This year's NHL draft promises to be unlike any other we have seen. Some of the kids listed below only played a handful of games this season, while some didn't play at all. The guy listed first below seems to have separated himself from the rest of the pack, but the next handful of names could seemingly go in any order.
Our annual rankings of the top 64 prospects (Hello, Seattle!) is below.
(Note: This is NOT a mock draft, nor does it take any team needs into account)
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1- Owen Power (D, University of Michigan-NCAA): Power is going to be at or near the top of most everyone's draft board and it's easy to see why. 6-foot-6, 215-pound rearguards with decent secondary skills are difficult to find. A native of Mississauga, Power played two seasons in the USHL before spending this past year with Michigan. He was an immediate impact player for the Wolverines, posting three goals and 16 points in 26 games. My main (and only) concern is how much offense Power will produce as a professional. Power is going to put up points because he reads plays well and provides support to his fellow forwards on the rush. He's a very good passer and above-average skater. He might be best suited as a two-way, 25-minute per game guy as opposed to an offensive power-play threat. His value would be immense regardless. From a defensive standpoint, Power takes up a ton of space. He has a huge
This year's NHL draft promises to be unlike any other we have seen. Some of the kids listed below only played a handful of games this season, while some didn't play at all. The guy listed first below seems to have separated himself from the rest of the pack, but the next handful of names could seemingly go in any order.
Our annual rankings of the top 64 prospects (Hello, Seattle!) is below.
(Note: This is NOT a mock draft, nor does it take any team needs into account)
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1- Owen Power (D, University of Michigan-NCAA): Power is going to be at or near the top of most everyone's draft board and it's easy to see why. 6-foot-6, 215-pound rearguards with decent secondary skills are difficult to find. A native of Mississauga, Power played two seasons in the USHL before spending this past year with Michigan. He was an immediate impact player for the Wolverines, posting three goals and 16 points in 26 games. My main (and only) concern is how much offense Power will produce as a professional. Power is going to put up points because he reads plays well and provides support to his fellow forwards on the rush. He's a very good passer and above-average skater. He might be best suited as a two-way, 25-minute per game guy as opposed to an offensive power-play threat. His value would be immense regardless. From a defensive standpoint, Power takes up a ton of space. He has a huge frame and possesses the foot speed to close on opposing defenders in the rare instances in which he is caught out of position. Power's performance in helping Canada win the gold medal at the recently completed World Championship was particularly encouraging. He began the tournament as Canada's No. 7 defenseman and was arguably their most important player by the time it was over. In a draft with countless question marks, Power is the safest bet. I'd be very surprised if Power ends up as anything less than a very solid second-pairing defender. His ceiling is obviously much higher than that. He's the only player in the draft you can reasonably project to play in the NHL next season, although Power has already stated that he is leaning towards returning to Michigan for another year.
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2- William Eklund (LW, Djurgarden-SHL): It's impossible to look at Eklund's production in the SHL this season and not be impressed. In a league in which very few draft-eligible players make a true impact, Eklund posted 11 goals and 23 points in 40 games. I love his all-around offensive game. Eklund has displayed an ability to make plays at a high rate of speed and has always had the ability to make high-end plays under pressure. His compete level is also exceptional. The result is a versatile, well-rounded offensive player with the ability to create offense on his own in addition to filling in the gaps created by his teammates. While not a defensive wizard by any means, Eklund's play away from the puck is solid enough for a kid who is going to make his living putting up points. I'm a big, big fan.
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3- Kent Johnson (C, University of Michigan-NCAA): Teams looking for elite, high-end skill will immediately gravitate towards Johnson. He might be the most gifted offensive player in the entire draft. Johnson possesses that rare ability to beat opposing defenders one on one and make something out of nothing in the offensive zone. Johnson averaged more than a point-per-game (nine goals, 27 points in 26 games) in his freshman season at Michigan and is just a year removed from being named BCHL MVP after posting 41 goals and 101 points in 52 games. Johnson's tall (6-foot-1), but lanky at just 165 pounds. The risk here is that he won't be able to find open seams as a professional as much as he was able to as an amateur and thus Johnson could be rubbed out of the play by bigger, more physical defenders. Although his ability to generate offense with the man advantage is a big plus. I always advocate drafting for skill and thus have Johnson rated a tad higher than some others might. NHL clubs just need to keep in mind that there isn't likely to be much secondary help here if Johnson isn't putting up points.
