montreal said:Mailhiot may retire due to head injuries.
As for mikhail yunkov, I was under the impression he opted out, no?
As for some sleepers,
David Booth- I was always impressed with his game, power stride
Klye Klubertanz- small for a defensemen, but offensively gifted
Kevin Potter- small but fast, headed to a great program at UM
Stanislav Lascek- needs to work on skating but offensively gifted
Jan Steber (although I think I'm alone in thinking this),
Philippe Roberge, not talked about much at all, might be a good late pickup
Fredrick Naslund (I am thinking I'm also alone with this one, never saw him, just going off what I read), big LW, although his U-18 performance should drop him a bit
Robbie Earl (his size is a bit of an issue, but he's fun to watch)
Hossa said:I like a lot of your picks, especially Robbie Earl, who's a little tank out there. He's a fan favourite type, and I fully expect him to make the NHL.
But I completely and utterly disagree on Steber, lol. Watching this guy, I think he's absolutely terrible. He's got some size sure, but I find him slow, weak, seriously lacking hockey sense, lacking balance....I really don't see anything in him. Am I missing something though?
Alex Kovalev said:I meant Redline.
Oilers Chick said:There are always players that aren't ranked by the various scouting services/publications. That doesn't necesarily mean that NHL teams won't spend a draft pick on them or that these players won't become anything. Of what I know about Grant Lewis, this kid has done nothing but exceed (many) expectations thus far. He didn't get the praise he deserved just by being a warm body on the ice, he earned the praise. Dartmouth lost defensive depth after the 2002-03 season due to graduation. Lewis (along with the recently graduated Brian Van Abel) were the cornerstones of the Big Green blueline this past season. Lewis wasn't expected to do as much as he done in his freshman season, but did and boy he did! While, I feel that Lewis still has some refining of his skills that needs to be done (and putting on some weight/muscle couldn't hurt either), IMO he's just going to get better and better.
Epsilon said:I'll go out on a limb right now and predict that someone will take a chance on Boris Valabik in the top 15 and maybe the top 10.
X-SHARKIE said:I like Korpikoski alot.
My sleeper pick, is Martin Karsums. This guy could hit the first round, and could be the steal of the draft. A great player.
I also think Mike Green could end up being the best defensman in the draft.
Oilers Chick said:For those of you mentioning R. J. Anderson....you all do know that he won't be Minnesota-bound until 2005, right? Regardless, should be a good pickup for whoever takes him.