ANTHONY ANGELLO
Drafted in the fifth round (145th overall) in 2014 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Hockey's Future: "Angello has the size and nasty disposition of a prototypical power forward. He has an NHL-caliber frame, and is learning to be a better two-way player. He has excellent reach, which combined with his strength, makes him a strong presence down low and around the net. He also understands the expectations that come with his size, and plays a physical brand of hockey."
ZACH ASTON-REESE
Undrafted; signed as a free agent on March 14, 2017 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Sports Forecaster: "Plays a straight line, up-and-down game and can line up at either wing position. His strong lower base helps him win a fair number of board battles. Can produce solid offensive numbers, too. Needs to prove his success at the NCAA level can translate to the professional ranks (and especially at the highest level). Must also prove he does not wear down over the course of the season."
Kirk Luedeke, Red Line Report: "He's a smart, 200-foot kind of a guy. He doesn't have a ton of size, but he plays bigger. He's heavy on pucks, he's responsible, he's diligent, he works hard along the walls and he goes to the dirty areas and he's got some jam. The offense has really come up in the last couple of seasons, especially this season. That's what's getting a lot of people's attentions, but the foundation is there."
TEDDY BLUEGER
Drafted in the second round (52nd overall) in 2012 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
McKeen's Hockey: "Blueger returned from a successful World Junior Championship this past January thinking and playing the game with more speed and intensity. The added confidence was evident, as he led Shattuck-St. Mary's in scoring with 76 points in 42 games and finished the year strong winning the U-18 National Championship, absolutely dominating the tournament offensively. The most notable improvement to Blueger's game is his play in traffic and persistence around the net. He has a calming demeanor when handling the puck, as he is very patient to evaluate his options. Blueger has great anticipation and elite passing skills, which allow him to set up his teammates up with quality scoring opportunities. Keeping defensemen at arm's length gives him more time to find a play, as his puck-protection skills and ability to look off a pass usually confuse the opposition. Like many skilled offensive players, he uses the area behind his net as his office, and is able to use the goal as an obstacle between him and the defenseman. Physical play is an aspect that is almost non-existent in Blueger's game, however, he did show a willingness to play a pugilistic game at the Under-18 Nationals, running interference and sticking goalies. He was clearly Shattuck's most skilled and noticeable player since the New Year, showing a combination of superb offensive prowess with conscientious and responsible defensive play. Given the landscape of the NHL, Blueger's sharp offensive skills and exceptional hockey sense make him a sought-after player. Unable to stave off relegation for Team Latvia at the World Under-18 Championships, Blueger played well at the tournament despite a lack of support. Next season should be a pivotal one for his career and development, as he may forgo his commitment to Mankato and opt to go the CHL route to aid in his quest to the NHL."
BONUS: Blueger was listed on Red Line Report's 'Wayne Gretzky Trophy for Most Natural Hockey Sense': "Has sixth sense for knowing where his teammates are and always gets the puck to the right place at the right time."
SIDNEY CROSBY
Drafted in the first round (1st overall) in 2005 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Kyle Woodlief, USA Today/Red Line Report: "Hockey has always been blessed, from generation to generation, with outstanding ambassadors of the game - players who have a special dignity and universal appeal for their sincere humility and genuine appreciation of the gifts they've been given. They are players who never take their standing in the game for granted and unfailingly sell the sport to young and old alike; think of names such as Howe, Beliveau, Orr, and Gretzky. That's the type of attitude that Crosby exudes, and it's why he will be made the flag-bearer of the new, post-lockout NHL, no matter where he ends up playing."
