Marco Bombino provides a scouting report on 2019 NHL Draft Eligible defender Ville Heinola. One of the top Finnish defenseman available in this years draft he is skating against men in the Liiga and holding his own. Bombino projects as a solid mid-round pick.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: Heinola is a smooth skater with some nice agility and good edge work. He skates well in all directions and he is tough to get around because of his good mobility and backwards skating. His skating does not hold him back in the Liiga, but I think there are some aspects that need work. He could improve his acceleration and top-end speed to become a more dynamic skater and be more effective when carrying the puck up the ice. Grade: 50

Shot: Heinola has a very accurate point shot, whether it be a wrist shot or slap shot, that hits the net consistently. He is able to get good velocity on his slap shot in particular. He often keeps his slots low, looking for redirections in front of the net. His shot generation was excellent in the U20 league before he was called up to the Liiga. Grade: 55

Skills: Possesses good puck moving abilities and swift hands, enabling him to control the puck well in tight spaces and under forecheck pressure. He makes a good, crisp first pass and also distributes the puck well at the point, especially on the power play. He is active offensively. Although he does not make many dazzling plays, his overall skill set is strong. Grade: 50

Smarts: A very poised and smart player with the puck, he reads the game really well for such a young defenseman. Plays with his head up and has good offensive vision. I have also been impressed with his defensive awareness and gap control. He knows when to be more aggressive on the puck carrier and when to backtrack. He can break up plays with a quick stick. Grade: 60

Physicality: Heinola does not play an overly physical game. Most often, he relies on his sound positioning and uses a timely stick to poke pucks away, rather than playing the body. While he does show the willingness to battle along the boards and in front of the net, he currently lacks a strong physical presence. Grade: 45

Summary: Ville Heinola has been playing solid minutes against men this season after getting called up from the U20's, averaging 17 minutes of ice-time per game. His great poise and ability to read and anticipate the game have helped him to make a smooth jump to the Liiga. He makes smart plays in all areas of the ice and he has the offensive skill set to contribute even more offensively as the season progresses. Heinola is one of the top Finnish defensemen for the upcoming NHL Draft and I think he has a solid chance of becoming a mid-round pick.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 53

Currently leading the Muskegon Lumberjacks in scoring through the early part of the season, Russian born Egor Afanasyev was identified by NHL Central Scouting as a 'B' prospect as a potential second or third round pick. Ryan Wagman provides a detailed scouting report below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Egor Afanasyev. Photo by Hickling Images.

Skating: For a big player, Afanasyev is a fine skater. He will never be accused of being dynamic on his feet, but he has a strong stride, a decent motor, and quick feet. His strength plays up along the boards, as he is very hard to knock off his stride. He does not cheat to help spur the offensive attack, but he gets into position as the F2 in good time. Considering his recent growth – he reportedly grew 2 inches in the last calendar year, he will need continued work to maintain explosiveness in his first few steps. As is, he has the skating prowess to be a strong support option on the offensive attack. Grade: 55

Shot: Afanasyev has a shooting arsenal with the type of power that suits his build. His snapshot is his primary weapon, featuring both power and a quick release. He does a nice job of changing the angle on his shots, too, dragging the puck to adjust the shooting lane, helping him get the puck on the net, instead of into the shin pads of a defender who is blocking the nominal shooting lane. Can also threaten the goalie with a slapshot – standstill or one-timer - or a backhand. Used the latter to score a lovely goal against Chicago, roofing the puck from in tight after waiting out the goalie going down. His numbers over the past few years do not pop off the page due to his having often played against older competition, but he has the tools to score a healthy number of goals. Grade: 60

Skills: A nice puckhandler, Afanasyev does not show off anything that could be mistaken for fancy, although his hand-eye coordination is a frequent highlight to his game. He is masterful at gaining control of bouncing pucks, and his position in front of the net on the power play suggests that he will score plenty on tights and deflections. He can play with his back to the net and feed linemates in advantageous positions in the slot and thereabouts. His patience with the puck, borne from being stronger than most opponents and thus less susceptible of being stripped of the puck, helps him to create rushes and other scoring chances. Grade: 55

Smarts: Afanasyev is essentially a two-zone player. He is a bull in the offensive zone who wants, and generally gets, the puck and has a strong neutral zone game, with his stick serving as a major disruptor. Unfortunately, his game is lacking in his own end. He will backcheck diligently, if not effusively. Once the opposition has set up in his own zone, the big winger can drift in his coverage of the point, as he watches the puck more than his assigned zone. It is no surprise that he is not really used much on the PK. He is rarely heavily involved in puck battles in his own zone, barring those of a pinching defenseman. With the puck, he can slow the game down, to help the play develop on his terms, but is largely unable to dictate the flow when the opponent has the biscuit, excepting passes that are thrown in his reach. Also has a tendency to slide the puck into open space in the neutral zone, a maneuver which often leads to a completely unnecessary turnover. Grade: 50

Physicality: Not one to use his physicality as a weapon (see previous section about his play in the D-zone), Afanasyev is nonetheless able to use his bulk to his benefit. At the USHL level, there are few, if any, who would be a good match for his frame and strength in the corners. He will show occasional bouts of aggression but is by no means a dirty or fearful player. It stands to reason that his recent growth spurt will eventually be incorporated into his overall game, giving him more of a menacing vibe.  Grade: 55

Summary: Egor Afanasyev has been playing in North America since he was 15 and is now in his second season as a regular with Muskegon. He is currently one of their top scorers through the first month and change of the season. Unlike the Russian power forward whose spot in the lineup he took over last year (Andrei Svechnikov), Afanasyev is unlikely to move to the OHL (Ottawa has his rights), as he has committed to move to Michigan State next season. He has NHL size and a game that would not look out of place in a middle six role in the NHL in a few years. As mentioned above, there is a good chance that he becomes a more menacing player as he gets accustomed to his growing body, but the main area I would want to see him work on over the course of his draft year is his play in his own zone. If he begins to get more involved off the puck, he can be a true impact player.

Overall Future Projection (OFP) = 55.5

William Francis is big 6'4", 210 pound defenseman who Ryan Wagman describes as 'old school' and a commanding presence in his own end. A 'B' ranked prospect by NHL Central Scouting identifying him a potential second or third round pick.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

William Francis. Photo by Hickling Images

Skating: Although he does not fit the mold of the fleet-of-foot, modern-day blueliner, Francis skates well for his size. He generally pivots well but can be beat to the outside if he is not perfectly balanced. Can skate well with the puck, although prefers to move it to a teammate to do the leg work in his stead. Has enough pace to keep a tight gap along the blueline as well as to pinch in deep in the offensive zone. Displays solid edge work. In summary, he will not push the pace, but he can maintain it without falling back. Grade: 50

Shot: Francis has an accurate, low slapshot from the point, but he has not shown much in the way of power with it. He scored at a nice clip while playing high school hockey in his native Minnesota, but I cannot project him to be a big scorer rom the blueline in the USHL or at higher levels. Will be the type of defender who can fire one in as an area shot but will not be a goal scoring threat. To his credit, he is a right-handed shooter, so that will make him more highly coveted than the quality of his shot would suggest, but it is not a real weapon. Grade: 45

Skills: Francis passes the puck sharply to teammates. Makes a strong first pass to begin the transition from defense to offense. He shows great poise when trying to exit the zone and has good vision for the best pass forward. Will occasionally jump into the rush but is not a real offensive weapon. Clearing the zone and providing support from the line will make up the bulk of his offensive contributions. Grade: 50

Smarts: A primary penalty killer for the Roughriders, Francis is skilled at keeping on the right side of the puck. As mentioned above, he plays with great poise and his reads are advanced for a player who has so far only played 11 games above the high school level. He guards his line well and generally makes life difficult for opponents who line up against him. Uses size and strength well to keep his crease clear. His overall game is stronger in his own zone than in the other two zones. His ability to transition the puck from defense to offense, discussed above, are another indication of his hockey IQ. Grade: 60

Physicality: Big and strong. Francis also plays with innate aggression, suggesting a future role as a modern-day enforcer, keeping his end clean without needing to remove his gloves. Uses his big body well to maintain position on opponents in his zone. Also, can and will lay out big hits on opponents in his zone. Generally tough to play against.  Grade: 60

Summary: Will Francis is an old-school blueliner in his size and no (or at least relatively few) frills to his game. He is not a complete cipher in the offensive end but lacks the inherent skills or drive to be an offensive force. In his own zone, he can be a commanding presence. He can take on the toughest lines the opponent has to offer and be a staple on the penalty kill. Between his size and strength, he will coerce many opponents into trying to play on the other side of the ice. For a player of his talents and proclivities, the fact that he is right handed is almost redundant. Thankfully, he is a good enough skater, and his first passes show promising enough sharpness that there should be room for him to play on a second or third pairing at the highest levels after he finishes his time at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and marinates a bit more in the AHL.

