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By Isaiah Bouchard

Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey’s introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. This is a multi-part series which we will be releasing over the next couple weeks to give you the readers some insight on whom we feel is the cream of the crop for 2023.

As the 2022/23 season for the CHL is beginning to open up this September and early October, one can look at the plethora of prospects being produced by the WHL this year, where 14 of the top 64 prospects via DraftPro’s rankings are coming from WHL teams, and 9 are coming from the OHL. As of right now, as we look at the start of the 2022/23 season, there are only 2 players from the QMJHL to make the top 64. Despite of this, one should not overlook the top QMJHL player for the 2023 draft class: Ethan Gauthier.

Gauthier finished his rookies season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix with 39 points in 62 games. And just recently helped his team win gold in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2022, scoring 7 points in 5 games. Placing 4th overall in points, alongside the WHL’s Zach Benson and the OHL’s Cameron Allen. “Really burst onto the national scene after his past summer’s Hlinka-G” said DraftPro’s head QMJHL scout: Christian B-Cote. Gauthier proved himself a high value prospect, beating out fellow 2023 entry draft candidates Reilly Heidt, Colby Barlow, and Quinten Musty to name a few. Making Gauthier, who currently sits at #47 on DraftPro’s top 64 ranking, a potential player to climb the rankings if he can follow up his HGC (Hlinka Gretzky Cup) performance with an explosive QMJHL season with the Phoenix.

Speaking of Phoenix, Gauthier joins Austin Matthews as a representative of players from Arizona, being born on January 25th, 2005, in Phoenix Arizona. He now lives in Canada and considers himself Canadian as he looks to complete his 7th season in Canada.

“Initially was thought of a 3-4th line on that Canadian team but kept scoring his way up in the lineup.” B-Cote said as we looked at Gauthier’s first season in QMJHL. “He is an excellent playmaker/scoring threat.” B-Cote goes on. Gauthier has quickly made a case for being an overlooked prospect this year. He posses the abilities that many other high-end talents have in this year’s draft class. He’s smart, a strong skater, and positions himself in ways that brings confidence to his coaches and players around him. “He’s got an imposing presence on the ice in the sense that he plays bigger than his listed size.” B-Cote adds in regard to his impact on the ice. “He will wisely protect the front of his net and act super responsibly. On the rush, he exudes patience and hockey-intellect. Ethan Gauthier is not only an excellent player, he makes everyone around him better. I could see him creeping into the 1st round.” B-Cote’s final words summarize Gauthier’s impact as a player. Suspect more from this exciting player both on the ice and in the rankings as the season moves forward.

The second player to make DraftPro’s top 64 rankings is Tyler Peddle from the Drummondville Voltigeurs, coming in exactly at #64. He is another player with the likely potential to climb. Also, as his last two seasons were split with the QMJHL in 2022 and the Shattuck St. Mary’s in 2021, he finds himself playing for the Voltigeurs once again, hoping to increase his point total from last year (35pts) with a team he now has a years’ experience with. “His greatest asset is his positioning, notably on the breakout, and the way he can create space for himself.” B-Cote said when asked Peddle’s greatest asset on the ice.

His ability to control the breakout feeds into his style of an ‘offense first’ forward. “You can tell he wants the puck and there’s no risk in giving it to him.” B-Cotes says, giving high praise to a confident player who feels comfortable with the offensive side of the game. “Whether it’s identifying needs defensively then quickly switching to offense-mode, Tyler displays a supreme level of hockey IQ.” B-Cote said in regard to Peddle’s defensive game, showing a valuable mentality in not undermining the defensive aspects of his game. “Don’t be surprised if you see him reverse-hit, like Forsberg did back in the day, then skillfully stickhandle through opponents in the neutral zone.”

To start off the QMJHL’s large list of defensemen, the Halifax Mooseheads produce another Mackinnon to put into their alumni, this time with likes of one Dylan Mackinnon. If one is looking for a strong defensively minded player then look no further than Dylan Mackinnon. “He’s a confident player who finishes checks in the offensive zone without sacrificing chances in his own end.” B-Cote said when asked what stood out about this player. He is also developing into an effective defensemen in more regards than simply defense, “Makes beautiful passes along the ice and possesses an accurate wrist shot.” B-Cote adds, referring to Mackinnon as: “A very strong defender in all aspects.”

Mackinnon’s stats may not pop out at first glance, but one shouldn’t pass over the fact he helped team Canada in the HGC, getting himself 1 assist, and finishing with a positive plus/minus. “I believe he will continue to make positive contributions in his second season with the Mooseheads.” B-Cote stated to summarize his thoughts on Mackinnon.

In opposite light of Mackinnon, who plays much like a classic defensemen, we have the Shawinigan Cataractes’s Jordan Tourigny. Tourigny plays like a true offensive defensemen, utilizing strong passes and skating to generate most of his offense. According to B-Cote, Tourigny favors to build momentum for his team via strong passes from behind the net, where he is often the one to begin the breakout for his team.

“To that effect, he displays a good vision for where to pass.” B-Cote adds, in reference to Tourigny’s playmaking abilities. On top of this, Tourigny is very much a player with strong utility in his game. “His skating is on-par with peers in the QMJHL but he’s not afraid to jump towards loose pucks along the boards in his zone.” B-Cote describes his ability to skate at a high level, while also putting himself in grittier situations. “In the offensive zone, he will stay well inside the blue line and direct pucks to the net with force, not necessarily to score on clean shots but to create chaos for the opponent. Jordan T can be deployed in all situations…” B-Cote finishes his summary on Tourigny by calling him an “important piece” to a rebuilding Cataractes team.

“Mathieu Cataford has a myriad of valuable strengths; simply labeling him a play-making scorer is too restrictive.” B-Cote said when discussing Mackinnon’s teammate, Mathieu Cataford. Cataford finished his season with the Mooseheads scoring 46 points, higher than one Ethan Gauthier, as well as anyone else on this list. He also showed up for the HGC, where he got an assist, and joined his fellow QMJHL players in representing the QMJHL in a year where the other CHL leagues are stacked with talent.

But to truly sell the value that Cataford has as a prospect, here is the rest of Christian B-Cote’s quote on Cataford: “On attack, he’s constantly adjusting the angle of attack near the net. He skates with an evidently powerful stride in straight lines and carries the puck effortlessly. He’s a creative, heads-up, smart passer, using a give-n-go play with his partners to score. Defensively, he will quickly transform takeaways into scoring chances by giving zero time for the opposing D to set up. If that wasn’t enough, he’s effective in the faceoff dot and displays excellent leadership qualities.” Cataford without a doubt has the potential to be a steal of a pick in the 2nd to 3rd round that he is suspected to go in. To add to B-Cote’s praise, Cataford is also a well-built player, likely being over a 6’0” tall player once he is in the NHL, making him a player tons of upsides and practically no downsides. The sky is the limit for this young forward.

