Despite recent discussions and narratives, I still firmly believe DuPont is the 1st overall pick, and quite frankly it’s not very close.
DuPont’s offensive upside and ability is a very evident trait, he is tremendous at creating space and open lanes, not just for himself but also his teammates, he’s able to force multiple defenders on him at once and create opportunities before they close in. Offensively he can essentially do it all, but what impresses me the most is his growth in other areas of the game, all while maintaining such a high level of offence, he has developed so much defensively in the last year, he is not out of position nearly as much, corrects himself much faster, and uses his skating to close on players.
2 – Nazar Privalov
Privalov is an absolute force of a player, a player that any team would be ecstatic to have on their team.
After torching the MHL last season with 30 goals, he looks to perform and prove himself in a pro environment, the KHL will undoubtedly test him, but I believe he is more than up for the challenge. At 6’4, he plays a very heavy game, and looks to use his size to his advantage whenever he can, he has a very impressive skating ability for his size, something that interests me so much is how he plays like a small forward, he is always open, always able to separate from defenders and find himself wide open for an opportunity, he plays with so much energy, tenacity and personality, traits that bigger forwards like himself lack very often.
3 – Sergei Skvortsov
Skvortsov is such an interesting player to me, probably the most intriguing in this year’s draft.
He possesses an elite skating ability, his speed and edgework combine for incredible movement, and he is often able to blow past defenders with ease. His shot is very unique, the timing and speed of the release is extremely unpredictable to read, the shot itself isn’t necessarily fast or hard, but he is able to throw the opposition off so much, and the accuracy is definitely there. I wouldn’t say he shy’s away from physicality, but he does struggle with it, a lot at times, will need to gain some strength this season. Its difficult to pinpoint a clear player comparison, but I see a lot Travis Konecny, a flashier version.
4 – Jonah Neuenschwander
Neuenschwander already has an incredible resume, has played at so many levels, and has impressed at every single one.
I believe he is the most well rounded forward in this draft so far, I really like so many aspects of his game. He has a very strong, accurate shot, uses his size well, sturdy with the puck, good vision and playmaking ability, and is another large player that can skate extremely well for his size.
5 – Milan Sundstrom
Another very good all-around player and is one of the safer bets in this draft.
Sundstrom has the ability to completely take over a game, from his strong playmaking ability to frequent speed bursts, and the ability to find the back of the net from anywhere. There are two things for me that are limiting him to 5 as of now, his compete level, and upper body movement, I find it’s a little slow and choppy right now, he needs to get to pucks quicker, and his compete level can fade at times.
6 – Brock England
Speed.
Brock England is the fastest player in this draft, everything he does, every aspect of his game revolves around his speed. He is relentless on the forecheck, and is underrated physically, especially for his size. He’s not super small, but he is very lean, not a player you would expect to be first into the board battle. He is very good at reading and forcing plays and can make a quick pass or use his shot, which you guessed it, is very fast.
7 – Carter Meyer
Meyer has game-breaking ability, a must-watch for this year’s draft.
He possesses one of, if not the best shot in this draft, and uses it very often. As good as his shot is, he has much more than that in his bag. He is a great playmaker and plays a smart brand of hockey. I think his season in the QMJHL may shoot him up to my top 3 conversation, but as of right now, I need to see more, so he lands at 7 on my list.
8 – Andrei Pustovoy
Another player that can find the back of the net with ease.
Although I do not think he has the best shot in the draft, he is the best pure goal scorer, he is able to score from anywhere, can snipe from the point on a powerplay, and can find loose pucks and easy tap ins. A concern I have that is the reasoning for 8th is his overall game, he is somewhat one dimensional right now, need to see more playmaking, quicker skating and edgework, as well as more on the defensive side.
9 – Petr Tomek
I am more impressed with Tomek every time I watch him. If I had to choose a player that will climb the ranks this year, it’s Petr Tomek.
Similar to Brock England, his game is heavily revolved around his skating ability, he is such a fun player to watch. He plays with so much energy and effort, loves to shoot the puck, has a quick, snappy release, he is not afraid of physicality, takes a hit and pops right back up to make a play. He both forechecks and backchecks very hard, you are not safe from him anywhere on the ice.
10 – Dima Zhilkin
Relentless is a huge buzzword for Dima Zhilkin.
He displays so much drive and effort into every single shift, probably the most frustrating player to play against in this draft. He is dangerous from anywhere on the ice as well, has incredible vision and sees plays before most, also has a strong shot, he is another player to watch for in the rankings this year, could easily shoot up to my top 5.
11 – Alexis Joseph
Joseph has been frustrating for me to watch so far, there are times in a game where I see a clear top 3 player in this draft, has an extremely dangerous shot, power and accuracy is evident, he can use his power to go around and through players, and also has very good vision. The problem is, there are huge chunks in a game where you don’t see any of it. He will sometimes be completely checked out and non-effective, often times in the biggest games, which worries me even more.
12 – Jaxon Jacobson
Jacobson is arguably the best playmaker in the draft, he has incredible vision, is 2 steps ahead of everyone on the ice and can create a scoring opportunity out of nothing. He is able to make passes from any situation, can make the first pass into the zone, from the neutral, on the powerplay, he is always dangerous and forces defenders to overthink the play, often leading to open teammates.
13 – Timothy Kazda
Kazda loves to shoot the puck, possesses a very dangerous one timer, and is a threat at all areas of the ice. He is a good skater, he plays an awkward but efficient style and pace of the game, often doesn’t look like he’s putting in much effort, but ultimately ends up in a perfect spot for a scoring chance.
14 – Sammy Nelson
Nelson is a player that I wouldn’t say has one standout attribute, but you can’t find many areas concerning about his game either. He plays a fast game, is always moving and tough to contain, he has it all, he can shoot, very good at finding open lanes for cross ice passes, both receiving and dishing, and is all around just a very hard-working player.
15 – Levi Harper
One of my favorite players to watch in this draft, he is and will more than likely remain underrated all year. Harper is an incredible skater, can effortlessly walk the blue line and creates space for himself with ease, he has a very unpredictable and accurate shot from the point, and will wait for the most unexpected time before firing on net, which leads to goals, redirections or a broken play that creates a scoring chance.
16 – Jaakko Wycisk
He is a very intriguing player to watch, can create a highlight reel from nothing, has incredible puck skills, uses his reach to dance by defenders and makes it difficult to read his moves. Often draws a lot of attention to himself, which opens up opportunities for his line mates, and that paired with his elite vision, consistently creates so many scoring chances.
