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NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, TPE Hockey

TPE Hockey’s Ultimate Top 50 List of Undrafted NHL Prospects

This year the Hughes vs Kakko debate has raged over who will and should go 1st. As Hughes sets records for USA National Team Development Program (USNTDP), Kakko is also setting records in the Finnish Liiga. Both seem like historic prospects but they may pale in comparison to the NHL draft prospects that are coming up after them.

Already, the hype has surrounded the projected number one pick in the 2020 draft, Alexis Lafreniére. This while the rest of the 2020 draft is loaded with high-end players that could be considered 1st overall quality players. Quinton Byfield, Noel Gunler, and Anton Lundell plus others have received a lot of hype in scouting circles. Despite this Alexis Lafreniére still ranks 6th on my list of the top 50 draft eligible prospects. So who are these young star athletes and when will we get to see them in the NHL?

In this list, I’ll combine my draft rankings from 2019, 2020, and 2021, but I’ll also add 5 world class prospects from the 2022 and 2023 drafts. I don’t have extensive rankings for the 2022 or 23 drafts so other than those 5 there won’t be any other prospects from those drafts on the list. Also, no goalies will be included in the top 50.

We begin this list with “The Big Five.” These 5 prospects are players we previously only saw once in a decade, but this time we are seeing 5 in only two drafts, 2022 and 2023. We haven’t seen players this good at their age since Connor McDavid tore up the GTHL, the top youth league in Ontario, in 2012.

Number One
Matthew Savoie
Center | 2022 Draft | Jan 1, 2004 | St. Albert, AB, Canada
NAX – CSSHL

He loves to cut down the wing with speed and use his edges and strength to cut to the net and create a scoring chance. Matthew Savoie also holds a great shot in his arsenal. He can rip pucks where ever he wants and catches goalies off guard with a quick release. His shot has even been compared to that of Steven Stamkos. On the power play, he can often snipe a goalie from the blue line or the tops of the circles. Savoie has been a stellar playmaker as well. He can thread passes to and through the slot to give his winger a one-timer. He can often do this due to his off the charts hockey IQ and eye for the ice. He’s by far the best passer in his league and can set up a multitude of opportunities at any given moment. All this not to mention his elite puck skills and hands. His immense toolset of skills plus his top-end processor make him the top prospect in all of hockey right now.

Number Two
Shane Wright
Center | 2022 Draft | Jan 4, 2004 | Burlington, ON, Canada
Kingston Frontenacs – OHL

While Savoie was denied Exceptional Status, Shane Wright was not. He will play in the OHL at just 15 next season for the Kingston Frontenacs as they drafted him 1st overall at the 2019 OHL Draft. Wright was undisputedly the best player in Ontario minor midget hockey (2003 born players) as a 2004 born this past season. He scored a ridiculous 150 points in just 72 GTHL games. For perspective that’s a 2.08 PPG total while McDavid had a 2.38 and Tavares a 2.15 in the same league at the same age. He was the centerpiece of a super team in the Don Mills Flyers that have lost one singular game all season and went unbeaten in league play. But don’t think that his team being so good is why is point totals are so good. It isn’t. Wright is the clear driver of offense in Don Mills, nobody stands close to him. In the OHL Cup, a tournament between the best minor midget teams in the OHL’s territory, Wright led his team to victory and a huge comeback from a 4-1 deficit in the finals. He scored 8 goals and 18 points in his 7 games. Coming away with not only the championship but tournament MVP as a 2004 born. What makes Shane Wright so great is hard to put a finger on. He’s one of the best playmakers I’ve ever seen at 15 with only Savoie on his level. His passes are perfect and he reads the play so well. He can use his strength and skating skill to take the puck to a dangerous area and create a shooting and passing option. While he’s a pass-first player he has a very accurate shot with good power behind it too. Often on the rush, he can skate the puck in and dangle defensemen to get to the net and snipe the goaltender the second he spots netting. There’s nothing Wright can’t do. He an extremely complete player. In the past, Wright has said that he models his game off of Matt Barzal.

Number Three
Brad Lambert
Left Wing | 2022 Draft | Dec 19, 2003 | Lahti, Finland
Lahti Pelicans – Jr A. SM-Liiga

https://youtu.be/NqGvXqhv99Q

There is a STRONG argument to be made that Brad Lambert could be the #1 player on this list. He may be an ’03, but he’s less than a month older than both Savoie and Wright. Already Lambert has played junior hockey in Finland’s U20 league. As an ’03 he would’ve required Exceptional Status to do that in Canada. (European junior systems don’t have Exceptional Status, if you’re good enough you can just get called up from your U18 team). As a December birthday he was doing this at a ridiculously young age. He scored an impressive 11 points in just 17 games as a 15 year old. Lambert is a well rounded player with both goal scoring and playmaking upside. In the U20 league he wasn’t the goal scoring dynamo he was at lower levels, but his playmaking skill was on full display. He’s got a nasty wrist shot and good vision with the puck. He’s very mobile and moves very well with the puck on his stick. Lambert has a breakaway speed, going from a glide to full speed before you know what happened. Size isn’t a problem for him either as at just 15 he’s already pushing 6’0”. Lambert also has some crazy hands as many saw in his viral shootout clip.

