Prospects Analysis: Top-100 Part 2

51. Bobby Brink (RW, PHI): A distinct lack of foot speed resulted in Brink -- a clear first round talent -- falling to the Flyers with pick No. 34 of the 2019 draft. Brink has an awkward, choppy skating stride. That's not up for debate. What also isn't up for debate is the fact he possesses elite hockey sense and excellent creativity with the puck on his stick. Brink had no issues with the transition to the collegiate ranks in posting 11 goals and 24 points in 28 games in his first season at the University of Denver. Brink has the look of a solid middle-six winger who can help the Flyers on the power-play. He never should have been available in the second round. 

52. Seth Jarvis (RW, CAR): Carolina loves smaller, skilled forwards so it was no surprise they snatched up Jarvis at No. 13 in this past October's draft. Jarvis is highly skilled and competitive. The size (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) worries me a bit moving forward but Jarvis is more than willing to go to the difficult areas of the ice to make a play. Jarvis is a winger by trade but I think he can fake playing center for a short period of time if the needed arises. A player with Jarvis' skill set in addition to possessing the ability to play multiple positions is an easy top-100 prospect. 

53. Rasmus Sandin (D, TOR): Sandin is coming off an excellent season. He split the year between the Leafs (28 games), Marlies (21 games), and the Swedish World Jr. team (seven games). He was effective at all three stops, including being named Best Defensemen at the WJC. Sandin might not post a ton of points at the NHL level but he can play a ton of minutes in all situations and his decision-making with the puck is excellent. His skating is the one thing that figures to limit his ceiling somewhat. Still, I'd be surprised if he isn't a top-four rearguard for the Leafs sooner rather than later. 

54. Erik Brannstrom (D, OTT): Brannstrom played 31 games in Ottawa this past season, failing to score a single goal and managing just four assists. He was much better with AHL Belleville, posting 23 points in 27 games. While the point numbers at the NHL level were limited, Brannstrom is clearly Ottawa's second-best defenseman (behind Thomas Chabot) both now, and for the long term. I don't think Brannstrom is ever going to be a major point producer in the mold of a guy like Brent Burns or John Carlson. The good news for the Sens is that they have Chabot for that role. I still love Brannstrom's chances of developing into a second-pairing defender who controls the game from the backend with his speed and smarts. 

55. Ian Mitchell (D, CHI): I've longed liked Mitchell more than most. He's another undersized (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) rearguard in the mold of Adam Fox. His skating is just average but Mitchell possesses the smarts, hockey IQ, and puck skills to control a game from the back end. Chicago has been trying to get Mitchell signed for the past two years and they finally succeeded following his junior season at the University of Denver. Mitchell will probably begin this coming year in the minors or on Chicago's taxi squad but I would wager he earns meaningful minutes for the Blackhawks by the end of the 2020-21 season. 

56. Nolan Foote (LW, NJ): Foote showed enough in his six-plus months in the Tampa Bay system to become the headlining piece of the deal that sent Blake Coleman to the Lightning. That trade helped Tampa win the Stanley Cup but the Devils won big by adding a potential two-way top-six forward to their prospect pool. Foote gets by with a ton of size (6-foot-4) and excellent hockey sense. He plays physically and is strong in front of the opposition net and along the boards. His skating is no better than average but there is a ton to work with here given his compete level and ability to finish. I thought the Lightning reached when they originally selected Foote No. 27 overall in 2019 but I clearly underrated him from the very start. 

57. Lucas Elvenes (RW, VGK): Elvenes' first AHL campaign was a rousing success. He played the entire year at age 20, posting 12 goals and 48 points in 59 games. That includes a dip in scoring toward the end of the season. It was a shocking, sudden increase in production from a guy who never posted more than 21 points in either of his two full SHL seasons. I'm a big Elvenes supporter but even I didn't see the adjustment going as well as it did. I think his skill level will make up for what is just average skating. His floor is likely that of a third-liner who can help out on a power-play. I wouldn't rule out Elvenes developing into even more than that. 

58. Philip Broberg (D, EDM): I continue to go back and forth on Broberg. He's good, there's no doubt about that. It's rare to find a 6-foot-3 rearguard who can skate and possess legitimate offensive ability. What concerns me is Broberg's decision making with the puck. I actually think he's gotten a bit better in that regard but there remains work to do. I'm optimistic, but I'm not entirely there yet. I can easily envision a scenario in which Broberg becomes a legitimate top-pairing defenseman for the Oilers but I feel better safely projecting him as a No. 3-4 rearguard. Either way, he should help the NHL club sooner rather than later. 

