Tag Archives: Prospects

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Prospects

The Edmonton Oilers and the Top Ten NHL Draft Prospects for 2018

First off I want to thank all of those on Twitter who I’ve had some pretty heated debates for being cool and stating their opinions. It’s been fun. I’d also like to thank the Oilers for going 5/5 on the PK versus the Flames and also for being 4-1 in their last 5 games. I did wonder aloud what would happen of the Oilers won three and lost one repeatedly until the end of the year if that would be enough to at least challenge for a wild card spot? Would it be enough to save the jobs of Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan?

What a game eh? Crikey I thought it was over after the 1st period AGAIN! But man, from the 2nd period until the shootout, THAT was an entertaining game. Brandon Davidson, right? You totally forgot Adam Larsson was out, didn’t you? Connor shit-talking the refs was outstanding! Ryan Strome’s game was fantabulous! It’s the kind of game you want to see every night, right? Do you think that a game like that is enough to make up for the Buffalo game?

I want to get into this post now and I’ll disclose this right off of the bat, I got the idea from an article I read at the Athletic. I don’t think it’s plagiarism because I’m certainly not ripping off the post word-for-word, but I am using the same premise.

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Trust me, it’s a good deal and the content isn’t just nerdy stats stuff. There are lots of opinion pieces and interviews with players/coaches/GMs, rumor blogs from team insiders like Pierre LeBrun, prospect coverage from the draft guru himself Corey Pronman, DETAILED analysis and breakdowns of systems and plays from Tyler Dellow and Justin Bourne, and much more.

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ON TO MY POST!

I have ten prospects from the upcoming draft that I’m going to be writing about and I get my rankings from MyNHLDraft.com. I love that site because it gives us a consolidated ranking from all the other rankings out there and it simply makes everything easier for a post like this.

Here are the candidates:

  1. Rasmus Dahlin – (LHD) 6’2″ 181lbs – Frolunda (SHL)

    What’s his deal? THE best defensive prospect to come along in a VERY long time. Everything is off of the charts with this guy AND he’s still growing. Could you imagine a defenseman that skates like Erik Karlsson, hits like Victor Hedman, and has the demeanor/hockey IQ of Niklas Lidstrom? Personally, I think he’s the next coming of Borje Salming.

    How would he help the Oilers? “Dahlin to McDavid to Draisaitl, SCORE! Another goal for the Oilers league-leading powerplay!”

    That’s one way he’d help the Oilers.

    The Oilers would finally have a threat from the blueline. They’ve spent countless seasons trying to draft/trade/sign for one without success on a Dahlin-like level. Even at 17, he’s cool as a cucumber out there and Edmonton could use that sort of calmness on the back-end. They would have to bear with the kid though because he gambles sometimes and it doesn’t pay off but if the Oilers fan base could hold back from getting all over one of their players for once, he’d become an all-time great for them. 

  2. Andrei Svechnikov – (RW) 6’1″ 180lbs – Barrie (OHL)

    What’s his deal? The younger Svechnikov (older brother is in the DET org.) is one of the best skaters in the draft. Pure skilled sniper and he’s not afraid to go to the blue paint to get his goals. Has been compared to Tarasenko and Hossa. He’s tearing apart the OHL at the moment with 19 goals in 24 games.

    How would he help the Oilers? Those that are crying for the Oilers to add skill on the wing would love this guy. He oozes confidence on the ice and brings it every night. He’s got a frame on him that wouldn’t make it difficult for him to compete in the NHL as an 18 year old. He’d definitely be helpful on the PP but only if the coaching staff saw fit to allow him to contribute, right?

    Now you have to ask yourself as an Oilers fan, do you want another baby on the wings? Do you think with the poor history of successful Russian hockey players in Edmonton, that he’d be the right pick?

  3. Brady Tkachuk – (LW) – 6’2″ 194lbs – Boston U (NCAA)

    What’s his deal? Best power forward in the draft. He has soft silky mitts and a beauty shot to go with it. He’s very physical, more so than his brother, and he’s also much more irritating than his brother. Tkachuk stood out in a very good way at the World Juniors.

