Ohio Jones
Game on...
After climbing up to the top third of HFNHL farm systems, the Blue Jackets will crash back to earth after a season of graduations and trades.
Graduated since last update:
L/RW Arthur Kaliyev
RD Braden Schneider
LW Joe Snively
LW Jeffrey Truchon-Viel
Moved since last update:
LW Jake Neighbours
LD Ty Smith
LW Adam Beckman
G Isaiah Saville
We’ll slip even further after yet another entry draft without a pick in the top three rounds - the last of the payments for acquiring captain Victor Hedman, which kicked off a three-year push to contender status.
Prospect Ranking - April 2023
1. C/RW Kirill Marchenko (3/68 2018)
One of the best stories of the 2022-23 NHL season, Marchenko has quickly won over the fans in Columbus with his Cy Young rookie season, combined with a fun-loving, infectious attitude. Has earned top line duties with Boone Jenner and Johnny Hockey, albeit on a bottom-feeding team. A long way from a complete player this early in his career, but he seems willing to do the work to learn. His 20 goals in 50 games since coming up in December puts him at a 32-goal pace, tied for second in NHL rookie goal scoring with Marty Beniers, behind only the Stars’ Wyatt Johnson (21).
2. C Marat Khusnutdinov (Trade 2023)
In a league that is notorious for making young players wait years to earn icetime, Khusnutdinov is the top scoring under-23 player in the KHL. Put another way, his 41 points this season puts him comfortably in the top 5 all time among 20 year olds in the KHL, alongside names like Tarasenko, Kuznetsov and Kaprizov. Khus is more of a playmaker, but he’s earned that opportunity by using his speed, smarts and drive to engage in the play at both ends. Wins draws, too, and has even grown a bit. Makes me feel better about the Huberdeau deal.
3. G Lukas Dostal (3/71 2018)
Dostal has made the transition to NHL goaltender this season, as he has split time with Ducks starter John Gibson behind a truly atrocious Ducks squad that has hemorrhaged more shots and chances than any other team - by a wide margin. And Dostal has proven to be a steady presence. Next year will be another rough one, but the rookie’s path is clear: he is clearly positioned as the Ducks starter of the future, and will continue to learn, grow and The mature with their core of young stars.
4. RW Xavier Bourgault (Trade 2023)
Like Khusnutdinov, Bourgault makes up for a slightly below NHL average frame with a combination of speed, skill and flat-out hustle. He has been been adapting well to his first pro season, contributing to both special teams for Bakersfield while also putting up points at even strength. Looks to be a strong playmaker off the boards, although he’ll need to continue developing the rest of his game to have a chance at coming up as a pivot rather than a winger.
5. LW Will Cuylle (3/69 2020)
A heck of a year. Coming off last year’s Memorial Cup and World Juniors experience, Cuylle hasn’t missed a beat transitioning to the pro game. He leads the Hartford Wolfpack in scoring, is top 5 in AHL rookie goals and top 10 in points, and has even appeared in four games on Broadway. He looks every bit the middle six power forward he projected to be, and is sure to be a Black Ace in the Rangers’ playoff run, gaining even more valuable experience. He’ll challenge for a full time roster spot next fall.
6. C/LW Tye Kartye (FA 2022)
The undrafted Greyhound caught the eye of Soo Legend - and NHL Seattle GM - Ron Francis, who saw a heavy middle six winger with a scoring touch. So far, so good: Kartye is third in both goals and points for the surprising Firebirds (behind fellow HFNHL Jackets prospect Kole Lind), and is your AHL rookie leader in points, and second in goals. For an NHL club that desperately needs scoring, Kartye could be a valuable part of the young core they’re building. He’s learning to play both special teams, and can line up at centre, too, which adds to his potential usefulness at the next level. We’ll see what the Kraken do with him next fall after Coachella’s upcoming playoff run.
7. LD Wyatt Kaiser (Trade 2022)
Kaiser made his pro debut with Chicago this spring after completing a strong junior season at Minnesota-Duluth. Kaiser is a slick-skating, puck-moving, cerebral defender who makes up for a slightly smaller-than-average frame with anticipation and good gap control. With Chicago tearing everything down to the studs, he’ll get every opportunity to learn on the job.
8. LW Jakub Lauko (2/40 2018)
The feisty Czech winger has impressed his coaches and the Bruins brass with his willingness to do whatever it takes to bring energy to the club - including drop the gloves. He is very fast, very irritating to play against, and has decent enough hands to move up the lineup in limited action. He’ll be a Black Ace to start the playoffs, but is likely the first forward to be called in the event of an injury to a starter. He’ll have every chance to win a regular job next season.
