Grant’s Slant is a season-long collection of Grant’s scouting thoughts displayed in a timeline, and many more from the past six months will be added in the next two weeks. To see all of Grant’s Slant, subscribe today to Recrutes.ca!
2017-18 Season
Crossing the Colour Line
I first started writing this article when protests were heating up all across North America following the senseless death of George Floyd. I ultimately decided not to finish and publish the article at the time as I was hesitant to interview minority hockey players concerning their treatment over the years, in part because of the […]
The Apprenticeship of Vitali Kravtsov
What Kravtsov is achieving in the KHL playoffs is pretty remarkable. Two more assists today and looking great. Six goals and five assists in nine games. He leads all KHL goal scorers and is in top five in points….no draft eligible 18-year-old has ever achieved that. On top of that, he is doing it with […]
Zadina-Mite!
I had a look at Filip Zadina’s four goals in the last 37 minutes of Halifax’s game versus Charlottetown last night. On his first goal showed off his great shot and release, receiving a pass in the slot that was bulging the twine before he was finishing his follow through. On his second goal a […]
Knights Reload, Foudy Gets Exposure
Scouts have been giving Liam Foudy a certain benefit of the doubt this season as he has not been given an offensive role, so he’s had very little opportunity to show his offensive upside. They pointed to Alex Formenton as an example, a forward who played on London’s fourth line for much of last season […]
The “Other Rasmus” Turning Heads
It’s interesting to see Rasmus Sandin score two goals for the Soo tonight with defence partner Conor Timmins away at the WJC. Given more of an offensive opportunity and he responds right away. There is no issue with his passing skills, nice to see him score a couple of goals. Quite possibly the best first-pass […]
Sutter on a Scintillating Scoring Streak
Everett Center Riley Sutter has been on a terrific tear recently, scoring seven goals and three assists in his last three games, including four goals and an assist in an 11-0 pasting of the Vancouver Giants.
Barrie Deals Nizhnikov
When a team that has OHL championship aspirations over the next couple of years like Barrie deals one of its young “up and comers” like Kirill Nizhnikov for draft picks, it’s a serious red flag for scouts in terms of his character.
Zavgorodny Not Living up to the Hype
Dmitri Zavgorodny and the Rimouski Oceanic visited Hull for their one and only game of the season on Sunday, affording me an up-close look to see if the highly touted Russian was all he was touted to be. He wasn’t.
Knights Last Line of Defence
London Knights defenceman Evan Bouchard has picked up his game lately and has worked himself back into the top 25 discussion after a disappointing start to his season along with much of the London team. Paired now with fellow draft-eligible defenceman Alec Regula, Bouchard has totalled ten points in his last five games after starting […]
Rippon Coming On
Mississauga rookie defenceman Merrick Rippon looks like he’s finally starting to adjust to the step up in competition from the CCHL to OHL. After starting the season with just two assists in his first 14 games, Recrutes spoke to an OHL-based NHL scout about Rippon’s start to the season. “In fairness to the kid, let […]
Scouts Ce Dar Rapid Development in Smith
I was taking a look at the US-U-17 team playing against Cedar Rapids in USHL action today and came across an intriguing player on the Roughriders in rookie USHL center Nathan Smith.
McShane Not Well Without Noel
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Dobson a QMJHL Titan on Defence
This was not without a lot of thought and consideration, and it’s still very early so things could change…but so far this draft year Acadie-Bathurst defenceman Noah Dobson has impressed me more than any defence prospect from the QMJHL since Ray Bourque was a top ten pick by Boston in 1979.
