HF Articles

[HF Article]

2015 NHL Draft Preview: Carlsson, Eriksson Ek tops among prospect group from Sweden

Photo: Linkoping defenseman and 2015 prospect Gabriel Carlsson is the top defensive prospect to come out of Sweden for the 2015 NHL Draft (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)


</p> In a draft class as pumped up and anticipated as this year’s is, it should come as no surprise that Sweden will likely be the producer of over 20 players taken by NHL teams over the course of the 2015 NHL Draft. For several years now, Sweden has established itself as the third-largest provider of NHL-drafted talent, coming in after Canada and the USA.

In 2011, Sweden saw an outstanding and record-setting 28 players taken, eight more than the year before.… read more

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[HF Article]

Ottawa Senators "Release the Lehner" in trade with Sabres

Photo: Robin Lehner has a career save percentage of .914 in the NHL through five seasons in Ottawa (three of them partial). (Courtesy of Jason Kopinski/Icon Sportswire)


</p>The Ottawa Senators have traded Robin Lehner and David Legwand to the Buffalo Sabres for the 21st overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. The trade ends weeks of speculation that began when the Senators signed Andrew Hammond to a three-year one-way contract on May 20th, a move that left the Sens with three NHL goaltenders.



The*Senators now own two 1st round selections*in today’s draft, at 18th and 21st overall.*The team*would have paid Legwand $3 million this season, a large price tag on what amounted to minimal production from the aging centre last season.… read more

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[HF Article]

The Top 5 undersized prospects available for the 2015 NHL Draft

Photo: U.S. NTDP forward and 2015 prospect Jeremy Bracco is likely to have his name called in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)


</p>For as long as hockey has existed, there have been small, undersized players that have found a way to change the game like very few can. Theoren Fleury, Glenn Resch, Martin St. Louis, Johnny Gaudreau, and Tyler Johnson–they’ve all been told they were too small, too short, and just not big enough for a sport of giants; but they never listened. Call it heart, call it willful ignorance, or thick skin, these players defied the odds in a league with an archaic belief that size matters; and they did it well.… read more

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[HF Article]

2015 NHL Draft: Notes and Numbers from Sunrise

Photo: The Arizona Coyotes’ Dylan Strome (L), Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (C), and Buffalo Sabres’ Jack Eichel were the top three picks of the 2015 NHL Draft (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)


</p> Perhaps the most anticipated NHL Draft in the past decade is now in the books. The 2015 draft class of 211 players, led by top talents Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, have found new homes in the NHL and will begin their journey to a pro career beginning with the coming summer development camps put on by the 30 NHL clubs.

The 2015 NHL Draft was hosted by the Florida Panthers at their home arena, the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL.… read more

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[NickLidstrom]

Really gonna miss him. I wish him the best with the Sabres.

 

[HF Article]

2015 NHL Draft Review: Eriksson Ek, Larsson lead talented but reduced group from Swed

Photo: Linkoping defenseman Gabriel Carlsson was one of two defenders chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)


</p>Sweden once again proved to be the hottest European commodity at the NHL Draft. This is a trend that began in 2011, when Sweden saw an outstanding and record-setting 28 players taken, eight more than the year before. In 2012, another 22 were selected. In 2013, that number increased slightly, seeing another 25 Swedes taken. Then it 2014, it became 31, 28 of whom were Swedish-born.

Nonetheless, as Sweden’s junior year saw the country bow out of the World Junior Championship (WJC)*with a*fourth place finish after an upset loss to Slovakia for the bronze medal, and then a lackluster and surprisingly inefficient U18 team only registering one victory over Germany before being taken out handily by Canada in the first playoff round, it is no surprise that the number of Swedes taken this summer dropped to 20, of whom four spent the season in North America.… read more

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[HF Article]

2016 NHL Draft: Big Finns Puljujarvi, Laine amongst top 2016 European prospects

Photo: Karpat forward Jesse Puljujarvi (L) and Omsk forward Dmitri Sokolov (R) are among the top forwards out of Europe for the 2016 NHL Draft (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images and Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)


</p>The 2015 NHL Draft has come and gone. While most NHL teams and their fans are still pondering the possibilities of their new assets heading into the future, the next draft class from Europe is preparing itself for a big 2015-16 season, which at the moment has a number of extremely fascinating talents that scouts are very excited to see starting next month at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Bratislava, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic.… read more

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[HF Article]

2015 Ivan Hlinka Preview: Canada looks to continue domination of season's first draft

Photo: Team Canada forward Tyler Benson will have the role of an alternate captain at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, as he did for the Canada Black squad at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge (courtesy of Aaron Bell/CHL Images)


