All posts by NHL Draft Talk

Brennen York, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

WHL Players to Watch

Another exciting season of WHL hockey is right around the corner, and with main camps kicking off this week, the anticipation of opening night is almost unbearable. There are tons of enticing storylines to watch for as the season gets underway, and the one I will be watching the closest is how the 2016 draft eligibles will perform. Over at DraftGeek.ca, we currently list six WHL’ers in our top thirty which is somewhat underwhelming, however I fully expect to see Sam Steel, Tyler Benson, and Jake Bean’s stock rise over the course of the year, meaning we could see three WHL players in the top ten come draft week. Aside from the draft eligibles, there’s a laundry list of players to keep an eye on this season for a number of different reasons.

Mathew Barzal (C) – Seattle Thunderbirds

After an injury plagued campaign in 2015, Mathew Barzal has possibly the most to prove out of any Western Hockey League player. Barzal will be a huge threat this year as his elite level puck skills and vision make him a dangerous junior hockey player. The T-Birds are a team on the rise with a good, young core in place; it’s possible we see them take over as the top squad in the U.S division. Though they will lose veterans like Shea Theodore, Roberts Lipsbergs, and Justin Hickman, players like Nolan Volcan, Gropp, Kolesar, and Bear will be able to pick up the slack, and along with Barzal carry the team into the playoffs.

Nolan Patrick (C) – Brandon Wheat Kings

Nolan Patrick may be the next superstar to come from the WHL. Since Ryan Nugent Hopkins, the WHL has lacked in elite talent near the top of the draft order, and I’m not saying they haven’t been producing great talent, there just hasn’t been a Jonathan Toews or Steven Stamkos level prospect come around for a while. That changes with Nolan Patrick. I believe he’s the next one. Nolan brings a unique package to the Wheat Kings in that he’s as good of a goal scorer as he is a puck distributor. He has a big frame and gets around the ice extremely well. The Wheaties will push for a memorial cup this season, and it will be on the back of Nolan Patrick.

Carter Hart (G) – Everett Silvertips

The 2014/15 season was an interesting one for the young netminder. Playing behind a veteran goaltender usually means you won’t see a ton of starts, and it’ll be a while before you see time as a regular. Carter had a different story to write. After unseating Austin Lotz as the starter late into the season, Hart ran with the starting gig throughout the playoffs posting a .929 save percentage along the way. Coming off a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, expect Carter to come into the season with a ton of confidence. Without anyone to really push for the job, I fully expect Carter to run with the job and finish top 10 in the league.

Conner Bleackley (C) – Red Deer Rebels

It wouln’t be a huge surprise to see Bleackley stick around in Colorado this season, but with the additions of Carl Soderberg and Mikhail Grigorenko, it’s more likely he suits up for the Rebels this season. With a lack of game breaking forwards up front, Bleackley will be heavily relied upon as the key offensive spark plug for the Mem Cup hosts. Conner is a strong two way player who isn’t necessarily considered an offensive minded player, but this will be the year we get to watch him emerge as a dominant junior hockey player. If all goes well for Conner, his offensive totals will be in the 70 point range. If he can prove to be a reliable point producer this season, it’s likely he’s brought in as a third line NHL’er next season.

Of course there are a ton of players who will play key roles on their clubs this season, but if I were to list every player who’s poised to have a breakout campaign I’d be writing for weeks. In a year that almost any team will be able to push for a playoff spot, I think this will be a very exciting season, and I can’t wait to get things rolling.

NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Team Canada and the U20 Showcase

The U20 Showcase is nearing its end, and though many people put little stock into the summer exhibition series, there have been quite a few interesting developments to come from the camp.

Out of the 40 athletes invited to the camp, it’s unlikely all 40 will return come December when the final roster is constructed. It’s possible that players like Lawson Crouse, Michael Dal Colle, Dylan Strome, Robby Fabbri, and Jake Virtanen stick with their NHL clubs, but it’s also likely we see a guy like Jakob Chychrun or Jake Bean make an appearance at the camp. There are a lot of moving parts from now until puck drop on Boxing Day, but it’s clear Canada will be a contender given the extensive list of players in their arsenal, such as the following standouts from this Augusts camp:

Mason McDonald and Mackenzie Blackwood: It was clear these two were a step ahead of Samuel Montembeault, and are likely the front-runners heading into the December selection camp. I do feel we may only see one of these goalies on the final roster. There are a lot of good options out there, such as Lethbridge Hurricanes net minder (and 2017 eligible) Stuart Skinner, as well as Lucas Pressini or Adin Hill. I could name goalies that have a chance all day long, but what I’m getting at is that the position is wide open for whoever earns the job.

Travis Dermott: Was surprised by his defensive ability and overall awareness. Played a physical game for a guy who’s been primarily labelled as an offensive defenceman. He’s a smooth skater who makes smart outlet passes. He’s young, which is something Team Canada has shied away from in the past when selecting defenders, but if he keeps up the play we saw this week he has a legitimate chance.

Brandon Hickey: If you’re going to teach someone how to skate, make sure you show them some video on Brandon Hickey. He’s the smoothest skater I’ve seen in a while, and though he’s considered an underdog to make the squad, I think he has a real chance to be that reliable 5/6 guy who can kill penalties and play in key defensive zone situations. Oh and if you’re wondering whether or not he’s coming to Red Deer, I’d say there’s a better chance the Oilers deal McDavid.. But I’ve been wrong before.

Lawson Crouse: For a while now scouts have said “you have to see him live to understand what he brings.” Well, last night was a first. His defensive instincts are off the chart. He doesn’t quit, and I don’t mean he goes 80% up and down the ice, he goes 110% for the entire game. The thing about Crouse is that he does all the little things right, whether it’s cycling the puck when the defence double down on him or knowing when to make a big hit, he does it right. I would not be surprised if he cracks the Panthers roster this year.

Travis Konecny: Throughout his draft year all you really heard about was the injuries and inconsistency around him. If I knew absolutely none of the players and sat down to watch this four game set, I’d say Travis is a first line player all day long. His vision and passing ability are something to marvel at, and though some may label him as a playmaker or an offensive player, he played some solid defence and was always one of the first guys on the backcheck. Philly has a good one here.

