Draft Favorites: Europe

With the NHL draft fast approaching, McKeen's European scouts reminisce on the hockey season behind us, discussing their favorite eligible players. Read on for insight on Tuukka Rask, Anze Kopitar, Vitaly Anikeenko, Kirill Starkov, and many more.

Vitaly Anikeenko (Yaroslavl)

I've grown to like him. Look past the sloppy skating and over-enthusiastic mistakes and there's potentially a big gem in the making here. His industriousness and competitive spirit are pro caliber. Mobility and quickness are improving and he's much stronger and thicker, playing an aggressive, proactive game. I see a tenacious blueline leader who contributes in all areas of the ice.

Anton Belov (CSKA)

Looks like a potential late-day-one or early-day-two bargain. Very solid at both ends and surprisingly mobile, though he still gets burned occasionally when he skates backwards. Has surprisingly good hands and enough vision to move the puck accurately. Most importantly, this kid has a big strong body that he has used with improved effectiveness. Both he and Dmitri Vorobiev have been revelations last season in Russia.

Alexander Bumagin (Togliatti)

Very impressed with this Russian's overall game. He has some dangle yet also plays a spirited and responsible game at both ends. He needs lots of muscle still, so he isn't a force in traffic yet. However, his hands are very good and he has a nice spring to his step.

Vyacheslav Buravchikov (Krylja Sovetov)

The only member of Russia's u-18 national team's blueline to deliver consistently solid performances in tournaments over the year. His offensive trickery and creativity compares somewhat to Oleg Tverdovsky and he is quite well built despite not being especially tall. Moves with robust, graceful strides – very powerful and strong enough to hold his ground defensively.

Lukas Endal (Slavia Praha)

There are question marks surrounding his skating ability but I see him as a sleeper. Has sniper instincts and soft hands and really steps up when given increased responsibility. Just excellent hands and nice creativity but you have to wonder whether NHL teams will take a flyer on him with his average size and lack of agility.

Mattias Hellstrom (MoDo)

There's a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde situation here, whereby his excellent international performances last year were contrary to otherwise pedestrian play elsewhere. But the good should be enough to generate day one interest. Hellstrom matured considerably, mostly physically where he's holding his own in traffic much better and is reacting quicker to every play, it seems. Very brainy player with good playmaking skills and a nice reach. Will be a key guy for Sweden at the World Juniors.

Petr Kalus (Vitkovice)

Could be a surprise riser at draft time. Has above average size, skills and good approach. A very passionate player with a strong character who loves to mix things up in traffic and get into an opponent's grill. Just looks like a pro to me.

Vladimir Karpov (Salavat Ufa)

An interesting under-the-radar package of speed, skill and nastiness. He has very acute instincts in two zones – creative and dangerous in the offensive two-thirds of the rink. He has to learn how to control his emotion though; too excitable.

Sergei Kostitsyn (Gomel)

Not as skilled as brother Andrei but has some flash-and-dash and excellent courage. Scored a breathtaking goal against the Ontario University All-Stars. His defensive intuition is weak. Quick, with nice individual skills and the spirit to take his smallish body into dangerous areas.

Anze Kopitar (Sodertalje)

A big, strapping talent who never quits. I was impressed with his playmaking skills – very sharp and crisp. Has elite separation gear and works hard. Shows advanced defensive judgement for his age. Strong, quick release and moves that remind of Tomas Vanek. Just an enticing mix of size, skill and savvy.

Anton Krysanov (Lada Togliatti)

This guy is a poor man's Evgeni Malkin. I like his skating stride and willingness to use size to dominate traffic. However he is unsure of himself at times but shows an understanding of what he wants to do with the puck, only lacking the fine hands to pull off.

Perttu Lindgren (Ilves Tampere)

Was on fire this spring before the u18s where he noticeably ran out of steam after really jumping up on the radar in months prior. He must have been too tired after the junior league playoffs where he dominated. While he doesn't have great size nor incredible skills, Lindgren is a strong bullish player who sticks his nose in traffic and attacks the net frequently. I see him as a Valtteri Filppula-type prospect.

Morten Madsen (Vastra Frolunda)

Was an underachiever in Swedish juniors for some time but you have to know that he won't drop too much with his size-skill combo. I was overjoyed to see him redeem himself with a standout performance at the u18s. Just a formidable package of size, skill and power when he raises the bar.

Vladimir Mihalik (Presov)

I can't wait to see who'll have the balls to draft this kid and when. But whoever does will have plenty of good things to say. This giant's skating is likely twice where it was a season ago. He's much faster and stronger in his turns, with Zdeno Chara-like extensions. He still has a bad habit of piggybacking puckcarriers rather than keeping his feet moving. If he learns this and refines his puck skills, bingo!

Florian Ondruschka (Weiden)

Switched from forward to defense and took off. Offensive rearguard is intelligent and strong at keeping attackers at a distance. Nice creativity, bold and poised. Not a top prospect but I felt he did everything well.

Fredrik Pettersson (Vastra Frolunda)

Terrific skater has elite speed and agility. Lack of size could be an issue in the NHL as he spins his wheels and gets tied up by bigger opponents when he tries to skate through traffic. That said, he could be a force if he ever learns to fully use his extraordinary skating better and mix things up in traffic a bit more. Loves to shoot the puck.

Tomas Pospisil (Trinec)

Pretty one-dimensional but I see a little Petr Sykora in this kid. He just turns venomous when he gets the puck in scoring lanes. If he fills out a little bit more and starts showing more abandon look out.

Tuukka Rask (Ilves Tampere)

He's not nearly as well-rounded as Kari Lehtonen before him, but I think he is worthy of being the first netminder selected. I love his poise, calm approach and quick, efficient limbs. His problem is that he is still physically a bit of a kid and fatigue catches up to him but once he matures I expect him to dominate. One of the first things I look for in a goalie is his ability to stay square and in position and Rask always seems to be in front of the puck.

Mattias Ritola (Leksands)

Looks like a pro. Uses his body and agility well with the puck. Hard working and more gritty than most give him credit. Projects as a dependable winger though he has the good hands and graceful moves to round out as an offensively productive pro.

Sergei Shirokov (CSKA)

Unlike Ilya Zubov who does most of the damage on the periphery, this guy is an inside threat. Has amazing ability to turn a defender inside-out and get his shot away nice and early. Would be challenging the first round if he were a few inches taller, though it's unlikely he'll get much bigger.

Kirill Starkov (Frolunda)

With proper coaching this guy could turn into a gem. He's a high-end offensive player with excellent skating and stickhandling skills. Has a magnificent pair of hands that make one wonder just how much offensive damage he could do when/if he matures positionally. Like a lot of skilled kids his age, he sometimes suffers from a street-hockey mentality when he doesn't assess on-ice situations as much as concentrating on his own personal playing bubble. But he got progressively more aware as the season went on. I can see him going in round two.

Jesse Uronen (Jokerit)

I've liked this guy for quite some time but he was passed up in last year's draft. This time, a team should take notice considering he was named MVP of the Finnish junior league (36-18-29-47). He was seen as weak and frail in the past but he's gotten stronger – not bigger, but he has excellent speed and soft hands to compensate. Possesses excellent on-ice problem-solving skills and nifty hesitation moves keep him out of reach of bigger defensemen. Should be snapped up in the later rounds.