Opening "The '15 File:" Second Seven

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Your "Game Time" Prospect Department proudly presents an in-depth look at the players comprising this year's "Second Seven," or the group of seven players just behind the "Silver Seven" at the top of this year's version of our "Hot List."

As things currently stand, the Blues' second pick of the draft will not come until 94th overall, with Edmonton's pick acquired in the David Perron trade. We think that many, if not all, of these players will still be on the board at that point. Any one of these players would fill a need in the system, and probably represents the "best player available" at 94th overall.

After reading the profiles and scouting reports for each of the "Second Seven," don't forget to vote in the poll below for which of these players you'd like to see added to the Blues' system at the draft. Also, the poll for the "Silver Seven" is still open until May 24, so drop by that article and weigh in if you have not already done so...

	BLUES' SELECTIONS IN 2015 DRAFT
ROUND	OVERALL	NOTES
2ND	058	...
4TH	094	FROM EDM (Perron Trade)
4TH	118	...
5TH	127	FROM NEJ (D'Agostini Trade)
5TH	148	...
6TH	178	...

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	1.	ALEXANDER DERGACHYOV
	POSITION	Center/Right Wing	CSS Preliminary			EU "C"
	SHOOTS	Left	CSE Midterm			EU 014
	HEIGHT	6' 04.00"	CSS Final			EU 017
	WEIGHT	200 lbs	...			...
	BORN	Sep. 27, 1996	WHERE			Langepas, Russia
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (RUS Jr)		45	10	29	39	+ 5	52	2	2	1
	... Playoffs		19	11	7	18	+11	10	1	0	2

SCOUTING REPORT

Dergachyov is a big center that came into his own this season (2013-14) in the MHL, and was a strong performer for Russia at the February five nation, and at the recent World Under-18 hockey championship. With his MHL team in 2013-14 he recorded 21 points in 46 games, but Dergachyov’s game is more than just points. He’s an excellent player without the puck, and excels on the penalty-killing unit with great anticipation, and a good active stick. He’s always the first forward on the backcheck, and supports his defensemen very well down low. He’s a fine skater for someone his size, but could still work on his starts, and improve his top speed. He’s not afraid to play a physical game. Dergachyov’s a very strong kid who’s willing to take a hit to make a play. He’s willing to take punishment in front of the net if he has to; he’s strong on his skates, and tough to move from there. He does some good work along the wall, protects the puck very well, and uses his size effectively.

He’s not afraid of taking the puck to the net, and can bulldoze himself there. On the power play he can either screen the goalie’s view in front of the net, or play the playmaker role on the half wall. He showed nice poise with the puck, and an ability to find his teammates. He has a good shot with a great release on it, and is capable of putting the puck in the net. He’s the guy that Russian coaches always used in key moment of the game, for an important faceoff or to kill a penalty. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2015 Draft Profiles)

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	2.	GRAHAM KNOTT
	POSITION	Left Wing	CSS Preliminary			NA "B"
	SHOOTS	Left	CSE Midterm			NA 054
	HEIGHT	6' 03.25"	CSS Final			NA 057
	WEIGHT	192 lbs	...			...
	BORN	Jan. 13, 1997	WHERE			Etobicoke, ON
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	Niagara (OHL)		59	25	18	43	+ 1	33	8	1	2
	... Playoffs		11	2	2	4	+ 4	2	0	0	0
	Canada (WJC U18)		5	1	3	4	0	4	1	0	0

SCOUTING REPORT

Graham was a third round selection of the Ice Dogs and fought his way onto the team with a strong work ethic mixed in with some skill. Knott made an impression for himself finishing his checks hard and driving the net with the puck. He controls the puck well for a big forward and really improved his skating from the previous season, although there is still room for improvement in that area. He has a very powerful shot and good positioning in the offensive zone making him a threat when his line gains the offensive zone. Despite this he is very defensively reliable and will backcheck and compete in his own zone. Combined with great size Graham just needs to add a little more muscle to his frame and he will be ready to continue to raise his stock for the 2015 NHL Draft. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2015 Draft Profiles)

Left wing prospect with a nice frame whose has all-around game and makes any linemate a good player. Plays well in all areas and comes to play shift after shift. Has strength but needs to get better in the battle areas. Very consistent and was able to outplay the opposition and winning puck battles again and again. Can get bigger all round. And improving in the tight spaces and capitalizing there is what might elevate his draft status. ( Bill Placzek, http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/graham-knott/21731/)

