The NHL regular season is coming to an end, and the NHL draft season is quickly approaching. As we have gotten further into the season, our knowledge of the draft quality has grown, and by now I think we have enough knowledge to have an idea on the range players can go this draft and what their careers might look like. This draft is weaker than the past couple, however like any given draft there are good players available.
1: Matthew Schaefer, LD1, Erie Otters (OHL), 6’2”, 183 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Prior to suffering a shoulder injury in the under 20 world junior championship, Schaefer proved himself as a special prospect. Schaefer has very few flaws in his game. He is a highly mobile, and skilled defenseman that jumps into the rush whenever he can. He plays very solid defense too. He is smart with his stick positioning and uses his speed to stop forwards from beating him on the rush. He plays with a high level of poise and hockey IQ. Schaefer will be hard to pass on, as defensive prospects like him are rare. We have not seen an upcoming draft eligible defensive prospect this good since Rasmus Dahlin.
2: Michael Misa, C1, Saginaw Spirit (OHL), 6’1”, 185 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Even though I have Misa at two, I do not think him going first is out of the question. Misa is a natural goal scorer, who works hard on and off the puck. He has a high hockey IQ, is a very good skater, and plays a great 200-foot game. He projects very well as a future first line center that plays in all situations.
3: Anton Frondell, C2, Djurgardens (SHL), 6’0”, 196 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Ever since his tough start to the season and coming back from injury Frondell has been excellent and has jumped in my rankings. Frondell has the potential to be an elite goal scorer, especially on the power play. He has good pro habits, uses his frame well, and is effective all over the ice.
4: Victor Eklund, LW1, Djurgardens (SHL), 5’11”, 161 Lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
I am certainly higher on Eklund than most. If I was an NHL General Manager, I would be willing to take him this high, but I understand he will most likely go in the 7-10 range. Despite being on the smaller size of things, Eklund is willing to go to the dirty areas, and is hard to knock off the puck. Eklund is a hardworking, goal scorer, and I think his game will translate to the NHL very well.
5: James Hagens, C3, Boston College (NCAA), 5’11”, 176 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
While Hagens is likely not the “franchise player” scouts originally thought he was, there is still a lot to like in his game. He is a very good stickhandler, has good vision, and is agile. He is most effective on the rush and during the cycle game and is very dangerous when given space. However, sometimes he is easy to knock off the puck and limits himself to a perimeter game style. While he is very skilled, that has not transferred to dominance like people expected. I believe there is a good chance Hagens gets moved to the wing when he makes the NHL. Even with my concerns, I am confident in Hagens ability and if he gets stronger, he will be a very effective NHLer.
6: Porter Martone, RW1, Brampton Steelheads (OHL), 6’3”, 207 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Martone is a highly skilled power forward. He has very good playmaking skills and is a great net front presence. He uses his size effectively, making him hard to knock off the puck. However, his lack of mobility holds him back in a big way. Skating is a very important skill, and that’s likely something he will have to improve if he wants to become a star in the NHL. However, if he does improve his skating, Martone will be a great player.
7: Radim Mrtka, RD1, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), 6’6”, 198 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Mrtka has the potential to be a great shutdown defenseman. He is 6”6, giving him a long reach to be able to break up passes and easily strip offensive attackers of the puck. He frequently sacrifices his body to block shots and averages an impressive amount of ice time for the Thunderbirds. Since deciding to come to North America Mrtka has shown some offensive flair in his game. I can easily see Mrtka being a top four defenseman, that is great defensively and provides some offense.
8: Jake O’Brien, C4, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), 6’2”, 170 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
O’Brien has continued his strong play as of late and has continued to rise in my draft rankings. He is a defensively responsible center that has strong playmaking skills and is highly creative.
9: Jackson Smith, LD2, Tri-City Americans (WHL), 6’3”, 190 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Smith is a big, mobile offensive defenseman. He is extremely creative and is flashy with his one-on-one moves. However defensively, there is certainly room for improvement. He is not great at defending off the rush and is turnover prone. However, the size, mobility, and offensive upside makes him an enticing option for teams picking in the top 10.
10: Kashawn Aitcheson, LD3, Barrie Colts (OHL), 6’1”, 198 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Aicheson already has great pro habits. In the defensive zone he is very aware. He positions himself well, is very physical, and prone to lay the body on offensive attackers. Offensively, Aicheson is not afraid to jump into the play and puts himself in the right places to have good opportunities. Aicheson also thrives in the transition games as he makes good breakout passes and is capable of skating the puck out of danger.
11: Roger McQueen, C5, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 6’5”, 192 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
McQueen was very hard to rank for me. He has missed most of this season with a back injury but has recently come back. The big centerman is very skilled and has gotten more physical since he has gotten back from injury. We have not gotten to see a lot of McQueen because of his injury but the high potential is undeniable.
12: Caleb Desnoyers, C6, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL), 6’2”, 172 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Desnoyers is a hard-working player, who is responsible defensively, and has good hands. However, his speed is something that can be improved on. I see him projecting well as a second line center that can play in all situations.
13: Justin Carboneau, RW2, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL), 6’1”, 192 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Carboneau makes hard shots look easy. He skates well and does a good job protecting the puck. His all-around game can use some improvement, but there is definitely high upside in him.
14: Brady Martin, C7, Soo Greyhounds (OHL), 6’0”, 174 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Martin has continued to rise in rankings and mock drafts. As this season has gone by, he has shown more skill and creativity. Martin is physical, very willing to crash the net and go to the corners.
15: Cameron Reid, LD4, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 6’0”, 174 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Reid thrives in the transition game. He has a strong stride, agility and plays with high confidence. Defensively he uses his stick effectively and fights hard in puck battles.
