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#8. Nino Niederreiter | RW | Portland (WHL)

Date of Birth: September 8th, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 201lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 65GP 36G 24A 60P 68PIM
Playoffs | 13GP 8G 8A 16P 16PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 10 | Position Rank: 5th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd WHL | Country Rank: 1st Switzerland

After being the 2nd overall pick of the 2009 CHL Import Draft, high expectations were placed on this product of Switzerland. Over the course of the year, he has not only exceeded those expectations, but created even loftier ones based on his international play.

Niederreiter had a strong start to the season with Portland and was then selected to play for Switzerland at the World Juniors. Despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament, he carried the Swiss team to an upset win over the heavily-favoured Russian squad and into a surprising 4th place showing at the tournament. After returning back to Portland, Niederreiter’s play tailed off as he possibly got fatigued by the long WHL season. After helping Portland advance to the 2nd round of the WHL playoffs, he was again summoned for international duty, this time to the Swiss National team to play at the World Championships.

A high game total seemed to play a part in Niederreiter hitting a wall after the World Juniors. Going into the WJC, Nino had 23 goals and 41 points through the season’s first 37 games. Post WJC, Niederreiter managed just 13 goals and 19 points in the following 28 games. He seemed to get going again for Portland in time for their playoff run where he put up 8 goals and 16 points in 13 playoff games.

Niederreiter has shown great hands and a very quick release. He loves to finish his checks and be involved in the game physically. He is a thick body who is strong on his skates. His skating is decent from a technical perspective, but he must improve in both his ability to accelerate and his top-end speed.

Niederreiter is more NHL-ready than many players in the draft despite being one of the youngest players eligible. Expect him however to return to the WHL and have another strong year as he continues to adapt to the longer NHL-style seasons. Nino will likely be the second player chosen from the WHL in this year’s upcoming NHL draft and should come off the board in the 7 to 12 range. His play this season should make him the highest drafted Swiss player of all-time.

Pros: Great combination of skill and size, Great Shot, Clutch, Physicality and Intensity, Excellent International Resume, nearly an entire year younger than some other players in the draft

Cons: Speed and acceleration, temper sometimes gets the best of him

Skillset Comparison: Erik Cole

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Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (1-30) (10)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• #9. Mikael Granlund – 2010 Scouting Report (1)
• #7. Vladimir Tarasenko – 2010 Scouting Report (0)

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Thanks for checking out TSR’s NHL Draft Final Rankings for 2010. It’s been a very tumultuous and exciting season in the world of hockey, especially the world of hockey prospects. Amidst all of the fluctuation, our contributors and sources have played a major part in helping to compile this Top 100 list for your viewing. I’d like to thank our entire team for all of their hard work this season, and hope that you enjoy what we’ve been able to produce!

- Scott Campbell

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#1. Taylor Hall  | LW | Windsor (OHL)

Date of Birth: November 14th, 1991
Height: 6.01
Weight: 185lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 57GP 40G 66A 106P 56PIM
Playoffs | 19GP 17G 18A 35P 32PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 1 | Position Rank: 1st Forwards
League Rank: 1st OHL | Country Rank: 1st Canada

Hall remains a top the rankings after a very strong year where he performed very well at the World Juniors, as well as in the playoffs and in the Memorial Cup. Hall is the most dynamic forward in the draft with tremendous skating ability and the type of player who can make something happen out of nothing. Still has to work on bringing a complete game to the table, but he’s definitely a franchise type player. If you want to read more about Taylor Hall check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#2. Tyler Seguin | C | Plymouth (OHL)

Date of Birth: January 31st, 1992
Height: 6.01
Weight: 186lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 63GP 48G 58A 106P 54PIM
Playoffs | 9GP 5G 5A 10P 8PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 2 | Position Rank: 2nd Forwards
League Rank: 2nd OHL | Country Rank: 2nd Canada

Seguin was one of the biggest surprises of the season, quickly putting himself into legitimate contention for the number one selection. His game is a little different then Hall’s, as he sees the ice a bit better and distributes the puck well, but they’re both very similar at this point, if not interchangeable. Either way, he’s secured himself a spot in the top two in June. If you want to read more about Tyler Seguin check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#3. Erik Gudbranson | D | Kingston (OHL)

Date of Birth: January 7th, 1992
Height: 6.03
Weight: 199lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 41GP 2G 21A 23P 68PIM
Playoffs | 7GP 1G 2A 3P 6PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 4 | Position Rank: 1st Defensemen
League Rank: 3rd OHL | Country Rank: 3rd Canada

Gudbranson had a very strong sophomore year despite having the season hampered by an injury as well as a lengthy bout with mono. He’s a big, raw defenseman, who has considerable upside that should come to fruition in the next few seasons. He oozes class and has exceptional character as well and has captain material in him down the road. If you want to read more about Erik Gudbranson check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#4. Brandon Gormley | D | Moncton (QMJHL)

Date of Birth: February 18th, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 190lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 58GP 9G 34A 43P 54PIM
Playoffs | 17GP 2G 15A 17P 8PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 5 | Position Rank: 2nd Defensemen
League Rank: 1st QMJHL | Country Rank: 4th Canada

He might not blow you away on the ice, but Gormley is a very effective puck moving defenseman who can play in all situations. He skates well and thinks the game equally well and is a strong defender in his own zone. Offensively he’s starting to utilize his shot a lot more and has the tools to be a very capable point contributor. If you want to read more about Brandon Gormley check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#5. Cam Fowler | D | Windsor (OHL)

Date of Birth: December 6th, 1991
Height: 6.02
Weight: 190lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 55GP 8G 47A 55P 14PIM
Playoffs | 19GP 3G 11A 14P 10PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 3 | Position Rank: 3rd Defensemen
League Rank: 4th OHL | Country Rank: 1st USA

After coming into the season as an expected challenger for the top slot, Fowler was a bit of a disappointment and had his game overshadowed by some of the other defensemen in the draft. His ability to move the puck effectively and skate well for a big guy are good intangibles, but he doesn’t use his size enough and is often too hesitant to shoot the puck. Should be a safe bet to develop into a reliable defender, but his ability to reach his high end potential at the NHL level is questionable. If you want to read more about Cam Fowler check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#6. Brett Connolly | RW | Prince George (WHL)

Date of Birth: May 2nd, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 181lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 16GP 10G 9A 19P 8PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 6 | Position Rank: 3rd Forwards
League Rank: 1st WHL | Country Rank: 5th Canada

