It's that time of the year for my annual list of the top second and third year eligible OHL players for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
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NHL teams continue to draft re-entry players in increasing number. This is mostly because drafting a second or third year eligible player gives NHL teams a lot of flexibility in their development under the CBA. Plus, a lot of these guys have been having success in the last decade (Andrew Mangiapane, Tanner Pearson, Sean Durzi, and Colin Miller as legitimate NHL players are great examples from the OHL), which basic psychology tells us that other NHL teams will try to mimic. We also have some quality NHL prospects from the OHL that fall under that umbrella like Amadeus Lombardi, Florian Xhekaj, and Dylan Roobroeck.
Additionally, I would expect the number of re-entry players selected from the CHL to increase even more over the next few years because CHL players are now eligible to play College, extending their signing/development window. As such, as the talent pool (and candidate list) grows, I've decided to extend this ranking to a Top 20.
Just to clarify, yet again, for those with limited understanding of the NHL draft system; North American players have either two or three years to get drafted, depending on their birth date. For those born from January 1 to September 15, they will go through three NHL drafts. For those born from September 16 to December 31, they will go through two NHL drafts. The players on this list are a mix of those having been passed over once or twice already.
Also, do not confuse this list with players drafted in 2024 who will re-enter the draft should they fail to come to a contractual agreement with their NHL team by June 1 (and whose birth date still allows them to be eligible). Quite often those too are referred to as draft re-entries. But this list does not contain them because it is not yet known who those players will be.
This year's crop is OK by re-entry standards. Some other regions have better top end talent available, but Kostov and Barabanov have a chance to be top 100 selections. And I do think that there is a chance seven or eight of the players on this list are taken somewhere.
Without further rambling, here's my list:
1. Alex Kostov - Center/Wing - Flint Firebirds
It probably shocks some to not see Barabanov at number one, but I personally prefer Kostov. I think his game has a chance to translate to the pro level better. His skating has come a long way over his OHL career. He's also had an intriguing blend of size, power, and skill, but the upgrades made to his quickness and top speed have made him a really difficult guard in transition. He was a real difference maker for the surprise Flint Firebirds this year. Kostov also brings physicality, effort away from the puck, and versatility because he can play in any situation. I don't think that he's a top six player at higher levels. And I don't really think that he's a center at higher levels; his power and aggressiveness likely plays better on the wing. However, as mentioned, I believe that he can be a quality role player with a game tailored perfectly to the modern NHL. These are the kinds of guys NHL teams want on their third or fourth line right now.
2. Egor Barabanov - Center - Saginaw Spirit
I think that there's a pretty good chance that Barabanov is the top re-entry selected; public rankings suggest that and my conversations suggest that. Look, it's easy to see why. Barabanov is a highly skilled playmaker. He's really dangerous coming out of the cycle because he escapes pressure so well, keeps plays alive, and has good vision and execution as a passer. And while he's not large or exceptionally strong on the puck, he's a pretty hard worker in the offensive end who earns touches. He had such a good year with Saginaw, developing chemistry with Klepov and Zhilkin and earning all the ice time that he could handle. He decommitted from Penn State earlier this year, but I'd actually really like to see him recommit somewhere. I think a few years in the NCAA would really help him. My issues with Barabanov stem from the fact that I'm not as confident that his offensive skill set translates extremely well to the NHL level without high end skating ability at his size. His ability to execute down low will be neutralized at higher levels without some physical/athletic upgrades. He's also not a terrific two-way player who I'm not sure NHL organizations will see sticking down the middle. Without question, he has the highest upside of any player on this list. But he's a true boom/bust guy for me and I'd feel a lot better using a pick outside the first three rounds on him, than one inside.
3. Ben Hrebik - Goaltender - Barrie Colts
I had Hrebik ranked pretty highly last year on this list but a poor end to the year and playoffs really made NHL organizations hesitate. He returned this year and was consistently one of the OHL's best and a top candidate for goaltender of the year. I think he's upgraded his play tracking ability and has worked to refine his movements to limit some of the weaker goals that plagued him late last year. He's got size. He's athletic. He's shown improvement technically. This is a potential pro netminder. I was pretty surprised to see NHL Central Scouting move him down their final list. He should be an NHL pick IMO and it would be a mistake to let him go through another draft unclaimed.
4. Ben Wilmott - Wing - Barrie Colts
Wilmott was great in London to start the year, but his game truly took off following the deal to Barrie. He's one of those players who is best described as a coaches' dream. He's not exceptionally skilled or creative. However, he's a hard worker and he's a smart and effective three zone player. His well rounded skill set is supported by a really strong understanding of how to work without the puck. Wilmott is one of those guys that the puck seems to gravitate towards inside the offensive zone. He gets so many looks inside the home plate area because he routinely beats defenders to spots or slips coverage. He finishes well thanks to a quick release too. However, Wilmott also makes quick decisions with the puck and makes an effort to funnel action towards the middle. Projection wise, there could be concern that he's more of a tweener without a true future role at the pro level. But, I see enough quality components for him to be worthy of a draft selection. Select him and let him develop into a high end NCAA player at Ohio State.
