Prospect Info: 2023-24 Prospect Thread

[xECK29x]

This season I'll just update the first post each Monday instead of a copy/paste of a table each time.

+ = on IR or just hurt
# = season complete

PLAYER	POS	ACQUIRED	HFB RANK	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	+/-
William Dufour	RW	2020 round 5 #152	1	Bridgeport Islanders	52	15	10	25	29	-12
Samuel Bolduc	D	2019 round 2 #57	2	New York Islanders	33	1	2	3	6	-5
				Bridgeport Islanders	5	1	0	1	2	2
Matthew Maggio	RW	2022 round 5 #142	3	Bridgeport Islanders	58	16	9	25	20	-2
Simon Holmstrom	RW/LW	2019 round 1 #23	4	New York Islanders	72	14	9	23	14	-1
Danny Nelson #	C	2023 round 2 #49	5	Univ. of Notre Dame	30	9	14	23	32	5
				USA U20	7	1	1	2	0	4
Ruslan Iskhakov	C/LW	2018 round 2 #43	6	Bridgeport Islanders	67	17	31	48	30	-16
Tyce Thompson	RW	Trade		Utica Comets	15	0	5	5	12	4
				Bridgeport Islanders	47	3	10	13	54	-19
Calle Odelius	D	2022 round 2 #65	8	Djugardens IF	10	0	4	4	2	0
				Djugardens IF (Playoffs)	2	0	1	1	2	0
				Sweden U20	8	0	1	1	8	-
Robin Salo	D	2017 round 2 #46	9	Bridgeport Islanders	64	5	18	23	22	-12
Isaiah George	D	2022 round 4 #98	10	London Knights	68	6	24	30	54	26
				London (Playoffs)	4	1	2	3	0	5
Alex Jefferies	LW	2020 round 4 #121	11	Merrimack College	22	13	10	23	19	1
				Bridgeport Islanders	8	3	1	4	0	-1
Eetu Liukas	LW	2021 round 5 #157	12	Bridgeport Islanders	45	3	4	7	34	-13
Quinn Finley #	LW	2022 round 3 #78	13	Univ. of Wisconsin	35	9	6	15	16	4
				USA U20	7	1	1	2	0	2
Jesse Nurmi #	LW	2023 round 4 #113	14	KooKoo	19	0	2	2	2	-7
				KooKoo U20	6	4	4	8	0	-2
				Finland U20	6	0	2	2	0	-
Aleksi Malinen #	D	2021 round 6 #189	15T	JYP	15	0	2	2	0	-3
Zach Schulz #	D	2023 round 6 #177	HM1	Univ. of Wisconsin	33	2	4	6	6	4
Cameron Berg #	C	2021 round 4 #125	HM2	Univ. of North Dakota	40	20	17	37	8	7
Daylan Kuefler	LW	2022 round 6 #174	HM3	Worcester Railers	17	5	3	8	9	-4
				Bridgeport Islanders	19	3	3	6	37	-1
Aidan Fulp	D	UFA		Bridgeport Islanders	47	1	4	5	14	-19
Justin Gill	C	2023 round 5 #145		Baie-Comeau Drakkar	65	40	58	98	66	57
				Baie-Comeau (Playoffs)	4	3	4	7	2	4
Dennis Good Bogg #	D	2023 round 7 #209		AIK J20	18	1	4	5	45	-5
				AIK	10	0	1	1	0	1
				Vallentuna Hockey	7	0	1	1	10	-1
				Brodernas/Vasby	4	0	0	0	2	-2
				Östersunds IK	8	0	1	1	6	-4
				Östersunds IK (Playoffs)	1	0	0	0	0	0
Alexander Ljungkrantz #	LW/RW	2020 round 3 #90		Almtuna IS	44	20	12	32	8	-7
				Farjestad BK	8	0	0	0	0	-1
Travis Mitchell	D	UFA		Bridgeport Islanders	34	1	3	4	36	-6
Reece Newkirk	C	2019 round 5 #147		Bridgeport Islanders	15	1	2	3	2	1
				Worcester Railers	10	5	4	9	2	4
Matias Rajaniemi	D	2020 round 6 #183		SaiPa	53	0	8	8	18	-24
				Bridgeport Islanders	0	0	0	0	0	0
GOALIES					GP	GAA	SV%	SO	W-L-T
Tristan Lennox	G	2021 round 3 #93	15T	Worcester Railers	13	2.94	.909	0	5-6-1
Jakub Skarek	G	2018 round 3 #72		Bridgeport Islanders	34	3.15	.890	0	7-21-5
Henrik Tikkanen	G	2020 round 7 #214	Currently UFA	Bridgeport Islanders	16	2.17	.927	0	7-5-2
				Worcester Railers	18	3.25	.890	0	10-6-1

