1. New York Islanders — Andy’s Pick
   Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

(Michael Miller / ISI Photos)

New Islander general manager Mathieu Darche won’t get cute here. Schaefer is at the top of this year’s draft class and the smooth-skating defenseman will go No. 1 to the Isles. The Islanders need defensemen in their prospect pool badly and will take full advantage of pole position in this year’s draft. After missing a decent chunk of the 2024-25 season due to injury, Schaefer, who is 17 years young until September, will most likely need at least one more full season of development in the OHL with Erie, or there is a real possibility he could be NCAA bound for the 2025-26 campaign.

2. San Jose Sharks — Eric’s Pick
   Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

(Natalie Shaver / OHL Images)

While it is possible Sharks GM Mike Grier could galaxy-brain this pick and look to diversify his prospect pool with someone like Anton Frondell, which has been widely speculated as being the case, enough to make me strongly consider making Frondell the pick here, he would be wise to not overthink this one and select the consensus best forward in the draft in Misa. Though, us Blackhawks fans would be quite pleased if Grier does pass on the nearly goal-per-game scorer. I’m very much not confident in this given the growing belief Frondell will be a Shark, but I will give a proverbial 51-49 edge to Misa here and hope for the Hawks’ sake that I am wrong.

3. Chicago Blackhawks — Andy’s Pick
   Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)

(Kenta Jönsson / BILDBYRÅN)

If Misa is here, it’s Misa, but if it’s Frondell, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson goes with the young Swede here and there is a lot to like. You need skill to win, but you also need players who win pucks and play a 200-foot game. That’s what you get with Frondell, and all signs indicate that his character and will to win are elements that any team would want in their locker room. It will be interesting as to when he would come overseas to make his NHL debut, likely the 2026-27 season, but regardless, the Hawks will be getting a hell of a prospect with Frondell.

4. Utah Mammoth — Eric’s Pick
   Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The Sam Bennett effect is real, folks. Utah opts for the gritty center to create a diverse 1-2 punch down the middle with Logan Cooley. Bill Armstrong has shown before he is not afraid to reach for the player he believes is the best fit for his organization and again goes back to that well to continue building the Mammoth.

5. Nashville Predators — Andy’s Pick
   James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA) 

There are rumblings that Hagens may drop, but the Predators are truly at a crossroads after laying an egg in 2024-25, and the skill and talent of Hagens may be too much to pass up. Let’s not forget that it was not long ago that Hagens was predicted to go No. 1 overall. He was a point-per-game player for Boston College and tallied nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven World Junior contests for the gold medal-winning United States. Barry Trotz has hinted that he thinks highly of Hagens’ game, and for that reason and more, he goes to Nashville.

6. Philadelphia Flyers — Eric’s Pick
   Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

O’Brien has been one of the players most commonly associated with a rising draft stock as Friday has approached, and there has been much speculation that he will not last past Philadelphia at 6. In O’Brien, the Flyers get a smart pivot capable of producing offensively. Philadelphia likes opting for cerebral players, so while O’Brien may not have the highest ceiling among the players still on the board, he certainly feels like a Flyers type of pick.

7. Boston Bruins — Andy’s Pick
   Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 

For a player who some have indicated has the ceiling of Patrice Bergeron, who better to take a flier on Desnoyers than Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. Some think Martone goes at 7, and possibly, but Fabian Lysell and Matthew Poitras are the lone skilled forwards in Boston’s prospect pool, neither of whom may work out for the long term. If David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and others are to be Bruins for life, then they need to get younger with puck distributors and high-end talent. Desnoyers could be the steal of the draft and Boston would be wise to take him at 7.

8. Seattle Kraken — Eric’s Pick
   Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

The Kraken have invested heavily in high-end forwards in the first round over the last few years, highlighted by Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Berkly Catton, so it’s time for them to turn their attention to the blue line. In Mrtka, the Kraken get a hulking yet smart defenseman. He uses his size well to close gaps and is good as a distributor in transition as well, giving Seattle a well-rounded two-way option for the future.

9. Buffalo Sabres — Andy’s Pick
   Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL) 

For whatever reason, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams felt compelled to move John-Jason Peterka, who finished second on the team with 68 points. The return on that trade is questionable, and if Martone, who some think is the best pure goal scorer in the draft, is available at 9, there is no chance Adams can pass up on him. Skating is something Martone will need to work on, but his willingness to get to the net, decent hands in tight and sharp shooting ability will see him being an NHL weapon. He has been rumored to head to the NCAA ranks next season, which will only support his development.

10. Anaheim Ducks — Eric’s Pick
    Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Anaheim is loaded with quality young players and prospects up front, even after dealing away Trevor Zegras this week, and while they also have some quality young pieces on the blue line already, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek makes a reasonable selection here in Smith, a creative, offensive-minded defenseman. Verbeek has also had a tendency to favor size, and at 6-foot-3, Smith also checks that box.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins — Andy’s Pick
    Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are nearing the end of their storybook careers, and the Penguins need to think about the center position for their future. Though McQueen should not be expected to carry that same torch, he is big, strong and highly skilled. Injuries shortened his 2024-25 campaign, but he is fully healthy and will be a force, should he decide to return to the WHL next season.

12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers) — Eric’s Pick
    Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)

After snagging McQueen, who could be the steal of the draft, at 11, the Penguins turn their attention to the blue line with their second consecutive pick. Aitcheson plays an old-school brand of hockey on the blue line, making his presence felt in a big way with his physical style of play. He may not be the most thrilling player offensively at the next level, but did manage a very respectable 59 points in 64 games this season.

13. Detroit Red Wings — Andy’s Pick
    Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)

Victor Eklund fits everything a Detroit Red Wing is and has been. For those reasons, I am tempted to deviate from this choice, as Steve Yzerman is finally feeling the heat after another season without making the postseason, but alas, he will stay the course and take the highly skilled running mate of Anton Frondell. Eklund will be at least two years away from making his NHL debut, but that time for him to physically develop will serve him well.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets — Eric’s Pick
    Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Simply put, Bear plays a playoff brand of hockey that would be a welcomed addition to a Blue Jackets squad on the verge of breaking through to the postseason. While not overly big, he plays bigger than his frame suggests, and being a 40-goal scorer this season, Bear clearly has the finishing touch to complement his nose for the net.

15. Vancouver Canucks — Andy’s Pick
    Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Some think this may be a tad early for Nesbitt, but Vancouver is lacking in identity and having a future face of the franchise. Nesbitt is certainly not NHL ready yet, but his ceiling for a 6-foot-4 center, who is good at the dot and taking on players one-on-one may be precisely what they are looking for. Without being in the top 10 in the draft, going will over skill could be the path the Canucks take, and Nesbitt possesses both intangibles.

16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames) — Eric’s Pick
    Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Yes, he’s from Quebec, but Carbonneau is a perfectly rational pick here for the Habs with their first of back-to-back picks. Carbonneau is an excellent puck handler and is not afraid to use his body to get where he needs to go. He plays a style that would complement the many skilled forwards Montreal already has, and again, being a Quebec native is never a negative for le bleu, blanc et rouge.

17. Montreal Canadiens — Andy’s Pick
    Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)  

Cootes is a hungry player and gets better and better every year. He is fast, tough and plays bigger than his size. He could end up being the next installment of Brendan Gallagher for the Habs. Cootes ultimately could be a third- or fourth-line center when Montreal starts competing for championships.

18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils) — Eric’s Pick
    Ben Kindel, C, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

I promise I’m not just going for the “hometown” picks. Kindel, despite playing in the same building as the Flames, brings a lot to the table. The top draft-eligible scorer in the WHL this season, Kindel is an elusive pivot who plays with pace, something the Flames could certainly use. His dual-threat offensive ability allows him to produce in a variety of ways, as is evidenced by his 99-point campaign.

19. St. Louis Blues — Andy’s Pick
    Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

The Blues will need some better puck-moving defensemen in their future, and the swift-skating, lefthanded Reid may be one of the better ones in this draft class. As with any puck-moving rearguard, size comes into question but at 18, he is 6 feet and already 190 pounds and is very strong on his feet. He has the ceiling of a power play quarterback and would be a solid mid-round pick for St. Louis.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild) — Eric’s Pick
    Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals (WHL)

Reschny is a cerebral player who reads off his linemates well, taking advantage of his high-end vision and passing abilities to generate scoring chances for his team. These traits should allow him to gel nicely with other skilled players with the Blue Jackets, with the possibility to turn into an effective second- or third-liner.

21. Ottawa Senators — Andy’s Pick
    Milton Gastrin, C, MoDo Hockey (Sweden)

With Gastrin, the Sens get a player that they can use in multiple situations. He projects as a center or winger, is a smooth skater and sees the ice very well. He is not the player who is overly strong in any one area, but very sound fundamentally and a responsible hockey player with a scoring touch. He would make a nice add in Ottawa.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche) — Eric’s Pick
    Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

After scoring a talented forward at 6 in O’Brien, the Flyers add to the blue line with Fiddler, a rangy defenseman with some edge to his game. The son of longtime NHLer Vernon Fiddler, Blake already possesses an NHL frame at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, but moves well for a big man, often using his feet to position himself well to shut down the opposition. He is raw, especially on the offensive side of things, but with further development could become a top-four option.

23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning) — Andy’s Pick
    Logan Hensler, D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

The Preds will go with a defenseman here and the right handed Hensler is one of the better young prospects in college hockey. After a decent first season at the University of Wisconsin, there is ample room for him to grow and improve his game. It may be two more years of Big Ten hockey before Hensler turns pro, but he has plenty of time to develop into a top-four defenseman in the NHL, which is a real possibility.  

24. Los Angeles Kings — Eric’s Pick
    Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

The Kings like size, and while Lakovic certainly offers that at 6-foot-4, he is also arguably the best player available on the board at this point, with some feeling he belongs in the middle of the first round. While his numbers don’t jump off the page like some, he was playing on a rebuilding Moose Jaw team and was relied upon as one of the team’s go-to options as a draft-eligible player. He certainly has notable upside, and the Kings place a bet on Lakovic reaching that potential as a chance-generating winger.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs) — Andy’s Pick
    Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (OHL) 

(OHL Images)

Speed, tenacity, a scoring touch and character, this sounds like the perfect fit for what Kyle Davidson is trying to do in Chicago. And you know who has done well at churning out NHL talent? The University of Michigan. As a Wolverine come August, Spence will be in the ideal setting to work on his game. A two-year plan in Ann Arbor likely, let’s just hope that he makes it to pick 25. If so, it is a great day to be a Hawks fan.

26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks) — Eric’s Pick
    Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

One of two teams with three picks in the first round, Nashville opts to round out the positional trifecta with Ravensbergen after picking Hagens and Hensler with their first two picks. The Predators could certainly use a quality goaltending prospect after questionably moving on from Yaroslav Askarov last summer, and Ravensbergen is a worthy candidate here. He reads plays very well and boasts great size at 6-foot-5. He plays a positionally sound style, which may not be the most exciting, but should set him up for a successful career in the cage. With Juuse Saros in town for the foreseeable future, the Preds can afford to be patient with Ravensbergen as well.

27. Washington Capitals — Andy’s Pick
    William Moore, C/LW, U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL) 

The Caps get creative here and take a two-way center with a ton of upside. Moore could very well fall to day two of the draft, but there is a ton of value getting him at the 27th overall pick. He should slot into the lineup very nicely at Boston College in the fall and could be involved in their power play unit and on their top two lines immediately. He will get great exposure and development playing in the ever-talented Hockey East for the next two seasons.

28. Winnipeg Jets — Eric’s Pick
    Max Psenicka, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

The Jets have a decent crop of young forwards on the way, so looking to the blue line may be the play here. While maybe a little off the board, Psenicka has been a late riser among this year’s crop. At 6-foot-5, he boasts projectable size with the ability to play at a high pace, a great combination if you are hoping to find an impactful rearguard.

29. Carolina Hurricanes — Andy’s Pick
    Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL)

As the Hurricanes’ age among defensemen continues to rise, they will use this late pick to get a blue-liner. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Brzustewicz would be a nice add based on his strong two-way game. He put up decent numbers in London and projects as a reliable NHL prospect, without flash but the simplicity of his game will make him incredibly valuable to any franchise.

30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars) — Eric’s Pick
    Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)

The Sharks are in need of quality young blue-liners, so going for Boumedienne makes a ton of sense here. An interesting player, Boumedienne was born in Finland but represents Sweden internationally. His U18 showing turned heads, registering 14 points in just seven games. He has projectable size and is an attentive defender. While he may not become a big-time point producer professionally, he has the tools needed to be a serviceable NHL blue-liner.

31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers) — Andy’s Pick
    Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Moscow (Russia)

The Flyers are in need of goaltending depth in their prospect pool and the end of the first round is a great place to snag the quick-footed Frolov. Time will tell how long it may take him to come to the States, but it certainly worked out well for the Fly-boys and Matvei Michkov, and having a fellow countryman in goal for the youngster could be an added bonus.

32. Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers) — Eric’s Pick
    Jack Murtagh, LW, U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL)

The Flames again add to their forward corps with the final pick of the night. In Murtagh, Calgary gets a player determined to beat the opposition with his feet however possible, whether that be around or through. Murtagh is not afraid to get his hands a little dirty to make things happen offensively, with a willingness to win puck battles along the boards. His style and pace would complement Kindel nicely down the road.

BONUS

34. Chicago Blackhawks — Andy’s Pick
    William Horcoff, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

(Daryl Marshke / Michigan Photography)

Perhaps it is too wishful to think that the Hawks will take two Wolverines back to back, but after the 6-foot-5 Horcoff posted 10 points in a mere 18 games at Michigan in 2024-25, he may be the next best prospect on the board. Great in tight areas and puck winner with a hard shot, Horcoff, son of longtime NHLer Shawn Horcoff, could be a nice complement to Chicago’s center depth in its prospect pool and has the flexibility to play on the wing as well.

The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft begins at 6 p.m. CDT on ESPN. Be sure to tune in to The Rink’s live draft coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. CDT on our Facebook and YouTube pages.

The post The Rink’s 2025 NHL Mock Draft appeared first on The Rink.

1. San Jose Sharks — Andy’s Pick 

Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)

When the Sharks won the lottery, this was a done deal. Winning the Hobey Baker Award as a 17- year-old when college hockey has never been better is a heck of a feat. There is still a real possibility that he returns to BU for an additional year of development, but nevertheless, this is the consensus No. 1 overall pick and for good reason. The kid has all the tools.

The Sharks are expected to take the slam-dunk top prospect in Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. (Photo courtesy of Boston University)

2. Chicago Blackhawks — Eric’s Pick 

Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)

The Hawks have another opportunity to add a franchise cornerstone and turn to the blue line this time to land their top-pair right-handed defenseman of the future. Levshunov boasts an impressive tool kit of skating, playmaking and physicality in an NHL-sized frame. As a true freshman at Michigan State, Levshunov was the No. 1 defenseman for a strong Sparty squad, playing huge minutes in all roles. While already having Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic as top-four options for the future, Chicago lacks a projectable stud all-around defenseman in its rebuild and checks that box in a meaningful way with the Belarusian.

Side note: I had every intention of providing some draft analysis leading up to the draft about potential options for the Blackhawks, but frankly, with how thoroughly exhausting the endless vitriol among Blackhawks fans online has been regarding the pick, it ultimately was not worth my sanity to write pieces that would inevitably fall on deaf ears. The fact of the matter is, whether the Blackhawks select Levshunov or Ivan Demidov (or surprise and choose someone else), the draftee will be a foundational piece to the franchise moving forward, and that is undoubtedly something to celebrate, regardless of who it is. Be happy, Blackhawks fans. The front office knows far more than you do.

The Blackhawks opt for defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the second overall pick of our mock draft. (Photo courtesy of Michigan State University)

3. Anaheim Ducks — Andy’s Pick 

Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)

This could be Ivan Demidov or Cayden Lindstrom as well, but with the talent-rich offensive prospect pool the Ducks have, so much so that they may be shopping Trever Zegras, they will go with a defenseman here. Dickinson has tremendous versatility, offensive output and a lunch-pail style, put your hard hat on and go to work that would blend in well with Mason McTavish and what the Ducks are trying to build culturally. Anton Silayev is a strong possibility here, too, but Dickinson could be the best fit.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets — Eric’s Pick 

Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Columbus landed a huge building block in Adam Fantilli last summer and return to the well of big pivots again by selecting Lindstrom. Though Lindstrom battled injury concerns throughout the season, he boasts a tantalizing skill set and large frame. With Fantilli penciled in as the No. 1 center for the future, Lindstrom can slide in nicely as the No. 2 center to give the Blue Jackets a 1-2 punch down the middle sure to make many franchises jealous.

5. Montreal Canadiens — Andy’s Pick 

Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA-1946 (Russia)

The Habs would be thrilled if Demidov slides to 5 and this would be a no-brainer. After taking David Reinbacher with the fifth overall pick in 2023, they will turn to offense, and who better than perhaps the highest rated pure offensive talent in the draft after Celebrini. Though, to be fair, it would be entertaining to see Habs fans’ reactions should Montreal look elsewhere.

6. Utah Hockey Club — Eric’s Pick 

Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

One of this year’s biggest risers late in the season, Sennecke gives Utah a highly talented winger who can perform on the biggest stage. Though Utah could instead look to one of the high-end defensemen still available, the combination of size and skill Sennecke offers is too much to pass on, betting on his steep trajectory to continue.

7. Ottawa Senators — Andy’s Pick 

Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)

The Senators are at a crossroads, have so many needs and could pick a defenseman here, too, but Iginla’s stock continues to rise and it does not have to do with his last name. He is impactful in so many areas and plays a controlled game, something that Ottawa needs badly. 

8. Seattle Kraken — Eric’s Pick 

Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA)

With the center position comfortably addressed with Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, the Kraken can take advantage of a strong blue line class and opt for Buium, a talented offensive defenseman with plenty of moxy. Buium has been a winner at every level in his career, winning U18 and U20 world championships and the NCAA title with Denver this spring. Wherever he lands, Buium should become a fan favorite on and off the ice.

9. Calgary Flames — Andy’s Pick 

Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)

Perhaps the most offensively skilled defenseman in the draft, and if available, there is little chance Calgary can pass up on him at 9. They certainly need help on the blue line and this would be a great fit, especially if the “hometown kid” is already off the board.

10. New Jersey Devils — Eric’s Pick 

Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

The Devils opt for the massive Russian defenseman to firmly round out what should be an incredible top four for many years to come alongside Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey. Silayev can skate like the wind for a big guy and provides a strong shutdown game to go along with decent offensive upside. It is entirely possible Silayev is gone long before 10, but if he slips to this range, any team would be thrilled to land him.

11. Buffalo Sabres — Andy’s Pick 

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

Corey Pronman has Catton rated as the second-best forward in the draft, and why not? With 54 goals and 116 points with Spokane in 2023–24, there is no doubting his talent. He is not heavy and perhaps that is why he will drop this low, but regardless, Buffalo gets a real potential game breaker here.

12. Philadelphia Flyers — Eric’s Pick 

Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary (WHL)

The last of the top-end defensemen in the class, the Flyers add a high-end offensive defenseman in Yakemchuk, who hit the 30-goal plateau in the WHL. Add in a bit of bite in his game and he feels like a player Flyers fans will rally around for years to come.

13. Minnesota Wild — Andy’s Pick 

Konsta Helenius, C, Tappara (Finland)

A well-disciplined hockey player, this feels like a Minnesota pick. The Wild still have decent talent and will not need to rush Helenius. He will have time to develop and could turn out to be a solid pivot for their future, something they could certainly use.

14. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) — Eric’s Pick 

Stian Solberg, D, Oslo (Norway)

After choosing Celebrini to begin the night, the Sharks can turn their attention to the blue line, an area they desperately need help in. They opt for Solberg, one of the draft’s biggest late risers, who provides a menacing physical game on the blue line.

15. Detroit Red Wings — Andy’s Pick 

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Sweden)

All signs see Brendsegg-Nygard landing in Detroit if he is still available. He is gifted offensively and responsible in his own end of the ice; a vintage Red Wing trait that they would love to work with and develop. Playing in Sweden never hurts your cause as a Red Wings target, either.

16. St. Louis Blues — Eric’s Pick 

Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Czechia)

The Blues choose to add another blueliner to the organization after selecting Theo Lindstein with one of their first-round picks last year. Jiricek missed significant time with injury this season, but the Blues bet on the upside that had him considered as a lock for the top 10 entering the season.

17. Washington Capitals — Andy’s Pick 

Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

At this point last year, many people thought Eiserman was a top-two pick in this year’s draft. Questions have arisen as to whether or not he can play in all areas of the ice. Still, he is a gifted offensive talent with an incredible shot. He will be a critical part of Boston University’s success next year and is still a talented prospect who filled the net with the NTDP unlike anyone has before.

18. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) — Eric’s Pick 

Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)

After picking Levshunov at 2, the Blackhawks turn their attention to the forwards available at 18 and opt for Boisvert, a well-rounded center who offers goal-scoring ability and a physical edge the Hawks are lacking in their prospect pool. Boisvert’s size also allows him to comfortably project as a center at the NHL level, something the Blackhawks could use given the uncertainty of Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar being long-term center options.

Chicago selects gritty forward Sacha Boisvert with the 18th overall pick of our mock draft. (Photo courtesy of the Muskegon Lumberjacks)

19. Vegas Golden Knights — Andy’s Pick 

EJ Emery, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

The Golden Knights’ defensive core is aging and Emery fits the mold of what they can use moving forward. The North Dakota commit plays a hard-nosed defensive game that is not fun to play against. As the Knights get older, he would be coming in at the right time and provide the yin to Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin’s yang.

20. New York Islanders (from CHI via TBL) — Eric’s Pick 

Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL)

The Islanders go with the talented Hage at 20, a player who can add offensive pop to an organization known for its defensive acumen. New York is probably thrilled to get Hage at 20 after trading down from 18, as he would have likely been in consideration for them had they stood pat.

21. Los Angeles Kings — Andy’s Pick 

Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

Chernyshov plays the length of the ice and is always around the puck. Big and strong and a decent skater, he found success in the KHL and ultimately could be a goal-scoring threat in the NHL in a power forward mold.

22. Nashville Predators — Eric’s Pick

Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

Barry Trotz looks past Connelly’s troubling off-ice past and bets on the offensive upside that would have comfortably put Connelly in the 10–15 range if not for the character concerns. Good luck, Nashville. Hopefully it works out, or not.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs — Andy’s Pick 

Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)

A strong, physical center who plays a power game is everything that is lacking down the middle for the Leafs. Most of the Leaf core will still be intact by the time Beaudoin will be ready and he can simplify his development with a lot of talent around him. This would be a solid pick for Leaf nation. 

24. Colorado Avalanche — Eric’s Pick 

Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL)

The Avs are in the advantageous spot of being able to focus on taking the best player available, and Luchanko fits that bill at 24. A skilled pivot with good offensive instincts, Luchanko’s top-end speed game would mesh well with a Colorado team known for playing with pace.

The Avs take skilled forward Jett Luchanko with the 24th pick of our mock draft. (Photo courtesy of Luke Durga / OHL Images)

25. Boston Bruins (from OTT via DET via BOS) — Andy’s Pick 

Cole Hutson, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 

The Bruins love their in-town talent and another Boston University product could be the take here. Like a Torey Krug or Matt Grzelcyk, the Bruins have a good history of developing defensemen who are not blessed with size. Hutson being right down the road is a plus, and let’s be honest, it would certainly make for an interesting storyline with older brother Lane already in Montreal.

26. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG) — Eric’s Pick 

Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL)

Montreal giddily takes the stage to take Greentree, a player who very well may be gone multiple picks ahead of this spot. Greentree gives the Habs a big-bodied winger to add to their forward group, something they could certainly use to complement Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and now Ivan Demidov.

27. Carolina Hurricanes — Andy’s Pick 

Leo Sahlin-Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20 (Sweden) 

One of the better skaters in the draft, Sahlin-Wallenius plays a safe and responsible game. He has good stamina, and while not overwhelmingly dynamic in any one area, he is a consistent hockey player who could eventually be in the 4–6 range on a defensive depth chart.

28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) — Eric’s Pick 

Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George (WHL)

The Flames stay close to home for their second pick of the first round, taking Parascak out of the WHL. Parascak gives the Flames a scoring threat for their prospect pool, something Calgary could certainly use more of as it looks like the turning of the chapter in Cow Town.

29. Dallas Stars — Andy’s Pick 

Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)

Freij comes with an offensive game and puck-moving ability. He is yet another smooth-skating defenseman from Sweden who will need to refine his defensive habits, but with his offensive form and blue-line depth in Dallas, he could be very intriguing for the Stars’ brass.

30. New York Rangers — Eric’s Pick 

Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s (PHC)

Letourneau just feels like the easy pick here. The Rangers love their massive forwards, and with a solid team already in place, New York can afford to be patient with Letourneau and hope he is able to develop into a valuable NHL piece.

31. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) — Andy’s Pick 

Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Finland)

A large body with offensive upside who could be a good puck-winning player for the young Ducks core. He will need to work on his skating and creativity with the puck, but there is potential in his game. He will be a late first- or early second-round pick.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA) — Eric’s Pick 

Nikita Artamonov, LW, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Philly returns to the Russian well in selecting Artamonov, a player who some feel should be chosen much higher. By bringing over Matvei Michkov, the theoretical Russian factor should feel diminished for the Flyers, so they bet on Artamonov’s upside to close out the first round.

The first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft will begin at 7 p.m. EDT on Friday and will be broadcasted on ESPN and Sportsnet.

The post The Rink’s 2024 NHL Entry Draft first-round mock draft appeared first on The Rink.

Here is how the deadline played out. 

Dallas Stars fire the opening salvo a week before the deadline

Christopher Tanev in his new Dallas Stars threads. (Photo courtesy of Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

Some teams just could not wait to get the trading going. On Feb. 28, one week before deadline day, the Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Christopher Tanev from the Calgary Flames. In return, the Flames received defenseman prospect Artyom Grushnikov, the Stars’ second-round pick in 2024 and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 draft. To receive this pick, the Stars must advance to the Stanley Cup Final; if not, the Flames do not receive the pick.

The New Jersey Devils decided to broker this deal, retaining some of Tanev’s salary in exchange for Dallas’ fourth-round pick in 2026. They also sent goalie prospect Cole Brady to Dallas.

At the time of the trade, Tanev had a stat line of 1–13—14. Known more for his defensive ability, the 34-year-old defenseman had 171 blocks at the time of the trade. Tanev is on the last year of his contract, and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. 

Brady was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Devils. He is currently with UMass in the NCAA, where he has a 3.03 goals against average and .886 save percentage.

Grushnikov, the prospect Calgary obtained in this trade, was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Stars. He is currently 20 years old, and this season in the AHL. He had a stat line of 1–4—5 in 44 games with the Texas Stars. He immediately joined Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, where he has zero points in four games since the trade. 

With the playoffs out of reach, Calgary wanted to get the most out of a defensive minded 34-year-old defenseman, and the Stars were happy to oblige. Tanev has immediately slotted into the second defensive pairing, and his defensive instinct should be a great help for the Stars, who are looking to make a deep playoff run after years of coming up short. 

The Flames were able to get solid value out of an aging defenseman. Acquiring a future second-round pick and a former second-round pick in Grushnikov helps improve what is a middling prospect pool for the Flames, and this would not be the only Flames defenseman moved this deadline for draft compensation, but that will be addressed later in this article.

Toronto Maple Leafs leave many scratching their heads

Ilya Lyubushkin skating for the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo courtesy of John E. Sokolowski / USA TODAY Sports)

On Feb. 29, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired an old friend in Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks in a three-team deal. 

In exchange for Lyubushkin, the Ducks received a 2025 third-round pick from the Maple Leafs.

This deal was brokered by the Carolina Hurricanes, who retained part of Lyubushkin’s salary in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick. 

The Leafs also acquired 24-year-old winger Kirill Slepets from the Hurricanes. Slepets was a 2019 fifth-round pick of Carolina and is currently playing in the KHL for the Amur Khabarovk, where in 53 games, he has put up a stat line of 8–11—19. He is currently unsigned.

In his second time around with Toronto, Lyubushkin seems like an odd choice for the Leafs. Struggling mightily this year, in 55 games with the Ducks before being traded, Lyubushkin was only able to manage a stat line of 0–4—4. Perhaps the Leafs liked his familiarity with Toronto’s locker room, and with defenseman Mark Giordano going down with injury, the need for defensemen who knew the Leafs system was of highest need.

For the Ducks, to get a third-round pick for a player who has scored zero goals for your team all season must feel like robbery. The Ducks are far from competing, and a 29-year-old defenseman with ugly metrics is someone a team like Anaheim would try to get off their hands at any cost.

Lyubushkin will become an unrestricted free agent at seasons end.

Colorado Avalanche clear up cap space before the deadline

The Colorado Avalanche dealt Kurtis MacDermid to the New Jersey Devils. (Photo courtesy of Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

More of a cap dump than anything else, the Colorado Avalanche traded defenseman Kurtis MacDermid to the New Jersey Devils on March 1. In exchange, the Devils sent over the Nashville Predators’ 2024 seventh-round pick and forward prospect Zakhar Bardakov.

MacDermid is a very physical defenseman who has been with Colorado since 2021, and won the Stanley Cup with the Avs in the 2021–22 season. This season with Colorado, MacDermid put up a stat line of 2–0—2 in 29 games.

Bardakov was drafted in the seventh round by the Devils in 2021. At 23 years old, Bardakov still has not signed an NHL contract. He is currently playing with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, where he has put up a stat line of 6–6—12 in 51 games this season.

A pure cap dump for the Avs, this deal freed up $987,500 in cap for Colorado, which they utilized extensively this deadline.

The Devils simply needed defensive bodies to finish out the season, and MacDermid was there for a cheap price, both in draft compensation and cap space.

Vegas Golden Knights knock down the first domino

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals. (Photo courtesy of Jess Rapfogel / Associated Press)

After four days of anticipation, the Vegas Golden Knights got the deadline excitement going, making a deal with the Washington Capitals to acquire forward Anthony Mantha on March 5. In exchange, the Knights sent Washington a second-round pick in the 2024 draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft.

Mantha is a 29-year-old scoring winger, who in 56 games this season with Washington put up a stat line of 20–14—34. 

As one does in Vegas, the Knights find another opportunity to gamble. After winning the Stanley Cup last season, Vegas looks to be the first team to go back-to-back since the 2020 and 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning. With forwards such as Mark Stone and William Carrier going on the long-term injured reserve list, the Knights were looking for scoring forwards. Mantha fit that mold, and should fit into the second line for the remainder of the season.

For Washington, competing for a playoff spot seemed to be out of reach as the season went on. With Mantha on the last year of his contract, it seemed inevitable that Mantha would have a new home by the deadline. With a prospect pool still looking to improve, the Capitals now add two new draft picks in hopes of adding more young talent to a team that has struggled to bring up NHL-caliber players through the system. 

Washington retained 50% of Mantha’s salary in this trade.

Florida Panthers add a scoring winger to a dangerous forward group

Vladimir Tarasenko in his new Florida Panthers gear. (Photo courtesy of the Florida Panthers)

The Florida Panthers decided to start March 6 off with some fireworks, acquiring winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators. To acquire Tarasenko, Florida sent Ottawa a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick. If the Panthers were to win the Stanley Cup this season, the conditional 2024 fourth-round pick would turn into a 2026 third-round pick.

Tarasenko has been known for his scoring touch for his entire career, registering 553 points in 644 career games. This year with Ottawa, Tarasenko registered a stat line of 17–24—41 in 57 games. Currently 32 years old, Tarasenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Sens and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

Florida wanted to add more scoring to their top six, and they found it with Tarasenko. Whether Florida wants to pair Tarasenko with Aleksander Barkov on the top line or move him down to the second line to pair with Sam Bennett, the Panthers should be incredibly excited to bolster an already fantastic forward core with even more talent. A chance to make up for last year’s Stanley Cup Final loss is in sight, and the Panthers will make any move to make that possible.

For Ottawa, the frustration continues. Last year, they were able to add players like Alex DeBrincat, Claude Giroux and Jakob Chychrun in hopes of finally competing for a playoff spot. Now a year later, and with the playoffs continually out of reach, the Sens hope to get anything out of the players they can move. Here, although the return was not great, the Sens had to get whatever they could for a player who was more than likely not going to re-sign with the team in the summer.

Avalanche get better while clearing more cap

Sean Walker was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche. (Photo courtesy of Jess Starr / The Hockey Writers)

Colorado was able to do what every competing team dreams of on March 6. They were able to get better and clear cap at the same time. The Avs acquired defenseman Sean Walker and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for center Ryan Johansen and a 2025 top-10 protected first-round pick. 

Walker is a 29-year-old right-handed defenseman who has had a career year with Philly this season. In 63 games with the Flyers, Walker was able to put up a stat line of 6–16—22. Walker currently has a cap hit of $2.65 million and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Johansen is a 31-year-old centerman who never seemed to find his footing with Colorado this season. Expected to be a second-line center, Johansen put up a stat line of 13–10—23 in 63 games with the Avs this season. After being traded to Philly, Johansen was immediately placed on waivers, with no teams willing to take on his contract, which runs through next season at a $4 million cap hit.

Not only do the Avalanche acquire one of the better defensemen on the market, but they also do it while freeing up $1.35 million in cap space. It is hard to argue that the Avalanche did not make out like bandits here, having only given up a late first-round pick next season. With the expectation of competing next season, it would be hard to see this pick in the top 20 next year.

For the Flyers, it is hard to see the logic in this trade. After trying to re-sign Walker, it appears that no deal would be on the table. They did command a first-round selection for Walker, so they were at the very least able to acquire their asking price. The problem for them is that they have acquired an immovable contract that they will be on the hook for for another season. 

Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres pull off a surprising one-for-one

Casey Mittelstadt controls the puck for his new team. (Photo courtesy of David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

The trading on March 6 did not stop for Colorado, because they traded defenseman Bowen Byram for centerman Casey Mittelstadt from the Buffalo Sabres. A rare one-for-one trade, both teams are looking to get the most out of both young newcomers.

Mittelstadt has taken his time getting accumulated to the NHL. As a former eighth-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Mittelstadt had spent his entire career with the Sabres. Over the past two seasons, Mittelstadt has started to show signs of improvement, ending last season with 47 points, and putting up a stat line of 14–33—47 in 62 games this season with Buffalo. The 25-year-old is on the last year of his contract, carrying a cap hit of $2.5 million. He joins the Avs with the expectations that he can slide into the second-line center role for a team hoping to make another deep playoff run.

Byram comes to the Sabres as a young, promising defenseman with a lot of injury concerns. At only 22 years old, Buffalo is hoping to continue Byram’s development into the defenseman he was expected to be when drafted by Colorado with the fourth-overall pick in 2019. Unfortunately for Byram, concussions have continually sidelined him throughout his young career, with this season being the first where he eclipsed the 50-game mark. In 55 games with Colorado this season, he put up a stat line of 8–12—20. He carries a $3.85 million cap hit over the next two seasons.

For Colorado, after trading for Walker, and having defensemen like Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Samuel Girard, it was hard for them to see a place for Byram. In need of a centerman to play behind Nathan MacKinnon, Mittelstadt looked like a fantastic choice. It is still unknown whether a contract extension is in the works between Mittelstadt and the Avs, but at only 25 years old, there is still room to grow for this young forward, and the Avs have shown the ability to get the most out of young forwards. Colorado will also free up $1.35 million in cap space with this deal.

For Buffalo, they are hoping to get the Byram that flashed in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. At only 22, Byram joins a very young defensive core in Buffalo with Rasmus Dahlin (23), Owen Power (21), Henri Jokiharju (24), Mattias Samuelsson (23), Ryan Johnson (22) and Jacob Bryson (26). Moving on from Mittelstadt, Buffalo also hopes to find space for young forwards coming up through the system who would have been blocked. 

Edmonton Oilers acquire center depth from Anaheim

Adam Henrique looks to make a deep playoff run with the Edmonton Oilers. (Photo courtesy of Timothy T. Ludwig / USA TODAY SPORTS)

The Edmonton Oilers decided to make a move that would give them one of the most impressive center cores in the entire NHL. Not only were they able to acquire centerman Adam Henrique from the Ducks, but they also received another center in Sam Carrick in this deal as well. 

In return, the Ducks received a 2024 first-round pick from Edmonton, along with a conditional 2025 fifth-round pick. If Edmonton were to win this seasons Stanley Cup, that 2025 fifth would turn into a 2025 fourth. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning decided to broker this deal, retaining part of Henrique’s salary in exchange for a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick. That pick would become a 2026 fourth-rounder if Edmonton were to win the Stanley Cup this season. The Lightning also sent former seventh-round selection Ty Taylor to Edmonton. Taylor is a 24-year-old goaltender currently playing for the Evansville Thunderbolts in the SPHL, where he has a 2.91 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.

For Edmonton, the ability to add not one, but two productive centermen is an incredible get. Henrique is a versatile, penalty-killing, face-off-winning center who brings a lot of experience to Edmonton’s middle six. In 60 games with the Ducks this season, the 34-year-old put up a stat line of 18–24—42 and had a face-off win percentage of 52.9%. A center a team can trust in their own zone, Henrique had a defensive zone start percentage of 56.6% with the Ducks this season. Henrique has been quietly producing on a rebuilding team, and now gets a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup like he did back in his Devils days. Henrique is on the last year of his current contract, which carries a cap hit of $5.825 million.

Carrick brings a similar skillset to Edmonton that Henrique brings. In 61 games with Anaheim this season, Carrick had a stat line of 8–3—11 with a face-off win percentage of 51.0% and a defensive zone start percentage of 68.1%. A Henrique-like center with less scoring prowess, Carrick provides the Oilers’ fourth line with much-needed defensive play. The 32-year-old is also on the last year of his contract, but only carries a $850,000 cap hit this season.

For the Ducks, the tanks keep rolling. Coming in fighting with the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks for dead last in the West, the Ducks were looking to move on from two players in their 30s. Retaining salary on both Carrick and Henrique, Anaheim was able to obtain a first along with a conditional fifth as they continue to try to build a competitive team in Southern California.