</p> By June of 2016, a large number of the young men who will be participating in this week’s Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Breclav, Czech Republic and Bratislava, Slovakia will be the focus next year’s NHL Draft. The historical tournament will feature what are nominally considered the world’s eight best ice hockey nations divided into the following two groups:

Breclav***************** Bratislava

Czech Republic*** Slovakia

Canada***************** Finland

Sweden**************** Russia

Switzerland**********USA

A novelty for the international ice hockey community, the event will likely be visited by no less than 120 scouts from all NHL teams and a number of other organizations, most of whom will be officially kicking off their 2015-16 season.… read more

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[HF Article]

(Video) 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: Jacob Cederholm, Sweden

Photo: Team Sweden defenseman Jacob Cederholm is serving as team captain for the Swedes at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)


</p>Team Sweden faced off against archrival Finland in the semifinals of the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament on Friday, posting a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Finns to advance to the gold medal game against Canada.

Sweden managed to get out of the first period tied at 1 despite facing a barrage of 22 shots off the sticks of Finnish players. Sweden outshot Finland the rest of the way, however, scoring the game-winning goal in the third period and ensuring themselves of a medal for the first time since the 2012 tournament.… read more

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[HF Article]

(Video) 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: William Fallstrom, Sweden

Photo: Team Sweden forward William Fallstrom competed for Drugardens IF in the 2014-15 season, and will eventually move to North America to play NCAA hockey in 2017 (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)


</p>Team Sweden needed a hero in their semifinal matchup against Finland at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and, with a little over 13 minutes left in regulation time, they found one in the form of forward William Fallstrom. Fallstrom tipped home a point shot by Alexander Nylander to give Sweden the 2-1 lead, a lead that would hold up for the remainder of the game.

Sweden’s first goal of the game also came on a tip-in, with defenseman David Deutsch deflecting the puck past Finnish goaltender Severi Isokangas to give the Swedes what would be a short-lived 1-0 lead in the first period.… read more

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[HF Article]

(Video) 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: Filip Gustavsson, Sweden

Photo: Lulea goaltender Filip Gustavsson has prior international experience with Team Sweden, including last year’s World U-17 Hockey Challenge (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)


</p>While William Fallstrom may have been the scoring hero for Team Sweden in their semifinal win over Finland at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the player that held things together for the Swedes for much of the game was goaltender Filip Gustavsson.

Gustavsson shut the door after Fallstrom scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, allowing Sweden to move on to the gold medal game with a 2-1 victory. Even more impressive was Gustavsson’s first period performance, where he gave up just one goal on 22 shots fired his way by Finland, helping Sweden avoid what could have been a disastrous opening frame.… read more

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[HF Article]

(Video) 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: Alexander Nylander, Sweden

Photo: Team Sweden forward Alexander Nylander competed for AIK in the 2014-15, but could move to North America for the 2015-16 season (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)


</p>Team Sweden forward Alexander Nylander came into the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament as a player that was expected to create some offense for his team at this event. While Nylander was relatively quiet in the preliminary round of the tournament, he was the offensive catalyst in Sweden’s semifinal win over Finland.

Nylander posted two assists for Sweden as they downed the Finns 2-1 to earn the right to face Canada for the gold medal.… read more

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[HF Article]

2015 Prospect Tournaments: Rangers' Andersson set to run with the WolfPack this seaso

Photo: New York Rangers defensive prospect Calle Andersson split his time between EV Zug and HC Lugano in the Swiss National League A last season, totaling six goals and 20 points in 48 games (courtesy of Hannu Rissanen/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)


</p> Calle Andersson knows there are going to be ups and downs this season.

The New York Rangers prospect is making the move from Europe and it’s larger expansive ice surface, to North America where he’s expected to play with the Hartford WolfPack in the American Hockey League.

“I don’t think the ice is that much of a difference for me,†Andersson* said.… read more

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[HF Article]

2015-16 SHL Preview, Pt. 1: Talented youngsters should help Brynas be the best among

Photo: Rogle BK forward Christopher Liljewall will captain his team in the 2015-16 SHL season after turning in his best offensive season in 2014-15 (courtesy of City-Press via Getty Images)


</p>As in years past, this fall will see pro hockey in Sweden at the SHL and Allsvenskan level kick off with a virtual army of NHL-drafted players. Many of these young men will be taking their first steps at the pro level and, as has been proven time and time again, the world of professional hockey in Sweden has often served as the ideal step towards a long-term NHL career.

