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Joe Veleno Officially Traded To Drummondville

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Though the deal was agreed to much earlier this month, the Saint John Sea Dogs have officially traded top 2018 draft prospect Joe Veleno to the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. The Sea Dogs will receive three first-round picks and two second-round picks in return for the exceptionally talented 17-year old, who will get an opportunity to play with a better team for the second-half of his draft year.

Joe VelenoVeleno was the first player to be given exceptional status and enter the QMJHL at the age of 15, showing why as a rookie with 43 points in 62 games. Unfortunately, his game took a step back as he dealt with injuries in his sophomore year, leading some to question the league’s decision to allow him in so young. This year, Veleno has 31 points in 31 games for Saint John, but hasn’t been able to help the team to a better record than 10-19-4, second worst in the entire league.

Drummondville will hope to get Veleno for more than just the rest of this year, as there is the potential of him jumping right to the NHL next season. The 6’2″, 194-lbs center is projected to go somewhere in the top-15 picks in June’s NHL Entry Draft, though could go as high as the top-5 should his season take off. He’ll turn just 18 in January, but has played with those older than him his entire life.

Veleno is an excellent playmaker, and smooth in everything he does on the ice. The ease in which certain parts of the game come to him can sometimes be perceived as a lack of work ethic, but coaches and scouts say the very opposite about him. Whether he does crack the top-5 on draft day is still to be seen, but his future as a professional is very bright. For now, he’ll set his sights on the QMJHL Championship with Drummondville and an appearance in Regina at the 2018 Memorial Cup.

Cole Caufield Commits To The University of Wisconsin

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The 2019 NHL Draft may seem like a long way away, as does the 2019-20 season, but the excitement is real and right now in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers today announced the commitment of five star prospect Cole Caufield to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin, beginning in 2019. Caufield is considered a potential top-ten pick in two years.

Caufield, 16, is a current member of the U.S. National Development U-17 Team. He and his brother, Brock Caufield, had both previously committed to Big Ten rival Ohio State University, but decommitted earlier this year. Brock, 18, announced his commitment to Wisconsin last week and will join little brother Cole in 2019. However, only the younger brother has drawn draft interest, and in a big way. A recent ranking of 2019 prospects by TSN’s Craig Button had Caufield as the eighth-best prospect. While the scoring winger lacks size in a major way – he currently stands at 5’6″, 146 lbs. – he has years left of growth and development remaining and Button believes that his offense speaks for itself regardless of his stature. Besides, the NHL is growing more and more comfortable with smaller, speedier players, as evidenced by 5’8″, 154-lb. Kailer Yamamoto’s selection by the Edmonton Oilers at #22 this past June. Like Yamamoto, what really counts is the production and Caufield has scored at nearly two points per game so far with the USNTDP. By 2019, a slightly larger Caufield could easily fulfill his draft projection.

Meanwhile, the Badgers are quickly becoming known for their ability to recruit high-end talent. The 2017-18 roster contains nine NHL drafted players, including a pair of promising Boston Bruins prospects in 2016 first-rounder Trent Frederic and 2015 sixth-round steal Cameron Hughes, and just graduated another 2016 top pick, Minnesota Wild rookie Luke Kunin, this past year. And that’s just the beginning; Wisconsin has ten 2018 draft eligible (and likely to be drafted) players coming to Madison next year, including potential first-round defenseman K’Andre Miller, and another peer of Caufield’s, a likely 2019 first-rounder, in Alex Turcotte coming the year after. These are exciting times for Wisconsin hockey.

Riley Sutter Climbing Draft Boards

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2017 may not be over just yet, but it’s no secret that executives and scouts across the NHL are already eyeing the 2018 draft class. Among the early contenders to be worthy of a first round pick is a familiar name: Sutter. The latest in the long line of family royalty is 18-year-old Riley Sutter, a right wing for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips and very likely a top pick this June.

