Ohio Jones
Game on...
Well, it was an eventful year that saw much of the Jackets' top farm depth either graduate (Varlamov, Kulemin, Gunnarsson, Pacioretty) or be traded (Stepan, Smith, Sauve, Henrique). And without a first round pick in the entry draft, there was little of note coming in. So aside from the recent signing of Mats Zuccarello-Aasen the holes have been filled by players already in the Jackets' system. Needless to say, a slide from our lofty HFNHL system ranking is likely.
Organizational strengths
- Quality and depth at almost every position
- Two-way play
Organizational weaknesses
- Lacking game-breakers
- Size/Strength at C
- Depth at RW
Top 20 at a glance (previous ranking) [acquired]
1. C/W Zach Boychuk (4) [D]
2. LD Ryan McDonagh (6) [D]
3. C Andrei Loktionov (5) [D]
4. LD Dylan Olsen (12) [D]
5. RD Charles-Olivier Roussel (14) [D]
6. L/RW Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (new) [FA]
7. LW Blake Geoffrion (18) [D]
8. RW Andre Petersson (HM) [D]
9. G Mike Lee (HM) [D]
10. C/LW Patrice Cormier (11) [D]
11. C/W Gabriel Dumont (HM) [D]
12. LW Carl Klingberg (16) [T]
13. G Leland Irving (7) [T]
14. RD Justin Schultz (19) [D]
15. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (new) [D]
16. LW Jason Zucker (new) [D]
17. LD Patrik Nemeth (new) [D]
18. RW Andrei Nestrasil (20) [D]
19. LW Jerome Flaake (HM) [D]
20. RD Michael Sauer (17) [T]
(Honourable mentions follow the top 20)
Columbus Top 20 Profiles – August 2010
1. C/W Zach Boychuk (4)
Acquired: 1st round, 2008 (13th overall)
Boychuk has established himself as a top-line player at the AHL level, and continues to impress in spot appearances with the parent Hurricanes. He needs to continue to get stronger to survive his feisty brand of hockey at the pro level, and he will need more experience to iron out some gaps in his defensive play, but within a couple of years we’re confident he’ll be the face of the (NHL) Carolina Hurricanes franchise, along with current freshman Brandon Sutter. His versatility has him earmarked for the vacant second-line center position with the Canes in 2010/11.
Style comparison: Derek Roy
Projects as: Two-way banger on a scoring line
2. LD Ryan McDonagh (6)
Acquired: 1st round, 2007 (13th overall)
McDonagh concluded his NCAA career following his junior season with Wisconsin, in which he continued to develop his all-around skills, posting 18 points, 73 pims and a whopping +22 in 43 games, earning himself a WCHA all-star nod. He’s in the mix for the cap-strapped Rangers as early as this season, but is more likely to spend a year adjusting to the pro game in Hartford.
Style comparison: Matthias Ohlund
Projects as: Two-way #2-3 defenceman
3. C Andrei Loktionov (5)
Acquired: 4th round, 2008 (107th overall)
Loktionov was having a terrific first pro season, scoring almost a point per game with Manchester before getting called up to the Kings, only to suffer a freak shoulder injury that stole the rest of his season. He returned in time to help the Monarchs go deep in the Calder Cup playoffs with 9 points in 16 games, but it was clear he was not yet fully up to speed. Hopefully a summer of conditioning will have him ready to impress in the Kings’ camp, although given their depth he can expect to spend another season bouncing between Manchester and LA.
Style comparison: Nicklas Backstrom
Projects as: Top-line playmaker
4. LD Dylan Olsen (12)
Acquired: 1st round, 2009 draft (20th overall)
Hard-rock blueliner Olsen was making an impact in his first NCAA season with Minnesota-Duluth, putting up 9 points (all assists) in 15 games to go with 43 pims. But the offence dried up in the second half as the whole team went into a tailspin. Olsen only added two points (including his lone goal) the rest of the way, but showed his responsibility by staying in the positives by season’s end. His 49 pims speak to his feisty play. He’s continuing to grow into his body, so the coordination is starting to catch up, and should have him becoming a big two-way force for the Hawks in a couple of years.
