OHL fans know all about Alan Quine (pronounced Qwyne)- the smallish, but highly skilled playmaker who was the main piece in the deal that brought Bruins prospect Ryan Spooner to Kingston.
Quine was a highly-regarded minor midget player drafted by Kingston a couple of years ago and he had a solid rookie year for the Frontenacs as an offensive savant with terrific hands, vision, touch and overall skill. He's a good skater who has all the offensive tools to be a steady producer at the highest level, even if he had an off-year where he didn't meet expectations.
Although under 6-feet and on the light side, he is quick and elusive- two traits that a player of his disposition must possess. He played well for Team Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka in August, winning the gold medal.
The wheels fell off Quine's season when he got off to a real slow start, and although he was moved to Peterborough for Spooner in November and picked up the production, he never really put up the kind of points expected of him and as a result, fell off the map a bit.
It's interesting that the Petes picked up Quine in the deal, because when Spooner asked out, one of the things coached Mike Pelino blasted him about was his lack of defensive play. Quine is more along the lines of Spooner when it comes to being defensively responsible and aware in his own end. He's all go in the offensive zone, but the lack of physicality hurts him.
On paper, Quine doesn't appear to be someone who would appeal to the Bruins, but that's because his stock is down. He has the potential to be an excellent value pick if he falls down in the draft low enough, and if he happens to be on the board in the third round when the Bruins pick 80th, he meets the definition of a bargain there.
Of course, we might be biased. B2011DW participated in a mock draft a few months back and nabbed Quine in the third- he could end up going higher because teams are sold on his upside. He was 62nd on THN's top-100 for their draft preview and Red Line has him 79th in their May rankings.
He might not present any interest to Boston. Then again, knowing their philosophy and how they tend to draft, he could very well be a legitimate target. Guys with the speed, sense and hands like Quine are worth taking a gamble on, because if he gets it together, he could be a very good pro down the road.
*(Not affiliated with the Boston Bruins or the New England Hockey Journal)
Showing posts with label Alan Quine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alan Quine. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
World Under-18 Semifinals: USA, Sweden, advance to gold medal game
Sweden defeated Russia by a 3-1 score in a game that got ugly late. It was unfortunate to see some of the tomfoolery a couple of Russian players engaged in at the end, but up to that point, the two sides played hard. Ultimately, that Swedish defense prevailed.
Then, the Americans and Canadians played a game for the ages, with Canada surging back from a three-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime.
Tyler Biggs, who had been quiet all tournament offensively, and could have been one of the goats because of a bad penalty that led to a Canada power play goal to get them back in it, then beat Malcolm Subban with a high bullet blocker side in sudden death to grab a 5-4 victory and propel the Americans to a gold medal rematch with Sweden for the second year in a row.
After Brett Ritchie and J.T. Miller exchanged goals in the first period for a 1-1 score, Team USA dialed up the heat in the second frame, taking over momentum in the contest.
USA got another fabulous slot goal from Reid Boucher late in the second period to take a 2-1 lead after falling behind 1-0 in the opening frame. But the Americans tallied two short-handed goals in the same penalty kill in the third period to take a commanding 4-1 advantage.
Although Ritchie (2 goals) scored on a power play soon after Boucher's second goal of the game to cut the lead to two on what was a bad roughing penalty for Biggs, USA leaned on John Gibson did his best keep the Canadians at bay.
Unfortunately for the Americans, with Subban pulled with about three minutes remaining and the Canadians putting sustained offensive pressure on, Cole Bardreau made a costly mistake, scaling the puck over the glass to give Canada a 6-on-4 advantage. Ryan Murray, who looked every bit like a contender for first overall pick in 2012 today with a monster game at both ends, scored on a shot from near the blue line to make it 4-3.
Then, with Subban out again for the extra attacker, Murray got the puck to the net and Mark Scheifele ended up jamming it home for an improbable and outstanding comeback.
Reid Boucher, F- Player of the game for USA had a near carbon-copy of his winner against Russia late in the 2nd period; after taking a pass from Miller, he just ripped a high shot glove side that Subban had no chance on. Watching him play with Grimaldi is illuminating; Rocco is so amazingly fast and explosive, while Boucher is not. However, it doesn't matter because Boucher thinks the game so well and seems to make recognitions well ahead of most opponents. In short, he finds ways to isolate himself in prime scoring areas in the offensive zone, and then when the puck is anywhere near him, he makes his chances count.
J.T. Miller, F- Monster game from Miller, who showed every scout in attendance today why he's been talked about as a first-round pick for much of the year. Got USA on the board with a great rush and five-hole snipe. He then assisted on both goals by Boucher, one with a perfect feed from behind the net after Grimaldi knocked down Scheifele to allow Miller to gain possession, and then in the third while on the PK, when Miller drew an offensive zone draw right to his linemate, who buried it. Miller leads Team USA in scoring with four goals and 11 points in just five, that's right- five games. With his size (6-1), skating/speed, shot, puck skills and hockey IQ, Miller is putting on a show at absolutely the perfect time. Hello, top-30.
Tyler Biggs, F- We haven't had a lot to say about Biggs in the tourney because, well, frankly- he hasn't scored much and has taken entirely too many bad penalties. Some of it, you chalk up to him playing like the manchild he is and some of the international on-ice officials' tendency to make ridiculously bad calls when he blows a 150-pound kid up with a clean hit. That said, Biggs came through with an overtime dagger and at the end of the day, he's shown flashes of being a potential top-six power forward who can do a little bit of everything. Hands are still stiff, and scouts are going to continue to question the hockey sense, but after he hurt his team with an undisciplined penalty, he bounced back with the biggest goal of his young career. There's a lot to be said for that.
Rocco Grimaldi, F-Every time we watch him, we marvel at how noticeable and dynamic a little player he is. He didn't get on the scoresheet a bunch today, but he made a lot of plays defensively and on the PK to balance it out. He's still got issues with the size and strength, but he plays with so much intensity, and the fact that he made noticeable plays to knock Scheifele off the puck (leading directly to a Boucher goal) and then did it later to Travis Ewanyk, another guy much bigger than he, you have to give the youngster credit. Even if the points aren't coming in bunches (2 goals, 5 assists) he's doing a bunch of other things to help his team winner.
Zac Larraza, F- Scored a nice shorthanded goal on a jailbreak after he blocked a Reece Scarlett shot at the point and the Canadian defenseman stumbled as he tried to change direction when Larraza corralled it and took off up the ice. He's been a solid, underrated presence for this U.S. team. Not sold on his upside, but he looks like he could be an effective role player in the NHL one day.
Mike Paliotta, D- Kept it safe, simple and made a few memorable defensive plays. Also executed several nice stretch passes that didn't amount to goals, but showed he can make the breakout. Smooth, fluid skater who can transition effortlessly. Not a huge physical presence, but uses his size effectively to keep opponents away from the net and pin them against the boards. The lack of production/offensive dimension to his game is what will prevent him from being a first- or even second-round pick, but this future Vermont Catamount has enough in terms of his physical package and skating ability to be a defender at the highest level. He may just be another safe, unspectacular guy, however. Nothing wrong with that, but we saw him as bringing more to the table than that coming into the season.
Seth Jones, D- (2013 eligible) This sixteen-year-old has stud written all over him. He's already 6-3, and his dad, Popeye Jones, was about 6-8 when he played in the NBA, so we could see another three or more inches added to the youngster's height. He's an excellent skater with a wide base, good acceleration and balance. He handles the puck confidently and is effective at rushing it or moving it on the breakout. Likes to jump up into the play and has a pretty good shot already; it will develop more power and velocity as he gets older. Unfortunately, as a late '94, he won't even be draft eligible until 2013. That's going to give scouts plenty of time to pick apart his game, but for now, this young man who developed his passion for hockey in Toronto and Dallas (he calls Plano, TX home) has all the makings of a high-end prospect and definitely a player to watch in the next 26 months. One of our NHL scouting sources at the tourney texted to us today that Jones was one of the USA's best players, singling him out for praise.
John Gibson, G- If you're thinking that it was Gibson's fault that the Canadians forced overtime, you would be wrong. We asked a Western Conference NHL scout who is in Germany if Gibson was shaky and his response was an emphatic 'no'. When we opined that he was doing a good Jack Campbell impression in response, here is what the scout texted back to us: "Yes, but much more controlled (in his movements). Although not as invincible as Campbell a year ago." Then he added, "Gibson kept it together while his team fell apart."
Mark Scheifele, F- Solidifying his 1st-round stock with his performance in Germany, Scheifele did it again today, banging home a shot off the post in a wild scramble late in regulation to force OT. That gives him six goals in as many games in the tourney, and with his size and tools- a long, loping stride, quick hands and offensive instincts, this guy just has the look of an NHL player in time. He played for a poor team in Barrie this season, but still managed to make a name for himself.
Brett Ritchie, F- Power forward had a lot of interest coming into the season, but started sluggishly and was just coming on strong in January when he was felled by a bout with mono. Now only beginning to have his full strength and zip, it has showed in Germany, especially today, when he tallied a pair of power play markers. He's an OK skater, but is real strong on the puck and does the heavy lifting along the walls and in front of the net. Has a quick stick and keeps his big body planted in front of the net. Still raw and developing his overall game, this Sarnia Sting winger should secure second-round billing at least after the way he's played over the past 10 days.
Alan Quine, C- The Peterborough pivot may not be much of a defensive player, but he has legitimate skill as a playmaker. Small and not very strong, he nonetheless manages to pinball his way through the offensive zone with some dazzling agility and quickness at times. Puck is on his stick like a magnet as he slices defenses and then gets it out in front where his linemates can cash in. Superior vision, offensive feel and the soft touch to exploit seams in the o-zone. Had three helpers today...especially effective with the man advantage when he has more time and space to work with. Not impressive at all in his own end; does not look comfortable and will delay in picking up his man. There is some real unharnessed offensive potential with Quine, but he's going to need a lot of time and TLC by whichever NHL team drafts him. He looked like a first-rounder coming into the season, but lack of production and inconsistency dropped him. How low he goes remains to be seen, but if hockey was only played in the offensive end, then Quine would get a first-round grade.
Travis Ewanyk, C- Big, raw horse in the middle for Canada. A pure checker in this tourney with only one assist to show for his efforts, but excellent on faceoffs and earning a regular shift with his energy, hustle and smarts. Not all that exciting a player- good hitter in the open ice and mucks along the walls like you need him to, but seems to possess the toolbox to be an NHL player in time. He'll have to pay his dues, but there is a lot to like about this guy.
Ryan Murphy, D- Along with 'D' partner Murray, the Kitchener standout is leading Canada in scoring with three goals and nine points in six games. Although he was caught up ice and ended up in no-man's land when Biggs scored in OT, Murphy continued to show why he is one of the 2011 draft's most talked-about prospects. Tremendous skater who can rush the puck at will or move it to a breaking teammate just as effectively. Sees, feels and reacts to the game so instinctively; most can only dream of having his skill and awareness. Will get in trouble with his aggressiveness and attacking mindset, but such a talented offensive player that coaches can deal with that.
Ryan Murray, D- (2012 eligible) Terrific game from the captain, who just missed the 2011 draft by a couple of days, but is expected to be a top-three selection a year from now. Skilled, two-way defender plays a polished game and brings all the intangibles you want like hockey sense, determination and leadership. On one play, took the pass at his own blue line and then proceeded to skate through the entire U.S. squad, showing off impressive acceleration, superior edge control and stickhandling ability. Smart positionally and has the size and strength to be an excellent defensive player to go with his impressive offensive upside. Tied with Murphy for the team lead in scoring with nine points.
Canada plays Russia in the bronze medal game, while USA plays Sweden at 12:30 EST tomorrow, Easter Sunday.
Be on the lookout for Swedish forward William Karlsson, a skilled and heady centerman who has really come on playing for Vasteras Jr. team this season. He's having a strong tournament.
If the USA can win, it will be the first time ever that the U.S. has won three consecutive Under-18 championships.
Then, the Americans and Canadians played a game for the ages, with Canada surging back from a three-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime.
Tyler Biggs, who had been quiet all tournament offensively, and could have been one of the goats because of a bad penalty that led to a Canada power play goal to get them back in it, then beat Malcolm Subban with a high bullet blocker side in sudden death to grab a 5-4 victory and propel the Americans to a gold medal rematch with Sweden for the second year in a row.
After Brett Ritchie and J.T. Miller exchanged goals in the first period for a 1-1 score, Team USA dialed up the heat in the second frame, taking over momentum in the contest.
USA got another fabulous slot goal from Reid Boucher late in the second period to take a 2-1 lead after falling behind 1-0 in the opening frame. But the Americans tallied two short-handed goals in the same penalty kill in the third period to take a commanding 4-1 advantage.
Although Ritchie (2 goals) scored on a power play soon after Boucher's second goal of the game to cut the lead to two on what was a bad roughing penalty for Biggs, USA leaned on John Gibson did his best keep the Canadians at bay.
Unfortunately for the Americans, with Subban pulled with about three minutes remaining and the Canadians putting sustained offensive pressure on, Cole Bardreau made a costly mistake, scaling the puck over the glass to give Canada a 6-on-4 advantage. Ryan Murray, who looked every bit like a contender for first overall pick in 2012 today with a monster game at both ends, scored on a shot from near the blue line to make it 4-3.
Then, with Subban out again for the extra attacker, Murray got the puck to the net and Mark Scheifele ended up jamming it home for an improbable and outstanding comeback.
Reid Boucher, F- Player of the game for USA had a near carbon-copy of his winner against Russia late in the 2nd period; after taking a pass from Miller, he just ripped a high shot glove side that Subban had no chance on. Watching him play with Grimaldi is illuminating; Rocco is so amazingly fast and explosive, while Boucher is not. However, it doesn't matter because Boucher thinks the game so well and seems to make recognitions well ahead of most opponents. In short, he finds ways to isolate himself in prime scoring areas in the offensive zone, and then when the puck is anywhere near him, he makes his chances count.
J.T. Miller, F- Monster game from Miller, who showed every scout in attendance today why he's been talked about as a first-round pick for much of the year. Got USA on the board with a great rush and five-hole snipe. He then assisted on both goals by Boucher, one with a perfect feed from behind the net after Grimaldi knocked down Scheifele to allow Miller to gain possession, and then in the third while on the PK, when Miller drew an offensive zone draw right to his linemate, who buried it. Miller leads Team USA in scoring with four goals and 11 points in just five, that's right- five games. With his size (6-1), skating/speed, shot, puck skills and hockey IQ, Miller is putting on a show at absolutely the perfect time. Hello, top-30.
Tyler Biggs, F- We haven't had a lot to say about Biggs in the tourney because, well, frankly- he hasn't scored much and has taken entirely too many bad penalties. Some of it, you chalk up to him playing like the manchild he is and some of the international on-ice officials' tendency to make ridiculously bad calls when he blows a 150-pound kid up with a clean hit. That said, Biggs came through with an overtime dagger and at the end of the day, he's shown flashes of being a potential top-six power forward who can do a little bit of everything. Hands are still stiff, and scouts are going to continue to question the hockey sense, but after he hurt his team with an undisciplined penalty, he bounced back with the biggest goal of his young career. There's a lot to be said for that.
Rocco Grimaldi, F-Every time we watch him, we marvel at how noticeable and dynamic a little player he is. He didn't get on the scoresheet a bunch today, but he made a lot of plays defensively and on the PK to balance it out. He's still got issues with the size and strength, but he plays with so much intensity, and the fact that he made noticeable plays to knock Scheifele off the puck (leading directly to a Boucher goal) and then did it later to Travis Ewanyk, another guy much bigger than he, you have to give the youngster credit. Even if the points aren't coming in bunches (2 goals, 5 assists) he's doing a bunch of other things to help his team winner.
