Category Archives: Brennen York

Brennen York, NHL, NHL Entry Draft

Hindsight: Re-Draft ’07

The 2006-07 season marked the beginning of the end for the Edmonton Oilers, and kicked off a ten-year playoff drought in which the team managed a record of only 298-398-90. Over the course of that ten-year window, the Oilers selected 76 players in the NHL entry draft, and a total of 13 were selected in the first round.

In hindsight, the 2007 draft was a colossal failure on behalf of management as they went on to select three players who failed to make an impact on the long-term success of the organization. Sam Gagner, the sixth overall pick in the draft was coming off of a monster season playing alongside first overall pick Patrick Kane where he was able to put up 118 points in the regular season while chipping in another 29 in the playoffs.

Even now, it’s hard to argue the selection as he was clearly one of the most skilled players in the draft class, however, he was never able to become that elite playmaking forward at the NHL level. Alex Plante, the fifteenth pick had a short-lived, ten game NHL career, where he was never able to transfer his defensive defenceman style to the NHL game. Riley Nash was the Oilers final selection in the first round, and though he’s begun carving a role as a bottom-six NHL forward, the fact the Max Pacioretty was the next pick will forever loom over them.

As we’ve learned from looking back at drafts in years past, it’s a hit and miss exhibition, with the best of the best having notable misses throughout their career. Taking that into account, with the respect to hindsight, this re-draft focuses on which player would have made the greatest impact on their new team, rather than who will accumulate the most amount of points. So take a look, and let me know what you think.

2007 NHL Re-Draft

1. Chicago Blackhawks – Selected: Patrick Kane

Re-Pick: Patrick Kane

No-brainer here, he’s one of the league’s elite and has been since he stepped into the NHL.

 

2. Philadelphia Flyers – Selected: James Van Reimsdyk

Re-Pick: Jamie Benn (DAL / 129th)

There were two elite level forwards in this class, and Jamie Benn would have been a more natural duo than democrats and Kleenex back in November.

 

3. Arizona Coyotes – Selected: Kyle Turris

Re-Pick: P.K. Subban (MTL / 43rd)

With Yandle on the way up, and Ekman-Larson soon to be acquired, the Yotes could’ve rolled with one of the strongest defensive corps in the west for a few years.

 

4. Los Angeles Kings – Selected: Thomas Hickey

Re-Pick: Jakub Voracek (PHI / 7th)

This pick would not have only bolstered the Kings offense, but would have saved them money down the stretch on a player like Marian Gaborik.

 

5. Washington Capitals – Selected: Karl Alzner

Re-Pick: Ryan McDonagh (MTL / 12th)

The Caps have always seemed to be stronger on the right side, and adding a player like McDonagh to the mix with Mike Green and eventually, John Carlson would have been huge.

 

6. Edmonton Oilers – Selected: Sam Gagner

Re-Pick: Max Pacioretty (MTL / 22nd)

Pacioretty has really emerged into a solid two-way scorer, with the leadership skills that would have likely expedited the rebuild, even if only by a year or two.

 

7. Columbus Blue Jackets – Selected: Jakub Voracek

Re-Pick: Kevin Shattenkirk (COL / 14th)

With Voracek off the board, Shattenkirk fills an obvious hole in Columbus as their number one defenceman. For years they struggled with an average defensive group, Shattenkirk helps there.

 

8. Boston Bruins – Selected: Zach Hamill

Re-Pick: Wayne Simmonds (LA / 61st)

Not only does Simmonds play match what current management is trying to achieve, he’s also one of the most uniquely valuable players in the league given what he brings to the table.

 

9. San Jose Sharks – Selected: Logan Couture

Re-Pick: Logan Couture

He’s fit into their system quite well, and though he likely won’t ever be considered an elite playmaker, he’s efficient at his role.