NHL Central Scouting: "An exceptional skater with a smooth stride, tremendous balance and agility … he has great speed to the outside and can also split the defense carrying the puck or receiving passes for clear breakaways … very quick off the mark with tremendous acceleration … his vision is unparalleled … can feed wings from anywhere in the offensive zone both forehand and backhand and set them up for scoring chances … uses the hard crisp pass and puts it on the tape every time … can also use the soft flip pass effectively … his leg strength and stamina allows him to be first on the puck and many times be the first guy back to help the defense on transition … blessed with natural scoring instincts, he can score many ways and always seem to be in the clear to receive passes and turn them into scoring chances … needless to say he has great hockey sense; can play any position … can control the power play … good on face-offs … can shoot the puck hard with the slap shot or use his quick and very accurate wrist shot … his backhand is as good as the forehand … completes every shift, works hard but makes it look easy, and plays with discipline … not adversely affected by physical play … takes many hits to make a play, and will retaliate, which he has to do often because of the close checking … has the ability to fight through tight checking and makes it look easy sometimes … unselfish player who plays all game situations … logs a lot of a ice time … at home or on the road, does not matter to him; plays with great poise … possesses great leadership qualities, desire and determination … will strip opponents of the puck rather than punish with the body … first overall pick in the 2003 QMJHL draft … member of the Team Canada at the 2004 and 2005 U-20 World Championships … won the past two QMJHL scoring championships … beat the all-time assists record set by Denis Savard … selected to the QMJHL's first all-star team the past two seasons … CHL player of the year and rookie of the year in 2003-04 … selected as the QMJHL's MVP this season."
Hockey's Future: In his junior years, Rimouski Oceanic head coach Donald Dufresne played against Mario Lemieux, Pierre Turgeon, Luc Robitaille and Stephane Richer, just to name a few. He has seen a lot of superstars at the junior level and then in the NHL. Does he see any player to compare Crosby with? "He will be his own model. He will make his own name," says Dufresne simply.
And just for a laugh…
Patrick Roy to Hockey's Future in 2003: "He is a very good junior player. I'm sure he is going to make the NHL one day, but at what level, time will tell."
BRIAN DUMOULIN
Drafted in the second round (51st overall) in 2010 by the Carolina Hurricanes
Hockey's Future: "Dumoulin is a big, smooth-skating defenseman who is good at moving the puck. He is not overly physical for his size, but will use his large frame to protect the puck and help win battles in the corners and along the boards. He is a competent shot-blocker and is also good at retrieving the puck and starting the breakout. Dumoulin possesses a lot of natural talent, so it's a matter of playing confidently and making smart decisions on a consistent basis."
JAKE GUENTZEL
Drafted in the third round (77th overall) in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Red Line Report: "Big offensive punch from a tiny package. Exceptional hockey sense and offensive instincts. Obviously a finesse/skills guy, but can summon plenty of grit too. A constant offensive threat and a consistent defensive factor. Always in motion and always two steps ahead of the play with his uncanny anticipation. Calm, crafty and creative with the puck, and as elusive as a greased pig. Able to make quick, accurate decisions with the puck and has a sniper's touch and release. A slasher who bursts into holes and finds the smallest creases. Great vision and distribution skills and makes those around him better. Not quite the dynamic skater he should be for such a small forward, but is an explosive offensive force. Will get overpowered in defensive zone assignments, but is never lacking in effort. If bloodlines have any influence, he has more size coming his way."
The publication had him ranked 94th overall in their final pre-draft rankings: "Feisty little Mini-Me is super skilled and productive."
JuniorHockey.com: "Guentzel was recently listed as #80 among the top North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, up from #114 in the Midterm Rankings in January. It represented one of the largest jumps in the rankings of any player eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft."
International Scouting Services: "Creative and electric player who displays very good skills. He is capable of centering your No. 1 line and playing on the point on the power play. He brings a great combination of skating, speed, and balance and hockey sense and has a great work ethic and answered several questions about his lack of size and production last season when he averaged over a point-per-game."
BONUS: Guentzel was listed on Red Line Report's 'Mid-round sleepers worth a look': "Size is the only thing working against him. His offensive game is among the elite and his great vision and anticipation keep him two steps ahead of the big boys."
