Post by Président LPHS on Jun 28, 2020 19:05:35 GMT -4
Par Athletique (bonne lecture 
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Pronman’s 2020 NHL Draft Board: Top 122 prospect
Welcome to The Athletic’s preview of the 2020 NHL Draft. This feature is the result of two years of work – a combination of live and video viewings of these players; as well as discussions with scouts, coaches and executives across the hockey spectrum. While I discuss players with other hockey sources, the opinions contained within this feature are solely my own.
Typically, this ranking represents my final opinions on players prior to them being drafted. There is at least a possibility though that we could have some international camps and/or leagues resuming in various parts of the world by the time the NHL Draft takes place after the completion of the 2019-20 regular season, so I’m leaving open the possibility there may be a future update prior to the draft.
I’ve steadily developed the idea that projecting the depth of a draft class is a fool’s errand given most draft classes tend to look alike.
However, it is my job to say what I think, which is that it’s a very forward heavy draft and is light on high-end defensemen. There are the two cornerstone pieces at the top in Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield, and a true top-tier goalie prospect in Yaroslav Askarov – who I think deserves to be discussed in the top 10.
This season I’ve made some tweaks to the tiers to reflect how draft value curves tend to work, which is usually rapidly declining marginal value from the No. 1 slot to about the No. 20-30 slot, and very slow marginal decreases through the rest of the draft.
The bubble tiers and quickly stagnating tiers thus remain for the top groups, but I’m getting rid of some tiers after the top groups to reflect how close most of the players outside the top group are. Even in the cases after the very good cut off and the legit cutoff, the differences are very small between the bottom of one tier and top of the next one. I would say the difference between my 20th-ranked player and my 60th-ranked player is about the same gap in value as between my 12th-ranked and 20th-ranked player. The difference between 25th to 100th is about the same as 10th to 25th. This highlights the top players and the value they truly have, the players I’m passionate about as projected top future NHL players, as well as the uncertainty that exists once you exit that top group.
With that setup in mind, this draft follows a very traditional pattern relative to historical averages. There is a true top talent with a couple of extremely good players right behind him – nine high-end players in total – and a top group overall of 24, then the very slow decrease in talent begins. Thus, I think the 2020 draft projects as an average class.
What follows is my breakdown of the top prospects, as well as grades on their tools and quotes from people across the hockey spectrum about the players.
References to the 20-80 scouting scale when discussing various tools equate to 50 projecting as pro average, 55 as above-average, 60 as top third, 70 as elite and 80 as among the very best. On the opposite end, 45 is below-average and 40 is fringe pro quality. I only grade the shot if it is notably good or poor.
The tiers breakdown as follows:
Special NHL prospect: Projects as one of the very best players in the league.
Elite NHL prospect: Projects as an impact player, someone who is top 10-15 percent in the NHL at his position.
High-end NHL prospect: Projects as a first-line forward, a top-pair defenseman or a top-10 starting goaltender.
Very good NHL prospect: Projects as a top-six forward, top-four defenseman or starting goaltender in the NHL.
Legit NHL prospect: Projects to play in the bottom half of a lineup.
Live Q&A: Pronman answers your questions, Thursday at 1 p.m. ET
SPECIAL NHL PROSPECT
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski-QMJHL
Oct. 11, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 193 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 70
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Lafreniere has shown for years that he is a unique prospect who projects to become a foundational player for an NHL franchise. He’s dominated the QMJHL, scoring more than two points per game this past season. He was the MVP of the world juniors and has been great at other international events. I remember going to games where I thought he didn’t look himself and he still put up multiple points. He has truly elite skill and some of the best hands I’ve ever seen. Lafreniere has made some of the most creative plays I’ve seen in the past few years, and with his skill he’s always a second away from a scoring chance. He beats defenders in unique ways and catches them off guard with the moves he makes. He’s also a very good passer who makes quick, crisp passes, and his elite creativity translates to his playmaking. He has a great shot, too, with the ability to score from mid-distance. On the power play he’s a menace due to how he can beat defenders 1-on-1, find seams or pick corners. Lafreniere is a highly competitive player who plays well in the hard areas of the ice, is solid defensively and plays physical. He sometimes pulls up a bit too much to use his skill and playmaking, but he shows no fear driving the net. His skating and pace is the area to point out if you were to pick a weakness. I debated between a 50 or 55 for his skating. I see good flashes from him with his skating, but I see a lot of shifts where his game lacks speed and pace, and he doesn’t seem to have truly explosive quickness; but he is quick enough and when he wants to go he has enough speed to look like he can be an average NHL skater.
Serge Beausoleil, GM/coach of the Rimouski Océanic, on Lafreniere: “He sees the ice so well. He’s a huge playmaker. He’s a play ahead of everybody, and anybody can play with him. He has a tremendous wrister too, so he’s a threat on the ice wherever he is. He has a huge compete level, he wants to be a difference-maker.”
SPECIAL/ELITE BUBBLE
2. Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury-OHL
Aug. 19, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 215 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Byfield had an incredible 17-year-old season in the OHL, as one of the best players in the modern era at that age in that league. He’s an exciting and very well-rounded player. He’s 6-foot-4, he’s a very good skater for such a large player and his hands are right up there with the best in the draft. He can break a shift open with his ability to power past or dangle through defenders. His creativity is great, and his large wingspan combined with his elite hands allows him to stickhandle around defenders with ease. Byfield’s playmaking has been an area I’ve questioned – and some scouts do as well – but this season he’s shown high-level vision. It’s not the greatest, but it’s very good and he’ll be able to make NHL caliber plays. His shot is also very good, and he can score from the dots. Byfield is a very competitive player who uses his large frame to power his way to chances and win battles along the walls. He projects as an all-situations center. When the pace increased at the higher levels on the international stage, like the Hlinka Gretzky or the world juniors, he faded a bit, but I remain a huge believer because of his toolkit and his performance with his club team. He looks like a foundational No. 1 center in the NHL.
Cory Stillman, coach of Sudbury Wolves, on Byfield: “Quinton has a complete game. He can play in all situations. He’s big, he’s strong, he skates extremely well for a big guy, he makes plays, he makes people around him better. When he wants to, he can go win a game by himself. He hounds pucks, he creates turnovers by himself through his skating and how strong he is.”
ELITE/HIGH-END BUBBLE
3. Tim Stutzle, LW, Mannheim-DEL
Jan. 15, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 187 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Stutzle was very impressive for a U18 player competing against men, as an important piece of one of the best teams in the German pro league and often leaned on in big moments. Stutzle is a dynamic offensive player who has a lot of NHL caliber components to his game. He’s a great skater. His speed is just above-average; his stride can look a bit sloppy in a straight line but he can challenge with speed. His edgework is elite, which is why he gets a high skating grade. He is fantastic at spinning off pressure and evading checks with his edges. Stutzle also has great hands. His ability to play high-end skill plays at quick speeds has made him so successful as a pro and distinguishes him as a prospect. He’s a very good passer who makes tough plays on the move, like with his stick handling. This gives him a game with a ton of pace and should allow him to be an impactful NHL forward. Stutzle’s not very physical, but he has a great compete level, often using his quickness to hunt down pucks. Even versus much bigger players in the DEL he won a surprising number of battles. Stutzle is officially listed as a winger, but he’s played center before, such as at the U18 worlds B pool as an underage where he won 58 percent of his draws, and he says he feels comfortable playing center.
Pavel Gross, coach of Adler Mannheim, on Stutzle: “He has great offensive hockey sense and skills, he skates very well. He can make the tight turn and beat defenders with speed.”
4. Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda-SHL
March 28, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 70
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Raymond didn’t have a great season, mostly due to the limited role he played on a high scoring Frolunda team, where he averaged less than 10 minutes of ice time but did get some power play time. He looked very good at the U20 level and in brief deployment at the junior level in Sweden, but he didn’t blow doors down this season. He remains a top prospect because of his incredible talent, hockey sense and his performance when he played versus his peers. As an underage he dominated Sweden’s junior league as a 16-year-old and helped carry Sweden’s U18 team to a gold medal. With the puck on his stick he’s incredibly dangerous. His hands are elite and his ability to beat defenders 1-on-1 clean in ways unlike other players can create a lot of highlight reel moments. He will be a true PP1 quarterback in the NHL because of the unique plays he can make. He has a unique way of navigating with the puck in the offensive zone, showing the patience and vision of a top NHL playmaker in how he picks apart defenses and find seams. Raymond isn’t the biggest guy and isn’t a guy you will tab to kill penalties, but he competes well and gets to the net. While he’s more of a passer, he does have a good shot when he looks to shoot. My one concern is his just average footspeed, particularly as a 5-foot-10 forward. He has good edgework and a powerful first step, with a wide stance he employs when trying to protect pucks but lacks an NHL caliber separation gear.
Draft-eligible prospect Alexander Holtz on Raymond: “He’s a special playmaker. His vision is great, but he can also shoot it and skates very well, too.”
5. Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw-OHL
Jan. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 177 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 65
Perfetti burst onto the scene as a U17, scoring the most goals by a player that age since John Tavares, Taylor Hall and Steven Stamkos. Perfetti followed it up with a brilliant U18 season, one of the best in the modern OHL era. He also dominated the Hlinka Gretzky like few others have. Perfetti is incredibly skilled and is one of the best passers in the draft. He is so creative with the puck, finding unique ways to fool defenders, manipulate the puck in tight spaces and make plays through defenders. He can make things happen off the half-wall at an elite level, makes very creative passes frequently, and projects to be a top passer in the NHL due to his vision and his pace. Perfetti isn’t the biggest or the quickest forward so some scouts aren’t over the moon about him as an undersized forward without NHL speed. I think he skates fine but does lack ability to separate from checks. His compete level is fine, he gets his nose dirty enough and works hard off the puck to get it back. He killed penalties this season and played center for stretches of the season, showing he can be a versatile player, as well.
Dave Drinkill, GM of Saginaw Spirit, on Perfetti: “He has ability to find teammates and make plays nobody on the ice or in the crowd can see. He has an incredible ability to break down defenders with his awareness. Everything seems to happen at his speed.”
HIGH-END NHL PROSPECT
6. Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden-SHL
Jan. 23, 2002 | six-foot | 192 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 70
Holtz got a regular shift and power play time in the SHL this past season for Djurgarden, as one of the most productive U18 players that league has seen. Holtz has been on the prospect radar a long time. He has a lot of exciting dimensions to his game, but his goal-scoring ability stands out. He has a truly elite shot. He can pick corners from any spot in the offensive zone, with a very hard and accurate wrist shot. His hands are elite, which allows him to beat defenders clean with his 1-on-1 moves and pull off the occasional highlight reel play. While he is known for his goal-scoring, Holtz is also a very good passer. He won’t be a top playmaker in the NHL, but he can find the seams and has the high offensive IQ to let plays develop and find his teammates. His skating is somewhere between average to above-average for me, but I did find his game lacked pace when I watched this season. Off the puck he’s fine; he competes well enough but he’s not an overly physical player and can be a bit of a perimeter player due to how much he leans on his shot.
Draft-eligible prospect Lucas Raymond on Holtz: “His shot is enormous, and he has great vision and stickhandling.”
7. Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie-OHL
April 8, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 175 pounds
Skating: 65
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 65
Drysdale was one of the top defensemen in the OHL and accomplished the unusual feat of not only making Canada’s U20 team as a 17-year-old, but also holding his own and showing he could skate with that team. He’s one of the best skaters in the draft. He has very good speed and can lead a rush at the higher level. His speed isn’t what defines his skating, though, it’s his elite edge work. He’s so good at evading pressure, and walking the blue line with his crossovers and spinning off checks. Even though he’s not the biggest defenseman, Drysdale shuts down a lot of rushes because of how quickly he closes on his checks. Offensively he’s very good, but not flashy. He’s not going to go end to end through three defenders, but he’s an excellent puck-mover. He sees the ice at a very high level, and is creative with his exits and blue line play. His elite skating and vision are what make him dangerous and will allow him to QB an NHL power play.
Chris Hartsburg, coach of the Erie Otters, on Drysdale: “He has a great ability to make plays and think the game. His feet are dynamic. He can lead a rush and be the first guy back due to his skating.”
8. Iaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-VHL
June 16, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 176 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 65
Askarov is one of the best goalie prospects I’ve seen as a first-year draft-eligible. He was unusually successful versus men as a 17-year-old, including a brief KHL appearance. He helped take down a very talented Canada U18 team almost single-handedly, same for a powerhouse USA U18 team as the best goalie at the U18 worlds in 2019. He has elite attributes in terms of his athleticism, in how he reads the game and how aggressive he is. His quickness allows him to make the tough saves, although I don’t find him scrambling and diving around the net a lot given how well he anticipates the play. He’s a little jumpy in the net just due to how quick he is, but he’s in control most of the time, staying with the play even when the puck is moving quickly. Askarov is often challenging shooters even in unorthodox situations, but he isn’t often beat when he is aggressive, which speaks to his hockey IQ. He was terrible at the world juniors, letting in a lot of soft goals, but that is not the player I’ve seen for most of the past two years in international play at various levels. He will need to work on making sure fewer mid-distance shots go in, but his home plate play is elite. I think he will become an upper-echelon goalie in the NHL.
Daniel Bochner, development coach for SKA St. Petersburg, on Askarov: “He has size, he’s extremely athletic, he has great situational awareness and he’s very technically sound. He reads the game very well and reacts very well to second-chance opportunities. He’s very mature for his age and mentally strong.”
9. Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa-OHL
Sept. 23, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 183 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Rossi dominated the OHL this season, scoring more than two points per game as one of the best players in the entire CHL. He was a major reason why the 67’s were an elite team. Rossi is an exciting player due to his skill and IQ. He has tremendous stick handling ability in tight areas and can slide off checks. He’s a great passer with a high level of offensive creativity who projects to play the half-wall on an NHL power play. Rossi’s skating is good, but he’s more of a skill player than a speedy player. He’s not the quickest small player you’ll ever see, but he has a powerful stride and good edge work to elude checks. While Rossi is undersized, he’s a very competitive player. He drives the net consistently, he can kill penalties very well and he can be used in tough defensive situations. His great skill and production are very appealing. He doesn’t raise to the top tier of the draft due to his size and speed combination, but he projects to be a top-line NHL forward because of how smart, skilled and competitive he is.
Andre Tourigny, coach of the Ottawa 67’s, on Rossi: “He’s relentless, his competitiveness is through the roof, he has tremendous hockey sense, good skills and a good shot.”
HIGH-END/VERY GOOD BUBBLE
10. Connor Zary, C, Kamloops-WHL
Sept. 25, 2001 | six-foot | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Zary was one of the top players in the WHL in his third season in the league and the major reason why Kamloops led the WHL in scoring. Zary is a very entertaining player, as he’s one of the most skilled players in the draft. His touches with the puck are very quick, he’s extremely creative and he can beat defenders clean consistently. He had numerous moments this past season where he pulled off a highlight real-caliber play. Zary is a very smart offensive player. He can make the seam passes and find teammates very well, but also makes plays happen through unconventional ways. He scored a lot of bad angle goals this season, and he finds teammates in situations where there doesn’t seem to be a play. Zary is a highly competitive player. He doesn’t just dangle on the perimeter, he attacks the net, he pressures defenders and he is in the face of his opponents constantly. He can kill penalties and run your power play. The major knock on Zary is his skating. Some scouts think it’ll be pro average, some think below-average. I lean to the former camp. It’s not great, and the stride breaks down at times, but I think the stride is good enough that he’ll be able to skate at the NHL pace.
NHL scout on Zary: “He’s full of skill, hockey sense and competitiveness. You can use him in any situation and he won’t disappoint you. The skating will need to come, but it will get there with strength.”
11. Dawson Mercer, C, Chicoutimi-QMJHL
Oct. 27, 2001 | six-foot | 180 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Mercer followed up an impressive 17-year-old season with a better 18-year-old one, as a top player in the QMJHL and a member of Canada’s U20 team. Mercer is a versatile player. Offensively, he’s an exciting player. He has high-end skill with the soft hands and creativity to beat a lot of defenders. He has the quick-twitch in his hands to be unpredictable and make a lot of great plays in tight areas. He’s a very smart player who moves the puck well inside the zone, finding seams and looking off defenders like a pro. Mercer can also score from a distance if given space, but I think his playmaking is more impressive. He’s a competitive two-way center who can be effective in a lot of situations. He plays in the interior third of the ice a lot and can kill penalties. His main drawbacks are his average feet and lack of NHL caliber explosiveness as well as the minor fact of how he slowed down following a trade to Chicoutimi.
Philippe Boucher, GM of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, on Mercer: “He has a lot of skill. He understands the game very well, he can play center or wing, he’s a very well-rounded two-way player.
12. Seth Jarvis, C, Portland-WHL
Feb. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Jarvis had a fantastic season, as the WHL’s second-leading scorer and a major part of why Portland was such a dominant team. Jarvis is a dynamic player who ticks a lot of boxes. He is a highly skilled and intelligent with a lot of quickness. He has the skill to beat defenders 1-on-1, but more importantly, he does so with speed. The high-end pace of his game is what makes him so dangerous and will translate to the higher levels. He has legit NHL speed and very good edges, allowing him to pressure defenders at the highest level with speed and cutbacks. I wouldn’t call his hands elite or call him an elite passer, but he has flashes of the highest level with both and both attributes are very good. Jarvis isn’t the biggest forward, but he is a very hard working player. He attacks the middle of the ice consistently, he’s hard on pucks and wins far more battles than you’d think a 5-foot-10 forward would. His game is very direct and he will be both a coach and fan-favorite due to the way he plays the game. His combination of skill, speed, production and work ethic make him a player that projects to play high in an NHL lineup.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Jarvis: “He has very good hockey sense, puck skills and can shoot the puck. He plays a strong two-way game. He’s a complete player.”
13. Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP-USHL
July 8, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Sanderson was leaned on as the top defenseman for the NTDP. He ended the season on a high note at the U18 Five Nations in February co-leading the tournament in scoring. He’s a great skating defenseman in all directions with size that allows him to make a ton of stops. His gap control is excellent, and he killed so many rushes with how well he closed on opponents. He’s also a physical player who shows no hesitancy to close on checks with his body. Sanderson’s top speed is very good, not elite, but he can lead rushes well and isn’t afraid to jump into the play. His edges are excellent, allowing him to spin off pressure, to pivot and walk the offensive blue line very well. He was the PP1 guy for USA, but the main question on him is his offensive upside. He has skill and can make a very good first pass, but I wouldn’t call him a dynamic playmaker. His production may not wow you, but he had a strong NTDP campaign points-wise relative to other top defensemen at his age historically, especially since he didn’t has a U18 World Championship to compete in and he’s a very young 2002 birth date.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Sanderson: “He’s 6-foot-2, world-class skater, physical, hard. He eats people up. He’s very intelligent. His offensive skill is a complement to how good he is defensively.”
VERY GOOD NHL PROSPECT
14. Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago-USHL
Oct. 22, 2001 | 5-foot-11 | 179 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Brisson, the son of NHL agent Pat Brisson, was one of the best players in the USHL and had a great World Jr. A Challenge, tying the tournament record for scoring. Brisson is a very skilled player. He has the slick 1-on-1 skill to beat defenders consistently and make plays in small areas. He’s an extremely creative playmaker who can make a lot of plays off the perimeter and make plays with pace. He improvises very well, making high-end plays under pressure. Brisson is a great passer, but also a great goal-scorer, who scored numerous goals off his one-timer. That combination makes him very dangerous on the power play. Brisson has limitations in his size and speed, which is why some scouts still question how his game will translate. He does compete well, attacking the middle third of the ice; and he isn’t a perimeter player, although I wouldn’t call him very physical.
Ryan Hardy, GM of the Chicago Steel, on Brisson: “He has so many attributes that are attractive. He has skill, he can score, and he can make plays.”
15. Jack Quinn, C, Ottawa-OHL
Sept. 19, 2001 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 65
Updated June 16: Moved from No. 21 to No. 15 – After discussing Quinn more with NHL scouts, watching more video and valuing more how he was such a driver on a top CHL team, I decided to move him up several slots.
Quinn had a massive 18-year-old season in the OHL, scoring 50 goals as a leading player on the best CHL team and breaking out into a legitimate top prospect. He scored a ton of goals, but I wouldn’t really call him an elite sniper. Rather Quinn is just a super skilled and smart player who scored a lot of goals around the net. He has very quick twitch hands and the ability to embarrass defenders 1-on-1. He sees the ice at a top-end level even though he didn’t have nearly as many assists as goals. It’s not just his vision, but his overall creativity and patience. He often saw plays on the ice that I couldn’t see materialize. The main reason for his sudden rise in stock was the continued improvement in his skating. It’s not a strength of his, it’s no longer a weakness, but it will be his main hurdle for the NHL level. Quinn is solid off the puck, playing PK for Ottawa, although I wouldn’t call him a physical player.
Andre Tourigny, coach of the Ottawa 67’s, on Quinn: “He has a lot of skill. He has great hockey sense, he’s smooth, he can shoot it, and competes away from the puck.
16. Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa-MHL
Oct. 2, 2001 | six-foot | 167 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Amirov bounced around between the pro and junior level all season. He was excellent versus his peers at the junior level, and versus men he showed flashes, including in a brief appearance late with Russia’s national team. Amirov is easy to spot on the ice when he has the puck because he’s very quick and skilled. He has quick-twitch hands and can inside-out defenders while skating at full speed. He can set up and finish plays well. He flashes high-end playmaking and shooting ability, but neither consistently. His game is more about his pure skill and driving play forward with a ton of clean entries. His speed isn’t amazing, more just good; but his edges and cutbacks are excellent. Amirov has a slight frame, which led to struggles versus men who could knock him off pucks, but he does work hard and when he puts on muscle I could see him get inside easier.
Vancouver draft pick Vasili Podkolzin on Amirov: “Amirov is a smart player with soft hands and good speed. He’s a non-standard player in terms of his decision making, he’s a very creative guy.”
17. Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga
Oct. 3, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Lundell was very impressive at the pro level the past two seasons, putting up significant numbers in Liiga as a 17 and 18-year-old. I watched Lundell a ton the past three years, with at least 15 live views and many others on video, and I still struggle with what to make of him. I see a player who has played up versus men at a young age so effectively, who has played years ahead of his age group, sometimes in significant roles such as when he logged nearly 20 minutes in the gold medal game at the world juniors in 2019. When you watch him, though, his game can look bland. His speed is average, and while I see flashes of great creativity from him as a handler and passer, I wouldn’t say that’s consistent. I respect that he competes well, he’s strong on pucks and is responsible defensively with the ability to play on both special teams. I also understand that he plays at the Liiga level so his skill won’t pop as easily as someone who plays in the CHL.
NHL scout on Lundell: “He’s a competitor. He’s not a driver of offense, but he’s got sneaky skill and will be able to make plays in the NHL.”
18. Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia-OHL
April 15, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 192 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 70
Perreault scored 39 goals in 57 OHL games after scoring 30 goals as a 16-year-old in the OHL. Perreault is a dynamic player. He makes elite plays and has one of the best shots in this draft. He can be so dangerous on a power play with his shot and pick corners from a distance, but he’s also a tremendous passer who makes unique plays. His hands are top of the line, and he shows a ton of confidence with the puck, attacking defenders consistently with his skill and looking to make things happen. Inside the offensive zone there are no questions about what he can do. Scouts have questions on his foot speed and whether he will provide enough off the puck to continue to score at the higher levels. I don’t see him killing penalties in the NHL, but I think there’s enough compete in his game to maximize his scoring potential as I’ve seen him win battles versus bigger players and make plays in the hard areas. His footspeed is certainly average, but given his tremendous skill, vision and finishing ability, he can be 5-foot-11 with average feet and still be a very good NHL player.
Nick Sinclair, former GM of the Sarnia Sting, on Perreault: “He’s a goal-scorer. He has a very quick release. The goals he scores aren’t garbage goals; he scores from tough angles, he has a great wrist shot and backhand. He makes a lot of plays with the puck in limited time and space.”
19. Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL
Jan. 8, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 178 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Bourque was a top scorer in the QMJHL this season, as Shawinigan’s clear leading player. He’s a player who gets a lot of praise for his skill and especially his hockey sense. Bourque is an elite passer. He has tremendous patience and anticipation to let plays develop, hold the puck for an extra second and find his teammates. He makes difficult plays that most other players don’t see. While his passing is his clear best strength, he also has a great shot and can score from tough positions on the ice. His hands are high-end, but he has a pass-first mentality with the puck. I find instead of making a skilled move and making a hard play to the net, he likes to slow it down and look for his passing options – something that will need to improve at the quicker paces. Bourque isn’t that big, but I like his compete level and that he can penalty kill. His skating is fine, but not great. He has enough quickness to get around and is agile in tight areas, but he lacks the ability to create true separation at the NHL level.
NHL scout on Bourque: “He has a lot of skill and offensive hockey sense. There’s no doubts on his offensive talent, but he does need to improve the pace at which he plays for the NHL level.”
20. Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John-QMJHL
June 2, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 196 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Poirier had a fantastic season offensively, putting up 20 goals and 50 points, and was one of the leaders in the QMJHL in shots on goal. What makes Poirier exciting is his skill. He has extremely quick hands and ability to beat opponents easily with his skill. Poirier is a good skater, too, and plays with pace. He is often flying around the ice, stick handling through checks and is easy to spot when he’s on the ice. Poirier has very good vision and can make high-end plays inside the zone and on outlets, but a criticism of him is his risk management. He can hurt himself with turnovers trying to do too much. I try not to ding guys too much for that. He has the puck a lot and if you are a skilled player that’s going to happen if you play a lot. But it’s something in the back of my mind, especially for a player who was on the ice for a lot of goals against this season. The biggest criticism of him is his defensive play. He has to work on improving his gaps, not getting caught too much trying to make cute plays in his own end and not giving up on plays. He was one of the most divisive prospects this season in discussions among scouts, with some saying he’s a certain first-round pick and others saying they wouldn’t use a second-round pick on him.
Trevor Georgie, GM of the Saint John Sea Dogs, on Poirier: “His offensive ability and raw talent are undeniable. He can carry the puck and gain the zone with ease. He’s full of confidence and attempts difficult plays. He has excellent hands and can shoot it.”
21. John-Jason Peterka, RW, Munich-DEL
Jan. 14, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 192 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Peterka was a tough player to evaluate this season, as he played very limited minutes on the top team in the DEL. I’ve seen him at other levels over the years, so I believe in the talent, but the lack of playing time in his draft season makes his projection more uncertain in both directions. I see a great toolkit. I see a player with quick twitch hands and ability to beat pro defenders. He’s a strong skater who can make highly skilled plays at a quick pace. He moves the puck well, although Peterka’s 60 IQ comes more from how creative he is offensively, as opposed to being a truly great playmaker. He’s not that big and I wouldn’t call him a great two-way forward, but he does work to win puck battles, and he’s not a perimeter forward.
Tobias Abstreiter, coach of Germany U20 Team, on Peterka: “With the puck he’s a threat. He has good speed and very good skill.”
22. Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin-Big 10
Sept. 23, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 203 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 55
Holloway had a fine freshman season, as a top player for Wisconsin, although he didn’t put up huge scoring numbers after dominating the AJHL the season prior. Holloway is a good skater who has a lot of energy to his game. When he gets a full head of steam, his frame he can be a handful to stop. He’s hard on pucks and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty. His offensive upside is the main point of debate surrounding him when talking to NHL scouts. I think he’s very skilled. Holloway inside outs opponents consistently and can make plays through checks in motion. Over the years I’ve seen flashes of top-end playmaking, but I didn’t see that consistently enough this season, with Holloway showing more of a direct style of play than a true driver of offense. Even if he’s not a truly dynamic offensive player, there’s enough skill in his game to be a quality NHL player.
Tony Granato, coach of Wisconsin Badgers, on Holloway: “He’s a competitor. He has tremendous strength on the puck. He has great wide speed. He can score and is a polished offensive player.”
23. Braden Schneider, D, Brandon-WHL
Sept. 20, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 202 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Schneider may not overly excite you upon an initial look at his stats, and it’s taken me a while to come around to him, but he’s grown on me a lot over the past two seasons. I see a player with a lot of assets and few holes in his skill set. He’s a 6-foot-2, right-handed defenseman who can skate well. He can rush pucks and close gaps well. Schneider moves the puck very well out of the defensive zone, showing great vision and patience on his outlets. He defends well due to his feet, but also doesn’t shy away from playing the body and knocking players off pucks. He has some offensive blue line touch, but he’s probably not going to be a power play guy in the NHL. He moves it at a clear NHL level, though, to where I think he could take a regular even strength shift and help his team’s possession game without needing to be sheltered by his coach.
NHL scout on Schneider: “He’s mobile, he’s hard to play against, he can make a very good first pass. The offense is never going to pop with him, but he has a lot of elements in his game that will translate to the NHL.”
24. Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi-QMJHL
Feb. 9, 2002 | six-foot | 179 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Lapierre is an extremely difficult player to slot right now. He was a top player at 16. He had one of the best Hlinka Gretzky tournaments ever. Then the season started and he was good, but not great with only two goals on the season when healthy. He’s a highly skilled and intelligent player. He makes a lot of tough plays, projects to run a pro power play due to very high hockey IQ and has the great individual skill to be slippery in open ice. He’s a fine skater but his game could use more speed. Some scouts agree with me on the pace of his game, but some like his quickness. Lapierre was initially diagnosed with three concussions in a 10-month span, but Lapierre told The Athletic a specialist diagnosed him with twisted vertebrae in his neck that he thinks caused concussion-like symptoms. Whether it was a head or neck injury, or a combination, NHL teams, even in light of the neck injury diagnosis, are significantly concerned about Lapierre’s health and the risk in his projection. His game was just OK off the puck, and he didn’t attack the net that much, but it’s hard to know whether that’s how he plays or whether the injuries caused hesitancy. Toward the end of the season he was able to practice with the team, but his last game was in November.
Yanick Jean, GM/coach for Chicoutimi Sagueneens, on Lapierre: “He has a pass-first mentality. He can play fast. He has great offensive hockey sense.”
LEGIT NHL PROSPECT
25. Lukas Reichel, LW, Berlin-DEL
May 17, 2002 | six-foot | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Reichel had an impressive season playing versus men and getting regular minutes in the DEL for a good club in Eisbaren Berlin. I always saw some skill and speed in his game, but this season I saw a high level of creativity with the puck, making difficult plays through defenders and to his teammates. He has the skill and the pace to score in the NHL. I wouldn’t call him the true playmaker you want running a power play, but he sees the ice well and gets a high IQ grade due to how well he creates in small areas. The last time he recorded a penalty was two seasons ago in junior club play, but I don’t think he’s soft. I’ve seen him be hard on his puck pursuits, drive the net frequently and win battles versus bigger players. But it would be fair to say he’s not a very physical or edgy player.
Tobias Abstreiter, coach of Germany’s U20 team, on Reichel: “With the puck, he knows what to do. He brings speed and a high skill level.”
26. Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago-USHL
Dec. 26, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 205 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Colangelo was one of the leading goal and point producers in the USHL despite the fact he didn’t get prime power play minutes for stretches of the season. He is a very talented player. Colangelo is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has great skill and is a high-end goal scorer. He can pick corners from bad angles and is a mid-distance shooting threat. He passes the puck very well, finding seams and setting up chances consistently. His skill level doesn’t pop often, but he has very good hands and can make plays through defenders. Colangelo’s knocks historically have been his skating and compete level. His compete level looked better this season, playing inside well and using his frame; although for a player with his toolkit at the USHL level there were nights I think he should have been doing more.
Ryan Hardy, GM of the Chicago Steel, on Colangelo: “He has size and a great shot. He has a physical edge. He can make plays.”
27. Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea-SHL
Oct. 7, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 176 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Gunler played all season up in the SHL, getting limited minutes for one of the top teams in that league. He excited folks when he scored 27 goals in 31 junior games last season. Gunler is a high-end passer and shooter. He shows great vision and patience, holding pucks and finding teammates through seams. He shows good creativity on his entries with flashes of top-end skill. He has a very hard shot and projects as a legit mid-distance shooter. The combination of his shot and vision makes him a threat inside the offensive zone and on the power play. Off the puck, his game is just OK. He is a physical player who regularly throws his weight around and can win battles versus men, however, scouts criticize his compete level and discipline at times. Gunler’s skating is average as well. His stride looks good but lacks any real power.
Tomas Monten, coach of Sweden’s U20 team, on Gunler: “This year he matured a lot. He plays like a pro. He can put pucks in the net and he can make plays, he has great hockey sense.”
28. Marat Khusnutdinov, C, SKA-MHL
July 17, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Khusnutdinov has been a leader for Russia’s 2002 age group for years and was very impressive with his junior club this season, which was the best in MHL. He has high-end skill components to his game. He’s able to make highly creative plays with the puck, improvise in tough situations and be very coordinated in small spaces. He sees the ice very well and can make tough dishes to teammates. He’s a great skater too, using his speed to beat defenders wide and making hard plays to the net. He competes hard, frequently getting to the tough areas in the offensive zone and killing penalties well. Khusnutdinov isn’t special at any one thing and he’s undersized, but it’s the combination of his skill, speed and very high compete level that equals a projected NHL player.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Khusnutdinov: “He’s a very talented player and has a will to win.”
29. Justin Barron, D, Halifax-QMJHL
Nov. 15, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Barron is a player who’s been hyped for a few years, playing well for Canada and Halifax. He had a tough season with a blood clot keeping him out for a while. He came back in late February, but it was still mostly a lost season with so-so production. On the ice, Barron is a fantastic skater who can lead a rush and close a gap very well, and he projects to be able to handle the NHL speed easily. When he hooks the net and is able to rush with speed, he’s very difficult to stop with his size. The question on his game among scouts is whether he has enough skill and offensive IQ to move the puck at the higher levels. I think he does, but I understand the concerns and debated between putting a 55 or 60 on his hockey sense. He may not be a top puck-mover on your blue line, but rather someone who is solid defensively and makes enough plays to take even strength shifts.
Andre Tourigny, coach of Canada’s 2018 U18 team, on Barron: “He has a lot of poise. He can move the puck well. He moves well. He has all the tools you want in a player, but could play with a bit more bite.”
30. Vasiliy Ponomarev, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL
March 13, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Ponomarev was one of the draft-eligible players I struggled with the most this past season. I think he’s one of the most talented players in the draft. There were about ten moments I can recall from watching him this past season where he made truly elite plays, plays that screamed top-six caliber NHL forward. He has high-end skill, and tremendous ability to improvise with his playmaking and ability to find his teammates. When those types of players don’t usually produce they are labeled as “he doesn’t compete,” but that is not the case with Ponomarev. He works hard, he kills penalties and most scouts praise his compete level. His skating is just fine. I think it’s good enough, he can slip away from checks but his skating does lack explosiveness, especially for a 5-foot-10 player. It’s hard to equate what my eyes have seen with a sub-point-per-game player in the Q. I think there’s a lot of talent, and he has a track record of producing at various levels and tournaments over many years, so it makes me believe in the player, but an uneasy belief.
NHL scout on Ponomarev: “He works his butt off and he’s got a lot of skill. It’s hard to look past the 49 points and just OK skating for a high pick, but he’s a good player.”
31. Emil Andrae, D, HV71-J20 SuperElit
Feb. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 181 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Andrae was a top defenseman in the Swedish junior circuit and versus his age group. He brings a lot of elements to the table. Offensively he’s highly skilled and creative. He has the hands to make crafty 1-on-1 plays off the rush, and at the offensive blue line he shows no hesitancy to walk the line and make skilled plays. He sees the ice very well, finding options through tight seams at a high level. He’s not that fast, but he’s elusive in tight spaces, allowing him to evade checks. Andrae isn’t that big, but he plays hard, closing well on checks and using his body to separate pucks. Not having a great top gear at his size isn’t ideal, but his game is well rounded enough that I think he can make it to the NHL even with the size and skating combination.
NHL scout on Andrae: “He’s very talented and steady. He can play at both ends. He’s very skilled, he has guts. The skating for that size will be the question.”
32. Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW, Prince Albert-WHL
March 9, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 183 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Wiesblatt was a top player for Prince Albert this season following an excellent 16-year-old season where he was a contributor to its WHL title run. Wiesblatt checks a lot of boxes. He’s very quick and skilled. He makes skilled plays at full speed and is a handful for defenders to stop when he comes barreling down on the rush. His hands stand out, with extremely quick twitch touches and ability to inside out defenders. He can attack in a direct style, but also has great vision and can pull up to make a tough play. He was on the flank for Prince Albert’s power play and looked like a pro in the type of plays he made in that role. He’s barely 5-10 so that is the major knock on him, but he is competitive and doesn’t mind the physical engagements. He is listed as a winger but can play down the middle.
Marc Habscheid, coach of Prince Albert Raiders, on Wiesblatt: “He competes well. He has a swagger about him. He wants to be in pressure situations. He has a quick stick and quick feet, and he is smart offensively.”
33. Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP-USHL
Jan. 3, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Bordeleau was the top scorer on the NTDP this past season, a consistent driver for that team offensively. Bordeleau is a high-end playmaker and the puck ran through him on the NTDP power play. He has the patience to let plays develop and find teammates through seams. He also has a very good shot, showing a hard wrist shot that can beat goalies from a distance if the passing lanes are covered. Bordeleau has a high skill level and controls pucks very well, although I’d like to see him attack defensemen more with his skill. On the draw he shows the unique ability to turn his hands over and make both sides of the ice his strong side, which makes him a top option to take faceoffs. He isn’t ambidextrous, but it’s a unique skill regardless. He isn’t that big or that fast, but he shows good small area quickness and edge work. Off the puck he’s fine, but winning puck battles or killing penalties are not why you are drafting him.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Bordeleau: “He’s an incredibly intelligent and cerebral playmaker. He’s a fantastic faceoff man.”
34. Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert-WHL
Jan. 18, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 186 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Guhle was the No. 1 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft, and after a limited role in 2018-19, he emerged as a top defenseman in his age group this season. Guhle is appealing because of his physical attributes. He’s 6-foot-2, he skates quite well and he knocks opponents off the puck with high frequency. His gap control is excellent, closing on checks with force and showing a preference for playing the body. The question on Guhle will be how much offense he has and whether he can move the puck at the NHL level even after his 40 point season. I think he can, but with the caveat that he’s not an NHL power play type. He has enough skill and IQ to make a good pass, and he shows some creativity off the offensive blue line. He can create more with his feet than with his skill.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Guhle: “He’s a high-end skater. He has a solid well-rounded game. He’s smart, he’s competitive, he plays with an edge. He’s a high character type.”
35. Roni Hirvonen, C, Assat-Liiga
Jan. 10, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 164 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Hirvonen has been a successful player at the club and international level. He got regular minutes and power play time in Liiga this past season, and was one of the best players at the U18 level in international play. Hirvonen is a highly skilled playmaker. He’s the guy you want with the puck on his stick at the half-wall. He has great patience to wait out lanes and sees the game at a higher level than others. He’s undersized at 5-foot-9, but he’s competitive – although I wouldn’t call him physical. Hirvonen is an elusive skater but scouts’ main hesitation is that his skating is not all that exciting for a player of his size. I see flashes of quickness, but at the pro level you could see a lot of attempts at making skilled plays die on his stick because he can’t get around defenders.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Hirvonen: “He’s a leader. He has great talent. He has great hockey IQ. He does everything very well on offense and on defense.”
36. Topi Niemela, D, Karpat-Liiga
March 25, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 156s pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Niemela stuck as a regular all season on one of the best teams in Liiga. He’s often played ahead of his age group the past few years. Niemela may not be a very flashy player, but he is a play-driver. He’s a very smart puck-mover who makes a lot of clever zone exits. He has good mobility and skill to evade pressure and make some plays in open ice, but his brain drives his value. Niemela has enough skill in his game to move the puck up well and make some plays off the offensive blue line, but I doubt whether he’s a true power play type in the NHL. Despite his size, I see someone who will be quality in his own end because of his great feet and brain, and will be good enough offensively to take a regular shift.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Niemela: “He’s a great skater, he has an easy stride. He has his head up and controls the game with his passing. He’s confident with the puck.”
37. Ridly Greig, C, Brandon-WHL
Aug. 8, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 163 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Greig was an all-situations player for Brandon with 26 goals and 60 points in 56 games as an August 2002 birthdate. He’s the kind of player who, if your team picks him, you’re going to love to watch him and he will drive opposing fans crazy. He’s a highly skilled player who shows a ton of confidence with the puck. He can beat defenders clean with consistency. He’s not a truly elite passer – although he does pass quite well – but I love his offensive creativity. He tries to make things happen and attempts plays you rarely see. He’s got a lot of edge to his game, too. Greig knocks opponents around, he scraps off the puck and gets under people’s skin. The only true issue in his game is average skating ability. I think he has a powerful lower body so he has quickness, but the stride in itself is not technically smooth.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Greig: “I like his sense and skills a lot. He’s a very competitive kid and has a strong two-way game.”
38. Jake Neighbours, LW, Edmonton-WHL
March 29, 2002 | six-foot | 195 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Neighbours was an important part of Edmonton’s team, scoring more than a point per game and being a leading shot generator in the WHL. He’s a very smart player. He played the flank on Edmonton’s PP1 and showed the ability to make NHL caliber plays in all situations. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for his hands. In practice and in games he shows very quick twitch puck handling and impressive ability to saucer pucks. His 1-on-1 game is not that impressive, so I leaned to a 55. Neighbours has a bullet of a shot and scored several goals this past season that goalies had little to no chance on. He competes hard. He doesn’t shy from physical engagement and is a solid penalty killer. I could see him become a quality bottom-six forward in the NHL and, if he gains a step, I could see him become more than that.
NHL scout on Neighbours, “He’s a complete hockey player. He’s very smart, he can make plays and score. He competes very hard. He got better for me as the season went on.”
39. Justin Sourdif, RW, Vancouver-WHL
March 24, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 173 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Sourdif had his second straight quality WHL season, playing a big role for the Giants. I used to question the upside in Sourdif’s game, but as time went on, I grew to appreciate his skill and playmaking. He has the soft hands to beat defenders clean, and he makes high-end offensive plays. The skill isn’t consistent, but it’s there, and he gets his points. He scores a lot, not because he has a great shot, but because of how hard he works to get to the hard areas and making things happen around the crease. Sourdif is tenacious on pucks in the offensive zone, winning a lot of battles even at 5-foot-11. His main flaw is his average quickness. He lacks the ability to pressure defenders with speed, although with his compete level he looks a little quicker than his stride suggests.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Sourdif: “He plays hard, he goes to the net. He can play a skill game or a power forward game.”
40. Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown-QMJHL
March 27, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Cormier has been a productive minute eater for Charlottetown for the past two seasons. Despite his numbers, including elite shot generation numbers, Cormier isn’t a player I would characterize as flashy offensively. He certainly has some offense in him, but his game is more about his feet and brain than skill. He’s a very good skater who can transport pucks up the ice. His feet allow him to break up a lot of rushes and cause turnovers up the ice. Cormier makes a lot of creative exits and plays inside the offensive zone due to how well he sees the ice. Even though he’s not the biggest defender, in the Q he showed he can play tough minutes and kill penalties. Some scouts question whether he can be that type of player in the NHL at his size.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Cormier: “He’s dynamic. He can jump into plays, he has great offensive instincts. He has his head up to make plays and has good puck skills.”
41. Zion Nybeck, RW, HV71-J20 SuperElit
May 12, 2002 | 5-foot-7 | 182 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 20
Hockey Sense: 60
Nybeck is a divisive player and one I expect many discussions about in the coming years. He’s put up huge numbers in the Swedish junior ranks and has a ton of skill. When you watch him with the puck, his ability to dangle clearly stands out. He also has excellent vision and is very dangerous off the perimeter. A lot of NHL scouts see a barely 5-foot-7 forward without great speed and a so-so game off the puck and think his probability of making it is low. I think he’s a good skater, but it’s clearly more elusiveness than explosiveness in his stride. He’s my type of player, so I could see him be a third/fourth-line player for a coach willing to play this style of player in that role, but I get that he won’t be for everyone. I do think that he competes well, but it’s not his selling point. I respect his track record, especially at the club level over the years, but he’s going to be hard-pressed to become a scorer in the league without an extra step.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Nybeck: “He’s small, but he’s strong. He can score, he can see the ice very well, and he’s not afraid to go to the net.”
42. Kasper Simontaival, RW, Taapara-Jr. A Liiga
Jan. 11, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 177 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Simontaival’s star has faded a bit from where he was around midseason a year ago when he looked like a true top prospect in his age group. But he remains a very quality player with a lot of intriguing offensive attributes. He’s got a very quick stick and can beat defenders with his skill. I wouldn’t call him a top playmaker, but he can find the seams on the ice well and flash high-end vision. His shot is more impressive to me than his passing, although I think both are certainly strong points. The main areas of concern for Simontaival are his small frame and just fine skating. I think his edgework is good and he’s shifty in small spaces, but he lacks any real speed and his stride breaks down more than you’d like for a small forward. He does compete well and is good around the net, but he isn’t that strong in puck battles or defensively.
43. Jan Mysak, C, Hamilton-OHL
June 24, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Mysak generated buzz when he made his Czech pro team as a 16-year-old and held his own. This season he looked good but not spectacular versus men, and, after a solid world juniors (especially for a U20) he came to the OHL and was very good in the second half. Mysak checks a lot of things you want in a hockey player. He’s quick, he’s skilled, he can make difficult plays and he can score goals. He’s also a competitive two-way forward who can kill penalties and win battles. I do have a mild upside question given he’s not that big and lacks truly high-end skill, Mysak has had a lot of games I’ve seen over the years where he’s just not that impactful offensively and fades into the background. Even if he’s not a game-breaker at that size, he has enough elements to his game that he could make it and help a team.
NHL scout on Mysak: “I appreciate his sense and his competitiveness. I don’t see a guy who has the dynamic qualities, but he could help a team as a complementary scorer.”
44. Connor McClennon, RW, Winnipeg-WHL
June 25, 2002 | 5-foot-8 | 163 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
McClennon is a player I’ve struggled with because he’s a small forward without exceptional tools. I know I’m out on a limb with him based on talks with NHL scouts. I see a player with high-end hockey sense who makes a lot of plays and anticipates the game very well. I think he’s a very good skater, albeit not elite for his size. He was a primary zone entry guy for Winnipeg and showed quickness in open ice. As a young 2002 birthdate, he was on pace for a 34 goal-79 point WHL season prior to a January injury. He generated 3.5 shots on goal per game. He played hard minutes for Winnipeg, including frequent penalty kill time, and his compete level looked solid whenever I watched. As a very young underage player, he had a 21 goal-43 point pace. He was the top goal and point scorer at his U17 challenge. He was on the top power play unit for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky, although he didn’t have a good tournament. The tools don’t pop, and as a 5-foot-8 forward, that is highly concerning. His tool grades don’t line up at all with the other players in this range. But whenever I’ve watched him, I see someone who gets and sets up numerous scoring chances, which is backed by a good skill set and a strong statistical track record.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on McClennon: “He can really shoot the puck and he can help a power play.”
45. Pavel Gogolev, LW, Guelph-OHL
Feb. 19, 2000 | 6-foot-1 | 181 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 70
Gogolev is a third-year draft-eligible prospect who had a great 19-year-old season in the OHL, clearing 40 goals and 95 points. I think when it comes to re-entry prospects, especially 19-year-olds in the CHL, you want to approach even a great season with an extreme amount of caution. And this is especially true in this case since in past years I haven’t been all that enthralled with Gogolev. What got me excited this season was an elite shot on display consistently and a high-end quality of plays he made with the puck. Inside the offensive zone and especially on the power play Gogolev could pick apart defenses with his passing but also with his ability to finish from anywhere. He’s also a very skilled and creative player with the puck. His shot is a cannon and goalies can only hope it hits them. He’s an imperfect player, which is why he’s been undrafted. He’s not that fast nor that competitive, which makes me skeptical he’ll be a driver at the pro level, but given his skill, hockey IQ and shot, I see enough to think he could make it.
46. Tyson Foerster, RW, Barrie-OHL
Jan. 18, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds
Skating: 45
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 70
Foerster had a great season, scoring 36 goals and 80 points in 62 OHL games, generating a lot of shots as a driving force for Barrie even after Ryan Suzuki was traded. Foerster’s shot is the first thing scouts bring up. He has an absolute cannon. He can one-time from the circles and beat goalies clean, which is a highly desirable skill. Foerster is also a high-end passer who can find seams consistently, which combined with his shot, makes him very dangerous on the power play. The main issue with Foerster is his skating. His stride is awkward, he hunches over, it breaks down often and prevents him from being dangerous on entries. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for his puck skills. When you watch him in practice it’s clear he has tremendous hands, and in games you can see it come out, but he rarely executes, which may be due to a lack of quickness and not a lack of skill. I don’t see him as a physical player who will PK in the NHL, but he works on the ice and wins enough engagements.
NHL scout on Foerster: “He’s a very smart player with a world-class shot and a lot of skill, but it’s so hard to get past his skating. He’s behind the pace of the OHL.”
47. Egor Sokolov, LW, Cape Breton-QMJHL
June 7, 2000 | 6-foot-4 | 235 pounds
Skating: 45
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Shot Grade: 60
Sokolov has gone undrafted twice, but odds are likely he will get picked in his final season of junior hockey. He’s been a top player in the QMJHL and was solid at the U20 level for Russia. He’s a 6-foot-4 forward with a ton of skill. He shows great 1-on-1 ability and can improvise in small areas to create a lot of offense. Sokolov also has a great shot, able to pick corners from a distance and from difficult angles. Physically he’s built like a truck and can bully his way to the net. The main reason why he’s gone undrafted is his skating, and I don’t think it’s gotten that much better. It’s why some scouts are skeptical his stock has gone up as opposed to being a 19-year-old dominating the Q. He’s also not great off the puck.
Cape Breton teammate and 2020 eligible prospect Ryan Francis on Sokolov, “He’s a big, powerful, dominant force. He’s got a great shot.”
48. Ty Smilanic, C, USNTDP-USHL
Jan. 20, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Smilanic played most of the season but had various injuries through the campaign that kept him out or that he was playing through. When he was healthy, he had some good stretches and was a go-to player for the USNTDP but didn’t post eye-popping numbers. His toolkit is very impressive. Smilanic is a high-end skater with excellent hands. He can blow past defenders off the rush and has excellent edge work to evade checks inside the zone. He has a hard shot and I’ve seen him pick corners from a distance, but he surprisingly ended with seven goals on the season. Some NHL scouts question how many plays he makes and his effort level, whereas others think injuries slowed him down and he’s due for a big rebound.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Smilanic: “He’s an explosive speed-based player. He creates volumes of chances. He’s a goal-scorer.”
49. Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor-OHL
May 13, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 177 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 40
Foudy, the younger brother of Columbus’ first-round pick Liam Foudy, had a fine albeit unspectacular season. The reason he remains so highly rated is because he has a great toolkit that looks like it will translate into an NHL player. Jean-Luc Foudy, like his brother, is an excellent skater. He has more skill than his brother though, showing the ability to make difficult plays with the puck individually and as a distributor. His combination of speed and skill makes him elite at gaining the offensive zone with possession. I think he’s a very good passer, but some scouts think he’s selfish and wheels too much with the puck. I don’t mind it but he does like to dance around the perimeter looking for plays. He competes fine, he’s not that physical, but he’s not soft either. I could see him going off next season and looking like a no-doubt future NHL player, but I get why some would be skeptical of a player who was well under a point per game last season and has 23 goals in 122 OHL matches.
Trevor Letowski, coach of Windsor Spitfires, on Foudy: “He’s such a dynamic skater and separates easily from people. At our level he’s a breakout machine. He’s a competitor, he works.”
50. Helge Grans, D, Malmo-SHL
May 10, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 206 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Grans is an interesting player with a profile that tends to project out well. He’s produced well at the junior level, played a lot of SHL games (albeit in limited minutes) and worked his way into a regular role on Malmo’s power play. He’s been a top player for Sweden’s U18 team and often the anchor from the point on the power play. I’ve seen very good flashes from him over the years, as he can make some very good passes from both ends and has a hard shot from the point. There’s a lot of times I’m left wanting more. I’ve seen a lot of games he makes little happen offensively and his average feet are exposed defensively. I wouldn’t call him a top-end puck-mover or defender, but he’s got enough tools and track record to make me think he has a fair shot to make it.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Grans: “He understands the game very well. He knows when to jump up, he sees the game offensively and he can shoot it.”
51. Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Ufa-KHL
Jan. 10, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Mukhamadullin didn’t get much ice time at the KHL level this season, so the evaluation of him is based on the little junior time he saw at the club level, and his international appearances the past two seasons. Mukhamadullin is a 6-foot-3 defenseman who can move the puck and that makes him appealing. He’s not very flashy, but he can handle the puck very well and can make crisp passes out of his zone. He’s not a top-end playmaker, but I’ve seen him stretch the ice and make highly creative offensive plays. Defensively he uses his length and brain well to make stops, and is a reliable two-way defender. His skating is good for a player his size, he can join a rush and close a gap well, but his quickness isn’t a selling point. He’s a tough evaluation. I could buy a very optimistic projection given the tools and the way he’s handled himself at the KHL and U20 international levels. But I could buy that he hasn’t excelled at a top level anywhere yet and lacks great offensive upside to be a high pick.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Mukhamadullin: “He’s a very smart hockey player. He’s an important part of [the U18] team.”