59. Eeli Tolvanen (LW, NSH): The fact Tolvanen is still ranked this high is a testament to nothing more than his natural ability. He just completed his second season with AHL Milwaukee. His numbers -- 21 goals, 36 points in 63 games -- were eerily similar to a season ago. Many people, myself included, not only thought Tolvanen would be an NHL regular by now, but a top-six regular at that. He's a magician with the puck on his stick and is a potentially dominant weapon with the man advantage. For whatever reason, it hasn't worked out with Nashville. It is almost certainly going to take a trade at this point for Tolvanen to reach anywhere near his full potential. The other 30 NHL clubs -- contenders included --should be blowing up Nashville President David Poile's phone in hopes of making a deal. My heart says move on at this point but I simply cannot get past Tolvanen's skill level. I'm going to give him one more season to get his act together. 

60. Rasmus Kupari (C, LA): I've been a big Kupari supporter for years but he's been primarily ineffective over the past couple of seasons and that doesn't even take into account the torn ACL he suffered at the 2020 World Juniors. I remain in on Kupari, but hesitantly. I see a player with far too much offensive ability to give up on but I acknowledge he hasn't come close to meeting the expectations I had for him. Kupari would be miscast in a depth role but I think he has the potential to slot in as Los Angeles' long-term No. 2 center behind 2020 second-overall selection Quinton Byfield. He won't turn 21 years of age until next March so time is still clearly on his side. Kupari retains top-25 overall upside. 

61. Dominik Bokk (RW, CAR): Bokk is another guy I've been all-in on for the past couple seasons. A native of Germany, Bokk has spent the past four years playing in Sweden. Originally a first-round pick of St. Louis (25th overall) in 2018, Bokk was shipped to Carolina in the trade that brought Justin Faulk to the Blues. I look at Bokk and I see a massive (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) kid with exceptional hands. Bokk is not a physical player and there are consistency issues to work through here, but I'd be on Bokk's size/skill combination all day long. He's a true boom/bust type of prospect. 

62. Dylan Holloway (C, EDM): Holloway's production in his first season at Wisconsin (eight goals, 17 points in 35 games) was somewhat limited, but he played a key role on that team as a true freshman and there aren't many kids who can do that in their draft year. He looked exceptional in the Badgers' first two games this season before leaving for the Canadian World Jr. Evaluation Camp. Holloway is a superb athlete and an excellent skater. The question at this point is how much offense he will be able to generate outside of chasing down opposing defenders. He was a reasonable selection for the Oilers at No. 14 overall in 2020 given the club's lack of forward depth in their system. 

63. Victor Soderstrom (D, ARI): I've been a bit slow to come around on Soderstrom and you are likely to find him ranked higher elsewhere. I viewed him as more of a floor over ceiling selection when the Coyotes nabbed him No. 11 overall in 2019. Soderstrom played well in his native Sweden last season and has gotten off to a strong start this year. He was also good for Sweden at the 2020 World Juniors. The Coyotes need Soderstrom to develop into a legitimate top-four defenseman because the club has traded/been stripped of a ton of draft picks over the past year or so. Soderstrom -- who is currently on loan to AIK -- should have a decent chance of earning a full-time role in Arizona when the season begins. 

64. Akil Thomas (C, LA): The biggest winner of the Kings selection of Byfield No. 2, other than Byfield himself, was Thomas. It should allow Akil to develop into the middle-six role for which he is better suited. Thomas has proven to be a top-flight score in his four OHL seasons, posting 315 points in 241 games. He's not going to be a point-per-game player at the NHL level but I do like his odds of helping Los Angeles in all situations, all while chipping in offensively along the way. Thomas' lack of speed is a concern but I think his combination of skill and work ethic should ultimately result in Thomas becoming a valuable piece for the Kings. He doesn't have the ceiling of Byfield (who does?) or even Alex Turcotte, but his floor is very high. 

65. Dawson Mercer (C, NJ): I would have been worried about taking Mercer with a lottery pick in this past October's draft but the Devils did just fine by being able to grab him at No. 18 overall. Mercer is a solid, rangy center who can play the wing if needed. I'm worried that Mercer's below-average foot speed will limit his long-term ceiling but he does most everything else well. His skill level is at least average and his hockey IQ and compete level are clearly above-average. I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't develop into a useful NHL regular in some capacity. 

