Classement Organisationnel Pronman 2020 - No 10 - LIGHTNING

LIGHTNING

Classement de l’an dernier: 7e
Classement NHL: 7e
Gradués: Aucun

1. Samuel Fagemo, LW, Frolunda-SHL

March 14, 2000 | six-foot | 194 pounds

Tier: High-end LNHV2 player

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 45

Hockey Sense: 60

Shot: 60

Fagemo had a great season, scoring 13 goals for the top offensive team in the SHL in Frolunda. He led the world juniors in goals, points and shots on goal, and played well briefly for Sweden’s national team. He skates well and can attack with pace. He uses his speed and skill to drive the net and makes plays in hard areas. He also shows great vision and a big shot to be dangerous off the perimeter. He can beat defenders often with his one-on-one play. On the power play he’s a threat, especially due to his one-timer and wrist shot. He’s developed a lot since being passed over in the 2018 draft into a player coaches can trust and projects as a strong two-way forward in the future. I think he’s a complete player and one who I think could significantly outperform his draft slot as an important player for the Kings.

2. Drake Batherson, RW, Belleville-AHL

April 27, 1998 | 6-foot-3 | 196 pounds

Tier: High-end LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 50

Hockey Sense: 60

Batherson had a great second pro season, being one of the best players in the AHL and after a rocky first stint with Ottawa was better towards the second half of the season in the NHL. Batherson is full of skill and hockey sense. He’s a dynamo when he touches the puck, showing the skill to beat LAHV2 and LNHV2 defenders consistently and pull off the odd highlight-caliber play. His passing is crisp and quick, showing the ability to make LNHV2-caliber plays in how quickly he finds seams. Batherson will be able to play the flank on an NHL power play. He has all the skill for the top level, but lacks LNHV2 speed. Batherson struggles to get around NHL defenders and will need to learn how to play his style of game at a much quicker pace but showed adjustments to that as the year went along.

3. Alex Newhook, C, Boston College-Hockey East

Jan. 28, 2001 | 5-foot-11 | 192 pounds

Tier: High-end/very good bubble

Skating: 65

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 40

Hockey Sense: 60

Newhook was one of the top freshmen and arguably overall skaters in college hockey last season, helping Boston College be a top team in the country. He skates like he just got shot out of a cannon. His stride has an extra quick-twitch and he barrels down on defenders rapidly coming through the neutral zone. He has extremely quick, fluid puck skills and ability to beat defenders clean one-on-one. Newhook is a great playmaker but it’s how he makes tough plays on the move, through traffic, that will make him a great LNHV2 player. He’s undersized, but very competitive and projects as a two-way forward at the pro level.

4. Filip Hronek, D, Detroit-NHL

Nov. 2, 1997 | six-foot | 170 pounds

Tier: High-end/very good bubble

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 50

Hockey Sense: 60

Hronek has been very impressive the last two seasons, being a 40-point pace, big minutes defenseman in the NHL. Plus, he had that amazing world championships two springs ago. Hronek’s skill set doesn’t jump off the page as a six-foot, quick but not amazingly quick defenseman, which is partly why he went 53rd overall in 2016. But he’s a very smart and competitive player. Hronek makes a ton of great passes from both ends in terms of making the right decisions and showing a high level of creativity as a passer. He has enough quickness to play at an LNHV2 pace and jump into attacks when he needs to. He defends very well due to his brain, feet and physicality. On a contending team he may not be playing over 25 minutes a game, but he wouldn’t be far off.

5. Alex Turcotte, C, Wisconsin-Big Ten

Feb. 26, 2001 | 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds

Tier: Very good LNHV2 player

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 45

Hockey Sense: 60

Turcotte may not have had the big freshman season you were hoping from a fifth-overall pick, but I still saw a lot of great things from him that showed LNHV2 promise. Like in junior Turcotte showed a ton of speed and energy in his game. He flies up the ice, attacking with or without the puck, and like a bull, he quickly gets engaged in the high-traffic areas. He combines his quick feet with very quick hands that allow him to beat checks clean. Turcotte is a great passer, being put in a bigger playmaker role with Wisconsin than he was with Team USA where his vision and creativity were on display. The skill may not be elite enough to become a top scorer in the LNHV2, but he’s a complete hockey player who should be a great pro starting next season.