Zac Larraza, F- Scored a nice shorthanded goal on a jailbreak after he blocked a Reece Scarlett shot at the point and the Canadian defenseman stumbled as he tried to change direction when Larraza corralled it and took off up the ice. He's been a solid, underrated presence for this U.S. team. Not sold on his upside, but he looks like he could be an effective role player in the NHL one day.
Mike Paliotta, D- Kept it safe, simple and made a few memorable defensive plays. Also executed several nice stretch passes that didn't amount to goals, but showed he can make the breakout. Smooth, fluid skater who can transition effortlessly. Not a huge physical presence, but uses his size effectively to keep opponents away from the net and pin them against the boards. The lack of production/offensive dimension to his game is what will prevent him from being a first- or even second-round pick, but this future Vermont Catamount has enough in terms of his physical package and skating ability to be a defender at the highest level. He may just be another safe, unspectacular guy, however. Nothing wrong with that, but we saw him as bringing more to the table than that coming into the season.
Seth Jones, D- (2013 eligible) This sixteen-year-old has stud written all over him. He's already 6-3, and his dad, Popeye Jones, was about 6-8 when he played in the NBA, so we could see another three or more inches added to the youngster's height. He's an excellent skater with a wide base, good acceleration and balance. He handles the puck confidently and is effective at rushing it or moving it on the breakout. Likes to jump up into the play and has a pretty good shot already; it will develop more power and velocity as he gets older. Unfortunately, as a late '94, he won't even be draft eligible until 2013. That's going to give scouts plenty of time to pick apart his game, but for now, this young man who developed his passion for hockey in Toronto and Dallas (he calls Plano, TX home) has all the makings of a high-end prospect and definitely a player to watch in the next 26 months. One of our NHL scouting sources at the tourney texted to us today that Jones was one of the USA's best players, singling him out for praise.
John Gibson, G- If you're thinking that it was Gibson's fault that the Canadians forced overtime, you would be wrong. We asked a Western Conference NHL scout who is in Germany if Gibson was shaky and his response was an emphatic 'no'. When we opined that he was doing a good Jack Campbell impression in response, here is what the scout texted back to us: "Yes, but much more controlled (in his movements). Although not as invincible as Campbell a year ago." Then he added, "Gibson kept it together while his team fell apart."
Mark Scheifele, F- Solidifying his 1st-round stock with his performance in Germany, Scheifele did it again today, banging home a shot off the post in a wild scramble late in regulation to force OT. That gives him six goals in as many games in the tourney, and with his size and tools- a long, loping stride, quick hands and offensive instincts, this guy just has the look of an NHL player in time. He played for a poor team in Barrie this season, but still managed to make a name for himself.
Brett Ritchie, F- Power forward had a lot of interest coming into the season, but started sluggishly and was just coming on strong in January when he was felled by a bout with mono. Now only beginning to have his full strength and zip, it has showed in Germany, especially today, when he tallied a pair of power play markers. He's an OK skater, but is real strong on the puck and does the heavy lifting along the walls and in front of the net. Has a quick stick and keeps his big body planted in front of the net. Still raw and developing his overall game, this Sarnia Sting winger should secure second-round billing at least after the way he's played over the past 10 days.
Alan Quine, C- The Peterborough pivot may not be much of a defensive player, but he has legitimate skill as a playmaker. Small and not very strong, he nonetheless manages to pinball his way through the offensive zone with some dazzling agility and quickness at times. Puck is on his stick like a magnet as he slices defenses and then gets it out in front where his linemates can cash in. Superior vision, offensive feel and the soft touch to exploit seams in the o-zone. Had three helpers today...especially effective with the man advantage when he has more time and space to work with. Not impressive at all in his own end; does not look comfortable and will delay in picking up his man. There is some real unharnessed offensive potential with Quine, but he's going to need a lot of time and TLC by whichever NHL team drafts him. He looked like a first-rounder coming into the season, but lack of production and inconsistency dropped him. How low he goes remains to be seen, but if hockey was only played in the offensive end, then Quine would get a first-round grade.
Travis Ewanyk, C- Big, raw horse in the middle for Canada. A pure checker in this tourney with only one assist to show for his efforts, but excellent on faceoffs and earning a regular shift with his energy, hustle and smarts. Not all that exciting a player- good hitter in the open ice and mucks along the walls like you need him to, but seems to possess the toolbox to be an NHL player in time. He'll have to pay his dues, but there is a lot to like about this guy.
Ryan Murphy, D- Along with 'D' partner Murray, the Kitchener standout is leading Canada in scoring with three goals and nine points in six games. Although he was caught up ice and ended up in no-man's land when Biggs scored in OT, Murphy continued to show why he is one of the 2011 draft's most talked-about prospects. Tremendous skater who can rush the puck at will or move it to a breaking teammate just as effectively. Sees, feels and reacts to the game so instinctively; most can only dream of having his skill and awareness. Will get in trouble with his aggressiveness and attacking mindset, but such a talented offensive player that coaches can deal with that.
Ryan Murray, D- (2012 eligible) Terrific game from the captain, who just missed the 2011 draft by a couple of days, but is expected to be a top-three selection a year from now. Skilled, two-way defender plays a polished game and brings all the intangibles you want like hockey sense, determination and leadership. On one play, took the pass at his own blue line and then proceeded to skate through the entire U.S. squad, showing off impressive acceleration, superior edge control and stickhandling ability. Smart positionally and has the size and strength to be an excellent defensive player to go with his impressive offensive upside. Tied with Murphy for the team lead in scoring with nine points.
Canada plays Russia in the bronze medal game, while USA plays Sweden at 12:30 EST tomorrow, Easter Sunday.
Be on the lookout for Swedish forward William Karlsson, a skilled and heady centerman who has really come on playing for Vasteras Jr. team this season. He's having a strong tournament.
If the USA can win, it will be the first time ever that the U.S. has won three consecutive Under-18 championships.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
World Under-18 Championship Day 3: Canada- Finland observations
Team Canada had a wild third period to overcome a 3-2 deficit and win a late shootout with Team Finland by a 5-4 final to push their record to 2-0 at the World Under-18 Championship in Dresden, Germany.
Mark Scheifele scored a highlight reel breakaway goal to tie the game with abnout 10 minutes left, and then Nick Cousins deflected a point shot from captain and 2012-eligible Ryan Murray 45 seconds later to gain the lead. Colin Smith then sniped a high shot that beat Samu Perhonen (on a shot we think the Finnish goalie should have had) to make it 5-3. However, Markus Granlund got a late power play tally, but the Finns couldn't solve Malcolm Subban (another 2012 prospect) and Canada prevailed.
It was a good game and both sides played hard. We've been critical of Joel Armia on this blog space, but today, he looked every bit a scoring stud and top-15 pick for the 2011 draft. Another impressive player for FInland was 2012 eligible defenseman Olli Maatta.
Canada next faces Norway, while the Finns have a Scandinavian showdown tomorrow vs. Sweden. That one we're going to see as well!
We're going to stay off the 2012 eligibles for now and will focus our notes on the 2011 draft candidates who stood out both positively and in a few cases, not-so-positively.
Mark Scheifele, C- Played a good game, hustling and making plays. However, his signature moment came with 10 minutes left in the third period, when he scored a brilliant goal to tie the score at 3-3. Standing in the high slot while Finland had possession in Canada's zone, he anticipated that a pass to the point was going to go off target and took off like he was shot from a rocket, chasing the puck down near the red line at center ice and splitting the defense of Henri Auvinen and Ville Pokka. As he gained a step and tried to separate, Auvinen hooked him, but Scheifele fought off the stick with an impressive display of strength, maintained control of the puck and then got Perhonen to bite on a quick fake. After the Finnish netminder laid out to make a poke check and missed, Scheifele tucked it to the backhand and put it home. Plays like that one are why the Barrie Colts pivot's stock has exploded over the second half of the season and why he looks like a surefire first-round pick in June.
Ryan Murphy, D- Continued to show why he's the best offensive defenseman in the draft. We forgot for a second that he switched to No. 14 for the tourney (24 with Kitchener) and were watching as this Canada player outskated about three Finnish players in the neutral zone, gained the line and made a nice net drive that didn't result in a goal, but certainly caught our attention. We weren't surprised then, when consulting the lineup sheet and seeing that No. 14 was indeed Murphy. It was a signature type of move from him. He scored a goal in the second period to tie it at two apiece when he zoomed up the ice with Colin Smith on a 2-on-1, took a sauce pass on the forehand and effortlessly snapped it into the net behind Perhonen in full rush. We didn't key much on Murphy's defense, but he assisted on the first goal of the game scored by Eric Locke and his offensive prowess was in full bloom today.
Mark McNeill, C- Big horse has been impressive for Canada in the tourney so far. Anyone who thinks he doesn't have upside hasn't been paying close attention to what McNeill brings to the table (82 points for Prince Albert this season) and he's making a legitimate run to a potential top-10 selection in June. McNeill drew primary assist on the Locke goal, taking Murphy's point pass and getting it hard to the net where Locke was able to convert the rebound. But, what impressed us was McNeill's defense and discipline. He moved the puck smartly, backchecked diligently and didn't force things that weren't there. On offense, he protects the puck well and sees the ice like a true playmaker. Stock watch: goin' up.
Travis Ewanyk, C- Another kid whose draft stock is on the rise, Ewanyk finished his checks all game long and played with determination. He won the faceoff that led to Cousins' goal to put Canada ahead in the third after Scheifele tied it. His skating stride seems a bit choppy, but he has a wide base and seems to get where he needs to. This guy is one of those gritty, intense players you win with. Kept the pedal to the floor the whole game and came through with a huge assist in a key offensive zone draw. Watch this guy.
Colin Smith, F- He may be small, but he has some serious wheels and just seemed to make plays every time he was in position to do so. Made a beautiful feed to Murphy on a 2-on-1, and then sniped one that seemed to fool Perhonen for what was the game-winner. Canada needs lesser lights like Smith to make an impact in this tournament to take the pressure off of some of their bigger name guys up front, and Smith did that.
Alan Quine, C- Quiet game for No. 18. Didn't do much to stand out, but made several nice passes that show off his outstanding vision and soft hands. Not much of a physical player. Quine has some pretty good wheels and has the ability to get it done with puck possession, but if this game was an indicator of his season overall, you can understand why his stock has fallen.
Joel Armia, F- Finland's best player today had it going offensively with a goal and two helpers. His first assist was a nifty pass, but his goal had scouts talking no doubt. Standing alone off to Subban's right while on the power play (someone blew their assignment), he got the puck and ripped it. Subban made a terrific diving save, going from left to right, but flopped out of the net and on the ice while Armia chased his own rebound, took it around the back of the net and then banked it off of one of Canada's players scrambling to cover for Subban, and the puck found its way into the net. That was just a natural scorer's play and Armia's poise and confidence to pull that off is worth noting. He's got a long, languid stride that makes it appear he isn't skating hard, but he does cover a lot of ground. With his natural height, when he gets stronger and adds weight, Armia will be a load to contain.
Markus Granlund, F- Scored a late power play goal to get Finland within one, but not overly noticeable in this one. Average skater, has some creativity. Nowhere near the pure talent and prospect his older brother Mikael is, but could become a serviceable NHLer in time.
Henri Auvinen, D- Unfortunately, he stood out more for when Scheifele blew by him on the way to the net and then fought off Auvinen's attempted hook. It was the defenseman who ended up sliding on the ice and into the backwall on the play, while Scheifele went to the net and put it in to tie the score. Not much else to judge Auvinen by, but he took the wrong angle to the puck on that play and paid for it.
Samu Perhonen, G- Tough game for Europe's top goalie on Central's final rankings (and some would certainly argue in favor of Swede Magnus Hellberg). He was shaky all day and seemed to be fighting the puck. Big, athletic Finn takes up a lot of net and moves fluidly. However, today he was off his game, giving up some shots from the outside that he probably should have had. He seemed jumpy and was overcommitting all day. On one weird play, Perhonen played the puck behind the net and then blew a tire gliding back to his crease and sprawling out on the ice. Just a poor game overall for Perhonen and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds or if backup Richard Ullberg, who was a disaster this season after coming in as the name goalie prospect coming out of Finland, gets a shot. We expect it will be Perhonen against Sweden, but he might have a short leash.
Mark Scheifele scored a highlight reel breakaway goal to tie the game with abnout 10 minutes left, and then Nick Cousins deflected a point shot from captain and 2012-eligible Ryan Murray 45 seconds later to gain the lead. Colin Smith then sniped a high shot that beat Samu Perhonen (on a shot we think the Finnish goalie should have had) to make it 5-3. However, Markus Granlund got a late power play tally, but the Finns couldn't solve Malcolm Subban (another 2012 prospect) and Canada prevailed.
It was a good game and both sides played hard. We've been critical of Joel Armia on this blog space, but today, he looked every bit a scoring stud and top-15 pick for the 2011 draft. Another impressive player for FInland was 2012 eligible defenseman Olli Maatta.
Canada next faces Norway, while the Finns have a Scandinavian showdown tomorrow vs. Sweden. That one we're going to see as well!
We're going to stay off the 2012 eligibles for now and will focus our notes on the 2011 draft candidates who stood out both positively and in a few cases, not-so-positively.
Mark Scheifele, C- Played a good game, hustling and making plays. However, his signature moment came with 10 minutes left in the third period, when he scored a brilliant goal to tie the score at 3-3. Standing in the high slot while Finland had possession in Canada's zone, he anticipated that a pass to the point was going to go off target and took off like he was shot from a rocket, chasing the puck down near the red line at center ice and splitting the defense of Henri Auvinen and Ville Pokka. As he gained a step and tried to separate, Auvinen hooked him, but Scheifele fought off the stick with an impressive display of strength, maintained control of the puck and then got Perhonen to bite on a quick fake. After the Finnish netminder laid out to make a poke check and missed, Scheifele tucked it to the backhand and put it home. Plays like that one are why the Barrie Colts pivot's stock has exploded over the second half of the season and why he looks like a surefire first-round pick in June.
Ryan Murphy, D- Continued to show why he's the best offensive defenseman in the draft. We forgot for a second that he switched to No. 14 for the tourney (24 with Kitchener) and were watching as this Canada player outskated about three Finnish players in the neutral zone, gained the line and made a nice net drive that didn't result in a goal, but certainly caught our attention. We weren't surprised then, when consulting the lineup sheet and seeing that No. 14 was indeed Murphy. It was a signature type of move from him. He scored a goal in the second period to tie it at two apiece when he zoomed up the ice with Colin Smith on a 2-on-1, took a sauce pass on the forehand and effortlessly snapped it into the net behind Perhonen in full rush. We didn't key much on Murphy's defense, but he assisted on the first goal of the game scored by Eric Locke and his offensive prowess was in full bloom today.
Mark McNeill, C- Big horse has been impressive for Canada in the tourney so far. Anyone who thinks he doesn't have upside hasn't been paying close attention to what McNeill brings to the table (82 points for Prince Albert this season) and he's making a legitimate run to a potential top-10 selection in June. McNeill drew primary assist on the Locke goal, taking Murphy's point pass and getting it hard to the net where Locke was able to convert the rebound. But, what impressed us was McNeill's defense and discipline. He moved the puck smartly, backchecked diligently and didn't force things that weren't there. On offense, he protects the puck well and sees the ice like a true playmaker. Stock watch: goin' up.
Travis Ewanyk, C- Another kid whose draft stock is on the rise, Ewanyk finished his checks all game long and played with determination. He won the faceoff that led to Cousins' goal to put Canada ahead in the third after Scheifele tied it. His skating stride seems a bit choppy, but he has a wide base and seems to get where he needs to. This guy is one of those gritty, intense players you win with. Kept the pedal to the floor the whole game and came through with a huge assist in a key offensive zone draw. Watch this guy.
Colin Smith, F- He may be small, but he has some serious wheels and just seemed to make plays every time he was in position to do so. Made a beautiful feed to Murphy on a 2-on-1, and then sniped one that seemed to fool Perhonen for what was the game-winner. Canada needs lesser lights like Smith to make an impact in this tournament to take the pressure off of some of their bigger name guys up front, and Smith did that.
