sportmanship awards. If Muhonen's offensive game doesn't come along, he already has a mature defensive game to fall back on, with a steadying presence, and shutdown potential. He has the size and immense reach to take away space and time from attackers, and separate man from puck with his physical game. He's strong in front of his goalie, and boxes opponents out effectively. His active stick helps him to kill plays, pick off passes, and block lanes. Muhonen is fairly raw, and at this point, he's more "unfullfilled potential", than "finished product", but just needs time to reward whatever team picks him, with a huge pay-off. Some still think he could be a second-rounder in the draft, and it's a definite possibility, but I will guess mid third-round.

The award for coolest name in the 2024 Draft might go to 6'0"(some say 6'1"), 185 lb LW John Mustard. He's with Waterloo of the USHL, and sits at just over a point-per-game to date, with 16 goals, 16 assists, for 32 points in 31 games. Waterloo is 4th in the West, and 8th overall currently, out of 16 teams. Mustard is one of the youngest players in the draft, with an August 16th Birthday.

Mustard is a rugged winger, who plays a hard-nosed game, and is more shooter than passer. He owns a good, hard, accurate shot, with a lightning-quick release. Mustard is involved in an inordinate amount of his team's offensive transitions, and is an unforgiving forechecker with a smart stick, and a good dose of physicality. He's an excellent skater, who pushes pace, and puts defenses on their heels. He can sometimes embarrass defenders with slick 1-on-1 moves. He will lead the charge, and drive the net- he doesn't care if it's pretty or not, so long as it crosses the goal-line. He will weave in and out of the crease and clean up garbage if given half the chance. He's gritty and competitive, will go to war in the trenches, crash the net, and attack high-danger areas. Mustard has well-developed vision and instincts, and can make high-impact plays, but he needs to find his teammates in high-danger more often. He is a responsible, two-way player who doesn't cheat the game, and plays the right way. He's committed to Providence College, where he should work on getting stronger, and developing his offense further. He might be a high-floor player, as he's capable of playing a bottom-6 role, but the hope and the potential is there for more. Look for him in the second round.

LHD Daniel Nieminen was Captain of Finland's entry into the 5 Nations Cup last fall, and he was the best player on a disappointing Finnish team, with an even worse blueline. He had 2 points in 4 games in that tourney, only 1 point in 5 games at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, and has plied his trade this season with the Pelicans of the U20 league in Finland, where he's the second-highest scoring defenseman for players 18-and-under, with 21 points in 32 games. It's a bit disappointing that there's been no call-ups as of yet for him though. I should add that there's no relation to former Flames' fan favorite, Ville Nieminen.

Nieminen is an all-around, all-situations player, who plays both special teams, and doesn't have many true weaknesses. He's a smooth skater, but perhaps not a burner- he's agile in his pivots, and has good small-area quickness, and good edges. There's room for more top-speed, and a better start-up. Nieminen has an above-average shot, which he can get on net consistently through bodies, and likes to find room for his one-timer. He's confident and poised with the puck on his stick, handles quite well, and makes good decisions in his passing. He skates with his head up to scan for options, and is an intelligent problem-solver who can spearhead the rush, or make a clean, accurate breakout. He may be below average in stature, at 6'0",177lbs, but he hits hard, has a well-developed hip check, and can play a physical game. Niemo demonstrated his pinching ability at the 5 Nations, with a highlight-reel activation goal. He also showed that he's an excellent leader, with high compete, and a solid work ethic.

Nieminen can sometimes try to do too much by himself, and gets caught playing his own game away from the team, but this may be a reflection of his competitiveness. He's an excellent defender, but can sometimes struggle against faster players in the defensive zone. He was given a "C" rating by Central Scouting, indicating a 4th/5th round pick.

LHD Edvin Nilsson has seen a downturn in his numbers this season, after a promising 2022-23 that saw him record 25 points in 46 J20 games for HV71, (0.54 ppg)- which ranked him 17th in scoring by defenseman, and 1st on the team. In 2023-24, he has posted a ppg of 0.41, putting up 14 points in 34 games, which ranks him 3rd on the team, and 49th overall in scoring by defensemen. I can't explain this decrease, as HV71 is in virtually the same place in the standings this year as they were last year, although they have dropped from 6th in goals-for in 2022-23, down to 11th out of 21 teams. I'm not sure if his ice-time has been cut, but two defensemen that were below him in scoring last year, Viggo Gustafsson and Wilhelm Hallquisth, have pulled ahead of him this year. Though +/- is considered a useless stat by some, Nilsson went from -11 last season to a +9 this year, which might make one believe that he's perhaps playing a more conservative brand of hockey in order to shore up his defensive game, or that HV71 is employing a more defensive structure. Nilsson spent 17 games in the HockeyEttan, Sweden's third-tier men's league, and had 3 points.

The first noticeable quality in Nilsson's game is his outstanding skating, with excellent speed in all directions that he can use to either pull away from opponents in open ice, or weave through traffic with his lateral quickness and superior agility. He has a strong base, with a fairly low center of gravity (he's 5'11",183), so even though he's small in stature, he's not easy to knock off the puck. There has always been a strong foundation with this player in regards to hockey sense and awareness, but these days he's playing more like a puck-mover than an offensive defenseman, and more facilitator than outright playmaker- he reads the ice extremely well, but sticks to safer, simpler plays, which for this player can still be highly effective. He has a solid passing game, and can still find teammates in danger areas with regularity, but there's only flashes of high-end playmaking. One of his best attributes is the confidence and poise he exhibits when in possession of the puck- his stickhandling is smooth and tight, and he's decisive with his passing- he moves the puck fast, and doesn't create many turnovers. Nilsson is not shy about joining the rush to act as an extra forward, and to keep opponents on their toes. To add to his offensive game, he owns a hard, heavy point shot.

I have read many desciptions of Nilsson's defensive game, and most of them are glowingly positive, portraying him as a highly dependable two-way D, but the underlying numbers don't back these discriptions up. In reality, at least this season, his defensive game is his true detriment- he lacks the size and strength to control opposing attackers along the wall, and in front of the net. The eye test tells you that he's industrious and agressive, and starts the shut-down in the early stages of the opposition's breakout in the other end of the ice, but it would seem that the results aren't there, as he allows too many entries, and doesn't do enough in the zone to kill plays. His retrievals are a bit wonky too, but he's actually quite useful in transition, moving the puck with quality passes, or by carrying while dodging checkers with speed and elusiveness. Nilsson has a lot of work to do to get stronger, and polish his defensive game. His deficiencies, when combined with his decline in offense, might keep from getting drafted. If he does get picked, it will be in the late rounds, and he'll go to a team that sees his potential from 2022-23, along with his prime skating and puck-movement, with this season being an unfortunate blip.

LHD Niklas Nykyri (pronounced NEW-kih-ree, apparently?) won the lottery when he was picked to ride shotgun in the U-18's alongside partner Mitja Jokinen for Team Finland. The 6'2",190lb rearguard looked good in both ends of the rink, and the duo performed admirably together, with Nykyri tying potential future-star Aron Kiviharju for 2nd in points by D for the Finns, with 3 in 5 games, and finished first on the team with a plus-6. It didn't come completely out of left field for Nykyri, who was the top-scoring blueliner for HIFK U20 (one of the worst, and lowest scoring teams in the league) with 19 points in 43 games, which was 29th in the league for defensemen, and 4th for U-18 D. At the 5 Nations, he was tied for 4th overall in scoring by D, with 2 points in 4 games.

Nykyri is an offensively inclined puck-rusher trapped in a meat-and-potatoes shutdown defender's body. At this stage of his young career, he's performing as a defensive defenseman who contributes in all areas, but flashes the potential for much more. One thing that holds him back at this stage is his largely average skating- he has a rather poor start-up with sluggish acceleration, but moves fairly well when he gets to top speed. He mostly keeps things simple, and moves the puck effectively with safe, risk-free passes, but is heavy in offensive inclination when his team gets a foothold in the zone. Once installed, he can quarterback the play from the point, walk the line with purpose, and distribute to teammates in dangerous positions. He will pinch into the play fairly often, but stays mindful of his defensive duties, and will join the rush to attack the net like an extra forward. Nykyri displays strong puck-skills, and loves to have the biscuit on his blade with his ability to stickhandle through defenders, and protect the puck with his body and reach. His point shot doesn't seem to be a huge threat, but he seems to be able to score when pinching to the low slot to use his wicked wrister and deceptive release. When he shoots from distance, it's mostly to cause chaos in front of the net, and create opportunities for teammates. His goal in the U-18's was a pass interception in the neutral zone near the opposition's blueline that he skated up the middle through traffic to wrist it top corner from between the circles.

Nykyri plays a physical brand of hockey with a good compete level, winning battles in the greasy areas, and finishing his checks- though I think he could benefit from more intensity. When the play leaves the offensive zone, he always seems to be on the right side of the puck, with the play in front of him, and puts in a good effort in the defensive end of the rink. His transitions are quick, and he is balanced in his backwards crossovers with an active stick to disrupt plays, and tight gap control to stop rushes before they ever reach his zone. Nykyri has the IQ and awareness to intercept passes, and the guts to block shots while using his size, reach, and physicality to snuff plays and rob his enemies of possession. He makes the first-pass look relatively easy, and despite his speed deficiencies, he can skate it out on his own. I like this kid, but he needs plenty of work, particularly on his shot, speed, and strength. I believe he has potential on the offensive side of the puck, with the floor of a bottom-6 puck-mover with PK duty, but could move up to the second-pair with some work. I'm thinking round 5 or 6.

RHC/RW Sam O'Reilly is a personal favorite as a power-forward who plays a well-rounded, heavy, pro-style game. He was selected 12th overall in the 2021 CHL Draft by the London Knights, who currently sit 1st in the OHL standings, and are the highest scoring team in the league. This season to date, he has put up 15 goals, and 44 points in 48 games, on a team with a lot of older, offensive players- so I could see where time in the top-6 would be hard to come by. Sam is 6'1", and 176 lbs.

O'Reilly is a responsible, two-way player with high IQ and awareness at both ends of the ice. He's a quality playmaker when keeping it simple, and has a remarkable small-area game. He can dish in full flight, as well as receive passes, and has poise with the puck on his stick- although he can sometimes try to force plays through traffic. He has a hard enough shot, with a sneaky release, and good hands around the net. He will go to the crease to cause havok, and hopefully pick off a rebound or tip. O'Reilly is not afraid of the greasy areas, and wins pucks with his strength, and sheer tenacity. He's competitive, and a force down low, and plays a physical brand of hockey- laying the body whenever the opportunity presents itself. Defensively, he seems committed in his effort and awareness- he works to be hard to play against. O'Reilly has great instincts and awareness in this area, to go with a good stick. He can be a pest, hounding puck-carriers and pressuring attackers by invading their space, blocking lanes, and intercepting passes. He exhibits proactive positioning, and will put his body on the line to block a shot. With all of the offensive talent in London, Sam just doesn't get a lot of time on the PP, and currently only has 8 points with the man-advantage. The flip side of this is that he is among the league leaders in even-strength goals for players in his age group. Because of his stalwart defensive play, one could say he has a high floor, with the talent and promise for more; however, he might be relegated to wing in the pros, if he doesn't get better in the faceoff circle, and they say he needs to get to the middle more often. Second round, with a chance to sneak into the first.

C/LW Hugo Orrsten will never wow anyone with his offensive totals, but that's not his game. The 6'2", 190lb pivot put up a mere 7 goals and 20 points in a full 50-game slate in the J20 league on a star-studded Orebro squad, with 3 points in 8 playoff games. After Orebro was eliminated from the post-season, he was sent down to the J18 club where he was Playoff MVP, amassing 13 points in just 6 games on the way to winning the Gold medal. Orrsten had to settle for bronze in the U-18 Tournament for Team Sweden though, with a goal (against Team Canada) and an assist in 7 games. With a July 10th birthday, he has youth on his side.

Orrsten obviously has size, but he also has some separation speed, winning most races to pucks at short distance. He could use some work on his top speed but his edges look good, with the ability to pivot quickly, and turn smoothly. There's not much upside offensively, as his puck-skill and playmaking vision are lacklustre, and he doesn't do much on this side of the puck as he's more preoccupied with his defensive duties. He plays well around the net and down low, and will crash the crease (as he did against Team Canada) for rebounds and garbage goals, or to swat in loose pucks. He can be seen stalking the slot looking for high-danger chances, and can unleash a quick wrister in full flight, but it lacks velocity and he's generally not a huge threat to score. Orrsten uses his size as leverage in puck-battles and to seal off the boards, but he's not particularly strong right now, and isn't really a physical player, using his stick and positioning to win 50/50 contests.

Orrsten is defensively responsible, and it's this area of the game that is his bread and butter, now and in the future. He displays a sharp attention to detail, and an immaculate sense of how to position himself and his stick to make stops. He supports his D in all areas and will switch off with them seamlessly to keep their spots covered when they have to move out of position. He blocks shots, clogs lanes effectively, smothers opponents of time and space, and will pressure the point, covering every inch of the defensive zone. As a center, he understands how to remove the middle of the ice as an option, and will make life difficult for attackers in front of the net by taking their sticks any way he can. There's a good motor under the hood, but I think he could use more intensity, and he needs plenty of work on his faceoffs going forward. At the end of the day, there might not be enough upside here to see a team spend a draft-pick on him unfortunately, but if he's chosen, it won't be until the late rounds with the chance that he might one day make it as a bottom-6 defensive center.

LHD Luke Osburn is in the midst of his rookie season in the USHL for the Youngstown Phantoms, after playing the previous season in Midget AAA, so as one can imagine it was quite a tough adjustment for him. Add to that the fact that he's one of the youngest players in this year's crop of potential draftees with a September 9th birthday, so it's easy to see why he struggled at times in this, his draft year. After starting the season with 3 points in his first 20 games, Osburn started to come around after the turn of the calendar year- even being named USHL Defenseman of the Week for the week ending March 4th, after scoring 6 points in 3 games from Feb. 24th-Mar.1st. The 6'0" (some say 6'1"), 172lb defender currently sits at 7 goals and 20 points in 58 games, good for 33rd in scoring by defensemen in the league, on a crowded blueline with Andrew Strathmann, Sascha Boumedienne, Tory Pitner, and Tomas Machu taking up most of the ice-time and responsibility. According to reports, Osburn was getting only 13 minutes per game with no powerplay time, until some injuries in the top-4 pressed him into 2nd-pairing duty for stretches. Osburn is quite raw, but has been improving all year, and has been a riser on draft lists.

Osburn is an excellent, fluid skater in all 4 directions, with separation speed, and the ability to close gaps quickly, and match footwork with opposing forwards. He keeps the play in front of him at all times, and is good against the rush. He makes smart reads to map out his surroundings, works to collect the puck and is eager to move it out of the zone as quickly as possible. On retrievals, he exhibits good habits in the way he scans over both shoulders to decide his next move, and judge how much time he has to make a quality breakout. Osburn has top-notch awareness of where the play is going, so that he can intervene proactively- he's excellent with his stick and positioning to intercept passes, or dole out pokechecks, and he causes turnovers by hounding puck-carriers. He identifies threats early, and sticks to his man preventatively. While he isn't the most physical player, he will engage with his body, or throw hits if necessary to dislodge pucks. Osburn is a smart puckmover, and helps in transition while pushing the pace with his passing and carrying.

Osburn has excellent puck skills, and can make plays while skating- he doesn't need to slow down, or stop moving his feet. Conversely, he is able to catch pucks in full flight when receiving passes, and still stays fluid in his motions. His flashy stickhandling is a huge strength, and he's starting to learn how to use his smooth, fast hands in creating time and space for himself- he's very shifty with the puck, deking around defenders and manipulating them with supreme deception in the form of dangles, look-offs, and fakes. In the offensive zone, he activates into the play to either find soft spots in coverage, or to keep the puck alive in the zone. He does many things to facilitate offense, even though he might not get many points out of it. His point shot isn't too threatening, but he's dangerous when shooting from inside the hashmarks- his shot needs more power, but he stuns goalies with the ability to change the angle of his shot, in order to disquise his release. This kid has high IQ and vision, but doesn't get enough of a chance to show it; however, this may change next year as Strathmann and Machu are off to college, and I believe Osburn will start to put up serious numbers. He needs to add plenty of strength, work on his offensive game, and tighten up his puck-control as he can overhandle it sometimes- but he has time, as he's committed to the University of Wisconsin for the 2026-27 season. I think he's got 2nd-pairing potential with his puck-movement and defensive game, with the potential for more. Look for him in the fourth round.

RW Terik Parascak has come a long way on a very steep incline from playing Prep School Hockey last season to currently 9th in WHL scoring with the 3rd best team in the league, the Prince George Cougars. The 5'11",179lb winger has piled up 29 goals and 69 points in 48 games to date, which would equal 98 points in 68 games. The Cougs are 4th-best in goals-for in the league, but own one of the best powerplays, so he's been accused of being a big benefactor of the man-advantage, but I would dispute that- the stats say he only has 15 points coming via the PP. Parascak is not big or fast, but he has an elite brain with high-level IQ and awareness, with or without the puck. He has an uncanny feel for the game, and knows where to be to find open space in high-danger to finish plays. He's often around the net in the low slot, where he scores most of his goals, from tap-ins, rebounds, and one-touch plays. Highly opportunistic. While he has great hands in tight, and a quick wrister, he's more finisher than pure sniper, playing off his teammates and driving to the middle to cash in. He's perhaps equal playmaker as scorer, and displays an excellent distribution game, getting tape-to-tape passes off under pressure. The pillars of his game are his high-end skill and good timing, combined with vision and creativity. Parascak is a responsible player, and a hard worker, and gets time on both special teams. As much as his off-puck awareness helps him know where to be to get open, it also aids him defensively in knowing the best places to be to intercept passes, and close lanes. Even with sub-par skating and handling, he contributes effectively to the transition- by carrying, or through the give-and-go, and is often part of a clean entry with control.

As stated, Parascak needs plenty of work on his speed, and the mechanics of his skating. Right now, his stride looks short and choppy, as well as upright and stiff- it looks ok at times in junior hockey, but he won't get away with it once he graduates. One could choose to look at it like this: If he's this good with no junior experience, and a deficient stride, how good will he be in a year or two with better skating? Some have wondered if his numbers would be sustainable, and indeed, they have gradually slowed down. In his first 8 games, he had 12 goals and 6 assists, for 2.25 ppg. In contrast, he has 26 points in his last 20 games, which is nothing to sneeze at either, but nowhere near the pace he had in the first quarter of the season. I'm betting he's taken late first/early second.

It's a Draft year for big-time D, and perhaps the most electrifying of the 2024 crop is 6'0",181lb righty, Zayne Parekh- who is dominating the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, amassing an incredible 74 points in just 49 games. Those numbers put him on pace to reach 100 points, which would be the most by a draft-eligible defenseman since Ryan Ellis in 2008-09, who had 89 points in 57 games. Another impressive stat is Parekh's 21 goals in 2022-23, which set an OHL record for goals by a 16 year-old blueliner. Watching him at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he looked very one-dimensional to me, and was trying to do too much on his own away from the team- abandoning the team concept a bit in favor of a pond-hockey style, while turning over the puck, and missing the net many times. It would appear that the coaches saw things they didn't like as well, as his ice-time was often sporadic to say the least- as low as 8:40 against Slovakia, and only 17:20 in the Gold Medal game against Czechia, which went almost a full period into OT. More ice-time and responsibility was given to players like Sam Dickinson, Charlie Elick, Frankie Marrelli, and Henry Mews. Still, he ended up tied for second on team Canada in points from the blueline, with Dickinson and Marrelli, putting up a respectable 3 points in 5 games. Parekh leads Saginaw in scoring by an incredible 17 points currently.

Obviously, Parekh is an elite offensive defenseman, who is uber aggressive, with a relentless attack mentality. He's a high octane machine, but most of the components of his game are less than dynamic, other than his brain, and the confidence he has in his skills. He's a fluid skater in all directions- not elite, but well above average with smooth edges and agility. His exceptional vision and instincts make him dangerous at all times, and he's a threat when either passing or shooting. He's always got his next few options mapped out due to his quick processing speed, but can problem-solve on the fly. On the PP, he's the ideal quarterback, and likes to run the offense from the blueline where he walks the line with his head up to identify lanes as they open, in order to exploit them with a high-danger pass. Quite often, he will create off the rush like a forward, and has no problem activating to the slot, or to the net-front, as he's an excellent finisher. His passes are crisp and hard, often tape-to-tape, and laced with plenty of deception in his hips, head, and feet to misdirect opponents, along with a multitude of fakes, look-offs, and dekes. His shot is another above-average tool- it's hard and accurate with a stunning release, and his wrister has a good whip that he can pick corners with. He can get the puck on net through traffic, and it's another nice weapon to have on the PP. Parekh has excellent puck skills, but his stickhandling is said to be in need of refinement- he can sometimes be lackadaisical, and lose control. Still, he can spearhead the rush, driving the play northward up the ice, or he will transition using give-and-go's- once he touches the puck in the defensive zone, he's off to the races. He can also make a clean first-pass, or connect on a stretch pass to further push the pace. Once in the zone, he will put defenders on their heels by activating into the play with regularity. The confidence and swagger he displays with the puck is one of his best assets, and elevates his offensive game, as he's never afraid to try anything in order to get on the board, and he stays calm and poised under pressure.

Parekh has a strong work-ethic, with high motor and tenaciousness. He's not overly strong, but will engage physically, and battle for pucks. He doesn't get credit for the sandpaper in his game- he's known to be a pest and an agitator, who likes to get under the skin of his opponents, with a ton of action between whistles, and some trash talk. He was suspended 2 games for his actions post-whistle against Kingston on January 12th (I think he may have spit on somebody, but I'm not sure), so he could use more restraint- he's known to lose his temper sometimes.

