QMJHL: Graham, Pineault Raising Wildcats

The Moncton Wildcats sit atop the QMJHL thanks to a pair of NHL second-rounders in Bruce Graham (NYR) and Adam Pineault (CBJ), who have scored a combined 32 goals in 25 games. Here are recent performance reviews on Graham, Pineault and other ‘Q’ draftees.

Bruce Graham (NYR), C, Moncton

Towering center has clearly improved his first-step quickness over the past year, and is gradually improving his willingness to compete hard every shift .. he is beginning to use his massive body more effectively in the corners and in front of the net, though he still does not appear fully comfortable with his size .. has come a long way since last season; more positionally sound, allowing him to reach appropriate placements to unleash his wrister .. soft hands with good hockey sense and vision .. excellent shooter who is more selfish with the puck than ever before, which is translating into goals .. has natural, pure playmaking talent .. still lacks a mean streak, but the passion to succeed is there .. still a thinking man’s player, but has to create space for others with greater authority .. we felt he was good enough to go in the first round this year and he has not disappointed.

Adam Pineault (CBJ), C/W, Moncton

Steadily on an upward climb, developing into a power forward-quality player .. first step needs to get a bit quicker, but past the first couple of strides he picks up speed impressively .. good top end speed and impressive quickness on his twists and turns; very mobile for his size .. a tough customer who is not afraid to drop the gloves .. loves to bang down low .. keeps his feet moving, works hard and does not mope around .. conscientious on the back check; positionally sound; sticks to his man effectively .. offensive awareness borders on elite, which indicates a dominant junior ready to jump out in what is a player behind in his development .. uses his good frame to battle for the puck relentlessly, creating open ice for scoring chances .. determined to prove he is a top prospect.

Jean-Claude Sawyer (Min), D, Cape Breton

Continues to commit way too early and can be a liability defensively .. a team worst -11, next to Stephen Dixon’s -5 (at Nov 13) .. consistently half-baked; will cover his man by taking the angle on the shooter, but winds up reaching out and poking at the puck with his stick which leaves him off balance completely .. purely an offensive rearguard .. shows certain similar traits to Aaron Johnson, but does not exhibit the same vision.

Gabriel Bouthillette (Ana), G, Bathurst

Sports suspiciously obese pads .. stellar positioning and eats up the net with his big frame .. looks like Gerard Depardieu wearing goalie equipment .. seamlessly takes away angles on the shooter due to his quick feet and very smooth propensity for turns and lateral dexterity .. very quick side-to-side for his size .. stops the initial shot and whatever he sees for that matter .. very calm and cool .. not flashy; stylistically economical .. occasionally gets caught on his knees, but even then high shots tend to hit his upper body .. serious NHL potential.

Adam Pardy (Cgy), D, Cape Breton

Overager was a bit of a surprise selection by the Flames at last summer’s NHL draft .. a very imposing defensive rearguard .. physical, mean player’s role is to shut down the opposing team’s most skilled forwards .. a force around the crease and clears his end effectively.

David Laliberte (Phi), RW, PEI

Was completely all over the place last season, but is working much harder so far this fall .. quick feet .. considerably stronger on the puck than before .. a responsible two-way forward who is rediscovering his finishing skills .. not an explosive skater and still only so-so in fast-break chances .. nothing out of the ordinary.