Since I started becoming an amateur (but enthusiastic) prospect writer, I’ve noticed that European prospects seem to be underrated in Bob McKenzie’s rankings and actual draft position. And by European, I don’t just mean that they played in European leagues like Liiga, SHL, KHL, and all their junior leagues. I also include prospects who are European and playing in North American junior leagues.
Last year, when Bob McKenzie released his final rankings for the 2020 draft, I compared his rankings against the consolidated ‘consensus’ rankings from all the major public scouting sources. I never wound up publishing it, but here were the top 10 prospects who had the biggest drop in their rankings from the public scouts vs McKenzie’s list:
- Zion Nybeck: -43
- Kasper Simontaival: -36
- Emil Andrae: -36
- Alexander Pashin: -35
- Martin Chromiak: -29
- Carter Savoie: -28
- Sean Farrell: -27
- Roni Hirvonen: -21
- Tyler Tullio: -18
- Jan Mysak: -15
Five of the top 10, including the top four in that list, played in European leagues the whole season.