04-5 Online Prospect Magazine - G

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G

Michael Garnett, Atl, G, (Rating: 3.0), Chicago (AHL) - Not to be lost in Kari Lehtonen's shadow, unheralded Saskatoon native flourished as a sophomore pro, earning a January call-up to the AHL, where he impressed enough to stay on as backup, before returning to backstop Gwinnett to the ECHL Conference Finals .. A poised, technically-sound goalie with a quick glove hand, Garnett understands how to play angles and is very adept at reading the play and getting his body set and into position early .. His progress has been significant, and now gets a chance to work on his puckhandling and consistency as an AHL starter.

Randall Gelech, Phx, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Utah (AHL) - Earning MVP honours at the NHL rookie tournament last fall proved a harbinger of things to come for upstart seventh-rounder, who proceeded to notch a career-high 30 goals, including a WHL-best ten game-winners, and then emerge as a one-man scoring force in leading the Rockets to the league title (17-10-4-14, plus-14) and the Memorial Cup (4-3-1-4) .. A strapping power forward with good feet and puckcarrying skills for a big man, Gelech protects the puck superbly and displays tremendous poise under pressure as he calmly absorbs big hits yet consistently makes smart plays .. Vaulting up the organizational ladder, though he still needs to upgrade his overall quickness.

Bruno Gervais, NYI, D, (Rating: 2.5), Bridgeport (AHL) - Acadie Bathurst captain won an NHL contract last fall following an outstanding camp last fall, but blew his knee apart at Team Canada's WJC selection camp in December and underwent season-ending surgery .. A smart, poised puckmover with excellent skating abilities, Gervais accelerates to top speed within a few strides and loves to jump into the rush and show off a lethal one-timer, however, he also competes hard physically in his own end, despite a modestly-sized frame .. Just needs more experience and upper-body strength.

Ryan Getzlaf, Ana, C, (Rating: 4.0), Calgary (WHL) - After nearly cracking the Ducks at camp last fall, talented first-rounder proceeded to post the WHL's highest points-per-game average in a third term abbreviated by a solid performance on Canada's silver-medal WJC squad (6-3-3-6) .. A strapping, physical forward, Getzlaf is a sturdy skater who brings a responsible and high-skilled game complete with deft puck-control skills and a booming shot that wreaks havoc from the point on the power play .. Must continue refining his overall tempo and quickness, yet could advance given size and well-rounded package of skill, power and brains.

Evgeny Gladskikh, Van, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Magnitogorsk (Rus) - Among the few big pipeline surprises came from unheralded Russian fourth-rounder, who broke through with a career-high 13 goals to finish fourth on a veteran-filled Metallurg club .. The industrious, highly-skilled Gladskikh is a graceful skater with a quick, deceptive first step, excellent puckhandling skills, and an explosive wrist shot, but isn't overly big nor physical, and would benefit from better strength and top-end speed .. Underrated prospect will need time to adjust to North American game.

Tim Gleason, LA, D, (Rating: 3.0), Manchester (AHL) - A preseason injury to veteran Aaron Miller opened the door for former Ottawa first-rounder, who showed tremendous poise during an extended two-month NHL debut and four subsequent call-ups .. A strong, combative rearguard with dynamic straight-line speed, Gleason already does everything with great power, yet it was his ability to keep his game simple, plus handle the physical aspects, that accelerated his pro transition .. Has progressed much faster than anticipated, but give him time to add the offense

Curtis Glencross, Ana, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Cincinnati (AHL) - Undrafted sophomore scored a team-high 21 goals and ran over everything in his way en route to steering the Seawolves to a first-ever berth in the WCHA's Final Five .. A fast, ultra-aggressive wrecking ball, Glencross combines good skills and instincts with a ferocious and relentless hitting game, but needs to add survival muscle if he hopes to translate his kamikaze game to the NHL .. Also made a big impact during his AHL playoff debut (9-1-6-7, plus-5).

Rob Globke, Fla, RW, (Rating: 3.0), San Antonio (AHL) - Studious senior earned All-Academic Team honours as a five-time Dean's List selection, and found time to lead the Irish in scoring for a second consecutive year, highlighted by a team-high five game-winning goals .. Globke is a powerful skater with soft hands, tricky one-on-one moves, and an ability to use his size and strength to create space for his accurate shot, but he loses focus and urgency away from the puck at times, only kicking himself into battle mode when an opportunity presents itself .. Will likely need AHL seasoning to work on his consistency and physical play.