16: Benjamin Kindel, C8, Calgary Hitmen (WHL), 5’10”, 176 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Kindel is a very intelligent player. He is a great passer and puts himself in good areas to score goals. Despite being on the smaller side, he is not afraid to go to the dirty areas, near the net, and in the corners. His skating lacks explosiveness and his lack of size might put teams off from drafting him.
17: Cullen Potter, LW2, Arizona State University (NCAA), 5’9”, 168 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Potter lacks size and strength but makes up for it through other areas of his game. His top offensive attributes are his puck skills, shot and mobility. However, he has a tendency to make blind passes or throw pucks away when getting pressured by a defenseman which worries me. Off the puck Potter is hardworking on the backcheck and uses good defensive positioning. There is definitely some strong upside with Potter’s game, but there are certainly areas he has to work on.
18: Carter Bear, LW3 Everett Silvertips (WHL), 6’0”, 176 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Bear was the hardest prospect for me to rank because of his season ending ACL injury. If not for that he would be in my top 10, no question. Prior to his injury Bear proved himself to be a great forechecker, and defensive player. He regularly throws his weight around and is a great physical presence. He is hard to knock off the puck, skates well, and is a good shooter/passer.
18: Jack Murtagh, LW4, US National Development Team (USHL), 6’1”, 198 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Murtagh is one of the rawer players in the draft. He is a great skater, has a good shot, is physical, and works hard. However, he does not always make great decisions with the puck and makes some defensive errors.
20: Logan Hensler, RD2, University of Wisconsin (NCAA), 6’2”, 196 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Hensler has good size and brings good efficiency to the transition game. He does not have an overly impressive or flashy offensive game, and a lot of his offense will likely come through his smooth skating. Defensively he uses his skating and size effectively. He is hard to beat on the rush and is good at getting into shot lanes. However, at times Hensler can be frustrating, leaving his man open or turning the puck over. Even with his flaws I see Hensler turning out as a solid defensive first defenseman, who can also occasionally pitch in on offense.
21: Lynden Lakovic, LW5, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), 6’4”, 190 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Lakovic has good mobility for his size and drives play well, uses his reach and size effectively (for the most part) and has very good playmaking abilities. His long reach makes him hard to defend. However, I would like to see him be more physical and harder to knock off the puck because of his size.
22: Braedon Cootes, C9, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), 6’0”, 183 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Cootes does all the little things you would want a bottom 6 center to do. He works hard, crashes the net, wins puck battles, and is a very good penalty killer. At times he has shown impressive playmaking skills. While the NHL offensive upside is questionable, I think he projects very well as a third line center that is versatile and can play in all situations.
23: William Moore, C10, US National Development Team (USHL), 6’2”, 174 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Moore is a good skater for his size, is an efficient fore checker, and wins puck battles. The offensive upside is still somewhat questionable, but I think it is good enough for him to become a two-way middle six center.
24: Joshua Ravensbergen, G1, Prince George Cougars (WHL), 6’5”, 192 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Ravensbergen is big, calm, and athletic in net. He projects well as a solid starting goalie in the NHL.
25: Malcolm Spence, LW6, Erie Otters (OHL), 6’2”, 201 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
While the skill likely won’t stand out, Spence makes up for that in other ways to give him the potential of being a very impactful player. He works as hard as anyone, is a hound on the forecheck and in puck battles, is a good net front presence, checks, and is a great defensive forward. He projects well as a bottom six, goal scorer, who is great in all three zones.
26: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW3, Lulea HF jr.(J20 Nationell), 6’3”, 183 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Ihs-Wozniak is a big, skilled forward. His play-driving is not overly impressive, and he relies on players around him to get the puck up ice. He is most effective on the powerplay. His best attributes are his shooting, passing, and puck protection.
27: Ivan Ryabkin, C11, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), 6’0”, 198 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Ryabkin is one of the more controversial players in this coming draft. He has nice hands, with a powerful shot, and the skill is undeniable. He also has some good playmaking attributes and is a pretty good net front presence. Off the puck he is very physical but sometimes chases hits a little too much putting him out of position. He lacks mobility and does not drive play well which heavily limits him. He is inconsistent and sometimes looks unengaged in games. He is also somewhat turnover prone and takes some bad penalties. He has a lot of potential as a creative power forward, but the glaring holes in his game make the transition to the next level very unpredictable.
28: Eric Nilson, C12, Djurgardens jr. (J20 Nationell), 6’0”, 154 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Nilson is one of the best skaters in the draft. His skating is explosive and contains good agility. He has good hands and vision but prioritizes the possession game more than he probably should which limits his team’s quality chances. I would like to see him play with a little more risk to create more offense. He plays a good 200-foot game and shows some physicality, however if he wants to reach his ceiling, he will definitely need to get stronger.
29: Henry Brzustewicz, RD3, London Knights (OHL), 6’1”, 194 lbs
(Via Elite Prospects)
Brzustewicz shows a lot of potential as an offensive minded defensively. He is mobile, elusive, and somewhat flashy. When defending against players with speed he does well for the most part. Sometimes he looks a little lost in the defensive zone, leaving his man open and lacks some defensive awareness. He is also too aggressive sometimes when pinching and finds himself giving up odd-man rushes. However, if he sorts out some of his defensive shortcomings, the upside can be very high.
30: Jack Nesbitt, C13, Windsor Spitfires (OHL), 6’4”, 183 lbs (Via Elite Prospects)
Nesbitt is a good all-around center. He has decent puck skills and can shoot. He is a good net front presence as well. Nesbitt has really come on in the past few months, and as of now I have him in the first round.