17 – Kohyn Eshkawkogan
Like Harper, he is a magician on the blueline, incredible skating ability and can find an open gap or lane in a split second and make you pay, loves using his shot from any angle so is always dangerous. He is an offensive force, but I would also say he is safer than the usual smaller, offensive defensemen, he rarely tries to force a play, and his elite skating is in more of spontaneous bursts than consistent, he often plays a relaxed and calm style, which helps out his defensive side.
18 – Bosse Meijer
Not many negatives you could point out in his game, Meijer plays a smart, reliable game. He uses his hockey IQ in many ways, you may not always see a highlight reel play, but he is always in the right spot, has an accurate shot, is able to find players for cross ice, back door tap ins and also works well behind the net, one of those players that is just strong in almost every area of the game.
19 – Schaefer Gordon Carroll
An electric player, another player in this draft that you just hate to play against. He plays a very fast game, hard and heavy on the forecheck at all times, extremely agile which makes him hard to shake off, and then very difficult to take off the puck. He plays a style that can go anywhere in the lineup, has the skill for a top 6 role, and has the motor and IQ for a bottom 6, more physical and defensive role.
20 – Brock Cripps
I may not be as high on him as others, but the offensive capabilities are undeniable. He is an elite skater, is nonstop moving, very hard to defend and contain, and has very good vision. He dictates the ice from the blueline and can thread the needle with passes through sticks and bodies. My concerns are his size, is his edgework and skating ability enough to make his 5’10, 165lb frame a non issue?
The consensus first overall pick was dominant at the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Posting an impressive eight points in five games from the blue line, Landon DuPont demonstrated that his game extends far beyond raw puck skills.
Built on an elite skating foundation, he uses his edges seamlessly to shake defenders, create space, and set up high-danger scoring chances with top-tier playmaking vision.
Defensively, his quickness allows him to close gaps rapidly and clog shooting lanes, making high-quality chances hard to come by when he’s on the ice.
As he transitions to the NCAA with Michigan, the main question is how his 6’0”, 190-pound frame will adjust to the added physicality.
But if his Hlinka performance was any indication, he remains the frontrunner to go number one overall.
We start off our 2027 NHL Draft Rankings in partnership with @DraftProHockey with Landon DuPont.
The consensus first overall pick was dominant at the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Posting an impressive eight points in five games from the blue line, Landon DuPont demonstrated that… pic.twitter.com/PUoNwjtusY
While the first pick is relatively straightforward, the board really opens up at second overall, and that is where I have Jonah Neuenschwander.
Though still raw and continuing to fill out his 6’3” frame, the combination of size, shot, and strong two-way play is hard to ignore.
He has been a consistent standout across international play, anchoring top lines for Switzerland at the WJC, U18, and Hlinka Gretzky tournaments even as an underager.
Although his pro stint in the Swiss NL may be non-traditional, his high-end toolkit, defensive maturity, and 6’3” frame are why you bet on him at pick two.
While the first pick is relatively straightforward, the board really opens up at second overall, and that is where I have Jonah Neuenschwander.
Though still raw and continuing to fill out his 6’3” frame, the combination of size, shot, and strong two-way play is hard to ignore.… pic.twitter.com/zrXldAWxv5
3. Nazar Privalov (6’4″ | 227lbs | C/LW | Krasnaya Armiya Moskva | Russia)
The Russian goal-scoring pest who lit up the MHL this season, racking up 30 goals and 19 assists in 51 games, ranks third overall on my board.
There’s a lot to like about Nazar Privalov, who uses his 6’4″ frame to infiltrate high-danger areas as a true power forward with elite finishing ability and soft hands.
He plays a heavy, physical game, leveraging his size as a relentless forechecker who makes defensemen shake in their skates.
The main drawback to his draft stock is a recently signed four-year extension with CSKA Moscow, delaying his North American debut until the 2030-31 season.
The wait is long, but the upside is worth the top-three risk.
The Russian goal-scoring pest who lit up the MHL this season, racking up 30 goals and 19 assists in 51 games, ranks third overall on my board.
There’s a lot to like about Nazar Privalov, who uses his 6'4" frame to infiltrate high-danger areas as a true power forward with elite… pic.twitter.com/Sto5mmgsne
4. Alexis Joseph (6’5″ | 201lbs | C | Saint John Sea Dogs | Canada)
Alexis Joseph’s draft stock took a hit after a tough Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but one mid-summer tournament shouldn’t drop him out of the top five.
At 6’5″, his size is an immediate standout. When he’s dialled in, he uses that frame to bully his way into tight spaces, unlocking exceptional hands and a high hockey IQ.
That combination gives him the foundation of a dominant offensive weapon, reminiscent of the Tage Thompson-style game he showcased at the U17s.
NHL front offices are always looking for size, and Joseph delivers that in spades.
He needs to round out his overall game, but expect a big bounce-back season with Saint John to put him right back on track.
August NHL Draft Ranking: Alexis Joseph (#4)
Alexis Joseph’s draft stock took a hit after a tough Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but one mid-summer tournament shouldn't drop him out of the top five.
At 6'5", his size is an immediate standout. When he's dialled in, he uses that frame to… pic.twitter.com/bUufxXdcBZ
5. Carter Meyer (6’0″ | 176lbs | C | Québec Remparts | USA)
Meyer has a huge season ahead in Quebec after leaving the USNTDP.
A high-IQ, hardworking playmaker who does a bit of everything, he should see his offensive game flourish in the QMJHL following a solid USHL campaign.
He already has a proven international track record, standing out at the U17 World Hockey Challenge with 10 points in four games and adding five points in five games as an underager at the U18s.
He has plenty to prove this year, but a strong season could easily vault him into the top-three conversation.
NHL Draft Rankings: Carter Meyer (#5)
Meyer has a huge season ahead in Quebec after leaving the USNTDP.
A high-IQ, hardworking playmaker who does a bit of everything, he should see his offensive game flourish in the QMJHL following a solid USHL campaign.
6. Milan Sundström (6’2″ | 198lbs | C | MoDo Hockey U20 | Sweden)
Both Team Sweden and Milan Sundström had similar outings at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, struggling to find consistency while still showing flashes of brilliance.
At times, Sundström looked like an elite playmaker with high-end top speed; whenever the puck was on his stick, you felt something special was coming.
On the flip side, there were noticeable issues with his initial acceleration, paired with instances of forced plays and lackluster effort.
While one mid-summer tournament shouldn’t drastically impact his draft stock, maintaining consistency will be a key storyline to monitor as the season progresses.
The raw tools are undeniably there; his compete level will ultimately determine whether he separates himself from the pack.
NHL Draft Rankings: Milan Sundström (#6)
Both Team Sweden and Milan Sundström had similar outings at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, struggling to find consistency while still showing flashes of brilliance.
7. Brock England (5’11” | 174lbs | C | Seattle Thunderbirds | Canada)
We knew Brock England was fast, like really fast, but what stood out most about his game at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup was his physicality.
