2005 Top 30 Prospects

[Kitsune]

Staal will prolly go higher, he looked pretty damn good this year for the Wolves, played a good chunk of the season on the first line, and Sudbury had a sub-par team this year. Nick Foligno, the kids a sale out, he wont even play for his father in Sudbury, makes me wonder what kind of player he truly is. I would throw Kyle Lamb as a wild card, yes another Wolves defenseman but depending how well he develops this year, I could see him potentially going late first, early second round.

As well, I feel its hard to judge most 16 year olds in offensive stats as there playing against players more mature physically as well as mentally in most cases, this season is the true test for players.

 

[balddog66]

If Bobby Ryan falls out of the top 10, which it appears he already has, someone is going to get a very gifted player, with great size.

 

[callou9]

Ryan Parent

Anyway Guelph D-man Ryan Parent sneaks into the later part of the 1st round? Saw him in the playoffs this year and he seems to have things on the right track. I see him having a large jump in the up coming year and could suprise. How much of an improvement would he need to sneak in?

 

[CH Wizard]

Where does Sergei Kastsitsyn is projected to go ???

 

[Sticky*]

I agree with the Lone wolf. I would bet that by the end of the season Marc Staal will be a lock for the top 15. He is without a doubt one of the top D's, up there with Anikeenko, Lakkso, and Jack Johnson.

He has great size (6'2" 185lbs), and will probably top out at around 6'4" 210-215lb. Tremendous skater, grreat shot, anticipation, not afraid to mix it up, and has the hockey sense that makes his brother so good. This kid really thinks the game well, and next year he will have a big improvement with his pt totals with a year under his belt.

I really feel that by the end of the year, he will be talked about as a top 10 pick. Alot of upside, and the kid loves the game.

 

[IFK]

5. Teemu Lakkso, D, Helsinki (Finland)

I´ts Teemu Laakso.

I think you should put Miika Lahti on that list. I think he has potential to go around top 15-30. Lahti made more points than Korpikoski same league where Korpikoki played this and last year and Lahti is year younger than Korpikoski. I think Lahti is better player than bouth Nokelainen and Korpikoski and he is also bigger than Korpikoski. Lahti is very much like Nokelainen, he is good two-way player and he is good defensively but i think he is little better offensively than Nokelainen. I think he is locked for the first round.

 

[cvandenberg]

marc staal soft!

I saw Marc Staal play 4 times this year and my friend is a referee in the OHL and did alot of Wolves games. He shares my opinion that Marc Staal is one of the softest defenseman in the OHL especially for his size. He thinks that they should convert him into a forward because of his inability to get physical! He has good skills though, he can skate and has a good shot, but hates to clear the net with any type of enthusiasm. That is why I put him where he is.

 

[Striker]

Hmmm...

Patrick Davis is LW, Right shot, from Kitchener...if not injured for a portion of last season probably would have taken OHL Rookie of the Year. Look for him in the Top 15 for the 2005 Draft. Big, Fast, Amazing hands.

 

[OHLprospects]

Dan Fritsches younger brother Tom. Played for the USA u-18 team. Going to Ohio state next year as an under ager. Top 5 recruit in college hockey.

 

[X-SHARKIE]

I saw Marc Staal play 4 times this year and my friend is a referee in the OHL and did alot of Wolves games. He shares my opinion that Marc Staal is one of the softest defenseman in the OHL especially for his size. He thinks that they should convert him into a forward because of his inability to get physical! He has good skills though, he can skate and has a good shot, but hates to clear the net with any type of enthusiasm. That is why I put him where he is.

The whole Wolves staff is very high on Mark, now his physical game isn't his best suite but IMO he can't be seen as a softy.

Mark is a very skilled, very smart defensman, extremely smart and one heck of a skater with some great hands.

I still think he's top 10 ...and mabey a lock to go top 15 next year, a great prospect. You can add weight to a player and teach him to hit, but you can't teach a guy to skate so smooth and read the play so well for a kid his age.

