We have finally made it. The year has flown by and the NHL Draft is here. This is a special draft class, with lineup-changing talent throughout the first round, robust sleepers through the middle rounds, and a strong slate of re-entry talents. It’s the second in what is a string of five strong draft classes between 2023 and 2027, with this year offering up the mix of fleet forwards and prototypical defenders. This will be a draft to remember, so there’s no sense in wasting worlds anywhere else. But before we dive into my final 2024 NHL Draft rankings, some ground rules:
- First, thank you. It really has been a fun year, and our Recruit Scouting team has seen a ton of great growth. That’s all thanks to your contributions, so we’re glad you’re here!
- These rankings are not a projection of how the draft will end up. Rather, they’re my ranking of the class based on current skill and projection as an NHL player.
- To that end, I’ve become a bit more partial to position rankings over the year. The draft is much more needs-based than anything, and so position ranks can provide a good look at who may fit your favorite squad. Those will be a new inclusion below!
- Each player in the First Round has three comparable NHL players attached to them. These are purely stylistic and don’t speak to projection or upside. These comparisons may also only speak to parts of the NHLer’s style.
- Finally, if you want to jump straight to my rankings, click HERE.
Gabriel Foley’s Final Top 100 2024 NHL Draft Rankings
1. Macklin Celebrini (C)
Boston University (H-EAST), Date of Birth: 6/13/2006, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 190lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-1, NHL CSS Rk: NA-1
There’s not much more to be said on Celebrini. He’s a rare, special talent, who just recorded maybe the best USHL and NCAA rookie (/freshman) seasons we’ve ever seen. He’s fast in every aspect, seeing and making smart plays quickly – with the skill to beat out any of his opponents. He has the puck skills to beat any opponent one on one and knows how to gain the middle of the ice before breaking into the zone – giving him the time and space to orchestrate plays. Celebrini has been on a fast track to the NHL for years and I fully expect him to play a full year in San Jose next season, despite rumors of the contrary.
Comparable Players: Steve Yzerman, Mike Modano, Paul Kariya
2. Ivan Demidov (RW)
Ska St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.), Date of Birth: 12/10/2005, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 181lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: RW-1, NHL CSS Rk: EU-2
Ivan Demidov is elite on the puck. Really, it’s hard to ignore. He can overwhelm opponents with his stickhandling, giving him the skill to work out of any situation and force his way to the net. He’s relentless in fighting for possession back when he loses it – helped along by a great mix of strong skating and beefy frame. He’s a dynamic winger with skill cut from a different cloth, very reminiscent of other highly-skilled Russian wingers before him. But Demidov has received minimal opportunity to show his skills on a KHL or international stage. It’s hard to gauge his talent without those performances – and he could be a candidate to slide out of the top five as a result.
Comparable Players: Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Nail Yakupov
3. Konsta Helenius (C)
Jukurit (FINLAND), Date of Birth: 5/11/2006, Height: 5′ 10.75, Weight: 180lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: C-2, NHL CSS Rk: EU-3
I’ve been a bit shocked to see Konsta Helenius slipping in rankings over the year. He’ll have started and ended the year at my #3, on the back of playmaking that is simply pro-ready. Helenius is incredibly smart, making quick and calculated reactions to play both on and off the puck, all to incredible effect. He’s as swift as anyone in the class and capable of building tempo off his teammates, giving him some takeover speed when he gets going. He keeps that drive no matter where he is on the ice, making plays confidently and quickly finding teammates after a big deke or forced turnover. The drive and tempo he brings to all three lanes is impressive, and gives Helenius a chance to impact play every single shift. While he might not have the overwhelming offensive skills of some of his peers, Helenius is diligent, projectable, and confident – looking like a player not only destine for a strong pro role, but one capable of providing leadership and lifting a roster up with his play. In a different year, I’d think he’d rival a first overall pick.
Comparable Players: Henrik Zetterberg, Gabriel Landeskog, Logan Couture
4. Zeev Buium (D)
Denver (NCHC), Date of Birth: 12/7/2005, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 183lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LD-1, NHL CSS Rk: NA-4
With so much talk about pipelines, I’ve been shocked to not see Zeev Buium atop more defense ranks. He’s next in the line of elite puck-moving NTDP defensemen, hitting all of the right beats over the last three seasons. He thrived at moving the puck down ice but struggled laterally at 16; learned to work between lanes in the neutral zone at 17; and then absolutely excelled at creating time and space while walking the blue line at 18. Buium is on a consistent and projectable development curve – one that very often produces star NHL defensemen. I am confident that’s where he’s headed, on the back of incredible speed and awareness in transition – very Q. Hughes-esque – and open hips and a quick release making him great on the blue line – in a very McAvoy way. But those comparisons are merely in style, and Buium will still need to add a good deal of physicality and sharper decision making if he wants to reach the heights of his comparables.
Comparable Players: Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, Charlie McAvoy
5. Tij Iginla (C)
Kelowna (WHL), Date of Birth: 8/4/2006, Height: 5′ 11.75, Weight: 182lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-3, NHL CSS Rk: NA-9
Tij Iginla is an absolute dynamo in the offensive end. He brings an exciting energy to the lower-third, with the shifty and agile skating and stellar puckhandling needed to work in and out of any situations – bolstered by a great ability to process play through traffic. But it’s his control over the slot that makes Iginla so impressive. He’s phenomenal above the hash marks, with a shot that’s darn near pro-ready and a great ability to work in the smallest of space. He is so dynamically fast, with a powerful and reactive drive down the ice that really does mirror his father. Iginla is a special player capable of really commanding play in all three zones – and I think he’s bound for a very fruitful pro career as a result.
Comparable Players: Sam Reinhart, Brandon Hagel, Jarome Iginla
6. Cayden Lindstrom (C)
Medicine Hat (WHL), Date of Birth: 2/3/2006, Height: 6′ 3.25, Weight: 210lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-4, NHL CSS Rk: NA-3
Let’s get this out right at the top – in speaking with sources around the hockey world, I’ve found no reason to be worried about Cayden Lindstrom’s injuries. I also believe the reports of a disc injury were unfounded. And that’s exciting news because it should mean no limitations to Lindstrom’s fantastic physical profile. His frame is strong and athletic, with weight to be added, and he already knows how to use his size advantage to protect the puck and blow by opponents. He’s a fantastic puck-carrier, capable of finding unique attacking angles and taking the time to reset when a lane isn’t open. It’s unique maturity for a player his age, and should go a long way towards supporting his move to pros. Lindstrom certainly has room to grow – subject to getting a bit tunnel-visioned in looking for what play he can make, rather than working off teammates – but his weaknesses seem to speak more to age than anything else. He should develop into a cerebral and reliable puck-moving centerman. There’s top line upside here that I’d buy early.
Comparable Players: Roope Hintz, Jack Eichel, John Tavares
7. Trevor Connelly (LW)
Tri-City (USHL), Date of Birth: 2/28/2006, Height: 6′ 0.25, Weight: 156lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LW-2, NHL CSS Rk: NA-6
I’ve been blown away by Trevor Connelly’s drive this season. He’s always been powerful on the puck – with strong skating and heavy shoulders helping him plow through opponents. But he found a special layer of speed this season that simply made Connelly untouchable at the USHL level. His ability to build high tempo in an instant was staggering, and his puck skills and processing remains strong even at top speeds. Connelly thrives at gathering the puck in the defensive end and exploding through the neutral zone – but then shows the poise to work the puck around the offensive end and wait for a golden opening. It’s very much a pro-style, reminiscent of how Mark Scheifele (and really, Nikolaj Ehlers) are able to transition from D-zone to O-zone in an instant, and how Matt Duchene works the perimeter to create chances. I also have to mention Connelly’s physical edge – he’s not the type to shy away from any opposition and should only become more physical as he adds more weight. Connelly is a highly skilled forward, who’s built up a strong base of maturity and leadership skills at Tri-City. His team would attest to that. And that confidence, with his skillset, is simply too hard for me to ignore.
Comparable Players: Matt Duchene, Mark Scheifele, William Karlsson
8. Berkly Catton (C)
Spokane (WHL), Date of Birth: 1/14/2006, Height: 5′ 10.0, Weight: 170lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-5, NHL CSS Rk: NA-8
The overwhelming message I’ve heard as the draft approaches is, do not overthink Berkly Catton. And, well, I was overthinking Berkly Catton! Despite incredible hands and a phenomenal ability to cut through space and work his way to the net, I was holding his low energy to too much regard. As I honed my viewings for these finals, I tried to spot where those perceived weaknesses actually limited Catton, and I couldn’t find anything. Even when he looked maybe a bit slow, or maybe a bit disengaged, Catton’s puck skills and quick cuts were enough to earn him enough space to make a play. He’s seemed to be as effective as they come, with a zig-zag attacking style that usually works well at the top level. I do think Catton faces tough hurdles in building out his pace and his frame, but I’m not overthinking it – he’s a dazzling puck-handler who knows how to score, and I’d take him with a high pick.
Comparable Players: Brayden Point, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Patrick Kane
9. Zayne Parekh (D)
Saginaw (OHL), Date of Birth: 2/15/2006, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 179lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RD-1, NHL CSS Rk: NA-5
Truly testing my will, you can’t overthink Zayne Parekh either. He is one of the best defensive puck-handlers that I have seen at this age, with not only great stickhandling but phenomenal agility, great skating fundamentals, and a really special understanding of how to use space at the tops of the circles. It really reminds me of a young Kris Letang, gathering the puck in the neutral zone and using superior puck skills to either drive the puck low or create plenty of space at the circles. Unfortunately, Parekh has a lot of the defensive inconsistencies that come with the package, really needing to improve his jump in pressuring opponents and become more fluid with his defensive positioning. Those are traits that can be ironed out, though. You can’t teach the kind of puck skills Parekh has. Fellow public scout Scott Wheeler has spoken highly of Parekh’s mindset all year long – and while I haven’t had a chance to meet the kid, I’ll say he’s destined for stardom if he’s got the drive that Wheeler mentions.
Comparable Players: Kris Letang, Evan Bouchard, Erik Karlsson
10. Michael Hage (C)
Chicago (USHL), Date of Birth: 4/14/2006, Height: 6′ 0.5, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-6, NHL CSS Rk: NA-10
Michael Hage’s juniors career was disrupted by injury and family matters. But I haven’t taken a trip to Fox Valley where Hage didn’t surprise me. He plays with the puck on a string, showing fantastic passing and shooting – boosted by a strong and confident drive through the neutral zone. But he’s patient and calculated with all of his movements, with the puck protection and quick stickhandling needed to beat any opponent and earn a second to think. It’s very reminiscent of a player like Dylan Strome, who knows how to put his head down and drive but can also create space to help him process play. Hage is a bit more unruly than some other top prospects – likely a side effect of so much missed time – but his skills are right on par with the rest. He was dominant in the second half of the USHL season, after finally getting consistent ice time under his belt, and should be set for a smash spot as Michigan’s top-line center next year. He could be set for an even bigger breakout next season, after already doing enough to earn a Top 10 spot this year.
Comparable Players: Dylan Strome, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Sean Monahan
11. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (C)
Mora (SWEDEN-2), Date of Birth: 10/5/2005, Height: 6’1, Weight: 198lbs, Nationality: Norwegian, Pos Rk: C-7, NHL CSS Rk: EU-5
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is a poised and responsible forward, with fantastic positional awareness and strong skating making him incredibly impactful on the forecheck. He doesn’t let up pressure at all and knows how to quickly take advantage of changes in possession, with a quick cut to the net or nifty pass to a teammate. He’s simply an effective player, with a nose for getting involved in play and the toolset to win out in any situation. It’s Brandsegg-Nygard’s awareness and jump to make an impact that makes him so special. He brings all of the energy and top-level skill needed to play at an NHL level, and should build out a hardy career as a middle-six forward as a result.
