Originally Posted by Sandman
Draft Thoughts (Uncut Gems, Vol.10):
-For many NHL GM's, a player's size and athleticism can make them a bit more draft-worthy. C Jonathan Castagna stands 6'2", and weighs 185lbs, and as a surprise invite to the Draft Combine, he finished top-10 in many categories. The fact that he was invited shows that some people in the hockey world think enough of him to include him amongst the top prospects of the draft, and in this year's case, 106 prospects were in attendance. It's hard to project a player from the US High School system, but Castagna plays for St. Andrew's College in the Canadian High School circuit, finishing 8th overall in scoring, with 72 points in 50 games. Despite playing against inferior competition to that of the CHL, many scouts say he has plenty of attributes that translate to the NHL. Other than his frame, Castagna is an explosive skater with great acceleration and top speed, and he keeps his feet moving- sprinting around the ice. His hands and stickhandling match the speed of his four-way mobility, giving him the ability to dance around opponents. In addition to his top-notch athleticism, he's among the best in this draft in terms of work ethic and motor. His offensive touch is elite compared to his competition this season, but it's a good bet that he'll never be a high-end scorer in pro hockey, but rather a two-way middle-six player at his ceiling. He's a quality defensive player, and quite physical in his own zone- he closes lanes, disrupts the cycle, lifts sticks, blocks shots, and will deliver crushing hits when given the chance. JC has a long runway, as he's joining the Penticton Vees next season, and he's committed to Cornell University in 2024-25.
-One name I've heard all year is D Matteo Mann, but I've been reluctant to write about him, as he looked like a huge player with little talent that would end up being a pylon at the next level. Turns out, the more I've looked into him, the better he's looked. Mann is 6'5" (some say 6'6"), and one of the heaviest players in the draft at 225lbs, and has obviously been working diligently to correct his mobility issues, as he's now considered a decent skater- which will terrorize opponents. Defense is by far his first priority, and he's actually a skilled, smart, and able shutdown D, with an overwhelming wingspan, and a punishing physical presence. He intimidates, and makes life hard for attackers, as he's nearly impossible to beat in puck battles, and he's like a shark along the boards and in front of the net. His backwards skating is decent, and he can stop opponents entering the zone with his gap and active stick. He is smart, disruptive, and mean, and exhibits positional awareness- steering opponents out of danger, and keeping the net-front clean. Mann was able to showcase his talents at the Top Prospects Game, where he showed he could hang with the best in the CHL, and shut them down- he also had 2 shots, playing on a pairing with Jonathan Tourigny. With the Chicoutimi Saqueneens this season, he only managed 5 points in 45 games, and while he'll never be counted on for offense, he can ride shotgun with the more skilled players, and not look out of place. You rarely see him pinch, but he can work the point, and he has a hard shot that he uses to cause chaos around the net. Going forward, Mann will need to keep improving his mobility, especially his start-up and explosiveness, and he has to establish more of an offensive game. He could go as early as the 3rd round.
-LHC Angus MacDonnell may one day play in the NHL, and if he does, he'll surely be a fan-favorite. MacDonnell is only 5'10"and 185lbs, but he's abrasive, antagonistic, and physical. 41 points in 64 games, to go with 93 PIMs, split between the Sarnia Sting and the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL, and he put up 5 points in 6 playoff games. I saw him in the U-18 tournament, and I thought his offense might be a little underrated, with 5 points in 7 games. Defense is his calling card right now, and he has the proactive hockey sense to be in the right position to disrupt plays in a timely manner, carrying an active stick and closing in with physicality. He supports his D in battles, and makes himself available in outlets. He gives up very little space and time, making life hard for opponents on the forecheck, backcheck, and on the PK- where he's basically a specialist. His efforts and effectiveness are predicated by his hard work and motor, as well as his compete. He's very good at faceoffs too, although it remains to be seen if he remains a C at the next level. MacDonnell's skating, handling, and playmaking are all solid, but not spectacular or elite- if there's a skill that stands out, it's his shot and release that he used to score 29 goals this year. I think A-Mac will make a fine mid-round pick in the draft.
