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2014-15 Calder Poll: Predators' Forsberg is top NHL rookie for November

Photo: Nashville Predators rookie forward Flip Forsberg scored nine of his 12 goals in the month of November (courtesy of Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)


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For the second straight month, two players dominated the Hockey’s Future Calder Trophy monthly poll for the 2014-15 season. But this month’s top rookies – Filip Forsberg of Nashville and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau – are not the same two rookies who were nearly unanimous choices for the first and second spots in our November poll.

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Last month’s leaders slid down the list, with New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson just missing the top 10 while Los Angeles Kings‘ left wing Tanner Pearson was part of a three-way tie for the fourth spot.… read more

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(Video) First NHL Goal: Blackhawks' Dahlbeck opens scoring in win over Bruins

Photo: Chicago Blackhawks rookie defenseman Klas Dahlbeck (#44), shown here celebrating his first NHL goal, spent time in the Linkoping organization before moving to North America two seasons ago (courtesy of Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)


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Chicago Blackhawks rookie defenseman Klas Dahlbeck received his first NHL call-up on 12/4, and just 3 games into his NHL career, the Katrineholm, Sweden native netted his first NHL goal in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

Midway through the first period, Blackhawks’ forwards Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith battled for the puck behind the Bruins’ net. Smith came away with the puck and fed a pass to Dahlbeck, who had moved in from his point position, with Dahlbeck firing home a shot past Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask.… read more

The post (Video) First NHL Goal: Blackhawks’ Dahlbeck opens scoring in win over Bruins appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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(Video) First NHL Goal: Folin nets lone Wild goal in loss to Sharks

Photo: Minnesota Wild rookie defenseman Christian Folin played two seasons at UMass Lowell, netting 12 goals and adding 29 assists for 41 points in 79 NCAA games (courtesy of Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)


 

Minnesota Wild defenseman Christian Folin was a coveted free agent after completing his sophomore season at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell back in March. In his 12th NHL game, Folin started to pay some dividends on his signing with the Wild by scoring his first NHL goal, the only goal for the Wild in a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

With the Wild applying some pressure in the Sharks’ zone, San Jose forward Tommy Wingels made an ill-advised pass through the center lane that ended up on Folin’s stick at the right point.… read more

The post (Video) First NHL Goal: Folin nets lone Wild goal in loss to Sharks appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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Phantoms' Hagg hoping third time’s the charm for Sweden at 2015 WJC

Photo: Lehigh Valley Phantoms defenseman and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Robert Hagg will be competing for Sweden in his third and final U20 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)


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While teams in the American Hockey League are enjoying a short break for the holidays, Philadelphia Flyers defensive prospect Robert Hagg is gearing up for his third appearance with Team Sweden at the 2015 U20 World Junior Championship, which gets underway on Friday in Montreal and Toronto.

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After back-to-back silver medals for Sweden in the tournament the last two years, Hagg was adamant that he wasn’t playing for second place for a third straight year – his final year of eligibility to participate in the tournament for the top hockey prospects around the world under 20 years of age.… read more

The post Phantoms’ Hagg hoping third time’s the charm for Sweden at 2015 WJC appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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(Video) First NHL Goal: Larsson, Schaller score for Sabres in weekend losses

Photo: Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Tim Schaller slides the puck under Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask to score his first NHL goal (courtesy of Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)


 

Despite what would be considered an unsuccessful weekend in which they lost two games, the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres still received glimpses of a potentially better future with the first NHL goals from prospects Johan Larsson and Tim Schaller.

Larsson has traveled Interstate 90 between Rochester and Buffalo on more than one occasion this season, receiving the latest call-up on December 21st. He suited up for the Saturday contest between the Sabres and the Colorado Avalanche, a game won by the Avalanche by a 5-1 score.… read more

The post (Video) First NHL Goal: Larsson, Schaller score for Sabres in weekend losses appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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(Video) First NHL Goal: Wennberg, Rakell and Karlsson form Swedish trio finding the t

Photo: Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell (#67) celebrates his first NHL goal with teammate Matt Beleskey (#39) during the Ducks 3-2 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks (courtesy of John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)


 

Monday night was a memorable one for Swedish players scoring their first NHL goals, with a trio of Swedes scoring their milestone goals in NHL action. The Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Alexander Wennberg scored his goal in a loss to the Nashville Predators, while the Anaheim Ducks‘ Rickard Rakell and the San Jose Sharks‘ Melker Karlsson took turns in a game won by the Ducks in overtime, 3-2.… read more

The post (Video) First NHL Goal: Wennberg, Rakell and Karlsson form Swedish trio finding the twine appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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2015 WJC Preview: Sweden looks to break string of silvers with gold medal

