WTP Hockey Dynasty League

[z3r0s]

god damn I like that for you.

[Brenner]

To Me - LW Kyle Connor

 

To Brenner - LW Sam Bennett, z3r0s 1st prospect, z3r0s 1st waiver

 

Confirmed

[Pendleton]

god damn I like that for you.

 

My early season free agent pick up of Tatar (+ my two 3rds) turned into Kyle Connor, very pleased with that lol

[Laika]

 

lol @ these PRs

 

Spanky is the king!

[z3r0s]

I'll trade Montour for the best pick I can get today. Guy has good upside, but can't help me this year and I won't be able to carry him through.

shoot me a message if interested

[JG34]

My early season free agent pick up of Tatar (+ my two 3rds) turned into Kyle Connor, very pleased with that lol

 

Very easily prefer your side. Bennett has floated around on waivers a few times already. You also kept your two highest (currently) 1st round picks! Wish I pursued Connor more.

[z3r0s]

I'll trade Montour for the best pick I can get today. Guy has good upside, but can't help me this year and I won't be able to carry him through.

shoot me a message if interested

 

Current offer is a 3rd round prospect pick

[z3r0s]

to Spanky; B Montour

to me; Spanky's 2nd rounder and Pendleton's 5thr

[Spanky99]

to Spanky; B Montour

to me; Spanky's 2nd rounder and Pendleton's 5thr

 

Confirmed... pleasure mate!

[z3r0s]

as always! I dropped Montour and can add him to your roster when you clear a spot

[Spanky99]

as always! I dropped Montour and can add him to your roster when you clear a spot

 

I've already done so.

[GoldBull]

It's looking like I will be in the playoffs again, but likely won't see the success of my team in the last few years. I'll listen on any of the following guys if someone wants to make a move today. I would be targeting young roster players.

 

Karlsson

Krug

OEL

Cam Ward (if anyone needs a goalie with PT down the stretch)

[Pendleton]

To Hurl - D Darnell Nurse, RW Patric Hornqvist, G Colton Point

 

To Me - C Jesperi Kotkaniemi, LW Jason Zucker, RD Cody Ceci, 1st waiver, 2nd prospect

[z3r0s]

You're killing it pend

[jays4life19]

I actually prefer Hurl's side here.

[Spanky99]

To Hurl - D Darnell Nurse, RW Patric Hornqvist, G Colton Point

 

To Me - C Jesperi Kotkaniemi, LW Jason Zucker, RD Cody Ceci, 1st waiver, 2nd prospect

 

Wow!

[Spanky99]

I actually prefer Hurl's side here.

 

For now sure, long run Pendleton. Good trade, though.

[TheHurl]

To Hurl - D Darnell Nurse, RW Patric Hornqvist, G Colton Point

 

To Me - C Jesperi Kotkaniemi, LW Jason Zucker, RD Cody Ceci, 1st waiver, 2nd prospect

 

Confirmed. It's February time for Hornquist to go on one of his 10 goals in 7 games type runs. Zucker would have been dropped months ago but he is part of my team name...and I can work with Nurse

[Pendleton]

What time is the deadline? I could make more trades

[P2F]

What time is the deadline? I could make more trades

 

Pretty sure it's 11:59:59 PM PST.

[Pendleton]

Buy one former Leafs star (JVR) and receive another (Reimer) at a fantastic price. Only while supplies last, or before I fall asleep probably in the next hour.

[jays4life19]

Someone make a trade with us

[Spanky99]

I'm set!

[jays4life19]

The #1 NHL mid season NHL prospect is available for trade.

 

Elite NHL Prospect

Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver

Age: 19 | Drafted: Seventh overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 7

 

Skating: 70

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 35

Hockey sense: 65

 

Quinn Hughes is a special talent. The way he skates is unique and separates him from the pack. He’s a truly elite skater but it’s not just speed, his edges are ridiculously good. He spins off pressure and gets up to top speed incredibly well. He’s also very skilled and makes elite plays seems routine. He has a fluidity to his game that I’ve never seen before. Every pass is crisp and on the mark, every rush seems easy. He’s a small defenseman and he’ll never be known for his penalty killing ability, but I think he defends OK. The biggest thing I’ve seen with Hughes is he needs to improve is cutting down the turnovers, especially the high-risk ones. But you take some bad with a truckload of the good. He projects to be a star defenseman in the NHL.