9. G Clay Stevenson (FA 2022)
Stevenson has made a seamless adjustment to the pros after his sophomore season at Dartmouth. He posted a .918 save% with the ECHL Stingrays, and actually improved on that going .924 with the AHL Bears (albeit in a small sample size). He’ll move up to Hershey full time next season, and continued steady play will earn him some chances backing up HFNHL Jackets teammate Darcy Kuemper within the next two years. The development of Dostal and Stevenson made it possible for the Jackets to include goalies like Keith Petruzzelli and Isaiah Saville in trades over the past 12 months.
10. C/RW Kole Lind (2/50 2017)
Lind has been a huge stabilizing presence on the fledgling Coachella squad, anchoring their top line and providing a driving energy throughout their surprising season that will continue into the AHL playoffs. At 24 he remains a bubble NHLer who likely fits best on an energy line, but with the experience and confidence he’s gained as a young leader this season, I’m hesitant to count him out for a meaningful HFNHL role in the future.
11. LD Taige Harding (6/166 2021)
Behemoth sophomore had a breakout season for the Providence Friars at both ends of the ice. A long-term project who could be an intriguing part of Chicago’s scorched earth rebuild - and might even be a suitable partner for Wyatt Kaiser down the road.
12. RD Ethan Samson (6/183 2021)
Cougars Captain was a late cut from Canada’s World Juniors squad. Big defender can skate well, sees the ice and has a right handed shot, which may explain why the Flyers signed him to a rookie contract in January.
13. LD William Trudeau (Trade 2022)
Two-way player leads blueline scoring for Laval as a rookie with 25 points, after working last summer with the Habs’ development staff. Positive trajectory.
14. LW Henrik Rybinski (5/148 2019)
Skilled playmaker earned a contract from Washington and has had a decent season finding his feet in the AHL with Hershey. Project will take time to develop.
15. G Ivan Fedotov (FA 2022)
Leaving Fedotov on this list because, before the insanity of the Russian invasion of Ukraine cost him the entire season, he was quite possibly the best goaltender outside the NHL. We’ll just have to see what happens after his compulsory military service is completed. A real lottery ticket.
16. RD Jett Woo (1/29 2018)
17. LW Arnaud Durandeau (FA 2021)
18. LD Nick Cicek (FA 2022)
19. RD Luke Prokop (5/130 2020)
20. LW Hugh McGing (FA 2020)
21. RW Jake Chiasson (5/134 2021)
22. C/LW Adam Klapka (FA 2022)
23. RD Simon Johansson (FA 2022)
24. RW Avery Hayes (FA 2022)
25. LD Cam Dineen (Trade)
Graduated since last update:
L/RW Arthur Kaliyev
RD Braden Schneider
LW Joe Snively
LW Jeffrey Truchon-Viel
Moved since last update:
LW Jake Neighbours
LD Ty Smith
LW Adam Beckman
G Isaiah Saville
We’ll slip even further after yet another entry draft without a pick in the top three rounds - the last of the payments for acquiring captain Victor Hedman, which kicked off a three-year push to contender status.
Prospect Ranking - April 2023
1. C/RW Kirill Marchenko (3/68 2018)
One of the best stories of the 2022-23 NHL season, Marchenko has quickly won over the fans in Columbus with his Cy Young rookie season, combined with a fun-loving, infectious attitude. Has earned top line duties with Boone Jenner and Johnny Hockey, albeit on a bottom-feeding team. A long way from a complete player this early in his career, but he seems willing to do the work to learn. His 20 goals in 50 games since coming up in December puts him at a 32-goal pace, tied for second in NHL rookie goal scoring with Marty Beniers, behind only the Stars’ Wyatt Johnson (21).
2. C Marat Khusnutdinov (Trade 2023)
In a league that is notorious for making young players wait years to earn icetime, Khusnutdinov is the top scoring under-23 player in the KHL. Put another way, his 41 points this season puts him comfortably in the top 5 all time among 20 year olds in the KHL, alongside names like Tarasenko, Kuznetsov and Kaprizov. Khus is more of a playmaker, but he’s earned that opportunity by using his speed, smarts and drive to engage in the play at both ends. Wins draws, too, and has even grown a bit. Makes me feel better about the Huberdeau deal.
3. G Lukas Dostal (3/71 2018)
Dostal has made the transition to NHL goaltender this season, as he has split time with Ducks starter John Gibson behind a truly atrocious Ducks squad that has hemorrhaged more shots and chances than any other team - by a wide margin. And Dostal has proven to be a steady presence. Next year will be another rough one, but the rookie’s path is clear: he is clearly positioned as the Ducks starter of the future, and will continue to learn, grow and The mature with their core of young stars.
4. RW Xavier Bourgault (Trade 2023)
Like Khusnutdinov, Bourgault makes up for a slightly below NHL average frame with a combination of speed, skill and flat-out hustle. He has been been adapting well to his first pro season, contributing to both special teams for Bakersfield while also putting up points at even strength. Looks to be a strong playmaker off the boards, although he’ll need to continue developing the rest of his game to have a chance at coming up as a pivot rather than a winger.
