Kevin Musto
Hard for Bedard
- Feb 16, 2018
- 23,218
- 29,906
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]PROSPECT RANKING
[/TD]
[TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1. LW Juraj Slafkovský[/TD]
[TD]TPS, Liiga
[6’4”. 218lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.]
Has a long reach which allows him to really shelter the puck at impressive lengths. He moves well for his size and can be physically assertive when it’s appropriate. It's not often you see players his age make use of his frame, but Slafkovsky won't need maturing time to adjust to any growing pains. Has a shooter’s mindset. Doesn’t force passes. Good forechecker/backchecker and I really hope this is an area of his game he continues to improve. That two way play will make him invaluable.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2. RD David Jiříček[/TD]
[TD]HC Plzeň, Czechia
[6’3”. 190lbs. Born on November 28, 2003.]
He could play next season and already be capable of shutting down the majority of players in the NHL. Looks like a man against boys on the ice, except he’s literally a boy against men. Jiricek is an aggressive, moving wall that stops anything trying to get through. There are times when Jiricek cranks it up too much and gets himself into trouble, but I think this can easily be refined and ironed out with proper coaching. At the next level, expect him to eat lots of minutes, face the toughest matchups, and be a go-to option on the special teams. Top pairing upside.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3. C Shane Wright[/TD]
[TD]Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
[6’0”. 199lbs. Born on January 5, 2004.]
A player that can do everything you want at an above average level, but doesn't necessarily excel in any one area. Wright doesn't possess the game breaking ability to takeover a game, and often has a lack of hustle. There were many times this year where he simply couldn't handle the pressure of more than one player guarding him, which is something you expect a 1C to be able to do. That being said, Wright showed steady growth throughout the season and he should be a reliable NHL player for years to come.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4. RD Šimon Nemec[/TD]
[TD]HK Nitra, Slovakia
[6’1”. 192lbs. Born on February 15, 2004.]
Holds the potential to be a two way top 4 D. Has the skating and size to translate to the NHL. Plays a bit like Seth Jones. His tendency to put the puck on net isn’t always as high as I’d like, but his passing is good. On defense he sticks to his man like glue making himself difficult to shake off.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5. C Logan Cooley[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’10”. 180lbs. Born on May 4, 2004.]
He’s really shifty. The way he can slow down and speed up at the snap of a finger is really impressive, and makes his movements unpredictable. Really talented in the puck handling department. Has a bit of a defensive repertoire as well. I felt like towards the end of the season he was trying to do too much and needed to simplify his game. However I appreciate the experimentation.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6. RW Joakim Kemell[/TD]
[TD]JYP, Liiga
[5’9”. 185lbs. Born on April 27, 2004.]
Could be the best scorer in the draft, although at times he can lack defensive awareness. Decent skater. Good passing vision. Scans the ice well. Soft hands. Kemell shoots the puck at every chance he gets, even if it’s not a good look. So shot IQ can be questionable, but the willingness to shoot is still nice to see and his shot is really good. He scores when it counts, including clutch moments.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7. LD Pavel Mintyukov[/TD]
[TD]Saginaw Spirit, OHL
[6’1”. 194lbs. Born on November 25, 2003.]
Pinpoint passer and has the ability to anticipate where the puck is always going to be. Always makes the right read. He calculates space and knows when to close gaps and when to show restraint. Develops lots of chances from the backend. Very crafty in how he maneuvers around the ice and sets up his teammates. With a November birthday he’s among the older first time eligibles in the draft, but it shows in how refined he is compared to his peers.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8. C/RW Frank Nazar[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’10”. 180lbs. Born on January 14, 2004.]
Noticeable playmaking instincts. His first choice is always to differ the puck. It’d be nice to see him take more shots. Good at retrieving the puck. Fast skater. The spitting image of Nick Schmaltz. Out of anyone in the draft, I think he was my biggest riser. In early showings he was outclassed by his teammates, but he really started to show what he was capable of in the latter half of the season.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9. C/W Matthew Savoie[/TD]
[TD]Winnipeg Ice, WHL
[5’9”. 179lbs. Born on January 1, 2004.]
Despite playing center at the WHL, Savoie is more projectable as a winger. He's got a good release and can easily fire the puck through traffic. I don’t get the impression that he dictates the play or drives the line he’s on. Sometimes he forces plays and doesn’t do much to create on his own. If he makes it as a 1st liner at the NHL level, he'll probably always be the second best player on that line.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]10. C/RW Brad Lambert[/TD]
[TD]Pelicans, Liiga
[6’0”. 183lbs. Born on December 19, 2003.]