 

10. Florida Panthers – Selected: Keaton Ellerby

Re-Pick: Jake Muzzin (PIT / 141st)

The Cats have struggled to find consistency with their defense, and Muzzin brings a lot of tools that would really stabilize the blue line. Muzzin-Ekblad would be a nice pair.

 

11. Carolina Hurricanes – Selected: Brandon Sutter

Re-Pick: Kyle Turris (ARZ / 3rd)

In a mix with the two Staals, Carolina would have had one of the deepest center corps in the east and would have had an easy replacement following Eric’s trade to New York.

 

12. Montreal Canadiens – Selected: Ryan McDonagh

Re-Pick: James Van Riemsdyk (PHI / 2nd)

Having their original pick in McDonagh would be ideal for their team today, JVR brings a Pacioretty-like game to the Habs.
13. St. Louis Blues – Selected: Lars Eller

Re-Pick: Karl Alzner (WSH / 5th)

Alzner’s defensive two-way game would have made him an easy fit in the Blues system, especially now next to one of Pietrangelo or Parayko.

 

14. Colorado Avalanche – Selected: Kevin Shattenkirk

Re-Pick: Nick Bonino (SJ / 173rd)

Though the reason many recognize Bonino because he was part of the HBK line, his hard nosed two-way play and ability to occasionally chip in offensively would help in the West.

 

15. Edmonton Oilers – Selected: Alex Plante

Re-Pick: Brandon Sutter (CAR / 11th)

The fact that the Oilers would be considered likely final four (maybe top eight) candidates with the added center depth Sutter brings makes this an easy pick.

 

16. Minnesota Wild – Selected: Colton Gillies

Re-Pick: David Perron (STL / 26th)

Adds some scoring to the top six, and depth on the wing was missing from Minny for quite a while. He’s a player that leaves you wanting more but still, brings some good tools.

 

17. New York Rangers – Selected: Alexei Cherepanov

Re-Pick: Carl Hagelin (NYR / 168th)

They nailed the pick, only in round six instead of round one. Hagelin’s speed and puck skills allow him to be a consistent offensive threat, glad he’s found success in Pittsburgh.

 

18. St. Louis Blues – Selected: Ian Cole

Re-Pick: Alex Killorn (TB / 77th)

Killorn gives just about any team in the league a boost in the 3C spot as he’s proven to be a scoring two-way center who can be relied upon in a number of situations.

 

19. Anaheim Ducks – Selected: Logan MacMillan

Re-Pick: Carl Gunnarsson (TOR / 194th)

There are few defenceman in the league who play a consistent defensive defenceman style, but Gunnarsson has managed to be effective in that role for more than a few years.

 

20. Pittsburgh Penguins – Selected: Angelo Esposito

Re-Pick: Sam Gagner (EDM / 6th)

If Gagner could have instant, sustained success anywhere, it likely would have been on the right side next to Crosby. He’s proven he can put up points, now carving out a depth role in CBJ.

 

21. Edmonton Oilers – Selected: Riley Nash

Re-Pick: Justin Braun (SJ / 201st)

Braun is one of the more under appreciated defenders in the league and has proven to be a consistent two-way defenceman for the Sharks. The fact he’s a righty helps the current Oilers quite a bit.

 

22. Montreal Canadiens – Selected: Max Pacioretty

Re-Pick: Alec Martinez (LA / 95th)

So Montreal gets ripped off in the re-draft, BUT Martinez addresses an area where the Habs weren’t overly strong at for a number of years. If that makes up for losing Subban, McDonagh, and Pacioretty…

 

23. Nashville Predators – Selected: Jon Blum

Re-Pick: Mikael Backlund (CGY / 24th)

They had a chance to take him at the time, and he would have looked good in a Preds jersey. Backlund is a decent offensive two-way player who fills a 3C role and can step into the 2 hole with injuries.

 

24. Calgary Flames – Selected: Mikael Backlund

Re-Pick: Lars Eller (STL / 13th)

Eller has had an alright NHL career and has been leaned upon to be a consistent defensive third line player. Replaces the loss of Backlund quite easily.

