Another year, another iteration of the NHL Entry Draft. In here, we will list the picks, go through the players drafted by their respective organizations, and then grade the team’s draft. Here, we will do the teams alphabetically, split into four parts. Each part will be split into eight teams.
Part 1: [click here]
Part 2: [click here]
Part 3: [You are here]
Part 4: [click here]
Nashville Predators
Selections:
1st round: C Fyodor Svechkov (19th), LW Zachary L’Heureux (27th)
2nd round: none
3rd round: D Anton Olsson (72nd)
4th round: D Ryan Ufko (115th), D Jack Matier (124th)
5th round: none
6th round: RW Simon Knak (179th)
7th round: none
Fyodor Svechkov
There were other players available with higher offensive ceilings, but the Preds got a nearly-guaranteed 2nd line center who is excelling on defense and has some of the better passing skills in this Draft class. Svechkov always scans the ice for threats and options when off the puck, having a detailed mental map of the ice so that he’s always prepared for what comes next. He waits for a clear change in possession to move up-ice in a controlled, supportive fashion. His offensive timing is great, and has a knack for getting open off the puck. He is a good, but not great, skater, as well as his puck skills, which would hold him back from becoming a star. All in all, he is essentially the team’s Calle Jarnkrok replacement. The Preds looked off in some sorts in the defensive zone, especially in the forward core. Svechkov should help correct some of that if he develops. His game is reminiscent of that of Phillip Danault.
Zachary L’Heureux
L’Heureux is shy of 6’ and weighs around 196 lbs., but he plays bigger than that. He is a competitive and physical forward with a tendency to get under the skin of opponents, which defines a lot from his game. He is an enthusiastic hitter, one who puts more than his fair share of opponents in the boards. He is not afraid to put up a fight, either. His problem-solving through secondary and tertiary defensive variables lets him make plays where others would struggle to retain possession. His puck touches are good, and he can make sneaky passes in tight or across the zone. But is he worth two second round picks? The concerns are about attitude. He had several suspensions in 2021 in the QMJHL, mostly for fighting, but also for unsportsmanlike behavior, such as when he spit on an opponent (he has since apologized) and once flipping the middle finger to the crowd. While he needs to reign in some of that emotion if he would want to have a long NHL career, he is the kind of guy with a “never back down” attitude of someone who will need to prove himself worthy of NHL minutes. But proving himself shouldn’t be hard. He’s not a “goon on skates,” he has real skill with the puck. He models his game after Matthew Tkachuk: A player who goes toe-to-toe with anyone but also puts the puck in net with regularity, although he is more comparable to Tom Wilson. He has the competitive edge and confidence that the Preds need. Wanting to be tough to play isn’t enough, you actually have to be tough to play against.
Anton Olsson
What Olsson brings to the table, above everything else, is shutdown abilities. He scans the ice, identifies threats ahead of time, and cuts their path to the net, often abruptly, laying a hit and battling for every inch of space around the net and on the boards. Defensively, he can match his opponents’ pace, the intensity, and the work rate of professional players already, and, at times, surpass it. His pivot timing is solid, and he utilizes his active stick efficiently. He can move quickly under pressure, but he hasn’t shown a tenacity for leading the transition with his feet yet. However, his upside is entirely on the defensive zone. His offensive upside is almost nonexistent, although his outlet passes, when consistent, are a strength.
Ryan Ufko
It’s surprising that Ufko fell this far, as he is arguably a 2nd round talent, and the organization may have found a gem on the blueline. He is a smooth-skating defender who takes care of the puck calmly and confidently in transition. He anticipates puck movements, limits any dangerous chances of opposing plays, shoulder checks and positions his stick in passing lanes, and even if he stands at 5’ 10”, he is surprisingly sturdy, winning his share of battles on the walls. He laces deceit in his feeds and occasionally manipulates high opposing defenders with feints. There are some inconsistencies in his skating mechanics and positioning on defense, but overall, he is smart and has the tools to improve his one-on-one defending as needed. Offensively, he can get low, forceful shots on net from the point, giving his teammates plenty of chances for rebound goals.
Jack Matier
Matier was supposed to play his second season with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s in 2021, but it was cancelled due to COVID. The prior season, he recorded just 9 assists in 56 games. His only competitive action this season was at the U18 World Juniors, where he had just one assist in seven games. He is a good skater for someone who is 6’ 4” and keeps up with opposing rushers well. He makes picks for teammates to create more space for them on the breakout. Defensively, his tools do a lot of the work without too much active participation from him; his reach denies space and his body blocks shooting lanes. He handles the puck well and doesn’t commit tons of careless mistakes, but his outlet passes are risky, and he will be the last skater to lead the rush up the ice. He lacks an above-average skating and needs to work on leveraging his big frame in puck retrieval and winning physical one-on-one battles.
Simon Knak
After scoring 9 goals and 34 points in 49 games with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, he went back home to Switzerland for the start of the season, scoring 3 goals and 8 points in 25 games for HC Davos in the Swiss National League. He rejoined the Winterhawks and scored 16 goals and 29 points in 24 games. He is a hard-working forward who can blossom into a useful bottom six forward and penalty killer. He showed a noticeable improvement in his leg strength this season and it improved his skating, but it’s all a work in progress. His forechecking ability directly benefited from the improved skating, as he is constantly disrupting the puck carrier, forcing turnovers, and quickly starting the attack. He shows awareness to find teammates when pressured, even off the backhand. Offensively, however, he lacks creativity. He can drive the net hard and work the perimeter of the offensive zone, but he won’t dazzle opposing defenders with his puck skills, and he also needs to improve on his passing and playmaking ability.
Draft Grade: B+
The Preds re-stocked their cupboard nicely to begin their rebuild. However, they don’t get an A in this Draft because of alack of a blue-chip talent. Svechkov is an excellent defensive center. Although his offense is a question mark, he showed potential at the U18s and if it keeps up, he will be a steal in the Draft. L’Heureux is a pest who can get under opponents’ skin. He can also provide offense off the wing. Olsson at his ceiling is an effective two-way defenseman playing in the top four for an NHL team. His defensive game is likely better than his offensive game. Ufko is an undersized defender who loves to push the pace and is very aggressive in creating offensive opportunities. While he makes a good first pass to find a forward to start the transition game, he also loves to carry the puck and lead the rush himself.
New Jersey Devils
Selections:
1st round: D Luke Hughes (4th), RW Chase Stillman (29th)
2nd round: none
3rd round: C Samu Salminen (68th)
4th round: G Jakub Málek (100th)
5th round: D Topias Vilén (129th)
6th round: D Viktor Hurtig (164th)
7th round: C Zakhar Bardakov (203rd)
Luke Hughes
The youngest Hughes brother joins the middle brother: Jack and Luke are officially teammates on the Devils. He starts with a terrific skating posture, settling comfortably in his stride when he skates around the ice. His skating habits are stellar as well. He collects the puck in-stride, skates through his passes, and weaponizes movement to draw opposing defenders to his orbit, generating space for his teammates. He is always looking to create advantages with the puck on his stick. Although an injury prevented him from playing in the U18 World Championships, his skating has generated praise and expectations of a bright future as a pro hockey player. He’s basically like the eldest Hughes brother, Quinn, but with size. His offensive skill with the US NTDP was shown in full display. Not only did he average over a point per game, but there is also plenty of reason to think he can get even better. He will head to Michigan, which has already proven to be a great program for developing NHL players. Additionally, the selection addresses a need in the Devils’ prospect pool. Although the Devils’ defense was bad last season, no player picked this season would “fix the defense.” However, the Devils are short on offensive-minded prospects. The only prospects of note that are offensive defenseman are Reilly Walsh and Ethan Edwards. Hughes fits the organizational need and someone who can make an impact after several seasons in the Big 10. It could be a successful one for Hughes (for reference, see Ty Smith). Additionally, it can be said that Hughes was one of the safer picks in the Draft and it can go in a lot of different directions. He’s joining his brother, who was drafted 1st overall in 2019, which makes sense. Him going to a team that has defensive needs makes sense. Him being one of the top prospects at his position and overall in the class being picked 4th overall makes even more sense. GM Tom Fitzgerald did not overthink this and did not get lured away by Simon Edvinsson’s size or the trait of another players. He didn’t get a deal big enough to warrant moving the pick. He’s playing it safe. Good pick for the Devils. He has all the tools to be a much better defender than his brother Quinn.
