Intro (repeated from Part 1 and 2) - The art of scouting is an imperfect science. For various reasons, players get missed. Maybe said player was on a bad team and was subsequently under-scouted. Maybe said player worked through injuries in their draft year and as a result could never fully show what he was capable of. Or maybe said player did not get the ice time required to shine.
On the other hand, players can be skipped over because scouts felt that they were not good enough. That said, teenagers are far from a finished product on the ice. Their games mature just as their minds and bodies do. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility. For North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, they will be eligible for three NHL drafts. For players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, they will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (who are still developing in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases.
In recent years, we have had a major shift in drafting philosophy, with more teams selecting players in their second and third years of eligibility. For one, these players are finding success at the NHL level, such as Cam Atkinson, Mike Hoffman, Ryan Dzingel, Brandon Montour, and Connor Hellebuyck, to name just a few. Secondly, teams are able to draft more polished products who have shown a steep progression curve. And thirdly, in the case of draft and follow NCAA bound players, NHL teams will have a few years longer to decide whether they want to sign said players to one of their precious 50 contracts inside the limit.
Last year, eleven “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100 alone (four more than 2018); Pyotr Kochetkov, Samuel Fagemo, Brett Leason, Mattias Norlinder, Erik Portillo, John Ludvig, Ronnie Attard, Ilya Konovalov, Viktor Lodin, Tyce Thompson, Matej Blumel. In our “second chances” article last year (LINK HERE Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 ) we wrote about six of these eleven. In total 42 were taken among the 217 total players drafted in Vancouver. While that is down from the 46 taken in 2018, it is still nearly 20% of all draft picks. Additionally, of those 42, we identified and wrote about 14 in our aforementioned second chances series. We hope to identify even more this year.
In 2020, we have some very interesting candidates. OHL goaltender Nico Daws has been one of the best goaltenders in the CHL and was a member of Team Canada at the WJC. Lethbridge defenseman Alex Cotton currently leads all WHL defenseman in scoring only a year after being passed over at the draft. Hulking Slovakian goaltender Samuel Hlavaj has been one of the best goaltenders in the QMJHL and played for team Slovakia (again) at the WJC’s. Parker Ford of Providence is among the top freshman scorers in the NCAA and played for team U.S.A. at the WJC. This series of articles intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year. We started with the Canadian Junior Leagues - WHL, OHL, QMJHL and the BCHL and published the prospects playing in the United States in the USHL and the NCAA yesterday. Today we wrap up the series with the European prospects entering the draft for their second or third time.
Europe
ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 20: Russia's Yegor Chinakhov #26 during preliminary round action at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 20, 2019 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Yegor Chinakhov - Right Wing - Omskie (MHL)
Ranked 49th by McKeens last year for the 2019 NHL Draft, Chinakhov ended up going unselected. This year he has been considerably better in the MHL, currently second among U19 players in scoring and over a point per game. The 5-11” creative offensive winger should be back on the draft radar again.
“Chinakhov is a great sniper and overall is a very skilled and creative winger, who has some top six upside.” (Viktor Fomich)
“Strong skater who has good explosiveness. Chinakhov possesses an elite wrist shot and release and is a terrific scorer. He has soft hands but his decision making can come into question at times. Additionally, he needs to continue to develop physically and away from the puck.” (Alessandro Seren Rosso, McKeens 2019)
Artyom Galimov - Center - Ak Bars (KHL)
A strong candidate for KHL rookie of the year, Galimov has really put himself on the map in his final year of NHL draft eligibility (as a 1999 born European player). He won a Bronze last year with team Russia at the WJCs, playing in more of a depth role. But with Ak Bars this year, he is excelling in a league that is usually difficult for young players to break into. His 19 points thus far are tied for best among U21 players, along with Colorado Avalanche draft pick Nikolai Kovalenko. The 5-11” winger is sure to have the attention of NHL scouts now.
“Galimov is a hard-working two-way center. He is a good skater, mobile and aggressive in front of the net. He may not exactly have huge offensive upside though.” (Viktor Fomich)
Danila Galenyuk - Defense - SKA (KHL)
A defensive rock for team Russia at this year’s WJCs, the 6-2”, 200 lbs defender has also been a strong performer in the KHL. He is one of only a handful of U20 blueliners to see regular action in the league and has outproduced top Montreal Canadiens defender Alexander Romanov by nearly double. Back in 2018, we at McKeens had Galenyuk ranked inside our top 100, only to have him go undrafted. With a little more exposure this year and improvements to his play with the puck, Galenyuk could be an NHL draft pick this year.
