I was wrong about these NHL prospects, and I'm here to admit it. It's a risky business, but transparency is key to building trust with readers. I've made it a habit to review my past lists and highlight my mistakes, learning from my biases and blind spots. Here's a look at five players I got wrong, and why.
Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken (2022 NHL Draft)
I was high on Wright, ranking him No. 1, but he fell short. Wright's 94 points and eighth-place finish in the OHL were solid, but not enough to justify the top spot. He lacked the dynamic traits and feistiness scouts sought, and players like Juraj Slafkovsky, Šimon Nemec, and Logan Cooley passed him. I considered Nemec and Cooley for the top spot, but ultimately went back to Wright. He's a good player, but may not reach my 30-goal, 70-point ceiling. Cooley and Slafkovsky have already achieved that, and Wright's trade rumors don't help his case.
I think Wright's 'je ne sais quoi' was missing. At the combine, Slafkovsky exuded confidence, while Wright seemed forced. World-class athletes have an aura, and Wright didn't quite have it.
Eduard Sale, LW, Seattle Kraken (2023 NHL Draft)
Sale, a skilled but mercurial winger, was a risky pick. His top-six-only profile and low-compete, low-pace game made him a challenge to slot. I ranked him too early, assuming too much risk for a player with a top-six-only profile. Some translation challenges were predictable, and his production in the Czech junior league, which doesn't produce many first-rounders, added to the risk.
Dmitri Simashev, LHD, Utah Mammoth (2023 NHL Draft)
Simashev, a rangy, smooth-skating defenseman, was a mid-rounder at best. I overemphasized the Russian factor post-Ukraine invasion, and his offense has exceeded my expectations. He's a top-10 pick in today's game, and I should have taken him earlier.
Easton Cowan, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs (2023 NHL Draft)
Cowan, a 5-foot-10.5 winger, was drafted at No. 28, but he belonged in the late first round. He took steps forward in the OHL playoffs, and the Leafs recalibrated his projection. Cowan won awards, put up historic points, and became an NHLer at 20. His game can tunnel vision, but he's looked like a first-rounder since his post-draft debut.
Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Ducks (2024 NHL Draft)
Sennecke, a high-skill player with size, was a late riser. I saw him play more than any other prospect in the class, and he had the best hands in the class. His skating improved, and he found another level month to month. I should have moved him up, and he belongs in Tier 3, not Tier 4. My exposure to him and his team's frustrations made me too reluctant to slot him correctly. He's a game-changer with excellent playoff performance.
These mistakes teach me to be more agile in my assessments and to trust my instincts. It's a learning process, and I'm committed to getting better.
