Dr. Tee’s Top 20 Up And Coming Prospects In The World (2021-22, under 18)
An Official Dr. Tee Scouting ® Article
Image: Regina Leader Post
Contents
1… Introduction
2… It’s all just my opinion
3… What The Whole Darn Thing Is About
Ft. Shane Wright, Connor Bedard, Cole Eiserman….
Image: New England Hockey Journal
1… Introduction
Hello everyone, and welcome back to another Dr. Tee Scouting Article, and today I will be going over who I think are the top 20 best non-NHL affiliated prospects in the world. Featuring D1 commits, overseas pros, and much more, this list is stacked to the brim in terms of talent, and NHL star potential.
2… It’s All Just My Opinion
One thing I would like to go over however, before we get the show on the road, is that this is all my opinion, and I know for a fact that a lot, and I mean a lot of you will absolutely hate some of the places some players are at on this list. Despite this, I would very much enjoy it if you kept your composure, and realize that the fact that a 12 year old can even do this is insane. I will be mentioning some players that didn’t make the cut right now, that still deserve to be in the conversation for me who where: Zach Benson, Winnipeg Ice, Brayden Yager, Moose Jaw Warriors, Gavin Brindley, Tri-City Storm, Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion, Aidan Park, Shattuck St. Mary’s, Christian Humphreys, Bishop Kearney High School, Ryan Fine, Don Bosco Prep/Mid-Fairfield Jr. Rangers, David Jiricek, HC Plzen, Ivan Miroschnichenko, Omskie Yastreby, Elias Solomonsson, Skelleftea U20, Noah Ostlund, Djurgardens U20, Ludwig Persson, Frolunda, Austin McNicholas, and Joey Lovullo, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, John Whipple, Shattuck St. Mary’s, Berkly Catton, Shattuck St. Mary’s, Tommaso De Luca, Ambri U20, Ryan Leonard, Pope Francis Prep, and pretty much the entire USNTDP organization with the exception of the players that made this list.
3… What The Whole Darn Thing Is About
So I won’t keep you waiting much longer, let’s get right into it!
ALL STATS ARE FROM THE 2020-21 SEASON
No. 20, Jack Hughes, C, Northeastern (NCAA)
Stats: (USNTDP U18), 8 G, 34 P, 36 GP
Height/Weight: 6’, 165lbs.
Birthday: 11/02/2003
Draft Eligible: 2022
Jack Hughes is one of the more underrated players heading into this upcoming draft, and probably one of the most underrated prospects in general that there is to offer. The Northeastern Husky will start the season playing for a team built for a deep run in the NCAA tournament, and will most likely be featured on the second power play, and second/third line to start the season. However, I see him ending the season on a strong note, potentially scoring upwards of 20 points depending on how many games the Huskies get in, (30+ would be a reasonable number where he really has a chance). He should get a lot of opportunity to play with guys like Aidan McDonough, and alongside guys like Jordan Harris, and Jayden Struble. Jack Hughes played some excellent hockey for the U.S. National Development Team this season, and as a 17 year old starred for the U18 team for the entire season unlike someone like Frank Nazar, or Isaac Howard who werewere moved up later in the season.
No. 19, Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP U20 (Finland U20)
Stats: 22 G, 36 P, 38 GP
Height/Weight: 5’11” 179lbs.
Birthday: 4/27/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
At the no. 19 spot Finnish forward Joakim Kemell takes the cake and is one of the more offensively gifted players that'll be mentioned as well. Kemell has unlimited upside, and plays a game like Teemu Selaine. Not saying he’ll be the next Finnish flash, but what Kemell brings to the table is a complete package, featuring a very raw, and skilled offensive toolset. Kemell has great speed, and can evade pressure extremely effectively with both his skating, and elite hands. He got to play in the U18 world championships to go with this so he has experience in high pressure situations. While playing for his country he managed to score 3 goals in 7 games, and had the opportunity to grab the bronze medal before losing to a fast, and high paced team Sweden. Kemell is looking to start his draft eligible season off in the Liiga, players like Roby Järventie, and Roni Hirvonen couldn’t manage to accomplish during the beginning of their draft eligible seasons. Kemell projects as both a risky pick for someone that could find their way into the top 15-10 of the draft, but has a very high reward if he can pan out. With a ceiling of around 70 points, and potentially 25+ goals, he’s a great bet for a team that needs scoring.