Style comparison: Robyn Regehr
Projects as: Shutdown defender
5. RD Charles-Olivier Roussel (14)
Acquired: 1st round, 2009 (30th overall)
Roussel finishd among the Q’s top scorers from the blueline, posting 51 points in 64 regular season games, to go with 70 pims and a -2. But he disappeared during Shawinigan’s short-lived playoffs, raising questions as to his health after a long season. He remains a force on the power play, and although he needs further work on his defensive coverage, his slick skating, vision and right-handed shot should see him patrolling a blueline in the NHL in the next few years.
Style comparison: Marek Zidlicky
Projects as: Top-4 offensive blueliner, PP QB
6. L/RW Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (new)
Acquired: UDFA Lottery 2010
MZA, or the Norwegian Hobbit Wizard as he’s sometimes called, led the SEL in scoring as a 22-year-old, playing for a very average MODO squad. He could rite his own ticket in the NHL, ending up on Broadway where they hope he can provide secondary scoring behind Gaborik. But to do that he’ll have to overcome average skating and a diminutive frame. Fortunately his vision and puck skills are top-drawer, and he’s shown a willingness to play in traffic, particularly during the Olympics where he managed points in 4 games for a plucky but overmatched Norwegian squad.
Style comparison: Ales Hemsky
Projects as: Top-line playmaking winger or All-Star in Europe
7. LW Blake Geoffrion (18)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2006 (78th overall)
Boom Boom’s grandson capped off a terrific season by winning the Hobey Baker as the nation’s top college player. He will challenge for a spot in the lineup with the Preds, who will be motivated to give the Tennessee-trained player a long look, but realistically he can expect to spend at least some time in the A this year. He’ll be a Predator before long, though – the combination of size, skills and character make it an inevitability.
Style comparison: Kirk Maltby
Projects as: Third-line grinder with leadership, upside
8. C/W Andre Petersson (HM)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2008 (77th overall)
A one-way sniper notable for his strong performances with Sweden’s U20 World Junior teams (including a team-leading 8 goals and 11 points in 6 games this year), Petersson has shown the scoring chops, but not the same commitment to his play away from the puck. There are attitude questions as well, but his consistent production will doubtless earn him a shot at the NHL with Ottawa in a couple of years.
Style comparison: Alexei Kovalev
Projects as: Top-6 scoring winger
9. G Mike Lee (HM)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2009 (70th overall)
Lee’s sparkling play in his rookie college season (2.80/.917 for St. Cloud St.) was marred by a WJC in which he took the US squad all the way to the Gold Medal game only to suffer a meltdown versus Canada, giving up 3 goals on 7 shots (IIRC) before being pulled in favour of 2010 top-10 pick Jack Campbell. It didn't throw off his development, though - he was 4-1 with a .934 save% in his first games back from the tournament. Still, he can be proud of how he played up to that point, he earned his Gold Medal, and he can hopefully look to build on that big-game experience with a more seasoned squad at St. Cloud this season.
Style comparison: Carey Price
Projects as: Starter for middle-tier team
10. C/W Patrice Cormier (10)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (58th overall)
Attractively versatile, Cormier nearly made the New Jersey Devils in his first pro season. He can win faceoffs, check, fight and crash the crease, although his point-per-game pace with Rimouski likely will not translate to NHL offensive duties. Cormier’s season was derailed by a suspension for his second ill-advised headhunting offence last year, so he will be anxious to get back to hockey when Thrashers’ camp opens. He is being penciled in as the fourth-line center, but will have to show greater discipline (not to mention respect) in the face of the league’s new head hit policy.
Style comparison: Ian Laperriere
Projects as: Shutdown power pivot with upside
11. C/RW Gabriel Dumont (HM)
Acquired: 6th round, 2009 (152nd overall)
Dumont is a slight, shifty forward who took huge strides as a 19-year-old with Drummondville, finishing in the top 5 in league scoring. Capable of lining up at any forward position, he uses slick skating and exceptional hockey sense to find holes to skate or move the puck. It remains to be seen whether he will be just another in a long line of Q scorers who fails to make an impression as a pro – he was unspectacular in a brief playoff audition with the Bulldogs – but he won the Q’s Best Defensive Forward award this season, which suggests he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him. For a smaller player, he’s no shrinking violet either, with over 100 pims in two of three Q seasons. We suspect he’ll find a way to contribute at the NHL level in a couple of years.
