QMJHL [Mar-06]: Lund, Gragnani Boost Rockets

Spring Update - Scout's Corner (posted 3.23.06)

by mckeenshockey.com

QMJHL player comments from the Spring Draft Update (current overall ranking listed in brackets).

TOP 100 PROSPECTS

Andrew Bodnarchuk (D) Halifax

- I would seriously think about taking him ahead of Mathieu Carle at this point. Andrew has a good skill set in place and just needs time and experience. His skating will take him a long way. [Rank: 73]

Francois Bouchard (RW) Baie-Comeau

- Highly skilled playmaker has come out of nowhere to be among the top 10 in Q scoring. Plays bigger than his size indicates he should, but still needs work on his skating. [Rank: 42]

Derick Brassard (C) Drummondville

- I love his ability to singlehandedly take over a game. Possesses great speed and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty to score. [Rank: 8]

Mathieu Carle (D) Acadie-Bathurst

- Continues to shine in the offensive end, but defensively he's struggled. Hasn't shown the same strength nor work effort that he showed in the early going. Besides losing the man-on-man battles and tending to get caught out of position, he's also demonstrated a lack of speed and conditioning. [Rank: 69]

Claude Giroux (RW) Gatineau

- Upstart rookie didn't slump all season, breaking the 100-point barrier which has gained him consideration for the early part of the draft. A highly gifted playmaker with speed and a quick accurate release. [Rank: 29]

Ryan Hillier (LW) Halifax

- The guy just won't be denied. Not the most skilled available in the draft but his desire to win combined with his work ethic should make him a hot commodity on draft day. There's also some leadership qualities already in place. Will be most effective on a line with a couple of finishers because he'll do all the dirty work. [Rank: 32]

Pierre-Luc Lessard (D) Gatineau

- Brings the type of well-rounded game that NHL teams will be looking harder at now. He's a pretty complete package aside from the size and strength (6-0/180), but those areas can be worked at. He's a good skater, competes well physically, and possesses above-average puckhandling and offensive abilities. A guy who can contribute in all areas. [Rank: 91]

Brad Marchand (C) Moncton

- Small in height but big on work ethic - at least with Ted Nolan as his coach! Marchand has excelled on the power play and has improved throughout the year. Will be fine as long as he continues to be willing to pay the price.

Joey Ryan (D) Quebec

- Nice blend of skill and physical play on the blueline. He's had a strong second half and will increase his stock even more with a long playoff run. [Rank: 35]

James Sheppard (C) Cape Breton

- Despite skating concerns and a lack of physical play, Sheppard could be this year's Ryan Getzlaf if he gets a little more aggressive. Sheppard has that innate ability to hold onto the puck to the last second to allow his linemates to get open, and makes passes that

remind you of a young Joe Thornton. [Rank: 9]

Felix Schutz (C) Saint John

- Shifty skater is fun to watch. Best player on a poor Sea Dogs team, he's caught the attention of scouts in the second half. He's better defensively than most his age and is very dangerous shorthanded. [Rank: 53]

Bryce Swan (RW) Halifax

- A gritty two-way forward with a very good scoring touch. Plays aggressively and isn't shy about throwing his weight around. Quick on his feet and can be counted on to deliver a solid performance in all areas of the ice. [Rank: 87]

Ivan Vishnevsky (D) Rouyn Noranda

- After Sanguinetti, Vishnevsky may very well be the best offensive d-man available in the draft. At this stage in the game, he may also be stronger defensively then Ben Shutron, though he still has room for improvement in those areas. [Rank: 21]

Lund, Gragnani Boost Rockets (posted 3.21.06)

by Derrick LeBlanc

Marc-Andre Gragnani (Buf), D, PEI

Boasts career highs this year in points with 71 (16-55-71) from a previous high of 39 .. Gragnani has powerplay QB written all over him .. delivers crisp tape-to-tape passes and has the ability to rush end to end .. counted on in all situations and logs a ton of ice time .. not afraid to pinch down low because he has the speed (and smarts) to recover .. uses small, quick strides instead of extending his legs fully to achieve a true full stride .. his release is slow, although accurate .. doesn't appear to be able to hammer a shot by a goalie, choosing more of a get it in on the net or passing it off down low .. is in terrific condition given his ability to handle all the ice-time while rarely showing signs of fatigue .. however opponents know how valuable he is to the Rockets so he's hit at every chance, which when combined with the large amount of ice time he receives he does seem a step slower late in the game.

Stephen Lund (2007), D, PEI

Lund is part of the PEI Rockets third defensive pairing .. the first thing that one notices is his mobility .. he's listed at 6'3 and 198lbs and he moves extremely well from a stand still and while in full flight (back and front) .. when out of position he has the speed to close gap on opposition players .. can take scoring chances away from the opposition with a timely hit .. he also has the ability to create turnovers and lead the attack out of his zone .. boasts the overall speed to not only catch up to an opponent in the clear, but can also use his positioning and strength to negate a scoring chance .. it isn't surprising given his youth, but there is still the odd time that he seems a little awkward using his large frame for hits and or clearing the crease .. the raw talent is very evident and with increase ice time and strength he should develop into a dominating defender .. given his mobility it is possible that he will develop into less of a stay at home defender and more of an offensive one.

Radulov Historic Streak (posted 3.6.06)

by Derrick LeBlanc

Alexander Radulov (Nsh), RW, Quebec

Immensely-talented Russian import is currently riding an amazing 46-game point streak, the second-longest in QMJHL history behind Mario Lemieux's 61-game mark of `83-4 .. recorded at least a point in every game since Oct. 24th to the tune of 43 goals and 114 points (46-43-71-114) .. what really jumps out watching Radulov this season is his heightened determination .. he just doesn't quit - always battling for the puck and not letting down until the whistle goes .. trailed top scorer Maxime Boisclair by 10 points in mid-January upon returning from the World Juniors, but has since opened up a 17-point lead in the overall scoring race .. distinguishes himself over teammate Angelo Esposito because of his willingness to battle for pucks .. can fly around on the ice with the best of them, however he'll also knock an opponent over if needed .. doesn't go looking for physical confrontations, but has shown that he can handle himself in that area .. multi-dimensional offensive talent who does it all with a hockey stick .. equally dangerous as a sniper or playmaker .. possesses the ability to see the entire ice and is unselfish when in comes to his teamates .. will naturally be given a hard look at training camp for the Preds.

Angelo Esposito (2007), RW, Quebec

A dynamic player to watch and the early favourite to go first overall in 2007 .. suprisingly only sees duty on the second powerplay unit for the Remparts .. boasts speed to burn which, combined with his natural talent, makes one heck of a prospect .. would hesitate to call him a 'complete' player as his game does lack certain dimensions however .. listed at 6-0 and 180 pounds and lacks the required strength to win a majority of puck battles .. tends to shy away from the trenches and prefers to operate more around the circles when playing down low .. yet this is a minor blemish for a gifted player with such immense natural ability .. posseses great vision and the ability to slow down or pause the game .. able to reach his blistering top gear after just a few crisp strides, which allows him to fly effortlessly around opposing defenders .. can be at a disadvantage cycing down low if opponents somehow manage to catch up to him due to his strength deficiencies .. it's hard to fathom how good he may become if he develops the other aspects of his game.