The Scouting Report » Scott Campbell

Tanner Pearson: 1st Round Pick?

Scott Campbell — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:19:29 +0000

Pearson has quickly become one of the most dominant offensive players in the OHL.

Every year there are several examples of players who goes from relative anonymity to hearing their name called early in the NHL Draft. There are no shortage of feel-good stories this year, but Tanner Pearson is certainly an exception to the norm.

14th Round OHL Pick. 2 years in Jr. B. Undrafted in 2010 and 2011. The resume may not scream NHL 1st rounder, but Pearson’s play is making a compelling case to change that in 2012.

The 19-year-old Kitchener, Ont. native was an effective player for the Barrie Colts a season ago, but 2011 has been nothing short of dominance. As of publication time, Pearson has racked up some pretty ridiculous numbers so far this season. 22 goals and 60 points is a good season for most, but Pearson has managed to tally these numbers in only 28 games this season. The Colts winger also has a 12-point lead in the OHL scoring race, and has notched at least 1 point in 26 of 28 games played.Keep in mind, Pearson has been passed over in two straight NHL Drafts.

In all fairness, I don’t think anybody saw this type of season coming, but it’s nothing short of a guarantee that Pearson will hear his name called in Pittsburgh next summer. The only question is – How high?

At this point in time, I have to ponder if the answer to that question isn’t the 1st round. While it is rare for players in their 3rd year of draft eligibility to go high, it’s not unheard of. Most recently, Viktor Tikhonov was selected 28th overall in 2008 during his 3rd year of draft eligibility. Finnish netminder Mikko Koskinen was also selected 31st overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, his 4th year of draft eligibility.

Despite both of those players being European, Pearson is certainly making a case to join their company. Pearson’s incredible start to the OHL season this year has generated a lot of buzz around hockey circles. So much so that Pearson has been invited to the Canadian World Junior Camp and I personally would be quite surprised if he doesn’t end up cracking the Under 20 roster. There is certainly a consensus that he’s a lock to be drafted next summer, but there seems to be no consensus about just where he may slot in.

Allow me to pose a question: Why not the 1st round? I’ve seen quite a bit of OHL action this season, and taking everything into account, I am starting to believe that the 1st round could become a reality for him. He has the size to play at the next level, competes hard, skates well, and has really become a dynamic offensive player off the rush and in the offensive zone. The numbers don’t lie, he’s been extremely consistent this season, and frankly, he’s become a player you notice in every game.

We’ll learn a lot about what type of player Tanner Pearson is at the World Junior camp, and potentially during the World Juniors, but for now, Pearson’s play is making a statement that an NHL 1st round pick is certainly within the realm of possibilities.

Petes roster laced with NHL talent

Scott Campbell — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:11:35 +0000

2012 NHL Draft prospect Slater Koekkoek has taken his game to the next level in his 2nd OHL season.

The past few years haven’t been kind to fans of the Peterborough Petes. For a franchise with one of the most illustrious traditions in all of junior hockey, the Petes have struggled to maintain their winning tradition after winning the OHL crown in 2006.

2011 is a different story, however, as the Petes have assembled a stockpile of NHL calibre talent which has vaulted the team to the upper echelon of the OHL’s Eastern Conference Standings and put Peterborough back on the map as an OHL power. After catching the team in a couple of recent games here’s an update on some of the team’s players who are already NHL-Drafted or will be on the draft radar in the upcoming seasons.

LD Slater Koekkoek | 1994 | 2012 Eligible

Here’s a player who I firmly believe is going to have a very good NHL career in front of him. You will be hard pressed to find a defenseman who plays more minutes than Koekkoek, and this 17-year-old certainly doesn’t look out of place. Koekkoek has the size – although he’s still filling out the frame – and is a tremendous skater who can influence the pace of the game. He moves the puck extremely well and is very capable offensively. Koekkoek has also refined his defensive game quite nicely, and does a good job of dishing out hits and playing in all situations. Koekkoek is still a bit raw, but his overall package of skills is going to be very hard to pass up as he should be contending to be a Top 10 pick next June.

LW Matt Puempel | 1993 | OTT 2011 (1/24)

After being named the OHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2010, Puempel’s sophomore season was marred by season ending hip surgery. The numbers this year are not off the charts, but his play has taken another step. Puempel’s strength will always lie in his elite shot release and ability to find space in the scoring triangle, but I’ve been impressed with his ability to create offense on his own. When he came into the league, he was a passenger on the team’s big line, but Puempel has added a more dynamic element to his game which allows him to carry his line now. He’s got the skillset to play on a top NHL line and as long as his development path continues, he’s got a release that will allow him to score a lot of goals.

RC Austin Watson | 1992 | NAS 2010 (1/18)

Watson’s offensive game has never progressed as much as some would have hoped, but his all around game makes him a valuable prospect moving forward. You’d be hard pressed to find a better penalty killer in the OHL, and Watson’s versatility to play all three forward positions gives the coach some flexibility. Watson has good size and strength but needs to use it more consistently to generate offense. He’s a player who should be able to chip in offensively at the next level and provide some reliable minutes. He looks to be a safe bet to perform at the NHL level, but whether he can play on a 2^nd line or be reserved to a bottom 6 role remains to be seen.

LC Alan Quine | 1993 | DET 2011 (3/85)

Quine’s OHL career took a positive turn after a mid-season trade to the Petes last season, and he appears to have found some good chemistry so far playing alongside Puempel on the team’s top line. Quine is a very talented player and relies on smooth skating and a slick array of puck skills to generate offense. Concerns about NHL upside center on him being a little weak and easily pushed off the puck. He’s got the talent to be a player at the next level, but he needs to show he can battle through tight defense and consistently provide offense every night.

LW Nick Ritchie | 1995L | 2014 Eligible

The 2^nd overall pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, Ritchie has had a nice start to his OHL career with 6 goals and 11 points through his first 19 games. Ritchie is an imposing winger who creates a lot of offense with his speed and ability to shield off checks. He’s a pretty north-south player who is most effective off the rush and loves to shoot the puck on the fly. I don’t think Ritchie has the high-end creativity that a lot of offensive players have, but his raw physical tools will be intriguing to see develop over the next couple of years.

RW Stephen Nosad | 1995 | 2013 Eligible

I have to give some credit to another Petes 16-year-old who is a real gamer. I saw Nosad several times with the York Simcoe Express last year and came away impressed every time. Nosad always finds ways to win battles and is a great two-way player for his age. Already trusted to play on the penalty kill, Nosad competes hard and has some intangibles which are going to make him a very good OHL player, and someone who should get some strong NHL draft consideration in two years.

It’s not difficult to find NHL calibre talent in Peterborough this year, as GM Dave Reid has done a strong job of building a roster that is primed for long-term success. It’s success that will be long overdue in the Lift Lock City, as their fans anxiously await meaningful spring hockey once again.

Aaron Ekblad: The Real Deal?

Scott Campbell — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:11:52 +0000

The Colts invested a large chunk of their future into Ekblad after taking him 1st Overall.

There are lofty expectations on the shoulders of Aaron Ekblad this season. The 15-year-old defenseman became only the second player in OHL history to be allowed to enter the OHL Priority Selection as a true 15-year-old, and went on to be selected by the Barrie Colts with the 1st Overall Pick. Who was the other player to get exceptional status? Some guy named John Tavares, who was the 1st Overall Pick by the Oshawa Generals back in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection.

We all know how the Tavares story turned out. After scoring an astounding 45 goals and 77 points as a double underager, Tavares went on to become one of the most prolific scorers in OHL history. Cue the expectations for Ekblad as he looks to follow down the same path Tavares forged over 5 years ago.

With Ekblad, however, we’re going to have to temper our expectations a bit. Is he good enough to play in the OHL right now? Definitely. Can he take a regular shift in the league right now? After seeing him a couple of times this year in addition to my viewings last season, I would have to say absolutely. Now with that being said, Ekblad’s performance this year isn’t going to be accurately based on our traditional quantitative methods.

I didn’t have high statistical expectations for him to begin with, and if the first handful of games are any indication (6gp 0p -1), he’s probably not going to blow anyone away with his offensive production. I’m not going to make excuses for him, but it’s very clear that Ekblad belongs in the league right now. He’s already one of Barrie’s top defenseman and is logging a ton of minutes in all situations without looking out of place.