 

25. Vancouver Canucks – Selected: Patrick White

Re-Pick: Scott Darling (ARZ / 153rd)

This pick is primarily based on value, and the fact that seeing another goalie added to the Luongo/Schneider saga would have been added comedy.

 

26. St. Louis Blues – Selected: David Perron

Re-Pick: Brendan Smith (DET / 27th)

Smith doesn’t “bolster” their defence, but he makes them much more competitive in what would likely have been a number five spot. He’s a decent number four NHL defenceman.

 

27. Detroit Red Wings – Selected: Brendan Smith

Re-Pick: Thomas Hickey (LA / 4th)

Would have been interesting to see what Detroit could have done for the development of Hickey, who is now showing he’s a fairly reliable two-way defender.

 

28. San Jose Sharks- Selected: Nick Petrecki

Re-Pick: Patrick Maroon

Though he never fully hit his stride until he was on McDavid’s wing, Maroon next to a guy like Joe Thornton might have been too powerful a duo for even Western conference teams to stop.

 

29. Ottawa Senators – Selected: Jim O’Brien

Re-Pick: Ian Cole (STL / 18th)

Cole has really carved out a role in Pittsburgh, providing a (somewhat) consistent two-way game, currently playing in the number five spot.

 

30. Arizona Coyotes – Selected: Nick Ross

Re-Pick: Dwight King (LA / 109th)

King has proven to be a strong bottom six player in LA, and clearly, has value on the open market.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to let me know who you would have taken in this draft and why. The top five was loaded with high-end players, so I’m sure the Benn vs. Subban debate will be heated!

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Brennen York, Prospects

Oilers Prospect Grades (U-21)

The Edmonton Oiler prospect depth has been suspect for more than a few years, and it’s safe to say that their inability to draft and develop beyond the first round contributed to their failures over the past decade. Between 2006 – 2014, the Oilers made a total of 56 post-first round selections, with only 20 of those players having played NHL game, and of those 20, only five have played more than 100 NHL games. Of the 56 players selected, only two are currently active on the Oilers roster (Davidson and Slepyshev), and 14 of the 56 selected remain under Oilers control. The most notable misses over that eight year window include the selection of Mitchell Moroz with the 32nd overall pick, a selection Oilers management took flack for after missing out on Ville Pokka who went only two picks later.

 

 

With a new management crew in charge we’ve seen a much different approach to the drafting and development of prospects, seeing many more college prospects added at the draft, as well as a focus on adding proven junior players instead of taking big risks on projects. The shift in philosophy came to light in the 2015 draft when the Oilers were able to add both Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones outside of the first round. The addition of college players looks good long term as they will then be afforded additional years to sign ELC’s.

 

 

There are many ways different services rank players and project potential, but the criteria for this list is fairly simple. Level of play and production given level of league. For example, a player who spent half of a season in SuperElit and was then promoted and able to produce at the SHL level is likely going to be ranked higher than a player in the OHL who was just under a point per game in their draft year, and a hair over a point per game this year. Now I understand many will say “you can’t just look at stats and say this guy is going to be better than another” which I fully agree with, however, given the inability to get a look at all of the prospects, the list is more so based on the way their career path is trending. So take a look, and let me know your thoughts.

 

 

Edmonton Oilers Prospect Grades (U-21)

 

 

A – Projected to be a top 6 forward, top 3 defenceman, or NHL 1A or 1B goalie. Very little uncertainty regarding these prospects, and their trade value would be a first round pick or a first round pick plus.

 

Jesse Puljujarvi (RW) – Bakersfield Condors

 

Expect him to be a full time top six NHL player next season. Has been able to produce at just under a point per game at the AHL level, and may earn a call up before the end of the season. Going to be a point producer in the top six, just have to be patient.