Chase Stillman
A theme of this Draft is how there would be lots of variation and picks that are seemingly off the board that might not end up that way in retrospect. Stillman, who had 13 goals and 34 points in 58 games with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, did not play for them in 2021 because there was no OHL season, so he went to Esbjerg’s U20 team in Denmark, where he had 9 goals and 16 points in 8 games. The son of Cory Stillman and the brother of Blackhawks defenseman Riley Stillman, he has a good motor, willing to go on, willing to play whatever role needed to the maximum of his ability to lead his team to victory. He knows when to go after the puck to try and retrieve it, and will head to the best areas of the ice to get a scoring chance. He also made Canada’s gold-medal winning team at the U18 World Championships, with two goals and four points in 7 games. He is a hard worker, getting to good scoring areas, but unfortunately, those are not talents, especially for someone taken in the 1st round when other players available can do those things and more, like Logan Stankoven, Nikita Chibrikov, and Aatu Raty. However, Stillman plays a power forward style, driving to the net, both with and without the puck. He can finish when he gest there with soft hands to make a move and get the puck to the goalie as well as with the hand-eye coordination for deflections and cashing in on rebounds. He gets in the forecheck quickly, pressuring defenders to commit mistakes and gaining control of the puck off turnovers. However, is he truly a first round pick? Although he is a pest, he is not particularly large, as he stands 6’ 1” and weighs 183 lbs. His ceilng is likely going to be a middle six forward. But there is still hope. Should he get with Sudbury and show an improved shot, a more complete game, and plays like their leaders, maybe this pick could look better. But this is still a reach. Not a Tyler Boucher-at-10th overall reach, but still a reach.
Samu Salminen
Salminen is a large forward, at 6’ 3” and 190 lbs., who had 10 goals and 26 points in 17 U20 games with Jokerit, plus 7 goals and 9 points as captain of Finland’s U18 team at the U18 World Championships. The Denver commit has intelligence, the hallmark of his game. He sees plays developing moments in advance and plans his steps accordingly, whether he has possession or not. He has that goal-scorer’s knack for finding the right place to set up shop ,and his one- and two-touch finishing never fails him. He is a shooting threat just without the puck just as much as he is with the puck. However, how he has played the game raises question marks about his future, which may be why he was picked in the 3rd round. It’s rare to find players who are subpar in the area and suit up for a team. His skating isn’t all that magnificent, and not only is his stride short and choppy, but he also skates in an upright manner that seems to limit his acceleration and top speed. His technique isn’t the only concern, though. He struggles to keep his feet moving and glides in every zone. It’s hard to say that it’s because of laziness, as he constantly tries to get to the right spots, but there needs to be more intensity in his skating with his improved technique. The second negative is his defense. Although he has some excellent games where he shuts down opposing top players, for a player with high IQ, who is excellent in reading lanes and using the stick to break up plays, there are many games where he gets out of position or does not pick up a trailer. At times, he is also reluctant to use his body in the defensive zone in situations where it’s more appropriate than a stick check. This inconsistency is linked to his skating. Some positives are that he understands coverage in a way most NHL forwards don’t creating space for himself, along with high-danger shots regularly from the faceoff circles. He knows where his teammates will be at times, manipulating the opposition into doing what he wants them to in order to open lanes for passing. He’s not just a playmaker, since he might be more dangerous as a shooter than a passer. He has the hands that allow him to get the puck in a position to shoot quickly. His wrist shot is impressive, but his slap shot from the right side is one of the better ones. He wasn’t an easy standout, which helps explain that he was a 3rd round pick. 5 of his 7 goals with Finland were on the power play, where he used his big frame, his shot, and net-front determination to compliment the weaving and cross-seam passing used by Samu Tuomaala and Ville Koivunen, who both went before him. He also needs to work on his two-way game.
Jakub Málek
Ever since Ray Shero became GM of the Devils, they have consistently taken a goalie in every NHL Draft. Tom Fitzgerald has continued this tradition with the selection of Málek. He is an overage pick as he was born in 2002. He made his first team debut with VHK Vsetin in 2021 with 14 appearances in the regular season and 7 in the playoffs. He had a .912 SV% in the season and a .927 SV% in the playoffs. He did get a call-up to the Czech U20 for his international debut, but went poorly with a .862 SV% in one game, but it was just one game. Although Ben Gaudreau and Tristan Lennox were so available, the Devils may have felt that this was their chance to strike on one. Málek was not touted or considered to be expected to be selected in his Draft year. This is a risky pick as he has next to no international experience. His contract ends in a season, so he could get to North America soon. He might end up in Utica in two seasons and it may play a role to why he was taken. But the Devils should have taken a swing at him later in the Draft instead. At least he played well in a semi-pro league. It’s not all that terrible, but if this was the Devils’ choice at goalie, then there are better options with the 100th pick and see if he would be available at pick No. 129.
Topias Vilén
The Devils went back to Finland with this player, but this time, it’s one from the Liiga. Vilén is a left-shot defenseman listed at 6’ 1” and 194 lbs., suggesting his frame is already on its way to being filled out. His contract with the Pelicans runs out in 2023 because of an extension he signed. He played 35 games with the Pelicans and six with Peliitat in the Mestis on loan. He earned his full-time spot with the Pelicans with a reliable presence in his own zone, leveraging sound-off-the-puck reads, stopping power, and an unrelenting motor to keep opponents out of the zone. He’s one of the better stay-at-home defenders in his Draft class. His strengths are his stick use and breakout passes, with the latter being critical in Finland’s ability to quickly transition from defense to offense. He is taller than his measurement indicates, but he is physical through the competition, and used his powerful leg drive and upper body strength to angle quick forward into the boards. While the Finns surrendered a lot of goals in the U18 tournament, it was not because of Vilén making errors or anything, which is a positive for one of the more heavily used defenders on the team. His great skating is a positive, and, while he is a lefty, he can play either side of the pairing and can stay back when his partner activates. His offensive game could hold his potential back and needs improvement, as he could lose the puck at times on offense. He needs to be secure if he gets the puck in an offensive situation. All in all, he knows how to defend well without getting into penalty trouble. He may be limited on his upside, which can come down to whether he can defend at the pro level in North America and he can be at least passable when not defending at the pro level. But he has a pedigree, having broken into regular minutes on a pro team in Liiga, and he will have time for development.
Viktor Hurtig
The first thing you will notice in Hurtig is his size: He is a huge defender, listed at 6’ 6” and 190 lbs. The second thing you will notice is that he is an overager: He turned 19 back in April. The third thing you will notice is that he was busy in the 2021 season: He came up through Avesta BK before moving on to Västerås IK with their U18 team in 2019. Since then, he has been part of the team, playing 11 games with their U20 team last season, four games in their first team in the HockeyAllsvenskan, and got a loan for 7 games with Surahammars IF of HockeyEttan. He was then transferred to the Växjö Lakers and will play for them next season. He can pass through the forecheck, shield the puck, and beat opponents one-on-one with sneaky dekes when the game slows down. He can problem-solve the forecheck with his shoulder checks, fake passes, and see through multiple layers of the play. It’s not a lot, but it’s what you can expect from an overage defenseman. There was no guarantee that he would be picked, as he played a total of 22 games. While he had 5 goals and 8 points in the U20 level, it was not as if he played anywhere that gathered a lot of attention. He was kept in the U18 in 2020 with just 11 games in the U20, so it’s not as if lots of scouts had the chance to see him and could make something out of this based on the last full season of hockey he could have played. However, he’s a good skater for his size and can beat back pressure with his wheels but also poised and delays to let other checkers fly by. He also has a shoot-first mentality. Given his contract status, he could be an AHL-eligible player sooner than later.
