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64 Articles

TURNING THE CALIFORNIA CORNER

IT WASN’T THAT LONG ago, a winter road trip to California was anything but sun and fun for visiting NHL teams. From 2009-10 through 2017-18, the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks were three of the top five teams in the Western Conference and among the league’s top nine teams overall. They combined for 1,163 wins and just 705 regulation-time losses in that nine-season span. The Kings won two Cups, the Sharks lost in the final one year, and the Ducks topped 100 points five straight seasons. Then the predictable happened. Rosters studded with stars aged out. Coaches got fired. Depleted and neglected development systems couldn’t keep up with the fast-closing windows of the California contenders. Anaheim and Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2019. The next year,…

TURNING THE CALIFORNIA CORNER

“IVY’S SON” BEST TITLE IN THE WORLD

WHEN I MOVED TO Los Angeles in 1989 from Montreal, the very first thing I noticed was the way people introduced one another. I’d be at a party, and someone would come up and say, “Hi, I’m Bill, and I am a producer.” He would then introduce his entourage of “John, the actor; Peter, the agent; and Amanda, the attorney.” When they would ask my name, I’d say “Graeme,” which raised the follow-up question: “what do you do, Graeme?” At the time, I was working for a Wall Street firm, so that was it. From that point on, I was Graeme, the Wall Street guy, in many of these circles. I thought, “What happened to just being Graeme?” Over the years, the name has stayed consistent, but the title morphed based…

“IVY’S SON” BEST TITLE IN THE WORLD

WHITHER THE WORLD JUNIORS

THE WORDS WEREN’T EVEN out of his inquisitor’s mouth before Mason McTavish offered an emphatic and unambiguous reply. So there is no point in putting the Anaheim Ducks prospect down as undecided. Q: “The World Junior Championship this summer doesn’t exactly come at an opportune time. With that in mind, would you be inclined to…” A: “Yeah, I’m 100 percent playing in that. Well, if they want me and everything goes well, I’m 100 percent in that. That’s one of my dreams, to play in and win a World Junior Championship. It’s the best hockey you’re going to be getting in August. There’s no summer skate that’s going to match that hockey. Hopefully, I get the chance to go and Anaheim allows that, but I’m 100 percent hoping to go there.” When we…

WHITHER THE WORLD JUNIORS

IT’S BEEN AN ODD year for hockey cards. Due to production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some cards from the 2020-21 season are still coming out in 2021-22. Such is the case with Upper Deck’s 2020-21 AHL trading cards. The 250-card set showcases young stars as well as “lifers” who have made names for themselves playing in the ‘A.’ Some of the prospects in this set who have since moved up to the NHL include Cole Caufield, Jeremy Swayman and Trevor Zegras. A box of 2020-21 Upper Deck AHL contains a dozen 10-card packs and guarantees six “Star Rookie” cards, an autographed card and a serial-numbered parallel card.…

THE RESCHEDULED 2022 WORLD Junior Championship is set to take place in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., in the middle of August after the event had to be cancelled in December due to COVID-19 issues. The new tournament, which will ignore the results from December, could, in theory, consist of the same rosters regardless of whether the players turned 20 before Version 2 of the tournament. So while we could see the top five picks from the 2021 NHL draft – Owen Power (first overall), Mason McTavish (third) and Kent Johnson (fifth) for Canada and Matty Beniers (second) and Luke Hughes (fourth) for the U.S. – it’s unlikely their NHL teams will make them available (see pg. 10). Though fans, scouts and players didn’t get much value from the first attempt…

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

MANY KIDS AROUND THE world learn to skate at a young age and grow up dreaming of one day playing in the NHL. And in my home country of Canada, since hockey can be said to be the national sport, kids are pretty much born with skates on their feet. We play hockey anywhere we can and watch as many games as we can whenever possible. Eventually, skating on the pond or backyard rink turns into playing organized youth hockey, which is awesome because there’s no pressure. This is the time you develop your abilities, learn about the game and see if it’s something you’re good at. If you are exceptional and want to play competitively, many youngsters move on to junior hockey. For every player who reaches that level, the main…

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

ON A NIGHT LIKE this, you can see it. The New Jersey Devils are hosting the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche just a few nights after the young Devils got a statement win over a recent Stanley Cup winner, the St. Louis Blues. Captain Nico Hischier is hurt, but New Jersey’s other young star center, Jack Hughes, is in the middle of an offensive tear. And tonight, he is showing why. Much like he did with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program – and even before that, with the U-16 Toronto Marlboros – Hughes is causing havoc and headaches for the Avs with his blinding speed and slick hands. The Avalanche, who had played the night before against the Islanders, get two power-play goals in the first period and add to the lead…

POWER OF THE TOP DOG

THE THATCH OF PERFECTLY coiffed hair from 2021 has been replaced by the kind of mop-top salad that’s all the rage with kids these days, the kind you have to keep brushing back and that finds a way of escaping all parts of your helmet. The look has changed, as have the life circumstances. But one thing remains the same – Owen Power is still top dog. It was thus when he went from being the No. 1 draft prospect to the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. And through three different teams and a world of life and hockey experiences, Power is the No. 1 prospect outside the NHL for 2021-22. As he took a few minutes to chat, just days before the Big 10 championship game and prior…

POWER OF THE TOP DOG

QB OF THE FUTURE

KINGS ROOKIE QUINTON BYFIELD answers to ‘QB,’ and someday, when the 19-year-old fulfills his inevitable destiny as the team’s first-line center, his moniker will undoubtedly be modified to ‘QB1.’ That day is coming, but for now, call Byfield the Kings’ QB of the future. While Byfield remains an ascending talent, he has not yet taken full flight. Byfield had his progress sidetracked significantly by a fractured left ankle he sustained in a pre-season game on Oct. 5. The injury kept him off the ice for two-and-a-half months and cost him around 40 games. “I was feeling confident in my game,” Byfield said. “It was definitely a major setback.” Byfield’s progress was delayed further when he was placed in COVID-19 protocol in December. During a long, gruelling season, Byfield said there can be…