66. Shane Pinto (C, OTT): Pinto was a big surprise in his freshman season at North Dakota which saw him average nearly a point-per-game (16 goals, 28 points in 33 games) en route to being NCAA Rookie of the Year. He was also excellent (seven points in five games) for Team USA at the World Juniors. Pinto isn't the most naturally skilled prospect on this list but he wins with smarts and positioning. He's also a massive (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) kid who uses his big body to carve out space down low. I thought he would be a three-year college guy, minimum, entering his freshman season but his strong play thus far may have accelerated that time table. 

67. Jack Studnicka (C, BOS): Studnicka was seemingly a lock to play a full-time role for the Bruins this coming season and the injuries to David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand assure that. Studnicka is a do-it-all center who is ready to contribute now at both ends of the rink. I look at Studnicka and he reminds me of Tampa Bay center Anthony Cirelli. Cirelli skates a bit better, while Studnicka has a bit more natural offensive skill. I'd be very surprised, bordering on shocked, if Studnicka doesn't become a legitimate asset for Boston sooner rather than later. He just has too much going for him. A solid, two-way second-line center who can tally 55-60 points annually appears to be within reach. 

68. Joshua Norris (C, OTT): It's safe to say at this point that Ottawa fleeced San Jose in the Erik Karlsson trade and the 2019-20 breakout of Norris is one of the top reasons why. Originally the 19th overall pick of the Sharks in 2017, Norris put together two so-so seasons at the University of Michigan before turning pro this past season. He responded with 31 goals and 61 points (in 58 games), both of which lead all AHL rookies. Norris was named to the AHL First All-Star Team, and obviously, the AHL All-Rookie Team. Some players are better in pro hockey than college/junior. It's rare, but it happens. Norris appears to be one of those cases. Norris has a big shot and excels in finding soft spots in coverage in the offensive zone. His breakout appears entirely legitimate and is a much needed victory for an organization that can use a few more. 

69. Alex Barre-Boulet (C, TB): The Lightning are arguably the top organization in the NHL for a myriad of reasons and their ability to identify and sign undrafted free agents such as Barre-Boulet who slipped through the cracks is a perfect example of this. ABB was undrafted despite posting 53 goals and 116 points in his final QMJHL season. He was named QMJHL Player of the Year that season in addition to CHL Player of the Year. He's played with AHL Syracuse each of the past two seasons, posting 124 points in 131 games. Barre-Boulet is an extremely creative player with more than enough skill to make up for his lack of size. He's clearly ready for the NHL right now and I could envision a scenario in which the Lightning work ABB (and his $759K cap hit) into the lineup this season in a depth role before expanding his responsibilities in 2021-22. 

70. Jason Robertson (LW, DAL): Robertson was a big scorer throughout his OHL career but his long-term potential remains up in the air because he's a well below-average skater. In fact, he may be the worst skater on this list. Robertson lumbers around the rink at times and struggles to make plays off the rush. The fact I still have him ranked this highly is a testament to how naturally talented he is. Robertson posted 25 goals and 47 points in 60 games in his first AHL season despite playing the entire year at age 20. I believe Robertson's hockey IQ, combined with his skill level and ability to find open space in the offensive zone will outweigh the skating issues but I understand why some people are still skeptical. I feel much better about him than I did at this point a year ago. 

71. Justus Annunen (G, COL): This past year's breakout goaltending star, Annunen provides a potential high-end goaltender of the future for an organization that didn't have anything resembling that entering the year. Originally a third-round pick of Colorado (64th overall) in 2018, Annunen spent this season with Karapt of Finland's Liiga. In 23 games for them, he posted a 1.77 GAA and .929 save percentage in 23 games. He was also very strong for Finland at the World Juniors, finishing with a 2.57 GAA and .921 save percentage in six appearances. Annunen is huge. He stands 6-foot-4 and well over 20 pounds. When he puts his body on the post and cuts down an angle, there simple isn't much for an opposing shooter to fire at. Annunen signed his entry-level deal with Colorado in April. He is expected to be loaned back to Karpat this season before crossing the pond the following year. Philipp Grubauer is scheduled to be a free agent in the summer of 2021 while Pavel Francouz's deal is up in the summer of 2022. Annunen may be ready for full-time duty by then. 