At 5’11”, you wouldn’t expect it, but England was relentless with his body checking, making life miserable for anyone facing him in puck battles. Paired with his elite speed, he is an absolute nightmare to play against.
His performance solidified him as a clear top-10 prospect, with a very real chance to push into the top five if his offensive touch carries over into the season.
Throw in his finishing ability, potting four goals at Hlinka, and England has made a compelling case for himself heading into his draft year.
NHL Draft Rankings: Brock England (#7)
We knew Brock England was fast, like really fast, but what stood out most about his game at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup was his physicality.
At 5’11”, you wouldn’t expect it, but England was relentless with his body checking, making life… pic.twitter.com/SbqGJ95eYZ
Dima Zhilkin has built up some serious momentum heading into his draft year.
At the U18s, he put up 7 points in 5 games and, more recently, tied for the Team Canada lead with 4 points over 2 games at the World Junior Summer Showcase.
He boasts a relentless motor and the speed to match it. Paired with strong playmaking and an even better scoring touch, he is a threat whenever he’s on the ice.
The primary concern for Zhilkin looking to play at the next level is his size; listed at only 5’10”, he may simply struggle to sustain his aggressive style against larger competition.
However, with his dog-on-a-bone mentality, he rarely lets anything slow him down, and he’ll be one to watch as the season progresses.
NHL Draft Rankings: Dima Zhilkin (#8)
Dima Zhilkin has built up some serious momentum heading into his draft year.
At the U18s, he put up 7 points in 5 games and, more recently, tied for the Team Canada lead with 4 points over 2 games at the World Junior Summer Showcase.
You’ll hear a lot of buzz around Sergei Skvortsov over the coming months, but he comes with plenty of question marks.
He is going to be one of the biggest wildcard prospects in this draft, a player who could very well challenge for the #1 spot or fall to the back half of the first round.
His game revolves around strong skating and elite edge work to evade defenders, creating space for his high IQ, playmaking, and finishing ability to flourish.
Physicality remains the main concern; at 6’0″ and just 154 lbs, he has a long way to go in terms of adding strength for the NHL level, though doing so without sacrificing his dynamic agility will be a delicate balance.
It’s early, but if Skvortsov can bulk up while maintaining his pace, he could very well push for the top spot come draft day.
NHL Draft Rankings: Sergei Skvortsov (#9)
You’ll hear a lot of buzz around Sergei Skvortsov over the coming months, but he comes with plenty of question marks.
He is going to be one of the biggest wildcard prospects in this draft, a player who could very well challenge for… pic.twitter.com/xIm1rZIhYM
I really like Luca Santala right now, and his development is about to skyrocket in a London program that continues to pump out first-round picks.
He is a mature player who prioritizes the defensive end first, driving a strong transition game which is backed by a 6’2” frame, soft hands, and a nose for the net when needed.
Santala has been tremendous internationally, racking up 6 points over 5 games at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and as an underager at the U18s, while also posting a strong 5 points in 4 games at the U17 World Hockey Challenge.
Whether he ultimately projects at center or on the wing remains a question mark, but with a strong year in London, Santala could hear his name called very early on draft night.
NHL Draft Rankings: Luca Santala (#10)
I really like Luca Santala right now, and his development is about to skyrocket in a London program that continues to pump out first-round picks.
He is a mature player who prioritizes the defensive end first, driving a strong transition… pic.twitter.com/iPnQWzVQi2
11. Sammy Nelson (6’2″ | 192lbs | F | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | USA)
One of the oldest players in this 2027 draft class, Nelson has a certain refinement to his game that most players lack.
Much of his game revolves around north-south hockey, where he generates offence off the rush, showcasing his speed, playmaking, and finishing abilities.
He’s also dependable in his own end, serving in a penalty-killing role on the USNTDP and for Team USA at the World Junior Summer Showcase this past July.
An intriguing mix of speed, size, and heart, Nelson will look to make noise at Notre Dame ahead of next year’s draft.
NHL Draft Rankings: Sammy Nelson (#11)
One of the oldest players in this 2027 draft class, Nelson has a certain refinement to his game that most players lack.
Much of his game revolves around north-south hockey, where he generates offence off the rush, showcasing his speed,… pic.twitter.com/yz2qUOnYOv
After earning tournament MVP with 12 points in 7 games, the U18 World Championship sensation comes in at #12 on my list and although I want to put him higher, he’ll need to round out some areas this year in Guelph.
Kazda is a prolific scorer featuring one of the best releases in this draft class. He can beat you from any spot on the ice and has good vision and awareness to complement the scoring touch.
At 6’1”, he’s not afraid to attack the net and frequently drives into danger areas searching for rebounds.
While his top-end speed needs work to help maximize his power-forward style, Kazda has already proven he can dominate his age group; now he’ll need to continue it against OHL competition.
NHL Draft Rankings: Timothy Kazda (#12)
After earning tournament MVP with 12 points in 7 games, the U18 World Championship sensation comes in at #12 on my list and although I want to put him higher, he’ll need to round out some areas this year in Guelph.
13. Brock Cripps (5’10” | 161lbs | RD | Prince Albert Raiders | Canada)
While Landon DuPont captured most of the headlines on the Canadian blue line at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Brock Cripps quietly put together one of the best all-around performances of the tournament.
He is incredibly gifted with the puck, using his elusive edge-work to shake forecheckers, opening up passing lanes, and driving offence from the back end.
Despite a smaller 5’10” frame, Cripps played physical, never shying away from contact, making life miserable for opposing forwards in corner battles.
Drawing comparisons to recent early-round draftees in Tommy Bleyl and Xavier Villeneuve, Cripps is making a compelling case to join the growing list of undersized defensemen who hear their names called in the opening rounds in June.
NHL Draft Rankings: Brock Cripps (#13)
While Landon DuPont captured most of the headlines on the Canadian blue line at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Brock Cripps quietly put together one of the best all-around performances of the tournament.
An emerging prospect at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Jaakko Wycisk excelled by collecting 10 points and tying for the tournament lead.
He does it all: he’s physical, a strong skater, a capable playmaker, highly competitive, and able to finish when needed.
While no single attribute of his jumps off the page, the well-rounded nature of his game makes him a dangerous player and a strong candidate for the first round.
He faces a big upcoming season with Guelph, where he’ll look to secure his day-one draft position following a 43-point, 61-game campaign last year.
NHL Draft Rankings: Jaakko Wycisk (#14)
An emerging prospect at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Jaakko Wycisk excelled by collecting 10 points and tying for the tournament lead.
