I would never count Moffatt out. I wonder about some of the NTDP squad. Their production & w/l record has been too hot since the schedule went into effect, but I attribute this more to coaching than to individual players. Based on how they've done I can't see them as a team holding a candle to very many major junior teams, however, individually they have some standouts and some deep talent that is not shining in the current system. If Moffatt doesn't break out this year, he will as a Wolverine. He's got vision and hockey IQ that can't be taught and stickhandling and shooting that will astound in the right environment. I wouldn't count any of them out, but as of this moment I agree with your other observations. Tinoridi may be the only blue liner worthy of 3rd round or higher considering the rest of the draft-eligible defensemen in Europe, CHL, etc.
ummm I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you here. Merrill, Forbort, Faulk, Tinordi, and Johns all could be first round picks. Infact, Merrill and Forbort are battling for top 10 rankings right now. Faulk has come into the top 30, and Johns and Tinordi are on most peoples top 30 list. You can add Kevin Clare to this list also, as he goes in the top 50 too. This is the most impressive group of dmen that the US has ever produced in a single draft. You add Fowler and Mattson who both were on this team last year, and that is an amazing group of kids.
As forwards go, they are pretty deep also. I think right now, Zucker is the best of the bunch, and is getting ranked in the first round. You also have Arnold and Moffatt that both have a shot at the top 30. Kevin Hayes has been added at times to the squad, and he is a top 50 pick. Chase Balisy and Shane Sooth may not be as good as once was thought, but both of these kids are showing signs of life again. Saad and Nieto arent eligibe until 2011, and Saad is a top 5 pick right now, and Nieto is a top 20 pick right now.
Overall, this is a pretty deep group of kids coming out of the USNTDP, and add Jack Campbell to the group and we could see a minimum of five of these kids going in the first round. That is very impressive.
Next years group will not be as nearly deep, but it will have some top talent (Saad, Nieto, Priviteria, Russo, Cleandering, Mersch, Grimaldi, Miller, etc).