Whos Hot/Whos Not - November
Flashin' Russians
It comes as no surprise that Russia yet again has a deep crop of talented players
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to offer for the upcoming draft - so what else is there after Ovechkin and Malkin?
An absolute gem is CSKA's all-around defender Kirill
Lyamin (pictured). The rock-solid, instinctive blueliner is combative,
crafty and mature. Smooth skater has above-average straight-away speed and moves
well backwards with a good feel of the puck, terrific vision and a crisp first
pass out of the zone. Take-charge rearguard is brainy - he has range and reads
the play well. Needs to add some meat to the bones and get tougher mentally
in clutch situations. Has the tools to become a complete player ...
Karetin - where art thou? A year or two ago, the other CSKA's defensive
product Karetin was the strongest defenseman in Russia for his age group, but
conditioning issues had slowed down his development as blueliners such as Lyamin
and Anton
Belov have bypassed him stock-wise. Fortunately, the youngster has made
timely adjustments and looks like a changed player after a nightmare campaign
last year (due to bad health and shape). According to our scout: "(Karetin)
is an immense talent, but now seems to be back on track... He's not physical,
but has a good positioning game... He used to be faster, but conditioning is
an issue with him - (two years ago) he just stopped practicing right."
From all accounts, Karetin is now in good shape and his mental game is back
on track, although mobility leaves something to be desired. Stock is subject
to rise, but at this juncture, he's not a top-10 Russian... Now back playing
for the National (U-18) team after falling out of favour earlier in the year
...
This just in from one of our Russian scouts: "Enver
Lisin is the Konstantin Koltsov of this year's draft - the fastest skater
- bar none." ...
Speaking of blueliners, Dynamo's undersized Adgur Dzhugelia (5-foot-10) might
be this draft's version of Tobias Enstrom - but with an edge. Has been under
the radar for quite a while, but not for long - the no-nonsense rearguard played
for Russia at the U-18 tourney in Slovakia. Our scout comments: "Seems
to be the slick-skating offensive defenseman the team (Russia) has been looking
for... Handles the puck well, has a good shot - a very tough customer. Hard
hitting, although the big knock is his size... Excellent, smooth skater."
Adgur and cousin Enver Lisin were recently loaned by Moscow Dynamo to the Upper
League's Kristal Saratov for the remainder of the year where they will play
considerable minutes.
Tiny Talent Time
It was Pierre-Marc Bouchard last year and Zach Parise this past June - undersized
players who earned first-round billing due to their exceptional talents. Leading
the 'five-foot' sweepstakes for `04 is crafty Czech winger Peter
Pohl (5-11/185), however, Michigan freshman T.J
Hensick is quickly closing the gap, debuting in our first round this
month.
Blessed with Samsonov-like lateral agility and quickness, the 5-foot-9 Hensick
is a deft puckhandler with an ability to execute with precision in top gear.
His creativity and puck carrying expertise opens up room for his linemates,
and he possesses the kind of shooting mechanics that should help him flourish
once he adds the requisite upper-body strength. Our scouts also like his courage.
He's never shy about taking the puck to the net and times his offensive thrusts
smartly.
An impact scorer at every level, Hensick leads the Wolverines with 15 points
in his first 12 games. But, what has been most impressive has been his adaption
to the defensive aspects at the collegiate level.
Centering Michigan's top line alongside Los Angeles first-rounder Jeff
Tambellini, the native of Howell, Michigan has displayed impressive
defensive awareness and rarely gets caught pinching. He has also assumed more
of a playmaking role, which, incidentally, was an area that concerned scouts.
Despite a reputation for not using his linemates effectively, Hensick has gelled
nicely as Tambellini's setup man so far.
An even smaller prospect who will no doubt entice NHL scouts next June is Cushing
star Chris
Bourque, the son of legendary Bruins' rearguard Ray Bourque.
The younger Bourque is just 5-foot-7, but the package is deceiving. Like his
father, he excels at the physical aspects of the game and is a surprisingly
hard hitter. He is also blessed with dad's stocky build, which could easily
accommodate another 25 pounds of muscle, and great feel for the game. Add in
strong, balanced skating, excellent tenacity and puck-control skills, and there
is plenty to like here.
Another wildcard this year is New Hampshire trailblazer Jacob
Micflikier. The talented Winnipeg native scripted a sensational freshman
debut, scoring seven times on his first 15 collegiate shots to earn Hockey East
'Rookie of the Month' honours.
"He catches your eye every shift," reports one of our scouts, "he's
fast, shifty, very skilled, and really inventive". Early on, Micflikier
has shown an innate sense for exploiting holes in the defense to explode into
lanes. He also displays remarkable poise in scoring positions, as well as a
wealth of lethal finishing tricks.
