Throwing out a preliminary top 30, but of course, subject to change up to the draft. Sat down a few days ago to put something to paper.
1. Matthews
2. Laine
3. Puljujarvi
4. Dubois
5. Tkachuk
6. Jost [Please note, not a knee jerk based on the U18s, was already in my top 10 before the tournament, hovering around 8-9 after watching the WJAC. The question mark was always quality of competition, i think that's been answered so he moves up 2 spots]
7. Nylander
8. McLeod
9. Chychrun [I did have him higher but I decided to prioritize the 3 prior forwards and dropped the top few defenders. But JC is still my #1 D]
10. Keller [Moved up based on defenders falling, but his offense will take him far and continues to produce against NCAA competition]
11. Sergachev [Falls out of my top 10, potential is high, but the casual kev aspect of his game makes me a bit hesitant to rank him in the top 10]
12. McAvoy [Under-rated, put up a rookie season similar to Werenski]
13. Bellows [Love a lot of aspects of his game; great shot, scorer's instincts, but also has a solid all around and physical game, does a lot of heavy lifting for his line, behind only Matthews/Kane/Kessel in goals per season for the NTDP]
14. Kunin [Find him similar to Bellows, natural goal scorer, great shot, and a very hard worker. Great rookie season]
15. Fabbro [I had him lower earlier, but he showed a lot better on the PP at the U18s, while maintaining his safe game]
16. Brown [Really intriguing potential. Inconsistent, but was more steady as the year ended. Some games you won't notice him, but he'll have a couple of points. Sometimes can dominate using his frame to protect the puck and win battles, very good vision and passing ability]
17. Rubtsov [Only exposure i have is the WJAC, but i think he showed very well. Very smart and mature center, doesn't go running around, has some nice net drive and soft hands around the net. Needs to improve skating and maybe less Meldonium
]
18. Bean [Excellent shot and can move the puck. But i do feel there are risks with his defensive game, in terms of urgency and understanding]
19. Juolevi [I've said enough about this player
]
20. Dineen [I've said enough about this player
]
21. Jones [I think he gets a lot of hate, but i really tried to watch him when the big guns were away at the WJC. I think he would be a 1st liner on many other OHL teams, takeaway the extremely slow start production wise, i think he was close to PPG pace the rest of the way, while playing down the line-up and taking a major defensive role along side Pu at ES and on the 1st unit PK. He showed great speed, a good shot, and his energy is visible on the ice - Bull in a China shop mentality. Which does work in both good and bad ways. Still a good bet to be a middle 6 kind of guy]
22. Dahlen [A really good goal scorer, a shift waterbug player who isn't afraid of the front of the net. Aspects of his play reminds me of a Jeff Skinner, the way they both work their edges, their goal scoring ability]
--- This is where i think things can change up a lot for me ---
23. Katchouk [A fan favorite who plays a high energy, puck pursuit game, but is very smart and has some underrated skill]
24. Johansen [Most of my viewings have been earlier in the season, up to Feb, i found him having a solid defensive game, but it sounds like there are cracks showing through in his playoffs. Wish there was still that streaming site around... that i paid for until the end of the season
]
25. Abramov
26. Asplund
27. Mascherin
28. LaBerge
29. Bitten
30. Gauthier
Unknown: Tufte [don't know really where to place him as i haven't watched him much at all]
That's it for now. #Tellmeimwrong and where.
