Islanders Defensive Disarray

The Islanders experienced their most disastrous period ever when facing the Pens, allowing a staggering six goals in a single period. What was even more alarming was the astonishing shots on goal. 

It is easy to blame the defense, but I am here to let people know this is not just the defense. The forwards failed to grasp an essential lesson in this game: the importance of being a complete player. They just threw Sorokin to the wolves; if they were parents, they would have been charged with abandonment of their children.  

The good news is this has not been their habit. Up until the fiasco of the Penguins game, the Isles were on a roll, led by Horvat and Barzal, who have been the players they are paid to be. The forwards were buying into the system to help out on the defensive system. For the most part, they diligently covered their man in the defensive zone. 

The defense was fine. Considering that they did not have Pelech, Polock, or Mayfield, they were on the verge of being spectacular. Dobson emerged as the clear leader of this makeshift group of dmen, effectively plugging up the leaks. Mike Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo have filled in admirably in the absence of Mayfield, Polock, and Pelech.

The Isles just have to work on these breakdowns, expecting to win without playing a full sixty minutes. Yes, they are a solid team, but they need to be better. They must put in a consistent effort.

What needs to put this team into a contender? The team needs to address two key areas: acquiring a scoring forward and another dman to fill in the top six. Whether the Isles make these steps depends on where they are in the standings. If the Islanders are in a wildcard spot, Lou may consider making a trade to improve their chances. However, if they are at least in third place, the team may be willing to trade some future assets to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

Randy

The Flames' Dilemma

You can bet the Calgary Flames will be one of the busiest teams in the league over the next little while as they potentially transition from contenders to rebuilders. The team must determine their direction for this season, which will be consistently evaluated based on their performance.

The main decision that has to be made is what they will do with the defensive core. Following the Zordorv trade, only Hanifin and Tanav remained. Naturally, the initial inclination is to trade both of them. The problem is, can the Flames make the playoffs? It begs the question: Can you trade your defense if the Flames are aiming for the playoffs? Only time will tell.

The next question is whether the Flames will promote Wolf. Vladar was outstanding in the last game against the Knights. Without him, the Flames had no chance of winning. His consistent performance proved crucial for the team's victories. Meanwhile, Wolf continues to be an All-Star in the AHL. The Flames will have another issue to deal with as the Flame's depth continues to be a story this year. 

The Flames have seen a resurgence in their leaders, with Huberdeau and Kadri stepping up their game of late. Huby played his best game of the year against the Stars. If the kids can continue to bring out the best in Kadri and Huberdeau, the team could be in for a fun couple of months ahead.

All of this goes to say that the Flames have been fun to watch so far this season. I wonder when or if the plug gets pulled on the season. Will the next trade focus on future prospects, or will the team persist in their efforts to enhance their performance this season? So far, it would appear that the Flames have no intention of giving up this season. 

Helter-Skelter Hockey

One word describes the Toronto Maple Leafs team this season: "helter-skelter." Each game feels like a fast-paced track meet with non-stop action. The fans undoubtedly get their money's worth; it's exciting to watch. For the coaches, not so much. They may need antacids and medication to manage their high blood pressure while watching the game.

The defensive zone play is a disaster. It's like watching the Keystone Cops running around with their heads cut off in the defensive zone. Morgan Reilly is in dire need of assistance as he cannot carry the entire burden alone. Klingberg is helping out offensively. Gio is doing his part. What the Leafs need is two defensemen who can stabilize the back end. The defensive blunders have to stop. We can't continue to win this way. The age-old adage of defense wins holds true, but ours wins us ulcers. 

Auston Matthews

The guy is on a tear, with three hat tricks and counting. He has 13 goals; every shot he fires seems to be going in. His performance is nothing short of extraordinary, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the league this season. He is *the* best player in the league right now by the way he's playing. He's on pace to score 70 goals and potentially even more. Can he do it? The way he's playing, I would not bet against him. I am glad he is on our team.

Players are Struggling

Ilya Samsonov has been struggling of late. He was pulled from Monday's game after letting four goals in the first period. Granted, it was not all his fault, as the defense in front of him was not exactly stellar. Still, I am worried. We will need him down the stretch. Woll has been outstanding, but I don't want to put that much pressure on him going into the playoffs.

As for Bertuzzi and Domi, they need to find their niche in this lineup. I still think Bertuzzi is a good player; he needs to go to the net and get his share of the garbage goals. Domi is a third-liner. He needs to get his confidence back. The Leafs need these two, as the scoring support is thin. This team is in trouble if Marner, Tavares, Matthews, and Reilly get shut down.

