• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Minnesota Wild
Wild Prospects

Weekly Prospect Report: Robertson, Kaprizov, Gunler & More

By Josh Bell October 14th, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Welcome to the Weekly Prospect Report. Here, we’ll take a look at some key names over the past week that are a big part of the next wave of NHL stars. This column will dive into both NHL-affiliated and draft-eligible prospects, focusing mainly on those outside the NHL. That being said, the occasional rookie may require some notes!

Related: Weekly Prospect Report: Smith, Timmins, Lafreniere & More

Players are starting to settle in – even if where they are settling in is surprising. This week’s edition will highlight some of those that have stood out in their early starts and take a look at some surprising NHL Central Scouting grades. There’s lots to discuss so let’s dive in!

NHL-Affiliated Prospects: Early Season Impressions

Maple Leafs’ Prospects Robertson, Der-Arguchintsev Turning Heads

The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to drafting talent. Two of their selections over the past two drafts are at the top of the OHL in points, with 18 each. Nick Robertson (2019, second round, 53rd overall) and Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (2018, third round, 76th overall) have helped the Peterborough Petes to a 6-3 record, good for third in the OHL.

Robertson is topping the league in goals, with 11 in nine games. He’s also second in the league in game-winning goals with three, and first in shots with 44. His efforts so far have led to him being named the Petes’ Player of the Week.

Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes
Nick Robertson #16 of the Peterborough Petes (Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Der-Arguchintsev is topping the assists column with 16 in the same amount of games. He’s also repping a very impressive 54.1% winning rate in faceoffs.

It will be easy to keep an eye on these Maple Leafs’ prospects for fans since they both play for the Petes. Early season impressions are that these two are arguably one of the best duos in the entire league and should be watched very closely throughout the campaign.

Demotion Looking Good on Devils’ Smith

It was a hot topic when New Jersey Devils’ prospect Ty Smith was sent down to the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, as many critics thought that he took all he could out of the league and was ready for the next step. Whether that’s true or not, Smith is absolutely dominated the league through his first five games.

In those games, he’s already up to three goals and three assists for six points. He’s currently third in points per game for defenders in the league, and he should continue to build on his hot start.

Wilds’ Kaprizov Proving He’s the Best Player in the World Not in the NHL

It’s often discussed who is the best hockey player in the world not in the NHL. Right now? It’s Minnesota Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov. He’s started the 2019-20 season right where he left off, with 12 goals, eight assists and 20 points in 17 games with CSKA Moscow of the KHL.

Kirill Kaprizov
Kirill Kaprizov during a 2018 KHL playoffs game (Photo: Elena Rusko, www.cska-hockey.ru)

That puts him tied for first in points the KHL, with Vadim Shipachyov. It won’t be long before the Wild prospect runs past Shipachyov and takes sole ownership of the number one spot.

“Goal” Caufield is Back

He might have fallen into the hand of the Montreal Canadiens at 15th overall, but Cole Caufield should not be judged for this fall (if he has been). Playing for the USNTDP last season, he put up 72 goals in 64 games.

Now, he’s playing for the absolutely stacked University of Wisconsin Badgers and through his first two games, he has four goals – two in each. To put that in perspective, no Badger since 1963 has started their season with back-to-back multi-goal games. It’s going to be a big year for the 5-foot-7 winger, and Canadiens fan should get ready to watch with excitement as they follow one of the biggest steals of the 2019 NHL Draft.

Draft-Eligible Prospects: NHL Central Scouting Grades and the “Lafrenière Effect”

Gunler, Mysak Among Questionable NHL Letter Grades

NHL Central Scouting has released their annual players to watch list ahead of the 2020 draft. After reviewing the grade, it’s safe to say that many hockey prospect and draft writers have some questions. The grading system uses the following grade system:

“The players on the list with A ratings are considered potential first-round picks. Players with a B rating are considered possible second- or third-round choices and those with C ratings are potential fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round selections.”

Of the grades, Noel Gunler was arguably the biggest surprise. He was given a B rating when most had him pegged as a first-round talent. In my preseason draft rankings, I had the Swedish prospect 8th. Jan Mysak was another questionable decision. He was given a C rating when most have him down as a first-round talent as well. Personally, I had him ranked 14th. That a very big drop.

#2020NHLDraft prospect Noel Gunler scores for Lulea in the shootout #ChampionsHockeyLeague pic.twitter.com/POBypYDMfe

— Dennis Schellenberg (@ScoutingFactory) August 29, 2019

Some of the other surprising grades (among others) are:

  • Zion Nybeck: B rating (My ranking: 18th overall/A rating)
  • Vasily Ponomaryov: B rating (My rankings: 20th overall/A rating)
  • Daemon Hunt: A Rating (My rankings: not ranked in the top-62)

While we can all argue these grades, it’s still very early. Looking at the many rankings already out, some players are all over the place. The season is very long and players will trend up and trend down. As we get closer to the draft, these letter grades may look extremely different.

The “Lafrenière Effect” Takes Over Oceanic

It’s already started, but the 2019-20 season is going to be filled with talk about Alexis Lafrenière. The probable first-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has started off his season just as expected, tearing up the QMJHL for Rimouski Oceanic.

Related: Lafrenière: Big Season Ahead for Potential First-Overall Pick

The elite left winger is already up to eight goals, 17 assists in 25 points in 10 games, leading the league in assists and points. With him showing up on the scoreboard repeatedly, so do those around him.

Alexis Lafreniere Rimouski Oceanic
Alexis Lafreniere, Rimouski Oceanic, October 25, 2017 (Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images)

Centreman Cédric Paré is currently number two in the league in points with 20 and is first for goals with 12. Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2017, he wasn’t offered an entry-level deal and re-enters the draft. Although playing with Lafrenière is going to pad his stat line, there will be more eyes on him and it’s very possible that another team gives him a shot.

On the other wing, Dmitry Zavgorodniy is right there as well. So far, he’s up to five goals, 13 assists and 18 points in, as you know, 10 games. He’s not draft-eligible though, as he’s actually a 2018 selection of the Calgary Flames. His point totals are very likely to be high this season, much to the joy of Flames nation.

  • Tags
  • 2020 NHL Draft
  • Kirill Kaprizov
  • Nick Robertson
  • Noel Gunler
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 15th 6:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Romanov Fired Up to Face Oilers’ McDavid and Draisaitl

Jan 15th 6:00 PM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ Second Line Shines in Season Opener

Jan 15th 5:50 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Marner Looking to Add Goals to His Stats

Jan 15th 5:35 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Three Takeaways from the Sabres’ Season Opener

Jan 15th 4:50 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News and Rumors: Smith, Barrie, Forsberg, Puljujarvi, More

Jan 15th 4:40 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Have Rough Season Opener but No Need to Panic

Jan 15th 4:20 PM
Column

Jets News & Rumors: Scheifele, Laine, Hellebuyck, Lewis & Quicksand

Jan 15th 4:10 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers Bring More of the Same in 2020-21 Opening Night

Jan 15th 3:45 PM
Column

Red Wings News & Rumors: Ryan, COVID, Markstrom & More

Jan 15th 3:30 PM
Boston Bruins

2020-21 Season Openers: Flames Lose Again, Islanders & Capitals Excel

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information