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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, TPE Hockey, Trades

BLH Oilers Mailbag: 2019 NHL Draft SPECIAL with @KeithFries and @TPEHockey

With the NHL Entry Draft this Friday and Saturday, let’s circle the wagons one last time with a questionnaire for both of our contributing scouts, Max (@TPEHockey) and Keith (@keithfries). I’ll be participating in this exercise 🙂

Question #1: With the 8th-overall pick, do the Edmonton Oilers move up, trade back, or stay put?

Max: Personally, I always prefer staying put. Moving forward can work out if a team really has an eye on a certain player, but at the 8th-overall spot moving up just a few picks can be costly. Trading back is risky as your guy may be off the board. I’d see Edmonton staying put and selecting from the various talents in the deep #5-#14 range, of this class.

Keith: If you look at Ken Holland’s recent track record, at the draft, he doesn’t usually move up or down. I see him staying put because a) it’s in his nature and b) because the options at #8 are probably as equal as they would be if he moved up to, say, 6th-overall. He might slide back a spot-or-two if he can pick up a valuable asset in a trade, but I just don’t see that happening.

BLH: I concur with the scouts on this one. I don’t really see the advantage in moving up to anything apart from 3rd overall and I can’t see that happening. Trading down would be a more likely event given the group of players ranked #4 to #12, but even then, I just don’t see the point. Get your guy at 8 and walk away happy. Don’t mess around.

Question #2: Playing armchair GM, if you stay at the 8th-overall pick, who would you draft if the following players had already been selected?

1) Jack Hughes
2) Kaapo Kakko
3) Alex Turcotte
4) Bowen Byram
5) Kirby Dach
6) Dylan Cozens
7) Cole Caufield

Max: In this scenario, Peyton Krebs is my guy. Krebs was on a weak Kootenay team but found success, nonetheless. He can run his own line and drive offense even without great teammates.

Keith: I think Trevor Zegras would make a lot of sense. He’s, in my opinion, the smartest player at the top of this class, on-and-off the ice. Really good kid – and when you couple that with all the gifts he has in the rink, it’s really a no-brainer. …See what I did there?

BLH: Krebs and Zegras would definitely be of great value to the Oilers going forth. They’d add an element of flash to the Oilers center depth and if I had to choose one or the other, I’d probably side with Max here and go with Krebs due to his work ethic and two-way game.

With that said, I’m a Matthew Boldy man. For my money, he’s the best all-around forward in the draft and the Oilers are really lacking in those. He can stir the drink from the wing and there aren’t many players in the game you can say do that. He can play across the board and in every situation. To add to that, he’s most likely physically ready to play pro right now and his vision, hands, and hockey IQ are right up there with the best in the draft. A season or two in the NCAA will develop him into an impact player upon his NHL debut.

 Question #3: Who do you think (realistically) will be on the board at #38? Who should the Oilers draft with that pick?

Max: A good option might be Patrik Puistola. Puistola is a popular pick for an under the radar, 2nd-round, option, who’s found a lot of success in the Mestis – the 2nd premiere adult league, in Finland. Puistola is a creative goal scorer who will make the jump to the Liiga, next season.

Keith: A guy that doesn’t get enough love is Maxim Cajkovic. The definition of a “journeyman,” he’s played pretty much all over the world, already, and when you look at how well he’s performed at every stop along the road, he’s the kind of guy that teams will trade for at the deadline to go on a ‘Cup run.

BLH: This will really depend on who the Oilers take at 8th overall. I reckon it’ll be a pretty offensive player, so… I really like John Beecher here. He’s one of the fastest players in the draft, he plays center, and he likes to get mucky. I don’t feel he’s quick like Hughes, but he’s fast like jersey flapping Mike Modano fast. He’s got a pro frame and at the end of the day, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up being 6’2″ and 210lbs. Just a beast on skates. The downside is he’s not all that offensively gifted, so the Oilers might be developing a defensive center/wing here in Beecher if they take him.

Question #4: Do you think Edmonton selects a goaltender in this draft? Why or why not?

Max: Edmonton has six picks in this draft and, with no NHL level netminder in their system, it might be worth spending at least one on a goalie. Spencer Knight might be out of the Oilers’ range, but there’s a deep class behind him who could be available in the 3rd-round.

Keith: It depends on who’s available and when. For me, there are three goaltenders in this draft that matter: Spencer Knight, Dustin Wolf, and Ilya Konovalov. If any of those guys are sitting there in the 3rd-or-4th rounds, I don’t care how good of prospects Stuart Skinner or Olivier Rodrigue are, I’m making the pick.

BLH: I’m not sure. With only six picks, I’d be hard-pressed to take one knowing there are four already in the system. I’d probably wait until next season or if I felt the urge to add another one, sign a free agent out of the NCAA or Europe.