The drama of the Leafs continues.

Randy

60 Minutes: The Ultimate Game Plan

The New York Islanders need to remember a fundamental principle of the game of hockey: it is a full 60 minutes. Unfortunately, the Islanders are falling into a bad habit. They are playing not to lose instead of playing to win. They are becoming too tentative, praying in the third period that they can hold onto a lead. They have become overly cautious and hesitant, overthinking their moves and making the game unnecessarily complicated. Hockey is a simple game - all they need to do is go to the net.

The New York Islanders are overcomplicating their power play strategy, making it more convoluted than necessary. The team needs to shoot more and create traffic in front of the net, which makes it harder for the goalie to track the puck. If the goalie can't see it, he can't stop it. The Islanders are making it too easy for opposing teams to play in the UBS arena. 

Let me touch on the more physical play; there isn't any. That may be a little harsh, but the New York Islanders are getting pistol-whipped all over the arena. The New York Islanders have to put the fear back into the game. They have to make it harder for teams to come here to win. 

There are currently some excellent and positive vibes as well. Sorokin and Varlamov are becoming a very good duo. I love the defensive game. Varly's two shutouts alleviate the need to overwork Sorokin. This means he will not be too fatigued during the playoffs. That bodes well for the team's postseason prospects.

Noah Dobson is on top of his game. He is becoming one of the best young dmen in the game. That being said, he can not be leading this team in scoring. I love that he is in all-star forum, but the offense has to pick up.

This team is nearly at the top of their game, boasting a five-game point streak. If they can eliminate their "stop skating syndrome" in the third period, we could have something special this season. 

Randy

A Promising Season Ahead

The Islanders have kicked off the season with a 3-2-1 start. That is a great start, any way you look at that. Think about it: they have emerged victorious against the teams they were expected to defeat, while also putting up a good fight against the Devils and the Avs.

Serokin has been himself most of the season. Although he wasn't heavily tested in the game against the Coyotes, it's important to recognize the difficulty of playing in such a situation. We take Serokin for granted for what he does, but he is truly one of the greatest goalies in the league. He has been a rock all season. When the Islanders needed him, he did not let them down. 

The Islanders' defense deserves more recognition for their role in keeping the team competitive. Adam Pelch, in particular, stands out as one of the league's best defensemen, consistently making an impact in the defensive zone. The defensive corps as a whole provides ample support, especially when needed. Pulock has improved defensively; I'm very impressed with his ability to clear the zone. He has learned to use his physical size to his advantage. The only concern I have had is the defense this season. They occasionally retreat too much and give the opposing team too much space when entering the zone. The Devils, in particular, excel at exploiting this. Their speed poses a challenge for many teams to control.

I will say this about the Jersey game: I love the Islander's never-die attitude. They continued to come back. They relentlessly fought back, but it is now crucial for the Devils to finally score. It was excellent, exciting hockey, but probably too much Loosey Goosey for the coach's liking. Yes, that is the technical term. Live with it. The Isles do have trouble with the fast teams. The Avs skating again got the Isles tied in knots. Sorokin was not his best that night, either. I still believe the Isles will turn this around. 

As for the forwards, I am happy with their play. Despite some concerns raised about Barzal and Horvat, I am confident in their abilities. They will be a force to be reckoned with this season. They are multi-talented forwards who are just learning to play with each other. The only problem I have is the lack of secondary scoring. Players like Pageau, Fasching, and Whalstrom must step up and contribute to our team's success.

To the fans: have faith. One piece of advice: relax, don't worry, be happy. Give this team some time to gel. I see the potential for a good team who can really make things happen. Who has one of the best goalies in the NHL? He's on his game. Trust me, every team goes through a good phase, a bad phase, the ugly phase, the death phase, and then the reincarnated phase. Relax, the Islanders have it covered.

Randy

Defence, Defence!

The title speaks for itself. The Maple Leafs have to clear up the defensive fiasco. It's becoming an adventure every night for the Maple Leafs, plagued by frequent mental breakdowns. 

While it is true that the defense and goaltending of the Maple Leafs have not been exceptional, it would be unfair to blame them solely for the team's struggles. Yes, I am concerned that goaltending has been weak; I won't deny that. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the forwards have also played a part in this defensive dilemma. Their focus on personal statistics has made them forget their defensive responsibilities. I believe in the adage defense wins Stanley Cups. If you don't believe me, look at the Montreal Canadiens defense in the 70s, and then we can talk.