72. Jake Oettinger (G, DAL): Oettinger spent the entirety of his first professional season with AHL Texas before getting into a couple playoff games for Dallas after Ben Bishop got hurt. Oettinger looked the part of a future NHL starting goaltender in his debut campaign. He finished the year with a 15-6-8 record in addition to a 2.57 GAA, .917 save percentage and three shutouts. The two things I look for most in goaltenders are size and athleticism and Oettinger -- who is 6-foot-4 -- brings both to the table. Oettinger has been a bit up and down since the Stars selected him No. 26 overall in 2016 but goaltenders tend to take longer to develop and I think Oettinger is clearly trending in the right direction. He seems likely to backup Anton Khudobin in Dallas to begin the season with Bishop still on the mend. 

73. Alex Formenton (LW, OTT): I've been slow to come around on Formenton but it's difficult to argue with the results. Formenton has always been an elite skater but I undersold his playmaking and finishing ability. I thought he would be a guy who struggled to generate scoring chances outside of his speed but he's proven to be much more than that. Formenton was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team last season after posting 27 goals and 53 points in 61 games with Belleville. He's a high floor prospect with a considerably higher ceiling than I originally gave him credit for. I expect him to get a long look in training camp. 

74. Tyler Madden (C, LA): With the Kings still firmly in the asset collecting business, they acquired Madden from Vancouver in February in the deal that sent Tyler Toffoli to the Canucks. Toffoli has since moved on to Montreal, while Madden prepares for his first pro season. Madden doesn't skate particularly well but he's extremely talented and confident with the puck on his stick and his work ethic is terrific. He needs to bulk up a bit in order to deal with bigger professional defenders but I see no real reason as to why he can't develop into at least a solid third-line pivot with upside. His vision with the man advantage should be a major asset for the Kings. 

75. Kirill Marchenko (LW, CLS): Columbus stole Marchenko with the No. 49 overall selection in 2018, now the issue is getting him signed and over to North America. Marchenko has been trending upwards ever since he was drafted. He's played well for Russia on the international scene and he's been good for SKA of the KHL. Marchenko doesn't offer a ton from a defensive standpoint but he's massive (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and highly skilled. He's made a legitimate impact in the KHL as a 20-year-old and if he's playing well over there, he's nearly ready to play over here. Marchenko's KHL contract reportedly runs through the 2021-22 season. If I were a Jackets fan, I would be (somewhat) concerned until he signs his first NHL deal. 

76. Liam Foudy (C, CLS): Foudy served as captain of the London Knights this past season, finishing with 28 goals and 68 points in 45 games. He also played two regular season games with Columbus under emergency conditions and was an integral part of Canada's World Junior team. It was a pretty active year for Foudy, but it gets better. By the time the NHL playoffs rolled around in the later summer, Foudy was not only in the Jackets' lineup, but was playing a top-six role most nights. Head Coach John Torterella loves him. I found Foudy to be a significant reach at No. 18 overall in 2018, and while I stand by that today, I clearly underrated his potential a bit. Long term, Foudy is probably a really good third-liner who can handle an increase in ice time if injuries strike. He has some skill and plays with pace, so his floor is high. The fact he has been able to handle such a large role at such a young age (20) is a very good sign. 

77. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G, BUF):  Luukkonen didn't have a very good first North American professional season. His year got off to a late start due to off-season hip surgery and he never seemed to get into any sort of rhythm. All told, Luukkonen played 23 ECHL games (where he was effective) and 10 AHL games (where he was not). Luukkonen was the OHL MVP and Goaltender of the Year in what was his only (2018-19) junior season and I'm guessing his inconsistent year was simply the result of struggling to find his form following a surgery that can be notoriously tough on goaltenders. Luukkonen has the size (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and technical ability to help the Sabres in short order. He should begin this upcoming year in the AHL and I expect him to push for NHL starts by the time the season concludes. 

78. Brendan Brisson (C, VGK): Brisson grew on me throughout my draft evaluations and he's looked terrific early in his freshman season at the University of Michigan. He ended up No. 19 on my big board and ended up going No. 29 overall to Vegas. I've been particularly impressed with Brisson's one-timer on the power-play in addition to make plays in tight spaces. I am of the belief that Brisson's skill set and work ethic will help make up for what is no better than average speed. He's another high-upside play for a Vegas team that has plenty in their system. 

79. Hendrix Lapierre (C, WAS): The mystery man of the 2020 NHL Draft, Lapierre's future is almost entirely tied to his medical concerns. Lapierre has been plagued by concussions in the past and that will be an ongoing cause for concern moving forward. I will say that I thought Washington's selection of Lapierre at No. 22 overall was a smart one. The Caps have one of the very worst prospect pools in the league and it's rare to find a potential top-six center available late in Round 1. There's plenty of skill here and at least average speed. Assuming he remains healthy, I'd be very surprised if Lapierre is anything other than a solid middle-six pivot. I always advocate drafting for upside and I applaud Washington for taking the risk. It's probably 50/50 as to whether or not it blows up in their faces but I felt the thought process behind the pick was correct. 

