After a short break following an exciting 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, the scouting fraternity is already busy preparing for the next wave of potential stars.
For more than a year, the 2023 NHL draft class has established itself as an elite group of prospects.
Judging by the quality of play at the recently concluded Hlinka Gretzky Cup, this cycle of players is unlikely to disappoint. Names at the top of the class include Connor Bedard and Matvey Michkov, but the depth of high-end talent doesn’t stop there. It will be an exciting year to track 2023 draft-eligible prospects.
A stacked Canadian team beat Sweden 4-1 on Saturday to win tournament gold. Finland defeated group newcomers the Czech Republic 3-1 to claim bronze.
Here are some players who stood out with their play last week in Red Deer, Alta.:
GOALKEEPERS
Michael Hrabal, Czech Republic 6-6, 201 lbs | Grips: Left | Eligible project for 2023
A “hybrid/blocking” style goalie who uses his big frame to his advantage. When players try to get him to move laterally and drive pucks around his outstretched legs, his width in the crease makes him a challenge for shooters. Hrabal is the type of goaltender who can play deep in his net and allow pucks to come to him. The less it moves, the better. It is important for him to play between the posts and not get mixed up. He’s not extremely athletic for his size, so he has to play a composed game. When he equalizes, shooters have nothing to look at when trying to score from distance.
Samuel Urban, Slovakia 6-1, 196 pounds | Grips: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Urban was under siege for much of the tournament. He was, perhaps, the MVP of the Slovakian team. The butterfly/athletic goaltender never gives up pucks. He is durable in his crease and has shown he can move laterally to make first and second saves. An area of weakness is his rebound control. Urban has active pads and tends to kick pucks back into traffic zones. He needs to improve this area of his game as the season progresses.
Scott Ratzlaff, Canada 6-0, 172 pounds | Grips: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Ratzlaff wasn’t called upon to be elite in this tournament, but he held down the fort when needed. He finished the tournament with four wins and a .962 save percentage. The butterfly goalie is athletic and takes up plenty of net with his wide stature in the crease. He will have a lot of eyes on him this season in Seattle (WHL).
Erik Olsson, Sweden 6-3, 183 lbs | Grips: Left | Eligible project for 2024
His birthday (Sept. 27, 2005) falls after the Sept. 15 deadline for the 2023 draft, making him a 2024 target. There’s a lot to like about this prospect. He has a good disposition and size. Olsson runs very well and has good feet and gloves. If he was eligible for 2023, he would be a high-end goaltending target. The fact that he has two full years of development ahead of him should boost his stock even more as he heads into 2024.
Eemil Vinni, Finland 6-2, 187 lbs | Grips: Left | Eligible project for 2024
There is a real possibility that Vinny and Olsson will battle for Europe’s top-rated goaltending slot in 2024. Vinny has good size, great feet, moves very well laterally and controls his tackles. He’s also not shy about popping out of his crease to make plays with the puck and the ice outlet. He was netless to start the tournament, but established himself as Finland’s No. 1 as the week progressed.
PROTECTORS
Cameron Allen, Canada 5-11, 190 pounds | Shoot: Right | Eligible project for 2023
The right-handed defender captained Team Canada and led by example. Allen is a tenacious defender who plays with a competitive edge. He took up time and space effectively and made responsible decisions with the puck. The two-way defender is more of a distributor than a shooter in the offensive zone. He had one goal and six assists for seven points.
Dylan McKinnon, Canada 6-2, 185 lbs | Shoot: Right | Eligible project for 2023
MacKinnon is a valuable defender who isn’t likely to force plays on offense, but contributes in the small parts of the game. A reliable two-way “D” who has the ability to skate pucks or join the rush as an extra layer, but generally focuses on his defensive responsibilities. He’s a low-risk player with above-average physical upside and good three-zone awareness.
Tanner Molendyk, Canada 5-10, 180 pounds | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Molendyk contributed one goal and three assists for four points in the tournament. He had the look of a player who could score more if the puck bounced to him at times. He is a fluid skater with a solid hockey IQ. Molendyk was used in all situations for Team Canada. A transitional ‘D’ who has the potential to spark offense for Saskatoon (WHL) and log a lot of ice time.
