Best young nhl players

Ranking the top NHL players and prospects under Connor Bedard leads the list · Connor Bedard · Jack Hughes · Tim Stützle · Adam Fantilli · Leo. Core 4 - Top 50 Players · 1. Connor Bedard · best young nhl players. Quinn Hughes (9) · 3. Jack Hughes (3) · 4. Tim Stutzle (17) · 5. Rasmus Dahlin (5) · 6. Moritz Seider. Seth Jarvis (21), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (23), and Martin Necas (24) also bring a ton of playmaking prowess to the Hurricanes' forward group. From Bedard and Fantilli to Logan Cooley and Luke Hughes, the NHL is experiencing a massive influx of young talent this season. Before we get.

Bedard, Hughes brothers headline TSN's Top 50 Under-24 players

Is 23 too old to start hockey? No Maximum Age Required

At what age are NHL players best? Most research reaches the general consensus that these age effects are positional dependent; for example in [4] the authors conclude that the peak age for NHL forwards is between ages 27-28, while the peak age of performance for defencemen is between 28-29.

Can a 14 year old start hockey? Kids can start playing hockey at a little bit older age and still have a great experience. Some start later and catch up to other kids who've played longer, or some are slower to pick up on skating skills, which is okay, too. The ultimate goal of hockey or sports in general isn't necessarily to play at an elite level.

Ranking the top NHL players and prospects under 23: Connor Bedard leads the list

He is very quick and skilled. He plays with a ton of pace and energy and doesn't shy from physicality despite his size. Stankoven can play fast, but also has the great sense and hands to make a lot of tough plays inside the offensive zone while also being able to score goals. He has the makings of the next small player to become a legit NHL scorer. Brock Faber.

Faber has been one of the NHL's best stories this season as he's become a massive part of the Wild. He hasn't always been known for his offense, but that aspect of his game has developed well. He's seen some power-play time this season and has used his great skating to activate and create offense.

Faber's value comes from his defensive play, though. His skating and compete are both high-end traits. He's a very powerful and elusive skater and despite not being that big, he breaks up so many plays due to his skating. Add in the fact he's a true battler on the ice and you get a very good defensive player. If the offense remains even close to this good, he could be a top defenseman on an NHL team for a while.

Dmitriy Simashev. Simashev has been a regular on Lokomotiv's third pair all season. They have a great team and Arizona is likely hoping next season is when his role advances. Simashev is a toolsy defenseman who skates quite well for 6-foot He makes a good outlet pass and has some playmaking in his game. He plays his gaps well, closes with the body and retrieves pucks at a high level.

Simashev may never be the biggest point producer, but with how well he defends, he should have enough offense to play a lot for an NHL team. Best young nhl players Kent Johnson. Johnson has had an up-and-down season to date. He was sent down from Columbus out of camp despite scoring 40 points last season.

Johnson has dynamic skill. He can beat NHL defensemen routinely with his stickhandling and projects to be on many highlight reels over his career. He can make high-end plays often to teammates and has a good shot too, even if he has a pass-first mentality. He is not without his warts, though. Johnson lacks ideal quickness. He's not very physical and his overall effort can be inconsistent.

He's so immensely talented that he should be able to overcome these issues and score a lot in the league, but he may frustrate you along the way. Anton Lundell. Lundell is an important part of Florida's lineup. He's a strong all-around center. He has offensive skill, sees the ice very well and can make difficult plays. His game is more substance than flash.

He wins a lot of battles, makes a lot of good decisions with the puck and has good details in his game. He competes hard and can create around the net. Lundell isn't the flashiest player in the world and has so-so footspeed, but his game has enough that he projects to be a very good NHL center.

David Jiricek. Jiricek has played a limited-minute role for Columbus this season after a great first season in North America. He hasn't had a major impact in the NHL yet, but he has a lot of traits that make you think he will with time. He's a very skilled, big defenseman who can make plays, shoots the puck well, and in time, projects to be a significant offensive contributor.

His so-so footspeed has led to some expected bumps in his transition to the NHL, but given his frame and strong compete level, in time I expect him to be a strong defender, too. Seth Jarvis. Jarvis has become in the NHL the player he was in junior. He has a ton of talent between his excellent speed, hands and abillity to score. But it's his extremely high compete level that makes him so good and has allowed him to excel in the NHL as a smaller player.

He is fearless, persistently going to the net to create offense. He wins a lot of battles and can play both ways. Jarvis is talented but I wouldn't call him that dynamic. That likely won't stop him from being an excellent NHL player. Thomas Harley.

Harley has become an important part of the Stars, and despite very little power-play time this season, he's generated quite a lot of offense. In time, I think he's going to play a ton of minutes for his team; big defensemen like Harley who can skate and move pucks intelligently tend to do so. His offensive play isn't flashy, but he's a very smart passer who can use his feet to transition pucks up the ice and create off the blue line.

He has a decent point shot, too. Defensively, Harley doesn't stand out as much due to a lack of physical play, but his length and mobility allow him to break up enough plays and excel on retrievals. Brandt Clarke. His skill and offensive IQ stand out consistently.

He is constantly looking to make plays. He attacks from the blue line off rushes, pinches very well and can make a ton of difficult plays with the puck. His knock-kneed skating stride has always been an issue in his game, but he's a competitive player who doesn't shy from physical play. That, combined with his length, should allow him to be a decent enough defender in the NHL to counter-balance how much offense he is going to likely bring.

Shane Wright. The hype machine on him has faded a bit and allowed him to become a very good player in his own way. He skates and makes plays like an NHL player. He can shoot the puck well and score from range. Best blackjack odds Wright works hard at both ends and can create in the hard areas of the ice.

He may not show up on a ton of highlight reels, but he has a lot of traits you look for in a top-six forward and could become an excellent all-around NHL center. Simon Nemec. He has the look of a very good all-around defenseman. He's a very intelligent puck-mover who makes a lot of tough plays at both ends of the ice and has the poise to hold pucks for the extra second needed.

He has a high skill level and can attack with his feet, hands and especially his playmaking. He's not too big or physical, but he gives a strong effort every night and is a reliable defender against men. He may never be the flashiest offensive defenseman, but he projects to run an NHL power play and play a lot of minutes for a long time. John Jason Peterka. Peterka has been a bright spot in Buffalo's season as a highly productive scorer for the Sabres.

He has a lot of great offensive traits. He possesses excellent hands and can beat NHL defenders with skill at full pace. He is a strong skater and playmaker but his shot is truly a standout attribute. He is a legit threat to score from the faceoff dots. Peterka isn't that big or overly physical, but he competes well and doesn't shy from engaging and especially from going to the net to create offense.