Question #5: Another armchair GM scenario… You’re approached by the Avalanche to trade up to #4. It will cost you the: 8th, 85th, and 100th-overall picks. Do you make that trade, knowing the following players are off the board – and who would you select?

1) Jack Hughes
2) Kaapo Kakko
3) Bowen Byram

Max: Alex Turcotte is my 3rd-ranked prospect, in this draft, and I’d jump at the chance to take him. He’s by far the most complete player in the draft. When you combine his skating, creativity, scoring, intellect, and playmaking abilities, he’s easily the best option available after Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko.

Keith: I’d likely ask for additional draft pick in-return – 3-for-2 deal – but ultimately, no. I’m projecting the same ceiling for guys in the 3rd-to-12th-overall range. No need to move.

BLH: No, I wouldn’t. I do like Keith’s idea though. The M.O. in Edmonton is draft and develop and removing half of your picks to move up and get a player that might not be any better than the guy you take at 8th overall, doesn’t make sense to me. There should be enough players around 86th and 100th that interest me too. So, no. I wouldn’t do that trade.

Question #6: Who, in your opinion, is the most underrated player? The most overrated player?

Max: My pick for most underrated would be Domenick Fensore. He’s a 5’7” defenseman with high caliber offensive tools. A top-5 skater that defend both sides of the ice. My pick for most overrated would be Vasili Podkolzin. He failed to produce in Russia’s lower leagues while other less-known prospects thrived. A top-10 or even top-15 pick should be owning the MHL.

Keith: If we’re speaking in terms of the entire draft class, then Simon Holmstrom would be my most underrated. Really skilled winger. Good playmaking IQ, and did a lot down the stretch that showed a return to his dominant form. The most overrated would be Arthur Kaliyev. The kid can score like nobody’s business. It’s a beautiful shot, and it’s really something fun to watch. But that’s it. I see no compete. I see no hustle. For a kid who’s 6’2” – 190, I see no checking. It’s incredibly frustrating. Do I think he’s a first-round talent? Absolutely. But a late first-rounder. Anyone telling you he’s a top-10 pick lives in a padded cell.

BLH: My most underrated player might be Anttoni Honka. This guy has got some real talent but has disappeared off of scouts’ radars due to a really tough season he’s had. At the beginning of the year, I had him as the 3rd best prospect in the draft. Honka reminds me of Sergei Gonchar so much in his ability to stay cool under pressure. His offensive game is really good and he can thread a needle as well as any other prospect in this draft I feel. Some people might say he looks lazy on the ice, but I just find he’s just so collected it appears that he doesn’t care. I think that some scouts are scared off of him due to his brother Julius’ inability to develop into the player he was expected to. Some team is going to get a good player later on in the draft here, book it.

The other guy who’s being underrated is Vasili Podkolzin. He might not be putting up very much on the scoresheet, but make no bones about it, the Russian Hockey Federation doesn’t push its young players to play at higher levels often and Podkolzin is getting just that from them. He’s special. You try traveling as much as this guy has over the season and still maintain a high degree of production. You’ll see, once he’s settled in one spot for a year, he’ll start to tear things up.

Question #7: Final question… We’ll do one last armchair GM scenario. What kind of deal would you be asking for in return for Jesse Puljujarvi?

Max: The ask would probably be a high pick in his draft and an NHL-ready prospect. You’re taking a chance that he just needed a change of scenery and could look like a real fool if he ends up overperforming.

Keith: Realistically, a 1-1-and-1 – as in: a player, a prospect, and a pick. But, I think the trade market has soured a bit on JP. While there are teams that likely have interest, they probably also have that lingering concern of “is he another Yakupov?” So, a 1-for-2 would be nice, and realistic. Let’s say, for example, if they made a deal with the Los Angeles Kings, it might look like: Jesse Puljujarvi for Alec Martinez or Tyler Toffoli + 64th-overall pick.

BLH: My feeling is that he’s right on the cusp of breaking out. The double hip surgery might slow down the beginning of his season, but I’d be willing to bet that he’ll be producing in the 2nd half and teams are cognizant of that. They’re aware of how young he still is and how the Oilers management, coaching, and playing staff have treated him, and they’ll try to fleece Ken Holland, but I can’t see him falling for it.

There are two trade scenarios for me,

  1. The “futures” ask, meaning picks/prospects.
  2. The “help now” ask, meaning an NHL player.

So for scenario “A”, I’m asking looking for the kind of prospect that will even out the scales in the case that Puljujarvi does turn things around. I’m not sure if we’re talking about an Eeli Tolvanen here, a Drake Batherson/Filip Chlapik, or possibly a bigger deal that would bring a Nolan Patrick to Edmonton. Roslovic out of Winnipeg is an interesting option as well. But something in that range. Gotta play hardball in a deal like this.

