Top Swede Prospects & the Steal of the 2024 Draft
Who are the Top 10 Swedish Prospects in the NHL? Who from the OHL is the steal of the 2024 NHL Draft? Also diving into more prospect profiles!
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Kieron Walton – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
June 16, 2024 by Peter Baracchini
There’s always bound to be some hidden gems or names that just aren’t getting enough recognition in the draft. The Sudbury Wolves may have one in Kieron Walton as the potential that he has could be valuable to a team on the second day of the draft.
The Wolves were a lethal offensive force in the Ontario Hockey League this season. Being led by David Goyette, Quentin Musty and Dalibor Dvorsky, the team also had great depth names like Kocha Delic, Evan Konyen and Nathan Villeneuve. With a roster like that, it’s tough for a young, draft eligible player like Walton to make a name for himself as he had 43 points in 65 games.
Canadiens’ Fans Shouldn’t Expect to See Oliver Kapanen in the NHL Next Season
June 16, 2024 by Karine Hains
The Montreal Canadiens finally put pen to paper with Finnish center Oliver Kapanen. They had drafted him 64th overall at the 2021 Draft and since then, he has progressed very well. What does this signing mean for next season though?
In the three seasons since being drafted, Kapanen has carried on playing in Finland’s SM liiga with KalPa Kuopio or its minor affiliates. In the 2023-24 campaign, the 20-year-old played 51 games and picked up 34 points in the process, making him fourth in scoring on the roster. Undrafted 21-year-old Juuso Maenpaa had the lead with 49 points in 59 games followed by two veterans Matya Kantner (25 and never drafted) and Jaakko Rissanen (33 and undrafted).
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Meet the Steal of the 2024 NHL Draft
June 17, 2024 by Mark Scheig
Welcome to our annual Meet the Steal of the NHL Draft piece. Every year, we comb through hundred’s of draft-eligible players to see if a prospect has the potential to outperform their projection in the industry.
In last year’s edition of Meet the Steal, we selected Oshawa Generals’ forward Calum Ritchie. He recorded 80 points this past season in helping the Generals win the OHL’s Eastern Conference. It seems the Avalanche have a stud on their hands.
2024 NHL Draft’s Top 10 Swedish Prospects
June 17, 2024 by Matthew Zator
Unlike previous years, the 2024 NHL Draft does not have any sure-fire top-15 Swedish prospects like Leo Carlsson, Jonathan Lekkerimaki or Lucas Raymond. In fact, only three or four of the following top-10 will probably land in the first round, a far cry from the 2022 and 2023 Drafts where a combined 10 were selected on Day 1. Regardless, there’s still talent to be found in this year’s draft, so without further ado, here are the top Swedes hoping to hear their names in Vegas on June 28 and 29.
Jared Woolley – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
June 17, 2024 by Andrew Forbes
Unranked by many, Jared Woolley ranked 73rd on the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings. While he might be unknown amongst this strong defensive draft, he also fell victim to the young player method in London — where young players don’t get as much playing time, but have to earn it.
Like a number of young London Knights’ players in recent memory, Woolley started the season with the GOJHL’s St. Thomas Stars in Junior B where he played 19 games and scored six goals and 21 points. He finished with 32 penalty minutes and as a big body defenceman he isn’t afraid to add the physical aspect to his game.
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