Welcome to OilersNation’s 2021 Draft Countdown, powered by FCHockey.
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 Jack Bar, Chase Stillman, Anton Olsson, Oliver Kapanen, and Ryder Korczak.
No. 55: Jack Bar
Date of Birth: October 24, 2002
Nation: Canada
Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 190 lbs
“Bar has transitioned well from a Canadian prep school to an elite junior league, jumping in with the USHL-leading Chicago Steel as an all-situations defenseman. Strong skater with advanced strength for his age, showing great extension in his strides and solid edgework to move laterally and stop on a dime. Bar is a confident puckhandler and shows good poise under pressure, evading forecheckers with stickhandling moves and by using his body to shield the puck. He shows a good understanding of spacing in the offensive end and had a couple aggressive pinches down below the goal line in this game. He has great straight-line speed, despite average foot speed, thanks to his great lower-body form in his stride, and he is able to get back into position in transition after an aggressive pinch. His puckhandling helps him create chances and take advantage of loose pucks when he pinches into the zone, but he’s still pretty limited when pressured and can force passes through the middle of the ice in the offensive zone. Defensively, he defends off the rush well, not utilizing many crossovers and keeping a tight gap. He seemed to be making a concerted effort to be physical when defending; he was able to separate his man from the puck with a forceful shove or cross check along the boards on more than one occasion. There were times when he didn’t play his check very tight on the cycle, leading to extended possessions on defense. Overall, however, Bar was making an impact on the puck at both ends and utilizing his feet and puck skills to move play efficiently out of his own zone against arguably the toughest opponent he’ll face all season.” – Joseph Aleong
No. 54: Chase Stillman
Date of Birth: March 29, 2003
Nation: Canada
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 180 lbs
“I liked Stillman’s play during this game. He brought a physical presence and very often was able to knock his opponent down and off the puck in all areas of the ice. He showed good puck control while he had possession — specifically one moment where he sped through the neutral and offensive zone puckhandling around a few of his opponents to get into the zone. I liked his offensive net-front presence, too. There were many times where I’d see him blocking the goalie’s view of the puck and then he would sneak out into the corner and be wide open to receive a pass to take a shot from the corner. He has good play reading skills where he’s able to set up his linemates for potential shot opportunities and was good to read the play and be proactive in finding the quiet ice to help progress the play. Stillman battled well along the boards where again, brought the physicality and was able to get the puck into defending possession. In the midst of a net front scrum in the offensive zone, Stillman stayed out a couple feet from the net and was able to generate a shot opportunity off of a rebounded shot. He was able to keep game pace and competed hard throughout the whole game. He was also very good on his edges and his transitions are so smooth which helps to switch directions to follow the play with great ease.” – Olivia McArter
No. 53: Anton Olsson
Date of Birth: January 26, 2003
Nation: Sweden
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 183 lbs
“Olsson is a solid two-way puck moving defenseman who could translate well to the NHL if he is able to get more confident in his abilities and develop properly (i.e., not rushed). He defends well in front of his net and is effective at clearing out opposing players and timing his stick lifts to neutralize scoring chances. This all speaks to his maturity as a player given his age playing in the SHL. Olsson has an active stick and does a good job of winning battles. He defends against the rush well at times because he stays between the dots and pivots well, angling forwards off the rush towards the boards by using his stick and body. When he does get beat it is because he did not read the other team’s breakout well and did not position himself back far enough to stop the other teams zone entry. However, Olsson is very aware of his own team’s position up-ice on the rush. He keeps his head up on the breakout and is poised with his positioning. He will often move into open ice behind whichever teammate(s) are looking to pass the puck up-ice for support and hold tight waiting for a pass because he knows the puck will come to him. This helps his team consistently break the puck out successfully when he is on the ice because he is very good at finding a way to be a passing option for his teammates if they are under pressure or get caught on the breakout. With the puck, Olsson has good poise and makes safe/smart plays in his own end. He is effective at jumping into the rush and has a good first pass coming out of his own end. Olsson is an above average skater and has quick feet for a player his size. He has good skating posture while carrying the puck and keeps his head up when moving up ice. He moves the puck well along the blue line and has a quick release with good shooting mechanics. He follows through well on his shots with his stick and lower body. Overall, I like Olsson’s game and his skillset/IQ projects very well to improve tremendously with age as he builds confidence and grows into his frame.” – Sebastian Death
No. 52: Oliver Kapanen
Date of Birth: July 29, 2003
Nation: Finland
Position: Centre
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 166 lbs
“It was only one viewing, but Kapanen really won me over in this one. The cousin of Kasperi Kapanen and nephew of former NHLer Sami Kapanen, Oliver very clearly has had some good influences in his hockey life, because he understands and approaches the game at an advanced level. He is an incredibly responsible player who uses his hockey sense and work ethic to leave a positive mark on most shifts, in all three zones, and in all situations. Keeps his head up and knows when to try something by himself or use his teammates. Plays center at this level and looks like he will have what it takes to remain a center at higher levels. Has a good motor and empties the gas tank if his team needs him to, including on the backcheck. He’s hungry for pucks. Skating is above average, but it’s his hands and his sense that make him truly dangerous on the rush and in open ice, because he’s able to find space and safely carry the puck through it. Exits and enters zones very well, and loves to work the give-and-go with his linemates. Protects the puck nicely in the cycle using his hands, edges and enthusiasm for winning battles, and knows when to roll off his man to receive a pass. He’s an average-sized player, but he gets his hands dirty and fights for space if he needs to. Not the most purely skilled offensive player, but he’s dangerous in tight as a shooter and a playmaker, and he gets into those areas pretty often. Happily handles his defensive duties, including a lot of usage on the penalty kill and regular defensive-zone draws at even strength, though he can get caught puck-chasing at times. Kapanen’s upside is probably capped as a Middle 6 center and support player, but he is an incredibly safe pick to play in the NHL and his coaches will probably love what he brings to his team.” – Derek Neumeier
No. 51: Ryder Korczak
Date of Birth: September 23, 2003
Nation: Canada
Position: Centre
Shoots: Right
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 164 lbs
“Although Korczak has been one of the top offensive pieces for Moose Jaw and scoring at the same clip as last season, it’s been a bit of a humbling year for the third-year centerman with some injury concerns and weak team surrounding him. While Korczak is one of the smarter and well-rounded players in the Western group, his growth as a player hasn’t really taken enormous leaps forward in his development in terms of physical tools. His biggest advantage is the deception in his game which masks his average skating ability and lack of leverage in tight areas of the ice where he lacks strength and explosiveness. His strong off-puck movement and ability to play with speed changes as he works a route allows him to be efficient between checks. Korczak often puts himself in strong scenarios to retrieve pucks and when he does come into possession seems to have a plan in tow for a follow up move. He’s more of a subtle manipulator than an expressive skill player and will try to leverage scenarios to his advantage rather than force a situation. That being said, as a strong first pass player, his execution was all over the place in this game as he made some strong sequential plays in open ice but struggled to connect with linemates. His shot mechanics are on the right path to allow him to be a more effective shooter as he’s able to get pucks quickly to his hip and he’s generating efficient down force but needs to find consistency with picking his spots. I do like his competitive nature but sometimes in 50/50 battles he seems to relent and just not have the edge to grind out plays. He’s not a premier defender by any stretch but he uses pre-scans consistently and puts himself in spots above pucks where he can make a short range approach to limit a chance and move pucks out of danger. Played the Warriors top units on special teams and evens while logging match ups. I do like what he brings to the table, but I am concerned about what skills for him will pop going forward that will separate him from the crop when it comes to earning a job.” – Juston Froese