William Eklund Celebrating

 

The year 2020 may finally and mercifully be over, but the strange circumstances remain. Attempting to traverse the scouting of draft-eligible prospects in this pandemic-filled world is no easy feat. That is why you’re seeing my first published board in the New Year instead of in the summer as usual.

The WHL and OHL have yet to fire up. We’re hopeful for both, but at this point, anything could happen. The Swedish J20 is done for the year, but at least it had a bit of a run and the top players are finding some ice in the SHL and Allsvenskan. Several other leagues have started, stopped, re-started and are teetering perilously on the brink.

I was hesitant to release a board before giving players a chance to showcase their skills this season. And while that has yet to be possible for all, we’ve had enough of them get that chance through their main leagues or via transfers overseas or cross-continent.

I want to be very clear that this board in particular is fundamentally flawed. My top spot has bounced between an OHLer who’s been shipped overseas and has a grand total of 10 games played this season and a late-02 riser. As the games play on, there will be those who will assert themselves with more playing time. Others will push their stock down with further views.

Take this list with a healthy grain of salt – as you should with every public list you come across right now. 

As always, my assessments are limited. I am but one man who also has a five-year-old son, a one-year-old daughter, a teaching career, and many writing commitments. However, I’m fortunate enough to have a very patient wife and am privileged to have several experienced scouts to bounce things off of. Additionally, having access to InStatHockey has been the gift that keeps on giving. It’s provided more than I can state. 

This is not intended to mock up what the selections may end up being. This is how I perceive the player today in conjunction with how I believe they will progress and develop. It’s projection over current product. Translatable traits trump all. I’m limited to mostly assessing these players on their on-ice achievements. Knowing these young men as individuals would be telling towards their drive and determination. Something that cannot be understated. I lean on established scouts, coaches, and agents to help fill in the gaps.

Regarding my method, I place immense value on skating ability and processing speed. Physical attributes are great, but if you can’t see the play develop or recognize your options quickly, both offensively and defensively, you’ll be destined for an uphill battle. In my opinion, if you’re intelligent, you can overcome plenty of limitations. If you’re gifted physically, yet have limited awareness on the ice, you’re at more of a disadvantage. Add them together and you have the recipe for immense success.

The top-10 skaters are all housed in one single tier. At this point, I wouldn’t fault a person for putting any of them at the top of the heap. It’s that wide open this year. After that, we’re looking at a grouping from around 11 to 19, another tier from 20 onwards. 

 

THE BOARD

 

1. William Eklund, W / 5’10 172lbs / 2002-10-12 / SHL

A fantastic showing in the SHL this season has vaulted Eklund up the draft boards. He’s an opportunistic point-producer who thinks the game at a high-level and boasts terrific vision and passing skills. He’s already making plays that involve a high degree of difficulty and creativity against men. If he can add an extra gear to the skating, watch out. It’s a wide-open field for the top spot this year, but he starts out as my favourite. 

 

2. Brandt Clarke, RHD / 6’1 181lbs / 2003-02-09 / Slovakia

The OHL first team rookie blends quality skating and offensive instincts with an elite brain for the game. Has already adjusted well to the professional ranks in Slovakia and would be tearing the OHL apart if it were playing. My belief in his upside is strong. 

 

3. Matthew Beniers, C / 6’1 174lbs / 2002-11-05 / NCAA

The 18-year-old has been on the draft radar for years. He’s been a dynamic producer on the USNTDP squads and now he’s a two-way force at the NCAA level. A terrific WJC performance hasn’t hurt his stock one bit. The gaudy point totals won’t likely follow, but he has a ton of translatable skills. Speed and transitional effectiveness to burn. 

 

4. Jesper Wallstedt, G / 6’3 209lbs / 2002-11-14 / SHL

If Yaroslav Askarov was the best goaltending prospect since Carey Price, Jesper Wallstedt is the best since Askarov. He’s large, he’s active, he shows up in big-game moments. Already looking overly comfortable in the SHL. The sky’s the limit here. 

 

5. Fabian Lysell, RW/LW / 5’10 176lbs / 2003-01-19 / SHL

The name of the game is pace with Lysell. He’s a highly skilled puck handler and skater who never takes a shift off. Underrated shot. Stackable skillset. Added deception with gear-changes is the next item needed. 