Style comparison: Martin St. Louis
Projects as: Two-way playmaker on a scoring line
12. L/RW Carl Klingberg (16)
Acquired: Trade, 2009
Klingberg is a big, fast, gritty winger who hustles at both ends of the ice and loves to drive the net. His offence has been slow to come at the SEL level, raising questions about his upside, but he has the physical tools and work ethic to earn an NHL role even without the scoring. If his puck skills and hockey sense can keep up with his blazing feet, he will be a difficult-to-contain threat in the NHL. We’ll get a better look at him in the Thrashers’ camp this fall, although their recent trade additions make his chances of finding a spot in the NHL lineup this season much slimmer.
Style comparison: Johan Franzen
Projects as: Power forward
13. G Leland Irving (5)
Acquired: Trade 2007
Irving continues to struggle in his adjustments to the pro game, prompting the Flames to sign Henrik Karlsson to backup Kipper, while Irving and Keetley divide starts in Abbotsford. The Flames will continue to be patient with their former first-rounder, but as Brent Krahn’s experience shows, that patience does have its limits. Irving has the potential to be an NHL starter, but needs to prove he can steal games for his team: 2.76/.905 simply isn’t good enough at the AHL level – he needs to step it up this year to continue to be in the picture.
Style comparison: Mike Smith
Projects as: Starter for a bottom-tier team
14. RD Justin Shultz (19)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (59th overall)
My last remaining Wisconsin player (after the rest were traded or graduated), Schultz will have his work cut out for him on a team that lost 13 players from its Frozen Four roster, including its top 3 defencemen. However, that means plenty more minutes to go around for Schultz, who should thrive with the added time. A silky-smooth skater and puck mover, Schultz scored 22 points as a freshman (including 5 powerplay goals), so the offence is certainly there. He’ll need to do a better job with his defensive assignments, but those are skills that can be taught. He’ll likely play at least two more years with the Badgers before Anaheim considers signing him.
Style comparison: Brian Rafalski
Projects as: Two-way 3-4 defenceman
15. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (new)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2010 (56th overall)
A wrecking ball on skates, Smith-Pelley is a unique player. He has soft hands to finish plays, skates hard and plays both ends of the ice, but his real raison d’etre is to crush opposing players. He’s built like a tank, and hits like one, which makes his discipline all the more interesting – in a league that loves its teenage fisticuffs, Smith-Pelley managed to lay out dozens of opposing players without getting into a single fight – a measure of the precision with which he lays out clean, timely hits – he’s not dirty, just lethal. He’s not the most creative (despite putting up a point per game along with a +27 with Mississauga), so his pro production is uncertain, but with the right conditioning he could have a future as a third-line checker who puts up 15/25/40.
Style comparison: Kirk Maltby
Projects as: Grinding winger with upside
16. Jason Zucker (new)
2nd round, 2010 (50th overall)
Zucker was selected ahead of Smith-Pelley, but ranks slightly behind him because he doesn’t have quite as good finishing skills. What he does have is character – it oozes out of every pore. He simply does whatever it takes to win. He’s relentless on both fore and backcheck, and will block shots, lay out hits, and take a hit to make a play. He was one of only two underage players on the Gold-Medal winning US U-20 team at the WJC, where he potted two goals in a checking role. He did manage to score at a point-per-game pace at the U18s, however. He’s headed to Denver, and is likely to play a full four years before trying the pro route with Minnesota.
Style comparison: John Madden
Projects as: Checker, character player
17. LD Patrik Nemeth (new)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2010 (63rd overall)
The third of three Columbus selections form the most recent Entry Draft, Nemeth is a big-bodied stay-at-homer with a mean streak and the mobility to keep up in the modern game. He’s still very raw, however, and is likely to remain with AIK for the next couple of years at least before coming to North America. He’s considered a long-term project.
Style comparison: Henrik Tallinder with more bite
Projects as: Stay at home defenceman
18. RW Andrej Nestrasil (20)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2009 (84th overall)
Nestrasil posted a point per game both in the Q and with the Czechs at the WJC, but is not expected to be more than a complimentary scorer as a pro. With a big body, a physical edge and the ability to make plays at speed, he could prove to be a good two-way contributor, but needs to continue to work on his skating. He’s expected to play another year with Victoriaville.