    How would he help the Oilers? Ratings for all of the Battle of Alberta games would shoot up. That’s one. He’s basically the new Corey Perry but a better skater. He’d draw a ton of penalties because he’s an annoying prick on the ice and knows how to get under the opposition’s skin. He’ll actually hit and physically, he’s ready to play in the NHL.

  4. Adam Boqvist – (RHD) – 5’10” 168lbs – Almtuna (SWE)

    What’s his deal? Erik Karlsson mini. Or maybe like Erik Brannstrom, who Vegas drafted last year. He can shimmy and shake and is the purest offensive dman in the draft I believe. Great shot, excellent passing and puck handling. He’s prone to getting caught out though because he takes a lot of risks. He’s not big but there’s a sort of revolution going on with small dmen coming into the league and Boqvist should benefit from it.

    How would he help the Oilers? It would take a year or two before he could make a real impact with the roster but of course having the kind of offensive hammer from the blueline in the Oilers toolbox would pay outstanding dividends on the PP and the Oilers transition game needs a lot of help right now. This is an aspect of the game, once acclimatized to the NA ice/game, Boqvist would excel at.

  5. Filip Zadina – (RW) – 6’0″ 198lbs – Halifax (QMJHL)

    What’s his deal? 27 goals in 38 games in Halifax is his deal and how about that World Juniors performance?! He shoots and he scores. It’s that simple. Give him the puck if you want a goal. Craig Button says he’s the best goal-scorer in this draft and we’ve actually been hearing about him since he was 14.

    How would he help the Oilers? Zadina is probably a better goal scorer than Svechnikov but doesn’t bring as much on the other side of the puck that the Russian will eventually bring. So if you’re looking for a Claude Giroux type, I reckon Zadina is your man. Gets points wherever he goes too.

  6. Quinn Hughes – (LHD) – 5’9″ 168lbs – Michigan (NCAA)

    What’s his deal? Red rover red rover we call Quinn Hughes over. Listen, this kid can flat out skate. One of the best end-to-end skaters I’ve ever seen probably. Very Coffey-like. It’s so good it masks how small he is but like I said above, there’s a size revolution going on in the NHL now. Smaller dmen are going to thrive in this no-hit NHL that’s being promoted. I think his on ice vision is quite high-end and his shot/pass are above average.

    How would he help the Oilers? Transitioning the puck. Simple. When the opposition is tasked with finding a way to stop one of McDavid, Puljuarvi, Draisaitl, or Hughes coming at them, they’re going to trip all over themselves.

  7. Oliver Wahlstrom – (C) – 6’0″ 195lbs – USNDTP

    What’s his deal? Shootah! Wahlstrom is a shoot-first ask questions later type of player. Might not be the best goal scorer but could be the best shooter. 27 goals in 35 games for the USNTDP U-18 squad is massive! He’s slated to attend Harvard next season.

    How would he help the Oilers? Lots of ppl clamoring for the Oilers to pick up a Hoffman or a Pacioretty, right? Well Wahlstrom would be able to take that mantle. He’s the kind of player that would thrive on a line with a centre who could dictate the play/hog the puck a bit and allow him to get open for a shot. I’m sure McDavid and Draisaitl fall under that category, no?

  8. Evan Bouchard – (RHD) – 6’2″ 181lbs – London (OHL)

    What’s his deal? Great poise. High hockey IQ. excellent passer. HUGE cannon. He’s also a right-shot which is very valuable these days. Look, the London knights basically traded away their best dmen this year (or lost them to the NHL) and asked Bouchard, a 17 year old, to take over. And that he has. He’s well over a point-per-game (58pts in 46gp) and he’s rising up the draft charts like a friggin’ rocket.

    How would he help the Oilers? The big right-handed shot is one that the Oilers have been lacking for some time. I love the poise too. It’d probably take the same amount of time for Bouchard to develop as it did Nurse but if you were patient enough, the payoff could be ridiculous! I do wonder if we’re looking at a Jake Muzzin-type of dman in Evan Bouchard?

  9. Isac Lundestrom – (C) – 6’0″ 185lbs – Lulea (SWE)

    What’s his deal? Lundestrom is fast, gritty, has very skilled stickhandling abilities. He has a good handle on when and when not to move the puck.  I asked a scout based in Sweden about him and he said that Lundestrom might not be a star in the NHL but he’ll be a very good hockey player whose coach and fans will really love.

