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| 4 | TH E HOC K EY NE WS

DR A F T P REV IEW 2021

CONTENTS DRAFT PREVIEW 2021 | VOL. 74 NO. 06 COVER STORY

TOP 100 PROSPECTS | 44

With so much upheaval due to the pandemic, projecting prospects has never been tougher. But we’re not about to shy away from a challenge. We talked to scouts from all over the hockey globe to get a beat on the best youngsters, including Owen Power. The result: our top-100 list for the 2021 NHL draft. BY RYAN KENNEDY & KEN CAMPBELL

FEATURES

22 MICHIGAN’S BIG 3

Owen Power, Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson should all go in the top 10 – and make history in the process.

90 2022 SNEAK PEEK

COLUMNS

A born leader with MacKinnon-like skills, Shane Wright is shaping up to be a shoo-in No. 1 for next year’s draft.

BY RYAN KENNEDY

Family is a common theme in hockey, and nowhere is that more prevalent than on draft day.

20 STRAIGHT EDGE

BY KEN CAMPBELL

28 SIMON EDVINSSON

Big? Smooth? This youngster is starting to look a lot like another famous Swede who makes his home in Tampa Bay.

BY RYAN KENNEDY

30 AATU RATY

Once considered the best prospect in the class, Raty has dropped quickly.

Why? And is he a possible steal?

BY RISTO PAKARINEN

34 GUENTHER VS. EKLUND The draft’s top two forwards would make perfect teammates – but if you can only have one…

MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

BY KEN CAMPBELL

36 SEATTLE KRAKEN

Mock draft and more! Here’s what the NHL’s 32nd franchise will look like and how they can learn from Vegas.

BY MATT LARKIN

6THE FIRST WORD

DEPARTMENTS

Through his 40-plus years in the NHL, there was one trait legendary scout David McNab looked for: character.

8BUZZ

Everything you need to know about the most bizarre draft year in history.

84 WOMEN’S HOCKEY

98 THE LAST WORD

Is it too early to start salivating over Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov in 2023? Nope. It could be Sid-Ovi Pt. 2.

Meet the United States’ top prospect goaltender: NCAA star Aerin Frankel.

86 GRASSROOTS

ON THE COVER

With his unique golf event, Stars coach Rick Bowness is growing the game.

88 BUSINESS

Q&A with Paul Kelly, former executive director of College Hockey Inc.

92 REWIND

Looking back at the draft years for Eric Lindros and Patrick Marleau.

D RAF T P RE VI E W 20 21

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

THE HO C KE Y NE WS | 5 |

THE FIRST WORD

ALL IS STILL ABUZZ ON THE FAMILY FRONT

W. Graeme Roustan DEPUTY PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Erika Vanderveer SPECIAL ADVISOR TO PUBLISHER

Caroline Andrews

| 6 | THE H O C KE Y NE WS

D RAFT PREVI EW 2021

ART DIRECTOR

Brian Costello

Shea Berencsi

MANAGING EDITOR

WEB EDITOR

Edward Fraser SENIOR WRITERS

Ken Campbell Ryan Kennedy Matt Larkin

Steven Ellis SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Jared Ostroff

EDITORS Nick Emanuelli, Sam McCaig EDITOR AT LARGE Ronnie Shuker NHL TEAM CONTRIBUTORS David Alter (Toronto Maple Leafs) INTERNS Aidan Cowling-McDonnell, Jarrett Matthews, Ambika Sharma

HE FAMILY SIDE OF

hockey, I’ve always believed, shines through the brightest in the spotlight of the NHL draft. Johnny Prospect is sitting in the stands with his immediate family – mom and dad, siblings and grandparents. He’s minutes away from seeing how his entire world might unfold in the years to come, and we, the hockey fan in the stands or watching on TV, get a chance to see it happen in real time. His new NHL team eagerly awaits making the announcement and then welcomes him into their family as he rounds the draft table.

Sadly, the NHL draft these days isn’t what it used to be – damn pandemic! A second straight virtual NHL draft is all we have again this summer thanks to COVID-19. The occasion for hockey families to come together will have to wait. But according to sports psychologist Cal Botterill, delay does not mean denial.

“That’s what I tell people,” he said. “Patience.”

It was just three years ago, in Dallas, we were introduced to the Hughes hockey family from Canton, Mich. – Jim and Ellen and their three sons. The Vancouver Canucks grabbed Quinn seventh overall in 2018. Fourteen-year ϐ ǡ followed by 17-year-old Jack. We heard about the immense potential in the three young players. A year later, with the 2019 draft being ǡ ϐ New Jersey Devils. Luke, a little bit older and a ǡ ϐ hug. Wait a couple years until the 2021 draft, we were warned by people who knew the family. Luke’s going to be the biggest of the three.

How could we possibly have known that the next two drafts would be virtual only – online and through video conference call from 31 team war rooms. Luke indeed is the biggest ǡ ϐ ǦͳͲ pick this year. We won’t see it at centerstage the same way we did for his brothers, but that won’t quell the excitement. “We live to adapt,” said Jim Hughes, the father of the Hughes boys.

SENIOR EDITOR

Accounting Manager Leslie Hayes General Counsel David La Salle

“We will make the best of the opportunity, and we will celebrate with people close to the family. It’s going to be an exciting day for Luke.”

In the end, it won’t be any less special for Luke than it was for Quinn and Jack. In fact, it will be more memorable because of the circumstances at this juncture in global history.

Like it was for 2020, the draft venue this year will be the family home, packed with close friends and loved ones. That’s just the way we roll these days. “The people who really should be there still are,” Dr. Botterill said. “It’s a challenge for the organizers to make this meaningful. I applaud the things I’ve Ǥ ǯ ϐ make it a special deal.”

Sports psychologists, agents and advisors are quick to warn prospects rated outside the ϐ draft in person due to the perils of not getting selected. Last year and this year, attending isn’t an option, so the risk is negated. But families will still gather and families will still celebrate, even if the draft isn’t the big event it used to be.

“Never stop dreaming big dreams even in times like this,” said Botterill when asked about advice for prospects in these unusual drafts.

“And show appreciation. Gratitude is the No. 1 unappreciated attribute. If you go forward ǡ ǯ ϐ that you’re able to be your best in.”

Brian Costello Senior Editor @BCOSTELLOTHN

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T

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER, ROUSTAN MEDIA LTD.

OPENING THOUGHTS PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Tom Wilson –

Good for the Game of Hockey?

It seems like a very simple question, but it has provided decades of illumination and direction BY W. GRAEME ROUSTAN

ROUSTAN: PHOTO BY MICHELLE VALBERG; WILSON: BRUCE BENNETT/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY SPORTS

Q

UITE OFTEN WHEN A

decision I am faced with regarding making a move ϐ cial sense, I ask myself before jumping into the fray: is this good for the game of hockey?

In 1992, I was living in Los Angeles, and after Hurricane Andrew ripped through South Florida, my brother in Miami called me up and said that he wanted to put on a hockey tournament to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. I funded and co-founded Hockey for the Homeless, where we raised money both in Miami and in Los Angeles, producing a celebrity hockey game in 1994 at the old Los Angeles Forum. It was good for the game of hockey.

In 2008, then CEO of the Montreal Canadiens, Pierre Boivin, asked me if my refrigeration company would partner with their ϐ and around Montreal. It was good for the game of hockey.

In 2008, Sami Jo Small and Brenda Andress approached me in Toronto and asked if Bauer would sponsor the newly formed Canadian Women’s Hockey League. As the then-chairman of Bauer, I committed that

ϐ ϐ ǡ I did for more than 10 years. It was good for the game of hockey.

In 2011, Eugene Melnyk of the Ottawa Senators asked me to do what I did for the Canadiens in Ottawa, which became the Rink of Dreams on the front lawn of City Hall. It was good for the game of hockey.

In 2017, an executive from TVA told me that they were going to shut The Hockey News down forever after a 70-year run due to millions in losses. Not knowing anything about the publishing business, the one thing I did know was that The Hockey News

needed to survive no matter what the cost, which is why I acquired it. It was good for the game of hockey.

In 2019, I learned that the very last hockey-stick manufacturer in Canada, Heritage, was about to shut down forever, which would end a long historical tradition of making hockey sticks in Canada. I stepped in and acquired it. It was good for the game of hockey.

In 2019, Heritage started making Christian sticks and selling them for lower prices than other brands do. It was good for the

game of hockey.

When I look at the hockey industry and what some people are doing or not doing in it, I have a long history of asking myself: is that good for the game of hockey?

The most recent example of this is when I saw Tom Wilson disrespect other players and the game itself in New York on May 3. With parents out there deciding whether or not to register their boys and girls into hockey programs this fall after a year away from the rink, is his behavior on the ice or later in the penalty box good for the game of hockey, or will it cause some parents to decide that they don’t want their kids to be associated with that behavior? Wilson owes his existing livelihood to the game of hockey, and he has to ask himself the same question that I have repeatedly asked myself before jumping into the fray: is this good for the game of hockey?

ǯ ϐ for the game of hockey. I don’t believe his decision on that night to be the Tom Wilson who we have all seen many times before is good for the game of hockey.

BAD EXAMPLE

W. Graeme Roustan Executive Chairman & Publisher, Roustan Media Ltd. roustan.com

Wilson’s marauding against the New York Rangers ended the 2020-21 NHL regular season on a sour note.

DR AFT P R EVI EW 20 2 1

T HE H OCK EY NEW S | 7 |

Guenther skated in just 12 WHL games, but scouts got a good beat on him because he played at the world U-18s.

| 8 | TH E HO CKE Y N EW S

12 DRAFT LOTTERY CHANGES 14 WHO’S PICKING WHEN 18 WILL SEATTLE BE THE FIRST TEAM WITH A FEMALE GM?

RYAN MCCULLOUGH/HHOF-IIHF IMAGES

BUZZ

FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE COVERAGE, VISIT THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

DR AF T PR EV IE W 2 021

BUZZ

2021 NHL DRAFT

MAKING PICKS IN A PANDEMIC I

overseas, and one NHL scout estimates every single game ϐ season. But certain nuances get missed when a scout can’t see a player live – especially when evaluating defensemen, who often do important work behind

the exception of a few teams, ϐ Ǥ In North America, however?

Plenty of NCAA programs cancelled their seasons altogether, including the entire Ivy League.

In the QMJHL, teams played anywhere from 27 to 40

the play. “It’s hard sometimes to see the whole ice, and that’s the problem with video,” said one NHL team executive. “The puck could be in the other team’s end, and you probably don’t have all 12 players on the ice in Ǥ ϐ or six or you might have seven or eight, depending on where the puck is.”

TRAVELLIN’ MAN

Some of the best prospects for the 2021 draft barely played this season. The only sure thing is unpredictability BY MATT LARKIN

TERRY WILSON / OHL IMAGES

MAGINE YOU’RE THE POOR

Buffalo Sabres, fresh off tying an NHL record with a 10th consecutive playoff miss, desperate for reinforcements, clutching to, at worst, the third-highest pick in the 2021 draft. You use that selection on, for instance, right winger Dylan Guenther, whose 2020-21 sample size in the WHL was 12 games.

Yes, 12 games. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHL had no playoffs and reduced its season to 24 games, half of which Guenther played, with games also sprinkled between in the Alberta Jr. A League and World Under-18 Championship. So a franchise pins its hopes on what it believes is a great player with a minuscule recent sample size.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning saunter into the virtual draft on Day 2 after a lovely, long night of sleep, not making ϐ the third round, having traded their top two picks in 2021.

They select a player few scouts got to see much of this year, perhaps because he plays in the OHL, which had no season.

Since there’s no draft combine, either, most teams don’t realize how much stronger this kid has gotten over the past year. He turns out to be a sleeping giant, and the Lightning steal a star in the middle rounds. Sorry, Buffalo. This is awkward.

That kind of scenario could play out in the 2021 NHL draft because the COVID-19 pandem-

ic has created an unprecedented impact on scouting. With fewer games to study and more ϐ ǡ ǯ never been harder to corral accurate information, and we could therefore see unpredictable results. “I grew so much between 17 and 18, I changed dramatically,” said Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis. “And a lot of these kids will do that, so you’d like to have that opportunity to see not only where they are physically but where they are on the ice, and we’re not going to have that opportunity. I was talking with some of the GMs, and they’re saying you might get a better player in the fourth ϐ round based on these unfortunate circumstances.”

Pretty much every element of scouting is impacted by COVID-19. The most obvious obstacle is the inability to see as many games live. Not only have many prospects around the world played far fewer games, but safety measures have made ϐ venue and venue and gain traditional arena access. Head scouts have to trust their area scouts far more than normal to champion certain players, one NHL team executive explains, because it’s tougher for the top dogs to travel to games.

Teams obviously have to rely on video analysis far more than usual, too. The good news: the quality is better than ever even ϐ ǡ with crystal-clear streams available even for the KHL, Swedish League and Finnish league

With the OHL Barrie’s season cancelled entirely, top prospect Clarke headed to Slovakia.

games before the playoffs commenced. The WHL had no playoffs, and the OHL had no season at all. Players from the

YOU MIGHT GET A BETTER PLAYER IN THE FOURTH ROUND THAN YOU GET IN THE FIRST ROUND – Kraken GM Ron Francis Even if some teams are able to have their scouts physically present, there is still far less hockey to watch.

It was less of a problem in Europe, where the KHL, SHL and Liiga teams overcame some COVID-19 stoppages to complete full regular-season schedules, with

latter league were thus at a sig ϐ ϐ Ǥ such as Brandt Clarke went to the Slovakian League.

But in general, it wasn’t the elite prospects who were the most impacted this season.

According to Octagon Hockey agent and co-managing direc-

D RA F T P RE VI E W 20 21

THE H OCK E Y N E WS | 9 |

BUZZ also get an usually high number of undrafted players showing up at rookie camps to compete for jobs. There’s just so much more variance this season with far less information by which scouts can judge players.

Walsh points out that, with COVID-19 impacting the end of the scouting calendar last year, ϐ Ǧ like the Columbus Blue Jackets using the 21st overall pick on Yegor Chinakhov, who was so far down most draft boards that on-air analysts were scram ϐ mation on him. We may see similar “surprise” selections in 2021 as talent projections differ widely from team to team depending on how they’ve navigated player evaluation during this abnormal year.

| 10 | TH E HO CKEY NE W S

YOU’LL SEE MORE LATEROUND PICKS TURN OUT RELATIVELY GOOD, BECAUSE OF LACK OF VIEWINGS – Stars scouting dir. Joe McDonnell

single year, players will come onto the scene who are not very well known, not highly touted, who come into a showcase, come into a tournament, come into a playoff series, and everyone is like, ‘Wow, look at this kid, where did he come from?’ ” Walsh said. “All of a sudden, they get a lot of attention, get a lot of coverage and maybe people start reading about them, and they’re high risers on all of the draft rankings. That opportunity is much more limited this year.”

As a result, we could see Ǯ ǡǯ

DRAF T PREV IE W 202 1

MORE YEGORS? Thanks to all the unknowns, this year we could see a lot of surprise picks like 2020 first-rounder Chinakhov.

a.k.a. prospects passed over as 18-year-olds who get do-overs the next season and then rise ϐ 19-year-olds.

Walsh predicts we’ll see the most 19-year-olds in NHL history chosen in the 2022 draft.

It’ll enhance a class that already looks strong, one NHL team executive said. We could

So will the 2021 NHL draft go down as a less accurate year for the scouts than normal?

Maybe and maybe not, according to Dallas Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell. “I don’t think you’re going ϐ Ǧ ǡdz he said. “Through video and the world under-18s, and with your scouts in every region, the ϐ ty good. I think you’re going to see more late-round picks turn out relatively good, just because of lack of viewings. The later-round names are going to come down to who has more info and viewings on those kids.”

DRAFT: JEROME MIRON-USA TODAY SPORTS; CHINAKHOV: KHL PHOTO

tor Allan Walsh, who represents projected 2021 draft prospects such as Zachary L’Heureux and Tomas Suchanek, the highly touted kids, on top of whatever season schedules they’re able to play, still get plenty of eyeballs on them thanks to tournament invites such as the world under-18s in Texas, media coverage and the fact many teams have been proactive setting up interviews.

We’ve also seen North Amer ϐ pect showcases in an effort to get the kids more reps. At press time, there were rumors of a CHL showcase coming to Edmonton, and some OHLers were set to stage their own un ϐ ǡ Ǥǡ beginning in late May, though it’s debatable how useful these manufactured exhibitions can be. “It does help because you get to see a lot, but depending on how it’s played, is it going to have a game-like feel to it, or is going to have a shinny feel to it?” said Chicago Blackhawks vicepresident of amateur scouting Mark Kelley.

But what happens to the kids who don’t get invites to these showcases or elite tournaments? They could slip through the cracks, especially players from the OHL. “We see it every

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BUZZ LUCK OF THE DRAW

2021 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY

FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL

What do the new rules mean for the draft lottery? The best way to understand them is to look at the specific previous results the NHL wants to avoid repeating BY MATT LARKIN

I

N LATE MARCH, THE NHL an-

nounced a series of draftlottery changes that were very much a reaction to the Detroit Red Wings getting Dz dz ʹͲʹͲ Ǥ ϐ the worst record of any team in 20 years, they went 0-for-3 with their lottery balls and slipped to the No. 4 pick, watching the New York Rangers, who participated in the 2020 postseason, win a lottery pick for the second consecutive season.

The league tweaked the rules to favor the league’s worst teams more going forward: Dz ǡ ǯ ǡ

Ǧϔ -

| 12 | T HE H OCK E Y NE WS

ϔ Ǧ Ǣ Ǧϔ Ǣ ȋ ϔ Ǧ Ȍ ϔ Ǧ Ǣ ϔ

ϔ lottery draw.”

The memo practically reads: “We don’t want to repeat the ʹͲʹͲ Ǥdz ϐ ǫ ǯ a breakdown with examples of what results the NHL is trying to avoid repeating with each rule.

1. The number of lottery draws will be reduced from three to two (starting in 2021) Ǧϔ

D R AF T PRE VI E W 2021

ϔ order. Whereas, previously, the Ǧϔ ϔ Ǧ Ǧ ȋ ͸Ͷͷͽǡ ͸ͶͷͿ ͸Ͷ͸ͶȌǡ Ǧϔ could drop would be to the thirdoverall position.

Say goodbye to: The 201920 Red Wings falling to fourth and missing out on Alexis Lafre ǡ ϐ Stutzle; the 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks jumping up from the 12th slot to pick third overall despite having the 10th-best odds. Under the new format, if the 31st-place team whiffs on the Nos. 1 and 2 picks, it will automatically get the No. 3 pick.

2. There will be a limit on the total number of selections – 10 – a club participating in the draft lottery can “move up” in the event it wins one of the draft lotteries (starting in 2022) The result will be that

ϔ ͷͼ ͷͷ Ǥ Say goodbye to: The 2016ͳ͹ ϐ with the 13th-best draft lottery odds and leaping up 11 spots to the No. 2 overall pick.

3. No single team will be able to advance in the draft order by reason of winning a

lottery draw more than two times in any five-year period (starting in 2022) ǯ ǡ would it preclude the possibility

order to the extent other clubs

the lottery draws. For purposes ǡ ǡ ϔ Ǥ ǡ ϔ Ǧ Ǧϔ ͷ ȋ ϔ Ǧ Ȍǡ ͷ͹ Ǧ Ǧϔ ͹ ȋ Ǧ Ȍǡ ϔ ͺ or Year 5 and would not be able ϔ ȋ Ȍ ͼ at the earliest.

Say goodbye to: The Rangers’ winning lottery draws in ʹͲͳͻ ʹͲʹͲ ϐ ishing with the league’s worst record in either season. It’s important to note that the “two in ϐ dz moving up in the lottery. A last ǯ Dz dz ϐ ǡ ͵ͳ Ǧ ϐ ish unlimited times. Same goes for a 30th-place team winning the No. 2 pick in the lottery. So the Oilers retaining the 2010 ʹͲͳͳ ϐ Ǧ wouldn’t count as their “two dz ǯ Ǥ ϐ those seasons. Their lottery wins in 2012 and 2015, however, would count as their two ϐ ǯ ϐ seasons and thus moved up to ϐ Ǥ

BRUCE BENNETT/POOL PHOTO VIA USA TODAY SPORTS

If the new draft lottery rules existed last year, Lafreniere wouldn’t be a member of the New York Rangers.

MATT

LARKIN

KEN

CAMPBELL

RYAN

KENNEDY

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BUZZ

2021 DRAFT ORDER

THE DRAFT LOTTERY ON June 2 will determine the order for non-playoff teams. The expansion Seattle Kraken have the same odds of winning the lottery as the team with the third-fewest points. Arizona doesn’t have a first-round pick due to a league penalty (No Selection). Picks 16-31 will be re-ordered based on playoff results, but below is a guide using reverse order of regular-season standings: the Cup champs pick 31st, the other finalist 30th, conference finalists 28th and 29th. The draft is July 23-24. – BRIAN COSTELLO

LOTTERY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

BUFFALO ANAHEIM SEATTLE NEW JERSEY COLUMBUS DETROIT SAN JOSE LOS ANGELES

IN FLUX

9 10 NS 11 12 13 14 15

PICKS BY ROUND TEAM Anaheim Arizona Boston Buffalo Calgary Carolina Chicago Colorado Columbus Dallas Detroit Edmonton Florida Los Angeles Minnesota Montreal Nashville New Jersey NY Islanders NY Rangers Ottawa Philadelphia Pittsburgh St. Louis San Jose Seattle Tampa Bay Toronto Vancouver Vegas Washington Winnipeg

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

VANCOUVER OTTAWA ARIZONA CHICAGO CALGARY PHILADELPHIA DALLAS NY RANGERS

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MONTREAL ST. LOUIS WINNIPEG NASHVILLE NJ (NYI) EDMONTON BOSTON MINNESOTA

CLB (TB) DET (WSH) CLB (TOR) MIN (PIT) FLORIDA CAROLINA VEGAS COLORADO

THE ORDER OF SELECTION in the July 23-24 entry draft is in flux until the completion of the Stanley Cup final, but here’s a breakdown of picks by round. In parentheses – both in the board above and the chart below – is the source of a team’s acquired pick. Arizona’s first-round pick in 2021 is forfeited as a result of penalty sanctions.

ROUND 3

ROUND 4

ROUND 5

ROUND 6

ROUND 7

(Edm) (Clb)

(Pit) (Tor)

(Bos)

(Fla) (Mtl) (Edm)

(Veg) (TB) (Wsh)

(Mtl)

(Col) (LA) (Fla)

(Van)

(Tor)

(StL)

(NJ) (Edm)

(NYR)

(Veg)

(TB)

(Ott) (Pit) (Wpg)

(StL) (Pit) (TB) (NYI)

(Tor) (Pit) (Chi) (Wsh)

(Cgy) (StL) (Col)

(Veg)

(NYI) (Col)

(Phi) (Buf)

(Buf)

(LA)

(Ari)

(Ott)

(SJ) (Veg) (Ana) (Det) (Tor)

(Col) (Nsh)

(NJ)

(Wpg)

(Wsh)

(Chi) (Car)

(NJ)

(Wpg)

(Ari)

Team’s own selection

| 14 | TH E HO CK EY N E WS

D RA FT PREVIE W 202 1

Acquired (from)

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BUZZ Mandrycky was one of the Kraken’s first hires and had a hand in the decision to bring in Francis as GM.

SEATTLE KRAKEN

FIRST FEMALE GM COMING SOON? Seattle’s hiring policy makes that a possibility, especially with leading analytical minds such as Alexandra Mandrycky and Namita Nandakumar already in the fold BY JARED CLINTON

W

HEN MLB’S MIAMI

Marlins hired Kim Ng

ǡ was posed: when will a woman take the top team ǫ As happens, a handful of

bandied about.

Some were for Ǥ Ǥ Ȃ the Seattle Kraken’s Alexandra dakumar – are from different Ǥ Neither played the game or Ǧ Ǥ Ǧ dues in the minor leagues or spent years riding the bus Ǥ

| 18 | T HE HO CKE Y NE W S

they did break into big-league ϐ ǡ

Ǥ

ǡ hasn’t prevented either from

earn them their keep on the list ϐ Ǧ Ǥ ǡ

stats to the masses as part of Ǧ Ǧ Ǧ

Minnesota Wild. It was there

ǯ ǯ ϐ Ǥ ǯ

ǫ Ǥ As for Nandakumar, an ex

D RA FT PRE V IE W 2 021

ity to have a hand in that, just as other women who’ve risen into more powerful positions in ϐ Ǥ Dz didates that maybe are within my network that wouldn’t be within the network of your

ǡdz Ǥ Dz ǯ development that’s a woman, maybe as she goes to hire a player development assistant, she’s going to be looking within different networks. We’re going to not take over, but there’s going to be more and more of us Ǥdz And the more women, more underrepresented minorities and more people who’ve taken untraditional routes to NHL ϐ ǡ

ϐ who want to see someone like themselves in a big-league management role. ǡ ǡ and Nandakumar understand ϐ ability to be those role models.

analyst whose study of drafting ϐ ǯ ǡ phia Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl

tive analyst with Seattle. ǡ ϐ ǫ Dz answer is always no,” Nandakumar said. “I would like to ǡ

ǯ already been others to lead the way, bear that weight or just share it a little more. If I got that ǡ ably prod through my resume ǡ Ǯ ǡ ǫǯ ǡ Ǯ ǡ ǯ ǡ ǯ ǡ ǯ ϐ

what she’s doing.’ ” lar sentiment. “Being one of the higher-ranking women in ǡ ǯ ǡ ǡ ǫ Does that mean all the men I work with are going to think all women ǫ you’re one of only a few (puts) a lot of pressure to be the good example and Ǥdz

that one woman – or any one member of an underNAMITA NANDAKUMAR munity – speaks for or has their perfor an entire group is one of the Dz

about my work all day, I also ϐ feel like it’s important to ad Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ ϐ ǡ sion and be up front about it, as ǡ well,” Nandakumar said. “If we for that weight to be lessened

by greater representation. underrepresented minority The Kraken are already ǡ Ǯ

sport is for me after all,’ that is huge and that would mean Ǥ everything to me.”

SEATTLE KRAKEN

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THE STRAIGHT EDGE

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CHARACTER COUNT Throughout every one of his 40-plus years in the NHL, McNab was always looking for players who were good people, too.

ANAHEIM DUCKS

We said farewell to one of the NHL’s sagest scouts this year, but he left us some final insights on his way out the door

FTER DECADES IN THE ǡ

Ducks executive David McNab called it a career in May, and in his parting press conference he imparted some wisdom. You’d be a fool not to listen to McNab, really. The man worked in the league for more than 40 years, including the past ʹͺ Ǥ Anaheim squad that won the Stanley Cup in 2007, and before that, he was instrumental in assembling the New York Rangers team that won it all in 1994, though he was no longer with the organization by then.

After playing NCAA hockey as a goalie for Wisconsin, McNab jumped right into scouting, and while he’s worn a number of Ǧ ϐ ǡ ǯ he always goes back to. “Anybody who starts in scouting will always think about the scouting part of the business,” he said. “I’ve always believed in the lesser-known players. I’ve always thought there were so many players who needed an opportunity.” ϐ winger Dave Tippett, who is now coach of the Edmonton Oilers. McNab pursued

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DR AF T PREV I EW 2021

Tippett as a free agent from the University ϐ fore the 1984 Winter Olympics, where Tip Ǥ Dz ǯ haps the most competitive human being I’ve ǡdz Ǥ Dz and watching and learning from him taught me a lot for future endeavors in this game. ǡ

I’VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THE LESSER-KNOWN PLAYERS. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THERE WERE SO MANY WHO NEEDED AN OPPORTUNITY – David McNab to him for any successes I’ve had because he taught me about integrity and hard work.”

McNab, 65, grew up in hockey, with dad Max McNab a GM in Washington and New Ǥ ͻͷͷ games and had six straight 30-plus goal seasons with Boston. Character mattered, and the father told David to talk to everyone when making hockey decisions: you want

U.S. and in more European countries than ever. “It’s harder now, and the people work harder,” he said. “It’s a challenging business, and I give the scouts today tremendous kudos. There was a time when you could say, ‘Teams X, Y or Z don’t work hard.’ Today, everybody works. This is a league of great organizations and great people.”

And one of those greats just retired.

ANAHEIM DUCKS

GOODBYE TO A GREAT A

good people in the room because they will lead to success. That advice became crystal-clear when it came to those championship Ducks of 2007. In fact, before McNab’s ϐ ǡ Selanne texted to thank McNab for helping his career – so clearly character doesn’t evaporate, even when a player has retired.

When the Ducks won that title, McNab found himself most happy for Chris Kunitz and Andy McDonald, a couple of undrafted college free agents who became crucial members of a winning culture. “When I met ǡ ǯ ϐ great players, but it was even easier to tell what type of people they were,” he said.

“That has been my focus in life, you talk to somebody and you analyze who they are.” ϐ ǡ Nab was scanning for character, and he saw it in Ducks prospects Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. McNab recalls being on a road trip with Anaheim and seeing Zegras spot a fan in a Ducks jersey in St. Louis. The fan was pretty far back, but Zegras managed to throw a puck to them. The next game in Minnesota, Zegras found another Ducks partisan in the crowd and did the same thing. Dz ǯ ǡdz Ǥ Dz wasn’t looking for any credit for doing it, but Ǥ body, he says ‘thank you’ to people in hotels.

ǯ Ǥ chance to be really good because they’re not all caught up in the publicity they receive.”

When it comes to the current state of scouting, McNab is just as impressed. The sheer breadth of the prospect landscape has grown exponentially since his days of chasing Tippett, with teams all over the

POWER/BENIERS/JOHNSON

NOT SINCE THE FAB FIVE HAS MICHIGAN PRODUCED SUCH A PRODIGIOUS COHORT OF PRO-READY PLAYERS. IN OWEN POWER, MATTY BENIERS AND KENT JOHNSON, THE WOLVERINES COULD MAKE NHL DRAFT HISTORY AND THEN CARRY AN EMBARRASSMENT OF FIRST-ROUND RICHES INTO THE 2021-22 COLLEGIATE CAMPAIGN | BY KEN CAMPBELL |

home games, and 1,500 of them are reserved for students.

The Children of Yost are something of a cult, a collection of hockey-savvy, profane and leather-lunged young people whose main goal for three hours on a Friday or Saturday night is to take up the southeast corner of the arena and make life miserable for the other team. There are currently 600 disappointed Children of Yost on a waiting list Ǥ ǡ ϐ ǡ ϐ building once everything gets back to normal. So he asked his boss. “I said to him, ‘Why don’t we just get another 500 students because they’re crazy,’ ” Pearson said. “ ‘Can you imagine another 500 students in there? It would be wild.’ I can’t wait. I wish we were starting tomorrow.”

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OWEN POWER

H H

the ability to mesmerize when the puck is on his stick. Almost 30 years after Michigan’s basketball program produced The Fab Five – perhaps the most outstanding recruiting class in the history of any sport – the hockey program boasts The Big Three.

The best thing about it is that, even though a lot can happen in an off-season, all three intend on returning to Michigan next season.

is that usually when elite players go to college, they do so as players who are already drafted. But because all three are late birthdays, they’ve already got a year of college hockey to their credit. Nobody is naive enough to think any of them will be four-year lettermen. But if there is one year in which no players make the jump from the draft directly to the NHL, this could be it.

All three are elite, but there’s still a lot to be gained by going back to school for another year, the way Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar and Cole ϐ Ǥ Dz

in the Hobey Baker conversation,” Pearson said. “Even though the NHL has gotten younger, it’s not a development league.”

D R AF T PR EVI E W 2 021

THE TOWER OF POWER

OW DO YOU PASS on a 6-foot-5 defenseman who can skate?” one scout said. Indeed. All you have to do is watch Victor Hedman to realize what Owen Power might become one day.

Coming to the Wolverines from the USHL’s Chicago Steel, an organization that has become ev ϐ Ǧ any major junior team, Power has the potential to become a top-pairing defenseman, one who can log major minutes and play in all situations. “I think I’m a two-way defenseman who can play in all three zones in every situation,” Power said. “I think I’m someone who thinks the game at a high level and makes an impact on every game.”

Even though Power had already committed to Michigan before he joined the Steel two years ago, his path to college hockey wasn’t well worn. He and his parents eschewed the OHL, where he was drafted 22nd overall by the Flint Firebirds in 2018, because they didn’t want him to be away from home. Born in Mississauga, Ont., he originally intended to play Jr. A in Ontario, but after being taken seventh overall in the USHL futures draft in 2018, he went to their training camp and was sold on the program. “It was probably the best decision I ever made,” Power said.

Those who know Power well have marveled at the way he has handled the scrutiny of being a top prospect. He ǡ ing he had the shortest transition of all his freshmen. With ǡ -

POWER: MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

For most people in the hockey world, the off-season is that annoying couple of months between whistles, so it’s not exactly a novel sentiment. But Pearson’s sense of anticipation is well-founded, particularly when you consider that the theme song for the 2021 NHL draft should be The Victors. Hail Michigan, indeed. In fact, with defenseman Owen Power, center Matty Beniers and left winger Kent Johnson, the ϐ team in history to have three players ϐ Ǥ Not even hockey factories like the Peterborough Petes, Modo or USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program have done that. Three in the top seven is the best any team has ever done. That came in back-toback drafts in the mid-1970s, when the Medicine Hat Tigers had Barry Dean taken second overall, Bryan Maxwell fourth and Greg Vaydik seventh in 1975, and then a year later when the Saskatoon Blades had Blair Chapman, Fred Williams and Bernie Federko taken with the same three picks. “It probably won’t happen,” said one NHL scout, “but if they went 1-2-3, I don’t think anyone in the scouting world would be shocked.”

But it gets even better. Luke Hughes, the youngest of the Hughes brothers, is projected to go in the top 10, and he’s committed to Michigan next season. There is talk Mackie Samoskevich, another Michi ǡ ϐ Ǧ Ǥ ϐ ϐ Ǧ ʹͲʹͳ ʹͲͳͻ ϐ Ǧ ʹͲʹͲ ϐ Ǧ Brendan Brisson. All told, the Wolverines could have up to 14 NHL draft picks in their lineup next season.

Michigan already leads U.S. college programs with 25 players drafted in ϐ ǡ ity of Power, Beniers and Johnson, three very different players with very different skill sets. Power, the Ǧ ϐ ǡ is a 6-foot-5 defenseman with great

in all three zones. Beniers, who has an outside shot of going No. 1 himself, is a tireless 200-foot player who was instrumental in Team USA’s gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Championship. And Johnson is a slick offensive producer who has

MATTY BENIERS

sponded to the chaos of college hockey and continued to get better as the season progressed. “It’s busy hockey, things come fast,” Pearson said. “He’s a play ahead. He understands the game, he makes subtle plays to really help your team. His package – the size, the skating, the stick, the offensive smarts – and he got better, too.

As the year went on, he really did a great job on the offensive blueline of creating time and space and jumping ϐ way to create offense.”

In the midst of all of this, Pearson and the Michigan program didn’t release Power to participate in Canada’s world-junior camp. Citing academic concerns, Pearson explained that, had Power made the team, it would have required him to be away from school for 51 days. Even though Canada began ensconcing its players in a bubble starting in midNovember, it still managed to have

BENIERS: MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY; POWER: PAUL STINSA/HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

THE FUTURE PIMPLE POPPER

T T two college players on its roster in Dylan Holloway of Wisconsin and Alex Newhook of Boston College. Although Power was disappointed by the decision, he respected it. And it clearly hasn’t caused any long-term problems, since he intends on coming back next season.

POWER PLAY

The projected No. 1 looks very much like a D-man who an NHL team could lean on to play in any situation.

HERE’S A CLIP OF Matty Be-

niers that made the rounds after the World Junior Championship. While killing a penalty against Michigan State, he gathers up the puck in the neutral zone, makes a zone entry before exiting the zone and then rags the puck before dishing it back to a defenseman. For those 17 seconds, all the hapless Spartan players could do was chase him around the ice. Whenever anyone talks about Matty Beniers, they mention his “engine” or his “motor.” It’s been that way since Beniers, the youngest of three children of a former college football player and a Broadway performer turned corporate lawyer, was a three-year-old in a Montessori school who spent his days singing at his desk.

Beniers played the piano, clarinet and saxophone as a child and was often co-opted by his mother, who had starred in Grease, A Chorus Line and Kiss of the Spiderwoman on Broadway, to help out at the children’s theater she ran in Boston. He even earned his acting chops, playing in

the company’s production of The Sound of Music.

“I was one of the Nazis,” Beniers said. “It was a smaller role.”

Eventually, Beniers was able to devote his boundless energy to playing hockey. Even though he had Patrice Bergeron as a template, Beniers said he learned his 200-foot game from his father, Bob, who coached him all through youth hockey and instilled in him the importance of never cheating the game. It has served him well over the years, making him a valuable contributor in all three zones, something you could see as the world juniors progressed. As the games got more important, Beniers’ ϐ he was taking the majority of the crucial draws for the gold-medal winners. “In our system, we really put a lot of pressure on our centers, and he came right in and was phenomenal,” Pearson said. “His motor is running, he can shoot the puck, he makes good subtle plays. He has good offensive instincts, and he can skate.”

Beniers had originally committed to Harvard, but when the Ivy League schools decided not to play this season, he transferred to Michigan. Having played in the NTDP in Ann Arbor, where his mother lived with him for his two years, he was familiar and comfortable with the Michigan program. With two parents who are

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POWER/BENIERS/JOHNSON

GOLD DIGGER

Beniers’ role with the U.S. at the WJC got more and more prominent as the tournament went along.

THE GIFTED ONE N THE MIDST OF his 101-point

season with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the B.C. Junior League in 2019-20, Kent Johnson pulled ‘The Michigan’ twice, including one game where he used the lacrosse-style move to complete a hat trick. He has yet to actually perform the feat at Michigan, but with his hands and offensive creativity, it isn’t out of the question. “I don’t know all the guys in the draft, but I ϐ one who is as offensively creative as

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Kent,” Pearson said. “There are little things he does that are special.”

Largely because he played Jr. A hockey before coming to Michigan, Johnson has improved his draft stock the most. Some scouts weren’t certain how he would make the adjustment to college hockey. But they needn’t have worried. Five of the top six scorers for Michigan this season ǡ ϐ ing second to San Jose Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau with nine goals and 27 points in 26 games,

D RAF T PR E VI E W 2021

KENT JOHNSON

BENIERS: MATT ZAMBONIN/HHOF-IIHF IMAGES; JOHNSON: MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPY

graduates of Cornell, not graduating from university isn’t an option for him. He certainly hasn’t taken the easy route, doing a major in biology, health and society with an eye to pre-med. He’ll likely spend the next year at Michigan. And after seeing what Trevor Zegras did at the world juniors, he hopes to carve a similar path. He’ll continue to work on his degree throughout his pro career, with medical school not being out of the question. “It’s kind of weird, but have you seen Dr. Pimple Popper?” Beniers said. “That’s what I’d like to be, to be a dermatologist. It’s kind of gross, but I just think it’s the coolest thing ever.”

I WANT THEM ALL TO BE IN THE HOBEY BAKER CONVERSATION. EVEN THOUGH THE NHL HAS GOTTEN YOUNGER, IT’S NOT A DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE – Mel Pearson, Wolverines coach

JOHNSON: MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPY

including a team-leading three on the power play. “His growth from the start of the year to the end of the year, ϐ Ǧ player,” Pearson said. “Just how he adapted and changed his game, understood what he needed to do to

he did last year in the B.C. Jr. League.

He has skill, and you could see that from the get-go – just his hockey IQ and his stick skills, his awareness on the ice, really understanding what is Ǥ is just off the charts.”

The skill has always been there with Johnson, but until recently his size was a major issue. Like, really Ǥ ϐ Ǧͳͷ ʹͲͳͷǦͳ͸ ǡ ͶǦ Ǧͳͳ ͳͲͲ Ǥ ǯ why, after the next year, he was drafted in SOMEDAY ͳͲ MASS of the WHL Though he’s shot draft. A growth up 14 inches since spurt got him he was 14, Johnson ͸Ǧ ǦͳǤ is still skinny. ͳ͸ͷ But the bulk will pounds, he has come in time. ϐ ing out to do. “You could say I was a late-blooming player,” Johnson acknowledged.

