In a normal year, scouting hockey is marred by imperfection. Every year high end players get skipped over at the NHL draft for various reasons. Maybe they suffered through injuries. Maybe their team struggled, and it prevented scouts from getting a good read on them. Maybe their team was too good, forcing them down the depth chart with limited minutes and exposure opportunities. Or...maybe they just were not good enough. But thankfully human development is nonlinear and therefore unpredictable. Teenage hockey players are far from a finished product on the ice as their games mature just as the rest of their body and mind does. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility (or fourth years of eligibility for some European players).
The million-dollar question is…are we still playing catch-up as a scouting community following the resumption of play post pandemic? Last year, this was definitely the case as leagues returned to full seasons. But are certain players still growing exponentially as they try to recover lost development time? This is particularly true of players in the CHL and in Europe, where most junior leagues halted.
For those unfamiliar, North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. Recently, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Calgary Flames standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. Ottawa Senators standout forward Drake Batherson was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Standout Tampa Bay Lightning rookie defender Nick Perbix was one.
Last year, four “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Dmitri Buchelnikov, Lucas Edmonds, Mikey Milne, and Aidan Thompson. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) we wrote about three of those four. In total there were 42 taken, right around the trend of other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 25 (over half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.
In 2023, we have some very interesting candidates. Adam Gajan stole the show at this year’s WJC’s for Slovakia and has been a standout in the NAHL and USHL this year. Eric Pohlkamp was one of the MVPs of the WJAC and has been at the top of the USHL defenseman scoring race all year. Austin Roest has been top ten in WHL scoring all year long and has taken huge strides forward. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.
Sweden
Photo: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN
Ian Blomquist - Goaltender - Västerås IK (Hockey Allsvenskan)
We actually listed Blomquist last year in this piece and ranked him #193 in our draft guide after his breakout campaign in the J20 league. A 6 '2 netminder with a rare right handed catching glove, Blomquist ended up going undrafted (for a second time), but has returned this year even stronger. Playing with Vasteras IK in the Swedish second league, he has been the team’s best netminder this year and this earned him a spot as the third goalie on team Sweden at the WJC’s. Blomquist is athletic and aggressive in the crease and has worked hard to improve his body control, positioning, and rebound control this season now that he is playing pro. Consistency and mental focus will be the key moving forward. (Brock Otten)
Alexander Hellnemo - Goaltender - Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
A classic late bloomer, Hellnemo has emerged as one of the top young goaltenders in Sweden a year after being passed over at the draft following a disappointing year at the J20 and J18 levels. He has won five games in the SHL as a U19 player and has been arguably one of the best goalies at the J20 level when he has played there. Hellnemo is a pure stopper. His movements are very refined for a young netminder and he’s got a great glove hand that helps him protect the upper portion of the net. Rebound control is a bit of an issue at this current time, but with his play tracking ability, he has the potential to be a netminder across the pond. (Brock Otten)
Sebastian Hagen Aarsund - Goaltender - Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
A Norwegian netminder, Hagen Aarsund has emerged as the starter for the Frolunda program’s J20 team this season. As of writing this, he sits third in the league in wins and even earned a call-up to be Fredrik Dichow’s back-up for a game in the SHL. Hagen Aarsund is an ultra-aggressive, hyper athletic butterfly netminder who really covers his crease well. He’s not huge at 6’1, but he combats that by playing far out of the blue paint, tracking the play well. The second half of his season hasn’t been as strong and he’s had some trouble with consistency, but his progression this season could put him on the scouting radar. (Brock Otten)
Måns Forsfjäll - Defense - Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
Måns Forsfjäll has an effective two-way game, but his defensive game is where he succeeds. In the 2021-22 and 22-23 seasons, he leaped to the SHL, and Fjorsfäll didn’t look out of place while defending the higher competition. Strength and skating are two areas where Forsfjäll excels. His effort and positioning on defence make him an excellent penalty killer with the speed and smooth skating required to drive offence off the rush. Forsfjäll has the potential to be a shutdown defender who plays a depth role as the sixth or seventh defender on an NHL team who can be counted on in important moments as well as on the penalty kill. I don’t expect him to put up many points in the NHL, but he has the skills to succeed as a defensive defenseman. Forsfjäll will be ready to take a step next season if he can find a role in the AHL. (Chase Rochon)