He can be a top goal scorer for an NHL team. Dylan Guenther. Guenther has been a big part of Tucson's success this season. He is a wing with a lot of NHL traits. He's big and fast. He's very skilled. He projects to be on an NHL power play due to how good his shot is and how effective he is at scoring from range.

He is a shoot-first type but can make tough plays as well. Guenther competes well enough, but he's not overly physical and can play a bit too much on the outside. His scoring touch and skating are so good that he has a chance to be a legit top-line wing in time. Best young nhl players Simon Edvinsson. He looks a longtime big-minutes NHL defenseman.

He's a very strong skater for a massive defenseman. He has good puck skills, can move pucks and can make plays. I wouldn't call his playmaking elite and I'm unsure if he's a true NHL power-play type. He has a little physical edge in him which, combined with his feet and long reach, results in a lot of stops. Matthew Knies. Knies has been a quality winger for Toronto as a rookie NHL player, continuing off his great college career.

He is a big, skilled winger who can play a heavy game. He has a bulky frame that can be hard to muscle off pucks. He competes hard and gets to the net to create offense. He can kill penalties and wins back a lot of pucks. Knies has offensive creativity as a handler and passer but I wouldn't call his skill dynamic. His footspeed is just OK. It's good enough for how big and competitive he is to help him become a great NHL winger, but if he doesn't truly succeed, that will be the reason why.

Ryan Leonard. Leonard has been excellent as a freshman in college. He is a versatile winger with a lot of elements to his game that an NHL coach will covet. He combines that with excellent hands and an ability to make highly skilled plays with the puck at full speed. He creates a lot of offense around the net and has a style of play that is highly translatable to the NHL.

Leonard has the potential to be a top-line wing. Gabriel Perreault. Perreault carried his strong draft season into his freshman campaign at Boston College, becoming one of the top scorers in the country. He is an extremely skilled and intelligent winger. He makes highly creative and unique dekes and passes with the puck at a high rate, both off the perimeter and in small areas.

His puck game is clear NHL power-play quality, and he will score as a pro. He gets to the interior and shows strong second efforts to win pucks, but whether his game translates to the NHL will be a question until it does. I think he's so talented that he will be a major scorer in the NHL, but I understood why he slid to the 20s on draft day as well, as his player type succeeding is more the exception than the rule.

Cutter Gauthier. Gauthier was recently traded in a highly unusual and public dispute between him and the Flyers after he indicated he wouldn't sign with them. He has been a top player in college this season as a sophomore and was one of the best players at the world juniors. Gauthier has a prototypical NHL skill set. He's a big, fast, skilled center.

He can make plays and gives a solid effort every night. His shot is his calling card, though. Gauthier is a legit threat to score from the faceoff dots and projects to score a lot of NHL goals. He sees the ice well enough, but I wouldn't say his sense is overly strong and it may limit whether he's for sure an NHL center or not.

Even if not, he has legit top-line tools. David Reinbacher. Reinbacher has been a good player in the NLA this season after being sent back by Montreal. He's played well, but for a No. Reinbacher is a very good two-way defenseman. His mobility stands out immediately, especially as a 6-foot-2 right-shot defender. In his draft season, I saw a real physical edge from Reinbacher, but that part of his game hasn't been as evident this season.

He still defends well and I see a potential big-minutes defenseman in the NHL. Jamie Drysdale. Drysdale, who was recently traded as the main return for Cutter Gauthier, has been a tough player to evaluate lately because of how often he's been hurt. He is an electric skater with a very smooth and powerful skating stride. His edge work is elite and despite his smaller frame, he projects to be a good NHL defender due to his feet, a strong effort level and his skill on retrievals.

Drysdale isn't the flashiest offensive player you'll ever see, but he has good skill and vision and can run a pro power play. He has the tools to be a top-pair defenseman, but he needs to be healthy consistently. Tier 7. Kirby Dach. Dach's season ended almost right away due to an ACL injury.

Thus his evaluation is unchanged from the summer when I saw a player who looked like a top-six forward due to his size, skating and great skill. Zach Benson. Benson made Buffalo out of camp and hasn't looked out of place since then. He has a ton of creativity and offense in his game. He makes high-end skill plays through defenders and to teammates regularly and does so in small areas.

He's shown remarkable ability to win pucks and especially to create around the net in the NHL for an year-old. The downside on him, aside from his frame, is his skating. It's good enough, but he's not a blazer, especially for his size. His skill and will are high end and should help him be a legit top-six wing in the NHL.

Whether he has another level is to be determined, but all he's done throughout his career is exceed expectations. Dawson Mercer. Mercer isn't the flashiest player you'll ever see with this high a rating but he's become an important one for New Jersey. He can play center or wing and on both special teams.

He's got a great motor. He wins a lot of battles despite not being the fastest. He gets to the net and creates a lot of offense around the high-percentage areas. Mercer has very good skill and vision and while he can make the high-difficulty plays, he excels more from keeping it simple and being good with his details.

He is a top-six forward, but in what exact capacity for his career is to be determined. Danill But. But's first full KHL season hasn't seen him get a ton of ice time on a strong Lokomotiv team, but he's scored at a strong clip with the ice time he's gotten. The toolkit remains quite exciting. But is a large, highly skilled forward who can score.

He works hard enough and competes for pucks, although I don't think that part of his game stands out. He has the look of a potential longtime top-six wing in the NHL. Danila Yurov. Yurov is in the midst of a great season. He's become an important part of a top Magnitogorsk KHL team, moving into the center position and having a lot of success.

Yurov is a very talented forward. He skates and handles the puck like an NHL player and can make highly skilled plays with pace. He competes hard enough off the puck, with the ability to create offense in the hard areas and from the perimeter. He has strong vision and finishing ability. He looks like a top-six NHL forward, and possibly one who can play in the middle.

Jiri Kulich. Kulich is coming off a good-not-great world juniors, but his play in the AHL has been excellent. He's been a goal-scoring machine as a teenager. I don't think he's the flashiest player, but he is a consistent hardworking forward. He won't run guys over, but he wins a ton of battles and gives a strong effort every night.

Kulich's shot is the main way he contributes offense. He can pick corners from a long way out, and his one-timer is a legit NHL weapon. The rest of his game isn't as high end, but he skates and handles the puck well, and his style of play is one that translates to the pros as evidenced by how well he's done lately.