QB OF THE FUTURE

MATTY BENIERS HAS WITNESSED his fair share of relative lows during the pandemic. First, he lost what would have been a freshman season with home-state Harvard due to the Ivy League schools opting out of the ECAC’s 2020-21 season. He did win gold with Team USA at the World Junior Championship at the start of 2021 – but the only celebratory screams came from ice level, as the event was played in front of empty stands in Edmonton, something that had become the norm in big hockey moments in the era of COVID-19. Then, with a chance to repeat at the WJC, the 2022 event was shut down after just four days. But there have also been moments of brightness. After Havard’s season was snuffed out, Beniers switched his commitment to powerhouse…

Free Agents 2022

> BEN MEYERS C, Minnesota U.S. Olympian probably could have jumped after his freshman year – he’s now a junior – thanks to his solid frame and fast game. With an excellent motor and good hands, Meyers, 23, is the best available this year. > TAYLOR WARD RW, Nebraska-Omaha Ward, 23, is a power forward who has led the Mavericks in scoring this season. He could be in the NHL relatively soon but will need AHL time first. Pace of play is a question mark for the BCHL Penticton alum. > BOBBY TRIVIGNO LW, UMass Undersized winger is the top scorer on the reigning national champs, and no one can beat the 23-year-old’s compete level. Gutsy player is the kind of guy you want on the ice when you’re protecting a late lead. > BRIAN HALONEN LW, Michigan Tech Physically dominant…

Free Agents 2022

JUST IMAGINE BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE of the world, only to have your beard trimmer conk out on you. What’s a boy-man to do? Well, if you’re Mason McTavish, you take some of your signing bonus money and you replace it. Once you can find the time, of course. What with all the travel and the scoring and the jet lag, it just wasn’t a huge priority. “I have to go out and buy one,” said McTavish, rubbing his chin in the bowels of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton after a three-assist performance on a Saturday afternoon, “because this is getting out of hand.” You’ll have to excuse him if he’s a little frazzled. You would be too if you were on your eighth job in your third continent and fourth…

NO MIRAGE IN THE DESERT

WATCHING THE ARIZONA COYOTES zip around the ice for a morning skate in the dog days of the regular season, you wouldn’t think this was a group looking up at 30 teams in the NHL standings, already well on its way to missing the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years. Thousands of miles away from an ambivalent hockey market and a home rink that has already given them an eviction notice, the Coyote players are carefree and happy, one of the by-products of scoring 17 goals in their past two games. “It’s like that every day,” said Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny. “(Coyotes GM) Bill Armstrong often says if you watch our practice, you feel like we’re first overall.” We tell you this because, well, piling on the Arizona Coyotes…

NO MIRAGE IN THE DESERT

LOOSE FROM THE MOOSE

COLE PERFETTI WOULD BE QUITE ALL right with never having to pull on a Manitoba Moose jersey ever again. It’s not that he won’t. This isn’t some prima donna, too-good-to-ride-the-bus thing, nor is he going to put up even an ounce of fight should the Winnipeg Jets brass decide to send him back to the farm club. He’ll be the first to tell you he has faith in what the Jets have planned for him, so it has nothing to do with that, either. No, at its root, this is a matter of not only seeing the grass is greener but being able to enjoy what the pasture has to offer. “The NHL lifestyle, the dinners, the private planes, playing in front of 20,000 people, everything about it is just everything…

LOOSE FROM THE MOOSE

WHAT’S INSIDE

REPORT CARD GRADE & NHL RANK A panel of scouts grades each team’s list of top 10 prospects and 21-and-under NHLers. Grades range from A to D+. Rankings are 1 to 32. PAST AND FUTURE Where the prospect ranked on his team in 2021 and when we expect him to make an NHL impact. TOP 10 PROSPECTS Most NHL teams have 35 or more affiliated prospects in their system. These 10 have the best long-term upside – five to 10 years out. TOP 100 NHL PROSPECTS A panel of scouts votes on the top 60 NHL-affiliated prospects from a list of 320. The top 100 vote-getters are identified here. 21-AND-UNDER NHLERS NHLers under 22 are part of the organizational grade because teams shouldn’t be penalized for young talent reaching the NHL. Ages as of Feb. 28.…

LEVEL THE PLAYING SURFACE

DON’T BE A DISGRUNTLED fan if your team returns home with a poor or mediocre report-card grade when it comes to prospects and young NHLers. This handicapping listing on the right offers more perspective. The prospect pipelines of teams such as Calgary and Toronto rank in the bottom half of the league (below) according to a panel of scouts. But take into account when they’ve made their first pick each year since 2018, and they’re actually doing well at churning out A-list prospects. Since 2018, Calgary’s first picks have been 105th, 26th, 24th and 13th. That average of 42nd overall ranks 28th in the league. Toronto’s first picks the past four years have been 29th, 53rd, 15th and 57th. That average of 39th overall ranks 25th. So it turns out their…

LEVEL THE PLAYING SURFACE

TOP 100 PROSPECTS

THERE’S ALWAYS A FAIR amount of player turnover on our top-100 prospect list year to year. That makes sense because these are the top blue-chippers in the game. It’s only a matter of time before they break through. Four of the top five players from last year are making an impact in the NHL today – No. 1 Trevor Zegras and No. 3 Jamie Drysdale in Anaheim, and No. 4 Lucas Raymond and No. 5 Moritz Seider in Detroit. Six players from last year’s top 10, as well as 12 of the top 20, have graduated to the NHL. Looking at last year’s top 50, 23 have made the jump. Virtually all of the 27 others are back in the top 100. We asked a panel of six NHL scouts or directors of…

TOP 100 PROSPECTS

A | Rank: 1st EVERY TEAM IN THE NHL wants to build its future through the draft. The rebuilding Ducks need to build their future through the draft. That has been the organization’s method of operation since Henry and Susan Samueli completed their purchase of the franchise from the Walt Disney Company before 2005-06. With rare exceptions, notably free agents Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer in 2005, almost all of the Ducks’ talent has been of the homegrown variety. That’s never been more true than it is today, with another bountiful harvest of skilled young players being groomed for careers in Anaheim. 1. MASON MCTAVISH C, 19, 6-1, 207 Hamilton (OHL) 14–13–12–25–19 2021 draft, 3rd overall OVERALL 4 McTavish is like a wrecking ball on skates, a player willing to go through – rather than around – anyone…

