HFNHLOilers
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The Wings have 2 players fully graduated that will be part of the core in Jake Debrusk, and Rasmus Andersson both players set to earn bigger roles in the NHL. Jack Hughes will also be officially graduated once the HFNHL season starts but will remain on this list for now.
1st Jack Hughes center
Last years first overall pick will not appear on this list again when we do our top 20 mid season rankings. The small center looked okay flashing signs of why he was first overall. However, it also showed that he was going from high school level hockey right into the NHL more often. It did not help that the Devils have been a train wreck can’t decide to rebuild or compete. Hughes still has all the potential in the world to become the number 1 center of this franchise for a long time.
Projection: Number 1 center
2nd Jamie Drysdale Defense
As stated, when I drafted him, I suspect he will not join an NHL team this season no matter where he is drafted. The big question is where he will play if the world situation does not improve. Besides that, the 4th overall pick this season, is the modern-day top pairing defender. He is mobile, with great IQ who can play aggressive or back when the situation calls for it. The hope of course, is that he is our number 1 blue liner for a long time.
Projection: Top pairing blue liner
3rd Cole Perfetti Forward
It is unclear if he will play center at the pro level, most scouts think his game will translate better at wing which is why we were happy to select him 6th overall. He is an average skater which is a bit concerning for his size, but his hockey IQ and hands just seem to make him appear to be an elite winger. Will be another guy curious to see where he plays if the CHL can not play. As he is not ready for the NHL needs to put on some size before making the jump. He projects to be a top line player when all is said and done, the question really is what position.
Projection: Top line offensive forward
4th Gabriel Vilardi Center
What a feel-good story if he can keep the momentum going next season in the NHL. There were questions if he would ever even play hockey again let alone make the NHL. However, this season he returned, a bit into the season an had a good enough AHL season to earn a call up that only ended because of the world situation. Vilardi had 7 points in 10gp for the Kings as they enter a full rebuild, he figured to be a big part of that team going forward. He looks to be a top 6 forward if he can stay healthy and continue to play well.
Projection: Top 6 center
5th Cal Foote Defense
Foote was a guy I liked in his draft class, however my father convinced me that he was not worth the pick. Now acquired in a trade and still owning the guy I picked over him will be interesting to see who was right. Foote has all the makings to be a solid top 4 defender and has beaten my offensive projections for him in the AHL. Tampa is going to be in tough as always with cap space and a few pending UFAs he may crack the NHL this year.
Projection: Top 4 defender
6th Jake Oettinger Goalie
The American had a good first AHL season keeping him in the conversation of still being a legit NHL goalie prospect. Of course, goalies are very tricky to fully pin down, but Oettinger is our current best bet to be the starter of the future. The question is how long will it take we see guys like Demko, and Shesterkin having to buy time due to goalies in their way right now Bishop is a top tier goalie, and Khudobin a good back up as you can get. Time will be needed along with patience as hopefully he does not get frustrated like Gillies did before him.
Projection: Starting goalie
7th Joseph Veleno Center
His first official season in the AHL was not great looking just at the number’s standpoint. However, a quick look at their respective roster and record is was not hard to see this was not a good team. Veleno was once an exceptional talent who is obviously not the McDavid/Tavares types where they go on to dominate. However, I do feel his skill set projects to be a solid middle six forward. If him Hughes and Vilardi all reach their peaks it will leave a very good position down the middle in Detroit. I still have faith that he will be a good player for the future just needs some time to develop.
Projection: Middle six center
8th Pierre Oliver Joseph Defense
Remember Foote? This was the guy I selected before him, much more the ying and yang. Joseph had a decent offensive season on the blue line as a rookie. There are some questions still about his size, and his defensive in zone play. However, if both Foote and Joseph develop, they could form a great pair as they cover for each other short comings. He should be the PP QB top four defender for a long time if he develops properly still needs to fill into his body.
Projection: Top 4 defender
9th Filip Westerlund Defense
Westerlund is not going to light the world on fire, he is a smooth skating defense man, who can play both sides of the puck. He compares to Stralman who is a solid top 4 guy for a long time but never really a guy you notice on the ice. He will never really be a top end defender likely tops out as a number 4 but plays a good game. He too needs to get stronger to fulfill his potential,
Projection: Top 6 Defender
10th Lukas Cormier Defense
Cormier is Joseph 2.0, lanky defender who has great skating and good offensive talent. He needs to fill out, and work on his defensive game much like many young offensive minded defenders. Will be interesting to see how he develops but I think he might be a lesser talent than Joseph and more a bottom pairing PP specialist.
