[Sandman]

More Draft thoughts:

-Koehn Ziemmer might be the second-best draft-eligible player coming from the Prince George Cougars, but he's one of the top power-forwards in this year's draft. He reminds me a lot of USA's Ryan Leonard, in that both players are 6'0", but both play like they're 6'3". Ziemmer likes the physical play, and isn't afraid of the dirty areas. In 50/50 confrontations, it is usually Ziemmer coming out with the puck, being both tenacious, and deceptively strong. He knows how to use his body well, and how to separate his man from the puck, and his speed helps him to break up rushes and plays inside the zone, including the cycle. Very good anticipation, IQ, and positioning, and causes many turnovers. On the other side of the rink, he has top-tier hockey sense, and playmaking ability, to go with one of the best shots in the draft. Very good puckhandler, with excellent puck-protection, and can make the highlight reel with his playmaking, or shot. Goes to the net hard looking for garbage, or screen the goalie. 89 points in 68 games, and I wouldn't fault anyone who chose this kid over his teammate, Riley Heidt.

-LW Carson Rehkopf is a 6'3" power forward who dazzles with his speed, and NHL-calibre shot. His release is lightning-quick, and he can get it off from the rush. 30 goals, and 59 points in 68 games for Kitchener of the OHL. Uses his size and stength to be a force in all 3 zones, and down low. He's a titan in front of the net. Has shown plenty of defensive acumen, and playmaking ability, but lacks consistency in those areas. He also lacks consistency and intensity in his physical ability- he can unleash big hits, and outmuscle most players, but he doesn't always do it. Needs time to work on the accuracy of his shot.

-It will be interesting to see where LW Daniil But is chosen on Draft day. He has some first-round attributes, and most of his skills are translatable to the NHL. First off, But is 6'5", and skates very well for a player his size. He has an amazing top speed, but the problem is- it takes him a bit longer to get up to that speed. His acceleration and start-up are a bit sluggish, and he's still a little awkward-looking, with improvements needed in his mechanics in order to achieve more balance and agility. Some of this will come naturally, as he gets stronger, and some will be cleared up with a skating coach- still some surprising mobility from a player that huge.If you watch his highlights, you'll be impressed. His puck skills are said to be high-end, with great stickhandling, passing, and puck protection. The asset that's mentioned most aside from his mobility, is his shot, which is already NHL-calibre. To go with this, is his deception and release- he uses head fakes, and stick trickery to fool opposing goalies and defenders, and he can get off shots lightning quick. But will use his size and strength to bull his way to the middle of the ice, to front of the net, or in the corners and half-wall in order to hold off checkers, but he is surprisingly not that physical, and lacks edge in his game- otherwise, he would be an absolute force. He might be more of a goal-scorer, but some say he might be one of the best playmakers in this draft. His abilities and size made him an option for the KHL, where he spent 15 games, more than many of his peers, and he had 32 points in 32 games in the Russian junior league- top-10 in scoring for players under-18, top-6 in ppg for that age group.

-Gracyn Sawchyn is a right-handed C for the powerhouse Seattle Thunderbirds, and put up 58 points in 58 games playing 2nd and 3rd line duties behind some older, talented offensive players. Sawchyn is one of those players who doesn't do anything at an elite level, but he also has no weaknesses. He skates quite well, but it's augmented by his high motor and compete level. He does a lot of the little things a team needs to win-he's tenacious and aware in all zones, and is an excellent defensive player, with a penchant for causing turnovers, and frustrating opponents, taking away time and space. He forechecks and backchecks hard, and similarly, he's equally good on both sides of the transition. He's smart, has vision and IQ, but keeps it relatively simple, and doesn't try to do too much- his shot and passing game are not necessarily high-end, but he gets the job done. If he were on a different team, with more minutes, this kid might just be first-round material.

-C Connor Levis is ranked as a "B" prospect by Central Scouting, meaning they see him going in the 2nd round, or early in the 3rd. This is already his 3rd year with the Blazers, being their 20th overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft. This year, he put up an impressive 67 points in 68 games, centering the 2nd line with Leafs prospect, Fraser Minten. Levis is considered a bit raw, and a long-term prospect, but he already exhibits a fast, powerful skating stride, on a 6'2" frame. He employs a power-forward style, with good hockey sense, physicality, and a solid shot. He is defensively aware, but still needs some work in this area.

-LW Nico Myatovic had 60 points this year (including 30 goals) in 68 games for a deep Seattle Thunderbirds team, but what's more impressive is that 49 of those points came 5 vs 5. Myatovic is a 6'2" power-forward whose skating is quite good- very good straight-line, but with lateral mobility, and good edges. He's known for his work in the slot, and gets a lot of his goals off of tips and rebounds, and provides a big screen. Very good finding open spaces in front of the net, creates seams to recieve passes, and has the speed to join the cycle from that vantage point. Likes the dirty areas, forechecks hard, and does a lot of the dirty work along the boards, corners, and net-front, and has a good stick with a long reach. Myatovic also works hard in his own zone, using his stick, speed, and physicality to kill plays, and separate man from puck. Pressures well, and takes away space from attackers. Hard and aggressive in the middle of the ice, and at the points to create turnovers. Provides good support for his D, and other teammates. Good at snuffing out rushes by attacking the puck-carrier. Seems to have a projectable game to the NHL, and I would bet on him going in round 2. I really like this player.