Prospect Ramblings – Memorial Cup Risers
Aaron Itovitch
2023-06-05
I’m writing this post with about 20 minutes left in the memorial cup final, and it appears that Patrick Roy will coach his Quebec Remparts to a championship win. While the excitement of the Memorial Cup won’t wear off for a while, it is definitely time to be thinking about next season. The Seattle Thunderbirds and Quebec Remparts aren’t stock-full of NHL-ready talent, but there will certainly be a few risers.
Seattle Thunderbirds
Dylan Guenther
Dylan Guenther is the surest bet to be a full-time NHLer for the 2023-24 campaign out of all of the players in this memorial cup final. Already having 33 NHL games under his belt, it is likely Guenther will be immediately slotted into the Arizona Coyotes’ top-six. Guenther is ineligible for the Calder trophy due to his games played, but it is entirely possible that he’ll put up a seriously impressive season. If he is given high-quality linemates, such as Mattias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton, or Clayton Keller, Guenther could truly break out.
Dylan Guenther (AZ) is feeeeelin' it.
He has goals in 11 straight! And is up to 7 goals and 9 points in 5 postseason games. pic.twitter.com/1DnkoqxHiP
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) April 15, 2023
Dylan Guenther is going to score a lot of goals in this league pic.twitter.com/DyMLvVFZCf
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) January 23, 2023
Kevin Korchinski
I was personally very shocked when Kevin Korchinski went seventh overall at last years’ draft, but one year later, it is certainly looking like a high-quality swing.
His ability to find creative lanes will most likely translate easily to the NHL, and on a very thin Blackhawks roster, he could be a potential partner for Seth Jones.
#Blackhawks prospect, Kevin Korchinski (#14) picks up a primary assist. #HawksProspects pic.twitter.com/1bcCkePl4N
— Chicago Prospects (@Chi_Prospects) June 1, 2023
Depending just how much emphasis the Blackhawks put on waiting out prospect development, Korchinksi may still have one more year of junior ahead of him, but with every game he is looking like a more solid bet to make the opening night roster. If he doesn’t, Thunderbirds management won’t be complaining!
Quebec Remparts
Zachary Bolduc
Zachary Bolduc is the most likely Rempart to make the jump next season. A triumphant 110-point 2022-23 campaign proved why he was worthy of the 17th overall pick in 2021, and on a St-Louis Blues roster changing so quickly, Bolduc may not need an AHL stop.
Zachary Bolduc extending the Remparts lead 4-0 #STLBlues #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/7wfSG1LGc7
— Mike Meyer (@M_Meyer3) June 5, 2023
Zachary Bolduc gives the Remparts the lead in the 3rd!#QPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/dty28txcoP
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 18, 2023
He may not have the immediate impact of a Dylan Guenther, but he’s looking like an NHLer more and more with every game.
Other Possibilities:
James Malatesta – CBJ
Nathan Gaucher – ANA
Colton Dach – CHI
Reid Schaefer – NSH
Thanks for tuning in to my prospect ramblings. You can follow me on Twitter @itovitch, and my personal top-64 rankings will be coming out next week. Lots of draft/prospect content coming!