Hawks Prospect Report, Forwards

1. Alex Newhook, C, 5'11 193, Age: 19 (Draft: 1/13/2019)

34GP 19G 23A 42PTS, Boston College (H-East)

A true freshman, Newhook got off to a fairly pedestrian start to the season. After returning from the World Junior Camp where he was among the final cuts he found his footing and exploded offensively. Down the stretch he was among the best players in college hockey, an incredible accomplishment for a player his age. An explosive, powerful skater he is the total package offensively, and is also a surprisingly strong player down low,routinely winning against larger players. He is a good distributor and also already has an NHL shot. The sky is the limit for him offensively. Like most young players he needs to round out his game defensively if he is to remain a center as he climbs the ladder. While the best fit for him long term may be as an explosive scoring winger, the organization hopes he can develop into an elite two way center. One more year at BC is likely for Newhook with an eye on a late season audition when the 2020-2021 college season is over. If he can further add strength is he a candidate to jump right into the NHL and not look back. 

Long Range Potential: Elite offensive forward. NHL Arrival: 2021-2022

2. *Sam Steel, C, 5'11 189, Age: 22 (Draft:1/27/2016)

65GP 6G 16A 22PTS, Anaheim (NHL)

A graduating prospect in his first full NHL season, Sam Steel came into the year with pretty lofty expectations. While his offensive numbers were underwhelming, he was playing on a poor team that did not score very much. The encouraging thing is that he has already gained the trust of his coach who had no issues using him in all situations. A very heady pivot, he already displays strong two way ability, and will likely dramatically improve his offensive output as the team improves. He is the type of player who can contribute on both special teams and play both a top end offensive role, or be used in defensive situations. He should soon be pushing for a roster spot on a stacked Hawks team, potentially as early as next season.

Long Range Potential: Two-Way Playmaking Center NHL Arrival: 2019-2020

3. Peyton Krebs, C, 5'11 180, Age: 19 (Draft:1/15/2019)

38GP 12G 48A 60PTS, Winnipeg (WHL)

There were some concerns about how Krebs would return from a serious injury that cost him a whole summer and the first half of the WHL season. Suffice to say he has made people forget all about them. Upon returning he dominated the WHL and would have been among the top scorers in the circuit if not for the injury. He already plays a 200 foot game, and has a great motor. He is also showing that he has more offensive upside than perhaps people originally believed, even within the Hawks organization. On a team filled with excellent two way players he should fit right in, his game remdinds management a lot of current Hawk Anthony Cirelli. He will return to the WHL next season where he should be among the best players in junior hockey, and star for the WJC team. He is likely a couple years from cracking an NHL roster but should be very much worth the wait.

Long Range Potential: Elite Two-Way Center NHL Arrival: 2022-2023

4. Kirill Kaprizov, W, 5'9 185, Age: 22 (Trade)

57GP 33G 29A 62PTS, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

Considered by many the best player in the world not in the NHL, Kaprizov once again shredded KHL compeition. He would be higher on the list if there wasn't concern about his desire to come to North America, though there are encouraging developments on that front recently. He is simply put an explosive offensive player. He has an elite shot, great hands and tremendous elusiveness. Think Nikita Kucherov. He competes hard however his defensive game is pretty much non existant. That will likely be overlooked if he is the point a game plus player most expect him to be. If he is able to be lured to North America he should step right in and immediately be a contributor.

Long Range Potential: Elite Scoring Forward NHL Arrival: 2020-2021

5. Ryan Poehling, C, 6'2 204, Age: 21 (Trade)

36GP 5G 8A 13PTS, Laval (AHL)

Amidst a terrific camp for the Canadiens Poehling suffered a concussion on a questionable hit and never really got his footing under him. He struggled to get rolling offensively and bounced between the NHL and AHL. The organization still holds high hope for Poehling however as he has the full package of physical tools. He already has pro size and strength, and is an excellent, powerful skater. He also has shown in flashes the offensive tools needed to play a big role in the top 6. He likely projects as a complimentary winger on a top line, or a 2 way shutdown center in the middle 6. Count this year as essentially a lost season and look for him to rebound strong in 2020-2021. A full year in the AHL playing a big offensive role would likely be best for his development, however another strong camp could force the teams hand.