Projection: Top 6 defender
11th Klim Kostin Winger
Klim has fallen not because he has not developed poorly, but because we finally know what he projects to be better now, and the list has gotten much deeper. The big bodied power forward had his best AHL season and even earned a cup of coffee in the NHL he likely is more of a middle six winger. The Blues have a lot of cap issues coming up and may need to make some moves which in lead can of course open a spot on the bottom half of their line up for Kostin to make his mark. I fear if he takes much longer to make the NHL the Russian will flee back home.
Projection: Middle six winger
12th Roby Jarventie Winger
The Swedish version of Kostin in we will see just what he is in a few years, another big body who can put the puck in the back of the net. Unlike Kostin when I drafted him, he needs to fill in his body and get stronger, but he is much younger. Time will tell just how he turns out he is a long-term project who, can be a top 6 or another middle six player. We really like the upside of a potential 30 goal scorer if he develops right.
Projection: Middle Six Winger
13th Joni Jurmo Defender
At 6 foot 4, scouts rave about his skating especially for a bigger guy. Jurmo, is not known for his offensive game, though it should be solid enough if he develops well. He is more known for his solid defensive play, he could stand to use his body more, but that can be taught. How great would it be if he and Cormier made it again like Foote/Joseph could be a good pairing to compliment each other in the future.
Projection: Top 4 defender
14th Noah Gregor Winger
Gregor really hit the ground running in the AHL this season, and as the Sharks struggled, he got his shot and appears to have stuck in the NHL. He did not put up a ton of points, but he was mainly on the 4th line, so 8 points in 28 games as a rookie on the 4th line is impressive. Will be interesting to see as the Sharks start to retool with an aging roster, just what kind of role he can carve out. I think, he still works out as a bottom 6 guys. But like the man below him I would not be mad if he carves out a bigger role.
Projection: Bottom 6 forward
15th Ryan Mcleod Center
Mcleod did better than I expected I still question his true upside, but he had a better year in fact he was on point behind Veleno. I think he will be more a bottom 6 player as I do not feel he has as good an offensive upside as Veleno. However, he might be a safer NHLer with a stronger two-way game already he is someone who could be an effective PK, 3rd energy guy down the road.
Projection: Bottom 6 center
16th Adam Ginning Defense
He will never be known for his offensive game, but more for his physical presence and sound defensive game. Ginning is a solid defensive defender who needs to work a bit on his skating if he is to ever make the NHL. However, he is in the Swedish elite league as a 20-year-old which means he is really trusted by his team. Will most likely end up at best as a PK bottom pairing defensive minded defender.
Projection: Top 6 PK specialist
17th Hunter Jones goalie
He had a much better season in the OHL this year, and almost played his way on to team Canada. He has been developing well, and still has upside to be a starting goalie one day. The reason he finds himself down this list is more to do with the uncertainty of goalies more than his play himself. Will be interesting to follow his career as he might be one of the best goalie prospects in Minny with Dubnyk aging.
Projection: Fringe NHL Starter/Good NHL back up
18th Ben Gleason Defense
Gleason has been all over this list last season he played amazing as a rookie defender especially with no hype. However, this year he struggled and was hurt and fallen off a bit. His bread and butter his offensive game and his skating, but still needs to work on the other end of the puck. I think he tops out as a PP specialist bottom pairing guy.
Projection: Bottom pairing PP guy
19th Zayde Wisdom Winger
Wisdom what you see is what you get, he hits you hard, works his ass off and just plays smart. He is the complimentary piece to champion calibre teams, he projects as the Zach Hymans, Tom Wilson, Michael Ferland. They do not get the love they deserve but they work their asses off and make space for the team’s stars.
Projection: Bottom 6 forward
20th Dmitri Ovchkinov Winger
Lots to love about this guy, he is fast, he has got a lethal shot some consider among the best of his draft class. The reason he falls 20th? He screams boom or bust, he does not work very hard, he does not like to play defense. He is small and needs to bulk up, and he needs to play top 6 or he will not have an impact.