 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWEBUT1qFuM]

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=152117

 
B – May not be a big time player, or even a top six forward/top three guy, but they are the most likely to carve out full time role in the NHL. Trade value is fairly high, likely a second rounder, or a second round plus.

 

 

Caleb Jones (LD) – Portland Winterhawks

 

Gained a lot of attention at the World Juniors when he logged over 30 minutes in the gold medal game. Has been stellar for the Hawks this season, and is on pace to pass his point total from last season. High on him given his ability to be a sound defensive zone player as well as jump in on offense.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=199902

 

Tyler Benson (LW) – Vancouver Giants

 

He’ll be an NHL’er if he can get past the injury problems. The positive on that is the lack of repeating injuries. Good nose for the net and is likely a bottom six forward. The real test for Benson will come next year on what will be a Giants team that should be able to score, so we’ll see how big of a factor he is.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=154220

 

Ethan Bear (RD) – Seattle Thunderbirds

 

Hasn’t had the most consistent year, but is on pace to blow past 70 points from the blue line. Reminds me a lot of Duncan Keith, could be a big time player. Good skater, good hockey sense, will see him in the AHL next year, with the hope being his game transitions easily.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=197561

 

Filip Berglund (RD) – Skelleftea AIK

 

Taken in the third round and was able to jump up to log full time SHL minutes this season. Has a contract through 17/18, and will hopefully make the jump to North America in two years, but the Oilers are able to be patient and hope he’s able to continue to develop.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=113834

 

 
C – Projected to be a fringe NHL player, and there’s quite a bit of optimism with these players. Unlikely to ever be a top six forward or top three defenceman, but could carve out a role at the NHL level.

 

 

Dylan Wells (G) – Peterborough Petes

 

Strong year with Peterborough, maintaining above a .910 save percentage throughout most of the season. Has performed well internationally and has sound fundamentals. Have to be patient with goalies, but he’s proving to be a good pickup.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=239801

 

Kyle Platzer (C) – Bakersfield Condors

 

Hasn’t had the best season in terms of offensive production, but has been held to a fourth line role for the majority of the season. He has a good offensive toolset, and may be a bottom six forward down the road. Would like to see what he could do in a more prominent role.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=126916

 

Aapeli Rasanen (C) – Sioux City Musketeers

 

Strong first year in North America, earning a spot on the Finnish World Junior roster where he was a point per game player. Right handed center who has been very strong in the dot. Heading to Boston College next season.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=118081

 

William Lagesson (LD) – UMass (Amherst)

 

Was left off the Swedish World Junior roster after playing with them the year before. He’s a mean two way defenceman who can pass the puck. Defends well. Next two years at UMass will be extremely beneficial.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=86158

 

John Marino (RD) – Harvard University

 

Strong freshman campaign with Harvard. Plays a steady two way game. Strong skater who will see his role with Harvard expand in the coming years. Right handed shot adds value, especially to the Oilers.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=278675

 

 
D – Unlikely to ever be a full time NHL player, and may be considered a project or labelled as enigmatic. May have some trade value, but would likely be a later pick.

 

 

Matthew Cairns (LD) – Powell River Kings

 

After moving from Fargo to Powell River, Cairns picked up his offensive production logging 16 points in 18 games. He’s heading to Cornell next year where we will get a more accurate idea of what his game really is.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=245621

 

Graham McPhee (LW) – Boston College

 

Had an average first year at BC, however his two way game seems to be a bright spot. Good bloodlines, likely finds a contract down the road, but hard to read an 18 year old playing a depth role in college. Patience.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=226444

 

Markus Niemelainen (LD) – Saginaw Spirit

 

A bit of a disastrous year for Niemelainen as his offensive totals dropped tremendously and his inability to find consistency really hurt his game. He’s a project worth investing in, and I wouldn’t doubt we see him return to Europe to find his game.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=175894

 

 

E – Not likely to sign a pro contract, zero trade value at the moment.