If one is looking for a steady and reliable defensemen, than look to Étienne Morin. “the second-year Wildcat has every tool you’d want in a defenseman: smooth skating, poise, nice stretch passes and a good shot from the point. Then, in his zone, he uses his stick well and quickly puts pressure on opposing forwards entering.” B-Cote said when discussing Morin’s many upsides. Though Morin’s downside falls into his own fervor as a player in a competitive league. “He will need to continue up his compete level” B-Cote adds in addition to his bulk disadvantages that are by no means insurmountable. With the proper gains, and application of his physical game and strength, B-Cote sees a highly rewarding top 2 defensemen for a team willing to put in the time, Describing Morin as a player with a “High ceiling and no real flaws.” And as his natural growth takes place, suspect that already short list of downsides to shrink.

Another late round defensemen on this list, Luke Coughlin hopes to win over fans with his highly talented skating ability. “Coughlin immediately stands out given his fluid skating, especially backwards. He makes quick direction changes with ease, mainly without the puck.” B-Cote describes by far Coughlin’s greatest skill on the ice. He is a defensemen with immense potential to play in the offensive zone but lacks the proper pieces as of right now. “he likely needs to develop more poise and patience.” B-Cote says in reference to Coughlin’s game when he has the puck.

Coughlin seems to struggle to apply these skills he has as a skater and stickhandler into his offensive game. While he seems reckless at times, such as “throwing the puck away instead of buying himself more time” according to B-Cote, he also seems self-restrictive in other aspects. B-Cote continues on by outlining his playstyle on the blueline. Describing him as a player who stickhandles with great confidence but is yet to truly apply his ability to skate, dangle, and pass in the offensive zone, despite him having no problem flexing these skills at his end of the ice. These downsides however are common with young players. Like Morin, Coughlin will be a rewarding player for teams willing to put in the time. If Coughlin can fix these issues, he will certainly jump in the draft.

Our last defensemen on this list, Nathan Drapeau has the fortunate December birthday that gave him one more season prior to his draft eligible year. He in turn has more experience than many others on this list. He’s also a memorial cup winner with the Sea Dogs last season and is starting fresh with a new team; the Val-d’Or Foreurs. “He’s tough to play against and possesses a reliable shot from the point to give his linemates scoring chances.” B-Cote said about the late round underdog. And after finishing the 2021/22 season with 15 points and a very impressive 25 +/-, Drapeau gives good reason to go in 2023, playing that harder style as a defensemen not many are quick to fill at a young age.

The final player on this list and the QMJHL best offering for a skater between the pipes: Kyle Hagen. Though he doesn’t carry with him a large resume under the QMJHL, where he has only one game. He does carry impressive credentials such as being a 1st round pick, as a goalie, in the QMJHL’s draft. He caught the attention of QMJHL GMs where he kept consistently high numbers on a struggling Lac St. Louis Lions team. “I liked him a lot in the summer showcases leading up to his Q draft year, given his quickness, technique, and focus.” B-Cote said in reference to the new QMJHL star. Still high praise and excitement being built for a player who hasn’t truly started in the QMJHL.

He’s also developed a good character at a young age, being well regarded as a polite and kind young man. Giving his proper respects to all those on and off the ice, even to those simply “holding doors open” according to B-Cote, describing Hagen as a very cordial young man. Like most goalies, suspect Hagen to go in the later rounds in 2023, but don’t be surprised if he grows into a late round steal as the years go by.

For more on QMJHL prospects, and the 2023 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2023 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and subscribe to our bi-monthly DraftPro newsletter full of up-to-date info and scouting reports.

By Isaiah Bouchard

Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey’s introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. This is a multi-part series which we will be releasing over the next couple weeks to give you the readers some insight on whom we feel is the cream of the crop for 2023

The Oshawa General’s Calum Ritchie takes the highest spot for an OHL Representative in DraftPro’s Top 64 players in the 2023 draft class. Ritchie claims the #7 spot, but with only one rookie season in the OHL under his belt, Ritchie still has a lot more to show this 2022/23 season. Look no further than his appearance in the 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup where he put up 10 points for his team in only 5 games. This was the highest point total in the entire tournament beating out his fellow teammates Brayden Yager and Zach Benson (#5 and #8 on DraftPro’s rankings respectively) making Ritchie an intriguing prospect to follow this season as he comes to represent the OHL in a season where the WHL has never looked so filled with talent.

“Ritchie is one of those forwards that can lead the attack for his team, and he did that on many nights in his rookie season for the Gens.” Says DraftPro’s head director of scouting, Jared Brown. “He’s consistently produced at every level/event he’s played at due to his dynamic skill set and dual shot-pass threat.”

Ritchie is making his name as a reliable player in a myriad of situations, a threat at every level of play. A momentum producer for his team, letting his many set of skills be applied to not only his game, but his team’s game as well.

“One thing he does extremely well is building up positive speed differentials when attacking defenders off the rush and pushing them on their heels. Quick weight shifts and change of speed makes him a deceptive skater which is a valuable asset to have when creating offense in transition.” Brown goes on. All of this barring in mind that he has only played one OHL season, and while he has experienced the growing pains of many a rookie, Ritchie still impresses.

“His play suffered some inconsistencies as the OHL regular season winded down last year, but I was impressed by how he was able to turn things around in the playoffs and tied two NHL affiliated prospects in scoring with their first-round exit to Kingston.” Brown describes Ritchie’s fluctuating performance as a rookie. These consistency issues are common for young players, and what should be noted is Ritchie’s strong performance in the playoffs last year, which when coupled with his performance at the HGC (Hlinka-Gretzky Cup) Calum Ritchie is not a player to struggle in high pressure situations. Fully suspect this player to thrive again if the Generals make it to the playoffs again next season, and with Ritchie playing center, its highly likely that they return to the playoffs again in 2023.

No. 10 on DraftPro’s rankings and the third highest wingman out of the 64 players is Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack. Barlow put up similar numbers to Calum Ritchie last year, and similar to Ritchie, Barlow had his rookie season last year. Also similar to Ritchie is Barlow’s size, coming in a 6’1” and averaging at around 195-200lbs. He was also in the HGC, putting up 5 points for his team.

“He’s one of the better skaters from an early look at the 2023 draft. His skating mechanics are incredibly profound as he explodes through his strides for impressive straight-line acceleration.” Said DraftPro’s Jared Brown, giving Barlow high praise as a skater, which is an ever-important skill to have in the modern NHL. Brown goes on: “He’s able to be a ferocious forechecker due to his speed and size to pressure defenders quickly and force them into mistakes/turnovers.” From the get-go, Barlow looks to have the potential to play power forward roles for his team. This coupled with his pure goal scoring ability makes Barlow an intriguing asset to have on any team.

Brown had this to say about Barlow’s goal scoring performance last year: “Barlow broke Owen Sound’s team record for goals by a 16-year-old last year which was previously set at 22 goals by Bobby Ryan in 2003-2004 season. It was and wasn’t surprising when you think about it. Barlow does an excellent job finding open spots in the middle ice and opening himself up to passes.” And Brown goes on: “Excellent at quickly getting his hands set and ready to deliver the puck with power and speed.”

