One month after their season ended, four Winnipeg ICE players landed on NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings. With less than two months until the NHL draft, these players will have a chance to take the first step to the NHL.
Carson Lambos, Left Defenseman
Ranked 11th among North American Skaters
6’ 1” 201 pounds; shoots left
2021 WHL Totals: two games played, zero points
Carson Lambos is a first-round-caliber prospect, possessing the skill and talent that led the Kootenay ICE to draft him second overall in the 2018 WHL Draft. He’s a smooth skater, strong shooter, and smart defender who forces opponents to the outside. He has size, good lateral movement, and an active stick to punish forwards along the boards and keep them from moving the puck into dangerous areas.
Lambos is not a big-time offensive defenseman, but he does use his big shot well from the blue line and is adept at helping keep other teams hemmed in their end. Stylistically, he is a similar player to Alex Pietrangelo – a smart defender with great instincts in his own end. At the NHL level, he’s likely to feature on his team’s top pair at his peak. The few nitpicks one could make about him (rarely leads the rush, can take himself out of a play going for a hit) are easy to coach. He might be one of the safest first-round picks available.
However, Lambos could be a “slide” candidate because he barely player WHL hockey this season. He only played in two games before he left the Regina bubble for a medical procedure. He did perform quite well in Finland’s junior leagues, dressing for JYP, and also played his first two games of professional hockey with the big club in Liiga. However, scouts value being able to see players live with their own eyes, and they simply didn’t have a chance to see Lambos too much this year. If he does fall from his projected slot as a mid-first rounder, the lucky team he tumbles to will be quite happy with what Lambos can bring to their blueline.
He’ll almost certainly be back playing in his hometown with the ICE next year. While there, he’ll have a chance to grow into one of the WHL’s greatest defenders.
Owen Pederson, Left Wing
Ranked 105th among North American Skaters
6’ 3” 205 pounds; shoots left
2021 WHL Totals: 24 games played, 13 goals, 18 assists, 31 points
Back in October, Pederson got passed over in the 2020 NHL Draft. It would be shocking if someone didn’t snag the St. Albert local in his second tour this year.
Head Coach James Patrick confirmed multiple NHL teams were interested in Pederson last year, and that interest has continued this season. It’s not hard to see why. Pederson is a tough winger who can play with star players and has improved every year. He provided the “crash-and-bang” on a dominant top line with Peyton Krebs and Connor McClennon.
In 2020, he was actually ranked two spots higher on the registry than this year, but with his improvement, he should be gone by the times the mid-rounds are through. If he somehow does slip by a second time, there are a lot of players who have succeeded after not being selected.
Michael Milne, Left Wing
Ranked 162nd among North American Skaters
5’ 11” 183 pounds; shoots left
2021 WHL Totals: 14 games played, six goals, six assists, 12 points
For almost everyone, the delayed start this season was a big nuisance. For Michael Milne, it was the only reason he was able to play.
An upper-body injury suffered during the offseason looked like it would cause Milne to miss his draft year. But as the season kept getting pushed further and further back, the Abbotsford local used the extra time to be ready to show scouts what he can bring to their squad.
Milne is a defensive winger, perfect for a third-line role in the big leagues. He scores greasy goals, kills penalties, plays important minutes, and provides energy to his team’s middle six. He’s a hard-working grinder, the player coaches love on their team. He is stylistically similar to Carolina’s Warren Foegele, a defensive forward with offensive upside.
Of the three, he’s the most likely Winnipeg ICE player to go unselected. He has seventh-round surprise written all over him and offers intangibles that teams love, but there are enough question marks that could make teams pass over the winger.
Gage Alexander, Goaltender
Ranked 28th among North American Goalies
6’ 7” 212 pounds
2021 WHL Totals: nine starts (6-3-0), .917 SP, 2.23 GAA, one shutout
The Winnipeg ICE were looking for one of the three goaltenders they brought into the bubble to step up as their starter. Alexander evolved into the best netminder not only on his own team, but also arguably the entire East Division.
Quality goaltending is always something NHL teams look for late in the draft, and that’s where Alexander is most likely going to be drafted. He’s big, steady in his crease, and has great puck tracking. Like most goalie prospects, he’s going to need time to develop – good thing he’s already in a great place to do so.
Like his teammates, Alexander will be back with the Winnipeg ICE next year, where he’ll likely be the starter. Whatever happens in the draft, they’ll be back with the Winnipeg ICE to grow their games and compete for a championship.
The NHL Draft starts July 23rd.