He can skate quite fast and create lots of separation. Decision making isn’t the sharpest. It’s not uncommon to see poor passing from him that turns into a giveaway. Not a physical presence in any way, and he didn’t have the season he was expected to have. Despite the negatives, and underperforming, he can do things that you only see out of elite players like his high speed puck control. That’s not to say he will be elite, but teams will have to weigh the risk and gauge whether or not they can turn his lemons into lemonade.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11. LD Lane Hutson[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’8”. 158lbs. Born on February 14, 2004.]
Elite wheels. Might be one of the fastest straight line skaters in the draft which makes him a superb puck carrier. He’s really solid in the defensive end with his stick checking, however strength/size could hold him back at the next level. He might develop into a Spurgeon-type, which would be rare, but that’s a gamble I’d be willing to take. He’s one of those guys that I like the more I watch.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12. RW Jagger Firkus[/TD]
[TD]Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL
[5’10”. 151lbs. Born on April 29, 2004.]
Undersized, shifty player with a fundamental understanding of the game. Work ethic that rivals anyone in the draft, knows what he needs to do in order to keep getting better, always experimenting and adding new tricks to his arsenal. He’s got quick hands, and can fire off the puck from anywhere on the ice. A true shot creator. A little bit of Artemi Panarin in his game.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13. LD Owen Pickering[/TD]
[TD]Swift Current Broncos, WHL
[6’4”. 180lbs. Born on January 27, 2004.]
Positionally sound, has great awareness on both ends of the ice, and makes use of both his body and an active stick when appropriate to break up oncoming plays. Easy to project as a top 4 player on an NHL lineup. Still a bit raw, but he’s got all the necessary tools to make it.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14. C Jiří Kulich[/TD]
[TD]HC Energie Karlovy Vary, Czechia
[5’11”. 178lbs. Born on April 14, 2004.]
More of a defensive minded center. Capable of skating quite fast. Good at the faceoff dot. Overall, very poised. Has the confidence to step up and be the initiator. I don’t see any truly standout qualities, but I think he’s one of the more well-rounded prospects in the draft. Could wind up being a higher-end David Kampf. Top 9 upside. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t become an NHL regular.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15. LW Isaac Howard[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’10”. 180lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.]
Doesn’t easily give up on plays. IQ is among his positive traits. Always finds open spots on the ice and puts himself in a good spot to receive passes.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]16. C/LW Cutter Gauthier[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’2”. 200lbs. Born on January 19, 2004.]
Powerful physical forward. His presence is instantly felt when he’s on the ice. For a player with his build, he shouldn’t play as much east-west hockey as he does. Heavy shot, not a good playmaker. Bad defensively. Projects more as a winger.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]17. RW Danila Yurov[/TD]
[TD]Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL
[6’1”. 179lbs. Born on December 22, 2003.]
Pass first, playmaking winger with good footspeed. Responsible two way player that can contribute on the PK and PP. Smart, good instincts, plays the right way. Needs to improve upper body strength. Probably won’t be a scoring threat at the NHL level. But as a two way playmaker, he could be a solid middle six option. As a comp, he reminds me of a better Dominik Kahun.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]18. LW Jonathan Lekkerimäki[/TD]
[TD]Djurgårdens IF, SHL
[5’11”. 172lbs. Born on July 24, 2004.]
The best piece of this year’s big Swedish trio. He’s always buzzing, and is an asset on the offensive end. His shooting is one of his more noticeable strengths. Has the speed to make clean zone entries.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]19. W/C Filip Mešár[/TD]
[TD]HK Poprad, Slovakia
[5’9”. 174lbs. Born on January 3, 2004.]
A pitbull on the ice with some qualities that are reminiscent of Andrew Shaw, minus the penchant for taking penalties. NHL level skating, and a keen ability to anticipate passing lanes are more reasons to like Mesar as a prospect. Not threatening enough as a scorer yet.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]20. RW Gleb Trikozov[/TD]
[TD]Omskie Yastreby, MHL
[6’1”. 185lbs. Born on August 12, 2004.]
A bit of a shifty skater who can mix up defenders. Strong stick checker. Capable of playing both special teams. Keeps himself aware of his surroundings. Shooting is his best attribute, but playmaking is a weakness[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]21. C/LW Ilya Kvochko[/TD]
[TD]Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk, MHL
[5’9”. 159lbs. Born on February 22, 2004.]