Matt Coronato. Coronato made Calgary out of camp but was sent down to the AHL after a few weeks. He's been one of the top forwards in that league ever since. Coronato is a player who brings a lot of energy to his shifts. He skates very well and, despite his size, doesn't shy away from getting to the dirty areas.

He has good skill and IQ with the puck, but it's his shot that leads to a lot of offense. He's a legit threat off the flank to score and gets a lot of goals at the net-front area, too. He could be a very good top-six winger one day. Jesper Wallstedt. Wallstedt was a top goalie in the AHL this season which resulted in him getting a call-up to the Wild. Wallstedt is a super intelligent and polished goalie.

He tracks the play at a high-end level, moving efficiently with the puck and always seeming to square up the shot. Wallstedt isn't explosive side to side, but he moves well enough and is aggressive in net when he needs to be. When he gets to the NHL and has to play at the highest pace that aspect of his game may be tested, but his sense and technique are so good that I see a potential legit starting goalie in the league.

Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov isn't an easy evaluation but he's been very good in the AHL since coming over from Russia. There are times when I watch him and he looks like the rare type of goalie who can dominate. Askarov is a high-end athlete who has the power and quickness in his lower half to make all the tough lateral saves in the NHL.

He's an aggressive, competitive goalie who challenges shooters and improvises well. He reads the play well, but he does get a little over-aggressive at times and can be caught out of position. You'd love to see his game get more consistent and less noisy, but the noise is part of what makes him good at the same time. I think he can be a starting goalie in the NHL.

Marco Rossi. Rossi has been very good for the Wild this season, being a top-six center for them. Rossi is a very intelligent center who can create a lot for his teammates through his excellent offensive creativity and vision. He possesses a lot of skill, but it's where he creates offense that makes him so appealing. Despite being small, Rossi makes a lot of skilled plays in traffic.

He competes hard and projects as a two-way center despite his frame. Rossi's main issue is his skating for his size. He is elusive but lacks dangerous straightaway speed. That may keep him from hitting the highest echelons of scoring, but he should still be a very good pro for a while. Axel Sandin Pellikka.

Sandin Pellikka has been very good versus pros this season, already scoring nine goals in the SHL as an year-old. He was also named the top defenseman at the most recent world juniors. Sandin Pellikka is a very intelligent puck-mover with excellent puck skills. He displays strong playmaking ability with the poise to make plays from the blue line at the highest levels.

He is a goal-scoring threat who can score from range off his one-timer or wrist shot. He will be known more for his offense, but his effort level is good enough that he should be able to hold his own and be a quality top-four defenseman. William Eklund. Eklund has had success in his first full season in the NHL being an important part of an albeit dismal San Jose offense.

Eklund's skating is clearly NHL quality. He has excellent edges and quickness and is able to escape pressure at the top level. He makes a lot of difficult dekes and passes on the move and has a very creative offensive mind as a playmaker. Eklund isn't that big, but he competes hard off the puck, and gets to the net to score.

While talented, I would not call him the most dynamic small winger you'll ever see, but he is good enough to be a legit top-six forward in the league. Gauthier has a prototypical NHL skill set. He can create in transition due to his hands and feet. He can make tough plays to teammates. His shot is very dangerous and can beat NHL goalies from distance.

His compete is fine, not a major asset but good enough, and with his frame he can win NHL battles. Dvorsky is quite dangerous inside the offensive zone. He has excellent puck skills in small areas and can make checkers miss routinely in open ice. He can make tough plays and find seams. He excels as a goal scorer, though, with a wrist shot and one-timer that he can often finish from range.

Like a lot of shooters, he can stay too much on the perimeter instead of taking it to the net, but I never watch his games and think he lacks effort. His footspeed is going to be an issue for higher levels. Edvinsson played a major role for Grand Rapids in all situations as a year-old, continuing the pro success he showed in the SHL.

Edvinsson checks all the boxes. He has good puck skills and he can move pucks and make plays. He has a little physical edge in him and makes a lot of stops. Knies was one of the top players in his conference and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker, continuing his upward trajectory as a prospect. Knies is a big, highly skilled winger who plays heavy games.

That he has such great offensive creativity only helps that cause with his direct style of play. Stankoven had a marvelous junior career full of accolades as he gets set to turn pro next season. He has a ton of skill and natural scoring ability. He attacks with pace and a direct style of play. He can make plays and has a great shot from range.

But I think he has the traits to become the outlier. But is a large, highly skilled forward who can score. He gives a solid effort and is often involved in the play. Simashev is a toolsy defenseman who skates quite well for his 6-foot-4 size. Simashev competes hard, has some physicality in his game and showed in the first half he could play against men at a young age.

There is some debate on how much offense he has, but I think he has offense, and on a lesser junior team he would have scored more. When he was leaned on in the MHL playoffs, the offense came out more consistently. Guenther made the Coyotes out of camp. Guenther has a lot of NHL traits. He skates and handles the puck well. He is a good passer who can make plays at an NHL pace. He gives a solid effort every night even if not overly physical.

His shot is his best weapon; his wrist shot and one-timer are legit threats at the NHL level. Guenther may never be a star, but I think he will be a good top-six wing in the league. Pinto played all 82 games for Ottawa this season in a significant role. Pinto has very good puck skills and can create offense in a direct way. Pinto is a good-sized center which combined with his effort should allow him to be a solid two-way center despite so-so footspeed.

His skating is the only true issue in his game and may prevent him from becoming a truly impactful NHLer, but he should be an important part of a lineup for a long time. His compete is fine but not a selling point, nor is his finish, which can make him frustrating to watch because of that rare toolkit. Clarke made the Kings out of camp and, after being sent back to junior, tore up the OHL as arguably the best player in that league in the second half of the season.

Clarke is a very skilled and creative player. He constantly attacks from the blue line off rushes and pinches and can make a ton of difficult plays with the puck as a handler or passer. Leonard is a versatile winger with a lot of elements to his game that an NHL coach will covet. He combines that with excellent hands and an ability to make highly skilled plays with the puck at full speed.

Leonard may never truly stand out at either end of the ice, but he will never give a coach a reason to sit him and projects as a quality top-six wing. Nemec played big minutes and was highly productive as an year-old in the AHL. Nemec is a well-rounded defenseman. He may never be the flashiest offensive defenseman, but he projects to run an NHL power play and play a lot of minutes for a long time.

Guhle had a strong rookie NHL season even if it was interrupted by injury. When healthy, he looked like a legit NHL defenseman with strong shutdown ability. His skating combined with his length and excellent physicality will allow him to stop top NHL forwards. He closes gaps like a pro and punishes players for coming down his wing. Perreault is an extremely skilled and intelligent winger who can make a ton of positive things happen inside the offensive zone.