Comparable Players: Joel Eriksson Ek, Jamie Langenbrunner, Thomas Vanek
12. Sam Dickinson (D)
London (OHL), Date of Birth: 6/7/2006, Height: 6′ 2.5, Weight: 199lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LD-2, NHL CSS Rk: NA-7
Sam Dickinson is a prospect born 10 years too late. He’s a prototypical big-man defender, with a fantastic (and shockingly athletic) frame complimented by smooth, powerful skating and heavy passing and shooting. Dickinson knows how to use the full 200 feet of the ice, corraling the puck behind his net and orchestrating play well, and not shying away from joining the rush if he sees an opening. He carries that impact off the puck as well, with a long reach and great physical fundamentals making it look a bit too easy to shut down juniors opposition. There’s a lot to like with Dickinson. He’s incredibly projectable, thanks to both frame and smarts, and boasts power-play potential even as a lower-scoring defender. His passing is just that good. It’s also worth noting just how much he climbed this season, working from a second pair role to ultimately playing as much as 40 minutes in the playoffs. Dickinson was behind two NHL prospects on the depth chart and still emerged as London’s top defender – that’s worth buying high on.
Comparable Players: Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, Keith Yandle
13. Artyom Levshunov (D)
Michigan State (BIG10), Date of Birth: 10/28/2005, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 208lbs, Nationality: Belarusian, Pos Rk: RD-2, NHL CSS Rk: NA-2
The hype train behind Artyom Levshunov has only grown as the year has gone on – and he’s vindicated it every step of the way. He overcame some growing pains at the start of the year to grow into a true top defender for Michigan State, capable of carrying 25+ minutes a night and making a noticeable impact on every shift. He’s a rangy defender, who’s at his best when moving the puck down the boards and into the offensive end. He finds teammates well and knows how to use quick passing to make up for his slower tempo. And man can Levshunov be explosive – he is a fun watch in person, capable of pulling together intricate plays to great effect. But his impact doesn’t come every single shift, and slow reactions and poor positioning can leave him susceptible to being beat on the defensive side of the puck. Even despite a smash season, Levshunov is a young player with room to mature. Where his ceiling will sit after that growth isn’t easy to see, though he absolutely has NHL games in him.
Comparable Players: Noah Hanifin, John Klingberg, Oliver Ekman-Larsson
14. Cole Eiserman (LW)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 8/29/2006, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 195lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LW-3, NHL CSS Rk: NA-12
Cole Eiserman is this year’s enigma. He’s always (and I mean always) been an incredible goal-scoring, with a drive to the net that extends to all three zones. He’s unstoppable when he hits his stride, and has a deceptively quick release and hard shot capable of embarrassing goaltenders. But, as many have pointed out, he’s noticeably unrefined off of the puck, especially when his team doesn’t have possession. I’ve heard a faint worry around the league that Eiserman, a hockey star from a young age, could be in the same path as Oliver Wahlstrom – who has yet to pan out. Looking at his development to now, I can see the comparison. But it’s important to remember that, while he may need to mature a lot of his game, Eiserman was still able to shatter scoring records even as a one-dimensional player. His upside is inconceivable… but he’ll have to approach NHL development with the right mindset if he wants to acheive it.
Comparable Players: Phil Kessel, Patrik Laine, Oliver Wahlstrom
15. Carter Yakemchuk (D)
Calgary (WHL), Date of Birth: 9/29/2005, Height: 6′ 2.75, Weight: 201lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RD-3, NHL CSS Rk: NA-11
Carter Yakemchuk is a beast of a defenseman. He has top tier size and stregnth, and knows how to engage physically in any situation. But interestingly, he couples the physicality of a gritty and robust defensive-defenseman with some of the best puckhandling in the class and a love to use it. Really, Yakemchuk is a flight risk any time he gets within a stick’s lenght of the puck, exploding down the ice with powerful strides that dig into the ice well. He’s a strongman with a preference for aggressive offense but the wits to play stout defense. He’ll likely need to lean into one or the other at a pro level, but Yakemchuk is nontheless projectable, likely not far from pros, and set for a career that will be incredibly interesting, if nothing else.
Comparable Players: Brrent Burns, Duncan Keith, P.K. Subban
16. Igor Chernyshov (LW)
Dynamo Moscow (RUSSIA), Date of Birth: 11/30/2005, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 192lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: LW-4, NHL CSS Rk: EU-9
Igor Chernyshov’s best trait is just how hard he works. He is tireless on the ice, carrying a really nice consistency through his trong skating, his decision making, his positioning… you know what to expect with Chernyshov, and he knows how to use his traits to make an impact every single shift. Chernyshov boasts strong puck skills, and knows how to work off teammates to move up the ice and open lanes, but his best impact really does come off the puck. He pressures opponents well and knows how to think one step ahead. Chernyshov has also already shown an admirable commitment to developing, saying he’d like to play in the AHL next season. That should only amplify his strong off-puck skills, making me very excited about his projectability.
Comparable Players: Jordan Staal, Marcus Johansson, Kyle Okposo
17. Stian Solberg (D)
Valerenga (NORWAY), Date of Birth: 12/29/2005, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 194lbs, Nationality: Norwegian, Pos Rk: LD-3, NHL CSS Rk: EU-20
Stian Solberg can do it all. He filled a commanding top-pair role in Norway’s top league this season, excelling in any aspect he needed to – whether it be carrying the puck up the ice with strong puckhandling, using good reach and positioining to shut down the rush, or throwing a booming hit. His style feels like a more optimized version of the style that Kevin Shattenkirk has had to build out, after not translating as much skill to the pros as anticipated. But don’t let that dissuade you on Solberg’s skill. He’s plenty cerebral and poised with the puck, and knows how to find his forwards with tempo. And while Shattenkirk had to lean on that style, Solberg gets to refine it – and projects as a reliable, two-way, hard-nosed defender as a result.
Comparable Players: Mike Green, Kevin Shattenkirk, Nicolas Hague
18. Anton Silayev (D)
Nizhny Novgorod (RUSSIA), Date of Birth: 4/11/2006, Height: 6′ 7.0, Weight: 211lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: LD-4, NHL CSS Rk: EU-1
Anton Silayev has the most impressive mix of skill and size in the draft class, moving seamlessly in his 6’7 frame with both smooth skating and poised puckhandling. He keeps his head up and finds teammates well, though he needs tempo behind him to make impactful offensive plays. He can get a bit stifled otherwise, struggling to create space in tight and still not boasting always showing the best awareness. It’s Silayev’s aggression that catches my eye. It’s very Malik – with Silayev willing to push far out of position with and without the puck if he sees a play – though always vindicating it with an impactful decision. There are special aspects of his game but he’s best impactful when he has space to work. I get nervous that he’ll struggle to find that space at a pro level, leaving him as a lanky defender capable of filling a high-level role.
Comparable Players: Tyler Myers, Marek Malik, Ben Harpur
19. EJ Emery (D)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 3/30/2006, Height: 6′ 3.0, Weight: 185lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LD-5, NHL CSS Rk: NA-39
I’ve been shocked by Eric ‘EJ’ Emery’s work ethic since he joined the NTDP. He’s willing to grind – the type of player to show up first and leave last, and growing substantially as a result. He’s become a much, much smoother skater since 17 – naturally leading to better puchkandling. That’s made him more confident in moving the puck up the ice, with Emery controlling the regroup well and making smart passes. It gives him sneaky offensive upside, though Emery ultimately still projects as a defense-first player. He keeps strong positioning and knows how to square up to opponents in the rush. With a long reach and good physicality, Emery’s able to shut down most opponents, though he can be slow to can speed going backwards, making him a bit easy to beat. Emery will need to learn how to turn his athletic advantages into on-ice impacts – and there are NHL scouts worried he may not be able to. But I’m betting on the work ethic, and taking him plenty high.
Comparable Players: Niklas Hjalmarsson, Justin Braun, K’Andre Miller
20. Hagen Burrows (RW)
Minnetonka (HIGH-MN), Date of Birth: 10/13/2005, Height: 6′ 1.5, Weight: 174lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: RW-5, NHL CSS Rk: NA-68
I have been so excited by Hagen Burrows this season. He’s a beast of a winger, with a strong and heavy frame carried around by well-crafted power-skating. He’s already shown a great understanding of how to use his size to protect the puck and power through opponents, and he uses that strength to break into the neutral zone and cut laterally in the offensive zone. Burrows forces lanes open and uses a heavy shot to take advantage of his chances. In his frame – which has more muscle to be gained – Burrows looks incredibly projectable, filling the role of rough-and-tumble, shoot-first power-forward that we’ve seen done so well by Blake Comeau or Anders Lee. He’s hardy, he’s strong, and he looks ready to take on an amazing opportunity at the Unviersity of Denver. I think Burrows is gonna be a stud.
Comparable Players: Anders Lee, Michael Ryder, Blake Comeau
21. Beckett Sennecke (RW)
Oshawa (OHL), Date of Birth: 1/28/2006, Height: 6′ 2.25, Weight: 177lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-6, NHL CSS Rk: NA-13
Beckett Sennecke has exploded in popularity over the second half of the season, wowing fans with powerful skating, great stickhandling, and a strong ability to react to changes in play. He’s an impressive forward, still new to his big frame, though I’ve been a bit off-put by how north-south and supportive Sennecke’s game seems. It certainly doesn’t limit his floor – his size and nifty skills give him plenty of pro projectability – but I think it’ll keep Sennecke away from the top-of-the-lineup impact that his draft selection may warrant. Really, watch for this kid to go high on draft day!
Comparable Players: Artturi Lehkonen, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jean-Gabriel Pageau
22. Emil Hemming (RW)
Tps (FINLAND), Date of Birth: 6/27/2006, Height: 6′ 0.75, Weight: 201lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: RW-7, NHL CSS Rk: EU-6
Emil Hemming has been a frustrating watch this season – sometimes looking like the next Dustin Brown in every way – from powerful drive, to strong battling, and a heavy shot – but other times Hemming looks totally disengaged. It’s been enough to place him all over my board, though I can’t argue that his heft is hard to deny. Hemming plays with power and strength, in ways that should make adjusting to NA pros much easier. And if he can pull on his strenghts more often, he should be a fantastic power-winger with physical and goal-scoring upside.
Comparable Players: Dustin Brown, Brian Boyle, James Van Riemsdyk
23. Sacha Boisvert (C)
Muskegon (USHL), Date of Birth: 3/17/2006, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 176lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-8, NHL CSS Rk: NA-16
Sacha Boisvert is another super exciting player this year. He’s the prototypical power forward, with all of the strength, grit, and nose-to-the-grindstone energy that you could ask for. Really, he fits all the boxes – with good but a bit too straight-up stickhandling, great physicality, and a good jump to loose pucks all making him absolutely fantastic at fighting for space in the slot. He’s hard-nosed, and I really get the impression that Boisvert is ready to put in the work needed to succeed. That should earn him plenty of fans come draft day.
