Prospect Info: 2022 Draft Prospects, Part II

[Diehard Devil]

That is far from a waste of a pick. Goalies are riskier but potentially higher reward picks. The fact that we’ve gotten 2 goalies with NHL potential from 6 mid-round picks is good. It’s a pretty good strategy that has potential to pay off hugely one of these times if we get somebody who turns into a star.

Does Malek have NHL potential?

Im guessing thats the other player you reference when saying two since hes at the top of your list

Fourth round pick who Ive never looked into. I think he was an overager right?

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Does Malek have NHL potential?

Im guessing thats the other player you reference when saying two since hes at the top of your list

Fourth round pick who Ive never looked into. I think he was an overager right?

I was talking about Daws and Schmid who have shown well at the AHL level and might have some sort of NHL potential. The others might as well, I don’t know.

 

[Brodeur]

THN doesn't have the same weight that it used to, but I still will drop a couple bucks for the draft issue.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2022 Draft Profile:

RW Marcus Nguyen, Portland WHL
Not every young prospect has the extreme talent necessary to become a big-time scorer at the highest levels. Some of these players flame out, willing to compromise their overall game to cheat for higher offensive numbers. Others adapt, combining what skills they have with a ferocious compete level to become a legitimate prospect for an NHL bottom 6 role. Marcus Nguyen is one of these players, and as such, he's a terrific super sleeper for the late rounds of the 2022 draft.

Nguyen is a 5'10-170 winger who has one legit physical tool -- he's fast as hell. He combines this with his one elite intangible -- the Calgary native has one of the best compete levels you will ever see. His rabid competitive edge plays up his speed, as he is one of the fiercest forecheckers for the 2022 class. He fears nothing despite modest size, and he's almost like a textbook for "How To Be A Great Checking Winger". He's always digging for pucks, always hounding the opposition, always crashing the crease. His defensive game is terrific, and he's an excellent penalty killer.

With an August '04 birthday, Nguyen is one of the youngest players for this June's draft, and he is not devoid of offensive skills, as his 22-goal draft-eligible campaign would indicate. Nguyen has a nice set of hands, and although he's far from an elite vision guy, he's always smart and on point with his passing game. His shot rates as average, and most of his goals are of a greater variety than beating a goalie clean. He's never going to score a ton, but he's a digger who will force a ton of mistakes from the defense and make his bottom-6 linemates better as a result.

Nguyen is not ranked by anyone anywhere, but he's certainly worth a pick in the 6th/7th rounds. He's a very high floor player -- kids with this kind of heart at least make it to the AHL, and I feel he has an excellent chance of making it as an NHL 4th liner, with an upside as a 3rd liner if he can develop his scoring skills a bit more. Wherever Marcus Nguyen winds up, he's certain to be a favorite by teammates, coaches and fans alike. He's the penultimate heart and soul guy.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2022 Draft Profile:

RW/C Brayden Schuurman, Victoria WHL
Schuurman was second in scoring for Victoria this year and a key part of his team, which will likely garner him some late-round draft attention in the 2022 draft. Despite being 5'9, he's extremely stocky at 190 pounds, so I wouldn't describe him as a *small* kid. His skills check out as good-but-not-great across the board, but his skating is below average. This will negatively affect him on draft day, because 5'9 players who do not skate well do not typically go high.

There is no doubt Schuurman is good at hockey, and his 29 goals this season were certainly impressive on a so-so Victoria squad. The questions all revolve around how he projects for the future. Schuurman is a shoot-first player in his offensive game, which combined with his skating issues and size will probably push him out of the middle to the RW at the higher levels. Right now his game is more suited to a top 6 role, but I'm not sure his talent level is high enough to make it there at the higher levels, so he may have to adapt his style to more of a bottom 6 role.

I feel Schuurman will be taken in the 6th/7th rounds, and if not he might be an intriguing overager next year if he can improve the skating. I would not be surprised if he topped 80 points in the WHL next year, which will certainly gain him some attention in the scouting community.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

2022 Draft Profile:

RW Marcus Nguyen, Portland WHL
Not every young prospect has the extreme talent necessary to become a big-time scorer at the highest levels. Some of these players flame out, willing to compromise their overall game to cheat for higher offensive numbers. Others adapt, combining what skills they have with a ferocious compete level to become a legitimate prospect for an NHL bottom 6 role. Marcus Nguyen is one of these players, and as such, he's a terrific super sleeper for the late rounds of the 2022 draft.

