Breaking Down the Maple Leafs' Trades in 2015-16

By Alex Hobson

Nobody had any expectations for the Maple Leafs heading into this season. Everybody, the fans, the management, even the coaching staff and some of the players knew this would be a tough season. It was year one of a true rebuild, a year that would likely consist of signing veterans to a one year contract and looking to deal them at the deadline in exchange for prospects and draft picks while leaving their current talent in the minors to develop their game.

Leafs fans caught a glimpse of what they could expect in 2014-15 after the Leafs dealt players such as Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli, and Daniel Winnik to contending teams in exchange for draft picks and prospects, which turned out pretty well given that they got a first round pick, a second round pick, and prospect Brendan Leipsic out of it as the major items. In this piece, I'll take a look at what the Leafs did this season in terms of larger deals. Let's take a look at the first.

FEBRUARY 9TH, 2016

TO OTTAWA

D Dion Phaneuf, D Cody Donaghey, F Casey Bailey, F Matt Frattin, F Ryan Rupert

TO TORONTO

D Jared Cowen, F Colin Greening, F Milan Michalek F Tobias Lindberg, 2017 2nd round pick
 

 
ANALYSIS
This was a great trade for both teams. The Senators end up with a solid defenseman who plays well at both ends of the ice in Phaneuf, whom will likely end up playing better than he did in Toronto due to the amount of pressure being taken off of his back, and they also get a handful of C level prospects who potentially could turn into something. The Leafs, meanwhile took back Lindberg, who provides much needed size onto the Leafs' AHL team, a 2nd round pick, which is always a good asset for a rebuild, and as for the other players, they're mainly cap dumps. Cowen has already been informed that he will be shut down for the season and bought out in the summer, Michalek is returning from injury and could provide a veteran presence on a very, very young Leafs squad, and Greening, who was also a throw in, is having a surprisingly decent run for the Leafs, earning powerplay time and usually top six minutes. Overall, this was a solid trade for both teams.

FEBRUARY 21ST, 2016

TO COLORADO

F Shawn Matthias

TO TORONTO

F Colin Smith, 2016 4th round pick

 

ANALYSIS

There isn't as much to talk about with this trade compared to the Phaneuf deal. Matthias was expected to be dealt despite the season he's having given his ability to play as a utility forward, and joined the Avalanche as a regular third line forward who can play on the penalty kill and contribute some offense. The Leafs got a prospect in Smith who's having a solid AHL season at age 22 and adds depth to an already stacked Marlies team, and again, any pick is a great asset for a rebuilding team, so they're perfectly happy with the 4th. All in all, this was a good trade for both teams given their situations.

FEBRUARY 22ND, 2016

TO SAN JOSE

F Nick Spaling, D Roman Polak

TO TORONTO

F Raffi Torres, 2017 2nd round pick, 2018 2nd round pick

 


ANALYSIS

It's safe to say that nobody was expecting two second round picks for Spaling and Polak, but Lou managed to work his magic with Sharks GM Doug Wilson. That being said, the Sharks are getting a solid stay at home defenseman who can fill in a veteran role on a Sharks team who are gearing up for a playoff run in Polak, and are also getting a solid, ideal bottom six forward who is good defensively in Nick Spaling. As for the Leafs, Raffi Torres was only thrown into the trade for the Sharks to dump a contract. Torres didn't even travel to Toronto, as he was loaned to the San Jose Barracuda, and then soon after announced that he would not be playing professional hockey for the remainder of the season. In general, this was a solid trade for the Sharks and a great trade for the Leafs, given that the Sharks get ideal playoff producers to help them on their run while the Leafs get MORE draft picks.

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016

TO SAN JOSE
G James Reimer, F Jeremy Morin

TO TORONTO

G Alex Stalock, F Ben Smith, Conditional 2018 4th round pick
 

 
ANALYSIS

Lots of Leafs fans were enraged when they heard about this trade. Reimer had become a fan favourite in Toronto because let's face it, it was a feel-good story. He had two miserable seasons after a playoff run in 2013 when the Leafs acquired goaltender Jonathan Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings, thus creating a battle in the crease in which Bernier managed to take control of for his first few years. This year, however, Reimer had a great stretch of games and had presumably taken over as the starting goalie. However, he was a pending UFA, and the Leafs didn't want to let him walk for nothing given their situation. Morin wasn't anything special, was more a throw in than anything, and the Leafs took back Smith, a solid bottom six forward, Stalock, a decent backup goalie who's been struggling a ton this season, and a conditional draft pick (again, you can't go wrong with a draft pick). It's safe to say that the Sharks won this trade, but merely because the Leafs didn't have any better offers.