    How would he help the Oilers? From what I can gather, if all things turn out, Lundestrom will be a very good 2-way centreman. Now with McDavid, Draisaitl, and RNH currently taking up the top three, I imagine that we’re looking at an Elias Lindholm kind of player or to a much lesser extent, Henrik Zetterberg. Tenacious but skilled. I think that kind of player would benefit the middle-6 quite a bit. I think that a player like Lundestrom could help on the PK eventually.

  10. Noah Dobson – (RHD) – 6’3″ 183lbs – Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

    What’s his deal? Here’s another dman who’s rocketing up the draft charts. Dobson is a BIG boy and still growing, right? I think he’s looking a bit like Colton Parayko right now. But boy oh boy can this kid shoot the puck. Not only that but he can skate with the puck very well. Sam Cosentino said that offensively, the sky is the limit for Dobson and for a right-handed dman, that’s great to hear.

    How would he help the Oilers? Evan Bouchard is the better dman all round but I’d argue that perhaps Dobson’s shot is better and maybe he’ll have a bit more success on the PP than Bouchard. I mean the Oilers prospect depth on D is pretty rude as it is but as we’ve seen in Anaheim, you can never have enough dmen coming up through the pipelines.

So what do you think? If the Oilers do happen to find themselves drafting in the 1-10 range, are there any players you’d stay away from? Are there any players, aside from Dahlin, that you’d be hell-bent on trading up for?
Let us know in the comments below! But after that, go buy a shirt 🙂
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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

Top 20 Under 20: Sans North America

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I have to preface this list by letting you know I have only seen two of these players live, with a good chunk of viewings done during tournaments that are streamed or on TV (World Juniors, Ivan Hlinka, etc.) This list is made up of players born before 1996-12-7. The rankings are based on a combination of statistical success this year in relation to league, as well as the potential success they may have at the NHL level given team circumstance. It isn’t a perfect measuring stick as I haven’t “scouted” many of these players, so take it for what it is.

1. Rasmus Dahlin – LD – 2000-04-13 (16) – Frolunda HC (SHL) – 6’1 – 165 lbs

Up to this point, Rasmus Dahlin has established himself as a blue chip prospect in every sense of the term. After posting 16 points in 15 games in the SuperElit league, the 16 year old is now logging SHL minutes for Frolunda, and has two points on the year. Dahlin is a smooth skating puck transporter, and possesses the ability to be a dominant set up man on the powerplay. Dahlin has the innate ability to rifle passes through seams with precision, and will likely be a 30-40 assist guy in the NHL. The 2018 draft class is chock full of elite defenders, but Dahlin has clearly established himself as the number one guy.

Dahlin will attend Sweden’s World Junior selection camp.

2. Timothy Liljegren – RD – 1999-04-30 (17) – Rogle BK (SHL) – 6’0 – 198 lbs

After a rough start to the year due to mono, Timothy Liljegren is back on track and showing off why he is considered a top three prospect in this years draft. The right handed blue liner boasts a highly intelligent game with strong puck moving capabilities, as well as a lethal shot from a distance. Liljegren has excellent vision in all three zones, and much like Dahlin, has the ability to to make incredible passing plays with very little room. Liljegren is a strong technical skater, and currently projects to be a number two defenceman at the NHL level.

3. Ilya Samsonov – G – 1997-02-22 (19) – Metallburg Magnitogorsk (KHL) – 6’3 – 205 lbs

There are few goalies who have been able to post the kind of numbers that Ilya Samsonov, not only this year, but over the course of his entire hockey career. Samsonov is dominant, plain and simple. During his rookie campaign in the KHL, Samsonov managed a .925 save percentage, and has followed that up with a stellar .934 through 18 games this season. Samsonov is in an interesting position given the strength of the goaltenders in Washington, meaning he may not become a full time NHL starter for another couple years.

