Prospect Notes: Kahun, Tomek, Scarfo
Not long after the initial report that German Olympic hero Dominik Kahun was drawing NHL interest, there is now a more concrete picture of what the market looks like for the young scoring forward. German new site TZ reports that Kahun’s jump overseas is a sure thing, as ten NHL teams have legitimate interest in signing him. They go one step further, adding that the Chicago Blackhawks are at the top of the list and have offered Kahun a two-year contract worth around $940K per year. While it may not seem like that much, the article indicates that the contract would be worth more than three times Kahun’s current pact with EHC Munich. It’s also a fair value for an unproven import. The 22-year-old certainly shows some promise though, with nearly a point per game pace in the German DEL and at the Winter Games in 2017-18. The Blackhawks, or whoever else ends up winning the bidding war, will land an exciting prospect in Kahun.
- An intriguing career path continues for young Slovakian goalie Matej Tomek. A third-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers back in 2015, Tomek originally enrolled at the University of North Dakota in 2015-16 and expected to take over for departed starter, and Hobey Baker finalist, Zane McIntyre. Instead, he lost out to Cam Johnson, who remains the North Dakota starter to this day, and made just two appearances in two seasons, struggling mightily. Tomek left school, joining the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks for the 2017-18 season, and saw improved performance at the junior level. Now, Tomek has announced that he’s heading back to the NCAA, committing to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for next season. Tomek still has two years of eligibility remaining, but may only need one to re-establish his pro potential. All three Omaha keepers have struggled this year and Tomek may have an easy path to take over next season. Even if starter Evan Weninger holds on to the job or at least forces a split in net, Tomek can always stick around for the 2019-20 campaign when he would surely be the starter. Either way, Flyers fans should be happy to see another of their many promising goalie prospects working to get back on track.
- A top senior scorer and college free agent is off the market, but he’s not headed to an NHL team just yet. Ryan Scarfo, the leading scorer for Union College, has signed with the AHL’s Belleville Senators, the team announced. Scarfo will skate with the team on a tryout deal for the remainder of this season, but already inked a full AHL contract for the 2018-19 season. Scarfo, 24, saw a major boost in production in his fourth and final year as a starter for Union. The alternate captain led all Dutchmen in goals and points and his rugged, two-way play also placed him in the top five on the team in plus/minus and penalty minutes. His 20 goals additionally ranked 13th in the entire NCAA. Scarfo has likely reached the extent of his skill development, but with some time in the minors, can further polish his hockey sense. He has some upside to be a bottom-six forward given his ability to be physical and find the back of the net. A strong performance in his first pro season in 2018-19 could earn Scarfo a big-league deal with the Ottawa Senators or another NHL squad sooner rather than later.
NCAA Notes: Mittelstadt, Belpedio, Hillman
After an impressive rookie season in the collegiate ranks, and an MVP performance at the World Junior Championships, Casey Mittelstadt has staked a claim as one of the best prospects in hockey. His latest accomplishment is being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and will soon have to decide whether or not to become a professional or return to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore season.
Though he gives no pretense of inside knowledge, Mike Morreale of NHL.com believes there is a “good chance” that Mittelstadt turns pro next season, something that will come as music to the ears of Buffalo Sabres fans. Buffalo has struggled through another terrible season, and will have a good shot at drafting Rasmus Dahlin or one of the other top names this June. Mittelstadt’s appearance on the NHL squad would give them another piece to build around, and someone to support Jack Eichel and company in their quest for the playoffs.
- Louis Belpedio doesn’t have a decision to make over whether or not to turn pro this summer, but instead how long he’ll wait before doing it. After completing his senior season at Miami University (Ohio), the Minnesota Wild draft pick could delay signing until August when he would become an unrestricted free agent. Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required) reports that scenario seems unlikely at this point, as the two sides are moving towards a two-year entry-level contract. Belpedio scored 30 points in 37 games during his senior season, and could be a useful piece of the Minnesota defense in the coming years.
- Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) also gives us a long in-depth profile on Blake Hillman, a Chicago Blackhawks prospect who looks ready to turn pro in the coming weeks. Powers believes Hillman will “likely sign after this season” and even his head coach at the University of Denver Jim Montgomery seems to agree. Montgomery called Hillman “extremely close to being ready” for his pro transition, meaning Blackhawks fans could see another legitimate NHL prospect enter the system before long.
Snapshots: Emergency Goalie, Lundqvist, Pettersson, College Free Agents
The Winnipeg Jets may have called up Michael Hutchinson on paper, but they weren’t actually able to get him on the roster in time for their game tonight against the New Jersey Devils. According to the team, Hutchison’s flight into New York was delayed and he was unable to arrive to the game in time. As a result, the Jets were forced to sign an emergency backup to a tryout deal. The man behind Connor Hellebuyck tonight will be Zane Kalemba, a New Jersey native and a friend of Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler. Kalemba played junior hockey with Wheeler for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers and went on to star for Princeton University. Kalemba only retired from hockey in 2016, having spent time in the ECHL, CHL, and several European leagues. An experienced keeper who, most importantly, was nearby, will have to do for the Jets tonight.
- A goalie in the tri-state area with a little more experience than Kalemba is New York Rangers superstar Henrik Lundqvist. In fact, when Lundqvist takes the ice tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he will tie former Tampa goalie Nikolai Khabibulin for the most NHL starts by a foreign-born goalie. The Rangers report that Lundqvist’s appearance, his 799th, is enough to share the top mark. When the Swedish keeper makes his next start, which could be as early as Saturday, he will not only reach a benchmark 800th appearance, but will also become the most experienced foreign keeper in NHL history.
- Another Swede setting records is Vancouver Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson. Pettersson, who was selected fifth overall last year by Vancouver, has been playing in the top Swedish pro league, the SHL, this season. After a four-point outburst today, the Canucks pointed out that Pettersson’s 55 points on the year set a new record for the most points by a player under 20 in SHL history. The Vaxjo Lakers forward snapped a 42-year-old record while also taking over the league scoring lead. That’s not too shabby for a young player who looks to be an absolute stud-in-the-making for the Canucks.
- Some other young players looking to make an impact in the pros is the 2018 crop of college free agents. While Zach Whitecloud‘s deal with Vegas today was the first NHL deal so far, a few other NCAA prospects have already hooked up with AHL teams for contracts and tryout agreements for the remainder of the season and could earn big-league deals if they impress. These transactions include Whitecloud’s Bemidji State teammate Kyle Bauman joining the Ontario Reign (LAK), the San Jose Barracuda (SJS) inking Alaska-Fairbanks’ Zach Frye, Yale’s Ryan Hitchcock going nearby to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI), the Chicago Wolves (VGK) adding Wisconsin’s Ryan Wagner, and both Derian Plouffe of Niagara and Josh Kestner of Alabama-Huntsville signing with the Toronto Marlies (TOR).
Snapshots: Knight, Kirk, Ekman-Larsson
One of the best female hockey players in the world will be suiting it up for a new team this season, as Hilary Knight has signed with the Montreal Canadiennes of the CWHL for the remainder of the year. Knight is fresh off a gold medal with the US Women’s Olympic team, and will return to the CWHL for the first time since 2015.
Knight has won just about every trophy imaginable in women’s hockey, taking home two NCAA titles during her time at Wisconsin, two Clarkson Cups as a member of the Boston Blades, and an Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride in 2016. She also brings nine World Championship medals (nine gold, two silver) and three Olympic medals (one gold, two silver).
- Speaking of international standouts, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (subscription required) provided us with an incredible profile of the next UK born-and-trained player that has NHL potential. Liam Kirk, a forward for the Sheffield Steelers, is likely going to play in the CHL next season and could be drafted this June. Kirk has just recently turned 18, but is already playing in the highest level in Great Britain, and doing quite well. The young forward told Wheeler that Buffalo, Detroit, Edmonton, Vancouver, Arizona and Winnipeg have all expressed interest or attended one of his games, while Boston is expected to do so.
