NCAA 2010-11 regular season roundup

Next up in the regular season recap just in time for the NCAA tourney is a review of the top collegiate players eligible for the NHL draft. We'll also take a look at a couple of overagers and even close out with a few potential free agent signings.

1. Jamie Oleksiak, D Northeastern (HE)- We covered the mammoth (6-7, 244) defenseman for the Huskies in pretty good detail earlier this month after seeing him in Boston, so we won't rehash here other than to say he's a big riser in draft discussions. Admittedly, B2011DW is not as sold on his high-end upside, though we have no doubt that he will be an NHL player at some point simply because his size and mobility will earn him a job in the big show as a shutdown defender if nothing else. His coordination and footwork are so good for an 18-year-old player with his height and long limbs (read: call him "Condorman" with that gigantic wingspan of his and long stick)- usually, kids as young as he is are gangly and struggle with their movements into they grow into their bodies. Not so with Oleksiak, which is what makes him so intriguing. That said, his overall instincts and vision are questionable, and while he's got a bomb of a shot, he's going to need to refine his mechanics and release in order to make it work at the next level. Better yet, change it up and use the wrist shot and snap shot to bury pucks when he's short on time and space to get the howitzer off. But other than that, he's a legitimate 1st-round prospect and the best NCAA player in this class by a pretty wide margin. Oleksiak finished his freshman season with four goals and 13 points in 38 NCAA games, while adding 57 minutes in the box. Time will tell whether he lives up to the promise some scouts are talking about seeing with him, but when taking chances on players with high draft picks, it's all about the projection, and he has some of the most intriguing raw upside of any prospect in 2011.

Check out Northeastern coach Greg Cronin's comments about Oleksiak's winning goal at 2:32 of this video. Uh-huh. What we've been saying.

2. Matt Nieto, LW Boston University (HE)- Another second-half riser. We were pretty unimpressed with Nieto early on, when it looked like the SoCal native was overmatched in the bigger, faster, more physical Hockey East. But to his credit, he really picked it up and late season viewings were night and day compared to what we saw in the fall and early winter. Nieto's wheels and hands are elite; he can put defenses on their heels at whim and he's doing a lot more to drive the net and use his creativity to generate scoring chances.The 5-11, 185-pound forward finished his freshman season with10 goals and 23 points in 39 games, but much of his production came from January-March. We see him as a late 1st-round darkhorse who could break into the top-30 picks because a strong team drafting late believes in his skills and upside, but also realizes the time and patience it will take to develop Nieto. If he drops into the second, he won't last very long- his game-breaking element is simply too attractive to pass on.

Here's a great shortside snipe by Nieto which not only shows you his impressive breakaway speed but his hands as he fires the puck past John Muse

3. Adam Clendening, D Boston University (HE)- Once seen as a solid 1st-rounder in some circles, the Western New Yorker is a polarizing figure for scouts this season. Most acknowledge and respect his vision and soft hands for moving the puck and distributing very well in the offensive zone and while on the power play. On the downside, he's under 6-feet and doesn't have the kind of explosive jump and top-end speed NHL teams want in smaller defenders. He's not a bad skater at all, but without the separation speed and short distance acceleration, scouts are wondering where he projects at the NHL level. He's a quality player and competitor- this is the kind of guy who you can easily envision a team with multiple early picks spending a second-round choice on because he is one of the better PMDs in this draft class. At the same time, because he carries risk because of the lack of size and dynamic skating, a player like Clendening could fall to the third round. Although we like him a lot, B2011DW doesn't see a first-round future for the Terrier who scored 5 goals and 26 points in 39 games as a freshman. He is a winner, though- having won a pair of Under-18 gold medals in '09 and '10 and just missing the cut for the 2011 WJC (Under-20) this past winter. He's no stiff, but the dreaded "'tweener" word has been used by a couple of NHL guys with him, so we'll have to see. For what its worth- Red Line Report has him ranked 38th overall in their March listing.

Here's a local feature from Buffalo on Clendening last summer while he was trying to make the U.S. WJC team.