Though there were some solid standouts, such as the players listed above, there were just as many players who were quite underwhelming. Both Hadyn Fleury and Travis Sanheim played unusually weak. Sanheim was beat to the outside more than a few times, and Fleury seemed to have trouble in the decision-making department as he made some poor passes and wasn’t the best in his own end. Jake Debrusk was inconsistent. The Swift Current sniper looked slow and made some bad shot selections. John Quenneville had a chance to display his physical ability, but ended up looking fairly sluggish on most shifts. Don’t get me wrong, I love Johnny’s game, but if he’s going to crack the roster he needs to bring that physical presence we’re used to seeing.

What exactly would a Canadian World Junior article be if I didn’t make a comment on Josh Ho-Sang? He’s good. Very good. In fact he may be one of the best offensive players at the camp. The problem with Josh, that I haven’t had the chance to see prior to the Russian game, is his inability to grasp the concept of passing the puck. There were three instances in the game against Russia where we saw Ho-Sang circle around the offensive zone with the puck on his stick for about 20 seconds then end up losing it. He has this sense that he always has to be “The Guy” and though he is a tremendous offensive player, I doubt he makes this team.

So if the team was being selected from the players invited to this camp, here is what I believe the lineup would look like:

McDonald
Blackwood

Fleury – Dermott
Sanheim – Hicketts
Hickey – Juulsen
Chabot

Dal Colle – Fabbri – Virtanen
Crouse – Strome – Marner
Perlini – Point – Konecny
Chartier – McCann – Bleackley
Beauvillier – Quenneville

Brennen York, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Interview with Joseph Veleno

Day 3 is in the books for Joseph Veleno, and the newest QMJHL first overall pick displayed why he was granted exceptional status. Not only did he demonstrate elite level speed and agility, he also showed off his silky smooth hands and passing ability. It can be tough to gauge how good a player is by one practice,  but it was evident that Veleno is no ordinary forward. We spoke to him briefly,

DraftGeek: Can you tell us what the experience has been like thus far?

Veleno: It’s been great, obviously being here with Team Canada. It’s a great opportunity being surrounded by profesionals, also the best players of our age. It’s a learning experience and so far I’m having a great time.

DraftGeek: What are your expectations going into this season?

​Veleno: ​​Just going to work hard and do my best, and bring whatever makes the team win, be a team player, do whatever it takes.

DraftGeek: What’s the number one thing you’ve been working on this off-season?

​Veleno: My physical strength, I’m trying to get stronger off the ice. Also on the ice being more mature, that also goes for off the ice. Just being a better person, getting stronger.

​DraftGeek: Have you got the chance to talk to any Sea Dogs while here? (Chabot, Green)

​Veleno: No, I haven’t spoken to them but I have spoken to some of the guys, like Doug McFalls, Bokondji Imama, Jason Bell, and some other Sea Dogs players because I train in the off-season with them so I got a little feedback from that, it’s cool.

​DraftGeek: Is there a sense of computability going into Saint John, where they’re going to competing for a championship.

​Veleno: Yeah, I know they’re going to be competing for a championship, so that’s exciting. Being a part of that as a 15-year-old it’s going to be great, it’s going to be a great learning experience. Hopefully I’m going to get to build on that and learn from that.​

DraftGeek: Have any of your team mates that you have met here stood out to you?

​Veleno: I haven’t gotten a chance to see most of them but I’m sure there doing really well and they’re having a good time here, they’re also battling for a spot on this team. They’re competing so I’m sure they’re fine.

You can read this and more over at www.draftgeek.ca! And follow them on Twitter too (@draftgeekdotca)

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NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Defenceman in the 2016 Draft

The 2016 NHL Draft will not receive the same attention from the media as the 2015 version, that being said, there’s still a lot to be excited about.

As it stands right now, there looks to be a higher talent level when it comes to defenceman. Headlined by Jakob Chychrun, the list of 2016 defenceman is quite extensive and features more than just two way defenders like we saw in the first round of the 2015 draft. Beyond Chychrun, you will see names like Chad Krys, Charlie McAvoy, Sean Day, Jake Bean, and Dante Fabbro as guys who will likely rise and inhabit a top 20 spot. Aside from those more highly touted prospects, this is also the year we see Max Lajoie, Luke Green, Olli Juolevi, Kale Clague, and Victor Mete being selected. Whether or not they’re first round selections remains to be seen, but I do believe it’s possible that we see a draft with ten defenceman being selected in round one.

Here’s a brief synopsis of what to expect from the potential first round defenceman:

Jakob Chychrun – LD – Sarnia Sting: Expect Jakob to build on what was an impressive rookie campaign. After recording 33 points and playing more minutes as the season progressed, it’s clear that the 6’2 blue liner is ready to take over the blue line in Sarnia and dominate the OHL. He does have top pairing NHL potential, as well as NHL ready size so don’t be surprised if he puts up 50 points and is relied upon as the top shutdown guy.

Chad Krys – LD – USNTDP: The 5’11 blue liner is coming off a very strong offensive season. Being in the American system, Krys jumped around to five different teams as the season unwound, but never dropped below 0.70 ppg. If Krys wants to stay in the conversation as a top 5 talent, he needs to show a commitment to playing strong in his own end, as well as continue to be dominant in the offensive zone. Expect him to be a point per game guy at each level he plays at this season.

Charlie McAvoy – RD – Boston University: As one of my favourite players in this upcoming draft, it’s hard for me to find a flaw in his game. He could always get quicker and more agile, but as it stands now, the BU commit has shown both a strong defensive zone presence as well as the ability to control offensive zone play. As he takes the next step, I’d hope to see him bring his level up to the point that he’s a top four defender at the NCAA level.

Sean Day – LD – Mississauga Steelheads: Opinions differ a ton when it comes to the 229 pound defenceman. According to some opposing players Day is soft and his skating is the only reason he’s in the O. Others believe he brings a fairly well rounded game and has shown hints of dominance. If he’s going to be in the conversation for a top 10 spot come next July, Day has to commit to controlling his own end. If he can prove to be a reliable defender, the offensive side comes naturally to him. Going into the 2016 season, he’s my biggest wildcard.

