I'll post a review of each team when I get the chance, but for now I thought I would concentrate on how the Prospect Draft played out.
1. Duchene-C Col, The Edge
I suggested that he was the one no-brainer, no-risk pick. Terrific offensive talent, a good organization in Colorado, and he could make the Av's as soon as this season.
2. Kabanov-F KHL, Lost Boys
I had predicted in my first prospect draft rankings that Kabanov was the second best talent availabe, and he went exactly where he should. The latest in a line of Russian scoring wingers that includes Kovalchuk and Filatov he does come with two question marks; will he come to North America, and does having to burn an extra year still make him worth taking 2nd overall? The second question is Yes, but the first remains to be seen.
3. Kulikov-D Fla, Great Whites
You have to feel bad for the GM of the GW's, as the two obvious guys to take were off the board before he could select either at pick three. After taking his time to weep at the unfairness of it all, he eventually selected puck moving defender Kulikov. A solid prospect, but perhaps something of a reach this high in the draft.
4. Grachev-L NYR, Shadowmen
A big strapping winger with scoring ability, Grachev has the size, wingspan, speed and shooting touch to be a 40-40-80+ scoring winger. Unexpectedly dominated his last year of Junior and would be a top 5 pick instead of a 2nd rnder if the NHL draft were done over again.
5. Kulemin-L Tor Knights Templar
A young scoring winger, the advantage is he is already in the NHL and productive enough to be a depth forward. The downside is that Kulemin lacks elite talent and is likely a 2nd line forward at his peak. Solid if unspectacular pick could likely have been taken later.
6. Anisimov-C NYR, Shadowmen
Has already had an AHL season of ppg stats playing against men, is older than most prospects, and has made the Rangers out of training camp. Scores highlight reel goals. Projects to be a 1st line center.
7. Shirokov-R Vcr, Ramapithecines
Has emerged in Canucks training camp as perhaps the teams best prospect - including wunderkind Cody Hodgson. A speedster with an excellent shooting arsenal he rocketed up the prospect rankings as the pre-season progressed and he continued to flash his skills. Legit first rounder.
8. Tangradi-L Pit, Shadowmen
Compares well to Kevin Stevens at the same age. A wide body powerforward with goalscoring ability, the questions are whether he has NHL grade wheels, and how long will the grooming process take before he can contribute? Should have elite linemates when he arrives, and was undoubtedly higher than 8th on many teams lists.
9. Gilroy-D NYR, Shadowmen
A late bloomer, Gilroy was a free-agent signed in the off-season by Sather to bolster the blue-line. An all-round rearguard he has the ability to play both ends of the ice and has already made the team. What is his ceiling is the real question, as he may top out at the level he currently is at.
10. Carlson-D Wsh, Severed Heads
6'3, 215lb offensive defenseman had 76 pts in 59 games for the London Knights with another 22pts in 14 playoff games. Is still in the mix for a roster spot on the Capitals as a rookie.
11. Leclaire-G Ott, Knights Templar
Undrafted starter in Ottawa merely needs to prove he can stay healthy and hold off Elliot for the top job on the Senators. Could be the steal of the draft at pick 11 if he pans out, but given his injury history, and the team he plays for, the bust potential is also high.
12. Kane-R Atl, Personal Vendetta
A fast, robust scoring winger, with World Jr. cred, scoring touch and leadership abilities, on a team that craves all those things. Should have been a top 5 pick.
Round 2
13. Cowan-D Ott, Lost Boys
A miss-step IMO as coke-machine sized rearguards with little or no history of offense rarely translate into anything other than defensive specialists at the NHL level, no matter how highly rated they may be. See: Kristian Kudroc for an historical example.
14. Kadri-R Tor, Lost Boys
They make up for that miss-step with this pick, as Kadri was nothing short of electrifying in the pre-season and appears to have a strong future as an offensive forward despite being returned to junior. Will likely play a prominent role on the next Canadian entry at the WJC.
15. Benn-R Dal, Shadowmen
A goalscoring machine, Benn isn't a lock to make the Stars this year, but his offensive prowess will eventually earn him a role on a top line. A future top six gunner in Dallas, all he needs is time.
16. Eberle-C Edm, Scourge
Another in a long line of undersized Oiler forwards with offensive ability, Eberle is nevertheless in danger of being a 'tweener', good enough to eventually run away with the AHL scoring title, but not good enough to solidify a job scoring in the NHL. Still, he defines what prospects are about, as his potential is obvious.