I do believe Samsonov could be better; hopefully, he can get it together. Woll, a young netminder, shows tons of promise. Can these two hang on for a title shot? I like Woll, but seeing how he deals with the pressure will be interesting.

There is much speculation surrounding Nylander's contract negotiations. All we know is that he wants $10 million, based on his impressive 40-goal and 87-point season last year. If Nylander matches those seasons again, $10 million is what he will get. So what do the Leafs do come the trade deadline? Do they sign him, putting them in cap heck and forcing the Leafs to make an uncomfortable decision about trading him? Trading Nylander could also impact JT's statistics, creating another challenge for the team. 

Randy

From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs: Five Statements on the Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs' season ended last year when they went against the Florida Panthers. What went wrong? What could have been fixed? By addressing these questions, we can determine the factors that contributed to their defeat and figure out how to overcome the Florida Panthers in the future.

Here are my five statements about what can be improved going into the next season.

Team Defense

The defense has to be more consistent this year. There were too many breakdowns in the defensive zone because of scoring chances in Toronto's end. Too many breakdowns in our defensive zone led to scoring chances for the opposition. Yes, I am adding the forwards into this category because they must support the defense. The defense was often left to their own devices as the forwards had already gone into the other zone, waiting for the defense to pass the puck when the defense had no one to pass it to. It is crucial that the forwards stick to their defensive responsibilities and do not expect the defense to cover for their mistakes. The defense has to be improved on this season.

Goaltending

Samsonov and Woll don't have to be outstanding, but they do have to be consistent. Samsonov was better than I thought he would be last season, often coming up big to save the team's bacon. We need him to continue being reliable and stepping up when the team needs him. It would behoove him to cut down on the bad goals. As for Woll, he has to give the team a chance to win. He must instill confidence in his teammates, assuring them that they can focus on playing their game without worrying about costly goals or disappointing performances from him. If both Samsonov and Woll perform above average, the Maple Leafs should be able to win their share of games. 

Matthews and Marner

Austin and Mitch have to be the team's leaders. They must be able to come through and put the wins on the board. There's no room for excuses. They're both the leaders in making the money. It's time to put up or shut up. If Matthews can score his regular 40 goals and Marner gets his 50 to 60 assists, all will be well. If they keep up the defensive play as they did last year, the two will be among the best players in the league, bottom bar none.

Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi

If Max and Tyler fit into the system, they will be great additions. If they can manage 20 goals and 25 assists, it would be miraculous. If these two players can replace Nylander's statistics, it would greatly benefit the team and make life much easier for the team. 

Team Chemistry

Last but not least is the team's chemistry. Every player will have to buy into the system this year. The success of the team relies on everyone fulfilling their roles. Coach Keef is responsible for preparing the Toronto Maple Leafs to embrace their responsibilities. It is essential for all the cogs of the team to function smoothly and efficiently, like a well-oiled machine.

Randy

Stepping Up Their Game: 5 Statements about the Islanders

The New York Islanders must step up their game this season. There are five areas that I feel the New York Islanders need to focus on in particular. Hence, the five statements.

Matthew Barzal & Bo Horvat

Matthew and Bo must learn to play nice with each other. For the Islanders to be a successful hockey team, these two players have to be the leaders of the team. They will have to learn each other's tendencies and where each will be. Bo needs to make the most of Matthew's passing setups, while Matthew needs to avoid making blind passes. Both are great skaters and are great at setting the pace. They have to learn to share the puck. If they both can share the spotlight, it will be an exciting New Year for the New York Islanders. With Horvat and Barzal accelerating their performance, the offense can become a formidable force.

The Islanders' Powerplay

To say the New York Islanders' powerplay is dismal is an understatement. There was no imagination. You can predict every powerplay what they were going to do. However, things are set to change this year with Barzal and Horvat making their mark; there will be an increase in passing, shooting, and scoring. Combine that with Noah Dobson's powerful shot, and New York should have a top-notch powerplay.  

Secondary scoring

The Isles need help from the second and third lines to pick up the scoring. The Islanders can't wholly rely on their top six players. The bottom six must add some oomph to the scoring. Players such as Pierre Engvall and Hudson Fasching, amongst others, have to learn to contribute to the scoring. If the bottom six cannot contribute to the scoring, the New York Islanders will have difficulty keeping up with the big boys.