-LW Roman Kukumberg is another player I viewed at the U-18's that I feel might be underrated. 4 points in 7 games for the surprising, 4th-place Slovaks, and he played in all tiers back home for HC Slovan Bratislava, including 18 games with 1 point in the top-tier men's league. He was also loaned to HC Modra Kridla Slovan of the 2nd tier league for 33 games, where he managed 11 points. Kukumberg is 6'1",185lbs, and has an explosive skating stride. It's hard to project his offensive impact, as he spent so little time playing against his own age group this season, instead getting low minutes and few offensive touches in the men's leagues. Looking at his stats from 2021-22 though (23 points in 34 games in the J20, along with 16 points in 35 games in the second-tier as a 16 year-old), one could surmise that he would've put up good numbers in the J20 league this season, if he got more time there. At this stage of his development, Kukumberg is known more for his defensive acumen than his play in the other end. His work ethic is high-end, he plays with pace, and he brings energy to whatever team he's playing for. He fights hard in all greasy areas, applies constant pressure on attackers, and has the sense to nullify rushes proactively in the neutral zone. He's strong, gritty, and physical. He can carry through transition, and has the off-puck sense to be an option on the breakout. Offensively, he keeps it pretty simple- he distributes well in simpler plays, and he goes straight to the net often, although there's flashes of greater offensive potential when he plays against his age group. Kuk has a reasonably good shot, and is good around the net, but his playmaking abilities at the next level are in question. Despite this, his defensive impact, size, and work-ethic are translatable, and might make him worthy of a late-round pick.
-The Kingston Frontenacs finished the season tied for the lowest goals-scored, and were 17th out of 20 teams in the standings, missing the playoffs. Junior hockey is funny though, and the Fronts are primed to be a powerhouse next year as their young talent matures. One player who will greatly benefit is 6'2"(6'3" according to EP), 170lb LHC Owen Outwater, who finished second in scoring for Kingston, with a mere 41 points in 62 games- 1 point less than Matthew Soto. His paltry 16 goals were tied for 3rd on that squad. Outwater plays a balanced, responsible game, but he's not elite in any one area. His skating is not great, but his hustle and vision make up for it somewhat. He understands how to find open lanes in the offensive zone, and how to exploit them, and he shows some creativity and finishing ability. It's my opinion that while he's not an elite offensive weapon, he may be a casualty, numbers-wise, of the team he plays for. Defensively, he's smart and aware, guiding attackers to the outside and causing turnovers. He uses his size as leverage in puck battles, and displays off-puck awareness in support of his D, and in providing an outlet on the breakout. He's confident in carrying through transition, as he exhibits sound puck control. It's fair to say it appears that Outwater may not have a high ceiling, but he is primed to show much better point totals next season. If he can improve his skating, his floor will be that of a bottom-6 C in the NHL, as he's got the size and defensive acumen.
-Left-handed RW Melvin Wersall was the second-leading goal-scorer for his team, Djurgardens- one of the top teams in the J20 league. His 14 goals were tied for 10th in the league for U18 players, and his efforts earned him a 6-game call-up to the Allsvenskan. Wersall is a great skater, being able to separate, and beat defenders wide. He is also fast laterally, and can weave through traffic. He works hard, keeping his feet moving, and pushing the pace. His work on the forecheck with his speed and stick causes havok and turnovers for his team. Though he seems to be more of a goal-scorer, he has the ability to connect with high-end passes to open space that he creates- but those instances come in flashes, as most of his offense comes off the rush, and because of his skating ability. Over the course of the season, he has steadily improved his attention to the defensive side of the puck, but he has a ways to go. He's asserting himself more, engaging in physical battles, and using his speed to kill plays on the backcheck. He has puck skill, but sometimes he makes questionable decisions, and his hockey sense has been scrutinized. Wersall is 6'0", but only 168lbs, and while he's not really a physical player, he needs to bulk up and get stronger. Still, he's an exciting offensive weapon, and scouts are intrigued by his inate scoring ability, and want to see more of his fine playmaking. If he can keep his defensive development on an incline, he can perhaps raise his floor. Look for him in the later rounds.
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