Whos Hot / Whos Not: ON FIRE
ON FIRE
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Bolland - C (London Knights) - Currently one of the hottest goal scorers
in the OHL, Bolland is definitely not a one-trick pony. Although he's not the
fastest nor prettiest skater, Bolland is deceptively quick and knows where to
go on the ice in order to capitalize offensively. According to our scout in
London: "His brains are what set him apart from others, outstanding hockey sense
and play anticipation. He can beat a guy one-on-one with his hands and his feet
and dig pucks out in the corners. Just a solid all-around player, an excellent
penalty killer and in the last month the Knights' top player."
Borer - D (St. Cloud) - Borer has amazed our scouts with his smarts,
composure and textbook defensive work. A big, strong, heavyduty frame makes
him extremely tough to knock off his feet, while his skating and overall quickness,
once considered flaws, have both improved significantly over the past few years.
He consistently plays the body, anticipates the game superbly, and always seem
to make the safe play. And, best of all, this guy has ice in his veins. Just
doesn't panic under pressure. A dependable, throwback 60's-style rearguard who
continues to progress in leaps and bounds.
Funk - D (Portland) - Tall, rangy defenseman is starting to put it together.
Like a scrambled puzzle, Funk appears to have all the pieces to work with, yet
is still a raw, project-in-process. A fluid, ever-improving skater with a lively
stride and good speed for a big man. The skills are there too. He can handle
the puck, stays involved physically, and has a good shot, although his accuracy
needs work. Mistakes are commonplace, though, as he's a bit of a risk-taker.
Gets too cute and attempts anything except the simple, easy play. His recovery
powers are impressive, however, as his mobility and aggressiveness help compensate.
We don't see a spectacular NHLer, but rather an industrious, stay-at-home type
with above-average skating.
Green - D (Saskatoon) - Just keeps leaping up our charts. A rare specimen
of a defenseman - mobile, skilled and one tough s.o.b. physically. The only
thing that really works against him is the fact that he doesn't have imposing
size to complement his meanness. Strong legs, very dangerous on the rush, comfortable
playing the point with a confident playmaking game. A player who seems to have
an answer for every question.
Hedman - D (MoDo) - Now earning regular ice time in the SEL, Hedman
has emerged as arguably the team's most reliable defenseman. A sturdy player,
Hedman handles the physical aspects of the game very well and has impressed
with smart, informed plays with the puck. Sees the ice very well, skates deceptively
quick, and leaves no gaping holes defensively. Although Hedman has only been
recently promoted, he has already been tested as a puckhandling rearguard and
has responded with excellent poise and composure, amassing two assists in the
last couple of weeks.
Houle - G (Cape Breton) - Was overlooked in the 2003 draft, but
could go on day one this June. In the shadow of Marc-Andre Fleury last year,
Houle has made the most of his opportunity as the Eagles' main man - thus far
leading Cape Breton to one of the better records in the QMJHL. The butterfly
netminder has cat-like reflexes and possesses a lively glove hand. Says our
QMJHL scout: "Houle sees the ice very well and reacts quickly to shifts in possession.
He displays a great second effort and really gobbles up those rebounds. His
weakness is when he gets in his crouch - he leaves a vagrant hole open to the
shooters."
Klubertanz - D (Green Bay) - The more we see, the more we like.
Ranked 149th among North Americans on Central Scouting's mid-term list, Klubertanz
is like a subtle, finely-crafted film that must be viewed repeatedly to be fully
appreciated. There's an effortless, near-procedural quality about his play that
stems directly from his ability to think the game two moves ahead. He makes
things look easy. 'Kyle has everything you look for in a defensive prospect
except the 6-4, 230-pound body' claims a USHL scout. 'He's very smart, skilled,
good on his skates, and he's got a mean streak.' But what makes him such an
attractive prospect are his attack skills. He displays a keen eye for exploiting
an opponent's jugular and is a lethal playmaker in the offensive zone.
Lascek - C (Chicoutimi) - Slovakian import struggled early on in the
season to adjust to his new surroundings, but has really turned up the offense
lately, averaging a near point-a-game pace in his last 25 games. He plays an
instinctive playmaking style, has above-average agility with quick feet and
soft hands. A skinny player, but not soft - his confidence looks renewed and
his stock is back on track.