In scenario “B”, I’d look at oft-maligned players. Maybe guys who are on the outs with their current organization. Nikita Zadorov, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jason Zucker are names that come to mind immediately. There are also teams that need to shed salary badly, so what about a Tyler Johnson or Nazem Kadri trade?

Be sure to follow both Max (@TPEHockey) and Keith (@keithfries) on Twitter and tune into the NHL Entry Draft, this weekend, and have a cold one on us. Or… 8 cold ones. Cheers!

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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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2019 NHL Draft: @TPEHockey’s Pre-Draft Lottery Top-31 Draft Rankings

1. Jack Hughes: While Kaapo Kakko has made a strong argument for being the best player in this draft Jack Hughes remains as my #1. Hughes has spent the entire season dominating at every single level. He set the NTDP all-time points record and has become arguably the best player in the history of the program. Over the course of the 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 Jack Hughes managed to put up 16 points in only 4 games, that a 4.00 PPG.

He’s led this NTDP team to be undefeated in international competition through their 2 seasons when he’s in the lineup. Jack Hughes is a can’t miss player. The dynamic center thrives on his unmatched skating talent. He’s one of the best skaters to ever come through the draft, he’s great on his edges and uses his agility very effectively. His size is a concern for some, but he can skate his way out of physical play with his elusive abilities. 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. He plays fearless hockey, despite his size he doesn’t hold anything back. Jack Hughes is the most skilled, dynamic, and fun player in this draft.

2. Kaapo Kakko: While Hughes shattered records for the NTDP, Kakko has done the same 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. Needless to say that Kakko is no consolation to Hughes.

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.

3. Alex Turcotte: Turcotte has made it very clear to me that he is the #3 prospect for this draft. At the beginning of the season, he fell out of favor with many scouts due to injury and being overshadowed by Hughes and Zegras. He fell as low as 31 on Craig Buttons’ list. Although as he returned his doubters quickly realized their massive mistake. Turcotte stormed back and dominated effortlessly. He is over 2.00 PPG in the USHL, out doing Jack Hughes. Turcotte will head to the U18s later this month and we should all expect nothing but sheer dominance from the upcoming star. Next year he will head to the University of Wisconsin, that is if he’s not in the NHL.

Turcotte is well known as an offensive threat. Like Hughes, he can beat defenders with his powerful stride and edges. Turcotte is also an exceptionally strong player on his skates. He doesn’t get checked, hit, or knocked off the puck. Overall he’s a phenomenal skater, a trend with these NTDP prospects. Additionally, despite being primarily a playmaker he’s shown high goal scoring upside in various situations with the NTDP. Turcotte is also a great two-way player for his generally offensive style.

4. Dylan Cozens: No player in this draft is feared by WHL goalies like Dylan Cozens. A double offensive threat with both a shot and pass that need to be respected by goalies. Cozens also has the best straight line speed in the draft and a nasty scoring touch. He can drive the net at full speed and wire a shot anywhere he wants. He’s got a big frame and strength to match making him hard to contain. He’s another big power forward like Kakko. I’d say Cozens is not quite as well rounded and smart but is the faster player. Cozens has consistently been one of the WHL’s best players all season, and that won’t change any time soon. With his size and fast-paced play, I don’t see why Cozens couldn’t be able to be in the NHL next season filling a middle 6 role on his NHL team.

5. Trevor Zegras: Outside of Jack Hughes no player is as fun to watch as Trevor Zegras. On a nightly basis, Zegras can pull a move to get his team on the board and drop jaws at the same size. Zegras is a very similar player to Jack Hughes in that he’s a high skill, high IQ, and elite skating center. He’s a stellar puck rusher who can create zone entries like few in this draft, very similar to Patrick Kane. Zegras can move around defenders with his puck skills and speed then create offense off a quick pass at the top of the dots. Despite being the 3rd ranked NTDPer Zegras is still an elite player. He will take time to develop, but the raw skill and smarts to his game will slot him in a top 6 role in no time.

6. Bowen Byram: Byram is the undisputed top defensemen for this draft. Not only has he been the top defensemen on his Vancouver Giants team, but a top 3 defensemen in the WHL. He’s been great in every situation for the Giants. Although I won’t go in-depth into his game here as I did a full article on him recently.

7. Peyton Krebs: Dubbed the next Johnny Gaudreau, Krebs has been quite the player on the awful Kootenay (soon to be Winnipeg) Ice. His team has given him zero support, yet he has found success. As a playmaker, he needs someone to make plays for, but he simply doesn’t have that. Despite that, he still has torn up the WHL at 17. The crafty both wing and center always has the puck on his stick and is determined to make something happen no matter the situation. He plays with a fire and tenacity that makes up for his size disadvantage. Because of this Krebs currently serves as the CHL’s youngest captain.