Photo: MODO forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander will lead the offense for Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire)


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The drama last winter in Sweden at the 2014 World Junior Championship could hardly be topped. Playing at home in front of crowds sized larger than 12,500 per game, Team Sweden defeated one opponent after another with a literal dream team of U20 athletes. Then they faced the tourney’s upstart team, and their archrival, Finland and it seemed the stars were aligned for a victory parade that few Swedish junior teams had ever topped.… read more

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2015 WJC Podcast, Group B: Observations from Monday's Sweden-Russia showdown

Photo: Frolunda forward and Boston Bruins prospect Anton Blidh was an impressive performer for Sweden in their showdown with Russia on Monday night (courtesy of Claus Andersen/Getty Images)


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While Group A at the 2015 World Junior Championship features*arguably the top two teams in this year’s tournament, Group B also features two teams that in recent years have been among the WJC’s best. Those two*countries, Sweden and Russia, squared off on Monday night with Sweden coming away with the 3-2 win in that showdown.

In the second part of this Hockey’s Future podcast, I am joined by ISS Hockey scout Phil Myre who provides some of his thoughts on some players from both of those countries that stood out to him in this high profile game.… read more

The post 2015 WJC Podcast, Group B: Observations from Monday’s Sweden-Russia showdown appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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2015 WJC Podcast: A preview of the quarterfinal matches that includes a Sweden-Finlan

Photo: Sarnia Sting forward and 2015 prospect Pavel Zacha has played well for the Czech Republic at the 2015 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)


 

With the preliminary round at the 2015 World Junior Championship now completed, eight of the 10 countries participating at this WJC are moving on to the quarterfinals, while two countries will head to the relegation round. The USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, and Denmark all live to fight another day in their quest for gold, with Switzerland and Germany trying to avoid demotion to*next year’s*D1A WJC.… read more

The post 2015 WJC Podcast: A preview of the quarterfinal matches that includes a Sweden-Finland rematch appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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2015 WJC Podcast: Preview of the four semi-final teams

Photo: Team Canada forward and Buffalo Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart is the leading scorer for his country at the 2015 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)


 

The final four countries are now set for the 2015 World Junior Championship. The semi-final pairings have been set, with Sweden and Russia squaring off in one game, while host Canada will do battle with Slovakia. Both games are rematches of preliminary round games.

Joining me to preview the WJC semi-final games is Marc Lapointe, head scout in Quebec for ISS Hockey. Marc has provided some good insight in previous podcasts that we’ve put together during this tournament, and he provides his thoughts on the four teams looking for their shot to win a gold medal at the 2015 WJC.… read more

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2015 NHL Draft: WJC performances bring some change to the ISS Top 30

Photo: Kingston Frontenacs forward and 2015 prospect Lawson Crouse was a surprise selection for Team Canada’s 2015 World Junior Championship roster, but Crouse played an important part in helping his country win gold at that tournament (courtesy of Claus Andersen/Getty Images)


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The 2015 World Junior Championship has come and gone, and with its completion comes a bit of change in the upper reaches of ISS Hockey‘s ranking of the top 30 prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft.

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There is no change at the top, of course, as Connor McDavid‘s performance at this WJC only served to enhance his standing as the top prospect available for this year’s draft.… read more

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2015 WJC Podcast: Strong team effort leads Canada back to gold

Photo: Team Canada earned their first gold medal at the World Junior Championship since 2009 but have won gold at this event 16 times since 1977 (courtesy of Claus Andersen/Getty Images)


 

The host country for the 2015 World Junior Championship made the most of its home-ice advantage as Team Canada made an unbeaten run through the preliminary and playoff rounds to secure the gold medal, their first at this tournament since 2009. Canada defeated Russia in the gold medal game, 5-4, making it the fifth straight year that Russia has earned a medal at the World Juniors.

Coming on this Hockey’s Future podcast to discuss the gold and bronze medal games is ISS Hockey scout Marc Lapointe, who is the head scout in Quebec for that organization.… read more

The post 2015 WJC Podcast: Strong team effort leads Canada back to gold appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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2015 WJC Podcast: Selection of an All-Tournament team

Photo: Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (L) and Team USA defenseman Brandon Carlo (R) were two prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft who performed well at the 2015 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)


 

The players have dispersed to their club teams and the NHL arenas have reverted back to their rightful occupants, but we are taking one last look back at the 2015 World Junior Championship. Canada won gold at this tournament, Russia the silver medal, and Slovakia took home the bronze to become the feel-good story of the tournament.

