[Sandman]

Some re-entries to consider (part 1):

C Topias Hynninen (5'10",172lbs)
Jukurit (Liiga): 51gp/ 12g/ 23a/ 35pts, -16, 6 PIM

Scouts always seems to downplay Topias Hynninen's (ranked # 83 EU Skaters) offensive game, but he was 2nd for U-20 players in Finland's top men's league this season. Even if he doesn't have the skill to produce in an NHL top-six, he could carve out a role as a secondary offensive producer who provides energy, hustle, and an ultra-aggressive forecheck. He's a soft-touch passer, and an intelligent playmaker, but also wields a solid defensive game, hard-charging puck pursuit in all three zones, and plenty of hard-skill; he can flat out fly through transition, as well. Hynninen had an eye-popping playoffs, with 2 goals and 10 points in just 5 games. Hynninen skates well, with his high-end motor driving his speed up a couple of notches, but he could use a little work on his handling.


C/LW Jamiro Reber (5'10",176lbs)
HV71 (SHL): 47gp/ 8g/ 7a/ 15pts, -11, 6 PIM

Reber's game revolves around his torrid pace, his overwhelming energy, and his unrelenting motor. Reber (ranked # 62 EU Skaters) is still just 18 years old, as he was only a few weeks away from being a first-time eligible this summer, with a Sept.6th birthday. He's a bit of an average skater, but he manages to push it up a few notches with his high-tempo and work-ethic. He loves to have the puck on his blade, and he shows it by being able to deke and dangle around defenders, weaving in-and-out of traffic while flying up the ice. While he might lack game-breaking skill, he's a creative playmaker with high IQ and solid vision, but never cheats for offense- playing a detailed defensive game, with good effort and engagement on the backcheck. I don't think he's going to be drafted though, and should look forward to a long career in Europe.


LD Sam Laurila (6'1",187lbs)
Fargo (USHL): 57gp/ 8g/ 33a/ 41pts, even, 46 PIM

Sam Laurila (ranked # 65 NA Skaters) is still just 18 years old, and was only a few weeks away from being a first-time draft-eligible this summer, with a Sept. 2nd birthday. I liked him last year, and I thought he wasn't being used properly in the NTDP; this year, he's munching huge minutes for the Fargo Force, getting playing time in all situations, and showing off his smooth, cerebral, two-way, puck-moving game. He was 4th-overall in scoring by D in the USHL this season, and a major catalyst for the Force's offense, exhibiting excellent mobility, poise under pressure, and a fearlessness in activating into the play. He's not the most physical, but will finish checks, pin attackers to the boards, and throw the odd-hit to separate man from puck. he projects more as a bottom-3 puck-moving, defensive player in the pros.


LW Bruno Idzan (6'1",194lbs)
Lincoln (USHL): 36gp/ 22g/ 22a/ 44pts, +27, 20 PIM

18 year-old Bruno Idzan (ranked # 67 NA Skaters), from Croatia, is a solidly-built power-forward with hard-skill, and compete. He has a goal-scorer's mentality of finding open space in the offensive zone, driving the net hard, and fearlessness in attacking the middle. Possessing solid offensive awareness, he was 2nd this season in PPG (1.22) in the USHL, behind Will Zellers, and his best weapon is his NHL-caliber shot. Though a bit inconsistent, he also plays a good defensive game, and contributes well to his team's transition, showing confidence with the puck on his blade- even without top-notch puck-skill. He generates a decent top-speed when he gets going, but all other aspects of his skating will need work- from his start-up, to his acceleration, to his edgework; his mobility is average at best. He projects as a possible middle-6 winger (most likely a third-liner), who can contribute to all situations.


RD Caeden Herrington (6'1",185lbs)
Lincoln (USHL): 56gp/ 16g/ 18a/ 34pts, +18, 67 PIM

Righty Caeden Herrington (ranked # 80 NA Skaters) was 10th in scoring by D in the USHL, but was 1st in goals- due to his high-volume shooting game in the offensive-zone. He is well-versed in walking the line to open shooting lanes, and to pry open passing seams, and has a heavy shot that causes havoc in the crease, and creates second-chance opportunities for teammates. He's a fairly well-rounded defenseman and contributes in all three zones, with a solid shut-down game, robust physicality and snarl, with fast-paced puck-movement up the ice. Skating isn't a strength, but isn't a weakness; he needs more power in his stride for the next level, and has to upgrade his explosiveness.


