Constructing this year's top prospect list was considerably more difficult than ever before. Every player on this list played a limited season in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and some of the kids listed didn't play at all a year ago. As a result, I expect a ton of movement to this list moving forward as we get a better read on the future potential of certain guys as they get more games under their respective belts.
(Note: Players with 25 games or more of regular season NHL experience are not eligible)
51- Fabian Lysell (RW, BOS): Many young SHL forwards struggle to produce offensively. Lysell is a perfect example. He had just two goals and three points in 26 games for Lulea this year. The lack of production aside, you can watch Lysell for one shift and see why the Bruins are high on him. He skates like the wind and has the skill to match. Lysell can make all sorts of creative plays off the rush and when engaged, can hunt down opposing defenders on the forecheck. There's not a ton here in terms of physical play and secondary skills, and Lysell needs to gain a good 15-20 pounds worth of muscle to be a more effective player, but his offensive ceiling is among the highest on this list.
52- Cole Sillinger (C, CBJ): No NHL club aced the 2021 draft like the Blue Jackets, and the addition of Sillinger at No. 12 overall is a major
Constructing this year's top prospect list was considerably more difficult than ever before. Every player on this list played a limited season in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and some of the kids listed didn't play at all a year ago. As a result, I expect a ton of movement to this list moving forward as we get a better read on the future potential of certain guys as they get more games under their respective belts.
(Note: Players with 25 games or more of regular season NHL experience are not eligible)
51- Fabian Lysell (RW, BOS): Many young SHL forwards struggle to produce offensively. Lysell is a perfect example. He had just two goals and three points in 26 games for Lulea this year. The lack of production aside, you can watch Lysell for one shift and see why the Bruins are high on him. He skates like the wind and has the skill to match. Lysell can make all sorts of creative plays off the rush and when engaged, can hunt down opposing defenders on the forecheck. There's not a ton here in terms of physical play and secondary skills, and Lysell needs to gain a good 15-20 pounds worth of muscle to be a more effective player, but his offensive ceiling is among the highest on this list.
52- Cole Sillinger (C, CBJ): No NHL club aced the 2021 draft like the Blue Jackets, and the addition of Sillinger at No. 12 overall is a major reason why. It's a struggle to identify a significant weakness in Sillinger's game. There isn't much here is terms of raw speed, but Sillinger makes up for it with plenty of skill and excellent positioning. He also appears quicker with the puck on his stick than without. He's tough and has shown the ability to score from in tight or distance. He might not be a star, but I project Sillinger as a solid professional who can Columbus at both center and wing.
53- Dominik Bokk (RW, CAR): Bokk is a top-25 talent, but his game lacks consistency, sometimes on a shift-by-shift basis. Bokk was loaned to Djurgardens of the SHL to begin last season, and was borderline dreadful, posting two goals and three points in 20 games. Yet the light bulb went off upon his returning to North America, and he finished the year with nine goals and 18 points in 29 games for AHL Chicago. Bokk can do anything from an offensive standpoint. He has game-breaking abilities. The speed is there, as are excellent hands and a lethal shot. Bokk is another player with which I see very little middle ground. I expect him to develop into either a top-line scorer, or struggle to carve out a consistent role at the NHL level.
54- Nikita Chibrikov (RW, WPG): Chibrikov works hard and tries to stay active and make plays. His skill level is well above average and for an undersized player, he does a nice job of avoiding big hits from opposing defenders. The more I watch him, the more impressed I am with Chibrikov's defensive awareness. He's going to make his living an offensive player, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Chibrikov develops into the type of a player a coach sends over the boards up a goal with 30 seconds left. It's an attractive all-around package, with a lack of breakaway speed being Chibrikov's only real flaw. I had him ranked No. 21 on my board for the 2021 draft and the Jets grabbed him at No. 50, making Chibrikov one of the best values that weekend.
55- Oskar Olausson (LW, COL): I had Olausson ranked No. 15 on my board in this past July's draft, so of course he tumbled to No. 28 overall where he was stolen by arguably the deepest team in the NHL. Olausson has a massive shot. He can beat goaltenders from all over the ice on a consistent basis. I'm also intrigued by Olausson's secondary skills, as I think both his skating and playmaking are underrated. Olausson signed his entry-level with the Avalanche shortly after the draft, and he will play this coming season in North America, likely with the Barrie Colts of the OHL, who own his CHL rights. It's a great move for his future development.
56- Grigori Denisenko (LW, FLA): Denisenko was fine in his first season in North America, posting nine points in 15 games with AHL Syracuse and four assists in seven games with the Panthers. For all his offensive gifts, Denisenko has never produced at a high level. I've always been a believer in his shot and playmaking ability, which combined with his speed, would lead you to believe Denisenko is a shoo-in to develop into a top-six forward. Yet raw skill and production in games are two different things and the talented Russian is yet to figure out the latter. The Panthers have the depth to take things slow with Denisenko, which is fine considering he will play this entire season at age 21.
