Owen McLaughlin, a Flyers prospect, has transferred to Boston University from the University of North Dakota, where he played three seasons.
In his last season at UND, he recorded 5 goals and 25 assists in 38 games. McLaughlin recorded the following points during his tenure at the University of North Dakota:
- 2022-23: 2 goals, 13 assists, 15 points in 30 games.
- 2023-24: 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points in 36 games.
- 2024-25: 5 goals, 25 assists, 30 points in 38 games.
Total over three seasons: nine goals, 47 assists, 56 points in 104 games.
Strengths:
- Playmaking Ability: Owen McLaughlin is a skilled playmaker, evidenced by his high assist totals. In his final season at North Dakota (2024-25), he recorded 25 assists in 38 games, showcasing his vision and ability to set up teammates.
- Offensive Production: He has shown consistent offensive output, particularly in the USHL with Sioux City (28 goals, 44 assists in 62 games in 2021-22) and at UND (56 points in 104 NCAA games). His ability to contribute points makes him a valuable forward.
- Versatility: As a center, McLaughlin can play a two-way game, contributing both offensively and in defensive situations. His time in the USHL and NCAA suggests adaptability across different systems.
- Work Ethic: Reports from his USHL days highlight his leadership in points and assists, indicating a strong work ethic and ability to perform under pressure, helping Sioux City win the Clark Cup.
- Skating: Neutral Zone scouting notes suggest he has decent skating ability, which aids in transitioning play and maintaining pace in college hockey.
Weaknesses:
- Goal Scoring Consistency: While McLaughlin is a strong playmaker, his goal-scoring has been less prolific. He scored only 9 goals across three NCAA seasons at UND, with a career-high of 5 in 2024-25. This suggests a reliance on assists for point production.
- Physical Presence: At 6’0″ and 165 lbs, McLaughlin is relatively light for an NHL prospect. His slight frame may limit his effectiveness in physical battles, particularly at the professional level.
- Postseason Performance: In the USHL playoffs, he failed to score a goal despite his regular-season success, which could indicate challenges in high-stakes situations.
- NHL Readiness: As a 2021 seventh-round pick, McLaughlin is still considered a few years away from NHL contention. His lack of NHL stats and limited physical development suggest he needs further seasoning.
- Defensive Refinement: While he plays a two-way game, there’s little specific evidence of elite defensive skills. His focus on playmaking may mean defensive aspects of his game need more polish to meet NHL standards.
Eetu Mäkiniemi
Mäkiniemi, a Finnish goaltender, has had several notable transfers in his hockey career:
- 2017 NHL Entry Draft: Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round (104th overall).
- July 13, 2022: Traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the San Jose Sharks as part of a deal that included Brent Burns and Lane Pederson. Mäkiniemi never played an NHL game for the Hurricanes but joined the Sharks’ organization, appearing in two NHL games during the 2022-23 season.
- August 2024: Signed a professional tryout (PTO) agreement with the Philadelphia Flyers for their 2024-25 training camp.
- September 24, 2024: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Philadelphia Flyers worth $775,000 after a successful PTO. He was assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) shortly after.
- June 2025: Signed a one-year contract with TPS in Finland’s Liiga for the 2025-26 season after becoming an unrestricted free agent (Group 6) following the expiration of his Flyers contract. This move marked his return to Finland after a season-ending core muscle sports hernia injury in November 2024, which sidelined him for 3-4 months.
These transfers reflect Mäkiniemi’s journey across North American and European hockey leagues, with his most recent move signaling a return to his home country to continue his career in Liiga.
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