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This week McKeen’s Director of Scouting Brock Otten provides a detailed round up of all the prospects that have moved since March 1st culminating in yesterday NHL Trade deadline.
Lots to read here, so will get right to it. Over at www.mckeenshockey.com the 2022 NHL Draft machine is cranking up and lots of great content there on top prospects and some great material in the hopper for this week.
Brock and a healthy contingent of McKeen’s staffers will be at this Wednesday’s CHL Top Prospects Game at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, so look for an update in next week’s column.
Trade Deadline Review 2022
By Brock Otten
The 2022 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. Everyone will be debating the winners and losers. Everyone will be debating who the new Cup favorite is (or if it has changed). What we aim to do with our trade deadline review is provide information on the prospects traded this month (going back to the start of March).
The prospects that we can not discuss are the ones who have not yet been drafted. Draft picks were the preferred currency of NHL general managers at this year’s deadline. Over 50 draft picks were traded from March 1st to the deadline. That total includes selections from 2022, from 2023, and from 2024 and beyond. One thing is becoming clear in these deadline deals, NHL general managers prefer to select their own players at the draft, rather than take on the prospects that an NHL organization is willing to give up. And vice versa, GM’s are willing to trade the picks rather than their top prospects because they haven’t invested time and effort into their development yet. Better to trade the unknown than what you have already.
Here is a closer look at the prospects who did change teams recently, and what to expect from them moving forward.
Aidan Hreschuk (CAR to CBJ)
Defense - Boston College
A former member of the U.S. National Development team program, Hreschuk was a recent third round selection of Hurricanes (in 2021). The mobile, two-way blueliner just finished his freshman year at Boston College, where he played a second/third pairing role with consistent time on the penalty kill. While he didn’t hit the scoresheet much, Hreschuk proved that he can defend at the NCAA level and his freshman year had to be considered a success overall. With excellent four-way mobility, Hreschuk defends pace extremely well. He makes up for a lack of size/reach (being 5’11) by aggressively taking away gaps and angling attackers off. With his quickness, he can also start the breakout effectively. How much offensive upside Hreschuk possesses remains to be seen. As he matures and gains confidence, will he look to use his quickness to play more aggressively with the puck? Can his decision making, and game management skills evolve to the point where he can quarterback the powerplay effectively? He will likely receive an increased role as a sophomore as Boston College loses Drew Helleson and Jack St.Ivany to the pro level.
Long term upside: #4-6 defender
ETA: 2024/25 or 2025/26
Tyler Inamoto (FLA to CAR)
Defense - University of Wisconsin
Inamoto took advantage of a ruling by the NCAA allowing seniors to return for a fifth year because of Covid interruptions last season. Thus, Inamoto spent five years with the Wisconsin Badgers. Included in a three-way swap (around Max Domi), it is obvious that the Panthers had no intention of signing Inamoto and the Hurricanes asked for his rights. What Inamoto is not is an offensive defender. He never reached double digits in points during any of his five NCAA seasons. His skill with the puck, confidence, and overall vision just never developed coming out of the U.S. NTDP. Truthfully there never really was an expectation that it would. What Inamoto is, is a hard nosed, throwback stay at home defender. He makes forwards earn every inch of ice and he wins the majority of his battles in higher traffic areas. His skating and four-way mobility is also better than your average physical, defensive type. His decision making and passing ability will need to improve for him to develop into an NHL defender, but there is a chance.
Long term upside: #6-7 defender
ETA: 2023/24 or 2024/25
Calle Clang (PIT to ANA)
Goaltender - Rögle BK (SHL)
Clang, a third-round selection by the Penguins in 2020, is finishing up a breakout season in the Swedish men’s league, his first in the SHL. In fact, Clang was also great last year in the Swedish second men’s league (Allsvenskan). That makes back-to-back years showing positive progression playing against men in one of the premier hockey leagues outside of the NHL. With Rögle, he has played in a platoon role and his .915 save percentage is tied for fourth in the SHL with top prospect Jesper Wallstedt (who is actually the same age). Clang has a well-rounded profile as a netminder. He reads the play well, shows strong positional awareness, and continues to work hard to improve his athleticism and quickness. At this point, Clang looks like one of the top young netminders in Sweden and his acquisition by the Ducks was an astute one. He has done nothing but progress since being drafted.
Long term upside: #1 netminder
ETA: 2024/25 or 2025/26
Morgan Barron (NYR to WPG)
Center - Hartford (AHL)/New York (NHL)
It is fitting that the Jets acquired Barron as part of the return package for Andrew Copp because he has a chance to develop into a Copp type of player for them in the future. A former standout at Cornell, Barron is playing in his second pro season, earning a call up to New York in both seasons. The 6’4, 220lbs center uses every inch and ounce of that size to employ a power game. A hard worker at both ends of the ice, Barron is versatile because of his well-rounded skill set. He kills penalties because of his faceoff prowess and ability to win battles and force turnovers with physicality. He can play the powerplay as a net front presence with good hands and the ability to dig at pucks down low. He is never going to be the most skilled or creative player on the ice, but he should be able to become an impactful player in Winnipeg, sooner rather than later. For now, it looks like he will head to Manitoba of the AHL, but don’t be surprised if he is not up with Winnipeg for good to close out the year.