FEBRUARY 28TH 2016

TO WASHINGTON

F Daniel Winnik, 2016 5th round pick

TO TORONTO

F Brooks Laich, D Connor Carrick, 2016 2nd round pick

 

ANALYSIS



Aside from the Phaneuf deal, this was probably one of the best returns the Leafs got over their series of trades this season. Winnik took a step back from the solid season he had last year with the Maple Leafs, and wasn't expected to be dealt due to his two year conract. However, Lou pulled off a trade with the Caps right before midnight on the 28th and brought back Laich, a solid penalty killer that was thrown in as a cap dump which would allow the Caps to make more moves, Connor Carrick, a solid prospect defenseman who's producing good totals in the AHL, and yet ANOTHER second round pick. I believe the Leafs won this deal, but the Caps got a very nice return as well.

AFTERMATH


One thing that surprised Leafs fans around the globe was that they didn't make any deals today, the initial trade deadline day. They were expected to deal P.A. Parenteau, a veteran who's a pending UFA and having a solid season, along with other veterans who could be of help to contenders such as Brad Boyes, Michael Grabner, and Mark Arcobello. That being said, they made their share of trades and nobody is complaining with what Lou has managed to do with this team.

Blue Jackets Trade Deadline Recap

Nothing to report. Will be added as transactions occur.

Top 10 Rest of World NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to the eighth and final part to my top ten prospect reviews. So far, we've taken a look at what are usually the top seven in international hockey. Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Today, we'll take a look at the best of the rest. This list will be composed of more than one country, with prospects from nations such as Denmark, Switzerland, Latvia, and more. Without further ado, let's dive in and take a look at the remaining top prospects.

10. Alexander True (DENMARK) C, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (Prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft)
 


True is currently in his second year playing in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Kobenhavn native is a hulking solid two way forward, and developing nicely in the WHL. He was not drafted in 2015, but is eligible again this year and could find himself being taken in the later rounds of the draft. He's currently not having a great season with only 26 points in 51 games, but he's also a very defensive and physical forward and if he's not drafted this season, there's a good chance he is in his final year of eligibility. He had two points in five games for Denmark at the World Juniors this year, and is also the cousin of Winnipeg Jets first round pick Nikolaj Ehlers.

9. Stepan Falkovsky (BELARUS) D, Ottawa 67's, OHL (Prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft)
 


If there's one word you should use to describe Falkovsky, it's monster. There's a few, actually. Hulk, tower, giant, you name it. The Minsk native stands at 6'7 and 225 pounds, and needless to say he's a force and absolute terror to play against. He transferred to the OHL this season after playing in the MHL last season, where he recorded 11 points in 22 games. This season, he's put up 28 points in 48 games for the 67's and though he was born in 1996, he still has two more years of draft eligibility because he was born in December. There's a very good chance somebody drafts him between this year and next year given his size and defensive ability.

8. Kristers Gudlevskis (LATVIA) G, Syracuse Crunch, AHL (5th round, 124th overall in 2013 to the Tampa Bay Lightning)
 


Gudlevskis is known best for his outstanding performance for Team Latvia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics against Team Canada. He stood on his head and limited the Canadians to only one goal. Just the year before, the Lightning took him in the 5th round and he has not disappointed. This season, he's posted a 9-9-6 record with a 2.96 GAA and a .902 save percentage. He's a decent prospect, but with Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasilevsky running the show for the time being his future in Tampa looks cloudy. If Gudlevskis feels he deserves an NHL job somewhere else he could look to request a trade, or sign in the KHL.

7. Jonas Siegenthaler (SWITZERLAND) D, ZSC Lions, National League A (2nd round, 57th overall in 2015 to the Washington Capitals) 
 


Siegenthaler is a very solid defensive defenseman who is good in all situations. He currently has 7 points in 37 games for the Lions, playing alongside of projected 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews and he's been looked at as a stay-at-home, shut down type of guy. He only had one point in six games for the Swiss at the World Juniors this year, but again, he was utilized mainly defensively. The Zurich native could develop into a future Karl Alzner for the Caps in the future if his development goes smoothly.

6. Noah Rod (SWITZERLAND) LW, Geneve-Servette, National League A (2nd round, 57th overall in 2014 to the San Jose Sharks)
 


Rod has had a decent season so far playing for Geneve-Servette in the NLA, posting 14 points in 41 games, but the La-Chaux-de-Fonds native truly got to showcase his talent at the World Juniors, both last season and this season. He put up 6 points in 6 games for Team Switzerland at the World Juniors in 2015, and this year he posted the same totals while sporting the "A". Expect him to possibly make the jump next season to join the San Jose Barracuda, or potentially remain in Europe for a few  more years before maing his North America debut.