Comparable Players: Jeff Carter, R.J. Umberger, David Backes
24. Liam Greentree (RW)
Windsor (OHL), Date of Birth: 1/1/2006, Height: 6′ 2.25, Weight: 207lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-8, NHL CSS Rk: NA-14
Liam Greentree thrives in the neutral zone – excelling at facilitating transition through the middle of the ice, never dipping too deep into either zone, and always quick to backcheck. He’s plenty nimble, even in a heftier frame. He’s reliable on the puck, working off his teammates well to build up tempo. But while he’s strong enough to build up exciting plays, Greentree is glued to his lane – staying out very wide and struggling to cleanly cut to the middle in the offensive end. It leaves me wanting a bit more in every viewing, though his skillset is still mature, developed, and likely very projectable.
Comparable Players: Boone Jenner, Pavel Zacha, Travis Zajac
25. Justin Poirier (RW)
Baie-Comeau (QMJHL), Date of Birth: 9/4/2006, Height: 5′ 7.25, Weight: 185lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-9, NHL CSS Rk: NA-82
Justin Poirier is a little pest, slicing through opponents and stealing pucks away with plenty of pace. He attacks through traffic well and knows how to force his way to the slot, even as a smaller winger. The ability to put his head down and drive into the zone, or pick his head up and make creative plays, really reminded me of Steve Sullivan. And while Poirier faces an uphill battle because of his size, I think he’ll be able to build out his frame and maintain his pace in the same ways that Sullivan did.
Comparable Players: Steve Sullivan, Andy MacDonald, Conor Garland
26. Ryder Ritchie (RW)
Prince Albert (WHL), Date of Birth: 8/3/2006, Height: 5′ 11.75, Weight: 175lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-10, NHL CSS Rk: NA-19
Ryder Ritchie is an all-utility-player, with shifty skating and pesty forechecking. He’s hard to shake, and knows how to overwhelm opponents with stick checks and small bumps. He’s quick to protect the puck when he forces a turnover, though Ritchie is a bit subject to trying to find the first play before the right play – and I’d love to see him focus more on taking time to create plays. Even without that creativity, Ritchie is tenacious and hard-working, and knows how to make an impact in all three zones. It’s commendable and gives him a plenty high floor.
Comparable Players: Ross Colton, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Callahan
27. Nikita Artamonov (LW)
Nizhny Novgorod (RUSSIA), Date of Birth: 11/17/2005, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: LW-11, NHL CSS Rk: EU-19
Nikita Artamonov has been up and down my list this season. He’s a stout forward with an understanding of how to throw his weight around – though that’s certainly not a defining trait of his game. Instead, Artamonov is a finesse player through and through, at his best when cutting through open ice in the neutral zone with strong puckhandling. He keeps his head up and boasts a heavy shot, though Artamonov’s creativity certainly leaves much to be desired. He hasn’t yet found the groove that’ll make his style work, but he has all of the tools of an impactful transition scorer with heft.
Comparable Players: Jake DeBrusk, Bryan Rust, Ryan Kesler
28. Daniil Ustinkov (D)
Zurich (SWISS), Date of Birth: 8/26/2006, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 198lbs, Nationality: Swiss, Pos Rk: LD-6, NHL CSS Rk: EU-34
I’ve been pretty surprised to hear so many bearish reports on Daniil Ustinkov. Did he have a smash year? No, not at all. But he was the youngest player in the National League, notoriously one of the hardest leagues in the world, this season. That’s a heavy load to bear – but Ustinkov pulled through, still showing a really impressive jump into the rush in the few times he found space. He’s fantastic on the puck and sees the ice from the top-down, making crazy cross-ice passes to perfect effect and making quick shots. It’s that high-in-the-zone, transition-specialist style that’d fit Ustinkov best. He’ll need to round out his game significantly to get to that style, and I worry Switzerland may not encourage it particularly well, but Ustinkov’s heavy play-driving, strong puck skills, and extra time to develop have me buying early.
Comparable Players: Justin Faulk, Marek Zidlicky, Nick Leddy
29. Lucas Pettersson (C)
Modo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 4/17/2006, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 168lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: C-9, NHL CSS Rk: EU-16
The term ‘play-monitor’ perfectly describes Lucas Pettersson. While he’s great in all roles thanks to smooth skating and a down-and-ready style so on and so forth… it’s his ability to shadow the puck that’s really exciting. Pettersson is a great second-man in, and knows how to see one step ahead of play to intercept passes or apply timely presure. He’s shifty on the puck, making strong moves to beat opponents and keeping his head up for teammates. Pettersson will need a bit of unique role at the NHL level – something that lets him enter the offensive end second or third – but he could thrive in a middle-six supporting role, thanks to just how good his instincts and puck skills are. With that said, he still seems doomed to a supporting role – which has some buying much lower than this.
Comparable Players: Bryan Little, Oskar Lindblom, Colton Sissons
30. Matvei Gridin (RW)
Muskegon (USHL), Date of Birth: 3/1/2006, Height: 6′ 1.25, Weight: 182lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: RW-12, NHL CSS Rk: NA-21
Matvei Gridin has added significant pace to his game this season, which has gone a long way towards putting him in the spots to make a play. He’s now always in the corners or fighting along the boards, showing good confidence in battles even in a smaller frame, and absolutely excelling at creating play from the perimeter. Gridin is fantastic at beating opponents with one-on-one skill – making him excellent at beating the second layer of defense and cutting to the net. He could afford to build out his shooting a bit more – but he has no lack of finishing ability, carrying his skill into the low slot and not forgetting to utilize his teammates in tight spaces. Gridin is going to face a big hill in adapting his high skill style to tougher competition. So it goes. But his upside as an effective, off-the-wing play-creator is very exciting. There are pieces of a solid glue guy here, so I’m spending a First!
Comparable Players: Anthony Duclair, Alexander Semin, Alexandre Texier
31. Eric Bürger (D)
Orebro Jr. (SWEDEN), Date of Birth: 12/29/2005, Height: 6’0, Weight: 181lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: LD-7, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Eric Bürger is a stout, reliable two-way defenseman with all of the pieces needed to translate to North America. He’s strong on the puck and moves well with his wingers through the breakout, showing a strong understanding for how to support rushes up the ice with the right positioning. He’s quick to jump in where needed, and while he isn’t the most agile skater or flashiest puckhandler, he finds plays quickly and effectively even against pressure. Bürger isn’t a particularly exciting defenseman, but there’s a clear path between him and a strong NHL role. I think he’ll be able to hang onto it once he’s there, so I’m buying Bürger much, much earlier than many other scouts.
Comparable Players: Alec Martinez, Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe
32. Maxim Massé (RW)
Chicoutimi (QMJHL), Date of Birth: 4/7/2006, Height: 6′ 1.75, Weight: 186lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-13, NHL CSS Rk: NA-30
Maxim Massé moves well in his barrel-y frame, showing a knack for driving the puck through the neutral zone and possessing the puck control to make patient and well-crafted plays in the offensive end, though he does NOT possess the agility to match. Even then, Massé isn’t a bad skater – and still shows enough fluidity to make tough plays on the boards and line up heavy hits. He has a sharp eye for how to craft scoring chances, and the shot to take advantage of them, giving me hope that he’ll find a way to be effective. He reminds me of players like Dom Kubalik or Val Nichushkin: hefty forwards with good drive who needed pretty robust support before they hit their stride. I think Massé has the offensive skillset to find his way to that kind of scoring, though he’ll need to develop optimly.
Comparable Players: Dominik Kubalik, Valeri Nichushkin, James Neal
33. Aatos Koivu (C)
Tps Jr. (FINLAND-JR.), Date of Birth: 6/22/2006, Height: 6′ 1.0, Weight: 170lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: C-10, NHL CSS Rk: EU-27
I have loved how Aatos Koivu has developed this year. He’s built out such a remarkable poise on the puck, making him fantastic in transition and capable of making a play anywhere on the ice. His crossovers are choppy and slow, making him noticeably unagile, though Koivu builds up good speed in straights. And above all, Koivu has a very robust understanding of where to be and when; putting him in a path to make an impact every single shift. He’s got a great drive, a heavy shot, and great positional awareness – all of the makings of a great floor.
34. Cole Beaudoin (C)
Barrie (OHL), Date of Birth: 4/24/2006, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 209lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-11, NHL CSS Rk: NA-25
It took me some time to come around on Cole Beaudoin. But while he might not be the most creative on the puck, he’s quick to his spots and hard to knock loose in a way that’s hard to deny. You know when Beaudoin is on the ice – and he has the hard power-skating and athleticism to make the most of his hefty frame. He has all the makings of a strong middle-six forward capable of filling a role on the PK. That’s worth taking high, especially with his athletic profile.
35. Jesse Pulkkinen (D)
Jyp (FINLAND), Date of Birth: 12/27/2004, Height: 6′ 5.0, Weight: 214lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: LD-8, NHL CSS Rk: EU-12
Jesse Pulkinnen is this year’s prolific overeager – significantly improving his ability to work from the slot in the defensive end, instead of the more unruly positioning he showed last year. Pulkinnen’s instinct in joining the rush has been fantastic this year as well, with good puck control and powerful strides letting him use his heft to drive downhill. But he’s still a bit unruly outside of the defensive end, and I’m not sure how much his offense will pick up in North America. Even then, he has the size, mobility, puck skills, and instincts to play NHL games.
36. Alfons Freij (D)
Vaxjo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 2/12/2006, Height: 6′ 0.5, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: LD-9, NHL CSS Rk: EU-13
Alfons Freij is tons of fun. He’s incredibly, incredibly dynamic – with great hip mobility and edgework letting him figure skte around the offensive zone. He takes advantage of that ability, coupling it with elusive stickhandling, to buy tons of time and space in the offensive end. But here’s the kicker – Freij really knows how to use the space around him. He’s so creative in sneaking pucks around opponents, and really strikes hard when his offense gets going. Peer Tony Ferrari is very bullish on Freij – and I stand by him, his offensive awareness really does look special. But that’s something I’d want to confirm in person, and until I can do that – I can’t overlook some lacking defensive awareness and up-and-down consistency.
37. Kambryn Hendrickson (G)
Chanhassen (High School), Date of Birth: 1/9/2006, Height: 6’2, Weight: 185lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: G-1, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Kam Hendrickson has sat as my top goalie in this age class for three years – since he vindicated an impressive glimmer at Select 17s with a standout showing at the Chicago Steel Development camp. And, truly, I’m a bit shocked to see him hold onto the spot all this time later. But his game is simply too fluid. Hendrickson’s skating is fantastic in any position, making him fantastic at making both big and small adjustments quickly. Hendrickson excels at tracking the puck, and follows it all the way to the save, giving him a great glove and strong rebound control. And maybe more important than any of that, he is a leader who stands up to the spotlight. Hendrickson hass been strongly dedicated to his high school team over the last few seasons, and wore the ‘C’ for the team this season. But despite little experience, he stood on his HEAD when he joined Omaha after the high school season. Even despite being in perhaps the toughest environment in the USHL, Hendrickson was among the best in the league during his brief stint. He has a long path ahead of him – but this is my player this year… three years later, I’m still banging the desk and saying Kam Hendrickson will be a star.
38. Yegor Surin (C)
Yaroslavl Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.), Date of Birth: 8/1/2006, Height: 6′ 1.0, Weight: 192lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: C-12, NHL CSS Rk: EU-22
Yegor Surin has some get-up! He’s shifty and jumpy – very agile in his movements and quick to move from spot to spot. He’s got a physical edge in the corner or slot battles that certainly helps his floor, though I’d love to see Surin find more ways to stick on the puck, rather than jumping to the first play. Surin’s puck skills are sharp, he attacks from the boards well, and his gritty and aggressive style is exciting – but he’s still learning how to string his strengths together into something cohesive. Luckily, he’s one of the youngest in the class, giving him plenty of extra time to build out his skillset. He’ll be an exciting play-driver if he does.
