I know there is a lot of speculation about whether or not the 2021 draft will be pushed back a year, and that the consensus for this draft is that no one is a lock to go in the top 5 (which is very unusual), but still impressive to think UM possibly (maybe even likely) will have 3 top 10 picks and could have 3 taken in the top 5. Also, incoming freshman Luke Hughes (13th) & Dylan Duke (29th) are listed to go in the first round in this projection.
Here is a link:
www.thedraftanalyst.com
The write ups on UM guys are:
1. Owen Power, LHD (Univ. of Michigan)
Nov. 22, 2002 | 6’6, 214 | Shoots Left | 22gp-3g-12a-15pts
This draft is loaded with two-way defensemen and Power is at the top of the class. He’s already been nominated for Hobey Baker consideration and should be Michigan’s undisputed No. 1 blueliner whenever 2019 first-round pick Cam York decides to join the Philadelphia Flyers. Power is an exceptional in-game manager who deals with pressure by consistently out-thinking opponents of all sizes and speeds. He’s a powerful skater who attacks openings with confidence but is agile enough to change direction or cut back and allow support to join the play.
Through March 1, Power was leading all freshman defensemen in scoring with 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games. Ten of his 12 assists were primary (six at 5v5) and four were involved in goals that gave Michigan the lead. In terms of shot volume, Power has broken out of his shell the last batch of games, as 21 of his 28 shots have come in the last 11, including five outings with three shots or more. He’s seeing significant time on both special teams and it’s safe to say he’s playing close to 20 minutes a match.
2. Matthew Beniers, C (Univ. of Michigan)
Nov. 5, 2002 | 6’2, 174 | Shoots Left | 20gp-9g-10a-19pts
It’s pretty lazy to pigeonhole a premier center prospect as a checker simply because he works hard and kill penalties. But that seems to be the tag being applied to Beniers, even after his impressive performance at the under-20 world junior hockey championship where he played himself into the top six on a gold-medal-winning American squad. The truth is that Beniers has all the makings of a productive top-line center in the NHL in the mold of a Jonathan Toews or a Mark Scheifele.
Beniers is fifth among NCAA first-year players with a 0.95 points-per-game average (19 points in 20 games), but 13 of his 20 were primary points at 5v5. He’s also made significant improvements at the faceoff circle, winning 54 percent of his last 76 draws.
4. Kent Johnson, LW/C (Michigan, Big-10)
Oct. 18, 2002 | 6’0, 166 | Shoots Left | 22gp-7g-16a-23pts
I wouldn’t go as far as to call Johnson a prodigious offensive talent, but the kid continues to pile up points everywhere he goes. His season’s been beyond impressive and there’s nothing major to nitpick. But for added context, just keep an eye on how and when he records his points, as a good chunk have come in garbage time and most of his assists were secondary. Johnson is a shifty wing with a hard shot who averages 2.05 shots per game (45 in 22 matches). He’ll probably start shooting more once Michigan’s beefed-up lineup thins out, but the fact remains – he’s producing at an all-star clip.
13. Luke Hughes, LHD (U.S. U18, NTDP)
Sep. 9, 2003 | 6’2, 182 | Shoots Left | 36gp-6g-26-32pts
This is a case where the last name is all you need to hear to understand this prospect’s skill set and in-game approach. Hughes is the younger brother of NHL phenoms Jack and Quinn Hughes, with Luke being the bigger-bodied version of Quinn but can look just as graceful. This year’s NTDP is quite deep at both the forward and defense positions, so it isn’t like Hughes is asked to carry his squad. Yet even with shared responsibilities, this graceful end-to-end puck rusher still manages to represent his famous surname with distinction.
Luke loves to not only push the pace to his liking but also maintain it throughout his entire shift. Saying he acts like a fourth forward, however, could imply that he always thinks offense, but Hughes neither forgets nor downplays his duties once possession changes hand. His speed is an obvious help, and Hughes also makes critical snap decisions during bang-bang scenarios that allow him to stay involved in any play. One thing to consider is Hughes’ consistent production against different leagues – he’s averaging 1.07 points per game (16 points in 15 games) against the NCAA and 1.08 (13 in 12) versus USHL competition.
29. Dylan Duke, LW (U.S. U18, NTDP)
March 4, 2003 | 5’10, 181 | Shoots Left | 35gp-23g-16a-39pts
A determined and rugged scoring winger who won’t back down from a challenge, Duke and his linemate Sasha Pastujov produced impressive numbers with top center Chaz Lucius out for most of this season. He currently leads the 18’s with 23 goals and 108 shots in only 35 games and is used as a primary option on the power play and also kills penalties. Duke is an Ohio native who later moved to Michigan, and he is expected to play for the Wolverines in Ann Arbor next season.
