Welcome back for this week’s installment of The Journey. I hope everyone has been keeping safe and busy during these times. For the first time in a while, we were gifted some hockey action this week in the form of some much-anticipated news. While it is all just smoke and mirrors at this point, it sounds like there are talks of a potential June-July start date for a resumed NHL season. Do you agree with finishing out the remainder of the season, or should the NHL be focusing on shutting down and starting next season as per normal? Please leave your comments below.

We were also treated to the WHL draft, which saw 15-year-old Connor Bedard go first overall to the Regina Pats. If you are looking for a deeper dive on the young exceptional star, check out what Cam Robinson had to say in one of his feature stories: Exception Status: Connor Bedard Makes History.

In other news, Dobber released April’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards last week. This month’s rankings saw some significant movement and with that in mind, I'd like to dive into some of this month's top rising forwards. 

Connor McMichael – Washington Capitals (April: 12 , March: 53, February: 87)

Current rankings

Drafted 25th overall in 2019, McMichael has always been considered a skilled prospect. However, after a very strong season as the OHL’s third-leading scorer with 102 points, he looks to have elevated his game even further, solidifying himself as a future top-line center with solid offensive upside. 

The Ajax, Ontario, native showcases superior offensive abilities, all of which are a product of his above-average skating. McMichael has a tremendous jump and fantastic edge work, allowing him to create high-level scoring opportunities off the rush or create space for himself in tight spots. He sports an NHL-ready shot and can also dish teammates the puck with his sound awareness. While it likely will be on the second unit, he is a prime candidate for some power-play deployment, which will surely raise his stock. He is an all-around talent who contributes in all facets of the game.

Aside from filling out some weight, it’s difficult to find an area in his game that needs work. In reality, his only real drawback may stem from the very team that drafted him. With the Capitals so solid up the middle, the 19-year-old pivot may have a hard time cracking a spot immediately. Of course, moving to the wing can always be an option, in which case he will find himself surrounded by some very elite company. All in all, he is a must have in all keeper formats and a potential late-round high-risk pick in others, as he is no lock for a roster spot next season.

Alex Newhook – Colorado Avalanche (April: 20, March: 81, February: 76 )

Newhook represents the lone NCAA on this list and in all honesty, is becoming one of the best prospects in college. He recently wrapped up his inaugural season with Boston College and led all freshmen with 42 points in 34 games, earning him NCAA rookie of the year honors.

His two-way play is what sets Newhook apart from his foes, all while holding a high offensive ceiling. Much like many of these players, his above-average skating abilities work as a catalyst for his strong play in all three zones. He is able to dictate the speed of the game, slowing it down when necessary but also producing off the rush. His shot is heavy and can fool goalies, but he ultimately carries a pass-first mentality. The Avalanche have some room to spare up the middle in the next few seasons, so fantasy owners need to hold on tight. 

Unfortunately for Colorado fans and fantasy owners, Newhook has committed to another season in Boston. This means that he will not be an option come draft time, unless you are in a keeper format league. Regardless, he shows a lot of promise and continues to develop his game each season. He is poised to play a big role with a young and polarizing Avalanche team for years to come. 

Nils Hoglander – Vancouver Canucks (April: 25, March: 61, February: 75)

After falling to the mid-second round of the 2019 entry-draft, Hoglander is showing promising signs of becoming a potential steal for the Canucks organization. Playing in his second SHL season already, the 19-year-old earned himself a top-six role, finishing the season with 16 points in 41 games.

Hoglander is a somewhat undersized, razzle-dazzle forward with a definite chip on his shoulder. At just 5-10, he plays bigger than he looks and does not shy away from throwing his body around and finding the dirty areas. For those who did not know him prior to reading, he has made a name for himself by scoring not one, but two lacrosse goals this year. The most notable of the two coming in this year’s WJC where he finished with a solid 11 points in seven matches. He looks poised to become a decent point-producer with potential for some peripherals to boot. If he finds himself on a line with fellow countryman Elias Pettersson, there could be some serious fantasy implications here. 

He will have to earn his spot, however, Vancouver should be giving him every opportunity to make the opening day roster this upcoming fall. Should he do so, he becomes yet another skilled forward in a mix of already promising prospects. Consider him a high-risk draft pick for next season but could be worth every penny. 

Philip Tomasino  – Nashville Predators (April: 26, March: 68, February: 115)

Taken one spot before the above mentioned McMichael by the Nashville Predators last year, Tomasino shows high promise to be a top performing pro. He finished this season fourth in OHL in scoring with 100 points, which includes an impressive 60 helpers. 

The Mississauga, Ontario, native is an intriguing prospect. He is a high-energy player who thrives off hard work ethic. He plays a quick offensive game but does not slack in his defensive responsibilities. In fact, he seems to work even harder without the puck than he does with it. He is an underrated playmaker with a solid, accurate shot that can fool goalies from anywhere. His strongest attribute is his skating. He is a quick paced two-way player who can play the game at top speed both with and without the puck. 

Nashville is already crowded up the middle, so it is likely that remains off of the roster for now. However, with some experience on the wing, it could be a possibility to see him move over in order to slide in the mix. Although, it seems likely that he is a year or two away from making any sort of splash. Nonetheless, he is a very solid prospect with decent offensive upside.

Samuel Poulin – Pittsburgh Penguins (April: 34, March: 83, February: 143)

I cannot have a list of prospects without adding at least one power forward to it, can I? Well, here you are with Pittsburgh’s 2019 first-round selection Poulin. Coming off his best statistical season with Sherbrooke of the QMJHL with 77-points, the 20-year-old winger is expected to make a solid push for a roster spot with the NHL club next fall. 

At 6-1, 207 lbs., Poulin is a big boy who carries an accurate shot and can play in all three zones. He’s a hard-nosed player who enjoys getting his name on the scoresheet as well. His work ethic is bar none as he grinds out points in a variety of fashions. He can drive the net, provide a presence in front, and make plays off the rush. His skating does need some work, but he makes up for it in other aspects. Owners should enjoy a variety of output with both offence and peripherals stats.

The Quebec native will have his work cut out for him next year with such a loaded forward group in Pittsburgh. However, he provides a heavy presence that the team can use on their bottom six, meaning he does provide them with value. Should he earn a roster spot, he likely holds a middle-six role at best (if at all)  for next year but still holds solid future upside.

Liam Foudy – Columbus Blue Jackets (April: 58, March: 109, February: 107)

The Scarborough, Ontario, native is a tremendous skating center who can play the wing as well. Foudy likely holds the highest chance of cracking an NHL roster out of camp next fall out of all on this list. Owners got a nice taste of what’s to come earlier this season when he was called up for a brief two-game emergency stint. He looked right at home and managed to notch his first career point with a secondary assist. 

Foudy had yet another tremendously consistent season for the London Knights, posting 28 goals and 40 assists in 45 games. Owners can expect nothing but consistency from him as he plays a sound two-way game and has no real flaws in his game. With offense being a challenge in Columbus, his output could take some time. However, the 20-year-old speedster should become a solid top-six player for years to come and elevate into a solid producer. He fights hard at both ends of the ice, grinding his opponents down with his tenacity while putting up points thanks to his tremendous offensive IQ. 

A 70-point ceiling is a fair gauge with Foudy. With his tremendous speed and high IQ, he should provide you with a little bit of everything. If you need a consistent, hard working forward, this is him.

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Thanks for running in again. Let me know what you think about the scenarios for the return of the NHL. You can catch me on Twitter @hall1289 or leave a comment below. 

Until next week.