Ethan Hay - Center - Flint Firebirds
I really like Ethan Hay and I think he deserves to be selected in the mid rounds, which is higher than I've seen him on other independent lists. At McKeen's we have him ranked 171st and EP has us (currently) as the only one with him listed. He's kind of like Liam Arnsby previously. Hay is the kind of player NHL teams are looking at and thinking, this guy could be a long time fourth line center and defensive specialist for us. He's got good size. He skates well. He has great instincts at both ends. He competes hard. There is a real chance that he's a Scott Nichol, Luke Glendening type. That has value. Anytime you can get an NHL player in the mid rounds, you do it. Is the upside high? Not likely. It will be interesting to see how he performs with more responsibility in the future, but right now his game looks pretty limited. But the high end physical tools and awareness that he possesses makes him an ideal bottom six player in today's NHL.