Rinkside Roundup: Jimmy Snuggerud entering NHL in fine form

The late-season stretch is officially upon us. The playoffs have begun across the CHL, with some early heroics already emerging. In the OHL, the Erie Otters have carved out a surprise 2-0 series lead, scoring a total of 17 goals against the reigning Memorial Cup champs. Malcolm Spence has stepped up, playing an impactful and passionate brand of hockey in the absence of star teammate Matthew Schaefer.

Sticking in Ontario, the Winnipeg Jets’ 2023 18th overall pick, Colby Barlow, has lit the lamp four times for the Oshawa Generals in the tied series against Porter Martone and the Brampton Steelheads. The burly power forward has shown more proactive physicality and connective passing to support his heavy-shooting game.

Meanwhile, certain prospects are making a leap to professional hockey in North America. Stian Solberg has impressed in his first handful of games in North America, completing his season in the AHL following a campaign on loan at Färjestad BK in the SHL. Whereas Jimmy Snuggerud shone in the University of Minnesota’s season-ending defeat at the UMass in Amherst, potting a pair of goals in his final collegiate game prior to signing his entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues.

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues

Season Stats: 24G, 27A, 51PTS (NCAA)

Last Week Stats: 2G, 0A, 2PTS

Caught down the depth chart on the fantastic 2022 USNTDP class, Jimmy Snuggerud fell into the lap of the Blues at 23rd overall, and he hasn’t looked back once. In his third season with the Golden Gophers, the team’s captain has driven offence, leveraged his physicality along the boards and by the netfront alike, and has connected plays with the patience of a professional under heavy pressure.

Tied for sixth in college scoring, Snuggerud broke games open with his deft puck skills and high-end creativity and vision. This strong run of form extended to Minnesota’s final game of the season, scoring a pair of goals in a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime defeat after leading 3-1. The Chaska, Minnesota native displayed his puck-protection ability, anticipation, and heavy shot on a low precise one-timer on the man-advantage to open the scoring, before saving his most important NCAA goal for his last, tying up the game 4-4 with 3:37 on the clock off the draw with another hard low shot beating Michael Hrabal.

Leading the exodus of NHL signings from the Gophers, Snuggerud is expected to make his NHL debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. In practice, he has taken third line rushes alongside Oskar Sundqvist and Zachary Bolduc on top of a second power play slot. With potentially a top-nine role out of the gate, Snuggerud could leave an impression in these final games leading up to the playoffs, which St. Louis will most likely qualify for. 

As Head Crossover Scout Daniel Gee wrote in a January 25th scouting report:

“Snuggerud remains a tanky player with an enormous amount of tools. He’s never going to be the paciest player – really operating at his own pace, but the way he connects plays, leverages his frame to create advantages on the perimeter, and how he operates around the net, it’s hard to be worried about his projection[...] This looks like a future top-six supporter and connector, maybe in the Brock Boeser vein.”

Stian Solberg, LD, San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

Season Stats: 4G, 11A, 15PTS (SHL/AHL)

Last Week Stats: 1G, 1A, 2PTS

Stian Solberg gained a reputation as a draft-eligible last season for his combination of mobility and crushing – but calculated – physicality. Moving from Vålerenga in Norway’s top division to the SHL this year after being selected 23rd overall in Las Vegas, the 6-foot-2 and 205-pound left-shot defenceman faced a significant jump in quality of competition. With a few exceptions, Solberg was deployed in bottom-pairing minutes, averaging 13:48 a night.

A blueliner who skates like the wind and hits like a truck, Solberg became more consistent and defensively reliable this season, with increased control in his gap management. While his offensive involvements were sporadic with Färjestad, he has already shown some more offensive dare in his first five games in the AHL with San Diego, scoring a goal and two assists while playing 18:30 a game.

On Saturday, Solberg notched that first AHL goal off a fake slapper to wrist shot that beat Calgary’s netminder above the left shoulder, finding its way through heavy traffic. A goal created by a deceptive head-up move and a quick heavy release, two elements of his offensive game that shone in flashes last season and could lead to an intriguing offensive toolkit. 

A pretty tally. And a celebration to match.

Solberg has started his North American hockey career off well, with a physical and aggressive brand of defence that fits right into the AHL game. While the Anaheim Ducks have a wealth of talent at left defence, Solberg brings elements that only become more valuable come playoff time and a profile the Ducks lack otherwise – at this level – in their pool.

Colby Barlow, RW, Oshawa Generals (Winnipeg Jets)

Season Stats: 36G, 30A, 66PTS

Last Week Stats: 4G, 1A, 5PTS

The OHL playoffs have begun and have not disappointed one bit early on. The Oshawa Generals and Brampton Steelheads in a battle featuring stars on both sides. Colby Barlow did not come close to the 79 points he scored as a draft-eligible in either of his post-draft seasons, but he has diversified and rounded out his game in key ways to facilitate his projection as a middle-six scoring power winger.

Barlow scored a hat-trick in a four-point performance in Game 1, leading Oshawa to a 7-4 victory, as well as the only goal in the 3-1 Game 2 defeat: a wicked one-timer with the goalie pulled to reduce the deficit to one. 

All five goals Barlow has netted through two playoff games have come from plays we see work regularly in the NHL, especially in the postseason. His method has been two-fold. First, Barlow’s been throwing his weight around with a pinch of rage on the forecheck and at the net-front, battling for position and wreaking havoc down low, pouncing on loose pucks and redirecting shots from the point. Second, his shot, which remains a big threat on the one-timer and wrister alike with abundant power and refining selection.

Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (2025 Draft)

Season Stats: 34G, 43A, 77PTS

Last Week Stats: 2G, 2A, 4PTS

Malcolm Spence and the Erie Otters have earned a 2-0 series lead over Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh, and the rest of the star-studded Saginaw Spirit. Their success early in this series, defined by heart and ceaseless intensity, sending wave after wave of offence and forechecking, suffocating the Spirit on retrievals and hounding after every puck. Spence’s first goal of the series was emblematic of this philosophy and buy-in.

Too old to qualify for the U18 World Championships, Spence is making the most of his final opportunity to sway scouts in the OHL playoffs impressing not only with his skill and dexterity, but his intensity and timing as well – working hard to get to the right place at the right time on both sides of the puck.

Leading the charge to eliminate last season’s Memorial Cup champs. including the CHL’s top scorer and top scoring defenceman, would certainly draw some more scouting eyes Spence’s way. But they’re only halfway there.