X-SHARKIE
Registered User
I saw a thread that said post random thoughts on the WJC's...So I figured we should do the same with all 2005 eligible prospects! I saw a few now on ESPN and some early games on tape, looking forward to receiving some more 
But from what I saw I had to say the 2005 eligibles were very impressive..not as much as the 2006 phenoms, but they put on a good steady show
G Tukka Rask: He impressed the heck out of me and IMO could go as high as a top 5 pick with a good finish to the year now. Surprisingly lanky and big, he has good size, Extremely flexible, made some excellent saves, looks to be the next big thing out of Finland IMO. Shows everything you could want in a young goaltender. Technically very sound and plays the puck very well, even his rebounds.
Stock: Definitely rising.
D Teemu Laakso: I like him alot, shows some high end skill but I love him for his solid play in his own zone and his chippiness which I haven't heard anything about. He battles hard and really moves the puck well, Also a great skater.
STock: Rising
D Risto Korhonen: Big physicaly defensive player. Moves pretty well actually, Never gave up and played hard and showed a mean streak. Huge and strong and likes to use it. Excellent on the PK. Didn't show much offensive ability, more of a safe player, but did hold the zone when needed to well.
Stock: Solidfied late 1st round status.
D Brian Lee: I was let down, I can't see why this guy was taken over Jack Johnson. In fact I think America well have a hard time bringing him back again next year! Sure he has the size and skating ability you look for, but it takes him way to long to digest the play and looked like a chicken with his head cut off to many times!
Stock: Falling, likely mid-late 2nd round pick, his brain farts could be contributed to being overwhelmed at the this high level of competition, and he's young so give him a break, but still very disapointing, not worth a 1st round pick.
F Nicklas Bergfors: I was very impressed even before he put up 2 goals in his last game. Looks very well built and bigger then advertised, very impressive vision and ability to read the play. Forechecks and plays the man very solidly but doesn't just crash and bang. I loooove his hands and his moves, I'm surpised he didn't score or assist more because his hands are great. Looks to be a very good playmaker. Was on the PK at moments and looked surprisingly good on it.
Stock: Rising, could slide into the top 10 with a good 2nd half, shows the skill and maturity you want out of a top 10 pick.
F Marek Zagrapan: Dissapeared vs Canada until the puck was on his stick, but he showed some great offensive instincts, skating ability, solid size, can't say enough about his skating! Excellent playmaker and has a nice shot.
Stock: Solidfide his stock has a potential top 10 pick. Didn't see anything new in the tournament like a physical edge that I haven't seen in the Q, but he produced very well and still reminds me of a poor mans Gaborik.
F T.J. Hensick: A good overall tournament, showed his offensive ability when given time but didn't make a big splash. Still impressed me with his competiveness and played well threw out even in the physical times. Great skater with some great hands, moves the puck very well, and showed a good accurate shot with a scorers instincts.
Stock: Still mid 2nd round, should be picked anywhere after 35-45.
D Nate Hagemo: I love the kid! I didn't notice him durring a game between Wisconsin and Minnesota, so when "Puckfan" callled me out on it, I watched him very close and I see what the deal is In fact I want the Sharks to take Hagemo! Sure he lacks size, but he's a physical kid who loves to hit, but he's very smart and well tempured about it. He's also a great skater who jumps in the play when needed but gets back so fast. Excellent mobility. The most impressive thing though was when he had pressure on him and how calmly he moved the puck out of the zone, Elite on the transition. I can't say enough about his calm plays, along with his excellent vision and hands to make perfect passes to move the out of the zone.
Stock: Rising quickly, showed me enough to warrant him a possible 2nd round pick. He does everything you could ask for in a 4-5th defenseman IMO. He logs big minutes, and never lets up, and he's sooo smart and oozes pro potential when you watch him distribute the puck. Consider me Sold! and on the Wagon!
F Sergei Kastitsyn: I like him, he's a slight lanky kid but he plays hard. I saw him finishing his checks vs USA, he took interest in his goalie taking a hit and answered with a few punches. I love his wheels the most though, very good acceleration and balance and moves very smooth. Has some good moves but seems to overhandle the puck or simply dumps it in. Not willing to take control and shoot enough or make the play, but shows some good upside
Stock: I would say rising? This is my first and only game seeing of him and I liked what I saw, I think more scouts got to see him and well to call his name in the 4th round or so?