Overall Barlow gives himself a good argument for one of the most dynamic wingers in the league. His size, skating, and shooting abilities is making him an ever more impactful player on his team, and potentially even the entire OHL if he’s only going to improve from his rookie season. “Barlow earned the trust of his coaches last year in Owen Sound earlier on and was used in all situations even in the playoffs, something that’s impressive for a 16-year-old.” Brown says to sum up Barlow’s impactful rookie season. It’s going to be interesting to see the competition arise from Ritchie and Barlow, two impactful rookie players who are going to use their dynamic skill sets to push their teams in 2023. But there is one more player making an argument for a top 10 pick in 2023.

Quentin Musty, an American player who plays for the Sudbury Wolves lands at #11 on Draft Pro’s Top 64 prospects. Like Barlow, Musty is a winger, making their close placement to one another on the rankings that much more indictive on how tight the competition is in the OHL this year. Musty also put on a similar performance in point total, also on his rookie season, and put up 5 points in the HGC, similar to Barlow, only this time on his American team, where he had one less game than Barlow. Musty also has a slight size advantage over Barlow, being 6’2” and coming in at 205lbs.

Unlike Barlow, who shows glimpses of a power forward skill set, Brown describes Musty as a pure power forward winger. “He’s a big power forward that will engage physically, has elite skill, can pass through layers, and place his shots top corner to beat goalies high.” Brown continues on his vast skill set: “He oozes creativity, dynamic puck skills, and imagination to dance defenders 1-on-1 and pull fans out of their seats with his dekes.”

While it seems Musty has all the skill to be a “Impactful top 6 winger in the NHL” according to Brown, there are still some hurdles to overcome. “His game can be very inconsistent at times and his pace are areas that need to continue showing growth” Brown says. Similar to Ritchie and Barlow, Musty is coming off of a rookie season that proceeded a Shakey post covid OHL. Brown still had a lot of positivity to shine on Musty’s performance last year: “He was on a young rebuilding Sudbury team last year but still played a prominent offensive role for his club”, he goes on by saying: “Expectation is for him to continue to lead the offensive for Sudbury while showcasing why he’s a potential top ten draft pick.” This season, which is hoping to be much more stable, is going to be a big one for a winger with a lot to prove as he sits just outside DraftPro’s Top 10.

The OHL’s highest ranking defensemen and DraftPro’s #31 overall prospect is the Guelph Storm’s Cameron Allen. “Allen has almost everything you look for in a defenseman. He can skate plays out, join the rush, match the puck carrier’s speed to defend the rush wonderfully. Has a strong point shot that can beat goalies from range, makes plays inside the offensive zone, can be physically abrasive and a thorn in his opponents side with terrific man-on-man defense.” Says DraftPro’s head scout Jared Brown. This quote should be a telling sample of what makes Allen a great defensemen and future NHLer. Brown goes on by praising Allen as a he “established himself quickly on the Guelph Storm last year” and was quick to play the role as a “top 4 defensemen.”

During the HGC is when Allen truly came into his own as a defensemen. He led all other defensemen in points by the end of the tournament and established himself as “a great leader for team Canada”. This passion for the game was very clear during his OHL season and during the HGC this past summer. “He can let his emotions get the best of him at times showing that he is a very passionate player and person.” Brown said, referring to Allen’s presence on the ice. Though emotions are surely to get the better of players at times, perhaps at the most dire moments of a game, one shouldn’t overlook the high value that passion and genuine connection to the game can have on one’s performance, especially for such a born leader on the ice such as Cameron Allen.

DraftPro’s #34 prospect, and forward for the Erie Otters, is Carey Terrance. Terrance finds himself in an interesting position as a forward playing for a weaker Erie Otters team, as well as being on a team with high competition for forwards. “He didn’t have a productive season but it’s important to note that he played a weak Erie team and only average the ninth most ice time amongst Otters forwards.” Brown had to say about Terrance’s lackluster rookie season, where he only got 24 points, 10 goals, in 62 games. Brown gives a valuable dispute against his low point total, because Terrance should be anything but overlooked.

He’s quickly making a name for himself as a fast and agile skater, utilizing these skills in his defensive forward play style, getting into position, and checking opposing skaters with quick positioning. “He’s a solid two-way center that executes his defensive duties and assists his defenseman downlow.” Brown had to say about his defensive game. But as a 2-way forward, Terrance shines at both ends of the ice. “He’s good at performing tight turns in small areas to escape pressure in the offensive zone.” And Brown goes on: “Terrance’s game is about speed and that’s when he’s most noticeable.”

As the game becomes more dynamic and complex, players that can utilize their multi-faceted utility on multiple ends of the ice are becoming increasingly more valuable. Terrance is the first full fledged 2-way forward on this list, and it should be telling that he will find NHL ice time in the future, no matter where he is picked in 2023.

If there is one way to describe DraftPro’s #2 OHL Defensemen Donovan McCoy, that is reliability. “McCoy’s statistics don’t pop out, but as a first year OHLer, he had the second highest average ice time amongst Petes defenseman showing that the former first round OHL draft pick earned his coaches trust.” Brown said when asked about McCoy. This is an impressive stat when considering the Pete’s had 2 drafted players and 5 players over 18 last year. Making the 16/17-year-old a top end player of his team early in his career.

McCoy conveys a steady play style that doesn’t seem to jump out at you immediately. Rather he tends to keep his came tight and controlled, never overstepping his presence, and keeping himself consistent with the lineup. “He’s a solid two-way defender that does a lot of things well but isn’t elite in one particular area.” Brown said about McCoy’s subtle game. But he also had this to say about McCoy: “He showed more confidence near the end of the season in carrying the puck out of his end to start the breakout more consistently.”

It seems like McCoy’s greatest attribute and downside is his caution. As a defensemen this marks the trait as momentum control on the ice. And what would be a downside, i.e. his caution to be more aggressive is slowly being diminished as he gets more comfortable on the ice. One should remember that this was a 16/17-year-old player, playing top line minutes for a struggling Petes team. His potential will only increase as he continues to find his place in the lineup, hopefully remaining as the reliable anchor for his team’s momentum.

To finish off the preview list we have one last defensemen, and DraftPro’s #58 player: Beau Akey. Beau Akey whose ice time was diminished due to “an experienced Barrie Colts blue line last year” according to Brown and so was only able to put up 16 points. This isn’t a bad total for a defensemen, especially one of Akey’s age and one who had his ice time last year.

Unlike McCoy, Akey comes with a clear set of specialized advantages in his play style: Being a “Fluid skater with great mobility” according to Brown and being able to “defend the rush and exit his zone with control. A polished skater who moves well in all four directions.” Akey doesn’t have the height advantage compared to a Donavon McCoy, being only 6’0”. “He’s not a big defender but will play with a physical edge and regularly play the body along the boards to rub players off the puck.”

While McCoy seems to keep the defensive momentum for his team, Akey seems to lean more towards the offense side of things. Seeming to focus more on out skating his opponents and making up for his size with a more physical playstyle. Akey is a defensemen who will put himself in front of the action to swing the momentum back into his teams end. Where he does a “Great job finding shooting lanes up at the point by staying in motion laterally.” According to Brown.