The opinions on Parekh's defensive contributions vary a bit, depending on which game of his is being watched, but it's pretty unanimous that his effort can wane shift-to-shift, his off-puck game is lacking in the defensive zone, and his awareness is deficient. He often cheats for offense, and his gap-control, decision-making, and positioning need work. He's a bit slight, so he can lose battles to bigger players, and sometimes struggles to defend the net-front, so he needs to get a lot stronger. There's work to do to get more explosive, and increase the power in his shot. In the other end of the rink, he often tries to do too much by himself, and will hold on to pucks for too long, causing dangerous turnovers. In summary, Parekh is a high risk/high reward player, who may be one dimensional, but it's a HELL of a dimension.

Everything you can say about C/RW Aidan Park comes with an asterisk, because his performance this year came at the Prep School level with Shattuck-St.Mary's 18U program, a lower level of competition than most prospects, making him a bit harder to project. His 28 goals and 76 points puts him 9th overall in scoring in the Prep circuit, but I think he cemented his status as a legitimate option in the top four rounds of the draft with his performance in the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, where he was tied for 4th on Team USA with 3 goals and 4 points in 5 games, and was used in all situations. Park had the opportunity to play with Cole Eiserman and Macklin Celebrini at Shattuck in 2020-21, where all 3 played 14U AAA, and he put up 133 points in 50 games. Park stands 6'1", and weighs in at 185lbs.

No matter what can be said about Park's offensive game, he is at the very least versatile, with the ability to play center or wing, both sides of special teams, and is a dual threat with the ability to both score and make plays. He's fun to watch, with effortless skating that puts out speed that is approaching elite, but held back a bit by a wonky stride with less-than-perfect mechanics. Despite employing an unconventional stride, he still manages to generate good power and quickness, and his footspeed facilitates his whole game. Get him with the right skating coach, and he'll be a burner. To augment his mobility, he keeps his legs pumping hard, stays active, and pushes supreme pace. Park's hands and brain keep up with his feet, as he's a smooth handler with tight puck-control at top speed with slick 1-on-1 moves, and makes quick decisions in full flight. All of the above abilities make him highly effective in transition, especially when combined with his shiftiness, and smooth edgework- he plays a dominant puck-possession game in all 3 zones, at least in the Prep league.

Another pillar of Park's game is his elite compete level, and high motor. He is quite athletic, and applies relentless hustle to hounding puck-carriers in all 3 zones, and winning puck battles along the boards. He's a net-front presence with a goal-scorer's touch, and has excellent hand-eye coordination for tipping pucks. In a 1-on-1 scenario with a goalie, Park wins much of the time, but he will also crash the net to clean up garbage. He has a rather deep arsenal of shots, and the inate ability to find pockets of space to unleash them- he gets a wicked snap on his wrister, with a deceptive release. He's a skilled playmaker as well, and his 48 assists rank 6th in the league, ahead of teammate Will Zellers. Park plays a fairly mature, responsible game, and seems to take pride in being a good defensive player, as he's often the first forward back in the zone in defensive situations. He takes away the middle of the ice, battles along the wall, and supports his D down low. The coaches trust him with penalty-killing duties, and he rewards them with his proficiency in this area, with the speed and defensive awareness to pressure puck-carriers and cause turnovers. He's a good faceoff man, and quickly secures the puck in the defensive zone in order to start the breakout.

Park is in the midst of his fourth season with Shattuck-St.Mary's, and many of his past teammates have seemingly passed him by, or have moved on to higher levels. Will Zellers led the prep school league with 95 points in 48 games this season, which is 19 points more than Park's 76, and Zellers looks like he could be a legitimate top-6 player at the NHL level in the future. Berkly Catton is tearing up the WHL, Ryker Lee has 84 points at Shattuck, and we all know how Celebrini and Eiserman are doing. Though I like Park's game, I have to wonder about his offensive ceiling, and there are indeed questions about his IQ as he can be rushed into making bad plays, and sometimes makes questionable decisions and egregious errors. I really like the tools he has to work with though, and I think he'll make an excellent defensive-minded middle-six player with some grit and hustle, perhaps a third-line center who chip in some offense- and there's nothing wrong with that. Park is committed to the University of Michigan for 2025-26, and will be in the USHL next season, so there's a whole lot of runway to round out his game. I think he'll be taken in the 4th round.

It's been a tale of two seasons this year for Barrie Colts' RHC Riley Patterson. He started the season slowly, adjusting to the increased pace of the OHL, and dealing with less space and time, after playing the entirety of the 2022-23 season in Junior A, with the North York Rangers of the OJHL, where he was named the CJHL's Top Rookie from 9 leagues across Canada. Patterson had 23 points in his first 34 OHL games, but took off after the New Year, with 38 points in his last 32 games, from January 6th on, for a grand total of 28 goals and 61 points in 66 games to date. His upward trajectory has been so sharp that he was named the OHL Rookie of the Month for both January (15 pts in 12 games) and February (18 points in 12 games)- the first player to win two of those honors in a season since the 2019-20 season, when both Mason McTavish and Shane Wright accomplished the feat. The uptick in offense coincides with the departures of Jacob Frasca to the Greyhounds by trade on January 8th, and Eduard Sale to the Rangers on January 9th, which gave Patterson the chance at more ice-time and responsibility, and he certainly took advantage.

Patterson, who stands 6'0" tall, and weighs in at a sturdy 192lbs, is a self-described power-forward with a good base of tools, and a solid all-around game- though he doesn't have any real elite qualities. He plays in all situations for Barrie, including both sides of special teams, usually on a line with fellow draft-eligible forward Cole Beaudoin, and can play either center or wing. He's a dual-threat on offense, with prowess in both playmaking and scoring, and is blessed with above-average IQ and vision. One of the biggest pillars of his game is his sky-high work-ethic- he plays with energy and intensity. Opponents get frustrated with the way he never takes his foot off the gas, and is always in their faces. He hunts down pucks on the forecheck like a dog on a bone, gaining possession with his tenacity, and goes to war in the trenches. He has a good dose of physicality in his repertoire, and finishes his checks, but does so in a disciplined way, as he's only accumulated 10 penalty-minutes over the course of the season. He competes in the greasy areas, hounds puck-carriers, and bodies opponents off of the puck. His skating, like his puck skills, are solid but not really spectacular- though he doesn't have much trouble getting up and down the ice, and his hands are quick enough to weave through traffic on occasion, with his smooth stickhandling. He's hard on pucks, and it isn't easy to strip him of possession. In transition, he's able to transport the puck through the neutral zone with full control, and make clean entries, though he usually relies on short passes to get the job done.

Patterson has vastly improved his ability to find and open up space, and has gotten better throughout the season at making sound decisions at a much quicker speed- these abilities were weaknesses at the start of the season. Patterson has a wicked one-timer, and gets a nice whip on his snapshot; both come with a quick release that can stun goalies. From what I've seen, most of his goals come from below the hashmarks in the low slot, and come from his willingness to go to the net in search of rebounds, tips, and second-chance opportunities. Patterson is good around the net, and his stick is always on the ice, as he sneaks into high-danger areas to await a pass, and he has good hands in-tight with the ability to shoot through the smallest holes. Though he's not yet a stalwart, he always seems to be on the right side of the puck- his defensive awareness is solid, and he brings his unrelenting motor to his end of the ice. He's tenacious in taking away time and space, and in thwarting plays by clogging lanes, and applying an active stick.

Patterson was traded to the Colts in the summer of 2023, after originally being drafted in the third-round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, 57th overall, by the Flint Generals. At the time, he was committed to Michigan State for the 2024-25 season, but effectively de-committed when he signed with Barrie. Like most kids his age, he needs to upgrade his strength and skating, and round out his skillset, but this kid is a gamer- I like him a lot. I can easily see him getting picked in the late second round, but I hope he's still around when the Flames make their 3rd-round choice. I get the sense that this kid will be high up the scoring list next year in the OHL.

Left-handed RW Ilya Pautov is second in scoring for Krasniya Armiya Moskva of the MHL, with 15 goals and 45 points in 46 games, on a team that features draft-eligibles such as Alexei Dontsov, Nikita Frolov, and Maxim Velikov. The 5'10",165lb winger is a prime offensive creator, with a well-rounded game, and leans heavily towards playmaking as his forte'.

Though he's a pass-first player, Pautov carries a hard, heavy shot and beats goalies with ultra-quick hands and high-end 1-on-1 moves for goals of the highlight-reel variety. He's adept at finding open pockets of ice to operate, sneaking in and out of high-danger areas, and cutting to the middle to unleash- he can score from bad angles as well. Pautov is smart and creative with a skilled passing game, and the ability to make quick decisions. He can dish in full flight, and from his forehand or backhand. He possesses high IQ and vision, as well as the ability to slow the game down, or to push pace. His hands are quick, and he's a smooth stickhandler with some beautiful manouvers to make opponents look foolish- he exhibits tight puck control, and moves through traffic with the puck on a string. To enhance his elusiveness, he uses superb deception to beat defenders 1-on-1 in the form of feints, look-offs, and fakes to manipulate them into going in the wrong direction, and completes the magic trick with a toe-drag or deke to blow past his victims. Despite his size, he is strong on the forecheck and highly disruptive, winning possession for his team by causing turnovers. Pautov is an excellent skater with a sharp change of pace and direction, and quick acceleration, although his top speed is perhaps not elite, and could use some work. He still has the ability to win footraces to loose pucks, but lacks a true separation gear, though he will only get faster as he gets stronger. He's very shifty and hard to pin down, with smooth edges that help his evasiveness.

Off the puck, Pautov is smart and always makes himself playable, while supporting the play in all three zones, and skating the right routes. He's a dangerous player with his speed and skill, which makes him the ideal candidate to carry the puck through transition, with a high amount of success in making clean entries with control. Defensively, he's a puck-hound who flies in the face of puck-carriers to disrupt, and smother them of time and space to cause turnovers. He reads the play well, and can intercept passes to turn the play in the opposite direction. All of the above is great, but he performs these feats with almost a complete lack of physicality, and even backs away from puck battles. By the same token, he can be totally thrown off his game in more physical matches where the opposing team plays the body, and it's not hard to push him around, or knock him off the puck. His effort can wane shift-to-shift, and he loses patience sometimes, seeming rushed in his stickhandling which leads to turnovers, and missed opportunities. The same scenario comes to fruition when he holds on to the puck for too long, and runs out of real estate. Pautov will most likely need time to develop and mature, with a need to get stronger and a bit faster. His future may depend on his offensive game, but the good news is that he kind of reminds me of Kirill Kaprizov. Look for him in the late rounds.

There was a time a few years back when LHC Lucas Pettersson might have been considered the top Swede for the 2024 Draft, with his smarts and solid two-way game. He may have been bypassed by a few guys, but he still remains an intriging player for the middle-to-late second round. Pettersson might not be a high-end offensive player, but any team that wants to win needs guys like this- it would seem he's worn a letter for every team he's played for, and wears an "A" for Modo's J20 team this season. 15 goals, 15 assists, for 30 points in 30 J20 games (with 36 PIM, showing a bit of a chip on his shoulder), and got a cup of Java with the SHL team for 3 games. At the Hlinka, where he also wore an "A", he was tied for 5th on team Sweden with 4 points in 4 games. Pettersson plays the right way, and does not cheat the game. He's a true leader in the room and on the ice, where he is often seen directing the troops where to be. He's ultra-competitive, plays a shutdown defensive game, and has a ton of heart- he's not afraid to muck and grind in the greasy areas, and will win pucks in the corners, or along the boards, despite not being the biggest player. He works hard, plays both sides of special teams, and has a seemingly non-stop motor. Playmaking is said to be the most attractive offensive weapon in his arsenal, but as one can deduce from his stats, he's no slouch in the goal-scoring department. He sets up shop in the slot, and creates havok, as well as high-danger opportunities for his teammates. Opponents are drawn to him, and space opens up for his teammates. He's a great passer, but also has the hands to outmanouvre goaltenders, and a pretty decent shot. Defensively, Pettersson uses his fine skating to relentlessly pressure attackers into mistakes, and owns the anticipation and vision to consistently kill plays, and intercept passes. LP plays both directions in transition, and can quickly transport the puck up ice with his feet or his stick, or stop the rush closing in on him. He's not just a meat-and-potatoes guy though, as he can pull off some highlight reel plays. As one might expect, there's plenty of questions about his offensive ceiling, but I would submit that he's got a pretty high floor. He needs to bulk up and get stronger, but who knows? This kid could be another David Krejci, who was also a second-rounder.

Update (Feb 2024) 

He's known as a good, two-way player who works hard, and doesn't cheat- but I questioned his offensive upside. In the last 8 J20 games, he has piled up 17 points, to bring up his total on the season to 47 points in 38 games, good for 9th in the league. This only helps his Draft stock.

Watching Seattle Thunderbird's RHD Bryce Pickford in 2022-23, I couldn't help but think that he was a potential junior star in the making, who was buried on an ultra-talented blueline that carried the likes of Kevin Korchinski, Jeremy Hanzel, Sawyer Mynio, Luke Prokop, and Nolan Allan. Pickford put up 17 points in 54 games last year on the WHL Champion Thunderbirds, but showed little progression this season with 17 points in 65 games, with only Hanzel and Mynio remaining from the previous years' team. Oddly enough, those two defensemen led the team in scoring this season, with Hanzel amassing 60 points in 66 games, and Mynio with 53 points in 63 games- the third placed scorer on the team only had 41 points, with the Thunderbirds finishing 19th out of 22 teams, and 2nd-last in scoring in the WHL. With Hanzel and Mynio playing big minutes, and Seattle's scoring drying up, it's easy to see how he could struggle to put up points, but I expected alot more of Pickford, and I think Central Scouting did too- they rated him a "C" at the beginning of the season, indicating a likely 4th, or 5th-round pick. Pickford was good enough to crack the lineup of a very stacked Seattle team when he was just 16 years old, and had the opportunity to play for a Memorial Cup last spring, but unfortunately, the Thunderbirds lost, and Pickford had no points in 5 games.

Pickford can do a bit of everything, but isn't really a specialist in any one area, and doesn't bring any elite skills. One thing I admire about Pickford is that, despite only standing 6'0",170lbs, he plays with the grit, determination, and physicality of a player who is 6'3". His aim coming in to this season was to play more physical, and he's succeeded in that goal. He's stronger, and much tougher than his stature would dictate, and he will drop the gloves in defense of his teammates. One of his finer traits is his 4-directional mobility, which looks smooth and fluid, and gives him the speed to win races, and the agility to elude defenders. Pickford has fairly well-developed puck skills- he handles with confidence, and protects the puck well. He has shown the ability to stickhandle through multiple opponents, and undress the other team's defense. There's more offense in him than what he's shown- he's a decent playmaker from the blueline, exhibiting solid vision and IQ, and knows when to hang back, and when to jump into the play. He will join the rush if the coast is clear, and will activate up the boards or down the weak side if it's safe to do so. He walks the line to open shooting lanes to unleash his wicked shot and paralyzing release, and find seams for his adept passing abilities.

In transition, Pickford has shown the ability to skate the puck out of the defensive zone, navigating through defenders, to make entry into the offensive zone. He performs a good first-pass with regularity to start the breakout, but on occasion, he can stretch the ice with a long-bomb outlet pass. There's nothing wrong with his puck movement, as he can advance the puck up the ice in a number of ways. Defensively, he's mostly sound, and is considered by most to be a solid two-way performer, but his game in his own end has warts. He uses his speed and an active stick to thwart attacks, and can disrupt plays by closing on puck-carriers quickly, but he gets caught cheating for offense at times by leaving the zone early. There are other times where he is too deep in the offensive zone to recover when the play goes the other way, which leaves his team effectively down a man. He also shows some lapses in positioning and focus, and sometimes loses his man. Pickford's game hasn't progressed much, but there's talent and potential here; however, his low offensive numbers might have hurt his draft stock to the point that he might not even be drafted. If he is picked, he might have to wait until the later rounds in the draft. Too bad, I really like the kid.

6'3",194lb RW Kasper Pikkarainen is big, physical, and mean- much like his father, former NHLer Ilkka Pikkarainen. Kasper is very young, with an Aug 7th Birthday, and perhaps more raw than other prospects. He led Finland in scoring at the Five Nations Cup, with 4 points in 4 games, and he's spent the majority of his time with TPS' U20 Team, collecting 11 goals, and 27 points in 32 games to date, with a cup of coffee on the Liiga team.

Pikkarainen is fairly skilled, but lacks the high-end aptitude to be a top-line player in the NHL. He still manages to get his fair share of points, and shows flashes of offensive potential. He is a good skater, but not a burner, and he's agile and solid on his skates. Pikkarainen likes to dish out punishing open-ice hits with regularity to keep opponents off their game, and is quite nasty to play against. He finishes his checks, and is a load to handle along the boards, on the forecheck, and in front of the net. He doesn't create a whole lot, but he has a rather deep arsenal of shots to choose from, and has pretty good hands around the net. Pikkarainen is a quality defensive player, which may be his ticket to the NHL. He comes back hard on the backcheck,showing awareness and proactive positioning, along with the size, physicality, and high work-ethic to have a chance in the future of playing a bottom-6 role in the NHL- with the hope and potential for more. His offense is nothing to sneeze at, but he needs to build on those flashes of offensive skill, and keep working on his skating. I'm thinking rounds 3 or 4.

It will be interesting to see where RHD Tory Pitner is picked in this year's draft, as he's got a fairly good resume and might be a little underrated. Pitner was picked 17th overall in the 2021 WHL US Draft by the Edmonton Oil Kings, but wisely waited until 2022 to be chosen 9th overall in the USHL Draft by the Youngstown Phantoms, the team he won a Championship with in 2023. This season, Pitner is wearing the "A" for Youngstown, and plays on the top-pairing with Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Andrew Strathmann, and is currently 19th in league scoring by defensemen, with 23 points in 44 games, to go with 52 penalty-minutes. He also served as Captain for Team USA's entry in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and lead them to a bronze medal, but only managed 1 assist in 5 games.

Pitner is an all-situations defenseman, getting time on the penalty-killing unit for the Phantoms, but he doesn't get many powerplay minutes. The 6'1",183lb defender has excellent mobility, but his skating is not really elite in any way- his lateral mobility is good enough to sidestep pressure, and he skates backwards quite well, keeping a tight gap on attackers. He shoots hard and heavy from the point, getting it through layers of traffic, and can fake those shots to slap-pass to teammates on the doorstep for high-danger opportunities. There's a good selection of shots in his arsenal, and they all come with a nice, quick release. Pitner will pinch to the net off the rush with the puck, or following as the trailer, and will not hesitate to activate to the low slot from the point if he sees an opportunity. His vision and IQ may not be elite, but they are good enough to give him the ability to spot developing opportunities for teammates through a crowd, and the patience to hold on to the puck until he can open a seam to pass through. He carries a fair amount of puck-skill and playmaking ability, and can connect on difficult passes, even cross-ice, or through traffic, and his skating and anticipation give him time and space to execute. He's a quality puck-mover, and is outstanding in transition, which is one of his specialties- he makes smooth, effortless retrievals, and then quarterbacks the play up the ice with sharp passing, or by carrying it out himself with speed.

Pitner plays a robust physical game, and hits hard. He's rugged, and has no problem getting his nose dirty while winning battles in the greasy areas. He competes hard, has good character, and is a leader- the letters on his various jerseys would attest to that. He's an excellent defensive player, always on the right side of the puck with strong positioning and awareness, and employs a smart stick to disrupt plays. He's good at boxing attackers out of the net-front area, and drives forecheckers to the outside. These are good skills for him to have, as his defense and puck-moving ability will likely be his bread and butter at the next level. Still, he could stand to further develop his offense, even though his numbers are fairly good, and though his decision-making has improved vastly over where it was last year, he still needs work as he can sometimes try to do too much, forcing ill-advised passes. TP is committed to the U of Denver, after de-committing to UMass. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th round.

Leading up to the 2023 Draft, one of my favorite prospects for the second round was RW/C Coulson Pitre of the Flint Firebirds, a power-forward with skill and scoring touch. He was taken in the third round, 65th overall by Anaheim and just recently, he signed a 3-year ELC with that club. Coulson's brother Kaden is available this year, and he holds many of the same traits as his older brother. LHC Kaden was selected by Flint in 2022, 18th overall, and the Pitre brothers often play on a line together with Kaden producing 30 points in 35 games, to go with 29 PIM this season. The younger Pitre doesn't quite have his big brother's size, measuring 5'11", 168lbs.

Injuries and inconsistency have hurt Pitre's draft stock this year. Despite his size, he plays a bit of a power game with physicality and tenaciousness, and can play the agitator/pest role as well. He is a two-player with a mature. projectable game, and is a nightmare for the opposition on the forecheck, winning puck battles in the hard areas and maintaining possession for his team. His skating has been called elite, and his speed facilitates most of his game- he can win races to loose pucks, and beat defenders wide with his fluid, powerful stride. He's also slippery and elusive, and can move through sticks, and slide off of checks. KP has high IQ, and always seems to be around the puck, flashing the ability to make creative plays with clean, crisp, accurate passes to teammates in high-danger . Most of the time though, he doesn't do anything too dynamic, opting for the safe, simple play while scanning the ice with his head on a swivel. His wrister is a laser, with a release that looks fast in slo-mo, and he can score from distance. He attacks the middle without fear, and will go to the net for tap-ins, rebounds, and garbage goals. Spatial awareness is another component of his offensive game, as he creates room and opens seams for himself and his teammates by drawing defenders towards him. He sniffs out soft spots in coverage, and sneaks into high-danger areas. KP has a high motor, and doesn't stop moving his feet- he's tenacious and competitive in all 3 zones, hounding puck-carriers and working hard on the backcheck. He wins more than his fair share of draws, and supports his D down low, helping to facilitate the breakout. He is defensively sound, and disruptive in his own zone.