Overall Future Projection (OFP) = 53.75

One of  28 'A' prospects identified by NHL Central Scouting as a potential first rounder, Cam York leads the stacked US National U18 team and USNTDP Juniors from the back end in scoring with 14 points in 14 games (5 in 5 USHL games). Ryan Wagman describes him as 'often the engine that allows the uber-skilled 2019 USNTDP class to excel'. Read his full scouting report below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Cam York. Photo by Rena Laverty/USA Hockey

Skating: A very mobile blueliner in the modern style. York’s skating is not dynamic, but he is fast enough to keep opponents on their heels when he moves the puck forward. Offensively, his feet help to move the puck into the offensive end. In his own end, he shows quick feet as he cuts down space in his half of the ice. He will not be a game breaker due to his wheels, but he can play an equal share role in an odd-man rush with the speedier of his teammates. Grade: 55

Shot: York has a very quick release on his wrist shot. That weapon can force a save from the goalie, or it can be used to generate tips and/or deflections in front of the net. He needs to do a better job of recognizing the absence of a shooting lane, as he can sometimes fire one directly into the pads of an opposing forward and thus give up an odd-man rush against. That said, he does show good vision in the offensive zone, so that aspect may be more a matter of falling into tunnel vision than an inability to read the defense in front of him. Grade: 50

Skills: York is a highly skilled puck handler for a blueliner. His hands have the quickness to match his feet. His stickhandling can allow him to waltz through a first layer of defense when manning the point, helping him get the puck in deep to his talented teammates, kicking the offensive attack into high gear. He is a very good passer and has plus playmaking instincts and tools. Grade: 60

Smarts: More of an offensive defenseman than a two-way player, York is not without merits in his own end either. He keeps a good, tight gap and uses his stick well to remove space, which also helps him to overcome his lack of size and brawn. He needs to avoid tunnel vision on offense, which can leave him flatfooted after a preventable turnover near the offensive blueline. This may be a longwinded way of stating that he relies very much on his skills, leaving him to neglect playing with enough reserve. His ability to read the game is advanced enough that I expect these shortcomings to subside in time.  Grade: 60

Physicality: Physicality is not a big part of York’s game. He rarely engages with the body, preferring to use his stick to try to separate man from puck. He is also good at positioning himself minimize space for the opponent, such that the lack of physical play does not hamper his overall game.  Grade: 45

Summary: Cam York is a skilled blueliner who has the makings of a power play quarterback at the highest level. He moves the puck with skill and speed and is often the engine that allows the uber-skilled 2019 USNTDP class to excel, getting the puck moving from their own end to the happy zone where Jack Hughes and company can take over. He spent half of last year playing up with the U18 program and never really looked out of place, although some gaffes in the WU18s put that assumption to the test. A graduate of the vaunted Shattuck St. Mary’s program, he Californian York had previously been committed to play at Boston College after graduating from the program, but he is currently uncommitted. He currently looks like a good bet to be selected before the mid-point of the second round, if not earlier.

Overall Future Projection (OFP) = 55

Currently sitting at eighth place in OHL scoring including 16 goals (4th in the league) in 17 games (17-16-11-27) Arthur Kaliyev is off to a strong start to his draft year. Marked as an 'A' player to watch by NHL Central Scouting the multi-dimensional winger with a strong shot is making a case to hear his name called in the top ten.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Kaliyev is a very difficult player to stop once he gets going because of his size, power, and skill combination. He is very adept at getting inside body position over defenders coming down the wing, as he powers his way to the net. He has a powerful lower body that allows him to stay strong on his skates, even when leaned upon. His first few steps and top speed are only average however. In particular, adding more explosiveness to his stride would really allow him to be more of a consistent factor away from the puck, an area of weakness for him. Grade: 50

Shot: This is a big time asset for Kaliyev. Over the past two years, he has been utilized as the point man and trigger man on the powerplay for the Bulldogs. His slap shot is extremely heavy and he does a pretty good job of getting it through traffic too. But he also possesses terrific wrist and snap shots, which he requires very little space to get off. We have seen him be way more aggressive in using his shot this season, shooting from any and every angle if given an inch by the opposition. Grade: 60

Skills: Last year, Kaliyev’s game was quite one dimensional; a North/South power game that revolved around his ability to power down the wing to create scoring chances, or get himself space in the slot to be a triggerman. But we have seen great growth in his East/West game this year; specifically his ability to create coming off the wall. His playmaking ability and vision with the puck has grown and it explains his uptick in production. He can drive the Bulldogs’ offense because he draws in multiple defenders with his size and puck skill, only to identify open teammates for scoring chances. As mentioned, he is very difficult to separate from the puck because he has quick hands that defenders have to respect, in addition to his size and power. Grade: 55

Smarts: Alluded to in the “skills” heading, Kaliyev has become a very smart player in the offensive end. He has shown to have a strong playmaking side to go with his ability to create scoring chances for himself off the rush. He moves the puck very well on the powerplay too, possessing the vision to play the point. Kaliyev is also great at finding scoring lanes without the puck, consistently finding soft spots that allow him to utilize his quick release. Could still stand to show a little more patience with the puck, rather than simply firing shots on net at tough angles. And his awareness in the defensive end is still a work in progress. Grade: 55

Physicality: While Kaliyev does play a power game, the physical component to his game remains quite inconsistent. He flashes the ability to be a factor in puck pursuit, using his size to win battles along the wall or out-muscle defenders behind the net. But there is, at times, a perceived laziness to his game that stems from his lack of physical engagement in the neutral zone and on the backcheck. At 6-2”, and likely close to 200lbs once he fills out, it will be interesting to see if he can find consistency in this department or if he profiles as more of a one dimensional offensive winger at the next level. This grade reflects his potential to be, at least, an average physical player. Grade: 50

Summary: Arthur Kaliyev has had a fantastic start to his sophomore OHL season, currently finding himself in the top 10 of league scoring. With his size and skill combination on the wing, he projects as a top six winger who can be a consistent 30 goal scorer at the NHL level. The question is whether he can continue to round out his game this season. A multi-dimensional 6-2” winger is a potential lottery selection.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54.5

Kirby Dach has enjoyed an explosive start and is fourth in scoring in the WHL with 32 points in 19 games and projects as a high draft pick in 2019. Kevin Gibbons provides a detailed report breaking down a well balanced game for a big man receiving very high marks in both skills and smarts.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

KAMLOOPS, CANADA - NOVEMBER 5: Kirby Dach #77 of Team WHL skates against the Team Russia on November 5, 2018 at Sandman Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)

Skating: Dach shows impressive agility for a man of his size.  He is able to weave in and out of traffic with relative ease.  On top of that he has very good acceleration that enables him to bear down on defenders quickly.  His long strides make him a threat in any foot race as he can get to his top speed and it is certainly above average. His edge work is very good which enables him to always be moving with his head up surveying the offensive zone. Grade: 55

Shot: Dach has a quick release and excellent accuracy. He can elevate the puck quickly and is dangerous from distance as he can lean his body into a shot to generate very good power. The only downside here is he is not naturally a shooter, and often in good shooting locations prefers to pass the puck. Despite that he still averages over three shots per game and is scoring on nearly 19% of his shots which shows he can be an elite finisher.  Grade: 65

Skills: With a 6-3” frame, the plays that Dach can make are impressive. It starts with his vision and ability to see plays developing. He makes excellent transition passes in the neutral zone that teammates are able to take in stride. He uses his size to help control the puck and dictate the pace as few players can push him off the puck. He can make quick moves to attack the net with the puck and has the strength to keep control of the puck in traffic. His vision makes him the focal point of the Saskatoon power play. He can look off defenders, completes cross ice passes with regularity and is able to make a move one on one to get a strong shot off. On the rush he is lethal as he can hang onto the puck until the defender and goalie both commit before making a great saucer pass. One on one he moves the puck around with his great reach which changes angles to his advantage and enables him to beat guys regularly.  Grade: 70

Smarts: There is an impressive ability to slow the game down. He can hold the puck an extra second with his frame to enable his teammates to get by defenders into space. Dach can see open ice and put pucks into it allowing teammates to attack with speed.  In close and along the wall he makes excellent reads as he draws defenders to him creating lanes and opportunities.  Defensively, he blocks lanes and cross seam passes and is very effective and making sure he gets the puck out of the zone due to his excellent anticipation. Grade: 70

Physicality: Dach has excellent size and uses it very effectively particularly when controlling the puck along the outside, using his reach to get to loose pucks and his wing span to help defend passes.  He has the physical tools to be dominant but does not play a hugely physical game (more JVR than Eric Staal).  I have seen teams finish every check on him, which over a game reduced his overall effectiveness, but he uses his frame and body to his advantage. Grade: 55