Undersized center that lacks consistent production. However he makes up for it because he can log high minutes playing reliable hockey. He fights for pucks and grinds to keep possession. The ceiling probably isn’t that high for him, but I think he’s got a good floor since he’s a true defensive asset. If you’re lucky, you could get a Casey Cizikas kind of player out of him. I also wonder if there’s another gear to his game once he has more time to develop. He’s got those intangible qualities.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]22. C Conor Geekie[/TD]
[TD]Winnipeg Ice, WHL
[6’4”. 205lbs. Born on May 5, 2004.]
Big physical forward, though he plays around the perimeter too much for someone his size. He's got good straight line speed and should have the ability to crash the net, but instead he rarely cuts inside. Better playmaker than he is a scorer. IQ is average.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]23. C Rutger McGroarty[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’1”. 204lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.]
Hustles well. Good size. He projects as a bottom 6 forward. Ceiling isn’t high, but you got a good floor to work with. Strong likelihood of becoming a quality depth guy.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]24. RW Jimmy Snuggerud[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’1”. 188lbs. Born on June 1, 2004.]
He’s a typical late 1st round pick kind of guy. Decent all round player that moves well. Compliments his linemates, but not a driver.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]25. RD Ryan Chesley[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’0”. 201lbs. Born on February 27, 2004.]
A defenseman that makes good reads and can turn the burners on when necessary. Effective at shutting down oncoming rushes. He’s not an overly exciting prospect, but I like the tools enough to want to draft him. It’s easy to see how his style of play would translate to the NHL.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]26. LD Kevin Korchinski[/TD]
[TD]Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL
[6’2”. 185lbs. Born on June 21, 2004.]
Tall defenseman with long wingspan/reach. Lacks a powerful shot from the point. Struggles at times to trap or contain oncoming attackers. Good at facilitating offense.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]27. C Luca Del Bel Belluz[/TD]
[TD]Mississauga Steelheads, OHL
[6’0”. 179lbs. Born on November 10, 2003.]
Tall, net-front presence. Skates well. Decent at applying pressure on the forecheck. Sometimes he does a bit too much stickhandling and ends up in trouble. In situations like this, there’s no need for him to try anything complex. He’s at his best when he keeps things simple. Middle-six center upside.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]28. RW/LW Adam Sýkora[/TD]
[TD]HK Nitra, Slovakia
[5’10”. 172lbs. Born on September 7, 2004.]
Tenacious on the puck. Has a really good release when firing the puck. Strong defensive instincts. Very young for the draft. Has middle six upside.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]29. RD Noah Warren[/TD]
[TD]Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL
[6’5”. 224lbs. Born on July 15, 2004.]
Built like Dustin Byfuglien. He’s physical and uses his size well. There wasn't anyone he couldn't guard or contain this year. Definitely has the upside to be an up to snuff stay at home shutdown defender.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]30. RD Seamus Casey[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’9”. 173lbs. Born on January 8, 2004.]
A polarizing player that can leave you dazzled one minute, and confused another. Casey can bait players when the puck is on his stick, and cut off passing lanes when he’s off the puck. His skating ability is very high end. But overall he really lacks consistency in his level of play. He’s sometimes too passive, when it’s clear he’s capable of more.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]31. C Noah Östlund[/TD]
[TD]Djurgårdens IF, SHL
[5’10”. 164lbs. Born on March 11, 2004.]
Elusive is probably the best word to describe his game. Not many players can evade pressure the way he does. But it’s also a weakness for him since he’s almost afraid to make any physical contact.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]32. LW Liam Öhgren[/TD]
[TD]Djurgårdens IF, SHL
[6’1”. 201lbs. Born on January 28, 2004.]
Needs to be more alert and engage in play. Decent playmaker. His overall effort is lacking and he doesn’t hustle enough for my liking. Skill level as a whole is underwhelming.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]REMAINDER OF MY BOARD
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]C Marco Kasper, C Jack Hughes, LW Alexander Perevalov, LD Denton Mateychuk, RD Tristan Luneau, LD Vladimir Grudinin, LD Simon Forsmark, RD Elias Salomonsson, RD Ty Nelson, C Filip Bystedt, C Nathan Gaucher, LW Reid Schaefer, RD Maveric Lamoureux, RD Christian Kyrou, RD Sam Rinzel, C David Goyette, C Servác Petrovský, RW Jordan Dumais, LW Ivan Miroshnichenko, LD Christoffer Sedoff (OA)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]PROSPECT RANKING
[/TD][TD]
WRITE-UP
[/TD][/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1. LW Juraj Slafkovský[/TD]
[TD]TPS, Liiga
[6’4”. 218lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.]
