NCAA: Fantastic Four Freshmen

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese offers his take on the expectations for the blossoming talent on the Wisconsin Badgers this season and reviews several players looking to make an impact.

It is always special for a collegiate program to have an NHL first round selection among their incoming freshman class, but to have three of them in one year - now that's rare, that is if you aren't the Minnesota Gophers who are used to such a feat. This year, it's not the Gophers welcoming multiple first round talents to their squad, it's their neighboring Wisconsin Badgers that have seen their team ignited by the top-recruiting class in the NCAA - a class that includes three 2007 first round selections.

Highlighting that special group is Phoenix Coyotes third overall selection in 2007 center Kyle Turris. The moment Turris donned the cardinal red and white, he became the cornerstone of the Badgers offensive attack. Kyle is already centering the first line and powerplay unit and he has brought up the play of veteran wingers Michael Davies and Ben Street, as he has gotten off to a scorching start with 12 points and five goals in four games.

The offensive surge Turris has provided was expected but just as important to the Badgers has been the offensive contributions from the blueline that freshman Brendan Smith has provided.

"He (Smith) wants to jump in the rush and he is making the veterans want to jump as well" says coach Eaves.

The Detroit Red Wings first round selection in the 2007 draft, Smith has been an instant offensive catalyst from the backend with his ability to run the powerplay and spearhead the offensive rush. He currently leads all Badgers defenseman in scoring with a goal and six points in his first four collegiate games.

"It's a welcomed new element to our team as we needed more offense from our defenseman this year," says Eaves.

Another Badgers freshman first rounder is defenseman Ryan McDonagh. A coveted player at the 2007 draft, McDonagh is already lining up and shutting down the oppositions top lines with a physical package reminiscent to former Badger and fellow first round selection Ryan Suter, as he looks poised to establish himself as the Badgers top defenseman by seasons end.

Seemingly overlooked beneath the shadow cast by the first rounders is underrated freshman and 2008 eligible defenseman Cody Goloubef, who has gone under the radar of the local media but not amongst NHL scouts. Goloubef possesses that intriguing combination of size, mobility, hockey sense, and puck movement that NHL teams covet and he should find himself drafted in the top-two rounds of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

After a disappointing 2006-07 season, which succeeded the brilliantly successful Championship 2005-06 campaign, the window is wide open once again for the Badgers to win another National championship title over the next couple of years thanks to its young but talented roster led by its confident, phenom freshman.

"They past the first test by sweeping a weekend but now, as coaches we need to make sure they keep the acceleration peddle down" says coach Eaves whose only worry is that these young men hit a wall in the second half, as he describes a season in the WCHA as "a war".

Wisconsin Badgers Scouting Notes

Kyle Turris (Phx), C, Wisconsin Badgers

Universal talent has wasted no time tearing apart the NCAA averaging three points a game .. special player that makes those around him better and not only is he the most skilled Badger but is also one of their hardest workers .. owns a dynamic passing game, as he sees the ice intrinsically and can deliver pinpoint-accurate, crisp tape-to-tape passes right through the opposition's defense .. equally dangerous as a playmaker and a finisher .. feared shooter that is a threat to score anywhere inside the blueline with a highly unpredictable release, as the puck just explodes off his stick with precision accuracy .. possesses superfluous agility and a strong initial burst .. skating ability could join the elite once he fills out his wiry frame .. displays mesmerizing hand skill, as the puck appears to be attached to a string and despite using a long stick, he owns deft in-close puck control .. deadly one-on-one, as he puts the defender to sleep with his patience and then turns on the jets instantly to blow past him .. can contort and twist his body to slither through checks while maintaining possession .. quarterbacks the powerplay from the half-wall and keeps the defense on their heels, as his options with the puck seem limitless .. possesses that sixth sense of where the puck is going to be that all greats have .. only chink in the armor is his lack of strength, as even his defensive commitment and awareness are far advanced for his age.

Ryan McDonagh (Mtl), D, Wisconsin Badgers

Big and strong workhorse has seen his stalwart defensive play transition seamlessly to the NCAA, while his offensive game catches up .. flawless one-on-one defender that suffocates his man with airtight positioning and ferocious physicality .. demonstrates picturesque gap control and angling ability .. covers his crease area fiercely, as he uses his thick legs to bear down and make the opposition pay the price in front of his net .. clogs shooting lanes well and is a superb shot blocker .. offensively, he has been slow to come around, as he is not spotting the open man instantly on the breakout, which leads to his outlet passes being off the mark .. that said, he does not cough up the puck and shows signs of blossoming into a solid offensive contributor .. identifies open holes in the oppositions defense, as he joins the rush and pinches in down low instinctively .. possesses deceptively skilled hands and strength on the puck .. does a nice job moving laterally on the point to open up lanes .. aggressive skater that pumps his feet hard and fast .. stride is strong and his backwards mobility is swift, although he could make everything more fluid to take his skating to the next level.

