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Sandman · 06-09-2025, 10:56 PM

More Draft r-entries to consider (part 2):

LD Niklas Nykyri (6'2",190lbs)
HIFK (Liiga): 31gp/ 1g/ 7a/ 8pts, +4, 6 PIM

Lefty Niklas Nykyri (ranked # 40 EU Skaters) was a defenseman that I liked from last year's U-18 Worlds, where he registered 3 points in 5 games for Team Finland, which tied him for 2nd in scoring by D on that squad, with Aron Kiviharju. Nykyri has the look of a solid, shutdown defender with a quality puck-moving game, but he also joins the rush as an extra attacker, and activates into the play a ton- although his activity is a bit muted in the men's league for now. This season in the Liiga, Finland's top men's league, he was third in scoring by U-20 defensemen, behind the aforementioned Aron Kiviharju, and Daniel Nieminen. He's a high-volume shooter from the point, but he can also spot teammates in the slot for high-danger passes. More work is needed on his quickness, and he has to incorporate more physicality into his game, but he's a solid, all-around D who can play in all areas, in all situations, and munch minutes in the process (at least in Finland).

LHC Roman Luttsev (6'1",194lbs)
Loko Yaroslavl (MHL): 50gp/ 30g/ 33a/ 63pts, +24, 26 PIM

Roman Luttsev (ranked # 52 EU Skaters) was passed up in last year's draft because he was a smallish (5'11") center with skating deficiencies, who seemed to lack NHL skill (27 points in 36 games). It's still debatable if he has the skill to project to the NHL, but he has apparently grown to 6'1", improved his skating to a passable level, and led the MHL this season in scoring. Last year, he was considered to be a hard-nosed, physical defensive player, with a high-end motor, who pursued the puck relentlessly in all three zones, caused an inordinately high amount of turnovers, played a detailed game, and was the author of a high-number of zone exits. There is still doubt that he has the offensive skill to play in an NHL top-six, as he plays a highly meat-and-potatoes game, mostly from the perimeter in the offensive zone. Still, 63 points says that there might be something there, even it's a bottom-6 defensive center with hard-skill, and hopefully for him, it's enough to get him drafted.

LD Tomas Galvas (5'10",154lbs)
Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia): 43gp/ 3g/ 8a/ 11pts, +10, 2 PIM

If Tommy Galvas (ranked # 51 EU Skaters) was six-feet tall or bigger, he would have surely been drafted in 2024, but as it stands, he was passed over- even after being rather highly touted over most of that season. This season, Galvas was the top-scoring U-20 defenseman in Czechia's top men's league, by 8 points- and he was tied for tops in the same category last season as well. He has been a fixture on many of Czechia's International teams over the past few years, with an appearance in the 2024 U-18 Worlds (1 point in 5 games), last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (no points in 5 games), and participated in his second WJC this past New Year (4 points in 7 games). Galvas is a wonderful skater, smooth and agile, shifty and elusive, explosive from a standstill, and can flat-out fly at top speed. While it's tempting to refer to him as an offensive-defenseman, he actually displays a hard-working, stifling defensive game, and moves the puck well in all three zones- even when he's not putting up points. His size is still a hindrance though, as he loses battles, gets pushed around by larger opponents, and can't effectively box attackers out from the net. Very fun to watch, but still might be on the outside looking in at the conclusion of the draft.

LD Daniel Nieminen (6'0",187lbs)
Pelicans (Liiga): 39gp/ 4g/ 7a/ 11pts, -1, 10 PIM

Daniel Nieminen (ranked # 59 EU Skaters) was a player who I was surprised to see left off the draft board last year. He didn't get so much as a sniff of the Liiga in 2023-24, but was 8th in scoring by D in the U20 league, with 29 points in 37 games. This season he is second in the Liiga for U-20 defensemen, with 11 points in 39 games- just behind Aron Kiviharju's 16 points in 52 games. Even when playing against men, Nieminen has been able to show off his responsible two-way game. He was also a participant in the latest edition of the WJC, scoring 2 points in 7 games, with a +4 for Team Finland. His finest attribute is his exceptional skating, with powerful straight-ahead speed, and sublime edgework that makes him nearly impossible to catch. His hands are quick too, and he handles and catches at top-speed smoothly. An excellent puck-mover and transitional player, his game in his own zone is solid, but far from perfect, and could use a tweak for the pros.

C/LW Hugo Orrsten (6'2",198lbs)
Orebro (J20): 47gp/ 21g/ 46a/ 67pts, +29, 50 PIM

The Captain of Orebro's Junior team, Hugo Orrsten (ranked # 94 EU Skaters), is still only 18 years-old, with a July 10th birthday, and was third-overall in scoring this season in the J20 league. A swift-skating center, who perhaps lacks an elite separation gear and explosiveness, he's a solid two-way pivot with a quality playmaking game. He is most translatable when it comes to his defensive game though, as he is highly aware, disruptive, and physical, with good attention to detail. He's showing the ability to read the play in the offensive zone better this season,and to make quicker decisions, but he's still most likely a bottom-six projection, if he were to make it to the NHL.

