NHL Draft 2024 rankings: Macklin Celebrini leads Corey Pronman's top 129 prospects (2024)

Celebrini was the best player in college hockey this season and a leader for a top team in the country. He checks every box you want in a top prospect, and is one of the few players I've scouted where it's hard to see any noticeable weakness. He skates very well. He has a very powerful stride with a quick twitch in his first few steps and is able to get by a lot of defenders. He's extremely skilled and creative with high-end offensive sense. Celebrini makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck on the move, in tight areas and from a standstill. He has a bullet shot and projects to run a first power play in the NHL. He's average-sized, but Celebrini is highly competitive, wins a lot of battles and projects as a two-way center in the NHL. He has all the makings of a potential superstar that you can build a contender around.

Sidney Crosby

Tier 1

C

NCAA (H-EAST)

Levshunov was the best defenseman in the Big Ten this season and a big part of Michigan State being a top team. He is extremely skilled and creative, both as a puck-handler and passer. He has the hands of a top offensive defenseman and looks very comfortable with the puck. He skates well and can play an up-tempo style in how he attacks with his skill. He has the offensive sense to potentially run a PP1 in the NHL and has a good point shot, too. His defensive play doesn't stand out as much, particularly because he tries to attack so much, but he can make stops due to his athleticism and has physicality in his game. He is too aggressive at times, and plays like a forward too much for some scouts' liking. He makes enough stops to ease most evaluators' concerns given how much offense he brings. He has the potential to be an impact NHL defenseman who scores at a premium level.

Brent Burns

Tier 2

D

NCAA (BIG10)

Yakemchuk was a top defenseman in the WHL this season. He's a 6-3 right-shot defenseman who has legit game-breaking skill. He constantly breaks down opponents one-on-one and can pull off a lot of highlight reel moments. That he skates well and can attack with his skill makes him so difficult to stop as he often dances by checkers. His skating stride isn't technically perfect. It can break down at times with his legs starting to flail at the end of shifts, but it's a powerful stride and he often pulls away from pressure. Yakemchuk has a bullet shot from the point. He is more of a shot than a pass threat, and while he can see the ice, his vision isn't at the same level as his shot or stickhandling. He can make stops due to his feet, length and strong physicality but his defensive play and consistency in that area can use work. Yakemchuk has star potential and projects to be a major minutes player in the NHL with a lot of offensive upside.

Alex Pietrangelo

Tier 3

D

WHL

Silayev took a regular shift with power-play time on a KHL team this season as a 17-year-old and stood out for Torpedo in the KHL playoffs. When he went down to their junior team for their playoffs, he wasn't as good as expected, although he was strong to end his year captaining Russia's U20 team. He is a unique type of prospect who's easy to dream on. He can play all situations and play on his off wing. Silayev is a 6-foot-7 defenseman who skates very well for his size. He has excellent footwork and a smooth stride, with strong four-way mobility. He closes gaps quickly on his check, plays a very physical brand of hockey and thus projects to be a premier shutdown type of defenseman in the NHL. He can skate pucks out of his zone well, makes a good first pass and shows strong hockey sense at the offensive blue line. Silayev has strong puck skills and can beat pro defensem*n one-on-one often enough. His offensive play won't blow you away, but it's good enough to move pucks in the NHL and get points. He can be solid offensively to go with elite defensive play to be a potential No. 1 defenseman one day.

Zdeno Chara

Tier 3

D

RUSSIA

Buium was one of the top-scoring defensem*n in college as a draft-eligible and one of the best draft eligible defensem*n I've ever seen at that level. He is an extremely intelligent puck-mover who can run a power play like a top NHL player. He makes high-end plays routinely and can break shifts open with his puckhandling and passes. Buium is a strong skater who can activate off the blue line and create off the rush. He has very good edge work and is proficient at making checkers miss. His defense is good enough at the amateur level, but he isn't very physically imposing. He is smart and mobile and breaks up enough plays to go with his great offense to be a major positive at even strength. He has game breaking potential and looks like a potential star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL who will put up big numbers.

Morgan Rielly

Tier 3

D

NCAA (NCHC)

Catton was one of the best players in the WHL this season and was the best player at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer. He is a well-rounded center and a high-end skater, with powerful edge work that will make him very difficult to check in the NHL and lets him elude pressure constantly. His footspeed is strong, but not at the same level as his edges. He's a very skilled puckhandler and a great passer who can run a NHL power play. Catton makes a ton of difficult plays on the move and has a lot of pace in his game. He's not overly physical, but he competes. He wins pucks, gets to the net and can kill penalties. He projects as an excellent top-six center with a chance to be a No. 1 center.

Logan Cooley

Tier 4

C

WHL

Sennecke's pure point totals on the season don't jump out at you, but he was very good in the second half and was a top player in the OHL playoffs. He's 6-foot-2, skates quite well for his size and has game-breaking skill. He's one of the more creative puckhandlers in the draft, and that he can make those difficult plays at full speed makes him highly intriguing for the NHL level. He sees the ice well and is creative as a passer, although not to the level of his 1v1 abilities. There have been times when I've questioned his compete and consistency, but he answered those questions as the season continued. His stock is sharply trending up, and he looks like a player who can be a difference-maker at the next level.

Kyle Connor

Tier 4

RW

OHL

Demidov has been the clear best player in Russia's junior league over the last two seasons. He is the most purely skilled player in the draft, and is extremely creative in making plays with the puck. He has an excellent motor, attacks the net consistently and competes hard to win pucks. Demidov created scoring chances seemingly every shift this season. While he can run a power play when the game slows down, he makes a lot of plays on the move. He's a powerful but awkward-looking skater though, who is a bit knock kneed and reliant on his edge work but gets around okay. He's not the biggest winger as well so there is some question about how his game will translate to higher levels. I see a potential top-line winger who will score a lot and play a style of game that will appeal himself to coaches.

Lucas Raymond

Tier 4

RW

RUSSIA-JR.

Parekh is an extremely talented offensive defenseman who was the best defenseman in the OHL this season. He has a ton of skill and hockey sense. When the puck is on his stick he beats opponents one-on-one often. His brain operates differently from other players on the ice in how he sees the ice and can take an extra second with the puck to create a scoring chance. He skates well and can attack with his speed and skill. He has strong edge work and top speed and is very elusive off the blue line. He also has an excellent point shot being a constant goal-scoring threat. The big issue with Parekh is his play away from the puck. He gives half-efforts at times defensively and doesn't engage physically. I've seen worse defenders though. He picks off a lot of passes and makes stops but will likely never be a tough minutes defender. He projects as a top pair/PP1 type who may need to be deployed away from opponents’ top forwards.

John Klingberg

Tier 5

D

OHL

Lindstrom came out of the gates this season flying for the first few months. He then was hurt for most of the second half though between a hand and back injury. When healthy, he's an elite athlete. He has the quick twitch feet of a smaller forward, and can get by opposing defenders. He's a big, powerful center with a ton of physicality in his game. Lindstrom has good offensive skills, and can score goals. His playmaking is something I've questioned at times although he's shown good instances this season. He has the potential to be a true No. 1 center if he hits although I don't see a lot of NHL centers who play the way he does and I could see him get pushed to the wing.

Chris Kreider

Tier 5

C

WHL

Dickinson was a major minutes player on a great London team. It's easy to envision him having a long NHL career. He's a 6-foot-3 defenseman who is one of the best skaters in the draft. He has an explosive, fluid stride that easily picks up power. He breaks up plays and closes gaps easily due to his skating and creates so much possession time for his team. Dickinson is very skilled at handling the puck, and often creates chances due to the combo of his skating and skill. He also has a hard slap shot from the point and projects to score a good number of goals in the NHL. He has offense and can make some tough plays but I wouldn't call his vision what gets you excited about his game. Even with that in mind, in terms of what he could be in the league, I see PP2 potential who could have a major impact at even strength.

Noah Hanifin

Tier 5

D

OHL

Solberg played all-situations minutes for his pro team in Norway this season and was an important part of Norway's U20 and senior team, ending his year with a great World Championship where he was one of Norway's best players. He's a very good defender due to his combination of size, mobility and compete. He is a hyper physical defenseman who plays with an edge and wins a lot of pucks. He closes on gaps well and breaks up a good number of plays. Offensively he can skate pucks up ice and has decent hands as well. I don't see top-end puck play, but over the course of the season I came around on that aspect of his game. He can make a first pass and shows enough touch to go with tremendous defensive work, projecting as a legit top-four NHL defender.