No. 18, Filip Mesar, F, HK Poprad (Slovakia)
Stats: 4 G, 14 P, 36 GP
Height/Weight: 5’11” 165lbs.
Birthday: 1/03/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Filip Mesar is an extremely underrated player that is also extremely interesting to evaluate. Because even though there’s a good chance at him going between picks 32, and 96 he has the talent of a true first round pick, and has really been overlooked in my opinion due to where he’s been playing. Mesar has been playing the past 4-5 years in his native country of Slovakia where he has been dominant. Although fellow country man Simon Nemec looks to go high in the 2022 draft, Mesar has really been in his shadow the past year, and what looks to be going on two. Not to mention Juraj Slafkovsky is also Slovakian which takes a lot of the spotlight already off of him. However, Mesar is a huge sleeper both in terms of this upcoming draft, and in terms of prospects around the world in general. Mesar is always moving his feet, and plays the game at a high pace. To match this, Mesar also thinks at a high level, and can process the game quickly which is something that not many players at his age can do. Mesar looks to be a reliable option on the Slovakian international teams as well. Mesar will most likely make the Slovakian World Junior this November as well, giving him a lot more opportunity, on a big stage coming up soon.
No. 17, Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Stats: 4 G, 18 P, 31 GP
Height/Weight: 6’2” 174lbs.
Birthday: 1/14/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Tristan Luneau has been atop of the draft boards since his midget major years, and finally got the chance to breakout into a sure-fire top 20 pick in the draft, and in my eyes a potential top 13, 12 pick, at least that’s what my rankings would suggest. Luneau is kind of like a really, really confident version of Carson Lambos. Someone that has offensive skill, but deprecated himself from Lambos when you see how willing he is to take the puck up the ice, and create more time, and space for himself if needed. He obviously needs refinement in a lot of the areas in his game, but with the frame he has it’ll be a lot easier for him to transition to the NHL. Luneau has a rocket shot, and can work himself into some really good scoring opportunities, especially on the power play. He’s smart, and can make things happen with the puck on his stick. To end it off, Luneau has above average vision that he can use to find open teammates on the rush and in the offensive zone. I see him as a top 2 pairing NHL defensemen when he hits his stride, but of course all, if not most of these projections are best case scenarios.
No. 16, Dalibor Dvorsky, C, HK Banska Bystrica
Stats: 2 G, 4 P, 20 GP
Height/Weight: 6’ 187lbs.
Birthday: 6/15/2005
Draft eligible: 2023
Dalibor Dvorsky is an intriguing prospect to any team out there that needs a chippy, high energy, annoying, goal scoring forward that will fight for loose pucks, and that also possesses above average skill especially off the rush. Dvorsky got his name out there during the 2021 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup where his underdog Team Slovakia team dominated, giving him the chance to go off, scoring 8 goals, 4 assists, and 12 Points in just 5 games. Dvorsky plays a game that’s very similar to that of Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand to really mush everything into one ball. He may not be a unanimous hall of famer like Marchand, he may not score like Marchand, he may be the biggest bust of all time, but as of right now, Dvorsky is someone that can put the puck in the net, and do it well. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, he has a personality, and as long as that doesn’t affect his ego in a bad way, he could be a great NHL player scoring around 25 goals, and 50-60 points a season. Besides that there’s not too much to talk about with him, his hockey IQ, and the way he thinks the game could use some work, as well as his vision coming off the rush, and into the offensive zone, but besides that what you see is pretty much what your getting with him, and what some people have been seeing from him is really mind boggling.
No. 15, Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Slovakia)
Stats: 2 G, 19 P, 37 GP
Height/Weight: 6’1” 192lbs.
