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OHL

Best Players Available On Day Two Of NHL Draft

June 24, 2017 at 8:30 am CDT | by Zach Leach Leave a Comment

Two of the biggest slides in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft belonged to Eeli Tolvanen and Klim Kostin. Tolvanen, a Finnish winger ranked #17 by International Scouting Services, was regarded as one of the top offensive talents of the draft thanks to his heavy shot and great speed. However, recent news that Boston College admissions turned him down for 2017-18 enrollment coupled with concerns over his lack of any defensive ability sent him tumbling. Kostin, a big winger from Russia ranked #16 by International Scouting Services, fell victim to the “Russian factor” as well as a lack of a 2016-17 resume due to injury, which overshadowed his potential to be an elite power forward. Both players were considered likely top ten picks at one point, but for a while looked like they would drop out of the first round. Unfortunately for the lowly teams at the top of the second round, Tolavanen was selected by the Nashville Predators at #30 and the St. Louis Blues traded up to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ final first round slot at #31 and took Kostin. So who is still available? Here are the ten best prospects remaining on Day Two:

Nicolas Hague
Position: Left Defense
Team: Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
ISS Ranking: #18
Scouting Report: The closest thing to a top-pair shutdown defenseman in this draft, Hague will never be a smooth-skating puck-mover at the NHL level, but possesses the defensive instincts and vision to dominate the defensive zone. At 6’6″, 214-lbs. already, Hague is a big kid who will fill out into a monster on the back end, equipped with a long reach and powerful checking ability. He also packs a punch with his slap shot.

Isaac Ratcliffe
Position: Left Wing
Team: Guelph Storm (OHL)
ISS Ranking: #22
Scouting Report: At 6’5″, 203-lbs., Ratcliffe is bigger than any player selected in the first round, nevertheless forward. However, don’t let the size deceive you; Ratcliffe is a powerful skater and has great hands for someone of his stature. He simply has a lot of frame to fill out before he can put it all together and be an elite power forward.

Kole Lind
Position: Right Wing
Team: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
ISS Ranking: #24
Scouting Report: Lind is not a flashy, high-skill player, but he is consistent and efficient. Equipped with one of the more accurate shots in this draft class, Lind puts in the effort, wins battles, and puts up points. He has the ability to be a solid albeit unexciting top-six forward down the road.

Conor Timmins
Position: Right Defense
Team: Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
ISS Ranking: #29
Scouting Report: After a run on talented, two-way defenseman in Round One, Timmins is still on the board. A top-end puck-mover who can start the rush, make a great outlet pass, and more-or-less play mistake-free transition defense, Timmins offensive ability is unquestioned. He is an asset on the power play and capable of playing major even strength minutes. However, concerns remain about his compete level and reluctance to play physically and set the tone of the game.

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Maxime Comtois
Position: Left Wing
Team: Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
ISS Ranking: #30
Scouting Report: Once considered a surefire first-round pick, Comtois suffered from a down draft year after tearing up the QMJHL as a first-year player in 2015-16. However, hidden behind a drop-off in stats is his further development as a two-way player. One of the better penalty-killing forwards in this draft, Comtois is a powerful skater who can check, block shots, and strip the puck. He plays a 200-foot game for sure, but questions remain about his offensive upside.

Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Position: Center
Team: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
ISS Ranking: #31
Scouting Report: A late-developing player, scouts believe that Anderson-Dolan has only just begun to show his potential. A cerebral center, Anderson-Dolan is a face-off ace, plays a smart two-way game, and has play-making vision down the middle. The points finally came in a major way in 2016-17 and that could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Alex Formenton
Position: Left Wing
Team: London Knights (OHL)
ISS Ranking: #32
Scouting Report: The first player on this list almost universally projected to be available on Day Two, Formenton is nonetheless is a promising prospect. One of the best skaters in the draft – a true speed demon – Formenton’s skill and awareness have simply yet to catch up to his skating. If he puts it all together, he’ll be a dangerous weapon. The “if” is what kept him from first-round consideration though.