Zakhar Bardakov
Bardakov is a double-overager as he is 20. He is listed at 6’ 2” and 198 lbs. He played most of the 2021 season with Vityaz Podolsk of the KHL with 44 games, where he put up 8 goals and 11 points while averaging 10:27 per game. This is hardly a surprise for someone who hasn’t played a lot in the KHL, but it’s telling because he averaged over 14 shifts per game. This is something you rarely see in a 7th round pick. He will join SKA St. Petersburg next season as part of a trade with Vityaz Podolsk in June. His aggressive and intriguing play style earned him a spot on Team Russia at the 2021 World Juniors. He received praise for the energy the brought every time he stepped on the ice. He boosted his line with explosive plays. He has a “short, heavy stride,” but he does not stop moving, even on puck possession changes. When attacking, he goes to the net, and has the tendency to shoot over passing the puck. The World Juniors boosted his Draft stock immensely, which made him a player worth taking a chance on in the Draft, and the Devils did that. He kept his PIM per game rate below one in the KHL and served only four minutes of penalty time in the World Juniors. It’s possible that he is calm and uses his strengths more appropriately. If he can be disciplined without losing his edge, the Devils may have gotten that “big body presence” and “heavy hockey” role at forward that they sought out. These kinds of prospects aren’t really that pleasing early on, but they are acceptable in the later rounds.
Draft Grade: B
The Devils had a feel-good moment with Jack Hughes’s excitement to see his younger brother, Luke, join the team. Luke is taller than Jack and Quinn but maintains a similar explosive skating ability, as he is very fast in both directions, allowing him to push the play offensively and still get back to the defensive end of the ice. Stillman plays a power forward style. He loves to drive to the net, both with and without the puck. He can finish plays when he gets there. Salimen is a pure goal scorer with an outstanding one-timer, smart to find the soft spots in the opposing defense and set up for the shot. Although Málek is a tall but slight goalie, the pick is strange considering other goalies were on the board at the time. Vilén is not afraid to get his nose dirty, playing physically in his own end. The Devils’ Draft was not all bad, but they could have done better. Maybe change one or two picks. However, this Draft class could do better than anticipated by 2026.
New York Islanders
Selections
1st round: none
2nd round: C Aatu Räty (52nd)
3rd round: G Tristan Lennox (93rd)
4th round: C Cameron Berg (125th)
5th round: RW Eetu Liukas (157th)
6th round: D Aleksi Malinen (189th)
7th round: D Tomas Machu (221st)
Aatu Räty
Räty was not expected to fall this far. He was projected as a top NHL selection as a 15-year-old, but the pressure of high-level play, bouncing around leagues, and pandemic stoppages contributed to his struggles this season, which led to him missing the cut for Finland’s World Junior team. But he came around late in the season and says that he is ready to work his way to the NHL. He generates a lot of power on every release by sacrificing a quick drawback, instead taking his time loading downforce into his wrister. It’s a hard and accurate shot when he has the time and space to send it to the net. He drives the center lane with the puck on nearly every entry, and he isn’t shy about setting up shop at the net-front even if it means paying a physical toll on every shift. He is a prospect that has a skill set along with smarts and NHL attributes. Räty is still contracted to Kärpät and will play there next season. It looks like the Islanders have a steal in their hands.
Tristan Lennox
Lennox is a big 6’ 4”, 190 lbs. goalie, described as having the potential to be an NHL level goalie. He went 20-8-3 for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit in the 2020 season but was cut from Canada’s World Junior team last season. Like Räty, the rankings for Lennox had him higher than 93rd overall, even as high as the 3rd best goaltending prospect among North Americans. He covers most of the net and has a good athleticism for his frame. He is difficult to rattle, is confident in his game he plays, and isn’t fooled by deceptive shooters trying to draw him too far out of his crease or around to face the back of the net. He looks like a young and talented goalie with a bright future.
Cameron Berg
Berg is listed at 6’ 0” and 192 lbs., but he plays bigger than that. His game is about going from the defensive zone to the opponent’s net as fast as possible. While his rushes are usually ending up on the outside lane, he attacks the middle first to get defenders to converge before turning on the jets. He brings defensive value with energetic, high-pressure forechecking and the occasionally proactive defensive zone break-up.
Eetu Liukas
The Islanders take their second Finn of the Draft with Liukas. Now they have an Aatu and an Eetu from this Draft! Liukas, a power forward standing 6’ 2” and weighing 205 lbs., was expected to play for Finland during the U20 Four Nations and the U19 Five Nations tournaments had it not been for the pandemic. He spent the majority of the first year of Draft eligibility with TPS Turku’s A-Team in the Liiga, where he played only 19 games as a bottom six forward and didn’t dress up for a playoff game. He plays a physical North-South game, taking to his role a great ideal of enthusiasm. He never passes up an opportunity to play the body. He’s not a limited player, as he is an effective penalty killer and will show stickhandling moves and agility when he attacks with the puck. He also has a heavy shot, too; his one-timer, in fact, does a lot of damage. His speed and quickness are average for a player of his size, and an extra gear and sharper decision making are two things that set him back from being a consistent difference maker. Overall, he is the gritty “sandpaper” type of player with a good motor who can battle in front of the net and in puck battles.
Aleksi Malinen
Malinen, a 6’, 185 lbs. defenseman, spent the 2021 season with JYP of the Finnish Liiga, where he had 3 points in 30 games along with 10 penalty minutes. He has an athletic posture, bending optimally in his knees and hips. He is also explosive, helping him to beat forecheckers and generate clean exits as the puck carrier. When at his best, he can dominate the game as a transitional force capable of going coast-to-coast, mixing crossovers and stick weaves to go through the neutral zone. His game is raw as of now, however.
Tomas Machu
Machu is a tall defenseman, listed at 6’ 4” and 190 lbs. He had a busy 2021 season, where he had 7 assists in five games for HC Vitkovice’s U20 team, then spent four games on loan with HC Prerov, and then, while still on loan, 13 games with Draci Sumperk, where he had two goals. He is big and physical, but his offensive upside is limited.
Draft Grade: C+
The Islanders quite possibly ended up getting one of the biggest steals in the Draft in Räty. A year ago, he was seen as a potential first overall pick. The 2021 season for him was a disappointing one, but if he bounces back when everything returns to normal, the Islanders will benefit from this. Lennox has the ideal size that NHL teams are looking for in goalie prospects, and he makes the most of it by playing at the top of his crease. Berg is 6’ but plays like he is bigger than that. He has a non-stop motor and is physical and aggressive on both ends of the ice. Malinen has a lot of skills needed to develop into a top four defenseman at the NHL level, but his game is very raw right now.
New York Rangers
Selections:
1st round: LW Brennan Othmann (16th)
2nd round: none
3rd round: C Jayden Grubbe (65th), C Ryder Korczak (75th)
4th round: RW Brody Lamb (104th), LW Kalle Väisänen (106th), G Talyn Boyko (112th)
5th round: RW Jaroslav Chmelar (144th)
6th round: none
7th round: D Hank Kempf (208th)
Brennan Othmann
Most Rangers fans thought that they were looking for a center, but considering that Othmann is at least two or three seasons away from playing in New York, maybe that doesn’t really matter. While centers Aatu Raty, Fyodor Svechkov, Zach Bolduc, and Chaz Lucius were still available, he wasn’t a sure thing. Another thing of note is that the Rangers might also be probably looking at Sebastian Cossa, so the Red Wings traded up to select him and make sure the Rangers don’t get away with him. Othmann is a 6’, 175 lbs. left winger who racked up 17 goals and 33 points in 55 games with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds in 2020. While there was no OHL season in 2021, he went to Switzerland to play for EHC Olten. He was one of the best players in the gold medal winning Canadian team in the 2021 U18 World Juniors, where he had three goals and six points in 7 games. He likes to collect the puck on the breakout, lead the charge in the offensive zone, and turning the corner on opposing defenders. He attacks at full speed, playing a high-pace style, and pressures with the same level of intensity. He applies pressure on the forecheck, plays the body, and takes good routes to cut off the opposing team’s attempts at breakouts. His skating may be his biggest question mark, but he is still one of the tougher players to play against. All indications point towards the kind of player that the Rangers are wanting: A physical presence who is tough to play against and is a skilled goal scorer and playmaker. He projects as a second line winger who can score and irritate others. Although the Rangers picked four centers in the 2020, but none are considered sure-fire NHL players as a first round pick would.
