Guest post by Eldon MacDonald (edited by @ChrisRalphTHW)
This is the first of four posts on the top 120 prospects for the entry draft in June in Newark, New Jersey – the NHL 2013 Draft Rankings – War Room Edition.
Gangs of New Jersey (2013 NHL Draft Host)
There have been some interesting changes in the round 4 crowds.
1. The Graduates: These are the players ranked in round 4 last month now ranked in round 3. They will be discussed in the round 3 post.
- MacKenzie Weeger, Halifax
- Myles Bell, Kelowna
- Greg Chase, Calgary
- Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau, Baie Comeau
2. The Newbies: These are players ranked in the fourth round for the first time.
- Niklas Hansson, Defense, Rögle J20, Sweden – Smooth, puck-moving defenseman who we should get a chance to see at the U18s this month.
- Will Butcher, Defense, USA NDP U18 – A rough start to the season, Will has really turned it up over the last month averaging over a point per game.
- Patrik Bartosak, Goalie, Red Deer – Hot, hot, hot; what else can I say?
- Matt Buckles, Centre, St. Michael’s, OJHL – Big-bodied power centre out of the OJHL; this guy used to be undersized but is now 6’2, 210 lb.
- Brendan Burke, Portland – Big bodied goalie who just happens to be the son of Sean Burke, a former NHL goaltender. Yes, Brendan has had success but he is still a backup. The best is yet to come.
3. The Relegation Crowd: These are the players previously ranked in round 3.
- Mason Geertsen, Vancouver – Mason has really struggled since coming to Vancouver. However, teams still love his truculence and pugnacity.
- Scott Oke, Rimouski – Scott has not been the same guy since Peter Trainor was removed from his line. In addition, his main centre, Frederik Gauthier, really lost momentum at season’s end.
- Stephen Harper, Erie – Attitude and results just are not there.
4. The Relegation to Below Crowd: These are the players previously ranked in round 4 now ranked lower.
- Anton Cederholm, Rögle J20, Sweden – Anton had a rough end of the season and appears to have been left of the U18 team.
- Philippe Desrosiers, Rimouski – It was a rough end to the season for Philippe and Rimouski.
- Josh Burnside, Mississauga – Need to see a little more offense to be ranked 4th round.
- Saku Salminen, Jokerit, Sm-liiga, Finland – Of all the guys being relegated, this is the guy I could most likely be wrong on.
- Antoine Bibeau, PEI – I still think Antoine will be drafted but he needs better numbers to go 4th in his second year eligible.
5. The Big Risers Crowd: These are the big risers in round 4 from last month.
- Roberts Lipsbergs, Seattle – Seattle is hot and Roberts is just about their hottest player.
- Juuse Saros, HPK U20, Finland – Continued stellar play in the playoffs.
Historic Success Rate
Some of these guys will pan out as planned but historically only about 19% or 6 players from below will make it as full-time NHLers.
Round 4 – Players Ranked 91 to 120
(Stats as of March 31/13)
91. Hansson, Niklas
- Rögle J20, SWE J20, D, R, 6’0, 172 lb
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL = beyond 270
- YTD: 39g 23pts +26
- Playoffs: 2g 0pts -3
- Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEGTfzlyzKM
92. Kivihalme, Teemu
Burnsville D Teemu Kivihalme is a sure top three round pick. Other Minnesotans who could go high are Jake Guentzel and Blake Heinrich.
— Let's Play Hockey (@LetsPlay_Hockey) April 3, 2013
- Burnsville HS, MN HS, D, L, 6’1, 170 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 103
- YTD: 25g 30pts
- Playoffs: 3g 1pt
- Feb-13: 5g 8pts
- Jan-13: 9g 11pts
- Video: YouTube courtesy of cityofburnsvillemn.
93. Hill, Tyler
- Chicago, USHL, LW, L, 6’6, 225 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 115, Chris Ralph 92
- YTD: 25g 10pts +7
- Mar-13: 12g 4pts +3
- Feb-13: 9g 4pts +3
- Jan-13: 2g 0pts -1
94. Valiev, Rinat
- Indiana, USHL, D, L, 6’1, 190 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 193
- YTD: 36g 13pts -6
- Mar-13: None
- Feb-13: None
- Jan-13: 9g 4pts -3
- 5 Nations: 4g 5pts
- Video: YouTube courtesy of IndyIceHockey.
95. Houck, Jackson
- Vancouver, WHL, RW, R, 6’0, 184 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 152, Chris Ralph 94
- YTD: 69g 57pts -16
- Mar-13: 6g 3pts -3
- Feb-13: 12g 9 pts -12
- Jan-13: 14g 13pts -2
- Video: YouTube courtesy of goVancouverOnShawTV.