Islanders Defense

The defense must continue to show the last season was no fluke. They must continue to add scoring to the offense. Pulock and Dobson will have to have career years for the Isles to succeed. They both have terrific slap shots. They must use them to their best advantage.

Coaching

Lambert and company have to be smart with the tools that they have among the players. It will be massive if the powerplays and the penalty kill are successful. These areas need to be improved for the team to succeed.

If the New York Islanders can improve in each of these areas, they will be a playoff team.

Randy,

Maple Leafs Draft Day

The Maple Leafs head into the draft with three picks across the seven rounds, so they will need to make the most of their selections to fill any holes on their roster. The rumors are flying that they're looking for a goalie and another dman following the buyout of Murray and the latest silly move in buying out Brodi.

So life is interesting going into the draft. Assuming the Leafs don't add or delete picks, the three picks are:

First Round

Lukas Dragicevic - Defense

Lukas is an offensive defenseman who will consistently put up points in the NHL. He isn't afraid to pinch in and play a line along the boards. He won't shy away from the rough side of the game. With some further development of his defensive play, Lukas has all the potential to become an excellent all-around defenseman.

Fifth Round

Beckett Hendrickson - Left Wing

Beckett is a third-line player with some size. He is an intelligent two-way player who works hard and will grind out the garbage goals. I like him because the Leafs are a little soft. He will address this issue and add some toughness to the lineup.

Sixth Round

185 Alexander Hellnerno - Goaltender 

Alexander has a great glove hand. He is very fast going from side to side, keeps track of the puck, and has excellent vision. He needs some work but could be developed into a pretty solid goalie. 

Isles Draft Day

On draft day, the Islanders have two main objectives: find the best player and draft him. They may also attempt to move Bailey's contract, but it remains to be seen if this can be accomplished during the draft. 

The Islanders will begin their selections with the 49th overall pick. 

2nd Round

49 Carson Bjarnason - Goalie

Carson is a solid netminder. He may be the best goaltender in North America. He plays the angles well, has good vision, and keeps track of the puck. He has quick reflexes and uses the stick well. 

Fourth Round 

113 Dylan Mackinnon - Defense

Before you ask, he is not related to Nathan Mackinnon. Dylan is a stay-at-home defenceman who loves to hit. And if you are at the end of that hit, heaven help you. The Isles need some muscle, and Dylan would add depth to the defensive zone. 

Fifth round

145 Ryan Fine - Centre 

Ryan is a prototypical third-line centre with some scoring touch. He plays a rugged game and works hard in the corners. He is strong on the puck and can be relied upon to capitalize on opportunities close to the net. He is also a stellar penalty killer. 

For the rest of the picks, I will mention them without a write-up.

Sixth Round

177 Attilio Biasca - Left Wing

Seventh Round

209 Tom Leppa - Centre

2023 Mock Draft

It is that time of year when I get to make a complete fool out of myself. Even I should be able to pick who is picked for the first overall pick. Although it may be a no-brainer, the consensus is that Connor Bedard will be selected.

Chicago Blackhawks

1 Connor Bedard - Centre

Connor is the best prospect to lead since the other Connor; His acceleration and keeping the puck away from opposing players make him the most dangerous player in the draft. His hockey IQ is off the charts, thinking four plays ahead. Bedard is a pinpoint passer who is creative and gives defensemen nightmares. Connor could be a better defensive player, but he tries and works hard at it, which makes him more than adequate on his own end. 

Anaheim Ducks

2 Adam Fantili - Centre

Just as Connor is the consensus number one pick, Adam is a slam dunk as the number two pick. Adam is a slick playing maker with excellent vision. He makes players look better by doing what it takes to be a winner. Fantelli has great puck-handling skills, and his ability to hang on to the puck until the last second is something to behold. Adam's defensive game may require some fine-tuning as he transitions into the NHL; I expect him to develop into a complete player. 

Columbus Blue Jackets

3 Leo Carlsson - Centre/Wing

Leo might be the best two-way player in the draft. He excels at driving to the net, possessing a strong determination to keep the puck. Carlson has excellent puck vision. He is known for playing a mature game. He doesn't panic with the puck. 

He will outwork the players to get the puck out, carry the puck out of the zone, and get out of danger. People love his offensive skills. He has a great shot and is a proven playmaker with excellent passing skills.

San Jose Sharks

4 Matvei Michkov - Right Wing  

Sniper, sniper, sniper. Matvei can score from anywhere. His wrist shot is registered as a deadly weapon. He has all the skills in the world; the one downside is that he is trying to get out of a KHL contract. If Michkov were free and clear, he would be the second-best player in the draft.  