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019, but unlike most players might not be swayed by the biggest monetary offer. Ekman-Larsson spoke with Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet and explained that money isn’t the driving force behind his thought process anymore. “It’s just money. It’s not going to make you happier. It might make your life a little bit easier but it’s not going to make you happier.” Ekman-Larsson explains that he likes it in Arizona and would like to stay, something both sides have maintained all along.
Montreal Canadiens Agree To Terms With Will Bitten, Michael Pezzetta
The Montreal Canadiens have announced that the team has come to terms with both Will Bitten and Michael Pezzetta on three-year entry-level contracts. The deals will start in the 2018-19 season, and take them through 2020-21.
Selected in the third round two years ago, Bitten hasn’t yet taken the expected next step in the OHL. After a 30-goal, 65-point season with Flint when he was 17, the last two years with the Hamilton Bulldogs haven’t been much of an improvement. Bitten failed to make the Canadian World Junior team, and though he’s still a tenacious two-way player, there was expected to be more offense to his game as he matured. Now, he looks more like a future bottom-six player for the Canadiens if he can reach the NHL level.
In Pezzetta, the Canadiens have the opposite story. Selected in the sixth round in 2016, Pezzetta had very little offensive performance and was taken for his physical game and ability to punish defenders on the forecheck. He’s taken a step forward this season in terms of offensive production, but is still a long-shot to make much of an impact at the NHL level. There is still a role for energy forwards in the professional ranks, but Pezzetta will need to show off some excellent defensive skill to really excel at the next step in his career.
While teams around the league continue to sign their previously drafted prospects, it’s important to remember that 2016 draft picks out of the CHL will become free agents if not under contract by June 1st. That was the case for Bitten and Pezzetta, who will turn 20 before the 2018-19 season begins.
Ostap Safin Signs Entry-Level Contract With Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers continue to lock up prospects, this time signing Ostap Safin to a three-year entry-level contract. Safin is currently playing in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs, but could see some time on an amateur tryout with the Bakersfield Condors before the end of the year.
Safin, selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, came over to North America after growing up in the Czech Republic and has found immediate success in the CHL. With 53 points in 56 games, he has excellent potential as a power forward for the Oilers, one who can skate exceptionally well for a player of his size. Now listed at 6’5″ 191-lbs, Safin protects the puck well in the offensive zone and tries to create chances for teammates.
While he may not project as a top line player in the NHL, Safin has already shown more than expected from his fourth-round draft status. His size, speed and deceptive offensive talent has transferred well to Saint John where he leads the team in points, and will soon be tested at the professional level. Since he was drafted out of Europe, he could potentially go to the AHL next season despite being only 19 years old. Otherwise, a return to Saint John could bring about huge offensive numbers as one of the more advanced players in the QMJHL.
Undrafted Free Agent Signings Dominating Juniors
Given that each team generally has seven chances to makes a pick in the NHL Draft each year resulting in, until recently, 210 selections, and now 217 moving forward, the bulk of top players in the league come through the draft process. However, no matter the level – Canadian juniors, American juniors and the NCAA, and Europe – there are always players that slip through the crack. Sometimes those particular players don’t slip too far. Case in point: take a look at some of the top players in the CHL this season. A significant proportion of 2017-18’s most valuable players in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL are not just undrafted, but have also already signed with an NHL team.
In the Ontario League, Aaron Luchuk is the poster boy for the year of undrafted signings. The 20-year-old Barrie Colts center signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators back in December. He’s rewarded them for taking a gamble on him by leading the league with 105 points thus far, including a league-leading 45 goals. This has been a major step up in his production of 60 points in 68 games in 2016-17. The 5’10” forward’s next step will be trying his hand at the AHL next season. Not far behind Luchuk is Sam Miletic, a fellow 20-year-old forward playing for the Niagara Ice Dogs. Miletic is fifth in the OHL with 86 points and also brings a good defensive sense to his game. Miletic signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in September after recording 55 points in 65 games with the London Knights last season; Miletic had 54 points in just 35 games with London prior to being traded mid-season. Undrafted netminders are also making a splash in the OHL. The Detroit Red Wings signed 19-year-old Kaden Fulcher back in October and the Hamilton Bulldogs goalie has since been a top goalie in the league, currently fourth in goals against average and seventh in save percentage among starters. Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser is right there with him, as the Oshawa Generals keeper is sixth in save percentage and seventh in goals against average among starters.