8. Kirby Dach: After a sizzling start to this season Kirby Dach rocketed up draft rankings as he put on a show with the Saskatoon Blades. Dach showed off his ridiculous passing ability combined with one of the best shots in junior hockey. For a while, he was unstoppable and looked like he was running away with the #3 spot in this draft. This was until he hit a double-digit game cold streak. Dach went from a WHL leader in points to nit being able to find the net or his teammates for well over a month. This was a sign of Dach’s general inconsistency that some had marked as a problem long before his cold streak. This has been a red flag for many, but Dach remains high on my list. He still has all the tools plus a lot of smarts and two-way skill. If the right team to develop Dach gets their hands on him he could be a steal at any later than 3/4.

9. Alex Newhook: Newhook has spent this season putting on a show in the BCHL. He’s used his speed, skill, and shot to be the most impactful player on the ice day in and day out. Doubts have been raised over the lack of competition put up by his league, but over the past two season its been very clear to me that Newhook would exhibit similar dominance in any other junior league. This will surely be proven as Newhook makes his way to the U18 world championship in just weeks. Newhook will overpower defenders with sheer speed combined with lateral, and do the same to goalies with his wicked shot.

10. Cole Caufield: There is now no doubt who the best goal scorer is this draft is. Cole Caufield now leads the NTDP in all-time goals with 108 goals in 114 games. He may be small, but he’s got a nose for the net. Not only does he have a shot like few in this draft, but he uses his IQ to read the play and put himself in the right areas to do damage. Every time you see Caufield left unguarded in the offensive zone he makes something happen. Some say he relies too much on Hughes or Zegras to set him up, but often he doesn’t need someone to get him the puck. Despite his size, he’s tenacious and can take the puck from any player, size regardless. While calling him the next Alex Debrincat is a little much considering his massive success, Debrincat has shown what players like Caufield can do when given the opportunity.

11. Bobby Brink: With the likes of Brock Boeser and Kyle Connor finding NHL success after big draft years in the USHL I would expect nothing less from Bobby Brink. Brink has put on a show in the USHL similarly to Newhook in the BCHL. He’s been the best player in the USHL, outside of the NTDP, by far. Not even close. Brink is a high skill forward with both quick footwork and hands. He’s a nightmare to defend one on one for a goalie or defensemen. He regularly puts opposing teams on a highlight reel. He’s one of the flashier players in this draft while maintaining well rounded and smart play.

12. Matthew Boldy: Boldy is the new style power winger that will be more common in the NHL soon. He’s big and fast but thrives mostly from smart play. He doesn’t power through the neutral zone, but he can move the puck very well and create zone entries with his smarts. A hit on him for a while was his skating, but his stride and overall skating skill has improved a lot. He still doesn’t have a high-tier top speed, but his edges are phenomenal and he still is a great skater. While he hasn’t been the most statistically outstanding player on the NTDP he is a favorite of “eye test” scouts. Boldy will likely slide well into a 2nd line winger role at the NHL level.

13. Ryan Suzuki: On eye test alone I’d consider Ryan Suzuki a top 5 prospect in this draft. Suzuki is the best passed not names Jack Hughes in this draft. He’s got eyes on the front, back, and both sides of his head. Suzuki sees everything that happens on the ice and makes a pass nobody sees coming. He out thinks everybody on the ice, even the best overagers in the OHL. He’s such a good passer that few other qualities really matter for him, but outside of his passing, he has a lot of other great attributes. Ryan Suzuki, like his brother Nick, is an extremely underrated shooter. If they gain space at the dots they have great, accurate, NHL level wrist shots that can score on any goalie. With the threats of both passing and shooting, Suzuki is a dangerous player every time he’s on the ice.

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14. Arthur Kaliyev: After outscoring Andrei Svechnikov at the same age it’s hard to see why Kaliyev is still in the teens for many. The Hamilton Bulldogs Star pounds puck in the net on a nightly basis as he eclipsed 50 goals this season. Kaliyev has run away in terms of the statistical lead of draft prospects outside of the top 2. Despite these concerns have been raised over his one-dimensional, all offensive, play. He’s a complimentary player that won’t be a play driver at the NHL level. This trait often comes with a lot of the highly touted busts like Nail Yakupov in the past. Although with that being said he may be one-dimensionally offensive, but he has mastered that dimension entirely.

15. Vasili Podkolzin: Even with the hype Podkolzin remains as a mid 1st range player for me. He’s dominated U18 competition at every stage this season. Although playing older, tougher competition at the MHL, VHL, KHL, and WJC level he has struggled. In the MHL, the Russian U20 league, he has been unable to score at a solid rate. Only one active NHL player has ever had a PPG lower than 1.00 in their draft year in the MHL, but it was still higher than Podkolzin’s. In the playoffs, he was straight up bad in general. He had 3 points in 8 VHL games. This compared to Kravtsov’s 11 in 16 in the KHL playoffs (the KHL is a tier above the VHL). While his MHL playoffs totals weren’t bad at 1 PPG they still aren’t great.