Nguyen is a 5'10-170 winger who has one legit physical tool -- he's fast as hell. He combines this with his one elite intangible -- the Calgary native has one of the best compete levels you will ever see. His rabid competitive edge plays up his speed, as he is one of the fiercest forecheckers for the 2022 class. He fears nothing despite modest size, and he's almost like a textbook for "How To Be A Great Checking Winger". He's always digging for pucks, always hounding the opposition, always crashing the crease. His defensive game is terrific, and he's an excellent penalty killer.

With an August '04 birthday, Nguyen is one of the youngest players for this June's draft, and he is not devoid of offensive skills, as his 22-goal draft-eligible campaign would indicate. Nguyen has a nice set of hands, and although he's far from an elite vision guy, he's always smart and on point with his passing game. His shot rates as average, and most of his goals are of a greater variety than beating a goalie clean. He's never going to score a ton, but he's a digger who will force a ton of mistakes from the defense and make his bottom-6 linemates better as a result.

Nguyen is not ranked by anyone anywhere, but he's certainly worth a pick in the 6th/7th rounds. He's a very high floor player -- kids with this kind of heart at least make it to the AHL, and I feel he has an excellent chance of making it as an NHL 4th liner, with an upside as a 3rd liner if he can develop his scoring skills a bit more. Wherever Marcus Nguyen winds up, he's certain to be a favorite by teammates, coaches and fans alike. He's the penultimate heart and soul guy.

I'm glad you noticed Nguyen after I pointed out his feistiness.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I'm glad you noticed Nguyen after I pointed out his feistiness.

I listen to you, @Tao Jersey Jones

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Noah Warren's season has ended. Shawinigan swept Gatinaeu. I didn't see any of it before you ask.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Noah Warren's season has ended. Shawinigan swept Gatinaeu. I didn't see any of it before you ask.

Here's a nice short video on RD Noah Warren. The kid is 6'5-215, fast and physical and very strong defensively. I think he's a great pick for the Devils in the 3rd round. I have him currently ranked #44 overall.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2022 Draft Prospects:

LD Daniil Ivanov, Spartak Moskva MHL
Every so often you get a prospect who would translate to the NHL on every level, but their skating is so far below average it holds them back. Though I like Ivanov's future in the European leagues, I have concerns that he can keep up in the fastest league in the world, the NHL.

There's a lot to like for what he is now. Ivanov is 6'4-210 and extremely physical. He's smart and positionally sound, and he's got a terrific shot from the point. He's a big, strong kid who is an automatic mismatch with virtually any forward in the MHL in one-on-one battles. Ivanov also had 15 games in the VHL, where he would regularly throw around far older opposing players like they were rag dolls. He's a beast in the crease and the corners.

Unfortunately, Ivanov is just not mobile in any sense of the world. He has trouble with speed in every aspect. He can be beaten off the rush, and forced into consistently backing up and allowing quacking opponents space. With the puck, he is just not slick or agile enough to avoid opposing forecheckers. The faster the game gets, the more Ivanov's effectiveness wanes.

I believe the size and shot will see Ivanov drafted, it just might not be until late. I'd like to see him get a skating coach and work his tail off in that singular aspect of the game. If Ivanov can get to near-average skating acuity, he's got a shot as a 3rd-pairing, physical stay-at-home guy at the NHL level.

 

[My3Sons]

Here's a nice short video on RD Noah Warren. The kid is 6'5-215, fast and physical and very strong defensively. I think he's a great pick for the Devils in the 3rd round. I have him currently ranked #44 overall.

Yes please. NJ will take two of those.

 

[Guttersniped]

Here's a nice short video on RD Noah Warren. The kid is 6'5-215, fast and physical and very strong defensively. I think he's a great pick for the Devils in the 3rd round. I have him currently ranked #44 overall.

I feel like Warren might go in the 2nd round but ya never know. Bob’s final list will give a better idea of what might happen.

 

[glenwo2]

2022 Draft Prospects:

LD Daniil Ivanov, Spartak Moskva MHL
Every so often you get a prospect who would translate to the NHL on every level, but their skating is so far below average it holds them back. Though I like Ivanov's future in the European leagues, I have concerns that he can keep up in the fastest league in the world, the NHL.

There's a lot to like for what he is now. Ivanov is 6'4-210 and extremely physical. He's smart and positionally sound, and he's got a terrific shot from the point. He's a big, strong kid who is an automatic mismatch with virtually any forward in the MHL in one-on-one battles. Ivanov also had 15 games in the VHL, where he would regularly throw around far older opposing players like they were rag dolls. He's a beast in the crease and the corners.