He does it all: he’s physical, a strong skater, a capable playmaker, highly competitive, and able to finish… pic.twitter.com/EpkPqx8CIi
15. Max Calce (5’11” | 181lbs | C | Adler Mannheim | Germany)
Heralded as the future of German hockey, Max Calce is the most exciting German prospect since the back-to-back draft classes of Tim Stützle and Moritz Seider.
Having already participated in two U18 World Championships and Hlinka Gretzky Cups as an underager, along with being a late injury scratch from last year’s World Junior squad, Calce has shown he can consistently elevate his game against older competition.
As he transitions into a full-time DEL role after splitting time in the DNL U20, we’ll get a clear look at how his game translates against men.
Calce brings a versatile toolkit anchored by a defence-first mindset. He brings a strong first step and poses a real threat in the offensive zone thanks to his crafty hands, sharp edge work, and dependable finishing ability.
He is a key player to watch this season and will have a massive opportunity to elevate his draft stock at the World Juniors in December with Germany.
NHL Draft Rankings: Max Calce (#15)
Heralded as the future of German hockey, Max Calce is the most exciting German prospect since the back-to-back draft classes of Tim Stützle and Moritz Seider.
Having already participated in two U18 World Championships and Hlinka Gretzky Cups… pic.twitter.com/6HqZzkqSIG
16. Petr Tomek (5’10” | 165lbs | C | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | Czechia)
Petr Tomek may not possess elite size, but his skill and relentless motor allow him to play far bigger than his frame.
Captaining Czechia to a U18 bronze medal, he relied on that motor to set the pace for his game, consistently infiltrating high-danger areas.
Once inside those tight spaces, his hands and vision take over, making him just as dangerous slipping passes through narrow seams as he is finishing in close.
The blend of compete and talent has already earned him 51 pro games with HC Energie Karlovy Vary, proving his game holds up against men.
An expected roster spot at the upcoming World Juniors will give another key look at how he stacks up against top NHL talent.
NHL Draft Rankings: Petr Tomek (#16)
Petr Tomek may not possess elite size, but his skill and relentless motor allow him to play far bigger than his frame.
Captaining Czechia to a U18 bronze medal, he relied on that motor to set the pace for his game, consistently infiltrating… pic.twitter.com/qatrvuFlCZ
Small but mighty, there’s a lot to like about Jaxon Jacobson’s game.
Known for his playmaking ability, he has a knack for finding seams before they even open.
Coming off an 85-point season, including 60 assists in 63 games with Brandon in the WHL, Jacobson is poised for another big year.
While finishing isn’t his strongest attribute, he has good hands and tends to score from close range.
His U18 Worlds stint began with him on the bench, but he quickly made an impact, recording three points in three games.
He’ll need to continue developing his skating and physical play if he wants to keep pace at the NHL level.
Jacobson’s IQ and play-driving ability allow him to consistently create offence despite his smaller frame, making him an intriguing player to watch as the season progresses.
NHL Draft Rankings: Jaxon Jacobson (#17)
Small but mighty, there’s a lot to like about Jaxon Jacobson’s game.
Known for his playmaking ability, he has a knack for finding seams before they even open.
18. Tomáš Selič (6’3″ | 198lbs | RW | HC Kometa Brno | Slovakia)
Talk about rising to the moment, Tomáš Selič did it again on the international stage, this time at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
He exploded for four goals and two assists in a must-win game against Switzerland, helping Slovakia clinch a playoff spot.
He finished the tournament with eight points in five games, adding to the six points he recorded in seven games at the U18 Worlds as an underager.
But Selič’s game goes far beyond the stat sheet. He’s strong defensively and plays with plenty of physicality, making good use of his 6’3”, 198-pound frame.
Selič could realistically find himself on both the WJC and U18 Worlds teams this year, presenting a huge opportunity for the 2009-born Slovak.
If his offensive game continues to shine, this could be a major stepping stone toward a potential top-10 selection.
NHL Draft Rankings: Tomas Selic (#18)
Talk about rising to the moment, Tomas Selic did it again on the international stage, this time at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
He exploded for four goals and two assists in a must-win game against Switzerland, helping Slovakia clinch a playoff… pic.twitter.com/8omyWNsjIa
20. Bosse Meijer (5’10” | 168lbs | C | Frölunda HC | Sweden)
One of the more complete players in this draft, Bosse Meijer is difficult to pinpoint because no single attribute defines his success, yet he racks up a ton of points while remaining strong defensively.
He’s produced above a point-per-game pace across the U18s, Hlinka, and U20 Nationell. While the mobility is solid, he thrives down low by hunting rebounds, winning battles, and navigating tight spaces with his 5’10” frame.
Beyond his offensive output, Meijer is a reliable defensive presence who projects as a staple on the penalty kill.
The skating should be enough for him to stick at centre in the NHL, though the physicality aspect will be key to monitor.
Given his proven international track record, expect him to be at the World Juniors, even with Sweden’s deep talent pool to choose from.
NHL Draft Rankings: Bosse Meijer (#20)
One of the more complete players in this draft, Bosse Meijer is difficult to pinpoint because no single attribute defines his success, yet he racks up a ton of points while remaining strong defensively.
21. Yevgeni Yakunin (6’3″ | 194lbs | C | MHK Spartak Moskva | Russia)
Yevgeni Yakunin is a compelling prospect with intriguing upside. He has a knack for slowing the game down, taking an extra half-second to read the ice before making the right play. That high offensive IQ fuels the rest of his game and helped him rack up 47 points in the MHL last season.
At 6’3”, Yakunin excels around the crease, using his frame to establish net-front presence and make life difficult for opposing defenders.
While his skating mechanics look a bit awkward and will need refining before he can transition to the NHL, his combination of size and awareness gives him a strong projection.
Despite being under contract in Russia, he should still expect to hear his name called early on draft night.
NHL Draft Rankings: Yevgeni Yakunin (#21)
Yevgeni Yakunin is a compelling prospect with intriguing upside.
He has a knack for slowing the game down, taking an extra half-second to read the ice before making the right play.
An undersized but at times game-altering blueliner, Douglas Johnsson had a must-watch performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on an underwhelming Swedish team.
Skating is the focal point of his game, using exceptional edge work and top speed to generate separation in all three zones.
Although not known for a heavy point shot, his softer, more tactical release consistently finds its way through traffic to create chaos and high-danger rebound opportunities in front.
He’s a dynamic playmaker who regularly finds the highlight reel by deking through opponents before finding his teammates on the backdoor tap-in.
Finding better consistency will be key to elevating his draft stock, but if he can undergo a late growth spurt closer to his dad Pierre’s 6’2″ frame, Johnsson could become a marquee feature of this draft class.
NHL Draft Rankings: Douglas Johnsson (#22)
An undersized but at times, game-altering blueliner, Douglas Johnsson had a must-watch performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on an underwhelming Swedish team.