But from what I saw I had to say the 2005 eligibles were very impressive..not as much as the 2006 phenoms, but they put on a good steady show G Tukka Rask: He impressed the heck out of me and IMO could go as high as a top 5 pick with a good finish to the year now. Surprisingly lanky and big, he has good size, Extremely flexible, made some excellent saves, looks to be the next big thing out of Finland IMO. Shows everything you could want in a young goaltender. Technically very sound and plays the puck very well, even his rebounds.
Stock: Definitely rising.
D Teemu Laakso: I like him alot, shows some high end skill but I love him for his solid play in his own zone and his chippiness which I haven't heard anything about. He battles hard and really moves the puck well, Also a great skater.
STock: Rising
D Risto Korhonen: Big physicaly defensive player. Moves pretty well actually, Never gave up and played hard and showed a mean streak. Huge and strong and likes to use it. Excellent on the PK. Didn't show much offensive ability, more of a safe player, but did hold the zone when needed to well.
Stock: Solidfied late 1st round status.
D Brian Lee: I was let down, I can't see why this guy was taken over Jack Johnson. In fact I think America well have a hard time bringing him back again next year! Sure he has the size and skating ability you look for, but it takes him way to long to digest the play and looked like a chicken with his head cut off to many times!
Stock: Falling, likely mid-late 2nd round pick, his brain farts could be contributed to being overwhelmed at the this high level of competition, and he's young so give him a break, but still very disapointing, not worth a 1st round pick.
F Nicklas Bergfors: I was very impressed even before he put up 2 goals in his last game. Looks very well built and bigger then advertised, very impressive vision and ability to read the play. Forechecks and plays the man very solidly but doesn't just crash and bang. I loooove his hands and his moves, I'm surpised he didn't score or assist more because his hands are great. Looks to be a very good playmaker. Was on the PK at moments and looked surprisingly good on it.
Stock: Rising, could slide into the top 10 with a good 2nd half, shows the skill and maturity you want out of a top 10 pick.
F Marek Zagrapan: Dissapeared vs Canada until the puck was on his stick, but he showed some great offensive instincts, skating ability, solid size, can't say enough about his skating! Excellent playmaker and has a nice shot.
Stock: Solidfide his stock has a potential top 10 pick. Didn't see anything new in the tournament like a physical edge that I haven't seen in the Q, but he produced very well and still reminds me of a poor mans Gaborik.
F T.J. Hensick: A good overall tournament, showed his offensive ability when given time but didn't make a big splash. Still impressed me with his competiveness and played well threw out even in the physical times. Great skater with some great hands, moves the puck very well, and showed a good accurate shot with a scorers instincts.
Stock: Still mid 2nd round, should be picked anywhere after 35-45.
D Nate Hagemo: I love the kid! I didn't notice him durring a game between Wisconsin and Minnesota, so when "Puckfan" callled me out on it, I watched him very close and I see what the deal is
In fact I want the Sharks to take Hagemo! Sure he lacks size, but he's a physical kid who loves to hit, but he's very smart and well tempured about it. He's also a great skater who jumps in the play when needed but gets back so fast. Excellent mobility. The most impressive thing though was when he had pressure on him and how calmly he moved the puck out of the zone, Elite on the transition. I can't say enough about his calm plays, along with his excellent vision and hands to make perfect passes to move the out of the zone. Stock: Rising quickly, showed me enough to warrant him a possible 2nd round pick. He does everything you could ask for in a 4-5th defenseman IMO. He logs big minutes, and never lets up, and he's sooo smart and oozes pro potential when you watch him distribute the puck. Consider me Sold! and on the Wagon!
F Sergei Kastitsyn: I like him, he's a slight lanky kid but he plays hard. I saw him finishing his checks vs USA, he took interest in his goalie taking a hit and answered with a few punches. I love his wheels the most though, very good acceleration and balance and moves very smooth. Has some good moves but seems to overhandle the puck or simply dumps it in. Not willing to take control and shoot enough or make the play, but shows some good upside
Stock: I would say rising? This is my first and only game seeing of him and I liked what I saw, I think more scouts got to see him and well to call his name in the 4th round or so?
For example I'll watch Steve Bernier and the Moncton Wildcats play Zagrapan and CHicoutimi tomorow 