Victor Sjöholm - Defense - Luleå HF (SHL)
Sjöholm is a smooth skater with good acceleration and top-end speed. He can pivot and change directions quickly, making him effective in transition and in his defensive zone. Sjöholm is a reliable defender who uses his body and sticks well to separate opponents from the puck. He has good positioning and can anticipate plays, making him effective in both man-to-man coverage and zone defence. Sjöholm is not a particularly physical player, but he is willing to engage in battles along the boards and in front of the net. He has a hard and accurate shot from the point and can contribute to the power play. Sjöholm is an intelligent player who reads the game well and makes good decisions with the puck. Sjöholm is a reliable, two-way defenseman with good skating and defensive abilities. While he may not be a significant offensive contributor, he can play a valuable role on any team and should be a solid addition to any team's prospect pool. (Chase Rochon)
Oskar Asplund - Forward - Färjestad BK (SHL)
Asplund is an excellent skater with great speed, agility, and balance. He has a quick first step and can accelerate well, which allows him to beat defenders and create scoring chances. His ability to change directions and maneuver in tight spaces is also impressive. Asplund has a good wrist shot and can score from various areas on the ice. He has a quick release and can get his shot off in tight spaces. Asplund is a skilled puck-handler who can stickhandle through traffic and make creative plays with the puck. He has good hands and can make saucer passes and dekes to create scoring opportunities. His ability to protect the puck and win battles along the boards is also noteworthy. Asplund is not a particularly physical player but is fearless in engaging in battles along the boards or in front of the net. He has good balance and can hold his own against bigger opponents. However, he could benefit from adding more strength to his frame. Asplund is also a skilled forward with excellent skating ability and puck skills. He has the potential to be a dynamic offensive player at the next level and has shown an ability to play a responsible two-way game. He could become a valuable player in any team's lineup with continued development and added strength. (Chase Rochon)
Erik Påhlsson - Defence - HV71 (SHL)
Erik Påhlsson is a skilled and versatile defenseman with excellent skating ability and a high hockey IQ. He has a powerful stride that allows him to cover a lot of ground quickly, and he can change direction on a dime. He has excellent agility and balance, enabling him to evade forecheckers and promptly move the puck up the ice. Påhlsson has a fantastic offensive game, thanks to his incredible vision and ability to move the puck effectively. He also possesses good offensive instincts and is unafraid to join the rush to create scoring opportunities. Påhlsson is a reliable and responsible defender who uses his mobility and positioning to defend effectively. He is not a physical player, but he makes up for it by playing smart. He is also a solid penalty killer, demonstrating his ability to shut down opponents' power plays. Erik Påhlsson is a talented defenseman who has the potential to become a valuable asset to any team. His excellent skating ability, offensive skills, and responsible defensive play make him a well-rounded player who can contribute in all situations. (Chase Rochon)
Hannes Hellberg - Forward - Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
Hellberg's skating is one of his biggest strengths. He has excellent acceleration and top-end speed, which allows him to create separation from defenders and generate scoring opportunities. He also has good agility and balance, enabling him to change direction quickly and maintain control of the puck. Hellberg is an offensive-minded player who excels at creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates. He has good hands and can handle the puck in tight spaces, which makes him difficult to defend. He has a quick release and a hard, accurate shot, which he can use to beat goaltenders from any angle. He is also an influential playmaker who can set up his teammates with well-timed passes. Hellberg is a responsible two-way player who understands the importance of solid defence. He is unafraid to backcheck and uses his size and reach to disrupt opponents' offensive plays. He is also an effective penalty killer, using his speed to pressure the puck carrier and block passing lanes. His size, speed, and skill make him a dynamic offensive threat, while his defensive awareness and work ethic make him a well-rounded player. (Chase Rochon)
Adrian Carnebo - Defense - Djurgårdens IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
Carnebo has excellent skating abilities and can maneuver around the ice with great speed and agility. Carnebo has a natural ability to find the back of the net. He has a quick release on his shot and can pick his spots well. He also has a good sense of where his teammates are on the ice, which allows him to create scoring chances for them. Despite being a smaller player, Carnebo is fearless in getting physical on the ice. He is willing to battle in the corners and in front of the net and is not afraid to throw his body around to make a play. While Carnebo's offensive abilities are impressive, his defensive play could improve. He tends to focus more on the offensive side of the game, which can lead to him being caught out of position defensively. As mentioned earlier, Carnebo is a smaller player and could benefit from adding strength to his frame. This would help him better battle against larger and more physical players. (Chase Rochon)
Hampus Malm - Defense - Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
Malm is a smooth skater who can quickly move around the ice. He has good speed and agility, which helps him keep up with opposing forwards and make plays in transition. Malm is an intelligent player who understands his defensive responsibilities well. He is able to read the space well and make quick decisions to shut down opposing forwards despite not being the biggest player on the ice. Like many young players, Malm can be inconsistent at times. He needs to bring his best game every night and avoid lapses in his play. Hampus Malm is a reliable defenseman who can shut down opposing forwards and play a physical game. While he may provide little offence at this point in his career, he has the potential to improve in that area with more experience and development. If he can work on his puck skills and consistency, he could become a valuable asset for his team at the next level. (Chase Rochon)
Finland
Jani Lampinen - Goaltender - Kiekko-Espoo (Mestis)
Interestingly enough, Lampinen was better in Mestis (the Finnish second league) last year, but it was his performance at this year’s World Junior Championship that really caught the eye of scouts. Lampinen outplayed Canucks draft pick Aku Koskenvuo by a significant margin and finished the tournament with a .933 save percentage. He’s not huge (at pushing 6’2), but he has plus athleticism and is an excellent play tracker. This gives him great upside as he fine tunes some of the technical components of his game. (Brock Otten)
Juha Jatkola - Goaltender - KalPa (Liiga)
In his final year of draft eligibility, the last calendar year has been a whirlwind for Jatkola. It started this summer at the make-up WJC’s, where he stole the Finnish starter’s role from Ottawa prospect Leevi Merilainen. It has since carried over to Liiga, where Jatkola has become a dependable starter at the age of 20 (he turns 21 later this September). Much like Lampinen, Jatkola relies on his quickness and athleticism because he doesn’t have a massive frame (listed at 6 '1). His improvement over the last few years has been phenomenal and as long as he continues to be aggressive in the crease, he could have a bright future. (Brock Otten)
Nestor Noiva - Wing - Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
Last season Nestor Noiva did not hear his name called in Montreal, despite a great season in U18 SM-sarja, where he scored 32 goals and 60 points in 35 games. He played a very aggressive game with his high motor, physicality and strength, making it very hard for defenders to take the puck as he evaded pressure with the combination of his puck protection skills and his acceleration. He often cuts at the top of the circle to create high-danger chances. I felt last season, Nestor's shot was holding him back from his true potential. This season has changed, and Noiva has a cannon. He still sticks to lots of slap shots and one-timers from the top of the circle like last season but now has grown with adding accuracy to his power and adapted to diversify his shot by taking more wrist and snapshots. Overall, Noiva has strong enough smarts to advance to the next level and has above-average puck skills and passing ability. Skating is the main area that will need to be progressed for Nestor to make an impact at the next level with below-average mobility and edges that force him to play a very north/south style. I think many scouts will value Novias physicality and shooting, which will translate much better in North America with his capability in tight. Teams should take a chance on him in the later rounds in hopes of eventually adding an energy-depth player into their system. (Chase Rochon)
Elmeri Laakso - Defense - Saipa (Liiga)