[jays4life19]

Elite prospect: Projects to be top 10-15 percent of the league at their position.

High-end prospect: Projects as a legit top-line forward who can play on your PP1/top pairing defenseman.

Very good prospect: Projects as a top-six forward/top-four defenseman/starting goaltender.

Prospects are not eligible if they’ve played more than 25 career NHL games in a season, 50 career games, 27 years of age or older, or were currently in the league as of Jan. 12.

 

From our previous rankings at the start of the season, 25 players have “graduated” out of eligibility, so keep that in mind as you look at a player’s preseason ranking. While a player may have moved up in the ranking, they might not have improved as much as their peers .

 

Any questions? Join me Wednesday at noon ET to discuss these rankings and more.

 

Elite NHL Prospect

Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver

Age: 19 | Drafted: Seventh overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 7

 

Skating: 70

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 35

Hockey sense: 65

 

Quinn Hughes is a special talent. The way he skates is unique and separates him from the pack. He’s a truly elite skater but it’s not just speed, his edges are ridiculously good. He spins off pressure and gets up to top speed incredibly well. He’s also very skilled and makes elite plays seems routine. He has a fluidity to his game that I’ve never seen before. Every pass is crisp and on the mark, every rush seems easy. He’s a small defenseman and he’ll never be known for his penalty killing ability, but I think he defends OK. The biggest thing I’ve seen with Hughes is he needs to improve is cutting down the turnovers, especially the high-risk ones. But you take some bad with a truckload of the good. He projects to be a star defenseman in the NHL.

 

Read more: Hughes finally arrives in Vancouver

 

The skills that allow Quinn Hughes to thrive on the power play

 

Martin Necas, C, Carolina

Age: 20 | Drafted: 12th overall in 2017

 

Previous ranking: 10

 

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 60

 

Necas didn’t have the best world juniors, but he’s been great everywhere else in the past year and a half. I’ve watched him in the AHL where he’s looked very good and other scouts have said the same. His skating, skill and vision are all plus tools. He can push the pace with his speed and make skilled plays at an NHL pace. Necas has the potential to be a No. 1 center who drives a line. He’ll need to get a lot stronger and a little more consistent in terms of how he physically competes, but I expect he’ll be in the NHL in the near future.

 

Owen Tippett, RW, Florida

Age: 19 | Drafted: 10th overall in 2017

 

Previous ranking: 30

 

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 65

Shot Grade: 60

 

Tippett has really impressed me this season between the OHL and Canada’s U20 team. I see a player whose game has started to mature and has a talent level that’s off the charts. Tippett’s skill level is elite, he makes plays many wouldn’t even think of trying. He has the individual skill to dance around defenders, but what’s really impressed me is his playmaking. He makes the tough passes consistently, hitting pucks through seams on the power play and showing a lot of creativity as a playmaker. He still has his great shot, and that combination of tools makes him lethal. He’s never going to be a great defender and will have the occasional night off, but when he’s on there aren’t many players who can match his talent level.

 

High-End NHL Prospect

 

Filip Zadina (Photo: Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)

Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit

Age: 19 | Drafted: Sixth overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 6

 

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 60

Shot Grade: 60

 

Zadina had a very disappointing world juniors, and while he’s been quite good in the AHL, he hasn’t been blowing doors down. There’s some reason for pessimism, he hasn’t been dancing around guys like he did last season and his compete level has worried me at times. But there’s still plenty of reason for optimism. He has a ton of talent, his skills are fantastic, he skates well, he’s got that cannon of a shot and, from what I’ve seen this season, his playmaking/vision is better than I thought last season. I still think he’s going to be a great NHL player but it may take more time than I initially thought.

 

Read more: Where Filip Zadina goes next

 

Behind the scenes with Zadina at the draft

 

Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona

Age: 18 | Drafted: Fifth overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 41

 

Skating: 45

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 50

Hockey sense: 65

 

I’ve written a lot this season about Hayton, but he’s looked fantastic every time I’ve watched him. His skill level and playmaking ability are among the best in junior hockey and at the world juniors he showed people how creative he can be. While his skill drives his value, he’s also a very competitive two-way forward who projects to be a reliable defensive center in the NHL. He’s improved his skating and can play at a quick pace when he wants to, but too often I find he slows the play down more than I’d like. With his talent and progression, it’s hard to be too down on him, and I think he could be a top-line center one day for the Coyotes.