4. Klim Kostin – RW – 1999-05-05 (17) – HK MVD Balashikha (MHL) – 6’3 – 196 lbs

Statistics should not define Klim Kostin. The 6’3 Russian forward was held pointless through a combined 14 games in the KHL and MHL, ultimately leading to his demotion to the MHL. Kostin is an exciting player to watch and brings something to the ice every shift. Though he lacks explosive qualities, he has a strong toolset that features quick hands, good offensive zone vision, and a strong ability to protect the puck in the cycle. Kostin is a fiery guy, meaning discipline will have to improve as he’s shown he can get thrown off his game with chippy play. At the NHL level Kostin looks like he will be a top six winger, though offensive production may not reach over 60 points until his prime.

5. Kirill Kaprizov – LW/RW – 1997-04-26 (19) – Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) – 5’10 – 192 lbs

Not many players have surprised in the stats department like Minnesota Wild 5th rounder Kirill Kaprizov. The 19 year old winger has posted 28 points (14 goals) through 36 games in the KHL this season. Kaprizov’s high ranking stems not only from his ability to produce in one of the best leagues in the world, but the fact that the Wild are hungry for goal scoring in the top six, and will likely give Kaprizov an extended look there if he comes to North America for the 2018-19 season as a 21 year old.

6. Elias Pettersson – C/LW – 1998-11-12 (18) – Timra Ik (Allsvenskan) – 6’2 – 161 lbs

As an 18 year old, Elias Pettersson has managed to post over a point per game through 24 regular season games in Allsvenskan. Pettersson is one of the most creative players poised to go in the top ten of this years NHL draft, and will likely be given a chance to show off his creativity at this years World Juniors. Pettersson is a quick player who skates well, and relies on his elite level puck skills to be a dangerous offensive zone player. Pettersson likely won’t be an NHL regular any time soon, but with added development time in the SHL, he could very well become a second line NHL center.

7. Igor Shestyorkin – G – 1995-12-30 (20) – SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) – 6’1 -190 lbs

29 games. 1.53 GAA. .943 save percentage. What else needs to be said? The Rangers did extremely well with their fourth rounder and now have a future replacement for Henrik Lundqvist.

8. Oskar Lindblom – LW/RW – 1996-08-15 (20) – Brynas IF (SHL) – 6’2 – 196 lbs

With his contract in the SHL coming to an end following the 2016-17 season, Lindblom may be a major factor in the Flyers top six next season. Lindblom is a skilled forward with excellent offensive zone instincts, and that’s reflected in his point per game pace he’s currently at. Lindblom is an offensive catalyst who’s shooting ability is on par with his passing abilities. Look for Lindblom to put up 40 in his rookie season.

9. Mikko Kokkonen – LD – 2001-01-18 – Jukurit U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) – 5’11 – 190 lbs

Anytime a 15 year old is playing in the top league in their respective country, they’re going to get a lot of attention. Kokkonen represented Finland at this years U17 tournament where he didn’t record a point, but played a steady, well rounded game. Through 15 games in Jr. A SM-liiga, Kokkonen has put up a total of four goals and four assists.

10. Kristian Vesalainen – C/LW – 1999-06-01 (17) – HPK (Liiga) – 6’3 – 203 lbs

Kristian Vesalainen is a highly intriguing player as he brings a combination of size, speed, and puck skills that you don’t find very often. His statistical totals throughout the first 24 games (16 SHL, 8 Liiga), have not been great, as he has been unable to produce after being loaned to Liiga, however he did manage to post five points in the SHL. The big bodied Fin will likely receive a lot of attention following the World Juniors, so watch for his name to rise in draft rankings.

11. Axel Holmstrom – C – 1996-06-29 (20) – Skelleftea AIK (SHL) – 6’1 – 198 lbs

Detroit has seen better days in terms of their on ice product, however their ability to draft high end prospects late in the draft remains near the top of the league. Axel Holmstrom, who went 196th overall, has done nothing but produce for the past four years, tallying a career total 13 points in 14 World Junior games, as well as 44 points in 98 SHL games. Holmstrom has yet to play a game this season as he is out with injury. In terms of his NHL potential, given his skating ability and puck skills, he looks like a fit in a top 9 role, and if Detroit does head down re-tool lane and he ends up with more ice time, he could be a top six guy when its all said and done.

