Post by brentdog on Apr 19, 2017 6:26:10 GMT -5
21) Vasily Ponomarev (RW) – Volga U20 – RU20
Ponomarev has lit up the Russian U20 league this season, running along at a healthy clip of 2 points per game. Sneaky good skater with a projectable 6’2” frame who uses his agility rather than outright speed to get past opponents. Already reads the game like a seasoned pro, displaying excellent hockey IQ at both ends of the ice. Able to make plays at high speed due to his smart reading of what is in front of him. Picks his spots very well and has a good shot that he can get off as he moves toward the net, surprising goalies in the process with his early release.
22) Kaiden Guhle (LD) – Victoria Royals – WHL
The 4th overall pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam draft, Kaiden is the brother of Brendan, the 51st overall pick in the 2015 iNHL entry draft. Has been an absolute minute muncher for the Royals, logging over 23 minutes a night and scoring 38 points in 72 games in the process. Huge wingspan and an active stick make him very difficult to beat one on one. Decent skater for a guy of his size, although agility slightly lacks and he can be exposed by quicker attackers when forced to pivot and turn. Soft hands mean he controls the puck extremely well, rarely turning it over or forcing unnecessary passes. An accurate point shot makes him a weapon on the powerplay and 18 of his points have come with the man advantage this season as a result.
23) Dario Tesoro (LW) – London Knights – OHL
A goal-scoring power forward who combines solid physical attributes with a versatile offensive skill set. Solid skater who has a very strong stride; it can take him a few moments to get going, but he looks like a bull on skates once he has some speed behind him. Pure goal-scorer who shows an uncanny ability to find open spots in defensive-zone coverages, allowing him to get off his lethal shot that features a quick release and impressive accuracy. Responsible defensively and constantly applies pressure, either with an active stick or hard hits. Lacks hockey sense and can be a bit of a puck hog; needs to work on his passing and decision making. Good size and a high ceiling make him a high-risk, high-reward prospect.
24) Albin Svedin (RW) - Rögle BK – SHL
Svedin is a big, powerful winger who loves to make plays with both his body and the puck. Has a powerful first stride that allows him to gain separation from the opposition and with a good set of hands he is an impressive player to watch. Possesses a quick little shot that he can get off in a hurry and on target. Goes hard to the slot and earns quality scoring chances working in the gritty areas, using his body to play against physical defensemen. Works well along the boards and deep in the zone to retrieve pucks. Has the ability to be fancy with the puck to open a lane to pass and then follow it up with a drive to the net as he tries to bang home a tip or rebound.
25) Lukas Cormier (LD) – Moncton Wildcats – QMJHL
Cormier is an intelligent two-way defender who reads the play really well at both ends of the ice. Seems to have has his head up all the time and makes smart decisions as a result. Moves the puck with ease and has a solid first pass. Smooth and balanced skater who isn’t afraid to dangle out from his own end. Shows good speed when getting back to defend after joining the rush; backward skating and edge work are both at a high level. Doesn’t play overly aggressively, but has the strength to box off his man if necessary. Keeps a good gap and uses his stick actively to close off lanes. Complete defender who has NHL top-four upside.
26) Seth Jarvis (RW) – Spokane Chiefs – WHL
A speedster with lethal offensive skill, Jarvis has more than a point per game this season for the Chiefs, with 26 goals and 50 assists in 72 WHL games. Possesses a smooth-skating style and often makes use of his speed to beat defensemen on the outside, whilst excellent stickhandling skills mean he can deke his way through on the inside. Has a “nose for the net” as he shows up in the right place to pounce on dangerous scoring opportunities multiple times per game. Reads the play well on both offense and defense. High-upside, skilled forward at the next level.
27) Kasper Puutio (RD) - Kärpät Oulu – Liiga
Puutio has proved to be an impressive all-around defender for Kärpät this season. Decent skater who can close gaps well; backwards skating and balance are both very strong. Despite his size advantage lacks physicality in his game, tends to rely more on positioning and technical defensive attributes to contain his opponent. Good passer; knows where the smart play is and how to get the puck where it needs to be. Has a heavy one-timer and if improved in accuracy this could make him a very dangerous point man on the powerplay.