Struggled to stay healthy all season after battling a hip flexor injury throughout most of the year. Despite the injury concerns, Connolly has proven that he is a very capable goal scorer, albeit not a very flashy one. Plays a hard game and loves to play around the net. Has a lot of pro qualities in his game that projects well to the next level. If you want to read more about Brett Connolly check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#7. Vladimir Tarasenko | LW | Sibir (KHL)

Date of Birth: December 13th, 1991
Height: 6.00
Weight: 175lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 42GP 13G 11A 24P 18PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 7 | Position Rank: 4th Forwards
League Rank: 1st KHL | Country Rank: 1st Russia

An explosive player who has exceptional vision and goal scoring ability. He skates very well and is slippery on the ice as he finds ways to break down a defense. There will be major concerns about his KHL contract which could cause him to slip, but based on pure talent alone, his name definitely belongs in this range. If you want to read more about Vladimir Tarasenko check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#8. Nino Niederreiter | RW | Portland (WHL)

Date of Birth: September 8th, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 201lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 65GP 36G 24A 60P 68PIM
Playoffs | 13GP 8G 8A 16P 16PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 10 | Position Rank: 5th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd WHL | Country Rank: 1st Switzerland

A big, gritty winger who plays a pro style game. Niederreiter had a very strong first season in North America where he adjusted very well to the WHL and capitalized on the score sheet as well. His real coming out party was at the World Junior Championships where he was among the top forwards at the event. If you want to read more about Nino Niederreiter check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#9. Mikael Granlund | C | HIFK (SM-Liiga)

Date of Birth: February 26th, 1992
Height: 5.10
Weight: 176lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 25GP 39G 34A 73P 38PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 9 | Position Rank: 6th Forwards
League Rank: 1st SM-Liiga | Country Rank: 1st Finland

If Granlund was a little bigger and skated a little bit better, you’d likely be hearing his name tossed around in the Top 2 or 3 of the draft. Working with the package that’s here, however, Granlund is still a very worthy NHL prospect. He’s got great skills and had a great opportunity to play heavy minutes in a men’s league this season. He competes hard and doesn’t give up on battles, either. If you want to read more about Mikael Granlund check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#10. Derek Forbort | D | USNTDP (USHL)

Date of Birth: March 4th, 1992
Height: 6.04
Weight: 195lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 26GP 4G 10A 14P 26PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 11 | Position Rank: 4th Defensemen
League Rank: 1st USHL | Country Rank: 2nd USA

He’s definitely a bit of a project, but it could pay off in spades if everything pans out. Forbort is a great skater for his size, has a lot of raw athleticism and once he fills out, could be a physical force. On ice decisions need to improve, as well as his footwork, but these skills will develop as he spends time at North Dakota. If you want to read more about Derek Forbort check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#11. Ryan Johansen | C | Portland (WHL)

Date of Birth: July 31st, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 180lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 71GP 25G 44A 69P 53PIM
Playoffs | 13GP 6G 12A 18P 18PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 41 | Position Rank: 7th Forwards
League Rank: 3rd WHL | Country Rank: 6th Canada

Johansen is certainly relishing his decision to sign with Portland this year and forgo college opportunities, as it’s unlikely he would find his name in this range if he had of. One of the biggest risers this season, Johansen has a great combination of size and skill and elevated his game even further in the playoffs. If you want to read more about Ryan Johansen check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#12. Alexander Burmistrov | C | Barrie (OHL)

Date of Birth: October 21st, 1991
Height: 6.00
Weight: 170lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 62GP 22G 43A 65P 49PIM
Playoffs | 17GP 8G 8A 16P 22PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 12 | Position Rank: 8th Forwards
League Rank: 5th OHL | Country Rank: 2nd Russia

Another European who found a lot of success in the CHL, Burmistrov really bolstered his draft stock this year. He is one of the most talented players in the draft, with elite hands and skating ability. He also is very reliable as a two-way player and sees a lot of time on the penalty kill. Consistency is an issue at this point, but there are comparisons to a young Pavel Datsyuk. If you want to read more about Alexander Burmistrov check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#13. Mark Pysyk | D | Edmonton (WHL)

Date of Birth: November 27th, 1991
Height: 6.01
Weight: 173lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 48GP 7G 17A 24P 47PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 14 | Position Rank: 5th Defensemen
League Rank: 4th WHL | Country Rank: 7th Canada

Pysyk is a solid all around defenseman who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes on the ice. Despite playing on one of the worst teams in the CHL, where he has to log a considerable amount of minutes, Pysyk is a calming force on the blue line. His offensive ability is starting to come around, but he’ll be a real safe pick in the mid teens. If you want to read more about Mark Pysyk check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#14. Austin Watson | RW | Peterborough (OHL)

Date of Birth: January 13th, 1992
Height: 6.03
Weight: 171lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 52GP 20G 34A 54P 22PIM
Playoffs | 4GP 2G 0A 2P 2PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 23 | Position Rank: 9th Forwards
League Rank: 6th OHL | Country Rank: 3rd USA

Watson really emerged after a trade sent him from the Windsor Spitfires to the Peterborough Petes. Despite missing some time with an injury, Watson proved that he could deliver offensively with a good opportunity to do so. He still has to fill out, but his willingness to compete and do the little things such as block shots on the penalty kill are valuable assets to any team. If you want to read more about Austin Watson check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#15. Emerson Etem | C | Medicine Hat (WHL)

Date of Birth: June 16th, 1992
Height: 6.00
Weight: 174lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 72GP 37G 28A 65P 26PIM
Playoffs | 12GP 7G 3A 10P 0PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 21 | Position Rank: 10th Forwards
League Rank: 5th WHL | Country Rank: 4th USA

Has a bit of an awkward stride, but make no mistake, Etem can score goals with the best of them. Works hard to gain puck possession and has the ability to capitalize on chances in the offensive zone. He’s a player that will be in high demand on draft day. If you want to read more about Emerson Etem check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#16. Evgeny Kuznetsov | RW | Traktor (KHL)

Date of Birth: May 19th, 1992
Height: 6.00
Weight: 174lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 35GP 2G 7A 9P 10PIM
Playoffs | 4GP 1G 0A 1P 0PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 17 | Position Rank: 11th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd KHL | Country Rank: 3rd Russia

Kuznetsov is an extremely talented player who has the prototypical package of elite offensive skills. There will be concerns about him re-signing with Traktor which will likely cause him to fall, and some issues with undisciplined play and an on ice temper are cons to his game, but the upside to be a point producer at the NHL level is certainly present. If you want to read more about Evgeny Kuznetsov check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#17. Jon Merrill | D | USNTDP (USHL)

