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Raty was once considered to be among the top prospects available in 2021, but a down year hurt his stock. Nevertheless, he was still ranked third among all European skaters by NHL Central Scouting entering the draft.
He posted dominant numbers as he rose through the ranks of the Finnish junior system, but his offensive production has slowed since 2019-20. Raty should still feature prominently for Finland at the 2022 world juniors and has plenty of time to rediscover the form that had many believing he should've been a lottery pick.
What they're saying
"I've seen enough over the years to still believe in the player, but it's fair to say I approach him with a large degree of caution," said The Athletic's Corey Pronman in his final draft rankings.
"He has skill in his game. He has quick-twitch hands and is great at handling the puck in small areas. He's a fine, albeit awkward, skater who makes skilled plays on the move but needs to add more pace to his game. His playmaking and shot are both solid quality, but neither are spectacular. He has some physicality to his game and brings energy to shifts."
Bourgault's third QMJHL season was a shortened one due to the pandemic, but he still managed to impress. His 1.38 point-per-game rate in 2020-21 followed a strong 2019-20 campaign in which he racked up 33 goals and 38 assists over 63 contests.
The Quebec native's October 2002 birthday allowed him to play three junior campaigns before being drafted, and he collected a combined 131 points over 154 regular-season games in that span.
Bourgault was projected by most experts as a mid-to-late first-round pick.
NHL Central Scouting slotted him in 13th among North American skaters on its final rankings.
What they're saying
"Bourgault stands out with the puck on his stick," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "He's confident, attempting to make difficult dekes and passes and executing at a solid frequency."
"I wouldn't describe Bourgault as a physical player or the first guy over the boards on the penalty kill, but he backchecks well enough and creates turnovers with his hustle," Pronman added. "In a sentence, Bourgault projects as a middle-six NHL forward, likely on the wing."
"(Bourgault is) an excellent finisher who works best in the offensive zone," Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino wrote. "(He's) an underrated playmaker, too."
"(His) game doesn't leap off the ice at you but he's dangerous in a variety of ways, with a deceptive release that comes off of his blade early in his shooting motion and (a) stance to surprise goalies ... and good playmaking instincts inside the offensive zone," wrote The Athletic's Scott Wheeler, who viewed Bourgault as a future middle-six forward.
Cossa was Central Scouting's top-ranked North American goalie, and for good reason. The 18-year-old has posted dominant numbers in the WHL the past two seasons, and his blend of size and technical skill make him a can't-miss prospect - even though drafting netminders in the first round has become less frequent in recent years.
The young backstop's likely a few years away from making an impact in the pros, but with the right development, Cossa could be the next big thing - literally - in the NHL's goaltending landscape.
What they're saying
"His athletic toolkit is very intriguing as a 6-foot-6 goalie who can move very well for that size," said The Athletic's Corey Pronman in his final prospect rankings.
"He covers a lot of net with his length. He has some quick twitch in his frame in how he moves around the net and gets in and out of his butterfly. Cossa’s reads are typically great. He loses track of some pucks and can be a bit busy in the net but usually anticipates the play very well. I love his selective aggressiveness with his positioning, and how he takes away angles with his size as well as how well he uses his stick to break up a lot of plays."
Most experts and insiders expected Power to be the No. 1 pick, though he wasn't as much of a slam dunk as Alexis Lafreniere last year. Nevertheless, the towering blue-liner oozes potential.
NHL Central Scouting named Power the No. 1 North American skater on its final rankings. He impressed during his freshman season with the Wolverines after playing two campaigns for the USHL's Chicago Steel. That league named him defenseman of the year in 2019-20 after he led all players at the position with 40 points over 45 games.
The Ontario-born rearguard also contributed internationally, helping Canada claim gold at the World Championship in Latvia back in May while producing three assists over 10 games.
Matthew Beniers - Center, Michigan (NCAA)
Beniers had an incredible freshman season with Michigan, ranking third among rookies in points in the NCAA. His season was ultimately cut short due to COVID-19 cancellations, but he's indicated that he may return to college for at least one more campaign.
Despite being the youngest player on Team USA's roster at the 2021 world juniors, Beniers played a vital role in helping lead his team to a gold medal. Centering the second line, he recorded one goal and two assists.
William Eklund - Left wing, Djurgarden (SHL)
Eklund was arguably the top prospect from outside North America in this draft, as NHL Central Scouting slotted him No. 1 among European skaters in its final rankings.
That distinction was warranted, given how well Eklund played in one of the world's best professional leagues at just 18 years old. The promising winger did so despite testing positive for COVID-19 - which forced him to miss the world juniors - and undergoing an appendectomy.
Dylan Guenther - Right wing, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Guenther averaged two points per game for the Oil Kings during the WHL's abbreviated 2020-21 season and is one of the most dynamic offensive talents in this class.