It's been hard to get a good read on him for scouts, as he was injured a lot this year with his season ending on January 26th. Inconsistency has plagued him, not only game-to-game, but sometimes shift-to-shift, and he can sometimes fade into the background. There are two Kaden Pitre's- one of them doesn't move his feet, and plays without pace, coasting on the backcheck, and not competing as hard. This Kaden Pitre plays undisciplined and unfocused, and doesn't lean into his shots. I prefer the fiery, hard-working Kaden Pitre, and this version has to take over permanently. Pitre needs plenty more strength for the next level, especially with his style of game. If Pitre can come back and stay healthy, he will develop into a player who can play anywhere in an NHL team's bottom-9. I really like this kid, as I did his brother, and I would be comfortable taking him in the latter half of the second round, but I will say he gets picked in the 4th, or 5th round.

LHC Max Plante is the son of former NHLer Derek Plante, and brother of Pittsburgh 5th-rounder Zam Plante, and is currently 6th in NTDP scoring, with 12 goals and 48 points in 38 games. His ppg of 1.23 puts him 3rd in the NTDP, ahead of Stiga, Bednarik, Ziemer, and Humphreys- and behind only Hagens and Eiserman, both of whom he outproduced at the most recent 5 Nations, with 7 points in 4 games. Though he is listed as a C, he mostly plays his off-wing on the right-hand side, and sees himself as a winger.

Plante heavily leans towards the pass, and is one of the best playmakers in the draft, with deft distribution skills, and high-end vision. He is crafty and highly creative, and can thread the needle through traffic, equally crisp and accurate from the forehand as from the backhand. Passes from Plante arrive at the right time and place, with the perfect placement and velocity, right to the ideal spot in his teammate's wheelhouse to one-time a shot. He's a practitioner of deception, and manipulates opponents into giving him seams to pass to the slot, or to high danger. He's an expert in baiting opponents into attacking him, and opening space for himself or teammates. His mind is fast and decisive, and he prefers to do most of his work with quick touches, and give-and-go's when possible- he plays with supreme pace, keeping defenders on their toes. Any kind of pass that can be drawn up is available to him in his repertoire- he's got slip passes, saucers, drop passes, one-touches, and even spin-o-rama's. In contrast, Plante is not much of a finisher, as his rather paltry 12 goals would attest- his shot is not bad, but often inaccurate and ineffective, and he sometimes passes up prime scoring opportunities to execute a low-percentage pass. It is a must for Plante to develop his goal-scoring capabilities, and his shot for the next level.

Like most kids in the program, Plante commits to the defensive side of the puck, and backchecks well through the neutral zone. Though he is trusted in defensive situations, and gets PK time, he is still raw in this area, and must further build his awareness and workrate when it comes to defense. He still finds some success in limiting the time and space of opponents, intercepting passes, and cutting off plays, but can look a bit lost sometimes. He works to win pucks in the greasy areas, and has high compete and motor, but lacks strength and physicality. He's not an exceptional skater either, more quick than fast, but shows fairly good agility and edgework, with some lateral mobility to elude checkers. Improving his speed is another necessity for him, if he wants to have a shot in the NHL. Plante is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, so he has a long runway to improve. I'm going to say he'll be picked in the 3rd round.

The top goal-scorer in the Q at the present time (as of March 2024) is pocket-sized power-forward (and little brother of Flames prospect Jeremie), RW Justin Poirier, who leads the pack by an impressive 6 tallies, with 46 goals, and sits 7th in points overall, with 72 in just 61 games. It cannot be understated how impressive those numbers are, when one considers that Poirier is one of the youngest players in this year's Draft, missing the cut-off for next year by only 12 days, with a Setember 4th birthday. The 5'8" Poirier was taken 4th overall by Baie-Comeau in 2022, and went on to score 28 goals in 2022-23, which was first for goals by a rookie that year. I felt that JP's performance in the Hlinka Gretzky was a bit uneven, in that he managed to put up 4 points in 5 games, but missed the net a ton, and seemed to turn over the puck a lot. Still, he showed off his offensive acumen, his physicality, and his competitive fire. In the current season, Baie-Comeau is the best team in the Quebec League by a big margin, so we might be seeing more of Mr. Poirier in the Memorial Cup.

Poirier may be 5'8", but he's built like a fire-hydrant, at a stocky 181lbs, and plays a feisty, high-energy game that sees him getting under his opponents skin on a nighly basis. Obviously, he's much more shooter than playmaker, and is one of the best at his craft in this year's crop of draftees. With a goal-scorer's mentality, he sneaks in and out of holes in coverage, creates space to operate in, and slides into open lanes, looking to unleash from his elite shooting arsenal. He owns a laser of a wrist shot that explodes off his blade, coming with a stunning release, and a hard, heavy one-timer. He can fire in full stride, and uses defenders as screens effectively. Like a true power-forward, he's dangerous down low, as well as around the net, and unafraid to crash the crease. He works his way to the slot to shoot, but not always just to score- he also does it to create havok around the net, and create opportunities for teammates. Like his older brother, Justin is a high-end possession player, with tight puck-control and smooth handling, even in traffic- he's poised and calm with the puck on his blade, and has slick moves to weave through checkers. When he wants to push pace, he will switch to quick little give-and go passes with teammates.

Despite his stature, Poirier has a fire in his belly, and has a surprising physical dimension- he's highly aggressive on the forecheck, and is not at all afraid to get his nose dirty battling in the hard areas. He makes plenty of room for himself by using his body, and with his low center of gravity, and his stocky build, he's hard to knock off the puck. He absorbs hits to make plays, and can dish out some heavy hits of his own. Like a 6'2" power winger, he battles hard for pucks, goes to the front of the net, plays hard and heavy along the wall, and fights his way into opportune spaces. He's a pest, and an agitator, and does his best to get under his opponents' skin.

One could say that Poirier has decent offensive awareness and anticipation, but even though he can pull off difficult passes from time to time, he needs work on his playmaking game. It would make him less predictable, and give him a different dimension in the offensive zone. He will sometimes ignore the pass to take a low-percentage shot on net- he could stand to use his teammates better. There's plenty of instances where he tries to do too much, and makes poor decisions with the puck in both ends of the ice, resulting in untimely turnovers. Defensively, he can block passes, and clog lanes, but he lacks awareness, and sometimes doesn't compete very hard in his own zone- he can do a lot of puck-watching, makes high-risk plays, and cheats for offense. He holds plenty of value in his contributions to transition, but makes predictable entries- always entering from the outside lane. His effort can wane, and his compete is inconsistent, but his penchant for losing steam later in games has called his conditioning into question. Perhaps most worrying is his skating stride, which is decent and reasonably fluid in a straight line and at top speed, but severely lacking when it comes to edgework and lateral quickness. He loses speed in turns, and lacks strength in his crossovers- thankfully, his quick hands and stickhandling give him some escapability. If he can fix his deficiencies, he could be a second-line goal-scorer, as his style reminds me of both Brendan Gallagher, and Alex DeBrincat. I think a team will take a chance on him in the third round.

RW Jack Pridham is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs AGM, Brandon Pridham, and plays for the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL, putting up 49 points in 54 games. Those stats may seem paltry for a lower league, but they are good enough to put him 18th in the BCHL in scoring, and he is currently 3rd in playoff scoring with 5 goals (tied for 1st-overall) and 7 points in 4 games. It's hard to project Junior A players, but the reason he's been rated as high as 72nd overall by Elite Prospects, is that he has 4 S's- size, skating, skill, and shot, all of which are good enough for any Junior league. JP is the only player in the league to get a "B" rating by Central Scouting, denoting a player they believe will be chosen in the 2nd, or 3rd round, and has been nominated for the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year.

Power-forwards are making a comeback, and Pridham is the modern-day version, with size (6'2",174lbs), and a marvelous skating stride that backs up defenses, and gives him room to operate. He is blessed with a superb top-speed, that comes off of an explosive first-step and excellent acceleration, with smooth edges that enable him to change speed and direction rapidly. He plays with a high amount of energy, and puts pressure on opponents with his ability to push pace. His offensive game is built off of his shoot-first mentality, and he has a strong arsenal of shots to choose from, all of them coming with a quick release. He is not known as a playmaker, though he can sometimes show some playmaking vision- most of the time though, he keeps his passes simple, and risk-free. He can facilitate chances for his teammates with second-chance breaks created from his shooting, but on occasion, he can connect with quick-touch, short passes to dangerous areas. Pridham will drive the crease to convert rebounds and tips, or to cause havok by acting as a moving screen, and uses his body as leverage to lean into defenders on his way to the net. He battles hard in the greasy areas, takes a beating in front of the net, and is a force down low and in the corners.

Pridham's long reach helps him protect the puck, but it also aids in causing turnovers on the forecheck. He's highly aggressive with an undying motor, and relentlessly hounds puck-carriers in all three zones, stripping them of possession. Defensively, he's solid, though he doesn't seem to apply the same pace-pushing moxie that he displays in the other two zones. Still, he has the speed and active stick to close on attackers fast, and the intelligence to identify threats. Pridham needs work on his puck skills, as he can bobble the puck and overhandle in flight. He also must develop his playmaking, as he often passes up a high-percentage pass to go for a low-percentage shot. Diversifying his offense will improve his ceiling, and make him less predictable. As is the case with most kids, he needs to bulk up and get significantly stronger, as he can be pushed around right now, and outmuscled in puck-battles. Pridham is committed to Boston University for next season. Look for him to be picked in the 3rd, or 4th round.

RW Ethan Procyszyn is still a young man, with a July birthday, but stands 6'3", weighs in at 189 lbs, and best of all- he can skate like the wind. Earlier this season, he was given a "B" rating by Central Scouting, indicating a second-or third round pick, and he currently sits at 14 goals and 32 points in 55 games, having been pushed down the lineup on a deep North Bay squad, who sit 5th in the OHL for goals-scored. It is believed that he could post much better numbers if he was given better minutes.

Procyszyn is a power-forward who can dominate with his size, though he also plays an intelligent all-around, pro-style game. He forechecks with authority, and dishes out hits that not only pressure opponents and dislodge pucks, but also energize his team. He is an excellent skater, not only for his size, but for any size, and covers a lot of ice in a hurry with his long, powerful stride. In on-ice testing leading up to the CHL Top Prospects Game, he finished 2nd in Reaction, and 2nd in Reaction With Puck, then showed off his speed in the game. He's decently skilled with the puck, and has the vision to make high-end passes, with the anticipation to see plays before they unfold in both ends of the ice. He's excellent around the net, with the hands to finish in-tight, and will park himself in front to set up the screen on PP2. Procyszyn is dominant along the boards, and in the corners, playing a very physical brand of hockey.

In transition, Procyszyn holds value, and is quite hard to stop with his skating and high-end puck control. He brings a high work ethic and compete level, and is difficult to beat in 50/50 battles for the puck. He brings energy in all 3 zones, and plays the PK, but it's his stalwart defensive zone play that might just be his ticket to the pros. He has a talent for cutting off lanes, and intercepting passes, thereby cutting off huge swaths of ice and turning defense into offense. He intimidates with his size, speed, and reach- pressuring opponents into getting rid of the puck by taking away time and space. He is often capable of killing the play in the neutral zone, before the puck even reaches his blueline. Procyzsyn is a hard player to go up against, and displays high-end defensive awareness, and the anticipation to disrupt plays in their early stages.

Though he plays a physical game, he has been criticized for not always finishing every check- but he can hardly be blamed for this in my opinion, as anyone who was flat-out hitting every opponent in every shift would break down physically quite quickly. Still, he could be more intense, and play with much more of an edge. In the next two years, he'll be able to show much more, and will unlock a lot more offense. He will need to work on his shot, as it lacks some power- all of his goals come from in-tight, and he doesn't really shoot from beyond the hash marks. I see him as a potential 3rd/4th rounder, with the NHL floor of a bottom-6 defensive specialist, with PK duties. If he works on his shot, and further develops his offense, he has a chance to play as high as the second line, IMO.

I recommend watching some highlights of LHD Jesse Pulkkinen, you'll think you're watching tape on Jaromir Jagr from the 90's. Pulkkinen isn't supposed to have the kind of buzz that he has, after being passed over in last year's draft, but he re-dedicated himself to hockey last summer, after a miserable 2022-23 season, where he only managed 4 points in 43 U20 games- and didn't even know if he wanted to continue playing. That version of Jesse Pulkkinen and the one playing just shy of 20 minutes a night in the Liiga- the top men's league in Finland- are as different as night and day. JP started the season with JYP of the U20, and it was quickly discerned that he was too good for that league, with 28 points in just 18 games, to go with 47 PIMs. He was too overwhelming for the Mestis as well, with 4 points in 6 games, so it was off to the Liiga, where he currently sits 3rd for U-20 defensemen (2nd in ppg) with 8 points in 23 games. He is still 5th in scoring by defense in the J20, despite not having played there in months, and his 1.56 ppg is still tops by a country mile. He cemented his newfound status as a must-see for scouts, with a World Junior Championship performance that saw him score 3 points in 7 games, with sterling defensive metrics. Did I mention that this kid is 6'6", and 216lbs?

Pulkkinen is an amazing skater for a player his size, but that's not his most amazing trait- the most jaw-dropping abilities he has are his quick hands and unshakable confidence when carrying the puck, and the 1-on-1 moves and deception he uses in doing so. It's quite a sight to see a skyscraper weaving around opponents, and in-and-out of traffic without being slowed down, or stripped of the puck. He uses dangles, fakes, look-offs, and has every kind of deke imaginable in his arsenal to fool, misdirect, and manipulate opponents, and make them look silly. He baits attackers into going one way, while he's going in a different direction, and can even throw in a Savardian spin-o-rama, or reverse hit to make extra room. Pulkkinen moves around like a much smaller player, but has the massive wingspan to handle the puck outside his opponent's reach. There's never any cause to throw away the puck, as he has the confidence to hold on to wait for the right play, or circle back to create space while a better situation develops. He can fly coast to coast, deking through layers of traffic, and around sticks, keeping full possession, without hardly getting touched. Pulkkinen owns jaw-dropping mobility for a player his size, but it's his incredible edges, and agility that he uses to pivot around attackers, and sidestep checks that is truly amazing- a player that big should not be that light on his skates. He moves well laterally, and can turn, or stop and start on a dime to get to open space. He's a fluid skater, but his stride looks a little awkward and choppy at times, though he still generates surprising power. His acceleration needs a bit of work, but he's impossible to slow down when cruising at top speed.

Pulkkinen is always heavily involved in the play, and is not at all afraid to activate from the point to attack the middle, or keep the play alive along the boards. His shot is hard and heavy, and can beat goalies from a distance, but his main offensive weapon is his deft touch as a playmaker, combined with his sublime vision and passing skill. He's not just a one-dimensional player though, as his best dimension may be his suffocating defensive game, that he shows off against pros. In his own zone, he's hyper-aggressive, always moving, and seems to be everywhere from below the goal-line to the top of the zone all at once. He lifts sticks, supports teammates, and uses his body, active stick, and reach to thwart plays, cause turnovers, and win pucks. Pulkkinen has a pronounced physical edge to his game, and he applies it while punishing opponents along the boards, or pinning them to make them immobile. He always gets the inside body position, then overpowers his man, bullying him off the puck- many times with a reverse hit. He's almost impassable, and very hard to play against. He kills rushes, smothers opponents, and picks off plays to the slot, or to high-danger. Quite often, he will make stops before the play ever gets to the blueline, closing gaps seamlessly, while guiding his victims to the boards to be finished off, or by catching them napping with a big open-ice hit in the neutral zone. In retrievals, he establishes body position, and keeps his head up to find his outlet- all with a high panic threshold, and staying cool and composed. He holds tons of value in turning defense into offense through transition, as he's confident with the puck, protects extremely well, and is a monster in possession- he can seemingly carry it out effortlessly, and lead the rush. The defensive metrics for this player are sparkling, and he already plays against men. He led all defensemen at the WJC in controlled exits, with 34.

Pulkkinen can still be beaten wide on occasion by speedier opponents, and can sometimes overhandle the puck. He needs to fine-tune his decision-making, but more importantly, he needs to rein in his aggression as he can be caught out of place from time-to-time. At the end of the day, he's an excellent two-way player, but his defensive awareness gives him an NHL floor- he could be a future bottom-4 player with PK duties, but has the potential to be more than that. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see a team take him with a first-round pick, which would be the first time a second-year eligible has been picked in the first since Tanner Pearson in 2012.

LHD Colin Ralph is a top-pairing, minute-munching rearguard who plays in all situations. The tricky part is that he's plying his trade with Shattuck St. Mary's Prep, a lower level of competition than most draft-eligible prospects are at, making his projection more difficult. Though his future is unclear, he has some attributes that come in handy in any league. Ralph is a 6'4",227lb behemoth who racked up 56 points in just 50 games this season, good enough for 2nd overall in scoring by defensemen, 9th in ppg. He was the 59th-overall pick in the 2023 USHL Draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, and will play there in 2024-25.

As stated, Ralph is a big fish in a smaller pond, but he could get around well in any league, as he covers a ton of ice in a short time with his mobility and aggression. For a player his size, he skates quite well, and has good agility. His brain is quite large too, as he possesses an above-average IQ, with finely-tuned puck skills- he can handle gracefully in small areas. He has quick hands, with a long reach that helps him protect the puck, or strip the puck from opponents all over the ice. At the current level he's at, he can quarterback the offense from the blueline with smarts, and does so using his solid distribution game. Though his shot could use more zip, he will rip low shots on net in order to facilitate rebound and tip opportunities for his teammates near the crease. His passes are usually crisp and accurate, and that includes his breakouts, which he can calmly complete under pressure from attackers. With his mobility and a well-timed stick, he exerts tight gap control, angling oncoming attackers to the boards where he then finishes them with a hit. With his enormous wingspan and quickness, he takes up a massive amount of real estate, cutting off huge swaths of ice.

As one would hope for a player of his size, he plays a physical brand of hockey- he's hard-nosed, but disciplined, with only 24 penalty-minutes to his name this season. He uses his size well to impose his will and bully his way around the ice, getting under the skin of opponents with how difficult he is to play against, and there's a distinct intimidation factor. He wins confrontations along the wall, boxes players out of the crease, and usually comes out of corner battles with the puck. Ralph has defensive acumen, and has learned good habits when defending. He closes on puck-carriers quickly, shuts down the cycle, and anticipates the play well enough to kill rushes before they ever reach the blueline. He aids in kicking off the transition with a good first-pass, after completing a clean retrieval. He gets big minutes at Shattuck, in all situations, and can play both sides of special teams with effectiveness. Ralph was ranked 61st in the latest rankings from Elite Prospects, so he's being noticed- although I would put him in the 4th, or 5th round. His ceiling is up to him and the hockey gods, but I can see a player like him being a good bottom-3 defender in the NHL. He is committed to St.Cloud State in 2025-26.

C/LW Jamiro Reber was enjoyable to watch at the U-18's, and though he didn't produce any points, it sure wasn't for a lack of trying. The 5'10", 172lb pivot was awarded a one-game suspension for a cross-checking incident in the opener against Czechia, so he finished with no points and minus-6 in 4 games, with 27 penalty-minutes for the Swiss. Though he hails from Switzerland, Reber wisely played this season for HV71 J20 in Sweden, picking up 11 goals and 39 points in 46 games to go with 33 PIM, and added another 2 points in 2 playoff games. Those regular-season numbers put him in a tie for 40th overall in scoring, but he was 18th in assists. He also participated in the World Junior Championship for the Swiss, with 1 point in 5 games, and chalked up 3 points in 4 games at last summer's Hlinka Gretzky. JR is one of the youngest prospects in the draft, with a September 4th birthday.

Reber is a highly creative playmaker with swagger, and he was conjuring up high-danger plays aplenty to teammates at the U-18's who simply couldn't finish them. He sees seams that few can, and has the passing skill to exploit them, connecting through traffic, often across the ice. He is blessed with high-end IQ and intelligence, and displays sharp awareness in all 3 zones. JR is poised and confident with the puck on his blade, and knows how to manufacture space for himself and his teammates, while moving around with his head up to study his surroundings. In order to traverse the ice unscathed, he uses advanced deception in the form of head fakes, dekes, feints, and changes in speed and direction to go with his quick hands and smooth stickhandling. He exerts uncommon puck-control, and boasts plenty of small-area skill and quickness to shake off attackers. To augment his elusiveness, he is an excellent skater with quick acceleration who can beat defenders wide or separate in open ice, and he owns strong edges and agility to turn on a dime, or pivot away from checks. On the forecheck, he's like a dog on a bone, hounding puck-carriers with stick slashes and poke-checks, picking pockets and playing with intensity to win pucks. Right now, he's not a big shooting threat, but he will go to the net to create chances, or cut inside to the slot without fear. On the powerplay, he quarterbacks the offense from the half-wall, prying open lanes to connect with teammates in high-danger.