ARIZONA COYOTES

Rank: 19th | C+ GENERAL MANAGER BILL ARMSTRONG joined a team in disarray upon his September 2020 arrival in Arizona, and though the club was competitive at the time, it was also reeling from sanctions handed down from the NHL related to combine-testing violations. The result? Armstrong arrived in the desert lacking both blue-chip prospects and draft picks. Nearly 18 months later, Armstrong is acquiring assets left and right – the Coyotes have three first-round and five second-round selections in the 2022 draft – and is also building a talent pool that’s larger than it was even one year ago. 1. DYLAN GUENTHER RW, 18, 6-2, 181 Edmonton (WHL) 49–38–38–76–37 2021 draft, 9th overall OVERALL 11 Guenther is the crown jewel of the pipeline, and he was drafted with the pick Armstrong got from Vancouver for Oliver Ekman-Larsson…

ARIZONA COYOTES

C– | Rank: 29th BOSTON GM DON SWEENEY has avoided putting the Bruins into rebuild mode, and the team hasn’t missed the playoffs since his first season in 2015-16. But lackluster drafting forced Sweeney to spend in free agency and sacrifice trade assets at recent deadlines. For the B’s to continue to avoid bottoming out, they need their prospects to grow into pieces who can complement a core built around blueliner Charlie McAvoy and sniping right winger David Pastrnak. Goalie Jeremy Swayman looks ready to take the baton as Boston’s No. 1. More prospects must do the same at other positions in the near future. 1. FABIAN LYSELL RW, 19, 5-10, 172 Vancouver (WHL) 40–20–27–47–48 2021 draft, 21st overall OVERALL 54 Like most European prospects in North America for the first time, Lysell has had to adapt to…

Rank: 2nd | A OVER THE PAST YEAR, GM Kevyn Adams has established a clear direction for the Sabres, trading some of the team’s top talents and committing to a rebuild. In dealing away Jack Eichel and others, Adams let it be known he wouldn’t take shortcuts. The Sabres, a franchise that had embraced a slew of philosophies over a decade-plus of futility, would focus on acquiring and developing prospects. Peyton Krebs, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Jack Quinn and Mattias Samuelsson could all be regulars in Buffalo next season. Owen Power, the No. 1 pick in 2021, could join the Sabres after NCAA Michigan’s season ends. 1. OWEN POWER D, 19, 6-5, 214 Michigan (Big Ten) 29–3–24–27–12 2021 draft, 1st overall OVERALL 1 Power has the tools to be a stud No. 1 and future Norris contender. But patience will…

C+ | Rank: 20th IN THE PAST SEVEN drafts, the Flames have had just one of five first-rounders make an impactful breakthrough – although Matthew Tkachuk has done so with panache. It’s in the subsequent rounds where Calgary has excelled. Since 2015, Andrew Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson, Adam Fox (Rangers), Dillon Dube, Oliver Kylington and Adam Ruzicka have found NHL success to varying degrees. But the Flames have a trio of first-round forwards in the pipeline ready to graduate in the next few years. Matthew Coronato (’21), Jakob Pelletier (’19) and Connor Zary (’20) rank among the NHL’s top 100 prospects. 1. MATTHEW CORONATO RW, 19, 5-10, 185 Harvard (ECAC) 31–15–14–29–14 2021 draft, 13th overall OVERALL 21 Coronato has a motor that doesn’t quit and a work ethic to match. He was the USHL forward of the year for…

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Rank: 9th | A– THE HURRICANES’ RECENT SUCCESS has cost them the opportunity of drafting near the top of the first round – they don’t even have a first-rounder this year – but what they’ve lacked in quality they’ve made up in quantity, stockpiling picks to refresh a system that produced the core of a team now firmly in Stanley Cup contention. Carolina has made 33 picks in the past three drafts, with 2020 first-rounder Seth Jarvis already in the NHL. The question is how their seven second-round picks will fare, let alone the players chosen later in the draft. But they’ve given themselves no shortage of chances to hit. 1. SCOTT MORROW D, 19, 6-2, 192 UMass (HE) 34–13–19–32–10 2021 draft, 40th overall OVERALL 52 Morrow’s stock has skyrocketed since the draft thanks to a near-seamless transition…

CAROLINA HURRICANES

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

C | Rank: 24th THE BLACKHAWKS REMAIN UPBEAT about their prospect system. Their fans are waiting…and wanting. No one resembling a Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews or Duncan Keith has surfaced – not even a Niklas Hjalmarsson. Instead, Chicago has cycled their best prospects through for brief call-ups. “We’ve got to be patient with these kids and make sure we’re doing the right thing by them,” said interim coach Derek King. “We don’t want to get into developing them for two years, then move on and trade them. Then they get to another team and all of a sudden they’re at the All-Star Game and winning trophies and stuff.” 1. LUKAS REICHEL LW, 19, 6-0, 170 Rockford (AHL) 39–16–22–38–6 2020 draft, 17th overall OVERALL 15 All eyes were on Reichel during his NHL call-up. The wiry German could keep…

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Rank: 12th | B COLORADO BELIEVES ITS TOP two prospects – chosen near the end of the first round in the past two drafts – will turn out to be tremendous steals. The Avs are grateful Canadian blueliner Justin Barron (25th overall in 2020) and Swedish right winger Oskar Olausson (28th overall in 2021) went far later than the club had them pegged. Barron likely fell because of a blood-clot issue that stalled his junior career late in 2019. Olausson ranked 13th among European skaters in 2021, but the Avs had him in the top five. The two youngsters appear well on their way to proving themselves as shrewd choices. 1. JUSTIN BARRON D, 20, 6-2, 195 Colorado (AHL) 41–5–15–20–8 2020 draft, 25th overall OVERALL 51 Barron impressed during the 2021 pre-season and was the last blueliner cut.…

COLORADO AVALANCHE

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

A– | Rank: 7th WITH JOHN DAVIDSON BACK in the president’s chair in Columbus, it appears as though the organization – which has seen success in fits and starts through its two-decade history – is rebuilding again. After trading a first-round pick for Matt Duchene, and then two second-round picks for Ryan Dzingel prior to the 2019 deadline, GM Jarmo Kekalainen has focused on acquiring assets and restocking the system. The Seth Jones trade yielded a 2022 first-rounder. Though if it’s pick No. 1 or 2, it’ll be a 2023 first instead. The system has top-end talent everywhere but could use depth. 1. KENT JOHNSON C, 19, 6-1, 165 Michigan (Big Ten) 28–7–27–34–6 2021 draft, 5th overall OVERALL 6 The Blue Jackets anxiously await Johnson’s arrival, whether it’s this spring or fall. He is a playmaker to his…