Jayden Grubbe
The Rangers went off the Draft board to draft Grubbe, a center who had his 2021 season cut short by a knee injury, resulting in him dropping in the Draft rankings. He underwent surgery on hi sACL in March and is expected to be good to go when the WHL resumes play. He is 6’ 2” and 200 lbs. and is considered a huge wildcard of this Draft. His biggest defining skill is his defense. He is less aggressive and more quickly intelligent, eliminating off-puck threats, reading switch-offs, and constantly scanning and adjusting. When in transition, he builds speed under the puck, drives plays to the middle, and finishes his off-puck routes to create space behind him. A challenge for him is that he has played two seasons with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, where he had 7 goals and 32 points in a 62-game span in 2020 and 2021, but it’s more of as if he played one season since he played just 5 games in 2021 before his injury. When he is fully recovered to return for his “third” season with the Rebels, that’s when the Rangers will know if going off the board to select him will pay off.
Ryder Korczak
The Rangers traded up to draft a center that they target, trading away picks No. 80 and No. 176 to the Capitals to get pick No. 75. Unlike Grubbe, Korczak is a player where many experts had ranked him higher than 75th, even as high as 40th overall. He is 5’ 11”, 181 lbs. and just finished his third full season with the WHL. He debuted in 2019 with the Calgary Hitmen, where he had 8 goals and 15 points in 50 games before getting traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors, where he broke out for 18 goals and 67 points in 62 games in 2020, although his play took a decline this season, with three goals and 16 points in 17 games. Puck handling is his defining skill, with a combination of shifty moves, deception, and pace to beat defenders. On the power play, his deceiving moves can go another level, threatening shots to set up cross-slot feeds. The shot is dangerous, as well. He changes the angle on his shots, and occasionally rifles a curl-and-drag wrister around a defender. He potentially has “steal of the Draft” potential, given that he is headed to a skill development-focused team. As stickhandling is his strength, he could be, at best, a scoring third line center. At worst, he is an effective fourth liner. By adding two centers, the Rangers increased their supply of pivot down the middle. Grubbe and Korczak have high ceilings, but low floors as well, Grubbe due to his recovery from ACL surgery and Korczak due to his drop off in his play in 2021.
Brody Lamb
Lamb, a 6’, 185 lbs. forward, split the 2021 season between high school competition in Minnesota and the USHL. He had 52 goals and 87 points in 24 games in high school with the Dodge County Wildcats, followed by two assists in 10 games with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. The pinnacle of his game comes from his shooting and passing. He is a puck magician and a versatile goal scorer who has been the best player on the ice throughout most of his career. He explodes through his shot, transferring his weight over the puck before rolling the wrists through the release. Although he is looking to shoot more often than he passes, he is an efficient playmaker who finds teammates on the weak side, draws in the pressure, and uses hook and slip passes to connect. Dominating the puck and getting past defenses looked easy for him, but he also contributed off the puck and would not decline challenges at the line or in the corner. He is committed to the University of Minnesota but will have to play one more season in the USHL before going to college for the 2023 season. He’s several years away from turning pro, but he is a complete player who will only get better as he adds muscle and learns the weaknesses of his opponents.
Kalle Väisänen
Väisänen is a big player, standing 6’ 4” but needs to bulk up, as he weighs only 181 lbs. He has been playing for the junior team in the TPS system, playing 27 games for the TPS U18 team, scoring 9 goals and 30 points. He’s an intriguing winger because he has traits that can translate to the NHL level, especially his size, puck protection, and goal-scoring. He brings a decent amount of physicality, primarily an effective playmaker with decent skill and speed. He’s a tad wiry but he finishes his checks and does well during board battles while showing his energy and close-quarter quickness on or off the puck. He played on TPS U20’s first line, mostly with center Aarne Intonen and winger Leevi Teissala, and was used on the top power play unit as a shooter or bumper but not as a facilitator. Although you may consider him as a one-way forward because of his goal-scoring prowess, his long reach is useful off the puck as he breaks up passes in the neutral zone and on the forecheck. He is also highly effective in the chip-and-chase and shows deceiving speed during the foot races. Some observers promoted him as one of the best Finnish players available in this Draft and the Rangers hope that he develops that way.
Talyn Boyko
The Rangers get their first non-forward of the Draft with the selection of Boyko. The most notable asset for him is his size, as he stands a towering 6’ 8”, large at a time when big goalies in the NHL level are a trend. His numbers with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans are not that impressive, but the team was mediocre when he was there. This season, he was their No. 1 goalie and he responded with his best season, with a 3.02 GAA and a .901 SV%. He was ranked the 12th best North American goalie by NHL Central Scouting.
Jaroslav Chmelar
Chmelar is a big right winger, standing 6’ 4”, but needs to bulk up, as he weighs 189 lbs. He played for Jokerit’s U18 team in Finland in 2021, where he scored 5 goals and 13 points in 15 games. He was a big scorer in the Czech Republic in junior hockey before moving to Finland, where he played in the last three seasons. He could end up playing in the KHL should he make it to the Jokerit parent team. He needs to mature, too. He has seen action for the Czech national U18 team at the IIHF World Championships this spring and that international experience is crucial for his development.
Hank Kempf
With the Rangers’ last selection of the Draft, they picked a defenseman. The Illinois native played for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and didn’t have a high profile as he should have, considering that he is 19. A left-shot defenseman, he stands at 6’ 2” and weighing 190 lbs., he had 17 points, all assists, in 49 games in his first season with the Lumberjacks (2020), followed up by 4 goals and 10 points in 26 games in 2021. He’s a physical stay-at-home defenseman and keeps a tight gap through multi-variable situations. In the defensive zone, he scans for threats and promptly eliminates them. He uses the middle lane when it is possible, looks for the cross-ice breakout option, fools defenders in the neutral zone, and adds rush activation. He is committed to Cornell University, where he could have his potential unlocked, but appears to be a third pairing defenseman at best.
Draft Grade: C+
The first Draft by Rangers GM Chris Drury features an interesting mix, with more “reaches” than safe picks. The only steal that they made was Korczak, while the other picks were all taken before they were projected to go, with the lone exception being Lamb. Othmann has an outstanding arsenal of shots, amongst the best in the Draft class. His wrister and slapshot are powerful and accurate, and he can get them off very quickly with an excellent release. Grubbe has great size and plays an effective two-way game. He is strong in the faceoff circle, and is often used against the opponent’s best lines and in killing penalties. Korczak, although a bit undersized, is a good skater, which helps him to be an offensive threat. He combines his skating ability with his stickhandling. Lamb has a powerful wrist shot and is a good playmaker. Väisänen is a physical winger with good passing.