Despite his lack of size, Reber looks tailor-made to play down the middle and understands the duties of a centerman, applying disruptive defense in all 3 zones. He takes away the middle by intercepting passes and causing turnovers, and makes it hard for the opposing team to cross the blueline, with an effort to kill the rush in the neutral zone. In the defensive zone, he's highly aware and hard-working, switching off with his D to keep the net covered, and helping them out down low and in the corners with an active stick and superb positioning. He gets time on the ice in man-down situations, and is a heads-up penalty-killer. Reber is competitive with high motor, even in times when the game has gotten out of hand, and out of reach for the Swiss- which is a lot of the time. Though he isn't really a physical player, he's pretty chippy as his penalty-minutes would attest, and will make his presence known with some little slashes and a crosscheck or two here and there. For the next level, there's the obvious work needed on his strength, as he can be overpowered, but it's a must that he gets better in the finishing department and further develop his shot to diversify his attack, making him less predictable and giving him another way to contribute. There are times when he fades into the background and becomes invisible, so he has to make sure he keeps his feet moving at all times, and stays in pursuit of the puck. Look for him in the late rounds, but he could be a steal.

RW Ryder Ritchie (say that three times fast) is a Calgary boy, and the son of former Flame Byron Ritchie, as well as the nephew of Andreas Johansson- another former Flame. Currently, he is toiling with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, who sit at 15th overall, picking up 31 points in 34 games- although he is injured right now. It's puzzling as to why his production this season has flatlined, as he amassed 55 points in 61 games in 2022-23, totals that would foretell of much greater draft year numbers. Berkly Catton, for example, had 55 points in 63 games in 2022-23, and is currently on pace for well over 100 points, and although they are different players with different skillsets, their respective situations are quite similar. Prince Albert went from 18th overall last year (19th in goals-for) to 15th this season (14th in goals-for), whereas Catton's Spokane Chiefs were 21st last year (20th in goals-for), and 19th (13th in goals-for) in this year's campaign. Ritchie was second in scoring to Catton for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and tied for 4th in the tourney, with 9 points in 5 games, and both players were standouts. Eliteprospects has him listed at 6'0", 174lbs, although most other publications have him listed as being smaller. Ritchie is a far better player than his stat line would indicate, and he's an offensive talent with high-end skill, IQ, and vision.

Ritchie appeared to have a clunky-looking skating stride in my viewings at the Hlinka, but his rather upright stance and choppiness generated surprising power and quickness. Even without perfect skating, he owns excellent speed and acceleration, but perhaps not the greatest balance. He's fantastic on his edges, giving him the escapability to shake off checkers. Scouts rave about his puckhandling, and he's confident with the puck on his stick, with great 1-on-1 skills to make opponents look foolish. Ritchie is a dual threat offensive winger, with an attack mentality, but he specializes in goal-scoring. His shooting has built-in deception, with the ability to change the angle of his stick in motion in order to fool goalies. He has a deep arsenal of hard, accurate shots with pinpoint accuracy, and a sublime release. He possesses good hands in tight as well, with a nose for the net, and the ability to beat goalies with toe-drags and dekes. Even though he likes to shoot a lot, he's also a talented playmaker with creativity and vision, who can generate a ton of chances.

Though he's obviously an offensive specialist, Ritchie is an effective player in the other 2 zones as well. As one would expect, his speed, puck control, and elusiveness make him the ideal candidate to lead the rush. He's defensively aware, and exhibits good positioning with an active stick- although he has been criticized for his urgency in this area. He can come off as a bit lackadaisical from time to time when it comes to backchecking. He has no fear, and wins puck battles with sheer tenacity, but he needs more strength to help him for when he turns pro. Ritchie, like his Father, has guts, high motor, and a great work ethic. He's a sure-fire first-rounder.

Most of us who are avid draft followers are often guilty of becoming enamoured with certain prospects over others, and I'm perhaps the worst. Last year, I kept touting the names of two defensemen who I really liked for the second/third rounds, in Tristan Bertucci and Quinton Burns. I didn't see my wish of the Flames picking up one, or both, of these players (and I'm not sure they were even interested), as Bertucci was picked in the 2nd round by Dallas, and Burns went in the 3rd round to St. Louis. It's all good, as I was more than fine with who we got, but I may have to start up a similar campaign this year in regards to another defenseman, 6'4", 195lb righty, Colton Roberts of the Vancouver Giants. I'm not the only one who likes this kid, as Central Scouting has given him a "B" rating- meaning they feel he's a 2nd, or 3rd-round pick, and the Giants picked him 11th overall in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. Roberts is currently 2nd on the team in scoring for D, and 14 points ahead of the next highest-scoring D, with 7 goals and 21 points in 46 games, to go with 43 PIM. Pretty respectable when one considers that Vancouver currently sits in 16th place out of 22 teams, and has the 5th-worst goals-for.

If you're wondering how Roberts would look on a better team, consider his performance in the CHL Top Prospects Game for Team Red, though it's a small sample size: 2 primary assists, 4 shots to lead team Red, and a +3 that led all skaters. Very noticeable all game as well. In the on-ice testing leading up to the prospects game, Roberts finished 3rd (and had 6 top-5 finishes) amongst 14 WHL players- including 2nd place in "transition agility with puck", and 3rd place in "30m backwards skate with puck". This is an indication of how good a skater he is, and he can use his mobility to drive play. He's a strong, all-around player who is excellent at both ends of the ice, and has a better offensive game than his stats suggest. He's a sneaky-good playmaker, and a skilled passer, who can connect perfectly through traffic to high-danger. His point shot has velocity and accuracy, and he gets it on net with regularity. He distributes well from the line, but has top-notch vision and anticipation in all 3 zones. He's getting more and more confident in carrying the puck, will join the rush (at he showed at the Prospects game), and he handles the puck quite smoothly. He's strong defensively, eats minutes, competes hard, and has a solid dose of truculence. He's very hard to play against in a number of ways. Roberts needs to fine-tune some of the details in his game, and can be caught puck-watching while losing his man, but I love this kid. Second round all day.

(Profile from 2023 draft) 

C/RW Anthony Romani is a middle-six player for the OHL's second-best team, the North Bay Battalion with 23 goals, and 43 points in 66 games. The 6'0", 176lb Romani is already a fairly polished player in two zones, but he needs work in the offensive end of the ice. The good news is that he's one of the OHL's best even-strength finishers per 60- the only players equal to, or better than him were Shane Wright, Brendan Othmann, and Sasha Pastujov. Surely, his goal-scoring total would be much better-looking if he was playing further up the lineup in North Bay. Still, scouts say he doesn't attack the middle like he should, and he doesn't create the kind of space for himself or his teammates that he should. He simply doesn't faciltate, or take charge in the offensive zone right now like he does in the other two zones, he's more reactive than creative, and doesn't have the greatest passing game at this time. Surprising, considering how positive his game is in other areas. In transition, he's able to make long-range passes up to breaking teammates, or he weave through the neutral zone with full control- and there's deception in his game in this area. Defensively, he's active, with smart positioning and an aggressive, competitive, mentality. Most of his physical tools, including his skating, are hovering around average. He's been projected to be a bottom-6 defensive player in the pros if he can clean up some of his deficiencies, but I wonder if there's more here. If he can apply the same skills to his offense that he shows in other parts of his game, and gets more ice-time as veterans depart, he might look like a different player in the next few junior seasons.

I think if he does get picked, he may have to wait until the later rounds. He's having a stellar season though.

LHC Heikki Ruohonen is a name I keep seeing this Draft season, but I have to confess- I don't know too much about him, and there's not a lot of info out there to digest on him. I have watched a couple of games that he participated in, at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but I didn't take note of him. It would seem I'm not the only one, as this young man has only really started to make waves this season, with some stellar numbers. In international competition for Team Finland, Ruohonen has been used as a defensive C, but even then, he showed flashes of high offensive skill. At this time, he has so far amassed 19 goals and 45 points in 36 games for Kiekko-Espoo of Finland's U-20 league, and wears the "A" for that club. He's the main offensive play-driver for a low-scoring squad, and doesn't have the deepest supporting cast to help him out- he's 7 points ahead of the next highest scorer on his team, 20 points ahead of the player in third place, and leads the team by 7 goals. In January, he was the most productive player in the U-20, with 14 points in 6 games. What is disappointing, and concerning, is that he hasn't yet had a call-up to one of the higher men's leagues, as most prospects in Europe get at his age. He's quite young for a draft-eligible player, with a June 19th birthday, and he stands 6'1",196lbs.

Ruohonen's has some stirling fancy stats that show him to be an elite two-way player, with excellent tracking data defensively. According to what little I've read, he has vision and IQ, and can spot teammates in the slot with high-end passes. He can power through the neutral zone for nice entries, and is inside-driven with the puck. He shows manipulation skills through his handling and body orientation. Ruohonen is "relatively quick", and leans into opponents on the rush to beat them to the inside lane. Sounds to me like he needs to improve his skating. At any rate, keep an eye on this player...

There was a time a few years back when LHC Joona Saarelainen was considered to be one of the top 2 or 3 Finnish players in the U-16 age group, but it seems he's not even in the top-3 rounds of most lists these days. Saarelainen wears an "A" for KalPa's U20 team, where he has registered 13 goals, and 36 points in 41 games, with a cup o' coffee on their Liiga team, picking up 1 assist in 8 games. Finland's international U-18 teams have been missing some of their stars this season, so players like Saarelainen have had to step up, but the results for him have been mixed- he captained the Hlinka team, and only finished with 2 points in 5 games, but he really turned heads at the U-18 Five Nations, where he was tied for the tournament lead, with 6 goals in 4 games, which accounted for half of Team Finland's goals-for at the event. The big knock against Saarelainen is his size- he's only 5'9", 176lbs, but if you're going to pick up a small player, this is the kind of profile you want that player to have.

Saarelainen is a playmaker, who makes teammates around him better, and best of all- he drives play. His hockey sense is top-notch, and he has a well-developed passing game, where he can pass through traffic to high-danger consistently, off of either side of his blade, even through feet, over sticks, and through triangles. His deception game facilitates everything he does, and he has an acute knowledge of how to find, create, and open space- he's proficient at drawing defenders towards him, then passing against the grain to the open area. He's a quick skater, perhaps not a blazer, but he can beat most kids his age in puck-races with his high motor, and by keeping his legs pumping hard. His low center of gravity gives him uncommon balance, making him solid on his skates, and hard to knock off the puck. He's very strong on his edges, and very agile, which helps him in small areas, and gives him lateral quickness to elude danger. To augment these abilities, he has fast hands and is a stickhandling wizard with high-end moves to burn opponents, such as fakes, dekes, and toe-drags- he moves through checks with the puck seemingly on a string. 5 Nations aside, he's usually not a huge threat to score, but has certainly shown the ability to finish- although he was used primarily as a winger in that tournament, which might give him better looks. He owns a good shot with a quality release, but needs to add more power to it- he gets a lot of his goals by changing the angle of his blade to make his shots hard to read for goalies, and by using opponents as screens. He finishes in-tight by beating goalies 1-on-1, and going to the net to cash in on rebounds.

One of Saarelainen's main strengths is his ability to drive the play in transition, often going coast-to-coast for both exits and entries with control, several times a game. He can stickhandle with a couple of defenders draped over him, when he's not going through, or around them. Despite his size, he plays a fairly robust physical game, complete with hits to dislodge pucks, and the ability to win battles in all of the greasy areas- he's not afraid to go to war along the wall, in the corners, or in front of the net. His low center of gravity helps him to stay on his feet after delivering a hit, or receiving one. Saarelainen plays with high-end motor, never letting up, and never giving up on plays, keeping his feet pumping and staying active. He's got impeccable character, works hard, and respects the game, setting an example for teammates- he's put the Finns on his back a few times. His defensive game is another big plus- he's highly aware, never outworked, and engages with his body. Opponents get frustrated with his relentless puck-pursuit, and the excellent use of his stick to break up plays, and turn the puck around into swift exits. His off-puck game is exemplary in all 3 zones- he makes himself always playable, and is constantly in the right place with solid positioning.

Only Saarelainen's offensive game is in question, as his numbers in the J20 from this year and last are not that impressive. He already plays a mature, well-developed game when it comes to defense and transition, and the underlying numbers confirm that he's a stalwart in these areas. It has been said that he's a natural center, but I wonder how he would do on the wing in league play for an extended period of time- I can't see him playing center at the next level at his size anyway. I think he'll be picked in the 4th, or 5th round. "Saarelainen" means "Islander" in Finnish, btw...

I've been avoiding doing a profile of 6'7" 190lb C Miroslav Satan Jr, partly because I wanted to see how he would look in the U-18 Tournament, and also because most who have watched him play say that he probably won't get drafted. Satan Jr. played mainly for HC Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia's U20 league this season, and posted 30 points in 26 games, which was good enough for 28th overall in scoring, and 17th in ppg. It's important to note that Slovakia's main Junior league is a decidedly weaker league than those in other countries. How is his U-18 tournament going? Well, Slovakia lost 9-0 to team USA in the opener, and then were upset by Latvia, 5-3, with Satan playing 11:06 and 9:37 respectively, picking up no points and a -1. That's not necessarily an indictment of Satan as the coaches have been heavily leaning on the team's top players, and giving them the lion's share of the ice-time. It isn't really a good sign though....

First thing I noticed about Satan besides his enormity, is that he has excellent speed for a player his size, even getting his jersey flappin' behind him as he flew up the ice. Though his stride looks slightly awkward, he's seemingly light on his feet, with surprising acceleration and top-speed. He can cover a lot of real estate in a short time. His reach is enormous, and it allows him to protect the puck well. Satan is huge, but doesn't seem to use his size at all, instead relying on his stick and positioning to be disruptive. From reports, he can advance the puck well in transition by carrying, but has the passing skills to push the pace through the neutral zone, and out of the defensive zone. He will go to the net to park himself in front in order to set up a screen and make himself a threat, but I don't see any quality IQ or vision. He looks to have a good one-timer for the Slovak league, but his wrister is weak, and his release is slow. Watching him against the Americans, he showed good positioning on the backcheck, looking to take away the middle, and positions himself deep to be able to support his goalie and his defensemen down low. He is said to be defensively responsible, but seemed to coast a lot, and did a little too much puck-watching.

Satan was drafted in Round #16 of the 2023 USHL Draft, at 242nd overall, by the Chicago Steel- so I hope we can get a good look at him over here in North America. People have been saying that his 2024 NHL draft stock depends alot on his performance in the U-18's, and if so- he's off to a very bad start, as he had no impact on the game against the Americans in the slightest, and was largely invisible despite his size. Don't get me wrong, not many other players on Team Slovakia moved the needle either, but I would say that based on talent and ability, he shouldn't be drafted. Based on size and name recognition however, I could see an NHL team taking a flier on him in the later rounds. Sorry, Satan fans... 

Normally, I would preface a profile of a Junior A player by disclaiming that projections of their game should be tempered because of the lower level of competition they face each game. That's still the case with 6'1", 175lb LW Logan Sawyer of the Brooks Bandits, but he proved himself (and raised his draft-stock significantly) in December's World U19 Junior A Challenge, where he was tied for 14th in tournament scoring with 6 points (3 goals) in 6 games for Canada West. What makes that significant is that the event featured players like Trevor Connelly, Mac Swanson, Alex Zetterberg, and Lucas Pettersen, with Sawyer outscoring the likes of Melvin Fernstrom, Linus Eriksson, Bruins' draftees Chris Pelosi and Beckett Hendrickson, Pens' draftee Zam Plante, and Alex Blais, among others. Sawyer was arguably Canada West's best player against Team Sweden, who sent their "A" team to compete, with a goal in a 4-2 loss. Sawyer and his teammates in Brooks were caught up in the controversy that saw several teams in the AJHL defect to the BCHL in mid-season, so his season was split between the two leagues with 59 points (26 goals) in 39 games. Sawyer was top-20 in scoring in the GTHL U16 in 2021-22, a league that featured several top prospects for the 2024 Draft, and outscored Jack Pridham and Dean Letourneau in Prep school scoring last season, at Stanstead College.

Sawyer's main asset is his shot, which is good enough for any league, and it comes with a deceptive release. It's hard and heavy, and he can pick corners with it. He can change the angle and the release point of the shot to stun goalies, and has some nice moves and deception to slice his way inside for shot opportunities. He's also a net-front presence, able to convert rebounds, and cash in on scrappy goals- he has the hands to beat goalies in-tight, and seems to like to target water bottles by roofing pucks. In Junior A, Sawyer is an excellent skater who can separate in open ice, beat defenders wide, and even go end-to-end; against better competition however, his speed is exposed somewhat. In reality, he's a little above average in the quickness department, far from a burner, and needs work on his edges as he takes wide turns and loses speed in doing so. His first few steps are sluggish and in need of more explosiveness, and his acceleration needs work. Fortunately, he keeps his legs pumping hard and is always in motion, which masks any deficiencies in his mobility to an extent. Another thing that helps is his quick hands and superb 1-on-1 moves that help him to stickhandle through traffic, and the way he uses deception to manipulate his way through tight spaces. He's highly elusive, hard on the puck, and protects well, making it difficult to strip him of possession.

Sawyer is a pest on the forecheck, and causes havok- he uses well-timed pokechecks to dislodge pucks, and turn it into offensive chances. He's equally a playmaker as he is a scorer, and he sees the ice well with high-end anticipation. In transition, he's a solid contributor and can carry from one end to the other, making clean entries with control, and he creates well off the rush. He has a relentless motor, stays active, and plays with tons of energy. He attacks the middle on both sides of the puck, and is considered to be a good 200-ft player who supports his D down low and is able to angle attackers to the outside. Sawyer is quite skilled, but raw, and has the ceiling of a middle-6 complimentary winger. He was drafted into the OHL in the second round, 41st overall, by the Erie Otters, but decided to take the path to the NCAA, beginning in Junior A. He is committed to Providence College in 2025-26, taking a fairly similar route to Mark Jankowski, who was drafted out of Stanstead College and played for Providence. Look for Sawyer in the 3rd, or 4th round.

The Oshawa Generals may be a middling team, with a win% of .550, but as a team that's been retooling the last few years, they've actually improved from a 16th place finish and a win% of .426 in 2022-23. Derek Laxdal was brought in as coach in 2022, and the teams goals-against has improved from 3rd worst to 9th best this season in the OHL, and the goals-for has improved from 14th in 2022-23 to 7th-best currently- and that's with Calum Ritchie missing 17 games. Why then has RW Beckett Sennecke's offensive numbers not taken a huge step this season? 

In 2022-23, Sennecke amassed 55 points in 61 games, and this year he's so far collected only 32 points in 37 games- on pace for 56 points in 65 games. True, the Gens are going through some growing pains, but I expected this player to be well over a point-per-game. Berkly Catton, as an example, had 55 points in 63 games in 2022-23, and is currently on pace to get 112 points in 68 games. Different players, different leagues, I suppose. It's hard to blame Beckett for some inconsistency though, when one considers that in just 2 years, he's grown from 5'10", all the way up to his current height of 6'3". That's an adjustment that would affect anyone's co-ordination and mindset. At any rate, there's a reason why he's pegged to be picked in the middle of the first round (besides his obvious physical attributes), and that may be the simple fact that he's a much better player than the numbers he's putting up this season. As a 6'3" power-forward with skill, Sennecke gets criticized a little too harshly for his mobility- his stride can sometimes be short and choppy, without the necessary power to get going, but that may be an issue with his rapid growth. Anyone who cares to watch him play will see that he's actually a good skater with adequate, perhaps not great, top speed and finely tuned agility and edges that help him immensely in small spaces. His east/west movement gives him excellent elusiveness. 

The main deficiencies are in his balance, and his explosiveness- both of which need work, as he can fall in traffic or lose footing when shooting or battling for pucks. These things most likely weren't concerns for him when he was 5'10". More strength will fix most issues, and improve his linnear speed. To me, it's not really a concern, especially because he exhibits smooth puckhandling and control, as well as puck protection. He can weave in and out of traffic with full control. Sennecke is a dual-threat with fine playmaking, as well as a booming shot. He can beat goalies with his wrister and one-timer, to go with a nice release, but he also likes going to the net as a screen and scoring from in tight. It is said though, that he needs to increase his accuracy, as he misses getting it on net a little too often. 

Sennecke is quite skilled, and has vision and IQ, but also plenty of deception when passing and shooting. He knows how to draw defenders to him, thus opening space for his teammates. He is at his best when engaged physically, but like other facets of his game, he can be inconsistent in that regard. When dialed in, he's a menace on the forecheck, and down low, and he's great along the wall and cutting inside to the net. He works hard in puck battles to win possession. Sennecke can be a good 3-zone player, and is helping out the transition much better this year, but must improve his consistency in these areas by bringing the same intensity that he applies in the offensive zone. He has shown the ability to be a thorn in the side of attacking players by limiting their time and space, and applying constant pressure and physicality, but he doesn't do it all the time. I really like this player, and when he fills out, he's going to be an absolute beast.

May 2024 Update: 

Sennecke finished top-5 in 4 skating categories in the on-ice testing leading up to the Top Prospects Game, and was 4th-overall. That write-up is from January, and Sennecke went on a bit of a tear to end the season. From January 19th (when I did the profile) until the end of the regular season, he put up 36 points in 26 games, which is prorated to 87 in 63 games (Sennecke missed 5 games), or 94 points in 68 games if he played all year at that pace.

LHD Roman Shokhrin of Loko-76 Yaroslavl in Russia's MHL was given a "B" ranking by Central Scouting at the beginning of the season, denoting a possible 2nd, or 3rd-round pick this summer. It could be because he is yet another huge Russian defenseman with an absolutely wonderful skating stride, and uncommon agility for a player who measures 6'4", and 198lbs. It could be because he's a minute-muncher who contributes in all areas of the game. It could be because, despite his rough exterior, he has soft-touch skill. Shokhrin put up 12 points and 24 penalty minutes in 28 games for Loko.