Ekblad has the physical size to play in the league and can assert himself on the ice with his ability to deliver a check and stand his ground. His defensive game is very polished for a 15-year-old and he certainly does a good job of understanding the team’s defensive coverage scheme and doing the little things such as having an active stick and taking away passing lanes. Those are the things that we want to see out of his game now; the ability to play against quality OHL players and be an asset to the team, rather than a liability.

Offensively, I’ve never looked at Ekblad as a pure offensive defenseman, but a guy who has the framework of skills to be a capable offensive contributor. I think you could maybe compare him a little to someone like Alex Pietrangelo in that regard, as a guy who will probably put up points but isn’t viewed as a pure offensive player. He’s been getting some powerplay time thus far but it’s pretty clear he’s still trying to find his comfort zone out there. The points are going to come eventually, but I wouldn’t expect anything too substantial this year.

One of the areas I really want to see Ekblad improve at his is skating and lateral movement. He’s not a bad skater by any stretch, but I think there’s some improvement that can be made his lateral agility and transitioning. When he’s moving, he’s got a powerful stride and can easily play the game at the OHL speed, but his lateral movement needs to improve so he’s able to handle the transitional game better and maintain strong gap control. Again, for a 15-year-old those things will come. John Tavares has developed into at least an average skater at the NHL level, and Ekblad is certainly ahead of where he was at Age 15.

I think that one of the best ways to describe Ekblad is that if you get out and catch a Barrie Colts game without any knowledge of the players, you’d have no chance of being able to pick him out as the only 1996 YOB on the ice. He’s already got intimidating size and he’s got the grit and chippiness to his game that is going to make him a very tough player to play against. His offensive game is still very raw, and I think as we continue to see him find his comfort level in the game, his offensive game will be something that develops moving forward.

Aaron Ekblad will not be the best rookie in the OHL season; that’s a statement I can say that with a pretty convincing degree of certainty. Aaron Ekblad is, however, a very polished 15-year-old defenseman who has all the potential to develop into a dominant OHL defenseman, and a player with tremendous NHL upside. And let’s not forget, he isn’t even NHL Draft Eligible until 2014.

2012 NHL Draft Rankings: Preliminary Top 30 Skaters (1-15)

Scott Campbell — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:32:44 +0000

Welcome!

TSR 2012 NHL Draft Rankings Preliminary (1-15) 16-30

Welcome to TSR’s 2012 NHL Preliminary Top 30 Rankings for Draft-Eligible Skaters. Going into our third year of operations, we’re pleased to bring out a Pre-Season Top 30 for the first time in TSR history. The 2012 NHL Entry Draft has no shortage of high-end talent and projects to be a very exciting crop with tremendous depth throughout the top rounds. I would like to thank every member of our team for their contributions to the rankings and after several weeks of revisions and deliberations, we’re extremely pleased to present you with the finished product. As always, we appreciate you taking the time to check us out and hope that we can become a reliable site for your hockey prospect coverage needs!

1. LW Nail Yakupov – Sarnia (OHL)

DOB: Nov. 06/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs

Nail Yakupov is this 2012′s version of Taylor Hall. They are each the kind of game-breaking talents that you simply cannot pass over, no matter what your positional needs are. Both were named the CHL Rookie of the Year (2008 and 2011), and can take over a game in any number of ways. Despite not having ideal “power forward” size, Yakupov is not afraid to throw his weight around if he doesn’t feel like turning defenders inside out with a sick array of moves. With elite-level talent, Yakupov comes into the season as the projected top pick by TSR but will have a number of very talented players right on his heels from Day 1.

2. LC Mikhail Grigorenko – Quebec (QMJHL)

DOB: May 16/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 185lbs

Grigorenko is a big-time talent who will be taking his game across the pond to play under Patrick Roy as a Quebec Rempart this season. He’s got a big frame that he uses well in unison with an elite skill-set. Has very good hands and does a good job of controlling the play with his ability to fight off checks and create scoring chances. Should be one of the top scorers in the QMJHL this season and could wind up leading the league in assists. Needs to show a little more consistency and prove that he can handle the tight-checking that teams are sure to challenge him with. One of a number of players who will challenge Yakupov for top honours.

3. LC Alex Galchenyuk – Sarnia (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 12/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 185lbs

The first overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection was one of two “super-rookies” in the Sarnia lineup and certainly lived up to his pedigree as a 16-year-old rookie. A season later, Galchenyuk is poised to take his game to the next level with an even better sophomore season. Galchenyuk is a dangerous offensive player who has good hockey sense and knows where to be on the ice. A very good stickhandler with a deceptive release on his shot, Galchenyuk is fully capable of creating his own offensive chances. A bit of an awkward skater who probably will remind some of Evgeni Malkin with his skating stride and the way he creates chances.

4. LD Ryan Murray – Everett (WHL)

DOB: Sep. 27/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 190lbs

Ryan Murray may very well be the most NHL ready prospect in the entire draft. Murray has excellent hockey sense, makes smart, effective passes in every situation, and has a strong, accurate shot from the point. Defensively, Murray is rarely found out of position, and uses his strong skating and lateral mobility to keep pace with forwards attacking on the rush. Though slightly undersized, Murray is rarely out-muscled for the puck, and can certainly hold his own against larger opponents. It’s tough to find any holes in Murray’s game, as he competes hard on a nightly basis and seems to improve more and more as time goes on. Already his team’s captain as a 17-year-old, Murray is certainly mature beyond his years, and should almost undoubtedly be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.

5. RD Nick Ebert – Windsor (OHL)

DOB: May 11/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 190lbs

As a 15 year old in 2009-2010, playing against players several years his senior, Ebert was a force for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. As an OHL rookie, he put up 41 points while playing second fiddle to Ryan Ellis (11th overall, Nashville – 2009). With Ellis turning pro this season, the Spitfires defense is in Ebert’s very capable hands. He has what I like to call pro-ready size, and a similar build to his hockey idol Scott Stevens. Like Stevens, Ebert is a very good two-way defenseman who isn’t afraid to mix it up physically. Ebert has a chance to be taken with the 5th pick overall exactly 20 years after Stevens went 5th to Washington. This season Ebert will need to show increased maturity on the ice and prove to scouts that he has the decision-making that will allow him to translate his raw physical skills to the next level.

6. RD Jacob Trouba – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 26/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 172lbs

Trouba is at the head of the class for the USNTDP draft prospects. The right-handed shooting defenseman brings a physical edge to the skills that make him an elite prospect. He has very quick feet that are always moving to ensure that he has good position on the player he is defending against. Trouba has a quick stick that he uses to poke check the puck off the attacking forward and the presence to gather in the loose puck and quickly move it to an open teammate. The quickness in his hands that allow for the poke check also are evident in that Trouba has the ability to move the puck from forehand to backhand and vice versa in order to protect the puck from the opposition. From there he buys time to make the right pass to his partner or to an open forward. Trouba is also very calm and composed with the puck and passes well. He also possesses a strong shot from the point. As mentioned, Trouba blends these skills with a willingness to deliver text book body checks either along the boards or in open ice. Trouba has been compared to Cam Fowler and while he may not possess the natural offensive flair that Fowler has, he’s a more polished two-way defender at this point in his development.

7. LW Filip Forsberg – Leksand (Allsvenskan)

DOB: Aug. 13/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 180lbs

Another year that sees most of the high-end European players already playing in North America allows for Filip Forsberg to be the cream of the crop in regards to players actually spending the season playing in Europe. He’s a player that is very noticeable in a game and does a good job of creating chances on every shift. Has decent size and does a good job of using his speed to create opportunities. Big-time goal scorer that loves to shoot the puck and has a very good shot. Projects to be a strong offensive player who has 30+ goal potential in him.

8. RD Griffin Reinhart – Edmonton (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 24/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 198lbs

Griffin Reinhart is a player that has a lot of hockey tools going for him. Big frame, smooth skater, above average shot, to go along with a solid first pass. For someone 6’4″ he has really good mobility. The key for Reinhart this year will be to take one of those skills and make it elite, then GMs and scouts alike will salivate at the potential. Other things Reinhart will have to work on is understanding coverages and working on using his body to separate man from puck. He will get an opportunity to be featured on the top pairing for the Oil Kings this season if he keeps progressing like he has up to this point. He has the pedigree to be a top pairing Dman, he just needs to tighten up his game and bring it all together.

