Top NHL draftees playing in NCAA Tournament

Buffalo Sabres: Owen Power, D, Michigan; Devon Levi, G, Northeastern

The Sabres have an embarrassment of riches in their prospect system and have a number of quality players in this tournament. That includes No. 1 overall pick Owen Power, who has been excellent in all facets of the game when he’s been available. He went to the world juniors and the Olympics, which cost him eight games of action. His numbers don’t jump out at you, but he’s averaged nearly a point per game and dominates play pretty much every time he’s on the ice.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t write about the Sabres prospects and not include Devon Levi. Acquired from Florida in the Sam Reinhart trade, Levi is currently having the best season by an NCAA goalie since Ryan Miller won the Hobey Baker in 2001. Levi has an insane .952 save percentage over 31 games, 10 shutouts and a 1.52 goals-against average. He is a Hobey Baker top-10 finalist, and I personally think he should win the award, but I don’t get a vote.

Other Sabres prospects: Ryan Johnson, Minnesota; Aaron Huglen, Minnesota; Matteo Costantini, North Dakota; Erik Portillo, Michigan

Calgary Flames: Matt Coronato, RW, Harvard

After a so-so start to the season, Coronato has been on fire of late and is now Harvard’s leading scorer with 35 points in 33 games, including a team-best 18 goals. Coronato scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the ECAC championship game to put Harvard into the NCAA tournament. In five games during the conference playoffs, Coronato had 10 points.

Other Flames prospects: Jake Boltmann, Notre Dame

Carolina Hurricanes: Scott Morrow, D, UMass

One of the top-scoring defensemen in the country as a true freshman, Morrow has far exceeded preseason expectations. He has 33 points including 13 goals, which is second for UMass in both categories. He has incredible skill but is still prone to the big mistake that can cost his team. Still, you’d have to say the good has outweighed the bad in his rookie collegiate season.

Other Hurricanes prospects: Massimo Rizzo, Denver; Lucas Mercuri, UMass; Jake Kucharski, AIC

Chicago Blackhawks: Wyatt Kaiser, D, Chicago Blackhawks

Kaiser is one of the most polished young defensemen in college hockey. His mobility and defensive sense are top notch. Additionally, his puck-moving and offensive know-how have come a long way in the last two years. He has 17 points in 32 games but logs insane minutes as UMD’s top defenseman.

Other Blackhawks prospects: Ryder Rolston, Notre Dame; Slava Demin, UMass; Connor Kelley, Minnesota Duluth

Colorado Avalanche: Sean Behrens, D, Denver

The Avs dealt away two of their top defensive prospects but managed to hold on to Behrens who has really taken off this year. He has 28 points in 33 games as a freshman, logs power play time and can play in all situations. He’s a good skater and high-end puck mover who can take over a shift when needed.

Other Avalanche prospects: Nick Lievermann, Notre Dame; Taylor Makar, UMass

Columbus Blue Jackets: Kent Johnson, LW, Michigan

One of the most purely skilled players anywhere, Johnson has really improved in getting inside and maximizing his offensive sense.  Despite missing 10 games this season, he is fourth for Michigan with 35 points in 29 games. He is probably the best playmaker in college hockey and while he only has eight goals this season, he is still a dangerous scoring threat, too.

Dallas Stars: Ben Brinkman, D, Minnesota

The Stars don’t have a ton of top-end college prospects and neither of the defensemen they have in the tournament are surefire NHLers. However, Brinkman has settled into a regular role on Minnesota’s loaded blueline and provides a physical element as a senior. He moves well and when he does lower the boom, it can be devastating.

Other Stars prospects: Jack Bar, Harvard

Detroit Red Wings: Carter Mazur, RW, Denver

A third-round pick as a re-entry in the last draft, Mazur has continued his strong play as a freshman at Denver. The NCHC all-rookie selection had 35 points in 37 games and played in all situations for the Pioneers. He has a good mix of speed, grit and skill to make him an especially versatile top-six forward for one of the nation’s top offensive teams.

Other Red Wings prospects: Shai Buium, Denver; Antti Tuomisto, Denver; Cooper Moore, North Dakota; Jack Adams, Notre Dame; Kyle Aucoin, Harvard

Edmonton Oilers: Carter Savoie, LW, Denver

One of the best goal-scorers in college hockey over the last two seasons, Savoie is part of the NCAA’s most dangerous scoring line with Bobby Brink and Cole Guttman. He had 20 goals and 42 points in 35 games this season. Savoie is a shifty player who has good one-on-one skills, which opens up ice for him.