I loathe to use this comparison, but Shokhrin looks sometimes like a figure skater, or a ballet dancer on ice. He moves gracefully and fluidly, with the ability to start and stop on a dime, and pivot instantaneously. At his size, he's an intimidating physical threat, but doesn't use his body nearly enough; instead, he chooses to be disruptive with his stick, long reach, and positioning. Like his skating, his stickhandling is quite smooth, and he can move around in small areas with ease. His wingspan helps him protect the puck, and hold off checkers. These puck skills shine when he's carrying through traffic in transition, as he has a number of moves and layers of deception to manipulate opponents, and get around the ice with grace and finesse. His contributions to transition are one of the big pillars of his game, and he can kick off the breakout with a quality first-pass, but he can also really push the pace by stretching the ice with a long-bomb. In retrievals, he scans well and makes quick, accurate decisions under pressure for a seamless switch from defense to offense. His passing game is solid, but he's more of a facilitator than true playmaker, and he can complete spin-o-rama passes to simultaneously avoid checks, or pass one-handed around an attacker.

Shokhrin can walk the line to open seams when his team is installed in the offensive zone, but he doesn't pinch too often from the blueline unless it's to keep the puck alive along the boards. He ditributes well, and stays at the point position to support his teammates as a pass option on the cycle, and to keep an eye on his defensive responsibilities. In his own zone, Shokhrin should be a stalwart, but his defensive game is inconsistent- sometimes he's a dominant play-killer, and sometimes he's caught floating and puck-watching. When he's on, he displays tight gap control, and shows the ability to close fast and smother entries.Other times, he allows attackers too much space on the rush. He can be very aggressive defensively, hounding puck-carriers, and angling opponents out of danger. He possesses a high level of anticipation, and uses his massive reach and active stick to shut down lanes, strip the puck, and turn the play around quickly. Shokhrin is another raw prospect, and needs time to iron out his decision-making, which can be inconsistent when facing pressure- sometimes he forces plays and rushes passes that aren't available. Above all, his compete has ebbs and flows, as sometimes he's intense, and other times he's invisible. This is a kid who is much more potential than finished product, and has all the tools that scouts like. Look for him in the 4th round.

LHD Matvei Shuravin has been listed as an "A" by Central Scouting, betrothed to be a first-round pick- but perhaps they jumped the gun a bit. Shuravin has played this season in the MHL (7 points in 22 games to date), the VHL (7 points in 22 games to date), and even the KHL (2 points in 10 games to date), but has not registered a goal as yet. He's a 6'3",195lb defensive D-man with mobility, who plays huge minutes against other teams' top players, and keeps chances low. He has looked impressive playing against men in the KHL and VHL.

Shuravin plays a mature shutdown game with great awareness of where to be, has proactive positioning that can kill rushes as early as the neutral zone, and stops plays before they develop. He can snuff zone entries with preventative awareness. He has a built-in understanding of angles and gaps- he smothers opponents along the boards, and uses his long reach to to strip pucks with well-timed poke checks. He's reliable, with top-tier defensive acumen and smarts, who picks off passes, and blocks shots.

Shuravin's offensive game, by contrast, is virtually non-existent at this point- he doesn't really venture that far inside the opposing team's blueline, although strangely enough, he's a bit less conservative in the higher leagues as his MHL team is not very good. There, he's been seen to pinch the odd time, but he otherwise doesn't try too much offensively. He's a fine distributor from the blueline, keeps the puck in the zone, can make the odd crafty pass to high danger, and he also has a bomb of a shot- which he definitely doesn't use enough. Shuravin has some offensive acumen that comes in flashes, and usually doesn't show up on a stats sheet. He's capable of making a simple first-pass, and can pass the puck in transition.

Shuravin could still get taller, as he's only 17, and his Father is 6'6". He's still developing physically, and needs to get stronger, fill out, and get faster. He's also quite raw, and some of his puck skills are below average- he bobbles passes, fumbles pucks, and makes ill-advised passes in the D-zone under pressure. I don't think he'll get near the first round, or the second, but most likely the third round of the Draft.

Watching 6'7",212lb LHD Anton Silayev is like spotting Bigfoot piloting a UFO- it's like seeing the impossible for the first time. The 17 year-old is already getting big minutes in the KHL, on a good team- Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod- and broke the record for points in that league by a U-18 defenseman, then broke the record for points by a U-19 defenseman, with 11 in 59 games to date. Right now, he's 1 point behind Avalanche 2023 first-rounder, Mikhail Gulyayev, and 3 points ahead of Arizona 2023 first-rounder, Dmitri Simashev.

Silayev is not just a good skater for a big guy, he's a flat-out great skater with the edgework of a player who measures 5'10"- he can stop and start, or turn on a dime. He has excellent 4-directional mobility, with long, powerful strides, and can cover an unbelievable amount of real estate in a short time. To think that he will probably get faster as he develops physically is scary. Despite the numbers he's put up, there's plenty of questions in regards to his offensive game, as right now, he looks to be more of a facilitator than actual creator- he doesn't get that involved in the offense. This may be due to the system his team plays, his role, or his coach, but any signs of a more dynamic offensive skillset come only in flashes, and not with regularity. He usually doesn't go too far past the blueline, and instead walks the line, keeping the puck alive in the zone, making simple passes, or putting shots on net to create havok, and give opportunities for rebounds to teammates. He will join the rush on occasion, but mostly as a trailer, and doesn't carry the puck as much as he should. He does a great job of getting shots through, and if he has support, he will pinch into the play. Silayev has shown a good off-puck game with spatial awareness, the manipulation to exploit open space, and the ability to weave in and out of holes in coverage, but he simply doesn't take many chances in order to create opportunity, at least not often at this level. It should be pointed out that, as impressive as his point totals are, he started the KHL season with 6 points in his first 6 games- that means he has 5 points in his last 53 contests. The numbers may not be painting the most accurate portrait.

Although Silayev is raw in many areas, and his offense might be up for debate, he's already a dependable defensive player, and a stabilizing presence for his team. He makes stop after stop against the rush, many times even before his opponents reach the defensive blueline. A huge swath of ice is covered by his enormous wingspan alone, even when he's standing still- never mind the fact that he can skate backwards faster than some can skate forward. He uses his stick very well to block lanes, and keeps a tight gap, angling attackers to the boards, where they are often finished with a big hit. He's a good shot-blocker, and has the proactive awareness to pick off passes. Silayev has shown that he can be a capable puck-mover under pressure, and is proficient at connecting on beautiful outlets, and the odd stretch-pass, and has even shown glimpses of play-driving capabilities by carrying the puck through transition on occasion, though he mostly defers to short passes and give-and-go's. He not the most robust physical player, but he uses his size well to leverage his way through traffic, push opponents off the puck, and box attackers out from the net. He will throw hits along the wall to separate man from puck, and grind the other team down. Laziness is not an issue with Silayev- he puts the work in, and is fully capable of eating big minutes.

It has to be emphasized that, not only is Silayev raw and underdeveloped, he is 17 years old and playing in the second-best league in the world against men. He is far from being a finished product, and the potential in this player is sky-high. Most of his issues, including his unwillingness to be more aggresive in the offensive zone, are mostly due to his age and immaturity. There are still plenty of mistakes with the puck to be worked out, as he can hold on to pucks too long, or get too fancy when passing, which results in giveaways. He can make bad reads in both ends of the ice, but has the speed to recover most of the time. The main problem may be the fact that he plays too cautious, presumably to avoid turnovers, and that may hamper him a bit. At any rate, this player oozes potential in all areas, and is an extremely unique and special player, who I believe will be the second D-man taken on Draft Day.

LHC Petr Sikora (No relation to former NJ Devil Petr Sykora, lol) has played the second-most games (22) in Czechia's top league for U-18 players, eighth-most for U-20 players, which bodes well for his future. He ranks 6th overall in U-20 scoring in that league, with 3 points for Ocelari Trinec. Most of his league play this season was in the U20 league for Ocelari Trinec, with 13 goals and 40 points in 30 games, and he's tied for 13th in the playoffs right now (tied for 1st in goals), with 5 goals and 7 points in 4 games. His regular-season ppg of 1.33 was tied for 9th overall for players with 10+ games. Sikora had 3 points in 5 games at the Hlinka, and 4 points in 4 games at the recent 5 Nations.

Sikora is another one of those "good at everything, but not elite at anything" types, who will need to round out his skill set for the next level, but has plenty of attributes that will translate well in the future. He isn't a play driver, but he can do a bit of everything, and plays a solid 200-ft game. Sikora isn't big, at 5'11", 170lbs, but he plays like a power-forward and an agitator, with a fairly robust physical game- his 32 penalty-minutes in 30 games are a reflection of his style. He can throw some big hits, and will go to war in the trenches against bigger players, winning pucks with ferocity. Sikora always seems to be in the thick of the battle, and has plenty of grit, and a big chip on his shoulder- he's a bit nasty and mean, and will dish out crosschecks, slashes, as well as some hacks and whacks to get opponents off their game. He's highly active and competitive, and not at all afraid to take a hit to advance the play. Sikora has playmaking skill, and is always a threat offensively- he often finds teammates in high-danger. He has keen hockey sense and good vision, with plenty of deception and manipulation in his game to mask his intent, and he has the presence of mind to to delay while the right play unfolds, rather than throwing the puck away. He has an excellent one-timer, and will cut to the middle for shot-attempts, but gets a lot of his goals around the crease, shoveling in rebounds, or beating 

goaltenders 1-on-1.

Sikora is a strong puckhandler with quick hands, and is good is small areas with his strong puck protection skills. He has a wide array of dekes and feints up his sleeve to move through traffic, and retains control under pressure. He's a good skater, although his stride looks a touch awkward, but he generates good power and acceleration- he could use another gear or two though, more explosiveness, and he loses some speed in turns. He's generally a skilled and intelligent player, whose off-puck game is a plus, as he seems to be in the right place at the right time in support of his teammates. Defensively, he backchecks as hard as he forechecks, and is considered to be responsible defensively. He breaks up plays with his anticipation, helps his D down low, and uses his speed and an active stick to hound puck-carriers. When he plays at the pro level right now, his game is toned down quite a bit, even though he doesn't have as much ice-time or responsibility in higher levels, and he's a bit tentative. He also often tries to do too much and forces plays, which can lead to turnovers, and he needs to make better decisions at a much quicker rate when playing pro. Sikora needs to add bulk to his frame, smooth out his skating, and he has to get considerably stronger, while rounding out his game. I'm thinking 4th/5th round.

For any good team to function correctly, you need a certain amount of guys who can fold the pastries, but you also need guys who can grill the steaks. If that's an acceptable analogy, then hand LW Lauri Sinivuori the barbecue sauce. Sinivuori does most of the heavy lifting for any line he happens to be on, such as battling in the hard areas for pucks, standing in front of the net and absorbing abuse, playing good D, and getting his teammates the puck in the middle of the ice. The 6'1", 179lb winger played mostly for HIFK U20 this season, finishing at 25 points in 34 games, with 28 penalty minutes, and the reason for the lacklustre numbers might have a little to do with the fact that his team lanquished near the bottom of the league, missing the playoffs and posting low scoring numbers. He was tied for 3rd in scoring for Finland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup though, with 3 points in 5 games, which was unfortunately another low-scoring team. Sinivuori plays a solid all-around game, and his coaches trust him in all situations.

Sinivuori showcases above-average IQ, awareness, and vision. He skates with his head up to map out his surroundings and choose his next move- he's primarily a playmaker, with a soft touch in his passing. There's a bit of power in his game, and he will drive the net to cause havok, but also to find open lanes to be ready for high-danger passes. He leans into defenders while cutting to the slot, and has fairly good hands to deke out goalies, get tips, and pounce on rebounds. Those hands are quick and skilled when it comes to puckhandling, with a fine touch for passing, but he usually keeps it simple- he doesn't hold on to the puck for too long though, instead relying mostly on quick touches. In transition, he defers mostly to his teammates to do the carrying, but he'll help out with give-and-go's. His wrister comes with good power, but he's not a huge threat to score, as he only potted 10 goals in the U20 this season. He plays aggressive, throwing big hits, and employing a grinding, physical game. He forechecks like a demon, and his tenacity and physical game helps to dislodge pucks- he has an unrelenting motor, and shows compete. Sinivuori is an excellent skater, with good agility and edgework to stop and start on a dime. He accelerates quickly, and augments his mobility by keeping his legs pumping hard with long, powerful strides to push pace, and win races to loose pucks.

Sinivuori's defensive acumen might be the biggest part of his game, and he can be a pure shut-down winger who gets deployed against other teams' top scorers, or he can be a glue-guy on a scoring line who handles the gritty stuff. He is blessed with good defensive IQ and awareness, and knows what opponents are going to do before they do it, giving him the ability to act proactively. He excels on the PK, puts his body on the line by blocking shots, and has the speed to close on attackers quickly, stripping them of the puck. He employs an active stick for poke-checks, and brings his physicality with him to the defensive zone, throwing hits to separate his man from the puck. It's hard to tell how Sinivuori's offense will develop, or how it will translate, but it's a good bet that he'll be a future bottom-6 winger who checks, kills penalties, and chips in a little offense here and there. Look for him in the 5th, or 6th round.

LHD Alexander Siryatsky made two debuts this season in Russia, with Stalnye Lisy of Russia's junior league (MHL), and had a three-game audition in the KHL with Mettalurg Magnitogorsk. Obviously, with Siryatsky being only 17 years old (quite young with an August 4th birthday), his game in each respective league was much different with the disparity in competition between the two, but his mature defensive game in the KHL got rave reviews with some saying that looked like he had been playing in that league for years, though he had no points through 3 games. Siryatsky plays more of a two-way game in the MHL, and those who watch him regularly say his offensive creativity is getting better all the time, as he gains more confidence. In 36 games with Stalnye Lisy he posted 5 goals and 19 points which, for a defenseman in the MHL, is not too shabby- even if that defenseman plays 20-plus minutes (often reportedly up to 26 minutes) as Siryatsky does. He was able to add 4 points in 6 playoff games, with 27 penalty-minutes on the side, before his team was eliminated. This young man, who by the way stands 6'2" and weighs 159lbs, is seeing his stock go up by leaps and bounds, congruent with how his game has grown throughout the year.

Siryatsky says he watches and tries to emulate Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, and while he might not measure up to them right now, he looks like he's been taking lessons from them in how to carry the puck up the ice with calmness and composure. He can move through and around layers of bodies, even going coast-to-coast at times, with his smooth stickhandling and his mastery of deception in the form of feints, head fakes, rapid changes of speed and direction, stops and starts, and dekes and dangles. Mobility wise, he's very fast and fluid with excellent acceleration and a good short-burst- he will only get faster as he gets stronger. Though he may not be elite in the speed department, his edges are extremely strong and smooth and enable him to move easily in tight spaces. His creativity is still a work in progress, but he's already a quality puck-mover who is always looking to advance the play, preferring shorter and simpler passes, or give-and-go's to get the job done. With his team installed in the offensive zone, he walks the line seamlessly to open lanes and manipulate opponents- he distributes well from the point position with crisp, accurate passes, and keeps pucks alive and deep. Unless it's the powerplay, he doesn't seem to activate into the play at all- this could be a coaching issue too, or a team system thing. He will step up to keep plays alive though, and pinch up the boards in performance of this task. He has playmaking potential, and takes a few more risks at the MHL level, where he's getting better and better all the time at making plays. His shot isn't very threatening unfortunately, and he wields it mostly as a playmaking tool to facilitate rebound opportunities for teammates. Siryatsky plays a cerebral game in all three zones, and employs a highly intelligent off-puck game, skating the right routes and finding the proper position to be in to make himself playable.

The hype is real- Siryatsky plays a nearly immaculate game in his own zone, and makes a huge impact on the game defensively. He's a very mature defender, and doesn't cheat the game- he's usually the last man to leave the zone, and the first one back. He's well-developed defensively, elite for his age group, and understands that preventing goals comes first, offense second. He has acute awareness and an ability to read the play and process quickly, while keeping his feet moving and staying active. He anticipates what's coming, then reacts proactively, killing the play early before it even unfolds. He exerts tight gap control, and closes quickly on puck-carriers using a smart stick to poke-check, or strip opponents of the puck. Siryatsky has a long reach as well, and is disruptive down-low and in front of his net. He is quick in identifying his man, and will stick to him like glue. He stood out defensively and racked up stops in limited ice-time in the KHL, playing simple, risk-free hockey without trying to do much offensively. He plays superb defense at his opponents' blueline, intercepting breakouts and keeping pucks alive, snuffing rushes before they even leave the zone. There's good value here in transition as well, with his ability to stretch the ice or make outlets in full flight, and he completes impressive retrievals using deception to give himself time and space. He scans cautiously and quickly, and exhibits patience in the way he waits for his teammates to get set up before sending his outlet up ice.

In the one game I watched him play, he made a few unlucky mistakes. Firstly, at one point he pinched to keep the play alive but fanned on the puck, and because he was in flight, he went past the puck which resulted in a catastrophic 2-on-1 goal against, as he left his partner hanging out to dry. Secondly, he whiffed on a breakout pass from the corner, sending the puck right to the slot where an oncoming attacker was streaking in alone, for a dangerous chance-against. Siryatsky has been criticized for holding on to the puck for too long at times, trying to find the perfect pass, which can result in the sudden loss of real estate in which to operate. When he bulks up and gets stronger, he will be a beast, and nearly impossible to go up against. This kid is amazing to watch, and flashes huge potential, but needs to keep developing his shot, skating, and offense. He's good enough to get third-round consideration, but I think he'll go in the fourth round.

LHD Will Skahan is a 6'4",212lb bruiser, who is trending to become a shut-down defender, without producing much offense, and yet- he has had the grade of "B" bestowed upon him by Central Scouting, meaning they believe he's a possible 2nd, or 3rd-round pick. Skahan has so far produced 9 points in 40 NTDP games (with 63 PIM), including 4 points in 14 games (with 45 PIM) in the USHL for the US Development Program. Will's Father was the strength coach for Anaheim and Minnesota in the NHL, and the BU Terriers in the NCAA, which might be the reason that Will is such a good skater for a player his size, with long, powerful strides, and smooth lateral agility. He was drafted by the Hitmen in the WHL US Prospect Draft, in round #2, 26th overall.

Few players illicit the kind of intimidation that Skahan does, with the size and snarl that he brings. He makes life quite miserable for opponents- he's highly physical, and punishes his victims. He's tough, plays very aggressively, and dominates along the walls, in the corners, and in front of the net. Skahan is a defensive stalwart, and a shutdown artist, who plays with an edge, and munches minutes against other teams' best players- hence the "B" grade. Against the rush, he steps up with big hits at the blueline, and keeps a smart, well-timed stick to make stops. He will angle opponents to the boards, and finish them with crushing hits. He skates backwards well, and keeps tight gap control which, when paired with his long reach, spells trouble for forecheckers. He exhibits solid positioning to apply pressure to attackers, and rob them of time and space, and is good at keeping them to the outside, thereby shutting down the middle of the ice. There's healthy defensive IQ in his game to proactively read plays, anticipate, and react. Skahan is hard-working, competitive, and wants to kill each and every play that comes his way. He's a regular on the penalty-kill, as well.

Skahan is not without skill, and shows signs of being puck-capable. With his head up to scan, he can connect on his outlets, and has shown success in moving the puck through transition with his breakout passes. He's a fairly reliable passer when keeping it simple, and staying away from unnecessary risks- when manning the point, he just keeps the puck in the zone, gets pucks to the net, and lets the forwards do their thing. If there's one standout offensive skill that Skahan has, it's his hard, heavy shot. Though Skahan has modest puck-skill, he's still quite raw, and is capable of cleaning up this part of his game, as his play with the puck is quite inconsistent. His decision-making is also deficient, and he lacks offensive instincts. He will never be a big points-producer in the NHL, but he must become more reliable with the puck on his stick. He was originally committed to the U of Wisconsin, but changed over to Boston College. Look for him in round 2.

The Everett Silvertips currently sit 3rd in the WHL, 2nd in Goals-For, and left-handed Tarin Smith leads their D core in scoring by 10 points, with 35 points in 52 games, which prorates to 45 points in 67 games. The Porcupine Plain, SK native has immense talent, but is more raw than most players his age, as he missed all but 8 WHL games last year due to a shoulder injury. Because he is so rough around the edges, he's flying largely under the radar, and was put on the "Players to Watch" list by Central Scouting, indicating their belief that he will be a 6th or 7th-round choice- but he's getting his share of attention lately, it would seem. Eliteprospects has him at # 37 overall. Everett drafted him 20th overall in the 2021 WHL Draft, so he was once a top player in his age group- and I believe he will be again.

Smith is very mobile and smooth, with fabulous footwork to evade checkers, and he can cover a lot of ground quickly. Watching him skate earlier this season though, I noticed that he looked a little unbalanced and uncoordinated when moving at top speed, much like a baby deer, and it messed a bit with his puck control. Hopefully that was just his rawness, and perhaps he's worked on it, as everything I've seen since looks quite good. He has excellent 4-directional speed, but perhaps could tune up his explosiveness. He's a creative force for the 'Tips from the backend, and is calm and composed under pressure. Smith is supremely skilled, and is a master of deception- he's so fun to watch, and his calling card is his big book of tricks that give him the extra second to make the more dangerous play. He is proficient in every hesitation, look-off, and fake, and he makes changes of speed and direction, with toe-drags and dekes- all while masking his objective with little tilts of his stick, and feet. His highlights are mostly of him skating with the puck towards an attacker, and deking them out of their skates- going around or through them, and proceeding to make the play he wanted- rather than throwing it away, or opting for the lesser play. He can use these same tactics to deke out goalies, as well. Smith has a wicked shot, and owns one of the best curl-and-drag shots in the draft.