5. Matthew Minchak - Goaltender - Kingston Frontenacs
What a find Minchak was for the Frontenacs; a free agent signing out of the U.S. AAA loop (with the Pittsburgh Penguins elite program). Early on in the year Gavin Betts was really fighting it and Minchak took over the starting role, providing excellent goaltending for the Fronts. I feel like he ran out of steam towards the end of the year, which coincided with a return to form by Betts, but he still has some really intriguing tools wrapped up in a huge frame. He tracks the play well and he's calm/composed in the crease. The key for him is to add some mass to that lanky frame to help him improve his quickness and to help him prevent those squeakers through the body. I've made the comparison to former Greyhound Matt Murray a few times this year and I think it's apt. He's committed to Colgate and by the end of his NCAA run, he could end up being a quality NHL netminding prospect.
6. Jasper Kuhta - Center - Ottawa 67's
Kuhta had a terrific year for the 67's, leading them in goal scoring as a first year Import. That's no fluke either. He's got a wicked shot. He can really rifle the puck. However, he's not just a threat with the one timer, he scores the greasy ones too, getting to the net and hunting loose pucks. When you combine the frame, the shot, and the work rate, you have a really interesting prospect. Kuhta's strong performance at the WJC's for Finland was bound to turn some heads too, especially among upper management times who may advocate for him in the mid to later rounds. The issue that I have with Kuhta is that his skating needs a lot of work for a double overager (in draft terms). There's less runway for improvement there. I'm just not sure how he'd handle the pace of the pro game. Don't get me wrong, I like him as a pick. But, he's more of a mid/late round guy as opposed to an earlier round option the way that I know some have him ranked, as the top or, at worst, the second ranked re-entry from the OHL.
7. Dryden Allen - Defense - Flint Firebirds
At one point in time, Allen was considered one of the top 2007 born defenders in Ontario, however after he elected to head south of the border to the USHL, some of that hype died down and Allen went unselected last year. Now in the OHL this year, he played a key role for the Flint Firebirds and Allen may have put himself back on the draft radar. Let’s not discount that he was one of the youngest players eligible last year too. Lots of physical development left. Allen plays a heady and mature two-way game from the blueline. He’s a calming presence on the back-end who can kickstart the breakout and excel in a defensive role. He’s not a high skill player. As he moves up the ladder, don’t expect significant offensive production. However, he’s a no nonsense defensive player with good four way mobility. That bodes well for his ability to continue to play that role as he moves to Michigan State soon. Have to wonder if NHL teams are eyeing him in the later rounds this year in hopes that he could develop into a modern day shutdown type.
8. Parker Von Richter - Defense - Barrie Colts
Not sure I saw this breakout offensive season from Von Richter coming. But kudos to him for working on his game and becoming one of the OHL's best two-way defenders. He's been so good for Barrie down the stretch and into the playoffs. He’s worked hard the last two years to improve his mobility and his decision making with the puck. He can still be prone to some mistakes with the puck in the defensive zone, but he’s become a very reliable option inside the opposing blueline. He does a great job getting shots through traffic; he has a quick little half slapper that he loves to use. He shows poise walking the line and has been aggressive in jumping up in the play or leading the rush. Of course, he’s still a physical defender who likes to take away space and who possesses a high IQ in his own end. He was named as one of the top defensive defenders in the OHL Coaches Poll. Just as I was when he was originally draft eligible, I’m a bit skeptical of his NHL projection given the average size/physical tools, but he’s developed very well and could be on the radar of NHL teams because of that.
9. Stepan Shurygin - Goaltender - Saginaw Spirit
I actually think that there is a world where Shurygin is the first re-entry taken from the OHL and/or the first netminder taken from the OHL. Obviously from my ranking of him here, that's not something I'd agree with, but I can see the reasoning. NHL organizations are going to see Shurygin as a blank canvas. It's rare to find the kind of athleticism he possesses in a 6'5 netminder. He can make some really other worldly saves and he can have games where he looks unbeatable. However, the technical components need a lot of work; he's prone to some really ugly performances and goals. Sometimes I really wonder about his tracking ability. But that's why I referred to him as a blank canvas. Under the right tutelage, you have to hope those things can improve. For me, I'd just feel a lot more comfortable with him as a later round gamble than an earlier round one.