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	3.	JENS LÖÖKE
	POSITION	Right Wing	CSS Preliminary			EU "B"
	SHOOTS	Right	CSE Midterm			EU 003
	HEIGHT	6' 00.50"	CSS Final			EU 010
	WEIGHT	180 lbs	...			...
	BORN	Apr. 11, 1997	WHERE			Gävle, Sweden
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	Brynäs Gävle (SHL)		43	2	4	6	- 4	2	0	0	0
	... Playoffs		4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Brynäs U20 (SWE Jr)		18	10	8	18	+18	4	3	0	3
	Sweden (WJC U20)		7	3	0	3	- 1	0	1	0	0
	Sweden (WJC U18)		4	0	0	0	- 1	2	0	0	0

SCOUTING REPORT

A smooth skating winger with tremendous playmaking ability. Possesses good puckhandling skills and can weave his way into the offensive end and make plays on a consistent basis. In terms of passing, he can find a seam in a fog; don't be fooled into thinking he is simply a passer, as he also exhibits a very sneaky, erratic shot that often finds its way to the back of the net. All-in-all, a smart, offensive winger that is poised with the puck and makes creative on-ice decisions that lead to dangerous scoring chances. ( Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects website 2014)

Interesting sleeper who is average sized, but has significant upside based on his all-around skill and puck handling ability. Really strong on the puck and a deft passer on the move. Has a variety of fakes and can convince defenders he is taking the shot while he is making time for one of his teammates to actually get the puck to make the play. Has good instincts and good handling the biscuit on the PP. Has shown improving compete level at both ends and must continue to be a better player when he doesn’t possess it. Was on his homeland’s team roster for the World Junior Under-20 at Christmas 2014. (Bill Placzek, http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/jens-l%C3%B6%C3%B6ke/22594/)

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	4.	ALEKSI SAARELA
	POSITION	Center	CSS Preliminary			EU "B"
	SHOOTS	Left	CSE Midterm			EU 025
	HEIGHT	5' 10.50"	CSS Final			EU 031
	WEIGHT	198 lbs	...			...
	BORN	Jan. 7, 1997	WHERE			Helsinki, Finland
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	Ässät Pori (Liiga)		51	6	6	12	- 7	18	1	0	1
	... Playoffs		2	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
	Finland (WJC U18)		7	3	5	8	+ 6	6	1	0	1

SCOUTING REPORT

Saarela is a player who we first saw last year at the 2013 U-17 hockey challenge playing as an underager on Finland. This season (2013-14) he split time between Lukko’s Under- 20 team, and the men’s league. He missed time with injuries for a second straight year. He also played two games for Finland at the last World Under-18 hockey championship scoring one goal. During the season with Lukko U-20 team he amassed 22 points in 17 games. Saarela is an impressive skater and has quick feet with a great burst of speed. He likes to challenge opposing defensemen wide while using his speed. His hands are very quick, and he can put the puck in the net with the best of them, as his puck skills are high end. He has a really strong wrist shot, and a great release. He works hard all over the ice. We first saw him as a 15-year-old and were very impressed with his work ethic in his own zone, and solid play on the penalty kill. He can be a threat to score shorthanded with his great speed and anticipation. Saarela has solid playmaking skills, and sees the ice very well. We like his poise with the puck on the power play, and his ability to make players around him better. He won’t back down from the physical game and competes hard, but at times in the offensive zone can be victim of playing on the perimeter. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2015 Draft Profiles)

April 22, 2014, Finland vs. USA (U-18). FIN # 25, F, Saarela, Aleksi – Saarela showed good speed through the neutral zone, and was able to find holes in the opposing defense. He took a pass from Kekitalo in the 2nd period, split two defenders and made a power move towards the net before beating Ndeljkovic for Finland’s 2nd goal of the game. It was an excellent play from Saarela, and his ability to make a play with the puck at a high speed while having defenders all over him was impressive. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2013-14 Scouts Game Notes)

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	5.	KEVIN STENLUND
	POSITION	Center	CSS Preliminary			EU "B"
	SHOOTS	Right	CSE Midterm			EU 057
	HEIGHT	6' 03.00"	CSS Final			EU 021
	WEIGHT	205 lbs	...			...
	BORN	Sep. 20, 1996	WHERE			Botkyrka, Sweden
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	HV71 Jönköping (SHL)		17	1	0	1	- 3	2	0	0	0
	HV71 U20 (SWE Jr)		36	14	22	36	+ 4	16	2	0	2
	... Playoffs		6	1	3	4	- 2	4	0	0	1