Russian Rookie Rocking in Rimouski
It look like Rimouski Oceanic winger Dmitry Zavgorodniy is not going to slow down any time soon. The talented 5-9 Russian led the Ivan Hlinka in scoring, netting five goals and five assists in five games, and his predilection for fives continued last night as he scored…you guessed it…five goals in a 9-2 Rimouski victory […]
Kravtsov Finding a Regular Role in KHL
I had a look at 2018 draft-eligible prospect Vitaly Kravtsov today in the KHL playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk in his seventh game of the season. He has a regular role on the third line and does not look out of place despite being just 17 years of age. Looks to have decent mobility for […]
Drouin it Right in the Center of Town
There is a strong debate right now among Habs fans about whether Jonathan Drouin or Alex Galchenyuk should be the club’s number-one center. Recrutes put up its second poll on the subject in the past three weeks, and the overwhelming majority are still banking on the Habs starting the season with Galchenyuk centering the […]
Dahlin Has Swedish Competition for Number One
I was a little surprised to receive a text halfway through the Ivan Hlinka tournament from an NHL scout that suggested that Rasmus Dahlin may not even be the best defence prospect from his country, let alone the first overall pick in the draft. The more I studied Adam Boqvist, however, the more I realized […]
Mete Has Been a Plymouth Rock
Ryan Poehling wasn’t the only Habs prospect who has impressed at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI. Victor Mete has been one of the more solid blueliners for Canada at the event and Joni Ikonen has been solid in a second-line center role for Finland in three contests. One western conference scout has […]
Marky Embarks on a New Venture
I got some interesting views on the departure of Andrei Markov after 17 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens from an NHL executive this morning who doesn’t necessarily buy that his leaving is all on Bergevin’s shoulders. “Does anyone put any of the onus on Marky?” he asked. “His ex-wife died and left him with two […]
The One Musketeer
I watched Eeli Tolvanen play last night versus the Waterloo Black Hawks in Game 3 of the USHL semi-finals in a match Sioux City won 3-0. Tolvanen went pointless, and apart from one nice dangle in close that almost resulted in a goal he didn’t create much in the way of offensive chances. Tolvanen […]
No Doubting Thomas
A lot of parallels can be drawn between former London Knights center Bo Horvat and 2017 draft eligible center Robert Thomas. Both were considered to be mid teen prospects going into the OHL playoffs on most NHL draft lists…but as scouts saw more and more of what they could do in big games they climbed […]
Pictures of Liljegren’s Upside
As the season has gone on several things have stood out in regards to Swedish defence prospect Timothy Liljegren. There is no question that he is a natural, smooth skater, and that first and foremost is why scouts were so high on him going into the season. He also has good puck skills, and is […]
Finland vs. Switzerland U-18 notes
Heiskanen passed it more times to his d partner in one shift than Liljegren did in an entire game. The simple play is often the wisest. Nothing flashy from Heiskanen in the first…making the simple/safe plays and as always solid in his own zone. Often times the less said about the Finland strikes first on […]
Tyszka Shift-By-Shift
Given that there is a huge divergence of opinion on Jarret Tyszka…ranging from scouts that like him in the first round to some who would be hesitant to pick him in the mid rounds – I decided to have an in-depth video look at him. I focused on the first game of Seattle’s WHL semi-final […]
The Long and the Short of it
We’re seeing a shift in thinking at the junior level in recent years..and there no better example than the OHL Draft, where 14 of the 21 players selected in the first round of the 2017 OHL Priority Draft are under 6-0. A dozen years ago there were seven players under 6-0 selected in the […]
If you Choose Left, is it Right?
Over the past decade at numerous times I have had draft followers mention that such-and-such would or wouldn’t be a good fit as a draft selection because they shoot left or right. I have never in the past ten years factored the way a player shoots into my draft evaluations or mock draft scenarios. To […]
Elias versus Lias
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Tri-Harder-Cities
Tri-Cities season is over and it was mostly disappointing for draft-eligible prospects. Kyle Olson got his first and only point tonight on a goal, Rasmussen missed the playoffs with a broken scaphoid bone, Juuso Valimaki had just one one assist and struggled defensively at times. After a 90-point regular season..once the checking got tighter Morgan […]
Draft Eligible Stats – Mar. 31
Some notable performances from draft eligible players tonight: Ben Mirageas 1g 1a Casey Mittelstadt 1g Mario Ferraro 2a Robert Thomas 1g Morgan Frost 3a Conor Timmins 3a Linus Nyman 1g 1a Jason Robertson 1g 2a Jack Studnicka 1g Nick Suzuki 1g 1a Nico Hischier 1g 2a Shawn Boudrias 1g Josh Brook 1a Kyle Olson 1g […]
Ra Ra Rasmussen…
It appears that Michael Rasmussen has become the whipping boy this season for the advanced stats aficionados as I have gotten plenty of feedback on how having him top five or even top seven is much too high. I have received several tweets suggesting rather strongly that his goals stats are inflated because he got […]
Hischier Willingness to Win is Impressive
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Urho will Fix the Garden
Urho Vaakanainen played a regular shift today in a big SM-Liiga playoff game for JYP with the series tied 2-2. The coaches had no issues playing him regularly in such an important contest, and he didn’t disappoint..almost ending the game in overtime when he pinched in and took a shot on goal from ten feet […]
Heiskanen Sees the Ice Again
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The Fabulous Thunderbird?