Number Four
Connor Bedard
Wing/Center | 2023 Draft | July 17, 2005 | N. Vancouver, BC, Ontario
West Van Warriors – CSSHL

At just 13, the Canadian media has already created a storm of hype around 2005 born Connor Bedard, and rightfully so. Bedard played a year up with the 2004 crop of Western Canadian players in the CSSBHL, but not only did he play, but he also won the MVP. Bedard scored over 2 goals per game and almost 3 points per game. Often Bedard went on streaks of not goals, but hat tricks. If you compare his season to Savoie’s in the same league, at a similar age (only a few months off), Savoie did have a higher point per game total, but Bedard’s goal-scoring prowess is unmatched. Next year it is assumed that he will be in the CSSHL against 18-year-olds. So what makes Bedard such a great goal scorer? Connor Bedard has what must be the best shot of any 13-year-old ever. It’s accurate, hard, fast, has a quick release, and he knows where to put it. Bedard is great at identifying what a goaltender is giving up and picking him apart for it. His shot drops jaw regularly. His other qualities are very intriguing, skating, hands, smarts, but nothing compares to the ridiculous shot of his.

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Number Five
Adam Fantilli
Wing | 2023 Draft | Dec 10, 2004 | Ontario, Canada
17-18 Team: Toronto Red Wings – GTHL | 18-19 Team: Toronto Jr. Canadiens – GTHL

Adam Fantilli spent this season putting himself on the map. As an underager in the GTHL, similarly to Shane Wright, Fantilli showed that Wright had a challenger. While there is no debate that Wright is clearly the better player Fantilli isn’t too far behind and is 11 months younger than Wright. At just 14 and 15, 11 months makes a huge difference. At the OHL Cup, Fantilli wowed crowds as he helped lead his team to the finals. Fantilli did not apply for Exceptional Status, but it’s now clear he is far and away the top prospect for the 2020 OHL Draft. Although rumors have swirled about where he will play. Fantilli said himself his dream is to play in the NCAA and go on to the NHL. At 14 Fantilli already stands out as a superb athlete. The 6’2” power forward is an explosive skater. With his skating, he creates separation from any defenders as he hits his top speed before the defenders can get their first few strides in. His quick feet make him impossible to catch, and his edges allow him to weave through defenders. He also frequently capitalizes on odd-man rushes as not only can he create them with speed, but he can catch up with his teammates on a breakaway and turn a 1 on 1 into a 2 on 1.

Fantilli also uses a big shot to beat goaltenders. He’s great at sending a howitzer at full speed catching goalies off guard. He’s also an exceptionally smart player who knows where and when to shoot the puck. He’s got a lot of skill too allowing him to work his way to dangerous areas with his puck skills. Adam Fantilli is a player that overwhelms opposing teams with his sheer power. Whether it’s his shot or speed it’s impossible to stop him.

6) Alexis Lafreniére
LW | 2020 Draft |Oct 11, 2001 |Saint-Eustache, QC, CAN
Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Everybody knows who Alexis Lafreniére is. He was drafted 1st overall in the QMJHL Draft and lead all QMJHL rookies in scoring in the 17-18 season, ahead of Filip Zadina. Lafrenière then went on to compete at the U18s as a 16-year-old where he stood out as one of Canada’s best players. At the conclusion of the season, he won CHL Rookie of the Year over the 2018 2nd overall pick Andrei Svechnikov. This was as a 2020 draft eligible compared to the #2 pick in the 2018 draft. This season Lafreniére hasn’t disappointed at all and has only increased the hype around himself. He finished top 3 in QMJHL scoring 105 points in just 61 games this season. This was good enough to outpace Connor McDavid’s draft minus one season (Lafreniére was 3 months older). And while Lafreniére is not McDavid he is by far the best player to come through the CHL since. What makes Lafreniére such a special player is undoubtedly his mind for the game. It’s possible that at this stage in his career he has never played a game where he wasn’t the smartest player on the ice. He not only makes the right decisions, but he makes them quickly. Lafreniére has an elite processor and somehow even better vision of the ice. His smarts and IQ is nothing less than world class. On top of his smart play, Lafreniére is exceptionally skilled. Unreal hands, and confidence in his ability to dangle defenders. He’s also a good shooter with a nice wrister with a real quick release. Lastly, his skating ability, while not world class, is very good. Smooth, quick feet with a good top speed.

7) Jack Hughes
C |2019 Draft |May 14, 2001 | Orlando, FL, USA
USNTDP (USHL)

Jack Hughes has had plenty of attention already so I’ll keep it fairly short. Hughes has spent the entirety of his career dominating at every single level. He put himself on the map with the Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL. While he applied for Exceptional Status he was denied and headed off to the NTDP. Hughes then went on to set the NTDP all-time points record and has become arguably the best player in program history. Over the course of this season, Hughes has remained at above 2.00 PPG in the USHL. He’s been the best player in all of junior hockey if you ask me. Internationally Hughes has put on a show. At one tournament he managed to put up 16 points in only 4 games, that a 4.00 PPG. Jack Hughes is a can’t miss player. He’s one of the most skilled players we’ve seen come through the draft. To consider him an elite skater is a vast understatement. He can get up and down the ice faster than anybody he’s ever played against. And to combine this with his unmatched edge work makes him the best skater since McDavid. Hughes also has hands and a processor as quick as his feet. His puck skills are stellar and he thinks the game at the highest pace.