Although just looking at stats with Podkolzin is lazy. Podkolzin is defined as a power winger with a high skill set and tenacity. My problem with this is that Podkolzin doesn’t play smart hockey. He might have some killer hands, but he often plays with his head down. This allows him to power through U18 competition, but he can’t do that against older completion. At the WJC we saw him get lit up multiple times as he had his head down looking at the puck. Some will say that coaching should help that, but playing heads up hockey should be something that you should learn as a kid, not a transitioning NHLer. He is also a pure scorer. He hasn’t shown playmaking prowess yet in his game. If you’re looking for a guy to take the puck to the net and use his hard shot to score, he’s your guy. But other than that I don’t see much that he does. I’d argue he’s as one dimensional as Kaliyev.

16. Connor McMichael: McMichael is one of the underrated players in this draft class. At 17 McMichael made himself known as he became the best forward on a stacked London Knights team early in the season. His success was so surprising and went so unnoticed I detailed it in a past article. To sum it up McMichael is a high speed, high skill, 200ft center. His style is a prized asset for many teams as we saw in the Barrett Hayton pick at last year’s draft.

17. Ville Heinola: In the same article I detailed how underrated McMichael could be I also touched on Ville Heinola. Heinola is my #2 ranked defensemen for this draft and earned that in his amazing play in the Finnish Liiga. Heinola is a puck moving defensemen that skates like the wind and winds around the offensive zone with the puck on his stick. He can skate into the offensive zone without being so much as touched and make a pass to a dangerous area. This allowed Heinola to put up big totals as a U18 player in the top league in Finland.

18. Jakob Pelletier: Pelletier has led the QMJHL in 2019 draft eligible scoring all season long. He’s been putting up big points on a solid Moncton Wildcats team. Pelletier is a crafty player that projects out as a middle 6 NHL winger. Pelletier, on top of skill and speed, is a smart player that sees the ice very well. It’s hard to beat Pelletier’s mind for the game.

19. Antonni Honka: Honka has had an… interesting season. Last year he put up a Miro Heiskanen-like season where he put up massive point totals in a big role for JYP Jyväskylä in the Finnish Liiga. Although in a diminished role this season he fell out of favor with the team and was demoted to the Finnish 2nd league. Although before long Honka was back up in the Liiga, but with a different club, Jukurit. He’s rekindled some of his d -1 success, but he’s not the player we thought he was. The problem is that Honka plays a high-risk offensive game with little defensive responsibility. In a larger role with a good defensive d-partner this works, but in a diminished role, a player like Honka has struggled.

20. Victor Soderstrom: The big name out of Sweden this year will be Victor Soderstrom. The right handed, puck moving, smooth skating, high IQ, two-way, reliable defensemen is everything a team wants in today’s NHL. Soderstrom has been a staple of his SHL team in just his draft year. His offensive abilities, outside of his passing ability, hasn’t been as high as we’d hoped, but he’s still got a lot of potential to become a top 4 NHL defensemen.

21. Cam York: The clear top defensemen of the best NTDP team of all time is obviously a player that will get a lot of attention on draft day. He’s quarterbacked every powerplay and ran every penalty kill. He’s been the go to guy game after game for the team. He’s best described as a skilled puck distributor. He gives the puck to the right guy, not always to create a direct chance, but to open lanes that may open opportunities later. I wouldn’t be surprised if York led the NTDP in all time tertiary assists.

22. Raphael Lavoie: Lavoie is a player that has fallen out of favor over the course of the season. He hasn’t had the success we expected after his d -1 success. Although he still has put out quite the offensive output. My problem with Lavoie is that I see limited offensive upside in his game. He plays a style reliant on his natural size and power. Often this will translate to the NHL game, but it won’t lead to him having a very high ceiling. He’s a safe pick to be a 3rd line player, but he’s not a guy you have super high hopes of 1st line potential with.

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23. Nils Hoglander: In my opinion, Nils Hoglander plays the style that many interpretate Podkolzin too. He’s a hard nosed, ultra skilled, powerful winger with a lot of tenacity. Despite small stature, he plays big. He’s not afraid of physical contact, even playing against men in the SHL. Not only is he playing the prized style of Podkolzin, but he’s also producing at the pro level.

