Our readers ask us - is the 2004 NHL entry draft really sub-par as some say? We

say, forget them so-called pundits - while this year's event will not be reminiscent

of the richness of the 2001 draft, there is much depth to marvel at.

Despite some exciting elite-level talent to be had early in the first round

and a revival of the European class, there is a significant drop-off of skill

after roughly the top 15. For one, the Czech Republic has as many as five players

with the promise of going in the first half of the first round, yet may not

have another player drafted again until the third or fourth round. Sweden does

not have a likely early first-rounder to offer, while there's nothing exciting

to come out of Finland behind Lauri Tukonen. Two of the OHL's most promising

players Evan McGrath and Bryan Bickell have disappointed us lately, while the

QMJHL's depth thins out after the splendid Alexandre Picard.

Yet there is much optimism - a bundle of names have been popping up with impressive

credentials, establishing themselves as potential first and second rounders.

QMJHL has a small, but elusive sniper Martins

Karsums - a Latvian whose productivity is simply not slowing down. Out

of the OHL, the rock-solid Jordan

Smith is a filled-out force with poise and offensive upside. In the

WHL, Saskatoon's Mike Green is getting raves for his mature and tough-nosed

play. Michigan State collegian A.J.

Thelen is featured in our Hot/Not

piece - an unheralded all-around solid and strong defenseman with few real weaknesses.

And then there is a handful of Russians - those in the shadow of the likes

of Ovechkin, Malkin and Lisin. Last month, we provided updates on Alexander

and Dmitri

Vorobiev - this month we give you the heads-up on two more risers in

Alexander

Plyuschev and Roman

Voloshenko.

Our preliminary verdict is that despite the fact that elite talent does extend

deep into the first round, we see a plethora of players with great skills, lots

of size and potential - many capable of going late in the first and early in

the second round. Although the draft is months away, we foresee a fairly predictable

first fifteen picks with the next two or three rounds that portend to be a real

adventure.

Check out our updated Top

100 list for the best and the brightest that the draft will have to

offer. And don't forget to take a peak at Who's

Hot and Who's Not for all the latest news, including an update on the

BCHL's dynamic duo of Travis

Zajac and Kris

Chucko - find out who they are and how they stack up for the draft.

Coming Soon: Exclusive lists for leagues and countries!