After playing most of his youth ǡ left wing this season. Where he projects as a pro player is still unknown.

Johnson sees himself as a center in ǡ ǯ ϐ Ǥ ǯ ǡ though, that most of the smaller,

ϐ -

THE DEVELOPMENT ROUTE League CHL NCAA Europe

2011 23 2 5

2012* 19 5 5

2013 23 0 7

Ǥ ǯ ǡ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ Dz ǯ ǡ Ǧ ducing guy who creates chances for myself and my team ǡdz Ǥ Dz

can. I think I can be exciting for fans to watch.”

THE MAJORITY OF FIRST-ROUND picks continued to come via the CHL over the past 10 NHL drafts, but the average number players coming directly from the NCAA or going to college after their draft year has increased in the past five years versus the previous five.

2014 21 3 6

2015 17 7 6

2016 16 11 3

2017 14 6 11

2018 13 7 11

2019** 13 9 8

2020 19 3 9

* Zemgus Girgensons went from the USHL to the AHL and is not included ** Jack Hughes went from the USHL to the NHL and is not included

DR A FT P REV IE W 2 0 21

T HE HO CK EY NE WS | 27 |

DON’T EXPECT TOP PROSPECT SIMON EDVINSSON TO CARRY ON HIS FAMILY TRADITION. THE ONLY DETECTIVE WORK HE PLANS TO DO IS FIGURING OUT HOW TO FILL OUT HIS FRAME AND THEN MAKE THE TRANSITION TO THE NHL ONCE HE’S DRAFTED | BY RYAN KENNEDY | | 28 | T HE HO CK EY NEW S

DR A FT PREVI EW 20 21

other side of the ocean, in the NHL. So the outline for the novel gets ϐ ǡ detective work for this member of the clan. “It’s kind of a generational thing, but that has stopped for now,” Edvinsson said. “I’m breaking the generational work.”

He says this bemusedly, and from all accounts Edvinsson is probably making the right call, especially since his easygoing personality and happy demeanor wouldn’t make for a very good hardboiled detective character. With his incredible physical attributes and the backing of an SHL organization that has been a development factory the past decade, Edvinsson is one of the top prospects available in the 2021 draft.

Frolunda has been all over the NHL draft board recently, but the Gothenburg-based club has managed to keeping winning in recent years despite all the players it has lost to North America. Frolunda has won two SHL titles in the past six seasons, ϐ Champions League tournaments, the pan-European showdown featuring titans from many different pro leagues on the continent.

From Rasmus Dahlin to Lucas

FROLUNDA INDIANS

EDVINSSON

LEFT: OLIVER SZABO / VIK HOCKEY; RIGHT: RYAN MCCULLOUGH/HHOF-IIHF IMAGES

Raymond, the franchise has birthed some high-end NHL talent, and GM Fredrik Sjostrom saw a lot of good things in the organization’s latest teen idol when Edvinsson arrived on the scene back in 2018. “Right away you could see he was a special player, especially with the way he moves for his size,” he said. “It was pretty unique, just how smooth and mobile he is.”

Edvinsson dominated Sweden’s under-16 ranks that season and has been on an upward trajectory ever since.

But Frolunda didn’t push him too fast. He still has some growing to do, and the team didn’t want to rush the physical side of him. “Like every kid, it’s a process to get stronger,” Sjostrom said. “They need to do a lot of things off the ice, and we want it to come in a natural way. You don’t just add a bunch of kilos, you have to be smart about it, letting him develop, working him hard and setting a good plan for him. We knew he would get a chance this season with the big club, and he did really well.”

Edvinsson got into 10 games with the SHL squad this season. But to maximize his development, Frolunda eventually loaned him out to Vasteras in the second-tier Allsvenskan, where he got more minutes and more opportunities to advance his game while still playing against men. The gambit worked. Edvinsson posted good offensive numbers and put himself in a great position in the run-up to the World Under-18 Championship, where he Ǥ Dz ϐ dence and tried to play my game,” he said. “I got to work on everything. Even though it’s a level down from the SHL, it’s a good league and it was good for me. I learned a lot from it and it was a great challenge.”

The plan is for Edvinsson to be back with Frolunda next season (his contract runs through 2021-22), where he can use his talents to help the SHL squad. Sjostrom sees his ceiling as a high-end two-way player. His skating and offensive instincts are what have caught the eyes of scouts, but teams shouldn’t sleep on Edvinsson’s defensive skills, especially given his wingspan. “He can be a beast on defense with his reach, and when his power gets to that level, he’s going to be a tough defender. He can keep a tight gap

that cause muscle stimulaand close a gap in a second VICTOR tion. “It’s a pretty different thanks to his skating.”

LAP tool to work with,” EdvinsOutside the rink, Because of his size son said. “It vibrates and Edvinsson is in a good and skating ability, makes all your muscles spot, too. European clubs Edvinsson is work. It’s a great gym tool are famous for their offbeing compared to to work with, especially ice training, particularly the reigning Norris if you want to work your in the summer. Though Trophy winner. whole body together.” he’s still growing, he more Thanks to Edvinsson’s size and than holds his own. Still, Sjostrom mobility, the comparisons to fellow wants to see Edvinsson increase his Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman stability and core strength and get are going to happen a lot in the comstronger overall. “A lot of these guys ing years. For the record, Edvinsson from 16 years old to 22 years old, does like to watch the Tampa Bay it’s a foundation you have to put in,” rearguard, along with Erik Karlsson Sjostrom said. “It’s not just one year and Miro Heiskanen. But, of course, and you’re an NHLer, it’s a process the ultimate goal of any aspiring over a number of years, training hard NHLer is to carve his own path. And and getting progressively stronger. with his foundation, Edvinsson very ǯ ϐ ǯ much has the talent to develop into a ing to take a few seasons.” top-pairing guy in the NHL. Sjostrom Edvinsson does have a secret would love for him to stick around weapon on his side: his mom is a with Frolunda at least a couple more personal trainer. She’s helped her years, but the GM also knows the son a lot over the years, especially NHL will be calling sooner than later. with strength and mobility train“This kid could be something else,” ing. One interesting wrinkle to those he said. “He has all the tools. Now he workouts has been the use of power just needs time to develop.” plates, which are exercise platforms

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T HE HO CKE Y NEW S | 2 9 |

RATY

WORKING CLASS E RARE IS THE CASE WHERE

HARD WORK DOESN’T PAY OFF.

BUT AATU RATY’S ROLLERCOASTER SEASON HAD A HARD LESSON:

OR AT LEAST SMARTER | BY RISTO PAKARINEN | | 30 | TH E HO CKE Y NE W S

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OULUN KARPAT

IT’S OK TO WORK OUT LESS –

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, and all leagues were shut down. The Liiga off-season lasted from March until Oct. 1. Raty suited up for Karpat’s second game, but he played only 9:40.

Five days later, Goran Stubb, NHL director of European scouting, called Raty “the No. 1 prospect in Europe.”

“Aatu is a strong skater with speed, balance and excellent puck control,”

Stubb said. “Something positive usually happens on every shift, and he’s got a great attitude, works hard both ways and is used on the power play and penalty kill.”

The assessment is still valid, but a lot has happened between then and now. Raty played only four Liiga games in October, recording two points, and was left off Finland’s roster for its worldjunior camp. After playing just two more Liiga games through midNovember, he was sent to Karpat’s under-20 team. He went point ϐ games but collected six points in four games in Finland (including two NO to close out the month. Due to COVID-19 rein the Liiga) and is curSWEAT strictions, Karpat postponed all but one of its rently coaching at an Oulu Raty’s precipitous games in December. By then, however, coach sports academy. drop on many Antti Pennanen had also already picked his Aatu and Aku have aldraft lists has team for the world juniors, and Raty wasn’t on ways played sports. As been shocking to Ǥ ϐ ϐ the younger brother, Aatu some, but he’s not overall was over. “Unfortunately, you can forget tagged along with Aku and bothered by it. about that now,” Stubb said. his friends. When it was Alarm bells may have been ringing in the Finnish time to play hockey, as often is the ǡ ǯ Ǥ ϐ case when the kid brother can’t keep ǡ ǯ ϐ Ǧ up, they made him the goalie. They if he went from the Liiga to juniors and vice versa. “Durplayed soccer competitively, and all ing a normal season, he would’ve got more ice time playing in the junior league,” said one of Raty’s agents, Mika Backman. “On the other hand, Karpat had a lot of players on the roster and the coaching staff wanted to have a steady rotation of players in and out of the lineup.”

Raty’s other agent, Juha Ylonen, who played more than 300 games in the NHL, has another explanation.

“Part of the problem this season was that Aatu loves to train and wants to become a pro athlete so bad that he simply overdid it in the off-season,” Ylonen said. “They’d have a team practice in the summer, and Aatu would do another workout on his own. At some point, it gets to be too much.”

Sports have always been a big part of the Raty family. Not only do the brothers play hockey – Aku, 19, was ϐ in 2019 – their mother, Paivi, played both ringette and hockey, and their father, Tuomo, played seven pro seasons

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THE HO CKE Y NEWS | 3 1 |

RATY

other sports – tennis, road hockey, you name it – just because it was fun.

So Raty’s penchant for physical activity is something of a family tradition. And so with nothing else to do last year during the long break ǡ ϐ cult to dial it down. “I’ve never had to

While nobody can accuse Raty of not working hard enough, there are those who are concerned about the player in Raty always coming before the man – that he forgets there’s more to life than hockey. But time is surely on his side, and with maturity comes wisdom. More importantly

On the other hand, he has been an underage player in the under-20 league and put together a massive season in 2017-18 with 45 goals and 96 points in 39 games in Finland’s under-16 league, playing against players his own age. In 2018-19, he played only six games in the

AS THE WJC TURNS

In a surprising twist, Raty was left off Finland’s world-junior roster after playing in 2020 at age 17.

look for motivation to work out because it’s the best thing I know,” Raty said. “But maybe I did go overboard last season. It was a long off-season, and I probably overemphasized endurance over other qualities. I didn’t have the explosiveness I needed when the season began, and I probably didn’t rest enough. So I think I may have lost some of my max speed and had to ease up on the training.”

But even if Raty eased up on the off-ice training, it didn’t mean he forgot about hockey altogether. He watched his shifts on video and did some lighter training, focusing more on maintenance.

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for the player, there are also those who think the hard work may hide ϐ Ǥ While his production ϐ under-20 league the past two seasons, he hasn’t been in the top ϐ Ǥ He works hard for his points, but there are still question marks about his hockey sense and skating, two crucial qualities in today’s hockey.

D RA F T PR E VI E W 202 1

TOP: ANDREA CARDIN/HHOF-IIHF IMAGES; BOTTOM: OULUN KARPAT

I DON’T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT WAS TO CRACK THE KARPAT LINEUP… NOBODY GETS SPECIAL TREATMENT, WHICH IS ONLY RIGHT – Aatu Raty

and followed it up with 45 points in 45 games the next season with Karpat before departing for the NHL. “Doing the same drills as one of the best players in the world was inspiring,” Raty said. “It was also interesting to see how far ahead the world’s elite really is.”

Raty remained in Karpat’s lineup after New Year’s and ϐ ͵ͷ Ǥ ϐ illness and an injury, but he battled through the best-of-5

OULUN KARPAT

THE REAL RATY?

under-18 league and posted 10 goals and 18 points. Raty isn’t too wor Ȃ aged about 10 minutes a game in the Ȃ ǡ draft rankings. “I don’t think people

the Karpat lineup,” he said. “We had loads of quality players on the team, ǡ ǡ Ǥdz What Raty doesn’t say is that on a ǯ ϐ

Ȃ Ȃ have had a longer leash. But having to ϐ Ǥ Dz -

ǯ

ǡ

ǡdz he said. “Points don’t tell the whole Ǥ Ǧ ǯ Ǥ ǯ I made it through some tough times

Ǥdz The upside of being in an environment like Karpat is that there ǡ left and right, from Jussi Jokinen to ͵ͻǦ Ǧ ǡ Ǧ winner. During the off-season, Raty

Sebastian Aho, also an Oulu native,

2015 World Junior Championship

ϐ ǡ lost in three straight games. “This season, Aatu learned how to play in Scouts are torn – is a good league, against men, and now Raty a beastly ǯ blue-chipper or ǡdz Ǥ Dz ǯ the player who more mature next season.” struggled to score Raty is signed with Karpat this season? through 2021-22 and is planning on playing in his hometown next season as well. But before next season, there’s the NHL draft.

Raty has been busy doing Zoom interviews with different teams, but he says he doesn’t worry about the draft or ǯ Ǥ Dz

ǡdz said. “I tried to be prepared for the interviews, and there weren’t any big surprises. A lot of the teams have asked ǡ ǯ ϐ ǡ

ǯ ǯ Ǥdz

their future employers in a job interview: “One of my weaknesses is that I work too hard.”

ǡ Ǥ

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T HE HO CK E Y NE WS | 33 |

WILLIAM EKLUND BETTER PROSPECT?

NOT MUCH SEPARATES THESE TWO BLUE-CHIP FORWARDS WHO ALMOST ASSUREDLY WILL GO

Vs

IN THE TOP HALF-DOZEN. BUT WHICH ONE SHOULD GO FIRST? | BY KEN CAMPBELL |

WILLIAM EKLUND

SKATING

HOCKEY SENSE

BOTH HAVE VERY GOOD feet. Guenther is the faster straight-ahead skater, but Eklund is quicker to cover short distances with a burst of speed. “Guenther would get a four out of five on speed and a three-and-a-half on agility, and I would flip it around on Eklund,” said one scout. “They’re good at different things, but they’re comparable. If you asked anyone who is the better skater, they’d probably say Guenther, but hockey is not played in a race. It’s stop-and-start and quick races for pucks, agility in small places, and Eklund is a superior skater in those areas.”

AGAIN, BOTH PLAYERS POSSESS very good instincts, but they express themselves differently. One scout said you’d want to put Guenther with a pass-first center such as Anze Kopitar and Eklund with a shootfirst player such as Auston Matthews. Both styles require a high hockey IQ – the passer needs to find open players and get the puck to them, while the shooter needs to know where to go to receive those passes and convert them into high-danger opportunities. “The good thing is that Eklund can score and Guenther can pass,” said another scout. “They’re not one-trick ponies.”

EDGE: EVEN

EDGE: EVEN

WHAT PERHAPS TIPS THIS one slightly in Guenther’s favor is an indisputable fact. You can have a goal without an assist, but you can’t have an assist without a goal. Both can score goals, but Guenther, partly because of where he’s playing now, is in more of a position to score. One scout was not about to compare him to Alex Ovechkin, but he did say there are similarities in the way they find open spaces and their mentalities. “In terms of offense, the hardest thing to do in the NHL is score,” said a scout. “I think Guenther is better at scoring. I do think Eklund is a more well-rounded player than Guenther.

He’s a better all-around offensive player than Guenther, but I weigh goals differently than assists.” EDGE: GUENTHER

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EKLUND: ANDREAS L ERIKSSON/BILDBYRAN

OFFENSIVE ABILITY

s.DYLAN GUENTHER DEFENSIVE PLAY

ONE OF THEM HAS been encouraged to create offense all his life (Guenther), while

DYLAN GUENTHER

the other has been raised in a culture that puts a premium on two-way play (Eklund).

There’s no way you get on the ice in the Swedish League – let alone play enough to score 11 goals and 23 points in 40 games – unless you can compete on both sides of the puck. That is even more the case for young players, which is why most Swedish players come to the NHL with a solid two-way foundation. “Defensively, Eklund works harder, but he’s also (seven months) older because he’s a late birthday,” said one scout. “He’s a little more mature in his defensive game. He’s better schooled in that and held more accountable in that. Guenther’s coaches probably talk to him about it, but if he doesn’t cover his guy, I don’t know that they really care that much about it.” EDGE: EKLUND

PASSING

PHYSICAL PLAY

GOING INTO THIS SEASON, the chasm between the two was much wider than it is now. But scouts credit Guenther in his attempt to add texture to his game. He has become more aware of his teammates around him and is more comfortable dishing the puck off.

“Eklund is a little smarter, a little better of a playmaker, a little more aware of his options,” said a scout. “The definitive thing for me is that Eklund is looking to distribute the puck and Guenther is looking to get it. But Guenther is not deficient by any means in either playmaking or passing.” EDGE: EKLUND

EVEN THOUGH HE GIVES up about three inches and 10 pounds on Guenther at the moment, Eklund has impressed scouts with his willingness to get involved. Neither player is going to make his mark as a banger, but scouts see in Eklund a player who might have the edge when the game gets into the trenches. “He’s not a run-over-you guy because he’s not that big,” said one scout. “But he’s on you. He’s on you like Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, those kinds of guys. He’s on you all the time, taking away your space. Guenther is not that guy.” EDGE: EKLUND

SHOOTING YOU CAN PROBABLY IMAGINE who gets the edge in this category. Not only is Guenther a superior shooter to Eklund, according to a scout, “Guenther is at the pointy end of the draft when it comes to shooting. There are four or five guys at the top, but he might be right at the top.” What separates the pure snipers from other players in today’s game is the release. Nobody does it better than Ovechkin, but there is a tier below him who are very quick draws. And with time, Guenther could develop into one of those players at the NHL level because he’s already elite in that area. “Guenther is a natural sniper, (it’s) on the tape, off the tape really fast,” said one scout. “Eklund scores goals, but he doesn’t shoot the way Guenther shoots.” EDGE: GUENTHER

NHL READINESS GUENTHER: EDMONTON OIL KINGS

THERE’S A CHANCE THIS could be the first year since 2004 – when the season was cancelled by a lockout – that not one player from the draft jumps directly to the NHL. Part of that has to do with the quality of the draft class and part of it stems from the circumstances these draft-eligible players have faced. For the most part, they simply haven’t had enough reps this season. By virtue of the fact he’s older and in his second season in the SHL, Eklund gets the slight edge. But scouts reached consensus that at least one more year at their current levels would help both players. “You don’t know what’s going to happen over a summer of training because guys can change a lot,” said one scout. “They lost a big chunk of this year’s development and it’s just not a group with stars at the top of it. They’ve all got more to learn.” EDGE: EKLUND

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ǡ

ǡ ͳͳǣͲͲ Ǥ Ǥ

| 36 | TH E HO CKE Y N E WS

D RA F T PRE VI E W 2021

ǡ

Ǥ Ǧ Ǧ ǡ ǯ Ǥ Ǧ ϐ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥ

ʹͲͳ͹

̈́͸ͷͲǦ ǡ

TIME TO GET THEIR EXPANSION PREDECESSORS LEFT THEM WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH BAR TO CLEAR. BUT AS THE NHL PREPARES TO FORGE ON INTO WASHINGTON STATE, TOD LEIWEKE AND THE KRAKEN HOPE THEIR AVANT-GARDE FRANCHISE

SEATTLE KRAKEN

PHILOSOPHIES WILL QUICKLY BECOME EVERGREEN | BY MATT LARKIN | months later. He didn’t perceive the market as a blank, unexplored desert from which the team would have to cultivate a fan base from scratch, which is what the Vegas Golden Knights were tasked with doing in June 2016 when they scored an NHL franchise in a market known to be populated by transplants from other states and countries. According to Leiweke, traditional research didn’t necessarily paint Seattle as a fertile hockey destination, but he ϐ already out there and would swallow up tickets in a frenzy.

He was right. When the seasonticket drive kicked off on March 1, 2018, a total of 33,000 de ϐ 48 hours. Nine months later, on Dec. 4, 2018, the NHL board of governors approved Seattle as the 32nd franchise. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in

2020, the franchise had sold out its season-ticket pool by early 2021.

The team brass, including cofounders and co-majority owners David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer, felt extremely ϐ fan base, and the process of ϐ the feeling. The concept came from the people of Seattle, after all. When Leiweke, who is also part-owner, would engage with Seattle citizens in the months after the NHL approved the franchise, he’d ask them for suggestions on a name. The most common, by far, was the Kraken. As he puts it, the concept of a giant, tentacled sea monster already “lived in the theater of their minds.” It was ϐ that accompanies a port city.

“Big, big animals live here,” Leiweke said. “Some of the big-

gest octopi in the world live right here in Elliott Bay. I think the mystery of the sea is what brought many people here, and it is totally synonymous with this city on the sea. Bringing people into that, it’s not like we named the team after some ϐ ǯ really have footing within this community. This is about as authentic as you get, named by the fans, unique to our city. I’m not sure many teams would’ve named their team the Kraken, but here it worked brilliantly.”

On July 23, 2020, Seattle’s ϐ the name, sporting a tentacled ‘S’ with a glowing eye as its primary logo and a color scheme of “deep sea blue,” “ice blue,” “boundless blue,” “shadow blue” and “red alert.” Introducing the tangible brand spiked already high expectations for the franchise’s entertainment

experience. The Golden Knights had set a new standard for spectacle when they arrived in 2017-18, leaning into their medieval themes and channelling the sparkly pizzazz of a Vegas show, making the pre-game experience at T-Mobile Arena a must on hockey bucket lists.

So how are the Kraken, with a ϐ ǡ ing to measure up? If you don’t think they felt the pressure, check out their recent hiring history. They’ve tabbed Jonny Greco, the Golden Knights’ former vice-president of events and entertainment and chief ϐ ǡ en’s senior vice-president of live entertainment and game presentation.

So what should new Kraken fans expect? Will players skate out for games under giant tentacles? Will costumed pirates command ships inside the

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BELOW THE SURFACE Leiweke knew the Seattle area well and believed there was an untapped market of hockey fans. He was right.

I’M NOT SURE MANY TEAMS WOULD’VE NAMED THEIR TEAM THE KRAKEN, BUT HERE IT WORKED BRILLIANTLY – Tod Leiweke Ǥ Dz ǯ

ǡdz Ǥ Dz ǯ Ǧ ǡ

ǡ ǡ ǡ

feels like.” ʹͲʹͳ ǯ ϐ game, how many fans will pack ǫ ǡ ǯ ǡ

ͳǤ ǡ approximately 70 percent of ǯ

Ǧͳͻ Ǥ

D RA FT P REV IE W 2021

populating the arena, the Krak ǯ

in the league. The two Seattle

ʹͲʹͳǦʹʹ Ǥ

ǯ ǡ

Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ǯ Ǧ picture commitment to inclu ǡ ǡ ǣ access to hockey with a focus

ǡ Ǥ The commitments to mak ϐ en’s entire hiring process. You ǯ ϐ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ 45 percent of the Kraken’s staff ǡ

ȋ Ǥ ͳͺȌǤ

community account for 26 percent of the Kraken’s staff. Is chise in the NHL? It is to any ǡ ǯ Ǥ Ǥ “I’m not so sure we think that ǯ ǡdz Ǥ Dz

ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥdz So it’s clear that newly mint ϐ ǯ ly fresh experience once they Ǥ ǯ ǡ Ǥ instant winner?

As far as expansion teams ǡ est act to follow in major-pro sports history after the 2017ͳͺ

ϐ ϐ Ǥ

ǡ ǯ ϐ Ǧ Ǥ

ǡ ǯ Ǧ

-

SEATTLE KRAKEN

arena, calling to “RELEASE THE KRAKEN”? Leiweke keeps the plans to himself lest he ruin the surprise. But he is supremely ϐ in-game experience. One rea ǣ ϐ Ǥ ǡ 17,100 for hockey, is simulta Ǧ Ǧ Ǧ a piece of Seattle history. It’s

ǡ

ǡ ǡ Ǧ ǡ ǯ Ǥ

ǡ Ǧ Ǧ ǯ SuperSonics from the 1960s through the early 2000s, as part of a $700-million project that ǯ iconic roof as a historical arti Ǥ ǫ nect with the new arena name Ǥ Ǯ ǯ name that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos chose when his company

KeyArena in June 2020. The goal was to use the new moniker to ǡ

ǯ Ǥ

ǡ Ǧ ǡ Ǥ ǡ

greenhouse-gas emissions that Ǥ ǡ

ǡ ǡ ϐ Ǧ Ǥ

ǡ

ǯ struction from scratch.

the fan experience? Because an Ǧ

GREEN MACHINE From rainwater ice to zero single-use plastics, Climate Pledge Arena is attempting to live up to its name. quired Norris Trophy threat Shea Theodore as a “thank you” from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Vegas taking Clayton ǯ ϐ cial expansion-draft pick.

So will the Kraken have similar advantages to exploit? It’s complicated. On one hand, GM Ron Francis knows other GMs league-wide have their backs up this time. “The previous expansion draft before Vegas was in 2000, so it had been 17 years before Vegas came into the league in expansion,” Francis said. “A lot of the GMs who were in place hadn’t been through expansion before, and it was a new experience for everybody and a new set of rules. So certainly there was an advantage for Vegas over some of the teams at that point. Plus I don’t think teams had as long a runway to prepare for that expansion draft. This time, it has only been four years since

THE MORE DARTS YOU THROW AT THE BOARD, THE BETTER CHANCE YOU HAVE AT SUCCESS – Ron Francis

pre-pandemic under the pretense of the cap rising each year. It was supposed to climb as high as $88 million for the 2020-21 season, so it could’ve even crested $90 million by 2021-22. Instead, teams will bump their heads on an $81.5-million ceiling again, and many are desperate to unload money. That puts side deals squarely back in play, and Francis says some GMs have even begun kicking the tires with him.

Also working in Seattle’s favor: with the Vegas experiment going so swimmingly and the public perception of the Kraken’s business decisions to date being so positive, Seattle shapes up to be an instantly attractive free-agent market. The Golden Knights only signed one UFA during their exclusive negotiating window before the 2017 expansion draft, but the Kraken should be a much bigger threat to snatch

quality UFAs this time. Any UFA signed before the expansion draft, however, counts as a player chosen from his previous team, so it’s still relatively unlikely, as the Kraken are best off preying on players under team control to create leverage.

Nevertheless, Seattle will exploit every possible avenue to build a winner. “The more darts you throw at the board, the better chance you have at success,” Francis said. “We’re open to anything and everything as we try to build this team, from draft picks to guys who are RFAs who might be left unprotected to guys who are UFAs we look to sign. We’re not opposed to looking in any areas to try and build the best possible ϐ well as build the organization for the long term to be successful year after year.”

As Leiweke puts it, the greatest fan experience Vegas provided was going to the Stanley ϐ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ͳ priority is to deliver the best on-ice experience possible.

Given all the other ways they plan to bring the game to a better place off the ice, however, don’t be surprised if they start collecting fans all over the world, regardless of where they sit in the standings.

RON FRANCIS

the last expansion draft. A lot of the same GMs are in place. I’m sure they’ve learned a lot, and they’re going to do everything they can to make sure they’re better protected against us.”

On the other hand, the loss of league revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may end up accidentally creating advantages for Seattle similar to what Vegas experienced. As Francis points out, the salary ϐ $81.5 million for a second consecutive year, and many of the existing contracts were signed

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TH E HO CK EY NE WS | 39 |

SEATTLE KRAKEN

Shea Theodore and Alex Tuch.

In the four years since, GMs have continued to live in the moment, signing players to lucrative deals. The pandemic has also vaporized league revenues to the point the salary ϐ $81.5 million. Translation: just ϐ distress now as there were in 2017, if not more, so we can expect just as many side deals.

Seattle’s position will be as advantageous as Vegas’ was.

As the Kraken bail teams out and eat big contracts in side deals, we could see a number of homecomings in moves separate from expansion-draft selections when Seattle selects its team in late July. Maybe Washington State native Tyler Johnson arrives as part of a trade that includes the Tampa Bay Lightning retaining half his $5-million salary. We know B.C. boy Milan Lucic agreed to waive his no-movement clause, so maybe the Kraken claim him and the Calgary Flames compensate them handsomely.

As for the Kraken’s actual player selections? The parity in the cap era is accentuated ϐ ǡ -

pect Seattle to fashion itself a competitive roster. This mock draft includes a mixture of capable NHLers who can score, potential leaders, fan favorites who play a physical game and, of course, contracts without too much term left. GM Ron Francis ϐ contracts at next year’s dead ϐ themselves in the hunt. This mock roster features only three players with more than two years left on their contracts.

This mock roster chews up $69.26 million in cap space, leaving more than $12 million to play with. Some can be used to re-sign the selected RFAs, but the extra wiggle room also gives ϐ side deals for bad contracts.

Here’s a quick refresher of key expansion-draft rules that every fan needs to know: 1. Seattle will select one player from every team other than Vegas. Minimum 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.

2. Seattle must choose a minimum of 20 players under contract for 2021-22, for a total value between 60 and 100 percent of the projected $81.5-million cap.

3. Teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or eight skaters at any position and one goalie.

4. Players with no-movement clauses must be protected unless they agree to waive them.

5. First- and second-year NHLers are exempt from being picked and don’t need to be protected.

> For a more detailed list of expansion draft rules, read the expanded version of the Seattle Kraken Mock Draft at TheHockeyNews.com

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DR AF T PR EV I E W 2021

FORWARDS (15)

MASON APPLETON CONTRACT: $900K TO 2022 (RFA) Re-signing Adam Lowry nudged Appleton out. Productive in limited minutes.

TYLER BENSON CONTRACT: 2021 RFA A good AHL scorer who needs to play on a scoring line to make sense as an NHLer.

RYAN JOHANSEN CONTRACT: $8M TO 2025 (UFA) Only 28. Can help power play.

Preds may add sweetener if Kraken take on his contract.

ALEXANDER KERFOOT CONTRACT: $3.5M TO 2023 (UFA) Can play wing or center in any situation and brings good speed.

Has a motor that never stops.

ERIC ROBINSON CONTRACT: $975K TO 2022 (UFA) Big, likes to hit and has a bit of scoring touch. An ideal player for the fourth line.

NICOLAS AUBE-KUBEL CONTRACT: $1.08M TO 2022 (RFA) Fast and physical. Still some upside left at 24. Can bring energy to bottom six.

DYLAN GAMBRELL CONTRACT: 2021 RFA May not have a ton of upside, but he’s a local guy, so it’s a sentimental pick.

ANDREAS JOHNSSON CONTRACT: $3.4M TO 2023 (UFA) Top-six forward. Devils’ young guys got hot late and pushed Johnsson out.

JARED MCCANN CONTRACT: $2.94M TO 2022 (RFA) Penguins will lose a good forward no matter what. The underrated McCann is a steal.

CHRIS TIERNEY CONTRACT: $3.5M TO 2022 (UFA) Middle-six veteran no longer big part of Senators’ future. Rental chip as a pending UFA.

mock draft MOST PEOPLE ASSUMED THE SEATTLE KRAKEN WOULDN’T GET THE SAME ADVANTAGES THAT THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS HAD IN THEIR EXPANSION DRAFT. THINK AGAIN | BY MATT LARKIN |

PROJECTED TEAM CAP HIT: 69.26M $

DEFENSEMEN (11)

KIEFFER BELLOWS CONTRACT: 2021 RFA Scoring upside remains for 2016 first-rounder, but he’s buried on a deep Islanders team.

CALVIN DE HAAN CONTRACT: $4.55M TO 2022 (UFA) Veteran leader sacrifices body.

Rental trade chip if Kraken don’t contend in Year 1.

CHRISTIAN DJOOS CONTRACT: 2021 RFA Just A Guy. Organizational depth rather than adding a dead-weight contract.

CARSON SOUCY CONTRACT: $2.75M TO 2023 (UFA) A big frame and a long reach and not a zero on offense. Every team needs third-pair blueliners.

GOALIES (4)

BRETT HOWDEN CONTRACT: 2021 RFA Rangers deep enough at center that they don’t need him. Still a legit NHLer.

MATHIEU JOSEPH CONTRACT: $738K TO 2022 (RFA) Brings crash-and-bang on forecheck. Maybe Tyler Johnson goes with him.

T.J. OSHIE CONTRACT: $5.75M TO 2025 (UFA) Seattle-area boy comes home.

Meet the first team captain in Kraken history.

AUSTIN WAGNER CONTRACT: $1.13M TO 2023 (RFA) See a pattern? Kraken checkers will be young, fast and hard to play against.

VINCE DUNN CONTRACT: 2021 RFA Seattle gets its promising puckmover unless Blues make side deal to save him.

RADKO GUDAS CONTRACT: $2.5M TO 2023 (UFA) Do Panthers keep him if Keith Yandle waives his NMC? If not, Gudas can be fan favorite.

JEREMY LAUZON CONTRACT: $850K TO 2022 (RFA) Good get. Found his footing as NHLer this season. Mobile but gets his nose dirty.

KEVIN SHATTENKIRK CONTRACT: $3.9M TO 2023 (UFA) Can work the power play, and contract is relatively tradeable down the road.

RYAN GRAVES CONTRACT: $3.17M TO 2023 (UFA) Erik Johnson can waive NMC and save…Devon Toews. Graves not so lucky.

JAKE ALLEN CONTRACT: $2.88M TO 2023 (UFA) Still feels like Allen has upside to be a stopgap starter or better in goal for Kraken.

OLIVER KYLINGTON CONTRACT: 2021 RFA One of Chris Tanev/Mark Giordano available, but Kraken go younger, cheaper here.

ADIN HILL CONTRACT: 2021 RFA Played well as injury sub for two good goalies in Arizona.

Competition for Allen.

COLIN MILLER CONTRACT: $3.88M TO 2022 (UFA) Did his best work playing insulated minutes with Vegas.

Can lightning strike twice?

BRADEN HOLTBY CONTRACT: $4.3M TO 2022 (UFA) Experienced leadership and/ or a potential trade chip on an expiring deal.

BRADY SKJEI CONTRACT: $5.25M TO 2024 (UFA) With his all-around game, Skjei likely becomes the de facto No. 1 defenseman.

ANTON KHUDOBIN CONTRACT: $3.33M TO 2023 (UFA) Kraken hoard a fourth goalie here just to flip him in a trade before season starts.

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TH E HO CK EY NE WS | 41 |

IT’S A DRY HEAT McPhee & Co. got the protected lists just four days before the draft. No sweat. They knew the scenarios.

THERE WERE NO LAST-MINUTE LARRYS IN THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS’ FRONT OFFICE, AND NO RED BULL WAS CONSUMED FOR A LATE-NIGHT CRAM SESSION ON THE EVE OF THE 2017

with 30 different teams to broker side deals and get a sense of which players would be available, he and then-assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon divided the workload. Each handled talks with 15 different teams. If a certain player target turned out to be protected, it could “change the whole matrix,” McPhee said, because any tweak of a player pick would have a ripple effect on the cap number and Vegas’ positional needs.

For the most part, however, he remembers the days leading up to the expansion draft as relatively calm. The reason: the Golden Knights were not wing-

strong sense of who would be available and what side deals were in play. “I thought we were extraordinarily well-prepared,” McPhee said “We had worked hard at this all year long, so it’s almost like being a student. If you’ve worked hard all year ǡ ϐ ǡ be able to handle it. There weren’t surprises.”

As for the process of picking the team: it was multi-faceted.

The easiest element to predict was the loading up on expiring contracts. Vegas picked nine ϐ one, Alexei Emelin’s, before 2017-18 started. It was also not a massive surprise to see Vegas secure only one UFA: defenseman Deryk Engelland. Because any UFA signed in the window before the expansion draft would count as a player picked from another team, there was less leverage in adding someone who might be available on the open market anyway.

Targeting players under contract put teams in tighter spots and better facilitated side deals.

At least, that’s how things appeared to an outsider. The truth is McPhee didn’t view UFA signings that way. “We were just trying to get the best asset, whether it be a player or a draft pick or something from each team from what was available,”

EXPANSION DRAFT. THE BRASS WAS READY – AND SEATTLE SHOULD TAKE NOTE | BY MATT LARKIN | McPhee, now the Golden Knights’ president of hockey operations, was their GM for the 2017 expansion draft. How daunting was it to build a roster player by player after teams ϐ only four days before the expansion picks were due? A lot and a little, McPhee explains. ǡ ϐ was gruelling. Since the Golden Knights had to communicate

| 42 | TH E HO CK EY NEW S

D RA F T PR E VIEW 2021

IT’S ALMOST LIKE BEING A STUDENT. IF YOU’VE WORKED HARD ALL YEAR LONG, THE FINAL EXAM, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT – George McPhee ing it. They had spent the entire year mock drafting and staying in touch with other teams. The hockey-loving public may have felt a sense of mystery and anticipation heading into the expansion draft, but McPhee and McCrimmon didn’t. They had a

McPhee said. “With Engelland ϐ ǡ well for Calgary. We liked the way he played. He just happened to be from Vegas, which was attractive. He’d be a guy that could help all of our other players. We knew a lot about

DAVID BANKS-USA TODAY SPORTS

FULLY PREPARED. BASED ON THEIR SUCCESS,

2017 EXPANSION DRAFT AT A GLANCE * Waived no-movement clause ** One season away from unrestricted free agency *** UFA who pre-negotiated a new contract

The picks (in order of selection):

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

DRAFT: STEPHEN R. SYLVANIE-USA TODAY SPORTS; MCCRIMMON: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

To tackle the monumental task of talking to 30 teams, then-assistant GM McCrimmon took half the load. him as a person, and in that particular case we were interested in signing him, and he set the tone here for a long time.”

One reason rumors swirl today about the Seattle Kraken selecting T.J. Oshie in the 2021 expansion draft is the idea that an expansion team needs a face.

Marc-Andre Fleury became that for Vegas, after all. He was the 2017 expansion draft’s highest ϐ Ǥ Fleury became the ǯ ϐ ǡ Vegas took him for his ability ϐ Ǥ “We didn’t pick him to be the face of the franchise,” McPhee said. “He certainly became that in a hurry, but we were looking for a good veteran goaltender because we wanted to be a good team. We were trying to avoid the traditional path of not being very good for a while, and we were committed to trying to be the best team we could be. He’s a good goaltender, and we thought that he could be for a while. I had great discussions with (then Pittsburgh Penguins GM) Jim Rutherford at the time, who said, ‘He’s going to play for a while.

He’s got lots left in the tank.”

Simply put, Fleury was the best piece the Golden Knights thought they could acquire from Pittsburgh. They wanted their logo be their star, and they envisioned their team as having “23 captains.” That was the kind of culture McPhee and McCrimmon wanted to cultivate from the get-go.

The night Vegas picked its team, no one could’ve predicted it would demolish every expan ǡ ϐ ͳͲͻ points and reach the Stanley ϐ ͳǤ and the management team were probably a bit less sur-

prised than everyone else. They did their homework all year.

The night the team was announced at T-Mobile Arena, they hopped on a charter plane to Chicago to prepare for the entry draft later that week, and McPhee couldn’t sleep. His heart was racing, not just because he had another big task in the days ahead, but because he felt so good about Step 1. “I just ϐ night,” he said. “We were well organized, well prepared and Ǥ ǯ ϐ Ǥ

goes onto the next thing.”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DRA FT PRE VIE W 20 21

CALVIN PICKARD LUCA SBISA** TEEMU PULKKINEN JON MERRILL WILLIAM CARRIER TOMAS NOSEK CODY EAKIN JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT** BRAYDEN MCNABB** CONNOR BRICKLEY** CHRIS THORBURN PIERRE-EDOUARD BELLEMARE JASON GARRISON** JEAN-FRANCOIS BERUBE JAMES NEAL** DERYK ENGELLAND*** BRENDAN LEIPSIC COLIN MILLER MARC METHOT DAVID SCHLEMKO DAVID PERRON** OSCAR LINDBERG GRIFFIN REINHART ALEXEI EMELIN** CLAYTON STONER** ERIK HAULA WILLIAM KARLSSON TREVOR VAN RIEMSDYK MARC-ANDRE FLEURY* NATE SCHMIDT

TH E H OCK E Y NE WS | 4 3 |

RANKINGS Compiling the list of the top 100 draft-eligible prospects was more difficult than ever this year. In the end, it’s a couple of blueliners leading the way | BY BRIAN COSTELLO |

T T

HE DRAFT CLASS OF 2021 won’t go

ϐ ǡ ϐ Ǥ ȋ Ȍ Ǥ

ǡ ϐ ͳͲͲ ʹͲʹͳ ǡ Ǥ ͸Ͷ ǡ ǡ Ǥ

| 44 | THE H OC KE Y NE W S

D RA FT PRE V IE W 2021

Ǥ ǯ ǡ Ǧ Ȃ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ ǯ ϐ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ ͹ͷǤ

OWEN POWER D, MICHIGAN (BIG TEN)

SIMON EDVINSSON D, FROLUNDA (SWE.)