39. Sam O’Reilly (RW)
London (OHL), Date of Birth: 3/30/2006, Height: 6′ 1.0, Weight: 178lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-14, NHL CSS Rk: NA-24
Sam O’Reilly has become a great play monitor over the course of the year, following the puck close and always down and ready to make a play. He turns up the ice quickly and orchestrates play with strong passing. But O’Reilly is the type to make the smart play before the exciting play – giving him all of the attributes to be a well-composed, well-rounded forward with penalty-killing upside. I’ll say – I think O’Reilly would make much more of an impact as a centerman, and that’s where I’m testing him if I had the say. Regardless, his two-way impact is being highly coveted by NHL teams.
40. Matvei Korotky (C)
SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA), Date of Birth: 12/23/2005, Height: 6’2, Weight: 190lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: C-13, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Matvei Korotky is much more nimble and quick-paced than his hefty frame would suggest, and he uses it to be incredibly persistent on and off the puck. His strides are long and his edges are great – and Korotky knows how to use that skating to box out opponents and earn an edge in puck races. He keeps his head up on the puck and does well at getting quick shots off when space collapses. Korotky will need to bring all of his skills up as he develops out of a weak MHL, but he plays a smooth style with projectable smarts.
41. Melvin Fernstrom (RW)
Orebro Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 2/28/2006, Height: 6′ 0.5, Weight: 185lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: RW-15, NHL CSS Rk: EU-23
Melvin Fernstrom is a smooth and effortless skater who knows how to match the pace of play. He uses that to good effect on the puck, showing fun creativity in creating space – using puch stops and nifty edgework. His shot is pretty effective as well, though he can be a bit quick to shoot. Fernstrom can also be a bit quick to disengage from play when he’s not close to the puck, leaving him susceptible to getting caught flat-footed. Even then, he’s hot when he’s hot – and I’m willing to bet on development pulling his game together more.
42. Andrew Basha (LW)
Medicine Hat (WHL), Date of Birth: 11/8/2005, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 174lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LW-16, NHL CSS Rk: NA-26
Andrew Basha is among the most cerebral players in the draft. He feels pressure incredibly well, making him a prime first or second man in on the forecheck. Either way, he’ll use elusive agility and strong puck protection to box out defenders and guarantee possession for his team. He’s quick to create separation when he does win the puck back, and finds teammates well through traffic, though I’ve been a bit worried that Basha is a bit too sedimentary on the puck, and a little too slow off the puck, to make up for what really is a clear size disadvantage. Much smarter people than me have Basha much higher – and I hope for his sake that he reaches those heights.
43. Teddy Stiga (C)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 4/5/2006, Height: 5′ 9.75, Weight: 174lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: C-14, NHL CSS Rk: NA-44
Teddy Stiga blossomed into a new player this season, with the poise to stare down and beat any opponents and the swagger to pull off flashy plays. He found another step, beating defenders much more routinely and taking more time to find plays when given space. He now plays bigger than he is, giving me much more faith that he’ll adapt well to the size and strength of the next steps. Stiga still makes decisions with the puck, and pushes out of position, like a young player pushing to score. He’ll need to get out of that habit, without losing the brazen edge that makes him so exciting. That’ll be a tough hill to climb, but Stiga is entering college with the wind behind his sails after a year of HUGE growth.
44 .Linus Eriksson (C)
Djurgarden (SWEDEN-2), Date of Birth: 3/23/2006, Height: 5′ 11.75, Weight: 183lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: C-15, NHL CSS Rk: EU-10
Linus Eriksson is a shifty, high-skill winger who doesn’t shy away from risky or aggressive choices and very often pulls them often. He searches out an impact every shift. That, plus the occasional flashy goal, make him an exciting prospect.
45. Noel Fransén (D)
Farjestad Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 12/7/2005, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 183lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: LD-10, NHL CSS Rk: EU-48
Noel Fransén is an exciting defenseman to watch, but I’d imagine a very frustrating one to coach. He’s aggressive in most regards, showing no fear in joining the rush or even carrying the puck 200 feet himself, spending just a little to long in the offensive end, and not hesitating to leave his position off the puck. It’s all usually to good effect, with his quick handles or long reach able to get him out of sticky spots. But it is apparent when Fransén gets beat. He’ll need to learn to use his strengths from a more fundamental spot moving forward – which could prove a tough development path.
46. Gabriel Eliasson (D)
Hv71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 9/9/2006, Height: 6′ 6.25, Weight: 192lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: LD-11, NHL CSS Rk: EU-29
Gabriel Eliasson has earned the ire of scouts this season, showcasing some simply awful discipline. Really, don’t get this kid mad – he’ll bulldoze ya. But he’s an impressive defender outside of the box, with great size and strong skating – driving into the ice to build powerful strides. It’s his speed that makes Eliasson’s size so imposing. And he uses that hefty drive to drive through opponents, with strong puck skills helping him spark transition and work with his teammates through quick passing. I love Eliasson’s aggression, and how he dips into space in the offensive end to open up lanes or unleash a booming slapshot. He has a long ways to go in refining his game and becoming more poised, but there’s a pro frame with pro traits on the other side, if he can reach it.
47. Alexander Shen (RW)
Mamonty (RUSSIA), Date of Birth: 3/1/2006, Height: 5’11.0, Weight: 192lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: RW-17, NHL CSS Rk: NR
I can’t finish the year without ranking Alex Shen. He did not have the year of takeover offense that I was hoping for, but he’s developed a style that keeps him true to his position in all three zones. He’s well-rounded in all regards – with smooth but not overly quick skating, good physicality but not much heft, and a good instinct for plays but not many points. Shen needs to become sharper and more confident in his decision-making – but his ability to fill his role and adjust to changes in pace make him plenty projectable, even without an offensive boost.
48. John Mustard (C)
Waterloo (USHL), Date of Birth: 8/16/2006, Height: 6′ 0.5, Weight: 180lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-16, NHL CSS Rk: NA-27
John Mustard plays a rough and tumble style, jumping from spot to spot with good heft and physicality. It gives him the tools to make an impact on most shifts, though it’s hard to ignore that when Mustard isn’t on, he quickly fades into the background. That weakness is helped out by some strong puckhandling, though Mustard is still a bit too subject to a quiet shift for my liking. How to bring his drive to every time he steps on the ice will be his top priority in college.
49. Kamil Bednarik (C)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 5/26/2006, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 185lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: C-17, NHL CSS Rk: NA-28
Kamil Bednarik was the NTDP’s utility player this season. He’s as fast as they come and great reactions, helping him follow and shut down play on the forecheck. Bednarik is, usually, great on the puck when he regains possession – with quick hands, heads-up playmaking, and most of all, the ability to craft really intricate plays through defenders. Really, I think Bednarik’s ability to pull out the occasional stunner has been underrated. But, as can be said about most of his on-puck skills, he’s inconsistent; and can focus a little too much on making ‘this’ play that he forgets to react to what will happen next. You need to be able to play one step ahead if you want to make it in the pros – and that’s a skill Bednarik will need to find in college – though his high-energy skillset lends itself to an exciting ceiling.
50. Dominik Badinka (RW)
Malmo (SWEDEN), Date of Birth: 11/27/2005, Height: 6′ 3.0, Weight: 183lbs, Nationality: Czech, Pos Rk: RW-18, NHL CSS Rk: EU-14
Dominik Badinka’s best asset is his aggression. He knows how and when to push out of position and does it with confidence, going on strong drives down the ice or quickly pulling together plays with his forwards. But I can’t help and think of how rough some of his SHL showings were. He was lacking a lot of refined fundamentals, and could have a longer development curve because of it. Badinka’s confidence on the puck and beefy frame are worth investing in – but I don’t know if I’d be as patient as others
51. Topias Hynninen (C)
Jukurit (FINLAND), Date of Birth: 12/19/2005, Height: 5′ 10.0, Weight: 164lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: C-18, NHL CSS Rk: EU-55
Topias Hynninen is a responsible and diligent two-way centerman, with smooth skating and heads-up decision-making, although he can look a bit aloof when play pushes him out of positon. He’ll need to add more poise at the top level if he wants to adapt his playmaking style, but could otherwise project nicely.
52. Jett Luchanko (C)
Guelph (OHL), Date of Birth: 8/21/2006, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 180lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-19, NHL CSS Rk: NA-20
Jett Luchanko is an effective all-situations forward, with a well-developed frame and a persistent work ethic making him a pest off the puck and quick to act on the puck. He’s never a detriment, though I’ve found myself hoping to see Luchanko carrying the puck for his own a bit more this year. He’s instead stayed quick to play things off his teammates or take a shot – and while that’s worked well, he’ll need to become a bit more robust on-puck to stay effective at the next level.
53. Mikhail Yegorov (G)
Omaha (USHL), Date of Birth: 3/7/2006, Height: 6.4.0, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: Russian, Pos Rk: G-2, NHL CSS Rk: NAG-1
Mikhail Yegorov’s game is defined by just how quick he is. He locks in and tracks the puck well, making slight adjustments cleanly and big adjustments quickly. His positioning is aggressive but not unruly and I love how he challenges attackers one-on-one. All of those benefits are held together by an incredibly athletic package. In every way, Yegorov has an evergreen fitness that should make adjusting to harder stages much easier. What won’t make things easier is just how weak his corners are, particularly his glvoe side. He’s able to beat opponents with his agility right now, but that won’t be the case for long. He needs to improve his coverage over the top of the net if he wants to reach the upside that his athleticism provides.
54. Tarin Smith (D)
Everett (WHL), Date of Birth: 3/24/2006, Height: 6’1.0, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LD-12, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Tarin Smith is so much fun. Whether intentional or not, he’s so well-choreographed in his aggression, constantly on the fritz of totally losing position or getting beat but always finding a way back into his spot. He’s a smooth and quick skater – though with some agility to work on – and knows how to join the rush seamlessly. I wish I could’ve seen him in person, because he really does seem like a prospect with upside. But as it stands, he seems (in video) a bit too aloof to pull together his quick skating, aggression, and smart offensive instincts into a real dangerous package. Should he add the sharpness to do that, he could have strong upside as a second-pair scorer.
55. Adam Kleber (D)
Lincoln (USHL), Date of Birth: 3/24/2006, Height: 6′ 5.0, Weight: 207lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: RD-4, NHL CSS Rk: NA-34
Adam Kleber is a beefy, heavy-set defender with all of the hallmarks – heavy hitting, good fundamentals when defending the rush, hard passing. He’s as smart as he needs to be and knows how to position himself to make an impact. Kleber didn’t take the offensive step I was hoping for this year, though he did improve substantially at working into the middle of the ice in both the neutral and offensive zones. We’ve seen a lot of players add that skill, then have a huge breakout year the next season. I think Kleber is a candidate to do that – and after the breakout of Eric Pohlkamp, I imagine NHL teams will be even more eager to draft him.
56. Brodie Ziemer (RW)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 2/22/2006, Height: 5′ 10.75, Weight: 190lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: RW-19, NHL CSS Rk: NA-59
Brodie Ziemer is well built in all regards, with solid size, smooth mobility and stickhandling, and a good ability to match the tempo of faster teammates. He’s witty, with a good understanding of positioning helping him see plays one step ahead. Ziemer hasn’t adapted the takeover skills I was anticipating he’d get at the NTDP, but he’s still an impactful and reliable centerman, capable of lifting up the talent around him – with the perk of breakout potential.