In the third of three WJC wrap-up*podcasts with Marc Lapointe of ISS Hockey, he selects*his own 2015 WJC All-Tournament Team based more on the players that he was primarily tasked to watch, namely those prospects that are eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft.… read more

The post 2015 WJC Podcast: Selection of an All-Tournament team appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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(Video) First NHL Goal: Bruins' Pastrnak nets two in win over Flyers

Photo: Boston Bruins rookie forward David Pastrnak (#88) celebrates his first NHL goal with teammates Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara in the first period of the Bruins 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers (courtesy of Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)


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Boston Bruins rookie forward David Pastrnak like scoring his first NHL goal so much, he added a second goal – the game-winner – in his team’s 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

For Pastrnak’s first goal, the Bruins were on a first period power play and moving the puck in the Flyers’ zone. Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara took a pass behind the Flyers’ net and moved the puck to defenseman Torey Krug in the left face-off circle, seeting the stage for Pastrnak’s milestone goal.… read more

The post (Video) First NHL Goal: Bruins’ Pastrnak nets two in win over Flyers appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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Norfolk Admirals' forward trio making strides towards NHL berth

Photo: Norfolk Admirals forward and Anaheim Ducks prospect Chris Wagner is currently second in scoring for the Admirals with 19 points in 25 games (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon Sportswire)


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While Jakob Silfverberg, Devante Smith-Pelly, Rickard Rakell and Emerson Etem have all seemingly passed through the AHL and have landed in Anaheim full-time, the Ducks organization is still developing the next crop of talented forwards poised to make a name for themselves in the NHL.

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One of those forwards is the Norfolk Admirals’ representative in this year’s AHL All-Star Classic, third-year pro Chris Wagner, who made his NHL debut with Anaheim in the Ducks’ regular season home debut earlier this season.… read more

The post Norfolk Admirals’ forward trio making strides towards NHL berth appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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2015 NHL Draft: Kylington leads next exciting group of Swedish prospects

Photo: Farjestad defenseman and 2015 prospect Oliver Kylington (#97) missed out on representing Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championship due to an injury (courtesy of Faerjestad Karlstad/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)


 

It has become a yearly tradition to take a mid-season look at the prospect pool for the NHL Draft and realize that Sweden will likely be contributing another 20+ draftees at this event. This winter is no exception and, as is the case with the 2015 draft class on the whole, this group is looking strong enough to contribute as many as 10 picks to the first two rounds.… read more

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2014-15 Calder Poll: Forsberg remains top NHL rookie after strong December showing

Photo: Nashville Predators rookie forward Filip Forsberg is tied with Ottawa’s Mike Hoffman for the rookie goal-scoring lead with 15 goals so far in the 2014-15 season (courtesy of Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)


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Filip Forsberg of Nashville and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau continue to hold the top two spots in the Hockey’s Future staff Calder Trophy Poll for December while Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad has also begun to separate himself from the rest of the field — making it look like this year’s award will come down to one of those three players.

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The mini-resurgence in Ottawa also pushed two players into our top 10 as forwards Mike Hoffman (4th) and Mark Stone (6th) are both in this month’s group, making their debut in this season’s list.… read more

The post 2014-15 Calder Poll: Forsberg remains top NHL rookie after strong December showing appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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Prospect Impressions: Wallmark, Nastasiuk, Ehlers put talent on display | Highlights

Photo: Owen Sound Attack forward and Detroit Red Wings prospect Zach Nastasiuk has already reached the 50-point mark in the 2014-15 season after a previous OHL career-high of 5q points in 2013-14 (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)


 

Lucas Wallmark and Nikolaj Ehlers recently put their talent on display at the 2015 World Junior Championship, while forward Zach Nastasiuk is having his best season offensively in the OHL to this point of the 2014-15 season. All three players are featured in this week’s Prospect Impressions feature that gathers up some recent,*noteworthy NHL prospect highlights.

The Carolina Hurricanes boast a deep and talented prospect pool down the middle, with Lucas Wallmark’s creativity and improving playmaking ability at the forefront.… read more

The post Prospect Impressions: Wallmark, Nastasiuk, Ehlers put talent on display | Highlights of the week appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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Spitfires' Soberg building momentum in bid to earn NHL contract

Photo: Windsor Spitfires forward and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Markus Soberg has played in 40 games for the Spitfires this season, posting nine goals and 22 points in his first OHL season (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)


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Though a three-year sojourn in Sweden saw Norwegian-born Markus Soberg get drafted, the 19-year-old Oslo native is hoping that the path to the NHL is more direct through the Ontario Hockey League.