Long term upside: third line center
ETA: 2022/23
Justin Barron (COL to MTL)
Defense - Colorado (AHL)
What a day for the Barron household as both Morgan and Justin get dealt at the trade deadline. Justin, the younger brother of the now Winnipeg Jet Morgan, was a recent first round selection by the Avalanche (in 2020). The former Halifax Mooseheads captain would have been drafted higher than 25th (in all likelihood) if he didn’t have a rash of unlucky injuries including the development of a blood clot. Now fully healthy, Justin Barron is having a very successful first pro year in the AHL, playing over 18 minutes a night, playing in all situations. His 20 points (prior to the trade) are good for top 10 in rookie scoring in the AHL. Barron is an effortless skater who uses his mobility to his advantage at both ends of the ice. He loves to lead the attack, transporting the puck with ease with his big, powerful strides. Barron is not the most skilled or creative offensive defender, but he can be a real asset starting the breakout. His big point shot and ability to walk the line also makes him a potential powerplay quarterback, depending on his vision and decision making continue to evolve. As a defensive player, Barron stands out because of how well he defends pace because of his smooth stride and transitions. He is not an overtly physical defender, but his four-way mobility allows him to play a tight, stick checking game. With his ability to cut off attacks and recover to be first to dump ins, he is a tough player to pin down in his own end. He will fit right in with an athletic, young blueline that Montreal is slowly building.
Long term upside: second pairing defender
ETA: 2022/23 or 2023/24
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Nathan Smith (WPG to ARZ)
Center - Minnesota State University
Ironically, we wrote about Smith last week as a top candidate to turn pro. Now we’re writing about him again because his rights were moved to Arizona to help them take Bryan Little’s contract off the books in Winnipeg. It is also being reported that he had no intention of signing with Winnipeg. The talented two-way pivot is a Hobey Baker finalist, finished second in NCAA scoring this year, and was a member of the U.S. Olympic team. When he first came to Minnesota State, he came as a somewhat one-dimensional, but creative playmaker. He leaves as someone whose overall game has improved by leaps and bounds. A pro ready prospect, there is not much that Smith does not do well now. Of course, there is no guarantee that he signs in Arizona either (unlike Jack McBain who we will discuss next). But Smith, already 23, turning 24, is a player who can move quickly through an organization, perhaps even playing a bottom six role next year already.
Long term upside: #2-3 center
ETA: 2022/23 or 2023/24
Jack McBain (MIN to ARZ)
Center - Boston College
It had been reported for over a month now that the Wild were shopping the rights to McBain after he informed them that he would not be signing in Minnesota. The Boston College standout and Hobey Baker candidate was one of the most improved players in the NCAA this past season. He had always teased with the potential to develop into a dominant player because of his size and skill combination down the middle, however a lack of high-end quickness and a lack of consistent urgency prevented him from being that high impact player as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. This season, as a senior, the lightbulb went off and the results were spectacular. McBain has looked quicker. He has upped his physical intensity. And he has dominated touches in the offensive zone, even creating in transition consistently because of his improved foot speed. As such, he was one of the few NCAA players named to Canada’s entry at the Olympics. Already signed in Arizona, McBain has a clear path to an immediate role with the Coyotes and he should finish out the year in the NHL. How he looks will dictate where he plays next season, but the long-term potential is excellent, and this is the exact kind of acquisition a rebuilding (is it a rebuild if it lasts forever?) a team like Arizona needs to make.
Long term upside: #2-3 center
ETA: 2022/23
Owen Tippett (FLA to PHI)
Wing - Florida (NHL)/Charlotte (AHL)
Is Tippett truly still a prospect? That’s open to interpretation. However, his inconsistent play this season, in combination with a strong Florida lineup, pushed him back to the AHL level after playing all of the 2020/21 season in the NHL. In the AHL this year, Tippett has dominated and looked like a man among boys. He is ready for a new challenge and hopefully a change of scenery does him well. Drafted out of Mississauga in the OHL, Tippett was originally a one-dimensional, high-volume shooter, who flashed upside as a goal scorer, but who needed to work to improve his decision making and consistency. He worked hard to become a better overall player over his junior career and a strong rookie year in the AHL in 2019/20 led many to believe that he was on the path to a long-term top six role with Florida. However, it has become apparent that Tippett still needs to improve his play away from the puck and find his way into the middle of the ice more consistently at the NHL level. That said, his shot is terrific, and he has the size and quickness to play at a high tempo and not just be a powerplay triggerman. He should get an extended look in Philadelphia to close out the year and could still develop into a consistent 30-goal scorer at the NHL level.