23. Roberts Naudiņš (6’6″ | 212lbs | F | Penticton Vees | Latvia)
Standing at a staggering 6’6”, Roberts Naudiņš has tons of potential through his sheer physical presence alone. Pair that frame with soft hands and respectable mobility, and he projects as a sneaky high-upside option who could end up as the steal of the draft class.
While he didn’t put up massive numbers at the World Juniors, he did hold his own as a 16- and 17-year-old against much older competition, highlighting his drive and maturity.
He has made significant strides in filling out his massive frame, and as he transitions to Penticton in the WHL, a breakout campaign could easily vault him into top-20 consideration.
NHL Draft Rankings: Roberts Naudiņš (#23)
Standing at a staggering 6’6”, Roberts Naudiņš has tons of potential through his sheer physical presence alone.
Pair that frame with soft hands and respectable mobility, and he projects as a sneaky high-upside option who could end up… pic.twitter.com/DK2qWLRK8X
Ryerson Edgar is an electric, fun-to-watch forward. He loves to attack defenders head-on in one-on-one scenarios, where his high-end hands and dynamic skill allow him to regularly beat opponents clean en route to the net.
He pairs good speed with a well-rounded offensive toolkit, capable of hurting teams as both a sharp shooting threat and an inventive playmaker once inside the zone.
While his 5’10” frame doesn’t offer high-end physical leverage, his overall skill set is undeniable.
He will need to post some elite offensive numbers to cement his status in the first-round conversation, but given his raw toolkit, the likelihood of a breakout year is high.
NHL Draft Rankings: Ryerson Edgar (#24)
Ryerson Edgar is an electric, fun-to-watch forward. He loves to attack defenders head-on in one-on-one scenarios, where his high-end hands and dynamic skill allow him to regularly beat opponents clean en route to the net.
A standout performer from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Lenni Kokkonen demonstrated why he sits a tier above his fellow Finnish defenders through his well-rounded, mature game.
He establishes his value in his own zone first, utilizing his frame and stickwork to kill plays and protect the house. Transitioning up the ice, his offensive instincts shine as a calculated playmaker with a sneaky, deceptive point shot.
At 6’2”, his frame is projectable, and as a coveted right-shot blueliner, he is an even higher-valued asset in this draft class.
He is expected to earn reps in Liiga with Kärpät this season, which will only accelerate his adjustment to senior hockey, and continuing that momentum will be his primary focus as the year unfolds.
NHL Draft Rankings: Lenni Kokkonen (#25)
A standout performer from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Lenni Kokkonen demonstrated why he sits a tier above his fellow Finnish defenders through his well-rounded, mature game.
If there’s a net, you can expect Maxmilian Mareš to be around it. Utilizing his massive 6’6” frame, he consistently infiltrates high-danger areas, combining soft hands with good finishing, especially in tight, to cash in.
He delivered a stellar performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting six points in four games, and will look to carry that momentum into his campaign with Rimouski.
While still raw in terms of overall development, he moves remarkably well for his size, making him a fascinating high-upside target for any team looking to take a gamble in the first round.
NHL Draft Rankings: Maximilian Mares (#26)
If there’s a net, you can expect Maximilian Mares to be around it.
Utilizing his massive 6’6” frame, he consistently infiltrates high-danger areas, combining soft hands with good finishing, especially in tight, to cash in.
27. Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (6’0″ | 190lbs | F | Medicine Hat Tigers | USA)
Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll can absolutely fly. Working at a relentless pace, he wreaks havoc on the forecheck by forcing turnovers that quickly turn into high-danger scoring opportunities, with the majority of his offensive threats generated off the rush.
While his overall production hasn’t quite reached first-round calibre yet, expect that trajectory to shift upward during the 2026–27 campaign with Medicine Hat.
Combine his dynamic speed with exceptional efficiency in the face-off circle, and he projects cleanly as a reliable middle-six center at the NHL level.
NHL Draft Rankings: Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (#27)
Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll can absolutely fly. Working at a relentless pace, he wreaks havoc on the forecheck by forcing turnovers that quickly turn into high-danger scoring opportunities, with the majority of his offensive threats… pic.twitter.com/WjiZogODbZ
Vladimir Shtyrkhunov is an intriguing, offensively minded defenceman who loves to join the rush and faces a pivotal season ahead as he transitions from Russia to the QMJHL.
Standing at 5’10”, he lacks imposing size, relying instead on high-end mobility and sharp anticipation to disrupt plays defensively and drive transition up the ice.
Offensively, he has solid vision paired with a functional point shot, traits that should continue to refine as he adapts to the North American game.
With a strong skating base and proven offensive instincts, Shtyrkhunov is a prime candidate for a breakout year with Shawinigan.
NHL Draft Rankings: Vladimir Shtyrkhunov (#28)
Vladimir Shtyrkhunov is an intriguing, offensively minded defenceman who loves to join the rush and faces a pivotal season ahead as he transitions from Russia to the QMJHL.
While not the flashiest defenceman projected for the first round, Boston Tait is a very reliable defender who manages both ends of the ice with quiet precision.
Utilizing his 6’2” frame, Tait thrives in dirty areas, battling relentlessly in corners and punishing anyone who tries to establish a net-front presence.
He racks up heavy penalty-kill minutes and projects as someone who can be trusted in any situation. Though his point shot lags behind some of his class’s higher-end offensive peers, his transition passing and breakout vision are crisp and efficient.
As a defence-first anchor with ideal size and mobility, Tait will be a prime target for teams seeking stability on the back end.
NHL Draft Rankings: Boston Tait (#29)
While not the flashiest defenceman projected for the first round, Boston Tait is a very reliable defender who manages both ends of the ice with quiet precision.
Utilizing his 6’2” frame, Tait thrives in dirty areas, battling relentlessly… pic.twitter.com/yowddVXVbo
Making serious noise at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Lukáš Kachlíř looked every bit the part of a first-round pick after piling up six points in four games.
His offensive tool set is undeniable: he leverages sharp edge work to create passing seams or unleash a dangerous release from distance.
While already possessing good speed, his top-end pace should only continue to improve. Defensively, he uses that mobility to overcome his smaller 5’8” frame, closing gaps quickly and maintaining sound positioning.
After going pointless in a 13-game stint with the senior Bílí Tygři Liberec team last season, increasing minutes in the Czech Extraliga will be his true proving ground.
Call it recency bias if you will, but Kachlíř carries some serious momentum heading into his draft year.
NHL Draft Rankings: Lukas Kachlir (#30)
Making serious noise at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Lukas Kachlir looked every bit the part of a first-round pick after piling up six points in four games.