9. RD Matt Dumba – Red Deer (WHL)

DOB: Jul. 25/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 175lbs

Mathew Dumba is a big-time risk/reward type player. Loves cruising for the big hit, and loves getting under the opposition’s skin. Owns a fearsome shot from the point and is a very fluid skater. Its his skating that allows him to line up his victims. Dumba loves to hit so much, that occasionally is throws himself of his own game. He looks for hits when they aren’t there, putting himself out of position. The biggest thing for Dumba will be plain and simple, growth. The more he grows, the more durable he’ll become and the more he’ll be able to play his style, like he does for the Rebels. Look for a big year from Dumba as he’s already shown that he is more than capable defenseman in the WHL. He has also shown himself to be a very adept leader.

10. LD Morgan Rielly – Moose Jaw (WHL)

DOB: Mar. 09/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs

Morgan Rielly is an excellant tempo setter of a game from the back end. A smooth puckhandler that has very little issue with getting the puck out of trouble spots. He has an excellent sense of timing, knowing when to jump into a rush or knowing when to back off, slowing it down or creating chaos. Rielly has some issues away from the puck, he has an active stick, but has issues with strength battles which is something that could potentially hinder him at the next level. It will be intriguing to see how Rielly does this year with his club team in Moose Jaw. He has shown a penchant to be able to flourish in the tournament setting, be it the U18s or the Ivan Hlinka Tournament. This year Rielly will need to show how is he going to help make Moose Jaw a better team.

11. RD Jordan Schmaltz – Sioux City (USHL)

DOB: Oct. 08/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 175lbs

Sioux City’s Jordan Schmaltz enters his second full season with the Musketeers with more attention surrounding his game than he has seen in his young hockey career. This is saying a lot considering the six-foot-two defenseman has been in the media and scouts’ spotlight shortly before his verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin at 14 years old. All the attention Schmaltz receives is certainly deserved as the six-foot-two defenseman is arguably the best player at his position with the puck on his stick among the 2012 draft eligible players. Schmaltz works wonders on the Musketeers’ power play, scoring eight goals and 20 assists with the man advantage last season. Schmaltz, who decommitted after the Badgers’ coaching change, is set to play at North Dakota next season, but don’t be surprised to see him play alongside draft eligible Nick Ebert next season as the Windsor Spitfires to continue to make a play on the Verona, WI native whom they took in the seventh round of the 2009 Priority Selection Draft.

12. LD Olli Maatta – London (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 22/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 175lbs

Maatta comes to the OHL with big expectations after the London Knights made him the first pick in the 2011 CHL Import Draft. The big Finn is a little rough around the edges, but a player that has some promise moving forward. Does a great job of taking care of his own end and very opportunistic at the offensive end. Makes good passes and always has his head up and is aware of what is going on in the game. Pretty average skater at this point with room to improve both technique and his acceleration and lateral movement. Doesn’t have very many elite qualities to his game, but the all-around package is very enticing.

13. LC Zemgus Girgensons – Dubuque (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 05/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 194lbs

Latvian native Zemgus Girgensons continues to take the path less travelled in regards to his hockey development. Girgensons came over to the US in 2008 rather than staying to play for Latvia’s U20 development team (SK Riga), a team stationed in his hometown. After playing one season in the EJHL, the six foot center made the jump to the USHL last season and had a huge year with 21 goals and 28 assists in 51 games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. With many new faces upfront for Dubuque this season, Girgensons will have to take it upon himself to create scoring opportunities. Girgensons will likely be up to the challenge as he displays great offensive awareness. Despite not being an extremely physical player, Girgensons works hard his team’s own end and all-in-all has a very complete game. Even though Girgensons was selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2011 CHL Import Draft, Girgensons remains committed to the Fighting Saints and will start his collegiate career next fall with the University of Vermont.

14. LD Slater Koekkoek – Peterborough (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 18/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 183lbs

Slater Koekkoek quietly flew under the radar during his OHL rookie season in 2010/11 despite putting together a very impressive 65-game season for the Petes. On a team that arguably lacked 3 OHL calibre defensemen, Koekkoek quickly solidified himself as a pillar on the young D and logged what would probably amount to nearly 30 minutes a night. Koekkoek is a very smart defenseman who does a great job of letting the game come to him. He’s got the size and physicality to play tight defense and be counted on as a reliable PK guy. Offensively he does a good job of finding outlets and makes good decisions with the puck. Has a decent shot that he could utilize more but became more comfortable on the PP as the season went on. The combination of his two-way ability and hockey smarts makes Koekkoek a very interesting prospect who won’t fly under the radar for long.

15. RW Martin Frk – Halifax (QMJHL)

DOB: Oct. 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 203lbs

Martin Frk is a prospect from Czech Republic that has already completed one season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. He plays a very North American style game which allowed him to adapt quickly to the “Q”. The Mooseheads knew what they were getting when they drafted him 3rd overall in the 2010 CHL import draft and so far he’s be all that was advertised. Like most players out of Europe he has great skill but Frk brings so much more. He’s a power forward that loves to hit and has a lethal shot. If he can continue to improve his two way game and drive to the net more often he should cement his status as a first-round pick and the type of versatile two-way player that would be a tremendous asset to any NHL roster.

TSR 2012 NHL Draft Rankings Preliminary (1-15) 16-30

2012 NHL Draft Rankings: Preliminary Top 30 Skaters (16-30)

Scott Campbell — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:31:08 +0000

TSR 2012 NHL Draft Rankings Preliminary (1-15) 16-30

16. LD Derrick Pouliot – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 16/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs

The former first overall bantam pick had an impressive 16 year old season with one of the most talented teams in the entire CHL. Pouliot is an effortless skater, able to effectively transition from either offense to defense, or defense to offense, in a hurry. He has strong offensive instincts, and can join the rush effectively using his skating ability to keep pace with attacking forwards. Pouliot has a good shot that he is able to get to the net frequently, though his shot velocity could use some work. Defensively, Pouliot has to be considered a bit of a project at this point, as the undersized defenseman found himself out-matched by larger WHL forwards, and also occasionally out of position. Pouliot returns to the Hawks this year in a bigger role, and should be primed for a big year offensively.

17. LW Andreas Athanasiou – London (OHL)

DOB: Aug. 6/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs

The OHL frequently produces a player who comes out of nowhere to surprise as not only an exceptional OHL player, but a very solid NHL prospect as well. Athanasiou falls into that category in 2012 as the Knight’s 4th-round pick in 2010 has quickly established himself as one of the premier ’94 YOB forwards in the OHL. Athanasiou is a slick offensive forward with an abundance of offensive skill. He’s a dangerous forward who is always a threat to score in every game and has really done a good job of putting himself in good positions to find the back of the net. Currently makes up for lack of strength with great bursts of speed but adding some muscle to his frame is very important moving forward. Athanasiou might appear a little off the board right now, but after a very impressive showing with the Canadian U18 team at the Ivan Hlinka, expect a lot of people to take notice.

18. RC Matia Marcantuoni – Kitchener (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 22/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 180lbs

Entering the 2010-11 season a lot of was expected of Matia Marcantuoni as some believe he easily could have been a top five pick in the 2010 OHL Priority selection before eventually winding up with the Rangers at the 18th pick. In a limited role last season with a competitive Ranger squad, Marcantuoni saw decent offensive success. Coach Steve Spott will expect higher offensive output this season from the Toronto, Ontario native. He is arguably one of the strongest skaters in the draft, and has a very hard NHL-calibre shot as well. Plays the game at a very high tempo but needs to capitalize on more of his chances.