24. Philip Tomasino: If you’re looking for a highlight reel player then Tomasino could be your guy. Tomasino has some of the best puck skills in the draft that when combined with speed allows him to do some ridiculous things. He’s great at cutting through the neutral zone by splitting defenders and breaking ankles. Do not take your eyes off the puck when you are trying to guard him. Tomasino has found success on a very good Niagara Ice Dogs team. With support in Akil Thomas, he has found a way to make an impact with not only his puck skills and speed, but passing ability too.

25. Nick Robertson: Robertson put himself on the map after a big CHL Top Prospects game, although his great play started about a month earlier. The Peterborough Petes struggled a lot, but Nick Robertson was a bright spot on the team. He drove the offense over more experienced veterans on the team. His brother Jason has been gaining massive success after his 2nd round selection in 2017, and I would expect similar success from Nick

26. Thomas Harley: Harley is a player that does everything right. Makes the right decisions without being super flashy. This isn’t to say he’s not a skilled player, or has the ability to wow people. The thing about Harley is that you might watch him and not think he had the best game until you look at the score sheet and see he had 3 points. Just looking at stats sells him as an offensive dynamo, but it undersells how well he plays a complete game in general.

27. Spencer Knight: Knight has been on the receiving end of some massive hype this season. I remain skeptical of some of his play, but he is no doubt a star goaltender at this point in his career. He’s a great eye test goaltender who plays the game right. He’s technically sound, but shows his unorthodox skill and power in his stance. The problem is that even behind the best NTDP team of all time he hasn’t put of fantastic stats. He’s lower than a .910 at the conclusion of the season. Right now the stats aren’t there, but he still looks like a really solid goaltender.

28. Philip Broberg: The Philip Broberg hype seems very unwarranted to me. His success at the Hlinka is the only thing carrying him to his top 10 hype. He hasn’t found success in his league play that is anything resembling what he did at the Hlinka. He’s shown his elite speed, but doesn’t have the lateral agility to be the elite puck carrier he was thought to be at the Hlinka. Against U18 competition he can power through with his speed, but it just doesn’t work at the pro level. Broberg simply isn’t the player he was thought to be.

29. Moritz Seider: Seider has been a key piece of his German pro team’s blueline since he entered the league at the beginning of the season. He’s not an offensive star at that level, but he’s a reliable two-way threat that can lay down the line with his physicality. His offensive qualities may take a while to develop, but he could step into an NHL, two-way defensemen role pretty early.

30. Pavel Dorofeyev: All season long Dorofeyev has been the most dangerous U18 player in the MHL. At that level, he’s shot the lights out of the best goalies in the league. He’s a guy that not only has a wicked shot, but knows how to beat a goalie. He can get the goalie off angle and snipe the open spot. He also does a good job of running the play in the offensive zone. Although in the MHL the slow pace makes this slightly less interesting.

31. Dustin Wolf: Dustin Wolf is having a phenomenal season in the WHL. He leads all CHL goaltenders in Sv% (min 20GP) at 17 with a .936. He’s having a Carter Hart-esque season with their Everett Silvertips. As a draft eligible, there is a legitimate chance he could win CHL Goaltender of the Year over prospects like Ian Scott and Mikey DiPietro. From pre-season to now Wolf has been in my 1st round and that is not about to change. Size is the only thing that people have a problem with in Dustin Wolf’s game. NHL Central Scouting has him ranked in approximately the 7th round all predicated on size. Size regardless Dustin Wolf has a masterful technical game with composure unmatched by any other goalie in the draft since Carter Hart.

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The Three Most Underrated 2019 NHL Draft Prospects You Should Know More About

Max from @TPEHockey is back with an article on three of the most underrated and underreported 2019 NHL draft prospects. These three players are all candidates that I could see the Edmonton Oilers taking a long look at depending on where their selections are but there’s outstanding skill, elite hockey IQ, and absurd athleticism in all of the players you’re going to read about here.

You can read Max’s latest draft rankings below:

TPE Hockey’s Mid-Season NHL Draft Rankings

Connor McMichael London Knights | C | Canada

Connor McMichael is another top prospect coming out of the London Knights system. London is constantly been producing 1st round nearly every year talent and the 2019 draft is no different. At the beginning of the season, it seemed that there was no top London Knight making themselves known. Although it wasn’t long before McMichael made it clear that he was a can’t miss prospect. By November it was clear that the talented draft-eligible was the best forward on the Knights. With top picks in previous drafts like Liam Foudy (#18 CBJ) and Alex Formenton (#47 OTT) that didn’t seem possible in October. McMichael has already surpassed the 30 goal mark which other Knights who went in the 1st round, like Foudy and Robert Thomas, didn’t do in their draft years. He’s has been a standout in the OHL this season and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.

