2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: The Reentries

2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: A Look at the Re-Entries from 2014 That Went Unsigned

Throughout the month of June, we will be focusing in on certain prospects with individual prospect profiles in order to get a better look at who the next NHLers are.

The main focus of the 2016 NHL Draft is the first year draft-eligible prospects looking to make positive first impressions with their first NHL club; however, there are prospects that have already gone through the draft process.

We’re going to take a closer look at some of the better prospects from the 2014 NHL Draft that went unsigned by their teams by the June 1st deadline and are therefore reentered into this year’s draft.

The following is the full list of prospects that went unsigned by their respective draft teams. Some due to lack of skill, some due to unfortunate situations with the teams that drafted them. We’ll take a look at the five key prospects to watch for in the upcoming draft.

The first name on the list sticks out like a sore thumb; Conner Bleackley, a former first-round pick, was not signed by any team before the June 1st deadline.

After being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2014, he was traded at this year’s trade deadline – packaged in the Mikkel Boedker deal and became Arizona Coyotes property.

Taking a look back at Bleackley’s scouting report from 2014, his biggest concerns were with skating and defense but his power, toughness and maturity impressed the scouts and allowed him to get selected in the first round.

"“Conner Bleackley is learning to use his size and speed this season to get in quickly on the forecheck and play a more physical game. Bleackley has a very good wrist shot and a quick release. He shows the ability to drive hard to the net, and has good balance and strength on his skates to fight through checks and battle in the dirty areas of the ice, in front of the net and in the corners. Its not always pretty, but it is effective… He has the quick hands to pounce on rebounds and put them in the back of the net in tight, or to make a quick move on the goaltender as he cuts to the net. ” – Last Word on Sports"

Bleackley had a bounce back year in his own right after being stripped of his captaincy in Red Deer early in the season.

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He only played 55 games but managed to 46 points and a MasterCard Memorial Cup appearance while clearly trying to work on his defensive game.

He was not worth the first round pick, but he is still a very good prospect that could become a great depth addition to any organization.

After going 23rd overall in 2014, Bleackley will likely be watching the entirety of the first, and quite possibly second round before he hears his name called again at the 2016 NHL draft. His once praised shot is not all it was cracked up to be as it has not found the back of the net much in his WHL career.

Keegan Iverson was a New York Rangers draft pick who went unsigned and will re-enter the draft this year.

Iverson, a St. Louis Park, Minnesota native, signed in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks after his first three years in high school. He never amassed any impressive point totals in his 4 seasons with the Winterhawks, but he always left his mark on the ice with his dedication and work ethic.

Keegan Iverson #16 of USA White skates against Team Finland during the 2014 USA Hockey Junior Evaluation Camp at the Lake Placid Olympic Center on August 4, 2014 in Lake Placid, New York.Aug. 3, 2014 – Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America /

Iverson played for the U.S U17 National Team during the 2013 U17 World Hockey Championships, as well as the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

Scouts were quick to point out his lack of skill before the 2014 draft, but they were also impressed by his powerful game.

"“A big strong power winger who is not scared to throw his weight around and do the heavy lifting on a scoring line. He is at his best fighting for loose pucks and battling for space in front of the opposing net. Does not possess the highest skill level.” – Future Considerations"

Iverson isn’t afraid to use his body which is a huge plus when playing in any fast paced, high skill league. His talent may not be there, but his presence is always felt which could land him a spot in the late rounds of the 2016 NHL Draft, or with an entry-level contract after.

Conner Bleackley isn’t the only 2014 draft pick the Colorado Avalanche remained unsigned past the June 1st deadline. Nick Magyar and Alexis Pepin will both be re-entering the draft this year as 20 year-old’s and former fourth round picks in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Magyar has rounded out to be the better prospect of the two, but both could find a future with another team. Magyar draws the most interest because of his reputation going into the 2014 draft.

"“Magyar is a complete player who has strong hockey sense. He has the raw talent and playmaking abilities to eventually be a successful NHL player. Makes smart plays with the puck on his stick, likes to play physical and is effective in both the forecheck and cycle game.” – Future Considerations"

Another American playing in the CHL, Magyar has spent some time with the U.S National Development team as well as in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers before making his way to the Kitchener Rangers instead of going the traditional collegiate route.

Magyar still has skill and smarts but doesn’t have the numbers to back it up. He never eclipsed 50 points in his three-year junior career with the Rangers, but he still had impressive seasons in terms of skill.

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The middle rounds is a reasonable estimate for when Nick Magyar could hear his named called again.

Two-way defenseman Ryan Mantha, no relation to Detroit prospect Anthony Mantha, was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round in 2014 after a tenure in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers and a brief stint with the Indiana Ice; however, Mantha really came out of his shell with the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Mantha’s playmaking skills blossomed the past two years and given the fast pace of the OHL, he was able to improve his speed and agility. All things that were criticized in his 2014 scouting report.

"“Mantha has good bloodlines and impressive size. Handles the puck well and makes a strong breakout pass. Uses his reach and strength to defend. He needs to work on his transition and overall mobility as well as improve his physical play as he comes off as somewhat soft.” – Future Considerations"

Although Mantha has improved offensively, defensively he still lacks the physical game and he doesn’t have the best coverage in his own zone. Still, he should be expected to be picked up around the fourth or fifth round again as he would add great depth to a defensively depleted roster.

The last 2014 draft prospect to watch for in this year’s draft is former Los Angeles Kings prospect Matt Mistele.

Mistele was taken late in the second round of the 2011 OHL Draft after an impressive year in the Eastern Triple A Minor Midget Hockey League, scoring 43 goals and 34 assists in 60 games.

Matt Mistele #20 of the Oshawa Generals holds onto Nick Merkley #10 of the Kelowna Rockets during the 2015 Memorial Cup Championship at the Pepsi Coliseum on May 31, 2015 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Oshawa Generals defeated the Kelowna Rockets 2-1 in overtime to become the 2015 Memorial Cup Champions.May 30, 2015 – Source: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images North America /

Mistele was taken later than the aforementioned prospects. The Kings selected him 180th overall in 2014 despite his offensively powered season in 2012-2013 with the Plymouth Whalers.

Perhaps his slight drop in point production the next season had something to do with it, as scouts called him an “opportunistic forward” in 2013.

"“Mistele is an opportunistic forward with excellent positioning in all zones. He doesn’t play with high energy but lets the game come to him. He has decent offensive skills and a solid shot but isn’t overly flashy. He can play chippy but could be more physical.” – Future Considerations"

However, Mistele continued his point producing ways in seasons to come, but his overall game is lacking in the defensive coverage and physicality department. He would still add great scoring depth to any minor league roster whether he is drafted again in the late rounds or signed as an undrafted free agent.

Next: NHL Mock Draft 6.0: 7 Rounds of Prospect Analysis

Despite being overlooked by their first NHL clubs, these prospects still have a shot at success with other NHL teams or their affiliates. With less than three weeks until the 2016 NHL Draft, this an exciting time of year for hockey with the Stanley Cup Final also taking place.

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2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: 2014 Re-Entries

By Max Marko | Jun 4, 2016

2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: A Look at the Re-Entries from 2014 That Went Unsigned

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