57- Kristian Reichel (RW, CHI): Germany's DEL is not the best league in the world, but Reichel, who turned just 19 years of age this past May, already has 80 games worth of experience playing against men and has produced offensively (22 goals, 51 points) during that time. He helped Berlin win the DEL championship a season ago and signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in June. Reichel is plenty skilled from an individual standpoint, but he still uses his line mates and fits well within the team structure. He can skate and make plays, and in general, just contribute in a variety of different areas. I expect him to be loaned back to his native Germany for one more year and then seriously challenge for a roster spot in the 2022-23 season.
58- Aatu Raty (C, NYI): The Islanders dealt their 2021 first-rounder in the deal that brought Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the Island, but the club still somehow managed to end up with the player viewed as the odds-on favorite for the No. 1 overall pick as recently as a year ago, despite the fact the team's first pick in the draft was 52nd overall. I have no good reason as to why Raty dropped that far in the draft (I had him ranked No. 16 on my board), nor do I have any reason as to why he played so poorly this past year. Raty looked disinterested at times for his club team in Karpat and was left off the FInnish World Jr. team despite playing for them a year earlier. It could be as simple as being caught in a bad situation that snowballed out of control. His overall ceiling should most definitely be questioned given the recent struggles, but I still see a big kid (6-foot-2) with reasonable offensive abilities and middle-six upside. Acquiring Raty is a huge victory for a prospect pool that lacks both high-end talent and depth.
59- Brendan Brisson (C, VGK): I have a feeling I am too low on Brisson, but for all the talent he brings to the table, I still have some concerns. Brisson was very good (10 goals, 21 points in 24 games) in his freshman season at the University of Michigan, and he had a couple nice moments for Team USA at the World Juniors, although the fast majority of his time came with the man advantage. Brisson is an excellent offensive player. He is a terrific passer and above average stickhandler. My main concerns are that he can get a bit perimeter-oriented at times, along with the fact he's going to have to pile up the points because he offers little from a defensive standpoint. That said, I expected a breakout second season for Brisson on a loaded Michigan squad.
60- Shane Pinto (C, OTT): The Senators are going nowhere fast, which makes their decision to burn a year on Pinto's entry-level contract and immediately stick him in their lineup following the conclusion of his sophomore year at the University of North Dakota understandable. To Pinto's credit, he deserved the opportunity. The Long Island native was brilliant (15 goals, 32 points in 28 games) in his final season collegiate campaign and played exceedingly well (7 points in 12 games) during his brief cameo in Ottawa. I've been a fan of Pinto for a while, but I might have understated his long-term potential. His defensive awareness should allow Pinto to earn significant playing time on the penalty kill over the long-term, in addition to the offensive abilities. This was a terrific job of scouting by the Senators staff.
61- Morgan Frost (C, PHI): Frost's stock is down, which is to be expected when you play just two games the season prior due to injury. In Frost's case, it was a dislocated shoulder which required surgery. He's healthy now, but Frost has an uphill climb to earn a meaningful role out of training camp. He's behind Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton on the depth chart, and the Flyers also brought in Nate Thompson and Derick Brassard as free agents. I've long been a believer in Frost's offensive skill set, but he might be better suited as a winger moving forward because he isn't physical and doesn't play with a ton of pace. I think he could do real damage on the half wall where there is a bit more room than in the middle of the ice. Either way, Frost still has top-six upside, although don't be shocked if he starts the year in the AHL to regain some of those missed reps.
62- Jack Studnicka (C, BOS): Studnicka's stock is down following a season which saw him split time between Boston and AHL Providence and manage just one goal and 10 points in 31 games. It's disheartening from a number's perspective, but in reality, Studnicka's ceiling remains unchanged. He is still just 22 years old and has all the making of a solid, middle-six center. Studnicka's exceptional compete level gives him a high floor. He has the hands to make consistent creative plays offensively, although his speed is only about average, or perhaps a tick below. This is a big season for Studnicka in terms of rebounding and I remain optimistic about his future.
63- Hendrix Lapierre (C, WSH): Lapierre is the ultimate high-risk prospect because he has a history of concussions. Over the course of the past three seasons, Lapierre has played just 88 QMJHL games. When healthy, Lapierre is an excellent playmaker with the ability to beat defenders one-on-one in the offensive zone. He excels with the man advantage and in open space. Lapierre's ceiling is high, and while he's a big-time risk over the long term, his selection at No. 22 overall in 2020 was a wise one for a Washington team with a barren prospect pool and aging NHL roster. He has as much upside as anyone in the system not named Connor McMichael.