 

[chriss_co]

there are so many defencemen in your list... is next year a good year for defencemen prospects?

 

[cvandenberg]

defensemen in '05

It is a fairly strong year for defensemen, as well as very diverse. Ther are 2-way defensemen available like Anikeenko and Johnson; there are physical, tough stay at home defensemen available like Gauthier, and there are offensive rushers like Laakso and Kindl. Kindl is going to be fun to watch on Kitchener's loaded defense (could have 3 first rounders on D next year!).

 

[Jyssy]

It will be a great draft for finns. Rask probably will be the best goalie in the draft, Laakso 2nd or 3rd best D-man. Lahti and Korhonen probably will go in the first round and Erkka Leppänen late 2nd or early 3rd. Any other notable finns that i forgot?

 

[cvandenberg]

any more finns?

MikkoLehtonen is a tall forward from Finalnd who is sneaking up some bords with some strong tourney performances.

 

[Safir*]

Where does the 2005 draft rank? I mean we y'all know that the 2003 edition s pretty deep from the 1st to the 15th, almost everybody has a good change to play in the NHL. The 2004 draft only had the two Russians penciled in as potential NHL regulars, where as the rest was more or a less a gamble (Coyotes 1st pick.)

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

Can you tell me why Romy Elayoubi and Wacey Rabbit are no longer seen as top prospects? Also Tomas Pospisal (sp?) has disappeared?

Thanks

 

[Hiishawk]

It will be a great draft for finns. Rask probably will be the best goalie in the draft, Laakso 2nd or 3rd best D-man. Lahti and Korhonen probably will go in the first round and Erkka Leppänen late 2nd or early 3rd. Any other notable finns that i forgot?

It's early of course, but I'm higher on Korhonen than Laakso. Laakso picked up a lot of pts at the U18s as a point man, which he does ably. But for an all-around defenseman's game Korhonen is more polished, bigger, consistent and does more things well (especially in the physical game).

 

[Duff88]

Can you tell me why Romy Elayoubi and Wacey Rabbit are no longer seen as top prospects? Also Tomas Pospisal (sp?) has disappeared?

Thanks

Romy Elayoubi was awful in his QMJHL start with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He was unable to create anythin offensively (Which is exactly his role), and he also ran away from traffic and was affraid to go in the corners. He didn't have alot of ice time but it's simply because he didn't give an effort on every shift.

He also has some attitude problems, there were even rumours of him being traded this summer.

 

[VanCanuck]

1. Sidney Crosby, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
2. Gilbert Brule, C, Vancouver (WHL)
3. Vitaly Anikeenko, D, Yaroslavl (Russia)
4. Guillaume Latendresse, LW, Drummondville (QMJHL)
5. Teemu Lakkso, D, Helsinki (Finland)
6. Daniel Bertram, C, Boston College (NCAA)
7. Christopher Gawlick, F, Germany
8. Chris Durand, C, Seattle (WHL)
9. Andrew Cogliano, C, St. Michael's Jr. A (OPJHL)
10. Bobby Ryan, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
11. Tuukka Rask, G, Tampere (Finland)
12. JP Levasseur, G, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
13. Gennady Churilov, LW, Russia
14. Devin Setoguchi, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
15. Jakub Vojta, D, Czech Republic
16. Jakub Kindl, D, Czech Republic
17. Jack Johnson, D, US Under 18
18. Jean-Philippe Paquet. D Shawinigan
19. Ryan O'Marra, C/LW, Erie (OHL)
20. Vyacheslav Buravchikov, D, Russia
21. Risto Korhonen, D, Kartpat (Finland)
22. Ryan Mior, G, PEI (QMJHL)
23. Alex Bourret, RW, Lewiston (QMJHL)
24. Jack Skille, LW, US Under 18 Team
25. Ryan Wilson, D, St. Michael's (OHL)
26. Devereaux Heshmatpour. D Kitchener
27. Marc Staal, D, Sudbury (OHL)
28. Daniel Ryder F Peterborough (OHL)
29. Mike Gauthier, D, Prince Albert (WHL)
30. Marek Zagrapan, F, Zlin (Slovakia)

