• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
Not a lot of action involving 2018 NHL Entry Draft prospects on Tuesday, but enough to find three pretty impressive performances across the globe.
This time around, there are more Europeans than North Americans. It feels like there might be more pound-for-pound talent in Europe this season, as the players from across the Atlantic are a major reason the 2018 draft will be the deepest -- across all rounds -- in many years.
ISAC LUNDESTROM -- Lundestrom, who is in his second year of elite men's competition in the SHL, has ceded the Swedish spotlight to Rasmus Dahlin, but he is quietly having an outstanding season for Lulea. On Tuesday, he scored only 41 seconds into Lulea's game vs. Malmo. The goal helped spark his team to a 2-1 win. The goal was particularly impressive, because it gave Lundestrom a point in four of his past five SHL games.
AMIR MIFTAKHOV -- Miftakhov returned from the Russia-Czech exhibition series to a stellar performance for his Kazan Irbis MHL club. On Tuesday, he stopped 37 shots and allowed just one goal in Kazan's 2-0 loss to Astana. The second goal went into a empty net. While Miftakhov's Russian team won the Czech series, Miftakhov lost his only start. His return on Tuesday was brilliant, as it marked his fewest goals allowed in one game since Sept. 13. (Note: Second appearance on this list in 2017-18)
FILIP ZADINA -- At the rate Zadina is going, Halifax fans are likely to soon be saying "Nico who?". The Czech import continued his QMJHL scoring rampage with two goals and an assist in the Mooseheads' 5-1 win over Moncton to earn No. 1 star honors. He began his onslaught with a goal at 19:15 of the first period for a 1-1 tie. At 11:33 of the second, he assisted on a power-play goal (the eventual game-winner) to make it 2-1. He later scored at 17:54 of the second for a 3-1 lead. He also showed he can bounce back from a big hit, as he missed some shifts after being leveled. Zadina now has 10 goals, tying him for the league lead and ranking him first among rookies. Over his past three games, Zadina has eight points. It is time to start seeing Zadina as a potential No. 3 overall pick in June. (Note: Fifth appearance on this list in 2017-18 -- tied with Akil Thomas for overall lead)