Stelio Mattheos
Position: Center/Right Wing
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
ISS Ranking: #33
Scouting Report: Mattheos has the intangibles of a veteran player. He has an advanced defensive game, the versatility to play all three forward positions and throughout the lineup, and a responsible, safe possession game. In 2016-17, he brought his fair share of offensive production as well. Mattheos can be a great role player in the NHL, but most scouts doubt he can ever be a top-six forward.

Jason Robertson
Position: Right Wing/Left Wing
Team: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
ISS Ranking: #36
Scouting Report: A polarizing player in this draft class, some teams reportedly had Robertson as a first-round talent on their draft boards while others had him in the third round. A sniper who has put up big scoring numbers at the junior level, Robertson is dangerous from anywhere on the ice. However, those offensive instincts and shooting abilities cover up below-average skating and a lack of a two-way game. Robertson’s game right now is elite, but one-dimensional. Can he put the work in to round out a pro skill set?

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Position: Goalie
Team: HPK (Jr. Liiga – Finland)
ISS Ranking: #1 Goalie
Scouting Report: The next keeper up on most teams’ draft boards, Luukonen has desirable size at 6’4″, 196 lbs. He also possesses textbook positioning and great awareness. The one knock on his game is a question of his athleticism and whether or not he will be able to handle the pace and intensity of the NHL.

Other Names to Watch: Alexei Lipanov, Grant Mismash, Nikita Popugaev, Matthew Strome, MacKenzie Entwistle, Markus Phillips, Dylan Samberg, Eemeli Rasanen, Michael DiPietro, Keith Petruzelli

OHL| Prospects| QMJHL| WHL NHL Entry Draft

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Early Notes: Tolvanen, Capuano, Hamonic

June 23, 2017 at 8:57 am CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment

Top draft prospect Eeli Tolvanen, a Finnish winger who has played hockey in the USHL for the past two years, was expected to go to Boston College in the fall. That will no longer happen, as according to USHR Tolvanen has failed to pass the admission standards for BC and will not be admitted. He’ll instead have to look for an opportunity elsewhere.

The Oshawa Generals own his rights in the CHL, or he could find a home at a lesser university or in Europe. He had been climbing up boards, even ranked 8th among North American skaters by CSS. He finished 17th on Bob McKenzie’s final list for TSN, but may end up in the bottom third of the first round after this news. Though it obviously looked bad from the outside, teams will have a much better insight from their meetings with him.

  • Darren Dreger of TSN confirms something that Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has been chasing, that Jack Capuano will join the Florida Panthers as an associate coach. Capuano was fired from the New York Islanders midway through the 2016-17 season, the only organization he’s ever coached for. After coming up through the AHL system, Capuano took over in 2010-11 and led the Islanders to three playoff experiences. He’ll take care of the defense and penalty kill in Florida.
  • Discussion around Travis Hamonic continues, with Friedman saying on radio (via Chris Nicholls of FanRag Sports) that the Flames and Leafs are both interested. Friedman believes the Islanders are looking for two first-round picks for the defenseman, who has three years left at a reasonable $3.8MM cap hit. Hamonic’s actual salary is $4.9MM for the next few years, which may deter some teams from going after him.

CHL| Calgary Flames| Florida Panthers| Jack Capuano| New York Islanders| Oshawa Generals| Toronto Maple Leafs Elliotte Friedman| Travis Hamonic

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Life Without Hossa: Looking At Chicago’s Options

June 22, 2017 at 8:15 pm CDT | by natebrown 1 Comment

Following the stunning news that Marian Hossa would miss the entire 2017-18 season, much has been written, spoken, and analyzed regarding the loss of an impactful player. At 38, Hossa still put up great numbers (26-19-45) with the Hawks and continued to be the two-way forward whose best contributions often came away from the puck. It goes without saying that Hossa’s signing prior to the 2009-10 season was the missing piece that fulfilled the Chicago machine that won three Stanley Cups over the next six seasons.  Often described as a true gentleman and all-around great human being, one can’t help but feel bad for a guy who appeared to still have several good years of hockey left in him–not to mention the effect it’s had on his life.

So now what?

