[Tkachukwagon]

Lowetide on the Athletic posted an article on skilled, unsigned wingers currently playing outside the NHL. Some interesting names on the list, I won’t post the entire article however here are a few:

Rodrigo Abols is a fairly obscure player with a fascinating resume. Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks late in the 2016 draft, he was signed by the Florida Panthers in spring 2019. He is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and posted a solid if unspectacular rookie season in the AHL 2019-20 (36 games, 7-16-23). Abols spent all of this year with Orebro of the SHL. He posted solid numbers (19-15-34 in 45 games), but in January the Panthers (via PuckPedia) designated him via waivers. He posted a strong SHL season, and with his contract status up in the air, Abols might be an astute free-agent signing.

Denis Alexeyev is a right-handed centre who has been a regular in the KHL for several seasons. At 23, he’s at a perfect age to come to the NHL and will have a large number of suitors. Alexeyev is a fine playmaker, posting 23 assists (and 14 goals) in 58 games for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in 2020-21. He is solid in the dot, posting a 57.6 percentage in 632 faceoffs. His shooting percentage (16.9) was higher than his career average by three points, so his actual goal-scoring may be shy of what his totals this year imply. Although he plays centre, Alexeyev’s presence on the roster might allow the club to run Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins (should he sign) on the left side.

Jackson Cates is a left-handed centre who was named USHL Forward of the Year in 2018 and has performed well in his three NCAA seasons with Minnesota-Duluth. He has a range of skills (money on the power play, 13 of his 26 goals coming on the man advantage), and his career shot total of 256 in 94 games (2.72 per game) suggests he has been involved in the offence during his time with the Bulldogs. His offensive skills and intelligent play make him an attractive option for the Oilers, although he is from Minnesota and that usually gives American teams the advantage with players who choose to sign a pro contract. Cates has the option of returning for his senior season, but the offers will be there.