Prospect Corner: Big leaps forward for Mattheos, Cotton

Mattheos thriving in his post-draft season

When the Canes drafted Stelio Mattheos with the 73rd pick of this past summer’s entry draft, general consensus was that he was good value in the third round. I made a comment after he was selected about his grinding nature and two-way game that tended to stand out when I watched Wheat Kings games, mainly for eventual second overall pick Nolan Patrick. However, I was excited to see how the young forward’s game evolved heading into his draft plus-one season for another reason. Without Patrick and Vegas prospect Reid Duke suiting up for Brandon, Mattheos would have the opportunity in 2018 to shoulder more of the offensive load. He certainly has not disappointed.

In just 47 games, the pivot has established a new career high in both points (63) and goals (31), and will likely do so in assists as well within the next week. Mattheos’s points-per-game rate has jumped from 0.88 in his draft year to 1.34 per game in 2018, showing he can handle more offensive responsibility.

What I love about the Winnipeg native is his ability to drive play. This season, 53 of his 63 points have been primary points, and more than half have come at even strength. That kind of consistency and all situations production is the kind of thing that will linger a prospect jumps levels. The Canes have long drafted on pedigree, and Mattheos is no exception. He is another player in the category of Nicolas Roy who was a first overall pick in his bantam draft, only to slip a bit before finding his footing as an 18-year-old. Good value, indeed.

Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

Cotton helping to lead Boston College back

Boston College had a rough start to the 2017-18 season, losing five of their first seven games. Since that point, the Eagles have posted an 11-3-2 record and have taken over sole possession of first place in Hockey East. Among the catalysts of their turnaround has been David Cotton, the Canes’ sixth-round pick in the 2015 draft. After picking up just one assist during BC’s horror stretch to start the year, Cotton has bounced back with 17 points in his last 17 games. He has been especially hot as of late, as he had a seven-game point streak (4G, 5A) snapped Tuesday night in a 2-1 win over UMass.

Cotton has taken over the team lead in points with 18, and leads in points-per-game (.75) and game winners (2) as well. As a sophomore, his shooting percentage is in line with where it was as a freshman, hovering around 10.5%, but his point-per-game output has taken an expected jump from .60 to .75. Cotton was likely always going to be a multi-year player in college hockey, so expect this offensive trend to continue as his career unfolds.

Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images

Bean adjusting well in Washington

Since being traded to Tri-City, Jake Bean has fit in well, continuing his point-per-game pace over his first six games with the Americans. His eight goals rank 17th in the league despite playing just 31 games due to his commitments at the World Juniors. Fellow prospect Morgan Geekie leads the Americans with with 53 points in 42 games, and the team currently sits in the first Wild Card spot in the WHL’s Western Conference.

Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Checking In On: Luke Stevens

As a sophomore, Luke Stevens has emerged as a consistent secondary option for the Yale Bulldogs, with nine points in 18 games played. The 2015 fifth rounder has a three-game point streak, and has made it on the score sheet in four of his last five games. He currently ranks sixth among Yale forwards in points, despite having just one power play point on the season. Stevens will turn 21 next month, so he is an older prospect then you may expect for a college sophomore, and as he continues to grow into his 6’5” frame we will see more of the potential he possesses. He was drafted as a very raw prospect with both NHL bloodlines and size, and is starting to develop as he grows within the Yale program.

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