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Rank: 13th | B DALLAS’ PROSPECT POOL IS notable for its freshness. Several big names from prior years have been lapped by 2021 draftees. “We’ve had some good players identified by amateur scouts in the pipeline that we feel are better players, that are going to make it,” said assistant GM Scott White, who agrees the group has improved. Marquee scorers – a previous gap – headline the list. Specifically, Dallas’ forwards now in major junior have better numbers than previous prospects at the same development stage and project to be impactful top-six players instead of the previously common bottom-six fodder. 1. THOMAS HARLEY D, 20, 6-3, 205 Texas (AHL) 27–0–11–11–36 2019 draft, 18th overall OVERALL 19 Harley is on the cusp of being a full-time NHLer. After a shortened season with AHL Texas last year, Harley was…

DETROIT RED WINGS

A | Rank: 5th FROM NICKLAS LIDSTROM TO Henrik Zetterberg to Niklas Kronwall to Johan Franzen, Swedish players have proven to be rewarding investments for the Red Wings. As GM Steve Yzerman seeks to rebuild the Wings back to the glory years that saw them win four Stanley Cups between 1997 and 2008, Swedes are again being groomed to provide the raw materials for that resurrection. Rookie Lucas Raymond is already on the scene. Soon, he figures to be joined by countrymen such as blueliners Simon Edvinsson and William Wallinder, as well as forwards Jonatan Berggren and Theo Niederbach. 1. SIMON EDVINSSON D, 19, 6-5, 205 Frolunda (Swe.) 39–1–16–17–18 2021 draft, 6th overall OVERALL 7 Much like Fatboy Slim’s 1999 hit, when scouts speak of Edvinsson, they have to praise him. He’s labelled the best Swedish ‘D’ prospect…

DETROIT RED WINGS

EDMONTON OILERS

Rank: 22nd | C+ LONG CRITICIZED FOR A pipeline that didn’t yield much beyond players selected first overall, the Oilers are now seeing a steady flow of young talent. With former AHL Bakersfield coach Jay Woodcroft at the helm in Edmonton, young players are benefitting from a strong ally who knows and trusts them. On defense, Markus Niemelainen (23), Philip Broberg (20) and Evan Bouchard (22) are getting NHL work, while forwards Ryan McLeod (22), Jesse Puljujarvi (23) and Kailer Yamamoto (23) all spent time in the Oilers’ top six. Edmonton also has two players in the top 10 in OHL scoring this season. 1. DYLAN HOLLOWAY LW, 20, 6-1, 203 Bakersfield (AHL) 21–6–6–12–12 2020 draft, 14th overall OVERALL 30 Holloway would already be well into his NHL audition if he hadn’t needed a second surgery to repair…

EDMONTON OILERS

FLORIDA PANTHERS

B | Rank: 14th WITH SEVERAL TOP STARS locked up and Future Watch grads Spencer Knight and Anton Lundell already making an NHL impact, the Panthers are shifting to a patient development approach. Florida’s high-end talent can handle complementary roles in the short term. Full-time opportunities may be hard to come by, though. The Cats will have an AHL affiliate to themselves next season after sharing with Tampa Bay and Seattle, respectively, the past two years. It buys time to uncover and grow late-round or undrafted gems – as they are doing with blueliner Matt Kiersted and goalie Mack Guzda. 1. GRIGORI DENISENKO LW, 21, 5-11, 190 Charlotte (AHL) 30–9–9–18–8 2018 draft, 15th overall OVERALL 45 Denisenko debuted in North America last season but has settled in with a more stable environment this year. “He’s looked more comfortable…

FLORIDA PANTHERS

LOS ANGELES KINGS

Rank: 4th | A BY WINNING STANLEY CUPS in 2012 and 2014, the Kings helped usher in Los Angeles’ billing as the City of Champions. But their neighbors – the Lakers, Dodgers and Rams – have all won rings since that last Cup triumph, while the Kings have missed the playoffs in five of seven seasons. But getting back into contention is on the horizon. With four promising first-round picks in the pipeline and three players under 22 already in the NHL, L.A.’s future looks bright. The only question is whether it all comes together quickly enough to meld the blue-chippers with current stars Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. 1. QUINTON BYFIELD C, 19, 6-5, 220 Ontario (AHL) 11–4–2–6–10 2020 draft, 2nd overall OVERALL 2 Byfield’s speed and power make for a dream package of high-end athleticism, paired…

LOS ANGELES KINGS

B+ | Rank: 10th MINNESOTA USED TO STRUGGLE graduating its youngsters from prospect to impact-pro status, but that hasn’t been the case in recent years with more and more picks making the jump. Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Brandon Duhaime are among the latest homegrown talents to take up NHL residence, and their progression makes the journey feasible for the next crop of youngsters vying to climb the ranks. “There’s some more motivation to them and their approach,” said director of player development Brad Bombardir. “Knowing that it’s just that close, it makes it exciting for them.” 1. MARCO ROSSI C, 20, 5-9, 185 Iowa (AHL) 46–16–26–42–38 2020 draft, 9th overall OVERALL 9 Rossi is back after being sidelined most of last season with myocarditis. He’s reemerging as the play-driving force Minnesota desired. Rossi had a brief NHL…

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Rank: 23rd | C A COMBINATION OF POOR drafting and bad player development is a big reason why the Canadiens are now one of the NHL’s worst teams. It’s something team owner Geoff Molson wants to fix. That’s why he fired GM Marc Bergevin and assistant GM Trevor Timmins and brought in an executive VP of hockey operations (Jeff Gorton), a new GM (Kent Hughes) and hired Nick Bobrov as a co-director of amateur scouting to work with Martin Lapointe. Gorton will also add to the player-development staff, which had only two people (Rob Ramage and Francis Bouillon) and build an analytics department. 1. KAIDEN GUHLE D, 20, 6-2, 200 Edmonton (WHL) 42–7–33–40–57 2020 draft, 16th overall OVERALL 16 Guhle impressed at camp and looked like he belonged in NHL pre-season games – he was one of the…

