Welcome to OilersNation’s 2021 Draft Countdown.
Over the next few weeks leading up to the draft, we’ll be rounding up scouting reports, quotes, and videos about the Top-100 prospects available. Here are aggregated profiles on Vladislav Lukashevich, Josh Lopina, Josh Doan, Martin Rysavy, and Liam Dower-Nilsson.
No. 100: Vladislav Lukashevich
Date of Birth: May 23, 2003
Nation: Russia
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 159 pounds
Profile: A tall, smooth-skater with a good first pass, Lukashevich has the profile of a defender who can produce offence from the blueline. He was a bit buried on a stacked Yaroslavl team in the MHL so his stats aren’t overly impressive but he has impressive tools.
Lukashevich’s athletic tools stand out immediately and draw NHL teams to him as a prospect. He’s 6-foot-2 and a strong skater, with good speed and flashes of high-end skating with his edgework. He shows instances of NHL-quality skill and playmaking. He wasn’t a top scorer as a junior, but was on a stacked team and did get a lot of responsibility on that club. Lukashevich’s offense will likely come from a good first pass and rushing pucks up as opposed to being an NHL power-play type. Defensively he’s fine but not amazing. You figure with his size, feet and not being soft he’ll progress more in that area over time. A late injury ended his season and prevented him from going to the U18 worlds. In a sentence, Lukashevich projects as a steady third-pair defenseman who can chip in some offense. – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
No. 99: Josh Lopina
Date of Birth: Feb. 16, 2001
Nation: United States
Position: Centre
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 194 pounds
Profile: Though he went undrafted in 2019 and 2020, a strong season for UMass in 2020-21 will likely get Lopina selected his third time around. He filled the profile of a strong defensive centre for UMass while chipping in with 23 points in 29 games.
With just 62 points in 106 games during his USHL career, Lopina’s offense was nothing too impressive prior to making the jump to UMass. But that transition to college couldn’t have been any more seamless. In 26 games, Lopina finished sixth in team scoring with 23 points en route to an NCAA title and league rookie of the year award. Lopina played a solid role for UMass during the team’s run to the national title, but he also previously looked great as a defensive center for USA at the World Junior A Challenge and his mix of hard forechecking and penalty kill prowess could result in him getting some NHL attention down the line. If he’s not selected this year, he’ll be a future NCAA UFA target. – Steven Ellis, Sports Illustrated
Here's a look as @josh_lopina picks up his eighth of the season from @bobbytrivigno
Watch now on ESPNU!#NewMass | #Flagship 🚩 pic.twitter.com/iAMqSOjnlz
— UMass Hockey (@UMassHockey) March 26, 2021
No. 98: Josh Doan
Date of Birth: Feb. 1, 2002
Nation: United States / Canada
Position: Forward
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 176 pounds
Profile: The son of former NHLer Shane Doan, Josh Doan brings exactly to the ice what you’d expect. He’s a hard-working, physical forward who isn’t afraid to go to the net and play a physical game.
Josh is the son of former NHL All-Star, Shane Doan. The work rate that he maintains on a shift-to-shift basis is something to behold. Considering the massive size disadvantage often at play, one has to applaud his courage. Even off the puck in the offensive zone, one can find Doan trying like mad to deploy an effective screen in front of the goaltender. – EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide
No. 97: Martin Rysavy
Date of Birth: March 6, 2003
Nation: Czech Republic
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 209 pounds
Profile: A big, strong-skating winger, Rysavy was selected in the first round of the 202 WHL import draft by the Moose Jaw Warriors. He put himself on the grid back in 2019 as the Czech Republic’s captain at the U-17 World Juniors with five points in six games.
Rysavy brings good speed, creative passing ability, and a penchant for physicality on the forecheck to the table, EPRinkside.com 2021
No. 96: Liam Dower-Nilsson
Date of Birth: April 14, 2003
Nation: Sweden
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 176 pounds
Profile: Dower-Nilsson doesn’t have high-level skills, but plays a smart, responsible game and is a strong skater and looks to be a safe bet to eventually become a bottom-six NHL centre.
A solid two-way forward who showcases some quality skill and offensive instincts. He may not boast an incredible ceiling but he has the opportunity to be a quality middle-six producer. – Tony Ferarri, Dobber Prospects
Liam Dower-Nilsson is a player that if he improves his skating, he will be a lot of fun to watch. Watch this play on the PP, which he sometimes basically runs from behind the net. I think that's neat. pic.twitter.com/9WB4ILiKFy
— Mikael Holm (@carlmikaelholm) November 2, 2020