But, most importantly, Micflikier has sharp survival instincts and never seems
to be in any real danger in heavy-traffic areas, despite being just 5-foot-8
and 180 pounds. His versatility is also drawing plenty of attention. A natural
center, he has made a seamless shift to left wing and given the Wildcats' top
line a legitimate portside threat.
Small in body, but big on talent, Hensick, Bourque and Micflikier promise to
be hot commodities once the big frames are off the board next June.
On Fire
Brown - G (Notre Dame) - It doesn't get much hotter than this. With
Notre Dame starter Morgan Cey recovering from knee surgery, the freshman goaltender
delivered nine-plus periods of shutout hockey for the Irish, establishing a
new school record of 193 minutes without allowing a goal. Brown made a name
for himself at last year''s Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, turning a terrific
showing for Ontario's bronze-medal winners. What immediately strikes you is
his quickness and pro-level competitiveness. An exceptional athlete who always
maintains good positioning and body control, Brown also has a knack for elevating
his play at key junctures of a game. A potential first-rounder if the magic
act continues. (Rank: 39)
Matt Christie - F (Miami) - The RedHawks' freshman sniper has 8 goals
in his first 13 games, including 2 power-play and one short-handed. A 33-goal
scorer in `02-3 with Wexford of the Ontario Provincial Junior A League, Christie
is a strong, well-balanced skater with good quickness. He goes into traffic
and boasts strong shooting skills, including a nice, fast release. Uses his
quickness well to get open and is an effective forechecker. On the downside,
Christie is listed at just 5-foot-10 and appears even smaller in person. Will
get some late-round looks. (Not Ranked)
Fransson - D (Lulea) - Now healthy, Fransson will be making a bid for
a high draft position. Smart, swift-skating rearguard looks determined to make
an impact in the SEL and contend for the rookie-of-the-year award. Still a lethal
shooter and defensively he has made some progress, in terms of his positioning
and physical awareness. Looks like a good bet for the top two rounds if he stays
in good shape. (Rank: 26)
Haskins - C (St. Mike's) - Speedy sparkplug has been a force since the
Majors acquired him in a trade with Guelph. Anchoring a solid second line with
vets Sal Peralta and Darryl Boyce, Haskins has been one of the team's finer
all-around players. A well-balanced skater with quick feet, he is a talented
playmaker who knows where his teammates are at all times. Chippy player who
finishes his checks and showcases a future captain's maturity and leadership
skills. Uses his great speed to disrupt the rhythm of the opposition's power
play. Somewhat slight (6-1, 180), but has the kind of head on his shoulders
to develop into a solid pro. (Rank: 86)
Hedman - D (MoDo) - Unheralded rearguard hasn't received the headlines
of his countryman Demen-Willaume. Very productive, has the kind of aura of a
power play QB, good head on his shoulders and a bulky frame (6-1, 205) to boot.
According to our scout in Sweden: "(Hedman) handles the physical part of
the game very well.. His skating is pretty good - nice balance and smooth stride.
Like most defensemen his size and age, he must work on his acceleration and
top speed. Good hockey sense and passing game and sees the ice well. An interesting
package who keeps his game simple and gets results." (Rank: 35)
Karsums - RW (Moncton) - No-nonsense Latvian is all upside. Has great
hands and aggressively pursues scoring chances near the crease. After a slow
start to his season, Karsums is slowly finding his game. Our scout says: "I
consider him to be the complete package. He is a feisty and aggressive winger
with pretty good hands and solid one-on-one skills. Can score and dishes out
the puck well. Hits very hard and finishes the checks. Smart, knows where to
go and gives it his all on every shift. It's a matter of time before he dominates."
(Rank: 57)
Kennedy - C (Sault Ste Marie) -
Streaky forward should not be overrated
despite an early hot stretch which saw him amass two goals and five assists
in three games. Kennedy has cooled off, but remains a riser as he makes a name
for himself. Second-line center has been a consistent two-way force, without
the benefit of playing alongside Jeff Carter. Speed is Kennedy's forte - he
excels in quick transition through the neutral zone. An agile, darting skater
and a feisty customer despite a smallish stature (5-11, 185). Does good work
at the faceoff circle and is a useful penalty killer. Skating and tenacity is
there, but size is the greatest concern at the moment. (Rank: 79)
Ladd - LW (Calgary) - While it certainly helps to be playing with two
star linemates in Ryan Getzlaf and Brandon Segal, the rookie from Maple Ridge,
B.C. deserves some of the credit for his rapid rise to prominence. Passed over
at the WHL Bantam Draft, Ladd scored just 15 times in 58 BCHL games with Coquitlam
last season, yet already has a team-leading nine goals in his first 21 WHL outings.