57. Leo Sahlin Wallenius (D)
Vaxjo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 4/10/2006, Height: 5′ 11.5, Weight: 176lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: LD-13, NHL CSS Rk: EU-7
Leo Sahlin Wallenius is a rangy defender who works very well with his forwards, pushing play through the neutral zone quickly and not hesitating in joining the rush. And on the surface, he’s juxtaposed that offensive aggression with strong defensive skills – a good reach, good spacing, good positioning on the rush – making him quick to shut down opponents. But Sahlin Wallenius lost some of that off-puck effectiveness as the season went on, looking much more unruly by the end of the year – at least in my viewings. He has the skills to be a well-rounded two-way defender – a Jay Bouwmeester kind of flexible transition-facilitator – but he’s missing the poise to pull it together.
58. Nicholas Kempf (G)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 3/1/2006, Height: 6’2.0, Weight: 190lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: G-3, NHL CSS Rk: NAG-4
Nicholas Kempf has my vote for the most well-rounded goalie this year. He doesn’t push the envelope in any one regard – with patient positioning and a nice, square stance putting him in a spot to make a save on every shot. But, that means he has to face the test of every shot – and while his corners are strong and he sees the puck well, no goalie is going to win a one-on-one every single time. I’d love to see more fluid lateral movement in Kempf’s game, though his ability to hold the crease and stand up to the spotlight are worth high draft attention.
59. Adam Jecho (C)
Edmonton (WHL), Date of Birth: 3/24/2006, Height: 6′ 4.75, Weight: 197lbs, Nationality: Czech, Pos Rk: C-20, NHL CSS Rk: NA-22
Adam Jecho was promised as a dynamic power-forward. And while he hasn’t found a way to match the offensive end of that style, Jecho has built a great ability to work the puck through pressure in the neutral zone and maintain possession in the offensive end. He’s a spiky player, with strong shoulders and a stout frame, all making him hard to knock off the puck. But even then, Jecho’s decision-making and creativity with the puck will need to improve if he wants to hold a pro role. He’s developed the hefty drive and ability to create space that you want from a power-forward – and now needs to find how to build his style into something more dynamic.
60. Julius Miettinen (C)
Everett (WHL), Date of Birth: 1/20/2006, Height: 6′ 2.5, Weight: 203lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: C-21, NHL CSS Rk: NA-18
Julius Miettinen is smooth in the neutral zone, receiving and dishing pucks cleanly and keeping his hips open to play in the middle of the ice. But he seems tethered to the red line, and I’ve found myself wanting more bite out of his puck touches. His size and strong positioning keeps him impactful off the puck, but I’m not sure I agree with his projectability with as much as his more bullish fans – which include some NHL teams who think he’s a First Round lock!
61. Ben Danford (D)
Oshawa (OHL), Date of Birth: 2/6/2006, Height: 6′ 1.0, Weight: 188lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RD-5, NHL CSS Rk: NA-35
Ben Danford is a jumpy, high-in-the-zone defender with a strong stick and good puck control. He gets to his spots quickly and knows how to work with his teammates when joining the rush or set up in the offensive end. But Danford’s pivots are slow and he has a tendency to bite too high in the zone, making him easy to beat when he chooses wrong. Danford has the puck skills, instincts, and skating to control the neutral zone well, though he’ll need to iron out some weaknesses before he can really take the next jump.
62. Marek Vanacker (LW)
Brantford (OHL), Date of Birth: 4/12/2006, Height: 6′ 0.5, Weight: 174lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LW-20, NHL CSS Rk: NA-17
Marek Vanacker is among the best in the class on the puck. His ability to work into space and use nifty dekes to beat defenders is unmatched – and routinely leads to flashes of brilliance once he’s up and going. But Vanacker’s off-puck energy routinely let me down. Despite the puck skills to work a full 200 feet, Vanacker doesn’t do much to put himself in a position to receive the puck or work it into new space. Those drawbacks, combined with an upper-body injury that will hold him out through the end of the year, have me pulling the rug from under Vanacker late in the year. Though I can’t say his ability on the puck hasn’t wowed me over-and-over.
63. Ilya Protas (LW)
Des Moines (USHL), Date of Birth: 7/18/2006, Height: 6′ 3.5, Weight: 184lbs, Nationality: Belarusian, Pos Rk: LW-21, NHL CSS Rk: NA-49
Ilya Protas’ value comes from his projectability. He is a hefty forward with a great stick, a strong understanding of how to box players out, and skating that’s just strong enough to keep him impactful on the forecheck. Protas will need to add weight to maintain his style at the next level – and the confidence there is a big deciding factor on his popularity with teams. I think he does it, and I think in adding weight Protas will become a force to be reckoned with along the boards and through the middle of the neutral zone. He applies pressure beautifully, and boasts a high floor more than anything else. I’m not taking him too eagerly, but he’s among my favorite mid-round selections.
64. Will Skahan (D)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 5/14/2006, Height: 6′ 4.25, Weight: 209lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LD-14, NHL CSS Rk: NA-56
Even on a team with EJ Emery, it’s been Will Skahan who’s taken to the heavy, powerful defensive defenseman prototype. He’s hard-hitting with every aspect of his style, from big hits to heavy shots and hard passing. He is good at what he does, and makes a noticeable impact when play comes his way, though Skahan’s heavy style has also kept him from adding much agility to his game. That’s limited his ability to seek out play, versus letting it come to him, and limits his projectability in my eyes. With that said, Skahan is the choice defenseman of a lot of smart USA Hockey minds. He’s burly and slow, though the right development could earn him a stout pro role one day.
65. Ondrej Kos (LW)
Ilves Jr. (FINLAND-JR.), Date of Birth: 3/7/2006, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 167lbs, Nationality: Czech, Pos Rk: LW-22, NHL CSS Rk: EU-26
Ondrej Kos is a heavy winger who plants in the low slot and doesn’t move. He’s strong on thepuck and generally moves well, though he could continue improving his agility. He could improve his ability to blend into the rush, but could be used creatively by a pro team.
66. Raoul Boilard (C)
Baie-Comeau (QMJHL), Date of Birth: 1/7/2006, Height: 6′ 1.0, Weight: 188lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-22, NHL CSS Rk: NA-51
Raoul Boilard fills the middle lane well, with fleet skating and nifty puckhandling helping him work off his teammates well. And while he’s strong when he gets chances with the puck, I wish Boilard would do more to search out plays. A bit more drive could turn him into a projectable and moldable prospect.
67. Veeti Vaisanen (RW)
Kookoo (FINLAND), Date of Birth: 2/15/2006, Height: 6′ 0.0, Weight: 177lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: RW-23, NHL CSS Rk: EU-21
Veeti Vaisainen is a pro-made but low-stakes defender who defends the rush with purpose and strong fundamentals and knows how to support the rush. But none of his traits jump too far off the page, leaving me to think he could struggle at the next step. He’s a projectable style, and worth drafting solely because of that, but I’m not sure how high his upside is.
68. Dean Letourneau (D)
St. Andrews College (HIGH-ON), Date of Birth: 2/21/2006, Height: 6′ 6.0, Weight: 210lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LD-15, NHL CSS Rk: NA-23
No matter what acclaim he earns at the draft – and I do think Letourneau has first round hopes – I dont think there’s enough to go on in his rap sheet. He was great in high school – but people already express enough worry about drafting out of American HS! Snark aside – I do want to make a case for Letourneau. He’s stood up to the test in the limited times I was able to see him with Sioux Falls. He seemed to have a strong knack for creating space and making plays in the high slot – while still offering strong low-zone physicality. And, man his shot is hard. Letourneau is a hockey mind, and his frame alone lends itself to strong potential. But I can’t speak to how much of an athlete he is – and that’s what worries me. He’ll need to be ready to work if he wants to build his frame to NHL strength – and he has a long road ahead as a result – but if a team can ensure that growth, they’ll have a good player on their hands.
69. Tanner Howe (LW)
Regina (WHL), Date of Birth: 11/28/2005, Height: 5′ 9.5, Weight: 175lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LW-24, NHL CSS Rk: NA-41
Tanner Howe looked like a man on an island this season, still applying pressure quickly on the forecheck and making plays quickly out of the corners, though not doing much to create for himself when his teammates weren’t providing ideal support. Howe reacts to changes in play quickly and knows how to create passing lanes, though he’ll need to adjust to how much quicker pressure is applied at the pro level. He’s got clear hockey IQ, great drive, and an ability to elevate his teammates with his playmaking – though his skillset still seems a bit underdeveloped.
70. Benjamin Poitras (RW/LW)
Sioux City (USHL), Date of Birth: 7/18/2005, Height: 5’11.0, Weight: 181lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW/LW-25, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Benjamin Poitras has been the embodiment of a glue guy during his tenure in the USHL. He filled a ton of roles, with heads-up skating and strong lateral movements (even on-puck) making him particularly effective at handling the puck in the danger areas around each blue line. That’s a special area to thrive in as a winger – and he only improved at it this season. But Poitras makes his plays from the blue line, which can make him a bit unruly deep in either zone and pushes him into a second or third-man-in role on the forecheck. That’s fine – but he’ll need to add a full 200-foot drive to make it to the pros. I say he does it, and so he inches his way closer to my second round in my final rankings!
71. Jacob Battaglia (RW)
Kingston (OHL), Date of Birth: 3/17/2006, Height: 6′ 0.5, Weight: 196lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-26, NHL CSS Rk: NA-42
I’ve loved Jacob Battaglia’s game this year. He’s beefy and heavy in his movements, shutting down lanes by stepping into them and doing wellt to engage physically. He’s not particuarly dazzling on the puck but knows how to work play around the offensive end, and finds good spot using his size in the low slot or his shot up high. He’s not very inspiring but plays a moldable style in a great frame.
72. Tomas Galvas (D)
Liberec (CZECHIA), Date of Birth: 2/11/2006, Height: 5′ 10.5, Weight: 148lbs, Nationality: Czech, Pos Rk: LD-16, NHL CSS Rk: EU-33
Tomas Galvas is a high-energy defender who’s always looking for a way to gain advantages, whether it be stepping into a blocked lane on the blue line or driving deep into the zone. He squares up opponents well on defense, though he can get too attached to chasing the puck and get pulled far out of position. He’ll need to add poise at the next step, but could be a fun both-ends defender.
73. Kasper Pikkarainen (RW)
Tps Jr. (FINLAND-JR.), Date of Birth: 8/7/2006, Height: 6′ 3.0, Weight: 194lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: RW-27, NHL CSS Rk: EU-24
Kasper Pikkarainen is a heavy-set winger with a mature edge to his game that’s let him adjust to pro competition well. He knows how to make an impact from his spot, and doesn’t miss when he gets a chance to shoot. He’s an instinctual, defense-first winger with the frame to play at any level.
74. Charlie Elick (D)
Brandon (WHL), Date of Birth: 1/17/2006, Height: 6′ 3.25, Weight: 194lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RD-6, NHL CSS Rk: NA-31
Charlie Elick is a quick-moving and effective defensive-defenseman – with a strong poke check, a good ability to square up opponents, and a respect for the three lanes helping him manage opponents with ease. But Elick’s impact seems to only come around his own blue line. While he does well at moving the puck into the offensive end and holding possession on the attacking blue line, he doesn’t ever jump off the page. Elick is smart and effective where he needs to be – and many think that will lead him to a fruitful career. It could, though his lack of spark elsewhere has me looking elsewhere.
