2019 NHL 1st Round Mock Draft

If noted hockey philosopher Yogi Berra (who was a big hockey fan) was alive today, he would deem the 2019 NHL Draft to be a case of deja vu all over again – harkening back to the 2016 Draft.

Both drafts featured the dashing high-scoring American center and the flourishing Finnish RW. In 2016, the names were Austen Matthews and Patrik Laine. In 2019, the names are Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko.

The big difference is in 2016 we were certain that it would be Matthews and Laine in that order. In 2019, we are not as sure that it will be the American and then the Finn. Kakko’s rise up the draft charts has put a pause in the #LoseForHughes cause and spurred on the #CrappoForKaapo movement. With the 1^st overall pick in 2017 in tow, Devils GM Ray Shero might decide to draft Kakko because of potential contract difficulties with Taylor Hall.

The likelihood is that the Devils organization connection to the USNTDP and Shero’s personal connection to the Hughes family (he was the agent for Jim Hughes, Jack’s dad back in the day) will see a repeat of the 2016 Draft.

Shero might play a big part in the 2019 Draft beyond kicking things off with the 1st overall selection. The Devils have 10 picks in the Draft including three in the second round (including pick #34) and a pair in the third round. Shero can use those extra picks to navigate his team back into the first round to add to the Hughes bounty.

The New York Rangers are another team to keep an eye on in terms of draft day deals. After trading the 20^th overall pick back to Winnipeg GM Jeff Gorton might dangle his pair of 2^nd round picks and a veteran or two for the chance to jump back into the 1^st round. TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted that Pavel Buchnevich, Chris Kreider, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Jimmy Vesey are all in play.

Count Detroit’s Steve Yzerman among those who also might be busy. In addition to the 6^th overall pick, the Red Wings own three 2^nd round picks and Stevie Wonder could look to make a splash in return to Motown.

The one thing we are certain of is that business will pick up once we get to the third overall pick in the Draft. The Chicago Blackhawks have the third overall pick and a decision to make. Do they zero in on one of the elite centers still on the board or do they follow their precedent from 2017 (Henri Jokiharju) and 2018 (Adam Boquist and Nicolas Beaudoin) and draft another defenseman in the first round?

Each draft pick lists the Central Scouting (CS) ranking {which is broken down by North American skaters (NA), European skaters (E), North American Goalies (NA-G) and European Goalies (E-G)}, the ranking by McKeen’s (McK) and the ranking by The Hockey News (THN) along with THN’s best case scenario for their first 62 players.

1. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Jack Hughes (C)

CS: # 1NA – McK: # 1 – THN: # 1 (Patrick Kane)

Hughes or Kakko, the Devils can’t lose. Given the connections the Devils have with Hughes in terms of their relationship with the USNTDP and the relationship GM Ray Shero has with the Hughes family (he was the agent for Jack’s father Jim), Hughes seems to be the fit for the Devils. He will give the team a dynamic 1-2 punch at center with former 1^st overall pick Nico Hischier.

2. NEW YORK RANGERS – Kaapo Kakko (RW)

CS: # 1E – McK: # 2 – THN: # 2 (Mikko Rantanen)

Kakko or Hughes, the Rangers can’t lose. He proved that this boy could play among men setting a record for U-18 players in Finland’s top league and bypassed the WU-18 tournament to play in the World Championships and scored six goals in nine games. The Rangers rebuild gets a great building block.

3. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Alex Turcotte (C)

CS: # 4NA – McK: # 7 – THN: # 10 (Brayden Point)

This is where the NHL Draft machinations start. Chicago has a couple of centers they can choose from or they can continue to add to their blue line corps. In the end, they go with Chicago-area Turcotte who father Alfie played 112 NHL games and scored 17 goals and 29 assists – numbers his son is sure to pass in his rookie season. He averaged nearly two points per game as the number two center behind Jack Hughes with the USNTDP.

4. COLORADO AVALANCHE – Kirby Dach (C)

CS: # 3NA – McK: # 4 – THN: # 4 (David Krejci)

The Avs are another team that could go the Bowen Byram way and dazzle the NHL with Byram and Cale Makar. Toss in Conor Timmins and you see why I think Joe Sakic goes for one of the young centers. Dach checks all the boxes skill-wise to be a top center and he has the added bonus of having an NHL-ready body at 6-4/200.

5. LOS ANGELES KINGS – Bowen Byram (D)

CS: # 2NA – McK: # 3 – THN: # 6 (Morgan Rielly)

The Kings will be the team that bites on Byram as they plan for the days when Drew Doughty is gone. The Kings top four prospects are all forwards so the high-scoring d-man makes a perfect addition. Byram saw his point totals jump from 27 in his rookie year in the WHL to 71 last year.

6. DETROIT RED WINGS – Vasili Podkolzin (RW)

CS: # 2E – McK: # 11 – THN: # 5 (Evander Kane)

Steve Yzerman returns home to Motown and looks to stamp his imprint on the franchise. Lots of centers still abound, but it would not surprise me to see Yzerman turn to roots of Red Wings heyday that were powered by the Russian Five. McK calls him “the epitome of a five-tools player.” There are questions as to when Podkolzin will leave Russia to play in the NHL. Yzerman has the time to wait a couple of years and Detroit has the cache (and cash) and connections in Russia to bring him over to the NHL.

7. BUFFALO SABRES – Cole Caufield (RW)

CS: # 8NA- McK: # 13 – THN: # 9 (Alex DeBrincat)

Another team that could look to partake of the depth at center, but the idea of Caufield patrolling Jack Eichel’s RW is too enticing to pass up. The 5-7/157 Caufield owes the Likes of Alex DeBrincat and Mats Zuccarello a root beer for helping paving the way for a player his size to thrive and survive in the NHL.

8. EDMONTON OILERS – Trevor Zegras (C)

CS: # 6NA – McK: # 6 – THN: # 7 (Tyler Seguin)

Zegras is an example of how deep the USNTDP was because he was the third line center behind Hughes and Turcotte – although Zegras did step up when Alex was hurt. Zegras gives the Oilers a potent one-two punch down the middle with all –world Connor McDavid.

9. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Dylan Cozens (C)

CS: # 5NA – McK: # 5 – THN: # 3 (Ryan Getzlaf)

With the two Ryans (Getzlaf and Kesler) nearing the ends of their respective careers, the Ducks will look to the next generation of centers to lead them forward. Cozens has the size to match the two Ryans and could get into action sooner rather than later based on his ability to also play RW.

10. VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Matthew Boldy (LW)

CS: # 9NA – McK: # 12 – THN: # 8 (James Neal)

It is kind of hard to imagine it, but McK is right when they say Boldy got lost in the amazing offensive numbers Hughes (34-78-112) and Caufield (72-28-100) put up for the USNTP. However, Boldy’s numbers were nothing to sneeze at (33-48-81).

11. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Peyton Krebs (C)

CS: # 10NA – McK: # 8 – THN: # (Matthew Barzal)

Krebs is a wildcard in the Draft because of his recent Achilles injury which will cost him training camp and part of the season. Still, the Flyers are a deep organization prospect-wise so they can afford to wait an extra year. Krebs won praise for captaining a subpar Kootenay team that is leaving to play in Winnipeg this coming season.

12. MINNESOTA WILD – Alex Newhook (C)

CS: # 13NA – McK: # 18 – THN: # 15 (Brayden Point)

Newhook will be joining Matthew Boldy at Boston College. Some criticized his numbers (38-64-102) because he played Jr. A hockey in the BCHL – which is the top Jr. A league – as opposed to playing in Major Juniors. He has the ability to be a higher pick, but he is at the tailed among the centers because of his size (5-11/190).

13. FLORIDA PANTHERS – Victor Soderstrom (D)

CS: # 3E – McK: # 10 – THN: # 12 (Duncan Keith)

This could be a spot for Spencer Knight, but with UFA rumors swirling that Sergei Bobrovsky will be heading south for the Winter (possibly bringing Artemi Panarin with him), but the Duncan Keith comparison will hit home with GM Dale Tallon. As a 17/18-year-old, he was seeing major minutes in the Swedish Elite League,

14. ARIZONA COYOTES – Arthur Kaliyev (RW)

CS: # 7NA – McK: # 21 – THN: # 18 (Patrik Laine)

Born in Uzbekistan, Kaliyev moved to Staten Island when he was two. He showed the natural progression you want to see out of a player. In rookie year in the OHL, he scored 31 goals and 17 assists. Last year those totals were raised to 51 goals and 51 assists. One scout told THN, “He’s maybe the purest goal-scorer in the entire draft.”

15. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Raphael Lavoie (RW)

CS: # 20NA – McK: # 14 – THN: # 14 (Alex Tuch)

Lavoie fits the bills of being a homegrown player from Montreal. While his numbers didn’t much of a jump from last year to this year (63 to 73), he saved his best for the QMJHL playoffs. Lavoie roared to life with 20 goals and 12 assists in 23 playoff games and added two goals and an assist in four Memorial Cup games.

16. COLORADO AVALANCHE – Spencer Knight (G)

CS: # 1NA-G – McK: # 32- THN: # 19 (Tuuka Rask)

I know the conventional wisdom abhors the idea of taking a goalie in the 1^st round unless he is a special talent – and Knight is. It also doesn’t hurt that the Avs have two 1^st round picks. The 6-3/200 goalie is yet another recruit for Boston College. One scout told THN, “I don’t know what tools goaltenders need that this guy doesn’t have.”

17. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Cam York (D)

CS: # 12NA – McK: # 17 – THN: # 16 (Torey Krug)

Welcome to the NHL Cam York. In a league that favors puck moving skills with skating ability, York can overcome any reservations about his size (5-11/176). With Vegas sending Erik Brannstrom to Ottawa in the Mark Stone deal, York helps bring some of the same attributes back to the Vegas organization.

18. DALLAS STARS – Ville Heinola (D)

CS: # 4E – McK: # 37 – THN: # 20 (Miro Heiskanen)

Who better to draft a player that one scout (to the THN) called him a “poor man’s Miro Heiskanen.” Heinola is another “undersized” d-man (5-11/176) who has a chance to make a big name in the new NHL.

19. OTTAWA SENATORS – Ryan Suzuki (C)

CS: # 18NA – McK: # 22 – THN: # 17 (Matt Duchene)

Speaking of former Vegas draft picks, Ryan is the brother of former Vegas draft pick, and current Montreal prospect, Nick Suzuki. It is entirely possible that the Habs could reunite the Suzuki brothers. His numbers and overall play suffered as he played for a rebuilding Barrie team in the OHL, but Suzuki brings big-time playmaking skills.

20. WINNIPEG JETS – Moritz Seider (D)

CS: # 6E – McK: # 15 – THN: # 22 (Marc-Edouard Vlasic)

It turns out that the Rangers were just renting this pick from the Jets. Interestingly enough, the Jets trade Jacob Trouba and end up with the opportunity to draft his replacement – albeit a few years down the line. The right-handed shooter is 6-4/200 and is a mobile puck mover. He captained Germany’s U-20 team back to main WJC for 2020. He played major minutes as an 18-year-old in the top German league, but he is going to need time to develop.

21. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Thomas Harley

(D) CS: # 11NA – McK: # 24 – THN: # 13 (Alex Pietrangelo)

The Syracuse, NY native was born to Canadian parents and represents Canada internationally. He is a solid two-way defenseman who elevated his play after his Junior team were sellers. Harley is developing his offensive game and had a strong showing at the WU-18 tournament.

22. LOS ANGELES KINGS – Philip Broberg (D)

CS: # 5E – McK: # 9 – THN: # 21 (Rasmus Ristolainen)

Broberg brings NHL size (6-3/203) to a package that includes a good hockey IQ and skating ability. He is not as developed as fellow Swede Tommy Soderstrom. His draft status and play seemed to lag after he was hit by a flu bug while a member of the Swedish WJC team.

23. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Samuel Poulin (LW)

CS: # 22NA – McK: # 23 – THN: # 23 (Dustin Brown)

Poulin is the kind of player Isles GM Lou Lamoriello loved when he was the GM of the Devils. At 6-1/207, Poulin is a power forward whose offense picked up from 45 points as a QMJHL rookie to 76 points last season. His father Patrick played in 634 NHL games and was a similar type of player.

24. NASHVILLE PREDATORS – Jakub Pelletier (LW)

CS: # 27NA – McK: # 43 – THN: # 25 (Yanni Gourde)

Unless you are a dynamic offensive threat (see Cole Caufield), lack of size can still be a detriment. If Pelletier were bigger than 5-9/161 he would easily be in the top half of this Draft. He is a smart player with good hockey sense and is steady in all three zones. Saw his point totals increase from 61 to 89 and has shown the ability to score at each level he has played.

25. WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Egor Afansayev (RW)

CS: # 16NA – McK: # 36 – THN: # 34 (Jamie Benn)

While Alex Ovechkin might be a machine, eventually he will wear down. Afansayev would be a nice replacement part to have in reserve. At 6-3/203, he has the physical presence and ability to be a power forward in the NHL. His future is up in the air after originally committing to Michigan State and then decommitting. His Junior rights were traded to Windsor from Ottawa. It is expected that he will follow his NHL team’s advice as to which road to take.

26. CALGARY FLAMES – Connor McMichael (C)

CS: # 24NA – McK: # 28- THN: # 24 (Mika Zibanejad)

If Spencer Knight were to drop this far, I would expect the Flames to sprint to the podium to draft him. With that unlikely, the Flames draft McMichael who was a teammate of Columbus 1^st round pick Liam Foudy. McMichael led London in scoring, besting Foudy by four points.

27. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Vladislav Kolyachonok (D)

CS: # 31NA – McK: # 52 – THN: # 30 (Ivan Provorov)

The Lightning face the possible loss of three UFA d-men this year with only Cal Foote on the horizon. Kolyachonok was set to be a teammate of McMichael in Juniors, but London brought in 2018 1^st rounder Adam Boqvist and 2019 draft prospect Matvei Guskov. Vlad finally ended up playing for a struggling Flint team, but he showed an ability to play PP, PK as well 5v5.