Date of Birth: February 3rd, 1992
Height: 6.03
Weight: 205lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 22GP 1G 8A 9P 12PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 19 | Position Rank: 6th Defensemen
League Rank: 2nd USHL | Country Rank: 5th USA

After a bit of an underwhelming start to the season, Merrill alleviated a lot of concerns with a good finish to the year. His combination of size, skill and intensity is hard to overlook and while his play in the USNTDP has been less then stellar, he’s still a player with a lot of potential. He’ll be attending the University of Michigan, but his style of play is tailor made for professional hockey. If you want to read more about Jon Merrill check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#18. Jeff Skinner | C | Kitchener (OHL)

Date of Birth: May 16th, 1992
Height: 5.10
Weight: 182lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 64GP 50G 40A 90P 72PIM
Playoffs | 20GP 20G 13A 33P 14PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 20 | Position Rank: 12th Forwards
League Rank: 7th OHL | Country Rank: 8th Canada

Nobody scored more goals then Jeff Skinner in the CHL this season, and it’s been a year where he’s served notice to many that he’s a first round talent. While the statistics are certainly gaudy, his lack of size and quickness are concerns that he might have a lot more trouble scoring at the NHL level, when playing against bigger and faster defensemen. He’s a bit of a risk, but he’s definitely worth the risk at this point in the first round. If you want to read more about Jeff Skinner check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#19. Nick Bjugstad | C | Blaine (HS-Minnesota)

Date of Birth: July 17th, 1992
Height: 6.04
Weight: 188lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 25GP 29G 31A 60P 24PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 15 | Position Rank: 13th Forwards
League Rank: 1st HS-Minnesota | Country Rank: 6th USA

Bjugstad had a tremendous season with Blaine, winning the Minnesota Mr. Hockey award as the top high school hockey player in the state. He’s a huge, imposing center, who plays effectively at both ends of the ice. He’s set to attend the University of Minnesota where he should be able to step in and contribute right away. If you want to read more about Nick Bjugstad check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#20. Quinton Howden | LW | Moose Jaw (WHL)

Date of Birth: January 21st, 1992
Height: 6.03
Weight: 183lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 65GP 28G 37A 65P 44PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 18 | Position Rank: 14th Forwards
League Rank: 6th WHL | Country Rank: 9th Canada

The former first overall pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, Howden was a very strong player for the Warriors this year as a sophomore. He’s one of the top skaters in the CHL, and has an effortless stride. Put that in combination with a good scorer’s touch and a 6’3″ frame and you have the makings of a quality winger with good professional potential. If you want to read more about Quiton Howden check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#21. Jack Campbell | G | USNTDP (USHL)

Date of Birth: January 9th, 1992
Height: 6.03
Weight: 175lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 6-3-1 2.21GAA .917SV% 1SO
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: NR | Position Rank: 1st Goalies
League Rank: 3rd USHL | Country Rank: 7th USA

Campbell is the best goalie available in the draft. Very strong technically, he takes up a lot of space in the net and finds ways to win games, especially big games, such as the Gold Medal Game at the World Juniors as a 17 year old. He could go a lot higher if a team decides they want to step up and take a goalie. He’ll be joining the Windsor Spitfires next year. If you want to read more about Jack Campbell check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#22. Tyler Pitlick | C | Minnesota State (NCAA)

Date of Birth: November 1st, 1991
Height: 6.02
Weight: 194lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 38GP 11G 8A 19P 27PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: NR | Position Rank: 15th Forwards
League Rank: 1st NCAA | Country Rank: 8th USA

After a very impressive high school career in Minnesota, Pitlick continued to be an impact player with Minnesota State Mankato this season. He’s got a big frame and plays an edgy game but has the ability to put the puck in the net. He’s been a bit of a surprise this season, but he looks like he’s going to be a good pro prospect. There are a couple indications circulating that he might be willing to jump ship to the WHL for a season before turning professional. If you want to read more about Tyler Pitlick check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#23. Jordan Weal | C | Regina (WHL)

Date of Birth: April 15th, 1992
Height: 5.10
Weight: 162lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 72GP 35G 67A 102P 54PIM
Playoffs | n/a
TSR Midterm Rank: 28 | Position Rank: 16th Forwards
League Rank: 7th WHL | Country Rank: 10th Canada

What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in sheer offensive talent. A very good skater, Weal is one of the best playmakers available in this draft, and helped Jordan Eberle much more then some give him credit for. Weal sees the ice very well and has the skills to make plays that few other players in this draft can make. He’ll be a bit of a risk, but if a team is willing to take a chance, they might hit a home run with Weal. If you want to read more about Jordan Weal check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#24. Dylan McIlrath | D | Moose Jaw (WHL)

Date of Birth: April 20th, 1992
Height: 6.04
Weight: 212lbs.
Shoots: R
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 65GP 7G 17A 24P 169PIM
Playoffs | 7GP 0G 1A 1P 21PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 33 | Position Rank: 7th Defensemen
League Rank: 8th WHL | Country Rank: 11th Canada

McIlrath is a physical warrior and a player that you hate to play against. He’s big, imposing, physical and one of the better fighters in the WHL, all making up for an intimidating package. His puck skills need to continue to improve, but the attributes he brings to the table will put a smile on the face of a lot of NHL General Managers. If you want to read more about Dylan McIlrath check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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#25. Jaden Schwartz | C | Tri-City (USHL)

Date of Birth: June 25th, 1992
Height: 5.10
Weight: 193lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 60GP 33G 50A 83P 18PIM
Playoffs | 3GP 3G 0A 3P 0PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 29 | Position Rank: 17th Forwards
League Rank: 4th USHL | Country Rank: 12th Canada

He was the leading scorer in the USHL this season as a rookie, and really put his name on the map. The offensive skill is his primary asset, he sees the ice well and has the ability to create chances whenever he gets the opportunity to handle the puck. Size is a bit of an issue, but he’ll be going to Colorado College next year to spend some time in the NCAA. There are rumours he might be pushed to the WHL route, however. If you want to read more about Jaden Schwartz check out our in-depth scouting report on him here

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Be sure to check out the rest of our Top 100: (1-25) (26-50) (51-75) (76-100)

Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (1-30) (10)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 15 Rankings (16)
• Mid-Season 2010 OHL Top 50 (3)
• OHL Set to Dominate the NHL Draft Yet Again (0)
• WHL Feature: Eastern Conference Prospects Review (0)

Update: Be sure to check out our most up to date rankings here

Be sure to check out TSR’s second half of the 2010 Mid-Term Rankings with players from 31-60.
http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsrs-2010-nhl-draft-midterm-rankings-top-60-skaters-3160/

#1. taylor HALL | LW | Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Once declared the undisputed number one in 2010, Taylor Hall now has a lot of competition from Tyler Seguin for the top spot. Blessed with a potent combination of terrific speed and offensive skill, Hall is a dynamic player with the ability to be a game breaker at any given time. He was impressive at the WJC U20, with 6 goals and 12 points through only 6 games, but scouts will be looking to see if Hall can once again lead his Windsor club down the stretch and continue to show more focus towards the defensive zone as well. With that being said, Hall has all but locked up one of the top two spots in the draft and will surely be moving on to the NHL next season.

