04-5 Online Prospect Magazine - P - Q

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P-Q

Dan Paille, Buf, LW, (Rating: 3.0), Rochester (AHL) - Rugged first-rounder enjoyed a successful junior finale, posting career-high totals while leading the Storm to the Memorial Cup, and also capturing a second straight silver medal at the World Juniors, this time as captain (6-4-0-4) .. speedy, combative power-forward, Paille isn't blessed with flashy skills, but works tirelessly along the boards, creating turnovers and standing up his checks with devastating, full-body hits, and continues to learn how to generate scoring chances off the forecheck and on special teams .. Could advance given responsible, disciplined two-way game.

Zach Parise, NJ, C, (Rating: 4.0), Albany (AHL) - Super sophomore finished among the nation's top scorers to earn Hobey Baker consideration for a second straight year, this time as a top-three finalist, and also powered Team USA to a historic first gold medal at the World Juniors, where he tied for the lead in scoring and was named Tournament MVP (6-5-6-11, plus-7) .. A gritty, deceptive-skating pivot with great skills, poise and imagination, Parise senses danger instinctively and possesses a special ability to process the game around him and find creative and probing solutions, even when it appears he waited too long .. Universal talent will nullify size factor, but will need time acclimatizing to NHL strength and pace.

Dimitri Patzold, SJ, G, (Rating: 3.0), Cleveland (AHL) - All in all, it was a successful North American debut for Kazakhstan-born fourth-rounder (also holds German citizenship), who was spectacular at times early on before losing his AHL spot to Nolan Schaefer .. An agile, acrobatic goalie, Patzold is strong and quick on his feet and plays an aggressive, hybrid style, using his superb flexibility and reflexes to frustrate shooters, especially in close .. Won't be first call-up this year, but he may make the biggest impact in the long run.

Alexander Perezhogin, Mtl, RW, (Rating: 3.5), Avangard Omsk (Rus) - Kazakh first-rounder made an understandably tentative start in his North America debut, but blossomed in the second half (40-15-18, plus-13), and was leading the Bulldogs in scoring (5-3-3-6, plus-5) when he laid a vicious two-hander across the face of Cleveland's Garrett Stafford and was barred from the league until the `05-6 season, the longest suspension in AHL history .. A subtly-skilled, two-way winger, Perezhogin plays a compact game, excelling in traffic due to his deceptive lateral agility and nifty one-on-one moves, and can finish with a quick, powerful wristshot, though he still loses focus at times .. One brain-cramp too many.

Corey Perry, Ana, RW, (Rating: 3.0), London (OHL) - Reaping the rewards of a successful bulk-up program, rangy first-rounder blossomed in his third OHL term, leading the league with 11 game-winners and finishing runner-up in overall scoring .. A flashy puckhandler and passer, Perry showed much better intensity and fearlessness last season, though he still tends to overhandle the puck, and must continue to upgrade his balance and overall quickness .. Stepped up his physical play in the playoffs (15-7-15-22).

Dion Phaneuf, Cgy, D, (Rating: 4.0), Red Deer (WHL) - It was a showcase year for bruising first-rounder, who finished second in scoring for the Rebels to capture WHL Top Defenseman honours, and was also named a tournament all-star for a solid performance on Canada's silver-medal World Juniors (6-2-2-4, plus-6), highlighted by a crushing open-ice hit on Czech Rostislav Olesz .. Big, mean and mobile, Phaneuf grew exponentially last season, showing off very good puck skills and heavy, accurate point shot, complementing an already well-developed physical game, however, he also made strides in his down-low coverage and positional play .. Take-charge leader who deals game-turning hits and goals (led Red Deer with a plus-11 rating and five game-winners).

Alexandre Picard, CBJ, LW, (Rating: 3.5), Lewiston (QMJHL) - Lewiston's leading scorer established himself as the top-rated Quebec League player in the 2004 draft by obliterating his rookie point total by 51 and saving his best for the post-season, despite the MAINEiacs early exit (7-7-4-11-6) .. A hunchback with an awkward, slumped stride, Picard is a quick skater with a detonative first step and a sniper's touch who loves to drive the net, exploits open lanes and mixes in a surprising dosage of grit and boldness .. Should address strength issues in order to take the next step.

Tuomas Pihlman, NJ, LW, (Rating: 3.0), Albany (AHL) - Fresh off a breakout year in `02-3, Finnish second-rounder didn't exactly shoot the lights out in his North American intro, but did show considerable promise and also left a favourable impression during a two-game NHL debut near midseason .. A big, strong, physical winger with good hands and a heavy shot, Pihlman reads the game well at both ends and is a solid skater with nice pickup speed for his size .. Look for a bigger sophomore impact.

Libor Pivko, Nsh, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Milwaukee (AHL) - Late-blooming Czech turned heads with his defense and physical play during a smooth North American transition, but saved the best for last by emerging as one of the Admirals' best players during their Calder Cup run (21-7-6-13) .. A fast, agile skater with clever passing skills and a good shot, Pivko was used in all situations last season as he plays an intelligent and responsible game, and effectively uses his lanky frame and improving strength to protect and distribute the puck in traffic .. Shaping into a solid scoring-line foil.