Riley Sutter is the son of Ron Sutter, who likely has him beat in terms of draft position. Ron was the fourth overall pick in 1982 by the Philadelphia Flyers, whom he played with for nine seasons to begin his 1000+ game NHL career. Ron’s twin brother, Riley’s uncle, Rich Sutter was famously selected six slot behind his brother in 1982, tenth overall by the rival Pittsburgh Penguins. Riley’s other uncles include Brian Sutter, the long-time captain of the St. Louis Blues drafted in the second round in 1976, Duane Sutter, the 17th overall pick in 1979, Brent Sutter, the 17th overall pick a year later and arguably the best of the Sutter brothers with over 800 points in his 17-year career (and a former NHL coach to boot), and, of course, the most relevant of the Sutters right now, recently relieved Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who also played 400+ NHL games. Then there’s the next generation of Sutters, Riley’s cousins, highlighted by Vancouver Canucks center and 2007 11th overall pick Brandon Sutter, Brent’s son. Cousins Shaun Sutter, Brett Sutter, Brody Sutter, and Lukas Sutter were all additionally drafted into the NHL, but have not come close to the success of their fathers and uncles or even Brandon. Riley hopes to end the streak of underwhelming Sutter’s once he is drafted this June.

So what does the youngest Sutter bring to the table? The 6’2″, 201-lb. forward has a power forward frame and began to find his scoring touch last season with 39 points, including 20 goals, in 67 games for the Silvertips. Early in 2017-18, that pace has picked up. Sutter has 13 points, again the majority of which are goals, in his first 16 games. A physical game at his age is attractive enough, but the scoring touch and quick skating he has displayed, as well as the undeniable intangibles of being from hockey royalty, have boosted Sutter up draft boards. In the latest rankings from International Scouting Services, Sutter is up all the way to 16th, helped out by his early results (as well as a severe lack of right wings at the top of the class). If he can keep his scoring up, Riley very well could be the latest Sutter to be a first round pick and may even be able to push to become the second highest-drafted family member, behind his own father, if he can crack the top ten in June.

Draft Pick Landscape For 2018

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The 2018 draft is shaping up to be one of the most impressive in recent memory. Though Andrei Svechnikov, a potential first-overall pick will be out for some time broken hand, there are many other top names that will intrigue come draft day. While last year’s class was deeper than some believed, and already has more impact players than expected, 2018 looks even better. There are three or four franchise-altering players, and several others that could turn into superstars in the league.

Knowing that, teams have been awfully stingy when it comes to trading away 2018 picks. For the clearest example, just take a look at the Vegas Golden Knights, who stockpiled picks in their first few months. While they came away with three 2017 first-rounders, and will pick seven times in the first three rounds of 2019, they currently hold just two picks in the first 93, with their third likely not coming until late in the fourth round (it originally belonged to Pittsburgh, who are a good bet to make the playoffs once again).

Still, there has been some movement. Below we’ll list all the team’s 2018 picks and where they’ve come from. Remember, that all non-playoff teams are entered into a lottery for the first three picks of the draft, but subsequent rounds revert to the final standings. Playoff teams are ordered slightly differently, but the Stanley Cup winner and finalists will have the last two picks.

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Ryan Merkley Pushing For Top Draft Spot

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We’ve discussed the draft profiles of Andrei Svechnikov and Rasmus Dahlin in the past, the two favorites to be the first-overall pick next summer in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Both have a real shot at going at the top, thanks to dynamic offensive abilities from their respective positions.

Svechnikov is lighting up the OHL with his power-speed combination, scoring eight goals through his first eight games. Dahlin on the other hand is starring in the Swedish professional ranks, and even scored his first Champions League goal yesterday. Improbably, his defensive game looks nearly as developed as his offense, and at this point looks like a lock to play in the NHL for a long time.