17. Wilson-C Nsh, Ramapithecines
A goal scorer with the chest of a power lifter, Wilson's only blemish is that he lacks an elite NHL gear. Otherwise he is the heir apparent to Jason Arnott in Nashville, and plays a very similar game. A second round steal.
18. R.Ellis-D Nsh, Scourge
The knocks against him are obvious; he's tiny (5'8"), and he is part of a Predator blue-line corps already stacked with NHL talent. That said, his game is ridiculously good, especially on the powerplay where he has an NHL caliber shot and elite passing ability.
19. Neal-R Dal, Ramapithecines
An un-drafted by the FUNHL sophomore who has already made the Stars team, Neal brings a Brendan Morrow type of skillset to the game, and has similar upside. Looks like another 2nd round steal for the knuckledraggers.
20. Myers-D Buf, Bladerunners
Another coke-machine defenseman. See: Cowan above.
21. Helm-L Det, Bladerunners
I understand the appeal, he's faster than a Catholic school girl with a birth control prescription, he plays the game with abandon, he's a Red Wing, and he's young. But the truth is he is more likely to develop in the mold of super-checker Kris Draper than anything else - and that kind of player, though valuable in the real world, is useless in the FUNHL.
22. Subban-D Mtl, Bladerunners
Easily the best of the three Bladerunner picks, Subban is a river-boat gambler on the blue-line with exceptional mobility and offensive instincts, and he should see action as soon as this season.
23. Del Zotto-D NYR, Highlanders
A pure offensive defenseman, he may even make the Rangers blue-line this year. Lots of upside as he can run the powerplay, pinch with aplomb, and possesses a bullet shot. Could be FUNHL dressable as soon as next year.
24. Eller-L StL, Personal Vendetta
The slick Dane is a very talented two-way forward with strong offensive tools, he'll land in a top-six role for the Blues once he completes his maturation process overseas.
Round Three
25. Boychuk-L Car, Personal Vendetta
A smallish scoring winger in the mold of Ray Whitney. Has top shelf offensive ability and nearly made the Canes last year out of training camp. Would not have been out of place in the first round of the prospect draft given his scoring potential.
26. Colburne-C Bos, Lost Boys
A 6'6" skill pivot, Colburne is gradually adding mass to his goliath frame while playing in College. Known more for being a playmaker than goal scorer, he projects as a first line center in the Joe Thornton mold once he gets his muscles to catch up to his physique. Will need more time to mature than most prospects, and is a project, but could have big upside.
27. Fleischmann-L Wsh, Edge
The former Red Wing prospect is a scoring winger who because of injury went un-drafted in the FUNHL. Has the skills to do damage on the Capitals second line. Unfortunately, he's as fragile as they come, so even though he is older and more capable than most prospects, his upside is limited. That said, a clever pick by the Edge Gm as he neatly backs up FP Ovechkin should OV ever go down with an injury.
28. Pacioretty-R Mtl, Bladerunners
A burgeoning power-forward with goal scoring ability, Pacioretty looks prepared to win a spot on the Canadiens this year, and could even work his way up to a scoring line. Does not appear to have elite hands or speed, but makes up for it with hard work and hitting. A strong selection for the third round.
29. Radulov-R KHL, Highlanders
Once highly sought after 1st overall prospect, now overseas headcase. Too much talent to ignore, Radulov may eventually work his way back to the NHL. Nice long shot pick given the obvious upside should he return.
30. Zherdev-L KHL, Ramapithecines
Unlike Radulov, Zherdev managed to flame out first before heading overseas. A terrific talent, but with an indifferent work ethic, Zherdev has never lived up to his early draft spot despite flashing world class speed, shot and skill. Winning his arbitration was the last straw for the Rangers, and they let him go to free agency, where he languished before jetting off to the Motherland. More likely than Radulov to return, he also lacks Radulov's upside.
31. McLeod-L Col, Knights Templar
A marginal NHL talent, McLeod has carved out a third line role with the Avs by being a willing pugilist and checker. Lacks anything resembling upside, but could be an injury replacement goon. All in all, something of a weak pick, but could end up being useful in small doses.