28. CAROLINA HURRICANES – Philip Tomasino (C)

CS: # 14NA – McK: # 20 – THN: # 41 (Ondrej Palat)

With Jordan Staal getting on in years, the Hurricanes will need to look to give Martin Necas some help in the pivot. Tomasino is not as big as Staal (6-0/181) and needs to work on getting stronger, you can’t hit what you can’t catch. His hands and his puckhandling skills are able to keep up with his speed.

29. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Ryan Johnson (D)

CS: # 33NA – McK: # 25 – THN: # 29 (Kris Letang)

Ryan’s father Craig played 557 games in the NHL (75-98-173) mostly with the L.A. Kings – although Pops did play 39 games for Anaheim. Craig coached his son’s high school team in California and Ryan spent three years for the, wait for it, Anaheim Jr. Ducks program. His game is built on being an outstanding skater which allows to excel in transition.

30. BOSTON BRUINS– Brayden Tracey (LW)

CS: # 21NA – McK: # 47- THN: # 40 (Jake Guentzel)

Tracey was named the WHL Rookie of the Year thanks to his 36 goals and 45 assists. He has the ability to handle the puck well. He still needs to use the body more and the big test will be this coming season because his two regular linemates (both 100-point players) will graduate from the WHL.

31. BUFFALO SABRES – Bobby Brink (RW)

CS: # 19NA – McK: # 33 – THN: # 27 (Jake Guentzel)

Brink is not the biggest player (5-10/165) and he is not the fastest player in the USHL, but he was the most productive as he averaged 1.58 points per game and would have likely led the USHL in scoring if injuries didn’t limit him to 43 games. What he lacks in size and speed he makes up for with hockey IQ and determination. He is one of those players that the puck almost always seems to find.

June 20, 2019

2019 NHL 2nd Round Mock Draft

One would expect the Detroit Red Wings to be players in the trade market with three 2^nd round picks. It would not be all that surprising to see Steve Yzerman look to move a couple of those picks to back into the 1^st round in an attempt to add quality over quantity. The same can also be said for the Carolina Hurricanes who also own three 2^nd round draft picks.

If goalie Spencer Knight slides down a bit in the 1st round, I would not be surprised to see Detroit or Carolina to jump into the 1^st round to select Knight. In doing so, they might have to make sure they move ahead of the Los Angeles Kings at #22.

32. OTTAWA SENATORS – Matthew Robertson (D)

CS: # 26NA – McK: # 29 – THN: # 31 (Jacob Trouba)

Robertson could find his way into the 1^st round if a team is looking for a steady blueliner with size (6-4/201) and will be a safe pick. He has a pretty good shot, but is reluctant to unleash all the time. If he develops his offensive game, he can have an impact in the NHL.

33. LOS ANGELES KINGS – Johnny Beecher (C)

CS: # 49NA – McK: # 30 – THN: # 35 (Ryan Kesler)

After taking two d-men in the first round, LA for the 6-3/203 Beecher. The Kings are deep enough in their forward corps that they can let him develop his game at the University of Michigan. He has all the tools you want from a player, now he needs to harness those tools and build on his hockey IQ.

34. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Brett Leason (C/RW)

CS: # 25NA – McK: # 34 – THN: # 26 (Tanner Pearson)

When you have as many draft picks as the Devils you can take a shot on a high-risk/high-reward player. The 6-5/200 Leason came into his own after being traded from Tri-City to Prince Albert in the WHL. He went from 51 points in his first two years in the WHL to 89 last season. The question scouts have is whether his improvement came from a natural progression is his game or from Leason taking advantage of being an older player in the WHL.

35. DETROIT RED WINGS – Tobias Bjornfot (D)

CS: # 7E – McK: # 19 – THN: # 32 (Chris Tanev)

He is another solid pick that combines the ability to move the puck and makes the most out of his size (6-0/196). Bjornfot captained Sweden’s Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament team and should be a second pair d-man.

36. CAROLINA HURRICANES – Jameson Rees (C)

CS: # 30NA – McK: # 42 – THN: # 38 (Cal Clutterbuck)

Rees may be small in stature (5-10/172), but he plays a physical game and when he hits, he hits to hurt. Injuries and suspensions have limited him to just 83 games in two seasons. He has the skill to score more than the 15 goals and 37 assists he has posted in the OHL. He will need to learn to pick his spots and get strong to thrive in the NHL. The talent is there; he just needs to give himself a chance to grow it.

37. CAROLINA HURRICANES – Lassi Thomson (D)

CS: # 15NA – McK: # 45 – THN: # 36 (Ryan Pulock)

After being forced to deal away Adam Fox, Carolina recoups some of that offensive talent on the blue line. The native of Finland played in the WHL last year for Kelowna. The 6-0/187 Thomson fits the new NHL with is ability to move the puck and join in the transition game – and he has a big-time shot. He just needs to develop his defensive game.

38. EDMONTON OILERS – Nolan Foote (LW)

CS: # 37NA – McK: # 38 – THN: # 44 (Josh Anderson)

The Oilers are trying to get out from under the contract of Milan Lucic. If they are able to do so, Foote can bring similar size (6-3/190) and a fraction of the cost. Unlike his father Adam or his brother Cal (TB), Foote bypassed a career as a d-man. He is a power forward who has a plus shot. His numbers in three years at Kelowna have improved incrementally. His skating is okay for the NHL, but if he can improve on it he will be able to have an impact in the league.

39. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Ilya Nikolayev (C)

CS: # 9E – McK: # 61 – THN: # 47 (Ryan O’Reilly)

Nikolayev’s draft stock improved when he teamed with Vasili Podkolzin in the World Jr. A Challenge. He is a strong skater who is a solid two-way center. He will surely be a third-line center at the very least and has the skill set and ability to become a second-line center.

40. VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Alex Vlasic (D)

CS: # 38NA – McK: # 54 – THN: # 33 (Mattias Ekholm)

The 6-6/192 blueliner in a throwback to the days of defensive d-men. He skates well for someone his size and is able to move the puck out of his zone. Vlasic, cousin of Marc-Edouard, will be attending Boston University and will use his time in collegiate hockey to work on adding an offensive component to his arsenal.

41. SAN JOSE SHARKS – Antti Tuomisto (D)

CS: # 15E – McK: # 44 – THN: # Not Rated in Top 100

If you want your defensemen to be able to move the puck – and what coach doesn’t – then Tuomisto is your man. He also as a hard shot that makes him a valuable joining the play off the rush. His size (6-4/190) and ability to beat on opposing forwards is a nice luxury in any coach’s system.

42. MINNESOTA WILD – Nick Robertson (LW)

CS: # 17NA – McK: # 40 – THN: # 42 (Jaden Schwartz)

The Wild need to start injecting some offensive youth to their forward corps. The 5-9/160 younger brother of Dallas draft pick Jason Robertson, Nick is equal parts scorer and playmaker. He will need to get stronger because he doesn’t shy away from physical play. His skating is a work in progress and he has some issues with his work in the defensive zone. He is a skilled, offensive player.

43. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Nils Hoglander (LW)

CS: # 11E – McK: # 41 – THN: # 28 (Viktor Arvidsson)

Hoglander’s size (5-9/185) does not stop him from playing a physical game. He is a good skater based more on his quickness and agility rather than speed. He works hard every shift, but he will never be the main scorer on his line.

44. OTTAWA SENATORS – Albin Grewe (C/RW)

CS: # 13E – McK: # 56 – THN: # 43 (Brendan Gallagher)

The 6-0/176 Grewe plays much bigger than his size. As THN noted, his coach gave him the nickname “’T-Rex’ because he eats guys up.” In 25 games for Djurgarden’s Jr team, he scored 13 goals and 21 assists in 25 games – along with a whopping 102PIMs. In addition to the dirty work in terms of being physical, he does the dirty work in the defensive zone (e.g. blocking shots and deflecting pucks).

45. ARIZONA COYOTES – Robert Mastrosimone (C/LW)

CS: # 53NA – McK: # 27 – THN: # 54 (Brendan Gallagher)

Mastrosimone is another one of those players who plays bigger than he is (5-10/170). He is tough on the puck who can a physical defensive element to a 2^nd line or some offense to a 3^rd line. His play in the playoffs showed he has the ability to step up his play as he led the USHL in postseason scoring. He plays with jam and is ready, willing and able to mix it up with bigger opponents. He will be attending Boston University.

46. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Samuel Fagemo (RW)

CS: # 20E – McK: # 39 – THN: # 78 (N/A)

There are going to be 30 teams that wished they had taken a 7^th round flyer on Fagemo in 2018. Passed over last year, the 6-0/195 RW made believers as he scored 10 goals in 8 games in Sweden’s Jr. League before jumping up to the Elite League where he scored 14 goals and 11 assists in 42 games. He also represented Sweden at the WJC.

47. COLORADO AVALANCHE – Jackson Lacombe (D)

CS: # 36NA – McK: # 78 – THN: # 67 (N/A)

After passing on the offensive talents of Bowen Byram in the 1^st round, the Avs can bring a d-man who put big numbers at Shattuck-St. Mary’s (22 goals and 67 assists in 54 games). The 6-1/172 d-man is a strong skater and puck-mover who will hone those skills at the University of Minnesota.

48. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Mads Sodgaard (G)

CS: # 2E – McK: # 65 – THN: # 60 (Ben Bishop)

After just missing out on the chance at Spencer Knight in the 1^st round, Vegas starts preparing for life without Marc-Andre Fleury by taking the 6-7/196 native of Denmark. Sodgaard had a horrible WJC behind a bad Danish team. However, he responded when he returned to Medicine Hat (WHL). He needs to refine his game and work on his weaknesses, but his size, athleticism and ability to cover a lot of the net in the butterfly are things that are not taught.

49. NEW YORK RANGERS – Vladislav Firstov (LW)

CS: # 23NA – McK: # 75 – THN: # 51 (Vladimir Tarasenko)

This is a great spot for the Rangers to take a Tarasenko-like player considering they drafted Dylan McIlrath instead of the real thing. Firstov has he offensive ability to play in the NHL, but he needs to be more consistent within in games and from game-to-game. Part of that could be him getting used to North America as he played in the USHL and played more games in a season than ever before. He is scheduled to attend the University of Connecticut.

50. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Jaydon Struble (D)

CS: # 48NA – McK: # 111 – THN: # 50 (Matthew Dumba)

Struble was a man among boys at the prep level in MA. While not the biggest player (6-0/194), Struble packs a wallop when he hits. The problem is he has a tendency to go out of his way to deliver the big hits. He will need to rein in his physical game a bit and continue to develop his overall game – which he will get a chance to do at Northeastern.

51. WINNIPEG JETS – Matvei Guskov (C)

CS: # 65NA – McK: # 114 – THN: # 53 (Alex Galchenyuk)

The 6-1/172 Guskov came across the Atlantic to play for a London (OHL) team that featured older NHL prospects and were led in scoring by 2019 draftee Connor McMichael. Because of London’s depth at center to wing to get him more ice time. His game is driven by his skating.

52. FLORIDA PANTHERS – Artemi Knyazev (D)

CS: # 41NA – McK: # 112 – THN: # 58 (Samuel Girard)

Another d-man (5-11/176) who is helped by the shift in thinking in the NHL. However, Knyazev is a willing combatant in physical play and is a good two-way player. He is another European who got a jump start on his transition as he played for Chicoutimi (QMJHL),

53. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – Kaedan Korczak (D)

CS: # 32NA – McK: # 68 – THN: # 46 (Joel Edmondson)

Korczak is a physical defensive d-man who is a strong skater with size (6-3/192) has the ability to make the first pass out of the zone. He likes the physical play (corners and slot) but does not get caught running out of position to be physical.

54. DETROIT RED WINGS – Shane Pinto (C/RW)

CS: # 28NA – McK: # 105 – THN: # 39 (Brayden Schenn)

The 6-2/185 Pinto is a center than some scouts believe him to be a better player on the RW. The North Dakota commit is a strong two-way forward with a plus hockey IQ. As a rookie in the USHL, he scored 56 points in 54 games during the regular season and added nine points in six playoff games – leading his team in scoring.

55. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Simon Holmstrom (RW)

CS: # 27E – McK: # 16 – THN: #: 87 (N/A)

The 6-1/185 RW got off to a rough and tough start. Hip surgery delayed the start of his year and then a broken thumb cost him six weeks. Speed is at the core of Holmstrom’s game and his hockey sense allows his game to keep up with his speed. He has been used on the PK, but will need to add a physical aspect to his game.

56. WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Pavel Dorofeyev (LW)

CS: # 12E – McK: # 31 – THN: # 37 (Evgenii Dadonov)

Dorofeyev has the size (6-1/170) and skill set to play in the NHL, but he is going to need time to develop those skills and get stronger so he can improve his physical game. His defensive zone coverage needs to improve as he matures as a player.

57. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Michael Vukojevic (D)

CS: # 55NA – McK: # 71 – THN: # 49 (Brian Dumoulin)

Back in the day when dinosaurs ruled the ice, Lou Lamoriello used a 1^st round pick on a defensive d-man (Ken Daneyko). The 6-2/203 d-man was paired with Jets prospect Logan Stanley. He is well-coached at Kitchener by former NHLers Jay McKee and Dennis Wideman. Vukojevic is not going to give you much offense, but hockey men like Lamoriello and Barry Trotz recognize the need for d-men who block shots and think defense first.

58. NEW YORK RANGERS – Alex Beaucage (RW)

CS: # 64NA – McK: # 138 – THN: # 93 (N/A)

The Rangers don’t have much of a history of drafting players out of the QMJHL during the past years. With John Davidson at the top of the company ladder, that should change. It was JD’s Blue Jackets that surprised folks at the 2016 Draft when they selected Pierre-Luc Dubois 3^rd overall. The 6-2/192 Beaucage has to work on his skating, but he has the ability to score and is a good two-way player. He might be a reach at this point, but with three picks in the Top 58 you can, and should, take a chance on a player.