80. Raphael Lavoie (C, EDM): A surprise faller in the 2019 draft, Lavoie was viewed as a potential late lottery pick. Instead, he ended up going No. 39 overall to Edmonton. The obvious attraction surrounding Lavoie is the size (6-foot-4), skill combination. Lavoie is a tall, somewhat lanky kid who is more effective on set pieces in the offensive zone than off the rush. Outside of his foot speed, Lavoie possesses a solid all-around offensive game. His shot has long been an asset and I've always found his playmaking to be a bit underrated. Lavoie's development is going well and he has one of the higher ceilings in the Edmonton system. 

81. Jack Dugan (LW, VGK): Three-plus years later, it's difficult to believe Dugan lasted until the fifth round (142nd overall) back in 2017. Dugan played two years at Providence, posting 91 points in 75 games. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award this past season after being named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2018-19. Dugan is a pure playmaker who is far more likely to set up his teammates than finish himself. There are unanswered questions as to whether his lack of speed will limit his ability to generate offense at even strength but I can see him dominating with the man advantage at the professional level. Dugan is just about a lock to help the Golden Knights at some point in the near future and that alone is a great return for any former fifth-rounder. 

82. Jake Bean (D, CAR): Bean has been NHL-ready for multiple seasons. His all-around skill set was on full display in 2019-20. He led all AHL rearguards in points (48 in 59 games) in winning the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's top defenseman. Bean was the 13th overall selection by Carolina way back in 2013, yet he still has just two NHL games under his belt to this point. Bean's skating is fine but his best asset is his vision and hockey sense. He glides back and gets the puck out of his own zone without issue. Bean also knows when to join the rush offensively. The Hurricanes are going to have to give him a full-time NHL gig sooner rather than later. If not, 30 (soon to be 31) other NHL clubs are going to be interested in acquiring Bean. 

83. Samuel Fagemo (LW, LA): One of the biggest risers in the prospect world this past year, Fagemo is fresh off a 2020 World Junior appearance in which he led the tournament in both goals (8) and points (13). He was equally effective (13 goals, 22 points in 42) for the frame Frolund program in his age 19 season. Fagemo is an all-around offensive threat who plays physically and goes to the difficult areas of the ice to make plays when circumstances dictate. The most commonly-held conception in the scouting community was that the Kings reached to select Fagemo No. 50 overall in 2019, but a little over a year and a half later, it appears as if Los Angeles has a steal on their hands. Fagemo has the look of a foundational long-term piece. 

84. Timothy Liljegren (D, TOR): Liljegren probably played a bit better for the AHL Marlies this past season than I'm giving him credit for but I can't shake the feeling that his skills aren't going to translate to the NHL level in a major way. His play in his own end has clearly improved since his draft year (2017) but I'm still not convinced he will be the type to log heavy defensive minutes for Toronto. Offensively, Liljegren is plenty talented enough to create scoring chances for his club but I'm not sure he's dynamic enough to do it on a consistent basis. In other words, I view him as kind of a tweener. There's easy top-four potential if he puts it all together but I'm probably more "out" than "in" on Liljegren at this point. This coming season should go a long way in determining Liljgren's future potential. 

85. Joe Veleno (C, DET): Veleno appears to be a sure-fire NHL player, the type of guy who will last a decade-plus in the league and give his team solid, if unspectacular service. Veleno was a big time scorer in his junior days but has settled in as more of a solid, two-way middle-six pivot as a pro. He spent the entirety of this past year with AHL Grand Rapids, playing most of the season as a 19-year-old. His production (11 goals, 23 points in 53 games) was fine given his age and the step up in competition he was dealing with going from the QMJHL to AHL. I would guess he starts this season either in the AHL or on Detroit's taxi squad but I would wager his NHL debut comes before the end of the 2020-21 campaign. 

86. Ty Dellandrea (C, DAL): I was of the opinion that Dallas reached considerably to draft Dellandrea No. 13 overall in 2018. I still feel that way two-plus years later, but Dellandrea is still in pretty good position to turn into a valuable NHL player. Dellandrea's skating is at least average and his skill level is above average. My question is as to whether he will be a top-six center or more of a depth guy. I think he projects better a complementary piece who can play up and down a lineup but once in a while you will see flashes of legitimate top-line ability. There appear to be a wide range of outcomes for Dellandrea, with virtually all of them resulting in him being a productive asset for Dallas. 