Ryan MerkleyWhile those two dominate many of the headlines early on, there are several other candidates to push for the top spot. One of them, Ryan Merkley, was profiled by Aaron Vickers of NHL.com who spoke to several scouts and teammates. The undersized defenseman has wowed spectators and coaches for years in southern Ontario, and is already showing he might be among the best players in the OHL—at 17. It won’t be surprising if Merkley leads all OHL defensemen in points this year, and he could be in for a race to the top defensive spot with Dahlin by the end of the year. Sometimes, even in the world of instant worldwide communication, the player closer to home is given a bit of a boost on draft boards. While every team will certainly have scouts attending Dahlin’s games, many front offices can attend Merkley’s games in person on a regular basis if they choose.

None of this is to say that Merkley is a lock for the top spot, or even the first few. While his ability to skate the puck out of trouble and distribute scoring chances for his teammates is incredible, he’s still listed at just 5’11” 170-lbs (which seems generous) and will always have his size working against him. While the league is slowly moving away from lumbering giants and embracing smaller skilled players, there are still some teams who would rather take the risk on a 6’1″ Jared McIsaac or 6’2″ Bode Wilde to plug into their blueline. Both are wonderful prospects in their own right, and have distinct size advantages over Merkley.

The biggest thing to take from Vickers’ profile, is how strong the 2018 draft is shaping up to be. There is a real chance a prospect like Merkley could fall to the middle of the first round, given the immense group of high-impact names that will be available. While last year had a deeper talent pool than some realize, 2018 is shaping up to be one of the best draft classes in several years, with at least a handful of players that have franchise-altering potential. Obviously many of them won’t reach that potential, but their ceilings will make for an interesting draft floor—expect teams to be very active trying to get their favorite new toy.

Boston Bruins Sign Jack Studnicka To ELC

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The Boston Bruins have inked another prospect to a three-year entry-level contract, signing Jack Studnicka today. The 18-year old was selected just a few months ago in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft, and is already back with the Oshawa Generals this season where he serves as captain.

Studnicka is a prototypical top-six forward, who has dazzled at times but works hard to contribute at both ends of the rink. His 52 points in 64 games last year was a nice total for his age-17 season, but he should easily improve on them with added responsibility. Already in the first two games of the season, Studnicka has five points and is showing off an impressive skill set.

Selected 53rd-overall, some of the criticism launched towards Studnicka was his thin frame and whether it would hold up at the professional ranks. He measures in at almost 6’2″ these days according to his coaching staff, but remains listed at 171-lbs. That frame will have to get heavier, but with an impressive wingspan and a lightning-fast release, he’s already on his way to being a deadly goal-scoring talent.

Studnicka will likely have to wait another year to play in the U20 World Juniors for team Canada, but he could be one of the leaders on that team in 2018. Able to play all three forward positions already, he’s a versatile option for the Generals and his future professional teams.

Bode Wilde Commits To The University Of Michigan

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The Michigan-based U.S. National Development Program may see an uptick in attendance for their games this season. Bode Wilde, the U-18 team’s top defenseman, announced that he will be taking his talents to the University of Michigan, in nearby Ann Arbor, for the 2018-19 season beyond. Wilde is a top 2018 NHL Draft prospect, and if that wasn’t enough of a draw, fans of the Maize and Blue will likely be looking to get a preview of their incoming talent.

Wilde, 17, was born in Canada – Montreal to be exact – but has lived almost all of his life in the United States. At 6’2″, 194-lbs. and still growing, the physical, puck-moving blue liner has the potential to be the first American taken next June. He posted 19 points in 56 games with the USNTDP U-17 team last year and put on a show at the U-17 World Junior Championships, netting six points in five games. Wilde has good offensive ability and is a strong skater, but also plays with an edge and isn’t afraid to sit back and dominate the defensive zone. He has a powerful shot, but is just as likely to throw his weight into a check on the penalty kill as he is into a slapper on the power play.

