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2013 Draft : Potential Steals |
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2013 Draft : Potential Steals
Ya, ya, ya. Took me long enough right? Well I hope it was worth the breathless anticipation for my one reader. These are some of the more noticeable guys I feel are well on their way to developing into "steals" at the draft. I already reviewed the first round of 2013, 2014 and potential steals from 2014 already. So check the archive if you missed them and want to give it a look.
I really loved following the 2013 draft. It was probably my favourite to cover since I've been writing on HB. So much depth and some really interesting players that fell under the radar.
Now these aren't all the potential steals etc. Just the ones I've followed enough or been told about to make an early judgement on. So don't freak out at me if your favourite prospect is suspiciously absent.
202. Andreas Johnson - Toronto Maple Leafs, 5'10 176lbs, Frölunda in the Elitserien
30gp - 13g - 5a - 18p
Johnson really broke out onto the prospect scene in a spectacular fashion last season playing with 2013 first round selection Alexander Wennberg. The two played together both in the Elitserien and WJC. Johnson would end up winning the Rookie of the Year award, besting his teammate in a tight race. Johnson leads his team in goals by a healthy margin of 6 and is well on pace to beating his rookie year. His 13 goals also put him in a tie for the most goals scored in the Elitserien. Not bad for a 20 year old seventh rounder eh? So what is he all about? Speed. Mother freaking speed. Johnson has elite skating abilities and it dominates his game style. He can burn defenders at any moment. Basically I like to compare him to Grabner with better hands (seriously if Grabner had even average hands he'd be a 50 goal scorer). Great pick by the Leafs scouting staff, who seem to have a thing for Swedes in the later rounds.
211. Robin Press - Chicago Blackhawks - 6'3 203lbs, Södertälje in the Allsvenskan
34gp - 10g - 16a - 26p
Press was the very last selection in 2013 and looks to be continuing a tradition of Swedes selected last becoming competent players. See Hornqvist and Ericsson. Press had a strong showing last season after a rocky rookie season in the Allsvenskan, but this is really the eye opener. He sits in third for scoring by defenseman, including being tied for the lead in goals scored. Press leads his team in points and is second in goals. Promising indeed. He's a bit of an adventure when on the ice, but things happen when he's out there...not always good things...but things happen. Love his vision and timing, he just knows when to sneak in for the backdoor play or when to switch sides on a rush. Offensively he's extraordinarily gifted and blessed with size...defensively...well, Q might not like him very much right now.
188. Greg Chase - Edmonton Oilers - 6'0 205lbs, Victoria Royals in the WHL
26gp - 6g - 20a - 26p
Chase isn't having as great a year as last season in as much as a points race, however from all accounts he's managed to stop taking easy penalties while continuing to be a pest. Pests need to know where the line is, and that was one worry with Chase, seems like he's learning though. Chase plays the way the Oilers need some of their forwards to play going forward. With intensity and desperation. While a likely ceiling as a third line pest might not sound exactly like a "steal," but if you can get that in the seventh round (especially the Oilers) you call it a good day.
176. Jérémy Grégoire - Montréal Canadiens, 6'0 192lbs, Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the QMJHL
Where are his stats you might ask. Well, he's been injured all season sadly, so all of this is about last year. Heck the way he was trending, he might have been in a dogfight for Team Canada. Grégoire made a lasting impression in the Q playoffs last season by scoring timely goals and being an absolute ass to play against. The maturation he went through from his draft day to then is remarkable. He's the type of guy you can just plug into any role and he will meld into it. He does a little bit of everything well and I like the edge to his game. The former sixth overall pick in the QMJHL draft is showing why he was so highly touted.
114. Jan Kostalek - Winnipeg Jets, 6'1 196lbs, Rimouski Océanic in the QMJHL
28gp - 4g - 16a - 20p
Dependable and reliable are often words to describe Kostalek. Boring might be a stretch, but usually if you're not noticing him, he's playing his game. Kostalek has blossomed into the top pairing role and has done well with his increased offensive zone starts. While Samuel Morin gets a lot of the harder minutes, it would be a disservice to Kostalek to say that he isn't pulling his weight in the defensive zone. Like an Anton Stralman, he plays a quiet game and can control the flow and pace of the game. He should be one to watch at the WJC's on a Czech team that might surprise.
99. Juuse Saros - Nashville Predators - 5'10 181lbs, HPK in the SM-liiga
24gp - 2.30GAA - .924sv%
What can you say about Saros other than he would have been a first round selection had he been 3 inches taller. Goalies are tricky, but Saros has the pedigree and ability to be the next "who?" out of Finland. After backstopping the Finns to the Gold Medal in the WJC's, he has improved on his SM-liiga Rookie of the Year season with a season that will likely see him win the Goaltender of the Year award. I would also say he was robbed of the Best Goalie Award in the WJC's by a pro-Swedish selection group catering to their host nation. He has elite characteristics with uncharacteristic size. I have no idea if he will be able to cut it in an NHL that simply doesn't want small goaltenders, but he's looking amazing.