Kaiden Guhle

Tier 6

D

NORWAY

Iginla was excellent this season in the WHL for Kelowna and at the U18s for Canada, emerging as a top NHL prospect. The son of Jarome Iginla, Tij is a very talented offensive player. His stickhandling displays stand out constantly. He beats defenders one-on-one at a high rate and improvises very well with the puck. He skates well and can make high-skill plays with his feet moving. Iginla has a great shot that gets off the stick quick and can pick corners. He scored a lot of goals this season and projects to beat pro goalies from range. He gets to the inside to score as well and displays a strong effort away from the puck. His pure sense and playmaking don't stand out like the rest of his game, though. He projects as a strong top-six wing who will score a lot of goals.

Viktor Arvidsson

Tier 6

C

WHL

Helenius was very good at the Liiga level and was a top player for Finland's U20 team. He had a strong playoffs for Jukurit leading to an invite to Finland's national team. He is a highly skilled playmaker who can make a lot of difficult passes consistently. He shows the vision to run a pro powerplay effectively. He skates well and creates a lot of offense with pace for himself and others. Helenius isn't a big center, but he gives strong efforts off the puck, doesn't shy from going to the net and has an edge to his game. Inside the NHL the debate is whether he's a good or a special 5-11 forward. I've seen enough flashes to think the latter, but his so-so U18 worlds and World Juniors gives some pause. I think he can be a top line center or a #2 on a top team.

Max Domi

Tier 6

C

FINLAND

Jiricek was one of the best players at the Hlinka Gretzky in the summer. His play in the top Czech league wasn't as impressive, and then he got injured in the opening game of the world juniors. The knee injury cost him the rest of the season. When healthy, he's a 6-3 right shot who skates quite well. His skating allows him to make a lot of stops and be strong going back to retrieve pucks. Jiricek uses his big body well and competes for pucks. Offensively he doesn't stand out, but he has some skill and moves pucks efficiently. It's hard to tell which version of Jiricek we saw this season is the real one, but it's probably somewhere in the middle. That Jiricek still looks like a potential top four NHL defenseman.

Vladislav Gavrikov

Tier 6

D

CZECHIA

Eiserman is an excellent goal-scoring winger who has put up huge numbers in junior and scored the most goals ever by a U.S. NTDP player. He isn't the best playmaker in the world, but he has game-breaking qualities with his one-on-one play and shot when the puck is on his stick. He can beat goalies often with his one-timer and wrist shot from range. He sees the ice well enough and can make tough passes, although he absolutely prefers to shoot and tends to overshoot the puck. He's a strong skater who can create his own shot and doesn't shy from going to the net to score as well. His consistency isn't the best and can be a frustrating player to watch at times, but I don't think he's soft and actually had some physical bite in his game. Despite all his faults, Eiserman is also a goal-per-game player in junior, so you ride the wave with him. He projects as a legit top six wing in the NHL.

Owen Tippett

Tier 6

LW

NTDP

Brandsegg-Nygard was very good at the Swedish junior level. He started off slow versus men, but was very good in the Allsvenskan playoffs and made Norway's senior team. He is a well-rounded forward. He's a good skater. He has strong puck skills. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from mid-distance. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset. Even if he's not very dynamic, Brandsegg-Nygard has a game that should lend itself to success versus men, eventually as a good NHL forward and potentially in a top six.

Tyler Bertuzzi

Tier 6

RW

SWEDEN-2

Chernyshov was very good at the junior level in Russia and earned ice time up in the KHL with a regular shift for a top team in Dynamo Moscow. He's a big, powerful winger who skates well and has a lot of offensive creativity. He beats defenders routinely with his one-on-one plays, sees the ice well and can create at the net. He's not going to run players over with his physical play, but he uses his body to create offense. He has the ability to control play at even strength due to his variety of tools and looks the part of a potential strong top-six winger in the NHL.

Ilya MIkheyev

Tier 6

LW

RUSSIA

Luchanko took significant steps forward this season into a legit NHL prospect. He is one of the better skaters in the draft. He has an explosive stride and when he winds up he'll be able to get plenty of controlled entries in the NHL. He competes very hard at both ends of the ice and attacks the tough areas. He has skill and excels as a playmaker. Luchanko often creates chances for his teammates can do so on the move, in tight and off the edge. His finishing touch could use work as he didn't convert on a lot of chances this season. As a smaller forward, whether his offense is special enough is a minor question but it lessened for me over the course of the season. He looks like a potential third line center or second line wing.

Yanni Gourde

Tier 7

C

OHL

Beaudoin is a very likable player. He's a tremendously hardworking center, with NHL size and skill. He is constantly noticeable throughout the game in how many pucks he wins and the amount of plays he makes. He is quite physical and doesn't shy from getting to the tough areas of the ice. He can create offense in junior, but with a somewhat heavy skating stride, the debate is in how his game will translate to the pros. I've seen him get by enough defenders and think his compete is so good that his game will work in a potential third-line center role.

Andrew Copp

Tier 7

C

OHL

Sahlin Wallenius isn't the biggest defenseman but he's a very solid two-way player who was the leading player on Sweden's U18 team this season. He's one of the best skaters in the draft. He has a powerful and efficient stride that allows him to easily evade pressure and skate pucks up ice. He closes on checks well and is great coming back on pucks in a way that should translate to pro hockey. Sahlin Wallenius has good hands and vision and can shoot the puck well, too, even though he doesn't project as a major scorer at the higher levels. The sum of his parts looks like a regular NHL defenseman.

Erik Brannstrom

Tier 7

D

SWEDEN-JR.

Elick is a very intriguing pro prospect. He is one of the best skaters in the draft, with a smooth and powerful skating stride. When those feet are combined with his 6-3 frame, strong compete and a little mean streak, he has the potential to be a legit shutdown defenseman in the NHL. Elick isn't a natural puck-mover and can make some questionable puck decisions. He will need to clean that up, but he has good hands and isn't a negative with the puck on his stick. In a role where he just needs to defend well and make a basic outlet, he could potentially have an NHL career.

Braden Schneider

Tier 7

D

WHL

Greentree was a top-scoring winger in the OHL this season although his play for Team Canada at two tournaments wasn't that impressive. The appeal of his game is that he's a large winger with legit offensive skills. He makes difficult plays often with the puck as a handler and passer and possesses high-end creativity. He competes well enough and can use his size to get to the net although I don't think he's the type who is going to run people over. He can score at the net and is able to finish from the faceoff dots. The main concern on Greentree is his skating. He lacks NHL footspeed and he will need to prove the rest of his game is good enough to overcome those issues. Given his size/skill combo, I think he will, and has a chance to be a top nine wing who can help a power play.

Dominik Kubalik

Tier 7

RW

OHL

Connelly has been a top player in the USHL this season and at the various tournaments he's played in for Team USA. He's a dynamic offensive player. He's a fantastic skater, with the edge work and top speed to evade and get by NHL checkers consistently. Connelly has a lot of skill and can attack at top speed. That combination allows him to be a force at even strength at times. His playmaking isn't as good as his one-on-one play, but it's good enough. Connelly competes well enough off the puck, attacks the net and can be a reliable defensive forward. He has some physical play in him but also can lack discipline. Some NHL teams have some character-based concerns about drafting Connelly, further discussed here.

Anthony Duclair

Tier 7

LW

USHL

Hage was one of the top forwards in the USHL this season. Hage is a good-sized center who skates well and has a ton of skill. The high-end one-on-one plays he can make at full flight are clear NHL quality and he has the ability to break open a shift. Hage's playmaking and finishing are good enough, with a shot that can score from the faceoff dots, but neither match the caliber of his feet and hands. Hage has the potential to break open a game, but I do find his game to be inconsistent and too perimeter at times. He projects as a middle-six wing with a chance to be more.

Rickard Rakell

Tier 7

C

USHL

Eriksson was a top player for a good J20 team this season in Sweden and a leader for Sweden's U18 club. He wasn't a dominant junior player but in the second half of the season, when he advanced to the Allsvenskan, he showed quite well versus men. He's a well-rounded center. Eriksson is a strong skater who creates offense with speed and has the transition game to be a quality pro. He has very good skill and playmaking ability. He is a creative player with a pass-first mentality who sees seams well and can generate offense from the perimeter. Eriksson's work ethic is good enough. I wouldn't call him the type who is going to run over opponents, but he gets to the inside and gives an honest effort every night. He was also the captain for his Swedish age group. He could be a middle six NHL forward.

Robby Fabbri

Tier 7

C

SWEDEN-2

Boisvert has been a highly productive USHL player over the last two seasons. He has a lot of appealing tools for the NHL. He's a 6-2 center who can skate and has legit offensive abilities. He is very skilled and instinctive with the puck. He's able to beat defenders with pace as well. Boisvert has an excellent shot and is a threat to score from the faceoff dots. I don't love his playmaking as he's certainly more of a shoot-first type of player but he can make tough plays. His compete is fine. He's not going to be known for that aspect of his game but he wins enough battles and uses his size. He could be a middle-six forward in the NHL.