8) Quinton Byfield
C |2020 Draft |August 19, 2002 | Newmarket, ON, Canada
Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Quinton Byfield has been high on NHL radars since he played youth hockey for the York Simcoe Express. He scored at almost 3 PPG for the Express and got picked 1st overall by Sudbury in the OHL draft. Byfield then became one of the team’s biggest offensive drivers as a 16-year-old for a solid Sudbury team and won OHL Rookie of the Year. He scored at almost a point per game and led the team to the playoffs. Despite being knocked out in the 2nd round Byfield was phenomenal. He played a huge role in their 1st round sweep of Mississauga. He had 7 points in those 4 games before Sudbury was swept by the juggernaut Ottawa 67s team. Byfield is a big, tall power forward with amazing speed and skill. His height and weight make him one of the most physically imposing players we’ve seen at his age. He’s a 6’3” 214lbs monster who’s physically ready for pro hockey at just 16. Despite his size, Byfield is a fantastic skater and very skilled player. He’s got a superb top speed and is very agile. I’ve never seen a player at his age and size be able to move as Byfield can. In other words, he’s an athletic freak.

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9) Kaapo Kakko
C/RW |2019 Draft |February 13, 2001 | Turku, Finland
TPS Turku (Liiga)

Kaapo Kakko has been making waves in the Finnish elite league. Kakko holds the all-time lead in U18 goal scoring. This while he is also in the top 5 for assists and points. Kakko also is tied for 1st in U18 playoffs points per game with Mikael Granlund and leads in playoffs goals per game. He’s been nothing short of phenomenal at the pro level. This earned him a roster spot on Finland’s men’s team. Even at the men’s international level, he’s played phenomenally. Kakko has controlled play and fit in with Team Finland. In terms of play style, Kaapo Kakko is an all-around offensive threat that doesn’t lack any major offensive attributes. He can do it all in the opposing zone and makes his presence know the second he steps on the ice. Kakko adapts well to any style he needs to play. He can play fast pace, smart hockey or play a little more gritty. Kakko has thrived at every level and doesn’t back down to a challenge. His size, smarts, and speed will translate well to the NHL game, and he will step in right away.

10) Noel Gunler
W |2020 Draft |October 7, 2001 | Luleå, Sweden
Luleå HF (SHL)

https://twitter.com/jokkenevalainen/status/1094241240806240257?s=21

Despite being a late birthday, Noel Gunler has had one of the most impressive draft minus 1 years from a prospect in a while. After dominating the SuperElit (Swedish U20) with the highest PPG in the league. He then moved on to the SHL and wowed at the pro level. Some Swedish scouts have said they haven’t been as impressed by a player his age since Elias Pettersson and William Nylander. Gunler has functioned as an all offense sniping forward this season. Some Swedish scouts have said he has the best shot of a 17-year-old they’ve seen, and I’d compare his shot closest to that of Auston Matthews. He’s great at changing the angle of his shot and tricking goaltenders. It also has a shocking release. Overall, Gunler’s shot is absolutely lethal. Although Gunler doesn’t score off shooting ability alone. He’s an exceptionally smart player. He’s great at putting himself in an area to collect rebounds or receive a pass in an open area. In addition to his scoring ability, he’s shown he can drive play at any level with his playmaking skill.

11) Anton Lundell
C |2020 Draft |October 3, 2001 | Espoo, Finland
HIFK (Liiga)

https://twitter.com/jokkenevalainen/status/1066031834704867329?s=21

Anton Lundell is simply a fantastic player. He was key in Finland’s World Junior win in his draft minus 1 year. Despite his age, he was arguably Finland’s best center. He played this season in the Finnish Liiga and was unbelievable, scoring 19 points in 38 games. It’s entirely possible, even likely, that he outdoes Kakko in terms of Liiga production next year (although he would be older). Lundell is an extremely cerebral, two-way centerman that NHL team would die for. He’s not flashy, but he makes the right play. Lundell also sees the ice very well and has a terrific shot.

12) Lucas Raymond
W |2020 Draft |March 28, 2002 | Göteborg, Sweden
Frölunda (SHL)

The Swedish hype train has surrounded Lucas Raymond as he’s lit up Swedish and international hockey. Raymond was one of the better players in the SuperElit and earned a temporary spot on Frölunda’s SHL team. He was the first 2002 born player to play in the SHL. Raymond showcased his absolute howitzer of a shot. Like Gunler, Raymond can really shoot the puck and has no problem putting the puck past even a pro goalie. He’s also a phenomenal passer and better at setting up teammates in dangerous areas than anyone.

13) Aatu Räty
C |2021 Draft |November 14, 2002 | Oulunsalo, Finland
Kärpät (Jr. A SM-Liiga)

The 1st prospect from the 2021 draft finally comes off the board. The 2021 draft doesn’t have a real first overall quality player like Hughes or Lafreniére, but rather it’s an extremely deep draft. You’ll see a lot of 2021 names on this list. Räty himself has had himself a season. He started at the U18 level in Finland, but absolutely annihilated the competition. He moved onto the U20 level and performed very well. He compares similarly to Anton Lundell in terms of production. Räty is another big shooter out of Scandinavia and has some mad hands too. He’s a versatile player that can get the job done in any role, and do any job a team needs him too.