Projection: Boom or bust top 6 winger
1st Jack Hughes center
Last years first overall pick will not appear on this list again when we do our top 20 mid season rankings. The small center looked okay flashing signs of why he was first overall. However, it also showed that he was going from high school level hockey right into the NHL more often. It did not help that the Devils have been a train wreck can’t decide to rebuild or compete. Hughes still has all the potential in the world to become the number 1 center of this franchise for a long time.
Projection: Number 1 center
2nd Jamie Drysdale Defense
As stated, when I drafted him, I suspect he will not join an NHL team this season no matter where he is drafted. The big question is where he will play if the world situation does not improve. Besides that, the 4th overall pick this season, is the modern-day top pairing defender. He is mobile, with great IQ who can play aggressive or back when the situation calls for it. The hope of course, is that he is our number 1 blue liner for a long time.
Projection: Top pairing blue liner
3rd Cole Perfetti Forward
It is unclear if he will play center at the pro level, most scouts think his game will translate better at wing which is why we were happy to select him 6th overall. He is an average skater which is a bit concerning for his size, but his hockey IQ and hands just seem to make him appear to be an elite winger. Will be another guy curious to see where he plays if the CHL can not play. As he is not ready for the NHL needs to put on some size before making the jump. He projects to be a top line player when all is said and done, the question really is what position.
Projection: Top line offensive forward
4th Gabriel Vilardi Center
What a feel-good story if he can keep the momentum going next season in the NHL. There were questions if he would ever even play hockey again let alone make the NHL. However, this season he returned, a bit into the season an had a good enough AHL season to earn a call up that only ended because of the world situation. Vilardi had 7 points in 10gp for the Kings as they enter a full rebuild, he figured to be a big part of that team going forward. He looks to be a top 6 forward if he can stay healthy and continue to play well.
Projection: Top 6 center
5th Cal Foote Defense
Foote was a guy I liked in his draft class, however my father convinced me that he was not worth the pick. Now acquired in a trade and still owning the guy I picked over him will be interesting to see who was right. Foote has all the makings to be a solid top 4 defender and has beaten my offensive projections for him in the AHL. Tampa is going to be in tough as always with cap space and a few pending UFAs he may crack the NHL this year.
Projection: Top 4 defender
6th Jake Oettinger Goalie
The American had a good first AHL season keeping him in the conversation of still being a legit NHL goalie prospect. Of course, goalies are very tricky to fully pin down, but Oettinger is our current best bet to be the starter of the future. The question is how long will it take we see guys like Demko, and Shesterkin having to buy time due to goalies in their way right now Bishop is a top tier goalie, and Khudobin a good back up as you can get. Time will be needed along with patience as hopefully he does not get frustrated like Gillies did before him.
Projection: Starting goalie
7th Joseph Veleno Center
His first official season in the AHL was not great looking just at the number’s standpoint. However, a quick look at their respective roster and record is was not hard to see this was not a good team. Veleno was once an exceptional talent who is obviously not the McDavid/Tavares types where they go on to dominate. However, I do feel his skill set projects to be a solid middle six forward. If him Hughes and Vilardi all reach their peaks it will leave a very good position down the middle in Detroit. I still have faith that he will be a good player for the future just needs some time to develop.
Projection: Middle six center
8th Pierre Oliver Joseph Defense
Remember Foote? This was the guy I selected before him, much more the ying and yang. Joseph had a decent offensive season on the blue line as a rookie. There are some questions still about his size, and his defensive in zone play. However, if both Foote and Joseph develop, they could form a great pair as they cover for each other short comings. He should be the PP QB top four defender for a long time if he develops properly still needs to fill into his body.
Projection: Top 4 defender
9th Filip Westerlund Defense
Westerlund is not going to light the world on fire, he is a smooth skating defense man, who can play both sides of the puck. He compares to Stralman who is a solid top 4 guy for a long time but never really a guy you notice on the ice. He will never really be a top end defender likely tops out as a number 4 but plays a good game. He too needs to get stronger to fulfill his potential,
Projection: Top 6 Defender
10th Lukas Cormier Defense
Cormier is Joseph 2.0, lanky defender who has great skating and good offensive talent. He needs to fill out, and work on his defensive game much like many young offensive minded defenders. Will be interesting to see how he develops but I think he might be a lesser talent than Joseph and more a bottom pairing PP specialist.