4. Michael Mersch, LW Wisconsin (WCHA)- This two-way center is one of the draft's true stealth fighters. At 6-1, 195, he has nice size, is a good skater and plays an honest, hard-working game in all zones. Mersch's numbers aren't much to get excited about- 8 goals, 19 points with the Badgers this season in 41 games. But, to focus on the stats is not to see the longer-term potential in this kid's game. He's lacking in lower body drive and physical mass. When he gets stronger, he's going to generate more power in his skating stride and be stronger on the puck. Scouts we talked to said that he was on the wrong side of many physical matchups this season, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. When he gets more mature and experienced, we could see Mersch becoming a solid scorer at this level and looks like he'll eventually be a steady 3rd-line guy in the NHL with enough skill to possibly break into a team's top-six at some point.

5. Nick Shore, C Denver University (WCHA)- This skilled, speedy center had to contend with injuries and a slow start, but if the second half is any indication for the Colorado native (and brother of Florida Panthers prospect Drew Shore), he'll go within the top-60 picks of the June draft. Shore is a fine skater with a fluid stride and some gitty-up in his step. He can handle the puck well at speed and sees the ice well/ is a deft passer and setup man. He's a versatile, hard-working guy who can be used in all situations. He's not all that big at 6-0, 185, but comes from a family of good athletes and will add enough strength to his frame that it should not be an issue for him. Factor in that he's in a very good pro-style program at Denver, and he's a pretty well-rounded prospect with some promise. Solid 2nd-rounder in our view after scoring 7 goals and 18 points in 37 games this season and showing flashes of first-round talent.

6. Patrick Koudys, D RPI (ECAC)- At 6-4 and 210 pounds, this freshman Engineer is quite mobile and intriguing, but he didn't play much of an offensive role for his team this year, worked into the mix slowly. He had just 1 goal and 3 points in 30 games, but still has the physical tools to be an intriguing player worth a mid-round developmental pick. He came from the OJHL where he had 5 goals and 33 points, so there is some potential to play more of a two-way game as he gains experience and his ice time increases, but right now, the Smithville, Ontario native is flying under the radar a bit. Think of him as a poor man's Jamie Oleksiak- not quite as big and lacking in the pure upside, but precisely the kind of player NHL teams will roll the dice on.

7. Dillon Simpson, D University of North Dakota (WCHA)- A bit of a disappointing season for a player scouts had some real high hopes for coming in. The son of former NHL forward and HNIC analyst Craig Simpson (and nephew of television reporter Christine Simpson) has decent size at 6-1, 195. He scored 2 goals and 10 points in 30 games as a freshman and wasn't overly involved in the offensive scheme/didn't get a lot of ice time. He's a work in progress who has some soft hands and hockey sense, but isn't a great skater. He's slow out of the blocks and needs to work on his stride to get the most out of his movement. Scouts see intriguing elements of his game, but after 12 goals and 41 points last year with Spruce Grove of the AJHL, more of an impact was expected from him- he did not deliver. This is not to say Simpson isn't a legitimate NHL prospect- he is. He grew up around the game and has the natural athleticism to be a player, but this season showed that it is going to take time and he'd require a leap of faith for a team to draft him in the first two rounds.

8. Frankie Simonelli, D Wisconsin (WCHA)- Another undersized defender who has some real good wheels, Simonelli is a U.S. NTDP product like Nieto, Clendening, Mersch and Shore (are we sensing a trend here?) However, scouts we've talked to don't have great things to say about his instincts and vision. Despite his mobility and good puck skills, he didn't produce much in the NTDP and had 2 goals 11 points in 39 games this year as a freshman. Said to have a tendency to force things that aren't there, he makes too many mistakes and is a draft wildcard- might not get picked at all. He'll be a serviceable NCAA player in the next couple of years, though.

Overagers in draft

Not a comprehensive list, but here are three guys passed over in 2010 who could get the nod the second time around.

