NCAA: Cornell’s Big Red Head

McKeen's' correspondent Max Giese has notes on several players from Cornell University, including Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick Riley Nash, as well as Raymond Sawada, Colin Greening and Patrick Kennedy who is eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Riley Nash (Edm), C, Cornell

Cerebral, two-way playmaking pivot with no flaws, but no elite qualities either .. only the second first round selection to ever play for Cornell and has instantly made his presence felt centering the first line and averaging a point a game as a freshman .. his best attribute is his high-end hockey sense .. strong two-way player that is poised beyond his years and he thinks the game like a seasoned vet with or without the puck .. not an electrifying dangler but he possesses supple and quick hands that stimulate his superb in-close puck control .. not a natural goal scorer but he attacks the net with the puck and has a quick release .. savvy playmaker with the vision to identify the open passing lanes and the touch to crisply deliver the puck tape-to-tape to his linemates .. not an explosive end-to-end skater, but he possesses fluid feet and rapid acceleration .. can be deceivingly fast, as he moves so effortlessly that he can catch the defender off guard before skating by him .. while he is not a big player, he does not hesitate to venture into traffic areas and he competes well, he is also surprisingly strong on the puck .. well on his way to becoming a solid, pro center.

Raymond Sawada (Dal), RW, Cornell

Two-way power forward with good size and strength .. despite having a long stride and a decent first step, he will need to upgrade his skating - most notably poor foot speed and agility, which hinder his quickness .. plays a brash and hard-working game away from the puck, as he is committed to his defensive assignments, and likes to throw his weight around with thunderous hits on the forecheck .. uses his size well on the puck, as he cycles well and shields the puck well .. owns a long reach and his hands are okay, as he can maintain possession while in traffic and displays the ability to pull the puck off the wall to make a pass to the point .. senior captain .. projects as a solid depth forward for Dallas.

Colin Greening (Ott), RW, Cornell

Big, two-way power forward with adequate mobility and skill .. big and naturally aggressive player that gets full use out of his hulky frame with a stern forecheck and willingness to finish his checks .. decent skater for a big kid, with sturdy and stable footwork .. strong along the wall and wins the majority of one-on-one battles he takes on .. his hand skill is adequate and he shows a decent touch in tight around the net .. goes hard to the net and scores most of his goals from within four feet of the net .. not an elite-offensive threat but he makes mature decisions with the puck and appears to be very coachable .. sees time on the penalty kill and displays a good on-ice work ethic .. alternate captain in only his sophomore season and appears to be a solid prospect.

Patrick Kennedy (2008), LW, Cornell

Was bypassed at last summer's draft but his big frame, two-way maturity, and adequate mobility are attracting NHL interest this season .. blessed with a big frame and long limbs, Kennedy owns an enormous reach and a frame that is capable of handling significant muscle gain over the next few years .. lively skater with impressive lateral mobility for a big kid .. his acceleration is okay and his crossovers are crisp, although he lacks a great top gear .. owns a long reach with decent hands and the ability to shield the puck well .. defensively aware and is a strong penalty killer .. receiving lots of time in all situations however, he does not appear to be a high-end offensive player and will need to continue to perfect his craft of shutting down the oppositions top lines to warrant a selection at the NHL draft.