[Sandman]

More Draft Thoughts:

-Don't get too hung up on statistics this year when it comes to draft-eligible defensemen coming out of the USHL- after all, the top D in scoring this season is 19 yo Max Burkholder, with 51 points in 62 games, for a ppg of 0.82. In the same vein, don't believe those who belittle D Gavin McCarthy's 27 points in 42 games, as those numbers put him 13th in the league (for all D, not just draft-eligible D) in ppg, with 0.64- just behind Andrew Strathmann's 0.68. McCarthy has a June Birthday, meaning he's a lot younger than some of his contemporaries in this Draft, and his game is still considered somewhat raw, at least in the offensive zone. He's already considered to be a top-notch defensive defenseman, having the skills and attributes necessary to kill the rush, and stop the other team dead in their tracks. His speed, IQ, and defensive awareness combine with the use of an active stick, tight gap control, and a long wingspan to make him a stalwart in his own zone. McCarthy also has the size, at 6'1", to play a physical game and outmuscle opponents. He makes fine outlets, and displays good passing in all areas. He's competitve in the dirty areas, strong in front of his net, and his 88 PIMs would attest to his chippy-ness. The consensus on this player is that he has the skills to put up even more impressive numbers offensively, he just needs the time to develop. Mccarthy is like the US' version of Tanner Molendyk- he seems to take pride in his D right now, forgoing better point totals, which is quite admirable for a young guy. Look for him in the 2nd/3rd round.

-D Matthew Mania is another raw prospect, who comes from Florida, but plays for the middling Sudbury Wolves with 38 points in 67 games. He is another in a sea of six-foot defensemen in this draft. The one consensus on Mania's game is that he's a fantastic skater, with good edges and agility, and effortless acceleration, although some say his backwards skating needs a bit of work. It would seem though, that he's inconsistent in most areas of the ice. So far, his offense is his main forte, but he's also excellent in transition, able to connect with smooth breakouts or carry it out himself, creating entries. His deft stickhandling and puck-control helps him weave through traffic, and he drives play and controls the pace of the game at times. Once in the offensive zone, Mania is good at walking the line while scanning for open lanes, but he sometimes makes bad decisions- such as when to use his hard shot, or when to pinch, which he's not shy about doing. His passing/playmaking game has shown glimpses of being brilliant. Defensively, he's still a work in progress, as his intensity, physicality, and gap control are all inconsistent, but he can also show a calm, composed game where he is good against the rush, and able to close distance to attackers. Overall, he's considered a potential top-4 defenceman in the NHL, but he's a project of sorts, with a good set of tools. 3rd/4th round.

-In 2021-22, 6'0" Winger Tuomas Uronen was one of the top performing U17 players in the U20 League, with 17 points in 24 games, but his ppg of 0.71 put him ahead of all but 4 in the top-10- ahead of players like Jesse Kiiskanen, Tom Leppa, and Rasmus Kumpalainen, and just behind Kasper Halttunen (0.93) and Jesse Nurmi (0.75). He was also one of 2 underage players selected to play for Finland in the U-18's, where he impressed with 3 points in 6 games. He was up in the stratoshere with Halttunen in some rankings before the season began. I didn't notice him as much in this year's U-18's, where he had 2 points in 5 games, but he did show decent totals in the J20 with HIFK, posting 43 points in 39 games, earning 5 games in the men's league. Uronen is the top guy on that J20 team, where he plays in all situations, and both sides of special teams. Skating-wise, he is solid, not elite, but smooth and agile, and his puckhandling is a plus. He has an array of deft 1-on-1 moves to frustrate opponents. His motor is always running, and he keeps his feet moving. He's perhaps equally shooter and playmaker, and he can create off the rush, and through his energetic forechecking. Uronen is smart offensively, and finds the seams- or makes them himself by finding open space. His shot has some mustard, and a quick release, and he could stand to use it more often. Defensively, he uses his anticipation and positioning to disrupt plays, and he can throw some good hits. Scouts say he should be more dominant offensively, and some aspects of his skating need upgrading. 3rd/4th round?