Draft Update: Analyzing The Top 15

The American invasion is under way. No, we don't mean George W. Bush taking another stab at liberation in the Middle East. The 2006 NHL Entry Draft class is all about the budding hockey superpower that is the United States.

Supernova Phil Kessel is holding a firm grasp on the first overall spot, the first of ten American players in the top 30 of the McKeen's October Top 100 NHL Entry Draft list. The other nine, in order, are Peter Mueller, Erik Johnson, Billy Sauer, Kyle Okposo, Mark Mitera, Nigel Williams, Michael Forney, Nick Foligno and Tysen Dowzak.

This will be, pending some unforseen circumstances, the best draft in the history of United States hockey, with outstanding depth of talent challenged only by Canada.

Kessel separated himself from the pack comfortably with a dominant performance on mainstream television at the World Junior Championships. His group of challengers has considerable ground to make up and is extremely cramped from two (Michal Frolik) through eight (James Sheppard). Expect the top 10 to undergo some facelifts as these players continue to prove their respective worth this season.

The depth of this year's class by far exceeds last year's Euro-lite draft. There are supremely talented players who did not enter the McKeen's top 30, but could realistically make themselves part of the elite pack by the time it is all said and done.

Without further ado, we give you this year's electric top 15.

1. Phil Kessel, C, Minnesota (WCHA), 6-0, 190

Scout's Take: "He is to this draft what Ovechkin and Crosby were the past two years. This guy is a turbo-charged rocket with explosive speed, great quickness and a big shot. He shows the kind of offensive firewagon hockey I have not seen since Kovalchuk."

2. Michael Frolik, RW, Kladno (Cze), 6-1, 185

Scout's Take: "Best sixth sense in the draft but he is not a game breaker like Kessel. Shows progress in skating and has added more of a nasty side to his game."

3. Jonathan Toews, C, North Dakota (WCHA), 6-2, 185

Scout's Take: "One of the more complete players in the draft. Has elite dangle, outstanding imagination and impressive dedication at both ends of the ice. Only quibble is that he is not an elite skater."

4. Peter Mueller, C, Everett (WHL), 6-2, 210

Scout's Take: "Reminds of Mike Richards, but with more power. Not fast, but is smart and tenacious. Always comes away with the puck because he is so strong and determined. Future captain."

5. Erik Johnson, D, NTDP-18 (USA), 6-5, 225

Scout's Take: "Great raw promise, but patience is required. This is a guy with a pro-type body; he is smooth in all directions and has untapped offensive upside. Potentially huge pay-off here."

6. Bryan Little, C, Barrie (OHL), 5-10, 195

Scout's Take: "If he was taller he would be giving Kessel a run for his money for the top spot. A complete player with outstanding strength, determination, power and finishing skills. Great puck protection skills and balance."

7. Jordan Staal, C, Peterborough (OHL), 6-4, 210

Scout's Take: "Perhaps the most improved of the bunch over the off-season and has the potential to enter the top-three by the end of this season. Elegant and slippery, but is only now beginning to show flashes of intensity and power."

8. James Sheppard, C, Cape Breton (QMJHL), 6-2, 200

Scout's Take: "Gritty, bullish specimen is big and brainy. The kind of guy to raise his game up a notch when it matters, but he is not the prettiest of skaters."

9. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Brynas (Swe), 5-11, 185

Scout's Take: "His approach to running the powerplay is similar to Forsberg's, though he does not have his strength or aggressiveness. Still has some filling out to do."

10. Billy Sauer, G, Michigan (CCHA), 6-2, 170

Scout's Take: "Beginning to separate himself from other goalies in this draft. He is uncanny in the way he energizes his team with his sheer presence. Outstanding athlete with superb instincts and quickness, along with a confident swagger."

11. Kyle Okposo, RW, Des Moines (USHL), 6-0, 195

Scout's Take: "This kid just plows though everything. Smart feet, strong on the puck and in the middle of everything. Reminds of Kyle Calder."

12. Mark Mitera, D, Michigan (CCHA), 6-3, 200

Scout's Take: "A big rangy body with loads of potential. A possible defensive stalwart once he fills out and gets a little bit quicker. Offensively he will come along slowly, but he has very underrated hands."

13. Ben Maxwell, C, Kootenay (WHL), 6-0, 175

Scout's Take: "A smooth, slick, tricky player with an excellent touch around the net. His goal this year is to get a lot stronger and prove that he can handle high traffic areas."

14. Jiri Tlusty, C, Kladno (Cze), 6-1, 200

Scout's Take: "An elite talent but the pieces need to come together. Has a strong, well-balanced lower-body and meanness, but lacks consistency and fluidity. He'll score more when he moves better with the puck at full speed."

15. Igor Makarov, RW, Krylia Sovetov (Rus), 6-0, 185

Scout's Take: "A great example of the new-age elite Russian prospect: fast sniper with added grit. He lacks size and bulk, but he attacks the net and scores bushels of goals. Has a bit of a temper too."

OF NOTE

21. Ondrej Fiala, C, Everett (WHL), 6-2, 190

Scout's Take: "There is some Milan Michalek to this guy. He is big, powerful, as well as tenacious and physical."

25. Dustin Jeffrey, C, Mississauga (OHL), 6-1, 195

Scout's Take: "A tougher but smaller version of Bobby Ryan. Good power-skill potential."

32. Andy Inderieden, RW, Breck (USHS), 6-3, 200

Scout's Take: "A bull in a china shop with size, power and moxie."

61. David Ruzicka, D, Kladno (Cze), 6-3, 185

Scout's Take: "Not what he's cracked up to be. Big, lean, but skating is a major concern with him, as is his vision."