He’s a center, which already boosts his stock like we saw last year with Barrett Hayton. A centerman who went far higher than projected because of his position. McMichael has shown competence in all three zones due to his high IQ play. He might not have any particular defensive skills, but he’s a smart enough player to be quite good defensively. Even with a focus on 200ft play McMichael has been dynamite offensively. His stellar vision of the ice and his ability to read the play makes him a hard player to defend against. On top of that, he has some nasty hands and has a history of undressing defenders. This is a player defenders can’t afford to lose track of. He can also use lightning fast speed to catch defensemen sleeping. His combination of nifty skill, smart play, and speed allow him to dominate at the OHL level as a draft-eligible player.

Right now McMichael slots into the 10-15 range when it comes to the draft. He currently sits at 12 behind Bobby Brink in my 2019 rankings. Although it’s quite possible we could see him make a huge jump on draft day.

This young London Knight is a stellar center with all the qualities to become a top 6 NHL center. It wouldn’t surprise me if he snuck into the top 10 come June.

Ville Heinola Lukko | LHD | Finland

Early this year Heinola was expected to be a big time player in the Finnish U20 team, but not necessarily one to hit the pros in his draft year. Although after a hot start going a point per game for Lukko U20 in his first nine games. He then got a well deserved promotion to the Liiga. Since then, Heinola has shown offensive prowess and unmatched skating skills against pro competition. We can often see Heinola skate literal circles around the opposing team in the offensive zone. He likes to walk the puck down the boards and tries to create offense from the outside hash marks. He plays an offensive game that I have no doubt will be effective at a higher level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioJhVVzA2xo

Heinola also attended the World Juniors with the gold medal-winning Finnish squad. Heinola had a stellar tournament playing a huge role in the Finnish defense. He spent much of his time alongside Blackhawks prospect Henri Jokiharju who served as Finland’s #1 defensemen due to his extended time in the NHL this season. With this opportunity, Heinola capitalized big time. He flashed more offensive skill and talent than we saw in his Liiga time. We saw him loosen up a bit against lesser competition and was able to be more effective. Heinola also displayed his defensive capabilities and physical aspect in the tournament. He did a great job of clearing the center of the ice and shutting down the players he covered. Even at (5’11”) he is physically capable and not one to be pushed around. He’s strong on his skates and able to withstand physical pressure. This helps on the defensive side of the game for Heinola and is one of the reasons he was so successful at the World Juniors.

In terms of his draft position I currently label him as my second defensemen off the board. Bowen Byram remains as the clear number one, but after him, I don’t see any major impact defensemen available. Heinola slots in around the 15th pick for me, but expect him to go around the 20-25 range.

Hunter Jones Peterborough | G | Canada

This draft has shown to be a deep one for goaltenders. With top round prospects like Spencer Knight, Dustin Wolf, Isaiah Saville, and overager Ilya Konovalov, Hunter Jones is no exception.

The 6’4” self-described “bigger lad” plays big in the net. He uses body position and angles to take away net from shooters. His slides and short butterfly movements are crisp and precise. He can follow a puck in tight with his toe pushes and that precision on his knees is crucial. Post to post he can’t be beat due to his size and power, even on the butterfly. Jones is also a phenomenal puck tracker. He can track pucks through screens and follow passes without losing his angle. His big stature makes it very hard to screen him which contributes to his tracking ability.

Jones might not possess all the statistical attributes to wow scouts, but he has every quality that scouts want to see in a goalie. His size is obvious, but what a lot of scouts are looking for now is puck tracking. Jones is one of the best in the class when it comes to that category. I’d say only Dustin Wolf and Spencer Knight are better. Jones will likely slide in somewhere in the second round. Although I wouldn’t put it past a team in need of a goalie to take him in the late 1st.

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2019 NHL Entry Draft: A USNTDP Triple Threat

It’s never too early to learn about the upcoming draft crop and today Max from TPE Hockey has three profiles on a few lesser known prospects playing for the US National Development Program U18 team.

Trevor Zegras | Center | USNTDP Comparison: Patrick Kane | Rank: 15th

Trevor Zegras is the US National U18 Team’s third line center, but that does not do justice to Zegras’ ability. This because NTDP holds two top 5 centers for the 2019 NHL Draft in Jack Hughes and Alex Turcotte. Last year Zegras was held back for a long time because of this, but eventually, Hughes and Turcotte both earned promotions to the U18 team. Zegras then went on to play on the 1st line and dominated the USHL with 32 points in 31 games. This season Zegras has thrived on the 2nd line as Turcotte battles injury problems. He sits at 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in only 4 USHL competition games which is good enough to earn him USHL player of the week.

The Boston University commit is a playmaking center that plays a very similar game to Patrick Kane plus some two-way ability. Zegras is a phenomenal passer that can thread the needle through traffic and make perfect tape to tape passes. He is creative at setting up scoring opportunities on the powerplay. Passing is the most important quality in his game, and it’s complemented very well by his vision of the ice. He is so often able to make a pinpoint pass because of how well he can spot open ice and his teammate moving into it. Zegras also has some very Kane like stick handling abilities. He never has to look down at the puck and can pull off some crazy moves with no problems. Puck handling comes naturally to him, he can do it without thinking.