“Galenyuk is a very physically gifted left defender with good mobility. While he does have a good shot, he is mostly defensive minded though.” (Viktor Fomich)
Eemil Erholtz - Right Wing - Sport (Liiga)
5-11” winger (2000 born) who has broken into Liiga action full time this year after playing sparingly at the men’s level last year. Erholtz also suited up for Team Finland at the World Juniors this year, where he played a depth role for the consistently strong Finns.
“Erholtz has made the jump from the juniors to the Liiga and has averaged over 13 minutes of ice-time per game. He also played quite well at the World Juniors, although he did not get on the scoresheet as often as I had hoped. He played with Ville Petman in all of Finland's games but the other winger on the line changed from time to time. Erholtz is a solid skater who can make quick changes of direction to leave defenders in the dust. His edge work is very good, but he does not have blazing speed. He is quite well rounded as he reads the game well without the puck and when he gets the puck on his stick, he displays swift hands and some finesse moves. He had some very good scoring chances at the World Juniors, but his finishing was mediocre at best. Still, his development is trending upwards and I think he's worth a late-round pick in the NHL Draft.” (Marco Bombino)
Joonas Oden - Left Wing/Right Wing - KooKoo (Liiga)
Dual citizen (U.S. and Finland) who was one of the unsung heroes for Finland at the World Junior Championships, forming terrific chemistry with Kristian Tanus. The 6-0” forward is also playing in his first full season in Liiga after splitting last year between Liiga and the U20 league. No question his performance as a tenacious and gritty winger at the WJC’s was memorable.
“Oden has made good progress this season and performed really well at the World Juniors. Although he hasn't gotten on the score sheet a whole lot in the Liiga, he has shown that he can play at a solid level and utilize his strengths in a men's league. He is a hard-working, strong-skating winger with good offensive skills and hockey sense. He can be a dangerous shooter even from a distance and has a quick wrist shot. Oden is also a good set-up guy with impressive vision and good precision in his passing. Defensively, he backchecks really well as he possesses the speed and footwork to catch opponents. Versatile and plays with pace. He has improved his urgency and physicality from the past season which has made him a more complete player. Oden had an excellent World Juniors performance which should finally attract the attention of NHL teams.” (Marco Bombino)
Axel Rindell - Defense - Jukurit (Liiga)
One of the top rookies in Liiga action this year as Lindell finds himself as the top scoring blueliner for Jukurit, right in line with the performances of top NHL prospects Lassi Thomson and Anttoni Honka. The 6-0” blueliner led the Finnish U20 league in defenseman scoring last year, so his production and performance should not come as a complete surprise.
“Rindell had a nice season in the U20 league and has opened a lot of eyes in the Liiga this season. He averages almost 19 minutes of ice-time per game, plays on the power play and contributes in the transition game. An offensive-minded and mobile blueliner with very good puck moving abilities, he has the puck control and skating ability to escape from pressure. He makes a firm, crisp first pass and he can also carry the puck up the ice. He keeps the game simple enough. His heavy, quick slap shot is a real threat from the point and he rarely hesitates to use it. He shoots to create rebounds and gets shots past the first defender. His defensive game is improving and although he could at times be more alert and assertive in the defensive zone, he can hold his own in the Liiga. Once he gains more strength, he will be more effective in board and corner battles.” (Marco Bombino)
Kristian Tanus - Center - Jukurit (Liiga)
Most definitely undersized at 5-8”, but Tanus is an extremely talented playmaker who was one of the standouts of this year’s WJC for Team Finland. His beautiful no-look pass helped to get the Finns into the semi-finals with a defeat over Team U.S.A. His production in Liiga action has only been mediocre thus far, but what he has done Internationally has certainly been impressive.
“Tanus had an excellent World Juniors tournament, playing alongside Joonas Oden and Patrik Puistola on the second line. The small center led the Finnish team in scoring with nine points in seven games and definitely boosted his draft stock. Tanus is an excellent distributor of the puck who sees the ice very well and delivers tape-to-tape passes. His playmaking skills were on full display on the power play as he can execute a quick passing game. An agile skater with a quick first step and good footwork; seems to lack separation speed, though. He is smart with the puck and doesn't force the game – he takes what is given to him. Certain times he could be more involved in the game, but overall, he shows a strong commitment to the defensive game. His quick hands help him at the face-off dot.” (Marco Bombino)
Adam Wilsby - Defense - Sodertalje SK (Allsvenskan)
A major breakout star in Sweden this year, Wilsby has become one of the top young offensive blueliners in the country. After leading the SuperElit (J20) in scoring by defenders last year, Wilsby has graduated to the second men’s league (Allsvenskan) this year and is now leading that league in points per game among defenders, in his 19/20-year-old season. He has been better than Montreal Canadiens 3rd rounder Mattias Norlinder, who was a selection as a “re-entry” last year after a strong Allsvenskan performance. The 6-0” blueliner looks like a surefire selection in 2020.