Elmeri Laakso is not a player that will blow anyone away with flashy plays or big hits. You probably wouldn't notice him just watching a full game. This is not meant as a criticism about Laakso’s game but actually a positive component. Laakso makes minimal to no mistakes, which makes him a very reliable defenseman. The reason he wasn't chosen last year, I think, came down to his lack of aggressiveness defensively as he missed coverage in the slot from time to time, as well as his inefficiency in puck battles. These issues have been cleaned up this season, and if anything, they have become staples to Laakso’s game, showing how much he has grown and is driven by self-improvement. He plays a game that is super team-friendly, making safe, poised plays and taking the ice his opponents give. What makes Laakso really stand out for me is his shot. He can shoot from any location, at any range, and manages to always get the puck through traffic and on the net. A quick release that holds lots of power that always manages to find the net like a magnet is very impressive. Putting this all together with strong mobility, built around quick feet and tight edges, Laakso makes a great case to be selected this year. He has experience on both the PK and PP and has shown he is effective at both. Again, Elmeri Laakso will not blow anyone away with elite talent, but when he has the puck on his stick, his efficiency is impressive. (Chase Rochon)
Oiva Keskinen - Center - Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
Oiva Keskinen is a defence-first center who plays a very passive game with minimal risk. Keskinen has the most important skill a hockey player can possess, that is his smarts and awareness, which benefit him greatly. Most of Oiva’s points come from the right place, right time situations, as he always puts himself in the best position to be an option. Keskinen is most valuable in his own zone by playing as the third defenseman by taking away passing lanes and tying up attackers in the slot. You rarely catch him out of position, which shows his defence-first style of play, making him a trusted player on the ice in most situations by his coaches. Oiva is an above-average skater that I think he could use more to his advantage on the attack and when pressuring attackers. Due to his passive playstyle, the speed he is capable of isn't used to its highest potential. For Keskinen to take the next step to pro, he will need to work on his overall physical hockey skills. Hockey is a mental game but very hard to play at the next level if you do not have any elite skill level. It comes down to matter if his smarts and development continues to grow over the next few seasons. I can see Keskinen being on NHL scout’s radar this year, but I'm not sure I see him being selected. (Chase Rochon)
Russia
Yaroslav Tsulygin - Defense - Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Yaroslav Tsulygin is a right-handed defenseman, who is mobile, competent in terms of puck skills, has a solid 6’2” frame and isn’t afraid to put it to use even though he still needs to properly fill it out. Last season, even though he showed some flashes of what he can do in the MHL, he still was a bit in a process of putting these tools into a proper toolbox, so that, combined with the COVID-limited exposure and reemergence of the Russian factor, resulted in him getting undrafted on draft day even though those raw talents likely were noticed by scouts in some way. This season he is getting regular time at the KHL level (should be mentioned that it helps that his father is the assistant coach on the team) and looks competent there at the age of just 18, which isn’t a frequent thing to see. Although some injuries slightly spoiled his season and even taking into account that there’s still a lot of progress to be made, I think this year it will be hard to ignore him, as he is clearly just getting started and his development is expected to continue. (Viktor Fomich)
Bogdan Konyushkov - Defense - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
This KHL season is a bit unusual as due to all the recent political events the number of KHL foreigners was basically cut to half of the usual amount. This resulted in some roster spot openings and a lot of KHL managers rightly decided those should be used as a chance for younger players to succeed in these roles. Probably the brightest example of that kind of case is right-handed defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov, as coming into his second year of draft eligibility he had yet to play in the KHL nor in the MHL, so had as little exposure as possible. That didn’t stop the new Torpedo head coach Igor Larionov from noticing him and making him a top pairing defenseman on his KHL team. Even though he isn’t extremely flashy or athletic, Konyushkov’s main asset is his hockey sense, as he is very competent at defensive positioning and puck battles. This also makes him creative in the attacking zone and it should be mentioned that he has got great hands, which allows him to be an extremely precise passer as well as an effective powerplay orchestrator. Obviously, I can’t tell you about the NHL managers and scouts, but to me this sounds like the case of a potential solid mid-to-late round investment. (Viktor Fomich)
Stanislav Yarovoi - Wing - Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL)
