The Scouting Report » Seth Ambroz http://www.thescoutingreport.org Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:16:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (26-50) http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsr-2011-top-100-skaters-2650/ http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsr-2011-top-100-skaters-2650/#comments Mon, 30 May 2011 18:38:08 +0000 Scott Campbell http://www.thescoutingreport.org/?p=3467 Be sure to check out the rest of our Top 100: (1-25) (26-50) (51-75) (76-100)

26. RW Zach Phillips – Saint John (QMJHL)

DOB: Nov. 28/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 181lbs
Midterm Rank: 34 | League Rank: 4th QMJHL | Country Rank: 13th Canada
Phillips made some major strides forward in his game this season and we think he’s done enough to be included in our Top 30 prospects. He doesn’t have an overly defining quality to his game, but he’s a crafty offensive player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Skating isn’t great, but it isn’t horrible; albeit something that needs to improve for him to make the jump. While Phillips seems to be a guy that a lot of people feel might not be able to find a role at the next level, we liken him a bit to a guy like Brett MacLean who, even with some weaknesses in his game, seems to have enough of everything to overcome them.


Zach Phillips 2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (26 50)

27. LC Boone Jenner – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: Jun. 15/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 197lbs
Midterm Rank: 46 | League Rank: 9th OHL | Country Rank: 14th Canada
Jenner is a big riser in our final rankings; although we were probably guilty of leaving him a little low in the mid-terms. The former 4th overall pick in the 2009 OHL Draft has all of the tools that NHL teams are looking for but needs to find a way to put it altogether. He’s a big guy who is very strong on the puck and is very good in the dirty areas. He’s become a lot more assertive on the ice; and despite an awkward long stride, he’s doing a better job of spanning the whole 200 feet. If everything works out for Jenner, he should be a dependable two-way center who will look good on your second line, but we feel he has a lot of maturing; both physically and mentally, that needs to be done in order to fulfill that potential.

28. RD Scott Mayfield – Youngstown (USHL)

DOB: Nov. 14/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 200lbs
Midterm Rank: 16 | League Rank: 4th USHL | Country Rank: 5th USA
Nobody has been on the Mayfield bandwagon since the beginning of last season more than TSR. Defensively, his 1 on 1 skills are tough to match. Mayfield also plays with an edge in front of the net and in the corners. Offensively, Mayfield improved significantly in his ability to handle the puck and skate it out of his zone. He already possessed a great shot, sharp passing skills and offensive awareness. Some wish that Mayfield’s skills would have resulted in more production but we’ve seen him enough live to know that he was hindered a bit by the level of play on his club. Mayfield has historically played up to the level of competition and his teammates and will surely do the same at Denver.

29. LC Alexander Khokhlachev – Windsor (OHL)

DOB: Sep. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 172lbs
Midterm Rank: 28 | League Rank: 10th OHL | Country Rank: 2nd Russia
Nobody was too sure what type of a player Khokhlachev would be this season as most in OHL circles felt he was overshadowed a bit by fellow Russian Vladimir Namestnikov. It didn’t take long for him to make his presence known, however, as Khokhlachev quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous offensive forwards in the league. Offensively, his talent level is up there with any player in the draft. He’s very good in small spaces and has a whole bag of puck tricks he uses frequently throughout the game. He’s an opportunistic scorer and if he shot more, would probably have eclipsed 40 goals this past season as well. The issue with Khokhlachev comes down to his lack of size and strength, and determining how much of an issue that’s going to be for him at the next level. His two-way game won’t blow you away, so unless he can find a way to add the muscle needed to play in the NHL, he’s going to be a bit of a risk.


30. RW Ty Rattie – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Feb. 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: 20 | League Rank: 5th WHL | Country Rank: 15th Canada
Coming into the season, Ty Rattie was thought of as a potential top-10 pick for the 2011 Entry Draft, but has seen his stock drop slightly. Rattie has an excellent shot and the ability to release it quickly. Rattie has also shown great chemistry with his linemates, ably setting them up with crisp, solid passes. The biggest issues with Rattie’s game are that he tends to disappear at times and plays primarily on the perimeter. Rattie is a work in progress, but he has the raw skills that simply can’t be taught to a young offensive player.

Ty Rattie 2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (26 50)

31. RD Connor Murphy – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

DOB: Mar. 26/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 192lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 5th USHL | Country Rank: 6th USA
We had a pretty limited viewing (like most) of Murphy this year which is why we were a little hesitant to put him in our Top 30, but there’s no doubt the big American defenseman has the talent to potentially hear his name called in Round 1 on draft day. His season was marred by injuries but Murphy managed to recoup a lot of his lost time with a very impressive showing at the Under 18’s where he scored the game winning goal in overtime against the Russians. Murphy is a big guy with a good shot and a pretty enticing package of solid defensive play and offensive upside. It would be naïve to think that most teams don’t have the Miami-Ohio commit on their first round radar and it wouldn’t be a shock to see a team step up and take him in the middle portion of the first round.

32. RW Tyler Biggs – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

DOB: Jan. 30/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 210lbs
Midterm Rank: 32 | League Rank: 6th USHL | Country Rank: 7th USA
Biggs certainly merits consideration as a prospect due to his size, physical play, skating ability and determination. It’s difficult though to see him as a first rounder since he does not possess the offensive skills that would be worthy of such a high pick. Biggs may only top out as a 15-20 goal guy who can provide some grit and nastiness which fits nicely on some clubs but the ceiling doesn’t seem high enough to justify anything other than the second round.

33. LD David Musil – Vancouver (WHL)

DOB: Apr. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs
Midterm Rank: 14 | League Rank: 6th WHL | Country Rank: 1st Czech
After a very solid initial campaign as a 16 year-old last season, some unfair expectations were placed on Musil this year. Going into the season, Musil was looked upon as a potential lotto pick although it didn’t look like he had the offense to support such a pick. Musil plays in all situations for the Giants and he is able to chip in a little offense but won’t likely be expected to provide that offense at the NHL level. With his dad and uncle combining to play well over 2000 NHL games and his mom being a former pro tennis player, David has some good athletic genes. Like his dad, Musil is a steady defender having very good size and strength, while being good at taking care of his own end. While Musil may be one of the best defensive defensemen available in the draft this year, he needs to work on improving his quickness. His slow acceleration and top end speed make him vulnerable during puck retrieval plays, as well as his ability to contain the fastest players in the league.


34. RW Dmitri Jaskin – Slavia Praha (Czech)

DOB: Mar. 23/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 196lbs
Midterm Rank: 23 | League Rank: 1st Czech | Country Rank: 2nd Czech
Jaskin is a tough player to get a read on as he has a tremendous skill-set, but doesn’t bring it consistently enough. The big Czech winger had an up and down season and had a lot riding on the Under 18’s, where he was fairly average over the course of the tournament. His season never quite took off after an early season injury, but when he’s on, he is a talented winger who can play with a bit of jam. His status as a surefire first round pick has probably come and gone, but there’s a lot to like for any team that is picking in the late part of the first round.