 

6. Luke Hughes, LHD / 6’2 176lbs / 2003-09-09 / USNTDP

One of the youngest players in the group also boasts some of the highest upside. Despite adding several inches over the summer, he remains coordinated. His stride is long and fluid. He’s not as creative as his older brothers but can cause fits in transition. Can make players miss in all three zones. A ton to like here, but he could certainly add some zip to his shot. 

 

7. Aatu Räty, C / 6’1 181lbs / 2002-11-14 / Liiga

Once considered the top prospect in this class, his stock has taken a major hit. He found himself in the U20 league for a spell after playing much of last season in the Liiga. He was a returning player for the WJC squad who managed to get cut. It was not pretty. Yet he still brings a lot of translatable skills. Handles, a quick release, smarts, and two-way acumen. You might be landing a second-line player, but his skill has not gone away. He’s been looking like his old self of late too.

 

8. Owen Power, LHD / 6’5 209lbs / 2002-11-22 / NCAA

You can’t teach size and skating ability as Power has. He’s been fairly average as a freshman at the University of Michigan after playing on the all-star team known as the Chicago Steel the year before. But it’s all about the upside with the 18-year-old. If he breaks right, you’re looking at a high-end 1D. I just wonder about the decision-making. 

 

9. Kent Johnson, W/C / 6’1 168lbs / 2002-10-18 / NCAA

Has some of the best pure offensive skills from a forward in this crop, and has been a wizard in the NCAA this season. More of a passer than a finisher, he could stand to add some weight to his shot. Ditto for his straightaway speed. But the craftiness to his game more than makes up for it. I’d like to see him go a little more east-west.

 

10. Simon Edvinsson, LHD / 6’4 185lbs / 2003-02-05 / SHL

Large and in charge, Edvinsson can do things at his size that players significantly smaller cannot. His ability to quickly cover ground is nearly unmatched in this class. This is a very raw prospect but one that boasts incredible upside. But the awareness is a question mark at this point. 

 

11. Stanislav Svozil, LHD / 6’1 172lbs / 2003-01-17 / Czech

The Czech product is silky smooth out there. He engages quickly and decisively with the puck, can break out with smart passes, and is always assessing the ice. Took home the Rookie of the Year in the top league last season. Looked very good at the WJC. One of my personal favourites but has a lower offensive ceiling than some around him on this list.  

 

12. Dylan Guenther, C/W / 6’1 170lbs / 2003-04-10 / WHL

The reigning WHL Rookie of the Year makes a habit of getting open. This despite being a constant focal point of defensive schemes. He’s constantly surveying his surroundings to find pockets and unleash his shot. Playmaking and stride form are both in need of fleshing out, but the upside is a 30-goal top-line player. He shoots it off his outside foot like few are able to in junior. 

 

13. Chaz Lucius, C/W / 6’ 172lbs / 2003-05-02 / USNTDP

A long-term injury has held him out for all of this season, but the show he put on as a D-1 player has been enough to keep him up high. A dynamic shot that can be used in transition, from a standstill and expert timing around the net make him a serious threat. 

 

14. Oskar Olausson, LW/RW / 6’2 181lbs / 2002-11-10 / SHL

A jack-of-all-trades winger who can tailor his game to the situation presented. At the WJC, he played an effective bottom-six role. In the J20, he’s a lightning rod for offense. In the SHL, he’s somewhere in between. There’s an NHL future here. 

 

15. Scott Morrow, RHD / 6’2 192lbs / 2002-11-01 / USHS-Prep

A talented offensive defender with size and quality skating posture. Can do whatever he wants at the prep-school level, but didn’t look out of place defensively in his USHL games. Off to North Dakota in the fall. That’s a program that knows how to develop players. 

 

16. Francesco Pinelli, C / 6’ 176lbs / 2003-04-11 / OHL

Plays a slick, puck-hunting game. As a 16-year-old with Kitchener, he was confident in the middle and on the wing. Has a lumbering skating style and a slower pace, but its almost a product of his analytical style. Always searching for soft ice. There’s top six upside here but I’d love to see the pace ramped up.