Montreal Canadiens

5 William Will Smith - Centre

 

The fifth pick is challenging because the Habs must prioritize their needs over the best player. William is a dynamic offensive machine. He is the best American-born player in the draft and has all the tools to be a star. William is a smooth skater with a powerful wrist shot. He may not be the best defensive player, but he's adequate. He knows the basics in the defensive zone. William has a quick release on his wrist shot, which catches goalies off guard. All signs point to him being a star in the making.

Arizona Coyotes

6 Zach Benson - Left Wing

Zach's biggest hindrance is his size. He is a gifted winger with a great shot. His 36 goals and 62 assists are a testament to his outstanding playmaker abilities. He could be used efficiently and effectively on the powerplay. He has a tremendous hockey IQ and always seems to be one step ahead of the game. He is a smooth skater; he can find his niche in the League with his talent and hard work. He is an excellent asset to any team that drafts him. 

Philadelphia Flyers

7 Dalibor Dvorsky - Centre/Right Wing

Dalibor is an excellent skater with terrific playmaking abilities. He's a smooth skater who can turn on a dime. He has a high hockey IQ, so he's very creative with the puck. Divorsky is always thinking ahead. He is a terrific passer and can make plays with the best of them, with the potential of being a second-line centre. 

Washington Capitals

8 David Reinbacher - Defense 

David is arguably the best defenseman in the draft. He is a solid defensive dman who knows where he is supposed to be. He Plays a solid game and a solid shot. David is also a talented puck-mover, able to get himself out of trouble with his skating and passing abilities.

Detroit Red Wings

9 Ryan Leonard - Centre

Ryan is a speed demon. He uses his speed to blow past the defenseman in the offensive zone. He has the tenacity of the Tasmanian devil, works consistently hard for the puck, and never gives up. Ryan has an excellent shot. He is a terrific playmaker and all-around good hockey player. Ryan is more than adequate in the defensive zone. He takes his defensive responsibility seriously and sticks with his opponent. 

St Louis Blues

10 Oliver Moore - Centre

Oliver Moore is the kind of player you can build a team around. He has a terrific shot, especially his one-timers. His one-timer is a dangerous weapon, and he has the potential to become a powerplay specialist. He excels in the offensive zone, using crossovers to confuse the defense. Oliver is an excellent stick handler who can work in tight places, allowing him to get out of trouble. 

Vancouver Canucks

11 Colby Barlow - Left Wing

Colby might be one of the fastest skaters in the draft. He's an excellent stick handler with a great shot. Colby uses his size along the boards to get the puck out of difficult spots. He is not afraid to get his nose dirty and will do what it takes to get the win. His leadership abilities would make a great addition to any locker room.

Arizona Coyotes

12 Axel Sundin Pellikka - Defense

Axel's offensive skills are immaculate. He is probably the most skilled offensive defenseman in the draft. His passing and powerful shot from the point make him an ideal candidate to quarterback powerplay units in the future.

Buffalo Sabers

13 Eduard Šalé - Right Wing

Eduard is renowned for his excellent passing skills. He is a swift skater with stickhandling skills that allow him to get out of sticky situations. His ability to handle any passes is out of this world. He is known for his one-timers on the powerplay; he is deadly from the circle.

Pittsburgh Penguins

14 Nate Danielson Centre

Nate is a solid Centreman who is developed in all aspects of his game. He is probably one of the best skaters in the game. Can score from anywhere, great playmaker. A solid star.

Nashville Predators

15 Brayden Yager - Center

Bayden is a smooth-skating forward who glides effortlessly up and down the ice. He has excellent playmaking skills. It is hard to take the puck off him. He has a quick release, a tough shot; his one-timer is especially lethal.

Calgary Flames

16 Matthew Wood - Left Wing

Matthew is an intelligent player with soft hands with a great explosive shot. His greatest strength is his one-timers. He will be an offensive weapon on the powerplay. Matthew is a silk-smooth forward with an intense hockey IQ and will always be dangerous in the offensive zone.

Detroit Red Wings

17 Dmitri Simashev - Defense

Dmitri will be a solid NHL defenseman. Most people agree he has tons of potential and a high hockey IQ. Dmitri has solid defensive and excellent stickhandling skills, allowing him to quickly take control of the puck and move it from end to end. With these abilities, Dmitri will make an impact in any team's defensive zone and help them get the puck out of their own end with ease.