35. LD Joe Morrow – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Dec. 09/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 198lbs
Midterm Rank: 42 | League Rank: 7th WHL | Country Rank: 16th Canada
Joe Morrow climbed up the draft rankings progressively after coming off an early season injury. Morrow has had some injury troubles throughout his junior career, but has shown that he can be an effective puck moving defenseman in the WHL. Morrow is an excellent skater, and makes a nice first pass out of his own zone, seamlessly starting his team’s breakout. He also has a deceptive shot that he ably gets through traffic and on net, generating strong scoring chances for his teammates, particularly on the power play.


Joe Morrow 2 2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (26 50)

36. RD Adam Clendening – Boston University (NCAA)

DOB: Nov. 26/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 190lbs
Midterm Rank: 48 | League Rank: 2nd NCAA | Country Rank: 8th USA
Clendening is a player who has quietly gone under the radar despite having a pretty impressive freshman season with BU. Up front, the big question with Clendening’s game is what type of a role you can expect from a somewhat undersized defenseman who doesn’t have overly explosive feet and lacks the big-time shot at the point. These are valid concerns, but in a draft that seems to thin out on defense, Clendening is a solid puck-moving prospect who will likely hear his name pretty early on Day 2. His ability to move well laterally and buy time for himself are two qualities that you can’t undersell him on, and Clendening is also a very smart puck mover and makes great passes in transition. Definitely not a flashy player, but he’s a dependable prospect who could have some untapped upside yet to come.

37. LC Victor Rask – Leksand (Allsvenskan)

DOB: Mar. 01/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 194lbs
Midterm Rank: 17 | League Rank: 1st Allsv.| Country Rank: 6th Sweden
What was previously a year under the radar quickly developed into a year to forget for this former “can’t-miss” prospect. Rask had issues with ice-time, attitude, and on-ice performance; factors that have certainly changed a once favourable opinion of him. While there are a lot of negatives about Rask, he does still have an intriguing skill-set which should be enough to secure him a spot in the Top 50. Rask’s great shot and combination of size and vision indicate a lot of potential, but he’s going to need to show more drive and passion if he ever wants to realize any of it.

38. RW Tomas Jurco – Saint John (QMJHL)

DOB: Dec. 28/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 193lbs
Midterm Rank: 24 | League Rank: 5th QMJHL | Country Rank: 1st Slovakia
Jurco is relatively comparable to Oshawa Generals forward Nicklas Jensen, in that he has that rare game-breaking ability that is extremely rare amongst prospects. He’s a player that can absolutely fly and has all the dynamic puck moves you would want to accompany that level of speed. He’s a fairly good finisher, although he could probably stand to take opportunity on more of his chances, but the talent is there. Jurco’s issue has been finding consistency, however, as he can go through spells where he can’t generate much of anything on the scoreboard. He might remind you a lot of Michael Grabner, and maybe an NHL team will step up in round one hoping that Jurco can eventually find that type of success in the NHL as a game-breaker.

39. RW Nikita Kucherov – CSKA Moskva (MHL)

DOB: Jun. 17/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 165lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 1st MHL | Country Rank: 3rd Russia
It’s tough to find a player that made a bigger case for himself at the U18’s than Russia’s Nikita Kucherov. The dynamic Russian winger absolutely shredded the competition in Germany with an astronomical 21 points in 7 games. Kucherov actually had quite a strong season in the MHL this past year and even had some seasoning in the KHL so it’s not like he’s coming out of left field. His offensive instincts and dynamic skills could probably justify a first-round selection, but the likely “Russian” fears and concerns about strength might push him into the second round.

40. LW Brandon Saad – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

DOB: Oct. 27/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 196lbs
Midterm Rank: 11 | League Rank: 11th OHL | Country Rank: 9th USA
Suffice to say, TSR’s thoughts on Saad have plummeted as the 2010/2011 season progressed. We had very high expectations for Saad this year; his first in the OHL, but have never seen the type of game that warrants the pre-season hype. Saad is a big winger with good speed, a hard shot, and a fairly good head for the game, but he lacks the drive you need to be a top line player at the next level. Saad shies away from contact despite being a big player and never really uses his body to his advantage. He doesn’t drive the front of the net enough and just isn’t willing to pay the price. All is not lost with Saad, as he does have goal scoring talent, but he needs to show a lot more if he wants to have that opportunity in the NHL.

Brandon Saad 2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (26 50)

41. LW Mario Lucia – Wayzata (HS-MN)

DOB: Aug. 25/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 183lbs
Midterm Rank: 49 | League Rank: 1st HS-MN | Country Rank: 10th USA
Draft trends would indicate that there should be one high school player going in the first round this year, and if that holds to be true, Mario Lucia is probably leading the way to be that guy. The son of University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia, the younger Lucia remains uncommitted in the NCAA but plans to spend next season with Sioux Falls of the USHL. Lucia is a big, strong center with very good feet for a player of his size. He generates a lot of his offense from his speed and has the ability to make his teammates better players while being a very dangerous player in his own right. As he fills out, it should allow him to become more of an effective offensive forward and use his size to his advantage more often.

42. LW Lucas Lessio – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 23/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 201lbs
Midterm Rank: 40 | League Rank: 12th OHL | Country Rank: 17th Canada
Lessio had a pretty average season based on the high expectations he had coming in, but is still entrenched as a very solid early to mid second round pick. The third Oshawa Generals forward on our list, Lessio is a blue-collar winger who competes hard and plays well along the boards and in front of the net. He has agile feet, allowing him to be effective on the forecheck or in the cycle; and while he doesn’t possess elite speed, he can fight through checks with his powerful stride. Lessio does a lot of little things well to generate offensive chances, but lacks the high-end finish you would expect from a first-round pick. The end of his season is something he’d like to forget, as he’ll be serving a two-game suspension to start 2011 after his actions following Oshawa’s defeat against Niagara.

43. LW Matthew Nieto – Boston University (NCAA)

DOB: Nov. 05/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 183lbs
Midterm Rank: 21 | League Rank: 3rd NCAA | Country Rank: 11th USA
Nieto was projected to be a first-round pick coming into the year, but had a pretty tough start to his NCAA career and was never quite able to recover the lost ground. He’s undersized, but makes up for it with great speed and the ability to change gears into “breakaway” speed. Handles the puck well and is a pretty opportunistic player who can create for himself with some silky smooth hands. Nieto will have to address some of the deficiencies in his game such as competing harder and showing that he’s willing to sacrifice his body in the corners to make things happen.

44. RD Ryan Sproul – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 13/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 13th OHL | Country Rank: 18th Canada
Signing with the Greyhounds proved to the be the catalyst that Ryan Sproul needed to get his name on the map this year. The hulking defenseman had some struggles working his way up the depth chart in the early going, but by the midway point of the season, Sproul was finding himself as one of the most reliable defensemen on the team. He has a big-time shot that he is not afraid to use and can be a huge asset at the top of the umbrella or a player you run an overload through. He is still showing a bit of growing pains on the defensive side of the game and will need to continue to improve his positioning and understand how to utilize his size, but Sproul is a pretty intriguing player with a high ceiling.

45. RC Rickard Rakell – Plymouth (OHL)

DOB: May 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 185lbs
Midterm Rank: 41 | League Rank: 14th OHL | Country Rank: 7th Sweden
Rakell is the type of players that coaches love to have, but just lacks that offensive punch that would justify him going too much higher. He will strike you as being a very smart, almost methodical player who appears to think the game one step ahead of everyone else. He’s a very good player on the forecheck and does a great job anticipating the play and disrupting passing lanes. Very good defensive player who can play against any trio the opposition throws out and won’t be liability in doing so. His offensive upside is the only real question right now, as he doesn’t quite have the skills and offensive instincts to be a major offensive threat.

