Who will the Canucks draft? Liam Ohgren has power-forward potential

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Liam Ohgren projects as a National Hockey League power forward.

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The Swedish Hockey League left winger is also expected to be on the NHL draft board Friday in Montreal when the Vancouver Canucks announce their 15th overall selection.

And despite a dire need to bolster the back end with a coveted defenceman — Pavel Mintyukov and Kevin Korchinski should be gone earlier in the first round, but Owen Pickering and Calle Odelius should be available — there’s something enticing about a dominant forward, who can combine skating with skill with snarl.

There’s always reasoning among NHL scouts that a potential second-pairing blueliner trumps a second-line forward. Defenders are difficult to acquire in trades or free agency, but dominant wingers who can play it anyway you want are rare. It’s why the Canucks have more than passing interest in the 6-foot, 187 pound Ohgren.

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“Just like offensive defencemen, power forwards are hard to find and there are not many in the league,” said long-serving NHL prospects scout Shane Malloy, who authored The Art of Scouting’and is working toward a PHD in inter-disciplinary development studies.

“If you can find one, you take him and I understand what they (Canucks) like Ohgren. He’ll be able to provide an element to the organization that they don’t have a lot of. He’s going to be more than 200 pounds and he already plays like a man.

“His ability to control the play below the circles and in front of the net is going to be a problem for a lot of teams. He’s an excellent skater and he’s an athlete.”

Ohgren’s father, Andreas, is a well-respected strength and conditioning coach, who has worked with notable NHL players, including Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson and Andre Burakovsky. His son was able to keep pace with older SHL players and was noticeably stronger on the puck and in battles in 25 games this season with Djurgardens IF, despite just two points (1-1).

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That came after dominating the country’s junior loop where he had 58 points (33-25) in 30 games to rocket into first-round pick consideration. Ohgren has a heavy and accurate wrist shot and his ability to instinctively find linemates is also very good.

“You know Liam will be in fantastic shape because he has a great work ethic,” predicted Malloy. “His hockey sense and skills are good and he’ll be a good second-line power forward in NHL.”

Of course, the Canucks have been down this tricky draft road before.

Jonah Gadjovich battled injuries and couldn’t become that big, bad and effective guy at the NHL level. Jake Virtanen had the size and speed, but was never wired to be that hard to play against. And passing on Matthew Tkachuk, who had the complete power-forward package and nasty family hockey lineage, will always remain a sore drafting point.

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More importantly, there’s really nobody in the system who projects as a pure power forward. There are roster wingers like Kontinental Hockey League veteran Andrei Kuzmenko, 26, and sophomore Vasily Podkolzin, 21, plus intriguing but raw prospect Danila Klimovich, 19, who have elements of size and skill. But nobody packs all the power-forward elements — at least not yet.

The draft is also far from and exact science. It’s not a stretch to suggest the host Montreal Canadiens will want to make a bigger splash that owing the first-overall pick. Can they convince somebody to part with a top-10 choice? Will somebody go off the board early? Will a prize prospect drop to the Canucks?

“I don’t know who is going to fall,” said Malloy. “There are always one or two teams who take players that you didn’t expect and that changes the dynamic. I don’t think Korchinski will fall because Columbus has picks at No. 6 and No.12 and Jarmo Kekaleinen (Blue Jackets GM) is sharp.

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“I can’t see him letting Korchinski go past No.12. with that potential. Jarmo is one of the most patient guys I’ve ever met and I don’t think that (falling in draft) happens.

“If it doesn’t and I’m Patrik Allvin (Canucks GM), run your ass up to the stage and don’t wait for anybody else.”

Here’s a capsule look at other players who should pique the Canucks’ interest:

SHOULD BE ON BOARD

OWEN PICKERING

D, Swift Current, WHL, 6-foot-4, 180 lbs.

The stats: GP: 62, G: 9, A: 24, Pts: 33

The skinny: A good player on a bad team that was fifth in the Central Division with a 26-35-5-2 record. Became his club’s top defender and regularly faced top lines with little support. Was power-play quarterback for Team Canada at Under-18 world championship in Germany. Projects as No.3 D-man.

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Scout says: “You have to change the metrics of how you value Pickering on a bad team. Players coming out of the U.S. National Team Development program, like (draft eligible) defencemen Ryan Chesley and Seamus Casey play on two of the top lines in all of the USHL. You have that forward insulation and it’s not that those players are defensive, they’re offensive and always have the puck.”

CALLE ODELIUS

D, Djurgardens, SHL, 5-foot-11, 185 lbs.

The stats: Swedish junior, GP: 43, G: 7, A: 23, Pts: 30.

The skinny: Also had seven pointless games with Djurgardens SHL team, but don’t be mistaken. Hockey sense and skating are superior and an excellent power base allows him to be prominent on puck retrievals to have several exit options. Knows where to put the puck. Not wowing skill or shot but he’s a player and projects as a No.3 defender. Teammate of Liam Ohgren.

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Scout says: “They (Canucks) do have some interest. A smooth-skating defenceman, who uses angles and his stick to defend. He takes away time and space and it’s irritating because he defends so well. Doesn’t bang and crash, but takes the puck away and can either skate or pass it out. His skill is above average.”

SHOULD BE OFF BOARD

PAVEL MINTYUKOV

D, Saginaw, OHL, 6-foot-1, 197 lbs.

The stats: GP: 67, G: 17, A: 45, Pts: 62.

The skinny: The Moskva, Russia native is good in transition, defends well and anticipates in offensive zone. The scouting community is somewhat divided because he could go anywhere from 10th to 20th, but likely in top 12 because of the premium placed on top defender.

Scout says: “Hockey sense and his skill set are very good, but what sets him apart in the compete level. It’s excellent. He’s tenacious and, honestly, should be taken in the top seven or eight. He’s guaranteed to go there and he should. Plays a heavy game in his own zone and there’s a lot of (Mattias) Ohlulnd in him. Maybe not as big, but a lot of grit in his game and he doesn’t like you beating him. A 50-50 chance of being a No.2 defenceman in NHL.”

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KEVIN KORCHINSKI

D, Seattle, WHL, 6-foot-2, 185 lbs.

The stats: GP: 67, G: 4, A: 61, Pts: 65.

The skinny: May technically be in the top two of playmakers in the entire draft class and once his weight catches up to a growth spurt, he’s going to be a load at both ends of the ice. There are a couple of deficiencies with his skating — agility and strength — and the pop isn’t there. But the skating mechanics are fine. Had 19 points (6-13) in 25 playoff games.

Scout says: “Physically raw, but a big transitional upside. A great playmaker and I don’t use great much, but it’s his break-outs and offence from the blue line. I would give his skill tops marks and the kid competes. If he was the same weight as Mintyukov, he’d be a top-five pick. To play 92 games and have 84 points in his first full year in the WHL is crazy.”

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MARCO KASPER

LW/C, Rogle BK Angelholm, SHL, 6-foot-1, 183 lbs.

The stats: GP: 46, G: 7.A: 4,Pts: 11.

The skinny: Also had 13 points (6-7) in 12 games with the organization’s junior team. Should go in the top 10 and there’s no reason for him to drop. Checks all the right boxes with a motor that never stops running plus superior skill and skating. His level of compete is the best of the 2022 draft class.

Scout says: “A bit of a hybrid power forward who plays a very mature game and is also emotionally mature. When things go badly his game doesn’t fall apart. He doesn’t fall into a lot of bad habits and there’s not a cascading affect. Has a good short-term memory to move on.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

twitter.com/@benkuzma

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