DYLAN GUENTHER RW, EDMONTON (WHL)

WILLIAM EKLUND LW, DJURGARDEN (SWE.)

MATTY BENIERS C, MICHIGAN (BIG TEN)

LUKE HUGHES D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

BRANDT CLARKE D, NOVE ZAMKY (SVK.)

KENT JOHNSON C, MICHIGAN (BIG TEN)

MASON MCTAVISH C, OLTEN (SUI.2)

CHAZ LUCIUS C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

JESPER WALLSTEDT G, LULEA (SWE.)

FYODOR SVECHKOV C, TOGLIATTI JR. (RUS.)

COLE SILLINGER C, SIOUX FALLS (USHL)

NIKITA CHIBRIKOV RW, SKA ST. PETERSBURG (RUS. 2)

CORSON CEULEMANS D, BROOKS (AJHL)

ZACH L’HEUREUX C, HALIFAX (QMJHL)

CARSON LAMBOS D, JYP JR. (FIN.)

BRENNAN OTHMANN LW, OLTEN (SUI.2)

OSKAR OLAUSSON LW, HV71 (SWE.)

AATU RATY C, KARPAT (FIN.)

ZACH BOLDUC C, RIMOUSKI (QMJHL)

SEAN BEHRENS D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

XAVIER BOURGAULT RW, SHAWINIGAN (QMJHL)

SEBASTIAN COSSA G, EDMONTON (WHL)

SCOTT MORROW D, SHATTUCK-ST. MARY’S (USHS)

RENA LAVERTY / USA HOCKEY’S NTDP

LUKE HUGHES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

MACKIE SAMOSKEVICH C, CHICAGO (USHL)

FABIAN LYSELL RW, LULEA (SWE.)

SAMU TUOMAALA RW, KARPAT JR. (FIN.)

ZACH DEAN C, GATINEAU (QMJHL)

DANIIL CHAYKA D, CSKA MOSKOW (KHL)

SASHA PASTUJOV LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

SIMON ROBERTSSON RW, SKELLEFTEA (SWE.)

FRANCESCO PINELLI C, JESENICE (SLO.2)

WILLIAM STROMGREN LW, MODO (SWE.2)

STANISLAV SVOZIL D, BRNO (CZE.)

TYLER BOUCHER RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

ISAK ROSEN LW, LEKSAND (SWE.)

MATT CORONATO LW, CHICAGO (USHL)

LOGAN STANKOVEN C, KAMLOOPS (WHL)

RYDER KORCZAK C, MOOSE JAW (WHL)

SAMU SALMINEN C, JOKERIT JR. (FIN.)

ALEXANDER KISAKOV C, DYNAMO MOSCOW JR. (RUS.)

WYATT JOHNSTON C, WINDSOR (OHL)

CONNER ROULETTE LW, SEATTLE (WHL)

LOGAN MAILLOUX D, LEJON (SWE.3)

PROKHOR POLTAPOV RW, KRASNAYA JR. (RUS.)

DYLAN DUKE C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

OLIVER KAPANEN C, KALPA JR. (FIN.)

RYAN UFKO D, CHICAGO (USHL)

BRETT HARRISON C, KOOVEE JR. (FIN.)

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

AYRTON MARTINO LW, OMAHA (USHL)

ALEKSI MALINEN D, JYP (FIN.)

NOLAN ALLAN D, PRINCE ALBERT (WHL)

JUSTIN ROBIDAS C, VAL D’OR (QMJHL)

ARTYOM GRUSHNIKOV D, HAMILTON (OHL)

EVAN NAUSE D, QUEBEC (QMJHL)

BRENT JOHNSON D, SIOUX FALLS (USHL)

SAMUEL HELENIUS C, JYP (FIN.)

MATTHEW KNIES LW, TRI-CITY (USHL)

COLE HUCKINS C, ACADIE-BATHURST (QMJHL)

BENJAMIN GAUDREAU G, SARNIA (OHL)

SHAI BUIUM D, SIOUX CITY (USHL)

JACK PEART D, FARGO (USHL)

OSCAR PLANDOWSKI D, CHARLOTTETOWN (QMJHL)

CHASE STILLMAN RW, ESBJERG JR. (DEN.)

JACK BAR D, CHICAGO (USHL)

VINNY IORIO D, BRANDON (WHL)

ALEKSI HEIMOSALMI D, ASSAT JR. (FIN.)

ANTON OLSSON D, MALMO (SWE.)

TRISTAN BROZ C, FARGO (USHL)

OLEN ZELLWEGER D, EVERETT (WHL)

PETER REYNOLDS C, SAINT JOHN (QMJHL)

JOSHUA ROY C, SHERBROOKE (QMJHL)

KIRILL KIRSANOV D, ST. PETERSBURG (KHL)

CAMERON WHYNOT D, HALIFAX (QMJHL)

76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

VILLE KOIVUNEN LW, KARPAT JR. (FIN.)

VICTOR STJERNBORG C, VAXJO (SWE.)

LIAM GILMARTIN LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

GUILLAUME RICHARD D, TRI-CITY (USHL)

FRANCESCO ARCURI C, LINZ (AUS.2)

COLTON DACH LW, SASKATOON (WHL)

RYAN WINTERTON C, HAMILTON (OHL)

ISAAC BELLIVEAU D, GATINEAU (QMJHL)

SASHA TELEGUINE C, CHILLIWACK (BCHL)

ROMAN SCHMIDT D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

JOE VRBETIC G, NORTH BAY (OHL)

NIKO HUUHTANEN RW, TAPPARA JR. (FIN.)

RED SAVAGE C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

AIDAN HRESCHUK D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

BRYCE MONTGOMERY D, LONDON (OHL)

JUSTIN JANICKE LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

JAKUB BRABENEC C, BRNO (CZE.)

RILEY KIDNEY C, ACADIE-BATHURST (QMJHL)

TOPIAS VILEN D, PELICANS (FIN.)

MATVEI PETROV RW, KRYLIA SOVETOV JR. (RUS.)

LIAM DOWER NILSSON C, FROLUNDA JR. (SWE.)

MARTIN RYSAVY C, PREROV (CZE.2)

JOSH DOAN RW, CHICAGO (USHL)

JOSH LOPINA C, UMASS (HE)

VLADISLAV LUKASHEVICH D, YAROSLAVL JR. (RUS.)

DR AFT PR EVI E W 2 021

T HE HO CK EY NE WS | 45 |

OWEN

SIMON

DYLAN

WILLIAM

BORN Nov. 22, 2002, Mississauga, Ont. 2020-21 Michigan POS D HT 6-5 WT 214 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 1

BORN Feb. 5, 2003, Onsala, Swe. 2020-21 Frolunda POS D HT 6-5 WT 207 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 3

BORN April 10, 2003, Edmonton, Alta.

2020-21 Edmonton POS RW HT 6-1 WT 181 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 6

BORN Oct. 12, 2002, Haninge, Swe. 2020-21 Djurgarden POS LW HT 5-10 WT 172 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 10

POWER

EDVINSSON

WHILE SOME FANS

SWEDEN’S UNDER-18

wonder if Power is highend enough to be a first overall pick, NHL scouts don’t need any convincing. The kid is nearly 6-foot-6, mobile and makes contributions at both ends of the ice – what more do you want?

“Anyone is going to get scrutinized at the top of the draft, but take into consideration the fact he started the NCAA season at 17 and was thrown into a main role,” said one scout. “I’ve liked his compete, and I don’t see a lot of flaws. He might not wow you a lot, but in terms of impact, it shows every shift.”

Power was a force for the Chicago Steel of the USHL last year and made a seamless transition to NCAA Michigan. He got toppair minutes at times and saw work on the second power-play unit on a team stacked with NHL draft picks. And he got better as the season went on.

Power thinks the game at a high level for his age and does all the little things that make a big impact. “He’s as close to special as you get,” said another scout. “He’s a work in progress, but he has excelled at two pretty high levels the past two years.

He’s got a lot of attractive tools, size, skating, hands and a pretty good hockey IQ.”

YR

TEAM

GUENTHER THERE IS AN inherent

World Championship tournament was a rollercoaster, even though the team netted a bronze medal in the end. Scouts were disappointed in a lot of the players’ compete level – but they liked how Edvinsson handled himself, and the kid’s overall season was something to get excited about. “The sky is the limit with this guy once he gets stronger,” said one scout. “He’s got a puck game, he skates, he gets upset sometimes, which is good to see. He’s got some grit to him. He’ll be a good one.”

Back home in Sweden, Edvinsson saw his first SHL action with Frolunda, but in order to get more ice time and opportunity, he was also loaned to Vasteras in the second-tier Allsvenskan. He put up more points in that stretch, pleasing both clubs – and scouts – in the process.

“It was a good move going to Vasteras to get more minutes,” said another scout. “He’s got a huge frame, he’s a really good skater, good puck skills, good all-around defenseman. Playing that way at almost 6-foot-5 is very intriguing. He’s not Rasmus Dahlin good, but he’s probably better than Philip Broberg, so somewhere in between.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

’17-18 Mississauga

Ban.

32 9 24 33 12

’18-19 Frolunda

TEAM

’18-19 Chicago

USHL 58 11 14 25 10

EKLUND

WHICHEVER NHL TEAM

takes Eklund in the draft will have a happy coach on its hands. There’s a good chance that nobody among this year’s crop will be ready to step into the NHL next season, but Eklund is close.

That’s because he skated this season for Djurgarden – and he played crucial minutes. It’s well known that young players don’t even get on the ice in Sweden unless they’re capable on both sides of the puck. “When was the last time you saw a drafteligible player in Sweden used in the last five minutes of a game, both when they’re up a goal and down by a goal?” said one scout. “Coaches are going to trust him quickly.”

There are some concerns about Eklund’s stature, but not enough to scare teams away.

“The more you watch him, the less concerned you are about his size,” said another scout.

Like his overall game, Eklund’s offense is well-balanced in that he can score and make plays with equal efficiency. He’s also a player who can move up and down the lineup. He’s agile and jumps into plays offensively, while having the hockey sense and speed to get back into the play defensively.

danger in comparing a teenage prospect to one of the greatest NHL goal-scorers of all-time. But when scouts watch Guenther play, they see some traits that are reminiscent of Alex Ovechkin. “What people don’t realize is Ovechkin is 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds,” said one scout. “Guenther won’t do what Ovechkin has done, but he really likes to set up on the power play, and then it’s just bombs away.”

What scouts have really liked about Guenther is how he’s added some texture to his arsenal, particularly on the defensive and playmaking aspects of the game. “Everybody knew he could score, but watching him this year, his timing has gotten better, his reads of the situations have gotten better, and he’s more mature,” said another scout.

“The way he scores has been rounded out. He’s getting more and more quality chances. And he’s showed more of a willingness to drive to the net this year.

I don’t know if that’s because he’s bigger and stronger and a year older. He shot a little earlier last year, and this year he’s using his body to create scoring opportunities closer to the net.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

16 8 15 23 59

’17-18 Northern Alta Ban.

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

30 56 47 103 22

’17-18 Djurgarden

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Mid.

17 3 10 13

10

’19-20 Frolunda

Jr.

8 0 6

6

10

’18-19 Northern Alta Mid.

28 32 26 58 32

’18-19 Djurgarden

Jr.

13 1 2

3

6

2

’20-21 Vasteras

Swe.2 14 0 5

5

0

’19-20 Edmonton

WHL

58 26 33 59 22

’19-20 Djurgarden

Swe.

20 0 2

2

4

’19-20 Chicago

USHL 45 12 28 40 18

Frolunda

Swe.

10 0 1

1

0

’20-21 Edmonton

WHL

12 12 12 24

2

Djurgarden

’20-21 Michigan

Big Ten 26 3 13 16

Sweden

WU18

7

4

8

WU18

7 4 3

0

’20-21 Djurgarden

Canada White WU17

5 0 0

0

BEST CASE: Victor Hedman

| 46 | T H E H O CK EY N EW S

6

1 3

BEST CASE: Seth Jones

DR AF T PR EV I EW 202 1

Canada

7

BEST CASE: Mikko Rantanen

Jr.

31 12 24 36 22

Swe.

40 11 12 23

BEST CASE: Sebastian Aho

2

MATTY

LUKE

BRANDT

KENT

BORN Nov. 5, 2002, Hingham, Mass.

2020-21 Michigan POS C HT 6-1 WT 174 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 7

BORN Sept. 9, 2003, Canton, Mich.

2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS D HT 6-2 WT 176 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 2

BORN Feb. 9, 2003, Ottawa, Ont. 2020-21 Nove Zamky POS D HT 6-2 WT 190 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 4

BORN Oct. 18, 2002, Vancouver, B.C. 2020-21 Michigan POS C HT 6-1 WT 165 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 9

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

A LOWER-BODY INJURY

BENIERS

HUGHES

to know about Beniers can be distilled from his usage at the World Junior Championship in Edmonton, where Team USA coach Nate Leaman counted on the pivot to take crucial defensive-zone faceoffs whilst protecting leads in the medal round. Keep in mind: Beniers was the youngest player on the roster, yet he was instrumental in the Americans winning gold.

Mobility, playmaking and desire are among the hallmarks of his game, and he’s heady and hardworking, too. “He plays the game the right way,” said one scout. “He plays fast, he’s on pucks, he has skill, and he can make a play. I think the tournament helped him. We had a good book on him from last year’s NTDP, but this just put a stamp on the kind of player he is.”

Beniers didn’t just have a good couple of weeks in Edmonton – he was also excellent as an NCAA freshman with Michigan, finishing third in team scoring.

“Every coach is going to want to coach him,” said another scout.

“He’s got that motor. We’ve known Beniers for a couple years, and sometimes that can work against a player because you get fatigue, but I don’t think anyone has that with Matty.”

YR

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

USHS 23 11 16 27

’18-19 USA U17

NTDP 42 10 13 23 16

’19-20 USA U18

NTDP 44 18 23 41 24

’20-21 Michigan

Big Ten 24 10 14 24

0

WJC

2

7

1 2

3

BEST CASE: Jonathan Toews

–

YR

TEAM

LEA.

’18-19 Little Caesars Ban. ’19-20 USA U17 USA ’20-21 USA U18

WHEN TEAMMATE AND

Clarke couldn’t play in Barrie, so he spent most of the year in Slovakia, going up against men with Nove Zamky.

For a time, older brother Graeme (New Jersey) was there. too, but otherwise Clarke was a teenager in a foreign land just trying to find his way.

He did just fine. “He’s a very smart player,” said one scout.

“His skating is fine, but it’s not the best. It’s a little knock-kneed.

But he reads the game really well, that’s where he succeeds.

It took him time to adjust in Europe, but once he did, he didn’t look out of place against men.”

Clarke finished second in blueline scoring on Nove Zamky, despite only playing about half the games. Along with learning a new culture, he also benefitted from competing on the bigger international ice. “Going over to the big ice was good for him, it created more of an emphasis on his skating, which is probably the area he needed to focus on the most,” said another scout. “A right-shot defenseman with that kind of vision and power-play ability is going to be a coveted player for sure.”

Clarke’s offensive instincts, playmaking and overall hockey IQ are his calling cards.

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

77 22 61 83

’18-19 Don Mills

Ban.

73 35 78 113 40

’17-18 Burnaby

’19-20 Barrie

OHL

57 6 32 38 38

–

6

1 3

4

0

NTDP 38 6 28 34 14

TEAM

fellow draft prospect Matty Beniers saw Johnson practice for the first time with the University of Michigan this season, the first thing he did was call his father. “I was like, ‘Dad, he’s just crazy skilled,’ ” Beniers said. “I’ve never seen a guy who can do the things he can do. But he’s a lot more than just skill and flash.” Michigan coach Mel Pearson said Johnson was the team’s most improved player this year.

Scouts generally concur with those assessments, but some are concerned he needs more elements to his game. “He wants to be the fanciest guy on the ice all the time, so that makes you a little nervous,” said one scout.

“He’s more of an artiste. I’m a little concerned as to the grit factor. If someone punches him in the mouth, will he push back?”

But there’s a lot to like from an offensive standpoint. Prior to Michigan, Johnson had 101 points for the Trail Smoke Eaters in the B.C. Jr. A League, where he was named MVP and the top forward in Canadian Jr. A. “His hands are extremely soft, he can make any kind of play,” said another scout. “He can handle the puck in traffic. He has a good release.

An excellent offensive arsenal on that kid.”

GP G A PT PIM

NTDP 48 7 21 28 10 WU17

JOHNSON

WITH NO OHL season,

caused Hughes to miss the All-American Prospects Game and the world under-18s, but the rest of his season already spoke volumes.

The youngest of the three Hughes brothers, Luke is bigger than Jack and Quinn but still has that family skating gene.

In fact, he might even have the smoothest stride of them all.

“I like how involved he is,” said one scout. “He’s still developing his defensive game from a positional perspective, but there’s good effort there. He has the ability to break up plays, and he contests in the neutral zone.

The skating ability and skill could make him really pop, he’s one of those offensive D-men that you don’t see a lot of.”

Committed to NCAA Michigan, Hughes has a chance to provide immediate offense from the blueline, especially with Cam York leaving the Wolverines for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.

Hughes can quarterback a power play, and he has great offensive instincts. “I’d say his deficiencies would be on the defensive side of the puck, he’s a little bit of a risk/reward player,” said another scout. “But he seems to control the game, and he has the puck a lot.”

’17-18 Milton Acad.

USA

CLARKE

Canada

BEST CASE: Erik Karlsson

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

35 29 46 75

2 2

Trail

Jr. A

3 0 0

6

2

’18-19 Trail

Jr. A

57 20 26 46 24

Svk.

26 5 10 15

41

’19-20 Trail

Jr. A

52 41 60 101 14

WU18

7

0

’20-21 Michigan

Big Ten 26 9 18 27

Canada Black WU17 ’20-21 Nove Zamky

TEAM

5

1 5 2 5

7

BEST CASE: John Klingberg

D RA F T P R EVI E W 20 21

0

4

BEST CASE: Mitch Marner

THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 47 |

MASON

CHAZ

JESPER

FYODOR

BORN Jan. 30, 2003, Zurich, Sui. 2020-21 Olten POS C HT 6-2 WT 207 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 5

BORN May 2, 2003, Grant, Minn.

2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS C HT 6-0 WT 172 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 19

BORN Nov. 14, 2002, Vasteras, Swe. 2020-21 Lulea POS G HT 6-3 WT 214 CATCHES L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 1 G

BORN April 5, 2003, Togliatti, Rus. 2020-21 Togliatti Jr. POS C HT 6-0 WT 179 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 8

MCTAVISH

LUCIUS

ANOTHER TOP OHL

HIS SEASON DIDN’T

player who went to Europe this season, McTavish headed to Switzerland – which is actually his birth country. His father is former pro player Dale McTavish, who spent a decade in that country after a nine-game NHL stint.

Suiting up for Olten in the second-tier Swiss League, Mason made an impression with his hardnosed, hit-anything-thatmoves work ethic. “He looked good over there,” said one scout.

“His release is terrific, he loves to shoot the puck, and he loves to get to the net. He’s a heavy body. Sort of a one-speed guy, but he’s competing and working more than last year, so that’s growth in his game.”

McTavish finished off the season back in North America with Canada’s world under-18 squad. Next year, he’ll be the centerpiece in OHL Peterborough, where he can continue to work on his overall game.

“If he’s not on your top line, he struggles a bit,” said another scout. “He’s probably the best pure goal-scorer in Ontario, which isn’t saying a lot this year, but it is something.”

McTavish is a big-bodied center in a draft class that’s short on high-end pivots.

YR

TEAM

LEA.

’17-18 Ottawa Valley Ban. ’18-19 Pembroke

WALLSTEDT

YR

30 49 34 83 40

’17-18 Blackhawks

TEAM

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

W-L-T GAA SP

YR

14 22 13 35

–

’17-18 Vasteras

Jr.

15-8-0 2.28 .921

’18-19 Togliatti

13 39 23 62

41 47 32 79 109

’18-19 Gentry Acad. U15

57 29 13 42 31

’19-20 USA U17

’20-21 Olten

Sui.2

13 9 2

11

6

WU18

7

11

10

BEST CASE: Tyler Toffoli

| 48 | TH E H OCKEY NE WS

USA ’20-21 USA U18

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Mid.

26 16 27 43 24 24 4 2

2

’18-19 Lulea

Jr.

12-8-0 2.65 .901

’19-20 Togliatti

Jr.

6

6

NTDP 46 31 19 50 10

’19-20 Lulea

Jr.

16-11-0 2.53 .923

’20-21 Togliatti

Rus.2 38 5 10 15

6

WU17

’20-21 Lulea

Swe.

12-10-0 2.23 .908

Togliatti

Jr.

15 4 11 15 35

Russia

WU18

7 4 6 10

6 7 3 10

0

NTDP 13 13 7 20

6

BEST CASE: Steven Stamkos

DRA F T P RE VI EW 2021

TEAM

impressed with Svechkov’s all-around game and came away more impressed when he centered two underage players at the World Under-18 Championship on what might have been Russia’s best line.

Svechkov has some highend skill, but what has scouts really excited is the balance in his game. He can play all three forward positions, and while he can handle first-line minutes, he’s likely suited to a middle-six role at the NHL level. “He has high skill, and he’s a good skater, smart, creative and puts in an honest two-way effort,” said one scout. “There’s nothing not to like about this guy.”

Svechkov’s skating probably only rates as average at this point, but there are no deficiencies in his footwork that would prevent him from making the NHL. His awareness in the offensive zone is improving and, while he does play with a certain panache, he’s not afraid to drive the net and go to the scoring areas. “He’s got a surprising amount of structure in his game for a guy who is an offensive player,” said another scout. “He’s got skill, but he also makes those little plays. He’s got a very balanced game.”

U14

Mid.

5 6

SCOUTS WERE ALREADY

LEA.

’19-20 Peterborough OHL Canada

IT’S HARD TO

go wrong with a goalie who has “wall” in his name, and this kid lives up to the billing.

Though he wasn’t Sweden’s starter at the world juniors, Wallstedt did see some action and impressed the talent hawks in attendance with his potential.

“He looked good, like we all thought he would,” said one scout. “He looks like the toprated goaltender for this draft.

His composure is really good, and obviously his size is a plus.

But he looked in control, he wasn’t flopping around, he was always square. He looked like a solid goalie.”

Wallstedt has a long history with the Swedish national team already, and he was part of the group that won the country’s first world under-18 gold medal back in 2019, getting into two games behind future Tampa Bay pick Hugo Alnefelt.

At home in Sweden this season, Wallstedt played starter’s minutes for Lulea, leading the team in games and wins while helping the squad to a fifthplace finish in the SHL. There is a comfort in his archetypal game.

“He’s got that prototypical modern goalie build,” said a scout.

“He’s a big guy who moves well and has a lot of upside.”

start until February due to knee surgery, and for a player who wasn’t the best skater beforehand, that was somewhat troubling. So it was a little shocking to evaluators when Lucius returned to the U.S. NTDP lineup and immediately began piling up goals, not missing a beat.

Even more intriguing was the fact he seemed to be faster than before the injury – though that’s still a point of contention. “He’s not a razzle-dazzle entry guy, and his skating is just OK,” said one scout. “On the other side, he scores. Literally, he scores almost every time you watch him. He has a really good ability to get to the quiet ice in the offensive zone, and he’s got a really special stick in terms of catching and shooting and getting pucks off in a hurry.”

A University of Minnesota commit, Lucius was the most dynamic forward on the U.S. NTDP this year and averaged a goal per game. “He scores goals, that’s what he does,” said another scout. “He’s always had a nose for the net and pucks find him. He’s got a good release and if you look at his shot selection, everything’s from home plate.

He’s where he needs to be and he’s got good hockey sense.”

GP G A PT PIM

SVECHKOV

Sweden

WJC

0-1-0

2.40 .923

BEST CASE: Andrei Vasilevskiy

BEST CASE: Mika Zibanejad

4

COLE

NIKITA

CORSON

ZACH

BORN May 16, 2003, Columbus, Ohio 2020-21 Sioux Falls POS C HT 6-0 WT 201 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 18

BORN Feb. 16, 2003, Moscow, Rus. 2020-21 SKA St. Petersburg POS RW HT 5-10 WT 172 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 11

BORN May 5, 2003, Regina, Sask.

2020-21 Brooks POS D HT 6-2 WT 201 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 25

BORN May 15, 2003, Montreal, Que. 2020-21 Halifax POS C HT 5-11 WT 196 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 28

SILLINGER

CHIBRIKOV

WITH THE WHL

THERE ARE SOME

season delayed, Sillinger decamped from the Medicine Hat Tigers and headed south to the USHL. Frankly, it was a huge win for the Sioux Falls Stampede.

“He came into the league and was big-time,” said one scout.

“He single-handedly put Sioux Falls back into the playoff picture. His offensive stick, his shot and his release are pro. His compete is up and down, but when he’s involved and on pucks, he’s big-time. If there’s one eyesore it’s the skating, but it’s functional and not as bad as some people think. He’s a high-end player.”

Sillinger is the son of former NHLer Mike Sillinger, and his older brothers, Owen and Lukas, play for Bemidji State. Despite playing only two-thirds of the schedule, Sillinger led Sioux Falls in scoring. “He has a heavy shot, heavy release and he’s got the timing and the courage to get to scoring areas,” said another scout. “He’s a pure goal-scorer, and he’s six-feet, but he’s jacked.

He is a strong, powerful guy. And he’s got some bite, he’s not just a scorer. He needs to pick up his skating and play faster, but he’s impressive. I’ve enjoyed having him in the league.”

Sillinger will return to Medicine Hat next season.

YR

TEAM

’16-17 Regina

CEULEMANS WHEN YOU THINK

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

30 43 34 77 34

’17-18 Dyn. Moscow Ban.

TEAM

LEA.

HAD THE QMJHL

of an offensive defenseman coming out of the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Jr. A League, your mind automatically goes to Cale Makar. And while there are some similarities between Ceulemans and Makar, it doesn’t look at this point like Ceulemans will rise to Makar’s level, largely because that’s a ridiculously high standard.

“He’s a bit of a polarizing guy,” said one scout. “I think it’s going to be hard for him to play that unstructured as he moves up. When Makar played, it was with structure. Ceulemans’ offense is created by his tools, a high-level skater, good size, good skills. His hockey sense has much less to do with his offense than other things.”

Other scouts are more optimistic, pointing to how well Ceulemans adapted to the higher level of play at the world under-18s. And he’ll likely improve defensively when he plays next season at Wisconsin. “Corson in junior looks nothing like he does (at the worlds),” said another scout. “In junior, he has no conscience. This tournament will benefit him because he’s been more involved defensively, and I think this will show that he can take coaching.”

concerns about his size, but scouts were impressed that Chibrikov played most of this season against men with SKA St. Petersburg’s teams in both the KHL and the VHL. And that prepared him well for the world under-18s, where he was one of Russia’s go-to players and top scorers. “He’s a highly skilled guy and I really like his complete level,” said one scout. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s shifty, he’s creative and he can score. He’s not afraid.

He’s played with men all year, basically, and that was the thing that stood out the most.”

Among the skilled Russian forwards, Chibrikov might have a little more offensive upside than the higher-rated Fyodor Svechkov, but Chibrikov’s all-around game is not as good.

He’s a solid skater in terms of both speed and quickness and has the ability to jump on loose pucks. Although he can be pressed into first-line service, Chibrikov is likely better suited as a middle-six forward at the NHL level. “He’s got a good release and he’s got good instincts,” said another scout. “The fact that at his size he was able to play in the KHL the way he did, he’s a good offensive player.”

Ban.

L’HEUREUX

GP G A PT PIM

YR

22 9 18 27 22

’17-18 Edmonton

TEAM

allowed its players to join Canada’s world under-18 team, L’Heureux would have been a prime candidate for duty. As it is, he remained with Halifax and was the Mooseheads’ secondleading scorer.

L’Heureux burst onto the scene last year as a rookie with Moncton, with an off-season trade sending him to a rebuilding Halifax squad. The Wildcats had veterans who could guide L’Heureux and without them this year, he developed some bad habits and body language.

But there’s a lot to like about him, too. “He’s a beast,” said one scout. “When he has the puck, it’s hard to get it from him. Not many guys are better down low.

He’s strong on the boards, he takes pucks to the net and he has skill. He has the potential to be a really good player.”

The key is finding zen.

L’Heureux was suspended multiple times this season and has to get that under control. But he will fight, and one evaluator joked he’d be the perfect guy for the New York Rangers. “He’s competitive,” said that scout.

“He has hockey sense and knows what to do around the net. He might have to work on his skating, but he’s got a pro game.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

U15

30 8 23 31

16

’16-17 Lac St-Louis

TEAM

Ban.

30 16 17 33 28

’17-18 Okanagan

CAHS 30 46 37 83 36

’18-19 Dyn. Moscow Ban.

21 24 30 54 100

’18-19 Edmonton

CAHS 30 13 16 29 53

’17-18 Lac St-Louis

Mid.

14 10 13 23 45

’18-19 Regina

Mid.

39 31 45 76 44

’19-20 Dyn. Moscow Jr.

32 3 13 16

8

’19-20 Brooks

Jr. A

44 5 30 35 80

’18-19 Chateauguay Mid.

41 21 31 52 72

’19-20 Medicine Hat WHL

48 22 31 53 22

’20-21 St. Petersburg KHL

16 1

Jr. A

8 4 7

11

8

’19-20 Moncton

QMJHL 55 20 33 53 70

’20-21 Sioux Falls

31 24 22 46 39

SKA St. Pete.

WU18

6

8

9

’20-21 Halifax

QMJHL 33 19 20 39 47

USHL

BEST CASE: Jamie Benn

1

2

6

’20-21 Brooks

Rus.2 20 3 5

8

49

Canada

BEST CASE: Andrei Svechnikov

1 7

BEST CASE: Justin Schultz

DRA FT P RE VI EW 20 21

BEST CASE: Brayden Schenn

THE HO CK EY N EW S | 49 |

CARSON

BRENNAN

OSKAR

AATU

BORN Jan. 14, 2003, Winnipeg, Man. 2020-21 JYP Jr. POS D HT 6-1 WT 201 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 14

BORN Jan. 5, 2003, Scarborough, Ont. 2020-21 Olten POS LW HT 6-0 WT 174 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 31

BORN Nov. 10, 2002, Stockholm, Swe. 2020-21 HV71 POS LW HT 6-2 WT 181 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 51

BORN Nov. 14, 2002, Oulunsalo, Fin. 2020-21 Karpat POS C HT 6-1 WT 181 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 20

LAMBOS

OTHMANN

IT HAS BEEN

ON LOAN FROM the OHL,

a difficult season for Lambos on a number of fronts, including falling out of the top-10 conversation of which he was once very much a part.

When the WHL’s season was uncertain, Lambos went over to Finland, where he played for JYP’s under-18, under-20 and even two games with the men’s teams. But the potential top-pair NHL defenseman never quite found his game in Finland and struggled on the big ice, then had his season shut down after just two games in the WHL bubble so he could undergo an undisclosed medical procedure.

One of the hallmarks of Lambos’ game is his compete level and willingness to jump up into the play. And while that’s a quality that is lauded in North America, one scout said it actually hindered Lambos this season in Finland. “He was on the wrong side of the play, on the wrong side of the puck,” said the scout.

“It exposed him a little more.”

The surgery that Lambos underwent was not because of an injury and it is not expected to adversely affect his long-term NHL potential. “From what I understand, it was a medical procedure and not an injury,” said another scout.

YR

TEAM

LEA.

OLAUSSON ON A DEEP Swedish

Othmann headed over to Switzerland to play against men in the nation’s second-best pro league. And the kid didn’t mind his manners – he threw his body around and fought opponents.

“I like him a lot, he’s a good kid,” one scout said. “He has the potential to play anywhere in your lineup. His skill and hockey sense are underrated, and when he plays with good players, he’s going to be fine. And he competes. When he was playing against men in Switzerland, he was an agitator, guys were going after him. He’s a really grounded, dedicated kid. He’s going to make it. I have no doubt.”

Other talent hawks are still trying to get a beat on Othmann’s upside, especially after fellow OHLer Mason McTavish joined him in Switzerland.

“He was actually better before McTavish got there, then McTavish took some of his ice time,” another scout said. “Othmann is a scorer first, and he works hard.

He’s a tough one for me to wrap my head around at the next level. He has elements that will allow him to contribute in the middle six.”

Othmann finished his season in North America, playing for Canada at the world under-18s.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

30 15 23 38 16

’18-19 Don Mills

Ban.

72 66 80 146 58

’18-19 HV71

’17-18 Rink Academy U15

30 15 25 40 52

’19-20 Flint

OHL

55 17 16 33 36

’19-20 HV71

5

’20-21 HV71

’19-20 Winnipeg

WHL

57 8 24 32 32

’20-21 JYP

Jr.

13 2 9

BEST CASE: Dan Hamhuis

| 50 | T H E HO CKEY NEW S

11

8

Canada Black WU17 ’20-21 Olten Canada

3 3

6

LEA.

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

4

2

’18-19 Karpat

Jr.

41 17 14 31 26

Jr.

21 7 9 16

4

’19-20 Karpat

Fin.

12 2 2

Swe.

16 3 1

4

2

Karpat

Jr.

30 2 19 21 28

6

0

Finland

16 14 13 27 10

’20-21 Karpat

Jr.

GP G A PT PIM

11

1 3

Sui.2

34 7 9 16 64

Sodertalje

Swe.2 11 3 3

7

HV71

Jr.

6

BEST CASE: Gabriel Landeskog

DR AF T PR EVI EW 2021

2

TEAM

WU18

3 3

RATY WAS SEEN

as a potential top pick this time last year after he made Finland’s 2020 world junior team and acquitted himself well.

But the points didn’t come this season, and he couldn’t find his confidence in either the Liiga or the Finnish junior ranks.

He missed the cut for the 2021 WJC squad – there was no camp due to the pandemic – and he has baffled insiders. “He’s a very interesting case,” said one scout. “He still has good things in his game, but the bad things are being exposed. He should be contributing by now in the men’s league, and it’s just not opening up for him. I’m more scared than hopeful for his future.”

Some wonder if Raty will be more like older brother Aku, the Arizona Coyotes’ 2019 fifth-rounder who gets by on hard work and is more suited to the wing than center. Others, though, are more optimistic.

“The raw tools haven’t gone anywhere, the skating, the hands, the brains and the size, it’s just a matter of putting it all together,” said another scout. “In the past year he has struggled with confidence, even more so than the year before. He’s a gamble, but if you trust the tools then you end up with a No. 2 center.”

national team, Olausson didn’t see a lot of action at the world juniors – but it was his first time at the tournament, and it likely won’t be his last. “He’s got that size and skating combination that is so intriguing,” said one scout. “He’s dynamic, an excellent skater with good puck skills, too, and he’s got good hands. He offers a lot of upside with that. He creates offense with his speed, and he protects the puck well.”

Given what underagers had done for Sweden in the past at the world juniors, the hype train may have been a tad too fast for Olausson, who went pointless in his four appearances in Edmonton. “He had some skill, but I don’t know if he got anything accomplished,” said another scout. “I liked his game in the SHL, and I guess I had bigger expectations for him. He’s a good skater with good parts and good quick hands.”

Speaking of the SHL, Olausson had a nice toe-dip in the waters this season, then got better results when he was loaned out to Sodertalje in the second-tier Allsvenskan.

Olausson is signed with HV71 until 2023, though the team just got relegated.

’16-17 Rink Academy U15

’18-19 Rink Academy CAHS 23 14 16 30 45

TEAM

RATY

6

BEST CASE: Kyle Connor

YR

TEAM

4

2

WJC

7

2 1

3

2

Fin.

35 3 3

6

18

BEST CASE: Sean Monahan

ZACH

SEAN

XAVIER

SEBASTIAN

BORN Feb. 24, 2003, Trois-Rivieres, Que. 2020-21 Rimouski POS C HT 6-1 WT 174 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 16

BORN March 31, 2003, Barrington, Ill. 2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS D HT 5-10 WT 176 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 48

BORN Oct. 22, 2002, L’Islet, Que. 2020-21 Shawinigan POS RW HT 6-0 WT 172 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 29

BORN Nov. 21, 2002, Hamilton, Ont. 2020-21 Edmonton POS G HT 6-6 WT 212 CATCHES L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 3 G

LAST YEAR, BOURGAULT

MANY SCOUTS EXPECT

BOLDUC

BEHRENS

WITH THE GRADUATION

WHILE MOST OF the

of Alexis Lafreniere to the NHL, Bolduc was pressed into front-line service with a lowerlevel team in the QMJHL, and there was a period of adjustment for him.

And even though he still averaged better than a point per game, scouts think he has more offense than his totals suggest.

“What hurt is that everyone who was focused on Lafreniere last season is focused on him now,” said one scout. “It took him more than half a year to adjust to the kind of attention. The one thing I liked is his compete never stopped. He played hard all year, even early on when the numbers weren’t coming.”

The most prominent aspect of his game is his shooting ability.

He also has good instincts, which put him in the right areas to use his shot to its highest potential.

One scout opined that the 2021 draft doesn’t have a lot of firstline talent in it, so Bolduc is one of many players who falls into the middle-six category in terms of NHL upside. “He doesn’t have the support lever he had last year, but he shows up and just competes every single shift,” said another scout. “He’s got more skill than maybe he’s been able to show this year.”

YR

TEAM

BOURGAULT

public’s attention was focused on Luke Hughes, scouts were also falling in love with Behrens, the University of Denver commit who sometimes played on the same pairing.

“Size is his only deficiency,” said one scout. “He plays in all situations, and he controls the play.

Hughes had freedom because of the way Behrens plays. He has a great stick, he’s elusive, good in transition, and he can play on the power play. He’s going to be a great college player.”

And obviously the hope is Behrens can be a great NHL player, too. Sure, he’s only 5-foot-10, but with the way the game has evolved, there is a place for a mobile defenseman of his caliber. “He has an awesome compete level,” said another scout. “Every time he comes over the boards he wants to have an impact on the game.

And he’s not scared to play physical despite a lack of size, he doesn’t make it a deficiency. He seems to have a knack to make things hard on the other team’s best players.”

With Hughes injured prior to the world under-18s, Behrens became even more integral, and he responded with points and big hits at the tournament.

put his name on the map with a monster sophomore campaign in the ‘Q,’ finishing in the top 20 in league scoring and then improving on it this season by finishing in the top 15. “He has a ton of potential,” said one scout. “He’s very creative, has a really good stick, he’s smart, and he often makes plays that others don’t see. He’s elusive in his board play. Typically for a player his size that wouldn’t be a strength, but he can maneuver there. He plays calm, collected and physicality doesn’t bother him, he plays through it.”

There’s one caveat: so far, Bourgault needs to be with the right linemates. Observers naturally loved him with Dallas first-rounder Mavrik Bourque and Carolina second-rounder Vasily Ponomarev, but Bourgault struggled when those players headed off to WJC camps.

Luckily, the NHL is packed with skilled players for Bourgault to work with. “He’s a really smart player,” said another scout. “He has quick hands, comfortable with the puck, makes plays, and his offensive instincts are really good. Bourgault, Bourque and Ponomarev have really been driving that team, and Bourgault’s been a big part of it.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

22 21 17 38 28

’17-18 Chi. Mission

Ban.

20 5 7

12

6

’16-17 Pointe-Levy

Ban.

29 23 17 40

’16-17 Fort Sask.

’18-19 Trois-Rivieres Mid.

42 17 37 54 34

20 4 13 17

2

’19-20 Rimouski Canada Red ’20-21 Rimouski

TEAM

Cossa to be the first North American goalie taken in this year’s draft. And when he does get picked, there’s a good chance he’ll tower over everyone on the stage. The first thing you notice about him is his size. “He’s a massive human being,” said one scout. While another added: “He’s not getting any smaller.”

And he has pretty massive potential as well. What scouts like about Cossa is that not only is he a big goaltender, he plays like one and uses his size to get into the minds of opposing shooters. One of the complaints about many of today’s goaltenders is they make themselves small by going down and playing deep in their net. Cossa is not that kind of goalie.

After posting good numbers in his rookie WHL season, Cossa reached another level this year.