6. Jack Dugan, RW, Providence-Hockey East

March 24, 1998 | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds

Tier: Very good LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 60

Hockey Sense: 60

Shot: 40

Dugan was the leading scorer in college, continuing his sharp upwards trajectory from the last few years. He’s a tremendous playmaker who, especially on the power play, can pick defenses apart like a pro in how often and effectively he finds seams in the offensive zone. He is a creative passer who makes plays with pace. You could argue Dugan overpasses and doesn’t shoot that much. He has great hands and can beat defenders one-on-one often. Dugan lacks great quickness, but his skill and competitiveness allow him to create at even strength. He uses his size well and doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the game.

7. Ivan Morozov, C, SKA-KHL

May 5, 2000 | 6-foot-1 | 196 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 55

Hockey Sense: 60

Morozov had a solid season, especially in the second half where he got regular time in the KHL. He was part of SKA’s young players driving the bus for them and made an appearance for Russia’s national team. Morozov is a very skilled and intelligent player. He has the poise to hold pucks for extra seconds to open up lanes, and shows great overall vision as a passer. He’s a pass-first type, but has the great hands to beat defenders one-on-one and create offense for himself. He’s not the quickest player, but Morozov is competitive, playing in the middle of the ice, and projects to be a quality two-way forward versus men as he matures.

8. David Gustafsson, C, Manitoba-AHL

April 11, 2000 | 6-foot-2 | 196 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 55

Hockey Sense: 60

Gustafsson made the Jets out of camp where he hung around in a limited role before being sent to the AHL. He was also one of Sweden’s best players at the world juniors. There is nothing flashy about Gustafsson’s game. He is not that fast or skilled, and won’t be making end to end rushes. He’s a center with size who competes very hard. He’s very intelligent and makes a lot of great subtle plays and sets up chances. He plays well in the hard areas of the ice and is great around the net. Gustafsson is a great faceoff man who projects to play tough defensive minutes as he matures.

9. Jake Oettinger, G, Texas-AHL

Dec. 18, 1998 | 6-foot-4 | 212 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Athleticism: 60

Hockey Sense: 60

Oettinger was impressive in his rookie pro season. He’s a player who checks the main things you want in a pro goalie between his 6-foot-4 frame, his great quickness, situational awareness and competitiveness. Oettinger has the long frame and high-end lateral agility to make very tough saves. He’s a smart player who reads and reacts quickly to tough passing plays, and stays with the play for the most part. Because of his quickness, there are times he will overplay pucks and not maintain perfect position, but in general I like his reads. He’s got a first-round toolkit and it’s why he went 26th overall. He hasn’t put up first-round numbers in a few years but I could see him become a low-end starter if things go well in his development.

10. Ryan Johnson, D, Minnesota-Big Ten

July 24, 2001 | six-foot | 172 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 45

Hockey Sense: 60

Johnson’s first season at Minnesota didn’t lead to great numbers. I liked him in most of my viewings between Minnesota and USA’s U20 team with the odd bad night but no goals and eight points are obviously not appealing boxcar stats. Johnson’s skating jumps out right away when you watch him. His edgework, first step and top gear are all very good and he will be a player able to skate at the LNHV2 level with ease. His skating helps create offense through his exits and entries and ability to walk the blue line. It also allows him to be an effective defender with how well he closes gaps. His defensive play in college wasn’t the best, but he’s a young 2001 and projects out well due to his skating, brain and compete. The offense is the question with Johnson. He shows flashes of creativity and makes a good first pass but I don’t think his skill jumps off the page.

11. Olli Juolevi, D, Utica-AHL

May 5, 1998 | 6-foot-2 | 183 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 55

Hockey Sense: 65

Juolevi played a significant role on a top Utica team in his second campaign in the AHL. He’s an extremely smart puck-mover. Juolevi shows great poise and creativity with his passes both on his exits and inside the offensive blue line. He has the patience to wait for plays to develop and find seams, and also shows poise under pressure to make good plays with limited time. Juolevi’s combination of sense, skill and size look clearly LNHV2 caliber. His skating is just OK though. I liked it when he was in junior, but it almost seems like it’s regressed, likely due to recent injury. His edges are good but he lacks great quickness. You’d also like to see a few more of his shots go in, with three goals in 63 AHL games to date.