 

[Duff88]

My top 30 would look like this, of course I haven't seen all players :

1. Sidney Crosby - C - Rimouski (QMJHL)
2. Gilbert Brule - C - Vancouver (WHL)
3. Vitaly Anikeenko - D - Yaroslav (RUS)
4. Guillaume Latendresse - LW - Drummondville (QMJHL)
5. Jakub Kindl - D - Pardubice (CZE) [Rights owned by Kitchener in the OHL]
6. Daniel Bertram - C - Boston College (NCAA)
7. Teemu Laakso - D - Helsinki (FIN)
8. Chris Durand - C - Seatle (WHL)
9. Tuukka Rask - G - Tampere (FIN)
10. Andrew Cogliano - C - St. Mike (OPJHL)
11. Jakub Vojta - D - Sparta Praha (CZE)
12. Jean-Philippe Levasseur - G - Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
13. Devin Setogushi - C - Saskatoon (WHL)
14. Bobby Ryan - RW - Owen Sound (OHL)
15. Marek Zagrapan - C - Zlin (CZE) [Rights owned by Chicoutimi in the QMJHL]
16. Mike Gauthier - D - Prince Albert (WHL)
17. Christopher Gawlick - C - Mannheim (GER)
18. Ryan O'Marra - C - Erie (OHL)
19. Gennady Churilov - RW - Magnitogorsk (RUS) [Rights owned by Quebec in the QMJHL]
20. Daniel Ryder - C - Peterborough (OHL)
21. Nicklas Bergfors - RW - Sodertalje (SWE)
22. Devereaux Hesmatpour - D - Kitchener (OHL)
23. Nicholas Drazenovic - C - Prince George (WHL)
24. Jack Johnson - D - US U-18 (USA)
25. Marc Staal - D - Sudbury (OHL)
26. Risto Korhonen - D - Karpat (FIN)
27. Marek Bartanus - LW - Kosice (SVK)
28. Matt Lashoff - D - Kitchener (OHL)
29. Alexander Sundstrom - LW - Bjorkloven (SWE)
30. Scott Jackson - D - Seattle (WHL)

 

[Safir*]

My top 30 would look like this, of course I haven't seen all players :

1. Sidney Crosby - C - Rimouski (QMJHL)
2. Gilbert Brule - C - Vancouver (WHL)
3. Vitaly Anikeenko - D - Yaroslav (RUS)
4. Guillaume Latendresse - LW - Drummondville (QMJHL)
5. Jakub Kindl - D - Pardubice (CZE) [Rights owned by Kitchener in the OHL]
6. Daniel Bertram - C - Boston College (NCAA)
7. Teemu Laakso - D - Helsinki (FIN)
8. Chris Durand - C - Seatle (WHL)
9. Tuukka Rask - G - Tampere (FIN)
10. Andrew Cogliano - C - St. Mike (OPJHL)
11. Jakub Vojta - D - Sparta Praha (CZE)
12. Jean-Philippe Levasseur - G - Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
13. Devin Setogushi - C - Saskatoon (WHL)
14. Bobby Ryan - RW - Owen Sound (OHL)
15. Marek Zagrapan - C - Zlin (CZE) [Rights owned by Chicoutimi in the QMJHL]
16. Mike Gauthier - D - Prince Albert (WHL)
17. Christopher Gawlick - C - Mannheim (GER)
18. Ryan O'Marra - C - Erie (OHL)
19. Gennady Churilov - RW - Magnitogorsk (RUS) [Rights owned by Quebec in the QMJHL]
20. Daniel Ryder - C - Peterborough (OHL)
21. Nicklas Bergfors - RW - Sodertalje (SWE)
22. Devereaux Hesmatpour - D - Kitchener (OHL)
23. Nicholas Drazenovic - C - Prince George (WHL)
24. Jack Johnson - D - US U-18 (USA)
25. Marc Staal - D - Sudbury (OHL)
26. Risto Korhonen - D - Karpat (FIN)
27. Marek Bartanus - LW - Kosice (SVK)
28. Matt Lashoff - D - Kitchener (OHL)
29. Alexander Sundstrom - LW - Bjorkloven (SWE)
30. Scott Jackson - D - Seattle (WHL)

#17:

Gawlick will play for the Eisbären (Polar Bears) Berlin.