I have great respect for my NHL scouting contacts and consider them to be among the very best talent evaluators on the planet. There are occasions when I disagree with one of their opinions, however, even when I’m only seeing a player on video, and one such instance this season concerns Seattle defenceman Jarret Tyszka. […]
Makar off like Bandits
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Brynas if you Will
The two teenaged forwards on Brynas have really moved up the pecking order in the SHL playoffs. Jesper Boqvist is really wheeling today…it looks like he’s gotten even quicker since he played for Timra…a very fast pace and he’s keeping up no problem. Working hard on the forecheck and getting back defensively no problem. He’s […]
Skating Around the Issue
Lots of folks on Twitter bring up Bo Horvat as an example of why Gabriel Vilardi should be ranked higher on Recrutes’ draft list because he improved his skating so much…well…the guys ranked in front of him are also very good players AND they skate well. Horvat was an exception, not the rule, and his […]
This Brook Lets his Play do the Babbling
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Bo Knows Hockey
Brynas is playing Linkopings in the first round of the SHL playoffs and the first game was today. Boqvist started the game on what was listed as the fourth line, but by the end of the game the trio was playing as much as anyone, and playing well. Boqvist was solid once again…I’ve never seen […]
Hischier Skills on Display
With Hischier’s recent drop in production one wondered if perhaps he was hitting a wall..then I looked at the video from his March 15 game versus PEI…and the Nico we’ve all come to love was in full display. We saw in the first two shifts why he’s ranked number one on our list…terrific speed, skill. […]
Marshall, Marshall, Marshall!
I got my first look at a 1998-born goalie that’s been getting lots of buzz in NHL scouting circles out west – Linden Marshall with the Trail Smoke Eaters. He made 33 saves and let in one in a 2-0 loss to Vernon tonight. If not for his performance the game would have been a […]
On the Storm Front
Isaac Ratcliffe has looked better again the last 3-4 games after a lull. Like him when he’s moving his feet and competing…certainly has some puck skills for a big guy…good hands.
The Gambler
Three seconds into his first shift I say to myself “that has to be Casey”. Mittelstadt stands out like a sore thumb in this league with his quickness, skill and anticipation. Been watching a lot of USHL hockey in the past two weeks and he was noticeable above all others I’ve seen as soon as he […]
Tri, Tri Again
Watched Valimaki again…he is not very agile without the puck..but with it..he makes those shifts that throw his opponent off…I guess it’s his pivots without the puck more than anything that are the concern…but he can move laterally okay when he has the black biscuit… it’s when he’s defending that he gets caught flat-footed […]
Life of Reilly
Seen four periods of Chicago. Defenceman Ben Mirageas has a very nice size/skating combo…stands out in the USHL. Limited offensive skills. He’s not going to go coast-to-coast with great dekes but he makes a smart and safe first pass. Looks like a 50-70 pick. Fellow defenceman Reilly Walsh has looked half decent so far…a little […]
The Battle of Waterloo
I watched Bowers versus Tolvanen tonight…clear edge to Bowers. Tolvanen started the game with three cross ice pass turnovers in his own zone…which never endeared him to scouts. Far too much standing around…while Bowers was the opposite…as always he was working and moving his feet. creating chances with his effort and speed. You could have […]
Last Chance for Slovak to Impress
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Virtanen Returns to Action in Finland
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Mitchell Spruces up the Attack
I watched Mitchell last night in first playoff game..he’s pretty solid defensively…smart positionally…no running around.. good feet. He makes some great shifts with the puck in the off. zone that throw off opponent. Looks like a pretty steady two-way defenceman. He was an integral part of Spruce Grove taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Glass Half Full
Watched Glass last night…beast mode again. He could have three points every night…he may get 150 next year Skating looked okay..and really responsible at both ends. He has to be in the top three mix…keeps doing this in the playoffs and who knows..a fellow socuts’ point point is very valid in 8 guys being in […]
Meet your Makar Mario
U-Mass Amherst is going to welcome two high-octane offensive defencemen with Cale Makar & Mario Ferraro joining the blueline next year. Instant offensive infusion for any college team.
Kids in the Hawel Part II
Liam Hawel is Guelph’s first-line center now..quite a jump from fourth line winger in Soo…you like to see improvement and this year he’s the CHL poster boy…really starting to look like Arnprior is going to finally develop an NHL player for the first time since Danny Fridgen. He gets stronger and he’s going to be […]
Jaret was Every Inch a Kailer
Kailer Yamamoto, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Hudson Elyniuk been put together in Spokane the last couple of weeks…and have been pretty dominant as Spokane’s top line. Will putting all of your eggs in one basket work in the playoffs? If a team can shut them down Spokane will be in trouble..but easier said than done with […]
Mr. Robertson’s Neighbourhood
Jason Robertson’s shot/release aren’t far off of Owen Tippet’s…. deadly from 25 feet out..about the 25th he’s scored there. Puck skills and ability to protect it are good too..and his vision and passing. How much better is his skating than Jonah Gadjovich…30 spots…50 spots? Guess that’s what needs to be figured out, some parallels though.. Gadjovich […]
Natural Formenton
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True Love Sweet Lias
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Hello, Yamamoto
I may like Dolan-Anderson a little more because of size/age…almost a year younger…but Yamamoto is a helluva smart skilled player. Will be one if the quandaries down the stretch, figuring out who is better.