Smith is also highly defensively aware, and his top-notch IQ gives him proactive positioning. He knows his angles, and drives opponents to the outside, or into the boards. He's not a fearsome hitter, but he can play a physical game, and has a bit of a chip on his shoulder- perhaps demonstrated by his 45 penalty minutes.He has an active, well-timed stick that he uses as a tool to block lanes, and disrupt plays. Because he's so raw, there has been plenty of miscues and mistakes that he's gradually weeding out of his game. His rush defense has improved, but he's still giving too much space to faster players. When he was drafted into the 'Dub, he was praised for his quality first-pass, but at the beginning of this season, he was throwing the puck away sometimes on the breakout, and making poor decisions from time to time. These areas of his game have improved significantly, but there's room to grow. He likes to stay at the blueline and run the offense, but he could pinch more. Still, Tarin Smith is one of the most skilled defensemen in this draft, and I'm betting that he'll be taken in the 3rd round.

There were many fans of Finland Hockey that were upset to see 6'2",180lb RHD Sebastian Soini left off the Hlinka roster, after all- he's been considered one of the top defensemen in his age group for a few years now. Even without a trip to that tournament, Soini has been busy enough this season with stops in Ilves' U18, and U20 leagues, and even a cup of tea with the top men's Liiga, with the longest stretch being on loan to Koovee of the Mestis- Finland's second tier, with 4 points in 23 games. Despite being amongst the youngest prospects in the upcoming draft with a June 10th birthday, he has looked solid, if not spectacular against men in limited ice-time.

Soini is a stalwart in the D zone, and is poised and patient with advance anticipation and awareness, proactive positioning, and airtight gap control. He will use his size and reach to break up plays, but has a fair amount of 1-on-1 skill, and is also a fearless shot-blocker. Soini's puck-movement game starts with his picturesque retrievals, and his ability to seamlessly convert the defense to offense with crisp, tape-to-tape breakout passes. He may not be a burner, but he's a smooth skater with 4-directional mobility and excellent balance and agility. He has the edges to pivot away from attackers, the east-west to get into lanes and block passes, and the backwards smoothness to maintain gaps. Soini will battle along the boards for posession, and uses his body to shield the puck, while also keeping the crease clean and tidy. He makes good decisions with the puck, particularly when making the first-pass, but has the skill and vision to pull off some high-end plays. Like most Europeans, he exhibits good puckhandling and control, and has built-in deception in his feet and stick to fool defenders, and beat them in one-on-one confrontations.

In 2022-23, Soini was the 7th highest scoring U-18 defenseman in the U20 league, at the tender age of 16, with 10 points in 28 games. It's hard to gauge his offense this season, as he's spent most of his time in a men's league, where youngsters like him are typically not given the ice-time or responsibility needed to put up numbers, but those stats suggest that the potential is there. In the Mestis, there are only currently 5 players under the age of 18 that have played there, and Soini has played the most games by far on that list, and is second in scoring to LW Ondrej Kos. Soini has a strong point shot, can find the passing lanes in the offensive zone, and has shown the ability to make smart pinches in the past. He needs to get stronger, and keep working on his speed, but I think he'll he be a middle-pairing D someday in the NHL. 2nd/3rd round.

Why is Norwegian LHD Stian Solberg getting first-round consideration? This season is Solberg's third in the Elitsiterien, Norway's top men's league, and his 11 points in 33 games to date are 3rd in that circuit for players under-20. Solberg played an average of 25 minutes a night for Norway at the WJC, in all situations, and came away with 2 points in 5 games- and a legion of scouts that left impressed. The 6'2",196 defenseman plays even bigger and stronger than his ample frame, with a hard and heavy throwback style, and a well-rounded, grinding physical game. As a top defensive-minded player, he plays tough minutes against the best players, eats minutes like Smarties, and is an intimidating hitter.

Much of Solberg's game is facilitated by his impressive 4-directional speed, acceleration, and change of direction. He's incredibly strong on his skates, has almost impregnable puck-protection, and has good balance, making him nearly impossible to move, or knock off the puck. He stays on his feet, even when delivering a big hit. His backwards skating is also excellent, giving him tight gap control. Solberg is proficient at defending the rush, stopping players in their tracks with hits, a well-timed stick, or by angling attackers to the boards. In the defensive zone, he shuts down lanes, targets opponents in high-danger, and bulldozes attackers in the crease. He has a non-stop motor, sky-high compete, and defends his zone with dogged determination. He will sacrifice his body to deliver an open-ice hit, or to block a shot. Though he acts as a wrecking ball, his hits are clean, and he only has 12 PIMs to date. He's excellent in retrievals, looking over his shoulder to scan for his next move, and seems to love driving the offense through transition- another area where he excels. Solberg is already a stalwart in the defensive end, but he has the high-end IQ, as well as the tools and positional awareness to be more. He keeps his offensive game simple, walking the line with his head up to scan for open lanes, and distributes well, while keeping the play alive. He also has an excellent snap shot that can fool goaltenders through traffic. He can create off the rush, and he knows when to pinch from the point. Simply put, Solberg has underrated offensive tools and upside.

Solberg was drafted in the 2nd round of the CHL Import Draft, 96th overall, by Regina of the WHL. I always have trouble projecting players from places like Norway, as it's not as much of a hockey country, and the competition is inferior, but scouts seem to love this kid. If there are weaknesses in his game, one is the fact that he tries to do too much on occasion, and another is that he can be too overzealous when he wins the puck in the defensive zone, causing turnovers. He needs to keep developing his offense, but he's being considered for the first or second round, with some saying bottom-4, two-way upside.

It has been a tumultuous season for the Windsor Spitfires, and not just because the team finished second-worst in the OHL, after finishing third overall in 2022-23 with a Division title and scoring the most goals as a team in the league, under then-coach Marc Savard. Jerrod Smith was named Head Coach after Savard departed the organization last summer, but was promptly fired four months into the 2023-24 season with the Spits in last place, leaving interim Head Coach Casey Torres in charge for the remainder of the season. One of the players that seemed to benefit from the coaching change was RHC A.J. Spellacy, one of my personal favorites, who put up only 13 points in the first 33 games of the current season, and didn't really look like a lock to picked in the 2024 NHL Draft. In the final 34 games however, he amassed 25 points for a total of 38 points in 67 games. He had 17 in his last 20, and 10 in his last 10, to boot. Spellacy was a football star back in his native USA, playing Free Safety and Wide Reciever, and turned down five NCAA Division 1 Football scholarships to sign with Windsor, and he surely would've had more if he had stayed back home for his final two years of High School. Spellacy was one of the final cuts from the USNTDP U-17 squad, and was Windsor's 3rd-round pick in the 2022 OHL Draft. Central Scouting rated him a "C" at the start of the season, pegging him as a potential 4th, or 5th-round pick. AJ took part in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Team USA, but could only manage 1 assist in 5 games.

Spellacy is a big power-forward, standing 6'3",195lbs, and is a true athlete with the drive to succeed, but he's still quite raw. One quality of his that is well-developed is his skating, as he's one of the fastest players in this year's draft crop. For a player his size, he's an elite skater who can cover an enormous swath of ice in a short time, and creates a ton of open space and time for himself to get into prime scoring areas. He makes his impression felt physically, and has a football player's mean streak. He plays a hard-nosed style, and drives opponents nuts with his tenaciousness, but he will also drop the gloves to defend himself or teammates. Spellacy is a good two-way player, and takes pride in his defensive game. He's one of Windsor's most reliable forwards, and has the speed and the wingspan to close on opponents fast, and to be disruptive. As with most true athletes, he is highly competitive, and brings energy to his team with his relentless motor. The most prominent offensive weapon in his arsenal is his finishing skills and his shot, which is hard and heavy. He has good hands around the net, and the 1-on-1 moves to beat goalies in-tight. Fans of the Spits say that he gets 2 or 3 breakaway chances per game, and some of those must be coming in man-down situations, as Spellacy is tied for 3rd in the OHL with 5 short-handed goals, which is almost 25% of his 21 goals on the season. In transition, he's highly effective using his quick lateral mobility to move around in traffic, and his enormous wingspan that gives him tight puck-protection.

Spellacy has been rocketing up the draft charts lately, so it's safe to say that NHL scouts have taken notice of his second-half production. If he doesn't develop as a scorer, Spellacy has the tools to be a bottom-6 energy player with penalty-killing duties in the NHL someday. He needs to work on his puck-skills and his playmaking, but I think he will open eyes next year in the OHL. I would be comfortable taking him in the second round, and I could see an NHL team doing the same, but I will say third round. Watch out for this kid.

RW Karl Sterner, who measures 6'3",187lbs, plays primarily for Frolunda's J20 team in Sweden, and has a stat-line that bears a striking resemblance to that of countryman Jack Berglund's- 15 goals, and 34 points in 45 games (Berglund did it in 41 games). One big difference between the two that tells a tale, is their penalty minutes- Sterner has 49, while Berglund has only 20, which reflects the differences between the two players' respective demeanors. Sterner took part in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Team Sweden, and came away with 1 goal in 4 games- I thought he was fun to watch, and I like this kid.

Sterner has a solid base of skills, and a wide array of physical tools, but is a bit raw. The best skill in his toolkit might be his size/skating ratio- he moves quite fluidly, with a long, powerful stride, and gets up and down the ice quickly. He's very agile for a big player, and has excellent small-area quickness, which helps him along the wall, and in traffic. His long reach and strength aids him in protecting the puck, along with the way he angles his body away from attackers- he will even throw a reverse hit to give himself a little more room. His stickhandling is smooth, and his hands are quick, and he can play a little keep-away while he scans for options. Sterner uses his size well as leverage when cutting to the middle, or crashing the net, and he controls the play along the walls. He owns a hard, heavy shot with a quick release, and has fairly high IQ and awareness in all 3 zones. His passing game is a plus, but I wouldn't necessarily call him a playmaker. In the defensive zone, he's quite sound, though not really a stalwart- his long reach and quickness help him create turnovers and kill plays.

Sterner's play away from the puck has been called into question, as he can stop moving his feet from time to time, while puck-watching- he needs to be more consistently involved. He uses his size well, but like Berglund, he could stand to use it even more to impose his will, as well as to intimidate and punish- though that may not be his game. He can sometimes lack intensity as well. Sterner will need plenty of time to develop his skills, and is a long way from fulfilling his potential- he's a big upside player. I'm going to guess 3rd/4th round.

If you were to confuse C/LW Teddy Stiga with his NTDP teammate, Christian Humphreys, I wouldn't blame you. Like Humphreys, Stiga has improved by leaps and bounds as a player in the last year or so, but his upwards trajectory has been much sharper than Humphreys'- particularly in the last few months, where he has gone from passenger to driver, and scarcely resembles the player he was last season. Stiga, who stands 5'10", and weighs in at 176lbs, currently sits at 59 points in 49 games, to go with 32 penalty minutes, which are pretty impressive numbers, and put him third in NTDP scoring behind Hagens and Eiserman. Stiga killed it in the 5 Nations in February, leading all scorers with 9 points in 4 games.

Stiga is an all-situations player, and is starting to show the ability to drive play. His feet are always moving, and he makes plays at high speed. He makes quicks reads, and reacts to what is coming at him, solving problems along the way. On the forecheck, he shows great hustle, and is highly disruptive- he's constantly in motion in the offensive zone, and covers a ton of real estate. With high IQ and anticipation, he finds, opens, and exploits space; he knows where teammates are going to be a few steps ahead of the play, and is a crisp, accurate passer. As a dual threat performer, he also packs an accurate wrister, with a snappy release- but he could stand to add more power to his arsenal of shots. His hands are soft, and he can beat goalies in tight after working the puck to the inside. Stiga has excellent speed, with smooth edges that provide him with his fantastic small-area game, spinning away from pressure, and outmanouvering opponents. He's a deceptive puckhandler, using all kinds of feints to manipulate opponents into going in the wrong direction. He's an asset in transition, and aids his teammates in completing clean exits and entries with control.

Stiga's off-puck game is a huge asset- he's always an option for a pass at the right time and place, and positions himself well to capitalize on opportunities. He plays with high energy, and oodles of pace, and his relentless motor might be his best quality- he never takes a shift off, and keeps his feet moving with, or without the puck. He seems to pride himself on winning battles, and overcoming his size deficit with work-ethic and will- he's unafraid to wade into battle in the greasy areas, and finishes his checks. Defensively, he's an effective player who brings his work-ethic and anticipation to the zone, never cheating for offense, and remaining on the right side of the puck. He's proficient at forcing mistakes and turnovers, and gets in his opponents' faces, to limit time and space with his body and efficient stickwork. His off-puck positioning is exemplary, and he's useful in this regard on the breakout, as he skates out at the right time to be an option for a pass. Stiga has rounded out his repertoire nicely, but any holes in his game are centered around his size- he must get stronger to help him win battles at the next level, and strengthening his shot is a must. Stiga is committed to Boston College, but it may be awhile until he can earn a top-6 role on that squad, as they are quite deep in talent. Look for Stiga in the 2nd/3rd round.

C Tuomas Suoniemi seemed like a world-beater in the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, amassing 9 points (including 5 against Canada in the opening game) in 5 games, finishing 4th overall in scoring, and looking every bit like a top-2 round pick in this year's draft- however, his league play in the last two seasons has left a little to be desired. The 5'11", 161lb center only recorded 8 goals and 26 points in 29 U20 games with Kiekko-Espoo, a rather middling club, and 1 goal in 4 games in the Mestis, Finland's second-highest men's league. Major credit has to be given to Suoniemi though, who was counted on to be an offensive leader for the Finns at the Hlinka, as they were without three of their big star players, and still made it to the Bronze-medal game, though they lost.

Suoniemi has top-tier IQ and awareness, and is seemingly a few steps ahead of the play at all times- he usually seems to be in the right position, and knows where his teammates are, and where they are going. He's leans quite far into playmaking as his primary offensive weapon, and sees passing lanes that most don't, with a variety of ways to get passes through- including backhands, and saucers over sticks. He can consistently find teammates with accurate passes to the slot, and to high-danger. Suoniemi is tremendously skilled, and a slick puckhandler with quick hands and 1-on-1 moves- he can open space up for himself with deception in fakes, feints, and dekes, and he can dangle opponents out of their drawers. These skills serve him well, as he's more quick than fast, as his mobility needs plenty of work, although he has good agility and shiftiness as an extra layer of elusiveness. His selection of shots are mostly adequate, with some accuracy and a quick release, but he needs to add more power and zip to his arsenal. He's good around the net, and has soft hands to capitalize on rebounds and loose pucks, and he can sneak in and out of high danger when he smells opportunities. He also exhibits proficiency in pouncing on turnovers and broken plays when forechecking.

Suoniemi's defensive involvement has improved, but still gets mixed reviews. He looked focused and able in the Hlinka, with good positioning and awareness, covering the middle well and helping out his D down low. In league play though, his effort and awareness have been questioned, and when he does engage in puck battles, he can be overwhelmed due to poor strength. His off-puck game has also been given some bad reviews, as he can look lost at times, and far out of position. He is not a physical player, and his compete ebbs and flows- he needs to build his strength and bulk, and add more intensity and physical involvement to his game. One reviewer said that he may lack the pace and speed necessary to play in the NHL, and that he doubts Suoniemi will even be picked in the draft. That lack of pace and speed certainly hurts his abilities in transition at the junior level, and his lack of an above-average shot in his arsenal keeps him from looking like much more than a one-dimensional playmaker at this point. I think that he'll still get picked in the later rounds, though.

Around the start of the current season, and before, C/RW Yegor Surin was knocked for his size, being listed at 5'10", and had some detractors who expressed concern that his smaller stature might keep him out of the NHL. These days, the narrative has changed for the most part, as he's being listed at 6'1", 190lbs, and is praised for his blend of size and mobility. Perhaps the discrepancy is due to the fact that Western media and scouts don't have the same access to Russian prospects as they once did. At any rate, Surin is one of the younger players in this Draft, with an August.1st birthday, and is 5th overall in scoring for the MHL (Russia's highest Junior League) currently, with 46 points in 37 games, to go with 104 PIMs, and a +31. He's had a brief cup o' vodka in the KHL, playing 3 games with no points.

Surin is a big, skilled center who plays a passionate 200-ft game, and has high-end IQ and vision- always skating with his head up to get the lay of the land, and select the next move in his methodical attack. He has excellent straight-line speed that allows him to separate from opponents, put them on their heels, and push the pace. Scouts gush about his elite puck control, and his smooth handling at top speed, that along with his air-tight puck-protection, gives him the ability to attack high-pressure areas. Surin has that inate ability to detect open spaces that others don't see, and the ability to draw defenders to him, thus creating conduits to get the puck through to teammates in high-danger. With his skills, speed, and handling, he is a play driver who finds the seams in open ice, and controls the pace with his ability to outskate and outmanouver opponents- and he can weave through layers of traffic. He's a balanced attacker who can make plays, but also has a great snap-shot that he can pick corners with, and slick hands in tight. Surin plays with an edge, and a very large chip on his shoulder, as his 104 penalty minutes demonstrate. He's always physically engaged, and loves to stir it up- he's an agitator and a pest who gets involved in every post-whistle scrum. One of the big knocks against Surin is his penchant for taking bad penalties. Surin forechecks and backchecks with equal ferocity, getting in the face of puck-carriers, lifting sticks, stealing possession, and applying physical pressure. He uses his stick quite well in separating man from puck. He has his head on a swivel going into the corners to retrieve pucks, in order to map out his next move.

Some still worry that his offense might not translate to the NHL, and others say he needs work on his lateral mobility in order to achieve more elusiveness. I think he'll make a great middle-6 player in the NHL, and I think he'll get picked in the 2nd/3rd round.

C/LW Mac Swanson has to deal with the fact that he's only 5'7", 165lbs, and yet- all he ever seems to do is put points on the board, everywhere he plays. The son of Brian Swanson (remember him?) sits first overall in the USHL in assists for the Fargo Force with 46, 2nd overall with 70 points in just 50 games, and 2nd overall with a +35. In 2022-23, Swanson was an All-Rookie Selection in the USHL, with 55 points in 57 games, and won the Anderson Cup with Fargo, while finishing 2nd in playoff scoring with 10 points in 9 games. He wore an "A" for Team USA at the Hlinka, producing 4 points in 4 games, and his 9 assists in the most recent World Junior A Challenge in Nova Scotia are a record in the 17-year long history of the tournament (he added 2 goals for 11 points in 6 games). Swanson, who looks like he's still in grade school, is considered a natural center, but plays mostly LW for Fargo.

Swanson leans heavily towards playmaking, and he's an offensive wizard who sports elite vision and creativity, making quick decisions and outthinking opponents. He's a top-tier playmaker, who creates something every shift- he's very unselfish and makes his teammates better. He sees the ice well in all 3 zones. To create room for himself and teammates, Swanson is quite polished in the art of deception and manipulation- he's adept at baiting defenders to approach him, then passing against the grain to open teammates. He will look off a shot, then pass to high-danger, and wrote the book on feints, fakes, and dangles. He is a high-level puckhandler with quick hands, and has the 1-on-1 moves to turn opponents inside out. To offset his stature somewhat, he's tenacious on the puck, and has a low center of gravity- making it hard to strip him of the puck, or push him off of it. Unfortunately, Swanson is not an explosive skater- more quick and light on his feet than fast, and doesn't possess any breakaway speed. He does, however, exhibit supreme edgework and lateral agilty, which gives him and extra layer of shiftiness and escapability.

Most of Swanson's goals are scored from the low slot, as he's not a dangerous shooter from further out with a shot that's not particularly powerful. He sneaks into high-danger areas around the crease to find openings to recieve a pass, or to pounce on rebounds, and has soft hands with some moves to beat goalies from close-in. Though he's quite diminutive, he's got the guts to go to the dirty areas to battle for pucks, and won't shy away from contact. He shows intensity in 50/50 contests, and will battle along the wall- he's a character guy, and a leader, who sets an example by working hard on and off the ice, as well as in practice. He's very driven to succeed, and committed to constantly improve. He seems to always be involved in the thick of the action, and he's hard-working, with an unrelenting motor. In transition, he mostly defers to teammates with quick puck-touches, and give-and-go's, but he's committed and aware defensively. Though he can be outmuscled, he will still engage physically, and uses an active stick to kill plays. His deficiencies are obvious, but he can't do much about his height- so he will need to get a lot stronger and faster, and develop his shot. In his draft year, Johnny Gaudreau was listed at 5'7", and posted 72 points in 60 games for Dubuque for a 1.20 ppg- Swanson has a ppg of 1.40, and has some of the same issues as Gaudreau to overcome, namely the size and skating. He is committed next year to the University of North Dakota. Look for him in the 5th, or 6th round.

RHD Arsen Taimazov was given the rank of "B" at the beginning of the season to denote a potential 2nd, or 3rd round pick- but it would be hard to discern why if you're only looking at his stats. The 6'4", 215lb Russian managed only 14 points in 40 games, with 31 penalty-minutes for MHK Dynamo Moskva of the MHL- the same team as Flames' prospect G Yegor Yegorov, in Russia's highest junior league. This kid is a natural athlete, being the son of famous Russian Olympic wrestler Artur Taimazov, and if you look him up on YouTube you will see that he too, was a beast.