52. Maxim Groshev, RW, Nizhnekamsk-KHL
Dec. 14, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Groshev is a player who has intrigued me for the past two seasons between the club and international stage at the U18 and U20 levels, but his production has never been a big selling point. Tools-wise he looks like an NHLer. He’s 6-foot-2, he skates well, he’s got a very good stick and he can make some plays. He plays with speed, makes skilled entries and attacks the net. He competes quite well for pucks and can PK. And while he has all those positives, the results on the scoresheet don’t always show up. I’ve seen enough very good games and flashes of pro attributes from him to think he could make it, but I’m not willing to say I’m confident he will be a player given the inconsistencies.
NHL scout on Groshev: “He’s a gamer. He competes, he has skill and speed. He won’t be the flashiest player, but he’s going to make it and help an NHL team.”
53. Daniil Gushchin, LW, Muskegon-USHL
Feb. 6, 2002 | 5-foot-8 | 165 pounds
Skating: 65
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Gushchin had a good season at the USHL level, but after entering the league with so much hype it’s fair to say he did not have the U18 season he was expected to. He has the toolkit to be a real player. His speed, skill and offensive creativity are all high-end. On his best shift he’s flying up the ice, dancing through defenders and making chances happen by himself. He can make plays to his teammates and finish them well. On his good nights he’s hunting pucks down and winning battles versus bigger opponents. He had a lot of off nights these past 12 months at the USHL and international levels where he was invisible. I wouldn’t knock his compete, because he does work and plays responsible defense, but it was hard to ignore his disappearing acts too.
Mike Hamilton, coach of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, on Gushchin: “He has a lot of talent. He’s got a great shot and is a better passer. He has a great motor and is tough to knock off the puck. He can play in all scenarios.”
54. Alexander Pashin, RW, Ufa-MHL
July 28, 2002 | 5-foot-8 | 154 pounds
Skating: 65
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Pashin was a top player for one of the best teams in Russia’s junior league. But he was up and down in international play for Russia’s U18 team. He is a player who ticks a lot of the boxes you’re looking for in a skill set. Pashin has great hands. His small area play is high-end and he’s so tough to strip pucks off due to how slippery he is. That he can skate very well and make highly skilled plays in motion makes him very dangerous. Pashin is also a player who moves the puck and finishes plays, with his vision being more impressive between the two. He is tiny at 5-foot-8, but Pashin is a competitor who I’ve seen push much bigger players off pucks and kill penalties effectively.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Pashin: “He’s very technically skilled, he’s quick, he’s not big, but he has the willingness to help a team.”
55. Ryan Francis, RW, Cape Breton-QMJHL
Dec. 2, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Francis opened eyes early on in the season, especially after a 27-point October. He slowed down in the second half but still had a strong season overall. Francis stands out with the puck on his stick. He’s a very intelligent and creative offensive player. He has the slick hands to make defenders look foolish. I saw him pull off some very unique 1-on-1 plays and create chances out of nothing. He’s a great playmaker who can run a power play well and make tough plays. The main knocks on Francis are his 5-foot-9 frame and fine but not amazing skating. He can skate well at the Q level, but I don’t see him pulling away from NHL defenders. His work ethic is fine, not a strength, but not a weakness. Part of me wants to really like him because I see a ton of talent, but it’s hard to get past his size, skating and inconsistency.
NHL scout on Francis, “He’s super crafty and skilled. He could use an extra step but you can’t teach some of the things he does with the puck.”
56. Daemon Hunt, D, Moose Jaw-WHL
May 15, 2002 | six-foot | 198 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Hunt had a tough season as he missed most of the campaign after a skate blade cut his arm. A precursory look at his stat line may not inspire confidence with zero goals and 15 points in 28 games. I think he has some offense but that isn’t the strong point of his game. Hunt is a mobile and competitive defenseman. He isn’t super fast, but his edges are very good and his ability to evade pressure and walk the line is impressive. He closes on checks very well due to his feet and physical play, landing a few thundering hits this past season. Hunt’s offense is more from a good first pass as opposed to high skill plays, even if he was on Moose Jaw’s PP1. I think he’s creative enough as a puck-mover with his skating and defensive play that he could make it, but I can see why some would be hesitant.
NHL scout on Hunt: “He’s a tremendous defender because of his skating and physicality. The offense will be questioned but it’s in him, he had no forwards to get the puck to.”
57. Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener-OHL
Jan. 12, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 189 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Sebrango was a big part of Kitchener’s team this past season who played on both special teams. Sebrango is a mobile defenseman who projects to be able to lead a rush or close a gap effectively at the pro level. I wasn’t sold on his offensive upside when I saw Sebrango initially, but that aspect grew on me as the season went on. I don’t think it’s his calling card, but he makes a lot of clever outlets and enough creative plays inside the offensive blue line for me to think he has NHL caliber puck-moving ability. Defensively he uses his feet and physicality to make stops, and I could see him kill penalties at the higher levels.
Mike McKenzie, coach/GM of Kitchener Rangers, on Sebrango: “Donovan is a strong skater, moves the puck well, and can provide offense while playing against the opponent’s top players every game. He also has a grit element that is rare to see these days.”
58. William Cuylle, LW, Windsor-OHL
Feb. 5, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 204 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Shot Grade: 60
After scoring 26 goals as a 16-year-old in the OHL, Cuylle entered the season with a fair bit of hype. He didn’t have a great statistical season, mostly repeating his numbers from his underage season, but he did generate a lot of shots with 200 on goal in 62 games. Cuylle is appealing because he’s a 6-foot-3 winger who plays a powerful style and has a bullet of a shot. He will be able to score from the dots in the NHL because of how hard and accurate his shot is. He surprisingly didn’t have that high a shooting percentage this season, but also scored several very high quality goals, lending to the theory he may have been a little unlucky. He’s not reckless with his physicality, but he does throw his weight around and can create chances around the net. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for Cuylle’s hands. I saw flashes of 60 grade but not consistently enough. He’s a true playmaker and he’s not that quick, so I saw a lot of nights where it didn’t seem like he did much. He has a strong track record even if his point totals this season weren’t great. He has a lot of the tools you look for outside the skating and hockey IQ, and I think it’s enough to make it.
Trevor Letowski, coach of Windsor Spitfires, on Cuylle: “His shot jumps off his stick, it’s like a cannon. I haven’t seen many guys who can hammer it past goalies like he can.”
59. Yan Kuznetsov, D, Connecticut-Hockey East
March 9, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 209 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Kuznetsov stepped right into college hockey as a 17-year-old, getting a regular shift all season at a very young age. His physical tools intrigue as a 6-foot-4 defenseman who can skate with pros. His ability to skate pucks up the ice and close on checks will translate to the next level. He will be able to defend versus size and speed, the main question will be his offensive upside. On the one hand, you could argue he never produces much offense. On the other, you could argue he’s always been on winning teams such as the USHL champion last season, the U17 worlds and World Jr. A champions, or that he was playing college hockey at an age way before most do. I’ve seen Kuznetsov look OK on the power play, and occasionally make creative passes out of his own end, but I don’t mistake him for a scorer. I think there’s enough offensive touch in his game to be an NHL player, but I know scouts who disagree.
Mike Cavanaugh, coach of UConn on Kuznetsov: “For the youngest player in college hockey I think Yan played with great poise. He’s a powerful skater with good skill and a hard shot.”
60. Martin Chromiak, RW, Kingston-OHL
Aug. 20, 2002 | six-foot | 187 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Chromiak started the season in Slovakia’s pro league and didn’t get much opportunity. He came to the OHL for the second half and sat at around a point per game with Kingston. Chromiak is a very talented player. He has high-end skill and shows a lot of confidence with the puck, trying to make plays through defenders or to his teammates. Chromiak also has a plus shot and can score from the dots. On the power play and inside the offensive zone he’s very dangerous. He lacks NHL quickness though, and off the puck he’s just OK, with a tendency to be a perimeter player who doesn’t win many puck battles. I like the talent and what he’s done versus his peer group internationally and in the OHL, but I understand why among NHL scouts he’s a divisive player.
NHL scout on Chromiak: “He’s got the skill, and he has a great shot. His pace worries me, and I think he stays on the perimeter too much.”
61. Joel Blomqvist, G, Karpat-Jr. A Liiga
Jan. 10, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 182 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 65
Blomqvist had a very good season, leading the Finnish junior circuit in save percentage and being the No. 1 goalie for Finland’s U18 team. He has a powerful lower body, allowing him to move across the crease very well and make tough saves. While he is very quick, his movements are often in control as he is rarely way out of position. His puck tracking is fantastic. Blomqvist is rarely fooled by opponents passing plays and stays square even when the puck is bouncing through traffic. The main issue with him is his 6-foot-1 frame. He plays the way you want a smaller goalie to play. He’s aggressive and challenges when he needs to, and he doesn’t automatically go into a butterfly for mid to long-distance shots. But every time a puck goes over his shoulder you wonder how it will translate to the pro level.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Blomqvist: “He gets wins for us. He’s very calm in the net. He has the look of someone who will be a great goalie in the future.”
62. Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL
May 16, 2002 | six-foot | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
O’Rourke played a ton of minutes for the Soo, and while his point totals may not jump off the page, he was a driving player for that team and lined up in all situations. O’Rourke is a very smart defenseman. His skill won’t jump out to you on the ice, but he makes a lot of smart plays at both ends of the ice and has the occasional high-level offensive flash. He’s a very good defender due to his IQ and his physicality. He kills a lot of rushes and projects to play tough defensive minutes as a pro. The main knock on him is just fine mobility. I don’t think he’s slow, and I have seen above-average flashes of speed from him over the years, but quickness isn’t what makes him interesting from an NHL perspective.
Kyle Raftis, GM of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, on O’Rourke: “He had the highest average time on ice on our roster. He can jump-start our transition with a great first pass and create offense off the rush. He plays with a physical edge. He’s the one assigned to take on the toughest matchups.”
63. Sean Farrell, C, Chicago-USHL
Nov. 2, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Farrell went to the Steel after his time with the USNTDP and was one of the top players in the USHL, playing in all situations for Chicago. Farell is a very quick player who can use his speed and skill to gain the offensive zone with control. He’s a very smart player who can hit seams and set up chances at a high rate, and do so at a quick pace. Some scouts see Farrell as a 5-foot-9 player without tremendous skill and wonder if he has enough to make it to the NHL. He does compete hard though, and can PK effectively. I like the talent, but it’s fair to say for his size it’s not overwhelming amounts of talent.
John Wroblewski, coach for the USNTDP U17s, on Farrell: “He is a jackknife type of player. He understands the simple momentum game but also has the skill set to run your power play. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached.”
64. Pavel Novak, RW, Kelowna-WHL
April 16, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Novak was intriguing the past two seasons due to the plays he makes with the puck. Inside the offensive zone he’s very dangerous due to his high-end vision and shot, standing out especially on the power play when he has space to make plays or wire a mid-distance shot. He had an impressive first season in North America, with 25 goals and 58 points in 55 WHL games. The offensive touch will translate to the next level, but he has work to do in the other aspects of his game. I wouldn’t call him soft or slow, but given he’s small and neither his speed nor competitiveness are standout attributes, he’ll have an uphill climb when he starts playing versus men.
65. Anton Johannesson, D, HV71-J20 SuperElit
March 26, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 144 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
When healthy, Johannesson has a lot of intriguing tools, has looked like a top defenseman in his age group and did very well at the club level. He’s a great skater. He has the ability to walk the line at the NHL level due to his great edge work, and he has enough speed to lead an attack. He moves the puck with poise and creativity. He can stretch the ice and make high-end plays inside the offensive zone. Coming into the season and prior to the injuries, some scouts expected a huge offensive season from him. Johannesson isn’t the biggest defenseman, and scouts have questions on his ability to defend versus men in part due to how small and slight (144 pounds) he is. His club and international coach didn’t have Johannesson on the PK but did play similarly sized teammate and defenseman Emil Andrae is those situations.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Johannesson: “He’s very talented. He’s mobile, he’s very smart with the puck and makes a lot of great decisions. He can help a power play.”
66. Drew Commesso, G, USNTDP-USHL
July 19, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 180 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Commesso had an excellent season, being one of the better NTDP goalies in recent seasons and one of the best players on that team. Commesso impressed me the more I watched him. I had skepticism coming into the season on whether he had NHL quality quickness or sense, but he showed that over the course of the campaign. He’s a quick goalie, I debated putting a 60 on his athleticism, but in control with how he moves around the crease. He reacts quickly and tracks pucks well, so despite not having elite quickness, he can get to a lot of pucks. While he’s often square, he can make the high difficulty save when he needs to. He’s a player uniquely affected by the shortened season and no U18 worlds because he only had 27 starts on the campaign. I’m not overly confident in his production due to the sample size, but he’s also one of the youngest players in the draft so there’s a lot of room for projection.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Commesso: “He’s very consistent. Historically, his numbers are among the best at the program. He doesn’t let in the ones that squeak through. He makes everything look easy.”
67. Dylan Garand, G, Kamloops-WHL
June 7, 2002 | six-foot | 173 pounds
Athleticism: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Garand was a top goalie in the WHL and an important part of why Kamloops was such a good team. Garand is a fun player to watch because he is exceptionally quick. He can get to almost any puck and can steal a game due to how consistently he can make the high difficulty stop. Garand isn’t the biggest goalie and it’s a reason why he was the eighth goalie picked in his WHL Bantam Draft. But he has consistently shown he can put up numbers and help a team despite his size. His size and good but not exceptional IQ are why some scouts don’t buy the pro projection, but I think he tends to stay in control, doesn’t hurt himself, and the elite quickness is going to translate.
NHL PROSPECT
68. Brandon Coe, RW, North Bay-OHL
Dec. 1, 2001 | 6-foot-4 | 188 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Coe is one of the hardest players for me to figure out. His toolkit is one of the best in the draft. He’s 6-foot-4, skates well for his size, has great hands and shows consistently he can create with his skill. You look at his stat line, though, and he’s under a point per game as a third-year player in the OHL. On his best days, Coe is playing with pace, dangling through opponents left and right, showing great vision as a passer and driving the net. Outside of the first round you won’t find a more enticing toolkit. But scouts note he has a lot of off-days with his effort and his inconsistency shows up in his production. I could see the arguments that he’s just so talented and he did play on a very bad team this past season, but the production is scary especially as an older player.
69. Cross Hanas, LW, Portland-WHL
Jan. 5, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 167 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Hanas is a very talented player who is a bit of a divisive player among scouts. He didn’t have the best statistical season, but he played on a deep Portland team and was often on the second power play. I like him because he has high-end skill and high-end offensive intelligence. His ability to beat defenders with creative plays is clearly NHL quality. He made some of the most skilled plays I saw from anyone in the class this season. Hanas can get too fancy at times, but I like that he tries to make things happen. He sees the ice very well, running the half-wall effectively on the man advantage and making some very creative passes. His warts are average footspeed and compete levels. He’s just OK off the puck and won’t be a guy you want in a tough defensive situation. I would bet on him due to his skill and work on the rest.
Pat Ferschweiler, coach of USA Hlinka Gretzky U18 team, on Hanas: “He’s got a dangerous offensive stick. He has the shot to put it in the net and he can make a play to a teammate. He’s a competitor.”
70. Daniil Gutik, LW, Yaroslavl-MHL
Aug. 31, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 180 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
I know I’m out on a limb on Gutik in terms of how much I like him, but I still think his skill set is so good that it’s worth making a gamble on even with his very underwhelming stat line. You’ll have a hard time finding someone with more pure skill than Gutik. He dangles through defenders with ease, and shows a tremendous amount of confidence and creativity with the puck. His offensive IQ is also very high, with the ability to run a power play off the flank and make high-end plays. The main reasons he went undrafted last season were a subpar skating stride and a lackadaisical game that frustrated coaches. His skating looks a little better this season and he attacks the middle of the ice better, but he’s still not a great defender and had way too many off nights.
71. Roby Jarventie, LW, Ilves-Liiga
Aug. 8, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 184 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Jarventie had a strong season at the second division pro level in Finland with 23 goals in 36 games. At the international level he was up and down, with a good November U18 tournament, but he had indifferent appearances at the Hlinka Gretzky and February U18 tournament. Jarventie has size, and he uses it to his advantage. He has a good shot but got a lot of goals by going to the crease and making skilled plays around the net. He’s a very good passer, although I found he didn’t make many tough plays at pace, only really making tough distributions when the play slowed down. Speed is his main issue, as his skating is mediocre and is the reason some scouts are skeptical he’ll be able to produce at higher levels.
72. Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit-Jr. A Liiga
April 19, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 190 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Jurmo is one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft. There are moments and games where he looks like a top-end player. He’s 6-foot-4 and a true high-end skater. When he’s on, he shows skill and offensive creativity, making plays all over the ice. He’s one of the best puck rushers in the draft and shows no fear to go end to end – something he does a lot of during games. I’ve seen flashes of great vision from him, I’ve also seen times where it seems like he gets tunnel vision and just wants to do it all himself, so I debated between a 55 and a 60 on his hockey sense. He’s also not great defensively, with iffy gaps and stick play, which isn’t ideal given he doesn’t put up big numbers. He can rub some scouts the wrong way with his approach to the game and coaches don’t lean on him, but in terms of pure tools he checks a lot of boxes.
NHL scout on Jurmo: “Jurmo is a great skater who is creative offensively, but his decision making worries me and is a work in progress defensively.”
73. William Wallinder, D, MODO-Allsvenskan
July 28, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 191 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Wallinder has intrigued NHL teams because of his significant athletic tools. He’s 6-foot-4 and a good skater for his size, and it’s possible the skating gets even better given he’s one of the younger players in the draft. When you see a guy his size easily closing a gap or rushing a puck up the ice, you can see how it translates to the higher levels. With his reach and feet, he is quite solid defensively and projects to make stops at the higher levels. Wallinder has good flashes with the puck. I’ve seen him occasionally stretch the ice or make a very creative play from the offensive blue line, which is why I have his IQ at 60, but I did so with hesitancy. I wouldn’t call him a natural puck-mover though. I could see him becoming a real player from what I’ve seen of his best days, but I want to see those best days more consistently.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Wallinder: “He has the tools offensively. He skates well, he has good hands, he sees the ice very well, but has work to do defensively.”
74. Tristen Robins, RW, Saskatoon-WHL
Nov. 15, 2001 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Robins had a strong second WHL season, clearing 30 goals and 70 points for Saskatoon. He’s not the tallest or the quickest player, but he’s a lot of fun to watch. Robins is skilled and has very good offensive hockey sense. He tries to make things happen with the puck and can beat defenders 1-on-1 clean. He’s a very good passer and can make plays off the half-wall, but he’s arguably better as a shooter. He has an accurate, hard wrist shot and can pick corners from a distance with flashes of elite goal-scoring ability. He’s not that big, but Robins is a competitor who attacks the net, kills penalties and plays hard along the walls. I think he skates fine, but for a player his size you would like a tad more explosiveness from his stride.
Colin Priestner, GM of the Saskatoon Blades, on Robins: “He has outstanding skill, vision and deceptiveness that he really untapped this year. He has a very sneaky release on his shot. He is comfortable at both center and right wing. He is a modern day hockey player who cares about both sides of the puck, winning our top defensive forward award.”
75. Antonio Stranges, LW, London-OHL
Feb. 5, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 168 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Stranges has been a touted player for years, a player I thought could challenge to be a first-round pick a year ago. But he did not have the season I expected. There is no denying his skill set. His tool grades line up with a player who should be ranked a lot higher. He can bring fans out of their seats with his puck handling displays. He makes a lot of risky plays that will agitate coaches, but he can execute them. Stranges is an excellent passer and finisher who off the perimeter can be so dangerous with the multiple ways he creates offense. His main issue is he stays on the perimeter way too much and doesn’t show much physicality. He’s a strong but weird skater, who naturally reverts into a 10-2 stride on a consistent basis. He has major limitations and a lot of work to do, but there is no denying his talent and what he could be.
Rick Steadman, assistant coach for London, on Stranges: “He has high-end skill. He can go around anybody at any time. He can make incredible plays and see things others can’t.”
76. Maxim Berezkin, RW, Yaroslavl-MHL
Oct. 12, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 201 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Berezkin was one of the top forwards in the MHL this past season. He’s a 6-foot-2 winger with legitimate high-end skill. His 1-on-1 play is very good, and he’s able to create a lot of chances with his skill. He has some power to his game, too. While his shot is good enough to score from a distance, he’s scored a lot of goals by getting to the crease area with his size and strength. He can make plays and shows flashes of top-end vision, but I wouldn’t call that his strongest area. Berezkin’s main drawback is his skating, which isn’t poor but he lacks quickness and a true separation gear. This makes some scouts skeptical his game will translate to the NHL.
NHL scout on Berezkin: “He has hard skill and intriguing potential for the higher levels if he can add a step to his skating.”
77. Dylan Peterson, RW, USNTDP-USHL
Jan. 8, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 192 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Peterson’s numbers may not wow you on initial glance, but he’s a player with a very intriguing toolkit who showed progression during his time at the USNTDP. Peterson has great athletic tools as he measures in at 6-foot-4 and can skate quite well for his size. What he’s added to his game is how he uses his size. He’s hard on pucks, he attacks the net and he doesn’t shy away from the physical parts of the game. He’s got some skill and flashes high-end hands now and again, but he isn’t a true offensive driver or playmaker. He does have a very good shot, but I didn’t get to see it that often this season, as he only scored eight goals. I like the toolkit a lot, the production does make me worry, though, and scouts question if he has the hockey sense to make it.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Peterson: “He’s developing into a skilled power forward. He’s hard with the puck, he’s physical, he heads to the net. He’s a great skater for that size.”
78. Alexander Gordin, LW, SKA-MHL
July 31, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 194 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Gordin was a top goal scorer in the MHL and a critical player for arguably the best team in that league as a re-entry draft-eligible. His shot is very good, and he can score from mid-distance. Gordin also has a hard element to his game and can attack the net to score the dirty goals. His shot is arguably the best part of his game. He can make plays and show flashes of very good passing. While he competes hard in the offensive half of the ice, his defensive play is just OK. His skating is average right now. He has enough speed to gain the zone, but he lacks the quickness to make a difference at the pro level, which is one reason he previously went undrafted.
79. William Villeneuve, D, Saint John-QMJHL
March 20, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 175 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Villeneuve had a great season, as a top scoring defenseman in the QMJHL. He’s a fun player to watch, as the former No. 2 pick in the Q draft is full of skill and offensive creativity. With the puck he’s looking to make plays, and has the ability to find seams and improvise. He’s got the flashy hands to make skilled plays. He prefers to make a good pass as oppose to dangle, but he has that in his game. Villeneuve played hard defensive minutes for Saint John and showed a steady defensive presence. The main issue with his game is skating. His stride is average at best and at times looks below-average. His skating breaks down at times and he lacks true pro-level quickness. He has enough speed and quickness to get a 50 from me, but I thought about it for a while and I get why some scouts are hesitant and think he’ll have issues defending at the faster levels.
80. Brock Faber, D, USNTDP-USHL
Aug. 22, 2002 | six-foot | 190 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Faber was a top-four defenseman for the NTDP. He’s an excellent skater. He is very good at closing on his checks, as well as turning up the ice and leading an attack with his speed. Faber can transition with his speed, but also makes a very good first pass and can move pucks well out of his zone. The main question on Faber is his offensive upside. He got power play time this season and has some puck-moving instincts, but his skill level and playmaking will never dazzle you. You’re drafting him for his skating, for how hard and well he defends, and hoping he has enough offense to play at the higher levels.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Faber: “His skating ability, his defensive ability, how he closes gaps on people is very good. He’s strong in the corners. He moves the puck well in transition.”
81. Alexander Nikishin, D, Spartak Moscow-KHL
Oct. 2, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 196 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Nikishin played most of the season in a limited minutes role in the KHL. Because of that usage and no appearances on the Russian national team, a lot of what you have to go on with him is how he looked last season at the junior level. He’s interesting as a 6-foot-3 defenseman who can move and shoot pucks well. Nikishin won’t dazzle you with speed or skill, but he makes good passes out of his own end and has some poise at the offensive line. Even with his average feet I never had an issue with his defensive play and thought he disrupted a fair number of plays.
82. Tyler Tullio, RW, Oshawa-OHL
April 5, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 165 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Tullio was a productive scorer and generated a lot of shots, and his talent stood out whenever you watched Oshawa. Tullio has a high level of skill to go with near-elite offensive hockey sense. He’s an excellent passer who made a lot of creative plays and generates chances when it seemed like no play was available. Tullio’s passing stood out more consistently to me, but he has a great shot and can be a mid-distance finisher when he gets space. The main knocks on him are his size and skating. His stride is just OK, and while he has quickness, his stride breaks down more than you’d like. He’s not that big, but he competes well, killed penalties for Oshawa and won battles versus bigger players.
83. Luke Tuch, LW, USNTDP-USHL
March 7, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 203 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Tuch is the younger brother of Vegas forward Alex Tuch, who was a first-round pick out of the USNTDP. Luke Tuch is interesting because he’s 6-foot-2, he competes hard and he can make plays. His hockey sense and ability to see the ice is his best offensive attribute. He makes plays with the puck around the hard areas of the ice and scored a lot of goals right around the crease. The concern on Tuch is a real lack of a wow factor and offensive upside in his game. There were many matches over the season where you didn’t notice him due to his average footspeed and puck skills. I underrated his brother, so I’m open to the argument I’m underselling what he brings to the table.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Tuch: “He’s a physical, mean, power forward. He makes tons of plays.”
84. Daniel Torgersson, LW, Frolunda-J20 SuperElit
Jan. 26, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 199 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Torgersson had a great season at the junior level and was a top player for Sweden’s U18 team. He is great around the net at knocking in second chances and deflecting passes toward the goal. I’m skeptical that he’s a power play type at the higher levels, but if he is it will be as a net-front player. He did play half-wall for Frolunda’s power play at the junior level, showing flashes of top-end vision, but I’m not convinced that’s his game. He has some skill and can make plays, and showed this season he can score at a significant level. Torgersson’s skating is OK. The stride breaks down a bit more than I’d like, but I’ve seen him pull away from enough checks to think it can be pro-average. His ability to score, play in the tough areas and PK gives him versatility that will endear him to coaches.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Torgersson: “He’s a very coachable player. He can play all situations. He plays in front of the net.”
85. Wyatt Kaiser, D, Andover-U.S. High School
July 31, 2002 | six-foot | 173 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Kaiser was one of the top defensemen in high school hockey, as a leading player on a top Andover team. Kaiser’s skating jumps out to you right away. He is a very fluid skater who can lead attacks, spin off pressure and close on checks very well. He closes gaps with quickness and physicality, playing his checks hard, and has an edge to his game. The skating and defending gives him a chance to be an NHL player, but my main concern is his offensive upside. I find his puck game and vision very basic and question if he’ll be able to move pucks at the quicker paces. He’s shown some offense at the high school level but was more inconsistent in the USHL and Hlinka Gretzky.
NHL scout on Kaiser: “He’s very mobile, he’s competitive. He makes a good first pass, has enough offense, but it won’t be his strength. He skates like an NHLer.”