Winnipeg Jets

18 Samuel Honzeky - Centre

Samuel is a solid skater who has plenty of offensive talent. He has a ton of heart and is willing to work in the corner. Once Honzeky fills out, he will be a sold powerplay quarterback. He has a good shot. He could get his share of garbage goals. 

Chicago Blackhawks

19 Andrew Cristall - Left Wing

Andrew has a remarkable ability to read the game and make the right decisions in any situation. His intelligence and skill on the ice are unmatched, and he has an impressive knack for finding the puck. What he does is simply score. He might be one of the smartest players in the draft. A solid skater with an underrated shot. 

Seattle Kraken

20 Riley Heidt - Centre

Riley is a dangerous offensive forward. His impressive puck vision allows him to make precise passes. Riley has a tremendous asset on the powerplay. He can make a difference with his ability to find the open man and excellent skating skills. He is the total package.

Minnesota Wild

21 Otto Stenberg - Center

The best way to describe Otto is a second-line centre. Stenberg knows when to get involved. He is a good all-around player. He is defensively responsible. While he may not have any standout qualities, his all-around ability makes him an invaluable asset to any team.

Philadelphia Flyers

22 Calum Ritchie - Centre

Calum is a solid prospect. He is a solid prospect and an excellent playmaker. He is known for his exceptional vision when it comes to finding open teammates, and rarely gets flustered when in possession of the puck. He always looks at his options before dishing the puck. He has been named a strong puck carrier. It is hard to take the puck off him. Ritchie is developing his physical game, which will only make him stronger. 

 

New York Rangers

23 Tom Wallander - Defencemen

Tom is a well-rounded defenceman who is an asset on both sides of the ice. He excels in the defensive zone and provides a valuable offensive spark. His two-way play makes him a valuable contributor to his team's success.

Nashville Predators

24 Mikhail Gulyayev - Defense

Mikhail is an offensive powerhouse. His ability to jump into the play creates plenty of scoring opportunities for his team. His passing skills are out of this world. If he can improve his defense, he might be the steal in the first round. 

St Louis Blues

25 Gabe Perreault - Right Wing

Gabe is an offensive forward with plenty of tools. He is a great playmaker. His passing is precise and he uses his rapid pace to draw defenders away, thus creating space for his teammates to move into.

San Jose Sharks

26 Kasper Halttunen - Right Wing

Kasper has some grit. He uses his size to his advantage and plays better with the rough stuff. He is especially dangerous on the powerplay, where his heavy one-timers create havoc. If he remains focused, Kasper can be a real menace on the ice.

Colorado Avalanche

27 Charlie Stramel - Centre

Charlie is a solid offensive forward who needs a little work. He has a great shot he can use to his advantage. He can be hard to take off the puck. He is tenacious in working with the puck and does not shy away from the rough game. He is a future power forward.  

Toronto Maple Leafs 

28 Lukas Dragicevic - Defense

Lukas is an offensive defenseman who will put up points in the NHL. He is willing to take risks and join the rush, while also being comfortable playing a line along the boards. He won't shy away from the rough side of the game. Lukas is working on his defensive play. We'll need more development on that side of the game. He is an excellent all-around defenseman.

St Louis Blues

29 Galvin Brindley - Right Wing

Galvin can be summed up as a Tasmanian devil in defense. He is tenacious and attends to detail. Galvin has a high hockey IQ. He will bail out his teammates when they make mistakes. He will make the ideal third-line Right-Wing or great penalty-killing leader in the dressing room. 

Carolina Hurricanes

30 Daniil But Left |Wing

But is highly regarded in the offensive zone. He's a speedy skater with a great shot from the blue line. He will be a great addition to any powerplay. But is a great puck distributor and has great passing skills. He will find the man in the open regularly. While his offensive skills are impressive, he may need additional work in the defensive zone.

Montreal Canadiens

31 Ethan Gauthier - Right Wing

Ethan knows how to get into a team's head. He gets his nose dirty and will fight for the puck. Gauthier has good hands and goes to the net to pick up the garbage goals. 

Las Vegas Golden Knights

32 Koehn Ziemmer - Right Wing 

Koehn is a pinpoint passer with amazing accuracy. He has a high hockey IQ reading the plays. Koehn rarely gets caught out of place because of his hockey vision. He has a quick release, which will be tantalizing to scouts because of its deadly accuracy. In a single word, Koehn can be summed up as a sniper.