Ranking the Top NHL Draft Rights-Expiry FAs: #15-28

Not Included

I decided that this list will not include those A. Have a contract for the 2020-21 season already, or B. Played the last season with an AHL/ECHL team.

This includes:

Liiga: Markus Nurmi (Ottawa, signed with TPS) and Jakob Stenqvist (Dallas, signed with Assat). 

DEL: Mathias From (Chicago, signed with Düsseldorfer EG)

Czech: Filip Helt (St. Louis, signed with HC Litvinov), Patrick Kudla (Arizona, signed with HC Litvinov), and Milan Kloucek (Nashville, signed with HC Dynamo Pardubice)

SHL: Hardy Häman Aktell (Nashville, signed with Växjö Lakers HC), Fredrik Karlström (Dallas, signed with Växjö Lakers HC), Linus Nässén (Florida, signed with Växjö Lakers HC), and Linus Lindström (Calgary, signed with Skellefteå AIK)

Division 1/Hockeyettan (3rd Tier Swedish Hockey): Philip Nyberg (Buffalo, signed with Lindlövens IF)

As well as:

AHL: Brett Murray (Buffalo, played 2019-20 with AHL affiliate in Rochester on AHL deal), Jacob Cederholm (Winnipeg, played 2019-20 with ECHL affiliate in Jacksonville on AHL deal), Jake Ryczek (Chicago, played 2019-20 with ECHL affiliate in Indianapolis on AHL deal), and Brandon Saigeon (Colorado, played 2019-20 with ECHL affiliate in Utah on AHL deal).

Now, the list!

28. Alfons Malmström

Drafted: Detroit Red Wings, 104th overall in 2016
Age: 21, Turns 22 on June 12th
Position: LD
Height: 6’4
Weight: 190 lbs
2019-20:  Östersunds IK of Hockeyettan (Division 1), 25 games, 2 assists, 4 PIM, +6

Alfons Malmstrom lands at the bottom of this list, and I find it very unlikely that he makes the move to North America any time soon. When picked in 2016, he was described as a classic Håkan Andersson pick, another Swedish gem. He was compared to Mattias Ekholm, with his size and defensive prowess being very similar. Unfortunately, he hasn’t panned out the same. He’s played in the 3rd tier of Swedish pro hockey, Hockeyettan. Malmstrom hasn’t developed his offensive game like the organization thought he could and hasn’t progressed through the rankings like they’d like him to.

All in all, I think it’s more likely that he signs with a Division 1 or Allsvenskan team instead.

27. Mattias Elfström 

Drafted: Detroit Red Wings, 197th overall in 2016
Age: Turned 23 on January 8th
Position: LW
Height: 6’4
Weight: 194 lbs
2019-20: IF Troja-Ljungby of Hockeyettan (Division 1), 35 games, 10 goals, 14 assists, 37 PIM, +11

Mattias Elfstrom is another Hakan Andersson pick from the 2016 draft for Detroit. Elfstrom was drafted in his D+1 year, and, at the time, was a pretty promising prospect. He’s known for being able to use his frame effectively, is a good skater, has a great shot, and good hands. Unfortunately, he hasn’t found the same promise he had earlier in his career when he was getting looks in the SHL. After his offensive touch didn’t translate to Allsvenskan, Elfstrom has found himself in Hockeyettan for the last two seasons, putting up respectable numbers, but not enough to get NHL interest. It’s more likely he signs with a Hockeyettan or Allsvenskan team.

26. Arvid Henrikson

Drafted: Montreal Canadiens, 187th overall in 2016
Age: Turned 22 on February 23rd
Position: RD
Height: 6’5
Weight: 212 lbs
2019-20: Lake Superior State University of the NCAA, 37 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 48 PIM, +2

Arvid Henrikson was a late-round flyer, a pick largely influenced by scout Christer Rockstrom. He’s known as a stay-at-home defenseman, with good skating for his size, but isn’t really a factor offensively. His development path has taken a lot of twists and turns. He was drafted as a top prospect in AIK’s system, getting time with the main team in Allsvenskan.