There are a myriad of issues at play here, some of which have already begun to discussed. Long rumored to be traded to Vegas, center Marcus Kruger still finds himself a member of the Blackhawks. While it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll still be in the Windy City come training camp, it’s very likely that the loss of Hossa gave the Blackhawks brass pause in terms of ensuring their depth isn’t totally wiped out. Though Kruger hasn’t put up the numbers that earned him the $3.08MM contract he owns, he’s still a very worthy center who like Hossa, makes his impact felt off the scoresheet, mostly on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle.

But his contract is still cumbersome for a player who hasn’t cracked 20 points since the 2013-14 season. Unloading the contract, if they can, would help with additional cap issues and that was apparently the plan until the Hossa announcement. But it’s anyone guess as to what Chicago will do.

Chicago Sportsnet’s Tracey Myers goes  writes that general manager Stan Bowman feels it’s unfair to speculate about a player’s status.  Having Kruger off the books along with Hossa’s contract would certainly free up over $8MM. But if Kruger isn’t moved, it’s not an issue since Hossa’s contract will come off the books.

Not exactly.

Should the Blackhawks get cap relief from placing Hossa on the LTIR, it would relieve north of $5MM. This would allow Chicago to fill it with another player or two in theory. But it’s not as cut and dry as it sounds. Myers goes on to explain:

Here are two basics about the cap: a team can be 10 percent over it during the summer, and a team must be at or below it the day the regular season begins. If the Blackhawks place Hossa on LTIR, it wouldn’t take effect until the second day of the regular season. So on Day 1 of the season, the Blackhawks would still be carrying Hossa’s $5.275 cap hit.

Once the LTIR would take effect, though, the Blackhawks would have wiggle room. If they spent to the $75 million cap, they could utilize Hossa’s entire $5.275 million cap hit on other players.

It’s not about the Blackhawks finding a guy this summer that makes an equal cap hit.

The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Hine doubles down on this, tweeting that Chicago most likely won’t be major players after July 1. Hine wrote earlier today that one other option the Hawks would have would be trading the contract to another team, to completely escape the hit should the league deny the move to the LTIR, though this seems unlikely.

Apr 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) with the puck during the second period in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Teams eager to reach the cap floor would stuff the contract away, and Hossa, if this truly ends his career, would never take the ice for that team. The Arizona Coyotes have done this in the past, taking Pavel Datsyuk and Chris Pronger’s contracts when it was known their playing days were over.

The reality is that the Blackhawks are not only losing a great player, but also a leader. And that’s not instantly replaceable. Though there are options in free agency, adding a Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau should they become available would still garner considerable cost, one that doesn’t seem justified. Players like T.J. Oshie would require a longer deal team for a lot of dollars, a spot the Blackhawks can’t possibly be in. As for Kevin Shattenkirk, he’s rumored to be heavily interested in the New York Rangers and while it would be an upgrade on the blueline, he would fall under the category of too expensive as well.

So what options are left? Thankfully, help is on the way in the name of Alex DeBrincat, who set the OHL on fire as a member of the Erie Otters. Though the Hawks will exercise patience with him, he at least is a glimmer of hope with a scoring prowess and coming in at the age of 19. But don’t doubt Bowman’s to find a deal. The most likely upgrade will come from a trade, one that will address some of the concerns while keeping things economically viable.

Few players are irreplaceable, but Hossa certainly seems to be. Between the contract issues and the loss of him on the roster, the Blackhawks certainly have a number of interesting decisions ahead to try and fill the void.

Chicago Blackhawks| Erie Otters| Free Agency| New York Rangers| OHL| Players| Utah Mammoth Chris Pronger| Joe Thornton| Kevin Shattenkirk| Marcus Kruger| Marian Hossa| Patrick Marleau| Pavel Datsyuk

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Darren Raddysh Signs AHL Deal With Rockford

June 20, 2017 at 2:18 pm CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment

Amazingly, the reigning Defenseman of the Year from the OHL has settled on an AHL deal with the Rockford IceHogs, minor league affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Darren Raddysh was reported to have many suitors around the league after an outstanding season with the Erie Otters, but either decided the chance to join teammate Alex DeBrincat in the Blackhawks system was too good to pass up, or wasn’t offered an entry-level contract by anyone around the league.