He plays on a very good Edmonton team, and that helped, but he also made the most of his opportunity. “He’s one of those guys that you come down on him and instead of seeing the holes, you see the body,” said a scout. “He’s just that big, and he really plays to his size. You have to beat him because he’s very structured and he doesn’t make problems for himself.”

Ban.

’17-18 CMI

TEAM

COSSA

6

TEAM

LEA.

W-L-T GAA SP

Ban.

15-4-0 1.80 .934

’18-19 Chi. Mission

Ban.

’17-18 Levis

Mid.

38 13 13 26 12

’17-18 Fort Sask.

Mid.

6-10-3 3.37 .919

QMJHL 55 30 22 52 36

’19-20 USA U17

NTDP 45 6 31 37 24

’18-19 Shawinigan

QMJHL 62 7 13 20 12

’18-19 Fort Sask.

Mid.

6-5-2

WU17

’20-21 USA U18

NTDP 46 7 28 35 18

’19-20 Shawinigan

QMJHL 63 33 38 71 20

’19-20 Edmonton

WHL

21-6-3 2.23 .921

WU18

’20-21 Shawinigan

QMJHL 29 20 20 40

’20-21 Edmonton

WHL

17-1-1

5

2 3

5

10

QMJHL 27 10 19 29 18

BEST CASE: Yanni Gourde

USA

5

1 3

BEST CASE: Nate Schmidt

4

2

6

BEST CASE: William Nylander

D RA FT P R EV IE W 20 21

3.01 .919 1.57 .941

BEST CASE: Robin Lehner

THE HOC KE Y NE W S | 51 |

SCOTT

MACKIE

FABIAN

SAMU

BORN Nov. 1, 2002, Darien, Conn.

2020-21 Shattuck-St. Mary’s POS D HT 6-2 WT 192 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 99

BORN Nov. 15, 2002, Newtown, Conn.

2020-21 Chicago POS C HT 5-11 WT 190 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 23

BORN Jan. 19, 2003, Gothenburg, Swe. 2020-21 Lulea POS RW HT 5-10 WT 172 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 12

BORN Jan. 8, 2003, Oulu, Fin. 2020-21 Karpat Jr. POS RW HT 5-10 WT 176 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 17

MORROW

SAMOSKEVICH

MORROW NEEDS TO

THE STEEL WERE

improve the defensive side of his game, but scouts like the fact he’s aware of the work he has to put in. Committed to the University of Massachusetts, he’ll be in a great environment to continue his development as the reigning NCAA champions have been a blueline factory of late.

As for the positives in Morrow’s game, they’re easy to find.

“He has the ability to move the puck up ice, and he attacks the middle of the ice, which is a special quality,” said one scout.

“He’s super passionate about hockey, he wants to be better, and he loves to learn about the game. Offensively, he’s probably one of the best defensive prospects I’ve seen.”

Could Morrow have gone to the USHL this season and faced tougher competition?

Sure. But in the middle of a pandemic, staying in prep school at Shattuck-St. Mary’s seemed like a prudent decision. “It’s his third year at that level, and his play has been quite good, but at times he has looked bored,” said another scout. “But as far as the physical tools, they’re tremendous. He’s 6-foot-2 and extremely mobile, and his tools help him get out of trouble on breakouts and in transition.”

YR

TEAM

’17-18 Shattuck

LYSELL

LYSELL HAS PRETTY

an absolutely dominant offensive machine this season, so perhaps it’s surprising that Samoskevich didn’t have more points, especially given what teammates such as fellow 2021 draft prospect Matt Coronato were doing. “I like his game,” said one scout. “You see flashes of high-end skill, but you don’t see the consistent driving of offense. He’s about a point a game, while Coronato is scorching the league.”

The advantage Samoskevich has over his teammate is his ceiling – this kid is still very much on the rise. “He’s got speed, he can drive transition and create zone entries,” said another scout.

“He’s more of a dynamic player, but he hasn’t played consistently yet. One game you think he’s not a first-rounder, then another he’s top 15. He’s very talented, great skill, great shot, great playmaker.

He just needs to find his game and play to it more often.”

Samoskevich is a University of Michigan commit, and he’ll be the third of his siblings to play in the NCAA: twin sister Maddy just finished her first year with Quinnipiac while older sister Melissa is a Bobcats graduate now playing in the NWHL with Connecticut.

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

U16

53 12 22 34 27

’16-17 Shattuck

TEAM

TUOMAALA FANS IN SUDBURY

much always been a top-end offensive talent as a teenager, putting his goalscoring stamp on a number of Swedish national teams and local clubs. “He has high skill and plays a direct game,” one scout said. “There have been some office issues circling around him, but he plays fast, he plays inside, and he has a really good shot.

He’s a sniper.”

Ah yes, the maturity factor: Lysell’s off-ice issues do not sound nefarious, but they did concern evaluators. “He’s superskilled, great shot, great elusive skating, and he can pick a corner from anywhere in the offensive zone,” another scout said. “His shot is up there with Alex Holtz and Lucas Raymond, but what can he do for you in all the other aspects of the game? And there are the character concerns about humility and if he’s there for the team or if he just wants to score goals for himself. His Lulea coach is demanding, and we’re all wondering when they’re going to clash, which is exactly what happened with Noel Gunler.”

Gunler, who slipped to the second round last year before Carolina grabbed him, left Lulea for Brynas this season.

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

U14

56 12 28 40 34

’17-18 Frolunda

TEAM

were hoping to see Tuomaala in the OHL this season, but that didn’t happen.

Instead he stayed home in the junior ranks and made his Liiga debut with Karpat, a club that has developed a ton of talent in recent years, including a certain Edmonton Oilers high draft pick. “He has elite tools, his skating is elite, and his shooting is elite,” said one scout. “His game instincts and hockey IQ are not so good.

Someone will draft him, and he’ll go fairly high, but I’m cautious.

Is he a smaller Jesse Puljujarvi?

Tuomaala was outstanding in junior and played up in the Liiga, but when you move up the ladder, things get exposed.”

Players who are able to adapt to new situations, the scout continued, tend to thrive. Those who don’t may take longer to develop, and Tuomaala may fit into that category. But the right winger got off to a great start at the world under-18s, and there appears to be something there. “He’s an explosive skater and highly skilled,” said another scout. “Sometimes you wonder about the work ethic, but towards the end of the year he was better there. He has the speed for his size.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

21 23 21 44 14

’17-18 Karpat

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

18 13 11 24 18

’18-19 Shattuck

USHS 53 15 37 52 48

’17-18 Shattuck

U16

59 22 26 48 27

’18-19 Frolunda

Mid.

11 3 5

8

4

’18-19 Karpat

Mid.

41 24 32 56

’19-20 Shattuck

USHS 46 22 45 67 44

’18-19 Shattuck

USHS

51 36 38 74 26

’19-20 Frolunda

Jr.

11

6

6

’19-20 Karpat

Jr.

40 15 8 23 12

USHL

0

’19-20 Chicago

USHL 47 13 21 34 28

’20-21 Lulea

Swe.

26 2 1

3

8

’20-21 Karpat

Jr.

30 15 16 21 28

USHS 30 8 40 48 30

’20-21 Chicago

USHL 36 13 24 37 27

WU18

7

9

4

Finland

WU18

7

Youngstown ’20-21 Shattuck

2 0 1

BEST CASE: John Carlson

| 52 | T HE H O CK EY NE WS

1

BEST CASE: Sebastian Aho

DR AFT PR EVIE W 2021

Sweden

1 5 3 6

BEST CASE: Brock Boeser

5 6

11

BEST CASE: Jesse Puljujarvi

8

0

ZACH

DANIIL

SASHA

SIMON

BORN Jan. 4, 2003, Grande Prairie, Alta.

2020-21 Gatineau POS C HT 6-0 WT 176 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 46

BORN Oct. 22, 2002, Moscow, Rus. 2020-21 CSKA Moscow POS D HT 6-3 WT 185 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 24

BORN July 15, 2003, Bradenton, Fla. 2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS LW HT 6-0 WT 183 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 22

BORN Feb. 5, 2003, Pitea, Swe. 2020-21 Skelleftea POS RW HT 6-0 WT 190 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 54

DEAN

CHAYKA

MOST SCOUTS LIKE the

BORN AND RAISED in

package Dean brings in terms of talent and drive, but they’d like to see it on display a little more often.

Playing for a middling Gatineau team in the QMJHL, Dean had some uneven efforts. “I saw some ‘A’ games and I saw some ‘D’ games,” said one scout. “He’s a completely different player when he’s driving the play. He’s an above-average competitor who is really diligent and really smart. When he’s competing and skating hard, he gets an extra half-step. I find everything about him a little better when he’s engaged and competing.”

Despite the lack of consistency, Dean is intriguing enough to go either late in the first round or early in the second, depending on the needs of the team that selects him. And that will also play a factor in how he projects as an NHL player. Some scouts see him as a secondline center, but more see him as a third-liner. “He’s a smaller forward, and he doesn’t have a lot to play with in Gatineau,” said another scout. “His numbers aren’t as good as you’d like them to be for what he shows. He has kind of a feisty game, and he can get around the net. He’s a skilled kid.”

YR

TEAM

PASTUJOV WITH BOTH LUKE

Moscow, Chayka came to Canada at 15 to play youth hockey, and helped the Toronto Jr. Canadiens win the prestigious OHL Cup tournament.

Then as a rookie he won an OHL championship with the Guelph Storm. The next summer? A gold medal with Team Russia at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament.

So it wasn’t surprising when Chayka was named to Russia’s world-junior squad this year, but the results were discouraging: he slid down the depth chart and played sparingly in Edmonton.

“There were big expectations with what he did in Guelph the past couple years,” said one scout. “In a perfect world you wanted him to play more, but that wasn’t the case. But you can’t use that against him.”

What talent evaluators did like was his performance back in Russia this season, where he suited up for CSKA and played against men in the KHL. “He’s a lot better when he keeps it simple,” said another scout.

“I’m trying to figure out how his game will translate at the next leveI. I don’t think he’s a puck-moving guy, maybe he’s a tweener where he’s more of a shutdown guy.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

26 18 12 30 34

’17-18 Tor. Jr. Cdns

Ban.

45 15 18 33

–

’17-18 Compuware

’17-18 Tri Com

Ban.

35 40 37 77 86

’18-19 Guelph

OHL

56 5 9 14

2

64 36 53 89

’19-20 Guelph

OHL

56 11 23 34 18 11

’20-21 USA U18

–

’19-20 Gatineau

QMJHL 57 18 28 46 22

’20-21 Gatineau

QMJHL 23 10 10 20 20

BEST CASE: Alex Killorn

’20-21 CSKA Moscow KHL Russia

WJC

1

1

2

0

6 0 0

0

2

BEST CASE: Esa Lindell

THE SON OF former

Hughes and Chaz Lucius out at the world under-18s, Pastujov filled a major offensive void when the Americans needed it most. Of course, he had already been one of their top scoring threats all season.

“He has a high compete level and very good skill,” said one scout. “He’s a smart, complementary player. He finds a way to get open and bury his chances. He looks sleepy at times and you don’t think he’s doing anything, then you look at the scoresheet and he’s got a couple of points.”

Despite his older brothers, Nick and Michael, both having gone to Michigan, Pastujov committed to Notre Dame.

His brothers were also NTDP products but never led the team in scoring as Sasha did. “He likes to slow things down,” said another scout. “His skating will be picked apart by some teams, but his play on the power play really drives his offense, and his zone offense is really good. He’s got a tremendous stick, really good IQ and anticipation, and he gets to pucks quick. He gets to that flank on the off-side and is able to create offense from the perimeter. He’s really been their driving force on offense.”

’16-17 Tri Com

’18-19 Tor. Nationals Mid.

TEAM

ROBERTSSON

TEAM

NHLer Bert Robertsson played a good part of the season in the men’s league in Sweden and was a little overmatched, but there’s a lot to like in his game.

Scouts see him as a low-risk, low-maintenance player who will likely not be a huge offensive producer at the next level but an effective player nonetheless.

“His game is defined by speed, and then his work ethic is always there,” said one scout. “He’s always pressuring opponents and he’s physical. He could be a middle-six forward who’s defined by skating and compete, which is really what you want.

He’s always going to be a strong guy, hard to move, and he’s really easy to project.”

Robertsson showed well at the World Under-18 Championship with Sweden and displayed a good understanding of the game. That is hardly unique to Swedish players, most of whom arrive in North America with the knowledge of what it takes to play at both ends of the ice.

“They typically do the little things right, and he’s one of those guys,” said another scout.

“He’s a good skater with good skills, not elite, but he has the combination of speed and talent and good size and skating.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

U14

20 17 25 42 30

’17-18 Skelleftea

Ban.

26 25 22 47 32

’18-19 Compuware

Ban.

19 7 11 18 37

’18-19 Skelleftea

Mid.

16 19 12 31

’19-20 USA U17

NTDP 49 14 36 50 85

’19-20 Skelleftea

Jr.

41 13 17 30 36

NTDP 41 30 35 65 18

’20-21 Skelleftea

Swe.

22 1

WU18

7

USA

WU18

5

5 3

8

0

BEST CASE: Kevin Fiala

D RA FT P RE VI EW 2 0 21

TEAM

Sweden

6

1

2

0

3 1

4

6

BEST CASE: Alex Tuch

THE HO CKE Y NEW S | 53 |

FRANCESCO

WILLIAM

STANISLAV

TYLER

BORN April 11, 2003, Hamilton, Ont. 2020-21 Jesenice POS C HT 6-1 WT 185 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 26

BORN June 7, 2003, Ornskoldsvik, Swe. 2020-21 Modo POS LW HT 6-3 WT 176 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 40

BORN Jan. 17, 2003, Prerov, Cze. 2020-21 Brno POS D HT 6-1 WT 179 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 21

BORN Jan. 16, 2003, Haddonfield, N.J. 2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS RW HT 6-1 WT 201 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 79

PINELLI

STROMGREN

WHILE THE OHL waited

WE HAVE ONLY seen

to see whether or not it would play this season (spoiler: it did not), Pinelli headed to Slovenia to get some game action and acquitted himself well in the Alps Hockey League, a group of second-tier European teams.

In fact, one scout suggested that if Pinelli had played in Kitchener last season the way he played in Europe this season, he’d be a top-15 pick in the draft. “I’ve never found him to be a driver of the play until this year,” said the scout. “I thought in Europe he drove the play. Everything went through him. This year, every single thing about him got better.”

To be sure, there’s a lot of raw material there, but scouts wonder whether he will be able to assemble them all enough to play at a higher level. Despite his obvious upside as a playmaking center who’s also responsible defensively, there is still uncertainty surrounding Pinelli.

“I think he can score, but I’m not positive he can score,” said another scout. “I think he can play all three positions, but I’m not positively sure he can play all three positions. I think his game is going to improve when he gets stronger, but I’m not positive.”

YR

TEAM

GP G A PT PIM

YR

71 49 65 113

–

’17-18 KB65

’19-20 Kitchener ’20-21 Jesenice Canada

TEAM

IN A PERFECT world,

the Czech League, you could tell there was a skilled teenager doing his best to be responsible while playing against men in the nation’s best circuit.

But there were also clearly more offensive hops to the kid, and occasionally he would let himself fly.

Playing for his home country at the World Junior Championship, Svozil got to show off his skills on a more regular basis.

“When the Czechs were having success, he was a big part of it,” said one scout. “It was a good indication of what we’ve seen all year with him.”

Though he only notched one point at the world juniors, Svozil proved he had a wide range of attributes, and he was a pleasant surprise for most talent hawks.

“I liked the way he played,” said another scout. “He made plays on the puck, he’s got good hockey sense and he skated real well. He has some bite, too, he took some runs at guys even when they were down in the game. It shows he cares.”

Should he want to come to North America next season, Svozil’s major-junior rights are owned by WHL Regina, who boast a tantalizing teammate in phenom Connor Bedard.

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

24 12 5

’18-19 Brno

17

BOUCHER

WATCHING SVOZIL IN

the beginning with Stromgren, and that’s what makes the Swedish left winger so intriguing. “He has really good hands, and he’s 6-foot-3,” said one scout. “He loops a bit too much in his skating, that’s the knock. But the upside is really good.”

Stromgren played for a number of teams at different levels back home this season, but his latter games with Modo in the Allsvenskan were particularly promising. He ended the campaign strong and looked comfortable playing in the nation’s second-best circuit against men. “He’s really been coming on strong all season,” said another scout. “He’s strong and fast with great hands, and he can carry the puck. He ran the Modo power play at one point this year. He’s one of those guys who had a growth spurt, and you say, ‘Wow, what kind of player can he become?’ He’s going to be a riser.”

Could he be a first-rounder? If a team really likes his potential, then sure, he’ll be in the mix. But even if he’s taken on Day 2 of the draft, there’s a lot to work with. Stromgren finished off his season with Sweden’s world under-18 squad.

’18-19 Tor. Red Wings Ban. Canada Red

LEA.

SVOZIL

2

TEAM

Boucher would have played a full schedule for the U.S. NTDP, including duty at the All-American Prospects Game and World Under-18 Championship in Texas. Unfortunately, injuries kept him on the shelf and out for some key dates.

“He’s got some stick skill, he competes and plays hard,” said one scout. “There’s something there in the pro mold because he plays so hard in tough areas. It’s just tough because we haven’t seen him put it all together for an extended period of time.”

Luckily, what scouts have seen has been intriguing thanks to Boucher’s unique set of skills. The Boston University commit and son of former NHL goalie Brian Boucher is a power forward with an aggressive streak. If he puts it all together, look out. “Guys like him are rare,” said another scout. “NHL fans are going to know him even if he doesn’t score a ton because he’s going to be one of the toughest, most physical guys in the league.

He just blows guys up on the forecheck, he’s actually hurt himself while trying to hurt other people. He’s a big, strong bull who loves to play mean, and he has really good hands around the net, too.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

U19

40 8 19 27 20

’17-18 Virtua

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

U14

20 12 25 37 24

OHL

59 18 23 41

18

’18-19 Modo

Ban.

22 25 12 37 26

’19-20 Brno

Cze.

41 2 3

5

8

’18-19 Avon Old Farms USHS 26 9 14 23

WU17

5

1 0

1

6

’19-20 Modo

Jr.

10 3 4

7

2

’20-21 Brno

Cze.

30 1 2

3

8

’19-20 USA U17

Slo.2

13 5 6

11

8

’20-21 Modo

Swe.2 27 3 6

9

2

Czech Rep.

WJC

5 0 1

1

16

WU18

7 4 7

11

0

WU18

5

2

Czech Rep.

WU18

5 0 1

1

6

BEST CASE: Ryan Strome

| 54 | T HE H OC KE Y NE W S

Sweden

7

2 3

BEST CASE: Chris Kreider

DRA FT PRE VIEW 2021

BEST CASE: Neal Pionk

USA ’20-21 USA U18

–

NTDP 43 9 17 26 98 WU17

1 3

4

16

NTDP 12 6 5

6

11

22

BEST CASE: Tom Wilson

ISAK

MATT

LOGAN

RYDER

BORN March 15, 2003, Stockholm, Swe. 2020-21 Leksand POS LW HT 5-11 WT 161 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 27

BORN Nov. 14, 2002, New York, N.Y. 2020-21 Chicago POS LW HT 5-10 WT 183 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 32

BORN Feb. 26, 2003, Kamloops, B.C. 2020-21 Kamloops POS C HT 5-8 WT 170 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 42

BORN Sept. 23, 2002, Yorkton, Sask.

2020-21 Moose Jaw POS C HT 5-10 WT 159 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 34

ROSEN

CORONATO

GLASS HALF-FULL?

ON A SUPER-CHARGED

With his still-developing body and offensive toolbox, Rosen may be far from reaching his ceiling as a player. Glass halfempty? Evaluators aren’t sure where to set that ceiling yet.

“He’s a strong, explosive skater,” said one scout. “A good allaround player, but hard to judge this year. I don’t know what he projects to yet. He’s a little behind the curve physically.”

Rosen’s father and uncle both played in Sweden’s Elite League (now the SHL), and they had size, so there’s still a chance for a growth spurt. Otherwise, Rosen can bank on his considerable skills as a calling card. “He has good vision, good hands and he’s a good playmaker, he can create something out of nothing,” said another scout. “Tough to project, but like what he did in the SHL. He came up with no fear, kept making plays and doing what he’s good at. That’s interesting to scouts, when a player comes up with no hesitation. For him it’s holding onto the puck, finding space, finding that extra half-second to make a pass that most guys don’t see.

He needs to boost his strength.”

Rosen was one of Sweden’s top forwards at the world under18s, earning a bronze medal.

YR

TEAM

’17-18 Leksand

STANKOVEN IF STANKOVEN HAD

Chicago Steel team that posted incredible offensive numbers in the USHL, Coronato was one of the top scorers. So why isn’t the Harvard commit projected to go higher?

“Matt is a pretty put-together product already,” said one scout.

“Having said that, it’s a pretty good product. He’s a good skater, he’s got skill, he’s smart, he can score and his best asset is probably his compete level, which amplifies all his other attributes. I’m pretty sure he’ll go to Harvard next year and kill it, and he’ll probably be great at the world juniors, but I do worry about the next level, if he can separate himself.”

If you get Coronato in the second round, you’re probably happy. But if his production pushes him higher, things get a little more dicey based on the expectations surrounding a firstrounder. “He’s not an elite skater, he’s a good skater,” said another scout. “But he’s able to score goals and get pucks on net. It’s hard to discount the season he’s having. I see a guy who can finish. He’s not overly dynamic, but his puck placement and his ability to get to the interior and play in those hard areas has been impressive.”

TEAM

KORCZAK AFTER A DISAPPOINTING

rookie campaign in the WHL, Korczak was traded from the Calgary Hitmen to Moose Jaw in 2019, and he has put up better numbers in his new environs. The undersized center has been a point-per-game player the past two seasons with the Warriors, with the emphasis on assists more than goals.

In Korczak, scouts see a savvy operator who is capable on the power play but struggles when games get tight and when he has to penetrate scoring areas for chances. That might come with experience and maturity, but it will have to come if he’s going to excel at a higher level.

“It’s easier to produce from the outside in junior than in the NHL,” said one scout. “That’s something he’s going to have to learn to do, and as a guy with his size, he’s going to have to learn to do it in a more difficult manner or a more complex manner.

He’s really good on the power play and really good if you give him space. But he doesn’t earn a lot of space, and if you take it away from him, he still hasn’t reached the point where he would help create it.”

Korczak’s brother was drafted 41st overall by Vegas in 2019.

Kaedan stands 6-foot-4.

another five inches on his frame, he’d probably be talked up as a potential first-round pick.

Stankoven is small, and he’s not a particularly great skater, but he still manages to make an impact on the game with his smarts and compete level. He has surprised a lot of opponents in the WHL with his willingness to battle and his ability to come out of those battles with the puck. “I don’t want to like Logan Stankoven, and I don’t want to like a 5-foot-8 guy,” said one scout, “other than the fact that he’s usually the best player you can watch. He’s so good.”

Foot speed is a concern with Stankoven, but it also used to be a concern with Brayden Point, and he turned out all right in Tampa Bay. Stankoven has a quick shot release and an ability to create offense. He’s definitely more of a shooter than a playmaker and scored seven goals in only six WHL games this season. He was also a go-to offensive player for Canada at the World Under-18 Championship. “I would say we’re all trying to figure out whether he’ll be a top-six player in the NHL,” said another scout. “He’s competitive every single night, and he has a very good base.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

25 19 19 38 22

’16-17 New Jersey

U14

21 18 29 47

2

’17-18 Yale Academy CAHS 30 57 33 90

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

6

YR

TEAM

’16-17 Yorkton

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

30 27 56 83 30

’18-19 Leksand

Mid.

16 15 7 22

2

’17-18 Long Island

Ban.

22 19 24 43

6

’18-19 Thompson

Mid.

38 49 52 101 36

’17-18 Yorkton

Mid.

42 12 22 34 24

’19-20 Leksand

Jr.

38 21 14 35

8

’18-19 Salisbury

USHS 30 15 17 32

–

’19-20 Kamloops

WHL

59 29 19 48 10

’18-19 Calgary

WHL

50 8 7

’20-21 Leksand

Swe.

22 0 1

1

2

’19-20 Chicago

USHL 45 18 22 40 69

’20-21 Kamloops

WHL

6 7 3 10

0

’19-20 Moose Jaw

WHL

62 18 49 67 16

WU18

7

9

0

’20-21 Chicago

USHL

WU18

7 4 4

0

’20-21 Moose Jaw

WHL

17 3 13 16

Sweden

7 2

BEST CASE: Oliver Bjorkstrand

51 48 37 85 57

BEST CASE: Zach Hyman

Canada

8

BEST CASE: Cam Atkinson

DRA FT P RE VI EW 2 021

15

16 4

BEST CASE: Filip Chytil

TH E H OCK E Y NE WS | 55 |

SAMU

ALEXANDER

WYATT

CONNER

BORN April 9, 2003, Helsinki, Fin. 2020-21 Jokerit Jr. POS C HT 6-3 WT 190 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

BORN Nov. 1, 2002, Solikamsk, Rus. 2020-21 Dynamo Moscow Jr. POS C HT 5-10 WT 141 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 38

BORN May 14, 2003, Leaside, Ont. 2020-21 Windsor POS C HT 6-1 WT 176 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 71

BORN May 13, 2003, Winnipeg, Man. 2020-21 Seattle POS LW HT 5-11 WT 176 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 53

SALMINEN

KISAKOV

WHILE OHLERS LOST

IN HIS SECOND

YR

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

18 5 7

’17-18 Dyn. Moscow Ban.

12 22

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

15 8 4

GP G A PT PIM

YR

8

’18-19 Tor. Marlboros Ban.

73 48 46 94

8

’17-18 Wpg Hawks

12

’19-20 Windsor

OHL

53 12 18 30

8

’18-19 Wpg Thrashers Mid.

43 41 47 88 62

WU17

5

2 3

5

14

’19-20 Seattle

WHL

54 19 20 39 21

’20-21 Seattle

WHL

11 6 6

12

4

7

2 2

4

4

WU18

7

5

2

Mid.

33 18 18 36 32

’18-19 Dyn. Moscow Mid.

19 8 11 19

Jr.

23 7 13 20 10

’19-20 Dyn. Moscow Jr.

34 2 16 18 24

Jr.

17 10 16 26 10

’20-21 Dyn. Moscow Jr.

61 36 37 73 90

WU18

7

7 2

BEST CASE: Tomas Hertl

| 56 | T H E HO CKE Y N EWS

9

2

TEAM

Canada Red ’20-21 Windsor Canada

BEST CASE: Mikael Granlund

DR AF T PR EV I E W 2021

LEA.

pleasantly surprised with Roulette’s offensive production at the World Under-18 Championship, where he chipped in on the scoresheet despite playing on the fourth line. Still, though, Roulette is viewed as a middleto bottom-six winger at the NHL level. He has good offensive skills and instincts, but they’re not his calling cards.

Roulette is an up-and-down winger who hounds the puck and creates chances with his hard work. Cashing in on his opportunities, however, is another matter. “I don’t think he has that one trump card,” said one scout.

“I don’t see him having one truly defined asset. But he could be a middle-six guy that will really help you win.”

Roulette has good speed and can use that to create chances, but scouts would like to see him be able to do more when he has the puck on his stick. His transition game and decision-making are two key areas of concern.

“He’s a good two-way hockey player,” said another scout.

“He’s got a little bit of skill, he knows the game, works pretty hard and he goes up and down the wing and contributes. He’s more of a third-line than a second-line guy.”

12

’18-19 Jokerit

Finland

NHL SCOUTS WERE

been selected to Canada’s U-18 team, he wouldn’t have played any hockey at all this year. As a result, scouts are really going to have to drill down on him before making final assessments. “We’re trying to figure Wyatt out,” said one scout.

Johnston did perform well in his rookie OHL season in 2019-20. After getting off to a slow start with the Windsor Spitfires, he got a confidence boost at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, then returned with a vengeance, putting up 25 points in his final 32 games.

“He looked like he was going to be a good player based on last year,” said another scout. “He’s a smart player. No real problems with him.”

Johnston has bulked up, but he’ll have to spend the next couple of seasons getting bigger and stronger. He offers a responsible two-way presence and has good attention to detail at both ends of the ice. Based on his finish to the OHL season in 2019-20, he can contribute offensively, but whichever team takes him will be looking for him to make improvements in that area and assert himself more in his final two seasons of major junior.

’19-20 Jokerit ’20-21 Jokerit

ROULETTE

HAD JOHNSTON NOT

season playing in Russia’s top junior league, Kisakov quadrupled his point total and scored 34 additional goals. So what’s a guy with those kinds of numbers doing in the second round of the NHL draft?

Well, size is the biggest issue with Kisakov. Not just height, but weight. He’s incredibly slight and tends to get overmatched on the physical side of the game. To his credit, he doesn’t shy away from the gritty areas, and he has a lot to offer once you get past his stature. “If you look at the kid in a vacuum, he’s got everything except size,” said one scout.

“He’s an elite offensive talent.

Everything I see tells me this kid is an elite player.”

Scouts view Kisakov as a player who has more flash than fellow Russian prospects Fyodor Svechkov and Nikita Chibrikov, but his all-around game isn’t as well defined as theirs. He’s less a safe pick and more of a wild card, albeit one who might make an NHL team look very smart if he can fill out his frame a lot more. “He’s really quick and creative and skilled,” said another scout. “But he’s not strong yet. He gets pushed around sometimes, but he’s still a great hockey player.”

the entire season to the pandemic, some of Finland’s best juniors had abbreviated runs, too – anyone in Helsinki, to be specific.

That included Salminen, one of his country’s top prospects.

“He’s the wild card of the draft,” said one scout. “He was outstanding early on, and he was already good last year, so everyone knows him…but no one really knows him, right?”

Which meant that the world under-18s were a huge opportunity for Salminen. As it turned out, he put a stamp on his season as one of Finland’s best players in the tournament.

A leading scorer for the national squad, Salminen was also one of the best faceoff artists in the entire tourney. “He’s a very talented player, offensively gifted,” said another scout. “When he enters the offensive zone, he can make plays as well as anybody.

He feathers passes through, makes use of 2-on-1s and small areas and creates openings.”

Because Salminen is committed to NCAA Denver, he couldn’t play in Finland’s pro ranks this year – though he had the chops to do so. He’s a terrific athlete with good size who prides himself on being in great shape.

’17-18 Jokerit

JOHNSTON

OHL WU18

DNP

BEST CASE: Mason Appleton

TEAM

Canada

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

34 52 49 101 14

2 3

BEST CASE: Jaden Schwartz

LOGAN

PROKHOR

DYLAN

OLIVER

BORN April 15, 2003, Belle River, Ont. 2020-21 Lejon POS D HT 6-3 WT 214 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 50

BORN Feb. 1, 2003, St. Petersburg, Rus. 2020-21 Krasnaya Jr. POS RW HT 5-11 WT 174 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 49

BORN March 4, 2003, Strongsville, Ohio 2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS C HT 5-10 WT 181 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 36

BORN July 29, 2003, Sundsvall, Swe. 2020-21 KalPa Jr. POS C HT 6-1 WT 179 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

MAILLOUX

POLTAPOV

THE LONDON KNIGHTS

AT THIS POINT in his

had a loaded blueline last season. So despite the fact Mailloux was a second-round OHL draft pick, the Knights decided to send him to Jr. B where he could log tons of ice time in all situations rather than see spot duty at the major-junior level.

It turned out to be the best thing for him and also proved development is almost never a linear path. Of course, scouts would’ve liked to see what he could have accomplished in the OHL this season, but that opportunity went by the wayside when the campaign was completely scrubbed. So Mailloux played in a lower-level pro league in Sweden and acquitted himself well.

The lack of high-level hockey the past two seasons will undoubtedly affect his development curve, particularly on the defensive side of the game.

As one NHL scout said, Mailloux didn’t have to play defense in Jr. B because he had the puck all the time. “If you’re willing to risk a first-round pick, if you don’t mind striking out trying to hit a home run, he might be a guy you’d consider taking,” said one scout. “Some team will take a flyer on him. There’s work to be done, but the physical tools are there.”

YR

TEAM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

67 13 31 44 34

’18-19 Dynamo

Mid.

11 13 12 25 14

’18-19 Compuware

’19-20 London

Jr. B

48 18 50 68 94

’19-20 Krasnaya

Jr.

23 8 4

12

10

’19-20 USA U17

London

OHL

4 0 0

WU17

6 3 4

7

4

Jr.

61 25 27 52 30

WU18

7

Lejon

OHL

2

DNP

Swe.3 19 7 8

BEST CASE: Vince Dunn

Russia ’20-21 Krasnaya

15 32

Russia

2 5

BEST CASE: Jesper Fast

7

KAPANEN MISSED SOME

took more shots on goal for the U.S. NTDP this season than Duke. Anecdotally, no one spent more time an inch outside the opponent’s crease, either.

Duke tied for one shy of the team lead in goals and nearly all of his tallies came from the tough areas. “He has very good offensive-zone instincts, he’s a blueline-in type player,” said one scout. “He finds ways to get open, he’s a dog-on-a-bone type of player with good puck pursuit.

He’s more quick than fast, but he has a great stick and good vision, and he’s a solid playmaker.

He has good hands in tight, and he finds the scoresheet.”

A Michigan commit whose younger brother Tyler is also with the NTDP right now, Duke’s only real drawback is a frame that doesn’t seem like it will get much bigger.

“The concern with him is the upside, what you see now is what you’ll see five years from now,” said another scout. “So what’s his ceiling? I don’t think it’s high, but those players find a way to play because they’re so competitive. He’s like (New York Rangers draft pick) Brett Berard last year, they don’t know they’re small because they have chips on their shoulder.”

GP G A PT PIM

0

TEAM

KAPANEN

STATISTICALLY, NO ONE

development trajectory, scouts see Poltapov a tier below countrymen Fyodor Svechkov, Nikita Chibrikov and Alexander Kisakov in terms of being a dynamic offensive player.

But there is still a lot to like about the smart, strong and talented winger who competes hard and plays the game the right way on a consistent basis.

“He’s the type of guy who is good enough offensively to play any kind of offensive role, but he also does the other things that offensive guys don’t want to do,” said one scout. “He does all that stuff, and as good as his skill level is, his brain is good enough to put him into a secondary offensive role.”

Playing in Russia’s junior league this season, Poltapov posted decent but not eyepopping numbers. More encouraging was his all-around game that was on full display in both the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last season and most recently in the World Under-18 Championship. “He’s a notch below the other Russian guys, but he works hard,” said another scout. “And with his work ethic and competitiveness, plus his good level of skill, it gives him a chance to play.”

’18-19 Tor Marlboros Ban.

’20-21 London

LEA.

DUKE

6

YR

TEAM

USA ’20-21 USA U18 USA

games during the world under-18s after a scary spill into the boards, but when he was in the lineup he was very effective for the Finns.

Kapanen comes from a hockey family. He is the nephew of former NHLer Sami Kapanen and cousin of current NHLer Kasperi. And Oliver’s dad, Kimmo, was a pro goalie himself back in Finland. “He reminds me of Sami in his style of play,” said one scout. “He’s an overall good player. He’s skilled, and he can skate. He competes, and there is a physical upside attached to his game.”

Kapanen made his pro debut back home this year, getting into five games in the Mestis, one rung below the Liiga. Next year, he is expected to play full time in the Liiga for KalPa – the team now owned by uncle Sami.

“He may be the best two-way player in this Finnish class,” said another scout. “He’s really smart on both sides of the puck, a true team player – he’ll do everything and anything they need him to do, and he can play up and down the lineup. He can kill penalties and play different roles on the power play. He’s a versatile guy but maybe doesn’t have the high-end skill.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

19 12 11 23 12

’18-19 KalPa

Ban.

16 8 10 18

NTDP 46 29 18 47 28

’19-20 KalPa

Mid.

44 23 27 50 28

WU17

2

’20-21 KalPa

Jr.

37 25 16 41 26

NTDP 50 29 20 49 32

JoKP

Fin.2

5

3 2

5

12

WU18

Finland

WU18

4 0 0

0

2

6 5 3 5

3 1

8 4

4

BEST CASE: Patric Hornqvist

DRA F T P RE V IE W 20 2 1

TEAM

14

BEST CASE: Logan Couture

THE HO C KE Y NE WS | 57 |

RYAN

BRETT

AYRTON

ALEKSI

BORN May 7, 2003, Smithtown, N.Y. 2020-21 Chicago POS D HT 5-10 WT 181 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

BORN June 7, 2003, London, Ont. 2020-21 Koovee Jr. POS C HT 6-2 WT 185 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 64

BORN Sept. 28, 2002, Toronto, Ont. 2020-21 Omaha POS LW HT 5-10 WT 170 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

BORN May 26, 2003, Tuusula, Fin. 2020-21 JYP POS D HT 6-0 WT 185 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

UFKO

HARRISON

WHEN IT COMES to of-

AFTER A SOLID

YR

TEAM

LEA.

U14

GP G A PT PIM

n/a

’18-19 North Jersey

Ban.

’19-20 Chicago

USHL 43 2 7

25 2 22 24

’20-21 Chicago

USHL 53 10 29 39 14

9

8 21

YR

TEAM

| 58 | T H E H O CK EY N EW S

MALINEN ISN’T THE

slated to play in the BCHL this season, needed little time to establish his bona fides in the USHL with the Lancers.

In fact, he led Omaha in scoring despite not playing the full schedule. “From Day 1, he has carried them offensively,” said one scout. “He’s one of the most skilled, quick-minded guys I’ve seen all year. He’s slight, but he’s quick. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he can dart and get away from guys. It’s his brain, he processes the offensive game so quickly and gets so many breakaways. He’s opportunistic, getting to the good areas. He can finish, he makes plays and his skill level is legit.”

An underage standout for Canada East at last year’s World Jr. A Challenge, Martino is a Clarkson commit. Some see him as a better version of Alex Campbell, the Nashville draft pick who excelled as a freshman with Clarkson this season (and also played for Omaha). “He’s really good on the power play and he kills penalties, so they trust that he’s smart enough defensively,” said another scout.

“It’s not easy for a first-year guy to come in and do what he’s done, especially with the USHL’s depth this year.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

33 42 21 63 14

’17-18 Tor. Titans

’19-20 Oshawa

OHL

58 21 16 37

8

’18-19 St. Michael’s

Jr. B

49 10 32 42 26

’18-19 JYP

6 2 0

2

4

’19-20 St. Michael’s

Jr. B

48 29 50 79 19

’19-20 JYP

Jr.

7 4 5

9

0

’20-21 Omaha

USHL 38 18 38 56 12

’20-21 JYP

WU18

7

2

2

Canada White WU17 ’20-21 Koovee

2 0

BEST CASE: Nino Niederreiter

DRAFT PREV I EW 2021

TEAM

type of player who jumps out of your TV screen, but he’s also not the sort of defenseman who ends up on the wrong side of a highlight-reel goal, either.

“He reminds me of (Detroit Red Wings draft pick) Eemil Viro from last year,” said one scout. “He’s sort of a similar puck-moving defenseman with average size that doesn’t excel at either end, but is a good transport guy. He can make a good first pass and carry the puck. He’s more of a transitional guy than anything else.”

Malinen was solid for Team Finland at the world under-18s, but perhaps even more impressive back home where he played against men for a basementdwelling JYP team that had a lot of young talent but not many positive results in the win column this season.

“He sees the ice very well,” said another scout. “He played pretty much the whole season in the Liiga on a bad team so he was pressured a lot and he showed he can escape the forecheck pretty well. He’s quick and makes tight turns. He’s a smart player. He has offense attached to his game, but at his age in the Liiga it’s hard to show that part of your skill set.”

’18-19 London

Canada

BEST CASE: Adam Fox

MALINEN

MARTINO, ORIGINALLY

rookie season with the Oshawa Generals, Harrison decamped to Finland this year with the OHL on hiatus. He put up great numbers for Koovee’s junior squad and even got into a pro game, though the different environment had some evaluators on the fence.

“I liked him more in Oshawa than this year in Finland,” said one scout. “I was disappointed in his work ethic, he was more aggressive and harder on pucks with Oshawa, but maybe it was the bigger ice surface. I always thought he could be a powerforward type. More of a crashand-bang guy down the road.”