Jake Bean – LD – Calgary Hitmen: After going undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, the Hitmen listed a potential top 20 NHL draft pick (further proving why I believe the WHL draft should be changed, but I digress), without knowing that he would progress this much. Jake had a good rookie campaign, proving he can be relied upon in both the offensive zone and defensive zone. Bean chipped in 39 points in 51 games and will look to build off that. He’s a skilled two way defender, and we’ll see if he can play at a similar level as Travis Sanheim did in his draft year.

Dante Fabbro – RD – Penticton Vees: It would be great to see the 6’2 right handed defender jump up to the WHL ranks, but he will spend the next year in Penticton meaning two things. First, there won’t be a ton of mainstream coverage. Secondly, for those who won’t get a look at him, he will likely be talked about as a two way defenceman who is good offensively. He’ll be a bit of a mystery but one thing is certain, the kid is good. He’s solid in almost every aspect, from his skating to passing. He should be able to dominate the BCHL this year.

Max Lajoie – LD – Swift Current Broncos: Lajoie had one hell of a coming out party this year as he posted 40 points in 72 games. It’s rare to see a player put up 40 points as a rookie defenceman, but it’s even more rare to see a guy play a full season without missing a single game. Lajoie looks to be rounding into a solid two way defender, but he will still need a strong outing in 2015-16 to be considered for a first round selection. Development in his case, much like the other defenders in the first round, will be seen if he is relied upon in key situations. I want to see him on the PK, and continue the offensive production we saw last season.

Luke Green – RD – Saint John Sea Dogs: After being selected first overall in the QMJHL draft, Luke Green had a decent rookie season. As an undersized defender, Green showed he’s a fairly strong offensive defender who has decent defensive instincts. The good thing for Luke is that he will be playing on a stacked Saint John team that will allow him to develop next to guys like Thomas Chabot and Jakob Zboril. I’d expect Green to post around 45 points and the Sea Dogs to finish top three in the league.

Olli Juolevi – LD – London Knights : As a player makes the transition from Europe, it’s hard to come up with an accurate prediction of how they may fair in North America. At the same age, Julius Honka posted 0.36 points per game where Juolevi (at the same age and level) recorded 0.65 ppg. Stats say very little about a player, but this is an interesting comparable. It’s a wait and see situation with Olli, but with his skating and puck moving ability, it’s likely he puts up pretty solid offensive totals in London.

Kale Clague – LD – Brandon Wheat Kings: Clague was dominant in his Midget and Bantam AAA years, but struggled with injuries in his rookie season. He’s a great – and I mean great – skater. He has good puck moving ability, and a pretty good shot. His biggest problem is the fact that he plays like he’s 5’10. In my viewings, I rarely saw him engage in body contact, and a few times saw him shy away from contact. This season will be a better test as he is likely to play more than 20 regular season games, and if Provorov ends up in Philly, he will take a larger role on a strong Wheat Kings team.

Victor Mete – LD – London Knights: After a decent rookie season, Mete looks like he will be one of the best offensive defenceman in the league in the coming years. He’s an aggressive, smooth skating defender who battles. I’d expect him to pick up his offensive numbers quite a bit given the fact he’s on a loaded London Knights squad. He’s drawn comparisons to Ryan Murphy which I find intriguing given the fact that Murphy dominated offensively during his draft season.

There are plenty more defenders who are going to be in the conversation come next June. It will be exciting to see who is the Provorov-like riser of this year, but one thing is certain, this will be a year where many teams walk away with a top four defenceman who they will be able to ride over the next 10-15 years.

NHL

2015 Draft Recap

The 2015 NHL Draft has come and gone, and it left us with a lot to think about. Clearly, the Bruins stole the show, but not in the best way possible. After trading off Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic, you’d think they would be able to reload with some blue chip prospects, however they made reaches at 13, 14, and 15 taking two players who were projected to be late first round picks. There were some other interesting trades and picks made at the draft, but all in all, most teams walked away with some very good prospects.

Ratings:
A+ = Flawless draft
A = Very good draft, smart moves
A – = Very good draft, 1/2 question marks
B+ = Smart selections beyond the first round
B = Some good late picks, some reaches
B- = An average draft
C = Some good picks, nothing stands out
D = A decent pick, some reaches and misses
F = Complete misses across the board
Anaheim Ducks: B
 
27. (D) Jacob Larsson
59. (C) Julius Nattinen
80. (C) Brent Gates
84. (RW) Deven Sideroff
148. (C) Troy Terry
178. (D) Steven Ruggiero
179. (G) Garrett Metcalf
 
Additions: 
 
– 2016 3rd
– Carl Hagelin
– Anton Khudobin
 
Subtractions:
 
– Kyle Palmieri
– Emerson Etem
– James Wisniewski
 
Love Nattinen and Larsson. They’re both big Swedes who will see NHL time. The Hagelin trade makes sense as Getzlaf and Perry will finally have a left winger to play with. Terry, Gates, and Sideroff were all great selections as they all bring offensive skill as well as defensive ability. 
 
Arizona Coyotes: B+
 
3. (C) Dylan Strome
30. (C) Nick Merkley
32. (RW) Christian Fischer
63. (D) Kyle Capobianco
76. (G) Adin Hill
81. (LW) Brendan Warren
83. (RW) Jens Looke
123. (RW) Conor Garland
183. (G) Erik Kallgren
 
Additions:
– Nicklas Grossman 
– Chris Pronger
Subtractions:
 
– Sam Gagner
– Conditional Pick
 
A great haul for the Coyotes. Merkley shouldn’t have been there at 30, so I’ll label him the steal of round one. Fischer was a great pick at 32. Underrated by most services, he will be a contributor at the NHL level sooner than later. Hill was a good pick, may be one of the best three goalies in the draft. Capobianco, Warren, Looke, and Garland all have good potential, but I think Capobianco or Looke are the most likely to crack an NHL spot. Love the Kallgren pick. He’s a big Swedish netminder who recorded great numbers in the SuperElit league, what else needs to be said? 
 