96. Lipsbergs, Roberts
- Seattle, WHL, LW, L, 5’11, 195 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2012
- Other rankings – NHL 83
- Playoffs: 5g 5pts +4
- YTD: 64g 58pts -11
- Mar-13: 8g 11pts +0
- Feb-13: 13g 9pts +0
- Jan-13: 9g 6pts -5
- Video: YouTube courtesy of SeattleThunderbirds.
97. Saros, Juuse
- HPK U20, FIN U20, G, L, 5’10, 181 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 57
- Playoffs: 8g 1.76 .933
- YTD: 37g 1.86 .933
- 5 Nations: 3g 2.35.929
98. Djuse, Emil
- Södertälje, Allsvenskan, D, L, 6’0, 185 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2011
- Other rankings – NHL 127
- YTD: 35g 13pts -6
- WJC-U20: 6g 2pts +0
- Video: YouTube courtesy of SodertaljeskTV.
99. Cassels, Cole
After my Cole Cassels love-fest from this afternoon, he makes a sensational steal, shorthanded, and forces a great save on the SH breakaway
— Blue Chip Prospects (@bcphockeyblog) April 10, 2013
- Oshawa, OHL, C, R, 6’0, 178 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 81, Chris Ralph 65
- Playoffs: 5g 1pt -1
- YTD: 64g 43pts +7
- Mar-13: 6g 5pts +5
- Feb-13: 12g 8pts +5
- Jan-13: 12g 8pts -2
- Video: YouTube courtesy of JimKorn20.
100. Lees, Jesse
- Kelowna, WHL, D, L, 6’0, 180 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL Unranked
- Playoffs: 5g 0pts +0
- YTD: 66g 30pts +37
- Mar-13: 8g 3pts +2
- Feb-13: 10g 2pts -4
- Jan-13: 14g 11pts +13
- Video:
101. Dahlström, Carl
- Linköping J20, SWE J20, D, L, 6’4, 212 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 184
- Playoffs: 5g 2pts -1
- YTD: 37g 13pts +18
102. Geertsen, Mason
- Vancouver, WHL, D, L, 6’4, 203 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 76, Chris Ralph 84
- YTD: 73g 14pts -28
- Mar-13: 8g 0pts -3
- Feb-13: 13g 0pts -6
- Jan-13: 14g 3pts -7
- Video: YouTube courtesy of hockeyfightsplus.
103. Yakubowski, Jaimen
- Lethbridge, WHL, LW, L, 5’10, 202 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2012
- Other rankings – NHL Unranked
- YTD: 65g 50pts -6
- Mar-13: 4g 2pts -5
- Feb-13: 9g 5pts +0
- Jan-13: 13g 9pts -2
- Video: YouTube courtesy of hockeyfightsplus.
104. Aaltonen, Miro
- Blues, SM-liiga, C/LW, L, 5’10, 169 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2011
- Other rankings – NHL 125
- YTD: 32g 16pts -2
- Mar-13: Injured
- Feb-13: Injured
- Jan-13: Injured
- WJC-U20: 1g 3pts +2
- Video: YouTube courtesy of Espoo Blues.
105. Butcher, Will
- USA NDP U18, USHL, D, L, 5’10, 200 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 231
- YTD: 59g 32pts +26
- Mar-13: 11g 13pts +6
- Feb-13: 7g 1pt +4
- Jan-13: 10g 4pts +2
- Video: YouTube courtesy of TheWindsorStar.
106. Oke, Scott
- Rimouski, QMJHL, RW, L, 6’3, 201 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2011
- Other rankings – NHL unranked
- Playoffs: 6g 2pts +2
- YTD: 57g 71pts +17
- Mar-13: 7g 10pts +1
- Feb-13: 12g 9pts -3
- Jan-13: 5g 8pts +5
- Video: YouTube courtesy of alexlevesque96.
107. Malone, Sean
https://twitter.com/wnyh2234/status/321752196129648640
- US NDP U18, USHL, C, L, 5’11, 185 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 134
- YTD: 46g 30pts +22
- Mar-13: 7g 4pts +5
- Feb-13: 7g 3pts +4
- Jan-13: 10g 7pts +7
- Video: YouTube courtesy of USAHockeyHQ.
