Hawks Draft Review

Round 1, 22nd Overall: Jan Mysak, F, 6'0 180, B:6/24/2002

2019/2020: 22GP 15-10-25  (Hamilton, OHL) 5GP 1-1-2 (CZE, WJC)

We made a concerted effort at the draft to trade up to ensure getting Jan. We view him as one of the top prospects in this draft class and see him easily outproducing his draft spot at 22. He is an extremely talented forward (at this point it is unclear whether he will play wing or center at the highest level) who made great strides as his draft year progressed. He was excellent as an underager at the World Junior, and was dominant when he crossed the pond to join Hamilton before the OHL season was halted. He combines an excellent shot with terrific puck skills and underrated skating ability. He is also very strong on the puck for his size, and adept at hunting pucks. As a winger he could be an elite offensive producer, however he could also evolve into an excellent all round center. 

NHL Comparable: Nico Hischier

MRFHL Arrival: 2023-2024

Round 2, 33rd Overall: Egor Zamula, D, 6'3 177, B: 3/30/2000

2019/2020: 28GP 7-21-28 (Calgary, WHL) 7GP 2-3-5 (RUS, WJC)

We believe Egor could be the steal of the draft at 33. With his size and skillset he has almost unlimited upside from the back end. He has an extremely projectable frame, and an excellent powerful skating stride. He makes excellent outlets, and has a bomb from the point. On top of the obvious offensive potential, he uses his range and skating ability to close off lanes defensively and has become a force in his own end. If he continues to develop he will be a two-way force from the back end for many years.

NHL Comparable: Jaccob Slavin

MRFHL Arrival: 2022-2023

Round 2, 51st Overall: John Marino, D, 6'1 181, B: 5/21/1997

2019/2020: 56GP 6-20-26 (Pittsburgh, NHL)

It is not often you get a guy who is already a top-4 NHL defenceman this late in the draft, but thats exactly what we got with Marino at 51. A revelation this year for Pittsburgh, the Harvard alum impressed all year with his poise and puck moving ability. He was a stalwart for the injury ravaged pens and also showed that he has some untapped offensive upside. He should remain a rock solid 3-4 dman for many years.

NHL Comparable: Chris Tanev

MRFHL Arrival: 2020-2021

Round 2, 59th Overall: Jack Finley, C, 6'6 213, B: 9/2/2002

2019-2020: 61GP 19-38-57 (Spokane, WHL)

A player we identified as a must have long before the draft, we had no problem reaching a bit to ensure we got him here at 59. A big man who moves exceptionally well for his size, we think Jack can develop into a dominant force down the middle. He is advanced defensively for his age (one of the youngest players in the draft) and this year began to show he has excellent offensive upside as well. While he may not have a truly elite offensive ceiling, we see him as a perfect matchup center who can play up and down the lineup and provide secondary scoring.

NHL Comparable: Jordan Staal

MRFHL Arriva: 2024-2025

Round 3, 81st Overall: Luke Evangelista, W, 5'11 165, B: 2/21/2002

2019-2020: 62GP 23-38-61 (London, OHL)

Where Finley may be considered a reach at 59, Evangelista had to be considered a faller at 81. Frankly we were shocked to get him here as most considered him a lock to be a 2nd rounder. He is a slippery winger who seems to always be around the puck. He is adept as both a playmaker, and finisher and is especially effective from the dots down. Look for him to take a big step in his draft+1 season and establish himself as one of the better producers in the OHL. He will need to round out his game and get stronger, but he has top-6 NHL upside.

NHL Comparable: Jordan Eberle

MRFHL Arrival: 2024-2025

Round 3, 90th Overall: Michael Benning, D, 5'9 177. B: 1/5/2002

2019-2020: 54GP 12-63-75 (Sherwood Park, AJHL)

After great success taking Newhook out of Junior A last year, we feel like our organization has added another gem in Benning. He is an oustanding offensive defenceman who moves the puck quickly up ice and can QB the powerplay. While his numbers are likely inflated due to the competition level in the AJHL, we think his raw skills will translate up, and that he will in fact be even better playing with better players. He has the upside to be a 40-plus point NHL defenceman. 