Probably the most shocking part of this deal, the Lightning decided to retain part of Henrique’s salary in exchange for a conditional fourth. With no first-round picks until 2026 and no selections in the 2024 draft until the fifth round, the Lightning were looking to obtain draft picks where they could find some, and if that meant retaining on the Henrique deal, so be it. Tampa Bay will be on the hook for $1,456,250 of Henrique’s salary for this season.

New York Rangers add center depth of their own

The New York Rangers acquired Alexander Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Mast / NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers could not let Edmonton have all the fun when it came to centers on the trade market. Shortly after the Henrique trade went down on March 6, the Rangers traded for Seattle Kraken center Alexander Wennberg. In exchange, the Seattle Kraken acquired a 2024 second-round pick and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick. The condition on this pick is a strange one. If Nils Lundkvist is to earn a cumulative 55 points over the 2022–23 and 2023–24 season, that fourth-round pick becomes a 2025 third-round pick.

Wennberg has been with Seattle since 2021, and in 60 games with the Kraken this season has put up a stat line of 9–16—25. He is on the last year of his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

After making the playoffs last season, the Kraken find themselves on the outside looking in this season. Deciding to sell, they get good value out of an expiring contract.

For New York, acquiring a third-line center was of high priority, and Wennberg will be able to fill in that role right away. 

The Knights strike gold with the Flames

Noah Hanifin was acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights. (Photo courtesy of Sergei Belski / USA TODAY SPORTS)

After acquiring Mantha from Washington on the previous day, Vegas continued to be high-rollers this deadline. The Knights acquired defenseman Noah Hanifin from the Flames in exchange for Daniil Miromanov, a conditional 2024 third-round pick and a 2026 first-round pick. The condition on the 2024 third-round pick is that if the Knights are able to advance beyond the first round of the 2024 playoffs, that pick becomes a 2025 second-round pick. The Flyers decided to broker this deal, retaining part of Hanifin’s salary in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick from Vegas.

Hanifin is a top pairing defenseman who can produce on offense. This season with Calgary, he put up a stat line of 11–24—35 in 61 games. At 27 years old, Hanifin is on the last year of his contract, and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. 

Miromanov is a 26-year-old right-handed defenseman who is also on the last year of his contract. He currently carries a cap hit of $762,500. Miromanov struggled with injuries this season, failing to put up a single point with Vegas in four games this season, while putting up a stat line of 1–5—6 in five games with the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL. 

For Vegas, adding Hanifin to an already fantastic defensive core allows the great to become even deadlier. Hanifin can be slotted on any defensive pairing, but his most likely partner will be Alex Pietrangelo on the top pairing. 

For Calgary, this is the second defenseman they have traded away this deadline. It is clear that the Flames want to overhaul this roster and hope to use draft picks acquired this deadline to improve for the future.

Leafs add another defenseman

The Toronto Maple Leafs added to their blue line depth by picking up Joel Edmundson. (Photo courtesy of Sammi Silber / The Hockey News)

The Leafs were apparently not done adding to their defense after their trade for Lyubushkin. On March 7, the Leafs and Capitals agreed to a deal that would send defenseman Joel Edmundson to Toronto in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Edmundson is a defensive-minded, bottom-pairing defenseman. At 30 years old, Edmundson put up a stat line of 1–5—6 in 44 games with Washington this season. He is on the last year of his contract with a cap hit of $3.5 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

For Toronto, the need for defensive depth without giving up any draft pick in the top two rounds was a priority. Now, with Edmundson and Lyubushkin added, the Maple Leafs hope to improve what has been a defensive core that has struggled all season to keep pucks out of the net. 

For Washington, the sell off continues. After receiving a second- and fourth-round pick for Mantha, the Caps get to add a third and a fifth to their arsenal. This is a solid return for two impending UFAs, and to get solid draft compensation for a 30-year-old bottom-pairing defenseman is impressive.

Ducks and Canadiens swap disappointing prospects

A rather unexciting trade, the Ducks and Montreal Canadiens agreed to swap struggling prospects. The Ducks acquired forward prospect Jan Mysak in exchange for winger Jacob Perreault.

Mysak, a former second-round pick of the Canadians in 2020, has struggled to take his game to the next level. At 21 years old, Mysak has struggled to find footing since joining the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. In 48 games with the club this season, Mysak has put up a stat line of 13–7—20. Mysak’s contract runs through the 2024–25 season.

Perreault, a first-round pick by the Ducks in 2020, has played one NHL game with the Ducks, but has spent most of the past three seasons with the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate. In 31 games with the Gulls this season, Perreault has put up a stat line of 7–11—18. Like Mysak, Perreault’s contract runs through the 2024–25 season.

The hope for both prospects is obvious. Each team hopes to unlock the promise that both prospects had when drafted by their respective teams.

Edmonton adds a depth defenseman

The Edmonton Oilers picked up Troy Stecher to add to their blue line. (Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports)

After acquiring both Henrique and Carrick the day before, Edmonton was not done adding. Edmonton was able to add defenseman Troy Stecher from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Oilers also received a 2024 seventh-round pick in this trade.

Stecher, a 29-year-old right-handed defenseman, carries a $1.1 million cap hit until the end of this season. In 47 games with Arizona this season, Stecher put up a stat line of 1–4—5. 

For Edmonton, the need for competent defensive depth is crucial for any team hoping to make it deep in the playoffs. Stecher offers that for a price that is easy to swallow for the Oilers.

For Arizona, giving up Stecher for a fourth-rounder is decent asset management. The problem with Arizona, as it has been in the past, is that they struggle get the most out of later draft picks. 

The Avalanche continue to buy

The Colorado Avalanche added depth in Brandon Duhaime. (Photo courtesy of Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports)

Adding Mittelstadt and Walker was not enough for Colorado, because on March 7 they needed to keep buying. The first Colorado trade of the day included the Minnesota Wild. The Avs acquired winger Brandon Duhaime from Minnesota in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick.

Duhaime, at 26 years old, is a young, energetic winger who adds physicality to Colorado’s bottom six. In 62 games with the Wild this season, Duhaime has put up a stat line of 4–4—8. He also recorded 155 hits and 29 blocks in that time. Duhaime has a cap hit of $1.1 million and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

For Colorado, their top line has carried the burden all season. In adding Duhaime, along with the forward they added in the next trade, the Avs hope to change that. Duhaime, although not lighting up the box score, should help bolster a bottom six that Colorado has struggled to solidify.

For Minnesota, although not out of the playoffs, selling on a forward like Duhaime allows them to give youngs forwards like Mason Shaw a shot at more ice time. Receiving a third-round pick for a forward like Duhaime is solid asset management for the Wild.

The Avs are not done yet

Colorado further stocked up on depth by landing Yakov Trenin. (Photo courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)

Shortly after acquiring Duhaime, the Avs decided that once you start to shop, you just cannot stop. The Avs acquired forward Yakov Trenin from the Nashville Predators for defensive prospect Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 third-round pick. The Avalanche also received the signing rights of defenseman Graham Sward.

Trenin, a 27-year-old forward, is another physical bottom-six player who Colorado seemed to covet this deadline. In 60 games with Nashville this season, Trenin put up a stat line of 10–4—14, along with recording 171 hits. Trenin has a cap hit of $1.7 million and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Hanzel is a 21-year-old defenseman. Drafted in the sixth round in 2023, Hanzel is currently in the WHL, where he has put up a stat line of 14–38—52 in 60 games this season. He is currently under contract until the 2026–27 season.

Sward is 20-year-old defenseman. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Sward is currently playing in the WHL, where he has a stat line of 15–61—76 in 60 games this season.

For the Avs, the need was obvious. They needed physical forwards for their bottom six, and they got it. Trenin should slot in right away, and along with Duhaime, adds over 300 hits to the Avs’ roster.

For Nashville, whether they compete for a playoff spot this season or not, it was clear that Trenin was not going to be a part of that vision. Acquiring a third-round pick, the Preds found value on the market for a player who did not fit in with what Nashville has in mind for the team, both this season and in the future.

Nashville buys right after selling

The Chicago Blackhawks sent Anthony Beauvillier to the Nashville Predators. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Hanewinc / USA Today Network)

Shortly after trading a forward in Trenin, Nashville decided to turn around and trade for another forward. In a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Predators acquired forward Anthony Beauvillier in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

This is the second time being traded this season for Beauvillier, after being acquired by the Blackhawks from the Vancouver Canucks back in November. In 45 games between the Canucks and Blackhawks this season, Beauvillier put up a stat line of 4–10—14 between the clubs. Seemingly never finding footing with Chicago, Beauvilliler will be looking to find stability with Nashville. Beauvillier will be an unrestricted free agent this summer

For Nashville, scoring has been a problem all season. Beauvillier may offer an answer for their forward scoring woes. The goal of the Preds will be to find a place in the lineup for Beauvillier to play. Is he going to find time on the top line, or the bottom? That is a question Nashville will need to answer quickly if they wish to have Beauvillier to be a productive member of a team on a hot streak looking to sneak into the playoffs.

For Chicago, Beauvillier was frustrating to figure out. After acquiring him for a fifth-round pick, Beauvillier spent most of his time in Chicago injured and inconsistent. The problem was finding a place for Beauvillier to thrive. One game he could find himself on the bottom lines, and other games he was brought up to the first line. Nothing seemed to work for the Hawks and Beauvillier, so Chicago cut their losses and re-acquired a fifth-round pick in moving Beauvillier.

Tampa Bay acquires scoring from San Jose

Anthony Duclair was sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning by the San Jose Sharks. (Photo courtesy of Dean Tait / Hockey Shots)

The Lightning acquired forward Anthony Duclair from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defensive prospect Jack Thompson and a 2024 third-round pick. The Lightning also received a 2025 seventh-round pick in this trade.

Duclair has found himself on his eighth NHL team in his 10-year career. At only 28 years old, Duclair is making his case to become the most curious NHL journeyman. In 56 games with San Jose this season, Duclair put up a stat line of 16–11—27. Duclair will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Thompson, a 2020 third-round pick, will remain in the Sharks’ control until the 2024–25 season. He spent all season with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, where he put up a 5–27—32 stat line in 46 games.

For Tampa Bay, Duclair offers scoring for the middle six. Other than scoring, Duclair does not offer much else, so defense will have to be picked up by his linemates. It is not a bad trade for a team strapped for cap and struggling with injuries, but the strengths of Duclair are limited and his weaknesses will need to be compensated by good coaching and great linemates.

For San Jose, moving Duclair was an easy decision. Sitting near the bottom of the standings, any player who could prevent them from receiving a top draft pick needed to be moved. Moving Duclair allows for a better chance at a top prospect for the Sharks at this year’s draft.

Carolina really shakes it up

The Carolina Hurricanes made a big splash by acquiring Jake Guentzel. (Photo courtesy of Joe Sargent / NHLI via Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes made the biggest trade of March 7, acquiring forward Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ty Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, Pittsburgh acquired Michael Bunting, Vasiliy Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius, Ville Koivunen, a condition 2024 second-round pick and a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick. The conditions on the second-round pick is that it will become a first-round pick if the Hurricanes make it to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. The condition on the fifth-round pick is that Carolina must win the 2024 Stanley Cup in order to receive this pick. Pittsburgh will retain 25% of Guentzel’s salary.

Guentzel was one of the top forwards on the market this deadline, even while being on the injured reserve. An integral part of the Penguins’ Stanley Cup run in 2017, the 29-year-old Guentzel impressed with his speed and scoring. In 50 games with Pittsburgh this season, Guentzel put up a stat line of 22–30—52. Guentzel is in the last season of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Smith is a former first-round pick of the Devils in 2018. Having struggled most of his career with injuries and inconsistency, the 23-year-old Smith has spent the season with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh’s AHL team. In 53 games this season, Smith put up a stat line of 9–25—34. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Bunting comes to the Penguins under contract through the 2025–26 season. Bunting will carry a $4.5 million cap hit during that time. A middle-six forward for most of his career, the 28-year-old Bunting put up a 13–23—36 stat line through 60 games with Carolina this season. 

Ponomarev was a second-round selection by Carolina in 2020. At 21 years old, Ponomarev is under contract through 2024–25. Ponomarev made his NHL debut this season, putting up two points in two games with the Hurricanes this season. He spent most of this season with the Chicago Wolves, putting up a stat line of 8–21—29 in 39 games in the AHL as a center.

Lucius was a fourth-round selection by the Hurricanes in 2022. At 19 years old, this winger is currently not under contract. Currently with the University of Wisconsin, Lucius has put up a stat line of 13–21—34 in 34 games this season.

Koivunen was a second-round pick of Carolina in 2021. Currently under contract through the 2025–26 season, the winger has spent this season in the Liiga league. In 58 games this season, Koivunen has put up a stat line of 21–34—55.

For Carolina, getting arguably the best forward on the market without giving up an unconditional first-round pick is a massive win for the team. Guentzel, once he returns to the lineup, will immediately slide into the top six and contribute to a team looking to make another deep playoff run. The addition of Smith more than likely does not move the needle, but if Carolina can develop him into a bottom-pairing defenseman, it is an added bonus to a great trade.

For Pittsburgh, they asked for a lot for Guentzel, and did receive a lot. Acquiring Bunting allows Pittsburgh to get a forward who can play in the top six while being under team control for a few seasons. The three prospects acquired could develop into contributors in a few seasons, but nothing is guaranteed with prospects. The big problem for the return was the conditions on both draft picks. Pittsburgh fans will have to cheer for Carolina to make the Stanley Cup Final if they want to receive a first-round pick for Guentzel. It is not ideal when the best possible return for Guentzel is the 31st overall pick.

Columbus adds goalie depth

Deadline day started as a quiet one. The Columbus Blue Jackets made a trade with the St. Louis Blues, acquiring goalie Malcolm Subban for future considerations on March 8.

Subban has spent the entire season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate. In 32 games this season, Subban has a 2.94 goals against average and a .907 save percentage

Carolina follows up a good trade with a curious one

The Carolina Hurricanes decided to roll the dice by picking up Evgeny Kuznetsov. (Photo courtesy of Alan Dobbins / RMNB)

One day after acquiring Guentzel, the Hurricanes decided they were not done acquiring forwards. On March 8, Carolina acquired center Evgeny Kuznetsov from Washington in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. In this deal, the Caps will be retaining 50% of Kuznetsov’s contract.

Kuznetsov has been on a slow downhill trend since playing a massive role in the Caps’ 2018 Cup run. The 31-year-old center has seen his issues over the last few seasons, whether its on-the-ice performance or off-the-ice concerns. In 43 games this season, Kuznetsov has put up a stat line of 6–11—17. Kuznetsov’s contract runs through the 2024–25 season.

For Carolina, this is admittedly a head-scratcher. With a center depth including Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, it is hard to see where Kuznetsov fits. Perhaps the Hurricanes hope a change in scenery could help revitalize Kuznetsov.

For the Capitals, they saw a chance to sell off more players for draft capital, and they took that chance. Even having to retain salary is worth it to free up cap and acquire a third-round pick for a player who has seen better days.

Buffalo’s captain is on the move

The Buffalo Sabres dealt away their captain, Kyle Okposo, ahead of the trade deadline. (Photo courtesy of Eric Hartline / USA TODAY Sport)

The Panthers wanted to add more forwards at the deadline, and they did on March 8, acquiring Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo in exchange for Calle Sjalin and a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick. This seventh-round pick will turn into a fifth-round pick if Florida wins the Stanley Cup.

Okposo has seen his eight-year tenure in Buffalo constantly interrupted by concussion issues. At 35 years old, Okposo has found himself avoiding injury over the last few seasons with the Sabres. In 61 games this season, Okposo has put up a stat line of 12–10—22. Okposo will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Sjalin is a 24-year-old left-handed defenseman prospect. A former fifth-round pick of the Rangers in 2017, Sjalin’s NHL dreams are slim. Sjalin has spent this season with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, putting up only three points on three assists in 22 games this season. Sjalin will become a restricted free agent this summer.

For Florida, the ability to add forward depth at the deadline for cheap is a plus. Although slow on the ice, Okposo offers veteran experience and injury depth for the Panthers. 

For Buffalo, they wanted to do right by their captain by trading him to a team that can potentially help him win a ring. The return was nothing special, but doing right by your leader is always appreciated around the league.

Ducks get Meyers

The Anaheim Ducks acquired Ben Meyers from the Colorado Avalanche. (Photo courtesy of Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports)

The Ducks acquired forward Ben Meyers from the Avalanche for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

Meyers is 25 years old and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Spending most of the season in the AHL, he had a stat line of 11–14—25 in 32 games with the Colorado Eagles. In nine games with the Avs, he scored one goal.

Rangers add defensive depth

The New York Rangers added defenseman Chad Ruhwedel from the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo courtesy of Jeanine Leech / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Rangers added defenseman Chad Ruhwedel from the Penguins in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Ruhwedel, a 33-year-old veteran defenseman, has spent the last eight seasons with Pittsburgh. In 47 games this season, Ruhwedel recorded a stat line of 1–3—4. Ruhwedel will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

For New York, this trade simply adds defensive depth in case of injury.

For Pittsburgh, adding a fourth-round pick for a 33-year-old defenseman is solid asset management. 

Rangers and Wild swap depth pieces

Nic Petan was traded to the New York Rangers ahead of the deadline. (Photo courtesy of Matt Blewett / USA TODAY Sports)

Shortly after acquiring Ruhwedel, the Rangers made another trade. New York acquired forward Nic Petan from Minnesota in exchange for winger Turner Elson.

Petan, a 28-year-old depth forward, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Spending most of the season with the Iowa Wild, Petan has put up a stat line of 12–28—40 in 44 games in the AHL. In six games with Minnesota, Petan recorded two assists. 

Elson, a 31-year-old winger, will also become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Elson spent all season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, putting up a stat line of 5–7—12 in 38 AHL games.

Winnipeg acquires Toffoli

The Winnipeg Jets added Stanley Cup pedigree with Tyler Toffoli. (Photo courtesy of David Kirouac / USA TODAY Sports)

On March 8, the Winnipeg Jets made their first move of the deadline, adding winger Tyler Toffoli from the Devils in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025-second round pick. 

Toffoli, a 31-year-old winger, has been an efficient scorer for most of his career. This season in New Jersey, Toffoli put up a stat line of 26–18—44 in 61 games. Toffoli has a current cap hit of $4.25 million and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

For Winnipeg, trading for a scoring winger was a need, especially while trying to maintain form at the top of the Central Division. The price may be steep, but with a fantastic goalie tandem and a need to prove that the team must remain in Winnipeg despite attendance issues, adding Toffoli to gear up for a playoff run was needed for the team.

For New Jersey, getting a second and a third for Toffoli is fantastic asset management. After this trade, New Jersey has added three draft picks at this deadline.

Detroit and San Jose trade depth

The Detroit Red Wings sent Klim Kostin to San Jose. (Photo courtesy of James Guillory / USA TODAY Sports)

In their first trade of the deadline, the Detroit Red Wings paired with the Sharks to swap depth players. The Red Wings acquired defenseman Radim Simek and a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for winger Klim Kostin.

Simek, a 31-year-old defenseman, has spent his entire five-year career with the Sharks. A defensive-minded bottom-pairing defenseman, Simek has put up a stat line of 1–2—3 in 44 games with the Sharks this season. Simek has a cap hit of $2.25 million and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

Kostin, a 24-year-old winger, has struggled to find a spot in the crowded forward core of the Red Wings since being traded to Detroit. In 33 games with the Wings this season, he has put up a stat line of 3–1—4. Kostin carries a cap hit of $2 million this season and next.

For Detroit, defense has been rough. Most of their defensemen are either slow or offensive-minded. The addition of Simek could help to alleviate defensive issues on the team.

For San Jose, Kostin being under team control beyond this season allows the Sharks to try to unlock Kostin’s abilities. For now, Kostin will play a bottom-six role as he gets acclimated to San Jose.

Predators add another forward

Veteran winger Jason Zucker heads to the Music City from Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Jess Starr / The Hockey Writers)

Adding Beauvillier was not enough for Nashville. On March 8, Nashville acquired forward Jason Zucker from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Zucker, a 32-year-old winger, has a $5.3 million cap hit and becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 51 games in Arizona this season, Zucker put up a stat line of 9–16—25.

For Nashville, the middle six was in need of tender love and care. Adding Zucker, along with Beauvillier, allows the Preds to solidify a place of weakness on this roster.

For Arizona, another deadline of trading players for picks continues. The massive cap hit of Zucker more than likely turned other teams away, and Nashville was more than likely the only team willing to take on that entire contract.

The Big Rig heads to Boston

Pat Maroon will have a chance at another ring this spring with the Boston Bruins. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn / NHLI via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins made a trade for Jack Edwards’ favorite player, Pat Maroon. In exchange for Maroon, the Bruins sent Minnesota forward prospect Luke Toporowski and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. If Maroon were to play one 2023–24 playoff game, Minnesota acquires the pick.

Maroon, currently recovering from surgery, heads to Beantown as a physically aggressive veteran winger. At 35 years old, Maroon carries a $1 million cap hit and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. In 49 games with the Wild this season, Maroon has put up a stat line of 4–12—16. 

Toporowski, a 22-year-old forward prospect, joins the Wild without a contract. Spending this season in the AHL, Toporowski put up a statline of 7–10—17 in 49 games with the Providence Bruins.

For Boston, adding a physical forward with Stanley Cup playoff experience for cheap was necessary. Although Maroon does not have the best reputation with the Bruins organization, it is clear that the past remains in the past for the Bruins’ front office. 

For Minnesota, Maroon lost value on the team even before his surgery. Moving on to open up a roster spot was beneficial for the Wild.

Sabres dump more salary

The Philadelphia Flyers added veteran Erik Johnson. (Photo courtesy of Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports)

After bringing in Byram, the Sabres needed to make room on the defensive depth chart. To accomplish this, Buffalo sent defenseman Erik Johnson to the Flyers in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick.

Johnson, a 35-year-old defenseman, is being sent to Philly with a $3.25 million cap hit. Buffalo retained none of his contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. In 50 games with the Sabres this season, Johnson recorded a stat line of 3–0—3.

For Philadelphia, acquiring Johnson grants Philly a veteran defenseman who is known most for his defensive responsibility.

For Buffalo, freeing up space for Byram was a must, and acquiring a fourth for Johnson was a plus for them. 

Boston adds a young defenseman

Adding Maroon was not the only thing Boston did on March 8. In a trade with the Blue Jackets, the Bruins add right-handed defenseman Andrew Peeke in exchange for defenseman Jakub Zboril and a 2027 third-round pick.

Peeke, a 25-year-old defenseman, struggled to get on the ice for Columbus this season. Known for blocking shots and throwing hits, Peeke has put up a stat line of 1–7—8 in only 23 games this season. In the first year of his contract, Peeke is under contract util the 2025–26 season with a yearly cap hit of $2.75 million.

Zboril, a former first-round pick of the Bruins in 2015, never seemed to fit the Bruins in his entire tenure in Boston. The 27-year-old will be looking for a new start in Columbus. In the last year of his contract, Zboril will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Spending this entire season in Providence, Zboril put up a stat line of 0–9—9 in 31 games.

For Boston, getting a defensive defenseman at 25 years old with multiple years of control is impressive. Although sidelined since December with a broken finger, Peeke can return to offer the Bruins a defenseman with room to grow and years to do so.

For Columbus, this trade makes little sense. Peeke is a defenseman a team like the Blue Jackets desperately need during a rebuild. Zboril has done nothing of note since being drafted nearly a decade ago, and a third-round pick in 2027 for a player under multiple years of control is not enough. Other teams got way more for way less this deadline.

Florida adds goaltender depth

The Florida Panthers added depth in the crease with Magnus Hellberg. (Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)

The busy Panthers stayed busy this deadline on its last day. On March 8, Florida acquired goaltender Magnus Hellberg from Pittsburgh in exchange for goaltender Ludovic Waeber and a conditional 2025 seventh-round pick.

Hellberg, a 32-year-old goaltender, will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. This season, Hellberg split time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. With Wilkes-Barre, Hellberg started 19 games in net, putting up a 2.92 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. In three games in Pittsburgh, Hellberg put up a 2.50 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.

Waeber, and 27-year-old goaltender, will also become an unrestricted free agent this summer. This season, Waeber split time between the ECHL with the Florida Everblades and the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers. In one game with the Everblades, Waeber gave up five goals on a .762 save percentage. In 15 games with Charlotte, Waeber put up a 3.09 goals against average and a .887 save percentage.

For Florida, Hellberg offers a solid option for third goalie in case of injury. A team like the Panthers cannot be too careful when attempting to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.

For Pittsburgh, Hellberg was never going to be there beyond this season, so getting anything for him was the right move.

New Jersey creates a new goalie room

Thew New Jersey Devils shook things up in the blue paint, acquiring Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo courtesy of Codie McLachlan / Getty Images)

In a deadline of selling, New Jersey did buy on its last day. The Devils acquired goaltender Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a conditional 2025 third-round pick. The condition on this pick is that it becomes a 2025 second-round pick if Allen plays in 40 or more games in 2024–25 and if the team that Allen is a part of in 2024–25 is in the playoffs. Montreal retained 50% of Allen’s contract.

Allen, a 33-year-old goaltender, is currently in the first year of a two-year contract. In 21 starts for the Canadiens this season, Allen has a goals against average of 3.65 and a .892 save percentage.

For New Jersey, they decided to use this deadline to completely remake their goalie tandem. This will not be the only goaltender trade involving the Devils this deadline. Allen has been a consistent goaltender for most of his career, despite his struggles over the last two seasons.

For Montreal, one okay 33-year-old backup goaltender is not worth keeping around for a team in their position. The chance to get a second-round pick for Allen is worth the loss.

Tampa Bay adds another defenseman on the cheap

Matt Dumba will add veteran help to Tampa Bay’s blue line. (Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports)

A day after acquiring Duclair, Tampa Bay again went out west to acquire depth. In a trade with Arizona, the Lightning acquired defenseman Matt Dumba in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Tampa Bay also received a 2025 seventh-round pick in this deal.

Dumba, a 29-year-old right-hand defenseman, currently has a cap hit of $3.9 million and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 58 games this season in Arizona, Dumba put up a stat line of 4–6—10.

For Tampa Bay, getting a defenseman to replace Mikhail Sergachev while he spends the rest of the regular season on LTIR was a must. Dumba is far from Sergachev in terms of ability at this point, but acquiring Dumba did not require a lot of draft capital, which is something Tampa Bay lacks. Dumba is a bottom-pairing defenseman who does nothing great but does not do anything poorly. He does just enough to keep himself on the ice.

For Arizona, when will the selling ever end? Will they even make the most of the draft capital they obtain? This is still to be determined, and it needs to be determined in a positive way if Arizona ever wants to be taken seriously.

Calgary acquires a defensive prospect

After selling off Hanifin and Tanev this deadline, defense will be an obvious need in the future for Calgary. Partnering with San Jose, Calgary acquired defensive prospect Nikita Okhotyuk from the Sharks in exchange for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick. For this pick, San Jose will receive the better of the two 2024 fifth-round picks that the Flames own.

Okhotyuk, a former second-round pick by the Devils in 2019, is a 23-year-old left-handed defenseman. In the last year of his contract, Okhotyuk will become a restricted free agent after this season.

Okhotyuk split this this season with the San Jose Sharks and the San Jose Barracuda. With the Barracuda he played five games, registering one assist. In 43 games this season with the Sharks, he registered a stat line of 1–7—8.

Sharks acquires a struggling goaltender

Shortly after moving Okhotiuk, the Sharks made another trade. San Jose acquired goaltender Devin Cooley from the Sabres in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick. 

Cooley, a 26-year-old goaltender, has a current cap hit of $775,000 and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. In 14 games in the AHL this season, Cooley recorded a 3.77 goals against average and a save percentage of .891.

Rangers make more noise

Jack Roslovic joins the New York Rangers for their playoff run. (Photo courtesy of Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Not satisfied with just Wennberg and Ruhwedel, the Rangers added on the last day of the deadline. New York acquired forward Jack Roslovic from the Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick. The condition on this pick is if the Rangers make it to the Stanley Cup Final and Roslovic plays in 50% of the Rangers’ playoff games, the 2026 fourth-round pick becomes a 2026 third-round pick. The Blue Jackets retained 50% of Roslovic’s contract in this trade.

Roslovic, a 27-year-old winger, is in the last season of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. In 40 games with the Blue Jackets this season, Roslovic put up a stat line of 6–17—23. 

For the Rangers, adding Roslovic creates no excuses for this team. It is, at the very least, Eastern Conference Final or bust. Roslovic can be put anywhere on this team, so the goal will be to find where Roslovic fits best before the playoffs.

For the Blue Jackets, they continue to fail to get satisfying value for their trade pieces. Getting little for Roslovic, while also receiving underwhelming compensation for Peeke, is nothing short of disappointing. After a season-long soap opera, Columbus will more than likely end the year directionless and trying to answer more questions than they had last summer.

Devils part ways with Vanecek

New Jersey added its second goaltender of the deadline by picking up Kaapo Kahkonen from San Jose. (Photo courtesy of John Hefti / USA TODAY Sports)

The second trade of the day for the Devils, this one also included acquiring a goaltender. The Devils acquired Kaapo Kahkonen from the Sharks in exchange for Vitek Vanecek and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

Kahkonen, a 27-year-old goaltender, currently has a cap hit of $2.65 million and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 31 games with the Sharks this season, Kahkonen recorded a 3.81 goals against average and a .895 save percentage.

Vanecek, currently on injured reserve, is a 28-year-old goaltender in the second year of a three-year contract. Vanecek will have a $3.4 million cap hit this season and next. In 32 games this season, Vanecek has a 3.18 goals against average and a .890 save percentage.

For New Jersey, they felt it was best to move on from Vanecek. He took a massive step back this season, and once he went down with injury, it seemed that the Devils gave up on him. Acquiring Kahkonen now gives the Devils a goalie duo of Allen and Kahkonen. The Devils were more than likely looking for a healthy goalie group to finish out the season.

For San Jose, acquiring a goalie going through a tough season with another year of control is appealing. If Vanecek can come back from injury and find his form again, the Sharks could have the goalie position figured out going into next season.

The Sharks inexplicably sell Hertl

Longtime San Jose Shark Tomas Hertl was dealt to the rival Vegas Golden Knights minutes before the trade deadline in a shocking move. (Photo courtesy of Evan Sabourin / The Hockey Writers)

Easily the most shocking trade of the deadline, the Sharks traded not only the best player on their roster, but they traded him to a division rival. San Jose sent Tomas Hertl, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to Vegas in exchange for David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick. San Jose will also be retaining 17.1% of Hertl’s contract.

Hertl, a 30-year-old center, is still under contract until the 2029–30 season. An effective offensive center who can win at the face-off dot, Hertl has spent his entire career with the Sharks. This season, Hertl has put up a stat line of 15–19—34 in 48 games. 

Edstrom was the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 draft. At 19 years old, Edstrom is in the first year of his three-year entry-level contract. Edstrom is currently with the Frolunda HC of the SHL. In 43 games this season, Edstrom put up a stat line of 7–12—19.

Vegas does as Vegas does. They double down and keep putting all their chips on the table. They end the deadline adding Mantha, Hanifin and Hertl, three excellent players who will immediately play a massive role in the Knights attempt at going back to back.

For San Jose, it is difficult to understand this trade. Hertl is under team control until 2030 and has continued to show his worth throughout his entire career. To only receive a former first-round pick and a first-round pick next year is arguably not enough for a player of Hertl’s caliber. Retaining salary and sending draft capital to Vegas in this trade twists the knife for the Sharks.

Winnipeg adds defensive depth

Winnipeg bolstered its blue line by adding Colin Miller. (Photo courtesy of Jess Starr / The Hockey Writers)

As the deadline wound down, a few more trades were finalized. The Jets acquired right-handed defenseman Colin Miller from the Devils in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.

Miller, a 31-year-old defenseman, is in the last year of his two-year contract, carrying a $1.85 million cap hit. In 41 games this season, Miller put up a stat line of 4–4—8. 

For the Jets, adding Miller alongside Toffoli from the Devils allows the Jets to solidify the team’s depth and hedge their bets against injuries. The Jets end the deadline acquiring Miller, Toffoli and Sean Monahan.

For the Devils, they were able to get value for all of their movable assets. They ended this deadline with two new goaltenders, two fourths, a third, a second and MacDermid, which is a solid deadline for a team disappointed in not playing up to expectations this season.

Toronto and Minnesota end the deadline on a quiet note

The Toronto Maple Leafs added forward depth with Connor Dewar. (Photo courtesy of Matt Blewett / USA TODAY Sports)

The Wild and the Maple Leafs agreed to a quiet trade to end the deadline. The Wild acquired forward Dmitry Ovchinnikov and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Leafs in exchange for forward Connor Dewar.

Ovchinnikov, a 21-year-old forward prospect, was drafted by Toronto in the fifth-round in the 2020 draft. In the last season of his entry-level contract, Ovchinnikov spent all season with the AHL. With the Toronto Marlies, Ovchinnikov put up a stat line of 7–3—10 in 20 games.

Dewar, a 24-year-old forward, was drafted by Minnesota in the third-round of the 2018. In the last year of his contract, he carries a $800,000 cap hit. In 57 games with the Wild this season, Dewar put up a stat line of 10–4—14. 

For Minnesota, they continue to move on from players not in the teams long-term vision and acquire more draft capital.

For Toronto, they acquire another depth piece for cheap. It appears that Toronto had no interest in moving a first-round pick this deadline.

Winners and losers of the deadline

It is hard to determine who wins at the deadline so quickly after the dust has settled. A “winner” of the deadline could become a loser by failing to take advantage of the draft picks acquired, or failing to utilize players acquired for their playoff runs.

On the surface, a few winners of the deadline are easy to notice. The Golden Knights, Avalanche and Panthers are winners as of now. They were able to solidify their teams for deep playoff runs without overpaying for rentals.

On the other end of the spectrum, some losers can be identified as well. One loser is Toronto. The players Toronto acquired do not put them over the top compared to other playoff teams in the Eastern Conference, and refusing to trade a first-round pick for better players will haunt them when facing teams willing to do so.

Another loser of this deadline is San Jose. Getting an unimpressive return for Hertl, along with getting nothing higher than a third-round pick for other rentals they sold off put this team in a position where they have to hope to get the first-overall pick this offseason, or else all of this will look even worse as a result.

The final loser of this deadline is Columbus. Receiving only a conditional fourth for Roslovic and a third for Peeke is underwhelming. A team in turmoil put themselves in an even worse position as a result of not getting the proper return for their players.

There are other teams that are harder to determine whether they are winners or losers. The Hurricanes are a prime example of this. If Kuznetsov finds his old form and Guentzel recovers from injury to return at 100%, then Carolina would be considered a sure-fire winner. If not, then the Hurricanes will again have to figure out what it will take to put them over the top in the East.

The post ANALYSIS: Reacting to every NHL trade deadline deal appeared first on The Rink.

1) Chicago Blackhawks 

Andy’s Pick: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)

Nothing to overthink here, folks. He is the No. 1 prospect in the world, a potential generational talent and no amount of click bait you can read will make Kyle Davidson decide to move this pick. It just ain’t gonna happen. No. 98 will be flying off the shelves in a red, white and black jersey come Wednesday night.

2) Anaheim Ducks  

Eric’s Pick: Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Like the first pick, there is no need for Anaheim to overthink this one. Fantilli offers everything you could want in a prospect with his size, speed, skill, and compete level. While many in the industry are wondering if the Ducks look elsewhere, they stick to the script here and take the future star pivot.

3) Columbus Blue Jackets  

Andy’s Pick: Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro HK (SHL)

This is where things could begin to get interesting. No. 3 may be where people start to wonder when Matvei Michkov’s name will be called, but a year ago, the Blue Jackets signed Johnny Gaudreau, only to have a dismal 2022–23 campaign, finishing second last in the NHL. Waiting on Michkov for a few years may not be something Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekäläinen can see through. Carlsson has all the tools to be a legitimate No. 1 center in the NHL. At 6-foot-3 with speed and terrific skill set, though he may head back to Sweden for another year or two, by the fall of 2025 at the latest, he’ll be ready to be an impact player for the Jackets.

4) San Jose Sharks 

Eric’s Pick: William Smith, C, U.S. National Team Development Program

While the Sharks could certainly consider Michkov here, I think Mike Grier opts for a safer option in Smith, an uber-creative centerman. San Jose is starving for high-end talent, and landing a player like Smith will go a long way for their rebuild.

5) Montreal Canadiens  

Andy’s Pick: Ryan Leonard, RW, U.S. National Team Development Program 

Tough call for Director of Scouting Nick Bobrov and General Manager Kent Hughes with Michkov still here, but with Leonard they get a hard-nosed player who buzzes around, is unafraid to go in the gray areas and win pucks and plays with an edge. It is certainly a player of need up front for the Habs with all of their smaller skilled forwards. With Smith going at four, Leonard will be the second incoming Boston College Eagle in the top five.

6) Arizona Coyotes 

Eric’s Pick: David Reinbacher, D, EHC Kloten (NL)

Bill Armstrong and his army of matching suits take the stage at No. 6 and take the best defenseman in the draft class in Reinbacher, a do-it-all minute-munching blueliner. With Arizona needing a new long-term No. 1 defenseman following Jakob Chychrun’s departure, Reinbacher fills that need. The Coyotes could absolutely consider Michkov or another forward like Dalibor Dvorsky, but in the end, the high-end rearguard wins out.

7) Philadelphia Flyers 

Andy’s Pick: Matvei Michkov, RW, HK Sochi (KHL)

With the Washington Capitals’ interest in Michkov widely reported, Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere would be wise to pick up the phone and utilize as much leverage as he has here to find the right deal to swap picks with the Caps. In the end, given the Flyers’ full rebuild mode and another first-round pick at 22, Michkov makes perfect sense here and the return on a trade won’t be enough to pass up on this player. They can afford to wait for a talent that may ultimately be the best player taken in the draft.

8) Washington Capitals 

Eric’s Pick: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Sweden)

A player many scouts feel belongs in the conversation alongside “the big five,” Dvorsky gives Washington a highly skilled centerman to build their next core around while also being able to have him in the fold to support Alex Ovechkin at the end of his career as well. Given the Capitals’ lack of center depth, especially in their pipeline, Dvorsky makes a world of sense for Washington if they are unable to secure Michkov.