His offensive tool set is undeniable: he leverages sharp edge work to create passing… pic.twitter.com/YHLV51iZUc
31. Nolan Fitzhenry (5’11” | 183lbs | C | USNTDP Juniors | USA)
It’s set to be a big year for Nolan Fitzhenry as he aims to cement his status as a first-round selection.
The toolbox is there; he is a fluid skater, a creative playmaker, and possesses a lethal release to match. He generates high-volume offence off the rush and executes clean, composed breakouts the moment the puck hits his stick in the defensive zone.
Although a limited role at the U18 Worlds yielded a single assist in three games, his offensive ceiling was on full display at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he posted seven points in four games.
Stepping into a primary role with the USNTDP this season, Fitzhenry has every opportunity to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of the draft.
NHL Draft Rankings: Nolan Fitzhenry (#31)
It’s set to be a big year for Nolan Fitzhenry as he aims to cement his status as a first-round selection.
The toolbox is there; he is a fluid skater, a creative playmaker, and possesses a lethal release to match.
In a draft class full of smaller-framed blueliners, it wouldn’t surprise me to see 6’3” Malik L’Italien selected early on draft day.
Primarily serving as a shutdown defender, he embraces physical play, clearing out the net front and battling relentlessly along the boards.
While his offensive tools are built around a heavy point shot and solid distribution vision during power-play minutes with Halifax, they don’t project as high-end attributes just yet.
L’Italien possesses the defensive ability of a top-10 talent, but expanding his offensive toolbox will be the key to climbing into that top tier.
NHL Draft Rankings: Malik L’Italien (#32)
In a draft class full of smaller-framed blueliners, it wouldn’t surprise me to see 6’3” Malik L’Italien selected early on draft day.
Primarily serving as a shutdown defender, he embraces physical play, clearing out the net front and… pic.twitter.com/YQPhzjxwey
Alexander Sapozhnikov: Projection: Bottom 4 Defence Strengths: Poise, Stick skills, Size Weaknesses: Strength, Mobility, Top speed Note: Overager
Analysis:
Alexander Sapozhnikov is a huge puck-moving defenceman. He has immense poise with the puck on his stick. He never rushes to make a play and considers all his options before making the best play available. His passing and vision are extremely good, consistently getting his passes from tape to tape and finding open players through lanes. He is great at using his stick in every situation. He can use it very well to disrupt players on the rush, along the boards in puck battles to come out on top, or control the puck while he evaluates his options. His size is also a huge plus.
For someone as big as he is, I wish he would be a little harder to battle against. He uses body positioning well to put himself in a place to come out on top, but if he was slightly stronger he would almost never lose a battle against an opponent. His skating is also fairly good for someone as large as he is, but his agility and top speed could still use some work. He still has some work to do, but he could become a very good value pick in the middle rounds.
Karbainov showed both high-end flashes and inconsistency in this game, reinforcing the idea that he is still developing into a reliable draftable prospect. On the positive side, his game showed purpose. His movements were calculated, and his positioning was generally strong. He managed his aggressiveness well, challenging shooters when appropriate while staying composed on lower-danger plays. His skating stood out, especially his shuffles, which looked effortless and efficient. He adjusted quickly while maintaining a stance that allowed him to stay aggressive. The downside lies in his situational reads. There were sequences where he failed to recognize threats in the slot, leading to preventable goals. On other plays, he showed the awareness and execution to make high-end saves. That inconsistency is the main concern. The tools are clearly there, which should make him draftable, but likely later in the draft due to the lack of consistency.
Peshkov is one of the most entertaining prospects in this class, but also one of the toughest to evaluate due to his unique style. If one word defines him, it is electric. He is highly dynamic and flexible, making highlight-reel saves look routine. His compete level is elite, and he never gives up on plays. His physical tools allow him to contort his body in ways that very few goalies can. What was interesting in this game was his intentional positioning. Even within his aggressive style, he adjusted his body subtly to maintain angles on both the shooter and passing threats. That said, this style comes with flaws. His aggressiveness can push him out of position, requiring additional movement to recover. Rebound control is also inconsistent, with pucks often leaking through him. Overall, Peshkov is difficult to project, but the upside and uniqueness of his toolkit give him a legitimate case to be drafted.
After completing at least three viewings on each goalie listed below in the latter part of their respective seasons, I wanted to put together a more complete spotlight on some of the most intriguing draft-eligible goaltenders in this class. The goal here wasn’t only to evaluate results or statistics, but rather to identify projectable technical habits, physical tools, decision-making, and long-term upside through multiple live viewings and game situations. The following reports focus on the elements that stood out the most in recent viewings and how each goalie currently projects heading into the NHL Draft.
Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers Carter Casey is probably one of the most electrifying goalies in this class and, in my opinion, the best mover of the bunch. He’s constantly active in his crease and stands out with his quickness, speed, and mobility. His athleticism allows him to contort his body and extend his legs to put himself in excellent position to make all kinds of saves without compromising his recoveries or overall structure. In my most recent viewings, I particularly liked the way he tracked pucks on long-range shots through traffic. He followed the puck extremely well even when it changed direction and reacted on time to place his body in front of tipped shots. That greatly helped limit dangerous rebounds and second chances. Casey also displayed excellent anticipatory habits on cross-crease plays, reading passes and identifying the shooter rather than simply following the puck. High-shot tracking remains something to monitor. On a few occasions, some pucks didn’t appear to be tracked cleanly and his body reacted with a recoil-like motion, with his head retracting into his shoulders. Casey also tends to drop to his knees too quickly instead of holding his edges longer, which can leave him vulnerable to passing plays and secondary chances. Overall, Casey projects very well thanks to his speed, athleticism, and the control element he’s progressively adding to his game. He should hear his name called somewhere around the third round of the draft.
William Lacelle, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada William Lacelle is another highly skilled goalie who may lack a bit of size by NHL standards. His biggest strength is undoubtedly the precision and speed of his movements, but digging deeper, his puck tracking is not far from elite. He reads releases extremely well and consistently keeps sight of the puck in nearly every situation. I also really liked his play reading. He has a strong feel for how sequences develop in the defensive zone and adjusts his game accordingly. The fact that he’s both quick and intelligent allows him to play aggressively while maintaining excellent angle coverage and strong recoveries on lateral plays and second chances.
That said, his speed and aggressive movement habits can sometimes work against him. There are sequences where he overmoves and ends up needing extra effort to recover positioning. Some teams may hesitate because of his lack of size, but he compensates with elite traits that, in my opinion, should guarantee him a selection in the third round or, at worst, the fourth.
Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets When watching Harrison Boettiger play, the first word that comes to mind is smooth. Everything about his game looks fluid, from the way he moves to the way he controls pucks. He’s particularly effective in the butterfly, sealing the ice extremely well with a wide flare and powerful drops. His butterfly slides are elite, efficient, and look effortless. That makes him very difficult to beat on low shots and highly effective on recoveries. I also like his puck tracking. While it may not be elite, it’s clearly above average, especially in how quickly he reads releases. However, it hasn’t always been his most consistent trait. I noticed some sequences where he briefly lost focus, which led to softer goals on clean long-range shots. Boettiger will also need to improve his play recognition and anticipation. Too often, he relies on his athleticism and excellent slides to cover space instead of anticipating plays before they fully develop. He’s a goalie with a lot of tools that I really like, but I don’t currently see enough to place him ahead of the goalies I value in the first three rounds of the draft.
Vladimir Proskurin, Atlant Mytishchi Vladimir Proskurin is one of the goalies who has made the biggest jump in my rankings throughout the season. Once viewed as a speedy goalie with some erratic tendencies, he has made tremendous progress controlling his movements and staying precise without sacrificing his elite traits. And the list of elite tools is long: quick feet, crisp edges, high-end athleticism. He also plays with an aggressive but controlled approach that makes him look much bigger than he actually is. That says a lot about how efficiently he covers angles. His puck tracking was also very good and he used active hands to catch and control pucks, limiting dangerous rebounds. The main thing I’d still like to see more of is his awareness of backside threats and peripheral options. He often reacts after the pass and relies heavily on athleticism to cover the distance. I really like both the upside and progression curve with Proskurin. He checks a lot of boxes for what modern NHL teams look for in a goalie and he should be one of the first goalies selected in the next NHL Draft.
Dmitri Ivchenko, Omskie Yastreby I’ve said it multiple times already, but Ivchenko is probably one of my favorite goalies in this class and certainly one of the most projectable long-term. The level of competition he faced was questioned throughout the year, but it’s impossible to ignore the tools and projectable traits he displayed all season. His overall game is extremely clean, but what stood out most was his ability to slow plays down and make everything look easy. That translated into elite puck tracking. His eyes stayed locked on the puck from the shooter all the way into his body. Whenever he gave up a rebound, his eyes stayed with the puck, making his recoveries quick and controlled. Throughout all my recent viewings, he remained extremely well positioned thanks to strong anticipation and highly efficient crease routes. There honestly weren’t many weaknesses that stood out in his game. However, on some occasions, he stayed locked into the overlap position for too long, which made him vulnerable against sharp-angle shooters and passing plays. Also, while his blocker stayed projected on slides and he caught nearly everything to the glove side, his hands could still become more active while moving to further improve angle coverage. Bottom line, Ivchenko will be near the very top of my goalie rankings and I fully believe he’s worthy of a third-round selection.
Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders Michal Orsulak’s stock is clearly trending upward right now, especially with Prince Albert playing in the WHL Final and after helping Czechia reach the final of the most recent World Junior Championship. Orsulak is a re-entry candidate after going undrafted last year before making the move to North America this season. At first glance, he has all the tools to be viewed as one of the top goalie prospects available. He’s big and possesses excellent mobility, especially through his lower body. That allows him to cover the ice very effectively. His legs stay active while in the butterfly, making him highly efficient on his knees. In my recent viewings, he was extremely difficult to beat on low shots. He also uses his large frame very well to stay square and take away a significant portion of the net. Despite his size, Orsulak moves fairly well overall. That said, I have major questions regarding his top-end lateral speed. On many occasions, he anticipated plays well and quickly identified the new shooter on passing sequences, but he lacked the pure speed needed to fully cover the distance and get set in position to make the save. That issue led to goals against, especially on plays coming from the corners or from behind the net. After multiple viewings, it looked more like a recurring trend than isolated mistakes. Also, while he read releases quickly, he didn’t always seem to fully track the puck into his body, which led to several uncontrolled rebounds into dangerous areas. For those reasons, I can’t fully buy into the trend of placing him near the top of my rankings. The lack of elite lateral speed and the concerns surrounding his puck tracking force me to rank him behind more complete prospects in those areas. Still, Orsulak remains a legitimate middle-round candidate in this draft.
Ivan Demidov is the next big talent tearing it up in Russia.
One of the highlighting stars of the 2024 NHL Draft when it comes to European skaters who unfortunately suffered a terrible injury that may withstand him from playing. Last season in the MHL right before he entered the KHL, Ivan truly showed his worthiness as he was the best player on SKA-St. Petersburg with an outstanding 62 points in 41 games.
Ivan Demidov already was on a positive start in the KHL, however, he unfortunately is a long term injury reserve. Even though the KHL is a very defensive men’s league, Ivan kept up to solid pace as he was a crucial player on the offense while only playing 3rd line.
Here at DraftPro, we have him currently ranked at 3rd overall in our latest ranking and has gained tremendous attention from scouts all over the world due to his electric playstyle. Let’s finally dive into what makes Ivan Demidov so special who could have a potential comparison to many NHL stars, as well as him displaying his most crucial tools that will serve him in the biggest league.
The question is why is Demidov seen as a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft in June? Tyler Ballesteros-Willard with Draft Prospects Hockey breaks down Demidov’s game as he tries to answers that question.
As a note, Ivan Demidov would be wearing #11 or #91 in blue or white for SKA St. Petersburg.
Allusive Skating
One of the true highlighting aspects of Demidov being an electrifying player his that he shows tremendous skating ability when transitioning through each and every zone. Every time he gains possession of the puck, he shows such confidence in his ability to the point where he can beat you by skating alone. The main aspect of his skating he demonstrates very effectively is his tomahawking abilities as he will swipe from side to side to create unease for the defensemen. Due to his tremendous lateral movement, he can easily go from one direction into another in a nick of time which he will even use his quick feet to his advantage.
Speaking of quick feet, including the combination of his world class agility, he displays tremendous speed to the point where he can beat you in a drag race. With his hyperactive extension and drive, it looks like he even displays a second step which gives him a tremendous advantage over his competitors. Here is a clip that displays him beating his opponents just with his skating alone.
Here is a short clip on how he uses his tomahawk skating abilities to confuse the opposition to create space for himself to make the best play available.
Here is a short demonstration on how Ivan with his quick feet can split the defense and put himself in an odd chance against the goaltender. This is key as he understands when to use his speed and agility to his advantage and does not overuse it.
Puck Skills
In addition to his Kirill Kaprizov like skating ability, his puck skills are the absolute definition of wizardry. His stick handling and deking ability are so fast to the point where his hands are as quick as his feet. What is so unique about his puck handling abilities to is that he does not telegraph his movements very easily which creates a lot of confusion for the opponents to the point where Ivan will deke out two to three opponents at once to give himself the space that he needs. Even when describing his puck control, he does not give that puck up very easily to the point where it is almost glued. Even with little time and space with the defenseman trying to hit him or poke the puck away from him, his stick handling is the definition of precision as there is a high percentage rate of him passing by his opponents with ease.
