Notebook: Cossa, Rosen, Sillinger & More
Every season, FCHockey’s scouts are scouring the globe to get eyes on prospects eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft and beyond.
They spend countless hours watching both live games and game tape to get the best possible analysis on the prospects entering the NHL Draft. Our Unpacking the Notebook series takes a look at some of the reports that FCHockey’s scouts have filed over the past week.
Here’s a glimpse at our scout’s analysis.
Anthony Bedard, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
Bai-Comeau 2 – Shawinigan 9 – February 27, 2021
Scouting report by Tomas Zubrus
Right out of the gate Anthony Bedard looked like he was ready to play and play amazingly at that. Early on in the first period, he’s at the edge of his own zone and spots his linemate and this ensues a 2-on-1 in Shawinigan’s favour. His high-level edgework and potent speed led him to being able to fly towards the puck at a tight angle and execute a perfect tape-to-tape pass. This goal would not have happened if it were not for Bedard using his quick thinking and superb playmaking ability to execute a play that lead to his team scoring. He started off the game generating chance after chance, every time the puck was on his stick, there was some sort of offensive threat. He additionally used his unique skating style to mask his intentions in the offensive zone and fool opponents into making the wrong decisions defensively. He continued to display his tremendous work ethic and he created an amazing play by overcoming an opponent of much larger size, managing the puck well and making smart passes which in turn led to Bedard scoring a goal of his own. His lack of size did sadly impact him negatively. He was pushed around a little bit during the course of the game and this is not a trait you’d like to see in any player regardless of size. He did however put in the effort to play well defensively. This was easily a candidate for Bedard’s best game of the season. If he keeps up this recent hot streak he’s been on, he may just catch the eye of a few NHL scouts.
Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Lethbridge 1 – Edmonton 7 – February 26, 2021
Scouting report by Donesh Mazloum
Lost a bit in the onslaught of offence from the Oil Kings in this game was an excellent performance from Sebastian Cossa in net. The Hurricanes had eight power-play opportunities in this game including an extended 5-on-3 and yet Cossa squashed the majority of their chances with ease. I really like his demeanour in net; no matter what the situation or score his heart rate never seems to exceed 40 beats per minute. That calm bleeds to his team and when he gets into a rhythm he can seem unbeatable. The mental side of his game is what has improved leaps and bounds since he entered the league. He has been guilty of letting in some weak goals stemming from a lack of focus in the past however he really shored that up towards the end of last year and he looks to have continued on the right foot to start this season. While the mental side is still a developing skill, his physical toolbox is chock-full. Cossa is an imposing and athletic 6-foot-6 and while the size is a plus the fact that it’s paired with top-level quickness is what really makes him stand out. He has explosive reflexes with his limbs and can lash out with an arm or a leg along with the best of them. He also tracks bounces and caroms very well and can make an unorthodox save when needed. While he has these natural gifts, he is technically very sound and uses his athleticism to bail himself out rather than as a crutch he needs to lean on. He is diligent at looking around and over traffic to position himself properly and he is patient in collapsing to the butterfly. This second skill in particular is something goalies his size are often late to develop however Cossa is both quick in his movement up and down and consistent in his commitment to get back to his feet. I’m becoming a bigger and bigger fan of what he brings to the table in each successive viewing and I think he’s working his way into the first round for this year’s draft in my eyes. Goaltending can be a crapshoot but with Cossa’s combination of talent and technique, I’m as confident in him as I have been for any goalie out of the West in some time.
Dmitri Katelevsky, W, Bars Kazan (VHL)
Bars Kazan 0 – Neva St. Petersburg 3 – January 11, 2021
Scouting report by Derek Neumeier
Playing a top-six role at a professional level, Dmitri Katelevsky did not look out of place whatsoever in this contest. He plays a very pro-style of game — excellent work ethic on a consistent basis, ability to maintain a high pace, smart decision-making both with and without the puck. There are some power elements to his game, as he can get some force going when he gets a head of steam. Will chase down opponents on the forecheck and leave a physical presence if he gets the chance. Not the quickest or most agile skater, but he’s strong and balanced on his edges, allowing him to pivot and change directions. Is incredibly impressive without the puck for a player his age, as he gets back defensively before the play does, knows where he needs to go, knows when he needs to apply some pressure and looks over his shoulders frequently to keep track of what’s happening around him. Understands the importance of coming back hard on the backcheck. Displays confidence, enthusiasm, and a willingness to get his hands dirty. Will be a guy who wins a lot of pucks along the boards once he’s not playing up an age group. He’s not an overly skilled player offensively in any way, but he’ll be a guy who occasionally finds ways to get the puck in high-danger areas and has an above-average understanding of what to do when those situations occur. Katelevsky projects very, very well as a prospect who can become a checking forward in the NHL, and might even fill a similar role to someone like Zach Hyman if everything hits just right with his development.