Long Range Potential: 2-Way 2nd Line Center NHL Arrival: 2021-2022

6. *Denis Gurianov, W, 6'3 200, Age: 22 (Trade)

64GP 20G 9A 29PTS, Dallas (NHL)

A true shame that the season was cut short for Gurianov, as he was really hitting his stride as a consistent offensive contributor. A strapping winger who plays hard, and has terrific wheels, Gurianov is the type of player any organization would be happy to have. He also is starting to show an ability to conistently score at the top level. Look for him to force his way onto the Hawks next season and become a mainstay on the roster.

Long Range Potential: Top-6 Power Forward NHL Arrival: 2019-2020

7. Kristian Vesalainen, 6'3 207, Age: 20 (Trade)

60GP, 12G 18A 30PTS, Manitoba (AHL)

Another player who was finding his stride as the season halted, Vesalainen is almost a mirror image of Gurianov. A big strapping winger with a nose for the net who plays hard. Like Gurianov, it has been a slower than hoped transition to North America. Now that he has fully committed to playing here look for his career arc to follow that of Gurianov, one more year in the AHL stepping up his offensive game, followed by the transition to full time NHLer. 

Long Range Potential: Top-6 Power Forward NHL Arrival: 2021-2022

8. Jamieson Rees, 5'10 171, Age: 19 (Draft: 1/28/2019)

39GP 18G 43A 61PTS, Sarnia (OHL)

Rees is the kind of player you love if he plays for you, and hate otherwise. Unfortunately suspensions cost him a good part of a breakout offensive season this year. His offensive explosion this year however vindicates the Hawks reaching for him in round 1 last year. He is a phenomenal skater who often acts like a heat seeking missile on the ice. Add to this pretty high end offensive skill and you have an intriguing package. He will need to pick his spots better as a smaller player climbing the ladder. He is already a terrific, dangerous penalty killer who has very good puck skills around the net. He reminds many in the organization of superstar Brad Marchand. As lofty as the comparison is we see a lot of Marchand in his game. Look for him to refine his game another season in Junior, then spend a couple seasons in the minors. Don't be surprised if he is pushing for a spot sooner however as his game is infectious and he can play up and down a lineup.

Long Range Potential: Top 6 Agitator NHL Arrival: 2023-2024

9. Brayden Tracey, W, 6'0 176, Age: 18 (Draft: 1/21/2019)

52GP 22G 39A 61PTS, Moose Jaw/Victoria (WHL)

Tracey once again posted excellent offensive numbers in the WHL. His best attributes are surgical hands, and exceptional offensive awareness. He knows where to go in the offensive zone to produce. He will need to add some bulk to compete at the pro level, but will be afforded plenty of time to do so. Look for him to be among the WHL scoring leaders next season.

Long Range Potential: Top-6 Offensive Winger NHL Arrival: 2023-2024
 

10. Joey Anderson, W, 5'11 190, Age: 21 (Trade)

44GP 15G 19A 34PTS, Binghampton (AHL)

Anderson continued his steady career progression this season, producing well in the AHL and holding his own in a late season call up. This is the 2nd year he has gone back and forth from the AHL and it is likely he will remain in the big league for good. A player who endears himself to coaches with his high work rate and defensive responsibility. He also has some offensive tools, most notably a high end release. He has in the past shown himself to be a good complimentary player to skill guys, and this will likely be his fit going forward.

Long Range Potential: Middle-6 complimentary forward NHL Arrival: 2020-2021

11. Brett Leason, W, 6'4 200, Age: 20 (Draft, 1/20/2019)

50GP 3G 11A 14PTS, Hershey (AHL)

A disspointment would be the understatement of the year referring to Leason's 2019-2020 season. He really struggled to gain traction offensively at the pro level, though he did show some signs of life late in the year. The intriguing package is still there, size, hands, hockey sense. He was a late bloomer in the WHL and its entirely possible he will be the same at the pro level and it is far too early to give up on him. That being said next year it will be pivotal that he show signs of offensive development or he will be passed over by more players in the system.