MONTREAL CANADIENS

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

B+ | Rank: 11th ALEXANDER RADULOV DEPARTING FOR the KHL in 2008 – before finishing his NHL entry-level deal – stung the Predators. The fallout was long-lasting, with the club not drafting a single player out of a Russian league between 2005 and 2013. Recently, though, the attitude has changed. Nashville’s top pick in each of the past two drafts, plus a third player the year prior, have hailed from the Russian ranks. All three sit among Nashville’s top 10 prospects, including Nos. 1 and 2. The list also includes another Russian who prepped for the draft by playing in the USHL and is now skating in the AHL. 1. IAROSLAV ASKAROV G, 19, 6-3, 176 SKA-Neva St. Pete. (Rus.2) 5-2-2, 2.57, .899 2020 draft, 11th overall OVERALL 17 Askarov has looked good when called upon in the…

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Rank: 3rd | A THE DEVILS HAD arguably the splashiest off-season in the NHL, and fans hoped they wouldn’t have to spend this winter searching for optimism from the club’s prospects. So much for that. After goalie woes and a few key injuries, it’s all about next season in New Jersey. At least, even with 2020 first-rounder Dawson Mercer entrenched in the NHL lineup, there is no shortage of youngsters providing hope. GM Tom Fitzgerald is timing the rebuild around the growth of pivots Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and following a series of forgettable seasons, the list of players who can soon slide into supporting roles is long. 1. LUKE HUGHES D, 18, 6-2, 186 Michigan (Big Ten) 37–17–19–36–10 2021 draft, 4th overall OVERALL 10 Hughes got off to a terrific start as a freshman at Michigan,…

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

D+ | Rank: 30th BACK-TO-BACK SEMIFINAL APPEARANCES AND a new arena didn’t create enough momentum for the Islanders to put together a successful 2021-22 season. When the team failed to recover from a 13-game road trip to start the campaign, Isles fans were forced to – once again – look to the future. Unfortunately for the Islanders, they just don’t have a stable of franchise-changing prospects to pump new life into the team at the moment. Isles GM Lou Lamoriello will need to look further than the team’s farm system to replace the tired legs that kept the Isles out of the playoff picture this year. 1. AATU RATY C, 19, 6-2, 185 Jukurit (Fin.) 43–12–23–35–32 2021 draft, 52nd overall OVERALL 61 At one point, Raty was thought to be the top player in the 2021 draft class,…

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

NEW YORK RANGERS

Rank: 6th | A WITH NEW COACH GERARD Gallant and a mix of stars, role players and former prospects playing regularly, the Rangers rolled to a surprising 33-15-5 record by early March. That’s a far cry from last year, when the team folded and missed the playoffs, prompting a housecleaning that elevated Chris Drury to GM. The pipeline is slightly narrower (at right wing for instance) than it was last year. Drury has hopefuls on ‘D’ and disgruntled Russian Vitali Kravtsov, now in the KHL, to offer in potential trades. Left winger Brennan Othmann leads the list of top 10 prospects, of which four are centers. 1. BRENNAN OTHMANN LW, 19, 6-0, 180 Flint (OHL) 53–39–39–78–52 2021 draft, 16th overall OVERALL 24 An attacking forward with great pace and a quick release, Othmann played for Olten in the…

NEW YORK RANGERS

OTTAWA SENATORS

A– | Rank: 8th ONE LAST MAJOR PUSH remains in the Senators’ patient – and often difficult – rebuilding process. After missing the playoffs in 2018, the Sens took a major step back, trading away Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, building up a stockpile of young talent with an eye toward future success. While some of those prospects, including Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson and Josh Norris, have already graduated to the NHL, there’s one final wave to come. The hope is more of that assembled talent can help make the Senators a contender for a playoff spot in 2022-23. 1. JAKE SANDERSON D, 19, 6-2, 189 North Dakota (NCHC) 23–8–18–26–6 2020 draft, 5th overall OVERALL 5 The smooth-skating Sanderson projects to be a top-pair NHL D-man because of his well-rounded ability on both sides…

OTTAWA SENATORS

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Rank: 27th | C WHEN IT COMES TO the Flyers’ compete level, few questions have been raised since the notorious Broad Street Bullies set the bar high a generation or two ago. At least until recently. There’s been talk the team could use a few more energetic players, especially moving past this forgettable season. Assistant GM Brent Flahr, who runs the Flyers’ development program, acknowledges the team ranks skill, speed and strength first, but a player with fire in his eyes doesn’t hurt. “Being a competitive guy, having that drive and passion, is vital,” he said. “Some guys overachieve because of that.” 1. CAM YORK D, 21, 5-11, 174 Lehigh Valley (AHL) 34–2–10–12–12 2019 draft, 14th overall OVERALL 33 York held his own in 13 NHL games this season, posting three points and impressing coaches with his overall…

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

D+ | Rank: 32nd SINCE MARIO LEMIEUX WAS drafted in 1984, no NHL team has scored more goals than the Penguins. Their current prospect group flies in the face of the franchise’s personality. The forwards mostly project in the bottom six, and three of the top talents are goalies. There are two reasons for that. First, thanks to a win-now obsession, they’ve made just one first-round pick in the past seven drafts. Second, Mike Sullivan stresses structure perhaps more than any coach in team history. “He’s not going to play anyone who is a defensive liability,” said player development coach Tom Kostopoulos. “He’s just not.” 1. SAMUEL POULIN C, 21, 6-2, 213 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 52–10–16–26–43 2019 draft, 21st overall OVERALL 71 Poulin had a rough AHL debut and was a healthy scratch in January. But things turned around…

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Rank: 18th | B– THE BLUES HAVE ALLOTTED themselves the necessary time to develop their prospects. They normally don’t pick the high-end blue-chippers because they’re a perennial playoff team and usually don’t choose until the mid-to-late first round. The 2021 draft marked the 13th straight time the Blues did not have a pick inside the top 10. In fact, since drafting Alex Pietrangelo fourth overall in 2008, the Blues have not chosen higher than No. 14, where they took Jaden Schwartz in 2010. Robert Thomas (20th) and Jordan Kyrou (35th) are recent choices who’ve outperformed their overall draft position. 1. SCOTT PERUNOVICH D, 23, 5-10, 185 Springfield (AHL) 17–3–19–22–8 2018 draft, 45th overall OVERALL 25 The 2019-20 Hobey Baker winner made such strides in the AHL to start the season that the Blues brought him up. And he…