Boston Bruins: C
 
13. (D) Jakub Zboril
14. (LW) Jake Debrusk
15. (RW) Zach Senyshyn
37. (D) Brandon Carlo
45. (C) Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson
52. (D) Jeremy Lauzon
75. (G) Daniel Vladar
105. (LW) Jesse Gabrielle
165. (C) Cameron Hughes
195. (C) Jack Becker
 
Additions:
 
– Martin Jones
– Colin Miller
 
Subtractions:
 
– Milan Lucic
– Dougie Hamilton
 
Yikes. Lucic and Hamilton are gone (for reasons beyond on ice play, obviously), and the B’s look like they’re moving in a new direction. Zboril brings a style of play that will let him fit in quite easily. Debrusk, though a surprise, has good offensive upside. I’ve come around a bit on the selection as Debrusk plays a style that, like Zboril, makes him a great fit in Boston. Senyshyn was the shock of the first round. passing on Barzal will prove to be costly. Beyond the first, the B’s did as good a job as anyone. Carlo, JFK, Lauzon, and Vladar were all great selections and each one of them bring a unique element. Gabrielle may be a steal, we’ll wait and see. Fans should be optimistic about him. Jack Becker may be the gem of this crop. 
 
Buffalo Sabres: A
 
2. (C) Jack Eichel
51. (D) Brendan Guhle 
92. (D) William Borgen
122. (D) Devante Stephens
152. (C) Giorgio Estephan
182. (LW) Ivan Chukarov
 
Additions:
 
– Ryan O’Reilly
– Jamie McGinn
– Robin Lehner
– David Legwand
 
Subtractions:
 
– Nikita Zadorov
– Mikhail Grigorenko
– JT Compher
 
A great day for Sabres fans as they walk away with a franchise center as well as a starting goalie and top 6 winger. After Eichel, the picks were less than stellar, but that’s not a huge problem considering who they’ve added via trade. Guhle and Estephan are my favourites from this crop as they are both poised to have a big season next year. Borgen and Chukarov are wait and see guys, but I’m high on both. It was a good day for the Sabres.
 
Calgary Flames: B+
 
53. (D) Rasmus Andersson
60. (D) Oliver Kylington
136. (C) Pavel Karnaukhov
166. (LW) Andrew Mangiapane
196. (D) Riley Bruce
 
Additions:
 
– Dougie Hamilton
 
After adding Dougie Hamilton to the fold, The Flames were an automatic top 5 draft day team, but they didn’t stop there. In the second round they grabbed two very good Swedish defenders. Kylington, a bit of a project, has huge upside. Andersson needs to round out his game, but he will be a good defenceman. Mangiapane at 169 is good value for a guy who put up 104 points. Karnaukhov and Bruce are unlikely NHL’ers, but each one of them possesses some rather intriguing tools. 
Carolina Hurricanes: A
 
5. (D) Noah Hanifin
35. (RW) Sebastian Aho
93. (G) Callum Booth
96. (C) Nicolas Roy
126. (LW) Luke Stevens
138. (RW) Spencer Smallman
156. (D) Jake Massie
169. (C) David Cotton
 
Additions:
 
– Eddie Lack
– James Wisniewski 
 
Subtractions:
 
– Anton Khudobin
– 2016 7th
 
The Canes may have had the best day at the draft out of anyone. Hanifin at five is a steal, and people will realize it when we look back in 4 or 5 years. Aho is a very skilled winger who I see as a third liner who can contribute 30-40 points. LOVE Booth and Roy at 93 and 96. I think Roy has great upside and will be a 3rd line center in the NHL. Stevens and Cotton are great picks. Both have NHL upside. 
 
Chicago Blackhawks: C
 
54. (LW) Graham Knott
91. (D) Dennis Gilbert
121. (D) Ryan Shea
151. (RW) Radovan Bondra
164. (RW) Roy Radke
181. (D) Joni Tuuola
211. (RW) John Dahlstrom
 
Additions:
 
– Ryan Haggerty
 
Subtractions:
 
– Antti Raanta
 
The Hawks were average, but they always seem to come away with great prospects. Knott may be Andrew Shaw 2.0, if he can figure things out off the ice. Gilbert, Shea, and Tuulola are all pretty good defensive prospects. Gilbert had a good season and I am quite high on him. Tuulola the dark horse of the crop, could have a future in the NHL, but it’s a long road. Bondra a good project, but he has a LONG way to go. Dahlstrom a smart and safe pick in the 7th. 
 
Colorado Avalanche: B-
 
10. (RW) Mikko Rantanen
39. (LW) AJ Greer
40. (D) Nicolas Meloche
101. (D) Andrei Mironov
161. (D) Sergei Boikov
191. (C) Gustav Olhaver
 
Additions:
 
– Carl Soderberg
– Nikita Zadorov
– Mikhail Grigorenko
– JT Compher
Subtractions:
 
– Ryan O’Reilly
– Jamie McGinn 
 
I like what the Avs did via trade, but I like the Rantanen pick even more. He’s going to be a stud, and at ten it’s not even fair. Greer and Meloche are solid second rounders, but Greer has to round out his game a bit before we see him in the NHL. Meloche is a gritty two way defender with good offensive ability. I hop he can crack a spot in a few years. Mironov a good offensive defenceman from Russia. Gustav Olhaver is a monster at 6’6. He’s good offensively, but doesn’t bring a lot in the way of offence. Not big on Boikov. 
 
Columbus Blue Jackets: B
 
8. (D) Zach Werenski
29. (D) Gabriel Carlsson
38. (LW) Paul Bittner
58. (C) Kevin Stenlund
69. (RW) Keegan Kolesar
129 (D) Sam Ruopp
141. (D) Veeti Vainio
158. (D) Vladislav Gavrikov
189. (D) Markus Nutivaara
 
The Jackets brought home one hell of a haul. Werenski at 8 is a great pick. He’ll be on the blue line in a few years no doubt. Carlsson is a defensive defenceman who may turn out to be a good number four on this Jackets roster. Bittner is a steal at 38. No one saw him going this late, and I feel he could be the next Max Pacioretty. Stenlund was one of my favourites, and I’d love to see him in the AHL next season given contracts work out. Ruopp, Vainio, and Gavrikov are all good picks, especially that late. Nutivaara was not a smart pick. 
 
