Steblick does an early top 60

[borro]

Pouliot ahead of Ryan?

 

[markov`]

A few more points.

Pouliot ahead of Ryan? Yeah- not by much, but I'll stand by it. Both have good size, excellent hands, elite vision, scoring touch. But Pouliot is so silky smooth on his skates- unlike Ryan- and consistent. And although he's an 86 his rise over the past season or two is amazing.

What really makes Ryan a better prospect than Pouliot IMO is the hands. Ryan has softer hands than Pouliot. He's just a stickhandling wizard out there and his shot is deadly.

 

[borro]

No Anton Belov in the Top 60?

 

[MS]

Gauthier should be top 60 at least.

Why?

I don't know if he's even top-150 at this point. Scouts haven't seen him since Christmas, and before he was hurt he was by all accounts struggling badly as a bottom-pairing guy on PA. Total flop this year. There are at least a dozen WHL defenders who deserve to be rated higher.

 

[Bad News Benning]

Where's Tom Fritsche? 37 points as a freshman. I thought he would be atleast a 2nd rounder for sure.

 

[Hiishawk]

Remember that rankings are made of players vis-a-vis other players, not based on the fact player X had a good season. In other words, Tom Fritsche might have played well but there are 60+ other players who did or showed better IMO- although as I said, the NCAA is my black hole.

Right now I'm in Slovenia at the U18 Level 2s wondering if Belarus' Sharhei Kosistsyn should be on that top 60 list or not. There's even a French and a British guy here who could be late rounders.

 

[Fozz]

Remember that rankings are made of players vis-a-vis other players, not based on the fact player X had a good season. In other words, Tom Fritsche might have played well but there are 60+ other players who did or showed better IMO- although as I said, the NCAA is my black hole.

Right now I'm in Slovenia at the U18 Level 2s wondering if Belarus' Sharhei Kosistsyn should be on that top 60 list or not. There's even a French and a British guy here who could be late rounders.

What are your impressions of Kostitsyn in the U18? Have you seen him play vs Kazakhstan? Also, why did the British forfeit against Belarus in the tourney's first game?

 

[FearTheFlyers]

Pouliot ahead of Ryan? Yeah- not by much, but I'll stand by it. Both have good size, excellent hands, elite vision, scoring touch. But Pouliot is so silky smooth on his skates- unlike Ryan- and consistent. And although he's an 86 his rise over the past season or two is amazing.

Ryan had .44 more points per game in the season. How consistent do you want? Pouliot is a smoother skater/player..but Ryan dominates down low and is always a threat. Calling him one dimensional is absurd. He is one of the most complete and creative players in the draft.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Remember that rankings are made of players vis-a-vis other players, not based on the fact player X had a good season. In other words, Tom Fritsche might have played well but there are 60+ other players who did or showed better IMO- although as I said, the NCAA is my black hole.

Right now I'm in Slovenia at the U18 Level 2s wondering if Belarus' Sharhei Kosistsyn should be on that top 60 list or not. There's even a French and a British guy here who could be late rounders.

I appreciate your insights, but comments like the one you make here about Tom Fritsche reveals some flaws in your evaluative abilities. If you've never seem Fristche play, or only have limited viewing, how can you say 60+ other players did better? He was one of the top playmakers in the NCAA as a freshman, and was the last guy cut from the U.S. WJC team. To suggest that there are 60+ players that showed better than him is a bit far-fetched.

 

[Spectacular_Bid]

Tom Fritsche will most likely be a second rounder but I wouldn't be shocked to see him go lower. Remember his brother Danny, an '85, who was much more highly regarded went 46th overall to Columbus. I really like Tom's game and was disapointed when he didn't get a spot on the US WJC team but if his brother was a second rounder than he's probably a 3rd or 4th round pick.

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

There's even a French and a British guy here who could be late rounders.

What are their names? I havent heard of a British eligible talent but I'm glad to hear there's someone out there.

 

[John E. Ringo]

What are their names? I havent heard of a British eligible talent but I'm glad to hear there's someone out there.

There is a pretty dandy British-born and bred forward playing for the Shattuck-St. Marys U-14 (1990 DOB) national championship team, Tom Duggan. A real sniper. Pretty solid future prospect, if he continues along his current development path.

 

[SPORTSMANIAC]

Great list. I looked at many mock drafts and Bourret will be gong from any where from 7 to 15. Matieu Aubin anywhere from 3 to 6 round. A question mark w/ injuries but could be a steal. Chad Denny great slap shot speed average aim. He has shown that he can be a defenseman and a forward. He will go 4th to 6th round.

 

[cagney]

Also, why did the British forfeit against Belarus in the tourney's first game?

The British teams equipment wasn't loaded on the plane they took so it didn't arrive until the next day.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Tom Fritsche will most likely be a second rounder but I wouldn't be shocked to see him go lower. Remember his brother Danny, an '85, who was much more highly regarded went 46th overall to Columbus. I really like Tom's game and was disapointed when he didn't get a spot on the US WJC team but if his brother was a second rounder than he's probably a 3rd or 4th round pick.

Dan Fritsche would have been a sure-fire first round draft pick if not for concerns over his shoulders, so it's kind of difficult to draw the connection you're trying to make with his brother.

 

[rt]

Dan Fritsche would have been a sure-fire first round draft pick if not for concerns over his shoulders, so it's kind of difficult to draw the connection you're trying to make with his brother.

Differant draft years, as well.

 

[Habdominal]

Great list. I looked at many mock drafts and Bourret will be gong from any where from 7 to 15. Matieu Aubin anywhere from 3 to 6 round. A question mark w/ injuries but could be a steal. Chad Denny great slap shot speed average aim. He has shown that he can be a defenseman and a forward. He will go 4th to 6th round.