4- Brandt Clarke (D, Nove Zamky-Czech, Barrie-OHL): Clarke is technically a member of the Barrie Colts of the OHL, but, well, they didn't play this season. Instead, Clarke hopped on a plane and spent the year suiting up for Nove Zamky in Slovakia, where he looked very, very good. Clarke is one of the more unique evaluations I can remember in recent memory. He's an elite, high-end offensive defenseman. It's easy to see him running an NHL power-play. That's the good news. The bad news is that Clarke features an extremely awkward skating stride that no coach would ever teach a young player. He's defended well at the junior level, but it's fair to wonder if that's simply because he's more talented than most everyone else on the rink. I could see him becoming considerably less effective when having to contend with the pace of the NHL game. I could also see his elite skill and supreme confidence with the puck making him one of the NHL's best offensive defenders. There's clear risk here, but the reward is high.
5- Luke Hughes (D, US NTDP-USHL): Quinn and Jack's baby brother is all about future projection. He will show flashes of brilliance now, but just flashes. Luke is an elite skater who possess the foot speed to control play in all three zones. There is so much value in having a defenseman who can skate his way out of trouble if circumstances dictate. Luke has more offensive ability than he gets credit for, but he's nowhere near as dynamic as Quinn was at the same age. Still, it's easy to see why a 6-foot-2 defenseman who would have eligible for the 2022 draft had he been born just a week later is in such high demand. Hughes uses his feet to defend and has the frame to add an added dimension of physicality to his game down the line. His ceiling is about as high as any player in the draft and there is a definite scenario in which Hughes could easily emerge as the best player selected this year. Hughes, who missed the end of the season, with a foot injury, is off to the University of Michigan.
6- Matt Beniers (C, University of Michigan-NCAA): Beniers was going to be a top pick regardless, but his excellent showing in helping Team USA win the gold medal at the World Juniors combined with his excellent freshman season at Michigan (10 goals, 24 points in 24 games) cemented his status. The knock on Beniers is that he doesn't possess any elite physical traits other than his work ethic. He's smart enough and quick enough to complement highly skilled linemates, but majority of the individual offense he creates is through sheer will and desire. He would appear to have an exceptionally high floor. I'd be completely shocked if Beniers doesn't turn into a useful NHL player in some capacity. Beniers gets a bump because he's certain to remain at center, while someone like Johnson might end up on the wing. I tend to favor players with a bit more skill at the top of my lists, but Beniers is determined and versatile enough to prove me wrong, however.
7- Dylan Guenther (RW, Edmonton-WHL): Trying to find a flaw in Guenther's game is difficult. He has size (6-foot-2), decent speed, and skill. When he and his team doesn't have the puck, he works to get it back. Guenther can control a game from the side wall on the power-play or drive to the net and create havoc. He'll score plenty of ugly goals over the course of his career in addition to countless pretty ones. I've been impressed with Guenther's ability to manipulate his body off the rush. He knows when to speed up and slow down and when and where to cut. I feel considerably better about Guenther's projection moving forward than most players in this draft. The fact he's played a standout role for one of the WHL's best teams only helps matters.
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8- Chaz Lucius (C, US NTDP-USHL): Scouts have seen plenty of Lucius during his time with the NTDP, but it was still disappointing that a lower-body injury cost him most of the season. He was predictably effective upon returning, posting 13 goals and 18 points in a dozen games. Chaz has come up as a center, but I'm convinced his future is on the wing. His game lacks pace at times and I think he's best suited playing the wing with a creative pivot beside him. He's got the high-end skill to dominate down low, despite playing with just a marginal amount of physicality to his game. Lucius can stickhandle in tight and possesses excellent offensive awareness. I'm a little worried Lucius isn't going to accomplish much if he isn't piling up points, but he isn't being drafted for his defensive skills. He's an easy top-six offensive talent. There's little concern here outside the lack of foot speed.
