As hockey fans, we are beginning to get used to the unusual. No matter where you look there is a reference to the “unprecedented times in which we are living”, and the world of hockey is not excluded from that. The staggered league commencement dates have created big issues for NHL prospects in terms of their development. Some players are finding it difficult to find gym- or ice-time to train, whereas others are in the heat of training camps or, in the case of the KHL, have already begun their regular seasons. We have seen a small exodus of players leaving certain NCAA conferences, while other players under contract are trying to find the best places to begin their seasons and to help get a leg-up on competition prior to NHL camps re-opening some time in November/December. 

 

There is a constantly evolving list of prospects that are crossing back over (in most cases) the Atlantic in order to take advantage of leagues that have earlier start dates. The KHL began its regular season on September 2, while the SHL will begin on September 19. Most European leagues did not finish their 2019-20 seasons due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, so players and coaches are anxious to get back on the ice and into meaningful games.

 

In North America there is a much different story. The AHL has not set a start date for resumption of play and there is some speculation their season may be postponed altogether. The CHL has a varied approach with the QMJHL set to begin first on October 1, with an inter-divisional style of play and a total of three divisions. The lack of American teams gives the QMJHL more flexibility compared to the OHL and WHL.

 

Other questions quickly arise in Canadian and American junior leagues like, “How many CHL franchises survive a season with no fans in the stands?” CHL teams are also facing a settlement cost that is in the range of $250,000 due to the class-action minimum-wage lawsuit filed by players that may make it impossible for some teams to continue or function coupled with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. 

 

It is in the best interests of NHL teams to have their prospects playing as soon as possible so we may see some unique intervention to assist struggling teams and leagues.

 

Here is a look at many of the more notable players that have been loaned to their respective hockey teams and leagues. Much appreciation goes to GeorgeLeafers12 and other HFBoards members for contributing to the ever growing list of players. There have been over 60 players identified that are currently loaned out to a variety of European leagues. This list is not comprehensive, but highlights many of the players that have legitimate shots at making an impact at future dates. Some of the teams and leagues have not been officially confirmed. If you notice a player that is missing, please add them in a reply at the bottom of this page.

 

From a fantasy perspective, you can probably give these prospects a head-start heading into NHL training camps, not only because they will have played in professional games against strong competition, but also because NHL teams will be heading into a flat salary capped season and looking to squeeze every penny out of value contracts.

 

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Anaheim Ducks

Lukas Dostal => Ilves (Liiga)

 

Arizona Coyotes

Victor Söderström => AIK (Allsvenskan)

 

Boston Bruins

Jakub Zboril => HC Kometa Brno (Czech)

 

Calgary Flames

Martin Pospisil => HC Kosice (Slovak EL)

 

Chicago Blackhawks

Phillip Kurashev => Lugano (NLA)

Antti Saarela => Lukko (Liiga)

Michal Teply => BK Mlada Boleslav (Czech)

 

Colorado Avalanche

Vladislav Kamenev => SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

 

Columbus Blue Jackets

Emil Bemstrom => HIFK (Liiga)

Alexandre Texier => KalPa (Liiga)

Veini Vehvilainen => JYP (Liiga)

 

Detroit Red Wings

Mathias Brome => Orebro (SHL)

Filip Hronek => HC Mountfield (Czech)

Filip Larsson => Almtuna (Allsvenskan)

Gustav Lindstrom => Almtuna IS (Allsvenskan)

Moritz Seider => Mannheim (DEL)

Filip Zadina => HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech)

 

Edmonton Oilers

Evan Bouchard => Sodertalje SK (Allsvenskan)

Gaetan Haas => Bern  (NLA)

Raphael Lavoie => Rögle (SHL)

Kirill Maksimov => CSKA (KHL)

Ryan McLeod => Zug (NLA)

Dmitri Samorukov => CSKA (KHL)

 

Florida Panthers

Aleksi Heponiemi => MODO (Allsvenskan)

Vladislav Kolyachonok => Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

 

Los Angeles Kings

Tobias Bjornfot => Djurgården (SHL)

Samuel Fagemo => Södertälje (Allsvenskan)

Carl Grundstrom => IF Bjorkloven (Allsvenskan)

Jacob Movarare -> SaiPa (Liiga)

 

Montreal Canadiens

Lukas Vejdemo => Sodertalje SK (Allsvenskan)

 

Minnesota Wild

Alexander Khovanov => Kazan (KHL)

Ivan Lodnia => Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

Brennan Menell => Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

 

Nashville Predators

Eeli Tolvanen => Jokerit (KHL)

 

New Jersey Devils

Nick Merkley => Assat Pori (Liiga)

Mirco Müller => Lugano (NLA)

Marian Studenic => Slovan Bratislava (Slovak EL)

 

New York Islanders

Simon Holmstrom => HC Vita (Allsvenskan)

Oliver Wahlstrom => AIK (Allsvenskan)

 

New York Rangers

Lias Andersson => HV71 (SHL)

Libor Hajek => HC Kometa Brno (Czech)

Vitali Kravtsov => Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)

Yegor Rykov => CSKA (KHL)

 

Ottawa Senators

Lassi Thomson => Ilves (Liiga)

Vitali Abramov => Jukurit (Liiga)

 

Philadelphia Flyers

David Kase => HC Karlovy Vary (Czech)

German Rubtsov => Sochi (KHL)

Maxim Sushko => HC Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

 

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jesper Lindgren => MODO (Allsvenskan)

 

San Jose Sharks

Josef Korenar => Trinec (Czech)

 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Yegor Korshkov => Yaroslavl Yaroslavl (KHL)

Mikko Lehtonen => Jokerit (KHL)

 

Vancouver Canucks

Nils Höglander => Rögle (SHL)

 

Washington Capitals

Alex Alexeyev => Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

Aliaksei Protas => Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

 

Winnipeg Jets

Leon Gawanke => Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)

David Gustafsson => AIF (Allsvenskan)

Ville Heinola => Luuko (Liiga)

 

Mason Black (@NHLRankKing)