Birthday: 2/15/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
With a game that is refined, and executed better than most of his piers, Simon Nemec has made a giant leap in terms of draft projection over the past year, and it’s not hard to see why when you look both how much he’s grown, and how well he’s been able to both adapt, and score at very high levels at a young age. Nemec played very well for Team Slovakia during the 2021 World Juniors, and by World Juniors I mean the U20, Christmas time World Juniors. Despite being surrounded by a pretty terrible Slovakian team, Nemec still managed to score 4 assists in 5 games with the team, as well as being a huge bright spot, if not the only not including Juraj Slafkovsky, and Filip Mesar. Nemec was a huge reason why that team had any offensive time in the entire tournament. He quarterbacked the power play, and was even a second option a lot of the time, especially when there was a broken play. He can defend as well, and has great backwards, and side to side lateral hip mobility, and is very agile when walking the blue line. Nemec still has a bit of a way to go, but again, his best case scenario is not something you want to miss out on, a lot like the next player on this list. Drumroll please! 🥁🥁🥁🥁
No. 14, Danila Yurov, RW, Metallburg (KHL)
Image: Elite Prospects (Hickling Images)
Stats: 1 G, 2 P, 21 GP
Height/Weight: 6’1” 172lbs.
Birthday: 12/22/2003
Draft eligible: 2022
Danila Yurov is probably the most productive, yet overlooked player eligible for the upcoming drafts. What really separates Yurov from the rest of the players on this list however, is the fact that he spent significant time in the second best hockey league in the world, the KHL. There he played extremely well for a 17 year old. Posting 2 points in 21 games, Yurov was able to do what many other European players couldn’t, who are still being ranked ahead of him. Not to mention, he has also been outperforming his fellow country-men Ivan Miroschnichenko in almost every major statistical category. He looks a lot more comfortable, a lot more fitted into the system, and a lot more ready for the league than many players on this list. Yurov is a very offensively skilled player. He has a very quick release, and an overall just deadly offensive skill. The thing that sticks out the most in Yurov’s case is his ability to jump on Los picks, and consistently make good without the puck, at the right time. He’s not that good defensively in general, but think of his defense as like Allen Iverson’s. A weird comparison, but even though they’re not that good “on ball” their at reading the play, and causing turnovers in their favor. To me that’s really why Yurov was able to score at a great pace in the MHL this season, (13 G, 12 A, 25 P, 23 GP), and why he was able to earn his KHL promotion. Yurov’s best case scenario would have to be Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. When you watch their games side by side when Yurov is at his best, he can show glimpses of a player like Kucherov in him, and the skill sets are eerily similar. Say what you want, I’m going with Kucherov.
No. 13, Macklin Celebrini, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s (U14 AAA)
Stats: 51 G, 141 P, 50 GP
Height/Weight: 5’11” 181lbs.
Birthday: 6/13/2006
Draft eligible: 2024
Macklin Celebrini will be a part of a super team this upcoming season that is without a doubt going to plow through the Minnesotan teams, and most likely win a national championship. With the top 4 2006 born North American skaters on their roster this upcoming season, (Berkly Catton, Aidan Park, Cole Eisermen, himself). Celebrini is an offensively skilled player that thrives when the puck is on his stick. Celebrini is your typical 14-15 year old that is just lighting up a triple league with national attention. It’s unknown whether Celebrini will go to the WHL, or college, but he definitely has the talent to play both, and not only be good at both, but be great at both. Besides that much of Celenrini is very unknown, it’s clear that he has great hands, and a stellar wrist shot. I think everyone knows that he’s put up great stats, and has a butt load of potential so yeah, moving on.
No. 12, Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS U20 ( Finland U20)
Stats: 8 G, 13 P, 16 GP
Height/Weight: 6’4” 225lbs.
Birthday: 3/30/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Juraj Slafkovsky is a player that has really made me change my opinion on him as I’ve seen both more highlights, and as I’ve learned more about him, and his game. Slafkovsky is looking to be the future of Slovakian hockey, and is leading the charge for the next great European players, with guys like Brad Lambert, and Aron Kiviharju. Slafkovsky is a big net front presence, and he’s usually the biggest one on the ice. With his size, he can bully you whenever he wants, but can also finesse your ankles out of his way. He has great hands, and is great at using them while in stride. Slafkovsky has a quick, and powerful wrist shot as well, he can score from almost anywhere on the ice, and is extremely dangerous when left open on the top of the circle in the offensive zone. The only downfall to his game is his skating, but at the same time that’s not really his fault. With how much he’s grown over the past few years, and at the same time being one of the most physically ready players for the NHL at his age, he’s still trying to figure how to fully utilize both his stride, and how effectively use his hands, and his edges to evade pressure even more efficiently. Once he learns how to do that he could be nothing short of unstoppable. He plays a game reminiscent of San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier, but a lot more consistent.