Style comparison: Ales Kotalik
Projects as: Third line complimentary scorer
19. LW Jerome Flaake (HM)
Acquired: 5th round, 2008 (147th overall)
Another big-bodied winger with a scoring touch, Flaake’s development seems to have stalled a bit with Koln in the DEL, and a change of scenery may be in order. While it would be great to see him come to North America and play on the Marlies with fellow Deutschlanders Holzer and Muller, it’s more likely that he’ll rmain another couple of years in Germany – possibly for Hamburg – and slowly bringing the pieces of his game together. He’s still on track development-wise to follow a Marcel Muller-type arc,but he needs to start putting more points on the board. He was the top forward in the Division 1 tournament for the World Juniors, so the upside is there.
Style comparison: Fredrik Modin
Projects as: Power winger
20. RD Michael Sauer (8)
Acquired: Trade 2007
Sauer’s career to date has been foiled by a combination of injuries and the Rangers’ defensive depth. Just when it looked like he would have a chance to earn his way into the rotation with the Rangers, they added Steve Eminger and signed (fellow Jackets prospect) Ryan McDonagh, meaning he’ll have his work cut out for himself to make the team this year. The Rangers’ salary cap woes may play into it, but perhaps the best we can hope for is for Sauer to play a full, injury-free season with Hartford and earn a couple of call-ups over the course of the year. He’s still very strong in his defensive positioning and reading of the play, so the potential to be a solid stay-at-home defenceman is still there.
Style comparison: Aaron Ward
Projects as: Stay-at-home defenceman
Honourable Mentions
LD Constantin Braun (HM)
Big converted winger is adapting well and plays an efficient game, putting up .45 points per game fir Berlin while taking care of his own end. Will be at Kings’ camp this fall with an outside chance of playing at Manchester, but more likely to continue to develop in the DEL.
LW Dane Byers (HM)
The recent trade of Rismiller and Brashear opens up some room on Broadway for a character/energy guy, and with the Blueshirts’ cap issues, Byers would be a good 4th line option for them this season. The 24-year-old managed 51 points and 100 pims in 74 AHL games last season, and 1goal in 5 games with the Rangers.
G Marco Cousineau (HM)
Finished up his junior career splitting the season between PEI and St. John, posting a respectable 2.82/.910. Will challenge for starts in Cincinnati in his first pro season.
LD Corey Fienhage (18)
Feisty two-way blueliner in the Francois Beauchemin mold, Fienhage earned limited minutes as a sophomore with North Dakota, and is rumoured to be bolting for the WHL to play more games. He looks to be a long-term project as a two-way blueliner with edge.
RD Eric Gryba (HM)
Bruising defender made a strong push for our top-20. He'll suit up for Binghampton this season, and is in the mold of defenders Ottawa is looking for long-term. He showed leadership and physical play throughout his college career, so there are some intangibles to go with his defensive awareness, but his skating remains an issue.
LD Nick Holden (NR)
A year or two away from making the jump to Columbus (NHL), Holden had a steady if unspectacular season for a woeful Syracuse Crunch team. He needs to continue to refine his defensive decision-making, especially in his own zone.
LW Levko Koper (HM)
Strong two-way play for Spokane earned Koper shy of a point per game this season. The work ethic is there, though, for the smallish winger to earn a pro career as an energy line player.
C Dave Labrecque (HM)
A late round selection in ‘09, Labrecque is a point-per-game player with Shawinigan, but he seems to be a one-way player of the sort who doesn’t have much success outside of the Q. Will continue to monitor his progress.
LD Sebastien Piche (NR)
Had a strong first pro season for Toledo of the ECHL, with 28 points, 67 pims and a +6 in 46 games, but the fact that it's the ECHL and not the AHL makes it clear Piche has a long way to go.
C/LW Trevor Smith (NR)
Joined the Anaheim (NH) organization this summer after another decent AHL season with Bridgeport. The Ducks’ serious lack of depth gives him a chance to compete for a fourth-line role in camp, but he’s likely to toil another season in the minors with a call-up or two as an injury fill-in.
C Michael Swift (NR)
Diminutive center turned in a strong second pro season for Lowell in the A, with 55 points and 71 pims in 76 games. Will likely never be more than an energy line player in the NHL, but has shown he’s willing to do what it takes.
C/RW Mathieu Tousignant (NR)
“Abrasive little cuss” played an agitator’s role in the ECHL and AHL last year, his first as a pro. Junior-league offence isn’t expected to translate to the top level, but his ability to get under the skin of opponents certainly is. May find his way onto an energy line in a couple of years.
