Watched the Memorial Cup on DVR. Some kids stood out.
Don't know if he's worth a 2nd, but I was impressed by Phil Baltisberger in the Memorial Cup. Not a ton of upside, but looks like he has the makings of a long pro career as an NHL or Pro defenseman. Mistake free type of defenseman. Does his job type of player. Didn't log heavy minutes for a powerhouse team, but was very effective for Guelph who had a really dominant season.
Another guy I was impressed with is Kulda from EDM Oil Kings, passed by once already, but is another player that contributes in all 3 zones and does the little things to win. Both kids played a very mature game at the Memorial Cup and Kulda deserved the MVP.
Ryan Gazzola: Very good junior player... maybe turns into a Tom Poti type of player. Game isn't suited to today's NHL, but if he had three extra gears, people would be hyping him up like crazy.
Couple of drafted or signed prospects that look legit:
Ryan Graves also played very well. Doesn't stick out, but does his job. Big kid, and covers a lot of the ice. The level of competition at this tourney is about as high as you can get in juniors without taking the WJC-20 into consideration. Played very well... definitely a good pick up.
Curtis Lazar... yeah he's really good. Complete player, size, speed, grit, scoring, plays 200 feet, RH shooting center. He'll play in the NHL next year.
Henrik Samuelsson: Ulfie's kid has a bright future ahead of him. Gritty, smart, and can make plays.
Griffin Reinhart: Hate to say it, but the Isles have their version of Marc Staal in this kid. I don't think he'll post big numbers but I am pretty confident that he can play top 4 minutes next year for them and not be overwhelmed. Reinhart and Hamonic will be a very very good shutdown pair.
Robbie Fabri: 2014 eligible, not flashy but definitely skilled. Will be one of those guys that goes in the teens in the 1st round, and spend two years in juniors and some time in the AHL and become a player that HF hypes up after some other kids get rushed in three years time. Slick playmaker.
Mitch Moroz: A shock that EDM has a decent pick out of the top 3... beefy forward... not much hand skill but a bull of a player... should turn out to be a very effective bottom 6 player.
Scott Kosmachuk: Ryan Callahan type of player.. gives it his all, don't know if he can play this way in the pro leagues, but he has the makings of a very good 3rd liner.
Anothony Mantha: If he is a by product of being bigger than everyone else with his skill, you have at least an Eric Daze... which is both good and bad news... he's probably another Eric Daze. If Daze wasn't always injured, he would have been a John Leclair type. Will score on the PP. Reminds me of Tim Kerr without the grit.
Cody Corbett: Will have a pro career.. another understated mistake free type of player.