TRISTAN JARRY
Drafted in the second round (44th overall) in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Red Line Report: "Unflappable with an extremely calm demeanor that allows him to bounce back quickly from adversity. Playing on a top club means generally low shot totals, but he manages to maintain his focus. Lanky netminder has a good frame that he has already started filling out, giving him the strength to hold his ground with traffic bearing down. Does a great job of staying squared up to shooters, even when sliding on his knees around the crease. Shows great anticipation and cross-crease mobility with strong lateral push off either skate. Quick glove and pads take away the corners and along the ice. Always comes up with first saves, but does leave a few rebounds. Good peripheral vision. Knock is he gets caught too deep in his net and loses angles. Led the league in .SVPT (.936) and GAA (1.61), but still gets downgraded in some quarters because he plays behind a top defense corps."
Projection: #1 goalie for a mid-tier playoff contender.
McKeen's Hockey: "Composed, even-keeled goaltender … plays a non-robotic butterfly style with a mix of positional and athletic save selections … cool under pressure - and excels because of this calmness - by not overreacting … mobile and flexible with an imposing 6-foot-2 frame … backed by an understated compete level that produces a variety of dynamic reflex-backed saves … seals down rapidly into a compact and comfortable butterfly … tends to play back in his crease - and is vigilant about protecting the middle of his net … fluid and quick moving laterally post to post … relies on trigger-quick reactions and nimble pads that flash out like pinball flippers … models his puckmoving after former NHLer Marty Turco, though must continue to refine his management skills … rebound control is another area that can progress … expectations will be tempered due to having a lighter dossier than his peers … played just 27 minutes during Edmonton's run to WHL finals - while missing an opportunity to play for Team Canada at U-18 Worlds."
Anonymous scout to ESPN: "If he was the No. 1 in Edmonton, we may be talking about him as the best goaltender in the draft."
JACK JOHNSON
Drafted in the first round (3rd overall) in 2005 by the Carolina Hurricanes
The Sports Forecaster: "Is an incredible skater. Possesses excellent athleticism, physical prowess and some offensive ability. Is better than average for a defenseman when in alone against the goaltender. Needs to avoid getting caught out of position in order to land the big hit. Could stand to simplify his game a little more so as to become a more effective shutdown defenseman."
Long Range Potential: Veteran Defenseman
KASPERI KAPANEN
Drafted in the first round (22nd overall) in 2014 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Hockey News: "Going to Philadelphia will be a homecoming for the Finnish Kapanen, who grew up in nearby South Jersey while his father Sami played for the Flyers. Kasperi actually played a bit with his dad in KalPa this season and had an outsized role on a struggling Liiga team. 'The season hasn't been fair to him,' said one scout. 'The team wasn't good and he didn't have a support group.' In fact, one of KalPa's other pillars this season was Montreal draft pick Artturi Lehkonen. But that didn't stop Kapanen from turning heads. 'Pro demeanor, knows where he needs to be,' said another scout. 'He's not selfish, either. Distributes the puck, reads off his teammates. A smart player with very good awareness on the ice.' Kapanen's profile would be even higher if not for some poor fortune. He was underused by the junior team at the summer Lake Placid tournament, then missed the WJC (where Finland won gold) due to a shoulder injury.'
NHL projection: Two-way forward
International Scouting Services: "Battled through adversity this year whether it was injuries, a disappointing U18 team performance or being forced to lead the last place KalPa team in the SM-Liiga. His statistics with KalPa don't give a true representation of what he is able to produce, as he had a limited supporting cast and was looked at to lead the offense as a 17-year-old. He grabs your attention every time he has the puck as his explosive speed, creativity and lethal offensive weapons show gamebreaker potential. His lower-body strength and ability to maintain possession while being harassed by opposition checkers is excellent. Kasperi takes charge on the puck and displays the potential to be that go-to forward who can get the job done on the puck and puts a lot of pressure on himself to step into that role regardless of what team he's playing for."
ISS Scout S. Cocker: "Combination of puck possession, explosive skating gears and slick hands makes him a threat every time he steps on the ice."
D. Mac's Quote: "Needs to improve consistency and doesn't use his excellent shot enough."
NHL Potential: "Top-six offensive threat can be used on both PP/PK units."