After three years playing for Frolunda of the Swedish J20 SuperElit league, Soberg felt it was time to move on. And the fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team that drafted him in the sixth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, shared that sentiment helped.… read more

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Prospect Faceoff: Ho-Sang faces top 2015 goaltending prospect, Bulldogs spoil Nylande

Photo: Niagara IceDogs forward Josh Ho-Sang (NYI) and Barrie Colts goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (2015) go head-to-head in one of the more interesting NHL prospect matchups this weekend (courtesy of Aaron Bell/Terry Wilson/OHL Images)


 

This week’s Prospect Faceoff feature includes a look at weekend matchups that include a*couple of top performers from the 2015 World Juniors, plus interesting NHL prospect head-to-heads in NCAA and SHL play. In addition, we look back at the matchups featured in last week’s PF offering, including the results of William Nylander’s first North American action.

Prospect Faceoffs for 1/30-2/1

Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland) vs. Nikita Scherback (Everett) – WHL

The Portland Winterhawks will host the Everett Silvertips this weekend, as a pair of crafty Europeans will lead their respective teams into this event.… read more

The post Prospect Faceoff: Ho-Sang faces top 2015 goaltending prospect, Bulldogs spoil Nylander’s Marlies debut, and more appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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SHL Prospects Notebook, January, 2015: Skelleftea, MODO at opposite ends of the spect

Photo: Skelleftea AIK defenseman and Anaheim Ducks prospect Tim Heed is currently second in scoring among SHL defensemen with 28 points in 42 games (courtesy of Lulea Hockey/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)


 

The 2014-15 SHL season has made it through the holiday season and is heading down the final stretch, as roughly 75 percent of the games have been played to date. This is the time of the year when many clubs exchange a few parts, bring up juniors to fill in for injuries, and in some cases, watch as their young men represent Sweden at the WJC.

As the season has continued, though, it’s become clear that not only are a number of NHL properties getting decent to big-time roles with their respective clubs, but a few young vets who were either never drafted or drafted but never signed are having their best season’s ever and making a huge impact in the league.… read more

The post SHL Prospects Notebook, January, 2015: Skelleftea, MODO at opposite ends of the spectrum appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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2015 NHL Draft: Meier climbs higher but top of the order remains largely unchanged in

Photo: Halifax Mooseheads forward Timo Meier (L) and Ottawa 67’s forward Travis Konecny (R) starred for Team Orr at the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (courtesy of Aaron Bell/CHL Images)


 

While there is still postseason play and the U18 World Championship yet to come, the pecking order at the top of the ISS Hockey rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft is becoming more well defined just past the halfway mark of the season.

The top 10 in ISS’s February rankings doesn’t look all that different from the top of the order in January. The first seven players this month are the same ones in the same order as last month’s top seven.… read more

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Prospect Impressions: Conway's goal from Happy Valley, trio of OHL plays, more from a

Photo: Niagara IceDogs defenseman and 2015 prospect Vince Dunn was ranked 53rd in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images )


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One collegiate freshman from Great Britain scores a beauty in Happy Valley, while a former SHL Goalie of the Year makes a spectacular save. Three OHL players with different NHL circumstances score this weekend in this week’s Prospect Impressions.

With a Canadian dad who played in the OHL, and an uncle who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Great Britian’s own Scott Conway has blazed an unusual path to Penn State.… read more

The post Prospect Impressions: Conway’s goal from Happy Valley, trio of OHL plays, more from around the globe appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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Prospect Faceoff: Former teammates, future teammates, and best friends go head-to-hea

Photo: Two Vancouver Canucks prospects – Jordan Subban of the Belleville Bulls and Cole Cassels of the Oshawa Generals – will go head-to-head this weekend in OHL action (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)


 

Two childhood friends continue their friendly rivalry on the big stage, and in the WHL an accomplished defenseman goes one-on-one against one of the league’s best rookies. In the OHL, it’s a meeting of two Vancouver Canucks prospects, while former Russian teammates collide in an important QMJHL matchup. Finally, two prospects at opposite ends of the same draft see each other again in the SHL.

Brendan Collier (Northeastern) vs.… read more

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(Video) First NHL Goal: De La Rose pots two in Habs' win

Photo: Montreal Canadiens rookie forward Jacob De La Rose (L) celebrates his first NHL goal with linemate Brandon Prust in the Canadiens win over Columbus (courtesy of Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)


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Montreal Canadiens rookie forward Jacob De La Rose liked scoring his first NHL goal so much that he decided to add another as the Habs went on to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-2.

With the Canadiens holding a 3-1 lead early in the third period, Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban gained control of the puck near the Canadiens’ blueline, then fired a pass up ice to Brandon Prust.… read more

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