19. RW Henrik Samuelsson – Modo J20 (SuperElit)

DOB: Feb. 7/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 195lbs

The son of former NHL tough guy Ulf Samuelsson, Henrik brings a lot of power forward qualities that NHL teams are sure to covet at next summer’s NHL Entry Draft. Samuelsson is a big body who utlizes his physical strength to create space on the ice. Skates quite well and does a good job maintaining the puck and competing in physical battles. Displays a lot of grit and plays both ends of the rink very hard… looks for opportunities to finish checks and keeps players honest when he’s on the ice. Samuelsson’s offensive play is still developing but is a wildcard in his overall upside. Elected to play in Sweden this season after his father took an Assistant Coaching job with Modo where Henrik will surely see some time in the Elitserien with a strong year.

20. RW Sebastian Collberg – Frolunda (SuperElit)

DOB: Feb. 23/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 175lbs

Collberg is a diminutive winger with high-end skill level. Very good skater with good technique and shifty agility. Collberg thrives on the perimeter and uses his speed and skill-level to create offensive opportunities and odd-man rushes by breaking the defense down with his speed. Has an exceptional shot with pro-calibre release and loves to shoot the puck. Offensive upside translates very well to the NHL level and Collberg doesn’t mind playing in traffic areas either, which should help his eventual transition to the North American game. Still needs to improve his two-way game and add some strength but with a productive season Collberg should see some time in the Elitserien and could be a major riser this year.

21. LC Brendan Gaunce – Belleville (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 25/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 205lbs

It was a bit of a tough season for Gaunce as the highly touted 16-year-old rookie met his fair share of struggles with a Belleville squad that ended up being hard pressed to find the back of the net. Gaunce’s season saw many ebs and flows but was an overall productive season for the 2nd overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priortiy Selection. Coming into the league as one of the most dominant Minor Midget players from a year before, Gaunce has all of the qualities you look for in a two-way forward. Gaunce has good size and does a good job bringing a consistent effort to the rink every night. Competes hard and does a good job winning battles on the ice. Doesn’t have elite offensive skill but is an offensively productive player who is a threat to create offense at any time. Skating is an area where he will need to improve but Gaunce projects to be a solid second line type NHL center with good character and strong two-way play.

22. LC Scott Laughton – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: May 30/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 175lbs

Scott Laughton is currently known for a solid two-way talent; he is a competitive player every shift and understands his role on the ice. Although the Oshawa Generals already high end talent up front, it is likely that Laughton sees an increased offensive role with the team. If the Oakville, Ont. is able to put together a solid offensive season there is no question he could see his stock rise into the top fifteen in the draft. He is a similar, albeit smaller, version of teammate Boone Jenner, but if he pans out could be the better overall prospect. At this point, Laughton and Gaunce are similar players who will be interesting prospects to follow as both 17-year-olds spend the season battling it out in the OHL’s East Division as rivals.

23. LW Cristoval Nieves – Kent HS (HS-MA)

DOB: Jan. 23/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 185lbs

Blessed with a big frame – 6’3″ to be exact – Nieves has phenomenal stick work and deceptive agility, speed, and acceleration. Labeled mostly as a playmaker, Nieves isn’t afraid to get creative. A superb passer, he is easily the best player playing for Kent and it looks as though he is coming back for another season. He still has some “filling out” to do being only 185 lbs, but just his skills and explosiveness will excite many scouts. Committed to the University of Michigan in 2012, Nieves might crack the first round at next year’s draft. On the off chance he doesn’t, look for him to go in the early 2nd.

24. RD Cody Ceci – Ottawa (OHL)

DOB: Dec. 21/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 190lbs

Ceci’s sophomore season in the OHL was promising as the Ottawa native took the steps forward that most were expecting after his rookie season. Already playing with pro size, Ceci entrenched himself as one of the better defensive defensemen in the OHL last season with very responsible play while logging heavy minutes. His physical play took a step forward last season and it was noticeable that he was much improved in handling defensive zone coverage and preventing himself from over-committing. Has some offensive upside and serves as an effective PP quarterback at the OHL level. Ceci projects to be a potential late first-round pick or early second-round pick as a player who has the potential to be a dependable NHL defenseman who might not have quite as much high-end upside as some of the other players available in the range.

25. Gianluca Curcuruto – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

DOB: Feb. 25/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 188lbs

Curcuruto is a puck mover first and foremost, but as his -1 indicates he is also a strong two-way player. His -1 was among the best on his team last year, which is exceptional considering he was a rookie defenseman on a team that gave up the second most goals in the entire Western Conference while finishing dead last in points. Despite his rookie status, he took on a leadership role, providing a calming influence when things were going haywire on a very bad Greyhounds team. We currently have him going in the bottom third of the first round, but it won’t be a surprise to see him rise as he’s a player with considerable raw talent.

26. LD Michael Matheson – Dubuque (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 27/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs

Matheson is set to join the Dubuque Fighting Saints after spending the 2010/11 season playing in the QMAAA. Regarded as one of the top 94′s in Quebec, Matheson elected to bypass the Major Junior route in favour of a 2012 commitment to Boston College. Matheson is lauded for his leadership skills, intelligence and maturity off the ice. On the ice, Matheson provides those intangibles as well as a skill set of smooth skating and puck skills. Matheson uses his hockey sense and ability to close on the puck and puck carrier to force the play and transition the puck quickly to offense. He has quick hands and shows some pretty nifty puck handling. Matheson might be the type of player who amasses points by simply possessing the puck often and moving it to the right player to create offense.

27. RW Pontus Aberg – Djurgarden (SuperElit)

DOB: Sep. 23/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 190lbs

Aberg’s game is centered around his superb skating ability. At this point, he projects to be one of the top skaters in the draft and creates most of his offense with his quick acceleration and high-end speed. Has solid offensive skill and an adept shot which allow him to be an effective scorer. Needs to prove that he can take his offensive production to the next level this season and be a consistent producer. Has fairly average on-ice vision and needs to do a better job of utilizing teammates and distributing the puck as the defense can focus on him if he’s not moving the puck. Aberg also needs to show an increased commitment to the defensive end as his speed will be a two-way asset as he improves his defensive play.

28. RD Ville Pokka – Karpat (SM-Liiga)

DOB: Jun. 3/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 198lbs

Pokka is another ’94 YOB defenseman from Finland who will have expectations in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. At this point he isn’t quite as refined as Maatta and doesn’t possess as much offensive potential as his countryman does, but Pokka still projects to be a very capable NHLer with his solid defensive zone play. Pokka is a smart player who understands his role and plays well within his means, tools that will allow him to take a regular shift in the SM-Liiga this year as a 17-year-old. He will be in a group of players looking to vie for a first round selection and can do a lot for his stock if he has a strong WJC at Christmas.

29. LC A.J. Michaelson – Waterloo (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 8/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 185lbs

AJ Michaelson joined the trend of high school hockey players making the jump their senior year to the junior level. Michaelson joins the Waterloo Blackhawks this season after playing for Apple Valley High School in Minnesota. The move has many US junior followers scratching their head due to Michaelson’s commitment to Apple Valley program last offseason when he turned down an offer to play for the USNTDP in Ann Arbor, Mich. Nonetheless, Michaelson has the skills to standout in the USHL this season as the six foot forward can flat out fly. It will be interesting to see if Michaelson’s speed, which allowed him to create tons of scoring opportunities in high school by going wide on the rush, will continue to be effective against the bigger, stronger competition. Scouts have questioned Michaelson’s durability after he missed a third of his sophomore season due to groin injury, but the University of Minnesota commit shored up durability questions when played in all of the team’s 25 games last year totaling 29 goals and 31 assists.

30. LW Nicolas Kerdiles – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 11/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 175lbs

Kerdiles may not own dazzling puck skills but he does play a very solid two way game and puts enough points on the board to merit a spot on the Top 30. Kerdiles skates well and attacks open ice with speed. Kerdiles seems to do his best work along the boards and deep in the offensive zone. He has a knack for coming out of traffic with the puck and takes the puck hard to the net. Kerdiles also goes to the net hard without the puck on the rush or looking for the dirty goals in front. He makes the simple, easy play when he has the puck and is good at identifying the best option. Where Kerdiles really stands out is in his defensive play. He’s good at keeping his stick in the passing lanes and reads the play well. Kerdiles forechecks hard when he’s the first man in but also shows discipline in taking away passing options. Kerdiles is also very good at providing support and knows when to step into the play. More often than not, Kerdiles is the guy who ends up with the puck in those instances. If Kerdiles’ offensive skills and output improve, he could climb the rankings much like fellow USNTDP player JT Miller last year.