14) Alexander Holtz
W |2020 Draft |January 23, 2002 | Saltsjö-Boo, Sweden
Djurgårdens (SHL)

Alex Holtz is the 2nd part of the Swedish duo of him and Raymond. Holtz, like Raymond, got his share of time in the SHL as a 16-year-old. He had a similarly dominant SuperElit season to Raymond as well. Holtz captained the Swedish U17 team and lead them to a bronze medal. Holtz, like Gunler, Raymond, and Räty, is another big shot goal scorer. Holtz probably has the hardest shot of the group too. He is the definition of a goal scorer. There is not a moment when Holtz is on the ice and isn’t dangerous.

15) Brandt Clarke
D |2021 Draft |February 09, 20013 | Nepean, ON, Canada
Barrie Colts (OHL)

Brandt Clarke is one of the best 15-year-old defensemen since Rasmus Dahlin. From the blueline, he scored 113 points in 73 games on the Don Mills Flyers. Clarke was integral in their OHL Cup victory, and there were times where Clarke was the best player on the Flyers over Wright. Wright is obviously a year older, but still. Clarke is one of the craftiest defensemen I’ve seen. He plays very similarly to Quinn Hughes, but I would say better. He’s quite good defensively and better physically than Hughes. He’s also got a laser of a shot. Clarke is also extremely deceptive and smart in the offensive zone. Other Names to Note:

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Four More Players of Note

17) Dylan Guenther W, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), 2021 Draft

The 1st overall pick in the WHL Draft is looking like he could be quite the player for the Oil Kings. In his short stint in the WHL as an underager (many top WHL prospects play at 15 for a few games since their draft us a year early) he impressed going half a point per game including a few nice goals. Guenther is a phenomenal goal scorer with all the right instincts to be a threat at the NHL level. Masterful powerplay guy.

18) Joshua Roy C, Saint Johns Sea Dog (probably) (QMJHL), 2021 Draft

Roy is the likely 1st pick in this year’s QMJHL Draft in which Saint John has the pick. He dominated in the Quebec Midget league this year with Levis. He led them to a historic season going 41-1. Roy put up similar totals to that of Alexis Lafreniére, although he was a few months older. Joshua Roy is a versatile and skilled forward that is a scary player to defend. His hands are as silky as they get and his shot is an absolute laser.

24) Chaz Lucius C/W, USNTDP (USHL), 2021 Draft

The US Development Program is expecting to have their next star forward in Chaz Lucius. Lucius was just 13 when he committed to the University of Minnesota along with his younger brother Cruz. Chaz put up a ridiculous 63 points in 13 games with Gentry Academy this season including 39 goals. Chaz is a high tempo skilled forward with big goal scoring upside. He’s known for destroying defenders with some nasty moves and whipping a shot past the goalie without a problem. Expect Chaz to light up the USHL next season with the U17s and probably play quite a bit with the U18s.

50) Luke Hughes D, USNTDP (USHL), 2021 Draft

The 3rd of the Hughes gang, Luke is expected to be a key player for next year’s NTDP team. He led the Little Caesars 15s (yes that’s their name) to a national championship including a goal in the finals. Luke is already the biggest of the Hughes brother at 5’11”. He’s almost exactly the same player as Quinn in terms of style. A skills coach for the family said it’s possible that Luke is the best skater of them all, and I’d consider him to be better defensively than Quinn. At this point, Luke isn’t as highly touted as Quinn or Jack, but he still has the potential to rise.

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Twelve Draft Gurus have 11 Different Names For Oilers at #22

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I noticed that Lowetide did up a brief post on the players that might be available at the 22 spot of the upcoming NHL entry draft. I think he was riffing off of the Chris Wescott’s article on the Oilers website. So, in fact, what this post will be is me riffing off of both Lowetide’s post and Wescott’s a bit and then tossing a bit more in for you.

Before we get into the names, there’s a quote off of Wescott’s article that Lowetide didn’t hone in on that I’d like to though,

“Should the Oilers choose to stay at 22, they’ll have a plethora of different types of forward prospects to select from”

I’m not convinced the Oilers will stay at 22. All I’ve been hearing this season with regard to the Oilers first round pick is that Chiarelli would like to get a 2nd rounder and if moving back in the draft from 22 gets him that 2nd round pick, he’s open to that.

With that said, I did my own bit of “research” and it took all of about 15 minutes to come up with these names because they’re all in one place.

Here are the eleven names ranked at no.22 from the twelve different NHL entry draft sources I was referring to in the title of the post.