Here is a link:
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Top-32 (March) – The Draft Analyst
www.thedraftanalyst.com
The write ups on UM guys are:
1. Owen Power, LHD (Univ. of Michigan)
Nov. 22, 2002 | 6’6, 214 | Shoots Left | 22gp-3g-12a-15pts
This draft is loaded with two-way defensemen and Power is at the top of the class. He’s already been nominated for Hobey Baker consideration and should be Michigan’s undisputed No. 1 blueliner whenever 2019 first-round pick Cam York decides to join the Philadelphia Flyers. Power is an exceptional in-game manager who deals with pressure by consistently out-thinking opponents of all sizes and speeds. He’s a powerful skater who attacks openings with confidence but is agile enough to change direction or cut back and allow support to join the play.
Through March 1, Power was leading all freshman defensemen in scoring with 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games. Ten of his 12 assists were primary (six at 5v5) and four were involved in goals that gave Michigan the lead. In terms of shot volume, Power has broken out of his shell the last batch of games, as 21 of his 28 shots have come in the last 11, including five outings with three shots or more. He’s seeing significant time on both special teams and it’s safe to say he’s playing close to 20 minutes a match.
2. Matthew Beniers, C (Univ. of Michigan)
Nov. 5, 2002 | 6’2, 174 | Shoots Left | 20gp-9g-10a-19pts
It’s pretty lazy to pigeonhole a premier center prospect as a checker simply because he works hard and kill penalties. But that seems to be the tag being applied to Beniers, even after his impressive performance at the under-20 world junior hockey championship where he played himself into the top six on a gold-medal-winning American squad. The truth is that Beniers has all the makings of a productive top-line center in the NHL in the mold of a Jonathan Toews or a Mark Scheifele.
Beniers is fifth among NCAA first-year players with a 0.95 points-per-game average (19 points in 20 games), but 13 of his 20 were primary points at 5v5. He’s also made significant improvements at the faceoff circle, winning 54 percent of his last 76 draws.
4. Kent Johnson, LW/C (Michigan, Big-10)
Oct. 18, 2002 | 6’0, 166 | Shoots Left | 22gp-7g-16a-23pts
I wouldn’t go as far as to call Johnson a prodigious offensive talent, but the kid continues to pile up points everywhere he goes. His season’s been beyond impressive and there’s nothing major to nitpick. But for added context, just keep an eye on how and when he records his points, as a good chunk have come in garbage time and most of his assists were secondary. Johnson is a shifty wing with a hard shot who averages 2.05 shots per game (45 in 22 matches). He’ll probably start shooting more once Michigan’s beefed-up lineup thins out, but the fact remains – he’s producing at an all-star clip.
13. Luke Hughes, LHD (U.S. U18, NTDP)
Sep. 9, 2003 | 6’2, 182 | Shoots Left | 36gp-6g-26-32pts
This is a case where the last name is all you need to hear to understand this prospect’s skill set and in-game approach. Hughes is the younger brother of NHL phenoms Jack and Quinn Hughes, with Luke being the bigger-bodied version of Quinn but can look just as graceful. This year’s NTDP is quite deep at both the forward and defense positions, so it isn’t like Hughes is asked to carry his squad. Yet even with shared responsibilities, this graceful end-to-end puck rusher still manages to represent his famous surname with distinction.
Luke loves to not only push the pace to his liking but also maintain it throughout his entire shift. Saying he acts like a fourth forward, however, could imply that he always thinks offense, but Hughes neither forgets nor downplays his duties once possession changes hand. His speed is an obvious help, and Hughes also makes critical snap decisions during bang-bang scenarios that allow him to stay involved in any play. One thing to consider is Hughes’ consistent production against different leagues – he’s averaging 1.07 points per game (16 points in 15 games) against the NCAA and 1.08 (13 in 12) versus USHL competition.
29. Dylan Duke, LW (U.S. U18, NTDP)
March 4, 2003 | 5’10, 181 | Shoots Left | 35gp-23g-16a-39pts
A determined and rugged scoring winger who won’t back down from a challenge, Duke and his linemate Sasha Pastujov produced impressive numbers with top center Chaz Lucius out for most of this season. He currently leads the 18’s with 23 goals and 108 shots in only 35 games and is used as a primary option on the power play and also kills penalties. Duke is an Ohio native who later moved to Michigan, and he is expected to play for the Wolverines in Ann Arbor next season.