SAM LAFFERTY
Drafted in the fourth round (113th overall) in 2014 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Sports Forecaster: "Sees the ice well and has plenty of offensive instincts. Can play all three forward positions, which adds value. Is more playmaker than shooter but he can also score goals. Is a deft passer. While he owns a projectable frame, he could stand to get bulkier and stronger for the highest level. Skates well and provides energy."
KRIS LETANG
Drafted in the third round (62nd overall) in 2005 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Kyle Woodlief, USA Today/Red Line Report: "The question for him is whether his tremendous skating and smarts overcome his lack of size? He has exceptional footwork and, frankly, much better hockey sense than his more-publicized defensive partner, particularly in the offensive zone. He's a very smart PP quarterback and plays a clean, efficient, mistake-free game. He's a very subtle player, but very underrated. His poise under pressure, neat spin moves and great puck movement decisions give him a good shot to overcome the size handicap."
Hockey's Future: "A member of what they call "The Big Three" in Val D'Or, he possesses speed and offensive abilities that will get him far in his pro career. He likes to shoot from everywhere and usually is able to get in good scoring position. He's also very good in his own zone and is a force along the boards. Few forwards are able to come and penetrate his side of the ice. He's a game breaker."
EVGENI MALKIN
Drafted in the first round (2nd overall) in 2004 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Kyle Woodlief, USA Today/Red Line Report: "Big Evgeni Malkin was the dominant force in the World Under-18 Championship in Minsk last month and has not only solidified his No. 2 overall ranking, but has significantly narrowed the gap between himself and consensus No. 1 Alex Ovechkin. It's not a matter of Ovechkin coming back to the pack; Malkin has just elevated his game to a new level. A number of teams now have the pair ranked in a dead heat, with some believing that Malkin's rapid progression and long-term upside make him worthy of the top spot. As much as we love Ovechkin, it's not that big a stretch. Malkin is nearly a full year younger and will play in the NHL at nearly 6-foot-4, 215 pounds when he fills out. He also has the puck skills of a much smaller man and a nasty edge to boot. Watch the way Vinny Lecavalier has been playing in this year's playoffs and imagine Malkin five or six years from now - the comparison seems quite valid."
NHL Central Scouting: "Good, strong skater with fine balance and agility. Has a good change of pace. Excellent stickhandler and a smart player. Good, smooth hands and an excellent playmaker. Carries the puck with confidence. Has a quick, accurate wrist and slap shot. Can score in many ways. Outstanding hockey sense. Creative player. Works hard on every shift. A good competitor who can play both a finesse and physical game. Competes hard for the puck and is willing to pay the price to score or set up a goal. Played on Team Russia at the Under-18 World Junior championships. Had a fair World Junior tournament with Team Russia in 2004. Played better as a regular with top team Magnitogorsk in the Russian league. Great mix of size, skills and hockey sense. A leader on the ice. Has all the tools needed for a great career."
The Sports Forecaster: "Is as highly skilled as anyone in the NHL when on his game. Has the ability to keep the puck on a string and sift through defenders. Is a monster talent that can play any forward position. Elevates his game when it matters most. Racks up points at will. Can struggle on face-offs. Is not as dominant when he plays either wing position, since he is denied the puck more often along the wall. Takes bad penalties and is a little careless with the puck in all three zones. Is not as effective in a more defensive system."
JOHN MARINO
Drafted in the sixth round (154th overall) in 2015 by the Edmonton Oilers
NHL Central Scouting: "When Marino fills out his frame, he shows the potential to be a dominant two-way defenseman."
Hockey's Future: "Marino is a big, raw prospect with a promising skillset. He has good hockey sense and skates well. He should add some strength and mass to his 6'2" frame during his college career. Marino plays with a natural edge and will compete in the tough areas of the ice."
South Shore coach Scott Harlow (also an amateur scout for Edmonton) to the Boston Herald: "John Marino has the most upside of any hockey player I have coached in 20 years."
