NHL Hockey Player News

Gauthier was the No.21 overall pick in 2013 but doesn’t project to be much more than an AHLer or fourth line centre. The 23-year-old had just 18 points (7G / 11A) in 57 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) in 2018 and has been passed on the depth chart by Par Lindholm, who is expected to centre the Leafs’ fourth line to start next season.

Mantha is coming off of his best season as a pro, scoring 24 goals with 24 assists (48 points) in 80 games. The 23-year-old, former first-round pick has 30-30 potential and is a key part of the Red Wings’ future and rebuild. Mantha is locked into a top-6 spot in Detroit and graded out as the No.31 RW in the NHL—meaning he is a low-end first-liner/high-end second-liner as he enters his third NHL season.

The Blues traded up to No.25 in this summer’s draft to select Bokk. The German left winger tore up Sweden’s U20 league, picking up 41 points (14G / 27A) in 35 games before moving to the top league. Playing against men, Bokk had just one goal and one assist in 15 games, but will likely have a full season in that league in 2019.

Erne played with both Tampa Bay (NHL) and Syracuse (AHL) for the second straight season. The 23-year-old had three goals and one assist in 23 games with the Lightning and 26 points (12G / 14A) in 41 games with the Crunch. Erne heads into the 2019 season as the 12th or 13th forward in Tampa Bay, unless there is an Erik Karlsson trade that frees up some room on the depth chart.

Kovar has spent the last five seasons in the KHL, where he collected 286 points (97G / 189A) in 285 games. Kovar is coming off of his worst season with Magnitogorsk Metallurg but had a lot of interested NHL teams before picking the Islanders. The 5-foot-11, 216 lbs. 28-year-old forward has a good shot to play in the Islanders top-6 after John Tavares left for Toronto.

Kotkov went undrafted at this year’s NHL draft after scoring 21 goals and 28 assists (49 points) in 61 games with Chicoutimi (QMJHL). After an invite to development camp, the Sharks signed the 6-foot-4, 202 lbs. Russian left winger.

During his first full NHL season, DeMelo failed to record a goal but added 20 assists in 63 games. Over 291 career pro games (AHL + NHL), DeMelo has scored just 10 goals, so don’t expect him to start scoring any time soon.

Dahlin was the first overall pick at this year’s draft and will be on the Sabres’ blueline this year. Dahlin is one of the biggest defensive prospects the NHL has seen in recent years and he immediately improves Buffalo’s back-end. The 18-year-old had seven goals and 13 assists (20 points) in 41 games with Frolunda HC last season and has the ability to be a double-digit goal-scorer with 20-plus assists in his rookie season.

Jaskin absolutely torched the QMJHL and posted solid numbers in the AHL, but has yet to find success in his first 266 career NHL games. The former second-round pick had just six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 76 games last season and he is quickly falling down the depth chart in St. Louis as they continue to sign forwards and top prospects come through the system.

Miller had an outstanding 2018 season finishing tied for 23rd among defensemen in goals (10), tied for 25th in assists (31) and tied for 27th in points (41). Miller, who gets sheltered offensive-zone starts, finished the season with a 56.3 CF% and +7.3 relative Corsi. This contract looks like an absolute steal for the Golden Knights.

Lyon split the 2018 season between Philadelphia (NHL) and Lehigh Valley (AHL). During his 11 games in the AHL, he went 6-5-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .944 SV% while going 4-2-1 with a 2.75 GAA and .905 SV% in 11 games for the Flyers. Injuries to Brian Elliott and/or Michal Neuvirth are the only way that Lyon will find himself back in the NHL in 2019.

Zadina, who surprisingly fell to the Red Wings at No.6 in this year’s draft, has a great chance to make the team this fall. Zadina dazzled during the Red Wings’ development camp and is coming off of a 44 goal, 38 assist (82 points) season with the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). The Czech sniper is one of the players from this year’s draft class that has a real shot at making the NHL right away.

Hayton, 18, who was a bit of a surprise pick at No.5 overall this June, will likely head back to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) for the 2019 season. Hayton had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games last season will be given a shot to make the team, but the Coyotes have shown to be patient with their prospects in recent years.

Nieto set a career-high with 15 goals while adding 11 assists (26 points) in 75 games with the Avalanche last season. The former second-round pick, who was a huge offensive producer at Boston University, has not been able to find the same success in the NHL. Regardless of his lack of offence, Nieto is a great skater with a strong two-way game and has found a home on a bottom-6 line with Carl Soderberg.