64- Scott Perunovich (D, STL): I had all sorts of difficulty regarding where to rank Perunovich. Regular readers of this column know I'm a huge fan, but Perunovich missed the entirety of the 2020-21 campaign due to a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. I thought he was NHL-ready following three seasons at Minnesota-Duluth, which included a Hobey Baker Award in 2019-20, but he is now almost certainly looking at an extended run in the minors due to the long layoff. Perunovich reminded me of Rangers defenseman Adam Fox in college, and while it's impossible to put that tag on any player given the star Fox has become, there are definite similarities to their games. I certainly wouldn't rule out Perunovich making an impact for St. Louis by the end of this coming season.
65- Matthew Coronato (LW, CGY): Calgary's prospect pool, which has been a work in progress for a while, is on the upswing and Coronato is their most valuable asset to date. The No. 13 overall selection in the recently completed draft (he was No. 17 on my board), Coronato finished second in USHL scoring a season ago (85 points in 51 games), while leading the league in goals (48) and plus/minus (plus-37). Coronato isn't just a sniper, despite what that goal total would lead you to believe. He's also a capable passer and works hard to win puck battles. I'd be shocked if Coronato wasn't a productive player upon arriving at Harvard this fall, and I could see a scenario in which he is in the Calgary lineup by the 2023-24 campaign.
66- Connor Zary (C, CGY): If you had Zary ranked ahead of Coronato at the top of the Calgary system, I wouldn't put up an argument. Zary split last season between AHL Stockton and his WHL team in Kamloops, while also playing for Canada at the World Juniors. He managed just two assists in the tournament, although Zary posted nine goals and 31 points in 24 games in his other two stops. If Zary doesn't make it in the NHL, it will be due to a lack of speed. His puck skills are above average, as is his compete level. I view him as a high-floor, two-way center prospect with a questionable ceiling, which is why I have Coronato ranked just a tad higher. Regardless, he is a player with plenty of future value.
67- Fedor Svechkov (C, NSH): The vast majority of the top skaters in the Nashville system are offensive-minded players, so it was nice to see the club target a responsible two-way player such as Svechkov at No. 19 overall in this past July's draft. Few 18-year-olds can contribute in all three zones, but Svechkov is one of them. I'd consider his puck skills and skating both average. He spent the majority of last season in Russia's VHL, but he should get a long look with SKA of the KHL this coming year. Svechkov is a high-floor option with some upside, but it's going to be a little while before we see him in North America as his KHL contract reportedly lasts a couple more years.
68- Victor Soderstrom (D, ARI): I gave serious consideration to pushing Soderstrom out of the top-100 entirely, but Arizona remains extremely highly on him and I imagine they will let him work through whatever issues may arise when he finally earns a full-time NHL gig, likely this season. Soderstrom spent the majority of last season in the AHL, although he did play four games with the Coyotes and also suited up for Sweden at the World Juniors. My concern is that Soderstrom -- who will make his living an offensive defenseman -- doesn't possess the dynamic qualities required to take over a game. He's not as naturally gifted as a guy like Cale Makar and doesn't think the game the way a guy like Adam Fox does. I think his ceiling is a second-pairing defender who is a power-play asset and can post 30-35 points per season on an annual basis. That would make Soderstrom a very valuable asset, but not a star.
69- Dmitri Voronkov (LW, CBJ): Voronkov joins Chinkaov as another high-ceiling Russian prospect in the Columbus system. He has a ton of KHL experience despite the fact he turned just 21 years of age this past September. Voronkov (6-foot-4, 196 pounds) is a massive kid. He's strong enough to run over opposing defenders along the wall, and he has a nice set of hands for such a big guy. Voronkov's skating isn't great, but his skill set is that of a player who does most of his damage on the cycle or power-play in the offensive zone. He's not going to fly out of his own end and create plays off the rush, but Voronkov has already produced in the second-best league in the world as a very young player and I see no reason he can't do the same in the NHL when his KHL contract expires in a couple years.
70- Isak Rosen (LW, BUF): You have to dig deeper than the box score to get a feel for Rosen as a player, because he managed just two assists in 22 SHL games a year ago. He looked like a dominant force during his time with Leksand's Jr. club, using his speed, agility and quick hands to carve up the competition. It's an impressive all-around offensive skill set, and I see no reason Rosen -- who currently checks in at less than 160 pounds -- shouldn't be able to produce at a top-six level for Buffalo at some point down the road. Rosen was selected No. 14 overall in this past July's draft.