9) Detroit Red Wings 

Andy’s Pick: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)

Some feel Oliver Moore would be the take here considering his playing likeness to Dylan Larkin. That may be true, but the versatility of the big-bodied Danielson, who can play a number of different roles, fills a massive need for Detroit, who could be two to three years away from being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He has NHL size, decent speed and wins pucks, a great all-around player who Steve Yzerman will love.

10) St. Louis Blues

Eric’s Pick: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL)

The Blues consider a number of different options here, and while I think they would ideally like more size, they choose to not overthink it and take the most skilled player remaining. In Benson, St. Louis adds a supreme offensive talent to complement their core. The Blues could certainly think about a defenseman or a bigger forward here, but skill wins out in the end.

11) Vancouver Canucks

Andy’s Pick: Oliver Moore, C, U.S. National Team Development Program 

The Canucks have a variety of needs, and with this pick, the best move is to take the best pure skater in the draft. That’s Moore. He is an exciting player that is a pure blazer. He could be brilliant in the Big Ten next year at the University of Minnesota, and it will be a year or two before the NHL awaits, but he’s incredibly talented with a ton of value at 11th overall.

12) Arizona Coyotes

Eric’s Pick: Matthew Wood, RW, University of Connecticut (NCAA)

After grabbing their future stud defenseman at No. 6, the Coyotes turn their attention to forwards at No. 12. In Wood, Arizona gets a big goal-scoring winger who could be a perfect match for Logan Cooley down the line. The Coyotes could opt for a center, but go with who many scouts would consider the consensus best player available at this spot.

13) Buffalo Sabres

Andy’s Pick: Tom Willander, D, Rögle BK J20 (Sweden)

Buffalo may wince after Arizona’s pick of Wood, as he would be an excellent complement to their young offensive core. Buffalo then shifts to the blueline. With Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power being the Sabres’ top two left-handed defensemen for years to come, addressing the other side could be critical. Willander’s stock is on the rise and the smooth Boston University commit could fit in nicely with Buffalo’s long-term plans. A future trio of Dahlin, Power and Willander looks mighty nice for the organization.

14) Pittsburgh Penguins 

Eric’s Pick: Gabriel Perreault, LW, U.S. National Team Development Program

New Penguins executive Kyle Dubas has a decision to make between swinging for the fences with a supreme offensive talent or opting for a safer type of pick. In the end, the Pens take a swing and scoop up Perreault, a crafty dual-threat winger with the hopes he pans out and is able to pair up with either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin in the twilight of their careers.

15) Nashville Predators 

Andy’s Pick: Daniil But, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)

Here’s the first big leap in the first round, but if you are going to “swing for the fences,” as General Manager Barry Trotz has asked his team to do, But, a 6-foot-5 power forward may be the guy. He’s a monster, protects the puck and the Preds have little in terms of prospects on the wing. There are other wingers on the card that may be as attractive, but few can ignore But’s upside.

16) Calgary Flames

Eric’s Pick: Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)

The Flames are an interesting case, seemingly being in turmoil with a number of players looking to leave Cow Town, but also not really having any glaring holes in the organization, either. As such, Calgary scoops up a meat-and-potatoes goal-scoring winger in Barlow, who fits the traditional Flames mold.

17) Detroit Red Wings

Andy’s Pick: Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)

By all accounts, Honzek is a faster skater than what was initially reported. He is big and can finish, but above all else, what scouts like about him is his work ethic and character. That’s something Steve Yzerman and company will not ignore. The Wings get a great prospect here at 17.

18) Winnipeg Jets

Eric’s Pick: Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

Winnipeg adds a high-end offensive defenseman to their pipeline, something they were clearly lacking. Sandin Pellikka will take time to develop, but given the Jets are on the verge of tearing things down, they have the time needed to wait for the elite-skating puck-mover.

19) Chicago Blackhawks

Andy’s Pick: Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL)

If Brayden Yager is available and taken here, I will not be sad, but there are questions whether or not he will be a pivot in the NHL. So, if you are going for a winger, as Kyle Davidson should here, you need some sandpaper. Musty is everything you need here at 19. He needs to work on his skating, but he is a puck-winning player who can finish. With skill players like Bedard, Frank Nazar and Lukas Reichel in the system and on the smaller side, you need some muscle. Great pick here with Musty.

20) Seattle Kraken

Eric’s Pick: Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)

Despite clearly being set for the future down the middle, the Kraken grab Ritchie, a well-rounded power forward, with the plans to either use him as an ideal third-line center or as a winger to complement Matty Beniers or Shane Wright down the road. Injuries held Ritchie back during his draft season, so Seattle is also banking on this being a “buy low” type of scenario.

21) Minnesota Wild

Andy’s Pick: Otto Stenberg, C, Frölunda HK J20 (Sweden)

He may be a few years away, but the Wild have a deep prospect pool and can afford to wait. Since that’s the case, you need to take a high ceiling into account, and Stenberg has that. He’s raw, plays with a ton of heart and has a cannon of a shot. A lot of value with this take for the Wild.

22) Philadelphia Flyers

Eric’s Pick: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)

Daniel Briere sprints to the podium to snag Yager, who many feel could even crack the top 10. Yager is a smooth-skating center with an excellent shot, and with a lacking prospect pool, Philadelphia suddenly looks significantly better for the future with the additions of Michkov and Yager as future goal scorers.

23) New York Rangers

Andy’s Pick: Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL)

Some have Heidt in the top 20 and others in the second round, but the Rangers are another team that will be looking for center depth and one with playmaking ability. Heidt plays with great instincts and awareness. He still needs to mature physically and there will need to be a firm development plan for him, but he has a shot to be a nice pro some day.

24) Nashville Predators

Eric’s Pick: Eduard Sale, LW, HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)

The Predators continue with their mentality of swinging for the fences, taking a player who is clearly the most talented player remaining on the board. The skillset alone would have warranted potentially a top-10 pick, but Sale’s work ethic and consistency have drawn significant questioning this season, resulting in his stock falling. If Barry Trotz and his no-nonsense approach to the game can straighten out Sale, Nashville could have a gem here.

25) St. Louis Blues

Andy’s Pick: Dimitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

St. Louis needs a defenseman, and should Simashev be here at 25, it would be an absolute steal for them. He’s 6-foot-4, skates extremely well, can move the puck and plays stingy defense. The blue line for the Blues is aging, and having a top-four defenseman in the pipeline is a must. Great fit here for Simashev.

26) San Jose Sharks

Eric’s Pick: Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna (WHL) 

After securing a high-end center at No. 4, the Sharks take a swing on potentially landing another big-time producer here at No. 26. Cristall is one of the more debated players of the draft class, as his 5-foot-9 frame combined with subpar skating ability leaves legitimate and serious concerns about an NHL future. But, given the immense offensive talent he has been thus far in his career, Mike Grier hopes more development helps get Cristall up to speed enough to become an NHL producer.

27) Colorado Avalanche

Andy’s Pick: Gavin Brindley, RW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

With all the talent in Colorado, it’s hard not to envision Brindley buzzing around with the rest of them. Some worry about his size, but he plays bigger than he is and has a contagious intensity. He will get better being around quality talent in Denver, and the Avs seem like the team that will know exactly how to use his intangibles.

28) Toronto Maple Leafs

Eric’s Pick: Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon (WHL)

The Maple Leafs only hold one pick in the first four rounds of the draft this year, so they need to make this pick count. They opt to take Molendyk, a highly efficient and well-rounded defenseman who can do a lot of things well. While Molendyk might not be the most exciting option on the board, he provides Toronto with a dependable modern-style blueliner for the future.

29) St. Louis Blues 

Andy’s Pick: Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

With their third pick in the first round, the Blues complement their skill picks with some toughness down the middle. Stramel may end up being a third-line center, or at worst somewhere in the bottom six, but he is big and a pain in the neck to play against. He needs to have a better year in Madison, but should his game grow, he has a good shot at being an NHL regular.

30) Carolina Hurricanes

Eric’s Pick: Bradley Nadeau, LW, Penticton (BCHL)

Carolina has been desperate to add goal scoring to its organization over the last few years, so with this pick they take a bit of a swing on a guy who might have the most offensive upside remaining in Nadeau. Nadeau is on the smaller side, but the Hurricanes have shown that if you are willing to work hard, a smaller frame does not bother them (see: Jarvis, Seth). Nadeau’s hockey smarts and offensive skills make him a worthy pick here for a team knocking on the door of hockey’s elite teams.

31) Montreal Canadiens 

Andy’s Pick: Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha (USHL)

We may not see a goalie being selected in the first round, but if so, it may be the Habs that do it. Montreal has a lot in their prospect cupboard exclusive of a goalie of the future. Hrabal may be the best of this class due to his size and athleticism. The UMass commit will take time to develop, but all the tools are there to be a regular NHL fixture in the pipes.

32) Vegas Golden Knights

Eric’s Pick: Ethan Gauthier, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

Gauthier feels like a perfect fit for the Stanley Cup champions, as he plays a competitive and physical style while mixing in a nice offensive skillset. While there are a few players still on the board who most think will almost positively go in the first round, it is hard to argue against the fit here and that Gauthier is anything other than the best player available for Vegas to select.

The first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft begins at 6 p.m. CDT in Nashville. Be sure to follow Eric on Twitter (@WALaxer19), as he will be live on site in Nashville and plans to tweet out his live reactions and analysis to the Blackhawks’ picks and trades throughout the draft.

The post The Rink’s 2023 NHL Entry Draft first-round mock draft appeared first on The Rink.

The selections needed to be in the spirit of players Madden would have liked and respected for their combination of skill and toughness. Each panelist assembled their team of three forwards, two defensemen, one goaltender and one coach via a snake draft during the podcast. To make things interesting, panelists were allowed to select no more than two retired players for their teams.

Below are each panelist’s team, organized by position with their draft position listed in parenthesis. Additionally, each panelist chose one honorable mention player to add to their squad. Please listen to the draft on the Rinkcast to hear each panelist’s rationale for their selections.

Team Andrews

Forward: Gordie Howe (1)
Forward: Brad Marchand (9)
Forward: Jonathan Toews (16)
Defense: Duncan Keith (17)
Defense: Kris Letang (24)
Goaltender: Ron Hextall (8)
Coach: Rod Brind’Amour (25)
Honorable Mention: Bobby Orr

Team Bard

Forward: Mark Messier (4)
Forward: Patrick Kane (12)
Forward: Anze Kopitar (21)
Defense: Alex Pietrangelo (13)
Defense: Zdeno Chara (20)
Goaltender: Billy Smith (5)
Coach: Al Arbour (28)
Honorable Mention: Chris Chelios

Team Campbell

Forward: Patrice Bergeron (7)
Forward: Mario Lemieux (10)
Forward: Joe Thornton (18)
Defense: Denis Potvin (2)
Defense: Victor Hedman (15)
Goaltender: Carey Price (26)
Coach: Mike Keenan (23)
Honorable Mention: Jean Beliveau

Team Fitzgerald

Forward: Mark Stone (11)
Forward: Alex Ovechkin (14)
Forward: Ryan Getzlaf (27)
Defense: Ray Bourque (6)
Defense: Drew Doughty (22)
Goaltender: Ken Dryden (3)
Coach: Barry Trotz (19)
Honorable Mention: Kyle Beach

The panel wants to know how you think the draft went. Who picked the best team and why? Comment below and be sure to vote in our Twitter poll with the same questions!

Following up from last night’s @TheRinkcast, who had the best “All-Madden” Team. Please comment on your vote below as well.#Blackhawks #NHL @AndyCampbell16 @WALaxer19 @Diesal3426 @ASB1216

— The Rink — Chicago Blackhawks (@TheRinkChi) January 7, 2022

The post The Rink’s All-Madden teams appeared first on The Rink.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Vegas Golden Knights @ Boston Bruins -110

O/U: 5.5 -122

My pick: Vegas ML -106. The Boston Bruins find themselves shorthanded tonight as they host the Vegas Golden Knights, as forwards Brad Marchand and Craig Smith have entered COVID-19 protocol. Beside that, I like the matchup here, with Robin Lehner getting the nod for the Golden Knights. Lehner has won two of his last three starts and the team has won four of their last five. This game should be close, but I like Vegas to leave the Garden with a win.

New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers -124

O/U: 6 -112

My pick: Devils ML +107. Despite the Philadelphia Flyers having won two in a row on the road prior to returning home tonight, I am not sold on them. I know they have changed up their head coach and a new voice can lift the team’s spirit. However, I like the New Jersey Devils here. They have already beaten the Flyers twice in their own barn. The Flyers are also going on a month without winning at home. I will take a shot on their streaky offense.

Los Angeles Kings @ Tampa Bay Lightning -200

O/U: 5.5 +107

My pick: Tampa Bay Lightning Team Total Over 3 -115. This is a pretty big line for a Los Angeles Kings team who has been playing some solid hockey in December. Jonathan Quick is still proving he can be a top goaltender in this league. His 2.04 goals against average ranks sixth in the NHL. However, his last three starts against the Tampa Bay Lightning? Twelve goals allowed. The Lightning sit ninth in the league in goals. I am going to play the track record here of Tampa Bay.

Buffalo Sabers @ Winnipeg Jets -250

O/U: 6 +102

My pick: Winnipeg -1.5 -104. The Buffalo Sabers turned some heads at the start of the year after going 5–2 to open the season. However, they then fell off a cliff. They had three wins in the entire month of November and have currently lost seven in a row. The Winnipeg Jets should cruise to victory.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter, @ThomasGibbons_3, for my bonus play at 5 p.m. CST.

Happy gambling, and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Dec. 14, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

I have three plays tonight to get our weekend started.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Pittsburg Penguins @ Washington Capitals -148

O/U: 5.5 -117

My pick: First period under 1.5 -104.  Both teams are on three days rest coming into tonight’s tilt at our nation’s capital. However, I like both defensive groups and goaltending. I think this will be a low-scoring game.

Winnipeg Jets @ Vancouver Canucks -137

O/U: 5.5 -118

My pick: Over 5.5. The Winnipeg Jets travel to Vancouver tonight after playing last night in Seattle. As for the Vancouver Canucks, their organization is going through a lot of change. As for their on-ice play, they are in the top 10 in most goals allowed this season. Meanwhile, the Jets sit in the top half of the league in goals. Play the stats here and take the over. I would even think about putting a little cash on Jets’ money line at +118.

Philadelphia Flyers @ Vegas Golden Knights -240

O/U: 6 -118

My pick: Vegas team total over 3.5 -130. The Philadelphia Flyers are another team seeing a change in the coach behind the bench. They have lost 10 in a row and I do not see them breaking that tonight in Vegas. Opponents have scored four or more in eight of Philadelphia’s last 10 games. This should be a nice handout for us.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter, @ThomasGibbons_3, for my bonus play at 5 p.m. CST.

Happy gambling, and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Dec. 10, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

Three plays tonight for the Tommy Train passengers. Remember, pick up your food voucher at the station and $1 Busch lights on the drink cart tonight.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Nashville Predators -125 @ Detroit Red Wings

O/U: 5.5 +110

My pick: Red Wings ML +108. We got a matchup of old conference foes in Detriot tonight. I really like the Detroit Red Wings as home underdogs here. They are 9–2 in their own barn and four of their five wins on the win streak have come at home. This pick holds great value. No need to overthink. Ride the Wings.

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs -250

O/U: 6 +100

My pick: Maple Leafs three-way -157. Road games have not been good to the Columbus Blue Jackets in recent weeks, losing four straight and being outscored 18–6. Elvis Merzlikins gets the start between the pipes and his road goals against average is 4.32. The Toronto Maples Leafs should have no problem taking care of business tonight at home.

Minnesota Wild @ Edmonton Oilers -122

O/U: 6.5 -134

My pick: Over 6.5 -134. Two teams here who can flat out score. The Minnesota Wild ride a six-game win streak into Edmonton tonight, so their ML at +106 is something I would consider as well.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter, @ThomasGibbons_3, for my bonus play at 5 p.m. CST.

Happy gambling, and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Dec. 7, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

There is not a big slate of games today, but I will hand out two plays for us to start the week off right.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Anaheim Ducks @ Washington Capitals -210

O/U: 6 +105

My pick: Capitals team total over 3.5 +107 (Regular time). John Gibson gets the start in net tonight for the Anaheim Ducks. In opposing barns this season, his goals against average is 3.44! I think BetRivers giving us this at plus money is a steal. Let’s ride Alex Ovechkin and the boys.

Pittsburg Penguins -120 @ Seattle Kraken

O/U: 5.5 -122

My pick: Kraken ML +102. Seattle has shown us something in the past two weeks. They have some impressive wins over Washington, Carolina, Florida and Edmonton and are 5–2 in their last seven. Something good is in the fish market over in Seattle, so we will ride them tonight.

Happy gambling, and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Dec. 6, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

I really like the board today and got three picks for you all tonight. Grab your complimentary Lay’s Barbeque Chips and hop on board the Tommy Train!

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Vegas Golden Knights (+155) @ Colorado Avalanche (-182)

O/U: 6 -105

My pick: Avalanche puck line -1.5 +138. The Vegas Golden Knights are in rough shape injury-wise. Until they get healthy, their lineup is going to struggle, especially against superior opponents. Let’s ride the Colorado Avalanche at home with great value on the puck line. You have to wonder if this game could get out of hand.

Tampa Bay Lightning (-127) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (+108)

O/U: 5.5 -120

My pick: Over. On paper, this matchup screams take the Tampa Bay Lightning money line, puck line, any way you can. However, this beat-up Pittsburgh Penguins team beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 7–1 the other night with a roster depleted by injury. Anything can happen any given night in the NHL. That example is one reason I will take stay away from a side here and take the total. Both teams are giving up a lot of shots. I was a bit shocked I was able to get this at 5.5. Let’s ride it!

Minnesota Wild ( -124) @ Vancouver Canucks (+108)

O/U: 5.5 -122

My pick: Canucks ML. I really like the Vancouver Canucks tonight. They have won two games in a row, on the road, and are coming back to their barn in what should be a good game. Thatcher Demko will handle the netminder duties for the home squad. If you want to add a prop for this game to make it interesting, Connor Garland is +285 to score a goal. He has a point in every game this season and three goals in his last four games.

Happy gambling and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 26, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

I got two picks for tonight to get the Tommy Train back on track. Let’s get into it.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Washington Capitals (-125) @ New Jersey Devils (+108)

O/U: 6 -122

My pick: Over 6. The Capitals did not lose to the Devils last season. Dominance on the ice. And no Jack Hughes for the home team tonight is not good news to break that streak. The Capitals seem like the no-brainer pick but I’ll ride the slightly better odds with the total. The Capitals should mainly cover it but the Devils still have plenty of guys who can rip some twine. Take the Over and do not look back!

Colorado Avalanche (+112) @ Florida Panthers (-130)

O/U: 6.5 -122

My pick: Avs ML. This is some great value for Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog has served his suspension and will be back in the lineup tonight. This is going to be one heck of a game. Stars all over the ice. Avalanche ends their two-game skid and stop the Panther’s perfect start to the season in Sunrise.

BONUS PARLAY

Ducks/Jets Over 5.5 + Oilers/Coyotes Over 6.5 +274

Happy gambling and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 21, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

First off, here is a resource that I check daily when making my picks.

There are a lot of good games in the NHL tonight. I have three plays for the Tommy Train passengers, so here we go.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Colorado Avalanche (-124) vs. Washington Capitals (+108)

O/U: 6 -120

My pick: Capitals ML. While Nathan MacKinnon tested negative and will play tonight in the nation’s capital, I still like the Washington Capitals tonight. One thing to note: The Colorado Avalanche have had their share of penalties of late, 21 minutes through two games. The Capitals’ power play was third in the NHL last season and is already off to a hot start this season. If the Avs cannot stay out of the box, the Capitals will take advantage. Another home dog opportunity, so let’s jump on it.

Dallas Stars (+110) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-129)

O/U: 5.5 -107

My pick: Dallas ML. The Dallas Stars have played in three close games to open this season, but a 1–2–0 record to show for it. The Pittsburgh Penguins are 2–0–1 without some of their best players. But, I have a feeling the Stars pull out a win tonight. Their scrappy play will lead to scoring chances. I like Braden Holtby in the net tonight. I could see this game being decided in the final minutes. Ride the Stars and do not look back.

Columbus Blue Jackets (+104) vs. Detroit Red Wings (-121)

O/U: 5.5 +100

My pick: Over 5.5. I like both of these teams’ offenses so far this year, both averaging more than four goals per game. I think Vegas giving us plus odds is a gift here. Who does not like high-flying offense! If you want more action on this one, both teams to score a goal in the first period is +195 on BetRivers.

Happy gambling and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 19, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

Two straight winnings days for Tommy’s picks! Let’s get the puck to go our way again tonight.

I have two plays for tonight’s slate. Let’s dive in!

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Seattle Kraken (+116) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (-134) 

O/U: 6 -103

The Seattle Kraken earned their first win in franchise history last Thursday in a 3–2 road win in Nashville. They followed it up with an overtime loss in Columbus on Saturday. Former Pittsburg Penguin Brandon Tanev has been the highlight, scoring three goals in the last two games. Seattle’s opponent Monday night, the Philadelphia Flyers, dropped their season opener to Vancouver 5–4. Joel Farabee tallied two goals in the loss.

My pick: Flyers three-way. Seattle looks to be finding their game a bit. However, I will take the experienced group in the Flyers tonight. Carter Hart is in the net, and I am expecting them to bounce back in a big way. I may even sprinkle a little money on the Flyers team total of over three goals in regular time as well.

St. Louis Blues (-180) vs. Arizona Coyotes (+155) 

O/U: 5.5 -112

It is going to be a rough year in the desert. They will be atop the league in goals allowed and especially shots against. Carter Hutton is in net tonight for the Arizona Coyotes, and his season debut did not go well: Eight goals allowed. The St. Louis Blues will likely be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. They opened the season with an impressive win in Colorado. I am a fan of Jordan Binnington. His journey to become a full-time NHL goalie was a long and tough road. The Blues bolstered their offense in the offseason with Pavel Buchnevich and Brandon Saad. If they get hot, they will be tough to stop.

My pick: Blues -1.5 +143. Some nice action here. The Blues outclass the Coyotes in every category. If they start how they did against Colorado, Arizona will not be able to match their play.

Happy gambling and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 18, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

Huge slate of games today. Let’s dive head first into my picks:

Dallas Stars (+148) vs. Boston Bruins (-175)

O/U: 5.5 +107

The Bruins’ home opener in TD Garden should be electric hockey. The “perfection line” of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak are back and ready to dominate the NHL. I like Boston’s forward depth and their defense is solid. The only question is how their goaltending will fair with Rask still recovering from offseason surgery. 

Dallas beat the Rangers on Thursday night in overtime. Call me out if you want, but I’ve never been a fan of Dallas’ forward group. It feels like they are missing a piece. But their blue line is legit and can shut teams down. 

My pick: Bruins 3-way -106. The Bruins have plenty of scorers up and down the lineup. If they run the score up, I don’t see Dallas closing the gap

New York Rangers (-108) vs Montreal Canadiens (-108)

O/U: 6 -107

Neither team has had the start to the season each was looking for. The Canadiens have been run out of the building in their first two, allowing seven goals while only netting just one in each contest. For their opponent, the Rangers responded after their loss in Washington in the season opener. They played the Stars tough and picked up a point. 

My pick: Rangers ML. Their offense is far and above better than the Canadiens, at least on paper. Goaltending is going to be a concern in Montreal until Price can return. The Rangers pick up their first win Saturday night. 

Calgary Flames (+118) vs Edmonton Oilers (-137)

O/U: 6.5 -109

Offense, offense, and more offense! There are a ton of goal scorers on both benches in this one. No need for a long explanation here. 

My pick: O 6.5. Pucks will be flying off sticks at a high rate in this one, with two teams who want to play fast and skate around or through you to light the lamp.

I will have a bonus play at 4:30 p.m. CDT on my Twitter, @ThomasGibbons_3.

Happy gambling and remember, always ride the Tommy Train. 

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — October 16, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

• 1–4 in featured picks. WSH three-way only winner
• Parlay was busted from the start with Leafs not hitting the over
• 0–3 in props 

We keep going today, though. It was a rocky start, but it is only the beginning. Let’s get into my picks for Thursday night.

(All odds courtesy of BetRiversIL)

Arizona Coyotes (+138) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (-162)

O/U: 5.5 -112

The Arizona Coyotes gutted their team. Darcy Kuemper is in Colorado, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland were traded to Vancouver and Christian Dvorak wound up in Montreal. There was a lot of shakeup in Arizona as the focus turns toward the youth. 

On the other side, the Columbus Blue Jackets want to make some noise. Their forward group is solid, led by Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand. They have invested in Elvis Merzlikins to tend the pipes, and new head coach Brad Larsen was hired after eight years as an assistant in Columbus. Their defense will have a chip on its shoulder, as there is plenty to prove. 

My pick: Columbus three-way -103 

New York Islanders (+108) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-124) 

O/U: 5.5

The New York Islanders play a style that suffocates their opponent. Barry Trotz is one of the best coaches in the league. As many say, they bore you to sleep, but they get the job done. Anders Lee is back. They re-signed Kyle Palmieri, who is a perfect fit for their style of play. Zach Parise was added for forward depth. In addition, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock may be the best defensive pairing in the NHL. I had them in a future bet to win the Stanley Cup last season, but they fell just short to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the semifinals. 

The Carolina Hurricanes are a loaded squad, too. While losing Dougie Hamilton was not ideal, Ethan Bear should help pick up the slack. And, they snagged Jesperi Kotkaniemi from Montreal. They should run the tables this year. 

My pick: Islander ML. Hard to get against Mathew Barzal and the boys. Ride the Isles. 

I will have a bonus play at 5:30 p.m. CDT on my Twitter, @ThomasGibbons_3.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 14, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

I have become more invested in sports gambling over the past year or so. How invested, you may ask? Last week, I was refreshing the box score to a KHL game in my Uber on my way home from a night out with friends. I love the entertainment and the opportunity to earn some spending money. 

Basics of hockey betting

Money line — Winning team 

Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet)

Three-way line — Team wins in regulation 

Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout 

Parlay — A combination of two or more bets 

Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in extravagant fashion, 6–2. The Penguins were the underdogs, and playing their money line at plus odds would have been a sweet win. The over also hit (5.5). For the nightcap, the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken by a score of 4–3. That over (5.5) also hit, however, the Golden Knights, the favorite, did not cover the puck line by only winning by one goal. 

Tonight, we have five games on the slate. Let’s dive into my picks.

(All odds courtesy of BetRivers IL)

Montreal Canadiens (+160) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-186)

O/U: 6

In terms of how I make my picks, everyone has their strategy. For me, it is a mix of gut and research. 

Both teams are missing arguably their best players tonight in Carey Price for the Montreal Canadiens and Auston Matthews for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens are also without defensemen Shea Weber for the entire year and Joel Edmundson will miss the start of the regular season. Forwards Paul Byron and Mike Hoffman are also on long-term injured reserve. It is a banged-up Canadiens team traveling to Toronto. Mitch Marner is also a game-time decision, but I would expect him to play. 

My pick: Over 6. The Maple Leafs have the firepower on offense even without Matthews in the lineup, and the Canadiens have their own sharpshooters in Cole Caufield and Tyler Toffoli. I think goals come early and often tonight in Toronto. 

New York Rangers (-107) vs. Washington Capitals (-109) 

O/U: 6.5

One thing to note. O/U 6.5 means there must be at least seven goals for the bet to settle as a win. As for the Maple Leafs-Canadiens game, the O/U is set at 6, which also means there must be at least seven goals for a win. However, without the .5, if the game finishes with six total goals, it would be considered a “push” and you get your wagered money back. 

First off, neither team have plus odds. I would consider this a toss-up. So, if you would want plus odds on either one of them, you could play the three-way line or the Washington Capitals are -1 at +160. A $10 wager would win $16 and the payout would be $26. 

The New York Rangers are locked and loaded. They are healthy and ready to go to battle with their slew of assistant captains. I really like their roster. They made several additions in Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves and former St. Louis Blues forward Samuel Blais. Their back end is solid, led by Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba. And, their goaltending duo of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev gives new head coach Gerard Gallant options.

As for the Capitals, there are plenty of familiar faces. They will be without Nicklas Backstrom tonight and for the foreseeable future. Vitek Vanecek will tend the pipes tonight, and the Capitals will be ready to prove they are capable of another run at the Cup. 

My pick: Capitals three-way +145. I will ride the Capitals on home ice tonight. The building will be electric and Alex Ovechkin will shine on the first regular-season game broadcast on TNT. 

Chicago Blackhawks (+170) vs. Colorado Avalanche (-200) 

O/U: 6.5 

Even with no Nathan MacKinnon tonight after testing positive for COVID-19, the Colorado Avalanche are the heavy favorite at home. It is not shocking considered the Avs are one of the favorites to win it all this year. Their roster is loaded with stars all over the place. This is a team that will be entertaining all year and favored in the majority of their contests. 

The Chicago Blackhawks are running out a new-look squad headlined by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defensemen Seth Jones. Jonathan Toews is back after missing all of last season with an illness. The rebuild was short-lived in Chicago, and, at least on paper, General Manager Stan Bowman has put together a playoff-contending roster.  

My pick: Hawks ML +170. Homer pick? Absolutely. There is plenty of excitement coming into this season, and I am going to ride it on opening night. Fleury will keep them in the game and give them the chance to pull out the victory.

Vancouver Canucks (+160) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-186)

O/U: 6.5 

I had to think about this game for a bit. There were a lot of angles I was looking into. First off, I liked the over until I saw Mike Smith was 4–0 with a .937 save percentage for the Edmonton Oilers against the Vancouver Canucks last season. This one is tough. I feel that the Oilers are a deeper team offensively, but I lean toward the Canucks’ defense. But, I had to settle on something to try and win some cash for the weekend shenanigans. 

My pick: Oilers three-way -121. Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are one of the best duos in the NHL. In March of last season, The two have combined on an NHL-best 197 goals since 2016–17. Insane! Riding these guys tonight is the safe bet. 

Winnipeg Jets (-132) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+112) 

O/U: 5.5 +100

It is always hard to pass up an O/U at plus odds, so think about it. 

Hey, a road favorite! The Winnipeg Jets have had a winning record on the road for the past five seasons. It is a balanced roster and is destined to finish near the top of the Central Divison. As for the Anaheim Ducks, their roster is nothing special. They have finished toward the bottom of the league the past three seasons. Trevor Zegras will be the highlight of the team this season, as he will be in the race for the Calder Trophy with Cole Caufield and Spencer Knight. Maybe they surprise some people, but right now it does not look like it.

My pick: Jets -1.5. I think they win comfortably. John Gibson is the likely starter in the net for the Ducks, and while he is not a bad goalie, I do not like the defense in front of him. Ride the Jets into the night.

I would parlay:

— Leafs O 6/Jets -1.5 +425

Props I like:

— Canadiens team total including overtime over 2.5 -115

— Toews to have a point +105

— Zegras to score +310

Let’s start off the year with a bang! Happy gambling!

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 13, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

Flash forward to Friday night. In a competitive contest between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins. Caps winger Tom Wilson took a run at Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. His hands were up, he didn’t go for the puck and Carlo’s head was crunched between Wilson’s elbows and an unforgiving pane of glass. Carlo immediately raised both hands to grasp his head and crumbled to the ice. He was helped to the locker room and ultimately the hospital. As happens too often, four on-ice officials failed to react and give Wilson a well-deserved penalty. The tone of the game changed significantly. It became about the Bruins’ vengeance and all commentary shifted to what Wilson’s ultimate punishment should be. Wilson later got into a scrap with Bruin defenseman Jarred Tinordi, in a common methodology known as “on ice policing.” The Bruins rallied and won the game 5-1. But the win seemed trivial at the time and full attention was on Wilson and Carlo’s health.

Tom Wilson hits Brandon Carlo up high.

Carlo needs help getting off the ice. pic.twitter.com/RgACye1H7l

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 6, 2021

In the days that followed the Twitter universe exploded, opinions were stated and all in the hockey world shared their thoughts on the matter.

On Saturday, the NHL gave Wilson his fifth career suspension. An all too thin, seven-game sentence, which will see Wilson return to action by the end of the month to help the Caps down the stretch and into the playoffs. Seven? Yes, seven for a player who has four-times been suspended for inappropriate and unsafe play. But the NHL can easily hide behind a rule that they created. Under the current NHL rule, a player is deemed a “repeat offender” if they had a previous suspension within an 18-month time frame. Wilson’s most recent suspension was a 20-game sentence (reduced to 14 after appeal) for an illegal check to the head of Oskar Sundqvist on October 3, 2018. Make sense? No, it doesn’t. It’s ridiculous.

In reality, Wilson is a really good hockey player. He plays hard is a good skater, has two 20-goal seasons under his belt, and is a contributor to a cup contending team. Because of this, people will speculate that is a contributing factor in the NHL’s failure to adequately punish and reprimand a talented but dangerous player.

The reactions to this are many and honestly frustrating. It is pretty remarkable that there is an argument about this at all. But unfortunately, those that believe the outdated argument that this was a “hockey play” or a “hockey hit” are being fed that by some of the game’s credible sources. Take Caps coach Peter Laviolette for example. A decorated coach, possibly headed towards the hockey hall of fame, stood-fast in his defense of Wilson’s play.

Peter Laviolette said he’s “hopeful” Tom Wilson will be available Sunday vs PHI. No word yet on when his hearing will be.

Laviolette said the hit on Carlo was a “hockey hit” and if that was a “suspendable play then all hitting really is going to probably have to be removed.” pic.twitter.com/b6hQmrN98u

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) March 6, 2021

Defending your player and indicating that as a coach you will be supportive of him through this is one thing. Defending Wilson’s actions as part of the game is completely different. By defending it and calling it a “hockey hit” makes Laviolette culpable in a major systematic issue in today’s game. By referring to the incident as “part of the game,” the message Laviolette is sending fans, and aspiring youth hockey players and their parents, is that what Wilson did is ok. And it’s not, it’s not even close. And if the aging hockey minds continue to ignore and make excuses for reckless on-ice behavior, the game will not change for the better, nor become safer.

Wilson is 26-years old; he has been suspended five times and has a lot of hockey left in front of him as an NHL player. Has he learned his lesson now; five times later, while missing two and a half weeks of games in 2021 and a minor pay cut to his season? I for one am betting against it. We may see this again from Wilson.

For Carlo, he has recently been released from the hospital and could be in concussion protocol for some time. The up-and-coming blue-liner for the Bruins was having his finest season to date and we can only hope that Friday night’s incident doesn’t significantly alter his career. Bruins’ fans have been here before with Marc Savard, and I am sure this feels all too similar.

Brandon Carlo is feeling better today, per Bruce Cassidy. Will be out for a while.

— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) March 7, 2021

For the NHL and hockey in general, it is anyone’s guess as to when people realize that there are considerable issues with how situations like this are interpreted and dealt with. It would be a shame if it came to a more serious injury on a public stage for the league and experts to take another deep dive into player safety. Unfortunately, I am holding my breath, as that in all likelihood, will happen in the foreseeable future.

The post Tom Wilson suspended seven games: another miss in handling player safety appeared first on The Rink.

Per Friedman’s report the NHL is beginning plans with four teams as part of a first-ever two-game, two-day “Outdoor Weekend” showcase at Lake Tahoe. More specifically the events will be held at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, home of the popular celebrity golf tournament, and will be played around the 16th, 17th and 18th holes of the course.

Fans will not be in attendance, as the number of attendees will be limited to about 400. This will all but be taken up by the teams’ traveling parties and staff needed to run the events. The lack of fans will give TV coverage some unique opportunities to broadcast the games like, possibly, more drone cameras.

More news will follow, but the games featured are the Colorado Avalanche vs the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, Feb 20, and the Philadelphia Flyers vs the Boston Bruins on Sunday, Feb 21. These games were the only two scheduled for the targeted weekend, which suggests this event was part of the NHL’s plan all along.

Four teams — Boston, Colorado, Philadelphia and Vegas — are headed to Lake Tahoe in February: https://t.co/GDFc633pVD

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 1, 2021

The post BREAKING: NHL to play two outdoor games in Lake Tahoe in February appeared first on The Rink.

As the NHL expands its footprint in North America, they continue to try and tap into newer markets rather than recycling recently vacated markets. Houston was brought up several times as a city that could potentially land the 32nd team, but, in the end, Seattle took the crown. This is not Seattle’s first NHL team, though. In fact, Seattle already has more Stanley Cup championships to its credit than their Canadian rivals in Vancouver as well as Arizona, Buffalo, Columbus, Florida, Minnesota, Nashville, San Jose, Vegas and Winnipeg.

The history

From 1915 to 1924, Seattle had a Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) team named the Metropolitans that upset the National Hockey Association (NHA) Montreal Canadiens three games to one in 1917 to claim their first and only Stanley Cup championship. This was not their only visit to the Stanley Cup Final, though. Seattle faced the Canadiens again in 1919, and the Ottawa Senators in 1920. Oddly enough, the 1919 matchup was never completed as a result of the world’s last major pandemic prior to COVID-19, the Spanish Flu.

The Metropolitans folded in 1924 when their arena was bought out and turned into a parking garage, which left the city without professional hockey for almost 100 years, but holds the distinction of being the first team in the United States to win the Stanley Cup. The New York Rangers would go on to take the title of first United States NHL team to win the Cup.

Hockey still has a rich history in the Pacific Northwest even though there has not been an NHL-level professional team in nearly a century.

Portland, which is just under 200 miles away, has been home to the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks since 1976 and was home to the PCHA Portland Rosebuds from 1914 to 1918. Portland was also home to the Buckaroos, Eagles and Penguins through 1951.

Seattle has been home to several non-NHL professional teams as well, hosting the NIHL Seattle Isacsson Iron Workers from 1943–44, the PCHL Seattle Ironmen from 1944–52, the WHL Seattle Bombers from 1952–54, the WHL Seattle Americans from 1955–58, and the WHL/CHL Seattle Totems from 1958–75. In 1977, the WCHL Kamloops Chiefs (formerly the Vancouver Nats) were moved to Seattle and renamed the Seattle Breakers until they were renamed again in 1984 to the Seattle Thunderbirds, where they remain a very successful WHL franchise to this day.