ST. LOUIS BLUES

SAN JOSE SHARKS

C+ | Rank: 21st THE SHARKS MISSED THE playoffs in 2020 and 2021, marking the first time they’ve failed to advance to the post-season in consecutive years in almost a quarter-century. They were sellers at the NHL trade deadline in both years, turning older assets into draft capital. In those two years, San Jose drafted 18 players, eight of whom are now among the organization’s top 10 prospects – an indication of how starved the team was for high-end talent after picking inside the top 10 in the first round just once between 2008 and 2020. Among the Sharks’ top 10 are six forwards, three defensemen and a goalie. 1. WILLIAM EKLUND C, 19, 5-10, 176 Djurgarden (Swe.) 26–1–12–13–4 2021 draft, 7th overall OVERALL 8 Eklund forced his way onto the Sharks’ roster out of camp and made…

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Rank: 28th | C– WHEN KRAKEN GM RON Francis didn’t acquire any youngsters in expansion-draft side deals, it left the team thin on prospect depth. The pipeline is populated mostly with the No. 2 draft selection from last summer, Matty Beniers, and picks from early in the ensuing rounds – gained as a perk of the team’s record $650-million franchise fee. The two highest picks should make their pro debuts this spring. A strong focus on European scouting also sees some intriguing projects from overseas. But the lack of depth means most of the top 10 may end up topping out as AHL mainstays. 1. MATTY BENIERS C, 19, 6-1, 175 Michigan (Big Ten) 33–19–21–40–16 2021 draft, 2nd overall OVERALL 3 Beniers continued to impress in his return to Ann Arbor, ranking among top NCAA scorers before heading…

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

D+ | Rank: 31st WINNING TITLES COMES AT a price, and the Bolts have the receipts to show for consecutive Cups. In the past two seasons, they’ve traded away three first-round picks plus top prospect Nolan Foote. Lost picks and lost games due to COVID proved a challenge in trying to keep the prospect pipeline flowing, though assistant GM Stacy Roest said a silver lining presented itself for the youngsters in AHL Syracuse: “They got in a lot of skating and skills and a lot of workouts, which helped with the mental side of getting to do what they want to do for a living and learning the ropes as a pro.” 1. HUGO ALNEFELT G, 20, 6-4, 201 Syracuse (AHL) 9-5-4, 3.00, .884 2019 draft, 71st overall OVERALL 75 Alnefelt has a huge frame, but he’s athletic…

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Rank: 17th | B– TOP TEAMS IN THE salary-cap era typically build their foundations on high draft picks. Toronto is no exception, consistently dominating in the regular season on the backs of first-rounders Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly. Perennial contenders eventually graduate to a go-for-broke stage in which they (a) no longer finish low enough to amass early first-round picks and (b) mortgage futures in trades. It’s then imperative to hit on picks after the first round. Toronto has. Three of its top four prospects have already earned “steal” hype after being chosen outside Round 1. 1. TOPI NIEMELA D, 19, 5-11, 170 Karpat (Fin.) 44–9–21–30–16 2020 draft, 64th overall OVERALL 35 Niemela would’ve been dismissed as undersized 15 years ago, but his all-around game now makes him Toronto’s most improved prospect. He’s confident…

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

C | Rank: 26th THE PROSPECT CUPBOARD ISN’T bare, but Vancouver knows it could improve. “We’ve got to restock our shelves a bit,” said Canucks senior director of player development and AHL Abbotsford GM Ryan Johnson. “You look at our young players in Abbotsford, Jack Rathbone, Will Lockwood, Danila Klimovich and Michael DiPietro, and you’d like to have more there, as far as guys on entry-level deals, a couple of players coming in next year and college free agents. We’ve moved picks, and if we hung on to them, they’d be in Abbotsford or in development. It’s a priority for our group to restock and get younger.” 1. JACK RATHBONE D, 22, 5-10, 177 Abbotsford (AHL) 21–6–17–23–6 2017 draft, 95th overall OVERALL 84 The rookie has been injury-plagued and inconsistent but won AHL player-of-the-week honors in February. Gifted…

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Rank: 25th | C THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS’ EARLY success made them the exemplar for all future expansion franchises. It also expedited the team’s plans, affecting its stockpile of draft picks. Vegas remaining a contender since making the final in its first season has resulted in first-rounders being dealt to bolster Cup runs. Cody Glass, Nick Suzuki and Erik Brannstrom went out, with Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Nolan Patrick coming in. The trend continued this season when 2019 first-rounder Peyton Krebs was shipped to Buffalo in the Jack Eichel blockbuster. The prospect pool is at its shallowest point in the club’s brief history. 1. BRENDAN BRISSON C, 20, 6-0, 185 Michigan (Big Ten) 34–18–17–35–28 2020 draft, 29th overall OVERALL 39 Brisson is closing quickly on making his pro debut. He’s already become an elite college talent, won gold…

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

B– | Rank: 16th FOR THREE SEASONS FROM 2018-19 through 2020-21, no NHL team had less production – in terms of games played and points – from rookie skaters than the Capitals. It was the natural cost for a veteran-laden team that traded several picks and prospects for win-now upgrades. But that changed this season, as injuries and COVID-19 absences forced the team’s hand. An influx of call-ups helped Washington build early-season standings equity. By early March, eight Capitals rookies had scored their first career NHL goal – the most in a single campaign for Washington in 40 years. 1. HENDRIX LAPIERRE C, 20, 6-0, 185 Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) 26–14–22–36–12 2020 draft, 22nd overall OVERALL 31 Lapierre is healthy again after injuries raised red flags in his draft year. His hockey sense and ability to create helped him make…

