I'm tired so excuse my choppy sentence structure:
Benoit Pouliot-Tops this list. He might not look so good in juniors, but he has sooo much raw talent. If he is developed properly, he will be an aboslute stud. He has a booming shot that will be useful on the powerplay, and he is not bad defensively. He can't be the go-to guy; he is a lot like Patrick Marleau. He has decent vision, he hasn't been terribly inconsistent, he has great speed, he does not shy away from hitting, and he has an abosolutely sick shot. He just needs development. Future first liner who plays the point on the powerplay.
Marc Staal- Another guy like Brian Lee who will need more time to develop. He's huge; 6-5, but he needs to add on more weight/muscle. He has an untapped offensive game, and I think he can be a bruiser on defense who can still pot in 30-40 points. Has tremendous work ethic, but he needs to work on his skating and his hitting. A guy his size should absolutely crush opponents. He's already very mature for his age, and has great upside. Is an energy player who will play on the first pairing. Maybe there can be a Staal-Staal-Staal line with Staal-Staal on defense.
Devin Setoguchi- Not very consistent, but another guy, like Pouliot, will do well in the NHL. He is a good skater, he can be the go-to guy, uses his body very effectively, is defensively responsible, has a stellar shot, isn't selfish with the puck, and is definitely a character guy. He has some problems with consistency which IMO are overblown, but he just needs development and a lot of conditioning. Has tremendous upside, but could bust altogther. Could be a geniune star, but could also bust.
Anze Kopitar- LA has done an excellent job with prospects. There are a lot of questoins about him. I think he'll be an NHLer, but idk if he'll be in the top six or in the bottom six. He has some skating issues I have heard, but looking at his stats he is a go-to guy; a leader who is a clutch scorer. He is an underrated playmaker. The scouting report on him is that he can "create space" but is not very physical. I hope he'll mature out of it. With luck, a future first-liner.
Luc Bourdon-Much like Lee, except hes a safer prospect with not as much upside. I think he'll be a solid two-way defenseman on the second-pairing. Is very, very physical, and has decent offensive stats. He is very calm with the puck too; makes things look effortless. Friend of mine says hes a great team player too. Doesn't have tremendous upside; will be a second-paring defenseman who plays on both the second PK-unit and the second PP-unit.
Brian Lee- Simply needs a lot of development. I think he'll be a top-four defenseman, and he has decent skills. Primarly an offensive defensman, he should be utilized that way IMO. He's creative with the puck too, which is very good. If Ottawa hadn't drafted him; I'd say that he'd play on the top pairing or never make the NHL, but since Ottawa did draft him,
I'll say he at least becomes a seventh defenseman. He and Bourdon are interchangable.
Ryan O'Marra- Like Latendresse, its hard to guess where hes going to be. Me thinks third liner player at the least. Possesses stellar speed, but can't hit really well. Needs to add some muscle. Already has a very good skillset. Has good hands and good speed, owns a nice shot and is decent defensively. I think he will be play in the NHL sooner than everyone thinks; his skill-set his very polished. Can spark a team. Lacks top-end upside; I predict he will be a second center who plays on the PP.
Alex Bourret-Another average-like player. If he was four inches taller, he would be a great power forward. Plays with reckless abaondon. Excellent defenisvely, and will sport an A or maybe even a C some day. A little selfish with the puck. Very clutch. I cannot think of any glaring weaknesses except his lack of size, which he cannot do anything about. Brings a lot of energy to the table. He just needs more polishing. Has an undeveloped skillset. Despite his size, he may be the safest pick on this list. Has a longshot to be a Martin St.Louis. Otherwise, a stellar third-liner who plays on the PK and PP. The next Mike Ricci minus the hair.
Guillaume Latendresse-Bad skating which I am not sure is solved yet, good shot, a hard worker as evidenced by the strides made in training camp, a good hitter, and no slouch defenisvely. Isn't clutch IMO. Underrated playmaker. Doing very well so far in the QMJHL; that means he is showing improvement. He might be the next Jonathon Cheechoo. Top six potential!
Marek Zagrapan- I was hyping this guy before the draft, but I changed my mind after seeing him. He has excelletn speed but also has the hands to deke at that level. However after that, he is an average passer, , he takes dumb penalties, he does not use his size effectively to hit or contain, etc. He has an underrated shot, but thats it. I think he will not be effective on the bottom two lines, and I do not know if has the work ethic to build up his skills to play on the top two lines. Lacks energy.