The Kraken are not the NHL’s first “krak” at expansion in Seattle, though. In 1974, the NHL awarded a Seattle expansion franchise to businessman Vince Abbey. After several missed deadlines and failure to acquire both the California Golden Seals and Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL pulled the expansion plans in June of 1977. Abbey later sued the NHL and the Vancouver Canucks for anti-trust violations, but that lawsuit was later settled in favor of the NHL.

A second attempt at an NHL expansion team in Seattle by a local group led by Seattle SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerley was made in 1990, but it also failed over the financial terms the NHL demanded. In 2011, multiple reports suggested Chicago Wolves owner and businessman Don Levin had expressed interest in building a new arena in nearby Bellevue, Washington, that could host an NHL team.

Recent history

In December 2018, the NHL approved a proposal by a group called the Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle. The Seattle Hockey Partners are led by billionaire businessman David Bonderman, legendary Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, as well as former Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild CEO and former NFL COO Tod Leiweke.

Even though the team still did not have a name, the eventual Kraken named former Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Ron Francis as the team’s first general manager.

This past July, with much fanfare, the Seattle franchise announced the team colors (deep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue, red alert) and branding under the name Seattle Kraken. The logo was revealed as a sea monster hidden in a custom Calligraphic style “S” to pay homage to the Seattle Metropolitans.

Since being awarded a franchise, Seattle has made a very deliberate effort to be the most diverse and progressive organization in professional hockey. They began by not only building one of the most robust analytics department in the NHL, but focussed on hiring several highly qualified female and minority employees for their front office and hockey operations staff.

On Aug. 7, 2020, Seattle announced that Everett Fitzhugh (formerly of the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones) would serve as the team’s play-by-play announcer and will become the first full-time play-by-play announcer of African American heritage in NHL history.

Artist rendering of the Climate Pledge Arena (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

The arena

Not only is their staff the most progressive, but their new arena is as well. As part of an earlier 2017 memorandum of understanding between the city of Seattle and the Los Angeles-based Oak View Group (led by Leiweke’s older brother, Tim), OVG eventually proposed a $700 million renovation of the former KeyArena in 2018, just prior to the NHL’s announcement of the Seattle franchise. Eventual project costs increased to between $825 and $850 million.

The arena renovation did not come without its hangups, though. Landmark status of the arena’s exterior and roof was approved by a landmarks preservation board on Aug. 2, 2017, and the exterior was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 10, 2018. This played into the OVG renovation plans, as the proposal would lower the arena’s bowl 15 feet within the existing roof structure.

On June 25, 2020, Amazon.com and its CEO, Jeff Bezos, purchased the naming rights, changing the KeyArena’s name to Climate Pledge Arena. Bezos chose the name to call for action on climate change. As a result, Amazon and Global Optimism also announced The Climate Pledge, which calls on signatories to be net-zero carbon across their businesses by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement. The new home of the Kraken is expected to be the first net zero-carbon certified arena in the world and will “harness the power of sports and entertainment to inspire change on the climate crises.”

Climate Pledge Arena recently lit their new roof signage for the first time and plan to officially open in the summer of 2021.

Tuesday night’s lighting of @ClimateArena‘s faux-neon ‘crown ID’ was a glorious final step in creating a new entry on the Seattle skyline.

Here’s the story behind what you see → https://t.co/oAPKDIqzYz pic.twitter.com/1eiuRI5vuZ

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 10, 2020

The future

As of publication, Seattle has not named a head coach, but there are several familiar names who could get the head job. People mentioned as candidates are former Detroit and Toronto head coach Mike Babcock, former Florida and Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant and former Washington and Minnesota head coach Bruce Boudreau.

A wild card in this mix is former Swedish national team head coach Rikard Gronborg. Gronborg has had success everywhere he has gone and comes highly decorated. Currently, he is the head coach of the ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League, where they are one of the top teams. Many, including myself, feel as though he has paid his dues and deserves a shot in the NHL.

The two biggest events before opening night will undoubtedly be the NHL Expansion Draft and the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Most NHL fans should be familiar with the plans and rules of the expansion draft, especially ones in Vegas. The Kraken will select one player from each NHL team, except Vegas, for a total of 30 (14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies) and will fall under the following guidelines:

Seattle must choose a minimum of 20 players under contract for the 2021–22 regular season. Those players must have an aggregate Expansion Draft value that is between 60-100% of the 2021 season’s upper limit for the salary cap. They cannot buy out any players chosen earlier than the summer of 2022.

Current NHL teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, or eight skaters and one goalie. The following conditions set forth by the NHL must be met for the protected/exposed players:

• • All players with no-movement clauses at the time of the draft must be protected and will be counted toward their team’s protected list.
  • Players with no-movement clauses can only be exposed if they chose to voluntarily waive those clauses.
  • First and second-year NHL players will be exempt from selection and the protection list, as well as unsigned draft choices. 

In addition, all NHL teams must meet the following minimum requirements regarding players exposed for selection in the draft:

• • One defenseman who is

1. 1. 1. Under contract in 2021–22
      2. Played in at least 27 NHL games* in the 2021 season or played in at least 54 NHL games* in the prior two seasons.

• • Two forwards who are:

1. 1. 1. Under contract in 2021–22
      2. Played at least 27 NHL games* the prior season or played in at least 54 NHL games* in the prior two seasons.

• • One goalie who is:
    • Under contract in 2021–22

or 

• • • Will be a restricted free agent at the end of his current contract immediately prior to 2021–22.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. If a team chooses to make an RFA goalie available, that goalie must have a qualifying offer prior to the exposed list being submitted.

• Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 41 consecutive games* (or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury) may not be exposed unless approval is received from the NHL.

* These numbers were adjusted according to the shortened 2021 season

The Kraken are likely to get the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, similar to the Golden Knights in 2017, and would not be eligible for a chance at moving up in the draft lottery.

The outlook

Seattle has done so many good things since their selection as the next NHL franchise, and I would expect that to continue based on their progressive ownership and front office. From their team name to their logo, to their arena, to their analytical approach and to their inclusion practices, the Kraken are proving to be one of the pioneers of the next generation of NHL organizations.

I would not bet on them having the same success as the Vegas Golden Knights did in 2018, but they could certainly make the playoffs and even win a round in their inaugural season. The future is bright in Seattle for 2021.

The post Seattle Kraken: What to expect from the NHL’s 32nd team appeared first on The Rink.

Here are our picks:

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes

Cris:  CAR in 5

The biggest question mark on the Canes is their goaltending. However, their defense corps is one of, if not the best in the League. I think that, in the end, it is just too much for the Rangers to overcome.

Jeff:  CAR in 5

I really wanted to pick the Rangers. They have a three-headed monster in goal, promising youth, and MVP candidate Artemi Panarin. Unfortunately, they were the second worst team in the Metro this year. They just aren’t ready. I think they make it a series because the Canes have a pretty tense situation in goal, but it won’t be enough. Better days are ahead for the Rangers.

JJ:  CAR in 5

John:  NYR in 5

Just a hunch – Carolina’s playoff mojo doesn’t carry over to this year. The Rangers have the feel of a team on the rise in a hurry.

Juliana:  NYR in 5

I almost picked the Hurricanes. In my opinion, this series really hinges on two things: goaltending and if Dougie Hamilton can play for the Canes. This prediction is based off him not playing and Igor Shestyorkin stealing the show. It also helps that the Rangers have Hart candidate Panarin leading the offense. This will be one of the more interesting series to watch.

Marie:  CAR in 4

Let me just start by saying, I have no idea. I’m an AHL fan. I only halfway pay attention to the NHL so a lot of my picks will be based more on random feelings than actual facts. But I think Carolina tends to rally and play well when it matters most. As cliché as it sounds, it’s often about which team wants it more, and I think that’s Carolina.

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers

Cris:  EDM in 4

Corey Crawford missed the majority of training camp. Although both teams struggle to defend, the Oilers do have an edge with their goaltending. This should definitely be an interesting series to watch.

Jeff:  EDM in 4

Edmonton has holes but not as many as the Blackhawks have. Edmonton also has two of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.  In goal, both teams have question marks, but the Oiler hold the slight COVID edge. If Crawford was available for a full training camp, I would give the Blackhawks the edge in net, but he is really behind the curve. The Blackhawks were last in the Central for a reason. Their defense stinks.

JJ:  EDM in 5

This series I was split on, as I can really see either team taking this series in five games. However, I do believe that the Oilers will have a slight advantage over the Blackhawks. I think the Oilers offensive firepower will eventually prove to be too much for the Blackhawks, and that they just will not be able to put a quick stop to the dynamic duo of McDavid and Draisaitl.

John:  EDM in 4

Whether Crawford plays or not, the match-ups between the nets are in Edmonton’s favor, both center on center, and Edmonton’s blue line corps versus Chicago’s small, softish forwards. Not to mention what may be an absolutely sieve-like Chicago blue line against Edmonton’s overall forward corps.

Juliana:  EDM in 5

Edmonton is simply the better team. They have top-ranked special teams, McDavid, and Draisaitl. That’s really all you need to win. I think the Blackhawks can make this series tough for the Oilers, but they’re lacking too much defensively.

Marie:  EDM in 3

This hasn’t been Chicago’s year, and I don’t see that changing in the playoffs.

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders

Cris:  NYI in 5

This was a tough one. I do think that Florida could pull it off, seeing as they have the offense. However, after the season Sergei Bobrovsky has had, you can’t rely on him to steal the Panthers any games. While the Islanders have difficulty scoring, their defense definitely outperforms Florida’s. If Bobrovsky does manage to get hot at the right time though, this could be a totally different series.

Jeff:  NYI in 5

While I like the Florida roster overall, I think that the Isles’ stingy defense and goaltending will eventually be too much. If the Islanders get in trouble, Joel Quenneville can out-coach just about anybody. Even though they scored a lot of goals in the regular season, Florida just doesn’t have the high-end scoring they will need to overwhelm the Islanders. That said, Bobrovsky will be in goal for Florida and he has carried his team past better opponents in the playoffs.

JJ:  NYI in 4

John:  NYI in 5

Bobrovsky has been, at times, a good playoff goalie, but he has looked human too often for a $10 million a year guy.

Juliana:  NYI in 5

I truthfully think Florida is a more well-rounded team than the Islanders are, but Bobrovsky looked terrible in the exhibition game against Tampa and he’s been streaky throughout his entire career. If the Isles can tighten their defensive game and play like we know they can, they’ll easily win the series. But the Panthers have Joel Quenneville behind the bench and good offensive firepower. I still think the Isles pull through here.

Marie:  NYI in 5

Just seems like the Islanders are on a roll this season. It feels like they have something to prove.

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Cris:  PIT in 4

I would never count out a fully healthy Penguins team. The Canadiens just don’t have the depth necessary to combat that. As well, based on his performance over the last season or so, I do not expect Carey Price to be stealing any games for MON.

Jeff:  PIT in 4

Much like EDM over CHI, the Pens have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Montreal was the 12th seed for a reason. They just don’t have the firepower to take out Pittsburgh.

JJ:  PIT in 3

John:  PIT in 4

I agree with Gatekeeper, this one feels a lot like Chicago-Edmonton for similar reasons.

Juliana:  PIT in 3

Simple explanation: Price is not the goaltender he used to be and Montreal doesn’t have the star power that Pittsburgh does. If Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin didn’t come back, I’d say this series would be closer. But they’re back, so Pittsburgh has a great advantage.

Marie:  MON in 4

This is one of those cases where logic holds no sway with me. My football biases bleed over into hockey. I simply cannot pick the Steelers on Ice Penguins. Also, Alex Belzile (who played a big role when the Eagles won the Kelly Cup in 2017) made the Canadiens roster. I’m not saying he’s going to carry the team or anything, but I love him as a player and hope he gets a real shot (assuming he plays again after that hit he took on Tuesday). Therefore, I’ll cross my fingers and hope for Montreal to pull off the upset.

Jake Muzzin Alex Belzile #HFhits

Well. I guess they’re not going to stop being physical. pic.twitter.com/SfTonrpR6O

— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) July 29, 2020

Winnipeg Jets vs Calgary Flames

Cris:  WPG in 5

Connor Hellebuyck. The goalie has had an MVP caliber season, despite all the pieces WPG lost on the back end (Trouba, Byfuglien etc). Hellebuyck can and will steal the Jets games.

Jeff:  WPG in 5

If you asked this question prior to the season, I would have said Calgary, hands down. Hellebuyck was having an MVP worthy season for the second time in the last three years, though. A hot goaltender can win a cup for a team. I wouldn’t pick them as a cup winner, but Calgary has so many issues and too much drama.

JJ:  WPG in 5

John:  WPG in 5

Scheifele, Wheeler and Laine. This could be the year Winnipeg puts it all together and makes a run. They have the size and talent to be a brutalizing playoff team, and Hellebuyck is hot.

Juliana:  WPG in 5

Despite how similar these teams are on paper, Calgary lacks in goaltending while Winnipeg has Vezina candidate Hellebuyck in net. The stars of the Flames also had down years, while the stars of the Jets still played like stars. If he continues to play like he did during the regular season, the Jets will sneak out of this qualifying round.

Marie: Winner: WPG in 5

Hellebuyck. That is all.

Save and celly?

Connor Hellebuyck with the can't-miss highlights. pic.twitter.com/yTKLecVJ0i

— NHL (@NHL) September 19, 2019

Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators

Cris:  NSH in 5

ARI doesn’t have the scoring depth they will need. While I wouldn’t pick NSH to be a cup contender, they are a more well-rounded team than the Coyotes.

Jeff:  NSH in 4

I’d love to see this upset but I just don’t think ARI can pull it off. As long as the Preds get decent goaltending, they should be able to send the Coyotes home. That’s not to say that Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall can’t put a scare into the Preds, but I just can’t see it being enough to carry the Yotes.

JJ:  NSH in 4

John:  NSH in 5

In the end, the Yotes will not have enough versus a deep, albeit perennially under-performing Nashville team.

Juliana:  NSH in 4

Both of these teams greatly lack offense, but the defense of the Predators is simply better than the Coyotes. If Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros can be consistent in net, this is an easy series win for Nashville. If there’s any series where an upset can happen though, it could be this one.

Marie:  NSH in 4

Back when the Colorado Eagles were winning back-to-back Kelly Cups, a certain ECHL owner complained that his team, which (in his opinion) dominated the regular season by playing NHL-style hockey, consistently got beat in the ECHL playoffs. He felt the fast, furious, hard-hitting nature of the ECHL playoffs put his team at an unfair disadvantage. Well, like it or not, the playoffs are a whole different animal in just about any league. What worked in the regular season won’t always work in the post-season. Which is all my long-winded way of saying I don’t think Arizona’s style of hockey is going to cut it.

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Cris:  TOR in 4

Columbus is at their best when they are playing their system. Due to the break, the play-in round is going to be very similar to early season hockey, where games are decided by talent rather than the systems in place.

Jeff:  TOR in 5

I’d say TOR in 4 but it’s the Leafs. They will find a way to introduce some drama. Elvis Merzlikins is a nice story in goal for CBJ, but TOR can take this series on talent alone. Columbus’ -7 goal differential should be enough to send them to the second draft lottery.

JJ:  TOR in 4

John:  CBJ in 4

Columbus, like Winnipeg and Boston, is a team built more for the grind and attrition of the playoffs. They’re going to follow much the same prescription as they did in sweeping the Lightning last year. Probably not a popular pick, but the Jackets may pull off the early upset again. It’s also easy to see the officiating favor Toronto, in that the games are in Toronto, and it’s… Toronto. That could shift the series very much in the opposite direction.

Juliana:  TOR in 5

This is another fun series everyone should pay attention to. The Blue Jackets are relatively healthy now, and so are the Leafs. While Columbus has a way better defense corps than Toronto, the Leafs have a monstrous offense that can score their way out of almost anything. I’d love to say Leafs in 3 or 4 games, but we know better than to say that. Still, I think Toronto pulls away with a series win.

Marie:  CJB in 4

I’m basing this largely on their sweep of Tampa in last year’s playoffs. They’re a team on a mission.

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks

Cris:  VAN in 5

I do believe MIN will put up a fight; however, as I mentioned above, the play in rounds will likely be more reliant on talent. Vancouver has the edge there.

Jeff:  VAN in 3

Vancouver has a solid team that has promising young players at every position. Minnesota is stuck between over-the-hill vets and unproven youth. I’m not a Devan Dubnyk fan and feel like he puts up decent regular season stats and then turns back into a pumpkin in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a ton of goals while the Canucks scored a ton. This should make for a short series for the team from the, “State of Hockey.”

JJ:  VAN in 5

John:  VAN in 3

Sort of like the Rangers-Carolina prediction. Vancouver just has that feel of a team on a quick rise, where Minnesota is more like Chicago. A team sort of stuck in the middle of the pack and lacking a clear character at this point.

Juliana:  VAN in 5

As boring as the Wild can be, the Canucks give away games like it’s free food. Ultimately, it comes down to lines and defensive pairs clicking. If Vancouver’s top six can score like we know they can, this is an easy series win, but who knows how many defensive lapses they’ll make. I think this series will be closer than some might think, but the Canucks will be heading into the first round of the playoffs.

Marie:  MIN in 5

This is another case where there’s not a lot of logic behind my pick. The two Wild teams (Minnesota and their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild) seem to pull off victories when I least want them to. I’m predicting that trend will hold true and some really ugly wins will carry them through the qualifying round.

What do you think?

Tell us your thoughts! 

Are we wrong? 

Who do you think will move on to the next round?

The post Round Table: The-Rink staff play-in predictions appeared first on The Rink.

The NHLPA voted last week to approve the 24-team format proposed by the Return to Play committee. The top four teams in each conference would play each other in a mini-tournament to decide seeding, while seeds five through 12 in each conference would play a best-of-five “play-in” round.

In his news conference, Bettman said the Return To Play committee was still deciding whether the format would be a bracket or use reseeding, as well as if the playoff round where the field would be down to 16 teams, would remain a best-of-seven games or use a best-of-five games format like in the play-in round.

Also, the play-in round will not be considered “playoffs,” as pointed out by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun:

NHL says the round-robin/play-in are considered Qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs. And while this could still change, the NHL as of now considers that round a special set of games and not actual playoffs. So for record-keeping purposes, the playoffs weren't expanded from 16

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 26, 2020

The league released a memo Monday announcing it targeted early June as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol. Phase 2 includes the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice.

According to the 29-page memo, “It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last. We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

In his news conference, Bettman deemed the 2019–20 season officially closed. Regular season awards can be voted on and regular season records and stats will be final as of March 12.

Bettman said that he did not believe that NHL training camps, which are part of Phase 3 of the return to play process, would be open before the first half of July.

On the topic of the NHL Draft Lottery, Bettman made clear that there would be 15 teams eligible for the lottery for the top three picks of the draft: The seven teams already eliminated from any postseason play, and the eight teams that will be eliminated during the play-in round.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie broke down the draft process:

NHL Draft Lottery will be on Friday June 26. The Nos. 1, 2 and 3 picks will be up for grabs. Fifteen teams — the seven who are no longer playing plus 8 more currently identified as Teams A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H — will be in the lottery. Same lottery odds as prior years.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

If the winner of the No. 1 pick draw comes from the bottom 7 seven teams (DET, OTT, SJ (belongs to OTT), LA, ANA, NJ, BUF), that team is awarded No. 1. If the winner of the No. 1 pick draw comes from the other 8 teams, the No. 1 pick will be awarded in the Phase 2 lottery.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

If the winner of the No. 3 pick draw comes from the bottom 7 seven teams (DET, OTT, SJ (belongs to OTT), LA, ANA, NJ, BUF), that team is awarded No. 3. If the winner of the No. 3 pick draw comes from the other 8 teams, the No. 3 pick will be awarded in the Phase 2 lottery.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

Everyone clear? Good.

There are still massive amounts of details for the NHL to iron out before the 24-team playoff format can actually begin, including testing procedures, hub cities for games to be played and safety of the teams and personnel involved in making these games happen.

On the subject of hub cities to host the play-in rounds and the playoffs, TSN’s Frank Seravalli and The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline and Thomas Drance gave insight prior to Bettman’s Tuesday news conference:

Don't believe decision coming today on hub cities. But hearing 10 teams still in running to be a hub. List includes: Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 26, 2020

Columbus is still under consideration to be a hub city for the #NHL’s re-start.

But told hub cities won’t be part of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s announcement at 4:30 p.m. ET today.#CBJ

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 26, 2020

Told that on the NHL general manager's call Vancouver was among the markets listed as still being under consideration as a hub city.

No decision as of yet, but aside from Columbus – as @Aportzline reported – most of the hub cities are in the West.

— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) May 26, 2020

Bettman confirmed in his news conference that there are 10 cities being considered, including Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, Edmonton, Dallas, St. Paul (Minnesota), Vancouver, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Hub city considerations were based around testing capacity, local government quarantine policies and the caseloads in the cities considered. Bettman estimated the two conference hub cities will be selected within the next three or four weeks.

The league taking these first steps are a hopeful sign toward completing the 2019–20 season and naming a 2020 Stanley Cup champion.

The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1893, with two exceptions: 1919 because of the Spanish flu outbreak and 2005 when the league’s lockout led to the cancellation of the entire 2004–05 season.

The post NHL makes 24-team return to play format official, lays out draft lottery process appeared first on The Rink.

The NHLPA Executive Board authorized further negotiations with the NHL on the league’s “return to play” plan late Friday night. The plan’s format would be an expanded 24-team playoff to determine the 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion.

“The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” a statement from the NHLPA said. “Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.​”

Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche congratulates Pavel Francouz #39 following their 1-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

In the 24-team playoff format, the top four seeds in each conference, based on points percentage, qualify for “first-round” byes to begin the postseason. The next eight teams in the Eastern and Western conferences would then play in a best-of-five “play-in” round of the playoffs.

The top four teams in the Eastern Conference (Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, and Philadelphia) and the top four in the Western Conference (St. Louis, Colorado, Dallas, and Vegas) would play each other to determine the top four seeds while the opening “play-in” round took place for the Eastern and Western seeds five through twelve.

A look at the opening round of the Eastern Conference:

• 5. Pittsburgh vs. 12. Montreal – winner plays the four seed
• 6. Carolina vs. 11. Rangers – winner plays the three seed
• 7. Islanders vs. 10. Florida – winner plays the two seed
• 8. Toronto vs. 9. Columbus – winner plays the one seed

Toronto’s Mitch Marner, left, and Columbus’ Seth Jones fight for the puck during the first period of the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 win against the Blue Jackets. (Jay LaPrete/The Associated Press)

Here is the opening round of the Western Conference:

• 5. Edmonton vs. 12. Chicago – winner plays the four seed
• 6. Nashville vs. 11. Arizona – winner plays the three seed
• 7. Vancouver vs. 10. Minnesota – winner plays the two seed
• 8. Calgary vs. 9. Winnipeg – winner plays the one seed

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks.

There is the chance that the return to play format could change once the dust settles, as reported by Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun:

Even with this affirmative vote, there are still some details with the 24-team playoff format still to be worked out between the NHL and NHLPA. One of them is whether they'll go ahead with a playoff bracket or use reseeding.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 23, 2020

To recap: the NHLPA has agreed to the format itself even though there are other important issues and elements to negotiate. The NHL now will go through its own process and I would expect some form of announcement within the next few days.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 23, 2020

The timeline for the NHL to return to play still is undetermined. Important factors like testing, travel, hub cities, etc. are all under consideration. The most important thing the NHL and the NHLPA must ensure is the health and safety of the players, coaches, team personnel, and all those involved in the hosting of the games when the league does return to the ice.

Until then, this is a hopeful step forward for the NHL and hockey fans alike.

The post NHLPA authorizes further negotiations on NHL 24-team return to play format appeared first on The Rink.

Congrats on a wonderful career, Wardo!

Proud we got to be a part of it. pic.twitter.com/AoiXUchvLx

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 28, 2019

Ward was drafted by Carolina in the first round of the 2002 entry draft (25th overall). He played for the team from 2005 until 2018, when he signed a one-year free-agent contract to play for the Blackhawks.

His career stared with a whirlwind performance in the 2006 playoffs, as he backstopped the Hurricanes to a surprising Stanley Cup championship, while also collecting the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. He had a solid career, but was never able to recapture the magic of that 2006 Canes playoff run. In the 2008–09 season, Ward set single-season Hurricanes records for wins with 39, shutouts with six, winning-streak with nine games and the single-game record for saves with 57. He finished his playing career in Chicago last season with the Blackhawks, putting up a 16–12–4 record, 3.67 goals against average and .897 save percentage.

For his career, Ward played in 701 NHL regular season games, had a record of 334–256–88 and had a 2.74 career goals against average. He only qualified for the playoffs in two of his 14 seasons but amassed a 23–18 record and 2.38 goals against average in 41 games played.

The post BREAKING: Former Blackhawks goalie Cam Ward retires appeared first on The Rink.

This year’s draft is intriguing for a number of reasons. This draft class is notorious for having a boatload of high-end defensemen available, as well as a handful of top-end wingers. Looking at the last five drafts, nine defensemen were selected in each of the first rounds of the 2013, 2016 and 2017 drafts, while only eight were selected in the first round in 2015 and just five in the first round in 2014. However, in a draft class with as much blue line quality as this year’s, the first round tonight could see as many as 13 defensemen selected if our top 31 players are all selected or if tonight’s events mimic the mock draft below. The last time at least 10 defensemen were selected in the first round of a draft was 2012, when 13 were chosen, including a remarkable eight of the first 10 players selected.

Additionally, there is seemingly no guarantee about what will unfold after the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes pick first and second, respectively. Montreal holds the third pick, and being in the market for a first line center, the Canadiens could opt to move the pick for immediate help. Or, if Montreal keeps the pick, they could decide to go a bit off the board to get their long-desired top pivot instead of drafting a higher-ranked player like Filip Zadina or Brady Tkachuk.

With the fourth pick, the Ottawa Senators have a decision to make. Ottawa must give up either this pick or their first round pick next year to the Colorado Avalanche to complete the Matt Duchene trade. If the Senators send this pick to Colorado, they will miss out on a player like Zadina or Tkachuk, who would be a big building block moving forward in their rebuild. But, if they choose to keep this pick and send next year’s first round pick, they may miss out on the chance to draft first overall and pick phenom Jack Hughes were they to win the draft lottery after what is expected to be another poor season.

Other teams within the top 10 may also consider moving their picks, though likely only if the return is strong enough. Rumors have swirled regarding the availability of the first round picks belonging to Arizona, Detroit, Vancouver and Chicago, who pick fifth through eighth, respectively. It is also possible some huge names could be on the move as well throughout the evening. Additionally, with all of the aforementioned teams needing help on their blue lines, it is possible highly ranked players like Zadina and Tkachuk could slide down the draft board.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at what might happen in what is shaping up to be a very exciting first round tonight. Though some of these picks could be moved prior to the selection, they will be predicted as the draft order currently stands.

1. Buffalo Sabres
Team Needs: LW, D, G
Options with the pick: Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov

Draft selection: Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frolunda (Sweden)

The Sabres take the slam dunk, can’t-miss Swedish phenom who will immediately upgrade their defense and be a face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. While Svechnikov would be a worthy first overall pick in other years, there is no mistaking what the Sabres have available to them in Dahlin. He is a franchise-altering, generational player who will help bring Buffalo out of their long and painful rebuild.

2. Carolina Hurricanes
Team Needs: C, RW, G
Options with the pick: Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Brady Tkachuk

Draft selection: Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL)

The Hurricanes pick the dynamic Russian goal scorer to become their long-term go-to offensive weapon. Svechnikov finally gives Carolina a legitimate top-end scorer who will fit in nicely with the likes of young stars Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen and top prospect Martin Necas.

3. Montreal Canadiens
Team Needs: C, RW, D
Options with the pick: Filip Zadina, Brady Tkachuk, Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Draft selection: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Assat (Finland)

Montreal indeed goes off the board to get their hopeful first line center of the future. Kotkaniemi rocketed up the draft rankings this spring and established himself as the best center available. Though he may not have the elite offensive ability of Zadina or the all-around heavy game of Tkachuk, Kotkaniemi fills Montreal’s biggest need.

4. Ottawa Senators
Team Needs: LW and D
Options with the pick: Filip Zadina, Brady Tkachuk, Noah Dobson, Quintin Hughes, Adam Boqvist

Draft selection: Filip Zadina, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Despite right wing not necessarily being an area of great need for the Senators, they take the best player available in Zadina, a high-end sniper. Zadina should become a huge piece of Ottawa’s offense moving forward as they navigate their tricky rebuild. For what it’s worth, if this pick is moved to the Avalanche, they would likely take Zadina, too.

5. Arizona Coyotes
Team Needs: RW and D
Options with the pick: Brady Tkachuk, Noah Dobson, Quintin Hughes, Evan Bouchard, Oliver Wahlstrom, Adam Boqvist

Draft selection: Brady Tkachuk, LW, Boston University (NCAA)

Arizona grabs the best player available in Tkachuk, making him a second-generation Coyote after his father, Keith. While Arizona could easily look toward taking a defenseman, Tkachuk is just too good to pass up. If a player like Tkachuk does not adequately round out Arizona’s plethora of high-end young forwards, not many would.

6. Detroit Red Wings
Team Needs: RW, D, G
Options with the pick: Noah Dobson, Quintin Hughes, Evan Bouchard, Oliver Wahlstrom, Adam Boqvist

Draft selection: Quintin Hughes, D, University of Michigan (NCAA)

The Red Wings go for the slam dunk pick in the smooth Wolverine defenseman. Hughes gives Detroit a legitimate long-term top-pairing defenseman. His familiarity with playing in Michigan (both with the US National Team Development Program and for the Wolverines) is a nice fit as well. While Hughes may be a bit one-dimensional, this pick just makes sense.

7. Vancouver Canucks
Team Needs: RW and D
Options with the pick: Noah Dobson, Evan Bouchard, Oliver Wahlstrom, Adam Boqvist

Draft selection: Noah Dobson, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

Vancouver goes for the best player available in Dobson, who increased his draft stock with an excellent showing in the postseason en route to a Memorial Cup championship. Filling a big need doesn’t hurt, either. Dobson is a smooth-skating, two-way defenseman who can play in all situations and log big minutes.

8. Chicago Blackhawks
Team Needs: C, RW, D
Options with the pick: Evan Bouchard, Oliver Wahlstrom, Adam Boqvist, Barrett Hayton, Joe Veleno

Draft selection: Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, USNTDP U-18 (USHL)

The Blackhawks get their guy in Wahlstrom, a lethal finisher. While wingers are not necessarily the biggest need for Chicago, Wahlstrom should be able to finally fill the void next to Jonathan Toews on the Hawks’ top line and give the team a legitimate top-end sniper. Another option could be slotting him in opposite Patrick Kane if head coach Joel Quenneville would rather keep Alex DeBrincat on the first line. A combination of Wahlstrom and Kane could be devastating for the opposition. Bouchard and Boqvist may have drawn more consideration from the Blackhawks if they were left-handed, as the Hawks likely feel they are set for the future on the right side with 2017 draftees Henri Jokiharju and Ian Mitchell. By selecting Wahlstrom, Chicago cements their top-six forward group for the foreseeable future, with Wahlstrom joining Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Brandon Saad and Nick Schmaltz.

9. New York Rangers
Team Needs: RW and D
Options with the pick: Evan Bouchard, Adam Boqvist, Ty Smith

Draft selection: Evan Bouchard, D, London (OHL)

The Rangers snag the best player available in Bouchard, a high-scoring offensive defenseman. New York does not have much in the cupboard in terms of right-handed defensemen behind Kevin Shattenkirk, so Bouchard gives them a legitimate top-four right-handed defensemen who should be a valuable piece of their rebuild moving forward.

10. Edmonton Oilers
Team Needs: RW, D, G
Options with the pick: Adam Boqvist, Barrett Hayton, Joe Veleno, Ty Smith, Joel Farabee

Draft selection: Adam Boqvist, D, Brynas (Sweden)

Assuming Wahlstrom, Edmonton’s top target, is taken by Chicago, the Oilers will instead look to Boqvist, a high-end right-handed offensive defenseman, something the Oilers are lacking. He has all the tools needed to be an elite offensive defenseman in the future. Adding another high-end option to get the puck to Connor McDavid is nice as well.

11. New York Islanders
Team Needs: C, D, G
Options with the pick: Barrett Hayton, Joe Veleno, Ty Smith, Bode Wilde

Draft selection: Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Islanders are in good shape with wingers, and with no goaltenders expected to be taken in the first round, they can focus on picking a center and a defenseman with their back-to-back picks. With the future of John Tavares currently uncertain, the Islanders would like to shore up down the middle in case Tavares leaves Long Island. Hayton, although not close to what Tavares brings, is the best center available, boasting a reliable two-way game. With newly crowned Calder Trophy winner Mathew Barzal being the future of the Islanders in the middle, Hayton would be able to comfortably slot in as a number two center, a role he could excel in, especially with the talented wingers he would likely find himself between.

12. New York Islanders (Acquired from Calgary)
Team Needs: C, D, G
Options with the pick: Joe Veleno, Ty Smith, Bode Wilde

Draft selection: Ty Smith, D, Spokane (WHL)

Turning their attention to their second pick, the Islanders take the best defenseman available in Smith, a good two-way blueliner who excelled in an expanded role this season with Spokane.

13. Dallas Stars
Team Needs: C and RW
Options with the pick: Joe Veleno, Joel Farabee, Grigori Denisenko, Vitali Kravtsov

Draft selection: Joe Veleno, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)

Dallas picks the best player available in Veleno, who will add solid center depth for the Stars. Veleno is a very well-rounded player, similar to Jonathan Toews, and while lacking an elite ceiling, he should become a nice long-term piece in Dallas.

14. Philadelphia Flyers (Acquired from St. Louis)
Team Needs: LW and RW
Options with the pick: Joel Farabee, Grigori Denisenko, Vitali Kravtsov, Serron Noel

Draft selection: Joel Farabee, LW, USNTDP U-18 (USHL)

With plenty of options available on the wing, the Flyers opt for Farabee, an undersized, but skilled left winger. Farabee is at his best when playing with highly skilled line mates, as he played on a line with Wahlstrom and 2019 top prospect Jack Hughes, and Philadelphia can certainly offer that.

15. Florida Panthers
Team Needs: RW and G
Options with the pick: Grigori Denisenko, Vitali Kravtsov, Serron Noel

Draft selection: Vitali Kravtsov, RW, Chelyabinsk (Russia)

Florida goes with the best right wing available in Kravtsov, who has improved his draft stock in the spring, climbing all the way to being the third-ranked European skater according to NHL Central Scouting behind Dahlin and Boqvist. While Kravtsov is not close to jumping to the NHL, he should pan out in the long run and prove to be a wise pick.

16. Colorado Avalanche
Team Needs: LW, D, G
Options with the pick: Grigori Denisenko, Serron Noel, Rasmus Sandin, Isac Lundestrom, Bode Wilde

Draft selection: Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl (Russia)

The Avalanche take the best player available in one of the highest-skilled players in the entire draft class. Denisenko will need some time before joining the Avs, but he could make a huge impact alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen down the road. Denisenko resembles Patrick Kane in the sense he is incredibly slippery and can make world-class plays with the puck. Adding a player like that to an already-dangerous Avalanche offense is a scary thought for opponents.

17. New Jersey Devils
Team Needs: LW and RW
Options with the pick: Serron Noel, Martin Kaut, Isac Lundestrom, Ryan McLeod, Dominik Bokk

Draft selection: Martin Kaut, RW, Pardubice (Czech Republic)

New Jersey looks at their needs and what is available and decides on Kaut, a solid two-way right winger from the Czech Republic. He plays a game similar to Marian Hossa, and improved his draft stock with an excellent showing at the World Junior Championship playing on a line with Zadina and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Martin Necas. Kaut’s ability to be a high-end playmaker is too much for the Devils to look past, envisioning Kaut forming a future trio with MVP Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets
Team Needs: C
Options with the pick: Isac Lundestrom, Akil Thomas, Rasmus Kupari, Ryan McLeod

Draft selection: Isac Lundestrom, C, Lulea (Sweden)

With the Blue Jackets in pretty good shape in all areas for the future, they can take whoever they feel is the best player available. While there are plenty of solid options at center, Lundestrom has the best two-way game, a big plus for a team with the high-end offensive defensemen Columbus has.

19. Philadelphia Flyers
Team Needs: LW and RW
Options with the pick: Serron Noel, Rasmus Sandin, Dominik Bokk, Bode Wilde

Draft selection: Bode Wilde, D, USNTDP U-18 (USHL)

Though not a need at the NHL level, the Flyers have made it known they would like to add another defenseman, ideally right-handed, with one of their picks. Farabee was too good to pass up with the 14th pick, and their guy is still on the board at 19th in Wilde, a wild (no pun intended) pony with a cannon of a shot and plenty of upside. General Manager Ron Hextall comes away with two of his top targets and is thrilled.

20. Los Angeles Kings
Team Needs: D
Options with the pick: Rasmus Sandin, Jared McIsaac, K’Andre Miller

Draft selection: Rasmus Sandin, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Los Angeles has not drafted a defenseman in the first round in a while and are lacking quality defensive prospects. As such, they grab the safest defenseman available in Sandin, who played a solid two-way game this season for the Greyhounds.

21. San Jose Sharks
Team Needs: LW and D
Options with the pick: Serron Noel, Jared McIsaac, Akil Thomas, Dominik Bokk, K’Andre Miller

Draft selection: Dominik Bokk, RW, Vaxjo (Sweden)

The Sharks are generally in pretty good shape, so they can afford to take a shot on a player who will take a bit longer to develop. At this point in the draft, Bokk probably has the most skill and upside.

22. Ottawa Senators (Acquired from Pittsburgh)
Team Needs: LW and D
Options with the pick: Serron Noel, Jared McIsaac, K’Andre Miller

Draft selection: K’Andre Miller, D, USNTDP U-18 (USHL)

Ottawa needs to shore up their blue line, especially with the possible departure of Erik Karlsson. While Miller will need time to develop, he has the highest ceiling among the defensemen available. With the rebuild in Ottawa starting to kick into full gear, waiting for Miller should not be an issue.

23. Anaheim Ducks
Team Needs: LW
Options with the pick: Serron Noel, Akil Thomas, Rasmus Kupari

Draft selection: Akil Thomas, C, Niagara (OHL)

Anaheim is set on the back end for the foreseeable future, and while currently strong down the middle, select Thomas, a well-rounded, hard-working player with nice offensive upside. He can play center and wing, which will give the Ducks added flexibility.