12. Lias Andersson – LW – 1998-10-13 (18) – HV71 (SHL) – 5’11 – 198 lbs

There’s a lot to like about Lias Andersson, one of which is his ability to shoot from a distance. He sees the ice well and is a dangerous player when given room. One question that remains is whether or not he plays a game that will translate to the NHL. He’s a smaller player who likes to use his feet to weave in and out of Ozone traffic, which leads me to question what he can do on small ice. Luckily for me, that question will likely be answered when Andersson represents Sweden at the upcoming World Juniors.

13. German Rubtsov – C – 1998-06-27 (18) – Vityaz Podolsk (KHL) – 6’0 – 190 lbs

German Rubtsov doesn’t play the stereotypical Russian style of hockey in the sense that he’s not a pure playmaker and doesn’t have a lethal Ovechkin/Tarasenko/Kuznetsov. Rubtsov’s strengths come in his commitment to playing a sound defensive game in all three zones, as well as supporting the puck which allows for easier transitions out of the defensive zone. That being said, Rubtsov is an extremely talented skater with separation speed, and a strong set of hands. I’d expect Rubtsov to be a good third line center at the NHL level, similar to Nick Bonino in that he will be able to play a top six role.

14. Aleksi Saarela – C – 1997-01-07 (19) – Lukko (Liiga) – 5’11 – 198 lbs

Aleksi Saarela, a third round pick by the New York Rangers, was poised to dominate the WJC this year, after posting a point per game on last years championship squad, however we won’t be seeing him as he turned down the invite. Why? Not too sure. He’s been unable to produce at the same rate as last season with Assat, and his current team, Lukko, sits second last in the league which makes the decision to not join the Finnish WJ team even stranger. Saarela plays an intelligent game, and may come across as lazy to some, however I believe him to be somewhat cerebral in his approach, and very economical in his Ozone movement. At the NHL level, Saarela is likely a third liner with the ability to post between 30-40 points.

15. Marcus Westfalt – C/LW – 2000-03-12 (16) – Brynas IF J20 (SuperElit) – 6’3 – 187 lbs

Through 20 games in J18 Elit, Marcus Westfalt posted an impressive 10 goals and 22 assists, which earned him a call up to SuperElit. The 6’3, 187 pound forward. Little is known about the Swedish forward other than his ability to produce not only over in Sweden, but internationally as he also racked up three points in six games at this years U17 tournament.

16. Gabriel Carlsson – LD – 1997-01-02 (19) – Linkoping HC (SHL) – 6’4 – 183 lbs

Gabriel Carlsson is an assertive two way defender with strong defensive zone instincts. He’s not a guy who’s going to post big numbers as his value comes in his shutdown capabilities, however given his efficiency on the breakout he could be a guy who picks up a decent amount of secondary assists when he makes his way to Columbus. Carlsson’s contract comes to an end following the 2017/18 season, and he will represent Sweden at this years World Juniors.

17. Filip Gustavsson – G – 1998-06-07 (18) – Luela HF (SHL) – 6’2 – 185 lbs

Draft Swedish goalies. It’s the key. Gustavsson is already an SHL regular, and currently sits with a .931 save percentage through 7 games. During his time with the J20 team, Gustavsson posted a .935 save percentage before earning the call up. I believe he’s one of the highest potential goalies we’ve seen come from Sweden in a while, however with the strength of goaltending in Pittsburgh, there’s no sense in him making his way over any time soon. Gustavsson may be a guy teams look at near the deadline when offloading veterans.

18. Adam Bokvist – RD – 2000-08-15 (16) – Brynas IF J20 (SHL) – 5’10 – 170 lbs

Adam Bokvist, a right handed defenceman currently playing in the SuperElit league, is proving he can produce at a variety of levels. Bokvist posted 14 points in 8 games during his time in J18 Elit this year, and followed that up with two assists in two games in the SuperElit league. Bokvist really grabbed scouts attention during his time at the U17 tournament where he managed four goals. Bokvist, like many high end Swedish defenceman, excels in the offensive zone, often directing the play from the blue line. It won’t be long before he earns an SHL promotion.

19. Noah Rod – C/RW – 1996-06-07 (20) – Geneve-Servette HC (NLA) – 6’0 – 192 lbs
Noah Rod has been a dominant international player, plain and simple. The Swiss forward has a combined 18 points in 17 games with both the U20 and U18 teams, however his value stretches far beyond that with his speed and physical play adding a unique element to whichever team he’s on. Rod plays a North American style of game, and really excels down low in the cycle and funneling pucks to the net. Given that he’s signed in the NLA until the 21/22 season, he may be a player the Sharks will have to wait for, however he should be high on their priority list as he has the ability to make an impact on their bottom six in the very near future.

