WHL: Not So Tiny Tim

The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Brandon's Tim Konsorada in the sixth round (168th overall) in 2002. The Blue Jackets hope that he will be able to overcome his skating deficiencies and eventually transfer his success from the Western Hockey League level to the next step. In our first of a two-part look at Brandon, we have scouting notes from a playoff game involving Konsorada and fellow Wheaties' Daryl Boyle, Lance Monych, and Jakub Sindel.

Daryl Boyle (2005), D

Will take a hit to make a play .. a very good skater, with above average speed and mobility .. partnered with Riley Day .. strong on his skates although sometimes gets caught watching the puck in his own end .. stayed with his man and kept him to the outside .. displayed nice anticipation going behind the net and out working the forward for the puck and then banged the puck off the boards and out of the zone .. has the ability to carry the puck with authority, but isn't a pure rushing defenseman .. took a penalty saving a goal .. plays on both special teams .. will take the body .. isn't overly punishing in the dirty areas, especially in front of his net.

Lance Monych (phx), RW

Effective two-way winger finiishes his checks with relish .. played on a line with Ryan Stone and Derek Leblanc .. defenders often have trouble containing him on the forecheck .. displays some vision in the offensive zone and keeps his head up when he has the puck .. shows no hesitation going to the net and digging for the puck in traffic .. plays in all situations .. uses an active stick and has very good mobility in order to close passing lanes and cut down time and space .. isn't as gritty as Ryan Stone, but on the flipside is more disciplined.

Tim Konsorada (cbj), RW

Effective at playing the point on the power play due to his splendid passing ability as well as his high panic threshold .. in this particular game played on the left side of a line with Jakub Sindel and Eric Fehr .. looked sluggish trying to catch up to the opposition on the backcheck .. his amazing reach does help negate some of his overall lack of speed and acceleration .. was able to strip the pointman and go in for a shorthanded breakaway .. was a fixture on both special teams.

Jakub Sindel (chi), C

Czech native powered a one timer home from the point .. played on a line with Eric Fehr and Tim Konsorada .. displayed splendid mobility and quickness getting in on the puck carrier .. used elite vision to find the open man in the offensive zone .. often plays the left point on the power play .. terrific hand-eye coordination, especially evident with his ability to hold to the puck for extended periods in the offensive zone .. has been known to give up a bit too easily after he loses the puck and must work harder to fight through his checks .. has a soft touch and is a very slick on the give and go .. dished a superb saucer pass the set up a scoring chance on an odd man rush .. played on both special teams .. would like to see more sandpaper to his game.