2017 NHL Draft Prospects
This week I started creating 2017 NHL Draft prospect profiles for the site. Starting at the top of the draft with about eight profiles so far including Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier, Timothy Liljegren, Owen Tippett, Gabriel Vilardi, Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Pettersson, Eeli Tolvanen. To find these profiles and scouting reports look under our Feature Tab – Undrafted-Under 20 page or click here.
Check back often as these profiles will be updated leading into the draft and plenty more will be added before the draft as well. Look for 50 profiles to be added in total!
Don’t forget for more 2017 NHL Draft prospect scouting fantasy hockey info we have the only experts consensus draft ranking designed for fantasy hockey drafts. Contributions from DobberProspects scouts and external media and scouts contributed. Read the rankings here
The last episode of DobberProspects Radio was all about the draft as prospects from the CHL Top Prospects game were exclusively covered and SportsNet Analyst Sam Cosentino joined the show to share his thoughts on some top prospects. Listen here
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Prospect you need to know.
In my ramblings last week I posted the Ottawa Senators prospect update on their prospects. One player to stand out was SHL goalie Marcus Hogberg. Our Sens scout Brad Phillips @BradHPhillips provided an update on the big Swede tender last week and had this to say
“Big and agile, Högberg is everything you want in a modern goaltender. The Senators appear to have a gem”
Hogberg is only 5% owned on Fantrax and if you are in a league that allows you to claim prospects as free agents or waiver claims and you have a prospect spot available Hogberg offers great value.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">46 saves for 3rd star Marcus Hogberg in yesterday's 3-2 SO win over HV71. Having an excellent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SHL?src=hash">#SHL</a> season. ?? <a href="https://t.co/dgx4tLllF1">https://t.co/dgx4tLllF1</a></p>— SensProspects (@SensProspects) <a href="https://twitter.com/SensProspects/status/828295373374517248">February 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Alex DeBrincat – All-Time Great!
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat made history today when he scored his 50th goal of the season. This will be his third consecutive 50 goal season in a row, a feat which has not been achieved since 1980! DeBrincat is only 29% Fantrax owned, if he is available in your league I would not hesitate to add him. Don’t worry about him being undersized, it won’t be an issue.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">By scoring the Otters' first goal tonight against the <a href="https://twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals">@Oshawa_Generals</a> Generals, <a href="https://twitter.com/Brinksy97">@Brinksy97</a> has secured his third-straight 50 goal campaign! <a href="https://t.co/MdHEcWjgwA">pic.twitter.com/MdHEcWjgwA</a></p>— Erie Otters (@ErieOtters) <a href="https://twitter.com/ErieOtters/status/833762875877502977">February 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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CHL over age players to watch
As the CHL seasons wind down there will be some OA players looking for NHL contracts and getting some serious looks from NHL teams. Here are a few to put on your watch lists.
Darren Raddysh – Erie Otters (OHL)
The older brother and Otters teammate of Tampa Bay prospect Taylor Raddysh, Darren is a 6-1 mobile defenceman who leads the OHL in defencemen scoring with 62 points in 50 games, and recently set the record as the Erie Otters All-Time assist leader. His 15 goals this season gives him 40 for his career and he is only three shy of setting that Erie All-Time record as well. He has obvious offensive skill, has NHL size and skating is adequate as well. He plays a very smart and calculated game as he reads plays very well and makes good decisions. He can use his body and size to protect pucks, block lanes and close gaps on fore checkers and overall his game looks to translate well to pro hockey.
Tyler Boland – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
Boland is the QMJHL overall scoring leader with 93 points in 58 games. Boland was named the CHL player of the week the first week of February. The Montreal Canadiens reportedly have interest in signing Boland to bolster their depth at center. At 6-0 and 181 pounds he is not undersized but after watching him live he could be stronger. He has very good speed and puck control skills. He has a good shot with a quick release and sees plays develop. His OA season is clearly his best, but he had a good playoff in 14-15 when he scored seven points in 14 games helping the Oceanic to a QMJHL Championship.
Zack MacEwan – Gatineau Olympiques
The 20-year-old is only in his second season of major junior hockey but looks to be a late bloomer. The big bodied 6-3; 205 pound right shot winger has been an impact player for Gatineau this year. I was reported earlier by TVA and then quickly deleted that the Toronto Maple Leafs had signed MacEwan. While that has yet to happen, the Leafs are not the only team looking at him. Elliot Friedman reported in his 30 thoughts article:
“26. There isn’t as much action on CHL kids because most get drafted before free agency is reality. One who has captured attention if Zack MacEwen of QMJHL Gatineau. Ottawa, Tampa, Toronto and Vancouver are all believed to be among those interested. He was invited to Anaheim’s camp last September.”
In 56 games this season he has 27 goals and 60 points with 77 penalty minutes. He uses his size to impact the game by throwing hits but his skill with the puck is perhaps only second on the team to Columbus prospect Vili Abramov.
Tyler Wong – Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
Wong joined the Toronto Marlies on an ATO last year where he played three games and had one assist. He is currently 4th overall in WHL scoring with 43 goals and 85 points 53 penalty minutes and a plus -18 in 56 games. Wong is an undersized winger at 5-9 and 176 pounds but isn’t afraid to play in the hard areas and fight for loose pucks along the boards, corners or in front of the net. While his size does not scream NHL player, the Hurricanes Captain’s defensive commitment, two-way game and offensive skill, and strong compete level should earn him another shot at cracking the pro game.