108. Bartosak, Patrik
- Red Deer, WHL, G, L, 6’1, 188 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2011
- Other rankings – NHL 168
- Playoffs: 4 1 1.25 .962
- YTD: 55 5 2.26 .935
- Mar-13: 7g 2 1.85 .947
- Feb-13: 11g 1 2.25 .941
- Jan-13: 9g 0 2.31 .930
- Video: YouTube courtesy of ShawTVRedDeer.
109. Westlund, Wilhelm
- Färjestad, Elitserien, D, L, 6’0, 179 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 94
- Playoffs: 5g 0pts +0
- YTD: 26g 1pt -1
- Video: YouTube courtesy of gruvarbetarn.
110. Motte, Tyler
- US NDP U-18, USHL, LW, R, 5’9, 184 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 146
- YTD: 59g 36pts +20
- Mar-13: 11g 8pts +8
- Feb-13: 7g 2pts +2
- Jan-13: 10g 8pts +7
- Video: YouTube courtesy of Paul Dionne.
111. Buckles, Matt
- St. Michael’s, OJHL, C, R, 6’2, 210 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 182
- Playoffs: 14g 16pts
- YTD: 50g 71pts
112. Cammarata, Taylor
- Waterloo, USHL, C/LW, L, 5’7, 156 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL unranked, Chris Ralph 55
- YTD: 53g 83pts +32
- Mar-13: 9g 9pts +4
- Feb-13: 10g 16pts +2
- Jan-13: 10g 12pts +11
- Video:
113. Glienke, Zach
- Eagan HS, HS MN, LW, L, 6’3, 200 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings: NHL 154
- Playoffs: 3g 4pts
- YTD: 25g 60pts
114. Johnson, Luke
- Lincoln, USHL, C, R, 5’11, 178 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 108
- YTD: 53g 45pts +15
- Mar-13: 12g 13pts +1
- Feb-13: 10g 6pts +0
- Jan-13: 8g 9pts +5
- Video: YouTube courtesy of USHLinteractive.
115. Lipon, JC
8 – With 17 pts in 8 GP, @blazerhockey JC Lipon is the only player in the WHL who has registered a point in each of his team's playoff games
— WHL Facts (@WHLFacts) April 9, 2013
- Kamloops, WHL, RW, R, 6’0, 181 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2011
- Other rankings – NHL 131, Chris Ralph 78
- Playoffs: 5g 11pts +5
- YTD: 61g 89pts +34
- Mar-13: 6g 10pts +8
- Feb-13: 11g 11pts +5
- Jan-13: 11g 13pts -2
- Video:
116. Mermis, Dakota
- London, OHL, D, L, 5’11, 190 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2012
- Other rankings: NHL 211
- Playoffs: 4g 4pts +7
- YTD: 27g 11pts +15
- Mar-13: 8g 0pts +4
- Feb-13: 10g 2pts +3
- Jan-13: 9g 9pts +8
- Video: YouTube courtesy of CTVLondon.
117. Harper, Stephen
- Erie, OHL, LW, L, 6’2, 200 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings: NHL 52; Bob MacKenzie HM (61 to 70), Chris Ralph 70
- YTD: 67g 38pts -38
- Mar-13: 7g 5pts -10
- Feb-13: 12g 6pts -10
- Jan-13: 11g 3pts -5.
- Video: YouTube courtesy of InTheORadio.
118. Antonen, Joose
- JYP-Akatemia, Finland-2, LW, R, 6’2, 183 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 125
- Playoffs: JYP U20 6g 4pts +1
- YTD: 30g 11 pts +6
119. Burke, Brendan
- Portland, WHL, G, L, 6’3, 176 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings – NHL 242
- Playoffs: 1 0 12.52 .600
- YTD: 33 4 2.65 .908
- Mar-13: 5g 0 2.83 .910
- Feb-13: 6g 0 3.05 .901
- Jan-13: 6g 3 1.84 .937
- Video: YouTube courtesy of GoaltendingLLC.
120. Corbett, Jeff
- Sudbury, OHL, D, R, 6’1, 180 lb.
- Draft eligible – 2013
- Other rankings: NHL 89
- Playoffs: 2g 0pts -1
- YTD: 45g 13pts +9
- Mar-13: 3g 2pts +1
- Feb-13: 5g 2pts +0
- Jan-13: 9g 5pts +3
Other Rankings:
- NHL – Combined rankings of the NHL’s mid-season 4 lists at the TheHockeyWriters.com
- Bob MacKenzie – Mid-season poll of NHL scouts at TSN
- Chris Ralph – The Next Ones Top 100 Midterm Rankings at THW
Round 3 (Prospects Ranked 61-90)
- Available here