No. 11, Rutger McGroarty, C/W, USNTDP U18
Stats: 3 G, 6 P, 19 GP
Height/Weight: 6’1” 198lbs.
Commitment: University of Michigan (Decommitted: Notre Dame)
Birthday: 3/30/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Let me just start off by saying I’m a big believer in Rutger McGroarty. The monster of a forward played great this past season with the United States U17, And U18 development programs, even if the numbers weren’t mind boggling like they were back when he played ‘AAA’ hockey 2 years ago. McGroarty is a physical, two way power forward that can play the center or wing. He’s a freight train once he gets moving, and is nearly impossible to stop. However his skating without a doubt needs refinement, a lot of players like him need refinement in that department of their game when they’re drafted, so it’s nothing really to be worried about. McGroarty has a great shot, especially coming down on the rush. He can beat the goalie from anywhere on the ice, and can shoot in any fashion, way, shape or form you want him too, and the puck will most likely go in. Although he doesn’t specialize in passing, nor picking his head up in transition, McGroarty is a reliable passer, and will not make dumb decisions most of the time. Unlike many 17-18 year olds playing hockey at a high level like him, he has a great two way game, something that a lot of scouts look for in players. He knows where he needs to be, can definitely be trusted on board battles, and is above average on faceoffs. All in all, I’d say McGroarty is kind of like a prototypical, big bodied forward that can shoot the lights out, but is also smart, and reliable with and without the puck in every area of the ice. He’s great on both the P.K., and P.P., and could serve as a team’s second-line-do-it-all-forward at the very worst which is something that not many teams can find these days, (an example would be like Anthony Cirelli). For a peak/comparison player, I’d say the offensive ability, and peak of McGroarty can definitely be compared to a bigger version of Patrik Laine. However, he has the defensive reliability of Anthony Cirelli. So those are the two players I’m going with in those two main categories of his game.
No. 10, Frank Nazar, RW, USNTDP U18
Stats: 2 G, 3, P, 2 GP
Height/Weight: 5’10” 165lbs.
Commitment: University of Michigan
Birthday: 1/14/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Wow, that McGroarty paragraph was a little tough to get out but we got it. Now Frank Nazar…. where do I begin!? Let’s just start off with his offensive tools, and how good he is in that department of his game, because he let me tell ya, he’s pretty frickin good. Nazar got off to a pretty slow start this season with the USNTDP, both stats wise, and just the way he genuinely looked when you watched him play during his first few months with the US. Despite his early season hardships, Frank Nazar blasted off, and to put it simply, was on another planet when he was playing against mainly USHL opponents. Nazar finished this season on fire! Touching opponents with his lightning quick release, and laser accurate shot. Nazar isn’t someone that’ll really thrive when not in the offensive zone, but overall his ability to dictate the play while in the offensive/neutral zone is really what makes Nazar so good at what he does best: score the puck, period. Nazar also has hands like butter, and can make a defender look silly with just a simple head fake, or stick movement. The deceptiveness he plays with as well, no matter when during the play, is also what makes him so sneaky good. He can slip past defenders, and maneuver through traffic much quicker, and faster than most of the taller defenders at his age, and although his small frame is more often than not a curse, it comes in extremely effective in those types of situations. To cap it off Nazar is an elusive skater. He has great edges, and can turn on a dime. I wouldn’t call him the fastest skater in the world, but he can be quick when he needs to. Overall I’d say that Nazar’s best case scenario is probably someone like Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning, however I definitely see him becoming that player more out of an x amount of times than someone like Matt Savoie, or Juraj Slafkovsky, which is indeed why I have him ranked higher than those notable names.
No. 9, Seamus Casey, D, USNTDP U17
Stats: 8 G, 36 P, 46 GP
Height/Weight: 5’11” 160lbs.