For more on OHL prospects, and the 2023 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2023 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and subscribe to our bi-monthly DraftPro newsletter full of up-to-date info and scouting reports.

By the DraftPro Team.

The 2022 NHL Draft has come and gone. It was a very entertaining first round in Montreal. The unknown of who the first selection by Montreal would be, some surprise selections, and big trades on the floor made the night one to remember.

We loved the ‘I’m going to make your team pay on the ice’ vibe Wright was throwing at the Canadiens table when Seattle finally selected the top ranked prospect at fourth overall. Some teams made some great pick, others left us scratching our heads while ultimately we will not know if those were the right selections for a few more seasons.

And who does Chicago think they are fooling with the obvious ‘Cave for Connor’, or if you prefer ‘Bust for Bedard’, tank job in full swing?

For the below review we are strictly looking at each NHL teams draft selections weighing in draft position and talent harvested, not trades for NHL talent or moving out of bad contracts.

Bolded name predicts a potential top of the lineup prospect. Meaning that prospect that has the potential to be a top line forward, top pairing defender, or starting NHL goaltender as projected today.

NHL TEAM DRAFT GRADES

DRAFTPRO’S NEXT BEST

Below is a list of who we had ranked as next best available when the final 2022 NHL Draft selection was made by Colorado when they took QMJHL goaltender Ivan Zhigalov at pick 225 overall. Those who were ranked but went unselected in the 2022 NHL Draft.

So that is a wrap for us at DraftPro on the 2022 NHL Draft. It has been a pleasure watching these kids over the past 2-3 years develop and get to this point in their journey.

Now on to the 2023 NHL Draft…

Keep your eyes peeled for our ‘2022 Ivan Hlinka Review’ series to hit the website in August as well as our ‘Introduction to the 2023 Draft Class’ series to hit the website in September. And be sure to get your hands on the 2023 Draft Preview Magazine to be released in both digital and print later this fall.

By DraftPro Staff

A few of our scouts from this season have been asked to give us what they think are some ‘hot takes’ on the 2022 NHL draft as we are just hours away from the first round. ‘Hot Takes’ are draft thoughts or even opinions that might be a bit of a shock to the public consensus but what they believe could or will happen. Thoughts from our evaluators after two years watching these prospects develop and seeing the NHL talent hounds following their every move. We know many of these will not happen but this is a fun little exercise that will hopefully give our readers some entertainment, even discussion points, as you wait for the first pick to be announced in mere hours.

Joseph Peters, DraftPro Regional Scout.

After already selecting Shane Wright with the first overall pick, the host city of the draft will ignite a frenzy in the building and the Montreal fanbase around the hockey world, as the Canadiens find a way to acquire another top pick, resulting in the organization walking away with two talents in the top seven of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Montreal sends forward Josh Anderson, the 26th overall pick, and a second-round pick in 2023 to Ottawa, in exchange for the 7th overall draft pick. With the 7th overall pick, Montreal selects defenseman David Jiricek, essentially adding two top-of-the-lineup talents in Wright and Jiricek to bolster the rebuild.

Nick Malmstrom, DraftPro Regional Scout.

Brad Lambert falls. Lambert was projected as a consensus top five pick by many before the start of the season. However his play this season has seen him fall to the mid-to-late teens or even lower on many rankings. Unfortunately for the dual Finnish Canadian citizen Lambert falls even further than that. The amount of red flags Lambert has shown will deter GM’s to stay away from him with their first-round selections, leaving a team to take a high risk/high reward chance on Lambert somewhere on day two of the draft.

Andrew LeBlanc, DraftPro Regional Scout.

NTDP forward Rutger McGroarty will fall out of the first round and teams will regret it. All signs point to the fact that he’s a great teammate and leader. Combine this with his ability to score goals while also playing a solid 200-foot power game and you would think you would have a sure fire top-10 pick. But there have been concerns to whether he can keep up with the speed of the NHL game. As skating has become the most crucial skill in many scout’s eyes, and because so McGroarty will fall out of the first round. However, if he can keep up with the speed of the NHL game, he will be a top 10 pick when the “redrafts” come out 10 years later.

Jared Brown, DraftPro Head Scout.

With everything going on with Russia and Ukraine and the huge uncertainty on if Russian players will be able to report overseas, I predict we will see zero Russians get drafted in the first round on Thursday. Danila Yurov and Ivan Miroshnichenko, both regarded as the two top Russian prospects for the draft I think will be selected Friday in the second round. But I think they will be the only two Russians to be drafted in that round, with Yurov going in the 33-44 range and Miroschnichenko in the 44-64 range. Other players like Gleb Trikozov, Alexander Perevalov, and Vladimir Grudinin will have to wait until the third or fourth round to hear their names get called.

Kai Farenholtz, DraftPro Regional Scout.

Habs go off the boards and select a defender with the 1st overall pick in the draft. Looking to 2023 you don’t see any defenders as of now that project the way guys like Nemec and Jiricek, or even Korchinski, Mateychuk, and Mintyukov do. 2023 is very forward heavy, and since the Habs still wont be anywhere near competing for a playoff run next season, they can select a foundational forward with a top-5 pick with guys like Bedard, Fantilli, Michkov, Yager, Sale, and more all projecting to be available. The Habs ultimately select a defender at No.1 in 2022, then take a stab at a forward in 2023.

Alex Taxman, DraftPro Regional Scout.

2022 prospect Jack Devine goes much earlier than the consensus rankings suggest. His performance at the NCAA Frozen Four was likely enough to convince an NHL team to jump him up their board and snag him near the end of the first round despite being ranked as a second or third rounder much of the season. The single youngest player in the entire NCAA was one of the best playmakers, puck protectors, and forecheckers on the national championship winning University of Denver team.

Dan Stewart, DraftPro Editor and Director of Scouting.

NTDP defenseman Lane Hutson, all five-foot-eight and a hundred and fifty-eight pounds of him, is slated to go anywhere in the late first through the second round by most sources, with a first round selection seen as very risky due to his lack of ideal size and dynamic skating, but to the surprise of everyone he hears his name called in Montreal when the Anaheim Ducks step up to the podium and take a home run swing at 10^th overall on the offensive dynamo. Looking back on the draft ten years from now, Hutson becomes a top five NHLer from this draft class.

What hot takes do you have? Post yours on twitter using the hashtag #2022NHLDraftHotTakes for a chance to win a free 2022 DraftPro Yearbook.

Pick up your 25% off 2022 DraftPro Guide ($9.79) or Yearbook ($14.99) today!

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2022-draft-guide-yearbook/

By Dan Stewart

WHO ARE THE ANALYTIC DARLINGS OF THE 2022 NHL DRAFT?