130. Gustav Possler - Buffalo Sabres - 6'0 183lbs, MODO in the Elitserien
28gp - 8g - 6a - 14p
Before a season ending injury derailed him, Possler was well on his way to winning the Elitserien Rookie of the Year. Sadly for him he went out and Andreas Johnson was left laughing his way to victory. Possler is having a similarily successful season as last year, though he wasn't selected for the WJC squad as Sweden went with a younger forward core this time around. While his first round in 2014 teammates Nylander and Kempe are getting more press, Possler has seen his role as a second line sniper done well. Excellent speed and a snap shot from hell are his trademarks, though I am worried about his lack of passing ability. Buffalo is rather stacked with prospects and Possler looks like a good late round selection.
116. Martin Réway - Montréal Canadiens, 5'10 174lbs, HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga
23gp - 5g - 16a - 21p
After torching the QMJHL, the WJC and looking shockingly comfortable at the WC's, Réway shocked a lot of people by moving to the Extraliga to play for his hometown. A lot of rumours swirled about why he would abandon the Q so suddenly, but the truth came out and was a lot more reasonable than most thought. His family is poor and desperate for money. Réway is not allowed to be paid while playing Major Junior, so he went to the Czech Republic to make some money this year before he goes to AHL next season. He's one to watch in the WJC's, though that Slovakian team is pretty bare.
86. Sven Andrighetto - Montréal Canadiens, 5'10 181lbs, Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL
21gp - 9g - 9a - 18p
From one Habs midget to another! Andrighetto is a prime example of how to fight your way into the NHL. He went undrafted two years despite some impressive showings internationally and in the QMJHL. It took his final year of eligibility to gain some attention as he was a force in the Q and at the WJC's for Switzerland. He was the Bulldogs best forward last season and has started this season extremely well. He even got points in his first three games in the NHL during his call up. He's a hard working offensive threat that doesn't let his size get in the way of playing his game.
172. Antoine Bibeau - Toronto Maple leafs - 6'2 209lbs, Toronto Marlies in the AHL
12gp - 2.63GAA - .911sv%
Bibeau had a Memorial Cup and Q Playoffs to remember. He was in the zone and got things done. He would win the Q Playoffs MVP Award and the Memorial Cup Goaltender of the Tournament as he and Mantha basically carried Val d'Or to contention. Some people are calling him a late bloomer and they might be right. It was expected that he would start in the ECHL, being the youngest goalie in Toronto's system. However he quickly stole Sparks' job. Then it was expected he would back Christopher Gibson up, yet now he is splitting starts and well on his way to stealing the number one spot. His rise has been fairly meteoric from an afterthought to a goalie prospect usually found in the top-15. While still years away, the Leafs might have nabbed one in Bibeau.
75. Pavel Buchnevich - New York Rangers, 6'2 176lbs, Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL
32gp - 10g - 11a - 21p
Oh...the Russian Factor. How you make GM's look smart. Buchnevich is well on his way to Nikita Kucherov levels of "why didn't we pick this guy?" Having seen him play about 14 games this year, it's safe to say he's Cherepovets best player. He is explosive and should he decide to come over (hopefully WHEN) he will be an impact forward. The speed he generates with such quickness is unfair for a player of his size and I think 176 is an old measure because he looks a lot bigger on the ice. He's the best U20 Russian forward in the world right now, in fact, I think he's better than Nichushkin was last season (an unfair comparison, but so be it). If Russia is going to compete for Gold, Buchnevich will have to be even better than he was last WJC.
80. Anthony Duclair - New York Rangers - 5'11 187lbs, New York Rangers in the NHL
18gp - 1g - 6a - 7p
While I'm already on the subject of Rangers loving, let's talk Duclair. My oh my what a year can do. Duclair had a rough draft year, including being suspended by the Remparts in what seems to have been a weird coup d'état of young players vs older players in the dressing room. Needless to say he matured beyond it and is showing why he was projected as a top-15 pick before the season had begun. Amazing offensive instincts with speed to burn. There was only one better sniper in junior last year and that was Anthony Mantha (Wings). Duclair was great. He also rocked the Rangers camp and earned himself a spot. Obviously he has slowed down and it's apparent that if he could, the AHL would be the best place for him, but it doesn't tarnish his accomplishment. He will play for Canada at the WJC's and big things are expected.