He makes highly creative and unique dekes and passes with the puck at a high rate, both off the perimeter and in small areas. His puck game is clear NHL power-play quality, and he will score as a pro. He shows good second effort and can win puck battles at the junior level, although whether he can do that versus men is a concern. His hockey sense is so elite though that I think he can overcome those issues and become a very good top-six winger.

Off the puck he shows good details and a strong work rate. He wins a lot of battles and can kill penalties. Honzek dabbled at center for a couple of WHL games but is likely a winger as a pro. Even as a wing he projects to be an important two-way player for an NHL team. Broberg played a limited minute role on the Oilers for most of the season.

His high grade is still based on his great toolkit and projection. There are very few defensemen out there with his size who can skate the way Broberg can. He has a very powerful, fluid stride and can explode up the ice as well as close on his checks quite well. Outside of his pure athleticism, the rest of the game is less exciting. I think he can harness his mobility to become a solid top four defenseman with time even if there may never be this big high side offensively.

His skill and especially his vision stand out at the NHL level. His frame and skating are concerns, though. The multiple recent injuries are also a minor concern when discussing his frame. Wood is a very gifted offensive player. He has excellent one-on-one skills and offensive IQ. He has the ability to hold onto pucks for an extra second and knows how to beat defenders with skill.

He also has an excellent wrist shot and one-timer, making him a major asset on the power play. However, his skating is an issue as he lacks the ability to separate. The pace of the NHL will challenge him. After a tough season in Sweden in , Eklund looked more like himself in the AHL this past season being a top player for his club.

Eklund has some dynamic qualities between his skating and puck play. He has excellent edges and quickness. He will be able to evade NHL pressure constantly and beat defensemen wide. He makes a lot of difficult dekes and passes on the move and has a very creative offensive mind as a playmaker. He projects as a quality top-six wing.

Reichel started the season in the AHL where he was again excellent at that level. He then came up late in the season to Chicago where he put up 15 points in 21 NHL games. Reichel is a talented forward. Reichel takes pucks to the net, and he pushes the pace with his strong skating.

His feet plus his ability to think and make plays quickly will help him score in the league. I think he can be a quality top-six wing. Zellweger was the top defenseman in the WHL for the second straight year and was named CHL defenseman of the year after a monster offensive season. Zellweger has a ton of speed, skill and playmaking in his game.

He generates so many controlled exits and entries. He creates off the blue line with his feet and brain. He has a bullet shot from the point, too. His defensive play will likely be an issue in the NHL due to his frame, but the rest of his game is so good that I think he can overcome it.

I think Zellweger can be a Samuel Girard type of defenseman in the league. He has a quick, powerful skating stride and can push the pace up ice with the puck. He has the making of a good two-way top four defenseman. Mintyukov was the best defenseman in the OHL. Mintyukov has the size, skating and skill to be a top-four NHL defenseman.

Mintyukov has the vision, creativity and shot to be a threat inside the offensive zone as well. Rossi made Minnesota out of camp but struggled to stay in the lineup. Rossi is a very intelligent center who can create a lot for his teammates through his excellent offensive creativity and vision.

He can create in transition and from a standstill running a power play. Rossi struggled at times in the NHL due to his frame and as a good-but-not-great skater. But he showed at the worlds he can play versus men due to his compete and skill and as a good enough skater.

Yager is a player with a pro-style game. He plays with a lot of speed and energy and has the ability to carry pucks up the ice and make skilled plays with pace. His main offensive weapon is his shot, which is high-end due to his great technique and accuracy, but he does have the slick hands and vision to beat defenses in other ways. I can see him as a quality top six forward though whether at center or the wing.

Benson has a ton of creativity and offense in his game. There is a fair amount of risk on his projection, but his strong compete and tremendous skill, plus his track record of scoring, make you think there is still a very good chance he can become a quality top-six wing in the NHL. The strengths of his game are his work ethic and physicality.

His motor is outstanding, he plays in traffic and projects as a reliable two-way center in the NHL. He could be a second-line center, but I think on a contender he probably is a 3. Wallstedt was up and down in his first AHL season, but very impressive for one of the youngest players in the league.

He was then good for Sweden at the worlds. Wallstedt is a super intelligent goalie. He tracks the play at a high-end level, moving efficiently with the puck and always seeming to square up the play. He has great technique and never seems out of place. He can struggle to make the big stop where he needs to explode laterally, relying on anticipating the play to make those stops.

I think his brain is so good he will be a legit starting goalie despite those concerns, though. He has strong hands and vision. He can create offense off the rush, from activating off the blue line and from his point shot. He could be a solid second-pair defenseman. Askarov was impressive in the AHL this season as an important player for Milwaukee.

He reads the play well, but he does get a little over aggressive at times and can be caught out of position. The athletic tools are so special though that I can see Askarov becoming a legit starting goalie in the NHL. Harley had a good season in the AHL playing all situations for Texas. By the end of the season he was a regular for Dallas in the playoffs.

He projects as a strong two-way defenseman in the NHL. Peterka had a succesful first NHL season, scoring 32 points and looking like he belonged. Peterka is full of speed and skill, and coming down the wing he can beat a lot of NHL defenders. He can make tough passes and do so with pace.

Kaliyev had a good second season with the Kings scoring at a quality rate, even if he was a healthy scratch during the playoffs. Kaliyev is very dangerous inside the offensive zone due to his great offensive sense and shot. He will score a lot of goals and help a power play enough that I see a longtime top-six wing.

Parssinen was very impressive this season, playing most of it in the NHL and looking like a legit player during his time with the Predators. He has the ability to beat NHL defensemen with his puckhandling consistently and makes a lot of tough plays to his teammates as well. He plays hard, gets to the net and wins a lot of puck battles.

The biggest issue in his game is a lack of finish, but even with that in mind I think he can create enough chance and drive enough play to be a top-six forward. Bystedt had a great season. He was the best rookie in the SHL. He looks like an NHL forward with how well he skates for a big man while also being highly skilled. He has the soft hands to beat pro defenders 1v1.

He has good vision, and shoots the puck well too. What I liked about Bytsedt this season was how much he created at the net and showed more compete than what I thought he had in his draft season. His trajectory now looks like a player who could be a legit top two-line center in the NHL. He is good around the net, kills penalties, wins a lot of battles and makes enough plays with the puck to produce good offensive numbers.