A well-rounded prospect with room to grow in the NCAA, Wilde is a truly intriguing prospect. Yet, he faces some stiff competition if he wants to be the “first” anything in the 2018 NHL Draft. It seems extremely unlikely that Wilde could be the first defenseman taken in June, given that Swedish phenom Rasmus Dahlin has long been considered the odds-on favorite to go #1 overall. For Wilde to be the first American, he would have to hold off the likes of USNTDP teammate Joel Farabee, a talented scoring forward, and Boston University freshman Brady Tkachuk, a big, game-changing winger like his father and brother. Heck, Wilde even faces a challenge to be the first Michigan-bound player taken, as teammate and fellow blue liner Mattias Samuelsson commited to the school long ago and is also considered a first-round talent.

Regardless of when Wilde is selected in the draft, Wolverine fans will be happy to have him in Ann Arbor. The school already had sophomore rearguard Luke Martin selected in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes last year and brought in San Jose Sharks first-rounder Joshua Norris as well. With Wilde, Samuelsson, and yet another promising defenseman, 2019 draft-eligible Michael Vukojevic, coming soon, they are building quite a program in Ann Arbor.

If you’re looking to check out Bode Wilde or any of his talented teammates on the U.S. Development Team this year, you’re in luck if you live in the Great Lakes region or near any of their frequent NCAA stops. Check out this year’s schedule.

NHL Snapshots: Dallas Stars, Zadorov, Butcher

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As announced yesterday, the Dallas Stars will host the 2018 NHL Entry Draft at American Airlines Arena on June 22-23. One key reason they received the honor, according to NHL.com’s Sean Shapiro, is that 2018 will mark the team’s 25th anniversary in Dallas and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the way the team has successfully built a hockey community is a main reason for get awarded with the draft.

“I think they’ve done a fabulous job over the 25 years they’ve been here,” Daly said. “The Stars organization has led the way in turning a non-traditional hockey market into a hockey market. Your involvement in promoting and supporting youth hockey in the greater Dallas area comes from rink initiatives and sponsoring youth hockey teams. It’s not only inspiring, but it’s a model that all NHL clubs in non-traditional markets aspire to.”

Stars CEO and president Jim Lites said it has been a two-year commitment to get the draft to come to Dallas. The team has worked hard this year to get back into the playoff picture after a down year for their 25th anniversary. They have hired coach Ken Hitchcock, traded for goaltender Ben Bishop and defenseman Marc Methot and signed several key free agents, including Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal.

  • Adrian Dater of BSN Denver, writes that it is highly unlikely that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov will return to the KHL next year when his contract is up. Dater writes that the defensive defenseman and Colorado are less and $1MM apart in negotations and believes the Avalanche wouldn’t let the future restricted free agent leave over that little money. Zadorov, who was the key piece in the Ryan O’Reilly trade two years ago, played 56 games last year for the Avalanche and had 10 assists.
  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE writes the Bruins, who are well-known for going after top college talent, should not consider signing Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher. The defenseman, who will become a free agent if he doesn’t sign with Colorado before Aug. 15, is likely to receive multiple offers. However, Haggerty writes that the team doesn’t need another undersized, unproven player on their defense since they already have Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy on the roster.

NHL Snapshots: Ennis, 2018 NHL Draft, Minor Signings

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The Minnesota Wild didn’t make too many changes to a team that finished with 106 points in the Western Conference last season. However, one major move was to move defenseman Marco Scandella and veteran Jason Pominville to Buffalo for Marcus Foligno and Tyler Ennis. While the team has high hopes for the 25-year-old Foligno, still a restricted free agent, could have a breakout year and he has predicted a 20-goal season, the team is even more focused on Ennis returning to form.

Ennis, who has battled the injury bug for the last two years has only played in 74 games during that time. Last year, he missed time due to groin surgery and only played in 51 games. Before those injuries, the 27-year-old wing scored 41 goals in two seasons between 2013-15. However, since then, he has tallied just eight goals. NBC Sports Adam Gretz writes that Minnesota Wild coach Bruce Boudreau has high expectations for Ennis this year and believes that if Ennis can remain healthy, he expects to see a resurgence like the one that veteran Eric Staal did last year.