59. CAROLINA HURRICANES – Pyotor Kochetkov (G)

CS: # 1E-G – McK: # 55 – THN: # Not Rated in Top 100

Carolina got great use out of journeymen goalies Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhenny. With three 2^nd round picks, the Hurricanes can afford to bring in a goalie. Kochetkov (6-3/205) is sure to be drafted this year after being passed over the last two years. The WJC Directorate named him the Best Goalie at the 2019 WJC. He is an aggressive goalie whop relies on his athleticism.

60. DETROIT RED WINGS – Hunter Jones (G)

CS: # 3NA-G – McK: # 92 – THN: # 81 (N/A)

The Red Wings are in the same boat as Carolina with three 2^nd round picks. Detroit needs some young blood in goal. The 6-4/195 Jones was overplayed last season, appearing in 57 of 68 games and facing the third most shots in the OHL. The keys to his game are based on his size and athletic ability

61. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Marcus Kallionkieli (LW)

CS: # 47NA – McK: # 102 – THN: # 57 (Anders Lee)

The 6-2/195 native of Finland played in the USHL last season and was a teammate of 2019 draftee Bobby Brink – finishing third on the team in scoring third among all USHL rookies. He is a power forward type of player who skates well and has a good shot. In addition to getting stronger, THN pointed out that one problem with Kallionkieli is that he has not committed to where he will play in 2019/20.

62. ST. LOUIS BLUES – Mikko Kokkonen (D)

CS: # 10E – McK: # 70 – THN: # 62 (Travis Dermott)

The Blues will need to start rebuilding their blue line (no pun intended). The 5-11/200 Kokkonen saw major ice time in the Liiga as a 17/18-year-old. He is a solid two-way d-man who can over the puck and join in the transition game. The one thing he will need to work on is his skating.

June 20, 2019

Rangers 2019 1st Round Draft Preview

After a couple of down years, Lady Luck finally smiled down on the New York Rangers when they “won” the NHL Draft Lottery. Yes, I know the New Jersey Devils officially won the Lottery and will make the first selection in the 2019 NHL Draft. However, the Rangers are winners as well for two reasons.

Obviously, the Rangers won because they jumped from the sixth spot up into the second spot. The only other time has happened was in 2016 when Winnipeg made that exact same jump – and drafted Finnish winger Patrik Laine.

The second reason the Rangers are winners is by the fact they didn’t end up with the first overall pick. The pressure on the Rangers is nonexistent because the Devils have the burden on making the right call of either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko. The Blueshirts can simply sit back and let the draft unfold.

The 2019 Draft marks the first time the Rangers will pick as high as the 2^nd overall pick since 1966 when they drafted Hall of fame defenseman Brad Park after the Boston Bruins made d-man Barry Gibbs the 1^st overall selection. Of course, the Draft was a different beast back then because it only included players who had not signed contracts as part of the NHL’s sponsorship with Junior teams.

While it remains to be seen which star plays in New Jersey and which star plays in New York, there is one thing that is certain – Hughes and Kakko will be linked together for as long as they are members of the Devils and Rangers. It will add an extra point of interest to the Hudson River Rivalry.

The discussion over who the Rangers will/should take with the second overall pick is moot. If the Devils take Hughes, the Rangers take Kakko and vice versa. Some fans who expect the Rangers to trade the pick or select someone else are wasting their time.

The Blueshirts will keep the second overall pick and select whichever star is not drafted by the Devils. The only remote chance of something else happens would have to involve the Devils drafting Kakko and the Vancouver Canucks deciding that they are so intent on uniting the Hughes brothers that they offer the Rangers both Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser. That isn’t happening and the Rangers are not trading the second overall pick.

The Rangers’ draft intrigue would have begun with their second 1^st round pick (#20) had they not sent that pick back to Winnipeg in Jacob Trouba deal.

Interestingly enough, the Rangers still might find their way back into the bottom of the 1^st round courtesy of their two 2^nd round picks and some potential trade prospects.

Darren Dreger of TSN reported that the Blueshirts are entertaining offers for Pavel Buchnevich, Chris Kreider, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Jimmy Vesey. Gorton could offer a package of 2^nd round draft pick(s) and veteran player(s) to jump back into the 1^st round if the Rangers are enamored with a prospect or two.

If a player the Rangers like is still around at the end of the 1^st round, the Buffalo Sabres might be a team willing to deal. John Vogl, who covers the Sabres for The Athletic, points out that out of the last 21 drafts the last pick of the 1^st round has been traded 10 times. I don’t if that is much a trend as it could be the way those drafts played out, but it does give one a moment to pause.

Buffalo’s 2^nd round pick was traded to Carolina in the Jeff Skinner trade so Sabres GM Jason Botterill might be included to trade. There have been rumors that Sabres have shown an interest in Vesey so could the Rangers entice Buffalo with a combination of picks and Vesey in a package for the 31^st overall pick and a player or future draft pick.

Given the uncertainty of Kreider’s contract status as he heads into his final year before becoming an UFA, the Rangers might have to decide to move him, and some other pricey contracts, if they want to get involved in the bidding for Artemi Panarin. The ability to create cap space given the new expensive deal Trouba will command.

The Rangers eventual 1^st round pick has major implications for how the Blueshirts lineup will look on Opening Night. If Jack Hughes were to slip to them, the Rangers would have some major decisions on what to do with Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and Brett Howden – especially if Panarin dons the red, white and blue.

With Mika Zibanejad and Hughes penciled in as the top two centers, the Rangers would either have to shift a couple of the kid centers to wing or send them down to play major minutes in Hartford. You figure that one of them could be the Rangers third line center with the team looking for a good deal on a veteran fourth line center (Brian Boyle) or decide to use Ryan Strome as the fourth line center.

If Panarin doesn’t sign with the Rangers, the team still might send a couple of the kid centers to Hartford depending on what other UFAs or trades Jeff Gorton and John Davidson have up their sleeves.

If the Rangers end up drafting Kaapo Kakko, the Rangers have more options with the kid centers – depending on how they view Strome (fourth line center or as a winger). If the Rangers sign Panarin then the picture gets more crowded on the wings, but leave the Rangers the option of moving a couple of wingers for a center.

To further muddy the (frozen) waters, last year’s 1^st round pick Vitali Kravtsov has placed some center and some scouts believe that Kakko’s size makes him a natural center. Both scenarios are unlikely, but d offer the Blueshirts some flexibility.

Whether it is Kakko or Hughes, whether the Rangers sign Panarin, or whether they sign some other free agent forward or trade for a second line center, there is one thing that is certain. The Rangers have options in terms of how they shape the team during the summer of 2019. If they bide their time they may even have an extra 2020 1^st round pick in among their trade resource if Mats Zuccarello re-signs with the Dallas Stars.

June 20, 2019

Rangers 2019 2nd Round Draft Preview

The Rangers own two 2^nd round picks and I would expect the Rangers to be active in trade discussions in Vancouver on June 21-22. Depending on how the Draft plays out, I could see the Rangers move up by dangling one (or even both) of the 2^nd round draft picks and a player off their roster – especially after trading away their second 1^st round pick in order to acquire Jacob Trouba.

The Rangers traded away their own pick (#37) as part of the Adam Fox deal. They acquired a 2^nd from Dallas (#49) in the Mats Zuccarello trade and they acquired Tampa Bay’s 2^nd (#58) as part of the haul for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller.

I am will be looking at three prospects for each of the Rangers 2^nd round picks. If any of my 1^st round players were to slip into this round, they would go to the head of class.

PICK #49

VLADISLAY FIRSTOV (LW)

CS: # 23NA – McK: # 75 – THN: # 51 (Vladimir Tarasenko)

Rangers fans still lament passing up Vladimir Tarasenko when they drafted Dylan McIlrath in 2010. A scout said to THN, “I don’t want to compare him to Vladimir Tarasenko, but he can score, and the puck follows him around.”

“He has improved since Day 1,” one scout offered to THN. “He excels with the puck, and that [the] team goes as he goes, which is pretty impressive for a young player. He’s strong, has good pace with the puck and a good shot. He hasn’t acclimated to North America yet. Sometimes he’s not there the whole game.”

It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers he puts up when has gotten used to North America. In his first year in Waterloo, Firstov finished second among USHL rookies in scoring (25-32-58).

Firstov (6-1/181) will be attending the University of Connecticut – a program the Rangers know well because goalie prospect Adam Huska attended UConn.

SIMON HOLMSTROM (RW)

CS: # 27E – McK: # 16 – THN: #: 87 (N/A)

The 6-1/185 Swede’s season did not get off to a flying start because of injuries. Hip surgery caused him to miss the beginning of the season and then a broken thumb cost him another six weeks during the year.

Holmstrom rebounded well finished the season with 7 goals and 13 assist in 21 games in the Swedish Jr. League. He added 6 more points as helped Sweden win the WU-18 championship.

McKeen’s wrote: “When you are building a hockey prospect and have to start with three things, you start with speed, skills, and smart. Simon Holmstrom got the message.”

He is a two-way forward who plays on both special teams. The one thing he does need to work on is utilizing his size more and adding a bit of physical play to his arsenal.

SHANE PINTO (C/RW)

CS: # 28NA – McK: # 105 – THN: # 39 (Brayden Schenn)

Pinto is a 6-2/195 Center who some scouts see developing as a RW. He split last season between two USHL teams and was the league’s highest scoring rookie (28-31-59), edging Firstov out by a point.

“In Lincoln, he scored a bunch because they were a bad team and they overplayed him a bit,” one scout opined to THN. “Once he got to [Tri-City], he had more structure, and it helped him. He’s a two-way, heady player with great hockey sense. He has a great stick for a big guy.”

Pinto is committed to the University of North Dakota.

In looking at the prospects for the 49^th pick, Vladislav Firstov is far and away my pick for this selection – as he was in my Mock Draft. Truth be told, I considered selecting him with the 20^th overall pick and wouldn’t hesitate to do it if my other options were gone. After Firstov, it is a close call between Simon Holmstrom and Shane Pinto, but I would give Pinto the nod because he is good on faceoffs and is solid in his own zone.

PICK #58

ALEX BEAUCAGE (RW)

CS: # 64NA – McK: # 138 – THN: # 93 (N/A)

As I pointed out in my 2^nd Round Mock Draft, the Rangers do not have a history of drafting players out of Canadian Juniors, never mind the QMJHL. The last player they selected out of the “Q” was 6^th round pick Gabriel Fontaine. As I also pointed out, I expect that to change some with John Davidson as President as his Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Pierre-Luc Dubois third overall in 2016.

Beaucage (6-2/192) is a goal scorer (39 goals and 40 assists in 68 games) who can play at both ends of the ice. He scored 14 goals and 16 assists on the PP and is very adept at working in close to the goal because he has good hands and a quick release to his shot.

He uses his size more for puck protection than he does for initiating hits or playing the typical power forward game.

The major concern with him is his skating. McKeen’s wrote, “… his lack of explosiveness in his stride could hold him back.”

Given the Rangers wealth of draft picks, it is worth taking a swing for the fences on a player who has natural goal scoring ability, even if there are questions about his skating. After all, people said Luc Robitaille couldn’t skate either.

RYDER DONOVAN (C/RW)

CS: # 97NA – McK: # 82 – THN: # 55 (Blake Wheeler)

The 6-3/184 Donovan is another forward who played Center, but scouts see more as a RW. He verbally committed to the University of North Dakota, but ended up eventually committing to the University of Wisconsin.

“He’s hard on the puck and used his body well,” one scout told THN. “He’s pass-first to a fault, but his heavy shot creates a lot of rebound opportunities. The physical package and skill set will be hard for a team to pass up.”

Steve Kournianos of TheDraftAnalyst.com wrote, “All areas of Donovan’s skating are outstanding —his first-step quickness, ability, balance, lateral movements and edge work [all] work in concert to get him a least a stride or two out of an opponent’s reach.”

The one knock is that a player with his size and skills should have been more dominant in his Minnesota High School league.

KIRIL SLEPETS (RW)

CS: # 17E – McK: # 104 – THN: 79

You have to figure there are more than a few teams who wished they had taken a 7^th round flyer on Slepets considering he has been passed over in the last two drafts.

The 5-10/165 left-handed shot doesn’t need a lot of room in order to get off his shot and create offensive chances. While he is on the slight side, he does not shy away from the physical game and is willing to do the dirty work along the boards.

He plays on both special teams and his big-time speed makes him an offensive threat on the PK and a potent forechecker.

Slepets saved his best for last as he scored 5 goals and 2 assists in the last WJC.

In looking at the 59^th overall pick, I went with Beaucage because of the potential offensive ability. I am willing to take the risk that his skating will improve. I also could be persuaded to go with Slepets because of his skill set and because of what kind of havoc his speed could bring.

June 20, 2019

Rangers 2019 3rd & 4th Round Preview

The New York Rangers have their own draft pick in the 3^rd round (#68) and is the first time during the 2019 NHL Draft that they are scheduled to only have one pick in a round – unless Jeff Gorton wheels and deals his way to extra picks in the 3^rd round.

The New York Rangers dealt away their own 4^th round pick (#99) along with Steven Kampfer to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Adam McQuaid. The Blueshirts were able to recoup a 4^th round pick when they sent McQuaid to the Columbus Blue Jackets for their 4th round pick (# 112), their 7^th round pick (#205) and defenseman Jules Bergman who signed a deal with Frolunda in Sweden in May 2019.

THIRD ROUND (Pick #68)

JUDD CAULFIELD (RW/C)

CS: 67NA – McK: 74 – THN: # 45 (Josh Bailey).

It is entirely possible that the 6-3/207 RW/C is long gone before the Rangers pick in the 3^rd round. Even at that size it is easy for a player to get lost among the high-end talent skating on the USNTDP. Caulfield has committed to the University of North Dakota.