Brendan Smith (Det), D, Wisconsin Badgers

Wild horse on the backend that is capable of launching devastating offensive attacks but also prone to horrific defensive miscues .. offensive defenseman at heart that plays like a fourth forward on the ice .. likes to drift down low and set up shop at the top of the circles in the offensive zone .. loves to jump into the rush and displays slick hands and moves, as he does not hesitate to attack the opposition's defenseman himself .. possesses a quick wristshot with fine accuracy and a sneaky release .. creative powerplay quarterback that disguises his intentions well and demonstrates great vision and touch, as he can execute a deft pass through the opposition's box .. fluid all-compass skater that gives off the impression that he is lazy, as he does not have to work hard to cover a lot of ground .. could still improve his foot speed and power to stride .. doesn't hesitate to try high-risk, high-reward plays at times but he needs to pull back the reins a bit, as he's guilty of coughing the puck up and is caught up the ice too often .. clumsy and over adventurous in his defensive zone, as he routinely loses positioning on his man while chasing after him .. needs to utilize his big frame and play the body - not the puck more consistently.

Cody Goloubef (2008), D, Wisconsin Badgers

Vastly underrated draft-eligible freshman with exceptional hockey sense and no glaring flaws .. poise belies his age and he is already a steadying presence on the backend .. sees the ice exceptionally well, as he moves the puck quickly and efficiently .. makes a nice first pass as he can hit his target in full stride .. sees time on the powerplay for his mistake-free, puck movement and quickly released shot that carries heavy velocity .. elegant and upright skater with a long stride that produces decent power in all directions, as he demonstrates prodigious backwards mobility .. jumps in the offensive attack at appropriate times .. savvy finesse defender, keeps his head on a swivel and is never caught off guard .. owns bend but not break gap control and he uses his long reach well .. owns a genius defensive mind, as he displays airtight defensive zone coverage .. not a physical player and he seems to get himself into trouble when he goes after making a hit .. going to a player at the 2008 draft and is the type of defenseman that other defenseman want to be partnered with.

Jamie McBain (Car), D, Wisconsin Badgers

Poised, puck-moving defenseman with striking vision who has not developed much after his exceptional freshman season .. does not panic when pressured and can make smart passes on the break out or on the point while under duress.. quarterbacks the powerplay and manufactures offense from the blueline with his ability to make a crisp tape-to-tape pass or a finesse once-touch pass .. has that innate sense to know where the pucks are heading and does a good job pinching down low to hold the zone .. possesses soft hands and he shields the puck well .. swift lateral movement aides him in creating passing and shooting lanes on the point, although he must improve his poor top gear, which is exposed in the open ice .. masks his sub-par skating with his exceptional game-reading skills and by taking good angles to the puck .. finesse defender with exemplary stick work, although he could use a fiercer physical edge.

Blake Geoffrion (Nsh), F, Wisconsin Badgers

Strong and tenacious sparkplug that is demonstrating exponential gains offensively, as he has already matched his offensive output from last season (4-2-4-6).. centering the second line and powerplay unit .. has a nose for the net, displaying more poise and touch in close this year, as he is finishing his chances instead of fumbling the puck as he did last year .. owns a ferocious shooting arsenal that carries tremendous velocity .. appears to be seeing the ice more naturally this season and is executing some nice touch passes in close .. bullish down low and uses his superior strength well in the trenches .. physical presence that can land some devastating body checks on the opposition's defense, as he is always the first man in on the forecheck .. skating is his major deficiency, as while his stride is technically sound, it does not produce much power and he severely lacks a top gear .. tireless defensive worker that is an asset to the penalty kill, as he takes deep-lying, defensive zone positions and competes relentlessly in his own end.

Podge Turnbull (LA), LW, Wisconsin Badgers

Spunky pest with a nose for the net .. plays on the second line and powerplay units where he has been able to generate offense early .. drives to the net as hard as anyone .. instinctively finds and exploits the quiet areas around the net .. tricky task to defense one-on-one thanks to his lively hands and deceiving in-tight mobility .. especially dangerous below the hash marks where he never hesitates to attack the net and let go his deviously released and accurate snapshot .. ultra-competitive and tenaciously drives through checks, as he plays bigger than his size .. throws his weight around recklessly and loves to initiate contact .. lacks a strong top gear and is still trying to do too much with the puck, as he will try to beat four defenseman before coughing the puck up at the blueline where he could have just dumped the puck deep and started a play down low.

Kyle Klubertanz (Ana), D, Wisconsin Badgers

Skilled offensive defenseman with a dangerous pointshot .. looks comfortable and confident in assuming a leadership role this season and once again has established himself as a key fixture in the Wisconsin lineup after a sub-par 2006-07 season .. creative powerplay quarterback that is an equal threat to make a play with his passing or shooting arsenal .. owns a probing shot with an instant release and the ability to hit the net consistently .. agile and swift, all-compass skater that would benefit by lengthening his stride a tad to progress his mediocre top gear .. mixed bag defensively, as he can be too passive at times and can be lazy in his own end but he can also surprise with a stiff check .. appears to be back on track.

Matthew Ford (Chi), RW, Wisconsin Badgers

Despite possessing one of the better shots in the WCHA, Ford appears to be a long shot to be signed by Chicago after his senior season, unless he displays rapid gains in every facet of the game .. possesses a pro-caliber wristshot with a great release and booming velocity .. poor skater that pumps his feet fast but seems to be stuck in quicksand, as he gets almost no burst from his stride .. void of shift-to-shift consistency, as at times he'll compete well and throw his weight around but more the most part can be caught floating around to often .. invisible most nights and depends on his linemates to make things happen to give him the opportunity to unleash his great shot.