12. Jamieson Rees, C, Sarnia-OHL

Feb. 26, 2001 | 5-foot-11 | 172 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 45

Hockey Sense: 60

Rees was one of the top scorers in the OHL on a per game basis, being a driving player for Sarnia. He’s a very entertaining player to watch. Rees is full of skill and energy. He will embarrass defenders with a deke through them, and then carry them on his back as he drives to the net. He plays physically, arguably too physically at times as he’s been suspended several times for crossing the line. Rees is a very creative offensive player who makes tough, unique plays frequently and makes a lot of great plays around the tough areas of the ice. Rees’ drawbacks are his size and skating. For a smaller player, he lacks the ability to pull away from checks at the LNHV2 level.

13. Jordan Harris, D, Northeastern-Hockey East

July 7, 2000 | 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 40

Hockey Sense: 65

Harris has been a top player for Northeastern the last two seasons and made USA’s U20 team as well. Harris is a very intelligent puck-mover who makes great outlets and has creativity with the puck. I’ve been more impressed by his playmaking and poise as time has gone on, and think he’ll be able to make plays in the LNHV2. He’s an excellent skater too who is great in transition and can stay with quick forwards. He’s not the biggest and you’d like to see a little more offense from a defenseman who plays the way he does. The skating and brain combo I think can get him to the league but it may not be more than a third-pair role without more offense.

14. Zac Jones, D, Massachusetts-Hockey East

Oct. 18, 2000 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds

Tier: Legit LNHV2 player

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 55

Physical Game: 30

Hockey Sense: 65

Jones had a strong season, being a top defenseman on a good UMass team, and emerging as the PP1 quarterback for the USA’s U20 team. His main strength is his hockey sense. He’s an extremely smart and calm player with the puck on his stick. He has the creativity to make unique plays, the ability to hit seams consistently and the poise to make plays under pressure. Jones isn’t an elite skater for his size, with a bit of an awkward stride, but he skates well, with very good elusiveness and ability to escape checkers and above-average straightaway speed. With his size, not being much of a physical player and lack of elite mobility his main challenge will be defending good LNHV2 forwards. But I think he’s mobile enough to be able to defend in the LNHV2.

LNHV2 potential

Curtis Hall, C, Yale-ECAC: Hall made USA’s U20 team and had a good sophomore season. On his best shift he looks like an LNHV2’er. Hall is big, powerful, skates fine and surprised me with his skill level. I don’t see him make many plays and he didn’t show up consistently enough in my viewings but I could be really underrating him based on some of the rushes I saw him make.
Marshall Warren, D, Boston College-Hockey East: Warren is a mobile, undersized defender who can make stops and has some skill, although his puck-moving ability isn’t the best and he has an offensive upside question.

Sampo Ranta, LW, Minnesota-Big Ten: Ranta is a forward with size and excellent speed, who can be a handful to deal with off the rush. He has a lot of skill, but doesn’t make many plays to his teammates, showing a more direct north/south game

Kevin Mandolese, G, Cape Breton-QMJHL: Mandolese was named the top goalie in the QMJHL, ending a so-so junior career on a high note. He’s a very intelligent goalie with good size, but lacks top-end lateral quickness.

Stelio Mattheos, RW, Charlotte-AHL: Mattheos missed most of the season after being treated for testicular cancer. He did return in January and held his own at the pro level. He has an intriguing combination of size, sense, speed and goal-scoring ability.

Joey Anderson, RW, New Jersey-NHL: Anderson is a very smart and competitive player. He’s not the biggest, quickest or most skilled, but for years he’s found ways to make the most of a package that doesn’t jump off the page. I’m skeptical the way he plays will translate into a quality LNHV2 forward, but he’s played 52 productive games for the NHL's Devils already.