Dallas Stars: B-
 
12. (LW) Denis Guryanov
49. (LW) Roope Hintz
103. (D) Chris Martenet
133. (D) Joseph Cecconi
163. (G) Markus Ruusu
 
Additions:
 
– Antti Niemi UFA Rights
 
The Stars walked away from the draft with the the most intriguing first round prospect. Guryanov has an NHL caliber shot, as well as the speed to make him a constant threat. Roope Hintz went about where he was projected. He’s a gritty two way forward who doesn’t have a ton of offensive upside but will be a good bottom 6 player. Martenet and Cecconi are both project defenceman who need work rounding out their game. If they see NHL time, it’s as a 6th or 7th defenceman, but I’m doubtful. Ruusu is an interesting goalie. Put up good numbers in both Jr. B and Jr. A, so we’ll wait and see what happens with him. 
 
Detroit Red Wings: C
 
19. (F) Evgeny Svechnikov
73. (D) Vili Saarijarvi
110. (G) Joren Van Pottleberghe
140. (C) Chase Pearson
170. (D) Patrick Holway
200. (LW) Adam Marsh
 
The Red Wings walked away from the draft with a fairly weak crop of players. Svechnikov stands out as the obvious best selection, but beyond that it isn’t great. Saarijarvi impressed at U-18’s, but at 5’9, his NHL dreams may be just that, a dream. Van Pottleberghe is a decent prospect, but still has a lot to prove. Pearson and Holway need to have a big year in order to justify their selection, but of the two I think Holway has the better potential. Adam Marsh, another SNB player, may be their second best selection, as the 6’0 winger has great offensive upside. He makes smart plays, and has good vision. Look for Marsh to have a strong offensive season next year. 
 
Edmonton Oilers: A
 
1. (C) Connor McDavid
117. (D) Caleb Jones
124. (D) Ethan Bear
154. (D) John Marino
208. (G) Miroslav Svoboda
209. (D) Ziyat Paygin
 
Additions:
 
– Cam Talbot
– Brad Ross
– Eric Gryba
– Griffin Reinhart
 
Subtractions:
 
– Travis Ewanyk
– Martin Marincin
 
It was a huge draft for the Oilers as they walked away with franchise center Connor McDavid. He was the obvious pick, but beyond that they did quite well for themselves. The Reinhart trade is a move where we won’t know winners or losers for a few years, but right now I’d say the aisles won the deal. Adding Gryba was a great, underrated move, and Cam Talbot is the starter the Oilers have needed for a long time. The selections of Bear and Jones show that management is moving away from the reaches we’ve seen in the past and going after more solidified prospects. Both guys will be in the WHL next season so it’ll be interesting to see how they progress. John Marino was an EXCELLENT pick. The 6’2 raw right handed defenceman will have the next four years to progress at Harvard, and after that I could see him as a 6th defenceman who will work his way up. Svoboda was a good pick later on. He put up good numbers in the Czech and at U20’s. Ziyat Paygin won’t bring much in the way of offence, but he’s a big shutdown defenceman who saw time in the KHL this past season. May be a while before he sees NHL time, but with his size and defensive ability it’s possible. 
 
Florida Panthers: B
 
11. (LW) Lawson Crouse
77. (G) Samuel Montembeault
88. (D) Thomas Schemitsch
102. (C) Denis Malgin
132. (LW) Karch Bachman
162. (RW) Christopher Wilkie
192. (C) Patrick Shea
206. (G) Ryan Bednard
 
Additions:
 
– Greg McKegg
 
Subtractions: 
 
– Zach Hyman
 
Lawson Crouse will be a valuable addition to the young group of highly skilled forwards in Florida. With players like Barkov and Huburdeau, Crouse adds that grit factor which is lacking. Many scouts were split on the big Fronts forward, but I’m optimistic that he succeeds. At 77, the Cats added Samuel Montembeault to the depth chart. He’s a big goalie at 6’3 who has the raw tools to become a decent NHL’er. Thomas Schemitsch is a nice addition as the right handed defender impressed this season after posting 49 points for the Attack. Malgin is an extremely skilled but undersized forward who recieced a lot of attention due to his impressive offensive ability. Bachman, Wilkie, and Shea all bring impressive offensive ability, but none of the three are considered game breakers. I like Wilkie and Bachman as they are a little bit more responsible in their own end. I’m not big on Ryan Bednard, but he brings good size. Overall, a pretty good day for the Panthers, but nothing too great after the 11th pick.
 
Los Angeles Kings: B-
 
43. (D) Erik Cernak
74. (C) Alexander Dergachyov
99. (LW) Austin Wagner
134. (RW) Matt Schmalz
187. (D) Chaz Reddekopp
194. (D) Matt Roy 
 
Additions:
 
– Milan Lucic
 
Subtractions:
 
– Martin Jones
– Colin Miller
 
Much like the Flames, after adding a player of Lucic’s caliber, the Kings could be considered a winner. They did give away a good pick at 13, but Milan makes up for that. At 43, Erik Cernak is a smart and safe pick. The big Slovakian defender is a great addition to the Kings blue line. He plays smart in his own end, and is one of those cycle busting players many teams covet. I was surprised to see Dergachyov fall to 74, but we’re somewhat unsure on what he’ll bring to the league. He’s gritty, we know that, but how good is his offensive side? Time will tell. Austin Wagner is a value pick at 99. The speedy winger plays an aggressive style, and has a legit shot at being a pro. Schmalz is a beast. At 6’6, he’s a physically punishing winger who has shown that there’s an offensive side to his game. Though he struggled in the plus minus category, you have to appreciate his point totals on a sub par Sudbury team. Be excited about this guy. Chaz Reddekopp is a good late addition. He’s a defensive defenceman with little offensive upside. Matt Roy was a reach. 
 
