Category: NHL Draft Pick

27Aug

Cameron Whitehead (1)

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Northeastern University Huskies‘ sophomore goaltender Cameron Whitehead(1) always put in stellar appearances despite maybe not winning as many games as he should have.

Vegas Golden Knights‘ 4th round pick in the 2022 draft (#128 overall) leaves 2 years on the table to sign an NHL entry level deal worth 2-years.

He looks to get the start with affiliate Henderson Silver Knights, where he appeared in 3 games at the tail end of last for less than spectecular results.

The 6’3″ 183 lbs. did 2 years USHL with Lincoln Stars before school.

27Aug

Zach Sanford (12)

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Winnipeg Jets‘ 6th year left wing Zach Sanford(12) was recently acquired as they head towards playoffs from Ottawa Senators, where he scored 9 goals and 8 assists in 62 games.

Since arriving he has 3 assists in 15 appearances.

The 6’4″ 203 lbs. Washington Capitals‘ 2nd round pick in the 2013 draft (#61 overall) was probably most known for his time spent with St. Louis Blues, where he won the 2019 Stanley Cup Championship his 1st year with the club.

He has played a total of 286 NHL games, scoring 47 goals and 47 assists.

The former 2-year Boston College Eagles‘ forward left after putting up very close to point-per-game numbers.

At 27-years old, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current session.

He only managed 4 assists in 18 games with his new club, so was left unsigned.

It didn’t take long into being unsigned for him to pick up a 1-year 1-way deal with Nashville Predators for 2022/2023 at the league minimum to see if he can reconnect with the scoring sheet.

He contributes nicely when called, but mostly serves as a veteran to help the kids with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, where his numbers are good, then his playoff points additional.

For 2023/2024, he signs a new very short money deal on the 2-way with Arizona Coyotes, but with his size and strength may make the $800,000 AAV the deal is good for.

He was picked up off waivers by Chicago Blackhawks and in 18 games had 4 assists, then subsequently signed for the 2024/2025.

Opting out of maybe signing a minor league deal, he jumps for a new target, coming to terms with HC Lugano for 2025/2026 in NL.

25Aug

Matthew Perkins (51)

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University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ sophomore center Matthew Perkins(51) puts himself in the middle of all plays, as Vancouver Canucks‘ 4th round pick in the 2023 draft (#119 overall).

The 5’11” 176 lbs. forward had 6 goals and 9 assists through 35 games last season and already has 1 assist in 3 games in the current session.

From Balgonie, SK, he did 1 year of point-per-game junior up north before 1 very decent 15 goal and 29 assist frame in the USHL before school.

For his junior season, he enters the transfer portal to next skate Hockey East with Northeastern University Huskies.

25Aug

Ben Meehan (12)

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UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks‘ graduate, twice captain, defenseman Ben Meehan(12) initially signed with Iowa Wild after tournament play, but agrees to Lehigh Valley Phantoms on a 2-way deal for his rookie season, 2025/2026.

The 6′ 187 lbs. blue liner had a college best 14 assists last season and tied his 17 points from his junior year.

From Boston, MA, the 24-year old did only 1 year of USHL before school.

25Aug

Cameron Berg (12)

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University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ senior, assistant captain center Cameron Berg(12) signs to a 1-year AHL contract under the guide of draft club (4th round, 2021, #125 overall), New York Islanders.

The 6′ 192 lbs. transferred from 2 years at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, where he was a good scorer.

He did 3 years of USHL juniors before college.

From West Fargo, ND, the 23-year old will probably score decently in the AHL with contract club, Bridgeport Islanders.

25Aug

Seth Barton (27)

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Detroit Red Wings‘ 3rd round pick in the 2018 draft (#81 overall) defenseman Seth Barton(49) was signed to a 2-year entry level deal after completing his third season at UMass-Lowell Riverhawks in a very COVID cut short 2020/2021.

The very decently sized 6’3″ 185 lbs. blue liner from Kelowna, BC played a year in Canadian juniors for Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL putting up 27 assists in 49 games before reporting to college.

It looks as though the 21-year old reports first to affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, but his play could gain him a look early from a team that has struggled in 2020/2021.

He skates most of his 2nd season in the system up, but gets reassigned late to Toledo Walleye, finishes the season strong with 8 points in 10 ECHL games, then adding another 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) in 13 games in the playoffs.

With no qualifying offer to stay, he becomes an unrestricted free agent, signing a 1-year AHL deal with Hartford Wolf Pack for 2023/2024.

He starts the new season with Cincinnati Cyclones, but after just 1 game spies a new deal he is going after, a 1-year deal to sign with KooKoo and play his hockey in Liiga for the near future.

In 10 games, the big back liner scores his 1st Finnish goal and adds 5 assists with a +8 rating to earn a +1 next to his contract for 2024/2025.