24. Minnesota Wild
Team Needs: RW
Options with the pick: Serron Noel, Jared McIsaac, Jett Woo

Draft selection: Serron Noel, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

New Minnesota General Manager Paul Fenton cannot believe Noel is still on the board at 24, grabbing him in a heartbeat. Noel is extremely raw and will need a lot of time to develop, but his amazing combination of size, speed and skill give him among the highest ceilings out of any of the players in the draft class.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs
Team Needs: C and D
Options with the pick: Jared McIsaac, Rasmus Kupari, Ryan McLeod, Jett Woo, Ryan Merkley

Draft selection: Rasmus Kupari, C, Karpat (Finland)

The Maple Leafs and new General Manager Kyle Dubas have made it clear the team will be picking the best player available when they are on the clock with the 25th pick. Kupari is very gifted offensively and would be a nice addition to Toronto’s young, high-end offense.

26. New York Rangers (Acquired from Boston)
Team Needs: RW and D
Options with the pick: Jared McIsaac, Ryan McLeod, Jett Woo, Mattias Samuelsson, Ryan Merkley

Draft selection: Jared McIsaac, D, Halifax (QMJHL)

The Rangers opt to take the best player available with their second of three first round picks, adding a nice left-handed defenseman in McIsaac. He is a beast to play against defensively, which will nicely complement New York’s group of skilled blueliners.

27. Chicago Blackhawks (Acquired from Nashville)
Team Needs: C, RW, D
Options with the pick: Ryan McLeod, Jett Woo, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Mattias Samuelsson, Ryan Merkley, Calen Addison, Nicolas Beaudin

Draft selection: Nicolas Beaudin, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)

After bypassing two high-end defensemen at pick eight, the Blackhawks go a bit off the board to take a player they really like in Beaudin. Beaudin fits the bill of what the Hawks love in puck-moving defensemen, and being left-handed will help his cause, as Chicago already has their long-term right-handed defensemen in Henri Jokiharju and Ian Mitchell, as mentioned earlier. However, if the team would rather grab a more defensively minded player, Jett Woo and Mattias Samuelsson are good, left-handed options.

28. New York Rangers (Acquired from Tampa Bay)
Team Needs: RW and D
Options with the pick: Ryan McLeod, Jett Woo, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Mattias Samuelsson, Ryan Merkley, Jesse Ylonen

Draft selection: Jesse Ylonen, RW, Espoo (Finland)

With their final first round pick, the Rangers take a shot on Ylonen, a skilled Finnish winger. He has high-end offensive ability, but needs to work on his defensive game and get stronger. But, despite the risk, the potential high reward could certainly pay off, especially given New York already made two picks.

29. St. Louis Blues (Acquired from Winnipeg)
Team Needs: C and D
Options with the pick: Ryan McLeod, Jett Woo, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Mattias Samuelsson, Ryan Merkley

Draft selection: Ryan McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)

St. Louis takes a shot on the best player still available in McLeod, one of the best skaters in this year’s draft class. He really needs to work on his physical game, as he currently does not embrace contact at all, something he will need to add to his game to excel in the NHL. Additionally, his seeming lack of motivation and drive makes him fall a bit on the draft board. But, despite the high risk, the potential high reward could certainly pay off, especially given St. Louis needs to add a high-end center, something McLeod can become…if he wants to.

30. Detroit Red Wings (Acquired from Vegas)
Team Needs: RW, D, G
Options with the pick: Jett Woo, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Mattias Samuelsson, Ryan Merkley, Calen Addison, Alexander Alexeyev

Draft selection: Mattias Samuelsson, D, USNTDP U-18 (USHL)

After picking elite offensive defenseman Quintin Hughes, the Red Wings grab Samuelsson, a solid defenseman with a huge frame. While Samuelsson has managed to put up respectable offensive numbers thus far in his career, he does not project as a high-scoring blue liner, rather, a highly effective and reliable defender who can occasionally contribute offensively, which is exactly the role Detroit will want him to fill behind Hughes.

31. Washington Capitals
Team Needs: RW and D
Options with the pick: Ryan Merkley, Calen Addison, Alexander Alexeyev

Draft selection: Calen Addison, D, Lethbridge (WHL)

Clearly, the Stanley Cup champions have an excellent and deep team with few holes. With the possible departure of stud blue liner John Carlson this summer, the Caps opt for Addison, a right-handed puck-moving defenseman with great skating ability.

The first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft begins tonight at 7:30 EST on NBCSN. Rounds two through seven begin Saturday at 11 a.m. EST on NHL Network.

The post 2018 NHL Entry Draft Preview and Mock Draft appeared first on The Rink.

Finally in the series of prospect profiles is our top-ranked prospect, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

Rasmus Dahlin
2017–18 Team: Frolunda (Sweden)
Date of Birth: April 13, 2000
Place of Birth: Trollhattan, Sweden
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 1 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 1 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: A hybrid between Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman

Elite. Franchise-altering. Generational. When the skating ability of Erik Karlsson, the physical command on the ice of Victor Hedman and the smarts of Nicklas Lidstrom are combined into one player, people tend to take notice, especially when that player possesses those traits at just 18 years of age. Such is the case with the undisputed top prospect of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

Dahlin is everything anyone could ask for and more. He is the complete package. He is unquestionably the best the 2018 draft class has to offer, period. Dahlin is the type of player teams dream of. For the Buffalo Sabres, who hold the first overall pick in this year’s draft, that dream will become a reality tomorrow night.

Skating is arguably Dahlin’s biggest strength. He has outstanding speed, acceleration, edgework and agility. Dahlin makes skating look easy. He seamlessly transitions from forward to backward and vice versa with ease and can get up to his top speed in either direction in the matter of a couple of strides. Dahlin has good leg strength, which allows him to be stable on his feet and to generate power, helping him create separation from opponents. His edgework allows him to weave in and out of defenders at top speed, making him very difficult to contain. Dahlin has an uncanny ability to cut to the middle of the ice in the offensive zone to create high-quality scoring chances.

Dahlin has excellent offensive skills. He has an accurate shot with a quick release, though not incredibly powerful. He is not afraid to use any of his shots, as his wrist shot, snapshot, slap shot, one-timer and backhand are all good. Dahlin has a knack for getting the puck through traffic and on goal. Dahlin has great patience with the puck, which he regularly uses to create better shooting lanes for himself.

Dahlin is an excellent passer as well. He can make quick, hard, accurate breakout passes and can also make tape-to-tape stretch passes. Dahlin’s excellent vision helps him find his teammates. Dahlin’s hockey sense also helps him identify the best decision to make with the puck, which he is then able to execute.

Stickhandling is another big strength for Dahlin. He is very comfortable putting the puck through and around defenders, seemingly with ease. Dahlin is very capable of making even the best defenders look bad. His hands allow him to make plays at high speed as well. Dahlin’s awareness helps him with maneuvering the puck on the rush, as he is able to identify openings and potential threats.

Dahlin is very good defensively. He uses his big body to get in the way of opponents on the rush and forecheck. Dahlin’s skating ability allows him to cover a ton of ice and cover up mistakes made by himself or teammates. Dahlin’s skating, passing and hockey sense allow him to be deadly in transition, as he can either make a quick breakout pass or carry the puck himself. Dahlin’s ability to play on either side is the cherry on top.

If there is anything Dahlin could improve on, it would be his strength. At 6’3”, he has a big frame, but at only 185 pounds, he has plenty of room to grow. Adding strength would improve his shot, making him even more dangerous offensively. Adding bulk would also help his defensive game, making it easier for him to clear the front of the net and win board battles. Additionally, Dahlin does not mind throwing his body around to make hits, and if he wants to do that in the NHL, he will need to add some more muscle.

Overall, Dahlin is an incredibly special player who boasts as complete a package as any defenseman in the draft in a long time. He is a can’t-miss prospect who will become a household name among hockey fans almost immediately. Scouts and analysts are often very hesitant to use superlatives with prospects and compare them to current or past NHL players, but with Dahlin, he is fully deserving of the praise and more. For Sabres fans, sit back, relax and enjoy tomorrow night, because your franchise’s future is about to change.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Simply put, get used to seeing him two times each year when the Hawks play Buffalo. The trio of Dahlin, Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt are the foundation for a lengthy rebuild in Buffalo that should finally be coming into the daylight. The trio in some ways could remind people of Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, respectively, and how they brought the Blackhawks to the NHL’s pinnacle. Buffalo still needs to add some other pieces, but the foundation is in place.

Timeline
Dahlin is already NHL-ready. He will step right into Buffalo’s lineup and be a dynamic defenseman from the get-go. He should be in contention for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Projection
The sky is the limit for Dahlin. He will be an elite, franchise-altering number one defenseman for Buffalo. He has the ability to become one of, if not the best defenseman in the game. He has already been touted as the best defensive prospect in a long time and has regularly been compared to the likes of Karlsson, Hedman and Lidstrom. That says all that one needs to know. Currently, that group plus Borje Salming is likely the Mount Rushmore of Swedish defensemen. But, that very well may need to be reconsidered in the future…Dahlin has the ability to be that good.

What others are saying
“Dahlin has the skating, skills and elite hockey sense that can dictate the style of play and the pace of a game with or without the puck. He finds ways to contribute in all situations, is ultra-competitive and a high-character person who leads by example.”
— Dan Marr/NHL Central Scouting

“The NHL defenseman now needs to combine skill and skating as primary attributes over size and Dahlin combines all these attributes like no other player in the draft. He has size and strength…and continues to gain mass and fill out. Dahlin has exceptional vision and anticipation and seems to see plays well ahead of his competition. His agility and skating combined with his hockey sense makes him near impossible to check or stop at the level he is currently playing in; which is pro hockey in the SHL. With the puck on his stick, he has…the ability to control the puck while at speed and under duress and has a bag full of tricks and dekes to beat defenders. His shot is the one aspect of his game he wants to improve as it isn’t overly powerful but is very accurate and often finds the net through traffic from the point. His passing ability is excellent, he makes long stretch passes and has an uncanny ability to find open teammates, perhaps lending to the Erik Karlsson comparisons.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects

“An electrifying defenseman with ankle-breaking moves, Dahlin is ready to show the NHL what he’s made of. He’s been called the Swedish Bobby Orr, but Dahlin’s passing ability and puck control techniques are quite unique for a defender from any era.”
— Steve Kournianos/Sporting News

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Rasmus Dahlin appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 2nd-ranked prospect, right wing Andrei Svechnikov.

Andrei Svechnikov
2017–18 Team: Barrie (OHL)
Date of Birth: March 26, 2000
Place of Birth: Barnaul, Russia
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 192 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 1
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 1

NHL Comparable: Vladimir Tarasenko

Andrei Svechnikov is a Russian offensive dynamo who played for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League this season. The big winger possessing excellent skating and shooting drew some consideration to be the first overall pick this year, which says a lot about his ability, as expected first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin projects to be a generational defenseman. Svechnikov’s offensive tool box makes him a monster who is virtually impossible to defend.

Perhaps the biggest thing that stands out about Svechnikov is his amazing shooting ability. He can score seemingly at will with his vast arsenal of shots. While he usually defaults to his wrist shot, his snapshot, slap shot, one-timer and even backhand are all high-end shots. Each of his various shots have excellent power and accuracy and are released very quickly. His shooting makes him a threat to score from anywhere in the offensive zone. There is no doubt his shot is ready for NHL goaltenders. Svechnikov also has great hand-eye coordination, allowing him to make deft deflections to score as well.

Svechnikov possesses excellent skating ability. He has great top-end speed and good acceleration. He enjoys using his speed to beat defenders to the outside, and then uses his fantastic edgework to cut swiftly to the net, all while using his big body to protect the puck. Svechnikov’s agility makes him difficult to defend, as he can easily slip away from pressure into open ice. Svechnikov has a very powerful stride thanks to his strong legs, which also give him great balance and stability. This stability helps him around the net to gain and maintain positioning, as well as winning board battles in the offensive zone.

Passing and vision is another strength for Svechnikov. Svechnikov knows he is a scoring threat when he has the puck, and though he generally is a shoot-first player, he has no issues distributing the puck to his teammates, usually in very good positions to score. Svechnikov has the ability to thread the needle on difficult passes and also enjoys creative passing plays, particularly around the net. His passing ability makes him an even more dangerous offensive threat, as he is not a one-trick pony. His ability to read plays and execute his decisions makes him an elite offensive talent.

To round out his excellent offensive game, Svechnikov also possesses outstanding hands. He is a dazzling stickhandler, which he uses very well in one-on-one situations and in tight to the net. The combination of his great hands and skating makes him incredibly difficult to contain for defenders. Svechnikov is able to make moves at top speed, allowing him to be in control of the game. His hands are very quick, helping him to score on rebounds and quick net-front plays. Svechnikov’s high-end hands and shooting also allow him to be good in the shootout.

While not necessarily amazing in his defensive end, Svechnikov holds his own defensively. He is already a better defender than most highly skilled forwards. While he can have a tendency to not show as much effort defensively, he has improved. Svechnikov still needs to grow in his understanding of defensive coverage and positioning, but that will come with time and good coaching. Given his great skating and offensive ability, Svechnikov can transition play from defense to offense in a heartbeat.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Barring an unforeseen dealing of the second overall pick by Carolina, Svechnikov will be heading to Raleigh to help bring the Hurricanes back to the playoffs. As such, Hawks fans should get used to seeing the big Russian dominate offensively with the likes of budding star Sebastian Aho and former Blackhawk Teuvo Teravainen. Likely the only question regarding Svechnikov’s status will be what number he will be wearing, as veteran Justin Williams already wears Svechnikov’s familiar number, 14, in Carolina.

Timeline
Svechnikov is expected to jump right into an NHL lineup and contribute immediately. Given his likely destination in Carolina is sorely in need of some added offense, there is no reason to think Svechnikov will be headed anywhere other than Raleigh this fall.

Projection
There is no reason to think Svechnikov will not become an elite all-around scorer. He has the size, speed and skill needed to be among the best in the game for a long time. He will become one of Carolina’s premier players and could be a household name among hockey fans very quickly.

What others are saying
“Svechnikov checks all the scouts’ boxes; he has size and strength already…and is physically ready to play against men. Skating is above average, he has good acceleration, a powerful stride, and strong balance. He is a very smart player that can find gaps in coverage despite the extra attention he commands, he takes advantage of teammates and makes them better by exploiting his skill and vision. Perhaps his most significant skill set is his shot; he possesses a quick release that combines power, speed and accuracy. Svechnikov has a wide array of weaponry with deadly wrist, snap, and slap shot and one-timer options. His puck control skills allow him to carry the puck at speed, and beat defenders one-on-one or deke the goalie to score.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects

“Svechnikov has every offensive skill one would want in a player. He has a fantastic wrist shot with a bullet-quick release. He also has an excellent snapshot and a great one-timer. His shooting arsenal is elite, and NHL ready. His backhand is elite. A pure sniper, he can also tip-in pucks, and has the quick hands to finish on rebounds, or on dekes close to the net. Svechnikov can stick handle in a phone booth, beating defenders one-on-one, and in close to the net. He protects the puck well and has the power to control it down low and create in the cycle game. While he is best known as a sniper, he has excellent vision and passing skills as well. In the cycle game, he can play the role of playmaker for his linemates. Svechnikov is a smart and creative player, who is often one step ahead of the competition.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Andrei Svechnikov appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 3rd-ranked prospect, right wing Filip Zadina.

Filip Zadina
2017–18 Team: Halifax (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: November 27, 1999
Place of Birth: Pardubice, Czech Republic
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 197 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 3
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 2

NHL Comparable: David Pastrnak

When thinking of the best shooters available in this year’s draft class, Filip Zadina is certainly in the discussion. In his first year playing for Halifax in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Zadina has proven to be a lethal scorer thanks to his elite shooting ability. Though already on the map as a top prospect at the beginning of the season, Zadina solidified his elite prospect status with an outstanding showing at the World Junior Championship, tallying seven goals and one assist in seven games for the Czech Republic.

Zadina’s shooting ability is what sets him apart from many other prospects. His best shot is his wrist shot, featuring a lightning-quick release, amazing power and deadly accuracy. His snapshot, slap shot, one-timer and backhand are also high-end with similar attributes. Zadina does an excellent job of disguising his release, making it incredibly difficult for goaltenders to track his shot. As such, Zadina is very much the definition of a sniper. As a rookie in the QMJHL, Zadina pumped in a remarkable 44 goals this season. He has the ability to open up a game and score in bunches. He should have no issues translating his shooting to the NHL level, either.

While primarily a shooter, Zadina is a good passer as well thanks to some slick hands. He has good vision and awareness, which helps him be an all-around threat. However, at times, Zadina can make some ill-advised decisions with the puck, whether in the form of holding onto the puck for too long or for forcing a pass to a covered teammate, leading to a turnover. Zadina will need to improve his decision-making to reach his elite potential.

Zadina is also a good skater. He has good, though definitely not elite, speed and acceleration, and has excellent agility and edgework. Zadina uses his skating ability to find open ice, which he regularly translates into scoring opportunities. When Zadina can find open ice and his teammates can get the puck to him, odds are good he will be putting a high-quality shot on goal. Zadina’s skating also allows him to be dangerous on the rush, though his lack of elite speed limits his ability to be a game-breaking skater. If Zadina can improve his speed, he will be an ever more lethal threat and one that would be incredibly difficult to shut down.

Though Zadina is not exactly small, he could benefit from bulking up a bit more. Adding strength would likely help him along the boards and in front of the net. He has good leg strength, which allows him to be solid on his skates. More strength could also help him to become a more powerful player, which would help him be more effective with his desire to get to the middle of the ice.

Unlike many top-end forward prospects, Zadina is very reliable defensively. He regularly killed penalties for Halifax and even proved to be a scoring threat then. Zadina is good at shutting down passing lanes, both with his feet and stick. He could benefit from more time in juniors learning better defensive positioning, but, as a whole, Zadina is a better defender than most forwards his age.

Overall, Zadina has everything needed to be a star in the NHL for a long time. His scoring ability should make him a fan favorite for the team lucky enough to add him to their organization.

Implications for the Blackhawks
While some scouts feel Zadina could potentially fall out of the top five in the draft, there is basically no way he would fall all the way to the Hawks at the eighth pick. As such, Blackhawks fans should probably hope he goes to an Eastern Conference team so the Hawks only have to see him a couple of times each season.

Timeline
Zadina very well could step right into an NHL lineup. He undoubtedly has the skill needed to play in the NHL. His skating is good enough and he has a big enough frame. But, it is also entirely possible the team drafting him would rather want him to further develop his game in juniors. Zadina will likely receive a chance to prove he can stick in the NHL this fall, but, if he does not do that, he will be NHL-bound in 2019–20.

Projection
Zadina appears to be next in the long line of NHL stars to play for the Halifax Mooseheads. Zadina should develop into an elite top-line scoring winger. He has the shot needed to be a potent sniper at the NHL level.

What others are saying
“He’s been exactly as advertised and more for Halifax. The power winger has been destroying CHL competition and saved his best performances for this Czech national team this holiday season. He uses his size and strength to create space and then delivers electric moves and finishing ability. Can beat you from anywhere on the ice. A tireless worker.”
— Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects

“Zadina is a pure and talented goal scorer. He has a very heavy wrist shot, with a good release. He can combine this with his skating and power game to be a real threat off of the wing. An absolute sniper, he can score with his wrist shot, snapshot, slap shot and one-timer. He even has a strong backhand. Zadina takes advantage of his shooting skill, as he generates a very high number of shot attempts every game. Zadina also has the soft hands to score in close to the net. He can bury rebounds, deke goalies, and get tip-ins. He has a knack for getting himself open, finding soft areas on the ice even when everyone is watching him.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Filip Zadina appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 4th-ranked prospect, left wing Brady Tkachuk.

Brady Tkachuk
2017–18 Team: Boston (NCAA)
Date of Birth: September 16, 1999
Place of Birth: Scottsdale, AZ
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 192 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: LW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 2
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 3

NHL Comparable: Matthew Tkachuk

Brady Tkachuk is the premier power forward available in this year’s draft class. Tkachuk packages an amazing skill set with his big body to be an all-around issue for the opposition. The son of longtime NHL legend Keith Tkachuk and brother of Matthew Tkachuk of the Calgary Flames is unquestionably one of the most NHL-ready players in the draft, especially given he missed the cutoff for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by hours. Tkachuk is the oldest first-year eligible player in the draft class.

Despite being a large man, Tkachuk has very good skating. He has very good top-end speed and decent acceleration, though he could certainly improve in that area. However, once he gets going, Tkachuk is able to hold his own with the majority of players. His big frame allows him to be very stable on his feet, making Tkachuk very difficult to move when he plants himself in front of the net. Additionally, his strong legs give him excellent power on his stride.

Tkachuk possesses a diverse set of offensive skills. His shot is pretty good, as it has good power and accuracy and a decent release. His hands also allow him to be good controlling rebounds and sending them to the back of the net. Tkachuk has good vision and awareness, which in addition to his good hands, allow him to be a good passer. Similar to his father and brother, Tkachuk enjoys throwing his body around to cause havoc on the forecheck. His strength also helps him win puck battles along the boards and in front of the net.

Tkachuk’s physicality also allows him to be effective in his defensive zone. Tkachuk is not afraid to get in shooting lanes and block shots, and loves using his stick to disrupt the opposition. He does not hesitate to support his defensemen when needed, especially in board battles. Tkachuk’s size gives him an edge in this area and also helps him clear the front of the net when needed. Tkachuk’s skill and skating allow him to transition play from defense to offense quickly as well.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Tkachuk is the type of player the Hawks’ forward group is sorely missing right now. With so many skilled, albeit small, forwards, the Blackhawks could greatly benefit from adding a legit power forward such as Tkachuk. It would not be difficult to see him slot in immediately on the second line with Nick Schmaltz and Patrick Kane. Tkachuk has the speed, skill and creativity to hang with Schmaltz and Kane, but also possesses the size, strength and grit they lack. Tkachuk would complement the pair very well. This, however, would take some luck for the Hawks, as Tkachuk is expected to be a top-five pick. However, with the quality of defensemen available in the draft and the potential needs of some of the teams picking ahead of Chicago, there is an outside chance Tkachuk could fall down the draft board and be available when the Blackhawks are on the clock with the eighth pick. Do not get your hopes up, though. Odds are good Tkachuk will be a player Hawks fans will be annoyed with every time the team plays against him.

Timeline
Tkachuk already has an NHL-ready frame and game. It will all come down to what the team drafting Tkachuk wants to do with him. Tkachuk has already stated he is waiting to commit to returning to Boston University until conferring with his NHL team. If the NHL team wants him in their lineup this season, expect Tkachuk to take the ice beginning this fall. Or, if the team would rather he spend another year in college, Tkachuk may not join an NHL roster until 2019–20. But, unlike many other prospects, Tkachuk legitimately is ready to step right into the NHL right away.

Projection
Tkachuk has a scarily well-rounded game. His toolbox, size, playing style and mentality should set him up to be a dominant top-six power forward for years to come. He will be a beast to play against, especially come playoff time. Tkachuk will be a valuable long-term piece for the lucky franchise that will call his name on Friday night.

What others are saying
“Brady Tkachuk plays the game as his name would suggest, physically, aggressively and with a significant amount of skill. Tkachuk has a pro ready game in most respects as he is physically mature and strong enough to play against men. His skating is an asset as he has good acceleration and top speed, and is very strong on his skates in terms of balance and can make power drives to the goal when he drops his shoulder and drives to the goal. He is dangerous in front of the goal as he uses his size and strength to plant himself as a screen in front of the goalie and has excellent hand-eye coordination for tips and rebounds. Tkachuk has a quick release on his shot, has a variety of dangerous shooting options from a quick wrist shot, to a powerful one-timer.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects

“He has a little more finesse to his game. Matthew and their dad could go right through the door at you, but Brady may be a little more deceptive with his skill set. But he still has the same drive and tenacity that drives him to the net – except he can also get there with an end-to-end rush.”
— Dan Marr/NHL Central Scouting

“We’ve all seen what Matthew Tkachuk has done for the Calgary Flames in his brief NHL career. Some good, some bad and certainly some ugly, but most of it has been good. Now, consider that there’s a player with the ability to agitate like the Flames youngster, but with more speed and skill. What if I told you he has the same last name? Meet Brady Tkachuk. He’s Matthew’s younger brother and should be a top five pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. … His pure skill should be exciting for those teams that have a chance to acquire the young forward. And while they should expect him to live up to the Tkachuk talent pool, they could be getting much more as the youngest Tkachuk also looks like he could be the best yet.”
— Andrew Forbes/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Brady Tkachuk appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 5th-ranked prospect, defenseman Noah Dobson.

Noah Dobson
2017–18 Team: Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: January 7, 2000
Place of Birth: Summerside, P.E.I.
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 177 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 5
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 8

NHL Comparable: Aaron Ekblad

Noah Dobson is a big but nimble two-way defenseman playing for the recently crowned Memorial Cup champion Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Dobson is a unique player because of his tall but relatively skinny frame, good skating and excellent two-way playing style. Dobson was already expected to be a top-10 pick in the draft, but with an outstanding showing of 20 points en route to the Memorial Cup championship, Dobson solidified his draft stock as one of the draft’s best defensemen, possibly second best behind only the expected first overall pick, Rasmus Dahlin.

Despite being a taller player, Dobson skates exceptionally well. He has very good speed, which he can use in both directions. He is able to accelerate very quickly given his size, which, in addition to his speed, allows him to create separation from opponents. Dobson possesses a long and powerful stride thanks to his long legs, which also give him a sturdy base. His skating ability helps him jump into the play, which he enjoys doing regularly.

Dobson has the skills required to be a good puck-moving defenseman. Whether skating the puck himself on a rush or making a nice breakout or stretch pass, Dobson can lead a team’s transition to offense effectively. He has good passing skills, which, in addition to good vision, allow Dobson to be a good playmaker, both on the rush and with established possession in the offensive zone. Dobson is very comfortable threading the needle through traffic. This playmaking ability also allows Dobson to be very effective, though not necessarily elite, on the power play in a quarterback role.

Dobson has a very hard slap shot, which he regularly uses from the point and on the power play in the form of one-timers. He is able to get the puck through traffic and on the net. If it does not beat the goalie clean, odds are good a rebound will be available. Dobson also has a nice wrist shot with good power and accuracy and a pretty quick release.

Defensively, Dobson is very effective because of his size, skating and vision. He uses his height well to gain ideal positioning, create leverage to clear the front of the net and win board battles. In addition to his size and wingspan, his skating allows him to cover a ton of the ice and effectively close gaps. His skating also allows him to transition play from defense to offense quickly. Dobson’s hockey sense and vision allow him to be very good positionally, recognize threats and quickly shut threats down.

The biggest (and perhaps only) knock on Dobson’s game is his lack of strength. He has a huge frame, but is very, very raw. He has a ton of room to fill out physically. Adding muscle will allow him to be even more effective in the offensive and defensive zones, with the ability to improve his already great shot and be even better in front of the net and along the boards.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Dobson’s draft stock has risen in the last month or so with his excellent performance at the Memorial Cup. It is very possible, if not likely, he will be off the board when the Hawks pick eighth. But, if he is still available, Dobson would be a great pickup. Upon development, Dobson would likely slot in as the long-term top-pairing right defenseman for the Blackhawks, giving the team an amazing one-two righty punch with Henri Jokiharju. Dobson’s all-around game would be something head coach Joel Quenneville would appreciate, and Dobson would likely be able to earn Quenneville’s trust pretty quickly.

Timeline
Dobson needs at least a year to continue adding muscle to his big frame. He does not have NHL strength. His game is ready, but an additional year of development would be hugely beneficial in his development. Do not expect to see Dobson in the NHL until 2019–20.

Projection
Given Dobson can fill out his big frame, there is no reason to think he will not become a high-end top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. He has all the tools needed to be highly effective in both the offensive and defensive zones. He skates very well for being as big as he is, which will really help him at the NHL level. While not a flashy player, Dobson will be a stud defenseman opponents will dread playing against for the foreseeable future.

What others are saying
“The draft’s biggest riser finished his season with a bang. The smooth-skating, right-shot defender led his Acadie-Bathurst squad to a Memorial Cup victory. He was the heart and soul of the team while also piling up the points at a rapid pace. He finished the QMJHL playoffs with three goals and 13 points in 20 games but increased his level of play during the big dance. He finished tied for third in tournament points with two goals and seven points in four games. Dobson is considered a lock for the top 10 and could even find himself vying for as high as third overall when things shake out in Dallas this month. He has all the tools to be an impact defender in the NHL.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

“Rangy, mobile defender with size and strong puck skills who sticks to his opponents like velcro. Dobson is a rare specimen for a teenage defender in that he is a big-bodied puck mover with speed who plays with poise in all three zones. He is one of the QMJHL’s top scoring blueliners thanks to his ability to run a power play, dictate the tempo of a game regardless of the situation and seize opportunities that nobody else was able to identify. Dobson is a strong, agile skater with a deceptively quick first step and the ability to make sharp directional changes in open ice. Getting the puck behind pesky opponents in the neutral zone can be done with either his wheels or with hard, crisp passes, but Dobson isn’t the kind of defenseman who lets his forwards take it from there — he loves to jump into openings and create or finish from areas close to the hashmarks.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Noah Dobson appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 6th-ranked prospect, defenseman Quintin Hughes.

Quintin Hughes
2017–18 Team: Michigan (NCAA)
Date of Birth: October 14, 1999
Place of Birth: Orlando, FL
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 173 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 6
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 4

NHL Comparable: Kris Letang

While not as complete a package as projected first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin, Quintin Hughes is as good a consolation prize as they come for teams looking for an elite offensive defenseman. Hughes is the very essence of what it means to be a mobile defenseman, and, in combination with his high-end puck skills, he will become a lethal offensive blue liner for years to come.

The first thing that stands out about Hughes is his world-class skating ability. From speed to acceleration, edge work to transitions and agility to balance, Hughes truly has it all in terms of skating. Hughes’ acceleration and speed allow him to open huge gaps of separation very quickly with the puck. He enjoys gliding behind his net to bait forecheckers to chase him, which he uses to his advantage. By the time the forechecker gets around the net, Hughes is already at the hash marks flying at full speed. By the time Hughes gets to the neutral zone, his afterburners are in full swing. When Hughes gets going, there’s no way for defenders to keep up. Hughes uses his agility and edge work to weave through the opposition with ease. His skating also allows him to be a highly effective power play quarterback with the ability to roam the top of the offensive zone while on the man advantage. Hughes uses this ability to get penalty killers to slide to him, opening up space for Hughes’ teammates.

Another elite aspect of Hughes’ game is his playmaking ability. His speed open the door for many scoring chances, but with top-end vision and puck skills, Hughes is able to capitalize on those chances. He has amazing vision and can find a teammate and have the puck on their stick with the blink of an eye with little space. While Hughes loves pushing the pace in the offensive end, he is perfectly willing to wait out defenders to create space and wait for plays to develop as well. Hughes is very good at drawing players to himself. His hockey sense ad smarts allow him to bring defenders exactly where he wants them so he can dissect the defense. Hughes has no issues making high-difficulty passes and often finds himself on the score sheet as a result. Hughes racked up 24 assists this season as a freshman at Michigan.

While not necessarily a shoot-first type of player, Hughes possesses a very good wrist shot, which he gets off very quickly with decent power and accuracy. Hughes could probably stand to shoot the puck more, but his excellent playmaking ability makes up for that. Hughes also has a good enough slap shot to be a respectable threat from the point, albeit not an overpowering shot.

Hughes is very much an offensive defenseman, but his defensive game is not bad by any means. He uses his elite skating to shut down gaps and cover attacking players. His awareness helps him identify threats and then reacts with his skating. Hughes sometimes has issues clearing the front of the net and winning board battles because of his relatively small frame. He will need to get stronger to become a more effective defender, especially when transitioning to the NHL. His skating really helps him, but that will not be enough for him to shut down the opposition’s biggest and best players. Hughes is among the best players in the draft class at transitioning play from defense to offense thanks to his blazing speed.

Overall, Hughes has arguably the best skating in the draft, a luxury especially as a defenseman. His silky smooth skating makes him an elite offensive weapon, even when he transitions to the pro game. He still has some work to do defensively and needs to add a lot of muscle, but given he is able to do so, Hughes should be a household name in the NHL for the foreseeable future.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Hughes very well could be off the board when the Blackhawks are on the clock with the eighth pick. Even just a couple of months ago, some felt Hughes would likely go more around pick 10, but with a strong showing at the World Championships, his draft stock rebounded to being a potential top-five pick. If available at the eighth pick, Hughes would look amazing on the Hawks’ blue line for the next 15 years. He has the world-class skating the current defensive core is lacking, outside of a declining Duncan Keith. Hughes would be an invigorating player who would fit right in with the Blackhawks’ system. While he would need to earn the trust of head coach Joel Quenneville defensively, he has the motivation and desire needed to do so. Hughes is a competitor and wants to succeed, and being in Chicago would certainly give him the opportunity to do so. A future top pairing of Hughes and Jokiharju would be quite a treat for Hawks fans for the long-term future. Additionally, it sounded like Hughes and Patrick Kane really enjoyed playing together and getting to know each other at the World Championships. They sat next to each other in the locker room and had nothing but good things to say about each other. It is not unreasonable to think Kane probably put in a good word to the scouting team.

Timeline
Hughes will likely be headed back to Michigan for at least one more year before making the jump to the NHL. Do not expect Hughes in an NHL sweater until 2019–20.

Projection
While he will need to improve in his own end, there is no reason to think Hughes will become anything less than a top-pairing defender, with the ability to become one of the best in the game. Even if Hughes is not able to become a steady top-pairing defender, he should have no problem being a top-four defender with high-end offensive ability. Hughes is a special player.

What others are saying
“Smooth-skating offensive defenseman with superior command of his puck control and distribution, Hughes is the very best of a talented group of American draft-eligible rearguards. Raised and nurtured within a deeply-rooted hockey family, the current freshman at Michigan is one of the NCAA’s top newcomers and became an instant go-to option on a team loaded with NHL prospects and quality upperclassmen. The first thing you notice about Hughes is his calmness with the puck — he rarely, if ever, gets frazzled or frustrated in the face of a relentless or physical opponent. His ability to maintain control of the puck under harrowing circumstances is excellent, but it’s the plays he makes immediately after eluding pressure that sets him apart from the significant majority of not only his draft peers, but all defensemen in college hockey.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Hughes is an outstanding skater. He looks like he is floating above the ice. He has very good speed and acceleration in both directions. Hughes has a textbook stride, and the ability to change directions on a dime. He uses the outstanding speed to join the rush or to pinch in at the line. Hughes is rarely caught deep as he can still get back into position defensively thanks to that speed. His agility and footwork allow him to beat defenders one-on-one as well as to walk the line and make quick moves to open up passing and shooting lanes. Hughes has a low center of gravity which helps his balance and makes him strong on the puck. Hughes has excellent vision and playmaking ability, as well as the hockey sense to almost always make the right play. He seems to think the game and anticipate plays better than others out there on the ice. With his skating and stickhandling ability, Hughes is not afraid to skate the puck out of his zone or lead the rush. He can also make a long pass to start the transition game and start an odd-man rush. He has the passing ability and the hockey IQ to quarterback the play from the point. Hughes has the poise to make plays under pressure.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Quintin Hughes appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 7th-ranked prospect, defenseman Evan Bouchard.

Evan Bouchard
2017–18 Team: London (OHL)
Date of Birth: October 20, 1999
Place of Birth: Oakville, ON
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 196 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 4
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 5

NHL Comparable: Colin Miller

When asked who the leading point producers among draft-eligible players are, one would likely not guess a defenseman playing for a rebuilding team. However, despite these qualms, Evan Bouchard managed to pile up the second-most points among all draft-eligible skaters, totaling a whopping 87 points this season for the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League, second only to elite sniper Oliver Wahlstrom’s 94 points with the USA U-18 National Team Development Program.

Bouchard’s mind-boggling numbers came as a surprise to many, as Bouchard had never been relied upon to be a big-time defenseman prior to this season. During his rookie season in 2015–16 with London, the Knights leaned on the likes of current NHLers Mitch Marner, Christian Dvorak, Matthew Tkachuk and Victor Mete and top prospect Olli Juolevi. In 2016–17, London maintained their top pairing of Mete and Juolevi and turned to the likes of Cliff Pu, Robert Thomas, Max Jones and Sam Miletic offensively. However, with Mete and Juolevi playing elsewhere and Pu, Thomas, Jones and Miletic all being traded mid-season, the bill was passed to Bouchard. After the trades, Bouchard inherited the captaincy of the team and took his game to another level, being relied upon to play huge minutes in all situations. Bouchard never looked back.

Clearly, as the point totals indicate, Bouchard is very much a gifted offensive defenseman. He excels in nearly every aspect of the offensive game. His ability to pretty much do it all in the offensive aspects has turned many heads, and seen his draft stock rise substantially throughout the season, with some projecting him as a top-five pick.

Bouchard has an absolute cannon of a shot from the point. Whether in the form of his slap shot or one-timer, Bouchard loves bombing away. He uses his slap shot unashamedly and is very good at getting it through to the net, even with heavy traffic. Bouchard registered a whopping 297 shots on goal this season, an average of almost four and a half shots per game, good for second in the OHL, just 11 shots shy of first place. Bouchard also possesses a good wrist shot and snapshot, featuring good power and accuracy. Bouchard was rewarded this season for his shooting barrage, tallying a remarkable 25 goals, 10 of which came on the man advantage.

Bouchard also possesses elite puck-moving skills. Some scouts believe he has the best passing ability in the draft, with the specialty of making long, tape-to-tape stretch passes. Bouchard’s high-end vision and hockey sense allow him to read the play and make the best decisions with the puck. While Bouchard is classified as a puck-mover, he has no issues slowing the game down and waiting for the right play to present itself. Again, this is another trait scouts feel he does as good or better than anyone else available in the draft. Bouchard quarterbacked London’s power play this season, and with his dual threat of a rocket of a shot and pinpoint passing, proved to be lethal in this role, registering 33 of his 87 points on the power play.