9- Simon Edvinsson (D, Frolunda-SHL): Edvinsson is another guy that has teams in the lottery salivating. The intrigue here is the size (6-foot-4) and all-around package. Edvinsson isn't a pure burner, but possesses the speed to push back opposing defenders and will display flashes of high-end offensive ability, although not consistently. His decision making with the puck is questionable at times, but it's more because he is trying to do too much as opposed to a true flaw in his game. I think that's correctable. I'd like to see him pick and choose his spots a bit better. He should be a useful NHL player with minimal improvements to his game, with the ceiling of a multi-time All-Star should he put it all together.
10- Jesper Wallstedt (G, Lulea-SHL): NHL teams remain hesitant to spend top picks on goaltenders considering the value that can be had in that area in the later stages of the draft. Yet the high selections of Spencer Knight (No. 13, Florida, 2019) and Yaroslav Askarov (No. 11, Nashville, 2020) the last couple years make it appear likely some club will splurge on Wallstedt in the later stages of the lottery. On the surface, Wallstedt doesn't appear to possess any elite physical traits. He's athletic, but not overly so. Same goes for his lateral movement. The thing that makes Wallstedt a top prospect is his understanding of the game. His awareness of what's going on around him is exceptional. He rarely gets caught out of position or is forced to scramble to make a crazy save. Wallstedt is remarkably calm in net and calms down everything in front of him, as well. I'd have Wallstedt rated behind both Knight and Askarov in their draft years, but it's close, and I see no reason he can't become a solid starting goaltender at the NHL level.
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11- Fabian Lysell (RW, Lulea-SHL): When discussing Eklund earlier, I mentioned how many young SHL forwards struggle to produce offensively. Lysell is a perfect example. He had just two goals and three points in 26 games for Lulea this year. The lack of production aside, you can watch Lysell for one shift and see why he's going to be a high pick. He skates like the wind and has the skill to match. Lysell can make all sorts of creative plays off the rush and when engaged, can hunt down opposing defenders on the forecheck. There's not a ton here in terms of physical play and secondary skills, and Lysell needs to gain a good 15-20 pounds worth of muscle to be a more effective player, but his offensive ceiling is among the highest in the entire draft.
12- Mason McTavish (C, Olten-Switzerland, Peterborough-OHL): McTavish, property of the Peterborough Petes, was certainly damaged by the cancellation of the OHL season, but he did see some action with HC Olten in Switzerland, where he played well. I like McTavish's battle level and willingness to drive to the net. He works hard to create havoc in tight and shoots it well enough to score from the outside, although both are accompanied by average-to-below average foot speed, depending on your point of view. He's a good player and good prospect, but I'm not convinced he's a great player and great prospect. I'd feel much more comfortable projecting McTavish in a middle-six supporting role than a featured offensive role. He's probably going to be selected higher than I have him ranked. I acknowledge that I could have pushed McTavish up a good half dozen spots if we got to see him against his peers in the OHL.
13- Cole Sillinger (C, Sioux Falls-USHL): Sillinger's father Mike played 1049 NHL games, so it should come as no surprise that Cole has an excellent understanding of the game. With the WHL season delayed, Sillinger, who plays for Medicine Hat, instead opted for the USHL. He ended up averaging 1.48 points per game for Sioux Falls (24 goals, 46 points in 31 games), fifth best in the league. Cole possesses an excellent all-around offensive game. His willingness to go to the difficult areas of the ice to make a play is frequently on display and he shoots it well enough to beat opposing goaltenders from distance. He also protects the puck extremely well and can generate offense from below the opposing goal line. Sillinger isn't a great skater and won't be the type to consistently push back opposing defenders off the rush, but he appears to move quicker with the puck than without it. There's a ton for any NHL team to work with here.