Projection: Top 6 defender
11th Klim Kostin Winger
Klim has fallen not because he has not developed poorly, but because we finally know what he projects to be better now, and the list has gotten much deeper. The big bodied power forward had his best AHL season and even earned a cup of coffee in the NHL he likely is more of a middle six winger. The Blues have a lot of cap issues coming up and may need to make some moves which in lead can of course open a spot on the bottom half of their line up for Kostin to make his mark. I fear if he takes much longer to make the NHL the Russian will flee back home.
Projection: Middle six winger
12th Roby Jarventie Winger
The Swedish version of Kostin in we will see just what he is in a few years, another big body who can put the puck in the back of the net. Unlike Kostin when I drafted him, he needs to fill in his body and get stronger, but he is much younger. Time will tell just how he turns out he is a long-term project who, can be a top 6 or another middle six player. We really like the upside of a potential 30 goal scorer if he develops right.
Projection: Middle Six Winger
13th Joni Jurmo Defender
At 6 foot 4, scouts rave about his skating especially for a bigger guy. Jurmo, is not known for his offensive game, though it should be solid enough if he develops well. He is more known for his solid defensive play, he could stand to use his body more, but that can be taught. How great would it be if he and Cormier made it again like Foote/Joseph could be a good pairing to compliment each other in the future.
Projection: Top 4 defender
14th Noah Gregor Winger
Gregor really hit the ground running in the AHL this season, and as the Sharks struggled, he got his shot and appears to have stuck in the NHL. He did not put up a ton of points, but he was mainly on the 4th line, so 8 points in 28 games as a rookie on the 4th line is impressive. Will be interesting to see as the Sharks start to retool with an aging roster, just what kind of role he can carve out. I think, he still works out as a bottom 6 guys. But like the man below him I would not be mad if he carves out a bigger role.
Projection: Bottom 6 forward
15th Ryan Mcleod Center
Mcleod did better than I expected I still question his true upside, but he had a better year in fact he was on point behind Veleno. I think he will be more a bottom 6 player as I do not feel he has as good an offensive upside as Veleno. However, he might be a safer NHLer with a stronger two-way game already he is someone who could be an effective PK, 3rd energy guy down the road.
Projection: Bottom 6 center
16th Adam Ginning Defense
He will never be known for his offensive game, but more for his physical presence and sound defensive game. Ginning is a solid defensive defender who needs to work a bit on his skating if he is to ever make the NHL. However, he is in the Swedish elite league as a 20-year-old which means he is really trusted by his team. Will most likely end up at best as a PK bottom pairing defensive minded defender.
Projection: Top 6 PK specialist
17th Hunter Jones goalie
He had a much better season in the OHL this year, and almost played his way on to team Canada. He has been developing well, and still has upside to be a starting goalie one day. The reason he finds himself down this list is more to do with the uncertainty of goalies more than his play himself. Will be interesting to follow his career as he might be one of the best goalie prospects in Minny with Dubnyk aging.
Projection: Fringe NHL Starter/Good NHL back up
18th Ben Gleason Defense
Gleason has been all over this list last season he played amazing as a rookie defender especially with no hype. However, this year he struggled and was hurt and fallen off a bit. His bread and butter his offensive game and his skating, but still needs to work on the other end of the puck. I think he tops out as a PP specialist bottom pairing guy.
Projection: Bottom pairing PP guy
19th Zayde Wisdom Winger
Wisdom what you see is what you get, he hits you hard, works his ass off and just plays smart. He is the complimentary piece to champion calibre teams, he projects as the Zach Hymans, Tom Wilson, Michael Ferland. They do not get the love they deserve but they work their asses off and make space for the team’s stars.
Projection: Bottom 6 forward
20th Dmitri Ovchkinov Winger
Lots to love about this guy, he is fast, he has got a lethal shot some consider among the best of his draft class. The reason he falls 20th? He screams boom or bust, he does not work very hard, he does not like to play defense. He is small and needs to bulk up, and he needs to play top 6 or he will not have an impact.
Projection: Boom or bust top 6 winger