Plus new FA additions:
LW Eric Selleck
RD Sam Klassen
RD Carl Hudson
LD Sam Lofquist
LD Marc-Antoine Desnoyers
RD Steven Tarasuk
With so much depth, there's bound to be a few quality players coming out of the Jackets' farm system in the coming years. But the lack of top-end talent is increasingly apparent, so that will be the team's focus going forward.
Organizational strengths
- Quality and depth at almost every position
- Two-way play
Organizational weaknesses
- Lacking game-breakers
- Size/Strength at C
- Depth at RW
Top 20 at a glance (previous ranking) [acquired]
1. C/W Zach Boychuk (4) [D]
2. LD Ryan McDonagh (6) [D]
3. C Andrei Loktionov (5) [D]
4. LD Dylan Olsen (12) [D]
5. RD Charles-Olivier Roussel (14) [D]
6. L/RW Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (new) [FA]
7. LW Blake Geoffrion (18) [D]
8. RW Andre Petersson (HM) [D]
9. G Mike Lee (HM) [D]
10. C/LW Patrice Cormier (11) [D]
11. C/W Gabriel Dumont (HM) [D]
12. LW Carl Klingberg (16) [T]
13. G Leland Irving (7) [T]
14. RD Justin Schultz (19) [D]
15. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (new) [D]
16. LW Jason Zucker (new) [D]
17. LD Patrik Nemeth (new) [D]
18. RW Andrei Nestrasil (20) [D]
19. LW Jerome Flaake (HM) [D]
20. RD Michael Sauer (17) [T]
(Honourable mentions follow the top 20)
Columbus Top 20 Profiles – August 2010
1. C/W Zach Boychuk (4)
Acquired: 1st round, 2008 (13th overall)
Boychuk has established himself as a top-line player at the AHL level, and continues to impress in spot appearances with the parent Hurricanes. He needs to continue to get stronger to survive his feisty brand of hockey at the pro level, and he will need more experience to iron out some gaps in his defensive play, but within a couple of years we’re confident he’ll be the face of the (NHL) Carolina Hurricanes franchise, along with current freshman Brandon Sutter. His versatility has him earmarked for the vacant second-line center position with the Canes in 2010/11.
Style comparison: Derek Roy
Projects as: Two-way banger on a scoring line
2. LD Ryan McDonagh (6)
Acquired: 1st round, 2007 (13th overall)
McDonagh concluded his NCAA career following his junior season with Wisconsin, in which he continued to develop his all-around skills, posting 18 points, 73 pims and a whopping +22 in 43 games, earning himself a WCHA all-star nod. He’s in the mix for the cap-strapped Rangers as early as this season, but is more likely to spend a year adjusting to the pro game in Hartford.
Style comparison: Matthias Ohlund
Projects as: Two-way #2-3 defenceman
3. C Andrei Loktionov (5)
Acquired: 4th round, 2008 (107th overall)
Loktionov was having a terrific first pro season, scoring almost a point per game with Manchester before getting called up to the Kings, only to suffer a freak shoulder injury that stole the rest of his season. He returned in time to help the Monarchs go deep in the Calder Cup playoffs with 9 points in 16 games, but it was clear he was not yet fully up to speed. Hopefully a summer of conditioning will have him ready to impress in the Kings’ camp, although given their depth he can expect to spend another season bouncing between Manchester and LA.
Style comparison: Nicklas Backstrom
Projects as: Top-line playmaker
4. LD Dylan Olsen (12)
Acquired: 1st round, 2009 draft (20th overall)
Hard-rock blueliner Olsen was making an impact in his first NCAA season with Minnesota-Duluth, putting up 9 points (all assists) in 15 games to go with 43 pims. But the offence dried up in the second half as the whole team went into a tailspin. Olsen only added two points (including his lone goal) the rest of the way, but showed his responsibility by staying in the positives by season’s end. His 49 pims speak to his feisty play. He’s continuing to grow into his body, so the coordination is starting to catch up, and should have him becoming a big two-way force for the Hawks in a couple of years.
Style comparison: Robyn Regehr
Projects as: Shutdown defender
5. RD Charles-Olivier Roussel (14)
Acquired: 1st round, 2009 (30th overall)
Roussel finishd among the Q’s top scorers from the blueline, posting 51 points in 64 regular season games, to go with 70 pims and a -2. But he disappeared during Shawinigan’s short-lived playoffs, raising questions as to his health after a long season. He remains a force on the power play, and although he needs further work on his defensive coverage, his slick skating, vision and right-handed shot should see him patrolling a blueline in the NHL in the next few years.
