Getting to Know: Neighbours and Järventie

The tentative dates for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft have been set for Oct. 9-10.

Of course, as with everything -- including the ongoing playoffs -- that will depend on whether health experts deem it is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The draft, originally set for June 26-27 in Montreal, will be done in a virtual environment.

The Detroit Red Wings have three second-round picks - their own, the Edmonton Oilers' pick (acquired in the trade that sent Andreas Athanasiou to Edmonton) and the Washington Capitals' pick (acquired in the trade that sent Nick Jensen to Washington).

For the next several weeks, DetroitRedWings.com will take a look at some of the players, one North American and one international each week, who are likely to be available.

This week there are two prolific left wings to profile, beginning with the Edmonton Oil Kings' Jake Neighbours.

Neigbours, who is listed at 6-foot, 195 pounds, scored 23 goals and 47 assists in 64 games this past season.

NHL Central Scouting had Neighbours 26th among North American skaters.

Craig Button, TSN's director of scouting, placed Neighbours 43rd on his final Craig's List at the end of March.

His colleague at TSN, Bob McKenzie, had Neighbours a little higher, ranked 31st overall.

One of the many impressive things about Neighbours is his maturity.

Neighbours' close friend, Ozzy Wiesblatt, who is also draft-eligible this year and was profiled on July 20, has a single mom who is deaf so Ozzy and his siblings communicate with her using sign language.

Neighbours did not want Kim White to feel left out when he went to their house, so he decided to learn sign language.

"That's something that'll stick with my family, with all of us," Wiesblatt told The Athletic in May. "I don't think he did it to please anyone. It's a super special thing to my mom, too. We talk about it all the time."

The Athletic's Corey Pronman had Neighbours 38th on his final draft list.

"Neighbours was an important part of Edmonton's team, scoring more than a point per game and being a leading shot generator in the WHL," Pronman said. "He's a very smart player. He played the flank on Edmonton's PP1 and showed the ability to make NHL caliber plays in all situations. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for his hands. In practice and in games he shows very quick twitch puck handling and impressive ability to saucer pucks. His 1-on-1 game is not that impressive, so I leaned to a 55.

"Neighbours has a bullet of a shot and scored several goals this past season that goalies had little to no chance on. He competes hard. He doesn't shy from physical engagement and is a solid penalty killer. I could see him become a quality bottom-six forward in the NHL and, if he gains a step, I could see him become more than that."

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler placed Neighbours 51st overall.

Dobber Hockey said, "A speed-driven player who loves to transition the puck with his feet. At the junior level, the 5-11, 200-pound winger is a dangerous weapon to burn defenders wide and take the puck to the net. His 70 points in 64 games were fourth amongst draft-eligible WHLers. His shot and passing ability are straightforward -- effective but not noteworthy. It's questionable what level of ceiling he owns, but his physical ability should lend towards an energy line role."

Of note, Neighbours was both the Oil Kings' Most Improved Player and their Scholastic Player of the Year.

Red Line Report was more aligned with McKenzie and Pronman, listing Neighbours 32nd in their 2020 draft guide: "A wrecking ball on ice who uses square frame to bounce around traffic. Always makes us take notice, whether it's scoring a key goal or getting under opponents' skin as a super pest. Very tenacious and likes to take the puck straight to net. Uses sharp cutbacks in slot to get goalies to over-commit. Good forechecker and likes to finish his checks. No ego here - is a goal scorer with a grinder mentality. Sneaks behind defenders at just the right moments and shows real touch in tight. Fights past contact on the walls to get the puck down low and finds prime passing lanes around the slot. A prototypical pro-style winger. An emerging leader with a big heart. Already far along in his development curve, so there may not be much upside left. Just an average skater; must get quicker, but we could see him becoming leaner and increasing speed as he matures."

Over in Finland is Roby Järventie, a 6-foot-2, 184-pound wing who played for KOOVEE last season.

In 36 games, Järventie had 23 goals, tied for third most in the league, and 15 assists.

NHL Central Scouting ranked Järventie 18th among international skaters.

TSN's Button placed Järventie 35th on his final list while McKenzie had him 52nd overall.

The Athletic's Pronman ranked Järventie a bit lower, 71st on his final draft list, while Wheeler had him 57th.

"Jarventie had a strong season at the second division pro level in Finland with 23 goals in 36 games," Pronman said. "At the international level he was up and down, with a good November U18 tournament, but he had indifferent appearances at the Hlinka Gretzky and February U18 tournament. Jarventie has size, and he uses it to his advantage. He has a good shot but got a lot of goals by going to the crease and making skilled plays around the net. He's a very good passer, although I found he didn't make many tough plays at pace, only really making tough distributions when the play slowed down. Speed is his main issue, as his skating is mediocre and is the reason some scouts are skeptical he'll be able to produce at higher levels."

In an interview with finnishjuniorhockey.com in May, Järventie acknowledged that he had some work to do to become the player he is capable of being.

"My overall game is still an area that needs to get better," he said. "Consistency also requires improvement and the difference between a good game and a bad game needs to get smaller."

Järventie's skating led Red Line Report to downgrade him to 150th overall, saying, "Has good hands and projectable frame, but can't skate."

Dobber Hockey disagreed a bit, saying, "Järventie is a big (6-2, 185) goal-scoring winger. He packs an excellent shot that allows him to beat goalies from distance, but he also has good hands and can finish plays near the blue paint. He's a good skater, especially for his size. He's capable of creating plays but isn't great at it. Järventie's play without the puck requires a lot of work, while his effort level is average at best. Nonetheless, he enjoyed a productive season in Mestis and has all the necessary tools to become a strong NHL player. First, though, he'll has to figure out what it takes to get to that level. Järventie should be a full-time Liiga player next season."