87. Thomas Bordeleau (LW, SJ): Bordeleau was one of my favorite players available in the 2020 NHL Draft and the one guy I had ranked considerably higher than most draft pundits. He ended up going No. 38 overall to San Jose and I had him ranked about 20 slots higher. Bordeleau has terrific vision and is difficult to knock off the puck. He's all over the place on the ice, constantly making positive contributions in all three zones. The early returns in his first eight games at the University of Michigan (10 points) are exceptional. I think he has legitimate second-line potential at the next level. Unfortunately, Bordleau -- who was a lock to make the team -- will miss the World Juniors due to a positive COVID test produced by his roommate and Boston prospect John Beecher. 

88. Olli Juolevi (D, VAN): It took more than four full years, but Juolevi finally made his NHL debut in the Round Robin portion of this summer's play-in tournament. Juolevi's main issue the past several seasons has been staying healthy. He has played just 101 regular season games over the course of the past three years. The good news is that Juolevi is still just 22 years old. The former No. 5 overall pick in 2015, Juolevi makes heady decisions with the puck in addition to being a strong skater. He competes in his own zone and possesses the ability to control a game from the back end. Juolevi -- who should get a full-time look in Vancouver this coming season -- has the potential to eventually develop into Vancouver's long-term No. 2 option on defense behind Quinn Hughes, health permitting. 

89. Yegor Zamula (D, PHI): The odds of finding two potential top-four defenders as undrafted free agents in the span of just a few years are astronomical, but the Flyers are on the verge of pulling it off. Phil Myers is already there and Zamula is next in line. Zamula was excellent this past season for both WHL Calgary and his native Russia at the World Juniors. The lone blemish was a back injury which required surgery, from which Zamula is apparently fully recovered. He possesses a strong shot and plays physically. Zamula's skating is about average, but that's by far his weakest trait. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Zamula is a regular for Philadelphia starting in the fall of 2021. It's rare to see a player with this type of skill set slip through the cracks but Zamula has taken massive strides the past couple years. 

90. Jonatan Berggren (RW, DET): Berggren was reasonably productive (12 points) in 24 SHL games in 2019-20 but he was injured in January and missed the rest of the year. His stock was down a bit coming into this season, mostly due to the injuries, but he has responded with a whopping 24 points in his first 23 games for Skelleftea to start the year. I've been high on Berggren for a while because I see a highly creative winger with the ability to generate offense and make plays at pace. The issue with Berggren, in addition to the injuries, is that he's very, very small. He would be totally miscast in a depth role so he's going to have to pile up the points to be effective. He's a long-term play for the Red Wings. 

91. John-Jason Peterka (RW, BUF): Peterka appeared to be firmly in the mid-to-late first round conversation in this most recent draft and after seeing him drop to No. 34, Buffalo dealt away an additional pick to move up and grab him. Peterka is a two-way guy. A good portion of the offense he generates is the result of nothing more than hard work. The question at this point is whether or not he has the skill to fill a top-six role or is better suited as a complementary player. I think he has a pretty high floor but Peterka's playing time in his native Germany's DEL was limited at times this past season and not everyone is convinced his ceiling is all that high. 

92. Mavrik Bourque (C, DAL): Bourque's calling card is his versatility. He can play any role a coach asks of him and can do so effectively. He is the rare quality forward prospect who doesn't need the puck on his stick in order to be effective. Bourque has below-average size (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) and nothing better than average foot sped and that worries me just a bit if he is ultimately destined for a depth role at the NHL level but the overall package here is greater than the sums of its parts. 

93. Jacob Bernard-Docker (D, OTT): Bernard-Docker could have very easily signed with the Sens when his sophomore season at the University of North Dakota came to an end but he elected to return to school. It was probably the right decision assuming college hockey can pull off any sort of regular schedule amid the pandemic. JBD is an under-appreciated prospect, and I imagine he's going to be an under-appreciated pro when Ottawa finally gets him under contract. His game has no real weaknesses, but he isn't going to pile up a ton of points or pull off many (or, any) highlight-reel plays. I expect him to provide the Sens with a decade-plus of solid, unheralded service. There's value in a prospect who can be deployed in all situations while not hurting his team in the least. 

