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Top-20 des meilleurs espoirs
JETS DE WINNIPEG
Analyses de Scott Wheeler de The Athletic.
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| 1- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Gardien 22 ans 6'4 196 lbs Repêché 61ie au total en 2017 par Winnipeg.  |
" I don’t know what to think about Luukkonen anymore. At a glance, he looks like an NHL goalie and it’s easy to understand how he dominated the OHL and became a second-round draft pick. He’s a huge, broad-shouldered goalie with a bulky frame and he uses that size to play angles and center himself to swallow the first shot. He’s fairly agile for his size, too, getting down into his butterfly quickly (he rarely gets beat five-hole) and moving smoothly through his footwork and post-to-post play. I would say he’s a better goalie relative to his like-aged peers on medium-danger shots more than high-danger ones, though, making the saves he should while too often getting frozen by good shooters. If anything’s going to hold him back at the NHL level, that reaction time against better shooters will be it. Were it not for some strong performances in the NHL this season, though, he would have slotted a few spots lower here because his play in the AHL, ECHL and Liiga these last three years has not been nearly inspiring (though injuries played a part in that). Between Levi, Portillo and Luukkonen, the Sabres should be able to fill their glaring hole in net in the next few years. If Levi can become a 1A and one of Portillo or Luukkonen can become a 1B, that’ll play a huge role in the outcome of the rebuild. I like the upside of the former two better though, even if Luukkonen’s the one who has already shown some signs with the big club. " | ||
| 2- Fabian Lysell Ailier Droit 18 ans 5'10 172 lbs Repêché 17ie au total en 2021 par Winnipeg.  |
" Lysell is a dynamic, free-flowing skater who has rare top speed and agility with the puck on his stick. That’s where his game starts. And while his production didn’t pop in his bizarre draft year (a draft year that saw him play in the SHL by default when the J20 level, where he should have stayed a little longer, shut down) and didn’t pop to start in the WHL this season, things really began to click for him in late November and he hasn’t really slowed down (pun intended) since. Lysell’s not a one-trick pony either. The highlight pack is about the end-to-end rushes and the dashes through holes in coverage, for sure. But he can also dance a defender by pulling pucks through his wide stance and across his body to beat them with not just a lateral cut but his hands. And he can dance defenders to the outside with his high-end top speed or a quick change of pace (both of which grade out at or near the top of this draft. He’s got cuts, and stops and starts, and directional changes. Though his shot isn’t powerful per se, it’s deceptive off the blade and accurate. And then without the puck, while he’s not a physical player, he’s a puck thief off of back pressure. I do still think he can come and go in games and try to do too much, and I worry that his effectiveness may wane against pros as his ability to flash and dash is diminished, but there’s no question his skating will translate and the potential to add to that with a little more strength should excite rather than worry. He’s going to need to learn to operate a little differently to be effective at higher levels but some of that learning curve has already begun in his transition to the smaller sheet in North America. The Bruins have lacked prospects with upside for some time now and he gives them one. " | ||
| 3- Tyler Madden Centre 22 ans 5'11 152 lbs Repêché 81ie au total en 2018 par Winnipeg.  |
" After following a steep upward progression at Northeastern, Madden got hurt in his rookie season in the AHL and struggled when healthy with the adjustment and the new frame he has worked hard to fill out. This season, however, he has looked more like himself. Madden’s a crafty offensive-zone creator who despite playing a skill game doesn’t put himself in tough spots like most who play like him do. He uses deft touch, clever playmaking instincts, and impressive cross-ice vision to problem-solve, manufacture chances to the slot for himself and his teammates, and slide in and out of coverage. He has developed an entertaining one-on-one quality to his game. He’s a fun power-play player because of his ingenuity. And the more I’ve watched him, the more I’ve grown to appreciate his defensive stick work, effort, and detail. He’s got another level to find offensively in the AHL and should be about a point-per-game player there in fairly short order given his skill level. That will make him an NHL call-up option at minimum. Then it will be up to him to produce and stick in a top-nine role. " | ||
