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Young Stars shine brightest in TSN’s Core 4 U-24 ranking

Jason Robertson Dallas Stars Jason Robertson - The Canadian Press
Published

Dallas is living up to its team name with a constellation of young Stars that stands as best in the NHL.

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button ranks Dallas’ players as the league’s premier group in our annual Core 4 U-24 ranking.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, and the Dallas pool of young players is bigger than anyone’s in the NHL,” said Button.

Led by 23-year-olds Jason Robertson, Jake Oettinger and Miro Heiskanen, the Stars have a core brimming with high-end talent.

“The Stars have one of the very best goal-scorers in the NHL, a standout goaltender and a difference-making defenceman, who collectively fit the definition of core and are essential to success,” said Button.

Button and FloSports Senior NHL Draft and Prospects analyst Chris Peters assessed all 32 NHL teams’ assets 23 or younger as of the start of the 2022-23 regular season.

Players were graded as AAA (superstar), AA (elite), A (starting goalie, top-pair defenceman, first-line forward), B (tandem goalie, top-four defenceman, top-six forward) or C (backup goalie, depth defenceman, bottom-six forward).

As in the past, the four top young players in each organization are highlighted in our listing, regardless of individual grade.

New this year is expanding team lists to include all A and B players/prospects to reflect the depth or lack of depth each team has in players aged 23 and under: hence the Core 4 U-24 Plus More tag.

Top-ranked Dallas has 10 players rated or projected as A or B NHLers.

No. 2-ranked Detroit is not only special because of its high standing but because of its uniqueness.

The Red Wings have only five A or B players/prospects – not a lot for a team that ranks so high – but they are all A level, with two AA’s (Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond) and three A’s (Simon Edvinsson, Sebastian Cossa and Marco Kasper). They are the only team with no B-level players listed.

No. 3-ranked Buffalo has a league-high 11 players rated or projected as A or B NHLers.

The Sabres also lead in team points by U-24 players this year, 133 – including 42 goals (five behind NHL-leading New Jersey’s 47).

Next up in the league-wide ranking are a pair of Canadian teams: No. 4 Montreal and No. 5 Ottawa.

The Canadiens have six U-24 players on their current roster, headlined by AA forwards Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Importantly, Montreal has four defencemen, including 2022-23 team members Kaiden Guhle, an A player, and Arber Xhekaj, a B. The only missing ingredient for the Canadiens is a prospective successor to Carey Price in goal.

Montreal ranks second in U-24 goals (45) and points (113), led by Suzuki (14-16-30) and Caufield (16-9-25).

The Senators are chock full of forwards, led by AA’s Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle, plus A-level Josh Norris. They have one A defenceman (Jake Sanderson). Among the B forwards are Aug. 8, 2002, birthday twins Ridley Greig and Roby Jarventie.

Ottawa ranks fifth in both goals (38) and points (97) by U-24 players.

As for the Stars, their rise to the top of Core 4 U-24 can be traced directly to the 2017 draft when they selected Heiskanen third overall, Oettinger, 26th, and Robertson, 39th with their first three picks.

“It’s one of the greatest team drafts in NHL history,” said Button.

Left winger Robertson joins Colorado defenceman Cale Makar and New Jersey centre Jack Hughes as the only AAA players in the TSN U-24 ranking. Oettinger and Heiskanen are both AA players.

“I don’t want to say [the 2017 draft] saved the franchise, but it stopped us from maybe taking a big dip,” said Stars’ GM Jim Nill.

The GM credits director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell and his staff with replenishing the prospect cupboard.

“Joe is the leader of that group and done a great job for us,” said Nill. “The heartbeat of your team is the scouting staff. It’s about players. It’s a bigger picture than that, but you need to have the players first.”

Whereas No. 1-ranked Dallas has double-digit players earning A or B grades, No. 32-ranked Tampa Bay has just one B-level prospect (Isaac Howard) to go along with three C’s.

The Lightning have just one goal from a U-24 player this year.

There is a ready-made explanation for Tampa’s low standing. They have traded away five first- round picks in the past five years along the way to winning two Stanley Cups and reaching a third final.

