Top Skaters continued
31) Derek Roy (Buf), C, Rochester-AHL
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Volatile super-talent needs more maturity .. gets easily taken off his game at times.
32) Keith Ballard (Phx), D, Utah-AHL
Smart and aggressive with dynamic footspeed .. increasingly tougher to play against despite size.
33) Timofei Shishkanov (Nsh), LW, Milwaukee-AHL
Appetizing mix of size, skill and speed .. needs to show mean streak more often.
34) Eric Fehr (Wsh), RW, Brandon-WHL
Big, gifted goal-scorer .. made impressive gains in speed, strength and tenacity.
35) Chris Higgins (Mtl), LW, Hamilton-AHL
Inventive, skilled and positionally stable .. should only get better as he adds strength.
36) Mark Stuart (Bos), D, Colorado College-WCHA
Big, strong, active defender is improving finesse skills .. scores bonus marks for leadership.
37) Ryan Kesler (Van), C, Manitoba-AHL
Not the purest scorer, but loaded with intangibles .. overpowering size/speed/grit mixture.
38) Jeff Woywitka (Edm), D, Edmonton-AHL
Sturdy and well-rounded as advertised .. taken notable strides over the past year.
39) Kirill Koltsov (Van), D, Manitoba-AHL
Eye-catching hand skills and creativity .. steadily learning to better assess risk.
40) Patrick Eaves (Ott), LW, Boston College-HE
Deceptively explosive skater with silky-smooth shooting mechanics .. just looks like a player.
41) Scottie Upshall (Nsh), LW, Milwaukee-AHL
Still too premature to label a 'bust' .. bright, skilled and noticeably stronger on the puck.
42) Brent Burns (Min), D, Houston-AHL
Morphing into perhaps a great blueline prospect .. poise and skill are coming to the fore.
43) Steve Bernier (SJ), RW, Moncton-QMJHL
Trimmer. faster and more commited away from the puck .. decision making also advancing.
44) Andrej Meszaros (Ott), D, Vancouver-WHL
Turning heads with offensive talents .. defense improving but may always tend to finesse side.
45) Marek Svatos (Col), RW, Hershey-AHL
Edgy waterbug with Palffy-esque hands .. surviving NHL warfare only question.
46) Alexandre Picard (CBJ), LW, Lewiston-QMJHL
Gritty and sneaky and continuing to refine overall game .. strength and balance require work.
47) Rob Schremp (Edm), C, London-OHL
Improved overall game in Hunter-ville .. better strength and top speed can complete package.
48) Danny Fritsche (CBJ), C, Sarnia-OHL
Ongoing shoulder problems have obliterated his `04-5 so far .. gutsy warrior lacking durability.
49) Alexander Polushin (TB), C, CSKA-Rus
Recovered well from last season's serious injury .. shaping into robust defensive force.
50) Corey Perry (Ana), RW, London-OHL
Dazzling tricks and imagination .. fearless but still too weak to overpower pro defenses.
51) Alexander Perezhogin (Mtl), RW, Avangard Omsk-Rus
Not the flashiest, but talented and elusive .. still must overcome last season's assault incident.
52) Travis Zajac (NJ), C, North Dakota-WCHA
Rare poise given relative inexperience .. smooth in all facets but lacks strength and d-zone grit.
53) Anton Babchuk (Chi), D, Norfolk-AHL
Huge upside given ferocious shot and solid skating.. refuses to use potentially punishing frame.
54) Aleksander Suglobov (NJ), RW, Albany-AHL
Swift, slippery and underrated .. likely to land an NHL spot once play resumes.
55) Ladislav Smid (Ana), D, Liberec-Cze
Blossoming into mature two-way presence .. composure and puckmoving have advanced.
56) Drew Stafford (Buf), RW, North Dakota-WCHA
Big, all-purpose forward displaying pro work habits .. lost some explosiveness over the summer.
57) Brent Seabrook (Chi), D, Lethbridge-WHL
Big, strong and subtly involved, if on plain side .. agility and quickness steadily improving.
58) Alexei Kaigorodov (Ott), C, Magnitogorsk-Rus
Enjoying breakout year following subpar `03-4 .. smooth talent brings a variety of weapons.
59) Lukas Krajicek (Fla), D, San Antonio-AHL
Swift, skilled puckmover supports offense well .. toughness, durability and defense still questions.
60) Igor Grigorenko (Det), RW, Salavat Ufa-Rus
Slow rebound from near-fatal car accident .. farmed out to Salavat Yulayev for reprogramming.
61) Tim Gleason (LA), D, Manchester-AHL
Fast, skilled and mean .. shedding 'braindead' rap with reliable defensive work.
62) Hugh Jessiman (NYR), LW, Dartmouth-ECAC
Showed improved defense and physical play before undergoing ankle surgery (Nov).
63) Shaone Morrisonn (Wsh), D, Portland-AHL
A poised puckmover and solid one-on-one defender .. lots of room still on spacious frame.
64) Wojtek Wolski (Col), LW, Brampton-OHL
Stylish and offensively-skilled but shies from heavy contact .. added muscle may help confidence.
65) David Bolland (Chi), C, London-OHL
Flashing odd moments of brilliance .. able to make plays on his head or twisted into pretzel.