Summary: Kirby Dach is a versatile and complete player. He has excellent size coupled with great skills and a good head for the game. He can play either the wing or at center as he is responsible defensively. On the power play he runs things from the half wall creating chances with his excellent vision and deft passing skills. When he chooses to shoot the puck he is lethal and has a nice array of quick release shots that get on the goaltender quickly. He is a dynamic offensive player that can manage the puck and pace of the game like few forwards can. He is controlled and does not panic when under pressure and has all the tools to be a top line player at the pro level.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 64.5

Russian center Oleg Zaitsev plays a strong two-way game and on both special teams. A 'B' rated player to watch by NHL Central Scouting, indicating a second or third round selection. Vince Gibbons provides a detailed scouting report below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Oleg Zaitsev of the Red Deer Rebels. Photo by Dave Brunner/Red Deer Rebels

Skating: Zaitsev is more than capable of playing the game with speed.  His line plays with a lot of pace and movement which makes them very effective.  The two step acceleration he shows is impressive although his top speed is not high end.  He shows good agility and has strong edge work that enables him to move in traffic with speed with or without the puck. Grade: 55

Shot:   Zaitsev has shown plenty of finish in his first dozen games in North America but could stand to shoot the puck more. He has a great wrist shot that when he leans into it, jumps off his stick. He gets into good scoring positions around the net and can get off a good shot with defenders draped all over him due to his overall strength.  Grade: 55

Skills: Has a nice set of skills in any zone of the ice. Defensively he is very sound with an active stick and good work along the walls to get to loose pucks. In the neutral zone he plays with his head up making crisp passes up ice as his team transitions forward. He is comfortable carrying the puck up if there are no good passing options. He has sort of a bull rush mentality where he tries to go through guys rather than around but has good puck control skills while doing so. Along the wall he makes some nice skill plays off boards to himself or a quick pivot and net drive. He makes quick passes and has excellent puck retrieval skills in both zones. Grade: 60

Smarts: When a guy plays on both special teams units they usually are very intelligent players. That is certainly the case for Zaitsev. He stays puck side of his man and angles him off very well. Along the wall he makes sound plays to push the puck out of his zone while having his head up to release a player quickly. He shows his smarts on the power play by anticipating where rebounds are going and being there first. He makes sounds decisions with the puck and will circle back rather than give up possession on a low probability dump in. When the fore-check is on he is at his most dangerous as he can turn guys over with his good reads, and make quick plays into high danger areas.  Grade: 60

Physicality: One of the most impressive parts to his game is his physical presence on the ice. Not a dominating player in size he uses his weight very effectively in taking players off the puck. He was very effective in a shutdown role against other top draft eligible player as he puts the puck carrier under constant physical pressure. In front of the net he battles extremely hard and once he gets to a spot he is very hard to move out of the way. The fore-check and along the wall are other spots he shows his physical strength. He uses his body to separate his opponent from the puck even if he it is not always a big hit.  Grade: 60

Summary: Oleg Zaitsev is not your typical Russian when you think of skilled forwards even though he does possess some excellent skills. He has an abrasive style to his game that enables him to contribute even when his production is not there. On both sides of special teams he is a force and he works tirelessly to get pucks out on the penalty kill. There is some nice offensive upside there as well but he projects more of a two-way game with a real physical presence rather than an elite offensive talent.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 58

Big, poised, defensive minded blueliner Michael Vukojevic is relied on by his coaches in all critical situations. In the scouting report below Brock Otten describes Vukojevic as "one of the top defensive defenders available at the draft this year" A 'C' prospect on NHL Central Scouting 2019 watch list projecting as a mid round pick.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Michael Vukojevic of the Kitchener Rangers Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Skating: Vukojevic is simply put, an average skater. His overall mobility is good for a defender of his size. His lateral and backwards agility is decent and allows him to keep oncoming attackers in front of him so that he can use his reach and physicality to neutralize attacks. He also rarely over commits down low, realizing his strengths and weaknesses as a mover, demonstrating patience. He knows that his recovery ability is not the same as others with greater skating ability. Vukojevic’s forward skating stride lacks true power, which limits his speed and prevents him from being a consistent part of the rush. I do not think his skating ability will hold him back from being an NHL defender, but it is definitely not his best asset. Grade: 50

Shot: One thing that Vukojevic does extremely well is get his point shot through to the net. He does a great job keeping pucks in at the line and has a good, low wrist shot that he can get through traffic. But it is not meant to score. It keeps plays alive and generates second chance opportunities. He is certainly not, at this point, an aggressive offensive player who looks to create space for himself to shoot to score. Rarely do you see him jump up or try to find space in the slot, backdoor. He is a big player, so a big powerful point shot is something that could potentially be developed. Grade: 45

Skills: Vukojevic, even though he lacks dynamic puck handling ability, is competent and confident with the puck in all three zones. His first pass out of the defensive zone is solid and he has good vision up ice to identify outlets. As mentioned, he also does a great job keeping pucks in, once the offensive zone has been gained. Rarely does he fumble the puck or turn it over due to pressure. Whether cutting through the neutral zone or leading the rush, he keeps things simple and does not possess the elite stick handling ability of some others who can create something out of nothing. This will likely limit his offensive potential at the NHL level. Grade: 50

Smarts: Since his debut in the OHL as a 16-year-old, one thing has been clear; Vukojevic is as steady and composed as you will find in the defensive zone. As a sophomore, he has taken over the role as Kitchener’s number one defender and plays all key defensive situations for the team. Rarely do you see him caught out of position. Rarely do you see him lose a battle for the puck. His stick is generally always in the right spot to break up passing lanes or keep attackers to the outside. He is a defensive beast. Also worth mentioning, yet again, that his ability to keep pucks in at the blueline is a testament to his hockey sense and ability to forecast scenarios in the offensive end. Grade: 60

Physicality: This is the other area that Vukojevic excels in. He makes his presence known in the defensive end and is a very tough guy to match up against. This is especially true below the hash marks. He pins well along the wall and is great at separating forwards from the puck behind the net, killing time of possession for the opposition. He also punishes in front of the net, and is not afraid to give that extra whack or two to make opposing forwards think twice about attacking the net. He will occasionally step up on players at the blueline, looking for the big hit. But he is also extremely cautious about taking himself out of position. Grade: 60

Summary: Michael Vukojevic is not only one of the top defensive defenders available at the draft this year, but he has already become one of the best in his own end in the entire OHL. The offensive potential may not be incredibly high, but he projects as someone who can be relied upon to preserve leads and ultimately win Championships.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 53.75

Tenacious winger Cole Mackay demonstrates good offensive hockey smarts. Average skating ability will limit how far he moves up the board on draft day but brings other skills to the table as outline in a detailed scouting report from Brock Otten.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Cole MacKay of the Sault Ste. Marie Grehounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Mackay has shown great progress in his sophomore season, seeing a huge uptick in production. But his offensive abilities are a testament to his strong hockey sense and skill level, and not necessarily his skating ability. Mackay is simply an average skater. He does not generate a ton of power with his push offs, which means he is not necessarily an explosive quick strike player. He will not beat you with his speed down the wing. But he is quick enough to find open lanes, and smart enough to overcome a lack of pure athleticism. His stride reminds me a lot of former Otter and current Maple Leaf Connor Brown. Grade: 50

Shot: While he only has 6 goals on the season thus far, Mackay is a potential 30 goal scorer at the pro level because his release is quick and he shows no fear on the ice. Once he gets stronger, I believe his shot will add velocity, making him a much more dangerous goal scorer. He will also need to develop the confidence to shoot more, especially when it comes to creating his own scoring chances coming down the wing. I really like his potential as a triggerman on the wing, especially on the powerplay. Grade: 55

Skills: To play with someone like Morgan Frost, which Mackay does, you have to own a pretty high level of skill. Mackay is an excellent puckhandler and has very soft hands in traffic. Despite lacking in elite size, he is very effective in tight to the net and is difficult to separate from the puck because of his tenacity and puck skill. That is not to say that he is the type to dazzle with one on one moves, hitting the highlight reel. He keeps things relatively simple. But his ability to drive the net, work off of the wall, and work give-and-goes will help him be an effective offensive player moving forward. Grade: 55

Smarts: This has to be considered Mackay’s bread and butter. He is just one of those players who gets it in the offensive end. The puck consistently finds him because of how well he reads and reacts to situations that unfold. When you combine that innate hockey sense with his effort level and drive, you have a very valuable supportive offensive player. He is also a fairly effective player in all three zones, showing the ability to force turnovers in the neutral zone with his positioning and quick stick. Grade: 60

Physicality: If you lack elite physical tools like Mackay (size and skating ability), than you better bring pretty much everything else to the table. And that is why it was so refreshing to see this prospect transform himself into an extremely tenacious player this year. He could easily be classified as a pest as he consistently gets his nose dirty in scrums and drives the net without the puck with a feverous intensity. He never stops his feet from moving and he is always looking to attack. He will make a hit to separate his player from the puck and looks to engage below the hash marks to win battles for loose pucks. Again, he consistently outworks the opposition. As he gains strength, I would expect that we will see this part of his game continue to grow and expand, especially in the physicality department. To be an NHL player, Mackay will need to be a Brad Marchand type, who is always looking to attack. Grade: 55

Summary: Without elite size and skating ability, Cole Mackay is not likely to be in consideration for the first two rounds come June. But with his hockey IQ, skill level, and tenaciousness, he could make a great mid round pick for a team who will respect his ability to produce offensively. Again, I see Mackay as a similar player, eventually, to the Leafs’ Connor Brown.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54.5

One of 33 goaltenders on the NHL Central Scouting watch list, Ethan Anders received a 'C' designation indicating a mid round selection. Vince Gibbons breaks down his game in a detailed scouting report below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Ethan Anders of the Red Deer Rebels. Photo by Dave Brunner/Red Deer Rebels

Athleticism/Quickness/Speed: Anders is deceptively quick moving laterally.  He generates a good push going side to side and is able to recover quickly after going down. His glove and blocker quickness have improved this year over last which has helped him move up draft boards early this year but they will need continued improvement. He reacts very well on odd man rushes anticipating and reacting quickly to the pass or quick shot option. Grade: 50

Compete/Temperament: Anders is competitive between the whistles but is quite relaxed otherwise.  Last season he let in a few soft goals but was able to park them and move forward giving his team a chance to win every night. There was never a goal that really seemed to cave in his confidence and he continued to battle. In a scrum around his net you can see his competitiveness as he battles hard for space in traffic and works to get to his spot.  Grade: 55

Vision/Reading Play: He is excellent on the PK as he is able to read back door plays and cross ice passes very well.  Even as the puck is being moved around quickly he is rarely caught by a shot he is not square to. At 6-1” he is always battling to see through traffic but it has not hampered his effectiveness as he is competent looking through traffic.  Grade: 55

Technique/Style: Plays a very controlled and sound positional game. His style of play does not leave him with huge athletic out of position saves that make you Ooh or Awe, but he is very sound fundamentally sound staying compact and square to the shooter.  He is a butterfly goalie that rarely goes down to early.  When he is down he covers the bottom of the net effectively.  Many of the saves he makes are from his sound positioning and not giving the shooter many options. Grade: 60

Rebound Control: Anders has pretty good rebound control down low where he can absorb shots with little to no rebound. He can push them out into the corner with his stick or pad and often deflects pucks up over the glass from shots because he is almost always square to the shooter.  He will need further improvement on elevated shots as his glove often makes the save but does not hold the puck and shots off his blocker tend to drop into high danger areas. Grade: 50

Puck Handling: As with many right glove goalie his puck handling leaves a bit to be desired.  He is effective at knocking pucks down but can look a little clumsy when trying to play the puck.  He does not generate good power to make long range passes and his best play is usually to stop it and leave it behind the net. Grade: 45

Summary: Ethan Anders has really built off his strong finish to last season and looks every bit the part of a number one goalie in the WHL.  He plays a calm game which helps to stabilize the team in front of him.  He makes all the saves that he should as he plays a very sound, fundamental without being flashy, game.  He stays square to shooters and reads the play quite well.  His puck handling is an area for real improvement, but there are a lot of positives to his start this season.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 53.5

Welcome to the first in what should be a set of recurring AHL divisional updates that we will be publishing throughout the year. Approximately once per month for each AHL division, we will be bringing you, our faithful and amazing readers the latest and greatest about the prospects who are one injury away from the NHL.

Throughout the month of October, the American Hockey League's Central Division welcomed two big divisional shakeups. One was the introduction of the Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage, previously from the Pacific Division ranks, to the Central.

The next was much bigger: instead of sharing affiliates with other teams, the expansion of the AHL to 31 teams gave the Vegas Golden Knights and St. Louis Blues their own farm clubs. The Blues assumed full control of the Rampage from its previously shared state, while the Knights and the Chicago Wolves -- who had select Blues prospects and various loaners on the roster last season -- fully embraced their partnership.

This has had an impact on the development of star pupils from each of the organizations, as has the aforementioned move of Texas and San Antonio to the Central Division. In the first edition of a new season-wide, monthly chronicle, we will be "emptying the notebook" on prospects and team analysis from the AHL's Central Division in this article.

Similar to our Yearbook work, the notebook will have info on prospects in the AHL from a scouting perspective.

Milwaukee

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Nashville Predators right wing Eeli Tolvanen (11) skates in the first period of the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning on September 22, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

Exciting forward prospect Eeli Tolvanen, whom Nashville grabbed late in the 2017 first round, has shown that he is worth the buzz so far. With six assists compared to one goal early on (as of this writing in the first week of November), he is exhibiting his willingness to improve as a facilitator despite having perhaps the best wrist shot in the Nashville prospect system. One thing that helps: he is extremely poised for a 19-year-old and looks more mature than some of the vets on the team.

Emil Pettersson (13th in Predators prospect rankings), the older brother of Calder Trophy frontrunner Elias Pettersson, hasn't been too shabby either. Emil (4-5-9) is playing with more assertiveness and speed on the puck compared to last season, and maintaining the smarts that made him valuable to begin with. Recently, Pettersson began playing on the Admirals' top power play unit.

Chicago

Part of the Vegas Golden Knights' first ever draft, Erik Brannstrom (3rd) was one of the most exciting defensemen in the European leagues last season and has continued to light his competition on fire in the AHL. Brannstrom has nine points in as many games, leading a Chicago blueline with former first-rounder Griffin Reinhart (16th) and fellow 2017 pick Nic Hague (4th).

Brannstrom's game is built around his speed and fearlessness offensively, and he has effectively carried those traits into his pro career. He has maintained responsibility in his own zone as well.

Iowa

Wild "goaltender of the future" Kaapo Kahkonen was impressive in his first month of North American pro hockey. Kahkonen, the seventh-ranked prospect in the Minnesota system coming into the season, has made two starts and has allowed just four goals on 58 shots against for a 1.96 GAA thus far. Kahkonen uses his glove hand well -- always keeping it high and ready, has tremendous footwork and overall athleticism, and looks composed at all times despite occasional defensive lapses. At just 22 years old, he is well above his AHL rookie peers.

Mason Shaw, a 19-year-old rookie winger, has produced eight points in nine games by virtue of his sublime skating and sensational puck-moving/facilitating skills. The WHL product has definitely not looked like a player who tore his ACL last year.

Luke Kunin

Forward prospect Luke Kunin (third-ranked Wild prospect) exhibited his high-energy, skillful game, but had done a lot of promising physical stuff in October as well. After tearing his ACL and ending his first pro season too early last year, the former World Junior Classic gold medalist has started his season with a bang (3-4-7 in six games). Kunin is also becoming more physically assertive and using his body to win pucks; a good sign for his health.

The undersized Sam Anas (18th-ranked Wild prospect) has shown his worth as a 25-year-old former free-agent signing, using his quick, whippy wrist shot release to generate the fourth-most shots on the team thus far. The scrappy right-winger is playing top-line minutes for the Wild.

Manitoba

Mason Appleton (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Mason Appleton (3rd) has picked right back up on his incredible scoring efforts from last season (22-44-66 in 76 games) with a team-high 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 11 games. The second-year pro transformed into an offensive catalyst coming out of Michigan State, as he continues to improve on his otherwise flawed skating abilities. Appleton's finishing touch and his shot-generation are noticeably improved this season also.

Top-ranked prospect Kristian Vesalainen has been a welcome presence in the lineup with four assists in four games after being assigned from Winnipeg in the middle of October. He has been a beast low in the zone, using his 6-4" frame to beat the AHL's beefy defensemen in the cycle game. His future NHL top-six potential has been on full display.

Rockford

Chicago Blackhawks center Dylan Sikura(Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire)

Dylan Sikura should undoubtedly be in the NHL. He has top-flight skill, speed, and hand-quickness, and is mature enough as a 23-year-old former NCAA player to hold his own in the middle or top-six with the Blackhawks. But I'm not complaining about getting to watch him play in the AHL.

The third-ranked Blackhawks’ prospect has led the team in scoring so far (4-6-10 in 12 games), throwing 44 shots on goal with a sense of urgency with the puck. He is shooting more than ever early on, and on account of that, he could be the necessary depth-scoring option in the Hawks' lineup.

Intriguing forward prospect Victor Ejdsell (7th) has been noticeable so far. He is not the best skater, but he has great size, positioning, and shooting touch. Acquired by the Predators in the Ryan Hartman trade at the deadline last season, Chicago got a solid middle-six guy and a potential power play weapon, if his AHL results are any indicator.

How Rockford will adjust from Jeremy Colliton, their former head coach who jumped into the role of the Blackhawks' bench boss, to new interim coach Derek King, remains to be seen. They might run the exact same schemes and whatnot, but the locker room culture swap might change a lot in Illinois.

Texas

Denis Gurianov (Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

Rookie centerman Joel L'Esperance has stolen the show for the Stars early on into the season. After impressing the front office and earning an NHL contract last season, the formerly undrafted forward was one of the team's top scorers in October (5-3-8). A big-bodied forward capable of playing all three spots up front, L'Esperance is a pest on the puck and hard to shove off the rubber. He exerts full effort in the defensive zone and in backchecking, exhibiting his high-quality skating skills relative to players his size, and has some untapped skills and fancy stick-handling on which to build going forward.

Top-ten prospects like Colton Point (6th in our yearbook's Stars prospect rankings), Denis Gurianov (8th), and Adam Mascherin (10th) have seen a bounty of playing time, with varying results. Gurianov (6-4-10) is the top scorer on the Stars thus far as his assertiveness and all-around maturity have taken major strides this season.

Mascherin (3-2-5) is getting there, incorporating his booming shot and creativity into the offensive attack. His skating still lags, but the former OHL star has the raw talent part down. Point (1-2-1, 3.91 GAA, .851 SV%) struggled in his first month as a pro, as he adjusts from the chaotic crease of an undermanned Colgate squad to a team with a competent defense. Right now, his biggest problem is wanting to do too much, and his upbringing with a poor NCAA team is at fault for that.

Grand Rapids

Images from the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas, Texas on Friday June 22, 2018. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Top prospect Filip Zadina -- the sixth-overall pick in June -- has had his ups and downs in his first pro month. With seven points in 11 games (four goals, three assists), his raw skill has been on full display at times, as his near-elite shooting and high-grade skating have helped him produce exceptionally well considering that he is 18 years old and is playing in the world's second-best league. Other times, the heralded winger has looked lost, both on offense and on defense. During games, he has gone through long stretches of complete obscurity, unnoticeable for dozens of shifts in a row. As he acclimates to the pace of pro hockey, he should be fine.

A relatively off-the-radar defenseman who has been impressive thus far in 2018-19 is Vili Saarijarvi. Heralded as an offensively-creative d-man early into his pro career, the 2015 third-rounder was anything but last season. However, he is using his legs more to create space for teammates and handling the puck up the ice more than ever. Saarijarvi was unranked in our preseason rankings.

San Antonio

The Rampage are terrible. After a month of play, they sit at 3-10-0-0 (six points) and at the bottom of the Central Division, so it is hard to buy into top St. Louis Blues prospects with underwhelming offensive numbers. Klim Kostin (2nd) has just five points (two goals, three assists), but he has been fine, incorporating his speed, playmaking, and physical gifts to his advantages.

Goaltending pupil Ville Husso (7th) has been getting his reps in behind a struggling team, but has recorded a 1-7-0-0 record, 3.17 GAA, and .890 SV%. Husso, 23, is so late into his development that a poor team might actually help him; he has the physical and mental aspects of goaltending down, but a squad like the Rampage can teach him how to stay calm, composed, and ready to fight.

Philip Broberg is another Swedish 'A' prospect to watch from NHL Central Scouting - indicating a potential first round pick. Jimmy Hamrin sees 'A two-way defenseman with great skating and size. In style he reminds me of Swedish defensemen like Victor Hedman or Mattias Ekholm' -  a full scouting report follows to explain why.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: A standout skater. Broberg’s north-to-south skating is very fast. He can skate with the puck and explode through a whole team over the three zones. He has long powerful strides and his acceleration is impressive. He can get up to top speed in just a few strides. His agility and quickness are good as well but not as impressive as his straight-line skating. Grade: 70

Shot: He needs to improve his shot but he has the grounds to do so. His slapshot is hard but not as accurate or as effective as it needs to be if he wants to be a dangerous shooter from the point. He needs to get better accuracy in using his snap shot or wrist shot through traffic. Again, the technique and power are good, but the timing and accuracy both need to better. Grade: 55

Skills: Broberg is a good passer, he sees the ice well with long and/or short passes in the breakout. He also has good technique with the puck, moving sideways or deking past an opponent. He can use his technique to deke from standing still on the blueline. His puck technique close to his feet needs some working though as can be a bit prone to fumbles there. Grade: 55

Smarts: He reads the game well, both offensively and defensively. Defensively he has such a good reach with smooth skating and long body and stick. He is often effective shutting down the neutral zone forcing the opponent to lose the puck or at best dump the puck. His timing there is very good. When under pressure in the own end he sometimes loses patience and tries to force a play that isn’t there but that is something he will learn with more experience. Offensively he is a good weapon as he joins the rush with his skating and skills. He could be a better playmaker with the puck, though. He often tries to score on his own when he carries the puck. As effective a puck carrier as he is, I would like to see him make more plays where he sets up teammates in good situations. Grade: 55

Physicality: A big and superfast body is a force that will be hard to stop as he is a fully grown NHLer. He does not play overly physical but neither does he shy away. He could get stronger in front of his net which he will probably get in due time. This will not be an issue long term. Grade: 60

Summary: A two-way defenseman with great skating and size. In style he reminds me of Swedish defensemen like Victor Hedman or Mattias Ekholm. Not the superskilled or smart playmaker like an Erik Karlsson or a PK Subban but a big forceful d-man that looks like a fourth forward when he carries the puck at full speed. Philip Broberg has shown great development over the last year. He was not as highly ranked a year ago and had a real coming out-party at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament. His skating has shown great improvement. He always has had quite good technique but as he has grown and gotten stronger in his legs his speed is really something that stands out. Broberg is a sure thing to make the NHL with his elements. He has the potential of becoming a top pair defenseman with top 4 d-man being his likely floor, but he will need some time to develop his raw game into a suitable role. Right now, he is learning at the second senior level in Sweden and doing well. His potential to be very effective in the neutral zone is something to keep in mind as well. He does not need to be a big point producing defenseman to be effective for his team.   Overall Future Projection (OFP): 59.5

Tobias Björnfot is designated an 'A' level player to watch by NHL Central Scouting. Jimmy Hamrin agrees and sees him as a 'being a late first round pick at this point'. He explains in a detailed report below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

CHELYABINSK, RUSSIA - APRIL 29: Sweden's Tobias Bjornfot #4 carries the puck while followed by Czech Republic's Michal Kvasnica #19 during bronze medal game action at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Skating: Strong skater. Moves smoothly and well in all directions. He is fast over both short and long distances. He has good skating technique, he is “sat” with lower body strength and glides well. He has long strides but when he accelerates his stride is a bit shorter. He has good top speed and is hard to beat with speed. Bjornfot can travel with the puck due to his skating as well. Grade: 60

Shot: Bjornfot has a good wrist shot. He shoots both hard and with a quick release. He can shoot through traffic. He is an okay goal scorer for a defenseman. He scored on 8% of his shots in his first season in SuperElit and is at that level again early this season. That is a strong number from the blueline. He rarely uses his slap shot effectively. Grade: 55

Skills: He has good control of the puck. It sits well on his stick and he is a good passer. His fail percentage is probably low based on what I have seen. He can deke through someone as well as to use a simple play. Across the blueline he moves well with his skates but also with good puck control. Grade: 55

Smarts: Bjornfot plays a two-way game and he is strong at both ends of the ice. He is poised and has leadership qualities. He has also shown good ability to adapt to a new stage. He has played one SHL game (with probably the most stacked team in the league this season) and during that game his performance really grew from shift to shift. He can quickly learn from his mistakes and adapt as needed. Bjornfot is most often on the right side of the puck and with his skating he is effective in shutting down the game or to at least slowing it down for the opposing attack. He reads situations well and rarely makes mistakes. He is a low-risk player in that regard and finds a way to perform under pressure. Grade: 60

Physicality: He is steady built with average size. He has good balance and can play physical when he needs to. He is strong along the boards and can handle pressure in front of the net as well. Grade: 55

Summary: A mobile two-way defenseman with top four potential. He does not have the high-end skillset to become a first pair defenseman but his smarts and stability make him a good top 4 or top 6 defenseman. Even though he does not have big point producing offensive potential he has good offensive elements. He is a strong passer, a good puck carrier and possesses a dangerous wrist shot. Tobias Bjornfot plays for one of the best teams in the SHL and will have a tough time cracking the lineup this season but the game he played – he played well, so I would bet he will see more SHL games as the season progresses. For the draft, I see him being a late first round pick at this point. His overall game and the lack of any significant hole in his game should make him attractive for the draft. He is a good bet to make the NHL.Overall Future Projection (OFP): 57.75

The 2019 draft may still be seven months into the future, but it is not too early to start narrowing our focus on those young players who are primed to be top selections in Vancouver.

Of course, some of these names were already in the spotlight as much as two or three years ago. When was the name of Jack Hughes not bandied about by the prospect cognoscenti?

KAMLOOPS, CANADA - NOVEMBER 5: Kirby Dach #77 of Team WHL skates against the Team Russia on November 5, 2018 at Sandman Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)

Even a league like the WHL – which is the league to scout this year – with its Bantam Draft popping 14 and 15 year olds, which never fails to elicit a think piece or two about the folly of projecting players so young, is putting that to the test, as the top three players selected in the 2016 Bantam Draft are all listed among our first top 31. In addition to that big three of Peyton Krebs, Kirby Dach, and Bowen Byram, that 2016 first round also included projected first rounders Dylan Cozens (19^th overall), and Matthew Robertson (seventh overall). The other players selected in that first round needn’t feel too bad as seven others are in our “Honorable Mention” grouping, and others are sure to feature here as the season progresses and we expand our rankings.

In addition to the WHL, the USNTDP has another extremely strong class of players this year, led by the aforementioned Hughes, who is not surprisingly our top ranked player. He is joined by winger Matthew Boldy (9^th) in our top ten, Cole Caufield (11^th), Alex Turcotte (14^th), Cameron York (17^th), and Trevor Zegras (18^th) in the top 20. Teammates John Beecher (25^th) and Marshall Warren (30^th) are also in our early first round and there are others in the honorable mention chomping at the bit. Of note among that next tier, netminder Spencer Knight is making us consider our longstanding philosophy of avoiding goalies in the first round. He may be that good, and another month like the last one will both get him on to the American WJC squad and place him in our second look at the top 31. There are some other good netminders this year, most notably Dustin Wolf and Taylor Gauthier, both WHLers currently ranked in the Honorable Mentions, but Knight is the only one who has the chops to break into the rarified air of first round goalies.

Forward #34 Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs

In a reversal of the standard state of affairs, the QMJHL has more high end talent than the OHL this year. The latter only placed two players in our top 31 in Ryan Suzuki (10^th) and Arthur Kaliyev (20^th). The Q, on the other hand, has Raphael Lavoie (7^th), Jakob Pelletier (22^nd), and Samuel Poulin (26^th) at the moment. In fact, before we get to draft day, there may be as many non-USNTDP USHLers in the first round as there are OHLers, as Robert Mastrosimone (29^th) could be joined by Bobby Brink (HM), who has started his draft year on a blistering pace.

The European talent is split pretty evenly between Finland, Sweden and Russia, with all three countries likely to see 2-4 players selected in the first round and each one placing a player in the top ten.

It is too early to hone in on specific trends in the draft class, as much will change as the season progresses and many NHL scouts really only begin to bear down on the talent at hand after the holidays, but it is fair to note that the forwards have the upper hand this year, with only 10 blueliners ranked in our top 31. Even looking at the 37 players ranked in our Honorable Mention, only eight more defensemen are listed. Again, things will certainly change as the months fly by, but this may be something to keep in mind.

Finally, a note on the Honorable Section. The 37 players listed alphabetically there are not ranked in any order and are not even necessarily the next 37 best prospects. They are simply a grouping of players who have all created fairly positive impressions already but not positive enough to be in our top 31. As we refine our rankings more over the coming months, we will grow more certain in our scouting looks at the class of 2019 and expand our hard rankings accordingly.

Victor Soderstrom is ranked 15th on McKeen's preliminary November draft rankings and the third defenseman off the board after fellow Swede Philip Broberg and Bowen Byram from the WHL. Jimmy Hamrin provides a full scouting report below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: A smooth skater. Soderstrom has an easy stride and doesn’t seem to need much power to get up to speed. His agility sideways is really good as well as his backwards skating. He always looks to be in control and he gets to the positions he thinks he needs to be in and almost never gets caught due to speed. His balance comes from his lower-body and he looks strong in in his legs. The top speed is not superfast, but fast enough. Grade: 60

Shot: Soderström is not a powerful shooter. He is more a smart-through-the-screen-shooter. In junior, he is a frequent shooter but not an effective one. In senior, he has not taken that many shots, not even on the power play. He has good shooting technique and he can shoot the puck with a quick release. With more accuracy and more of a shooting mentality he has the potential to become more of a weapon on the blueline. Grade: 50

Skills: Excellent puck control. Soderstrom is calm and skilled with the puck. He is a strong passer and a good puck-mover. He is skilled with the puck across the blueline as he can deke and move smoothly with his eyes up on the play. Grade: 60

Smarts: Soderstrom is an impressive decision-maker with the puck at such a young age. He almost always takes the right decision and sees the ice well. He can make hard, creative plays but can be effective with easy simple plays as well. He chooses his opportunities well. He reads the game really well, all-in-all. Without the puck, he positions himself smartly and is good in reading the game as well. He is rarely caught out of position. Grade: 65

Physicality: He is a bit undersized but with strong legs with good balance. He is also quite aggressive in his game and plays physical when needed and he can make a hit in open ice to shut down a play. Grade: 50

Summary: Smooth is the best word to describe Victor Soderstrom. A future top 4 defenseman in the NHL but maybe not the big producer on a power play. He should be a stable two-way player that performs every aspect of the game well. His puck control, passing of the puck and especially his smarts stand out. He seems to handle every stage that he is put on. He was sent up to the SHL recently and right away he impressed and now he is playing there full time, which is something that last year’s top end draft talent, Adam Boqvist, was not able to do on the same team with the same coach. For the draft, it is still early but I would be very surprised if he is not picked in the first round. His smarts stand out too much for all teams to pass on him.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 58.5

Xavier Parent brought sizzling stats out of minor hockey but enters his draft year as a NHL Central Scouting 'B' prospect to watch - indicating a second or third round pick. He will be overshadowed by fellow draft eligible Raphaël Lavoie while looking for ice time on a deep Halifax team. Mike Sanderson breaks down his game below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: Parent is a very shifty skater with his small frame, and his skating abilities as a package make him hard to contain on the rush. He has full control of his body in stride, and can shed off defenders with a body feint, or a stick move to gain some space for himself. At his size, he has exceptional balance and a strong lower center-of-gravity to defend himself against bigger, bruising defencemen.  Grade: 55

Shot: Parent’s shot finds the net from any area of the offensive zone. The range on his wrist shot is very impressive. He is able to find the net with his wrist shot anywhere in the offensive zone, which allows him to pilot the powerplay from the point and open up passing lanes. He rarely uses a slap shot, but will let go a quick snapper in tight if need be. He mostly uses the wrister. Grade: 50

Skills: Parent’s hands are exceptional. He has made his career so far on his ability to handle the puck. He can skate with the puck at his top speed and catch defenders off-guard or flat-footed. His little feints and dekes always give him time and space to work. Defenders have to give him that space because he can toy with them; close the gap, and he can burn them with a well-timed deke. Give too much space, and he can cut and shoot or pass off to a teammate on the tape.  Grade: 55

Smarts: Parent’s hockey sense with the puck is very good. He can read the play with the best in the QMJHL. He can hit passes in stride and find the open man from across the ice. He finds open ice to be most effective, and can create the open ice with the puck if it is not available. His backchecking is very strong, and he can hound the pick with tenacity. His hockey sense without the puck shows good potential, as well.  Grade: 55

Physicality: Parent is not soft, but he is a finesse player. At his size, he will never be a checker, and he knows it. He is not afraid to enter dangerous and physical areas of the ice and take his fair share of punishment to make plays, but he will never be the aggressor. Grade: 45

Summary: Xavier Parent will be overshadowed by two things this season: he is the second-best draft eligible prospect on his team after Raphaël Lavoie (and the second-best of the two first rounders for Halifax in 2017 behind Justin Barron), and his skills have not quite lived up to his expectations from his exceptional statistics in minor hockey, which included 62 goals and 113 points in 30 games with the Laurentides Conquérents in Peewee AAA five years ago. He has always had exceptional hands, but, as of now, it seems like the same issues of players like Sean Day or Tyler Benson; players who peaked early in their careers and the pack caught up to their lofty play in minor hockey. Parent’s statistics this season will be lower due to a lack of ice time on a very deep, Memorial Cup-hosting Mooseheads squad, but he could break out and be a very effective member of the team on an offensive line or the power play. He could also be used as trade bait for Halifax to patch holes in their roster. The hands are always clear with Parent, but he does not use them at their most effective yet at the QMJHL level. He still has plenty of untapped potential at this level, and that potential will get him drafted. To his credit, he was the most dangerous Moosehead in their playoff run last season, and that was the best glimpse of the player he could become, whether he was playing with skilled players like Lavoie and Filip Zadina, or checkers like Connor Moynihan and Joel Bishop. There is no doubt he has the skills, but now is the time for him to put it all together.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 52.75

Jakob Pelletier was ranked 22nd in our initial 2019 NHL Draft rankings and is currently tied for sixth in QMJHL scoring with 33 points in 22 games. Mike Sanderson describes Pelletier as a 'coach's dream' and a 'do-it-all forward'. He explains further below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: Pelletier’s top speed is on the higher end, but it’s his edgework that makes him a truly exceptional skater. He can turn on a dime due to his shorter stride, and his cross-overs are elite. He can close gaps and win footraces with his legs and his desire, and he can change direction as needed practically instantly. His straight-away speed does not wow you until you see it in a game, because he can reach that top speed and red-line it several times a contest. He is able to hound puck carriers on the backcheck because of his efficient skating style and his excellent gap control. Grade: 55

Shot: Pelletier’s shot is effective, but is not the first thing you notice. He can hit targets with his wrist shot, but he is not a devastating goal-scorer with his shot alone. He is at his most effective as a goal scorer through his anticipation and quickness, not his ability to fire. His hands in tight lead to a shot that can handcuff goaltenders due to its surprise in unloading. Having said that, he is not afraid to use the right shot for the right situation and has improved his slap shot since he joined the QMJHL. It will never be a howitzer, but it is an effective shot he uses to blow through screens and for tips in front. He scores many of his goals from in tight. Grade: 50

Skills: Pelletier can rush the puck up the ice with ease and find teammates where they are most effective to attack the defence, be it on the rush or in the offensive zone. His passing range is very good – he can hit his teammates in stride on the rush in a short feed, or a cross-ice saucer pass with equal consistency. His stickhandling and body positioning with the puck can get him out of jams, and he can slither away from checks due to the combination of his edges, wits and stick skills in tandem.   Grade: 55

Smarts: Pelletier can think the game and make adjustments at top speed. His hockey sense with and without the puck is top-notch; he is always in the best position on the back-check to intercept a pass or attack the puck carrier. Players must always be aware when Pelletier is on the ice, and he usually is very visible with his play. He is a chess player – always several moves ahead of the puck, and uses that thinking to best use his skills. He is a very methodical player who can read a play, dissect it and attack it in real-time. He is a true gamer and always thinking the right things in the game. His alternate captaincy is a feather in his cap at this point in his career, and a testament both to his example-setting play, as well as his role in the dressing room. Grade: 60

Physicality: His 50 grade in this category is only because of his size. His desire is a whole different animal. Pelletier will finish his checks on the forecheck and attack defenders well with an active stick and throw his body into the fray. He does hit players along the boards and can be effective in doing so. At his size, he will never be a bruiser and understands his limitations, but he is effective at wearing down defencemen with the puck by constantly attacking and being in good position to cause turnovers. To note, with 20 PIMs last season and only a handful this season, Pelletier is not a player who will put his team at a disadvantage by taking unnecessary penalties. Grade: 50

Summary: Jakob Pelletier is a coach’s dream. He is willing to do anything to win. It sounds cliché, but he is a do-it-all forward. If he was 6-3”, he would be talked about much higher in the draft. His greatest asset is his high motor. He is noticeable every shift because he constantly keeps his feet moving and his brain engaged. Moncton has one of the best offences in the QMJHL this season, and Pelletier may be the team’s most dangerous forward – he is always tenacious in pursuit of the puck, and always dangerous when he has it. Pelletier rarely has a bad shift, let alone a bad game. He does so many little things well that he is valuable to a team in any situation. He can play at a break-neck speed, or also control the tempo with the puck on his stick, and he rarely makes unforced errors. There are some questions as to how he will handle the bigger defenders who can skate in the pro ranks, but Pelletier always finds a way to be effective. Despite his size, he is a pro-ready player with his instincts and habits, and has the patience and determination to stick with forming good habits rather than get lazy. Even as a 16-year-old rookie last season, he was used as a line-straightener by head coach Darren Rumble; he can play with any style of player and make them better. He has found tremendous chemistry with forwards Mika Cyr and Jeremy McKenna to form a nearly-unstoppable top line, with all three players possessing exceptional offensive skills at the junior level.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54

Mike Sanderson provides a detailed scouting report on Brookly Kalmikov of Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. A 'C' prospect to watch from NHL Central Scouting indicating a mid round pick, his best asset is his shot. Strong hockey roots on Canada's east coast having been born in St. John's Newfoundland while his Ukrainian born father, Konstantin, played in the AHL.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: Kalmikov’s skating is ordinary for a pro prospect. It gets him where he needs to go but he is not a tremendous skater. He is not slow by any means; he relies more on his play-reading and his instincts to get to the right areas of the ice to snipe pucks. He has good straight-away speed; enough to overwhelm an unsuspecting defender caught flat-footed, but he does not have the edges to seamlessly cut around blueliners at top speed.  Grade: 50

Shot: Kalmikov’s shot will open a lot of doors for him, and not just from the blast of the shot itself. His ability to hum a puck past goaltenders is his greatest asset, and he knows how to unload for maximum effectiveness. His wrist shot is very strong, with a very good weight-transfer from back-to-front for a heavy shot that gets to the goalie in a hurry. He has one of the best wrist shots in the QMJHL firing from within 30 feet. His favourite spot is the bottom of the right circle, into the slot, at about 20 feet – he scored half of his goals last season from that spot, either shooting or poking in rebounds. Grade: 55

Skills: Kalmikov is a sniper, not a playmaker, but he does have the ability to set up players. He is usually opposite on the powerplay and on the rush on the weak side to find open ice. His passing is a fine decoy for his shot to keep defenders honest, and his stickhandling can draw the defence in, opening up the pass or the shot, depending on what he wants to do. Kalmikov is harnessing much of his puck skills as he gets a better idea of what he can do with those skills. Grade: 50

Smarts: Kalmikov’s game is to get to areas to shoot, and then shoot. It makes for a simple but effective package. His decision-making has improved since last year; he had some trouble creating separation to fire pucks in his rookie season, but he has improved his play reading and his quickness this season. He is very effective at reading where the puck is going and getting to the loose puck first to fire it on goal. Having said that, he is ineffective without the puck and can get tunnel-vision with it. Grade: 50

Physicality: Kalmikov would be better served to keep adding pounds to his frame, as he could win more puck battles at a bigger size. He is not a power forward; at least, not yet. He does a good job of making his way to the slot to shoot, for what it’s worth. All of his goals so far this season have been scored in and around the slot. Grade: 45

Summary: Brooklyn Kalmikov is a player who knows his limitations and plays within them. He is a very effective sniper who, like so many other junior players before him, can improve his play without the puck. He comes from good pro stock. His father, Konstantin, was born in Ukraine and played parts of 13 seasons in North America and was a Toronto Maple Leafs third rounder in 1996. Brooklyn was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the same season as his father played for the St. John’s Maple Leafs in the AHL. His father was also a goal-scorer and grew to be 6-3” and 205 pounds at his optimal playing weight, which bodes well for the younger Kalmikov professionally. He has the tendency to score in bunches – he will play hot or cold throughout a season, and his consistency can be put into question.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 50.75

The Princeton Tigers are off to a good start this season. They were nationally ranked as high as 15 in the early going. Their top line of Max Veronneau (right wing), Alex Riche (center) and Ryan Kuffner (left wing) is as good as any line in college hockey and they are all undrafted seniors. Fans and scouts alike have been seeing a show in the early part of the 2018-19 season. If they all can stay healthy, getting into the playoffs and making some noise, like last season, is indeed a strong possibility.

Max Veronneau (6-0”, 180) notched nine points in his first seven games, Kuffner (6-1”, 195) amassed 13 and Riche (6-0”, 190) eight. The key to this line’s effectiveness is controlling the puck and passing the puck as many times as it takes to find the open spaces in the ice and then burying those chances. They are all skilled skaters and passers, so a team has to have an elite top pairing to slow them down.

Goaltending has been strong early on, as Ryan Ferland (6-0”, 175), undrafted, has picked up where he left off last year. This year he is sporting a faster glove hand and clean, quick covers, there haven’t been that many juicy rebounds for the opposition. Many feel he is still the key to the team’s long-term success this season.