T.J. Tynan,C Notre Dame University (CCHA)- Tiny (5-8, 160) but dynamic playmaker racked up 55 assists in 60 USHL games with Des Moines last season and was highly regarded for his speed, hands, creativity and willingness to go into traffic. Yet, no team called his name. Well, after 22 goals and 52 points as a freshman with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame last season, look for him to get a call even if it comes in the latter rounds. The Feb. 1992 BD is the kind of small guy you roll the dice on, because he's a proven producer and shows the attributes you look for in terms of a player who keeps his feet moving, is always involved in each shift, and displays the kind of creativity and high-end hockey sense that's worth taking a chance on.

Chase Balisy, F Western Michigan University (CCHA)- Average-sized, but highly skilled forward had a nice impact as a freshman, scoring 12 goals and 30 points in 41 games, good for second on his team. He's good quick feet and is a very good stickhandler. He may just have done enough as Feb. '92 to get drafted, but you never know.

Sahir Gill, F Boston University- Undersized forward (5-10, 180) from British Columbia brings a good mix of speed and skill to the mix. Got off to a quick start for the Terriers, but tailed off in production toward the end, finishing with 6 goals and 25 points in 39 games. Kind of went the opposite direction of Nieto, impressing early, but fading as the grind of the college season wore on. He's got some jump and creativity, and just might be a guy an NHL team will call in the 6th or 7th round.

Free agents

This is not a comprehensive list, but a few names who could be signed this week, or whenever their NCAA teams get eliminated from the national championship tournament (or go the distance). It's heavy on the Hockey East because that's where we have our most access, but this will give you an idea of a couple of intriguing guys out there.

Stephane Da Costa, C Merrimack (HE)- The straw that stirred Merrimack's drink- this native of France will be in high demand by NHL clubs lining up to sign this creative, game-breaking scorer. With 14 goals and 44 points in 32 games this season, the former USHL standout with Sioux City has 30 goals and 89 points in two seasons in the Hockey East. An elite puckhandler, he doesn't have explosive speed, but weaves in and out of defenses effortlessly and uses his superior hands, vision and instincts to get things going. He's gotten stronger and worked on his overall game. Although only 5-11, 180- the 21-year-old has the makings of a very good pro. Although just a sophomore, its time for him to move on.

Paul Thompson, LW UNH (HE)- This short, but stock and strong power winger is one of the better pure goal scorers in the college free agent market. The former Pinkerton Astro from Derry, N.H. is the rare superstar at UNH who actually hails from the Granite State. He doesn't have a great first few steps, but is effective when he gets up to speed and is adept at ripping shots home off the rush. He bulls his way to the net and is strong, powerful despite only being about 6-feet. He has a knack for finding loose pucks in front of the net and burying them. Good character guy who will boost an organization, even if may require seasoning to reach the NHL level. Scored 28 goals and 54 points in 37 games for the Wildcats this season, giving him 47 in 78 games over the last two years.

Andy Miele, C Miami (CCHA)- Small, heady offensive playmaker who is a terrific passer and thinks the game better than most. He's not a blazer, but gets where he needs to go. Instinctive, opportunistic scorer who plays with a lot of energy and hustle- outworks opponents and stays tenacious on the puck. Solid all-around guy who is limited only by his 5-8 frame and lack of strength- classic overachiever who is more than the sum of his parts. The Michigander has racked up 39 goals and 115 points in his last two seasons, totaling 81 games.

Chace Polacek, C RPI (ECAC)- Another small (5-8) but heady, nasty scoring player. Has a wicked shot and has been a proven scorer over the past two seasons, accounting for 47 tallies and 100 points in 76 games for the Engineers in two seasons (21 goals, 48 points in 37 games this year). From Edina, Minnesota, he's another pure scorer who just knows how to find the back of the net and has worked hard to overcome his size deficiencies.

Tyler Elbrecht, D Minnesota- Mankato (WCHA)- Big (6-4, 210) meat-and-potatoes defender from Illinois doesn't have a lot of flash, but has great strength, reach and uses his positioning to play effectively in his own end. Not much offensive upside here, and his skating is only OK, but he has the natural size and toughness to be an NHL depth guy down the road.