In the following paragraphs, Hockey’s Future will take you through its league predictions while previewing the teams in a way relevant for NHL fans curious about what SHL names – whether young or old, drafted or non-drafted – they may be seeing in the not so distant future.… read more

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[HF Article]

2015-16 SHL Preview, Pt. 2: Linkoping the best of the middle of the pack

Photo: Calgary Flames prospect Adam Ollas Mattsson (L) and Ottawa Senators prospect Andreas Englund (R) will be a part of a Djurgarden defense that includes many players with NHL potential (courtesy of Djurgarden Stockholm/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)


</p>In part one of this 2015-16 Swedish Hockey League (SHL) preview, Hockey’s Future looked at the teams ranked 11 thru 14. In part two of this preview, we will now take a look at the teams in the middle of the rankings, in slots*6 thru 10. Part three will look at the top five teams in the SHL.

10. Djurgarden

It is Stockholm’s team and it is one of the most tradition-filled clubs in Sweden.… read more

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[HF Article]

Prospect Faceoff: Pair of Flyers prospects back to junior, QMJHL playmakers collide,

Photo: Barrie Colts forward and Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane goes head-to-head with Ottawa 67’s forward and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Travis Konecny on opening weekend in the OHL (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)


</p>Prospect Faceoff returns to Hockey’s Future with a pair of recently re-assigned Philadelphia Flyers prospects kicking off their junior season in style. In Ottawa, Travis Konecny goes one-on-one against one of 2015’s breakout stars in Andrew Mangiapane. Another Flyers prospect recently returned to his junior team, Travis Sanheim, goes against a steady performer in Luke Philp. The QMJHL is already underway, and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Dmytro Timashov’s playmaking abilities will be tested against Nicolas Meloche.… read more

The post Prospect Faceoff: Pair of Flyers prospects back to junior, QMJHL playmakers collide, and opening weekend in the USHL appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

Photo: Teammates during the 2014-15 season, Farjestad forward and Minnesota Wild prospect Joel Eriksson Ek (L) and Lulea forward Toni Rajala (R) now are on opposing teams in 2015-16, with Farjestad and Lulea both being among the top clubs in the SHL (courtesy of Farjestad Karlstad/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)


</p>Parts one and two covered the teams ranked sixth through 14th in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2015-16 season. Now, part three of this Hockey’s Future season preview looks at the top five teams in the SHL, as ranked by HF. The top five includes 2014-15 league champion, the Vaxjo*Lakers, as well as perennial*contender Skelleftea.… read more

The post 2015-16 SHL Preview, Pt. 3: Frolunda, Skelleftea should battle for league supremacy appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

Prospect Faceoff: Notable Arizona Coyotes prospects compete this weekend, clash of st

Photo: Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Nicolas Roy will go head-to-head against Val d’Or Foreurs forward and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Nicholas Aube-Kubel this weekend in in QMJHL action (courtesy of Francois Laplante/FreestylePhoto/Getty Images)


</p>Four Arizona Coyotes prospects are in competition this weekend, starting with Ryan MacInnis and Kyle Capobianco, who lock horns in Northern Ontario. Dysin Mayo takes on a potential rival, and Jens Looke rounds out the Coyotes’ entrants in this week’s Prospect Faceoff.

In the QMJHL, two players with decidedly different approaches to the game will go one-on-one, so too will a pair of young American prospects competing in the USHL this season before heading off to college hockey.… read more

The post Prospect Faceoff: Notable Arizona Coyotes prospects compete this weekend, clash of styles in Quebec appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

Prospect Faceoff: Pair of newly-minted captains clash, plus draft-eligibles in the NA

Photo: Kootenay Ice forward and St. Louis Blues prospect Jaedon Descheneau (L), and Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Provorov are one of the marquee, head-to-head NHL prospect encounters this weekend (courtesy of Derek Leung/Getty Images and Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)


</p>Leadership is often one of the first things teams discuss when evaluating prospects, and for Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters and Timo Meier of the Halifax Mooseheads, both players will adorn new letters this year. In the WHL, a surprising early cut from training camp faces off against a diminutive forward, and two draft-eligible players from the NAHL, as well as two Ottawa Senators prospects lead their teams into weekend action.… read more

The post Prospect Faceoff: Pair of newly-minted captains clash, plus draft-eligibles in the NAHL, Senators’ prospects in the SHL appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

Prospect Impressions: Windsor's McCool plays on-ice soccer with DiGiacinto, Lundqvist

Photo: Windsor Spitfires forward and 2016 prospect Hayden McCool was eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft but was passed over by the 30 NHL clubs (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)


</p> Ever wonder what would happen if soccer and hockey had a mash-up? Well, Windsor Spitfires forwards Hayden McCool and Cristiano DiGiacinto came up with an interesting rendition. In a bit of backwards poetry in motion, Tyler Parsons, a goaltender, scores a goal and Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner moonlights as a goaltender. That plus plenty of individual goal-scoring highlights in this week’s Prospect Impressions!

