Things are starting to get real for the 2022 NHL Draft.
As the regular season winds down, the draft order is starting to come into focus. In May, we’ll know the results of the draft lottery. Then, it’s the NHL Combine in June and finally the draft in Montreal on July 7-8.
In the meantime, there’s still plenty of scouting to be done. The world U18’s commence Saturday in Germany. The Russians and Belarusians will be absent from the tournament. So too will be the Slovaks who, rather than be included in the primary pool, instead took gold in the Division 1 pool. In a perfect world, it would’ve been nice to see Juraj Slafkovsky, Filip Mesar and Simon Nemec all together competing in the top pool, however, with the wonky schedule, the pandemic and a couple of other factors, it just wasn’t meant to be.
The US is typically the favourite in this event. It’s the crown jewel on the USNTDP schedule and something they build for all season. Canada is the defending champion, and thanks to Swift Current getting eliminated from the WHL playoffs, its entrant into the tournament will be stronger than first anticipated. Six Broncos made the team, including forwards Connor Hvitson, Josh Filmon, Josh Davies, Matthew Ward, along with defenceman Owen Pickering and goaltender Reid Dyck. The strength of Canada’s team will come up front, where 2023 draft eligibles Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli will lead the way. Both are projected top three picks next year. Sweden, Finland and Czechia will all feature prominent players we expect to see in the 2022 draft.
Sportsnet, by way of Jason Bukala and the Pro Hockey Group will be on hand to deliver a number of scouting reports post-tournament.
Not to be forgotten is the CHL. Both the OHL and WHL are into the post-season. The QMJHL, thanks to being shut-down for an additional month after the Christmas break, has yet to complete the regular season before a shortened playoff run. Playoff viewings hold additional value due to the pressure of playing in meaningful games where time and space are limited. It also gives scouts the opportunity to gauge how a player responds to the increased physical demands offered up in playoff conditions.
The upper-end of this draft class is extremely diverse. Not just from a nationality perspective, but from a hockey perspective. We have smaller, skilled forwards. We have plenty of right-shot options at both forward and defence. We have some massive defencemen, but there are also a few smallish, slick-skating D as well. The pandemic’s effects will also wreak havoc in this draft where there still remains some uncertainty and a lack of typical developmental time.
*denotes late 2003 birthday
1. Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL): Thanks to the finer points in his game and the details away from the puck, Wright still remains the top player available.
2. Logan Cooley, C, USNTDP: As the most dynamic player available, he wasn’t lying when he quipped that I had him ranked too low in March (No. 4). Rising to No. 1 is not out of the question.
3.Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS Turku (Liiga): Continues to play solid minutes for a team competing for a league title, but this will almost certainly keep him out of the U18’s.
4. Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL): Ended the regular season on a three-game multi-point heater. A lengthy playoff run in the rugged WHL will be a great test.
5. Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Slovakia):Slipped in a two-assist effort for the D1 gold medal-winning Slovaks at the worlds while playing for his club team in the playoffs.
*6. David Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Extraliiga): After missing more than three months due to a knee injury, he’s back and is a candidate to play in the men’s worlds. Can he regain his place as the top defenceman in this class?
7. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SWE U20):Out ill since early March, it will be interesting to see if he plays in the worlds, and if so, will he be able to keep pace?
*8. Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (Liiga): There’s no denying he’s a top 10 talent in this draft class, but where does he fit — if at all — inside the top 10 players picked?
9. Joakim Kemell, LW, JYP (Liiga): Getting a chance to regroup by playing within his peer group at the U18s should be hugely beneficial.
10.Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL): Attaining a balance between skill, creativity and physical play remains the goal. Projecting how quickly that will all come together will give a better sense of just where he will end up in this draft class.
11. Cutter Gauthier, LW, USNTDP: Has shown versatility and a steady upward trend of positive development. NHL bloodlines always add value.
*12. Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (KHL): The uncertainty surrounding Russian-born players complicates his ranking. As does his lack of playing time since being promoted to the KHL in March, and the limited live viewings in the MHL prior to that. Scouts will have pause over this player.
13. Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL): Can really dazzle with his feet. Is not afraid to make plays, but can also be a defensive liability.
14. Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SHL): Leaving Austria to play against better competition is admirable and speaks volumes about where he’s trying to take his game.
15. Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL): Has underrated puck skills. There’s massive growth potential in this player, especially once he fills-out.
16. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USNTDP: Has the strength to apply himself to impact the game physically if his goal-scoring is off.
