Schmaltz, Pokka highlight Chicago Blackhawks 2016 Prospect Awards

by Anthony Lyen
Dylan Sikura - Chicago Blackhawks

Photo: Chicago Blackhawks prospect Dylan Sikura finished his sophomore season second on his team in shots on goal (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

 

 

The 2015–16 season for the Chicago Blackhawks certainly had its ups and downs. In a season that included Patrick Kane’s historic point streak, Artemi Panarin‘s sublime rookie campaign, and two prospects winning the NCAA Division I Championship (more on that in a bit) – but also some off-the-ice issues – the Blackhawks’ season came to an early end, falling to the St. Louis Blues in game seven of the Western Conference Semifinals.

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2011 NHL Draft: Early round picks pay off for Philadelphia Flyers

by Jashvina Shah
Sean Couturier - Philadelphia Flyers

Photo: Sean Couturier has become an effective two-way center for the Philadelphia Flyers, playing in 350 career games with the franchise. (courtesy Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

 

 

The Philadelphia Flyers took six players, spread out over seven rounds, in the 2011 NHL Draft. The first two picks, earned from trades with Columbus, featured a first rounder and a third rounder. Philadelphia also had two fourth round picks, a sixth round pick and a seventh round pick. The Flyers, however, did not have a second round pick.

The first round pick ended up being forward Sean Couturier, now a staple for the Flyers. And the third round pick was Nick Cousins, a center who has been making his way to the NHL. (more…)

2016 NHL Draft Primer: Notable names to watch later on the draft’s second day

by David Hahn
Ty Ronning - Vancouver Giants

Photo: Vancouver Giants forward and 2016 prospect Ty Ronning produced 31 goals and 59 points in 67 games in 2015-16 after producing two points in 24 games in 2014-15 (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

 

 

The second day of the 2016 NHL Draft will afford teams an opportunity to select character players who will certainly still impact their prospect pool in a positive fashion. In the latest edition of NHL Draft Primer, we highlight a few notable names that have family ties, one or two elements of their games that make them unique, and a couple players who have been overlooked for one reason or another. (more…)

Marner, Labanc tops among NHL properties on the wing in OHL

by Jason Menard
Mitch Marner - London Knights - 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup

Photo: London Knights forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner (L) produced 16 goals and 44 points in 18 postseason games in the Knights’ run to a Memorial Cup championship (courtesy of Rob Wallator/CHL Images)

 

 

The Ontario Hockey League was stocked with talent up front this season and it culminated in a season for the ages for one London Knight. But while Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect Mitchell Marner may have been the top winger this year, he was not the only show in the league.

The OHL was blessed with a depth of elite-quality, NHL-drafted talent on its wings this season, with the best of that group being ranked below. (more…)

2011 NHL Draft: Nashville Predators had limited success

by Tony Piscotta
Miikka Salomaki - Nashville Predators

Photo: Miikka Salomaki plays a rambunctious style of hockey, but next season should see his offensive game grow (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

 

 

The Nashville Predators entered the 2011 NHL Draft without a first-round pick – having dealt their pick to Ottawa late in the 2010-11 season. Even considering just the short-term gain — Mike Fisher, obtained from the Senators, was Nashville’s third-leading scorer and helped the Predators win a playoff series for the first time in franchise history — that trade would have to go down as one of the best in franchise history.

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Prospect Impressions: Save of the Year, plus top plays from Caggiula, Strome

by David Hahn
Ryan Ruck - Northeastern University - 2016 Beanpot Tournament

Photo: Northeastern University freshman goaltender Ryan Ruck helped lead the Huskies to their first Hockey East championship since 1988 (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

 

 

With just two Prospect Impressions left this year, we enter into the top 10 plays of the year.

Drake Caggiula recently signed with the Edmonton Oilers, but he left a lasting impression on North Dakota with a ridiculous shorthanded effort. Dylan Strome one-ups Caggiula by scoring a goal through an entire team, and others vie for a spot in the top 10 by making incredible plays! (more…)

Simple game worked well for Knights’ defender Martenet

by Chris Roberts
Chris Martenet - London Knights - 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup

Photo: London Knights defenseman and Dallas Stars prospect Chris Martenet improved his plus/minus from a +4 in 2015-16 to a +44 this season (courtesy of Rob Wallator/CHL Images)

 

 

The London Knights dangerous top line – Mitch Marner (TOR), Christian Dvorak (ARI), and Matthew Tkachuk (2016) – was the story of the Canadian Hockey League this season. The trio was troublesome for opposition defenders en route to a Memorial Cup win, but they alone weren’t responsible for a national championship. (more…)

Ottawa Senators boast deep system in NCAA and Europe

by Kristopher Bras
Colin White - Ottawa Senators

Photo: Boston College center and Ottawa Senators prospect Colin White had a stellar season as a sophomore, finishing second on his team in scoring with 43 points in 37 games. (courtesy Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

 

 

The Ottawa Senators may not have any big names playing in the limelight of the OHL, but that doesn’t mean their system is in any trouble. Don’t let the team’s lack of Ontario-based prospects or AHL success fool you – much of the next big wave of talent will come from the NCAA and Sweden.

Of course, the team is no stranger to drafting overseas – a great deal of the modern team’s success can be attributed to scouting overseas. This year’s crop is no different, and once again the Senators boast a glut of Swedish prospects who have become larger assets than their middling draft positions indicate. (more…)

(Podcast) 2016 NHL Combine: CSS head Dan Marr talks about Matthew, Laine, and the 2016 NHL Draft

by Ken McKenna
Dan Marr - NHL Central Scouting - 2016 NHL Scouting Combine

Photo: Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr meets with the media at the 2016 NHL Scouting Combine at the HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)

 

 

The 2016 edition of the NHL Scouting Combine is again taking place at HarborCenter in Buffalo, NY, right next door to the home of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, First Niagara Center (soon to be known as KeyBank Center). 114 prospects for the 2016 NHL Draft have been in town this week to take part in the interview and testing phases of the Combine, with the main testing session taking place on Saturday. (more…)

2011 NHL Draft: Tampa Bay Lightning ignore Russian risk, find core players

by Chris Roberts
Nikita Kucherov - Tampa Bay Lightning

Photo: Tampa Bay Lightning second round pick Nikita Kucherov is one of three Russian players the team selected in the 2011 NHL Draft that has become a valued member of the franchise. (courtesty Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

 

 

The Tampa Bay Lightning made some bold picks in the 2011 NHL Draft, selecting a trio of Russians with the first three of its six picks. Russian players have been selected more frequently in recent years, but 2011 wasn’t a banner year for the country as teams were reluctant to select its young players without assurances; only nine Russians were picked in the seven-round draft. (more…)

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