Post by brentdog on Nov 25, 2017 5:22:49 GMT -5
21) Matyáš Šapovaliv (C) – HC Plzen – CZE U20
A hard-nosed Czech center who plays a sound two-way game, Šapovaliv is a menacing forechecker at the Czech junior level, using his long reach to cut off lanes and get on top of defenders quickly. Makes smart, simple plays with the puck that advances it up ice and puts his team in a better position offensively. Protects the puck very well and is not afraid to take it to the net by himself, whether by driving to the backdoor or wrapping it around. Perhaps lacks a standout offensive attribute but is a solid overall package in all zones of the ice.
22) Joey Vetrano (C) – Gatineau Olympiques – QMJHL
Nicknamed ‘Baby Bergeron’ by his Gatineau Olympiques team-mates thanks to his outstanding two-way play, Vetrano has 76 points in 68 games in the Q. Plays in all situations and consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck. Gives sound support to his defensemen and fills in for them when they pinch into the zone. High-level hockey IQ compensates for average speed. Has soft hands and shows flashes of skill that allude to greater offensive potential once he develops further.
23) Seamus Casey (RD) – Owen Sound Attack – OHL
A superior offensive defenceman hailing from the somewhat exotic hockey location of Estero, Florida, Casey has 40 points in 68 OHL games this season. Great on his feet in transition and can get up to speed quickly. Very smooth pivots from forwards to backwards and is shifty on his feet, quickly bursting to go the direction he wants. Exhibits first-class hockey sense; already looks like a pro out there in the way he picks the right play whether in his own zone or on the breakout. Undersized at 5’11” and 177 lbs so can suffer along the boards from a lack of strength, but is often able to use his positioning and gap control to prevent himself from being dragged into a physical battle.
24) Paul Tollet (LW) – Bordeaux Boxers – Ligue Magnus
French speedster Tollet has scored at more than a point per game in the Ligue Magnus this season, which is no mean feat against fully grown professionals whatever their level of play. Needs to work on his first step but once he gets up a full head of steam is arguably one of the quickest skaters in the draft. Shows good offensive anticipation and always seems to be in the right place to step into a shot at crucial moments in the game. With his speed should be a potent weapon on the PK but needs to improve his checking ability first.
25) Ty Nelson (LD) – Sault St. Marie Greyhounds - OHL
The highest scoring draft-eligible defenseman in the OHL with 77 points in 68 games, the 6’3”, 217 lbs Nelson is an imposing two-way blueliner with a real eye for a pass. Powerful stride allows him to build up decent speed although he lacks a bit of lateral agility. Ultra-creative in his passing game and displays a real confidence in moving the puck when breakout lanes become available. Defensively solid: consistently forces the attacker to make the first move through good gap judgement and isn’t afraid to follow up by playing his man hard into the wall.
26) Riku Tohila (LW) – Ässät Pori – Liiga
Undersized Finnish sniper Tohila (5’11”, 167 lbs) will need to add more muscle to be effective at the iNHL level, but when he does so defenders had better watch out. A smooth skater who covers the ground at high rates of speed in transition, Tohila is a decent puckhandler and is blessed with a shot release that doesn’t hinder his mobility. Scores a lot of goals from what look like easy putbacks, but only to the untrained eye that misses his knack for getting into the right spot and gaining position and leverage on bigger defenders.
27) Peter Reynolds (C) – Vermont Catamounts – NCAA
Reynolds is the fifth highest scoring rookie in the NCAA this year, but that far from tells the whole story where the Fredericton, NB native is concerned. At 6’4” and 214 lbs Reynolds not only has a very projectable frame and the inclination to use it to his advantage, but also a slick set of hands that can open-up opposing defenses in ways you wouldn’t expect. Whilst his development lags a little behind his peers, you would expect this to accelerate now he is part of the Catamounts program and there is little doubt that he has the raw tools to become a highly effective player down the line.
28) Kasper Selin (RD) – Blues Espoo – Liiga
A diminutive but highly skilled offensive blueliner, Selin is an excellent skater who uses his mobility and hockey sense in both attack and defense. Fantastic puck-mover who can skate it up ice with ease; boasts a heavy point shot despite his small stature. Strong gap control and stickwork make him very difficult to beat one-on-one. Just looks like a player out there. Main weakness, as indicated by his 5’11”, 147 lbs frame, is a lack of strength and a tendency to get pushed around in physical battles, but in today’s more offensively-minded and skilled iNHL such things are less of a worry.
29) Rasmus Leijonhielm (RW) - Brynäs IF – SHL
A late ’03 born eligible for this draft by only a few days, Leijonhielm has scored 21 points in 44 games in his rookie SHL season. Can distribute the puck really well in tight and finds lanes where there is usually no space for a successful pass. Slightly undersized but excellent balance allows him to stay on his feet against bigger opponents, even those with considerably larger frames. Good in his own end thanks to a growing ability to read the developing play, plus knows where to position himself to counter it.
30) Kaleb Smith (C) – Flint Firebirds – OHL
Amherst, NY native Smith is a big guy who plays even bigger; it can look like a schoolyard bully picking on the smaller kids at times when he’s out there on the ice. Loves to use his power to engage opponents physically and drive to the net. Isn’t just muscle as he skates surprisingly well for his 6’4”, 205 lbs frame, with above average acceleration and balance. Loves to lay on a big hit but needs to be careful with his aggression so he doesn’t spend too much time in the penalty box.