LD Daniil Ustinkov (6'1",201lbs)
GC Kusnacht Lions (SL): 36gp/ 3g/ 8a/ 11pts, +4, 10 PIM

It was a huge surprise to see Daniil Ustinkov (ranked # 95 EU Skaters) left off the draft-board last summer, as he was ranked on most lists in the top-three rounds for most of the season, but he is still just 18 years-old, with an August 26, 2006 birthday- only missing being a first-time eligible for the 2025 Draft by about 3 weeks. He was the top-scoring U-20 defenseman in the SL, Switzerland's second-tier men's league, by five points- and he earned a regular-season game in the NL, the top-tier league, picking up no points. He also played in the NL playoffs, getting 13 games with the ZSC Lions (the parent team), putting up 1 assist, with a -3. Ustinkov is a superb skater, with a long and powerful stride in a straight-line, and smooth, fluid edges that allow him to pivot on a dime, shake off checkers, and even break ankles at times. Deception is a big part of his game, and he uses it in his skating, stickhandling, and passing to fool defenders and create space. Against Junior-aged players, he wields a tight two-way game, highlighted by his soft-touch passing skill, but he perhaps finds defending a bit tougher in the pros- showing poor reads at times, struggles with the puck, and bad positioning. When he wants to, he can play a rugged physical game, and has the size to make his presence felt, but he's young and still developing, while getting acclimated to playing against men.

LW Benjamin Rautiainen (6'0",174lbs)
Tappara (Liiga): 50gp/ 10g/ 23a/ 33pts,+4, 12 PIM

In his D+2 season, Benjamin Rautiainen (ranked # 36 EU Skaters) was the third-leading U-20 scorer in Finland's top men's league, and was tied for 4th on Finland's entry at the WJC, with 4 points in 7 games. He possesses top-notch offensive awareness, and sublime puck-skill, with an emphasis on making plays- his shot is nothing special, but he does exhibit good puck-placement and a deceptive release. He's a skilled passer, with many of his feeds finding their mark through traffic, right to the tape of the recipient for a high-danger chance. The problem with Rautiainen is that he's not a great skater, not at all physical, and doesn't play well through contact. He also doesn't display much of a defensive conscience. He may have to look forward to a long career in Europe.