75. Mac Swanson (LW)
Fargo (USHL), Date of Birth: 1/10/2006, Height: 5’7.0, Weight: 157lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LW-28, NHL CSS Rk: NA-152
I have had my concerns about Mac Swanson’s ability to create play through traffic. There’s no denying his small frame and he hasn’t done much to add overwhelming physicality or strength through his juniors career. But he has found more and more ways to make an impact despite those traits. Swanson exploded this season, showing incredible confidence with the puck on his stick, the handling needed to protect possession, and tremendous heads-up playmaking. He’s been as dynamic as they come, and while I still have my hesitations, I’ve been convinced to buy after a standout year.
76. Will Felicio (LW)
Waterloo/Madison (USHL), Date of Birth: 5/19/2006, Height: 5’10.0, Weight: 161lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LW-29, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Will Felicio is always exciting to watch. He plays fast, excelling at quarterbacking transition and showing great instinct when joining the rush. That energy translates into the offensive zone, where Felicio shows a fantastic understanding of how to create and use space on the blue line, working into the middle well. He also has a great instinct of when to, how to, and why to pinch – and in general does great at controlling possession along the boards in the offensive end. Felicio is still missing the offensive breakout I’ve been hoping for, and I do think some of that can be attributed to his small frame. But he’s getting a golden opportunity with the Unviersity of Michigan – a school that should lift up his style beautifully. I say he takes full advantage of the shot – this is one of my favorite sleepers in the class!
77. Carson Wetsch (RW)
Calgary (WHL), Date of Birth: 5/4/2006, Height: 6′ 0.25, Weight: 190lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-30, NHL CSS Rk: NA-50
I’ve become a growing fan of Wetsch over the season. He’s a meatball on the ice, throwing around hefty weight that’s all stored in his shoulders. That keeps him from being all that quick, though he makes up for it with smart positioning and poise. Wetsch doesn’t make a splash, but he fills all the needs of a rough-and-tumble bottom winger – he can be the first on the forecheck, holds pressure on opponents, and knows how to cause the right kind of havoc defensively. Wetsch plays a meager but projectable game and has a strong, physical base to deveop from. I imagine those pieces will also excite plenty of NHL teams.
78. Keith McInnis (D)
Brooks (BCHL), Date of Birth: 1/8/2006, Height: 6′ 1.25, Weight: 192lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LD-17, NHL CSS Rk: NA-213
Keith McInnis has been a favorite of mine since he took the bull by the horns with a move to Brooks. After a muddling north-south role in the USHL, McInnis blossomed in Canada, working laterally with and without the puck much more, showing much more aggression physically, and overall filling more of a complete role with his team. Now, I have my hesitations about McInnis’ ability to play at an intense pace. But we’ll get to see how he faces the challenge very soon, as he’s set for U. of North Dakota next season. Should he maintain the confidence he gained in Canada, McInnis could be a lucrative – and I mean it, 200-foot wrecking ball capacity – pick. Unfortunately, my early signs suggest he may not go at all. Here’s to a breakout year in college!
79. Ollie Josephson (C)
Red Deer (WHL), Date of Birth: 7/22/2006, Height: 6’0.0, Weight: 178 lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-23, NHL CSS Rk: NA-40
Ollie Josephson plays an exciting, high-tempo game that has him dashing from opponent-to-opponent on the forecheck and making quick, impactful plays on loose pucks in the offensive end. Those traits alone were enough to get me excited about Josephson, who plays at a speed much below his size but still offers the physicality and reach of a built out centerman. Unfortunately, Josephson’s high energy doesn’t extend to on the puck – and I find he can be a bit slow to develop play when possession turns over. That’s a wit he’ll need to add soon, though the rest of his game is well-rounded enough to earn a pro deal.
80. Terik Parascak (RW)
Prince George (WHL), Date of Birth: 5/28/2006, Height: 5′ 11.5, Weight: 173lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-31, NHL CSS Rk: NA-15
Terik Parascak took a bit of a tumble on my board, settling instead into my third round – a spot I believe is much closer to his draft day projection. There’s no denying Parascak’s impact – with sharp stickhandling and great hip mobility helping him work into and out of sticky situations without breaking a sweat. Off-puck, Parascak doesn’t dart from play-to-play, but instead shows well at drifting into open space and always remaining a contingency for his teammates. That style has worked well in juniors, though it’s left many scouts skeptical about his takeover abilities at the next step. While I’ve been impressed by Parascak’s skill, I’ll hedge my bets against those concerns.
81. Christian Humphreys (C)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 2/4/2006, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 170lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: C-24, NHL CSS Rk: NA-71
Even as he’s grown as a 200-foot play-driver, with some solid explosiveness down the wing, Chris Humphreys is still best represented in the second layer of the offensive zone – where his strong puckhandling and shot shine through. Humphreys is a bit of a spot shooter, though, and can try a bit to hard to force his way into better shooting lanes at times. He’s a strong skater who attacks out of the corners well and knows how to get a shot off quick; but Humphreys is still searching for a layer of energy to his game that’d pull everything together.
82. Oskar Vuollet (LW)
Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.), Date of Birth: 12/3/2005, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 173lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: LW-32, NHL CSS Rk: EU-90
Oskar Vuollet is a high-tempo, hard-nosed play-driver who knows how to put his head down and drive the boards. He’s not particuarly strong or built-out but he gets into strong stances and uses the boards to his advantage, making Vuollet suprisingly tough to fully separate from the puck when he gets going. And he turns his touches into chances, playing off his teammates well to open lanes in the offensive end. Vuollet needs to improve a good deal at attacking laterally and creating space off the puck – but he’s tenacious and a quick thinker in high pressure situations. He’s a fun development project.
83. Sebastian Soini (D)
Ilves Jr. (FINLAND-JR.), Date of Birth: 3/7/2006, Height: 6′ 2.0, Weight: 183lbs, Nationality: Finnish, Pos Rk: RD-7, NHL CSS Rk: EU-17
A real beefy skater that skates beautifully smooth. He’s a bit naively aggressive and is a risk to get beat defensively pretty routinely, but shows clear respect for the fundamentals of defense and keeps an active stick. Great on the puck, heads-up and makes cheeky plays. Hard passes too. Lots to love but I think he’ll need to learn a deal of poise and control if he wants to be effective in the defensive zone (both with and without possession) at a pro level.
84. Colin Ralph (D)
Shattuck – St.Mary’s Prep (HIGH-MN), Date of Birth: 10/4/2005, Height: 6′ 4.0, Weight: 216lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LD-18, NHL CSS Rk: NA-32
Colin Ralph is a fluid-skating, very fundamental defender who knows how to keep the puck in front of him. He supports the breakout and break-in well, with good puck control and heads-up passing, and knows how to work off his teammates when he does skate it, though Ralph never looks too graceful in rushing down the ice. There could be NHL games to be had here – Ralph has a good frame and strong fundamentals – but I imagine they’ll come in a modest role. I’m excited to see him prove me a pessimist in college.
85. Veith Oswald (LW)
EHC München (DEL), Date of Birth: 8/31/2004, Height: 6’2.0, Weight: 179lbs, Nationality: German, Pos Rk: LW-33, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Veith Oswald is a nifty, well-positioned winger who’s always in the right spot to make a play and support his teammates. It’s really impressive, with Oswald showing very fundamental positioning and quick thinking, though he unfortunately doesn’t carry that impact onto the puck. He instead seems a bit nervous on the puck, quick to throw it away or second-guessing his instinct. Oswald is a good, smart hockey player who knows how to make a mark – but he doesn’t yet know how to make a mark big enough for the NHL stage. That could change if he can add some on-puck poise.
86. Jack Pridham (RW)
West Kelowna (BCHL), Date of Birth: 10/8/2005, Height: 6’2.0, Weight: 174lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RW-34, NHL CSS Rk: NA-65
Jack Pridham is a heavy-set forward who carries a lot of power in his upper-half, helping his plow his way into space in the low-slot and protect the puck well. He hasn’t added many game-changing traits to his skillset yet – really limiting his draft value – but he never lets up on his role and knows how to play at a variety of speeds. Pridham still has a young mindset and will need to hit a strong development groove to pay off, but his heft, hard shot, and slot-to-slot impact gives him a good platform to work towards pro games.
87. Spencer Gill (C)
Rimouski (QMJHL), Date of Birth: 8/17/2006, Height: 6′ 3.5, Weight: 185lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-25, NHL CSS Rk: NA-29
Spencer Gill is responsible. He knows his position, how much he can push it, and how to make his skills shine from his spot. But he doesn’t push the envelope, and needs just a bit quicker decision-making to really leave an impact. Still, you know what to expect from him every shift – and that assurance is worth buying.
88. AJ Spellacy (C)
Windsor (OHL), Date of Birth: 2/24/2006, Height: 6’3.0, Weight: 201lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-26, NHL CSS Rk: NR
AJ Spellacy is a burly centerman with plenty of strength, heads-up skating, and good physicality. He doesn’t drive much play on his own, but makes up for it with strong impacts from his position and penalty-killing upside.
89. Sam Laurila (D)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 9/2/2006, Height: 6’0.0, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LD-19, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Sam Laurila has been one of the year’s most interesting prospects. He’s fantastic on the puck, showing a knack for driving down the boards and quickly creating scoring chances – whether it be with a snipe of a shot, a hard pass, or by lowering his head and just plowing through opponents standing in front of him. But Laurila’s play off the puck is far from consistent. Whether it be from overaggression or poor positioning, he always seems to be leaning more towards trying to gain possession for himself than trying to make the right play. But as I considered my final rankings, I couldn’t leave Laurila off. He’s aggressive, brazen, and effective when he finds a play that works. That could lend itself to an exciting pro style if he can pull together his weaknesses even just a little bit more.
90. Clarke Caswell (LW)
Swift Current (WHL), Date of Birth: 2/2/2006, Height: 5′ 10.75, Weight: 170lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: LW-35, NHL CSS Rk: NA-77
Clarke Caswell is a dynamo of a forward, cutting into and out of traffic cleanly with and without the puck He’s effective in all kinds of situations as a result, boosted by how quick he’s able to find and work with his teammates. But Caswell’s size is a glaring knock against his skillset, and while he is plenty shifty now – I do have my hesitations about how he’ll be able to carry his utility impact to the next level. Even then, his puck skills and ability to build up offense with his linemates should warrant a pro deal.
91. Luke Misa (C)
Mississauga (OHL), Date of Birth: 3/1/2006, Height: 5′ 10.0, Weight: 170lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: C-27, NHL CSS Rk: NA-76
Luke Misa is a high-speed, dynamic forward who monitors plays well and knows how to support his teammates, though he could improve his ability to create drive down the ice. He’s fast-paced with good offensive skills and strong positioning, though he’ll need to add a bit more individual drive to adjust to pros.
92. Javon Moore (LW)
Minnetonka (HIGH-MN), Date of Birth: 09/05/2006, Height: 6′ 3.0, Weight: 190lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LW-36, NHL CSS Rk: NA-47
We haven’t gotten to see much of Javon Moore, but the glimpses he’s shown at a juniors level have been promising. He’s certainly unruly, but he’s also tenacious, moving laterally well despite a beefy frame. That makes him a bit imposing – carrying a lot of heft quickly around the ice. If he can hone that into strong physical fundamentals and build out his frame, Moore could be a wrecking ball. He’s strong on puck too, with nifty puck skills and strong finishing ability, though I’m hoping to see more creative playmaking next season. Moore’s limited experience makes him hard to bet too highly on, but he has all of the pieces of a feisty and effective power-forward.