Tomas Plekanec, Mtl, C, (Rating: 2.5), Hamilton (AHL) - A two-game NHL debut at mid-season spurred former Czech League Rookie-of-the-Year on a second-half tear (37-12-27-39) to lead the Bulldogs in assists, points and game-winning goals (9) .. A spunky, skilled playmaker with excellent vision and creativity, Plekanec works tirelessly away from the puck and plays an agitating style that gets under opponent's skin, though he still loses board battles due to a lack of size .. Groomed to replace the retired Joe Juneau, but needs a strong camp given the intense competition for spots.

Thomas Pock, NYR, D, (Rating: 3.0), Hartford (AHL) - Undrafted Austrian-born senior led the Minutemen in goals, assists and points, and to a first-ever tournament finals appearance, en route to earning a Hobey Baker nomination and First-Team All-American honours, not to mention scoring a goal in his first NHL game .. The crafty and highly-skilled Pock plays a cerebral, puck-possession style similar to that of Sergei Zubov, and is a lethal attacker who combines sound judgment with imposing lateral stickhandling range and a deceiving first step that is languid yet explosive .. Progressed exponentially during his collegiate career, but will have to work on his overall tempo and physical consistency to complete the package.

Martin Podlesak, Phx, C, (Rating: 2.5), Utah (AHL) - Courageous Czech was understandably tentative upon returning last fall from three concussions that had marred his previous two seasons, but started to regain his confidence over the final month after being a frequent healthy scratch in February .. A smooth and powerful skater with impressive puckhandling skills, Podlesak looked increasingly more comfortable in traffic, even initiating some big hits, but needs to keep bulking up his colossal fame, while finding strategies to better deploy his fearsome shot .. Expect a breakthrough.

John Pohl, StL, C, (Rating: NR), Worcester (AHL) - Expected to challenge for a roster spot last fall, former Golden Gophers star stumbled through much of his sophomore year, but recovered over the final two months (28-8-16-24) before missing most of the playoffs after taking a slapshot to the face .. A crafty, hard-working pivot with a strong feel for the game, Pohl excels at protecting the puck in traffic and finding linemates with clever set-ups, and has dedicated himself to improving his overall quickness and oft-maligned skating stride .. Back to the drawing-board for 'back-door Johnny'.

Vojtech Polak, Dal, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Dukla Jihlava (Cze) - It was a disappointing year for Czech second-rounder who lost a spot among the top-six forwards with Karlovy Vary and appeared disinterested at times while toiling on the fourth line .. A poised, offensively-gifted winger, Polak is a very good skater who flourishes on the power play due to his smooth puckhandling and impressive bursts of speed, however, he favors a finesse game and must improve his defensive-zone intensity and awareness .. Plenty of holes to fill here still.

Alexander Polushin, TB, C, (Rating: 3.5), CSKA (Rus) - Russian second-rounder powered an impressive second line for CSKA to begin last season, but sustained a serious knee injury in October and underwent season-ending reconstructive surgery .. A strong, assertive two-way winger, Polushin is a powerful, well-balanced skater and a talented puckhandler who consistently takes advantage of his excellent size and strength to drive to the net and create space for his formidable wristshot .. Back to square one as ill-timed injury shortcircuited what was shaping up as a breakthrough sophomore Super League campaign.

Jason Pominville, Buf, RW, (Rating: 3.0), Rochester (AHL) - Former Shawinigan sharpshooter suddenly put it all together in a bustout sophomore pro campaign that saw him finish fourth in the AHL with 34 goals, including a league-high 22 on the power play, despite missing 12 games to a January concussion .. A quick, shifty goal-scorer, Pominville plays a feisty game, despite a slender build, and possesses a knack for finding open space and unleashing his wicked shot, powered by a lightning-fast release and uncanny accuracy .. Didn't let up in the playoffs either, as he led the Amerks in goals and points (16-9-10-19, plus-8).

Mark Popovic, Ana, D, (Rating: 3.0), Cincinnati (AHL) - Smooth-skating former St. Mike's captain progressed well in his sophomore pro season, improving his tempo and physical play, and showing better confidence in his offensive abilities down the stretch (21-2-6-8) .. A smart, skilled puckmover with strong leadership abilities, Popovic excels at the transition game and possesses solid offensive tools, including a hard, accurate shot, and has made significant gains in his strength and defensive consistency .. Ready for the next test.

Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Edm, C, (Rating: 3.5), Rimouski (QMJHL) - A healthy and productive playoff performance (4-3-6-9) helped dull the memories of an injury-marred year for talented Rimouski captain, who laboured with an abdominal problem for much of the season, and a broken wrist which cost him the final two weeks .. A creative, silky-smooth playmaker who reads and anticipates the game with ease, Pouliot excels at taking the puck to the net as he is strong and elusive on his feet, a gifted stickhandler, and plays with a consistent gritty edge .. Promising mix of brains and skill, but will need to get stronger to shed the durability issues.

Brandon Prust, Cgy, LW, (Rating: 2.5), London (OHL) - Originally a walk-on at last year's Knights camp, tough-as-nails London native earned a surprise third-round selection this summer after a breakout sophomore season that saw him lead the OHL with seven shorthanded goals, and deliver a tour-de-force performance in the playoffs (15-7-13-20, plus-20) .. A fearless, energetic warrior, Prust never stops battling and chasing the puck, and was a physical force in the postseason, yet also showed improving poise as a puckhandler and playmaker .. Heart-and-soul player in the Sutter image.