MIKE MATHESON
Drafted in the first round (23rd overall) in 2012 by the Florida Panthers
McKeen's Hockey: "Matheson is an elite skater with outstanding agility, crisp acceleration, a tight turning radius and sensational lateral mobility. The manner in which he closes gaps on opposing players is what makes him such a sought-after defenseman. He processes the game extremely well, as he is constantly aware of not only his position in conjunction with the play, but is rarely out of position in the defensive zone as well. Coupled with his size and range, he plays an almost flawless defensive game. Matheson has a good frame and should be able to fill out well. His natural skating ability, acute hockey sense and penchant for keeping the game simple are his calling cards into the pro ranks."
Red Line Report: "Excellent four-way skater excels at breakingthe puck out and setting up plays in the offensive zone. Especially effective on the PP and is creative moving the puck when given time and space to operate."
JARED McCANN
Drafted in the first round (24th overall) in 2014 by the Vancouver Canucks
Red Line Report: "Smooth playmaking center with a long, strong stride and good acceleration - fluid skater. Handles the puck well at full speed and makes accurate tape-to-tape passes. Shows excellent touch on short area passes. Creates chances with intelligent, imaginative passes off both sides of the blade. Sees the ice and anticipates very well. Great instincts in the offensive zone. Rips wicked wristers and can pick top corners. Well balanced on his skates and not afraid to go into heavy traffic. Protects the puck well and creates off the cycle. Shows great maturity and plays with intensity. Steady effort every game makes him a coach's dream. Needs to add muscle to his 174-pound frame - appeared to tire late in the season. Needs some work on his defensive zone habits - gets to the right spots defensively but is too quick to transition to offense, leaving his assignment."
The Hockey News: "What scouts like to see most in young, draft-eligible players is progression. And they're certainly seeing that from McCann, who improved as the season progressed. McCann is a jack-of-all-trades. His offensive instincts are strong and he plays a 200-foot game. His release is good and he's particularly dangerous from the hashmarks to the goal. He's not the prettiest skater, but most scouts don't believe that will keep him out of the NHL. He's also good on faceoffs. 'When guys hit him in the slot, he gets a lot on it and he has a really quick release,' said one scout. 'He probably misses the net more than he would like, though.' As is the case with most players, consistency is an issue, but it's not a huge concern. Basically, McCann projects as a serviceable two-way player. 'At worst, he'll be a third-line guy you can use in any situation,' said one scout. 'But he could develop into a top-two line guy.'"
Projection: Two-way center
MATT MURRAY
Drafted in the third round (83rd overall) in 2012 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
McKeen's Hockey: "His greatest strength may be his mental game and the ability to put poor performances behind him, as there were games that he flat out stole for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds this season. When he comes out and uses his size, his technique takes away angles and gives shooters very little to shoot at. He loses his position at times and tends to scramble in his crease, yet he competes hard and battles in close to his net. His rebound control marked considerable improvement from the beginning of the season. Murray's biggest weakness at this point is his skating, as he moves poorly while sliding across laterally and going post-to-post. He shows healthy confidence to handle the puck, but would be better served to handle it less. Murray assumed the starting duties for Team Canada at the World U-18 Championships and played exceptional, as he gave Team Canada a chance to win in each game he started. He was instrumental in the team's third-place finish and nearly gave his team a chance to play in the Gold Medal Game, as he was spectacular in a semifinal loss to Team USA. With the departure of Campbell, Murray will play on a consistent basis next year. He has all the tools that NHL teams covet in the goaltender position due to his size and compete level, however, he needs to refine his skating and play with consistency."
MARCUS PETTERSSON
Drafted in the second round (38th overall) in 2014 by the Anaheim Ducks
Photo credit: Ola Westerberg/Bildbyrån
Red Line Report: "A strong puck mover from all his years spent as a center (only switched to D two years ago). Has come a long way in a short time as a D-man, and now has better awareness and understanding of positioning in his own end. Still quite raw in his defensive reads, but steadily maturing and looking more natural playing on the blue line. Steps up aggressively in the neutral zone to defuse rushes early, aided by a long, active stick. Increasingly more aggressive - competing harder and more effectively in 1-on-1 battles. Very smooth with the puck and makes long, lead outlets to spring forwards through the neutral zone. Does damage with powerful, accurate point shots. Huge frame, terrific vision and patience, and fine offensive instincts give him tremendous upside."
