Wheeler Prospect Check #2 CGY, NSH

The Flames really shook up the RSHL last season with a blockbuster deal sending franchise defenseman Cale Makar to Vancouver for an unreal collection of top line players and picks.  Since that time the Flames look like a franchise on the rise with multiple high end blue liners and Brayden Point leading the offense the reset makes the contenders going forward.  With 5 top 60 picks in the upcoming draft the Flames are is good shape to build some organizational depth to their prospect pool.  Current 5 players make the list:

1. Jimmy Snuggerud (NCAA 37-21-13-34-42-7) is a large skilled winger who like to hold onto the puck and can process the game at a very high level.  He is a player who has a nice combination of size, skill and speed that make him effective up and down the line up.  There is a strong chance after this season he is coming out of college and joining the pro rank.  At the WJC this past season he showed well with 5 goals in his 6 games.  He is a player that looks very promising for a guy in the back half of the first round.
2. Christian Kyrou (AHL 52-7-13-22--1) has started to show the offense at the pro level that he did in Junior.  There are a lot of layers to Kyrou’s game.  He is a breakout specialist and moves the puck up ice well.  He has enough feints and dekes that he can carry it through the neutral zone but he is a smart enough player that he doesn’t skate himself into trouble.  He keeps defenders off balance when exiting his own zone enabling him to push the pace of the game.  He isn’t huge in his own zone but he manages his size well and is an effective player without the puck.  Improving gap control and strong position skills make him effective even if slightly undersized.
3. Xavier Simoneau (AHL 53-9-28-37-111-3) is an undersized offensive weapon who had a stand out junior career. Over 300 points in 252 games despite being derailed by Covid-19 shutdowns was impressive.  He is a worker and knows his success will come from his competitiveness which his 111 PIMs show is there in spades.  The offense chances are more difficult to come by so that additional layer and a bit of an agitator role will help him establish a pro identity.  Could develop into an 3rd line winger that doesn’t take shifts off and works for everything he gets.
4. Riley Kidney (AHL 54-7-11-18-33—8) is a young center with good vision and passing skills.  He is a play maker first and uses his good pucks skills to create space and open up defenses.  His improving shot is starting to make him a more dual threat offensive player.  He is a bit slight and the adjustment to the pro game has been a bit challenging but he hasn’t looked out of place.  His game needs to move from the perimeter to be a successful pro.
5. Matthew Seminoff (AHL 58-3-10-13-8—2) is a player that place the game with pace.  His is in constant motion and always looking to jump into the play.  He is a high work ethic player and continues to take positive steps.  His rookie year in the AHL mirrors his first WHL campaign which was low production high energy.  Expect his game to grow at the pro level this season.

While Snuggerud seems likely to make the NHL & RSHL one day, the rest will have to prove something over the next few seasons.  The high character, high effort guys on this list are encouraging to be the odds.

The Predators have 23 players in my grand ranking including the top prospect in the Hurricane (NHL), Blue Jacket (NHL) and Jets (NHL) organizations.  There is a real opportunity for them to be the top organization in the RSHL.  They have every position covered with high end talent, they have players already getting NHL icetime like Hunt, Lohrei, Evans, Johnson, and Turcotte, and have a deep collection of picks over the next two seasons.  Let’s have a look at the top of the organization in Nashville.

1. Kent Johnson (NHL 42-6-10-16-10—2) has been absolutely torching the AHL with 15 points in 10 game sense being assigned there.  The gifted playmaker has some of the best hands I have ever seen and has a willingness to try things that a few years ago were unimaginable.  With the lack of depth that plagues the Bluejackets organization sending Johnson to the AHL to get his confidence back is a good decision and should have long term benefits for the Preds.
2. Rutger McGroarty (NCAA 32-16-35-51-6-21) leads a stack U of Michigan team in points.  He has the size and strength teams covet, and plays a highly competitive game.  His hands and pucks skill are good but really stand out in the cycle game where he can shield the puck and make moves and plays in traffic.  The only concerning part of his game is the pace of his feet which is something that can be improved upon.  He gives off Tkachuk like vibes
3. Alex Nikishin (KHL 67-17-39-56-37-32) has some of the strongest offensive numbers on the blue line ever in the KHL.  At 22 years old he has back to back 55 point seasons.  For a player that was originally thought to be a defensive defenceman this evolution in his game is quite profound.  He is a throw back shooter from the blue line where he unleashes big booming slap shots from the point.  He is excellent in his own zone and does well controlling his gaps despite some footwork flaws.  The only real issue with him is his St. Petersburg SKA contract.  They are backed by Russian Billionaire Oligarch’s who could easily match an NHL deal in terms of finances so the NHL appeal to the player.
4. Mason Lohrei (NHL 39-4-8-12-16—2) has been an everyday player for half a season already in the NHL and has shown a developed two way game at every level he has played at.  The hulking 6’5 defender was highly productive in USHL, NCAA, AHL and now at the NHL level is showing he belongs.  His numbers might not jump off the board but everything in his game shows his poise in game.  He is a low panic high skill player who has the size and strength to compete with the largest players in the NHL.
5. Alex Turcotte (NHL 20-1-3-4-6-5) has some of the petals torn off the rose but is far from a bust.  The 24 year old may not reach the lofty goals of his top 5 draft status but he still shows well as a middle 6 center.  His team is a contender and with the like of Kopitar, PLD and Danault ahead of him he will have his work cut out to have a big offensive impact.  I could see him competing directly for PLD next season though.
   This doesn’t even include the 5 goalie prospects that they have.  There is real NHL/RSHL potential in at least 3 of them with Garand & Commesso leading the way as those most likely to progress to the next level.  Thanks for checking in.