 

Read more: Barrett Hayton is checking all the boxes

 

Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis

Age: 20 | Drafted: 35th overall in 2016

 

Previous ranking: 16

 

Skating: 65

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 40

Hockey sense: 60

 

Kyrou hasn’t had much success at the NHL level this season, but he’s been fantastic in the AHL as a 20-year-old, named an AHL All-Star and consistently a threat. The offensive tools Kyrou has make you optimistic about his NHL projection. He’s an elite skater with a lot of offensive creativity. He can play in a straight line with his speed, as well as having the skill to pull up and make a play. He’s got to get stronger, a little tougher and learn to play inside the dots, but the talent will make him a power play guy if he rounds out his game a little bit.

 

Read more: The grandson of Greek immigrants, Jordan Kyrou’s NHL career seems ‘meant to be’

 

Grigori Denisenko, LW, Florida

Age: 18 | Drafted: 15th overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 35

 

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 65

 

Denisenko was the best player at the recent world juniors and has impressed me this season. He’s got nearly every tool you want despite not being the biggest guy. He’s quick and elusiveness with great edge work, he’s got high-end hands and vision, and he plays hard. If anything, the criticism of him is he plays too hard at times and goes over the line. The production hasn’t been there for him in the KHL, but it’s the second best hockey league and he’s very physically underdeveloped. Once he bulks up, I think he’ll be a no doubt top-six forward.

 

Rasmus Kupari, C, Los Angeles

Age: 18 | Drafted: 20th overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 18

 

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 50

Hockey sense: 55

 

There are times when I’m watching Kupari and I think he’s not only going to be good, but he could be a cornerstone player. The raw tools are off the charts. He’s a pro-sized center with high-end speed and puck skills who makes filthy moves seem routine, and he can do so at top speed. He’ll have rushes where he goes through several guys and you wonder just how high the ceiling is for him. I like his hockey sense, but I don’t think he sees the game at the same level as his other attributes and that’s the main thing holding him back from hitting the highest echelon for me. His production concerns from his draft season have all but subsided, and he looks on the fast track to the NHL.

 

Read more: Kupari a ‘man among boys’ at WJC

 

Cody Glass, C, Vegas

Age: 19 | Drafted: Sixth overall in 2017

 

Previous ranking: 12

 

Skating: 45

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 55

Hockey sense: 65

 

Glass has torn up the WHL for the past two-and-a-half years and was quite good as Canada’s No. 1 center at the world juniors. He’s a top-end playmaker. He’s the prototypical guy you want on the half-wall on the power play due to his vision and skill level. He knows how to wait out options, sees options develop and has the soft touch to thread passes through any lane. He’s worked on rounding out his game and I think he’ll be a decent two-way guy as a pro. He’ll never be confused for a physical guy, but his smarts will carry him a lot in that respect. Glass skates fine but I find he plays a bit slow at times. When he wants to turn on the jets, he has an extra gear.

 

Cale Makar, D, Colorado

Age: 20 | Drafted: Fourth overall in 2017

 

Previous ranking: 20

 

Skating: 65

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 40

Hockey sense: 60

 

Makar returned for his sophomore season at UMass, where he’s been the best player on one of the better teams in the nation. He’s one of the best puck rushers you’ll see, as his great speed combined with his skill level can make him a nightmare to handle for defensemen when he’s coming up the ice. He’s at his best on the rush, but he’s also a very smart player who can make the tough passes. Makar will never be the best defender as a pro due to his size, but at the collegiate level, he’s defended more than fine. The 2017 fourth-overall pick by the Avs will likely sign and suit up for them this spring.

 

Read more: The hockey world at his feet, Cale Makar continues to tread lightly

 

Vitali Kravtsov, RW, New York Rangers

Age: 19 | Drafted: Ninth overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 17

 

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 50

Hockey sense: 60

 

Kravtsov has been very impressive over the past 12 months in the KHL and international play. Kravtsov’s point totals haven’t been amazing this season in the KHL, but Chelyabinsk has a weak team. His game is defined by his skill. When Kravtsov has the puck, he’s looking to make something happen. He makes the flashy skill plays seem routine. His playmaking has also consistently impressed me this season. I wasn’t 100 percent on that aspect of his game going into the draft, but I think his vision is high-end now. His pace at times could be better, but he can skate fine when he gets going. The main thing with Kravtsov is improving his compete level. He can get lost on the perimeter and taken out of games physically.