That might be the Lightning’s ultimate trade – swapping a future foundation for championships in the present. There isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t make that trade-off.

Here is a look at the remaining Canadian teams:

No. 9 Vancouver: The Canucks are headlined by AA’s Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, a pair of authentic prime-time players. But both will age out next year and they are currently backed up only by A prospect, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, and C player Vasily Podkolzin.

No. 15 Edmonton: The Oilers have six A or B players in the organization – first among them A-level goalie Stuart Skinner. Skinner has 16 career wins and showing signs of becoming just the fourth drafted goalie in team history to reach 50, following Grant Fuhr (226), Andy Moog (143) and Devan Dubnyk (61).

No. 22 Toronto: The Leafs are another team without an A prospect, not surprising since they are in a win-now window and have traded away first-round picks three of the past four years. Rodion Amirov, the Leafs No. 15 overall pick in 2020, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2022 and is undergoing treatment. Toronto’s list is headed up by B player Rasmus Sandin.

No. 23 Winnipeg: The Jets have a past record of drafting and developing few teams can match, but premier picks from 2011 through 2016 still with the team – Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey, Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor – have all aged out of Core 4 U-24 status. Cole Perfetti is an A-level player and in the Calder Trophy conversation.

No. 28 Calgary: The Flames are the only Canadian team whose list is headed up by a goalie: Calgary Wranglers’ netminder and 2020 Canadian Hockey League goalie of the year Dustin Wolf, a B-level prospect. Adam Ruzicka, 23, is the only U-24 player Calgary has used this season.

 

Legend

'AAA' Player Superstar

'AA' Player Elite

'A' Player kchow No. 1 goalie, top-pair defenceman, 1st line forward

'B' Player kchow Tandem goalie, top-four defenceman, top-six forward

'C' Player kchow Backup goalie, depth defenceman, bottom-six forward

 

1. Dallas Stars

kchow

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Jason Robertson Dallas LW 23 'AAA' Player
2. Jake Oettinger Dallas G 23 'AA' Player
3. Miro Heiskanen Dallas LD 23 'AA' Player
4. Wyatt Johnston Dallas RW 19 'A' Player kchow
         
5. Logan Stankoven Kamloops (WHL) C 19 'B' Player kchow
6. Nils Lundqvist Dallas RD 22 'B' Player kchow
7. Thomas Harley Texas (AHL) LD 21 'B' Player kchow
8. Mavrik Bourque Texas (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
9. Lian Bichsel Leksands (SHL) LD 18 'B' Player kchow
10. Christian Kyrou Erie (OHL) RD 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

2. Detroit Red Wings

kchow

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Moritz Seider Detroit RD 21 'AA' Player
2. Lucas Raymond Detroit LW 20 'AA' Player
3. Simon Edvinsson Grand Rapids (AHL) LD 19 'A' Player kchow
4. Sebastian Cossa Grand Rapids (AHL) G 20 'A' Player kchow
         
5. Marco Kasper Rogle (SHL) LW 18 'A' Player kchow
 

 

3. Buffalo Sabres

kchow

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Rasmus Dahlin Buffalo LD 22 'AA' Player
2. Owen Power Buffalo LD 20 'AA' Player
3. Dylan Cozens Buffalo C 21 'A' Player kchow
4. JJ Peterka Buffalo LW 20 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Jack Quinn Buffalo RW 21 'B' Player kchow
6. Mattias Samuelsson Buffalo LD 22 'B' Player kchow
7. Matt Savoie Winnipeg (WHL) C 18 'B' Player kchow
8. Devon Levi Northeastern (NCAA) G 20 'B' Player kchow
9. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Buffalo G 23 'B' Player kchow
10. Noah Ostlund Djurdarden (Allsvenskan) C 18 'B' Player kchow
11. Jiri Kulich Rochester (AHL) LW 18 'B' Player kchow
 

 

4. Montreal Canadiens

kchow

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Nick Suzuki Montreal C 23 'AA' Player
2. Cole Caufield Montreal LW 21 'AA' Player
3. Kaiden Guhle Montreal LD 21 'A' Player kchow
4. Juraj Slafkovsky Montreal LW 18 'A' Player kchow
         