Josh Norris

Tier 7

C

USHL

Letourneau was a dominant player at the prep level this season and one of the very best pro prospects to come through St. Andrew's College. His toolkit is rather unique. He skates very well for 6-foot-6. That he has a legit offensive touch to go with his feet is what makes him so appealing for his pro projection. He can dangle defenders at full flight and create a lot of scoring chances. Letourneau isn't a high-energy compete and some scouts question his effort at times, but he gets to the middle well enough and isn't afraid of using his body. The debate on Letourneau will be how real his offense is. The athlete is obvious, but is he actually NHL smart or does he have NHL scoring ability? It's so hard to pinpoint at the low level of competition he faced all season. He could be Tage Thompson, but he could be Joe Colborne or Riley Tufte. I think he ends somewhere in the middle.

Michael Rasmussen

Tier 7

C

HIGH-ON

Badinka moved from Finland to Sweden this season, where he became an SHL regular after a strong start in the J20 level. He was cut from Czechia's world junior team, though. He has a lot of NHL attributes between his size, mobility and ability to make offensive plays. He has a powerful stride and has shown versus men he can make skilled plays and move pucks with a good tempo. His pure playmaking doesn't excite you, although I see secondary offense coming from him in the NHL. Badinka defends well enough due to his feet and length but he isn't going to run guys over, which leaves some scouts wondering if he's going to be a tweener as a pro. I think his two-way game is strong enough to be a potential No. 4-5 defenseman in the NHL.

Justin Holl

Tier 7

D

SWEDEN

Artamonov played a notable role on a KHL team, including as an important part of Torpedo's power play. He's a forward with excellent hands, sense and vision and can make a lot of creative plays. That he's a strong skater and able to create offense with pace is what has helped his game translate versus men so quickly, as he has often beaten KHL defensem*n with his skill. You rarely see KHL draft eligibles help a team, never mind two on the same club in him and Silayev. Artamonov isn't that big, he isn't a natural finisher, and while he competes well enough, I wouldn't call him the type of competitor you'd love to have in a small winger. It's why he projects more as a middle-six scorer.

Nick Schmaltz

Tier 7

LW

RUSSIA

Surin is an easy player to like. He was a top player in Russia's junior league this season with a stellar playoff run for Loko. He's a skilled forward who can create a lot of offense. He displays quality vision and finishing touch and skates well, too. Surin is a hyper competitive forward and the energy he brings to shifts is what makes me optimistic about his NHL projection. He brings it every game, plays both ways, is very physical and has a lot of tempo in how he creates offense. Surin has mostly played wing this season, but he has the traits to be a pro thid line center or second line wing.

Ivan Barbashev

Tier 7

C

RUSSIA-JR.

Shuravin's production in Russia's junior league won't jump out at you, but he has a lot of traits that NHL teams will be looking for and has looked good versus juniors and men this season. He's a 6-3, mobile defenseman with puck-moving skill, and those are always highly sought after. Shuravin has a low panic threshold and, with his skating, has a smooth, effortless game style that leads to a lot of puck possession for his team. He is good on retrievals and generates a lot of controlled exits and entries. Shuravin also competes well enough and doesn't shy away from physical play.

Derek Forbort

Tier 7

D

RUSSIA-JR.

Miettinen started off slow in his first season in North America, but caught fire as the year went along and became a big part of a successful Everett team. Miettinen is a big-body forward with very good offensive skills. He has the one-on-one play to beat pro defensem*n and do so with pace. He shows a lot of creativity inside the offensive zone as a puckhandler and passer. He can create off the perimeter and around the net due to his frame. I wouldn't call his compete level high, but it's good enough given his frame. He's a strong skater. I wish he'd play a bit quicker at times, but he has a powerful stride and can skate with pros. He has a chance to be a third-line center.

Eetu Luostarinen

Tier 7

C

WHL

Gridin was a top scorer in the USHL this season. The talent is obvious in Gridin's game. He's a strong skater with excellent offensive skills. He routinely beats USHL defenders with his one-on-one play and can improvise well with the puck. He's a strong playmaker and finisher who can generate a lot of offense. His effort level is just OK and he can play on the perimeter too much. He did kill penalties at times in the USHL though and I think his compete and consistency are good enough to be a solid pro.

Yegor Chinakhov

Tier 7

RW

USHL

Kleber's game has developed well as the season has progressed. He is a very athletic defenseman who projects to be a strong pro defender. He's 6-5, skates well for a big man and competes hard enough. He will be quite difficult for even NHL forwards to get by or try to gain footing around the net. Kleber's offensive play is what has sold me on him. I didn't originally think he was a true puck-mover, and still don't, but he's shown enough sense with the puck this season for me to think he can have an NHL career.

Ryan Graves

Tier 7

D

USHL

Emery is a player with a lot of pro traits. He's 6-foot-3 and skates very well being one of the more athletic defensem*n in his age group. He is strong on gaps and retrievals, plays hard on his checks and has the potential to make a lot of NHL stops. He can attack with his feet and often jumps up into the rush. Emery's offense is a question, as his pure production won't excite you with zero goals on the season. I think the first pass offense in his game is good enough to play a regular shift in the league, but it will be the main part of his game he will need to prove versus better players.

Dylan Samberg

Tier 7

D

NTDP

Parascak had a monster first WHL season as a top scorer in the league after playing U18 hockey the season prior. He has a ton of skill and offensive sense. He beats defenders often with his puckhandling and makes a lot of plays to teammates. He's not very big, but Parascak works hard. He makes high-end skilled plays at the net, can kill penalties and gives a good effort every night. The big issue in his NHL projection is his skating. He has a heavy stride that lacks any kind of NHL footspeed. He's overperformed a lot to date and while he doesn't fit the athletic profile, his hockey sense is so good he could potentially be a middle-six wing.

Fabian Zetterlund

Tier 7

RW

WHL

Jecho's development hasn't taken off like some scouts hoped when we saw him years ago, but he remains a good pro prospect. He's a huge winger who skates quite well for a guy his size even if he's not a blazer. Jecho has good hands and can shoot the puck well from range. He tends to fade into the background at times, whether due to a mixture of sense or compete issues — I think it's mostly the former. He's a guy you have to dream on a bit and often frustrates scouts, but his athletic toolkit is hard to find and if he scores enough at higher levels, coaches will play him regularly.

Alexei Toropchenko

Tier 7

C

WHL

Gidlof had a very good season in Sweden as a top goalie in their junior league. His pro projection is highly intriguing as a 6-6 goalie who moves well for his size. His pure quickness side to side isn't explosive, but he can make tough saves and is difficult to beat laterally. Gidlof tracks the play well and often stays square with the puck. He plays aggressive as well. Some nitpick that his technique breaks down too much, he can scramble too much in the net and he let a few too many long-range shots past him. He has legit starting-goalie tools if he cleans up a few details.

Adin Hill

Tier 7

G

SWEDEN-JR.

Pettersson was a productive player at the junior level in Sweden and a leader for their U18 team. Pettersson is a skilled forward with good speed who can make a lot of difficult plays. Pettersson's motor is excellent too. He wins a lot of battles, and despite his size, he excels in the tough areas of the offensive zone. He's not the most dynamic player you'll ever see, but the sum of the parts looks like a potential bottom-six forward or fourth-line center in the NHL.

Tier 8

C

SWEDEN-JR.

O'Reilly was very good for a rookie in the OHL. He's played a major role for a top London team, playing in all situations. He's a two-way center. He competes hard and has physicality. I've seen quicker skaters, but he can escape pressure and has good enough quickness for the NHL level. O'Reilly has quality skill and vision and can create chances. He has a decent shot but I like him more when he's making plays. He has the potential to be a bottom-six center in the league.

Tier 8

RW

OHL

Mews had a slightly underwhelming draft-eligible season, sliding after coming in as a potential top prospect and after a great Hlinka Gretzky in the summer. He's very intelligent with the puck. Mews shows good poise and creativity making plays on top of a strong point shot. He skates well and can both skate and pass pucks out of trouble. He got his points this year, but the issues for him this season were defensive. He struggled in his own end, getting pushed around physically. He was a decent defender coming up so I wonder if he can bounce back in that regard. He's skilled enough to get NHL games but will need to round out his play, especially as an average-sized player.

Tier 8

D

OHL

Marrelli was an important player for Oshawa this season playing in all situations. He's a strong skating defenseman who can close on pucks defensively well and is able to attack with speed. Offensively he won't be a dominant pro, but he has skill and creative playmaking in his game. Marrelli can activate off the blue line, create off the rush, has a good point shot and shows instincts to hit seams as well. He competes fine, but isn't overly physical and is average sized. He lacks a clear defined role in the NHL, even if he has a lot of positives. He has a real chance to play games.