“He’s grown on me,” one scout related to THN. “He just kept finding me in games. I kept going to watch him and saying, ‘you don’t want to draft a fourth-line guy.’ After you say that for the 10^th or 11^th time, you realize that maybe he’s not a fourth-line guy, and if he is, he is still finding me.”

Here is another scout’s opinion as told to THN. “He makes things happen in those traffic areas in front of the net. With the number of pucks that are not getting to the net and [are] dying in that low-slot area, a guy who can get those pucks is an important guy.”

After all, it is not like the Rangers are loaded with forwards who are willing to do the dirty work in the slot and in front of the net.

ETHAN KEPPEN (LW)

CS: # 74NA – McK: # 79 – THN: # 85 (N/A)

The 6-2/214 LW put up solid number for a bad Flint (OHL) team, scoring 30 goals and 29 assists in 68 games. Keppen is a prototypical power forward. He uses his size and physical play to do the necessary dirty work along the boards, in the corners and in front of the net.

Keppen is a solid all-around player who knows his way around the defensive zone as well as the offensive zone. Flint used him on both special teams. The one thing he will need to do before he takes the step up to the NHL is work on his skating.

McKeen’s writes, “A bit of throw-back style of player, Ethan Keppen is a beefy power forward, who does many things well despite lacking much in the way of foot speed. Think Patrick Maroon, although Keppen is not quite as thick of the St Louis veteran.”

NATHAN LEGARE (RW)

CS: # 54NA – McK: # 83 – THN: # 76 (N/A)

The 6-0/205 Legare has a breakout season with Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) last season scoring 45 goals (31 at even strength) and 42 assists in 68 games – a tremendous improvement over his 10 goals and 19 assists in his rookie year. Those 45 goals were just three off the league lead.

McKeen’s writes: “He endears himself to coaches with the way he pressures opponents at both ends as well as how he uses his mature frame to protect the puck and create room for himself down low.”

My choice for the Rangers 3^rd round pick comes down drafting for a need rather than best player available. I have been rather RW heavy in my draft preview to this point, so my first choice would be Ethan Keppen because he is a LW.

After Keppen, I would go with Judd Caulfield over Nathan Legare based on Caulfield having the ability to be a more imposing player along the lines of a Wayne Simmonds-type of player.

FOURTH ROUND (Pick #99)

HARRISON BLAISDELL (C)

CS: # 80NA – McK: # 141 – THN: # 77 (N/A)

The 5-11/181 Center is the son of former NHLer Mike Blaisdell. Of Pop’s 343 NHL games, 48 were with the Rangers. The Blueshirts acquired Blaisdell, Willie Huber and Mark Osborne from Detroit for Ron Duguay, Eddie Johnstone and Eddie Mio.

The younger Blaisdell scored 33 goals and 25 assists in 71 games for Chilliwack (BCHL) and will attend the University of North Dakota. This is what Coach Brad Berry said about Blaisdell in an interview with the Grand Forks Herald.

“He’s got a motor,” Berry said. “He’s ultra competitive. He’s got an excellent skill level. He can play in the middle or on the wall. He’s playing center right now for Chilliwack.

“I compare him a little bit to Drake Caggiula. He’s got very good offensive ability. He’s not an overly big guy, but he has a heart the size of a mountain. He’ll do anything he can to help the team win games.”

Blaisdell competes in all three zones on the ice with his hockey IQ leading the way. He is a high motor player and is aggressive on the forecheck.

COLE MACKAY (RW)

CS: # 99NA – McK: # 96 – THN: # 95 (N/A)

The 5-11/185 Mackay put up good numbers with Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) notching 27 goals (18 at even strength or SH) and 34 assists in 65 games. In addition to putting up good offensive numbers, Mackay has no problems going into the tough areas and doing the necessary dirty work – which he to do playing with top prospects Morgan Frost and Boris Katchouk.

Mackay is a good two-way player who played on both special teams. He has a good hockey sense and has a knack for finding the puck on his stick. His strong puck pursuit makes him a fine forechecker.

PATRICK MOYNIHAN (RW/C)

CS: # 73NA – McK: # 72 – THN: #64 (N/A)

The 5-11/183 Moynihan is a strong two-way forward who has committed to Providence College. He is yet another product of the USNTDP and spent some time on a line with Jack Hughes, showing an ability to step up and take top-line minutes. While he is not the biggest player on the ice, he plays an agitating style and has a bit of a mean streak to him. He can kill penalties and will bring high energy to one of the bottom two lines.

In deciding my 4th round pick, I decided to go with bloodlines and make Harrison Blaisdell my choice. He will never center the top two lines, but could be a solid third-line center who has the ability to move to the wing.

It is a tough choice between Mackay and Moynihan. Mackay put up good numbers last season, but it will be interesting to see how he does without top prospects on his line. Moynihan gives off that Sean Avery/poor man’s Esa Tikkanen vibe as a forward who can be a real shift disturber. Based on that, I would go with Moynihan over Mackay.

June 20, 2019

Rangers 2019 5th/6th/7h Round Preview

The New York Rangers own their 5^th round (#130) and 6^th round (#161) picks. They dealt away their own 7^th round pick (#192), their own 4^th round pick (#99) along with Steven Kampfer to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Adam McQuaid. The Blueshirts were able to recoup a 4^th round pick when they sent McQuaid to the Columbus Blue Jackets for their 4th round pick (# 112), their 7^th round pick (#205) and defenseman Jules Bergman who signed a deal with Frolunda in Sweden in May 2019.

FIFTH ROUND (Pick #130)

LAYTON AHAC (D)

CS: # 62NA – McK: # 196 – THN: # 66 (N/A)

The 6-2/188 d-man was called a “defensive puck-mover in the Chris Tanev mold” by THN. He played last season for Prince George (BCHL) and was part of the effort that defeated Alex Newhook’s Victoria team in the playoffs. In 53 games, he scored 4 goals and 28 assists.

Ahac, a lefty shot, utilizes his speed and skating ability to both avoid opposing forecheckers and to join his team’s rush. The blueliner has committed to Ohio State.

MAX CROZIER (D)

CS: # 85NA – McK: # 175 – THN: # Not Rated in Top 100

The 6-2/190 Crozier helped lead his Sioux Falls team to the USHL championship last season. In 60 regular season games, he scored 10 goals and 33 assists. He stepped up his production in the playoffs as he tied for the team lead in scoring with 4 goals and 7 assists in 12 games.

He has the ability to clear the zone either with a breakout pass or on the rush. He was used as the one the top d-men on both the PP and PK. Crozier committed to Providence College.

Greg’s father, Jim Crozier, played goal for Cornell (1987-91) and his brother Tristan played his freshman year last season at Brown University.

Steve Kournianos of TheDraftAnalyst.com writes, “Crozier can be a mean, physical player who delivers big open ice hits. He uses his stick a ton – both legally and illegally – while making sure not an inch of the low slot is taken without a fight.”

NIKITA OKHUTYUK (D)

CS: # 56NA – McK: # 115 – THN: # 82 (N/A)

THN calls the 6-1/194 d-man an “old-school defenseman [who] is nasty to play against, and he can skate.” The shutdown d-man played for Ottawa (OHL) and tallied 2 goals and 15 assists.

Okhutyuk is a strong and physical d-man who plays a smart defense first type of game – and that has tampered down his offensive numbers. He does have the abilities to put up bigger numbers offensively, but prefers to take care of the defensive end of the ice first.

As you can see, I have made a bit of a commitment to drafting a defenseman in the 5th round. It wasn’t my original choice, but as I started to slot players in rounds 5-7 that is how it ended up.

My choice for the Rangers 5ht round pick is Max Crozier. It was a close call with Nikita Okhutyuk, but Crozier won out because he has developed an offensive game and I like that he plays with a bit of an edge to his game.

SIXTH ROUND (Pick #161)

ANDRE LEE (C/LW)

CS: # Not Rated – McK: #: 103 – THN: #: Not Rated in Top 100

Many Rangers fans might have Islanders captain Anders Lee on their UFA wish list, but Andre Lee might have to suffice. The 6-4/200 C/LW was a teammate of Greg Crozier at Sioux Falls and it was Lee that tied Crozier for the team playoff scoring lead (6 goals and 5 assists).

The Swedish-born Lee scored 20 goals and 15 assists in 61 regular season games. The power forward has committed to UMass-Lowell.

McKeen’s describes him as a “big winger [who] plays a disruptive game with enough speed to keep defenders off his heels. Turned his game up in the postseason….”

Kournianos calls him a “…bruising net-front presence who also joins the attack and finish off the rush, and he has deceptive speed in open ice…. Lee is almost impossible to move from anywhere below the circles, and he is a menace along the wall.”

SIMON LUNDMARK (D)

CS: # 21E – McK: # 97 – THN: # Not Rated in Top 100

The 6-2/201 Lundmark is a right-handed shooting d-man who split his team between the Swedish Senior and Junior leagues. He is a steady blueliner who doesn’t stand out in any one area, but is a solid player who can have a fine career as a third-pair d-man in the NHL.

Lundmark plays a safe game and has the skill set to play on both special teams, as well as getting ice time late in games.

ONDREJ PSENICKA (RW)

CS: # 53E – McK: # 144 – THN: # Not Rated in Top 100

The 6-5/195 Psenicka is a handful to play against to say the least. McKeen’s calls him a “towering winger [who was] unstoppable in the Czech U19 league. Has a high hockey IQ and uses his size to his advantage. Puck skills also impress.” In 45 games with Sparta Praha’s U19 team, he scored 30 goals and 40 assists.

Psenicka is as much a passer as he is a goal scorer. His goal scoring prowess comes from his quick hands and his size which he uses to get into good scoring positions. On the down side, he is not as physical as you would hope from someone with his size.

This is really a two-horse race for the 6^th round pick between Andre Lee and Ondrej Psenicka. I like that Lee is a LW because I have been very tilted to the right when it comes to wingers. In the end, my first choice would be Psenicka because he seems to have the greater upside potential.

SEVENTH ROUND (Pick #205)

YANNICK BRUSCHWEILER (LW)

CS: # 60E – McK: # 119 – THN: # Not Rated in Top 100

The 5-10/172 LW is hoping that the third time is the charm after being passed over the last two drafts. He took a step in the right direction with the first goal in Switzerland’s 2-0 defeat of Sweden in the 2019 WJC quarterfinals.

Despite his smallish stature, Bruschweiler does not shy away from physical play and will go into the dirty areas (corners and front of the net) to make a play. He is able to survive in those areas because of his strong skating and solid puckhandling abilities. He also sees time on both special teams.

RADEK MUZIK (LW)

CS: #: 100E – McK: # 198 – THN: Not Rated in Top 100

The 6-3/180 LW is a two-way forward who has been used to kill penalties and play the point on the PP. He is well-versed in leadership roles as he captained the Czech’s team in the WU18 tournament.

Kournianos write, “Muzik owns a hard shot with a quick release that he fires with authority off the rush or while moving laterally. If he doesn’t see what he likes, he’ll stickhandle his way inside to improve his angle. Muzik is an agile skater with good speed and shiftiness.”

JOSH WILLIAMS (RW)

CS: # 145NA – McK: # 158 – THN: Not Rated Top 100

The 6-1/195 RW had an up-and-down draft season. He struggled in the WHL playing 66 games with Medicine Hat and Edmonton and scored 14 goals and 19 assists with 2 goals and 4 assists in 15 playoff games with the Oil Kings. However, he drew the attention of scouts with his 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Kournianos says Williams is, “a high-energy forward who plays with bite…. He combines agility, above-average speed and balance to form an impressive skating package in addition to possessing a nose for the net.”

We have a wide variety of choices for the 7^th round pick. At this point in the Draft, you are hoping for a good organizational player who might have the ability to contribute in the NHL. Teams do not constantly select the likes of Henrik Lundqvist in the 7^th round, who was drafted with the 205^th overall pick.

In the end, my choice would be Radek Muzik based on his ability to kill penalties and be an option on the PP – followed by Bruschweiler and Williams.

March 15, 2019

In Memory of the Iona College Hockey Team

This article was originally written on March 15, 2013 in memory of the 10th anniversary of the Iona College Hockey Team’s last game. I am publishing now as it was written back then with a couple of minor adjustments that, hopefully, clarify some of the dated material.

When people think of the “Ides of March”, their thoughts go to the assassination of Julius Caesar and of reading William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar as the title character is warned “beware the Ides of March”.

For me, the “Ides of March” represents the day of the final game of the Iona College Hockey Team. On March 15, 2003, my alma mater’s hockey program came to an end in a heart-wrenching loss to Mercyhurst in the MAAC Quarterfinals.

The termination of the hockey program is the reason why the 2004-2005 NHL Lockout, and our current brush with Lockout #2 [2012-2013] did not bother me as it did the majority of New York Rangers fans. I knew that eventually the Rangers, and the NHL, would be back. The same could not be said of the Ice Gaels.

On that night in Erie, Pennsylvania I witnessed an incredible scene – one that occurred after the game. As I made my way through the Iona locker room, it was the Iona players consoling me rather than me consoling them. I know as a journalist one is supposed to remain neutral and remove themselves from a rooting interest – something I strove very hard to do as part of my duties as the Iona College game recapper for US College Hockey Online.

However, on that fateful day my emotions as a fan won out I tried to talk to Coach Frank Bretti and his players that night. Instead of me helping them through their tough time, they were helping me. If you ever met those players you would understand why my feelings as a fan came through – while they were good hockey players, they were even better guys. That goes for pretty much every player I encountered while covering the Iona hockey team.

In tribute to the 10th anniversary of the final game of the Ice Gaels, I offer this reprinted article of that final game. It is not from the recap I did for USCHO. Instead, it is from the expanded recap I did for Ranger Ramblings – back in the days when the column was part of Allsports.com’s Ranger Fan Central.

While I do not miss the crazy bus rides with Coach USA – and there were some real doozies – I do miss the good times and great people associated with the Iona College Hockey program. As I sit and write this prologue, I can’t help but tear up and wonder what might have been had the Iona College program continued. Archrival Quinnipiac left the successor to the MAAC (Atlantic Hockey) for the ECAC and this year become the #1 team in the country. I often wonder, if Quinnipiac, why not Iona?

