Top Skaters
1) Alexander Ovechkin (Wsh), RW, Dynamo-Rus
Scout’s take: “The archetype of the Russian hockey program - NHLers are also discovering how strong this kid is already. Dmitri Yushkevich tried to crush him during a recent Super League contest, but just bounced off. Ovechkin responded by flattening Oleg Kvasha. It’s scary to think he’s still learning and far from tapping his full potential”.
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2) Evgeny Malkin (Pit), C, Magnitogorsk-Rus
Scout’s take: “A rare mix of size, skill and intellect. Malkin can control the pace of a game and shows unusual defensive maturity for his age. A top-line NHLer in the making - and potential superstar“.
3) Dion Phaneuf (Cgy), D, Red Deer-WHL
Scout’s take: “He doesn’t defend one-on-one as surgically as Scott Stevens yet, however both are vigilant, uncompromising leaders who look to impact the course of a game. His development over the past few seasons has been nothing short of astonishing”.
4) Ryan Suter (Nsh), D, Milwaukee-AHL
Scout’s take: “His inexperience shows, yet he rarely makes the same mistake twice. Does everything with same cool, business-like approach, and, though not the flashiest in any one area, has no weaknesses. Projects as an elite two-way defenseman once he learns pro ropes“.
5) Cam Barker (Chi), D, Medicine Hat-WHL
Scout’s take: “Exhibits all the traits required to be an elite NHL rearguard and powerplay QB. He’s great with his stick, generates remarkable shooting torque, and is steadily showing better poise and a meaner physical side“.
6) Milan Michalek (SJ), LW, Cleveland-AHL-IRL
Scout’s take: “Won’t ever win the Maurice Richard Trophy, but could end up in Selke contention barring any residual problems from multiple knee operations. Projects as a combative two-way force and premier shutdown center with solid offensive potential“.
7) Fedor Tyutin (NYR), D, Hartford-AHL
Scout’s take: “Gave some commanding final performances for the Wolf Pack before high-tailing it back home to St. Petersburg. Big, skilled and mobile - when he’s hungry to make things happen he’s as complete a blueline prospect as there is“.
8) Jeff Carter (Phi), C, Sault Ste. Marie-OHL
Scout’s take: “A man among boys since Hounds’ coach Craig Hartsburg delivered the riot act earlier this term. Unrivalled skating range and speed for his size, yet still needs more creative shot selection as he has a tendency to telegraph his intentions“.
9) Thomas Vanek (Buf), LW, Rochester-AHL
Scout’s take: “Can look like he’s pulling a tractor around the ice, and is routinely a step behind on defense. Nevertheless, there are only a handful of players who can score the goals that Vanek does - and most of those guys are NHLers“.
10) Zach Parise (NJ), C, Albany-AHL
Scout’s take: “Size doesn’t matter when you have an elite separation gear connected to a chess-like mind. He generates assists that few players are even capable of due to a unique ability to distribute the puck while his body is virtually in any position”.
11) Denis Grebeshkov (LA), D, Manchester-AHL
Scout’s take: “Dissects and understands the game better than most, and has clearly made impressive gains in both his strength and quickness this season. Shaping into an omnipresent rearguard capable of anchoring an NHL defense“.
12) Braydon Coburn (Atl), D, Portland-WHL
Scout’s take: “His size and skating have always been there and, though still prone to the occasional unforced error, this season he’s emerged as one of the league’s nastier rearguards. Could become Atlanta’s answer to Chris Pronger as his game matures”.
13) Ryan Getzlaf (Ana), C, Calgary-WHL
Scout’s take: “Can be a dominating force when his passion level peaks. At full throttle, he’s like a vacuum along the boards, irritating opponents and striking fear in goalies with that cannon shot, but is still prone to mysterious bouts of laziness“.
14) Dustin Brown (LA), RW, Manchester-AHL
Scout’s take: “Flat-out underrated from the day he came on the scouting radar and he keeps getting better and better. A persistent goal-scorer who can beat you a number of ways. Very opportunistic, strong on his feet, and boasts an extensive shooting arsenal“.
15) Rostislav Olesz (Fla), C, Sparta Praha-Cze
Scout’s take: “The lockout is eroding his icetime, however Olesz has made the most of third-line duty displaying impressive tenacity to emerge among the team’s best two-way forwards. Swift, skilled and responsible, and always willing to listen to advise on how to improve“.