Tier 8

D

OHL

Danford was a strong two-way defenseman for Oshawa this season who played a lot of minutes. Danford skates quite well. He's able to escape pressure with the puck and skate pucks up ice like a pro. Defensively he closes on pucks quickly, and competes well enough to win a lot of close races. Offensively he's not dynamic, but he's quite smart with the puck. He makes a lot difficult passes, often while skating with pace. I don't think he stands out at either end of the ice in the NHL, but he could be a useful defenseman for an organization.

Tier 8

D

OHL

Brunicke was solid on a bottom-feeding Kamloops team this season and played well for Canada's U18 team to end his year. Brunicke is a toolsy defenseman. He's 6-foot-3, skates well and has a strong offensive skill level. On his best shift with the way he can rush up ice and activate off the blue line, he looks like a legit NHL prospect. Brunicke can make some tough plays, but he forces a lot of his decisions, doesn't always see the ice well and is running around in his own end. He probably isn't a big points type as a pro, but with his feet, length and a strong compete level if he's just OK with the puck he can be a third-pair defenseman.

Tier 8

D

WHL

After scoring four points in Finland's junior league in his first draft season, Pulkkinen took massive steps forward in his second draft eligible season. He scored big numbers at the junior level, and then got brought up to Liiga. He also made Finland's world junior team as a top-four defenseman. Pulkkinen is very toolsy. He's a 6-foot-6 defender who skates quite well for his size. His straight-line speed is quite strong, although his first step or two aren't the quickest. Pulkkinen defends well due to his length and that he's quite physical. Offensively, he doesn't stand out as much, but he has hands and can make checkers miss. He fights the puck at times when he needs to make quick decisions, though. If his first pass and decisions gets more consistent he could be a legit longtime NHL defender, but for now, I see a third-pair type.

Tier 8

D

FINLAND

Kol played up for a larger part of the season in Russia versus men in their second tier league. He is a talented, offensively tilted defenseman. He's a smart puck-mover who can make a strong first pass and create from the offensive blue line. His skating stride isn't technically great, drawing ire from scouts due to how much he inside-outs his feet. He is a powerful skater, though, who can escape pressure and activate off the point. He has a good shot and enough skill to get points versus men. His defensive play isn't as strong. He lacks physicality and his defensive coverage needs some work. The hope is with his frame and mobility he can make enough stops and retrievals as a pro to go with his skill. He could be a third-pair defenseman.

Tier 8

D

RUSSIA-JR.

Masse is a tough evaluation. He had a great underage season in the QMJHL and was the top rookie in the CHL. He had a good draft season but didn't put up the huge numbers some expected. He has a ton of offensive skill and IQ and good size as well. Masse is also a dangerous goal scorer who can wire bullets from the faceoff dot with his one timer. There's no doubt about what he can do with the puck inside the offensive zone, but getting the puck into the zone will be a major challenge for him in the NHL due to his skating. He's a technically flawed skater and that will be his major challenge in having an NHL career on top of giving inconsistent efforts without the puck. His offensive gifts and size should get him games but he will need to prove to NHL coaches he can be trusted for a regular shift.

Tier 8

RW

QMJHL

Ritchie was the best rookie in the WHL last season and a top player for Canada's U18 team this summer but his season to in Prince Albert wasn't as impressive. He is an average-sized winger, but he brings a ton of skill to the table. He is a very elusive forward due to his skating and hands and can make a lot of tough plays with pace. His effort is fine but his consistency could be better. I also don't think he's a dynamic playmaking winger but instead a very good one. He has NHL talent, but I don't see a clear role for him and I think he could frustrate coaches as well.

Tier 8

RW

WHL

Hemming was a very good player at the Finnish junior level and for Finland's U18 team. He got time in Liiga and with the world junior team, although both were in limited-minute roles. Hemming has a lot of offensive talent. He's a highly skilled winger who can skate well. He is dangerous in transition, creates a lot of controlled entries and can break open shifts with his skill. Hemming can make plays and see openings develop, but his shot is his best weapon. He can rip pucks from range and will be a legit goal-scoring threat versus top goalies. Like a lot of goal scorers, Hemming can lean on his shot too much and stays on the outside. The lack of interior offense and inconsistent effort is the only thing keeping me from tabbing him as a potential middle-six forward.

Tier 8

RW

FINLAND

Wetsch didn't put up huge numbers in the WHL this season, but I liked him often when I watched his games. He was also an important part of Canada's U18 team in the summer and spring. Wetsch's game is defined by his speed and energy. He isn't the most skilled player in the world and isn't huge, but he's always around the puck. He's a quick skater who closes on plays well, but it's how hard he works that makes him so noticeable. He's hard on every puck and wins a ton of battles. That he has good hands and vision and can make some plays allows him to be an effective forward. He has the ability to kill penalties and be a trusted two-way bottom-six wing in the NHL.

Tier 8

RW

WHL

Vanacker had a strong second OHL season scoring at over a point/game clip for Brantford but he wasn't great with Canada in the spring. He's a strong skating winger with very good hands. He can beat defenders often off the rush and creates a lot of controlled entries. Vanacker isn't going to run players over, but he's a decent-sized forward who works hard, wins a lot of 50/50 pucks and gets to the net to create offense. He makes plays but I wouldn't call him a top-tier playmaker or a true offensive threat. He has the traits of a bottom six wing in the league.

Tier 8

LW

OHL

Battaglia was an important and productive player for Kingston and has developed quite well since being picked in the second round of his OHL Draft. He's very offensively talented. Battaglia has the quick hands and high-end creativity to make a lot of things happen with the puck. He often beats defenders with his one-on-one play. He also is a strong playmaker who makes tough plays in traffic and off the perimeter. His pure effort level isn't amazing off the puck, but it's good enough. He plays fast, is a strong skater and has a play style that could translate into a bottom-six wing.

Tier 8

RW

OHL

Mateiko was a point/game player in his second QMJHL season and played a large role on Latvia's U20 team. Mateiko is a big, strong winger with some scoring touch. He creates chances at the net and can score from range. He plays a very heavy game, competing at a high level and often laying his big frame into opponents. His pure skill and playmaking will never dazzle, but he can create in traffic. The issue with Mateiko will be his skating. He has a heavy stride that lacks footspeed for the higher levels. I think there's enough to his game to be a potential bottom-six wing despite the skating concerns, though.

Tier 8

LW

QMJHL

Yegorov came over from the CSKA program to the USHL this season. He emerged as Omaha's full-time goalie although his performance was inconsistent. Yegorov has clear pro potential. He's nearly 6-foot-5 and moves quite well in the net. I wouldn't call his side-to-side movements explosive, but he can make tough saves and is nimble for a guy his size. On his best nights, where he's squaring up pucks, and given the type of stops he can make, he looks like a clear NHL goalie. Too often that doesn't happen, though. Yegorov can struggle with his reads and decisions, challenging at the wrong time or struggling to pick up where the puck is going. He projects as a backup goalie in the NHL but he has a chance to become a starter if he really hits.

Tier 8

G

USHL

Moysevich had a great second draft eligible season. He was excellent versus pros in the VHL and KHL and even got KHL playoff action. He is a huge goalie at 6-foot-5. I was intrigued by him two seasons ago, but he didn't get much playing time so it was hard to get a true read on him. This season, he played more and looks like a legit prospect. He's not super athletic or twitchy, but he moves well enough for his size. He is a smart and competitive goalie who can make a lot of high-difficulty saves. He gets caught flat-footed at times due to the lack of high-end quickness, but I think the tools are good enough to potentially be a backup goalie in the NHL.

Tier 8

G

RUSSIA

Nabokov has had a great season, being a top goalie in the KHL as a 20-year-old and MVP of their playoffs and in his fourth draft-eligible season. Nabokov is a super smart goalie. He anticipates plays at a high level and rarely seems out of position. Even when he needs to move a lot to make a save, he does so efficiently and is set for shots. He has very good quickness, although for his frame it's not the Juuse Saros type of quick-twitch you'd ideally like to see. Even though he's been great versus pros this season, there are questions on how his game will translate into the NHL due to his size, and whether he can back up this performance in future seasons.

Tier 8

G

RUSSIA

Zether was very good at the Swedish J20 level over the last two seasons, leading to a promotion to Rögle's main team for most of the season. He was good for Sweden's U18 team the prior season as an underager, but this season at the U19 level for Sweden he was very ordinary. Zether is a big center with legit offensive skills. He shows great creativity and tight-area play with the puck. He doesn't have great speed, but he can beat defenders wide due to his hands, frame and willingness to attack the middle. He makes enough plays to be a strong junior scorer. Zether competes well and can play both ways. The big debate on him with scouts is the aforementioned skating issues. He is good enough to potentially overcome those issues and play in a bottom six, but he'll need to score at a decent clip to do so while providing good defensive play.