Alan Quine, C- Quiet game for No. 18. Didn't do much to stand out, but made several nice passes that show off his outstanding vision and soft hands. Not much of a physical player. Quine has some pretty good wheels and has the ability to get it done with puck possession, but if this game was an indicator of his season overall, you can understand why his stock has fallen.
Joel Armia, F- Finland's best player today had it going offensively with a goal and two helpers. His first assist was a nifty pass, but his goal had scouts talking no doubt. Standing alone off to Subban's right while on the power play (someone blew their assignment), he got the puck and ripped it. Subban made a terrific diving save, going from left to right, but flopped out of the net and on the ice while Armia chased his own rebound, took it around the back of the net and then banked it off of one of Canada's players scrambling to cover for Subban, and the puck found its way into the net. That was just a natural scorer's play and Armia's poise and confidence to pull that off is worth noting. He's got a long, languid stride that makes it appear he isn't skating hard, but he does cover a lot of ground. With his natural height, when he gets stronger and adds weight, Armia will be a load to contain.
Markus Granlund, F- Scored a late power play goal to get Finland within one, but not overly noticeable in this one. Average skater, has some creativity. Nowhere near the pure talent and prospect his older brother Mikael is, but could become a serviceable NHLer in time.
Henri Auvinen, D- Unfortunately, he stood out more for when Scheifele blew by him on the way to the net and then fought off Auvinen's attempted hook. It was the defenseman who ended up sliding on the ice and into the backwall on the play, while Scheifele went to the net and put it in to tie the score. Not much else to judge Auvinen by, but he took the wrong angle to the puck on that play and paid for it.
Samu Perhonen, G- Tough game for Europe's top goalie on Central's final rankings (and some would certainly argue in favor of Swede Magnus Hellberg). He was shaky all day and seemed to be fighting the puck. Big, athletic Finn takes up a lot of net and moves fluidly. However, today he was off his game, giving up some shots from the outside that he probably should have had. He seemed jumpy and was overcommitting all day. On one weird play, Perhonen played the puck behind the net and then blew a tire gliding back to his crease and sprawling out on the ice. Just a poor game overall for Perhonen and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds or if backup Richard Ullberg, who was a disaster this season after coming in as the name goalie prospect coming out of Finland, gets a shot. We expect it will be Perhonen against Sweden, but he might have a short leash.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Under-18 Championship Analysis: Canada
Team Canada announced the roster today for the World Under-18 Championship tournament which will be held in Crimmitschau and Dresden, Germany, next week (official games begin April 14th).
This post will analyze the 2011-eligible players *only*. We'll get to the 2012 draft prospects in a later post.
At first look, this Canada team will avoid the poor performance of the 2010 entry a year ago. It has some balance between skill and power, finesse and brute force. There is an interesting dynamic on defense, where the majority of the players at that position are 2012-eligible players (4-3), whereas at forward, the roster leans heavily to 2011 (11-2).
How it will work out this month remains to be seen, but at face value, the team has the talent and versatility to win gold in Germany. A lot of it is going to come down to the goaltending, but this squad has to be seen as a contender.
Andrew D'Agostini, G- Small, unorthodox goalie was under siege for much of the year playing for the Peterborough Petes, and his numbers reflect that: 10-25-2 record, .882 save percentage, 4.35 GAA. He's not a butterfly-style goalie and to be honest, at his size, the current accepted netminder style is not a good fit. He tends to rely on his quickness, positioning and never-say-die attitude to get things done. Unfortunately, his size limits him, and he wasn't able to overcome Peterborough's talent issues this season. He'll backup Malcolm Subban (Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban's brother), but may be on the team because of his mental makeup and ability to play under extreme pressure, which is what this kind of tournament is. If Subban falters, D'Agostini could enjoy success given the talent level of the team in front of him because he's used to seeing a ton of rubber and having to deal with playing from behind a lot. He's seen it all before.
Ryan Murphy, D- We won't break down his talent here. Just go to the myriad posts this blog has done in the past, including this week's "case for" entry to see what the small but dynamic Murphy brings to the table. His presence on the U18 squad is a validation of the snub he got from Al Murray over the summer, when Murphy was not selected for the gold medal-winning team that traveled to Slovakia for the Ivan Hlinka tourney. With 26 goals and 79 points in just his second OHL season, this kid is the real deal and will give Canada a legitimate offensive threat every time his skates touch the ice. He could make or break a potential top-five selection in the 2011 draft with his performance this month, and if his performance to date is any indication, we believe he'll raise his stock when the games are in the books.
Scott Harrington, D- If Murphy raised his stock this season and and answered a lot of questions about his NHL upside, Harrington's season had the opposite effect in many scouting circles. With good size and skating ability, Harrington was projected as a player who was a solid defensive presence, but who had some offensive potential as well. Unfortunately, that element of his game did not come in what was a pretty tough year for the London Knights. The defense isn't so much an issue for Harrington with the scouts as it was his indecision and attempt to bring the offense, only to be met with a lack of success. He has the attributes to be a solid NHL defender in time, but he took a step back in his development with his six-goals and 22 points. He's rock solid defensively, using his strength to keep the front of his net clear and an active stick to limit time and space and take away shooting lanes. He can make the basic breakout, but isn't much of a puck mover. He keeps things simple, and as long as he doesn't try and do too much, he's fine. Harrington could end up being a real value pick for an NHL team if he drops, but he could also just be one of those meat-and-potatoes role players who never really establishes himself as the kind of player scouts thought he might be going back to last year.
Reece Scarlett, D- This raw, but very intriguing rear guard is your classic stealth prospect right now. He played for Swift Current, not a choice destination for scouts these days, so he could very well be much higher on certain team lists of those who saw him more than others, because one scout told us that Scarlett has to grow on you a bit. He's extremely lean, and doesn't have great height either, but he has long limbs which contributes to a fluid stride and a nice wingspan. He didn't get much production for the Broncos (6-18-24 in 72 games) but he didn't have a lot of help up front, either. You can't read too much into the stats with him because much of what makes him an interesting prospect is found in his hockey sense and decision-making. If he gets stronger, he has the potential to hit a rapid developmental stride and become one of those late-bloomer types that has everyone wondering how he slipped down to where it was he's likely to get drafted.
Daniel Catenacci, F- Small, ultra-skilled forward is still learning how to better use his teammates, but he's going to be one of the most dangerous scoring players in the entire tourney. Extremely fast and quick, he can handle the puck at speed and goes fearlessly to the net. His 45 assists were fifth-best in the OHL among 2011 draft prospects, but when you analyze his game, he's capable of doing so much more to create for his linemates and be a little more unselfish with the puck.
Austen Brassard, F- Disappointing year for the Belleville prospect who looked so good for the Bulls after being acquired from the stacked Windsor Spitfires at the 2010 OHL trade deadline. Power forward is a good skater with a powerful stride and some underrated quickness. He's got a big, heavy shot and is one of those guys who may bring a big payoff in time because all the physical tools are there. Some scouts question his overall feeling for the game and sense of urgency at times, but these are things to watch, and he'll likely get called sooner rather than later because of his size, skill level and upside.
Brent Andrews, F- 6-1, 197-pound winger is a grinder who won't get you much in the scoring department, but goes up and down the wing, works hard and is a responsible player in all zones. He played on one of the weaker QMJHL clubs in Halifax and isn't going to wow anyone with his skill set, but is an intelligent and disciplined player. He scored 12 goals and 29 points in 67 games for the Mooseheads this season.
Colin Smith, F- Small, skilled forward for Kamloops tallied 21 goals and 50 points this year on the non-playoff Blazers. He is a quick, darting player who hits holes in defenses and has a knack for the net. He tends to get physically overpowered because of his lack of size and strength, but he brings good depth and energy for Team Canada, albeit as a more unheralded player not seen as much of an NHL draft prospect by at least one NHL scout who covers the west we spoke to.
Alan Quine, C- One of the 2011 draft's "what the hell happened to?" guys this season: average sized, but excellent skater who possesses the offensive hockey sense and hands to be a high-flying scorer. Very soft hands and on paper is one of the most talented of any 2011 draft prospect coming out of the OHL, but got off to a poor start with Kingston and was then traded to Peterborough. Not much for the defense side of things, but if you're looking for a kid who can set 'em up with the best of them, Quine is certainly right there. Like most guys his size and body type, he lacks strength and has a lot of work to do in that area. Does not play much of a physical game, but has some of the best natural offensive upside of any forward on the team. A disappointment of a draft season, yes, but don't count this guy out just yet.
Nick Cousins, C- Tiny at 5-9, 155-pounds, this kid can absolutely fly and is one of the more underrated scorers to come out of the OHL this season. With Cousins, it's easy to see him get lost in the shuffle a bit with so many solid OHL draft prospects coming out in 2011, so he could do a lot to gain some attention for himself at this tournament. Great wheels, hands and sense- works hard and had as solid as season for a non-playoff club as you can have. Underrated. Beyond the size, the scouts don't have a bad word for this kid.
Seth Griffith, F- Give FOB (friend of blog) Dominic Tiano credit (and he has his own very nice OHL blog you should visit) for turning us onto Griffith, but the diminutive but tenacious scorer for London last summer. Speed and hockey skills aside, what really earns Griffith high marks with scouts is how well he performed and produced *after* a lot of veteran players were traded away from London in December and early January. He took full advantage of the ice time and delivered, scoring 22 goals and 62 points in 68 games, but showing some real potential because a good portion of his production came against good teams and were meaningful goals/points. In the playoffs, he added three goals and seven points in six games, with the last two games getting blanked by Owen Sound.
Mark McNeill, C- This bull of a center is one of the draft's meteoric risers. We talked to his former Prince Albert teammate Ryan Button, who is in Providence of the AHL right now after being traded to Seattle at mid-season, and Button raved about McNeill's physical maturity (6-2, 210 and capable of getting even stronger sources say), pure strength and skill package. McNeill scored 32 goals and 81 points for the lowest-seeded team to make the WHL playoffs (and went out in the opening round against Saskatoon), and McNeill then had an excellent postseason as well, despite being the focus of the Blades' checking attention. He's a powerful skater who goes to the net, fights off checks and has the vision, hands and stick to be a legitimate scorer at the next level. He will undoubtedly be one of the focal points of scouting efforts across the board in Germany.
Mark Scheifele, C- Big pivot is versatile to play wing, too. Good skater, but lacks top geat and breakaway speed, but agile and powerful. Tough to knock off stride when he gets going. A good puckhandler and playmaker, Scheifele has been steadily rising all year after a 22-goal, 75-point season for the non-playoff Colts. One scout we talked to wasn't impressed with the 6-3, 180-pounder early in the year, but moved off of that opinion and acknowledged that he has upside and is a pretty safe pick to develop into a solid NHL player in time.
Travis Ewanyk, F- Raw, but big-hitting power forward is rising on draft lists despite his modest production on the Edmonton Oil Kings. Potential high payoff in time because he skates well and has a nice shot. A nice open-ice hitter who relishes contact and will be even nastier when he adds mass to his 6-1, 184-pound frame. Posted 16 goals and 27 points, but added 126 penalty minutes as a hard-nosed, intimidating presence you win tough games with. His production is poised to make a big jump next season and potentially beyond. Definitely a player to watch.
This post will analyze the 2011-eligible players *only*. We'll get to the 2012 draft prospects in a later post.
At first look, this Canada team will avoid the poor performance of the 2010 entry a year ago. It has some balance between skill and power, finesse and brute force. There is an interesting dynamic on defense, where the majority of the players at that position are 2012-eligible players (4-3), whereas at forward, the roster leans heavily to 2011 (11-2).
How it will work out this month remains to be seen, but at face value, the team has the talent and versatility to win gold in Germany. A lot of it is going to come down to the goaltending, but this squad has to be seen as a contender.
Andrew D'Agostini, G- Small, unorthodox goalie was under siege for much of the year playing for the Peterborough Petes, and his numbers reflect that: 10-25-2 record, .882 save percentage, 4.35 GAA. He's not a butterfly-style goalie and to be honest, at his size, the current accepted netminder style is not a good fit. He tends to rely on his quickness, positioning and never-say-die attitude to get things done. Unfortunately, his size limits him, and he wasn't able to overcome Peterborough's talent issues this season. He'll backup Malcolm Subban (Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban's brother), but may be on the team because of his mental makeup and ability to play under extreme pressure, which is what this kind of tournament is. If Subban falters, D'Agostini could enjoy success given the talent level of the team in front of him because he's used to seeing a ton of rubber and having to deal with playing from behind a lot. He's seen it all before.
Ryan Murphy, D- We won't break down his talent here. Just go to the myriad posts this blog has done in the past, including this week's "case for" entry to see what the small but dynamic Murphy brings to the table. His presence on the U18 squad is a validation of the snub he got from Al Murray over the summer, when Murphy was not selected for the gold medal-winning team that traveled to Slovakia for the Ivan Hlinka tourney. With 26 goals and 79 points in just his second OHL season, this kid is the real deal and will give Canada a legitimate offensive threat every time his skates touch the ice. He could make or break a potential top-five selection in the 2011 draft with his performance this month, and if his performance to date is any indication, we believe he'll raise his stock when the games are in the books.
Scott Harrington, D- If Murphy raised his stock this season and and answered a lot of questions about his NHL upside, Harrington's season had the opposite effect in many scouting circles. With good size and skating ability, Harrington was projected as a player who was a solid defensive presence, but who had some offensive potential as well. Unfortunately, that element of his game did not come in what was a pretty tough year for the London Knights. The defense isn't so much an issue for Harrington with the scouts as it was his indecision and attempt to bring the offense, only to be met with a lack of success. He has the attributes to be a solid NHL defender in time, but he took a step back in his development with his six-goals and 22 points. He's rock solid defensively, using his strength to keep the front of his net clear and an active stick to limit time and space and take away shooting lanes. He can make the basic breakout, but isn't much of a puck mover. He keeps things simple, and as long as he doesn't try and do too much, he's fine. Harrington could end up being a real value pick for an NHL team if he drops, but he could also just be one of those meat-and-potatoes role players who never really establishes himself as the kind of player scouts thought he might be going back to last year.
Reece Scarlett, D- This raw, but very intriguing rear guard is your classic stealth prospect right now. He played for Swift Current, not a choice destination for scouts these days, so he could very well be much higher on certain team lists of those who saw him more than others, because one scout told us that Scarlett has to grow on you a bit. He's extremely lean, and doesn't have great height either, but he has long limbs which contributes to a fluid stride and a nice wingspan. He didn't get much production for the Broncos (6-18-24 in 72 games) but he didn't have a lot of help up front, either. You can't read too much into the stats with him because much of what makes him an interesting prospect is found in his hockey sense and decision-making. If he gets stronger, he has the potential to hit a rapid developmental stride and become one of those late-bloomer types that has everyone wondering how he slipped down to where it was he's likely to get drafted.
Daniel Catenacci, F- Small, ultra-skilled forward is still learning how to better use his teammates, but he's going to be one of the most dangerous scoring players in the entire tourney. Extremely fast and quick, he can handle the puck at speed and goes fearlessly to the net. His 45 assists were fifth-best in the OHL among 2011 draft prospects, but when you analyze his game, he's capable of doing so much more to create for his linemates and be a little more unselfish with the puck.
Austen Brassard, F- Disappointing year for the Belleville prospect who looked so good for the Bulls after being acquired from the stacked Windsor Spitfires at the 2010 OHL trade deadline. Power forward is a good skater with a powerful stride and some underrated quickness. He's got a big, heavy shot and is one of those guys who may bring a big payoff in time because all the physical tools are there. Some scouts question his overall feeling for the game and sense of urgency at times, but these are things to watch, and he'll likely get called sooner rather than later because of his size, skill level and upside.