5. LW Will Cuylle (3/69 2020)
A heck of a year. Coming off last year’s Memorial Cup and World Juniors experience, Cuylle hasn’t missed a beat transitioning to the pro game. He leads the Hartford Wolfpack in scoring, is top 5 in AHL rookie goals and top 10 in points, and has even appeared in four games on Broadway. He looks every bit the middle six power forward he projected to be, and is sure to be a Black Ace in the Rangers’ playoff run, gaining even more valuable experience. He’ll challenge for a full time roster spot next fall.
6. C/LW Tye Kartye (FA 2022)
The undrafted Greyhound caught the eye of Soo Legend - and NHL Seattle GM - Ron Francis, who saw a heavy middle six winger with a scoring touch. So far, so good: Kartye is third in both goals and points for the surprising Firebirds (behind fellow HFNHL Jackets prospect Kole Lind), and is your AHL rookie leader in points, and second in goals. For an NHL club that desperately needs scoring, Kartye could be a valuable part of the young core they’re building. He’s learning to play both special teams, and can line up at centre, too, which adds to his potential usefulness at the next level. We’ll see what the Kraken do with him next fall after Coachella’s upcoming playoff run.
7. LD Wyatt Kaiser (Trade 2022)
Kaiser made his pro debut with Chicago this spring after completing a strong junior season at Minnesota-Duluth. Kaiser is a slick-skating, puck-moving, cerebral defender who makes up for a slightly smaller-than-average frame with anticipation and good gap control. With Chicago tearing everything down to the studs, he’ll get every opportunity to learn on the job.
8. LW Jakub Lauko (2/40 2018)
The feisty Czech winger has impressed his coaches and the Bruins brass with his willingness to do whatever it takes to bring energy to the club - including drop the gloves. He is very fast, very irritating to play against, and has decent enough hands to move up the lineup in limited action. He’ll be a Black Ace to start the playoffs, but is likely the first forward to be called in the event of an injury to a starter. He’ll have every chance to win a regular job next season.
9. G Clay Stevenson (FA 2022)
Stevenson has made a seamless adjustment to the pros after his sophomore season at Dartmouth. He posted a .918 save% with the ECHL Stingrays, and actually improved on that going .924 with the AHL Bears (albeit in a small sample size). He’ll move up to Hershey full time next season, and continued steady play will earn him some chances backing up HFNHL Jackets teammate Darcy Kuemper within the next two years. The development of Dostal and Stevenson made it possible for the Jackets to include goalies like Keith Petruzzelli and Isaiah Saville in trades over the past 12 months.
10. C/RW Kole Lind (2/50 2017)
Lind has been a huge stabilizing presence on the fledgling Coachella squad, anchoring their top line and providing a driving energy throughout their surprising season that will continue into the AHL playoffs. At 24 he remains a bubble NHLer who likely fits best on an energy line, but with the experience and confidence he’s gained as a young leader this season, I’m hesitant to count him out for a meaningful HFNHL role in the future.
11. LD Taige Harding (6/166 2021)
Behemoth sophomore had a breakout season for the Providence Friars at both ends of the ice. A long-term project who could be an intriguing part of Chicago’s scorched earth rebuild - and might even be a suitable partner for Wyatt Kaiser down the road.
12. RD Ethan Samson (6/183 2021)
Cougars Captain was a late cut from Canada’s World Juniors squad. Big defender can skate well, sees the ice and has a right handed shot, which may explain why the Flyers signed him to a rookie contract in January.
13. LD William Trudeau (Trade 2022)
Two-way player leads blueline scoring for Laval as a rookie with 25 points, after working last summer with the Habs’ development staff. Positive trajectory.
14. LW Henrik Rybinski (5/148 2019)
Skilled playmaker earned a contract from Washington and has had a decent season finding his feet in the AHL with Hershey. Project will take time to develop.
15. G Ivan Fedotov (FA 2022)
Leaving Fedotov on this list because, before the insanity of the Russian invasion of Ukraine cost him the entire season, he was quite possibly the best goaltender outside the NHL. We’ll just have to see what happens after his compulsory military service is completed. A real lottery ticket.
16. RD Jett Woo (1/29 2018)
17. LW Arnaud Durandeau (FA 2021)
18. LD Nick Cicek (FA 2022)
19. RD Luke Prokop (5/130 2020)
20. LW Hugh McGing (FA 2020)
21. RW Jake Chiasson (5/134 2021)
22. C/LW Adam Klapka (FA 2022)
23. RD Simon Johansson (FA 2022)
24. RW Avery Hayes (FA 2022)
25. LD Cam Dineen (Trade)