He then moved on to Orebro HK, taking a similar role in the organization as a top prospect getting a stint in the SHL. Then he moved on to North America, with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. He played 29 games there before playing 10 games with the Austin Bruins of the NAHL. Last season, he played with Lake Superior State University, but he hasn’t developed enough to warrant an ELC from Montreal. With LSSU, he finished 3rd in blocked shots team-wide. He’ll likely continue his career in the NCAA or play back home in Sweden.

25. Wouter Peeters

Drafted: Chicago Blackhawks, 83rd overall in 2016
Age: 21, turns 22 on July 31st
Position: G
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220 lbs
2019-20: Guildford Flames of the EIHL, 17 games, 9-7, .901 SV%, 3.13 GAA

Wouter Peeters may have one of the most interesting careers of anyone on this list. At 21, Peeters has played in his native Belgium, played junior in Austria, continued in Finland with Jokerit, played more junior hockey in the USHL, made his pro debut in the 3rd tier Finnish hockey league, and, this season, played the season in England, in the EIHL. He’s only really put promising numbers in his time in Guildford, in fact, he was the only U22 goaltender to 1. Play over 10 games, and 2. Have an SV% over .900, with .901.

Overall, I think Peeters has an interesting career ahead of him, but he’ll need a few years developing in Europe before he’ll even think about making the move across the pond.

24. David Bernhardt 

Drafted: Philadelphia Flyers, 199th overall in 2016
Age: 22, turns 23 on December 1st
Position: LD
Height: 6’3
Weight: 203 lbs
2019-20: SaiPa of Liiga, 33 games, 1 goal, 7 assists, 12 PIM, -2. Vaxjo Lakers HC of the SHL, 9 games, 2 PIM, -2

David Bernhardt was a late-round flyer for the Flyers in 2016. He’s known for being a puck-moving defenseman who can skate well, and his size means he could use it to his advantage on defense. After playing most of his career in Sweden, Bernhardt made the move to SaiPa of Finland. Bernhardt has been decent, but he hasn’t progressed to the point where the Flyers feel as if they want to go out of their way to sign him.

Anyways, the news release after Bernhardt transferred to SaiPa implies that he signed a long-term deal, so I’m not certain that he’ll even be an FA. If he is, I think he has a shot at becoming an NHLer, but only after a few more years of development in Europe.

23. Dennis Busby 

Drafted: Arizona Coyotes, 145th overall in 2018
Age: Turned 20 on January 6th
Position: RD
Height: 5’11
Weight: 190 lbs
2019-20: Flint Firebirds of the OHL, 63 games, 5 goals, 22 assists, 33 PIM, +5

Dennis Busby may be the most unlucky player on this list. Busby missed all but two games in his draft year and was only able to play 27 games the next year, suffering a broken foot and two collarbone/shoulder injuries. When healthy, Busby is an amazing skater. He’s known as an offensive defenseman, and it’s shown at times throughout the years. Admittedly, Busby is way too low on this list, but it’s because of injury concerns for me. He lost key development time and didn’t produce as much as one would want him to in his final year.

The alternate captain of the Flint Firebirds could be a steal for any organization that signs him, but it’s possible he goes back for an OA year or commits to a USports program.

22. Jordan Kooy

Drafted: Vegas Golden Knights, 208th overall in 2018
Age: Turned 20 on April 30th
Position: G
Height: 6’2
Weight: 192 lbs
2019-20: London Knights of the OHL, 5 games, 0-2-2, 4.65 GAA, .842 SV%. Sarnia Sting of the OHL, 6 games, 3-3, 4.53 GAA, .889 SV%. Oshawa Generals of the OHL, 21 games, 9-7-4, 3.29 GAA, .901 SV%.

Jordan Kooy had a rocky 2019-20 campaign to say the least. After struggling mightily in London to start the season, he was flipped in exchange for overage goaltender Dylan Myskiw and a future 3rd round pick. In Sarnia, he fared better, but didn’t perform as well as expected, and was flipped to Oshawa for a 2020 2nd rounder, a 2022 5th rounder, and a conditional 2024 4th rounder.

In Oshawa, Kooy performed much better, putting up a .901 SV% as he relieved minutes for 18-year-old goalie Zachary Paputsakis.

Before this season, Kooy showed a lot of promise with the London Knights, having made the OHL Second All-Rookie Team and impressing as a backup/1B to Joseph Raaymakers. Unfortunately, Kooy wasn’t able to impress in the starting role, and that’s likely why he hasn’t been signed by Vegas.