#2. tyler SEGUIN | RC | Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

After an impressive rookie season with Plymouth a season ago, Seguin has really come out from the shadows to be a top contender for the number one pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He currently leads the OHL in points, and is only two goals back for the league lead in that department. Seguin is tremendously talented and arguably the most dangerous player in the offensive zone in this draft. He’s a very good skater and his hands, shot and creativity are all tools that will help him put up a lot of points at the NHL level. One concern for Seguin is his lack of commitment to the defensive zone, and that will be something that has to be addressed when he moves on to the next level.

#3. cam FOWLER | LD | Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Fowler landed in the OHL this season after a controversial decision to re-neg on his commitment to the University of Notre Dame. Since joining the Spitfires, Fowler has quickly established himself as one of the top defenseman in the league, showing why he has been so highly regarded. He’s a smooth skating defenseman who can really break a team down with his strong transition play. On the powerplay he’s an effective distributor, but could probably afford to shoot the puck a bit more. Scouts also would probably like to see Fowler utilize his size more as it is surely an asset to his game. Fowler was particularly strong in the World Junior’s with the United States which may cement his place in the Top 3.

#4. erik GUDBRANSON | RD | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

It’s been a bit of a tough season for Erik Gudbranson, for all the wrong reasons. Despite some very good on ice play that has really elevated his draft stock, an early season knee injury sidelined him early before being diagnosed with mono in early January which has still kept him out of the Frontenacs lineup. Limited to only 25 games so far, Gudbranson has still managed to show a lot of the potential he possesses in his game. Gudbranson is a very good skater for his size, and has been a lot more involved offensively this year. He competes hard and isn’t afraid to play physical, which are all assets that will ease his transition to the NHL. If Gudbranson can regain his touch prior to his bout with mono when he returns, he could very well give Cam Fowler a run for the #3 slot, but if not, he might slip a few spots as well.

#5. brandon GORMLEY | LD | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Gormley has really raised his stock this season prior to suffering an injury recently against Drummondville. The one thing about his game is that he definitely isn’t the most flashy player, but he’s a guy that provides a lot of substance in his game. Gormley skates well and is very mobile, aiding his transition game. He has a strong point shot and has really benefited from a lot of powerplay time this season as well. He could still stand to add some strength to his frame and compete harder, but those are things that should come with time. At this point he’s likely a sure fire Top 5 pick, but he’ll have no shortage of challengers behind him.

#6. brett CONNOLLY | RW | Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Like Gudbranson, Brett Connolly’s season has also been derailed by injury, only his injury being a lot more serious. Connolly’s hip has given him significant problems this season and has limited him to dressing in a mere 12 games for the Cougars this year. The timetable for his return is still unclear, but it’s certainly possible that the injury could keep him out of the Top 10 at the draft. Putting aside the injury, however, it’s clear that Connolly is one of the better goal scorers in this draft. While he doesn’t have a particularly dominating aspect of his game, he has an innate ability to drive the net and capitalize on his opportunities in tight. If Connolly can get back into the lineup in the next few weeks, there will be a lot of pressure on him to find his scoring touch immediately and alleviate any concerns that scouts may have about his injury.

#7. vladimir TARASENKO | LW | Sibir (KHL)

One player who’s draft stock has risen tremendously this year is dynamic Russian forward Vladimir Tarasenko. After being on many pre-season Top 20′s, Tarasenko has steadily worked himself into the Top 8 with some strong play throughout the season. He’s one of the most creative offensive forwards in the draft, which is one of the main reasons why he’s seen so much ice time in the KHL this season with Sibir. At the World Juniors, Tarasenko missed finishing on a few chances, but still showcased his scoring touch, finishing 4 goals in only 6 games played for the Russians. While the so called “Russian Factor” will likely work against Tarasenko come draft day, there is no doubting that he has established himself as a Top 10 talent in the 2010 Entry Draft.

#8. kirill KABANOV | LW | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

On the flip side from Tarasenko, one player who’s stock has been hit this year is Kirill Kabanov. Previously considered to be a challenger for top honours in the draft, Kabanov’s season has been a bit of a mess thus far. After lengthy deliberations finally concluded with Kabanov being granted his freedom to leave the KHL and play for Moncton, Kabanov only managed 11 games before he injured his wrist in November, causing him to miss the World Juniors as well as the Top Prospects game. He’s expected to return from the injury in mid February, which gives him a limited window to showcase his abilities and work his way back up the draft board.

#9. mikael GRANLUND | LC | HIFK (SM-Liiga)

After a controversial transfer from Karpat to HIFK at the start of the season, Granlund jumped out of the gates with his new club as one of the top offensive threats in the entire SM-Liiga. His strong play earned Granlund a lot of top five consideration but after a somewhat underwhelming World Junior performance, he’s negated much of his early poise. Granlund might be a bit of a risky pick given that he is an undersized forward who doesn’t skate particularly well for his size. Overlooking that, however, Granlund is one of the top playmaking forwards available in this draft. He sees the ice extremely well and is very talented, and even competes hard for a player of his stature.

#10. nino NIEDERREITER | RW | Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Every season the World Juniors proves to be a place where a few players really bolster their draft stock, and this was the case with Switzerland native Nino Niederreiter. After coming over to play in the WHL this season, Niederreiter has been a strong player for the Winterhawks showing a combination of skill and physical play which has eased his transition to Canadian Junior Hockey. There’s no doubt that his play at the World Juniors really solidified his place in the top half of the first round as Niederreiter was one of the better players at the entire tournament despite being only 17 years old. He’ll be expected to parlay some of that success into a strong playoff run with the Winterhawks, as they have loaded up for a playoff run this season.