Other Oilers prospects: Skylar Brind’Amour, Quinnipiac

Florida Panthers: Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Michigan

A speedy forward with skill, Samoskevich gets overshadowed on the loaded Wolverines roster. He was rumored to be a potential piece in the Claude Giroux trade, but the Cats held onto the freshman and certainly have high hopes for him. He had 28 points in 37 games for Michigan this year. He’s down their lineup but likely plays a huge role in the future.

Other Panthers prospects: Michael Benning, Denver

Los Angeles Kings: Brock Faber, D, Minnesota

One of the best pure defenders in college hockey, Faber is an elite skater who is starting to find a little more of his offensive game as he progresses. He can change the course of a shift with the way he plays in his own zone and can get pucks up the ice. There’s nothing flashy about Faber’s game, but everything he does is efficient.

Other Kings prospects: David Hrenak, St. Cloud State; Andre Lee, UMass-Lowell; Ben Meehan, UMass-Lowell; Alex Laferriere, Harvard

Minnesota Wild: Sam Hentges, C, St. Cloud State

The Wild fans probably have school allegiances all over the tournament, but their two prospects in the tournament both play for St. Cloud State and have put forward very strong performances. Hentges missed some time this season, but he had 20 points in 19 games and really showcased his skill well enough to make the U.S. Olympic team. He’s a senior leader for this team that is loaded with experience.

Other Wild prospects: Jack Peart, St. Cloud State

Montreal Canadiens: Jordan Harris, D, Northeastern

Harris came up in GM Kent Hughes’ recent town hall because he has the option to explore free agency. Harris decided to return to school and has helped Northeastern reach the NCAA tournament with solid two-way play. He moves pucks well and has solid mobility, which helped him register 20 points in 38 games so far this season. It probably helps the Habs’ cause that Hughes’ sons Riley and Jack also play for Northeastern.

Other Canadiens prospects: Jayden Struble, Northeastern; Sean Farrell, C, Harvard; Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac; Blake Biondi, Minnesota Duluth; Brett Stapley, Denver; Rhett Pitlick, Minnesota

Nashville Predators: Ryan Ufko, D, UMass

The Preds have traditionally drafted defensemen very well and they have a couple of good puck-movers in the tournament in Ufko and Notre Dame’s Spencer Stastney. Ufko is having a sensational freshman season. He is third on UMass with 29 points in 36 games and has tremendous poise with the puck on his stick.

Other Predators prospects: Spencer Stastney, Notre Dame; Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Northeastern

New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes, D, Michigan

The No. 4 overall pick from the last draft has exceeded lofty expectations this year, setting Michigan records for goals and points by a freshman defenseman. He leads all blueliners in the country with 17 goals and 37 points, putting together one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory — yes, even exceeding brother Quinn and Cale Makar’s freshman numbers.

Other Devils prospects: Ethan Edwards, Michigan

New York Islanders: Jake Pivonka, C, Notre Dame

An aggressive two-way forward who seems to excel more on the defensive side of the game, Pivonka missed the early portion of the season and has just eight points in 23 games this season. At his best, he’s an effective penalty-killer and physical presence down low.

New York Rangers: Riley Hughes, C/W, Northeastern

Hughes has had a fair junior season with 12 points in 30 games. The son of the new Montreal GM Kent Hughes and older brother to 2022 draft prospect and teammate Jack, Riley has some good skill to go along with a long frame that allows him to close on pucks well.

Other Rangers prospects: Eric Ciccolini, Michigan (injured)

Ottawa Senators: Jake Sanderson, D, North Dakota; Tyler Kleven, D, North Dakota

Sanderson is one of the best prospects in college hockey, but he has been injured and is very unlikely to play in the regionals. Though he’s appeared in just 23 of a possible 38 games this season, he is third on the Fighting Hawks roster with 26 points. North Dakota’s chances without him take a pretty big hit.

Since he’s out, we’ll look at Kleven, who has seen an uptick in his offensive production this year, however slight. The 6-foot-4 blueliner scored seven goals this season and has delivered more than his fair share of crushing body checks.