5. Kirby Dach Montreal C/RW 21 'B' Player kchow
6. Arber Xhekaj Montreal LD 21 'B' Player kchow
7. Filip Mesar Kitchener (OHL) RW 18 'B' Player kchow
8. Lane Hutson Boston U (NCAA) LD 18 'B' Player kchow
9. Logan Mailloux London (OHL) RD 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

5. Ottawa Senators

kchow

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Brady Tkachuk Ottawa LW 23 'AA' Player
2. Tim Stutzle Ottawa C 20 'AA' Player
3. Jake Sanderson Ottawa LD 20 'A' Player kchow
4. Josh Norris Ottawa C 23 'A' Player kchow
         
5. Shane Pinto Ottawa C 22 'B' Player kchow
6. Ridly Greig Belleville (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
7. Roby Jarventie Belleville (AHL) LW 20 'B' Player kchow
8. Mads Sogaard Belleville (AHL) G 21 'B' Player kchow
 

 

6. New Jersey Devils

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Jack Hughes New Jersey C 21 'AAA' Player
2. Nico Hischier New Jersey C 23 'A' Player kchow
3. Luke Hughes Michigan (NCAA) LD 19 'A' Player kchow
4. Simon Nemec Utica (AHL) RD 18 'A' Player kchow
         
5. Dawson Mercer New Jersey RW 21 'B' Player kchow
6. Alexander Holtz Utica (AHL) RW 20 'B' Player kchow
 

 

7. Colorado Avalanche

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Cale Makar Colorado RD 24 'AAA' Player
2. Bowen Byram Colorado LD 21 'AA' Player
3. Alex Newhook Colorado C 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Justus Anunen Colorado (AHL) G 22 'B' Player kchow
 

 

8. Anaheim Ducks

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Trevor Zegras Anaheim C 21 'AA' Player
2. Jamie Drysdale Anaheim RD 20 'A' Player kchow
3. Mason McTavish Anaheim C 19 'A' Player kchow
4. Pavel Mintyukov Saginaw (OHL) LD 19 'A' Player kchow
         
5. Olen Zellweger Moose Jaw (WHL) LD 19 'B' Player kchow
6. Nathan Gaucher Quebec (QMJHL) C 19 'B' Player kchow
7. Lukas Dostal San Diego (AHL) G 22 'B' Player kchow
 

 

9. Vancouver Canucks

kchow

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Elias Pettersson Vancouver C 24 'AA' Player
2. Quinn Hughes Vancouver LD 23 'AA' Player
3. Jonathan Lekkerimaki Djurgarden (Allsvenskan) RW 18 'A' Player kchow
4. Vasily Podkolzin Abbotsford (AHL) RW 21 'C' Player kchow
 

 

10. Carolina Hurricanes

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Andrei Svechnikov Carolina RW 22 'AA' Player
2. Martin Necas Carolina C 23 'A' Player kchow
3. Seth Jarvis Carolina RW 20 'B' Player kchow
4. Pyotr Kochetkov Carolina G 23 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Alexander Nikishin St. Petersburg (KHL) LD 21 'B' Player kchow
 

 

11. St. Louis Blues

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Robert Thomas St. Louis C 23 'A' Player kchow
2. Zach Bolduc Quebec (QMJHL) C 19 'A' Player kchow
3. Jimmy Snuggerud Minnesota (NCAA) RW 18 'A' Player kchow
4. Joel Hofer Springfield (AHL) G 22 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Jake Neighbours Springfield (AHL) LW 20 'B' Player kchow
 

 

12. Minnesota Wild

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Matt Boldy Minnesota LW 21 'A' Player kchow
2. Jesper Wallstedt Iowa (AHL) G 20 'A' Player kchow
3. Brock Faber Minnesota (NCAA) RD 20 'B' Player kchow
4. Liam Ohgren Djurgarden (Allsvenskan) LW 18 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Marco Rossi Iowa (AHL) C 21 'B' Player kchow
6. Danila Yurov Magnitogorsk (KHL) RW 18 'B' Player kchow
7. Carson Lambos Winnipeg (WHL) LD 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