| 4- Jay O'Brien Centre 22 ans 6'0 185 lbs Repêché 33ie au total en 2018 par Winnipeg. |
" After a tough go of things at Providence and a transfer year in the BCHL, O’Brien has got his career back on track in the last two seasons at BU, where he has centred the team’s first line when healthy (which has been a bit of a recurring issue) and produced at a point-per-game clip. When he’s playing confidently and aggressively, he’s a fun player to watch, with good speed and acceleration, impressive puck skills inside the offensive zone, and a dangerous shot (both from a curl-and-drag release and a slapshot/one-timer). But he has never played a power game and he’s not so dynamic within his finesse game to really wow you there. He has also never been great on draws and I’ve questioned his decision-making at times. His offensive game is rounded, though, and when he moves his feet and plays fast he can make things happen. He’s certainly not worth giving up on, even if it can be hard to look past the injuries and how highly he was selected — No. 19 in 2018. I’d bet he’s a good AHLer when he moves on from college and good AHLers often take advantage of call-up opportunities. But he’s going to have to earn everything from here on out. " | ||
| 5- Max Gildon Défenseur 22 ans 6'3 194 lbs Repêché 133ie au total en 2017 par Winnipeg. |
" After excelling in his rookie season on loan with Bakersfield in the AHL last year, this year was still always going to be more of a feeling out process for the Charlotte staff with him, which meant that continued progression didn’t necessarily guarantee call-up status. Then his play, while fine, hasn’t really elevated and I’ve begun to worry what his path forward looks like after a promising development to this point, if only because of his age and it being the middle year of his entry-level deal already. He’s a 6-foot-3 defender with some talent, which has always made him intriguing to me. When he’s attacking off the line, utilizing his length to join the rush, and looking to find space to use his hard shot, he’s a compelling player. For a while, it looked like he’d begun to strike the right balance between that and his once-sporadic game defensively, too, polishing off some rough edges and making better decisions and reads. He’s got the physical tools, for sure, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he forces a call-up next year. But that doesn’t appear to be in the cards for him right now barring serious COVID-19 issues with the NHL club. And while he’ll turn 23 in May and graduate out of my prospect criteria, I’d still sooner rank him higher on this list than lower. " | ||
| 6- Drew Commesso Gardien 19 ans 6'2 181 lbs Repêché 65ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg.  |
" This is a bit of a leap on a goaltender who is in the midst of a bit of an up-and-down year, but I’ve been a fan of Commesso’s for a long time, I see a mature makeup as a kid and goalie, and the more I learn about him the more comfortable I am in my belief that his numbers this year are more of a reflection of the early struggles of the team in front of him than of his play. At 6-foot-2, he’s not big by today’s standards for a goalie by any means, but he blends a studious approach to the position with sharp angles, sound technique, and calming demeanour to keep shots in his chest, control rebounds, settle down plays and hold firm to his edges. And while he’s not a dynamic athlete, he can fall back on his athleticism when the play does break down, he’s quick on his feet and he doesn’t put himself into many scrambles because of the way he reads the play. He’s also just 19 and this season is really the first blip on the radar. I’m not yet convinced he’s going to be a starter at the next level, but I won’t be surprised at all if he becomes an NHL goalie. " | ||
| 7- Calle Clang Gardien 19 ans 6'2 176 lbs Repêché 91ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg.  |
" After a superb post-draft season in HockeyAllsvenskan (which won him the league’s top young player award and was even more impressive because of how much better he was than his tandem partner Mattias Pettersson) last season, Clang’s jump to the SHL this season as a teenager with Rogle hasn’t gone quite as smoothly (this time in the other direction relative to his goalie partner Christoffer Rifalk). I’d be more inclined to be excited about what he showed last season than worried about his play as an 18-year-old in arguably the world’s third-best pro league, though. Clang can get himself into trouble at times with how active he is in the net (as with the Pens’ other two goalie prospects, size also isn’t his hallmark), pulling himself off of his lines. But he’s really quick on his feet (without being explosive through his pushes), he makes a lot of recovery saves, and he’s got good hands. When he’s playing compact, he’s tough to beat around the net. " | ||