Ottawa Senators
Selections:
1st round: RW Tyler Boucher (10th)
2nd round: C Zack Ostapchuk (39th), D Ben Roger (49th)
3rd round: LW Oliver Johansson (74th)
4th round: RW Carson Latimer (123rd)
5th round: none
6th round: none
7th round: D Chandler Romeo (202nd)
Tyler Boucher
The Senators made the biggest reach of the 2021 Draft. Boucher was not even projected to be taken in the first round. He even was as shocked as the rest of the hockey world when he found out he was drafted 10th overall by the Sens. Despite where he was ranked, the Sens thought he would go in the top 20, but didn’t know where, and they didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity. They’re hoping that he can be that puck-retrieving presence on the right side that would potentially help them win playoff games in the future. He is widely regarded as the most physical player in the Draft class, although he was injured for large parts of the season, as he played just 19 games across the USHL, U17 team, and U18 team. It wasn’t just with injuries, as he also had bouts with pneumonia and COVID. But when he was playing his points per game rate ranked similarly in comparison with his peers—6th best despite the lost development time. He brings aggressiveness, speed, and physicality all over the ice, especially on the forecheck. Sometimes, it would be just a small nudge, other times an extra cross-check, and other times, a smart play to cut off the hands. There is also a lot of bone-crushing hits along the boards. His physical game is mind-blowing. He also perfectly balances scoring and supporting positioning and always is a passing option. He’s also a crafty shooter, shooting under defenders’ sticks or changing the angle. It’s possible that the Sens see more to Boucher than just his physicality. They see a forward with pro habits and a balanced toolkit that is boosted by his physical play. He scores most of his goals in and around the net. He can get there himself with quickness and has NHL-ready off-puck movement, utilizing his body in space to free himself up for high-danger passes or rebounds. Sens fans know this profile very well because they see it every game with Brady Tkachuk. Boucher may have a 6’ 1” frame, but he used his time recovering from his knee injuries to add pro strength. Like Tkachuk, he uses his physicality wisely, separating player-from-puck on the forecheck, aggressively attacking an opponent on the backcheck, disrupting play on the boards, or getting past defenders to the net. He can quickly get his wrist shot off, and shows signs of a more advanced shot through stick placement and angle changes. He needs to work on generating more power in his skating stride to separate from other players easier and become that menacing presence on the forecheck, and continue his development with the puck, especially when passing the puck. If he can accelerate faster, he can use his physical play to be the primary puck retriever on a top six line with skill, someone like Zach Hyman, to play along with Tim Stützle, although a comparison to Hyman would be too generous, as he is more comparable to Brandon Tanev. It would also help with his in-zone movement to help beat opposing defenders to the slot to deposit passes or rebounds to the net, and assist him as a transition player on the rush. His distribution with the puck is a bigger issue. He displays the same rush pattern again and again, often with issues with the initial touch of the puck. Learning to manipulate opposing defenders by cutting laterally into space or changing pace can add another element that can allow him to shock the opposition, distribute the puck, and then boost to the net to play within his strengths. He will play at least two seasons in the NCAA with Boston University before turning pro after the 2023 season. Similar to Shane Pinto, expect him to be physically ready for the NHL after college.
Zack Ostapchuk
Ostapchuk is a power forward who is versatile as a checker and as a scorer that can make him a high-value piece. He is a natural center who has mostly played on the left wing his two seasons with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, where he had a disappointing 8 points and 53 shots in 44 games as a rookie and missed the final 18 games of the season with a knee injury that needed surgery, however, he had 7 goals, 16 points, and 52 shots in 22 games in his second season, as the surgery was a blessing in disguise. His hands are a huge strength, pushing his top hand off his hip for increased range of control, using lane deception to beat other defenders, and showing backhand touch in motion. He started the 2021 season with extra strength and confidence to use his 6’ 3” frame. As he has size, speed, and puck protection ability, he has the tools to play with power and be a reliable puck carrier in all three zones. His top speed in the open ice can jump out at you, especially given his size, because he can regularly bulldoze his way through defenders on the rush. That skill, in and of itself, isn’t really projectable because NHL players are going to be as strong and as fast as he is, so what makes him intriguing is that he can react quickly to defensive schemes on the rush and utilize both his hands and feet to beat defenders. He can be creative with his hands to protect the puck, distribute it, and score on the backhand. His areas of improvement are on three areas. First, he needs to work on his in-zone offensive game to be a threat in the slot through his off-puck reads, improving his ability to bring pucks off the wall and to the middle of the ice, and utilizing his body positioning to create opportunities for his shot. Relatedly, when he shows his strong straight-line speed, he needs to work on his edgework to allow him to be agile and escape pressure with the puck. That could help diversify his rush patterns for making everything a straight-line contest. Finally, he could be more efficient with his energy. He plays with a ton of aggression, but it could also tire him out. Learning to read the play defensively means that he won’t have to charge at the net every time to initiate contact, and instead, utilize his reach to become a threat on turnovers. Overall, he has a fair amount of rawness that brings in both flashes of brilliance and inefficient play. If the Sens maximize his ability as a puck handler, he can be a strong middle six player.
Ben Roger
Roger played minor league hockey for the OJHL’s Wellington Dukes before being drafted 74th overall by the London Knights in the 2018 OHL Draft. He had 2 goals and 6 points in 35 games when he had a 6’ 1”, 165 lbs. frame. Now, he has a 6’ 4”, 201 lbs. frame, having trained during the offseason with his trainer, Jeremy Benoit, a member of the Belleville Senators’ coaching staff, on strength and conditioning, an area that they have worked on since Roger’s days with the Dukes. He continued doing that to add muscle and keeping his mobility. In zone, his reach is his best asset. He is a big defender whose gap is strong, and his posture is projectable—knees over toes, lots of speed from backward shuffle, weight centered, stick extended, but not overreaching. He had four points in 9 games at the PBHH Invitational. The Sens believe he can be a smooth-skating development project with puck-moving ability. They are familiar with the Knights’ development program, and Roger should receive top four minutes on an inexperienced defensive corps. The questions surround the rest of his game, as he needs work on his skating and defending against quicker opponents.
Oliver Johansson
Johansson is a natural center who primarily played on the wing in 2021. He displayed his two-way hockey sense, strong skating, and creative playmaking in 15 games with Timrå IK’s J18, J20, and main squads that season. He started the year on the J18 team, playing all seven games before the league shut down because of COVID. He finished second on the team with four goals and 9 points. He went to their U20 team to play three games for them until they went on pause, scoring one goal, before spending the rest of the season with the main team, scoring three goals in five games. The problem is that he only played 15 games in 2021 and wasn’t a highly ranked player on the Draft board. Expect him to spend much of the 2022 season with Timrå’s J20 team in the J20 Nationell and potentially be in a few SHL games in limited minutes.
Carson Latimer
With the selection of Latimer, he became the first PIJHL rostered player to be drafted into the NHL the same year. The season after he had 15 goals and 49 points in 31 games for the Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep team of the CSSHL U18 group, he had 12 points (11 assists) in 8 games for the PIJHL’s Port Moody Panthers before the season shut down because of COVID, followed by 5 goals and 16 points in 22 games for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. He impressed in a bottom six role in the WHL’s Central Division bubble and saw his ice time elevated at even strengths when Dylan Guenther was away at the U18s. Latimer is a fleet-footed winger who thrives on the retrieval, showing his strong off-puck details that he utilizes to be an in=zone option offensive, and is reliable defensively. He has a quick shot and good motor, but mainly uses his speed in straight lines for a dump-and-chase style game as opposed to being a creative player on the transition. This is partly because of coaching, as he is relied on to be the F1 in the zone, but there is the hope that there is improvement next season if he wants to be more than a fourth line player, as there are questions on his offensive game.
Chandler Romeo
Romeo is a tall defender, standing at 6’ 5” and weighing 205 lbs. Although he was the 49th overall pick in the 2019 OHL Draft out of the Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA club in the GTHL, he hasn’t had a chance to play for the Hamilton Bulldogs, the team that he was drafted in the OHL Draft. He spent the majority of the 2020 season with the Brantford Bandits of the GOJHL, scoring 9 goals and 21 points in 44 games while totaling 77 penalty minutes, he spent 10 games with the Brantford 99ers in the OJHL, scoring 3 goals and 5 points in 10 games with 20 penalty minutes. He skated with different teams, including with the CCHL’s Ottawa Junior Senators, before playing 10 games at the PBHH Invitational, where he scored four points and racked up 15 penalty minutes. His game is about a potential two-way defenseman, confident with the puck, and mobile defenders with his size have been a favorite of the Sens’ coaching staff. He has a good wingspan, and his skating is good for his size. He is a pass-first player, a two-zone defenseman with physical attributes, and can be a viable option in the future.
Draft Grade: D
The Senators’ Draft was loaded with unconventional picks and Draft reaches. By how their selections pan out within the next five seasons, either they saw something that the rest of the hockey world didn’t, or they completely screwed up when they had a chance to load up their prospect pool. One common theme with their Draft is that they drafted a lot of physical, puck-retrieving wingers and rangy, mobile defensemen with size, which could possibly fill in the team’s weaknesses in the organization. Boucher is a big power forward and plays a Brandon Tanev style of game, but there are questions on if his offense is good enough to have him crack the top six. Ostapchuk combines size, speed, and puck control. He is good at carrying the puck past the neutral zone and generating effective zone entries. However, his shot and defense need work. Roger is a big defender with a good slap shot, but the rest of his game is raw. He needs work on his skating and defending against quicker opponents. Johansson played just 15 games in 2021 and wasn’t highly ranked by scouts. Latimer works hard and kills penalties, but there are questions on his offense.
