04-5 Online Prospect Magazine - W - X

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W-X

Rickard Wallin, Min, C, (Rating: 3.0), Houston (AHL) - Talented Swede progressed well in his second North American term, and rebounded from a January leg injury (missed 17 games) to flourish alongside Marian Gaborik during a final-month audition with the Wild .. A spirited, two-way pivot with creative distribution skills, Wallin is a shifty skater who anticipates the game exceptionally well, and is very adept at sneaking into the crease area, an art he should get stronger at once his wiry frame fills in .. Won over coach Lemaire with mature all-around game, but can't rest on his laurels.

Kyle Wanvig, Min, LW, (Rating: 2.5), Houston (AHL) - Twice-drafted former Memorial Cup MVP enjoyed a breakout third pro season to lead the Aeros in goals and points, and also looked increasingly more confident in each of his three brief NHL call-ups .. An abrasive, hard-shooting winger, Wanvig effectively uses his good size and strength to power towards goal, and has worked hard to upgrade his skating, specifically his agility and balance .. Can still be a streaky contributor, but has shown enough consistency and defensive improvement to earn a promotion.

Cam Ward, Car, G, (Rating: 3.5), Lowell (AHL) - Talented first-rounder capped off a splendid junior career by capturing WHL MVP honours as well as the CHL (and WHL) Top Goaltender award, and posted a league-best .945 save percentage in guiding the Rebels to the Conference Finals (10-9, 1.85) .. Ward is a hybrid style goalie who relies on his strong sense of positioning and thorough understanding of angles, and is complemented by terrific reflexes, a superb glove hand, and a calm, self-confident approach that instills confidence in his teammates .. Sound fundamentals should ease his pro transition.

Noah Welch, Pit, D, (Rating: 4.0), Harvard (ECAC) - Not to be overshadowed by fellow draftee Ryan Whitney, underrated second-rounder has progressed exponentially in his three years at Harvard, arguably merging the best all-around defenseman in collegiate hockey .. A smart, universal blueliner, Welch exhibits great strength and patience on the puck as well as a lethal one-timer, but also supports the attack effectively, and is a punishing hitter and formidable one-on-one foe due to his prodigious mix of size, reach and mobility .. Just needs better tempo for the pro ranks, though his game is already closer to NHL-ready than Whitney.

Kyle Wellwood, Tor, C, (Rating: 2.5), St. John's (AHL) - The pro transition proved an easy step for pint-size former OHL scoring champ, who led all AHL rookies in scoring, yet mysteriously failed to make the All-Rookie Team .. The highly-skilled Wellwood, though not a graceful skater, is sneaky quick with a knack for darting through traffic and finding open linemates with innovative feeds, yet it is his tenacity and refusal to be intimidated that has fueled his rapid development (scored 13 of his 20 goals in the second half) .. Could continue to defy the odds with the proper enhancements in strength and top-end speed.

Erik Westrum, Phx, C, (Rating: NR), Utah (AHL) - Patience and hard work paid off for former Golden Gophers' star, who made a positive impression after finally being granted an NHL debut in March .. A skilled, combative two-way pivot with excellent quickness and acceleration, Westrum isn't overly big, but is strong on the puck, brings a nasty edge, and has steadily upgraded his defense, consistency and discipline .. Mix of skill and determination has him on the brink of fulltime NHL work.

Blake Wheeler, Phx, RW, (Rating: 3.0), Green Bay (USHL) - A surprise top-five draft selection, the high school sniper attracted dozens of NHL scouts at Breck's season finale on February 22nd, coming out of the woodwork to emerge as the draft's true wildcard and becoming the highest pick out of high school since Brian Lawton and Tom Barrasso (first and fifth respectively) in 1983 .. A pure athlete, Wheeler, also a football star with Breck, is an explosive, cocky winger with loads of dangle and panache whose quick, soft hands and excellent shooting skills were enough to convince the Coyotes' scouts of his immense potential, despite his complete lack of knowledge of defensive responsibilities and overall experience .. Committed to the University of Minnesota, but expected to play a senior year at Breck.

Ryan Whitney, Pit, D, (Rating: 4.0), Wilkes-Barre (AHL) - Building on a strong sophomore finish, former fifth-overall pick transformed into a dominating force last season to lead the Terriers in scoring, and capped off a breakout year with an eye-opening pro debut in the AHL playoffs (20-1-9-10) .. A big, skilled rearguard with a rocket shot, Whitney showcased dynamic speed and puckrushing abilities last season, while also improving his overall decision-making and physical intensity, though he is still vulnerable defending against outside speed and can be slow reacting to unexpected changes .. Very effective when he plays with an attitude.

Jeremy Williams, Tor, RW, (Rating: 2.5), St. John's (AHL) - Building on a breakout `02-3 campaign, seventh-round gem led the WHL with 52 goals and finished second to linemate Tyler Redenbach in the scoring derby, to earn a spot on the CHL First All-Star Team .. A gritty, smooth-skating pivot with excellent vision and puck skills, Williams is a constant offensive threat due to his uncanny lateral quickness and sizzling wristshot, though he needs better strength, conditioning and defensive focus to fully offset the size disadvantage .. Consistent producer with 26 goals in each half and the league's longest goal-scoring streak at 13 games.

Wojtek Wolski, Col, LW, (Rating: 3.5), Brampton (OHL) - The normally mild-mannered Wolski slipped slightly on draft day, perhaps due to charges of assault after a scuffle at a party a few weeks before the draft, or it may have been in part to his lukewarm playoff totals (12-5-3-8-8) .. A skulking, thinking-man's player, Wolski is a choppy, blazing skater with explosive take-off speed and agility who thrives offensively due to his savvy, level-headedness and ability to find open space, but fell from elite status before the draft due to unwillingness to utilize his big frame to the outmost in traffic .. Maybe there is a mean side to him after all.

Jeff Woywitka, Edm, D, (Rating: 3.5), Edmonton (AHL) - Former Red Deer captain and Philly first-rounder started to find his pro bearings after arriving in December's Mike Comrie trade, and made significant progress down the stretch alongside, among others, former junior partner Doug Lynch .. A poised, all-weather workhorse with impressive mobility, Woywitka is an efficient puckcarrier who supports the rush well and plays a competitive, physical game in his own end, but needs to keep advancing his strength, finesse skills and overall tempo .. Will get a taste, but likely a half-year away at least from assuming a top-six spot.