  • ISS – Isaac Ratcliffe (LW) 6’6″ 192lb, Guelph Storm (OHL)
    • Big guy, skiller, a little disconnect between his mind and body but isn’t that so often the case with players who are that big at that age (17). Scored 28 goals this year.
    • Compared to Kevin Hayes
  • Corey Pronman/The Draft Analyst – Ryan Poehling (C) 6’2″ 175, St.Cloud State (NCAA)
    • Smart 2-way centre, compete is there, had a decent U18 with 5pts in 7gp.
    • Comparison to Ryan O’Reilly
  • Draftbuzz – Juuso Valimaki (LHD) 6’2″ 200lb, Tri City Americans (WHL)
    • Large, offensive blueliner. Likes to jump into the rush. Scored 61pts in 60gp for Tri-City this year.
    • Compared to Mark Giordano
  • Dobber’s Prospects – Cal Foote (RHD) 6’3″ 198lb, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
    • Heavy boots, needs improvement. Possesses a cannon of a shot, and good hockey IQ. 57 pts in 71 gp for Kelowna (only 6 goals).
    • Compared to Erik Johnson
  • Future Considerations – Erik Brannstrom (LHD) 5’10” 172lb, HV71 (SHL)
    • Is everything you want in an offensive dman, mega skill, super skater, excellent playmaker, but apparently the size is an issue. Scored 23pts in 19 gp for HV71’s jr team and 6pts in 35 games for the senior club.
    • Compared to Torey Krug
  • Craig Button – Shane Bowers (C) 6’1″ 170lb, Waterloo (USHL)
    •  Great compete level, good all-round game, puckhandling is tight. Not an exciting player but effective. Scored 51pts in 60 games for Waterloo.
    • Compared to Jordan Staal
  • Jeff Marek – Urho Vaakanainen (LHD) 6’1″ 187lb, JYP (SM-Liiga)
    • Played against men last year. Strong character, physical, and a smooth skater. Scored 6 pts in 41gp in the SM-Liiga and 6pts in 5gp at the U18s.
    • Compared to Jake Gardiner
  • McKeen’s – Klim Kostin (C/RW) 6’3″ 185lb, Dynamo (VHL)
    • Injured this year. Excellent puck protector. Elite skill. Could be Malkin, could be Nichushkin. Scored 7 pts in 5gp at U18s but also added 29 PIMs.
    • Compared to Dustin Brown
  • Hockey Prospect – Kailer Yamamoto (LW/RW) 5’9″ 160lb, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
    • Great hockey sense, ridiculous puckhandler, smart on-ice awareness. Scored 99 pts in 65 gp for Spokane this year.
    • Compared to Conor Sheary
  • The Hockey News – Nic Hague (LHD) 6’6″ 210lb, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
    • Long reach, some scouts concerned w/skating at next level, others not.  Smart but not fast. Big shot. Scored 18 goals in 65 gp last season.
    • Compared to Ben Hutton
  • MyNHLdraft.com – Kole Lind (C) 6’0″ 172lb, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
    • Quick player and can make plays at a high tempo. Not flashy but gets the job done. Good Saskatchewan boy. Lived down the road from the Eberles growing up. Had 87 pts in 70 gp last season.
    • Compared to Gustav Nyqvist

**Comparisons are from The Hockey News Draft Preview**

The way I see it is that there’s no consensus whatsoever at number twenty-two and I guess there rarely is at that point in the draft. But to me, it seems like there’s too much divide and the Oilers could go with anybody here.

It’s completely possible that a sniper like Eeli Tolvanen could drop or that a power forward like Kristian Vesalainen might be sitting there at no.22. It’s a weird draft.

Now, I talked to Eric Friesen on Twitter this week and he’s convinced the Oilers will take Kole Lind out of Kelowna. Personally, I like any of the highly-rated right-handed centers (Nick Suzuki or Robert Thomas from Owen Sound and London, respectfully) that may be available come time for the Oilers selection. Connor Timmins, a right-shot defender, who stands over six feet tall, out of the Sault looks like a good pick as well.

And if I’m not mistaken, this year is being touted as a good year for goalies. So on the way out, I hope Chiarelli grabs a one. Be it Michael Dipietro, Ian Scott, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, or Jake Oettinger, I’m not picky. Although, Finland produces a nice goalie from time to time I hear.

Goaltending isn’t an absolute need right for the Oilers right now, I’d say that centres who are good on the dot and snipers on the wing are in demand though. The Oilers should pick the best player available at no.22 regardless of position and load up on the best right-shot players available in the remaining rounds. That is because teams are always on the look out for right shots, especially centres and defensemen.

If I had to pick, I say the Oilers go with the London Knights’ gritty center Robert Thomas. I like what I’m hearing about his two-way game and his high hockey IQ and character sounds like something Chiarelli and McLellan would love. He’s compared to Mike Fisher by The Hockey News. So, there’s that and Corey Pronman was on Lowetide’s show yesterday, he insinuated that IF Thomas were to be available at their pick, the Oilers should be very happy.

What do you think? Who should the Oilers be looking at for their 1st rounder? Should then even keep it? Let us know in the comments below!

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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Breaking News, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Prospects, Rumors, Trades

Trades, Buy-Outs, and Signings

She’s going to be quick and easy today folks. I’ve got a house to get baby-fied before the new one comes. So let’s get ‘er done.