Kooy could go the USports route, but he could be an interesting project for any organization that takes a chance on him, he showed a bright potential in his earlier seasons with the Knights.

21. Linus Högberg

Drafted: Philadelphia Flyers, 139th overall in 2018
Age: 21, turns 22 on September 4th
Position: LD
Height: 6’1
Weight: 176 lbs
2019-20: Vaxjo Lakers HC of the SHL, 50 games, 5 goals, 9 assists, 12 PIM, -12

Linus Hogberg is known as a defensive defenseman, but his game also features some offense. He’s improved his point totals in each of his last 5 SHL seasons. Hogberg comes off as pretty close to NHL ready, likely only needing a couple of seasons in the AHL to get used to the North American game. The Lakers signalled that Hogberg likely wasn’t returning to the organization, which could be an indication of him switching SHL clubs, but it could also mean a willingness to shift to NA. 

It doesn’t look like there’s a specific reason that the team hasn’t re-signed Hogberg, but he looks like a solid option in the future. Maybe not enough to get a team to go out of their way to lure him out of Sweden though, he’ll likely sign with another SHL team.

20. Giovanni Vallati

Drafted: Winnipeg Jets, 153rd overall in 2018
Age: Turned 20 on February 21st
Position: LD
Height: 6’2
Weight: 198 lbs
2019-20: Oshawa Generals of the OHL, 61 games, 1 goal, 26 assists, 49 PIM, 10

Giovanni Vallati is known as a mobile, offensive defenseman. During the 2018-19 season, Vallati improved his offensive game very notably, finishing 15th among OHL defensemen in points and tied for 13th in assists, leading Generals defensemen in points, goals, and assists.

However, his totals took a dip this season. Whether it was the emergence of Lleyton Moore and Nico Gross or the fact that the team as a whole wasn’t doing as well as it had the year before, Vallati scored only a goal and had 26 assists. Those aren’t bad numbers, but the drop in production is a red flag for someone in the last year of their non-OA eligibility.

Vallati’s subpar season is likely why he hasn’t been signed yet, but I could still see him getting an AHL deal. I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes in for an overage season as well.

19. Alex Kannok-Leipert

Drafted: Washington Capitals, 161st overall in 2018
Age: 19, turning 20 on July 20th
Position: RD
Height: 6’0
Weight: 194 lbs
2019-20: Vancouver Giants of the WHL, 62 games, 3 goals, 19 assists, 60 PIM, +17

Alex Kannok-Leipert is known as a gritty, stay-at-home defenseman, who can chip in offensively.

He’s consistently put up around 20 points in three full WHL seasons, but his solid defensive play and leadership skills earned him the ‘C’ this season in Vancouver. 

Overall, Kannok-Leipert is an all-around solid player, he could definitely contend for an AHL contract. I think he could be a solid bottom-pairing defenseman one day.

18. Blade Jenkins

Drafted: New York Islanders, 134th overall in 2018
Age: 19, turning 20 on August 11th
Position: C
Height: 6’1
Weight: 194 lbs
2019-20: Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, 47 games, 16 goals, 24 assists, 18 PIM, +12

If prospects were judged for their names alone, Blade Jenkins would have his number retired in multiple leagues already. Blade Jenkins is known as a very talented offensive player. In fact, he fell hard in the 2018 Draft, he was set to go in the top 60 to some. 

There are several concerns with him though. After a promising D+1 season where he scored 59 points in 67 games, Jenkins’ production actually dropped in his D+2 year, his 40 points in 47 games only put him at 57 points on a 67-game pace. It’s not a great sign when your production has fallen in your last year, as we’ve seen a lot of prospects shine brightest in that position.

Jenkin’s thing is scoring. He has a great shot, he’s a great playmaker, and has great size, so you want to see those numbers go up. Aside from that, he has a lot to work on. His skating is a cause for concern, along with his play away from the puck.

The Jackson, MI native likely won’t go the USports route, after all, he did forgo a planned NCAA career to play in the OHL. I think he’s a very solid high-risk, high-reward talent for an AHL team to take a shot on, or he’ll go back to Saginaw to impress in his OA year.