Rickard Rakell 2011 NHL Draft Top 100 Skaters: (26 50)

46. RW Seth Ambroz – Omaha (USHL)

DOB: Apr. 01/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 211lbs
Midterm Rank: 27 | League Rank: 7th USHL | Country Rank: 12th USA
Ambroz’s skating was an issue coming into the season and by all accounts it hasn’t improved enough to keep him in the first round. He has continued to be productive and possesses the good hands, heavy shot and quick release teams covet. Ambroz also plays a physical game along the boards and battles for space in front. He can either try to improve his puck skills and skating at Minnesota or further enhance his physical game in the WHL with Seattle. The next few years will prove whether or not he has chosen the right path and if so, the team selecting him may get a bargain.

47. RC Colin Jacobs – Seattle (WHL)

DOB: Jan. 20/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 204lbs
Midterm Rank: 35 | League Rank: 8th WHL | Country Rank: 13th USA
Colin Jacobs came into the season with lofty expectations on a young Seattle team, and though he didn’t fully live up to those expectations, Jacobs quietly had a solid season. The Coppell, Tex. native has NHL size and has proven to be very durable in his two seasons in the WHL, while posting solid, if not spectacular point totals. Jacobs is a work in progress, (as evidenced by his -52 combined ranking in the last two seasons), but he is a solid skating, physical center with good offensive instincts, and is good on the defensive side of the puck as well.

48. LC Phillip Danault – Victorialville (QMJHL)

DOB: Feb. 24/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: 56 | League Rank: 6th QMJHL | Country Rank: 19th Canada
Danault has quietly become a player that has enamoured TSR with his hard work and consistency throughout the course of the season with Victoriaville. Danault comes to play every shift and you will often find the puck near him as he seems to always be involved in the play. He played with some talented players in the regular season which may have inflated his numbers a bit, but Danault rested some of those concerns with some pretty solid play during the post-season. He seems to be a player that just does a lot of things well and certainly is worthy of being slotted in this range.

49. LD Joel Edmundson – Moose Jaw (WHL)

DOB: Jun. 28/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 200lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 9th WHL | Country Rank: 20th Canada
After playing midget hockey last year, Edmundson made the jump to the WHL this year. At 6’4 and growing, Edmundson has a large frame that will appeal to many teams. Not only is he a big guy, but Edmundson plays the game much the same way that his teammate (and 2010 NHL 1st rounder) Dylan McIlrath does. Tough and strong, Edmundson makes life hard for opposing players. Edmundson is a decent skater and is able to move the puck up ice. While there has been some improvement in his production from the start of the year, Edmundson still projects as a defensive player that is hard to play against.

50. LW Jeremy Boyce – Timra (SEL)

DOB: Aug. 28/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 170lbs
Midterm Rank: NR | League Rank: 5th SEL | Country Rank: 8th Sweden
Here’s a guy that is definitely going to get some recognition after the Under 18’s, where he had a bit of a coming out party on the biggest scouting platform of his season. Boyce can flat out fly and uses his speed as the centrefold to his game. Despite being pretty wiry and a fairly raw talent overall, he’s still got an attractive package of offensive tools that will surely improve as he mature physically and mentally. He’s a bit of a project, but a few more seasons in Sweden should help him refine his skills.

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

]]> http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsr-2011-top-100-skaters-2650/feed/ 2 TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid-Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1-30) http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsrs-2011-midterm-top-60-skaters-130/ http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsrs-2011-midterm-top-60-skaters-130/#comments Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:28:31 +0000 Scott Campbell http://www.thescoutingreport.org/?p=2942 TSRBanner2 TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1 30)

Click here for Part Two of the Top 60 Skaters (31-60)

Introduction:

Welcome to this year’s edition of TSR’s Mid-Term Top 60 Skaters! I’d like to personally thank all of our staff for putting in a lot of time and effort to help put our list together and offer some tremendous insight on the prospects of the 2011 NHL Draft Class. I’d also like to thank a few anonymous sources who have helped us with some of the European prospects as well as those playing high school and prep hockey, their help is a great resource. With that being said, we hope you enjoy this list and appreciate you visiting TSR as a source for your hockey prospect information!

1. RD Adam Larsson – Skelleftea AIK (SEL)

DOB: Nov. 12/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 220lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 28GP 1G 7A 8P 37PIM
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Larsson is no longer the consensus number one pick he may have been a year ago, but he’s still an enticing player that has a lot of NHL ability. He’s a composed defender with solid skills at both ends of the ice, and while he might not be a franchise type player, he certainly has top pairing potential.
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2. LC Sean Couturier – Drummondville (QMJHL)

DOB: Dec. 07/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 191lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 39GP 21G 44A 65P +31 17PIM
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Couturier also has not been as dominant as he was a year ago, but the rangy pivot still has an elite skill-set to match an imposing frame. Again, he doesn’t project to be a dominant player at the NHL level, but he could be a very good first line center with his size and ability to score in a tight-checking league like the NHL.
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3. LC Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Red Deer (WHL)

DOB: Apr. 12/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 164lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 47GP 13G 49A 62P +15 35PIM
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Nugent-Hopkins has had some struggles finding the back of the net this season, especially at even strength, but his dynamic skill-set is a can’t miss. He may very well have the highest ceiling of any player in this draft due to his exceptional speed and creativity, but his smallish frame will need to mature for him to become that type of player at the NHL level.
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4. LW Gabriel Landeskog – Kitchener (OHL)

DOB: Nov. 23/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 201lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 32GP 25G 20A 45P +24 43PIM
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Landeskog has made a very impressive surge this season and is now in the same company as the former ‘big three’. The Swedish winger is a hard-nosed player with plenty of grit and should be a very safe pick, but doesn’t quite have the high-end upside of the other three. Still a very close race at this point and most will consider the top four fairly interchangeable.
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5. LW Matthew Puempel – Peterborough (OHL)

DOB: Jan. 24/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 190lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 45GP 27G 31A 58P -30 45PIM
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Puempel has been a faller in many people’s eyes this season, but we’ve been impressed by his ability to be a dominant offensive player on one of the weakest offensive teams in the OHL. He’s got an elite release on his shot and exceptional offensive hockey sense, but he’s also showed more of an ability to create on his own this season. Still guilty of disappearing for periods of a game, but his innate offensive ability would look good on the top line of an NHL team.
Matt Puempel 2 TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1 30)
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6. RD Ryan Murphy – Kitchener (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 31/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 165lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 43GP 18G 40A 58P +15 22PIM
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A dynamic player with a skill-set that rarely comes along, Murphy could end up going anywhere from the Top 3 to outside of the Top 10. Has the ability to go end to end with exceptional skating ability and puck handling skills. Has great up-ice vision and is very dangerous in the offensive zone as well. Has really started shooting the puck more this year, and has erased a few concerns about his shot last year. Still has some defensive issues and sometimes loses his man because he’s caught looking for opportunities to turn the play the other way. Size is still a concern as well, as his strength is going to be tested in the NHL.
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7. LC Jonathan Huberdeau – Saint John (QMJHL)