The package is intriguing. Well-constructed (6-2/210) with the strength and
gumption to battle in the hard areas, Ladd also boasts good hands and protects
the puck well in traffic. Already a strong skater, he reported to camp in top
shape and "looks even quicker this year" according to one of our western observers.
"I like his power game, he makes smart plays and is a willing combatant having
been in a number of scraps so far. He's right there with Lammers and Barnes
in my books". (Rank: 43)
- RW (SaiPa) - Our scouts say that his play this season has been on par
with Lauri Tukonen - although the upside is not as high. Solid all-around forward
with soft hands and finish. Solidly built (6-1, 190) winger plays a mature game,
knows where to go, but needs to improve his first step, although his speed is
good. Has some meanness and will show flashes of nastiness, but simply does
not have the muscle to intimidate quite yet. Does the dirty work and is a very
effective worker along the boards. (Rank: 66)
O'Neill - D (Notre Dame) - Huge (6'4, 215), and still growing, O'Neill
has displayed impressive smarts and poise for a 17-year-old freshman collegiate
rearguard. The native of Essex, Ontario is already seeing key minutes for the
Fighting Irish. A strong, smooth skater, O'Neill has very good agility for a
player his size, can handle the puck, and houses a booming shot. Offensive game
should grow with his confidence. Our scouts love the size/skill quotient as
well as his work ethic. The prevailing feeling is that O'Neill has all the tools
to develop into an impact two-way NHLer, but that his overall game, especially
offensively, needs time to mature as he still makes impulsive, high-risks decisions
at times. (Rank: 7)
Picard - LW (Lewiston) - Playing like a true potential first rounder,
Picard is a complete combo of strength and skill. A winger with excellent speed
who loves to rush up the ice and does major damage due to his big reach and
strength on the puck. A dangerous attacking forward who has the size to get
involved (6-2, 190) and unlike his QMJHL draft-eligible comrade Petr Pohl, he
will use his frame in traffic with consistency. Good work ethic and on his best
nights he's a hungry animal who attacks the net vigorously. (Rank: 22)
Sersen - D (Rimouski) - Sidney Crosby is not the only one to make a
name for himself in Rimouski - skilled and physical, Sersen is quietly maturing
into a force. A defensive-minded rearguard, he is strong on his skates and has
the muscle to completely wipe guys out. Still somewhat lanky for his 6-2 frame
(190 lbs), but shows a good positioning game, smart playmaking abilities and
good anticipation. Has the kind of poise that former Rimouski d-man Tomas Malec
provided the team in the past. He'll be a wall once he puts on more weight.
(Rank: 48)
Vomela - D (Ceske Budejovice) - Reliable stay-at-home type is good positionally
with a big frame (6-2, 190) and a mature mind. Can join the rush offensively
- has a hard point shot and above-average speed. Needs to improve his first
step and balance, especially when skating backwards. Keeps the game simple and
has a good handle of the puck, although playmaking skills are raw. Good bodychecker,
he can take his man out. Broke full time into the senior Extraleague last month,
securing a spot on the first paring. (NR)
Falling Stock
Belov - D (CSKA) - Our Russian scouts are doing a collective head-scratch
over the stalled development of this Ryazan native. Belov shot up the ranks
through a string of impressive international tournaments for the Russian `86
squad in 2002-03, however, his stock has plummeted following lacklustre efforts
at the Junior World Cup in August and the current ReMax Challenge. So, what's
the problem? He has good puck skills along with excellent size and mobility,
and grades well in areas such as toughness, vision and decision-making. But
the jury's still out. The "raw" label is hanging on too long here, as he's
too passive in all phases of the game, often hesitant to show off his solid
talent base. (Rank: 61)
Card - D (Kelowna) - Promising offensive defenseman is falling like
a rock. Simply has not progressed at all since last year and is bringing up
the rear on the third pairing. The departures of Tomas Slovak and Duncan Keith
provided the opening for him to take over and dominate, but he has failed to
do so. Looks reluctant to use his shot, gets rattled easily and has trouble
keeping the puck inside the offensive zone when pressured by an aggressive checker.
Very little confidence, despite good mobility, excellent stickhandling and passing
skills and the kind of range that would allow him to go end-to-end if only he
had the fortitude. Our WHL scout says: "This guy has not progressed at
all in many areas. He doesn't stand out.. The fact that Kelowna has lost two
prominent defensemen and he still remains an afterthought is troubling to me."
