The NHL Draft is just around the corner as the Stanley Cup Final draws to a close. Shane Wright of Kingston is still the best prospect in this year’s draft, but who else is changing in the closing weeks?
This is the last of my Full Press Hockey rankings.
In the upcoming week or so, this network will feature one of my mock draughts. Enjoy this article for the moment.
NHL Draft Prospect Rankings:
Shane Wright – C – Kingston – Ontario Hockey League
Logan Cooley – C – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Matthew Savoie – C – Winnipeg – Western Hockey League
David Jiricek – D – HC Plzen – Czech Men’s National Ice Hockey Team
Juraj Slafkovsky – LW – TPS – Liiga
Jonathan Lekkerimaki – Djurgardens JR – Sweden JR
Joakim Kemell – RW – JYP – Liiga
Simon Nemec – D – HK Nitra – Slovak Men’s National Ice Hockey Team
Conor Geekie – C – Winnipeg – Western Hockey League
Frank Nazar – C – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Brad Lambert – C/RW – JYP – Liiga
Danila Yurov – RW – Magnitogorsk – Kontinental Hockey League
Cutter Gauthier – LW – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Denton Mateychuk – D – Moose Jaw – Western Hockey League
Ryan Chesley – D – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Pavel Mintyukov – D – Saginaw – Ontario Hockey League
Kevin Korchinski – D – Seattle
Gleb Trikozov – C – Omskie – Maritime Junior Hockey League
Liam Ohgren – Djurgardens JR – Sweden JR
Marco Kasper – C – Rogle BK – Swedish Hockey League
Jimmy Snuggerud – RW – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Rutger McGroarty – LW/C – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Isaac Howard – RW – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Seamus Casey -D – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Filip Mesar – W/C – HK Poprad – Slovak Men’s National Ice Hockey Team
Owen Beck – C – Mississauga – Ontario Hockey League
Owen Pickering – D – Swift Current – Western Hockey League
Ty Nelson – D – North Bay – Ontario Hockey League
Jordan Gustafson – C – Seattle – Western Hockey League
Lane Hutson – D – USA U-18 – USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Jiri Kulich – C – Karlovy Vary – Czech Men’s National Ice Hockey Team
Jagger Firkus – Moose Jaw Warriors – Western Hockey League
NHL Draft Risers
The World Championship saw a good performance by Marco Kasper. Points weren’t the only factor. You must make allowances for the fact that his team wasn’t particularly strong.
It was beneficial for all of us to see him in a fresh setting, and he demonstrated his high level of adaptability.
The popularity of Jimmy Snuggerud has been rising. He did play, so it ticks a box, but that isn’t the reason. I got to witness his mental game off the ice at the NHL combine, and it was strong. He already had excellent equipment on the ice.
In my evaluations, Ryan Chesley is rising. Many people think he doesn’t have much offensive potential, but he skates really well and has excellent coverage and defensive play overall.
Some teams may be selecting a player with good value if he can produce some offense, as I believe he can.
NHL Draft Fallers
Ty Nelson suffered a severe fall. Despite being a smaller defenseman, he has excellent strength and an excellent offensive game.
Since his skating isn’t outstanding and probably never will be, he might play a different kind of role if he ever makes it to the NHL.
Jiri Kulich’s performance at the U18s was phenomenal, and it carried over to the World Championship. But after that, his productivity decreased. for a number of reasons.
Towards the season’s end, he was injured. He has fantastic shooting and is a strong two-way player. Is he in the center? He appears that way so far, but things could change. There aren’t many natural centers in this draft.
Undecided
What to make of Stephen Halliday is a mystery to me. This USHL season, he scored 95 points while playing for Dubuque.
His fourth season in the league was this one. He is a 6-4 center, and you get exactly what you see. He won’t become much better, and his skating will probably set him back.
19 years old and destined for Ohio State I gave him no ranking.
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