20. Carl Grundstrom – LW/RW – 1997-12-01 (19) – Frolunda HC (SHL) – 6’0 – 194 lbs

With 13 points in 25 SHL games, Grundstrom is only three points off last years total. The Swedish center has been excellent this year, and has taken a big step offensively, something I was unsure he’d be able to do as he appeared to be more of a complimentary player. That is not the case, and he’s proving that. Grundstrom will play for Sweden at the World Juniors, and will likely play a top six role, something all Leafs fans are hoping he can one day do in Toronto.

HM:

Linus Soderstrom (G) – New York Islanders
Yegor Korshkov (C/RW) – Toronto Maple Leafs
Lukas Wernblom (C/LW) – Eligible 2018
Jonathan Dahlen (C/LW) – Ottawa Senators
Pavel Kraskovsky (C/RW) – Winnipeg Jets

Did I leave anyone off the list that you think should have been there? Let me know!

Brennen York, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

The York Report: November Edition

We’re just over a quarter way through the junior hockey season, and the tiers of prospects are sorting themselves out. With Nolan Patrick and Timothy Liljegren suffering injuries early on this year, I couldn’t justify swapping Liljegren with Patrick or Vilardi simply because it wouldn’t make sense. I do think Vilardi begins his push for the top spot and will likely end up going there when it’s all said and done, but we’ll see how things play out. Outside of the top three, Nico Hischier has been dominant and is currently tied for second in QMJHL scoring with 34 points. Callan Foote isn’t necessarily falling, but it’s pretty clear he’s not the guy to puch for a top five spot unless he has a great end to the season. Owen Tippett has been scoring at a very good pace, recording 16 goals in only 19 games. Tippett isn’t the only Steelhead impressing early as Nicolas Hague has been a strong producer from the back end, and at 6’6 he could be a big riser by draft day.

 

Tier One

1. Timothy Liljegren (RD) – Rogle BK (SHL)
2. Nolan Patrick (C) – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
3. Gabe Vilardi (C) – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Tier Two

4. Casey Mittelstadt (C) – Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
5. Owen Tippett (RW) – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
6. Max Comtois (C/LW) – Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
7. Kristian Vesalainen (LW) – Frolunda HC (SHL)
8. Kailer Yamamoto (LW/C) – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
9. Nic Hague (LD) – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
10. Eeli Tolvanen (LW) – Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
11. Klim Kostin (RW) – Dynamo Balashikha (VHL)

Tier Three

12. Lias Andersson (LW/C) – HV71 (SHL)
13. Michael Rasmussen (C) – Tri City Americans (WHL)
14. Callan Foote (RD) – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
15. Elias Pettersson (C) – Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
16. Ryan Poehling (C) St. Cloud St. University (NCAA)
17. Nico Hischier (RW) – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Tier Four

18. Nikita Popugayev (RW) – Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
19. Martin Necas (LW) – HC Kometa Brno (Czech)
20. Cale Makar (RD) – Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
21. Shane Bowers (C) – Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
22. Scott Reedy (C) – U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
23. Urho Vaakanainen (LD) – JYP (Liiga)

Tier Five

24. Jake Oettinger (G) – Boston University (NCAA)
25. Luke Martin (RD) – University of Michigan (NCAA)
26. Erik Brannstrom (LD) – HV71 (SHL)
27. Sasha Chmelevski (C) – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
28. Marcus Davidsson (C) – Djurgardens IF (SHL)
29. Matthew Strome (LW) – Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
30. Jesper Boqvist (RW) – Brynas IF (SHL)
31. Samuel Bucek (LW) – Shawinigan Cateractes (QMJHL)

 

Notes

 

Philipp Grubauer

 

Since being drafted in 2010, Philipp Grubauer has been one of the more consistent young goalies in both the NHL and AHL. Through 45 career NHL games, Grubauer has yet to finish below a .915 save percentage. The majority of Grubauer’s professional time has been spent in Hershey, where he played 105 games and recorded a .919 save percentage throughout his AHL career. Due to the fact Brayden Holtby won’t be giving up the crease anytime soon, it’s possible we see Grubauer on the move to Las Vegas during the expansion draft as the Caps will be unable to protect his rights.