Edstrom has good hands and can create offense with pace. His skating for his size is intriguing and grew on me as the season went along. He has the makings of a potential top-six, two-way center in the NHL. Schneider played third-pair minutes up all season with the Rangers. Schneider will be a matchup, shutdown defenseman in the NHL as he matures due to his length, plus mobility and physicality.

Pickering was one of the top defensemen in the WHL. He checks a lot of the boxes you want in a top four NHL defender. He skates very well for a big man. He handles the puck well enough. He makes plays with the puck and can do so with pace. He competes well enough defensively with his feet and reach that he will make a lot of stops. Pickering can be a quality two-way defenseman in the NHL.

His pro projection is easy to dream on given how mobile he is for a 6-foot-5 defenseman. He projects to be able to shut down top NHL forwards, even if his offense is basic, and be a quality top-four defenseman. Snuggerud had a great season. Snuggerud is full of skill and offensive creativity. He makes difficult dekes and passes seem routine and despite not having great footspeed he generates a lot of controlled entries with his skill.

Snuggerud has a decent frame, competes hard for pucks and can generate offense at the net. His skating is the only real issue in his game, but everything else says top six wing which is what I think he projects as. Moore has very good speed and his edgework is NHL-elite caliber. He evades pressure so well and is able to go from a stop to a fast gear very quickly.

He has very good hands to go with those feet and projects to get a ton of controlled zone entries in the NHL. He gets to the net, comes back hard on defense, and coaches trust him in tough situations. He has a ton of NHL projectability and looks like a potential good top-six forward, whether at center or the wing.

Kulich is a strong skater with good hands and vision who can make plays in transition. Kulich is a consistent hard working forwrad. He can pick corners from a long way out, and his one timer is a legit NHL weapon. Barlow is a well-rounded winger. He is a strong skater who can transport pucks through the neutral zone.

Offensively he has excellent stick skills and a great shot. He projects as a top-six wing who can play on both special teams in the NHL. He then went to Team USA at the worlds where he scored eight points in 10 games. Coronato has a lot of offensive skill, can create in the hard areas and can finish plays. He projects as a quality top-six forward in the NHL.

He moves very well. He has great technique and high-end hockey sense in goal. When on the ice and percent, Miroshnichenko is a force. Holloway played at the tail end of the Oilers roster for most of the season. He was sent to the AHL toward the end of the year where he had a lot of success scoring seven goals in 12 games. Holloway is still on track to be a good NHL player.

When you can skate like he can, with good offensive skills and a willingness to play physically, there will be a place in a lineup for you. York became a regular part of the Flyers lineup and power play this past season. His feet, skill and brain should allow him to be a second-pair defenseman though if his defense is just okay at the NHL level.

Musty is a player with a lot of offensive touch in his game. He tries to make things happen and shows a strong level of creativity. Musty is a good passer who can hit open lanes and has the patience to pull up and make plays. He can score goals and is a shot threat from range but is certainly a player with a pass-first mentality. There may be times you want more from him, but I think he will score so much that he will be a top-six wing.

Sillinger had a tough season, and his development arguably took a step backward. On the positive front, Sillinger remains a very skilled center who plays with an edge that will endear himself to NHL coaches. His footspeed is also not ideal, especially with average size. His minutes diminished by the end of the season and he was traded to Montreal in June.

I think there are still a lot of reasons to believe in Newhook. Tomasino has an explosive skating stride which, coupled with a strong skill level and a creative offensive mind, will let him put up points in the NHL. He has a decent shot but has more of a playmaker mentality. He can be frustrating at times and you wished he tried harder, but his compete is good enough for him to be a projected second-line wing.

Ostlund has a lot of talent. He makes high-skilled plays with pace. At 6-foot-3, he can skate well and plays a highly physical brand of hockey. He can power his way through checks and to the net and never shies away from an engagement. Due to the lack of sense, there is a possibility he may need to be a wing, but his great faceoff skills could counteract that.

Sandin Pellikka is a highly creative and intelligent puck-mover. He has excellent puck skills, showing the ability to beat opponents often. He can improvise well with the puck, while also showing strong playmaking ability with the poise to make plays from the blue line at the highest levels. He is a goal-scoring threat who can score from range but also pinches well to get scoring opportunities.

He skates well enough and can make plays on the move creating offense off the rush and from blue-line activations. His defense will be his main question at the NHL level, but I think he plays hard enough to be a top-four defenseman. Iorio had a successful rookie pro season in Hershey, scoring 22 points and playing real minutes in a championship run.

Iorio has a clear NHL toolkit. His length and feet allow him to make stops even if his physicality is average. Iorio I think could be a second pair defenseman in the NHL. Sale is a great passer who can run a power play well and hit seams at a strong clip. He can shoot the puck well enough but is better as a passer for me.

His compete is OK. I would like to see him be more consistent as there are too many nights I watch him have little impact, even if he can take over games other times. After he came over to North America though, he was quite good in the AHL and became a big part of a deep playoff run as a teenager. Kemell is a talented offensive winger. He has the speed, hands and offensive IQ to make a lot happen with the puck and at fast tempos.

He competes well enough and, despite not being that big, wins puck battles. Kemell projects as a second-line wing. Greig has NHL speed and skill. He can create for himself and others and is a shot threat too. He looks like a potential top six forward. As a center he may be a 2 or 3C depending on the roster. Geekie can make a lot of tough skill plays, while also having the big body and enough physicality to win pucks or get to the net well.

He has all the components except skating. Even without great footspeed, I still think he can be a second- or third-line center in the NHL, but it will be his main obstacle. Molendyk is a strong two-way defenseman despite not being the biggest defender. This is because of his excellent skating ability and strong work ethic. He closes on checks like a pro, and is able to evade pressure at a high level.

His top speed is good, not great, but he can lead a rush in the NHL. Molendyk has strong offensive instincts and skills, and can make plays from off the blue line and on the move. I think he checks a lot of boxes and projects to be a top-four defenseman.

Savoie is full of natural ability and work ethic. He buzzes around the ice due to his speed and compete, attacking loose pucks and taking them to the net. He is a very skilled playmaker who makes a ton of difficult plays at very fast speeds. Regardless, I see him as a top-six forward in the NHL.

He can score goals, make plays and create around the net. His biggest issue is his skating, as he lacks NHL footspeed and has an awkward skating stride. I think the work ethic is good enough to compensate, and that he could be a second line wing. Bonk is able to skate pucks up ice, make some skilled plays, and show good poise from the blue line.

He projects as a top-four defenseman in the NHL. Scoring is what he does and I expect he will become a highly productive pro. Bourgault has excellent puck skills, vision and offensive IQ. He makes a ton of creative plays with the puck and can do so on the move. He looks like a potential second line wing.

