04-5 Online Prospect Magazine - M

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Joey MacDonald, Det, G, (Rating: 2.5), Grand Rapids (AHL) - The biggest news on the farm was the sensational play of undrafted third-year pro, who was magnificent whenever Marc Lamothe was out of the lineup, and posted a sparkling .942 save percentage over the second half (14-11-1, 1.81 GAA) .. A calm, reflex goalie with good size and athleticism, the former Peterborough standout plays a controlled style, backed by exceptional positioning and an ability to make saves at key times in a game .. On the downside, he lost six of eight starts down the stretch and blew a tire in his only playoff appearance.

Derek MacKenzie, Atl, C, (Rating: 2.0), Chicago (AHL) - Former Sudbury captain volleyed a strong camp into a breakthrough third AHL season, highlighted by three NHL call-ups and a bustout playoff with a team-high seven goals (10-7-1-8) .. The smooth and fast MacKenzie is a tenacious, hard-working checker with superb penalty-killing and faceoff skills, but has needed time to add the strength and tempo to allow his modest frame to navigate pro traffic .. Has the makings of a solid bottom-six forward, but must act now.

Evgeny Malkin, Pit, C, (Rating: 4.0), Magnitogorsk (Rus) - Compared to Jean Beliveau at the draft, the amazing Malkin drew very close to countryman Ovechkin in pre-draft rankings after a dominating performance in the medal round of the U18 World Juniors in Minsk, leading Russia to a gold medal, despite suffering a major 'level three' concussion only two months before .. A tall, somewhat lanky, centerman, Malkin possesses an outstanding wingspan and vision, with an affinity for uncanny no-look drop passes and awes crowds with out-of-your-seat stickhandling skills and the willingness to attack the net with abandon .. Said at the draft that he would like to play another year in Russia.

Justin Mapletoft, NYI, C, (Rating: 2.5), Bridgeport (AHL) - Former WHL MVP was called up in November and saw limited duty during a two-month stint on the Island, before being returned to Bridgeport, where he sustained a season-ending broken ankle in March .. A conscientious, hard-working pivot with deceptive strength and quickness, Mapletoft plays smart defensively and is steadily learning how to better exploit his crafty puckhandling skills, as he is still a streaky offensive contributor .. Like Trent Hunter, has paid his dues.

Jay McClement, StL, C, (Rating: 2.5), Worcester (AHL) - Aside from some inevitable rookie inconsistency, dedicated former Battalion captain enjoyed a solid pro debut in Worcester and doubled his goal output in the second half (33-8-6-13) .. A strong, purposeful skater, McClement excels at all things defensive such as faceoffs and penalty-killing, and loves to use his impressive size, reach and speed to beat defenders wide and drive for goal, though he must keep bulking up his lanky upper body .. Earned an NHL audition with an eye on a full-time spot in `05-6.

Brian McConnell, Cgy, C, (Rating: 2.5), Boston University (HE) - Underachieving (and underrated) second-rounder overcame a woeful start (11-1-0-1) to enjoy a strong second half, and wound up leading the lean-scoring Terriers with his third consecutive 11-goal campaign .. A smart, skilled puckhandler with excellent passing skills, McConnell has deceptive speed due to a long, languid stride, and can dominate physically on the forecheck, though, he has a tendency to mysteriously shift into auto-glide and take undisciplined, ill-timed penalties .. Quietly developing into a leader and solid pro prospect.

Cody McCormick, Col, RW, (Rating: 2.5), Hershey (AHL) - Fresh off a breakout final junior campaign, Belleville star cracked the NHL with a solid camp and saw limited fourth-line duty until being demoted just before mid-season .. A big, strong-skating banger, McCormick consistently plays the body and works tremendously hard away from the puck, however, he must continue to elevate his puckhandling and finishing skills .. Struggled to gain his bearings after being demoted to Hershey, which is where he might start this time

Andrej Meszaros, Ott, D, (Rating: 3.0), Vancouver (WHL) - Gifted puckmover established himself as the Slovakia's most promising blueline prospect, earning all-star honours in his first full professional campaign and was rewarded by playing a key role on the Slovakian World Hockey Championships team in Czech Republic (7-0-1-1-2), where he was the youngest participant .. A vivacious, creative defenseman with fluid skating abilities and suave puck skills, Meszaros can be deceptively explosive when presented with the opportunity to join the rush, but often leaves plays incomplete despite high-octane flash-and-dash and must further refine his defensive play, mainly in one-on-one situations .. Could soon be the top rearguard in Slovakia.

Marc Methot, CBJ, D, (Rating: 2.5), London (OHL) - Mammoth sixth-rounder has quietly emerged as a stalwart blueliner during his two OHL seasons, last year finishing third in the league with a plus-39 rating, behind a pair of teammates, and turning in a gritty, physical performance in the playoffs .. An efficient, stay-at-home rearguard, Methot plays a steady, error-free game and is a suffocating defender, tough to beat one-on-one thanks to impressive mobility and reach, and quickly understanding how to deploy his well-constructed frame .. Huge gains in strength and overall development, and is NHL-bound with refinements in puckhandling.

Milan Michalek, SJ, LW, (Rating: 4.0), Cleveland (AHL) - Mature Czech teenager sustained torn knee ligaments in just his second NHL game, after cracking the Sharks with an eye-opening camp, and was making a comeback in Cleveland when he blew out the same knee which required a second operation .. A creative playmaker and talented puckhandler, Michalek moves with remarkable grace and vigor for a big man, and showed an impressive physical edge, aggressively using his prodigious size and strength to battle in traffic and free up space for his powerful shot .. Complete package of size, skill and smarts.

Antti Miettinen, Dal, RW, (Rating: 3.0), Hamilton (AHL) - The move to North America didn't go as planned for Finnish League MVP, who sparkled at camp, but soon lost confidence and was demoted to Utah in mid-November, where he was stalled by a pair of injuries (back, separated shoulder) .. A crafty, versatile playmaker and slippery skater, Miettinen showed off some dazzling passing abilities, and, despite being undersized, impressive toughness with even a tinge of nastiness, but must learn how to better assess risk, as he has a bad habit of getting fancy in dangerous areas .. Came to life again down the stretch (25-3-15-18).

Ryan Miller, Buf, G, (Rating: 4.0), Rochester (AHL) - It was a humbling year for former Hobey Baker winner, who was hammered in two of his three NHL appearances, including a 6-0 loss in the season's second game, however, he battled back to post an impressive .934 save percentage in leading the Amerks to the Conference Finals (7-7, 1.82) .. A poised and graceful goalie with exceptional post-to-post agility, Miller focuses on keeping his body square and relying on his superb timing and positional sense, but is learning that he needs to expand his repertoire and be more aggressive in certain situations .. Requires better physical and mental strength to dominate at the next level.

Igor Mirnov, Ott, LW, (Rating: 3.0), Dynamo Moscow (Rus) - Russian second-rounder was in the midst of a breakout sophomore campaign in the Super League with seven goals in his first 26 games before sustaining a knee injury in December, which forced him to miss the World Juniors .. A smart two-way forward, Mirnov plays all three forward positions and is a good, balanced skater with strong puckhandling skills and a blistering shot, but he also works hard away from the puck and continues to get stronger and more comfortable in traffic .. Projects as a reliable mid-line scorer.

John Mitchell, Tor, C, (Rating: 2.5), Plymouth (OHL) - Speedy fifth-rounder emerged as a top-line player in his third OHL season, leading the Whalers in scoring during the regular season and playoffs, where he carried his club past the defending Memorial Cup champion Kitchener Rangers (9-6-6-12) .. A smart, well-rounded pivot with excellent face-off skills, Mitchell possesses good size and is a strong skater who doesn’t shy away from making plays in high-traffic zones .. Appears primed to make a huge splash in his senior OHL term.

Tomas Mojzis, Van, D, (Rating: 2.5), Manitoba (AHL) - Czech rookie nearly cracked the Canucks with an outstanding camp last fall, however, he was slowed by (broken thumb, flu) injury .. his play gradually regressed throughout a disappointing pro debut with the Moose .. A slick-skating, undersized blueliner, Mojzis excels at supporting the rush, exploiting his strong passing skills and quick, accurate shot, but his overall decision making needs to improve as he tends to take unnecessary risks, and still gets overmatched in the physical department, despite increases in strength .. Back to the drawing board.

Al Montoya, NYR, G, (Rating: 3.5), Michigan (CCHA) - Competitive Cuban-American solidified his blue chip status by leading the United States to its first ever god medal at the U20 World Juniors, filling in for the injured Jim Howard and was a finalist for CCHA goaltender of the year in what was his sophomore season in college .. The high-maintenance Montoya plays a robust, venturesome style, mixing superb flexibility and reflexes as well as lightning-quick legs and is almost impenetrable when in a groove, frustrating shooters with superb lateral agility and a battling spirit .. Will get long looks at the Rangers' camp.

Dominic Moore, NYR, C, (Rating: 3.0), Hartford (AHL) - Despite a strong training camp and a three-point NHL debut in November, former Harvard captain was sentenced to Hartford, where he experienced an erratic pro transition, before starting to find some consistency down the stretch (28-6-13-19) and playoffs (16-3-3-6) .. A creative, well-rounded pivot with sneaky hands, Moore is a smooth skater with deceptive lateral speed and a talent for disguising his intentions and buying space for his probing shot .. Needs better strength and conditioning to fulfill his considerable upside.

Shaone Morrisonn, Wsh, D, (Rating: 3.5), Portland (AHL) - Gangly first-rounder helped spark Boston’s mid-season turnaround upon his recall from Providence, while his smooth transition to the NHL prompted the Capitals to make him the key piece in the Sergei Gonchar sell-off .. A big, hard-shooting rearguard with excellent mobility and work habits, Morrisonn gets involved physically and has steadily improved his decision-making and puckmoving skills, though he still gets outmuscled around his own net at times .. Solid all-weather blueliner looks to be on a steady upward path

Matt Murley, Pit, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Wilkes-Barre (AHL) - Former RPI All-American was busy and productive in his sophomore year as he played 105 games combined, including three stints with the big club, and was among the Baby Pens' best players during the AHL playoffs (24-7-6-13), highlighted by a Game 7 overtime winner that clinched a berth in the Calder Cup finals .. A smart, smooth-skating forward with deceptive speed and excellent puckhandling skills, Murley has made a successful transformation from star collegiate sniper into a gritty, two-way player as his physical commitment steadily improves .. In line for full-time checking role.

Doug Murray, SJ, D, (Rating: 2.5), Cleveland (AHL) - Swedish-born former Cornell co-captain didn't show his best at training camp, but by season's end had established himself as a steady, physical force on the Barons' blueline .. A rugged, hard-hitting workhorse, Murray is a smart outlet passer with a heavy, fearsome shot, and, although lacking great high-end speed, has a long, deceptive first step and knows how to use his great size, strength and positional sense to bottle up attackers .. Dedicated player has improved each year and continues to work diligently on his overall quickness, though he missed valuable training time rehabbing from off-season shoulder surgery.