86. Theo Rochette, C, Quebec-QMJHL
Feb. 20, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 161 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
I was very excited about Rochette coming into the season. He passed 40 points in the QMJHL as a 16-year-old and looked dynamic at times. I still think he’s one of the best passers in the draft and he has the natural offensive skill to score in the NHL. There are things about his game though that concern me. His skating is good, but not great, especially for an undersized player. His compete level is average. I’ve seen good flashes from him of getting his nose dirty, but a lot of times he stays on the perimeter and isn’t great away from the puck. I could see him breaking out in a big way, but he might have too many warts to get it done at the NHL level and he will need to show up more often than he did this past season.
87. Theodor Niederbach, C, Frolunda-J20 SuperElit
Feb. 25, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 172 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Niederbach was a leading scorer in the Swedish junior circuit and an important player for the Swedish U18 team. Niederbach is a very smart offensive player. He makes a lot of plays and is someone you want with the puck on his stick. With his club he was often asked to set up behind the net on the power play, and with Sweden’s U18 team he was a half-wall guy, making a lot of plays from both spots. I debated between putting a 55 or 60 on his puck skills. I leaned to a 60 because I was convinced he has great hands, but I do think he needs to use his skill more tp attack defenses. Niederbach’s main flaw is his very average footspeed. While he competes well, he does have an injury history after missing all of 2018-19 with a knee injury which may have made him look slower than he will be in a few years.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Niederbach: “He reads the ice very well. He can score goals. He’s good on the power play.”
88. Senna Peeters, RW, Halifax-QMJHL
June 14, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Peeters’ first QMJHL season was up and down, scoring more than 20 goals but not a true top player in the league. He did do well at the U20 level, as an important part of why Austria advanced to the top pool. He has an interesting toolkit as a 6-foot-1 forward with skill who can score. Peeters is very good around the net, making a lot of creative plays in small areas and showing no hesitancy to play in the hard areas. He has good vision and shows very good in flashes. I wouldn’t call him a physical player, but he engages well. My main questions are his footspeed, as it’s not NHL caliber, and he didn’t really produce that well. But I see a skill set that could translate if his development goes well.
89. Kasper Puutio, D, Everett-WHL
June 3, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 180 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Puutio didn’t put up huge numbers this season in the WHL, but he was one of the most impressive U18 puck-movers in the CHL. He’s an excellent passer, and I debated putting a 65 on his hockey sense due to how well he sees the game and how consistently this aspect stood out. He’s not a game-breaker with his skill, but his breakouts are crisp and on the tape, and he’s always looking for a creative way to find a seam to create a scoring chance. He shows poise from the offensive blue line and has the makings of a power play QB. Puutio has physical limitations as a 5-foot-11 defenseman with average mobility. Even with those limitations he defends OK due to how smart he is at reading the play, but his strength is more on the offensive side. Puutio will be going back to Finland to play pro next season.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Puutio: “He’s a leader. He’s tough. He has a great shot. He sees the ice very well.”
90. Eamon Powell, D, USNTDP-USHL
May 10, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 165 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Powell was on the NTDP’s top pair with Jake Sanderson and helped tilt the ice whenever that pair was on the ice. Powell isn’t going to dazzle you with end-to-end rushes, but he’s very smart. His passing game is NHL caliber, and he makes great exits due to his vision and patience. He does have offensive creativity and will show flashes of skill, but it wasn’t consistent and he ended up with only 14 points on the season. He is mobile, allowing him to close gaps and skate pucks up. And despite his size, he was quite reliable defensively due to the combination of his feet and hockey IQ. The question scouts have is whether his brain can carry him to the NHL at his size. I’m open to the possibility, but I don’t think he’s a lock to make it.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Powell: “He’s a puck-moving attacking type of defenseman. He’s very good on the power play and in transition.”
91. Evan Vierling, C, Barrie-OHL
June 20, 2002 | six-foot | 168 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Vierling was the former No. 2 overall pick in his OHL Draft. He was good but not great during his one-and-a-half seasons in Flint, but really took off following a trade to Barrie, scoring 34 points in 28 games. Vierling is a skilled player with very good offensive IQ. He is a guy who makes plays in the offensive zone and can be a half-wall player on the power play. He isn’t an overly physical player, but he doesn’t shy away from getting to the net. Watching him over the past two years, I wouldn’t say he’s a dynamic player; and given his average footspeed that results in him being a bubble NHL prospect. It’s hard to ignore his productive season and that he does have a fair amount of talent, though.
92. Jaromir Pytlik, C, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL
Sept. 25, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 200 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 55
Pytlik is a tough case. I was a big fan of his game from 2017 up until the end of last season. He was a good player for the Soo. He played a powerful, direct game. He was on both special teams, generated a lot of shots and scored around a point per game. While he showed some skill, he didn’t show the high-end skill I had seen from him in previous years, playing a more basic style in the OHL. His skating is also average, which is why some NHL scouts are hesitant about him. His tool grades don’t line up with a lot of players ranked in a similar range, which is in part me giving deference to Pytlik’s track record and what I think he can do even – if he didn’t do it last season.
Kyle Raftis, GM of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, on Pytlik: “He’s a relentless worker. He can create his own shot and apply pressure on opposing defenders. He has the skill to make plays all over the ice, not just off the rush.”
93. Emil Heineman, LW, Leksands-J20 SuperElit
Nov. 16, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Heineman put up big numbers in the Swedish junior league this season, hovering around a goal per game mark. His goal-scoring is more due to how good he is around the net and his skill as opposed to having a big-time shot. He’s a very smart player. He gets into open space very well and anticipates the play. He also moves the puck very well, and his passing is arguably as good as his goal-scoring. My main issue with Heineman is his average quickness and that he might have looked impressive just because he was an older player at a level without much speed. Scouts I’ve talked to like his skating and think it’s progressed into a strength, but I didn’t see that in my viewings. His defensive play is also just OK.
Tomas Monten, coach of Sweden’s U20 team, on Heineman: “He works hard. He can score goals. He’s not super skilled, but he can grind teams down, he can play with speed and attack the net.”
94. Mitchell Miller, D, Tri-City-USHL
Dec. 20, 2001 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Miller was one of the top defensemen in the USHL even though he didn’t have amazing boxcar numbers. He’s an intriguing player due to his mobility and IQ. Miller will be able to skate with pros, showing the ability to lead attacks, evade pressure and close on checks very well. He’s not a dynamic offensive player, but he’s very smart with the puck, showing the IQ to walk the offensive blue line and create through seams. He makes a great first pass and has some power play ability, even if it likely won’t be his strength at the higher levels. There aren’t a lot of 5-foot-10 defensemen without great skill who make it, but I think Miller has a real shot because he’s a strong two-way defenseman despite his size.
Anthony Noreen, GM/coach of the Tri-City Storm, on Miller: “He can move the puck and make plays offensively while not being a liability defensively. He’s a strong defender.”
95. Brett Berard, LW, USNTDP-USHL
Sept. 9, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 155 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Berard was a top scorer on the USNTDP. He’s a very smart player offensively who can make high-end plays and create off the perimeter. I was very impressed by his skill level initially, although I felt the offensive consistency wasn’t there in the second half. Berard is competitive, shows no fear in engaging and can irritate the opposition. As a 5-foot-9 player with good but not great speed or skill, it’s fair to ask if he has enough in his toolkit to project into the NHL. His advocates would point out he’s a week away from being 2021 eligible and still had a good season.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Berard: “He’s crafty, he’s smart. He developed an agitating style to his game. He goes to hard areas.”
96. Amir Miftakhov, G, Kazan-VHL
April 26, 2000 | six-foot | 172 pounds
Athleticism: 70
Hockey Sense: 60
Miftakhov is a third-year draft-eligible prospect – a player I’ve listed twice and continue to stubbornly believe should be drafted. He’s small, there’s no getting around that as a true six-foot goaltender. He didn’t have an amazing season either at the second division pro level in Russia. Miftakhov is an exceptional athlete, though. His ability to make the high-end save and to get to pucks he has no business getting to is right at the top of his age group and this draft class. He improvises in tough situations so well and, despite his tremendous quickness, I would not describe him as an out of control goalie. He makes great reads and stays with the play. He’s small, pucks go over his shoulder more than you like so the NHL is unlikely, but he’s so talented that he’s worth being picked.
97. Ivan Didkovskiy, LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL
Jan. 20, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 187 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Didkovskiy was a productive junior player and a top shot generator in the MHL. He was good at the international level but wasn’t a go-to player for Russia’s U18 team. He’s a player with a lot of elements to his game but nothing that stands out at a truly elite level. Didkovskiy is a good skater who has a lot of pace to his game. He can gain the zone with speed and skill, showing very good hands and ability to beat defenders. He can make very good plays but is more of a shoot-first player with a shot that can beat goalies from a distance. He’s undersized but competes well and has a lot of energy in his game. The toolkit looks like a real player, although I wish he was a bit more consistent, especially at the international level.
98. Adam Wilsby, D, Sodertalje-Allsvenskan
Aug. 7, 2000 | six-foot | 183 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Wilsby was one of the top scoring defensemen in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second division pro league, while on loan from the Skelleftea organization. Wilsby showed the ability to skate and move pucks at that level. He’s a creative offensive player. He has his head up with the puck, finds the long outlets well and shows the ability to run a power play. His skill pops occasionally, and I debated putting a 60 on his puck skills. Wilsby has the skating to evade pressure and to lead a rush up the ice. He’s more offensive than a top defender, but he can make some stops due to his skating and brain, showing he could be fine defensively at the junior and pro level. He was in the mix for Sweden’s U20 team but cut from an extremely deep blue line with five first-round picks.
99. Yevgeni Oksentyuk, LW, Flint-OHL
Feb. 27, 2001 | 5-foot-8 | 163 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 65
Oksentyuk was a top player for Flint and created interest to be a draft pick as a second-year draft-eligible prospect. Oksentyuk has a ton of skill and offensive creativity. He has the hands to fool defenders and land on highlight reels. He’s an NHL caliber passer with the quick pace and high-end vision to hit tight seams and see plays that others don’t. He can absolutely help a pro power play with the type of plays he can make. Oksentyuk is tiny, though, at 5-foot-8, and while he has some push back in his game, when you combine the fact that he isn’t the truly elite skater you’d like at that size, it puts his NHL projection in question. He has good quickness and edges, but he has a bit of a hunched over stride and doesn’t consistently show the explosiveness you’d like to see.
NHL scout on Oksentyuk: “There is no questioning he has NHL skill and NHL vision. His skating will be a hindrance for a guy his size.”
100. Ryder Rolston, RW, Waterloo-USHL
Oct. 31, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 55
Shot Grade: 60
Rolston went to Waterloo after his time with the USNTDP. He didn’t put up great scoring numbers, especially for a late 2001 birth date, but he was a leading shot generator in the USHL. Rolston has a lot of talent. He’s a dynamic skater who can skate with NHLers without issue. He has very good hands and can make skilled plays on the move. Rolston has a bullet of a wrist shot, too, and has scored a lot of mid-distance goals. He is frustrating to watch, though. There are a lot of nights he doesn’t show up, and he circles around the offensive zone without ever making a hard play to the net. He has an NHL toolkit but has a ways to go to show he’s a real player.
101. Bogdan Trineyev, RW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL
March 4, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 198 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Trineyev was a solid forward at the Russian junior level and intrigued scouts with how he looked on the international stage. He is interesting because he’s a 6-foot-3 forward with a high skill level. He can make tough 1-on-1 plays to create chances. He can make plays and move the puck, but I wouldn’t call him a natural playmaker. He has a quality shot and can score from a distance if he gets time. Trineyev has a big body, can play inside the tough areas, can win pucks along the boards and has some physicality in his game. He competes well and has some two-way value. His main issue is his average quickness. His stride looks good and he doesn’t lack jump in his step, but he doesn’t have a true separation gear to turn the corner on defensemen.
NHL scout on Trineyev: “I like Trineyev’s big body and the skilled plays he can make down low, but he doesn’t see the game that well.”
102. Luke Evangelista, RW, London-OHL
Feb. 21, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 166 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Evangelista saw a massive increase in scoring this past season, going from zero goals and two points as a 16-year-old to 20 goals and 60 points this season. Evangelista is a highly skilled and competitive player. He’s not a dazzler with his puck handling, but he can make difficult plays through defenders. He’s a very smart player who can make creative passes through seams and from small areas. Evangelista is very competitive, showing no fear to sacrifice his body to get to the net, and projects to kill penalties at the pro level. For a 5-foot-11 player, though, he is not that fast. And while he is skilled, I question whether the offensive talent is high enough for his size and skating. There is no questioning his trajectory, though.
Rick Steadman, assistant coach for London, on Evangelista: “He’s a tricky player. He sees the ice very well and has a great brain. He works and can take a hit.”
103. William Dufour, RW, Drummondville-QMJHL
Jan. 28, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 195 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Dufour was a former high pick in his QMJHL draft who was traded by two contenders in the past two seasons. He took off in Drummondville in the second half of the season. Scouts are intrigued by him as a 6-foot-3 forward who can score and make high-end plays. Dufour is a creative player, showing good stick skills with flashes of very good. He has the patience and vision to find seams in the offensive zone, and set up tough plays. He has a hard shot, with his shot grade ranging between 55 to 60. He gets hard area goals but is able to score from mid-distance. While Dufour has good size, he doesn’t use his frame a ton. His compete is average, and when he does attack and use his frame, he’s a force. He’s not a penalty kill type, though, and I wish when I watched him he showed up a bit more.
104. Artur Akhtyamov, G, Kazan-MHL
Oct. 31, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 170 pounds
Athleticism: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Akhtyamov has been very good at the junior level the past few years and a big reason why Kazan had a top MHL team even without a lot of offense. Akhtyamov is an extremely quick goalie who has the ability to make the difficult saves with consistency. He couples that with great puck tracking ability, which lets him make a lot of stops in the crease area, staying with pucks through traffic and getting to a lot of second chances. He’s very aggressive, using his quickness to challenge shooters. And while he occasionally overplays pucks, he is usually in the right position and cuts off angles well. Akhtyamov has clear NHL athletic ability and hockey sense, but he is around 6-foot-1, so that will be his obstacle as he goes to play versus men.
105. Oskar Magnusson, RW, Malmo-J20 SuperElit
Jan. 31, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 166 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Magnusson intrigued me whenever I’ve watched him this season between the club and international U18 levels. I see a player with the skill and sense to play in the NHL. Not everyone I talk to thinks his skill is that great, but I think his hands are very quick, and I like that he’s always looking to make a play. Magnusson isn’t that big or fast, but he competes fine and has enough quickness to play versus pros. He produced well in the Swedish junior level, although his team didn’t make the top group in the second half so he played against weaker teams for a period of the season.
106. Carter Savoie, LW, Sherwood Park-AJHL
Jan. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 192 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Savoie has been a dominant offensive player in the AJHL the past two seasons and was the first U18 player to score 50 goals in 20 years. He’s a very skilled offensive player. Inside the offensive zone and especially on the power play he can pick apart defenses due to how good a passer he is. He has the patience to wait out the defense for an extra second and quickly hit seams. He also has a high-end shot and often beats goalies from long distance. There is no doubting his skill, playmaking and scoring abilities. Savoie is a fine skater but lacks true NHL level quickness for his size. Scouts heavily criticize him off the puck as a player who takes shifts and games off, and as a one-way player.
Jamie McCaig, director of operations for Canada West, on Savoie: “He can score. He’s a one-shot goal scorer. He’s very creative offensively with the puck. He hunts pucks in the offensive zone.”
107. Alex Jefferies, LW, The Gunnery-U.S. High School
Nov. 8, 2001 | six-foot | 195 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Jefferies has been one of the top players in prep hockey the past two seasons. He’s a skilled forward who can make skilled plays on the move. He is a very good passer who finds seams and makes highly creative passes. Jefferies shoots it almost as well as he dishes it and has been a top goal scorer at the prep ranks. He’s a good skater, not a great one but he’s quick enough to play at the higher levels. Scouts are concerned about him being a tad of a perimeter player at times, as well as the fact he didn’t really dominate with his skill at the prep level for an older player.
108. Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park-AJHL
Jan. 5, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 177 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Benning has been a top player in the AJHL the past two seasons, leading the league in scoring for defensemen at 16 and 17 years old. He’s a super smart puck-mover. He has the elite instincts to see options through tight lanes and to make creative plays that few others can see. His offensive blue line work is excellent due to his offensive creativity, and he makes a lot of crafty entries and exits. While his playmaking is what he’s known for, 63 assists in 54 games will attest for that, his shot is very good and I’ve seen him fire some bullets past goalies. He’s not that big and not that quick, so scouts question if he’ll be able to defend at the higher levels, such as how he struggled at the World Jr. A Challenge.
Jamie McCaig, director of operations for Canada West, on Benning: “He can distribute the puck very well. He has a great shot. His one-timer is something special. He’s a new-age defenseman. He’s not huge but he can skate.”
109. Ian Moore, D, St. Mark’s School-U.S. High School
Jan. 4, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 171 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 55
Moore was a top defenseman at the prep level. The athletic ability stands out immediately when you watch Moore between his size and skating. He has NHL quickness in how he navigates around the ice and closes on checks. Moore can be a strong defender because of those attributes, although I found sometimes his gaps were a bit loose and he gets caught flat-footed, showing he has room to grow to play the kind of role he will be slotted in at the higher levels. Offensively he has a little touch and can move pucks fairly well at both ends but is not a natural skill type, which makes me question how he’ll do versus better players, such as at the Hlinka Gretzky camp where he was cut from the team.
NHL scout on Moore: “Moore’s size and skating are interesting, he’s a great athlete. His puck decisions concerned me at times over the season.”
110. Joonas Oden, RW, KooKoo-Liiga
Feb. 17, 2000 | six-foot | 183 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Oden is a third-year draft-eligible prospect who didn’t have a productive season with his club, but he has a toolkit that intrigues and is projectable into the NHL. He was very good with Finland’s U20 team. Oden is an excellent skater, which is his main strength. He explodes out of his first few steps and will be a clear above-average skater at the NHL level. When I watched Oden in 2018-19, I thought he was all speed and no skill. But this season I saw more creativity from him, be it the odd seam pass or cute play with the puck, and play the half-wall in Liiga competently on the power play. I wouldn’t call him a natural playmaker, though. A player with his speed would be a good PK projection for the league, but defensively he still has work to do and scouts note he needs to play harder at times. I do like how he plays around the net-front area, though.
111. Jan Bednar, G, Karlovy Vary-Czech Extraliga
Aug. 26, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 196 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Bednar is a very tough evaluation case. He has the 6-foot-4 frame and high-end athleticism that can make you a believer. On his best night, he looks dominant with the ability to steal a game at the NHL level. His ability to get to pucks across the crease for a goalie his size is fantastic, and he can make some real highlight reel saves. But Bednar can be a bit all over the place in the crease. He tracks pucks well through traffic, but his reads on passing plays are average, and he is out of position a bit too much. He has played against men for most of the past two seasons so he may have just been in over his head, but his consistency has been a significant issue.
NHL scout on Bednar: “The size and athleticism are hard to find. His reads aren’t great, but his tracking is good. He showed what he could do versus his age group more than when he played against men.”
112. Oliver Suni, RW, Oshawa-OHL
Feb. 13, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 188 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Suni had a solid first OHL season and has impressed me the past two years. Not in a standout fashion, but he seems to make a positive contribution to his team. Suni is interesting as an NHL prospect because he’s a very smart player who can make offensive plays in the tough areas of the ice. I wouldn’t say his skill or speed stand out to you, and I don’t see him as a driver of offense in the NHL. He makes a lot of clever plays in small areas, wins battles and has enough skill to play on a power play even if I don’t see that as his NHL role. He can find seams and shows flashes of very good hands. His skating will be the main thing he’ll need to work on. I wouldn’t say it’s a solid 50, something in between a 50 and a 55 for me, but he does lack a true separation gear.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Suni: “He’s big and strong, he’s a worker and he has a great shot.”
113. Eemil Viro, D, TPS-Liiga
April 3, 2002 | six-foot | 165 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Viro played a significant role with Finland’s U18 team and was up in Liiga all season. Viro is a high-end skater. His edgework is fantastic, with the ability to walk the line at a high level and spin off forecheckers, and the speed to turn the corner on checkers on rushes. There are shifts where he looks like a no doubt NHL player. Those shifts he’ll close quickly on a check using his great feet, turn the puck over and quickly rush or pass the puck up. I’ve seen offensive plays where he looks like a difference-maker. I’ve also seen a lot of plays where he causes the chance against for his team. His puck management is not the best, and I’ve seen a lot of grade A turnovers when he’s on the ice, making me question if he’s a natural puck-mover or more just a great skater with OK offense.
114. Nicolas Daws, G, Guelph-OHL
Dec. 22, 2000 | 6-foot-4 | 199 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Daws was one of the best players in the OHL, as a defensive force in a league where stopping goals was optional last season and a member of Canada’s U20 team. Daws is in his second eligible season for the draft after a pedestrian start to his junior career, but he is very likely to be picked. He is a 6-foot-4 goalie with great poise and sense. He moves around his crease quite efficiently, squaring up a lot of pucks, and is rarely out of position or needing to scramble. I question how quick he is. His lateral ability is good and he gets around his crease fine, but for the NHL level I don’t know if he can move at the pace needed to get to the tough save.
115. Dylan Jackson, RW, Dubuque-USHL
Sept. 6, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 157 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Jackson was one of the top players in the USHL. He’s a second-year draft-eligible prospect, although only weeks away from being a first-year eligible. I’m sure some will accuse me of a crime for listing Dylan and not his twin brother, Ty, as the two have played and excelled together for years. Ty was a late cut from the final list. Dylan is a highly skilled and intelligent offensive player. He consistently shows off his offensive creativity with the puck and makes plays through defenders. He can score goals and is a very good passer who has the vision to find seams. Dylan skates fine, more elusive than quick, but for his size he’s not a burner. He’s not that small, measuring in at around 5-foot-9, but for an undersized player you wish he had a little more push back to show he’ll be able to win pucks back from men.
Kalle Larsson, GM of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, on Jackson: “He’s a skilled player who competes. He’s been a top scorer at every level he’s played. He loves to shoot and is more of a finisher than a setup man.”
116. Veeti Miettinen, RW, Espoo-Jr. A Liiga
Sept. 20, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 161 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Miettinen had two great seasons in Finland’s junior league being a top scorer in back to back years and scoring as many goals this season as anyone’s ever had in that league. Miettinen has a big shot and often showed the ability to score from the dots. He leans on his shot a bit too much and doesn’t drive as much as I would like, though scouts do praise his compete level generally. He can make very good plays outside his shot, showing the high-end vision and hands to create inside the offensive zone. While he skates fine, the questions on him will be his size and whether he’s a good enough skater at that size to be an NHL’er as he lacks a true dangerous top gear. It also would have been nice to see him succeed at a higher level this season, as when he played in brief international appearances he was just fine. He is committed to St. Cloud State University.
117. Blake Biondi, C, Hermantown-U.S. High School
April 24, 2002 | six-foot | 191 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Biondi has been a top player at the high school level the past two seasons, including winning Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey this past season. He’s got a solid frame and a high skill level, which makes him intriguing. I’ve seen Biondi’s good days where he’s playing hard and using his skill to create by beating defenders 1-on-1 and making impressive plays to his teammates. I’ve also seen a lot of days where he doesn’t show up and offensively doesn’t show much creativity or sense. His skating is average too, so without dynamic offensive abilities, you question how his game will translate to a higher level. While he was great in high school, in his brief appearances versus better players in the USHL and the Hlinka Gretzky he was not as impressive.
Pat Ferschweiler, coach of USA Hlinka Gretzky U18 Team, on Biondi: “He’s an honest player. He’s smart, he’s got a good stick.”
118.Yegor Chinakhov, RW, Omsk-MHL
Feb. 1, 2001 | six-foot | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
I didn’t list Chinakhov as a draft prospect last year, but as a re-entry he’s shown more as a top scorer for a top team in Russia’s junior league. Chinakhov looks a bit stronger and quicker this season. His skating ranges between average to above-average. He’s not a burner, but he has enough speed to skate with men. He can make and finish plays, with his style being more of a playmaker. There’s not a lot of wow factor in his game, but he does a lot well offensively with the puck and competes well for pucks when he doesn’t have it. I respect his skill, his production and his play with the national team, but given his size and skating he remains a longshot.
119. Taylor Gauthier, G, Prince George-WHL
Feb. 15, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 193 pounds
Athleticism: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Gauthier was passed over last draft despite having a strong toolkit and international performance, in part due to how he performed at the club level. This season he was better, helping keep Prince George in a lot of games. He is still not a perfect player, as he lacks size at 6-foot-1, and can still be erratic with his decision and reads. He can lose the net at times, can over slide pucks and makes iffy calls with his puck play. His athleticism is fantastic, though. His ability to get to pucks that require him to move is at the top of junior hockey, and despite his size he has a good glove to be able to stop high shots.
120. Vsevolod Skotnikov, G, CSKA-MHL
Sept. 28, 2001 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Skotnikov has impressed me the past two seasons at the junior level. He was a huge reason why CSKA’s junior club was a top team at the MHL level. He’s an athletic goalie who can make tough saves and doesn’t give up easy ones. Skotnikov squares up a lot of pucks, getting set quickly and making a lot of quality reads through traffic and on tough passing plays. He has an intriguing toolkit, but as a six-foot goalie, scouts ask whether it’s enough – and especially if the quickness is truly elite enough for his size. He will need to prove he can be a top guy versus men at his size.
121. Calle Clang, G, Rogle-J20 SuperElit
May 20, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Clang was a solid goalie at the junior and international levels, and finished off his season strong in the second half. He is very smart and steady. There is not a lot of extra movement in his game and he reads opponents’ puck movements very well. He rarely loses his technique and sets quickly. With Clang, the question is, while he’s not small or slow (around pro-average in both) if the toolkit is good enough for the NHL and if he will be able to stop some of the plays at the quicker paces. I know some NHL scouts whose opinions of him improved as the year went along, but I’m on the fence on projecting him to the league, even if I see some NHL potential. He will play versus men next season, which will be a big test.
122. Lassi Lehtinen, G, Lukko-Liiga
Feb. 25, 1999 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Lehtinen had a successful season, as a top-10 goalie in Liiga as a 20-year-old. He also got an invite to Finland’s national team. I wouldn’t say there is a lot of draft buzz on him right now, mostly due to the fact he’s a six-foot goalie without truly special athletic ability. That’s not really an exciting package. I like him to an extent, though because of how smart he is and how well he performed versus men this season. Lehtinen tracks pucks very well, staying in the right position at a high rate and never seeming to lose his technique to make a tough save. Opposing teams rarely fooled him with their passing plays or dekes in tight. In the instances where he does need that extra step or a larger body, though, he can struggle to make the stop.
)Pronman’s 2020 NHL Draft Board: Top 122 prospect
Welcome to The Athletic’s preview of the 2020 NHL Draft. This feature is the result of two years of work – a combination of live and video viewings of these players; as well as discussions with scouts, coaches and executives across the hockey spectrum. While I discuss players with other hockey sources, the opinions contained within this feature are solely my own.