Style comparison: Marek Zidlicky
Projects as: Top-4 offensive blueliner, PP QB
6. L/RW Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (new)
Acquired: UDFA Lottery 2010
MZA, or the Norwegian Hobbit Wizard as he’s sometimes called, led the SEL in scoring as a 22-year-old, playing for a very average MODO squad. He could rite his own ticket in the NHL, ending up on Broadway where they hope he can provide secondary scoring behind Gaborik. But to do that he’ll have to overcome average skating and a diminutive frame. Fortunately his vision and puck skills are top-drawer, and he’s shown a willingness to play in traffic, particularly during the Olympics where he managed points in 4 games for a plucky but overmatched Norwegian squad.
Style comparison: Ales Hemsky
Projects as: Top-line playmaking winger or All-Star in Europe
7. LW Blake Geoffrion (18)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2006 (78th overall)
Boom Boom’s grandson capped off a terrific season by winning the Hobey Baker as the nation’s top college player. He will challenge for a spot in the lineup with the Preds, who will be motivated to give the Tennessee-trained player a long look, but realistically he can expect to spend at least some time in the A this year. He’ll be a Predator before long, though – the combination of size, skills and character make it an inevitability.
Style comparison: Kirk Maltby
Projects as: Third-line grinder with leadership, upside
8. C/W Andre Petersson (HM)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2008 (77th overall)
A one-way sniper notable for his strong performances with Sweden’s U20 World Junior teams (including a team-leading 8 goals and 11 points in 6 games this year), Petersson has shown the scoring chops, but not the same commitment to his play away from the puck. There are attitude questions as well, but his consistent production will doubtless earn him a shot at the NHL with Ottawa in a couple of years.
Style comparison: Alexei Kovalev
Projects as: Top-6 scoring winger
9. G Mike Lee (HM)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2009 (70th overall)
Lee’s sparkling play in his rookie college season (2.80/.917 for St. Cloud St.) was marred by a WJC in which he took the US squad all the way to the Gold Medal game only to suffer a meltdown versus Canada, giving up 3 goals on 7 shots (IIRC) before being pulled in favour of 2010 top-10 pick Jack Campbell. It didn't throw off his development, though - he was 4-1 with a .934 save% in his first games back from the tournament. Still, he can be proud of how he played up to that point, he earned his Gold Medal, and he can hopefully look to build on that big-game experience with a more seasoned squad at St. Cloud this season.
Style comparison: Carey Price
Projects as: Starter for middle-tier team
10. C/W Patrice Cormier (10)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (58th overall)
Attractively versatile, Cormier nearly made the New Jersey Devils in his first pro season. He can win faceoffs, check, fight and crash the crease, although his point-per-game pace with Rimouski likely will not translate to NHL offensive duties. Cormier’s season was derailed by a suspension for his second ill-advised headhunting offence last year, so he will be anxious to get back to hockey when Thrashers’ camp opens. He is being penciled in as the fourth-line center, but will have to show greater discipline (not to mention respect) in the face of the league’s new head hit policy.
Style comparison: Ian Laperriere
Projects as: Shutdown power pivot with upside
11. C/RW Gabriel Dumont (HM)
Acquired: 6th round, 2009 (152nd overall)
Dumont is a slight, shifty forward who took huge strides as a 19-year-old with Drummondville, finishing in the top 5 in league scoring. Capable of lining up at any forward position, he uses slick skating and exceptional hockey sense to find holes to skate or move the puck. It remains to be seen whether he will be just another in a long line of Q scorers who fails to make an impression as a pro – he was unspectacular in a brief playoff audition with the Bulldogs – but he won the Q’s Best Defensive Forward award this season, which suggests he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him. For a smaller player, he’s no shrinking violet either, with over 100 pims in two of three Q seasons. We suspect he’ll find a way to contribute at the NHL level in a couple of years.
Style comparison: Martin St. Louis
Projects as: Two-way playmaker on a scoring line
12. L/RW Carl Klingberg (16)
Acquired: Trade, 2009
Klingberg is a big, fast, gritty winger who hustles at both ends of the ice and loves to drive the net. His offence has been slow to come at the SEL level, raising questions about his upside, but he has the physical tools and work ethic to earn an NHL role even without the scoring. If his puck skills and hockey sense can keep up with his blazing feet, he will be a difficult-to-contain threat in the NHL. We’ll get a better look at him in the Thrashers’ camp this fall, although their recent trade additions make his chances of finding a spot in the NHL lineup this season much slimmer.