Tier 8

C

SWEDEN

Berglund showed good progression over the course of the season ending with a strong U18 Worlds for Sweden. Berglund is a big forward who can play center or wing but looks more like a pro wing. He has strong puck skills and vision. I don't think he's going to blow you away offensively, but he makes quick decisions, is creative with the puck and can create both off the perimeter and in tight. He doesn't shy away from using his big body in physical play which gives hope he can become a bottom six forward given he has a bit of a sluggish skating stride.

Tier 8

C

SWEDEN-JR.

Hutson, the younger brother of Montreal's Lane Hutson, was the U.S. NTDP's best defenseman this season. He's very offensively skilled and an outstanding puck-mover with a high-end offensive brain who can run a power play like a pro. He makes so many tough plays from the offensive blue line due to his skill and the shiftiness in his feet. He's about 5-foot-10 and while he has some physicality in him he's not a strong defender even though he's a great defender. Scouts aren't as sold his offense will be as elite as his brother's even if Cole is bigger and a better skater. He will get NHL games due to how talented he is but he will need to prove he can have a long career and earn a coach's trust defensively.

Tier 8

D

NTDP

Kiviharju has been on the prospect radar for several years after playing up age groups. That length of time watching him will be relevant as he missed almost his entire draft season due to a lower-body injury. He's a very smart puck-mover. He sees the ice at a high level and always has his head up looking to make a play. He is a highly skilled puckhandler who can make the toughest passes seem routine. The big debates on Kiviharju will come down to his defensive play. As a junior, he defends well. As an NHL player, it will be a question. He's notably undersized, and while he competes well he's not physical. He skates well but doesn't have the elite small-guy feet that make you think he will translate seamlessly to the NHL. I think he plays the game but he may need to be used in a very specific way by a coach to the point it will be tough to get him regular minutes.

Tier 8

D

FINLAND

Misskey played a ton of minutes for Victoria this season and has progressed well since being a third-round pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. Misskey is a tall right-shot defenseman who can move pucks well enough. I don't think he's a standout with the puck, but he sees the ice well and can make some tough plays. Misskey also has a hard point shot he can generate offense from. His skating is heavy, and is his main problem in his NHL projection. He does compete quite hard and has a lot of physical play in his game which makes me think he has a real chance to overcome his lack of mobility and get NHL games.

Tier 8

D

WHL

Skahan is a tall, mobile and highly physical defenseman. He has the potential to be a shutdown defenseman in the pros due to how hard he plays. The question with him is offense. He lacks puck game and offensive instincts. He shows flashes of decent skill with the puck, but his first pass and decision making can leave a lot to be desired and make me question how well he'll be able to process at higher levels. Guys like him find ways to play games but I have a hard time seeing him as more than a depth defenseman in the NHL.

Tier 8

D

NTDP

Lavoie was the No. 1 pick in his QMJHL Draft. He's a tall right-shot defenseman who skates well for a big man. His first few steps could be a tad quicker but once he gets going he moves like an NHLer. His length plus feet help him break up a lot of plays and succeed on retrievals. He plays hard and is overall a very strong defender. Offensive play is the question on Lavoie. He has good enough hands and looks fine with the puck, but his sense/decisions are lacking and I question whether he'll make a consistent outlet pass in the NHL. He projects as a third-pair defenseman.

Tier 8

D

QMJHL

Stiga took significant steps forward in his development season, becoming a top forward for the U.S. NTDP and highly productive in junior player. Stiga is an excellent skater who brings a lot of energy and pace to his shifts. He buzzes around the ice, winning a lot of races to pucks. He is quite skilled and creates a lot of controlled entries. Stiga sees the ice well, and while he can create at the net, he has perimeter playmaking ability, too. Stiga's only real issue is his frame at barely 5-foot-10. I don't know if he's dynamic enough at that size, but it's a debate, and he has a puncher's chance to carve out a bottom-six role in the NHL because of his talent and consistency.

Tier 8

C

NTDP

Howe put up huge numbers in the WHL in previous seasons playing alongside Connor Bedard, and the offense has remained even with Bedard's NHL departure. I don't think he is the flashiest or most creative player you'll ever see, but Howe has legit NHL-level speed and skill. He can make and finish plays. His size is an issue, but his calling card is his fantastic compete level. He's a tenacious player who throws his weight around constantly and plays the game with a high motor. He has the ingredients to play in the league as an undersized player and I think he could be a bottom six wing.

Tier 8

LW

WHL

Mustard had a great season in Waterloo after coming up from U16 hockey in New Jersey the prior season. He's one of the best skaters in the draft. Mustard is a burner. Not a Sunday barbeque burner, but one who will get by NHL defensem*n consistently. He attacks constantly with his skating and skill and creates a lot of offense off the rush. He's skilled but I appreciate how he doesn't try to hot dog too much with the puck. Mustard has a good wrist shot, and relishes the opportunity to use it. He plays a strong north/south game, but he doesn't make a ton of plays to others. His compete is okay. He isn't overly physical and doesn't kill penalties but his effort is good enough. If that part of his game improves he has a clear path to being a regular NHL player but his skating should get him games.

Tier 8

C

USHL

Morello didn't have a huge season in the OJHL after a strong 16-year-old campaign, but he was an important part of his World Jr A. team for Canada East. Morello is an excellent skater, and if he makes the NHL it'll be due to his feet. He has a technically smooth stride and a ton of power from his legs. Morello attacks with speed and gains the zone often with the puck due to having a solid skill level. Whether there is going to be a ton of offense in his game at higher levels is the question. He has good hands and can shoot the puck, but he lacks vision with the puck and doesn't have a ton of offensive creativity. As an average-sized forward, I don't see a clear NHL role for him yet, but he has the tools to be a bottom-six forward if he plays well off the puck against better players.

Tier 8

C

OJHL

Laing played his first season in the WHL, getting a regular role on a top Prince George team. He's intriguing as a 6-foot-5 wing with some offensive skills. He's not going to lean into opponents often, but he can use his big frame to create at the net and maintain puck possession. He's not a great playmaker but he sees the ice well enough. The main issue with Laing will be his feet. He's a rough skater, especially by NHL standards but if he gains even a half step he could become a legit prospect.

Tier 8

C

WHL

Allard's game showed significant development this season, being an important part of the Greyhounds team. His signature moment was making Team Canada's World Junior team. Allard did so because he's such a good natural athlete. He has an explosive, natural skating stride that easily picks up speed and will allow him to push the pace at an NHL level. His pure offensive touch is going to be the debate in his game. He doesn't score a ton, and his decisions/vision with the puck is subpar. His two-way potential could make him a bottom-six wing if he can score a little as a pro.

Tier 8

C

OHL

Korotky's performance in Russia's junior league was fine during the season, but he turned it on during the playoffs being one of the better forwards in the postseason. Korotky is a skilled center with a high compete level. He doesn't shy from physical play and can kill penalties well. He also has very good one-on-one abilities and can both create and finish chances. The biggest issue in his game is his feet. He has a little bit of a clunky skating stride, but the rest of his game has enough positives that I could see a bottom-six NHL forward potentially.

Tier 8

C

RUSSIA-JR.

Vinni has been a player on the NHL prospect radar for a few years even though his stock hasn't taken off as expected this season. He has been so highly thought of because of his natural athleticism. He has the quick twitch of an NHL goalie in his lower half. He makes a lot of difficult saves moving across the crease and when he challenges shooters he can explode out of the net. Vinni's game can be quite busy in net though with a lot of extra movement and he doesn't always track the puck well. He has an NHL toolkit and could be a backup goalie, but as for whether he could be a long-term player, he's too inconsistent at this point to say.

Tier 8

G

FINLAND-2

Zarubin was a very good junior goalie in Russia including a strong postseason for Tula. He's a good-sized goaltender, measuring in at 6-foot-3 and looks a little bigger arguably. He has clear NHL lateral quickness in net. He explodes across the crease when he needs to make a difficult save. He's fast, but controlled in his movements not oversliding pucks that much. He's a smart goalie who anticipates the play well. The only real issue I have with Zarubin is his tendency to let in long-range goals, but everything else looks like an NHL goaltender.

Tier 8

G

RUSSIA-JR.

Bednarik was the second-line center for the U.S. NTDP this season behind top prospect James Hagens. He's a steady two-way forward. He has good hands and can score but the pure offensive flash in his game isn't going to stand out. He gets his chances from playing hard, going to the net and making good decisions with the puck. Bednarik skates well and has enough tempo in his game to be a pro. He has a chance to be a bottom-six forward.

Tier 9

C

NTDP

Procyszyn didn't post huge numbers this season in the OHL, but he played on a good and deep North Bay team. The toolkit he has, though, looks like a potential NHL forward. He's nearly 6-foot-3 and skates well for a guy his size. He has good puck skills and can beat defensem*n on the move with his skill. Procyszyn plays hard as well. He can PK effectively. He is very physical and attacks the net to create offense. His pure hockey sense and playmaking underwhelm and I don't see a true natural scorer at the next level. I do see room for him to grow — he's a young 2006 birth date — and the traits to become a bottom-six wing in the NHL if he develops well.