Typically, this ranking represents my final opinions on players prior to them being drafted. There is at least a possibility though that we could have some international camps and/or leagues resuming in various parts of the world by the time the NHL Draft takes place after the completion of the 2019-20 regular season, so I’m leaving open the possibility there may be a future update prior to the draft.
I’ve steadily developed the idea that projecting the depth of a draft class is a fool’s errand given most draft classes tend to look alike.
However, it is my job to say what I think, which is that it’s a very forward heavy draft and is light on high-end defensemen. There are the two cornerstone pieces at the top in Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield, and a true top-tier goalie prospect in Yaroslav Askarov – who I think deserves to be discussed in the top 10.
This season I’ve made some tweaks to the tiers to reflect how draft value curves tend to work, which is usually rapidly declining marginal value from the No. 1 slot to about the No. 20-30 slot, and very slow marginal decreases through the rest of the draft.
The bubble tiers and quickly stagnating tiers thus remain for the top groups, but I’m getting rid of some tiers after the top groups to reflect how close most of the players outside the top group are. Even in the cases after the very good cut off and the legit cutoff, the differences are very small between the bottom of one tier and top of the next one. I would say the difference between my 20th-ranked player and my 60th-ranked player is about the same gap in value as between my 12th-ranked and 20th-ranked player. The difference between 25th to 100th is about the same as 10th to 25th. This highlights the top players and the value they truly have, the players I’m passionate about as projected top future NHL players, as well as the uncertainty that exists once you exit that top group.
With that setup in mind, this draft follows a very traditional pattern relative to historical averages. There is a true top talent with a couple of extremely good players right behind him – nine high-end players in total – and a top group overall of 24, then the very slow decrease in talent begins. Thus, I think the 2020 draft projects as an average class.
What follows is my breakdown of the top prospects, as well as grades on their tools and quotes from people across the hockey spectrum about the players.
References to the 20-80 scouting scale when discussing various tools equate to 50 projecting as pro average, 55 as above-average, 60 as top third, 70 as elite and 80 as among the very best. On the opposite end, 45 is below-average and 40 is fringe pro quality. I only grade the shot if it is notably good or poor.
The tiers breakdown as follows:
Special NHL prospect: Projects as one of the very best players in the league.
Elite NHL prospect: Projects as an impact player, someone who is top 10-15 percent in the NHL at his position.
High-end NHL prospect: Projects as a first-line forward, a top-pair defenseman or a top-10 starting goaltender.
Very good NHL prospect: Projects as a top-six forward, top-four defenseman or starting goaltender in the NHL.
Legit NHL prospect: Projects to play in the bottom half of a lineup.
Live Q&A: Pronman answers your questions, Thursday at 1 p.m. ET
SPECIAL NHL PROSPECT
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski-QMJHL
Oct. 11, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 193 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 70
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Lafreniere has shown for years that he is a unique prospect who projects to become a foundational player for an NHL franchise. He’s dominated the QMJHL, scoring more than two points per game this past season. He was the MVP of the world juniors and has been great at other international events. I remember going to games where I thought he didn’t look himself and he still put up multiple points. He has truly elite skill and some of the best hands I’ve ever seen. Lafreniere has made some of the most creative plays I’ve seen in the past few years, and with his skill he’s always a second away from a scoring chance. He beats defenders in unique ways and catches them off guard with the moves he makes. He’s also a very good passer who makes quick, crisp passes, and his elite creativity translates to his playmaking. He has a great shot, too, with the ability to score from mid-distance. On the power play he’s a menace due to how he can beat defenders 1-on-1, find seams or pick corners. Lafreniere is a highly competitive player who plays well in the hard areas of the ice, is solid defensively and plays physical. He sometimes pulls up a bit too much to use his skill and playmaking, but he shows no fear driving the net. His skating and pace is the area to point out if you were to pick a weakness. I debated between a 50 or 55 for his skating. I see good flashes from him with his skating, but I see a lot of shifts where his game lacks speed and pace, and he doesn’t seem to have truly explosive quickness; but he is quick enough and when he wants to go he has enough speed to look like he can be an average NHL skater.
Serge Beausoleil, GM/coach of the Rimouski Océanic, on Lafreniere: “He sees the ice so well. He’s a huge playmaker. He’s a play ahead of everybody, and anybody can play with him. He has a tremendous wrister too, so he’s a threat on the ice wherever he is. He has a huge compete level, he wants to be a difference-maker.”
SPECIAL/ELITE BUBBLE
2. Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury-OHL
Aug. 19, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 215 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Byfield had an incredible 17-year-old season in the OHL, as one of the best players in the modern era at that age in that league. He’s an exciting and very well-rounded player. He’s 6-foot-4, he’s a very good skater for such a large player and his hands are right up there with the best in the draft. He can break a shift open with his ability to power past or dangle through defenders. His creativity is great, and his large wingspan combined with his elite hands allows him to stickhandle around defenders with ease. Byfield’s playmaking has been an area I’ve questioned – and some scouts do as well – but this season he’s shown high-level vision. It’s not the greatest, but it’s very good and he’ll be able to make NHL caliber plays. His shot is also very good, and he can score from the dots. Byfield is a very competitive player who uses his large frame to power his way to chances and win battles along the walls. He projects as an all-situations center. When the pace increased at the higher levels on the international stage, like the Hlinka Gretzky or the world juniors, he faded a bit, but I remain a huge believer because of his toolkit and his performance with his club team. He looks like a foundational No. 1 center in the NHL.
Cory Stillman, coach of Sudbury Wolves, on Byfield: “Quinton has a complete game. He can play in all situations. He’s big, he’s strong, he skates extremely well for a big guy, he makes plays, he makes people around him better. When he wants to, he can go win a game by himself. He hounds pucks, he creates turnovers by himself through his skating and how strong he is.”
ELITE/HIGH-END BUBBLE
3. Tim Stutzle, LW, Mannheim-DEL
Jan. 15, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 187 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Stutzle was very impressive for a U18 player competing against men, as an important piece of one of the best teams in the German pro league and often leaned on in big moments. Stutzle is a dynamic offensive player who has a lot of NHL caliber components to his game. He’s a great skater. His speed is just above-average; his stride can look a bit sloppy in a straight line but he can challenge with speed. His edgework is elite, which is why he gets a high skating grade. He is fantastic at spinning off pressure and evading checks with his edges. Stutzle also has great hands. His ability to play high-end skill plays at quick speeds has made him so successful as a pro and distinguishes him as a prospect. He’s a very good passer who makes tough plays on the move, like with his stick handling. This gives him a game with a ton of pace and should allow him to be an impactful NHL forward. Stutzle’s not very physical, but he has a great compete level, often using his quickness to hunt down pucks. Even versus much bigger players in the DEL he won a surprising number of battles. Stutzle is officially listed as a winger, but he’s played center before, such as at the U18 worlds B pool as an underage where he won 58 percent of his draws, and he says he feels comfortable playing center.
Pavel Gross, coach of Adler Mannheim, on Stutzle: “He has great offensive hockey sense and skills, he skates very well. He can make the tight turn and beat defenders with speed.”
4. Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda-SHL
March 28, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 70
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Raymond didn’t have a great season, mostly due to the limited role he played on a high scoring Frolunda team, where he averaged less than 10 minutes of ice time but did get some power play time. He looked very good at the U20 level and in brief deployment at the junior level in Sweden, but he didn’t blow doors down this season. He remains a top prospect because of his incredible talent, hockey sense and his performance when he played versus his peers. As an underage he dominated Sweden’s junior league as a 16-year-old and helped carry Sweden’s U18 team to a gold medal. With the puck on his stick he’s incredibly dangerous. His hands are elite and his ability to beat defenders 1-on-1 clean in ways unlike other players can create a lot of highlight reel moments. He will be a true PP1 quarterback in the NHL because of the unique plays he can make. He has a unique way of navigating with the puck in the offensive zone, showing the patience and vision of a top NHL playmaker in how he picks apart defenses and find seams. Raymond isn’t the biggest guy and isn’t a guy you will tab to kill penalties, but he competes well and gets to the net. While he’s more of a passer, he does have a good shot when he looks to shoot. My one concern is his just average footspeed, particularly as a 5-foot-10 forward. He has good edgework and a powerful first step, with a wide stance he employs when trying to protect pucks but lacks an NHL caliber separation gear.
Draft-eligible prospect Alexander Holtz on Raymond: “He’s a special playmaker. His vision is great, but he can also shoot it and skates very well, too.”
5. Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw-OHL
Jan. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 177 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 65
Perfetti burst onto the scene as a U17, scoring the most goals by a player that age since John Tavares, Taylor Hall and Steven Stamkos. Perfetti followed it up with a brilliant U18 season, one of the best in the modern OHL era. He also dominated the Hlinka Gretzky like few others have. Perfetti is incredibly skilled and is one of the best passers in the draft. He is so creative with the puck, finding unique ways to fool defenders, manipulate the puck in tight spaces and make plays through defenders. He can make things happen off the half-wall at an elite level, makes very creative passes frequently, and projects to be a top passer in the NHL due to his vision and his pace. Perfetti isn’t the biggest or the quickest forward so some scouts aren’t over the moon about him as an undersized forward without NHL speed. I think he skates fine but does lack ability to separate from checks. His compete level is fine, he gets his nose dirty enough and works hard off the puck to get it back. He killed penalties this season and played center for stretches of the season, showing he can be a versatile player, as well.
Dave Drinkill, GM of Saginaw Spirit, on Perfetti: “He has ability to find teammates and make plays nobody on the ice or in the crowd can see. He has an incredible ability to break down defenders with his awareness. Everything seems to happen at his speed.”
HIGH-END NHL PROSPECT
6. Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden-SHL
Jan. 23, 2002 | six-foot | 192 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 70
Holtz got a regular shift and power play time in the SHL this past season for Djurgarden, as one of the most productive U18 players that league has seen. Holtz has been on the prospect radar a long time. He has a lot of exciting dimensions to his game, but his goal-scoring ability stands out. He has a truly elite shot. He can pick corners from any spot in the offensive zone, with a very hard and accurate wrist shot. His hands are elite, which allows him to beat defenders clean with his 1-on-1 moves and pull off the occasional highlight reel play. While he is known for his goal-scoring, Holtz is also a very good passer. He won’t be a top playmaker in the NHL, but he can find the seams and has the high offensive IQ to let plays develop and find his teammates. His skating is somewhere between average to above-average for me, but I did find his game lacked pace when I watched this season. Off the puck he’s fine; he competes well enough but he’s not an overly physical player and can be a bit of a perimeter player due to how much he leans on his shot.
Draft-eligible prospect Lucas Raymond on Holtz: “His shot is enormous, and he has great vision and stickhandling.”
7. Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie-OHL
April 8, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 175 pounds
Skating: 65
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 65
Drysdale was one of the top defensemen in the OHL and accomplished the unusual feat of not only making Canada’s U20 team as a 17-year-old, but also holding his own and showing he could skate with that team. He’s one of the best skaters in the draft. He has very good speed and can lead a rush at the higher level. His speed isn’t what defines his skating, though, it’s his elite edge work. He’s so good at evading pressure, and walking the blue line with his crossovers and spinning off checks. Even though he’s not the biggest defenseman, Drysdale shuts down a lot of rushes because of how quickly he closes on his checks. Offensively he’s very good, but not flashy. He’s not going to go end to end through three defenders, but he’s an excellent puck-mover. He sees the ice at a very high level, and is creative with his exits and blue line play. His elite skating and vision are what make him dangerous and will allow him to QB an NHL power play.
Chris Hartsburg, coach of the Erie Otters, on Drysdale: “He has a great ability to make plays and think the game. His feet are dynamic. He can lead a rush and be the first guy back due to his skating.”
8. Iaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-VHL
June 16, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 176 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 65
Askarov is one of the best goalie prospects I’ve seen as a first-year draft-eligible. He was unusually successful versus men as a 17-year-old, including a brief KHL appearance. He helped take down a very talented Canada U18 team almost single-handedly, same for a powerhouse USA U18 team as the best goalie at the U18 worlds in 2019. He has elite attributes in terms of his athleticism, in how he reads the game and how aggressive he is. His quickness allows him to make the tough saves, although I don’t find him scrambling and diving around the net a lot given how well he anticipates the play. He’s a little jumpy in the net just due to how quick he is, but he’s in control most of the time, staying with the play even when the puck is moving quickly. Askarov is often challenging shooters even in unorthodox situations, but he isn’t often beat when he is aggressive, which speaks to his hockey IQ. He was terrible at the world juniors, letting in a lot of soft goals, but that is not the player I’ve seen for most of the past two years in international play at various levels. He will need to work on making sure fewer mid-distance shots go in, but his home plate play is elite. I think he will become an upper-echelon goalie in the NHL.
Daniel Bochner, development coach for SKA St. Petersburg, on Askarov: “He has size, he’s extremely athletic, he has great situational awareness and he’s very technically sound. He reads the game very well and reacts very well to second-chance opportunities. He’s very mature for his age and mentally strong.”
9. Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa-OHL
Sept. 23, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 183 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Rossi dominated the OHL this season, scoring more than two points per game as one of the best players in the entire CHL. He was a major reason why the 67’s were an elite team. Rossi is an exciting player due to his skill and IQ. He has tremendous stick handling ability in tight areas and can slide off checks. He’s a great passer with a high level of offensive creativity who projects to play the half-wall on an NHL power play. Rossi’s skating is good, but he’s more of a skill player than a speedy player. He’s not the quickest small player you’ll ever see, but he has a powerful stride and good edge work to elude checks. While Rossi is undersized, he’s a very competitive player. He drives the net consistently, he can kill penalties very well and he can be used in tough defensive situations. His great skill and production are very appealing. He doesn’t raise to the top tier of the draft due to his size and speed combination, but he projects to be a top-line NHL forward because of how smart, skilled and competitive he is.
Andre Tourigny, coach of the Ottawa 67’s, on Rossi: “He’s relentless, his competitiveness is through the roof, he has tremendous hockey sense, good skills and a good shot.”
HIGH-END/VERY GOOD BUBBLE
10. Connor Zary, C, Kamloops-WHL
Sept. 25, 2001 | six-foot | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Zary was one of the top players in the WHL in his third season in the league and the major reason why Kamloops led the WHL in scoring. Zary is a very entertaining player, as he’s one of the most skilled players in the draft. His touches with the puck are very quick, he’s extremely creative and he can beat defenders clean consistently. He had numerous moments this past season where he pulled off a highlight real-caliber play. Zary is a very smart offensive player. He can make the seam passes and find teammates very well, but also makes plays happen through unconventional ways. He scored a lot of bad angle goals this season, and he finds teammates in situations where there doesn’t seem to be a play. Zary is a highly competitive player. He doesn’t just dangle on the perimeter, he attacks the net, he pressures defenders and he is in the face of his opponents constantly. He can kill penalties and run your power play. The major knock on Zary is his skating. Some scouts think it’ll be pro average, some think below-average. I lean to the former camp. It’s not great, and the stride breaks down at times, but I think the stride is good enough that he’ll be able to skate at the NHL pace.
NHL scout on Zary: “He’s full of skill, hockey sense and competitiveness. You can use him in any situation and he won’t disappoint you. The skating will need to come, but it will get there with strength.”
11. Dawson Mercer, C, Chicoutimi-QMJHL
Oct. 27, 2001 | six-foot | 180 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Mercer followed up an impressive 17-year-old season with a better 18-year-old one, as a top player in the QMJHL and a member of Canada’s U20 team. Mercer is a versatile player. Offensively, he’s an exciting player. He has high-end skill with the soft hands and creativity to beat a lot of defenders. He has the quick-twitch in his hands to be unpredictable and make a lot of great plays in tight areas. He’s a very smart player who moves the puck well inside the zone, finding seams and looking off defenders like a pro. Mercer can also score from a distance if given space, but I think his playmaking is more impressive. He’s a competitive two-way center who can be effective in a lot of situations. He plays in the interior third of the ice a lot and can kill penalties. His main drawbacks are his average feet and lack of NHL caliber explosiveness as well as the minor fact of how he slowed down following a trade to Chicoutimi.
Philippe Boucher, GM of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, on Mercer: “He has a lot of skill. He understands the game very well, he can play center or wing, he’s a very well-rounded two-way player.
12. Seth Jarvis, C, Portland-WHL
Feb. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Jarvis had a fantastic season, as the WHL’s second-leading scorer and a major part of why Portland was such a dominant team. Jarvis is a dynamic player who ticks a lot of boxes. He is a highly skilled and intelligent with a lot of quickness. He has the skill to beat defenders 1-on-1, but more importantly, he does so with speed. The high-end pace of his game is what makes him so dangerous and will translate to the higher levels. He has legit NHL speed and very good edges, allowing him to pressure defenders at the highest level with speed and cutbacks. I wouldn’t call his hands elite or call him an elite passer, but he has flashes of the highest level with both and both attributes are very good. Jarvis isn’t the biggest forward, but he is a very hard working player. He attacks the middle of the ice consistently, he’s hard on pucks and wins far more battles than you’d think a 5-foot-10 forward would. His game is very direct and he will be both a coach and fan-favorite due to the way he plays the game. His combination of skill, speed, production and work ethic make him a player that projects to play high in an NHL lineup.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Jarvis: “He has very good hockey sense, puck skills and can shoot the puck. He plays a strong two-way game. He’s a complete player.”
13. Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP-USHL
July 8, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Sanderson was leaned on as the top defenseman for the NTDP. He ended the season on a high note at the U18 Five Nations in February co-leading the tournament in scoring. He’s a great skating defenseman in all directions with size that allows him to make a ton of stops. His gap control is excellent, and he killed so many rushes with how well he closed on opponents. He’s also a physical player who shows no hesitancy to close on checks with his body. Sanderson’s top speed is very good, not elite, but he can lead rushes well and isn’t afraid to jump into the play. His edges are excellent, allowing him to spin off pressure, to pivot and walk the offensive blue line very well. He was the PP1 guy for USA, but the main question on him is his offensive upside. He has skill and can make a very good first pass, but I wouldn’t call him a dynamic playmaker. His production may not wow you, but he had a strong NTDP campaign points-wise relative to other top defensemen at his age historically, especially since he didn’t has a U18 World Championship to compete in and he’s a very young 2002 birth date.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Sanderson: “He’s 6-foot-2, world-class skater, physical, hard. He eats people up. He’s very intelligent. His offensive skill is a complement to how good he is defensively.”
VERY GOOD NHL PROSPECT
14. Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago-USHL
Oct. 22, 2001 | 5-foot-11 | 179 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Brisson, the son of NHL agent Pat Brisson, was one of the best players in the USHL and had a great World Jr. A Challenge, tying the tournament record for scoring. Brisson is a very skilled player. He has the slick 1-on-1 skill to beat defenders consistently and make plays in small areas. He’s an extremely creative playmaker who can make a lot of plays off the perimeter and make plays with pace. He improvises very well, making high-end plays under pressure. Brisson is a great passer, but also a great goal-scorer, who scored numerous goals off his one-timer. That combination makes him very dangerous on the power play. Brisson has limitations in his size and speed, which is why some scouts still question how his game will translate. He does compete well, attacking the middle third of the ice; and he isn’t a perimeter player, although I wouldn’t call him very physical.
Ryan Hardy, GM of the Chicago Steel, on Brisson: “He has so many attributes that are attractive. He has skill, he can score, and he can make plays.”
15. Jack Quinn, C, Ottawa-OHL
Sept. 19, 2001 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 65
Updated June 16: Moved from No. 21 to No. 15 – After discussing Quinn more with NHL scouts, watching more video and valuing more how he was such a driver on a top CHL team, I decided to move him up several slots.
Quinn had a massive 18-year-old season in the OHL, scoring 50 goals as a leading player on the best CHL team and breaking out into a legitimate top prospect. He scored a ton of goals, but I wouldn’t really call him an elite sniper. Rather Quinn is just a super skilled and smart player who scored a lot of goals around the net. He has very quick twitch hands and the ability to embarrass defenders 1-on-1. He sees the ice at a top-end level even though he didn’t have nearly as many assists as goals. It’s not just his vision, but his overall creativity and patience. He often saw plays on the ice that I couldn’t see materialize. The main reason for his sudden rise in stock was the continued improvement in his skating. It’s not a strength of his, it’s no longer a weakness, but it will be his main hurdle for the NHL level. Quinn is solid off the puck, playing PK for Ottawa, although I wouldn’t call him a physical player.
Andre Tourigny, coach of the Ottawa 67’s, on Quinn: “He has a lot of skill. He has great hockey sense, he’s smooth, he can shoot it, and competes away from the puck.
16. Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa-MHL
Oct. 2, 2001 | six-foot | 167 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Amirov bounced around between the pro and junior level all season. He was excellent versus his peers at the junior level, and versus men he showed flashes, including in a brief appearance late with Russia’s national team. Amirov is easy to spot on the ice when he has the puck because he’s very quick and skilled. He has quick-twitch hands and can inside-out defenders while skating at full speed. He can set up and finish plays well. He flashes high-end playmaking and shooting ability, but neither consistently. His game is more about his pure skill and driving play forward with a ton of clean entries. His speed isn’t amazing, more just good; but his edges and cutbacks are excellent. Amirov has a slight frame, which led to struggles versus men who could knock him off pucks, but he does work hard and when he puts on muscle I could see him get inside easier.
Vancouver draft pick Vasili Podkolzin on Amirov: “Amirov is a smart player with soft hands and good speed. He’s a non-standard player in terms of his decision making, he’s a very creative guy.”
17. Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga
Oct. 3, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Lundell was very impressive at the pro level the past two seasons, putting up significant numbers in Liiga as a 17 and 18-year-old. I watched Lundell a ton the past three years, with at least 15 live views and many others on video, and I still struggle with what to make of him. I see a player who has played up versus men at a young age so effectively, who has played years ahead of his age group, sometimes in significant roles such as when he logged nearly 20 minutes in the gold medal game at the world juniors in 2019. When you watch him, though, his game can look bland. His speed is average, and while I see flashes of great creativity from him as a handler and passer, I wouldn’t say that’s consistent. I respect that he competes well, he’s strong on pucks and is responsible defensively with the ability to play on both special teams. I also understand that he plays at the Liiga level so his skill won’t pop as easily as someone who plays in the CHL.
NHL scout on Lundell: “He’s a competitor. He’s not a driver of offense, but he’s got sneaky skill and will be able to make plays in the NHL.”
18. Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia-OHL
April 15, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 192 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 70
Perreault scored 39 goals in 57 OHL games after scoring 30 goals as a 16-year-old in the OHL. Perreault is a dynamic player. He makes elite plays and has one of the best shots in this draft. He can be so dangerous on a power play with his shot and pick corners from a distance, but he’s also a tremendous passer who makes unique plays. His hands are top of the line, and he shows a ton of confidence with the puck, attacking defenders consistently with his skill and looking to make things happen. Inside the offensive zone there are no questions about what he can do. Scouts have questions on his foot speed and whether he will provide enough off the puck to continue to score at the higher levels. I don’t see him killing penalties in the NHL, but I think there’s enough compete in his game to maximize his scoring potential as I’ve seen him win battles versus bigger players and make plays in the hard areas. His footspeed is certainly average, but given his tremendous skill, vision and finishing ability, he can be 5-foot-11 with average feet and still be a very good NHL player.
Nick Sinclair, former GM of the Sarnia Sting, on Perreault: “He’s a goal-scorer. He has a very quick release. The goals he scores aren’t garbage goals; he scores from tough angles, he has a great wrist shot and backhand. He makes a lot of plays with the puck in limited time and space.”
19. Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL
Jan. 8, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 178 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Bourque was a top scorer in the QMJHL this season, as Shawinigan’s clear leading player. He’s a player who gets a lot of praise for his skill and especially his hockey sense. Bourque is an elite passer. He has tremendous patience and anticipation to let plays develop, hold the puck for an extra second and find his teammates. He makes difficult plays that most other players don’t see. While his passing is his clear best strength, he also has a great shot and can score from tough positions on the ice. His hands are high-end, but he has a pass-first mentality with the puck. I find instead of making a skilled move and making a hard play to the net, he likes to slow it down and look for his passing options – something that will need to improve at the quicker paces. Bourque isn’t that big, but I like his compete level and that he can penalty kill. His skating is fine, but not great. He has enough quickness to get around and is agile in tight areas, but he lacks the ability to create true separation at the NHL level.
NHL scout on Bourque: “He has a lot of skill and offensive hockey sense. There’s no doubts on his offensive talent, but he does need to improve the pace at which he plays for the NHL level.”
20. Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John-QMJHL
June 2, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 196 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Poirier had a fantastic season offensively, putting up 20 goals and 50 points, and was one of the leaders in the QMJHL in shots on goal. What makes Poirier exciting is his skill. He has extremely quick hands and ability to beat opponents easily with his skill. Poirier is a good skater, too, and plays with pace. He is often flying around the ice, stick handling through checks and is easy to spot when he’s on the ice. Poirier has very good vision and can make high-end plays inside the zone and on outlets, but a criticism of him is his risk management. He can hurt himself with turnovers trying to do too much. I try not to ding guys too much for that. He has the puck a lot and if you are a skilled player that’s going to happen if you play a lot. But it’s something in the back of my mind, especially for a player who was on the ice for a lot of goals against this season. The biggest criticism of him is his defensive play. He has to work on improving his gaps, not getting caught too much trying to make cute plays in his own end and not giving up on plays. He was one of the most divisive prospects this season in discussions among scouts, with some saying he’s a certain first-round pick and others saying they wouldn’t use a second-round pick on him.
Trevor Georgie, GM of the Saint John Sea Dogs, on Poirier: “His offensive ability and raw talent are undeniable. He can carry the puck and gain the zone with ease. He’s full of confidence and attempts difficult plays. He has excellent hands and can shoot it.”
21. John-Jason Peterka, RW, Munich-DEL
Jan. 14, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 192 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Peterka was a tough player to evaluate this season, as he played very limited minutes on the top team in the DEL. I’ve seen him at other levels over the years, so I believe in the talent, but the lack of playing time in his draft season makes his projection more uncertain in both directions. I see a great toolkit. I see a player with quick twitch hands and ability to beat pro defenders. He’s a strong skater who can make highly skilled plays at a quick pace. He moves the puck well, although Peterka’s 60 IQ comes more from how creative he is offensively, as opposed to being a truly great playmaker. He’s not that big and I wouldn’t call him a great two-way forward, but he does work to win puck battles, and he’s not a perimeter forward.
Tobias Abstreiter, coach of Germany U20 Team, on Peterka: “With the puck he’s a threat. He has good speed and very good skill.”
22. Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin-Big 10
Sept. 23, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 203 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 55
Holloway had a fine freshman season, as a top player for Wisconsin, although he didn’t put up huge scoring numbers after dominating the AJHL the season prior. Holloway is a good skater who has a lot of energy to his game. When he gets a full head of steam, his frame he can be a handful to stop. He’s hard on pucks and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty. His offensive upside is the main point of debate surrounding him when talking to NHL scouts. I think he’s very skilled. Holloway inside outs opponents consistently and can make plays through checks in motion. Over the years I’ve seen flashes of top-end playmaking, but I didn’t see that consistently enough this season, with Holloway showing more of a direct style of play than a true driver of offense. Even if he’s not a truly dynamic offensive player, there’s enough skill in his game to be a quality NHL player.
Tony Granato, coach of Wisconsin Badgers, on Holloway: “He’s a competitor. He has tremendous strength on the puck. He has great wide speed. He can score and is a polished offensive player.”
23. Braden Schneider, D, Brandon-WHL
Sept. 20, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 202 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Schneider may not overly excite you upon an initial look at his stats, and it’s taken me a while to come around to him, but he’s grown on me a lot over the past two seasons. I see a player with a lot of assets and few holes in his skill set. He’s a 6-foot-2, right-handed defenseman who can skate well. He can rush pucks and close gaps well. Schneider moves the puck very well out of the defensive zone, showing great vision and patience on his outlets. He defends well due to his feet, but also doesn’t shy away from playing the body and knocking players off pucks. He has some offensive blue line touch, but he’s probably not going to be a power play guy in the NHL. He moves it at a clear NHL level, though, to where I think he could take a regular even strength shift and help his team’s possession game without needing to be sheltered by his coach.
NHL scout on Schneider: “He’s mobile, he’s hard to play against, he can make a very good first pass. The offense is never going to pop with him, but he has a lot of elements in his game that will translate to the NHL.”
24. Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi-QMJHL
Feb. 9, 2002 | six-foot | 179 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Lapierre is an extremely difficult player to slot right now. He was a top player at 16. He had one of the best Hlinka Gretzky tournaments ever. Then the season started and he was good, but not great with only two goals on the season when healthy. He’s a highly skilled and intelligent player. He makes a lot of tough plays, projects to run a pro power play due to very high hockey IQ and has the great individual skill to be slippery in open ice. He’s a fine skater but his game could use more speed. Some scouts agree with me on the pace of his game, but some like his quickness. Lapierre was initially diagnosed with three concussions in a 10-month span, but Lapierre told The Athletic a specialist diagnosed him with twisted vertebrae in his neck that he thinks caused concussion-like symptoms. Whether it was a head or neck injury, or a combination, NHL teams, even in light of the neck injury diagnosis, are significantly concerned about Lapierre’s health and the risk in his projection. His game was just OK off the puck, and he didn’t attack the net that much, but it’s hard to know whether that’s how he plays or whether the injuries caused hesitancy. Toward the end of the season he was able to practice with the team, but his last game was in November.
Yanick Jean, GM/coach for Chicoutimi Sagueneens, on Lapierre: “He has a pass-first mentality. He can play fast. He has great offensive hockey sense.”
LEGIT NHL PROSPECT
25. Lukas Reichel, LW, Berlin-DEL
May 17, 2002 | six-foot | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Reichel had an impressive season playing versus men and getting regular minutes in the DEL for a good club in Eisbaren Berlin. I always saw some skill and speed in his game, but this season I saw a high level of creativity with the puck, making difficult plays through defenders and to his teammates. He has the skill and the pace to score in the NHL. I wouldn’t call him the true playmaker you want running a power play, but he sees the ice well and gets a high IQ grade due to how well he creates in small areas. The last time he recorded a penalty was two seasons ago in junior club play, but I don’t think he’s soft. I’ve seen him be hard on his puck pursuits, drive the net frequently and win battles versus bigger players. But it would be fair to say he’s not a very physical or edgy player.
Tobias Abstreiter, coach of Germany’s U20 team, on Reichel: “With the puck, he knows what to do. He brings speed and a high skill level.”
26. Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago-USHL
Dec. 26, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 205 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Colangelo was one of the leading goal and point producers in the USHL despite the fact he didn’t get prime power play minutes for stretches of the season. He is a very talented player. Colangelo is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has great skill and is a high-end goal scorer. He can pick corners from bad angles and is a mid-distance shooting threat. He passes the puck very well, finding seams and setting up chances consistently. His skill level doesn’t pop often, but he has very good hands and can make plays through defenders. Colangelo’s knocks historically have been his skating and compete level. His compete level looked better this season, playing inside well and using his frame; although for a player with his toolkit at the USHL level there were nights I think he should have been doing more.
Ryan Hardy, GM of the Chicago Steel, on Colangelo: “He has size and a great shot. He has a physical edge. He can make plays.”
27. Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea-SHL
Oct. 7, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 176 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Gunler played all season up in the SHL, getting limited minutes for one of the top teams in that league. He excited folks when he scored 27 goals in 31 junior games last season. Gunler is a high-end passer and shooter. He shows great vision and patience, holding pucks and finding teammates through seams. He shows good creativity on his entries with flashes of top-end skill. He has a very hard shot and projects as a legit mid-distance shooter. The combination of his shot and vision makes him a threat inside the offensive zone and on the power play. Off the puck, his game is just OK. He is a physical player who regularly throws his weight around and can win battles versus men, however, scouts criticize his compete level and discipline at times. Gunler’s skating is average as well. His stride looks good but lacks any real power.
Tomas Monten, coach of Sweden’s U20 team, on Gunler: “This year he matured a lot. He plays like a pro. He can put pucks in the net and he can make plays, he has great hockey sense.”
28. Marat Khusnutdinov, C, SKA-MHL
July 17, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Khusnutdinov has been a leader for Russia’s 2002 age group for years and was very impressive with his junior club this season, which was the best in MHL. He has high-end skill components to his game. He’s able to make highly creative plays with the puck, improvise in tough situations and be very coordinated in small spaces. He sees the ice very well and can make tough dishes to teammates. He’s a great skater too, using his speed to beat defenders wide and making hard plays to the net. He competes hard, frequently getting to the tough areas in the offensive zone and killing penalties well. Khusnutdinov isn’t special at any one thing and he’s undersized, but it’s the combination of his skill, speed and very high compete level that equals a projected NHL player.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Khusnutdinov: “He’s a very talented player and has a will to win.”
29. Justin Barron, D, Halifax-QMJHL
Nov. 15, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Barron is a player who’s been hyped for a few years, playing well for Canada and Halifax. He had a tough season with a blood clot keeping him out for a while. He came back in late February, but it was still mostly a lost season with so-so production. On the ice, Barron is a fantastic skater who can lead a rush and close a gap very well, and he projects to be able to handle the NHL speed easily. When he hooks the net and is able to rush with speed, he’s very difficult to stop with his size. The question on his game among scouts is whether he has enough skill and offensive IQ to move the puck at the higher levels. I think he does, but I understand the concerns and debated between putting a 55 or 60 on his hockey sense. He may not be a top puck-mover on your blue line, but rather someone who is solid defensively and makes enough plays to take even strength shifts.
Andre Tourigny, coach of Canada’s 2018 U18 team, on Barron: “He has a lot of poise. He can move the puck well. He moves well. He has all the tools you want in a player, but could play with a bit more bite.”
30. Vasiliy Ponomarev, C, Shawinigan-QMJHL
March 13, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Ponomarev was one of the draft-eligible players I struggled with the most this past season. I think he’s one of the most talented players in the draft. There were about ten moments I can recall from watching him this past season where he made truly elite plays, plays that screamed top-six caliber NHL forward. He has high-end skill, and tremendous ability to improvise with his playmaking and ability to find his teammates. When those types of players don’t usually produce they are labeled as “he doesn’t compete,” but that is not the case with Ponomarev. He works hard, he kills penalties and most scouts praise his compete level. His skating is just fine. I think it’s good enough, he can slip away from checks but his skating does lack explosiveness, especially for a 5-foot-10 player. It’s hard to equate what my eyes have seen with a sub-point-per-game player in the Q. I think there’s a lot of talent, and he has a track record of producing at various levels and tournaments over many years, so it makes me believe in the player, but an uneasy belief.
NHL scout on Ponomarev: “He works his butt off and he’s got a lot of skill. It’s hard to look past the 49 points and just OK skating for a high pick, but he’s a good player.”
31. Emil Andrae, D, HV71-J20 SuperElit
Feb. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 181 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Andrae was a top defenseman in the Swedish junior circuit and versus his age group. He brings a lot of elements to the table. Offensively he’s highly skilled and creative. He has the hands to make crafty 1-on-1 plays off the rush, and at the offensive blue line he shows no hesitancy to walk the line and make skilled plays. He sees the ice very well, finding options through tight seams at a high level. He’s not that fast, but he’s elusive in tight spaces, allowing him to evade checks. Andrae isn’t that big, but he plays hard, closing well on checks and using his body to separate pucks. Not having a great top gear at his size isn’t ideal, but his game is well rounded enough that I think he can make it to the NHL even with the size and skating combination.
NHL scout on Andrae: “He’s very talented and steady. He can play at both ends. He’s very skilled, he has guts. The skating for that size will be the question.”
32. Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW, Prince Albert-WHL
March 9, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 183 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Wiesblatt was a top player for Prince Albert this season following an excellent 16-year-old season where he was a contributor to its WHL title run. Wiesblatt checks a lot of boxes. He’s very quick and skilled. He makes skilled plays at full speed and is a handful for defenders to stop when he comes barreling down on the rush. His hands stand out, with extremely quick twitch touches and ability to inside out defenders. He can attack in a direct style, but also has great vision and can pull up to make a tough play. He was on the flank for Prince Albert’s power play and looked like a pro in the type of plays he made in that role. He’s barely 5-10 so that is the major knock on him, but he is competitive and doesn’t mind the physical engagements. He is listed as a winger but can play down the middle.
Marc Habscheid, coach of Prince Albert Raiders, on Wiesblatt: “He competes well. He has a swagger about him. He wants to be in pressure situations. He has a quick stick and quick feet, and he is smart offensively.”
33. Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP-USHL
Jan. 3, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Bordeleau was the top scorer on the NTDP this past season, a consistent driver for that team offensively. Bordeleau is a high-end playmaker and the puck ran through him on the NTDP power play. He has the patience to let plays develop and find teammates through seams. He also has a very good shot, showing a hard wrist shot that can beat goalies from a distance if the passing lanes are covered. Bordeleau has a high skill level and controls pucks very well, although I’d like to see him attack defensemen more with his skill. On the draw he shows the unique ability to turn his hands over and make both sides of the ice his strong side, which makes him a top option to take faceoffs. He isn’t ambidextrous, but it’s a unique skill regardless. He isn’t that big or that fast, but he shows good small area quickness and edge work. Off the puck he’s fine, but winning puck battles or killing penalties are not why you are drafting him.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Bordeleau: “He’s an incredibly intelligent and cerebral playmaker. He’s a fantastic faceoff man.”
34. Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert-WHL
Jan. 18, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 186 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Guhle was the No. 1 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft, and after a limited role in 2018-19, he emerged as a top defenseman in his age group this season. Guhle is appealing because of his physical attributes. He’s 6-foot-2, he skates quite well and he knocks opponents off the puck with high frequency. His gap control is excellent, closing on checks with force and showing a preference for playing the body. The question on Guhle will be how much offense he has and whether he can move the puck at the NHL level even after his 40 point season. I think he can, but with the caveat that he’s not an NHL power play type. He has enough skill and IQ to make a good pass, and he shows some creativity off the offensive blue line. He can create more with his feet than with his skill.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Guhle: “He’s a high-end skater. He has a solid well-rounded game. He’s smart, he’s competitive, he plays with an edge. He’s a high character type.”
35. Roni Hirvonen, C, Assat-Liiga
Jan. 10, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 164 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Hirvonen has been a successful player at the club and international level. He got regular minutes and power play time in Liiga this past season, and was one of the best players at the U18 level in international play. Hirvonen is a highly skilled playmaker. He’s the guy you want with the puck on his stick at the half-wall. He has great patience to wait out lanes and sees the game at a higher level than others. He’s undersized at 5-foot-9, but he’s competitive – although I wouldn’t call him physical. Hirvonen is an elusive skater but scouts’ main hesitation is that his skating is not all that exciting for a player of his size. I see flashes of quickness, but at the pro level you could see a lot of attempts at making skilled plays die on his stick because he can’t get around defenders.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Hirvonen: “He’s a leader. He has great talent. He has great hockey IQ. He does everything very well on offense and on defense.”
36. Topi Niemela, D, Karpat-Liiga
March 25, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 156s pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Niemela stuck as a regular all season on one of the best teams in Liiga. He’s often played ahead of his age group the past few years. Niemela may not be a very flashy player, but he is a play-driver. He’s a very smart puck-mover who makes a lot of clever zone exits. He has good mobility and skill to evade pressure and make some plays in open ice, but his brain drives his value. Niemela has enough skill in his game to move the puck up well and make some plays off the offensive blue line, but I doubt whether he’s a true power play type in the NHL. Despite his size, I see someone who will be quality in his own end because of his great feet and brain, and will be good enough offensively to take a regular shift.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Niemela: “He’s a great skater, he has an easy stride. He has his head up and controls the game with his passing. He’s confident with the puck.”
37. Ridly Greig, C, Brandon-WHL
Aug. 8, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 163 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Greig was an all-situations player for Brandon with 26 goals and 60 points in 56 games as an August 2002 birthdate. He’s the kind of player who, if your team picks him, you’re going to love to watch him and he will drive opposing fans crazy. He’s a highly skilled player who shows a ton of confidence with the puck. He can beat defenders clean with consistency. He’s not a truly elite passer – although he does pass quite well – but I love his offensive creativity. He tries to make things happen and attempts plays you rarely see. He’s got a lot of edge to his game, too. Greig knocks opponents around, he scraps off the puck and gets under people’s skin. The only true issue in his game is average skating ability. I think he has a powerful lower body so he has quickness, but the stride in itself is not technically smooth.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Greig: “I like his sense and skills a lot. He’s a very competitive kid and has a strong two-way game.”
38. Jake Neighbours, LW, Edmonton-WHL
March 29, 2002 | six-foot | 195 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Neighbours was an important part of Edmonton’s team, scoring more than a point per game and being a leading shot generator in the WHL. He’s a very smart player. He played the flank on Edmonton’s PP1 and showed the ability to make NHL caliber plays in all situations. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for his hands. In practice and in games he shows very quick twitch puck handling and impressive ability to saucer pucks. His 1-on-1 game is not that impressive, so I leaned to a 55. Neighbours has a bullet of a shot and scored several goals this past season that goalies had little to no chance on. He competes hard. He doesn’t shy from physical engagement and is a solid penalty killer. I could see him become a quality bottom-six forward in the NHL and, if he gains a step, I could see him become more than that.
NHL scout on Neighbours, “He’s a complete hockey player. He’s very smart, he can make plays and score. He competes very hard. He got better for me as the season went on.”
39. Justin Sourdif, RW, Vancouver-WHL
March 24, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 173 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Sourdif had his second straight quality WHL season, playing a big role for the Giants. I used to question the upside in Sourdif’s game, but as time went on, I grew to appreciate his skill and playmaking. He has the soft hands to beat defenders clean, and he makes high-end offensive plays. The skill isn’t consistent, but it’s there, and he gets his points. He scores a lot, not because he has a great shot, but because of how hard he works to get to the hard areas and making things happen around the crease. Sourdif is tenacious on pucks in the offensive zone, winning a lot of battles even at 5-foot-11. His main flaw is his average quickness. He lacks the ability to pressure defenders with speed, although with his compete level he looks a little quicker than his stride suggests.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Sourdif: “He plays hard, he goes to the net. He can play a skill game or a power forward game.”
40. Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown-QMJHL
March 27, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Cormier has been a productive minute eater for Charlottetown for the past two seasons. Despite his numbers, including elite shot generation numbers, Cormier isn’t a player I would characterize as flashy offensively. He certainly has some offense in him, but his game is more about his feet and brain than skill. He’s a very good skater who can transport pucks up the ice. His feet allow him to break up a lot of rushes and cause turnovers up the ice. Cormier makes a lot of creative exits and plays inside the offensive zone due to how well he sees the ice. Even though he’s not the biggest defender, in the Q he showed he can play tough minutes and kill penalties. Some scouts question whether he can be that type of player in the NHL at his size.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on Cormier: “He’s dynamic. He can jump into plays, he has great offensive instincts. He has his head up to make plays and has good puck skills.”
41. Zion Nybeck, RW, HV71-J20 SuperElit
May 12, 2002 | 5-foot-7 | 182 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 20
Hockey Sense: 60
Nybeck is a divisive player and one I expect many discussions about in the coming years. He’s put up huge numbers in the Swedish junior ranks and has a ton of skill. When you watch him with the puck, his ability to dangle clearly stands out. He also has excellent vision and is very dangerous off the perimeter. A lot of NHL scouts see a barely 5-foot-7 forward without great speed and a so-so game off the puck and think his probability of making it is low. I think he’s a good skater, but it’s clearly more elusiveness than explosiveness in his stride. He’s my type of player, so I could see him be a third/fourth-line player for a coach willing to play this style of player in that role, but I get that he won’t be for everyone. I do think that he competes well, but it’s not his selling point. I respect his track record, especially at the club level over the years, but he’s going to be hard-pressed to become a scorer in the league without an extra step.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Nybeck: “He’s small, but he’s strong. He can score, he can see the ice very well, and he’s not afraid to go to the net.”
42. Kasper Simontaival, RW, Taapara-Jr. A Liiga
Jan. 11, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 177 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Simontaival’s star has faded a bit from where he was around midseason a year ago when he looked like a true top prospect in his age group. But he remains a very quality player with a lot of intriguing offensive attributes. He’s got a very quick stick and can beat defenders with his skill. I wouldn’t call him a top playmaker, but he can find the seams on the ice well and flash high-end vision. His shot is more impressive to me than his passing, although I think both are certainly strong points. The main areas of concern for Simontaival are his small frame and just fine skating. I think his edgework is good and he’s shifty in small spaces, but he lacks any real speed and his stride breaks down more than you’d like for a small forward. He does compete well and is good around the net, but he isn’t that strong in puck battles or defensively.
43. Jan Mysak, C, Hamilton-OHL
June 24, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Mysak generated buzz when he made his Czech pro team as a 16-year-old and held his own. This season he looked good but not spectacular versus men, and, after a solid world juniors (especially for a U20) he came to the OHL and was very good in the second half. Mysak checks a lot of things you want in a hockey player. He’s quick, he’s skilled, he can make difficult plays and he can score goals. He’s also a competitive two-way forward who can kill penalties and win battles. I do have a mild upside question given he’s not that big and lacks truly high-end skill, Mysak has had a lot of games I’ve seen over the years where he’s just not that impactful offensively and fades into the background. Even if he’s not a game-breaker at that size, he has enough elements to his game that he could make it and help a team.
NHL scout on Mysak: “I appreciate his sense and his competitiveness. I don’t see a guy who has the dynamic qualities, but he could help a team as a complementary scorer.”
44. Connor McClennon, RW, Winnipeg-WHL
June 25, 2002 | 5-foot-8 | 163 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
McClennon is a player I’ve struggled with because he’s a small forward without exceptional tools. I know I’m out on a limb with him based on talks with NHL scouts. I see a player with high-end hockey sense who makes a lot of plays and anticipates the game very well. I think he’s a very good skater, albeit not elite for his size. He was a primary zone entry guy for Winnipeg and showed quickness in open ice. As a young 2002 birthdate, he was on pace for a 34 goal-79 point WHL season prior to a January injury. He generated 3.5 shots on goal per game. He played hard minutes for Winnipeg, including frequent penalty kill time, and his compete level looked solid whenever I watched. As a very young underage player, he had a 21 goal-43 point pace. He was the top goal and point scorer at his U17 challenge. He was on the top power play unit for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky, although he didn’t have a good tournament. The tools don’t pop, and as a 5-foot-8 forward, that is highly concerning. His tool grades don’t line up at all with the other players in this range. But whenever I’ve watched him, I see someone who gets and sets up numerous scoring chances, which is backed by a good skill set and a strong statistical track record.
Alan Millar, GM for Canada’s U18 team, on McClennon: “He can really shoot the puck and he can help a power play.”
45. Pavel Gogolev, LW, Guelph-OHL
Feb. 19, 2000 | 6-foot-1 | 181 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 70
Gogolev is a third-year draft-eligible prospect who had a great 19-year-old season in the OHL, clearing 40 goals and 95 points. I think when it comes to re-entry prospects, especially 19-year-olds in the CHL, you want to approach even a great season with an extreme amount of caution. And this is especially true in this case since in past years I haven’t been all that enthralled with Gogolev. What got me excited this season was an elite shot on display consistently and a high-end quality of plays he made with the puck. Inside the offensive zone and especially on the power play Gogolev could pick apart defenses with his passing but also with his ability to finish from anywhere. He’s also a very skilled and creative player with the puck. His shot is a cannon and goalies can only hope it hits them. He’s an imperfect player, which is why he’s been undrafted. He’s not that fast nor that competitive, which makes me skeptical he’ll be a driver at the pro level, but given his skill, hockey IQ and shot, I see enough to think he could make it.
46. Tyson Foerster, RW, Barrie-OHL
Jan. 18, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds
Skating: 45
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 70
Foerster had a great season, scoring 36 goals and 80 points in 62 OHL games, generating a lot of shots as a driving force for Barrie even after Ryan Suzuki was traded. Foerster’s shot is the first thing scouts bring up. He has an absolute cannon. He can one-time from the circles and beat goalies clean, which is a highly desirable skill. Foerster is also a high-end passer who can find seams consistently, which combined with his shot, makes him very dangerous on the power play. The main issue with Foerster is his skating. His stride is awkward, he hunches over, it breaks down often and prevents him from being dangerous on entries. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for his puck skills. When you watch him in practice it’s clear he has tremendous hands, and in games you can see it come out, but he rarely executes, which may be due to a lack of quickness and not a lack of skill. I don’t see him as a physical player who will PK in the NHL, but he works on the ice and wins enough engagements.
NHL scout on Foerster: “He’s a very smart player with a world-class shot and a lot of skill, but it’s so hard to get past his skating. He’s behind the pace of the OHL.”
47. Egor Sokolov, LW, Cape Breton-QMJHL
June 7, 2000 | 6-foot-4 | 235 pounds
Skating: 45
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Shot Grade: 60
Sokolov has gone undrafted twice, but odds are likely he will get picked in his final season of junior hockey. He’s been a top player in the QMJHL and was solid at the U20 level for Russia. He’s a 6-foot-4 forward with a ton of skill. He shows great 1-on-1 ability and can improvise in small areas to create a lot of offense. Sokolov also has a great shot, able to pick corners from a distance and from difficult angles. Physically he’s built like a truck and can bully his way to the net. The main reason why he’s gone undrafted is his skating, and I don’t think it’s gotten that much better. It’s why some scouts are skeptical his stock has gone up as opposed to being a 19-year-old dominating the Q. He’s also not great off the puck.
Cape Breton teammate and 2020 eligible prospect Ryan Francis on Sokolov, “He’s a big, powerful, dominant force. He’s got a great shot.”
48. Ty Smilanic, C, USNTDP-USHL
Jan. 20, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Smilanic played most of the season but had various injuries through the campaign that kept him out or that he was playing through. When he was healthy, he had some good stretches and was a go-to player for the USNTDP but didn’t post eye-popping numbers. His toolkit is very impressive. Smilanic is a high-end skater with excellent hands. He can blow past defenders off the rush and has excellent edge work to evade checks inside the zone. He has a hard shot and I’ve seen him pick corners from a distance, but he surprisingly ended with seven goals on the season. Some NHL scouts question how many plays he makes and his effort level, whereas others think injuries slowed him down and he’s due for a big rebound.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Smilanic: “He’s an explosive speed-based player. He creates volumes of chances. He’s a goal-scorer.”
49. Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor-OHL
May 13, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 177 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 40
Foudy, the younger brother of Columbus’ first-round pick Liam Foudy, had a fine albeit unspectacular season. The reason he remains so highly rated is because he has a great toolkit that looks like it will translate into an NHL player. Jean-Luc Foudy, like his brother, is an excellent skater. He has more skill than his brother though, showing the ability to make difficult plays with the puck individually and as a distributor. His combination of speed and skill makes him elite at gaining the offensive zone with possession. I think he’s a very good passer, but some scouts think he’s selfish and wheels too much with the puck. I don’t mind it but he does like to dance around the perimeter looking for plays. He competes fine, he’s not that physical, but he’s not soft either. I could see him going off next season and looking like a no-doubt future NHL player, but I get why some would be skeptical of a player who was well under a point per game last season and has 23 goals in 122 OHL matches.
Trevor Letowski, coach of Windsor Spitfires, on Foudy: “He’s such a dynamic skater and separates easily from people. At our level he’s a breakout machine. He’s a competitor, he works.”
50. Helge Grans, D, Malmo-SHL
May 10, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 206 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Grans is an interesting player with a profile that tends to project out well. He’s produced well at the junior level, played a lot of SHL games (albeit in limited minutes) and worked his way into a regular role on Malmo’s power play. He’s been a top player for Sweden’s U18 team and often the anchor from the point on the power play. I’ve seen very good flashes from him over the years, as he can make some very good passes from both ends and has a hard shot from the point. There’s a lot of times I’m left wanting more. I’ve seen a lot of games he makes little happen offensively and his average feet are exposed defensively. I wouldn’t call him a top-end puck-mover or defender, but he’s got enough tools and track record to make me think he has a fair shot to make it.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Grans: “He understands the game very well. He knows when to jump up, he sees the game offensively and he can shoot it.”
51. Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Ufa-KHL
Jan. 10, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Mukhamadullin didn’t get much ice time at the KHL level this season, so the evaluation of him is based on the little junior time he saw at the club level, and his international appearances the past two seasons. Mukhamadullin is a 6-foot-3 defenseman who can move the puck and that makes him appealing. He’s not very flashy, but he can handle the puck very well and can make crisp passes out of his zone. He’s not a top-end playmaker, but I’ve seen him stretch the ice and make highly creative offensive plays. Defensively he uses his length and brain well to make stops, and is a reliable two-way defender. His skating is good for a player his size, he can join a rush and close a gap well, but his quickness isn’t a selling point. He’s a tough evaluation. I could buy a very optimistic projection given the tools and the way he’s handled himself at the KHL and U20 international levels. But I could buy that he hasn’t excelled at a top level anywhere yet and lacks great offensive upside to be a high pick.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Mukhamadullin: “He’s a very smart hockey player. He’s an important part of [the U18] team.”
52. Maxim Groshev, RW, Nizhnekamsk-KHL
Dec. 14, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Groshev is a player who has intrigued me for the past two seasons between the club and international stage at the U18 and U20 levels, but his production has never been a big selling point. Tools-wise he looks like an NHLer. He’s 6-foot-2, he skates well, he’s got a very good stick and he can make some plays. He plays with speed, makes skilled entries and attacks the net. He competes quite well for pucks and can PK. And while he has all those positives, the results on the scoresheet don’t always show up. I’ve seen enough very good games and flashes of pro attributes from him to think he could make it, but I’m not willing to say I’m confident he will be a player given the inconsistencies.