Harrison earned a coveted spot on Canada’s gold-medalwinning world under-18 team in April and provided some depth scoring on a team filled with talented forwards. He’ll be a key driver for Oshawa next season. “He might be one of the more pure finishers in the draft,” said another scout. “He gets a couple chances a game because he goes to the right spots, and he finishes them. He’s a bigger body, but he thinks he’s a smaller skill player, so there’s real potential there if he adds more consistency and jam to his game.

He could be a terror.”

fensive pop, the Steel got most of its points from the forwards, but Ufko’s contributions cannot be overlooked. “He’s a little bit of a sleeper pick,” said one scout. “He’s really good with the puck. Really smart, patient, poised and deceptive. Just a really heady player. He’s not big, not a dynamic skater, but he is a fluid skater. His stride is graceful, and he glides well. His offense has been so consistent this year.”

Ufko is on a good path: from Chicago, he’s slated to play college hockey at UMass, where coach Greg Carvel has put together a national champion and groomed a number of excellent young D-men from Cale Makar to Zac Jones. Ufko fits the mold of a Minutemen defenseman.

“You look at him, he’s sub-sixfeet and his skating is average, then you walk away from the game thinking he might have made the most plays on the ice,” said another scout. “He has the transitional ability to get to open ice and move pucks, plus the lateral ability on the offensive blueline to pull guys in and manipulate defenders. Once in a while he’ll get challenged defensively and his skating will show better than you think. This is a guy who performs every night.”

’17-18 Mid Fairfield

MARTINO

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

50 22 30 52

’17-18 JYP

6

TEAM

Finland

BEST CASE: Teuvo Teravainen

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

13 3 3

6

4

Mid.

41 2 12 14

12

Jr.

49 1 9 10

6

Fin.

30 2 1

3

0

WU18

7

1

0

1 0

BEST CASE: Ville Heinola

NOLAN

JUSTIN

ARTYOM

EVAN

BORN April 28, 2003, Davidson, Sask.

2020-21 Prince Albert POS D HT 6-2 WT 194 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 15

BORN March 13, 2003, Plano, Texas 2020-21 Val d’Or POS C HT 5-7 WT 172 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 33

BORN March 20, 2003, Yegoryevsk, Rus. 2020-21 Hamilton POS D HT 6-2 WT 174 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 30

BORN Jan. 20, 2003, White Rock, B.C. 2020-21 Quebec POS D HT 6-2 WT 185 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 56

ALLAN

ROBIDAS

THE NEPHEW OF

THE SON OF

1994 Vancouver Canucks draft pick Chad Allan is a very good skater who can transition the puck out of his own end, but Nolan’s offensive numbers in his first two WHL campaigns haven’t been sterling.

As a result, scouts are still trying to figure out whether there’s more there than Allan has displayed at the majorjunior level. “In Prince Albert, it looks like he’s not really allowed or encouraged to get into the office, so he’s become sort of a one-dimensional defensive guy who might have a little more offense,” one scout said. “Because that’s what he had when he was drafted (into the WHL).”

A lot of defensemen coming into the NHL draft are good offensive players who learn to improve on the defensive side of the game, but Allan is the polar opposite. There are no concerns with how he takes care of business in his own end, but scouts would like to see more polished play in the offensive zone. Even if that doesn’t come to pass, however, he should still be able to find work as a stay-at-home defender. “I don’t think there’s a lot of offense there right now,” said another scout, “but maybe that will come.”

YR

TEAM

GRUSHNIKOV SCOUTS WERE disap-

former NHL defenseman Stephane Robidas is another undersized forward in a draft that is chock full of them. He’s a lot like Logan Stankoven, but most scouts have Stankoven ahead of Robidas on their lists. Because of his size, there’s a good chance he becomes a winger at the pro level.

It helps that Robidas has played up and down the lineup in Val d’Or and can play all three forward positions. “He’s not a primary offensive guy, and looking at Stankoven, you look at a top-six guy, and with Justin, you’re looking at a middle- to bottom-six guy,” said one scout.

“You’re looking at a guy who’s a good skater, high compete level, high energy level, secondary offense, but he’s not that big.”

The sense is, though, that Robidas has the potential to will his way into the NHL, the same way his father did after being a seventh-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens 26 years ago. “Having a guy like him at his size is not ideal in that lower role, but with that being said, he brings other elements of offense and a little bit better speed,” said another scout. “When you’re that small and you’re putting up those kinds of numbers, you’re obviously paying the price.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

’17-18 Humboldt

Ban.

26 12 32 44 57

’16-17 Triolet

TEAM

’18-19 Sask Blazers

Mid.

NAUSE THERE AREN’T MANY

pointed and confused when Grushnikov was left off Russia’s roster for the World Under-18 Championship, particularly after he played for the under-17 team and 2020 HlinkaGretzky team, both of which won a gold medal.

That means whichever NHL team drafts Grushnikov will be doing so without having seen him play a single game this season. After being selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the CHL import draft in 2020, Grushnikov committed to the OHL team.

“He’s going to be the hardest to judge,” said one scout. “If a team has a really good Russian guy, then maybe take him. But this guy’s another one we don’t know about. We’re going to have to just go to the drawing board with this guy.”

From what scouts have seen of him in Russia’s junior leagues, Grushnikov projects as a defensive defenseman who is reliable in his own zone. He has a good first pass and can skate the puck out of his own end, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be counted on for his offense. It would have been interesting to see whether he could have developed his offensive game in the OHL this season with Hamilton.

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

30 25 27 52 16

’17-18 CSKA Moscow Ban.

TEAM

LEA.

players projected to go in the first two rounds of the draft who are more perplexing than Nause – but not in a bad way.

Like many young players, Nause is still developing his identity.

Scouts are unsure whether he’ll be a two-way defenseman with above-average offense or strictly a shutdown guy. Either way, he has potential. “His offensive ability is underrated, his shot is underrated,” said one scout. “There’s not a defined element there. He’s a shutdowntype guy, but he can make better plays than the average shutdown-type defenseman.”

Nause is still learning the defensive part of the game, and if he plays in the NHL, it will be after two more years of major junior and a couple more in the minors. Playing defense at the NHL level takes more reps than Nause has accumulated.

But once that experience comes, a team might have a find on its hands. “He’s a great skater,” said another scout. “He looks like he’s got more offense than his numbers will tell you.

He runs the power play and looks good doing it. He’s still learning the defensive part of the game, which is harder than playing forward.”

GP G A PT PIM

6 0 0

0

25

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

’17-18 Newbridge

YR

TEAM

Mid.

16 4 11 15

10

8 0 0

2

39 12 23 35 32

’17-18 Triolet

Ban.

26 26 22 48 10

’18-19 CSKA Moscow Ban.

12 3 7

10

8

’18-19 Newbridge

Mid.

’19-20 Prince Albert WHL

58 2 6

8

25

’18-19 Magog

Mid.

35 28 25 53

’19-20 Krasnaya

29 1 4

5

4

’19-20 Sioux Falls

USHL 44 3 14 17 26

’20-21 Prince Albert WHL

16 1

1

2

21

’19-20 Val d’Or

QMJHL 57 21 22 43

8

8 0 2

2

0

7

1

2

2

’20-21 Val d’Or

QMJHL 35 19 17 36

4

Canada

WU18

1

BEST CASE: Calvin de Haan

8

BEST CASE: Jonathan Marchessault

Jr.

CSKA Moscow Mid. ’20-21 Hamilton

OHL

DNP

Canada Red ’20-21 Quebec

BEST CASE: Chris Tanev

DRA FT P RE VI EW 202 1

WU17

5 0 1

0 1

12

QMJHL 32 4 18 22 32

BEST CASE: Ryan McDonagh

THE HOC KE Y NEW S | 59 |

BRENT

SAMUEL

MATTHEW

COLE

BORN March 20, 2003, Dallas, Texas 2020-21 Sioux Falls POS D HT 5-11 WT 165 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

BORN Nov. 26, 2002, Jarvenpaa, Fin. 2020-21 JYP POS C HT 6-6 WT 201 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 67

BORN Oct. 17, 2002, Phoenix, Ari. 2020-21 Tri-City POS LW HT 6-3 WT 205 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 62

BORN May 14, 2003, Fredericton, N.B. 2020-21 Acadie-Bathurst POS C HT 6-3 WT 201 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

JOHNSON

HELENIUS

A SHOULDER INJURY

HELENIUS EARNED A

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

’17-18 Dallas Stars

TEAM

U14

12 7 4

11

10

’17-18 Jokerit

’18-19 Dallas Stars

Ban.

30 3 7

10

’19-20 Little Caesars Ban. Sioux Falls ’20-21 Sioux Falls

USHL

TEAM

SKATING IS A

concern for Huckins, much in the same way that it was a concern for his cousin Ryan Malone, who managed to suit up for more than 600 games in the NHL and score 20 or more goals on six occasions.

But, at 6-foot-3 and 200-plus pounds, Huckins already has NHL size and a modicum of skill to go along with it. “Skating really hurts this kid,” said one scout. “He’s a smart player, and for a below-average skater, he still manages to get to the puck.

And he has good hands for a big man, too.”

Much will depend upon how Huckins develops all aspects of his game over the next couple of years. The team that drafts him will have to invest some time and resources into helping him grow his game in terms of decision-making: he needs to learn to anticipate plays rather than react to them. If his future NHL club can succeed in doing that, it could have an impactful power forward and net-front presence on its hands. “With all of his physical tools, he should be a really good player,” said another scout. “If someone is able to help him learn how to play faster, then you might have a really good player.”

you have to watch a prospect’s full season, and Knies is the perfect case study.

After a great underage year with the Tri-City Storm, he was invited to Team USA’s summer world-junior camp and even tinkered with the idea of going straight to the University of Minnesota. But he stayed in the USHL and then, unfortunately for him, was offensively snakebitten for the entire first half. “When you watch him, you see glimpses of it, but then you walk away and see he had no points again,” said one scout. “He doesn’t drive the play or make others better, he needs someone to get the puck in the zone for him where he sets up down low.”

Many have compared Knies to Brandon Saad, who had a similar swoon in his draft year after some early hype. Obviously Saad turned out just fine, and that’s the hope for Knies.

Luckily, a light flicked on for him and he caught fire with 23 points in the final 15 games of the season. “If his game continues to be straight-line and physical, finishing around the net, then he’ll be a good player,” said another scout. “If he tries to be east-west and beat guys 1-on1, he’s going to be in trouble.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

Ban.

18 7 6

6

’16-17 Jr. Coyotes

U14

13

HUCKINS

THERE’S A REASON

spot on Finland’s World Junior Championship team over a couple of better-known names from the 2021 class, but he nonetheless proved he belonged on the squad en route to claiming a bronze medal. “He’s big, well, he’s not big, he’s huge,” said one scout. “He skates well and it looks like he got put in more of a defensive role there, killing penalties, using his big body and long reach. I asked our Finnish guy if he has skill and he says he does. And he says he’s tough.”

When he wasn’t at the world juniors this season, Helenius was back in Finland playing against men in the top-tier Liiga on a JYP team that needed all the help it could get. “He played on one of the worst teams in the Liiga and they put him in a defensive role, like they did at the world juniors,” said another scout. “He’s hardnosed, with a good compete level, good on faceoffs and very responsible. So he can play here or there.”

Helenius had decent numbers for a teen in the Liiga, but shutdown work will be his ticket. His father, Sami, was also a massive human being who played more than 150 NHL games for a number of teams, mainly Dallas.

ended his season prematurely, but Johnson still finished amongst the USHL leaders in goals and points by a defenseman – not bad for a kid from Texas who spent almost all of his previous season playing AAA under-16 hockey in Michigan.

“As a first-year player, his stock has certainly risen,” said one scout. “When you look at where he started the year and where he ended up, he was logging 24 minutes a night at times.

He can skate, he can transition pucks and he’s got some offensive flair.”

Committed to NCAA North Dakota, Johnson is heading into a great developmental program, and he’ll have to compete for ice time as a freshman with the Fighting Hawks. “What jumps out about him is his dynamic skating ability and his shooting, too,” said another scout. “He’s really good at the offensive blueline, creating lanes with his feet, getting pucks through and he has scoring ability. He plays hard, really good energy. He needs to clean up his defensive play and get stronger, but he projects as a guy who can skate pucks out and play the power play. He definitely has a lot of the ingredients that teams covet right now.”

YR

KNIES

TEAM

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

8 8 2 10

0

YR

TEAM

’16-17 Fredericton

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

Ban.

24 20 26 46 32

4

’18-19 Jokerit

Mid.

43 13 15 28 52

’17-18 Jr. Coyotes

U15

16 15 11 26 10

’17-18 Stanstead

CAHS 52 10 17 27

47 6 28 34 32

’19-20 Jokerit

Jr.

51 13 11 24 61

’18-19 Jr. Coyotes

Ban.

25 24 13 37 30

’18-19 Stanstead

Mid.

2 0 0

’20-21 JYP

Fin.

54 7 7

14

61

’19-20 Tri-City

USHL 44 14 31 45 12

’19-20 A-Bathurst

QMJHL 64 13 25 38 60

WJC

7

4

18

’20-21 Tri-City

USHL 44 17 25 42 24

’20-21 A-Bathurst

QMJHL 33 14 18 32 49

0

0

USHL 47 11 21 32 42

BEST CASE: Tyson Barrie

| 60 | T HE H O CK EY NEW S

Finland

2 2

BEST CASE: Jordan Staal

DRA FT PREV IEW 2021

BEST CASE: Brandon Saad

–

18 5 22 27 40

BEST CASE: Blake Coleman

BENJAMIN

SHAI

JACK

OSCAR

BORN Jan. 11, 2003, North Bay, Ont. 2020-21 Sarnia POS G HT 6-2 WT 174 CATCHES L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 2 G

BORN March 26, 2003, San Diego, Calif.

2020-21 Sioux City POS D HT 6-3 WT 214 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 100

BORN May 15, 2003, Grand Rapids, Minn.

2020-21 Fargo POS D HT 5-11 WT 181 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 39

BORN May 18, 2003, Halifax, N.S. 2020-21 Charlottetown POS D HT 6-0 WT 190 SHOOTS R INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES nr

GAUDREAU

BUIUM

AFTER PLAYING ONLY

THE SON OF

YR

TEAM

LEA.

Mid.

W-L-T GAA SP

5-3-0

3.24 n/a

YR

TEAM

PLANDOWSKI

THE ONLY THING

Israeli immigrants, Buium was born and raised in California, where he picked up hockey through his cousin. He and younger brother Zeev – who’s one to watch in 2024 – both started off this season at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota, but Shai eventually made the fulltime jump to the USHL to push himself against stronger competition. “A lot of tools there,” said one scout. “He’s kind of in the same mold as (Tri-City’s) Guillaume Richard, but offensively he’s been able to do more in the league. Big, lanky kid, raw skater with decent feet.”

As Buium, a Denver commit, got more acclimated in Sioux City, his game took off, and nearly all his points came in the second half. He also earned a spot in the All-American Prospects Game in Michigan, though the USHL got swamped by the NTDP. “He’s really good with the puck,” said another scout.

“There’s surprisingly good offensive instincts from the blueline and he just keeps getting better.

When he’s been challenged at the USHL level, his game has adapted. The issues early were with skating, and he’s answered them. Everything moving forward is really good with him.”

28 games last season as a rookie and missing the entire OHL campaign this season, Gaudreau had his chance to suit up in Norway thwarted by passport issues. He did, however, get his chance to play some important games when he won the No. 1 job with Canada’s team at the recent World Under-18 Championship.

Scouts would have liked to see him face tougher competition, but he made the most of it and emerged as one of the top goalies in the tournament. “He’s a very good, athletic goalie,” said one scout. “I love the way he competes. His tools are really good. I thought he was poised for a big year this year.”

Gaudreau may not have played a league game in more than a year, but he did use his time off wisely, adding 15 pounds to his frame. There were some issues with rebound control last season, and the Sting were one of the weakest teams in the OHL, so it was difficult to get an accurate read on Gaudreau. But he does have good athletic ability and poise. “He wasn’t a superstar last year in the league,” said another scout, “but he was good (at the worlds), so now you’re hoping to see what he can do.”

’17-18 North Bay

PEART

YOU CAN’T BEAT

scouts can knock Peart for is his size – but they don’t even believe in that knock themselves.

The St. Cloud State commit was a revelation for a very good Fargo team in the USHL this year, and the kid absorbed every lesson thrown at him. “He’s got an elite IQ for the game,” said one scout. “He’s so good at retrieving pucks, breaking pucks out, it’s excellent. You look at guys who overperform, like Rasmus Sandin, that’s this kid. He’s super-smart, really good skill, not big, a good skater but not dynamic. If you told me I could have one USHLer, I’d take him.”

Peart went back to Minnesota high school in the middle of the season to try and win a state title with Grand Rapids, but unfortunately he saw those hopes dashed when the Thunderhawks were upset in the regionals. That didn’t set him back, however, as he returned to the USHL and kept ripping it up. “He hasn’t even tucked into the nutrition or training part of the game yet,” said another scout. “He stepped right in with Fargo and was their best defenseman. He sees the ice so well. His ability to start transition, he’s just super-poised.

His brain and the way he sees the ice is big-time.”

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

’16-17 Los Angeles

U13

47 18 17 35 16

’17-18 Great Plains

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

YR

U14

10 0 2

LEA.

GP G A PT PIM

2

–

’17-18 Edmonton

U15

30 5 16 21

14

’18-19 Grand Rapids USHS 25 8 13 21

14

’18-19 Selects Acad. U15

48 8 45 53

–

’18-19 North Bay

Mid.

20-0-0 1.13 n/a

’17-18 Shattuck

U14

29 4 11 15

’19-20 Sarnia

OHL

10-13-2 4.34 .890

’18-19 Shattuck

Ban.

54 7 24 31 22

’19-20 Grand Rapids USHS 25 13 14 27 10

’20-21 Sarnia

OHL

’19-20 Shattuck

Ban.

46 14 43 57 10

’20-21 Fargo

’20-21 Sioux City

USHL 50 4 22 26 27

Canada

WU18

DNP 5-0-0 2.20 .919

BEST CASE: Jordan Binnington

BEST CASE: Noah Hanifin

4

TEAM

Plandowski’s lineage: mom Jill is a power-skating coach, while dad Darryl is the director of amateur scouting for the Arizona Coyotes and a former NCAA hero with Northern Michigan.

Plandowski, meanwhile, is forging his own path in the QMJHL. “Oscar is a really good skater, both north-south and his four-way ability,” said one scout.

“His puck retrievals are really good, but he tends to look for the perfect play and sometimes there’s a turnover there, but that’s coachable. Defending, he sometimes has trouble recognizing sequences and switches, but again that’s coachable, and he’s a smart kid. He has good mobility, good pace and a good puck game, so he’s intriguing.”

Plandowski played forward up until a few years ago, so he is truly still learning the defense position – which also explains the learning curve. He’s also playing for a very good Charlottetown team with a number of talented blueliners, so offense hasn’t been a priority. “Great skater,” said another scout. “He’s a defensive defenseman. He fits today’s game with his speed. He could be a shutdown guy if he finds the strength and the size.

He’s got some good parts.”

USHL 24 1 14 15

Grand Rapids USHS

18 11 24 35

’19-20 Charlottetown QMJHL 60 0 12 12 26

14 4

TEAM

Canada White WU17

6 0 4

4

2

’20-21 Charlottetown QMJHL 39 5 12 17 28

BEST CASE: Rasmus Sandin

DR AF T P R E VIE W 20 2 1

BEST CASE: Ryan Lindgren

THE HO CK E Y NE W S | 61 |

CHASE

JACK

STILLMAN

BAR

RW, 6-1, 183, Esbjerg Jr. (Den.) 8–9–7–16–43 Loaned from OHL Sudbury.

Crash-and-banger had a great world under-18s with Canada, putting up points and ruling the forecheck. Son of ex-NHLer Cory Stillman.

D, 6-2, 194, Chicago (USHL) 34–5–10–15–52 Harvard commit is big, strong and has a bomb shot. Toughness and north-south skating make him a valued commodity. Just needs to cut down on turnovers.

69

70

ANTON

TRISTAN

OLSSON

BROZ

D, 6-0, 183, Malmo (Swe.) 39–0–4–4–31 Super-safe pick. Olsson plays hard, keeps it simple and has a good defensive stick. Mobile and can move the puck, but hockey sense isn’t high.

Won bronze at under-18s.

C, 6-0, 179, Fargo (USHL) 54–19–32–51–54 University of Minnesota commit was a top scorer in the USHL. Scouts are divided on his compete level, but Broz is great with the puck and slippery in offensive zone.

VINNY

IORIO

D, 6-3, 194, Brandon (WHL) 22–5–7–12–16 Hidden gem passes like a pro.

Has been a solid defensive D-man for Wheat Kings but can bring the offense and help PP. Strong kid can be mean when he needs to be.

71 OLEN

ZELLWEGER D, 5-10, 174, Everett (WHL) 11–2–11–13–2 He was already playing well with Everett, but the offensive defenseman really took advantage of his role with Canada at the world under-18s. Both reliable and productive.

ALEKSI

HEIMOSALMI D, 5-11, 170, Assat Jr. (Fin.) 35–4–17–21–22 Won top D-man award at world under-18s. Back home, he got more assertive as season went on. At his best, he’s a mobile puck-mover who sees the ice well. Still raw.

72 PETER

REYNOLDS C, 5-10, 168, Saint John (QMJHL) 33–15–16–31–2 Quick, elusive skater finds open ice and has a great one-timer.

Smart and skilled, Reynolds is a competitor but doesn’t have the strength yet to win those battles.

73

74

75

76

JOSHUA

KIRILL

CAMERON

VILLE

ROY

C, 6-0, 190, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) 35–22–13–35–4 Mid-season trade from Saint John sent him to rebuilding Phoenix. Great goal-scorer with quick release can slice through traffic. Skating isn’t great. Defense needs work.

| 62 | TH E HO CKE Y NE WS

KIRSANOV D, 6-1, 198, St. Petersburg (KHL) 29–0–3–3–0 Pleasant surprise at the world juniors worked his way up the Russian lineup. Thick kid who can skate and move the puck. Kirsanov has hockey smarts, too.

D RAF T PR E VI E W 2021

WHYNOT

D, 6-1, 181, Halifax (QMJHL) 34–6–17–23–28 An offensive D-man who can really skate. Played great on a pairing with Justin Barron (Colorado) but struggled a bit when they were apart.

Needs development time.

KOIVUNEN LW, 6-0, 165, Karpat Jr. (Fin.) 38–23–26–49–16 His skating deficiencies scare scouts, but at the same time they love his offensive instincts, hockey IQ and compete level. Had 10 points in seven games at world under-18s.

77

78

79

80

VICTOR

LIAM

GUILLAUME

FRANCESCO

STJERNBORG C, 5-11, 203, Vaxjo (Swe.) 30–2–2–4–4 Coach’s dream has future captain potential. The rare teen who killed penalties in the SHL. Stjernborg doesn’t have high-end skill, but he’ll win you key faceoffs.

81 COLTON

DACH

LW, 6-4, 205, Saskatoon (WHL) 20–11–9–20–16 Kirby’s brother is a great downlow, net-front presence who saw minutes on the top line with the Blades. Good physicality, needs to become a 200-foot player.

GILMARTIN LW, 6-2, 192, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 50–13–22–35–64 Tremendously effective winger headed to OHL London. Northsouth skater who plays with energy and physicality, he can kill penalties and also has some skill.

RICHARD

ARCURI

D, 6-2, 172, Tri-City (USHL) 46–2–14–16–14 University of Maine commit won gold at world under-18s. Richard has size and great skating ability but he’s still raw.

Puck play and transition game good already.

C, 6-2, 192, Linz (Aus.2) 18–9–6–15–10 Kingston property, but with no OHL, the skilled Arcuri went to Austria. He put up good numbers, but it didn’t help scouts’ impressions of his skating deficiencies.

82

83

84

RYAN

ISAAC

SASHA

WINTERTON C, 6-2, 190, Hamilton (OHL) DNP Energetic and in-your-face, he might get pigeonholed as a bottom-sixer but has cleaned up his skating.

Only action this season was seven games at under-18s.

BELLIVEAU

TELEGUINE

D, 6-2, 185, Gatineau (QMJHL) 37–5–12–17–24 Talented creator who likes to join the rush, but numbers tumbled after an awesome rookie campaign in Rimouski.

Adjustment on rebuilding Gatineau was tough.

C, 5-10, 185, Chilliwack (BCHL) 20–4–14–18–12 Big-time sleeper potential.

Teleguine’s father is a skills coach from Russia and the kid clearly picked up some lessons. He’s fast with great hands and creativity.

85

86

87

88

ROMAN

JOE

NIKO

RED

SCHMIDT D, 6-6, 209, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 45–3–11–14–49 Defensive defenseman has great combo of size and skating ability.

Still a project and needs to handle pressure better. OHL Kitchener and Boston U. will battle for his services.

VRBETIC G, 6-6, 181, North Bay (OHL) DNP Huge kid with great athleticism who only recently tapped into those gifts. Instead of just letting pucks hit him, Vrbetic is getting quicker and looking more confident.

HUUHTANEN

SAVAGE

RW, 6-1, 203, Tappara Jr. (Fin.) 37–20–14–34–73 There’s definite upside because he’s a power forward with a world-class shot and loves to throw his weight around.

But skating and shift consistency are issues.

C, 5-11, 181, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 46–18–24–42–39 Son of ex-NHLer Brian Savage is an ace in the faceoff circle and ultra-competitive. Doesn’t have a big frame, but he’s got the will and the motor.

Committed to NCAA Miami.

D RA FT P RE V I E W 20 21

TH E HO CK E Y N E WS | 63 |

S AIDAN

BRYCE

HRESCHUK

MONTGOMERY

D, 5-11, 187, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 50–6–31–37–14 Arrived with a lot of hype and disappointed in the first half but then came around. Great on the offensive blueline and his defending is getting better. Boston College commit.

D, 6-5, 220, London (OHL) DNP So much to like in the big, raw kid. Montgomery has shown he can make some plays with the puck. London is a perfect place for him when the OHL gets going again.

JUSTIN

JANICKE LW, 6-0, 181, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 43–12–16–28–16 Another motor guy from Team USA, Janicke can take on pressure and extend offensive possessions. Not a big kid, but compete level is great.

He’s a Notre Dame commit.

JAKUB

BRABENEC C, 6-2, 176, Brno (Cze.) 23–0–1–1–4 Showed nice potential and a responsible side while playing against men. Internationally, he was an offensive driver for the Czechs. Charlottetown has his QMJHL rights.

93

94

95

96

RILEY

TOPIAS

MATVEI

LIAM

KIDNEY

VILEN

C, 5-11, 168, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) 33–13–25–38–16 Hidden gem may not be so hidden after monster playoff numbers. Smart, competitive, good details and a heavy stick. Skates well but needs to increase his pace.

D, 6-0, 194, Pelicans (Fin.) 35–3–5–8–6 Noteworthy D-man on Finland’s world under-18 squad, Vilen can handle the puck and brings some bite. Played in Liiga but still has a lot of development ahead of him.

PETROV RW, 6-2, 181, Krylia Sovetov Jr. (Rus.) 58–22–20–42–16 The No. 1 pick in the CHL import draft stayed home since OHL North Bay had no season.

Petrov has high-end talent and played for Russia at the world under-18s.

97

98

99

MARTIN

JOSH

JOSH

RYSAVY

DOAN

C, 6-3, 209, Prerov (Cze.2) 19–3–6–9–6 Hardworking, two-way player who uses his size well. Moose Jaw owns his major-junior rights, and scouts would love to see him get some WHL action next season.

| 64 | T H E H O CK EY N EW S

RW, 6-2, 176, Chicago (USHL) 53–31–39–70–45 Passed over last year, Shane Doan’s son is an Arizona State commit who flourished with a bigger role this season.

He can put up numbers and uses his size well.

DR AF T PR EV I EW 202 1

LOPINA C, 6-2, 194, UMass (Hockey East) 29–9–14–23–12 Another re-entry, Lopina, 20, was a standout freshman for the national champs. North-south player with edge and twoway game, the only concern is his skating: heavy boots.

DOWER NILSSON C, 6-0, 176, Frolunda Jr. (Swe.) 16–5–12–17–10 Sweden’s captain at the world under-18s ran into penalty trouble but still helped team take bronze. Lean kid needs time, but he has great hockey sense and hands.

100 VLADISLAV

LUKASHEVICH D, 6-2, 159, Yaroslavl Jr. (Rus.) 36–3–16–19–8 The top-scoring defenseman on his junior team, Lukashevich can skate and handle the puck. But can he play a team game? Missed world under-18s due to injury.

JACKSON

BLAKE

RW, Eden Prairie (Minn. HS) Won a Minnesota high-school title and dominated the tourney.

Jason Blake’s son has great hockey sense and compete level. North Dakota commit also played for USHL Chicago.

CADE

AHRENHOLZ RW, Lakeville South (Minn. HS) Built like a linebacker, Ahrenholz lost to Blake’s team in the state final. Ahrenholz has a heavy stick and can leverage his size around the net.

Colorado College commit.

ARSENI

OWEN

SERGEYEV

BARTOSZKIEWICZ

G, Shreveport (NAHL) Athletic goalie with great glove and blocker. Still raw and a bit unstructured, but good size and a promising body of work. Delivered some spectacular performances.

G, Wichita Falls (NAHL) Big, lanky netminder with some athleticism, Bartoszkiewicz is still learning the craft but the early returns are great: he led a first-year expansion team to the playoffs.

TOP 100 ALPHABETICALLY

JUSTIN

ERTEL

LW, Summerside Western (MJAHL) The St. Andrew’s College product headed out east to get games and ended up a first-team all-star despite only playing part of the schedule.

Lots of skill in the Cornell commit.

FLORIAN

ELIAS

C, Mannheim (Ger.) Centered Tim Stutzle and J.J. Peterka at world juniors and looked great. Passed over last year but teams were interested. Hockey sense allows him to complement elite linemates.

JIMI

SUOMI D, Jokerit Jr. (Fin.) Skinny kid with plenty of upside thanks to his hockey sense and skill. Played at world under-18s for Finland and is interested in NCAA hockey, which would help his lack of strength.

SHANE

LACHANCE LW, Boston Jr. Bruins (USPHL) The son of ex-NHLer Scott Lachance has a big frame and is committed to Boston University. The left winger is still raw but ended the year with more offense.

YEGOR

SAVIKOV D, Togliatta Jr. (Rus.) A Torey Krug-style blueliner who blends mobility and some bite in a smaller package. Savikov was his team's captain and top scorer, though the offense tailed off in the second half.

DANILA

KLIMOVICH C, Minskie Zubry (Blr.2) A hot world under-18s put Klimovich and fellow Team Belarus mate Dmitri Kuzmin on the map.

Klimovich is very skilled and lethal on the power play.

Nolan Allan (53) Francesco Arcuri (80) Jack Bar (66) (66) Sean Behrens (22) Isaac Belliveau (83) Matty Beniers (5) Zach Bolduc (21) Tyler Boucher (36) Xavier Bourgault (23) Jakub Brabenec (92) Tristan Broz (70) Shai Buium (62) Corson Ceulemans (15) Daniil Chayka (30) Nikita Chibrikov (14) Brandt Clarke (7) Matt Coronato (38) Sebastian Cossa (24) Colton Dach (81) Zach Dean (29) Josh Doan (98) Liam Dower Nilsson (96) Dylan Duke (47) Simon Edvinsson (2) William Eklund (4) Benjamin Gaudreau (61) Liam Gilmartin (78) Artyom Grushnikov (55) Dylan Guenther (3) Brett Harrison (50) Aleksi Heimosalmi (68) Samuel Helenius (58) Aidan Hreschuk (89) Cole Huckins (60) Luke Hughes (6) Niko Huuhtanen (87) Vinny Iorio (67) Justin Janicke (91) Brent Johnson (57) Kent Johnson (8) Wyatt Johnston (43) Oliver Kapanen (48) Riley Kidney (93) Kirill Kirsanov (74) Alexander Kisakov (42) Matthew Knies (59) Ville Koivunen (76) Ryder Korczak (40) Zach L’Heureux (16) Carson Lambos (17)

DR AF T P R EV IEW 2 021

Josh Lopina (99) Chaz Lucius (10) Vladislav Lukashevich (100) Fabian Lysell (27) Logan Mailloux (45) Aleksi Malinen (52) Ayrton Martino (51) Mason McTavish (9) Bryce Montgomery (90) Scott Morrow (25) Evan Nause (56) Oskar Olausson (19) Anton Olsson (69) Brennan Othmann (18) Sasha Pastujov (31) Jack Peart (63) Matvei Petrov (95) Francesco Pinelli (33) Oscar Plandowski (64) Prokhor Poltapov (46) Owen Power (1) Aatu Raty (20) Peter Reynolds (72) Guillaume Richard (79) Simon Robertsson (32) Justin Robidas (54) Isak Rosen (37) Conner Roulette (44) Joshua Roy (73) Martin Rysavy (97) Samu Salminen (41) Mackie Samoskevich (26) Red Savage (88) Roman Schmidt (85) Cole Sillinger (13) Logan Stankoven (39) Chase Stillman (65) Victor Stjernborg (77) William Stromgren (34) Fyodor Svechkov (12) Stanislav Svozil (35) Sasha Teleguine (84) Samu Tuomaala (28) Ryan Ufko (49) Topias Vilen (94) Joe Vrbetic (86) Jesper Wallstedt (11) Cameron Whynot (75) Ryan Winterton (82) Olen Zellweger (71)

TH E HOCK EY NE WS | 65 |

| Top 10 Undrafted

JAMES

ETHAN CARDWELL

C, SURAHAMMAR (SWE.3)

ǡ ǯ Ǥ ǡ

Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǧ asset that many other fringe ǯ ϐ Ǥ

JOEL NYSTROM

D, FARJESTAD (SWE.)

WORTH THE WAIT? These 10 prospects who’ve already been passed over have impressed enough that they just might hear their names called this year | BY STEVEN ELLIS |

T T

HERE HASN’T BEEN A better year for the members of an NHL

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JAMES HARDIE

LW, MISSISSAUGA (OHL) ͵Ͷ ʹͲͳͻǦʹͲǡ ǯ

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| 66 | T HE HO CK EY NEWS

Ǥ

JANIS MOSER

D, BIEL-BIENNE (SUI.) ʹͲͲͲǦ ǡ ϐ ǡ ϐ Ǥ Ǧ ǡ ʹͲǦ Ǧ

DR AF T PR E V IE W 2021

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PAVEL TYUTNEV

C, YAROSLAVL JR. (RUS.)

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ILYA SAFONOV C, KAZAN (KHL)

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SIMON KNAK

RW, PORTLAND (WHL)

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RUBEN RAFKIN D, TPS (FIN.)

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BRETT BROCHU

G, W/B-SCRANTON (AHL)

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ALEXEI KOLOSOV

G, MOLODECHNO (BLR.)

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HOMEGROWN DRAFT TEAM

LONG-TERM NEEDS

The best active 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies drafted by the team, no matter where they play now. Players are ranked by career achievement, with a slight bias towards recent performance. Current team and draft year are also listed.

This is how your team might look if player trades weren’t allowed.

Looking out three to five years and assessing areas of concern on the roster or in the organization.

CAP SITUATION The salary cap of $81.5 million was projected to stay flat due to COVID-19. How will teams cope?

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22

Gaps in the roster and positional weaknesses that the team must address to improve next season.

The prospects in the organization who are most likely to become full-time NHLers next season.

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM productive offense in the league, you’re not going to win a lot. When you have the worst power play in NHL history – Anaheim’s 8.9 percent rating this season eclipsed the 199798 Tampa Bay Lightning (9.4) as the most anemic – there’s work to be done. The Ducks scored two or fewer goals 36 times in 56 games this season – and understandably won just five of those 36 games.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Top-six centers. With 36-year-old Ryan Getzlaf likely moving on as a UFA (or down the lineup) and Adam Henrique a buyout candidate, Anaheim needs pivots for its top two lines. Trevor Zegras is a star in the making, but he just turned 20. The Ducks need to add a proven scorer, and it may be a free agent.

| 68 | TH E H O CKE Y N EW S

LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Ducks have injected a lot of young forwards into the lineup the past few seasons, but other than Max Comtois their ceilings could be limited. Sam Steel, Max Jones, Troy Terry and Isac Lundestrom haven’t flourished offensively. Reinforcements will be needed if they max out on the third or fourth lines.

CAP SITUATION: Huge space is opening up with Getzlaf and David Backes coming off the books and Corey Perry’s buyout getting reduced from $6.6 million to $2 million. Look for GM Bob Murray to go UFA shopping to prevent another offensive power outage.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Zegras was impressive at times during a 24-game NHL trial on the wing. The No. 1 prospect in Future Watch 2021 will be the

D R AFT PRE VI E W 2021

RYAN GETZLAF

FORWARDS Ryan Getzlaf, Ana, 2003 William Karlsson, Veg, 2011 Rickard Rakell, Ana, 2011 Kyle Palmieri, NYI, 2009 Corey Perry, Mtl, 2003 Bobby Ryan, Det, 2005 Nick Ritchie, Bos, 2014 Ondrej Kase, Bos, 2014 Max Comtois, Ana, 2017 Sam Steel, Ana, 2016 Chris Wagner, Bos, 2010 Troy Terry, Ana, 2015

DEFENSEMEN

centerpiece of the offense from October and beyond. Jamie Drysdale is still junior-eligible but looks ready to make an impact on Anaheim’s blueline.

DID YOU KNOW: The Ducks have had many whiffs when it comes to drafting forwards in the first two rounds, but

they’re bang-on identifying blueline talent. Between 2007 and 2018, Anaheim is 8-for-9 in early defensemen picks – Jake Gardiner, Justin Schultz, Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Shea Theodore, Marcus Pettersson, Brandon Montour and Jacob Larsson. – BRIAN COSTELLO

Shea Theodore, Veg, 2013 Cam Fowler, Ana, 2019 Hampus Lindholm, Ana, 2012 Josh Manson, Ana, 2011 Justin Schultz, Wsh, 2008 Brandon Montour, Fla, 2014

GOALIES John Gibson, Ana, 2011 Frederik Andersen, Tor, 2012

GETZLAF: MARC DESROSIERS-USA TODAY SPORTS

WHEN YOU HAVE the least

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM IT’S BEEN NEARLY a decade

since the Coyotes had anything approaching the league average in terms of offense. That was back in the day when Shane Doan, Ray Whitney and Radim Vrbata were guiding the way in Phoenix. Since then it’s been offense by committee, a defense-first approach and just one brief, lonely trip to the post-season.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Arizona is one of the worst teams at generating shots. Even proven scorers Clayton Keller and Phil Kessel barely finished within the top 100 NHL forwards in shots this season. Conor Garland and Kessel are the only forwards to reach 20 goals in the past three seasons. This team badly needs a triggerman to get the opposition thinking about who can burn them.

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: Jakob Chychrun had a breakthrough season, not just offensively but in his overall impact on the game. But there has to be concern he’s the only blueline regular under the age of 27 and one of just three signed beyond this season. Victor Soderstrom is Arizona’s top prospect, and beyond Kyle Capobianco the cupboard is virtually bare.

CAP SITUATION: Close to $30 million is coming off the books, which will give GM Bill Armstrong a prime opportunity to make an impact on the roster. Expect him to bring in some proven veterans – even a few of his own UFAs – on affordable short-term contracts.

He helped build up St. Louis in a similar fashion.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Soderstrom is just 20 but

CLAYTON KELLER

Blake Wheeler, Wpg, 2004 Clayton Keller, Ari, 2016 Kyle Turris, Edm, 2007 Max Domi, Clb, 2013 Dylan Strome, Chi, 2015 Christian Dvorak, Ari, 2014 Conor Garland, Ari, 2015 Jordan Martinook, Car, 2012 Barrett Hayton, Ari, 2018 Christian Fischer, Ari, 2015 Nick Merkley, NJ, 2015 Michael Bunting, Ari, 2014

DEFENSEMEN

mature beyond his years and ready for a regular job on an NHL blueline. He’s a smooth skater and strong on both sides of the puck. Soderstrom was playing regularly in Sweden’s top league at 17 three years ago and has a half-season in the AHL under his belt.