After 1st full season, in 55 games scoring 6 goals and 13 assists with a +6 rating and next he will head to the SHL and signs with Malmo Redhawks for 2025/2026.

25Aug

Red Savage (19)

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Detroit Red Wings‘ 4th round pick in the 2019 draft (#135 overall), Michigan State University Spartans‘ transfer, center Red Savage(19) from 2 decent seasons at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks will likely add to his game under more scrutiny, better competition in the Big10 Division.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward isn’t quite the scorer he was in 2 years of USNTDP, when he ran point-per-game stats.

From the unlikely hub of Scottsdale, AZ, the 19-year old will likely see his game totals improve as a junior.

After his 2nd season as senior captain, scoring 5 goals and 6 assists in a low 20 games with a +6 rating, he signs a 2-year AHL contract with Rochester Americans that we feel is under radar of the parent club as well.

24Aug

Robbie Stucker (2)

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#210 overall), University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ graduate defenseman Robbie Stucker(2) transferred in from 3 years at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers and has adjusted to Hockey East play nicely.

He had a college career best 4 goals and 10 assists last season in 34 games and this season is on his way again, getting 3 goals and 7 assists in 24 contests.

The 6’3″ 179 lbs. blue liner played only 1 season of juniors, but ended up claiming the 2018 USHL Championship with Fargo Force, scoring 2 goals and 8 assists in 14 playoff games to help the team get there.

From St. Paul, MN, the 24-year old will be an interesting watch to get his NHL entry level deal, but thinks he plays hard and should get a look.

Upon getting knocked from Hockey East tournament play, he signs a 1st pro deal with South Carolina Stingrays to get things started.

After 10 games, scoring 1 goal and 6 assists with a +9 rating, he is going to branch out and signs a 1-year ECHL deal with somewhat rivals Iowa Heartlanders for 2023/2024.

Utah Grizzlies make a trade to grab the big d-man in hopes he helps their blue line for a playoff push.

He goes from split time last session to signing for 2024/2025 with Orlando Solar Bears, which should be a really good stop for him.

Before he’s barely even started with his new team, Reading Royals are looking to bolster their blue line and offer up future considerations to score him.

With 1 goal and a new high 16 assists, he signs to stay a Royals for 2025/2026.

24Aug

Frank Nazar (91)

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University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ 2022/2023 commit, center Frank Nazar(91) hasn’t put up the USHL numbers he did in his 1st USNTDP season, but has skated only half the games and is still a point-per-game player.

His numbers are very similar in U.S. National U18 Team season.

The 5’10” 174 lbs. forward from Mt. Clemens, MI emerged out of a couple Honeybaked campaigns, exploding the scoresheet as a 15U AAA with 49 goals and 78 assists in 55 games.

That came after he agreed to his college after 14U AAA.

The 18-year old was selected in the 1st round of the 2022 draft, #13 overall by Chicago Blackhawks.

He blows up scoring in his 2nd year to the tune of point-per-game numbers with 41 (17-24) in 41 games to get to the NCAA Division 1 Frozen Four matchups.

His team is eliminated and on the next day, he has a contract from draft club in hand to leave 2 years at school on the table and turn pro.

In his debut, he scores the opening strike of the night, a 1st NHL goal and is welcomed to the show, but his team suffers another loss in the process with only a couple games left to skate.

After point-per-game numbers with the affiliate Rockford Icehogs and 12 goals and 14 assists in 53 games with the parent club gets him a huge increase to stay on with a 7-year, $46.13M contract, worth $6.59M AAV to stay a Blackhawks.

22Aug

Tyce Thompson (29)

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New Jersey Devils‘ 4th round pick in the 2019 draft (#96 overall) right wing Tyce Thompson(29), selected after his first season at Providence College grabs the 5th fastest 1st NHL point in a debut in team history with an assist at 4:22.

The 6’1″ 178 lbs. forward was basically a point per game player in NCAA Hockey East, leaving a year behind to sign his two-year entry level deal.

His dad is Brent Thompson was a Los Angeles Kings‘ choice and has guided Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the last 8 years or so and brother Tage skates for Buffalo Sabres, so the 21-year old comes from lineage.

He opened his rookie season with new affiliate Utica Comets and was absolutely lighting it up, when he was recalled.

In a pair of games, he didn’t registered any more points, but was awkwardly hit and has to undergo shoulder surgery, so will miss the next couple months.

In 15 games, he has 5 assists and finds himself involved in a trade sending him to New York Islanders.

He has 3 goals and 11 assists through 51 games, but is a horrible -21 and he is wanted to return to continue to work for Bridgeport on that game.

Through 65 AHL games, he scores new best marks 8 goals and 13 assists that he will take to a new deal with Barys Astana of the KHL for 2025/2026.