IONA-MERCYHURST RECAP (March 15, 2003)

What started as a club team in 1967 ended on March 15, 2003 as the Iona College hockey program came to an end with its 5-4 loss at Mercyhurst. With the victory, the Lakers advance to their fourth consecutive MAAC Semifinals in as many years. Mercyhurst (20-12-2) will play Bentley in the 5:00 p.m. game on March 21, 2003.

The end of an era came at 9:23 p.m. as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The hockey team embodied Iona’s motto of “fight the good fight”. It would have been easy for lesser athletes to fold at the prospect of overcoming a three-goal deficit with only 20 minutes left to play in their Iona careers. What the Iona Administration never realized, nor accounted for, was the heart and backbone of their players given the circumstances of the past week – especially given the fact the Administration told the players one of the reasons for dropping the hockey program was over a concern over how competitive the team could be.

One week ago Iona (11-22-2) visited Fairfield as the Stags played their final Division I hockey game. Little did the Gaels know seven days later they would be facing the same situation.

Iona coach Frank Bretti explained how he learned about the beginning of the end of the hockey program during the Friday afternoon press conference at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

“I was basically called in. I was left a message that evening before [that] I had to meet with the president and our AD. I was called and told that they wanted to meet with the team at nine o’clock. When I got that message I had a feeling that they weren’t going to be wishing us good luck at Mercyhurst to be honest with you,” Bretti recounted. “It was pretty much told to me pretty quickly that there were some issues and some reallocations of money and we basically fell victim to it.”

Mind you, these events all took place just four days before the Gaels would play their MAAC playoff game.

Iona captain Mark Hallam described his teammates feelings as they headed into the Mercyhurst game.

“There are some people [in the Iona Administration] that we would like to prove wrong. We haven’t had much success here [at Mercyhurst] in the past and we were able to battle back that game and get an overtime win. I think that could be one of the big turning points in our season so far. From there we were able to develop some confidence and into the second half there I think we went on a little run here at the end, 7-4-1 or something like that,” the native of Medicine Hat, Alberta stated.

“We feel like we’re playing good hockey right now, we have a lot of confidence and outside of some bad news this week, we feel like we have a job to do this weekend and we just have to get it done.

In that press conference, Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin summed up the sentiments of the Iona faithful.

“It’s a sad day for Iona. It’s a sad day for the MAAC, and it’s a sad day for college hockey,” he said. “I thought we’d lose some teams. [But] if you told me it would be Iona, I wouldn’t believe it. Hearing the news about Iona is numbing to me. I think Iona is making a terrible mistake. I question the timing of the decision [and announcement].”

Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the Iona program, Gotkin and his team realized there was still a job to get done.

“It’s clearly a distraction for us, but we’re preparing for a very good [Iona] team that beat us here. We’re going to have to be very good to be successful,” Gotkin said during the press conference.

Lakers captain Adam Rivers addressed what his team needed to do to survive and advance in the MAAC playoffs.

“It’ll come down to a game of little things,” the senior from Belleville, Ontario said. “We’ve got to stick to our game plan – control the neutral zone, no turnovers, tight defense, that sort of thing.”

Hallam agreed with his counterparts’ assessment when it came to following the game plan. “We have to bring our ‘A’ game in all three zones. We have to play strong defensively, can’t make mistakes in the neutral zone, and [we] have to finish in the offensive zone.”

While there was an obvious extra-added emotional level to the game, Bretti was quick to point out that his team could not run on emotion alone.

“I think it does on the mental side of it. The reality of it is, as I tell our guys through the course of the year, different coaches have different methods of motivating people. Whether it’s through quotes and this and that, the bottom line is that you have to be physically and mentally prepared,” Bretti explained.

“We’re definitely up against the most formidable opponent in the league and it’s going to take a lot more than emotion to win this game. There’s no doubt that there’s going to be a little bit of extra energy in everybody in the lineup for us when it’s all said and done.

When the Gaels arrived at the rink, they were met with some unexpected well wishes from former Iona players and friends of the hockey program. Assistant coach Rob Haberbusch put out a call and the Gaels’ faithful responded – letting the hockey team know many people were still rooting for them. Haberbusch put up the notes of encouragement on the wall in the hallway leading to the Iona locker room.

The Lakers opened the scoring in the opening minutes of the game as Dave Borelli scored the first of his two goals at 2:26 with David Wrigley and Adam Rivers assisting on the freshman’s goal.

“I came out of the corner and the puck just came loose and I popped it into the empty net,” the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native explained.

The Gaels would take the lead midway through the first period as they cashed in on a pair of play chances just over two minutes apart.

With Jamie King in the penalty box for Hooking, Hallam evened the score at 8:54 on a set up from Jamie Carroll and Ryan Swanson as he slipped home his 11th goal of the season beating Andy Franck between the pads. The point was Hallam’s 100th of his career as he became the 32nd Gael (and fourth in their Division I history) to hit the century mark.

The Gaels took the lead a little more than two minutes later with Marty Rychley serving a Tripping penalty. Tim Krueckl put Iona ahead at 11:12 as he scored his 11th of the season, and fourth in three games against Mercyhurst, on assists from Hallam and Jamie Carroll.

The Gaels CHecK Line of Carroll, Hallam and Krueckl finished up with 21 goals and 31 assists in their last 13 games, serving notice they would have been one of the most potent lines in the MAAC next season – if there had been a next season for Iona.

The Gaels good fortunes did not last long as Borelli scored again just 24 seconds later as he beat Ian Vigier from the high slot for his seventh of the season and third against Iona in as many games.

In victory, Borelli was quick to praise the Gaels. “We have to give a lot of credit to Iona. They came out and played hard. It was an emotional game from the beginning,” the freshman center related. “Everybody on our team came out and played 60 minutes and that is what it takes to win in the playoffs.”

Mercyhurst took the lead for good with less than five minutes as they converted off a set play on a faceoff in the Iona zone as Wrigley tipped home Mike Muldoon’s centering pass at 15:04. Borelli received the secondary assist on Wrigley’s 14th of the season and third against Iona.

Franck made a pair of dazzling saves in the final minute to keep Iona from tying the game. He stopped Hallam, who had a defender on his back, on a partial breakaway with 50 seconds left in the first period, and Franck later made a sprawling save on Ryan Manitowich in the slot with 21 seconds remaining. Franck’s late period heroics were just a preview of what he would do in the third period.

“Franck has been outstanding for the last two months,” Borelli said explaining the workload the freshman has carried after junior Matt Cifelli left school in January.

“He’s had his down games, but the last month he’s been playing great for us. He’s been playing awesome for us and we need that just like we need everyone else to step up.”

The Lakers extended their lead to three, as their power play stepped up and converted on a pair of consecutive power play opportunities.

With Aaron Kakepetum whistled off the ice for a Delay of Game penalty, T.J. Kemp extended the lead to 4-2 as he slid down from his left point position to deflect home Rich Hansen’s cross-ice pass at 9:58. Adam Tackaberry, returning to the lineup after missing the last 10 games, also assisted on Kemp’s 10th goal.

Mercyhurst struck again on the power play as they scored six seconds after Brent Williams’ Holding penalty man. Peter Rynshoven one-timed Hansen’s pass into the net for his 10th goal at 12:02.

Down three and watching their season and Iona careers slipping away, the Gaels dug in deep and decided they would not go gently into that good night.

During the second intermission, Bretti tried to get his team to forget about the emotional events of the past few days and concentrate on the task at hand.

“I’ve always believed in these guys. At the end of the second period, we talked about needing to settle down a little bit. We felt we were going to continue to get [scoring] opportunities,” he explained. “It was just going to come down to being able to finish a few of them. We were able to give it a fight until the end.”

Actually, Iona thought they had cut the lead to two with 58 seconds left in the second period, but referee Jeff Fulton ruled the puck did not cross the goal line and while not bothering to check with the goal judge – even though it appeared, from the press box, that the puck had skittered completely over the goal line. An ensuing 10-minute misconduct penalty cost the Gaels the services of Chad Van Diemen – the team’s second highest scoring defenseman.

At one point early in the third period, the Gaels had Van Diemen, Ryan Swanson (Holding minor) and Trevor McCall (Roughing minor and a 10-minute misconduct) in the penalty box. Bretti was forced use freshman center Andrew McShea on defense with half his blueliners in the penalty box.

The Gaels finally cut the lead to two at 6:30 of the third period when Neil Clark tipped home Kakepetum’s shot from the point. Brent Williams drew the secondary assist on Clark’s third goal.

Five minutes later it was Williams firing home his 13th of the season and breathing life back into the Iona hockey program. Williams hustled off the Iona bench to keep the puck in at the right point. The sophomore skated into the high slot and beat Franck high to the glove side. Kelly Bararuk and Clark drew the assists on the goal as their forechecking paved the way for the goal.

Iona had the Lakers back on their heels as they threw everything at Mercyhurst – including the proverbial kitchen sink. The eighth-seeded Gaels had the number one-seeded Lakers content just to ice the puck to relieve the pressure.

The Gaels nearly tied the game with two and a half minutes left, but Franck’s toe save of a Manitowich redirection in front proved to be the best, and most important, of Franck’s 43 saves.

“Andy Franck won us this hockey game. There is no question in my mind,” Gotkin said. “The games [is] 5-2 and we come out and have four or five chances. If one of them goes in, I think we win the game going away. They didn’t go in and I think there was some magic in Iona’s situation. The next thing we know, it’s 5-4 and we are hanging on by our thumbnails.”

Gotkin was quick to offer his support and praise of the Gaels in defeat.

“I’d like to tip my hat to Frank Bretti, his assistants, and most importantly, his players. They really played great and showed a lot of heart. I am proud to have had the chance to coach against them the last four or five years. I have no doubt all these people will land on their feet,” said Gotkin.

“We had to try and overcome everything in a three-day period and had to play the most formidable opponent in the league on the road,” an emotionally drained Bretti said. “I am proud of my guys. They gave it everything they had. We took the game to the last few seconds. My guys showed a lot of class going it the third period.”

What part did the emotional level play in the game?

“It’s really so hard to pinpoint how emotion affected the shifts and certain instances in the game. The bottom line tonight is it has been a difficult four days for us,” Bretti said. “We were doing everything we could to keep our focus. What was difficult for us to deal with was coming into this playoff series. We felt very good about how we were playing and then somebody brings you in ….”

A week before, following the Gaels win in Fairfield University’s final hockey game, Haberbusch spoke about his alma mater’s decision to eliminate its hockey program. With a couple of minor adjustments, the words he used in relating the fate of the Stags fits the Gaels and bears repeating.

“I feel very bad for these [25] kids on the team and the coaches that were brought here under the guise there was a long-term commitment to them and their goals. It is very devastating to the alumni base as well,” Haberbusch said.

”There are [36] years of [hockey] tradition here. Countless people have been through here and put in a great deal of hard work, dedication and commitment into this program. To see it taken away with the snap of a finger is very hard to swallow [and] that something so many people worked so hard to build isn’t going to be there anymore.”

For two years I have tried to be as impartial and neutral as possible in covering Iona College for U.S. College Hockey Online and USA College Hockey Magazine – despite the fact that Iona College is my alma mater and full-time employer.

Given the circumstances of the past week, I feel the need to thank all of the players and coaches who I have covered the past two years and rooted for during the past five seasons. Listening to the players after the game and in taking to the parents of Jamie Carroll and Andrew McShea, it was apparent, that parents and players alike thought of Iona as much more than the next place to play hockey. It was a home to them.

Jaymie Harrington spoke of being a “nomad” when it came to playing in as many six cities before coming to Iona. He thought he finally had a chance to hang his hat in one place for four years.

Trevor Aubie spoke of working in a local mill back home in western Canada before being given a chance by Coach Bretti to play hockey and get an education.

The bottom line is there are similar stories for each of the 25 members of the hockey team. While the names, faces and hometowns might change, the moral of the story is still the same

Each of these players made Iona a better place because of their presence on campus. Their absence leaves a void that will not easily be replaced – if it can be replaced at all.

They all deserved a better fate.

In the 10 years that have gone by since that final game, the Iona College Hockey program saw, by my count, nine players go on to play professional hockey in various North American leagues (AHL, ECHL, CHL, UHL and IHL) as well as playing overseas in Europe.

In fact, as I write, two of those Gaels are still playing professional hockey – Nathan Lutz and Ian Vigier. The others who played professional hockey include Jamie Carroll, Ryan Carter, Neil Clark, Tim Krueckl, Ryan Manitowich, Chris Martini, and Dan McGuire.

In addition, Iona coaches have found their way behind benches of other teams. Former player and assistant coach Mike Warde is an assistant coach at Army. Rob Haberbusch, who suffered the cruel fate of watching both Fairfield and Iona shutter their hockey programs, is the head coach at Hamilton College. Frank Bretti is the coach of the NY Apple Core program in the EJHL as he now prepares players for collegiate aspirations. Pat Lyons would eventually go from player, to assistant coach to eventual former Athletic Director at Iona and current AD at Seton Hall.

Other former Gaels have gotten into the off-ice world of hockey. Adam Bouchard spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Framingham State College. Jayme Harrington is currently the head coach at Franklin Pierce College. Mike Fraser is a scout with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL.

If I missed anyone in those honors, I apologize for the omission. This addendum was meant to celebrate the Iona College Hockey program and, as John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, wonder “For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: “It might have been!’”

June 18, 2018

NHL 2018 1st Round Mock Draft

The one thing we know for certain is that the Buffalo Sabres will draft defenseman Rasmus Dahlin with the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. We have a good idea that Carolina will use the second pick on either Andrei Svechnikov or Filip Zadina. New Hurricanes GM Don Waddell appears to be leaning towards Svechnikov, but the idea of reuniting Zadina with Carolina prospect Martin Necas might be too much to resist.