 

 

Miroslav Svoboda (G) – HC Dukla Jihlava

 

Has posted good numbers in the Czech 2 league, but has struggled with conditioning and athleticism. He’s still young, and like I said, you never know with goalies, but he seems like a lifetime European player.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=101860

 

Vincent Desharnais (RD) – Providence College

 

With the importance of puck moving defenceman at an all time high, not sure the 6’6 defenceman who has only registered 6 assists in the past three years, his chance at the NHL seems doubtful.

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=264690

 

 

Thanks for reading! I’d love to get your feedback to know where you’d make changes or who else you might push up to an A or B rating. To get ahold of me, send a tweet to @york_dg

Brennen York, Prospects

Matthew Savoie

If you were to bring up a prospect like Matthew Savoie to a regular hockey fan, the reaction is usually the same.

“He’s only twelve.”

The sentiment behind a statement like that is dismissive yet understandable. The fact of the matter is that Matthew Savoie is only 12 years old, however he is doing things we have seen very few hockey players do at such a young age. Not only has he been able to produce at well over a point per game average playing with kids two years older than him, he’s shown that he can be dominant in those games, often times the teams most effective forward. The hesitation or skepticism towards buying into the hype around a player like Savoie is understandable as we’ve seen many players come through the bantam ranks and end up either not living up to expectations or fall through the cracks before they even reach the league. Though this has been the case for a number of players, my money is on Matthew Savoie being one of the best prospects to come out of minor hockey in years.

There are very few flaws in Matthew’s game, and a such an early age, he’s shown a commitment to playing with consistent intensity, and has proven he can be relied upon in any situation. Savoie is a dynamic skater with the ability to explode up the wing, as well as be deceptive with his edge work while transporting the puck. He’s a highly creative offensive zone player who’s ability to find shooting and passing lanes to the net has put him amongst the top scorers in the league. He’s a strong checker, not something you’d expect out of an underage player, but his ability to explode through hits and fight through traffic make him that much more dynamic. He’s a defensively sound player who engages opponents quickly and utilizes his stick well in order to take away passing lanes, making offensive zone time difficult for the opposition. His ability in the faceoff dot is one of his biggest strengths as he has shown he can win draws against bigger competition. Though he’s still a few years away from WHL action, he already projects to be a combination Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Curtis Lazar in his ability to powerful, high skilled game

It’s uncertain whether or not we will see Savoie in Bantam next season as he’s proven to be competitive enough to remain with the ’02 age group, meaning he may end up playing at the Elite 15 level come the 2017/18 season. There are many routes which Savoie could take over the next few years as he has become one of the most heavily recruited players over the past year, and it’s expected by many that he may become the first WHL player granted exceptional status, which would allow him to enter the league full time at 15.

The St. Albert Sabres faceoff against Sherwood Park the first round of the AMBHL playoffs, so follow @DraftGeekHockey for game updates. Thank you for reading.

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Brennen York, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Patrick vs. Hischier: A Battle For Top Spot

Each year there are a number of preconceptions surrounding a draft class. 2015 was hailed as “the best since ‘03” years before it took place, and was praised for its depth in both the first round and throughout the remainder of the draft. With 18/30 first round selections having already played their first NHL game, it’s hard to argue that the preconceptions regarding that draft class were wrong. The preconceptions surrounding the 2017 draft class are vastly different, with many questioning both it’s depth and talent at the top. Though I believe the depth aspect of this draft is lacking, the talent at the top isn’t something to scoff at.

Nolan Patrick vs. Nico Hischier has been the battle presented to the masses this season, and though many, including myself, believe Nolan Patrick will likely be the first overall selection, Nico Hischier has done nothing but impress throughout his rookie QMJHL campaign. Throughout 43 games, Hischier has managed 76 points (1.77 ppg/2nd amongst QMJHL skaters), and has been relied upon in every situation for the Mooseheads, a testament to his ability to think the game at a very high level. His Zetterberg-like approach to the game has made it evident that he will be an effective player at the next level, and given the skills he possesses coupled with his ability to produce at all levels, it’s hard to see him not becoming a top line, point producing NHL player in the near future.