We profiled Raddysh earlier this month when there was apparently league-wide interest in him, examining his status as an over-aged junior free agent. His evolution from “brother of Taylor Raddysh” (a top Tampa Bay Lightning prospect) to league-best defender was an incredible one, seeing his point total jump all the way to 81 this season. The Otters won an OHL Championship but couldn’t finish off the Memorial Cup as they lost to the hometown Windsor Spitfires.

There is no guarantee he’ll find success at the next level but there isn’t a glaring weakness in his offensive game, and he’s not dramatically undersized like other undrafted or overlooked players. Should he be able to take any of his scoring dominance to the AHL level, the Hawks could have another young prospect right in front of them for virtually nothing.

AHL| Chicago Blackhawks| Erie Otters| OHL| Transactions

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Vegas Expected To Hire Rocky Thompson As AHL Coach

June 7, 2017 at 11:39 am CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment

Just after Kris Knoblauch was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers, another OHL head coach is heading to the professional ranks. The Vegas Golden Knights have hired Rocky Thompson to coach their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. Thompson is fresh off a Memorial Cup victory with the Windsor Spitfires, and has history in the AHL as an assistant head coach.

A Calgary, Alberta native Thompson was drafted by the Flames in the third round in 1995, but really only ever made an impact with his fists in the professional ranks. Scoring just 69 points in the AHL and being held scoreless in 25 NHL contests, Thompson nevertheless recorded over 2,000 penalty minutes in the two leagues combined and played for more than ten seasons. His head coaching tenure has been a bit more successful, winning 40+ games with the Spitfires in back to back seasons and this year winning the Memorial Cup on home ice.

Thompson took over from San Jose assistant Bob Boughner who has recently been linked to the vacant head coaching jobs in Florida and Buffalo. At just 39-years old, Thompson is on a similar path to helm an NHL bench one day but with a different style that gave him a playing career. Just last week, he spoke with Eric Francis of the Calgary Herald for a story:

You’ve got to understand — I don’t coach this way. That way of playing is gone. My team had the fewest fights in the OHL, and believe it or not, if you ask anybody who knows me, I’ve never been in a fight off the ice.

Indeed his team was filled with skilled players instead of enforcers, littered with first round picks like Mikhail Sergachev and Logan Stanley, and led by a potential top-5 pick in the upcoming draft Gabe Vilardi. In moving to the Chicago Wolves, Vegas has hired a coach that can grow and develop with the franchise. He’ll have to work with Gerard Gallant on instituting organizational systems, but should be somewhat familiar with him. Thompson spent part of the 1999-00 season with the Louisville Panthers of the AHL, of which Gallant was an assistant coach at the time.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was first to report the hiring.

AHL| OHL| Vegas Golden Knights Elliotte Friedman| Memorial Cup

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Morning Notes: Letang, Knoblauch, Vegas

June 7, 2017 at 10:50 am CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment

Though he’s already been ruled out for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Finals, Kris Letang was on the ice today before Penguins practice skating alone and without equipment. Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star provided some video evidence, but it’s safe to say he wasn’t going full out.  Letang is just two months into his rehab following neck surgery, which originally came with a four to six month recovery timetable.

It’s a great sign to see Letang back on the ice after such a disastrous season. Missing time with various ailments, the 30-year old defender only played in 41 regular season games and has missed the entire Cup run. With five years remaining on his current contract, the Penguins need him to come back strong and healthy next season.