DOB: Jun. 04/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 171lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 29G 42A 71P +41 55PIM
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A similar player to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Huberdeau is a lanky centerman that makes up for it with a dynamic skill-set and the ability to be a game-breaker on a consistent basis. Huberdeau has a high ceiling and while he could knock on the door of the Top 5, his potential is up there with any of the players in this draft.
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8. LD Duncan Siemens – Saskatoon (WHL)

DOB: Sep. 07/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 48GP 4G 24A 28P +28 72PIM
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One of the youngest players in this year’s draft, Siemens is an all around defenseman with the prototypical nastiness of a WHL defenseman. This year has been a break-out one for him, as he has refined his offensive game and showed improvements in his ability to move the puck. Loves to take the body and has the size and strength that makes him an extremely difficult player to play against.
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9. RW Joel Armia – Assat (SM-Liiga)

DOB: May 31/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 191lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 36GP 16G 8A 24P 12PIM
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Armia has been the big wildcard riser in this draft thus far, and despite a bit of an average showing at the World Junior’s, he’s firmly entrenched himself as a Top 15 pick. Some may be a little leery of a Finnish player rising this much, but Armia is a big winger with a lot of offensive skill. He’s still a little raw and needs to continue to add strength and grow into his frame, but he has the tools to be a quality goal-scoring forward in the NHL.
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10. RC Ryan Strome – Niagara (OHL) 

DOB: Jul. 11/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 183lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 47GP 25G 48A 73P +21 60PIM
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We were very high on Strome coming into the season, but he’s managed to exceed our expectations for him. Strome is a very creative offensive player who also has underrated finishing ability. He has great one on one moves and is very deceptive and has a good burst of acceleration. Strength is still a major issue for us as he loses a lot of puck battles, but he has improved in that regard since his MM season with the Toronto Marlies.
Ryan Strome TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1 30)
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11. LW Brandon Saad – Saginaw (OHL)

DOB: Oct. 27/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 196lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 43GP 23G 21A 44P +12 32PIM
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Saad had a quick start to the OHL season, but has struggled to elevate his game since to the next level, like many of the other top prospects in this draft. He’s a big guy with good speed and protects the puck well, but just doesn’t compete hard enough on a consistent basis and has minimal grit to his game. Has slowed down a bit offensively, and will need to start to produce to avoid falling further.
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12. LW Sven Bartschi – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Nov. 05/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 185lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 45GP 26G 32A 58P +15 38PIM
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Bartschi has really come out of nowhere this season, but has quickly made a name for himself playing in the latest North American hotbed for Swiss prospects. Does a good job of going to the net and playing hard despite being undersized. Has a good touch around the net and has found a lot of chemistry with linemate Ty Rattie this season. Defensive zone play needs some improvement as Bartschi needs to be more aware of his responsibilities in zone.
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13. RD Dougie Hamilton – Niagara (OHL)

DOB: Jun. 06/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 193lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 45GP 9G 34A 43P +35 61PIM
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Very capable defender on the offensive end, and solid on the defensive end. Has great size and mobility and isn’t afraid to use his speed to move the puck. Has a big shot and does a good job of getting it through, especially as an asset on the powerplay. Sometimes makes poor decisions moving the puck and also has issues handling opponent’s forechecks. It’s tough to gauge what type of role he might have at the next level which is why we’re a little leery of having him in the Top 10.
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14. LD David Musil – Vancouver (WHL)

DOB: Apr. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 39GP 4G 16A 20P +9 40PIM
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Once billed as a lottery pick, Musil has seen his stock progressively slide this season as his game hasn’t quite taken that next step forward from a stellar rookie season a year ago. He’s a big guy who is very strong and positionally sound defensively. Can be an effective puck mover, but doesn’t play an offensive oriented game. He’s still a pretty safe pick and projects well as a second pairing type 3/4 guy, but he doesn’t quite have the high-end upside of some of the guys in front of him.
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15. RC Mark Scheifele – Barrie (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 15/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 200lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 47GP 11G 36A 47P -19 24PIM
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Another TSR favorite since the start of the season, Scheifele’s impressive season is starting to get some attention around the league. He’s got a good frame and plays well in the difficult areas. Good along the boards and is very deceptive around the slot. Scheifele sees the ice very well, has a lot of creativity and while his 11 goals won’t blow you away, he actually has a pretty good release but needs to utilize it more frequently. Still needs to add a lot of strength to his frame, and also needs to continue to work on his first few steps, but don’t be surprised if he inches forward a little more after the second half of the season ends.
Mark Scheifele 3 TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1 30)
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16. RD Scott Mayfield – Youngstown (USHL) 

DOB: Nov. 14/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 200lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 26GP 2G 3A 5P +2 101PIM
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Mayfield has gotten a lot of praise from our USHL Contributor since the beginning of last season, and he’s solidified himself as the premier defensive player in the USHL this year as an 18 year old. Mayfield is an imposing figure who does all the little things that coaches love such as blocking shots, playing sound defensively and effectiveness in every situation. His offensive production has really flat-lined this season, but NHL teams will be taking him as a potential shut-down guy down the road.
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17. LC Victor Rask – Leksand (Allsvenskan)

DOB: Mar. 01/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 194lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 37GP 5G 6A 11P 8PIM
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A player that has gone under the radar a bit this season, but still has a lot of potential. Rask has a lot of strong offensive qualities and is a creative player with adept finish. Hasn’t quite had the type of year some were likely hoping for, but he’s still a promising player who has very capable NHL potential.
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18. RW Nicklas Jensen – Oshawa (OHL)

DOB: Mar. 16/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 186lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 39GP 23G 20A 43P +13 26PIM
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A big riser from our previous OHL rankings, Jensen has exploded since coming back from the World Junior D-1 Championships. He’s a dynamic player with great skating ability and with his size, he can fight through checks and use his skating ability to go end to end or break plays through the neutral zone. Consistency was an issue for him, but he looks to be bringing it more every game now.
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19. RC Mark McNeill – Prince Albert (WHL)

DOB: Feb. 22/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 210lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 49GP 20G 32A 52P +1 40PIM
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A forward that coaches can turn to in any situation, McNeill is a hard nosed player who competes at both ends of hte rink. He may not have the most pure skills when compared to some of the top draft-eligible players, but with his hustle and anticipation, he is able to jump on loose pucks and he will be able to contribute at the NHL level.  He has managed to be a PPG player with very little help on a subpar Raiders team this year.
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20. RW Ty Rattie – Portland (WHL)

DOB: Feb. 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 49GP 21G 42A 63P +16 37PIM
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Since his huge October, he has seen his point per game total dip after posting 23 points in 12 October games. There is no question that Rattie has the potential to be a top 6 forward in the NHL one day.  Rattie is an above average skater who sees the play extremely well and is very skilled at creating quality chances in the offensive zone.  He also has the scoring touch to finish off those opportunities.
Ty Rattie TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1 30)
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21. LW Matthew Nieto – Boston University (NCAA)

DOB: Nov. 05/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 183lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 24GP 6G 3A 9P 6PIM
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Hasn’t posted outstanding numbers at BU, but still is an exciting player who works hard every shift. Has a great skill-set and also has very good hockey sense. He will need to have a good second half to the season, but more importantly just needs to continue to show that he’s a player that will battle every night.
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22. LD Nathan Beaulieu – Saint John (QMJHL)

DOB: Dec. 05/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 191lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 46GP 9G 24A 33P +31 36PIM
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Isn’t a dominating defenseman, but does a good job of controlling the pace of a game and does a good job of playing within his means. Makes a very good first pass out of the zone and does a good job of jumping up in the rush when he sees a chance but needs to avoid doing it at inopportune times. Isn’t overly physical but does have good reach and uses it pretty effectively.

