OHL: Looking through Kitcheners Cupboard

OHL Champions last season, the Kitchener Rangers find themselves in last place in the Western Conference after losing several players to promotion such as Matt Halischuk, Mikkel Boedker, Justin Azevedo and Nick Spaling. McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn looks at several draft-eligible Rangers hoping to turn Kitchener's season around.

Scott Timmins (2009), C, Kitchener

Thrust into the role of the first-line centre may be too much responsibility for Timmins to endure, but so far he has stepped up to the challenge .. Timmins has scored a whopping 21 goals already, more than he had combined in his first two OHL seasons .. is more of a shutdown player who is blessed with a scoring touch .. he is a smart player who understands his limits and can create chances of his own .. limited speed but a better than average shot and quick wrists help him succeed at the OHL level .. playing with MacKinnon, a player who tends to hot dog and showboat with the puck, he has adjusted to his style of play and still manages to find openings .. may be the ultimate trade bait as he is a late 1989 DOB with a wealth of playoff experience and should be an over age player next season.

Jason Akeson (2009), RW, Kitchener

Akeson suffered a shoulder injury which forced him to miss 12 games .. his omission from the lineup was dearly missed, as he is a point-a-game-player on an offensively starved team .. good hands but very limited speed, he is the sum of his parts and boasts strong hockey sense .. works the puck well down low, as he waves his stick like a magician's wand making the puck do tricks .. he commands respect and the extra foot of ice he is given is enough for him to capitalize on it .. he can be reserved in his own end when defending and needs to assert himself more physically .. a good role player who has taken on more of a scorer's role and appears very comfortable on the top line .. could be a great CIS player.

Simon Gronvaldt (2009), D, Kitchener

The Dane has size and agility but also has a very slinky body and is easily pushed around .. has a difficult time establishing himself in defensive situations .. he is routinely boxed out as forwards can lean on him, inching closer to the net .. his complete lack of being able to contain guys in front has been a glaring problem for him .. far too stationary and does not make adjustments to move his feet or angle himself to get a better in front position of his man .. he is a smart player, as he can see plays unfold but is a step behind .. his speed is not an issue, however the pace of the league moves too fast for him .. will participate for Team Denmark in the B pool of the WJC.

Jeff Skinner (2010), LW, Kitchener

An offensive-minded player, Skinner's game is littered with mistakes, however his skill set is at a premium this season given the Rangers inability to score .. he will take chances but does not always think his options through .. electing to beat two or three guys to gain the zone .. he has quick bursts of speed and can stickhandle better than most his age, however he tends to over handle the puck and once again lacks the concept of the game .. he needs to understand that making a simple dump-in play is equally as effective at times than stickhandling through an entire team .. takes long shifts and as a result is easily knocked off the puck due to fatigue levels .. Skinner has unrivalled offensive ability but without understanding the game and making sacrifices for the team his game will become stagnant .. was invited to play for Team Ontario Under 17 squad and should be a first line forward.