| 8- Isaac Ratcliffe Ailier Gauche 22 ans 6'6 201 lbs Repêché 109ie au total en 2017 par Winnipeg. |
" We’ve now got a large enough pro sample on Ratcliffe that his 100-plus AHL games, combined with his age (he’ll turn 23 in a couple of weeks and graduated out of consideration for future lists), give us a pretty good sense that he likely is who he is at this point. He remains relevant as a potential depth player because of how unique his makeup is (which many believe makes him a more effective potential fourth-liner than his production in the AHL might suggest). His 6-foot-6, 203-pound frame and surprising stickhandling skill in tight to his body can make him a lot to handle when he’s playing confidently and aggressively, but struggles with pace, finishing (he’s now a career 7 percent shooter in the AHL) and his skating have muted some of the excitement that used to exist around his game and have been compounded by the way he has tried to simplify his game as a result. " | ||
| 9- Antoine Morand Centre 22 ans 5'11 190 lbs Repêché 132ie au total en 2017 par Winnipeg.  |
" Morand is a tenacious, diminutive playmaker whose effort matches his quick hands and crafty feel for the game. He’s also strong on his feet considering his generous 5-foot-10 listing. But his skill level isn’t dynamic, his shot doesn’t pop (he actually has a good release) and though he’s got good speed he’s not a burner. The result is a player who is already a good top-nine AHL forward, will become more than that, but probably doesn’t have NHL upside beyond filler. " | ||
| 10- Dylan Peterson Centre 19 ans 6'4 192 lbs Repêché 110ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg. |
" Though he didn’t make Team USA for the world juniors, Peterson’s development as a sophomore has been a bright spot for a Boston University team that has battled injuries and poor play at various points this season. Like the next player own this list, Peterson’s tools have always had greater appeal than his production. He’s a 6-foot-4 forward who has better speed and lighter feet than you’d expect. He’s also an underrated playmaker who does a good job using his length to protect the puck on the exterior and facilitate to the slot, occasionally even showing layers of deception. He was always going to be a four-year college kid but I wouldn’t be surprised if his NCAA career follows a similar path the one Jack McBain (Boston College/Minnesota Wild) has had, where he really comes into his own late. He’s not going to be more than a complementary guy at the next level but he’s got some NHL upside. " | ||
| 11- Anton Olsson Défenseur 18 ans 6'0 198 lbs Repêché 94ie au total en 2021 par Winnipeg.  |
" Olsson, who is already in his second full season in the SHL, has taken a bit of an advanced path so far in his career (which I think has benefitted the maturity in his game but has dulled it in other ways). I like the way he transitions pucks through neutral ice with his feet (he’s quite comfortable with the puck moving in all four directions) against his peers, for example, but I’d like to see him play with that same confidence against pros. He can beat the first layer of pressure off of the point to walk into more dangerous spots when he’s feeling himself. And he’s a tactical player on zone exits who does a beautiful job starting rushes with little escapes and a lot of plays off of his backhand. But I wouldn’t call him a threatening offensive player and there are too many times where he looks deferential in the SHL. He reads the sheet in front of him effectively and he does a good job walking the line to lace shots through. But he’s not looking to make plays as much as I think he’s capable of. And defensively he handles himself well in engagements, doesn’t back down physically (though he doesn’t look for it per se either), and plays a sound positional game inside his own zone but he can give too much through his gaps. With time and renewed confidence, though, he might have third-pairing potential. " | ||
| 12- Colby Ambrosio Centre 19 ans 5'9 170 lbs Repêché 158ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg.  |