In some ways Stanislav Yarovoi’s name was likely already familiar, after a shootout goal in the MHL earned almost two million views on youtube. However, aside from that, his performance on the junior level wasn’t remarkable to say it mildly, as the consistency just wasn’t there and he failed to convince the coaches that he deserved a proper role even at that level. Things just somehow turned around this offseason, as Yarovoi came to his KHL team’s camp much stronger and more confident than before and when he was given an opportunity in the preseason games, he just held onto it. He has taken off and is currently sitting among the top U20 scorers in the KHL. In terms of the assets aside from the aforementioned fascinating puck skills, Yarovoi is dynamic, possesses a strong and precise right-handed shot and looks to be at least not useless in terms of the two-way game. That said, there is still some inherent risk in selecting players like him who suddenly come out of nowhere to break out, but the upside here is likely significant. (Viktor Fomich)
German Tochilkin - Wing - Kunlun Red Star (KHL)
Observations show that when a skilled young player looks comfortable playing in Russian pro leagues it is a sign that there are enough reasons to consider him a legit NHL draft candidate. However, despite looking good in the VHL in his initial draft season, winger German Tochilkin wasn’t selected in the last draft – might be because of the lack of exposure or due to the Russian factor, although him being relatively raw in terms of the all-around game also certainly contributed to that. This year he made progress in that way and not only has he looked like an offensive leader at the VHL level, but also has translated some of it to the KHL level too, as he has been loaned to Kunlun team (coached by a former AHL coach Greg Ireland) and is using his opportunities (limited, but still) there well. Tochilkin is a smooth skater with advanced puck skills, definitely knows how to put the puck into the net and also doesn’t look like a liability on his own end. A lot of progress still needs to be made, as he definitely needs to become much stronger, but his skill set looks really intriguing enough to me. (Viktor Fomich)
Czechia
Jiří Ticháček – Defense – Rytíři Kladno (Czechia)
Passed on twice mainly due to his size (5´9”), Ticháček is a smaller and mobile defenseman whose numbers don´t scream of great potential, but his play does. He is an exceptionally smart two-way defenseman who likes to join the attack, yet doesn't forget about defense. He has shown his abilities at the last World Juniors, playing on the first pair alongside David Jiříček as one of the crucial players of the silver Czech squad. Ticháček´s best quality is probably his skating; he´s shifty, agile and has a terrific top speed. He uses his stick well and excels at both ends of the ice. However, he's not having a great season in the Czech Extraliga with Rytíři Kladno, the team Jaromír Jágr still plays on. There are still not many NHL defensemen of the said size, but Ticháček could be worth a gamble in the later rounds.
Slovakia
Maroš Jedlička – Wing/Center – HKM Zvolen (Slovakia)
Jedlička had an impressive last year with Zvolen, finishing the season as the leading scorer on a pretty stacked team in Slovak top tier league. An injury stripped him of representing Slovakia at the Men´s World Championship and possibly improving his draft stock. The 20-year-old forward is now in his final year of eligibility. Although he had a slower start to the season, he’s now playing his best hockey. Jedlička has decent size (6´2”, 200 lbs), plays hard, physical and creates a lot of offense. He has a dangerous wrist shot and likes to shoot from various different areas around the ice. Furthermore, he´s a capable penalty killer and brings a lot of energy and grit. It's very hard not to see Jedlička moving to North America after the season. He has the potential to be an effective bottom-six, or even a middle-six winger, if he continues on the same path. (Matej Deraj)
Germany
Florian Bugl - Goaltender - Straubing Tigers (DEL)
In the past, we’ve talked about Bugl’s feats at the WJC, where he had a 4-2 record and 2.99 GAA over two tournaments. We’ve also mentioned his feats as the starter for the RB Junior’s pro team in the AlpsHL over the past two years, sporting records of 12-12 and then 13-7. None of that got him drafted, so he’s simply grabbed every opportunity he’s gotten this season as one of two back-ups for the DEL’s Straubing Tigers. And the results have been mighty impressive. After initially seeing action in six games with Straubing’s DEL2 affiliate Landshut, where he shined with a 4-2 record, 2.35 GAA, and .921 save percentage, he was then forced into DEL action when American starter Hunter Miska went down with an injury. What then ensued, Bugl has taken the whole league by storm. Hel has racked up a 15-7 record to date, often baffling opponents with a 2.36 GAA and .907 save percentage. Now we’ll have to see if one of those teams with a healthy supply of late-round picks is ready to bet on him as much as he’s continued betting on himself. Straubing quickly re-upped him for next season this past month. (Chapin Landvogt)
Arno Tiefensee - Goaltender - Mannheim Adler (DEL)
