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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Calgary
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More thoughts on Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings:
-"C"-rated LW Jordan Duguay (5'10.25",174lbs) has seen more than his fair share of criticism from scouts over the past few years, with many saying that his game won't translate, that he lacks any separating NHL-traits, he shrinks in physical games, he's not fast enough for a small player, and the list goes on. It's true that he's another player that fits the adage of one who is good at everything, but not elite in any one area, and that he lacks dynamic skill- which are not things you want to hear about a smaller player. Duguay had an excellent D-minus-1 year in 2024-25, putting up 32 points in 68 games, and he has followed that up in the current campaign by placing 3rd in scoring for the Portland Winterhawks, with 11 goals and 32 points in 32 games. While he needs upgrades to his top-speed and pace with the puck, Duguay is clearly a high-IQ player with offensive awareness, and well-developed puck-skill. He is a gifted playmaker who brings energy, motor, and compete, with a solid 200-ft game. There's a bit of a chip on his shoulder too, and he battles hard in the trenches to win pucks for his team; he will charge the net, and displays a dangerous net-front presence with soft hands in-close. He's a pass-first player, and doesn't own a particularly threatening shot. It will be interesting to see what the REAL NHL scouts think of him on the second day of the draft.
-The "Brown-Brown-Duguay" line in Portland consists of Jordan Duguay, 19 year-old Nathan Brown, and "C"-rated LHC Reed Brown (5'10.5",161lbs), who has produced 11 goals and 18 points in 26 games. Brown has plenty of assets that most would want to see in a top-six C, except for ideal size; he plays a very projectable, straightforward and simple game, and contributes in all three zones, and in any situation. There is no problem in regards to his effort and engagement- he brings energy to his team, and is aggressive and physical, as well as strong on the puck, but desperately needs to bulk up and get stronger in order to win more battles. His offensive awareness and IQ are strong, with the vision to pull off some high-end plays at times, but his profile is that of a goal-scorer, and he has always had more goals than assists at every level of hockey he's played. Brown has a shooter's eye for open lanes, and understands how to make his own space, but is also unafraid to go to the net, or to plant himself in front of the goalie to finish. He skates quite well, and has fantastic edges for extra maneuverability, but he keeps things relatively simple and devoid of flashiness. Brown was drafted by the Brandon Wheat Kings with the 6th-overall pick in the 2023 WHL US Prospect Draft, and was acquired by the Winterhawks in June of 2024.
-RD Yaroslav Fedoseyev (6'1",181lbs) may have been given a "C"-rating by Central Scouting, but he wears an "A" for Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk of the MHL as an 18 year-old- though it's important to note that he's a bit older, with a November 7th, 2007 birthday. While he hasn't played a full-slate of games, due to the fact that he's been given so much time in the big leagues, he is still tied for 24th in scoring by D in the junior circuit with 12 points in 17 games. His ppg of 0.71 stands as the 7th-best mark for defensemen, earning him 10 games in the VHL (1 goal), and 6 games in the KHL (1 goal), with scouts saying he hasn't looked out of place in either league, and the scoresheet saying that he's getting fairly good ice-time. It's hard to get a good read on where he'll be picked, and what his exact NHL-projection is, but he is most likely going to be a defensively sound, two-way puck-mover in the show, with his elevated hockey IQ and vision guiding the way. He is quite mobile and smart, as well as aggressive and physical in defending the zone, but also a transitional driver, and an active participant in his team's attack.
-The powerhouse Brantford Bulldogs keep loading up for their Memorial Cup bid, trading C Layne Gallacher and four draft picks to the Guelph Storm in exchange for Flyers first-rounder Jett Luchanko, on Nov.4th. It's good news as far as I'm concerned for a player I really like in the "C"-rated Gallacher, who is listed as being 5'11" on some sites, but is actually 6'1",180lbs. Gallacher, who was injured in late October and not expected back until the new year, will hopefully get a legitimate chance to showcase himself for the 2026 Draft, with more ice-time and responsibility. To date, as the Bulldogs' third-line C, he has posted 5 goals and 12 points in 21 games, which prorates to 33 points in 57 games, but he started the season with 8 points in 10 games (with a +7). He is a gritty and tenacious two-way power-forward who moves well, and performs admirably on the defensive side of the puck. Going the other way, he exhibits excellent hockey sense and owns good instincts, with no fear of playing in the middle, or driving the net to exert his goal-scoring touch. He will do the dirty work for his teammates in winning pucks in contested areas, keeping the play alive in the zone, and planting himself in front of the net as a screen. I'll be watching to see how he does with Guelph, but he could be well worth a second-rounder.
-Watch out for "C"-rated LHC Lavr Gashilov (6'2.5",170lbs), I don't think he's getting the proper respect. Though he's one of the oldest first-time draft-eligibles for 2026 (born on September 23rd, 2007), it is no less impressive that he's 3rd in MHL scoring, with 9 goals and 39 points in 29 games for Avto Yekaterinburg- which is 15 points more than his nearest teammate. Gashilov has racked up the most assists (30) of any player in the league, an indicator of the level of playmaker he is, and just to quell concerns about his age/points ratio a bit- his 40 points in 43 games in 2024-25 was 4th for U-18 players. Gashilov possesses heightened vision, anticipation, and creativity that enables him to thread the needle to teammates in high-danger through the smallest of holes, and the soft-touch passing skill to put the exact amount of velocity needed on his feeds, right to the recipient's wheelhouse. The problem is that he tends to stop moving his feet when he has the puck in the offensive zone, and does most of his damage at low-pace. The good news is that his high IQ keeps him on the right side of the puck at all times in a perfect defensive position, he skates and handles like a dream, and he uses his ample frame well to win battles, dish out hits, and play a physical brand of hockey. He also has a heavy shot with a snappy release that he should use more often, and is proficient in faceoffs.
-The top point-producer in Russia's VHL for U-18 players so far this season is LHC Viktor Fyodorov (5 points in 25 games). Likewise, the top point-producer in the KHL for U-18 players so far this season is also LHC Viktor Fyodorov (3 points in 6 games). The "C"-rated Fyodorov (5'10",176lbs) is very fun to watch, and despite not possessing ideal size, looks tailor-made for the center position in how mature and responsible he is as a defensive player, and how disruptive he is over the entire 200-feet of ice. He seems to rack up steals and takeaways, picks pockets, lifts sticks, and separates man from puck using physicality in the form of hits, but also little bumps, slashes, and shoves. When a retrieval happens in the defensive zone, it seems to be Fyodorov a lot of the time- his off-puck game is high-end. He is an excellent skater who plays with pace, and is a smooth puckhandler, overflowing with IQ, vision, and anticipation- seemingly always a step or two ahead of the action, and always in proper position; he is a play-driver through transition, and also in the offensive zone. Fyodorov gets good zip on his wrister, and he is a highly creative playmaker who generates chances aplenty for his teammates- although he can get too fancy at times, and sometimes holds on to the puck too long. He sees openings that few others can see, and has the passing skill to thread the needle for dangerous chances. Like all of his teammates on Chaika Nizhny Novgorod of the MHL, he has failed to reach a point-per-game level, with 2 goals and 8 points in 10 games.
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