14- Nikita Chibrikov (RW, SKA St. Petersburg-KHL): There is a shiftiness to Chibrikov's game in the offensive zone, and there must be considering he currently checks in at 5-foot-10 and about 165 pounds. Chibrikov works hard and tries to stay active and make plays. His skill level is well above average and for an undersized player, he does a nice job of avoiding big hits from opposing defenders. That's a positive trait and one that leads me to believe there will be more consistency to his game when he fills out and packs on a few pounds of muscle. A prospect with clear above-average puck skills and a clue away from the puck is a solid base for teams to work with. There is cause for mild concern simply because he plays for a powerhouse KHL program in SKA, but talent almost always wins out in these cases. The Russian will probably find himself selected somewhere in the mid-to-late first round.
15- Oskar Olausson (RW, HV71-SHL): Olausson has a big shot. It's his greatest attribute and the Swede is one of the few players in the draft with the ability to beat goaltenders from far out on a consistent basis. While Olausson's goal scoring ability generates the headlines, I'm intrigued by his secondary skills. He's quick enough to go wide on unsuspecting defenders and big enough (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) now that it's easy to envision him dominating play along the sidewalls in a couple years. The overall package here is impressive for a player who seems likely to go in the middle-to-later stages of Round 1.
16- Aatu Raty (C, Karpat-Liiga): Raty was the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 overall as recently as a year ago. Unfortunately, he has had a terrible season. There's no other way to say it. Raty was left off the Finnish World Junior team despite cracking making the club a year earlier. His play with Karpat was also dreadful. Scouts around the NHL are trying to figure out what the heck happened. I personally refuse to believe a guy who appeared to be a lock to be a top-six NHL center completely forgot how to play. Raty has size (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) and at least average offensive skill. You don't get the same effort from him every single night, but there's middle-six upside here, despite the struggles. Expectations need to be managed given Raty's past 12 months, but I'd happily roll the dice on him in the final stages of the lottery. His ultimate landing spot will be one of the draft's greatest mysteries.
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17- Matthew Coronato (LW, Chicago-USHL): Yes, he was playing for by far the best team in the USHL this past season, but it's impossible to discount Coronato's dominant offensive year. He finished second in the league in scoring (85 points in 51 games) while leading the league in goals (48) and plus/minus (plus-37). I wish Coronato's straight away speed was a bit better, but the rest of his offensive game is complete. His hockey sense is terrific, and he's proven he can score with regularity in a variety of different ways. The toughest thing to do in his sport is to put the puck in the back of the net and that is arguably Coronato's greatest strength. I understand the concerns that some have regarding his long-term upside, but I believe Coronato is a smart enough player to use his line mates to make up for any potential deficiencies he might display once he turns pro. He is headed to Harvard this fall.
18- Fyodor Svechkov (C, Lada Togliatti-MHL): Svechkov is a much safer pick than your typical young Russian forward. The attraction here is the all-around package. Svechkov has proven to be a responsible two-way center with a decent amount of skill. He'd obviously have to come over from Europe and sign with an NHL club, but Svechkov would appear to be closer to being NHL ready than many of the other players who will be selected early in the draft. I like him as a responsible future third liner with the potential for slightly more. The only real concern regarding Svechkov is a minor lack of foot speed.
19- Isak Rosen (RW, Leksand-SHL): Rosen played 22 games for Leksand in the SHL this season, managing just a single assist. He was far more effective with their U20 junior club, post seven goals and 12 points in a dozen games. Rosen is an offensive player. There are no noticeable weaknesses in his game outside of a lack of physicality, which could simply be due to the fact he currently weighs about 160 pounds. I'd be willing to bet on his skill level and creativity all day long, as Rosen would appear to be a candidate for a major jump in production in the coming seasons.
20- Sebastian Cossa (G, Edmonton-WHL): Cossa doesn't have the same pedigree as Wallstedt, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprise if he ends up the better goaltender. In fact, I'd rather take the later at No. 20 where I have him ranked, than the former at No. 10. The thing that stands out about Cossa is his size. He's legitimately 6-foot-6 and there appears to be nothing for opposing skaters to shoot at when he is on the post and properly playing his angles. Cossa's athleticism is fine and I think he could be a quality NHL starter with limited improvements. In 52 career games with WHL Edmonton, Cossa is 38-7-4, to go along with a 1.98 GAA, .928 save percentage and eight shutouts.