TSR 2012 NHL Draft Rankings Preliminary (1-15) 16-30

We’ve got openings!

Scott Campbell — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:37:16 +0000

TSR is pleased to announce that two of our contributors have moved on to pursue new opportunities for the upcoming 2011/2012 season.

Scott McDougall, who served as our lead WHL contributor for each of the first two seasons of operations, has accepted a position to join Hockey Prospect’s scouting staff for the upcoming season. Scott is based out of Calgary, Alta. and is looking forward to the new opportunity to scout the WHL and various Hockey Canada events in the province. Scott said he’s looking forward to the new opportunity but leaves with mixed emotions.

”I feel this is a new opportunity that will be great for my development as a scout,” McDougall said. “They have some very experience personnel that I can take a lot away from. While I’m looking forward to the new opportunity, it’s tough to leave TSR. We’ve worked hard to grow this site and I can see some positive things ahead for TSR moving forward.”

Also moving on to new opportunities is Patrick Leblond, who did some reporting for the 2011 QMJHL Draft with TSR. Patrick is based out of Gatineau, Que. and has accepted an opportunity to become an amateur scout with the Val d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL. Patrick’s goal to break into the QMJHL scouting ranks was forged by his dedication to the game and willingness to scout countless Midget hockey games in the LHJAAAQ.

Both contributors were tremendous assets to TSR and we wish them the best of luck moving forward! Our goals at TSR continue to be to provide a platform for knowledgeable amateur hockey fans with an opportunity to generate exposure and build a framework of skills to move on to future opportunities in the industry.

TSR is also pleased to announce that we have made several staffing additions for 2011/2012, but continue to look for another contributor from the QMJHL and a WHL Eastern Conference Contributor. If you have any interest in these positions and believe you could be a strong fit for TSR, please email Scott Campbell at scottcampbell@thescoutingreport.org

Catching up with Eric O’Dell

Scott Campbell — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:48:29 +0000

I had a chance to recently do a quick Q&A with Winnipeg Jets’ prospect Eric O’Dell. The Ottawa, Ont. native is set to enter his first professional hockey season this year with the St. John’s IceCaps after winding down his OHL career with a 44-point season as an overager with the Sudbury Wolves. After spending two seasons getting to know Eric during my time with Sudbury, I know that the Jets organization is getting a quality kid who has persevered through a lot of adversity in his career thus far, and will give everything he has to find a spot into the Jets lineup in the future. Without further ado, here’s my interview with Eric:

O'Dell is looking to exchange his Sudbury Wolves sweater for a St. John's IceCaps jersey in 2011/12.

SC: This season was your fourth and final year in the OHL. After being kept out of the lineup until Christmas due to injury, how would you sum up the season where you were put into more of a leadership role with a younger team?

EO: I think having the opportunity to help the younger guys on the team feel comfortable and help them become accustomed to the OHL is always an honour when you’re looked up to a leader on the team. I relished the opportunity to help them on and off the ice and show them what it takes to be an asset to making our team stronger and more successful.

SC: You’ve had some interesting storylines in your career thus far, taking things back a few years, when you were originally drafted in the 10th round by the Oshawa Generals back in 2006, were you leaning more towards the OHL route or the NCAA route?

EO: I was initially leaning more towards the NCAA route because I wasn’t fortunate enough to make the Oshawa Generals in 2007/08 but when Sudbury eventually traded for my rights at the deadline I decided that the best place for me was in the OHL with the Wolves.

SC: You went on to spend the 2007/08 season playing with the Cumberland Grads in the CJHL (Jr. A) where you and Jason Akeson were two of the most highly coveted players outside the OHL. Later in the year the Generals dealt your rights to the Sudbury Wolves in a deadline deal and you went on to finish the year in the Nickel Capital. Did you feel like Sudbury was a better fit for you in the OHL when you reported?

EO: When I arrived in Sudbury the players and coaching staff on the team treated me a lot like a member of the family and helped ease my transition to the league. It was a good situation for me to play my game without any worries and do my best to help the team succeed.

SC: After bursting onto the scene as a point-per-game player as a 17-year-old you earned a spot on the Canadian Under-18 team and saw your NHL draft stock skyrocket over the span of only a few months. Talk a little bit about the experience of going from being a relatively unnoticed Jr. A player to someone who was representing Canada and becoming a highly coveted prospect in the span of only a year.

EO: I was able to have a pretty good year with the Wolves for the last part of the 2007/08 season which earned me a spot with the Under-18 team in Kazan, Russia. It was a great opportunity to play against some of the top players in the world at my age group and being able to win the gold medal was a tremendous experience that I’ll never forget.

SC: It’s been three years since the Anaheim Ducks took you in the 2nd round, 39th overall at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. How do you think you’ve grown as a player since being picked back in 08?

EO: I think that in the past three years I’ve really worked on getting stronger and faster on the ice. Those are two major areas where I’ve focused on improving and think that picking up more experience and going to NHL camps to skate with professional players has done a lot to show me what it takes to be successful at that level.

SC: For those who don’t know, your rights were eventually dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2009 who have since relocated to become the Winnipeg Jets. What’s it like being apart of essentially three organizations before even playing a game in the NHL or a full-season of professional hockey?

EO: It’s pretty crazy to have all that change before even playing a professional game but it’s not something I’m really focused on or anything. I’m looking forward to working towards eventually making the NHL and I’m really excited at the opportunity to prove that I can make it in the league.

SC: On that notion, you’re joining a franchise that has really seen a lot of change in a short period of time with Winnipeg coming into the NHL and their AHL franchise relocating to St. John’s who haven’t had a professional team since the 2004/05 season. Have you been able to communicate with some of the new staff at all, and how has the transition of relocating gone from your perspective?

EO: I haven’t really spoken with very many staff members yet aside from some of the trainers. They’re obviously still busy getting organized and settling in with all the changes so it’s understandable. I’m really excited to be a part of a Canadian franchise and love the fact that Winnipeg is back in the league and that I can be a part of the organization and hopefully wear that sweater someday.

SC: With this year being your last season of junior hockey, all signs indicate that you’ll have a great shot to play your first professional season with the new St. John’s AHL franchise next year. What have you done this off-season to prepare yourself to make the jump and since you’ve got a small taste of AHL action a season ago, how has that helped you prepare for the challenges ahead and areas where you want to improve your game?

EO: I think I know what the speed of the game is like and the level of strength you need to have to be successful at that level and succeed in pro hockey. I’ve been training 5 times a week as hard as I can in order to ensure that my body is ready to handle the grind and allow me to make a smooth transition to the AHL.

The Blue-Chip Division

Scott Campbell — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:37:13 +0000

You’ll be very hard pressed to find a better group of talent in the Canadian Hockey League as you will in the OHL’s Western Conference this season. Forget about the Western Conference, however, and just look at the West Division alone and you’ll find a remarkable collection of talent that could keep a scout busy for an entire season.

The West Division, featuring: the Plymouth Whalers, Saginaw Spirit, Sarnia Sting, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and Windsor Spitfires, is a division that is already captivating the attention of fans not only from the OHL, but from across Canada and the United States. And for good reason. In a division that features 26 NHL draft picks and counting, including 6 first-round NHL picks, some of the CHL’s top talent will battle it out in the West division over the course of the 2011/12 OHL season. Did I forget to mention that the division also features a few guys named Alexander Galchenyuk, Nail Yakupov, oh and, Nick Ebert.

Leading the way in terms of NHL picks are the Plymouth Whalers, who feature an impressive stable of young players. The forwards are led by a trio of 2011 NHL first rounders with newly committed JT Miller accompanying Ottawa first-round pick Stefan Noesen and Anaheim first-rounder Rickard Rakell. Garrett Meurs was also a 5th rounder in 2011 to Colorado after a bit of a disappointing sophomore season. Carolina 3rd rounder Austin Levi looks to take aim at the US World Junior team this season, while Scott Wedgewood (’10 3rd, NJD) and Matt Mahalak (’11, 6th, CAR) will be arguably the best goaltending tandem in the league. Plymouth’s roster features Tom Wilson and Max Iafrate who are both draft eligible in 2012 and could be mid-round selections with strong seasons.

