I managed to put together notes on some of the top players eligible for the 2009 NHL Draft beginning tonight in Montreal.
I've put together a ranking of the top 30 players available as well as some other players to look for.
Now for the top 30:
Matt Duchene, Centre, Brampton Battalion (OHL)
-complete player
-good skater >quick, good feet, extra gear
-can make plays at top speed
-great shot
-willingness to engage physically
-highly skilled >puck-on-a-string
Victor Hedman, Defenseman, MoDo (Sweden)
-solid defensively
-moves puck well >doesn't panic
-good feet
-poised
-lacks nasty side
John Tavares, Centre, London Knights (OHL)
-ready to make jump to NHL
-fitness level showing improvement
-defensive game beginning to come along
-skating needs work >lacks outside speed
-likely most offensively skilled player available
Jordan Schroeder, Centre, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
-stocky > strong core
-game breaker
-offensively skilled
Evander Kane, Centre, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
-skates well >good speed
-willing to battle >pays price to make plays
-turning into 2-way forward
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Left Wing, Timra (Sweden)
-great speed >draws penalties going to outside
-needs to be willing to drive net more
Brayden Schenn, Centre, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
-complete player >similar to Mike Richards
-gritty
-2-way forward
-mature
-skating not bad but could use work
-physical
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Defense, Leksand (Sweden)
-skates well >good lateral mobility
-great offensive instincts >moves and carries puck well; tape-to-tape passes
Nazem Kadri, Centre, London Knights (OHL)
-all-around player
-does little things well >nothing spectacular
-no major weaknesses
-team-first style
-broken jaw during season set him back
-versatile
-good foot speed
Jared Cowen, Defense, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
-ACL/MCL damage >out of lineup from February to end of season
-good speed for size
-good defensively
-can contribute offensively
David Rundblad, Defenseman, Skelleftea (Sweden)
-high IQ
-offensive instincts >good puck skills
-sees ice well
-good at both ends of the ice
-good shot
-lacking physical game
Zack Kassian, Right Wing, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
-mix of size, speed and skill
-good work ethic
-leader
-good playmaking and puckhandling ability
-at best when playing physical and tough along boards
-protects puck well
-fights through checks
-skating needs some work
-lack of desperation in playoffs
Scott Glennie, Right Wing, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
-broken elbow in January >made return in playoffs and played well
-ultra competitive
-above average skater
-good shot
-good offensive instincts
Jacob Josefson, Centre, Djurgarden (Sweden)
-creates scoring chances with passing game
-handles puck well
-reads play well
-skates well
-decent size
-projects as 2-way centre >solid at both ends of ice
John Moore, Defense, Chicago Steel (USHL)
-committed to Colorado College (2009); drafted by Kitchener Rangers (2009 OHL Draft)
-skates well >good foot speed
-needs work defensively >positionally and reading rush
-handles puck well
-good work ethic >good approach to game
-willing to put in time to correct problems
Simon Despres, Defense, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
-has tools but commitment level needs to be amped up
-good skater
-good hands
-mobile
-smart with puck
Tim Erixon, Defense, Skelleftea (Sweden)
-unspectacular but effective
-safe, steady game
-smart game
-can lead and support rush
-some skating concerns
Dmitri Kulikov, Defense, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
-one of most skilled defensemen in draft
-moves puck well >quick and smooth
-poised
-patient
-underrated defensive game
Calvin de Haan, Defense, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
-eats up ice time >anchored Oshawa blueline after trade of Michael Del Zotto (New York Rangers); plays key minutes
-skates well >smooth; mobile; good speed
-good puck skills
-patient
-good ability to get puck through traffic to net
-sees ice well
-poised
-excelled in bad situation
-smart
-solid defensively
Ryan Ellis, Defense, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
-skates well >smooth; quick
-skilled offensively
-active stick on penalty kill
-quick release
-smart with puck
-can be used in most situations
-not very physical but willing to battle
-power play quarterback
Peter Holland, Centre, Guelph Storm (OHL)
-can play power play and penalty kill
-skates well >smooth; generates good speed
-good shot
-good hands
-needs more consistent effort >sense of urgency; competitiveness; could be seen as smart and calculating
-responsible defensively
-sees ice well
Louis Leblanc, Centre, Omaha Lancers (USHL)
-committed to Harvard (2009)
-responsible 2-way game
-improved throughout season
-great hands
-evasive with puck
-great vision
-competitive
Kyle Palmieri, Centre/Right Wing, USA Under-18 Team
-committed to Notre Dame (2009)
-heavy shot
-smart decisions
-strong on skates >skates well; speed to beat defenders to outside
-game-breaker >natural skills
-stocky >strong core
-good work ethic
-kicked off Under-18 team >made an example of for not ratting our teammates (sign of character?)
Ryan O'Reilly, Centre, Erie Otters (OHL)
-great puck skills
-good vision
-can play in any situation
-good in faceoff circle
-solid defensively
-great skater >speed; extra gear
-tough to knock off puck
Jordan Caron, Right Wing; Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
-not flashy
-good work ethic
-hampered by ankle injury
-power forward mold
-decent offensive upside
-showing steady improvement
-strong
-decent skater
-goes to net well
-good hands
-good shot
Landon Ferraro, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
-needs work defensively >playing on bad team part of problem; good positionally
-skates well >great speed
-high IQ
-good work ethic
-natural goal scorer
Chris Kreider, Centre, Andover Academy (US High School - MA)
-committed to Boston College (2010)
-plays body well
-willing to battle for puck along boards and in corners
-dangerous shorthanded >quick stick; good anticipation; speed
-sees ice well
-moves puck well
-great shot >hard; accurate; good release
-physically strong
-best skater in draft >explosive speed; acceleration
Dylan Olsen, Defense, Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
-committed to Minnesota-Duluth (2009) >was going to North Dakota but didn't get in because of academic reasons; could be lured to Medicine Hat (WHL)
-moves puck well-good offensive instincts
-solid defensively
Nick Leddy, Defense, Eden Prairie (US High School - MN)
-committed to Minnesota (2009)
-skates well >explosive
-2-way game
-good skills
-fairly smart
-unselfish with puck
Jeremy Morin, Left Wing, USA Under-18 Team
-skating needs to improve >better skating with puck than without it
-best pure shooter in draft
-was being recruited by North Dakota and Boston University >signed with Kitchener (OHL)
Other players to watch for:
Ethan Werek, Centre, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
-skating needs some work
-skilled
-rough around edges
Ed Pasquale, Goaltender, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
-concentration an issue
-covers net well >some mobility concerns
-good size
Cody Eakin, Left Wing, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
-competitive
-slightly undersized
-skates well >speed helps create turnovers; speed to beat defenders to outside
-smart
Drew Shore, Centre, USA Under-18 Team
-committed to Denver (2009)
-some consistency issues
-good skater >good outside speed
-relentless on forecheck
-handles puck well
-creates offense from hard work
-leaves you wanting more
-energy/2-way player
-project pick
Zach Budish, Right Wing, Edina (US High School - MN)
-committed to Minnesota (2009)
-missed most of '08-09 season >tore ACL in October playing football
-physically mature
-strong on skates
-strong >wins battles
-good hands
-vision
-moves puck well
Check back throughout the evening for updates and thoughts throughout the first round. Updates will continue during rounds two through sevenon Saturday as time permits