Lucas St. Louis, USA 5-11, 170 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
The son of Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, Lucas definitely has some of his father’s playmaking genes. He began the tournament handling the puck with confidence and showing deception and vision in the offensive zone. His defense fluctuated at times, but he was generally engaged and didn’t shy away from battle zones. Unfortunately for him and his teammates, the wheels fell off and the group fell out of playing as a team. St. Louis doesn’t have a history of elite scoring stats. He skates very well and gives the impression that he can contribute more than history shows. Lucas will play for Dubuque (USHL) this season before heading to Harvard in 2023-24.
Christian Kostadinski, Sweden 6-5, 214 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Teams looking to add a defensive ‘D’ that plays with some edge will be keeping a close eye on Kostadinski this season. He’s a big body who knows his limitations and plays to his strengths. He’s not likely to produce much offensively, but he’s capable of making the first pass. Kostadinski prides himself on cleaning up his crease and making life miserable for opponents on the boards.
Theo Lindstein, Sweden 6-0, 179 pounds | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Lindstein is an elite skater who is fast and agile. He projects to be a transitional “D” who can run the power play. In the offensive zone, he is more of a distributor than a shooter. He’s not an elite defender, but that’s not a problem or a weakness either. Lindstein had one goal and five assists for six points in the tournament. In the past, he hasn’t shown that he can achieve a high level of offense for an entire season. Time will tell if he starts to come to his senses.
Kalle Kangas, Finland 6-4, 205 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Kangas had a bit of an uneven tournament. He started the week playing with presence. He is big bodied but not physically punishing. His length and ability to take up space with his reach is a plus when engaged in his zone. There were times in the tournament where his execution with the puck and his ability to defend against speed were put to the test. There is an interesting foundation with the Kangas, but I am looking for more definition and consistency as the season progresses.
Jakub Dvorak, Czech Republic 6-5, 203 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
The Czech captain was deployed in all situations. He logged a lot of ice time. Dvorak is a big body who is a capable skater. He’s not shy about leading the rush or joining in as an extra layer. Although he is not elite in any particular category, he is very competitive and participates in all three zones. Dvorak is headed to Swift Current (WHL) this season. At this point in his development, he projects to be a two-way ‘D’ who isn’t likely to contribute on the power play as a pro.
This space is too limited to go into great detail about the event’s minor league defenseman, but these two players get a mention for their skills and upside for the 2024 Draft:
Niilopekka Muhonen, Finland 6-4 194 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2024
A huge two-way “D.”
Arvid Bergstrom, Sweden 5-10, 160 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2024
Transitional “D” who is an elite skater and very similar to his teammate Lindstein.
FORWARD
Edward Salle, Czech Republic 6-1, 165 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Sale is an elite offensive talent. He was deadly on the power play. Off the rush, he has the ability to run the game with speed or pull and distribute. His details off the puck and willingness to commit more in tight spots will be tested throughout the season, but there’s no denying his upside as a potential top forward at the NHL level is significant. He finished the event with four goals and two assists for six points. He also scored two ridiculously clever goals in the shootout.
Kasper Haltunen, Finland 6-2, 207 lbs | Shoot: Right | Eligible project for 2023
The first leader in the club for the strongest shot in the draft class. Haltunen snatches pucks from the wing on a power play. He also has a deadly snapshot to get out of tight areas quickly. At times, offensive-minded forwards play a dull game that sometimes lacks detail and pressure. He definitely falls into that category after this event. This kid has great size, can play fast when he wants to, and definitely has offensive upside. Overall, his efforts need to go to another level to make his element more dangerous. He had one goal and two assists for three points in five tournament games. More effort will lead to more results.
Emil Jarventie, Finland 5-11, 170 lbs | Shoots: Left | Eligible project for 2023
Jarventie became more prominent as the tournament progressed. He is an energetic forward who is equal parts scorer and playmaker. His ability to pass checks and create turnovers are skills that come to life through his work ethic. He had a positive week scoring two goals and three…
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