71- Sebastian Cossa (G, DET): Cossa was one of the risers throughout the 2021 draft process, but few saw him being the first goaltender selected. The Wings thought enough of Cossa to trade up to No. 15 to grab him. Cossa is legitimately 6-foot-6. He plays his angles well and I would term his athleticism average. He's been brilliant (38-7-4, 1.98, .928 save percentage, eight shutouts) throughout his WHL career. He could be a solid NHL starter with minimal improvements to his game and there's clear value in that for an organization that has very little depth in net. I still personally prefer Jesper Wallstedt who went No. 20 overall to Minnesota to Cossa, but the gap isn't all that large.
72- Braden Schneider (D, NYR): The Rangers thought highly enough of Schneider to trade up and jump in front of the rival Devils to select him at No. 19 overall in 2020. In his first full season with the organization, Schneider (27 points in 22 games) was named WHL Defenseman of the Year, while also representing Canada both the World Juniors and World Championship. Schneider is a tough, physical rearguard. He loves to throw the body around and brings a unique skill set to the table that no other defensemen in New York's prospect pool can match. He's more floor than ceiling in terms of a prospect and his offensive production figure to be limited as a professional, but I'd be shocked if he didn't give the Rangers a decade-plus of solid, two-way NHL service.
73- John-Jason Peterka (RW, BUF): Germany isn't a traditional hockey market, but it produced one of the best players in the world in Leon Draisaitl and had three excellent prospects selected early in the 2020 draft, in Tim Stutzle, Lukas Reichel, and Peterka. While I wouldn't say Peterka has star upside, he is more than willing to do the dirty work along the boards and in front of the net to create space for his line mates. Like Reichel, Peterka has played in Germany's DEL the past two seasons and produced reasonable offensive numbers (16 goals, 31 points in 72 games) for a kid. I don't think Peterka will be the type to generate a ton of offense on his own, but he should be able to finish the routine plays and what is presented to him and that, along with his effort level, give him a high floor as a middle-six option.
74- Jonatan Berggren (RW, DET): Berggren is fresh of a breakout season in which he posted 12 goals and 45 points in 49 SHL games as a 20-year-old. It was a major increase in production on the heels of a year in which he posted just 12 points in 24 games. Berggren wins with his speed. He is legitimately quick enough go wide and blow past opposing defenders. I don't love his touch around the net and he's not a particularly creative playmaker, but any player with the ability to make plays at this rate of speed has a high ceiling. I expect Berggren to spend the entirety of this season in the AHL.
75- Mavrik Bourque (C, DAL): Bourque is the type of player that might not stand out each and every shift, but he's seemingly always in the right spot and every time you look up, he has a couple points. Bourque's hockey IQ is borderline elite and his puck skills are well above average. Bourque can get a bit too perimeter-oriented at times, but he can get away with it because he possesses the ability to stickhandle around and through opposing defenders. Bourque has 168 in 141 career QMJHL games and I don't think he's all that far off from helping Dallas in some capacity. I could see Bourque needing to adjust his game some to succeed at the NHL level, but I wouldn't bet against him given his smarts.
76- Yegor Chinakhov (RW, CBJ): The Jackets shocked the hockey world when they selected Chinakov No. 21 overall in 2020. It looks like a much better pick now than it did at the time, although it will always have been a poor pick from a value standpoint. Chinakov posted 10 goals and 17 points in 32 games a season ago for an Avangard Omsk team which eventually won the Gagarin Cup as KHL champions. Chinakov signed his entry-level deal with Columbus this past May and will play this season in North America. I admittedly didn't know a ton about Chinakov in his draft year. After getting several more looks, I see a high-end offensive player with an excellent shot. It's not difficult to envision Chinakov blasting one-timers past opposing goaltenders on the man advantage for the next decade. His skating and defensive play need work, but Chinakov is a clear first-round talent from an offensive perspective. He should begin this coming season in the AHL.
77- David Farrance (D, NSH): Farrance was brilliant for Boston University the past two seasons (19 goals, 59 points in 45 games), but those numbers aren't indicative of the type of player Farrance will be at the NHL level. Farrance can control an entire game with his wheels. He gets up and down the ice in a flash. The offense Farrance creates is due to his speed. He's not overly gifted with the puck on his stick and doesn't defend particularly well, so the Nashville coaching staff is going to have to figure out how best to deploy Farrance to get the most out of his game.
78- Dawson Mercer (C, NJD): Mercer is a high-floor, well-rounded prospect. He posted 19 goals and 36 points in 23 QMJHL games a season ago, in addition to being named that league's best defensive forward. Mercer slipped to the Devils at No. 18 overall in the 2020 draft due to concerns about a lack of foot speed. It's certainly not a strength of his game, but the more I watch Mercer play, the more I think those concerns are overblown. Mercer's best suited on the wing, but I think he can play center in a pinch and won't hurt you at either position. Mercer's upside isn't as high as some players on this list, but I'd be surprised if he didn't develop into a solid NHL player with a long career.