NHL Comparable: Tyson Barrie

MRFHL Arrival: 2025-2026

Round 4, 111th Overall: Aidan Dudas, F, 5'8 162. B: 6/15/2000

2019/2020: 48GP 15-38-53 (Owen Sound, OHL) 7GP 0-2-2 (CAN, WJC)

This is a guy that is really going to endear himself to fans, he is just relentless out there. He is undersized, but makes up for it with elite skating ability. He is excellent defensively and can also contribute offensively, and should be a top penalty killer at the highest level. If everything goes the right way as he develops he can be an excellent 2-way middle six force who could play both special teams.

NHL Comparable: Philip Danault

MRFHL Arrival: 2023-2024

Round 4, 113th Overall: Alexei Melnichuk, G, 6'1 190. B: 6/29/1998

2019-2020: 16GP 1.68 .930, 4SO (St. Petersburg, KHL)

We went off the board here and took a guy who combines elite athleticism and an ability to read the play that has us thinking of another Russian goaltender in our system. While a small sample size, he was simply dominant last season in the KHL, and comes across to a situation in San Jose that seems ripe for the taking. He could quickly establish himself as an NHL starter.

NHL Comparable: Igor Shesterkin

MRFHL Arrival: 2022-2023

Round 5, 128th Overall: Blake Biondi, F, 6'0 191. B: 4/24/2002

2019-2020: 25GP 37-39-76 (Hermantown, USHS)

We along with everyone would have preferred this years Mr. Hockey award winner have played in the USHL full time this season, however he did exactly what was expected of him when he returned to high school hockey and dominated. While he would have benefited from playing in a better league, there is a lot to like about his skillset. He has solid size, and is a very strong powerful skater. He also has an excellent compete level and is always phycially engaged and involved. Next year will be telling as to whether he can produce when unable to simply overpower the opposition as he heads to Minnesota Duluth. 

NHL Comparable: Ryan Kesler

MRFHL Arrival: 2025-2026

Round 5, 130th Overall: Mikhail Berdin, G, 6'2 165, B: 3/1/1998

2019-2020: 62GP 2.89 .910 2SO

Here we add another athletic talented goaltender to our pipeline. He has now amassed two very solid AHL seasons and is likely ready to compete for the backup job next season. If he can continue to develop he has starter upside in the NHL

NHL Comparable: Ryan Miller

MRFHL Arrival:2022-2023

Round 5, 141st Overall: Alex Cotton, D, 6'3 175, B: 5/12/2001

2019-2020: 63GP  20-47-67 (Lethbridge, WHL)

There are a lot of WHL observers that noted Cotton outplayed far more heralded teammate Calen Addison this season. He always had an intriguing combination of size and puck skills, but it really came together this year for Cotton who was passed over in the draft a year ago. His production matched his skillset this season and the sky is the limit next year.

NHL Comparable: Ryan Pulock

MRFHL Arrival: 2023-2024

Round 5, 148th Overall: Reece Newkirk, F, 5'11 172, 2/20/2001

2019/2020: 55GP 29-36-65 (Portland, WHL)

A player who you appreciate more the more you watch him. He has had excellent linemates the past 2 seasons, however he has as much to do with their success as they do with his. He is fearless going into traffic and is a very heady player. He also possesses strong hands and makes no mistake around the net when given the opportunity. If his rambunctious style holds up as he moves up the ladder he can be a terrific complimentary scoring winger.

NHL Comparable: Brendan Gallagher

MRFHL Arrival: 2024-2025

Round 5, 149th Overall: Kasper Puutio, D, 5'11 180, B: 6/3/2002

2019-2020: 56GP 5-23-28 (Swift Current/Everett, WHL) 

With our last pick we took a flyer on a guy we really liked every time we saw him play. He is a smooth skater and puckhandler, and is also very aggressive engaging in the defensive zone. We see him as having untapped offensive upside, and combined with his skating ability and defensive play he could be an excellent blueliner as he moves to pro hockey.

NHL Comparable: Dimitri Orlov

MRFHL Arrival: 2025-2026