Click to read more...

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I'd be surprised if Jefferies isn't added.

How many picks has Lou left go unsigned, either to an ELC or AHL contract?

Cockerill is about the only one I can think of.

 

[xECK29x]

He mostly played center this year at least in the four or five games I saw him play. He didnt scream out ready NHLer to me so your right Ahl is probably his path but wonder if he figures might as well get to August and become UFA and sign with whomever I want and may have clearer and quicker path NHL(sharks, hawks etc.). I don’t know though, I’d think isles would want to sign him immediately and get him some time in Ahl now.

Good to know he was taking draws and playing some C, that will help him

 

[xECK29x]

https://x.com/mikemcmahonchn/status/1770197698236354586?s=10

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

https://x.com/mikemcmahonchn/status/1770197698236354586?s=10

Excellent, seems like a very skilled prospect who can score. Burning a year of ELC seems unlikely but at least iskes are giving him that hope.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Excellent, seems like a very skilled prospect who can score. Burning a year of ELC seems unlikely but at least iskes are giving him that hope.

Definitely has some nice tools.

This year was a step back from his junior season - and not only because of an injury. In my viewings, he just didn't look the same with regards to his offensive generation.

But he should be added to the fray and after the year he's had, he should definitely be joining the organization excited to learn what he can on a PTO this spring, then make a push as a full-time pro next fall.

I'd say that folks should NOT be expecting a lot out of him productionwise in his first AHL season and it's highly foreseeable that he'll be worked in rather slowly.

***
On another notes, we haven't talked about him at all, but Jacob Pivonka has gone 17-17-34 in 42 ECHL games. That's fairly notable production for a guy who produced very little in college and is primarily a checking line player.

When he was drafted, I spoke of him as a player to watch in the Cizikas mould. His college career was not what I had expected. Still, not unthinkable is that he could spend the next few years becoming another MacLean for this organization. He does have some grind and gumption. And he's got a USNTDP background and good bloodlines to boot.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

Jefferies and Arizona State's Matthew Kopperud signed to ATOs.

 

[SI90]

Not too familiar with this guy, but he said this about Jeffries. If nothing else, it’s a positive.

https://x.com/mikemcmahonchn/status/1720595287482212741?s=46&t=F-gQrVWvDqQEq4MYhtIb-A

 

[doublechili]

Not too familiar with this guy, but he said this about Jeffries. If nothing else, it’s a positive.

https://x.com/mikemcmahonchn/status/1720595287482212741?s=46&t=F-gQrVWvDqQEq4MYhtIb-A

He said, "Alex Jefferies is the most NHL-ready player I've covered in 17 years covering Merrimack."

Which begs the question, who has come out of Merrimack in the past 17 years and excelled in the NHL?

 

[SI90]

He said, "Alex Jefferies is the most NHL-ready player I've covered in 17 years covering Merrimack."

Which begs the question, who has come out of Merrimack in the past 17 years and excelled in the NHL?

Stéphane Da Costa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats of Stéphane Da Costa. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, trade, draft, salary and more on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

 

[PK Cronin]

Stéphane Da Costa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats of Stéphane Da Costa. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, trade, draft, salary and more on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

So he'll be better than Wahlstrom, nice.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

In addition to Jefferies, I'm pretty sure Justin Gill will be getting his ELC with similar circumstances (i.e. an ATO for now) once Bai-Comeau concludes its season.