 

[moosefan]

My top 30 would look like this, of course I haven't seen all players :

1. Sidney Crosby - C - Rimouski (QMJHL)
2. Gilbert Brule - C - Vancouver (WHL)
3. Vitaly Anikeenko - D - Yaroslav (RUS)
4. Guillaume Latendresse - LW - Drummondville (QMJHL)
5. Jakub Kindl - D - Pardubice (CZE) [Rights owned by Kitchener in the OHL]
6. Daniel Bertram - C - Boston College (NCAA)
7. Teemu Laakso - D - Helsinki (FIN)
8. Chris Durand - C - Seatle (WHL)
9. Tuukka Rask - G - Tampere (FIN)
10. Andrew Cogliano - C - St. Mike (OPJHL)
11. Jakub Vojta - D - Sparta Praha (CZE)
12. Jean-Philippe Levasseur - G - Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
13. Devin Setogushi - C - Saskatoon (WHL)
14. Bobby Ryan - RW - Owen Sound (OHL)
15. Marek Zagrapan - C - Zlin (CZE) [Rights owned by Chicoutimi in the QMJHL]
16. Mike Gauthier - D - Prince Albert (WHL)
17. Christopher Gawlick - C - Mannheim (GER)
18. Ryan O'Marra - C - Erie (OHL)
19. Gennady Churilov - RW - Magnitogorsk (RUS) [Rights owned by Quebec in the QMJHL]
20. Daniel Ryder - C - Peterborough (OHL)
21. Nicklas Bergfors - RW - Sodertalje (SWE)
22. Devereaux Hesmatpour - D - Kitchener (OHL)
23. Nicholas Drazenovic - C - Prince George (WHL)
24. Jack Johnson - D - US U-18 (USA)
25. Marc Staal - D - Sudbury (OHL)
26. Risto Korhonen - D - Karpat (FIN)
27. Marek Bartanus - LW - Kosice (SVK)
28. Matt Lashoff - D - Kitchener (OHL)
29. Alexander Sundstrom - LW - Bjorkloven (SWE)
30. Scott Jackson - D - Seattle (WHL)

IMO Bertram by next year will be ahead of Brule, if not I think they will go neck and neck for 2nd then. I like Bertram alot more than Brule though I am a big Brule fan as well.

You have Jack Johnson way to low, Hesmatpour won't be a 1st round pick unless he starts to develop his skills more. Gauthier is pretty high as he might slip 2nd round, a more deserving 1st round d-man out of the WHL is Kohn. Cogliano IMO will be a top 7 pick ahead of Durand, Ryan Mior will be a 1st round pick as well IMO. Will be hard to pass up Buravchikov from Russia as well along with Istomin who IMO is possibly one of the most exciting fowards available in this draft.

 

[Newfie Bruin]

