If you’re a die-hard NHL fan eager to learn about the next wave of NHL talent, Neutral Zone’s rankings of current prospects are a must-read. What sets these evaluations apart? They come from Ian Moran, a 13-year NHL veteran who spent a total of 15 seasons playing professional hockey across North America and Europe. With international experience representing the U.S. in World Junior Championships and a World Championship, Moran’s insights come from a truly global perspective. Now Director of NHL Scouting for Neutral Zone, Moran leverages his unique, firsthand knowledge to provide in-depth, unbiased evaluations you won’t find anywhere else. Get the expert analysis that offers a clear view of the future, straight from someone who’s lived the game at the highest level.
- Mackie Samoskevich (RW)
Mackie Samoskevich (RW, L, 5’11”, 190, Chicago Steel, 11/15/2002, Michigan)
Strengths: Samoskevich is a dynamic winger with high-end speed and strong puck-handling skills. His agility makes him a threat in transition, and he has the vision to create dangerous plays in the offensive zone. He’s shown good development in his offensive instincts, particularly his ability to find soft spots in coverage for scoring chances.
Areas for Improvement: Mackie needs to become more consistent defensively. While he’s improved in reading plays, he still gets caught out of position in his own end. Building strength will also help him win more battles along the boards, an area where he can be outmatched physically.
2. Linus Eriksson (C)
Linus Eriksson (C, L, 6’0″, 183, Djurgardens, 03/23/2006)
Strengths: Eriksson plays a well-rounded two-way game. He excels at face-offs and is dependable in all situations, showing strong positional awareness in both the offensive and defensive zones. His playmaking abilities are noticeable, especially his quick decision-making when setting up teammates.
Areas for Improvement: Linus needs to develop a quicker release on his shot, as he often hesitates, costing him scoring opportunities. Additionally, he must improve his overall speed to be more of an offensive threat at the NHL level. His skating is solid but lacks that extra gear.
3. Jack Devine (RW)
Jack Devine (RW, R, 5’11”, 173, Denver University, 10/01/2003, Denver)
Strengths: Devine has a strong work ethic and is a relentless forechecker. He’s tenacious in puck battles and shows great commitment to playing in all three zones. His shot is accurate, and he’s becoming more effective at creating space for himself to utilize it.
Areas for Improvement: Jack needs to become more explosive in his skating. While his overall game is solid, his pace is not yet at the NHL level, which limits his effectiveness in transition. He also needs to reduce turnovers in high-traffic areas, where he can force plays unnecessarily.
4. Michael Benning (D)
Michael Benning (D, R, 5’9″, 177, Denver University, 01/05/2002, Denver)
Strengths: Benning is an excellent puck-moving defenseman who excels in creating offense from the back end. He is calm under pressure and has strong vision, making him effective in breaking out of the defensive zone and quarterbacking the power play.
Areas for Improvement: At 5’9″, Benning’s size remains a concern, particularly in defending against larger, more physical forwards. He needs to improve his gap control and physicality to compete better in the defensive zone. Continuing to work on his strength will be critical.
5. Justin Sourdif (RW)
Justin Sourdif (RW, R, 5’11”, 182, Vancouver Giants, 03/24/2002)
Strengths: Sourdif is an aggressive, high-energy winger who thrives in forechecking and causing turnovers. He’s strong on his skates and excels in driving the puck to the net. His physicality is a standout feature of his game, and he plays a gritty style that can wear down opponents.
Areas for Improvement: Justin needs to develop more patience with the puck, particularly in the offensive zone. He sometimes rushes plays when under pressure, which limits his scoring opportunities. Improving his puck control in tight spaces will make him a more versatile offensive threat.
6. Gracyn Sawchyn (LW)
Gracyn Sawchyn (C, R, 5’11”, 157, Seattle Thunderbirds, 01/19/2005)
Strengths: Sawchyn is a crafty winger with excellent hands and deceptive speed. His creativity with the puck makes him dangerous in 1-on-1 situations, and he’s shown the ability to generate offense both as a shooter and playmaker. His hockey IQ is very high, allowing him to anticipate plays well.
Areas for Improvement: Gracyn will need to add more muscle to handle the physical demands of the pro game. His strength in board battles and his ability to withstand hits need improvement. He also needs to improve his defensive awareness to be more reliable in his zone.
7. Evan Nause (D)
Evan Nause (D, L, 6’2″, 186, Quebec Remparts, 01/20/2003)
Strengths: Nause is a steady, two-way defenseman with great poise under pressure. He’s a smart, positionally sound player who rarely makes mistakes in his zone. He’s particularly effective in breaking up plays and transitioning the puck.
Areas for Improvement: Evan can improve his offensive instincts. While he’s solid defensively, his decision-making in the offensive zone can be slow, limiting his point production. He also needs to work on his shot, which lacks power and accuracy from the point.
8. Kasper Puutio (D)
Kasper Puutio (D, R, 6’0″, 185, KalPa, 06/03/2002)
Strengths: Puutio is a reliable defender who excels in his positional play. He reads the game well and is effective in cutting off passing lanes and making smart, simple plays. His skating is strong, which allows him to stay with speedy forwards.
Areas for Improvement: Kasper needs to become more involved offensively. He has the tools to contribute, but he’s too passive at times in the offensive zone. Additionally, his physical game could use improvement; adding more strength will help him handle NHL forwards better.
9. Ludvig Jansson (D)
Ludvig Jansson (D, R, 6’0″, 178, Sodertalje SK J20, 12/27/2003)
Strengths: Jansson is an all-around defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice. His skating is fluid, and he’s effective at jumping into the rush when needed. He’s shown good development in his puck-moving abilities and has the potential to be a second-pairing NHL defenseman.
Areas for Improvement: Ludvig needs to refine his defensive game, particularly his positioning. He can be overly aggressive at times, leading to missed assignments. He also needs to improve his decision-making under pressure to avoid costly turnovers.
10. Josh Davies (C)
Joshua Davies (LW, L, 5’10”, 196, Portland Winterhawks, 03/24/2004)
Strengths: Davies is a strong, two-way center with good face-off abilities and solid play in all zones. He’s responsible defensively and is capable of logging big minutes in critical situations. His hockey sense is strong, allowing him to adapt quickly to game situations.
Areas for Improvement: Josh needs to improve his skating, particularly his acceleration. He struggles to keep pace at times, limiting his effectiveness in transition. He also needs to work on being more consistent offensively, as his production can be streaky.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images