#11. derek FORBORT | LD | US Under 18 Team (USHL)

After an underwhelming draft year for NTDP defensemen last season, the 2010 crop will certainly change that tune, highlighted by Minnesota native Derek Forbort. After making the decision to leave Minnesota High School last year and join the US Under 18 Team this year, Forbort’s draft stock has really taken off. He’s got a big frame with a lot of raw ability for the future. He’s a very good skater and has strong agility which makes moving the puck a lot easier for him. His offensive game hasn’t quite come around, but there is some potential for that aspect of his game to develop over the next few years which could make him a very good NHL defenseman.

#12. alexander BURMISTROV | LC | Barrie Colts (OHL)

Burmistrov has been one of the biggest surprises in the OHL this season, playing a key role for one of the top junior teams in the CHL, the Barrie Colts. He’s got a ton of speed, with the potential for more if he can improve his skating technique a bit, and the offensive potential is definitely well beyond the numbers he’s put up this season. While he can be guilty of trying to do to much sometimes, part of the reason why Burmistrov is only slightly over a PPG is because he is very aware of his defensive responsibilities. He’s a very good penalty killer as well as being a hard back-checker which are both definite assets. Burmistrov might not be a Top 10 pick this year, or even a Top 15 pick come draft time, but he’s got a lot of tools to be a very good two way NHL center down the road.

#13. john MCFARLAND | LW | Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

One of the biggest fallers so far this season is the 2008 1st overall pick from the OHL, John McFarland. After what was a fairly underwhelming rookie season a year ago, McFarland has really struggled to improve this year despite a strong showing with Team Canada at the Under 18′s last summer. McFarland has NHL speed and an NHL shot, but his lack of hockey sense and troubling positional play have really been detriments to his overall play. It’s likely that he’ll go a bit higher then #13 as a team will likely see a lot of pro potential in him, and if he’s willing to show a better commitment to playing a two way game and paying the price, there’s a good chance that gamble could pay off. Looking back on this draft, McFarland could be the type of player who turns out to be a much better pro player then junior player because of the pace he plays the game at.

#14. mark PYSYK | RD | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Despite playing for one of the weakest teams in the WHL his entire career, Pysyk has continued to develop nicely over the past three seasons. He certainly isn’t the most flashy defenseman, but he plays a panic free game that coaches love. Pysyk can play in all situations and is good in transition despite still needing to work on his feet a bit. His ceiling may not be as high as some of the other players in the draft, but you have to think he’s probably going to be a sure bet for the Top 15 at this point as his game really projects well to the pro level.

#15. nick BJUGSTAD | RC | Blaine HS (USHS)

It’s pretty easy to label Nick Bjugstad as this year’s version of Zack Budish, hopefully without any injury setbacks. The 6’4″ 188lbs center highlights what promises to be one of the strongest Minnesota high school crops in recent years. Bjugstad moves very well for a big man and can really break down a defense with his speed and skill. He also competes hard on a consistent basis, and once he fills out his lanky frame, he could add a valuable physical dimension to his game. While he could be a bit of a risk at #15, a team with a solid prospect pool could hit a home run if Bjugstad pans out. He currently is committed to the University of Minnesota next year for the 2010/2011 season.

#16. ryan SPOONER | LC | Peterborough Petes (OHL)

It’s been a breakout season for Peterborough’s Ryan Spooner, who took the reins of the team even before the Petes shipped Zack Kassian off to Windsor. The undersized center has an abundance of offensive skill and is one of the premier talents of the 2010 crop. While his numbers might not be gaudy, there is no question that given a better set of linemates, he could be in the Top 10 in league scoring. The knock on Spooner has always been his defensive play, but he has shown an improved focus on that aspect of the game this year which is a positive sign. Unfortunately for Spooner, however, he recently broke his collarbone which will put him out of action for roughly two months, which could cause his draft stock to take a bit of a tumble.

#17. evgeny KUZNETSOV | RW | Traktor (KHL)

With a talent like Kuznetsov potentially lurking in the middle of the first round, he could be an absolute gem to pick up. The 17 year old Russian has spent the season getting limited ice time in the KHL with Traktor, before having a solid showing at the World Juniors, scoring two goals for the Russians. He’s one of the most raw talented players available in this draft, and has the ability to make plays in the offensive zone that very few others can make. He’s still pretty raw this point, and he needs to add some much needed strength, but Russian factor aside, he’ll be a very intriguing prospect to watch in the second half, especially at the Under 18′s.

#18. quinton HOWDEN | LW | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

The first overall pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, Howden was somewhat lost in translation playing with Moose Jaw last season after putting up mediocre stats for a top pick. This season, however, Howden has elevated his game to a new level, finding his scoring touch while still playing his two-way style of game. His potential at the NHL level is likely as a solid two-way forward who has some physicality, but there is no doubt that his style of play will peak the interest of many NHL teams.

#19. jon MERRILL | LD | US Under 18 Team (USHL)

If you compiled 2010 rankings two years ago, you’d probably be hard pressed to find scouts who could find a better player than Jon Merrill, but oh how things change. Fast forward to January 2010, and Merrill is suddenly finding himself on the verge of slipping out of the first round. For being one of the most dominant 15 year old players in quite some time, Merrill simply hasn’t progressed at the rate many would have expected. He does have some good raw tools, including his size and skating ability, but the total package hasn’t quite come together and his offensive game has left something to be desired. Merrill is a player that definitely needs to have an impressive second half of the season to alleviate a lot of the concerns about his game.

#20. jeff SKINNER | LC | Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Very few would have been able to predict that Jeff Skinner would be the OHL leader in goals in January at the start of the season, but that is the case right now. Skinner has taken off this season with the resurgent Kitchener Rangers, establishing himself as one of the most potent snipers in the Canadian Hockey League. Skinner’s ability to lurk in the offensive zone and jump on opportunities will surely be enough for a team to take him in Round 1, but there will be some concerns over his transition to the pros. Skinner’s skating still needs some refinement, especially given his stature. There will also be some risk associated with his ability to handle the physical game of the NHL, as he will struggle to find the time and space he does at this level.

#21. emerson ETEM | RC | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Etem has been one of the biggest surprises this year, taking the WHL by storm after flying under the radar a year ago with the NTDP U17 team. One of the first things you’ll notice about Etem is his skating stride, which is one of the most awkward and unique strides out there, especially for a player of his caliber. Putting that aside, he’s one of the top snipers available in this draft. Etem loves to shoot from anywhere and has the ability to pick corners all over the offensive zone. If he continues his torrid goal scoring pace, he could climb up into the mid teens, but concerns about his overall game and skating will likely prevent him from reaching the top half of the first round.