Has a long reach which allows him to really shelter the puck at impressive lengths. He moves well for his size and can be physically assertive when it’s appropriate. It's not often you see players his age make use of his frame, but Slafkovsky won't need maturing time to adjust to any growing pains. Has a shooter’s mindset. Doesn’t force passes. Good forechecker/backchecker and I really hope this is an area of his game he continues to improve. That two way play will make him invaluable.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2. RD David Jiříček[/TD]
[TD]HC Plzeň, Czechia
[6’3”. 190lbs. Born on November 28, 2003.]
He could play next season and already be capable of shutting down the majority of players in the NHL. Looks like a man against boys on the ice, except he’s literally a boy against men. Jiricek is an aggressive, moving wall that stops anything trying to get through. There are times when Jiricek cranks it up too much and gets himself into trouble, but I think this can easily be refined and ironed out with proper coaching. At the next level, expect him to eat lots of minutes, face the toughest matchups, and be a go-to option on the special teams. Top pairing upside.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3. C Shane Wright[/TD]
[TD]Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
[6’0”. 199lbs. Born on January 5, 2004.]
A player that can do everything you want at an above average level, but doesn't necessarily excel in any one area. Wright doesn't possess the game breaking ability to takeover a game, and often has a lack of hustle. There were many times this year where he simply couldn't handle the pressure of more than one player guarding him, which is something you expect a 1C to be able to do. That being said, Wright showed steady growth throughout the season and he should be a reliable NHL player for years to come.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4. RD Šimon Nemec[/TD]
[TD]HK Nitra, Slovakia
[6’1”. 192lbs. Born on February 15, 2004.]
Holds the potential to be a two way top 4 D. Has the skating and size to translate to the NHL. Plays a bit like Seth Jones. His tendency to put the puck on net isn’t always as high as I’d like, but his passing is good. On defense he sticks to his man like glue making himself difficult to shake off.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5. C Logan Cooley[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’10”. 180lbs. Born on May 4, 2004.]
He’s really shifty. The way he can slow down and speed up at the snap of a finger is really impressive, and makes his movements unpredictable. Really talented in the puck handling department. Has a bit of a defensive repertoire as well. I felt like towards the end of the season he was trying to do too much and needed to simplify his game. However I appreciate the experimentation.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6. RW Joakim Kemell[/TD]
[TD]JYP, Liiga
[5’9”. 185lbs. Born on April 27, 2004.]
Could be the best scorer in the draft, although at times he can lack defensive awareness. Decent skater. Good passing vision. Scans the ice well. Soft hands. Kemell shoots the puck at every chance he gets, even if it’s not a good look. So shot IQ can be questionable, but the willingness to shoot is still nice to see and his shot is really good. He scores when it counts, including clutch moments.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7. LD Pavel Mintyukov[/TD]
[TD]Saginaw Spirit, OHL
[6’1”. 194lbs. Born on November 25, 2003.]
Pinpoint passer and has the ability to anticipate where the puck is always going to be. Always makes the right read. He calculates space and knows when to close gaps and when to show restraint. Develops lots of chances from the backend. Very crafty in how he maneuvers around the ice and sets up his teammates. With a November birthday he’s among the older first time eligibles in the draft, but it shows in how refined he is compared to his peers.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8. C/RW Frank Nazar[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’10”. 180lbs. Born on January 14, 2004.]
Noticeable playmaking instincts. His first choice is always to differ the puck. It’d be nice to see him take more shots. Good at retrieving the puck. Fast skater. The spitting image of Nick Schmaltz. Out of anyone in the draft, I think he was my biggest riser. In early showings he was outclassed by his teammates, but he really started to show what he was capable of in the latter half of the season.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9. C/W Matthew Savoie[/TD]
[TD]Winnipeg Ice, WHL
[5’9”. 179lbs. Born on January 1, 2004.]
Despite playing center at the WHL, Savoie is more projectable as a winger. He's got a good release and can easily fire the puck through traffic. I don’t get the impression that he dictates the play or drives the line he’s on. Sometimes he forces plays and doesn’t do much to create on his own. If he makes it as a 1st liner at the NHL level, he'll probably always be the second best player on that line.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]10. C/RW Brad Lambert[/TD]
[TD]Pelicans, Liiga
[6’0”. 183lbs. Born on December 19, 2003.]