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23. RW Dmitri Jaskin – Slavia Praha (Czech)

DOB: Mar. 23/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 196lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 25GP 3G 5A 8P 12PIM
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Jaskin had a knee injury that derailed his season a bit back in November, so don’t be surprised if he works his way up the list over the next few months. He is a well rounded player who has a lot of jam and rarely takes shifts off. Pretty good with the puck and makes good decisions as well. Skating is a bit of an issue, and he’ll need to work on improving his stride.
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24. RW Tomas Jurco – Saint John (QMJHL)

DOB: Dec. 28/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 193lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 39GP 18G 16A 34P +28 13PIM
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Jurco is arguably the biggest game-breaker in this draft, and has made no shortage of high-light reel plays so far in his year and a half long tenure in the QMJHL. Still has issues finding consistency with his game, however, and after a quick start his production has slowed down significantly. Does he remind you of Michael Grabner’s 2005/06 season with Spokane at all?
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25. RC Mika Zibanejad – Djurgarden (SEL)

DOB: Apr. 18/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 15GP 1G 2A 3P 0PIM
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Big center who plays both ends of the ice and has great leadership abilities. Zibanejad has benefited from playing in the SEL this season, and it should drive him to continually work on his skating which is an area of his game that he needs to work on.
Mika Zibenejad TSR’s 2011 NHL Mid Term Top 60 Skaters Rankings (1 30)
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26. RC Rocco Grimaldi – US U18 Team (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 08/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.06 | Weight: 163lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 14GP 9G 8A 17P +8 14PIM
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Grimaldi easily has Top 10 skills but at 5’6” he will cause NHL GM’s to do some soul searching as to whether they should take a chance on a kid who has never let his lack of size stop him from producing.  Grimaldi owns such pure and  technically sound offensive skills, a picture perfect skating stride, puck distribution and protection skills and the ability to find the net from all parts of the ice.  Grimaldi leaves everything on the ice and shows no fear when the play takes him to the boards.  With Grimaldi, his size is  the only question mark….the rest is absolute.

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27. RW Seth Ambroz – Omaha (USHL)

DOB: Apr. 01/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 211lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 28GP 14G 12A 26P +8 37PIM
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Ambroz may not have held on to Top 5 status as some were predicting but he remains an interesting prospect.  He has continued to increase his production since his rookie USHL campaign as a 15 year old and is currently at a point per game pace.  Ambroz provides offense through his natural goal scoring ability and quick hands in front.  He also provides a physical presence and shows no fear or reservations on the ice.  The question on Ambroz has been and remains his skating.  Before you see him play, you tend to expect more due to the hype and can leave disappointed, until you look at the score sheet.  It will be interesting to see if he stays the NCAA route with Minnesota or takes his game to Seattle in the WHL.

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28. LC Alexander Khokhlachev – Windsor (OHL) 

DOB: Sep. 09/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 172lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 45GP 26G 31A 57P +4 24PIM
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A dynamic Russian forward who has been a consistent offensive performer all season long. He’s got very good offensive creativity and has the ability to really break down a defense with his stickhandling ability and elusiveness. Prone to disappearing at times, but when he’s on his game, he has the ability to take it over. Especially dangerous on the powerplay when given time and space. Strength is a bit of a concern as he can be neutralized by physicality. Could certainly be a riser in the second half.

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29. RD Robbie Russo – US U18 Team (USHL)

DOB: Feb. 15/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 193lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 15GP 0G 3A 3P +3 6PIM
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The more you see him, the more you have to come away impressed with Russo’s intangible abilities.  His hockey sense is at an elite level both offensively and defensively as he seemingly has the puck on his stick most of the time he’s on the ice whether he’s skating with it through the neutral zone or intercepting opposing passes.  Russo is very smooth and effortless as he skates the puck into the attacking zone and has the ability to find the seams in the opposing team’s forecheck and exploit them through his quick passes or by skating it himself.
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30. LC JT Miller – US U18 Team (USHL)

DOB: Mar. 14/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 198lbs 
Season Statistics (Jan 28th): 12GP 1G 9A 10P +4 37PIM
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Miller is a very strong, powerful skater and he uses his speed to help him both offensively and defensively.  Miller is an extremely hard worker and has the ability to get to loose pucks as well as separate the puck from the carrier seemingly at will.  He has strong puck skills to go with his skating and is very dedicated to his end of the ice.  The only knock on Miller is that when you see him play and admire his skills, you wonder why he doesn’t produce the numbers to match those skills.
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Click here for Part Two of the Top 60 Skaters (31-60)

]]> http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsrs-2011-midterm-top-60-skaters-130/feed/ 5 2011 NHL Entry Draft Rankings: Preliminary Top 15 http://www.thescoutingreport.org/2011-nhl-entry-draft-preliminary-top-15/ http://www.thescoutingreport.org/2011-nhl-entry-draft-preliminary-top-15/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2010 03:25:32 +0000 Scott Campbell http://www.thescoutingreport.org/?p=2125


Our newest rankings are located here. Would love to hear any comments!

1.  RD Adam Larsson | Skelleftea (Elisterien)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 220 | Birthdate: 11/12/92 | Nationality: Swedish


Heading into the 2010/2011 season it’s clear to see that the top spot will be Adam Larsson’s to lose. While there was a prevailing notion that Victor Hedman was the top Swedish defensive prospect possibly ever, only two years later it looks like Larsson will poised to take that mantle. Larsson is an imposing figure with tremendous size, but his game extends well beyond that. He’s very calm with the puck and has great poise and vision. He’s very capable offensively and it looks like his offensive play will continue to grow as he matures. His skating is likely the primary concern if you’re looking for one, as his acceleration and quickness aren’t great, but he will have time to work on that aspect. You could also consider that his foot speed might improve if he adjusts his playing weight to the 210-215 range.

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2. LC Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | Red Deer (WHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 160 | Birthdate: 04/12/93 | Nationality: Canadian


Nugent-Hopkins probably isn’t the consensus #2 among most right now, but he’s a player that we feel is just on the cusp of his ability. Coming off a fine first season in the WHL where he walked away as the league’s rookie of the year, Nugent-Hopkins was Canada’s most productive player in their Gold Medal run at the Ivan Hlinka tournament. He skates tremendously well and is a very creative playmaker with great vision. Not only does he make those around him better, he’s also an adept scorer and as he puts on weight, he will be a very tough player to contain. After leading a very mediocre team last year, Nugent-Hopkins will be poised for a big year this season and it wouldn’t be out of the realm for him to approach the 100 point mark as well as a potential spot on the Canadian Under 20 team. While Couturier might be the better player today, Nugent-Hopkins might have the highest ceiling of any player in this draft.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins 21 300x193 2011 NHL Entry Draft Rankings: Preliminary Top 15

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3. LC Sean Couturier | Drummondville (QMJHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 192 | Birthdate: 12/07/92 | Nationality: Canadian


Couturier struggled to adapt to the QMJHL as a 16 year old as his awkward skating style limited his offensive output along with being on a very deep Drummondville team that went all the way to the Memorial Cup. Oh how a year can make a difference. Last season, Couturier took the league by storm, easily establishing himself as the most dominant player in the league. His combination of size and skill are very hard to come by and his game has drawn a lot of comparisons to Vincent Lecavalier, and rightfully so. His skating improved tremendously last season but will still need to be a focus of improvement for him. With another big season this year, Couturier should cement himself as a Top 3 player in this draft and will stay in contention for what could shape up to be another battle for first overall.