Zary had a better second pro season as a big part of the Wranglers offense. I believe a lot in his skill and compete and think he can make it as a 3C or a 2W, but because of his feet there will be doubts about him until he gets there. Lucius is a tough evaluation case. I still think he can be a top six forward. Wallinder had an excellent season in Sweden, playing a big role for Rogle and scoring 26 points in the SHL.

Wallinder looks to have all the traits to be a successful NHL defenseman. He is 6-foot-4, skates quite well for a big man, and has puck-moving ability. I think he has a good chance to be a second-pair defenseman in the NHL for those reasons. Yurov is a strong skater with high-end puck skills who should be a transition threat at the highest levels as he physically develops. He also competes well off the puck.

It has to come eventually versus men, but I think it will, and in time I see a potential second-line wing. Ritchie is a player with all the aesthetic tools. When you see a 6-foot-2 center who can skate and handle the puck like him, he sticks out in a massive way and some of the plays he makes are distinct at the junior level. He is a strong skater with good hands who can be a threat in transition.

I could see him as a second or third line wing in the NHL. With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort nightly. I see a middle-six forward whether at center or the wing, but likely the latter. When you can skate like he can, with good offensive skills and a willingness to play physically, there will be a place in a lineup for you.

York became a regular part of the Flyers lineup and power play this past season. His feet, skill and brain should allow him to be a second-pair defenseman though if his defense is just okay at the NHL level. Musty is a player with a lot of offensive touch in his game. He tries to make things happen and shows a strong level of creativity.

Musty is a good passer who can hit open lanes and has the patience to pull up and make plays. He can score goals and is a shot threat from range but is certainly a player with a pass-first mentality. There may be times you want more from him, but I think he will score so much that he will be a top-six wing.

Sillinger had a tough season, and his development arguably took a step backward. On the positive front, Sillinger remains a very skilled center who plays with an edge that will endear himself to NHL coaches. His footspeed is also not ideal, especially with average size.

His minutes diminished by the end of the season and he was traded to Montreal in June. I think there are still a lot of reasons to believe in Newhook. Tomasino has an explosive skating stride which, coupled with a strong skill level and a creative offensive mind, will let him put up points in the NHL.

He has a decent shot but has more of a playmaker mentality. He can be frustrating at times and you wished he tried harder, but his compete is good enough for him to be a projected second-line wing. Ostlund has a lot of talent. He makes high-skilled plays with pace.

At 6-foot-3, he can skate well and plays a highly physical brand of hockey. He can power his way through checks and to the net and never shies away from an engagement. Due to the lack of sense, there is a possibility he may need to be a wing, but his great faceoff skills could counteract that. Sandin Pellikka is a highly creative and intelligent puck-mover.

He has excellent puck skills, showing the ability to beat opponents often. He can improvise well with the puck, while also showing strong playmaking ability with the poise to make plays from the blue line at the highest levels. He is a goal-scoring threat who can score from range but also pinches well to get scoring opportunities. He skates well enough and can make plays on the move creating offense off the rush and from blue-line activations.

His defense will be his main question at the NHL level, but I think he plays hard enough to be a top-four defenseman. Iorio had a successful rookie pro season in Hershey, scoring 22 points and playing real minutes in a championship run. Iorio has a clear NHL toolkit. His length and feet allow him to make stops even if his physicality is average.

Iorio I think could be a second pair defenseman in the NHL. Sale is a great passer who can run a power play well and hit seams at a strong clip. He can shoot the puck well enough but is better as a passer for me. His compete is OK. I would like to see him be more consistent as there are too many nights I watch him have little impact, even if he can take over games other times.

After he came over to North America though, he was quite good in the AHL and became a big part of a deep playoff run as a teenager. Kemell is a talented offensive winger. He has the speed, hands and offensive IQ to make a lot happen with the puck and at fast tempos. He competes well enough and, despite not being that big, wins puck battles.

Kemell projects as a second-line wing. Greig has NHL speed and skill. He can create for himself and others and is a shot threat too. He looks like a potential top six forward. As a center he may be a 2 or 3C depending on the roster. Geekie can make a lot of tough skill plays, while also having the big body and enough physicality to win pucks or get to the net well.

He has all the components except skating. Even without great footspeed, I still think he can be a second- or third-line center in the NHL, but it will be his main obstacle. Molendyk is a strong two-way defenseman despite not being the biggest defender. This is because of his excellent skating ability and strong work ethic. He closes on checks like a pro, and is able to evade pressure at a high level.

His top speed is good, not great, but he can lead a rush in the NHL. Molendyk has strong offensive instincts and skills, and can make plays from off the blue line and on the move. I think he checks a lot of boxes and projects to be a top-four defenseman.

Savoie is full of natural ability and work ethic. He buzzes around the ice due to his speed and compete, attacking loose pucks and taking them to the net. He is a very skilled playmaker who makes a ton of difficult plays at very fast speeds. Regardless, I see him as a top-six forward in the NHL. He can score goals, make plays and create around the net.

His biggest issue is his skating, as he lacks NHL footspeed and has an awkward skating stride. I think the work ethic is good enough to compensate, and that he could be a second line wing. Bonk is able to skate pucks up ice, make some skilled plays, and show good poise from the blue line. He projects as a top-four defenseman in the NHL. Scoring is what he does and I expect he will become a highly productive pro.

Bourgault has excellent puck skills, vision and offensive IQ. He makes a ton of creative plays with the puck and can do so on the move. He looks like a potential second line wing. Zary had a better second pro season as a big part of the Wranglers offense. I believe a lot in his skill and compete and think he can make it as a 3C or a 2W, but because of his feet there will be doubts about him until he gets there.

Lucius is a tough evaluation case. I still think he can be a top six forward. Wallinder had an excellent season in Sweden, playing a big role for Rogle and scoring 26 points in the SHL. Wallinder looks to have all the traits to be a successful NHL defenseman. He is 6-foot-4, skates quite well for a big man, and has puck-moving ability.

I think he has a good chance to be a second-pair defenseman in the NHL for those reasons. Yurov is a strong skater with high-end puck skills who should be a transition threat at the highest levels as he physically develops. He also competes well off the puck. It has to come eventually versus men, but I think it will, and in time I see a potential second-line wing.

Ritchie is a player with all the aesthetic tools. When you see a 6-foot-2 center who can skate and handle the puck like him, he sticks out in a massive way and some of the plays he makes are distinct at the junior level. He is a strong skater with good hands who can be a threat in transition.

