2. Which goaltender can open some eyes with a solid performance?
The four top goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings for North American goalies will participate in the game. Halifax goalie Alexis Gravel is No. 1, followed by No. 2 Olivier Rodrigue of Drummondville (QMJHL), No. 3 Jacob Ingham of Mississauga (OHL), and No. 4 Kevin Mandolese of Cape Breton (QMJHL).
Mandolese (6-3, 181), who will play for Team Orr, has the best chance of boosting his stock since he is the lowest-rated goalie of the four. He is 8-8-2 with a 3.61 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in 23 games for Cape Breton.
3. Who could surprise in the Top Prospects Game?
Sault Ste. Marie defenseman Rasmus Sandin (5-11, 183), No. 15 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings, or Rimouski left wing Dmitri Zavgorodny (5-8, 175), ranked No. 54, are good candidates. Sandin will play for Team Cherry; Zavgorodny for Team Orr.
Sandin has exceptional hockey sense, is elusive and mobile all over the ice. The native of Uppsala, Sweden, has 28 points (five goals, 23 assists), a plus-24 rating and 49 shots on goal in 32 games in his first season in North America. The smaller ice surface has benefitted Zavgorodny, selected No. 8 in the 2017 CHL import draft. The native of Omsk, Russia, a great competitor and solid on his skates, has 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) and 93 shots on goal in 41 games.
4. Could any prospects boost their draft stock?
Sudbury right wing Kirill Nizhnikov (6-2, 190) hopes to change a few minds with a solid showing for Team Orr as the lowest-rated prospect participating in the game at No. 161 in NHL Central Scouting's midterm list of North American skaters.
The native of Moscow, Russia, has 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 42 games. He was traded by Barrie to Sudbury for four future OHL draft picks on Dec. 7, and has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 17 games since.
Saskatoon center Eric Florchuk (6-1, 174), No. 93 in Central Scouting's midterm list of North Americans, has 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in 48 games this season, including seven points (three goals, four assists) in five games since being traded by Victoria to Saskatoon for three future WHL draft picks on Jan. 10. He'll play for Team Cherry.