He's currently 2nd in QMJHL scoring and his team is expected to have a long playoff run this spring, so it could be a while, maybe even too late for an AHL showing.

I'll mention it again here now, but I can see the Isles being interested in his overage (perhaps UFA-ready?) teammates LHD Niks Fenenko and RW Matyas Melovsky (who was fire for the Czechs at the WJC).

Gill's linemate Justin Poirier is a 50-goal RW who is on the small side, but widely considered a top 60 prospect in this draft. From what I've seen, he deals real well with the rough stuff and has a keen, keen sense of where the goal is.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

So he'll be better than Wahlstrom, nice.

Actually, I think Jefferies already skates better than Wally.

***
But just seeing you mention Wally here gets me so depressed.

I mean the writing is on the wall. Anything less than this team letting him walk this summer would be a shock.

I think there might be a few GMs out there who could still find a way to move his rights for a 6th rounder or something come the draft, but overall it's just tragic for us that it's come this far for a guy with his shot and who can actually throw a few checks too. I mean, imagine this former top 10 pick sitting out for weeks at a time and the team even decides to plug in Fasching ahead of him with the last minute scratching of Engvall... In the grand scheme of things, just brutal.

Three above average "goal scorers" drafted top 20 in the course of 4 years and not a one of them is playing NHL hockey.

And all I can think of is how much I bet this scouting staff was seriously contemplating taking the very Parise-like Farabee before we moved up a spot after the lottery and then Wahlstrom dropped into our laps.

 

[Top Corner]

Actually, I think Jefferies already skates better than Wally.

***
But just seeing you mention Wally here gets me so depressed.

I mean the writing is on the wall. Anything less than this team letting him walk this summer would be a shock.

I think there might be a few GMs out there who could still find a way to move his rights for a 6th rounder or something come the draft, but overall it's just tragic for us that it's come this far for a guy with his shot and who can actually throw a few checks too. I mean, imagine this former top 10 pick sitting out for weeks at a time and the team even decides to plug in Fasching ahead of him with the last minute scratching of Engvall... In the grand scheme of things, just brutal.

Three above average "goal scorers" drafted top 20 in the course of 4 years and not a one of them is playing NHL hockey.

And all I can think of is how much I bet this scouting staff was seriously contemplating taking the very Parise-like Farabee before we moved up a spot after the lottery and then Wahlstrom dropped into our laps.

I still couldn’t understand why they just didn’t waive Wally even if it meant losing him. Not playing or playing at a level you are not comfortable with certainty does nothing for your confidence and development. He’s actually gotten worse in my opinion since his debut and just a prime example of poor development and asset mismanagement.

 

[saintunspecified]

He mostly played center this year at least in the four or five games I saw him play. He didnt scream out ready NHLer to me so your right Ahl is probably his path but wonder if he figures might as well get to August and become UFA and sign with whomever I want and may have clearer and quicker path NHL(sharks, hawks etc.). I don’t know though, I’d think isles would want to sign him immediately and get him some time in Ahl now.

Well that explains the decline in production a bit. I still think he (Jefferies) profiles as a winger.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Well that explains the decline in production a bit. I still think he (Jefferies) profiles as a winger.

Yeah seems like he is going to play wing in Bridgeport to start out.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Yeah seems like he is going to play wing in Bridgeport to start out.

I think he was definitely drafted as a RW and certainly spent the bulk of his time at Merrimack on the wing.

 

[periferal]

 

[SI90]

Ranjaniemi Joining Brisgeport for the rest of the season. I imagine an ELC is coming after the season. Big stay at home defensman on the left side. I remember being disappointed he didn’t get invited back to the WJC team a few years ago. Nice to have him over here. Maybe he develops into a nice steady bottom pair guy who can push guys around and clear the crease.

https://x.com/ahlislanders/status/1772669814353379813?s=46&t=F-gQrVWvDqQEq4MYhtIb-A

 

[doublechili]

Ranjaniemi Joining Brisgeport for the rest of the season. I imagine an ELC is coming after the season. Big stay at home defensman on the left side. I remember being disappointed he didn’t get invited back to the WJC team a few years ago. Nice to have him over here. Maybe he develops into a nice steady bottom pair guy who can push guys around and clear the crease.

https://x.com/ahlislanders/status/1772669814353379813?s=46&t=F-gQrVWvDqQEq4MYhtIb-A

For a second I read "Ranjaniemi" as "Rhakshani" and was like, holy late-bloomer Batman!!

