In the Blood

The upcoming prospect draft contains what I note as being an interesting trend, a new generation of hockey players from NHL parents and siblings.

We can see the phenomenae from a FUNHL perspective by noting that the Severed Heads (thank you, thank you) ostensibly launched it by selecting both Robert Nilsson-R NYI (son of Magic Man Kent Nilsson), and Chris Bourque-D Wsh (son of HOF Ray Bourque). But the trend that started with those picks appears to be accellerating.

Among the bloodlines coming down the pipe that would make interesting prospect selections;

Blake Geoffrion - F Nsh: He's the grandson of Boom-Boom Geoffrion. Has 2nd line potential.

Igor Makarov-F Chi: son of offensive mega-force and soviet legend Sergei Makarov. All offense, all the time. And he's already bigger than his dad, clocking in at 6'ft 182. The incompleteness of his game holds him back.

Brandon Sutter - C Red Deer: TSN has him as among the top 10 forwards available for the 2007 draft. He's the son of Brent Sutter - who if you recall was the Sutter brother with the most offensive talent. Brandon is growing into a larger 6'2 frame than any Sutter genes previously produced, and you know the work ethic will be there.

Jared Staal - C Sudbury: He's 6/1'2, has wingspan, offense and skating ability - and he's only 15. The final installment of the Staal brothers promises to be as good as the three ahead of him. At least one scout called him the best of the four.

Paul Statsny - C Col : The spitting image of his father, there are questions about his skating ability that still need to be answered, however, Colorado is itching to have him compete with the team moving forward. Is this Statsny-Nordiques part II?

Yan Statsny - L Bos: Older brother of Paul and son of Peter, Yan is probably more of a checking line winger than an offensive forward.

Erik Nystrom - L Cgy: Son of Lorne, he's a grinder/goalscorer in the Darren McCarty mold.

Am I missing anyone? (note: since the original posting I have edited it to include the last three entries. They just didn't hit me till after I was done).