94. Calen Addison (D, MIN): Addison makes for the type of evaluation that generally worries me because virtually all of his value is tied to his ability to generate offense. Addison is an exceptional skater who projects as a legitimate power-play quarterback at the NHL level. I can easily see him reaching that level but he's not very big (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) and not the least bit physical. I think there's a legitimate chance that Addison will have to play sheltered minutes at even strength and that would diminish his value considerably. That being said, Addison possesses the type of offensive skills that cannot be taught. 

95. John Beecher (C, BOS): There's a little Chris Kreider in Beecher, with the main difference being that Kreider is a winger and Beecher a center. Kreider is proabably a bit faster, but Beecher possesses the size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and speed to alter a game in an instant. Like Kreider, Beecher isn't the type to make many creative plays with the puck. The vast majority of his offense is the result of hunting down loose pucks and driving to the net. Kreider has scored at least 21 goals and 45 points on five different occasions for the Rangers and I imagine Boston would be quite happy with that result from Beecher. He is in his second season at the University of Michigan. As mentioned earlier, Beecher will miss the World Juniors due to a positive COVID test. 

96. Juuso Valimaki (D, CGY): Valimaki has seemingly been around forever, but he just turned 22 years of age this past October. The main reason for that is the fact Valimaki has played just 44 games over the course of the past two years, all of which came in 2018-19. Valimaki missed the entirety of the 2019-20 campaign injury due to a torn ACL, but he looks entirely healthy now, having posted 17 points in 17 games at the time of this writing while on loan to Ilves of Liiga. I'd feel comfortable projecting Valimaki as a sure-fire second-pairing defender if it wasn't for all the missed time. He should bounce back just fine given his strong all-around game but we need to see him stay healthy for a full season before I feel totally confident in that projection. 

97. Patrik Puistola (RW, CAR): Puistola was a favorite off the Twitter draftnik community heading into the 2019 draft but NHL clubs were less enthused. He ended up falling to No. 73 overall where he was snatched up by the Hurricanes. Puistola is another tweener. He has the skill and hockey sense to generate offense but a lack of speed limits his ability to make plays off the rush. There's clearly something here but Puistola figures to take a bit longer to develop than some of the other 2019 draftees. He is still learning how to find dead spots in coverage and create space against bigger, quicker professional defenseman. I'm a believer, but this one is going to take a while. 

98. Jakob Pelletier (LW, CGY): Pelletier is a good offensive player but he's not an elite offensive talent and that worries me with a kid who checks in at just 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds. A good portion of Pelletier's future projection is tied to his work ethic and determination. He plays every shift as if it could potentially be his last and while that is generally a plus, it can also be a detriment, as well. Pelletier would seemingly make for a solid role player given his competitiveness but his lack of size could cause him to struggle there. The 2019 No. 26 overall selection could slot in as anything from a top-six scorer to an up-and-down guy. The range of outcomes here is immense. 

99. Julien Gauthier (RW, NYR): In a rare (legitimate) prospect-for-prospect trade, Gauthier was dealt from Carolina to the Rangers in February in exchange for defenseman Joey Keane. Gauthier -- who spent most of this past season in the AHL -- had 26 goals in 44 games for Charlotte at the time of the deal. He was immediately called up by New York and spent the rest of the year (postseason included) in the NHL. Gauthier was noticeable more often than not for the Rangers despite playing on the fourth line and seeing no time with the man advantage. Gauthier is a massive kid (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) with game-changing speed. He doesn't have great hands but Gauthier has always been able to create chances because of how quickly he moves his feet. I was lukewarm on Gauthier for a while because I felt his offensive game was one-dimensional. That still holds true but he's quick enough and strong enough to make an impact playing just seven or eight minutes a night. He should audition for a more substantial role this coming fall. 

100. Ville Heinola (D, WPG): A high-floor prospect, Heinola's season was a success. He began the year with the Jets, appearing in eight games and posting a surprising five points. Winnipeg loaned him back to his club take in Finland where he spent the majority of the year. Heinola plays a steady, underappreciated game. He projects as a responsible two-way defender who seems more likely to help the Jets on the penalty kill than power play. I don't think Heinola's ceiling is super high but he won't turn 20 years of age until early March and is already in position to claim a full-time NHL job. There's definite value in that. 