The Western League is littered with undrafted free agent signings among its top scorers. The Moose Jaw Warriors’ Brayden Burke has joined that group, having just signed with the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Burke, 21, is tied for second in league scoring with 113 points in just 61 games, a pace of nearly two points per game this season. Burke is undersized at 5’10”, 165 lbs., but has done well for himself in the WHL, which is traditionally a heavier league, and will soon turn his sights on the pros. Also in the top ten in scoring are another Penguin, Jordy Bellerive, and the Colorado Avalanche’s Ty Lewis. Both forwards signed prior to the season and have each taken a big step in 2017-18, currently tied for eighth with 89 points. Bellerive, who is only 18, jumped on the opportunity to sign with the defending Cup champs after being passed over in the draft, and the Lethbridge Hurricanes center is now making the Penguins just as excited about the deal. Lewis, 20, has stepped into the top scorer role for the Brandon Wheat Kings left behind by Nolan Patrick and has excelled. Cameron Hebig of the Regina Pats is next in line with 88 points on the year, after signing with the Edmonton Oilers. The WHL also features an impressive undrafted goalie of their own in Cole Kehler, a 20-year-old for the Portland Winterhawks who inked a deal with the Los Angeles Kings in December as well. Kehler has a big frame and a quick glove, which has helped him maintain the best goals against average and fourth-best save percentage among goalies with at least 40 appearances this year.
While the Quebec League doesn’t count as many exciting undrafted prospects among its best, it does feature two consistent torrid scorers who, until recently, had been ignored due to their small stature. Alex Barre-Boulet joined the pro-bound on March 1st, when the Tampa Bay Lightning signed him to an entry-level deal. Barre-Boulet, 20, may stand only 5’10”, 165 lbs., but he is enjoying his third-straight 80+ point campaign. In fact, he is far beyond that in 2017-18, with a league leading 109 points that dwarfs the next-best scorer by 15 points. The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada star has at least earned a shot at the NHL. So too has Maxime Fourtier, the Halifax Mooseheads captain who has at least 70 points the past three years. Fourtier is slightly bigger that Barre-Boulet and has clearly focused on rounding out his game this season, after signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in November.
The 2017-18 season shows that the draft is not the end of the line. These standouts make up only a fraction of the talented undrafted players skating in the CHL, some of whom are soon to be signed, and an even smaller fraction of undrafted players across the globe. Talent is always there to discover, even if it doesn’t fully manifest by the age of 18, and these players are proof. Expect to see many of them at the NHL level some time in the not-to-distant future.
Anaheim Ducks Sign Maxime Comtois To Entry-Level Deal
The Anaheim Ducks knew they had a steal in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft when they selected Maxime Comtois. Now they’re preparing to show the rest of the league exactly what they passed up on. Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens reports this evening that Anaheim has inked Comtois to a three-year entry-level contract.
If Comtois challenged for and won an NHL job next season, it would come as no surprise. When scouts originally started breaking down the 2017 draft class, the earliest projections all had Comtois as a surefire first-round pick. A big, physical forward and powerful skater who plays a complete 200-foot game, the Quebec native looked to be a bona fide future NHLer. In his first junior season in the QMJHL in 2015-16, Comtois was nearly a point-per-game player as a 16-year-old for the Victoriaville Tigres. Scouting reports raved about his quickness, especially at 6’2″, 200+ lbs., passing, poise, and natural instincts. However, some of that excitement wore off in 2016-17, his draft year, as his production dropped off from 60 points in 62 games the season prior to 51 points in 64 games and questions were raised about the ceiling of his offensive game. Yet, the the Ducks needed a high-upside pick at #50 after trading away their first-rounder for Patrick Eaves at the deadline. Despite some doubts over Comtois’ future ability at the top level, Anaheim made their selection and, in 2017-18, Comtois has proven them right. The left wing power forward has looked more like he did two years ago, having already racked up 73 points in 49 games and showing a previously unseen goal-scoring touch with 39 tallies. Perhaps most impressively, Comtois has continued his solid two-way game as well and sports a whopping +35 rating on the year.
