Here's a look at the seven other players upgraded to an A-rating on the players to watch list:
Nikita Chibrikov (5-10, 161), RW, SKA St. Petersburg 2 (RUS-JR)
Chibrikov has great speed, a high compete level and good offensive awareness. The 17-year-old has scored eight points (three goals, five assists) in nine games in the MHL, Russia's junior league. He also has played for St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League, where he has been on the fourth line with Nashville Predators forward prospect Yakov Trenin and Colorado Avalanche forward prospect
Vladislav Kamenev
and has scored two points (one goal, one assist) in 12 games. Chibrikov was a B-rated skater on the preliminary list.
Matthew Coronato (5-11, 180), RW, Chicago (USHL)
Coronato has a relentless motor, is creative offensively and can contribute on the power play and penalty kill. The 18-year-old leads the United States Hockey League with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 19 games and is second with 77 shots on goal. He's committed to play at Harvard University next season. Coronato was a B-rated skater on the preliminary list.
Alexander Kisakov (5-9, 159), RW, Dynamo Moscow 2 (RUS-JR.)
Kisakov leads the MHL with 55 points (28 goals, 27 assists) in 46 games. "An energy player who has improved a lot this season," NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb said. "He's a quick skater, has smooth hands and great offensive instincts. On the smaller side but plays bigger than he is and loves to get involved where the action is." The 18-year-old was a C-rated skater on the preliminary list,
Oskar Olausson (6-1, 177), RW, HV 71 Jr. (SWE-JR.)
Olausson, effective on the rush and on the power play, has scored four points (three goals, one assist) in 16 games with HV 71 in the Swedish Hockey League this season, and scored 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 16 games for HV 71 in the Swedish junior league. The 18-year-old also had six shots on goal and averaged 9:12 of ice time in four games for Sweden at the 2021 IIHF World Junior championship. "A good-sized winger who is strong on his skates, likes to go for the net, has a good work ethic and is a responsible team guy," Stubb said. "An excellent product of the Sweden's youth program." Olausson was a B-rated skater on the preliminary list.
Isak Rosen (5-11, 156), RW, Leksand Jr. (SWE-JR.)
Rosen is effective in 1-on-1 situations and on the cycle in the offensive zone. The 17-year-old has scored 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 12 games in Sweden's junior league and has one assist in 15 games with Leksand in the SHL. "A mobile skater with a great set of tools, including speed, passing, vision and offensive instincts," Stubb said. Rosen was a B-rated skater on the preliminary list.
William Stromgren (6-3, 175), LW, Modo JR. (SWE-JR.)
Stromgren has quick feet and good size, and is considered a goal scorer with good speed and puck control. The 17-year-old leads Modo in Sweden's junior league with 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 14 games. He also has scored five points (one goal, four assists) in 17 games with Modo in Allsvenskan, Sweden's second division. Stromgren was a B-rated skater on the preliminary list.
Stanislav Svozil (6-1, 182), D, Brno (CZREP)
Svozil does not have a point but has 13 shots on goal and is averaging 13:40 of ice time in 15 games the Czech Extraliga, the top professinoal league in the Czech Republic. The 18-year-old also was the second-youngest player for the Czech Republic at the 2021 WJC, where he had one assist and averaged 16:52 of ice time in five games. Svozil was named Czech Extraliga rookie of the year last season after he scored five points (two goals, three assists) in 41 games with Brno. "He's gained a lot of experience playing with or against older players in the Czech and is one of the best defensemen of his age group in the world," Stubb said. "He's got excellent vision, skating, mobility and also is an excellent playmaker and passer." Svozil was a B-rated skater on the preliminary list.