93. Harrison Brunicke (D)
Kamloops (WHL), Date of Birth: 5/8/2006, Height: 6′ 2.5, Weight: 184lbs, Nationality: Canadian, Pos Rk: RD-8, NHL CSS Rk: NA-52
Harrison Brunicke is a rangy, fleet-footed defenseman with a great stick. He’s got a long and effective reach and strong passing – making him effective entering and leaving the defensive end. But I find he can get caught puck-watching just a bit, and is a bit susceptible to floating out of position, leaving me a bit bearish on his high-energy style.
94. Simon Zether (C)
Rogle (SWEDEN), Date of Birth: 10/18/2005, Height: 6′ 3.0, Weight: 187lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: C-28, NHL CSS Rk: EU-18
He’s smart. He plays his position very well and knows what decisions to make. But he doesn’t make them with a jump, and can get caught off guard by pressure. There’s a lack of finesse to Zether’s game that makes me think he’s doomed to fail. There’s a good, quick playmaking talent to build on here but I’m not yet sure what is needed to make it work.
95. Max Plante (LW)
NTDP U-18 (NTDP), Date of Birth: 2/20/2006, Height: 5′ 10.75, Weight: 170lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LW-37, NHL CSS Rk: NA-43
Max Plante is an incredibly cerebral player. He’s always thinking and knows how to quickly and effectively respond to play as a result. He’s a play monitor who thrives as the man in the high-slot, though he can get a bit lost in the crowd any lower than that. It’s not that Plante doesn’t have the skills to be flashier deeper in the zone – and that’s an important note – but it seems he gets a bit too caught up in processing sometimes, leaving him open to getting caught off guard or tunnel-visioned. But that could simply be the side effects of still being a young player – and Plante’s ability to step into play, steal the puck, and quickly separate himself to create space for a play is both consistent and impressive. He has breakout potential and a high ceiling, but a shaky floor as a small-frame forward with pieces to add.
96. Kaden Shahan (RW)
Sioux City (USHL), Date of Birth: 5/24/2005, Height: 5′ 10.75, Weight: 168lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: RW-37, NHL CSS Rk: NA-115
There is no waiting around for Kaden Shahan. As soon as he’s over the boards, he’s searching for a way to make a play. Shahan is a bullet of a skater and gets to his spots quickly. He squares up to the puck well when pressuring opponents, and makes up for his small stature with very aware physicality – like hitting a defender’s hands to create separation from the puck, rather than taking the body. He’s also a great play-driver who knows how to bring his linemates up to his speed or create time for them to catch up. But Shahan is ultimately a perimeter player and can fade into the crowd when opponents do well at closing off lanes into the slot. With his drive and heads-up instincts, Shahan could develop into an effective depth forward, though he’ll need to find ways to break through defenders when his tempo can’t win out.
97. Noel Ohgren (D)
Djurgarden (SWEDEN), Date of Birth: 4/10/2006, Height: 5’10, Weight: 161lbs, Nationality: Swedish, Pos Rk: RD-9, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Noel Ohgren is a beefy, fleet-footed winger who keeps an eye on all of the options available to him and knows how to jump at the sight of opportunity. He makes strong plays in-tight and boasts a great shot, though he’s subject to attacking a bit head-on. Ohgren is a dynamic attacker when he’s working, though his energy is a bit inconsistent.
98. Luke Osburn (LD)
Youngstown (USHL), Date of Birth: 9/9/2006, Height: 6’0.0, Weight: 172lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: LD-20, NHL CSS Rk: NA-87
Luke Osburn is a stout, reliable defender capable of beating opponents with fundamentals and playing the puck out of his zone. He defends the blue line just as well, with an active stick and understanding of how to force opponents into the boards. But Osburn’s effectiveness is limited to the defensive side of the red line, and he’ll need his defensive strengths to translate to the next step to really pan out.
99. Charlie Cerrato (C)
Youngstown (USHL), Date of Birth: 3/10/2005, Height: 5′ 11.0, Weight: 186lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: C-29, NHL CSS Rk: NA-175
Charlie Cerrato is among my favorite players in this class. He was relentless this year, using very fast, powerful skating to dive into the offensive end and harrass opponents. He was shifty when he won puck battles, making plays to teammates or taking shots quickly. And Cerrato never backs down from a challenge. He’s an exciting player, who’s added a good deal of aggression and individual skill since the NTDP. I think he’s on the right curve, so I’m buying now!
100. Landan Resendes (C)
Cedar Rapids (USHL), Date of Birth: 12/10/2005, Height: 5’9.0, Weight: 165lbs, Nationality: American, Pos Rk: C-30, NHL CSS Rk: NR
Landan Resendes has been fun to watch. He’s become substantially more confident as the year has gone on, becoming one of Cedar Rapids’ most effective forecheckers, on the back of slick and quick skating and a strong ability to engage physically without losing much pace. He’s persistent and projects as a fourth-line pest in the best way, though his development path will likely take him through a hardy AHL stint. Still, his work ethic and tenacious style are traits I’d want in my depth chart.
| Rk | Name | Pos | Hand | Pos. Rk | League | Team | D.O.B | Ht | Wt | Nation | CSS Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Macklin Celebrini | C | (L) | C-1 | H-EAST | Boston University | 6/13/2006 | 6′ 0.0″ | 190lbs | Canadian | NA-1 |
| 2 | Ivan Demidov | RW | (L) | RW-1 | RUSSIA-JR. | Ska St. Petersburg Jr. | 12/10/2005 | 5′ 11.0″ | 181lbs | Russian | EU-2 |
| 3 | Konsta Helenius | C | (R) | C-2 | FINLAND | Jukurit | 5/11/2006 | 5′ 10.75″ | 180lbs | Finnish | EU-3 |
| 4 | Zeev Buium | D | (L) | LD-1 | NCHC | Denver | 12/7/2005 | 6′ 0.0″ | 183lbs | American | NA-4 |
| 5 | Tij Iginla | C | (L) | C-3 | WHL | Kelowna | 8/4/2006 | 5′ 11.75″ | 182lbs | Canadian | NA-9 |
| 6 | Cayden Lindstrom | C | (L) | C-4 | WHL | Medicine Hat | 2/3/2006 | 6′ 3.25″ | 210lbs | Canadian | NA-3 |
| 7 | Trevor Connelly | LW | (L) | LW-2 | USHL | Tri-City | 2/28/2006 | 6′ 0.25″ | 156lbs | American | NA-6 |
| 8 | Berkly Catton | C | (L) | C-5 | WHL | Spokane | 1/14/2006 | 5′ 10.0″ | 170lbs | Canadian | NA-8 |
| 9 | Zayne Parekh | D | (R) | RD-1 | OHL | Saginaw | 2/15/2006 | 6′ 0.0″ | 179lbs | Canadian | NA-5 |
| 10 | Michael Hage | C | (R) | C-6 | USHL | Chicago | 4/14/2006 | 6′ 0.5″ | 187lbs | Canadian | NA-10 |
| 11 | Michael Brandsegg-Nygard | C | (R) | C-7 | SWEDEN-2 | Mora | 10/5/2005 | 6’1″ | 198lbs | Norwegian | EU-5 |
| 12 | Sam Dickinson | D | (L) | LD-2 | OHL | London | 6/7/2006 | 6′ 2.5″ | 199lbs | Canadian | NA-7 |
| 13 | Artyom Levshunov | D | (R) | RD-2 | BIG10 | Michigan State | 10/28/2005 | 6′ 2.0″ | 208lbs | Belarusian | NA-2 |
| 14 | Cole Eiserman | LW | (L) | LW-3 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 8/29/2006 | 6′ 0.0″ | 195lbs | American | NA-12 |
| 15 | Carter Yakemchuk | D | (R) | RD-3 | WHL | Calgary | 9/29/2005 | 6′ 2.75″ | 201lbs | Canadian | NA-11 |
| 16 | Igor Chernyshov | LW | (R) | LW-4 | RUSSIA | Dynamo Moscow | 11/30/2005 | 6′ 2.0″ | 192lbs | Russian | EU-9 |
| 17 | Stian Solberg | D | (L) | LD-3 | NORWAY | Valerenga | 12/29/2005 | 6′ 2.0″ | 194lbs | Norwegian | EU-20 |
| 18 | Anton Silayev | D | (L) | LD-4 | RUSSIA | Nizhny Novgorod | 4/11/2006 | 6′ 7.0″ | 211lbs | Russian | EU-1 |
| 19 | EJ Emery | D | (L) | LD-5 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 3/30/2006 | 6′ 3.0″ | 185lbs | American | NA-39 |
| 20 | Hagen Burrows | RW | (R) | RW-5 | HIGH-MN | Minnetonka | 10/13/2005 | 6′ 1.5″ | 174lbs | American | NA-68 |
| 21 | Beckett Sennecke | RW | (R) | RW-6 | OHL | Oshawa | 1/28/2006 | 6′ 2.25″ | 177lbs | Canadian | NA-13 |
| 22 | Emil Hemming | RW | (R) | RW-7 | FINLAND | Tps | 6/27/2006 | 6′ 0.75″ | 201lbs | Finnish | EU-6 |
| 23 | Sacha Boisvert | C | (L) | C-8 | USHL | Muskegon | 3/17/2006 | 6′ 2.0″ | 176lbs | Canadian | NA-16 |
| 24 | Liam Greentree | RW | (L) | RW-8 | OHL | Windsor | 1/1/2006 | 6′ 2.25″ | 207lbs | Canadian | NA-14 |
| 25 | Justin Poirier | RW | (R) | RW-9 | QMJHL | Baie-Comeau | 9/4/2006 | 5′ 7.25″ | 185lbs | Canadian | NA-82 |
| 26 | Ryder Ritchie | RW | (R) | RW-10 | WHL | Prince Albert | 8/3/2006 | 5′ 11.75″ | 175lbs | Canadian | NA-19 |