Since his return to the Wheat Kings lineup, Nolan Patrick has been dominant, recording 14 points in 8 games as well as a fight victory against Tyler Wong on January 31st. The Wheat Kings captain has drawn comparisons to Ryan Getzlaf, as the big bodied forward has proven to be an offensive zone force with his ability to push through traffic and be an effective scorer from in tight. He projects to be a top line NHL player, and given his versatility and ability to play in all situations as well as on the wing, he’s an ideal fit for nearly every team. Amongst teams poised to hold the first selection, Colorado would be an ideal fit giving their young core revolving around Nate MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Tyson Jost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3muLUzDVw0

The most intriguing talking point when looking at these two high-end players is the west coast vs. east coast differences in their games. Teams have their choice of Nico Hischier, a true finesse, speedy, skilled type of forward, similar to Henrik Zetterberg or Nolan Patrick, the powerful, dynamic point producer similar to Ryan Getzlaf. Given the current layout of the NHL standings, both are likely western conference property when it’s all said and done, and regardless of which player goes first, I believe both will be successful NHL Players.

Though Patrick and Hischier have been the two players featured in headlines, they are being pushed by some highly skilled and talented players. Timothy Lijegren, the top-ranked defenceman for this draft has had an up and down year, dealing with mono as well as demotion to Allsvenskan following a disappointing return from his sickness. Liljegren is a highly intelligent, smooth skating defender who’s omission from the Swedish World Junior roster left many confused given his ability to play in all situations as well as produce offensively. He’s a defenceman teams will have to be patient with, and we may end up seeing him spend another year or two in Sweden before coming over, though significant AHL time may not be the worst thing for his development. Casey Mittelstadt of Eden Prairie is a player who will garner attention from teams picking in the top five, and in my opinion may be a top three forward when we look back at this draft five years from now, as he boasts a strong offensive two-way game, and has really proven to be difficult to play against. He’s a solid player whose hard to knock off the puck and can be a dynamic offensive force.

 

Regardless of who is selected first overall, the 2017 draft brings a unique mix of offensive talents, with players who possess a wide range of skillsets and intangibles. It may not have the McDavid or Matthews hype, but any team picking in the top ten is walking away with an excellent player.

Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions or comments be sure to reach me at @DraftGeekHockey on Twitter or comment below!

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Brennen York

World Junior Rewind

From opening puck drop on boxing day to Troy Terry’s shootout heroics, the 2017 World Junior’s packed about as much junior hockey excitement into eleven days as anyone could hope for. There were a few major storylines many will remember twenty years down the road, the main one likely being Troy Terry’s shootout magnificence, however the lack of attendance throughout round robin action and even into quarter final action is sure to leave a black mark on the cities of Montreal and Toronto. Also, with the USA having won their third medal in eight years, many questions around Canada’s success at the tournament have already been asked and will likely be asked again come next December.
Focusing on the positives..
The roster the U.S. assembled was quite brilliant, and the way Bob Motzko utilized all four of his lines really helped push the Americans over the top. The Americans did an excellent job combining speed, goal scoring, and finding the players who were unwilling to walk away without a gold medal around their necks.

Tyler Parsons – Parsons is a big game guy and that’s exactly what they got out of him. He’s not a natural high end puck tracker, but man does he fight in the crease. Flames may have a good one.

 

Charlie McAvoy – McAvoy was the second best defenceman in the tournament and provided the Americans with a stabilizing force from the back end. McAvoy will be a high end NHL defenceman, and he will be there very soon.

 

Caleb Jones – Outside of WHL and Oiler fans, not many people were aware of the impact Jones would play on the roster. Jones, much like McAvoy, was a real stabilizer on the back end, able to slow the game down and distribute the puck effectively.