  • I’ve heard and now so have you that Mark Fayne is being considered as a possible buy-out for the Oilers but it is contingent upon negotiations with the New York Rangers.
    • The name that I was told was Dan Girardi… Yikes…
    • Take that for what it is but it got me thinking. If the Rangers are so chapped with their cap, would they consider trading 393 goal scorer Rick Nash?
    • Would Rick Nash be the kind of player that would benefit the Oilers on the RW alongside a Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? He’s a big body, can play a heavy game, can skate, and he’ll actually shoot the puck. That’s a lot more than what Yakupov and Pouliot are doing.
    • His contract is only for two more years at $7.8M per.
    • One thing that is kind of shitty is Nash is a left-hander. The team does not need anymore left-handers. But it’s not like Nash is any leftie. He’s Olympic Gold Medal winning Rick Nash. Former Rocket Richard Trophy winning Rick Nash.
    • This is the Rick Nash that has never played an NHL game with one of, if not the, best centre in the NHL.
    • Yes, he had a right terrible season last year. But From what I recall, Hall and Nuge, Yak and even Draisaitl weren’t that great either.
    • I assume this will be shrugged off overwhelmingly but if the Oilers traded Nail Yakupov for Nash and the Rangers ate up to half of that contract. Would that not be beneficial to Edmonton?
  • Tyler Pitlick was re-signed today for another year for $725k
    • I’ve always liked the six foot two-hundred pound Pitlick but dammit the guy is Mr.Glass.
    • He’s slowed down a bit recently but before he could fly and hit like a freight train.
    • IF he can make it into the season for Bakersfield and stay off the IR, I’d say there’s a good chance the Oilers call him up.
    • Matty Hendricks is getting up there in age and the way he plays, he’s going to need a night off from time to time. Having Pitlick around to step in is perfect.
    • A healthy Tyler Pitlick. Is this a player who could fit into Todd McLellan’s style of play? The hard and relentless forecheck.
    • Something that I’ve been harping on for a while is the need for teams to increase the number of right-handers on their teams. Pitlick is indeed a RHer.
  • There’s been a bit of banter on Yak to the Flyers recently for Travis Sanheim.
    • I don’t see it. The team doesn’t need another LH’d defenceman UNLESS they are looking to trade Reinhart, Nurse, or Klefbom in order to save themselves a spot on the expansion protection list.
  • I guess the Oilers turned down an offer from the Arizona Coyotes for the #4 pick in the draft.
    • Apparently the no.7 and no.20 were offered but in my opinion Arizona needs to offer a Mike Stone or Connor Murphy to that deal to make it enticing.
    • Or I suppose take one of Edmonton’s bad contracts back. *cough* Korpikoski
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Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Will the Oilers be Maxing Out at #6

If the NHL season ended today the Edmonton Oilers would be selecting 6th overall. A sobering image when presented isn’t it. This was supposed to be a year of progression and yet the team is showing no signs of improvement in the standings.

I guess we shouldn’t be so hard on the team as there was some serious overhaul this past off season but with that said I’d like to take a look at prospect that the Oilers might have interest in coming the draft. His name is Max Jones and he plays for the OHL’s London Knights.

He is ranked #3 by ISS, #7 by Future Considerations, #5 by Hockey Prospect, #47 by Craig Button, and #10 by Bob McKenzie.

Check out this clip of him from one of my favorite NHL prospect channels on Youtube, Bigwhite06.

The Scouting Report

Name: Max Jones
Position: LW (Shoots left)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 201lbs
Born: Feb 17 1998 Rochester, MI, USA

“A “throwback” player in every sense of the word, Max Jones is a highly competitive, sharp shooting winger with the physical gifts to dominate as a trigger man. His pro-level shot features blazing quickness, combining rare timing on his release and pin-point accuracy,  that snaps twine before goaltenders can even begin to react. He utilizes a wide powerful skating stride to burst out wide before cutting inside to unleash one of his lethal shots. Jones displays solid skill in possession with precise passing abilities and an ability to dangle when needed but he definitely projects as a shoot-first type of player. He’s extremely hungry for loose pucks and uses his size and strength advantages to gather up possession quickly.” – Brendan Ross (McKeen’s Hockey)

“An aggressive winger with a blast of a shot, Jones is the best prototypical two-way forward heading into the draft, with the ability to knock you out before scoring an incredible goal. Jones’ calmness with the puck makes him a tough player to play against, making plays seconds before you would expect him too.” – Steven Ellis (Penalty Box Radio)

“Combining speed and power along with a very good skill level, he becomes a very challenging player to play against. He uses all of the elements to his advantage and has a determination in his game that forces opponents out of their comfort zone.” – Craig Button of TSN

HockeyProspect.com has an audio clip online here speaking to Max Jones’ early season performances for the London Knights.

So from all accounts he seems to be a physical, in your face, power forward. In that interview above one of the things mentioned was his lack of a high-end hockey IQ. This was in a conversation where he was compared to Matthew Tkachuk but Jones was also said to be very good away from the puck as well. So take it for what you will.

I for one am dying to see the Oilers develop a “throwback” player to play alongside Hall, Nuge, Eberle, McDavid, and Yakupov. The other teams in the Pacific Division aren’t holding back. Take a look at some of the players recently drafted by the Oilers’ rivals:

  • Anaheim – Nick Ritchie: This kid is a locomotive who LOVES destroying anyone who opposes him.
  • Vancouver – Jake Virtanen: You seen what he did to McDavid in the preseason. That’s his M.O.
  • Calgary – Michael Ferland: Hits hits hits and hits some more. Very Physical player.
  • Arizona – Nick Merkley: Not a big guy but very edgy!
  • San Jose – Timo Meier: A very heavy player who’s not afraid to play a physical game if need be.
  • Los Angeles – Adrian Kempe: Had 42 PIMs in the Swedish league… They bodycheck there right?