DID YOU KNOW: One of the league’s poorest development systems – Arizona ranked 28th in Future Watch 2021 – doesn’t have a first-round pick this year after it was forfeited as a result of the Coyotes violating the NHL’s combine testing policy last year. – BC

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Ari, 2009 Keith Yandle, Fla, 2005 Jakob Chychrun, Ari, 2016 Connor Murphy, Chi, 2011 Michael Stone, Cgy, 2008 Connor Clifton, Bos, 2013

GOALIES Louis Domingue, Cgy, 2010 Adin Hill, Ari, 2015

HOMEGROWN

KELLER: SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS; BERGERON: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM UNCERTAINTY LOOMS IN

Boston. After losing core defensemen Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug last summer, goalie Tuukka Rask and center David Krejci are pending UFAs, while first-line forwards Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand creep deeper into their 30s.

The Bruins must start thinking about their next generation after picking once in the first round in the past three drafts.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Secondary scoring has been Boston’s bugaboo for several years, with the elite top line of Marchand, Bergeron and David Pastrnak doing almost half the scoring.

Trade-deadline acquisition Taylor Hall legitimized the second line, but he’s a UFA, so GM Don Sweeney must start over, especially with No. 2 center Krejci no lock to return.

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: Losing Chara and Krug in the same summer ravaged the left side of the blueline. Matt Grzelcyk got a look as the primary puck-mover but was banged up at times. The Bruins need a long-term Krug replacement – one with higher upside than Urho Vaakanainen – to complement top-four righties Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo.

CAP SITUATION: With 11 UFAs, Boston could see major turnover. The B’s have more than $30 million in cap space, but some of it will go to resigning RFA Carlo. What about UFA goalies Rask and Jaroslav Halak? Prospect Jeremy Swayman was so good in relief that Sweeney must consider allocating the money elsewhere rather than dropping a combined $8-10 million to bring

PATRICE BERGERON

Patrice Bergeron, Bos, 2003 Brad Marchand, Bos, 2006 David Pastrnak, Bos, 2014 Joe Thornton, Tor, 1997 Phil Kessel, Ari, 2006 Tyler Seguin, Dal, 2010 David Krejci, Bos, 2004 Milan Lucic, Cgy, 2006 Nate Thompson, Wpg, 2003 Jake DeBrusk, Bos, 2015 Ryan Donato, SJ, 2014 Danton Heinen, Ana, 2014

DEFENSEMEN

back both Rask and Halak.

Rask might take a discount – he’s expressed a desire to play in Boston or nowhere else.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Winning the NCAA’s Mike Richter Award, shining in a brief AHL stint and showing star power immediately in the NHL,

Swayman has earned significant playing time for 2021-22 in the Bruins’ meaty 1B role.

DID YOU KNOW: While in the USHL, goalie Dan Vladar, who is Czech, learned English by watching The Office and pausing to Google any words he didn’t understand. – MATT LARKIN

DR AFT PR EVI E W 2 021

Dougie Hamilton, Car, 2011 Charlie McAvoy, Bos, 2016 Brandon Carlo, Bos, 2015 Matt Grzelcyk, Bos, 2012 Matt Benning, Nsh, 2012 Ryan Lindgren, NYR, 2016

GOALIES Malcolm Subban, Chi, 2012 Michael Hutchinson, Tor, 2008

T HE HOC K EY NE W S | 69 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM THE SABRES’ 10TH straight

playoff miss tied the NHL record, and they’re in real danger of breaking it next season. Jack Eichel’s future with the team is cloudy after an injury-plagued season. Trading him would mean resetting a rebuild that never completed the first stage of the previous reset. With five picks in the first three rounds of the 2021 draft, Buffalo can continue laying foundation, but the fan base is beyond tired of stagnant results.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Because their first-round defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Rasmus Ristolainen haven’t performed as true top-pair horses, Buffalo needs a veteran shutdown defender who can teach the kids how to handle the hardest defensive matchups. On paper, Buffalo needs a No. 1 goalie

FORWARDS next season, though Linus Ullmark is expected to re-sign.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: It’s far too early to worry about Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in 2018, as he’s still younger than 97 percent of defensemen who played in the NHL this season.

But the Sabres would be wise to draft another all-around stud blueliner to give him some long-term support. Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka represent the next generation of forwards, but they could use another with elite scoring upside, especially if they plan on dealing Eichel.

CAP SITUATION: The only good news about Buffalo’s awful year: RFAs Dahlin, Sam Reinhart, Casey Mittelstadt and Henri Jokiharju could come at slight discounts. With more than $30 million available, GM

Jack Eichel, Buf, 2015 Sam Reinhart, Buf, 2014 Tyler Ennis, Edm, 2008 Paul Byron, Mtl, 2007 Victor Olofsson, Buf, 2014 J.T. Compher, Col, 2013 Marcus Foligno, Min, 2009 Zack Kassian, Edm, 2009 Joel Armia, Mtl, 2011 Casey Mittelstadt, Buf, 2017 Dylan Cozens, Buf, 2019 Mikhail Grigorenko, Clb, 2012

JACK EICHEL

DEFENSEMEN

Kevyn Adams can lock them up and still sign a UFA or two.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Quinn’s upside is tantalizing, but season-ending hernia surgery might hold him back another year. If Buffalo moves on from UFA Carter Hutton, will Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen get

a look as Ullmark’s backup? He made his NHL debut in April.

DID YOU KNOW: Prospect center Arttu Ruotsalainen scored 16 goals in 19 games in the Finnish Liiga this season before averaging a point per game in the AHL and earning a quick call-up to the NHL. – ML

Tyler Myers, Van, 2008 Rasmus Ristolainen, Buf, 2013 Rasmus Dahlin, Buf, 2018 Nikita Zadorov, Chi, 2013 Andrej Sekera, Dal, 2004 Brayden McNabb, Veg, 2009

GOALIES Ryan Miller, Ana, 1999 Linus Ullmark, Buf, 2012

HOMEGROWN

CALGARY’S WINDOW FOR Cup

contention with its current core has slammed shut. The Flames stunned prognosticators in not finishing among the top four in the North Division and missing the playoffs. That surely will lead to the departure of former offensive difference-makers Sean Monahan and/or Johnny Gaudreau. Captain Mark Giordano will be 38 next season, and his time as a top-pair Norris Trophy-caliber defender is over. New blood is needed.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Top-six center. Elias Lindholm switched from wing to center and did an impressive job leading the top line. Monahan’s fall from 30-goal triggerman to secondline sleepy center has been disturbing. Mikael Backlund is better at driving play but is best suited to the third line.

| 70 | T HE H O CK EY NE W S

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Flames went 15 consecutive picks spanning four drafts without selecting a defenseman, and the organizational depth on the blueline has taken a hit as a result. It’s not a certainty that any of Juuso Valimaki, Noah Hanifin or Rasmus Andersson have the chops to play on the top pair when Giordano and Chris Tanev age out in the coming years.

CAP SITUATION: There isn’t a lot of room to go free-agent shopping this summer unless the team offloads a veteran or two for picks and prospects, which is the expectation. Then again, Calgary has gotten into cap trouble in the past chasing expensive but unproductive UFAs such as Troy Brouwer (2016), Michael Stone (2017) and James Neal (2018).

D R AFT P REV IE W 202 1

JOHNNY GAUDREAU

Johnny Gaudreau, Cgy, 2011 Mikael Backlund, Cgy, 2007 Matthew Tkachuk, Cgy, 2016 Sean Monahan, Cgy, 2013 Andrew Mangiapane, Cgy, 2015 Sam Bennett, Fla, 2014 Dillon Dube, Cgy, 2016 Mark Jankowski, Pit, 2012 Micheal Ferland, Van, 2010

DEFENSEMEN

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Connor Mackey was impressive as a 24-year-old rookie in the AHL, and an NHL blueline job awaits. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see both rookie pros Jakob Pelletier and Connor Zary add speed and creativity to Calgary’s middle six.

DID YOU KNOW: If the Flames re-sign third-pair blueliner Stone as a UFA this summer, it will be the fifth time in four years they’ll have signed him or bought him out.

He was signed in 2017, bought out in 2019, signed in 2019 and signed again early in 2021. – BC

Adam Fox, NYR, 2016 T.J. Brodie, Tor, 2008 Rasmus Andersson, Cgy, 2015 Brett Kulak, Mtl, 2012 Juuso Valimaki, Cgy, 2017 Oliver Kylington, Cgy, 2015

GOALIES Craig Anderson, Wsh, 1999 Laurent Brossoit, Wpg, 2011

EICHEL: MARC DESROSIERS-USA TODAY SPORTS; GAUDREAU: SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM AS ONE OF the league’s top

teams, Carolina is more about shoring up than filling in right now, which allows the Hurricanes’ prospects to mature at their own pace – and in some cases has them champing at the bit for a chance to play up.

Last year’s draft saw the Hurricanes go heavy on Russians and away from Finns – the latter of which had been popular in Carolina previously.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: That vaunted Carolina depth on the blueline isn’t what it used to be, even though the high end is still exceptional. Dougie Hamilton’s pending UFA status looms large, as does the Seattle expansion draft. Is Jake Bean the answer to one of these questions? He looks like an NHLer – and hopefully one the Canes can use more.

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: Who will rule the crease in the future? Alex Nedeljkovic is staking a claim, but he can’t be the only option. Pyotr Kochetkov is in the running, as is the big man, Jeremy Helvig. The Canes also signed free agent Beck Warm this year after his great start with AHL Chicago.

CAP SITUATION: Carolina has nearly $30 million to play with this summer, but GM Don Waddell has a lot of work to do. Hamilton would be a huge loss if he bolts in free agency, while goalies James Reimer and Petr Mrazek are also pending UFAs. The big RFA is Andrei Svechnikov, who may be wise to take a bridge deal after his output dropped.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: He may be young, but 2020 firstrounder Seth Jarvis proved he

SEBASTIAN AHO

Eric Staal, Mtl, 2003 Jeff Skinner, Buf, 2010 Sebastian Aho, Car, 2015 Elias Lindholm, Cgy, 2013 Brandon Sutter, Van, 2007 Andrei Svechnikov, Car, 2018 Martin Necas, Car, 2017 Brock McGinn, Car, 2012 Victor Rask, Min, 2011 Phillip Di Giuseppe, NYR, 2012 Lucas Wallmark, Fla, 2014 Warren Foegele, Car, 2012

DEFENSEMEN

could hang with pros during an AHL stint while he waited for the WHL season to begin.

A dynamic offensive player, Jarvis can give defenders a lot of problems and make Carolina more dangerous up front. Should the Canes need a netminder, Helvig has put in

the AHL work to get his first NHL shot next year.

DID YOU KNOW: American International College has been pretty good of late, but Canes prospect Jake Kucharski is AIC’s first NHL draft pick. The freshman goalie went unbeaten in five starts. – RYAN KENNEDY

Jaccob Slavin, Car, 2012 Justin Faulk, StL, 2010 Brett Pesce, Car, 2013 Noah Hanifin, Cgy, 2015 Brian Dumoulin, Pit, 2009 Jack Johnson, NYR, 2005

GOALIES Frederik Andersen, Tor, 2010 Alex Nedeljkovic, Car, 2014

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM AHO: JEAN-YVES AHERN-USA TODAY SPORTS; KANE: DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS

PATRICK KANE

AN EARLY RUN, which was

powered almost entirely

by Patrick Kane, saw the Blackhawks unexpectedly surging toward a post-season berth, but winding up outside the playoffs isn’t a bad thing.

Chicago can benefit from a higher first-round selection and a chance to supplement a prospect crop that is solid but bereft of true blue-chip talents.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Duncan Keith may have two more years on his contract, but the longtime defensive linchpin turns 38 this off-season. What the Blackhawks need to find, and quickly, is the next cornerstone for their blueline. Though there’s promise in Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell and Nicolas Beaudin, the Blackhawks would love to find a true No. 1 defender in the draft.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: No one questions Alex DeBrincat’s offensive acumen, and Chicago’s attack has its share of promising pieces. The question that remains, however, is whether Chicago has the true driver they will need once Father Time takes his toll on Kane. The Blackhawks must find a playmaker to replace him before that day arrives.

CAP SITUATION: Chicago is bound to float somewhere close to the cap limit for the next season or two at least.

Such is life when you have a pair of $10.5-million cap hits on the book and Brent Seabrook eating up nearly $7 million, though his “retirement” will see him stuck on LTIR when each season rolls around. Off-season dealings will be tough. Luckily for Chicago, entry-level deals

FORWARDS Patrick Kane, Chi, 2007 Jonathan Toews, Chi, 2006 Alex DeBrincat, Chi, 2016 Brandon Saad, Col, 2011 Kevin Hayes, Phi, 2010 Teuvo Teravainen, Car, 2012 Phillip Danault, Mtl, 2011 Nick Schmaltz, Ari, 2014 Ryan Hartman, Min, 2013 Vinnie Hinostroza, Chi, 2012 Kirby Dach, Chi, 2019 Joakim Nordstrom, Cgy, 2010

DEFENSEMEN

and RFA-controlled contracts will keep costs down.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk’s surprising status as an NHL regular in the late stages of the season was a bright spot. He has a bit of offensive upside and could be a sleeper to earn

steady minutes as a bottompairing blueliner.

DID YOU KNOW: The Hawks are hoping late-blooming runs in the Slavin family. Josiah Slavin, selected 193rd by Chicago in 2018, is the brother of Hurricanes star defender Jaccob Slavin. – JARED CLINTON

DRA FT P RE V IE W 20 21

Duncan Keith, Chi, 2002 Niklas Hjalmarsson, Ari, 2005 Adam Boqvist, Chi, 2018 Justin Holl, Tor, 2010 Henri Jokiharju, Buf, 2017 Stephen Johns, Dal, 2010

GOALIES Craig Anderson, Wsh, 2001

THE HO CKE Y N EW S | 7 1 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM NATHAN MACKINNON

GIVEN COLORADO’S STATUS

as a top Stanley Cup contender, Avalanche GM Joe Sakic made the decision to not concern himself with stockpiling draft picks. Matter of fact, he has only three picks – one each in the first, third and seventh rounds. Such is life for a GM whose team is concerned with the present, not the future.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: No matter how the post-season turns out, the Avs need to focus on one thing and one thing only: cost-effective players to fill out the bottom of the lineup. Cost control will be at the front of Sakic’s mind when he replaces the likes of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and deadline acquisition Carl Soderberg in the summer.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Philipp Grubauer provides the

Avalanche with security in the crease and Colorado is settled in the blue paint assuming backup Pavel Francouz is healthy. But the long-term outlook isn’t as rosy. Colorado has high hopes for Justus Annunen, but with a position as finicky as goaltending, it’s always nice to have options.

Throwing a late-round dart at a netminder is advisable.

CAP SITUATION: The $20plus million in cap space might seem like a lot, but it’s going to disappear quickly. Grubauer is a pending UFA, as is captain Gabriel Landeskog. He’s going to be due a healthy raise from his current $5.6-million AAV. Cale Makar is also an RFA, and the Avs are going to want to lock him up long-term. Given his current career trajectory, he’ll be worth much, much

FORWARDS Nathan MacKinnon, Col, 2013 Ryan O’Reilly, StL, 2009 Mikko Rantanen, Col, 2015 Gabriel Landeskog, Col, 2011 Paul Stastny, Wpg, 2005 Matt Duchene, Nsh, 2009 Brad Richardson, Nsh, 2003 Tyson Jost, Col, 2016 Martin Kaut, Col, 2018 Nicolas Meloche, SJ, 2015

DEFENSEMEN

more at the end of any potential bridge deal.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: If his AHL production is any indication, point-per-gamer Martin Kaut is ready to make the leap to NHL duty next season. He’s got the size and determination to be a useful bottom-six

player who can slide up and down the lineup.

DID YOU KNOW: Alex Newhook moved on from Boston College, but younger sister Abby will pick up where he left off when she begins her college career with the Eagles next season. – JC

Cale Makar, Col, 2017 Tyson Barrie, Edm, 2009 Kevin Shattenkirk, Ana, 2007 Will Butcher, NJ, 2013 Bowen Byram, Col, 2019 Conor Timmins, Col, 2017

GOALIES Calvin Pickard, Det, 2010 Adam Werner, Col, 2016

HOMEGROWN

AFTER THREE STRAIGHT years

of small draft classes – including just three selections in 2019 – Columbus has a bounty of picks in 2021, with three firstrounders and nine selections overall. GM Jarmo Kekalainen and head scout Ville Siren have never been ones for orthodoxy, and that has led to some surprising picks. Columbus has gone heavy on European players and hasn’t taken anyone from the QMJHL since 2016.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: This team needs an injection of high-end skill in the worst way. Max Domi was a dud and Patrik Laine hasn’t been able to get untracked in Columbus, making the offense pop-gun at best. With those three first-rounders, Columbus will definitely get a crack at some offense, but trades or free

| 72 | T HE HO C KE Y NE WS

FORWARDS agency will be even more crucial in the short term.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: With David Savard gone, the Blue Jackets need to think about the future of their blueline. Seth Jones is up for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2022, and other than him and Zach Werenski, the D-corps doesn’t have a lot of high-end potential right now. Using at least one 2021 first-rounder on a defenseman is prudent.

CAP SITUATION: The Jackets have plenty of cap space this summer – about $28 million – but the roster needs a lot of work, and getting free agents to Columbus may not be the easiest sell. The top priority is Laine, an RFA who won’t come cheap and who may not want to sign long-term, given how things have gone since

DRA F T PRE VI E W 2021

ZACH WERENSKI

Jakub Voracek, Phi, 2007 Ryan Johansen, Nsh, 2010 Pierre-Luc Dubois, Wpg, 2016 Derick Brassard, Ari, 2006 Cam Atkinson, Clb, 2008 Josh Anderson, Mtl, 2012 Boone Jenner, Clb, 2011 Oliver Bjorkstrand, Clb, 2013 Matt Calvert, Col, 2008 Alexander Wennberg, Fla, 2013 Sonny Milano, Ana, 2014 Alexandre Texier, Clb, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

his arrival. There’s also a real chance of repatriating captain Nick Foligno, who was traded to Toronto at the deadline.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: There isn’t an obvious option to jump up next season, but Trey Fix-Wolansky is a possibility.

Small but talented, he’s been a

point-per-gamer in his second AHL season with Cleveland.

DID YOU KNOW: Goalie Peter Thome has the unique opportunity to be the first Div. I starter for the University of St. Thomas, as the Tommies make the jump to the new WCHA next season. – RK

Zach Werenski, Clb, 2015 Kris Russell, Edm, 2005 David Savard, TB, 2009 Ryan Murray, NJ, 2012 John Moore, Bos, 2009 Mike Reilly, Bos, 2011

GOALIES Joonas Korpisalo, Clb, 2012 Elvis Merzlikins, Clb, 2014

MACKINNON: DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS; WERENSKI: SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM AFTER CONSECUTIVE YEARS

with but a single pick in the first three rounds and having selected only nine players in total across the past two drafts, Stars GM Jim Nill must feel as though he has an embarrassment of riches this time around. Dallas has retained each of its picks heading into the 2021 draft, and that’s great news for the Stars given how well the scouting staff has done in recent years.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The emergence of Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz’s breakout campaign are signs the offensive weight can be transferred to up-and-comers, but Dallas has to consider adding scoring depth, particularly with Andrew Cogliano and Blake Comeau coming off the books.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: While

FORWARDS Thomas Harley is on his way, the prospect pool’s defensive depth thins out significantly after him. No one is expecting the Stars to find another Miro Heiskanen in the first round, but using an early pick to nab another rearguard would be worthwhile. John Klingberg is 28 and Esa Lindell is 27, and if there aren’t readymade replacements as those two pillars begin to exit their primes, the Stars could face some difficult transition years.

CAP SITUATION: Heiskanen needs a new contract and it’s not going to come cheap. And Klingberg’s deal is up in 2022, which the Stars will also need to factor in when it comes to contract considerations this summer. If it’s not already, Jamie Benn’s deal is beginning to become a millstone. Nill will

JAMIE BENN

Jamie Benn, Dal, 2007 Loui Eriksson, Van, 2003 James Neal, Edm, 2005 Reilly Smith, Veg, 2009 Radek Faksa, Dal, 2012 Roope Hintz, Dal, 2015 Denis Gurianov, Dal, 2015 Alex Chiasson, Edm, 2009 Valeri Nichushkin, Col, 2013 Brett Ritchie, Cgy, 2011 Jason Dickinson, Dal, 2013 Jason Robertson, Dal, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

at some point have to decide how to handle the captain’s $9.5-million cap hit that has four years remaining.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Riley Damiani is a sleeper candidate to fill a bottom-six spot given his AHL performance this season. The 2018 fifth-rounder

was a point-per-game player and the AHL’s top rookie scorer.

DID YOU KNOW: Originally drafted 38th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2016, AHL Texas’ leading scorer Adam Mascherin re-entered the draft in 2018 and was selected 100th by the Stars. – JC

John Klingberg, Dal, 2010 Miro Heiskanen, Dal, 2017 Esa Lindell, Dal, 2012 Jamie Oleksiak, Dal, 2011 Patrik Nemeth, Col, 2010 Julius Honka, Dal, 2014

GOALIES Mike Smith, Edm, 2001 Jack Campbell, Tor, 2010

HOMEGROWN

BENN: JEAN-YVES AHERN-USA TODAY SPORTS; LARKIN: NICK TURCHIARO-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM WHEN THE RED Wings named

Steve Yzerman as GM, they bought the fan base’s patience.

Yzerman has the franchise on a molasses-slow trajectory, calmly marinating top prospects such as Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider outside the NHL while his team punches the clock on another playoff miss and, at worst, another top-10 draft pick. The Red Wings are biding their time, but they will start rapidly ascending in a couple years.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Wings badly need a high-end playmaker to set up skilled wingers Jakub Vrana and Filip Zadina. Dylan Larkin is the team’s No. 1 center but has too much defensive responsibility to be an all-out offensive weapon. Detroit could also use a legitimate top-pair defense-

man or two rather than having every current blueliner arguably playing one pair higher than he should be.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Raymond is an exciting prospect who projects as a star playmaking left winger. Now the Wings must draft a dominant scorer to play with him. On defense, Filip Hronek has done a nice job quarterbacking the power play, but the Wings need another dynamic puckmover. They don’t have a Quinn Hughes-level talent in the pipeline. And there’s no can’t-miss future goalie, either.

CAP SITUATION: The Wings barely have any regulars signed for next season. Some, like Vrana and Hronek, are RFAs, while many veterans come off the books as pending UFAs, from Bobby Ryan to Marc Staal

DYLAN LARKIN

FORWARDS Dylan Larkin, Det, 2014 Anthony Mantha, Wsh, 2013 Tomas Tatar, Mtl, 2009 Gustav Nyquist, Clb, 2008 Tyler Bertuzzi, Det, 2013 Calle Jarnkrok, Nsh, 2010 Mattias Janmark, Veg, 2013 Andreas Athanasiou, LA, 2012 Valtteri Filppula, Det, 2002 Darren Helm, Det, 2005 Filip Zadina, Det, 2018 Riley Sheahan, Buf, 2010

DEFENSEMEN

to Jonathan Bernier. Assuming the Wings stay conservative and aren’t thinking playoffs yet, they’ll seek a few more one-off veteran contracts that can be flipped as rentals next season.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Seider projects as the big, mobile, physical, all-around

backbone every team wishes it had on defense. He’s ready for a major role and might be the best D-man immediately.

DID YOU KNOW: Center Joe Veleno remains the only player in history to earn exceptional status in the QMJHL to play as a 15-year-old. – ML

DRA FT P REV I E W 20 21

Filip Hronek, Det, 2016 Nick Jensen, Wsh, 2009 Brendan Smith, NYR, 2007 Xavier Ouellet, Mtl, 2011 Dennis Cholowski, Det, 2016 Gustav Lindstrom, Det, 2017

GOALIES Petr Mrazek, Car, 2010

TH E HO CK E Y NE WS | 73 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM REMEMBER FOUR YEARS ago

when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl signed those massive contracts and some critics said, fine, but two guys combining for $21 million is almost 30 percent of the salary cap – it’s not going to work.

Now, McDavid, the league’s best player, is very reasonable at $12.5 million and Draisaitl is a bargain at $8.5 million.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Oilers have been in need of a supporting cast since the day McDavid and Draisaitl signed those deals. But there was always so much bad money on the books that it made it impossible to bring in marquee UFA forwards. GM Ken Holland has some roster flexibility this summer and will go hunting for top-six scoring help.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: The

FORWARDS Oilers have needed a goalie of the future ever since that wintry day in 2014 when they sent 27-year-old Devan Dubnyk to Nashville for Matt Hendricks.

No one expected Mike Smith to be this solid at 39 – and it’s been fun to watch – but we all know it can’t last forever.

CAP SITUATION: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tyson Barrie are UFAs enjoying fine seasons. It will cost more than the almost $10 million they make combined to keep them.

D-man Adam Larsson is also a UFA, but the Oilers will want to reallocate his money to a sniping winger as a healthy Oscar Klefbom, along with Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg, can fill the gaps on the blueline.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Dylan Holloway turned pro after two seasons at Wisconsin.

CONNOR MCDAVID

Connor McDavid, Edm, 2015 Leon Draisaitl, Edm, 2014 Taylor Hall, Bos, 2010 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edm, 2011 Jordan Eberle, NYI, 2008 Andrew Cogliano, Dal, 2005 Sam Gagner, Det, 2007 Jesse Puljujarvi, Edm, 2016 Tyler Pitlick, Ari, 2010 Kailer Yamamoto, Edm, 2017 Jujhar Khaira, Edm, 2012 Riley Nash, Tor, 2007

DEFENSEMEN

Does he have what it takes at 20 to step into a third-line center job right way? Bouchard has an edge over Broberg on the blueline because he’s nearly two years older. Who knows, maybe both of them make it.

DID YOU KNOW: Did the Oilers find a diamond in the rough

with the 85th pick in 2019?

Goalie Ilya Konovalov went undrafted in 2016, 2017 and 2018 despite impressive stats in Russia’s junior league. He’s been excellent for Yaroslavl in the KHL the past three years and is now 23. Watch for a signing announcement. – BC

Darnell Nurse, Edm, 2013 Jeff Petry, Mtl, 2006 Oscar Klefbom, Edm, 2011 Erik Gustafsson, Mtl, 2012 John Marino, Pit, 2015 Ethan Bear, Edm, 2015

GOALIES Devan Dubnyk, Col, 2004 Stuart Skinner, Edm, 2017

HOMEGROWN

SO FAR, SO good for Panthers

GM Bill Zito. His seemingly minor off-season moves worked to perfection, from Carter Verhaeghe to Radko Gudas to Patric Hornqvist, and Florida finally broke through as a toptier team. With the farm system fairly robust already, this year’s first-round pick will push the Panthers toward a surplus of young assets. That’s where you want to be as a contender.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Led by the superb Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, the Panthers are top-heavy at forward. They have solid depth but need more pure scorers.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Aaron Ekblad’s brutal leg injury exposed Florida’s lack of higherend depth on defense and necessitated a rental trade for Brandon Montour. The Panthers

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haven’t drafted a first-round blueliner since Ekblad in 2014 and don’t have anything close to a blue-chip prospect at the position. Also, trading Vincent Trocheck in 2020 created a hole at No. 2 center. Anton Lundell is expected to take over that role at some point, but Florida needs to fortify the pipeline further up the middle.

CAP SITUATION: Re-signing RFAs Sam Bennett and Anthony Duclair won’t tap out Florida. It has $16 million in cap space, so there should be enough left over to pursue an impactful UFA – if ownership gives a green light, which isn’t a given after the team was asked to cut costs last year.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: The Panthers were so confident in Spencer Knight that, after he finished his college career, they

DRAF T PRE V IE W 2021

ALEKSANDER BARKOV

FORWARDS Aleksander Barkov, Fla, 2013 Jonathan Huberdeau, Fla, 2011 Vincent Trocheck, Car, 2011 Zach Hyman, Tor, 2010 Evgenii Dadonov, Ott, 2007 Joonas Donskoi, Col, 2010 Michael Frolik, Mtl, 2006 Nick Bjugstad, Min, 2010 Rocco Grimaldi, Nsh, 2011 Lawson Crouse, Ari, 2015 Jayce Hawryluk, Van, 2014 Owen Tippett, Fla, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

let him make his pro debut in the NHL rather than the AHL. Should Florida let No. 2 goalie Chris Driedger walk as a UFA, Knight can share the net with Sergei Bobrovsky. Scoring winger Grigori Denisenko arrived in North America for 2020-21 and spent most of his

season in the AHL. Look for him in the NHL next year.

DID YOU KNOW: Florida drafted blueliner Michael Benning 95th overall in 2020, 27 years after signing his dad as a free agent. Defenseman Brian Benning was an original Panther. – MATT LARKIN

Aaron Ekblad, Fla, 2014 Dmitry Kulikov, Edm, 2009 MacKenzie Weegar, Fla, 2013 Erik Gudbranson, Nsh, 2010 Mike Matheson, Pit, 2012 Josh Brown, Ott, 2013

GOALIES Jacob Markstrom, Cgy, 2008 Spencer Knight, Fla, 2019

MCDAVID: PERRY NELSON-USA TODAY SPORTS; BARKOV: JEAN-YVES AHERN-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM SOMETIMES REBUILDING

teams struggle to have the right veteran leadership in place to guide the transition to the next generation. The Kings have Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick at important positions. That pedigree will go a long way in smoothing over the passing of the torch.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Kings have so many forward prospects coming up through the system, the internal competition for NHL jobs will be intense. If that’s not tough enough, GM Rob Blake will sign some veteran UFAs to fill in gaps and raise the bar on what it takes for young prospects to make the grade. It should be difficult to make the Kings, and for many of the kids it will mean refining time in the AHL.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Quick is 35 and near the end of the line, even though he has two years left on his contract. Cal Petersen has picked up the slack, but there’s no such thing as too much goaltending foundation.

Don’t be surprised if the first goalie off the draft board this summer goes to the Kings.

CAP SITUATION: Ilya Kovalchuk, Dion Phaneuf, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards got almost $14 million from the Kings this season not to play for them. That number falls to just under $5 million next season. Los Angeles won’t come anywhere near the salary cap as it rebuilds its system. So it could take on additional bad contracts if they’re packaged with a young asset.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Quinton Byfield, the No. 2 over-

ANZE KOPITAR

FORWARDS Anze Kopitar, LA, 2005 Dustin Brown, LA, 2003 Wayne Simmonds, Tor, 2007 Brayden Schenn, StL, 2009 Tyler Toffoli, Mtl, 2010 Tanner Pearson, Van, 2012 Trevor Lewis, Wpg, 2006 Dominik Kubalik, Chi, 2013 Adrian Kempe, LA, 2014 Kyle Clifford, StL, 2009 Austin Wagner, LA, 2015 Nic Dowd, Wsh, 2009

DEFENSEMEN

all draft pick in 2020, made his NHL debut in April. He is the team’s future No. 1 center. And future No. 2 center Alex Turcotte is also pushing for duty.

What better way to learn than from a supreme two-way pivot in Kopitar, who is 33 with three years left on his contract.

DID YOU KNOW: One of the fastest risers from the 2020 draft is Kings second-rounder Brock Faber, who came in ranked No. 78 in Future Watch 2021. The college freshman at Minnesota is a smart, mobile blueliner who had an excellent WJC for Team USA. – BC

Drew Doughty, LA, 2008 Alec Martinez, Veg, 2007 Erik Cernak, TB, 2015 Colin Miller, Buf, 2012 Derek Forbort, Wpg, 2010 Mikey Anderson, LA, 2017

GOALIES Jonathan Quick, LA, 2005 Jonathan Bernier, Det, 2006

HOMEGROWN

KOPITAR: SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS; DUMBA: SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM THE TRUE HITS have been

few and far between in recent years, and the lack of draft success can in some ways be attributed to turnover in the top chair. That’s the bad news.

The good news is the Wild are starting to graduate some prospects to the big club, GM Bill Guerin has stocked up with a pair of first-rounders and five picks in the first three rounds, and there’s plenty of promise in the past two top picks: Marco Rossi and Matthew Boldy.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Where are the defenders? Much of the focus with top picks in the past two years has been up front, but the Wild have a serious lack of top-tier blueline prospects and need an injection of youth. That’s especially true given that the average age on the blueline is 30 and not a

FORWARDS single blueliner younger than 26 skated in more than a handful of games this season.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: There’s reason to have faith in Kaapo Kahkonen. His numbers were solid in his first full season as a split-time starter. Seeking another goalie would be advisable for the Wild, however. The system is thin on netminding prospects and it’s going to take a few years, if not more, for any goalie to be NHL-ready.

CAP SITUATION: While a pair of Minnesota’s heftier deals are coming off the books – namely the combined $8.6-million cap hit for Marcus Johansson and Nick Bonino – a good chunk of that money is going to be spent quickly for the Wild to retain top-line scorer Kevin Fiala and star rookie Kirill Kaprizov.

MATT DUMBA

Marian Gaborik, TB, 2000 Mikko Koivu, Clb, 2001 Mikael Granlund, Nsh, 2010 Jason Zucker, Pit, 2010 Cal Clutterbuck, NYI, 2006 Alex Tuch, Veg, 2014 Erik Haula, Nsh, 2009 Joel Eriksson Ek, Min, 2015 Kirill Kaprizov, Min, 2015 Jordan Greenway, Min, 2015 Luke Kunin, Nsh, 2016 Johan Larsson, Ari, 2010

DEFENSEMEN

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Calen Addison was a 2020 WJC standout who captured gold with Canada and led the tourney in assists by a blueliner. This season, he has impressed in the AHL with his puck-moving ability and attacking mindset translating im-

mediately. He will get a chance to earn a regular NHL spot.

DID YOU KNOW: Rossi lost his entire season after contracting COVID-19. The Wild hope a summer of training will see him healthy enough to compete for an NHL job next season. – JC

DR A FT P RE VI EW 20 21

Brent Burns, SJ, 2003 Nick Leddy, NYI, 2009 Matt Dumba, Min, 2012 Jonas Brodin, Min, 2011 Marco Scandella, StL, 2008 Carson Soucy, Min, 2013

GOALIES Darcy Kuemper, Ari, 2009 Anton Khudobin, Dal, 2004

TH E H O CK EY NEW S | 75 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM THE RETOOLED CANADIENS

have one of the NHL’s best and deepest prospect pools, and GM Marc Bergevin has 11 picks in the 2021 draft including eight in the first four rounds.

The Habs’ farm system will be ready to overflow. Does that mean Bergevin, who made aggressive win-now upgrades last summer, will consider sacrificing some picks and prospects to turn his team into a full-fledged contender?

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Shea Weber’s game regressed this season, leaving the Habs with only one bona fide top-tier performer on defense in Jeff Petry.

Alexander Romanov can get there within a couple years, but the Habs need a star-caliber veteran to help out rather than the collection of depth blueliners they deployed in 2020-21.

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: Center Nick Suzuki draws Patrice Bergeron comparisons. Right winger Cole Caufield posted video-game goal totals in the NCAA. They represent the future of Montreal’s forward group, but the Habs don’t have a dominant scoring center in the system – the type who could threaten for the NHL scoring crown someday. A high-end playmaker down the middle is the No. 1 need.

CAP SITUATION: Signing Tyler Toffoli and extending Josh Anderson eats up close to $10 million in cap space and will squeeze out at least one important forward. Shutdown center Phillip Danault, left winger Tomas Tatar and thirdline right winger Joel Armia are UFAs, and the Habs can probably afford to keep two of

BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Max Pacioretty, Veg, 2007 Brendan Gallagher, Mtl, 2010 Alex Galchenyuk, Tor, 2012 Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Mtl, 2018 Artturi Lehkonen, Mtl, 2013 Jake Evans, Mtl, 2014 Jacob de la Rose, StL, 2013 Michael McCarron, Nsh, 2013 Ryan Poehling, Mtl, 2017 Cole Caufield, Mtl, 2019

DEFENSEMEN

them at most. They have just $14 million in space and must also re-sign RFAs Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: The shifty, uber-skilled Caufield will top many Calder Trophy prediction lists next season. He averaged almost a goal per game

in college and started scoring immediately after turning pro and heading to the AHL. DID YOU KNOW: Luke Tuch, a 2020 second-rounder, is a power winger in the mold of his NHL brother, Alex. Luke isn’t quite as big but plays a more ferocious physical game. – ML

P.K. Subban, NJ, 2007 Ryan McDonagh, TB, 2007 Mikhail Sergachev, TB, 2016 Nathan Beaulieu, Wpg, 2011 Victor Mete, Ott, 2016 Alexander Romanov, Mtl, 2018

GOALIES Carey Price, Mtl, 2005 Jaroslav Halak, Bos, 2003

HOMEGROWN

FORWARDS over the moon about the Predators’ overall prospect group.

Dealing picks at past deadlines and a few blunders on draft day are to blame. But if ever there was a time for Nashville to start stocking up, this is it.

At one point this season, there was chatter that a full-scale rebuild was on the horizon. If Nashville can refill its pipeline with a few top prospects, it’s worth considering.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Nashville has maintained one of the league’s best bluelines. However, top-six scoring remains a problem. That game-changing scorer has been incredibly elusive, which is why the Preds have been so quick to splash money in free agency. Unfortunately, none of those moves have paid dividends.

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LONG-TERM NEEDS: If the Predators do start the teardown in the near future, it’s going to have to begin with the likes of Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg, who will be two of the most attractive trade chips given their price tags. No one in Nashville wants to hear that, but it’s the truth. Once that happens, GM David Poile will need to go all-in to find his next scoring stars.

CAP SITUATION: The concern in Nashville is how they rid themselves of dead weight.

One year after buying out Kyle Turris, the Preds have to consider doing the same with Matt Duchene, whose production has dipped drastically since arriving. The long-term savings would be worthwhile, and now might be the time as Nashville enters an uncertain period.

D RA FT PREV IE W 202 1

ROMAN JOSI

Patric Hornqvist, Fla, 2005 Alexander Radulov, Dal, 2004 Kevin Fiala, Min, 2014 Craig Smith, Bos, 2009 Viktor Arvidsson, Nsh, 2014 Colton Sissons, Nsh, 2012 Jimmy Vesey, Van, 2012 Austin Watson, Ott, 2010 Eeli Tolvanen, Nsh, 2017 Yakov Trenin, Nsh, 2015 Rem Pitlick, Nsh, 2016 Miikka Salomaki, Col, 2011

DEFENSEMEN

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: In any other campaign, Philip Tomasino would’ve been sent back to the OHL because of the NHL-CHL transfer agreement. The silver lining in a strange season, though, has been his stint in the AHL. He has been among the Predators’

best prospects and has proven he’s ready to make the leap sooner rather than later.

DID YOU KNOW: Not content to wait around, Frederic Allard spent the early part of the year ripping up the Austrian League before heading to the AHL when its season began. – JC

Shea Weber, Mtl, 2003 Ryan Suter, Min, 2003 Roman Josi, Nsh, 2008 Seth Jones, Clb, 2013 Mattias Ekholm, Nsh, 2009 Ryan Ellis, Nsh, 2009

GOALIES Pekka Rinne, Nsh, 2004 Juuse Saros, Nsh, 2013

GALLAGHER: JEAN-YVES AHERN-USA TODAY SPORTS; JOSI: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM NEW JERSEY IS in the midst

of a crucial time for its rebuild under GM Tom Fitzgerald. The Devils already have two recent No. 1 overall picks in centers Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, while the 2020 draft was lucrative with three first-rounders, including sniper Alexander Holtz. The Devils have two more first-rounders in 2021 and their own selection will be another lottery pick.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Devils need experience more than anything. At one point in April, Andreas Johnsson was the oldest player in the lineup – and he’s only 26. Trading stalwarts Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac made sense to secure more assets, but New Jersey will need to bring in veterans over the summer to help shepherd the kids along.

FORWARDS If those vets can score goals, it would be doubly welcome.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: With Hughes and Hischier, the Devils are set for the future down the middle, and Mackenzie Blackwood is ensconced as the starting goalie, but New Jersey could use more defensemen before it’s truly ready to make some noise. Rookie blueliner Ty Smith is a good start, while Reilly Walsh and Kevin Bahl have a lot of potential, but the team needs more options on the back end.