The shape of the 2018 Draft will start to take place when the Montreal Canadiens are on the clock. Do they select the forward Carolina doesn’t or do the Habs look at a Brady Tkachuk or even the fast rising Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Montreal could look to move down and pick up assets while having their decision made for them.

If Montreal decides they like Kotkaniemi and draft him because they don’t believe they can afford to move down, that means teams looking at Zadina and or Tkachuk might be willing to move up to fourth or fifth.

It is even possible a team might look to get up to four or five because they want to get ahead of another team that might look to move up to secure one of the top defensemen in the draft.

There is one fly in the ointment to teams wanting to move up to fourth – who will own the pick. Ottawa owes Colorado a first round draft pick as part of the Matt Duchene trade. Since their pick this year is a top 10 pick, the Senators can defer that pick until next year.

However, give the upheaval in Ottawa, the Senators might elect to trade this year’s pick and roll the dice that they will have the worst record – and thus the best lottery shot – at the first overall pick in 2019. Can you say Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko?

For his part, Avalanche Director of Scouting Alan Hepple believes Ottawa will keep their pick.

“That’s just a personal opinion but if they do hand it to us after they’re on the clock at No. 4 then we’re ready — ready to go with that pick as well. So we got to be prepared,” Hepple said in a conference call as reported by Mike Chambers of The Denver Post.

The Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers could be the two most active teams in terms of navigating their way up the draft. Both teams have seven picks in the first three rounds. Lou Lamoriello could look to make a big splash with the New York Islanders thanks to having the 11^th and 12^th picks, as well as four of the top 43 picks. The Canadiens have four 2^nd round picks so they might be busy trying to move up into the mid-or late 1^st round.

1. BUFFALO SABRES – Rasmus Dahlin (D)

CS: # 1 E – ISS: # 1 (Erik Karlsson) – THN: # 1 (Victor Hedman)

The Sabres have their potential elite-level forward in Jack Eichel and now Buffalo is able to add their potential elite-level d-man is Dahlin. If Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen develops into a potential elite-level goalie then the Sabres may be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

2. CAROLINA HURRICANES – Andrei Svechnikov (RW)

CS: # 1 NA – ISS: # 2 (Ilya Kovalchuk) – THN: # 2 (Rick Nash)

There is some intrigue with this pick because there is always the possibility that Carolina will draft Filip Zadina to pair him with fellow Czech Martin Necas in a rerun of their WJC exploits. In the end, Svechnikov’s overall skills make him the better choice at #2.

3. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Filip Zadina (RW)

CS: # 3 NA – ISS: # 3 (Alex Radulov) – THN: # 3 (Marian Hossa)

This is where things get interesting. The Habs need a first line center and could use help on defense. I think they can get help on defense in the 2^nd round. The winds have whispered that they like Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The question is will they draft him at # 3 or trade down and run the risk of losing him? In the end, I think they pull the trigger on Zadina because his talent is just too much to pass on.

4. OTTAWA SENATORS – Noah Dobson (D)

CS: # 5 NA – ISS: # 8 (Alex Pietrangelo) – THN: # 9 (Zach Werenski)

With Erik Karlsson’s status uncertain, for a variety of reasons, I would expect the Senators to look for help on the blue line. Dobson’s Memorial Cup run is an example of his increasing maturity as a player. As one scout told THN, “He’s not even close to his ceiling yet.”

5. ARIZONA COYOTES – Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)

CS: # 2NA – ISS: # 4 (Matthew Tkachuk) – THN: # 3 (Wayne Simmonds)

The Coyotes will probably get a few phone calls about trading this pick – especially from their buddies in NYC given the connection between David Quinn and Tkachuk. In the end, the franchise that originally drafted Keith Tkachuk back in 1990 will draft his son. Brady gives the Coyotes a power forward and could allow them to move Max Domi to fill needs elsewhere.

6. DETROIT RED WINGS – Quinn Hughes (D)

CS: # 6 NA – ISS: # 7 (Ivan Provorov) – THN: # 6 (Kris Letang)

Years of trying to patch holes proved to be the Wings downfall as they have missed the playoffs the last two years. While they might be tempted to add a forward, look for Detroit to stay within the state and draft the highly-skilled Michigan Wolverines d-man. He might be small, but his skill and hockey sense make up for it – and he does not run away from the physical play either.

7. VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Evan Bouchard (D)

CS: # 4 NA – ISS: # 6 (John Carlson) – THN: # 7 (Alex Pietrangelo)

Another interesting pick because the Canucks could look to move down and add extra assets (picks and/or prospects) as they look to life without the Sedins. However, with Olli Juolevi have surgery on his lower back, the Canucks will likely keep the pick and add the right-handed shooting Bouchard.

8. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Oliver Wahlstrom (RW)

CS: # 7 NA – ISS: # 5 (Brock Boeser) – THN: # 8 (Phil Kessel)

Chicago might be upset that Dobson or Bouchard didn’t drop to # 8 given the need to look for replacements for Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Wahlstrom is a nice consolation prize as he brings one of the best shots in the draft and is a pure goal scorer.

9. NEW YORK RANGERS – Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)

CS: # 6 E – ISS: # 16 (Boone Jenner) – THN: # 18 (Jeff Carter)

Personally, I would have loved to see the Rangers draft Wahlstrom because he gives them the scorer they don’t have. I would have been happy with Bouchard because he can eat minutes the way Ryan McDonough used to. With both players gone, that leaves Kotkaniemi for the Blueshirts. Yes, the Rangers are deep in young centers, but either Jesperi or one of their current centers can switch to the wing. Kotkaniemi’s star has been on the rise during the last few weeks and he might find himself going to Montreal, either at # 3 or a couple of spots down if the Habs trade down a couple of spots.

10. EDMONTON OILERS – Adam Boqvist (D)

CS: # 2 E – ISS: # 9 (Shayne Gostisbehere) – THN: # 5 (Ryan Ellis)

The Oilers need an offensive d-man to help continue their development. Unlike the instant results Connor McDavid brought to Edmonton, the Oilers might have to wait a couple of years before Boqvist makes a difference in the NHL.

11. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Ty Smith (D)

CS: # 14 NA – ISS: # 19 (Josh Morrissey) – THN: # 10 (Dan Hamhuis)

New boss Lou Lamoriello has a chance to put his stamp on the team a week or so before John Tavares can test the free agent waters. While Smith might not have the offensive abilities of Hughes or Boqvist (they are comparable in size), Ty is a better defender and is a good first step in Lamoriello’s vision of his Islanders.

12. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Barret Hayton (C)

CS: # 9 NA – ISS: # 12 (Derek Stepan) – THN: # 12 (Joe Pavelski)

With back-to-back picks, it is possible that Lamoriello might look to package both picks to move up if he wants to target a specific player. Lou does have a history of trading 1^st rounders, but he usually does that when he believes he is one player away from contending. The Isles are not that close so he will go for a solid two-way center in Hayton. If Tavares stays, it gives the Isles the luxury of moving Mathew Barzal to wing on Tavares’ line. If JT leaves, then Barzal takes over the top spot with Hayton as the second-line center. Lou might also look at Joe Veleno with the idea of moving him to wing.

13. DALLAS STARS – Joseph Veleno (C)

CS: # 8 NA – ISS: # 10 (Matt Duchene) – THN: # 11 (Ryan Johansen)

If the Isles doe take Veleno, then I would see the Stars drafting Hayton. Veleno has always been a special player as he was the first player in the history of the QMJHL to be granted exceptional status which allowed him start his Junior career a year earlier.

14. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Joel Farabee (LW)

CS: # 12 NA – ISS: # 11 (T.J. Oshie) – THN: # 13 (Zach Parise)

With picks 14 and 19, Ron Hextall might look to make a splash at the Draft by moving up if the mood strikes. Farabee needs to get stronger, but there is no denying his offensive ability which is keyed by his excellent hockey sense and work ethic.

15. FLORIDA PANTHERS – Vitali Kravtsov (RW)

CS: # 3 E – ISS: # 36 (N/A) – THN: # 24 (Evgenii Dadonov)

Kravtsov is older than most in the 2018 Draft because he was born in December 1999 so he has a bit a head start in terms of maturity. He showed the maturity while playing in Russia as he got better as the season progressed. One scout told THN, “The better the hockey, the higher the age group, the better I thought he played.”

16. COLORADO AVALANCHE – Grigori Denisenko (LW)

CS: # 7 E – ISS: # 18 (David Pastrnak) – THN: # 22 (Alex Radulov)

After drafting Cale Makar and Conor Timmins and trading for Samuel Girard, the Avs can look at adding scoring punch up front this year. In addition to speed and excellent puck skills, Denisenko brings an edge to his game to the point that he sometimes goes over the line. Once he tames that wild side, he will be a force in the NHL.

17. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Bode Wilde (D)

CS: # 17 NA – ISS: # 23 (Jake Gardiner) – THN: # 15 (Brandon Carlo)

Wilde is an offensive d-man who combines strong skating and puck skills. He has good size (6-2/196), but he needs to harness his ability and strengthen his decision-making. He will get the chance to polish his game as a teammates of Hughes at Michigan.

18. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Serron Noel (RW)

CS: # 10 NA – ISS: # 14 (Lawson Crouse) – THN: # 29 (Jordan Greenway)

At 6-5/210 it is easy to see that Noel projects to be a power forward in the NHL. His skating is good for someone with his size and he uses it well cycling on the forecheck and working along the boards. He just needs to continue to work on refining his game.

19. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Mattias Samuelsson (D)

CS: # 21 NA – ISS: # 31 (Braydon Coburn) – THN: # 31 (Erik Johnson)

At this point in the Draft we will start to see forwards coming off the board, which is why I think the Flyers look for help on defense and bring in a legacy pick. The New Jersey native is the son of former Flyer Kjell Samuelsson. While Mattias is a little smaller (6-3/216) than his dad, he brings some offensive abilities to go a shutdown style of play. He also brings leadership qualities as he was captain of Team USA in the U-18 tournament.

20. LOS ANGELES KINGS – Rasmus Kupari (C)

CS: # 11 E – ISS: # 15 (Sebastian Aho) – THN: # 25 (Sebastian Aho)

Kupari is a solid two-way center who played in the top league in Finland as a 17-year-old (6 goals and 8 assists in 39 games). He needs to get stronger, but that will come as he gets older and matures. It remains to be seen whether he will be a playmaker or scorer in the NHL, but he will be someone who can play on the 2^nd line.

21. SAN JOSE SHARKS – Ryan McLeod (C)

CS: # 16 NA – ISS: # 26 (Trevor Lewis) – THN: # 20 (Kyle Turris)

At some point Joe Thornton is going to have to retire, or leave San Jose as a free agent, and McLeod is a nice way to start looking forward to the future. He combines size (6-2/203) with good skating ability. He needs to use both of those talents more to add more offense to a solid two-way game He is the younger brother of former Devils 1^st rounder Michael McLeod.

22. OTTAWA SENATORS – Akil Thomas (C)

CS: # 15 NA – ISS: # 27 (Vincent Trocheck) – THN: # 19 (Josh Bailey)

Thomas was more playmaker than goal scorer last year (22 goals and 59 assists in 68 games). In addition to being a good two-way player, Thomas played the point on the PP for Niagara (OHL)

23. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Isac Lundestrom (C)

CS: # 8 E – ISS: # 20 (Bo Horvat) – THN: # 14 (David Krejci)

With the two Ryans (Getzlaf and Kesler) getting on in years, the Ducks need to look to the future. Pairing Lundestrom with Sam Steel is a mighty good start for the Ducks. Isac combines excellent hockey sense with playmaking abilities. He is a solid two-way player that had THN drawing comparisons to former Rangers 1^st rounder Lias Andersson.

27. MINNESOTA WILD – Ty Dellandrea (C)

CS: # 25 NA – ISS: #: 43 (N/A) – THN: # 16 (Logan Couture)

Played in all situations for a Flint team that was the 2^nd worst in the OHL. He made his mark with a two-goal performance in the CHL Top Prospects Game. He still needs time to develop his game, but the Wild can give him that time with Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal holding the top two spots for now.

25. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – Rasmus Sandin (D)

CS: # 11 NA – ISS: # 37 (N/A) – THN: # 17 (Morgan Rielly)

Sandin got a jump start on his transition to the NHL by playing last season in the OHL with Sault Ste. Marie. He showed his ability to be the defensive partner in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament when he was paired with Adam Boqvist. Sandin is 5-11/190, but he is not afraid to finish off his checks. He is in the mold of the new NHL d-man, smaller than average but with the ability to move the puck and join the rush.

26. NEW YORK RANGERS – Dominik Bokk (RW)

CS: # 12 E – ISS: # 28 (Andre Burakovsky) – THN: # 28 (Teuvo Teravainen)

The German-born Bokk split last season in Sweden playing in both the Junior and Elite leagues. Time will tell to see if he is more goal scorer or playmaker, but he has the all-around offensive attributes to be a 2^nd line player. While he needs work in his own zone, he uses his speed and hockey sense to be solid on the forecheck.

27. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – K’Andre Miller (D)

CS: # 23 NA – ISS: # 32 (N/A) – THN: # 26 (Seth Jones)

After adding to their forwards corps at #8, Chicago looks to add depth to their defense and Miller is a big piece – literally (6-4/205). ISS Director of Scouting Dennis McInnis said, “He projects as a stay-at-home, shut down defender”. Miller also has good mobility for a d-man his size and has some offensive upside.

28. NEW YORK RANGERS – Benoit-Olivier Groulx (LW/C)

CS: # 20 NA – ISS: # 22 (Jordan Staal) – THN: # 33 (Ondrej Palat)

The Rangers might look to add a blueliner at this point in the draft – if they even keep all three picks at all. If Miller were available, I would have no problem with the Rangers drafting him. With Miller gone, I believe the Rangers can’t a d-man in the 2^nd round. Groulx is a solid two-way player whose game is built on his hockey sense and competitive nature – two attributes that one would expect from the son of a former QMJHL GM/Coach and current AHL coach (Syracuse). He is the type of character player than GM Jeff Gorton has said the Rangers are interested in acquiring.