17. Frank Nazar III, C, USNTDP: There’s a nice element of explosiveness in his game to make him an effective small area player.
18.Filip Mesar, RW, HK Poprad (Slovakia): Injured at the end of the season, there’s still plenty of currency from performing well playing against men all year.
19. Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL): In terms of his approach, there are few better in this class. He takes command out on the ice leading vocally and by example.
*20. Jack Hughes, C, Northeastern (NCAA): Super skilled and creative player who moves effortlessly, while playing with his head up to easily assess his best option.
21. Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL): Reports vary widely on this player. You’re wowed by the skating ability and edgework, as much as you’re concerned about his ability to defend.
22.Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL): Projecting where he may fit has been a year-long challenge for scouts. With that said, there’s always room for a right-shot defencman with size.
23. Isaac Howard, LW, USNTDP: Have to determine whether or not he can be a top-six forward. If he can’t, is there enough of a ‘Plan B’ to make him an effective middle- or bottom-six player?
24. Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL): A remarkably consistent player who has embraced more of the power-forward mentality.
25. Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgarden (SWE U20): Dogged determination in hunting pucks and knowing what to do with them afterwards.
26. Alexander Perevalov, LW, Yaroslavl (MHL):In terms of a skilled forward who isn’t just an offensive juggernaut, there’s plenty of NHL potential as a producer here.
27.Rutger McGroarty, LW, USNTDP: As a solid two-way option, his personality and leadership qualities make him a viable pick in the latter stages of Round 1.
*28. Adam Ingram, LW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): A late bloomer who has put up amazing numbers in the USHL (53 points in 53 games) considering he had only played eight games in the Manitoba Junior league the season prior.
29. Maveric Lamoureux, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL): Another player with sneaky skill who has improved on the D side by tightening his gap and utilizing his size and reach to kill plays.
30. Lian Bichsel, D, Leksand (SHL): A smooth skater who can process the game effectively. The offensive side continues to improve, but he projects more as the complementary type of blue liner.
*31. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): Plays both sides effectively. Will need to add weight and strength to steepen the developmental curve.
32. Noah Warren, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL): Old-school, hit-to-hurt mentality along with top-notched skating ability in a monstrous package.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Lane Hutson, D, USNTDP: Because of his size at his position (5-foot-8, 145 pounds), it’s hard to imagine an NHL team utilizing a first round pick on him. Having said that, in three consecutive viewings at the end of March, he was the best player on the ice, period.
Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk (VHL): Next to impossible to assess due to his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis. With all things being equal and based on the last assumption of when he was playing completely healthy at the U18’s, he is definitely a top 10 talent.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Canada’s Marina Stakusic fell 6-4, 6-3 to Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the quarterfinals of the Guadalajara Open tennis tournament on Friday.
The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., won 61 per cent of her first-serve points and broke on just one of her six opportunities.
Stakusic had upset top-seeded Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (0) on Thursday night to advance.
In the opening round, Stakusic defeated Slovakia’s Anna Karolína Schmiedlová 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday.
The fifth-seeded Frech won 62 per cent of her first-serve points and converted on three of her nine break point opportunities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk’s long single with the bases loaded provided the Toronto Blue Jays with a walk-off 4-3 win in the 11th inning of their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
With the Cardinals outfield in, Kirk drove a shot off the base of the left-field wall to give the Blue Jays (70-78) their fourth win in 11 outings and halt the Cardinals’ (74-73) two-game win streak before 30,380 at Rogers Centre.
Kirk enjoyed a two-hit, two-RBI outing.
Erik Swanson (2-2) pitched a perfect 11th inning for the win, while Cardinals reliever Ryan Fernandez (1-5) took the loss.
Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman enjoyed a seven-inning, 104-pitch outing. He surrendered his two runs on nine hits and two walks and fanned only two Cardinals.
He gave way to reliever Genesis Cabrera, who gave up a one-out homer to Thomas Saggese, his first in 2024, that tied the game in the eighth.
The Cardinals started swiftly with four straight singles to open the game. But they exited the first inning with only two runs on an RBI single to centre from Nolan Arendao and a fielder’s choice from Saggese.
Gausman required 28 pitches to escape the first inning but settled down to allow his teammates to snatch the lead in the fourth.
He also deftly pitched out of threats from the visitors in the fifth, sixth and seventh thanks to some solid defence, including Will Wagner’s diving stop, which led to a double play to end the fifth inning.