32. Repik-R Fla, Shadowmen
Repik is the latest in a long line of Euro-prospects moving up through the Panther system. Like the previous (Olesz, Nilsson, Frolik, Huselius, etc.) he possesses more than a modicum of speed and skill. Like the others he will have to show he actually has the goods before we should get too excited. A decent pick for the third round.
33. Kindl-D Det, Shadowmen
A big, mobile defender with a booming shot, Kindl is on his second go-round as a prospect, largely because the Wings system is so deep that Kindl simply can't crack the top powerplay or log big enough minutes to earn anything like offensive points. Solid long term project in the event Lidstrom ever shows his age.
34. McBain-D Car, Highlanders
A name best said with a Schwarzenegger accent (Simpson's fans will get this). A solid offensive blue-line prospect with decent size and mobility. A good bet to crack the top 6 defensemen in the next couple of years.
35. Plekanec-C Mtl
Undrafted pivot wasn't deemed worthy of even a fourth line spot in the FUNHL, but somehow swings himself a prospect designation for 4 years plus an RFA. Has an outside shot at being an injury replacement, but is of marginal value even in those circumstances.
36. Stoa-L Col, Edge
Future power-forward has goal scoring ability and size that teams covet. Just finishing his four years at College, he should be ready for the NHL soon. Nicely matches up with Edge first overall pick Duchene. Terrific late round selection, but Edge mgt have to be patient.
37. Garon-G Clb, Ramapithecines
Backup goalie only useful in case of injury to starter starter Steve Mason. If he makes it to a second season of prospect status it will be a miracle.
38. McFarland-C OHL, Severed Heads
Projects to be a high draft pick in the NHL for 2010. Skillset is very similar to LA's Brayden Schenn, in that he has offensive ability and grit. Downside is the year burned by taking him as a 17 year old.
39. Rolston-L NJ, Personal Vendetta
No longer a scoring threat, Rolston will patrol one of the checking lines in New Jersey. A plane crash would have to occur before he would be a viable option to dress in the FUNHL. Somebody should make sure the PV Gm isn't buying box cutters and taking flying lessons.
40. Markstrom-G Fla, Edge
Large sized, athletic goaltender is highly rated and the likely heir apparent to the aging Tomas Vokoun. A few years away still, but a future starting goaltender in the making. Awesome late round pick.
41. Nugent-Hopkins-C WHL, Severed Heads
Heads Mgt once again forecasts the future and takes a 16 year old scoring sensation, this time from the dub. Nugent-Hopkins burst on the scene with 6 points in 5 WHL games as a 15 year old and is an early candidate to go 1st overall in 2011. Another 'swing for the fences' pick of the type favored by Heads mgt.
42. Montoya-G Phx, Personal Vendetta
A bust in the Rangers system, Montoya has been slowly working his way up the ladder in Phoenix. Despite being on a team desperate for netminding, Montoya has yet to prove he can do the job, but remains an option for the team as they develop with kids.
43. Goncharov-D Phx, Personal Vendetta
Completing the prospect draft is Goncharov, a smooth all-purpose defender with some strong offensive skills, he was inexplicably taken over the highly regarded offensive blue-liner Ekman-Larrson from the same team. May develop into a Wade Redden two-way type.
Left On The Table:
Blum-D Nsh - similar skillset and issues as Ellis, but a year further in his development.
Smith-D Det - another offensive defenseman logjammed in the Detroit system.
Granlund-F Fin - offensive sparkplug is racking up points against stiff competition in the SEL.
Schroeder-L Vcr - top pick of the Canucks has excellent skills, and is similar to Parise
Gerbe-C Buf - Theo Fleury sized gunner lead the AHL in scoring last year
Ekman-Larson-D Phx - pure offense from the D-spot.
Gustaffson-G Tor - Leaf fans already in love with 'Monster'
Moore-D Clb - Looks to have made the team. All round rearguard should advance gradually.
Tedendby-L NJ - Top offensive prospect in Jersey.
Schneider-G Vcr - Luongo's heir apparent is likely trade bait as he is ready now.
Beach-L Chi - power forward prospect part of deep system of talent for the Hawks
Tikhonov-C Phx - all purpose offensive forward will get seasoning in AHL
Rundblad-D StL - offense-first defenseman will mature in Sweden for another year
Nemisz-C Cgy - strapping power pivot was returned to junior for another season
Mathias-C Fla - big, strong potential second line center was cut and not redrafted
Ferarro-L Det - offensively skilled 1st rounder joins an excellent system, but will be two years away at least.
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