Commitment: University Of Michigan
Birthday: 1/08/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Seamus Casey is probably one of the biggest wild cards in the next upcoming drafts. Despite having a crud load of talent, and silkier hands then most forwards in the NHL, Casey is still a skinny, risk taking defensemen that many NHL team scouts have been known for really checking those types of defensemen right from their list as soon as they get a glimpse of them. However, I’m an exception. And me personally, I love me some Seamus Casey! Casey is an electrifying, offensive defenseman that is extremely agile, and mobile, and walks the blue line like Cale Makar. His lateral quickness, and hockey IQ, as well as vision, and playing on, and moving forward onto the rush are outstanding. I know that might’ve sounded like a large pill to swallow, especially at once, but I’m pretty much saying he has great playmaking abilities, and his skating matched with that is pretty scary to say the least. Casey has been known to dangle the heck out of opposing defensemen, especially when a loose puck trickles to the point, and he’s able to use his explosiveness to burst through an opening in the defense. To be honest he can play more like a forward sometimes, but his active stick, and elite backwards mobility are what really keep him focused in on a defensive player, and not just someone like Jeremie Poitier who was literally a winger playing as a defensemen. All in all, if everything translates well, not taking in many scouts' opinion of him as a lower ranked prospect because of his make or break type of play style, you have a great Quinn Hughes-esk, Cale Makar-esk, type of player.
No. 8, Adam Fantilli, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Stats: 18 G, 36 P, 49 GP
Height/Weight: 6’2” 190lbs.
Commitment: University Of Michigan
Birthday: 10/12/2004
Draft eligible: 2023
Adam Fantilli has been one of the more overshadowed players in the world right now. Starring in a stacked 2023 draft with the top 2 projected picks (Bedard, Michkov), gathering more hype than the Eichel/McDavid sagas peak, it’s hard for Fantilli to gather his own hype given it’s really pretty much just been left overs from Connor Bedard, and Matvei Michkov… and trust me, there’s not that much left over. Despite this Fantilli has been impressive with the Chicago Steel. Tallying 18 goals, and 36 points as a 2nd-3rd line center. This upcoming year however, he should be the main vocal point of the Steel offense. Fantilli has a unique skill set for a player his size. He can dangle through defensemen, but also be a force in front of the net with his 6’2” 200 pound frame. He also is a great skater for someone his size, although he might be a little slow on tight turns, he makes up for it with great straight line speed. To put it simply he’s kind of like the Derek Henry of hockey with a bit more finesse. He’s the type of player that a lot of hockey teams will need to be able to win, and that’s the most important thing in the game. To top it off, with Michkov signing his 6 year deal with St. Petersburg, he’ll be playing in Russia for at least 3 years after he is drafted, which gives some breathing room for players like Fantilli to potentially be reached for at the second overall pick. Top cap it all off I’d say Fantilli reminds me a lot of a little bit of a faster version of Brock Boeser. They both showed that they have great vision to go with their two cannons of shots this year, and made big leaps in terms of the physical edge of their game. He is a projected 25 goal guy at the least, as well as 60-70 points at the least.
No. 7, Aron Kiviharju, D, TPS U18 (Finland U18)
Stats: 0 G, 2 P, 4 GP
Height/Weight: 5’9” 155lbs.
Birthday: 1/25/2006
Draft eligible: 2024
Aron Kiviharju has the potential to be one of the greatest ever Finnish born hockey players… I’ll leave it at that.
Kiviharju is a quick, agile, and all around fantastic skating defenceman. He uses his elite skating to create time, and space for both himself, and his teammates often opening up passing, and shooting lanes. His dynamic play style, matched with his shifty hands, and quick thinking makes him a threat to score, and to create a scoring chance wherever he is on the ice. Despite being both an undersized defensemen, and not putting up generational stats last year, he’s always impressing you with some attribute in his game, whether it’s his active stick on loose pucks, or ability to create plays out of nothing, there’s always something to be impressed with. In terms of a play style, I’d say if he grew a few more inches I would compare him to Rasmus Dahlin, but as of now I think that Samuel Girard is a fair comparison. I could also definitely see a comparison with him and Cale Makar, and possibly even Quinn Hughes if you really squint your eyes when you watch him play. Despite this all, I really like the Girard comparison the most. Two very undersized, very refined skating, and very shifty/dynamic offensive defensemen, that do everything in their power to not be overmatched in the defensive zone. Same goes for point production. Kiviharju might have the highest scoring year of his career be a 50-55 point season, however he could still be a Norris contender with how well he can play his position, and how consistently he can keep doing it.