(Rank: 77)
Fistric - D (Vancouver) - Nothing earth-shattering to report, except
to say that, well, we expected much more. Quite simply, without the frame this
guy would not be on so many radars. Not always the sharpest knife in the drawer,
Fistric every now and then shows a serious case of brancrampanitis and lacks
the vision and imagination to set up offensively. Not much edge to complement
that great frame (6-2, 230), although he gets the job done defensively and our
scouts say that he is the Giants number two defenseman, regardless. Value is
still good, but he does not look like a potential first rounder at all. (Rank:
56)
Radim Hruska - RW (Vsetin Jr.) - Had a roster spot to lose on the weak
Vsetin senior team and found a way to blow it. Hruska opted out of last year's
draft in hopes of getting better placement this year, but now his stock is in
jeopardy. Winger needs to drive to the net harder and show a consistent mean
streak. He's lanky and disinterested - a troubling combination and not pretty
to look at. According to our scout in the Czech Republic: "A finesse forward,
Hruska relies more on his skill than on toughness or physicality. Has sharp
instincts and can be lethal around the goal area due to his reach and nifty
moves. Wrister is excellent, accurate with a fast release. Vision is above-average
and makes smart, well-timed passes. Versatile and usually defensively responsible,
but skating is below-par... He lacks agility and the first step which leaves
him dragging behind the play and minimizes his offensive effectiveness."
(NR)
Hunter - LW (Prince George) - Got off to a pretty good start to his
season and showed a feisty, offensively aggressive side to his game, but the
tide has turned considerably which resulted in a benching as Cougars' head coach
Lane Lambert made Hunter sit and mull over his over his eccentric play. The
funny thing is that Hunter's benching is not due to a lack of effort but rather
due to an uninformed utilization of that effort - Eric has fallen in love with
the agitator's role, while his all-around game has suffered. The team's most
talented player appears to have more interest in intimidation - he is taking
bad penalties and is not making full use of his excellent offensive skills to
their fullest. We think that this kid has scoring-line potential and can be
more than a Ben Eager-type - he has the hands to score a lot of goals, but he
must find a role and stick to it. (Rank: 62)
David Krejci - C (Kladno Jr.) - Slick centerman seems lost in the Bermuda
triangle... Our Czech scout says: "He has very soft hands and stickhandling
is a second nature. However, he isn't all that effective in traffic as he used
to be and tends to vanish on the periphery at times. Needs to display more involvement
in the games and stick his nose into traffic areas regularly. Has very good
shooting skills, sees the ice well and makes smart, crisp passes. David needs
to work on his skating, especially his top speed, as he is missing that extra
gear. Stride needs polishing, as well as his acceleration. Could control his
temper better, as he tends to lose it at the worst possible time and take dumb
penalties." (NR)
Olivier Latendresse - C (Val d'Or) - Small crafty, slick-skating centerman
was on fire to start the season and really had us excited. Unfortunately with
a fractured ankle his stock is out of his hands. Latendresse will miss an undetermined
amount of time. (NR)
Montoya - G (Michigan) - As much as we love Montoya's athleticism and
battling spirit, he still opens up too many holes for our liking. A flashy,
colourful goalkeeper with exceptional speed and agility, Montoya is the master
of his domain and will confront any and all crease invaders. He intimidates
shooters with his aggressiveness and strong recovery powers, yet, at times,
does not maintain an airtight stance when moving laterally. According to our
CCHA scout, Montoya also has a nasty habit of committing too early, going down
on his pads and sliding out of the play. But technical flaws can be corrected,
and we still see Montoya as a solid first-round investment. (Rank: 27)
Rizk - RW (Saginaw) - One of our OHL scouts says: "I was disgusted
with his effort... he didn't work hard in the corners or get anything done productively.