Bouchard’s hockey sense allows him to be incredible with recognizing the opposition’s defensive schemes. He is able to easily identify weak points in the defense and quickly break them down to generate a high-quality scoring chance for his team. This awareness also allows him to pick his spots to jump up into the play, which he enjoys doing. Bouchard is one of the smartest players available in the draft.

If there is one area of Bouchard’s offensive game that is not excellent, it is his skating. His skating is probably the biggest knock on his game. Bouchard is not fast by any means. He has fine speed and good agility once he gets going, but his acceleration is very much lacking. This is one area he will really need to improve before being able to contribute offensively at the NHL level. Bouchard’s skating can also get him in trouble defensively. Opposing forwards are sometimes able to beat him to the outside with speed, which is a concern for playing at the next level. This lack of speed can also result in Bouchard getting out of position if he is not able to recover quickly enough.

Another concern for Bouchard is his compete level. Many scouts feel he does have enough intensity and drive in his game. While this is possible, it may also be a result of his playing style, as more of a slow-the-game-down type of player. Regardless, Bouchard will likely need to increase his energy a bit to be successful in the NHL.

Despite his skating, Bouchard is usually an effective defender because of his size, stick and awareness. Bouchard has a massive wingspan, which can help cut down on players beating him to the outside. His size and reach allow him to cover a lot of ice. Additionally, with how smart and aware of a player he is, he positions himself well once established in the defensive end and can break up plays well. His size allows him to clear the front of the net well and win battles along the boards. When a puck is turned over, Bouchard can quickly transition the play to offense with his elite passing ability.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Bouchard would be a really nice addition to the Hawks’ blue line. The production from the back end has drastically dried up in the last couple of seasons with the regression of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Bouchard would give the Blackhawks a long-term power play quarterback and a player who can log a ton of minutes. He would also complement Henri Jokiharju nicely on the right side in the top four, as Jokiharju plays a more skating-focused style. Having a one-two punch of Bouchard and Jokiharju on the right side of the Blackhawks’ defense for the next 10–15 years would be a good position to be in. However, with how highly some scouts feel about Bouchard, it is entirely possible he could be gone by the time the Hawks are on the clock with the eighth pick.

Timeline
Bouchard’s size and early birthday mean he is closer to being NHL-ready than many draft-eligible prospects. He already has the offensive game and the smarts to play in the NHL. Bouchard very well could make a push for a roster spot to begin next season. But if he does not make the jump immediately, Bouchard could join a team in the spring after London’s season is complete. At the latest, Bouchard will join an NHL blueline in 2019–20.

Projection
Bouchard is as smart as they come, which will take him a long way. His well-rounded and dangerous offensive game will be what carries him at the next level. If he can get his skating to an NHL level, he could become a top-pairing defenseman capable of racking up a ton of points every season. If the skating does not progress as well as many would hope, he should be able to settle into a second-pairing role specializing as a power play quarterback.

What others are saying
“Offensively, Bouchard delivers a consistent effort with his puck management and playmaking, though the prevailing knock on him appears to be average straight-line speed. The good news is that Bouchard is nimble for his size, plus he has excellent timing and awareness to eventually outmaneuver pressure and join the attack deep into enemy territory. His feet are quick enough to maintain a tight gap while backskating, and his massive wingspan and long, active stick help limit the number of times an onrushing forward breezes past him. Bouchard has top-pairing potential with the skills and smarts to be a big point producer at the NHL level.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Bouchard had a tremendous third season in the OHL, completing his regular season with a whopping 87 points in 67 games. The point total represented the highest mark for any first-time draft-eligible skater in the CHL – not just defenders but all skaters. His 297 shots were the second most in the OHL. He tacked on a goal and four helpers in four playoff games. Bouchard has watched his stock grow all season long from being a guy (consistently) ranked in the mid-20s to landing at fifth overall on Craig Button’s most recent list. The big, right-shot defender was the focal point of the Knights offense and often saw upwards of 30 minutes a game in all situations. He’ll be snatched up early this June and is the type of player who could conceivably crack and NHL lineup in the fall due to his late 1999 birthday and accomplished CHL resume.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Evan Bouchard appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 8th-ranked prospect, right wing Oliver Wahlstrom.

Oliver Wahlstrom
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: June 13, 2000
Place of Birth: Portland, ME
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 208 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 7
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 7

NHL Comparable: Patrik Laine

One phrase immediately comes to mind when thinking about Oliver Wahlstrom: Elite goal scorer. Wahlstrom, who is also a Swedish citizen through his father, tallied a mind-boggling 48 goals in just 62 games this season for the USA U-18 National Team Development Program.

Wahlstrom’s world-class scoring ability comes from his lethal shooting. Wahlstrom has one of, if not the best shot in the entire draft. He can score seemingly at will with any of his shots. His wrist shot is perhaps his most dangerous, with loads of power, pinpoint accuracy and a release so fast goaltenders sometimes do not even react to it until it is already past them. Wahlstrom’s snapshot, though not used nearly as frequently as his wrist shot, is also quick, hard and accurate. Wahlstrom is a big-time threat on the power play, as he loves setting up on his off side and one-timing slap shots, which, like his other shots, have amazing power and accuracy and is released in a hurry. Wahlstrom has the shot needed to step into an NHL lineup and be a big-time goal scorer.

However, despite having a jaw-dropping shooting ability, Wahlstrom has no problems feeding his teammates. In addition to his 48 tallies, Wahlstrom also recorded 46 assists this season. Wahlstrom knows he is a very dangerous threat, which often causes defenders and goaltenders to overplay him. Wahlstrom possesses the vision and awareness to find open teammates, often in prime scoring locations. This ability makes Wahlstrom incredibly difficult to defend, as it is almost a lose-lose situation for the defender and is seemingly a matter of time before the puck ends up in the back of the net.

Wahlstrom is also a very good skater. He has good top-end speed and has excellent acceleration. He has a lot of get-up-and-go in his game. He has a good motor and can often beat defenders late in a shift. He is a motivated skater as well, especially in the offensive zone. For example, a few times this season after missing a shot, Wahlstrom would out-hustle everyone to the puck, get to a scoring area and put the puck in the back of the net. Wahlstrom loves having the puck on his stick, and is an explosive skater around loose pucks. He uses his edges well, allowing him to cut to the middle of the ice for higher quality chances. Wahlstrom is able to change paces very quickly, which can cause issues for defenders when they are expecting him to change directions or cut and he instead accelerates and creates space and separation.

Another strength of Wahlstrom’s offensive game is his stickhandling ability. He has very good and quick hands, and he is very creative with them as well. Wahlstrom uses his quick hands to maneuver the puck where he wants it when being pressured, which he often times translates into a shot on goal or a pass to a teammate. Wahlstrom is very comfortable with the puck on his stick in all scenarios and has the ability to make defenders look silly.

Despite being a world-class offensive player, Wahlstrom definitely needs to clean up his game a bit in the defensive end. Wahlstrom tends to be a player who waits out the opponent’s possession so he can then transition to offense. He is not a huge liability, but can often be caught puck watching and sometimes losing track of his man. Another area lacking in Wahlstrom’s game is physicality. He has a big enough and strong enough frame to withstand the physical play in the NHL, and is willing to take contact to make a play, but he does not look for chances to use his big frame to his advantage. If Wahlstrom focuses on these areas over the next year or two, he could become a much more complete player.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Simply put, Wahlstrom is the missing link who can fill the Hawks’ first line right wing void. He would look fantastic on a line with Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews. Wahlstrom is used to playing with highly skilled players, as he played on a line with fellow projected first round pick Joel Farabee and the projected first overall pick next year, Jack Hughes. Wahlstrom would add an infusion of goal scoring into a Blackhawks roster who looked lost in the desert this season. It remains to be seen if Wahlstrom will be available when the Hawks are on the clock with the eighth pick, as goal scoring comes at a premium. While snagging Wahlstrom with the eighth pick would solve the long-term first line right wing problem, he will not be in that spot next season, as he is committed to attend Harvard, meaning the endless carousel of players along side Toews would continue this season. Another thing to consider with adding Wahlstrom would be asking where Alex DeBrincat would fit into the lineup. Perhaps if head coach Joel Quenneville could get over himself, he could slot in opposite Patrick Kane, which as was seen a bit at the World Championships, would not be the worst thing. If Quenneville refuses to go that route, it could mean a first line of DeBrincat, Toews and Wahlstrom and a second line of Saad, Schmaltz and Kane. Or, if Wahlstrom would be comfortable playing his off-wing all the time, he could play opposite of Patrick Kane, which could form a new “nuclear combination.” Regardless, however it would play out, adding Wahlstrom, a rather Patrik Laine-esque player, to a very lackluster forward prospect pool and a stumbling offensive unit would be huge for the organization. Wahlstrom could be the long-term missing top-six piece the Blackhawks are missing to revitalize their offense.

Timeline
As mentioned, Wahlstrom is committed to play at Harvard next season. Wahlstrom already has the size needed to step into the NHL and certainly already has the skating and skill. How much time Wahlstrom will spend at Harvard remains to be seen, but it is possible he could join his NHL team as early as 2019–20.

Projection
There is no reason to think Wahlstrom cannot become a long-term top-line sniper in the NHL. He has a world-class shot and will likely have very minimal issues transitioning his game to the NHL. While Wahlstrom likely projects better as a winger, he has played center growing up, as recently as the 2016–17 season. So, if a team really wanted to try to convert him back to being a center, that could be an option as well. Regardless of where he plays, Wahlstrom has everything needed to become the next big-time goal scorer in the NHL.

What others are saying
“Wahlstrom has done nothing but improve his draft stock this season. The dynamic winger currently leads the U18 USNTDP in nearly every statistical category by producing 40 goals, 83 points and 243 shots on goal in just 54 games. Wahstrom is big, strong, lethal from the circles down and loves driving into the dirty areas to finish a play. His chemistry with fellow 2018 draft-eligible prospect, Joel Farabee and 2019 uber prospect, Jack Hughes has been incredible. Wahlstrom appears destined for a top 10 selection this June and could force his way into the top five.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

“Wahlstrom is a dominant power winger with elite puck skills, highlighted by a devastatingly accurate shot. He is one of the top goal scorers available for the draft, but he does far more than simply fill the back of the net. Not only is Wahlstrom Team USA’s top-line right wing, but he is also a key cog in both the power play and the penalty kill. Although it seems like he never turns down the opportunity to crank one towards the cage, he is blessed with an acute sense to quickly identify a defender’s intentions, then exploit the tiniest of windows and turn a seemingly harmless 1-on-1 into a clear dash for the cage. Wahlstrom has very good speed with an above-average first step. And although he is no straight-line road-runner, his footwork, balance and lateral skating ability are all excellent, and he uses a keen understanding of play development to get the extra step or two he needs to create plenty of space between the opponent and him.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

Some of you may remember this clip from many years ago as well. Wahlstrom was just nine years old here. Needless to say, he has always had a knack for scoring goals.

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Oliver Wahlstrom appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 9th-ranked prospect, defenseman Adam Boqvist.

Adam Boqvist
2017–18 Team: Brynas Jr. (Sweden)
Date of Birth: August 15, 2000
Place of Birth: Falun, Sweden
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 165 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 2 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 2 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: John Klingberg

Adam Boqvist is an elite smooth-skating, offensive Swedish defenseman. While he may be lacking in size, his talent more than makes up for it. Boqvist looks like he will be a special player for a very long time.

Perhaps the first thing that stands out about Boqvist is his amazing skating ability. Boqvist possesses very high-end agility, which, in combination with his great speed and acceleration, makes him a threat purely because of his legs. Boqvist is an effortless skater. He is at his best when he is weaving in and out of opponents with the puck. Boqvist’s agility allows him to make last-second cuts to easily elude defenders. His ability to make the opposition miss is remarkable.

Another big strength of Boqvist is his hockey sense. Boqvist is very good at scanning the ice and almost immediately making a decision about what to do next. Whether it be making a pass or keeping the puck, Boqvist rarely seems to make ill-advised decisions with the puck.

Boqvist’s high-end vision allows him to be an excellent passer. Boqvist is among the best players in the draft class at making a quick, hard breakout pass. He has no troubles making tape-to-tape stretch passes, but also has the touch and perception needed to make skilled area passes for a teammate to skate into. His passing ability and creativity with the puck also make him a lethal power play quarterback.

Boqvist also possesses very good hands, which allow him to be a shifty player with the puck. Boqvist is comfortable dancing around defenders with his feet while putting the puck through and around defenders with his hands. His hands also allow him to be very dangerous close to the net, whether in the form of a deke or a finesse shot.

Another elite trait Boqvist possesses is his shot. Boqvist’s wrist shot is very accurate and he gets it off quickly with good power. He also has the ability to sneak shots through from the point, often leading to deflections or rebounds. Boqvist’s top-notch skating also allows him to open up shooting lanes for himself. His slapshot is also a legitimate threat, though adding more upper-body strength would make it even more dangerous.

While Boqvist specializes as an offensive defenseman, he holds his own in the defensive zone. Boqvist uses his hockey sense to locate opponents and quickly closes gaps with his skating. His smarts also allow him to anticipate and break up plays, which he then transitions to offense lightning-fast, whether with his feet or making a strong breakout or stretch pass. However, because of his size, Boqvist can be out muscled in front of the net and along the boards, which will likely cause some issues in the NHL. He will need to be able to handle playing against opponents’ biggest and best players if he is going to be a go-to defender.

Overall, there are tons of things to love about Boqvist. He does have some growing to do, which will take time, but he looks to be an elite defenseman in the making.

Implications for the Blackhawks
With as much elite offensive potential as Boqvist has, he very well may be off the board by the time the Hawks are picking at eighth. But, if he is still available, he could be an excellent choice to be a blueline building block for the future. A one-two punch of Boqvist and Jokiharju on the right side of the defense would be simply amazing. The Blackhawks really do not have a top-pairing right-handed defenseman right now, so they could do worse than drafting Boqvist to develop into that spot, especially considering the rapid decline of Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks’ prospect cupboard is basically non-existent in terms of right-handed defensemen after Jokiharju, so investing in a high-end righty would not be a terrible decision for Stan Bowman. However, with Boqvist’s draft stock as a bit of an unknown—some have him projected as high as fourth overall and others down around 10th overall—the Hawks may need to look elsewhere. With as many high-end defensemen as there are available who are expected to go in the top 10, playing style will likely determine where they will go. If a team wants a game-changing offensive talent, Boqvist will go early. If teams want a more well-rounded game, he could slide a bit. Only time will tell.

Timeline
Boqvist will definitely need a couple of years to be ready for the NHL, especially given the fact he is among the youngest players in the draft class, being born in mid-August of 2000. He is very light given his height, and will really need to bulk up to sustain the physicality of the NHL. Though not a liability per se, Boqvist also needs to improve his defensive game, as he is much better offensively than defensively. He would likely benefit from a year in the American Hockey League to get used to playing his game on the smaller North American ice. As such, Boqvist will likely not be fully NHL-ready until 2020–21.

Projection
Boqvist is a very talented player. He owns all of the tools needed to develop into a franchise defenseman, though that will take time. As stated, he needs to get bigger and solidify his play in the defensive zone, but assuming he does, there is no reason to suspect he will not become a top-pairing defenseman capable of quarterbacking his team’s power play. Even if Boqvist cannot add enough strength to be a legitimate top-pairing defender, he will be an elite number three option.

What others are saying
“A dynamic offensive defenceman that can carry plays with the puck on his stick. A highly mobile and nimble skater that moves with fluidity, balance, and confidence. Utilizes an active stick and creates turnovers frequently. Could be more proactive in his own end, but has shown progression in understanding lanes and reading unfolding plays; most of his best defensive work comes through the neutral zone, as there is a lot less time and space to work with, and it is in those moments that Boqvist shines. Offensively, Boqvist is electric; he has the toolbox of a top line forward. Slick puckhandling ability paired with excellent vision and positional awareness makes him a dangerous threat every time he is on the ice. He also takes advantage of the attention and bodies he draws towards himself in creating space for teammates. All-in-all, Adam Boqvist is a complete offensive defenceman that knows how to get the puck from point A to the back of the net, and can make it happen all by himself.”
— Curtis Joe/Elite Prospects

“Boqvist is as good a playmaker as he is a shooter. He is equally dangerous in both offensive aspects. He can score from anywhere on the ice. If he doesn’t have the shooting lane, he can complete almost any pass. It’s usually the right pass and on the tape. He does all of this at a high rate of speed as he is a dynamic skater. Need an example of how offensively gifted he is? When his team needed a shootout goal, he was called upon to deliver and usually did. Of course the question with an offensive defenseman is how good is his two-way game? In Boqvist’s case, it’s decent. There’s certainly work to be done especially in his own end, but it’s improved. He’s actually really effective breaking up plays in the neutral zone. He uses his speed and stick handling to do this. Where he needs to improve is his size and strength in order to become more effective in his own zone. He thrives in open space, but needs to solidify his play in tight spaces.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Adam Boqvist appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 10th-ranked prospect, center Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
2017–18 Team: Assat (Finland)
Date of Birth: July 6, 2000
Place of Birth: Pori, Finland
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 188 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 6 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 9 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Ryan O’Reilly

Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a big Finnish center who many regard as being the top centerman available in the draft. While not an elite talent, Kotkaniemi does many things well on both sides of the puck, making him a valuable player.

Kotkaniemi is very effective in the offensive zone because of the versatility he brings to the attack. He is not afraid to keep the puck on his stick and drive to the net. If he does not have a skating lane, he likes firing the puck on goal. Kotkaniemi has a very good wrist shot featuring a high-end release. He also has a good snapshot because of his release. Kotkaniemi enjoys using his big frame to get to the front of the net to cause havoc on the opponent’s defense. Kotkaniemi’s hands allow him to pounce on rebound opportunities and send them to the back of the net.

Vision and passing are big strengths for Kotkaniemi. He is able to thread the needle through traffic to hit a teammate with a perfect pass for a high-quality scoring chance. He sees the ice very well and is able to quickly identify passing and shooting lanes.

Kotkaniemi has high-end hockey sense. He is one of the smartest players available, as he very rarely makes mistakes with the puck. Kotkaniemi is appropriately patient with the puck. He has no issues waiting for a play to develop to take advantage of a scoring opportunity or set up a teammate. Kotkaniemi positions himself well, which often leads to scoring chances.

While Kotkaniemi is by no means an elite skater, he is able to hold his own. He has decent speed, but his acceleration needs a lot of work. Kotkaniemi is a bit awkward during his first few steps, which will need to be cleaned up before playing in the NHL. His size allows him to be pretty stable, both along the boards and in front of the net, whether as a screen on offense or clearing the front of the net on defense. Kotkaniemi has enough speed to get around defenders and drive to the net, but is happy slowing play down as well, which he does well with his great hockey sense.

Kotkaniemi is a responsible player in his own end. He has no issues coming down low to support his defensemen and help clear the front of the net. His big body allows him to be effective in board battles. Kotkaniemi’s hockey sense and vision allow him to position himself well and read the play in order to shut down the opposition’s attack.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Kotkaniemi could certainly be an option for the Hawks if the want to take a center with the eighth pick. While he may be considered a bit of a reach over some of the other players who will be available when the Blackhawks are on the clock, Kotkaniemi’s potential as a high-end center could make him a worthy choice. Kotkaniemi is expected to be taken somewhere in the 10–15 range, but could jump higher if a team wants to add a center. The Hawks’ forward prospect pool is relatively weak, so adding Kotkaniemi could go a long way to replenishing the forward group as the Stanley Cup core continues to age. Kotkaniemi could prove to be the long-term answer to replace Jonathan Toews, giving the Blackhawks a one-two center punch of Kotkaniemi and Schmaltz. Another important thing to note is Kotkaniemi will be under contract in Finland for another two seasons, meaning he could not step into the lineup for another three years. So, if the Hawks are wanting to draft a player who can help sooner rather than later, they will likely look elsewhere.

Timeline
As mentioned, Kotkaniemi has two years left on his contract with Assat in Finland, meaning the soonest he could come to North America would be 2020–21. While this may be a disappointment for teams wanting to bring him over sooner, this time should give Kotkaniemi ample opportunities to really polish his game, allowing him to step right into and contribute in an NHL lineup.

Projection
Kotkaniemi is widely viewed as the only prospect with the capability of developing into a first line center. While he would need to improve his skating a bit and add some strength, Kotkaniemi has the tools needed to be a pivot on the top line. At worst, Kotkaniemi should prove to be an effective second line center for the team drafting him. Kotkaniemi has played wing the majority of this season for Assat, so being a top-six winger is an option as well if a team strong down the middle would rather go that route.

What others are saying
“Alert and versatile forward with good speed and a wide range of attributes who has performed well beyond expectations as a 17-year-old playing key minutes in Finland’s top league. Kotkaniemi comes across as a smart, clean player with or without the puck and can play either center or wing. He is used on the penalty kill and in late-game situations, showing defensive prowess regardless of the job he’s assigned. He has a nose for sniffing out opposing intentions, and his quick hands and keen vision can turn a run-of-the-mill enemy breakout into a quality chance for him or his mates. One skill that stands out is his playmaking ability — Kotkaniemi is quite creative with the puck and threads the needle with ease. Kotkaniemi is a central figure on the power play, where he likes to control the puck along the wall and look for backdoor cutters or point men open in the high slot. Although he comes across as a playmaker rather than a finisher, Kotkaniemi has an excellent shot/release combination and can corral a puck in traffic and still wire it on net. He makes up for an average first step with excellent awareness and anticipation, and he’s difficult to knock off the puck once he maintains control. Strong on his skates and heavily involved in puck battles, Kotkaniemi is highly reliable on odd-man rushes but also nimble enough to cut sharply across the grain and throw defenders into a state of confusion.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Kotkaniemi has good size. He takes advantage of his big frame, as he’s willing to work down low. He loves to take the puck and drive to the front of the net. Without the puck he is also found around the top of the crease, ready to provide a screen or pounce on a rebound. Kotkaniemi has a strong wrist-shot and an excellent release. He is a smart player and has a knack for finding open space without the puck and setting himself up for a one-timer or wrister on net. Kotkaniemi is also a good playmaker, with good vision and passing skills. He has the stickhandling ability to protect the puck on the cycle and extend plays to find an open teammate. Kotkaniemi anticipates the movements of his teammates and can get them the puck in good scoring areas. He does not force things and is willing to keep possession by hitting the open man in the cycle rather than making an overly risky play. Kotkaniemi is also strong on the forecheck, pressuring the defence and creating turnovers and scoring chances for teammates.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Jesperi Kotkaniemi appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 11th-ranked prospect, center Barrett Hayton.

Barrett Hayton
2017–18 Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Date of Birth: June 9, 2000
Place of Birth: Peterborough, ON
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 9
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 6

NHL Comparable: Patrice Bergeron

Barrett Hayton is a highly effective two-way center playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League. Despite playing on a team loaded with high-end talent, Hayton has established himself as a go-to player thanks to his sound all-around game.

Hayton skates well, with good speed and acceleration. He is very comfortable in his skates and is able to move around the ice very well. Hayton has very good balance and power because of his strong legs, which also allow him to fight through checks and establish position in front of the net, whether on offense or defense. Hayton also uses his skating to protect the puck well.

Shooting is a strong suit for Hayton. He has a very powerful shot and gets it off quickly. Hayton’s lethal wrist shot is his best weapon, though his snapshot is also very effective. He is not always the most accurate shooter, and this is something he needs to work on to be successful offensively at the next level, but Hayton has shown signs of improvement. His slapshot is definitely his weakest shot, as he needs to develop more upper-body strength for it to become a threat.

Hayton excels offensively by getting to the front of the net, where he can cause havoc and generate scoring chances. He has very good hand-eye coordination, tipping pucks and banging home rebounds. His lower-body strength allows him to hold his own and maintain positioning against bigger defenders.

Defensively, Hayton is very responsible. He regularly comes deep into the defensive zone to help his defensemen and cover opposing players. His lower-body strength allows him to effectively clear the front of the net and win puck battles along the boards. Hayton is very good positionally and almost always finds himself between the puck and his net, allowing him to break up passing and shooting lanes well.

Hayton is a very reliable player and teams and coaches know what to expect from him. He has a high compete level and does just about everything well. He does not have one area of his game that is elite, per se, but because of his ability to do a bit of everything, he is a highly effective player who should enjoy a long and successful NHL career.

Implications for the Blackhawks
While Hayton is considered to be among the safer, more well-rounded players available in the draft, his lack of high-end offensive ability will likely keep him from cracking the top 10, so the Hawks will likely look elsewhere when on the clock with the eighth pick. Hayton is expected to be selected somewhere in the 10–15 range, so unless Chicago moves back from eight or up from 27, Hayton will not be headed to the Windy City.

Timeline
Hayton will need some more time to get a little stronger and to improve his foot speed. While he is not a slow skater by any means, increased speed will really round out his game and help him at the next level. He needs to improve the accuracy of his shooting and needs to become a more consistent player as well, as he regularly has good games and bad games. Hayton will not be in the NHL next season, but if he develops well with Sault Ste. Marie, he could earn a spot on an NHL roster as soon as 2019–20.

Projection
Hayton lacks the high-end offensive ability needed to be a first line player in the NHL, but should be an effective player in a team’s middle six. He has played both center and left-wing this season, which will give him more flexibility to float around in a lineup. On the high-end, Hayton could become a good two-way second line center who can produce offensively. On the low-end, Hayton would be a third liner, either at center or on the wing, and be an effective two-way player.

What others are saying
“Hayton plays a straightforward game. He protects the puck well on the cycle and has some soft hands. However, he is not the type of forward to dangle a defenceman and get past him in a one-on-one situation. Instead, Hayton looks to keep the puck moving, find the open man, and then get it to the net. He is a smart player, who makes quick, smart plays with the puck on his stick. He is also good on the forecheck. While he does not lay a lot of big hits, he gets in quickly, pressuring defenders and creating turnovers.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

“Slick, two-way center who can beat you in a variety of ways. Whether you view Hayton as the beneficiary of a deep supporting cast, or a key cog in Sault Ste Marie’s attack, the truth is he very much is a very skilled, heady player. He has excellent vision and makes most defenders miss when he’s controlling the puck below the circles. Hayton’s a strong skater with excellent balance. He won’t blow past defenders immediately after his first or second step, but his straight-line speed when combined with the likelihood of a sudden change in direction keeps opponents guessing. Hayton is both shifty and crafty with the puck, plus he’s capable of making high-percentage plays on his backhand. He knows how to finish around the goal, but he’s also shown to favor his lethal wrist shot from anywhere near the circles. Again, this kid is very hard to prepare for — both before a game and right when he hops over the boards. He can be a relentless forechecker, especially on the penalty kill, and he will use his body effectively to protect the puck. He has top-line upside and should be expected to dominate the OHL next season when his role is expanded.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Barrett Hayton appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 12th-ranked prospect, center Joe Veleno.

Joe Veleno
2017–18 Team: Drummondville (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: January 13, 2000
Place of Birth: Montreal, QC
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 193 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 8
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 13

NHL Comparable: Nicklas Backstrom

Any player granted exceptional status by the Canadian Hockey League is likely going to open some eyes. While Veleno has been a very good player in his time playing juniors, he has probably not fully lived up to the exceptional status. Because of this, Veleno’s draft stock has been debated. However, there is no debating what Veleno brings to the table on the ice.

Veleno is a very gifted skater. He has great top-end speed and accelerates well. He uses his skating to his advantage, often times creating space and opportunities with it for himself and his teammates. Veleno is very comfortable skating with the puck and uses this ability to generate offense. Veleno’s skating allows him to be unpredictable, as he can burn a defender to the outside or quickly cut into the middle of the ice.

While Veleno is very much a pass-first player, he does possess a decent shot. He could certainly stand to use it more frequently, which would increase his ability to be an all-around offensive threat, as defenders know he tends to prefer distributing the puck. Veleno needs to add some strength in order to have a more dangerous shot, and needs to quicken his release as well to make his shot become a high-end weapon.

As mentioned, Veleno’s offensive game is largely predicated on his passing ability. Veleno possesses very high-end vision and hockey sense. Veleno is able to read and react to what is happening around him very well. This ability allows Veleno to make the best choice with the puck. Veleno does not mind being patient with the puck to wait out defenders and open up room for his teammates. He can thread the needle with pinpoint passes, often times leading to high-quality scoring chances for his teammates. His elite passing ability is reflected by the 114 assists he has registered in his three years in the QMJHL.

Veleno is a very responsible player defensively. He supports his defenders well and does not cheat up the ice for offensive opportunities. Although not the largest player, Veleno does not mind getting in the dirty areas to get his team possession of the puck. Veleno has a very high compete level, which is reflected in his defensive play. His compete level also allows him to be a good leader on the ice. Veleno was Saint John’s captain before being traded to Drummondville mid-season.

Overall, Veleno is one of the best two-way players available in the draft. He will likely prove to be a pretty safe pick for the team drafting him, even if he does not have a super high ceiling. Veleno will need to get stronger to be able to help clear the front of the net and win board battles at the NHL level. Added strength will also help bring his shot to an NHL level and will give him more stability in his skating. Veleno plays a similar style to newly crowned Stanley Cup champion Nicklas Backstrom in the sense of being an elite playmaker and good defender and having leadership capabilities, though not being a big-time goal scorer.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Veleno is among the more intriguing prospects in the draft because of his CHL exceptional status. While Veleno is certainly not one of the very best prospects of the class, many feel he deserves to be in the top 10. Others feel differently, seeing Veleno as someone who could fall as far as the end of the first round. In reality, Veleno would probably be a reach with the eighth pick, especially considering the quality that will be available when the Hawks are on the clock. Barring a miracle, Veleno will be off the board by the time the Blackhawks pick at 27. So, unless the Hawks move into the 10–20 range, Veleno will not be a Blackhawk.

Timeline
Veleno needs another year to get a bit stronger before making the jump to professional hockey. But, with his very well-rounded game, he should be able to step into an NHL lineup in 2019–20.

Projection
Veleno likely will not reach the level of other CHL exceptional status players John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad and Connor McDavid, who have become franchise cornerstone players in the NHL. However, Veleno should be a nice piece for the team choosing him. He will likely slot in as a second line center who will be a reliable contributor at both ends of the ice for many years to come.

What others are saying
“Veleno’s strongest asset could be his skating. He has breakaway speed and acceleration, excellent agility and edge work and is strong on his skates. More of a playmaker than sniper Veleno does a great job of distributing the puck using his vision, hockey sense and puck skills to set up teammates. Veleno has a good shot but needs to more selfish and take more shots. Veleno has good size and strength and while not a very aggressive player, he isn’t shy to fight for loose pucks and can win puck battles along the boards with his high compete level.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects

“Veleno has tremendous speed and outstanding acceleration. It is his skating skill that truly gave him a leg up on older competition and earned him the exceptional player status. He is silky smooth on his skates. Veleno has the ability to take a defender wide and cut to the net. He also has the agility and edgework to beat a defender in a one-on-one situation off the rush. Veleno is strong on the puck, and works well down low and in the cycle game at the junior level.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

“A jack-of-all trades player with a nice tool belt. Great edgework, acceleration, vision and puck-protection skills. The 17-year-old is already a consummate worker in the defensive end and is a very safe selection as he has a pro-level approach.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Joe Veleno appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 13th-ranked prospect, defenseman Ty Smith.

Ty Smith
2017–18 Team: Spokane (WHL)
Date of Birth: March 25, 2000
Place of Birth: Lloydminster, AB
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 14
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 14

NHL Comparable: Duncan Keith

Ty Smith is a prototypical modern-day mobile defenseman who, despite being undersized, uses his skating as the crown jewel of his game.

Smith is a high-end skater. He has very good speed and elite acceleration, arguably the best in the entire draft class. Smith is a very smooth skater. He uses his edges well to be able to roam the ice, both offensively and defensively. He is comfortable walking the blue line in the offensive end, allowing him to be a scoring threat.

Smith combines good hands and hockey sense with his skating ability to be an effective player in the offensive zone. He is very aware of what is happening around him, and with that, knows what to do with the puck. Smith rarely makes mistakes with the puck because he is patient enough to let plays develop.

Passing is one of Smith’s biggest strengths. He is able to make tape-to-tape stretch passes and cross-ice passes look easy. Smith quarterbacked Spokane’s power play this season, where he was able to put his playmaking skills on display. Smith enjoys distributing the puck and serves as a key cog of the Spokane offense, with the puck seemingly always going through him on every offensive possession. Smith racked up an amazing 59 assists this season, speaking to his playmaking ability.

Smith has a decent shot. His wrist shot is his best shot, though he has improved on his snapshot and slapshot of late. Smith is able to get his point shots through to the net and usually keeps them close to the ice, giving his teammates prime opportunities to deflect shots or put home rebounds.

Smith uses his top-notch skating ability to be an effective defender. He is able to cover a lot of ice because of his excellent footwork. Smith is usually able to force opposing players to the outside as a result. With his skating ability, Smith is able to quickly transition play from defense to offense, whether by skating the puck or by making a breakout or stretch pass.

Though Smith is not a very physical player, he does not mind contact and is usually able to hold his own. He needs to add strength, which would largely help in his ability to clear the front of the net and win board battles. Additional strength would also aid in developing his shot and generating more power.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Smith does not have as much upside as the other defenders who will likely be available when the Hawks pick at eight. There is no way Smith drops anywhere near the 27th pick, the next time the Blackhawks are on the clock. Unless the Hawks make a deal to pick in the 10–15 range, the second coming of Duncan Keith will not be wearing the Indian head.

Timeline
Smith needs time to get stronger. His offensive game progressed significantly this year, tallying 73 points, which is very encouraging. Still, Smith will need more time to round out his game before making the jump to the NHL, specifically defensively. He will not be able to only rely on his skating ability to be effective at the game’s highest level. Smith will need until at least 2019–20, if not 2020–21, to play in the NHL.

Projection
Smith has the tools needed to be an effective second-pairing defenseman with some nice offensive upside. He likely will not have the ability to be a go-to shutdown defender in the NHL because of his lack of size, which will likely prevent him from being a top-pairing defenseman. Still, Smith should be a nice piece who can run a team’s power play for years to come.

What others are saying
“The dynamic two-way defender continues to display his full arsenal of weapons with Spokane this season. The former first overall pick in the 2015 WHL bantam draft, Smith is an excellent skater who demonstrates poise and patience with the puck. His outlets are crisp and his head is always up. He’s a player you fall in love with because he always makes the right play.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

“There are a lot of things to like about Smith’s game. The first overall selection in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, he joined the league full-time in 2016-17 and was solid if unspectacular as a freshman. He showed occasional flashes of excellence that season, and those flashes have become more the rule than the exception during an exceptional 2017-18 campaign for Smith. He more than doubled his points from his rookie season and nearly tripled his goals output – he finished second in the WHL in scoring by a defender, behind only Medicine Hat’s David Quenneville (who’s two years older). He even had a seven-point game against Prince George in February. The difference in Smith’s game from last season to this one boils down to a couple intermingled factors: experience and confidence. He was able to figure out what did and didn’t work on both sides of the puck as a rookie, and he’s adapted his game to compensate. As a result, he has a lot more confidence in terms of judging risk offensively and is much better at anticipating trouble defensively. He still occasionally over-commits with the puck and has to scramble back to cover odd-man rushes, but those are fewer and much more far between than last season’s Smith saw.”
— Ryan Pike/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Ty Smith appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 14th-ranked prospect, left wing Joel Farabee.

Joel Farabee
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: February 25, 2000
Place of Birth: Syracuse, NY
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 164 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: LW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 12
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 11

NHL Comparable: Jake Guentzel

Joel Farabee is among the best all-around players available in this year’s draft. Farabee is a high-end offensive talent who can fill the net. He is responsible in his own end and possesses excellent leadership abilities, serving as his team’s captain this season.

Farabee is a very well-rounded player offensively. He is a strong skater, stick handles well, makes good passes, has a good shot and thinks the game well. There is not much to dislike about his game.

Skating is one of Farabee’s biggest strengths. He has high-end speed, which he reaches quickly with his elite acceleration. In fact, Farabee’s acceleration is among the best in the draft. He also uses his edges well, and in combination with his acceleration, can weave across the ice with ease and dart into open ice quickly. Farabee is a threat for stretch passes because of his ability to use his skating to get past defenders. Farabee is rarely spotted standing still on the ice; he is a player who always wants to be in or around the play and moves his feet to do so. Considering Farabee has a very small frame, his balance and stability are pretty good. Obviously, these could be improved with added strength.

While not the best in the draft, Farabee has very good hands and knows how to use them. He is able to move his hands very quickly, which allows him to score on rebounds frequently. His hands are also good enough to remain dangerous at his top speed, giving him an added weapon on the attack, especially in one-on-one situations. Because of his top-notch speed, defenders typically give Farabee some space to prevent being beaten to the net, which allows Farabee to either shoot or pass if he desires.

As mentioned, Farabee uses his speed to create space for himself. While he sometimes elects to use the room to shoot, Farabee is a good setup man and is able to complete a tape-to-tape pass to a streaking teammate to finish off a scoring play. Farabee’s vision allows him to identify passing lanes well, which he takes advantage of, as is evidenced by his 43 assists this season.

Shooting is another strong suit for Farabee. While he does not overwhelm goaltenders with power, his shot is very quick and accurate. His release is high-end, particularly on his snapshot. Farabee regularly displays this ability on the breakaway, putting pucks past goalies before they have time to react.

Farabee is very sound defensively. He was relied upon to play penalty kill this season and did a good job doing so. Farabee uses his great anticipation skills to read and break up plays. Because of Farabee’s acceleration and speed, his is able to transition from defense to offense very quickly.

The main hole in Farabee’s game is his lack of strength. He is a pretty frail player, relatively speaking. He needs to add muscle to handle the physicality of the NHL. By adding strength, Farabee will improve his shooting, balance and stability in his skating and will be able to fight through pressure, both in open ice and along the boards.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Although Farabee has the skill needed to be picked in the top 10, his size will keep him from being picked earlier than that. Barring a trade a miracle, Farabee will not be available when the Hawks pick at 27, so unless the Blackhawks trade back from the eighth pick or up from the 27th pick into the early teens, Farabee will not be headed for Chicago.