Brent Andrews, F- 6-1, 197-pound winger is a grinder who won't get you much in the scoring department, but goes up and down the wing, works hard and is a responsible player in all zones. He played on one of the weaker QMJHL clubs in Halifax and isn't going to wow anyone with his skill set, but is an intelligent and disciplined player. He scored 12 goals and 29 points in 67 games for the Mooseheads this season.
Colin Smith, F- Small, skilled forward for Kamloops tallied 21 goals and 50 points this year on the non-playoff Blazers. He is a quick, darting player who hits holes in defenses and has a knack for the net. He tends to get physically overpowered because of his lack of size and strength, but he brings good depth and energy for Team Canada, albeit as a more unheralded player not seen as much of an NHL draft prospect by at least one NHL scout who covers the west we spoke to.
Alan Quine, C- One of the 2011 draft's "what the hell happened to?" guys this season: average sized, but excellent skater who possesses the offensive hockey sense and hands to be a high-flying scorer. Very soft hands and on paper is one of the most talented of any 2011 draft prospect coming out of the OHL, but got off to a poor start with Kingston and was then traded to Peterborough. Not much for the defense side of things, but if you're looking for a kid who can set 'em up with the best of them, Quine is certainly right there. Like most guys his size and body type, he lacks strength and has a lot of work to do in that area. Does not play much of a physical game, but has some of the best natural offensive upside of any forward on the team. A disappointment of a draft season, yes, but don't count this guy out just yet.
Nick Cousins, C- Tiny at 5-9, 155-pounds, this kid can absolutely fly and is one of the more underrated scorers to come out of the OHL this season. With Cousins, it's easy to see him get lost in the shuffle a bit with so many solid OHL draft prospects coming out in 2011, so he could do a lot to gain some attention for himself at this tournament. Great wheels, hands and sense- works hard and had as solid as season for a non-playoff club as you can have. Underrated. Beyond the size, the scouts don't have a bad word for this kid.
Seth Griffith, F- Give FOB (friend of blog) Dominic Tiano credit (and he has his own very nice OHL blog you should visit) for turning us onto Griffith, but the diminutive but tenacious scorer for London last summer. Speed and hockey skills aside, what really earns Griffith high marks with scouts is how well he performed and produced *after* a lot of veteran players were traded away from London in December and early January. He took full advantage of the ice time and delivered, scoring 22 goals and 62 points in 68 games, but showing some real potential because a good portion of his production came against good teams and were meaningful goals/points. In the playoffs, he added three goals and seven points in six games, with the last two games getting blanked by Owen Sound.
Mark McNeill, C- This bull of a center is one of the draft's meteoric risers. We talked to his former Prince Albert teammate Ryan Button, who is in Providence of the AHL right now after being traded to Seattle at mid-season, and Button raved about McNeill's physical maturity (6-2, 210 and capable of getting even stronger sources say), pure strength and skill package. McNeill scored 32 goals and 81 points for the lowest-seeded team to make the WHL playoffs (and went out in the opening round against Saskatoon), and McNeill then had an excellent postseason as well, despite being the focus of the Blades' checking attention. He's a powerful skater who goes to the net, fights off checks and has the vision, hands and stick to be a legitimate scorer at the next level. He will undoubtedly be one of the focal points of scouting efforts across the board in Germany.
Mark Scheifele, C- Big pivot is versatile to play wing, too. Good skater, but lacks top geat and breakaway speed, but agile and powerful. Tough to knock off stride when he gets going. A good puckhandler and playmaker, Scheifele has been steadily rising all year after a 22-goal, 75-point season for the non-playoff Colts. One scout we talked to wasn't impressed with the 6-3, 180-pounder early in the year, but moved off of that opinion and acknowledged that he has upside and is a pretty safe pick to develop into a solid NHL player in time.
Travis Ewanyk, F- Raw, but big-hitting power forward is rising on draft lists despite his modest production on the Edmonton Oil Kings. Potential high payoff in time because he skates well and has a nice shot. A nice open-ice hitter who relishes contact and will be even nastier when he adds mass to his 6-1, 184-pound frame. Posted 16 goals and 27 points, but added 126 penalty minutes as a hard-nosed, intimidating presence you win tough games with. His production is poised to make a big jump next season and potentially beyond. Definitely a player to watch.
Coming soon: Team Canada Under-18 squad analysis
We'll have a quick look at Team Canada's entry for this month's Under-18 championship entry later this evening.
Initial impressions are: this is quite a group. They are solid from top-to-bottom and the elimination of Everett and Kitchener from the first round of the CHL playoffs means they'll get two elite defensemen in Ryan Murray (2012) and Ryan Murphy, who, unless you're been living under a rock, you know quite well already.
Up front, they'll have big horse Mark McNeill, along with a very nice mix of power forwards with upside (Austen Brassard, Brett Ritchie, Mark Scheifele, Travis Ewanyk) and smaller, highly skilled types like Daniel Catenacci, Alan Quine, Nick Cousins and Seth Griffith- all from the OHL.
Malcolm Subban (2012) and Andrew D'Agostini are two goalies who won't come with as much fanfare as guys like John Gibson (USA) or Samu Perhonen (Finland) but are more than capable of carrying the load for Canada given the balance of the rest of the roster.
Come back this evening for more detailed breakdowns of the players and analysis.
Initial impressions are: this is quite a group. They are solid from top-to-bottom and the elimination of Everett and Kitchener from the first round of the CHL playoffs means they'll get two elite defensemen in Ryan Murray (2012) and Ryan Murphy, who, unless you're been living under a rock, you know quite well already.
Up front, they'll have big horse Mark McNeill, along with a very nice mix of power forwards with upside (Austen Brassard, Brett Ritchie, Mark Scheifele, Travis Ewanyk) and smaller, highly skilled types like Daniel Catenacci, Alan Quine, Nick Cousins and Seth Griffith- all from the OHL.
Malcolm Subban (2012) and Andrew D'Agostini are two goalies who won't come with as much fanfare as guys like John Gibson (USA) or Samu Perhonen (Finland) but are more than capable of carrying the load for Canada given the balance of the rest of the roster.
Come back this evening for more detailed breakdowns of the players and analysis.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Risers and fallers in 2011 draft
Time to look at some risers and fallers for the 2011 draft.
Up next will be a post with some sleeper picks for the class, and with that, should bring everyone up to speed on many of the top options for June. We will come back in May with a playoff review when the league championships are all in the books.
Risers
Ryan Sproul, D Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)- Hit a huge growth spurt and now stands at about 6-4 after being drafted by the Greyhounds at a little over 6-feet. Played in the OJHL before jumping to the OHL and showed a lot of promise as a mobile, agile two-way defenseman who came out of left field this season laboring for a non-playoff squad. He didn't suffer any ill-effects of the surge in height, and is a powerful skater with a long, fluid stride that scouts really like. When he adds strength and mass to his skinny frame, he'll be even more of a defensive horse than he is already. As one would imagine, he's got a big gun from the point, and just think how much more lethal it will be when he develops more oomph behind it. Very raw, but with one of the most intriguing projectable of any player in the OHL, this guy is going to be the subject of a lot of internet draft chatter between now and June 24-25.
Here's a nice feature on Sproul from Brock Otten's OHL Prospects blog
Seth Griffith, C/RW London (OHL)- Smallish but skilled forward came on strong for the Knights after a large chunk of veterans were traded away. Showed some chemistry with B's prospect Jared Knight and fellow 2011 draft prospect Vladislav Namestnikov. Quick and agile; handles the puck well and has the look of a dangerous scorer in the OHL over the next couple of years. His lacrosse background serves him well in hockey. A player to watch; was a sleeper but finished season with nearly point-per-game for London (22-40-62 in 68 games as a rookie), so he's on a lot of NHL radars now.
Rasmus Bengtsson, D Rögle (SWE-2)- Youngster has gained a lot of confidence playing in Sweden's Allsvenskan division against men: 45 games, 2-7-9. He's a good skater who plays a solid two-way game and has the size (6-2, 196) to be an effective NHL player eventually. Has a cannon of a shot, but could stand to improve quickness of his release and accuracy. Overall, he's an interesting developmental project as a player who needs to be a little more physical and assertive in his own end, but appears to have the tools to be an NHL prospect to watch.
Magnus Hellberg, G Almtuna (SWE-2)- A 1991 birthdate and late-bloomer who was passed over in 2009 and 2010, NHL teams won't make that mistake again in 2011. Huge at 6-5, 185 pounds and cat-quick between the pipes. Performed brilliantly for Almtuna in the Allsvenskan this season, posting a 2.04 GAA and .936 save percentage in 31 games. He was then loaned to IFK Kumla in the Division 1 league and posted a 2.01 GAA and .938 mark. With his superb athleticism, upside and performance, his developmental curve is straight up, not to mention as an older, more mature player, he's ready to come to the AHL next season and start right away.
Andrey Pedan, D Guelph (OHL)- Big Russian defenseman (6-4, 195) came into the OHL this year with a lot of hype after an outstanding Ivan Hlinka tourney for Team Russia and only managed to score two goals and 12 points in 51 games, with both tallies coming at the very end of the season. Interestingly enough, he's already posted five points in just three playoff games and his stock is on the rebound. NHL teams liked his size and mobility/agility as an effective shutdown 'D', but he had shown very little offensive element to his performance to justify a high pick. Now, with Pedan starting to bring the offense at crunch time, he's elevating his profile at just the right time.
Zach Franko, LW Kelowna (WHL)- A smaller guy at 5-11, 160, but shifty, fast and a very good puckhandler. Franko, like teammate Shane McColgan, got off to a slow start offensively, but really came on over the second half for the Rockets and will no doubt be on a lot of teams' boards come June. He finished the year with 22 goals and 53 points in 72 games, but has fine hockey sense and vision to go with his wheels and quick stick. He's got to get much stronger, but he could explode offensively in the WHL over the next 1-2 years.
Mitch Elliot, LW Seattle (WHL)- Behemoth winger at 6-5, 215 pounds has legitimate toughness but a modicum of skill as well. He hasn't been very productive with the non-playoff Thunderbirds over the past couple of season, scoring just 6 goals and 17 points in 128 games to go with 157 penalty minutes. Elliot's upside is limited, but he skates pretty well for such a big guy and NHL teams do love their tough wingers.
Fallers
Alan Quine, C Peterborough (OHL)- This skilled pivot with a high hockey IQ came into the year as a first-round projection, but got off to a slow start with Kingston and never recovered. He was on the gold medal team at the Ivan Hlinka tourney, and was eventually traded to Peterborough for Ryan Spooner. He finished the season with 26 goals and 53 points in 69 games split between the Frontenacs and Petes. He has tremendous vision and high-end passing skills with a quick release and accurate shot. Unfortunately, defense is not his strong suit, and his average size (6-0, 180) doesn't make for a very physical player. Quine could be one of those one-dimensional guys who is doomed to be a minor leaguer, but if he ever figures out how to round out his game, he certainly has the talent to be a top-six NHL forward.
Garrett Meurs, C Plymouth (OHL)- Another disappointment like Quine in that Meurs was a playmaking pivot from whom bigger things were expected after a 16-goal, 34-point rookie campaign with the Whalers. The 5-11, 172-pounder only managed 10 goals and 40 points in 2011, but played better hockey near the end of the season after looking listless and ineffective for much of the time. Meurs is a talented forward who isn't the prettiest-looking skater, but manages to get where he needs to go. Needs to improve first step in the eyes of several scouts, who feel his skating will hold him back at the next level. Shows the intangibles you want like vision, offensive instincts and has a feisty side despite not being the biggest guy out there. Another member of Team Canada's Ivan Hlinka champion last August, Meurs must get a lot stronger. His stock is on the wane, but if he gets back on his developmental track, he's got potential as a later value pick in this class.
Jesse Forsberg, D Prince George (WHL)- Smallish defender at 6-0, 195 pounds was one of the higher-rated players in the WHL coming into it, but pretty much fell off the map with a subpar offensive season and a weird, hunched-over skating style that is a turnoff for scouts. Works hard and plays a gritty, hard-nosed game despite a lack of height and power, but is pretty limited in terms of his puck-moving ability and upside at the next level. Could force his way into the NHL much like Andrew Ference did, but Ference at least put up some pretty good numbers in Portland back in the day. Forsberg's 2 goals and 16 points at the junior level will give pause to any team thinking of drafting him in the top-100, but he has the kind of edge and work ethic to make himself a player one day. Worth the risk after the third round.
Austen Brassard, RW Belleville (OHL)- A frustrating tease, in the words of one NHL scout. This 6-2, 190-pound winger put up 17 points in just 26 games last season after being traded from Windsor to the Bulls, so the conventional thinking was that Brassard would make the obvious jump in production this year. Didn't happen. With 19 goals and 34 points in 67 games, the talent is not an issue, as he's a pretty good skater and has the quick hands and nose for the net, but brings a maddening inconsistency and penchant for disappearing for large stretches to the mix. Brassard is capable of doing so much more, but is largely undelivered potential at this point. He's worth a gamble with a later-round pick like the sixth the B's spent on Tyler Randell two years ago, but the light may never come on for Brassard.
Scott Harrington, D London (OHL)- First-round talent had high hopes this year and looked like a good bet to deliver after a solid Ivan Hlinka performance in August. Unfortunately, Harrington struggled with the defensive aspect of his game this season, which was a strength last season, and according to scouts, showed off some indecisive play early on and never really found his groove. Although mobile with crisp change-of-direction ability, Harrington was never thought of as an offensive player, but his gap control, positioning, smarts and work ethic all drew raves last year. This season, he regressed and seemed to let the pressure of his draft year and London's struggles get to him. He could be a solid pro if he can get back to his previous level, but that will require a club who saw enough of him last year to be confident he can get his mojo back.
Andrei Makarov, G Lewiston (QMJHL)- Highly athletic Russian goalie carried high expectations all the way to Maine, but played so poorly early in the season that even his late resurgence may not be enough to see him picked. His poor technique and lack of fundamentals were exposed early on, but to his credit, he battled and tried to work through it. Showed improvement as the season wore on, and he could be one of these guys who goes the distance because he has such natural size, flexibility and is a bit of an acrobat in net. He's going to require a great deal of time and patience, but the payoff could be big.
Up next will be a post with some sleeper picks for the class, and with that, should bring everyone up to speed on many of the top options for June. We will come back in May with a playoff review when the league championships are all in the books.
Risers
Ryan Sproul, D Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)- Hit a huge growth spurt and now stands at about 6-4 after being drafted by the Greyhounds at a little over 6-feet. Played in the OJHL before jumping to the OHL and showed a lot of promise as a mobile, agile two-way defenseman who came out of left field this season laboring for a non-playoff squad. He didn't suffer any ill-effects of the surge in height, and is a powerful skater with a long, fluid stride that scouts really like. When he adds strength and mass to his skinny frame, he'll be even more of a defensive horse than he is already. As one would imagine, he's got a big gun from the point, and just think how much more lethal it will be when he develops more oomph behind it. Very raw, but with one of the most intriguing projectable of any player in the OHL, this guy is going to be the subject of a lot of internet draft chatter between now and June 24-25.
Here's a nice feature on Sproul from Brock Otten's OHL Prospects blog
Seth Griffith, C/RW London (OHL)- Smallish but skilled forward came on strong for the Knights after a large chunk of veterans were traded away. Showed some chemistry with B's prospect Jared Knight and fellow 2011 draft prospect Vladislav Namestnikov. Quick and agile; handles the puck well and has the look of a dangerous scorer in the OHL over the next couple of years. His lacrosse background serves him well in hockey. A player to watch; was a sleeper but finished season with nearly point-per-game for London (22-40-62 in 68 games as a rookie), so he's on a lot of NHL radars now.
Rasmus Bengtsson, D Rögle (SWE-2)- Youngster has gained a lot of confidence playing in Sweden's Allsvenskan division against men: 45 games, 2-7-9. He's a good skater who plays a solid two-way game and has the size (6-2, 196) to be an effective NHL player eventually. Has a cannon of a shot, but could stand to improve quickness of his release and accuracy. Overall, he's an interesting developmental project as a player who needs to be a little more physical and assertive in his own end, but appears to have the tools to be an NHL prospect to watch.