Most times when a two-on-one develops, it is a clear scoring opportunity because both players have their full complement of equipment.… read more

The post Prospect Impressions: Windsor’s McCool plays on-ice soccer with DiGiacinto, Lundqvist is still the King, more highlights from around the globe appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

(Video) First NHL Goal: Svedberg nets lone Blackhawks' goal in losing cause

Photo: Chicago Blackhawks rookie defenseman Viktor Svedberg (R) is congratulated by his teammates after netting his first NHL goal (courtesy of Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)


</p> While it was not a memorable game for the Chicago Blackhawks, the loss may still hold some significance for defenseman Viktor Svedberg as the big Swede notched his first NHL goal in the Blackhawks 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Shortly after the Capitals scored to make it 3-0 in the third period, the Blackhawks moved the puck into the Washington zone. Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin gained control of the puck in the left corner, then moved it back to the left point to a rushing Svedberg.… read more

The post (Video) First NHL Goal: Svedberg nets lone Blackhawks’ goal in losing cause appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

Prospect Impressions: McDavid heats up, three overtime game-winners, more highlights

Photo: Farjestad BK forward and Minnesota Wild prospect Joel Eriksson Ek (#20) should be a prominent player for Sweden at the 2016 World Junior Championship (courtesy HC Dynamo Pardubice/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)


</p>Connor McDavid came through for the Edmonton Oilers this weekend, and is centering one of the most interesting forward combinations so far this year. The Erie Otters miss him, but still boast a perfect record thanks to some tremendous passing. Lawson Crouse and Conor McGlynn helped Kingston to a pair of overtime victories, and Joel Eriksson Ek did the same for Farjestad BK. This and more in this week’s edition of Prospect Impressions.… read more

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[HF Article]

Prospect Impressions: Opilka, Bracco on fire in Kitchener, NHL rookies get initiated,

Photo: Kitchener Rangers forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jeremy Bracco elected to end his NCAA career after five games to join the Rangers this past week (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)


</p> The Kitchener Rangers are off to a hot start thanks to a pair of former U.S. recruits. In the AHL, a pretty shootout move is only trumped by a goaltender who makes three saves in three seconds. In Sweden, a 15 year old prospect is raising some eyebrows with awe-inspiring moves of his own. Finally, the NHL is in full swing and Jack Eichel scored again, a pair of rookies have the ice to themselves, and Captain Clutch rocks out in Chicago.… read more

The post Prospect Impressions: Opilka, Bracco on fire in Kitchener, NHL rookies get initiated, more from the AHL and Sweden appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[HF Article]

2016 NHL Draft: No change at top of ISS draft rankings for November

Photo: London Knights forward and 2016 prospect Matthew Tkachuk has made an easy transition to the OHL as he is currently ranked third in scoring for 2015-16 (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)


</p>No news is good news for the players sitting atop ISS Hockey’s November ranking of the top 30 prospects available for the 2016 NHL Draft. There is no change among the top 5 players from last month’s ranking, with Auston Matthews standing steady as the top prospect.

The American-born Matthews has settled into Switzerland’s National League A quite well, where he currently sits 13th in scoring after 14 games with 10 goals and 16 points.… read more

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[HF Article]

Prospect Faceoff: Demko’s shutout streak in jeopardy, Canada-Russia series continues,

Photo: Boston College goaltender and Vancouver Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko, and Michigan State forward and St. Louis Blues prospect Mackenzie MacEachern go head-to-head in NCAA action this weekend (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images and Dave Reginek/Getty Images)


</p>Can anyone beat Vancouver Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko? Mackenzie MacEachern and the Michigan State Spartans are going to try to break Demko’s second long shutout streak of the season. The CHL Canada Russia Series continues this week, as Ottawa 67’s captain Travis Konecny is hoping to stay hot. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Cody Donaghey will try to slow down Conor Garland’s assault on the scoresheet, while Brendan Guhle will attempt to do the same against Jayce Hawryluk.… read more

The post Prospect Faceoff: Demko’s shutout streak in jeopardy, Canada-Russia series continues, premier matchups from the CHL, SHL appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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