Miller's Musings 10/18

 The Millers Top 10 Prospects, plus some notes about a few other notables….

Viggo Bjorck, C - Georgetown’s #1 pick in the 2026 draft, the diminutive Swede has debuted in

the NHL in his rookie season but not found his way to the scoresheet as of this writing. Millers

management can afford to be patient, with Aho, Cooley and Cozens locked in as their top

offensive Centers for the foreseeable future. Bjorck should at least be a 2nd line, all situations

Center once he settles in,

2. Malte Gustaffson, D - Another Swede, the pro-sized Defender is in the SHL this season but

should cross the pond for the 27-28 season. He should be a middle-pairing defender at worst

and improvement in his puck game could even see him be a top pairing, shutdown-type who

can contribute some offense.

3. Alexander Zharovsky, RW - The slick Russian tore up the KHL as a teenager and his

ceiling is a top line, mega points scorer. Has good height, just needs some more muscle on his

frame. The big question is when he comes over to North America; Millers management doesn’t

expect him in the lineup for another 2 to 3 seasons.

4. Emmitt Finnie, C/LW - Finnie went from 7th round NHL pick to top 9 mainstay as a 20-year

old with Detroit, and though he’ll spend his first CCHL season as a minor league, the Milers plan

on integrating him into their lineup next season, likely as a 3rd liner to start, but there is some

hope he can find enough offense to eventually fit on a scoring line.

5. Yegor Zavragin, G - Another Russian who has shown well in the KHL as a teen, it’s hoped

that the will move to NA next season, and be ready to at least back-up Dostal in a couple of

years.

6. Henry Brzusterwicz, D - Doesn’t have the offensive upside of his brother Hunter, but Henry

should be a solid 4 to 6 Dman as a pro, with respectable offense whose best attribute may be

his ability to move the puck out of the zone in addition to being strong defensively.

7. Ryan Greene, C - The Boston College product surprisingly became a full-time NHLer last

season, essentially skipping over the AHL. Despite riding shotgun on the Bedard line quite a bit,

his true value is as a defensively responsible bottom 6 Center and penally killer. There is

enough there skill to score 40 or so points a year. Should be the long-term successor to Jordan

Staal in a couple of years.

8. Blake Fiddler, D - A 1st round pick by Georgetown a couple of years ago, Fiddler doesn’t

seem likely to meet the Miller’s scout projections as a 2-way, top 4 Dman as the offense just has

not developed. He is big and mobile, and should at least fill a bottom-pairing role in the future.

9. Jonathan Castagna, C - Big and fast, Castagna has moved from the NCAA to the NHL

this season with just a couple of games in the AHL. Put up good scoring numbers at Cornell but

he’s more low-end middle 6/high-end bottom 6 in the NHL. Fairly similar to Greene except a

little more O and a little less D but his motor and smarts should serve well on special teams. A

real organizational favorite.

10. Jesse Kiiskinen, RW - Taken with the 22nd overall pick in 2025 as a re-entry player due

to dispersal. Kiiskinen may have been an overdraft just like Fiddler was but his trajectory is

moving up after doing well against men in his native Finland and a quick start to his AHL career.

Likely a middle 6 winger, Kiiskinen has a great shot and some tenacity, but his effort and

concentration sometimes waver. Cleaning up the mental side could unleash a 25 goal, PP

winger.

Others of Note…

Cole McKinney, C - How he does in his 2nd NCAA season could determine his pro future; it’s

likely as a solid middle 6er who kills penalties, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that his

offense pops to where a top 6 role and 2nd PP guy happens.

Vancouver Triad - Riley Patterson, F - 1st AHL season an important one as his CHL production

hinted at top 6 skills; Millers would be ecstatic if he develops into a middle 6 guy at worst.

Sawyer Minio, D - his rookie AHL season was a success and further refinement could mean a

future as a bottom-pairing D. Alex Medvedev, G - His Draft + 1 season was a disappointment,

so his good start with London is hopefully a harbinger of future success as a 1B/Backup at the

pro level.

Ones to Watch…

Drew Schock, D (NCAA) ; Thomas Vandenberg, C (NCAA) ; Yegor Rybkin, G (QMJHL); Martin

Psohlavec, G (WHL); Carson Wetcsh, RW (AHL) ; Noaj Kosick, C (NCAA); Brady Peddle, D

(NCAA); Zac Olsen, RW (NCAA); Brent Solomon, RW (NCAA).