Magnus Hellberg, G Almtuna (SWE-2)- A 1991 birthdate and late-bloomer who was passed over in 2009 and 2010, NHL teams won't make that mistake again in 2011. Huge at 6-5, 185 pounds and cat-quick between the pipes. Performed brilliantly for Almtuna in the Allsvenskan this season, posting a 2.04 GAA and .936 save percentage in 31 games. He was then loaned to IFK Kumla in the Division 1 league and posted a 2.01 GAA and .938 mark. With his superb athleticism, upside and performance, his developmental curve is straight up, not to mention as an older, more mature player, he's ready to come to the AHL next season and start right away.
Andrey Pedan, D Guelph (OHL)- Big Russian defenseman (6-4, 195) came into the OHL this year with a lot of hype after an outstanding Ivan Hlinka tourney for Team Russia and only managed to score two goals and 12 points in 51 games, with both tallies coming at the very end of the season. Interestingly enough, he's already posted five points in just three playoff games and his stock is on the rebound. NHL teams liked his size and mobility/agility as an effective shutdown 'D', but he had shown very little offensive element to his performance to justify a high pick. Now, with Pedan starting to bring the offense at crunch time, he's elevating his profile at just the right time.
Zach Franko, LW Kelowna (WHL)- A smaller guy at 5-11, 160, but shifty, fast and a very good puckhandler. Franko, like teammate Shane McColgan, got off to a slow start offensively, but really came on over the second half for the Rockets and will no doubt be on a lot of teams' boards come June. He finished the year with 22 goals and 53 points in 72 games, but has fine hockey sense and vision to go with his wheels and quick stick. He's got to get much stronger, but he could explode offensively in the WHL over the next 1-2 years.
Mitch Elliot, LW Seattle (WHL)- Behemoth winger at 6-5, 215 pounds has legitimate toughness but a modicum of skill as well. He hasn't been very productive with the non-playoff Thunderbirds over the past couple of season, scoring just 6 goals and 17 points in 128 games to go with 157 penalty minutes. Elliot's upside is limited, but he skates pretty well for such a big guy and NHL teams do love their tough wingers.
Fallers
Alan Quine, C Peterborough (OHL)- This skilled pivot with a high hockey IQ came into the year as a first-round projection, but got off to a slow start with Kingston and never recovered. He was on the gold medal team at the Ivan Hlinka tourney, and was eventually traded to Peterborough for Ryan Spooner. He finished the season with 26 goals and 53 points in 69 games split between the Frontenacs and Petes. He has tremendous vision and high-end passing skills with a quick release and accurate shot. Unfortunately, defense is not his strong suit, and his average size (6-0, 180) doesn't make for a very physical player. Quine could be one of those one-dimensional guys who is doomed to be a minor leaguer, but if he ever figures out how to round out his game, he certainly has the talent to be a top-six NHL forward.
Garrett Meurs, C Plymouth (OHL)- Another disappointment like Quine in that Meurs was a playmaking pivot from whom bigger things were expected after a 16-goal, 34-point rookie campaign with the Whalers. The 5-11, 172-pounder only managed 10 goals and 40 points in 2011, but played better hockey near the end of the season after looking listless and ineffective for much of the time. Meurs is a talented forward who isn't the prettiest-looking skater, but manages to get where he needs to go. Needs to improve first step in the eyes of several scouts, who feel his skating will hold him back at the next level. Shows the intangibles you want like vision, offensive instincts and has a feisty side despite not being the biggest guy out there. Another member of Team Canada's Ivan Hlinka champion last August, Meurs must get a lot stronger. His stock is on the wane, but if he gets back on his developmental track, he's got potential as a later value pick in this class.
Jesse Forsberg, D Prince George (WHL)- Smallish defender at 6-0, 195 pounds was one of the higher-rated players in the WHL coming into it, but pretty much fell off the map with a subpar offensive season and a weird, hunched-over skating style that is a turnoff for scouts. Works hard and plays a gritty, hard-nosed game despite a lack of height and power, but is pretty limited in terms of his puck-moving ability and upside at the next level. Could force his way into the NHL much like Andrew Ference did, but Ference at least put up some pretty good numbers in Portland back in the day. Forsberg's 2 goals and 16 points at the junior level will give pause to any team thinking of drafting him in the top-100, but he has the kind of edge and work ethic to make himself a player one day. Worth the risk after the third round.
Austen Brassard, RW Belleville (OHL)- A frustrating tease, in the words of one NHL scout. This 6-2, 190-pound winger put up 17 points in just 26 games last season after being traded from Windsor to the Bulls, so the conventional thinking was that Brassard would make the obvious jump in production this year. Didn't happen. With 19 goals and 34 points in 67 games, the talent is not an issue, as he's a pretty good skater and has the quick hands and nose for the net, but brings a maddening inconsistency and penchant for disappearing for large stretches to the mix. Brassard is capable of doing so much more, but is largely undelivered potential at this point. He's worth a gamble with a later-round pick like the sixth the B's spent on Tyler Randell two years ago, but the light may never come on for Brassard.
Scott Harrington, D London (OHL)- First-round talent had high hopes this year and looked like a good bet to deliver after a solid Ivan Hlinka performance in August. Unfortunately, Harrington struggled with the defensive aspect of his game this season, which was a strength last season, and according to scouts, showed off some indecisive play early on and never really found his groove. Although mobile with crisp change-of-direction ability, Harrington was never thought of as an offensive player, but his gap control, positioning, smarts and work ethic all drew raves last year. This season, he regressed and seemed to let the pressure of his draft year and London's struggles get to him. He could be a solid pro if he can get back to his previous level, but that will require a club who saw enough of him last year to be confident he can get his mojo back.
Andrei Makarov, G Lewiston (QMJHL)- Highly athletic Russian goalie carried high expectations all the way to Maine, but played so poorly early in the season that even his late resurgence may not be enough to see him picked. His poor technique and lack of fundamentals were exposed early on, but to his credit, he battled and tried to work through it. Showed improvement as the season wore on, and he could be one of these guys who goes the distance because he has such natural size, flexibility and is a bit of an acrobat in net. He's going to require a great deal of time and patience, but the payoff could be big.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Here come the little guys- 2011 edition (Part 2)
We're back with the second part of our series dedicated to smaller, but skilled players who could attract notice at the 2011 NHL Draft. Not all of these guys will be drafted, but a good portion of them will because of the wide-open, post-lockout NHL game. That said, recent big hits on smaller players that have knocked them out of action (Ryan Murphy and Shane Prince- both featured in part 1) raise the concerns teams have with balancing the idea of drafting smaller, skill player with the durability concerns that come with.
Because we came up with so many more little guys to cover, we're actually going to break it up into three posts for you. So stay tuned for more- a third part featuring more of the sleepers and wildcards among the undersized, but game talents for the draft in June.
Tobias Rieder, LW Kitchener (OHL)- Skilled German's stock is down despite the impressive speed, hands and overall production with the Rangers. His 23 goals and 49 points are off his early season pace, and he didn't have a great WJC (nor did Team Germany for that matter), but he's a hard worker who is passionate about hockey and is a serious competitor. He's probably going to drop come draft day, but the team that gets him could have themselves a very nice player with upside given his desire and willingness to do what it takes to succeed.
Matt Nieto, LW Boston University (HE)- Nieto's stock is up this spring after a tough adjustment period to start the season. You can read an in-depth scouting report on him here at this blog space, so we won't go into greater detail other than to say that he's a darkhorse late-1st-round candidate given how much more involved he's been in the BU offense at crunch time.
Vince Trocheck, C Saginaw (OHL)- The right-shooting Pennsylvanian has performed well for the Spirit this year, opening eyes with his speed, skill and tenacity. He's put up some respectable numbers- 24 goals and 58 points in 65 games. He was one of the more talented members of the USA Under-18 team that competed in the Ivan Hlinka tournament this past summer and plays an uptempo game with some grit and fire. Trocheck is a solid distributor and has a quick stick
Alan Quine, C Peterborough (OHL)- The Ottawa-born pivot began the season with the Kingston Frontenacs, but was dealt to the Petes in November as part of the trade that sent Ryan Spooner to Doug Gilmour and Co. Quine got off to a slow start this year after showing much promise as a rookie. He's a good skater, but his real value lies in what's between his ears and on his stick. The member of the winning Team Canada squad at the Ivan Hlinka is highly skilled and has high-end offensive hockey sense. That said, his effort and intensity levels are said to waver, and he needs to become a more responsible defensive player. Quine has become a bit of an afterthought this season, but is one of those guys who could be a steal if he falls into the third round or later. In 66 games between Kingston and Peterborough, Quine has 25 goals and 50 points.
Robbie Russo, D U.S. NTDP (USHL)- This smallish defenseman from Illinois is pretty well regarded in some circles, but doesn't bring a dynamic offensive game to the table. He's a bit like Adam Clendening in that he's not a speedy guy, but is a strong puck mover because he's intelligent and sees the ice well. A patient player, he doesn't force things if they aren't there and makes good decisions with and without the puck. He doesn't have a big, booming shot but is solid at maintaining puck possession and getting good movement when holding the man advantage. He plays a similar style to Tomas Kaberle, though is not as adept a skater as the Bruins rearguard is. The Notre Dame recruit is a bit of a wildcard depending on who you talk to, but does bring some nice attributes to the table and could very well have teams sold on his pro potential enough to take him in the top-50.
Shane McColgan, RW Kelowna (WHL)- The Manhattan Beach, California native's stock is rebounding after a poor start to the season exacerbated by slow recovery from tonsilitis. Although small, McColgan is extremely speedy and has excellent hands. He didn't have a great CHL Top Prospects Game, but that may have been a microcosm of the season, which has been a disappointment for him. McColgan plays with some bite and energy to his game, but one of the major concerns with him is that he doesn't have much room to add bulk on his frame. He needed to have a highly productive campaign to allay some of those concerns and he didn't really do it. He's no longer the first-round candidate he was thought of being coming into the year and will be lucky to get selected in the second round. That said, it will be interesting to see where he ends up going because he still carries some legitimate upside with him; he could end up becoming a nice value pick for a team, but it's hard to see very many clubs reaching for McColgan.
Viktor Arvidsson, RW Skelleftea (SWE- Jr.)- At 5-9, 165 pounds, this talented Swede is definitely on the low-end of the size scale, but with his wheels, puck skills and head, he has a real game-breaking element to him. He competes hard and is a typical small, whirling dervish kind of player who keeps his feet moving and outworks a lot of the bigger, stronger guys around him. He's a pure finesse player, but there is a place for guys like him in the modern NHL. It will take some time for him to come over and make an impact if at all, but there's a nice potential payoff for a team willing to gamble a bit.
Seth Griffith, RW London (OHL)- Really came on with the increased ice time when London traded away a bevy of veteran players in December and January. This speedy, creative player plays a little bigger than he is because of his lacrosse background, and he's quietly managed to force his way into draft discussions with his second-half performance in the OHL, posting 21 goals 59 points in 65 games. We were told about him before the season began by a good friend of the blog as a sleeper for the 2011 draft, and to Griffith's credit, he's justified that kind of faith. We're looking forward to seeing just how far he climbs in June.
Dan Molenaar, D Eden Prairie H.S. (Minnesota HS)- Although he's under 6-feet, this offensive defenseman has nice skating ability and instincts. Possessing a quick burst and the vision to exploit openings, Molenaar is one of those longer-term project players who will require a lot of seasoning and patience. He's stocky and strong on his skates, with the ability to change direction quickly. He may not have a cannon of a shot, but has a quick release on it and keeps it low and on net for deflections. Interesting player who hasn't grown much over the last 18 months, but who brings a good enough set of tools to get some legitimate draft consideration in June.
Kyle Rau, C Eden Prairie H.S. (Minnesota HS)- What list of draft hopefuls would be complete without the 2011 Mr. Hockey winner from Minnesota? Rau capped an exciting state championship win with triple-OT goal by grabbing his state's prestigious award for the best senior hockey player, won last year by first-rounder Nick Bjugstad. At 5-9, 165, the University of Minnesota recruit (and Molenaar's teammate) is speedy, shifty and handles the puck as well as anyone. He's a dangerous offensive player, but NHL scouts we've talked to aren't sold on his pro potential. You can't argue with his production at the high school level and he'll have a chance to shine in Minneapolis with the Golden Gophers.
Because we came up with so many more little guys to cover, we're actually going to break it up into three posts for you. So stay tuned for more- a third part featuring more of the sleepers and wildcards among the undersized, but game talents for the draft in June.
Tobias Rieder, LW Kitchener (OHL)- Skilled German's stock is down despite the impressive speed, hands and overall production with the Rangers. His 23 goals and 49 points are off his early season pace, and he didn't have a great WJC (nor did Team Germany for that matter), but he's a hard worker who is passionate about hockey and is a serious competitor. He's probably going to drop come draft day, but the team that gets him could have themselves a very nice player with upside given his desire and willingness to do what it takes to succeed.
Matt Nieto, LW Boston University (HE)- Nieto's stock is up this spring after a tough adjustment period to start the season. You can read an in-depth scouting report on him here at this blog space, so we won't go into greater detail other than to say that he's a darkhorse late-1st-round candidate given how much more involved he's been in the BU offense at crunch time.
Vince Trocheck, C Saginaw (OHL)- The right-shooting Pennsylvanian has performed well for the Spirit this year, opening eyes with his speed, skill and tenacity. He's put up some respectable numbers- 24 goals and 58 points in 65 games. He was one of the more talented members of the USA Under-18 team that competed in the Ivan Hlinka tournament this past summer and plays an uptempo game with some grit and fire. Trocheck is a solid distributor and has a quick stick
Alan Quine, C Peterborough (OHL)- The Ottawa-born pivot began the season with the Kingston Frontenacs, but was dealt to the Petes in November as part of the trade that sent Ryan Spooner to Doug Gilmour and Co. Quine got off to a slow start this year after showing much promise as a rookie. He's a good skater, but his real value lies in what's between his ears and on his stick. The member of the winning Team Canada squad at the Ivan Hlinka is highly skilled and has high-end offensive hockey sense. That said, his effort and intensity levels are said to waver, and he needs to become a more responsible defensive player. Quine has become a bit of an afterthought this season, but is one of those guys who could be a steal if he falls into the third round or later. In 66 games between Kingston and Peterborough, Quine has 25 goals and 50 points.
Robbie Russo, D U.S. NTDP (USHL)- This smallish defenseman from Illinois is pretty well regarded in some circles, but doesn't bring a dynamic offensive game to the table. He's a bit like Adam Clendening in that he's not a speedy guy, but is a strong puck mover because he's intelligent and sees the ice well. A patient player, he doesn't force things if they aren't there and makes good decisions with and without the puck. He doesn't have a big, booming shot but is solid at maintaining puck possession and getting good movement when holding the man advantage. He plays a similar style to Tomas Kaberle, though is not as adept a skater as the Bruins rearguard is. The Notre Dame recruit is a bit of a wildcard depending on who you talk to, but does bring some nice attributes to the table and could very well have teams sold on his pro potential enough to take him in the top-50.
Shane McColgan, RW Kelowna (WHL)- The Manhattan Beach, California native's stock is rebounding after a poor start to the season exacerbated by slow recovery from tonsilitis. Although small, McColgan is extremely speedy and has excellent hands. He didn't have a great CHL Top Prospects Game, but that may have been a microcosm of the season, which has been a disappointment for him. McColgan plays with some bite and energy to his game, but one of the major concerns with him is that he doesn't have much room to add bulk on his frame. He needed to have a highly productive campaign to allay some of those concerns and he didn't really do it. He's no longer the first-round candidate he was thought of being coming into the year and will be lucky to get selected in the second round. That said, it will be interesting to see where he ends up going because he still carries some legitimate upside with him; he could end up becoming a nice value pick for a team, but it's hard to see very many clubs reaching for McColgan.