Long term upside: second line winger
ETA: 2021/22 (immediately)
Urho Vaakanainen (BOS to ANA)
Defense - Boston (NHL)/Providence (AHL)
The Bruins had given Vaakanainen every chance to grab a full-time role with the club the last four seasons. But the former first round pick was never able to truly take that next step and solidify his spot and role. Now he gets a fresh start with a new organization, and he should be given a shot at a top four role with the Ducks to close out the year (given all the defenders Anaheim dealt in the last month). Vaakanainen will never be confused with someone like Cale Makar. His game is all about simplicity. Quick movement up the ice. Angling off attackers with his strong four-way mobility. An active stick and heads up passing. He is not a dynamic puck mover. He is not a suffocating physical defender. Thus, he has found himself in that tweener situation so far as a pro in North America. With Anaheim it will be up to Vaakanainen to show that he can, at least, be a solid stay at home defender who can limit mistakes and keep things simple and efficient. It would appear to be likely that Vaakanainen will never live up to his draft position (18th overall), but he can still prove to be a useful NHL player and a steady member of Anaheim’s defensive rotation.
Long term upside: third pairing defender
ETA: 2021/22 (immediately)
Taylor Raddysh (TB to CHI)
Right Wing - Tampa Bay (NHL)
No longer waiver ineligible, Raddysh had finally cracked the NHL full time this season, playing out all of this year so far with Tampa. In a limited role Raddysh has been effective in his first NHL season and he will look to now carve out a larger role with the Blackhawks. Of course, the Hawks could reunite the former Erie Otters top line of Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, and Raddysh, but thus far that has not been the case. Either way, the early results have been good with Raddysh picking up a multi point effort in his second game with his new team. Over his junior and pro career, Raddysh has worked hard to improve his quickness and explosiveness, which has always been the thing that had held him back. Now at least an average skater, Raddysh is better equipped to use his high-end offensive awareness and hands to help him be a consistent offensive contributor. The former OHL star could end up being a nice find for the Blackhawks as they look to start a new chapter in a mini-rebuild.
Long term upside: second/third line winger
ETA: 2021/22 (Immediately)
Boris Katchouk (TB to CHI)
Left Wing - Tampa Bay (NHL)
The second young player acquired by Chicago in the Brandon Hagel trade, Katchouk, like Raddysh, is another former top prospect who has finally cracked the NHL this year. Part of that was earned and part of that was the fact that he (again like Raddysh) is no longer exempt from waivers. Katchouk’s breakout season came last year in the shortened year, when he was Syracuse’s (Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate) best player. The former Soo Greyhounds (OHL) standout is an aggressive North/South player. He is an excellent forechecker. He uses his size (6’2, 200lbs) to drive the net, with and without the puck. He works hard to prolong or acquire possession down low and shows good vision coming off the wall. The one area of Katchouk’s game that has never really translated to the pro level is his goal scoring ability, which coming out of junior, would have shocked people because it was his bread and butter in combination with his physicality. Katchouk should prove to be a useful long-term piece in a third- or fourth-line role moving forward for Chicago. He can kill penalties. He can bring energy and physicality. And hopefully the offensive ability eventually improves as he gains confidence with the puck at the NHL level.
Long term upside: third line winger
ETA: 2021/22 (Immediately)
Ty Smilanic (FLA to MTL)
Wing/Center - Quinnipiac University
One of the key pieces returned to Montreal in the Ben Chiarot deal, Smilanic is a versatile player who loves to use his quickness to push pace and attack the offensive zone. Drafted out of the U.S. NTDP, Smilanic was seen as more of a one-dimensional play creator. However, he has worked hard through his first two seasons with Quinnipiac to improve his 200-foot game and his physical intensity, which has improved his odds of becoming an NHL player. A natural center, Smilanic has been playing the wing in college and given his ability to make plays with speed and his natural goal scoring talents, that might be the better fit for him moving forward. Playing on a team laden with upper classmen, Smilanic has been more of a role player thus far, but next year will be a big one for him as a prospect as he will be given a primetime role as a junior. At the very least, thanks to improvements made to his two-way game, Smilanic looks to be a potential bottom six goal scorer for the Canadiens. However, there is no question that he possesses the potential to be more than that.
Long term upside: middle six forward
ETA: 2023/24 or 2024/25
Drew Helleson (COL to ANA)
Defense - Boston College
One of the most efficient two-way defenders in college hockey this past year, the Ducks did well to get Helleson back in return for Josh Manson. He checks a lot of boxes. He blends size (6’3) with very strong mobility. He can impact the transition game by making a quick exit pass or by using his feet to clear the zone. He defends pace extremely well because of his reach and gap control. Best of all, he does all of this from the coveted right side. He is not a dynamic offensive player and likely will not be a true powerplay quarterback at the NHL level. However, he is an extremely efficient player who can impact the game in a lot of different ways. For that reason, he should have a long NHL career and he should move quickly through the Ducks’ organization. Helleson will play out the rest of this year on an AHL PTO (before his NHL ELC kicks in next season). That should give Anaheim a pretty good indication of how soon he can play a role on the big club.
Long term upside: #4 defender
ETA: 2022/23 or 2023/24