As opposed to Bugl, Tiefensee didn’t have anything to write home about after several hapless WJC appearances, which likely affected what was a good reputation coming out of juniors, where he unfortunately already didn’t get as many outings as you’d like to see from a market’s premiere goaltender aged 16 and 17. By the time he was 18, he was a regular back-up goalie for Heilbronn in the DEL2 (while junior leagues were shut down due to the pandemic), which exposed him to strong competition, but also a lot of time on the bench. Fast forward to the 22-23 season, where he too found himself in goal for powerhouse Mannheim while the first string goaltender was out injured. Simply put, the numbers have been fantastic. The 6’4”, 190-pound behemoth has gone 10-5 in 15 contests, sporting a top-flight 2.17 GAA (third in the DEL) and a .919 SV%. Included among his losses were scores of 1-0, 3-2, and 3-0, a game in which the opponent scored two empty-netters. He’s pitched two shutouts as well. The long and short of it is that Tiefensee is showing very good schooling and strong athleticism for a young man his size. His outings have consistently come with poise and confidence. Like Bugl, it’s difficult to imagine that he’s not garnering NHL attention just now. (Chapin Landvogt)
Danjo Leonhardt - Center - Nuremberg Ice Tigers (DEL)
In recent years, we’ve been a bit of fan about Leonhardt’s often fluid game and the wherewithal he’s shown in a number of situations and scenarios. This past summer, he got into his first WJC action and promptly contributed three assists. That came on the heels of a minimal lower line role for ICEHL champs Salzburg, for whom he scored the championship-deciding goal in the playoffs. On the whole, his 17 points in 52 games were very yeomen-like, but in a situation where established veterans dominated the top 9 forward corps. The season before, he had led the RB Juniors in scoring with 35 points in 32 games in what was his initial draft year. This season, he’s moved up the totem pole again and is taking a regular shift on an all-kid line for a low-budget Nuremberg club and has five goals and 12 points in 44 games, several of those points coming in a highlight reel manner. For those who watch the league intensely, he’s noticeably had little in the way of adjustment issues and looks to be taking the same steps many of the league’s top-scoring German players took when they were his age. If by any chance selected next summer, he’d be a pick the team could likely plant in the AHL right off the bat. (Chapin Landvogt)
Bennet Rossmy - Center/Wing - Eisbären Berlin (DEL)
While leading Germany in scoring with four goals and five points at the summer WJC, TSN analysts did not hold back in praising Rossmy’s combination of size, leadership, and net-front presence, coming just short of guaranteeing he’d be drafted in 2023, but the regular season for the former U18 outfit captain hasn’t been nearly what was expected of him. He’s been mired in a 4th-line role - sometimes not even suiting up - for a very disappointing returning DEL champion in Berlin, a team that has spent the bulk of the winter fighting to stay clear of a relegation spot. Rossmy’s one goal this season was scored on November 1st, and it’s been very quiet for him all season, only having accumulated four points. The team has a DEL2 affiliate, but he’s played all of one game there, so they’re keeping him around for a reason. There are surely more than a few pundits of this scene who feel he’s been in the wrong situation for his development all season, but his performance when he was getting 10-15 minutes a game (6 games long in OCT and NOV) didn’t exactly scream “Give me more opportunity!” An assistant captain at the WJC, he missed the first two games, then only had one assist in three matchups, that coming in the nation’s one do-or-die contest against Austria, a game the team came just short of giving away over the final 10 minutes of play. And yet, he’s got all the tools and size to boot. Was his WJC performance last summer combined with mere potential enough to garner the interest necessary to be a late-round draft pick? (Chapin Landvogt)
Philip Krening - Center/Wing - Red Bull Juniors (AlpsHL)
We spent parts of last season trying to figure out who exactly the six-foot Krening really is and if there’s a diamond in the rough here. He was injured quite a bit and ended up with 10 points in 16 AlpsHL games, which is a very decent scoring pace for a first-year draft-eligible player in a pro league. He then finished the season with three assists in four games at the U18 Worlds for a very offensively challenged Team Germany. We suspected he’d be right back in the AlpsHL this season, but RB Munich of the DEL (where Julian Lutz and Maks Szuber play) needed some assistance to start the season and Krening ended up with a goal and assist in the season’s first six games. He then saw minimal ice time in a pointless seven-game debut for affiliate Salzburg in the ICEHL before landing with the Red Bull Juniors again, for whom he once again has 10 points, this time in 12 games thus far. In between, he was part of the WJC outfit, for which he collected a goal and three points over five games. Again, not too shabby all things considered. He won’t turn 19 until April and he’s had some sick leave this season as well, so it’s been hard to get a real read on just what Krening’s possibilities are. Clear is that he seems to find a way onto the scoresheet just about wherever he plays but has been without the calm of a one-team season for several years now. Of the young skipped-over men first eligible last summer, he’s definitely the player with the most potential and intrigue. He’s a lock for next winter’s WJC as well. (Chapin Landvogt)