I could see him as a second or third line wing in the NHL. With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort nightly. I see a middle-six forward whether at center or the wing, but likely the latter.

He signed at the end of the season and was a solid tail-end roster player for the Wild including in the NHL playoffs. His skating and compete are both plus traits. He should have just enough offense to be a projected second-pair defenseman. Nazar missed most of the season due to a hip injury.

His high rating is based on the toolkit and his history and banking on a bounceback. When healthy, Nazar is a high-energy, high pace player. He has a ton of speed and plays with courage taking pucks to the net. Khusnutdinov is a highly skilled forward who can make creative plays with the puck.

What draws you to him though is his direct style of play. He plays with a lot of courage and brings a ton of energy to every shift. Sogaard looks like an NHL goalie. He has the ability to steal a game with his natural athleticism. The tools are too good that I think he finds a way to become a tandem goalie and he has a chance to be more.

Gulyayev has obvious offensive talents as he has clear NHL skating, hands and vision. Gulyayev is a highly intelligent and creative puck-mover and can make tough plays at a quick pace. He creates a lot of controlled exits and entries, he projects to run power plays at higher levels and be a point producer versus men.

I see a regular NHL defenseman who will put up points but may need to be used in a specific manner by his coach. Some may think he should be rated higher based on the year he had, but his footspeed, especially at his size, gives me pause as to whether he can repeat that type of performance. He still look like a legit middle six wing, which is a great find at No.

Evangelista had a very succesful season. He also scored 15 goals in 24 games. He has great puck skills and can beat pro defenders often. He competes hard and wins pucks versus men despite not being the biggest guy. He can make and finish plays well. He looks like a solid middle-six wing. Holtz had a tough season and barely played hockey for his development purposes as he was scratched a fair amount at the NHL level.

Holtz is a talented winger. He has excellent puck skills that can beat NHL defensemen. He has an excellent shot that can beat NHL goalies. I think he can be a scoring middle-six wing in the NHL still, but one that may frustrate coaches too. Bankier has developed very well over the last few years. He has a lot of the tools you want in an NHL forward. He showed in junior he has enough touch to be a flank power-play type and can shoot the puck well.

Bankier projects as a middle-six forward, with a legit chance to be a third-line center. Svozil had a great season, posting 78 points in 56 WHL games albeit on the same power play as Connor Bedard. Svozil looks like an NHL defenseman. He has puck-moving skill. He has good enough size, and he gives an honest effort, showing solid defensive play. I think the defense will be just good enough to play and be a regular NHLer.

He skates quite well with a powerful, fluid skating stride that allows him to skate pucks up ice and close on his checks well. Filmon had a great season, scoring 47 goals in 64 WHL games. Filmon was making way more plays through checks and to teammates this season than I saw the prior year.

You add in a solid work ethic, a willingness to get inside and a good finishing touch and he looks like a potential middle-six winger. Ostapchuk takes pucks to the net, and tries to create offense in the high percentage areas. He has good physicality in his game, can kill penalties and overall has a high motor.

His limited sense may push him off the middle to the wing in the NHL, but I think he has the qualities to be a middle six forward in the league. Hutson had one of the best year-old seasons ever by a modern-day NCAA defenseman. He was a dominant player for Boston University and helped lead them to a Hockey East title.

Hutson has special hockey sense. He sees the ice at a distinct level and has the pure skill plus vision to make a ton of plays from the offensive blue line. He is very elusive with his footwork and skill to make checkers miss and hit seam passes very often. Hutson is a good skater, but not an elite burner for his size. That size is the main issue in his game, and how he will defend NHL size and speed.

Lambert has been very up and down as a prospect over the last few seasons. That was exemplified this season when after a tough start in the AHL and a brutal world juniors, he went to the WHL and tore it up in the second half, helping to lead Seattle to a WHL title. He has all the natural talent in the world.

Lambert is a fantastic skater with clear NHL speed and edges. He can make highly skilled dekes at full flight. He often disappears for long stretches and can frustrate coaches. I do think he has an NHL career as a middle six forward because the pure skill plus speed is too good. Dragicevic is very dangerous with the puck on his stick.

He has good hands and better instincts and vision. He can run a power play like a pro. He shows the high-end IQ to let plays develop, hold pucks under pressure and jump into attacks at the right time to go with a strong point shot. The question with Dragicevic will be without the puck.

I think he defends well enough in junior, but there will be questions on how he defends size and speed in the NHL. Cuylle has developed well in recent years and his year-old season in the AHL was a success as he played both special teams and was a top player for Hartford. Cuylle is a highly intriguing pro prospect as a big winger with offensive skill who also has some bite.

He can create around the net, works hard off the puck and can lay out opponents. Nyman scored 10 goals and 14 points on a top Liiga team this season. He had a solid world juniors as well for Finland. The skill and goal-scoring touch Nyman has in a big frame is very promising for an NHL projection. He can make skilled plays to the inside while also being a shot threat from range.

Foote was a top player for Utica this season and got a few games with New Jersey. The biggest issue is his skating. I still think he plays in a top nine because the rest of his game is so good, but with his impending waiver status, it may or may not be in New Jersey. He was dealt to Nashville as a part of the Mattias Ekholm deal.

Schaefer is a big, heavy winger who loves to throw his body around. He has good skill and finishing ability as well and will have offense as a pro, but his vision and skating may hold him back from being a major scorer. Raty was up and down in his first season in North America.

He was traded midway through the year from the Islanders to Vancouver as a part of the Bo Horvat trade. Raty has value as a good-sized center with strong puck skills and vision. He can create off the perimeter with his skill. His work ethic is good enough that I could see him as a third line center despite his skating issues.

His skating is average but the work ethic should be good enough to compensate to become a middle six wing. Beck has a lot of appealing NHL traits. Beck has been a center in junior, and his speed plus compete give him a chance to stick down the middle in the NHL but he may need to be a wing, too.

Regardless, I see him as a projected middle six forward. His work ethic is good, he has some physicality even for a big guy but I wish he was even harder. Nelson has shown he can kill penalties and was a go-to guy to kill penalties for the U18 team this season. I thought his actual play this season was inconsistent, and his lack of hockey sense showed at times around better players.

Whoever drafts him will be drafting a lot of talent, and will have a unique opportunity to mold him into whatever position they think is best. The way he can pull pucks by opposing defensemen while moving at a fast pace looks like an NHL forward. He plays a direct style, and with his frame plus speed he can get to the net very well. Strbak is a defense-first defenseman. He brings a strong effort every night, and coaches tend to lean on him in tough situations.