28) Marcus Nylander (RW) – Karlskrona HK – SHL
A highly-skilled winger who is a real offensive threat, Nylander unfortunately lost most of his season through a fractured eye-socket. Speedy stickhandler who can produce highlight reel plays. Elite passer who excels at carrying the puck into the offensive zone and holding onto it whilst his team mates get into position. Blessed with what you would call a goal-scorer’s sense around the net, not getting chances by out-muscling opponents as such, but by being smart and reading the play to jump on loose pucks. Doesn’t shirk his defensive duties; is aware of his responsibilities in his own zone and positions himself accordingly.
29) Axel Kumlin (RD) - Brynäs IF - SHL
A smooth-skating, offensive minded blueliner, Kumlin hasn’t featured hugely for Brynäs this season but has nevertheless looked impressive when called upon. Very confident with the puck on his stick and displays great patience; doesn’t panic at the offensive zone blueline when he is pressured by forwards and keeps his poise. Reads the ice very well while skating with the puck, which leads to strong, accurate puck distribution. Stick-oriented defender who is great at using his sense of positioning to keep his gaps tight and stay on his man.
30) Quinton Byfield (C) – Barrie Colts – OHL
The 6’5”, 203lbs Byfield is a skilled forward who plays a game centered around his speed and power. Has blazing speed and excellent balance, making him very hard to contain when in full flow; seemingly never stops moving his feet and can drive around players or just power through them with ease. Great forechecker who isn’t afraid to lay on a big hit. Possesses an elite-level wrist shot that is both hard and accurate. Displays real strength in the faceoff circle, winning key draws time and time again. Can sometimes rely too much on his physical gifts and lacks some degree of hockey sense as a result.
Honourable mentions: Nicolas Kingsbury-Fournier, Theo Rochette, Aidan de la Gordeniere, Rhett Rhinehart, Nikita Shyudin, Marcus Gretz
Ponomarev has lit up the Russian U20 league this season, running along at a healthy clip of 2 points per game. Sneaky good skater with a projectable 6’2” frame who uses his agility rather than outright speed to get past opponents. Already reads the game like a seasoned pro, displaying excellent hockey IQ at both ends of the ice. Able to make plays at high speed due to his smart reading of what is in front of him. Picks his spots very well and has a good shot that he can get off as he moves toward the net, surprising goalies in the process with his early release.
22) Kaiden Guhle (LD) – Victoria Royals – WHL
The 4th overall pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam draft, Kaiden is the brother of Brendan, the 51st overall pick in the 2015 iNHL entry draft. Has been an absolute minute muncher for the Royals, logging over 23 minutes a night and scoring 38 points in 72 games in the process. Huge wingspan and an active stick make him very difficult to beat one on one. Decent skater for a guy of his size, although agility slightly lacks and he can be exposed by quicker attackers when forced to pivot and turn. Soft hands mean he controls the puck extremely well, rarely turning it over or forcing unnecessary passes. An accurate point shot makes him a weapon on the powerplay and 18 of his points have come with the man advantage this season as a result.
23) Dario Tesoro (LW) – London Knights – OHL
A goal-scoring power forward who combines solid physical attributes with a versatile offensive skill set. Solid skater who has a very strong stride; it can take him a few moments to get going, but he looks like a bull on skates once he has some speed behind him. Pure goal-scorer who shows an uncanny ability to find open spots in defensive-zone coverages, allowing him to get off his lethal shot that features a quick release and impressive accuracy. Responsible defensively and constantly applies pressure, either with an active stick or hard hits. Lacks hockey sense and can be a bit of a puck hog; needs to work on his passing and decision making. Good size and a high ceiling make him a high-risk, high-reward prospect.