Zegras’ hands, plus his skating prowess, also allows him to be a great puck carrier. Much like Kane, he is a zone entry/exit machine and is great at setting up plays off the rush. Also like Kane, he succeeds at finding teammates coming into the zone and setting them up after a zone entry. Patrick Kane had a league-leading 904 controlled zone exits in the 17-18 season. I wouldn’t expect those kinds of totals from Zegras, but his approach to these types of plays are very similar to Kane. Zegras’ aforementioned skating prowess is another notable quality. With great north-south speed combined with excellent agility, Zegras is a nightmare to defend one on one. He is great at catching defenders flat footed and blazing past them with his lightning-quick feet. He often gets up to top speed before his defender can even get his feet going.

Not only is Zegras an offensive dynamo, but he allows exhibits excellent two-way skill. Due to his high hockey IQ he knows how to defend. He can cut off passing lanes and cover for defensemen very well. What holds him back from being a contender for one of the best two-way centers in the draft class is his physicality. Zegras shows little physical ability and lacks aggressiveness on the puck.

That said, Zegras’ overall ability shows prowess in all three zones. He’s an entertaining offensive threat, and impossible to look away from.

Cam York | Defense | USNTDP Comparison: Zach Werenski | Rank: 17th

The California native is the key piece on the blue line for the elite NTDP squad. The team relies heavily on his contributions in both zones as their top two-way defender.

In his play last season he split time with the U17 and U18 squads. At the end of the season, he was able to go to the U18 World Junior Championships with the 2018 draft eligibles and he was easily the team’s best defender.

So far this season York has been scoring at a point per game pace in the USHL and in other competitions with the NTDP, like NCAA bouts. Speaking of his NCCA games, York has undoubtedly been a dominant force in those games. He’s easily held is own against players four years his senior.

York is most easily defined as a mobile two-way defender. He is a very slick skater that is good at dodging defenders with quick feet and agility. His feet are always moving, so he doesn’t struggle to get going when the direction of play shifts. York doesn’t have a dynamic top speed, but he really doesn’t need it. He’s a smart enough player to make the right decision as to where he doesn’t need to use his top speed to get out of a tricky situation or create a play. He knows when to rush the puck or to try to make one of his electric stretch passes across the neutral zone. York is so good on the breakout because he can make that quick decision to rush the puck or try to create a play. He also has some silky mitts on him that help him out in transition.

Defensively, York thrives due to his smart approach to defense. He covers his own zone very well and shuts down the opposing team’s attempts to set up on a powerplay.

The problem with York’s defensive play is his physical capabilities. He’s another small defender that has trouble playing the body. York has struggled a good bit when paired up with high-level power forwards. He has issues containing larger players with speed but his superb stick-checking can help him out with that.

Generally, York is still a very good defender but he would benefit a lot from some time playing college hockey, which is known for being good for physically needy prospects.

York is currently not committed to any college as he de-commited from Boston College. York could head to the WHL where the Red Deer Rebels holds his rights, but college is the best path for him.

Overall, Cam York has been for two years one of the best, and now the best, defensemen in the NTDP system.

Spencer Knight | Goaltender | USNTDP Comparison: Frederik Andersen | Rank: 27th

Spencer Knight is one of the most touted players let alone goaltenders by the NTDP.

For a long time, the program has had some goaltending troubles with the occasional gem in Jake Oettinger or Thatcher Demko. But Knight has become a potential star in the making. He’s ranked very highly by various scouts and scouting services. Some who have him as high as 15. Knight has recently gone on a tear against multiple NCAA teams who he repeatedly shut down in games that the NTDP would’ve gotten killed as recently as last year. Knight is doing things we haven’t seen from an NTDP goaltender since, well, ever.

The Boston College commit shows a lot of the qualities we commonly see in top goaltenders nowadays. Knight is a 191cm tall monster. He takes up a lot of room from body size alone but also loves to challenge shooters far past the top of his crease. Sometimes he gives up too much space for a backdoor pass through.

All of his movements are very quick and he is good at sealing the ice and closing holes while moving. He’s very explosive too, which we rarely see from such a well-composed goaltender. He’s very much like the Maple Leafs’ Frederik Andersen in that regard. Knight tends to favor the butterfly, as he should with all these qualities.

Knight is pretty much an impossible goalie to beat with a straight up shot, and he’s quick enough to recover for a passing play. It takes a very crafty player to get one past the NTDP’s star in net.

You can connect with Max on Twitter @TPEHockey if you have any questions or comments.

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