Style comparison: Johan Franzen
Projects as: Power forward
13. G Leland Irving (5)
Acquired: Trade 2007
Irving continues to struggle in his adjustments to the pro game, prompting the Flames to sign Henrik Karlsson to backup Kipper, while Irving and Keetley divide starts in Abbotsford. The Flames will continue to be patient with their former first-rounder, but as Brent Krahn’s experience shows, that patience does have its limits. Irving has the potential to be an NHL starter, but needs to prove he can steal games for his team: 2.76/.905 simply isn’t good enough at the AHL level – he needs to step it up this year to continue to be in the picture.
Style comparison: Mike Smith
Projects as: Starter for a bottom-tier team
14. RD Justin Shultz (19)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (59th overall)
My last remaining Wisconsin player (after the rest were traded or graduated), Schultz will have his work cut out for him on a team that lost 13 players from its Frozen Four roster, including its top 3 defencemen. However, that means plenty more minutes to go around for Schultz, who should thrive with the added time. A silky-smooth skater and puck mover, Schultz scored 22 points as a freshman (including 5 powerplay goals), so the offence is certainly there. He’ll need to do a better job with his defensive assignments, but those are skills that can be taught. He’ll likely play at least two more years with the Badgers before Anaheim considers signing him.
Style comparison: Brian Rafalski
Projects as: Two-way 3-4 defenceman
15. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (new)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2010 (56th overall)
A wrecking ball on skates, Smith-Pelley is a unique player. He has soft hands to finish plays, skates hard and plays both ends of the ice, but his real raison d’etre is to crush opposing players. He’s built like a tank, and hits like one, which makes his discipline all the more interesting – in a league that loves its teenage fisticuffs, Smith-Pelley managed to lay out dozens of opposing players without getting into a single fight – a measure of the precision with which he lays out clean, timely hits – he’s not dirty, just lethal. He’s not the most creative (despite putting up a point per game along with a +27 with Mississauga), so his pro production is uncertain, but with the right conditioning he could have a future as a third-line checker who puts up 15/25/40.
Style comparison: Kirk Maltby
Projects as: Grinding winger with upside
16. Jason Zucker (new)
2nd round, 2010 (50th overall)
Zucker was selected ahead of Smith-Pelley, but ranks slightly behind him because he doesn’t have quite as good finishing skills. What he does have is character – it oozes out of every pore. He simply does whatever it takes to win. He’s relentless on both fore and backcheck, and will block shots, lay out hits, and take a hit to make a play. He was one of only two underage players on the Gold-Medal winning US U-20 team at the WJC, where he potted two goals in a checking role. He did manage to score at a point-per-game pace at the U18s, however. He’s headed to Denver, and is likely to play a full four years before trying the pro route with Minnesota.
Style comparison: John Madden
Projects as: Checker, character player
17. LD Patrik Nemeth (new)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2010 (63rd overall)
The third of three Columbus selections form the most recent Entry Draft, Nemeth is a big-bodied stay-at-homer with a mean streak and the mobility to keep up in the modern game. He’s still very raw, however, and is likely to remain with AIK for the next couple of years at least before coming to North America. He’s considered a long-term project.
Style comparison: Henrik Tallinder with more bite
Projects as: Stay at home defenceman
18. RW Andrej Nestrasil (20)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2009 (84th overall)
Nestrasil posted a point per game both in the Q and with the Czechs at the WJC, but is not expected to be more than a complimentary scorer as a pro. With a big body, a physical edge and the ability to make plays at speed, he could prove to be a good two-way contributor, but needs to continue to work on his skating. He’s expected to play another year with Victoriaville.
Style comparison: Ales Kotalik
Projects as: Third line complimentary scorer
19. LW Jerome Flaake (HM)
Acquired: 5th round, 2008 (147th overall)
Another big-bodied winger with a scoring touch, Flaake’s development seems to have stalled a bit with Koln in the DEL, and a change of scenery may be in order. While it would be great to see him come to North America and play on the Marlies with fellow Deutschlanders Holzer and Muller, it’s more likely that he’ll rmain another couple of years in Germany – possibly for Hamburg – and slowly bringing the pieces of his game together. He’s still on track development-wise to follow a Marcel Muller-type arc,but he needs to start putting more points on the board. He was the top forward in the Division 1 tournament for the World Juniors, so the upside is there.
