12. Beckett Sennecke
Sennecke's pure point totals don't jump out at you, but he was very good in the second half of the season and his pure tools deserve a very high ranking. He's 6-2, skates quite well for his size and has a ton of skill. He's one of the more creative puckhandlers in the draft, and that he can make those difficult plays at full speed makes him highly intriguing for the NHL level. So why isn't he getting more points? I think there is a question of whether he's a natural finisher or not. I also think while he can make plays to his teammates, he's much more of a carry-and-create type. His effort level is fine as well, but not a selling point. All that being said, he has a lot of pro potential to be a top six scoring winger.
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Player Comp: Kirill Marchenko
18. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
Brandsegg-Nygard is the clear best prospect Norway has ever produced for the NHL Draft. He has been very good at the Swedish junior level although his play versus men has been less consistent. He is a well-rounded forward but I don't think any aspect of his game gets you truly excited. He's a good skater. He has strong puck skills. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from range. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset. Brandsegg-Nygard has a game that should lend itself to success versus men, eventually as a good NHL forward and potentially in a top six.
Player Comp: Tyler Bertuzzi
19. Yegor Surin
Surin is an easy player to like and has been a top player in Russia's junior league this season with a stellar playoff run for Loko. He's a skilled forward who can create a lot of offense. He displays quality vision and finishing touch and skates well, too. Surin is a hyper competitive forward and the energy he brings to shifts is what makes me optimistic about his NHL projection. He brings it every game, plays both ways, is very physical and has a lot of tempo in how he creates offense. Surin has mostly played wing this season, but he has the traits to be a pro center.
Skill Grades
Player Comp: Ivan Barbashev
23. Charlie Elick
Elick is a very intriguing pro prospect. He is one of the best skaters in the draft, with a smooth and powerful skating stride. When those feet are combined with his 6-3 frame, strong compete and a little mean streak, he has the potential to be a top shutdown defenseman in the NHL. Elick isn't a natural puck-mover and can make some questionable puck decisions. He will need to clean that up, but he has good hands and isn't a negative with the puck on his stick. In a role where he just needs to defend well and make a basic outlet, he could potentially be a top-four NHL defenseman.
Player Comp: Erik Gudbranson
26. Julius Miettinen
Miettinen started off slow in his first season in North America, but caught fire as the year went along and became a big part of a successful Everett team. Miettinen is a big-body forward with very good offensive skills. He has the one-on-one play to beat pro defensemen and do so with pace. He shows a lot of creativity inside the offensive zone as a puckhandler and passer. He can create off the perimeter and around the net due to his frame. I wouldn't call his compete level high, but it's good enough given his frame. He's a strong skater. I wish he'd play a bit quicker at times, but he has a powerful stride and can skate with pros. He has a chance to be a third-line center.
Player Comp: Eetu Luostarinen
28. Nikita Artamonov
Artamonov played a notable role on a KHL team, including as an important part of Torpedo's power play. He's a forward with excellent hands, sense and vision and can make a lot of creative plays. That he's a strong skater and able to create offense with pace is what has helped his game translate versus men so quickly, as he has often beaten KHL defensemen with his skill. You rarely see KHL draft eligibles help a team, never mind two on the same club in him and Silayev. But Artamonov isn't that big, he isn't a natural finisher, and while he competes well enough, I wouldn't call him the type of competitor you'd love to have in a small winger. It's why he projects more as a middle-six scorer.
Skill Grades
Player Comp: Nick Schmaltz
31. Adam Kleber
Kleber's game has developed well as the season has progressed. He is a very athletic defenseman who projects to be a strong pro defender. He's 6-5, skates well for a big man and competes hard. He will be quite difficult for even NHL forwards to get by or try to gain footing around the net. Kleber's offensive play is what has sold me on him. I didn't originally think he was a true puck-mover, but he's shown enough sense with the puck this season for me to think he can have an NHL career.
Skill Grades
Player Comp: Ryan Graves