In our humble opinion, advanced stats or analytics, whatever you want to call them, are not and can never become a substitute for actually getting to the rink and watching how a player performs on the ice, being able to see a season or more worth of development and progression. The art of scouting, picking the right prospect for your team and one that will excel at the NHL level, has too many variables to chalk it up to just a numbers crunch. But that is not to say that some of this data will not help. Quite the contrary, and NHL teams have openly accepted them as an add-on to actual scouting and evaluating.

The one statistic that stands out to us as a pretty good indicator of NHL success for draft prospects is the P1/E60 tracker which calculates the total primary points per estimated sixty minutes of ice time during their season. Primary points are important as it is proven that your primary point total indicates a play driving component to ones play more so than someone who builds point total through secondary assists, especially where forwards are concerned.

Also, by analyzing what prospects do on a somewhat even playing field, as in everyone getting the same time on ice, sixty minutes or one whole game, this eliminates the argument that one prospect might see more ice time than another when comparing them. Being able to look at recent comparables and how they performed in the same league also aids to tighten down the projection. As the top end baseline comparable, back in his draft year NHL Superstar Connor McDavid had the highest recorded P1/E60 since the statistic started to be tracked in 2008, a ridiculous 6.08 primary points per sixty minutes of play.

He had 94 primary points in his draft year while playing 47 total games for Erie of the OHL and accumulating 26 more secondary points for a total of 120 points. It blows your mind just how good McDavid was during his draft year.

When we look at the 2022 crop, and set a minimum time on ice (15 min) and game filter (21) to knock out any overinflated data, the top dog is Djurgårdens IF J20 winger Liam Ohgren (4.91).

Ohgren, Petr Hause (4.44), Frank Nazar III (4.33), and Logan Cooley (4.02) are also all above four primary points per 60 minutes a game with Matthew Savoie just on the outside of that (3.98). Those are pretty good stats when you consider current NHL stars who in their draft year (DY) produced at similar P1/E60 rates such as Taylor Hall at 5.01, Steven Stamkos at 4.94, Mitch Marner at 4.71, Leon Draisaitl at 4.71, John Tavares at 4.39, Andrei Svechnikov at 4.26, Nathan Mackinnon at 4.01 and Tyler Seguin at 4.01.

When you compare Ohgren’s numbers with the 2021 NHL Entry Draft leader from a year ago, the Coyotes ninth overall pick Dylan Guenther (5.91), you see a large drop off. However, the next best last year tend to all level things out with Devils draft pick Samu Salminen (4.43), Avalanche draft pick Oskar Olausson (4.31), and Flames draft pick William Stromgren (4.27) posting similar numbers to this years crop.

In 2020, the second overall pick, Quinton Byfield (4.48) of Los Angeles, led the pack with Carolina first round pick, Seth Jarvis, (4.40) coming in second. Emil Heineman (4.19), a second rounder of Calgary, came in third, Marco Rossi of Minnesota (4.18) fourth, Cole Perfetti of Winnipeg (4.11) fifth, and 2020 NHL Draft headliner Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers (4.01) sixth.

Sure there are some who did not live up to the expected NHL upside comparable to their P1/E60 rating such as Portland forward Nic Petan who had a 4.36 in his draft year or Scott Glennie of Brandon who came in at 4.23 during his draft year, but those cases are not the norm.

On defense Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators holds the top P1/E60 since it was tracked in 2008 at 2.88 with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. Anything over a two is excellent for blueliners.

Toronto’s Morgan Rielly had a DY P1/E60 of 1.88, Colorado defender Bowen Byram was 1.79 and Aaron Ekblad at 1.59, Tyson Barrie at 1.58, Seth Jones at 1.56, Drew Doughty at 1.52 and Alex Pietrangelo at 1.46 all give you an idea where the NHL stars sat in their draft years.

The 2022 draft eligible leading the group is US NTDP U18 slick defender Lane Hutson at 1.92 even strength primary points per 60 minutes of play. The next nine on the list consist of a who’s who of puck movers from the backend. Denton Mateychuk (1.78), Artyom Duda (1.68), Jeremy Langlois (1.63), Mattias Havelid (1.56), and Kevin Korchinski (1.55) all sit over a primary point and a half per complete game from their various leagues.

Leading the 2021 class was Canucks draft pick Hugo Gabrielsson at 2.17. Ducks pick Olen Zellweger (1.78) and Devils pick Luke Hughes (1.69) finished top three and accumulated a fair amount of offensive production on the powerplay which this stat does not track. 2021 top pick of the Buffalo Sabres Owen Power (1.49) finished sixth on the list.

Lastly, as a little tease of what is to come for the 2023 NHL Draft here is a graph using the same criteria as above showing some of the top DY-1 performers to watch.

Again, what this numbers analysis cannot tell us is if the prospect has a hitch in his skating stride that may keep him from producing at higher levels when things move faster, or determining the work ethic and desire to succeed each prospect possesses, or if there is a reoccurring injury that might reduce his effectiveness as he progresses. It does not weight the pros and cons of physical abilities or size, if a prospect is too small to make the same impact against larger opponents, or even the value of a powerplay specialist, it only showing what data has been produced on the ice in an even playing field. That is why combining the eyeball test with these analytics is so important.

So, what does this all mean?

Where analytics are concerned, the comparable data suggest Liam Ohgren and Lane Hutson lead the pack for the 2022 NHL Draft.

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For more on the 2022 draft class and beyond be sure to pick up one of our 2022 NHL Draft publications.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2022-draft-guide-yearbook/

By Kai Farenholtz (@FarenholtzFWF)

Names to watch from the 2022 CHL Import Draft

The 2022 CHL Import Draft featured a new challenge surrounding the selection of some European skaters. With Russian and Belarusian players deemed in-eligible due to the on-going violence in Ukraine, a major source of players that would usually supply this draft have simply been taken out of the equation. Although, on the bright side, this offers an opportunity for many players who would not normally be in a situation where there’s interest from a CHL team. Players reigning from the lands of Slovakia, Switzerland, Czechia, and more have a much higher chance of being selected this time around. And following what I believed to be a pretty potent draft, I’d like to chip in some additional info on some high-end players that were selected at the 2022 CHL Import Draft.

Adam Sykora – 1^st Overall – Medicine Hat Tigers (46GP: 10G 7A 17P) Slovak ExtraLiga

It was no secret that Sykora was a high-end option for the import draft, having been left without signing an extension with HK Nitra in the Slovak ExtraLiga. Sykora’s feisty, energetic approach to the sport will add even more ferocity to Medicine Hat’s roster. After coming off a franchise-low 11-win season, the Tigers are in need of anything to get them going on the right track. Sykora will provide that aforementioned motor, but an underrated offensive game lies within him. Sykora is great in close quarters and can be a difficult player to stop while maintaining possession. He shows glimpses of stickhandling acumen and has a nose for the net. It’s highly likely that we’ll see Sykora in a Tigers sweater this fall, most likely among the top-6.