The one thing not being talked about here is the abundance of high end forwards in the Oilers pipeline already. I mean most of them are playing on the Oilers right now apart from Leon Draisaitl and what happens to the squad once he’s ready to go? Who’s the odd man out? Pouliot? One has to think that LD would fit right in alongside McDavid and Yakupov but is that the best place for him?

He’s a natural center and as fun as it would be to see him line up with ConYak, I think the Oilers will have to make a choice at some point. Is it Draisaitl or Nugent-Hopkins? Or will his top-end be that of a no.3 center for the Oilers akin to the Crosby-Malkin-Staal trio that won the Cup with Pittsburgh?

But that’s a debate for another day.

If any of the readers are located in London or a city with an OHL team and has seen Max Jones play this year, please let us know in the comments section what your opinion is of him. Do you think he’d be a good fit for the Edmonton Oilers pipeline? Would this be a young man we could see take over for Benoit Pouliot in 3-4 years? Or is he another Tyler Pitlick destined for a career maligned by injury and uncertainty?

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Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft

Oilers Post-Draft Thoughts

Well it’s done. Connor McDavid is an Edmonton Oiler and we can all rest easy or at least take the rest of the weekend to get ready for free agency!! Let’s talk about what happened at the draft shall we?

The Picks

No.1 – Connor McDavid – Saviour of our fine town and destroyer of planets.

No.117 – Caleb Jones – Brother of Nashville’s Seth Jones. A defenceman who shoots left and comes in at 6’0″ and 194lbs. I guess he didn’t get the same growth genes as his brother. The Hockey News tells us he is an aggressive defenceman with all-round upside. Sounds like his top-end projection is to be a 4/5/6 dman if he makes it to the NHL. More 5/6 probably.

No.124 – Ethan Bear – Lowetide was a real fan of this good ol’ Saskatchewan boy. He’s a stocky (5’11” 200lbs) defenceman out of the Seattle Thunderbirds organization. To me he looks like he could develop into a Francois Beauchemin type or maybe Stephane Robidas. He’s fearless and is willing to sacrifice his body to get the job done.

No.171 – John Marino – Another defenceman! This time a right-handed shooter because after drafting, signing, or trading for a gazillion left-handed ones, it was time to add to right-handers stable. Marino is 6’1″ 171lbs and I seen him projected as possible another Jeff Petry. He’s a great skater and puck mover. He’ll be plying his trade at Harvard University next season. At least we know he’s intelligent.

No.208 – Mirosloav Svoboda – Now I wanted a goalie in this draft for sure but who in the good Lord’s name is this guy? I mean if they were going to go for a stretch in the last round, they could’ve went for World Junior Stand out, Denis Godla, who went undrafted or what about that guy out of Norway, George Sorensen. Hell even taking a flyer on Vladislav Tretiak’s grandson, Maxim, would’ve been preferred. This Svoboda fella looks like another Kevin Bouchard to me… The kicker is the Oilers traded to get him! I’d love to get more insight on this one.

No.209 – Ziyat Paigin – Well if you can remember back at the World Juniors, there was an incident at the end of the game where a Russian defenceman threw his stick into the crowd as Team Canada rushed onto the ice to celebrate. This was the guy who threw the stick… Apart from that he’s a towering presence. He’s 6’6″ and 209lbs, so he’s an imposing blue liner. He’s said to love the physical game and is quite good and using his angles and stick to fend off opposing forwards. He’ll be in Russian for a few years yet, so there’s not too much to concern yourself as a fan with this player until we start to hear rumblings that he’s coming over.

Other players that were still on the board when the Oilers made their late round picks were guys like Ryan Pilon (#147), Dmitro Tymashov (#125), Radovan Bonda (#151), Chase Pearson (#140), Andrew Mangiapane (#166), David Cotton (#166), Nikita Korostelev (#185)

And there were even some great players that went completely undrafted. Below is a list compiled by Beer League Heroes friend, Sully! Follow him on Twitter @BSully097

Top 5 forwards – Nathan Noel, Dante Solituro, Sebastien Aho (SWE), Kay Schweri, and Pius Suter.
Top 5 dmen and goalies – Nikita Cherepanov, Ken Appleby, Aiden Jamieson, Phil Baltisberger, Casey Fitzgerald

I’d add Vlad Tkachev and Maxim Tretiak to that list.

The Trades

Griffin Reinhart to the Oilers for the #16 (Matt Barzal) and #33 (Mitchell Stephens) picks.

The way I see it is Bob Green (former GM of the Edmonton Oil Kings) had his hands all over this one. I don’t really care if Chiarelli said he had his eyes on him when he worked in Boston. Reinhart is a former Edmonton Oil King that was chosen 4th overall pick in 2012 and if I remember correctly was being considered by the Oilers if they were going to trade down at the draft. One thing I do remember correctly is that there were a large portion of fans hoping the Oilers would take a defenceman in that draft.