Other Senators prospects: Luke Loheit, Minnesota Duluth; Jakov Novak, Northeastern

Philadelphia Flyers: Bobby Brink, RW, Denver

The nation’s leading scorer, Brink is one of the favorites to win the Hobey Baker this season. He has averaged nearly a point and a half per game with 55 in 37 games, 41 of which are assists. He’s the ultimate set-up man and helped get both of his linemates Cole Guttman and Carter Savoie 18 and 20 goals, respectively. Undersized, but tenacious, Brink has some of the best offensive hockey sense and vision among players in college hockey.

Other Flyers prospects: Ronnie Attard, Western Michigan; Noah Cates, Minnesota Duluth; Bryce Brodzinski, Minnesota; Gavin Hain, North Dakota (injured)

San Jose Sharks: Thomas Bordeleau, C, Michigan

A supremely talented playmaker and faceoff savant, Bordeleau doesn’t get as much publicity as the top-five picks on his team, but he’s a vital player to Michigan. He’s the No. 2 center behind Matty Beniers and had 33 points in 34 games leading up to the tournament. His puck skills have already put him on some highlight reels, too.

Other Sharks prospects: Magnus Chrona, Denver

Seattle Kraken: Matty Beniers, C, Michigan

As soon as Michigan’s season is over, he’s probably playing with the Kraken and he’ll probably play a big role for them next year. Beniers is a Hobey Top-10 finalist with 41 points in 34 games. He is probably Michigan’s most important player because he plays in all situations and is their best defensive forward.

Other Kraken prospects: Justin Janicke, Notre Dame

St. Louis Blues: Matt Kessel, D, UMass

Big two-way defenseman Kessel’s numbers have dipped a bit after his career year as a sophomore. He went from 10 goals to six this season, but he has a big shot and can really let it fly from the point while also playing good, physical defense.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Nick Perbix, D, St. Cloud State

He missed six games but still put up 31 points in 30 games to be one of the few NCAA defensemen over a point per game this season. He had a chance to turn pro last year but came back for his senior season and improved upon a breakout season as a junior. Perbix will play big minutes as St. Cloud State tries to get back to the Frozen Four after finishing last season as a runner-up.

Other Lightning prospects: Sammy Walker, Minnesota; McKade Webster, Denver; Cole Guttman, Denver; Dylan Duke, Michigan

Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthew Knies, LW, Minnesota

The power forward Maple Leafs fans have been dreaming of was picked in the second round last draft and looks like he could be a steal. Despite missing six games due to World Junior Championship and the Olympics, he finished third on the Gophers with 29 points including 12 goals. He is 6-foot-3 and near impossible to move off the puck, then he’s got really good hands and a killer shot.

Other Maple Leafs prospects: Mike Koster, Minnesota; Nick Abruzzese, Harvard; John Fusco, Harvard; Wyatt Schingoethe, Western Michigan; Veeti Miettinen, St. Cloud State

Vancouver Canucks: Aidan McDonough, C, Northeastern

One of the top goal scorers in the country, McDonough has been a consistent offensive performer for the Huskies all season long. He has 12 more points than his next closest teammate with 24 goals and 38 points over 37 games. He has far outperformed his draft status as a 2019 seventh-rounder.

Other Canucks prospects: Jacob Truscott, Michigan; Jackson Kunz, North Dakota

Vegas Golden Knights: Brendan Brisson, RW, Michigan

Tied for second on the Wolverines with 37 points in 35 games, Brisson has 19 goals this season and only six have come on the power play where he is a common threat. He has gotten stronger from a season ago and that has made him harder to play against.

Washington Capitals: Mitchell Gibson, G, Harvard

After Gibson made 47 saves in the ECAC championship game, Harvard can have plenty of confidence in its junior goaltender. Gibson has a .919 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average in his second full season as the team’s starting goalie.

Other Capitals prospects: Brent Johnson, North Dakota; Benton Maass, Minnesota State

Winnipeg Jets: Chaz Lucius, C/W, Minnesota

Injured often this season, Lucius has not been in the lineup over the last few weeks and his status for the tournament is still not yet known. When available, he is a highly-skilled sniper who can get to the middle very well. In 24 games this season, he has 19 points including nine goals.

Other Jets prospects: Austin Wong, Harvard