06-09-2025, 10:56 PM	#2671
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	More Draft r-entries to consider (part 2): LD Niklas Nykyri (6'2",190lbs) HIFK (Liiga): 31gp/ 1g/ 7a/ 8pts, +4, 6 PIM Lefty Niklas Nykyri (ranked # 40 EU Skaters) was a defenseman that I liked from last year's U-18 Worlds, where he registered 3 points in 5 games for Team Finland, which tied him for 2nd in scoring by D on that squad, with Aron Kiviharju. Nykyri has the look of a solid, shutdown defender with a quality puck-moving game, but he also joins the rush as an extra attacker, and activates into the play a ton- although his activity is a bit muted in the men's league for now. This season in the Liiga, Finland's top men's league, he was third in scoring by U-20 defensemen, behind the aforementioned Aron Kiviharju, and Daniel Nieminen. He's a high-volume shooter from the point, but he can also spot teammates in the slot for high-danger passes. More work is needed on his quickness, and he has to incorporate more physicality into his game, but he's a solid, all-around D who can play in all areas, in all situations, and munch minutes in the process (at least in Finland). LHC Roman Luttsev (6'1",194lbs) Loko Yaroslavl (MHL): 50gp/ 30g/ 33a/ 63pts, +24, 26 PIM Roman Luttsev (ranked # 52 EU Skaters) was passed up in last year's draft because he was a smallish (5'11") center with skating deficiencies, who seemed to lack NHL skill (27 points in 36 games). It's still debatable if he has the skill to project to the NHL, but he has apparently grown to 6'1", improved his skating to a passable level, and led the MHL this season in scoring. Last year, he was considered to be a hard-nosed, physical defensive player, with a high-end motor, who pursued the puck relentlessly in all three zones, caused an inordinately high amount of turnovers, played a detailed game, and was the author of a high-number of zone exits. There is still doubt that he has the offensive skill to play in an NHL top-six, as he plays a highly meat-and-potatoes game, mostly from the perimeter in the offensive zone. Still, 63 points says that there might be something there, even it's a bottom-6 defensive center with hard-skill, and hopefully for him, it's enough to get him drafted. LD Tomas Galvas (5'10",154lbs) Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia): 43gp/ 3g/ 8a/ 11pts, +10, 2 PIM If Tommy Galvas (ranked # 51 EU Skaters) was six-feet tall or bigger, he would have surely been drafted in 2024, but as it stands, he was passed over- even after being rather highly touted over most of that season. This season, Galvas was the top-scoring U-20 defenseman in Czechia's top men's league, by 8 points- and he was tied for tops in the same category last season as well. He has been a fixture on many of Czechia's International teams over the past few years, with an appearance in the 2024 U-18 Worlds (1 point in 5 games), last summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (no points in 5 games), and participated in his second WJC this past New Year (4 points in 7 games). Galvas is a wonderful skater, smooth and agile, shifty and elusive, explosive from a standstill, and can flat-out fly at top speed. While it's tempting to refer to him as an offensive-defenseman, he actually displays a hard-working, stifling defensive game, and moves the puck well in all three zones- even when he's not putting up points. His size is still a hindrance though, as he loses battles, gets pushed around by larger opponents, and can't effectively box attackers out from the net. Very fun to watch, but still might be on the outside looking in at the conclusion of the draft. LD Daniel Nieminen (6'0",187lbs) Pelicans (Liiga): 39gp/ 4g/ 7a/ 11pts, -1, 10 PIM Daniel Nieminen (ranked # 59 EU Skaters) was a player who I was surprised to see left off the draft board last year. He didn't get so much as a sniff of the Liiga in 2023-24, but was 8th in scoring by D in the U20 league, with 29 points in 37 games. This season he is second in the Liiga for U-20 defensemen, with 11 points in 39 games- just behind Aron Kiviharju's 16 points in 52 games. Even when playing against men, Nieminen has been able to show off his responsible two-way game. He was also a participant in the latest edition of the WJC, scoring 2 points in 7 games, with a +4 for Team Finland. His finest attribute is his exceptional skating, with powerful straight-ahead speed, and sublime edgework that makes him nearly impossible to catch. His hands are quick too, and he handles and catches at top-speed smoothly. An excellent puck-mover and transitional player, his game in his own zone is solid, but far from perfect, and could use a tweak for the pros. C/LW Hugo Orrsten (6'2",198lbs) Orebro (J20): 47gp/ 21g/ 46a/ 67pts, +29, 50 PIM The Captain of Orebro's Junior team, Hugo Orrsten (ranked # 94 EU Skaters), is still only 18 years-old, with a July 10th birthday, and was third-overall in scoring this season in the J20 league. A swift-skating center, who perhaps lacks an elite separation gear and explosiveness, he's a solid two-way pivot with a quality playmaking game. He is most translatable when it comes to his defensive game though, as he is highly aware, disruptive, and physical, with good attention to detail. He's showing the ability to read the play in the offensive zone better this season,and to make quicker decisions, but he's still most likely a bottom-six projection, if he were to make it to the NHL. LD Daniil Ustinkov (6'1",201lbs) GC Kusnacht Lions (SL): 36gp/ 3g/ 8a/ 11pts, +4, 10 PIM It was a huge surprise to see Daniil Ustinkov (ranked # 95 EU Skaters) left off the draft-board last summer, as he was ranked on most lists in the top-three rounds for most of the season, but he is still just 18 years-old, with an August 26, 2006 birthday- only missing being a first-time eligible for the 2025 Draft by about 3 weeks. He was the top-scoring U-20 defenseman in the SL, Switzerland's second-tier men's league, by five points- and he earned a regular-season game in the NL, the top-tier league, picking up no points. He also played in the NL playoffs, getting 13 games with the ZSC Lions (the parent team), putting up 1 assist, with a -3. Ustinkov is a superb skater, with a long and powerful stride in a straight-line, and smooth, fluid edges that allow him to pivot on a dime, shake off checkers, and even break ankles at times. Deception is a big part of his game, and he uses it in his skating, stickhandling, and passing to fool defenders and create space. Against Junior-aged players, he wields a tight two-way game, highlighted by his soft-touch passing skill, but he perhaps finds defending a bit tougher in the pros- showing poor reads at times, struggles with the puck, and bad positioning. When he wants to, he can play a rugged physical game, and has the size to make his presence felt, but he's young and still developing, while getting acclimated to playing against men. LW Benjamin Rautiainen (6'0",174lbs) Tappara (Liiga): 50gp/ 10g/ 23a/ 33pts,+4, 12 PIM In his D+2 season, Benjamin Rautiainen (ranked # 36 EU Skaters) was the third-leading U-20 scorer in Finland's top men's league, and was tied for 4th on Finland's entry at the WJC, with 4 points in 7 games. He possesses top-notch offensive awareness, and sublime puck-skill, with an emphasis on making plays- his shot is nothing special, but he does exhibit good puck-placement and a deceptive release. He's a skilled passer, with many of his feeds finding their mark through traffic, right to the tape of the recipient for a high-danger chance. The problem with Rautiainen is that he's not a great skater, not at all physical, and doesn't play well through contact. He also doesn't display much of a defensive conscience. He may have to look forward to a long career in Europe.