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.
1. Ivan Demidov (RW)
Ivan Demidov (C, L, 5’11”, 181, SKA 1946 St. Petersburg, 12/10/2005)
- Strengths: Demidov is a highly skilled winger with exceptional offensive instincts. His hands are elite, allowing him to create space for himself in tight situations, and his vision makes him a dangerous playmaker. His shot is quick and deceptive, and he can finish with precision. He has the ability to take over games with his creativity and offensive impact.
- Improvement Areas: Demidov will need to improve his play away from the puck, particularly his defensive awareness and positioning. His ability to adjust to the physicality of North American hockey will be key as well, given his current reliance on skill over strength.
2. Jacob Fowler (G)
Jacob Fowler (G, L, 6’1″, 215, Youngstown Phantoms, 11/24/2004, Boston College)
- Strengths: Fowler is a calm and composed goaltender who reads plays exceptionally well. He tracks the puck through traffic effectively and has quick reflexes, especially in lateral movements. His ability to remain square to the shooter and control rebounds makes him a solid long-term prospect for the Canadiens.
- Improvement Areas: Fowler will need to work on his puck-handling ability, particularly under pressure. Improving his agility and footwork to keep up with faster plays will also help him transition to the NHL level.
3. David Reinbacher (RD)
David Reinbacher (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Kloten U20, 10/25/2004)
- Strengths: Reinbacher is a smooth-skating, two-way defenseman with size and composure. He has excellent gap control, a good first pass, and the ability to log big minutes in all situations. His poise under pressure, especially in the defensive zone, sets him apart.
- Improvement Areas: Reinbacher will need to continue developing his offensive game, specifically his shot from the point and ability to quarterback a power play. His decision-making under pressure in the offensive zone could also be sharpened to create more scoring chances.
4. Lane Hutson (LD)
Lane Hutson (D, L, 5’8″, 159, NTDP U18, 02/14/2004, Boston University)
- Strengths: Hutson is a dynamic offensive defenseman with elite skating and puck skills. He excels in transitioning the puck from defense to offense and can create plays from the back end with his vision and passing ability. His creativity and hockey IQ make him a threat on the power play.
- Improvement Areas: At 5’9″, Hutson will need to improve his strength to handle the physical play at the pro level. His defensive positioning and ability to win battles along the boards will be focal points for his development.
5. Michael Hage (C)
Michael Hage (C, R, 6’1″, 190, Chicago Steel, 04/14/2006, Michigan)
- Strengths: Hage is a highly intelligent center who excels in all three zones. He has strong puck protection skills and is reliable in faceoffs. Offensively, he makes quick, smart decisions and has a solid two-way game, which translates well to both power play and penalty kill situations.
- Improvement Areas: Hage could benefit from improving his shot release to become a more dangerous scoring threat. His acceleration and top-end speed are areas that need focus to keep up with faster play at higher levels.
6. Logan Mailloux (RD)
Logan Mailloux (D, L, 6’3″, 215, London Nationals, 04/15/2003)
- Strengths: Mailloux is a big, physical defenseman with a booming shot from the point. He plays with a mean streak and uses his size to separate opponents from the puck. He also moves well for a player of his size, which allows him to close gaps quickly.
- Improvement Areas: Mailloux will need to refine his decision-making with the puck, particularly under pressure in his own zone. His discipline is also an area for improvement, as his aggressive play sometimes leads to unnecessary penalties.
7. Owen Beck (C)
Owen Beck (C, R, 6’0″, 190, Brampton Steelheads, 02/03/2004)
- Strengths: Beck is a tenacious two-way center who excels on the penalty kill and in defensive situations. He’s a strong skater with good balance, allowing him to play a physical game despite his size. His hockey IQ and ability to win key faceoffs make him a valuable player in tight situations.
- Improvement Areas: Beck’s offensive upside is still a question mark, and he’ll need to improve his consistency in generating offense. He’ll need to show more creativity in the offensive zone to secure a long-term NHL role as a top-six forward.
8. Joshua Roy (LW)
Joshua Roy (F, L, 6’0″, 192, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 08/06/2003)
- Strengths: Roy is an offensive-minded forward with great hands and a strong release. He’s able to find soft spots in defensive coverage and capitalizes on his scoring opportunities. He’s also a solid playmaker, complementing his goal-scoring ability.
- Improvement Areas: Roy will need to improve his play without the puck and increase his consistency shift-to-shift. Adding more strength to his frame will help him compete in board battles and handle the physical demands of the pro game.
9. Oliver Kapanen (C)
Oliver Kapanen (C, R, 6’0″, 166, KalPa, 07/29/2003)
- Strengths: Kapanen is a cerebral center with great defensive awareness. His ability to read plays, anticipate turnovers, and transition quickly into offense makes him a reliable player in all zones. He’s also a strong penalty killer and faceoff man.
- Improvement Areas: Kapanen needs to work on his offensive production and creativity, as his numbers don’t always reflect his overall skill level. Continuing to improve his explosiveness and shot could make him a more versatile player offensively.
10. Sean Farrell (LW)
Sean Farrell (F, L, 5’9″, 175, Chicago Steel, 11/02/2001, Harvard)
- Strengths: Farrell is a high-energy forward with excellent skating ability. He’s relentless on the forecheck and creates scoring chances through his speed and determination. His playmaking skills are strong, and he can generate offense both at even strength and on the power play.
- Improvement Areas: Farrell will need to add muscle to his frame to handle the physicality of the pro game. His defensive play, particularly his ability to win battles along the boards, is an area that will require further development.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images