Alexander Galchenyuk is expected to be one of several players to contend for top honours in 2012.

While Plymouth may have more NHL picks now, the team everyone is looking for is the Sarnia Sting. Fresh off the commitment of Connor Murphy, the Sting also appear to be very close to signing 2011 New Jersey 4th-rounder Reid Boucher. After a flurry of off-season activity, it appears that Jacques Beaulieu is piecing together what could be one of the highest scoring teams in the CHL this season. Alexander Galchenyuk and Nail Yakupov are both coming off sensational rookie seasons and are both aiming to be the first player selected in next June’s NHL Entry Draft, and they’ll have a ton of fire-power up front to support them. Brett Ritchie was a 2nd rounder last June and the team has made some moves to acquire other valuable OHL forwards such as Taylor Carnevale and Ryan Kujiwinski, who was the 4th overall pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Lost in translation could be Swedish forward Ludvig Rensfeldt, who was picked 49th overall by the ting in the import draft. He was taken by the Blackhawks with the 35th pick in last year’s NHL draft and could be yet another high impact forward for the team if he decides to leave Brynas as some are speculating. There’s that Anthony DeAngelo kid they got too. Somehow I don’t think a shortage of talent will be an issue in the Imperial City.

The Saginaw Spirit were another team to bolster their ranks through NCAA additions, getting prized defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to commit to the Spirit for the upcoming season. Oleksiak’s departure from Northeastern came after his previous head coach, Jim Madigan, jumped ship to the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach. Oleksiak joins a very talented team that features the likes of John McFarland, Brandon Saad, Vincent Trocheck, Brandon Archibald, and Anthony Camara. Josh Shalla, who was selected in the 4th round after his third time being draft-eligible, could also be a potential overage candidate if he doesn’t stick in professional hockey. The Spirit’s prized 2012 prospect will be netminder Jake Paterson, who is arguably the top 94 goalie in the OHL and could be among the top goaltending prospects for the 2012 draft.

In a division that features 26 NHL draft picks and counting, including 6 first-round NHL picks, some of the CHL’s top talent will battle it out in the West division over the course of the 2011/12 OHL season.

Rounding out the division is the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires, who are both very talented clubs in their own right. The Spitfires are a bit of a work in progress after several years of dominance and could rebuild their team if the right offers come along this season. More will be expected from Jack Campbell in his second OHL season and he could be a prized piece to be moved at the deadline. 39-goal scorer Tom Kuhnhackl returns for another season as well and could be a 50-goal threat if all goes well this season. Alexander Khokhlachev is one of the most dynamic players in the league and should also be a very dangerous player to watch this season. The Spits also have a trove of young talent on the team and 17-year-old defenseman Nick Ebert headlines the crop of youth. After a very impressive 41-point rookie season, Ebert is poised for a Top-10 selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

There are high expectations for Daniel Catenacci to take the next step in his OHL career this season.

The Greyhounds are continuing a rebuild after a disappointing season a year ago, but the pieces are in place to make a splash next season. With a roster full of returnees, GM Kyle Dubas is hoping that many of his players are able to take the next step as they continue to mature. He’ll need his stars to lead the way and there will be high expectations for former OHL 1st overall pick Daniel Catenacci and fellow 18-year-old center Nick Cousins. The pair of third round picks didn’t quite break out as much as we would have hoped last season but this could be the year for them. Ryan Sproul came out of nowhere to hear his name called in the 2nd round and he’ll be joined by Joe Rogalski on a new-look defense. The Greyhounds also feature two of the better young defensemen in the league with Gianluca Curcuruto who could be a Top-60 pick in 2012, and Darnell Nurse, who was the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection and has all the physical tools to succeed. Goaltending could be a bit of a wildcard but Matt Murray did look good as a 16-year-old last season and should compete for not only the starting job in the Soo, but top goaltending prospect status in the OHL for 2012.

From top to bottom this division should be an absolute treat to watch this season. There is absolutely no shortage of high-end talent spread around these five-teams, and with some of the top prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, that sentiment will continue into the future. Add in the fact that this division will receive even more attention with the decisions from JT Miller, Connor Murphy, Jamie Oleksiak, and potentially Reid Boucher to forgo their NCAA commitments, and you have a division that is a safe-bet to not disappoint during the upcoming season.

Revamping the CHL Subway Super Series

Scott Campbell — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:46:23 +0000

I think I speak for the consensus. The CHL’s Subway Super Series has run its course. The Canada-Russia rivalry has always been on the forefront in hockey, and there’s no doubt that the CHL hoped to capitalize on its popularity when the series – formerly known as the Remax Challenge and ADT Challenge – started back in 2003. Eight editions of the series have since passed, and it’s becoming clear that series is desperately in need of a new injection of life.

Imagine a new CHL Super Series with Nail Yakupov skating alongside the CHL's Top Import Players.

For those who aren’t familiar with the series, every year a Russian hockey team comes to North America to play two games against the respective all-star teams from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. These all-star teams only consist of Canadian born players, and overagers are not eligible to play in the game. Often a Russian player playing in a particular league may suit up with the Russian team for a game as well. In total there are six host cities for the series that runs each November and shifts from Eastern Canada in the QMJHL and eventually ends out west in the WHL.

Only once has the Russian team come away victorious in the series, with 2010 also being the first time in series history they’ve managed more than 2 wins. The series has been marred by issues; such as the Russians sending over weak teams, – not that KHL teams are looking to release their star players in the middle of the season – issues following a ten day series that stretches across Canada, and more recently, host cities struggling to sell out their games.

This brings me to my idea. I like the notion of the Russia-CHL series, but I think the CHL can do better with what it has and it is getting to the point where it’s time to move on towards something new. The three leagues – WHL, OHL, and QMJHL – have evolved their brands considerably over the past decade, and it’s time to realize some of that value. The CHL currently has a trove of European talent playing within the ranks. Why not utilize them? Well that’s a start, but why not take it a step further. The CHL also has a strong contingent of American players across the three leagues, and I think you can see where I’m going with this now.

I’m proposing the idea of a new tournament to replace the Subway Super Series. This tournament would see three teams formed from the ranks of CHL players to create a tournament with Canada, the United States, and Team Europe (or whatever you want to call it).

Here is the rough framework behind the concept:
• 1 Host City
• Tournament spanning from Thursday-Sunday, with each teams playing the other once. The Top two teams go on to play a final game on Sunday. Tiebreakers could be necessary given the fact the “round-robin” would be brief.
• Have a 24-man roster for each team with 8 players on each team coming from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. Additional CHL specific rules such as three overagers could be used to ensure that they are also represented in the series.
• Host Cities would cycle between each of the leagues over a 3-year course in the same way the Memorial Cup process is currently allocated.

Seems simple enough, right? Well I think this type of new tournament could have some legs. First of all, it’s a great opportunity for the league to market what it has. There’s a wealth of young talent playing in the CHL, and those players are not just from Canada. This is a great way for the CHL to showcase what each league has to offer; and a system where players would be prevented from playing due to their nationality.

This has value for national hockey organizations. The current iteration has the series fall in November, a good opportunity for Hockey Canada to evaluate the bulk of the players who will have a shot at cracking the World Junior team in December. Well this format allows other international federations such as USA Hockey and European federations to see how their players stack up at an elite level of competition.

Could this replace the league’s all-star games? That’s a possibility. The OHL didn’t hold an All-Star Game last season due to high costs, difficulty generating exposure, and the number of “extra-curricular” events that already populate the league’s schedule. Would the other leagues consider bypassing their all-star games in favour of a November international showcase of CHL talent? Well that’s a possibility.

This format also has a ton of potential for the CHL and each of its three leagues. An event like this could replace the floundering Super Series with a new marquee event that provides the CHL with a major draw in the first portion of the season to get excited about. The CHL already has a great television setup with Rogers Sportsnet in Canada, and there’s no doubt that this type of showcase could generate national exposure across Canada. Additionally, it would be a hot commodity for CHL franchises to host. Each league could even use it as a trial point to see if a particular city is capable of hosting a larger spectacle, the Memorial Cup.