LD Francesco Dell'Elce (6'1",185lbs)
UMass (NCAA): 40gp/ 7g/ 17a/ 24pts, +18, 12 PIM

Undrafted last year as a member of the Penticton Vees (38 points in 54 games), as well as the year before out of St. Andrew's College, Dell'Elce (ranked # 80 NA Skaters) was the 3rd-highest scoring U-20 defenseman in the NCAA this season, and was first in scoring on the 10th-ranked UMass blueline- as a freshman. Impressively, Dell'Elce played huge minutes in all situations on a nightly basis, and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. His best trait is his high-end mobility, with game-breaking speed in all directions, and well-honed edgework that gives him superb maneuverability and elusiveness. He's always been an offensively- inclined blueliner, with a strong puck-movement game, sharp instincts, and a dangerous shot, but the defensive side of his profile is a work in progress. UMass has a reputation of being a good program for developing defensive prospects, so the future looks a bit brighter for Dell'Elce this season, than last.


RW Luke Mistelbacher (6'0",194lbs)
Swift Current (WHL): 67gp/ 42g/ 51a/ 93pts,-2, 34 PIM

RW Luke Mistelbacher (ranked # 93 NA Skaters), who signed an ATO with the Iowa Wild in April, led the 14th-placed Broncos in scoring by 9 points this season, which has grabbed the attention of scouts. He was 8th in league scoring in 2024-25, and 4th in goals- not bad, considering that he was never drafted into the WHL. Last season, he started off slow, but seemed to catch fire with the addition of Connor Geekie to the team in the New Year, blazing his way to the playoffs with 24 points in his last 15 games, to finish with 53 points in 64 games (20 goals). His accomplishments this season though, have come without the benefit of having Geekie driving the bus. Though he lacks pace, and his skating is rather average, his slick puck-skills allow him to make plays in tight-areas, and weave in-and-out of traffic. He possesses high-end hockey-sense, along with top-notch instincts in the offensive zone, with a lethal shot on a deceptive release to fool goalies. He also displays keen spatial awareness, an ability to finish in-close, and shows a proficiency in running the PP from the half-wall. Unfortunately, he doesn't move the needle much defensively, and isn't very effective without the puck.


C/RW Aidan Park (6'1",187lbs)
Green Bay (USHL): 55gp/ 33g/ 33a/ 66pts, +1, 49 PIM

An alumnus of Shattuck-St. Mary's, Aidan Park (ranked # 94 NA Skaters) was surprisingly passed-on in last year's draft, after amassing 93 points in just 56 games. He spent 3 games with the Hitmen this season during their playoff run (they drafted him in the first-round, 19th-overall in the WHL US Prospects Draft in 2021) but he failed to move the needle, with no points and a -2. Park plays with energy, overwhelming pace, and unrelenting motor, and though his stride looks a little awkward at times, he generates superb power and speed, with an explosive first-step, and rapid acceleration. He plays a solid all-around game, and takes pride in being a top-notch defensive player, who is often the first forward back in the zone. In the other end, he shows solid playmaking skill, but also owns a quick shot-release, as well as a nose for the net. He could make it as a quality bottom-6 player in the NHL, who brings solid checking ability, some jam, and good offensive-instincts.


RD Bryce Pickford (6'0",190lbs)
Medicine Hat (WHL): 48gp/ 20g/ 27a/ 47pts,+34, 65 PIM

I was a big fan of Pickford's last year, and I didn't like the way he was being used by the Seattle Thunderbirds (although they had a deep and veteran-laden blueline), who were one of the WHL's worst-teams in 2023-24, and I thought he would do better on a different team, with more minutes and greater responsibility. He's been given a better opportunity on an elite team this year, and has responded superbly. Though Pickford (ranked # 100 NA Skaters) isn't elite in any one area, he's gritty and physical, well-rounded skill-wise, and displays a dual-threat offensive game with solid instincts, to go with a wicked wrister that can beat goalies from distance. He's a high-volume shooter, and a big chunk of his offense revolves around his ability to get pucks on-net, to create chaos in-front. He skates exceptionally well, and wields a suffocating defensive game, with a specialty in creating efficient zone-exits, and an ability to drive play in the other direction. He wowed the scouting world in the WHL playoffs, with 13 goals and 24 points in just 18 games, and put up 2 goals in 4 games in his second Memorial Cup appearance. Pickford has a bit of a nasty disposition on the ice, and will drop the gloves when necessary.