79- Calen Addison (D, MIN): Originally a draft pick of Pittsburgh (who can use him about now), Addison was shipped to Minnesota in the Jason Zucker trade. He performed far better in his first professional season than I expected, posting six goals and 22 points in 31 AHL games while also earning a brief trial run with the Wild. Addison's calling card is his skating. He possesses that rare ability to carry the puck up the ice and weave in and out of traffic. His passing is fine, while his physicality level and defensive zone coverage are both below average. Addison's upside is high because few defenders in the league move as well as he does, but he might have to play sheltered minutes at even strength.
80- Jack Dugan (LW, VGK): I've been higher than consensus on Dugan the past couple seasons, and if anything, I feel even better about his long-term projection following his first AHL campaign. An elite playmaker, Dugan finished with 33 points (23 assists) in 37 games in his first pro season. This came on the heels of a year in which he posted 42 assists and 52 points in 34 games while winning the Hobey Baker Award in his final season at Providence College. Dugan doesn't skate all that well and he's older than most of the guys on this list at age 23, so his margin for error isn't all that great. That said, I think he's NHL-ready and could fill a top-nine role for Vegas immediately. He has little left to prove in the minors.
81- Jakob Pelletier (LW, CGY): Pelletier had quite a season. He was a point-per-game player for Canada at the World Juniors and was named a First Team QMJHL All-Star on the heels of a campaign which saw him post 13 goals and 43 points in 28 games for Val-d'Or. Pelletier works hard for his scoring chances and has an excellent shot, particularly in tight, but he's 5-foot-9 and about 165 pounds and it's hard to make it in the NHL at that size unless you have either elite speed or elite skill and Pelletier doesn't fall into either of those categories. In many ways, he's a sum of his parts. I imagine there will be no middle ground here. Pelletier will either figure it out and be a top-six NHL forward or not and will settle in as an up-and-down guy.
82- Sasha Pastujov (LW, ANA): I expected Pastujov (who was No. 21 on my board) to fall out of Round 1 in the 2021 draft due to concerns about his lack of speed and one-dimensional offensive game but getting him at No. 66 was an unquestioned victory for Anaheim. Pastujov is a lottery-level talent. He dominates on the power-play and has always been equally adept at both setting up his teammates and finishing plays himself. Pastujov's floor is low because he's going to have to fill a top-six role in order to be a successful pro. Originally scheduled to head to Notre Dame, Pastujov changed course at the last minute and will instead play for OHL Guelph. It's an interesting decision, as the Irish have a reputation as one of the most defensive-minded schools in the country and that is seemingly Pastujov's greatest weakness.
83- Jakub Lauko (C/W, BOS): Lauko is noticeable most every time he is on the ice, which is generally a positive thing. He flies around, hassling opposing defenders and creating havoc in all three zones. His creativity with the puck is pretty limited and he's not the type to dangle through the opposition, but Lauko can finish when the opportunity presents itself and he is coming off a strong year (5 goals, 19 points in 23 games) with AHL Providence despite beginning the year as a 20-year-old. Lauko is the ideal complementary forward and should fit exceptionally well as the third wheel on a line with a couple high-end offensive players.
84- Ryan Merkley (D, SJ): Merkley's past issues have been discussed repeatedly, and the fact they haven't been mentioned lately can only be a good thing. The No. 21 overall selection in 2018, Merkley spent the entirety of last season in the AHL, posting a goal and 11 points in 31 games. Merkley has a dynamic offensive skill set, but he's not all that big (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) and has never been particularly effective in his own zone. I would bet against Merkley carving out a significant NHL career at this point, but the fact he remains ranked this highly gives you an idea of how talented he truly is. The issue is that the Sharks are a bad team with two of the most overpaid defenders in the league, Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson, on their roster. Burns is signed through 2024-25 and Karlsson is signed through 2026-27. San Jose is going to have to force Merkley into their lineup sooner rather than later to see what they have here.
85- Carson Lambos (D, MIN): It was impossible to get a read on Lambos this season. He split the year between the JYP program in Finland and Winnipeg of the WHL. He played just a pair of junior games and a pair of games in Liiga, so his only notable production came with JYP's junior team, in a league he was far too good for. The major knock on Lambos is the overall simplicity to his offensive game. He's not all that creative with the puck, but I wouldn't call him a butcher in that area, either. I'd be surprised if he ever posted 25 points at the NHL level, however. He does play physically and possesses a decent set of wheels, so I could easily see Lambos turning into a minute-eating, defensive-minded rearguard. His long-term upside is directly related to whether or not his offensive game continues to develop.