5. Martins Dzierkals (LATVIA) LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL (3rd round, 78th overall in 2016)
 


When the Leafs took to the board in 2015 to announces their second 3rd round pick after taking defenseman Andrew Nielsen with their first, everyone was surprised when they took young Latvian forward Martins Dziekrals. He was playing in the KHL's junior league the MHL, where not a lot of scouting occurs, but put up 28 points in 32 games. The following season, he made the transition to North America to play for Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL, and the Ogre native has not disappointed. Dzierkals has put up 53 points in 47 games for over a point per game and also registered 4 points in 5 games for Latvia in the WJC qualifiers.

4. Daniel Sprong (NETHERLANDS) LW, Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL (2nd round, 46th overall in 2015 to the Pittsburgh Penguins)
 


The only Dutch prospect on this list, Sprong was originally given a spot on the Pens' opening night lineup after recording 88 points in 68 games for Charlottetown the previous year. He recorded 2 goals in 18 games for the Pens before being reassigned back to the QMJHL, burning a year off of his entry level deal. He's produced at his normal rate since returning to the Islanders this season, posting 35 points in 24 games. He has a deadly shot and a serious knack for goal scoring, so expect him to have a place on the Penguins' roster full time next season.

3. Oliver Bjorkstrand (DENMARK) LW, Lake Erie Monsters, AHL (3rd round, 89th overall in 2013 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)
 


Bjorkstrand had an unbelievable season last year with the Portland Winterhawks, posting 118 points in 59 games. He stood out at the World Juniors with 4 goals and 5 points in 5 for Team Denmark. The Herning native is just an all around offensive juggernaut. He's currently having a very solid first AHL season with the Jackets' affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters with 19 points in 37 games, and is a gifted player in general. Him and Nikolaj Ehlers are the future of Danish hockey.

2. Kevin Fiala (SWITZERLAND) LW, Milwaukee Admirals, AHL (1st round, 11th overall in 2014 to the Nashville Predators)
 


Fiala is having a very good season for the Admirals in his first full AHL season, as he currently has 27 points to date. The Uzwil native shares a dual ciztenship with the Czech Republic and spent almost his whole career playing in Sweden, so he's very multicultural. He finished his final season with 14 points in 20 games for HV71 of the SHL and transferred midway through the season and added 20 points in 33 games for the Admirals in 2014-15. Assuming development goes correctly for Fiala, he should blossom into a top six scoring forward for the Preds.

1. Timo Meier (SWITZERLAND) LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL (1st round, 9th overall in 2015 to the San Jose Sharks)
 


Up until the middle of this year, Meier had spent his entire junior career playing for the Halifax Mooseheads, a team that had oozed talented players over the last three years such as Nathan Mackinnon, Jonathan Drouin, and Nikolaj Ehlers. Meier had a solid season last year, recording 90 points in 61 games for them and the Herisau is producing the same way this year. He currently has 60 points in 40 games between the Mooseheads and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, whom he was traded to a few months ago. If Meier produces the way he's been lately for the next few years, he should definitely become a regular goal scorer for the Sharks.

Thanks for reading. I had a lot of fun writing this series, I hope you guys had fun reading it.

Top 10 Slovakian NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to the seventh part of my top ten reviews for prospects from each country. We've already gone over Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and the Czech Republic. Today we're going to take a look at Slovakia's top ten most promising youth. One thing I noticed while looking over the Slovaks was that there was a significant drop off in talent from the Czech Republic. However, there are still some promising prospects on this list that could become quality NHLers. Lets take a look.

10. Juraj Siska, RW, Slovakia U20, Slovakia (Prospect Eligible for 2016 NHL Entry Draft)
 


Siska is a decent prospect who's spent most of his junior career with Slovakia U20 and HC Nitra. He posted solid totals in 2012-13 with HC Nitra U20 with 27 points in 27 games, but unfortunately last season when he switched over to the QMJHL he only managed to register 15 points in 64 games. This season, he's played in 10 games for Team Slovakia U20 and registered 5 points, 2 coming in the World Juniors in 5 games. Given that this is his final year of draft eligibility, he likely won't be drafted. But if his production keeps up he could find his way into the NHL as a free agent.