89. Oliver Bjorkstrand - Columbus Blue Jackets, 6'0 171lbs, Portland Winterhawks in the WHL
28gp - 21g - 19a - 40p
Sometimes it works out when an import (be they Euro or American) has a rough transition to the CHL. For the team that drafts them at least. Such was the case with Bjorkstrand who struggled early with the advanced level of competition from that of his native Denmark. He would find his game though, including an impressive performance in the playoffs. Last season though marked what kind of a sniper he can be. He finished second in the WHL in goals scored with 50 in 69 games and finished third in the scoring race. He would then lead the playoffs in goals scored and points. This season he is doing just as well and as you can see, is nearly a goal per game player. He was instrumental in bringing Denmark back to the U20's after two years in Division 1. 2013 is looking like a mighty fine draft for the Jackets.
41. Robert Hägg - Philadelphia Flyers, 6'2 207lbs, Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL
29gp - 2g - 11a - 13p
Hägg tumbled out of the first round with questions surrounding his consistency and tendency to do too much and get himself into trouble. I don't think the Flyers really mind though. After having trouble finding ice-time in MODO, he moved to the AHL and had a decent showing as an 19 year old. This season he is having a solid campaign and is one of the youngest players in the league. He's fifth on the Phantoms in scoring. He has been the fourth best rookie defenseman in the AHL, while also being the youngest. Most impressive is that he plays all situations, think about that, how many 19 year olds play heavy PK minutes in the AHL? Hägg will be expected to do a lot of the heavy lifting for the Swedish defense at the U20's.
53. Madison Bowey - Washington Capitals, 6'2 207lbs, Kelowna Rockets in the WHL
28gp - 8g - 25a - 33p
The WHL is a defenseman making machine. Yup. Ziggy Stardust here was my surprise choice to make the U20's last season...I was wrong, or maybe Team Canada was? Nah, it was me. He'll get his shot this time around and I suspect he will log major minutes. Whoever is in charge of defense scouting and development in Kelowna needs a job...preferably with Edmonton. The Rockets captain has arguably been the best defenseman in the CHL, he does everything. Some scouts that watch him even bring up the W word (Weber). I'd tone that down personally, but there it is. He's big, he's mean, he plays all situations, he can score...even on the penalty kill, he can pass, he can defend and he can lead. Really interested to see what he can do in the U20's.
90. Peter Cehlárik - Boston Bruins, 6'2 201lbs, Luleå in the Elitserien
29gp - 4g - 9a - 13p
Cehlárik is the other, other U20 Elitserien player that nobody seems to talk about. Currently he sits in seventh for scoring of U20 players. He brings more than offense though and it's the reason I like him. He's very slippery on the puck and can do a lot with time and space. His play on the penalty kill is very noticeable (did so in the Allsvenskan last season and the U20's), he does really well at anticipating puck movement and spacing. Often he creates turnovers. He's doing pretty well for a player with no PP time and fourth line minutes. He'll be a major player for Slovakia.
83. Bogdan Yakimov - Edmonton Oilers, 6'5 219lbs, Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL
22gp - 1g - 6a - 7p
Yakimov is not your usual Russian player. He's massive, he lacks finesse and if he has to go through a player to score he simply will. People will be surprised by his strong defensive zone coverage and his face-off abilities (should they translate from the MHL). He has surprisingly soft hands for a big man and can be dangerous around the net. The 20 year old is having a solid rookie campaign in the AHL and is being brought along slowly in his first year in North America. Speed is a concern as he's a slow starter, but his ceiling to me has always been a strong two-way third line centre. Wish he'd play a bit more physical, but you can't get everything I suppose.
203. Janne Juvonen - Nashville Predators, 6'1 183lbs, Pelicans in the SM-liiga
19gp - 2.46GAA - .920sv%
You might be wondering how it is that the Nashville Predators have two Finnish goalies on this list. Well I would like to know as well. Do they have some kind of dartboard with random Finnish names that they toss at? Juvonen has grabbed the starting mantle after an injury plagued season that culminated in an excel U20 playoff performance in the Finnish U20 league. He also got to ride the pine as his fellow Redator Finn Saaros won Gold for Finland. He's been very good for a 20 year old goalie. While not really a top prospect, he might be one to watch down the road...because we all know goalies are weird.
85. Cole Cassels - Vancouver Canucks, 6'0 181lbs, Oshawa Generals in the OHL
22gp - 12g - 27a - 39p
It's always hard to tell with a third wheel to two elite players, whether they are really that good, or just leaching. Cassels had the privileged or perhaps misfortune depending on your take on the situation, to play with two such elite junior stars. Scott Laughton (Flyers) and Michael dal Colle (Islanders). Yet I think it has made him a better player and his development has certainly been helped by those two. Including finding himself named the captain of the Generals and on his way to playing a meaningful role for America at the U20's (if they keep him after his international suspension runs out). This season he has been fantastic. He's playing more physical, more confidently and seems more and more to be in command rather than just a bit player to elite linemates. That's an important point, he's making things happen this year more than ever before. While I don't think huge numbers are in his future in the NHL, I think his work ethic and responsible game will find him a role at the next level. I like his versatility.
Thanks for reading. I've got a look at the Russian WJC squad written and ready.
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