2010 Draft - Who has Elite Potential?

[Paulinho]

Connolly.

 

[Minister of Offence]

I'm surprised there isn't more mention of Gudbranson (only two posters, I believe). With the thread title's question of who has elite *potential*, Gudbranson's a no-brainer.

Easy, he played minor hockey in Ottawa and he played junior in Kingston. The "real world" has barely gotten a glimpse of how much of a talent he is. EJ Maguire put it this way, he fits the prototype NHL defencemen of the last 10 years. 6-4 and can skate, push you around and fight you. Kids got cant miss character and although he isnt NHL ready as he's still quite raw, maturity-wise he blows the top 10 out of the water.

Half the people that post about him botch his name. This guy may have the MOST elite potential in this draft, and there are scouts who think this.

My favourite player from this draft right now and the fact that it would take me a couple minutes drive to get to the house he grew up in only has a little to do with it.

 

[RangerRed]

It's gotta be Gudbranson. He's a really raw offensive package but this kid gets comparisons to Chris Pronger. Like legitimate ones. Once his offense catches up to him, he's gonna dominate.

Connolly's a good pick. You've gotta love the kid's compete level. You get the feeling watching Brett Connolly that he's a Game 7 hockey player. The kind of guy you know wants to be on the ice with the game on his stick when it counts.

There are a few other guys who have shown it at points. You've gotta love Ryan Johansen. I mean this kid wasn't on many peoples' radar coming into the year but he's been clutch for the Winterhawks when they've needed him. He's got the size, the hockey sense, he's a centre and he's starting to get involved more physically.

Jack Campbell. I mean, he's got everything you'd look for in a goaltender. He was clutch at the WJC, he's got size, he's positionally strong and he doesn't surrender anything athletically either. It'll be interesting to see how he adjusts to the O next season.

Jeff Skinner. 50 goals as a 17 year-old, 10 more in 11 playoff games. He's small but fearless. Scouts have said that from the offensive blue-line in, he might be the most dangerous forward in the O. He'll do anything to score.

Nick Bjugstad. All the talent is there. Gare Joyce has said that scouts would rather see it on the ice in Everett. I only got to see the kid once (on some very grainy footage from the Hlinka Tournament). 6'4", a centre with some serious chops as a skater and natural instincts as a goal scorer. It remains to be seen how he does against better competition. While the high end potential exists, there's also huge potential for flame out.