86- Brennan Othmann (LW, NYR): The New York prospect pool is deep at wing and very thin at center and for that reason alone I was surprised they spent the No. 16 overall selection in the recently completed draft on Othmann. He wouldn't have been my pick, but that is roughly the range in which he was expected to go. The Rangers have made a considerable effort to bring in physical, hardworking players in the wake of last season's Tom Wilson fiasco and Othmann fits that mold. He has a legitimate chance to develop into a top-six winger when you combine his underrated skill set and work ethic. I expect a significant jump in offensive production from Othmann this coming year. He posted 17 goals and 33 points in 55 games with Flint the last time the OHL took the ice.
87- Noel Gunler (RW, CAR): Gunler seemingly always finds himself on the scoresheet, which is impressive because he doesn't skate all that well, is inconsistent, and rarely goes to the difficult areas of the ice to make a play. Talent can make up for a lot of potential shortcomings in this game, and Gunler can shoot and pass it with the best of them. Gunler is 6-foot-2 and should be north of 190 pounds when he finally makes it to the NHL, so he could create a ton of chance if he took the puck to the net a bit more frequently. I'm hesitant to buy-in complete due to the consistency issues, but there is just so much talent here from an offensive standpoint.
88- Alex Barre-Boulet (C, TB): The Lightning operate at (or above, depending on your point of view) the salary cap every single season, which means they need to consistently implement young, cheap talent into their lineup and Barre-Boulet seems like the latest success story. A former QMJHL MVP and CHL Player of the Year, who went undrafted, Barre-Boulet won the AHL Rookie of the Year in his first pro season back in 2018-19. He has 69 goals and 136 points in 144 AHL games, along with three goals in 15 NHL contests. ABB may not be a dynamic offensive talent, but he should fit in just fine along all the terrific players on the Tampa Bay roster. The Lightning lost their entire third line (Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Yanni Gourde) this offseason, in addition to trading Tyler Johnson to Chicago. I expect Barre-Boulet to earn a roster spot out of training camp and think he's ready for a full-time gig.
89- Corson Ceulemans (D, CBJ): Another in a long line of high-probability defenders taken in the later stage of Round 1 and early stage of Round 2 this past June, Ceulemans -- who went No. 25 overall to Columbus -- spent the past two seasons with Brooks of the AJHL. It's the same program that produced Avalanche star Cale Makar, although they are completely different players. My biggest concern here is attempting to project Ceulemans' future role at the NHL level. His offensive skills are about average, maybe a tick above. I would also be surprised if Ceulemans develops into a mean, nasty, stay-at-home type. We're going to get a much better read of Ceulemans' potential when he heads to the University of Wisconsin this fall.
90- Bobby Brink (RW, PHI): The eye test still says Brink has future top-six upside, but he hasn't been great (13 goals, 35 points in 43 games) over the course of his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Denver. His awkward skating stride has long been a talking point among scouts, despite the fact he still gets around the rink pretty well. Brink is about 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, so his margin for error is quite small. He's going to have to use his puck handling skills and hockey sense to succeed as a pro, and he hasn't dominated the collegiate level like I expected he would. This is a make or break season for Brink in terms of him remaining a top prospect.
91- Lucas Elvenes (RW, VGK): Elvenes' AHL production was down a season ago (6 goals, 24 points in 37 games), but this is a kid who has posted 72 points in his first 96 AHL games and will play this entire season at age 22. Elvenes doesn't get around the rink all that well, but his hands are excellent, and he should be a significant asset with the man advantage at the NHL level. Elvenes is more of a playmaker than finisher and I understand the concerns about a heavy-footed kid who has never produced a ton of goals, but I still see upside here if Elvenes is deployed correctly in the future.
92- Ryan Johnson (D, BUF): Johnson isn't a "sexy" prospect. His offensive game is quite basic, and I doubt he'll be running an NHL power-play at any point in the future, but his speed is above-average, if not better, and he moves the puck well. Johnson showed me a lot last season during his both his time with the University of Minnesota and the United States World Junior team. Johnson has grown on me over time, and while he's a bit of a tweener and doesn't have a clear role moving forward, I remain a believer in the combination of his strong skating and hockey IQ. From a stylistic standpoint, Johnson would seemingly fit exceptionally well alongside 2021 No. 1 overall pick Owen Power for the Sabres.
93- Jacob Perreault (RW, ANA): Perreault played in the AHL a season ago with the OHL campaign cancelled and proceeded to score three goals (and 17 points) in 27 games. Yet the numbers don't tell the whole story. Perreault was one of the youngest players in the league and while I wouldn't say he excelled; he did hold his own. Perreault is one of the most individually gifted players on the list. He has struggled playing within the team concept at times and I have no idea how he will succeed as a professional if he isn't putting up points, but I still believe in betting on his talent. The issue for Perreault is that his margin for error is zero because he doesn't play physically and doesn't skate all that well.
