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Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Every year there are prospects that seem to go long enough in juniors or abroad, and we just want to see them either form a team or settle for an AHL regular.
Every team seems to have a player in the system who should have been in the big club right now, but for some reason they have evolved slowly. They have dealt with injuries or inconsistencies. They may have been set too high, setting expectations they just couldn’t meet.
This season is no different in this respect. From slow burns to developmental injuries and injuries to troublesome draft years, the NHL has been waiting for the arrival of many of these players for a few years. While it’s certainly not about these players not being able to continue to evolve and break into the league at age 25 – or even later – it’s time for them to realize their potential or settle for being a potential player with average aspirations on the NHL list.
Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona Coyotes – Completed 5th overall in 2018
When he was selected fifth overall, questions arose about Hayton’s ability to complete the draft. When he dominated the Canadian gold medal at the World Juniors in 2020, his stake rose and hopes were high thanks to a bold performance as he led the team in the goal despite injury. Where Hayton eventually ends up as a professional player is the real question. Is he a third-line player who can influence the moment of switching, or is he the center of the top six who can help lead a team at the NHL level?
Hayton currently has a lower body injury, but he has looked good at times throughout the pre-season. Coyotes ’coaching staff has kept him on a daily basis and the outlook looks good for a quick return, but will this return happen with Coyotes or the Tuscan Roadrunners? After last year’s up and down season – which included playing in Ilves (League), Tuscany (AHL) and Coyotes – the Canadian World Junior hero is looking for stability.
Whatever Coyotes decides to do with Hayton, it is obvious that he risks becoming slowly burning and forgotten. Many of Hayton’s tools are NHL-ready, but he hasn’t been able to assemble everything yet and when he ostensibly does, an injury emerges. Can he stay healthy and prepare for a full NHL match?
Timothy Liljegren, D, Toronto Maple Leafs – Drafted 17th in 2017
At some point, Liljegren was predicted to go into the top three of the 2017 draft, but the battle for mononucleosis prevented his draft year for more than two months. As the sketch turned around, he slid off the table for the Maple Leafs, who felt they were getting a talent that wouldn’t normally be available after they made the surprise drop game when the Auston Matthews era began.
The development of Liljegren has progressed slowly and steadily to this point. Many fans and analysts expected the young Swede to come in and attack at the AHL level almost immediately. What has happened since his arrival has been somewhat impressive as Liljegren has become a solid defensive presence and excellent disc transfer capability. His attacking game has not been translated as expected, but 41 points in 61 matches is certainly not shy.
Liljegren has a bit of an uphill battle to reach his opening night with Maple Leafs, but he should be among the first if he gets injured. If he makes the opening night list after a solid camp, he will likely start as the seventh defender to fill the night here and there to earn playing time. Ideally, Liljegren has forced his way into the list by the playoffs, but this will likely require him to oust Travis Dermott, who is likely to start the year on his own side in the third pair in Toronto.
Vitaly Kravtsov, RW, New York Rangers – Completed ninth in 2018
A split opportunity among analysts and Rangers fans, Kravstov has had a strange development path. At some point, the relationship between Kravtsov and Rangers seemed to be disaster-prone after an unfortunate AHL season and on his way back to his homeland Russia to play in KHL and VHL 2019-2020 before playing again at KHL last season before Launching the NHL because of COVID-19. Now back on the field, Kravtsov wants to secure a gig with the Rangers.
The training camp and the pre-season have gone well for Kravtsov. He has even taken advantage of getting Ryan Reaves in town and got fighting hours from one of the league’s leading executives. Kravtsov’s game has speed and skill, which is only more fascinating given the pro-ready framework. His offensive game has never been a problem. Kravtsov’s defense commitment was his biggest problem, but with a seemingly new commitment to his own head, he should be able to find his NHL list.
Coach Gerard Gallant has considered the young Russian daily injured with a minor lower body injury. This should not affect his position on the NHL list, but a quick return to action is favorable for Kravtsov. If another player is allowed to take him in the middle of six roles, it could force Kravstov to play with a lower lineup, a fate that the selection of the top ten in 2018 is, to put it mildly, disappointing.
Olli Juolevi, D, Vancouver Cancuks – Quality 5th overall in 2016
The Loyal Canucks have all been written off by Juolevi, and at the age of 23 it doesn’t seem too special. Although Juolevi never had a real projection as a number one defender, he was said to have the physical tools you were looking for in a two-way blueliner, and his understanding of fast defending and moving the puck was announced. The former Knight of London had a good sketch year and came to a halt after the Knights presented an almost identical line of statistics in their sketch in their +1 season. The coolest journey to pro hockey began the following year, and he has since dealt with injuries, inconsistencies, and poor results.
This year’s training camp has done no service to Juoleville as he has seemingly lagged behind the Canucks ’shiny new toy, Jack Rathbone, and even veteran traveler Brad Hunt in a battle for a third couple in Vancouver. Juolevi is still an alternative to the list, almost seemingly out of control only if he wants to give the child a shot.
Juolevi has sometimes seemed a step slow, and his decision-making has not yet matured from the time he spent with the knights. If a Finn has to play in the second season of the AHL and again sets mediocre figures for a previously well-advertised opportunity, his time at the Canucks may be coming to an end. It really is the longest time.
Erik Brännström, D, Ottawa Senators – Completed 15th overall in 2017
Brännström, a key player in the Mark Stone deal, has bullied Senators fans with good performances at the AHL level, but then didn’t seem quite ready for the NHL. His glimpses at different times keep the world of hockey connected, but frustration has begun to show among fans and analysts.
Brännström has high skill and some attractive mobility. He has an impressive offensive IQ and is a silky smooth bypass all over the ice. The biggest problem is that he has difficulty defending the cycle and coach DJ Smith couldn’t trust him again in his own zone with NHL players. When a coach doesn’t trust you and has publicly criticized your game, it can be hard to find steady playing time.
The Ottawa depth chart has not been loaded for defense. If Brännström comes up with a way to oust one of the exchange-level defenders, he should get an extended look. If senators want to take advantage of their growing stable with young, fun, and exciting strikers, Brännström can be a puck maker who can help. It only requires some confidence.
Logan Brown, C, St. Louis Blues – Drafted 11th overall in 2016
After Logan Brown has moved from Senators to his hometown of the Blues, he hopes a fresh start is exactly what he needs to really get his NHL career off to a good start. Brown has played a couple of games in the preliminaries so far and has looked like a player adapting to a new environment. Onta, who bothered him in Ottawa – his will to play – still seems a bit of a problem, but Blues hopes to get Brown on lineup and play at the pace of the NHL.
Expectations in Ottawa were high, but the clock ticked and when management and coaching staff were impatient and the relationship looked tense behind the scenes, Brown and the senators were to resign. His AHL scores were impressive throughout his time in the Senators organization, but NHL levels have been harder to adjust to.
Thanks to its massive framework, NHL overtaking ability, and powerplay ability, Brown should be able to provide value to the blues at the NHL level. It’s up to the Blues to set Brown to succeed, because at the age of 23, Brown’s time to become a real top six is running out. It’s time for the 2016 first-round player to get their game in gear.
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Sources 2/ https://www.si.com/hockey/news/prospect-roundup-make-it-or-break-it-time The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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