" After a good freshman year with the Eagles, which included time on its top line, Ambrosio, who is still just 19 and won’t have his birthday until August, has continued to produce as a sophomore (without taking a leap forward). He’s a little smaller (5-foot-9, 174 pounds) and his statistical profile doesn’t scream NHLer relative to his size, but there’s a lot to like about his game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him become a top producer as a junior or senior (while still being young by top college player standards). He tracks play effectively off the puck with his feet and uses light crossovers to find open space as an opportunistic offensive-zone scorer. There are times when he needs to survey the ice instead of focussing on the net, but Ambrosio also regularly makes quick, aggressive plays to generate scoring chances with that style. Plus, his skating is an asset, with quick acceleration from a standstill that allows him to cut underneath sticks, win lanes, and get to rebounds. I’d bet on him developing into a good AHLer and I’m not prepared to rule out him climbing past that with the right development but he’s a bit of a long shot today. " | ||
| 13- Artur Akhtyamov Gardien 20 ans 6'1 157 lbs Repêché 142ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg. |
" I liked Akhtyamov in his draft year and wasn’t surprised when the Leafs used their now-annual pick on a goalie on him even though NHL Central Scouting didn’t rank him. His track record in the MHL lines up with the Russian goalies that tend to progress up the ranks and he has shown similar promise (behind a bad team) in the second-tier VHL. He’s a lean 6-foot-1, which does come with some limitations, but he’s quick in his net, his positioning is sound and aggressive, and he rarely gets beat high glove or high blocker despite that small(ish) frame. I’m not prepared to bet he’s going to be an NHLer but I’m confident in saying he’s a good young goalie and he has shown me nothing to suggest he won’t climb the next rung to the KHL/AHL. " | ||
| 14- Samuel Knazko Défenseur 19 ans 6'1 190 lbs Repêché 94ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg. |
" After establishing himself as one of the very best players in Finland’s top junior league (often playing 25-30 minutes while driving results at both ends), Knazko moved to the WHL in December when he couldn’t get Liiga ice time, briefly captained Slovakia at the world juniors for the second year in a row, and has begun pursuing pro hockey in North America. He hasn’t been as impactful with Seattle as I expected just yet, but I have full belief that he’ll become a top WHL defenceman in time. He closes gaps effectively, disrupts plays with an active stick, defends well in transition, and makes little plays with the puck when they’re available. He’s sturdy on his feet, he sees the ice well as an outlet passer (he’s more effective advancing the puck with a pass than his feet), and he’s a decent skater (though there are times when he can look a little choppy). There are times when I’d like to see him play a little more assertively offensively though. I think he’ll be a good AHLer after some time getting settled and confident in the WHL. But questions do linger as to whether he can be more than that. I debated slotting him a few spots lower here but his age and runway helped him stick here for now. " | ||
| 15- MacKenzie Entwistle Ailier Droit / Centre 22 ans 6'4 183 lbs Repêché 229ie au total en 2017 par Winnipeg. |
" At this point, we know what MacKenzie Entwistle is. He was a defence-first winger with size who projected as a shutdown utility guy. Then his play with the puck rounded into form and he started to hold onto pucks more instead of deferring as a complementary type who played give-and-go and went to the net for tips and redirects. And now he’s a good AHLer and fine NHL depth guy who probably isn’t going to be much more than either of those things. He has struggled in my viewings of this Blackhawks team (a team that sits near the bottom of the conference) whenever I’ve watched them and his underlying numbers unfortunately reflect that (they’re ugly). But I think his bubble status slots him fairly here. Regardless of whether he sticks as an NHLer with them into their next chapter, though, this will be his last time on this list as he turns 23 this summer. " | ||
| 16- Mason Lohrei Défenseur 20 ans 6'4 194 lbs Repêché 62ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg. |
" Lohrei just keeps getting better and moving the goalposts I’ve set for him, to the point where his development may now be the most important thing that’s happening in the Bruins’ pool. He went from undrafted, to second-team All-Star and overaged second-rounder, to USHL Defenceman of the Year, to top college freshman. And while he’s not a true freshman, his play hasn’t looked like that of one either. I wondered whether, when his age and size advantage were muted at the college level, whether his tools on either side of the puck would translate smoothly. But he has looked the part, immediately becoming a go-to player for the Buckeyes at both ends. His tools, which have always stood out (the 6-foot-4 frame, the comfort level with the puck on his stick considering that size, the physical imposition, etc.) look more and more polished, which is a big deal. He can’t afford to stay for four years at college and remain a top prospect. He’s about to turn 21 and there just aren’t many players turning pro with much fanfare at 24. But I don’t think two-and-done or three-and-done is out of the question for him at all. " | ||