| 27 | Nikita Artamonov | LW | (L) | LW-11 | RUSSIA | Nizhny Novgorod | 11/17/2005 | 5′ 11.0″ | 187lbs | Russian | EU-19 |
| 28 | Daniil Ustinkov | D | (L) | LD-6 | SWISS | Zurich | 8/26/2006 | 6′ 0.0″ | 198lbs | Swiss | EU-34 |
| 29 | Lucas Pettersson | C | (L) | C-9 | SWEDEN-JR. | Modo Jr. | 4/17/2006 | 5′ 11.0″ | 168lbs | Swedish | EU-16 |
| 30 | Matvei Gridin | RW | (L) | RW-12 | USHL | Muskegon | 3/1/2006 | 6′ 1.25″ | 182lbs | Russian | NA-21 |
| 31 | Eric Bürger | D | (L) | LD-7 | SWEDEN | Orebro Jr. | 12/29/2005 | 6’0″ | 181lbs | Swedish | NR |
| 32 | Maxim Massé | RW | (R) | RW-13 | QMJHL | Chicoutimi | 4/7/2006 | 6′ 1.75″ | 186lbs | Canadian | NA-30 |
| 33 | Aatos Koivu | C | (R) | C-10 | FINLAND-JR. | Tps Jr. | 6/22/2006 | 6′ 1.0″ | 170lbs | Finnish | EU-27 |
| 34 | Cole Beaudoin | C | (L) | C-11 | OHL | Barrie | 4/24/2006 | 6′ 2.0″ | 209lbs | Canadian | NA-25 |
| 35 | Jesse Pulkkinen | D | (L) | LD-8 | FINLAND | Jyp | 12/27/2004 | 6′ 5.0″ | 214lbs | Finnish | EU-12 |
| 36 | Alfons Freij | D | (L) | LD-9 | SWEDEN-JR. | Vaxjo Jr. | 2/12/2006 | 6′ 0.5″ | 187lbs | Swedish | EU-13 |
| 37 | Kambryn Hendrickson | G | (R) | G-1 | High School | Chanhassen | 1/9/2006 | 6’2″ | 185lbs | American | NR |
| 38 | Yegor Surin | C | (L) | C-12 | RUSSIA-JR. | Yaroslavl Jr. | 8/1/2006 | 6′ 1.0″ | 192lbs | Russian | EU-22 |
| 39 | Sam O’Reilly | RW | (R) | RW-14 | OHL | London | 3/30/2006 | 6′ 1.0″ | 178lbs | Canadian | NA-24 |
| 40 | Matvei Korotky | C | (R) | C-13 | RUSSIA | SKA St. Petersburg Jr. | 12/23/2005 | 6’2″ | 190lbs | Russian | NR |
| 41 | Melvin Fernstrom | RW | (R) | RW-15 | SWEDEN-JR. | Orebro Jr. | 2/28/2006 | 6′ 0.5″ | 185lbs | Swedish | EU-23 |
| 42 | Andrew Basha | LW | (L) | LW-16 | WHL | Medicine Hat | 11/8/2005 | 5′ 11.0″ | 174lbs | Canadian | NA-26 |
| 43 | Teddy Stiga | C | (L) | C-14 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 4/5/2006 | 5′ 9.75″ | 174lbs | American | NA-44 |
| 44 | Linus Eriksson | C | (L) | C-15 | SWEDEN-2 | Djurgarden | 3/23/2006 | 5′ 11.75″ | 183lbs | Swedish | EU-10 |
| 45 | Noel Fransén | D | (L) | LD-10 | SWEDEN-JR. | Farjestad Jr. | 12/7/2005 | 6′ 0.0″ | 183lbs | Swedish | EU-48 |
| 46 | Gabriel Eliasson | D | (L) | LD-11 | SWEDEN-JR. | Hv71 Jr. | 9/9/2006 | 6′ 6.25″ | 192lbs | Swedish | EU-29 |
| 47 | Alexander Shen | RW | (L) | RW-17 | RUSSIA | Mamonty | 3/1/2006 | 5’11.0″ | 192lbs | Russian | NR |
| 48 | John Mustard | C | (L) | C-16 | USHL | Waterloo | 8/16/2006 | 6′ 0.5″ | 180lbs | Canadian | NA-27 |
| 49 | Kamil Bednarik | C | (L) | C-17 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 5/26/2006 | 6′ 0.0″ | 185lbs | American | NA-28 |
| 50 | Dominik Badinka | RW | (R) | RW-18 | SWEDEN | Malmo | 11/27/2005 | 6′ 3.0″ | 183lbs | Czech | EU-14 |
| 51 | Topias Hynninen | C | (L) | C-18 | FINLAND | Jukurit | 12/19/2005 | 5′ 10.0″ | 164lbs | Finnish | EU-55 |
| 52 | Jett Luchanko | C | (R) | C-19 | OHL | Guelph | 8/21/2006 | 5′ 11.0″ | 180lbs | Canadian | NA-20 |
| 53 | Mikhail Yegorov | G | (L) | G-2 | USHL | Omaha | 3/7/2006 | 6.4.0″ | 187lbs | Russian | NAG-1 |
| 54 | Tarin Smith | D | (L) | LD-12 | WHL | Everett | 3/24/2006 | 6’1.0″ | 187lbs | Canadian | NR |
| 55 | Adam Kleber | D | (R) | RD-4 | USHL | Lincoln | 3/24/2006 | 6′ 5.0″ | 207lbs | American | NA-34 |
| 56 | Brodie Ziemer | RW | (R) | RW-19 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 2/22/2006 | 5′ 10.75″ | 190lbs | American | NA-59 |
| 57 | Leo Sahlin Wallenius | D | (L) | LD-13 | SWEDEN-JR. | Vaxjo Jr. | 4/10/2006 | 5′ 11.5″ | 176lbs | Swedish | EU-7 |
| 58 | Nicholas Kempf | G | (L) | G-3 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 3/1/2006 | 6’2.0″ | 190lbs | American | NAG-4 |
| 59 | Adam Jecho | C | (R) | C-20 | WHL | Edmonton | 3/24/2006 | 6′ 4.75″ | 197lbs | Czech | NA-22 |
| 60 | Julius Miettinen | C | (L) | C-21 | WHL | Everett | 1/20/2006 | 6′ 2.5″ | 203lbs | Finnish | NA-18 |
| 61 | Ben Danford | D | (R) | RD-5 | OHL | Oshawa | 2/6/2006 | 6′ 1.0″ | 188lbs | Canadian | NA-35 |
| 62 | Marek Vanacker | LW | (L) | LW-20 | OHL | Brantford | 4/12/2006 | 6′ 0.5″ | 174lbs | Canadian | NA-17 |
| 63 | Ilya Protas | LW | (L) | LW-21 | USHL | Des Moines | 7/18/2006 | 6′ 3.5″ | 184lbs | Belarusian | NA-49 |
| 64 | Will Skahan | D | (L) | LD-14 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 5/14/2006 | 6′ 4.25″ | 209lbs | American | NA-56 |
| 65 | Ondrej Kos | LW | (L) | LW-22 | FINLAND-JR. | Ilves Jr. | 3/7/2006 | 6′ 2.0″ | 167lbs | Czech | EU-26 |
| 66 | Raoul Boilard | C | (L) | C-22 | QMJHL | Baie-Comeau | 1/7/2006 | 6′ 1.0″ | 188lbs | Canadian | NA-51 |
| 67 | Veeti Vaisanen | RW | (L) | RW-23 | FINLAND | Kookoo | 2/15/2006 | 6′ 0.0″ | 177lbs | Finnish | EU-21 |
| 68 | Dean Letourneau | D | (L) | LD-15 | HIGH-ON | St. Andrews College | 2/21/2006 | 6′ 6.0″ | 210lbs | Canadian | NA-23 |
| 69 | Tanner Howe | LW | (L) | LW-24 | WHL | Regina | 11/28/2005 | 5′ 9.5″ | 175lbs | Canadian | NA-41 |
| 70 | Benjamin Poitras | RW/LW | (R) | RW/LW-25 | USHL | Sioux City | 7/18/2005 | 5’11.0″ | 181lbs | Canadian | NR |
| 71 | Jacob Battaglia | RW | (L) | RW-26 | OHL | Kingston | 3/17/2006 | 6′ 0.5″ | 196lbs | Canadian | NA-42 |
| 72 | Tomas Galvas | D | (L) | LD-16 | CZECHIA | Liberec | 2/11/2006 | 5′ 10.5″ | 148lbs | Czech | EU-33 |
| 73 | Kasper Pikkarainen | RW | (R) | RW-27 | FINLAND-JR. | Tps Jr. | 8/7/2006 | 6′ 3.0″ | 194lbs | Finnish | EU-24 |
| 74 | Charlie Elick | D | (R) | RD-6 | WHL | Brandon | 1/17/2006 | 6′ 3.25″ | 194lbs | Canadian | NA-31 |
| 75 | Mac Swanson | LW | (L) | LW-28 | USHL | Fargo | 1/10/2006 | 5’7.0″ | 157lbs | American | NA-152 |
| 76 | Will Felicio | LW | (L) | LW-29 | USHL | Waterloo/Madison | 5/19/2006 | 5’10.0″ | 161lbs | American | NR |
| 77 | Carson Wetsch | RW | (R) | RW-30 | WHL | Calgary | 5/4/2006 | 6′ 0.25″ | 190lbs | Canadian | NA-50 |
| 78 | Keith McInnis | D | (L) | LD-17 | BCHL | Brooks | 1/8/2006 | 6′ 1.25″ | 192lbs | Canadian | NA-213 |
| 79 | Ollie Josephson | C | (L) | C-23 | WHL | Red Deer | 7/22/2006 | 6’0.0″ | 178 lbs | Canadian | NA-40 |
| 80 | Terik Parascak | RW | (R) | RW-31 | WHL | Prince George | 5/28/2006 | 5′ 11.5″ | 173lbs | Canadian | NA-15 |
| 81 | Christian Humphreys | C | (R) | C-24 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 2/4/2006 | 5′ 11.0″ | 170lbs | American | NA-71 |
| 82 | Oskar Vuollet | LW | (L) | LW-32 | SWEDEN-JR. | Skelleftea Jr. | 12/3/2005 | 5′ 11.0″ | 173lbs | Swedish | EU-90 |
| 83 | Sebastian Soini | D | (R) | RD-7 | FINLAND-JR. | Ilves Jr. | 3/7/2006 | 6′ 2.0″ | 183lbs | Finnish | EU-17 |
| 84 | Colin Ralph | D | (L) | LD-18 | HIGH-MN | Shattuck – St.Mary’s Prep | 10/4/2005 | 6′ 4.0″ | 216lbs | American | NA-32 |
| 85 | Veith Oswald | LW | (L) | LW-33 | DEL | EHC München | 8/31/2004 | 6’2.0″ | 179lbs | German | NR |
| 86 | Jack Pridham | RW | (R) | RW-34 | BCHL | West Kelowna | 10/8/2005 | 6’2.0″ | 174lbs | Canadian | NA-65 |
| 87 | Spencer Gill | C | (R) | C-25 | QMJHL | Rimouski | 8/17/2006 | 6′ 3.5″ | 185lbs | Canadian | NA-29 |
| 88 | AJ Spellacy | C | (R) | C-26 | OHL | Windsor | 2/24/2006 | 6’3.0″ | 201lbs | Canadian | NR |
| 89 | Sam Laurila | D | (L) | LD-19 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 9/2/2006 | 6’0.0″ | 187lbs | American | NR |
| 90 | Clarke Caswell | D | (L) | LD-20 | WHL | Swift Current | 2/2/2006 | 5′ 10.75″ | 170lbs | Canadian | NA-77 |
| 91 | Luke Misa | C | (L) | C-27 | OHL | Mississauga | 3/1/2006 | 5′ 10.0″ | 170lbs | Canadian | NA-76 |
| 92 | Javon Moore | LW | (L) | LW-35 | HIGH-MN | Minnetonka | 09/05/2006 | 6′ 3.0″ | 190lbs | American | NA-47 |
| 93 | Harrison Brunicke | D | (R) | RD-8 | WHL | Kamloops | 5/8/2006 | 6′ 2.5″ | 184lbs | Canadian | NA-52 |
| 94 | Simon Zether | C | (R) | C-28 | SWEDEN | Rogle | 10/18/2005 | 6′ 3.0″ | 187lbs | Swedish | EU-18 |
| 95 | Max Plante | LW | (L) | LW-36 | NTDP | NTDP U-18 | 2/20/2006 | 5′ 10.75″ | 170lbs | American | NA-43 |
| 96 | Kaden Shahan | RW | (R) | RW-37 | USHL | Sioux City | 5/24/2005 | 5′ 10.75″ | 168lbs | American | NA-115 |
| 97 | Noel Ohgren | D | (R) | RD-9 | SWEDEN | Djurgarden | 4/10/2006 | 5’10” | 161lbs | Swedish | NR |
| 98 | Luke Osburn | LW | (L) | LW-38 | USHL | Youngstown | 9/9/2006 | 6’0.0″ | 172lbs | American | NA-87 |
| 99 | Charlie Cerrato | C | (L) | C-29 | USHL | Youngstown | 3/10/2005 | 5′ 11.0″ | 186lbs | American | NA-175 |
| 100 | Landan Resendes | C | (R) | C-30 | USHL | Cedar Rapids | 12/10/2005 | 5’9.0″ | 165lbs | American | NR |
Featured Image: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports