With this series of articles it is our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players ranked in our Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players.
Photo: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN
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Jonathan Lekkerimaki - Center - Djurgårdens J20 (Swe J20)
A shoot first center, Lekkerimaki is definitely in contention for being the top goal scoring forward available this year. He possesses both an elite shot and terrific scoring instincts, allowing him to be a threat to score everytime he takes the ice. His performance this draft year has been terrific. One of the offensive leaders in the J20 league, Lekkermaki has also performed admirably in limited SHL action. Additionally, his five goals were tied for third at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup last summer. The only issue is that our scouts are not entirely convinced that he skates well enough to be a consistent impact player at the next level. If he were larger, this would be less of an issue, but as a sub six-foot player, we do wish that he possessed a slightly more explosive stride. As he matures physically, there is certainly hope that he can get quicker and if he does, there is no question that his ceiling is that of a consistent 30-goal scorer at the NHL level.
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Tristan Luneau - Defense - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Luneau got a late start to his season after recovering from offseason surgery on a nagging lower-body injury. Coming into the year, there was some thought that Luneau could be one of the top defenders available in 2022 and a potential top 10 selection. However, the injury and slow start have pushed him further down draft boards, including our own. This is because Luneau’s upside may be lower than initially thought, as his projection changes to that of a solid second pairing defender, rather than a potential workhorse. His game has few holes. He does everything relatively well. He skates well. He moves the puck well. He defends well. He can quarterback the powerplay or lead a penalty killing group. He also has good size and a right handed shot. But one has to question whether he does any of these things at an elite level. Additionally, he will need to increase his physical intensity level to be more consistent. The QMJHL covid hiatus will be ending soon and Luneau will look to show progression in his game down the stretch.
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Nathan Gaucher - Center - Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
No one will confuse Nathan Gaucher with Connor McDavid. He is not the most dynamic or creative player available this year. However, his tools are highly projectable to the next level, with upside as a high-end middle six center. A physical, two-way, power center, Gaucher is incredibly difficult to play against. He can push the pace with long, powerful strides, driving the middle to apply pressure. He excels playing through contact and controls the wall well, rarely giving up possession deep in the offensive zone. While you would like to see greater offensive production from him given his age (a late born ‘03), there is no denying how well his skill set could translate to the NHL level. To a certain extent, many parallels can be made between Gaucher and recent selection Dawson Mercer. At worst, Gaucher could develop into a shutdown center who anchors a penalty kill and takes tough defensive assignments. That type of floor is going to be very attractive to teams in the later first round who are looking for a more pro ready prospect who can make an impact sooner, rather than later.
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Ty Nelson - Defense - North Bay Battalion (OHL)
The former first overall selection in his OHL priority draft, Nelson is a player who has shown tremendous progression thus far in his short OHL career. The competitive, yet diminutive defender has worked hard to improve his decision making and composure in the defensive end. He is one of the most natural powerplay quarterbacks available this year because of his vision and bomb of a point shot. He loves to step up on attackers early and plays an aggressive brand of defense to counterbalance his lack of reach. He is not a prospect without warts. While his forward stride does generate power, his transitions and overall four-way mobility will need to improve for a defender of his size. Additionally, he will need to continue to improve his reads in zone coverage. However, he has improved with each passing month for the Battalion and has elevated himself into the upper echelon of OHL defenders already. Nelson has the skill set and drive to have a Ryan Ellis like career at the NHL level as a dependable #2-3 defender. Scouts have to be impressed with his willingness to accept instruction and progress thus far.
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Vladimir Grudinin - Defense - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
Grudinin is a player who was really hurt by the cancellation of the World Juniors this year. The late born ‘03 was gaining more ice time and responsibility with each passing game for the Russians. And with his late birth date, he is not eligible for the U18’s this year. The undersized Russian defender is a natural powerplay QB, much like Nelson ranked ahead of him. He has performed well at every level he has played at this year, including a half dozen games in the KHL. Due to varying opinions on his physical tools and his ceiling as a defensive player, he has become a very divisive prospect in the scouting community. While we have him ranked as a first-round selection, NHL Central Scouting has him 40th in Europe alone (putting him essentially outside of their Top 100). We have a lot of faith in Grudinin’s offensive skill set and his intelligence level and do believe that he can develop into a quality NHL player and an asset as a puck moving defender.
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Owen Beck - Center - Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
A favourite of our OHL regional scouts, Beck has exploded onto the scouting scene this year for a surprisingly fantastic Mississauga Steelheads team. Beck blends quickness, skill, and tenaciousness into a package that makes him the perfect modern-day middle six center. Hands down one of the fastest skaters available this year, Beck consistently explodes through the neutral zone, putting defenders on their heels. Unlike many highly quick and deceptive players, Beck also shows great touch and awareness when operating at full speed. Beck is also a competitive two-way forward who is excellent on faceoffs, can kill penalties, and who uses his speed to be disruptive on the backcheck and forecheck. There may ultimately be some limitations to his skill development, creativity, and upside, but he is armed with enough offensive tools to suggest that he could be a very valuable and longtime NHL player. Beck is the perfect player for the modern-day NHL game, a game predicated on speed and the ability to dictate pace.
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Simon Forsmark - Defense - Orebro (SHL)
Forsmark may not be the flashiest defender available, but it is his dependability and projectability that has us and other scouts intrigued about his NHL upside. A strong two-way blueliner, Forsmark can shut down the transition game with his mobility and strong gap control. He consistently wins one on one battles, using his 6’2 frame to play aggressively and take away space in the middle of the ice. He also exhibits good poise with the puck, consistently making heads up break outs, helping to clear the zone. While the offensive production has not carried over from the J20 league to the SHL thus far, he has been able to play a steady, mistake free game against men and that is impressive given his age (even as a late born ‘03). The ultimate question being asked is, how much can Forsmark’s offensive abilities be improved? Does he project as more of a dependable stay at home type at the NHL level, or can he be a highly impactful #3 defender who can play in any situation. Our Swedish scouts love his game and believe that what he has shown at the J20 level this year is a better indication of his offensive potential.
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Mats Lindgren - Defense - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
The son of former NHL forward…Mats Lindgren, junior is a highly mobile puck moving defender who has had a strong year for Kamloops of the Western Hockey League. One of the draft’s best skating defenders, Lindgren’s fluid stride is a sight to behold. An effortless mover in all four directions, Lindgren can positively impact the transition game by leading the breakout. While his shot is not yet an asset, he does show tremendous potential as a powerplay quarterback because of high-end vision and the ability to use his lateral quickness to evade sticks and hold the line. The part missing from his game at this point is consistency. He goes stretches without making the kind of impact that you would expect from such a dominant skater. His defensive game also leaves some to be desired, as mental lapses can be an issue, especially in zone coverage situations. However, these areas of weakness can be improved upon, whereas Lindgren’s puck moving abilities and skating abilities are more innate. The upside is quite high, so long as the NHL team that selects him is patient with his development as he builds up confidence in his abilities at both ends of the ice.
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Rutger McGroarty - Wing - NTDP U18 (USHL)
A budding power forward prospect, McGroarty plays a heavy game in the offensive end. He shows terrific puck protection skills and tendencies, possessing the strength and skill to put opposing defenders on his back as he drives the net, in addition to consistently winning one on one battles along the wall. McGroarty combines this effective physical and power game with great scoring instincts and a terrific shot. That combination gives him definitive top six upside, especially after a few years at the University of Michigan, where he is scheduled to play next season. The only real issue with his game is a lack of power in his stride which prevents him from building speed quickly to create separation. This does not really hurt him from being a consistent offensive contributor at the USHL level (or even the NCAA level in those exhibitions), however it could definitely hinder his effectiveness at the NHL level where he won’t be able to overwhelm defenders physically with ease. If McGroarty was a high-level skater, we would be discussing him as a potential top ten selection. With the right developmental team, coaches, and patience, McGroarty could become a great complementary offensive piece for his future team.
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Jiri Kulich - Center - Karlovy Vary (Cze)
Flying under the radar thus far, Kulich is low key having a terrific season in the Czech men’s league as a U18 player. His production has been right on par with Carolina Hurricanes former first round pick and young contributor Martin Necas at the same age. Kulich loves to attack the offensive end with speed, even if there is room for improvement in his explosiveness and power. He succeeds because of his creativity and ability to maintain control through directional changes and pivots. A well-rounded offensive player, Kulich is equal parts playmaker and goal scorer. He is especially dangerous in the home plate area with a quick and deceptive wrist shot. Kulich also excels at times as a defensive player and projects as a strong two-way center once he fills out and matures physically. He has very much been a prospect trending up in recent months and he should get a great opportunity to show what he is truly capable of at the U18’s in April, where he will likely serve as the captain for Czechia.