THE NEXT 100
101. Cayden Primeau (G, MON)
102. Zion Nybeck (RW, CAR)
103. Jacob Perreault (RW, ANH)
104. Zachary Jones (D, NYR)
105. Samuel Poulin (RW, PIT)
106. Braden Schneider (D, NYR)
107. Tobias Bjornfot (D, LA)
108. Morgan Barron (LW, NYR)
109. Kale Clague (D, LA)
110. Cal Foote (D, TB)
111. Jan Mysak (LW, MON)
112. Emil Andrae (D, PHI)
113. William Wallinder (D, DET)
114. Kaiden Guhle (D, MON)
115. Dylan Samberg (D, WPG)
116.  Jamieson Rees (C, CAR)
117. Matias Maccelli, (LW, ARI)
118. Jan Jenik (C, ARI)
119. Dmitri Voronkov (LW, CLS)
120. Ty Smilanic (LW, FLA)
121. Matthew Robertson (D, NYR)
122. Joey Keane (D, CAR)
123. Ryan Suzuki (C, CAR)
124. Jake Neighbours (LW, STL)
125. Emilio Pettersen (C, CGY)
126. Alexander Khovanov (LW, MIN) 
127. Evan Barratt (C, CHI)
128. Jaret Anderson-Dolan (C, LA)
129. Ryan Johnson (D, BUF)
130. Jeremie Poirier (D, CGY)
131. Lukas Reichel (RW, CHI)
132. Aleksi Heponiemi (LW, FLA)
133. Lukas Dostal (G, ANH)
134. Oskari Laaksonen (D, BUF)
135. Jonathan Dahlen (LW, SJ)
136. Roni Hirvonen (C, TOR)
137. Marat Khusnutdinov (C, MIN)
138. Janne Kuokkanen (LW, NJ)
139. Simon Holmstrom (RW, NYI)
140. Johnny Gruden (LW, PIT)
141. David Farrance (D, NSH)
142. Conor Timmins (D, COL)
143. Kristian Vesalainen (LW, WPG)
144. Robert Mastrosimone (LW, DET)
145. Martin Kaut (RW, COL)
146. Vasily Ponomarev (C, CAR)
147. Jesse Ylonen (LW, MON)
148. Ozzy Wiesblatt (RW, SJ)
149. Anttoni Honka (D, CAR)
150. Justin Barron (D, COL)
151. Alex Chmelevski (C, SJ)
152. Antti Tuomisto (D, DET)
153. Nikolai Kovalenko (RW, COL)
154. Pavel Dorofeyev (LW, VGK)
155. Philipp Kurashev (LW, CHI)
156. Kieffer Bellows (LW, NYI)
157. Adam Beckman (LW, MIN)
158. Tyler Benson (LW, EDM)
159. Kole Lind (RW, VAN)
160. Mattias Norlinder (D, MON)
161. Alexei Protas (C,WSH)
162. Ivan Morozov (C, VGK)
163. Klim Kostin (RW, STL)
164. Jared McIsaac (D, DET)
165. Ruslan Iskhakov (RW, NYI)
166. Helge Grans (D, LA)
167. Topi Niemela (D, TOR)
168. Kasper Simontaival (RW, LA)
169. Daniil Tarasov (G, CLS)
170. Brayden Tracey (LW, ANH)
171. Kevin Bahl (D, NJ)
172. Karl Henriksson (C, NYR)
173. Jordan Spence (D, LA)
174. Urho Vaakanainen (D, BOS)
175. Yegor Afanasyev (LW, NSH)
176. Jakub Lauko (C, BOS)
177. Nathan Legare (RW, PIT)
178. Serron Noel (RW, FLA)
179. Ridly Greig (C, OTT)
180. Alex Vlasic (D, CHI)
181. Joel Kiviranta (RW, DAL)
182. Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C, ANH)
183. Vladislav Firstov (LW, MIN)
184. Jack Rathbone (D, VAN)
185. Danil Gushchin (RW, SJ)
186. Bode Wilde (D, NYI) 
187. Lukas Cormier (D, VGK)
188. Ivan Chekhovich (LW, SJ)
189. Jean-Luc Foudy (C, COL)
190. Oskar Steen (C, BOS)
191. Alexander Volkov (LW, TB)
192. Samuel Bolduc (D, NYI)
193. Tyson Foerster (RW, PHI)
194. Sean Farrell (LW, MON)
195. Luke Evangelista (RW, NSH)
196. Albin Grewe (RW, DET)
197. Joel Blomqvist (G, PIT)
198. Josh Brook (D, MON)
199. Connor Mackey (D, CGY)
200. Jordan Harris (D, MON)

JUST MISSED

- Mikhail Abramov (C, TOR)
- Ronnie Attard (D, PHI)
- Erik Portillo (G, BUF)
- Brogan Rafferty (D, VAN) 
- Dustin Wolf (G, CGY)