9. Matus Sukel, C, Team Slovakia U20, Slovakia (Prospect Eligible for 2016 NHL Entry Draft)
 


Unlike Sweden, Finland, Russia, and the Czech Republic, the Slovaks do not really have a popular top league such as the SHL or Liiga. Most of these prospects only garner scouting reports because of appearences for Slovakia at the WJC. A prime example of this is Sukel, who generated four points in five games for Slovakia at the World Juniors as one of their top producers. The Liptovsky Mikulas native turned 20 earlier in January so this year is his final year of draft eligibility. It's possible he could be looked upon as 7th round pick.

8. Maros Surovy, LW, HC Banska Bystrica, Slovakia (Prospect Eligible for 2016 NHL Entry Draft)
 


Surovy is a case similar to Sukel and Siska, except he's found his way into the top Slovakian pro league, but he only has 3 points in 32 games. The Brezno native stepped up and recorded 2 points in 5 games for Slovakia at the World Juniors this year, and otherwise has 6 points in 11 games playing for his U20 category in Slovakia2, the junior league for them. It's possible he could sneak into the draft rankings as a late round pick, but it's also possible nobody picks him due to the lack of scouting in Slovakia. Then again, if he continues to develop his game and signs in the KHL or another pro league, he could find his way into an NHL job.

7. Kristian Pospisil, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL (Prospect Eligible for 2016 NHL Entry Draft)
 


Pospisil is going to be much easier to scout than the other Slovak prospects. The Zvolen native spent last year playing for EC Salzburg II of the MHL, the KHL's junior league, and ended up recording 49 points in 49 games, at exactly a PPG average. This season, he's playing in his one eligible season in the QMJHL for Blainville-Boisbriand, and is posting solid numbers with 31 points in 42 games. It's possible he could see himself drafted this June, but likely later on in the draft, around the same time we could see Sukel go.

6. Radovan Bondra, LW, Vancouver Giants, WHL (5th round, 151st overall in 2015 to the Chicago Blackhawks)
 


The first player on this list that's been drafted, Bondra could definitely become an effective grinder in the future for the Hawks. One that teams hate to play against. His offensive game needs some serious work, but aside from that the Trebisov native is a towering winger, standing at 6'5 and 218lb, is very physical and good defensively. Currently has 20 points in 47 games for the Giants this season.

5. Denis Godla, G, Hermes, Mestis (Undrafted Free Agent)
 


It's very confusing to one how teams passed over Godla three times in the draft. He is a very talented goaltender and was absolutely lights-out at the 2015 World Juniors for Team Slovakia, posting a 2.76 GAA and a 2.76 save percentage. He's currently playing in the Mestis league in Finland for Hermes Kokkola where he sports a 2.40 GAA and a .927 save percentage. It's very hard to get an accurate scouting report from that league, as it's widely unknown around the world, but after his performance in 2015 he should be known as an all around talented goaltender. It's possible a team takes a chance on him in the future if he keeps developing his game.

4. Matej Tomek, G, Univerity of North Dakota, NCAA (3rd round, 90th overall in 2015 to the Philadelphia Flyers)
 


It's been a rough year for Matej Tomek. The Bratislava native had an unbelievable season for the Topeka Roadrunners of the NAHL last season, with a 24-7-2 record along with a 1.83 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He was good enough to be taken in the third round by the Flyers, but due to injuries requiring surgery along with a crowded crease at UND, Tomek hasn't been able to prove his worth in the NCAA and hasn't suited up for a single game. Still, his performance last year is good enough to rank him at #4 on this list and when he makes his return, he could definitely surprise some people.

3. Adam Huska, G, Green Bay Gamblers, USHL (7th round, 184th overall in 2015 to the New York Rangers)
 


Huska has had a great season for the Gamblers and is showing serious potential to develop into a very solid goaltender in the future for the New York Rangers. He currently has a record of 18-6-2 with a GAA of 1.81 and a save percentage of .935. He's in the midst of a crowded Rangers goaltender prospect pool, hovering with Brandon Halverson and Mackenzie Skapski, but if he continues his play at this rate then there's no reason why he shouldn't be a starter for the Rangers in the future.

