2023 NHL draft prospects 50-41: Koehn Ziemmer, Maxim Strbak, Tanner Molendyk, Michael Hrabel, Bradley Nadeau, and more

We’re diving into prospects ranked from numbers 50 to 41 today: Koehn Ziemmer, Maxim Strbak, Tanner Molendyk, Michael Hrabel, Bradley Nadeau, Noah Dower Nilsson, Kalan Lind, Timur Mukhanov, Luca Cagnoni, and Jayden Perron.

Ziemmer, a right-shot, right-winger standing at 6’0, 194 lbs., spent last season with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars. He had a great offensive season scoring 41 goals and 89 points in 68 games. In the playoffs, he added another three goals and seven points in 10 games.

Scouting Report: “Heidt wasn’t the only draft prospect worth watching in Prince George. Ziemmer finished with an impressive 41 goals and 89 points in 68 regular season games, with his 71 goals sitting second behind Bedard for the most among 2023 eligible players over the past two years. Ziemmer is a solid power forward that uses his strength to his advantage and should be able to carve out a decent NHL career.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

A 6’2, 198 lb. right-shot defenceman, Strbak spent last season with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede, his first in North America. He drew in for 46 games scoring five goals and 18 points.

Scouting Report: “Strbak doesn’t produce much offence, but he uses his size and skating to cut corners off and limit high-danger chances. His patience with the puck under pressure really stands out.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Molendyk, a 5’11, 176 lb. left-shot defenceman, played for the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades scoring nine goals and 37 points in 67 games. Come the playoffs, he chipped in another three goals and eight points in 18 games.

Scouting Report: “Molendyk sometimes feels like a fourth forward out there with how he moves the puck and generates chances. But the offense didn’t seem to follow like most expected, bumping him down a few pegs. It feels like he’ll have a breakout next year, but I just wanted to see more this time around.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Lots of goaltenders in the second-round range, and Hrabel is another. He spent last season with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers posting a 9-13-4 record and a .908 save percentage. The 6’6, 216 lb. netminder is off to the University of Massachusetts next year.

Scouting Report: “The University of Massachusetts commit’s numbers might not look like much in the USHL, but he did a lot of load-carrying this year. His international play has been solid, and despite an early exit at the U-18s, Hrabal gave his team a fighting chance. It also helps that he’s 6-foot-6 but moves like a much smaller, more agile netminder.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Nadeau was nothing short of otherworldly this season dominating the Jr. A ranks. He scored a staggering 45 goals and 113 points in 54 games in one of the best single seasons ever. Playing for the powerhouse Penticton Vees of the BCHL, he scored 17 goals and 35 points in 17 post-season games, as well. The 5’10, 161 lb. right-shot centre off to the University of Maine for next season.

Scouting Report: “The best Canadian Jr. A player, Nadeau had 113 points this season, third most among U-18 BCHLers since 2000. His older brother, Josh, finished three points behind him on Penticton, with the pair placing 1-2 in league scoring. Don’t ignore Jr. A stars – Kent Johnson, Alex Newhook and, most notably, Cale Makar are all recent standouts.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Dower Nilsson, a 6’0, 183 lb. left-shot centre, spent last season with Frolunda HC’s J20 team in Sweden scoring 26 goals and 54 points in 37 games.

Scouting Report: “Dower Nilsson missed more than a month due to an injury, but was solid down the stretch and saw some SHL action, too. When he’s on his game, he tends to grab points in bursts. His 54 points and 1.46 points per game were the best among U-18 skaters in the Swedish U-20 league with at least 15 games played.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Lind had a solid season with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels last year scoring 16 goals and 44 points in 43 games. The 6’0, 154 lb. left-shot forward also racked up 80 PIM.

Scouting Report: “Like energy? You’ll love Lind. He brings it every shift, getting in your face and making you pay on the scoresheet. Lind has the makings of a fan favourite for the way he gives it his all every game. He’s a future middle-six forward with the potential to step up in a pinch.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Mukhanov split time between two Russian junior teams last year in the VHL and MHL. The 5’8, 170 lb. right-shot centre scored four goals and eight points in 31 VHL games and another eight goals and 17 points in 15 MHL games.

Scouting Report: “At 5-foot-8, Mukhanov is undersized, but it hasn’t stopped him from producing in Russia. He’s an excellent skater, plays a dynamic two-way game, and is difficult to take the puck off despite his size. You don’t see a ton of players his size play down the middle, so expect him to move to the wing in the NHL, if he makes it.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Cagoni, a 5’9, 181 lb. left-shot defenceman, played for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks scoring 17 goals and 64 points in 67 games.

Scouting Report: “Another quick-moving, modern-day two-way blueliner. He’s not the quickest skater, and he’s definitely not a physical defenseman, but he has a wicked release and can dominate the power play.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Perron is committed to the University of North Dakota for next season, but the 5’9, 165 lb. right-shot forward scored 24 goals and 72 points in 61 USHL games with the Chicago Steel last year.

Scouting Report: “Perron is one of the best passers in the draft, and his hot second half definitely helped his first-round case. Many scouts were hoping to see him end the regular season on a high note, and he’s been one of Chicago’s best players. But will scouts overlook his 5-foot-8 frame? I’m not sure he’s a good enough skater or defensive player to play outside the top six.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.