10. Andre Mondoux - Defense - Kingston Frontenacs
Power is the name of the game here. Mondoux is a big bodied defender (6’4, 200+lbs) who was largely terrific for the Frontenacs this year in a defensive role as an OHL rookie. The Notre Dame commit is a tough competitor. He closes gaps quickly and hard. He’s also very aggressive physically below the goal line, almost always initiating contact to help him secure possession or separate a man from the puck. Sometimes he gets out of position defensively from chasing the big hit, but his recovery ability thanks to his length and good mobility is solid. NHL teams are going to love the impact he has at shutting down the transition game of the opposition with his length, solid feet, and physical approach. Offensively, he shows flashes of higher upside and I do wonder if that part of his game could grow further in the NCAA over a few years. Even if it doesn’t, he has some intriguing athletic qualities that could make him a solid depth piece.
11. Illia Shybinskyi - Wing - Guelph Storm
A Ukrainian player who showed significant improvement over the course of the year. Oozes skill and creativity. Routinely extends plays with his hands and feet, which work perfectly in sync with each other. Exciting transitional attacker. He's not big, but you have to admire his work ethic. He can bring a physical element and he works hard to earn touches. If he were bigger and it were easier to project his game to the NHL level, he'd be in the top five of players on this list. As is, I might want to see a full year of him performing at a high level.
12. Darian Anderson - Wing - Flint Firebirds
Big winger came in and had a large impact in his rookie OHL season, developing tremendous chemistry with Jimmy Lombardi and Nathan Aspinall, especially in the playoffs. The Clarkson commit is a really solid complementary piece. He skates pretty well for a big man. He drives the middle and excels near the crease. He works the wall well and supports the cycle. He's not a high upside player as a pro, but he has attributes that could make him a quality bottom six option in the future.
13. Sebastian Gatto - Goaltender - London Knights
I was really surprised to see Gatto left off of NHL Central Scouting's final rankings. He was revelation for London this year given Medvedev's struggles. He's got size, quickness, and he tracks the play well. The Dartmouth commit could be a very interesting add to an NHL organization in the later rounds this year based off of his improvements this year.
14. Carson Woodall - Defense - Windsor Spitfires
What a tremendous season for Woodall, who was named a finalist for the Max Kaminsky as the defenseman of the year. Went from being a solid, dependable two-way guy, to one of the league's highest scoring defenders. This saw him secure a commitment to Boston College too. As far as his NHL projection goes, it's a little murkier. You could make way worse picks in the later rounds. But, he's also one of those average sized defenders who don't do anything at an elite level. That's often a tough sell for NHL scouts.
15. Cooper Dennis - Wing - Brantford Bulldogs
Dennis is such a fun player to watch. He's really added a dynamic layer of secondary scoring to this Brantford team. For my money, he's one of the most individually skilled and creative players in the league. That said, he's also tiny. And he's been way less of a factor late into the year and into the playoffs. If he were 6'0, I'd be less worried about that. But, given that he's already undersized, that's going to be a big talking point. He's probably going to have to be a guy who works his way up every level and has to prove himself. Excited to see him at Michigan.
16. Jeremy Martin - Wing - Soo Greyhounds
What you see if what you get here. The Greyhounds were smart to acquire him because he fit in really well with their playing style and supporting cast. Martin knows his role is to apply pressure, earn touches through hard work, and get to the net to finish off plays. The perfect complement. If the playmaking ability and skill components of his game can tick up greater, he could have an NHL future.
17. Cohen Bidgood - Wing - London Knights
Skating and compete are the two calling cards of Bidgood. He's a really impressive skater; extremely agile and quick out of pivots/off his edges. He's also a pest who works hard to earn looks near the crease. I actually expect him to get drafted given the trust NHL scouts have in London's coaching staff to develop players like Bidgood. However, I'm just not sure he's entirely skilled enough or big enough to play the kind of game he will need to play at the NHL level. Thought that was kind of magnified in this year's first round against the Soo.
18. Tristan Delisle - Center - Owen Sound Attack
Through the first half of this year, I would have pegged Delisle for a spot in the top five of this annual list. However, much like the rest of Owen Sound, his game hit a wall later in the year and he faded to the background a bit. At his best, Delisle is a tenacious and intelligent two-way pivot. There's a world where he could be a Nic Dowd kind of player with some continued improvement to his skating.
19. Aiden Young - Wing - Peterborough Petes
Young had a solid year for the Petes, providing primary scoring. He visibly worked hard to improve his quickness this past offseason as he came back this year looking like a more dynamic skater. However, I'd want to see more consistent offensive production from him. Jack of all trades type who is tougher to project to higher levels because of that.
20. Julian Brown - Defense - Owen Sound Attack
No nonsense, throwback style of defender. Classic stay at home type. Average skater for his size, but he excels defending down low and near the crease. Very physical. As a 2006 born, how much more can he improve? I could see why an NHL team might be interested, but I think that there are more athletic stay at home types available this year with more room to grow.
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