29. ST. LOUIS BLUES – Jared McIsaac (D)

CS: # 13 NA – ISS: # 21 (Jack Johnson) – THN: # 34 (Josh Manson)

If the 2018 Draft were a stronger one for goalies, I could see the Blues look in that direction. McIsaac is a steady two-way defenseman who is a good skater and moves the puck well (especially with his first pass). McIsaac still needs to work on his consistency in order to elevate his game.

30. DETROIT RED WINGS – Jonatan Berggren (RW)

CS: # 30 E – ISS: # 30 (Robby Fabbri) – THN: # 36 (Mikael Granlund)

Berggren’s size (5-11/183) might be the only thing that keeps him from being drafted in the middle of the 1^st round. He uses his speed to avoid hits, but he doesn’t shy away from physical play. His draft stock rose with his play for Sweden at the U-18s (5 goals and 5 assists in 7 games).

31. WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Ryan Merkley (D)

CS: # 45 NA – ISS: # 47 (N/A) – THN: # 32 (Anthony D’Angelo)

When you win the Stanley Cup you are more likely to gamble considering you will have the last pick on the 1^st round. In terms of talent, Merkley might be the best offensive defenseman in the draft. At 5-11/170 he is that prototypical smallish d-man with excellent skating ability and puckhandling/puckmoving skills. The problem as good as he is offensively is as bad as he is defensively – and that doesn’t factor in the supposed attitude problem he has. He is like the curl with the curl – when he is good he is good, but when he is bad he is bad. THN summed up this way: “… you have a top-five talent with baggage.” Given that the Caps are playing with house money, why not take a shot.

June 18, 2018

NY Rangers 2018 Draft Preview – 1st Round (Pick # 9)

The New York Rangers stand poised to make franchise history by making three 1^st round selections in the 2018 NHL Draft.

As a result of his 2018 NHL Trade Deadline selling spree, New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton expects to be very busy as we approach the Draft – whether than means using all 10 of his picks or using some of those picks to navigate his way up or down, or even trading them for NHL-ready assets.

“We’ll have various conversations leading into the draft,” Gorton explained to Larry Brooks of the NY Post. “There are a number of different scenarios we’ll consider.”

In addition to their three 1^st round picks (#9, #26, #28), the Rangers also have two 2^nd round picks (#39 and #48), three 3^rd picks (#70 and #88) as well as single picks in the 4^th (#101), 5^th (#132) and 6^th (#163) rounds. The team’s 7^th round pick belongs to Ottawa as part of the Mika Zibanejad/Derick Brassard trade.

Gorton appears to be a member of the BPA (Best Player Available) Club when it comes to his draft strategy.

“If we [stay where we are], we’re going to take the guy we feel will eventually be the best player, not necessarily the player who might be the most ready to contribute next year,” Gorton told Brooks. “And it won’t be a position-specific pick.”

“We’re looking for assets, looking for the best players. I’m not a believer in picking by position. I don’t remember ever picking by position.”

As the jockeying for position begins, there are about ten players that could be in play for the Top Nine selections – with Rasmus Dahlin as the sure thing in terms of the first overall pick. After that, it becomes anyone’s guess as to the slotting of the remaining prospects.

Expected to go in the Top Nine are some combination (in alphabetical order) of: Adam Boquist, Evan Bouchard, Noah Dobson, Quinn Hughes, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Anderi Svechnikov, Brady Tkachuk, Oliver Wahlstrom, and Filip Zadina.

Svechnikov or Zadina are expected to go 2^nd overall to Carolina with Montreal holding the key to what the Rangers might do. If the Habs follow through on their high interest in Kotkaniemi, that leaves Svechnikov or Zadina and Tkachuk available at four and five. Do the Rangers trade up for the goal scoring of Svechnikov or Zadina or do they look for the snarl of Tkachuk and reunite him with his Boston University coach David Quinn?

Ottawa and Arizona hold the fourth and five overall picks respectively and each team has been a recent trade partner with the Rangers.

As we look ahead to this Rangers preview, for simplicity and sanity’s sake, I am working under the assumption that the Rangers will keep all three of their first round picks and will not move up or down.

Without a clue as to what Montreal will do, I am targeting four players for the Rangers selection at #9. It is very possible that none of them will be available or a couple of them might be available when Gary Bettman announces that the Blueshirts are on the clock.

The four players I am looking at are Bouchard, Kotkaniemi, Tkachuk and Wahlstrom. I have included each prospects’ ratings for: Central Scouting (CS), International Scouting Service (ISS) and The Hockey News (THN). ISS lists a prospect’s NHL Style Comparison and THN lists their Best Case scenario comparison – and each service ranks all of the players together. CS breaks them up by North Americans (NA) and Europeans (E) for skaters and goalies.

EVAN BOUCHARD

CS: # 4 NA – ISS: #6 (John Carlson) – THN: #7 (Alex Pietrangelo)

The 6-2/192 defenseman is one of the best two-way blueliners available in the Draft and he comes with a bonus – he is a right shot. In addition, Bouchard plays in all situations and logged major minutes with London (OHL). In 67 games, he scored 25 goals and 62 assists.

He has played three seasons in the OHL and is ready to take the next step to the NHL. One scout told THN, “He has the best chance (amongst OHLers) after Andrei Svechnikov to go straight to the NHL.”

While he still needs to get stronger and pick up his physical play, ISS sees him as top-pair defenseman in the NHL.

ISS Director of Scouting Dennis McInnis said, “Stud played half the game most nights – able to control the game from the backend. Gets his shot through to the net. Runs the PP – good offensive instincts. Makes good decisions. Has all the physical tools necessary to be a top pairing defender at the next level.”

JESPERI KOTKANIEMI

CS: 6 E – ISS: 16 (Boone Jenner) – THN: #18 (Jeff Carter)

The 6-2/190 Center has been rising up the draft boards and has been linked to the Montreal Canadiens at # 3. Kotkaniemi has worked hard all season and the results have paid off. He represented Finland at the World Under-18 Tournament and scored three goals and six assists in seven games while scoring 10 goals and 19 assists in Finland in 57 games in Finland’s Elite League.

ISS Scouting Report: “Jesperi is a big, skilled centre that is a presence every time he is on the ice…. He will challenge anyone offensively and isn’t afraid to take it to the dirty areas to create offence for himself or his teammates…. Will need to show more consistency in play away from the puck and in the use of his physical tools.”

BRADY TKACHUK

CS: #2 NA – ISS: # 4 (Matthew Tkachuk) – THN: #3 (Wayne Simmonds)

The 6-3/196 Center/LW is no stranger to life around the NHL give his bloodlines with father Keith, brother Matthew and, by way of extended family, Jimmy and Kevin Hayes. New Rangers Coach David Quinn watched first hand as Tkachuk scored eight goals and 23 assists in 40 games as a Freshman at Boston University where Quinn used him on the PP and PK as a rookie. Brady shined in the WJC, scoring three goals and six assists in seven games.

One scout told THN, “He’s a high-end power forward. He plays hard and has a good skill set. The world juniors were his coming-out party and got him re-energized.”

ISS Scout Dave McDonald: “High energy physical game. Sees the game very well; though he plays a physical game, he consistently put himself in good position to give himself opportunities. Projects as a top-six power forward with offensive upside.”

OLIVER WAHLSTROM

CS: # 7 NA – ISS: # 5 (Brock Boeser) – THN: # 8 (Phil Kessel)

The 6-1/205 Center/RW might have the best shot in the entire 2018 Draft. Wahlstrom was part of the USNTDP as a member of the U18 team and was dynamic offensively with 47 goals and 45 assists in 60 games. While he was passed over for the WJC, he continued his scoring ways at the Under-18s with seven goals and two assists in seven games.

“He’ll shoot the puck from anywhere and has a quick, heavy release,” a scout said to THN. “He can shoot with guys hanging off of him, he can shoot at speed, he can shoot from awkward angles. He can turn a corner on a guy and shoot while he’s putting out his hip.”

ISS Scouting Report: “Wahlstrom is a very skilled forward that has continued to turn heads with his play throughout the course of the season. A pure goal scorer and has all the attributes to put up big numbers in the NHL.”

If any of these four players were available for the Rangers at the ninth spot, the team would walk away winners by taking any of the four players. They all bring skills and talents that any team would crave.

Given a choice among all four, Oliver Wahlstrom would be my first choice. The Rangers are starved for an offensive weapon that can be a legitimate game breaker. Drafting Wahlstrom will not be a quick fix for the Rangers as he is committed to play for Jerry York at Boston College. A year or two under York will help Oliver work on his play in the defensive end and corral his consistency.

However, his offensive skills, especially his shot, make him the best bet to make the biggest impact in the long run for the Rangers.

As much as I am intrigues with reuniting Brady Tkachuk with his collegiate coach David Quinn, I have to say that Evan Bouchard would be my second choice after Wahlstrom. That is no knock on Brady, I just believe that Bouchard’s impact on the blue line would be bigger than Tkachuk’s impact at forward.

When the Rangers traded away Ryan McDonagh, they lost a defenseman who could regularly eat up 25+ minutes of ice time as a first pair d-man playing even strength and special teams. Bouchard projects out to be the same type of player who can survive and thrive on McDonagh-like minutes.

Tkachuk would be my third choice and I would be very happy to see him don a Rangers jersey. He might not ever reach the offensive exploits of his father Keith (538 goals and 527 assists in 1,201 games), Brady could be a reincarnation of an Adam Graves – a player who does whatever it takes to win and leaves all of his effort on the ice.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi would be a fine “consolation” prize if the other three players are drafted before the ninth spot. Yes, the Rangers have a plethora of young centers (Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and Brett Howden), but one or two of them (or even Kotkaniemi) can move to the wing. The most important thing in the 2018 Draft is to bring in as many talented players as possible and let the competition sort out any position battles and/or changes.

June 18, 2018

NY Rangers 2018 Draft Preview – 1st Round (Picks # 26 and # 28)

Looking at potential Draft candidates for the Rangers at #26 and #28 is a difficult proposition for three reasons.

First off, unless your name is Nostradamus, it is pretty darn near impossible to figure out how the draft will shape up. We know who the top players are, but once you get passed the Rangers at #9 all bets are off.

The second complication rises from the possibility that GM Jeff Gorton is going to go all Monty Hall and look to make a deal. Gorton has gone on the record by saying that you can’t have a team made up of 18-year-olds so it is possible the Blueshirts move one of their lower first round picks for an NHL-proven player in their early-to-mid-twenties. It is also possible Gorton might try to move up from the bottom of the 1st round to the middle of the 1st round.

The third roadblock comes in the form of health. Czech RW Martin Kaut was a player I was most interested in prior to the NHL Combine. He had been climbing up the draft charts. However, Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News reported that Kaut returned home after a heart problem was discovered during his physical. Kennedy said that the problem was dealt with immediately and that it will not be a problem.

However, I can’t get the Alexei Cherepanov tragedy out of my mind so I would be concerned about drafting Kaut. I am sure any teams that have an interest are doing their due diligence in terms of Kaut’s health and well-being. Truth be told, I would be more inclined to draft him in the second round because of his health. In the end, I did list Kaut among the eight players I would target should the Rangers keep the 26th and 28th picks.

ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV

CS: # 22 NA – ISS: # 24 (Travis Hamonic) – THN: # 54 (Shea Theodore)

The 6-3/190 defenseman had a tough season. He left his Red Deer (WHL) Junior team in January to return home to Russia after the death of his mother. As a result, he missed out on the Top Prospects Game and then broke his finger during the playoffs. To his credit, he played all five of Red Deer’s playoff games and scored five points.

Alexeyev needs to get stronger and find a consistency to his game. Once he does that he might fulfill one scout’s take: “The kid has a chance to be an absolute horse,” he told THN.

ISS Scout Brent Parker: “Capable of impacting the game in many ways whether it’s offensively or defensively. Not a flashy player, just gets the job done and carries himself like a pro on the ice. Calm under pressure – will be a solid player in the NHL.”

JONATAN BERGGREN

CS: # 30 E – ISS: # 30 (Robby Fabbri) – THN: # 43 (Mikael Granlund)

The 5-11/183 RW’s size might be the only reason he could still be around for the Rangers. He won’t shy away from physical play, but he will use his excellent skating skills to avoid bad situations. His draft stock rose with his 10 points (in 7 games) in the U-18s and scored 18 goals and 39 assists in 38 games with Skelleftea’s Junior Team.

ISS Scout Joakim Eriksson: “Small, speedy and skilled forward. Excels in vision and playmaking. High compete levels and [is] always battling for pucks. What he lacks in size he makes up with his hockey sense. Needs to add muscles and strength to be able to play at the next level.”

DOMINIK BOKK

CS: # 12 E – ISS: # 28 (Andre Burakovsky) – THN: # 28 (Teuvo Teravainen)

The 6-1/180 German-born RW split last season playing in Sweden for Vaxjo’s Junior and Senior teams. THN related that Vaxjo teammate Elias Pettersson (Canucks 1st rounder in 2017) said Bokk has the same attributes as Pettersson. THN also pointed out that his Junior rights belong to Prince Albert (WHL) – the same team that developed fellow German Leon Draisaitl.

ISS Scouting Report: “Bokk is a skilled puck-mover, possesses smooth hands, and has good offensive instincts. He’s a threat whenever he has the puck on his stick in the offensive end and can both set up his teammates and finish on his own.”

BENOIT-OLIVIER GROULX

CS: # 20 NA – ISS: # 22 (Jordan Staal) – THN: # 33 (Ondrej Palat)

The 6-1/190 C/LW is no stranger to the world of hockey. His father Benoit has been a GM/Coach in the QMJHL and is currently a coach in the AHL (Syracuse), He is one of those character players that GM Jeff Gorton wants to bring the Rangers. He played with Filip Zadina on a young Halifax (QMJHL) team. With Zadina gone and Halifax hosting the Memorial Cup, the spotlight will shine on Groulx in 2018/2019.