“I saw him in the junior team early this season and he totally dominated that game with his skating and puck skills. He later got a chance to play in Allsvenskan and stepped in and dominated on that level as well. Wilsby is 2000 born defenseman who has grown physically, which has meant that his skillset has become visible this season. His 23 points in 25 games as a junior defenseman in Allsvenskan is impressive. I can’t say that he has elite NHL potential in any of his assets but he’s a good bet from the third round and later in the draft. The ceiling might be as a fourth defenseman with some skill. Wilsby isn’t only an offensive defenseman, he plays responsible on both sides of the puck. He reads the game well and acts on it. He is strong on the puck and moves well in both the offensive zone as the defensive zone. In Allsvenskan he runs his teams power play from the point with strong playmaking. He moves well sideways and gives the shooter on either flank strong passes to one-time. His power play game reminds a bit of the way Victor Hedman moves on the blue line.” (Jimmy Hamrin)
190427 Albert Lyckåsen of Sweden during the ice hockey semi final game in The IIHF U18 World Championship between Canada and Sweden on April 27 in Örnsköldsvik.
Photo: Johan Löf / BILDBYRÅN / COP 230
Albert Lyckasen - Defense - Linkoping HC J20 (SuperElit)
Lyckasen was one of the highest rated European players to go undrafted last year, as we at McKeens had him ranked 121st. The 5-11” defender has really stepped up his game in the Swedish U20 league this year, currently right in line with top 2020 draft prospects like Emil Andrae, Helge Grans, and William Wallinder in league defenseman scoring.
“Lyckasen was, in my opinion, a surprise that he did not get picked in last year’s draft. He is in no way a sure thing to become an NHL player but there’s a lot with his game that I like. This season, the 2001 born defenseman, has elevated his game in SuperElit and has been the top defenseman for his team. He has nice offensive instincts which he acts on. He is also strong defensively in his own end and he moves the puck well. He has been a top 5-on-5 defenseman point producer in the league and has solid power play numbers as well. He has the most shots on goal on his team and plays big minutes. He is a good puck-mover and a good skater as well, especially his backwards skating which helps him defensively. He can carry and transport the puck with his skating and it rarely gets him in trouble. I see him as a future second or third pairing defenseman, either in the SHL or in the NHL depending how well he can exceed his development. He is a long-term prospect though and lacks elite skills, but his all-around game and smarts will help him well. Since there were some issues in his game last year, like with his instincts and poise that has improved this season, I like him as a potential late pick.” (Jimmy Hamrin)
Eric Engstrand - Left Wing - Malmo J20 (SuperElit)
Engstrand is a 19-year-old hulking winger who has had a big breakout season in the Swedish junior league. The 6-4”, 210lbs power forward is currently second in league scoring (as of this writing) and has even earned himself a cup of coffee in the SHL with his parent club in Malmo. NHL teams will obviously be intrigued by his size, power, and skill combination and playing on the same team as Helge Grans is going to get him a lot of looks.
“The 6-4” winger has been dominating the SuperElit with 37 points in 24 games as a 19-year-old. Lately he has gotten promoted to play fourth line minutes in the SHL. I like Engstrand as a bottom six prospect. He is a good skater and a strong physical presence. He forechecks well and is strong on the puck. His puck skills are average but good enough to be an effective bottom six checker that can put up points from time to time. At junior he plays the right circle on the power play and shows nice playmaking and one-time shots from there. For re-entry purposes I like players that bring something that they hadn’t in their first years of draft eligibility. Engstrand has elevated his game in most aspects this season. Even though he’s only played 2-5 minutes per game in the SHL he has made an impression when his been on the ice. He goes into the dirty areas and is hard to contain there with his size, reach and strength on the puck. If he can keep earning bigger minutes in the SHL I’d say there’s a fair chance that Engstrand gets picked late in the draft this time.” (Jimmy Hamrin)
Nils Aman - Center - Leksands IF U20 (SuperElit)
A good-sized center (6-2”) who has the second highest points per game average in the Swedish U20 league this season, Aman is garnering attention for this year’s NHL draft. The 19 year old forward has also earned a promotion to the Allsvenskan, where he has scored his first professional goal. Given his length and offensive production this year, Aman makes sense as for inclusion for this list.