#22. riley SHEAHAN | LC | Notre Dame (NCAA)

Sheahan, a late 1991 birthdate, spent the last two seasons playing Jr. B in Ontario with the St. Catherines Falcons. After putting up some gaudy numbers there, he moved on to the University of Notre Dame this season where he has been having a pretty successful season as a true freshman for Jeff Jackson’s squad. Sheahan doesn’t have great speed and isn’t a flashy player, but more relies on his exceptional hockey sense. He sees the ice well and is a very adept playmaker with good puck skills. At this point, Sheahan could be a player that a team jumps on earlier in the first round, but we still feel that playing in a better league such as the USHL the last couple of years really would have helped him at this point.

#23. austin WATSON | RW | Peterborough Petes (OHL)

This was expected to be a big year for Watson after being overshadowed by Windsor’s cast of star forwards last season. Despite the potential for a breakout season, Watson once again found his ice time reduced with the Spitfires returning a strong forward core. After a trade to Peterborough in the Zack Kassian deal, it seemed like Watson would finally get his opportunity to play first line minutes, before disaster struck. Watson broke his ankle in the top prospects game, and could be out for over two months, which will really limit his ability to show scouts what he can do with his new club. Despite the injury, Watson has really developed a very strong two way game in the OHL. He’s become a very reliable penalty killer, and there is the potential for some more physicality as he fills out his lanky frame.

#24. alex PETROVIC | RD | Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Similar to fellow WHL blue-liner Mark Pysyk, Petrovic has also spent his WHL career thus far playing with a struggling franchise. The Edmonton native is a prototypical WHL defenseman, with great size and a rugged playing style. Petrovic competes hard on the ice, winning battles in the corner and always playing with a high level of intensity. His offensive skills are raw at this point, but he has a good shot and does a good job of getting it through to the net. He will have a lot of competition from his rival Dylan McIlrath in the second half of the season, and it will be interesting to see who emerges as the better player of the two.

#25. stanislav GALIEV | LW | St. John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Galiev was the first overall pick in this past summer’s CHL Import Draft after having a tremendous rookie season in the USHL as a 16 year old with the Indiana Ice. Playing for the suddenly strong St. John Sea Dogs, Galiev hasn’t quite scored at the clip many would have expected from him, but the talent is still evident. His offensive skills are better than his numbers indicate, and he’s a very smart player to boot. Galiev had a strong showing in the Top Prospects Game and will be a very good pick up for any team in the second half of the first round.

#26. brock NELSON | LC | Warroad HS (USHS)

Nelson will likely be the other Minnesota High Schooler to contend for a first round selection in the NHL Entry Draft this summer. Like Bjugstad, he has a lot of high end skills which really make him a standout for Warroad. Standing at 6’2″ 205lbs, he has good size which won’t be a concern moving forward. Nelson is good in tight around the net where he has the ability to score goals at an impressive clip, already notching 27 so far this season. Nelson, a late 1991 birthdate, will be attending the University of North Dakota next year, which should provide a nice challenge for him in comparison to Minnesota high school. He could be a bit of a risk at 26, but with his talent, there will be a team that is bound to step up and take him at some point in the first round in 2010.

#27. petr STRAKA | LW | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

The first piece of Rimouski’s Czech sensations, Petr Straka has made a very nice adjustment to the CHL this year after being selected with the 22nd pick in this past summer’s CHL Import Draft. Straka is a good skater who can really finish. He isn’t always a player that is out there making things happen all the time, but when he has the puck, he is definitely a player that can find the back of the net. Along with teammate Jakub Culek, he hasn’t gotten much hype this season, but he’s definitely a player that should go in the 25-35 range.

#28. jordan WEAL | RC | Regina Pats (WHL)

The biggest detractor against Jordan weal’s game will inevitably be his lack of size. He has certainly been a beneficiary of playing with WHL superstar Jordan Eberle throughout the season, but Weal still is one of the most talented players in the draft. He sees the ice extremely well and is one of the top playmakers in the draft. He showed this skill a lot on the national stage in the Top Prospects Game where he was one of the most dangerous players on the ice, as well. His lack of size will probably scare off a few teams, but his talent level will be something that teams cannot ignore on draft day.

#29. jaden SCHWARTZ | LC | Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Another undersized Western Canadian forward is Jaden Schwartz, who is actually playing with Tri-City in the USHL this year before going off on a scholarship to Colorado College next season. He’s been one of the top players in the USHL this year, dominating on the score sheet and sitting second in the USHL scoring race. Schwartz is a very effortless skater who competes hard in all three zones in addition to his offensive prowess. Schwartz’s offensive skills should prompt a team to call his name in Round 1, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to even see him go a bit higher, either.

#30. joey HISHON | LC | Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

After a very impressive sophomore season in the OHL last season, may had Hishon pegged as a sure-fire Top 15 pick in 2010. A sluggish start followed by an injury that caused him to miss almost half the season, it’s easy to retract that statement as the Attack center’s draft stock has plummeted. Hishon has all the tools to be a very good offensive player, but he’s had a lot of problems maintaining consistency. His size is also a concern which won’t be alleviated by a lack of offensive production. At this point, Hishon could fall into the early second round, but by the same token, it’s very possible that a team might be willing to step up and grab him in the back half of the first round based on his potential.

Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 15 Rankings (16)
• Mid-Season 2010 OHL Top 50 (3)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (26-50) (2)
• OHL Set to Dominate the NHL Draft Yet Again (0)

Here is a feature by TSR’s newest contributor, Scott McDougall. Scott is an avid WHL follower, and often frequents Calgary Hitmen games at the Saddledome. Here is the first of Scott’s features for TSR. Hope you enjoy!

Yesterday afternoon in Calgary, the #1 ranked team in the CHL played host to an up and coming Portland Winterhawks team that was off to a great 8-4-0-0 start.  The Winterhawks were in the midst of their longest road trip of the season of which this game was the fourth of seven.  In a tightly contested game, the Hitmen completed a comeback from a 3-0 deficit when Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandon Kozun scored with just under 40 seconds left to play in regulation to sneak out a 6-5 win in front of 7000+ fans in the Saddledome.

PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS

D BRETT PONICH | 1991 | 6’7” | 225LBS | 13GP 1G 4A 5P -6 15PIM

NHL: 2009 STL (2/48)

It looks to be a bit of a rough start to the season for the Portland captain and tonight was no different.  Ponich played tough minutes against Calgary’s top scorers, but seemed to struggle all game against the Calgary forecheck.  He didn’t effectively use his size advantage.  Probably a game he’d like to forget as he had a few costly turnovers and didn’t contribute much offensively.  -2 on the night.