21- Sasha Pastujov (LW, US NTDP-USHL): Pastujov would be an easy lottery selection based on talent alone, but there is enough concern about his lack of foot speed that there is a non-zero chance he falls out of Round 1 altogether. Pastujov is a wizard with the man advantage and is equally adept at both finishing and setting up his teammates. He's been borderline dominant at times with the US NTDP. I'm mostly concerned as to how Pastujov is going to help an NHL club if he isn't piling up points. He secondary skills aren't great, and he doesn't move well enough or play with enough physicality to fill a checking role. The boom/bust factor here is significant. I don't love the fact Pastujov is off to Notre Dame, a program that tends to suppress offensive talent in favor of team structure.
22- Carson Lambos (D, JYP-Finland, Winnipeg-WHL): Opinions on Lambos are all over the place. Some think he's a legitimate option in the late lottery, others are convinced he's nothing more than a late first rounder, and even that might be a reach. I land somewhere in the middle. He spent most of the season with the JYP program in Finland while the WHL was on pause, and it didn't go all that well. The main knock on Lambos is that his offensive game is quite basic. He makes a solid first pass and can jump into a play now and again, but he's much more likely to make his living as a 20-minute per game penalty killer. I do like that Lambos can skate his way out of trouble in the defensive zone. His defensive reads are strong, and he loves to throw the body around. There's clear value here regardless, but Lambos' position in the draft is likely to be determined by whether NHL clubs feel there is a bit more offense to his game than we have seen to date.
23- Corson Ceulemans (D, Brooks-AJHL): The days of AJHL players potentially falling through the cracks have come and gone. Ceulemans, a University of Wisconsin commit, comes from the same Brooks program that produced Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar. Ceulemans isn't on Makar's level -- few are -- but he does possess plenty of impressive traits. He's a big kid (6-foot-2) with a reasonable amount of offensive skill. His skating is solid and Ceulemans also gets a slight bump for being a right-handed shot since there are never enough of them to go around. My main concern is trying to project what type of defender he will be at the NHL level. I think he's best served as a secondary offensive option and he doesn't project as a pure shutdown guy. Ceulemans is raw in many aspects and there's no doubt there's a ton of potential here if he can improve, even slightly, in multiple areas.
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24- Stanislav Svozil (D, Brno-Czech): Most every time I watched Svozil play, I came away impressed, and that's saying something considering how much he hockey he played this season. Svozil suited up for the Czech Republic at both the World Juniors and World U18's, in addition to his time with his club team in Brno. He looks like a real two-way contributor with decent size (6-foot-1, 185 pounds), although I wouldn't say he excels at any one area. If I had to guess, I'd wager Svozil would project as more of a stay-at-home guy than power-play contributor, but he clearly has some offensive skill. His floor appears quite high, especially for a player who is no lock to be selected in Round 1.
25- Brennan Othmann (LW, Olten-Switzerland, Flint-OHL): Othmann spent this season playing for the same Swiss club as McTavish. All things considered, his numbers (seven goals, 16 points in 34 games) were perfectly reasonable for an 18-year-old kid playing a different style of hockey overseas. Othmann's compete level is excellent, and his skill level is underrated. It might be a stretch to label him a top-six talent, but he has enough natural ability to get there when you combine his talents with his work ethic. In addition to his 16 points with Olten I previously mentioned, Othmann also racked up 64 penalty minutes. He can play a physical style if needed, which should allow him to fit seamlessly in any lineup moving forward. Othmann is a candidate for a major jump in offensive production (he posted 33 points in 55 games in 19-20) when the OHL returns this fall.