Philadelphia Flyers
Selections:
1st round: none
2nd round: RW Samu Tuomaala (46th)
3rd round: G Alexei Kolosov (78th)
4th round: D Brian Zanetti (110th)
5th round: D Ty Murchison (158th)
6th round: D Ethan Samson (174th)
7th round: C Owen McLaughlin (206th)
Samu Tuomaala
The Flyers’ acquisition of Rasmus Ristolainen had them trading away their 1st round pick—14th overall—and had them watching the Sabres select Isak Rosen with the pick they acquired in the Ristolainen trade. Tuomaala is a flashy player that was ranked anywhere between the top 20 to the middle of the second round. He spent the majority of the 2021 season with Kärpät’s U20 team, where he scored 15 goals and 31 points in 30 games, to go with accruing 28 penalty minutes. He got a total of five games with Kärpät’s main squad in the Liiga, so he has some experience and will most likely stay there for longer next season. He reloads to swing wide on the breakout, collects the puck in stride, accelerates through knee-over-knee crossovers, and drives play across the offensive blue line. He has a great wrist shot and can get it off in-stride from either foot. He’s a high-ceiling pick that could pan out as a middle six winger that can contribute on the power play. Given the fact that the Flyers are doubling down on offensive players, selecting Bobby Brink and Tyson Forester in their recent years, they get a similar projection of a player in Tuomaala.
Alexei Kolosov
Kolosov spent most of the 2021 season with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL, where he put up a 2.69 GAA and a .911 SV% in just nine games. Although he is not the biggest player in terms of what is normally seen in goalies, as he is listed at 6’ 1” and 187 lbs., his skillset is an intriguing one. He brings good quickness, and generally good positioning on top of that. He’s economic in his movement, angles well, and flexes solid rebound control. There is calmness to his play, both in his ability to maintain control of his movements when he has to move quickly, but also in how he rarely seems to be unnerved when the game does not go his way. He has the speed to get from one side of the blue paint to the other before the puck leaves the opponents’ sticks. There is a bit of work that needs to be done to clean up and develop his game, but the Flyers are willing to give him time to develop and are hoping to add organizational depth and further boost their goalie prospect line.
Brian Zanetti
Zanetti is a 6’ 2” left-shot defenseman who spent the 2021 season with Lugano of the Swiss U20 league. He had 9 goals and 29 points in 41 games played that season. He is a smooth skater and a clean passer, and he is a nice addition to the Flyers’ group of mobile, strong puck moving defensemen that they are building up in the pipelines. He was supposed to play for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes this season, but since the OHL cancelled their 2021 season, he opted to stay in Switzerland. He will play for Peterborough in the 2022 season, however.
Ty Murchison
Murchison comes from the US NTDP, where he put up modest scoring numbers in his Draft year, with three goals and 5 points in 23 games with the USHL and 7 goals and 15 points in 45 games with the U18 group in the USDP. He brings size (6’ 2”, 192 lbs.), but could get a little stronger. And while there is still some polishing that needs to be done to his game, he has intriguing pieces to his game. He is a smooth skater, a strong passer, and can transition the puck well. He brings a quick shot that can get through traffic well, and it made him effective on the power play. His defining skills are his skating and his physicality. Whether he is skating back on a retrieval or closing space, he is willing to use his physical play to get the puck on his stick. His defensive game needs work, but he has good instincts, and he is able to make use of good stick work to break up plays. He will join Arizona State for the start of the 2022 season.
Ethan Samson
Yet another defenseman that the Flyers took, as this is their third straight selection of a defenseman. Samson is a product of the WHL’s Prince George Cougars and is a right-shot defenseman standing 6’ 1” and weighing 194 lbs. While the Flyers’ first two defensive selections on defense brought more dynamic to the offensive game, he falls more into the category of defensive defenseman. He was able to get a bit of power play time this season on top of his even strength and penalty kill responsibilities and was still able to bring his scoring out to the table, with 12 points in 22 games played during the 2021 season. His offensive game is there, but his defensive game is what stands out most. He pre-scans on retrievals, at times making a crafty backhand pass into space, and accelerates through passes to join the rush. On defense, this is where he uses his physicality, consistent motor, and the early stop in neutral zone, providing solid framework. He anticipates plays well and has a good defensive awareness, seen by how he works well in both the defensive zone and in the blue line, as he works on breaking up entries. He skates and passes well, so there is still some dynamic skill in his game.
Owen McLaughlin
The Flyers’ final selection of the 2021 Draft is a center, which they used on McLaughlin, who spent the majority of the 2021 season at the U18 AAA level with Mount St. Charles Academy, where he put up 16 goals and 54 points in 33 games. He had a brief run with the US NTDP at the end of the season, with four and seven games in the USHL/USDP split. Although he didn’t have any points in that span, he still got that opportunity, so that’s no small accomplishment. Between that and his scoring numbers at the high school level, there is a lot that is interesting about his profile. A Philly local hailing form the nearby borough of Spring City, PA, he will play for the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers for the 2022 season before heading to Penn State for the start of the 2023 season. A nice low-risk, high-reward pick for the Flyers.
Draft Grade: C
Tuomaala’s wrist shot is lightning-quick in release, and he can quickly move his hands to change the angle of the shot, deceiving goalies. He is accurate as well, generating a ton of power. Kolosov is a smaller goalie who was passed over in the 2020 Draft. He is athletic and has very good reflexes. Zanetti is a mobile defenseman who is very good when moving the puck up the ice. Murchison is another smooth-skating defenseman who didn’t put up big numbers with the US NTDP, as he was buried deep in their depth charts.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Selections:
1st round: none
2nd round: C Tristan Broz (58th)
3rd round: none
4th round: none
5th round: D Isaac Belliveau (154th)
6th round: none
7th round: D Ryan McCleary (194th), D Daniel Laatsch (215th), C Kirill Tankov (218th)
Tristan Broz
Broz is an intriguing prospect, as he is capable of playing anywhere in the front, but he sees the majority of his ice time on the left wing. He plays an excellent two-way game and can produce in all areas of the ice. He led the USHL’s Fargo Force in points, with 51 (19 goals, 32 assists) in 54 games, and was a force to be reckoned with on the power play. He was a mainstay on the right side half-wall on the power play, and was patient waiting out defenders and goalies to pinpoint the perfect time to shoot. It paid off, as almost half of his goals were scored on the power play. He is a player with an attacking mentality, like a shark sniffing out blood in the water when he is off the puck in the offensive zone, circling the perimeter, waiting for soft ice to emerge, or charging headlong to the net-front as low-to-high passing plays develop. He reads developing plays, creates options for his linemates, and adapts well in cycling plays. He has a high motor and isn’t often disengaged from the play around the puck, regardless of zone. He also has a good vision, especially when he has the puck on his stick. He can execute a zone entry, open up his hips to maximize his puck distribution options, seeking for a high danger chance for a teammate. He has an excellent puck game, showcasing his creativity with his puck skill and playmaking in the offensive zone. He makes a lot of plays to teammates through seams and under pressure. When given time, he has a great shot and can pick corners from mid-range. He works hard, but he isn’t much of a “hard to play against” type, and he could use more pace and quickness. He utilizes space extremely well, finds openings, and understands how to pull defenders in so that he can make a play through them into gaps and coverage that they left behind. He can drift to the perimeter in control a little too much, but he works well cross-ice from there that he can put pucks through the backdoor. His one-timer from the flank on the power play is very effective as well. He doesn’t have dominant features, although he is good at many things, but not truly a standout player. However, he has skill, hands, and ability for his tools. There might not be star power in his game, but he is gifted with the puck. This looks promising for the Penguins in Ron Hextall’s first Draft with the team. He is committed to Minnesota to get his college hockey career started this fall.