 

Nikita Soshnikov
Getting a scouts attention is one thing, but being able to hold that attention throughout the course of a 60 minute game is something else entirely. Nikita Soshnikov is one of those rare cases. Perhaps I saw him on a good night, but the consistent intensity he brought on a shift to shift basis is something that few players are able to do, and is something that all aspiring hockey players should look to add to their arsenal. The 23 year old winger plays a very quick* game, and given the speed and puck skills he possesses, Id bet he becomes a 40-50 point player in the very near future. Soshnikov currently sits with one goal and one assist through five NHL games.

Quick* Game: The term can be interpreted differently, so when I say a player plays a “quick game” what I’m describing is a combination of foot speed, intensity, and quick hands. Patrick Kane and Joe Pavelski are great examples of what it means to possess a quick game or quick style.
Brayden Gorda

The Edmonton Oil King blue liner recently fell out of our top 30 rankings, however after a fairly strong start in November, you will likely see him back next month. We had high expectations for Brayden heading into the season after a strong outing at the U18 camp this summer, however he struggled in nearly every aspect of the game through the first quarter of the schedule. Though he still has much to work on, Gorda has been better in November, showing the promise we saw towards the end of last season and into the summer. What I didn’t like about his game when he was struggling was the lack of intensity and awareness he showed, especially in the defensive zone. He also seemed timid at times, opting to make difficult passes over rushing the puck, something he can do very well.

Jake Virtanen

 

After completing two games in Utica, Jake Virtanen still sits with only one point in 12 games this season. He was rushed to the NHL far too early, and should have been left in the WHL during the 2015/16 season. Jake Virtanen is not a “bust”, rather a victim of poor management, something that may hurt him in the long run. Virtanen brings a lot to the table including speed, size, and an innate offensive IQ, and if I were to put some money on the line I would bet he becomes an effective top six forward down the line. Due to his perceived declining value, I believe Jake Virtanen would provide excellent value to any team willing to trade a first round pick plus for his services if the opportunity came up. We’ve seen stranger things happen in Vancouver.

 

Leafs Trio

 

The Leafs top three scorers are under 20 years old and it seems as though the rebuild will be over within the next two years. It’s not just that they’re putting up points, but they’re putting up dominant shifts against strong competition. With the trio leading the way offensively (which is unbelievable), as well as Morgan Rielly on the back end and Freddy Andersen between the pipes, the Leafs have a strong base which they will continue to build off of. Heading into the draft the team should have their eyes set on Timothy Liljegren as they have been unable to bring in a top flight right handed defenceman, and as we’ve seen in Edmonton that position is extremely valuable. They’re a fun team to follow simply because they built this squad from scratch and it will be exciting to see where they are five years down the road.

 

WHL Scoring

 

I said Sam Steel would break out offensively this year and he’s done just that. Steel currently leads the WHL with 16 goals and 18 assists through only 15 games. Anaheim got an excellent player and really it’s not a surprise if you’ve ever had the chance to watch him play. Behind Sam sits four draft eligible prospects in Mason Shaw, Cody Glass, Kailer Yamamoto, and Nikita Popugayev, with draft eligibles Michael Rasmussen and Skyler McKenzie in the eight and nine spot, making it six draft eligibles in the top ten. The most impressive point producer within the group of six is Cody Glass, who after what I believed was a rough outing at the U18 camp, bounced back in a major way. The goal scoring ability of Glass has really helped Skyler McKenzie in terms of draft stock as the two have been a dynamic tandem for the Winterhawks. Also impressing early on in the WHL season is Regina’s import draft pick and Sens prospect Filip Ahl who currently has 24 points in 17 games. Oil Kings defenceman Aaron Irving leads the Kings in scoring with 23 points and may very well be a player who is moved near the deadline for picks, and may end up signing an ELC like Macoy Erkamps did last season.

 

Ramblings

 

Carolina is an interesting team to follow. They always seem to stay competitive even if their team on paper looks like a team contending for the first overall pick. They have a strong defensive group coming up, and the Aho/Teravainen duo may carry them far in the future.

