Your inbox approves Men's coaches poll Women's coaches poll Play to win 25K!
NHL
NHL

2016 NHL draft: Trio of prospects emerge, plus updated top 10 list

Kyle Woodlief
Special for USA TODAY Sports

The November issue is always one of Red Line Report's busiest every season. We probably spend more time shuffling the rankings around and adding new players in November than any other month of the year.

Cameron Morrison has eight goals and 16 points with the Youngstown Phantoms.

That’s because we are now two months into the Canadian Hockey League schedule, and the first round of tournaments from “International Week” are in the books, so our scouts have had a chance to see just about all the major teams and players at least once. That always includes some prospects who make us arch our eyebrows and force us to take notice.

Early-season shuffle

Big winger Cameron Morrison first caught our attention in early August at Team Canada’s U-18 evaluation camp. We loved the way he moved so fluidly and his shot, but were dismayed that he was seemingly heading back to his Tier II team in Aurora, Ontario.

However, Morrison made a late decision to move to Youngstown in the United States Hockey League, and has been lighting up the scoresheet (eight goals, 16 points in 16 games). Three months after he first piqued our interest, Morrison has moved into our top 50.

Tiny Shawinigan defenseman Samuel Girard is another player who already had our attention and has forced himself into the discussion. Everyone knew about this kid’s offensive prowess. But at 5-9, 155 pounds, he still had a tough time being taken seriously as a potential top draft pick.

2016 NHL draft: Auston Matthews, and then who? Early takeaways for top prospects

Yet he’s made himself impossible to ignore with his stellar power-play work, fabulous puck-moving skills, and ability to spin off contact and avoid big hits. We’re not sure who will take the gamble on such an undersized blueliner, but we’re now certain that someone will select him quite high. He has 33 points in 26 games.

One other surprising prospect who was a virtual unknown is Polish winger Alan Lyszczarczyk.

Lyszczarczyk has an interesting back story in that he’s from Poland and has been playing in Europe, but his parents moved to New Jersey several years ago, so he avoided having to be taken in the CHL’s European Import Draft.  So he came to Sudbury (Ontario Hockey League) as a free agent and has done nothing but flash speed and offensive skills since arriving. He has five goals and 15 points in 23 games.

Latest rankings

Rising:
Clayton Keller
— Was far and away the best player at last week’s Five Nations tourney, and size is the only issue keeping him out of the top 10 overall.
Alex Nylander — Has already treated us to some of the best highlight-reel goals we’ll see all year with his absolutely sick skills.
Samuel Girard — The tiny defenseman is making a mockery of the Quebec League and is on pace for 100 points.
Cameron Morrison — Big, skilled winger left Tier II in Ontario and is tearing up the USHL. Most impressive is that he’s making it look easy.
Maxime Fortier — Best early season surprise for us in the Q has shown flair, imagination, and scoring touch.

Falling:
Kale Clague — Maybe we expected too much, but his puck movement and offensive game in general have not been worthy of our high ranking.
Evan Fitpzatrick — His club is looking into deals for veteran goalies all around the Q, so safe to say they aren’t satisfied with his performance.

Off the Record — News-'N-Notes from around the scouting community

Just as Otto Somppi was moving out of his adjustment phase in his rookie season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Halifax Mooseheads center went down with a shoulder injury.

What's wrong with Crosby? And other burning NHL questions

The Finnish playmaker was trending in the right direction in his first 22 CHL games, making smart plays and seeming more at ease all the time with the major junior pace. But an open-ice hit from Baie-Comeau forward Fabrizio Ricci on Nov. 7 stopped Somppi in his tracks. It sounds like he will miss several weeks. He has 21 points.

***

Your Cy Young front-runner through the first quarter of the season is Val-d’Or Foreurs winger Julien Gauthier.

He didn’t register his second assist of the year until his 20th game, but already had 15 goals on his stats line by that point. But that’s all good because he’s on pace for about 55 goals. Who wouldn’t want someone with his size (6-4, 221 pounds) and finishing touch on draft day?  Gauthier scored 38 goals in 68 games last season for Val-d’Or.

***

Prince George (Western Hockey League) blueliner Josh Anderson is showing dramatic improvement over his rookie season. The huge, bruising, and intimidating Anderson has developed into a strong stay-at-home defender playing alongside captain Sam Ruopp.  The third overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft has improved his skating, shot blocking and defensive awareness.

Top Shelf podcast: Sitting down with Seguin; Stars rolling; All-Star Game changes

He clears the slot very well, lets his goalie see everything, and while he doesn’t go looking for trouble, will never back away from anybody. When he drops the gloves, his opponent usually gets dropped shortly thereafter, and even veterans are already starting to shy away from him given his growing reputation around the league.

***

Everett Silvertips goalie Carter Hart continues to prove why he could be the first goalie off the board in June. Hart has played every ‘Tips game this season and shows no sign of needing a break.

He is quickly establishing himself as one of the best in the WHL. Currently in the top 10 in GAA (1.82), save percentage (.933) and shutouts (four), Hart gives the ‘Tips a collective belief that they can win any game by scoring three goals.

He’s calm in his net, doesn’t panic, shows great side-to-side movement, always makes the first save, and controls rebounds beautifully. He plays at the top of his crease and makes it difficult for shooters to find any holes to shoot for.

Not many goalies get selected in the first round in today’s NHL, but if Hart carries his impressive early season play through the campaign, he’s got an outside shot.

***

The Penticton Vees (British Columbia Hockey League) are on an absurd run to start the season: After dropping their season opener in September, the Vees have reeled off 20 consecutive victories. Their captain, Tyson Jost, is leading the way. Jost is on an insane pace of two points-per-game and breaking records along the way. He has 23 goals and 48 points in 25 games. We actually find it unfortunate that he is so head and shoulders above anybody he plays against in the BCHL, because he’s rarely tested or forced to extend himself.

Jost’s hockey IQ and competitive nature are tremendous, and his playmaking ability is unmatched. Of course, his running mate — slick defenceman Dante Fabbro — has been nearly as impressive, and at we’re anxiously awaiting an opportunity to see the pair against much stiffer competition at next month’s World Jr. A Challenge.

For now, we don’t think we’re going out on a limb at all by stating that Jost and Fabbro are the best prospects the BCHL has produced since Kyle Turris in 2007.

PHOTOS: November's stars: Best performances of the month

Featured Weekly Ad