Isaac Belliveau
After a long wait to draft Broz, the Pens had an even longer wait to draft Belliveau 154th overall. He is a 6’ 2”, 185 lbs. left-shot defender who had 11 goals and 53 points with the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic in 2020, and then a combined five goals and 17 points in 37 games split between Rimouski and the Gatineau Olympiques and was a big part of their power play. He is an offensive defenseman who skates smoothly and is a good puck carrier that can quarterback the power play effectively. He can walk through the blue line to create shooting and passing lanes. He is an effective defender that can display solid positioning and gap control. Although he has his offensive potential, he is still a work in progress. He has much room for improvement in many parts of his game. He needs to be more physical and be stronger on the defensive side of the puck. If he improves in his shot velocity, he can become one of the best power play quarterbacks in the league. In terms of style of play, he’s in the Keith Yandle mold. The Pens are wanting to see how his defensive game rounds out.
Ryan McCleary
McCleary played 17 games in the shortened WHL season with the Portland Winterhawks, scoring two goals and 7 points in 18 games during the 2021 season. The transition game is where he is at his best, and it is through activation and deception rather than his explosiveness. He fools forecheckers with his eyes, looking to pass through pressure to create space up the ice, and accelerates out of his passes to join the rush. He is young and raw, but he is a right-shot defenseman with upside. The 6’ defenseman is listed at 154 lbs., so he needs to bulk up some muscle. He has a lot to fill out, but that’s normal for a late round pick with a few more years of junior hockey ahead of him.
Daniel Laatsch
Laatsch is a towering defenseman, listed at 6’ 5” and 183 lbs., he is a product of the US NTDP and also played with the Sioux City Musketeers, where he had 2 goals and 19 points in 51 games for them in the 2021 season. Sioux City GM Andy Johnson said that Laatsch was “one of the most reliable day-to-day players I’ve ever been around,” which is nice praise. For now, he is a lanky, positionally solid defenseman who is committed to the University of Wisconsin for likely three or four years of development.
Kirill Tankov
The Pens’ final pick is a Russian center in Tankov, just days after they hired a Russian scout. This marks the first Pittsburgh draft pick of a player that played in Russia since 2008, and only the second Russian-trained player the Pens have drafted since Evgeni Malkin. Tankov recorded 18 goals and 43 points in 52 games last season with SKA-Varyagi im. Morozova of the MHL. He is a two-way type of player and is legit on one-on-one skill. He scores in several types of ways but also drives possession.
Draft Grade: C
The Penguins were hurt by a lack of Draft capital, as they had a 2nd round pick, a 5th round pick, and three 7th round picks. Broz has many of the skills necessary to make an offensive impact at the next level, but he needs refinements in his game. He combines his skating ability with excellent stickhandling, and can score goals as well as be a playmaker. Belliveau does best when on the power play. He has excellent vision and has the passing skills to generate scoring opportunities for his teammates.
San Jose Sharks
Selections:
1st round: RW William Eklund (7th)
2nd round: none
3rd round: G Benjamin Gaudreau (81st)
4th round: D Gannon Laroque (103rd), RW Ethan Cardwell (121st)
5th round: D Artem Guryev (135th), C Max McCue (156th)
6th round: LW Liam Gilmartin (167th), C Theo Jacobsson (177th)
7th round: D Evgenii Kashnikov (199th)
William Eklund
The Sharks not reaching the 2019 Stanley Cup Final ended up being partially a blessing in disguise, since the 2nd round pick they traded away to acquire Erik Karlsson would have turned into a 1st round pick had they made it to the Final AND Karlsson re-signed with the Sharks. But since the only one happening was the latter of the two, the 2nd round pick was the only pick they gave up from this Draft in that trade. Had they made the Final, they likely would not have drafted Eklund in this Draft. However, with him falling down the Draft board, with the Ducks selecting Mason McTavish, the Blue Jackets selecting Kent Johnson, and the Red Wings taking Simon Edvinsson, that left Eklund as the obvious choice for the Sharks. He spent the last two seasons with the Djurgårdens IF organization of the SHL, where he led the league in scoring among 18-year-old forwards, with 11 goals and 23 points in 40 games, and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year. A COVID diagnosis and an appendectomy last year held him out form participating in the 2021 World Juniors Championship, as well as three weeks of the SHL season. Expect him to be back in the SHL for the start of the 2022 season. He is a player who takes no shifts off. He is described as the glue that keeps his line effective in all three zones, playing at a high pace and with thought and creativity. He can adjust his speed to the play, scans his surroundings, establishes his pocket of space, and can be either a passing or a shooting option. He can play at center or at wing; his vision is solid, although he is lacking in speed. He needs to work on his skating before he can join the Sharks. He is a consensus impact player, even if he can make it to the NHL level, and it is likely going to be sooner rather than later, with a Brayden Point-caliber ceiling. The fact that he was taken 7th overall makes him an even bigger Draft steal for the Sharks. This selection is important for them, and the importance can be even greater, as GM Doug Wilson did not overthink this pick. The pressure on getting a high-end selection was intense, and they took the best player available. Luck was a factor here, as Bob Murray and Jarmo Kekäläinen reached for their guys.
Benjamin Gaudreau
The Sharks’ first pick of the Draft on Day 2 wasn’t until the 3rd round. Initially, while they were supposed to have the 71st pick, they traded down to get picks No. 81 and No. 177 from the Blues. The 2021 season was not easy for Gaudreau, as his OHL team, the Sarnia Sting, was unable to play because the OHL cancelled their 2021 season and attempts to find somewhere to play in Europe on loan were unsuccessful. The sample size of his recent play is very small, limited to just five games in the 2021 U18 World Juniors, where he helped Canada to a gold medal, with a 2.20 GAA and a .919 SV% along with a 5-0-0 record, earning him the title of Best Goaltender during the tournament. The larger sample size that he had in 2020 doesn’t paint a great picture, but it’s worth mentioning that the Sting had one of the worst record in the OHL last season, with a 22-34-6 record, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference. He played 28 games for them that season, with a 4.34 GAA and a .890 SV%, with a 10-13-2 record. The 6’ 2”, 174 lbs. goalie is fast on his feet and unafraid to stay at the top of his crease, utilizing a wide, low stance and staying upright to make quick adjustments and stay focused on shots. He catches left-handed and was ranked 2nd among North American goalies by NHL’s Central Scouting. Per his scouting reports, the emphasis is on his athleticism and training regime, which is encouraging in terms of NHL potential. There’s the obvious gap year that is a risk, but as far as his play, it’s a matter of him learning when to be more aggressive and making the decisions quickly. Otherwise, the Sharks got off with the best available goalie, and they may have a potential 1B goalie of the future to pair with Adin Hill. Goalies are hard to predict as they take time to develop, but the fact that the Sharks were able to trade down and still take him late in the 3rd along with a 6th round pick is good value. If he pans out, something interesting of note is that he could be the first goaltending alumnus of the GNML to make it to the NHL, although Colton Point of the Dallas Stars is still in contention for that title.
Gannon Laroque
This is a giant reach by the Sharks, as Laroque had just one ranking before the Draft, with the NHL’s Central Scouting ranking him at 219th among North American skaters—basically translating to him going undrafted. But perhaps there may be something here, as he is one of the youngest players in the Draft, still 17 years old, which could explain why he was overlooked. In 21 games with the WHL’s Victoria Royals in the shortened season, he had one goal and 7 points in 21 games while also appearing in four games with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints, where he had two assists. Among the 14 WHL defenders eligible for the 2021 Draft, he ranked 11th in points last season. However, the Royals had a rough season, with only four players scoring double digits. Laroque was the highest-scoring defender for the team as they closed out the season with just 8 points in the standings, with a 3-17-2 record. Before joining them, he had 7 goals and 34 points in 34 games for the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep in the CSSHL at the U18 level. With his offensive history, age, and the Royals’ stats, he is due for a breakout season with them. The Sharks love to scout the WHL, and there may be something they saw in Laroque when they scouted him. Royals GM and HC Dan Price said that Laroque is among the rookies on the team who is getting more confident “day-to-day and game-to-game.”