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Rank: 15th | B IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK like a new cohort of homegrown Jets is on its way to Winnipeg. The current roster features a number of such talents, including Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Adam Lowry, who received all-important AHL seasoning before making the full-time leap to the big league. Giving players the chance to hone their pro game with the club’s AHL affiliate – managed by Jets assistant GM Craig Heisinger – has long been one of the central tenets of an organization with a strong draft-and-development mantra. In Cole Perfetti, Ville Heinola and 2020-21 debutant Logan Stanley, the next wave is arriving. 1. VILLE HEINOLA D, 20, 5-11, 181 Manitoba (AHL) 31–2–16–18–14 2019 draft, 20th overall OVERALL 44 Heinola won’t be confused with a freewheeling defender who dazzles with the puck. His game is…

FUTURE ASPIRATIONS

LOOK, KATIE CROWLEY ISN’T calling Abby Newhook a liar. That’s not what she’s saying. But when told the freshman forward said it took her until after the Christmas break to find her game at the collegiate level, the Boston College coach sounds a bit stunned. Crowley hums and haws. Then comes a laugh and a suggestion Newhook must have pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes. “Maybe she faked it until she really felt comfortable,” Crowley said, “but she always seemed comfortable.” Hard to argue that, really, when Newhook netted the OT-winner in her college debut. Harder yet, given Newhook mustered four goals and six points in her first six NCAA games. And even if Newhook wants to say she needed a dozen or so games before she could be an impact…

FUTURE ASPIRATIONS

1. SARAH FILLIER 21, PRINCETON (CAN) The breakout star of the Olympics still has as many as three collegiate seasons remaining. The Princeton captain is arguably the heir apparent to ‘MPP.’ 2. ALINA MUELLER 23, NORTHEASTERN (SUI) A legitimate superstar, she has been one of the forces behind Switzerland’s rise as a hockey nation. Scored an outrageous 38 points in 19 games this season. 3. DARYL WATTS 22, WISCONSIN (CAN) Watts, the second-highest scoring player in NCAA history, has spoken out about being left off Team Canada. What comes next will be very intriguing. 4. TAYLOR HEISE 21, MINNESOTA (USA) The top NCAA scorer this season. Her national-team resume – three under-18 golds and an MVP – should put her atop the short list to refresh the U.S. attack. 5. GRACE ZUMWINKLE 22, MINNESOTA (USA) Returning for her final college season with an Olympic…

BUCKS BLUELINER SHINING BRIGHT

BEFORE SHE’S READY TO talk about the otherworldly performance of defender Sophie Jaques, Ohio State Buckeyes coach Nadine Muzerall feels the need to provide some critical context. In her second season behind a collegiate bench, as an assistant at her alma mater in Minnesota, Muzerall witnessed possibly the greatest team in NCAA history, the 2012-13 Golden Gophers. Minnesota was a juggernaut and featured six future Olympians, running roughshod through the NCAA en route to a perfect 41-0-0 record and a national championship. And on a team featuring superstar forwards Amanda Kessel and Hannah Brandt, the blueline was anchored by Megan Bozek. Her 57 points that season tied Gigi Marvin’s school blueline record and marked the third-highest scoring season by a defender in NCAA history. “That year, Megan Bozek was a finalist for…

BUCKS BLUELINER SHINING BRIGHT

1. CAYLA BARNES 23, BOSTON COLLEGE (USA) A stellar performance on the American blueline in Beijing further asserted what we already knew: she has everything to become the next great defender. 2. CAROLINE HARVEY 19, WISCONSIN (USA) World Championship and Olympic silver before turning 20. Harvey’s minutes were arguably mismanaged in Beijing, but her future is remarkably bright. 3. ASHTON BELL 22, MINNESOTA-DULUTH (CAN) Returning for her final college season next year with Olympic gold will give her added swagger. She’s proven she can be a blueline stalwart for Canada. 4. NELLI LAITINEN 19, KIEKKO-ESPOO (FIN) A point-per-game Olympic performance will provide a solid foundation for her first foray into the NCAA. She’ll debut at Minnesota next season. 5. NATALIE BUCHBINDER 23, WISCONSIN (USA) She was a World Championship scratch and final cut from the Olympic team, but the two-time NCAA champion is certainly…

SERENDIPITY IN SYRACUSE

IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, Arielle DeSmet could have spent the summer before her senior year preparing to challenge for the starting job that had eluded her through her first three NCAA seasons at Robert Morris University. Instead, little more than two months after playing a bit part on a College Hockey America championship-winning team, the 21-year-old goaltender found herself thinking not about her spot with the Colonials but whether there would be a place for her at all in college hockey. When RMU announced its shocking decision to drop its hockey programs in May 2021 – a decision it has since reversed, with the programs to return in 2023 – DeSmet was among the scores of players left scrambling to find new homes in the collegiate game. Here she was, settled and…

SERENDIPITY IN SYRACUSE

1. AERIN FRANKEL 22, NORTHEASTERN (USA) Defending Patty Kazmaier Award winner continues to be the most dominant collegiate stopper and is the undisputed future of the U.S. crease. 2. SANDRA ABSTREITER 23, PROVIDENCE (GER) Disappointment at qualifiers meant Abstreiter didn’t punch her ticket to the Olympics, but she’s used that as fuel for her best collegiate campaign to date. 3. CORINNE SCHROEDER 22, QUINNIPIAC (CAN) The transfer to Quinnipiac has done wonders. She is on Team Canada’s radar and could reach untold heights if this is the start of her rise. 4. ANDREA BRAENDLI 24, OHIO STATE (SUI) Swiss keeper was a World Championship standout and stood on her head at the Olympics, too. She will be a key cog driving the national team forward. 5. AMANDA THIELE 19, OHIO STATE (USA) Two years after helping Team USA to under-18 gold, Thiele is proving…

LEARN FROM UPS & DOWNS

WHILE THERE WAS a lot of enthusiasm surrounding right winger Joakim Kemell coming into the season, no one could have forecast the 17-year-old’s initial explosion with JYP in Finland’s top pro league, the Liiga. Kemell stormed out of the gates with 12 goals and 18 points in his first 16 games, putting him on a better pace than Finnish stars such as Patrik Laine and Aleksander Barkov in their draft years. “It was amazing,” Kemell said. “I was feeling great and got a lot of confidence. It was so crazy.” Kemell made his Liiga debut in 2020-21, getting into one game, so there were some internal expectations. JYP sports manager Mikko Viitanen has known Kemell for six years already and followed the youngster’s progress in the organization, so he knew the skills.…