Tier 9

C

OHL

Boilard took major steps forward this season after being an average BCHL forward in his 16-year-old season. He was an important part of a top QMJHL team this season. Boilard has a lot of tools that could translate to the NHL. He's a good-sized center who skates quite well. He has a technically smooth stride with the quickness to skate at the NHL level. His pure point totals, especially in the Q, don't jump out, but he has legit offensive talents. Boilard has strong hands and offensive IQ. He can make plays on the move and finish from range. I don't think he's overly physical and can play a bit too much on the outside. There are clearly components of an NHL forward in his game, but exactly where he would fit in a lineup is unclear.

Tier 9

C

QMJHL

Aatos Koivu, the son of former NHLer Saku Koivu, saw his stock rise all season as did his responsibility with Finland's U18 team. He was cut from the Hlinka Gretzky team in the summer and by the spring he was one of their most important forwards. Koivu is a strong skater with a stride that will be able to move at an NHL pace. He has good hands, and uses his skill to attack at the net. He's not overly physical, but like his father, he's a strong competitor who plays in traffic. Koivu has an excellent shot. When he winds up his one-timer he can beat goalies from distance. His playmaking is fine, he can make the odd seam pass but I don't see a ton of natural instincts with the puck.

Tier 9

C

FINLAND-JR.

Moore was a big part of a top Minnetonka team this season in the Minnesota high school ranks. Moore has a highly intriguing pro toolkit. When you're 6-foot-3, and can both skate and handle the puck well it's easy to get excited about your pro potential. On his best shifts, Moore looks like an NHL forward. I would call those best shifts inconsistent though. I didn't think he dominated high school opponents like his talent dictated he should, whether it was due to so-so hockey sense or too much perimeter play.

Tier 9

LW

HIGH-MN

Holinka played a limited minutes role in the top Czechia league. He was very good at their junior level and showed fine for the Czech U20 team. He's a center with intriguing pro tools. He's a good skater with strong puck skills who can beat defenders one-on-one with pace. I don't think he's a great playmaker or finisher but he's strong enough in both areas. Holinka has been a penalty killer in junior and for the national team as well. I like a lot about his game, but I don't know if he stands out enough in any area and with average size to have a clear NHL role.

Tier 9

C

CZECHIA-JR.

Muggli took a regular shift in the top Switzerland league. He was an important part of Switzerland's U18 and U20 teams as well and was the captain for the U18 group. He is a strong two-way defender who skates well and competes hard. He has good physical play in him and despite average size he projects to be able to make stops versus men. Offensively, Muggli has decent skill and vision. He makes plays and shows good poise with the puck. I don't think offense is what he will be known for, but he can get a few points in the NHL. I see a potential depth defenseman.

Tier 9

D

SWISS

Galvas got regular albeit limited ice time in the top Czech league. He was an important part of Czechia's U18 team. He was cut from the World Junior team, but joined as an injury replacement and became one of their better defensem*n by the end of the tournament. Galvas is a talented puck-mover. He skates, handles and passes the puck like a pro. He makes a lot of difficult plays with the puck at full pace and also shows the ability to run a power play. Galvas could put up points at higher levels, but the question will be defense. He competes well enough, but he's a small defenseman without a ton of physical play in him so what his NHL role will be is debatable.

Tier 9

D

CZECHIA

Vaisanen played a limited-minute role in Liiga this season. He's played up age groups internationally and was a last cut from Finland's world junior team. Vasianen is a well-rounded defender. He skates quite well with a technically smooth stride. He closes on gaps well and makes a lot of stops due to his skating and strong physicality. He can skate pucks up and create with good skill and vision. Vaisanen has offense, but I wouln't call him a dynamic puck-mover. The debate on him is what exactly is his NHL role. He's a 6-foot defenseman who is good at a lot, but can be quite vanilla overall.

Tier 9

D

FINLAND

Freij has been a top defenseman in his age group in Sweden for several years. He was a highly productive player in their J20 league and a top player for Sweden's U18 team. His talent level is obvious. Freij is a decent sized defenseman with NHL skill and mobility. He can make a lot of people miss in open ice. He can create offense with pace and he has the hands to create chances out of nothing. Freij is a very good shooter with a pro one-timer from the point. His sense concerns me though. He plays with his head down and doesn't make many plays. He defends fine, but his D-zone play isn't as strong as his offensive work. I'm not sold on his NHL potential but the tools are good enough to give him a real chance to make it.

Tier 9

D

SWEDEN-JR.

Fischer played big minutes for Sarnia this season. The son of former NHL player Jiri Fischer is a very athletic defenseman. He's got a smooth, powerful skating stride. Fischer can transport pucks up the ice effectively and closes on checks well. Offensively, he's just OK. With time he shows decent skill and vision. Under pressure he can fight the puck a bit and I wouldn't call him a natural puck-mover. You hope with his size and mobility and enough grit that he can carve out a career as a third-pair defenseman. He is one of the youngest players eligible for this year's draft so there is some hope for more growth in his game as well.

Tier 9

D

OHL

Fransen led all defensem*n in Sweden's junior league in goals and points. He's a skilled offensive defenseman who loves to attack. He has strong skill and a good point shot, but it's his skating that stands out the most. Fransen is a fluid, powerful skater which easily allows him to join the rush and create from the offensive blue line. He has offense, but defense as a pro will be a minor question. Fransen can be shy from contact and isn't the best at breaking up plays in his own end.

Tier 9

D

SWEDEN-JR.

Fibigr played a lot of minutes for the Steelheads this season in all situations. He is a strong skating defenseman who can make a solid first pass and has a good point shot. He makes plays and shows good poise with the puck, but for a 6-0 defenseman he's not really dynamic offensively like you'd want at his size and he's not a super hard to play against type either. The tools are intriguing enough to give him a shot to make the league but something about his game will likely need to elevate to give him a clear path.

Tier 9

D

OHL

Basha was a big part of a great Medicine Hat offense this season and posted big scoring numbers. Basha is a winger with a ton of skill and playmaking ability. He has the hands to break open shifts. He beats a lot of defenders one-on-one and does so at full speed. He can make difficult passes on the move and when the play slows down in the offenisve zone. He can score goals but has more of a pass-first mentality. Basha has the offensive talent to score as a pro, but whether he can handle the physicality of the NHL will be a question. He competes hard enough but isn't overly physical, is 5-foot-11 and doesn't create a ton of offense at the net. For those reasons I'm more skeptical of his NHL projection than some even if I see the path to getting games.

Tier 9

LW

WHL

Plante was one of the better forwards for the U.S. NTDP this season. He's a highly skilled forward who can make a lot of plays, and brings a strong tempo to his game. He is a very creative playmaker with the puck who can create on the move, at the net and from the perimeter. He's not that big or physical, but Plante gives a good effort and plays with courage. The debate on him will be as a smaller winger if he's dynamic enough offensively and a natural enough scorer to be an NHL middle-six wing.

Tier 9

LW

NTDP

Zetterberg has been an excellent junior player in Sweden and for their national teams over the last two seasons. He's a highly talented offensive player. His skating, skill and goal-scoring touch are NHL traits. He can create a lot of offense at quick tempos. He beats defenders often with skill and can generate a lot of controlled entries. Zetterberg can make plays, but it's his shot from range that makes him quite dangerous in the offensive zone. His size is the major issue in his projection. He is very small, and while he plays center in junior Zetterberg is very likely a pro wing. I think the talent and pace could get him games, but he needs to prove he will be so dynamic to get a long-term NHL role.

Tier 9

C

SWEDEN-JR.

Poirier has been an excellent QMJHL winger, being a top goal scorer in that league and a leader on a top team. He also led the QMJHL playoffs in goals and points. He's a very skilled forward who displays excellent offensive skills. He has a high-end wrist shot and routinely beats goaltenders from range. He skates well enough although I wouldn't call him a blazer. The issues with Poirier come down to his 5-7 frame and that his compete level and perimeter style aren't what you want in a tiny forward.

Tier 9

RW

QMJHL

Vuollet was excellent at the Swedish J20 level this season and in their playoffs and got time up with Skelleftea's SHL team as well, although he wasn't as impressive at a U19 Five Nations tournament in February for Sweden. Vuollet is a skilled winger who is a strong skater and can play with a pro tempo. He generates a lot of controlled entries due to his feet. He sees the ice well and can make some plays, but it's his natural skill and ability to shoot from range that drives his offense. He kills penalties in junior, and competes well enough. He will need to show his offense is truly top-end to carve out a role at the top level.

Tier 9

LW

SWEDEN-JR.

