Its been a couple of weeks so I figured I could give a prospect update.
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I have only had limited viewings of each of these players but I can tell you the prospects are looking promising for next year.
G - Finn is putting up better numbers than Medvedev but is also on a better team. Both teams are splitting the net with their goalies, but London's prospects have the better numbers in each system. Both of these goalies are looking good given their age and programs they are in. If they keep progressing throughout the season it should be a good battle to make London's roster next season.
D - All of Woolley, Fagan, Jenken, & Ustinkov should be in the OHL next season. With that being said they will not all be playing for London.
Woolley is the most ready in my opinion. He has the size and speed and may even get pulled up half way throughout this season (same as Julian last year) if London feels as though he could be a 6th/7th. (maybe moving a current 6th/7th (another discussion)).
Fagan is a smooth skater that likes to jump in on the rush and play physical. He has scored a couple of really nice goals so far this year. He has a similar offensive game to victor mete but plays as physical as Leonard.
Jenken is the biggest of the group at 6'3 but looks like he needs to fill out more. Could be a solid defensive defenseman. He probably has the hardest shot at making the team next year given who is in front of him but I don't know too much about him.
Ustinkov I know nothing about. I have tried to find clips of him online but have had no success. There are very few players that play in the NL (Top swiss league) at 17. there are also a lot of former NHL players in the league. Given the fact that he is a projected late 1st round pick this year I would assume he is around a similar skill level to bonk this time last year, just playing against better competition.
For next year, we can assume George & Edward will be gone (very rare to see players under NHL contracts play their overage year in the OHL) That makes the possible defense
Bonk, Dickinson, Leonard, Brzustewicz, Wooley, Fagan, Jenken, Ustinkov. In no order
F - James Hagens is the holy grail here. The first overall pick in 2025 will likely be between him and Misa. He is committed to Boston College but not until 2025-26, meaning he will have 3 options for next year. He can do what Fantilli did and finish high school early to move up his NCAA eligibility, he can play in the USHL, or he can come to London. If London can convince him to show up he very well could put up more points than we have seen since Patrick Kane. He is an elite playmaker that plays both ends of the ice well. In my opinion his closest comparable is jack Hughes.
William Moore missed the first couple games but is in the lineup now. He is a solid all around playmaker that should have been a top 3 pick into the OHL this year had he not committed to the US. If he were to show up next year and Hagens does not, I wouldn't be surprised to see Moore be the 1st line center.
Blake Arrowsmith had a strong camp in my opinion and for a while it looked like he was going to make the team this year. (before London brought in the grinder line) Since being sent to the nationals he has only played 3 games. It will take some time to see what he is capable of but it looks as though he will be getting top 6 minutes.
Gerber is off to a very strong start with Elmira. He is a small crafty forward that is now playing top minutes. He has a quick shot and sees the ice very well being involved in some nice goals. I'm not sure how he is on the defensive end of the pucks but even if he is average defensively he should have a chance to make the roster next season.
Lepain started hot with the nationals but they have added a couple forwards over the last couple of weeks that will likely take away his playing time. I don't know much about his game but he will need to have a big year to make London next year.
I'm not going to project London's forward group for next year as that will be a moving target with the possibility of additions/ removals as the season goes on, & the chances of players making the next level, but overall London's forward group of prospects is elite, but very limited.
www.eliteprospects.com