Viktor Arvidsson, RW Skelleftea (SWE- Jr.)- At 5-9, 165 pounds, this talented Swede is definitely on the low-end of the size scale, but with his wheels, puck skills and head, he has a real game-breaking element to him. He competes hard and is a typical small, whirling dervish kind of player who keeps his feet moving and outworks a lot of the bigger, stronger guys around him. He's a pure finesse player, but there is a place for guys like him in the modern NHL. It will take some time for him to come over and make an impact if at all, but there's a nice potential payoff for a team willing to gamble a bit.
Seth Griffith, RW London (OHL)- Really came on with the increased ice time when London traded away a bevy of veteran players in December and January. This speedy, creative player plays a little bigger than he is because of his lacrosse background, and he's quietly managed to force his way into draft discussions with his second-half performance in the OHL, posting 21 goals 59 points in 65 games. We were told about him before the season began by a good friend of the blog as a sleeper for the 2011 draft, and to Griffith's credit, he's justified that kind of faith. We're looking forward to seeing just how far he climbs in June.
Dan Molenaar, D Eden Prairie H.S. (Minnesota HS)- Although he's under 6-feet, this offensive defenseman has nice skating ability and instincts. Possessing a quick burst and the vision to exploit openings, Molenaar is one of those longer-term project players who will require a lot of seasoning and patience. He's stocky and strong on his skates, with the ability to change direction quickly. He may not have a cannon of a shot, but has a quick release on it and keeps it low and on net for deflections. Interesting player who hasn't grown much over the last 18 months, but who brings a good enough set of tools to get some legitimate draft consideration in June.
Kyle Rau, C Eden Prairie H.S. (Minnesota HS)- What list of draft hopefuls would be complete without the 2011 Mr. Hockey winner from Minnesota? Rau capped an exciting state championship win with triple-OT goal by grabbing his state's prestigious award for the best senior hockey player, won last year by first-rounder Nick Bjugstad. At 5-9, 165, the University of Minnesota recruit (and Molenaar's teammate) is speedy, shifty and handles the puck as well as anyone. He's a dangerous offensive player, but NHL scouts we've talked to aren't sold on his pro potential. You can't argue with his production at the high school level and he'll have a chance to shine in Minneapolis with the Golden Gophers.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Mock draft results: More fantasy than reality, but fun
Participated in a seven-round mock NHL draft last month on Hockey's Future Boards, hosted by the member called "Cup" as the GM of the Boston Bruins. Cup does this every year and he tries to bring in as many informed folks as he can via invite to make the picks.
You can see the whole results here if you want to go through every pick and some of the conversations associated with some of them, but for the purpose of this post, we'll break down each pick made, talk about the decision that went into it, who we had targeted in each round who came off the board before Boston's turn came and in some cases, who we would take instead knowing what we do now.
Keeping in mind that Cup locked in the draft order in late January, the Toronto Maple Leafs were still in the tank then, and the Bruins had the fourth overall pick. Does not appear that will happen come June. Also- the draft was conducted before the Bruins traded their own 1st- and 2nd-round picks for Tomas Kaberle and Chris Kelly.
Here's the breakdown, and while this would be a nice draft for the Bruins, is not grounded in much reality given the way the picks are shaking out in the standings and the fact that Boston has lost a few from its stockpile. Still, it gives the opportunity to shed some light on some guys that you might not be overly familiar with.
So, read on and as always, welcome the comments.
Pick 1, Round 1, Choice #4: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C Red Deer (WHL)
Who targeted: Gabriel Landeskog, RW Kitchener (OHL); Rolled the dice that the Islanders would pick RNH instead of Landeskog and lost. Had thought about proposing a trade to move up 1 spot to guarantee selection of Landeskog when Larsson and Couturier went 1-2, but decided against it and the Isles GM snagged the Swedish power forward.
Player synopsis: Nugent-Hopkins is one of the most skilled offensive players in the draft, and with Marc Savard's uncertain future in Boston, it doesn't hurt to draft a center with the high pick this year. Being strong up the middle allows much flexibility. Concerns abound about RNH's slight frame and the fact that he's gotten much of his points on the PP and is not a producer at even strength. We look at his tremendous wheels, hands and head and say, he's going to be a legit scorer at the NHL level.
Did you know?: We tried like hell to trade back a few spots and acquire some extra assets, but couldn't get any reasonable trade offers that would keep the Bruins in the top-10 and get some assets in the process. Some offers were downright insulting (they know who they are), while others were more intriguing, but ultimately were deal-breakers because they came from teams who didn't own top-10 picks.
Ultimately, the B's held onto the 4th pick and used it on arguably the draft's top offensive player. Had we traded back a few spots and remained in the top-10, we were looking at any one of Ryan Strome, Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Murphy, Brandon Saad and Dougie Hamilton.
Also, must-see viewing is the Future Considerations video Aaron Vickers and his guys put together on him.
Pick 2, Round 1, Choice #17: Scott Mayfield, D Youngstown (USHL) (From San Jose)
Who targeted: Dougie Hamilton, D Niagara. Tried to trade all the way up to #10 from #25 when Hamilton was available there and was prepared to offer up a package of Blake Wheeler, Joe Colborne, #25, #41 and a conditional 2012 to get it done. Unfortunately, the Carolina GM was dead-set on Hamilton and made the pick before weI could even make the offer. Not sure that would have been enough to move him off the pick. Nathan Beaulieu, D Saint John was the next D on our board and he went 15th to Saint John. We traded for the 17th selection- moving up eight spots and giving up #25 and #41 (Minnesota pick) to grab our highest-ranked d-man left. David Musil was also in the mix, but we just liked Mayfield's offensive upside better even if his development has stalled at bit in the USHL this season. As far as forwards go, had Swede Mika Zibanejad been available, he was our guy at 17.
Player synopsis: Big (6-4), mobile two-way defenseman has a lot of room to grow/fill-out and plays with an edge. Can move the puck effectively, and if he works on his shot mechanics, could be a feared option from the point. Vision/hockey sense are a little questionable, but he has raw upside. Headed to Denver University next year, one of the best pro-developmental programs in the NCAA.
Did you know?: Mayfield formed a feared d-pairing with Kent School's Mike McKee at last August's NHL R&D development camp, turning scouts' heads with their sheer size/mobility combo. Both are very raw players with their flaws, but if they make some progression, there is some potentially high payoff with both.
Here's a nice interview with Scott Mayfield on USHL radio that's worth listening to.
Pick 3, Round 2, Choice #56: Kale Kessy, LW Medicine Hat (WHL)
Who targeted: Forward Lucas Lessio of Oshawa would have been the pick had he lasted- no way he slips to 47 in June, simply too talented. We also thought about taking Denver freshman Nick Shore with the pick. Finnish goalie Samu Perhonen was also a thought, and in retrospect, may have been a stronger organizational move with longer-term payoff.
Player synopsis: Another Milan Lucic-type success story of a local kid from Medicine Hat who was not drafted in the WHL, but didn't give up his dream and hung around the local rinks, skating hard and fighting- eventually attracting the attention of the Tigers and getting his shot by being listed. Although the numbers don't bear it out, Kessy has some good hands and scoring chops, and like Lucic, needs to improve his skating to make it at the next level. That said, he's legitimately tough- the classic "hockey player who fights" as opposed to the "fighter who plays hockey" and those guys are always valued higher by NHL teams than the traditional lists bear out. Would Kessy be considered a reach at 56? Probably. But then again, that's exactly what was said when the B's grabbed Lucic 50th five years ago. Who wouldn't want bookend wingers with real toughness and goalscoring ability on their team?
Did you know? Kessy led the Tigers in penalty minutes as a rookie with 123 PIMs in 2009-10. At 6-3, 185, he's lanky but naturally strong. When he gets to his playing weight of about 210-215, he'll be a real beast when the play gets physical.
Here are some vids from HockeyFights plus, but don't forget- Kessy can play and score, so he isn't just a fighter.
Pick 4, Round 3, Choice #78: Alan Quine, C Peterborough (OHL) (From Minnesota)
Who targeted: We were hoping goaltender Samu Perhonen would slip, but he did not, taken with the second pick of the round. We also liked Swiss C Gregory Hofmann, even though the Bruins have never in their history taken a Swiss player. We would have broken that trend after watching him at the WJC, but Montreal snagged him just three picks earlier. Wisconsin forward Michael Mersch was another thought at 78.
Player synopsis: When looking at a player like Quine, you have to suspend disbelief in that the season he's had in his draft year is what he's going to do moving forward. At one time viewed as a first-round candidate for 2011, Quine's poor start with Kingston dropped him quickly, and being with Peterborough isn't the greatest thing for the offense, especially with Matt Puempel out. Quine has been a better player since the calendar moved to 2011, but as a smaller, skill guy (more of a playmaker than finisher) he's not managed to gain much headway in draft discussions. We feel that Quine's high-end skills and potential if he gets back on track after a tough year made him a solid value in the mid-third round. With speed, vision and a passing touch, Quine is someone who could rebound in a big way over the next couple years in the OHL. He's one-dimensional, but several NHL scouts we've talked to really like that dimension.
Did you know? Quine was traded to Peterborough in November as part of the deal that made Ryan Spooner a Frontenac.
Here's his first OHL goal, scored when still with Kingston last season.
Here's an interview courtesy of TV Cogeco on YouTube
Pick 5, Round 4, Choice #115: Andrey Pedan, D Guelph (OHL)
Who targeted: We saw two players we had pretty highly-rated go off the board just in front of us in Swedish goaltender Magnus Hellberg (109th to Colorado) and defenseman Mike McKee (106 to Montreal).
Player synopsis: The big, mobile Russian has been a disappointment this season given that he's shown no offensive upside after a strong performance at last year's Under-18s. That said, this pick was about getting value in a player who was thought of highly in some circles coming into the season. At 6-4, 200 pounds, he's got that nice size scouts look for and is pretty mobile. Unfortunately, he's managed just 10 assists on the season, so he projects more to be a shutdown guy at the NHL level if he gets there. Still, this was a player who had solid 2nd-round potential coming in, so 4th round isn't bad value.
Did you know?: Pedan was taken 18th overall in the 2010 KHL draft by Moscow Dynamo, so he had a pretty decent projection. He's been a disappointment as far as the offense goes, but the defensive play for the Storm has been strong. He could develop into more than the sum of his parts in time.
Her's a fight vid posted by JimKorn20 on YouTube: Pedan started slowly, but came on strong at the end as Josh Leivo found out the hard way.
Pick 6, Round 5, Choice #145: Rasmus Bengtsson, D Rogle (SWE-2)
Who targeted: We would have though about taking London C Seth Griffith, but he went off the board right before Boston's choice. There was nobody else, aside for Plymouth C Garrett Meurs, who would be a steal for the Islanders in the 6th round, to consider here.
Player synopsis: Possibly the steal of Boston's mock draft. Bengtsson had no business being on the board this late based on what we're hearing from various scouts. We actually thought about taking him in the 4th before opting for Pedan, so were tickled when he was still sitting there 30 picks later. This all-around defender has been playing against men in the Swedish Allsvenskan (second division) all season long. He's not a big name or high-end guy but does a lot of things well and has a big shot, meaning he could be a PP triggerman someday. He's intelligent and can play a physical game, though he's not consistent in throwing his weight around. He's just one of those players who could be a solid No. 3 but should be a sure No. 4 you win with because of his smarts and versatility.
Did you know?: Bengtsson attended an elite developmental camp in L.A. this past summer with fellow Swede Victor Rask, and has indicated that he very much wants to be an NHL player- no Carl Soderberg disease from this kid!
Here's a vid from the Ivan Hlinka in August- Bengtsson is #3 and has the primary assist on Oscar Klefbom's goal
Pick 7, Round 6 Choice #175: Sami Salminen, RW HIFK Helsinki (Finland- Jr.)
Who targeted: We would have thought hard about taking a developmental long-term goalie project here in Loomis-Chaffee star Steve Michalek, but the Flyers snagged him just one spot in front of Boston. Also considered: Edina HS (MIN) center Steven Fogarty, who is going to the Chicago Steel of the USHL next year.
Player synopsis: More intriguing late-round potential from Europe. This big (6-5) winger has soft hands and a scorer's touch. He has very heavy feet, which is why you haven't heard much about him, but the offensive hockey sense, shot and overall ability to put the puck in the net makes him the kind of player you take a flier on late. The skating may never improve enough to make him a legit NHL option, but if it does, look out.
Pick 8, Round 7, Choice #186: Andy Andreoff, LW Oshawa (OHL)
Who targeted: We thought about several other overagers here: Chase Balisy (who went to TOR at 196), Tomas Filippi of Quebec (who went one spot later at 187), and even Anton Burdasov (who wasn't picked). But in the end, we saw Andreoff in Oshawa on New Year's Day so defaulted simply to the one player we had seen live.
Player synopsis: What would be a Boston draft of late without at least one previously passed-over prospect, right? Andreoff has had a good season for the Generals offensively with more than 30 goals, so we figured he was as good a candidate as any other.
Well, that's a wrap on the mock draft. More fiction than fact, but it was a fun exercise and it would be cool to reprise this activity in early June when the Memorial Cup and draft combine are in the books and the latest player rankings are hot off the presses.
You can see the whole results here if you want to go through every pick and some of the conversations associated with some of them, but for the purpose of this post, we'll break down each pick made, talk about the decision that went into it, who we had targeted in each round who came off the board before Boston's turn came and in some cases, who we would take instead knowing what we do now.
Keeping in mind that Cup locked in the draft order in late January, the Toronto Maple Leafs were still in the tank then, and the Bruins had the fourth overall pick. Does not appear that will happen come June. Also- the draft was conducted before the Bruins traded their own 1st- and 2nd-round picks for Tomas Kaberle and Chris Kelly.
Here's the breakdown, and while this would be a nice draft for the Bruins, is not grounded in much reality given the way the picks are shaking out in the standings and the fact that Boston has lost a few from its stockpile. Still, it gives the opportunity to shed some light on some guys that you might not be overly familiar with.
So, read on and as always, welcome the comments.
Pick 1, Round 1, Choice #4: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C Red Deer (WHL)
Who targeted: Gabriel Landeskog, RW Kitchener (OHL); Rolled the dice that the Islanders would pick RNH instead of Landeskog and lost. Had thought about proposing a trade to move up 1 spot to guarantee selection of Landeskog when Larsson and Couturier went 1-2, but decided against it and the Isles GM snagged the Swedish power forward.
Player synopsis: Nugent-Hopkins is one of the most skilled offensive players in the draft, and with Marc Savard's uncertain future in Boston, it doesn't hurt to draft a center with the high pick this year. Being strong up the middle allows much flexibility. Concerns abound about RNH's slight frame and the fact that he's gotten much of his points on the PP and is not a producer at even strength. We look at his tremendous wheels, hands and head and say, he's going to be a legit scorer at the NHL level.
Did you know?: We tried like hell to trade back a few spots and acquire some extra assets, but couldn't get any reasonable trade offers that would keep the Bruins in the top-10 and get some assets in the process. Some offers were downright insulting (they know who they are), while others were more intriguing, but ultimately were deal-breakers because they came from teams who didn't own top-10 picks.
Ultimately, the B's held onto the 4th pick and used it on arguably the draft's top offensive player. Had we traded back a few spots and remained in the top-10, we were looking at any one of Ryan Strome, Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Murphy, Brandon Saad and Dougie Hamilton.
Also, must-see viewing is the Future Considerations video Aaron Vickers and his guys put together on him.