Jiri Kulich – 3^rd Overall – Cape Breton Eagles (49GP: 9G 5A 14P) Czech ExtraLiga

It’s hard to find a positive from Cape Breton’s 2021/22 season… 2^nd last in the QMJHL for goals for and the worst goal differential in the league by a country mile (-152). It may be more of a push for a bulky sniper like Kulich to swing on by to the QMJHL, but the addition of such a player would provide immediate relief to every sanction. Kulich’s automatic scoring abilities will be a luxury on the powerplay, while his solid two-way approach will assist in his own end a fair amount. Kulich has so far committed to playing in Czechia for his DY+1 season, but if he wants to make the jump to the CHL, he’d be a valuable asset to a struggling team with some promising players on the horizon, such as Cam Squires.

Ondrej Molnar – 5^th Overall – Erie Otters (30GP 0G 2A 2P) – Slovak ExtraLiga

The Erie Otters are a franchise known for their ability to produce outstanding offensive players regardless of position, and Molnar could easily slide into this program and fit like a glove with his blazing speed and keen offensive awareness. Molnar has played across every level in Slovakia and has proven he’s far beyond his peers at the U18 and U20 levels with those previously mentioned traits. He splits the neutral zone like a hot knife through butter and most often is able to connect with trailers upon arriving in the offensive end. Has already signed a contract with HK Nitra, but was a player highly theorized to head to the CHL for a majority of the 2021/22 season before this extension.

Jakub Chromiak – 8^th Overall – Sudbury Wolves (25GP: 2G 3A 5P) – Slovak ExtraLiga Tier II

The Slovaks just keep coming… and Chromiak may be one of those players with one of the higher ceilings from this import draft, being a late 05’ birthday which makes him eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. Jakub is the younger brother to Los Angeles Kings prospect, Martin, who also chose to take the CHL route with Kingston. Unlike his brother, Jakub is a defenceman, and has already garnered experience at the professional level with Trencin. Chromiak is a puck carrying defender and has proven to be a two-way threat in Slovakia’s Jr. leagues. He’s still a very raw prospect with so much development ahead of him. You’ll probably see his name at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, carrying on Slovakia’s Cinderella run that occurred last year.

Tommaso De Luca – 13^th Overall – Spokane Chiefs (43GP: 12G 28A 40P) – U20 Elit

Oh boy, I’ve been waiting for this for over a year now. De Luca was eligible for last year’s import draft, but wasn’t able to sort things out prior to the draft in order to be selected, which left him playing another season in Switzerland. De Luca didn’t blow up the league, but obvious improvement across his entire game was imminent. De Luca helped Ambri-Piotta’s U20 team clinch a playoff spot after an abysmal 2020/21 season, leading the team in scoring and placing second in U18 league scoring. De Luca’s offensive toolkit is what separates him from the rest of the pack in the U20-Elit. He possesses a quick snapshot off the rush, smooth stickhandling, and delicate edgework that allows him to slide past opposition in tight areas. The sky’s the limit for De Luca. A lot of eyes will be watching him as he’s set to be one of the best Italian-born prospects we’ve seen in a considerable amount of time. I can already see the De Luca – Catton – Bertholet connection blooming.

Marco Kasper – 20^th Overall – Ottawa 67s (46GP: 7G 4A 11P) – SHL

I am not shocked one bit that the 67s took yet another Austrian. Kasper now follows in the footsteps of Minnesota Wild prospect, Marco Rossi, and highly praised winger, Vinzenz Rohrer. Although, seeing Kasper in a 67s jersey may be more of a fantasy than we presume. Unlike the previously mentioned two, Kasper has been playing professional hockey in Sweden for the last two-seasons with Rogle. A definite middle-6 to top-6 role is most likely guaranteed for the Austrian power forward if he decides to stay in the Rogle program that has provided endless support for him. Kasper in the OHL would look great on his stat sheet, as he’d automatically become a looming offensive threat with his hard-nosed game around the net and his impressive speed. Perhaps he keeps the tradition going in Ottawa, but I highly doubt it.

Luca Auer – 25^th Overall – Regina Pats (35GP: 20G 28A 48P) – AlpsHL

Unlike Kasper… here’s an Austrian that’s got nothing to lose if he decides to take the CHL route. The numbers don’t lie, Auer was one of the top scorers in the AlpsHL… in fact, he put up the best U18 season in the league’s history. His game mainly revolves around his adept hockey IQ which was presently seen at the World Juniors for a short stint. His skating could use some work as he’s not the most explosive guy on the planet. But his stickhandling is clean and is useful from a standstill and he looks to be a lethal threat on special teams. Auer so far is committed to another season in Austria, but after being selected to play overseas with the chance to play next to a generational talent?.. it’s a hard opportunity to pass up.

Leo Braillard – 36^th Overall – Shawinigan Cataractes (25GP: 18G 9A 27P) – U20 Elit

Braillard can be a wildcard for the 2023 NHL Draft. He’s demonstrated he’s able to be a lethal scoring threat across Switzerland’s Jr. programs, performing at a goal per game at the U17 level, and over a point per game at the U20 stage. He’s a slighter framed winger, but he packs a dynamic punch with his ability to hop on loose pucks and put away the grimy ones. His shot isn’t too bad, but it’s his motor and sense around goal that makes him an overall pest in the offensive end. Would comfortably fit in the QMJHL. If he’s got the off-ice work ethic to become stronger and faster, he could easily be a depth scorer for the Cataractes.

Alex Sotek – 58^th Overall – Hamilton Bulldogs (32GP: 2G 0A 2P) – Slovak ExtraLiga

I wonder if NHL interest will increase for Sotek after being selected by the Bulldogs. He’s got all the tools to be a dynamic all-around player. His skating shows moments of excellence and shades of Antonio Stranges with the way he’s able to engage his hips, but with a lack of playing time at the professional level in Slovakia, we rarely got to see what Sotek is actually capable of. Sotek’s skating makes him a viable piece to Hamilton, production wise he could be a wildcard. He has extended his contract with Bratislava after coming off a national championship, but the ice-time and North American experience could be very enticing for the shifty Slovak winger.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki – 70^th Overall – Vancouver Giants (26GP: 7G 2A 9P) – SHL

Everyone thought it was a reach when the Giants took Fabian Lysell in the 2020 CHL Import Draft… but look how that paid off. Lekkerimaki could be another one of those situations, although with more experience and success at the professional level with Djurgarden, I’d say it’s a reach, but not impossible, to see Lekkerimaki in a Giants sweater. The Giants are entering a rebuild and will see plenty of new faces for the 2022/23 season, but following a bantam draft where Vancouver selected three players in the first round… I can see a universe in which Lekkerimaki plays his DY+2 alongside a fresh young crop of promising players from Western Canada.

David Reinbacher – 74^th Overall – Sarnia Sting (27GP: 1G 10A 11P) – SL

Rohrer and Kasper were fun pieces to watch from Austria at the World Juniors… but David Reinbacher was one player that caught my attention each shift. Sarnia knew what they were doing with this pick, and if he comes to the OHL, they will look like utter geniuses. Reinbacher plays an extremely polished, ironed-out game without many holes. He’s a confident defender with and without the puck and doesn’t stress to bring it up on occasion by himself. Was Austria’s best defender as a DY-1 at the WJs, creating turnovers, manning breakouts, and most importantly… maintaining possession. There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in his game. Could be a strong piece to Sarnia’s backend if he decides to take the CHL route, but as of now he is committed to playing in the NL with Kloten, as he was a main factor in getting that team promoted back into the big leagues.