C/LW Charlie Cerrato (6'0",190lbs)
Penn St.(NCAA): 38gp/ 15g/ 27a/ 42pts, +16, 58 PIM

NHL General Managers have two choices when it comes to Charlie Cerrato (ranked # 110 NA Skaters): draft him this summer, or risk him being signed by another team further down the road in free-agency. Cerrato is 20 years-old, and in his second year of draft-eligibility, but has had a drool-worthy year this season, finishing 5th in NCAA scoring for U-20 players. He's a high-energy, high-motor player who overwhelms opponents with his speed, pace, and physicality- he's tenacious and competitive. He drives the net hard, attacks the middle of the ice without fear, and exhibits solid playmaking instincts, with high-end vision. A sparkplug, he exhibits excellent puck-skill to go along with his pluck, and handles well; he can walk opposing defenders with dekes and dangles around feet and sticks. He's always moving, keeping his feet pumping, and brings his energy and intensity to the defensive zone- causing turnovers and disruption, and dissects opposing defenses in transition. I would be shocked to see him left out of the draft this time around.


C/RW Vincent Desjardins (5'11",172lbs)
Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): 64gp/ 18g/ 63a/ 81pts, -2, 37 PIM

Even in his draft-year, Vincent Desjardins (ranked # 122 NA Skaters) was one of the Quebec League's best defensive forwards, but has upgraded his offensive game, going from 47 points in 2023-24, up to 81 points this season- largely due to his impressive passing skill, and high-end playmaking. Blainville-Boisbriand was 8th-overall in the league this year, but were eliminated from the post-season in 5 games by the Sherbrooke Phoenix, with Desjardins contributing 4 points in 3 games. Desjardins' 63 assists were 2nd in the Q, and were a product of his vision and creativity; he can distribute the puck through traffic while in-motion, and creates a number of grade "A" feeds for teammates each game. His shot is nothing special, and he's not a huge scoring threat, but he will drive the middle, or attack the net for chances. His skating needs a bit of an upgrade as well, with a need for more explosiveness and a better top-speed, but he gets around well right now on his motor and high-end work-ethic. His defensive game is still lights-out, with good habits and attention to detail in all three zones. He gets a high number of defensive-zone starts, and is tasked with the toughest assignments, but needs work on his faceoffs, which were 48.6%, a stat that might improve as he fills out and gets stronger.


RD Mazden Leslie (6'1",201lbs)
Vancouver (WHL): 66gp/ 21g/ 51a/ 72pts, +3, 54 PIM

Passed over twice, righty Mazden Leslie (in his first season as Captain of the Giants) was second in scoring by D in the WHL, and second in goals, on the 13th-ranked (out of 22 teams) Vancouver Giants. In May, having been eliminated from the post-season in 5 games by Spokane (Leslie contributed 1 point, and a team-worst -9), the Giants traded Leslie to the Kelowna Rockets, where he will play his overage year, before heading to Bowling Green State University for the 2026-27 season. Leslie (ranked # 133 NA Skaters) possesses good physical tools, with above-average mobility, a sturdy build, smooth handling, and a hard shot; he combines these traits with a willingness to join the attack, or activate off the point into the play at every opportunity. His physicality is inconsistent, as he has frequently displayed the ability to dole out thunderous hits, but he chooses to conduct most of his business with his active stick, and his mobility. While his offensive game has progressed well, going from 50 points in his draft year, to 44 in his D+1, to 72 points this season, I'm not sure his defensive game has come along well enough to see him get him drafted, and there has always been questions about his hockey-sense and IQ. He sure didn't look ready for prime-time in the playoffs, and it looks like the Giants' brass agrees.


LD Jack Brauti (6'0",165lbs)
Niagara (OHL): 64gp/ 8g/ 38a/ 46pts, -11, 47 PIM

The Niagara IceDogs were 12th, out of 20 teams this year in the OHL, and were ousted from the post-season by the Barrie Colts in 5 games, with Brauti contributing 4 points, and a -7. Jack Brauti (ranked # 139 NA Skaters) led the IceDogs blueline in regular-season scoring by D by 19 points. I'm a fan of Brauti's, and was a big advocate of his to be drafted last summer, betting on him to have a breakout season; it happened, but not to the degree I was expecting, although 46 points on a 12th-placed team is at least respectable. Brauti does everything well, but perhaps nothing at an elite level; he's not very big, and doesn't yet own an elite two-way game. He is, however, hard-nosed and physical, wins battles on sheer will and compete, and plays with an edge. He activates into the play frequently, brandishes a bomb of a shot, and can also make smart plays. In the other end of the ice, he's disruptive, protects his net well, and is proficient in snuffing the rush. Not sure if there's enough here to make an NHL team spend a draft-pick on him though.