2. Christian Jaros, D, Lulea HF, SHL (5th round, 139th overall in 2015 to the Ottawa Senators)
 


Jaros really made a name for himself at the World Juniors when he was named team captain for the team, posting two points in five games. He is already a young leader and makes players around him better. He's currently splitting time between Lulea HF and Asploven HC of Allsvenskan, where he has 3 points in 18 games for Lulea and 5 points in 22 games for Asploven. Jaros is a defensive minded defenseman, so these totals aren't awful. Expect him to play a few more years in the SHL, developing his game, and then make the transition to North America to play with the Sens' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

1. Erik Cernak, D, Erie Otters, OHL (2nd round, 43rd overall in 2015 to the Los Angeles Kings)
 


Cernak is by far the best prospect on this list. He was drafted in the second round of a very deep 2015 draft and he has tremendous size and a very, very good defensive game to compliment it. The Kosice native currently has only 9 points in 29 games for the Otters, but like I said earlier his defensive game is rock solid. He doesn't take too many penalties for his compete level. If Cernak's development goes right, he'll play one final season in the OHL next season and then afterwards he'll likely join the Kings' affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Expect him to blossom into a solid top four defensive defenseman for the Kings, as he fits their play style almost perfectly.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Top 10 Czech NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to the sixth part of my prospect previews from each country. We've already taken a close look at Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, so now it's time to tackle the Czech Republic. I unfortunately wasn't able to think of a creative nickname for these guys but nonetheless let's take a look at the top ten Czech prospects.

10. Ondrej Kase, RW, San Diego Gulls, AHL (7th round, 205th overall in 2014 to the Anaheim Ducks)
 


Kase is an interesting "Kase" for the Ducks (Anyone? No? Okay) anyways he was a late round pick in a 2014 draft that wasn't overly deep, but he's looking like a solid pick for the Ducks so far. He hasn't played much this season due to injury but has put up 5 points in 6 games for the Ducks' AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He had a pretty solid season for Pirati Chomutov of the Czech Junior league last year, and could end up being a solid middle six forward for the Ducks in the future.

9. Michael Spacek, RW, Red Deer Rebels, WHL (4th round, 108th overall in 2015 to the Winnipeg Jets)
 


Spacek spent his entire career playing in Europe for HC Pardubice in the Czech league, where he put up 12 points in 40 games in his final season. This year, the Marianske Lazne native made the transition to North America to play in the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels, where he currently has a solid total of 45 points in 49 games. Expect him to play out one final year in the WHL next season and then make the jump to the AHL in 2017-18 to play for the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' AHL affiliate.

8. Daniel Vladar, G, Chicago Steel, USHL (3rd round, 75th overall in 2015 to the Boston Bruins)
 


Vladar, like Spacek, spent his entire career playing in Europe. Though instead he played for HC Kladno. This year, the Prague native made the transition to North America, though instead of playing in the CHL he began to play for the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Vladar is posting pretty good numbers for the Steel, given the fact that their position in the USHL is mediocre. He currently has an 7-8-4 record with a 2.20 GAA and a .921 save percentage, so not bad numbers for a goalie playing for a middle of the pack team.

7. Dominik Masin, D, Peterborough Petes, OHL (2nd round, 35th overall in 2014 to the Tampa Bay Lightning)
 


Masin was a pretty early pick in a not-so-deep 2014 NHL Draft, and he hasn't really exceeded expectations, but rather just met them. The Mestec Kralove native has proven to be a reliable defenseman for the Peterborough Petes this season and while he isn't necessarily flashy in any aspect of his game, he's certainly solid all around and if his development goes properly, he could blossom into a solid top six defenseman for the Lightning in the future. He currently has 26 points in 45 games for the Petes this season, and recorded 2 points in 5 games for the Czechs at the World Juniors.

6. Dominik Simon, LW, Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins, AHL (5th round, 137th overall in 2015 to the Pittsburgh Penguins)
 


When the Pens drafted Simon in the 5th round in 2015, nobody knew who he was. All they knew was that he was an overager who would have gone undrafted had nobody taken a chance on him in 2015. However, he has wowed many people with his performance as of late. The Praha native spent last season playing for HC Plzen of the Czech league and posted 30 points in 52 games for them, pretty solid numbers given his age and the calibre of the league he was playing in. In his first AHL season he's posted 32 points in 45 games playing for WBS. These are very good totals for someone his age in this league, and if development goes smoothly he should develop into a top six forward for the Pens in the future.

5. Dominik Kubalik, LW, HC Plzen, Czech League (7th round, 191th overall in 2013 to the Los Angeles Kings)
 


Surprisingly enough, Kubalik is the only player on this list who is currently still playing in the Czech Republic. The Plzen native wasn't overly flashy while playing in the OHL, splitting time between the Sudbury Wolves and the Kitchener Rangers, his career high being 34 points in 67 games, but he's tearing up the Czech League now with his hometown HC Plzen, with 40 points in 43 games, very good totals for someone his age. The question is whether or not he will be able to translate this play to the AHL when he decides to make the jump, but if he produces like this he should have no problem.

4. Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL (2nd round, 48th overall in 2015 to the Ottawa Senators)
 


Chlapik had a very solid season for the Islanders last season, registering a total of 75 points in 64 games for them and stepping up during their playoff run with 9 points in 9 games. The Praha native is having a solid season for them this season, but isn't producing at the rate he was last year. He currently has 43 points in 42 games, which obviously isn't a problem given the fact that he's still over a point per game, but he can likely do better. Expect him to play out one final year in the juniors next season and then make the jump to the Sens' affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

3. Jakub Zboril, D, Saint-John Sea Dogs, QMJHL (1st round, 13th overall in 2015 to the Boston Bruins)
 


Zboril was the first pick in a string of Bruins' first rouders that saw them take some rather odd players, with Jake DeBrusk following at #14 when he was projected late first round, and Zachary Senyshyn afterwards at #15 when he was projected third round. Zboril wasn't odd, however. He produced a very solid total of 33 points in 44 games on a weak Sea Dogs team, and this season currently has 16 points in 38 games. While he also isn't performing at the pace he did last season, keep in mind he is also a 200 foot player. Very good offensively and defensively and should be a reliable top four defenseman for the Bruins in the future.

2. Jakub Vrana, RW, Hershey Bears, AHL (1st round, 13th overall in 2014 to the Washington Capitals)
 


Vrana is one of the most underrated prospects in the league. He was drafted out of the SHL and spent last year playing for Linkoping HC, posting 24 points in 44 games. This season, the Praha native has far exceeded expectaions in his first AHL season, posting 16 points in 16 games as a point per game player. He is an offensively gifted player and a natural goal scorer. If his production keeps up and his development goes nicely, then he should look very nice in the future alongside of Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the top line in Washington.

1. Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia Sting, OHL (1st round, 6th overall in 2014 to the New Jersey Devils)
 


Zacha had an injury ridden season last year with the Sting that unfortunately slowed down his production, as he posted 34 points in 37 games. But this season, the Brno native has stepped up his game and is back to his usual form, with 51 points in 44 games while sporting the "A" for the Sting. The Devils have not been known for offensive talent both when they've had success and when they've been near the bottom, but they are getting an offensive juggernaut in Zacha and he will immediately boulster their offense when he solidifies himself a spot on the team in the future.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Top 10 Russian NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my top ten rankings of prospects in each country. We've already taken a look at Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland, so now we're going to take a look at the Raging Russians. Russia got silver after losing to Finland in the gold medal game in the 2016 World Juniors, and lots of prospects got to showcase their talent. Anyways, let's dive right in.

10. Nikolay Goldobin, RW, San Jose Barracuda, AHL (1st round, 27th overall in 2014 to the San Jose Sharks)
 


Goldobin has had a consistent game since being drafted in 2014. In his draft year he put up a solid total of 94 points in 67 games with the Sarnia Sting, good enough to be deemed first round pick worthy, and then the following year he spent time playing in the SM-Liiga on loan with HIFK, where he produced 21 points in 38 games. In his first pro North American season, he's put up 24 points in 38 games for the Barracuda and looks like he could turn into a solid goal scorer for the Sharks in the future.

9. Denis Guryanov, LW, Lada Togliatti, KHL (1st round, 12th overall in 2015 to the Dallas Stars)
 


Guryanov had a great season for Ladia Togliatti of the MHL, the KHL's Junior League, putting up 25 points in 23 games. When the Stars selected him at 12th overall, many people deemed this to be an off the board pick with the likes of Kyle Connor, Mathew Barzal, and Jakub Zboril availible, but he was still a solid pickup. He's experiencing some growing pains with the KHL club full time this season, as he only has 5 points in 47 games for them, but struggles are expected during your first pro season in a league like the KHL. Expect him to eventually make the jump to the AHL at some point during his contract.

8. Ivan Barbashev, C, Chicago Wolves, AHL (2nd round, 33rd overall in 2014 to the ST. Louis Blues)
 


Barbashev was projected to be a first round pick in 2014 by many scouts and experts, but when he slipped to the second round, the Blues were more than happy to pick him up at 33rd overall. In his draft year, the Moskva native put up 68 points in 48 games for the Moncton Wildcats, and the following year registered 95 points in 57 games. He's having a solid first campaign in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves with 22 points in 43 games, and he could definitely look to be a solid top six forward with the Blues if groomed properly.