A Gallant Effort
First time seeing Peterborough in months…Gallant has really improved, playing a ton in all situations, decent on the pk…18 pts in last 16 games Decent size, skates okay…has some jam. He’s really good on faceoffs. Looks like a top 80 pick at least.
My Dane is True
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No Finnish in their games
A better game from Kristian Vesalainen last night, but neither Finn forward (Eeli Tolvanen) has looked like a top-ten guy so far. They are not going to the scoring areas, nor have they been dangerous. After Hischier, the best DE forward has been Lias Andersson.
Miro Miro on the Ball
Miro Heiskanen has been the best Finnish prospect for me so far..the two Finn forward have disappointed. Interesting that he is ahead of Juolevi and Valimaki on the Finnish power play. Really steady and poised back there, great skater, excellent one-on-one defender. If Saarijarvi could find the open lanes and shoot Heiskanen has three or […]
And Therein Lias the Rub
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Stuck in the Mittelstadt with you
I wonder how much better Patrick Harper is than Casey Mittelstadt, who has always shined for the US national team? Why did they not bring him to the WJC for the experience? He’d have been in their top 6 by tournament’s end I think.
Like Sands Through the Hour Glass…
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Don’t be Russian to Conclusions
Klim Kostin looks great about three or four shifts a game as a rule….otherwise he borders on bust material…so inconsistent. Midway through the second some silly Russian was trying to stickhandle to the front of his own net..I’m thinking…who could be that dumb…seconds later the number 24 flashes by.
Lind me Your Ears
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How Great Dow Art
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Meet Your Makar
If Honka was a top 15 pick what does that make Makar? His skating and puck skills are a treat to watch. I loved him at last year’s tournament too…arguably better than Fabbro and Cholowski were. He went to the wrong junior camp – should have been at the WJC.
Oh Mikey You’re so Fine
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Go Westerlund, Young Man
I haven’t seen much offence from Filip Westerlund yet but taking care of his own end with smarts and skating. Will need to show some offensive skills to go top three rounds at his size I guess..but impressive that he’s on top pairing on a SHL team with two losses in Frolunda..and doesn’t look out of […]
Bryce yourself for the Misley, Brothers
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One too Many Henriks in Vancouver?
NHL teams might want to keep an eye on Frolunda dman Henrik Tommenes…third in SHL scoring with 25 points in 27 games. A 6-1 defenceman who skates well. and competing okay defensively. Vancouver gave up on him pretty quickly.
All your Girduckis in a row
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The Crotty Kid
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Kristian Value
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Necas the Brno Komet
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Petterson… She Won’t Bite
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A Salo Complexion
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Ostap it, You are Safin here
Safin’s consistency to compete and defence are concerns. I like him with the puck, not without it. Lots of skill, but you need to be willing to work hard and take a hit to make the next step.
Hyponiemi
I know Heponiemi is just 5-10 150 pounds.but man…he’s a dandy little player. Anywhere after 50 IMO that kid might end up being a great pick. One of the top skaters in the draft, especially in terms of edge work…he competes and is not afraid either. He makes a great behind the net pass back […]
Pop Goes the Warrior
Nikita Popaguev scored a beauty Saturday night…wrist shot from close to the blueline that was a rocket. His second goal, the GWG, was also a nice one…a quick one timer from the slot off the post. He has an excellent release and hard, accurate shot.
Swift Current Swirlings
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Pats putting teams on their backs
Regina is fun to watch..especially with Brooks back..they will be tough to beat in the west. Jake Leschyshyn is on a tear…21 points now..13th in the league. Decent skills and speed.wish he was a bit bigger but someone to see for sure. Zablocki is a 5-11 tank on his wing..good along the boards, 13 […]
Running up to Saskatoon – Kootenay Ice
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Victor Victoriaville – Shawinigan Shindig
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Kids in the Hawel
I like Liam Hawel’s upside..hope he gets traded…should be a third line center. Update January – Got my wish with his move to Guelph but he hasn’t taken advantage of the opportunity as of yet. Perhaps he’s a little out of shape given his lack of ice time in the Soo..will have to get in […]
Let me ask the Mississauga
I watched Missy vs. WSR last night…early edge to Valardi over Tippett. Great puck skills and vision…better playmaker for sure…but edge to Tippett in skating. He looked really good on a line with Brown and Addison. Tippett playing with McLeod and Bastian..no real chemistry yet. Hague was okay…not as high on him as some though. […]