Classement Organisationnel Pronman 2020 - No 29 - PREDATORS

PREDATORS

Classement de l’an dernier: 13e
Classement NHL: 30e
Gradués: Sam Lafferty, Matthew Barzal

1. Jakob Chychrun, D, Arizona-NHL

March 31, 1998 | 6-foot-2 | 209 pounds

Tier: High-end LNHV2 player

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 55

Hockey Sense: 60

Shot: 60

Chychrun took on a top role for Arizona this season, being one of the top minute-eaters on the team and playing on both special teams even if he did struggle in the postseason. Chychrun isn’t a flashy player but he’s well-rounded. He’s a big, mobile defenseman who can make stops with his stick and physicality. He’s not a high-end skill type, but he moves the puck quickly and effectively. His breakouts are excellent, he finds seams well, and he has some offensive blue line creativity. Chychrun also has a very hard shot with the ability to beat goalies clean. He scored 12 goals last season, showing some of the goal-scoring promise he had as a junior. Chychrun is emerging as a top young defenseman in the NHL, coming through on the potential that made such a highly-touted player back in his OHL days.

2. Alexei Protas, C, Prince Albert-WHL

Jan. 6, 2001 | 6-foot-6 | 209 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 45

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 70

Hockey Sense: 60

Protas was one of the top forwards in the WHL in his second season in the league. He’s very interesting as a 6-foot-6 forward who can score and make plays at a high level. Protas is a very clever playmaker who finds seams consistently and can make tough plays in small areas. He’s not overly physical, but Protas uses his size well to protect pucks and wins battles. He has shown two-way value in his two years in the WHL. Inside the offensive zone with his IQ, skill and shot he is very dangerous, but NHL scouts have serious questions on his skating. The stride is fine technically, but he does lack explosiveness and as he advances levels he may struggle with the quicker paces. I see so many tools that I think he can make it even with his skating and some NHL scouts agree, but it’s not universal.

3. Lucas Elvenes, RW, Chicago-AHL

Aug. 18, 1999 | 6-foot-1 | 172 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 50

Hockey Sense: 60

Elvenes had an up and down rookie pro season. He got off to a scorching start, often leading the league in scoring and being named an All-Star, but then tailed off in the second half. Elvenes still showed he could be a driver and make a lot of plays at the AHL level, looking better than he did on the large ice in Europe. He has a very quick stick, and is a guy you want with the puck in the offensive zone because of his high level of offensive creativity and vision. He can arguably pass too much, as even though he has a decent shot, his goal-scoring numbers significantly lag his assists over the last few years. Skill-wise he’s an LNHV2’er all day, but his skating is average as is his play away from the puck. I thought he competed better than I saw in past seasons, attacking the middle-third of the ice more often.

4. Jacob Bernard-Docker, D, North Dakota-NCHC

June 20, 2000 | 6-foot-1 | 194 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 45

Hockey Sense: 60

Bernard-Docker played big minutes for North Dakota and for Canada’s U20 team on their path to a gold medal. He’s not a flashy player, but does a lot of things well. Bernard-Docker is a mobile defenseman. He can get up into attacks with men, and has the ability to close gaps efficiently. His skill doesn’t pop, but he moves pucks at a high level, especially on his exits. Due to his great first pass and feet, his transition game is excellent and the puck isn’t in his zone for long. Offensively he lacks flair but he has a good stick and a shot that can beat goalies when he gets it through.

5. Josh Brook, D, Laval-AHL

June 17, 1999 | 6-foot-1 | 192 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 50

Hockey Sense: 60

Brook had a so-so start to his rookie pro season but his play picked up and gained more responsibility as the season progressed. He looks like an LNHV2 player as a 6-foot-1 defenseman who can skate and move the puck. He can help a team’s transition game as a rusher and passer, although with his size and speed I think his puck-rushing skills are going to translate the easiest to the top level. He can pass pucks very well, with the patience to allow plays to develop and find seams. I don’t know if Brook is going to be a big-time offensive producer, and he only had 13 points last season. I do think he can be a steady two-way defender who makes stops, and transports pucks up ice in the lower half of a lineup.

LNHV2 POTENTIAL

Seth Barton, D, UMass-Lowell-Hockey East: Barton is a mobile defenseman with size who may not put up big point numbers but makes a good first pass and projects to be able to transition pucks well at the pro level.

Mikko Kokkonen, D, Jukurit-Liiga: Kokkonen is a very smart puck-mover who makes great exits and has some blue line creativity. He’s not that tall and his skating is average though but he’s got a bulky frame.

Patrick Moynihan, RW, Providence-Hockey East: Moynihan had a productive freshman season at Providence. He’s a very smart and intelligent player, but he’s undersized and doesn’t have a ton of speed.