John Muse, G Boston College (HE)- We have liked this guy since seeing him compete like a madman at Nobles (where his teammates included current New Jersey Devils rookie D Mark Fayne). Muse has won a pair of national championships and could win a third, which would be an amazing feat. He's small, and that's the problem as far as NHL teams are concerned, and why he's never been drafted. Small goalies pretty much have to force themselves into the picture these days, but with his quickness, technique and winning pedigree, he just might get a shot to make it somewhere. It will take a lot of work and time on his part, but he's one of the more athletic and dynamic little goalies to come around in a long time.

We know there are more free agents out there, but we'll wrap up this post for now and possibly revisit later.

Hockey East scouting reports: Jamie Oleksiak, Matt Nieto, Adam Clendening, Sahir Gill

Had a chance to see the Northeastern Huskies take on the Boston University Terriers at Agganis Arena in Boston last weekend. What follows are reports on three key 2011 draft-eligibles who played in the game we saw.

The game itself, a Northeastern victory, was a ragged, penalty-filled affair that didn't lend itself to much fun from a scouting perspective, as the 2011 players were limited in terms of ice time and ability to get untracked show off their best attributes.

Jamie Oleksiak, D Northeastern University (Hockey East)
Huge kid at 6-7, 240 pounds and may not be done growing. Pretty mobile for someone so big, and more importantly, so young. Many guys Oleksiak's size are very gangly and still developing their coordination for their big bodies. He's already pretty much there and has a long, fluid stride and better footwork at this stage than most would think. He covers a lot of ground with the long stride and power behind it. Massive wingspan and long stick make it virtually impossible for opponents to beat him to the outside. Mobility makes it a challenge for them to go inside on him as well. With more work on his skating, could be even more mobile and difficult to beat. Working on his reads and progressions- still a work in progress who sometimes tries to do too much in his own end- needs to keep things simple. Decent passer on short to intermediate feeds, but on-ice vision is questionable and lacks the accuracy to stretch opposing defenses with long leads. As can be expected, has a big drive given all the power and torque he can generate on his twig. Needs to work on improving the accuracy and release. Important to avoid the lazy comparisons to Zdeno Chara or Tyler Myers because of size/mobility alone- those guys are more skilled with the puck and shooting skills than Oleksiak and he has a long way to go to reach that level. Oleksiak has upside, but may end up being more of a shutdown guy in the NHL. One thing he has going for him that most will never achieve no matter how well they are coached or how hard they work is that monstrous size. That should get him to the NHL, but still a wildcard in terms of what he's going to be at that level. Oleksiak will be a first-round pick, but based on what we've seen in multiple viewings this season, we'd take him at the end of the round instead of earlier. There is some risk that he'll be more Hal Gill than Chara, but he's at least made himself into a top-30 option with his potential, and Gill has fashioned a nice NHL career dating back to his league debut in 1997 with Boston.

Matt Nieto, LW Boston University (Hockey East)
The California winger is small, but very talented and is coming on strong after a tough start (3 points in first 12 NCAA games with the Terriers), having scored two goals and 9 points in last eight games. Nieto's wheels are first-rate: he has a very quick burst and accelerates to top speed quickly. He's also shifty and elusive, able to burn opponents in a footrace or turn them inside-out with a dazzling array of weaves and tight turns on his edges. One of those players who immediately draws you in with his skating- fun to watch when he revs it up and takes it up ice. He has a very quick stick and can handle the puck effectively at top speed. A legitimate breakaway threat and game-changer. When on his game, he's backing defenders up and using an array of head and body fakes to create space for himself. Creative and sees the ice pretty well. His a lightning release and very soft touch/knack for finding soft spots in defenses with his passes. Competed hard around the puck, but needs to pick up the intensity away from the play. Nieto is only average-sized and like most players his age, needs to get stronger/add mass to his small frame in order to handle the rigors of pro hockey. Was inconsistent in his willingness to do the dirty work in the corners and probably needs continued adjusting to the level of competition in the HE.

Here's a vid of Nieto scoring against BC from NHLDraftVideo (Jerome B.)