  • Kris Knoblauch has been hired in Philadelphia as an assistant coach, joining Dave Hakstol’s team. Knoblauch has been the head coach of the Erie Otters for the past five seasons, coaching players like Connor McDavid, Connor Brown, Andre Burakovsky, Dylan Strome and many others. Before that, he was the bench boss for the Kootenay Ice for two seasons, and won a WHL championship as a first-year head coach. His squads qualified for the Memorial Cup twice (including this year), but weren’t able to capture the trophy. He’ll replace the outgoing Joey Mullen and could even provide the Flyers with some extra OHL insight for the upcoming draft. Though it’s unlikely the Flyers would take an OHL player at #2, they do have ten other picks in the draft this year.
  • Vegas is setting up to do some dealing this week, as George McPhee told Dan Marrazza of NHL.com. In all of his talks with the media, McPhee has seemed confident that several deals will be completed before the expansion draft. “We’ve had some real good discussions and I expect some things will start happening next week,” McPhee told Marrazza, a similar sentiment to the one he shared with Pierre LeBrun in their recent sit-down for TSN. There is even a mention of three-way deals that Vegas could facilitate, transactions that are rarely seen in the NHL. The Golden Knights could potentially sign free agents for teams ahead of time as well, during their exclusive negotiating window starting June 17th. There will be a freeze placed on any transactions around the league, except for the ones Vegas can make with UFAs or unprotected RFAs. It should make for an exciting week.

Erie Otters| Expansion| George McPhee| OHL| Philadelphia Flyers| Pittsburgh Penguins| Vegas Golden Knights Kris Letang

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League-Wide Interest In Darren Raddysh

June 2, 2017 at 9:38 am CDT | by Gavin Lee 5 Comments

Sometimes, the NHL Entry Draft gets it wrong. Not just the order of the picks, influenced by former biases or cultural stereotypes, letting players like Nicklas Lidstrom fall to the third round because of his heritage, or Jamie Benn to the fifth because of his competition. No, sometimes it’s even worse than that. Sometimes it misses players completely.

That’s the case for Darren Raddysh, the likely winner of OHL Defenseman of the Year and 21-year old brother of a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect drafted in the second round—Taylor Raddysh, who also had an incredible year. The elder Raddysh went undrafted through each year of eligibility and is now a free agent able to sign with any NHL team he wants, after each one passed on him dozens of times. As Scott Powers of The Athletic notes in his latest piece, the Chicago Blackhawks have considered Raddysh but you could say that for many teams. As his source tells him:

I think you might have 30 teams who would tell you the same thing. He had a very, very impressive year.

It’s true, Raddysh did have an impressive year. After two very successful seasons for the Erie Otters that saw him score 48 and 40 points, he exploded this season as an overager. While many players dominate the junior leagues after their 20th birthday, Raddysh performed on another level scoring 81 points in 62 games and another 22 in the playoffs. Even at his advanced age and on a team loaded with talent, the defenseman turned heads all over the league.

Now, there is no guarantee—or even really a likelihood—that Raddysh goes on to great things in the NHL. But you can be sure that he’ll be signing an entry-level contract somewhere, and will be given a chance to develop as a talented, puck-rushing defenseman. The fact that he’s right-handed helps his case, and though he’s not a bruising presence, he’s not small either. Standing at 6’1″, 200-lbs Raddysh can take care of himself in his own end and has enough offense to make up for it. Whether he can learn the systems of professional hockey and be sound enough positionally to make an impact is still to be seen, but people have underestimated him for too long. Now, instead of being chosen by an organization, it’s Raddysh that will get to make a selection.

Chicago Blackhawks| Erie Otters| OHL NHL Entry Draft

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Anaheim Ducks, Paul MacLean Part Ways

June 1, 2017 at 7:42 pm CDT | by Zach Leach 1 Comment

Fresh off a playoff elimination at the hands of the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Final, the Anaheim Ducks don’t seem content to stand pat this off-season. Changes are expected to come this summer, and the first news has come out already. Assistant coach Paul MacLean, whose current contract had come to an end, will not be retained. According to the team, it was a mutual parting of ways.

MacLean, 59, is a former NHL head coach and Jack Adams Award-winner, serving as the bench boss for the Ottawa Senators from 2011 to 2014, leading the team to the postseason twice in three (and a half) seasons. MacLean was fired by Ottawa midway through the 2014-15 campaign. MacLean joined the Ducks that off-season, working under Bruce Boudreau, whom he beat out for the Jack Adams in 2013. After Boundreau was fired and replaced by Randy Carlyle last year, MacLean was retained. However, the team has promised to shake things up and it appears that they felt the best move for the team was to move on from the veteran coach.