The reason for Taimazov recieving such a high rating is twofold: firstly- he's a stalwart defensively, and secondly- he's an exceptional skater, especially for someone built like he is. While he might not be quite as blazingly fast as Simashev or Silayev, he's close, with a long and powerful stride that enables him to cut off huge swaths of ice when combined with his extra-long wingspan. He's uncommonly agile, with the ability to stop and start in a flash, and turn on a dime to elude checkers. He's fast in all four directions, and is always in motion with his feet moving. At this point, he lacks any offensive upside and doesn't contribute much in this regard to his team now. He doesn't hold on to the puck for any length of time, and keeps his passes short and risk-free. He is always the last man to enter the offensive zone, and once there he keeps pucks alive and sends them in deep. He distributes well from the line, but once again, he keeps things simple. The "wow" factor comes in the form of his long breakout passes, that he can really stretch the ice with, and they are usually crisp and accurate. Using his speed and his smooth stickhandling, he can carry the puck from end to end if he sees the opportunity. You might say that while he contributes very minimally in one zone, he's very valuable in the other two.

Taimazov anchors his team's blueline with a highly developed, mature game in his own zone. He's a stalwart defensively, elite for his age group, and very aggressive. He's a reliable minute-muncher, and spends a lot of his time on the ice killing penalties, and playing in important defensive situations. For this side of the game, he owns keen anticipation and high-end IQ, making good reads to kill entries, and racking up stops against the rush. With his size, speed, and enormous wingspan, he's an intimidating force and a daunting opponent to go up against- add to that his physicality, and you can see how he earned that "B" grade from Central Scouting. Taimazov keeps a tight gap, and will angle opponents to the boards where they are stripped of the puck with poke checks, or levelled physically. He stays in front of attackers, matching their footwork and striking at the right moment- it's almost impossible to shake him off. He protects his net well, and boxes opponents out from the crease. Taimazov may not have the highest ceiling, but he's a safe bet to make the NHL someday as a bottom-three stay-at-home defenseman. Look for him in round 3 or 4.

For LHC Luca Testa, it's been a tale of two seasons in his draft year, one that came before missing a month due to injury, and the one that came after. Before he got hurt, Testa started the season with 12 points in 13 games for the Brantford Bulldogs, but in the 35 games after he came back in late December, he was only able to muster 13 points. In a 20-game stint between January 13th and March 6, he only put up 3 points with a 12-game drought included, to conclude the regular reason with 14 goals and 25 points in 48 games, with 28 penalty-minutes. Very disappointing, as I was hearing his name a lot earlier in the year as a candidate to go fairly high in the draft. From what I can gather, Testa lost his spot in the lineup while he was away, and only played bottom-6 minutes for the rest of the year upon his return. While I'm hoping there isn't a reason for his demotion that's related to something extracurricular, an argument could be made that he would have had a hard time cracking a talented Bulldogs' top-six anyhow. The 6'0",165lb pivot was taken 15th overall by the London Knights in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, but was traded to Brantford in January of 2023 in a multi-player trade that saw the Knights aquire Ryan Winterton. The Bulldogs were eliminated in the playoffs by the Ottawa 67's in six games to conclude the 2023-24 season, and Testa didn't contribute any points.

When Testa is on and 100%, he makes an impact on his team's lineup, and he can push pace and drive play at times. He leans towards shooting and finishing over passing as his main contribution to his team's offense, and is blessed with lethal instincts. His shot is a little on the weak side, but his impressive release and remarkable accuracy make up for it, along with his ability to use defenders as screens. Testa expertly finds soft spots in coverage, and has a nose for the net, with the hands to beat goalies 1-on-1. He's very good in-close, and will drive the net to plant himself in front to swat in rebounds, and has the hand-eye coordination to tip, or bat in pucks out of the air. He plays hungry, aggressive, and highly disruptive on the forecheck with no fear in going to the hard areas of the ice to fight for pucks. Bigger opponents don't seem to scare him, and he can play a physical brand of hockey with some big hits to get his team going. Testa flashes some high-end playmaking ability, and demonstrates good vision- he can make complex passes to teammates in high-danger, and delays well in order to find the right play, rather than throwing the puck away, or forcing plays that aren't there.

Testa's skating is above-average perhaps, but he lacks high-end speed, though it helps that he works hard and keeps his feet pumping. His edgework is reasonably good, giving him some escapability, and some mobility in small areas. Despite lacking a separation gear, Testa is still able to push pace, and employs some smooth 1-on-1 dekes and dangles to move through traffic and make defenders miss. He can make defensemen look foolish with his deception game and puck-skills, and competes hard with high motor. Off the puck, he's a smart contributor with his capability in always being available with his stick on the ice for a high-danger pass, and is always a threat. He skates smart routes in support of the play. His defensive play is quite polarizing, and sometimes he looks lost, while standing still and puck-watching, and coasting on the backcheck. There are issues for him in indentifying his man, and he cheats for offense. On a good day, he pressures opponents diligently, removing all time and space, and levels hits to separate man from puck. He has the foresight to intercept passes, and force turnovers, but something isn't clicking for him in his own zone. Upgrading his defense is an absolute must, and he has to get faster and stronger, while upgrading his shot arsenal. Before the injury, I would have said that Testa could make the NHL someday as a middle-6 forward, but scouts might have short memories. Look for him in round 5 or 6.

RW/C Natan Teshome will likely never be a top-6 player in the NHL, and may not even be drafted, but there's enough here for a team to potentially want to spend a late-round pick on him. Teshome is a two-way player in junior, but is used internationally by Finland as a checker, and he fulfills that role quite well. No points in 5 games on the fourth line at the U-18's before the Finns were eliminated by arch-rival Sweden, who then went on to win bronze. He had a similar stat-line at last summer's Hlinka, posting no points in 4 games, but was a standout performer in the U-18 5 Nations Tournaments this season, with 3 points in 3 games at the November edition in Hameenlinna, Finland, but had only 1 point in 4 games in the most recent 5 Nations in February that took place in Plymouth, Michigan. He was named Player of the Game against the host Americans, despite getting no points in that particular contest. In league play, he produced 4 goals and 14 points in 37 games for Jokerit J20, but enjoyed a fairly good playoff performance with 5 points in 7 games. The 5'11", 165lb forward can play center or wing, and is still young by draft standards, with a June 9th birthday.

Though many scouts believe he deserves more opportunities to play up the lineup, Teshome already plays a fairly mature, translatable game and always contributes in a positive way to whatever team he's playing for. He knows his role, and plays his game, which is often that of a tenacious energy player who plays a mostly defensive game. He's highly active and competitive with an unrelenting motor, and I would dare say that he carries a presence when he's on the ice. He hounds puck-carriers, closing quick on his opponents and shutting them down in a multitude of ways using his keen anticipation and awareness, as well as his uncanny timing. He makes excellent reads, and causes more than his fair share of turnovers, interceptions, and stripped pucks, and can also pick the pockets of unsuspecting attackers. Penalty-killing is one of his specialties, and he performs his man-down duties with his sky-high workrate. Teshome is an excellent skater with a quick small-area burst who wins plenty of races to loose pucks, and can separate from most opponents in open ice. He is quite agile, and strong on his blades, though he appears light on his feet, and he doesn't shy away from the rough stuff, with the ability to win battles in the tough areas.

Teshome contributes well to his team's possession game, as he's confident with the puck on his blade, and manages it well under pressure. He will attack the middle and go to the net in the offensive zone, and has the moves to go 1-on-1 with goalies- there's footage of a few of his Michigan goals from past years floating around. On the cycle, he contributes well, but doesn't have a very scary shot to work with, although he can pick corners if he gets the chance. He is already a consistently good short-area passer, and has underrated skill in this area, but what differentiates him from other bottom-6 checkers is that he often teases high-end playmaking sense. He shows an ability to see the ice with top-notch vision, and get crisp, accurate passes through layers of traffic, and needs more opportunities in offensive situations to prove himself. To go with these flashes of offense, he demonstrates keen spatial awareness, and can find seams and open lanes to exploit his playmaking acumen. In the latest edition of the 5 Nations, he generated a plethora of chances for teammates, but he didn't get rewarded with any assists, unfortunately. If all works out, he could concievably one day make a good bottom-6, playmaking winger- but that's if he gets drafted...

There's a video on the internet depicting Swedish LHC Mans Toresson judo-flipping U-18 teammate Jack Berglund in J20 league play during a scrum. Toresson is a well-rounded forward with some grit and toughness, and can play all three forward positions. The Swedes took home the bronze with a 4-0 win over the surprising Slovaks in the U-18's, and Toresson wound up with no points in 7 games with limited ice-time and opportunity- but his game isn't about offense anyway. At last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he wore the "A" for Team Sweden, but only picked up a goal in 4 games, and produced a mere 11 points in 37 games for Frolunda J20 in league play this season, to go with 41 penalty-minutes. The 6'1",185lb forward did impress in the J20 playoffs though, with 3 goals and 4 points in 6 games.

Toresson is first and foremost a shutdown player with a potent defensive game, and supreme IQ and hockey sense in his own end. He's a superb penalty-killer with his speed and long wingspan, and is always flying in the face of puck-carriers to limit time and space, while causing mistakes and turnovers. He's fearless in blocking shots, and will help his D down low, with physicality. Toresson is an excellent skater with a powerful stride who can cover a long distance in a short time, win races to loose pucks, and cut off large portions of ice to attackers. He exerts energy and pace in his skating, and keeps his legs pumping. He's hard working, competitive, and a bit mean- he's stronger than his frame, and has an extra-long reach. He uses his physical attributes well to win battles, and plays a heavy game, finishing all of his checks. He plays with a high work-ethic, gives his team jump, and participates in all the scrums, coming to the aid of his teammates. On the forecheck, he's tenacious and physical to cause havok, and can close distances fast on opponents to smother them, sometimes with a thunderous bodycheck.

Toresson's IQ is helpful to him in all areas, and has the spatial awareness to find the soft spots in the offensive zone, but there's not much offensive upside here at this point. He will go to the net to cause havok, screen the goalie, and perhaps clean up garbage around the crease. He's not supremely skilled with the puck, and outside of the defensive zone, he doesn't do anything special- his shot is average, and he doesn't display any true playmaking ability. He can make simple, risk-free plays with crisp accurate passes, but anything high-end only comes in flashes- he doesn't hold on to the puck for very long, and relies on quick touches. In transition, he can contribute by supporting the rush in skating smart routes to stay open for passing plays, and displays some moves and deception to get through traffic, along with protection skills. Toresson might be left out of the draft due to his limited ceiling, and if he does get picked, it won't be until the late rounds. If he makes it to the NHL, it will be most likely in the role of a bottom-6 player with grit, speed, and physicality, who gets time on the penalty kill. Toresson needs to round out his skill set and develop a better offensive game, but he was noticeable at the U-18's.

If there was a three-horse race for who will turn out to be the best European power-forward between Jack Berglund, Karl Sterner, and Herman Traff, many think that it's Traff who be the true thoroughbred. Traff measures 6'3", 203lbs, and plays both wings for HV71's J20 team, posting 13 goals and 21 points in 26 games, to go with 73 penalty-minutes. His efforts in the J20 earned him 10 games in the SHL, but he was unable to record a point. Traff was also loaned to Vasteras' Allsvenskan team (Sweden's second-highest men's league), where he posted 3 points in 8 games, and participated in the 5 Nations for Team Sweden, picking up 3 points in 4 games.

Traff is a toolsy player, just brimming with potential, but still a bit raw. He skates very well for a big man, with a long, powerful stride, and can cover a lot of space in a short time. To augment his speed, he keeps his legs pumping, and pushes the pace with quick hands and smooth stickhandling. He can beat oncoming checkers with his 1-on-1 moves, and plays well in small spaces, as his long wingspan and strength help him to protect the puck. Traff reads the ice well, and has untapped playmaking ability; he doesn't often throw the puck away, opting instead to hold on to the puck to wait for the right play to unfold, and is capable of making some high-end passes. Right now though, he leans heavily towards goal-scoring, and has a blistering shot with a quick release, and he will shoot from anywhere, but is comfortable driving the middle. He's good around the net, and down low, and will park himself in front of the goalie to set up the screen, or cash in on rebounds. Traff has a goal-scorer's mentality, with the ability to find open space, and sneak into high-danger areas. He plays with an edge, and uses his body well to separate man from puck. He forechecks hard, and is aggressive and physical- he will lay hits, and generally bully his way around.

Traff is good in defensive situations, and reads the game well without the puck. Though he may not be known as a stalwart, he backchecks as hard as he forechecks. If he can't make it as a middle-6, scoring power-forward, then he might be able to earn a spot as a bottom-6, physical energy player. He needs time, but has potential. I think 3rd, or 4th round.

LW Marek Vanacker (who is Canadian) might be slight in stature, at 6'0", 165lbs, but I guess nobody told him that he couldn't be a power-forward. He fights, scratches, and claws for every inch of ice he can get, but he plays like he's 6'2" in the way that he leans into defenders to leverage his way to the middle, dishes out big hits, attacks the net-front, and competes along the walls and in the corners. He's very hard to play against, and plays with an edge. Vanacker has compiled 26 goals and 52 points in 45 games to date as the leading scorer for Brantford of the OHL, who currently sit 3rd overall, and 9th in goals-for.

Vanacker plays with a chip on his shoulder, and is highly agressive and competitive. Despite his size, he's a load to handle down low, and will not hesitate to bulldoze an opponent. He's an all-situations, all-around player who plays on the first units of both special teams for Brantford. Though he plays hard and heavy, his hands are butter soft- he's good around the net, and in tight. He owns a great shot with a neat and tidy release that can fool goaltenders. He protects well, and is strong on the puck. He reads the play quite well with his top-tier vision and IQ, and is said to be more playmaker than scorer, even though he currently has the same number of goals as assists. He can make plays off the rush, and pull off accurate passes at high speeds. Vanacker is a good skater, but there's room to improve, and it likely will as he gets stronger- but he could use a better first-step, more explosiveness, and a higher top speed. His energy and motor make up for some of this. Defensively, he backchecks as hard as he forechecks, and exerts the speed and tenacity to pressure attackers, and take away space. His stick has eyes to disrupt plays and clog passing lanes, and he's a pest- constantly buzzing in his opponents' faces.

There's not a ton of weaknesses in Vanacker's game, and some scouts think he has middle-six potential. He needs some time to get significantly stronger, as his style of play will be harder to apply to the NHL, and he has to clean up his skating. It would be nice if he could grow an inch or two as well. It's been said that he needs some work on his puck control, and skating with his head up (yikes). He's got an excellent two-way game, and some jam, so I could see him getting picked in the early half of the 2nd round.

LHD Darels Uljanskis seems to be flying under the radar, but he was given a "B" rating by Central Scouting earlier this season- denoting a possible 2nd, or 3rd round pick. The 6'2" 187lb Latvian is currently 4th in scoring on a poor AIK team in Sweden's J20 league, and 17 points ahead of the club's next highest-scoring defenseman, with 29 points in 43 games. He is 6th overall for scoring by defense in that league, and 4th for U-18 defensemen. Uljanskis has made a bit of name for himself at a few international tournaments; at the U-18's, he had no points, but played a solid defensive style, even being named Latvia's Player of the Game in the opening 7-1 loss to the Americans. It was more of the same at the World Juniors, with only 1 point in 5 games, but supplying a solid defensive presence in each contest. He is one of the younger players in this year's draft, missing the cut-off for next year by only a few weeks, with an August 25th birthday.

Uljanskis plays a rather simple, but smart and efficient game. I'm hesitant to call him a true offensive defenseman, as he depends heavily on the PP for points, with 60% of his production coming via the man-advantage- so perhaps we'll call him a two-way D. Even still, he's solid puck-mover, with smarts and creativity, and an aggressive mindset in the offensive zone. He joins the rush, and can make skillful plays, good reads, and sound decisions- he knows when to pinch to the net for a scoring chance. He owns a rocket of a shot, and can get it on net through layers of traffic- even when the puck doesn't hit the back of the net, it facilitates chances for teammates in the form of tips and rebounds, and causes havok in the crease. Uljanskis is a powerful skater, with a solid base that makes him hard to knock off the puck, but he could use upgrades to his acceleration and explosiveness, as well as his top speed. His stickhandling looks a bit stiff and unspectacular, but he can still dangle or toe-drag around opponents, and it's hard to strip him of the puck with his tight control and protection skills. He handles with head up to scan for danger, and map out opportunities.

Uljanskis is a physical player, and is hard to play against, particularly in front of his net, and down low in the defensive zone. He's fully capable of winning puck battles against bigger players, and uses his stick and long reach effectively. He's a reliable player in his own end, but can be pressured into making mistakes with the puck, particularly when it comes to his outlets- which can be all over the map. Sometimes he's hesitant, other times he's impatient with the puck, and can commit some dangerous turnovers. He's still quite young and raw, and will need time to grow his game. I'm thinking 3rd/4th round.

LHD Daniil Ustinkov may be one of the younger players in this Draft, with an Aug.26th birthday, he plays with poise and maturity beyond his years. Most of his hockey this year is being played against men in Switzerland's top-2 leagues- the Swiss League (or SL), Switzerland's 2nd-tier men's league, and the National League (or NL), which is the top league in the country. In the SL, he's the 3rd highest-scoring U-20 player, with 8 points in 18 games, and gets much more ice-time than he does in the NL, where he has put up 1 point in 18 games. He helped lead the Swiss to their best-ever Hlinka Gretzky performance, with 3 points in 4 games, and had an equally impressive U-18 tournament, with 4 points in 5 games. The World Juniors were more difficult for him, and he only put up 2 points in 5 games. As one can tell by his name, he was born in Russia, but raised in Switzerland.

Ustinkov is a reliable two-way workhorse with pro-style habits, a quality puck-mover, and a steadying presence from the backend. Skating-wise, he has above-average speed, with even better edges- he can pivot on a dime, and turn quickly, or shift laterally to elude checks. His mechanics are smooth, and he will no doubt get faster in time, as he gets stronger. Ustinkov thinks the game well, and owns plus-passing skills, as he moves the puck with precision, and a high percentage of his passes are completed crisply and accurately. He avoids throwing the puck away, or forcing the pass, and instead will play keep-away until the right play becomes available. He's adept at drawing defenders to him, then taking advantage of the open space. He mans the line with smoothness and confidence, quarterbacking the play and delivering dangerous passes to the slot. Ustinkov will pinch into the play with smart, well-timed pinches if he has support, as he won't sacrifice his defensive coverage for offense- most of his pinches are to keep the puck in. Deception helps facilitate his playmaking, with feints in his footwork and stick, and head fakes to manipulate opponents, with delays to give him the extra second to make his intended move. He has a wicked shot with a potent release, that he doesn't use enough. He handles well, and exhibits good puck control- it's hard to take the puck from him, and conversely- he always seems to come out of puck-battles with possession.

Defensively, he is highly efficient, with strong awareness. He denies entries with his tight gap control, and strips opponents of the puck after closing on them, by angling them out to the boards, and away from high-danger. He attacks forecheckers at the blueline with a smart, well-timed stick, and will throw a hit to separate man from puck- he plays a rugged, physical game. He protects the inside well, and uses poke-checks, and stick-lifts to gain possession. He makes stop after stop, and also keeps attackers boxed out from the net. Ustinkov stays calm and composed under pressure on retrievals, and when making outlets, and excels in transition with both his feet, and his hands.

I think that Ustinkov's defensive game may be his ticket to the NHL, along with his puck-movement skills, as I don't know how much his offense will translate. At this time, he's too conservative, and doesn't get involved in the offense enough, although he puts up numbers at lower levels when he's counted on to produce. At times in the WJC, he looked a bit overmatched, and was beaten by some of the better players. Ustinkov was selected by London, 46th overall, in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, but I think he'll be selected in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft. I think, at worst, he might be a bit like a Brett Kulak, if he makes it.

It feels like Veeti Vaisanen has already been around for years, with how much he's been talked about for this draft, and the amount of hockey he's played. The 6'0", 163lb LHD played in last year's 5 Nations Cup (2 points in 4 games), U-18 Tournament (2 points in 5 games), and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (no points in 5 games). This season, he's plying his trade mostly with KooKoo's top men's team in the Liiga, which is impressive for a kid who is 17 years old- most kids his age who are mature enough to play there only get small stints. By all accounts, he doesn't look out of place playing against men, albeit in only 10 minutes average ice-time per night, and he's third in scoring for U-18 players (8 points in 36 games), and tied with Konsta Helenius for the most games this season so far. For defensemen under-20, he is currently first in games and points. In 2022-23, after starting the season at 16 years old, Vaisanen was 2nd in D scoring for U-18 players that season in the U20 league, behind Dominik Badinka.

Vaisanen is a cerebral, two-way, all-situations defenseman, who is a very responsible, modern puck-mover, and a calming presence to his team. Though he isn't playing much this year due to his inexperience in a men's league, he's a capable minute-muncher. Mobility is a big part of his game, and he indeed gets around very quickly and smoothly, with top-notch agility, edges, and balance. He will be a big part of his team's transition, as he can carry or pass through the neutral zone with speed enough to push pace, and drive play. He has excellent stickhandling and puck-control, with an arsenal of 1-on-1 moves and deception he can use to open space, and elude checks. He will activate into the offense from the point, or join the rush to create offensive chances. He walks the line to open seams, and distributes well from the point position, but he can also choose to use his hard shot, that he can get on net through traffic. His passes are hard and crisp, but he mostly keeps it simple- he's a highly efficient puck-moving rearguard, making sharp breakouts after completing his retrievals smoothly. Vaisanen exhibits proactive positioning in all areas of the ice, due to his IQ and anticipation, and keeps a tight gap on attackers. His speed gives him the ability to hunt down puck-carriers and apply pressure with his smart, well-timed stick. He regularly intercepts passes, kills rushes, and causes turnovers. I don't imagine he's seeing any special teams time this year, but he has demonstrated a proficiency for both in the past.