24) Albin Svedin (RW) - Rögle BK – SHL
Svedin is a big, powerful winger who loves to make plays with both his body and the puck. Has a powerful first stride that allows him to gain separation from the opposition and with a good set of hands he is an impressive player to watch. Possesses a quick little shot that he can get off in a hurry and on target. Goes hard to the slot and earns quality scoring chances working in the gritty areas, using his body to play against physical defensemen. Works well along the boards and deep in the zone to retrieve pucks. Has the ability to be fancy with the puck to open a lane to pass and then follow it up with a drive to the net as he tries to bang home a tip or rebound.
25) Lukas Cormier (LD) – Moncton Wildcats – QMJHL
Cormier is an intelligent two-way defender who reads the play really well at both ends of the ice. Seems to have has his head up all the time and makes smart decisions as a result. Moves the puck with ease and has a solid first pass. Smooth and balanced skater who isn’t afraid to dangle out from his own end. Shows good speed when getting back to defend after joining the rush; backward skating and edge work are both at a high level. Doesn’t play overly aggressively, but has the strength to box off his man if necessary. Keeps a good gap and uses his stick actively to close off lanes. Complete defender who has NHL top-four upside.
26) Seth Jarvis (RW) – Spokane Chiefs – WHL
A speedster with lethal offensive skill, Jarvis has more than a point per game this season for the Chiefs, with 26 goals and 50 assists in 72 WHL games. Possesses a smooth-skating style and often makes use of his speed to beat defensemen on the outside, whilst excellent stickhandling skills mean he can deke his way through on the inside. Has a “nose for the net” as he shows up in the right place to pounce on dangerous scoring opportunities multiple times per game. Reads the play well on both offense and defense. High-upside, skilled forward at the next level.
27) Kasper Puutio (RD) - Kärpät Oulu – Liiga
Puutio has proved to be an impressive all-around defender for Kärpät this season. Decent skater who can close gaps well; backwards skating and balance are both very strong. Despite his size advantage lacks physicality in his game, tends to rely more on positioning and technical defensive attributes to contain his opponent. Good passer; knows where the smart play is and how to get the puck where it needs to be. Has a heavy one-timer and if improved in accuracy this could make him a very dangerous point man on the powerplay.
28) Marcus Nylander (RW) – Karlskrona HK – SHL
A highly-skilled winger who is a real offensive threat, Nylander unfortunately lost most of his season through a fractured eye-socket. Speedy stickhandler who can produce highlight reel plays. Elite passer who excels at carrying the puck into the offensive zone and holding onto it whilst his team mates get into position. Blessed with what you would call a goal-scorer’s sense around the net, not getting chances by out-muscling opponents as such, but by being smart and reading the play to jump on loose pucks. Doesn’t shirk his defensive duties; is aware of his responsibilities in his own zone and positions himself accordingly.
29) Axel Kumlin (RD) - Brynäs IF - SHL
A smooth-skating, offensive minded blueliner, Kumlin hasn’t featured hugely for Brynäs this season but has nevertheless looked impressive when called upon. Very confident with the puck on his stick and displays great patience; doesn’t panic at the offensive zone blueline when he is pressured by forwards and keeps his poise. Reads the ice very well while skating with the puck, which leads to strong, accurate puck distribution. Stick-oriented defender who is great at using his sense of positioning to keep his gaps tight and stay on his man.
30) Quinton Byfield (C) – Barrie Colts – OHL
The 6’5”, 203lbs Byfield is a skilled forward who plays a game centered around his speed and power. Has blazing speed and excellent balance, making him very hard to contain when in full flow; seemingly never stops moving his feet and can drive around players or just power through them with ease. Great forechecker who isn’t afraid to lay on a big hit. Possesses an elite-level wrist shot that is both hard and accurate. Displays real strength in the faceoff circle, winning key draws time and time again. Can sometimes rely too much on his physical gifts and lacks some degree of hockey sense as a result.
Honourable mentions: Nicolas Kingsbury-Fournier, Theo Rochette, Aidan de la Gordeniere, Rhett Rhinehart, Nikita Shyudin, Marcus Gretz