 

Jack Roslovic – Though he didn’t receive the attention that Colin White and Clayton Keller received, Roslovic was one of the most impactful players on the American roster. His ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone with speed, and gain clean zone entries are something that will make him a successful NHL winger.

 

Clayton Keller – He was quiet in the final, but I don’t think anyone can argue the sheer brilliance of Clayton Keller. From his puck skills to speed to the way he sees the ice, Keller is going to be a big time player for they ‘Yotes.

 

Luke Kunin – Kunin had a decent tournament, and was able to generate a fair amount of offensive zone chances. I believe he’s still a year away from the NHL (based on his performance in this tournament) but he played an integral part in the American’s success.

 

Jordan Greenway – Scary, scary player. His ability to skate given his size would have any opponent shaking. He’s a freight train, and the physical aspect of his game, as well as his ability to contribute around the net really allowed fans to see how good of a prospect Greenway is.

 

Tage Thompson – Unbelievably skilled player. Thompson showed he has the ability to dominate games, and I believe that’s exactly what he will bring to the St. Louis Blues. Out of any player on the roster, Thompson impressed me the most.

 

Troy Terry – What’s left to say? He was clutch. I’m not sure he’s ever a top 9 NHL player, but he certainly cemented himself as one of the most legendary US players ever.

 

Though they finished second, Team Canada really didn’t have all that good of a tournament. Aside from Thomas Chabot, and for a short time Phillippe Myers, the back end struggled mightily against the fast and skilled attacks of the Sweden and the USA. In a short tournament like this, the lack of defenceman capable of playing more of a shutdown role inevitably cost them, making the omission of Brendan Guhle even harder to swallow.

 

The forward group deployed in this years tournament was quite strong, but the team lacked in a clear go to guy. Of course Mathew Barzal and Dylan Strome were thought to be those guys heading in, and they did have a fairly strong round robin, but they were never able to truly take over and dominate a game, with Dylan Strome nearly disappearing in the final. Julien Gauthier was one of the more impressive forwards, and given his size, speed, and overall intelligence, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think he’ll be a top none guy in Raleigh next season. Anthony Cirelli received a lot of media attention, and though he played above what was expected, he didn’t blow me away.

 

The goaltending was what it was. They took the two best Canadian goalies in the CHL, and to Hart’s credit the Americans got really lucky on a couple of goals in the final game.

 

In terms of draft eligibles who impressed, no one was better than Halifax Mooseheads forward, Nico Hischier who scooped up seven points in five games and was the clear go to man for the Swiss. Is he going to be a top three pick in this years draft, probably not, but everyone now knows how skilled the young center is. Miro Heiskanen is another player who saw a rise in his draft stock following a fairly strong outing on a weak Finnish squad. The other Fins in Tolvanen, Vesalainen, and Valimaki are likely to remain in a similar spot, though Vesalainen is a guy who could see his name rise. Elias Pettersson had a decent outing for a draft eligible in the WJC, and is likely solidified in the top 15. Lias Andersson showed off how dynamic he can be, and at times looked like one of the best Swedes on the ice. Andersson is a player I had some reservations on heading into the tourney, but he looks like he will be a high end offensive player at the NHL level.

 

Aside from Finlands shocking fall from grace, the other disappointment comes with the Swedes, who on paper were the majority favourite heading in. With a deep defensive corp, elite goaltending, and a good mix of veterans and skilled, the Swedes fell short to the Russians. The Swedes are a perennial power house, but if this tournament showed anything it’s that teams are able to adjust to the same old formula, and that’s evident in the success that a team like Switzerland had at the tournament, proving to be far more competitive than one would have thought.

 

As strange as it may sound, the Fins will have a strong team in the 2018 edition of the tournament, with likely returnees in Rasanen, Vesalainen, Tolvanen, Heiskanen, Valimaki, as well as the addition of likely top 60 pick Robin Salo.

 

Thank you for reading, and follow me at @DraftGeekHockey for more news and notes on junior hockey news and prospects.