SCOUTING REPORT

An intelligent, big-bodied center with superb puckhandling ability. His greatest asset is his mature mindset: he thinks the game at a high level. Plays a simplified, complete game and doesn't make low-percentage plays. Uses his edges well at a level that suits his style of play - physical and hard to play against; that being said, there is still room for improvement in his skating and first three strides. Protects the puck well. ( Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects website, 2014)

Big sized quick playmaker who moves well, has a quick release, soft hands, and shiftiness. Already has the height, range and growing muscle, and now must increase his acceleration and first step jump. Teams will expect him to use his size in both the defensive and attack zones more than he has displayed. Really good passer and deceptive shooter who will get consideration as longer developmental guy. ( Bill Placzek, http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/kevin-stenlund/22789/)

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	6.	VEETI VAINIO
	POSITION	Defenseman	CSS Preliminary			EU "B"
	SHOOTS	Right	CSE Midterm			EU 048
	HEIGHT	6' 01.75"	CSS Final			EU 025
	WEIGHT	169 lbs	...			...
	BORN	June 16, 1997	WHERE			Espoo, Finland
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	Blues Espoo U20 (FIN Jr)		42	13	31	44	+22	42	8	0	0
	... Playoffs		5	2	5	7	+ 1	4	1	0	0
	Finland (WJC U18)		7	0	1	1	- 1	10	0	0	0

SCOUTING REPORT

Finland U17 vs Lloydminster Bobcats, December 28, 2013. FIN #24, Vainio, Veeti (2015) – Vainio is a good skating defenseman with a solid all-around skill set. Probably Finland’s best defenseman on the day, Vainio was able to control the play from the backend. He was very patient with the puck to the point that he seemed to be toying with the Bobcats. Puck skills were good, but its unclear of how high-end they are. Defensively, he was overly confident in his own end a couple times and incoming players’ speed caused him to have to turn his hips early and caused a bit of trouble for him. Vainio understood when to jump into the play and he effectively read the play and timed it well whenever he decided to be the trailer on the rush. Good offensive instincts, but a little raw in his own end. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2013-14 Scouts Game Notes)

December 31, 2013 Macs Midget Semi-Final #2 Finland U17 vs Okanagan Rockets. FIN #24, Vainio, Veeti (2015) - Good size combined with strong skating skills. One of the more mobile players in the tournament. Strong two-way play. Had a couple good shots on net from the point on the power play in the 1st period. Does exceptionally well in transition. Won several puck battles in his end before being able to carry the puck up ice. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2013-14 Scouts Game Notes)

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	7.	DENNIS YAN
	POSITION	Left Wing	CSS Preliminary			NA "C"
	SHOOTS	Left	CSE Midterm			NA 035
	HEIGHT	6' 01.25"	CSS Final			NA 030
	WEIGHT	180 lbs	...			...
	BORN	Apr. 14, 1997	WHERE			Portland, OR
SEASON	CLUB/LEAGUE		GP	GL	AS	PT	+-	PM	PP	SH	GW
2014-15	Shawinigan (QMJHL)		59	33	31	64	+23	71	10	0	3
	... Playoffs		7	7	1	8	+ 5	6	1	0	1

SCOUTING REPORT

Yan possesses some gifted hands, powerful skating, and pure sniping abilities. He has very good hockey awareness and creativity. He played with the NTDP-17 team this past season (2013-14) and not sure his production of 12 goals and 14 assists in 48 games is indicative of his game. He has grown over the last couple of years but still stands to add strength to his game, a bit more sandpaper, and more sound defensive awareness. He was recently drafted by the KHL in the second round to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. (Hockey Prospect.com 2014 Black Book, 2015 Draft Profiles)

Highly skilled winger with excellent speed, first step and offensive instincts. A natural goal scorer finds the open space and buries his chances. Displays a lightning fast release, and hard shot. Flies around the net and finds the soft spots in coverage, always involving himself in high traffic areas. He is a scorer but also an offensive generator, with soft hands and great balance at high speed. Surprisingly physical in pursuit of the puck, and a good forechecker. Needs to balance his offensive prowess with lots more work in his defensive zone. ( Bill Placzek, http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/ dennis-yan/21096/)