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4. LD David Musil | Vancouver (WHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 190 | Birthdate: 04/09/93 | Nationality: Czech


David Musil had an interesting road to the WHL last season. After the WHL amended some rules to allow a European to join the league as a 16 year old (Musil’s family has ties to North America and moved to Vancouver last summer), the Kooteney Ice acquired his rights in a waiver draft. He was then dealt to Vancouver after requesting a trade to live with his family for a 1st and 5th round picks in the WHL Bantam Draft. Musil proceeded to have a very strong rookie year with the Giants. His game is laced with pro qualities and he has all the traits of a shut-down defenseman that can play important minutes. While his offensive numbers were very good last year, they don’t really reflect his style of play and he’ll have to take a few more chances if he wants to be that type of player at the NHL level.

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5. LW Brandon Saad | Saginaw (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 196 | Birthdate: 10/27/92 | Nationality: American


Saad has developed considerably after being a very raw AAA player in Pittsburgh only three years ago. After spending a couple of productive seasons with the US Development Team, Saad will be making to the move to Saginaw this year after they’ve waited patiently since taking him in the first round back in 2008. Saad should be able to make a seamless transition to the Major Junior game. He’s got a pro style frame, and his style of play matches it. Saad is a good skater with a good scoring touch. He competes hard and battles in the tough areas on the ice and is the type of player that coaches love to have in their lineup as he brings a very solid physical element to his game. His offensive upside at the NHL level probably will be as a 30/30 type player, but like Niederreiter in 2010, he’s a guy that has a lot of versatility and is the type of player that will help you win big games.

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6. RW (LS) Gabriel Landeskog | Kitchener (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 201 | Birthdate: 11/23/92 | Nationality: Swedish


There were high expectations for Gabriel Landeskog last season and after having some early difficulty adjusting to the North American game, by the end of the year he became a player that was dominating OHL games at the age of 17. Landeskog’s style of play is anything but what you’d expect from the prototypical European style. He relishes the opportunity to compete and loves getting involved physically. He’s great on the cycle and can make life very tough for opposing defensemen. He’s got a solid scoring touch, although his offensive awareness could be considered fairly average. Even still, he does a good enough job of putting himself into positions where he can score goals. Like Saad, don’t expect Landeskog to set the world on fire offensively at the NHL level, but he’s a safe bet to be another one of those Brendan Morrow types of players who can play in your Top 6 and add a different dynamic to your team that seems to be so rare these days.

2011 NHL Entry Draft Rankings: Preliminary Top 15

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7. LW Matt Puempel | Peterborough (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 190 | Birthdate: 01/24/93 | Nationality: Canadian


Coming off a very impressive rookie season where he was awarded the CHL Rookie of the Year, Puempel is one of the top pure goal scorers available in this crop. When you see him, he may go through lulls where you might not notice him very much on the ice, but he’s always dangerous in the offensive zone. He does a good job of finding seams in the defense and his shot power and release are both pro quality. Overall, his game is a little ho-hum, but his drive to improve and goal scoring prowess both indicate that at the NHL level, he should be a potent goal scorer in the NHL.

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8. RD Ryan Murphy | Kitchener (OHL)

Height: 5.10 | Weight: 165 | Birthdate: 03/31/93 | Nationality: Canadian


Murphy is a very unique prospect that doesn’t come around that often. While his slender build and lack of defensive polish are pretty big concerns, you can’t ignore the sheer offensive potential he has. Murphy is a tremendous skater with great poise and the ability to make highly skilled moves at top speed. He’s got great agility and is a very good puck distributor. On the powerplay he sees the ice very well and while his shot lacks great power, he does a good job of getting it through and on target. He showed signs that his defensive game is getting better, but that will be a big point of interest for scouts this year as that could really make or break his game at the next level.

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9. LW Seth Ambroz | Omaha (USHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 198 | Birthdate: 04/01/93 | Nationality: American


One of the more highly touted American prospects in recent memory, Ambroz started his USHL career as a 15 year old with Omaha and tried to fast track his way to the NCAA this year at the University of Minnesota. However, Ambroz was informed that there would not be room for him on the team with a significant number of returnees, and as a result he will be back in the USHL, probably for the better as he will see considerably more ice time in Omaha. His skating is an issue as he does lack some quickness, but his ability to shield the puck and play a physical game do compensate a bit. He’s not a natural scorer but he is pretty clutch and is a player who is always working hard and rarely disappears on the ice.

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10. LC Victor Rask | Leksand (Allsvenskan)

Height: 6.02 | Weight: 194 | Birthdate: 03/01/93 | Nationality: Swedish


After a bit of an underwhelming showing at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, Rask will need to have a quick start to the 2010/2011 season as it looks like he’ll be starting in the Allsvenskan this year. He’s a big guy who is very mobile and has high end puck skills. He’s pretty crafty, has good vision and is a dangerous goal scorer as well. With a good season he should cement himself in the 8-12 range as he is a good prospect heading into the year.

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11. LD Duncan Siemens | Saskatoon (WHL)

Height: 6.03 | Weight: 194 | Birthdate: 09/11/93 | Nationality: Canadian


Siemens had a few growing pains last year and perhaps didn’t meet some of the lofty expectations, but there’s a lot to like about him and he’s a guy that could definitely be a riser this year. He’s a steady type of player that’s good in his own end, but is also very effective transitionally and does have some offensive skill. He’ll have a bigger role with the Blades this year and there will be plenty of opportunity for him to play in all different types of situations where he can really show off what type of player he can develop into.

Duncan Siemens 2011 NHL Entry Draft Rankings: Preliminary Top 15

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12. LC Vladislav Namestnikov | London (OHL)

Height: 6.00 | Weight: 163 | Birthdate: 11/22/92 | Nationality: Russian


Namestnikov could very well be the 2011 version of Alexander Burmistrov as there are some parallels to be drawn between their games. Namestnikov is a good skater who has the prototypical Russian skill set. He’s great with the puck and is a threat any time he has the puck either through passing or as a finisher. He capitalizes well on any opportunity and can find holes in the defense. He’ll need to add some strength as that will be a concern, but playing in London this year shouldn’t be a problem as the rigors of the OHL schedule are still manageable.

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13. LW Lucas Lessio | Oshawa (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 187 | Birthdate: 01/23/93 | Nationality: Canadian


Lessio doesn’t have a wow factor, but he’s a blue-collar guy that works hard and gets rewarded for it. He’s not overly physical, but he doesn’t shy away from contact and is very good on the boards. He can play with highly skilled players and be effective and he’s good around the net. With his skill set, he compliments any line well but definitely has the offensive ability to be featured on the top couple of lines. His style of play projects well to the NHL and moving to the OHL this year will certainly provide him with a much greater competition level then he encountered in the CCHL a year ago.