Kos was a top player for Czechia's U18 team this season. He wasn't as impressive in league play but did get time versus men. He has a lot of NHL traits. He skates and handles the puck like an NHL forward and can create a lot of offense off the rush. Kos sees the ice well and can hit seams. I wouldn't call his offensive game dynamic, but I think he'll get his points versus men. He's not overly physical, but he gives an honest effort, can PK and create at the net. A COVID-19 complication led to him missing significant time in the middle of the season and he didn't look good when he came back at the U18 Worlds. The player I saw in the early parts of the season looked like a bottom-six wing in the NHL but I'm unsure of that projection.

Tier 9

LW

FINLAND-JR.

Mistelbacher had a productive season for a good Swift Current team and ended it off with a point/game playoffs. Mistelbacher is a good skater with above-average puck skills who can create offense with pace. He doesn't make a ton of plays, but he sees the ice well enough and can finish chances from range too. The debate on him will be finding a clear role at the higher levels given his off-puck play is average, but he has enough of a toolkit to have a chance.

Tier 9

RW

WHL

Melovsky was solid in his third draft-eligible season, helping Baie-Comeau become a top CHL team. He was also a top scorer for Czechia at the world juniors and helped lead them to a bronze medal finish. Melovsky is a good skater who can play both ways and with tempo. He has good puck skills and can make skilled plays from the perimeter, in tight and on the move. He sees the ice well and makes quick decisions with the puck. He's had a mild growth spurt which has helped improved his pro stock. He was 6 feet two years ago but now he's close to 6-foot-2, giving him more of a real chance to play NHL games.

Tier 9

C

QMJHL

Ziemer was the captain of the U.S. NTDP U18's this season, being a consistent top-six forward who played in every important situation. He's not a spectacular talent, but he's a consistent player. Ziemer is a hard-working winger who plays with good pace. He isn't that big, but wins battles. He was asked to be the net front player for the U.S. on PP1 and did so effectively. He has good hands and can make tough skilled plays in tight areas. For a smaller player is his offensive touch truly high-end? Probably not. If he makes it to the NHL as a bottom-six type it's because he willed his way into the league, which he has a chance to.

Tier 9

RW

NTDP

Pikkarainen didn't have a huge season at the Finnish junior level, but he showed enough particularly on a tools level to be intriguing as a pro prospect. He's an athletic winger with a big frame who can skate quite well. He gets around easily with an efficient stride. He displays strong individual skills and can beat defenders one-on-one. At the junior level in Finland, he showed strong vision and instincts, although I didn't see that as much versus better players. If he makes more plays I can see a potential bottom-six player, because he can score goals and has the aesthetic looks of an NHL forward.

Tier 9

RW

FINLAND-JR.

Traff didn't post huge numbers this season at the J20 level in Sweden, but he's a toolsy forward who looked decent versus men as well. He stands in at 6-foot-3 and skates very well for a bigger forward. Traff can make highly skilled plays on the move and could project to play at an NHL pace. He makes some plays at the Swedish junior level, but I think in the NHL his pure sense and offensive instincts would be subpar. He's got an NHL north-south game with a good shot, although he can play on the perimeter a bit too much and he is inconsistent.

Tier 9

RW

SWEDEN-JR.

Gojsic has developed well in his rookie WHL season after coming over from the BCHL and his game took off in the second half of the year. Gojsic looks like a pro forward. He's got a big, bulky frame. He is a powerful skater who can generate a lot of controlled entries with his speed and skill. He has legit one-on-one ability to beat checkers and can make some tough plays with the puck too. He has a hard one-timer and can beat goalies from range. Off the puck, he's just okay, drifts to the perimeter and could be more consistent. He certainly has a chance to be a bottom-six wing if he puts it all together.

Tier 9

RW

WHL

Walton had a strong season for a deep Sudbury offense despite not getting the premier power play opportunities although his play tailed off towards the end of the year. Walton is a very skilled big man. The way he moves pucks past checkers sticks and legs is quite impressive. With forwards who are nearly 6-foot-6 the question always comes down to skating. It's certainly not Walton's strength, as he has a heavy first few steps, but I've seen worse feet on a guy that size. I've seen him turn around enough OHL defensem*n to think he can play in the NHL. The bigger questions come down to his sense and effort which can frustrate scouts.

Tier 9

C

OHL

Velikov didn't have the big season in junior some expected him to have. He's a talented forward though who looks like he has a chance to be a solid pro. Velikov is a strong skating winger who has good tempo in his game. He gains the zone with control often due to his feet and hands. He sees the ice well and can make difficult plays on the move. He's physical enough and has shown two-way value in junior. He's played up levels, including playing games for Russia's senior team this season, giving some indicators his game could translate.

Tier 9

LW

RUSSIA-JR.

Aspinall's pure numbers with Flint this season won't wow you, but he was an important player for them and has some intriguing traits for the NHL. He's massive and has strong individual skill, especially for a big man. Aspinall isn't overly physical, but he creates a lot of offense around the net and shows good finishing touch in tight. He can make enough plays with the puck even though I wouldn't call him a play driver by any means. The biggest concern in his game is his skating. He's quite slow by NHL standards, although with his frame if he finds a way to score even at decent levels he has a chance to play a lot of games.

Tier 9

LW

OHL

Van Vliet didn't post great offensive numbers this season, but Van Vliet is a good-sized forward who can play center or wing. He's a good skater who plays fast. He has above-average hands and can pressure opponents with his speed, length and skill. I wouldn't call him a natural offensive type, as he lacks true creativity and vision. He has a direct style of play that should translate into pro offense though. He has a chance to be a bottom-six type if his offense translates.

Tier 9

C

NTDP

Avramov was a point-per-game player in the Russian junior league after joining the Kapitan program. The athletic tools in his game stand out. He's a 6-foot-3 winger who moves very well for a big man. He has good enough hands, and has the combination of traits to create controlled zone entries in the NHL. He makes some plays at the level he played at, but is he the most instinctive player ever? Probably not. But he competes well and has a real chance to play bottom-six minutes.

Tier 9

LW

RUSSIA-JR.

Sinivuori didn't post great numbers in Finland's junior league, but with Finland's U18 team, he showed more offense. Sinivuori is a skilled forward who can play center or wing. He has good hands and vision, and has shown the ability to have a power play run through him due to his playmaking and having a decent shot as well. His skating is an issue though when projecting him versus men.

Tier 9

C

FINLAND-JR.

Anatsky was a point/game player this season albeit on one of the worst teams in the Russian junior circuit. Anatsky is a good-sized center who has some skill and competes well. He doesn't shy from using his big body to win pucks and can create around the net front area. He can make some plays although I wouldn't call him a super creative player. His skating is his main area of weakness and will be an issue as he advances levels.

Tier 9

C

RUSSIA-JR.

Gill showed good progress in his second QMJHL season, scoring a good amount of points and playing a notable role for Rimouski. Gill's toolkit as a big defenseman who skates well enough and has some skill is intriguing. He can skate pucks up ice. He sees the ice well enough at the QMJHL level to make plays and be on a power play, although he doesn't project to do that at the pro level. He's a big man, but he doesn't use his body as much as you'd like to see, and his defensive play is just okay. It's unclear what his NHL role would be, even if he has the components of an NHL defenseman.

Tier 9

D

QMJHL

Roberts played a big role for Vancouver this season, lining up on both special teams. He's an athletic defenseman who skates well for his size. He has NHL straight-ahead speed and good enough four-way mobility and first-step quickness to skate at the pro level. Roberts' game isn't overly flashy. He shows some skill as a puckhandler and passer and can make the odd tough play but I wouldn't call him overly offensive. He can create with his feet and leads the odd rush. Defensively he uses his length to break up plays and has some physicality. If his puck play gets more consistent he could get games.

Tier 9

D

WHL

Ralph is a 6-foot-4 defenseman who skates well for a guy his size and played well in prep hockey this season for Shattuck. Ralph has enough puck-moving to be intriguing for the NHL. At the prep level, he showed flashes of good playmaking and instincts from the point. There are questions among evaluators about how well his offense will translate. He's not overly skilled and may struggle to move pucks versus men. The toolkit is intriguing and could hit, but we'll see how Ralph fares versus better players.

Tier 9

D

HIGH-MN

McIsaac didn't have the season some scouts expected this year in the WHL, but he's still a player with pro intrigue. McIsaac is a tall right-shot defenseman who can make a decent first pass. He makes a lot of stops due to his long reach and playing quite physically. The pure offense in his game won't get you that excited though. He doesn't have that much skill and his skating is just okay as well. With his size and being able to make a first pass and some stops he gives himself a chance.

Tier 9

D

WHL

Hradec was a limited-minute player at the top Czechia level this season and was okay at their junior level. He showed well with Czechia's U19 team though. Hradec is a big-body center who skates well and has been a good two-way center in junior. He has some skill and can be a threat in transition. He doesn't make many plays though and his natural scoring ability is a question though versus men.