26- Daniil Chayka (D, CSKA Moscow-KHL): Chayka spent the past two seasons with Guelph before returning to Russia this past season with the OHL campaign paused and then eventually cancelled. Chayka played in three different leagues in Russia, including 11 games in the KHL. His role was limited most nights in the top league, although scouts have plenty of tape on him from his time in Guelph and with the Russian national team. Chayka is a tall (6-foot-3), rangy kid with solid speed. He also makes smart decisions with the puck, even if his game lacks flash. He's more floor than ceiling for me at this point, but I do think he should sneak into the later stages of Round 1. I think Chayka is a potential value pick relative to where he could potentially be drafted, as his game has no noticeable weaknesses.
27- Francesco Pinelli (C, Jesenice-Slovenia, Kitchener-OHL): Pinelli has displayed the ability to consistently put up points despite having nothing better than average size (6-foot, 185 pounds) and what most would term below-average foot speed. He compensates for the lack of speed with excellent hockey sense and an understanding of how to maneuver in the offensive zone to make plays. This is a classic case of the sum of all parts being greater than any one individual skill. Things are going to get crowded at this point in the draft, but I'm confident Pinelli is going to turn into a better player than quite a few of the guys selected after him.
28- Logan Stankoven (C, Kamloops-WHL): The WHL seems to produce a boatload of talented, undersized forwards every year and Stankoven falls into that category. He plays with an intriguing mix of skill and physicality for a kid who is 5-foot-8 and barely 170 pounds. A good portion of Stankoven's offense is the result of sheer hard work, but he can make creative plays and skates at a fairly high level. There's a lot to like here from a kid who seems likely to be selected in the final stages of Round 1. The risk is that Stankoven's offensive game won't translate to the professional ranks due to his lack of size. If it doesn't, I see enough to project him as a serviceable depth option.
29- Simon Robertsson (RW, Skelleftea-SHL): All players projected to be selected in this area of the draft have flaws. Robertsson's is a lack of speed. It's a real shame, because Robertsson is quite a good player otherwise. I would term his skill level at least average and his hockey sense above average. He can really shoot the puck and is perfectly adept at setting up his teammates. I would wager than Robertsson thinks the game well enough to compensate for his shortcomings, but there are concerns. Scouts have gotten plenty of looks at Robertsson on the international level.
30- Zachary L'Heureux (C, Halifax-QMJHL): L'Heureux intrigues me. He is one of the few forwards available in this draft with the ability to consistently beat opposing defenders with both skill and physicality. L'Heureux plays physically and is difficult to knock off the puck despite standing just 5-foot-11. When he's fully engaged, he looks like a late lottery pick, at a minimum. When he's not, he's prone to taking foolishly penalties and struggles to impact a game. He has also gone over the line and been suspended by the QMJHL on several occasions. NHL teams obviously won't stand for that in the future. Most of these highly skilled kids figure out the other aspects of their game over time. The other thing working against L'Heureux is a lack of breakaway speed. He simply doesn't possess that extra gear and that's a concern given his size.
31- William Stromgren (LW, MoDo-Sweden): I'm higher on Stromgren than most, as I see a 6-foot-3 kid with high-end athleticism. He possesses the speed to blow by opposing defenders, in addition to the hands to finish in tight. Stromgren's game lacks creativity and he never projects to rack up a ton of assists, but I think his passing, while not great, is a tad underrated. Stromgren's play has consistently improved over the course of the past year-plus, so there should be even more upside than what we have seen to date.
32- Evan Nause (D, Quebec-QMJHL): Nause is one of my favorite players in the entire draft. He has legitimate second-pairing potential despite not projecting to come off the board until the middle of Round 2. Nause has plenty of size (6-foot-2) and speed. He can skate the puck out of his own end and makes strong reads defensively. While he may never be a major point producer, Nause is by no means a butcher with the puck on his stick. He keeps his head up and makes a strong first pass. There's a nice combination of floor and ceiling here, with minimal weaknesses.
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33- Mackie Samoskevich (C, Chicago-USHL): Samsoskevich has the potential to develop in a top-six offensive weapon, with his main downfall being the fact he rarely goes to the difficult areas of the ice to make a play. That will have to change when he heads to the University of Michigan.