Timeline
Farabee needs time to grow. He will be attending Boston University beginning in the fall, where he will likely spend at least a couple of years. Do not expect Farabee to hit NHL ice until 2020–21 at the absolute earliest.

Projection
Farabee has the skill needed to be a top-six winger in the NHL. It is possible Farabee could start out in a third line role if his team wants to keep him away from the opposition’s best defenders, but Farabee will likely slot in a more prominent role rather quickly once establishing himself and proving he can hold his own at the game’s highest level. Farabee has the high-end skating needed to be a very effective all-around threat for many years to come.

What others are saying
“The captain of the U18 USNTDP, Farabee is a dangerous and prolific scorer amongst his age group. Blessed with top level skating ability and a mind for creating offense, the New York native can also be trusted in his own zone which facilitates further opportunities from the coaching staff. His level of play seems to rise when surrounded with high-level talent as indicated with the recent boon of production next to fellow draft-eligible prospect, Oliver Wahlstrom and top 2019 pick, Jack Hughes. While Farabee lacks ideal size, his ability to use his edges to slash in and out of lanes keeps opposing teams on their heels and keeps him off of the IR.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

“Farabee is a very high-energy, big-effort player with skill…he never stops moving his feet or finding ways to try to be a factor on the ice…has jersey-flapping speed…his ability to change pace is impressive and allows him to stay elusive…possesses good puck control, and has a dogged willingness to take the puck to the net…has creative hands and can pull a skilled one-on-one move to gain space…moves the puck around the ice extremely well, connecting with good strong passes that lead his linemates effectively…not scared to shoot the puck when presented the opportunity…has a quick release but lacks velocity on his shot at this stage…keeps moving in the offensive zone, and that creates a lot of space and time for he and his teammates, and in doing so he generates a lot of offensive opportunities…he excels in all zones, providing his team with a tireless work ethic, strong defensive play, and some offensive flair…has the low-end potential of a strong third liner with speed who can help a penalty kill, or a high-end upside as a top-six scorer who can contribute on special teams.”
— Aaron Vickers/Future Considerations

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Joel Farabee appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 15th-ranked prospect, left wing Grigori Denisenko.

Grigori Denisenko
2017–18 Team: Yaroslavl 2 (Russia)
Date of Birth: June 24, 2000
Place of Birth: Novosibirsk, Russia
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 176 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: LW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 7 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 4 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Patrick Kane

With high-end offensive skills and the elusivity of former superstar Pavel Datsyuk, Grigori Denisenko is one of the most electrifying players in the draft. As a result, Denisenko is among the most exciting players to watch in the draft class.

The most noticeable aspect of Denisenko’s game is his elite skating ability. His top speed is phenomenal. He accelerates very well, reaching his top speed in just a few steps. Denisenko uses his edges and agility to weave in and out of defenders. His ability to elude the opposition’s pressure is remarkable. Even when it seems like he is lined up by a defender and about to be hit, Denisenko regularly uses his Houdini-esque disappearing ability to vanish from the contact, as can be seen in the highlight video below. Denisenko uses his top-notch skating to be among the most slippery players in the draft, which he is then able to turn into high-quality scoring chances for himself and his teammates. The one knock on his skating is that he needs to improve his strength to become more solid, as he can easily be pushed off the puck when he has nowhere to go or is flat-footed.

Denisenko is a wizard with the puck on his stick. He combines excellent hands with his amazing skating ability to generate offensive opportunities seemingly out of nowhere. Denisenko is at his best with the puck on his stick. He regularly puts the puck through and around defenders with ease. He has the patience to wait out the opposition and make plays. However, Denisenko can sometimes be considered a “puck hog” and sometimes gets himself into trouble by holding onto the puck too long, but this will likely decrease as he transitions into playing in the KHL next season.

Denisenko’s vision and patience allows him to determine the best offensive play available, whether that be in the form of waiting for a play to develop and feeding an open teammate or creating and opportunity for himself. Denisenko is a very good passer. He regularly puts the puck exactly where it needs to be for a teammate to make a play. Denisenko is also good at drawing attention to himself to open ice for his teammates.

Denisenko possesses a high-end shot as well. His wrist shot and snapshot are both very accurate and gets them off very quickly. Denisenko could certainly improve his shot if his is able to get stronger, as he has a relatively small frame. Added strength would also help improve his slap shot as well.

He very much plays a perimeter-style of hockey, which he excels at. But, this could also be reason for concern, as he may not be willing to get down and dirty to be effective in crunch time. He does not enjoy finding himself in front of the net for too long, rather being a player who will dart in and out of the middle when needed for a high-quality scoring chance. His style is very reminiscent of a young Patrick Kane before Kane was able to round out his offensive game more to become an all-around threat.

Defensively, Denisenko has a long way to go. He is almost purely an offensively minded player, meaning he can be a liability in his own end. He does not backcheck well, as he likes to stay behind the play in the event of a turnover. His lack of defensive ability can also lead to ill-advised penalties, which will definitely need to be cleaned up before becoming an NHL player.

Overall, Denisenko is an electrifying offensive player with loads of raw talent. He needs to work significantly on some important aspects of his game, but has the tools to be a star for a long time.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Despite being ranked as a mid-first round pick, Denisenko could easily find himself sliding to the end of the first round if teams are scared off by his one-sided game and lack of size and discipline. The “Russian factor” could also easily come into play if teams fear he will not come over to North America for a while. That said, it is probably likely he will be gone in the 15–25 range because of his offensive upside. However, if he is miraculously available when the Hawks are on the clock with the 27th pick, he could prove to be one of the steals of the draft. If Denisenko can translate his offensive ability to the NHL and round out his game, he could be the perfect replacement for the second line left wing role opposite Patrick Kane. A duo of Kane and Denisenko could wreak havoc on NHL defenses, similar to how Kane did with Artemi Panarin. However, head coach Joel Quenneville typically does not like purely offensive players, so that could steer the Blackhawks away from Denisenko if he is still available at 27. He would be a high-risk, high-reward pick, but were he to pan out, he would become the Hawks’ next game-changer.

Timeline
Denisenko will need a few years to round out his game and get stronger. He is expected to play in the KHL this season. If Denisenko is really wanting to play in the NHL and he drastically improves his strength and defensive ability, he could come over as soon as 2019–20 or 2020–21, but he could very easily take much longer to develop and not be NHL-ready until 2021–22 or later.

Projection
Denisenko has all of the tools needed to be an elite offensive player at the game’s highest level. If he is able to become better defensively and gain some strength, there is no reason Denisenko cannot become a top-six winger, potentially even a top-line winger. But, as stated earlier, his lack of defensive ability is a big concern, which could put a damper on his sky-high offensive potential.

What others are saying
“Denisenko has a lot of talent, and it means that naturally many NHL teams will be behind him. He’s definitely got top-10 talent, but the Russian Factor and his size will most likely push him down. A pick in the second round is not out of question, even if he will be probably one of the first 31 players called. Many NHL teams may also be concerned by his maturity. He likes to (over)play the puck and is prone to ‘bad discipline’ penalties. As he will keep on playing in the KHL, though, it is most likely that these kind of issues will be ironed out.”
— Alessandro Seren Rosso/The Hockey Writers

“Flashy winger with a ton of upside who can make a variety of moves to get within striking distance of the goal. Denisenko dealt with consistency issues throughout the season, but he’s an unstoppable force when engaged.”
— Steve Kournianos/Sporting News

“Denisenko is one of the most skilled players in his draft class. On a pure talent level, he’s one of, it not the top Russian in this draft class (and no I didn’t forget about Andrei Svechnikov). Denisenko manipulates the puck so well and does so at high speeds.”
— Corey Pronman/The Athletic

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Grigori Denisenko appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 16th-ranked prospect, right wing Vitali Kravtsov.

Vitali Kravtsov
2017–18 Team: Chelyabinsk (Russia)
Date of Birth: December 23, 1999
Place of Birth: Vladivostok, Russia
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 170 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 3 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 10 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Nathan MacKinnon

Kravtsov skyrocketed up draft boards with a phenomenal showing in the KHL playoffs this season, registering six goals and five assists in 16 games. After tallying just four goals and three assists in 35 regular season games, the postseason rampage came as a pleasant eye-opening surprise.

Kravtsov is a high-end skater with great speed and acceleration, often times creating space between himself and opponents. He has the ability to burn around defenders to drive to the goal or weave around the ice by using his good edge work. Kravtsov has a pretty strong base, giving him good stability and power.

Stickhandling is perhaps the most dangerous weapon Kravtsov possesses. His elite hands are among the best in the draft class. Kravtsov is able to use his stickhandling ability to make defenders look silly. He thrives in one-on-one situations because of his hands and skating. Kravtsov excels at making skilled plays at top speeds, which often creates high-quality scoring opportunities for his team and significant problems for the opposition. Kravtsov also uses his top-notch hands to set up his teammates, though he generally has a shoot-first mentality on the ice.

Kravtsov possesses a nice variety of shots. His wrist shot and snapshot are his best shooting weapons because they feature good power and accuracy and he is able to get both off very quickly. Kravtsov fits the mold of a sniper, but also has the ability to set up his teammates for opportunities as well. His high-end stickhandling also allows Kravtsov to be a big-time threat when he finds himself close to the net, as he is able to fake out the goaltender seemingly with ease.

While Kravtsov is very much an offensively minded player, he is not a huge liability in his defensive end. He does still have a long way to come in this area, but has shown signs of improvement. His top-notch skating allows him to transition play from defense to offense quickly. His skating also allows for him to be a good backchecker, when he chooses to.

Overall, Kravtsov is a very intriguing prospect because of his high-end offensive skills. Consistency and his defensive play are certainly concerns, and the “Russian factor” could come into play for him as well, as he is still under contract to play in Russia, which could see his draft stock fall a bit. But, the top-end skating, stickhandling and shooting are too much to ignore.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Although performing exceptionally in the playoffs, Kravtsov does not quite come to the level of the other top prospects who will be available when the Hawks are on the clock with the 8th pick. Some experts feel Kravtsov is likely to be taken in the middle of the first round, whereas some others have him toward the end of the first round or even into the second round. So, it is entirely possible Kravtsov could still be available when the Blackhawks make the 27th pick. He could be a really good addition to the organization’s prospect pool, especially if the Hawks select a defenseman with the 8th pick.

Timeline
Kravtsov is still under contract to play in Russia, so he will not be coming to North America right away. He still has some important aspects of his game to improve as well. Although the contract situation is a bit difficult to predict, do not expect to see Kravtsov in the NHL until at least 2020–21 or 2021–22, perhaps along the lines of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s journey to the NHL.

Projection
Kravtsov has the offensive tools needed to be a high-end scoring threat in the NHL. If he is able to reach his potential, there is no reason he cannot be a top-six winger. But, Kravtsov could also prove to be a bust if he does not develop more consistency and round out his game or if he opts to stay in Russia for a while and then is unable to transition his game to North America. Time will tell.

What others are saying
“An incredibly talented player, Kravtsov has the potential to become an elite playmaker in the NHL. He is the player that many teams will regret not taking – passing on the young Russian will come back to haunt them. Although we will not be seeing him in the NHL for a few years, he will have a true impact when he arrives. After he develops his complete game in the KHL, he will be one of the most dangerous Russian forwards in the NHL. He will be the steal of the 2018 NHL Draft.”
— Tim McKinnon/The Hockey Writers

“Kravtsov is a skilled offensive player. He pairs his great skating ability with outstanding hands. He can stickhandle in a phone booth. This makes him absolutely deadly in one-on-one situations. The best part of his game is that he can make all these moves and handle the puck while moving at top speed. If defenders back off to respect his speed and stickhandling, he has a deadly arsenal of shots that he can put on net. Kravtsov has a very good wrist shot and snapshot. Both shots feature a quick release. With the hands to also score in tight, he’s a natural sniper.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Vitali Kravtsov appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 17th-ranked prospect, right wing Serron Noel.

Serron Noel
2017–18 Team: Oshawa (OHL)
Date of Birth: August 8, 2000
Place of Birth: Ottawa, ON
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 205 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 10
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 9

NHL Comparable: Blake Wheeler

Serron Noel is one of the premier power forwards of this year’s draft class. Despite coming into this season as a projected second round pick, Noel made big strides this season, solidifying himself as a high-end prospect worthy of a first round selection.

The biggest concern with young, big players is almost always their skating ability. Noel’s skating was questioned coming into the season, explaining why he was not seen as a first round prospect coming into the year. But, Noel focused on improving his skating, which paid big dividends this season, drastically improving his offensive output. While he still needs to work on improving his skating, he does have decent speed, especially considering his size. His agility and acceleration need improvement.

Perhaps Noel’s most lethal weapon is his wrist shot. It is one of, if not the most, powerful wrist shots in the draft. Noel is able to get off his wrist shot very quickly as well, making it nearly impossible to stop when placed correctly. Noel also possesses pretty good hands, allowing him to be effective close to the net as well, both with deflections and rebounds. As a result, Noel saw a big uptick in his production this season in an expanded role with Oshawa, tallying 28 goals and 53 points in 62 games, a huge improvement from his 2016–17 totals of eight goals and 21 points in 63 games.

Another of Noel’s strengths is his ability to create havoc on the forecheck. Although being a big guy, Noel is surprisingly not overly physical. Instead, Noel uses his imposing frame to force defenders into poor decisions. Additionally, Noel enjoys using his size to be effective in front of the net, though with more of a production mindset rather than a physical one. If Noel is able to increase his level of physicality, he could become an even more effective player offensively.

Noel is also a very reliable player in the defensive end. He uses his hockey sense to position himself well. His size allows him to cover a lot of ice, both with his body and his stick. Noel effectively combines his hockey sense and size to anticipate plays, step into passing or shooting lanes and cause turnovers. Again, despite his size, Noel is not a very physical player. He does not look to make big hits, whether along the boards or in open ice. He does use his size well along the boards in puck battles, which he often wins.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Though a player like Noel would be a nice addition to the Hawks’ forward group, he would likely not be a very wise pick at number eight. He will likely not be available when the Blackhawks are on the clock again with the 27th pick, so unless the Hawks trade down from eight or up from 27, Noel will likely be headed elsewhere.

Timeline
Noel definitely needs more time to work on his game. His skating, although being vastly better this year, still needs work to be at an NHL level. Despite having decent hands, Noel needs to improve his stickhandling ability to be able to generate offensive opportunities for himself to maintain his production. Noel is two or three years away from the NHL, so do not expect to see him on the ice until 2020–21.

Projection
If Noel improves his skating and is able to generate offense consistently, he could become a high-end power forward in the NHL. He has the raw ability, keyword being raw. He still has a long way to come, but the improvements he made this season are highly encouraging and show how high of a ceiling he could have. While he will likely not become as high-end of an offensive threat as Blake Wheeler, he plays a similar game in the sense his focus is strictly on his skill and ability to produce rather than to be simply a physical presence with his size. Still, if he is able to round out his game and reach his potential, he could be a top-six winger with the ability to be a game-changer.

What others are saying
“Coming into the season Noel was heavily criticized for his skating. He struggled during his rookie season in 2016-17, as he seemed to be a step behind the play. While the skating is still a work in progress, it has vastly improved this season. Noel generates very good speed for a big man and has really improved his first few steps and acceleration. While his stride looks awkward, it gets him where he needs to go. If he gets a step on his man, he can really bear down and pull away on the rush. He has a powerful lower-body, giving him excellent balance. Noel can fight through checks and get to the front of the net. He is also extremely strong on the puck and controls down low on the cycle. Noel rarely loses board battles. However, Noel has issues with his agility and edgework. He could work on being more fluid in his turns and quick stops and changes of direction.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

“Noel finished the season with a line of 28-25-53 in 62 games and added an assist in five playoff games against the Niagara IceDogs. On top of his improved skating, he demonstrated his lethal shot. Of note, he has a great release for a big man. There’s a lot to like here. With that said, there are questions. Noel scored his 28 goals on just 105 shots. He averaged less than two shots/game. For someone who has the skills and build he has, it’s somewhat concerning he only generated 105 shots. He’s got much more to give on the offensive end. In my live viewing of him, there were pockets of the game I didn’t even notice him. It’s kind of a tale of two extremes. When he’s noticeable, he brings people to their feet. Otherwise, I barely knew he was on the ice.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Serron Noel appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 18th-ranked prospect, defenseman Rasmus Sandin.

Rasmus Sandin
2017–18 Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Date of Birth: March 7, 2000
Place of Birth: Uppsala, Sweden
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 184 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 11
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 15

NHL Comparable: Jake Muzzin

Rasmus Sandin is a Swedish-born defenseman playing in the Ontario Hockey League. Sandin has elite decision making and hockey sense, the crown jewels of his game, making him a very enticing prospect.

Sandin is regularly described as being a smooth skater, albeit not the fastest. He has a stable base, which he uses well to maintain balance and generate seemingly effortless power. Sandin uses his feet well, often times making up for mistakes or positioning with his skating and play recognition. He effectively uses his skating to shut down the opposition and excels with keeping opponents to the outside because of his good footwork.

The best aspect of Sandin’s offensive game is his vision and passing ability. Sandin sees the ice very well and is able to predict plays before they take place, allowing him to make impressive passes which set up his teammates well. Sandin frequently makes the best decision with the puck, in part due to his ability to remain patient under pressure. He is able to make difficult passes look easy and very rarely makes an ill-advised pass thanks to his top-notch decision making and play recognition abilities.

While Sandin is not known as a scorer, he did manage to tally 12 goals this season. He tends to use his wrist shot more than a slapshot and has been very effective getting pucks on net. Sandin’s ability to keep shots low generates scoring opportunities for teammates via deflections or rebounds. Sandin has an above average release and is able to generate decent power on his shots, though not overpowering by any means.

Defensively, Sandin is a very sound player. His skating ability allows him to effectively close out players as they enter the zone. He positions himself very well, which gives him an edges on attacking players. His hockey sense and play recognition aids him in breaking up plays, often times using a very active stick to disrupt the offensive flow. When he picks off passes, Sandin is able to quickly transition the puck to his teammates. Sandin enjoys using his body to check opponents and win board and net-front battles, and does so very effectively because of his smarts.

Sandin needs to bulk up a bit in order to maintain his physical defensive style and withstand the grind of NHL hockey. Added strength should also help his shot to become more powerful, which will increase his offensive ability. Sandin also needs to improve his speed and acceleration to maintain his skating edge when jumping to the NHL.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Sandin’s draft stock is intriguing because it seems many feel he is worthy of a mid-first round selection, whereas others feel he should be toward the bottom of the first round or maybe even the second round because of a lack of high-end offensive ability. A team will likely take a shot on him because of his elite hockey sense and decision making, meaning he will probably not be available when the Hawks pick at 27. However, if he is available, he could be a nice addition to the Blackhawks’ defensive prospects, especially if the team either selects a forward or a more offensively minded defenseman with the eighth pick in the draft.

Timeline
Sandin definitely needs more time to get stronger and faster, whether by staying in the OHL or going home to Sweden to play for Rogle in the SHL, as they own his Swedish rights. Do not expect Sandin to turn pro until at least 2020–21.

Projection
Upon development, Sandin should become a mainstay as a top-four defenseman at the NHL level. He is able to play big minutes and is capable of generating offensive opportunities and playing sound defense. Because of his hockey sense, Sandin is widely considered as a safe pick who will achieve his potential.

What others are saying
“Sandin is an extremely intelligent player. He is poised with the puck on his stick and makes smart plays. Sandin has great vision and the ability to thread the needle to the open man with good passing skills. He can make the long stretch pass to create a breakaway or odd-man rush when it is available. When the home-run type play is not there, he does not try to force it, instead finding a quicker, shorter pass to start the transition game. Sandin also has the vision and skills to set up plays on the power play. … Sandin’s strong positioning and understanding of the game extends to the defensive zone as well. He is a physical player, willing to throw hits on the rush, battle in the corners, and clear the front of the net. However, he picks his spots well, not getting himself out of position to chase the physical play. Sandin maintains good gap control and funnels attackers to the outside. He anticipates plays well and cuts down passing and shooting lanes.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

“In terms of puck poise, Sandin’s one of the calmest teenage defensemen you’ll see get drafted this year. He played alongside Adam Boqvist at the Hlinka and I thought he was just as good. He’s a very good skater but his puck distributing and one-on-one play is what should make him an NHL mainstay for at least a decade.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Smart is an adjective you will hear a lot about Sandin. Any disadvantage he has, he overcomes because of it. In the defensive zone he possesses excellent gap control with near flawless positioning with his body or very active stick. He is very adept at angling players out and keeping them to the outside, although he can sometimes be beaten on the outside by a speedy forward.”
— Dominic Tiano/OHL Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Rasmus Sandin appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 19th-ranked prospect, right wing Martin Kaut.

Martin Kaut
2017–18 Team: Pardubice (Czech Republic)
Date of Birth: October 2, 1999
Place of Birth: Brno, Czech Republic
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 176 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 4 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 11 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Marian Hossa

Coming into the season, Martin Kaut was not expected to be high draft pick, instead being projected as a mid-round selection. However, thanks in large part to a very strong showing at the World Junior Championships, Kaut’s draft stock skyrocketed.

Kaut has played a depth role for his team in the Czech league, meaning his offensive totals did not jump off the page, tallying nine goals and seven assists this season. However, given the opportunity to play on the first line at the World Juniors with former first rounder Martin Necas and top prospect Filip Zadina, Kaut displayed his high-end offensive abilities, posting two goals and five assists in seven games.

While he does not have amazing acceleration, Kaut does possess good speed. He has strong legs, giving Kaut a powerful stride and very good balance, which he uses well to protect the puck and stay upright when challenged physically. If Kaut can improve his acceleration, he should be able to win more loose pucks and be able to create better separation from opponents.

Kaut has a pretty good shot, specifically his wrist shot. He has pinpoint accuracy and has a good amount of power despite not being a big player. He has a very quick release, which can fool goaltenders and allow him to sneak by shots when a goalie is not prepared for a shot. Kaut has good hands, which he can use to finish plays close to the net in the form of deflections, rebounds and net-front dekes. Kaut also has a good snapshot and a decent slapshot.

Perhaps the aspect most impressive about his performance at the World Juniors was Kaut’s passing ability. Kaut has a keen sense for setting up his teammates at the right time in the right place. Kaut put the puck on a platter for Necas and Zadina on multiple occasions, making a goal look easy. Kaut excels in the cycle game and enjoys being a setup man on the power play, where he can display his dazzling playmaking ability thanks to his excellent vision and recognition.

Kaut is a very sound two-way player, as he has excelled in a defensive role for his team in the Czech Republic. He has very good positioning and is good at breaking up passes because of his awareness. Kaut is willing to block shots. The one area of his defensive game that could be improved is his ability to win board battles, which could be addressed by getting stronger.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Kaut is an intriguing prospect because of the glimpses shown of what he can do. It is entirely possible a team likes him enough to take him in the middle of the first round. He is not good enough to crack the top 10, so the Hawks will certainly not reach for him at eight. But, he could be available at 27 if teams are unsure of his offensive consistency. He could be a nice addition that head coach Joel Quenneville would likely enjoy having thanks to his sound defensive game and ability to produce offense. He has drawn comparisons to Marian Hossa, which Blackhawk fans can appreciate, though do not expect him to have as prolific a career as Hossa.

Timeline
Kaut needs to bulk up and work on his acceleration, which will likely take at least a year to do so. Do not expect him in North America until 2019–20.

Projection
Kaut is a bit of a question mark because it remains to be seen what type of a player he will really be. He has shown glimpses of excellence, but has not done that over an extended period of time, which could simply be because of a lack of opportunity to do so with his Czech league team. If he is able to play a high-end offensive game consistently, he could develop into a top-line winger. In reality, he would likely be a better second or third line winger with the ability to play an effective two-way game.

What others are saying
“One thing I love about the WJC is being able to see a teenage player with a checking role on an adult team play top-line minutes against his peers. Kaut, an energy player for Pardubice, had an outstanding world juniors debut by picking up three assists — all primary — while playing the wing with Zadina and Necas. All three of his passes were right on the tape or in a perfect spot to unload from, as the tallies from both Necas and Kral were one-timers off dishes from Kaut, who was the 24th pick in the 2017 CHL Import Draft but chose to stay with Pardubice for another season. Keep in mind, Kaut isn’t just some sort of flashy playmaker — he’s a highly-responsible 200-foot player who plays in all situations.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“With so many players trying to make a name for themselves, it can be anywhere from difficult to almost impossible to stand out in a crowd, especially after a disappointing start to a season. That’s where Czech winger Martin Kaut found himself after a poor showing at the Five Nations tournament. That didn’t stop Kaut from making the World Junior Championship a personal showcase of how talented he is. He finished the tournament with seven points in seven games. He played on a line with Martin Necas and Filip Zadina and looked comfortable playing the playmaking role. Whether he was distributing the puck with precision, as evidenced by his three primary assist game, or burying his chances, Kaut was one of the best players of the entire tournament. How much attention has Kaut received since? He beat out his fellow countryman Zadina for a spot on the World (Championship) roster for the Czech Republic. This says something about Kaut and the kind of player he is.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Martin Kaut appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 20th-ranked prospect, center Isac Lundestrom.

Isac Lundestrom
2017–18 Team: Lulea (Sweden)
Date of Birth: November 6, 1999
Place of Birth: Gallivare, Sweden
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 8 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 3 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Mikko Koivu

Isac Lundestrom is a Swedish center playing for Lulea in the SHL, Sweden’s top men’s league. Despite being just 18 years old, Lundestrom has already spent two seasons in the SHL, a rare feat for someone his age. This speaks to Lundestrom’s game, as he has already played a man’s game for a couple of years. Lundestrom is capable of playing on the wing as well.

One of the first things one notices when watching Lundestrom is his skating. While he is not an elite speedster, he uses his acceleration and balance well, cutting and weaving all over the ice with ease. Although not the largest player, Lundestrom has strong legs, making it difficult for opponents to knock him off the puck and skate through attempted checks along the boards.

Lundestrom excels offensively because of his elite hockey sense. He is exceedingly patient for players of his age. His patience and awareness allows for him to hold on to the puck long enough to make the right decision, which he does almost exclusively. Lundestrom has no issues waiting out a defender for a play to develop or a goalie to put the puck in the net.

His high-end vision allows Lundestrom to be a really good passer, which in combination with his patience and awareness makes him a highly effective playmaker.

Lundestrom possesses a good shot, which he can use to beat goalies from the outside. His above average hands also allow him to be effective close to the net, in both deke and rebound situations. If there is one downside to his shooting, it is that he probably does not do it enough. He is generally a pass-first player, which he is good at, but he would be more dangerous if he chose to shoot more frequently. This would also help keep defenders and the goalie more honest, which would give him better opportunities to pass by opening up more space for his teammates.

Lundestrom is pretty good in the defensive zone, as his hockey sense and awareness allow him to recognize threats and shut them down. His hockey sense and awareness also allow him to generate pressure and cause turnovers, which he is then able to transition to offense quickly.

Though not overly big, Lundestrom is not afraid to use his body on the forecheck and to fight for loose pucks. He will need to improve his strength to reach his potential in the NHL, especially if he is going to be a center. The only other area of his game he really needs to improve on is at the faceoff dot. Additional time in the SHL should help with gaining more experience taking faceoffs against men.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Lundestrom would be a reach with the eighth pick and will not be available when the Hawks pick again at 27. The minimal deficiencies in his game will not see him drop far enough to be available at the end of the first round. The only likely way he could be headed to Chicago would be if the Blackhawks trade down from eight or up from 27, which does not appear will be the case.

Timeline
Lundestrom signed a contract extension with Lulea for next season, so the earliest he could come to North America would be 2019–20. If the team selecting him deems he needs time to adjust to North American hockey, he could spend a year in the American Hockey League as well.

Projection
Lundestrom does not have the elite offensive game required of being a top-line center. He could reach the level of a good second line center with enough development. However, he likely better fits as a middle-six winger or third line center with enough upside to create a long and successful career for himself.

What others are saying
“Playing smart, two-way hockey at high speeds is something you rarely see from any teenager, let alone one that receives top-six minutes in Sweden’s top league. Lundestrom was far too advanced a prospect to play junior hockey, and he succeeded with an altered role for Lulea. He’s fast, aggressive and loves to cause havoc on the forecheck. But don’t think for one second that his speed is what makes him a tantalizing prospect – Lundestrom is very creative with the puck and can bury chances from in close.
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Skilled puck-distributor has shown very well as a draft-eligible player in the SHL and didn’t look out of place as a draft-minus one player in the top league either. His skill set may not jump off the page, but the nuances to his game are terrific. He’s the type of player you like the more you watch him. In a centre-lite draft, his stock will continue to rise. Soft hands and plus-rated hockey sense allows him to flourish in all situations. Saw his role expand in the WJC and thrived with more ice.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects

And a bonus video, a short documentary produced by Trans World Sport.

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Isac Lundestrom appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 21st-ranked prospect, defenseman Bode Wilde.

Bode Wilde
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: January 24, 2000
Place of Birth: Montreal, QC
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 17
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 22

NHL Comparable: P.K. Subban

Bode Wilde is this draft’s class “wild pony.” The smooth-skating, two-way defenseman possesses loads of confidence, which gives him a high risk, high reward feel. He has all of the tools needed to be a high-end defenseman in the NHL, but will need to reel in his play to realize that potential.

Wilde’s skating ability is among his biggest strengths. He is very strong on his skates, giving him excellent balance and power. This allows Wilde to clear the front of the net well in addition to leading the offensive rush. He has very good acceleration and footwork, which allows him to keep opponents in front of him and shut down their attack. Wilde uses his edges well, giving him a strong ability to transition in the play. Wilde also enjoys driving to the net on offense, which he is able to do because of his speed.

Wilde possesses a booming shot from the point, which allows him to be a dangerous threat on the power play. While he enjoys using his slap shot, his wrist shots and snapshots are also highly effective because of his accuracy and ability to get them off in a hurry. He is regularly able to get pucks through to the net, making him highly effective in the offensive zone.

Passing is another strength of Wilde’s due to his high-end vision and recognition. This, in combination with the arsenal of shots he owns, allows Wilde to be very comfortable quarterbacking the power play.

Defensively, Wilde is an effective shutdown defenseman because of his ability to use his size and strength to keep the opposition to the outside. Wilde enjoys being physical, though his “wild pony” style can sometimes get him into trouble, sometimes leading to defensive breakdowns or taking a penalty. With this, he needs to learn to recognize appropriate times to make a big hit and when to stay in a sound defensive position and live to fight another day. Wilde can be a liability in the defensive zone because of his inconsistent positioning, which is something he needs to improve on before making the jump to the NHL.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Wilde does not have quite the same level of potential as some of the other top defensemen available in the draft, so taking him at pick eight would be a big reach. Chances are very good he would be off the board when the Hawks pick again at 27, as many expect him to go in the early or mid-teens because of his potential, but if he slides that far because of his aggressiveness, he would be a great pick, especially if the Blackhawks select a “safe” defenseman with the eighth selection. Though still a few years away, Wilde would be a nice addition to the Hawks’ defensive prospect cupboard with a playing style the team’s other prospects do not really have.

Timeline
Wilde has a few areas of his game to work on. He will be attending the University of Michigan beginning in the fall, where he will likely spend at least two or three years. Do not expect to see Wilde on NHL ice until 2020–21 at the earliest.

Projection
He has the tools needed to be a top-pairing defenseman. However, if he is not able to tone down his risk-taking, teams may want to slot him on the second pair. His skill set should see him serve both on the power play and penalty kill at the next level. He needs to clean up his game in the defensive end, but with proper coaching at Michigan and at the beginning of his professional career, Wilde should develop into a good two-way defenseman.

What others are saying
“Big, thick defensemen that look graceful while carrying the puck simply don’t grow on trees, and you’d probably hear more about him if his draft year wasn’t loaded with cornerstone-type defenders. Wilde is one confident teenager, maybe sometimes to a fault, as doing “too much” with the puck is something he’ll have to limit. Especially considering how talented the NTDP forwards are. Still, he is perfectly capable of playing a variety of roles with aplomb — power play quarterback, crease-clearer on the penalty kill, and even neutralizing top opponents. Wilde loves to hammer the disc thanks to a heavy shot, and he has the ability to either create his own shot from up high or finish in a speed rush to the net. Once he crosses center, he is as close to the complete package as they come, and his size and right-handed shot make him an extremely tantalizing prospect with star potential. Wilde’s risk taking can put his mates in jeopardy, so you’d like to see him go through stretches when he puts a premium on sound positioning, and is willing to refrain from deep attacks every single shift.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Wilde has an absolute bomb of a point shot and understands how to keep it low and on the net to give teammates an opportunity for a deflection or rebound. Wilde can really fire the puck. He can also get it done in a variety of ways with an excellent wrist shot, and strong snapshot. His shots all feature a quick release as well. This makes him a real threat from the point. Wilde is able to get his shot off, and on net despite traffic. He is also a very good passer, starting breakouts and making plays at the point as well. Wilde can start the transition game with his passing skill. He also has the skating and stickhandling skill to rush the puck up the ice. At the blue line, he shows poise with the puck and the patience to set up teammates. He also has the vision and passing ability to run the powerplay.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Bode Wilde appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 22nd-ranked prospect, defenseman Jared McIsaac.

Jared McIsaac
2017–18 Team: Halifax (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: March 27, 2000
Place of Birth: Truro, NS
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 196 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 13
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 12

NHL Comparable: Drew Doughty

Jared McIsaac is among the more intriguing prospects of this year’s draft class. Coming into the season, he was anticipated to be among the top defensive prospects and a lock to be in the top 10 and potentially a top-five pick. However, he did not post the gaudy offensive numbers expected, causing him to slide down the draft board a bit.

McIsaac is a prototypical all-around defenseman who can do it all and munch big minutes each and every night. There really is not much McIsaac is not good at.

McIsaac’s biggest strength is his ability to defend. He is one of, if not the best shut-down defenders in the draft. His high-end skating ability, active stick and awareness allow him to effectively break up the opposition’s opportunities. He is very difficult to beat, especially one-on-one. When a turnover is created, McIsaac is able to quickly transition the puck from defense to offense thanks to his skating.

Offensively, McIsaac enjoys leading the rush. His skating ability allows him to carry the puck well, and his good hands and vision allow him to be a threat with the option to distribute the puck or keep it himself. His shots for the point are pretty effective largely because of his ability to get pucks through to the net and keep them low to the ice, often opening opportunities for deflections and rebounds. He is comfortable quarterbacking a power play, which is where his puck distribution skills really shine.

McIsaac has a big-game motor and plays full-steam-ahead hockey, which has its time and place, but can also get him into trouble with penalties at times. Still, his style shows his drive and willingness to work hard, which are good traits to have in a young defenseman.

The only knocks on McIsaac’s game are the questions about his offensive production and a need for increased strength to continue playing his style in the NHL. More was expected of him offensively this year, which has many wondering if McIsaac has reached his offensive peak. McIsaac managed to put up 47 points in 65 games this season, but being in the QMJHL, which is widely considered to be the most offensive league in the Canadian Hockey League, and being on a team with fellow top prospects Filip Zadina and Benoit-Olivier Groulx led many to feel a bit underwhelmed by McIsaac’s totals.

Implications for the Blackhawks
McIsaac would definitely be a reach with the eighth pick, especially with the other quality defensemen likely to be available at pick eight, and odds are good he will be off the board when the Hawks are on the clock with the 27th pick. But, if he is still available, he would be a pretty good pickup. His style of play is one head coach Joel Quenneville appreciates, being sound defensively first, but with the ability to generate offense as well. If teams really doubt his offensive ability, he could be among the bigger sliders in the first round, potentially enough to drop to 27.

Timeline
McIsaac will need time to continue working on his game in the offensive end and needs to add some strength to be able to play his style professionally. These improvements will take at least one, if not two years. The earliest McIsaac would see time in the NHL would be 2019–20, though it is more likely to be 2020–21 if a team really wants him better developed before making the jump to the NHL.

Projection
McIsaac has the tools needed to become at least a top-four NHL defenseman. If he is able to develop his offensive game more, he has the potential to be a top-pairing defenseman who can truly do it all at the game’s highest level for a long time.

What others are saying
“The thing you cannot question about McIsaac is how good a defender he is. He is widely considered one of the best shutdown defenders available. He has no issues meeting you at the line and shutting a rush down. He also will race into a corner and play a strong physical game. When his team has the puck, he quarterbacked the power play and demonstrated how good a playmaker he can be with his passing. He had many options to choose from. He more often than not made the correct decision on who to pass to. On tape, McIsaac shows bursts of what kind of player he could become. He’s not afraid to drive the net when given the chance. He plays one way. That’s super aggressive no matter what goes on around him. It sometimes gets him in trouble as demonstrated by his 86 PIM’s. The thing teams must figure out is if he has the upside of a top-five player who will continue to add offense or if we’ve seen his best now.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers

“McIsaac is a smooth-skating, two-way defenseman…he focuses on keeping his end clean first and foremost before adding to the offensive play…effortless skater with agility and balance…a long flawless stride…his cuts and transitions are fluid…incredible hockey sense…thinks the game at a very high level, and makes great decisions with the puck on his stick…keeps things simple, but can add a bit of flair where he sees an opportunity…pin-point breakout passes he delivers crisply and accurately…he really controls the puck well at high speeds and will skate it end-to-end when he gets room to rush the puck up ice…possesses a real cannon of a shot from the point…plays opposing puck carriers aggressively and stands up attackers at the blue line…keeps a close gap pushing opponents to the outside and applies good pressure to force mistakes…plays with a mean streak in the corners and around his own crease…doesn’t shy away from working hard…confident and mature…he’s a calming, safe, reliable two-way defender that has top-pairing NHL upside.”
— Aaron Vickers/Future Considerations

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Jared McIsaac appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 23rd-ranked prospect, center Akil Thomas.

Akil Thomas
2017–18 Team: Niagara (OHL)
Date of Birth: January 2, 2000
Place of Birth: Toronto, ON
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 171 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Center

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 15
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 10

NHL Comparable: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Akil Thomas is a well-rounded forward playing for Niagara in the Ontario Hockey League. While primarily a center, Thomas is also capable of playing the wing and has no issue doing so. He is a go-to player in all types of game scenarios, regularly relied upon during power plays, penalty kills and important defensive zone situations.