Adam Clendening, D Boston University (Hockey East)
Not a great game from Clendening, who started better than Nieto did at the beginning of the year, but who seems to have stalled a bit in recent viewings. Listed at 6-0, but is closer to 5-10 in reality and out of skates. Skating is OK- but Clendening lacks the explosiveness and pure speed you want to see from undersized defenders. He is more quick than fast- elusive and very good with his edgework. Pivots and turns are very good; he changes direction well and can transition quickly. Excellent stick and on-ice vision for making long leads and crisp breakouts. A superb passer who can tic-tac-toe with the best of them. Smart and instinctive; reads the developing play well, which allows him to beat checkers despite not having great wheels. Shot is average; projected as a better distributor/set-up guy on the PP than triggerman at the next level. Does have a quick release, but lacks the power and velocity you want to see from the point. Good, solid competitor; has strong intangibles like work ethic and a winning attitude. The real issue with Clendening is the lack of size, explosiveness and power. Justin Faulk is a better skater and has a bomb for a shot, two areas the BU defender is not as proficient in. Faulk was an early second-round selection last June (Carolina), so although the two draft classes are different, we wouldn't be surprised to see Clendening drop a little further than anticipated because of concerns about the size/mobility. There is no denying he can move the puck and set up the play, but as he moves up in levels and faces bigger, stronger, smarter players, it will become more and more difficult for Clendening to beat opponents with his sense and stick. He's a solid prospect, but like Oleksiak (though for different reasons), Clendening is more of a wildcard at this stage. You might see a team with a surplus of picks like Florida or Ottawa take him early in the second, but teams with limited selections may stay away from him until later in the second or third rounds.

Here's a highlight vid from HockeyEast Online- check out the great homerun pass he makes to Alex Chiasson at about the 1:52 mark.


Here is a post-game video featuring both Clendening and Nieto side-by-side.

Sahir Gill, F Boston University
Undersized winger and overager from British Columbia and the BCHL's Vernon Vipers can really fly. He's been involved in the BU offense quite a bit as a freshman and has quick burst and separation gear. Anticipates the play on offense and stays involved when the play transitions from his own end. Possesses nice offensive hockey sense and a nose for the net. Plays a chippy, borderline dirty style, but holds his own despite the lack of size. Could be a late-blooming diamond-in-the rough. Didn't key on him a lot, but could be a solid mid-to-late round sleeper for a team willing to spend time letting him develop in the NCAA and in minor pro before he's ready to make an impact.

Here's another HockeyEastOnline video from YouTube that shows highlights from last Friday's game against NU. Gill shows nice finish on a shortie from Nieto on the game's winning tally.

A glimpse at some overage prospects for 2011 draft

Every year, there are a certain number of players who are selected after having been passed over in previous drafts.

The Bruins have made this a recent trend, going back to the 2008 draft, when they selected forward Nick Tremblay of the Smith's Falls Bears, a 1988 birthdate originally eligible in 2006. In 2009, they followed up with Windsor pugilist Lane MacDermid, a 1989 birthdate, and in 2010, they took overagers with consecutive picks in the 4th and 5th rounds: Craig Cunningham and Justin Florek, both '90s originally eligible in 2008. They also added two more overaged defensemen late with Russian defenseman Maxim Chudinov and NCAA player Zach Trotman both in the 7th.

The B's aren't the only team who has adopted this tactic, as some players simply are late-bloomers who don't assert themselves until after their first year or two of eligibility has passed. Another factor is that by selecting an overage player, the team gets a prospect who is either immediately AHL-eligible or closer to that time window of being able to go into the system and contribute sooner than many of the 17- or 18-year-olds taken in their first draft season.

Whether you happen to agree with this draft strategy or not, the Bruins aren't the only ones who use it. And, it certainly appears to be here to stay, as teams have a limited amount of contracts to dole out and because of the CBA, don't have to invest a full three-year entry-level contract (ELC) to older players in some cases. It's about flexibility and finding diamonds in the rough. Thus far, none of Boston's overagers have inserted themselves into the NHL mix, but after watching MacDermid improve by leaps and bounds from his first pro season to the second, he could make it payoff.

Here are just a few names of potential overage selections in this 2011 draft class. There are more, and as we get closer to June, I'll update the list to include more players as any emerge in the discussions going forward.

