NHL Central Scouting released its Preliminary Players to Watch List on Tuesday morning. Undoubtedly, numerous players who made the list won’t be selected at the 2021 draft, while others who were left off will hear their names called.
I used to get worked up about the list. There are certainly several players on the list who have no business being on any draft board. However, area scouts for all 32 NHL organizations benefit from more players being on the list. With the current craziness in the world, if area scouts have more excuses to get to the rinks, that can only be considered a good thing.
I’m not going to single out players who shouldn’t be on this list, but I do want to bring up several first-year-eligible prospects who I believe were ranked too low or omitted entirely. Below are players who will be drafted higher than NHL Central Scouting suggested in its Preliminary Players to Watch List.
Rated too low
Aiden Hreschuk
USA NTDP U-18, 2/19/03, D, left shot, 5-11/180
NCAA commit: Boston College
Hreschuk is a top-three-round pick in my mind. I was shocked when I saw the letter ‘C’ next to his name on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List. The Long Beach, Calif., native long has been considered one of the top defensemen in this age group. He’s a smart, two-way defenseman who keeps things simple. He had four goals and 20 assists in 49 games last season for the NTDP U-17 team.
Jack Peart
Fargo Force, 5/15/03, D, left shot, 5-11/174
NCAA commit: St. Cloud
Peart, who also received a ‘C’ rating, is a player who I see being picked in the top three rounds of the 2021 draft. The Grand Rapids, Minn., native is a smooth, smart defenseman with elite skating and puck-moving capabilities. He has five assists in three preseason games with Fargo.
Gleb Veremyev
Lincoln Stars, 6/28/03, C, left shot, 6-3/190
NCAA commit: Penn State
Veremyev has played in two preseason games and has been held scoreless, but NHL Central Scouting needs to draw on his history. He’s a huge power forward who can score. He has good hands and can snipe. The Monroe Township, N.J., native does a good job of cycling pucks below the dot and finding open teammates. Veremyev, who played for the New Jersey Rockets the last couple of years, should be a top-three-round pick.
Snubbed entirely
Tyler Haskins
Sioux Falls Stampede, 7/7/03, C, left shot, 6-1/155
NCAA commit: Michigan
I’ve always liked Haskins more than others, but his omission is bizarre to me. He has good size and plays a smart game. He can drive the net, protect pucks and produce. He hasn’t gotten into any games in the preseason with Sioux Falls, but he’s infinitely better than some players who made this list.
Connor Pelc
New Jersey Titans, 4/28/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/195
NCAA commit: Providence
Pelc is off to a slow start with zero points in four games with the Titans in the NAHL. However, his body of work over the past 18 months needs to be considered. He should be commended for opting to challenge himself in junior hockey rather than playing comfortably at the 18-U level. He’s a big winger who skates well, plays hard and can shoot it with zip. There’s no question in my mind that Pelc is drafted in 2021 or 2022.
Clint Levens
Sioux Falls Stampede, 6/19/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/180
Levens played for Florida Alliance 16-U last season. The Windermere, Fla., native is a big, powerful wing who plays the game like a pro. He uses his size and strength to hit hard, win battles and create space for linemates. He has more skill than he’s given credit for, but he projects as a third- or fourth-line wing at the pro level. He has an assist in three preseason games with Sioux Falls.
Brendan Fitzgerald
Governor’s, 3/6/03, D, left shot, 5-11/160
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
There was only one skater from New England who I was surprised to see omitted from the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List. Fitzgerald, from North Reading, Mass., is drastically better than several who made the list. While his skating can be questioned, he’s able to move pucks north and contribute offensively. He plays with jam, defends well on the rush, and has a good stick. I’m not sure he ever makes it to the NHL. If I had to project, I’d say he eventually finds his way onto an AHL roster, after his college career with New Hampshire. I’m not arguing he’s a sure-fire draft pick, but his omission coupled with the names of others on the list is comical.