Finally, you can’t undersell the entertainment value of this tournament. The Subway Super Series has lost its lustre, and even with a fairly competitive Russian team last year, the average fan isn’t following the series throughout, nor do they know anything about the Russian team coming over. Replace that with an abbreviated weekend long showcase featuring CHL players from each league and you might just have something that the fans might be interested in.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this type of setup, whether you’re enticed, or if you think I’m completely out of my mind. But before I leave you, I’ll take a quick stab at putting together some potential rosters for each team if this showcase was held in 2011. Note that I’m almost guaranteed to miss some players so don’t read too much into it.

Remember, though, I’m limiting the teams to only 8 players from each of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. The only issue could be the Team USA as the QMJHL has fewer than 10 American players in the league, and even the WHL has a limited number of quality American players. They could certainly be the team to throw off this concept, and frankly I had a lot of difficulty even putting their team together. Perhaps they may be the team that throws off the 8 players from each league balance, but I’m merely proposing a new idea and it’s far from refined.

Team Canada

Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau (QMJHL) – Ryan Johansen (WHL) – Brett Connolly (WHL)
Tyler Toffoli (OHL) – Sean Couturier (QMJHL) – Ryan Strome (OHL)
Greg McKegg (OHL) – Mark Scheifele (OHL) – Christian Thomas (OHL)
Quinton Howden (WHL) – Phillip Danault (QMJHL) – Mark Stone (WHL)
ex. Michael Bournival (QMJHL), Mark McNeill (WHL)

Defense
Brandon Gormley (QMJHL) – Dougie Hamilton (OHL)
Ryan Murphy (OHL) – Ryan Murray (WHL)
Nathan Beaulieu (QMJHL) – Mark Pysyk (WHL)
ex. Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (QMJHL)

Goaltenders
Mark Visentin (OHL)
Kent Simpson (WHL)
ex. Louis Domingue (QMJHL)

Team USA

Forwards
Stefan Noesen (OHL) – JT Miller (OHL) – Emerson Etem (WHL)
Austin Watson (OHL) – Alexander Galchenyuk (OHL) – Jared Knight (OHL)
Brandon Saad (OHL) – Tyler Maxwell (WHL) – Shane McColgan (WHL)
Shane Prince (OHL) – Vincent Trocheck (OHL) – Jonathan Parker (WHL)

Defense
Jarred Tinordi (OHL) – Austin Levi (OHL)
Nick Ebert (OHL) – Collin Bowman (WHL)
Beau Schmitz (OHL) – Daniel Milan (QMJHL)
ex. Dylan Blujus (OHL)

Goaltenders
Jack Campbell (OHL)
Mac Carruth (WHL)
ex. Michael Houser (OHL)

Team Europe

Forwards
Nail Yakupov (OHL) – Mikhail Grigorenko (QMJHL) – Nino Niederreiter (WHL)
Sven Bartschi (WHL) – Stanislav Galiev (QMJHL) – Tom Kuhnhackl (OHL)
Nicklas Jensen (OHL) – Vladislav Namestnikov (OHL) – Alexander Khohklachev (OHL)
Martin Frk (QMJHL) – Rickard Rakell (OHL) – Tomas Jurco (QMJHL)
ex. Tomas Filippi (QMJHL), Andrej Kudrna (WHL)

Defense
Olli Maatta (OHL) – Martin Marincin (WHL)
David Musil (WHL) – Albin Blomqvist (WHL)
Adam Janosik (QMJHL) – Konrad Abeltshauser (QMJHL)
ex. Martin Gernat (WHL)

Goaltenders
Christopher Gibson (QMHL)
Petr Mrazek (OHL)
ex. Steffan Soberg (WHL)

2011 NHL Entry Draft 1st Round Review

Scott Campbell — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:16:09 +0000

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone. After the seemingly endless banter throughout the past 12 months, all the picks are in, and all the prospect junkies will quickly set their sights on a new target, the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Before we get there, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look and see how our final rankings stacked up against the actual results from June’s NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minn. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the rankings, you can do so here.

By no means is this article intended to serve as a barometer of evaluation in either direction. As we all know, the NHL Draft is always filled with those who fall short of expectations, and those who come from left-field and develop into the type of player that would justify a much higher draft selection. Nonetheless, after taking a week long break from the NHL Draft, it’s time to jump back in and see how we did!

#1. EDM – LC Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer) | TSR Rank: #1 (Even)

Not a surprising pick by any stretch, and a pick that should net the Oilers a very good top-line center for the next 15 years. Nugent-Hopkins is the best player in the draft right now, and with room to fill out a rather boyish body, his ceiling exceeds that of the other players in this crop.

#2. COL – RW Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener) | TSR Rank: #3 (+1)

Colorado is deep down the middle with Stastny, Duchene, O’Reilly, and Hishon waiting in the wings, so it was time to find a winger to replenish the ranks. Landeskog should step in immediate and make a solid two-way impact, which is much needed after the Avalanche shipped out Chris Stewart to St. Louis last season.

#3. FLA – LC Jonathan Huberdeau (Saint John) | TSR Rank: #5 (+2)

Huberdeau had a meteoric rise this season and really showcased himself well on the biggest stage in the QMJHL playoffs, and ultimately, the Memorial Cup. With Florida’s recent roster frenzy completely re-shaping the organization, Huberdeau may be given another year to develop in the QMJHL if the team determines he needs more work.

#4. NJD – RD Adam Larsson (Skelleftea) | TSR Rank: #2 (-2)

Larsson saw his stock fall this year but the 18-year-old Swede still has a tremendous amount of promise. A nice pickup for the Devils, Larsson may not have the high-end upside many believed he had, but he still has a strong framework of skills that will allow him to be a top pairing defenseman in his career.

#5. NYI – RC Ryan Strome (Niagara) | TSR Rank: #9 (+4)

I’ll admit it. I’m an Islanders fan. With that being said, I like the pick here even though it might be a bit bold. Strome has as much offensive upside as anyone in this draft and if he hits his ceiling, he’ll be a terrific addition to what is shaping up to be a very impressive roster on Long Island.

#6. OTT – RC Mika Zibanejad | TSR Rank: #7 (+1)

I really like this pick for Ottawa, and as you’ll see later, what they did with all of their first round picks. Zibanejad has a chance to crack this team in the fall and could develop into a very good top-6 center who can play both ends of the rink and bring a physical dynamic to the game as well.

#7. WPG – RC Mark Scheifele (Barrie) | TSR Rank: #10 (+3)

Anyone who’s been following us this year has probably seen that I’ve been extremely high on Scheifele since September. Winnipeg fans probably wanted Couturier, and they’re going to have to be a little patient with this pick, but I really think Scheifele has a ton of upside and the offensive instincts that can’t be taught. It’s another bold pick, but I really like what the Jets did here.

#8. PHI – LC Sean Couturier (Drummondville) | TSR Rank: #4 (-4)

The first “faller” in our rankings, Couturier is an obvious selection for the Flyers with the pick they obtain through the Jeff Carter trade. I think Couturier got the short end of the stick from a lot of people this season and he’s a guy that could look very nice with Brayden Schenn down the middle for a long-time in Philadelphia. Then again, that’s what we thought about Carter and Richards. If he turns out as well as either of them, it’s a great pick for Philly.

#9. BOS – RD Dougie Hamilton (Niagara) | TSR Rank: #8 (-1)

I’m not a firm believer in Hamilton, but I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt in terms of NHL upside. Boston needed to add a defenseman to its prospect pool with this pick and Hamilton is a good start. I’m not totally sold he’s going to be a “great” NHL defenseman, but he should project as no worse than a second pairing defenseman.

#10. MIN – LD Jonas Brodin (Farjestad) | TSR Rank: #23 (+13)

Brodin was a bit of a surprise to most as I’m sure a lot of people had Klefbom pegged as the Farjestad defenseman to rise in the draft. With that being said, Brodin is a solid selection for Minnesota and a player who has flown under the radar a little bit. He’s a good puck mover with a high hockey IQ and his game has a lot of room to grow moving forward.

#11. COL – LD Duncan Siemens (Saskatoon) | TSR Rank: #14 (+3)

I never really bought into the notion that Siemens would fall and I like that Colorado stepped up to grab him. He’s far from polished and a little rough around the edges, but Siemens is a hard-nosed player who brings it every night. His offensive production is a little inflated, but he’s going to be a nasty guy to play against in the NHL.