Long Range Potential: Top-6 scoring winger NHL Arrival: 2023-2024

12. Logan Hutsko, W, 5'11 175, Age: 21 (Draft: 3/84/2018)

30GP 19G 14A 33PTS, Boston College (H-East)

A teammate of top prospect Alex Newhook, Hutsko continued to take promising steps forward this season. He is a strong two-way player who has come along nicely offensively. His best assets are his hands, and excellent hockey IQ. He is already responsible defensively and can be trusted in any situation. If he can gain another half step he could really push for a top-6 spot at the highest level. As it stands he is likely to be a middle-6 complimentary player.

Long Range Potential: Middle-6 two-way winger NHL Arrival: 2023-2024

13. Jordy Bellerive, C, 5'11 194, Age: 20 (Draft: 4/108/2018)

52GP 12G 10A 22PTS, Wilkkes Barre (AHL)

Started slow as a rookie pro, however really started to gain traction late in the season. Plays a solid power game and has good offensive skill, however if he is to break through in the NHL he will either need to produce at a top-6 level or add being a good penalty killer to his toolbox. There is reason for optimism that he can break through offensively as a 2nd year pro and get in the mix for an NHL call up.

Long Range Potential: Middle-6 Offensive forward NHL Arrival: 2021-2022

14. Riley Damiani, C, 5'10 170, Age: 19 (Draft: 5/146/2019)

61GP 28G 50A 78PTS, Kitchener (OHL)

Actually regressed slightly offensively this season, however the big story is him growing into true two-way center who was the best player on one of the best teams in the league. He is undersized, however he is a smart player who skates well and competes hard. Plenty of room for those guys at the next level. If he can continue to develop as a shut down player who can kill penalties he should find himself a home in the NHL.

Long Range Potential: 2-way 3rd line center NHL Arrival: 2023-2024

15. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, W, 6'2 201, Age: 22 (Draft: 3/77/2018)

61GP 12G 11A 23PTS, Hershey (AHL)

After grave concern he had stalled after a brutal season in Europe, ASJ finally came over full time this year. His rookie AHL season actually provided some hope that he could yet become a contributor in the NHL. He is a big body who plays a refined game and can also chip in with some offense in the bottom 6. It remains to be seen whether he moves well enough to produce in the NHL, however his responsible game could play in the bottom-6.

Long Range Potential: Middle-6 two-way forward NHL Arrival: 2022-2023

16. Oskar Steen, W, 5'9 187, Age: 22 (Draft: 4/103/2019)

60GP 7G 16A 23PTS, Providence (AHL)

Coming over with a lot of fanfare after a huge SEL season last year, Steen, like many rookie AHLer's found it tough to produce big numbers. That said he showed enough this year that he will be intriguing to watch next season, and could rise quickly within the organization if he produces. He is small, but sturdy and plays with some real bite. Even if he does not develop as expected offensively it is possible he can carve out a role in the bottom-6.

Long Range Potential: Middle-6 two-way forward NHL Arrival: 2021-2022

17. Nolan Stevens, W, 6'3 183, Age: 23 (Draft: 4/100/2018)

50GP 9G 22A 31PTS, San Antonio (AHL)

Took a nice step forward offensively as a 2nd year pro. That said as an older prospect it is getting closer to now or never time for Stevens. He has a decent skill set for a bottom 6 forward, as well as very good size. Needs to define a role for himself though as at this point he is not a big producer, nor is he a penalty killer or physical player. Adding one of these dimensions could help him reach the next level.

Long Range Potential: Two-Way Bottom 6 winger NHL Arrival: 2021-2022

18. Otto Somppi, C, 6'2 192, Age: 22 (Draft: 5/138/2016)

45GP 5G 13A 18PTS, Syracuse (AHL)

Some positive steps from Somppi this year as he established himself as a full time-AHLer. Much like Stevens he has the skill set to push his way up an organization in the bottom six,but needs to carve out a role. If he can take another step forward next year he could be in the mix for a call up, however again like Stevens the clock is running out on his prospect status.

Long Range Potential: Defensive bottom-6 forward NHL Arrival: 2022-2023

Jesse B

Nice story Todd

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Todd Semonick Product of boredom, quarantine life haha

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