Staal scored 28 goals last year for the Wild a year after he was coming off a lackluster 13-goal season between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. Yet Boudreau believes Ennis could duplicate that kind of comeback performance in Minnesota.

“Tyler Ennis, I’ve seen and talked to and met,” Boudreau said. “I don’t want to put pressure on him, but three years ago, he was a great player in this league. He’s missed 90 games in the last two years due to injury. If we can keep him healthy, I think he’s going to have a rebound year like Eric Staal had. I’m very excited about having him. In our top-9 forwards, I think we’re as strong as anybody in the league.”

Of course Ennis’ personal high is 21 goals, and while he has hit 20 goals three times in his career, it’s unlikely to see Staal-like numbers.

  • The Dallas Stars tweeted they will host the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center next season on June 22-23. It was held this year in Las Vegas.
  • The Tucson Roadrunners, the AHL team of the Arizona Coyotes, signed three more players along with the reported signing of Ryan Culkin earlier today. The minor league affiliate also inked goaltender Michael Houser and wingers Scott Allen and Trevor Cheek, according to SB Nation. Houser played most of last season with the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones finishing with a 2.58 GAA in 41 games. Allen played 57 games for the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL and finished with eight goals and 11 assists, while Cheek split time between both the AHL and the ECHL.

Top 2018 Draft Picks That Have Already Been Traded

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About 11 months from now, 31 NHL general managers will come together in a room with thousands of people watching and select the next group of young players destined to make it to the professional ranks. The 2018 NHL Entry Draft will be a huge event, mostly because of the elite talent that will be available at the top.

Without a clear consensus on the top pick so far, the next year will be extremely interesting to watch for prospect hounds. Andrei Svechnikov, Rasmus Dahlin, Joe Veleno, Quinn Hughes and others all have incredible talent, and could push for the top spot with a big year (and perhaps a growth spurt or two). Like this year, we could also see a relative outsider like Nico Hischier fly up the ranks to take over the top spot by draft day. One thing is for sure though, that there is plenty of talent to find in the first round and beyond at next year’s draft.

It has already been clear that teams don’t want to give up their 2018 draft picks, as we saw with the collection of selections acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights. They have multiple second-round picks in 2019 and 2020, but couldn’t secure an extra top pick in 2018. That said, there have already been many transactions that have moved picks around. Here are the teams that have acquired extra picks in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft (key player traded in parentheses).

Arizona Coyotes:

Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick from Minnesota Wild (Hanzal)

Detroit Red Wings:

Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick (OTT) from New York Rangers (Smith)

Florida Panthers:

Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick from Arizona Coyotes (Crouse)

Minnesota Wild:

Acquired 2018 3rd-round pick from Buffalo Sabres (Scandella)
Acquired 2018 3rd-round pick from Vegas Golden Knights (Tuch)

Montreal Canadiens:

Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick from Chicago Blackhawks (Weise)

New York Islanders:

Acquired 2018 1st-round pick from Calgary Flames (Hamonic)
Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick from Calgary Flames (Hamonic)

Philadelphia Flyers:

Acquired conditional 2018 1st-round from St. Louis Blues (Schenn)

Tampa Bay Lightning:

Acquired conditional 2018 2nd-round pick (WSH) from Montreal Canadiens (Drouin)

Toronto Maple Leafs:

Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick from San Jose Sharks (Polak)
Acquired 2018 3rd-round pick from San Jose Sharks (Reimer)

Washington Capitals:

Acquired 2018 2nd-round pick (FLA) from New Jersey Devils (Johansson)
Acquired 2018 3rd-round pick (TOR) from New Jersey Devils (Johansson)

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