Skill or Power
One merely has to study the career path of Paul Kariya to realize that power is becoming an increasingly desired commodity when analyzing 17-year-old prospects.
Kariya, the epitome of finesse, relies solely on his speed and skill to overcome a lack of size and grit. Consequently, he gets easily pushed out of scoring lanes and, for preservational reasons, no longer drives fearlessly at openings, preferring to work the periphery.
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Those combining the best of both elements, skill and power, usually rise to the top of the heap.
Such is the case this time, as the top three in the rankings - Sidney Crosby, Gilbert Brule, and Guillaume Latendresse - all forwards possessing copious amounts of each.
Power is an observable physical attribute that is nearly a prerequisite for playing in today’s NHL. And having a big body doesn’t always translate into success. One reason Adam Berti and Bryan Bickell fell in our `04 rankings was because they didn’t use their size and strength consistently.
But power is also an internal trait. Willpower. The drive to succeed and win.
Crosby, Brule and Latendresse have shown to possess a fine balance of the necessary talents, as did Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin in the last draft.
Ron Jones, head western scout for McKeen’s, has watched Gilbert Brule extensively over the past few seasons, and was able to compare him against a more finesse-oriented player in Brock Bradford, who bolted the BCHL earlier this season for the USHL.
“One of the main differences between the two players is that Brule creates his own space,” says Jones. “He’s got guts. He beats people one-on-one and drives through everything if need be, while Bradford is more apt to take the long way around. Bradford needs linemates who can create space for him.”