AHL: Pavelec on Fire

The Chicago Wolves almost seem like a lesser NHL team with its consistent television presence, its attendance figures, and its impressive core of veteran players, but the Atlanta Thrashers' prospects should not be lost in the periphery. Brett Sterling is in contention to lead the AHL in goal scoring, Bryan Little has been a consistent offensive presence when not with the Thrashers, and goaltender Ondrej Pavelec is leading the charge toward the best record in the AHL and becoming one of the most dominant netminders in the league since early February. McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey had the opportunity to catch the Chicago Wolves twice in February and enters notes on several Thrashers' prospects.

Ondrej Pavelec (Atl), G, Chicago Wolves

Flashy, athletic netminder .. not uncommon to see him making big splits saves or sliding splits saves across the crease on backdoor plays .. excellent glove hand, but does like to add some unnecessary flair .. does fairly well at controlling rebounds, as they generally only come out a bit and he covers them quickly .. quick down and up and side-to-side .. 20-year-old netminder was extremely hot in February and was building an impressive rookie season in the AHL.

Brett Sterling (Atl), LW, Chicago Wolves

May finish 2007-08 as leading AHL goal scorer despite missing a number of games while with Atlanta .. seems to lay low for periods during a game, but can strike at any time with speed bursts to get to the puck or in skating it .. has a finisher's touch and puts himself in position for backdoor goals or cross-crease goals from his talented teammates .. will battle through traffic with the puck and can shield it despite his lack of size .. makes crisp and accurate passes and has some playmaking ability even though he typically scores more goals than assists in a season.

Bryan Little (Atl), C, Chicago Wolves

Still showing his offensive talent .. displayed crisp, accurate passing and playmaking ability with other top AHL scorers .. showed some dangle and was able to stickhandle wide and bring it in toward his body to get around opponents .. center also showed commitment to backchecking and made a couple of big plays in preventing opponents from getting a dangerous shot off .. a consistent presence on the scoresheet in February and earned a recall to Atlanta .. should be in Atlanta full-time in 2008-09 with a hard summer of conditioning.

Boris Valabik (Atl), D, Chicago Wolves

Did not force this scout to take many notes on him during the two viewings that comprise this report, as he was often a non-factor or invisible, other than the fact he is a towering 6-foot-7 .. fought in both viewings, destroyed one non-fighter, and won the other bout by pushing the opponent onto the net and sending the opponent and the net down .. looking like he will be a sixth or seventh fighting defenseman in the NHL, if he makes it at all, but will have to become stronger on his skates for that to happen.

Jordan LaVallee (Atl), LW, Chicago Wolves

Big 6-foot-2, 224-pound left-winger does a good job to maintain control of the puck .. does not panic if he temporarily loses control of the puck and can often get it back .. has some stickhandling ability to bring it in close and also in getting shots off .. shoots the puck high too often, though .. makes crisp passes .. has decent speed but is more likely to beat a defenseman using his size and his reach .. plays a physical game .. finishes his checks and his imposing size pressures opponents into turnovers .. has the potential to be a third-line NHLer or at least a solid fourth-liner.

Nathan Oystrick (Atl), D, Chicago Wolves

Has the makings of a decent two-way defenseman at the NHL level, if not a defensive defenseman who can move the puck well .. does a good job of keeping his gap small and not backtracking early, because he has the power in his skating to do so .. plays with some physicality down low and can angle opponents into the boards .. hustles to the puck down low and on the backcheck, if an opponent gets behind him somehow .. makes crisp, accurate breakout passes .. has a hard pointshot that he keeps low .. no reasons visible on the ice as to why Oystrick does not warrant at least a look in the NHL.

Grant Lewis (Atl), D, Chicago Wolves

Puckmoving defenseman has a ways to go before being NHL-ready .. has good offensive vision and is a regular on the Wolves' powerplay .. able to find the open man with passes from the point .. will join the offensive rush if the opportunity arises, and is responsible in so doing .. could use more finishing ability to capitalize on his chances when he does pinch in .. still needs to hone his passing game a bit, as his passes are slightly off target from time to time .. pointshot could probably be classified as weak .. able to make nifty stickhandling moves .. appears to need additional lower body strength, as he is upright in his skating stride and is knocked off the puck too easily.

Jesse Schultz (Atl), RW, Chicago Wolves

Dangerous playmaker if he's allowed much time to assess his options from the half walls or the corners .. has good offensive vision and can find the open man with a crisp pass on the tape .. also, an adept stickhandler and can maintain possession of the puck with his stickhandling and agility .. displays some quickness and agility with the puck .. has decent speed for skating the puck through the neutral zone along the alley and skating it into the attack zone .. showing 2005-06 season with Manitoba was not a fluke.

Colin Stuart (Atl), LW, Chicago Wolves

Defensive forward for sure .. however, is not without offensive skills, as he has a hard slapshot and a quick wristshot and can make some nifty passes .. a regular on the penalty kill and pressures the opponent into mistakes .. forechecks hard and finishes his checks .. conscientious backchecker who does not give up on play .. fringe NHLer, but can be inserted as reliable defensive forward if needed.

Andre Deveaux (FA), LW, Chicago Wolves

Big forward who cruises around for hits deep on the forecheck .. able to make big hits in the corners and along the boards .. shows good hustle for the puck and for hits on the forecheck .. able to maintain control using his big frame when hounded by opponents .. can also create opportunities around the net with passes out front or wrap-around attempts .. may not be NHL material, but his size and physicality are bonuses for any AHL team.