 

Dominik Bokk, RW, St. Louis

Age: 18 | Drafted: 25th overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 21

 

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 60

 

Bokk hasn’t dominated the SHL this season but I still think his development is on track for a guy who one-and-a-half seasons ago was in German junior hockey. He was the top scorer at the U20 B pool and, in the past month, his play in the SHL has gotten a lot better, with him being a regular on Vaxjo’s top power play unit on the half-wall. His skill level is great. I saw him fighting the puck a bit more than I’d have liked early on this season, but I was also more impressed with his vision and pace than what I saw last season. He may take longer than a typical top prospect and needs a lot of work off the puck, but I think when it clicks, with his skill level, he’s going to start rolling over teams.

 

Troy Terry, RW, Anaheim

Age: 21 | Drafted: 148th overall in 2015

 

Previous ranking: 51

 

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 60

 

Terry is the best player I’ve seen in the AHL this season. The 21-year-old has at times shown the ability to dominate that level with his offensive ability. Terry has a ton of skill and playmaking ability. He’s always looking to make a play, he does so many good things in small spaces and makes creative decisions without much room to work with. Terry has also played with pace, using his speed to push defenders back and then making a skilled play at full speed. Despite being an older player he still has room to fill out physically and can get pushed off pucks, but he does compete well.

 

Read more: His name is Troy Terry. This is his evolution.

 

Nick Suzuki, C, Montreal

Age: 19 | Drafted: 13th overall in 2017

 

Previous ranking: 34

 

Skating: 45

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 45

Hockey sense: 70

 

I was unsure on Suzuki last season, I watched him a fair bit and he never blew me away like in his draft year. This season I’m back on the bandwagon. Between his OHL and World Junior Championship play, I’m back toward my original assessment. He’s an elite playmaker who sees the ice like few others. He combines that with a high skill level and makes difficult plays seem easy. Suzuki can score goals and has a good shot but has a pass-first mentality. Despite being small and lacking physicality, his exceptional hockey IQ allows him to be a good defensive forward. His main issue has and continues to be his skating as he really lacks any kind of dangerous gear. Once he’s in the offensive zone he’s lights out, but he could struggle to be the main zone entry guy on an NHL line.

 

Read more: Suzuki continues to show why he was the key piece of the Max Pacioretty trade

 

How Suzuki became one of junior hockey’s most dynamic threats

 

Ryan Merkley, D, San Jose

Age: 18 | Drafted: 21st overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 28

 

Skating: 60

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 35

Hockey sense: 65

 

Merkley is a player that you can write a lot about. He’s an elite playmaker whose vision is off the charts. When he’s on, he’s making cross-ice passes with frequency, dancing around the blueline and making defenses look silly. But he’s had some off nights where he’s making bad decisions defensively, letting his emotions get the best of him and is a major negative. He’s been traded this season and is off to a fresh start in Peterborough.

 

Adam Boqvist, D, Chicago

Age: 18 | Drafted: Eighth overall in 2018

 

Previous ranking: 25

 

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 35

Hockey sense: 70

 

Boqvist has been good this season in the OHL, his first season in North America. Some games he hasn’t been as impactful and some games his playmaking stands out in a major way. His skill and particularly his offensive instincts are great, he sees the ice so well, and he is very creative in how he jumps into attacks and creates chances. I don’t think he’s shown a ton of pace on the smaller ice. He’s a good skater but some games he plays a bit too slow. He’s also not the biggest or meanest defenseman, so he might need time before he heads to the league.

 

Read more: How Adam Boqvist uses tempo, speed and a big shot in a small package to dictate

 

^^ Is available too

[Pendleton]

Buy one former Leafs star (JVR) and receive another (Reimer) at a fantastic price. Only while supplies last, or before I fall asleep probably in the next hour.

 

Reimer is closing in on his 4th win in 7 nights!

[Spanky99]

Reimer is closing in on his 4th win in 7 nights!

 

I'd likely have been in on this, but Smitty has rebounded.

[P2F]

If anybody wants to make a deal where we don't get savagely penetrated in the process, please hit me up.

[Spanky99]

If anybody wants to make a deal where we don't get savagely penetrated in the process, please hit me up.

 

lol

[jays4life19]

Normal penetration is just fine though.