Honourable Mentions: Egor Petkilev; Ethan Bueneventura; Matthew Ng; Grayson Gotaas; Pavel Mintyukov; Tomas Vaclavik; Matej Gardon; Connor Geekie; Daimon Gardner; Nick Pierre
A hard-nosed Czech center who plays a sound two-way game, Šapovaliv is a menacing forechecker at the Czech junior level, using his long reach to cut off lanes and get on top of defenders quickly. Makes smart, simple plays with the puck that advances it up ice and puts his team in a better position offensively. Protects the puck very well and is not afraid to take it to the net by himself, whether by driving to the backdoor or wrapping it around. Perhaps lacks a standout offensive attribute but is a solid overall package in all zones of the ice.
22) Joey Vetrano (C) – Gatineau Olympiques – QMJHL
Nicknamed ‘Baby Bergeron’ by his Gatineau Olympiques team-mates thanks to his outstanding two-way play, Vetrano has 76 points in 68 games in the Q. Plays in all situations and consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck. Gives sound support to his defensemen and fills in for them when they pinch into the zone. High-level hockey IQ compensates for average speed. Has soft hands and shows flashes of skill that allude to greater offensive potential once he develops further.
23) Seamus Casey (RD) – Owen Sound Attack – OHL
A superior offensive defenceman hailing from the somewhat exotic hockey location of Estero, Florida, Casey has 40 points in 68 OHL games this season. Great on his feet in transition and can get up to speed quickly. Very smooth pivots from forwards to backwards and is shifty on his feet, quickly bursting to go the direction he wants. Exhibits first-class hockey sense; already looks like a pro out there in the way he picks the right play whether in his own zone or on the breakout. Undersized at 5’11” and 177 lbs so can suffer along the boards from a lack of strength, but is often able to use his positioning and gap control to prevent himself from being dragged into a physical battle.
24) Paul Tollet (LW) – Bordeaux Boxers – Ligue Magnus
French speedster Tollet has scored at more than a point per game in the Ligue Magnus this season, which is no mean feat against fully grown professionals whatever their level of play. Needs to work on his first step but once he gets up a full head of steam is arguably one of the quickest skaters in the draft. Shows good offensive anticipation and always seems to be in the right place to step into a shot at crucial moments in the game. With his speed should be a potent weapon on the PK but needs to improve his checking ability first.
25) Ty Nelson (LD) – Sault St. Marie Greyhounds - OHL
The highest scoring draft-eligible defenseman in the OHL with 77 points in 68 games, the 6’3”, 217 lbs Nelson is an imposing two-way blueliner with a real eye for a pass. Powerful stride allows him to build up decent speed although he lacks a bit of lateral agility. Ultra-creative in his passing game and displays a real confidence in moving the puck when breakout lanes become available. Defensively solid: consistently forces the attacker to make the first move through good gap judgement and isn’t afraid to follow up by playing his man hard into the wall.
26) Riku Tohila (LW) – Ässät Pori – Liiga
Undersized Finnish sniper Tohila (5’11”, 167 lbs) will need to add more muscle to be effective at the iNHL level, but when he does so defenders had better watch out. A smooth skater who covers the ground at high rates of speed in transition, Tohila is a decent puckhandler and is blessed with a shot release that doesn’t hinder his mobility. Scores a lot of goals from what look like easy putbacks, but only to the untrained eye that misses his knack for getting into the right spot and gaining position and leverage on bigger defenders.
27) Peter Reynolds (C) – Vermont Catamounts – NCAA
Reynolds is the fifth highest scoring rookie in the NCAA this year, but that far from tells the whole story where the Fredericton, NB native is concerned. At 6’4” and 214 lbs Reynolds not only has a very projectable frame and the inclination to use it to his advantage, but also a slick set of hands that can open-up opposing defenses in ways you wouldn’t expect. Whilst his development lags a little behind his peers, you would expect this to accelerate now he is part of the Catamounts program and there is little doubt that he has the raw tools to become a highly effective player down the line.
28) Kasper Selin (RD) – Blues Espoo – Liiga
A diminutive but highly skilled offensive blueliner, Selin is an excellent skater who uses his mobility and hockey sense in both attack and defense. Fantastic puck-mover who can skate it up ice with ease; boasts a heavy point shot despite his small stature. Strong gap control and stickwork make him very difficult to beat one-on-one. Just looks like a player out there. Main weakness, as indicated by his 5’11”, 147 lbs frame, is a lack of strength and a tendency to get pushed around in physical battles, but in today’s more offensively-minded and skilled iNHL such things are less of a worry.
29) Rasmus Leijonhielm (RW) - Brynäs IF – SHL
A late ’03 born eligible for this draft by only a few days, Leijonhielm has scored 21 points in 44 games in his rookie SHL season. Can distribute the puck really well in tight and finds lanes where there is usually no space for a successful pass. Slightly undersized but excellent balance allows him to stay on his feet against bigger opponents, even those with considerably larger frames. Good in his own end thanks to a growing ability to read the developing play, plus knows where to position himself to counter it.
30) Kaleb Smith (C) – Flint Firebirds – OHL
Amherst, NY native Smith is a big guy who plays even bigger; it can look like a schoolyard bully picking on the smaller kids at times when he’s out there on the ice. Loves to use his power to engage opponents physically and drive to the net. Isn’t just muscle as he skates surprisingly well for his 6’4”, 205 lbs frame, with above average acceleration and balance. Loves to lay on a big hit but needs to be careful with his aggression so he doesn’t spend too much time in the penalty box.
Honourable Mentions: Egor Petkilev; Ethan Bueneventura; Matthew Ng; Grayson Gotaas; Pavel Mintyukov; Tomas Vaclavik; Matej Gardon; Connor Geekie; Daimon Gardner; Nick Pierre