Jonathan Johansson, C Brampton Battalion- The big (6-4, 210) Swede is a 1991 birthdate who was passed over in both the '09 and '10 drafts, but has now elevated his exposure by coming over to play in the OHL. He has four goals and 14 points in 26 games-- not great numbers, but his size alone could see him drafted on the third try.

Pathrik Westerholm, LW Malmo (SWE-2)- A very productive player for Malmo (the team that Carl Soderberg plays on), Westerholm has five goals and 15 points for the Allsvenskan senior squad this season after scoring 25 in 20 with the J20 team. He's a skilled stickhandler and shooter who has just average size. An early 1992, this is his second kick at the can.

Chase Balisy, F Western Michigan (CCHA)- At one time a well-discussed prospect for the 2010 NHL draft because of his speed and playmaking skills, he fell off the map last year after he struggled with the USA NTDP Under-18 team. In retrospect, he might have gotten lost in the shuffle on a very deep squad, because he's been outstanding as freshman at Western Michigan University this season with10 goals and 26 points in 28 games, recently named CCHA's top freshman.

John Norman, LW Djurgarden (SEL)- He sounds like a pro golfer as opposed to a Swedish hockey player, but this good skater could be one of those late bloomers you always hear about. Only has average size, but with five goals and 13 points in the Eliteserien, is worth a later-round look given his strong offensive instincts and potential upside.

Anton Burdasov, RW Chelyabinsk (KHL)- With a 6-3 frame and speed to burn, after watching him in the WJC, the twice passed-over (1991 BD) Burdasov likely has some appeal to NHL teams willing to take a risk by spending a later pick on a player with some real upside. He wasn't at all productive (1 assist, 7 games) in Buffalo, but anyone who actually watched him and isn't just looking at the stats line knows that he has some real skill. He was one of Russia's best players in the preliminary round 2-0 loss to Sweden, but had nothing to show for the several outstanding plays he made.

Nikita Dvurechensky, LW Moscow Dynamo (KHL)- Like Burdasov, Dvurechensky was passed up twice but showed more offensive flair than his counterpart at the WJC with 3-3-6. He's not as good a skater as Burdasov in my opinion, but has a better net presence and was more opportunistic, finishing off some key plays. He's the son of Russian hockey pro Kirill Dvurechensky, so he's got bloodlines going for him as well.

Denis Golubev, C Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)- The third of three gold medal-winning Russians with no NHL draft rights, this guy is smaller than the other two, but more skilled and dynamic. He scored some big goals for Team Russia at the WJC and can really scoot and move laterally. He's an agitating, pesky little guy to play against, too.

Benjamin Conz, G Langnau (SUI)- Short and dumpy doesn't play all that well when it comes to NHL teams deciding whether to spend a draft pick on a goalie, but the fire hydrant-shaped Conz just may have force someone's hand after two consecutive strong WJC showings in net. The guy just knows how to stop a puck and is much quicker and athletic than his short, squat build would leave you to believe. Switzerland has emerged as a hockey country with players proving they can hack it in the NHL and North America, so why not take a chance with Conz?

Tomas Filippi, C Quebec (QMJHL)- At 6-1, the very skilled Czech has all the tools to be an NHL player including speed and very quick hands, but was passed over last year primarily because of his lackadaisical attitude at times and soft play. To his credit, he came over to North America and has been much more consistent this season for the Remparts, scoring 20 goals and 40 points in 42 games. That just might be enough to earn him a late-round grade, but the compete levels will dominate discussions in NHL war rooms. He's still a bit of a risk.

Marcel Noebels, C Seattle (WHL)- The big, offensively capable German had a strong showing at the WJC and has 18 goals for the Seattle Thunderbirds this year. When he goes hard to the net, he's tough to contain, and he has a nice nose for the net with a quick release on his shot. He tends to be a perimeter guy, however, and some NHL scouts have said he's pretty soft. We'll see if the talent and solid production is enough to get him drafted this time around.

Marek Hrivik, LW Moncton (QMJHL)- Going to beat the drum on this guy till the cows come home. He was one of the very disappointing Slovak WJC team's most visible players. Twice passed over, he has a bomb of a shot and can score from just about anywhere. His skating isn't the greatest, but has gotten better. He doesn't have the greatest reputation for going into the dirty areas of the ice or doing the little things, but it's hard to overlook 47 goals and counting over the past season-plus with Moncton.