NHL scout on Groshev: “He’s a gamer. He competes, he has skill and speed. He won’t be the flashiest player, but he’s going to make it and help an NHL team.”
53. Daniil Gushchin, LW, Muskegon-USHL
Feb. 6, 2002 | 5-foot-8 | 165 pounds
Skating: 65
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Gushchin had a good season at the USHL level, but after entering the league with so much hype it’s fair to say he did not have the U18 season he was expected to. He has the toolkit to be a real player. His speed, skill and offensive creativity are all high-end. On his best shift he’s flying up the ice, dancing through defenders and making chances happen by himself. He can make plays to his teammates and finish them well. On his good nights he’s hunting pucks down and winning battles versus bigger opponents. He had a lot of off nights these past 12 months at the USHL and international levels where he was invisible. I wouldn’t knock his compete, because he does work and plays responsible defense, but it was hard to ignore his disappearing acts too.
Mike Hamilton, coach of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, on Gushchin: “He has a lot of talent. He’s got a great shot and is a better passer. He has a great motor and is tough to knock off the puck. He can play in all scenarios.”
54. Alexander Pashin, RW, Ufa-MHL
July 28, 2002 | 5-foot-8 | 154 pounds
Skating: 65
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Pashin was a top player for one of the best teams in Russia’s junior league. But he was up and down in international play for Russia’s U18 team. He is a player who ticks a lot of the boxes you’re looking for in a skill set. Pashin has great hands. His small area play is high-end and he’s so tough to strip pucks off due to how slippery he is. That he can skate very well and make highly skilled plays in motion makes him very dangerous. Pashin is also a player who moves the puck and finishes plays, with his vision being more impressive between the two. He is tiny at 5-foot-8, but Pashin is a competitor who I’ve seen push much bigger players off pucks and kill penalties effectively.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Pashin: “He’s very technically skilled, he’s quick, he’s not big, but he has the willingness to help a team.”
55. Ryan Francis, RW, Cape Breton-QMJHL
Dec. 2, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Francis opened eyes early on in the season, especially after a 27-point October. He slowed down in the second half but still had a strong season overall. Francis stands out with the puck on his stick. He’s a very intelligent and creative offensive player. He has the slick hands to make defenders look foolish. I saw him pull off some very unique 1-on-1 plays and create chances out of nothing. He’s a great playmaker who can run a power play well and make tough plays. The main knocks on Francis are his 5-foot-9 frame and fine but not amazing skating. He can skate well at the Q level, but I don’t see him pulling away from NHL defenders. His work ethic is fine, not a strength, but not a weakness. Part of me wants to really like him because I see a ton of talent, but it’s hard to get past his size, skating and inconsistency.
NHL scout on Francis, “He’s super crafty and skilled. He could use an extra step but you can’t teach some of the things he does with the puck.”
56. Daemon Hunt, D, Moose Jaw-WHL
May 15, 2002 | six-foot | 198 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Hunt had a tough season as he missed most of the campaign after a skate blade cut his arm. A precursory look at his stat line may not inspire confidence with zero goals and 15 points in 28 games. I think he has some offense but that isn’t the strong point of his game. Hunt is a mobile and competitive defenseman. He isn’t super fast, but his edges are very good and his ability to evade pressure and walk the line is impressive. He closes on checks very well due to his feet and physical play, landing a few thundering hits this past season. Hunt’s offense is more from a good first pass as opposed to high skill plays, even if he was on Moose Jaw’s PP1. I think he’s creative enough as a puck-mover with his skating and defensive play that he could make it, but I can see why some would be hesitant.
NHL scout on Hunt: “He’s a tremendous defender because of his skating and physicality. The offense will be questioned but it’s in him, he had no forwards to get the puck to.”
57. Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener-OHL
Jan. 12, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 189 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Sebrango was a big part of Kitchener’s team this past season who played on both special teams. Sebrango is a mobile defenseman who projects to be able to lead a rush or close a gap effectively at the pro level. I wasn’t sold on his offensive upside when I saw Sebrango initially, but that aspect grew on me as the season went on. I don’t think it’s his calling card, but he makes a lot of clever outlets and enough creative plays inside the offensive blue line for me to think he has NHL caliber puck-moving ability. Defensively he uses his feet and physicality to make stops, and I could see him kill penalties at the higher levels.
Mike McKenzie, coach/GM of Kitchener Rangers, on Sebrango: “Donovan is a strong skater, moves the puck well, and can provide offense while playing against the opponent’s top players every game. He also has a grit element that is rare to see these days.”
58. William Cuylle, LW, Windsor-OHL
Feb. 5, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 204 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Shot Grade: 60
After scoring 26 goals as a 16-year-old in the OHL, Cuylle entered the season with a fair bit of hype. He didn’t have a great statistical season, mostly repeating his numbers from his underage season, but he did generate a lot of shots with 200 on goal in 62 games. Cuylle is appealing because he’s a 6-foot-3 winger who plays a powerful style and has a bullet of a shot. He will be able to score from the dots in the NHL because of how hard and accurate his shot is. He surprisingly didn’t have that high a shooting percentage this season, but also scored several very high quality goals, lending to the theory he may have been a little unlucky. He’s not reckless with his physicality, but he does throw his weight around and can create chances around the net. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for Cuylle’s hands. I saw flashes of 60 grade but not consistently enough. He’s a true playmaker and he’s not that quick, so I saw a lot of nights where it didn’t seem like he did much. He has a strong track record even if his point totals this season weren’t great. He has a lot of the tools you look for outside the skating and hockey IQ, and I think it’s enough to make it.
Trevor Letowski, coach of Windsor Spitfires, on Cuylle: “His shot jumps off his stick, it’s like a cannon. I haven’t seen many guys who can hammer it past goalies like he can.”
59. Yan Kuznetsov, D, Connecticut-Hockey East
March 9, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 209 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Kuznetsov stepped right into college hockey as a 17-year-old, getting a regular shift all season at a very young age. His physical tools intrigue as a 6-foot-4 defenseman who can skate with pros. His ability to skate pucks up the ice and close on checks will translate to the next level. He will be able to defend versus size and speed, the main question will be his offensive upside. On the one hand, you could argue he never produces much offense. On the other, you could argue he’s always been on winning teams such as the USHL champion last season, the U17 worlds and World Jr. A champions, or that he was playing college hockey at an age way before most do. I’ve seen Kuznetsov look OK on the power play, and occasionally make creative passes out of his own end, but I don’t mistake him for a scorer. I think there’s enough offensive touch in his game to be an NHL player, but I know scouts who disagree.
Mike Cavanaugh, coach of UConn on Kuznetsov: “For the youngest player in college hockey I think Yan played with great poise. He’s a powerful skater with good skill and a hard shot.”
60. Martin Chromiak, RW, Kingston-OHL
Aug. 20, 2002 | six-foot | 187 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Chromiak started the season in Slovakia’s pro league and didn’t get much opportunity. He came to the OHL for the second half and sat at around a point per game with Kingston. Chromiak is a very talented player. He has high-end skill and shows a lot of confidence with the puck, trying to make plays through defenders or to his teammates. Chromiak also has a plus shot and can score from the dots. On the power play and inside the offensive zone he’s very dangerous. He lacks NHL quickness though, and off the puck he’s just OK, with a tendency to be a perimeter player who doesn’t win many puck battles. I like the talent and what he’s done versus his peer group internationally and in the OHL, but I understand why among NHL scouts he’s a divisive player.
NHL scout on Chromiak: “He’s got the skill, and he has a great shot. His pace worries me, and I think he stays on the perimeter too much.”
61. Joel Blomqvist, G, Karpat-Jr. A Liiga
Jan. 10, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 182 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 65
Blomqvist had a very good season, leading the Finnish junior circuit in save percentage and being the No. 1 goalie for Finland’s U18 team. He has a powerful lower body, allowing him to move across the crease very well and make tough saves. While he is very quick, his movements are often in control as he is rarely way out of position. His puck tracking is fantastic. Blomqvist is rarely fooled by opponents passing plays and stays square even when the puck is bouncing through traffic. The main issue with him is his 6-foot-1 frame. He plays the way you want a smaller goalie to play. He’s aggressive and challenges when he needs to, and he doesn’t automatically go into a butterfly for mid to long-distance shots. But every time a puck goes over his shoulder you wonder how it will translate to the pro level.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Blomqvist: “He gets wins for us. He’s very calm in the net. He has the look of someone who will be a great goalie in the future.”
62. Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL
May 16, 2002 | six-foot | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
O’Rourke played a ton of minutes for the Soo, and while his point totals may not jump off the page, he was a driving player for that team and lined up in all situations. O’Rourke is a very smart defenseman. His skill won’t jump out to you on the ice, but he makes a lot of smart plays at both ends of the ice and has the occasional high-level offensive flash. He’s a very good defender due to his IQ and his physicality. He kills a lot of rushes and projects to play tough defensive minutes as a pro. The main knock on him is just fine mobility. I don’t think he’s slow, and I have seen above-average flashes of speed from him over the years, but quickness isn’t what makes him interesting from an NHL perspective.
Kyle Raftis, GM of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, on O’Rourke: “He had the highest average time on ice on our roster. He can jump-start our transition with a great first pass and create offense off the rush. He plays with a physical edge. He’s the one assigned to take on the toughest matchups.”
63. Sean Farrell, C, Chicago-USHL
Nov. 2, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Farrell went to the Steel after his time with the USNTDP and was one of the top players in the USHL, playing in all situations for Chicago. Farell is a very quick player who can use his speed and skill to gain the offensive zone with control. He’s a very smart player who can hit seams and set up chances at a high rate, and do so at a quick pace. Some scouts see Farrell as a 5-foot-9 player without tremendous skill and wonder if he has enough to make it to the NHL. He does compete hard though, and can PK effectively. I like the talent, but it’s fair to say for his size it’s not overwhelming amounts of talent.
John Wroblewski, coach for the USNTDP U17s, on Farrell: “He is a jackknife type of player. He understands the simple momentum game but also has the skill set to run your power play. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached.”
64. Pavel Novak, RW, Kelowna-WHL
April 16, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 170 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Novak was intriguing the past two seasons due to the plays he makes with the puck. Inside the offensive zone he’s very dangerous due to his high-end vision and shot, standing out especially on the power play when he has space to make plays or wire a mid-distance shot. He had an impressive first season in North America, with 25 goals and 58 points in 55 WHL games. The offensive touch will translate to the next level, but he has work to do in the other aspects of his game. I wouldn’t call him soft or slow, but given he’s small and neither his speed nor competitiveness are standout attributes, he’ll have an uphill climb when he starts playing versus men.
65. Anton Johannesson, D, HV71-J20 SuperElit
March 26, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 144 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
When healthy, Johannesson has a lot of intriguing tools, has looked like a top defenseman in his age group and did very well at the club level. He’s a great skater. He has the ability to walk the line at the NHL level due to his great edge work, and he has enough speed to lead an attack. He moves the puck with poise and creativity. He can stretch the ice and make high-end plays inside the offensive zone. Coming into the season and prior to the injuries, some scouts expected a huge offensive season from him. Johannesson isn’t the biggest defenseman, and scouts have questions on his ability to defend versus men in part due to how small and slight (144 pounds) he is. His club and international coach didn’t have Johannesson on the PK but did play similarly sized teammate and defenseman Emil Andrae is those situations.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Johannesson: “He’s very talented. He’s mobile, he’s very smart with the puck and makes a lot of great decisions. He can help a power play.”
66. Drew Commesso, G, USNTDP-USHL
July 19, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 180 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Commesso had an excellent season, being one of the better NTDP goalies in recent seasons and one of the best players on that team. Commesso impressed me the more I watched him. I had skepticism coming into the season on whether he had NHL quality quickness or sense, but he showed that over the course of the campaign. He’s a quick goalie, I debated putting a 60 on his athleticism, but in control with how he moves around the crease. He reacts quickly and tracks pucks well, so despite not having elite quickness, he can get to a lot of pucks. While he’s often square, he can make the high difficulty save when he needs to. He’s a player uniquely affected by the shortened season and no U18 worlds because he only had 27 starts on the campaign. I’m not overly confident in his production due to the sample size, but he’s also one of the youngest players in the draft so there’s a lot of room for projection.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Commesso: “He’s very consistent. Historically, his numbers are among the best at the program. He doesn’t let in the ones that squeak through. He makes everything look easy.”
67. Dylan Garand, G, Kamloops-WHL
June 7, 2002 | six-foot | 173 pounds
Athleticism: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Garand was a top goalie in the WHL and an important part of why Kamloops was such a good team. Garand is a fun player to watch because he is exceptionally quick. He can get to almost any puck and can steal a game due to how consistently he can make the high difficulty stop. Garand isn’t the biggest goalie and it’s a reason why he was the eighth goalie picked in his WHL Bantam Draft. But he has consistently shown he can put up numbers and help a team despite his size. His size and good but not exceptional IQ are why some scouts don’t buy the pro projection, but I think he tends to stay in control, doesn’t hurt himself, and the elite quickness is going to translate.
NHL PROSPECT
68. Brandon Coe, RW, North Bay-OHL
Dec. 1, 2001 | 6-foot-4 | 188 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Coe is one of the hardest players for me to figure out. His toolkit is one of the best in the draft. He’s 6-foot-4, skates well for his size, has great hands and shows consistently he can create with his skill. You look at his stat line, though, and he’s under a point per game as a third-year player in the OHL. On his best days, Coe is playing with pace, dangling through opponents left and right, showing great vision as a passer and driving the net. Outside of the first round you won’t find a more enticing toolkit. But scouts note he has a lot of off-days with his effort and his inconsistency shows up in his production. I could see the arguments that he’s just so talented and he did play on a very bad team this past season, but the production is scary especially as an older player.
69. Cross Hanas, LW, Portland-WHL
Jan. 5, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 167 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Hanas is a very talented player who is a bit of a divisive player among scouts. He didn’t have the best statistical season, but he played on a deep Portland team and was often on the second power play. I like him because he has high-end skill and high-end offensive intelligence. His ability to beat defenders with creative plays is clearly NHL quality. He made some of the most skilled plays I saw from anyone in the class this season. Hanas can get too fancy at times, but I like that he tries to make things happen. He sees the ice very well, running the half-wall effectively on the man advantage and making some very creative passes. His warts are average footspeed and compete levels. He’s just OK off the puck and won’t be a guy you want in a tough defensive situation. I would bet on him due to his skill and work on the rest.
Pat Ferschweiler, coach of USA Hlinka Gretzky U18 team, on Hanas: “He’s got a dangerous offensive stick. He has the shot to put it in the net and he can make a play to a teammate. He’s a competitor.”
70. Daniil Gutik, LW, Yaroslavl-MHL
Aug. 31, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 180 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
I know I’m out on a limb on Gutik in terms of how much I like him, but I still think his skill set is so good that it’s worth making a gamble on even with his very underwhelming stat line. You’ll have a hard time finding someone with more pure skill than Gutik. He dangles through defenders with ease, and shows a tremendous amount of confidence and creativity with the puck. His offensive IQ is also very high, with the ability to run a power play off the flank and make high-end plays. The main reasons he went undrafted last season were a subpar skating stride and a lackadaisical game that frustrated coaches. His skating looks a little better this season and he attacks the middle of the ice better, but he’s still not a great defender and had way too many off nights.
71. Roby Jarventie, LW, Ilves-Liiga
Aug. 8, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 184 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Jarventie had a strong season at the second division pro level in Finland with 23 goals in 36 games. At the international level he was up and down, with a good November U18 tournament, but he had indifferent appearances at the Hlinka Gretzky and February U18 tournament. Jarventie has size, and he uses it to his advantage. He has a good shot but got a lot of goals by going to the crease and making skilled plays around the net. He’s a very good passer, although I found he didn’t make many tough plays at pace, only really making tough distributions when the play slowed down. Speed is his main issue, as his skating is mediocre and is the reason some scouts are skeptical he’ll be able to produce at higher levels.
72. Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit-Jr. A Liiga
April 19, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 190 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Jurmo is one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft. There are moments and games where he looks like a top-end player. He’s 6-foot-4 and a true high-end skater. When he’s on, he shows skill and offensive creativity, making plays all over the ice. He’s one of the best puck rushers in the draft and shows no fear to go end to end – something he does a lot of during games. I’ve seen flashes of great vision from him, I’ve also seen times where it seems like he gets tunnel vision and just wants to do it all himself, so I debated between a 55 and a 60 on his hockey sense. He’s also not great defensively, with iffy gaps and stick play, which isn’t ideal given he doesn’t put up big numbers. He can rub some scouts the wrong way with his approach to the game and coaches don’t lean on him, but in terms of pure tools he checks a lot of boxes.
NHL scout on Jurmo: “Jurmo is a great skater who is creative offensively, but his decision making worries me and is a work in progress defensively.”
73. William Wallinder, D, MODO-Allsvenskan
July 28, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 191 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Wallinder has intrigued NHL teams because of his significant athletic tools. He’s 6-foot-4 and a good skater for his size, and it’s possible the skating gets even better given he’s one of the younger players in the draft. When you see a guy his size easily closing a gap or rushing a puck up the ice, you can see how it translates to the higher levels. With his reach and feet, he is quite solid defensively and projects to make stops at the higher levels. Wallinder has good flashes with the puck. I’ve seen him occasionally stretch the ice or make a very creative play from the offensive blue line, which is why I have his IQ at 60, but I did so with hesitancy. I wouldn’t call him a natural puck-mover though. I could see him becoming a real player from what I’ve seen of his best days, but I want to see those best days more consistently.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Wallinder: “He has the tools offensively. He skates well, he has good hands, he sees the ice very well, but has work to do defensively.”
74. Tristen Robins, RW, Saskatoon-WHL
Nov. 15, 2001 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Robins had a strong second WHL season, clearing 30 goals and 70 points for Saskatoon. He’s not the tallest or the quickest player, but he’s a lot of fun to watch. Robins is skilled and has very good offensive hockey sense. He tries to make things happen with the puck and can beat defenders 1-on-1 clean. He’s a very good passer and can make plays off the half-wall, but he’s arguably better as a shooter. He has an accurate, hard wrist shot and can pick corners from a distance with flashes of elite goal-scoring ability. He’s not that big, but Robins is a competitor who attacks the net, kills penalties and plays hard along the walls. I think he skates fine, but for a player his size you would like a tad more explosiveness from his stride.
Colin Priestner, GM of the Saskatoon Blades, on Robins: “He has outstanding skill, vision and deceptiveness that he really untapped this year. He has a very sneaky release on his shot. He is comfortable at both center and right wing. He is a modern day hockey player who cares about both sides of the puck, winning our top defensive forward award.”
75. Antonio Stranges, LW, London-OHL
Feb. 5, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 168 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 65
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Stranges has been a touted player for years, a player I thought could challenge to be a first-round pick a year ago. But he did not have the season I expected. There is no denying his skill set. His tool grades line up with a player who should be ranked a lot higher. He can bring fans out of their seats with his puck handling displays. He makes a lot of risky plays that will agitate coaches, but he can execute them. Stranges is an excellent passer and finisher who off the perimeter can be so dangerous with the multiple ways he creates offense. His main issue is he stays on the perimeter way too much and doesn’t show much physicality. He’s a strong but weird skater, who naturally reverts into a 10-2 stride on a consistent basis. He has major limitations and a lot of work to do, but there is no denying his talent and what he could be.
Rick Steadman, assistant coach for London, on Stranges: “He has high-end skill. He can go around anybody at any time. He can make incredible plays and see things others can’t.”
76. Maxim Berezkin, RW, Yaroslavl-MHL
Oct. 12, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 201 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Berezkin was one of the top forwards in the MHL this past season. He’s a 6-foot-2 winger with legitimate high-end skill. His 1-on-1 play is very good, and he’s able to create a lot of chances with his skill. He has some power to his game, too. While his shot is good enough to score from a distance, he’s scored a lot of goals by getting to the crease area with his size and strength. He can make plays and shows flashes of top-end vision, but I wouldn’t call that his strongest area. Berezkin’s main drawback is his skating, which isn’t poor but he lacks quickness and a true separation gear. This makes some scouts skeptical his game will translate to the NHL.
NHL scout on Berezkin: “He has hard skill and intriguing potential for the higher levels if he can add a step to his skating.”
77. Dylan Peterson, RW, USNTDP-USHL
Jan. 8, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 192 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Peterson’s numbers may not wow you on initial glance, but he’s a player with a very intriguing toolkit who showed progression during his time at the USNTDP. Peterson has great athletic tools as he measures in at 6-foot-4 and can skate quite well for his size. What he’s added to his game is how he uses his size. He’s hard on pucks, he attacks the net and he doesn’t shy away from the physical parts of the game. He’s got some skill and flashes high-end hands now and again, but he isn’t a true offensive driver or playmaker. He does have a very good shot, but I didn’t get to see it that often this season, as he only scored eight goals. I like the toolkit a lot, the production does make me worry, though, and scouts question if he has the hockey sense to make it.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Peterson: “He’s developing into a skilled power forward. He’s hard with the puck, he’s physical, he heads to the net. He’s a great skater for that size.”
78. Alexander Gordin, LW, SKA-MHL
July 31, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 194 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Gordin was a top goal scorer in the MHL and a critical player for arguably the best team in that league as a re-entry draft-eligible. His shot is very good, and he can score from mid-distance. Gordin also has a hard element to his game and can attack the net to score the dirty goals. His shot is arguably the best part of his game. He can make plays and show flashes of very good passing. While he competes hard in the offensive half of the ice, his defensive play is just OK. His skating is average right now. He has enough speed to gain the zone, but he lacks the quickness to make a difference at the pro level, which is one reason he previously went undrafted.
79. William Villeneuve, D, Saint John-QMJHL
March 20, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 175 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Villeneuve had a great season, as a top scoring defenseman in the QMJHL. He’s a fun player to watch, as the former No. 2 pick in the Q draft is full of skill and offensive creativity. With the puck he’s looking to make plays, and has the ability to find seams and improvise. He’s got the flashy hands to make skilled plays. He prefers to make a good pass as oppose to dangle, but he has that in his game. Villeneuve played hard defensive minutes for Saint John and showed a steady defensive presence. The main issue with his game is skating. His stride is average at best and at times looks below-average. His skating breaks down at times and he lacks true pro-level quickness. He has enough speed and quickness to get a 50 from me, but I thought about it for a while and I get why some scouts are hesitant and think he’ll have issues defending at the faster levels.
80. Brock Faber, D, USNTDP-USHL
Aug. 22, 2002 | six-foot | 190 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Faber was a top-four defenseman for the NTDP. He’s an excellent skater. He is very good at closing on his checks, as well as turning up the ice and leading an attack with his speed. Faber can transition with his speed, but also makes a very good first pass and can move pucks well out of his zone. The main question on Faber is his offensive upside. He got power play time this season and has some puck-moving instincts, but his skill level and playmaking will never dazzle you. You’re drafting him for his skating, for how hard and well he defends, and hoping he has enough offense to play at the higher levels.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Faber: “His skating ability, his defensive ability, how he closes gaps on people is very good. He’s strong in the corners. He moves the puck well in transition.”
81. Alexander Nikishin, D, Spartak Moscow-KHL
Oct. 2, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 196 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Nikishin played most of the season in a limited minutes role in the KHL. Because of that usage and no appearances on the Russian national team, a lot of what you have to go on with him is how he looked last season at the junior level. He’s interesting as a 6-foot-3 defenseman who can move and shoot pucks well. Nikishin won’t dazzle you with speed or skill, but he makes good passes out of his own end and has some poise at the offensive line. Even with his average feet I never had an issue with his defensive play and thought he disrupted a fair number of plays.
82. Tyler Tullio, RW, Oshawa-OHL
April 5, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 165 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Tullio was a productive scorer and generated a lot of shots, and his talent stood out whenever you watched Oshawa. Tullio has a high level of skill to go with near-elite offensive hockey sense. He’s an excellent passer who made a lot of creative plays and generates chances when it seemed like no play was available. Tullio’s passing stood out more consistently to me, but he has a great shot and can be a mid-distance finisher when he gets space. The main knocks on him are his size and skating. His stride is just OK, and while he has quickness, his stride breaks down more than you’d like. He’s not that big, but he competes well, killed penalties for Oshawa and won battles versus bigger players.
83. Luke Tuch, LW, USNTDP-USHL
March 7, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 203 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Tuch is the younger brother of Vegas forward Alex Tuch, who was a first-round pick out of the USNTDP. Luke Tuch is interesting because he’s 6-foot-2, he competes hard and he can make plays. His hockey sense and ability to see the ice is his best offensive attribute. He makes plays with the puck around the hard areas of the ice and scored a lot of goals right around the crease. The concern on Tuch is a real lack of a wow factor and offensive upside in his game. There were many matches over the season where you didn’t notice him due to his average footspeed and puck skills. I underrated his brother, so I’m open to the argument I’m underselling what he brings to the table.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Tuch: “He’s a physical, mean, power forward. He makes tons of plays.”
84. Daniel Torgersson, LW, Frolunda-J20 SuperElit
Jan. 26, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 199 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Torgersson had a great season at the junior level and was a top player for Sweden’s U18 team. He is great around the net at knocking in second chances and deflecting passes toward the goal. I’m skeptical that he’s a power play type at the higher levels, but if he is it will be as a net-front player. He did play half-wall for Frolunda’s power play at the junior level, showing flashes of top-end vision, but I’m not convinced that’s his game. He has some skill and can make plays, and showed this season he can score at a significant level. Torgersson’s skating is OK. The stride breaks down a bit more than I’d like, but I’ve seen him pull away from enough checks to think it can be pro-average. His ability to score, play in the tough areas and PK gives him versatility that will endear him to coaches.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Torgersson: “He’s a very coachable player. He can play all situations. He plays in front of the net.”
85. Wyatt Kaiser, D, Andover-U.S. High School
July 31, 2002 | six-foot | 173 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Kaiser was one of the top defensemen in high school hockey, as a leading player on a top Andover team. Kaiser’s skating jumps out to you right away. He is a very fluid skater who can lead attacks, spin off pressure and close on checks very well. He closes gaps with quickness and physicality, playing his checks hard, and has an edge to his game. The skating and defending gives him a chance to be an NHL player, but my main concern is his offensive upside. I find his puck game and vision very basic and question if he’ll be able to move pucks at the quicker paces. He’s shown some offense at the high school level but was more inconsistent in the USHL and Hlinka Gretzky.
NHL scout on Kaiser: “He’s very mobile, he’s competitive. He makes a good first pass, has enough offense, but it won’t be his strength. He skates like an NHLer.”
86. Theo Rochette, C, Quebec-QMJHL
Feb. 20, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 161 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 65
I was very excited about Rochette coming into the season. He passed 40 points in the QMJHL as a 16-year-old and looked dynamic at times. I still think he’s one of the best passers in the draft and he has the natural offensive skill to score in the NHL. There are things about his game though that concern me. His skating is good, but not great, especially for an undersized player. His compete level is average. I’ve seen good flashes from him of getting his nose dirty, but a lot of times he stays on the perimeter and isn’t great away from the puck. I could see him breaking out in a big way, but he might have too many warts to get it done at the NHL level and he will need to show up more often than he did this past season.