94- Nolan Foote (LW, NJD): Playing the entirety of last season at age 20, Foote managed seven goals and 17 points in 27 AHL games. He also got a brief six-game trial with the Devils, posting a goal and an assist. Foote is a throwback in the way he plays, which should come as no surprise considering the long and successful NHL career his father Adam had. Nolan loves to get in on the forecheck and throw his body around. He does a nice job of carving out space in front of the net and has the ability to finish in tight. Foote is not a flashy player and you won't see him on highlight reels very often, but I think there is middle of the lineup value here at both ends of the rink.
95- Samuel Poulin (RW, PIT): Pittsburgh's prospect pool has been at or near the bottom of the NHL for years, and there doesn't appear to be much help on the horizon. Poulin is a good player, but the Penguins are the only team in the league for which he would be the club's top prospect. Poulin has scored with ease throughout his QMJHL career, totaling 88 goals and 229 points in 192 games. He can pull off most anything with the puck on his stick, but a lack of speed may very well limit his NHL value to cycles in the offensive zone and the power play. I don't know Poulin moves well enough to consistently push back opposing defender off the rush, although he does have an excellent shot. I think Poulin is more of a secondary offensive piece as opposed to a lead guy.
96- Akil Thomas (C, LA): In a system full of top-flight offensive players, Thomas projects as more of a safer, depth option. He often gets overlooked, but this is a player who posted 38 goals and 102 points in his final OHL season back in 2018-19 and is fresh off a campaign in which he posted 11 goals and 26 points in 40 AHL games as a 21-year-old. Thomas' production has been strong everywhere he has played, I see no reason Thomas can't develop into an effective, third-line pivot who possesses the ability to slide up in the lineup if injuries strikes. At the time, I thought Thomas was a steal at No. 51 overall in 2018 and retain that opinion today.
97- Timothy Liljegren (D, TOR): I haven't totally given up on Liljegren yet, but I'm less optimistic about his odds of NHL success than at any other point since being drafted No. 17 overall by Toronto in 2017. He has been very productive (73 points in 148 games) in the AHL for such a young kid, but I'm not sure how his game fits at the highest level. Liljegren's decision making is questionable at times and he's never been the type to log tough defensive minutes. His future success is almost entirely tied to his God-given physical gifts at this point and that margin for error gets smaller and smaller as you ride up the ladder. I'm also concerned that the Leafs have given Liljegren just 13 games worth of NHL action to this point. I think we would have seen more of him if he was truly part of their future plans.
98- Daniil Chayka (D, VGK): The Golden Knights have been excelling at the draft since arriving on the scene and I thought they got excellent value with Chayka this past July. He ended up going No. 38 overall, while I had him No. 26 on my board. Chayka is a tall (6-foot-3), rangy kid. He skates well and tends to make the correct decision with the puck on his stick. With the OHL season delayed and eventually cancelled, Chayka returned to his native Russia and got limited minutes in the KHL. I could have seen him as a mid-first rounder if he got the chance to beat up on overmatched junior kids all season. Chayka has the look of a responsible second-pairing defender with no noticeable weaknesses in his game.
99- Francesco Pinelli (C, LAK): Pinelli provided great value to the Kings relative to where he was ranked on my board (No. 27) compared to where Los Angeles selected him (No. 42) in this past July's draft. His game isn't for everyone. I generally shy away from averaged-size (6-foot, 185 pounds) forwards with below-average speed, but Pinelli's ability to maneuver in the offensive zone combined with his elite hockey sense has caused me to make an exception here. I would have been hesitant to spend a first-round pick on Pinelli because there's a decent chance his inability to create separation with his feet might torpedo any chance of NHL success, but a team like the Kings, with a loaded prospect pool, can absolutely take this risk.
100- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G, BUF): A hip injury limited Luukkonen to just 33 games in 2019-20. He began this past season on loan to TPS in Liiga, where he played well (6-3-4, 2.52 GAA, .908 save percentage). UPL spent the majority of the remainder of the year with AHL Rochester, where he didn't play well (7-5-3, 3.88 GAA, .888 save percentage). Luukkonen even got into four games with Buffalo late in the year before an ankle sprain ended his season. He wasn't ready for that level, so I put zero stock in his performance (1-3-0, 3.88 GAA, .906 save percentage) with the Sabres. UPL is a big (6-foot-4), technically sound goalie. I'm very interested in seeing how he performs at full health in one set location. He's not ready to help Buffalo now, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he's a better option than the Sabres' current expected goaltending duo of Aaron Dell and Craig Anderson by the end of the 2021-22 season.