Tier 9

C

CZECHIA

Haara emerged as a potential NHL prospect as a third-year eligible because of how excellent his skating is. He's a powerful, fluid skater who could be above average in the NHL. He has decent size and competes well too and looked solid versus men at times this season. The issue with Haara will be his puck play. He has a good point shot, but his hockey sense is just okay and he'll need to prove he can move pucks versus good players and create offense without his feet.

Tier 9

D

SWEDEN-JR.

Sawyer was a top player in the AJHL prior to Brooks joining the BCHL. He also helped lead Canada West to winning the World Jr. A Challenge. He has above-average puck skills and vision and makes a lot of tough plays. He has a good shot and can finish chances from midrange. Scouts often expressed concerns about his skating. He's a bit knock-kneed, but when I've watched I saw a player often pulling away from pressure and showing decent speed in transition to create chances. He has the tools and scoring touch to potentially be a bottom-six wing although his off-the-puck game isn't ideal for that type of role.

Tier 9

C

BCHL

Fernstrom had a big J20 season in Sweden from a numbers perspective being a top player on a team that made a deep playoff run. He was also an important player for Sweden's U18 team. He's a very skilled winger who sees the ice at a high level and has a good wrist shot. He's quite dangerous on the flank on the power play. He's a great junior scorer, but whether his game translates to the pros is a question. He's a subpar skater, and his compete level is average as well.

Tier 9

RW

SWEDEN-JR.

Burrows was a big part of an excellent Minnetonka team in Minnesota high school. He was also quite good in the USHL to start the season prior to leaving for school. Burrows is a good-sized winger with legit skill and offensive instincts. He makes a lot of difficult dekes and passes with the puck inside the offensive zone. He can create off the perimeter and has a decent interior game as well. Burrows' main issue comes down to his footspeed. He lacks separation speed for the pro game, but there are enough wow-caliber passes in his game with his frame to make me think he has a shot to be a useful depth player for an NHL team.

Tier 9

RW

HIGH-MN

Zellers was a highly productive player in prep hockey this season for Shattuck. He was also a top player for USA at the Hlinka Gretzky. Zellers is a very good skater who projects to be able to beat pro defenders wide. He has good skill and instincts with the puck. He can create scoring chances off the perimeter and around the net front. Zellers size is his main concern, and while he's talented, he doesn't have the eye-popping talent you'd like in a 5-foot-10 winger.

Tier 9

LW

HIGH-MN

Thorpe progressed well in his second WHL season after not making much of a dent as a rookie and first-year draft eligible. Thorpe is a big winger who plays hard. He has a good shot from range, and displays strong instances of puck skills. His hockey sense is a major question however, and his skating is just OK as well although he moves well for a big man.

Tier 9

RW

WHL

Gabe Smith didn't have great numbers in the QMJHL this season but his physical tools intrigue scouts. Smith is a large winger with good offensive creativity. He's quite athletic and moves decent for a big man. He isn't afraid to use his big body to land hard hits or create around the net front. I don't think the offense in his game is truly natural from a playmaking or finishing perspective though and he will need to prove he can score at the junior level first never mind the pros.

Tier 9

C

QMJHL

Gorbunov's numbers won't jump out at you, but he's one of the better athletes in the draft. Gorbunov is a huge center at 6-foot-5 who skates quite well for a guy his size. At the junior level, he shows decent enough offensive touch to go with the ability to play two ways. His pure hockey sense and puck game for the NHL will be a question though. He's so athletic that he's worth a gamble, but he could take a while to develop.

Tier 9

C

RUSSIA-JR.

Mayes is a tall defenseman who had a solid rookie WHL season for Spokane. His athleticism is highly intriguing given he's quite mobile for his size. He's strong, wins puck battles and plays with some bite. He shows some flashes with the puck, but Mayes isn't a natural puck-mover. His ability to carry pucks up is NHL caliber though. He has a chance to take real steps next season and look like a pro defenseman.

Tier 9

D

WHL

Babenko didn't have the season at the junior level that was expected after scoring 22 goals the previous year. He did play pro hockey at times, though, and look like a solid regular. Babenko has the size, skating and skill to be an NHL forward. He can generate a lot of controlled entries due to that combination. Babenko's shot is his main offensive trait. He has a rocket of a one-timer and wrist shot that can score from the faceoff dots. He can score and create with his skill, but I find he plays with his head down and doesn't make many plays. He also leans on his shot too much and can drift to the perimeter. The talent will get him picked, but he will need to round out his game to be successful as a pro.

Tier 9

RW

RUSSIA-JR.

Gardner was excellent for Saskatoon as a WHL rookie coming out of midget hockey. He put up big numbers albeit not in a legit starting role. Gardner is a super smart goaltender. He is very efficient, calm and squares up a ton of pucks. He anticipates the opponents’ moves and passes very well. He has good enough quickness to make tough saves, although he doesn't have the quick twitch lower half you'd like to see in a smaller goalie.

Tier 9

G

WHL

Kempf was the better of the U.S. NTDP's regular two goalies this season. He's an athletic netminder who can get side to side well and make tough saves. He reads the play well enough, but for a 6-foot-2 goalie, I'd like to see his game be a tad more efficient and consistent.

Tier 9

G

NTDP

Cowan was up and down for Spokane this season as their regular starter. The former sixth-round pick in his WHL Bantam Draft has developed well in the last few years. He's very athletic. Cowan has the quick twitch in his frame of an NHL goalie. He quickly sets himself for shots, and gets across the crease easily. He tracks pucks well and tends to get himself square to a lot of shots. His biggest issue is his barely 6-foot-2 frame and what it means for his pro chances. Probably due in part to his frame, Cowan tends to get beat a bit too much for my liking from long-range shots as well.

Tier 9

G

WHL

St-Hilaire played quite well in the QMJHL in his third draft-eligible season. His stock shot upward, leading to his winning a job as Canada's backup goaltender at the world juniors after being in midget hockey two seasons prior. St-Hilaire is an athletic goaltender. He makes a lot of difficult saves that require him to move quickly across the crease. He is quick, but technically sound. He doesn't have a ton of scramble in his game and reads the play well enough. If you had to knock St-Hilaire, it would be over his 6-foot-2 frame, and lack of track record of success.

Tier 9

G

QMJHL

Saarinen had a good season at the Finland junior level, although he was less impressive with their U18 national team. I can see what makes Saarinen quite appealing to NHL teams. He's a big goalie who moves quite well for a 6-foot-4 goaltender. He can make a lot of difficult saves, showing the lower half power to explode across the net when he needs to. As a pure athlete, he looks like an NHL goalie. His sense and puck tracking are my major concerns. He loses the puck a lot, and despite being so big he doesn't square up as many pucks as you'd like, often having to scramble in his net. As of now, he doesn't project as a full-time goalie, but he has the tools to become one.

Tier 9

G

FINLAND-JR.

George was Canada's starting goaltender at the Hlinka Gretzky and U18s and has been very good in the OHL. He is a very quick goaltender, with the twitch in his lower half to easily get across the crease. He often reads the play very well and squares up a lot of pucks. I like a lot of things about his game, but as a barely 6-foot-1 goalie I wish when I watched him I was blown away by one aspect of his game. I don't think his hockey sense or athleticism is high-end and despite his junior success, I have skepticism on how his game translates to the pros.

Tier 9

G

OHL

Sikora got a limited minute role at the top Czech league. He was a solid junior player though and was a leading part of Czechia's U18 team. Sikora's game isn't overly flashy. He has skill and can create with the puck, but his game is more direct. He's a good skater who competes well. He can kill penalties, and attacks the high percentage areas to create offense. His game lacks standout traits so it's a tough path for him to the NHL, but it wouldn't shock me if he won over a coach.

Tier 9

C

CZECHIA-JR.

Josephson didn't have a great statistical season in the WHL but he was still a good two-way forward for Red Deer. He was part of Canada's Hlinka team in the summer and is a former top-five pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. Josephson is a highly competitive center. He's not overly big, but he plays big. He's very physical, and wins a lot of 50/50 pucks due to his effort and possessing good speed. He has some skill, but the degree of offense Josephson has as a pro will be his main question. He makes some plays, but isn't a natural scorer. He is a great off-puck forward in junior but whether that translates to a bottom-six NHL forward is debatable.

Tier 9

C

WHL

Humphreys didn't have the big draft-eligible season some expected, in part due to injuries and then inconsistent performance. He is quite talented though and has a chance to be a solid pro scorer. Humphreys is a highly skilled forward who can make and finish plays effectively. He has the ability to run a flank on a power play and create chances with pace. He's a good enough skater and can make checkers miss in open ice. His compete is just okay. He doesn't get pushed around, but for a 5-foot-11 player, he doesn't have the top-end effort level you'd like to see.

Tier 9

C

NTDP