Offensive defenseman Josh Teves, another undrafted senior, had eight points in his first seven games as well. The Calgary, Alberta native is fast and can transport the puck with great ease. He knows when to jump into the play but he is a risk/reward player. So far, the reward has been far greater than the risk in the early going. The key to a successful college hockey team is having talented seniors playing some of the top skill positions and Princeton has that.

Union has looked good in the early going as well. Top line center Cole Maier (6-2”, 195) scored five goals and eight assists in his first 11 games. That put the senior among the top scorers in the nation. The undrafted senior is turning heads.

Parker Foo, brother of Spencer, who also played for Union and won a national championship with them, has gotten off to a slow start this season. In his first eight games, he only had three points. He is ahead of last year’s pace, which is something. The Chicago Blackhawks spent a 2017 fifth-round draft pick on him. They are a patient team, so the 20-year-old will get plenty of time to develop. Foo has good speed and he gets to loose pucks first. The 6-1”, 195-pound sophomore still has some room to develop.

Second line right winger Jack Adams (a 6th round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2017), has some tools in his toolbox. The 6-6”, 210-pound sophomore is a decent skater, and he will improve in the future, with pretty good strength already. When his man-strength kicks in he could be scary. He did get off to a good start this season with four goals and seven points in his first 11 games.

The San Jose Sharks drafted Union goalie Jake Kupsky with a 7th round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-4”, 200-pound senior has played more games than his backup. His save percentage was just under .900 after seven games. Last season it was .917 so it is reasonable to expect that to rise. His positioning is solid and with the paddle down, in traffic, he gobbles up a lot of pucks. He hugs both posts very well leaving the opposition very little to shoot at in those situations.

RPI is still having trouble staying consistent. One of their drafted players has been good. Junior Todd Burgess had three points in his first nine games. That’s an uptick in production and that has to make the Ottawa Senators happy. They drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has been getting top line minutes and his strong play along the wall, important for a winger, and his solid stick checking are all good signs.

Harvard hasn’t gotten out of the gate the way they would have hoped for but two of their drafted players have.

Adam Fox was a part of a trade that gave his rights to the Carolina Hurricanes. That team will get two seasons to sign the fast-skating blueliner. He may be only 5-11”, 180 pounds but that doesn’t even factor into his terrific all-around game. In his first seven games, he racked up 15 points. That made him the leader in points on the Harvard roster and one of the leaders for the 2019 Hobey Baker Award if he can keep up this offensive output.

Another drafted player who has started the season off right is Jack Drury. He is the son of Ted, a longtime NHLer and the 5-11”, 180-pound center has been showing why the Carolina Hurricanes were smart to draft him in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. As a “true freshman”, Drury started out with eight points in his first seven games. He has excellent speed, terrific hockey I.Q. and he has a quick release on his wrist shot.

The UMass (Amherst) Minutemen got off to a fast start to grab the lead in the early going in Hockey East. They were undefeated in their first six games. One of the reasons is Cale Makar. Fresh off a gold-medal performance last winter ensuring Team Canada a gold medal in the U20 World Junior Championship, many expected him to turn pro. But what the now Sophomore wanted to do was advance his education and try and win it all this season with UMass. The Colorado Avalanche chose him 4th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. At 5-11”, 187, he already has pro speed, the puck handling ability that most never have at the collegiate level and the ability to make a power play lethal. He started off the 2018-19 campaign with five goals and 14 points in his first 10 games.

Boston College is certainly in the mix but that’s not good enough for this elite program. Jack McBain is one player who came in as a “true freshman” and he has gotten off to a good start. The 6-3”, 201-pound center had two points through his first six games. He is a physical player who has the defensive part of his game down. The Minnesota Wild knew what they were doing grabbing him in the third round in last year’s draft. His good face-off technique and skating should turn in a decent season for him and better ones down the road.

Oliver Wahlstrom Is expected to be a star down the road. The Islanders chose him with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He is another who is a true freshman but with a June birthdate. In his first nine games, he scored two goals. The 6-1”, 207-pound center probably knew he had to round out his game and that will probably happen later this season. In October he did win Hockey East Rookie of the Week honors. His pro-one-timer and slick skating will eventually show itself.

Northeastern got off to a hot start and second-generation freshman center Tyler Madden has answered his critics once again. In his first 11 games, he posted nine points. He was just named Rookie of the Week. He is fast, he has excellent vision and good hockey I.Q. He has a knack for keeping the play in front of him. He never stops working and now NCAA fans are witnessing that first-hand. He is 5-11”, 150, so he might need all four years to build up his body at a top-notch university, and if that is the plan Northeastern fans will be the beneficiaries. The Vancouver Canucks grabbed him in the third round in last year’s draft and now fans can see why.

Cayden Primeau is the son of former NHLer Keith Primeau. Cayden’s dad terrorized goalies and Cayden turned that on its head and decided to be a goalie. Last year the New Jersey native had a stellar .931 save percentage. Some worry about the sophomore slump, it doesn’t matter what league you play in. He is the workhorse for this team and through his first 11 games he had a 2.43 goals against and a solid .916 save percentage. This backstop positions himself well and can track the puck in traffic. At 6-3”, 191 pounds he can handle players trying to crash the net. He has a fast glove and the most important trait he has is he is very coachable. That is so important for a player who is just 19. He doesn’t have it all figured out yet and the Montreal Canadiens, who drafted him in the seventh round in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, know that too, so expect Primeau to play at least one more year for Northeastern, if not two. There’s no rush with Carey Price ahead of him on the depth chart in Montreal.

Russ Cohen is new to the McKeen's team and will be providing regular updates on College Hockey throughout the season. He can be heard regularly on the NHL Network Radio (XM 91)
Hockey Prospect Radio  and his website can be found here http://www.sportsology.com

Valentin Nussbaumer was included in our preliminary honourable mentions as a player that has caught our interest but not a first rounder. It is very early in the season still but he came into it ranked as 'B' prospect by NHL Central Scouting indicating a second or third round pick. Benoit Belanger provides a detailed analysis below.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity

Skating: At first glance, Nussbaumer has a somewhat strange skating style. His first steps are good, but afterwards, his strides are kind of choppy and short, with a lack of power. I think it is something that can be fixed with power skating lessons and a gain of strength in his legs and his low body. Overall, he is not an elite speedster, but he is still a good skater with average speed and acceleration. However, it is his edgework and agility that really makes him dangerous. He can make rapid directional changes to get around defenders. Grade: 50

Shot: The young Swiss player has a really good shot. He can score with several types of shots, wrister or slapper. What makes him a good shooter is that he does not need a lot of time and space to fire. As he is not a very strong physical player yet, we might think that he lacks strength with his shot, but in fact his shot his rather deceptive. The way he takes the shot with his feet moving makes it very challenging for the goalies. He has no need for a big wind up and he releases quickly and accurately. If the defenders give him too much time in the slot, it will not take him much time to roof a shot under the crossbar. Grade: 55

Skills: In addition to his agile feet, Nussbaumer shows beautiful puck control skills. With his good edge control, he can beat an opponent with quick changes of direction. Combined with his good stick handling, this makes him difficult to catch in tight spaces, in the small area games. Although it is not really his style of play, he can surprise a rival with a flashy dangle or a soft hands move. He uses quick and sharp pivots well to get rid of a player when he trying to protect the puck.  Grade: 55

Smarts: Valentin Nussbaumer, is smart. Really smart. He understands the game really well, and he can play a strong two-way game. Sometimes he creates offense where there is seemingly no play to be made. An example of his game that shows his good vision and understanding is his positioning without the puck. His impressive defensive positioning game allows him to force a lot of takeaways. When he has the puck, he is creative. He can turn himself into scorer or a playmaker, which makes him a constant threat, especially on the  powerplay. He sees his teammates well in the offensive territory. Grade: 60

Physicality: This could be the main point that will dictate the Nussbaumer’s future in the game. Slight of frame, he really needs to add muscle to his body. He can play the physical game and he is not afraid to crash the net. This is not a real problem yet, but a gain in physical strength would allow him to move his game to another level. Even if he is good in puck protection, with added strength in the lower body and legs, he could win more battles in front of the net and in 1-on-1 battles in the corners. Grade: 45

Summary: Valentin Nussbaumer is an interesting player to follow. He is a creative player with the puck who owns great puck handling skills. More often used as a center, we have seen him more as a winger lately, which demonstrates his versatility. He can be sent on the ice for all kinds of missions, offensive or defensive. He is a player who likes to control the pace of the game. This year, he is suiting up for a quite weak team in the QMJHL. As the team matures, with him adding muscle and strength and adapting to the North American hockey style, he can expect great things from him for the next few months. He has an excellent shot with a quick release.  He may not blow you away with any particular skill, but he is a competitive player who will help his team in many ways. The physical aspect is probably what will determinate his place in this draft class.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54.25