Top Shelf: News from the World of Prospects

As an individual decision, choosing to play in the Canadian Hockey League as opposed to going to the NCAA must be difficult for a young player. Peter Mueller has made such a decision. After committing to Minnesota in 2003, Mueller opted to play the upcoming season for the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips and former NHL Coach Kevin Constantine. Knowing Constantine's background, it is likely that Mueller will develop a strong basis for an NHL career.

The Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL have not sat idly by and waited for the season to start to show the CHL that they are committed to be a powerhouse as the host of the 2006 Memorial Cup. They have spent their summer adding free agents from across the nation. After signing Taylor Moore (Langley Hornets BCHL), Tim Spencer (Estevan Bruins SJHL), Shaun Clinton (Pembrooke Lumber Kings of the Central Junior A Ontario), and Steve Obelnicki (Southeast Blades MJHL), they added their fifth free agent in Braydon Penner (Quesnel Millionaires BCHL). Looks like the biggest challenge for new head coach Ted Nolan is to shape the roster into a team.

HOW SWEDE IT IS

With all the talk of Europeans staying home in the wake of a rookie salary cap in the new NHL CBA, the New York Rangers received a nice surprise with three-time Swedish Elite League goaltender of the year Henrik Lundqvist committing to playing in North America in the 2005-06 season.

Another big commitment this offseason is from Shattuck St. Mary star Angelo Esposito to the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. This after Angelo's father John stating that Angelo was quite certainly going the NCAA after one more season. Possibly having Philippe Lecavalier (Vincent's brother) as an agent had something to do with the decision. Phil has close ties to the QMJHL being from Quebec but also has a strong knowledge of the NCAA after a four-year career at Clarkson University. Either way Esposito has the talent to be an asset to any team he plays for.

DRAFT SCRAMBLE BEGINS

The NHL has agreed on a new CBA. With the draft lottery upcoming and the draft proposed at the end of July, scouts are going to have to work overtime to get ready for the draft. One of the biggest issues is that teams, by the last couple months of a season, might have a fairly good idea where they would be drafting in the first round. Not this year. A weighted lottery will decide the draft order and each team will have the chance to draft anywhere in the first round.

A second thought about the NHL draft. Who goes number two? The highest rated players after Sidney Crosby are Benoit Pouliot of the OHL, Anze Kopitar, a Slovenian playing in Sweden, American Blueliner Jack Johnson and Western Hockey League Star Gilbert Brule. I will go out on a limb and say that if I held the 2nd pick, I would select Jack Johnson. (Also ranked 2nd in Mckeen's top 100) He has first pairing potential and has no apparent weaknesses. I have seen him try to be too fancy with the puck but you have to find out where your boundaries are. With Johnson, the sky is the limit.

Team Canada will be a far younger team for the 2006 World Junior Championships to be held in British Columbia than they were in 2005. Only Cam Barker and Sidney Crosby return from the gold medal winning 2005 team. On the other hand, the US World Junior Camp has 9 returnees but also boasts 13 players from the 2005 Under 18 Gold Medal squad. Crosby versus Kessel will provide a tremendous marquee match-up.

OVECHKIN'S FUTURE

Don Meehan said on TSN that Alexander Ovechkin is not a lock to play in either the Russian Super League or the NHL next season. Obviously the Washington Capitals would like to see the young star in the lineup this fall, but a signed contract with Avangard Omsk already exists (As well as an offer match from Moscow Dynamo). Ovechkin has stated that his goal is an NHL career and in a recent interview on RussianProspects.com he stated that if an NHL agreement was reached in time he would like to come across the pond. Money will also play an issue since the transfer agreement with the NHL and the IIHF has yet to be renewed. The Capitals will likely have to negotiate directly with Dynamo or Omsk to see Ovechkin in the NHL in 2005-06.

More on Ovechkin…. he stated one of the reasons he would like to move to Omsk from Dynamo is a little issue of financial obligation. He mentioned that Dynamo was slow in making compensation payments to several players from last year. This should also throw into question how many players will not be willing to come over to the NHL from Europe. Signing larger contracts to stay home and play hockey in Europe is fine. As long as the contract is worth more than the paper it is written on.

CALDER CONSIDERATION

Early picks for NHL rookie of the year? Thomas Vanek, Jeff Carter and Zach Parise. Throw in Ovechkin and Crosby for good measure. For those hockey fans still upset at the NHL lockout, they should put it behind them to see this new wave of young NHL stars in action. Although Dion Phaneuf is highly touted, I don't think his game will translate to the NHL as quickly as the above mentioned players.

Look for Jim Howard to sign a pro contract, foregoing his final year of eligibility with Maine of the NCAA. The Detroit Red Wings will likely not keep both Curtis Joseph and Manny Legacy in the fold leaving an opening for either Howard or Joey McDonald to grab. That leaves a big opportunity in the minors for Howard if the more experience McDonald earns a back up job in Hockeytown.

And as a hockey fan one final note. Welcome back NHL. We missed you.