Whos Hot/Whos Not - June
The US National Program’s Ryan Suter is the odds-on favorite to be the
first blueliner to don an NHL jersey at the upcoming NHL draft festivities starting
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Saturday, June 21.
Due to a string of excellent international performances, Suter has pulled ahead
of Braydon Coburn in the McKeen’s June draft rankings. Suter followed up
a superb Under-20 showing with an equally impressive performance at the Under-18
tournament in Yaroslavl this spring. Contributing with 4 points, 22 penalty
minutes and 19 shots on goal in six games, Suter was, yet again, the anchor
of the American team.
According to a source close to the US National Program: “Ryan is mature
for his age. He's usually the first person to show up at the rink and works
hard in practice. His shot form the point is real good. As a two-way defenseman,
Ryan is one of the best to come through the NTDP. What a good tape-to-tape passer
and don't be fooled, because he can play tough. He has really good instincts
in knowing when to jump into a play and make something happen.”
The last line of defense wherever he plays, Suter is an intelligent swift-skating
puckmover with excellent distribution skills. He makes quick, tight turns to
relieve danger and knows how to use his skating and quickness to open up space
for himself. He is adept at starting the rush with a smart pass and is equally
comfortable playing a finesse and physical game.
The son of Bob Suter (who was a member of the United States ‘miracle on
ice’ team in Salt Lake City in 1980), Ryan Suter certainly has the hockey
roots to back him up. His all-around make up is what distinguishes him from
the likes of Coburn, Dion Phaneuf and Mark Stuart. Suter’s proficiency
at either end of the ice is polished, thus he stands as the most complete rearguard
eligible for the draft.
Skilled Kazakh A Real Draft Wildcard
Among the several fresh faces on the McKeen’s June top 100 list, winger
Konstantin Pushkarev’s name seemingly comes out of left field. The
Under-18 World Championships in Yaroslavl served as a springboard for unheralded
Kazakh, who tied with Russian phenom Alexander Ovechkin for the tournament lead
in goals with nine, despite toiling on a last-place team. A rose among the thorns,
Pushkarev open eyes with his speed, instincts and finishing skills, not to mention
a determination and thirst for goals that didn’t seem to diminish regardless
of how lopsided the score got.
The 6-0, 170-pound forward has a lean, wiry body that could use another 30
pounds of muscle, but he displayed good strength and balance on his feet. Skating
is also a strong suit as he has a nice first-step burst and makes quick turns
and cuts. He showed excellent courage going to the net and initiated contact
away from the puck. His best trait though may be his puckhandling. He has a
soft stick and is very proficient at slipping through the neutral zone. There’s
a bit of both Alexei Morozov and Tuomo Ruutu here, as Pushkarev always wants
the puck and is willing to stick his nose in to get it.
Due to his upstart performance in Russia, look forward to hearing his name
called on the first day of the draft.
On Their Way Up
Rejean Beauchemin - G - Prince Albert (WHL) - Began the season as a
backup goalie with the Raiders, but gradually earned increased duty, eventually
supplanting the incumbent Aaron Sorochan. Beauchemin ran away with the number
one job in the second half of the year and a strong finish to his season led
to an invite to the World Under-18 tournament with team Canada. Backing up Ryan
Munce created some exposure for Rejean - he projects to be a solid mid-to-late
rounder in the draft.
Belle - D - Tri City (WHL) - Despite all the struggles he’s gone
through in his two-year career with Tri-City, Belle earned our respect with
a solid World Junior Under-18 showing (7 games, 2 points, +5), while a solid
second half to his season boosted his stock. Though still falling to put up
the offensive numbers he is so obviously capable of producing, Belle's natural
physical abilities and abrasive style of play in his own zone will still hold
his stock quite high on draft day. He is a likely second round selection.
Brent Burns - RW - Brampton - The Battalion did not make it out of the
second round, but this guy was one of the great playoff stories, regardless.