13. Columbus Blue Jackets

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Kent Johnson Columbus LW 20 'A' Player kchow
2. David Jiricek Cleveland (AHL) RD 18 'A' Player kchow
3. Cole Sillinger Columbus C 19 'B' Player kchow
4. Denton Mateychuk Moose Jaw (WHL) LD 18 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Yegor Chinakov Columbus RW 21 'B' Player kchow
6. Jordan Dumais Halifax (QMJHL) RW 18 'B' Player kchow
7. Kirill Marchenko Columbus RW 22 'B' Player kchow
8. Corson Ceulemans Wisconsin (NCAA) RD 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

14. Seattle Kraken

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Matty Beniers Seattle C 20 'A' Player kchow
2. Shane Wright Seattle C 18 'A' Player kchow
3. Ryker Evans Coachella Valley (AHL) LD 20 'B' Player kchow
4. Jagger Firkus Moose Jaw (WHL) RW 18 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Ryan Winterton Hamilton (OHL) RW 19 'B' Player kchow
6. David Goyette Sudbury (OHL) C 18 'B' Player kchow
7. Ty Nelson North Bay (OHL) RD 18 'B' Player kchow
 

 

15. Edmonton Oilers

kchow

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Stuart Skinner Edmonton G 24 'A' Player kchow
2. Evan Bouchard Edmonton RD 23 'B' Player kchow
3. Dylan Holloway Edmonton LW 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Xavier Bourgault Bakersfield (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Reid Schaefer Seattle (WHL) LW 19 'B' Player kchow
6. Philip Broberg Edmonton LD 21 'B' Player kchow
 

 

16. Arizona Coyotes

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Dylan Guenther Arizona RW 19 'A' Player kchow
2. Logan Cooley Minnesota (NCAA) C 18 'A' Player kchow
3. Conor Geekie Winnipeg (WHL) C 18 'B' Player kchow
4. Matias Maccelli Arizona LW 22 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Maveric Lamoureux Drummondville (QMJHL) RD 18 'B' Player kchow
 

 

17. Los Angeles Kings

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Brandt Clarke Los Angeles RD 19 'A' Player kchow
2. Gabe Villardi Los Angeles RW 23 'B' Player kchow
3. Arthur Kaliyev Los Angeles RW 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Sean Durzi Los Angeles RD 24 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Quinton Byfield Ontario (AHL) RW 20 'B' Player kchow
 

 

18. Nashville Predators

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Yaroslav Askarov Milwaukee (AHL) G 20 'A' Player kchow
2. Joakim Kemell JyP (SM Liiga) RW 18 'A' Player kchow
3. Luke Evangelista Milwaukee (AHL) RW 20 'B' Player kchow
4. Fedor Svechkov St. Petersburg (KHL) C 19 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Philip Tomasino Milwaukee (AHL) LW 21 'B' Player kchow
6. Zachary L'Heureux Halifax (QMJHL) LW 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

19. Florida Panthers

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Spencer Knight Florida G 21 'A' Player kchow
2. Anton Lundell Florida C 21 'B' Player kchow
3. Mackie Samoskevich Michigan (NCAA) RW 19 'B' Player kchow
4. Evan Nause Quebec (QMJHL) LD 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

20. New York Islanders

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Noah Dobson NY Islanders RD 22 'A' Player kchow
2. Alexander Romanov NY Islanders LD 22 'B' Player kchow
3. Aatu Raty Bridgeport (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
4. William Dufour Bridgeport (AHL) RW 20 'B' Player kchow
 

 

21. Philadelphia Flyers

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Cutter Gauthier Boston College (NCAA) LW 18 'A' Player kchow
2. Joel Farabee Philadelphia LW 22 'B' Player kchow
3. Cam York Philadelphia LD 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Tyson Foerster Lehigh Valley (AHL) RW 20 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Emil Andrea HV 71 (SHL) LD 20 'B' Player kchow
 

 