I easily see Bourret as a second coming of Claude Lemieux... don't you think.

He dosn't step in front of the net as well as Pepe but is probably just as tough, I just love that kid's spirit

 

[jcpenny]

I easily see Bourret as a second coming of Claude Lemieux... don't you think.

He dosn't step in front of the net as well as Pepe but is probably just as tough, I just love that kid's spirit

To the people who know Alex Bourret, Does he have enough vision and hands to be a top 2 center in the NHL?

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

There is a pretty dandy British-born and bred forward playing for the Shattuck-St. Marys U-14 (1990 DOB) national championship team, Tom Duggan. A real sniper. Pretty solid future prospect, if he continues along his current development path.

I have been watching out for him. Playing with a lot of top talent but holding his own.

Checking IIHF, Tom Carlon must be the draft eligible guy. Lots of potential but he never plays at a high level (only plays in the third tier in England and the top two tiers aint that great to begin with)

 

[Doomsday Device]

Remember that rankings are made of players vis-a-vis other players, not based on the fact player X had a good season. In other words, Tom Fritsche might have played well but there are 60+ other players who did or showed better IMO- although as I said, the NCAA is my black hole.

Right now I'm in Slovenia at the U18 Level 2s wondering if Belarus' Sharhei Kosistsyn should be on that top 60 list or not. There's even a French and a British guy here who could be late rounders.

What do you think of Dustin Kohn? His stats look like those of a top 60 pick.

 

[Hiishawk]

Various replies-
1. I didn't call Bobby Ryan "one dimensional" at all- not sure where you got that from. Quite the opposite in fact, I listed his varied skills- that's why I still have him so high on my list- but I also explained why I have Pouliot ahead- the skating.

2. Regarding Tom Fritsche- I'll admit that my NCAA guys might be the most "off" of all the players I've listed, but I know of no rating service (Young Guns, ISS, McKeens or CSB) that has him as a 2nd rounder either. On top of that I haven't heard much about him from hockey people who do follow the NCAA. But your point is well-taken- let's see...

3. Another poster explained the British baggage debacle in Maribor, and yes, Tom Carlon is the British player who looks like he could make a living out of this game at some level. France has a guy named Bennett who is a possible late-rounder too. Kostsitsyn I'm still out on- he's not the game breaker his brother was despite being Belarus' elite player this year but there are a few more games to be played here...

4. Kohn doesn't really excite me, although others speak glowingly of him. He has good puck instincts and looks poised (only 2 Calgary viewings plus Prospects' game, mind you) but I don't see what in his game can translate to the big leagues. He's not strong or physical or a rock in his zone and his offensive instincts are not at the level where you would overlook the muscle, defense etc.
But those of you who've seen him more than I may differ and I'm happy to hear your opinions.

 

[Lowetide]

I look forward to your lists every year steblick. Thanks. As an Oiler fan I'm looking in the 10-15 area and wondering about Bourret and Staal. Would Bourret be a somewhat similar player to Raffi Torres?

Also, I saw Staal only once and he looked like a million. What iyo would keep him out of the top 10?

 

[Legionnaire]

2. Regarding Tom Fritsche- I'll admit that my NCAA guys might be the most "off" of all the players I've listed, but I know of no rating service (Young Guns, ISS, McKeens or CSB) that has him as a 2nd rounder either. On top of that I haven't heard much about him from hockey people who do follow the NCAA. But your point is well-taken- let's see...

52 on McKeen's

 

[Doomsday Device]

Various replies-
1. I didn't call Bobby Ryan "one dimensional" at all- not sure where you got that from. Quite the opposite in fact, I listed his varied skills- that's why I still have him so high on my list- but I also explained why I have Pouliot ahead- the skating.

2. Regarding Tom Fritsche- I'll admit that my NCAA guys might be the most "off" of all the players I've listed, but I know of no rating service (Young Guns, ISS, McKeens or CSB) that has him as a 2nd rounder either. On top of that I haven't heard much about him from hockey people who do follow the NCAA. But your point is well-taken- let's see...

3. Another poster explained the British baggage debacle in Maribor, and yes, Tom Carlon is the British player who looks like he could make a living out of this game at some level. France has a guy named Bennett who is a possible late-rounder too. Kostsitsyn I'm still out on- he's not the game breaker his brother was despite being Belarus' elite player this year but there are a few more games to be played here...

4. Kohn doesn't really excite me, although others speak glowingly of him. He has good puck instincts and looks poised (only 2 Calgary viewings plus Prospects' game, mind you) but I don't see what in his game can translate to the big leagues. He's not strong or physical or a rock in his zone and his offensive instincts are not at the level where you would overlook the muscle, defense etc.
But those of you who've seen him more than I may differ and I'm happy to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Kohn sounds similar to Mike Green last year, perhaps not as good a skater though.

 

[Hiishawk]

I look forward to your lists every year steblick. Thanks. As an Oiler fan I'm looking in the 10-15 area and wondering about Bourret and Staal. Would Bourret be a somewhat similar player to Raffi Torres?

Also, I saw Staal only once and he looked like a million. What iyo would keep him out of the top 10?

I prefer Borret to Torres- Bourret is more productive and his energy is better focused. But, yes, they are similar players.

Staal has yet to develop the take-charge mentality one wants to see in a top 10 pick. He's close though. Sometimes it's as if he underestimates himself, doesn't know what he's capable of.

Re: Fritsche at #52 on McKeens: my bad. Not on the others though although I'm unsure about Redline. Regardless, not a consensus 2nd rounder by any means. Wish he were at the U18s (too old, I know) or something so that I could get a better read on him.