The CHL Import Draft is always an interesting event with all of its uncertainties and current decisions, but it will always hold a stake in the league. So many players that may not have the stage to showcase their talent are provided an opportunity of a lifetime to come play their sport in the country of which it was born in front of thousands of passionate fans and hundreds of NHL scouts looking for that next breakthrough star that went against all odds. So keep an eye on not only these listed players, but everyone taken at the draft. Because one of the most beautiful things with the import draft, is its nature of unpredictability.

Video and maps courtesy of InStat Hockey.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2022-draft-guide-yearbook/

By Jonah Fleisher

“His Personality is Unbelievable”: Easy-Going Matthew Savoie Performing Under the Spotlight and Relishing Every Moment.

Last year was a difficult one for prospects playing in the WHL. The league’s outlook was bleak with the COVID-19 situation in Canada, and it was looking like the entire season would have to be cancelled. For Matthew Savoie, a top prospect for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, this would not suffice. With the draft fast approaching, the young player knew he had to chase open ice, wherever he could find it.

“With the unknown of the WHL’s start because of COVID and that whole situation, I was just trying to find ice wherever I could play,” Savoie told DraftPro. “I started just outside my hometown in Sherwood Park of the AJHL and played a few games there. Unfortunately, that league got shut down as well, so I had to look at other options.”

After getting into 22 games as a rookie for the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice in 2019-2020, Savoie began playing for the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL to begin the 2020-2021 season. However, after just four games, that league was forced to shut down due to Canada’s strict COVID-19 protocols. Fortunately, Savoie was able to change plans and join his brother Carter with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints.

“The USHL was an option that we looked at previously when I was considering the NCAA route. Dubuque drafted my brother a couple of years ago, so we had a relationship with the management and coaching staff there. They reached out and, luckily enough, wanted to bring me down and have me join the team. I was really grateful to get that opportunity to go play down there. With the guaranteed number of games I was going to get into, and knowing that the league wasn’t going to get shut down, I was confident that it was a good decision for my development.”

However, while it was unlikely that the USHL would shut down, numerous NCAA conferences cancelled their seasons due to the pandemic, meaning the USHL became ripe with older, stronger players. Nonetheless, Savoie had a strong season in Dubuque, racking up 21 goals and 17 assists in 34 games.

“They’re pretty similar leagues [the WHL and USHL],” Savoie remarked. “With COVID last year, there were a lot of NCAA players playing in the USHL, so last year it was definitely an older league and a bit more physical. I wouldn’t say there’s too many differences between the two leagues. There both highly skilled, top-tier junior leagues, so it was a lot of fun playing in both of them.”

As luck would have it, the WHL wound up playing a shortened season towards the end of the year, in a bubbled setting. While James Patrick, head coach of the Ice, regrets that Savoie couldn’t be there for that bonding experience, the top prospect had as smooth a return to his old club as could be hoped for; it was almost like he never left.

“We had him as a 15-year-old two years ago and last year he went to the USHL when it looked like we were going to have no hockey here,” Patrick said. “We had a really good experience in the bubble [last year] and it was great for bonding. We wished that Matt could have been part of the team for that because of how close the players became, but he fit right in as soon as he was back. One of his best friends is Owen Pederson and they [still] do a lot of things together, but as far as fitting in with the team after being away for a year, it was [a] seamless [transition].”

Patrick could not speak more highly of Savoie’s character, and his adoration for the young player was evident in the tone of his voice. Savoie is revered by teammates, management, and coaching staff alike, and his unrelenting work ethic, coachability, and well-mannered nature plays a large role in that.

“Matt’s very popular and well-liked,” said Patrick. “He’s a very unassuming, modest, soft-spoken kid. Our two young players, [Conor] Geekie and Savoie, have quite different personalities but they’re also very close and get along great. Matt Savoie is a quieter kid. The guys love him. For a coach, his personality is unbelievable. There’s never an issue. He works, he never complains, and he’s respectful and thankful when he’s in meetings or watching video. That’s how I see him as a coach. On the ice with his play when there are corrections that are needed and things you want him to do better, he’s super receptive to that. He’s just so easy to get along with.”

The Ice have two premier 2022 draft prospects in Savoie and Geekie, but their glut of talent doesn’t end there. They also have four NHL-affiliated prospects on their roster: goaltender Gage Alexander, selected by Anaheim in 2021; right winger Connor McClennon, chosen by Philadelphia in 2020; centre Jack Finley, drafted to Tampa Bay in 2020; and defenseman Carson Lambos, who went to Minnesota with the 26^th overall pick in 2021. This collection of veteran OHLers has significantly eased the leadership burden on the two 2022 draft eligible players, and that is by design.

“[Savoie] leads by example,” said Patrick. “Both him and [Geekie] are part of the leadership group. We have three 20-year-olds and a lot of 19-year olds — guys who have been leaders. We added Jack Finley this year, who was a captain in Spokane. [We also have] Carson Lambos, Jakin Smallwood, [and] Conor McClennon. We’ve talked to [the older guys] about taking the bull by the horns. I’m encouraging those guys to be more vocal.

“With Matt and Conor, I just want them to go out and play and enjoy the year. Saying that, as far as his leadership and competitiveness goes, Matt’s a guy who leads by example and has a phenomenal work ethic. He comes to work and practices with pace. I think a big strength in his game is the pace he plays at. He is an explosive skater.”

For Savoie, his older teammates have had big impact on him this season, and he’s been able to take advantage of their experiences having already gone through the draft process.

“Having veteran guys like [McClennon, Finley, and Lambos] in our dressing room that have gone through the draft process is really helpful,” Savoie said. “As well, having Conor Geekie going through the process with me this year has been really good for the both of us.”

Hockey has been a been a lifelong dream for Savoie. He fell in love with the game once his brother began playing and, like most kids who lace up the skates, always aspired to make it to the best league in the world.

“I started playing hockey when I was super young,” said the talented youngster. “I think I was three years old. My brother got into it a couple years ahead of me. Being at the rink and watching him just made me really fall in love with the game. Growing up, it was always a dream of mine to make it to the NHL, just like it is for a lot of kids in Canada. I’ve always tried to work my hardest and keep improving to hopefully make that dream a reality one day.

“In my draft year [to the WHL], you start getting into talks with some Western league teams and you get some notice from some NHL teams. At that point, when you’re 14 or 15 years old, just entering that stage of junior hockey, [you realize that you have a shot at making it].”

Savoie is projected among the top tier of skaters in the NHL Draft, a virtual lock for the top-five, but that is nothing new to him. He entered the WHL in a similar fashion, having been selected first overall by the Ice in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.

“Going into the draft I was super excited,” said Savoie. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, and when I heard my name called by Winnipeg, I was just really excited. It was a big opportunity that presented itself. With the staff and the players that they had in the organization, the new facility, and the relocation to Winnipeg, I was just really excited to come and be a part of that journey.”