MacLean will certainly land on his feet. Beyond Ottawa and Anaheim, MacLean has an extensive coaching resume to lean on. MacLean had previously served as an assistant in Anaheim before, under Mike Babcock with the Mighty Ducks in the early 2000’s, and followed Babcock to Detroit as well. MacLean also has a long, successful history in the minor leagues where, if no NHL opportunities arise, he would surely be welcomed back. MacLean’s son, A.J., is also an assistant coach with the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, so don’t rule out a move to Canadian major junior either. MacLean will be fine; the Ducks on the other hand are just beginning their re-tool and more news is sure to come this off-season.

Anaheim Ducks| Bruce Boudreau| Mike Babcock| OHL| Ottawa Senators| Paul MacLean| Randy Carlyle

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Notable Prospects Playing In The Memorial Cup

May 24, 2017 at 9:16 pm CDT | by Brett Barrett 7 Comments

The Memorial Cup is considered one of the hardest trophies to win.

First, a team has to make the playoffs and win four rounds to win their league (WHL, OHL, or QMJHL). Then, they have to win a week-long tournament featuring the other winners and a host team, selected because of expected success. This season, the Seattle Thunderbirds, Erie Otters, Windsor Spitfires, and Saint John Sea Dogs are the competitors in Windsor. Seattle has been knocked out of the tournament, and Saint John and Erie will play on Friday to face off against Windsor in the final.

Here’s a look at some of the notable names taking part:

Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL champions, now eliminated):
C Mathew Barzal (NYI) – Projected as a top-ten pick in 2015, the Islanders were lucky to snag Barzal at 16th overall. He missed part of this season with an injury, but still scored 79 points in 41 games. Barzal could be in the NHL next season if he physically develops this summer.
D Ethan Bear (EDM) – The WHL’s defenseman of the year, Bear scored 28 goals and 70 points in 67 games this season. The Oilers’ fifth-round pick in 2015 will turn pro in 2017-18 with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
L Ryan Gropp (NYR) – Since being drafted 41st overall in 2015, Gropp has scored 154 points in 122 games with the Thunderbirds. He’ll start his pro career with the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL.

Erie Otters (OHL champions):
C Dylan Strome (ARI) – The third-overall pick in 2015 spent seven games in the NHL to start the year, but was sent back to Erie after he only put up two assists. He captained Team Canada at the World Juniors and posted 75 points in 35 games in the OHL. The middle Strome brother will very likely be in the NHL next season.
R Alex DeBrincat (CHI) – A possible steal at 39 overall in 2016, the dimunitive DeBrincat scored 65 goals and 127 points in 63 games in the OHL. Whether or not he can continue scoring in the professional game is yet to be determined, but he’s clearly demonstrated a high skill level.
R Taylor Raddyish (TBL) – Another second-round pick from 2016, the big winger scored 42 goals and 109 points in 58 games. He also scored five goals in seven games for Canada at the World Juniors.
C Anthony Cirelli (TBL) – A third-round pick of the Lightning in 2015, Cirelli was traded to Erie at the OHL trade deadline shortly after he scored seven points in seven games for Canada at the World Juniors. He’s already won a Memorial Cup with Oshawa in 2015, where he scored the OT winner in the final vs Kelowna.
C Ivan Lodnia (2017 eligible) – Playing on a shutdown line at age 17, the draft eligible Lodnia has shown good two-way instincts. He also scored 57 points in 66 games this season. He’s expected to be a late first round pick this coming draft. The Hockey News compared him to Mikael Boedker.
D Jordan Sambrook (DET) – The Red Wings picked the 6’2 right-handed defenseman 157th overall last summer, and have to be excited about his potential. The two-way defender scored 40 points in 61 games this season, and will look to improve in his final year of junior next

Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL champions):
C Joe Veleno (2018 eligible) – Veleno is the fifth player that Hockey Canada has granted Exceptional Status to. He’s scored 83 points in 107 junior games over the last two years. He should be a dynamic junior star next season as he physically matures.
R Julien Gauthier (CAR) – The 6’4, 225 lbs power forward has been compared to Rick Nash. Carolina’s 21st overall pick in 2016 will turn pro this coming season after an injury-shortened season. He did score five goals in seven games for Canada at the World Juniors.
R Mathieu Joseph (TBL) – The 2015 fourth-round pick has really picked up his offensive game as his junior career ends. He’s followed up an 80-point season with 32 points in 18 playoff games.
D Thomas Chabot (OTT) – One of the best prospects in the game, Chabot dominated for Canada at the World Juniors with 10 points in seven games. He’ll be starring alongside Erik Karlsson in Ottawa in the next two or three years.
D Jakub Zboril (BOS) – The first of Boston’s three consecutive first rounders in 2015, Zboril plays a tough game. While he’ll never be a big point-producer, he ought to be a dependable second pairing option in the future.
G Callum Booth (CAR) – Carolina’s fourth-round pick in 2015 was traded mid-season and only posted a 0.903 SV% in 26 games in Saint John. Drafting and developing goalies is voodoo, so it’s too early to make a call on Booth.

Windsor Spitfires (host, lost in OHL’s first round to the London Knights):
C Gabriel Vilardi (2017 eligible) –
A top-five projected pick in this upcoming draft, Vilardi is a big, skilled center that The Hockey News compared to Jason Allison.
C Logan Brown (OTT) –
Ottawa traded up from 12th to 11th to ensure they got Brown, who is a big powerful center with a good shot. He scored 40 points in 35 games this season.
C Julius Nattinen (ANA) –
Anaheim’s second-round pick in 2015 didn’t put up big numbers this season after a big offensive year last year in Barrie. He’ll turn pro next season.
R Jeremy Bracco (TOR) – Bracco scored 83 points in 57 games split between Kitchener and Windsor this season, but will have his work cut out for him next year when he turns pro; Toronto has a large number of wingers in the system, so he’ll have to stand out.
D Logan Stanley (WPG) –
The giant defensive defenseman was perhaps a reach at 18th overall this last summer, but will get his chances as a left-handed defenseman on the right-dominated Jets roster.
D Mikhail Sergachev (MTL) – The dominant two-way defenseman got a taste of the NHL last fall, and will likely find himself in Montreal’s top four before long.
D Sean Day (NYR) –
The fourth player to be granted Exception Status by Hockey Canada back in 2013, he’s something of a cautionary tale for projected 14-year-olds. His size allowed him to dominate minor hockey, but he has yet to put it all together consistently in the OHL. He was the Rangers’ third-round pick in 2016.
G Mike DiPietro (2017 eligible) –
 One of the top-ranked goaltenders for the upcoming draft, DiPietro is a very athletic goaltender. He’s been strong all season and at the Memorial Cup, but as mentioned above, projecting goaltenders is voodoo. He’ll be a late first or early second-round pick and one of the first goaltenders off the board.

OHL| QMJHL| WHL Memorial Cup| NHL Entry Draft

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Colorado Interested In Maple Leafs AGM Kyle Dubas

May 24, 2017 at 8:50 am CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment

Last night during Ottawa’s miraculous 2-1 victory to force game seven with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Elliotte Freidman of Sportsnet dropped a bomb on another Ontario town. Friedman reported that the Colorado Avalanche had asked for permission to speak with Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager Kyle Dubas for a position in Denver. Friedman continued on Twitter, explaining that he’s not sure where the interaction sits now, but that it very much did happen.

Like John Chayka in Arizona, Dubas is Toronto’s whiz-kid executive who was hired by the team at the age of 28. He had been successfully running the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League since he was 24, and is considered one of the top young minds in hockey. Still just 31, his current role includes GM of the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, usually a stepping stone to the big chair in an NHL front office one day. There has been much speculation that Dubas was being groomed as the next GM of the Maple Leafs when Lou Lamoriello eventually retires, but with a successful candidate in Mark Hunter also present that has never been confirmed.

It’s not clear what Dubas’ new role would be with the Avalanche, as Joe Sakic currently sits firmly in the GM chair—though it might be getting a little warm—and it’s unlikely that the Maple Leafs would want him to move laterally to another AGM position. The Avalanche are working hard to fix their organizational structure, also firing three coaches yesterday to allow Jared Bednar to have a team of his own creation.

Colorado Avalanche| Mark Hunter| Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds| Toronto Maple Leafs

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