CAP SITUATION: Fitzgerald has a staggering amount of cap space to play with this summer with the Devils nearly $40 million below the limit.

The GM can afford to pursue whomever he wants. Defenseman Ryan Murray is the only notable UFA on the squad, but

NICO HISCHIER

Zach Parise, Min, 2003 Travis Zajac, NYI, 2004 Adam Henrique, Ana, 2008 Blake Coleman, TB, 2011 Nico Hischier, NJ, 2017 Miles Wood, NJ, 2013 Pavel Zacha, NJ, 2015 Alexander Kerfoot, Tor, 2012 Jesper Bratt, NJ, 2016 Jack Hughes, NJ, 2019 Yegor Sharangovich, NJ, 2018 Jesper Boqvist, NJ, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

there’s a slew of RFAs who need new deals.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: It’s going to be a battle in Newark the next few years as youngsters jockey for jobs on the big club. Holtz is an obvious option, and hard-shooting Nolan Foote is one to watch as well.

DID YOU KNOW: Graeme Clarke was both teammate and chef for 2021 draft-eligible younger brother Brandt in Slovakia this season. When Graeme left early to go play in the AHL, he wrote out two pages of recipes for his hungry little sibling. – RK

Adam Larsson, Edm, 2011 Damon Severson, NJ, 2012 Jon Merrill, Mtl, 2010 Steve Santini, StL, 2013 Ty Smith, NJ, 2018 Jeremy Davies, Nsh, 2016

GOALIES Mackenzie Blackwood, NJ, 2015 Scott Wedgewood, NJ, 2010

HOMEGROWN

HISCHIER: MARC DESROSIERS-USA TODAY SPORTS; BARZAL: SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM THE ISLANDERS’ DRAFT record

is very hit-and-miss, but the organization’s overall strength in other areas has masked the misses. The hits – Mathew Barzal at No. 16 in 2015, for example – have been great. And if the scouts like a kid, they’ll go earlier than consensus, as they did with Simon Holmstrom at 23rd overall in 2019. New York tends to love the QMJHL, the U.S. NTDP and Europe, particularly Sweden. And given GM Lou Lamoriello’s roots at Providence College, NCAA players are often welcome on the Islanders’ draft board.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The offense is OK, but more weapons would be nice. Kyle Palmieri is a rental, and it’s hard to see the Isles fitting him under the cap next year. Salary concerns point to a solution coming from

within: skilled players on entrylevel deals may be the only way for New York to improve.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Folding in the next generation of blueliners in the coming years will be key to both New York’s cap situation and the need for fresh legs as the veterans wear on. Noah Dobson, 21, is the only regular D-man under the age of 25. While most of the cohort are still in their late 20s, it doesn’t hurt to map out the future.

CAP SITUATION: The Islanders only have about $5 million left for 2021-22, though Johnny Boychuk’s $6-million hit will once again go on LTIR, providing some more breathing room. Nonetheless, the Isles will have to choose between a number of pending UFAs, including trade-deadline rent-

MATHEW BARZAL

FORWARDS John Tavares, Tor, 2009 Mathew Barzal, NYI, 2015 Josh Bailey, NYI, 2008 Anders Lee, NYI, 2009 Brock Nelson, NYI, 2010 Kyle Okposo, Buf, 2006 Nino Niederreiter, Car, 2010 Ryan Strome, NYR, 2011 Casey Cizikas, NYI, 2009 Matt Martin, NYI, 2008 Anthony Beauvillier, NYI, 2015 Blake Comeau, Dal, 2004

DEFENSEMEN

als Palmieri and Travis Zajac as well as beloved banger Casey Cizikas. Anthony Beauvillier, Ilya Sorokin and Adam Pelech are the key RFAs, and they won’t come cheap.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Don’t expect a lot of new faces next year, but Robin Salo is one

name to keep in mind. New York loves how the two-way blueliner has developed.

DID YOU KNOW: Bode Wilde’s parents were both ski instructors when he was born, and his name was inspired

by Olympic gold-medal skier Bode Miller. – RK

DRA FT PRE VI EW 20 21

Zdeno Chara, Wsh, 1996 Jared Spurgeon, Min, 2008 Calvin de Haan, Chi, 2009 Ryan Pulock, NYI, 2013 Travis Hamonic, Van, 2008 Devon Toews, Col, 2014

GOALIES Mikko Koskinen, Edm, 2009 Ilya Sorokin, NYI, 2014

TH E HOC K EY NE WS | 77 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM EVER SINCE THEN GM Jeff

Gorton and president Glen Sather sent out their famous letter in 2018, the Rangers’ rebuild has been coming along quite nicely. New York has had more than seven picks in each of the past three drafts, and that stockpiling trend continues with nine 2021 selections.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The talent is there, and the Rangers had a solid second half in 2020-21, so if anything is needed, it’s more consistency and cohesiveness. The latter may already be here, and perhaps a slightly different roster composition takes care of the former. Slow starts have hurt New York, especially in a tough division. Veterans need to lead the youth in that regard.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: New York has a tremendous

stable of wingers, from Artemi Panarin to kids such as Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko, but down the middle is the question mark. Both Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad are UFAs in the summer of 2022 and there are no heirs apparent in the system – Evan Vierling was the only center in New York’s top 10 in Future Watch 2021, and he was No. 9. Perhaps Gorton’s 2021 first-round draft pick goes toward a pivot?

CAP SITUATION: The Rangers are in a great place, with about $28 million to play with and no prominent UFAs. The biggest RFA is goalie Igor Shesterkin, and a bridge deal feels like the most prudent path for the Russian rookie.

Otherwise, Gorton has the rather straightforward job of re-upping support players such

CHRIS KREIDER

FORWARDS Chris Kreider, NYR, 2009 J.T. Miller, Van, 2011 Derek Stepan, Ott, 2008 Artem Anisimov, Ott, 2006 Carl Hagelin, Wsh, 2007 Jesper Fast, Car, 2010 Anthony Duclair, Fla, 2013 Pavel Buchnevich, NYR, 2013 Filip Chytil, NYR, 2017 Kaapo Kakko, NYR, 2019 Alexis Lafreniere, NYR, 2020 Lias Andersson, LA, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

as Ryan Lindgren, Filip Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Not that the team needs more young talent, but big winger Vitali Kravtsov has found his footing as a pro while mobile defenseman Nils Lundkvist is coming off an excellent season

in Sweden. Lundkvist is ready for an NHL shot.

DID YOU KNOW: While playing for the U.S. NTDP, Brett Berard scored the game-winning goal with a minute left against NCAA Holy Cross. The coach for Holy Cross at the time? His father, David Berard. – RK

Marc Staal, Det, 2005 Michael Del Zotto, Clb, 2008 Brady Skjei, Car, 2012 Ryan Graves, Col, 2013 K’Andre Miller, NYR, 2018 Zac Jones, NYR, 2019

GOALIES Henrik Lundqvist, Wsh, 2000 Igor Shesterkin, NYR, 2014

HOMEGROWN

THE SENATORS MISSED the

playoffs by a lot again, but it felt different. Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris and Drake Batherson took over as go-to players, and rookie Tim Stutzle showed great promise.

With the NHL’s top-rated prospect crop in Future Watch 2021 and three picks in the first two rounds of this draft, Ottawa can see daylight. The playoff periphery isn’t far off.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Despite showing more fight, Ottawa ranked in the bottom third of the league in shots, scoring chances and high-danger chances, and its penalty kill was weak. The Sens need some lockdown checking forwards to handle tough assignments and gap-closing stoppers on ‘D.’ LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Senators have some exciting

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FORWARDS blueliners on the way, particularly Jake Sanderson, so they should get better at keeping teams away from their net, but what about stopping pucks that do reach the net? Matt Murray didn’t inspire much confidence in Season 1 of his four-year, $25-million pact. The Sens need a long-term successor in net. They did pick goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen inside the top 75 over the past two drafts, but it’s too early to know if either will become a viable NHL starter.

CAP SITUATION: Tkachuk is an RFA. His contract is the top priority. Ottawa wants to lock him up long-term, and there’s a good chance he’ll earn the captaincy. Batherson is an RFA, too. With chunky veteran AAVs such as Artem Anisimov’s and Ryan Dzingel’s vanishing, Ot-

D R A FT PR E VIE W 2021

BRADY TKACHUK

Mark Stone, Veg, 2010 Mika Zibanejad, NYR, 2011 Jason Spezza, Tor, 2001 Brady Tkachuk, Ott, 2018 Mike Hoffman, StL, 2009 Nick Foligno, Tor, 2006 Jean-Gabriel Pageau, NYI, 2011 Jakob Silfverberg, Ana, 2009 Ryan Dzingel, Ott, 2011 Tim Stutzle, Ott, 2020 Drake Batherson, Ott, 2017 Derek Grant, Ana, 2008

DEFENSEMEN

tawa won’t have trouble fitting its players under the cap. And with such a promising prospect crop, the Senators have a better chance at attracting UFAs than they’ve had in a while.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Puck-moving blueliner Erik Brannstrom and speedy left

winger Alex Formenton have bounced between the AHL and NHL the past two years. They will break camp in the big time next season.

DID YOU KNOW: Shane Pinto posted the best faceoff winning percentage at North Dakota in 17 years this season at 61.9. – ML

Erik Karlsson, SJ, 2008 Thomas Chabot, Ott, 2015 Cody Ceci, Pit, 2012 Mark Borowiecki, Nsh, 2008 Ben Harpur, Nsh, 2013 Fredrik Claesson, TB, 2011

GOALIES Robin Lehner, Veg, 2009 Brian Elliott, Phi, 2003

KREIDER: ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS; TKACHUK: MARC DESROSIERS-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM FROM 2015 TO 2018, the Flyers

rammed their shelves full of prospects with extra draft picks, and while the past two classes have been either standard or smaller, Philadelphia has continued to find gems.

With no OHL season, Tyson Foerster and Zayde Wisdom got the chance to play for AHL Lehigh Valley and saw their games soar with the Phantoms.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Oh dear, goaltending is a problem again.

Carter Hart fell off a cliff this season, and the Flyers didn’t have anyone to step up in his place. There are youngsters in the system, but Alex Lyon struggled in the NHL and Felix Sandstrom struggled in the AHL. If Hart gets back on track next season, all is well – but another experienced netminder wouldn’t be a bad idea.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: What the Flyers truly need for the future is a definitive plan, because big decisions loom for GM Chuck Fletcher. Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier are poised to be UFAs in 2022, while Jakub Voracek, Kevin Hayes and James van Riemsdyk are locked into big-money long-term deals. What will this franchise look like in a couple of years?

CAP SITUATION: Things are tight right now, as Fletcher has around $10 million to work with in the off-season. Hart is the most pressing matter, as his rookie deal is up. Lyon and Brian Elliott are both UFAs, so the crease can get a makeover.

Elsewhere, Travis Sanheim and Nolan Patrick are RFAs, though Patrick’s early struggles will cut his price tag.

CLAUDE GIROUX

FORWARDS Claude Giroux, Phi, 2006 Jeff Carter, Pit, 2003 Sean Couturier, Phi, 2011 James van Riemsdyk, Phi, 2007 Travis Konecny, Phi, 2015 Patrick Maroon, TB, 2007 Scott Laughton, Phi, 2012 Nick Cousins, Nsh, 2011 Oskar Lindblom, Phi, 2014 Joel Farabee, Phi, 2018 Nolan Patrick, Phi, 2017 Zac Rinaldo, Cgy, 2008

DEFENSEMEN

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Cam York was a superb college blueliner, and his AHL career got off to a strong start, too.

He’s the mobile D-man with power-play skills who every team wants these days. Up front, power forward Wade Allison got a taste of the NHL.

DID YOU KNOW: Brothers Noah and Jackson Cates have managed to follow each other, going from USHL Waterloo to NCAA Minnesota-Duluth to the Flyers. Noah, who’s still in school, was drafted, while Jackson recently signed as a free agent. – RK

Ivan Provorov, Phi, 2015 Shayne Gostisbehere, Phi, 2012 Travis Sanheim, Phi, 2014 Luca Sbisa, Nsh, 2008 Robert Hagg, Phi, 2013 Samuel Morin, Phi, 2013

GOALIES Carter Hart, Phi, 2016 Anthony Stolarz, Ana, 2012

HOMEGROWN

GIROUX: DOM GAGNE-USA TODAY SPORTS; CROSBY: PERRY NELSON-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM BECAUSE THE PENGUINS have

been trading picks while going for titles in the Crosby-Malkin era, the franchise only makes cameo appearances at the draft. Pittsburgh hasn’t made a full slate of selections since 2012 and have averaged just five picks in the past four classes. Plus, they’ve traded away most of their notable prospects. The Pens head into the 2021 draft with five picks, but three of them come in the seventh round. They’ve also traded away picks in 2022 and 2023. When they do get to the podium, the Pens have favored Sweden, Finland and the ‘Q.’ IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Cody Ceci was better than expected, but he’s a UFA and the Penguins were already squeezing by on ‘D.’ There are no prospects in the hopper, and Kris

FORWARDS Letang is in his mid-30s. This team needs top-six blueliners.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Centers, centers, centers. Pittsburgh has won multiple Cups thanks to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin but eventually those icons are going to retire. There is simply no replacing them, but the Penguins will have to fill the void nonetheless. None of the players in Pittsburgh’s Future Watch top 10 are pivots.

CAP SITUATION: All of the key players are signed, but new GM Ron Hextall is tight against the cap. A number of bottom-six forwards are RFAs and all of them are eligible for arbitration, the most prominent being Zach Aston-Reese. Ceci and Colton Sceviour are the most notable UFAs. It’s hard to see the Penguins icing a full roster without trading at least

SIDNEY CROSBY

Sidney Crosby, Pit, 2005 Evgeni Malkin, Pit, 2004 Jordan Staal, Car, 2006 Jake Guentzel, Pit, 2013 Bryan Rust, Pit, 2010 Kasperi Kapanen, Pit, 2014 Josh Archibald, Edm, 2011 Oskar Sundqvist, StL, 2012 Teddy Blueger, Pit, 2012 Dominik Simon, Cgy, 2015 Daniel Sprong, Wsh, 2015 Kenny Agostino, Tor, 2010

DEFENSEMEN

one bigger contract.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Samuel Poulin got consideration in training camp, but was sent back to the QMJHL to dominate one more year of junior. Next season he’s a pro either way and with his size and skill he will contribute in

Pittsburgh immediately.

DID YOU KNOW: Despite being a top NCAA program, North Dakota only had one in-state player this year: power forward Judd Caulfield, a 2019 Penguins draft pick. He’s even from Grand Forks, where the campus is located. – RK

DR A FT P RE VIE W 20 21

Kris Letang, Pit, 2005 Jake Muzzin, Tor, 2007 Alex Goligoski, Ari, 2004 Olli Maatta, LA, 2012 Robert Bortuzzo, StL, 2007 Scott Harrington, Clb, 2011

GOALIES Marc-Andre Fleury, Veg, 2003 Matt Murray, Ott, 2012

THE HO CK E Y NEW S | 79 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM A DISMANTLING WAS in the

cards leading up to the trade deadline until the Blues began to turn things around and changed GM Doug Armstrong’s mind. It’s clear, however, that the afterglow of the 2019 Stanley Cup victory is wearing off and St. Louis is considering ways to reshape its roster. With only two picks in the first four rounds, the Blues need to be astute with their selections.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Given their salary considerations, the Blues might elect not to re-sign Jaden Schwartz and Tyler Bozak. If that comes to pass, Armstrong will have to begin the process of graduating younger players into those roles. That means moving Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas up the lineup, but the vacancies in the bottom-six will need filling.

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Blues are high on 2020 Hobey Baker winner Scott Perunovich.

Jake Walman has also made inroads on the blueline. But St. Louis needs to start investing in its defense corps to protect against a dearth of replacements once Justin Faulk and Torey Krug, who are 29 and 30, start to slow down and lose effectiveness as top-pairing rearguards.

CAP SITUATION: It’s not a disastrous situation, but the Blues have to manage their money wisely this summer.

Even if Schwartz and Bozak depart, Kyrou and Thomas need new deals, D-man Vince Dunn is an RFA with arbitration rights and retaining Zach Sanford means giving him a raise.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Klim Kostin’s tantalizing offen-

VLADIMIR TARASENKO

Vladimir Tarasenko, StL, 2010 T.J. Oshie, Wsh, 2005 David Perron, StL, 2007 David Backes, Ana, 2003 Jaden Schwartz, StL, 2010 Lars Eller, Wsh, 2007 Carl Soderberg, Col, 2004 Robby Fabbri, Det, 2014 Ryan Reaves, Veg, 2005 William Carrier, Veg, 2013 Ivan Barbashev, StL, 2014 Robert Thomas, StL, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

sive upside saw some peg him as a draft-day steal in 2017, but he hasn’t yet put all the pieces together at the top levels. That said, his loan to KHL Omsk this season saw him post decent numbers. When he shows up to camp, the Blues hope he’ll be ready to take a bottom-six role.

DID YOU KNOW: Alexei Toropchenko has been globetrotting. Drafted in the fourth round by the Blues out of Russia in 2017, he then spent two seasons with OHL Guelph, one in AHL San Antonio and spent this season with Chinese KHL club Kunlun. – JC

Alex Pietrangelo, Veg, 2008 Erik Johnson, Col, 2006 Colton Parayko, StL, 2012 Ian Cole, Min, 2007 Vince Dunn, StL, 2015 Joel Edmundson, Mtl, 2011

GOALIES Ben Bishop, Dal, 2005 Jordan Binnington, StL, 2011

DRAFT TEAM THE BOOK IS STILL not closed

on the 2018 trade that brought Erik Karlsson to San Jose, even if it seems like that deal was ages ago. Ottawa receives San Jose’s second-round pick this year as the final piece. It will likely be a top-40 draft selection and a valuable building block that the Sharks dearly could use as they rebuild their development system. It will go down as a 7-for-2 trade even though Rudolfs Balcers is a Shark again after two years with the Senators.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Sharks made nine selections in the 2020 draft, and all of them were forwards. Thomas Bordeleau and Ozzy Wiesblatt are still a couple years away, so San Jose needs to latch on to some middle-six scorers to give the top line some breathing room.

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FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: The San Jose blueline is experienced.

Karlsson, Brent Burns, MarcEdouard Vlasic and Radim Simek average almost 32 years of age and they’re all signed for three or more years. The Sharks have drafted just five defensemen in the past five drafts so the pipeline dries up after Ryan Merkley. San Jose doesn’t have a top-notch goaltending prospect in its system.

Of eight picks this year, one will surely be a goalie.

CAP SITUATION: Only six forwards are signed beyond this season, but there’s not a lot of cap room for GM Doug Wilson to go free-agent hunting. All but about $12 million is spoken for with at least seven players needed to fill out the roster. The off-season will be bargain-hunting time.

DRAFT PRE VI EW 2021

PATRICK MARLEAU

Patrick Marleau, SJ, 1997 Joe Pavelski, Dal, 2003 Logan Couture, SJ, 2007 Tomas Hertl, SJ, 2012 Charlie Coyle, Bos, 2010 Nick Bonino, Min, 2007 Timo Meier, SJ, 2015 Kevin Labanc, SJ, 2014 Matt Nieto, SJ, 2011 Chris Tierney, Ott, 2012 Sean Kuraly, Bos, 2011 Josh Norris, Ott, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Merkley has been working on the defensive side of his game as a rookie pro in the AHL. The Sharks love his creativity with the puck. One plan is to have him learn on the job in the NHL with defense-minded Vlasic as an ideal playing partner.

DID YOU KNOW: Huntington Beach’s Sasha Chmelevski said Feb. 5 it was a “dream come true” to make his NHL debut in Anaheim, where he played youth hockey with the Wildcats. He got an assist on a first-period goal by Long Beach’s Matt Nieto. – BC

Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ, 2005 Justin Braun, Phi, 2007 Jason Demers, Ari, 2008 Dylan DeMelo, Wpg, 2011 Mario Ferraro, SJ, 2017 Joakim Ryan, Car, 2012

GOALIES Thomas Greiss, Det, 2004 Alex Stalock, Edm, 2005

MARLEAU: MARC DESROSIERS-USA TODAY SPORTS; TARASENKO: TOM SZCZERBOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

HOMEGROWN

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM THE POWERHOUSE LIGHTNING

are enjoying the top of the rollercoaster ride right now, loaded at every position…in the NHL. Their prospect pipeline, however, ranks among the league’s worst because they’ve spent the past few years trading picks and prospects in (successful) pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Excluding Nolan Foote, who they traded away, Tampa Bay enters a fourth straight draft without a firstround pick. The Bolts own one pick in the first four rounds.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Lightning have arguably the deepest, most talented team in the league, so they don’t need much. But if we’re picking nits?

A more reliable backup for Andrei Vasilevskiy would help.

Curtis McElhinney is 37 and a UFA coming off a shaky year.

STAMKOS: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS; MATTHEWS: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

N THE LEAFS ARE half a decade

into the Auston Matthews/ Mitch Marner era, well past their young stars’ entry-level contracts, paying them justifiably huge salaries. With several UFAs but only enough cap space to re-sign a couple of them, GM Kyle Dubas was wise to avoid trading prospects at the 2021 deadline, as the likes of Nick Robertson and Rasmus Sandin will be needed as cheaply priced regulars going forward. The Leafs did punt their 2021 first-round pick to acquire Nick Foligno, however.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Who’s the starting goalie? Jack Campbell had seemingly usurped pending UFA Frederik Andersen, but Campbell’s confidence fluttered down the stretch. It is anyone’s guess who the No. 1 will be in 2021-22. With Foligno

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: Steven Stamkos is 31 and can’t get through a season, even a shortened one, without an injury.

The Bolts must start grooming an elite goal-scorer to support Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov.

Tampa Bay doesn’t have a single player, let alone a forward, among the top 100 prospects in Future Watch 2021.

CAP SITUATION: Stashing Kucherov, the Bolts used LTIR to blow past the salary cap and acquire rental blueliner David Savard. Even with Savard, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow going UFA, Tampa projects to exceed the flat cap of $81.5 million. GM Julien BriseBois should cozy up to Seattle GM Ron Francis before the expansion draft in hopes of striking a deal to clear salary. Maybe Tyler Johnson and his $5-million

STEVEN STAMKOS

DEFENSEMEN

AAV return to his home state – plus a sweetener of some sort.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: The Lightning develop players so well that they don’t even need draft picks to unearth gems.

The latest: undrafted Alex Barre-Boulet. He’s been one of the AHL’s best scorers the past

few seasons and got a taste of the NHL this year.

DID YOU KNOW: AHL call-up Ross Colton had unbelievable per-minute production on the fourth line this season. His goals-per-60 mark was No. 1 in the NHL among players with 100-plus minutes at 5-on-5. – ML

AF

and Zach Hyman, among others, becoming UFAs, the Leafs could start next season thin on the wings depending on who they re-sign.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Who’s going to play 25 tough minutes a night in high-stakes games over the next five to 10 years?

Morgan Rielly enters the final season of his contract, while it remains to be seen if Sandin makes the leap toward topfour status. The Leafs don’t have that reliable all-around stalwart who can move the puck while also shutting down the opposition’s best players.

CAP SITUATION: The Leafs have just eight forwards and five defensemen signed for next season. The No. 1 offseason question: has Hyman priced himself out? With his speed, puck-retrieval skills and

Steven Stamkos, TB, 2008 Nikita Kucherov, TB, 2011 Brayden Point, TB, 2014 Alex Killorn, TB, 2007 Ondrej Palat, TB, 2011 Anthony Cirelli, TB, 2015 Jonathan Drouin, Mtl, 2013 Vladislav Namestnikov, Det, 2011 Brett Connolly, Chi, 2010 Richard Panik, Det, 2009 Adam Erne, Det, 2013 Cedric Paquette, Car, 2012

Victor Hedman, TB, 2009 Radko Gudas, Fla, 2010 Tony DeAngelo, NYR, 2014 Nikita Nesterov, Cgy, 2011 Slater Koekkoek, Edm, 2012 Libor Hajek, NYR, 2016

GOALIES Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB, 2012 Dustin Tokarski, Buf, 2008

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM FORWARDS

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Auston Matthews, Tor, 2016 Mitch Marner, Tor, 2015 Nazem Kadri, Col, 2009 Alexander Steen, StL, 2002 William Nylander, Tor, 2014 Connor Brown, Ott, 2012 Leo Komarov, NYI, 2006 Andreas Johnsson, NJ, 2013 Carter Verhaeghe, Fla, 2013 Josh Leivo, Cgy, 2011 Pierre Engvall, Tor, 2014 Greg McKegg, Bos, 2010

DEFENSEMEN

all-around impact, he’s become highly valuable. But with only $12.4 million in cap space, the Leafs will become even more top-heavy if they re-sign him.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: An injury stalled Robertson’s season before it really started and derailed a hyped rookie

year. His do-over will include a long look in a scoring-line role.

It’s what he does. Playing him lower in the lineup is a waste.

DID YOU KNOW: No wonder scouts rave so much about Nick Abruzzese’s brain. He studies the human mind at Harvard as a psychology major. – ML

DR AF T P R EV I EW 2021

Morgan Rielly, Tor, 2012 Anton Stralman, Fla, 2005 Carl Gunnarsson, StL, 2007 Luke Schenn, TB, 2008 Travis Dermott, Tor, 2015 Greg Pateryn, SJ, 2008

GOALIES Tuukka Rask, Bos, 2005 James Reimer, Car, 2006

T HE HO CK E Y NE WS | 8 1 |

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM THE CHART ON the right shows

Vancouver’s struggles finding quality forwards in the NHL draft. Like most teams, the Canucks do fine in the first couple rounds. It’s in the later rounds where they’ve whiffed a lot.

Since selecting useful Jannik Hansen with their last pick in 2004, the Canucks have taken 39 forwards over 16 drafts in Rounds 3 and on. Only one – Adam Gaudette in 2015 – has made it, though the jury is still out on recent years. Vancouver needs to do better than that.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Vancouver’s offensive output fell off a cliff. The Canucks ranked eighth in NHL scoring last season, then sagged to the bottom quarter of the league this year. Breakout seasons from Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Tanner Pearson a year ago

FORWARDS couldn’t be followed up. They’ll all be back again to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Canucks have decent defense prospects in the system, the problem is breaking them in on a blueline that is already suspect. Alexander Edler isn’t a top-pair guy anymore, and Tyler Myers and Nate Schmidt are exiting their prime years.

Vancouver could use another top-pair minute-muncher within a couple of years.

CAP SITUATION: It’s always tenuous. Albatross deals for Sven Baertschi and Brandon Sutter are expiring, but there’s another fat year remaining for Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, Braden Holtby and Roberto Luongo (recapture penalty). Overpriced contracts are the reason the

BO HORVAT

Bo Horvat, Van, 2013 Elias Pettersson, Van, 2017 Brock Boeser, Van, 2015 Jared McCann, Pit, 2014 Jake Virtanen, Van, 2014 Adam Gaudette, Chi, 2015 Nils Hoglander, Van, 2019 Kole Lind, Van, 2017

DEFENSEMEN

Canucks couldn’t retain scoring ace Tyler Toffoli last year.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Brogan Rafferty, Jack Rathbone and Olli Juolevi will battle each other for one or two openings on the blueline. The steadiest of the three defensively will win out.

DID YOU KNOW: If the Canucks can sign Russian right winger Vasily Podkolzin, they’ll have the competitive power forward they’ve wanted since they went after Micheal Ferland two years ago. Podkolzin was ranked No. 12 in the top 100 of Future Watch 2021. – BC

Alexander Edler, Van, 2004 Quinn Hughes, Van, 2018 Ben Hutton, Tor, 2012 Gustav Forsling, Fla, 2014 Kevin Connauton, Fla, 2009 Olli Juolevi, Van, 2016

GOALIES Thatcher Demko, Van, 2014 Michael DiPietro, Van, 2017

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM been much more than an expansion aberration in the time since they took the NHL by storm in 2017-18. In the franchise’s four seasons of existence, Vegas ranks third in shots, third in shots allowed and third in goal differential (behind only Boston and Tampa Bay.) It has been sustained excellence and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.

Alec Martinez and Tomas Nosek are the only regulars who are pending UFAs this summer.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The balance in the Golden Knights’ lineup runs the full 200 feet of the ice. There’s speed, size, strength, depth and intensity.

If Vegas fails to get to the Cup final this year, monitor where it fell short against either Colorado or the North Division

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FORWARDS winner. That’s the only area that may need shoring up.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Vegas isn’t a young team with an unlimited ceiling. Eight players are on the wrong side of 30 and Nicolas Hague is the only true regular younger than 24.

This squad could use an injection of youth in the coming seasons. There are several good forward prospects in the system, but the Golden Knights look lean on young blueliners.

CAP SITUATION: There’s very little room to work with, but the key contributors are already locked up. Martinez could fetch more on the open market than the $4 million he made this season, but there’s incentive for him to stick around with a winner.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: After a breakthrough start with

D RAFT P RE V I EW 2021

Nick Suzuki, Mtl, 2017 Cody Glass, Veg, 2017 CODY GLASS

DEFENSEMEN Erik Brannstrom, Ott, 2017 Nicolas Hague, Veg, 2017

FUTURE WATCH TOP 10 PROSPECTS

seven points in his first eight games, Cody Glass faltered and needed time in the AHL. He’ll be pushed by 20-year-old Peyton Krebs next year. And left winger Jack Dugan will make an impact after a terrific rookie pro season with Henderson.

DID YOU KNOW: Marc-Andre

Fleury is on target to win his 500th game before his 37th birthday in November. All-time leader Martin Brodeur got to that mark shortly before his 36th birthday. Patrick Roy was 36-and-a-half when he hit 500.

They will be the only three goalies to eclipse 500. – BC

1. Peyton Krebs, C, 20, WHL 2. Jack Dugan, LW, 23, AHL 3. Brendan Brisson, C, 19, NCAA 4. Lucas Elvenes, RW, 21, AHL 5. Lukas Cormier, D, 19, QMJHL 6. Ivan Morozov, C, 21, KHL 7. Peter Diliberatore, D, 21, AHL 8. Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, 20, AHL 9. Kaedan Korczak, D, 20, WHL 10. Isaiah Saville, G, 20, NCAA

HORVAT: BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS; GLASS: DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS

THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS have

HOMEGROWN

DRAFT TEAM THE CAPITALS HAVE prioritized

championship runs over their pipeline, but at least Washington hasn’t traded away the prospects they have drafted.

The Capitals have only made the full seven picks twice in the past eight drafts and have gone as low as four picks three times in that span. But the team has almost always kept its first-rounder, which helps matters immensely.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Washington’s pretty good right now, but time is undefeated, and the Caps need to get younger on ‘D.’ The youngest regular D-men on the team this year were Dmitry Orlov and Trevor van Riemsdyk, both of whom are 29. Zdeno Chara, 44, obviously skewed the average age but the next generation needs to start getting reps.

FORWARDS LONG-TERM NEEDS: Eventually Alex Ovechkin is going to retire. They’re not going to find a replacement for a one-of-a-kind talent. Perhaps 26-year-old Anthony Mantha is part of the solution, but he’ll need help, and many of Washington’s best forwards are also their oldest.

CAP SITUATION: The obvious priority is re-signing Ovechkin, whose mammoth 13-year contract expires. Will he give a hometown discount to the only NHL team he’s ever known? That would be great for the Caps, who only have around $9 million to play with. Chara is also a UFA while starting goalie Ilya Samsonov is the most important RFA who needs to be re-signed.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: With the OHL season can-

ALEX OVECHKIN

Alex Ovechkin, Wsh, 2004 Nicklas Backstrom, Wsh, 2006 Evgeny Kuznetsov, Wsh, 2010 Filip Forsberg, Nsh, 2012 Tom Wilson, Wsh, 2012 Marcus Johansson, Min, 2009 Mathieu Perreault, Wpg, 2006 Andre Burakovsky, Col, 2013 Cody Eakin, Buf, 2009 Jakub Vrana, Det, 2014 Zach Sanford, StL, 2013 Chandler Stephenson, Veg, 2012

DEFENSEMEN

celled, Connor McMichael got an early crack at the pro game with AHL Hershey, and the talented center made the most of his opportunity. With another off-season in the weight room, McMichael could make a run at a full-time NHL role. On the back end, Martin Fehervary

had a solid season in Hershey.

DID YOU KNOW: Bear Hughes sounds great, but his real name is Cassius Hughes.

The family doesn’t recall where the ‘Bear’ nickname originated – but they have 10 kids, so give them a break. He was drafted in the fifth round of 2020. – RK

John Carlson, Wsh, 2008 Dmitry Orlov, Wsh, 2009 Connor Carrick, NJ, 2012 Madison Bowey, Van, 2013 Christian Djoos, Det, 2012 Jonas Siegenthaler, NJ, 2015

GOALIES Braden Holtby, Van, 2008 Semyon Varlamov, NYI, 2006

HOMEGROWN

OVECHKIN: ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS; SCHEIFELE: ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS

DRAFT TEAM SOME EXPECTED THE Jets’

window of contention to slam shut, but Connor Hellebuyck has almost singlehandedly assured that didn’t come to pass. Repeated playoff pushes haven’t allowed for a full restock of the cupboard, though.

This isn’t to say Winnipeg needs to take a step back to move forward. Their strong draft record could see the Jets refresh their group and pry the window back open if they continue to hit on draft day.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Patrik Laine is gone, and while the Jets are pleased to have a onetwo punch of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele down the middle, supplementing the firepower lost by moving Laine would be a worthwhile pursuit for GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

The Jets need to find another

FORWARDS middle-six contributor who can log minutes and skate on the power play, too, given the Jets are among the few teams who are near certain to lose a valuable offensive contributor in the expansion draft.

LONG-TERM NEEDS: Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg aren’t key defensive pieces quite yet, but they’re on their way to bolster what has been a bit of a patchwork blueline in recent seasons. Now, the Jets should shift their focus to developing a handful of attacking talents. Hopes are high for Cole Perfetti, but Kristian Vesalainen hasn’t been able to find his footing in Winnipeg.

CAP SITUATION: New deals for Neal Pionk and Andrew Copp, if the latter isn’t scooped

by Seattle, are the only contract considerations for the Jets.

MARK SCHEIFELE

Mark Scheifele, Wpg, 2011 Evander Kane, SJ, 2009 Patrik Laine, Clb, 2016 Nikolaj Ehlers, Wpg, 2014 Kyle Connor, Wpg, 2015 Bryan Little, Wpg, 2006 Andrew Copp, Wpg, 2013 Adam Lowry, Wpg, 2011 Jack Roslovic, Clb, 2015 Mason Appleton, Wpg, 2015 Jansen Harkins, Wpg, 2015 Nic Petan, Tor, 2013

DEFENSEMEN

Mathieu Perreault, Paul Stastny and others are coming off the books. This will be the first offseason in a while that the cap isn’t going to cause headaches.

IN THE SYSTEM 2021-22: Center David Gustafsson isn’t going to set the world on fire.

He’s not that type of player.

But given his mistake-free style of play, the Jets believe he can be a useful bottom-six piece.

DID YOU KNOW: Blueliner Luke Green was the No. 1 pick in the 2014 QMJHL draft – four spots ahead of Dubois. He was drafted 79th by Winnipeg in 2016. – JC

DRA FT P RE VI EW 20 21

Jacob Trouba, NYR, 2012 Josh Morrissey, Wpg, 2013 Zach Bogosian, Tor, 2008 Ben Chiarot, Mtl, 2009 Braydon Coburn, NYI, 2003 Tucker Poolman, Wpg, 2013

GOALIES Connor Hellebuyck, Wpg, 2012 Eric Comrie, Wpg, 2013

T HE HO CK EY NE WS | 8 3 |

NCAA

FIRST-CLASS FRANKEL

When she arrived at Northeastern, some questioned whether she was just a product of a dominant team. Four years later, the only question is if there’s a ceiling for her ascent BY JARED CLINTON

B

EFORE SHE ARRIVED AT

Northeastern, before she led the program to ϐ before she won the Patty Ka ǯ ǡ

Ǥ ǡ

ǯ Ǧ Ǥ Mary’s starting goaltender and ǯ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ ǯ philosophers and barroom

| 84 | TH E H OCKEY NE WS

ǣ ǫ

ǯ ǯ reer, whether Ken Dryden and gral to the Montreal Canadiens’ ǡ

ǯ ʹͲͲͷ Ǥ

ǯ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ

DRA F T PRE VI EW 2021

Ǥ ǡ ͳǤͳͲ Ǧ ǡ ǤͻͶͷ ͵ͻ Ǧ ǡ ϐ Ǧ Ǥ Dz ǡ Ǯ ǡ ǯ ǡ might not be seeing a ton of ǡǯ dz Ǥ Dz Ǯ ǯ ͳͷ ʹͲ ǡ has a really strong team playing Ǥǯ dz ǯ

Ǥ ǯ ǡ ǡ was able to land the greatest Ǥ ǡ ǯ ϐ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ͳ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ

ǡ

Ǧ Ȃ

ǡ ǯ Ǥ ǯ ǡ ǯ Ǥ

of transforming into a legiti ǡ Ǥ ϐ Ǥͻͷͳ

Ǥ

ǡ ǡ

ǡ ǯ ϐ Ǧ Ǥ Dz ǯ ǡ

ǯ ǡ

ǡdz Ǥ Dz ǯ ϐ ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǯ ȋ Ȍ

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

WOMEN’S

WOMEN’S STELLAR STOPPER Frankel’s freshman stats were great – and her numbers improved in each of the three following seasons.

games that I’m having. What can I be doing better? It’s that hungry mindset of mine that has allowed me to continue to get better.”

Get better she did, with that freshman campaign acting not so much as a breakout season as it did a statement of intent.

In her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, she improved year-over-year with respective save percentages of .932, .958 and .965, GAAs of 1.81, 1.07 and 0.81 and a combined 25 shutouts. She backstopped the Huskies to three more Hockey East titles. She won consecutive conference tournament MVPs in 2018 and 2019. And her otherworldly performance saw Frankel win ‘Patty Kaz’ as

the top collegiate player this season.

The 2020-21 campaign wasn’t all roses, though.

After guiding the Huskies ϐ ϐ onship game, Frankel and Northeastern fell victim to a bad bounce in overtime of the tournament-deciding contest. There is, however, a sliver of a silver lining. The NCAA extended eligibility as a result of the pandemic, which means Frankel’s senior season won’t necessarily be her last with the program. “I do think there’s ϐ I’d love to be part of that special group that is going to be back next year,” she said. “A lot of our seniors are returning.”

There is, however, a caveat as it pertains to Frankel’s chances at a po-

I’M ALWAYS DOING VIDEO AND LEARNING FROM EVEN THE GOOD GAMES. IT’S THAT HUNGRY MINDSET THAT HAS ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO GET BETTER – Aerin Frankel tential victory-lap season. With the Olympics looming, there exists the possibility next season could be spent in centralization ahead of the 2022 Games in Beijing. Katie Million, director of USA Hockey’s women’s national team, doesn’t hide her fondness for Frankel, who has a “very, very, very bright future” with Team USA. “Aerin just has the drive,” Million said. “You can see it, you can feel it, you can tell it.

Some players have it and some ǯ Ǥ ϐ player who we see who has the drive, has the will, wants to be part of that Olympic team, that women’s national team, and is open to developing and growing with us and our program.”

Signs suggest Frankel is on track for an Olympic spot, too.

Beyond earning a place on the

TWO PATHS, BOTH GOOD Next season, Frankel will either chase an NCAA title or be preparing for the 2022 Olympics with Team USA.

2019-20 Rivalry Series roster, Frankel was named to the 2020 World Championship squad prior to the tournament’s cancellation and again made the roster for the rescheduled 2021 competition that will be held in Canada in August. If past predicts future, USA Hockey’s tendency to create crease continuity prior to the Olympics bodes well for her being part of the team come next February. But in the off chance that doesn’t come to pass, Frankel isn’t sweating it. “The plan is for me to be back (at Northeastern) next year,” she said. “Obviously, it depends if I do get selected for residency with this nationalteam group, then I’ll be with them. But it’s two paths, and both are very great and would make me very happy. If it’s not with the national team, then it’s with Northeastern. I don’t really feel like there’s a bad path for me at this point.”