George Springer led off with a walk and stole second base. He advanced to third on Nathan Lukes’s single and scored when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. knocked in his 95th run with a double off the left-field wall.
Lukes scored on a sacrifice fly to left field from Spencer Horwitz. Guerrero touched home on Kirk’s two-out single to right.
In the ninth, Guerrero made a critical diving catch on an Arenado grounder to throw out the Cardinals’ infielder, with reliever Tommy Nance covering first. The defensive gem ended the inning with a runner on second base.
St. Louis starter Erick Fedde faced the minimum night batters in the first three innings thanks to a pair of double plays. He lasted five innings, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
ON DECK
Toronto ace Jose Berrios (15-9) will start the second of the three-game series on Saturday. He has a six-game win streak.
The Cardinals will counter with righty Kyle Gibson (8-6).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
CALGARY – Mired in their first four-game losing skid in 20 years, the Calgary Stampeders are going back to Jake Maier at quarterback on Saturday after he was benched for a game.
It won’t be an easy assignment.
Visiting McMahon Stadium are the Eastern Conference-leading Montreal Alouettes (10-2) who own the CFL’s best record. The Stampeders (4-8) have fallen to last in the Western Conference.
“Six games is plenty of time, but also it is just six games,” said Maier. “We’ve got to be able to get on the right track.”
Calgary is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
“I do still believe in this team,” said Stampeders’ head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson. “I want to see improvement, though. I want to see guys on a weekly basis elevating their game, and we haven’t been doing that.”
Maier is one of the guys under the microscope. Two weeks ago, the second-year starter threw four interceptions in a 35-20 home loss to the Edmonton Elks.
After his replacement, rookie Logan Bonner, threw five picks in last week’s 37-16 loss to the Elks in Edmonton, the football is back in Maier’s hands.
“Any time you fail or something doesn’t go your way in life, does it stink in the moment? Yeah. But then the days go on and you learn things about yourself and you learn how to prepare a little bit better,” said Maier. “It makes you mentally tougher.”
Dickenson wants to see his quarterback making better decisions with the football.
“Things are going to happen, interceptions will happen, but try to take calculated risks, rather than just putting the ball up there and hoping that we catch it,” said Dickenson.
A former quarterback himself, he knows the importance of that vital position.
“You cannot win without good quarterback play,” Dickenson said. “You’ve got to be able to make some plays — off-schedule plays, move-around plays, plays that break down, plays that aren’t designed perfectly, but somehow you found the right guy, and then those big throws where you’re taking that hit.”
But it’s going to take a team effort, and that includes the club’s receiving corp.
“We always have to band together because we need everything to go right for our receivers to get the ball,” said Nik Lewis, the Stampeders’ receivers coach. “The running back has to pick up the blitz, the o-line has to block, the quarterback has to make the right reads, and then give us a catchable ball.”
Lewis brings a unique perspective to this season’s frustrations as he was a 22-year-old rookie in Calgary in 2004 when the Stamps went 4-14 under coach Matt Dunigan. They turned it around the next season and haven’t missed the playoffs since.”
“Thinking back and just looking at it, there’s just got to be an ultimate belief that you can get it done. Look at Montreal, they were 6-7 last year and they’ve gone 18-2 since then,” said Lewis.
Montreal is also looking to rebound from a 37-23 loss to the B.C. Lions last week. But for head coach Jason Maas, he says his team’s mindset doesn’t change, regardless of what happened the previous week.
“Last year when we went through a four-game losing streak, you couldn’t tell if we were on a four-game winning streak or a four-game losing streak by the way the guys were in the building, the way we prepared, the type of work ethic we have,” said Maas. “All our standards are set, so that’s all we focus on.”
While they may have already clinched a playoff spot, Alouettes’ quarterback Cody Fajardo says this closing stretch remains critical because they want to finish the season strong, just like last year when they won their final five regular-season games before ultimately winning the Grey Cup.
“It doesn’t matter about what you do at the beginning of the year,” said Fajardo. “All that matters is how you end the year and how well you’re playing going into the playoffs so that’s what these games are about.”
The Alouettes’ are kicking off a three-game road stretch, one Fajardo looks forward to.
“You understand what kind of team you have when you play on the road because it’s us versus the world mentality and you can feel everybody against you,” said Fajardo. “Plus, I always tend to find more joy in silencing thousands of people than bringing thousands of people to their feet.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