Unfortunately, Ivanov is just not mobile in any sense of the world. He has trouble with speed in every aspect. He can be beaten off the rush, and forced into consistently backing up and allowing quacking opponents space. With the puck, he is just not slick or agile enough to avoid opposing forecheckers. The faster the game gets, the more Ivanov's effectiveness wanes.

I believe the size and shot will see Ivanov drafted, it just might not be until late. I'd like to see him get a skating coach and work his tail off in that singular aspect of the game. If Ivanov can get to near-average skating acuity, he's got a shot as a 3rd-pairing, physical stay-at-home guy at the NHL level.

He sounds like a nice project in the 6th or 7th (Do we have a 7th round?) round.

Also, I don't know what it is but Volchenkov comes to mind as he was never fleet-of-skate(foot) himself.

I feel like Warren might go in the 2nd round but ya never know. Bob’s final list will give a better idea of what might happen.

You spelled Bader wrong.

amirite, @StevenToddIves ?

But in all seriousness, if Warren is still available when we pick, I would rush to the podium and grab him as we need to get more RHD's after we draft Slaf/Wright.

 

[StevenToddIves]

He sounds like a nice project in the 6th or 7th (Do we have a 7th round?) round.

Also, I don't know what it is but Volchenkov comes to mind as he was never fleet-of-skate(foot) himself.


You spelled Bader wrong.

amirite, @StevenToddIves ?

But in all seriousness, if Warren is still available when we pick, I would rush to the podium and grab him as we need to get more RHD's after we draft Slaf/Wright.

The only way I'm taking a LD in this draft is if it's a guy who is the runaway BPA where we draft, and Ivanov has no chance of that, in my opinion. The two LD I'm looking at as potential huge steals are Koromyslov and Hamara, while there's a couple guys I really like for the 6th/7th like Edward and Donovan.

 

[My3Sons]

The only way I'm taking a LD in this draft is if it's a guy who is the runaway BPA where we draft, and Ivanov has no chance of that, in my opinion. The two LD I'm looking at as potential huge steals are Koromyslov and Hamara, while there's a couple guys I really like for the 6th/7th like Edward and Donovan.

We’ve talked about this and I appreciate the enthusiasm. But the team needs to pick BPA right handed defenders in every round short of an absolute steal with a legit center (not a guy playing center in a junior or high school league who will be a wing in the pros) and at most one goalie although this season I think the right handed defense need is much greater considering the goalie prospects are slowly stacking up so I’d likely skip the goalie if a high floor righ shot defender is available.

 

[StevenToddIves]

We’ve talked about this and I appreciate the enthusiasm. But the team needs to pick BPA right handed defenders in every round short of an absolute steal with a legit center (not a guy playing center in a junior or high school league who will be a wing in the pros) and at most one goalie although this season I think the right handed defense need is much greater considering the goalie prospects are slowly stacking up so I’d likely skip the goalie if a high floor righ shot defender is available.

Agreed 100% RD must be a priority.

But if a clear-cut BPA is available, it's my opinion you have to take him regardless of position. It's why if Slafkovsky goes to Montreal and NJ can't trade down, Wright is the best pick at #2. For the same reasoning, LD Koromyslov is on my radar -- I have him ranked #29 overall and he conceivably could fall to the 4th round.

I also believe every team should take 1 goalie every draft, just maybe not early.

I've repeatedly cited some really good centers who could be available throughout the draft.

2nd round C possibles:
Owen Beck
Nathan Gaucher
The Other Jack Hughes
Noah Ostlund
Luca Del Bel Belluz
Bryce McConnell-Barker
Filip Bystedt

3rd round C possibles:
Alex Kaskimaki
Matyas Sapovaliv
Anyone who falls from the 2nd round list (all possible except Beck/Gaucher)

Later Round C possibles:
Logan Morrison
Daniil Bourosh
Brennan Ali
Pano Fimis
Topi Ronni
Servac Petrovsky
Liam Arnsby

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

2022 Draft Profile:

RW Marcus Nguyen, Portland WHL
Not every young prospect has the extreme talent necessary to become a big-time scorer at the highest levels. Some of these players flame out, willing to compromise their overall game to cheat for higher offensive numbers. Others adapt, combining what skills they have with a ferocious compete level to become a legitimate prospect for an NHL bottom 6 role. Marcus Nguyen is one of these players, and as such, he's a terrific super sleeper for the late rounds of the 2022 draft.

Nguyen is a 5'10-170 winger who has one legit physical tool -- he's fast as hell. He combines this with his one elite intangible -- the Calgary native has one of the best compete levels you will ever see. His rabid competitive edge plays up his speed, as he is one of the fiercest forecheckers for the 2022 class. He fears nothing despite modest size, and he's almost like a textbook for "How To Be A Great Checking Winger". He's always digging for pucks, always hounding the opposition, always crashing the crease. His defensive game is terrific, and he's an excellent penalty killer.