22. Toronto Maple Leafs

kchow

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Rasmus Sandin Toronto LD 22 'B' Player kchow
2. Matt Knies Minnesota (NCAA) LW 20 'B' Player kchow
3. Topi Niemela Karpat (SM Liiga) RD 20 'B' Player kchow
4. Timothy Liljegren Toronto RD 23 'C' Player kchow
 

 

23. Winnipeg Jets

kchow

Core Four Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Cole Perfetti Winnipeg LW 20 'A' Player kchow
2. Rutger McGroarty Michigan (NCAA) LW 18 'B' Player kchow
3. Ville Heinola Manitoba (AHL) LD 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Brad Lambert Manitoba (AHL) C 18 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Chaz Lucius Manitoba (AHL) C 19 'B' Player kchow
 

 

24. Washington Capitals

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Ivan Miroshnichenko Omsk (KHL) LW 18 'A' Player kchow
2. Martin Fehervary Washington LD 23 'B' Player kchow
3. Connor McMichael Hershey (AHL) C 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Hendrix Lapierre Hershey (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Ryan Chesley Minnesota (NCAA) RD 18 'B' Player kchow
 

 

25. Chicago Blackhawks

Core 4 Plus More

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Kevin Korchinski Seattle (WHL) LD 18 'A' Player kchow
2. Lukas Reichel Rockford (AHL) LW 20 'B' Player kchow
3. Frank Nazar Michigan (NCAA) C 18 'B' Player kchow
4. Ethan Del Mastro Mississauga (OHL) LD 19 'B' Player kchow
         
5. Drew Commesso Boston U (NCAA) G 20 'B' Player kchow
 

 

26. New York Rangers

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. K'Andre Miller NY Rangers LD 22 'B' Player kchow
2. Brennan Othmann Peterborough (OHL) LW 19 'B' Player kchow
3. Alex Lafreniere NY Rangers LW 21 'C' Player kchow
4. Filip Chytil NY Rangers C 23 'C' Player kchow
 

 

27. San Jose Sharks

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. William Eklund San Jose (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
2. Thomas Bordeleau San Jose (AHL) C 20 'B' Player kchow
3. Filip Bystedt Linkoping (SHL) C 18 'B' Player kchow
4. Mattias Havelid Linkoping (SHL) RD 18 'B' Player kchow
 

 

28. Calgary Flames

kchow

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Dustin Wolf Calgary (AHL) G 21 'B' Player kchow
2. Matt Coronato Harvard RW 20 'B' Player kchow
3. Connor Zary Calgary (AHL) C 21 'B' Player kchow
4. Adam Ruzicka Calgary LW 23 'B' Player kchow
 

 

29. Boston Bruins

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Jeremy Swayman Boston G 24 'B' Player kchow
2. Fabian Lysell Providence (AHL) RW 19 'B' Player kchow
3. Mason Lohrei Ohio State (NCAA) LD 21 'B' Player kchow
4. John Beecher Providence (AHL) C 21 'C' Player kchow
 

 

30. Vegas Golden Knights

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Brendan Brisson Henderson (AHL) C 21 'B' Player kchow
2. Zach Dean Gatineau (QMJHL) C 19 'B' Player kchow
3. Cameron Whitehead Lincoln (USHL) G 19 'B' Player kchow
4. Nic Hague Vegas LD 23 'C' Player kchow
 

 

31. Pittsburgh Penguins

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Owen Pickering Swift Current (WHL) LD 18 'A' Player kchow
2. Pierre-Olivier Joseph Pittsburgh LD 23 'C' Player kchow
3. Sam Poulin Wilkes-Barre (AHL) RW 21 'C' Player kchow
4. Filip Hallander Wilkes-Barre (AHL) C 22 'C' Player kchow
 

 

32. Tampa Bay Lightning

Core 4

 
Player Team Pos. Age Grade
1. Issac Howard Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) LW 18 'B' Player kchow
2. Jack Thompson Syracuse (AHL) RD 20 'C' Player kchow
3. Jack Finley Syracuse (AHL) C 20 'C' Player kchow
4. Gage Goncalves Syracuse (AHL) C 21 'C' Player kchow