Guenther also proved himself on the international stage this season, notching four goals and three assists in seven contests at the Under-18 World Championship to help Canada win gold.
Mason McTavish - Center, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
McTavish played in Switzerland's second-tier league during the COVID-19 pandemic, posting 11 points in 13 games. He was also one of Canada's top players at the Under-18 worlds, captaining the team to a gold medal. McTavish is a bona fide power forward who's proved he can score goals in bunches.
A big center with a high hockey IQ, McTavish knows where to be on the ice at all times to help make the right play. He may not possess the elite all-around talent of some other top prospects, but his rare blend of size, speed, and skill can make him a legitimate threat in the NHL.
Luke Hughes - Defense, USNTDP (USHL)
Luke is the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks blue-liner Quinn Hughes and New Jersey Devils pivot Jack Hughes. As a defenseman, Luke will draw more comparisons to Quinn, but he shares traits with both of his NHL siblings.
Like his brothers, Luke is a world-class skater. He has great straight-line speed, but his edge work and agility are arguably even better. He's also four inches taller than Quinn and three inches taller than Jack, giving him substantial upside.
Now that every NHL team has submitted its list of protected players for Wednesday's expansion draft, the Seattle Kraken can officially start to decide who they want to select.
Several big-name players have been made available, including Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, and Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano. There are also plenty of stars who were left unprotected - such as Alex Ovechkin and Gabriel Landeskog - that are also impending free agents.
Let's take a look at which players Kraken general manager Ron Francis will be able to snatch from each club.
Single-game sports betting is set to become legal in Canada after Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, was officially passed in the Senate of Canada on Tuesday.
The private member's bill - sponsored by Conservative MP Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon-Grasswood) - passed without amendment, by a vote of 57 to 20 (five abstentions). Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government will decide on a date when the legalization of single-game sports betting will take effect.
The UPDATE you’ve been waiting for: Bill #C218 has officially passed in the Senate & will become law in the coming days. I’m honoured to have worked to make single-event sports betting legal in Canada. #cdnpoli#nlpoli@KevinWaugh_CPC@SenateCA
The bill signals a major shift in Canada: single-game sports betting has been legal in the country but only via parlay wagers. Canadians will now have the ability to bet on single-game matches across sports (excluding horse racing), with the government set to collect taxes on estimated billions of dollars currently being wagered illegally.
Waugh issued a statement Tuesday evening celebrating the passage of the bill, calling it "a victory for Canadian sport, sport fans, and businesses." He added:
Following this legislation becoming law, provincial governments will be responsible for implementing regulations and wagering operators in their jurisdictions. I call on provincial governments to act as quickly as possible to get the necessary regulations and licenses in place so that all Canadians can begin to place their wagers.
Tap here to sign up and receive updates on when theScore's sportsbook, theScore Bet, will go live in Ontario.
Barzal isn't quite elite, but the young Islanders star is capable of breaking a game open at any time with his speed and puckhandling abilities. New York's emphasis on defense doesn't always qualify as must-see TV, but Barzal can singlehandedly make the team worth watching.
19. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
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G
A
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ATOI
48
8
25
33
24:21
Josi isn't in the Norris Trophy conversation this season after winning the award last year, but he's still one of the most dangerous defensemen in the league. He led the Predators in scoring with 33 points this campaign while averaging a whopping 24:21 of ice time per game.
18. Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
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GP
G
A
P
ATOI
56
24
33
57
19:28
Aho's presence as a premier two-way center flies under the radar on a league-wide scale. Carolina's top pivot does it all and was dominant last postseason with 12 points in nine games. This year, he enters the dance with 19 points in his final 15 regular-season contests. Expect him to play a huge role in the Canes' Cup aspirations.
17. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning
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56
23
25
48
18:26
Point's production was down just slightly this season, but he's been known to take his game up a level come playoff time. The 5-foot-10 pivot led all players in goals (14) last postseason en route to the Stanley Cup and has amassed 50 points across 44 playoff outings.
16. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
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GP
G
A
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ATOI
48
20
28
48
18:37
Pastrnak is far too high on this list based on his 2020-21 output alone, especially considering he skates alongside a pair of the game's best two-way players. However, the 24-year-old can fill the net in bunches and has a strong postseason track record (53 points in 52 games).
15. Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche
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52
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36
66
19:55
Rantanen is done proving he's far more than just Nathan MacKinnon's sidekick. The 24-year-old potted at least 29 goals for the third time in his six-year career in 2021, and what he's done this season is even more remarkable considering it's a shortened campaign.
14. Patrice Bergeron, Bruins
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54
23
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48
18:13
Bergeron continues to be one of the most effective two-way centers in the league, even at 35 years old. He controls play at a ridiculous pace and helps generate a ton of offense on Boston's top line. He's one of the most experienced playoff players in the league and will look to guide the surging Bruins to yet another lengthy playoff run this postseason.
13. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
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44
24
18
42
19:31
We all know what Ovechkin brings to the table by now - he scores goals at will and is the heartbeat of the Capitals attack. However, he enters the playoffs on the heels of an injury, and his goals per game this season (0.53) was his lowest since 2017 and the fourth lowest of his illustrious career.
12. Brad Marchand, Bruins
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18:55
One of the league's most versatile talents, Marchand contributes at an elite level all over the ice and in all situations. The Bruins pest sitsthirdin scoring this season, and whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying that rostering a talent like Marchand is every team's dream come playoff time.
11. Cale Makar, Avalanche
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GP
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ATOI
44
8
36
44
24:19
Makar likely would've been the front-runner for the Norris Trophy if he hadn't missed 12 games earlier in the season. The 22-year-old is easily the game's most dynamic offensive defenseman, but his defensive metrics this year were also off the charts. Thanks to his elite skating ability, Makar seems like a player who can log nearly 30 minutes per night in the playoffs if necessary.
With the Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin Saturday, we rank the top 30 players who will compete for the ultimate prize (2020-21 stats in tables):
30-21 | 20-11 (May 14) | 10-1 (May 15)
30. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
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51
5
25
30
24:00
McAvoy probably won't win the Norris Trophy this season, but he's been in the conversation all year long on the strength of his excellent play. The Bruins depend heavily upon the 23-year-old with Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara now playing elsewhere, and McAvoy has proven worthy of the increased responsibility.
29. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
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Record
GAA
SV%
GSAA
23-17-3
2.60
.915
9.4
Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, was rock-solid again this season, and he's a major reason why the Jets find themselves in the postseason at all. Winnipeg allowed the fifth-most scoring chances (1,565) and second-most high-danger scoring chances (678) in 2020-21, but Hellebuyck held the fort. He has the skills to backstop the Jets to a lengthy playoff run.
28. Mark Scheifele, Jets
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55
21
40
61
21:00
Scheifele is vital to the Jets' offense and enters the playoffs after averaging 1.11 points per game in his most productive regular season yet. He suffered an injury early in last year's qualifying round, and Winnipeg wasn't able to survive without its top pivot.
27. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
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G
A
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ATOI
55
27
24
51
18:18
Kaprizov is already one of the league's must-watch talents just 55 games into his NHL career. The Wild's 24-year-old star is scoring at an elite rate and will likely win the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie this season. Kaprizov embraces the spotlight and seems like the type of player who will take his game to another level in the postseason.
26. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
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33
8
20
28
17:44
It's been a difficult year for Malkin, both in terms of his health and goal-scoring. The Penguins star said he feels fine after leaving Saturday's game as a precaution. He may not be capable of replicating his playoff performances of old, but the once-dominant center is still a threat to impact postseason games.
25. Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights
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53
8
34
42
22:33
Theodore continues to be one of the most under-the-radar elite defensemen in the NHL. He ranks third among Golden Knights skaters with 42 points and has averaged 22:38 of ice time per game. He's one of the league's biggest offensive threats from the blue line and a vital cog in Vegas' potent lineup.
24. Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes
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55
10
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42
22:43
Hamilton turned in yet another brilliant campaign for the Hurricanes this season, finishing top 10 in scoring among defensemen and first in shots on goal - all while controlling 57.17% of expected goals at five-on-five. He plays a key role in Carolina's up-tempo style, and a strong playoff run could soon have the pending unrestricted free agent in line for an eight-figure salary.
23. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers
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55
20
41
61
18:25
Huberdeau is one of the game's top playmakers and will look to lead the Panthers to their first playoff series win since 1996. The dynamic winger ranks seventh among all NHL skaters in assists and produced at a 90-point pace over 82 games for the third consecutive campaign. With just 10 career playoff games under his belt, the 27-year-old will be hungry to seize the opportunity.
22. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
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0
0
0
0
0
Kucherov is perhaps the biggest question mark entering these playoffs. Will he be fully healthy after missing the entire regular season? If so, will there be any rust to kick off? If there is, how quickly can he return to his usual dynamic form? The Lightning superstar would obviously be far higher up this list in a normal year, but it's unclear how much he'll be able to contribute.
21. Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues
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55
24
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53
20:51
The 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner turned in another incredible season with the Blues this year. O'Reilly's two-way game is impeccable, and he's proven over the past two seasons that he doesn't slow down come playoff time; he ranks fifth among all players with 34 points in 35 playoff games since 2019. If the Blues can catch fire with O'Reilly leading the way, they'll be as tough an out as any team.
The 2021 IIHF World Championship runs from May 21 to June 6 in Riga, Latvia. Follow along for all of the roster commitments ahead of the tournament opener.