Minnesota Wild: C
 
20. (C) Joel Eriksson Ek
50. (LW) Jordan Greenway
111. (G) Ales Stezka
135. (LW) Kirill Kaprizov 
171. (D) Nicholas Boka
201. (D) Gustav Bouramman
204. (D) Jack Sadek
 
The Minnesota Wild made an extremely smart decision taking Joel Eriksson Ek at 20. He’s going to be a guy we look back on and ask how so many teams missed him. I’m not a fan of Jordan Greenway, but at 50 it’s a safe gamble. Stezka is one of my favourite goalies from this class, and I’m glad he went to a team where he will have a legit shot one day. Kaprizov is a speedy winger from Russia who had a good showing at the U-18’s. His chances at the NHL are slim. Boka is a gritty kid who put up some big numbers in the penalty department this season. He’s a defensive defenceman who’s mean in the corners. At 207, Bouramman is a seventh round steal. Love the offence he brings, now he just needs to work on his skating and defensive game. Sadek was very good at the USHS ranks, and at 6’2 he looks like he could be a legit prospect. 
 
Montreal Canadiens: C
 
26. (D) Noah Juulsen 
87. (RW) Lukas Vejdemo
131. (C) Matthew Bradley
177. (D) Simon Bourque
207. (LW) Jeremiah Addison
 
Perhaps the most underrated prospect in the draft, Lukas Vejdemo goes to the Canadiens at 87. I’m extremely high on this kid as he’s shown impressive offensive instinct as well as good skating ability. However, before Vejdemo, the Habs selected 6’2 defender Noah Juulsen. He was a safe pick in the first, and has some good tools. He needs to round out his game a bit, but I believe he will be a good defender. Matthew Bradley is a slightly undersized forward from the WHL who will take on a bigger role next season with the Cats in Med Hat. Bourque was a good two way defender for the Oceanic this season. He posted an impressive 38 points as well as 69 pims, but remained a plus 27. He has good puck retrieval skills, and can hold his own in the D zone. Jeremiah Addison is the kind of guy you look for in the 7th round. He’s shown some promising signs, and had a great post season, putting up 10 points in 6 games. Will be interesting to see what he does next season. 
 
Nashville Predators: B-
 
55. (LW) Yakov Trenin
85. (C) Tom Novak
100. (C) Anthony Richard
115. (D) Alexandre Carrier
145. (G) Karel Vejmelka
175. (C) Tyler Moy
205. (G) Evan Smith
 
The Preds are an underrated team when it comes to drafting, and once again they walked away with a good group. With no first round pick, the Preds snag Yakov Trenin at 55. He’s a big bodied, skilled winger who has good offensive abilities. I could see him as a middle six scorer. Novak, who I had ranked in the top 50, fell to 85, which surprised quite a few people. He’s a 6’0 playmaker who’s quite agile and sees the ice well. At 100, the Preds took a gamble on 5’9 playmaker Anthony Richard. Though small in stature, he plays big. He’s versatile in that he can go from the playmaker role to the pest role in a second. Carrier had an impressive season for an undersized defenceman. The skill is there, and that’s reflected in the 55 points he posted in Gatineau. Vejmelka is an absolute gem at 145. He has the size and lateral ability to be a good NHL goaltender, not to mention his numbers were more than impressive. Moy, another good pick late in the draft. Has two more seasons at Harvard where he will look to carry the offence. Smith is a darkhorse. At 6’6 he has a great frame, but I feel numbers in the NAHL are spiked to favour goalies. We’ll wait and see on him.
 
New Jersey Devils: C
 
6. (C) Pavel Zacha
42. (G) Mackenzie Blackwood
67. (C) Blake Speers
97. (D) Colton White
157. (LW) Brett Seney
 
Additions: 
 
– Kyle Palmieri
 
Subtractions:
 
2016 3rd
 
I like what the Devils did. Pavel Zacha is the perfect guy to bring in at this point, He’s big, mean, and has raw offensive tools the Devils so desperately need. Beyond the first, Blackwood was a smart pick as goaltending depth is a concern for the Devils. Speers is going to be an offensive machine this coming year, as his offensive instincts and ability will have him collecting north of 80 points. Both White and Seney are long shots for the NHL. White, a 6’0 defenceman from SSM had a decent season, but played behind an impressive lineup. Seney is an undersized forward who had a good season in the OJHL during the 2013/14 season. It was a good day for the Devils. Nothing great, but a good day. 
 
New York Islanders: B+
 
16. (C) Mathew Barzal
28. (LW) Anthony Beauvillier
82. (D) Mitchell Vande Sompel
112. (D) Parker Wotherspoon
147. (D) Ryan Pilon
172. (D) Andong Song
202. (D) Petter Hansson
 
Subtractions: 
 
– Griffin Reinhart
 
My first question would be why hasn’t Garth Snow been making good trades the previous 8 or so years? The Reinhart deal looks great from the Isles side, and Olson did the remainder of the draft. At 16, Mathew Barzal is a very valuable addition. Many had him legged as a top 10 guy, however I preached you should hesitate on that assumption, and some people found that ridiculous. He’s a good pick up, and a guy who could very well be a top 6 NHL’er. At 28, I was surprised to see Anthony Beauvillier selected as the speedy Cateractes winger is seen as a bit of a project on and especially off the ice. Vande Sompel and Wotherspoon were steals at 82 and 112 respectively. Vande Sompel brings such a strong offensive presence from the blue line it’s hard to pass on a guy like that. Wotherspoon is an underrated defender who put up good numbers on a poor Tri City team. The Islanders seem to have a thing for projects and that’s reflected in the Pilon pick at 147. He’s big, has some good tools, but needs a ton of work in all aspects. I have no idea how Andong Song will fair at the NHL level, but it’s nice to see an NHL team dip their toe in the Chinese market. Hansson was a steal in the 7th, and that’s all I have to say about that.. 
 