Here is my Top 60...
1. Sidney Crosby, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
2. Gilbert Brule, C, Vancouver (WHL)
3. Vitaly Anikeenko, D, Yaroslavl (Russia)
4. Guillaume Latendresse, LW, Drummondville (QMJHL)
5. Daniel Bertram, C, Boston College (NCAA)
6. Jakub Kindl, D, Czech Republic
7. Teemu Lakkso, D, Helsinki (Finland)
8. Chris Durand, C, Seattle (WHL)
9. Andrew Cogliano, C, St. Michael's Jr. A (OPJHL)
10. Jack Johnson, D, US Under 18
11. Devin Setoguchi, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
12. Tuukka Rask, G, Tampere (Finland)
13. Jakub Vojta, D, Czech Republic
14. JP Levasseur, G, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
15. Gennady Churilov, LW, Russia
16. Christopher Gawlick, F, Germany
17. Bobby Ryan, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
18. Niklas Bergfors, F, Sweden
19. Marek Zagrapan, F, Zlin (Slovakia)
20.Vyacheslav Buravchikov, D, Russia
21. Marc Staal, D, Sudbury (OHL)
22. Matt Lahoff, D, Kitchener (OHL)
23. Alex Bourret, RW, Lewiston (QMJHL))
24. Ryan Mior, G, PEI (QMJHL)
25. Risto Korhonen, D, Kartpat (Finland)
26. Ryan O'Marra, C/LW, Erie (OHL
27. Daniel Ryder F Peterborough (OHL)
28. Ryan Wilson, D, St. Michael's (OHL)
29. Denis Istomin, F, Russia
30. Jean-Philippe Paquet. D Shawinigan
31. Nick Drazenovic, C, Prince George (WHL)
32. Mike Gauthier, D, Prince Albert(WHL)
33. Miika Lahti, F, Finland
34. Devereaux Heshmatpour. D Kitchener (OHL)
35. Luc Bourdon, D, Val D'Or (QMJHL)
36. Patrick Davis, LW, OHL
37. Ray Macias, D, Kamloops (WHL)
38. Alex Sopin, F, Russia
39. Scott Jackson, D, Seattle
40. Alexander Sundström, F, Sweden
41. Marek Bartanus, F, Slovakia
42. Dustin Kohn Calgary.D, (WHL)
43. Jack Skille, LW, US Under 18
44. Kyle Lamb, D, OHL
45. Andrew Androcopolous,D, QMJHL
46. Patrick McNeill, D, Saginaw (OHL)
47. TJ Hensick, F, Opt out from 04
48. Ryan Parent , D, OHL
49. Brock Bradford, C, (BCJHL)
50. Vladimar Kovac G, Slovakia
51. Siarhei Kastsitsyn, F, Belarus
52. Tom Wandell, F, Sweden
53. Jason Lawrence, RW, US under 17 Team
54. Justin Saulnier, F, QMJHL
55. Alexander Bumagin, LW, Russia
56. Riley Merkley Calgary.F, (WHL)
57. Morten Madsen, F, Denmark
58. Kyle Bailey, RW, Portland (WHL)
59. Dustin Butler Portland,G (WHL)
60. Evan Brophey, C, Barrie (OHL)

 

[moosefan]

IMO Paquet and Bourdon and way better d-men than Gauthier. Paquet being my vote for a 1st round pick.

 

[X-SHARKIE]

Here is my top 30 for 2005. I had some help from a good friend. I havent seen half of these players.

You'll notice the North American flavor in this draft, mainly Canadian Junior, because I havent really seen any of the top international prospects.

One note: Sharks have been playing to the draft strengths in the past few years, forward in the 1st round, goaltenders rest of the draft in 2004, 2003 alot of forwards. So i'm happy to see such a deep draft in great defensman prospects ready for when the Sharks need to select one.

1. F Sidney Crosby
2. F Gilbert Brule
3. F Guillaume Latendresse
4. D Vitaly Anikeenko
5. F Daniel Bertram
6. D Jakub Kindl
7. D Jack Johnson
8. D Teemu Lakkso
9. G Tuukka Rask
10. F Chris Durand
11. F Chris Gawlick
12. F Andrew Cogliano
13. D Risto Korhonen
14. F Bobby Ryan
16. D Jakub Vojta
17. C Devin Setogushi
18. D Marc Staal
19. G Ryan Mior
20. F Marek Zagrapan
21. D Matt Lahoff
22. F Gennady Churilov
23. G JP Levasseur
24. D Vyacheslav Buravchikov
25. F Ryan O'Marra
26. F Alex Bourret
27. F Patrick Davis
28. D Devereaux Hesmatpour
29. D Ryan Wilson
30. D Mike Gauthier