Isak Rosen, RW, Leksands IF (SHL)
Leksands 3 – Vaxjo 4 – December 10, 2021
Scouting report by Derek Neumeier
A speedy, versatile winger, Isak Rosen looked very comfortable at the SHL level in this contest. He’s a quick and energetic player, able to accelerate in the blink of an eye and burst into open space, though he’s not the most agile and doesn’t get the best extension in his stride. Gets where he needs to go more so because of his reaction time, his determination, and his understanding of routes than his skating technique. Plays with a lot of pace in all three zones, applying the right amount of pressure on the forecheck while also hustling back hard to help out defensively. Thinks the game quickly and plays on high alert, including lots of shoulder checks to keep track of what’s going on around him. He’s a pretty reliable player off the puck, and had one huge defensive breakup in this game that prevented a scoring chance. Displays an above-average nose for the net, getting himself open in dangerous areas a couple of times in this one, including a grade-A chance that didn’t miss by much. Isn’t afraid to go hard to the net. Also had a really nice breakaway pass on one play. Puck control is good, but not high-end and not the smoothest. Pass receptions could be cleaner and more consistent. You’d also like to see his vision and poise be a little better, as there were times in this one where he was trying to force things and turned the puck over. Physical play is definitely a problem, as he’s small and gets muscled off the puck quite easily. Overall, there are a lot of translatable elements to Rosen’s game, and he projects well as a guy who could become a 20-goal, 20-assist player while also being reliable defensively.
Red Savage, C, USNTDP (USHL)
USA U18 3 – Green Bay 2 – February 27, 2021
Scouting report by James Henry
Although he is leaned on in key defensive moments, Red Savage still has some big steps to take in order to become a complete player. A lot of his faceoff losses come from being out-competed when the puck lingers around the circle. He doesn’t seem to have much leverage or strength on draws. Defensively as low forward, Savage can overcommit and find himself on the wrong side of board battles. Leaving players open and able to pick up loose pucks and continue playing offense. Similar issues in offensive zone puck battles, Savage will end up getting pinned along the wall, losing possession. Offensively in front of the net he is very competitive. Does well to gain body and stick positioning, at the same time he is able to find second opportunities. As he outsmarted, and worked a bigger defender for a rebound, scoring the game’s first goal. Also shows his nose for the net during the rush, always pushing defensemen back on their heels. When Savage has possession he is creative, while being smart with the puck. Doesn’t force passes through the middle, or try to make a low percentage play. I see Savage as a depth player at the next level. His style of play should transfer to professional hockey as he matures. I expect him to be selected before the 5th round, and would be a valuable pick if he is available any later.
Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Omaha 1 – Sioux Falls 8 – February 27, 2021
Scouting report by Joel Henderson
Seems every time I talk about Cole Sillinger I begin with his skating and his pace of play. His skating stride during a glide is a fairly wide base but I think when he’s normally accelerating he could widen his pushes a little more to reach a fuller extension. It doesn’t seem to hinder him too much on push races when he’s springing the d-zone though. He gets to a strong, powerful pace. What I noticed quite a bit in this game was how he surveyed the situation when he’s not the active forchecker in deep. I think he’d much more comfortable roaming in space in the open ice so he can pounce on loose pucks and adapt to the unfolding situation. He does have good anticipation which he relies on more than his edgework for positioning. Often he can be found sitting back from the forecheck so he can adapt to the pressure evolving. In the defensive zone, it means he isn’t the extra man in on scrums. He’d rather anticipate and then spring the zone for a potential one-on-one or breakaway. Either way, he gets the puck down low usually with control. I find he’s one of the best players in this class at adapting to poor positional passes. He can receive passes behind his split stride so smoothly or touch a pass to a teammate. I can see him evolving into a player who knows how to continue possession in the o-zone as his passing accuracy is smooth and lacks panic. He won’t be a neutral zone carrier at the NHL level but he does read the evolution of pressure well and has great timing when to shovel a pass to a teammate to continue driving the play forward. Defensively, he knows how to angle off on a forecheck but doesn’t use his stick effectively most of the time. I don’t think he actually believes in his ability to cause turnovers; he’s just trying to get you to fall into the team defensive pressure instead of being a one-man show. His gifting is really in his ability to read pressure, find open ice, adapt to passes, and always always always be a dangerous goal scoring threat. He can shoot from multiple body positions, from multiple positions on the ice, and with dangerous accuracy. If he can fill in gaps of pressure which are created from a play-driving C, he could be a dangerous sharp shooting top-6 NHL asset.
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