Mike Glumac, StL, RW, (Rating: 2.0), Worcester (AHL) - Undrafted Miami-Ohio grad took the Blues by storm in his second pro season, leading the IceCats in goals, assists, and plus-minus, while finishing runner-up among AHL rookies in scoring .. A big, well-rounded winger with good speed and skills, Glumac knows how to use his size and strength in traffic and is an intelligent shooter with a knack for getting his rocket shot through seams .. Gets better as the level of competition rises.

Marcel Goc, SJ, C, (Rating: 3.5), Cleveland (AHL) - Steadily progressing throughout his North American premiere, German first-rounder was called up as an emergency fill-in during the playoffs and proved a revelation in his NHL debut, stepping into the heat of battle and manufacturing the series-winning goals against both Colorado and St. Louis .. A smart, industrious pivot who plays a mature two-way game, Goc involves his wingers effectively and is a fluid skater with excellent passing and faceoff skills, and should only improve with better strength and first-step quickness .. Scored most of his goals (13 of 16) in the second half.

Boyd Gordon, Wsh, C, (Rating: 3.0), Portland (AHL) - Teenage first-rounder began his NHL career in style with a goal and two assists in the first two games centering for Jaromir Jagr, however, it took the next 38 games (38-0-3-3) to double his point total, which earned him a second half in Portland .. A superb checker and penalty-killer, the versatile, hard-working Gordon is a world-class skater with understated offensive skills, including a deft passing touch and a good wristshot, though somewhat predictable .. Strong character player just needs time to learn how to apply his talents in order to complete the package

Josh Gorges, SJ, D, (Rating: 2.5), Cleveland (AHL) - Undrafted Kelowna captain won a silver medal at the World Juniors (6-0-3-3, plus-8) and also finished runner-up in WHL Top Defenseman voting, but captured the biggest prize by leading his Rockets to a Memorial Cup title (17-2-13-15, plus-13 in WHL playoffs) .. A heady, all-around rearguard, Gorges offsets the size disadvantage by mixing a competitive style with exceptional mobility and positional sense, and is an error-free puckmover with a gift for getting his shot through to the net on the power play .. On a steep development path.

Denis Grebeshkov, LA, D, (Rating: 4.0), Manchester (AHL) - Injuries conspired to spoil an otherwise fine North American debut from Russian first-rounder, as a bruised forearm cost him most of training camp, and then a fractured wrist in December set him back nearly three months .. A mobile, all-weather workhorse, Grebeshkov is a talented outlet passer as well as a smart, competitive defender who relies on his sound positional sense and poise under pressure, however, he lacks imposing size and must add upper-body strength to help contain bigger opponents down low .. Showed glimpses of brilliance and inexperience during a mixed-bag NHL debut in late February.

Mike Green, Wsh, D, (Rating: 3.0), Saskatoon (WHL) - A beacon of light in an otherwise gloomy season for the Blades (7-52-11-2), third year WHL'er was leading the club in scoring until late in the season, and solidified his first-round ranking with a standout performance at the annual Top Prospects Game, highlighted by a home-run hit on David Schulz .. The passionate, smooth-skating Green is a poised and efficient puckmover who, despite an average-sized frame, can dominate man-on-man situations and dish out bone-rattling hits due to his impeccable sense of timing and sharp problem-solving skills .. Caps hedged their bets by taking instinctive, underrated blueliner, two picks after selecting the overrated, pylon-esque Jeff Schultz.

Igor Grigorenko, Det, RW, (Rating: 4.0), Lada Togliatti (Rus) - Stocky Russian sniper was lucky to be alive let alone playing a handful of games with Lada's junior team, marking a miraculous return from a near-fatal car accident (Apr `03) in which he sustained serious leg injuries and endured life-threatening post-operative complications .. A versatile, hard-driving forward with terrific balance, anticipation and intensity, Grigorenko drives into scoring lanes using his powerful stride and can execute tricky one-on-one maneuvers or unleash a quick, heavy wristshot at top speed .. Will spend the year at home building back his conditioning and confidence.

Denis Grot, Van, D, (Rating: 2.0), Yaroslavl (Rus) - Russian second-rounder impressively cracked a veteran-filled Lokomotiv blueline last fall and steadily gained more duties throughout his Super League debut, finishing the season on the top pairing with captain Dmitri Krasotkin .. A skilled, smooth-skating rearguard, Grot makes smart positional decisions and is an excellent outlet passer with sharp offensive instincts, and has continued to add more of a physical edge to his repertoire, though he still needs to fill out his modest-sized frame .. Stable player with good two-way upside.