It’s hard to say whether keeping the picks would’ve offered better results? I mean the Oilers could’ve picked Kyle Connor and Mackenzie Blackwood for instance. Boom! Two highly touted players that would’ve appeased the most serious of draft geeks.

Look, they guy has size and smarts and WILL play the body, unlike the guy that the Oilers shipped out later in the weekend. My biggest memory of Reinhart is the year the Edmonton Oil Kings won the Memorial Cup and he more or less shut down the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL final. At 6’4″ 216lbs, he’s an absolute beast with room to get bigger and Oilers fans should be very pleased with him.

Cam Talbot and #209 to the Oilers for picks #57 (Jonas Siegenthaler), #79 (Sergey Zborovskiy), and #184 (Adam Huska).

Edmonton got their man for a much cheaper price than what was being asked (two 2nd rounders). I’m not a fan of Talbot yet but I’ll give the guy a chance to show me that he can do what he did in New York but in Edmonton and behind what could be a very young defence.

Todd McLellan to the Oilers for the #86 (Mike Robinson)

It’s not really a trade but it’s notable. Oilers get one of the best coaches in the game at the sacrifice of a 3rd round pick.

Brad Ross and #107 to the Oilers for Martin Marincin

Well the writing was on the wall, wasn’t it? Marincin’s biggest supporter, Craig MacTavish, finally found a way to get rid of him. Marty didn’t help himself getting scratched in the AHL playoffs for not being “assertive” enough… He’ll be a good defenceman in Toronto with Babcock, that’s not doubt but it just wasn’t a fit here for the Oilers.

Brad Ross… I remember him being the Greg Chase before Greg Chase came around. Irritating little SOB and if he could get his career turned around, might be a lesser man’s Brad Marchand but in all honesty I think this trade was to get Marincin off the books in Edmonton. I’d be surprised if I saw Ross in an Oilers jersey ever.

Eric Gryba to the Oilers for pick #107 (Christian Wolanin) and Travis Ewanyk

Ewanyk was a write-off. Edmonton’s version of Patrice Cormier but with even less a chance at making it to the NHL. Now Gryba is a 3rd pairing right-handed shut down defenceman. He’s only 27 and makes $1.25 million per year. He’s going to make sure that the kids stay alright. Keith Aulie was doing that a bit last season but I didn’t get the feeling he had the backing of all the coaches. Actually Aulie and Gryba fought last season after Aulie filled Chris Neil in.

I have to wonder if Gryba will be the partner for Griffin Reinhart or Darnell Nurse next season. Big boys those three are. The return of the Twin Towers?

For those of you too young to know who they were, back in the 80s and early 90s, the Oilers had two guys named Jeff Beukeboom and Steve Smith patrolling the blue together. Both were 6’3″ 200lbs plus and played with injurious intent on every shift.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think that Chiarelli is done. He did a nice job of adding some value contracts over the weekend. Marty Marincin wouldn’t have been waiver exempt this season but Griffin Reinhart will be. Cam Talbot and Eric Gryba are a combined $2.7 million for the year then they turn UFA.

The Los Angeles Kings added Milan Lucic and the Calgary Flames added Dougie Hamilton. The muscle is getting added in the Pacific and Edmonton is going to have to do the same in my opinion.

Just an aside on that Hamilton deal.

The Boston Bruins really slammed their dicks in the door this weekend. Goodness me! Lucic and Hamilton for picks? And Sweeney/Neely wanted Darnell Nurse plus the same 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders? Darnell Nurse could very well turn out to be better than Dougie Hamilton and I can’t wait to see the two go head-to-head 6 times a year. Bruins fans, it’s going to be okay. It might take a few years for Brandon Carlo to develop and passing on Matt Barzal and Kyle Connor may look like a mistake at first but everything will be fine… Someday…

The Calgary Flames might’ve won the weekend. They did so well to add Dougie Hamilton, Rasmus Andersson, and Oliver Kylington to their defence. But I wonder with the addition of Dougie if Mark Giordano and his $9 million dollars a year will be heading elsewhere…

Let’s get back to adding some muscle to the Edmonton Oilers. It looks like and if I have heard correctly, they could be adding some more to the blue line. Personally I’d like to see them add a Matt Beleskey-like player to the forward corps. Someone who can hit and fight and put the puck in the net. Give me Kyle Okposo for Jordan Eberle and we’ll call it a day on this topic.

Does anybody else get the feeling that Oilers will be going into next season with two new goalies? I’m not sure if Ben Scrivens will be here by the time the season starts. I wonder about Kari Ramo. He’d be the best Oilers goalie named Kari since Kari Takko was tending net for the Oilers in 1991.

Lastly, will Peter Chiarelli address his lack of a top pairing defenceman? The Seabrook rumors won’t die and usually that’s a pretty good indicator that there’s something up there. Would adding two middle pairing dmen like Paul Martin, Andrej Sekera, or Cody Franson on short term deals make more sense until Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom are ready to take the torch? Food for though nevertheless.

That was a helluva read! Congrats on making it to the end. And with that I’d like to point you in the direction of the Beer League Heroes Teespring Shop! We’ve got some crazy ass designs that I’m sure you’d love! Especially the 8-bit McDavid shirt! Click this link and pick a shirt up for a friend or a loved one.

Take care everyone!

– BLH