#12. CAR – RD Ryan Murphy (Kitchener) | TSR Rank: #6 (-6)

After restocking the cupboard with defense at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Hurricanes get one of the more unique prospects I’ve seen in a while. I was pretty shocked to see Murphy slip out of the Top 10 and I really believe that the risk is well worth the reward. If he pans out, Murphy could be more of a grand-slam than a home-run.

#13. CGY – LW Sven Bartschi (Portland) | TSR Rank: #15 (+2)

A solid pick for the Flames, who as an organization are in dire needs of quality prospects. Bartschi has good offensive upside and doesn’t let his lack of size deter him from making an impact. A solid pick in the teens.

#14. DAL – LD Jamie Oleksiak (Northeastern) | TSR Rank: #22 (+8)

This is a guy who I’m really interested to see how he develops over the next few years. I’m not totally sure what to make of Oleksiak yet, but he’s got a package that is certainly intriguing. Dallas obviously likes the big defenseman and we’ll see how he turns out for them.

#15. NYR – LC JT Miller (USNTDP U18) | TSR Rank: #20 (+5)

Some were likely surprised to find that Miller went off the board before Rocco Grimaldi, but a late season surge was certainly enough to warrant the selection. Miller is a hard-nosed guy who plays a pro-style game. He might not score a ton of points, but he’ll fit in with some of the other gritty forwards that Glen Sather has built his team around.

#16. BUF – RW Joel Armia (Assat) | TSR Rank: #11 (-5)

Armia is a player that was a bit of an enigma this year, and didn’t quite perform to expectations on the big stages. Even though his year wasn’t as strong as most hoped for, he’s a very good goal-scorer with excellent size to boot. For a middle of the first round pick, he’s got pretty good upside.

#17. MTL – LD Nathan Beaulieu (Saint John) | TSR Rank: #16 (-1)

I wasn’t overly surprised to see Beaulieu fall below where some others had pegged him, as I’m not sure there’s a ton of high-end upside with him. While he won’t blow you away, I do like him as a second pairing defenseman who can chip in offensively. He’s got size and has established himself as a technically strong player, definitely nothing to complain about.

#18. CHI – RC Mark McNeill (Prince Albert) | TSR Rank: #13 (-5)

The Blackhawks certainly had to be happy to see McNeill fall into their laps at 18, as the team was definitely looking to bolster it’s depth down the middle. McNeill is a scrappy player with underrated offense. He’ll be a nice addition in the future to a Chicago squad that looks to retool itself after facing the wake of the NHL’s salary cap.

#19. EDM – LD Oscar Klefbom (Farjestad) | TSR Rank: #19 (Even)

Well look at that, we went 2/2 on Edmonton picks. If memory serves correctly, we also got the #19 pick correct a season ago with Nick Bjugstad. On the topic of Klefbom, it’s a nice addition for the Oilers who obviously coveted defense after the selection of Nugent-Hopkins. Klefbom is an intriguing physical package who should be able to crack the lineup within a few seasons.

#20. PHX – RD Connor Murphy (USNTDP U18) | TSR Rank: #31 (+11)

Our first player ranked outside the first round, Murphy had a limited body of work in a season that was hampered by injuries. Despite the limited showing, Murphy regained his form in time for the Under 18′s where he wound up scoring the tournament winning goal. Given his package of skills and size, it looks like a good pick for the Coyotes to work with.

#21. OTT – LW Stefan Noesen (Plymouth) | TSR Rank: #24 (+3)

I was not shocked in the least to see Noesen off the board this early, and am quite glad to see that an NHL team felt the same way I do about him. The first time I saw Noesen last year, I really was impressed with his competitiveness and drive on the ice. He’s not going to be a big-time scorer, but he’s a versatile player who I feel will play well in any role. I liken him to a Chris Kunitz type player.

#22. TOR – RW Tyler Biggs (USNTDP U18) | TSR Rank: #32 (+8)

The second Miami-Ohio commit after Connor Murphy to go in the first round, it really was no surprise to see the Leafs call his name after trading up with Anaheim. I don’t think Biggs is as good as some people may have pegged him, but he’s definitely got some physical jam. He’s a Burke style of player, but he’ll need a few years of seasoning before he’s NHL-ready.

#23. PIT – LD Joe Morrow (Portland) | TSR Rank: #35 (+12)

I think our WHL guys would have liked to have Morrow in this range as opposed to the second round, and they certainly make a compelling case. Morrow is a dependable player with decent offensive upside and good puck moving capability. Not an overly flashy player, but a solid defenseman who has the skating ability and hockey sense to play in the NHL.

#24. OTT – LW Matthew Puempel (Peterborough) | TSR Rank: #12 (-12)

It wasn’t a shock to see Puempel slip after his season-ending hip injury, and this could be a very nice pickup for the Sens, who I already alluded to as having a very good first round. Puempel is as good of a goal-scorer in this draft as any. He’s got a great shot and an even better release. I think his overall game still needs work, but at 24, this is a very nice pick.

#25. TOR – LD Stuart Percy (Mississauga) | TSR Rank: #53 (+28)

Our first “wtf” pick is bittersweet because for those of you who have read our Eastern Conference Draft Sleepers from the beginning of the year, I actually labelled Percy as a potential “late first-round pick”. I think that while I started high on him and trailed off as the year went on, others took the inverse route. I like the pick for Toronto, but I’m not sure he has a defining physical quality that a player in this range should have. If he can get by on hockey sense alone, the Leafs may have got the smartest defenseman in the draft, however.

#26. CHI – LW Phillip Danault (Victoriaville) | TSR Rank: #46 (+22)

Danault is not a player that screams “first-round” to me, and I was a little surprised to see him taken on the Friday evening. Chicago went off the board a bit with Kevin Hayes last year so it’s nothing new to the Blackhawks. Danault does a lot of things well, and we’ll see how he develops over the next few seasons.

#27. TBL – LC Vladislav Namestnikov (London) | TSR Rank: #17 (-10)

I wasn’t too sure where Namestnikov would go in the draft but I definitely think the Lightning made a good pick here. Namestnikov is definitely raw, and weak. While he sorrily needs to add bulk to his frame, Namestnikov is a tremendously skilled player who does so many things you can’t appreciate until you see him consistently. For the end of the first-round, I really like this one for Tampa.

#28. MIN – RW Zack Phillips (Saint John) | TSR Rank: #26 (-2)

The third and final Sea Dog to go on Day 1 was Fredericton, NB native Zach Phillips. I think he may be a little under-appreciated much like Brett MacLean was in 2007 and has more NHL potential than some give him credit for. He’s got a few years in the AHL ahead of him, but with some time I think he could be a player.

#29. VAN – RW Nicklas Jensen (Oshawa) | TSR Rank: #22 (-7)

The Stanley Cup finalists go for a boom or bust type pick with the big Dane. Jensen can be simply dominant when he’s on his game, and nearly invisible when he’s not. The opportunity to pick up a gamebreaker at the end of the first round is still a nice opportunity, and one that is well worth the risk.

#30. ANA – RC Rickard Rakell (Plymouth) | TSR Rank: #45 (+15)

After moving down in a deal with the Maple Leafs, the Ducks capped off the first round by selecting another Plymouth Whaler. I honestly had a feeling that someone might take Rakell in the first round, and his chippy two-way play is certainly the reason for it. I’m not totally sure if he’s going to have that much offensive upside, but he’s a smart player who understands how to take care of his defensive responsibilities.

Overall, I think we did a pretty good job of evaluating this crop. We had 24/30 first rounders when it was all said and done (assuming I can count), and did a pretty good job of placing them in their respective ranges. A mock draft, however, is not our goal, and we enjoy placing players where we accurately feel they should be. One day we can maybe look back on this and see if we were actually geniuses, or just way out-to-lunch. Either way, it’s definitely an exciting process to go through with the team here at TSR, and we really enjoy providing this type of coverage.

Stay tuned as later this week we’ll be reviewing the other 70 skaters from our Top 100 rankings to see how we did with the rest of our rankings for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.