I think he will be a second- or third-pair defenseman in the NHL depending on the level of offense he brings. Chinakhov has a rifle for a shot that projects to be able to beat NHL goalies from the faceoff dots. The rest of his game is good but not as impressive. He has strong puck skills, vision and skating but none of which are dimensional.

Gauthier has very good skill and offensive IQ. He can beat defenders one-on-one at a high rate, making creative plays in small areas and showing he can create a lot for his teammates too. He has talent but also competes well. He is quite physical and can be a nasty player to play against, which you love to see from a smaller player. Gauthier gets to the net and can create chances there frequently.

His skating has grown on me as the season has gone along. He has pro quickness, but I find he slows the game down too much and could use more pace in his game. Gauthier can get around defenders when he needs to though, and for that reason I could see a middle-six NHL wing. Gaucher has good hands and can shoot the puck, but a lot of his value comes away from the puck.

He is a big, strong center who is highly physical and competitive. He is great at creating around the net-front area, strong on the faceoff dots and very good defensively. The pure playmaking, scoring touch and explosiveness in his skating will likely never inspire but he can be a quality third-line center in the NHL. Bordeleau was a top player for the Barracuda and got eight games with the Sharks as well.

Bordeleau is able to pull away from pro defenders and has strong in-tight quickness as well. His size and lack of physical play are issues and may end up pushing him off the center position eventually. He projects as a middle-six forward, whether at wing or center is to be determined. Spence has been excellent as a pro at the AHL level and was one of the best defensemen in the league this past season.

Spence is a super smart puck-mover who can run a power play like a pro. He makes a lot of creative passes and shows great poise from the offensive blue line to go with strong puck skills. He undoubtedly has NHL offense, but as a 5-foot 10 defenseman who is just a fine skater, whether he can defend in the NHL is the debate.

The talent still remains highly intriguing. Mateychuk is a skilled and creative playmaker who makes a lot of tough plays at full flight. His skating is so good that I think he will have an NHL career, but the size questions will remain until he proves it versus men.

With his vision and shot he can run a power play well and is often dangerous inside the offensive zone. Nadeau has very good individual skill to couple with excellent speed. He sees the ice at a high level, making a lot of seam passes and making tough passes on the move. He has an excellent one-timer that projects to beat NHL goalies from distance. His shot is both very quick, and fast, as he rifles pucks into the corners like a legit NHL scorer.

Gritsyuk continued to have success at the KHL level. He can drive play at even strength creating chances for himself and others to go with a shot that is a legit weapon from range. The combination allows him to run a power play very well. Soderblom made the Wings out of camp but was sent down to the AHL halfway through the season.

I think he will, and that he will become a good NHL player just like he became a good SHL player, but it may take time. Wolf has the athleticism, hockey sense and technique to be an NHL goaltender. He can make a lot of tough saves and competes well in net. I lean yes, but every time a puck squeezes past him or a long range shot gets tipped in, you wonder how things will go in the NHL for him.

He will likely get an opportunity soon to prove himself. For now, I see him as a good tandem goalie. Molgaard has a play style that will translate to playing versus men. He also has a directness to how he plays. He pushes the pace and takes pucks to the net. He has very good hands and can make tough plays through opponents and to his teammates as well.

I can see him being a middle six forward, and while his frame may push him to the wing, he has some of the traits to be a third-line NHL center as well. He has good speed and hands, and projects to create controlled exits and entries at the NHL level. He has the qualities to be a middle six forward, and if he stays down the middle he could be a 3C.

LaCombe was a top defenseman in his conference over the last few seasons playing big minutes for the Gophers. He sees the ice well and has a good shot from the point. Depending on how well he makes stops, he could be a top-four defender or a carefully deployed third-pair guy.

His playoff was very good though scoring a point per game for Djurgarden. Lekkerimaki is very skilled and can beat pro defensemen one-on-one often. He skates well and can create offense with pace. The biggest issue with Lekkerimaki is his consistency and compete.

He may frustrate coaches, but the talent is legit enough to be a middle six wing who helps a power play. He has good speed and hands and can finish plays, but what drives Mazur is his work ethic. He projects as a middle-six winger who could become a fan favorite. The issues around Boucher have been 1 His health and 2 His draft position. Boucher drew strong reviews from scouts in the OHL, when he was healthy mind you.

He was also quite good at the World Juniors, prior to injury. Boucher is a highly physical winger who can be a menace to opponents. He is good around the net. He plays with pace and has strong skill. I think there are still reasons to believe in Podkolzin as a career NHLer. He has good enough creativity as well to improvise with the puck. Kaiser is a very good skater.

He has a smooth, explosive skating stride that makes him dangerous in transition. He closes on his checks very well due to his feet and physicality, and projects to make a lot of stops in the NHL. The offense has always been the debate on Kaiser. Kleven played big minutes for North Dakota this season before signing with Ottawa at the end of the season, getting 8 games for them and then joining Team USA at the Worlds.

Kleven is a defense first defenseman. His puck-moving has never been a selling point, with his shot being his main offensive weapon as he can blast pucks from the point. If not he can be a valuable third pair defenseman. Silovs is a big and highly intelligent goalie. His reads are high-end and he never seems to be out of position. His brain and efficiency limits how often he needs to do that, though.

He has the potential to be a tandem goalie in the NHL, and if he cuts down on long range goals and becomes more consistent he has legit No. McMichael was an important player for Hershey last season. McMichael is dangerous inside the offensive zone and can run a power play. The issue for him in the NHL will be getting into the offensive zone due to his subpar skating stride and below-average size.

I think he competes well enough, and showed well enough in the AHL playoffs that he could overcome those issues and become a middle six forward, but there is certainly some room for him to miss completely due to those issues. Farrell had a great sophomore season at Harvard before signing with Montreal at the end of the year.

Farrell is a highly intelligent playmaker. Farrell can make difficult plays, but that he does it with pace makes him appealing as a pro prospect despite his smaller frame. Farrell is a competitor who has killed penalties at every level and that will help his NHL chances as well. Whether Farrell is dynamic enough with his frame to have a long NHL career is what he will need to prove, but the components are there to be a potential middle six wing.

Ohgren is an unspectacular player but one who helps his team in numerous ways. He has good skill and scoring ability and can be an offensive contributor. Safonov has puck-on-a-string type of hands and routinely beat KHL defensemen with his stick handling. He then turned pro and had a good short stint in the NHL for Buffalo. Levi is a very quick and intelligent goalie who showed in college that he has the ability to steal a game.

He reads the play at a very high level, and when the puck is moving laterally he has the quickness in his lower half to get across.