Alongside U.S. Olympian Troy Terry of the NCAA, 2016 first-rounders Sam Steel of the WHL and Max Jones of the OHL, and his good friend and fellow 2017 second-rounder Antoine Morand, also in the QMJHL, Comtois is part of a deep, talented, and eclectic group of promising forward prospects in Anaheim. While not all are expected to push for a big league job next season, Comtois surely won’t be alone in fighting for one of the few open spots on the roster. Luckily for the Ducks, too many strong prospects at the same position is a problem any team would like to have.
Colorado Avalanche Sign Conor Timmins To ELC
The Colorado Avalanche have inked another top prospect, signing defenseman Conor Timmins to a three-year entry-level contract. Timmins is currently injured and sitting out for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and will almost certainly see his contract slide and begin in 2018-19.
Timmins was selected 32nd-overall in 2017, and has seen his play take another step forward this season. The two-way defender was off to a roaring start with the Greyhounds before helping Canada to a gold medal at the World Junior Championships. Timmins was arguably Canada’s best defenseman, recording the highest +/- rating in the tournament with a +15, and being named one of the team’s top three players. Logging important minutes against other team’s top players is not a new concept to the 19-year old, who has an incredibly active stick in the defensive zone and breaks up plays early and often.
To go with that defensive prowess, Timmins also has 35 points through 30 games in the OHL this year and can contribute offensively in different ways. Not a pure powerplay quarterback like his future teammate Cale Makar, Timmins instead distributes the puck effortlessly at even-strength, and often springs teammates for chances heading into the offensive zone. Of his 83 assists the last two seasons, only 21 of them have been with the man advantage.
In Colorado, they can look forward to many years of Timmins manning the right side, as long as his development continues as it has the last year. Though the injury is stealing valuable time from his junior career, there is still plenty of time for him to grow and improve in the professional ranks next year. Born in September, Timmins was one of the older players in his draft class and could make an impact in the AHL as soon as next year. For a team that was without much to look forward to on defense just a year ago, Colorado now boasts three top prospects (including Samuel Girard) that could make their group one of the best in the coming years.
Anthony Cirelli Recalled By Tampa Bay Lightning
One might think that after trading away so much young talent on Monday, that the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect cupboards could look a little bare. After all, they dealt both Brett Howden and Libor Hajek, two prospects who would be considered among the best of most teams around the league. Those assuming an empty cupboard though, would be mistaken.
Today, the Lightning have recalled Anthony Cirelli from the Syracuse Crunch and he is expected to make his NHL debut tonight against the Dallas Stars. Cirelli is leading the Crunch—one of the AHL’s best teams—in scoring this season with 37 points through 51 games, his first (full-season) taste of the professional level. The 20-year old is extremely polished, and looks ready to take the next step and contribute at the NHL level.
Cirelli was selected 72nd-overall in 2015 after just a single season in the OHL, but quickly showed that he should have been taken much higher. In his second season for the Oshawa Generals, he was named captain after Islanders’ prospect Michael Dal Colle was traded midseason, and last year he was a big part of the silver medal-winning World Junior squad for Canada. Cirelli was tasked with a checking role for the squad, but still managed to contribute seven points in seven games.
Now, the Lightning will give him his first taste of NHL hockey where he can start to make an impact as a two-way presence in the bottom of their lineup. Though his game still has some growing to do, he’s a rare prospect that is expected to be as reliable defensively as they are exciting offensively. For the Lightning, who are trying to fend off the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs for top spot in the Atlantic Division, an injection of young talent could be just what the doctor ordered.
Michael Bournival has been returned to Syracuse, and Cirelli’s call-up is under emergency conditions. That means he won’t count towards Tampa Bay’s four post-deadline recalls, unless they decide to keep him after players come back from injury.