The towering 6-4, 190 forward is still learning to use his frame, but his soft
hands and agility are the truly impressive traits. If he could only add 15 or
so pounds of muscle in the off-season and he’ll be first-line at the dub
next season.
Anton Dubinin - C - Elemash Elektrostal - A small player (5-10, 180)
with a big heart. His loan transfer from CSKA Junior farm team to the Upper
League’s Elemash Elektrostal jumpstarted his season. Playing aggressive
yet mature hockey, Dubinin earned a spot for the Russian National team at the
U-18 World Juniors in Yaroslavl, where he netted two goals and was a surprising
catalyst in the first game of the tournament versus Canada. He has NHL potential
- plays hard and plays hurt too.
Guyer - C- Minnesota - Former Mr. Hockey started slow but picked his
game up after representing Team USA at the World Junior Championships where
he saw spot duty on the fourth line. Guyer finished the campaign with 13 goals,
16 assists. In the NCAA playoff opener against Mercyhurst, Guyer tallied five
assists. His third period goal tied the semifinal contest against Michigan at
two setting up Thomas Vanek's OT heroics. In the playoffs, Guyer showed good
playmaking skills and the ability to pass the puck up the ice. At times his
ability to finish was troublesome but he was more productive than at any time
during the season in the Gophers key matchups in the postseason. The Coleraine,
Minnesota native was excellent on the draws, displaying the ability to win key
faceoffs.
Jaroslav Halak - G - Bratislava (Svk Jr) - His stock soared in April
after backstopping Slovakia to a silver medal at the World Under-18’s in
Russia (2.00 GAA, .932 Sv%). A poised, hybrid goalie with excellent flexibility
and a very active glove hand, Halak is so calm that he often looks like he’s
waiting for a bus. He plays an economical style, always staying square to the
shooter and is never out of position for rebounds.
J.F. Jacques - RW - Baie-Comeau - Proved that he is more than just a
big guy in the QMJHL playoffs showcasing a physical dimension to his game to
compliment his 6-4, 215-pound frame. Blessed with excellent strength, Jacques
loves to throw his weight around and frustrate the opposing forwards. He possesses
good speed and soft hands on the puck, complimented with a hard shot and above-average
playmaking abilities. His offensive numbers were not mind-blowing this season,
but look for a big-time breakthrough in offensive production next year for the
Baie-Comeau forward.
Kosmachev - D - HC CKSA Moscow - This tall and lanky rearguard is rising
up the ranks big time. Much noise has been made about another Russian defender
Denis Ezhov, but this guy is better. Although nothing spectacular, Kosmachev
is a capable playmaker with a swift skating stride and underrated vision. If
he can learn to master positioning, he will be able to take more risks and join
the rush effectively which will mean better offensive numbers. Although he contributed
with only one assist at the recent Under-18 tourney, Kosmachev played smart
all-around hockey.
Piispanen - C - Jokerit - Now the leading candidate to go first among
the Finns, Piispanen was the best player for Finland at the U-18’s this
spring (amassing 4 goals and 5 points in 6 games) and has a good offensive touch.
Among all of the Finns in the draft, Piispanen is the rangiest - he is a big
guy with all the tools, including playmaking abilities, an impressive array
of shots and a big reach. More raw than the countryman Teemu Nurmi, but his
upside is much higher.
Richards - C - Kitchener - Was out of this world for the Memorial Cup-winning
Kitchener Rangers over the final months of play. Very strong on his skates,
creative and has a terrific release he can pinpoint at any angle with excellent
accuracy. Richards amassed 9 goals and 27 points in the OHL playoffs and had
the highest +/- amongst Kitchener forwards with a spectacular +19. This guy
has a good scoring upside and due to his lasting post-season impression, he
now looks like a great bet to crack the top round of the draft.
Romy - C - Geneva-Servette (Sui) - We really love the spunk and creativity
shown by this nifty playmaker, who carried the Swiss at the U-18 Worlds (6-4-8-12).