DRA FT P R EVI E W 20 2 1

TH E HO CK E Y NE W S | 85 |

GRASSROOTS GROWING GRASSROOTS

BONES THE BENEVOLENT R

Dallas Stars coach Rick Bowness and Maritime NHLers for Kids keep the game going at the grassroots level BY WILL MACLAREN

ICK BOWNESS HAS SEEN

more in hockey than many people witness in life. Coach a team to the ϐ ȋ ǯ Dallas Stars)? Check. Lead one of the worst teams of all-time through a laborious expansion season (the 1992-93 Ottawa Senators)? Check.

Not surprisingly, a person who has resided on such complete opposite ends of the game’s spectrum proves rather unshakable. Except if you start talking about the folks who come together to help him put kids on the ice in the part of the world he’s called home for nearly seven decades. At this, he’s liable to choke up.

In the summer of 2000, Bowness had an idea. After attending a celebrity golf tournament in the area, the native of Moncton, N.B., called upon fellow

| 86 | T HE H O C KEY NE WS

Maritimers Tony Currie, best known for his days with the St. Louis Blues in the early 1980s, Montreal Canadiens 1986 Stanley Cup champion Mike McPhee and 1970s Maple Leafs star Errol Thompson. The crew put their heads together and decided to come up with an event that would promote and help the good people of the Maritimes. It would feature golf and celebrities. Everything beyond that, however, would be unique in virtually every way. “We knew there were many people throughout the Maritimes who couldn’t afford to have their child play hockey,” Bowness said. “We wanted to provide the assistance they needed.”

They sought out help from every corner, from current players and former pros to referees and broadcasters. Anyone who had an association with the

D RA FT PRE VI EW 2021

NHL was called upon.

Thus, Maritime NHLers for Kids was born. It survives and thrives to this day in large part due to a number of guiding principles that sets it apart from every other tournament of its kind in Canada. Beyond the focus on those with direct ties to the area, the event is mobile, rotating among several towns throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island each year.

There’s an interactive component that sees local kids, typically in the under-12 to under-14 age ranges, recruited to take part in a pre-golf Q&A session with the celebrities before hitting the course as “caddies.”

This leads to a rule that’s otherwise unheard of when discussing events of this ilk. “We didn’t want any alcohol on the golf course,” Bowness said. “We wanted these kids to come out and have a positive experience while spending the day with us.

The day became all about the kids, not the participants.”

It was a potentially risky maneuver to incorporate such a combination of moving parts and unconventional wisdom.

But with more than two decades of sustained popularity in the rearview mirror, it’s clear that these fundamental aspects have only contributed to the event’s success.

Funds are generated through the purchase of four-man teams, typically 30 to 36 groups per year, as well as a gala and silent auction the night before the groups hit the links. Over the past 21 years, the event has directed millions of dollars toward the hockey-playing youth of the region. Additionally, every year the host minor hockey association is gifted 25 full sets of new hockey equipment, courtesy of the NHLPA’s Goals and Dreams program.

Even with last year’s event postponed because of COV-

ID-19 (the 2021 event is in peril as well), it hasn’t stopped major sponsors from stepping up to maintain an annual donation.

Leon Dugas was the president of the Clare-Digby Minor Hockey Association when Maritime NHLers for Kids rolled into his community in 2018. As a promoter of the game at the grassroots level, his appreciation for the event, particularly the up-close access given to the young athletes in his community, couldn’t be greater. “The people from around here get excited because there are big NHL names coming to town,” Dugas said. “It’s a good opportunity to have (celebrities) meet with the kids, bond with them and have fun on the golf course. It’s a kiddriven event. That’s the big bonus. It gets those kids excited.”

As for the new gear his association received in the wake of the event – among the more than 5,500 sets distributed throughout the three provinces since Maritime NHLers for Kids’ inception – Dugas’ association used it to start a new program for female hockey. They were able to dress those kids with the gear they received and create a development program.

Dugas says the initiative saw a growth of 25 new female players who joined the program.

“Once they’re hooked on the

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARITIME NHLERS FOR KIDS

The event Bowness cooked up more than 20 years ago is still going strong, helping introduce the game to kids.

GRASSROOTS

REACHING THE YOUTH The turnout was huge for Maritime NHLers for Kids’ last event, in 2019 at Fox Harb’r Golf Course in Nova Scotia.

game,” he said, “they’re hooked on the game.”

No event of its kind can remain relevant for this long without the right mix of people.

There are those who have been around since Day 1, like Bowness and former NHLer Forbes Kennedy, the 85-year-old who’s a legend in local hockey circles and has yet to miss a year. But that sort of loyalty stretches beyond the faces of the event. “We ϐ ǯ been with us for many years on the planning committee and on event day,” said event chair Chris Larsen. “On the team front, we have a number of groups that follow us from town to town. They’ve played with us for 10 to 15 years.”

If there’s one thing Maritime NHLers for Kids prides itself on even more than its stabilizing factors, it might be its ability to reinvent itself.

For every Rick Bowness, Mike McPhee or Forbes Kennedy who hits the links each summer, there’s a new generation of celebrities, including, in recent years, Brad March-

and, Ryan Graves and Matthew Highmore, among others, who keep the legacy of the event alive. “We’ve had the great fortune of a very solid volunteer base that’s regenerating itself after this amount of time,” Larsen said. “It’s like changing in the offensive zone. We’ve got guys like Graves that have really embraced the event.”

Maintaining the longstanding tradition is one thing, but at the same time, it’s not just as simple as bringing a bunch

of players together on a golf course. What, at its core, drives this initiative? Bowness, whose wife, Judy, and three children have also been deeply involved with the event for years, sums it up easily. “Everyone involved has the same belief,” he said.

“We are all very fortunate to have the lifestyle we lead, and it’s very important to give back to the community.”

And by everyone, he means just that. The event relies on upward of 200 volunteers an-

nually. Beyond the celebrities, just the mere thought of the teamwork involved takes on a deep meaning for the man who’s spent nearly 3,000 games helping steer the fortunes of various NHL teams. “To see the passion and the following we have from the volunteers and the sponsors that make this thing go, it’s so rewarding,” Bowness said. “And we know we’re putting kids on the ice. It gets emotional.”

It also gets them playing.

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TH E H OCK E Y NEW S | 87 |

BUSINESS

1-ON-1 WITH PAUL KELLY T

The former head of the NHLPA and College Hockey Inc. talks about his life in the game WITH W. GRAEME ROUSTAN

HE HOCKEY NEWS’ OWNER and publisher spoke with lawyer Paul Kelly as part of his Peer-To-Peer series.

W. GRAEME ROUSTAN: Let’s spend a few minutes on your hockey history, which is very long. That’s a whole magazine in and of itself.

Maybe you could take us back to how you became the executive director of the NHL Players’ Asso ϐ ǡ College Hockey Inc. PAUL KELLY: I was the lead prosecutor for the Department of Justice in connection with the investigation and prosecution of Alan Eagleson. I started playing the sport at probably

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ϐ Ǥ

through high school and into college, and I coached youth hockey for many, many years.

When the Eagleson investigation started, I was working in an ϐ ͳͷͲ ǡ but I was the only one who was simultaneously a high-school hockey coach. So the case got assigned to me. Through that process, I met an awful lot of people within the NHL. Owners, players, general managers and others. Eagleson, of course, was convicted and sentenced.

Years went by, then I received a phone call from a headhunt ϐ if I had any interest in being an applicant for the executive director of the NHL Players’ As Ǥ ϐ

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started College Hockey Inc. ǡ ǡ ʹͲͲͻǤ

has grown since then. It is still in place today. And our mission was to travel around the continent and to talk to young ϐ playing college hockey. Not only ϐ game itself, but also about the ϐ tion, being on a college campus, maturing as a person. And we would go to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, I mean, we travelled throughout Canada, and we would typically bring with us a group of college hockey coaches as well, to the extent they were available and not in the midst of the season, and we would get NHL players who, themselves, played college hockey. Ryan Miller was one. We had a number of guys that came out with us. And they would talk to the players directly about their experience and playing at many of the great schools that play college hockey down here. And we would pull together a group of usually ͸Ͳ ǡ ers in a particular geographic area, we would invite them and their parents to join us. We would make a presentation to the group, answer questions, let them hear from the coaches and the players. And then, we would typically run some games. We would have the college coaches, actually, behind the benches, so they could kind of get to know these players and watch them on the ice. And it would give the college coaches an opportunity to scout and see some of these kids and give them some exposure. And so, I think we were very successful in getting the message out to people that hadn’t heard the message directly. And while we weren’t recruiting for any spe ϐ ǡ ϐ ǡ we were recruiting for the sport generally. And in addition to that, because of my connections

> For more insider info on the business of hockey, pick up our Money & Power 2021 special edition, available at TheHockeyNews.com/store

NHLPA

PEER-TO-PEER

bit of a joke, since I had put the last guy in prison, but they assured me that it was not. I went through a process that was very thorough, it went on for two or three months. And at the end of the process, they asked me if I would take on the role, which I did as of roughly August ʹͲͲ͹ Ǥ

a couple of years later, I was thinking about returning to the practice of law. I had a thriving legal practice when I left to go to the NHLPA, and I was thinking about returning to that, but I was contacted by a number of prominent U.S. college hockey coaches and commissioners of the various leagues around the country, asking me for my help.

What they told me at the time was that NCAA hockey folks felt that they needed a spokesperson, someone that was connected within the world of hockey, that could communicate, not only with the NHL on their behalf, but could help deal with some NCAA issues they had.

They were concerned about recruiting, they wanted to do a better job of getting the word out generally, not only to players within the United States but players within Canada and in ǡ ϐ playing NCAA college hockey, and how that would be a good thing for them to think about.

So, these coaches and commissioners asked me if I could start something. In connection with USA Hockey, they had a slug of money that was available for purposes of a start-up and salary and the like, and so they said, “Look, do whatever you think is necessary and just help us.” So, it sounded intriguing and challenging, and given my love of the sport, I decided to do it. We started with noth Ǥ ϐ

found a name that I could protect legally. I came up with “College Hockey Inc.” So, we

BUSINESS from the NHLPA days, we also suddenly gave college hockey a voice in some circles and boardrooms that they didn’t have a voice in before. We attended the NHL GMs’ meetings from time to time, talked to the GMs about issues. We met with agents. We met with the international community. So overall, No. 1, it was a fun effort. I did it for two-and-a-half years, and once I got it up and running and thought it was doing well, it was time for me to move back into the practice of law and let it be carried on by others.

WGR: Opening the doors to the U.S. colleges, it caused some ripples elsewhere. In any business, there’s a competition for talent, whether it’s employees or customers. And whenever there’s a new entrant into any space, there’s some friction. Did you feel any friction?

PK: There’s no question that that was the case. And it’s a bit of an unfortunate part of it. I wish there was an easy answer to that, but the reality is that the NCAA programs are seeking the top talented kids, not just in North America but across the world. And so it puts them into direct competition with the Canadian Hockey League in particular. Our effort wasn’t to do harm to the CHL. Far from it.

It was just to get the word out to give families options, so that they knew what was out there and they knew what steps, if they took them, would destroy their eligibility. So there are certain things that, if you sign a contract or you play on a team with professionals, that impacts your NCAA eligibility.

And so we wanted to make sure that kids at ages 14, 15, 16 and their families understood some of those rules. I really do wish that there was a way to harmonize what the NCAA is all about with what the CHL is all about.

Because I think there are some players who really would ben ϐ Ǥ ϐ them. And there are other players that it wouldn’t be the right ϐ Ǥ ϐ ǡ ϐ players. It was not my intention

to do damage. But clearly, since I was up there passing this message along and recruiting, effectively, I’m sure that I was viewed in a negative way by some of those folks up there. It really was all about what’s best for young players and families.

One example, I got a call from a mom just last week, from Detroit. And her son went and played one year in the CHL and apparently didn’t have the best of experiences. He now has an opportunity to play college hockey, and he’s got a number of programs that would like him to come and play. The problem is, of course, he played

a better widget, a better tool, a better iPhone, you’re going to create some waves.

PK: I think that’s exactly what our mission was, it was to educate. And to let them know that the options were out there ϐ of the two programs. It was to just present alternatives and make sure that people understood what was out there. I do think we’ve seen an increase in the number, the percentage, of NCAA players (in the NHL) over time. Some of your top players in the NHL today are NCAA players. Part of the reason for that, I think, is you play

rules that make it somewhat challenging, given the NCAA rules. There’s a constant conversation going on with the NCAA as to how to make those rules workable for families and for young players. But I think College Hockey Inc. will continue to do what it’s doing, which is listen to its coaches, ϐ and how they think it could be most helpful as an independent organization, as a mouthpiece, and continue to get the word out. Using the young players of today, the guys that have come out in the last couple of years, the young players around the

for one year in the CHL and he signed the required contract, and she wants to know, “Is there some way that he can now go play for these schools that are recruiting him?” And I do wish that the NCAA would change some of its rules. Because that’s a perfect situation where, look, he tried the CHL and, for whatever reason, it ǯ ϐ ǡ be able to come and play college hockey. He shouldn’t be barred because of some archaic NCAA rules. And so, I’m a bit of a critic when it comes to that. I do think there’s a way to harmonize our systems, just for ϐ Ǥ But you’re right, there has been some friction. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a reality.

WGR: But isn’t that the way it is in business? In any business you’re in, if you come up with

with older players when you play within the NCAA. Players tend to be between the ages of 18 and 25, with the majority of them being in their early 20s. So you tend to be playing against bigger, stronger players. In the CHL, where you’ve got players that are 16, 17, 18, they don’t have the physical size and stature of a lot of the NCAA players. And I think that does prepare some players better for the rough-and-tumble style of the NHL. WGR: So what’s the future business outlook for College Hockey Inc.?

PK: I know that they’d like to focus more on attracting top players from Europe, from Sweden and from Finland. The leagues over there have some

continent, they know these guys, they respect these guys.

When they stand up in front of these groups of 60 kids, you just watch these kids’ eyes light up. They listen to every word. I mean, they’re so totally focused when they hear from these NHL players. That’s important, to make that connection. But again, there’s a path for everyone. The CHL is a great path for most of these kids up there, but ϐ portunity. If you’re good enough to play and you’re good enough to balance having an education and playing at the same time, playing college hockey is really a good thing to do.

Paul Kelly can be found at linkedin.com/in/ paul-kelly-62880a40

> Watch the full interview with Paul Kelly at TheHockeyNews.com/P2P DR A FT P RE VI E W 2 02 1

THE HO C KE Y NE W S | 89 |

NO RUST HERE

2022 SNEAK PEEK

THE TOTAL PACKAGE From MacKinnon-esque skills to leadership qualities, Wright has the stuff to be the top 2022 prospect | BY RYAN KENNEDY |

ITH A FULL SLATE

of players from the OHL and WHL at their disposal, Canada’s staff had an assment of riches when to picking this year’s for the World Under-18 Championship in Texas. And with all that talent collected, the captaincy still went to one of the youngest players on the team, Kingston Frontenacs center Shane Wright.

The top prospect for the 2022 NHL draft, Wright is the most recent player to get exceptional status in the OHL, and his maturity was a big factor in earning him the ‘C’ for the under-18s. “It wasn’t a freebie by any stretch of the imagination,” said Canada coach

| 90 | T HE H O CKE Y NEW S

Dave Barr. “We talked about it as a coaching staff with our management, and going around the room it was pretty much unanimous. It was because of his demeanor off the ice and the respect he garnered from his teammates because of the way he carries himself and plays. He’s not overly vocal, but he’s a competitor who communicates well.

It was actually a fairly easy decision.”

Wright racked up 14 ϐ to an under-18 gold medal (he missed some time in the roundrobin due to a minor injury). It was all quite impressive, given that the OHL season was cancelled, meaning Wright hadn’t

DR AF T PRE V IE W 2021

played a real game since March 2020. “It was almost 14 months since I last played an actual game,” he said, “so the feeling of getting on the ice with my team and being able to compete was a really good feeling overall.”

Wright did have one reprieve during that stretch, as he was chosen to participate in Canada’s world-junior camp in

Alberta. Though he ultimately didn’t make the squad, Wright made a positive impression with Hockey Canada. “That was a great experience for me,” he said. “They were the best players at that age group around

the country, and it was good to see where they were at with their skills and how I matched up against them. It was great to see what they did on a day-today basis.”

Speaking of day-to-day routines, part of the reason Wright has been so successful in his young career is because of the habits he has developed. Once again, it’s part of the maturity that allowed him to enter the OHL a year early and thrive as major junior’s rookie of the year. “If you have good habits you have everything prepared,” Wright said. “You’re making sure you’re eliminating distractions before and during a game, and you’re focused 100 percent on preparing and playing the best that you can.”

And when Wright is on his game, he’s a beast. He didn’t look like an underager at the world under-18s. “He can play a fast game,” Barr said. “He reminds me of Nathan MacKinnon, he’s fast, physical and strong. Simon Edvinsson on Sweden is 6-foot-5, and Shane rocked him twice on the same shift. He plays the right way, and he plays a very fast game. And he knows how to shoot the puck.”

Assuming the OHL gets back on the ice in the fall, Wright will be the marquee player to watch and the frontrunner to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NHL draft. And even though he has only spent threequarters of a season in Kingston so far, the kid is itching to get back in a Frontenacs jersey. “I can’t wait to get back to Kingston,” Wright said. “I can’t wait to get back to the city and our Leon’s Centre and to be with the guys and compete with them. It’s been too long. I’m champing at the bit.”

TOP: RYAN MCCULLOUGH/HHOF-IIHF IMAGES; MIDDLE: TERRY WILSON / OHL IMAGES

Wright hadn’t played in 14 months prior to the world under-18s, but it didn’t show as he racked up points.

SHANE WRIGHT

2023 ONE TO WATCH

MAKE LIKE MAC Yager building his game like Colorado’s NHL superstar

PROJECTED TOP 10 1 2

WRIGHT: AARON BELL/OHL IMAGES; YAGER: KEITH HERSHMILLER; CELEBRINI: SHATTUCK-ST. MARY’S

SHANE WRIGHT

BRAD LAMBERT

C, Kingston (OHL)

RW, JYP (Fin.)

Great maturity and an overflowing toolbox make him near impossible to slow down. Plays a power game.

Explosive and competitive. He’s got a ton of skill and already has one WJC under his belt.

3

4

MATT SAVOIE

SIMON NEMEC

C, Dubuque (USHL)

D, Nitra (Svk.)

On loan from WHL Winnipeg, Savoie ripped up the USHL. Highly skilled and smart. Offensive machine.

Brings a lot of the skills you want in a modern D-man: skating, hockey sense and two-way excellence.

5

6

LOGAN COOLEY

JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY

C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

LW, TPS (Fin.)

Elite skater with great IQ, and plays a 200-foot game. Notre Dame commit played up with under-18s a lot.

Slovakian star-in-the-making played in Finland and made WJC debut. Big frame and great offensive upside.

7

8

DAVID JIRICEK

TRISTAN LUNEAU

D, Plzen (Cze.)

D, Gatineau (QMJHL)

Big, assertive and talented. Had a hot world juniors. Still hasn’t scratched the surface of his ceiling.

Led Gatineau D-men in scoring as a rookie and took on a lot of responsibility on a rebuilding team.

9

10

ELIAS SALOMONSSON

IVAN MIROSHNICHENKO

D, Skelleftea (Swe.)

LW, Omsk (Rus.)

Big and smooth blueliner, Salomonsson has already made his SHL debut after dominating juniors.

Strong, sturdy, speedy and skilled.

Made quite the impression as an underager at the world under-18s.

WHILE MOST OF THE

hockey world was concentrating on what Connor Bedard was doing in Regina, Brayden Yager was making his own WHL impact this season.

The Moose Jaw Warriors center put up 18 points in 24 games and did so having just turned 16 in January. Yager had a great cast to learn from in Moose Jaw, from Minnesota Wild pick Daemon Hunt to 2021 draft prospects Ryder Korczak and Eric Alarie. “It was

BRAYDEN YAGER

certainly fun,” Yager said. “Once I got there, I settled in with the boys and they helped me adjust to the pace of the game.

Watching guys like ‘Korcz’ and ‘Larie’ and how they handle the pressure, how they focus and prepare, even a guy like Daemon Hunt who has already gone through the draft, those are things I can learn from guys like them and build on.”

Fast and strong, Yager likes to model his game after Nathan MacKinnon and even wears No. 29 in homage to the Colorado superstar. – RYAN KENNEDY

2024 ONE TO WATCH

MACKLIN CELEBRINI

ASK SCOUTS ABOUT

the best 2006 birthdays in America and they’ll point you to ShattuckSt. Mary’s prep school. The under-14 team was loaded this year, and one of the top players was center Macklin Celebrini, a Vancouver native who lived in California thanks to his dad’s job as

director of sports medicine and performance for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

“He’s got some of the best hockey sense I’ve ever seen,” said coach Christian Bragnalo.

“He has the ability to make plays at top speed, and he’s really strong on the puck. So he can win puck battles or he can beat you with skill, and he has really developed an elite one-timer, especially on the power play.”

Ben Umhoefer, director of boys hockey at Shattuck, loves Celebrini’s cohort, as the under-14s often hit the ice at 6 a.m., just because they wanted to. “They’re just rink rats, the whole team,” he said. “We just sit back and smile.” – RYAN KENNEDY

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TH E HOC K EY N E WS | 91 |

REWIND

C’MON, LET’S MAKE A DEAL

The Big E and J.R. together on the Hawks? Niedermayer or Lidstrom on the Avs? It’s not as far-fetched as you might think.

Before the Flyers got their man, several other suitors had come close to landing Lindros from the Nordiques BY ALAN BASS

T

HIRTY YEARS AGO, ERIC

Lindros was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques, and every hockey fan of a certain vintage remembers the saga leading up to his trade in ͳͻͻʹǤ ϐ

| 92 | THE HOC K EY NEW S

Philadelphia Flyers send a package to the Nordiques that included highly touted prospect Peter Forsberg, forwards Mike Ricci and Chris Simon, defensemen Steve Duchesne and Kerry Huffman, goalie Ron Hextall,

DRA F T PR EV I EW 202 1

ϐ Ǧ ̈́ͳͷ million. In the lead-up to that swap, however, the Nordiques had spent the better part of a year negotiating with several other clubs, some of which offered packages large enough to reshape the NHL for a generation. Some of these deals never came close to fruition, but others were just an owner’s thumbs up away from being triggered. In the interest of what could have been, let’s take a look at what other clubs were in on the action, the packages they offered and how those deals may have panned out.

In the midst of negotiations with Detroit, Quebec demanded a package (outrageous with ϐ Ȍ included Sergei Fedorov, Nick-

BIDDING WAR Lindros landed in Philadelphia after refusing to report to Quebec, but there was a long line of suitors.

las Lidstrom, Steve Chiasson, Martin Lapointe, Tim Cheveldae and draft picks. Red Wings GM Bryan Murray cut off talks fairly quickly.

At the same time, Calgary was close to its own deal for Lindros. The Flames offered Mike Vernon, a choice of Al MacInnis or Gary Suter and one of centers Joe Nieuwendyk or Robert Reichel. Quebec said it wasn’t enough, however, so Calgary backed out. If that deal had gone through, Calgary wouldn’t have had the need, or the assets, to deal for future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla a few years later.

PAUL BERESWILL/HHOF IMAGES

1991 DRAFT RETROSPECTIVE

REWIND Wanting to keep Lindros in his home region, Toronto offered up a package of Felix Potvin, Wendel Clark, Dave Ellett, Craig Berube, multiple ϐ Ǧ ̈́ͳͷ million. But when Quebec inǦ sisted on Doug Gilmour being included as well, Toronto poǦ litely declined. Considering the Maple Leafs came one victory away from making it to the ϐ season, they likely made the correct choice. Plus, had they made the deal, Mats Sundin never would’ve become a Leaf two years later.

DOUG MACLELLAN/HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

IN THE CLOSEST DEAL THAT NEVER WAS, QUEBEC WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH CHICAGO FOR SOME TIME In one of the stronger packǦ ages of any team, New Jersey offered Sean Burke, Stephane Richer, Claude Lemieux, prosǦ pect Scott Niedermayer, cash and draft picks. But talks beǦ tween the Devils and the NorǦ diques never went anywhere.

In the closest deal that nevǦ er was, Quebec went back and forth with Chicago for some time. The Blackhawks essenǦ tially told the Nordiques to piece together any package of players from their roster that didn’t include Jeremy Roenick.

The Nordiques obliged, and the two sides agreed on Chicago trading Ed Belfour, Steve LarmǦ er, Steve Smith and two draft picks in exchange for Lindros and three Quebec draft picks.

When the Nordiques, struggling ϐ ǡ ̈́ͷ part of the trade, stingy BlackǦ hawks owner Bill Wirtz put the kibosh on the entire ordeal.

If he hadn’t, Chicago could’ve Ǧ Ǧ punch down the middle domiǦ nating the United Center ice for a decade.

In negotiations with the New York Rangers, Quebec was offered Alexei Kovalev, Tony

PETER FORSBERG

Amonte, Sergei Nemchinov, James Patrick, a choice of John Vanbiesbrouck or Mike RichǦ ǡ ϐ Ǧ ̈́ʹͲ Ǥ ǡ Nordiques notoriously agreed to a trade with the Rangers minutes after agreeing to the

FORCED SMILES Both parties put on a happy face on draft day, but both Lindros and the Nordiques knew a storm was brewing.

Flyers deal, leading to the inǦ famous arbitration that would determine who owned Lindros’ rights. Although Lindros would have shined under the bright lights of New York City, the deal would have essentially deciǦ mated a Rangers roster that went on to win the Stanley Cup just a couple of years later.

Ultimately, it was the Flyers who, from the beginning, were the most determined to get the Ǥ ͳͷ earlier, with WHA superstar Wayne Gretzky put up for sale by the Indianapolis Racers, FlyǦ ers owner Ed Snider was egged on by his family to make a pitch ͳ͹Ǧ Ǧ Ǧ tempt to bolster a fading roster a few years removed from winǦ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ But Snider was at the forefront of the NHL’s attempts to make peace with the rival league, and he didn’t feel it was right to purǦ sue a deal that would get him

DR AFT P REV IE W 20 2 1

T HE HO C KE Y NE W S | 93 |

REWIND excoriated by his colleagues on the board of governors. Instead, he watched as the Racers traded Gretzky’s rights to Edmonton, resulting in one of the most dominant dynasties the game has ever seen.

Fast forward to 1992, and Snider was determined not to make the same mistake again.

With his son, Jay, running the team, the two agreed to pursue the league’s next franchise ϐ missing from most of the other

PIERRE PAGE & ERIC LINDROS

and a few additional years of Hextall in his prime, along with some quality depth players in Simon and Ricci. And those two draft picks might have been used to nab a player such as Saku Koivu, Jason Allison, Mattias Ohlund or Todd Bertuzzi,

FOOL ME ONCE… The Flyers were determined to get ‘The Big E’ after missing out on the greatest of all-time years before.

1991 DRAFT REVISIONIST HISTORY The ’91 NHL draft class was packed with Hall of Famers and star power, even if two of the top three picks didn’t come close to meeting expectations

ROUND 1 hype. Phenom Eric Lindros refused to play for Quebec after it drafted him first overall, but, after a trade to Philadelphia a year later, he delivered a Hall of Fame career.

The class of ’91 was a minefield from pick to pick in the first round. Three of the top six slots yielded Hall of Famers, as No. 3 selection Scott Niedermayer became one of the sport’s consummate winners, while Peter Forsberg, chosen sixth overall, was one of the most dominant centers of his generation. Pat Falloon, however, fell well short of expectations as the No. 2 selection, as did top-15 picks Scott Lachance (No. 3), Alek Stojanov (No. 7) and Tyler Wright (No. 12).

That’s not to say the ’91 draft was only good because of the Lindros-Niedermayer-Forsberg trifecta. Many other successful picks came in the first or second round, from Markus Naslund to Alexei Kovalev to Ziggy Palffy. It wasn’t a great year to find a starting goaltender, however. Chris Osgood, easily the draft’s top netminder, played 744 NHL games, while the other 28 goalies selected combined for a total of 822 NHL games.

With the benefit of hindsight, here’s who teams should have picked back in 1991, with the prospect’s actual draft slot in parentheses. – MATT LARKIN

THE FLYERS REACHED THE CUP FINAL JUST ONCE WITH LINDROS. THE AVS WON IN 1996 AND 2001 teams’ negotiations. If the deal hadn’t been agreed upon (or if the arbitrator had awarded Lindros to the Rangers), the Flyers would have missed out on their Legion of Doom line (Lindros, John LeClair and Mikael Renberg) that dominated much of the 1990s. On the other hand, they would’ve experienced Forsberg at his peak

| 94 | T H E HO CKEY NEW S

all of whom were still available ϐ Ǧ picks were on the clock.

Instead, the Flyers reached ϐ the Lindros years (1997) and watched as the Colorado Avalanche used the assets from that blockbuster trade to charge their way to Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001.

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1. QUEBEC NORDIQUES Peter Forsberg, C (6th overall by Philadelphia) 2. SAN JOSE SHARKS Scott Niedermayer, D (3rd overall by New Jersey) 3. NEW JERSEY DEVILS Eric Lindros, C (1st overall by Quebec) 4. NEW YORK ISLANDERS Markus Naslund, LW (16th overall by Pittsburgh) 5. WINNIPEG JETS Alexei Kovalev, RW (15th overall by NY Rangers) 6. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS Chris Osgood, G (54th overall by Detroit) 7. VANCOUVER CANUCKS Ziggy Palffy, RW (26th overall by NY Islanders) 8. MINNESOTA NORTH STARS Ray Whitney, LW (23rd overall by San Jose) 9. HARTFORD WHALERS Sandis Ozolinsh, D (30th overall by San Jose) 10. DETROIT RED WINGS Brian Rolston, C (11th overall by New Jersey) 11. NEW JERSEY DEVILS Glen Murray, RW (18th overall by Boston)

12. EDMONTON OILERS Alexei Zhitnik, D (81st overall by Los Angeles) 13. BUFFALO SABRES Jozef Stumpel, C (40th overall by Boston) 14. WASHINGTON CAPITALS Michael Nylander, C (59th overall by Hartford) 15. NEW YORK RANGERS Dmitry Yushkevich, D (122nd overall by Philadelphia) 16. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS Mike Knuble, RW (76th overall by Detroit) 17. MONTREAL CANADIENS Martin Lapointe, RW (10th overall by Detroit) 18. BOSTON BRUINS Yanic Perreault, C (47th overall by Toronto) 19. CALGARY FLAMES Martin Rucinsky, LW (20th overall by Edmonton) 20. EDMONTON OILERS Richard Matvichuk, D (8th overall by Minnesota) 21. WASHINGTON CAPITALS Sean O’Donnell, D (123rd overall by Buffalo) 22. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS Dean McAmmond, LW (22nd overall by Chicago)

RIGHT: DOUG MACLELLAN/HOCKEY HALL OF FAME; LEFT: PAUL BERESWILL/HHOF IMAGES

EVERYTHING WENT HAYWIRE following the 1991 draft, but the class eventually met the

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REWIND

PATRICK MARLEAU

Here’s our ranking of the top 26 prospects going into the 1997 draft:

1. JOE THORNTON

13. PAUL MARA

> Taken 1st by Boston

> Taken 7th by Tampa Bay

2. PATRICK MARLEAU

14. ROBERT DOME

> Taken 2nd by San Jose

> Taken 17th by Pittsburgh

Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

15. MICHEL RIESEN

> Taken 4th by NY Islanders

> Taken 14th by Edmonton

P

ATRICK MARLEAU BROKE

Gordie Howe’s career record for NHL games ϐ ͳǡ͹͹ͻǤ

ͶͳǦ Ǧ ʹͲʹͳǦʹʹ Ǧ ǫ Ǥ

ͳͻͻ͹ ϐ

ͳ͹Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ

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ǡ ǯ ͳͻͻ͹ Ǥ ͳǦʹǦ͵ Ǥ ϐ Ǧ

ϐ

Ǧ Ȃ ǡ Ǥ ǯ ǡ ǡ ʹͶ Ǥ

DRAFT PREV IEW 2021

Biel-Bienne (Sui.)

4. OLLI JOKINEN

16. MATT ZULTEK

> Taken 3rd by Los Angeles

> Taken 15th by Los Angeles

HIFK Helsinki (Fin.)

Marleau jumped ahead of Howe in all-time NHL games played.

What a journey since Draft Preview 1997 BY BRIAN COSTELLO

Las Vegas Thunder (IHL)

3. ROBERTO LUONGO Val d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)

1. MR. MARLEAU 2. MR. HOCKEY

Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

5. DANIEL TKACZUK

17. NIKOS TSELIOS

> Taken 6th by Calgary

> Taken 22nd by Carolina

Barrie Colts (OHL)

Belleville Bulls (OHL)

6. SERGEI SAMSONOV

18. MARIAN HOSSA

> Taken 8th by Boston

> Taken 12th by Ottawa

Detroit Vipers (IHL)

Dukla Trencin (Svk.)

7. DAN CLEARY

19. JEFF ZEHR

> Taken 13th by Chicago

> Taken 31st by NY Islanders

Belleville Bulls (OHL)

Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

8. ERIC BREWER

20. J-F DAMPHOUSSE

> Taken 5th by NY Islanders

> Taken 24th by New Jersey

Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

9. NICK BOYNTON

21. KRISTIAN HUSELIUS

> Taken 9th by Washington

> Taken 47th by Florida

Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Farjestad (Swe.)

10. BRAD FERENCE

22. J-F FORTIN

> Taken 10th by Vancouver

> Taken 35th by Washington

Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)

11. MICHAEL HOLMQVIST

23. SCOTT BARNEY

> Taken 18th by Anaheim

> Taken 29th by Los Angeles

Djurgarden (Swe.)

Peterborough Petes (OHL)

12. JASON WARD

24. STEFAN CHERNESKI

> Taken 11th by Montreal

> Taken 19th by NY Rangers

Erie Otters (OHL)

Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

LEFT: KYLE TERADA-USA TODAY SPORTS; RIGHT: STAN SZETO-USA TODAY SPORTS

S.S. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

REWIND 25. ADAM COLAGIACOMO Oshawa Generals (OHL) > Taken 82nd by San Jose

26. WES JARVIS

Kitchener Rangers (OHL) > Taken 46th by NY Rangers

With the benefit of 24 years of hindsight, here’s how the 1997 should have unfolded:

1. JOE THORNTON (1st) Boston

2. ROBERTO LUONGO (4th) San Jose

3. PATRICK MARLEAU (2nd) Los Angeles

4. MARIAN HOSSA (12th) NY Islanders

5. BRIAN CAMPBELL (156th) NY Islanders

6. BRENDEN MORROW (25th) Calgary

7. OLLI JOKINEN (3rd) Tampa Bay

8. ERIC BREWER (5th) Boston

9. SCOTT HANNAN (23rd) Washington

10. KRISTIAN HUSELIUS (47th) Vancouver

11. SERGEI SAMSONOV

15. HENRIK TALLINDER

19. ANDREW FERENCE

23. MAGNUS ARVEDSON

12. PAUL MARA

16. MAX AFINOGENOV

20. JASON CHIMERA

24. KAREL RACHUNEK

13. JOE CORVO

17. LADISLAV NAGY

21. NICK BOYNTON

25. KYLE CALDER

14. DAN CLEARY

18. MATT COOKE

22. MIKE YORK

26. ANTTI LAAKSONEN

(8th) Montreal (7th) Ottawa

(83rd) Chicago

(13th) Edmonton

(48th) Los Angeles (69th) Chicago

(177th) Pittsburgh (144th) Anaheim

(208th) NY Rangers (121st) Florida (9th) Buffalo

(136th) Carolina

(119th) San Jose

(229th) New Jersey (130th) Dallas

(191st) Colorado DR AF T P R EV IE W 20 21

THE H OCK EY NE WS | 97 |

THE LAST WORD

WITH KEN CAMPBELL |

@THNKENCAMPBELL

COMING SOON: SID-OVI SEQUEL

Teen phenoms Bedard and Michkov are working on a rivalry that has a familiar feel. With any luck, it heats up to a Crosby-Ovechkin level in time for the 2023 NHL draft it, but we’re not going to go all Isaiah 11:6 on you here. If you watched the World Under-18 Championship in May, you already know that a little child led the way.

Two of them, actually. Three if you want to throw 17-year-old Shane Wright into the mix. And if you watched that tournament, even casually, you don’t need to be told who Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov are because the players wearing No. 17 for the Canadian and Russian teams are burned into your psyche.

The magazine you’re holding is devoted to the 2021 NHL draft. But just wait until next year when Wright, who captained Canada’s gold-medal team and looked a lot like a young Mark Messier without the snarl, is available. And if you really want to get excited, 2023 is going to be even more sublime, when the 15-year-old Bedard and the 16-year-old Michkov are eligible.

As a knee-jerk reaction to some mathematical oddities, the NHL changed its draft-lottery rules to ensure that the worst team in the league picks no lower than second overall in future drafts. With that in mind, don’t be surprised if you see a tankathon in 2022-23, the likes of which will make the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes of 2014-15 look like they were on a Ǥ ϐ ǯ guaranteed one of these guys regardless of the outcome of the lottery, well, suddenly 32nd place in a 32-team league doesn’t look so bad.

Yes, these young men are that good.

Michkov led the tournament in scoring with 12 goals and 16 points in seven ǡ ϐ ǡ Wright, for second with seven goals and 14 points in seven games. Michkov scored a lacrosse goal early in the tournament, ϐ nal against Sweden, a game in which he still managed a hat trick. They made up twothirds of the all-tournament forward line, and Michkov was named the top forward in the tournament. Have we mentioned that they’re not draft-eligible until 2023?

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“You can see no logic sometimes in his movements,” said Russian coach Albert Leshyov of Michkov, who he also coaches with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg in Russia’s junior league. Canadian coach Dave Barr marvelled at Bedard’s talent level, of course, but was even more blown away that a 15-year-old kid with that kind of skill level never, ever turns the puck over. “He’s not high-risk,” Barr said. “A lot of times, offensive players are high-risk. Seven times it works, three times it doesn’t, and those three times it’s going the other way.

It’s not that way with him.”

Prior to Canada’s second game of the tournament, Barr challenged Bedard to be a better positional and defensive player, then double-shifted him for a good part of that game. And with Canada clinging to a onegoal lead in the gold-medal game against Russia, Barr had Bedard out on the ice, with Bedard making a pass to set up Wright for the goal that clinched the 5-3 victory. For his part in the title game, all Michkov did was record a point on each Russian goal.

He was as devastated as all of his team ǡ ϐ in the fact that he had such an enormous impact on the tournament at such a young Ǥ Dz ϐ ϐ game,” Michkov said. “We came here just for the gold, and I cannot say that silver medals are a good result for us. All we have to do is forget this game and do our job and come back stronger. I hope we’ll be able to do so.”

Now that you mention it, we’re all hoping for that as well. Barring injuries, both Bedard and Michkov will play in each of the next two World Junior Championships.

And while Bedard is hoping to be busy in a playoff run with the WHL’s Regina Pats next spring, both players are eligible to play in next year’s world under-18 tournament as

(REALLY) YOUNG STARS Michkov, at 16, led the world U-18s in scoring and was named top forward.

Bedard, at 15, was second in scoring.

well. (Michkov is a late birthday in 2004, so he won’t be eligible to play in 2023.) So these two guys should have a pretty good rivalry going before they even set foot in the NHL. Is it possible that almost two decades after Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby were drafted, in 2004 and 2005, that we could have another Sid vs. Ovi mano a mano to keep us engaged and entertained? We can ǡ ϐ really good.

The pressure to replicate Crosby’s and Ovechkin’s achievements on these young Ǥ ϐ forays onto the big-time international hockey stage are any indication, that should not be a problem. It never is with the truly great ones. Perhaps we should not be surprised by all of this. After all, the time between so-called “generational players” has been cut from a decade to about half of that. Go to a youth hockey rink anywhere in the world and you’ll see boys and girls who are capable of doing some very remarkable things. Bedard and Michkov are both products of hockey superpowers that provide talented young athletes with highlevel opportunities, resources and mentorship 12 months a year. Bedard and Michkov are coming, and there will be a lot more on the way.

CHRIS TANOUYE/HHOF-IIHF IMAGES

Y

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