Pick 2, Round 1, Choice #17: Scott Mayfield, D Youngstown (USHL) (From San Jose)
Who targeted: Dougie Hamilton, D Niagara. Tried to trade all the way up to #10 from #25 when Hamilton was available there and was prepared to offer up a package of Blake Wheeler, Joe Colborne, #25, #41 and a conditional 2012 to get it done. Unfortunately, the Carolina GM was dead-set on Hamilton and made the pick before weI could even make the offer. Not sure that would have been enough to move him off the pick. Nathan Beaulieu, D Saint John was the next D on our board and he went 15th to Saint John. We traded for the 17th selection- moving up eight spots and giving up #25 and #41 (Minnesota pick) to grab our highest-ranked d-man left. David Musil was also in the mix, but we just liked Mayfield's offensive upside better even if his development has stalled at bit in the USHL this season. As far as forwards go, had Swede Mika Zibanejad been available, he was our guy at 17.
Player synopsis: Big (6-4), mobile two-way defenseman has a lot of room to grow/fill-out and plays with an edge. Can move the puck effectively, and if he works on his shot mechanics, could be a feared option from the point. Vision/hockey sense are a little questionable, but he has raw upside. Headed to Denver University next year, one of the best pro-developmental programs in the NCAA.
Did you know?: Mayfield formed a feared d-pairing with Kent School's Mike McKee at last August's NHL R&D development camp, turning scouts' heads with their sheer size/mobility combo. Both are very raw players with their flaws, but if they make some progression, there is some potentially high payoff with both.
Here's a nice interview with Scott Mayfield on USHL radio that's worth listening to.
Pick 3, Round 2, Choice #56: Kale Kessy, LW Medicine Hat (WHL)
Who targeted: Forward Lucas Lessio of Oshawa would have been the pick had he lasted- no way he slips to 47 in June, simply too talented. We also thought about taking Denver freshman Nick Shore with the pick. Finnish goalie Samu Perhonen was also a thought, and in retrospect, may have been a stronger organizational move with longer-term payoff.
Player synopsis: Another Milan Lucic-type success story of a local kid from Medicine Hat who was not drafted in the WHL, but didn't give up his dream and hung around the local rinks, skating hard and fighting- eventually attracting the attention of the Tigers and getting his shot by being listed. Although the numbers don't bear it out, Kessy has some good hands and scoring chops, and like Lucic, needs to improve his skating to make it at the next level. That said, he's legitimately tough- the classic "hockey player who fights" as opposed to the "fighter who plays hockey" and those guys are always valued higher by NHL teams than the traditional lists bear out. Would Kessy be considered a reach at 56? Probably. But then again, that's exactly what was said when the B's grabbed Lucic 50th five years ago. Who wouldn't want bookend wingers with real toughness and goalscoring ability on their team?
Did you know? Kessy led the Tigers in penalty minutes as a rookie with 123 PIMs in 2009-10. At 6-3, 185, he's lanky but naturally strong. When he gets to his playing weight of about 210-215, he'll be a real beast when the play gets physical.
Here are some vids from HockeyFights plus, but don't forget- Kessy can play and score, so he isn't just a fighter.
Pick 4, Round 3, Choice #78: Alan Quine, C Peterborough (OHL) (From Minnesota)
Who targeted: We were hoping goaltender Samu Perhonen would slip, but he did not, taken with the second pick of the round. We also liked Swiss C Gregory Hofmann, even though the Bruins have never in their history taken a Swiss player. We would have broken that trend after watching him at the WJC, but Montreal snagged him just three picks earlier. Wisconsin forward Michael Mersch was another thought at 78.
Player synopsis: When looking at a player like Quine, you have to suspend disbelief in that the season he's had in his draft year is what he's going to do moving forward. At one time viewed as a first-round candidate for 2011, Quine's poor start with Kingston dropped him quickly, and being with Peterborough isn't the greatest thing for the offense, especially with Matt Puempel out. Quine has been a better player since the calendar moved to 2011, but as a smaller, skill guy (more of a playmaker than finisher) he's not managed to gain much headway in draft discussions. We feel that Quine's high-end skills and potential if he gets back on track after a tough year made him a solid value in the mid-third round. With speed, vision and a passing touch, Quine is someone who could rebound in a big way over the next couple years in the OHL. He's one-dimensional, but several NHL scouts we've talked to really like that dimension.
Did you know? Quine was traded to Peterborough in November as part of the deal that made Ryan Spooner a Frontenac.
Here's his first OHL goal, scored when still with Kingston last season.
Here's an interview courtesy of TV Cogeco on YouTube
Pick 5, Round 4, Choice #115: Andrey Pedan, D Guelph (OHL)
Who targeted: We saw two players we had pretty highly-rated go off the board just in front of us in Swedish goaltender Magnus Hellberg (109th to Colorado) and defenseman Mike McKee (106 to Montreal).
Player synopsis: The big, mobile Russian has been a disappointment this season given that he's shown no offensive upside after a strong performance at last year's Under-18s. That said, this pick was about getting value in a player who was thought of highly in some circles coming into the season. At 6-4, 200 pounds, he's got that nice size scouts look for and is pretty mobile. Unfortunately, he's managed just 10 assists on the season, so he projects more to be a shutdown guy at the NHL level if he gets there. Still, this was a player who had solid 2nd-round potential coming in, so 4th round isn't bad value.
Did you know?: Pedan was taken 18th overall in the 2010 KHL draft by Moscow Dynamo, so he had a pretty decent projection. He's been a disappointment as far as the offense goes, but the defensive play for the Storm has been strong. He could develop into more than the sum of his parts in time.
Her's a fight vid posted by JimKorn20 on YouTube: Pedan started slowly, but came on strong at the end as Josh Leivo found out the hard way.
Pick 6, Round 5, Choice #145: Rasmus Bengtsson, D Rogle (SWE-2)
Who targeted: We would have though about taking London C Seth Griffith, but he went off the board right before Boston's choice. There was nobody else, aside for Plymouth C Garrett Meurs, who would be a steal for the Islanders in the 6th round, to consider here.
Player synopsis: Possibly the steal of Boston's mock draft. Bengtsson had no business being on the board this late based on what we're hearing from various scouts. We actually thought about taking him in the 4th before opting for Pedan, so were tickled when he was still sitting there 30 picks later. This all-around defender has been playing against men in the Swedish Allsvenskan (second division) all season long. He's not a big name or high-end guy but does a lot of things well and has a big shot, meaning he could be a PP triggerman someday. He's intelligent and can play a physical game, though he's not consistent in throwing his weight around. He's just one of those players who could be a solid No. 3 but should be a sure No. 4 you win with because of his smarts and versatility.
Did you know?: Bengtsson attended an elite developmental camp in L.A. this past summer with fellow Swede Victor Rask, and has indicated that he very much wants to be an NHL player- no Carl Soderberg disease from this kid!
Here's a vid from the Ivan Hlinka in August- Bengtsson is #3 and has the primary assist on Oscar Klefbom's goal
Pick 7, Round 6 Choice #175: Sami Salminen, RW HIFK Helsinki (Finland- Jr.)
Who targeted: We would have thought hard about taking a developmental long-term goalie project here in Loomis-Chaffee star Steve Michalek, but the Flyers snagged him just one spot in front of Boston. Also considered: Edina HS (MIN) center Steven Fogarty, who is going to the Chicago Steel of the USHL next year.
Player synopsis: More intriguing late-round potential from Europe. This big (6-5) winger has soft hands and a scorer's touch. He has very heavy feet, which is why you haven't heard much about him, but the offensive hockey sense, shot and overall ability to put the puck in the net makes him the kind of player you take a flier on late. The skating may never improve enough to make him a legit NHL option, but if it does, look out.
Pick 8, Round 7, Choice #186: Andy Andreoff, LW Oshawa (OHL)
Who targeted: We thought about several other overagers here: Chase Balisy (who went to TOR at 196), Tomas Filippi of Quebec (who went one spot later at 187), and even Anton Burdasov (who wasn't picked). But in the end, we saw Andreoff in Oshawa on New Year's Day so defaulted simply to the one player we had seen live.
Player synopsis: What would be a Boston draft of late without at least one previously passed-over prospect, right? Andreoff has had a good season for the Generals offensively with more than 30 goals, so we figured he was as good a candidate as any other.
Well, that's a wrap on the mock draft. More fiction than fact, but it was a fun exercise and it would be cool to reprise this activity in early June when the Memorial Cup and draft combine are in the books and the latest player rankings are hot off the presses.
Friday, February 11, 2011
OHL plays of the week: Stefan Noesen, Austen Brassard
The OHL has released their plays of the week video and Bruins fans will recognize the perpetrator of the top play. Ryan Spooner had to be saying, "Look, ma- nice hands!" on that one. Sweet.
But two of the top-five plays come from a couple of notable OHL draft prospects in Plymouth Whalers forward Stefan Noesen and Belleville's Austen Brassard. Brassard had high expectations coming into the season, much like Alan Quine, and has been a disappointment. But, you can see on the play that he has the hands to finish plays in close. There are going to be some pretty talented OHL players who will go lower in the draft than anticipated coming in, but there's definitely some upside there with them.
Here's the link to the video- worth watching to see Spooner's danglesauce if nothing else.
But two of the top-five plays come from a couple of notable OHL draft prospects in Plymouth Whalers forward Stefan Noesen and Belleville's Austen Brassard. Brassard had high expectations coming into the season, much like Alan Quine, and has been a disappointment. But, you can see on the play that he has the hands to finish plays in close. There are going to be some pretty talented OHL players who will go lower in the draft than anticipated coming in, but there's definitely some upside there with them.
Here's the link to the video- worth watching to see Spooner's danglesauce if nothing else.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Shameless plug for OHL prospects
Brock Otten of the outstanding OHL Prospects Blog re-enlisted my services for a midseason update on the top-10 OHL players, which builds on the one I did as part of a six-person media panel did back in October
You can read the panel's latest OHL top-10 rankings by clicking on this link here.
A couple of thoughts: I had Gabriel Landeskog at the top of the list back in October and he's obviously still there, even with the high ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out until February, and will cause him to miss the upcoming CHL Top Prospects Game. Boo. Who will replace him? Shane Prince? Alexander Khokhlachev? Mike St. Croix? Given what Prince is doing (72 points in the OHL) I think he could have the inside edge, but any of those guys would do. Still will be a good game, but Landeskog's injury robs a lot of folks of the chance to see him play on NHL Network before the draft.
The Dougie Hamilton vs. Ryan Murphy debate: one has the thing the other can never possess-- size. Hamilton is a good, mobile skater and with 34 points in 38 games, has shattered his previous season totals of 16 points in 64 OHL contests in '09-10. It would be one thing if Hamilton were not producing, but his six goals and 28 assists, while nowhere near Murphy's totals, will likely result in his coming off the board in June because of Murphy. Why? Because he's a safer bet with his size and tools, even if his skills aren't elite the way Murphy's are. But, Hamilton's rise could be Boston's gain, especially if they are sold on putting Murphy with Zdeno Chara and buying into his considerable upside. I don't think the Bruins can go wrong with either player should they opt to go defense (and Adam Larsson is as expected, property of another team).
Brandon Saad could be a very nice consolation prize if the Bruins somehow slip out of the top-four and can't get Landeskog. He may not quite have the Kitchener captain's moxie, but Saad is still a nice power forward prospect and the thought of him forming a bookend with Milan Lucic one day (possibly flanking Tyler Seguin?) has got to appeal to Boston.
Ryan Strome has been the biggest riser all season and deserves his spot in the top-five. He could go even higher when all is said and done. He's my choice to be the Ryan Johansen of 2011-- he'll get picked sooner than most mock drafts will have him, and ahead of at least a couple of higher-profile prospects just as the Columbus prospect was when he went 4th overall in L.A.
It was nice to see Vince Trocheck crack the top-10. Saad's Saginaw teammate deserves to be there with his size and toughness despite not being the biggest player around. One guy who fell out was Oshawa's Lucas Lessio, who has the skills, but seems to lack the drive and consistency in a talented field. His teammate, Nicklas Jensen, is a better bet right now. I voted for Prince, but he didn't make the cut. At some point, I don't think the critics will be able to ignore his production, but for now, he has more doubters than supporters.
Brock does a nice job with the write-up, so check it out.
I should have given Rickard Rakell an honorable mention. He was very good in the WJC and has been rising all season. Plymouth teammate Stefan Noesen is another one who could have a case made for being in the top-10. Don't forget Alan Quine, Scott Harrington and Garrett Meurs, who were all expected to be first-round picks before the season. They haven't earned a spot in the top-10, but are still nice prospects who will likely go in the top-60 or 70 picks come June.
All these OHL players-- reminds that the depth of this crop is pretty good.
You can read the panel's latest OHL top-10 rankings by clicking on this link here.
A couple of thoughts: I had Gabriel Landeskog at the top of the list back in October and he's obviously still there, even with the high ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out until February, and will cause him to miss the upcoming CHL Top Prospects Game. Boo. Who will replace him? Shane Prince? Alexander Khokhlachev? Mike St. Croix? Given what Prince is doing (72 points in the OHL) I think he could have the inside edge, but any of those guys would do. Still will be a good game, but Landeskog's injury robs a lot of folks of the chance to see him play on NHL Network before the draft.
The Dougie Hamilton vs. Ryan Murphy debate: one has the thing the other can never possess-- size. Hamilton is a good, mobile skater and with 34 points in 38 games, has shattered his previous season totals of 16 points in 64 OHL contests in '09-10. It would be one thing if Hamilton were not producing, but his six goals and 28 assists, while nowhere near Murphy's totals, will likely result in his coming off the board in June because of Murphy. Why? Because he's a safer bet with his size and tools, even if his skills aren't elite the way Murphy's are. But, Hamilton's rise could be Boston's gain, especially if they are sold on putting Murphy with Zdeno Chara and buying into his considerable upside. I don't think the Bruins can go wrong with either player should they opt to go defense (and Adam Larsson is as expected, property of another team).
Brandon Saad could be a very nice consolation prize if the Bruins somehow slip out of the top-four and can't get Landeskog. He may not quite have the Kitchener captain's moxie, but Saad is still a nice power forward prospect and the thought of him forming a bookend with Milan Lucic one day (possibly flanking Tyler Seguin?) has got to appeal to Boston.
Ryan Strome has been the biggest riser all season and deserves his spot in the top-five. He could go even higher when all is said and done. He's my choice to be the Ryan Johansen of 2011-- he'll get picked sooner than most mock drafts will have him, and ahead of at least a couple of higher-profile prospects just as the Columbus prospect was when he went 4th overall in L.A.
It was nice to see Vince Trocheck crack the top-10. Saad's Saginaw teammate deserves to be there with his size and toughness despite not being the biggest player around. One guy who fell out was Oshawa's Lucas Lessio, who has the skills, but seems to lack the drive and consistency in a talented field. His teammate, Nicklas Jensen, is a better bet right now. I voted for Prince, but he didn't make the cut. At some point, I don't think the critics will be able to ignore his production, but for now, he has more doubters than supporters.
Brock does a nice job with the write-up, so check it out.
I should have given Rickard Rakell an honorable mention. He was very good in the WJC and has been rising all season. Plymouth teammate Stefan Noesen is another one who could have a case made for being in the top-10. Don't forget Alan Quine, Scott Harrington and Garrett Meurs, who were all expected to be first-round picks before the season. They haven't earned a spot in the top-10, but are still nice prospects who will likely go in the top-60 or 70 picks come June.
All these OHL players-- reminds that the depth of this crop is pretty good.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Central Scouting Preliminary Rankings: the OHL Pt. 2
This is part 2 of the Central Scouting's OHL preliminary list, covering 11-25 and the goaltenders.
Russians Vladislav Namestnikov (London) and Alexander Khokhlachev (Windsor) are 11 and 12 on the list respectively and are two very skilled and impressive prospects. Namestnikov had a slow start in his adjustment to the OHL, but has come on of late for the Knights. One scout saw him this week and described him as "very slick", vowing to move him up in his rankings. Khokhlachev got off to a great start and has continued his torrid scoring pace with nine goals and 28 points in 19 games with the Spits. He doesn't have a lot of size, but is explosive, creative and deadly with the puck.