Lepisto - D (Espoo) - A smaller, older defenseman - what's the
deal? Well, after earning well-deserved top defenseman honours at the Under-20
World Juniors this winter, Lepisto has become a highly-coveted player. What
sets Lepisto apart from other smaller offensive rearguards is his willingness
to play the physical game - doesn't intimidate, but stands up for himself and
stays on his feet. Very agile with an explosive, accurate slapper from the point.
Won't be passed up this time.
Grant Lewis - D
(Dartmouth) - Few prospects have progressed further since the start of the season
than this 6-foot-3 Dartmouth freshman, who is challenging for the ECAC scoring
lead among defensemen. Another product of the hockey hotbed of Pittsburgh, Lewis
has been a revelation for the Big Green, logging tons of icetime, playing strong
in his own zone, and even getting power play time. "He's an exceptional skater
for a guy his size," our college scout reports. "Very smooth on his blades,
makes nice cuts and directional changes. His hands are good too, he reads the
developing play well and has the ability to move the puck out of the zone and
make crisp passes. He has to beef up still and doesn't use his shot, which is
decent, enough yet." Pursue the potential Pittsburgh property pronto.
D (Texas) - Looking for a tough, mobile, all-around rearguard with size and
NHL bloodlines? The son of ex-NHLer and shotblock king Craig Ludwig boasts a
workhorse body like his dad, and is a smart, efficient defender with a strong
physical presence and a knack for open-ice hits. But the similarities end there.
Trevor, who plays alongside twin brother Tyler with the Texas Tornado of the
NAHL, handles the puck better and is a much stronger skater than his father.
He possesses a graceful and powerful stride, excellent diagonal pull-away speed,
and excels at moving the puck out his zone. Mature and well-rounded, Ludwig
plays within his means and should hear his name called on Day 1 despite going
unranked on the CS mid-term.
Maunu - D (Windsor) - Has been in our third round for awhile now and
is making overtures for higher ground. The former 10th overall pick in the `02
OHL Draft has good size (6-1/205) and uses it frequently. Well-balanced with
excellent lateral quickness, Maunu is a very confident player who logs a ton
of icetime for the Spitfires and makes life miserable for opponents with his
steady diet of hard, punishing takeouts. Add in his smart defensive positioning
and good game-reading skills, and you have a dependable player with a lot to
offer.
Tomas Mertl - LW/RW
(Ceske Budejovice) - Smallish junior opened many eyes with a spirited performance
at the mini-camp of the Czech Under-18 team, underscored by a hat trick in the
final exhibition game. A solid skater with excellent foot speed and a fluid
stride, Mertl accelerates well and can make nifty stickhandling moves without
slowing down. Very agile, he makes sharp, elusive turns. According to our scout
in the Czech Republic: "Mertl is smallish, but pretty multi-dimensional. He
is a useful contributor on the penalty killing units due to his speed and can
make you pay on fast breaks due to a strong wrist shot with a fine, quick release.
Not an effective player in traffic, but he gets involved and isn't afraid to
use his body. Good vision and change of pace."
Montoya - G (Michigan) - His stock soared after backstopping
the United States to a under-20 gold medal, posting a 1.33 goals-against average
and a .94 save percentage (allowed only eight goals in six games). With his
rock-solid performance, Montoya solidified his worth coming off a somewhat inconsistent,
although highly successful first half of the season. Currently fourth in the
CCHA in GAA (2.26), Montoya is a cool customer in goal, rarely getting rattled
in a contest. His experience at the Frozen Four last year gives him something
to play for down the stretch - we don't think Montoya will get complacent with
the gold medal.
Painchaud - LW (Mississauga) - Not that long ago, he was a skinny pushover,
but the new and improved Painchaud is stronger on the puck and scouts are beginning
to notice. We have been impressed with Painchaud right from the start of the
season, but he's taking command of the puck like never before. Crispness and
instinctiveness are the two words to describe his game - always creates something
when the puck is on his stick and rarely wastes a possession. Really standing
his own in traffic after a baptism by fire to start the season.
Radulov - RW (Tver) - Highly touted forward is a certain first-round
selection according to some scouting publications, but, we have our reservations
as, unfortunately, there appears to be more then one Radulov. One version played
very well and averaged a point per game for Upper League's THK Tver in the first
15 games, however, there's the other Radulov, who argued with THK's head coach,
and has struggled to put the puck in the net so far in 2004. He was also invisible
on Russia's U18 squad, avoiding the physical hockey that he once actively pursued.