Romy is a good, lively skater with excellent puck-control skills and an ability
to execute in top gear. He sees the ice extremely well and is very adept at finding open linemates. Although he lacks size and strength
at this stage (5-11/185), he did show a willingness to work the danger areas.
Likely booked a spot in the opening three rounds this June with his performance
in Yaroslavl.
Ruzicka - RW - Nitra (Svk Jr) - Moved to the front page after leading Slovakia
in scoring in Yaroslavl (7-5-3-8) and turning in a solid season with Nitra’s
junior team (18-14-12-26). Ruzicka is a smooth skater with good hands and a
nice first-step burst. He displayed some shifty one-on-one moves at this tournament as well as an ability to create space for his quick, accurate
shot. Though he also overhandled the puck at times and showed that he needs
to get much stronger. Solid, skilled pick with excellent upside.
Seabrook - D - Lethbridge - Proved at the Under-18 World Juniors that
he can join the rush and produce quite well. With 3 goals, 6 points and a sizzling
+/- rating (+11), Seabrook was Canada’s most impressive player. Seabrook
plays a fairly safe game in his zone as well - he does not play an erratic style;
can play a responsible stay-at-home game when needed and clears the zone well.
Seabrook and Kevin Klein will be neck-in-neck at the draft as a couple of responsible
rearguards who produce but prefer to make safe plays. Seabrook might have the
edge due to his large frame (6-3, 220).
Taking a Fall
Aaltonen - RW - Kärpät - Had a golden opportunity to impress
the scouts at the Under-18 tournament in Yaroslavl, but was invisible with only
one measly assist in six games. Regardless, he remains a very good prospect
and should not be judged on that tourney alone. A terrific pure talent, Aaltonen
had a fine year before disappointing this spring - his draft stock drops, but
his upside is high.
Blaho - RW - Dukla Trencin (Svk Jr) - Well-built Slovak failed to make
much of an impression in Yaroslavl with just one goal in the Under-18 tournament
(7-1-2-3). Blaho is a rugged 6-foot-1, 200-pound winger who excels at protecting
the puck and making plays in traffic. However, his lack of quickness was exposed
at this level of competition. He also needs to improve his one-on-one defensive
marking. Still a worthwhile later-round project given his size/skill/toughness
quotient.
Cech - G - Havirov Sr - His stock plummeted over the final month of
the season. At the Under-18 tournament, Cech was victimized in a game versus
Canada, was pulled and did not see more action at the event thereafter. Losing
the starting job to Marek Schwarz, Cech finished up the tourney with a 3.75
goals-against and a save percentage of .857. His movement in the crease has
to be upgraded as he struggles playing the angles. A late-rounder at best.
Fraser - C - Red Deer - Failed to raise his game down the stretch of
the regular season and into the playoffs and was exposed for his lack of physical
prowess. The Red Deer Rebels centerman will have to bulk up to make it as a
pro. Still a pesky defensive forward, but upside looks to be of a Tyson Nash
as opposed to an Esa Tikkanen.
Lindstrom - C -Mora - Shows occasional flashes of brilliance, but is
very overrated. Lindstrom did not make Mora - his senior club - this season
and was rather unspectacular in the Junior league, with only three goals and
seven assists in 20 games. Not worth a top three-round pick.
Picard - D - Halifax - A hulking (6-2, 207) blueliner with impressive
skills but questionable decision-making abilities. His stock has fallen following
a disappointing second half to his season and equally uninspiring play in the
playoffs. Picard’s passing skills are good, but his uncanny ability to
dish the puck to the worst places at the worst time has been troubling. A solid
puck-carrying defenseman, Picard still has high value, but needs to work on
reacting better.
Shafigullin - C - Yaroslavl 2 - A talented two-way center, Grigory is
known as, first and foremost, a defensive specialist. Although he has some skills,
he has not had a productive year on the international spectrum. A nagging wrist
injury limited his participation and usefulness at the Under-18’s in Yaroslavl.
The lack of exposure will most likely result in a late second round-selection.