Stefan Noesen and Swede Rickard Rakell are both with the Plymouth Whalers and are having solid, if unspectacular seasons. Noesen is a Texas native who has come on in impressive fashion in his second OHL season leading the team in scoring with 23 points, while Rakell is in his first North American campaign after taking a page from Landeskog's book. He's got nice speed and hands, but must get stronger before he'll be ready to compete for NHL employment.
London defenseman Scott Harrington rounds out the top-15, and has had an up-and-down season thus far. Although big, mobile and skilled enough to be a stalwart two-way defenseman, reports are that he's just not put it together enough this season. And, the hockey sense is a bit questionable, too. Will he have the vision and split-second decision-making skills to be a factor at the next level?
Oshawa's Lucas Lessio at 17 was a surprise as a player a bit low for what has been said of him on the street. Another Oshawa forward, he's not quite at a point-per-game clip with 15 in 20 games, but when on his game is a horse. If he can find better consistency the rest of the way, he should rise.
Shane Prince at 18 is an interesting option; although small, he's very fast and has been an opportunistic scorer and fan favorite in Ottawa this season. One scout still felt Prince was too high, even at 18 though.
Barrie center Mark Scheifele is 19th on the Central list and is attracting attention from some of the independent scouting sources as an intriguing draft prospect. That said, our source is not sold.
"I know a lot of guys out there like (Scheifele), but he doesn't do much for me," the NHL scout said. "I see him as a mid-rounder and just don't think much of his overall game and potential."
Garrett Meurs (21), David Broll (24) and Austen Brassard (25) are all preseason contenders who finished in the top-25.
Meurs hasn't been able to get it going after being seen as the player most likely to lead the Whalers in scoring after Tyler Seguin's departure. He has fine skill and is a nice playmaker, but simply hasn't gotten untracked.
Broll is a big, aggressive power forward for the Erie Otters, but his skating is poor with very little initial burst and a lumbering stride/heavy feet. Unless he can pick up a step, he'll be graded down significantly as a legitimate top-two round player.
Brassard is cut from the same cloth as Broll and it's really a six one way, half-dozen the other with these two, because it all comes down to personal preference as both bring a similar kind of style and upside to the mix.
Notable omissions were center Alan Quine, who was dealt to Peterborough for Spooner, and Mississauga defenseman Stuart Percy.
"Quine could end up being this year's Joey Hishon," the scout said, pointing out that Hishon, a first-round pick of Colorado last season was not in Central's OHL preliminary rankings a year ago. "Percy plays on a very defensive club and hasn't put up much in the way of numbers. I'm a little surprised he's not on the list, but you can make a case as to why he's not."
As far as goalies go, Owen Sound's Jordan Binnington was No. 1, followed by Matt Mahalak of Plymouth, who has been a major disappointment after coming into the season with a lot of hype. In only six games, Mahalak has a horrific .828 save percentage for the Whalers and has sat while No. 1 Scott Wedgewood (New Jersey prospect) has taken the ball and run with it. Mahalak could be one of those goalies you see every year: they come into their draft season with a ton of promise, don't live up to it and fall in the draft, only to resurrect their stock and status the following year and play their way into top prospect discussions later when the pressure of the draft season is behind them. The Islanders' Kevin Poulin comes to mind. Belleville's Tyson Teichmann, who captured gold for Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka in August, is another disappointment this season and was seventh out of eight on the list.
That's a wrap on the OHL list-- I hope you were able to get through this and found the insights informative.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Brock Otten breaks down the OHL
Bruins 2011 Draft Watch is pleased to have noted OHL blogger and analyst Brock Otten on this space to break down that league for the early portion of the 2010-11 season. The native of Oakville, Ontario, near Toronto, has been following the OHL since he was a youngster and his father would take him to Mississauga Ice Dogs games.
Like me, he got his start writing for HockeysFuture.com and further developed his passion for the Ontario Hockey League. He started his comprehensive OHL blog in October of 2008, and it’s been going strong ever since. Be sure to check out his pages over at: http://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/
I hope you enjoy his insights, and we'll try to touch base with Brock again as the season progresses and we see the OHL playoff picture shaping up. My thanks to Brock for taking time out to answer the questions and help to expand on what we know about the OHL prospects for the 2011 draft.
B2011DW: Who are some of the players this year who have exceeded expectations in your mind, and look like they could be on their way to 1st- or high 2nd-round billing in Minnesota?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
B2011DW's Official 2010-11 OHL Watch List
Here is a list of some players who, going into the 2010-11 season, some NHL and independent scouts think are worthy of first- or second-round consideration. Once again, Ontario is providing a good percentage of the potential NHL talent coming down the pipeline in the next 2-5 years.
1. Brandon Saad, LW Saginaw Spirit: At 6-2, 200 this big-bodied American has a lot of skill and is arguably the best prospect the OHL has to offer this season and could be NHL-ready in 2011-12, he's that good and physically developed. Along with Seth Ambroz, Saad has been a force up front for about three years now and continues to develop on an upward curve at a time when big, skilled power forwards are more in demand than ever. "He's a great skater, playmaker, has good hockey sense and has that goal scoring ability you look for," said an NHL scout familiar with his game.
2. Gabriel Landeskog, RW Kitchener Rangers: This Swedish power forward prospect has come on like gangbusters since coming over to the OHL last season and big things are expected of him this year. He loves to take the body, goes hard to the net and has the size (6-1, 200) to go with excellent skating chops to be the kind of complete package every NHL team covets. "He's an angry, angry player some nights. He bangs, he scores and even plays some defense, too," another NHL scout said.
3. Matt Puempel, LW Peterborough Petes: The word on the street right now is: don't be fooled by the points production Puempel put up at the Ivan Hlinka-- he wasn't that good. The reigning CHL rookie of the year is coming off a 33-goal season with the Petes at age 16 who can skate and score, but who also reportedly had a pretty poor Team Canada evaluation camp. Add Red Line Report to the list of people unimpressed with Puempel this summer: they called him the "most disappointing" player on Team Canada, and while acknowledging his outstanding physical and skill package, said that he had a lot of trouble finding his comfort zone and consistency up front. For a kid thought to be a consensus top-five pick next June, this is an interesting development and bears watching.
4. Ryan Murphy, D Kitchener Rangers: Ah, if he only had another three or four inches on his frame. This offensive defenseman has been described to me alternately as "unreal" and "fabulous" offensively, and a "disaster" and "complete gongshow" defensively. But even with the critiques of his defense, those folks say he's just so good at skating and generating offense that you can overlook the defensive problems with this kid. He's a premier puck mover and blazing skater with high-end speed and agility and the creativity to do whatever he wants with the puck. But at 5-10, 160 pounds, has a lot of growing to do and is not ever going to have the size that makes Drew Doughty a future Norris Trophy winner and a player everyone salivates over.
When compared to Ryan Ellis, Nashville's top pick in 2009, an NHL scout had this interesting bit to say about Murphy: "I think he's a much more dynamic player than Ellis is." And honestly, that's a mouthful right there. Another scout said this: "If you don't stop this kid at your own blue line, you're ****ed. He's right by you and is creating a scoring chance, because he's pretty unstoppable if he cranks it up through the neutral zone." The bad news for Bruins fans: He's another small defenseman, and the team already has a surplus of those, albeit none with Murphy's pure talent. Curiously enough, Murphy was left off Team Canada's gold medal-winning Ivan Hlinka squad, a decision that most every scout I've talked to has derided at ludicrous.
5. Alan Quine, C Kingston Frontenacs: Heady centerman has the speed and intelligence to produce offensively, but plays on a bad team. He only has average size at 5-11, 175 pounds, but shows a willingness to go into traffic. He performed well at Team Canada evaluation camp and was in the Hlinka team that captured gold. He was solid if unspectacular in that tournament, and he'll need to improve on the 11 goals he scored last year to make a legitimate run at a top-20 selection.
6. Garett Meurs, C Plymouth Whalers: Often overshadowed on the Whalers because of the presence of Tyler Seguin, Meurs has managed to capture the attention of scouts nonetheless because of his excellent hockey skills. "Meurs always seems to be the 'other guy' on whatever line he plays on, but he produces," one NHL scout recently. He's probably not going to be a star NHLer, but Meurs is the kind of complementary player with the ability to score 30-35 goals and be a valuable contributor for years.
7. Dougie Hamilton, D Niagara Ice Dogs: At 6-4, 190 pounds, and some speed and solid footwork, this player is a raw, but intriguing talent. What Derek Forbort was last season to people who desired a defender with legitimate size and some offensive chops, Hamilton is to this draft. He's well behind Adam Larsson and David Musil in terms of pure talent and upside at the defense position, but could develop into one of the better players in this class over time. Moves well in all directions and will jump up into the rush. Right now seen as more of a physical defense-first player who is gangly and still rounding into his athletic form. But, he has tremendous athletic bloodlines, his parents Doug (rowing) and Lynn (basketball) having both been Canadian Olympians. Depending on what kind of season he has, he's either going to shoot up the board or fall precipitously, because there will probably be little middle ground for a project like him.
8. Scott Harrington, D London Knights: On paper, this 6-1, 190-pound rearguard may be another guy for Bruins fans who believe the team desperately needs size and talent on defense to put some time and energy into following. He's big, strong, skilled, skates well and plays a very good shutdown game. Even his supporters acknowledge that he may not be much of an offensive presence at the next level, but he's one of those players you can put the term "upside" on. That said, others aren't so sure. "I think he's overhyped and needs to show more," said one NHL scout. "He's got good size, is a good skater and is good defensively, but he doesn't do a lot for me. At least, he's not someone I'm looking at in the first round right now unless he picks it up and shows me some more."
9. Boone Jenner, C Oshawa Generals: Beyond the great name, this is a pretty good-sized (6-1 195) centerman with some real skill and upside. Bad news up front: His skating is not NHL-caliber, and he's definitely going to have to improve on his first few steps and overall agility if he's going to have a chance at being a top-two liner in the show one day. However, he's so good on the puck and oozes hockey sense, plus has a tremendous work ethic (two scouts have used the ubiquitous "He skates his bag off!" line with me) to boot. If he can improve the skating/speed, he's got a shot to be a player. But, where you take a guy like this is the big question right now. Red Line has him 14th overall, but others I have talked to see him more as a late-first/early second, while yet another said the skating could drop him a lot lower if he hasn't addressed it this season.
10. Lucas Lessio, LW Oshawa Generals: Jenner's new teammate comes over from the St. Mike's Buzzers of Jr. A after deciding not to follow a path to the University of Michigan. The two had a chance to skate together at the Ivan Hlinka and get some chemistry down for the upcoming OHL season. A pure talent with speed and goal scoring instincts, but doesn't always give it his all on the defensive side of things and can be a one-man show at times. He's definitely a player to watch this season to see how he handles the challenge of the OHL after tearing it up last season for the Buzzers and having a good showing at the Ivan Hlinka.
More OHL players to keep tabs on:
Austen Brassard, RW Belleville Bulls: Traded from Windsor in the Philipp Grubauer deal, this power forward lives up to his team's name. He's a powerful, physical player who will go through people on his way to the net. Can skate OK, but has a nice modicum of skill to his package, so if he can pick up a step or three, could be a real monster when he fills out (6-2, 192).
Brett Ritchie, RW Sarnia Sting: If he were a better skater, a lot of people would be pretty excited about this kid. At 6-3, 204, he's already a horse and real tough to contain when he gets it going and grabs possession of the puck in the offensive zone. Protects the puck well and showed some scoring panache in Slovakia at the Ivan Hlinka, but has a lot of improving to do before he can be considered a legitimate top-six forward prospect.
David Broll, LW Erie Otters: The third of three big power forward prospects, Broll is a mean, nasty hitter who is the most intimidating of the three, but also possesses the lowest ceiling at present. He's got a really poor first few steps and lacks agility/turning ability, but is one of those straight-ahead skaters who's fine once he gets going. Another Hlinka alum, Broll's got some skill, too, but his real effectiveness is when he's bowling guys over and opening up space for his linemates. Because of the size (6-2, 220) and nastiness, he'll be a top-two round pick in June, but like Ritchie and Brassard is a work in progress and probably comes with more risk than the other two. Because Mississauga is hosting the 2011 Memorial Cup, scouts will get a chance to see how he progresses this season from start to finish-- should be very interesting to see.
Daniel Catenacci, LW Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds: The top selection in the OHL draft two years ago is a flashy, explosive player who doesn't have a lot of size (5-10, 180), but has the jets, hands and dash to attract notice. He's very skilled, good on the puck and can finish in a variety of ways, but some wonder how his game is going to translate at the next level. He's the classic player who will fool the novice or uninitiated fan who will be easily dazzled by his pure speed and slick moves, so when watching this player, you have to focus on the little things like his awareness, presence and willingness to work as hard in all zones as he does when the puck is on his stick. Because of his pure talent and draft pedigree, Catenacci will be closely scrutinized this year, but will need to do more than just score to earn a high grade and early selection in June.
Carter Sandlak, LW Guelph Storm: At 6-2, 199 this is just a big, no-frills up-and-down winger who grinds and brings the physicality, but not much else. Not a very good skater, but he hustles the best he can and is at his best when taking the body and laying into people. Doesn't have the skill or creativity to be much more than a fourth-line NHL player, but has the kind of desire and other intangibles to watch and see where he gets himself.
Stuart Percy, D Mississauga St. Mike's Majors: A B2011DW favorite-- but is on the outside looking in to start the season. Has a nice 6-1 frame, but skating is just ehhh. If he can pick up a step, he could work himself solidly into the 1st round. "He's got some good hands and hockey sense," said one NHL scout familiar with him. "His skating needs some work; if he's not moving his feet or if he gets caught flat-footed, he can have issues out there, but he's got the potential to be a solid puck-mover and first-round pick if he can improve his overall mobility." Percy is the kind of player the Bruins normally target under the radar because he does have the nice size and skill package. Red Line said he was "unnoticeable" at the Ivan Hlinka, but that can be a pretty good thing when you play defense. Watch this guy.
Vince Trocheck, C Saginaw Spirit: Smallish Michigander has some real speed, skill and moves. He was on the USA team that won silver at the Hlinka and has a real shot to be one of those second-round picks who ends up impressing a lot of people over the course of the season. "He's dynamic and has an edge for a smallish guy. He plays hard in traffic," one scout said.
Craig Duininck, D Windsor Spitfires: Another American who opted for the OHL and who won a Memorial Cup last spring with Taylor Hall. He's got good size, feet and the ability to move the puck although is nothing flashy. He's also got some guts; dropped the gloves against a much bigger, more accomplished opponent and got tuned, but stood in there and took one for the team. "He's a nifty little player; he would have gotten more hyped if he had played on any other team last year," said an NHL scout.
Matt Mahalak, G Plymouth Whalers: A big frame and some real athleticism are only the beginning of Michigan native's promise. He also plays a fundamentally sound game and shows the kind of calm and poise you want to see in a netminder. This will be an interesting year for him, with Seguin expected to be on the Bruins.
Tyson Teichmann, G Belleville Bulls: Very slight (145 pounds dripping wet) goalie shutout Team USA to capture gold in Slovakia, but wasn't sensational (and with that team in front of him, didn't have to be) in the Under-18 tourney this month. Makes a good first save, but could stand work on rebound control. Good glove and stick and overall has some strong attributes, but is not considered to be anything all that special in what is shaping up to be a weak goalie class.
Other OHLers to watch (mostly Europeans that I don't have a baseline for yet)
Nicklas Jensen, LW Oshawa
Vladislav Namestnikov, C London
Andrei Pedan, D Guelph
Tobias Rieder, LW Kitchener
Rickard Rakell, RW Plymouth
Danny Elser, C London
Colin Suellentrop, D Oshawa
Steve Broek, LW Kingston
Cody McNaughton, RW Guelph
Seth Griffith, C London
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