As we get ramped up with the Top 25 Under 25 this week, it seems like a good time to check in on all the prospects and where they will be playing this season. For the sake of time we’ll leave out the players that are likely to start the season with the Syracuse Crunch.
One thing you quickly notice is that they don’t have a lot of players going through the traditional junior hockey route as only three players are set to play in the Canadian Hockey Leagues, with zero in the WHL. The bulk of their non-professional guys are in the NCAA with Jayson Shaugabay scheduled scheduled to join them in 2024-25 after spending a season in the USHL. If you wanted to just focus on one hockey conference you’d get the best value for your money by watching the Hockey East where four of their prospects will be residing.
Europe / Russia
Mikhail Shalagin – Shakhter Soligorsk (Belerus)
Daniil Pylenkov – Dynamo Moskova (KHL)
Niko Huuhtanen – Jukuerit (Liiga)
Simon Ryfors – Rogle BK (SHL)
Nick Malik – KooKoo (Liiga)
Ty Taylor – Glasgow Clan (EIHL)
US Hockey
Jayson Shaugabay – Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
US College
McKade Webster – University of Denver (NCHC)
Eamon Powell – Boston College (Hockey East)
Alex Gagne – University of New Hampshire (Hockey East)
Connor Kurth – University of Minnesota (Big 10)
Jack Harvey – Boston University (Hockey East)
Klavs Veinbergs – Colorado College (NCHC)
Robert Flinton – Dartmouth College (ECAC Hockey)
Warren Clark – St. Cloud State University (NCHC)
Isaac Howard – Michigan State University (Big 10)
Nick Capone – University of Connecticut (Hockey East)
Dylan Duke – University of Michigan (Big 10)
CHL
Ethan Hay – Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Ethan Gauthier – Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Dylan Gill – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Lightning / NHL News
Favorite players of coaches [Bar Down Twitter]
There are some familiar names (Tony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev) on the list.
The future of local sports rights streaming [Awful Announcing]
AA takes a deep look into the future of local sports streaming in the wake of the Diamond Sports Group (parent company of Bally Sports Regional Network – broadcaster of the Lightning) bankruptcy. It’s an interesting read that examines what might happen now that the money isn’t flowing as freely as it was back in the early 2000s.
For the record, it’s business as usual for now in regards to Lightning broadcasts. If things do go sideways, there is a chance that the league steps in and runs things for the teams that would be affected. At this point it’s unlikely that the Lightning (or Rays) would start up their own regional network a la MASN or NESN.
Casey DeSmith might be on the trading block [le Journal de Montreal]
Just a few months after acquiring him in a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Montreal Canadiens may be looking to deal goaltender Casey DeSmith. Much like they flipped Jeff Petry to the Detroit Red Wings after picking him up in the same deal, Montreal would hope to recoup some more assets for the 32 year-old goalie.
NHL considering more unique destinations after Melbourne Global Series [NHL.com]
The NHL is going clear across the world to play a couple of games this month, and they don’t plan on stopping after that. After focusing on Europe for most of their Global Series initiatives, the league is looking at places that present “unique opportunities” to grow the game. Japan? Mexico? South America? Bill Daly wouldn’t name any cities yet, but you can bet they are on the list.
NHL would be smart to adopt CHL rule changes [Pittsburgh Tribune Review]
The Champions Hockey league in Europe is testing some rule changes when it comes to power plays. Minor penalties will be the full two minutes, regardless of how many goals are scored by the team with the extra skater. If a goal is scored during a delayed penalty, the penalty is still served. If a team scores short-handed, their penalty is over. I’m fine with the first and third rule, in fact, until the mid-1950s penalties were always the full two minutes, but the Canadiens were absolutely running other teams with the extra skater so they stopped it. The second rule is kind of meh. I’d rather they start the next period with an offensive zone face-off if the power play carried over. It’s doubtful the NHL will adopt any of these changes anytime soon.
Dan O’Rourke rides through St. Louis as he nears end of ‘Ride for Literacy’ [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
Yes, it’s funny that a referee is riding across the country to benefit the blind, but it’s also super cool that Dan O’Rourke is riding along historic Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago on a bicycle to raise money for the National Federation of the Blind. If you’d like to donate, you can do so here.
Brian Burke on his “dream” job with the new PWHL [Boston Globe]
The long-time NHL coach and executive is embarking on a new career as he signed a multi-year contract to be the executive director of the player’s union for the PWHL.