I believe Vaisanen's offense is underrated to a degree, but it's pretty certain that he lacks game-breaking skills, and perhaps first-pairing capability. I think he might be able to ride shotgun on an NHL team's second-pairing someday, much like Kylington. Look for him to be chosen in the second round.

LHC Jack Van Volsen has been on the radar for the scouting community for quite a while, and a lot has been expected of him. He was chosen 6th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Draft by the Peterborough Petes, on the strength of the season he had for the Toronto Junior Canadiens U16 AAA team in 2021-22, where he formed a dominant trio with Michael Hage and 2025 draft-eligible Porter Martone, piling up 110 points in 57 games. Since he started his career in the OHL in 2022-23 though, he has struggled with 25 points in 61 games in his rookie year, split between the Petes and the Mississauga Steelheads, and showing not much progression this season, with 32 points in 63 games. The 6'1", 187lb pivot started the 2023-24 season slowly, with only 2 points in his first 9 games, and 9 points in his last 21. Only 1 point and a minus 6 in 5 playoff games, as the Steelheads were eliminated by Sudbury.

JVV is versatile, being able to play center and the wing, and can be utilized on both special teams, especially with his ability to win faceoffs. He has a long, powerful stride that generates above-average speed, with good first-step quickness, and a good small-area burst. He needs to upgrade his top speed and add a separation gear, along with improving his agility to be more elusive. He's far more of a shooter than a playmaker, as his 20 goals on the year would attest, and he owns a powerful shot with a deceptive release- though it could use a bit more zip. He can pick corners from bad angles, and can finish in-tight. In regards to playmaking, he makes good decisions but mostly keeps things simple and risk-free- he plays a smart, poised game with, and without the puck. Off the puck, he shows awareness, and is always in prime position to recieve a pass in high-danger, with a goal-scorer's knack for finding soft spots in coverage to shoot. He's not afraid to cut inside and attack the crease, or sneak into open space in the slot. JVV will throw his weight around, and finishes his checks, but his physicality is inconsistent. He has shown the ability to win 50/50 battles in the hard areas, and to play hard along the boards. He's hard-working, but needs a better compete level, and higher intensity.

Unfortunately, JVV's defensive game is lacking, as he often looks lost in his own zone, and gets caught puck-watching. His game has plenty of warts, but inconsistency plagues every facet of his game- he goes from dominant to invisible one shift to the next, and looks physically dominant one moment, to soft the next. He can disappear for long stretches in games, and go weeks without getting any points. His skating, shot, strength, and intensity are all in need of upgrades, with his own-zone game requiring plenty of attention. JVV is less than the sum of his parts, and if he gets drafted, he'll have to wait until the later rounds.

I have to admit, I haven't been paying attention to C/LW Lucas Van Vliet, as he hasn't played in any of the tournaments I usually watch and his stats are quite pedestrian, but the more I read and watch on this kid the more I like him. VV is a member of the NTDP, and he has earned 12 goals and 21 points in 41 games this season. In the most recent 5 Nations, he only managed 1 assist, despite being amongst the top chance-generators on Team USA, and a constant offensive threat. In the 2024 All-American Prospects Game (their version of the CHL Top Prospects Game, which used to be called the BioSteel All-Americans Game), he was one of the better players with a jaw-dropping goal from the faceoff circle, and an assist. From what I've read, he started the season slow due to injuries early on, then had to make his way back up the roster upon his return.

Van Vliet has every tool you could want in a prospect- he's got size (6'1",181lbs), skating, shooting, handling, and intelligence, but his production doesn't come close to matching his talent. VV is a combination of power and finesse, and plays a solid two-way game with physicality. The first pillar of his game is his amazing stickhandling- he's cool and confident with the puck on his blade, and his quick hands are up there with the best in the draft, as he can dangle and deke through layers of traffic, as well as opposing goalies. He simply wows with his small-area game, showing off impressive moves, deception, and footwork. The second pillar of his game is his standout ability as a transition specialist. He can carry the puck from the defensive zone, through the neutral zone for clean entries with control, finding clear lanes to travel in, and gliding in to open space. He can take the puck for a long walk, while barely getting touched, due to his agility and edgework, combined with the aforementioned stickhandling. The third pillar of his game is his fantastic shot, with a deceptive, lightning-quick release. He can pick corners from a distance, and changes the angle of his blade to disguise his intent. He attacks the middle to unleash, but will go to the net to cash in on rebounds.

Vlieter is an excellent skater, who is strong on his edges and able to complete tight turns. He has strong lateral quickness to give him an extra layer of elusiveness, as well. He has high IQ and vision as a playmaker, and is quite skilled- he often looks like an elite forward, and has the guts to try out some high-end complicated plays, even if they don't work out. He's not afraid of the greasy areas, and wins puck battles. He plays a physical game, and is said to be one of the best forecheckers in the NTDP- he's adept at causing turnovers all over the ice with his speed and stickwork, and turning them in to offensive opportunities. He is also said to be one of the hardest workers on the ice- he doesn't cut corners, or cheat the game. He's a responsible, two-way player who displays solid hockey sense and awareness on the backcheck, and knows where to be to disrupt plays, intercept passes, and cause fumbles.

So why the mediocre numbers? For starters, he began the year with 2 points in his first game, then dipped into a 9-game slump where he experienced injury and demotion- then he went on a 17-game heater, with 16 points in that span. While it's true that VV is a remarkably hard-working player, his game is wildly inconsistent- even shift-to-shift. Sometimes, he looks like a world-beater, and other times he's invisible. Throughout the season, he has had a revolving door of different linemates, but has mostly played with some combination of bottom-6 players, so I imagine it's been hard to gain any traction offensively, and it's made harder by the fact that he gets very little powerplay time. The NTDP has many upper-echelon young stars on their roster, so it's easy to see how a player like Van Vliet gets pushed down the lineup. At any rate, Vlieter has first-round tools, and is oozing top-6 NHL potential, but still has a high floor as a bottom-6 defensive player who can chip in some offense, and I'm betting scouts will see that. Can't wait to see how he does at Michigan State next year. Third round steal, in my opinion.

LHD Xavier Veilleux of L'Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec was drafted in the 2022 QMJHL Draft by Chicoutimi in the first round, 16th overall, but when Harvard University came calling, he changed his course. Since the NCAA considers CHL players to be paid athletes, and therefore inelligible to play college hockey, Veilleux signed with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, who also drafted him in 2022, with pick # 253 in the 17th round. Veilleux, who measures 6'0", and 190lbs, had 3 goals and 32 points in 62 games for Muskegon this season, which sounds a bit mediocre for an offensive defenseman, but it was good enough for 12th overall in scoring by D in the league. Some say his numbers would be higher, had he not committed himself to concentrating on developing his defensive game.

Veilleux is an offensive D with solid puck-moving ability- he's quite smart, but not too dynamic or flashy. He will join the rush as an extra forward, and will pinch into the play if he sees a safe opportunity. One of his specialties is how involved he is in transition for his team- he can successfully complete crisp, accurate breakout passes, or skate it out himself, making clean exits and entries with control. Mobility-wise, he's an excellent skater with an explosive first-step, and rapid acceleration- but he's not a burner. His edges are smooth for quick turns and seamless transitions, and he has good lateral movement, and the ability to stop and start fast. Off the puck, he finds open space to occupy, and stays at the right angle to be ready for passes. His shot is above-average, and he gets it on net through traffic pretty consistently, and he shoots low to facilitate rebound opprtunities for teammates.

While he's worked hard to improve his defensive game, he's still inconsistent at best in this area. He employs a smart, active stick in an effort to disrupt plays and clog passing lanes, and he exerts effort in keeping his crease clear, but he's often out of position and can lose his man. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with his backwards skating, but he gives attackers too much space to operate when applying gap control. Veilleux is committed to Harvard for next season, and if he's drafted by an NHL team it won't be until the late rounds.

Left-handed winger Maxim Velikov had first-round buzz coming in to the 2023-24 season, but didn't play at a level deserving of an NHL team's top pick, unfortunately. There could be many reasons for this, one being that he plays on a fairly talent-laden forward group for Krasniya Armiya Moskva of the MHL, and has been seemingly relegated to the supporting cast for parts of the season. There hasn't been much progression in his numbers from last season to this one, as his 19 points in 32 games in 2022-23 converts to 0.59 ppg, and his 28 points in 43 games this season represents an incrementally higher 0.65 ppg. One would expect much more growth for a potential first-rounder, with his points total being 7th on the team. Velikov has size at 6'1",198lbs, plays both wings with equal proficiency, and still holds a ton of promise despite failing to live up to expectations this year.

Though he's a complimentary winger at this point, and probably will be going forward, Velikov is a highly-skilled, all-situations winger who is a dual threat on offense. His 28 points are split evenly between goals and assists, at 28 on each side. He possesses high-end hockey sense, and produces offense with his slick passing game, and goal-scorer's mentality. Velikov exhibits patience and poise in his playmaking, slowing down the play to scan for the best option, and finding his teammates in high-danger consistently. He can connect on difficult plays, and isn't afraid to try things as they usually work out for him- he's got smarts and vision. One can often find him sneaking around the net, hunting for rebounds in pockets of open space, and he will attack the middle at opportune times to shoot. He has a bullet of a wrister with a lightning-quick release to fool goalies and pick corners with, but he also changes the angle of his blade to disguise the release point of his shot for an extra layer of deception. He has sublime hands, with a wide array of moves to deke goalies out of their jockstraps, and many of his tallies are of the highlight-reel variety. Though his feet could use a bit more explosiveness, he exerts a long, powerful stride with a top-end speed that allows him to flat-out fly up the ice. He's strong on his skates, and hard to knock off stride, with solid edgework to turn quickly and pivot on a dime.

Velikov has quick hands to match his quick feet, and is a skilled handler with tight puck-protection and the 1-on-1 skills to move through traffic with the puck on a string. He can also power through checks, and lean into defenders to leverage his way around. He's poised and confident with the puck, even under duress, and has no problem rushing the puck through transition for clean entries. Admirably, Velikov plays a polished, mature defensive game with the high-end anticipation to proactively shut down the rush before it even gets to the blueline. In the zone, he positions himself well to be able to intercept passes, shut down lanes, and cause turnovers. He is able to smother his man and remove him as a passing option. The big detriment in his game is that when he slows down the play on the rush, he stops moving his feet and tends to glide in with the puck- he won't be able to play this way in the NHL, and he absolutely must learn to push the pace, and play at top speed. Too often, he plays on the perimeter and needs to upgrade his work-ethic and intensity. Velikov can be inconsistent in-game, but he can also go through long droughts without points for several games. There's top end talent here though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get taken in the third, or fourth round.

No, 6'3", 198lb LHD Max Vilen is not a character from an Austin Powers movie, he plays for the Malmo Redhawks organization, with 18 points in 49 games in the J20, and a cup o' coffee in the SHL, with no points in 4 games. He was 28th in scoring by defensemen in the J20, which shows that he contributes to his team's offense, but his bread and butter is his involvement in the other two zones, with an emphasis on his duties as a shutdown D. With a June 29th birthday, he's still quite young.

Vilen is a quality puck-mover who makes quick, accurate decisions, but keeps things mostly short, simple, and risk-free off of quick touches. There's no real sign of high-end creativity, or dynamism in his play- he's not flashy, and plays conservatively, but that's a good thing for a player of his ilk. By the same token, he's aptly skilled with the puck, but not really high-end in any area- his stickhandling won't dazzle anyone, but he maintains possession and has an enormous reach that aids him in protecting the puck. He's a solid skater with fluid 4-directional mobility and a quick first step, who can transition quickly. With his team set up in the offensive zone, Vilen walks the line effectively, and distributes accurately through seams he creates with his activity at the blueline. He rarely leaves his position high in the zone near the line, and doesn't usually activate unless it's to pinch up the boards to keep pucks alive, or to punch the puck in the direction of teammates, and away from enemies. His shot is average and isn't too threatening, mainly because it's not used a lot, except as a playmaking tool to create rebounds and second-chance opportunities for his teammates. Though he may not be the biggest hitter, he plays a physical game and uses his size and strength well in battles.

Vilen doesn't really push pace, or drive play, but he's a hard-worker and competitive. He makes retrievals look easy, with the way he scans his surroundings, and makes quick and accurate breakout passes under pressure. On occasion, he can really stretch the ice with a long-bomb to a streaking teammate. He has the skill and mobility to carry through transition now and then, but he mostly defers to his colleagues to do the carrying, but will participate in give-an-go's in the middle zone. Vilen takes pride in his role as a shutdown defenseman, taking away time and space by smothering puck-carriers with his stick, awareness, and body. He's disruptive with a defensive mentality in all 3 zones, with a long reach that's nearly impossible to escape, and infallible positioning. He removes chances from opponents to make high-danger plays by clogging lanes, and blocking passes. Against the rush, he keeps a tight gap on attackers, and closes quickly with his speed. He knows his assignments, and is often seen directing traffic. I believe Vilen has a good chance to make the NHL as a bottom-3 defenseman, as his offensive upside is questionable and many think he might just be a one-dimensional defensive-defenseman, which wouldn't be a bad thing. Look for him in later rounds.

One can't judge Sudbury Wolves' LHC Nathan Villeneuve on stats alone, but it appears as though Central Scouting has been watching him closely, as they have given him a "B" rating- pegging him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick. To date, he has collected 14 goals and 35 points (with 46 PIM) in 44 games on one of the best, and highest-scoring teams in the OHL. Villeneuve plays behind some very high-end, older players in Sudbury, such as David Goyette, Quentin Musty, Landon McCallum, Kocha Delic, and Dalibor Dvorsky- so he doesn't get top-line minutes, or much powerplay time (only 5 of his points have come via the PP). In fact, he's often relegated to third-line deployment, because of the logjam at the center-ice position, along with some tours of duty on the second line mixed in here and there. There's no doubt that if he were given more ice-time and responsibility, his numbers would look even impressive, and I think Central Scouting recognizes that. Villy was drafted 3rd overall by the Wolves in the 2021 OHL Draft.

Vileneuve is a gritty, details-oriented, two-way centerman who brings snarl and physicality every shift. He plays hard and heavy, with a strong and sturdy 6'0",185lb frame, and battles tooth-and-nail for every puck. Much like a poor-man's Brad Marchand, he's a superpest who agitates, makes life difficult for opponents, and has sky-high compete. Also like Marchand, he's tough enough to back it up, and will drop the gloves- and he's not a bad fighter. Villy plays many games with a target on his back, and doesn't seem to mind. He's a bit of a throwback, power-forward type, who's constantly in motion, works hard, and has high motor to play a 60-minute game. As one could guess, he's a relentless forechecker who throws hits aplenty, but is smart enough to not take himself out of the play.

Villeneuve isn't just a goon, though- he's highly intelligent, and has top-notch vision as a playmaker. He's got spatial awareness, and can open seams to get the puck to high-danger. He's got a hard, heavy shot, with a lightning-fast release, and the hands in-tight to fool goalies. He's an effortless skater, perhaps even explosive- he was an injury replacement for the CHL Top Prospects Game, and in the on-ice testing leading up to the event, he placed 5th overall in the 30m Forward Skate, and 2nd in the 30m Forward Skate With Puck. He's a responsible player in all 3 zones, and backchecks as hard as he forechecks, hounding puck carriers, and getting in their faces. This is a player who will get more and more dominant at the junior level in the next 2 years, as those older players depart for the pros, and will start putting up big numbers as early as next season. This is another player that's far better than his stats suggest. In his last 20 games, he has 22 points. He compares himself to Mason McTavish, and I can see that to some degree, although I think he plays a much more energetic, rambunctious style. If he's available in the third round, it's a good idea to take him.

Parker Von Richter may sound like a Marvel Comics villain, but he's actually a 6'1", 183lb righty defenseman playing in an effective pairing with Jakub Fibigr for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL. This season, the Steelheads are one of the younger teams in the league, yet they finished 8th overall- with Von Richter producing 25 points in 65 games, to go with 35 penalty-minutes.

Von Richter projects as a puck-moving, defensive defenseman, though he flashes playmaking skill. Most of the time, he relies on quick touches, and safe, simple passes, but his confidence and decision-making, like most aspects of his game, are always improving. Throughout the season, he was showing more and more that he can make plays, while showing increasing poise on the point, and a developing ability to create from the boards. Like his frequent partner, Jakub Fibigr, he will activate into the play if he sees a safe opportunity- which is another improvement he has made since the start of the season, as he was too timid early on to jump into the action. Nowadays, he will punch his way into the middle for shooting chances, and venture down low to win battles. He can sneak around in open pockets of space without the puck to make himself available for passes. Von Richter is quite physical, and throws hits to separate man from puck, but also because he's a little mean. He's tough too, and will drop the gloves when necessary- he wins physical battles in the hard areas, and fights through checks. Mobility-wise, he's above average with a solid top speed, but his explosiveness and acceleration could use some work.

PVR plays both special teams for the Steelheads, and is a go-to shutdown D with tenaciousness and compete. He is committed to his defensive duties, and his IQ on this side of the puck is high- he has good anticipation, and exemplary positioning. He's details-oriented, and there are many subtle things he does that go unnoticed by fans, but are appreciated by coaches. Down low, he plays suffocating defense, disrupting the cycle with hits and well-timed poke checks, and plays hard in front of the net. He clogs up the neutral zone, and kills rushes with proficiency, getting frequent stops with his active stick and smart positioning. He's adept at preventing entries with his reach and his physicality, and his tight gap control creates turnovers that he then turns into offense going back the other way. PVR can be hard to play against, and he frustrates opponents. His breakouts have improved since the start of the year, and he's not as mistake-prone, although he still needs work in this area as he can be pressured into mistakes. His puck skill needs improvement, and he has to keep developing his skating, his offensive play, and his shot- which needs plenty more velocity and accuracy. His decision-making is much improved, but he still needs work in eliminating errors with the puck. There's tons of potential here, but he looks to be a future bottom-three D with some PK duty. Look for him in the 5th, or 6th round.

5'11", 172lb C/LW Oskar Vuollet has produced at every level, and has always played above his age group, but hit a bit of a wall when he got to the SHL this year. Right now, he's 5th in scoring in the J20 for Skelleftea, while wearing an "A", with 29 goals and 61 points in 41 games, with 20 of those points coming in the last 10 games. His ppg of 1.49 beats every other player in the top-50. OV has played 15 games for Skelleftea's SHL club over the course of the season, but with severely limited minutes and opportunity, he has yet to record a point in that league. He is largely flying under the radar for the upcoming draft.

Vuollet is a talented offensive weapon, with an attack mentality, and an overflowing toolkit. He is uber-active in the offensive zone, using every square foot of space. With the puck on his his blade, he's quite confident and poised, making consistently good decisions, and picking apart defenses with his remarkable spatial awareness, and high-end puck skills. He has quick hands, and deft handling abilities- the puck seems to be glued to his stick, and he exhibits sound protection with the way he handles close to his feet, and angles his body away from checks. He's a supreme manipulator with his quick lateral movements and handling, baiting opponents into coming at him, thereby opening space for himself and his teammates- he's quite shifty, and has the 1-on-1 moves to make defenders look silly. He can catch and settle down passes that look impossible to handle, and he can do it in full flight.

Vuollet's best asset is his top-tier IQ and awareness that makes him a threat on, and off the puck- he's always a step or two ahead of the play, positioning himself in advantageous places to open space, and be an option for a pass. He reads the play at a high level, and solves problems on the fly. He is an effective playmaker, and can thread the needle through the smallest spaces, but he's also a volume shooter who can follow his shots in to cash in on second-chance opportunities. He's a pest in front of the net, and has great hands and moves to beat goalies in-close, but he also has a wide variety of shots to score with from further out, and a lightning-quick release to disguise them. His one-timer is NHL-quality, and requires very little wind-up, and he needs little space to unload his wrister, that has surprising power. OV is a solid skater, definitely not a burner, but can still play with pace. His balance is enough to make him difficult to knock off the puck, and his agility makes him quick in turns, and laterally mobile. For the next level, he will need to add another few gears, and improve his explosiveness.

Vuollet plays with intensity and motor, but picks his spots when it comes to physicality- he doesn't throw a lot of hits. In the defensive zone, he works hard to take away the middle, and shows good awareness, but doesn't bring the same intensity in the defensive zone as he does in the offensive zone- he has to make himself much harder to play against. In the SHL against men, he's far more tentative than in the J20, and though he only plays an average of 6 minutes per game, he spends more time on the periphery, plays much more conservatively, and employs less physicality. He's a little overmatched right now against pros, and it shows his need to improve his speed and strength. Back in the J20, he has to learn to simplify his game somewhat, and learn to not carry the load by himself. I have seen this kid all over the map in mocks, but I think he gets picked in the late third/ early fourth round of the draft.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is the prototype of a certain kind of D that seems to be becoming more common- a six-foot, puck-moving, offensive blueliner with speed. This kid is up there with the best in terms of speed in this draft, and as Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff says, his speed is "maybe the best among defenders in this class". 

His speed made him a standout in the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, as I can personally attest, and he was the leading scorer amongst defensemen for Team Sweden (second in the tournament to Henry Mews) with 1 goal, and 4 assists in 4 games. At the time of this writing, he has some eye-popping stats with the Vaxjo Lakers of the J20 League in Sweden, with 25 points in just 30 games- good for 3rd in that circuit amongst defensemen, at the age of 17 (he doesn't turn 18 until April).