7. Ilya Samsonov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL (1st round, 22nd overall in 2015 to the Washington Capitals)
 


Many Capitals fans and hockey fans who follow the draft in general were confused when the Capitals took Samsonov with their first round pick, given that they already had a young star goalie in Braden Holtby. That being said, he's not been a disappointment for the Caps. In his first full pro KHL season with Metallurg, he currently has a 6-4-3 record with a 2.04 GAA and a .925 save percentage, good numbers for a rookie in the KHL. It's questionable how the Caps will handle the situation once Samsonov is NHL ready, but they'll find a way to make it work.

6. Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor Spitfires, OHL (Top 2016 NHL Draft Prospect)
 


When the Windsor Spitfires selected Sergachyov with the 6th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, they knew they were getting a solid defenseman, and Sergachyov is having a very good season for the Spits. He currently has a total of 43 points in 54 games for them this season and is one of their most reliable defensemen. If all goes according to plan, Sergachyov could find himself being taken in the top ten of the upcoming 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

5. Vladislav Kamenev, C, Milwaukee Admirals, AHL (2nd round, 42nd overall in 2014 to the Nashville Predators)
 


Kamenev really made a name for himself in the 2016 World Juniors, playing as team captain for Team Russia and recording 6 points in 7 games for the silver-winning Russians. His first AHL season is progressing smoothly, as he currently has 21 points in 30 games for them. He could make a strong case for himself to make the Predators full time next season.

4. Nikita Zaitsev, D, CSKA Moskva, KHL (Undrafted Free Agent)
 


Zaitsev is by far the most interesting case out of all the lists i've done so far. He is the first prospect I've covered that has gone undrafted in his three years of eligibility. Usually after players go undrafted, their careers in hockey don't really go anywhere. However, the Moskva native has garnered tons of interest around the NHL because of the stellar seasons he's had since going undrafted. This season he has 26 points in 46 games, and after talking to some NHL teams he's expected to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason. If this is the case, then the Leafs are getting themselves a steal.

3. Pavel Buchnevich, LW, SKA St. Petersburg, KHL (3rd round, 75th overall in 2013 to the New York Rangers)
 


When you think of the New York Rangers, prospects aren't usually the first thing to come to mind. They generally trade their prospects and draft picks in exchange for stars to help them for their playoff runs, but they might have found themselves a gem in Buchnevich. The Cherepovets native split time in the KHL this season between St. Petersburg and Severstal Cherepovits, and currently has a grand total of 37 points in 58 games in the KHL, which are very good numbers for somebody his age in Russia's pro league. If his production keeps up then he could seriously compete for a spot on the Rangers full time.

2. Evgeni Svechnikov, RW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL (1st round, 19th overall in 2015 to the Detroit Red Wings)
 


The Red Wings drafted this kid, so you know he's gonna turn out to be a star. In all seriousness however, he's having a very solid season with Cape Breton, having posted 64 points in 41 games for the Eagles. The Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk native has a knack for goal scoring and given that this is his last year of junior eligibility, the Wings could look to bring him into the AHL for a few seasons before promoting him to the main squad.

1. Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL (1st round, 7th overall in 2015 to the Philadelphia Flyers)
 


Provorov has been over a point per game player for the majority of his career, and he's a defenseman. He tallied up 61 points in 60 games for the Wheat Kings in his draft year, and this season he has 54 points in 48 games. He represented Russia at the World Juniors and recorded 8 points in 7 games. The Yaroslavl native is a key part of an unfairly talented Flyers defensive pool consisting of Samuel Morin, Travis Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Provorov. He will be a quality NHL defenseman for years to come.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Top 10 Finnish NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my prospect rankings for each country. We've already gone over Canada, USA, and Sweden, so now it's time to tackle the fourth country and take a look at the Fantastic Fins. Finland is a very exciting up-and-coming country in terms of hockey players, so let's dive in and take a closer look at who we have ranked 1-10.

10. Esa Lindell, D, Texas Stars, OHL (3rd round, 74th overall in 2012 to the Dallas Stars)



Another Scandanavian defensive prospect in the Stars system, alongside of Swede Niklas Hansson, Lindell is proving himself to be a solid d-man for the Texas Stars. In his first pro season with Texas, he currently has 31 points in 52 games. These are very good totals for a defenseman playing at the AHL level. If his development goes smoothly, then expect him to eventually blossom into a regular defenseman for the Stars.

9. Roope Hintz, LW, HFIK, SM-Liiga (2nd round, 49th overall in 2015 to the Dallas Stars)



Another Finnish Stars prospect, this time a forward, Hintz represented himself well at the World Juniors for Team Finland in 2016, putting up 4 points in 7 games. He's having a solid season playing in the SM-Liiga this year, with 12 points in 25 games. The Liiga, much like the SHL, is a tough league to play in, so these are respectable totals for Hintz. Expect him to make the jump to the Texas Stars at some point within the next few years.

