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. Berkly Catton – Center
Berkly Catton (C, L, 5’10”, 162, Spokane Chiefs, 01/14/2006)
Strengths:
- Catton is a dynamic playmaker with high-end vision and hockey IQ. His ability to read the ice and make quick decisions stands out, and he excels in creating offense through his skating and puck distribution.
- His two-way game is impressive for his age, showing a strong commitment to defensive responsibilities while being dangerous in transition.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to work on his physicality, particularly in battles along the boards and in net-front situations. As he moves into professional hockey, adding strength will be key.
- Could benefit from improving his faceoff consistency to become a more reliable option in key defensive zone draws.
2. Shane Wright – Center
Shane Wright (C, R, 6’1″, 187, Kingston Frontenacs, 01/05/2004)
Strengths:
- Wright is a well-rounded center with an elite hockey IQ and defensive awareness. His ability to play in all situations—power play, penalty kill, and even-strength—makes him invaluable.
- His calm under pressure and leadership qualities give him the tools to be a future captain. He plays a mature, responsible game with an effective two-way presence.
Areas for Improvement:
- Wright needs to work on his explosiveness in skating to keep up with faster competition at the NHL level.
- Focus on being more assertive offensively, especially in creating scoring chances for himself rather than relying on others to set him up.
3. Jagger Firkus – Right Wing
Jagger Firkus (RW, R, 5’10”, 154, Moose Jaw Warriors, 04/29/2004)
Strengths:
- Firkus is a skilled offensive winger with a lethal shot and quick release. He thrives in high-pressure offensive situations, especially on the power play, and can score from anywhere in the offensive zone.
- His agility and puck-handling skills make him hard to defend, as he can create space for himself with his quick edge work.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to add size, mass and strength to be more effective in physical battles and to withstand the rigors of professional hockey.
- Could work on his defensive game and play without the puck, as he can sometimes get caught cheating offensively.
4. Jani Nyman – Wing
Jani Nyman (LW, L, 6’3″, 207, Ilves, 07/30/2004)
Strengths:
- Nyman has a strong frame and uses it effectively in puck protection and physical battles. He’s a power forward who isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas and has a knack for scoring from in close.
- His shot is heavy, and he has the ability to be a significant goal-scoring threat, especially when driving to the net.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to continue improving his skating, particularly his acceleration and lateral agility, to keep up with faster play at higher levels.
- Should develop his playmaking abilities, as he can become more of a dual threat by setting up teammates in addition to scoring.
5. Carson Rehkopf – Center
Carson Rehkopf (C, L, 6’1″, 195, Kitchener Rangers, 01/07/2005)
Strengths:
- Rehkopf is a tall, rangy center with excellent puck control and offensive instincts. He plays a solid 200-foot game, excelling in both offensive zone creativity and defensive zone responsibility.
- His size gives him an advantage in puck battles, and he’s shown good playmaking ability by finding teammates in open space.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to work on his in game consistency, as he can disappear during stretches of games.
- Should continue developing his explosiveness to match his offensive potential, especially in transition.
6. David Goyette – Center
David Goyette (C, L, 5’11”, 174, Sudbury Wolves, 03/27/2004)
Strengths:
- Goyette is a highly skilled offensive center with elite puck-handling abilities. His quick hands and creativity allow him to generate scoring chances for himself and his teammates in tight spaces.
- His speed is another asset, making him dangerous in open ice and in transition.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to focus on improving his defensive play and positioning, as he can be a liability when not in possession of the puck.
- Could work on becoming stronger physically to better handle the physical demands of pro hockey.
7. Ryker Evans – Defenseman
Ryker Evans (D, L, 5’11”, 189, Regina Pats, 12/13/2001)
Strengths:
- Evans is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman with strong offensive instincts. He’s excellent at leading the rush and generating offense from the blue line.
- His skating allows him to evade forecheckers and make clean zone exits, while his vision helps him create scoring opportunities on the power play.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to improve his defensive zone coverage, particularly his physical engagement and ability to win puck battles in front of the net.
- Could work on making smarter decisions when joining the rush to avoid being caught out of position.
8. Niklas Kokko – Goalie
Niklas Kokko (G, L, 6’3″, 185, Karpat, 03/14/2004)
Strengths:
- Kokko is a technically sound goaltender with excellent positioning and poise. He reads plays well and stays square to shooters, making him tough to beat on first shots.
- His rebound control is strong, limiting second-chance opportunities for opposing forwards.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to work on his lateral movement and quickness, particularly in high-pressure situations where quick adjustments are required.
- Could improve his puck-handling skills to better support his defensemen on breakouts.
9. Ty Nelson – Defenseman
Ty Nelson (D, R, 5’10”, 196, North Bay Battalion, 03/30/2004)
Strengths:
- Nelson is an offensively inclined defenseman with a heavy shot from the point, making him a valuable asset on the power play. He’s also an excellent skater, with the ability to lead the rush and recover defensively.
- His physical play and willingness to engage in battles make him a strong presence in the defensive zone.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to work on his decision-making in his own zone, particularly under pressure. He can be prone to turnovers when forechecked aggressively.
- Should focus on becoming more consistent in his defensive coverage, especially in reading the play away from the puck.
10. Eduard Šalé – Left Wing
Eduard Sale (LW, L, 6’2″, 174, HC Kometa Brno U17, 03/10/2005)
Strengths:
- Šalé is a highly skilled forward with excellent hands and creativity. His ability to control the puck in tight spaces and his vision make him a dangerous playmaker.
- He’s also shown flashes of being a goal scorer, with a quick release and good instincts around the net.
Areas for Improvement:
- Needs to work on his physical game, particularly his ability to handle contact and win puck battles.
- Should focus on becoming more consistent from game to game, as he can be streaky in terms of offensive production.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images