New York Rangers: C
 
41. (LW) Ryan Gropp
62. (RW) Robin Kovacs
79. (D) Sergey Zborovskiy
89. (C) Aleksi Saarela
113. (C) Brad Morrison
119. (RW) Daniel Bernhardt
184. (G) Adam Huska
 
Additions: 
 
– Emerson Etem
– Antti Raanta
 
Subtractions: 
 
– Carl Hagelin
– Cam Talbot
– Ryan Haggerty
 
The Rangers had an alright day. I wasn’t a fan of Gropp at 41, but the Rangers obviously saw something I didn’t. Kovacs was great at 62, he brings a smart, but exciting style of play. He’s a speedy playmaker. Zborovskiy has good size, but needs some work rounding out his game. Saarela fell a lot this year, but he’s a pretty good gamble in with the 89th pick. Brings good offensive ability, but is pretty solid in his own end. Long shot for the NHL but it’s possible. Morrison is another undersized center, but he brings pure playmaking ability. Will have a big year with PG next season. Bernhardt is dominant offensively and has a great set of hands and shot. His vision in the offensive zone is stellar. He’s the darkhorse of the crop. Love the pick. Adam Huska has a long ways to go.
 
Ottawa Senators: A+
 
18. (D) Thomas Chabot
21. (C) Colin White
36. (RW) Gabriel Gagne
48. (C) Filip Chlapik
107. (D) Christian Wolanin
109. (LW) Filip Ahl 
139. (D) Christian Jaros
199. (G) Joel Daccord
 
Additions: 
 
– Travis Ewanyk
 
Subtractions:
 
– Eric Gryba
– Robin Lehner
– David Legwand
 
The Senators had one of the best draft days out of anybody. The Lehner trade was an absolute steal. Chabot at 18 is both safe and smart. He brings an intriguing offensive two way style who will likely be Karlsson’s partner in a few years. White is another very smart and safe pick. He’s dominant in the face off circle, as well as in his own end. Not to mention the kid put up a point per game this season in both the USDP and USHL. Moving up for Gagne was a bit of a reach but he has both the size and offensive ability to warrant a top 40 pick. LOVE Chlapik at 48, as I believed he was a guy we could have seen in the top 30. Wolanin is an offensive two way defender with some bite to his game. Good pick. Absolutely fell in love with Ahl and Jaros this season so to see both of them on the same team is incredible. Smart picks. Daccord could be a sleeper in this draft. Great numbers in the USHS. Great day for the Sens.
 
Philadelphia Flyers: A
 
7. (D) Ivan Provorov
24. (C) Travis Konecny
70. (G) Felix Sandstrom
90. (G) Matej Tomek
98. (LW) Samuel Dove-McFls
104. (C) Mikhail Vorobyov
128. (RW) David Kase
158. (C) Cooper Marody
188. (G) Ivan Fedotov
 
Additions:
 
– Sam Gagner
– Conditional Pick
 
Subtractions: 
 
– Chris Pronger
– Nicklas Grossman
 
After leaving the first round with Provorov and Konecny, the Flyers are instantly a top 10 team from this years draft. Provorov will be a stud, I don’t know if anything more needs to be said on that side. Konecny is a good value pick at 24, I had him ranked in the top 15. I was extremely happy to see a team draft two goalies with back to back picks, and not just two goalies, but Felix Sandstrom AND Matej Tomek. That’s incredible and solved their goaltending depth problem for at least three years. Dove-McFalls was another player I began to focus on down the stretch. One of the more underrated players in the draft, Dove-McFalls is a solid two way forward who can contribute offensively. Not big on Vorobyov, but next season will be big for him so we’ll see. David Kase went later than expected so the Flyers couldn’t pass on the speedy, skilled Czech winger. Marody was heavily underrated and brings a good offensive tool set to the mix. Fedotov is a wildcard, and a risk worth taking. 
 
Pittsburgh Penguins: B-
 
46. (RW) Daniel Sprong
137. (C) Dominik Simon
167. (LW) Frederik Tiffels
197. (C) Nikita Pavlychev
 
Not a strong day for the Pens. Sprong is a good addition as he could have very well been a first rounder, so I guess that’s one thing the Penguins did right. Simon wasn’t a bad pick, but it’s clear they weren’t going for young, first year eligible prospects. In fact I don’t really mind the Simon pick, he’s pretty solid in the offensive zone and had a good end to the year. Tiffels is a wait and see guy. Had good totals at Western Mich. and has decent size. Pavlychev is a monster at 6’7 and plays the role of the intimidator. There were better players on the board, and I think he has a long road to the NHL. 
 
San Jose Sharks: B
 
9. (RW) Timo Meier
31. (D) Jeremy Roy
86. (G) Mike Robinson
106. (LW) Adam Helewka
130. (D) Karlis Cukste 
142. (LW) Rudolfs Balcers
160. (D) Adam Parsells
190. (C) Marcus Vela
193. (G) John Kupsky
 
Pretty strong day for the Sharks when it’s all said and done. Meier at 9 surprised a few people, but I had him going 10th in the mock. He’s an aggressive playmaker with a ton of potential. Roy at 31 may prove to be a steal. He’s not a great skater, but his IQ is on a different level compared to other QMJHL defenders. Mike Robinson was the wildcard goalie of the draft class. Not a big body of work but he looks more than promising. Helewka was a guy I figured would be taken last year, but after another strong 80+ point season, he finally saw his draft day dream come true. I’ve got a lot of time for Cukste, a big Latvian defender. He put up a point per game at the U-18’s, and showed signs that he can be a contributor in the O zone. Balcers is another strong Latvian pick. Had good offensive totals in Norway this season and had a good showing at the U-18’s. I was high on Parsells this season as he brings both the size and offensive ability you look for in a defenceman that late in the draft. Vela had a decent season in the BCHL, we’ll see how he does next season. Kupsky is a risk. We’ll wait and see on him. 
St. Louis Blues: C
 
56. (D) Vince Dunn
94. (C) Adam Musil
116. (C) Glenn Gawdin
127. (D) Niko Mikkola
146. (G) Luke Opilka
176. (LW) Liam Dunda
 
Interesting haul for the Blues. Dunn is a great pick at 56, as he was a consensus top 40. He has great offensive upside and is pretty solid in his own end (still needs work rounding out his game). Musil is a good pick that late. Some were hard on him this year, but I like what he brings. In my viewings, he really carried the load in both ends for the Rebels. Gawdin is a smart playmaker who many thought would be a top 90 guy. Mikkola is an alright pick. Good size, smart in his own end. Opilka is a decent pick. Had a pretty good year, but like it is with all goalies, we’ll wait and see. Liam Dunda is a bit of a sleeper, and in my opinion is a guy we’ll see in the NHL.
 