LW NINO NIEDERREITER | 1992 | 6’2” | 203LBS | 13GP 6G 8A 14P +3 14PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Niederreiter was Portland’s best player yesterday.  He scored a couple nice goals.  The first was a one-timer on the PP on a nice pass from Troy Rutkowski, while the second showed his quick release as he got his wrist shot off through some traffic.  He started the game with some poor defensive play in his own end resulting in a couple good Calgary scoring chances, but got stronger defensively as the game progressed.  He was very strong on his feet, while possessing both good speed and size.  Combined with his intelligence for the game and it is easy to see why he should be an early pick in June.   Look for him to stand out on the Swiss team at the World Juniors.

LD TROY RUTKOWSKI | 1992 | 6’1” | 219LBS | 13GP 5G 12A 17P +5 23PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Rutkowski is an offensive defenseman that showed great fortitude in anchoring the Winterhawks PP.  He was able to identify weaknesses in the defense and made several great plays to take advantage of them both in regards to generating scoring chances and maintaining possession of the puck in the offensive zone.  Physically, Rutkowski proved to be a bit of an enigma.  He tries to play physical and he’s got decent size, but he was run over a few times by the older, stronger Calgary forwards as he attempted to play the body.  He was also caught running around trying to make the big hit instead of breaking up the play, resulting in some opposition scoring chances.

Troy also had some playing time on the PK in which he effectively closed shooting lanes and blocked shots.  He has the physical tools to be good player at next level, but needs to improve his skating and make smarter plays defensively.  He lacked some toughness for a guy of his size, but his game is his offensive skill and he did make some smart passes.  He has an average shot, but this will come along once he is stronger.  He received a lot of ice-time and ended up with a pair of assists.

LW BRAD ROSS | 1992 | 6’1” | 173LBS | 13GP 6G 6A 12P +5 35PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

A member of Canada’s U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial team this past summer, Brad has been off to a good start to the season.  The younger brother of Phoenix Coyote 1^st rounder Nick Ross was able to generate scoring chances against Calgary with his great speed, easily beating NHL prospects such as Kris Foucault in foot races throughout the game.  He also showed glimpses of being a surly competitor (he’s currently among the WHL leaders in minor penalties) as he wasn’t afraid to mix things up with larger competitors he felt were taking liberties with him.  Brad possesses both great top-end speed and excellent agility allowing him to get a jump on defenders during both breakouts and turnovers.  He is definitely dangerous on the rush, but he sometimes looks to shy away from the corners and caused turnovers when pressured in his own end.  Like most young players, he needs to bulk up.

C RYAN JOHANSEN | 1992 | 6’3” | 188LBS | 13GP 6G 6A 12P +3 11PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Ryan is having a great start to the season.  He played a lunch-bucket game.  He simply wanted the puck more than anyone else and was able to strip defenders of loose pucks and then get the puck to his skilled linemates (Niederreiter and Ross).  He complimented the other two very well and was able to keep up with them on the rush.  He definitely looked his best when digging in the corners and at loose pucks in the slot area.  Scored a goal and had a couple assists, both times by winning puck battles and giving the puck to his linemates.

RD TAYLOR ARONSON | 1991 | 6’1” | 196LBS | 13GP 0G 6A 6P +2 15PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Taylor  made a few smart plays down low when Calgary was intensely pressuring him.  Was partnered with Rutkowski and saw lots of ice-time.  More defensively responsible than his partner and while lacking the offensive flair of Rutkowski, he is capable in the offensive end and showed the ability to make a good outlet pass.  He played a good all-around game.

LW JACOB BERGLUND | 1991 | 6’1” | 199LBS | 13GP 1G 2A 3P +1 6PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Another late 1991 birthday, Berglund is excellent in his own end.  He was Portland’s top PK forward.  He was able to cover shooting lanes well, was strong on his skates and proved extremely tough to knock off the puck.  His physical maturity allowed him to effectively hold onto the puck long enough to be sure he could clear the zone.  Berglund did not show much offensive flair, but he took the puck hard to the net and generated a couple scoring chances with hard work.  He could prove to be a useful defensive forward in the pros.

RW TY RATTIE | 1993 | 6’0” | 170LBS | 7GP 2G 2A 4P -1 4PIM

NHL: 2011 Eligible

The 2nd overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft in 2008, Ty is very small, but completely willing to go to battle.  He was absolutely crushed near the goal line in the second period and got right back up fighting for the puck like nothing happened.  His willingness to go to the tough areas put him in some scoring situations.  He seemed to have a knack for knowing where the puck is going before it gets there.  Scored a wraparound goal and added an assist in front of friends and family (he’s from nearby Airdrie, AB).  He kept his man in check in the defensive zone and showed good hands.  His skill set reminds me a bit of another Airdrie product, Zach Bochyuk.  He finished with a goal and an assist in the game.

D JOE MORROW| 1992 | 6’0” | 197LBS | 12GP 1G 9A 10P +16 15PIM

NHL: 2011 Eligible

Joe Morrow was very impressive.  He is very cool and collected in his own zone, which can be attested to by his +16 in only 12 games so far this season.  He was partnered with another young defenseman in Daniel Johnston and they looked very comfortable playing as the third pairing for the Winterhawks.  Calm with the puck as well as in the corner, Morrow displayed very good skating ability, hockey sense and the ability to QB the PP.  Was very good in transition and while not overly big or strong, used smart angles to cut off opposing rushes and separate the opposition from the puck.  He almost always made the safe play.  Morrow and Rattie should make the 2011 draft interesting for Winterhawks fans.

D DANIEL JOHNSTON | 1992 | 6’0” | 192LBS | 10GP 0G 7A 7P +13 6PIM

NHL: 2011 Eligible

Another late 1992 birthday like Morrow, Daniel Johnston showed a willingness to stand up to Cody Beach who is 5 inches taller than him when Beach  hammered Morrow’s head into the boards.  A quiet night for him as he and Morrow didn’t allow many scoring chances or need to spend too much time in their own end.

Other notes: Neither Seth Swenson or Gaspar Kopitar played.  Swenson  took part in the pre-game warm-up.

CALGARY HITMEN

D MICHAEL STONE | 1990 | 6’4” | 207LBS | 11GP 3G 5A 8P -3 14PIM

NHL: 2008 PHO (3/69)

Michael showed the talent that made him a 3rd round pick of the Coyotes.  He is the vocal leader of the Hitmen. He possesses great size and strength.  He has a fantastic shot, although the shots are often blocked.  Despite not getting any points, he had a solid game (even hit a post).  He had several good hits and made smart safe plays in his own end.  A good end to end rush towards the end of the 1^st period.  Good all-around game.