He can skate quite fast and create lots of separation. Decision making isn’t the sharpest. It’s not uncommon to see poor passing from him that turns into a giveaway. Not a physical presence in any way, and he didn’t have the season he was expected to have. Despite the negatives, and underperforming, he can do things that you only see out of elite players like his high speed puck control. That’s not to say he will be elite, but teams will have to weigh the risk and gauge whether or not they can turn his lemons into lemonade.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11. LD Lane Hutson[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’8”. 158lbs. Born on February 14, 2004.]
Elite wheels. Might be one of the fastest straight line skaters in the draft which makes him a superb puck carrier. He’s really solid in the defensive end with his stick checking, however strength/size could hold him back at the next level. He might develop into a Spurgeon-type, which would be rare, but that’s a gamble I’d be willing to take. He’s one of those guys that I like the more I watch.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12. RW Jagger Firkus[/TD]
[TD]Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL
[5’10”. 151lbs. Born on April 29, 2004.]
Undersized, shifty player with a fundamental understanding of the game. Work ethic that rivals anyone in the draft, knows what he needs to do in order to keep getting better, always experimenting and adding new tricks to his arsenal. He’s got quick hands, and can fire off the puck from anywhere on the ice. A true shot creator. A little bit of Artemi Panarin in his game.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13. LD Owen Pickering[/TD]
[TD]Swift Current Broncos, WHL
[6’4”. 180lbs. Born on January 27, 2004.]
Positionally sound, has great awareness on both ends of the ice, and makes use of both his body and an active stick when appropriate to break up oncoming plays. Easy to project as a top 4 player on an NHL lineup. Still a bit raw, but he’s got all the necessary tools to make it.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14. C Jiří Kulich[/TD]
[TD]HC Energie Karlovy Vary, Czechia
[5’11”. 178lbs. Born on April 14, 2004.]
More of a defensive minded center. Capable of skating quite fast. Good at the faceoff dot. Overall, very poised. Has the confidence to step up and be the initiator. I don’t see any truly standout qualities, but I think he’s one of the more well-rounded prospects in the draft. Could wind up being a higher-end David Kampf. Top 9 upside. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t become an NHL regular.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15. LW Isaac Howard[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’10”. 180lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.]
Doesn’t easily give up on plays. IQ is among his positive traits. Always finds open spots on the ice and puts himself in a good spot to receive passes.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]16. C/LW Cutter Gauthier[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’2”. 200lbs. Born on January 19, 2004.]
Powerful physical forward. His presence is instantly felt when he’s on the ice. For a player with his build, he shouldn’t play as much east-west hockey as he does. Heavy shot, not a good playmaker. Bad defensively. Projects more as a winger.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]17. RW Danila Yurov[/TD]
[TD]Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL
[6’1”. 179lbs. Born on December 22, 2003.]
Pass first, playmaking winger with good footspeed. Responsible two way player that can contribute on the PK and PP. Smart, good instincts, plays the right way. Needs to improve upper body strength. Probably won’t be a scoring threat at the NHL level. But as a two way playmaker, he could be a solid middle six option. As a comp, he reminds me of a better Dominik Kahun.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]18. LW Jonathan Lekkerimäki[/TD]
[TD]Djurgårdens IF, SHL
[5’11”. 172lbs. Born on July 24, 2004.]
The best piece of this year’s big Swedish trio. He’s always buzzing, and is an asset on the offensive end. His shooting is one of his more noticeable strengths. Has the speed to make clean zone entries.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]19. W/C Filip Mešár[/TD]
[TD]HK Poprad, Slovakia
[5’9”. 174lbs. Born on January 3, 2004.]
A pitbull on the ice with some qualities that are reminiscent of Andrew Shaw, minus the penchant for taking penalties. NHL level skating, and a keen ability to anticipate passing lanes are more reasons to like Mesar as a prospect. Not threatening enough as a scorer yet.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]20. RW Gleb Trikozov[/TD]
[TD]Omskie Yastreby, MHL
[6’1”. 185lbs. Born on August 12, 2004.]
A bit of a shifty skater who can mix up defenders. Strong stick checker. Capable of playing both special teams. Keeps himself aware of his surroundings. Shooting is his best attribute, but playmaking is a weakness[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]21. C/LW Ilya Kvochko[/TD]
[TD]Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk, MHL
[5’9”. 159lbs. Born on February 22, 2004.]