Projection: Mobile puck mover and strong PP contributor.
International Scouting Services: "One of the key defensive leaders on the Sweden U-18 team as he shows incredible confidence on both sides of the puck and does everything with a composed presence. Raw frame and skill set on the puck, continuing to develop his two-way game. Consistent impact game in his own zone, utilizing his raw, lanky frame and wingspan to minimize opposition room in the offensive zone. Good presence on the offensive point as he possesses a heavy shot and above-average mobility for a defender his size. He should thrive this year in the SHL or Allsvenskan League playing against men. Pettersson's frame, own zone awareness and active, engaging play will be very intriguing as a project defenseman."
ISS Scout S. Cocker: "Incredible raw potential through his frame, wingspan and defensive awareness. Strong first pass out of the zone. Simple, efficient."
ISS Scout O. Lahdeskmaki: "Mobile defenseman with an all-around toolbox. Lanky, hasn't put on the body strength yet to reach his potential."
NHL Potential: Raw potential to be a top-four two-way defender.
Hockey's Future: "Pettersson is a tall, intelligent defenseman who has a long reach and rarely allows opponents to get around him, gobbling them up as they try to pass. He uses his size effectively in orchestrating a very effective pokecheck. He has a strong sense of 1-on-1 positioning, understanding when to play aggressively or conservatively. Despite his size and lankiness, he's got both good east-west as well as backwards mobility. Pettersson's first pass is almost always on the money and he doesn't hesitate to curl the puck back into his zone to regroup when necessary. He has above-average offensive instincts in all three zones and his shot is on target and particularly his wrist shot can come at a surprising velocity. A tall player whose frame is ripe for another 40 pounds in the coming years, his developmental curve has also been extremely impressive as he irons out holes in his game at a rapid rate. His confidence and ability to read the game suggest Pettersson has limitless upside at this juncture. Not surprisingly for a player his size, balance is sometimes an issue while pushing and prodding opponents with better core strength. A converted forward, he can be decked at times - with slow response time - and his defensive game is, overall, still in need of improvement."
BRYAN RUST
Drafted in the third round (80th overall) in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Hockey's Future: "Rust plays a high motor game that allows him to be effective in many different assignments all over the ice. He has excellent hockey sense but is not an overly creative forward. He will produce offense but it will be through hard work, playing to his strengths, and of course having complementary linemates. Rust rarely takes a penalty or makes a mistake on the ice and consequentially is often deployed when the game is on the line. He plays well on the penalty kill and the power play."
BRANDON TANEV
Undrafted; signed as a free agent on March 30, 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets.
Hockey's Future: "Tanev is the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev. Like his brother, Tanev was never drafted and emerged as a pro prospect a bit later than most players. More of a two-way player than a pure scorer, he relies on hockey smarts and steadily developed during his four-year college career. He is not expected to be an explosive scorer in pro hockey but his skill set and hockey sense suggests he can be effective in a variety of roles."
JASON ZUCKER
Drafted in the second round (59th overall) in 2010 by the Minnesota Wild
The Sports Forecaster: "Plays with a great combination of skill and energy when on top of his game. Skates very well and can put constant pressure on opponents due to his speed. Is also responsible in his own zone. Boasts plenty of goal-scoring ability. At times he can lack game-to-game consistency at the National Hockey League level. Also lacks ideal size (5'11", 183 pounds) for the highest level, so injuries can be a problem for him. Lacks optimum passing skills."
Long Range Potential: Skilled, speedy scoring winger
John Hynes, then-coach of the Team USA Under-17 team, to the Las Vegas Sun: "Jason has high character, a high work ethic; he's highly talented and is an intense competitor. He's been a leader for us in every facet - during off-ice conditioning, on the ice and as an assistant captain."
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