No. 6, Cole Eiserman, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s (U14 AAA)
Stats: 97 G, 154 P, 50 GP
Height/Weight: 6’ 180lbs.
Birthday: 8/29/2006
Draft eligible: 2024
Where do I begin?
Look, I’m gonna say this in the most straightforward way possible, but if any upcoming player has the highest chance of being the best player from their nationality at what they do, it’s Cole Eiserman. I do not care what people will say about Michkov over Ovechkin, or Bedard, or Wright over Gretzky, no. Cole Eiserman has the best chance at dethroning either Mike Madano or Patrick Kane depending on your opinion, as the best player with an American nationality of all time. So without further ado, let me explain why. Well nearly 100 goals in a 50 game long triple ‘A’ season should explain quite a bit, and I get that team was, and will be loaded for the next few years with players such as Aidan Park, Berkly Catton, and Macklin Celebrini, But I don’t care who you play for, if your 12, or 25 that is impressive. To go with the fact he can put the puck in the net from almost anywhere on the ice, Eiserman’s shot is extraordinarily deceptive, very quick, and very heavy. He has an offensive game that rivals that of an 17 year old Shane Wright, although Wright still has the upper hand, it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top during the prime of their careers. All takes aside, Eisermen is still one of the most talented hockey players under the age of 18 right now. His game is very reminiscent of Kyle Connor. They rely on their shot creating capability, and goal scoring prowess, as well as their overall presence on the ice which alone is enough to scare a goalie out of his net.
The Top 5…
Image: Elite Prospects (Hickling Images)
No. 5, Brad Lambert, C/RW, JYP (Liiga)
Stats: 7 G, 15 P, 46 GP
Height/Weight: 6’ 179lbs.
Birthday: 12/19/2003
Draft eligible: 2022
At the 4 spot I have Brad Lambert, and for good reason. Brad Lambert is one of the few prospects that are just great at everything at such a young age, and the most impressive part about it is that he’s playing overseas, and in a country, (Finland), where if your good at hockey your most likely going to play against both higher level competition, and in higher age groups, and that’s what Lambert has seemed to excelled in over the past couple of years, especially this year where he made a big leap playing against some of the best European hockey players in the world, (Liiga, Professional Finnish hockey league), and doing extremely well for that matter. Lambert is a dynamic offensive forward that excels in transition, and when carrying the puck into the offensive zone. He’s smart with the puck as well, making quick decisions often under a lot of pressure, and when you're as young as he is, and as physically undeveloped as he is, going up against very high competition can be very difficult for many players his age. Lambert possesses great speed as well, he uses it to blow past defenders, and create open scoring chances for him, and his teammates. He’s an offensive weapon, and definitely nothing short of a generational talent.
His NHL player comparison is Aleksander Barkov, however he has a lot more of a play making aspect to his game then Barkov does. Lambert projects as a first line winger/center that can be a team’s 80+ point scorer.
No. 4, Matthew Savoie, C/W, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
Stats: 21 G, 38 P, 34 GP
Height/Weight: 5’11” 180lbs.