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14. RW Shane McColgan | Kelowna (WHL)

Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170 | Birthdate: 01/01/93 | Nationality: American


McColgan was one of the big revelations in the WHL last year as he exploded offensively to be a very reliable point producer as a 16 year old. His offensive skill can’t be denied but you really have to wonder how much his skating and lack of size will impede him at the NHL level. His defensive zone play is pretty questionable and he’s essentially a one dimensional player as of now, so barring an absolutely huge offensive season, scouts will really want to see him work on his complete game this year.

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15. LC Boone Jenner | Oshawa (OHL)

Height: 6.01 | Weight: 192 | Birthdate: 06/15/93 | Nationality: Canadian


Rounding out the Top 15 is Boone Jenner who is a bit of a wild-card at this point. Last season Jenner looked like he began to show signs of wearing down as the year progressed and his lack of discipline in some games was an issue. Aside from that, his willingness to battle for the puck and sacrifice his body are major stigmas of his game. He’s an effective offensive player with good hands and makes things happen when he gets the puck. His skating still needs a lot of work as he has a real choppy wide stride, not so unlike a former General, John Tavares. While his rookie season was a positive one, this year he’ll need to establish some consistency and show signs of progression.

]]> http://www.thescoutingreport.org/2011-nhl-entry-draft-preliminary-top-15/feed/ 6 USHL Feature: Omaha, Indiana, Waterloo, Green Bay http://www.thescoutingreport.org/ushl-feature-omaha-indiana-waterloo-green-bay/ http://www.thescoutingreport.org/ushl-feature-omaha-indiana-waterloo-green-bay/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:59:50 +0000 Scott Campbell http://www.thescoutingreport.org/?p=755 USHL 300x101 USHL Feature: Omaha, Indiana, Waterloo, Green Bay

I had a chance to check out my first USHL action of the season last Saturday in a couple of games that featured a lot of high quality USHL talent on display. The first game was a highly anticipated matinee matchup between league powerhouses, the Indiana Ice and Omaha Lancers. After heading to the first intermission tied at two goals apiece, the rest of the game was a tight defensive affair until Indiana’s Antti Roppo broke the deadlock midway through the third period, with Max Cook icing the game with a late empty netter. In a game featuring arguably two of the most talented teams in the league, several players will be on the NHL’s radar moving forward. Here’s the boxscore from the game:

http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1048919

Indiana 150x150 USHL Feature: Omaha, Indiana, Waterloo, Green BayOmaha 150x150 USHL Feature: Omaha, Indiana, Waterloo, Green Bay
Brian Ferlin (Indiana) | 1992 | 6’1″ | 196lbs | 22GP 4G 3A 7P +3 4 PIM

It was an unspectacular game for the 2010 Draft Eligible. He moves well on the ice, but his skating needs a bit of refinement in regards to his technique. His offensive skills are raw, but there is room for growth, and he looked like a guy that could generate some later round consideration.

Nick Mattson (Indiana) | 1991L | 6’1″ | 190lbs | 17GP 2G 4A 6P -1 8PIM

Given the amount of hype Mattson received during his time with the NTDP, I was extremely underwhelmed with his game on Saturday. Despite showing some good puck handling skills, Mattson didn’t really present anything that indicates that he has the high end skill to make him a Top 50 pick. Unless his offensive game starts to come around, his lack of a true identity to his game could hurt his stock. I’ll likely check in on another Indiana game later in the season to see how hes’ progressing, as he’s definitely an intriguing prospect.

John Parker (Indiana) | 1992 | 5’11″ | 180lbs | 17GP 2G 5A 7P -4 12PIM

After being pretty highly regarded coming out of U16 AAA in Pittsburgh, it looks like Parker’s transition to Junior Hockey has been a bit of a bumpy ride. Despite having some good overall skills, it appears as though he’s struggled to adapt to the physicality of junior hockey and his offensive production has been hurt because of it. I’m not really sure what his draft stock is looking like, but if he could maintain a .50 PPG average, I wouldn’t be completely surprised if somebody took a shot on him in one of the late rounds.

Seth Ambroz (Omaha) | 1993 | 6’3″ | 205lbs | 19GP 8G 10A 18P +11 31PIM

Definitely the player that I was most excited to see in this game, Ambroz showed me a lot of good things, but he also looks very raw. He has great size and he has a very high compete level which are major positives. He has a hard shot and was determined to drive the net and work the corners which were also positives that indicate he has a lot of potential to be a high pick in 2011. However, I’m pretty concerned with his skating. His stride is long and choppy and from what I saw, is probably the one aspect that’s going to hold him back the most so far. Right now he seems very comparable to a player like Sean Couturier, another 2011 eligible, and it will be very interesting to see how the 2011 Draft shapes up over the next 18 months.

Erik Haula (Omaha) | 1991 | 6’0″ | 175lbs | 21GP 12G 23A 35P +19 16PIM

A seventh round pick of the Wild in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Haula has started his USHL career with a bang this season. Despite being held off the scoresheet, he was arguably the best player on the ice, and showed a lot of offensive creativity. He has good vision in the offensive zone, and is definitely a playmaker first type player. He got into trouble when he neglected his teammates and tried to do to much with the puck, however. He’ll need to work on his strength a lot in the NCAA, but he’s definitely progressed a lot thus far.


The second game I had a chance to check in on featured the Green Bay Gamblers taking to the road to face the hometown Waterloo Black Hawks. One of the main reasons I wanted to see this game was to get a look at Waterloo’s pair of 1994′s, Nick Ebert and Brady Vail, who will both be eligible for the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. The game itself was a very back and forth affair, with a lot more offensive chances than the Indiana/Omaha game. After Waterloo jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second, Green Bay responded with three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Vail tied the game up for the Black Hawks early in the third on his first USHL goal, but Reed Seckel iced the game for the Gamblers late in the third as Green Bay hung on for a 4-3 win. Here’s the boxscore for the game:

http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1048921

Green Bay 150x150 USHL Feature: Omaha, Indiana, Waterloo, Green BayWaterloo 150x150 USHL Feature: Omaha, Indiana, Waterloo, Green Bay

Anders Lee (Green Bay) | 1990 | 6’2″ | 216lbs | 22GP 13G 11A 24P +13 24PIM

Lee was a sixth round draft pick by the Islanders last season after putting up strong numbers alongside Nashville second rounder, Zach Budish. Lee has good size which is something that he utilizes a lot in his game. He was pretty dangerous in the offensive zone and created a lot of strong chances for the Gamblers and could have had a lot more then just one assist. Like Haula, Lee is a player who looks to be a pretty good value selection for the sixth round and adds some quality depth to the Islanders prospect pool.

Nick Ebert (Waterloo) | 1994 | 6’1″ | 185lbs | 15GP 1G 5A 6P |

I was pretty impressed with the 15 year old defenseman in this game, and he did a lot to show me that he should be one of the first players taken in the OHL draft next year. Ebert has very good size and plays a real solid game on the backend. He competes hard and is effective positionally. Transitionally, he moves the puck well and has some untapped offensive potential. His skating needs some work moving forward and he could stand to utilize his teammates quicker when he headman’s the puck, but there’s a lot to like about Ebert’s game.