17. Milos Roman

Drafted: Calgary Flames, 122nd overall in 2018
Age: Turned 20 on January 10th
Position: C
Height: 6’0
Weight: 192 lbs
2019-20: Vancouver Giants of the WHL, 62 games, 24 goals, 23 assists, 28 PIM, +17

Milos Roman is a very interesting prospect to me. Roman has been described as a great playmaker, with an amazing hockey IQ. His hockey sense allows him to be a good two-way winger, and many have pointed out his first steps when skating as a strength.

By looking at his stat line, you can immediately see a concern. After a very strong D+1 campaign, Roman’s point totals took a 13-point dip, even though he played three more games. That’s a huge red flag for a player that took up an OA spot on the Giants this season.

After taking a closer look, it’s evident that, after a year of being an absolute force on the power play, Roman just didn’t get it done there this season.

I think Roman likely would’ve gotten an ELC if he was able to improve on his production, but the drop may drive teams away.

For more information, though, I went to the one person that I trust most when talking about Slovakian Prospects, Samuel Tirpak of Dobber Prospects and Oh My Hockey. Tirpak said, although Roman does have great skating ability and is a very smart player, he doesn’t have enough of a top-level skill to become a difference-maker at the NHL level.

Instead, he said that Roman would likely be better suited to become a middle-six centre in the KHL one day, and could move closer to home by playing in the Czech league next season.

16. Eric Florchuk

Drafted: Washington Capitals, 217th overall in 2018
Age: Turned 20 on January 10th
Position: C
Height: 6’2
Weight: 179 lbs
2019-20: Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, 33 games, 11 goals, 13 assists, 20 PIM, +4. Vancouver Giants of the WHL, 25 games, 10 goals, 23 assists, 2 PIM, -2.

For 2018’s “Mr. Irrelevant”, Eric Florchuk has done a great job at keeping his relevance. Overall, Florchuk is just really solid. That’s his game, he’s not going to make your eyes pop out. He’s solid offensively, he’s solid defensively, he’s a solid skater. He has solid size, although his frame still has room to fill.

Florchuk struggled a bit out of the gate. He was on pace for slightly less than his previous season’s point total, with 24 points in 33 games, which isn’t very great for an older, bigger player, who is expected to produce more. Saskatoon opted to flip him for futures, trading him and a 2021 7th round pick for a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, and Evan Patrician. In Vancouver, Florchuk’s production looked a lot better, with 9 more points in 8 fewer games. 

I can definitely see the case for Florchuk being higher. He’s set to be a great bottom-six player in the NHL one day. The main concern for me is, what was the difference-maker that increased his production from Saskatoon to Vancouver? I also think he’ll benefit from adding more muscle.

Florchuk might be better off taking an OA year, considering the success he had in Vancouver, it could strengthen his odds of getting an ELC. 

15. Alexis Gravel

Drafted: Chicago Blackhawks, 167th overall in 2018
Age: Turned 20 on March 21st
Position: G
Height: 6’3
Weight: 218 lbs
2019-20: Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, 40 games, 12-23-3, 3.96 GAA, .893 SV%

To say that Alexis Gravel had a disastrous season might actually be an insult to the word “disaster”. 

Last season, Gravel had a spectacular year, boasting a .913 SV% as he helped Halifax to the Memorial Cup Finals. Although he didn’t get the desired result, his performance landed him on the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, and he was named the tournament’s top goalie.

This season… went differently. As Halifax underperformed, so did Gravel. His record was a far cry from the year before, and his SV% took a 20-point dip. 

Looking at his advanced stats does comfort the blow, but not that much. He looked to be a slightly-above-average goalie in the QMJHL, his 4.75 goals saved above average (GSAA) put him at 13th league-wide, but with his Even Strength GSAA in the negatives, even the numbers paint some concern for Gravel.

So why is he ranked so high? Something, something, goalies are voodoo, but I feel as if Gravel has shown enough in the past to make me feel as if he has lots of potential.

He could opt for an OA year, or the USports route, but I can also see an organization give him at least an AHL deal. He’s a gamble, but I think he’s shown enough for teams to feel that the reward is there, and I feel as if he can become an NHL goalie one day.

That’s it for this article! There are a lot of gems on this list in my opinion. Keep an eye out for my list with #1-15! Do you want your team to sign any of these FAs?

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