8. Villi Saarijarvi, D, Flint Firebirds, OHL (3rd round, 73rd overall in 2015 to the Detroit Red Wings)



The Red Wings have been notorious for drafting hidden gems in the late rounds of the draft in the past, such as taking core stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in the sixth and seventh rounds of their respective drafts, and they might have found another in Saarijarvi. After being taken ninth overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft by the Flint Firebirds, the undersized Rovaniemi native has been a bright spot in an atricous Firebirds seasoon, putting up 32 points in 45 games.

7. Olli Juolevi, D, London Knights, OHL (Top 2016 NHL Draft Prospect)



Juolevi is a core member on one of the most stacked OHL teams. The Helsinki native has 29 points in 45 games for the Knights, and on top of that he had a very solid World Junior campaign for the gold-winning Team Finland, with 29 points in 43 games. Due to his solid production both offensively and defensively, Juolevi has worked himself into a projected top ten pick position in the upcoming 2016 NHL Draft. He's drawn many comparisons to current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta, and could turn out to be a solid player if he's developed right.

6. Julius Honka, D, Texas Stars, AHL (1st round, 14th overall to the Dallas Stars in 2014)



Honka is not the first, not the second, but the THIRD prospect to make this list who's in the Stars organization. Honka spent his last junior season in 2013-14 playing for the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, where he recorded 56 points in 62 games. He is now in his second season with the Texas Stars, and the Jyvaskyla native has had solid production. He currently has 34 points in 54 games for Texas and is showing no signs of slowing down. If his development continues properly, then he should be a staple on the Stars defensive core for years to come.

5. Sebastian Aho, C, Karpat Oulu, SM-Liiga (2nd round, 45th overall to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015)



Aho really made a name for himself after being selected in the second round by the Hurricanes in 2015. The Rauma native currently has 32 points in 38 games for Karpat Oulu, and really turned heads at the World Juniors after recording 14 points in 7 games while playing in between highly touted 2016 draft prospects Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine. He could potentially make the jump to the AHL within the next few years and could be a very serviceable player for the Hurricanes for years to come.

4. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Toronto Marlies, AHL (1st round, 22nd overall in 2014 to the Pittsburgh Penguins)



After being acquired by Toronto in the trade that sent goal scorer Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Leafs knew that Kapanen was the main piece coming back and was a very solid prospect. The start to his season was slowed down due to injuries, but after representing Team Finland at the World Juniors and recording 5 points in 7 games including the golden goal, he really took off. He currently has 10 points in his last 9 games for the Marlies. He could very well become a solid top six player for the Leafs in the future if developed correctly.

3. Mikko Rantanen, LW, San Antonio Rampage, AHL (1st round, 10th overall to the Colorado Avalanche in 2015)



The top ranked Finnish player in the 2015 NHL Draft, Rantanen appeared in six games for the Avalanche in 2015-16 but struggled to produce for them. However, he really stepped up his game in the AHL and to this day has recorded a ridiculous 41 points in 33 games. He captained Team Finland at the World Juniors and recorded 5 points in 7 games, so his development is going smoothly to this day. Expect him to be a lock to make the Avalanche next season.

2. Jesse Puljujarvi, LW, Karpat Oulu, SM-Liiga (Top 2016 NHL Draft Prospect)



Puljujarvi had been hovering around the top five area of the 2016 NHL Draft for a long time, but at this point he's a lock to go either second or third overall, given that Auston Matthews essentially has #1 booked. Whoever gets Puljujarvi won't be complaining however. The Avkarleby, Sweden native holds a dual citzenship between Sweden and Finland, but considers himself a Fin. He recorded an incredible 17 points in 7 games at the World Juniors this season, and currently has 22 points in 45 games for Karpat. He is going to be a phenomenal player for whoever drafts him.

1. Patrik Laine, RW, Tappara, SM-Liiga (Top 2016 NHL Draft Prospect)



Laine is essentially a clone to Jesse Puljujarvi. The Tampere native shares many of the same traits as Puljujarvi, as they both have a big combination of size and skill, and could easily go second or third overall. The reason I give Laine a bit of an edge over Puljujarvi is because he's slightly bigger and more flashier than he is, but aside from that they're almost identical. Both represented Finland at the World Juniors and both tore it up, as Laine got 13 points in 17 games and currently has 29 points in 37 games for Tappara. These young guns are something special, without a doubt.

Thanks for reading, everyone.