Ethan Cardwell
The pick used to select Cardwell was acquired as part of the three-team trade that sent Nick Foligno to the Maple Leafs, with a 1st round pick from this Draft going to Columbus, used to select Corson Ceulemans. With the 4th round pick the Sharks acquired, they used it to select Cardwell. Because the OHL did not have a 2021 season, Cardwell can be a potential sleeper pick. He can aggressively jump in every battle and come out on top more often than not because of his will, but also refined technique. He uses the lower center of gravity to his advantage, slips in front of opponents, and creates space to move the puck. He stays above the puck, shifts to the outside on the backcheck, and reads his opponents’ movements in-zone to pick off passes. He is an overager, as he will turn 19 on August 30th, and was passed up in last year’s Draft to favor the younger prospects. In the OHL, he was traded from the Saginaw Spirit to the Barrie Colts, scoring at a point per game pace following the trade (11 goals and 26 points in 26 games with Barrie), although he was not too shabby before the trade (12 goals and 21 points in 37 games with Saginaw). With this, he should have gone to one of the later rounds last season, but instead, went undrafted. With the OHL not getting a 2021 season up and running, he went on loan to Surahammars IF, playing in 18 games, scoring 9 goals and 27 points. His 18 assists and 27 points ranked third on the team while he played in half as many games as the two players ranked above him. Given that he was ranked as high as 70th in this year’s Draft and as low as 156th, the fact that he fell to the 4th round this Draft is surprising, because in a year where some prospects never saw ice and there’s a question of development in two pandemic seasons, he is on the right track to crack the NHL lineup. Although his ceiling is likely that of a bottom six or a middle six forward, he has the traits of a strong, versatile forward that can slide up and down the lineup if needed. His defensive play is a plus as well, which could make him a good fit on the third or fourth line.
Artem Guryev
Guryev, a 6’ 3”, 198 lbs. defender, must have been selected for his size, because the Sharks’ selection of him gets the feeling that their previous selection of Laroque looks like a safe pick. Guryev did not play in the 2021 season as the OHL was unable to get any games going during the pandemic. But prior to that season, he appeared in 14 OHL games with the Peterborough Petes, with two assists. He had 3 goals and 6 assists with the OJHL’s Lindsay Muskies, with 66 penalty minutes that season. What stands out in his play is his physicality. He isn’t afraid to break up offensive rushes with his body, often jumping to the neutral zone to throw an explosive and clean open ice hit. He is a menacing presence along the boards as well, as he maintains tight gaps and can easily erase opponents along the wall in the defensive zone. His offense comes through with a heavy slapshot, though his point totals aren’t all that flashy. He walks the blueline with authority and has a cannon of a shot that can get through traffic more often than not. He is also said to be a power play quarterback but isn’t really a goal scorer. As his peers caught up to his size, there has been less and less talk about the defender as a potential standout talent, even outside his physical aspects. It’s a typical Doug Wilson pick and it’s not really ideal.
Max McCue
The Sharks acquired the pick that became McCue in last season’s trade deadline when they traded Devan Dubnyk to the Avalanche. McCue was not able to play during the 2021 OHL season because of the pandemic. He saw just one pre-Draft ranking, at 114th among North American skaters. Before last season, he was a 2nd round pick in the 2019 OHL priority selection Draft, spending the 2020 season with the London Knights, with two goals, 6 assists, and 22 penalty minutes in 34 games. He has grown significantly over the last year, now standing 6’ 1” and 174 lbs. He would need to add muscle before taking it to the NHL level. He told The Sudbury Star, “The overall weight really helps in the corners, when we’re doing battle drills and stuff. I’m stronger on my feet, for my edges when I’m skating. When we’re doing skills, I’m really working on my hands and my shot, and I’m feeling pretty good out there, but the main thing for me was my weight and getting stronger on my feet. I can go in against older guys and get it out of the corners and make plays using my body.” It’s hard to say what to expect from him because of his gap year.
Liam Gilmartin
Gilmartin’s team history reads like a path straight to the NHL, starting with the Washington Little Caps of the AYHL U13 squad, then the Shattuck St. Mary’s AAA teams in the U14 and U16 squads, and then joining the US NTDP in the 2020 season. In both seasons with the USHL and the US NTDP in the last two seasons, he hovers around half a point per game, with 30 goals and 65 points in 121 games combined with the US National U17 and U18 teams and the US NTDP Juniors. He understands his responsibilities playing at the right side with Red Savage and Jeremy Wilmer. He can keep up both physically and mentally with the game to where he is almost never being at a positional disadvantage. He looks like a coachable player as well, with FC Hockey’s USHL scout Dylan Krill saying, “I think Gilmartin has proved to me that he is a top 50 [NHL Draft] player. He is so reliable and plays his role perfectly. Playing a responsible defensive game, bringing physicality each shift and understanding where he needs to be and what to do very consistently.” He consistently uses the inside lane for exits and entries, often going cross-ice to change attack. He recognizes his options quickly, using his handling skill to sneak past a forechecker then start the play or making the backhand pass. He also brings defensive value through his physicality and persistence. If he continues to improve, this pick could be a steal. He will make the leap to the Canadian juniors next season, rather than the NCAA, which is good for his development. It’s up to him to continue with his hard-working reputation that he has. His ceiling is probably an effective fourth line forward, but hard work pays off, right?
Theo Jacobsson
The second of the two picks that the Sharks received from the Blues was used to select Jacobsson, a forward from MODO Hockey. A left-handed forward, he bounced around four teams in the 2021 season, playing with the MODO Hockey J18 and J20 teams as well as their main club before being loaned to Ornskoldsvik HF. With MODO’s J18 team, he had a remarkable four goals and 14 points in just four games, ranking 2nd overall with a 3.5 points per game average. His scoring touch carried on to the J20 team, although at a lower rate, with one goal and 6 points in 11 games. However, he wasn’t able to keep that scoring rate with the senior club, as he had no points in five games played, but was able to find it with Ornskoldsvik, with 6 goals and 9 points in 11 games. The 5’ 10”, 174 lbs. center had a more stable season in 2020, with 17 goals and 35 points in 19 games with MODO’s J18 team. He turned 18 last April, hailing from Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, the birthplace of many current and former NHL players like Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Victor Hedman, and the Sedin twins. If he can crack MODO’s senior team this upcoming season, it would scream good things for him.
Evgenii Kashnikov
There is a lot about Kashnikov that can be described as interesting in a way. He is a 6’ 4”, 198 lbs. defenseman heading into his age-19 season, with a Christmas birthday. He can play both defenseman and forward, which is rare in the NHL, but the Sharks are familiar with this, thanks to Brent Burns. Players with this kind of flexibility are either a great goal-scorer or a face-puncher. During the 2020 season, he played 59 games with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, where he had two goals and 7 points in 59 games along with 30 penalty minutes. The delay in the start of the 2021 QMJHL season allowed him to be loaned to the Russian juniors, where he played for AKM Novomoskovsk in the MHL. He split 10 points evenly among goals and assists in 22 games. Surprisingly, those 10 points ranked 7th on the team while his five goals and assists ranked 8th and 10th, respectively. He was limited to just 8 of the 31 games the Olympiques played when the QMJHL returned, with one goal, 5 points, and 11 penalty minutes, as well as being held off the score sheet in four playoff games. He is definitely a face-puncher, but likely won’t be someone who can light up the score sheet night in and night out, although he plays well above his age in his own zone, using his big frame to force forward to the outside and interrupt offensive attacks.
Draft Grade: B-
The Sharks had a number of picks in this year’s Draft, but only two within the top 100. Eklund is one of the more NHL-ready players in this year’s Draft and is an excellent two-way player. He can do it all inside the offensive zone, whether it be handling the puck, generating chances on the rush, shooting the puck, and cycling the puck down low. Gaudreau has a great glove hand and a good blocker. He plays a hybrid style, staying on his feet more than most goalies. It makes him hard to beat up high. He can still drop to the butterfly when the situation calls for it. He also has quick legs, where he does a good job of taking away the bottom of the net.
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