 

[SI90]

For a second I read "Ranjaniemi" as "Rhakshani" and was like, holy late-bloomer Batman!!

Rhett had some sick hands. Hope he’s doing well. I remember not too long ago I think his wife had a serious cancer diagnosis .

 

[SI90]

Just saw Bridgeport signed Providence Captain Cam McDonald. Small left handed defensman.

I’m not familiar with him. Not surprised though because of Lou’s connections to Providence.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Ranjaniemi Joining Brisgeport for the rest of the season. I imagine an ELC is coming after the season. Big stay at home defensman on the left side. I remember being disappointed he didn’t get invited back to the WJC team a few years ago. Nice to have him over here. Maybe he develops into a nice steady bottom pair guy who can push guys around and clear the crease.

https://x.com/ahlislanders/status/1772669814353379813?s=46&t=F-gQrVWvDqQEq4MYhtIb-A

Don't think an ELC is coming. They're sidestepping that with a direct AHL conract.

Looks like a 1-year show-me thingy.

Which makes total sense. Alone in Liiga action, lots of young Dmen who have had better seasons than Rajaniemi. Some aren't even drafted (yet).

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Don't think an ELC is coming. They're sidestepping that with a direct AHL conract.

Looks like a 1-year show-me thingy.

Which makes total sense. Alone in Liiga action, lots of young Dmen who have had better seasons than Rajaniemi. Some aren't even drafted (yet).

Only somewhat positive I can see with him is sometimes defensemen like this do better over here on smaller surface. We will see I guess.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Just saw Bridgeport signed Providence Captain Cam McDonald. Small left handed defensman.

I’m not familiar with him. Not surprised though because of Lou’s connections to Providence.

This is most likely all Chris' doing.

And these decisions have a lot to do with how they want to stock Worcester in the season to come as well.

Speaking of which, here are the current top five scorers for the ECHL outfit:

Reece Newkirk has missed some time and has 7 points in 8 games.

And whereas Cipollone (17 pts in 55 games) and Piercey (12 pts in 48 games) are organizational UFA signings that have gotten into the line-up, it's a bit disappointing that Krygier (25 games), Kuefler (17 games), and Lennox (13 games) have not exactly been force-fed with opportunity. Granted, Kuefler has gotten into 14 AHL contests as well.

INTERESTING:
- Only 21, a 6'3", 214-pound Russian by the name of Bakanov has 12-10-22 in 53 games. Played in the OHL as a 17-year-old and has parts of two KHL seasons under his belt.
- Prospect camp invitees Kulakov (RUS) and Garat (HUN) have gotten into 55 and 54 games respectively.
- Seems like a considerable portion of the team has an NCAA or USports background.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

This is most likely all Chris' doing.

And these decisions have a lot to do with how they want to stock Worcester in the season to come as well.

Speaking of which, here are the current top five scorers for the ECHL outfit: View attachment 841830

Reece Newkirk has missed some time and has 7 points in 8 games.

And whereas Cipollone (17 pts in 55 games) and Piercey (12 pts in 48 games) are organizational UFA signings that have gotten into the line-up, it's a bit disappointing that Krygier (25 games), Kuefler (17 games), and Lennox (13 games) have not exactly been force-fed with opportunity. Granted, Kuefler has gotten into 14 AHL contests as well.

INTERESTING:
- Only 21, a 6'3", 214-pound Russian by the name of Bakanov has 12-10-22 in 53 games. Played in the OHL as a 17-year-old and has parts of two KHL seasons under his belt.
- Prospect camp invitees Kulakov (RUS) and Garat (HUN) have gotten into 55 and 54 games respectively.
- Seems like a considerable portion of the team has an NCAA or USports background.

Krygier snd Lennox have been injured, Lennox still is I believe which has limited their games.