87. Theodor Niederbach, C, Frolunda-J20 SuperElit
Feb. 25, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 172 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Niederbach was a leading scorer in the Swedish junior circuit and an important player for the Swedish U18 team. Niederbach is a very smart offensive player. He makes a lot of plays and is someone you want with the puck on his stick. With his club he was often asked to set up behind the net on the power play, and with Sweden’s U18 team he was a half-wall guy, making a lot of plays from both spots. I debated between putting a 55 or 60 on his puck skills. I leaned to a 60 because I was convinced he has great hands, but I do think he needs to use his skill more tp attack defenses. Niederbach’s main flaw is his very average footspeed. While he competes well, he does have an injury history after missing all of 2018-19 with a knee injury which may have made him look slower than he will be in a few years.
Magnus Havelid, coach of Sweden’s U18 team, on Niederbach: “He reads the ice very well. He can score goals. He’s good on the power play.”
88. Senna Peeters, RW, Halifax-QMJHL
June 14, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Peeters’ first QMJHL season was up and down, scoring more than 20 goals but not a true top player in the league. He did do well at the U20 level, as an important part of why Austria advanced to the top pool. He has an interesting toolkit as a 6-foot-1 forward with skill who can score. Peeters is very good around the net, making a lot of creative plays in small areas and showing no hesitancy to play in the hard areas. He has good vision and shows very good in flashes. I wouldn’t call him a physical player, but he engages well. My main questions are his footspeed, as it’s not NHL caliber, and he didn’t really produce that well. But I see a skill set that could translate if his development goes well.
89. Kasper Puutio, D, Everett-WHL
June 3, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 180 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Puutio didn’t put up huge numbers this season in the WHL, but he was one of the most impressive U18 puck-movers in the CHL. He’s an excellent passer, and I debated putting a 65 on his hockey sense due to how well he sees the game and how consistently this aspect stood out. He’s not a game-breaker with his skill, but his breakouts are crisp and on the tape, and he’s always looking for a creative way to find a seam to create a scoring chance. He shows poise from the offensive blue line and has the makings of a power play QB. Puutio has physical limitations as a 5-foot-11 defenseman with average mobility. Even with those limitations he defends OK due to how smart he is at reading the play, but his strength is more on the offensive side. Puutio will be going back to Finland to play pro next season.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Puutio: “He’s a leader. He’s tough. He has a great shot. He sees the ice very well.”
90. Eamon Powell, D, USNTDP-USHL
May 10, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 165 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Powell was on the NTDP’s top pair with Jake Sanderson and helped tilt the ice whenever that pair was on the ice. Powell isn’t going to dazzle you with end-to-end rushes, but he’s very smart. His passing game is NHL caliber, and he makes great exits due to his vision and patience. He does have offensive creativity and will show flashes of skill, but it wasn’t consistent and he ended up with only 14 points on the season. He is mobile, allowing him to close gaps and skate pucks up. And despite his size, he was quite reliable defensively due to the combination of his feet and hockey IQ. The question scouts have is whether his brain can carry him to the NHL at his size. I’m open to the possibility, but I don’t think he’s a lock to make it.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Powell: “He’s a puck-moving attacking type of defenseman. He’s very good on the power play and in transition.”
91. Evan Vierling, C, Barrie-OHL
June 20, 2002 | six-foot | 168 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Vierling was the former No. 2 overall pick in his OHL Draft. He was good but not great during his one-and-a-half seasons in Flint, but really took off following a trade to Barrie, scoring 34 points in 28 games. Vierling is a skilled player with very good offensive IQ. He is a guy who makes plays in the offensive zone and can be a half-wall player on the power play. He isn’t an overly physical player, but he doesn’t shy away from getting to the net. Watching him over the past two years, I wouldn’t say he’s a dynamic player; and given his average footspeed that results in him being a bubble NHL prospect. It’s hard to ignore his productive season and that he does have a fair amount of talent, though.
92. Jaromir Pytlik, C, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL
Sept. 25, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 200 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 55
Pytlik is a tough case. I was a big fan of his game from 2017 up until the end of last season. He was a good player for the Soo. He played a powerful, direct game. He was on both special teams, generated a lot of shots and scored around a point per game. While he showed some skill, he didn’t show the high-end skill I had seen from him in previous years, playing a more basic style in the OHL. His skating is also average, which is why some NHL scouts are hesitant about him. His tool grades don’t line up with a lot of players ranked in a similar range, which is in part me giving deference to Pytlik’s track record and what I think he can do even – if he didn’t do it last season.
Kyle Raftis, GM of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, on Pytlik: “He’s a relentless worker. He can create his own shot and apply pressure on opposing defenders. He has the skill to make plays all over the ice, not just off the rush.”
93. Emil Heineman, LW, Leksands-J20 SuperElit
Nov. 16, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Heineman put up big numbers in the Swedish junior league this season, hovering around a goal per game mark. His goal-scoring is more due to how good he is around the net and his skill as opposed to having a big-time shot. He’s a very smart player. He gets into open space very well and anticipates the play. He also moves the puck very well, and his passing is arguably as good as his goal-scoring. My main issue with Heineman is his average quickness and that he might have looked impressive just because he was an older player at a level without much speed. Scouts I’ve talked to like his skating and think it’s progressed into a strength, but I didn’t see that in my viewings. His defensive play is also just OK.
Tomas Monten, coach of Sweden’s U20 team, on Heineman: “He works hard. He can score goals. He’s not super skilled, but he can grind teams down, he can play with speed and attack the net.”
94. Mitchell Miller, D, Tri-City-USHL
Dec. 20, 2001 | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Miller was one of the top defensemen in the USHL even though he didn’t have amazing boxcar numbers. He’s an intriguing player due to his mobility and IQ. Miller will be able to skate with pros, showing the ability to lead attacks, evade pressure and close on checks very well. He’s not a dynamic offensive player, but he’s very smart with the puck, showing the IQ to walk the offensive blue line and create through seams. He makes a great first pass and has some power play ability, even if it likely won’t be his strength at the higher levels. There aren’t a lot of 5-foot-10 defensemen without great skill who make it, but I think Miller has a real shot because he’s a strong two-way defenseman despite his size.
Anthony Noreen, GM/coach of the Tri-City Storm, on Miller: “He can move the puck and make plays offensively while not being a liability defensively. He’s a strong defender.”
95. Brett Berard, LW, USNTDP-USHL
Sept. 9, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 155 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Berard was a top scorer on the USNTDP. He’s a very smart player offensively who can make high-end plays and create off the perimeter. I was very impressed by his skill level initially, although I felt the offensive consistency wasn’t there in the second half. Berard is competitive, shows no fear in engaging and can irritate the opposition. As a 5-foot-9 player with good but not great speed or skill, it’s fair to ask if he has enough in his toolkit to project into the NHL. His advocates would point out he’s a week away from being 2021 eligible and still had a good season.
Seth Appert, coach of USNTDP U18, on Berard: “He’s crafty, he’s smart. He developed an agitating style to his game. He goes to hard areas.”
96. Amir Miftakhov, G, Kazan-VHL
April 26, 2000 | six-foot | 172 pounds
Athleticism: 70
Hockey Sense: 60
Miftakhov is a third-year draft-eligible prospect – a player I’ve listed twice and continue to stubbornly believe should be drafted. He’s small, there’s no getting around that as a true six-foot goaltender. He didn’t have an amazing season either at the second division pro level in Russia. Miftakhov is an exceptional athlete, though. His ability to make the high-end save and to get to pucks he has no business getting to is right at the top of his age group and this draft class. He improvises in tough situations so well and, despite his tremendous quickness, I would not describe him as an out of control goalie. He makes great reads and stays with the play. He’s small, pucks go over his shoulder more than you like so the NHL is unlikely, but he’s so talented that he’s worth being picked.
97. Ivan Didkovskiy, LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL
Jan. 20, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 187 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Didkovskiy was a productive junior player and a top shot generator in the MHL. He was good at the international level but wasn’t a go-to player for Russia’s U18 team. He’s a player with a lot of elements to his game but nothing that stands out at a truly elite level. Didkovskiy is a good skater who has a lot of pace to his game. He can gain the zone with speed and skill, showing very good hands and ability to beat defenders. He can make very good plays but is more of a shoot-first player with a shot that can beat goalies from a distance. He’s undersized but competes well and has a lot of energy in his game. The toolkit looks like a real player, although I wish he was a bit more consistent, especially at the international level.
98. Adam Wilsby, D, Sodertalje-Allsvenskan
Aug. 7, 2000 | six-foot | 183 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Wilsby was one of the top scoring defensemen in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second division pro league, while on loan from the Skelleftea organization. Wilsby showed the ability to skate and move pucks at that level. He’s a creative offensive player. He has his head up with the puck, finds the long outlets well and shows the ability to run a power play. His skill pops occasionally, and I debated putting a 60 on his puck skills. Wilsby has the skating to evade pressure and to lead a rush up the ice. He’s more offensive than a top defender, but he can make some stops due to his skating and brain, showing he could be fine defensively at the junior and pro level. He was in the mix for Sweden’s U20 team but cut from an extremely deep blue line with five first-round picks.
99. Yevgeni Oksentyuk, LW, Flint-OHL
Feb. 27, 2001 | 5-foot-8 | 163 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 65
Oksentyuk was a top player for Flint and created interest to be a draft pick as a second-year draft-eligible prospect. Oksentyuk has a ton of skill and offensive creativity. He has the hands to fool defenders and land on highlight reels. He’s an NHL caliber passer with the quick pace and high-end vision to hit tight seams and see plays that others don’t. He can absolutely help a pro power play with the type of plays he can make. Oksentyuk is tiny, though, at 5-foot-8, and while he has some push back in his game, when you combine the fact that he isn’t the truly elite skater you’d like at that size, it puts his NHL projection in question. He has good quickness and edges, but he has a bit of a hunched over stride and doesn’t consistently show the explosiveness you’d like to see.
NHL scout on Oksentyuk: “There is no questioning he has NHL skill and NHL vision. His skating will be a hindrance for a guy his size.”
100. Ryder Rolston, RW, Waterloo-USHL
Oct. 31, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 175 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 55
Shot Grade: 60
Rolston went to Waterloo after his time with the USNTDP. He didn’t put up great scoring numbers, especially for a late 2001 birth date, but he was a leading shot generator in the USHL. Rolston has a lot of talent. He’s a dynamic skater who can skate with NHLers without issue. He has very good hands and can make skilled plays on the move. Rolston has a bullet of a wrist shot, too, and has scored a lot of mid-distance goals. He is frustrating to watch, though. There are a lot of nights he doesn’t show up, and he circles around the offensive zone without ever making a hard play to the net. He has an NHL toolkit but has a ways to go to show he’s a real player.
101. Bogdan Trineyev, RW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL
March 4, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 198 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Trineyev was a solid forward at the Russian junior level and intrigued scouts with how he looked on the international stage. He is interesting because he’s a 6-foot-3 forward with a high skill level. He can make tough 1-on-1 plays to create chances. He can make plays and move the puck, but I wouldn’t call him a natural playmaker. He has a quality shot and can score from a distance if he gets time. Trineyev has a big body, can play inside the tough areas, can win pucks along the boards and has some physicality in his game. He competes well and has some two-way value. His main issue is his average quickness. His stride looks good and he doesn’t lack jump in his step, but he doesn’t have a true separation gear to turn the corner on defensemen.
NHL scout on Trineyev: “I like Trineyev’s big body and the skilled plays he can make down low, but he doesn’t see the game that well.”
102. Luke Evangelista, RW, London-OHL
Feb. 21, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 166 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Evangelista saw a massive increase in scoring this past season, going from zero goals and two points as a 16-year-old to 20 goals and 60 points this season. Evangelista is a highly skilled and competitive player. He’s not a dazzler with his puck handling, but he can make difficult plays through defenders. He’s a very smart player who can make creative passes through seams and from small areas. Evangelista is very competitive, showing no fear to sacrifice his body to get to the net, and projects to kill penalties at the pro level. For a 5-foot-11 player, though, he is not that fast. And while he is skilled, I question whether the offensive talent is high enough for his size and skating. There is no questioning his trajectory, though.
Rick Steadman, assistant coach for London, on Evangelista: “He’s a tricky player. He sees the ice very well and has a great brain. He works and can take a hit.”
103. William Dufour, RW, Drummondville-QMJHL
Jan. 28, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 195 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Dufour was a former high pick in his QMJHL draft who was traded by two contenders in the past two seasons. He took off in Drummondville in the second half of the season. Scouts are intrigued by him as a 6-foot-3 forward who can score and make high-end plays. Dufour is a creative player, showing good stick skills with flashes of very good. He has the patience and vision to find seams in the offensive zone, and set up tough plays. He has a hard shot, with his shot grade ranging between 55 to 60. He gets hard area goals but is able to score from mid-distance. While Dufour has good size, he doesn’t use his frame a ton. His compete is average, and when he does attack and use his frame, he’s a force. He’s not a penalty kill type, though, and I wish when I watched him he showed up a bit more.
104. Artur Akhtyamov, G, Kazan-MHL
Oct. 31, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 170 pounds
Athleticism: 65
Hockey Sense: 60
Akhtyamov has been very good at the junior level the past few years and a big reason why Kazan had a top MHL team even without a lot of offense. Akhtyamov is an extremely quick goalie who has the ability to make the difficult saves with consistency. He couples that with great puck tracking ability, which lets him make a lot of stops in the crease area, staying with pucks through traffic and getting to a lot of second chances. He’s very aggressive, using his quickness to challenge shooters. And while he occasionally overplays pucks, he is usually in the right position and cuts off angles well. Akhtyamov has clear NHL athletic ability and hockey sense, but he is around 6-foot-1, so that will be his obstacle as he goes to play versus men.
105. Oskar Magnusson, RW, Malmo-J20 SuperElit
Jan. 31, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 166 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 35
Hockey Sense: 60
Magnusson intrigued me whenever I’ve watched him this season between the club and international U18 levels. I see a player with the skill and sense to play in the NHL. Not everyone I talk to thinks his skill is that great, but I think his hands are very quick, and I like that he’s always looking to make a play. Magnusson isn’t that big or fast, but he competes fine and has enough quickness to play versus pros. He produced well in the Swedish junior level, although his team didn’t make the top group in the second half so he played against weaker teams for a period of the season.
106. Carter Savoie, LW, Sherwood Park-AJHL
Jan. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 192 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Savoie has been a dominant offensive player in the AJHL the past two seasons and was the first U18 player to score 50 goals in 20 years. He’s a very skilled offensive player. Inside the offensive zone and especially on the power play he can pick apart defenses due to how good a passer he is. He has the patience to wait out the defense for an extra second and quickly hit seams. He also has a high-end shot and often beats goalies from long distance. There is no doubting his skill, playmaking and scoring abilities. Savoie is a fine skater but lacks true NHL level quickness for his size. Scouts heavily criticize him off the puck as a player who takes shifts and games off, and as a one-way player.
Jamie McCaig, director of operations for Canada West, on Savoie: “He can score. He’s a one-shot goal scorer. He’s very creative offensively with the puck. He hunts pucks in the offensive zone.”
107. Alex Jefferies, LW, The Gunnery-U.S. High School
Nov. 8, 2001 | six-foot | 195 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Jefferies has been one of the top players in prep hockey the past two seasons. He’s a skilled forward who can make skilled plays on the move. He is a very good passer who finds seams and makes highly creative passes. Jefferies shoots it almost as well as he dishes it and has been a top goal scorer at the prep ranks. He’s a good skater, not a great one but he’s quick enough to play at the higher levels. Scouts are concerned about him being a tad of a perimeter player at times, as well as the fact he didn’t really dominate with his skill at the prep level for an older player.
108. Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park-AJHL
Jan. 5, 2002 | 5-foot-9 | 177 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 30
Hockey Sense: 65
Shot Grade: 60
Benning has been a top player in the AJHL the past two seasons, leading the league in scoring for defensemen at 16 and 17 years old. He’s a super smart puck-mover. He has the elite instincts to see options through tight lanes and to make creative plays that few others can see. His offensive blue line work is excellent due to his offensive creativity, and he makes a lot of crafty entries and exits. While his playmaking is what he’s known for, 63 assists in 54 games will attest for that, his shot is very good and I’ve seen him fire some bullets past goalies. He’s not that big and not that quick, so scouts question if he’ll be able to defend at the higher levels, such as how he struggled at the World Jr. A Challenge.
Jamie McCaig, director of operations for Canada West, on Benning: “He can distribute the puck very well. He has a great shot. His one-timer is something special. He’s a new-age defenseman. He’s not huge but he can skate.”
109. Ian Moore, D, St. Mark’s School-U.S. High School
Jan. 4, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 171 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 55
Moore was a top defenseman at the prep level. The athletic ability stands out immediately when you watch Moore between his size and skating. He has NHL quickness in how he navigates around the ice and closes on checks. Moore can be a strong defender because of those attributes, although I found sometimes his gaps were a bit loose and he gets caught flat-footed, showing he has room to grow to play the kind of role he will be slotted in at the higher levels. Offensively he has a little touch and can move pucks fairly well at both ends but is not a natural skill type, which makes me question how he’ll do versus better players, such as at the Hlinka Gretzky camp where he was cut from the team.
NHL scout on Moore: “Moore’s size and skating are interesting, he’s a great athlete. His puck decisions concerned me at times over the season.”
110. Joonas Oden, RW, KooKoo-Liiga
Feb. 17, 2000 | six-foot | 183 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Oden is a third-year draft-eligible prospect who didn’t have a productive season with his club, but he has a toolkit that intrigues and is projectable into the NHL. He was very good with Finland’s U20 team. Oden is an excellent skater, which is his main strength. He explodes out of his first few steps and will be a clear above-average skater at the NHL level. When I watched Oden in 2018-19, I thought he was all speed and no skill. But this season I saw more creativity from him, be it the odd seam pass or cute play with the puck, and play the half-wall in Liiga competently on the power play. I wouldn’t call him a natural playmaker, though. A player with his speed would be a good PK projection for the league, but defensively he still has work to do and scouts note he needs to play harder at times. I do like how he plays around the net-front area, though.
111. Jan Bednar, G, Karlovy Vary-Czech Extraliga
Aug. 26, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 196 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 55
Bednar is a very tough evaluation case. He has the 6-foot-4 frame and high-end athleticism that can make you a believer. On his best night, he looks dominant with the ability to steal a game at the NHL level. His ability to get to pucks across the crease for a goalie his size is fantastic, and he can make some real highlight reel saves. But Bednar can be a bit all over the place in the crease. He tracks pucks well through traffic, but his reads on passing plays are average, and he is out of position a bit too much. He has played against men for most of the past two seasons so he may have just been in over his head, but his consistency has been a significant issue.
NHL scout on Bednar: “The size and athleticism are hard to find. His reads aren’t great, but his tracking is good. He showed what he could do versus his age group more than when he played against men.”
112. Oliver Suni, RW, Oshawa-OHL
Feb. 13, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 188 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 60
Suni had a solid first OHL season and has impressed me the past two years. Not in a standout fashion, but he seems to make a positive contribution to his team. Suni is interesting as an NHL prospect because he’s a very smart player who can make offensive plays in the tough areas of the ice. I wouldn’t say his skill or speed stand out to you, and I don’t see him as a driver of offense in the NHL. He makes a lot of clever plays in small areas, wins battles and has enough skill to play on a power play even if I don’t see that as his NHL role. He can find seams and shows flashes of very good hands. His skating will be the main thing he’ll need to work on. I wouldn’t say it’s a solid 50, something in between a 50 and a 55 for me, but he does lack a true separation gear.
Anssi Laine, coach of Finland’s U18 team, on Suni: “He’s big and strong, he’s a worker and he has a great shot.”
113. Eemil Viro, D, TPS-Liiga
April 3, 2002 | six-foot | 165 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Viro played a significant role with Finland’s U18 team and was up in Liiga all season. Viro is a high-end skater. His edgework is fantastic, with the ability to walk the line at a high level and spin off forecheckers, and the speed to turn the corner on checkers on rushes. There are shifts where he looks like a no doubt NHL player. Those shifts he’ll close quickly on a check using his great feet, turn the puck over and quickly rush or pass the puck up. I’ve seen offensive plays where he looks like a difference-maker. I’ve also seen a lot of plays where he causes the chance against for his team. His puck management is not the best, and I’ve seen a lot of grade A turnovers when he’s on the ice, making me question if he’s a natural puck-mover or more just a great skater with OK offense.
114. Nicolas Daws, G, Guelph-OHL
Dec. 22, 2000 | 6-foot-4 | 199 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Daws was one of the best players in the OHL, as a defensive force in a league where stopping goals was optional last season and a member of Canada’s U20 team. Daws is in his second eligible season for the draft after a pedestrian start to his junior career, but he is very likely to be picked. He is a 6-foot-4 goalie with great poise and sense. He moves around his crease quite efficiently, squaring up a lot of pucks, and is rarely out of position or needing to scramble. I question how quick he is. His lateral ability is good and he gets around his crease fine, but for the NHL level I don’t know if he can move at the pace needed to get to the tough save.
115. Dylan Jackson, RW, Dubuque-USHL
Sept. 6, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 157 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Jackson was one of the top players in the USHL. He’s a second-year draft-eligible prospect, although only weeks away from being a first-year eligible. I’m sure some will accuse me of a crime for listing Dylan and not his twin brother, Ty, as the two have played and excelled together for years. Ty was a late cut from the final list. Dylan is a highly skilled and intelligent offensive player. He consistently shows off his offensive creativity with the puck and makes plays through defenders. He can score goals and is a very good passer who has the vision to find seams. Dylan skates fine, more elusive than quick, but for his size he’s not a burner. He’s not that small, measuring in at around 5-foot-9, but for an undersized player you wish he had a little more push back to show he’ll be able to win pucks back from men.
Kalle Larsson, GM of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, on Jackson: “He’s a skilled player who competes. He’s been a top scorer at every level he’s played. He loves to shoot and is more of a finisher than a setup man.”
116. Veeti Miettinen, RW, Espoo-Jr. A Liiga
Sept. 20, 2001 | 5-foot-9 | 161 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 25
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Miettinen had two great seasons in Finland’s junior league being a top scorer in back to back years and scoring as many goals this season as anyone’s ever had in that league. Miettinen has a big shot and often showed the ability to score from the dots. He leans on his shot a bit too much and doesn’t drive as much as I would like, though scouts do praise his compete level generally. He can make very good plays outside his shot, showing the high-end vision and hands to create inside the offensive zone. While he skates fine, the questions on him will be his size and whether he’s a good enough skater at that size to be an NHL’er as he lacks a true dangerous top gear. It also would have been nice to see him succeed at a higher level this season, as when he played in brief international appearances he was just fine. He is committed to St. Cloud State University.
117. Blake Biondi, C, Hermantown-U.S. High School
April 24, 2002 | six-foot | 191 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 55
Biondi has been a top player at the high school level the past two seasons, including winning Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey this past season. He’s got a solid frame and a high skill level, which makes him intriguing. I’ve seen Biondi’s good days where he’s playing hard and using his skill to create by beating defenders 1-on-1 and making impressive plays to his teammates. I’ve also seen a lot of days where he doesn’t show up and offensively doesn’t show much creativity or sense. His skating is average too, so without dynamic offensive abilities, you question how his game will translate to a higher level. While he was great in high school, in his brief appearances versus better players in the USHL and the Hlinka Gretzky he was not as impressive.
Pat Ferschweiler, coach of USA Hlinka Gretzky U18 Team, on Biondi: “He’s an honest player. He’s smart, he’s got a good stick.”
118.Yegor Chinakhov, RW, Omsk-MHL
Feb. 1, 2001 | six-foot | 178 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
I didn’t list Chinakhov as a draft prospect last year, but as a re-entry he’s shown more as a top scorer for a top team in Russia’s junior league. Chinakhov looks a bit stronger and quicker this season. His skating ranges between average to above-average. He’s not a burner, but he has enough speed to skate with men. He can make and finish plays, with his style being more of a playmaker. There’s not a lot of wow factor in his game, but he does a lot well offensively with the puck and competes well for pucks when he doesn’t have it. I respect his skill, his production and his play with the national team, but given his size and skating he remains a longshot.
119. Taylor Gauthier, G, Prince George-WHL
Feb. 15, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 193 pounds
Athleticism: 65
Hockey Sense: 55
Gauthier was passed over last draft despite having a strong toolkit and international performance, in part due to how he performed at the club level. This season he was better, helping keep Prince George in a lot of games. He is still not a perfect player, as he lacks size at 6-foot-1, and can still be erratic with his decision and reads. He can lose the net at times, can over slide pucks and makes iffy calls with his puck play. His athleticism is fantastic, though. His ability to get to pucks that require him to move is at the top of junior hockey, and despite his size he has a good glove to be able to stop high shots.
120. Vsevolod Skotnikov, G, CSKA-MHL
Sept. 28, 2001 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Athleticism: 60
Hockey Sense: 60
Skotnikov has impressed me the past two seasons at the junior level. He was a huge reason why CSKA’s junior club was a top team at the MHL level. He’s an athletic goalie who can make tough saves and doesn’t give up easy ones. Skotnikov squares up a lot of pucks, getting set quickly and making a lot of quality reads through traffic and on tough passing plays. He has an intriguing toolkit, but as a six-foot goalie, scouts ask whether it’s enough – and especially if the quickness is truly elite enough for his size. He will need to prove he can be a top guy versus men at his size.
121. Calle Clang, G, Rogle-J20 SuperElit
May 20, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Clang was a solid goalie at the junior and international levels, and finished off his season strong in the second half. He is very smart and steady. There is not a lot of extra movement in his game and he reads opponents’ puck movements very well. He rarely loses his technique and sets quickly. With Clang, the question is, while he’s not small or slow (around pro-average in both) if the toolkit is good enough for the NHL and if he will be able to stop some of the plays at the quicker paces. I know some NHL scouts whose opinions of him improved as the year went along, but I’m on the fence on projecting him to the league, even if I see some NHL potential. He will play versus men next season, which will be a big test.
122. Lassi Lehtinen, G, Lukko-Liiga
Feb. 25, 1999 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Athleticism: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Lehtinen had a successful season, as a top-10 goalie in Liiga as a 20-year-old. He also got an invite to Finland’s national team. I wouldn’t say there is a lot of draft buzz on him right now, mostly due to the fact he’s a six-foot goalie without truly special athletic ability. That’s not really an exciting package. I like him to an extent, though because of how smart he is and how well he performed versus men this season. Lehtinen tracks pucks very well, staying in the right position at a high rate and never seeming to lose his technique to make a tough save. Opposing teams rarely fooled him with their passing plays or dekes in tight. In the instances where he does need that extra step or a larger body, though, he can struggle to make the stop.