Thomas shines in all aspects of the game offensively. He possesses great speed and agility, which allows him to buzz around the ice. He also has very good hands, which he uses to create offensive opportunities, both for himself and his teammates. He enjoys beating defenders in one-on-one situations, but also loves distributing the puck, which is his tendency.

Thomas’s vision and hockey sense allow for him to be a dangerous player because he can identify weak points in a defense and attack them, whether in the form of himself taking the puck to the net or finding an open man to break down the defense.

While Thomas generally serves as a pass-first player, he is not afraid to shoot the puck, as he tallied 22 goals this season. His shot is dangerous because of his accuracy and surprising strength behind it, despite being relatively weak overall, which is his glaring deficiency.

Defensively, Thomas’s vision helps him to identify potential threats and position himself well. While he lacks strength, he can often times make up for it with his work ethic. With added strength, Thomas will become a more consistent and solid defender, which will help round out his already well-polished game.

Despite all of Thomas’s top-notch offensive capabilities, perhaps his greatest attributes are his leadership and work ethic. Thomas is a player who has a seemingly endless motor. He does give up on plays. He is not afraid to enter a puck battle despite usually being undersized. Thomas served as an alternate captain this season in Niagara and was relied upon by his coaches as a do-it-all player, which speaks volumes of a player of his age.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Thomas could be an option if he is still available when the Hawks pick at 27. He could be a nice addition to other middle-six players in the organization like Dylan Sikura. While he is a bit small, the Blackhawks have historically not paid much attention to size, drafting players like Alex DeBrincat, Vincent Hinostroza, Anthony Louis and Tim Soderlund. Were Thomas available at 27, it would likely depend on who the Hawks took with the eighth pick if they were interested in Thomas. If they grab a defenseman with the eighth pick, they may want a forward, and Thomas’s versatility and work ethic is certainly something head coach Joel Quenneville would appreciate. And, not that is matters, but Thomas is already used to wearing Blackhawks-style uniforms and looks good doing so.

Timeline
Thomas will need time to add muscle to his frame. He will likely need at least two years before jumping to the team drafting him, so do not expect him on NHL ice until 2020–21.

Projection
Thomas has a high ceiling because of his versatility and work ethic in combination with his high-end offensive skills. The biggest thing for him is gaining strength. If he can bulk up, he could become a second line center. Or, if the team selecting him may rather have him on the wing because of his size. Either way, he should be a safe bet for a middle-six role down the road.

What others are saying
“A thick two-way center with a deadly shot and high compete level who also can play the wing, Thomas led all OHL draft-eligible forwards in scoring with 80 points in 68 games. He is used in all situations, but he is most dangerous on the power play thanks to his keen vision and ability to pump shots through traffic. There a few players in his draft class who offer coaches the kind of versatility Thomas provides — he is used to take big draws, kill off an important penalty or run the offense from inside the zone during late/close situations.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“What stands out about Thomas is his leadership and work ethic. He is a tireless worker who is always striving to get better at both ends of the ice. In live viewings of him, he was out in all situations, including power play, penalty kill and end of game. He can effectively play both as a center and on the wing. He also handles everything like he’s 2-3 years older. He’s just 18, but you’d think he’s 20 or 21 based on his play and the way he handles himself. Not many players wear a letter in their draft season. That tells you everything you need to know about Thomas as a person.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers

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Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 24th-ranked prospect, center Rasmus Kupari.

Rasmus Kupari
2017–18 Team: Karpat (Finland)
Date of Birth: March 15, 2000
Place of Birth: Kotka, Finland
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 183 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 11 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 6 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Sebastian Aho

Rasmus Kupari is a highly touted Finnish center who has the raw skill to develop into a star in the NHL. However, questions surround him since he is very raw physically and did not see much playing time this year.

Offense is Kupari’s game. He thrives with the puck on his stick because of his high-end stickhandling ability. He has outstanding vision, which paired with his good hands, allows him to be an elite passer. Kupari has great play recognition and anticipation, which he quickly turns into offensive opportunities for himself and teammates. He knows where his teammates will be and often gets the puck to them at the perfect time.

Additionally, Kupari is an excellent skater. He has top-end speed and acceleration. He is able to change speed quickly, which causes problems for opponents trying to defend him. He has the speed and agility to burn around defenders while also being able to stop on a dime or cut across the ice. However, since he is not fully developed physically, he does not have the strongest legs, and therefore does not have the greatest balance.

This lack of physical development also hurts him in terms of net front battles, both offensively and defensively. He needs to bulk up to win more board battles and loose pucks as well. Added strength could also aid in winning faceoffs, which he is fine at now, but not great. Bulking up his upper body will greatly improve his shot as well, which is arguably his only offensive deficiency because of a lack of power.

Defensively, he needs to continue improving his positioning and being able to defend the front of the net. He has made good strides in regard to his defensive positioning, but still needs some work. He back checks well thanks to his elite skating. Again, added strength will work wonders for his ability to defend the front of the net and win loose pucks and board battles.

Overall, Kupari is a nice prospect with a lot of upside, but will require some patience in order for him to achieve his potential.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Kupari would be a reach at the 8th pick and it is unlikely Kupari is available when the Blackhawks pick at 27th. However, if Kupari is still on the board at 27, the Hawks would be very smart to snag him. He has too much upside to pass up at that point in the draft. It would take a few years for him to get into the lineup, but if he develops properly, he would pay huge dividends, either as a really good third line center or potentially as an option on the wing for the top two lines.

Timeline
Kupari spent much of this season playing for the Karpat men’s team, which greatly helped him begin to round out his game. However, he still needs to bulk up and improve defensively, which will probably take a couple of years. Do not expect to see Kupari in the NHL until at least 2020–21.

Projection
Kupari is an intriguing player. He has the raw offensive ability to be a star, but he will need to gain enough strength to take physical punishment in the NHL. He has the tools needed to be in the top six, likely as a center, but potentially as a winger if he is not able to develop his defensive game enough.

What others are saying
“Slick, dual-threat center with size who took to his role as a depth player on a contender in Finland’s elite league. The Finns have become quite popular in terms of the recent NHL drafts, and Kupari arguably is the best they have to offer in 2018.”
— Steve Kournianos/Sporting News

“Kupari is a highly skilled, playmaking center. He is undersized, but is a strong skater with a high hockey IQ and hockey sense that makes him a dangerous offensive player and a reliable defensive player. Kupari started his draft year with a solid showing for Finland at the Ivan Hlinka scoring two goals and seven points in four games. He started the season playing at the pro level in Liiga despite being drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at the CHL Import Draft, but after struggling somewhat with 12 points in 35 games was subsequently loaned to Hermes in the Mestis. Don’t be discouraged by this apparent set back as an undersized 17-year-old, undersized player it simply means Kupari needs more development time before he is pro ready. Kupari was also included on the Finnish World Junior team as an underage player, but was held pointless despite displaying his high skill set. Kupari has a high ceiling, and drawing comparisons to countryman Sebastian Aho gives you an indication of his upside, but he is a long term investment.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Rasmus Kupari appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 25th-ranked prospect, center Ryan McLeod.

Ryan McLeod
2017–18 Team: Mississauga (OHL)
Date of Birth: September 21, 1999
Place of Birth: Mississauga, ON
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 203 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 16
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 16

NHL Comparables: Kevin Hayes/Nick Schmaltz

On the outside, Ryan McLeod appears to be a top-end prospect. He has nice size, great speed and elite vision and hockey sense. He put up good numbers this season in Mississauga, where he has continued to grow in each of his three seasons. He has improved from 20 points as a rookie to 42 points last season to 70 this season (26 goals, 44 assists). His development and increased offensive production is very encouraging.

McLeod’s skating allows him to be an effective two-way player. He owns elite acceleration and speed, giving him the ability to create space and separation for himself offensively and recover quickly defensively. He also possesses elite agility, which is even more impressive given his size. He is able to change directions with ease at top speed. McLeod is strong on his skates as well, which allows him to come out on top in board battles and in front of the net.

McLeod loves distributing the puck to his teammates. His vision and hockey sense are among the best in the draft class. McLeod is very much a pass-first player, though owns a very accurate wrist shot that he gets off relatively quickly, though not as quickly as some of the class’s elite shooters. His shot is not overly powerful, but his accuracy makes up for it.

Defensively, McLeod is responsible and effective. He uses his speed to close gaps. His vision allows for him to read plays and break up passes, which he then quickly turns into a break going the other way thanks to his speed.

However, McLeod has two glaring problems. He does not use his big frame as effectively as he should and he often times appears to lack drive and motivation.

McLeod has all the tools needed to be a future NHL star. He is big, has speed to burn and is a fantastic passer. It is simply a matter of if he can overcome his lack of physicality and intensity that stands between him and NHL stardom.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Odds are probably decent another team will have taken a chance on him by the time the Hawks are at the podium for the 27th pick because of the massive amount of offensive upside he has. But, if he is still available at 27, the Blackhawks may be willing to roll the dice on him, since they will have already selected a high-end prospect with the eighth pick. If there is an organization that could straighten out a player’s lack of drive, Chicago and head coach Joel Quenneville is probably it. They would likely need to be pretty patient with him, but if they are, he could provide much-needed depth at the center position in the near future.

Timeline
He already has the speed, skill and size to be an NHL player. However, he will need time to become comfortable with contact and needs to figure out a way to find his motivation and channel that into results. He will need another year in juniors before turning pro.

Projection
If—that is a big if—McLeod can overcome his glaring deficiencies, he has the potential to be a low-end first line center. However, he would likely slot in better as a decent second line pivot. If he does not overcome these issues, he may not receive much a chance to prove himself at the NHL level. He is a big risk, but if he pays off, the team selecting him will reap huge rewards in the long run.

What others are saying
“Big-bodied power forward with speed and playmaking abilities who was one of the top OHL scorers among first-year draft eligibles. McLeod’s versatility is one of several things that stand out about him — he can play center or wing, shoot the puck with authority and is a mainstay on both the power play and penalty kill.”
— Steve Kournianos/Sporting News

“While McLeod has a decent finishing touch, his playmaking is what sets him apart from other players in this draft class. He has a very good shot and knows how to use it but when push comes to shove, McLeod’s ability to find an open player and feed them the puck is something he excels at. Part of that playmaking ability is what makes him such a good center prospect.”
— Brandon Share-Cohen/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Ryan McLeod appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 26th-ranked prospect, right wing Dominik Bokk.

Dominik Bokk
2017–18 Team: Vaxjo (Sweden)
Date of Birth: February 3, 2000
Place of Birth: Schweinfurt, Germany
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 180 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 12 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 8 (European Skaters)

NHL Comparable: Nikolaj Ehlers

Dominik Bokk is a skilled German forward playing in Sweden. Bokk is easily the best German available in the draft. NHL Central Scouting has him as the 12th-ranked international skater, with the next German ranked 95th. Bokk is touted as Germany’s next up-and-coming star.

Bokk’s biggest strength is his stickhandling. He possesses some of the best stickhandling in this year’s draft class, which allows him to be a dangerous offensive player. In combination with his elite hands is high high-end vision and hockey sense. This combination allows him to be a highly effective playmaker.

Bokk also owns a wide arrange of dangerous shots. His wrist shot and snapshot are among the better shots in the draft, as he is able to get them off quickly and with power and accuracy. Bokk is not afraid to tee up a slap shot either. Additionally, his high-end hands allow him to be effective close to the net with rebounds and deflections as well.

Bokk’s defensive game is a work in progress. Being among the most skilled players around during his upbringing in Germany, Bokk did not need to focus much on defense. However, as he has transitioned into playing in Sweden with better competition, Bokk has now been exposed to the need to improve defensively. At times, Bokk can get out of position and miss a backcheck because of a lack of recognition.

While Bokk is not one of the draft’s best skaters, he is able to hold his own thanks to his acceleration, which allows him to beat opponents in short races to loose pucks and then create separation. Bokk moves well laterally, which in conjunction with his good hands, allows him to create space for himself and generate offensive opportunities.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Bokk may or may not be available by the time the Hawks pick at 27th. If a team likes his offensive ability enough, he will likely be gone. However, he could be an option if teams are hesitant because of his defensive deficiencies. He would definitely need time in Rockford getting used to North American hockey before making the jump to the NHL, but could be a nice addition to the third line, or potentially second line with enough development, down the road.

Timeline
Bokk needs a few years to develop his game into a more well-rounded style. He needs to get stronger to be able to withstand NHL contact and needs to improve his speed. His defensive ability will need work, which will take some time as well. He is likely at least three years away from being an NHL player.

Projection
If Bokk is able to develop his game on the defensive side of the puck and get faster and stronger, he may be able to be a serviceable second liner in the NHL, though is more likely to be a god third line option for the team selecting him.

What others are saying
“Bokk has outstanding stickhandling ability. He has incredible hands and can make plays in a phone booth. He pairs this with very good vision and passing skill.  Bokk has high-end hockey IQ, he always seems to make smart plays with the puck and knows how to get open without it. Bokk is strong on his skates, and protects the puck well in the cycle game. He has decent balance. This should improve even more as he continues to add muscle to his frame.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

“Bokk’s pure puck skill is up there with the very best in the draft class. He dances with the puck on his stick and can make flashy dekes seem routine. His hands also translate to making him one of the best pick pockets (of pucks) I’ve seen at his age. He’s a good playmaker who looks to makes plays to his teammates and has the patience and skill to hold the puck and let an option develop.”
— Corey Pronman/The Athletic

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Dominik Bokk appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 27th-ranked prospect, defenseman K’Andre Miller.

K’Andre Miller
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: January 21, 2000
Place of Birth: St. Paul, MN
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 206 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 23
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 31

NHL Comparable: Morgan Rielly

K’Andre Miller is among the more intriguing prospects of this year’s draft class. This season was just Miller’s third season playing defense after being a forward for the majority of his life. While the initial transition was rough for Miller, he has made huge strides since joining the NTDP.

Due to his upbringing as a forward, Miller excels offensively. He has good puck skills and offensive awareness. Passing is one of his biggest strengths, as he sees the ice very well. Miller has a good wrist shot with a quick release, but does not have a heavy enough slap shot to be a legitimate point threat. These attributes allow him to be very effective as a power play quarterback.

Miller is an excellent skater who is very strong on his feet. He uses his edges well and is agile as a result. Miller has top-notch acceleration, allowing him to get to his top speed quickly, often times allowing him to cause separation between him and an opponent. His balance and leg strength allow him to win board battles and establish good defensive positioning.

Defensively, Miller does not hesitate to use his size and strength to disrupt the opposition. He enjoys throwing his body around when appropriate. His lack of experience shows in his positioning at times, though he can sometimes make up for that with his skating ability. His defensive awareness still needs work, but has come a long way in his time with the NTDP because of his desire to learn and grow, which is encouraging.

Ultimately, Miller is a very athletic player with all the necessary tools to be successful at the next level if he can continue to develop defensively.

Implications for the Blackhawks
As a player projected to go late in the first round, it is very possible Miller could still be available when the Hawks pick at 27th. He needs a lot of work learning how to be an effective defender, but that will come with time and good coaching, which Joel Quenneville and his staff can certainly provide. Miller is the type of defenseman the Blackhawks generally like because of his good skating and ability to push the offense. While he may be a bit of a risk because of his current defensive deficiencies, he could prove to pay off and be a solid contributor for the Hawks in time.

Timeline
Because of his late start to playing defense, Miller will need time to continue learning the position. He will be attending the University of Wisconsin beginning in the fall, where he will likely need at least a couple of years before making the jump to professional hockey, with a year in the American Hockey League a possibility as well. Do not expect to see Miller on NHL ice until at least 2021–22.

Projection
All of the tools are there to be a solid two-way NHL defenseman in the future with the ability to be a power play quarterback. Coaching will be key in his development in order to reach his potential, which could be very high. He will take a relatively large amount of investment from the team selecting him to get him to where he needs to be defensively. He is a relatively risky pick as a result, but one that could reap huge dividends. It is difficult to pinpoint a projection due to his limited experience playing defense, though the learning curve he is on is increasing his ceiling and giving added hope he will be a special player.

What others are saying
“Miller’s skating ability is combined with good puck handling skills. It is easy to see why he was a forward for so long. He can skate the puck out of danger, and start the transition game by leading the rush. He also makes a good first pass to start the transition game. If there is a criticism it is that Miller plays a game that is almost too conservative at this point. He picks his spots for when to get involved in the offense but seems to wait for a near perfect opportunity. There are times he could push the play more and does not. However, this is an area that has really improved.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

“Talented two-way defenseman with top-pairing upside who is committed to the University of Wisconsin. A strong skater with very good speed, Miller generates a lot of power into his stride and is starting to beat both opposing forwards and defenders to the outside. His stick and body positioning in the neutral zone are exceptional, and you can count on Miler to intercept more than a handful of cross-zone passes that he quickly transitions into rushes the other way. His ability to make clean passes on either his forehand or backhand, plus the manner in which he sharply pivots his way into bigger openings might explain how such a big and physical defenseman is only a few years removed from being a forward.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

The post Draft Prospect Profile: K’Andre Miller appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 28th-ranked prospect, defenseman Jett Woo.

Jett Woo
2017–18 Team: Moose Jaw (WHL)
Date of Birth: July 27, 2000
Place of Birth: Winnipeg, MB
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 28
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 20

NHL Comparable: Travis Hamonic

Predictability can often be a bad thing in hockey. However, when it comes to a prototypical all-around defenseman, predictability is exactly what you are looking for. What you see is what you get with Jett Woo. He does not blow anyone away in any specific area, but does a lot of things well, which adds up to being an effective defenseman.

Perhaps Woo’s biggest strength is his assessment and judgement of what is happening around him. More times than not, he makes the right decision, whether that be pinching in from the blueline to make a hit or chip a puck in the corner or to retreat to the neutral zone instead of pinching. Woo possesses enough speed to recover from a pinch when needed.

Woo’s size and strength allow him to be an effective player physically. He is not afraid to battle for pucks in the corner, and more times than not, he comes away with them. His physical play is his forte, yet he uses it wisely, having the discipline to avoid taking penalties.

While Woo quarterbacks the first power play unit for Moose Jaw, he is not an offensively minded defenseman. Woo owns enough puck skill combined with his strong hockey sense to contribute offensively. While generally a pass-first player, Woo has a good enough shot to be a threat from the point.

A looming concern for Woo is the question of durability. Woo misses 28 games this season with upper-body injuries, which may scare teams away from taking a shot on him in the first round.

Implications for the Blackhawks
It is entirely possible Woo could be snatched up before the Hawks pick at 27th if a team is willing to look past his injury concerns. However, if Woo is available at 27th, he would be a safe pick because of his style of play. He would also provide the Blackhawks with a bit of a different type of defensive prospect than they have in Gustav Forsling, Henri Jokiharju and Chad Krys, who all have a more offensive style to their game. However, depending on what the Hawks do with the 8th overall pick, the team may want to go in another direction, especially if they question his durability.

Timeline
Despite having decent speed, Woo will need time to adjust to the pace of professional hockey. He has the frame needed to be a steady NHL defenseman, but will likely need to add a bit more strength to withstand NHL contact, especially with his injury concerns. He will likely need at least one more year of juniors before making the jump to professional hockey, with maybe one year in the American Hockey League to follow. Do not expect to see Woo in an NHL sweater until at least 2020–21.

Projection
Though he will never become a top-pairing defenseman, Woo has all of the necessary tools to become a sound NHL defenseman. His reliability and consistency will bode well for his long-term development into what will likely be a bottom-pairing role at the NHL level, with the potential of landing a number four defenseman role if he can improve offensively.

What others are saying
“Woo isn’t a perfect defenseman and he was injured for a good chunk of his draft year, but there are a lot of things to like about his game. He’s physical and loves to hit, but picks his spots well and generally doesn’t take a lot of penalties. He’s defensively oriented, but has a good eye for puck distribution. He’s a passer primarily, but has a very effective shot from the point. Most appealingly, he plays a pro-style game already and probably won’t need to change a whole lot to succeed at higher levels – though he’ll probably have to rein in his love of big hits when he’s playing against grown men. He’s one of many appealing secondary defensive prospects in the 2018 class.”
— Ryan Pike/The Hockey Writers

“Woo not only owns one of the best names in hockey, he is a really good hockey player too. A physically strong and intimidating presence on the blue line which is surprising for a kid so young to have that type of confidence so early. Will hit opponents with clean, brushing body checks at any given opportunity and loves that aspect of the game. Almost always comes away with the puck coming out of the corners. Gets good looks in the passing lanes and moves the puck effectively out of the D zone. Power play QB and is intelligent and patient in the offensive zone. Strong skater who has a very active stick and can break up plays in the neutral zone and quickly transition to offence. Tough to beat and waits for the offensive player to make a move and he adjusts his coverage well on the fly.”
— Marshall MacKinder/Hockey Now

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Jett Woo appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 29th-ranked prospect, center Benoit-Olivier Groulx.

Benoit-Olivier Groulx
2017–18 Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: February 6, 2000
Place of Birth: Gatineau, QC
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 195 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 20
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 18

NHL Comparable: Phillip Danault

Benoit-Olivier Groulx is one of the best two-way centers in this year’s draft class. The former first overall selection in the QMJHL Entry Draft has spent the last two seasons playing for the Halifax Mooseheads, a program known for churning out high-end NHL talent in recent years, including Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, Nico Hischier and Filip Zadina, one of this year’s top prospects.

Defense is the cornerstone of Groulx’s game. Groulx uses his hockey sense and sound positioning to read plays and break up the opposition’s offense. He thinks the game well and is able to predict the opponent’s next step, often causing turnovers. Groulx is also strong at the faceoff dot.

Offensively, Groulx is able to get to the areas he needs to because of his work ethic. He is not the largest player on the ice, but he regularly uses his toughness to gain the positioning he desires. Groulx is not afraid to throw his body around to generate offensive opportunities for his team.

Groulx possesses one of the best wrist shots in the draft class and has the ability to score close to the net thanks to his good hands. He has a heavy slap shot, but rarely chooses to deploy it.

While offense is not the focus of his game, Groulx managed to record 28 goals and 27 assists this season in 68 games for the Mooseheads, a respectable total for a two-way center.

Overall, Groulx plays a very smart, safe and consistent game. His defensive ability, intelligence and attention to detail are easily his most desirable traits, with his offensive ability an added bonus.

Implications for the Blackhawks
This is the Hawks’ chance to recoup “the one that got away” in Phillip Danault. Danault, the 26th pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, never set the world on fire offensively, but has developed into a solid middle-six center for the Montreal Canadiens since departing Chicago in the infamous Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann trade in 2016. Groulx appears to be the second coming of Danault, and would be a solid pick to lock down the third line center position for the foreseeable future upon developing. With the Blackhawks currently lacking a long-term solution for the third line center role, Groulx could prove to be an excellent pick if he is still available when the Hawks pick at 27th.

Timeline
Groulx will likely require at least two or three more years before making the jump to the NHL. He will need to quicken his first step and get faster before donning an NHL sweater. If he plays one more season in Halifax and one year in the American Hockey League, Groulx would not see NHL action until 2020–21 at the earliest.

Projection
Like Danault, Groulx should slot in as a third line center in the NHL, with the ability to play second line minutes if he can improve his speed to better generate offense. He also draws comparisons to Ryan Kesler, though Groulx does not play as heavy a style as Kesler and will never reach the offensive level Kesler achieved at his prime. Groulx will never compete for a scoring title, but will be a valuable player for whoever selects him come June. He appears to be an ideal third line center who shuts down the opposition with enough offensive pop to become a staple on an NHL roster for years to come.

What others are saying
“The first pick in the 2016 QMJHL draft is a big solid wing (who is) not afraid to get gritty. Tall and fundamentally solid in all areas. Strong skater with a nice stride with strength, but truly lacks a quick first step. Understands team play and plays well no matter what line he is on, and can get the job done. Scores mostly from inside the dots and in front. He likes to bull his way there and take the shot. Isn’t a high end attacker at this juncture or speedster. Plays mostly in a defensive role. Longer term developmental guy who teams will hope builds a stronger offensive game to go along with his defensive presence.”
— Bill Placzek/DraftSite

“Groulx is a pure sniper. He has the soft hands to finish plays in tight to the net. He can get the puck up quickly on both his forehand and backhand. His slap shot is an absolute bomb, but he does not use it that often. The wrist shot is so strong and has such a quick release that it has become Groulx’s weapon of choice. It is legitimately one of the best wrist shots in the draft. Groulx gets to the tough areas of the ice, and battles for position when there. He can also score with deflections. … One area where Groulx excels is on the defensive side of the game. His positioning is outstanding, and this helps to hide his skating flaws in the defensive end. He is also extremely smart, as he often seems to be a step ahead of the opponent, anticipating and breaking up plays. Groulx is not afraid to support the defence in the cycle and uses his size to contain opponents.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Benoit-Olivier Groulx appeared first on The Rink.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 30th-ranked prospect, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.

Mattias Samuelsson
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: March 14, 2000
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, PA
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 217 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 21
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 17

NHL Comparable: Niklas Hjalmarsson

Hockey runs in Mattias Samuelsson’s blood. His father, Kjell, was a 14-year NHL veteran defenseman who played for the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 1992 and 1993.

Mattias is a prototypical defensive defenseman who uses his size and physicality to deter the opposition. He is regarded as one of the most difficult defenders to play against in this year’s draft class. He uses his hockey sense and footwork to close gaps and transition the puck to his forwards.

Samuelsson’s physicality is perhaps his greatest asset, as he regularly uses his large frame to separate opposing players from the puck. Despite racking up 107 penalty minutes this season, Samuelsson does not go out of his way to make a big hit, often times relying on his strong positioning instead. This discipline allows his team to effectively transition from defense to offense instead of needing to cover for him in the case of an ill-advised hit.

While not known as an offensive defenseman, Samuelsson recorded nine goals and 19 assists this season, including three power play tallies, which was an uptick from his 2016–17 totals of six goals and 10 assists with the USA U-17 team. His lack of offense does not make him stand out nearly as much as the other top-end defensemen in this year’s draft class, which will likely keep him from being picked in the first half of the first round.

Samuelsson also possesses strong leadership characteristics, serving as his team’s captain this season.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Samuelsson’s style resembles that of former fan favorite Niklas Hjalmarsson in some ways. You generally know what you are going to get with this type of defenseman: sound defense, physicality and the ability to munch valuable minutes in the most important games of the season, albeit with very limited offensive contributions. Samuelsson’s leadership also provides another enticing attribute. Additionally, the Blackhawks have frequented the NTDP in recent drafts, so seeing them target Samuelsson at 27th overall is not difficult to envision at all, especially if they draft either a more offensive-minded defenseman or a forward with the eighth overall pick. Samuelsson is the type of reliable defender head coach Joel Quenneville does not mind having around. Samuelsson would be a nice addition to the defensive prospects the Hawks already have in Gustav Forsling, Henri Jokiharju, Ian Mitchell, Chad Krys and Blake Hillman.

Timeline
Samuelsson will be attending Western Michigan beginning in the fall, where he will likely play for at least three years alongside his brother, Lukas. Do not expect to see him in an NHL arena near you until 2021–22 at the earliest.

Projection
As his game is currently focused heavily on defense, Samuelsson should slot in as a long-term number four defender with the ability to log around 20 minutes per night for whoever selects him. If he is able to improve his offensive game, he could develop into a number three defenseman, perhaps in the mold of Adam Larsson or even long-time Blackhawk Brent Seabrook during the Hawks’ glory years.

What others are saying
“Mattias Samuelsson is going to be a top-three defenceman on some NHL team for the next 15-plus years. He’s going to eat minutes, he’s going to help you win and he’s going to be miserable to play against.”
— Seth Appert/U.S. National Team Development Program

“There’s lots of room in the game for someone who is adept on the defensive side of the puck, with leadership capabilities and unearthed offensive upside.”
— Sam Cosentino/Sportsnet

“He skates well considering how big he is – at nearly 220 pounds – and doesn’t take a shift off from defending his own end. He’s able to use his strength in puck battles and does a good job blocking out opposing players in one-on-one battles. … While he might not be the top defenceman in the draft, (his) ability in the defensive end could be an asset that a number of teams target as the first round comes to an end. That said, if he does slip to the early part of the second round, one team could get very lucky with Samuelsson.”
— Andrew Forbes/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Mattias Samuelsson appeared first on The Rink.

To begin the series of prospect profiles, the number 31 prospect is defenseman Ryan Merkley.

Ryan Merkley
2017–18 Team: Guelph (OHL)
Date of Birth: August 14, 2000
Place of Birth: Oakville, ON
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 45
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 21

NHL Comparable: Samuel Girard

Merkley is perhaps the most intriguing prospect of the 2018 draft class for a number of reasons. He owns elite offensive ability from the back end, as is evidenced by gaudy numbers in the OHL. The first overall pick in the 2016 OHL Draft has recorded an astounding 122 points in two seasons for Guelph, in 125 regular season games, including 67 points (13 goals, 54 assists) in 63 games this season. Merkley tallied six points (one goal, five assists) in six playoff games this season as well.

However, Merkley has two significant knocks on his draft stock: his defensive play and questions about his character.

In his time playing for the Storm, Merkley has posted an abysmal -70 plus/minus rating in two seasons with Guelph. The trend continued in this year’s playoffs, registering a -6 rating in six games. While any team could certainly benefit from an elite offensive defenseman, his glaring lack of defensive ability may scare teams away from selecting him in the first round.

Additionally, questionable character could also scare teams away from investing a high pick in Merkley. Perhaps the most obvious example of this is the three-game suspension handed down by the OHL for violently slashing an opponent earlier this season.

Where Merkley will end up is truly anyone’s guess, as it will require a team taking a chance the he will overcome his deficiencies to reap the rewards of his elite offensive talent. His skill would likely land him in the top 10 if not for the big concerns surrounding the rest of his game.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Merkley could be a target for the 27th pick in the first round (acquired from Nashville in the Ryan Hartman trade) if they deem he can grow his defensive game. His questionable character would likely be addressed by the likes of head coach Joel Quenneville, captain Jonathan Toews and alternate captains Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook were the Hawks to take a shot on the ultimate high risk, high reward player of the 2018 draft class. If the team feels they can fix his problems, Merkley could be a worthwhile risk if the organization is able to select another elite defender with the eighth pick. Merkley could also provide the Blackhawks with another high-end right-handed defensive prospect in addition to 2017 draftee Henri Jokiharju.

Timeline
Merkley needs time to develop his defensive game before having a spot on an NHL blueline. He also needs to add muscle to his frame to withstand pressure from NHL competition. I would not expect to see him wearing an NHL sweater until 2020–21 at the earliest.

Projection
If Merkley can overcome his defensive and character deficiencies, he could develop into a top-pairing defender. Or, he could become the next Anthony DeAngelo. Only time will tell.

What others are saying
“Merkley is an exceptional skater with an explosive first step acceleration, high end top gear and shifty lateral agility. Merkley sees the ice offensively very well, is an exceptional puck distributor and generates offensive transition as good as any defenseman in his draft class. The concerns with Merkley are he is undersized and struggles with physical battles against bigger stronger opposition. But the main concern is his inability to defend effectively, his reads in the defensive zone are weak, and he chases the play out of position. When he has the puck on his stick, he is an elite player, but when the other team has possession he becomes a liability.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects

“In the offensive zone is where Merkley is the most potent, as his impeccable skating abilities and creativity with the puck allows him to generate high-quality scoring chances with relative ease. Further, Merkley owns a deceptive shot which he can float on-goal with regularity — an ability which creates havoc for opposing defenders due to the number of rebounds Merkley can create for his teammates. With this being said, it should come as no surprise to learn that Merkley recorded 54 assists and 67 total points in 63 games played with the Guelph Storm this season.”
— Brett Slawson/The Hockey Writers

The post Draft Prospect Profile: Ryan Merkley appeared first on The Rink.

Top Performing Playoff Teams Spend Little Time Regrouping in Their Own Zone

The more you play with the puck in your d-zone, the greater the opportunity for your opponent to steal it and create a scoring chance. Puck movement emphasis is on getting the puck up ice as quickly as possible to a player on the move or into an area a teammate on the move can retrieve it. Can the Blackhawks stop playing “patty-cake” with the puck in their own zone and make meaningful breakouts with it?

Top Performing Playoff Teams Establish a “Game Rhythm” with their Footspeed and Quick Puck Movement

Watch how certain defensemen on certain teams absolutely kill the up-tempo rhythm and pace of their team by constantly slowing the game down, standing still, and often putting, or keeping, the puck in their own zone. These defensemen have no clue about keeping game pace going shift-after-shift. Can Blackhawk defensemen not be pace-killers next season and will the Blackhawk front office avoid these types of Dmen?

Top Performing Playoff Teams are Exploiting the Dreadful Behind-the-Goal-Line Defending of All NHL Teams

Shocking, but true, no NHL team seems to have an answer for defending when the other team has the puck behind their net. Often, all of the players on the defending team become hypnotized into puck watching and lose track of where the other players they need to defend are. A key reason is that all of the defenders either are facing the puck=carrier (and have their backs to everyone else) or the defender(s) have their back to the play entirely. If defenders would learn to be parallel, not directly facing the puck possessor behind the net, their awareness of players beyond the man-with-the-puck would greatly expand. The Blackhawks were not good defending plays from behind their net. It’s essential they learn how.

Top Performing Playoff Teams Get the Puck to the Net as Often as Possible

While there are still point blasts that get through and wind-up in the back of the net, teams that direct the puck to the net in hopes of a rebound or redirect are seemingly never out of a game. The Pittsburgh Penguins have tipped or redirected in a crazy amount of goals. This has become a team skillset with players tipping the puck with their blade or shaft – high tips, low tips, redirects from anywhere in the offensive zone. With this as a team skillset, the quality of the initial shot matters little, just that the shot gets past the first defender. Will the Blackhawks develop the art of tips and redirects as a team skillset?

Top Performing Playoff Teams Fuel Their Power Play with Relentless Puck Retrieval

When the Blackhawks surged to the top of the Western Conference last year, much of that surge was led by power play success. And much of that success was the result of Jonathan Toews doing what he does best on the power play: winning 10-foot races and board battles to retrieve shot rebounds and keep possession alive. When one player is “on a mission” to get every rebound, suddenly, all of his power play mates are, too. With that energy, teams not only outwork the short-handed team, they outnumber them in battles. Enjoy the tic-tac-toe puck movement during these playoff power play moments, but be sure to notice if that pretty goal you just saw was really the result of the power play unit just flat-out outworking the short-handed crew on every rebound – and tiring them out – which set the stage for the precision-passing goal.

Top Performing Playoff Teams Have Players that Get to Dangerous Scoring Areas Undetected

How does this happen? One way is by being low, behind the goal line in a corner, with the puck. And then quickly moving the puck along the backboard, all the way up to the point man on the other side of the ice. And then briefly delaying any movement after the pass – before moving quickly to the front of the net for a tip or rebound. Time after time, players behind the goal line with the puck who
move it are then left alone uncovered as the defending team puck watches what the point man is doing with the puck. This allows the undetected player to slip into position at the perfect time to deflect the point shot. The Preds Forsberg and Arvidsson try this play, and variations of it, all the time. Crosby may be the best at “getting lost” as he is able to arrive in the slot at just the right moment. He does this from any angle and position in the offensive zone through the use of constant movement. So, tip goals do not have to be the result of a player standing still in front of the net. There are other ways to get the job done. The Bruins Bergeron is a master at lulling slot defenders into thinking “he’s covered” and then “backing out” away from defenders for a quick pass and shot. He may move only a few feet – but that small space he creates gives him the room to score. Will the Blackhawks have players emerge next year who can get to dangerous scoring areas undetected?

What other trends have you noticed?

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If there was one thing I took away from reading Sean Avery’s memoir Ice Capades, it was that you should never judge a book by its cover.  A hockey pest by trade, Avery made his presence known around the NHL using his mouth but also his hockey skills.  And in today’s NHL that is becoming faster and more skilled each day, Avery’s services would be valued heavily in my opinion because of his unique ability to throw star players off of their game.  But what makes this memoir so interesting is Avery’s passion for adventure beyond the rink.

Ice Capades is hardly just about hockey.  Avery was never an elite player, although he does claim to be the most famous 3rd liner while he was playing in the NHL.  Ice Capades  gives you an inside look at what it’s like being a professional hockey player and shows readers a different kind of stardom.  Avery fearlessly lived life to the fullest during his NHL career and took advantage of every opportunity that presented itself to him.

What really hooked me while reading Ice Capades was Avery’s voice.  He touched on many sensitive subjects and really spoke his mind, which may or may not be appropriate for all ages.  With the little I knew about Avery, I was surprised how in depth he got when it came to interpersonal relationships.  There was so much that I didn’t know about Avery that comes at you so fast, the chapters seem to fly by.

For the general hockey fan, you will love Avery’s stories of being a young player in the Detroit Red Wings system and him proving his value on a veteran team.  His ups and downs with the minor leagues is typical of any young player, but his determination to be physically ready every year combined with his integrity made him a unique player.  Avery goes in-depth about every coach he’s had, his team mates, and even team executives.  He does a great job discussing issues like salary cap, the lockout, and is even pretty open about his salary.

As a fan of the arts, I was very impressed with his interests in music and fashion.  Fans generally don’t get to read about hockey player’s personal interests but seeing Avery mention bands like Sparta, Radiohead, and Dashboard Confessional was really cool.  His love for vinyl and attending music festivals took his mind off of hockey and made him a more well-rounded individual.  Avery also spoke in length about his internship with Vogue Magazine, an opportunity he created for himself out of passion and curiosity.  His crazy stories of interacting with celebrities and high-profile fashion icons do not disappoint.

On a deeper level, Avery touched on some issues today like gay marriage, homophobia, CTE, drugs, and addiction that really resonated with his strong character.  Being a player known for his antics on the ice, a lot of people including me assumed he was the same off the ice which just isn’t true.  Avery even says he loved playing the villain but that wasn’t who he truly was.

I took about a week to read Ice Capades and am glad I spaced it out because I didn’t want to put the book down.  If you’re a hockey fan, this book will probably be more than you expected.  But if you’re more than just a hockey lover, this book is satisfying on many more levels.  As much as you hated Avery when he lined up against your favorite team years ago, you may respect him a lot more after reading his memoir.

Here is a link to Ice Capades on Amazon if you’re interested

You can follow Sean on Twitter at @imseanavery

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