The project of ranking the McKeen's Top 300 NHL Prospects - plus a Top 15 for each club - proved a formidable task.
One might presume that studying more and more about each player would make the rankings easier. It seems logical. Increased viewings of each player will provide clarity to make difficult decisions - and why one player is slightly ahead of another. However, at some point, it becomes apparent that the entire process is getting more complex. Basically, the more you know, the more you appreciate and weigh all the factors that a player brings to the table.
The breakouts are often unpredictable - as unexpected as one player gaining 15 pounds of muscle over the summer, undergoing a sudden growth spurt - or gaining foot speed due to a successful training regime. It all comes out in the wash - and we watch and scrutinize how these changes translate into the growth and emergence of certain players.
A number of 'sleeper' prospects caught the eye of the McKeen's Hockey staff last season. Here are scouting reports on five 'below the radar' prospects to consider. Good luck in your drafts, pools & fantasy hockey pursuits.
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Kenny Agostino (Calgary, LW-RW, Age: 23)
The Morristown, New Jersey native and Yale University graduate improved quietly and steadily during a strong first pro campaign .. led Abbotsford with 43 points - with over half his production coming during the stretch run .. recorded 10 goals and 23 points in his final 19 games - and average of 1.21 points-per-game .. not overly tall at 5-11 solidly-built - rugged for his size with a solid center of gravity .. a competitive, aggressive winger with playmaking skills .. a hound for the puck .. doggedly sniffs out pucks - closes gaps swiftly forechecking .. displays a knack for tracking opponents and stripping pucks away .. guided by good vision and anticipation of the game .. knows how to use his girth to win battles and protect the puck .. sharp instincts as checker - sustains solid positioning with body ready and angled to intercept or block lanes .. skating has strengthened - notably stronger on his feet .. has some odd hitches in startup and crossovers - yet settles into a full, urgent stride .. a resilient type - bounces back, scraps, competes for pucks.
Viktor Arvidsson (Nashville, RW, Age: 22)
Led Milwaukee last season and finished third among AHL rookie scorers with 55 points - in a bright and industrious North American debut .. fired a whopping 272 shots -tops in the league - and nearly 45% more than the next highest on the Admirals .. spunky, skilled energizer with speed and creativity .. slightly built at 5-9, 170 pounds - but is brave, quick, and feisty .. tricky on his feet - adept at spins, pivots, going heel-to-heel while moving in a straight line .. sustains speed in possession .. quick shuffling stride - with sharp cutting ability moving laterally .. keen sense for taking plays to the point of getting creamed physically - and then making a play .. namely, can draw physical pressure and create space for others .. boasts a paralyzing pull-and-drag move coming in on right wing - and has a quick shooting release .. excels making plays in tight areas and in traffic where his quickness and elusiveness makes him hard to contain .. developed a more well-rounded game since his draft year - and now gives a solid and sustained effort defensively .. has been a standout for Nashville in preseason.
Tanner Kero (Chicago, C, Age: 23)
Delivered a sensational breakout senior year with a career-best 46 points while captaining his hometown Michigan Tech Huskies .. captured the WCHA scoring title, league MVP honours, and a nomination as a Top 10 Hobey Baker finalist .. tied for third in the nation with 7 game-winning goals .. signed an NHL contract in April and made an immediate splash in his AHL debut - firing five goals in his first six games - and another two in the playoffs (6-2-1-3) .. fast, slick playmaker with good two-way smarts .. anticipates the play well - has a knack for being in the right place at the right time .. not overly large at 6-0, 185 pounds - yet is quite strong on his skates for his size .. adept at spreading out his legs and absorbing physical pressure from bigger opponents .. distributes the puck with pace and vision - touches are skilled and economical .. boasts deceptive hands and body language - adept at concealing intentions until last moment .. creates openings with his tenacity and breakaway speed .. possesses an excellent top gear .. tenacious on backchecks - stays with plays, doesn't give up.
Colin Miller (Boston, D, Age: 22)
More than tripled his production during a breakout sophomore pro season - earning a berth on the AHL Second All-Star Team .. acquired this summer in the Milan Lucic deal with Los Angeles - bringing winning pedigree fresh off a Calder Cup championship - playing top-line minutes for Manchester (19-2-8-10) .. skilled, mid-sized defenseman boasts excellent skating range, quickness and mobility .. excels moving the puck on outlets, breakouts - starting rushes .. adept at backpeddling with the puck and then exploiting a fast and fluid transition sequence to springload attacks .. slick outer edge control on turns and pivots .. not overly large nor physical - however is strong on his feet for his size and uses his body well to protect the puck .. can lose positioning defending 1-on-1 down low around his net at times .. must guard against getting drawn out chasing .. puckmoving decisions have steadily improved - calm under pressure - makes safe choices - doesn't force things .. skilled at shooting on the fly - exploiting a nice pull-drag-fire motion.
Conor Sheary (Pittsburgh, LW, Age: 23)
The undrafted Melrose, Massachusetts native landed an NHL contract in July on the heels of an eye-opening first pro season .. led Wilkes-Barre in the regular season tying for seventh among AHL rookies with 45 points .. also led the Baby Pens in playoff scoring (8-5-7-12) .. led the UMass. Minutemen in scoring as a senior in `13-14 .. fast, tiny winger with excellent puckhandling skill .. courageous - plays a gusty and energetic style .. excels driving zone entries utilizing his speed, determination and intensity .. despite his smaller stature (5-9/175) will take hits to advance plays and doesn't shy from contact situations .. displays a penchant for initiating counter-rushes - via his defensive pursuits .. tracks back doggedly on the backcheck and has a very quick stick that he employs to swipe pucks away .. generates speed using a running style of alternating crossover patterns - and by sustaining a fast cadence .. keeps building speed - and is quite adept at throwing the puck into his feet and driving 1-on-1 around a defender to goal .. possesses very good balance and strength on his feet for his size.