THN sees him better suited to play on the second line or even as an offensive component to a shutdown checking line. He is tough to play against, is very good on faceoffs, and plays on the PP and PK.

ISS Scouting Report: “His strong two-way play, work ethic and commitment every shift is what separates him from other players in this draft…. He is a player who coaches love to have on their side who can be relied upon to eat big minutes, and add character along the way.”

MARTIN KAUT

CS: # 4 E – ISS: # 13 (Tyler Toffoli) – THN: # 27 (Reilly Smith)

If not for the medical issue he had at the NHL Combine, the 6-1/174 RW would be a surefire 1st round pick. It is still possible that he does get drafted on Day 1, but I would expect it will be by a team that has more than one 1st round selection.

Kaut played in the top Czech league as an 18-year-old and averaged a point a game (2-5-7) in the WJC. You could describe him as a jack-of-all trades/master-of-none player. He does everything well, but doesn’t excel in any one facet of the game.

ISS Scouting Report: “Kaut is a very shifty, and elusive forward that is hard to handle in all areas of the ice…. He competes hard each shift and you always know what you are getting with this player. He shoots the puck very well and is extremely accurate. He is used in every situation and thrives on the power play.”

KIRIL MARCHENKO

CS: # 17 E – ISS: # 29 (Denis Gurianov) – THN: # 65 (N/A)

The 6-3/163 LW still has some filling out to do before he heads to North America. He showed off his ability at the U-18s where he scored 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

ISS Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis: “I like this kid – has good offensive instincts. Big time upside if he puts it all together. Still growing into his body. A raw, offensive product that will need more seasoning. Can play, and handle puck, in traffic while making plays. Good skater with mobility – can work on improving his speed.”

K’ANDRE MILLER

CS: # 23 NA – ISS: # 32 (N/A) – THN: # 26 (Seth Jones)

The 6-4/205 blueliner is described as “a physical specimen. He has a beautiful, powerful stride, and he’s becoming a stout defender,” according to one scout’s comments to THN. “At the least, he’ll be a minute-eater because he’s such a great athlete. I love his floor and I love his ceiling.”

Miller makes good use of his size by playing an aggressive style of hockey and projects to be a “stay-at-home, shutdown defender” according to ISS.

His skating is good for a player his size because he started out as a forward before switching to defense – so he is still learning his position. He will get a chance to drown and develop under Tony Granato at the University of Wisconsin.

SAMPO RANTA

CS: # 18 NA – ISS: # 50 (N/A) – THN: # 30 (Jake Virtanen)

The 6-2/192 LW drew some conflicting scouting reports between THN and ISS. THN praised his hands, speed and shot, but then knocked him for not having great hockey sense.

Conversely, ISS rates his Hockey Sense as “Very Good”. He will need to work on his consistency and defensive play and, like K’Andre Miller, Ranta will get a chance to do that at Wisconsin.

ISS Scouting Report: “Ranta is a slick, playmaking forward that generates a lot of his offense at full speed…. He has good one-on-skills and is creative with the puck and has a knack for the net.”

ISS lists his NHL Potential as “Potential top six forward but needs significant development.”

In my 2018 NHL Mock Draft, I have the Rangers electing Dominik Book at #26 and Benoit-Oliver Groulx at #28. If the Rangers. If Kaut had/has a clean bill of health, I could see him jumping into one of those picks if her were available. If he is available in the 2nd round at #39, I draft him.

I like K’Andre Miller and if he were available at #28 I would give consideration to taking him. He would have definitely been one of my picks if he were a right-handed shot. Normally, I don’t make that such a big deal, but it does play a factor in tipping the scales towards drafting a player.

I like Alexander Alexeyev as well – so much so that in my first run through I had him going to the Blueshirts at #28. He falls into the same category as Miller – a left-handed shooter. As it turns out, I have the Rangers selecting him in the 2nd round at # 39.

Jonatan Berggren came close to making the grade, but I went with Bokk as the higher potential player and Groulx for the reliable and steady factor. Groulx may not develop into a 30-40 goal scorer on a consistent basis, but I see a little of Adam Graves in him.

Kiril Marchenko and Sampo Ranta are both players the Rangers could look at if they decide to take a chance at #28. Both players are going to need more development time than any of the other forwards I have keyed on at this point on the Draft. It still might be worth taking a chance given that the Rangers could have three first round picks.

Both Marchenko and Ranta are two players I would have no problem taking in the 2nd or even 3rd rounds were they available. I have both of them (as well as Kaut) going the 2nd round before the Rangers draft.

This article was originally written on March 15, 2013 in memory of the 10th anniversary of the Iona College Hockey Team’s last game. I am publishing now as it was written back then with a couple of minor adjustments that, hopefully, clarify some of the dated material.

If Montreal decides they like Kotkaniemi and draft him because they don’t believe they can afford to move down, that means teams looking at Zadina and or Tkachuk might be willing to move up to fourth or fifth.

It is even possible a team might look to get up to four or five because they want to get ahead of another team that might look to move up to secure one of the top defensemen in the draft.

There is one fly in the ointment to teams wanting to move up to fourth – who will own the pick. Ottawa owes Colorado a first round draft pick as part of the Matt Duchene trade. Since their pick this year is a top 10 pick, the Senators can defer that pick until next year.

However, give the upheaval in Ottawa, the Senators might elect to trade this year’s pick and roll the dice that they will have the worst record – and thus the best lottery shot – at the first overall pick in 2019. Can you say Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko?

For his part, Avalanche Director of Scouting Alan Hepple believes Ottawa will keep their pick.

“That’s just a personal opinion but if they do hand it to us after they’re on the clock at No. 4 then we’re ready — ready to go with that pick as well. So we got to be prepared,” Hepple said in a conference call as reported by Mike Chambers of The Denver Post.

1. BUFFALO SABRES – Rasmus Dahlin (D)

CS: # 1 E – ISS: # 1 (Erik Karlsson) – THN: # 1 (Victor Hedman)

The Sabres have their potential elite-level forward in Jack Eichel and now Buffalo is able to add their potential elite-level d-man is Dahlin. If Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen develops into a potential elite-level goalie then the Sabres may be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

2. CAROLINA HURRICANES – Andrei Svechnikov (RW)

CS: # 1 NA – ISS: # 2 (Ilya Kovalchuk) – THN: # 2 (Rick Nash)

There is some intrigue with this pick because there is always the possibility that Carolina will draft Filip Zadina to pair him with fellow Czech Martin Necas in a rerun of their WJC exploits. In the end, Svechnikov’s overall skills make him the better choice at #2.

3. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Filip Zadina (RW)

CS: # 3 NA – ISS: # 3 (Alex Radulov) – THN: # 3 (Marian Hossa)

4. OTTAWA SENATORS – Noah Dobson (D)

CS: # 5 NA – ISS: # 8 (Alex Pietrangelo) – THN: # 9 (Zach Werenski)

With Erik Karlsson’s status uncertain, for a variety of reasons, I would expect the Senators to look for help on the blue line. Dobson’s Memorial Cup run is an example of his increasing maturity as a player. As one scout told THN, “He’s not even close to his ceiling yet.”

5. ARIZONA COYOTES – Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)

CS: # 2NA – ISS: # 4 (Matthew Tkachuk) – THN: # 3 (Wayne Simmonds)

6. DETROIT RED WINGS – Quinn Hughes (D)

CS: # 6 NA – ISS: # 7 (Ivan Provorov) – THN: # 6 (Kris Letang)

7. VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Evan Bouchard (D)

CS: # 4 NA – ISS: # 6 (John Carlson) – THN: # 7 (Alex Pietrangelo)

Another interesting pick because the Canucks could look to move down and add extra assets (picks and/or prospects) as they look to life without the Sedins. However, with Olli Juolevi have surgery on his lower back, the Canucks will likely keep the pick and add the right-handed shooting Bouchard.

8. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Oliver Wahlstrom (RW)

CS: # 7 NA – ISS: # 5 (Brock Boeser) – THN: # 8 (Phil Kessel)

Chicago might be upset that Dobson or Bouchard didn’t drop to # 8 given the need to look for replacements for Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Wahlstrom is a nice consolation prize as he brings one of the best shots in the draft and is a pure goal scorer.

9. NEW YORK RANGERS – Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)

CS: # 6 E – ISS: # 16 (Boone Jenner) – THN: # 18 (Jeff Carter)

10. EDMONTON OILERS – Adam Boqvist (D)

CS: # 2 E – ISS: # 9 (Shayne Gostisbehere) – THN: # 5 (Ryan Ellis)

The Oilers need an offensive d-man to help continue their development. Unlike the instant results Connor McDavid brought to Edmonton, the Oilers might have to wait a couple of years before Boqvist makes a difference in the NHL.

11. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Ty Smith (D)

CS: # 14 NA – ISS: # 19 (Josh Morrissey) – THN: # 10 (Dan Hamhuis)

12. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Barret Hayton (C)

CS: # 9 NA – ISS: # 12 (Derek Stepan) – THN: # 12 (Joe Pavelski)

13. DALLAS STARS – Joseph Veleno (C)

CS: # 8 NA – ISS: # 10 (Matt Duchene) – THN: # 11 (Ryan Johansen)

If the Isles doe take Veleno, then I would see the Stars drafting Hayton. Veleno has always been a special player as he was the first player in the history of the QMJHL to be granted exceptional status which allowed him start his Junior career a year earlier.

14. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Joel Farabee (LW)

CS: # 12 NA – ISS: # 11 (T.J. Oshie) – THN: # 13 (Zach Parise)

With picks 14 and 19, Ron Hextall might look to make a splash at the Draft by moving up if the mood strikes. Farabee needs to get stronger, but there is no denying his offensive ability which is keyed by his excellent hockey sense and work ethic.

15. FLORIDA PANTHERS – Vitali Kravtsov (RW)

CS: # 3 E – ISS: # 36 (N/A) – THN: # 24 (Evgenii Dadonov)

16. COLORADO AVALANCHE – Grigori Denisenko (LW)

CS: # 7 E – ISS: # 18 (David Pastrnak) – THN: # 22 (Alex Radulov)

17. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Bode Wilde (D)

CS: # 17 NA – ISS: # 23 (Jake Gardiner) – THN: # 15 (Brandon Carlo)

Wilde is an offensive d-man who combines strong skating and puck skills. He has good size (6-2/196), but he needs to harness his ability and strengthen his decision-making. He will get the chance to polish his game as a teammates of Hughes at Michigan.

18. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Serron Noel (RW)

CS: # 10 NA – ISS: # 14 (Lawson Crouse) – THN: # 29 (Jordan Greenway)

At 6-5/210 it is easy to see that Noel projects to be a power forward in the NHL. His skating is good for someone with his size and he uses it well cycling on the forecheck and working along the boards. He just needs to continue to work on refining his game.

19. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Mattias Samuelsson (D)

CS: # 21 NA – ISS: # 31 (Braydon Coburn) – THN: # 31 (Erik Johnson)

20. LOS ANGELES KINGS – Rasmus Kupari (C)

CS: # 11 E – ISS: # 15 (Sebastian Aho) – THN: # 25 (Sebastian Aho)

21. SAN JOSE SHARKS – Ryan McLeod (C)

CS: # 16 NA – ISS: # 26 (Trevor Lewis) – THN: # 20 (Kyle Turris)

22. OTTAWA SENATORS – Akil Thomas (C)

CS: # 15 NA – ISS: # 27 (Vincent Trocheck) – THN: # 19 (Josh Bailey)

Thomas was more playmaker than goal scorer last year (22 goals and 59 assists in 68 games). In addition to being a good two-way player, Thomas played the point on the PP for Niagara (OHL)

23. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Isac Lundestrom (C)

CS: # 8 E – ISS: # 20 (Bo Horvat) – THN: # 14 (David Krejci)

27. MINNESOTA WILD – Ty Dellandrea (C)

CS: # 25 NA – ISS: #: 43 (N/A) – THN: # 16 (Logan Couture)

Played in all situations for a Flint team that was the 2nd worst in the OHL. He made his mark with a two-goal performance in the CHL Top Prospects Game. He still needs time to develop his game, but the Wild can give him that time with Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal holding the top two spots for now.

25. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – Rasmus Sandin (D)

CS: # 11 NA – ISS: # 37 (N/A) – THN: # 17 (Morgan Rielly)

26. NEW YORK RANGERS – Dominik Bokk (RW)

CS: # 12 E – ISS: # 28 (Andre Burakovsky) – THN: # 28 (Teuvo Teravainen)

27. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – K’Andre Miller (D)

CS: # 23 NA – ISS: # 32 (N/A) – THN: # 26 (Seth Jones)

28. NEW YORK RANGERS – Benoit-Olivier Groulx (LW/C)

CS: # 20 NA – ISS: # 22 (Jordan Staal) – THN: # 33 (Ondrej Palat)

29. ST. LOUIS BLUES – Jared McIsaac (D)

CS: # 13 NA – ISS: # 21 (Jack Johnson) – THN: # 34 (Josh Manson)

If the 2018 Draft were a stronger one for goalies, I could see the Blues look in that direction. McIsaac is a steady two-way defenseman who is a good skater and moves the puck well (especially with his first pass). McIsaac still needs to work on his consistency in order to elevate his game.

30. DETROIT RED WINGS – Jonatan Berggren (RW)

CS: # 30 E – ISS: # 30 (Robby Fabbri) – THN: # 36 (Mikael Granlund)

Played in all situations for a Flint team that was the 2^nd worst in the OHL. He made his mark with a two-goal performance in the CHL Top Prospects Game. He still needs time to develop his game, but the Wild can give him that time with Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal holding the top two spots for now.

Berggren’s size (5-11/183) might be the only thing that keeps him from being drafted in the middle of the 1^st round. He uses his speed to avoid hits, but he doesn’t shy away from physical play. His draft stock rose with his play for Sweden at the U-18s (5 goals and 5 assists in 7 games).