Andrej Kudrna, LW Red Deer (WHL)- Even more productive than Hrivik, this fellow Slovak has the kind of size (6-3, 205) and hands NHL scouts drool over. His skating is still pretty rough, but it's hard to argue with the numbers he's put up in each of the last two seasons for Red Deer in terms of being deserving of a late look. Didn't stand out much at the WJC, but there's some upside with this one.

Oula Palve, F Jyvaskyla (FInland Jr.)- Small, skilled forward and 1992 is playing well for JYP's junior team, and with Boston's relationship with that club, you might see something shake out in the later rounds if someone else doesn't jump on him first. Good skater with a knack for scoring goals- has 16 in 26 this season and should be on the SM-Liiga squad next season. Needs to get a lot stronger, but flying under the radar in most circles.

Sahir Gill, Boston University (HE)- Gill's lack of expected production in the USHL last year dropped him out of the 2010 draft, but the heady playmaker has opened some eyes as a freshman on the Terriers this season. Not very big, he's still a bit of a longshot and may have to go the free agency route after the NCAA, but he's making more of an impact than expected this season.

Mike Pereira, LW UMass (HE)- Carried Avon Old Farms to their eighth prep title in 29 years last spring with a dominant offensive performance, but got nary a taker in L.A. Smallish forward is an explosive skater and deadly finisher when the game is on the line. Outplayed 1st-round pick Kevin Hayes by a wide margin in the prep semifinal contest and took it up a notch in the championship game. Proving he can score at the NCAA level as well, with 10 goals, 20 points as a freshman for Toot Cahoon's Minutemen. There were rumblings last year that he was a selfish player, but isn't that what most scorers are? Have to think he's going to get picked this year given his production in the Hockey East along with the blazing speed and hands.

Alex and Allain Saulnier, C, RW Moncton (QMJHL)- The dynamic duo of twin brothers have stepped it up this season. Alex is a very skilled pivot and has been a star for Danny Flynn's Wildcats along with twin brother Allain. The two were tremendous in Quebec as midget players, and have taken a much more prominent role this season. Unfortunately, size (5-10, 160) and lack of strength is a real issue for both. Alex has 20 goals and 64 points this season in 50 games, leading the team in scoring. Allain is second with 24 goals and 57 points.

Central Scouting Watch List: NCAA

Because this blog still waiting to hear from a couple of key sources, we're going to hold off on the OHL and WHL Central Scouting rankings analysis and jump to the NCAA. We won't cover all the ground out there, but will hit the highlights in hopes of filling in the blanks later.

Starting in the Hockey East, there are three 'A' players Central has identified, two of whom come from a rapidly rising Boston University program, just two years removed from a national championship (and oh what a glorious game that was to see live but I digress).

Defenseman Adam Clendening is a New Yorker and U.S. NTDP product who is one of the best puck-moving defensemen available in the entire draft, not to mention the NCAA ranks. As an Oct. '92 birthdate, he just missed out on the 2010 NHL draft, but is in a good situation on Commonwealth Ave. playing for legendary coach Jack Parker. Not big at 5-11, 187 pounds, Clendening is a very good skater with the vision and instincts to ignite the transition and attack. As a member of Team USA's dominant, suffocating defense in last spring's Under-18 gold medal squad, he's seen international competition at the highest level among his peers and acquitted himself extremely well in that tourney. With five assists in 10 games with the Terriers, he's been steady as she goes as a freshman and better things are in store.

"You can see that he oozes hockey sense," one NHL scout who saw Clendening in Belarus last spring said. "He's a bright, cerebral player who can dissect opposing defenses and get pucks out of his zone quickly."

Clendening's teammate, Matt Nieto, is another player to watch. The speedy, explosive forward can pile up the points, but the offense is yet to come for him at BU (1 goal, 2 points in 10 contests). Another late '92, Nieto has a significant amount of potential but may be a longer-term kind of project who will need at least three years in the NCAA followed by a minors stint before he's ready for the NHL grind.