 

17. Carson Lambos, LHD / 6’1 201lbs / 2003-01-14 / U20 SM-sarja

There are very few holes in this player’s game. He’s a staunch defender and has shown capable of generating offense at the WHL and Finnish junior ranks. I question his pure upside there as an NHLer, but his floor looks mighty safe.

 

18. Simon Robertsson, W / 6’ 181lbs / 2003-02-05 / SHL

A worker bee with good hands and a clean stride. Uses a deception on his release and can draw opponents before sliding deft passes into and through traffic. Might not have the same pure upside as others around him, but boasts a lot of translatable skills. 

 

19. Cole Sillinger, C /6’ 187lbs / 2003-05-16 / USHL

Another kid who can absolutely rip it, he was a high-end producer for Medicine Hat as a 16-year-old. He’s been so-so in the USHL this season and the skating needs some work, but the manipulation and anticipation are gold. 

 

20. Fyodor Svechkov, LW / 6’ 179lbs / 2003-04-05 / VHL

Arguably the top defensive forward in this class, the Russian winger is a terror to play against. He employs terrific angles and routes on both sides of the puck.  A rare Russian to constantly play at a high pace. 

 

21. Samu Tuomaala, W / 5’10 174lbs / 2003-01-08 / U20 SM-sarja

A play-driving winger with great speed and an abundance of confidence. Has kept his head above water defensively in the top tier. Can get manhandled a bit along the wall. 

 

22. Anton Olsson, LHD / 6’1 183lbs / 2003-01-26 / SHL

A quietly effective defender who has acclimated well to the SHL as a 17-year-old. Is already killing penalties at that level. The questions remain around his overall offensive upside, but defensively he’s already here. 

 

23. Mason McTavish, C / 6’1 196lbs / 2003-01-30 OHL

A play-creation expert who has nifty hands that can manipulate small spaces. Has the innate ability to ‘feel’ a play. Soft saucers, snap passes, the odd hook dish. The skating is a clear concern though. 

 

24. Isak Rosén, W / 5’10 154lbs / 2003-03-15 / SHL

A fun offensive player who works the small ice game well. Nice timing around the net, a quick release and the vision to distribute well. We’re waiting on the strength which should help add some more speed and power to style. 

 

25. Brennan Othmann, LW / 5’11 165lbs / 2003-01-05 / Swiss

A hard-to-play-against type who can drag and release in-flight. Plays a straightforward style but doesn’t boast great skating or a super high pace. Likely a middle-six type down the road. 

 

26. Zachary L’Hereux, C / 5’11 194lbs / 2003-05-13 / QMJHL

Something of a Richard out there, L’Hereaux walks the line between hard play and needless aggression. He screams checking line type. 

 

27. Ty Voit, RW / 5’9 150lbs / 2003-06-10 / OHL

Not the biggest player on the ice, Voit packs a punch despite it. He plays at an extremely high pace and can maneuver with the puck at top flight. He’s a guy that is fun to root for. 

 

28. Samu Salminen, C / 6’3 190lbs / 2003-04-09 / U20 SM-sarja

A deceptive and dangerous offensive player with good size and control of his surroundings. His skating needs work, but he’s shown the ability to jump off of the line and push the pace. He has an intriguing upside.

 

29. Samuel Helenius, C  / 6’6 201lbs / 2002-11-26 / Liiga

An effective, 6’6 centre who covers a ton of ice in a hurry. Uses his reach well and times his appearances at the net-front splendidly. Doesn’t scream top-six upside, but there’s little to dislike here.  

 

30. Matthew Samoskevich, RW / 5’11 190lbs / 2002-11-15 / USHL

If we could somehow add a speedy element to Samoskevich’s arsenal, he’d be sitting much higher on this list. He boasts lightning-quick hands, even quicker processing skills, good vision and a threatening release. 

 

31. Sebastian Cossa, G / 6’6 212lbs / 2002-11-21 / WHL

Another big-boy goalie with nice fundamentals. I trust the goalie gurus who like this kid a lot. Works doubly well that my eyes agree. 

 

32. Dylan Duke, C / 5’10 181lbs / 2003-03-04 / USNDTP

Identifies opportunities and attacks them quickly. Boasts a very strong, quick and accurate release. The timing around the net is key for him as his skating can look sloppy.

 

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@Hockey_Robinson