D MATT MacKENZIE | 1991 | 6’2” | 198LBS | 11GP 1G 10A 11P +6 6PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Matt Mackenzie played a similar type game in the offensive zone as Rutkowski.  He doesn’t always use his size, but it is apparent that he needs to get stronger.  He has a good frame, but needs to fill out some more to take advantage of it.   His shot is very weak, but that should also improve once he puts on some muscle.  He possesses good offensive awareness and he made a few smart pinches to keep the puck in the offensive zone.  He used screens effectively when shooting on net providing his teammates with rebound oppurtunities.  His skating needs a lot of work, especially his transition and acceleration but he has enough tools that some NHL team will be excited at the thought of developing this raw prospect.  Matt had three assists in the game.

RW CODY BEACH | 1992 | 6’5” | 184LBS | 6GP 0G 2A 2P +2 18PIM

NHL: 2010 Eligible

Cody, the younger brother of Chicago draft pick Kyle Beach played a power-forward game.  He was skating decently for his size and was banging bodies early on.  He wasn’t very noticeable late in the game.

Other notes: Austin Madaisky wasn’t in the Calgary lineup.  Peter Kosterman and Jaynen Rissling both played well and will be discussed in more detail later this month.

All images are the property of their respective team/website. These logos and photographs are used soley for factual purposes, and TSR in no way claims these logos to be their own. All rights remain with the owners of the logos and images. Special thanks to Blitzen Photography.

Related posts

• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Mid-Term rankings Top 60 Skaters (31-60) (6)
• WHL Feature: Brandon, Moose Jaw, Calgary Reports (2)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (26-50) (2)
• TSR’s 2010 NHL Draft Final Rankings: Top 100 (1-25) (5)
• 2010 WHL Draft Eligibles: Sleepers Edition (0)

While the CHL Import Draft is always considered to be a bit of a crap shoot, there is no denying that the 2008 edition of the draft was particularily unique. With only two of the top five selections suiting up in the CHL last season, the draft was full of notables lining the draft list sporatically. One of the reasons that this tends to happen is due to the nature of the import draft. Many teams target specific players and work out deals with them before hand, so that where they pick becomes less of a factor as they will still be able to get their guy.

With the 2009 CHL Import Draft recently completed on June 30th, early indications already show that there is going to be a significantly different trend with this draft. At this point it appears that each of the first five selections in the draft will be making their CHL debuts with their respective CHL clubs for the 2009/2010 season, while several other high profile players have also committed to play in the CHL only a month after the draft. Today we’ll look at some of the players who could be impact players in the league as early as this season.

1st OVR – F Stanislav Galiev

Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

After some initial concerns that Galiev would remain with the Indiana Ice of the USHL where he played last season, the Sea Dogs recently announced that they had come to terms with their top pick. Galiev, rated 13th in TSR’s Preliminary 2010 Rankings, is a dynamic offensive talent that should instantly be able to step onto the top line in Saint John. A big season from Galiev could vault the Moscow native into the Top 10 of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and there will no shortage of scouts following his progress this season.

2nd OVR – F Nino Niederreiter

Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Niederreiter is a player who has been pretty highly regarded by a lot of scouts and early indications show that he would likely slide into the Top 30 for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at this point. Niederreiter had a solid season with the Davos U20 team, and was a pretty strong contributor at the recent U18′s averaging a point per game as an underager. Either way, Niederreiter will be a very nice addition to an up and coming Portland squad.

3rd OVR – F Gabriel Landeskog

Plymouth Whalers: Traded to Kitchener (OHL)

Landeskog’s story has been one of the most interesting cases to follow since the Import Draft. After Plymouth traded up to select the 16 year old Swede, Landeksog recently had his rights traded to the Kitchener Rangers in a fairly major transaction that saw several high picks going to the Whalers in return. Landeskog is a late 1992 birthday which means that he will not be eligible until the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, but there are already high hopes that this physical two way forward could be a Top 5 pick in 2011.

7th OVR – F Kirill Kabanov

Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Arguably the most talented player in the draft, Kabanov’s case is a curious one as there continues to be rumblings back on forth as to where the highly touted Russian will spend his 2009/2010 season. After playing with Spartak last season, Kabanov has reached an agreement to move to KHL powerhouse Salavat. However there continue to be signs that Kabanov is actually intent on heading overseas to suit up for the Wildcats. It appears that things might become more clear after the conclusion of the Ivan Hlinka U18 tournament, but it will a very interesting storyline to follow.

9th OVR – G Robin Lehner

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Lehner is the first NHL drafted player on the list after being selected 46th overall by the Ottawa Senators in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. Lehner is a big goalie who put up respectable numbers with Frolunda last season and will now spend time on a very young Greyhounds club. Since he will likely see a lot of quality shots this season, it will be very important for him to show some mental toughness and prove that he is able to battle through some adversity that he will almost assuredly face.

12th OVR – F Alexander Burmistrov

Barrie Colts (OHL)

Burmistrov is the most recent player to announce that he will be coming over to play in the CHL next season after agreeing to terms with the Barrie Colts. A late 91 birthdate, the undersized forward will be eligible for the 2010 NHL Draft and there is reason to believe that he could work his way into the first round.  Burmistrov is extremely talented and will get a great chance to succeed with a team that should be one of the better teams in the OHL this year. While he may not be more talented then guys like Vladimir Tarasenko and Evgeni Kuznetsov, the combination of a strong season and already being in North America could give Burmistrov the upper hand on his fellow countrymen in the draft.

14th OVR – F Toni Rajala

Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

One of the most highly touted internet phenomenoms in recent memory, Toni Rajala went from being perceived as a Top 5 pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to plummeting all the way to the fourth round where the Edmonton Oilers were happy to pick him up with the 101st pick in the draft. Rajala will come to Brandon fresh off a very impressive U18 performance where he racked up 19 points in a mere 6 games. This season will definitely be an interesting for Rajala as he joins up with a very talented Brandon team that is set to host the Memorial Cup in 2010. Playing in a very physical league should challenge Rajala’s durability and it will be interesting to see how the talented forward progresses during the season.

Suffice to say, it is certainly going to be interesting to see how the new dose of European flavour takes shape in the CHL this year. Many are often quick to jump to the conclusion that the CHL will automatically ruin European players, and while that trend did have some support as early as a few years ago, recent indications show that many European players have thrived in the CHL since the NHL lockout season, where the CHL also adapted the same rule changes. Nevertheless, with so many draft eligible players making appearances in the league this season, it will be an interesting year following the plight of many of these young players.

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