His passing ability, just the absolute definition of outstanding. How, very simple, he can dish the biscuit with ease to the point where it is threading the needle through two to three players at once. Each pass that he creates, they look so soft as he just lobs it like it is nothing, but in reality, they also come very crisp and hard which does not come very easily from many NHL players today such as mainly Patrick Kane with the elite puck skills that Ivan has in his toolbox.
Here is a clip below of Ivan just absolutely crippling the defense with his NHL like stick handling and deking abilities. This shows while he is facing two to three opponents at once, Ivan has such confidence to the point where he will take it himself.
Here is another clip of Ivan but this time using his tremendous passing abilities just absolutely threading the needle between the defensive players.
Locked-in Marksmanship
When it comes to picking targets from any location on the ice, there is none better in Europe of the 2024 NHL draft than Ivan Demidov. The fact of the matter is each puck he shoots is off in a heartbeat. When shooting from up close, he is so accurate to the point there may be only a puck size open, and he will thread it through like no tomorrow. The key for him is him in the slot, he knows in advance where he wants to shoot, and he does not even take his time which for him is absolutely key. When discussing the power of his shot, while it may not be Alex Ovechkin level yet, not only he can get it off quick, but they can also be heavy. When discussing the shots from the outside the circles or further out, this is where he displays his power due to his one-timers. His accuracy though, actually comes from his wrist shots. It becomes tremendously satisfying the way he displays his drag release shot as he doesn’t even take a second to create his space and power.
The clip below demonstrates how Ivan uses his tremendously quick release from in tight with high velocity as well as his precise accuracy with this very low inside the slow snapshot with no time to kill.
The following clip below demonstrates his shooting abilities from far out with his power while maintaining the accuracy with his toe-drag release mechanism as it finds its way through a crowd.
Master Offensive Awareness
Of course, the aspect that ties everything into what makes Ivan Demidov one of the more special players of the 2024 NHL Draft, that is his wizardry of a mind. Every time he is in the offensive zone, he is in his own league when it comes to playing chess as not only, he looks like he is a couple of steps ahead in front of the opposition, but he is not a cookie cutter type player. When trapped in a situation, he loves trying to figure out ways to get out of trouble creatively and very beneficial to him. He becomes similar to having the intelligence of “Mega Mind” in the offensive zone because of the fact he is always hyperactively thinking in advance. Not to mention about his hyperactive thinking, he has the vision and the intelligence of a jumping spider as not only he anticipates and telegraphs the opponents, but he also anticipates and reads his teammates at a very sufficient level.
One aspect that is key for Demidov is that he shows tremendous motivation in his game when trying to play defensive in the offensive zone when trying to retrieve the puck back. When discussing about his awareness of his surroundings such as the opponents and his players, he looks like he has eyes in the back of his head considering he can read his own teammates at first class. An underrated portion of his offensive awareness too is his positional awareness. What is unique about this is that even though he primarily plays on the wing, he will give the support as much like he were playing as a centerman which is not seen very often. A spot too he loves playing around is just near the trapezoid area which is also known as “Gretzky’s Office”. That being said, even though behind the net his favourite spot to use his incredible mind, he is versatile with his mind anywhere in the offensive zone as well as transitioning up the rush when lugging the puck.
In this following clip, Ivan demonstrates why he is incredible at anticipating his teammates when they are not even at their preferable spot yet which leaves the opposition into disbelief and unorganized off the draw.
The clip below demonstrates Ivan’s unique abilities of supporting his teammates around the boards in the offensive zone as well as creating his tremendous vision as he made this play very subtle but very transitioning which translated to a goal.
Improvement Needs
As much of a special player Ivan Demidov is, there are still some inconsistencies in his game. The aspects will be divided as follows: Minor improvements, and the major improvements. The minor improvements are detailed in mainly in his defensive game as even though he is considered average defensively for his playstyle, there are some minor inconsistencies that can be improved in a short period of time. The major improvements will be focused on his physicality aspect because not only it highlights his inactivity in throwing hits which does not correlate well with the NHL level. Another aspect that does not help Demidov’s case is that he does not handle hits well as he can get very effected by it which unfortunately led to his injury.
When discussing the minor changes needed to Ivan’s game is that yes, he is crucial when shot blocking whenever he is in position as he has good technique when blocking. The key word however as a winger, he sometimes plays too low which leaves the defense wide open due to his habits of also playing center part time. When transitioning through the neutral zone on the defense, yes he may try to stick lift a lot to try to help his defensive pair when retrieving the puck back, the problem is for Ivan is that sometimes there is a lack of motivation when playing in the defensive end similar to William Nylander. This then translates into the following risks, a penalty like hooking or slashing, or a lost odd man rush which translates into a crucial scoring chance. Another small consistency that he has to work on is him having the puck in the defensive end. Even though Ivan has a high confidence level at making plays happen from nothing, he has to play a little simpler in the defensive end to create a lower risk percentage of making a turnover. Other than those small consistencies, we absolutely believe he can overcome it in a short period of time due to his active problem-solving mind.
When discussing the major improvements needed to grow Ivan’s game is that he does not have a physical side to his game, and it mainly involves him being a finesse player. Even though Ivan has not fully matured yet, for his age, he is 170 when he should be aiming for 180 in order for him to become more durable on the ice. When discussing the physicality aspect itself, he has very little interest in throwing hits but most importantly, sacrificing his own body to weaken the opposing team. Each time he throws a hit, not only that there is lack of follow through in his checks, but what is important is that there is lack of intent to weaken the opponent. Once in a while too, he can get reversed. When taking a hit, he does not try to brace the hit as he just tries to slip away which could then place him in very vulnerable positions. The game of hockey in North America can become very rough and if Ivan does not want having to deal with anything physically, then he will have to learn the difficult way. At the end of the day, not only he needs to build the muscle in order to build his longevity, but most importantly, his confidence and intent to cause trouble and harm to the opposition.
Summary
At the end of the day, what you get in a player like Ivan Demidov is a generational offensive dynamo with the mind of a master chess player. Each time he gains possession of the biscuit, his ability to think many steps ahead of the opponent, find creative solutions involving his puck handling abilities, as well as creating tremendous execution at creating space with his skating or precisely hitting the net is considered to be up to par at the NHL level. It is so translatable as when he has the puck, he can almost have the level of “Speedy Gonzalez” by quickly transferring from one direction to the other with his incredible edgework in a short period of time. Once he develops and fixes his inconsistencies of lack of physicality as well as him having minor inconsistencies in the defensive end, due to his incredible “East-West” style of player, he will no doubt about it be a 1st line winger of the future and could be compared to a lighter end version of Alex Kovalev.