With an August '04 birthday, Nguyen is one of the youngest players for this June's draft, and he is not devoid of offensive skills, as his 22-goal draft-eligible campaign would indicate. Nguyen has a nice set of hands, and although he's far from an elite vision guy, he's always smart and on point with his passing game. His shot rates as average, and most of his goals are of a greater variety than beating a goalie clean. He's never going to score a ton, but he's a digger who will force a ton of mistakes from the defense and make his bottom-6 linemates better as a result.

Nguyen is not ranked by anyone anywhere, but he's certainly worth a pick in the 6th/7th rounds. He's a very high floor player -- kids with this kind of heart at least make it to the AHL, and I feel he has an excellent chance of making it as an NHL 4th liner, with an upside as a 3rd liner if he can develop his scoring skills a bit more. Wherever Marcus Nguyen winds up, he's certain to be a favorite by teammates, coaches and fans alike. He's the penultimate heart and soul guy.

Whoa, an asian. We need more of those in the nhl. I'll be cheering for that guy.

 

[glenwo2]

The Other Jack Hughes

@StevenToddIves , I wonder how they're going to refer to him when he's facing the Devils?

Jackson Hughes?
Jackie Hughes? (nah...that sounds like a girl's name)

J (Jay) Hughes?

 

[StevenToddIves]

2022 Draft Profile:

LW/C Gabriel Kangas, Vasteras Allvenskan
Here we have another versatile, high-effort player who might be a nice pick for the 6th/7th rounds. Though not a high-scorer or high-skill guy, he's a smart and efficient passer who is positionally sound in all three zones. Kangas shows a nice awareness both on and off the puck and is always working hard.

If Kangas has a detriment to being drafted, it's that he is average-sized at 5'11-175 and average at best as a skater. You like him when you watch him because of his heady, maximum-effort game, and his coaches certainly like him for his ability to slot through the bottom three lines as a wing or center and hold his own.

The question I have here is whether Kangas can build his core strength and up his skating to the above-average sphere. I think this is the demarcation between him being a very good player in Sweden or a good bottom 6-er in the NHL. For this, he's certainly a player worth looking at in the 6th/7th rounds.

 

[My3Sons]

Agreed 100% RD must be a priority.

But if a clear-cut BPA is available, it's my opinion you have to take him regardless of position. It's why if Slafkovsky goes to Montreal and NJ can't trade down, Wright is the best pick at #2. For the same reasoning, LD Koromyslov is on my radar -- I have him ranked #29 overall and he conceivably could fall to the 4th round.

I also believe every team should take 1 goalie every draft, just maybe not early.

I've repeatedly cited some really good centers who could be available throughout the draft.

2nd round C possibles:
Owen Beck
Nathan Gaucher
The Other Jack Hughes
Noah Ostlund
Luca Del Bel Belluz
Bryce McConnell-Barker
Filip Bystedt

3rd round C possibles:
Alex Kaskimaki
Matyas Sapovaliv
Anyone who falls from the 2nd round list (all possible except Beck/Gaucher)

Later Round C possibles:
Logan Morrison
Daniil Bourosh
Brennan Ali
Pano Fimis
Topi Ronni
Servac Petrovsky
Liam Arnsby

Beck sounds like a good choice but my guess is that one of the Russians with top notch skills falls to that spot and I agree that a first round shot at a top six forward in the second round is an excellent choice. It's really disappointing that NJ didn't figure out taking a few shots at right defenders in late rounds sort of like a goalie prospect was a smart strategy.

 

[Nubmer6]

Whoa, an asian. We need more of those in the nhl. I'll be cheering for that guy.

We already have Siegenthaler!

 

[StevenToddIves]

2022 Draft Prospects:

RD Artyom Barabosha, Krasnaya Moskva MHL
Though I try to keep my prospect evaluations impartial and neutral, simply focusing on the individual abilities and potential of the prospect, with Artyom Barabosha it's going to be impossible to do this without plugging him as a perfect guy for the Devils in the late rounds of the 2022 draft.

Barabosha is a 6'2-190 punishing physical defender who also features good mobility, strong top speeds and extremely competent capability with the puck. His physicality is the first feature you notice -- he's always playing the body in tight, utilizing smart shoulder-checks and high-end strength to separate the opposition from the puck and win one-on-one battles along the boards and in the crease. He also loves the open-ice hit, and he's a guy opposing forwards cannot have their head down around whenever Barabosha is on the ice.