34- Zachary Bolduc (RW, Rimouski-QMJHL): Bolduc is a versatile player with the ability to play both center and wing. I, like the majority of scouts, think he's best served as a winger. He's unlikely to ever be an All-Star, but there are no huge holes in his game and Bolduc should be able to play up and down an NHL lineup.
35- Samu Tuomaala (C, Karpat Jr-Finland): There are questions regarding how much Tuomaala will contribute to an NHL club if he isn't putting up points. He plays on the perimeter far too much for a player with elite speed. Tuomaala is a typical high-risk/high-reward selection.
36- Sean Behrens (D, US NTDP-USHL): Cut out of the same mold as 2020-21 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, Behrens is an undersized (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) offensive defenseman who will have to use his exceptional hockey IQ in order to improve his coverage in his own zone.
37- Zach Dean (C, Gatineau-QMJHL): Dean's calling card is his compete level. That alone will give him a chance at a long NHL career, probably in a bottom-six role. A dozen goals annually would appear to be within reach for Dean.
38- Kirill Kirsanov (D, SKA St. Petersburg-KHL): Kirsanov is a rock solid prospect in the sense that he does most everything well but nothing great. He's already gotten consistent minutes for one of the best teams in the KHL.
39- Xavier Bourgault (RW, Shawinigan-QMJHL): It's a near certainty that Bourgault will be drafted higher than I have him ranked. He's been an excellent junior player, although I'm not sure he has that one real strength to carry him as a professional. That being said, his game also doesn't have any noticeable weaknesses.
40- Samu Salminen (LW, Jokerit Jr-Finland): The entirety of Salminen's future potential is dependent on whether or not he can improve his skating just a tad. It's never going to be an asset, but he is such a good offensive player that he has a real shot of developing into a top-six forward if he can clean up his stride some.
41- Ville Koivunen (LW, Karpat Jr-Finland): Koivunen is a high-end offensive player who needs to add some muscle to his lean frame and improve his skating some. He had 23 goals and 49 points in 38 games in the Finnish Jr. league this past year.
42- Ayrton Martino (LW, Omaha-USHL): Martino won't overwhelm you with his physical skills, but he somehow gets the job done. His hockey IQ is excellent, although there will undoubtedly be some teams who dock him for the fact he will be turning 19 years old in late September.
43- Prokhor Poltapov (RW, Krasnaya-MHL): Unlike many young talented Russian players, Poltapov is known as an effort guy. He has some offensive skill, but he's going to make his living as a player who can contribute in all three zones.
44- Jack Peart (D, Fargo-USHL): Peart split the season between the USHL and a Minnesota high school. His stock has been on the rise throughout the draft process, and I was tempted to rank him even a tad bit higher than this. Peart is committed to St. Cloud State.
45- Dylan Duke (C, US NTDP-USHL): Scouts are split as to whether or not Duke's game will translate to the professional level. He struggles with pace, but his effort level is exceptional and he has terrific hands, particularly in tight. I would feel a lot more comfortable with his projection if he was 6-foot-2 as opposed to 5-foot-10. At least then, you could safely project him as a prototypical net-front power-play guy.
46- Brett Harrison (C, Koove Jr-Finland/Oshawa-OHL): With the OHL campaign cancelled, Harrison got into a couple games in the Finnish Jr. league this season. He played well, but was clearly too good for that level. We'll get a better sense for his future potential when the OHL returns to action this fall.
47- Scott Morrow (D, Shattuck St. Mary's-USHS): Morrow was far too good for the prep school at which he played. He's an offense-first defenseman who needs to work on his play in his own end. He'll get the necessary instruction at the University of Massachuetts this fall. There's major upside here.
48- Justin Robidas (C, Val-d'Or-QMJHL): Robidas is a speed and effort guy, which means his likely destination is a bottom-six role. He doesn't have the best hands, although his hockey IQ is fine.
49- Anton Olsson (D, Malmo-SHL): Olsson has a chance to be a serviceable NHL player if expectations are kept in check. He's logged a ton of SHL games for a such a young kid, but his offensive game is quite basic. He has the look of a steady, two-way guy.