LEARN FROM UPS & DOWNS

PROJECTED TOP 10

1. SHANE WRIGHT C, 18, 6-1, 185Kingston (OHL) CHL rookie-of-the-year honors as a 15-year-old. Captained Canada to a U-18 championship last season in his only game action, so it wasn’t surprising to see points come slower this year. Caught fire when the haters started questioning him. SCOUT SAYS: “Everything about his situation has been overblown, he was never going to be a pull-you-out-of-your-seat guy. He’s a very intelligent player. The comparison has always been guys like Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews.” 2. LOGAN COOLEY C, 17, 5-11, 174U.S. NTDP (USHL) The youngest member of Team USA’s WJC squad, Cooley has also been a driver for the NTDP. He’s the team’s No. 1 center and tops in points per game. Switched his college commitment to Minnesota from Notre Dame. SCOUT SAYS: “He’s a great skater, and once he…

PROJECTED TOP 10

WHATEVER IT TAKES

CHRISTOFFER MALM had been chasing Dalibor Dvorsky for a while. The young Swedish exec was working for Rogle three years ago when he first set his sights on the Slovak kid, who was playing for Linkoping’s program at the time. But Dvorsky had already decided his next step would be to join AIK, just outside Stockholm. Malm, now first-year GM of AIK, finally has a chance to help develop Dvorsky, who made his Swedish pro debut in the second-tier Allsvenskan at 16 this season and has also dominated Sweden’s U-20 ranks. “For me, his biggest asset is his vision out there,” Malm said. “His vision is tops. He sees the game before anyone else, and when he plays center, he finds those passes where he almost knows where his teammates will…

WHATEVER IT TAKES

PROJECTED TOP 10

1. CONNOR BEDARD C, Regina (WHL) The most dynamic offensive phenom since Connor McDavid is wrecking the WHL, even with every team keying in on him. SCOUT SAYS: “The way he thinks ahead, his game with the puck, his agility, the way he shoots it, the way he threads passes to his buddies…he’s got everything except size, but it won’t matter, he’s so many levels above his teammates.” 2. ADAM FANTILLI C, Chicago (USHL) Last season’s playoff MVP has continued his onslaught in the USHL. He’s learning how to think the game instead of just relying on his physical tools. Committed to NCAA Michigan for next year. SCOUT SAYS: “You’re looking at probably the best player in the league, and he’s 17. He’s 6-foot-3 and just gallops around the ice and attacks. He’s a man-child, a unicorn.” 3.…

PROJECTED TOP 10

PUTTING IN THE PREP

MATTHEW Virgilio is on the radar because of his impressive skills, but scouts have also praised the incredibly mature defenseman for his leadership – a quality one can at least partly attribute to some serious adversity he went through as a youngster. “When I was about 12, 13 years old, I was diagnosed with cancer,” he said. “That was huge for me. I missed a full season, and then I missed another season later due to the pandemic, so I really learned not to take things for granted and to have that ‘next play’ mindset. Make a mistake? Go out next shift and come back from it. Even as a young guy on the team, I do like to bring in that leadership. Maybe the guys can learn from my…

PUTTING IN THE PREP

PLAYERS TO WATCH

MACKLIN CELEBRINI C, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (USHS) The leading scorer on Shattuck’s prep team was also one of the youngest, and Celebrini can make plays for days. Taken first overall by Seattle in the WHL’s 2021 U.S. draft. SCOUT SAYS: “Celebrini is the one that makes it all go ’round at Shattuck. He drives offense, makes his linemates better, he’s got compete, he’s got skill, and he has a give-and-go game. I like him a lot.” COLE EISERMAN RW, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (USHS) A favored partner in crime with Celebrini, Eiserman comes from an extensive hockey family and rang up a ton of points for the Sabres this season, despite his young age. SCOUT SAYS: “Eiserman looks the part. He’s got size, the physical tools, he’s got a shot, and he’s got the will to compete. When it comes…

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Q&A WITH JAKE REYNOLDS

AS PART OF HIS Peer-To-Peer series, The Hockey News owner and publisher, W. Graeme Roustan, spoke with New Jersey Devils president Jake Reynolds. W. GRAEME ROUSTAN: The cover of Future Watch is adorned with-four Devils players. You got the Hughes brothers, Jack and Luke, and you got Dawson Mercer and Alex Holtz on there as well. Your team is the youngest in the NHL at this point in time, and it’s just exciting. JAKE REYNOLDS: You can’t help but be excited. When you look at just the roster that we have, the pipeline, the young talent, the speed, the player development. It’s an incredible time to be a Devils fan. The Devils have such an incredible legacy and such an incredible history of winning. You go back to Marty Brodeur, Patrik Elias,…

Q&A WITH JAKE REYNOLDS

FORECASTING NHL PROSPECTS IS a famously inexact science. So over the years, Future Watch’s top 50 (now top 100) prospects lists have seen many hits – and a few misses, too. Looking back 10 years, though, the class of 2012 has quietly become one of the most star-studded in memory. It boasted a diverse array of current top talents, such as Jonathan Huberdeau, Mark Stone, Dougie Hamilton, Vladimir Tarasenko, Mika Zibanejad, Mark Scheifele and Tyler Toffoli. Joining that group of stud skaters are masked men Jacob Markstrom and Robin Lehner, two of the NHL’s premier stoppers. They ranked eighth and 20th overall that year – the top two goalies on the list. In all, 29 of the 50 players have now played at least 500 NHL games. More names – including…

HEAD WEST, YOUNG MEN

“We've been on the run, driving in the sun, looking out for No. 1. California, here we come”— Phantom Planet If you look at the map of North American hockey, there’s one big open space in the developmental world, and it also happens to be one of the most desirable destinations on the continent: the American West Coast. California has been on the upswing ever since Wayne Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles more than 30 years ago, and the buzz has poured over state lines with Auston Matthews staking Arizona to hockey fame and the Golden Knights taking Las Vegas by storm. But if you’re a high-end kid hoping to make it in the NHL – or even the NCAA – you had to go east, young man. Matthews, for example, went…

HEAD WEST, YOUNG MEN

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