AHL: Cunning Koivu

Mikko Koivu showed us this season why he was a sixth overall pick with his elite vision, strong passing skills and overall craftiness. Pierre-Marc Bouchard is another guy Minnesota fans will have their eyes on, but does he have the grit to make it at the NHL level? We've also got notes on Alexander Svitov, Junior Lessard, Brent Burns and tough defenseman John Erskine.

Alexander Svitov (CBJ), C, Syracuse

Once looked at as a can't-miss prospect but now has scouts scratching their heads .. big center who plays an impressive two-way game .. loves to hit and play that kind of physical game that agitates opponents .. immense skill is highlighted by an incredible shot that is dangerous from anywhere .. inconsistent season left this talent unable to dangle in the AHL, playing mainly a crash and bang game .. Columbus urged him to use his shot and he has taken to heart, which has helped his goal total .. lack of creativity hurts and will never be a set-up centerman .. size, excellent skating and shot power make him an intriguing package, but can he put it all together to be a consistent scoring threat?

Junior Lessard (Dal), F, Houston

Hobey Baker winner has struggled to bring his goal scoring to the pro level .. under-sized in terms of pro level hockey at 6'0, but is well-built at 200 pounds .. stocky, strong and hard to knock down .. exceptional balance, especially along the boards and in traffic .. twists and turns to maintain possession of the puck or to get open .. hands are quick and are strong on possession .. dangles and stickhandles with defenders draped all over him .. tenacious with the puck on his stick .. runs the cycle well ..doesn't see a lot of ice time in Houston .. failed to break a game open like he did in College .. thought to be NHL-ready this year but might need another year in the AHL to regain his offensive touch .. skating needs work .. stride lacks power or explosiveness .. playmaking and vision are also in need of an upgrade .. dump and chase seems more his style, perhaps lacking the creativity to make a play .. struggles to get into scoring areas to release his excellent shot .. sniper-like qualities but he simply needs to use it more like he did in College .. must read the play faster and create more chances .. defensive efforts are strong and shows an adequate awareness in his own zone .. could just be a third liner in the end.

Mikko Koivu (Min) C, Houston

Reached new heights this year and showed why he was a sixth overall pick .. adapted to the North American game quickly .. solid skater .. well-balanced .. crafty and strong fighting for puck possession .. doesn't have explosive speed but has an adequate first step that is coming along nicely .. will drive to the net, battle in the corners and play hard defensively .. just won't stop working .. takes his game to a new level in overtime and in the playoffs when it counts the most .. shot is an underrated weapon .. delivers on the promise of being an excellent playmaker with elite vision and passing skills that match some of the best in the NHL game .. deceptive quick snap to his release .. accurate shot that doesn't get used often enough, although he still scored a lot considering that fact .. works hard defensively .. shows exceptional awareness in his own zone and is great on the transition .. makes quick reads and moves the puck up on the rush .. shows some dangle and can maneuver the puck through traffic .. quick hands .. not a punishing physical player but uses his size effectively and should be able to handle the rigors of a pro game .. durability might be a concern but there are no chronic injuries are the past -- mostly nagging/surprisingly minor injuries .. looks like a bona-fide second line center with upside to move up to the first line and be a playmaking center .. could be a great duo if he's paired with Gaborik .. similar prospect to Wallin but has better skills and understands the game better .. if he learns to harness his shot and hit more, he could be an All Star some day.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard (Min), C, Houston

Small forward with God-given skill .. drastically undersized and his 5'10 listing is generous .. only a slight 170 pounds .. raised a lot of concerns this year by playing soft game .. shies away from traffic, won't go in front and score the hard goals .. perimeter player .. grit is a major concern going to the next level, especially since it never really showed up in clutch situations, let alone everyday play .. quick release shot packs a powerful punch for a small guy, but it does lack accuracy .. mostly scores on point shots from the top of the circle on the PP or when he leaves the zone early and skates hard for a breakaway opportunity .. good for two breakaway chances per game .. excellent hands, quick stick .. problem is his hands are almost a non-factor though because instead of being great in one-on-one situations, he continues to shy away from physical contact .. dynamic skater, low center of gravity and has the ability to jump around laterally, although he's not at the same level as Chistov .. acceleration and first step are superb .. top-end speed needs work and he can't explode around defenders on the outside .. a PP weapon with great vision .. playmaking ability is up there with the best .. can hit the home run pass .. especially great when he's got time and space in the offensive zone .. would benefit from playing with a big forward who can create space because he won't make it on his own ..maybe he'll show more grit and determination with the NHL spotlight shining on him.

Brent Burns (Min), D, Houston

2003 first round pick surprise .. 6'4, 215 .. elite skater among his size group .. agility is excellent and is a naturally great skater .. end-to-end speed lets him be a dangerous force when he chooses to rush .. deceptively fast because he's not moving his body and really pumping his legs, just a strong skater with a powerful stride and quick, explosive feet .. some playmaking ability but doesn't show PP QB upside, will likely be on the first unit PP shooting rather than creating plays .. opts for the safe pass and doesn't turn it over from the point .. shot is accurate and especially hard .. slap shot takes little time to get off and it packs a punch .. deftly accurate when given time .. wrist shot is solid too but isn't as impressive .. effective hand-eye coordination, can dangle around defenders and has some great moves .. you'll see him on some highlight reels in the NHL .. still likes to skate the puck up to the blueline at times before making his reads, but he'll need to do that more quickly at the NHL level .. defensive game needs work .. gap control is way off, tends to sit too far back and needs to step up and maintain a good space with the rushing forward .. should get meaner and take advantage of his size .. just turned 20 and is still just becoming a full-time defender .. big upside and will stay at defense .. shows good anticipation and can create turnovers and take them the distance.

John Erskine (Dal), D, Houston

Improved his skating this year and is much better at getting from point A to point B .. still not the smoothest skater thanks to his choppy stride, but he has strong legs and has bursting ability .. first step is coming along but saying it's adequate would be a stretch .. much better all-around awareness this year .. anticipation has improved .. better instincts this year .. good at getting in lanes and reading a pass to break up the play .. agility is still lacking .. has trouble going from one direction to the next .. laterally is very rough .. has trouble changing direction even while standing still .. big, rough physical brute that the Stars could use after losing Hatcher .. wasn't worth a 39th overall pick .. still a safe bet to be in the NHL for awhile because of his physical play .. could still get stronger, but he's rangy and a crease-clearer .. no offensive upside to speak of, just dumps it in and won't stay in the zone long .. outlet passes are good if given time .. doesn't make mistakes, but still tends to panic when under pressure and just shoots the puck up the boards .. finishes hard and hits to take your head off .. is good with his stick and can tie up his man .. physical presence that opposition forwards respect and don't challenge .. ready for a fifth or sixth defenseman role in the NHL .. plays like Robert Davison of the San Jose Sharks .. don't expect any points, but you'll get a player that will put it all on the line, work hard, and hard.