He is lacking the work ethic required to develop into a solid NHL player. I
see a guy with a big frame and solid passing game, but his skating is nothing
special and he's downright lazy at times." (NR)
- LW (HIFK) - His production has been decent in Junior, but we see no progress
at all comparing to last year. He was a top-liner last spring and had shown
solid offensive upside, but this guy seems to have hit a wall. Has no SM-Liiga
experience and that might cost him a spot in the WJC's. Salonen is an instinctive
goalscorer with above-average speed and good balance with excellent puck protection
skills. The attacking winger has a good first step and can go a long way once
he has the control of the puck. Doesn't drive to the net enough - has to show
some fire and sacrifice his body in order to progress. (Rank: 85)
Wolski - LW (Brampton) - We think he might be buying into his own hype
too much. Although a surefire first-rounder, Wolski doesn't do the dirty work
- he dipsy-doodles and backs off. There is no urgency to his game - despite
his superb skating skills and good size, Wojtek simply expects his linemates
to get the puck to him and is completely unwilling to fight for it along the
boards. This might be expected from a 16-year old, but this kid is a sophomore
and while his body has matured, his game has not. He's out of the top 10 for
now. (Rank: 12)
Under the Radar
Benoit Doucet - C (Victoriaville) - One of the finer offensive talents
for this draft out of the Q, but his size (5-10, 180) will probably keep him
down in the draft. Dominated in the Quebec Midget AAA last year and is showing
flashes of his exploits this year. Mostly a playmaker, Doucet utilizes his speed
to his advantage in order to create scoring chances near the net. His vision
is excellent - good, soft hands and awareness of his teammates. (NR)
Dowell - C (Wisconsin) - Former US NDTP player has made quick adjustment
to college hockey. Has improved noticeably in the past few weeks. Dowell is
a solidly built (6'0, 200) two-way player who is more of a playmaker than scorer.
He is solid on his skates and is a good bodychecker. Dowell is a capable face-off
man and plays responsible in his own end. Very smart away from the puck with
terrific defensive positioning. Should make an ideal third line-type some day.
(Rank: 100)
Dmitri Megalinsky - D (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl) - Think Anton Volchenkov,
but without the skating. Huge, meaty kid (6-2, 220), but offensive skill - has
a good, accurate shot, excellent playmaking abilities. Was one of the leading
scorers in the Junior level last year. Smart and responsible in his own end.
Uses frame well in physical situations and fights hard along the boards. Tough
to move away from the puck near the boards and in the corners. Only an average
all-around skater with below-average speed and not much in terms of acceleration.
Good balance, but must work relentlessly on his stride. Will never be a speedster,
but he puts up the numbers and if he can lose the extra weight, he'll be quicker
on his feet. High risk, high reward. (NR)
Psurny - RW (Zlin Jr.) - A gifted forward with a slight frame (6-1,
175), Psurny is slowly introducing himself to the physical aspects of hockey.
No longer lets the bigger guys push him around and can dish out the occasional
hit. A slick skater with good quickness and acceleration, Psurny is an opportunistic
goalscorer with soft hands and good playmaking abilities. Must work on his balance
and his slapper needs a better release and quickness. No longer a one-dimensional
type, hence could be a solid late-round pickup. (NR)
Steber - LW (Halifax) - Another high risk-high reward player. Despite
having troubles adjusting to the North American style of game, Steber has shown
signs of developing into an offensive gem. All the tools are there (including
a 6-3, 210-pound frame), including a fine first step, soft hands and a physical
edge. A playmaker by nature, Steber has a reputation as an intense player, but
does he does not seem to know where to go at all times and does not have a blue-chipper's
scoring touch. Lacking elite speed and has a penchant for looking downright
invisible at times. Very raw, but he'll take off if all the pieces fit. (Rank:
50)
Welton - D (Quebec) - Former teammate of Sidney Crosby in Dartmouth
turned down the NCAA to play in the Quebec league. A strong, solid, steady,
but undersized (5-11, 190) defenseman with a physical edge has poise, good puck
skills and competes hard on every shift. Above-average puck mover with excellent
instincts, plays a heads-up, shifty style. A mobile player is strong on the
puck and has the necessary offensive player to put up good points on the board.
Likes to pitch in on the rush and distribute the puck. Size dictates the action
at the draft, but this kid can do it all. (NR)
Salmonsson Back in Action
Contrary to previous reports, the top Swedish eligible Johannes Salmonsson's shoulder injury was not as serious as previously believed. He had been re-examined
by Djurgarden's medical staff and it was announced that he can play the rest
of the season without need for surgery. Salmonsson has since then played three
games, although his icetime has been lowered.
Schrempie Update
After a bit of a slow start following the trade to the London Knights, mega-talent
Schremp accumulated 16 points in his 10 October games with the Knights
(currently sits second in Knights' scoring behind the blazing-hot Corey
Perry). Adding an extra scoring punch to an already talented London
lineup, Schremp has turned the Knights into an offensive powerhouse and arguably
the best team in the league. Our OHL scout says: "(Rob) is taking control
of games more than ever before... Each time I've seen him this year, he has
put in an excellent performance. He's a spectacular individual player with the
puck and his decision-making instincts are very sharp. He is utilizing his shooting
skills more than last year and his release is simply terrific... Just a complete
player, as well as a real physical presence."