For some, handling the pressure of being a top-ranked prospect may a daunting task. However, Patrick has striven to ensure that both Savoie and Geekie enjoy the experience.

“For the most part, I’m trying to keep [the pressure] to the outside,” said Savoie. “[I’m] just staying focused on the task at hand — playing games and going to the rink every day. Enjoying it and, like [Patrick] said, taking the experience for what it is. You don’t get to go through your draft year twice, so you have to take it all in and have fun with it.”

“Every time I’ve talked to him and Conor [Geekie] it’s about enjoying this time,” Patrick added. “There’s no better time in your life than when you play junior. We all understand that they’re being watched every game and they get so heavily scrutinized now, but I want them to have fun, be themselves, keep trying to get better, and compete. If they do those things, then the draft and where they get picked will take care of itself. Where you’re drafted will not make you a better player. It gives you a real big window of opportunity, but eventually you’ve got to [perform].”

It’s lessons like these which have made Patrick’s years of experience both playing and coaching in the NHL invaluable to the Ice.

“Having a guy like James [Patrick] around is definitely a big advantage,” Savoie remarked. “He’s a true pro. Having the experiences that he had playing in the NHL, and with the guys that he played with, he brings that aspect to our dressing room and passes it on to us players. The message he brings is that he always wants us to get better and keep improving. I’ve really taken that to heart. The dedication away from the rink as well — how much he talks about nutrition, how much sleep you need — just taking care of your body and paying attention to the little things like that has really helped.”

Savoie has had a strong draft year in Winnipeg, scoring 90 points in 65 games and adding another 12 points in 10 playoff games before a shoulder injury knocked him out. The skilled forward ranks third on DraftPro’s final rankings, behind only Shane Wright and Logan Cooley, our scouts cannot rave about him enough.

“Matthew Savoie is an elite-level skater,” remarked Joseph Peters. “Arguably the best skater in his draft class, he has burning speed and is highly dynamic and agile due to his incredible edgework. Savoie is an offensive weapon that every team wants. His blend of speed and skill, followed up with the ability to produce points, scoring incredible goals, is what makes him a candidate to challenge for the top-5 of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.”

“Savoie’s a player who possesses incredibly strong skating abilities and uses his adjustments to his speed to keep defenders guessing his next move,” added Matt Hnatiuk. Couple that with his puck control, shooting and passing ability and he is a total offensive threat. He has elite (or near-elite) IQ and both thinks and plays the game at a high pace. [He] is a dual threat playmaker or scorer. He could easily develop into a top-six player and is well on his way to being just that.”

According to Murray Caldwell, it’s Savoie’s hockey IQ that stands out most. “This guy can play with anyone,” he said. “Last year in the USHL he had different teammates and was still stellar. He can score no matter who his teammates are.”

In speaking with both the player and his coach himself, both feel that Savoie’s most important attribute is the quick pace at which he plays.

“[His best skills] are his first five steps and his quick hands,” Patrick asserted. “He’s quick out of the gate and has fast-twitch fibres all the way through. For 30-seconds, he can just go. He can play at a high pace, push the defense back with his speed, and get a puck and get a shot off really quickly.”

“I like to think I play at a high speed and with a quick pace,” said Savoie. “I like to possess the puck and I’m a pretty dangerous player in the offensive zone setting up my teammates, being deceptive with the puck, and finding lanes to shoot and get pucks through.”

For Patrick, who most recently was an assistant coach for the Dallas Stars from 2013-2017, Savoie’s skillset reminds him of a certain player who’s no slouch with the puck on his stick, either.

“I coached [Tyler] Seguin in Dallas, and Seguin has a phenomenal shot and super quick hands. They’re different players, but as far as his shot and his quick release, Matt [Savoie] is a little bit similar. He’s still got a long way to go because Seguin’s had a really good NHL career as a star player, but if I’m talking about Matt’s strengths, he comes late on the powerplay on entries and he comes with speed to back the defensemen off, and on the flank he can really shoot the puck.”

However, despite his stellar offensive game, Savoie has lots of room for improvement on the other side of the puck.

“Right now, I’ve been working on the defensive side of my game and my positioning in the defensive zone, [looking at] where I can be to be a better outlet for the defensemen and support the puck better,” said Savoie. “I’ve been going over video and lots of reps in practice, and it’s been really helping.”

“I think a big thing for him to play at the next level is his stamina,” added Patrick. “He’s conditioned and his fitness levels are good, but like I said, he’s fast twitch. I love his shift lengths when they’re 30-40 seconds, but if gets stuck out on the ice, his stamina is something that needs to get better. I’ve talked to him a lot about playing with his head up and not rushing. There are plays to be made and sometimes he forces them when they’re not there. There are games when he’s in on a lot of scoring chances, but I think he can even be better on the offensive side. There are games where he’s close — just almost connecting on a play. I just think that having his head up and making eye-to-eye contact with his teammates and putting his passes on the tape, he can get twice as many points if some of those plays connect. I think those are the two areas that, when they get better, it’ll be very noticeable.”

When he’s not busy working on his own game, Savoie likes to watch highlights of Brayden Point and Mat Barzal and wants to play a game similar to theirs.

“They’re really fun players to watch and they play the game the right way,” said Savoie. “Both of them are highly-skilled players and are hard-working guys who like to make their teammates better.”

Patrick certainly had more difficulty answering that question than his star centreman but offered a few comparable players of his own.

“I find it hard [to come up with a player comparison]. I’ve heard so many names. I’ve heard someone say [Brad Marchand] because Matt has a physical side; he will finish, he’s real thick —they’re about the same size — and he has real big legs and ass. I think that would be someone great to aspire to, but he’s still a ways away. I think at times with [Alex] DeBrincat in Chigago, Cole Caufield in Montreal, I see a bit of those players in him. Sometimes [Mat] Barzal with his skating and entries — gaining the line and making something happen. Those guys are all right-handers like [Savoie] as well — they skate well with a low centre of gravity.

With the draft fast approaching and Savoie becoming ever closer to realizing his childhood dreams,  it can be quite a nerve-wracking experience. But armed with Patrick’s lessons, Savoie has played to the best of his abilities this year.

“Playing with confidence and being more comfortable with the puck and the pace of play has been huge for me,” said Savoie. “Just seeing things go your way and building your confidence is one of the biggest things.” Well, what better way to build more confidence than seeing a team call your name in the top-five of the NHL Entry Draft? While Savoie has made the most of his draft year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, he will soon have another challenge to relish and another league in which to keep filling the nets. Here at DraftPro, we can’t wait to see him rise to the challenge, wherever he ends up.

Photos courtesy of the Winnipeg Ice hockey club.

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Looking for more 2022 NHL Draft content? Look no further than the Draft Prospects Hockey 2022 Draft Guide or 2022 Yearbook, both available in digital download (pdf). The 2022 Draft Guide is also available in print edition (Amazon).

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2022-draft-guide-yearbook/