| 17- Adam Wilsby Défenseur 21 ans 6'0 183 lbs Repêché 126ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg. |
"
Wilsby is a tremendous skater, especially through his edges. He rotates
in and out of space beautifully, adjusting to pressure or building
speed through his crossovers. That has helped him establish himself as
a good SHL player across the last two seasons, excelling in particular
in transition. He’s not a dynamic player with the puck as an
individual threat but he’s a decently creative handler who
creates and then hits seams. His defensive game has also progressively
improved, to the point where he’s more than capable of handling
his own, particularly because of his feet and spatial awareness. But
the strength of Wilsby’s game is always going to be his footwork
and posture. He’ll be good organizational depth when he comes
over at the very least, even if his NHL ceiling is also low. " |
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| 18- Kaedan Korczak Défenseur 20 ans 6'4 192 lbs Repêché 47ie au total en 2019 par Winnipeg.  |
" Korczak’s one of those players where whenever I watch him I come away thinking “yeah, that’s a third-pairing defenceman.” He’s 200-plus pounds, he’s 6-foot-3, he’s a good skater, he uses his body and strength to control opposing players on box-outs and his skating and length to swallow up space. But he can also look stilted and sloppy, which has required (and will further require) that he simplify his game at the pro level. His execution is on point when there’s a straightforward play to make. Just don’t expect him to improvise or make things happen through multiple layers of pressure. He hasn’t looked out of place in the AHL at all at a young age, which bodes well for his projection into a low-event bottom-pairing guy. " | ||
| 19- Albert Johansson Défenseur 20 ans 6'0 168 lbs Repêché 70ie au total en 2019 par Winnipeg.  |
" Johansson just keeps playing well and pushing his career in the right direction. There’s nothing particularly dynamic about his game but he has established himself as an impactful, play-driving SHL defenceman for the roundedness of his game at both ends (lacking dynamic quality doesn’t necessarily equate to lacking offence!). His game is subtly effective, relying on smart reads, smooth skating and edgework, decent poise with the puck across the line and calculated choices with and without the puck. He’s efficient, quietly making the small plays that drive results. He can struggle with his gaps when he doesn’t keep his feet moving, forcing him into tough challenges against quick players, but his overall timing and anticipation is a strength. He’s also able to play with a variety of partners, playing a complementary style that should serve him well and allow him to be more active with a lesser player or reserved with a busy partner. I’m not convinced he’ll have a ton of special teams upside, but he should have value at five-on-five. " | ||
| 20- Alexander Nikishin Défenseur 20 ans 6'4 216 lbs Repêché 80ie au total en 2020 par Winnipeg. |
" Nikishin has had about as good a season as you could hope for given his makeup, his past performance, and his projection. He’s playing 19 minutes a game in the second-best pro league in the world and he has been named to Russia’s Olympic team for the men’s tournament. Nikishin’s a physically advanced (6-foot-4, 216-pound) defender whose strength is evident in his blistering point shot, his ability to win board battles, and his net-front boxouts. The question with Nikishin is less about his ability to hold his own defensively, complement a more active partner, and penalty kill than it is about what his upside looks like beyond that. But he has taken steps there this season and has certainly looked to be more aggressive with his best asset inside the offensive zone (that shot). He moves the puck fine, he manages the point effectively, he’s a decent skater, and he’s a righty. I like the way he reads the play, closes off the wall, and gets into passing lanes. He’s not talented enough to offer much offence at the next level but I’ve believed in his offensive game since his draft year and it has begun to show itself as adequate against pros. He’s got upside as a bottom-four defender. " | ||
| Mentions honorables: |
- Jake Chiasson (C/RW) |