OHL: Tavares, Generals Take Control

The Oshawa Generals and John Tavares (pictured) faced-off against the Sarnia Sting and Steven Stamkos in a game of projected No. 1 picks in 2008 and 2009. Oshawa jumped to a quick 3-0 lead, only to see it evaporate after Stamkos picked up three assists in the second period. Oshawa winger Patrick Asselin's third period goal sealed a 4-3 win for the Generals in an entertaining match. McKeen's was on hand and has notes on several Generals.

Michael DelZotto D, (2008), Oshawa

Slow start incited questions about the rearguard's ability to be a top-10 pick in 2008 .. incredible offensive talent projected as mid-first round pick by Central Scouting, and late mid-first round in the McKeen's mid-term rankings .. highly skilled, offensive blueliner is tied for the league lead in shorthanded markers with five, highlighting the propensity to not just jump into the rush, but lead, regardless of the on-ice situation .. played a forward position in developmental younger years, which he's exploited at this level .. the six-foot, 190-pound defenseman rushes like a forward, following tight in lanes instead of supporting, or jumping in as the late man, which is a blessing and detriment, as his defensive game is a polar opposite and was non-existent against the Sting, a reoccurring theme from coaches for improvements in his game .. beat constantly from the left side, as the opposition keyed in on weak, lateral movement to beat him from the outside for good chances toward the net .. was not able to jump back into a defensive role and scrambled when making a foray into the offensive zone .. can seem mesmerized by the puck in the defensive zone, watching intently to the degree that he loses sight of open men in prime scoring locations .. his diligence with the puck on the offensive side could take a hit at the next level if forced to learn a patient approach to offense, while taking care of business in his own end .. a first round selection based on offensive skills, but may not turn into a complete enough player to display them at higher levels .. risky pick at that middle spot in the first round, and more suited for an early second round selection.

John Tavares C, (2009), Oshawa

Brought back an entirely new approach to team defense from playing with the best of his age-group in the Gold medal winning Canadian squad at the World Junior Championships, rounding into a better player for the experience, if that was even possible .. exemplary vision to put the puck where the play is going, knowing his teammate will be there to pick up the puck .. has been driving the net with greater tenacity since the World Juniors and using his deft touch with the puck to get better quality shots-on-goal .. skating is not as elegant as a top end forward, but it is not a detriment considering his ability to read the play and get to the best position as a scoring threat .. although he ventured into high-traffic areas prior to the WJC, he seems intent on getting dirty on every shift .. passing skills are pinpoint, with a range of hard and crisp, to soft as a feather touch .. really compliments the goal-scoring acumen of linemate Brett MacLean, where if the winger misses, Tavares is there to pick up the rebound and end with a scoring chance or goal .. if not for a late birthday, he would be the undisputed No. 1 pick in 2008, but will return to Oshawa for one more season, eligible in 2009.

Brett MacLean (Phx), LW, Oshawa

Peter Mueller, Radim Vrbata, Shane Doan, Ed Jovanovski, Martin Hanzal and now, Brett MacLean .. if the Desert Dogs future didn't seem bright enough with a breakout season, the 6-foot-2, 197-pound power forward selected in the second round in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (32nd overall) must have the Coyotes brass already considering slotting him into the second line role as early as next season .. has been a house on fire in 2007-08, including scoring 22 goals in 12 November matches, and is currently riding a 30-game point streak (39-34-73) .. one goal shy from tying his career high of 47, after potting a goal against Sarnia .. took the snub of being cut by the World Junior Championships Canadian squad and parlayed that into an explosion of offense .. has a mutli-faceted arsenal, with the ability to score from in close, shooting off the half boards, or like a bull in a china shop, running over defenders on his way to the net .. a typical power forward mentality, without the penalty minutes to support that .. a project that could be inserted into an NHL lineup almost immediately, but may make a stop in San Antonio for seasoning.

James DeLory (SJ), D, Oshawa

Instigated a game-ending brawl that stemmed from an incident in the second period, culminating in 14 minutes in penalties, and a game misconduct .. the 6-foot-5, 235-pound rearguard has a nasty physical edge and is not afraid to let it out in game situations, regardless of competition .. as imposing as his physical stature is, his skills as a blueliner, although still raw and developing, leave much to be desired .. an average skater, but agile for his size .. his sheer presence is enough to discourage offensive forays into the defensive zone .. chosen in the fourth round (98th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry draft by the San Jose Sharks, his progress and size is impressive for the two seasons he's been groomed in Oshawa, however, despite his physical acumen, it could be his hockey sense that keeps him from making an appearance in San Jose threads any time soon.