Style comparison: Fredrik Modin
Projects as: Power winger
20. RD Michael Sauer (8)
Acquired: Trade 2007
Sauer’s career to date has been foiled by a combination of injuries and the Rangers’ defensive depth. Just when it looked like he would have a chance to earn his way into the rotation with the Rangers, they added Steve Eminger and signed (fellow Jackets prospect) Ryan McDonagh, meaning he’ll have his work cut out for himself to make the team this year. The Rangers’ salary cap woes may play into it, but perhaps the best we can hope for is for Sauer to play a full, injury-free season with Hartford and earn a couple of call-ups over the course of the year. He’s still very strong in his defensive positioning and reading of the play, so the potential to be a solid stay-at-home defenceman is still there.
Style comparison: Aaron Ward
Projects as: Stay-at-home defenceman
Honourable Mentions
LD Constantin Braun (HM)
Big converted winger is adapting well and plays an efficient game, putting up .45 points per game fir Berlin while taking care of his own end. Will be at Kings’ camp this fall with an outside chance of playing at Manchester, but more likely to continue to develop in the DEL.
LW Dane Byers (HM)
The recent trade of Rismiller and Brashear opens up some room on Broadway for a character/energy guy, and with the Blueshirts’ cap issues, Byers would be a good 4th line option for them this season. The 24-year-old managed 51 points and 100 pims in 74 AHL games last season, and 1goal in 5 games with the Rangers.
G Marco Cousineau (HM)
Finished up his junior career splitting the season between PEI and St. John, posting a respectable 2.82/.910. Will challenge for starts in Cincinnati in his first pro season.
LD Corey Fienhage (18)
Feisty two-way blueliner in the Francois Beauchemin mold, Fienhage earned limited minutes as a sophomore with North Dakota, and is rumoured to be bolting for the WHL to play more games. He looks to be a long-term project as a two-way blueliner with edge.
RD Eric Gryba (HM)
Bruising defender made a strong push for our top-20. He'll suit up for Binghampton this season, and is in the mold of defenders Ottawa is looking for long-term. He showed leadership and physical play throughout his college career, so there are some intangibles to go with his defensive awareness, but his skating remains an issue.
LD Nick Holden (NR)
A year or two away from making the jump to Columbus (NHL), Holden had a steady if unspectacular season for a woeful Syracuse Crunch team. He needs to continue to refine his defensive decision-making, especially in his own zone.
LW Levko Koper (HM)
Strong two-way play for Spokane earned Koper shy of a point per game this season. The work ethic is there, though, for the smallish winger to earn a pro career as an energy line player.
C Dave Labrecque (HM)
A late round selection in ‘09, Labrecque is a point-per-game player with Shawinigan, but he seems to be a one-way player of the sort who doesn’t have much success outside of the Q. Will continue to monitor his progress.
LD Sebastien Piche (NR)
Had a strong first pro season for Toledo of the ECHL, with 28 points, 67 pims and a +6 in 46 games, but the fact that it's the ECHL and not the AHL makes it clear Piche has a long way to go.
C/LW Trevor Smith (NR)
Joined the Anaheim (NH) organization this summer after another decent AHL season with Bridgeport. The Ducks’ serious lack of depth gives him a chance to compete for a fourth-line role in camp, but he’s likely to toil another season in the minors with a call-up or two as an injury fill-in.
C Michael Swift (NR)
Diminutive center turned in a strong second pro season for Lowell in the A, with 55 points and 71 pims in 76 games. Will likely never be more than an energy line player in the NHL, but has shown he’s willing to do what it takes.
C/RW Mathieu Tousignant (NR)
“Abrasive little cuss” played an agitator’s role in the ECHL and AHL last year, his first as a pro. Junior-league offence isn’t expected to translate to the top level, but his ability to get under the skin of opponents certainly is. May find his way onto an energy line in a couple of years.
Plus new FA additions:
LW Eric Selleck
RD Sam Klassen
RD Carl Hudson
LD Sam Lofquist
LD Marc-Antoine Desnoyers
RD Steven Tarasuk
With so much depth, there's bound to be a few quality players coming out of the Jackets' farm system in the coming years. But the lack of top-end talent is increasingly apparent, so that will be the team's focus going forward.