Undersized center that lacks consistent production. However he makes up for it because he can log high minutes playing reliable hockey. He fights for pucks and grinds to keep possession. The ceiling probably isn’t that high for him, but I think he’s got a good floor since he’s a true defensive asset. If you’re lucky, you could get a Casey Cizikas kind of player out of him. I also wonder if there’s another gear to his game once he has more time to develop. He’s got those intangible qualities.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]22. C Conor Geekie[/TD]
[TD]Winnipeg Ice, WHL
[6’4”. 205lbs. Born on May 5, 2004.]
Big physical forward, though he plays around the perimeter too much for someone his size. He's got good straight line speed and should have the ability to crash the net, but instead he rarely cuts inside. Better playmaker than he is a scorer. IQ is average.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]23. C Rutger McGroarty[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’1”. 204lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.]
Hustles well. Good size. He projects as a bottom 6 forward. Ceiling isn’t high, but you got a good floor to work with. Strong likelihood of becoming a quality depth guy.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]24. RW Jimmy Snuggerud[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’1”. 188lbs. Born on June 1, 2004.]
He’s a typical late 1st round pick kind of guy. Decent all round player that moves well. Compliments his linemates, but not a driver.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]25. RD Ryan Chesley[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[6’0”. 201lbs. Born on February 27, 2004.]
A defenseman that makes good reads and can turn the burners on when necessary. Effective at shutting down oncoming rushes. He’s not an overly exciting prospect, but I like the tools enough to want to draft him. It’s easy to see how his style of play would translate to the NHL.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]26. LD Kevin Korchinski[/TD]
[TD]Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL
[6’2”. 185lbs. Born on June 21, 2004.]
Tall defenseman with long wingspan/reach. Lacks a powerful shot from the point. Struggles at times to trap or contain oncoming attackers. Good at facilitating offense.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]27. C Luca Del Bel Belluz[/TD]
[TD]Mississauga Steelheads, OHL
[6’0”. 179lbs. Born on November 10, 2003.]
Tall, net-front presence. Skates well. Decent at applying pressure on the forecheck. Sometimes he does a bit too much stickhandling and ends up in trouble. In situations like this, there’s no need for him to try anything complex. He’s at his best when he keeps things simple. Middle-six center upside.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]28. RW/LW Adam Sýkora[/TD]
[TD]HK Nitra, Slovakia
[5’10”. 172lbs. Born on September 7, 2004.]
Tenacious on the puck. Has a really good release when firing the puck. Strong defensive instincts. Very young for the draft. Has middle six upside.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]29. RD Noah Warren[/TD]
[TD]Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL
[6’5”. 224lbs. Born on July 15, 2004.]
Built like Dustin Byfuglien. He’s physical and uses his size well. There wasn't anyone he couldn't guard or contain this year. Definitely has the upside to be an up to snuff stay at home shutdown defender.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]30. RD Seamus Casey[/TD]
[TD]U18's, USNTDP
[5’9”. 173lbs. Born on January 8, 2004.]
A polarizing player that can leave you dazzled one minute, and confused another. Casey can bait players when the puck is on his stick, and cut off passing lanes when he’s off the puck. His skating ability is very high end. But overall he really lacks consistency in his level of play. He’s sometimes too passive, when it’s clear he’s capable of more.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]31. C Noah Östlund[/TD]
[TD]Djurgårdens IF, SHL
[5’10”. 164lbs. Born on March 11, 2004.]
Elusive is probably the best word to describe his game. Not many players can evade pressure the way he does. But it’s also a weakness for him since he’s almost afraid to make any physical contact.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]32. LW Liam Öhgren[/TD]
[TD]Djurgårdens IF, SHL
[6’1”. 201lbs. Born on January 28, 2004.]
Needs to be more alert and engage in play. Decent playmaker. His overall effort is lacking and he doesn’t hustle enough for my liking. Skill level as a whole is underwhelming.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]REMAINDER OF MY BOARD
[/TD][/TR]
[TR]
[TD]C Marco Kasper, C Jack Hughes, LW Alexander Perevalov, LD Denton Mateychuk, RD Tristan Luneau, LD Vladimir Grudinin, LD Simon Forsmark, RD Elias Salomonsson, RD Ty Nelson, C Filip Bystedt, C Nathan Gaucher, LW Reid Schaefer, RD Maveric Lamoureux, RD Christian Kyrou, RD Sam Rinzel, C David Goyette, C Servác Petrovský, RW Jordan Dumais, LW Ivan Miroshnichenko, LD Christoffer Sedoff (OA)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
