Scouts Corner

Here are some selected comments from our scouting staff on the progress of other draft eligibles (listed alphabetically by player):

Andrew Andricopoulos (Quebec) .. "Dropping like a brick but I sometimes wonder if he can turn things around with the right approach. I like his smooth creative hands and see an ability to create plays on the fly. What is missing is the approach and the kind of confidence which would enable him to be a reliable puck distributor."

Michael Blunden (Erie) .. "He hasn't been a total disappointment in the second half, but I expected more. His lack of puck skills and consistent scoring have exposed him as a limited player despite his impressive physical tools. Getting a 10-game suspension for tossing an opponent's stick into the crowd hasn't helped his cause either."

Alex Bourret (Lewiston) .. "He is blessed with that rare ability to change and set the tempo of a game almost at will. A nasty hitter; always aware and in the middle of everything. He does nifty high-speed stickhandling often just for show like Pavel Bure used to."

Jakub Drabek (Zilina) .. "Trinec juniors loaned him to the Slovak junior team Zilina. He's been unhappy with his ice time and did not get along with the coach. He should be more comfortable playing in his native country."

Gary Friesen (Oshawa) .. "One of the few Gens out there still trying. Not overly talented offensively but the kid can skate and is starting to add strength. He's a tough bull with a good outside burst and is hard to beat in the corners."

T.J. Hensick (Michigan) .. "He's great in open space. A nifty passer with a surprisingly lethal shot, however he lacks some courage. I have doubts as to how well his game will translate to the NHL. He operates on the periphery and shies away from driving into danger areas at times."

Jared Hummel (Holy Angels) .. "St. Cloud recruit has good size and plays with intensity. Good skater with nice puck skills but takes care of his own end first. I like his smart, accurate outlet passes. He can be physical but his trait is more to use sound defensive positioning to deny opposing forwards space."

Jack Johnson (NTDP) .. "Has elements of both Ray Bourque and Derian Hatcher. Not as smooth as Bourque but is an amazing hitter. Protects the crease area militantly and gets into the opponent's faces right away. A desperation guy who refuses to get beaten and is always proactive on the ice. Thinks defense, then offense."

Anze Kopitar (Sodertalje) .. "I had my doubts before but after more viewings I can confidently say that he has passed Bergfors on the list. There's just too much upside here, especially his scoring touch. He reminds me of Thomas Vanek with his raw skill set and, unlike Vanek, he is actually rather solid defensively. A very special player."

Teemu Laakso (IFK Helsinki) .. "Actually played quite well in the SM-Liiga after the WJC but again had problems with injuries, this time being his ankle. It's never serious things, just little minor ones that have slowed him down and prevented him from being the kind of player I was expecting to see this winter. I'm not sure what kind of condition he will be in for the April tournament."

Guillaume Latendresse (Drummondville) .. "What people really underrate about him is his playmaking. He's sees the ice very well and I am constantly impressed by the sharpness and accuracy of his passes. His acceleration has to improve and, for a guy his size, he is too gentle physically. A bit awkward but you have to realize that big kids take longer."

Matt Niskanen (Virginia MIB) .. "His skating is strong and stick skills are incredible. Very gifted hands. He's one of those guys who can stickhandle by a defender and control it every step of the way, even making further little moves to retain possession while moving. Great shooter as well. Think of a cross between Paul Martin and Rob Blake."

T.J. Oshie (Warroad) .. "Dynamic skater with great quickness and excellent first-step explosiveness. Sees the ice well and is very creative. Has a nifty, accurate shot but will probably be more of a playmaker at the next level than he is here. Only drawback is size. Compares to Ben Gordon but with more upside."

Benoit Pouliot (Sudbury) .. "His superior skills keep him in the elite category but he's been a mixed bag after a strong start. Gets knocked down a lot - too much. And it's not due entirely to a lack of strength, but to a lack of balance and sustained grit, not to mention opponents have targeted him for abuse. Gets mad and discouraged easily. Often looks flakey but you've got to give him some benefit of the doubt as he is still a rookie."

Carey Price (Tri-City) .. "His monthly save percentage figures in 2005 are insane (.951, .924, .918). He might be the best goalie in the league not named Jeff Glass. He's tall but very coordinated with the coolest glove I have seen in some time. There are no unnecessary movements to his game - all very sharp, with a purpose and on the money. Very light on his feet with an economical approach that reminds me of Eddie Belfour, without any physical similarities. Does everything so easy, like butter."

Tuukka Rask (Ilves Tampere) .. "Drew a mixed reaction at the Under-20 World Juniors, but I think that people weren't looking hard enough. He was lights out at the Five-Nations; very economical and in control of his body. He's doing brilliantly in the junior league playoffs as well, recently completely shutting the door on Tappara with a 40-save shutout in a 1-0 thriller."

Mathieu Roy (Bathurst) .. "He's flashed on-and-off the radar, mostly because he plays for such a poor team that it's hard to look like a million bucks with the Titans. What a lot of people may not realize is that he's a tremendous competitor. At times even too emotional and intense. Playing for a poor club was a positive experience last year for Mike Green, so look for Roy to mature quickly as well."

Bobby Ryan (Owen Sound) .. "It shouldn't be discounted that, unlike Pouliot and O'Marra, he has Brad Richardson to help dress his stats up. When he keeps his feet moving, he surprises with deceptive quickness but he stands still a lot. One red flag for me was seeing him late in a game recently while his team was down a goal. Brule or Bourret would be flying all over the ice, but Ryan can't do it. He's more like the Chris Webber of hockey in the sense that he can do everything in the opponent's end yet lacks the long-range explosives. Still a stud."

Kevin Schmidt (St. Michael's) .. "A potential late-round gem here. Quick skater with the ability to recover well from mistakes due to quick hands. He is somewhat slight and lanky though and I don't know exactly how much added bulk he can take on. He can really create but this is his second go-around at the draft."

Ryan Stoa (NTDP) .. "He would be much more effective player if he was meaner and could drive through people. Looks like a younger Ryan Getzlaf sometimes but is a smoother skater. I question his shielding skills in certain situations like leading the rush. He's a finesse player stuck in a power forward's body but he's a magnificent playmaker."

Chris VandeVelde (Lincoln/Moorhead) .. "He's come a long way since last season. I am impressed with his nose for the net and he really knows how to get into good scoring positions. Excellent puck-protection skills and a nice hard wristshot as well. Reminds me of Drew Stafford in the offensive zone for the way he'll get himself open and test the goalie."

Ryan Wilson (Toronto St. Michael's) .. "He's strange in the way that sometimes he looks solid and at other times is an absolute mess. While a reliable OHL rearguard, you can tell he's slow off the mark. His first few steps are terrible which is going to be a problem at higher levels. and he still gets too casual sometimes."