THE NEXT 100
101- Philip Broberg (D, EDM)
102- Logan Stankoven (C, DAL)
103- Ville Heinola (D, WPG)
104- Jacob Bernard-Docker (D, OTT)
105- Lukas Cormier (D, VGK)
106- Tyson Foerster (RW, PHI)
107- Simon Robertsson (RW, STL)
108- Zachary L'Heureux (C, NSH)
109- Kale Clague (D, LAK)
110- Roni Hirvonen (C, TOR)
111- Pavel Dorofeyev (LW, VGK)
112- Kevin Bahl (D, NJD)
113- Morgan Barron (LW, NYR)
114- Ryan Suzuki (C, CAR)
115- Alex Chmelevski (C, SJ)
116- Jamieson Rees (C, CAR)
117- Marat Khusnutdinov (C, MIN)
118- Ty Smilanic (LW, FLA)
119- Jack Rathbone (D, VAN)
120- Zion Nybeck (RW, CAR)
121- Jonathan Dahlen (LW, SJ)
122- Pierre-Olivier Joseph (D, PIT)
123- Joe Veleno (C, DET)
124- Drew Helleson (D, COL)
125- Robin Salo (D, NYI)
126- Matthew Robertson (D, NYR)
127- Jeremie Poirier (D, CGY)
128- Jack Drury (C, CAR)
129- Alexander Alexeyev (D, WSH)
130- William Stromgren (LW, CGY)
131- David Gustafsson (C, WPG)
132- Jan Jenik (C, ARI)
133- Vasily Ponomarev (C, CAR)
134- Sampo Ranta (LW, COL)
135- Samuel Bolduc (D, NYI)
136- Evan Nause (D, FLA)
137- Mackie Samoskevich (C, FLA)
138- Raphael Lavoie (C, EDM)
139- Cayden Primeau (G, MTL)
140- Yegor Zamula (D, PHI)
141- Shakir Mukhamadullin (D, NJD)
142- Sean Farrell (LW, MTL)
143- Zachary Bolduc (LW, STL)
144- Daemon Hunt (D, MIN)
145- Topi Niemela (D, TOR)
146- Kristian Vesalainen (LW, WPG)
147- Lukas Dostal (G, ANA)
148- Devon Levi (G, BUF)
149- Jordan Harris (D, MTL)
150- Matias Maccelli (LW, ARI)
151- Jake Neighbours (LW, STL)
152- Samu Tuomaala (RW, PHI)
153- Nikolai Kovalenko (RW, COL)
154- Justin Sourdif (C, FLA)
155- John Beecher (C, BOS)
156- Ruslan Iskhakov (RW, NYI)
157- Ozzy Wiesblatt (RW, SJ)
158- Vladislav Firstov (LW, MIN)
159- Brock Faber (D, LAK)
160- Sean Behrens (D, COL)
161- Egor Sokolov (LW, OTT)
162- Zach Dean (C, VGK)
163- Kirill Kirsanov (D, LAK)
164- Albert Johansson (D, DET)
165- Emil Andrae (D, PHI)
166- Yegor Afanasyev (LW, NSH)
167- Adam Beckman (LW, MIN)
168- Aleksi Heponiemi (LW, FLA)
169- Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C, ANA)
170- Xavier Bourgault (RW, EDM)
171- Tyler Benson (LW, EDM)
172- Justin Barron (D, COL)
173- Kaiden Guhle (D, MTL)
174- Samu Salminen (C, NJ)
175- Ville Koivunen (LW, CAR)
176- Sam Colangelo (RW ,ANA)
177- John Farinacci (C, ARI)
178- Filip Hallander (C, PIT)
179- Drew Commesso (G, CHI)
180- William Wallinder (D, DET)
181- Klim Kostin (RW, STL)
182- Maxim Groshev (RW, TB)
183- Ronnie Attard (D, PHI)
184- Mattias Norlinder (D, MTL)
185- Kole Lind (RW, SEA)
186- Jan Mysak (LW, MTL)
187- Justus Annunen (G, COL)
188- Alexander Khovanov (LW, MIN)
189- Tyler Madden (C, LAK)
190- Daniil Tarasov (G, CBJ)
191- Jean-Luc Foudy (C, COL)
192- Zayde Wisdom (C, PHI)
193- Ayrton Martino (LW, DAL)
194- Prokhor Poltapov (RW, BUF)
195- Brett Berard (LW, NYR)
196- Antti Tuomisto (D, DET)
197- Albin Grewe (RW, DET)
198-Evan Barratt (C, CHI)
199- Anttoni Honka (D, CAR)
200- Carter Savoie (LW, EDM)