That said, his lack of playing time might not have exposed his offensive weaknesses
to some scouts. Playing for the Superleague champions Lokomotiv Yaroslavl should
soften the blow, however.
Thompson - C - Seattle - The powerhouse Thunderbirds did not need Thompson
to carry them this season, hence his sub-par season has flown mostly under the
radar. The promising centerman managed only 10 goals and 34 points in 61 regular
season games. He showed less upside than previously expected, hence his NHL
future looks questionable.
Martin Tuma - D - Litvinov Jr - The big (6-foot-3, 205), rugged defenseman
with a cannon for a shot, Tuma struggled to find his game at the Under-18’s
and rarely unleashed his patented slapper. Raw, but immensely skilled at all
aspects of the game, Martin will most likely be selected in the mid-to-late
rounds by a team with a shrewd scouting staff. One of the youngest players in
the draft (born in 09/14/85), Tuma would have been eligible for the 2004 draft,
had he been born just two days later.
Diamonds in the Rough
- C/D - Prince George - No, he wasn’t really in consideration for the
top 100 list, but this giant has been the talk of the town in Prince George.
The 6-3, 260-pound wonder… No, we’re sorry - 275-pounds… Or is
it 245? Well, no one really knows - but you get the idea, he’s a big boy.
The most attractive thing about Dustin is that he’s a guy with tremendous
skills, but no idea how to use them. Playing both as a forward and a rearguard
this season, Byfuglien is versatile, but needs to be more dedicated to fitness
and play with more passion. His head might not be in it, but it’s a gamble
that a team will be more than willing to tackle on day one of the draft.
Jaroslav Markovik- RW - Martin (Svk Jr) - A sturdy, well-balanced skater,
Markovic showed well at the U-18 Worlds which should guarantee a mid-round selection
at the draft. He is a strong puckhandler with good two-way instincts and a quick
release. His play in traffic was also noticeable as he showed an ability to
beat defenders off the cycle and slip through to the net. First-step acceleration
and overall quickness appear to be the only areas that need significant refining.
Tomas Popperle, G - Sparta Praha Jr - A well-built (6-2, 176) netminder
recorded solid showing all season long in the Junior league. Popperle covers
a lot of the net and plays the angles consistently well due to his athleticism.
Solid under pressure, but his skating is sub-par and he is unproven playing
the puck.
Rustam Sidikov - G - CKSA 2 - Not a likely first-day draft pick, but
the lanky (6-1, 160) goaltender has maturity and a strong positional game. Performed
well at the Under-18’s - showcased good mobility and reflexes. Does not
hesitate to go out of the net and play the puck.
Tim Stapleton - C/RW - Minnesota-Duluth - The diminutive Stapleton enjoyed
a banner first season with the Bulldogs and played an important part in their
success. Due to Stapleton's efforts, Minnesota-Duluth concluded the season as
one of the hottest teams in college hockey, going unbeaten in 12 of its last
16 outings (12-4-1) and a 4-2 run in the WCHA playoffs (with both of those losses
coming in overtime) finishing in third place in its first visit to the WCHA
Final Five tournament in five years. Stapleton had 11 multiple point games,
including a four-point contest against Michigan State (2/15). Although he stands
only 5-9, 160 pounds, Stapleton is a smart skater who sees the ice well and
able to avoid serious hits. Stapleton has earned a reputation as a solid playmaker.
His 28 helpers were third among NCAA first year players. With 42 points, Stapleton
was the first freshman to lead the Bulldogs in scoring in 26 years and most
offensively productive UMD player since Brett Hull.
Philippe Wetzel - C - Bern (Sui Jr) - Wiry Swiss center didn’t hit
the scoresheet in Yaroslavl, but did impress with his raw physical tools. Wetzel
is a good, rangy skater who showed a willingness to throw his 6-foot-5, 200-pound
frame around, even deep in the defensive zone. Also showed good hands in the faceoff circle, finishing third in the tournament with a 64.2 percent
winning rate. Lacks strength and experience, but is an intriguing package with
upside as a solid second-liner.