“A 6-2” center with good skating and soft hands. Aman is a 2000 born still playing junior hockey but is dominating the SuperElit league with 36 points in 21 games so far. Aman also got a chance to play with the U20 national team and had 4 points in 6 games but was left out from the WJC roster. He has also played 6 games of senior hockey in Allsvenskan and scored one goal. The goal was a beautiful goal as he pulled the “Peter Forsberg” move on a breakaway. Aman’s skating is his best asset and with the physical advantage of his size and reach he’s very hard to stop at junior level. Even though his skating stands well at senior level he isn’t elite fast and had a tougher time to dominate on that level. I’m quite confident that Aman is a future SHL player with his speed and hands. As for NHL, he’s a long shot. He needs to work on his two-way game as his offensive upside isn’t strong enough to become a center for one of the top two lines. If he can become a strong penalty killer and two-way player, he stands a chance of becoming a bottom six center. I’d not be surprised if a team uses a late round pick on him this summer.” (Jimmy Hamrin)
Tom Hedberg - Defense - Modo (Allsvenskan)
Hedberg has been well traveled the last few years. He’s played in three different Swedish organizations (Leksands, HV71, and Modo), in addition to spending a year in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. Originally considered one of the better Swedish defenders in the 1999 age group, Hedberg had not yet developed into the player many expected he would. That is, until this season, where he has become one of the better defenders in the Swedish 2nd league (Allsvenskan), in addition to wearing a letter (‘A’) for Modo. In his final year of draft eligibility, there is a possibility that an NHL club uses a draft selection on the 5-11” defender.
“99 born Hedberg has had a weird career. The smart and small sized defenseman jumped into senior hockey at 16 and played regularly in Allsvenskan on a top team, won the league and got promoted to the SHL. He was at that point a highly regarded prospect going into his draft year. His potential did not take off though and played in five different teams over four seasons. This season though, the development has taken a big step forward. He stayed for a second season with his hometown team and has been one of the best defensemen in Allsvenskan. He plays a smart game with effective puck handling and few mistakes. He will never be a flashy defenseman but moves the puck well. Hedberg will surely play at a higher-level next season and the outlook for him is of a strong SHL defenseman in upcoming years. As for the NHL, the ceiling is limited. His skills do not stand out and with his 5-11” size and no wowing skating abilities, I can’t see him becoming more than a third pairing player at best. His hockey sense is borderline elite though at times. If he does not get picked in this draft, there is definitely a chance for him to be signed as a free agent in a couple of years if he can show steady development.” (Jimmy Hamrin)
Linus Andersson - Right Wing - HC Vita Hasten (Allsvenskan)
A classic late bloomer, Linus Andersson is giving himself a chance to be drafted in his final season of draft eligibility. He finds himself just outside the top 10 of goal scoring for the Allsvenskan but is second among U23 players (just behind NHL prospect Jonathan Dahlen). At 6-0”, 185lbs, Andersson should not be considered undersized for the wing positions and is someone to keep an eye on in June.
“Intense forward with a good shot. 99 born Andersson got to play games at the SHL level as a 17-year-old but still has not scored a single point at that level. Instead he has been a steady producer of points in SuperElit and this season he has clearly taken a step forward in Allsvenskan. Andersson has been able to translate his game to the senior level and has become a big weapon with his shot. He has nice puck skills and is good at creating chances for himself to prevail on. He started the season strong, but his production has dropped a bit lately. His shot makes him an interesting top 6 talent. As for being an NHL prospect, he still is a long shot. He lacks consistency still and his overall offensive game isn’t dynamic or elite. If I’m an NHL scout I’d wait and see if he can take his game to the next level and sign him as a free agent instead of using a draft choice on him.” (Jimmy Hamrin)
Benjamin Baumgartner - Center - HC Davos
A 2000 born, 5-9” center, Baumgartner has been one of the breakout stars of Europe this year. Not only did he lead Austria to a promotion to the main group at the IIHF WJC, but he has been nearly a point per game player in the NLA with HC Davos. He is on pace to produce the most points by a U20 player in the NLA since Patrik Bartschi in 2004. No doubt, he is on the draft radar.
“He's a bit small, but a natural center who can skate decently well. His best asset is his puck protection and his instincts offensively. Really knows how to maneuver around the ice and let the play develop around him so he can create chances. His shot is good too, but it feels like he's focusing more on using linemates and making plays a lot more than scoring on his own. He was way above the rest of his World Junior cohort, and he's taken a major step since last year. I'm a fan of his, but his skating might hold him back if you're drafting him as a 20 year old in June. He's getting great results and earning them. From what I've heard from a few Swiss fans, it's legit and he could be even better. Just gotta wonder if he's just having a huge year and will go back to being just a guy next year.” (Will Scouch)
**Special thanks to the McKeen’s Hockey staff for contributing to this article (Ryan Wagman, Vince Gibbons, Mike Sanderson, Kevin Olexson, Marco Bombino, Jimmy Hamrin, Alessandro Seren Rosso, and Viktor Fomich). Additionally, thanks to Russ Cohen (@sportsology) and Will Scouch (@Scouching) for their contributions.