66) Kevin Klein (Nsh), D, Milwaukee-AHL
Swashbuckling top speed and maturing defense .. still needs greater appreciation for danger.
67) Kyle Chipchura (Mtl), C, Prince Albert-WHL
Tough and diligent with nice feel for game .. will benefit from added first-step quickness.
68) Lukas Kaspar (SJ), RW, Ottawa-OHL
Smooth-handed finisher with pro-caliber size and skating .. gets lazy on d-zone duties.
69) Petteri Nokelainen (NYI), C, SaiPa-Fin
Battle-ready leader always wants the puck .. skills are starting to catch up to his heart.
70) Jiri Hudler (Det), C, Grand Rapids-AHL
Dangerous playmaker with uncanny anticipation .. continuing intense defensive programming.
71) Marcel Goc (SJ), C, Cleveland-AHL
Smart, efficient center has great sense of danger .. plays too conservatively at times.
72) Alexei Shkotov (StL), RW, Worcester-AHL
Fast, hot-shooting winger gives honest defensive effort .. will take his bruises at NHL level.
73) Matt Carle (SJ), D, Denver-WCHA
Among best skaters in college .. confidence and physicality growing in leaps and bounds.
74) Lauri Korpikoski (NYR), LW, TPS Turku-Fin
Flashy puckhandler progressing well .. prone to finesse even though he doesn't play afraid.
75) Robert Nilsson (NYI), RW, Djurgardens-Swe
Enigmatic but near the top in pure talent .. development not helped by lack of SEL icetime.
76) Yanick Lehoux (LA), C, Manchester-AHL
Speedy, creative center suddenly figuring it out .. not playing frightened anymore.
77) Jeff Tambellini (LA), LW, Michigan-CCHA
Underrated defensively, underutilized on offense .. too liberal, needs to take more physical risks.
78) Shawn Belle (Dal), D, Tri City-WHL
Backline weapon given elite shot, speed .. utilizing strength consistently key to holding NHL fort.
79) R.J. Umberger (Phi), C, Philadelphia-AHL
No ill-effects from long layoff .. dominating AHL corners with puck control and offensive panache.
80) Sean Bergenheim (NYI), LW, Bridgeport-AHL
Puckcarriers have less time when this energized burner is on the ice .. a smarter Rico Fata.
81) Carlo Colaiacovo (Tor), D, St. John's-AHL
Can look like Rob Blake attacking net .. can also be textbook case on how NOT to play defense.
82) Boris Valabik (Atl), D, Kitchener-OHL
Future militant NHL protector .. positional smarts override footwork, but too robotic finesse-wise.
83) Carl Soderberg (StL), C, Malmo-Swe
Smart offensive talent getting better defensively .. development somewhat stunted by NHLers.
84) Adam Pineault (CBJ), C/RW, Moncton-QMJHL
Savvy playmaker with an excellent shot .. power-forward material when he initiates contact.
85) Tomas Plekanec (Mtl), C, Hamilton-AHL
Responsible, consistent, few lows .. creates extra offense through second effort and stick skills.
86) Marc-Antoine Pouliot (Edm), C, Rimouski-QMJHL
Nice shot and strong resolve, but enigmatic overall .. loses puck too easily given competition.
87) Mike Green (Wsh), D, Saskatoon-WHL
Shows great natural instincts for the game .. McKeens fav has everything but size.
88) Petr Kanko (LA), RW, Manchester-AHL
Can overwhelm defenders with speed and buzzsaw style .. consistency is central sticking point.
89) Patrick Sharp (Phi), C, Philadelphia-AHL
Continues to make striking gains .. defensive stalwart with skills to be more than just a checker.
90) Jim Slater (Atl), C, Michigan State-CCHA
Fast two-way leader not as dynamic as collegiate career advances .. needs new challenge.
91) Johan Fransson (Dal), D, Lulea-Swe
Dazzling skater can do tricks with the puck .. gets too cocky at times and overextends himself.
92) Doug Lynch (Edm), D, Edmonton-AHL
Competitive spirit is best trait .. omnipresent rearguard who never takes shortcuts.
93) Jussi Jokinen (Dal), LW/C, Karpat Oulu-Fin
Responsible, instinctive goal-scorer with nose for net .. strength, physicality keys to NHL success.
94) Tony Salmelainen (Edm), RW, Edmonton-AHL
Slashing skater hard to contain when passion peaks .. gradually playing more responsible game.
95) Tim Ramholt (Cgy), D, ZSC Zurich-Sui
Universal defender is strong skater and shooter .. won't stay under the radar for long.
96) Jason Pominville (Buf), RW, Rochester-AHL
Sneaky and elusive sniper with NHL-caliber shot .. overall game maturing, plays bigger than size.
97) Brad Boyes (Bos), C, Providence-AHL
Cerebral playmaker with exquisite hand-eye coordination .. must conquer physical NHL contests.
98) Trevor Daley (Dal), D, Hamilton-AHL
Astounding mobility and energy, but still too reactive defensively .. zest for attacking is relentless.
99) Roman Voloshenko (Min), LW, Krylja Sovetov-Rus 2
Velvet hands and torpedo shot, and getting quicker .. an elite scorer at every level.
100) Jakub Klepis (Wsh), C, Portland-AHL
Blossomed in `03-4 and continuing ascent with Pirates .. explosive skater, crafty puckhandler.