Tampa Bay Lightning: B
 
33. (C) Mitchell Stephens
44. (D) Matthew Spencer
64. (LW) Dennis Yan
72. (C) Anthony Cirelli
118. (RW) Jonne Tammela 
120. (RW) Mathieu Joseph
150. (D) Ryan Zuhlsdorf
153. (G) Kristian Oldham
180. (LW) Bokondji Imama
 
Once again, the Lightning walk away with another good haul. Stephens is a smart pick at 33, he brings a pretty well rounded two way game. Watch for him to break out next year. Spencer is an athletic beast, and like Stephens, will have a big year in 2015/16. Yan is a steal at 64. He brings a poised, yet flashy game and is always a threat in the offensive end. I’m not as big on Cirelli as most, but he went where many projected him to be. Tammela and Joseph are both smart offensive two way forwards who will need to work on a few things before they’re ready to play in the pros, but I like Tammela. Zuhlsdorf is a decent defenceman who needs to get a bit faster. Oldham is a good pick, but went kind of early. Imama is intriguing. Good size and I like his style, so we’ll see. 
 
Toronto Maple Leafs: A
 
4. (RW) Mitchell Marner
34. (D) Travis Dermott
61. (RW) Jeremy Bracco
65. (D) Andrew Nielsen
68. (LW) Martins Dzierkals
95. (D) Jesper Lindgren
125. (LW) Dmytro Timashov
155. (D) Stephen Desrocher
185. (LW) Nikita Korostelev 
 
Additions:
 
– Martin Marincin
– Zach Hyman
 
Subtractions:
 
– Brad Ross
– Greg McKegg
 
A very interesting day for the Maple Leafs. Ran with big skill in Marner, Bracco, Timashov, and Dzierkals. Marner will be a stud and I can’t wait to see him at the NHL level. He will dominate the OHL next season. Dermott was a smart pick as you can never have enough puck moving defenceman on your roster. Bracco fell a ton and this may prove to be the steal of the draft. Nielsen is a big, smart defensive defenceman who has been on a poor Lethbridge team for a while now. Love Dzierkals. He’s an exciting, dynamic playmaker who’s a constant threat to score. Lindgren is my favourite pick because like Dermott, he can really move the puck. Timashov is very threatening player when he has the puck on his stick. Good vision and passing ability. Desrocher is a riser as many didn’t have an eye on him until the Mem Cup came around, but he proved to be a reliable defensive defenceman. Korostelev is a steal at 185, and its a crime he went that late. 
 
Vancouver Canucks: B-
 
23. (RW) Brock Boeser
66. (D) Guillaume Brisebois
114. (C) Dmitry Zhukenov
144. (D) Carl Neill
149. (C) Adam Gaudette
174. (RW) Lukas Jasek
210. (D) Tate Olson
 
Additions:
 
– 2016 7th 
– Patrick McNally
 
Subtractions:
 
– Eddie Lack
 
You never really know where the Canucks are going to go with their pick, but this year they went with a guy who can shoot the puck as good as anyone. He’s quick, smart, and is alway in good position to get the shot off. At 66, Brisebois is alright. I’m not a fan, but many have him ranked in the top 50. Zhukenov is a decent pick, but a bit of a reach. Not sure he sees NHL time. Neill is a great pick. Had good offensive totals and was especially good down the stretch and into the playoffs. Gaudette and Jasek are both pretty good picks. Jasek fell, and does have decent NHL potential. Olson is a competitive, defensive defenceman who can throw the body. He can be mean down low, and at 210 is an excellent pick. 
 
Washington Capitals: B-
 
22. (G) Ilya Samsonov
57. (D) Jonas Siegenthaler
143. (D) Connor Hobbs 
173. (D) Colby Williams
 
The Caps had a pretty good day. I was happy to see a team take Samsonov in the first because he’s going to be an absolute stud. Siegenthaler fell quite a bit, but the big Swiss defender may see NHL time sooner than later. He has a lot of good tools and is solid in his own end. Connor Hobbs fell a bit but is another solid defensive prospect. Next year will be big for him as we’ll get to see him put in a full campaign instead of jumping around to different teams. Williams is a vet who figured out how to get it done offensively this season for the Pats. I like him at 173, not sure how he project at the NHL level. 
 
Winnipeg Jets: A
 
17. (LW) Kyle Connor
25. (C) Jack Roslovic
47. (C) Jansen Harkins
78. (LW) Erik Foley
108. (RW) Michael Spacek 
168. (C) Mason Appleton
198. (D) Sami Niku
203. (C) Matteo Gennaro 
 
The Jets make every other team look like clowns on draft day, and this year was no exception. Kyle Connor at 18 is an absolute steal. He’s an intelligent playmaker who can make plays out of nothing. Roslovic is one of my five favourite players in the draft. Could’ve went top 20. Jansen Harkins IS my favourite player in this draft and at 47 is the biggest steal out there. There’s no reason he should’ve fell, but he’s going to a great team so I’m happy for him. Foley and Spacek are both studs. Foley, a bit of a pest, can also put up good numbers. May be a Brad Marchand/Brendan Gallagher type. Spacek is a speedy offensive player who can contribute. Appleton is a big two way center with offensive ability. He’s a fiery guy who can hit. Sami Niku was projected to go much higher, and is a great value pick at 198. Gennaro has a ways to go, but he has good size and a few good tools which make him a decent pick in the 7th.
 
Well that’s all for this year. I’d like to apologize for getting this out so late but I’ve been working on some big things I hope to share in the next couple weeks! Thanks for reading!!