Brady Vail (Waterloo) | 1994 | 6’1″ | 190lbs | 10GP 1G 0A -6 6PIM

Unlike Ebert, Vail appears set on the NCAA route, so he’s likely not going to be selected very high in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. In this game, the Michigan native notched his first USHL point, a goal, which tied the game up in the third period. Vail looked to have a lot of good physical skills, but I’m not sure how much offensive potential he has. Once he adds some more strength to his frame, he should be a solid USHL player, but I’m interested to see how his offensive production grows moving forward.

With that being said, it was nice to get an opportunity to check out a couple of USHL  games on an off-day for the Wolves. I was impressed to see that the quality of play in the league is continuing to get better, and the speed is especially something that has improved a lot. I’ll be certain to make sure I have an opportunity to catch a few more games throughout the year as well.

]]> http://www.thescoutingreport.org/ushl-feature-omaha-indiana-waterloo-green-bay/feed/ 0 CHL Feature – 2009/10 Junior Preview http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsr-feature-200910-junior-preview/ http://www.thescoutingreport.org/tsr-feature-200910-junior-preview/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:50:53 +0000 Scott Campbell http://www.thescoutingreport.org/?p=257 While roster turnover in professional hockey normally brings limited change to rosters each year, even despite the salary cap, it is something that has become customary in junior hockey every off-season. Unlike professional leagues, junior hockey teams are handicapped by the limited amount of eligibility their players have to play in their respective leagues. As a result, every off-season is particularity exciting as some teams fall from grace, while others get ready to ascend to the top. This off-season has been particularly exciting and we’ll elaborate on some of the bigger storylines to follow from some of the high profile junior leagues in North America.

QMJHL 300x168 CHL Feature 2009/10 Junior Preview


Often considered the weakest link out of the three CHL leagues, the QMJHL took some of the national spotlight from the WHL and OHL this summer with some big news of its own. Leading the way has been the ongoing dilemma with Russian phenom Kirill Kabanov and where he will indeed play the 2009/10 season. After indicating that he wanted to play in the CHL in early 2009, Kabanov’s intentions seemed to change when his rights were traded from his previous KHL club Spartak Moscow, to KHL powerhouse Salavat UFA. However, the terms of Kabanov’s contract have apparently changed as he will no longer have an NHL escape clause until his mid to late 20’s which has once again caused the 17 year old Moscow native to apparently switch his intentions to playing in the CHL.

Luckily for the Moncton Wildcats, this means that they are now one step closer to landing a player who many feel could contend for top honours in the 2010 draft class. After selecting Kabanov with the 7th overall pick in this summer’s CHL Import Draft, Kabanov is now in New Brunswick as he looks to obtain a transfer from the IIHF to allow him to play in the QMJHL this season. While Salavat is disputing this heavily, and rightfully so, if Kabanov does land in the QMJHL, he will likely be one of the most followed players in the league since Sidney Crosby’s reign ended in 2005.

The Kabanov impasse has overshadowed another Russian’s arrival to the QMJHL as well. After a tough season last year, the St. John Sea Dogs were able to add two major components to their rebuild after they were able to nab fellow 2010 eligible Stanislav Galiev with the 1st pick in the Import Draft, and supplemented that with flashy Slovakian Tomas Jurco with the 4th pick. While Jurco is not eligible until the 2011 Entry Draft, both players look like they will be impact players this season and will definitely be worth keeping an eye on throughout the season.

OHL 300x168 CHL Feature 2009/10 Junior Preview

How can you top the notion that your league has produced the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft for the last three years? Easy, you do it again. With the resurgence of the OHL kicked into high gear, the 2010 draft crop will definitely be one of the biggest storylines to follow in the league this season. Two Windsor Spitfires, Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler, will be top contenders for the first pick in the draft, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Kane (2007), Stamkos (2008) and Tavares (2009) in continuing the OHL dominance at the top of the draft. As if having these two guys wasn’t enough, when you look around the league and see some of the other players available, the 2010 NHL Entry Draft’s first round will surely be littered with upwards of 10 OHL players.

One of the big teams to follow this season will be the Kitchener Rangers, who have done a nice job rebuilding over the past season after hosting the Memorial Cup in 2008. After adding a trio of Americans with Columbus first rounder John Moore, Atlanta second rounder Jeremy Morin and Colorado goaltending prospect Brandon Maxwell, the team has done a nice job of adding some high end talent to the team. Adding in third overall pick Ryan Murphy and one of the top prospects for the 2011 Entry Draft in Gabriel Landeskog, there is certainly a lot to be excited about. Oh, and don’t forget about guys like Jeff Skinner, Jason Akeson and Chris MacKinnon and this team has the potential to be one of the better teams in the league with a roster that is littered with several NHL calibre prospects as well.

WHL 300x179 CHL Feature 2009/10 Junior Preview

After producing some solid high end players in 2009, the 2010 NHL Entry Draft doesn’t look as promising for the WHL. While Brett Connolly will surely be a Top 10 pick and Mark Pysyk could break into the Top 15, the draft crop from the WHL lacks the high end talent it normally produces. While 2010 will probably be considered a bit of an off year for the league, there is a gem that is waiting to be uncovered yet, the 2011 crop.

Many scouts have been quick to label the 2011 Draft as one of the worst in the past decade, when you look closer at some of the players that will be eligible, that opinion seems to be on the contrary. Although the draft may lack some of the high end impact prospects from other drafts, there is no doubting that there is a considerable amount of quality depth in this draft, especially from the WHL in particular.

Leading the way is Red Deer’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a slick forward who has extremely good offensive instincts. Two other players who are at a similar level are Shane McColgan of Kelowna and Colin Jacobs of Seattle. All three of these players saw some time in the WHL last season as 15 year olds, and despite their young age, each of them showed that they could already be impact players in the league despite their inexperience. However it doesn’t stop there as several other players like Ty Rattie, Duncan Siemens and Michael St. Croix will all be interesting players to follow this season.  All in all, the 1993’s in the WHL will be an intriguing age group to watch as they appear poised to break a reign of OHL dominance in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.

USHL 300x101 CHL Feature 2009/10 Junior Preview

There will always be people who are often quick to simply write off the United States’ top calibre of junior hockey despite the fact that the league continues to take steps towards becoming a better league. This year, they’ve done that by bringing on the USNTDP program into their league for a second stint. There will always be advocates and critics of how the program is operated and whether it is ultimately beneficial or not, but one thing cannot be disputed, and that is the fact that many of the top 16 and 17 year old American players continue to call this program home during their first two years of junior eligibility. With the NTDP joining the regular league schedule this season, they will help bolster the quality of play in the league and should attract plenty of attention from the NHL scouting community which will only help create more exposure for the growing league.

One USHL player of particular intrigue will be Omaha’s Seth Ambroz, a 6’3” forward who played 61 games with the team as a 15 year old where he registered a very impressive 14 goals and 31 points. He has been generating a lot of hype with his combination of size and skill and scouts will be following his progress a lot this season to get a gauge on just how good Ambroz might be able to be.

Suffice to say, with junior hockey across the continent surging in popularity, there is plenty to be excited about once again in 2009/2010. Across the CHL and the USHL, many of the top young players in the world will once again be on display and it will be very interesting to see who will surprise and who will disappoint.

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