50- Wyatt Johnston (C, Windsor-OHL): Johnston is another guy severely impacted by the fact there was no OHL season. He looked like a potential breakout candidate given the way he finished the 2019-20 campaign. It remains to be seen if he has top-six potential or is better suited as a depth option.
51- Matthew Knies (LW, Tri-City-USHL): Knies' production dipped in a major way this season, although 6-foot-3 forwards with an above-average set of hands are difficult to find. It remains to be seen if Knies has enough pure offensive ability to make up for a distinct lack of foot speed.
52- Brent Johnson (D, Sioux Falls-USHL): Johnson (32 points in 47 games) had an excellent season in being named to the USHL's All-Rookie Team. He's an active player with above-average offensive skills, although the lack of size (5-foot-11, 160 pounds) is concerning. Johnson is a 2022-23 commit to the University of North Dakota.
53- Alexander Kisakov (LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL): As talented as he is with the puck on his stick, Kisakov may simply be too small to be a productive NHL player. He's about 150 pounds and it's nearly impossible to find a player that slight who consistently scored at the NHL level. Even a guy like Johnny Gaudreau is about 165 pounds.
54- Artyom Grushnikov (D, Hamilton-OHL): All bets are off with Grushnikov, as he was one of the few players that didn't play a single game all season. He was trending upwards in 2019-20, although he's going to make his living as a stay-at-home defender.
55- Tyler Boucher (RW, US NTDP-USHL): Boucher is a wrecking ball on skates. He thrives off physicality and pressure and has more offensive ability than he gets credit for. He's essentially a bigger version of 2020 Rangers' fifth-rounder Brett Berard, who played very well for both Providence College and Team USA at the World Juniors.
56- Aidan Hreschuk (D, US NTDP-USHL): Hreschuk has been on the scouting map a while. He doesn't have one single elite trait, but I always thought his puck skills were a tad underrated. Hreschuk is committed to Boston College.
57- Vladislav Lukashevich (D, Yaroslav-MHL): Lukashevich is your typical draft-and-stash prospect. He has all sorts of ability, but it's going to take a while He should get consistent reps in the KHL over the next few seasons.
58- Ryder Korczak (C, Moose Jaw-WHL): Korczak's game is a bit one-dimensional, but he's definitely talented and works hard. His game lacks speed and pace, so he might have difficulty making it as a depth option.
59- Samuel Helenius (C, JYP-Liiga): A good player comp for Helenius is long-time NHL'er Brian Boyle. Helenius is 6-foot-6 and excels in the face-off dot. He has a real chance to be a useful bottom-six center if his skating improves just a tad, but there won't be much offense here.
60- Tristan Broz (LW, Fargo-USHL): Broz has clearly figured out the USHL, but he's going to make his living putting up points and that's not an easy thing to do as a perimeter-oriented player. A lack of speed doesn't help matters. Broz is committed to the University of Minnesota.
61- Joshua Roy (RW, Sherbrooke-QMJHL): I like Roy more than most, as I see a talented player who struggled to settle down in a season in which he suited up for two QMJHL clubs. Roy seems like a prime breakout candidate in 2021-22.
62- Shai Buium (D, Sioux City-USHL): Buium is a big (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), physical specimen who is still putting it all together as a hockey player. His puck skills are fine, while his skating is a tick below-average.
63- Jack Bar (D, Chicago-USHL): Bar, a Canadian, declined multiple requests to play in the OHL, instead preferring to maintain his collegiate eligibility to head to Harvard this fall. Bar is a big kid (6-foot-3) with legitimate offensive abilities, although his skating has been questioned.
64- Cole Huckins (C, Acadie-Bathurst-QMJHL): Huckins may not go this high, but I see an underrated, well-rounded player. I've been impressed by both his speed and ability to play both center and wing. It's going to be a process, but there's upside here.
JUST MISSED
- Ryan Ufko (D, Chicago-USHL)
- Liam Dower Nilsson (C, Frolunda Jr-Sweden)
- Olen Zellweger (D, Everett-WHL)