Tanner Kaspick (STL) and Michael Spacek (WPG) are two of the best players in the WHL and fall in the category of underrated prospects. Both have a future in the NHL, however I think it’s Kaspick who has the longer career.

 

Thanks for reading. If you have any inquiries please email me at york.brennen@gmail.com

Edmonton Oilers, Micah Kowalchuk, NHL, Prospects

How Deep is the Oilers Organizational Depth? Your 5-year Old is Safe to Swim on the Right Side.

Much of our time is spent debating whether we can trade Eberle, RNH or Yakupov to get that defenseman we all covet, and I do that myself.  But, out of curiosity, I thought I’d take a look at what the organization depth chart actually has for pieces, and where our depth is to draft from in a trade.  Just to be completely absurd, I’ve drafted another article where I completely contradict myself and deal both Eberle and RNH, with the justification I acquired veteran replacements.

Ok, so we have for next season the following players:

Left wingers: Taylor Hall, Benoit Pouliot, Lauri Korpikoski, Matt Hencricks

Right wingers: Jordan Eberle, Teddy Purcell (UFA), Nail Yakupov, Zack Kassian, (RFA) Iiro Pakarinen (RFA)

Centers: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisatl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Letestu, Anton Lander

Left Defense: Andrej Sekera, Darnell Nurse, Brandon Davidson (RFA), Andrew Ference, Oscar Klefbom

Right Defense: Justin Schultz (RFA), Mark Fayne, Eric Gryba (UFA), Adam Clendening (RFA)

Goaltending: Cam Talbot, Laurent Brossoit (RFA), Anders Nilsson (RFA)

____________________________________________________________

Top Prospects:

Goal: Laurent Brossoit, Eetu Laurikainen, Zach Nagelvoort

Right Wing: Tyler Pitlick

Left Wing: Anton Slepyshev, Jujhar Khaira, Danill Zharkov, Mitchell Moroz

Center: Bodgan Yakimov, Kyle Platzer, Greg Chase, Tyler Vesel

Left Defense: Griffin Reinhart, Dillon Simpson, Martin Gernat, David Musil, Joey LaLeggia, Jordan Oesterle, William Lagesson, Caleb Jones

Right Defense: Ethan Bear

Of that group, the top prospects are: Slepyshev (7.5), Khaira (7.0), Zharkov (7.0), Reinhart (8.0). Simpson (7.0), Gernat (7.0 – RFA), Musil (7.0 – RFA), Bear (7.0).

In short, 3 LW, 4 LHD, and one RHD.

___________________________________________________________

Now, assuming the Oilers were to let their UFAs go and qualify their RFAs, and we just consider the top-tier of prospects, this is the organizational depth:

Left Wing: Taylor Hall, Beniot Pouliot, Lauri Korpikoski, Matt Hendricks, Anton Slepyshev, Jujhar Khaira, Danill Zharkov

Right Wing: Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov, Zack Kassian, Iiro Pakarinen

Center: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisatl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Letestu, Anton Lander

Left Defense: Andrej Sekera, Oscar Klefbom, Brandon Davidson, Darnell Nurse, Griffin Reinhart, Dillion Simpson, Martin Gernat, David Musil

Right Defense: Justin Schultz, Mark Fayne, Adam Clendening, Ethan Bear

Goaltending: Cam Talbot, Laurent Brossoit, Anders Nilsson.

So, that’s the organizational depth chart including all prospects considered “NHL Caliber”.  What jumps out: There’s a lot of talent down the left, and there’s a brutal lack of it down the right and not a whole lot down the middle.

If the Oilers are going to do any deals, it’s to improve their right side defense and right wing at both the NHL level and the minor league system, or organizational depth at C and G, and the options they have to do that are drawing from their left-side depth.  As much as we all discuss dealing Eberle, Yakupov or RNH, those areas are major team weak spots, and would require replacements coming back in a deal.

At this point, the logical place to draw from is the prospect pool at LW and LHD in exchange for veterans on the Right side.  This something teams like Chicago have been traditionally very good at doing, swapping prospects for prospects that better fit their team.  Now we wait and see how good Chiarelli is at it.