16) Niklas Kronwall (Det), D, Grand Rapids-AHL
Scout’s take: “Progressed beyond the AHL last season, but deserves credit for making the best of a bad situation. His mobility and puck movement are stellar. He hits like a train, and leaves everything he has on the ice“.
17) Loui Eriksson (Dal), LW, Vastra Frolunda-Swe
Scout’s take: “Elevates his play around better linemates, and continues to show flashes of developing into a top-line NHL winger. His overall game has really matured this season, and he’s handling himself very well even in this year’s NHL-fortified SEL“.
18) Alexander Radulov (Nsh), RW, Quebec-QMJHL
Scout’s take: “Blossoming into a stud prospect while dispelling some of the ‘head-case’ stigma. Arrogant, brash, explosive, lethal one-on-one - Radulov bolts into traffic and comes out the other side with the puck, though he’ll likely never be a defensive pillar“.
19) Noah Welch (Pit), D, Harvard-ECAC
Scout’s take: “He refused to move his feet as a bewildered freshman, but what a difference a few years make. The way he dictates the game at both ends now is reminiscent of a young and meaner Nicklas Lidstrom. A more complete package than Ryan Whitney“.
20) Andrei Kostitsyn (Mtl), RW, Hamilton-AHL
Scout’s take: “North America has been a slap of reality as pro transition hasn’t been smooth. Needs to develop a love for defense and for sharing the puck. He beats defenders with blinding speed and stick wizardry, then squanders the advantage by hogging the puck“.
21) Mikko Koivu (Min), C, Houston-AHL
Scout’s take: “A throw-back center blessed with rare ability to slow the pace of a game down to his liking. Displays a nice edge to his game which has aided a smooth transition, and is a very skilled and methodical passer, always using his head to keep his wingers fed“.
22) Ryan Whitney (Pit), D, Wilkes-Barre-AHL
Scout’s take: “Has struggled early in Wilkes-Barre, however he did the same thing in college before exploding by season’s end. A runaway locomotion and constant end-to-end threat, but he gets beaten one-on-one and doesn’t play physical enough on most nights“.
23) Patrick O'Sullivan (Min), C, Mississauga-OHL
Scout’s take: “Some feel he’s overrated because of his size and inability to dominate traffic consistently, but he’s incredibly opportunistic and absolutely lethal around goal. There is an air of danger and unpredictability about him that offsets the shortcomings“.
24) Christian Ehrhoff (SJ), D, Cleveland-AHL
Scout’s take: “Few blueline prospects have progressed as far as Ehrhoff over the past year. A commanding skater, he’s shown improved confidence in his puckcarrying skills, easily breaking the trap at this level, and is also more proactive physically“.
25) Anthony Stewart (Fla), RW, Kingston-OHL
Scout’s take: “The big man’s finesse skills have continued to improve in leaps and bounds since being drafted. It looked initially like he would be a physically-dominant power forward, but more and more appears to be shaping into a potential top-line sniper“.
26) Lauri Tukonen (LA), RW, Espoo Blues-Fin
Scout’s take: “Can be a handful when he plays with an edge, but doesn’t use his body consistently, which is partly why his stock dropped at the draft. Still boasts the best combo of size and skill among the Finnish prospects and projects at least to be a solid two-way NHLer“.
27) Andrew Ladd (Car), LW, Calgary-WHL
Scout’s take: “This season looks like a sideways step as Ladd was seemingly ready for the pros. A top prospect if only for all the things he brings to table aside from scoring. Big, fast, tough, and has shown that he can be a dominant force away from the puck”.
28) A.J. Thelen (Min), D, Michigan State-CCHA
Scout’s take: “Not as confident nor as dynamic as a sophomore, but give him time. He’s got all the tools - size, skill, speed, instincts - and gets more involved physically than Meszaros. Will accelerate alongside a pro mentor who can teach him the nuances of playing defense“.
29) Mike Richards (Phi), C, Kitchener-OHL
Scout’s take: “Lacks the flash and sizzle of other top-rated prospects, but is an overachiever and very effective in a subtle, Ron Francis-type of way. A master at utilizing space, Richards is maturing into a solid top-six NHL forward though he may never be a star“.
30) Alexander Steen (Tor), C, MoDo-Swe
Scout’s take: "All-purpose forward who can excel in a variety of roles which makes him a safe prospect. He is progressing fairly well despite not playing on a scoring line due to the lockout. Always delivers a strong effort and steadily contributes offense as well".