"Nieto was one of the more dynamic American forwards coming out of Ann Arbor," the scout said. "He's got to watch the compete levels and consistency, but when he's on his game, he can skate with anyone and score goals at will. Very talented guy with upside."

Northeastern defenseman Jamie Oleksiak rounds out the HE watch list. The Ontario native and USHL product is raw, but at 6-7 and 244-pounds is a physical beast who will get picked just for his size from the looks of it. Where he goes in the draft, however, will depend on his play for the Huskies this season. His mobility is surprisingly good for a big man, although he does need to improve his agility and pivots/turns. But as far as straight-line speed goes, that long, powerful stride of his covers a lot of ice quickly. There isn't much offensive upside with Oleksiak-- he scored just two goals in 82 USHL games over three seasons with the Chicago Steel and Sioux Falls Stampede, and in 10 NCAA games he's posted a 1-1-2 line. But, if he can be that shutdown guy with a condor wingspan and an edge to his game (a work in progress), he'll go in the top-three rounds.

UMass-Amherst forward Mike Pereira is on the 'B' list for the HE-- and to be frank, B2011DW was stunned that the explosive winger who carried the Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers on his back to the 2010 prep championship was not picked in the NHL draft last June. He's not big, but his wheels are high-end, and he's as opportunistic a scorer as you will find. With five goals in his first eight games for the Minutemen, I think some NHL team will realize its mistake and snap him up come June. BU forward Sahir Gill and Nick Sorkin are on the 'C' list and were also passed over in previous drafts. Gill's hot start could get him a look. Sorkin, who played high school hockey in Silver Spring, Md. before going to the USHL for a tuneup and is now at UNH, is tall and raw. Look for him to go the free agency route when his NCAA career is done.

In the ECAC, RPI defender Pat Koudys is listed as a 'B' player, but with his size and mobility, he could end up going higher than people are projecting. The ECAC has fallen on hard times in terms of where NHL teams view players coming out of that league given competition and games played, but Koudys comes out of the OJHL with top defenseman accolades and at 6-4, 195, will play at around 220-230 pounds when he reaches his physical peak. He's not managed a point in eight NCAA games, but with his skill set, he should get on the board soon.

Jumping out to the WCHA, there are four 'A' players, three of whom we'll discuss briefly.

Denver University's Nick Shore is flying under the radar in most public draft discussions these days, but we're hearing that NHL teams are onto the skilled, intelligent NTDP product.

Red Line Report scout Max Giese said before the season that he saw Shore as a first-round player with the talent, work ethic and two-way game to break into the top-30 over bigger, more widely-known names. Shore is just getting back from being on the injury report, (3-0-0), but watch for him to boost his stock as the Pioneers' season gets rolling. Even if he doesn't get intot he 1st, its hard to imagine he'll drop far into the 2nd round of the draft because of his versatility and value.

University of Wisconisn forward Michael Mersch's stock is also on the up and up.

"Mersch is just getting better and better and is now on the Badgers' first powerplay unit as its' net presence," Giese said via email recently. "He doesn't even shave yet and he's already a broad, thick kid and will get bigger. His nose for the net and soft hands are what endears him most to NHL guys, but he gets underrated as a set-up man."

Mersch doesn't get much pub as a legitimate top-30 draft candidate, and is more likely to fall into the bottom half of the second round. But, if you put faith in that view, the team who gets him might be getting a steal.

On the downside and disappointing to hear, is Giese's assessment of Dillon Simpson, who was recently pegged on this blog as a potential first-round pick for the Bruins in a mock draft.

"He's a smart player defensively, rarely out of position; but he's a pretty bad skater and he doesn't have any poise moving the puck," Giese said. "He's a slushy skater with a short and sluggish stride. His hands are stiff, he struggles to put passes on the tape and he always hurries to get the puck off of his stick. He's getting the ice time right now because of North Dakota's injuries."

As for the CCHA, apologies. This blog space does not know enough about Kevin Clare, Jacob Fallon, (both with University of Michigan), Thomas Tynan (Notre Dame) and the rest of the 'C' players on that list. I will get updates on them as the season goes on.