Positionally and in his gaps, I'd say Barabosha is good -- showing nice defensive awareness -- but can still use work if he will fulfill his utmost potential as a mid-pairing, shut down defender at the NHL level. Where Barabosha really goes from "impressive defender" to "intriguing upside" is when you watch him with the puck.

Unlike most defense-first defenders, Barabosha is actually pretty aggressive, both in transition and in the offensive zone. He's a deceptively good puck-carrier with a good number of dekes and moves to avoid opponents in the neutral zone. In the O-zone, Barabosha is not afraid to jump in assertively to join the play. If he sees an opportunity, he'll skate in deeper from the point, looking for a one-timer. Individually, I'd say Barabosha's offensive arsenal is good-but-not-great -- he can shoot and pass effectively, but neither are high-end abilities.

I'd say Barabosha's ultimate ceiling is a mid-pair, physical shut-down guy who can maybe hit the 30-point plateau. This is an extremely valuable commodity at the NHL level. I'd also say his defensive acumen and physicality, combined with his skating also give him quite a reasonable floor. So, when I say Artyom Barabosha is a huge steal for the 2022 draft, it's because he's not ranked by anyone. When we also factor in the New Russian Factor and the chances that all Russian prospects slip in the oncoming draft, we're talking about a kid who could be available in the 5th thru 7th rounds. This would be a huge value, as I would consider Barabosha a very good pick as early as the 3rd round.

 

[StevenToddIves]

2022 Draft Profile:

LW/RW Semyon Sinyatkin, MHK Dynamo-St.Petersburg MHL
I'm writing up Sinyatkin because I've been reviewing a lot of the MHL and he was a very good player on the top line for his team this year. He's very likable as a player, because his offensive instincts are terrific, he can finish, and he has a great intangible combination of IQ/compete level. As such, some team might take a flyer with him in the 6th/7th rounds. However, I believe his skating -- which is below average -- combined with average size measurements of 5'11-185 might knock him off a lot of draft boards.

Sometimes a player is very good at hockey, but a certain singular weakness will sabotage their odds of an NHL career. Most often, that singular weakness is skating. In Sinyatkin's case, the skating will have to improve remarkably for him to rise to a level higher than the KHL. His acceleration, top speeds, form and edges all need great improvement. If he can achieve this, there is no doubt Sinyatkin is a very good hockey player with upside.

 

[My3Sons]

2022 Draft Prospects:

RD Artyom Barabosha, Krasnaya Moskva MHL
Though I try to keep my prospect evaluations impartial and neutral, simply focusing on the individual abilities and potential of the prospect, with Artyom Barabosha it's going to be impossible to do this without plugging him as a perfect guy for the Devils in the late rounds of the 2022 draft.

Barabosha is a 6'2-190 punishing physical defender who also features good mobility, strong top speeds and extremely competent capability with the puck. His physicality is the first feature you notice -- he's always playing the body in tight, utilizing smart shoulder-checks and high-end strength to separate the opposition from the puck and win one-on-one battles along the boards and in the crease. He also loves the open-ice hit, and he's a guy opposing forwards cannot have their head down around whenever Barabosha is on the ice.

Positionally and in his gaps, I'd say Barabosha is good -- showing nice defensive awareness -- but can still use work if he will fulfill his utmost potential as a mid-pairing, shut down defender at the NHL level. Where Barabosha really goes from "impressive defender" to "intriguing upside" is when you watch him with the puck.

Unlike most defense-first defenders, Barabosha is actually pretty aggressive, both in transition and in the offensive zone. He's a deceptively good puck-carrier with a good number of dekes and moves to avoid opponents in the neutral zone. In the O-zone, Barabosha is not afraid to jump in assertively to join the play. If he sees an opportunity, he'll skate in deeper from the point, looking for a one-timer. Individually, I'd say Barabosha's offensive arsenal is good-but-not-great -- he can shoot and pass effectively, but neither are high-end abilities.

I'd say Barabosha's ultimate ceiling is a mid-pair, physical shut-down guy who can maybe hit the 30-point plateau. This is an extremely valuable commodity at the NHL level. I'd also say his defensive acumen and physicality, combined with his skating also give him quite a reasonable floor. So, when I say Artyom Barabosha is a huge steal for the 2022 draft, it's because he's not ranked by anyone. When we also factor in the New Russian Factor and the chances that all Russian prospects slip in the oncoming draft, we're talking about a kid who could be available in the 5th thru 7th rounds. This would be a huge value, as I would consider Barabosha a very good pick as early as the 3rd round.

Yes please. NJ will take 2.