Birthday: 1/01/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Matthew Savoie! Okay, okay I know a lot of people will be mad at me for ranking him too low, and the whole, “he’s as good as Shane Wright!” talk, just hear me out okay. Matthew Savoie has been dubbed as a generational talent ever since his days in bantam minor where he was playing against kids a year older than him, not to mention kids that were also much more physically developed. To go with this, Savoie has a skill set that could’ve outmatched some NHL players when he was still a midget. Savoie’s first season in the WHL, which was during the 2019-2020 season, Savoie looked simply outmatched, scoring only 7 assists in 22 games for the Winnipeg Ice. Yeah, he didn’t start off very well for a generational talent. Despite, excluding his time in the AJHL which we just won’t talk about, this season he had a bounce back year, coming over to the States, and starring for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Savoie managed to score over a point per game. Even though he was left off the BioSteel All American game rosters, (which consists of players from the USNTDP, and USHL; regardless of nationality), he made a strong case for himself to go with his redemption year. It still remains a question whether Savoie will stay in the states, go back to Winnipeg, and play his draft-eligible season there. After all, he is the former WHL 1st overall pick, (2019). Savoie will without a doubt be a top 10 pick. The real question is the best case scenario-Connor McDavid-like forward can keep up the saga of, “Wright vs. Savoie,” and not, “Wright vs. Lambert,” like it’s been for the past year or so.
No. 3, Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Stats: (MHL, SKA), 35 G, 52 P, 50 GP
Height/Weight: 5’10” 160lbs.
Birthday: 12/09/2004
Draft eligible 2023
Man, if I had to describe Michkov in one word I wouldn’t be able to, because he’s too good to be described in just one. You could fill an alphabet with all the things you could call Michkov and they all have to do with one thing: a lot, and a lot, and a lot… and a lot of skill. So, where do I begin? Like I get I’ve said that a lot but seriously he’s too good! Well I guess we can start off with the crud ton of records he’s been able to break over the past year, scoring the most points at the MHL level of Russian hockey ever in a single season, with 52, same with goals scored, with 35, not mention the player names hes taking those records from, which include the likes of, Alexander Ovechkin and Nikita Kucherov. To go with this, he also won the award for the most goals scored in the MHL, U18 world championships leader in points, 16, most goals, 12, best forward, all star team, Top 3 player on team, won a WJC U18 Silver Medal, and the most important he won the U18 world championships most valuable player over players such as Connor Bedard, and Shane Wright. To start off the 2022 season, Michkov has already added some hardware as well, winning a Gold Medal at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Moving into what type of play style Michkov has, it’s no short of impressive how straight it is, but yet how amazing he makes it look. Michkov scores. A lot. He can do it from anywhere on the ice, anytime, any place, and doing anything. He has perfected the art of goal scoring at the age of 16, and that is scary. Michkov’s style of play is reminiscent of a young Alex Ovechkin, sounds crazy but there’s really no other way else to put it. Other names you could compare him to include Nikita Kucherov, and even someone like Alexie Yashin would be a fair comparison.
No. 2, Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Stats: (WJC U18), 9 G, 14 P, 5 GP
Height/Weight: 6’1” 187lbs.
Birthday: 1/05/2004
Draft eligible: 2022
Shane Wright comes in at the number 2 spot on my list, and I think you’ve figured it out by now, but he’s second only to Connor Bedard. Wright has been nothing short of sensational every year he’s been under the spotlight, starting back when he was playing with the Don Mills Flyers of the GTHL. Wright was the 1st overall pick in the 2019 OHL draft, being granted exceptional status he had high expectations, and still does. However, unlike many players granted exceptional status, Wright did not disappoint. To say he was comfortable playing with kids 4-5 years older than him would be an understatement. I’d go as far to say that Wright was extremely close to taking the leap of dominating the OHL in his inaugural season. Wright, as many of you know, managed to break the points per game record, as well as points scored record for any first year player being granted exceptional status, scoring 66 points, with 39 of those being goals, in 58 games with the Kingston Frontenacs. Beating Connor McDavid’s record of 66 points in 63 games. Speaking of exceptional, he played that way during the 2021 U18 world junior championships. The duo of him, and Bedard were simply unstoppable, and even without Bedard I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he still would have captured the Gold Medal for Team Canada. Wright looks to further improve his already astonishingly high draft stock with the Frontenacs this season, and a 100 point season seems inevitable at this point. When up against Wright teams simply have to hope he has a bad game, which rarely happens. There’s just no logical way to stop him, and still win the game. Putting two or more defenders on him the entire game won’t do, he can easily find the open man. Putting just one on him, or forcing him to shoot from far out won’t help either, he can snipe from anywhere on the ice. In fact, Wright’s goal scoring ability is probably the most impressive thing about his game. He has had an NHL ready shot since he was in Midget Major, and anyone that has seen him play knows what I mean.
