The Draft File - The Unnoticed and the Unheralded
Insider information on the NHL draft.
The Noteworthy
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... Michigan's Jeff
Tambellini is impressing more and more as the season has gone on and is
currently ranked at No. 41 in the McKeen's February rankings. Somewhat underrated
due to his size (5-11, 185), Jeff is making a serious case for the top round
in the draft. The 18-year old is a creative, crafty forward with excellent playmaking
skills and a powerful shot ...
... The biggest wildcard to come out of the NCAA might as well be Michigan
State's David
Booth. He is a big (6-1, 206) player from U.S Developmental Program, Booth
was definitely well-adjusted to make the jump to college hockey. Benefitting
from playing on a line with Jim
Slater, Booth has contributed well points-wise and has shown the willingness
to play an aggressive offensive game, going to the net consistently. Booth has
developed into an impact player with a talent for scoring goals, a great physical
presence and work ethic. He plays the game with speed and he plays in traffic.
Not a lot of players do that let alone a freshman ...
... In the dub, the Prince George Cougars' defender Dustin Byfuglien is a wildcard
to keep an eye on in the draft. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he has the frame, but
not the mean streak to be an intimidating player. Very strong on the puck and
still learning the two-way game. A versatile player, Dustin can play the forward
position as well. Will be a solid late-round pick and could be an impressive
pro if develops some meanness ...
... Calgary's defenseman Mike Egener is suddenly on the scouting radar after
a superb effort in the Top Prospects game. A solid hard-working rearguard with
the second-to-third round potential, Egener plays a game alike to Ken Daneyko
with more offense. Plays the body well and positions himself well on the ice.
Good skating skills and puck control abilities ...
... Over in the OHL, the Peterborough Petes are bringing up a gifted young
netminder in Jeff
MacDougald. Now a backup to David Currie, Jeff figures to be the team's
future starter for a couple of years. Plays an impressive butterfly style with
great confidence, agility and superb glovehand. Despite playing in the shadows
of OHL draft-eligibles like Gerald
Coleman and Ryan
Munce, MacDougald might the most physically gifted draft-eligible goaltender
in the league ...
... Down in Plymouth, the Whalers' forward John
Mitchell has developed into an excellent two-way player with good skills.
Mainly a checker at the point, John has been forced to sacrifice production
in favour of concentrating on rounding out his all-around game. Great speed,
puckhandling, got a pretty good wrist shot. Dishes the puck well and works hard
in the corners ...
... In the Q, Cape Breton's Stephen Dixon is a puck wiz getting little exposure.
Currently leading the weak Screaming Eagles squad in scoring, Stephen has shown
great speed, a strong wrist shot and impressive puck handling skills. Has good
creativity, but is lacking in his own end. Needs to get tougher and learn not
to give up on a play along the boards. Has good finish and the potential to
go in the second round of the NHL Draft ...
... Danny Roussin of Rimouski has not put up mind-blowing numbers (35 points
in 53 games) but has shown a willingness to play hard at both ends of the ice.
Plays with a lot of hard and has a good transition game. His hands are there
and so is his speed, but exposure has been hard to come by with the lowly Oceanic
...
... Russia has a lot to offer in the draft, in terms of depth. Toiling in virtual
obscurity is Andrei Karev - a punishing, physical defenseman. Size has been
his biggest problem, but a growth spurt has him up to 6-0, 195. Very effective
along the boards, likes to throw his body around. Issues with his skating is
one concern however ...
... Remember the name Per Savilahti-Nagander - the huge (6-6, 213) Swedish
defender with the Lulea juniors has made great strides in his skating this season.
Strong on the puck and uses his size well. Also an underrated passer - very
accurate in distributing the biscuit. Has played in only one tournament this
season with Sweden, so he has not gotten many looks. Very raw, but could be
a good pro if he rounds out his game and intimidates physically at all times
...
... A virtual unknown, Czech Patrik Valcak (a center/right wing with HC Sareza
Ostrava Jr.) has carried his team this season due to his savvy and skill set.
A good-sized forward does nearly all the things you would expect from an elite
forward, except for average defensive play and a lack in aggressiveness. He
is a good skater, intelligent with the puck and also brings leadership traits
into the mix ...
Battered and Bruised
In a recent Vancouver/Prince George game, WHL's Jonathan Filewich was struck
in the mouth with a puck, suffering severe facial lacerations, including a broken
jaw. He is out indefinitely, but according to reports, he might be out for the
season, if his jaw takes long to heal. Expected to be out 8 weeks.