While Radulov undoubtedly has world-class skills, his inconsistency and discipline
issues cost him blue-chip status, not unlike Dmitri Chernykh last year. Chernykh
is a skilled prospect, highly touted by scouting services, but inconsistency
landed him in the middle of second round. Radulov may indeed be a first-round
pick, but will more likely end up the second and, if the discipline issues persist,
may even drop further. That would put him in the third round, as was the case
with his brother, Igor Radulov.
Sawada - RW (Nanaimo) - Richmond native is committed to Cornell (NCAA)
for 2004/2005. A solid power forward, he plays a smart, disciplined game. Has
the necessary mobility and strong legs to contribute on the forecheck - muscles
his way to the net for goals. Strong player really gets involved in traffic
and uses his body to minimize the effectiveness of opposing forwards along the
boards. Compares to Trevor Linden, but doesn't show the same hands. Will be
a safe middle-round pick - not spectacular, but downright solid and responsible.
Participated in the 2004 BCHL All-Star game.
Sprunger - RW (Fribourg) - So much for the myth that all Swiss players
are soft, finesse types. The imposing Sprunger was a one-man wrecking ball in
Camrose. He dished out punishing hits, drove fearlessly to the net, and, most
critically, never stopped working despite being snakebit throughout, especially
during a three-overtime loss to the Czechs. Tall, rangy and aggressive, Sprunger
moves well for his size and is a solid puckhandler. He routinely beat opponents
one-on-one utilizing his long reach and massive frame, and also impressed with
a quick, powerful shot. Aside from the lack of finish, Sprunger showed a complete
game here, and projects as an intimidating power forward once he fully grows
into his body.
LW (Krylja Sovetov) - Has made a surprising impact in the Soviet Wings lineup
this past month. Although not close to surpassing the club's other prospects,
Voloshenko and Yunkov, the young winger is still turning some heads. Possessing
a slight frame and lacking the vision of the ice, Stepanov had trouble playing
against professionals earlier this season in Russia's Upper League, however,
he has seen more ice time in the past month, replacing Yunkov, currently out
of the lineup with a broken hand. His development has accelerated as a result,
and now he seems comfortable with the faster pace of the Upper League. Fairly
skilled with above-average speed, Stepanov has at least popped on our radar.
Tesliuk - D (Kamloops) - We are puzzled by his lack of production this
year, because we see real offensive upside from the kid. Our scout in Kamloops
has been trumping the Russian blueliner's horn since the get-go. A smooth, all-compass
skater with superb escape capabilities, Tesliuk moves the puck intelligently
and is strong and gritty despite the modest appearance (6-0/190). But what sets
him apart is his ability to read the play defensively - he is positionally solid,
very tough to beat one-on-one, plugs holes well, and will make guys pay by utilizing
his body. Says our scout: "His defensive abilities stand out every time I see
him… If he starts to put up points soon, he'll go in the first round."
Tobin - LW (Rimouski) - A winger with great size (6-3, 210) and
flashes of pretty good skills. Does a lot of dirty work along the boards, takes
the body and digs pucks out of the corners with a strong lower body. Just now
starting to use his frame fully to his advantage and shows he can dominate guys
with his size. Above-average skater, although quickness is an area he must work
on. Offensive creativity is just average, but he knows how to pick his spots
in the offensive zone.
Valabik - D (Kitchener) - Boris big, Boris mean, Boris don't like you
hanging around his kitchen. It's taken us awhile to warm up to the nasty Slovak,
whose equally-nasty skating has made huge strides since we saw him at the under-18
Worlds last April. Awkward and laboured not unlike Zdeno Chara as a teenager,
Valabik is still getting accustomed to his expanding body and figuring how to
propel himself quicker into things. And propel he does. He defends his own zone
with Terminator-like zeal, and has impressed our scouts with his puckhandling
and problem-solving skills. Pairs with Andrej Meszaros on the national team,
a complementary duo that would look nice together at some draft-day table.
Young - D (Peterborough) - A sturdy, all-around solid blueliner
is just starting to come into his own offensively. Already a stalwart in his
own end, Young plays a sound physical game - he really drills opposing forwards
with hard, crunching checks. Knows his role - positionally sound, poised, doesn't
run around, but still shows the requisite quickness to jump into the rush and
get the puck on the net. Very instinctive with quick hands and a lively stick
- picks off passes and gobbles up loose pucks.