Wright’s NHL comparison is tricky to say the least. It’s hard finding a forward that is both a great offensive player, that is shoot first, but also is very smart, and responsible defensively. But in the end I think that Evgeni Malkin is a great comparison. Despite being very different in terms of the defensive side of the game, Wright, and Malkin are nearly identical in every attribute besides that. They have very similar builds, similar skating strengths, and techniques, but above all excel when it comes to finding open space to get a shot off, and ultimately putting the puck in the back of the net.
No. 1, Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL)
Stats: 12 G, 28 P, 15 GP
Height/Weight: 5’9” 177lbs.
Birthday: 7/17/2005
Draft eligible: 2023
Finally, we are here. The no. 1 spot. And I think you could’ve guest it from the get go. It was hard to choose between Wright, Michkov, and Bedard for the first pick, and I actually got very close to picking Michkov, however it seems that everything that Michkov does, Bedard seems to match in some way or another. Which, to say that is impressive would be an insult. As well as the fact that he just put up the best numbers of an exceptional status player ever, and looking to score at a 150 point pace by many big names across the hockey world, there’s simply nothing he can’t do. Bedard put on a clinic during the world U18 championships this year, (7G 14P, 7GP), as well as being a large part in why Team Canada ended up bringing home the Gold. To go with playing great during the 2021 season, and exceeding many expectations, Bedard is simply unstoppable in transition. There’s really no way to stop him, and if you do it once, you can’t do it again. Bedard is extremely well refined for someone his age in every major aspect of his game. He’s a threat whenever, and wherever he has the puck on the ice. He can dazzle you with his hands, and scoring, but can also wow you with his extremely high hockey IQ, and playmaking, which is a big reason why he was on pace for nearly 120 points if the WHL had played its regular 60-64 game season. Bedard is a fantastic skater as well, he soars around the ice with his amazing agility, and elusiveness. Bedard can create not just something, but more along the lines of “somethings” out of nothing. Bedard is also great at jumping on loose pucks, and arid passes. He’s extremely quick, and can accelerate like no other player really within 3 years of his age, both older, and younger. There’s not too much more to say, besides the fact that he has the potential that Connor McDavid had at his age, and more. However, I think he compares more to Sidney Crosby than McDavid, especially at his age. They have an elite hockey sense, but unlike McDavid, often start off from a still stance in the offensive zone, similar to a player like Crosby, or Jack Eichel. Despite this, he still has exceptional scoring prowess in transition, and can find open teammates with ease at high speeds.
My Dream Lineup….
Image: Puck Preps
Check out this section of the article to get a look at what my dream lineup would be from the 20 best prospects in the world, and who I would want them paired up with.
This can also show what areas of players games I think are really good, for example, I pair Seamus Casey on the same line rotation with someone like Connor Bedard because Casey would be able to help open up the ice for Bedard, and so that Bedard could do the same for Casey.
DISCLAIMER: FOR THE LAST TIME, THIS IS ALL OPINION!
*First Row of players are the Left Wings
Website: Elite Prospects
Line example:Cole Eiserman, Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Aron Kiviharju, Seamus Casey
THE BEST LINE ON THE BEST TEAM
I believe that the first line of this team would be the one that you want out on the ice for the power play, and when the game is on the line, and the team needs a goal. Casey would be able to open up the ice, and stretch out the ice for the forwards, and would probably be the quarterback of the power play. His defensemen partner, Aron Kiviharju, would be an additional threat jumping into the play off the rush. Despite his small frame, he’d be great at stopping players in his own zone as well. Next up, we have a group of forwards headlined by mostly younger players, and the projector 1st overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft Connor Bedard. There wouldn’t be a lot of room for much besides spotting Cole Eiserman, and Adam Fantilli open for what would most likely be wide open goals, with the fear of the talent on the back end of this line, as well as himself dangling through everyone for another highlight reel goal. But that's why he's being put on this line on this theoretical, yet GOATED team. There’s not much else to say besides the fact that this line would be extremely overpowered, and offensive, but would also play a very polished, and high paced game.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED!