monster_bertuzzi
registered user
go kim johnsson said:the part that sucks is the flyers aren't getting any of these players
You got Zhamnov and Burke. , Live in the present man, not the future.
go kim johnsson said:the part that sucks is the flyers aren't getting any of these players
steblick said:This is my final top 60 for the 2004 Entry Draft now that everything of note for the 2004 draft class (except for the last few CHL teams) has wrapped up.
Ice Demon said:Nice list. Interesting read.
From what I've read it sounds like a bit of a drop off after the top 5 goaltenders (Schwarz, Montoya, Shantz, Dubnyk, Schneider). As well a lot of fans are saying their team doesn't need a top goalie prospect, but a mid-round depth guy. This has me believing that around the 3rd round there will be a run of teams all wanting these "depth" goalies. I think after Peters gets picked, the teams that were waiting to pick one will start to think hard about taking a goaltender.
What are your thoughts on the goalies outside the top 5? Do you think the 3rd and 4th might be like that?
As well, how do you rate Mitch Maunu? The avatar is only a joke. I like him, and think he will probably get picked somewhere around late 3rd, but I hope he falls to the early 4th so my favourite team (Flames) can pick him.
paul99 said:Great job! An NHL chief scout should hire you!
steblick said:This is my final top 60 for the 2004 Entry Draft now that everything of note for the 2004 draft class (except for the last few CHL teams) has wrapped up. I have attended several hundred games and tournaments (all over the place) with prospects in them this year plus have chatted and corresponded with scouts, coaches, other hockey people and have read just about everything of import that has been written about these players.
Note: This is NOT a mock draft but a ranking.
1. Alex Ovechkin- Gee! What a surprise!
2. Evegeny Malkin- Duh!
3. Rostislav Olesz- The concussion doesn?t seem to have been a problem. I see Michalek with slightly better hands here so he stays at #3 for me.
4. A.J. Thelen- Better upside than Barker. REALLY impressed against older competition.
5. Laurie Tukonen- Was a man among boys at U18s. Excellent all-around sure-fire pro type.
6. Cam Barker- Has fairly obvious holes in his game but can also be a game-breaking big time talent.
7. Alex Radulov- Dynamic, catalyst, wants the puck and wants to win type. Exciting.
8. Andrew Ladd- Everyone who sees him seems to come away as a believer. Me too.
9. Marek Schwarz- Still ranks clearly as the best goalie for 2004.
10. Rob Schremp- This much talent gets you just about everywhere. I don?t buy the attitude problem stuff.
11. Wojtek Wolski- Still quite hasn?t put it all together but if/when he does?
12. Alex Picard- He just keeps scoring. I like his hunger and enthusiasm.
13. Drew Stafford- Solid 2nd line NHLer. Good 2 way guy.
14. Ladislav Smid- A lot of people poo-poo him because of Pierre McGuire?s comments based on one play in one WJC game. Nah- this guy could be a stud defenseman.
15. Dave Bolland- Love his drive, instincts and energy but seemed to run out of steam in the end.
16. Alvaro Montoya- Seems to be the consensus no.2 goalie this year.
17. Kyle Chipchura- Forget the stats- this guy really seems to have ALL the intangibles. Very well-rounded hockey player.
18. Wes O?Neill- Was up and down all year but size/skating ratio still makes him a prized pick.
19. Mike Green- Very solid can?t miss pick at this position.
20. Andrej Meszaros- Somewhat like Barker, love his positive puck movement and vision but has holes.
21. David Schantz- Outstanding playoff performance puts him into top 20 range.
22. Bruce Graham- Eric Daze but with even better playmaking potential.
23. Cory Schneider- Made a believer out of many at recent U18s.
24. Roman Voloshenko- Opportunistic sniper is on the rise. Needs to improve foot speed.
25. Boris Valabik- Meanest and biggest of he early picks.
26. Oscar Hedman- Excellent performance at U18s lands him 1st round status.
27. Johan Fransson- Proved his worth at high levels of play all year.
28. Lukas Kaspar- Can SHOOT and drive to the net like few others in this draft.
29. Blake Wheeler- Dominant HSer is rising with a bullet.
30. Lauri Korpikoski- Has come out of nowhere and improved almost every game. Real sleeper.
31. Jakub Sindel- Great hands but is his physical game suited to the NHL? I worry?
32. Enver Lisin- Great feet, but is the rest of his game suited to the NHL? I worry?
33. Petteri Nokelainen- Rough and tumble guy starting to show off high skill package too.
34. Adam Pineault- Draft position could be affected by choice of team for next season. Big upside and downside here.
35. Johannes Salmonsson- Will he even opt-in? Injury worries?
36. Carl Soderburg- Plays well-rounded pro-style game.
37. Devan Dubnyk- Had hot-and-cold year. Still needs to prove himself.
38. Travis Zajac- Just going on others? comments here.
39. Roman Tesliuk- Due for big breakout next year. Very smart- excellent skater. Could turn out to be very underrated at this position.
40. David Booth- Pro-style two-way player with some skill but needs more mobility.
41. Kiril Lyamin- Best Russian U18 DF but lacks anything dynamic in his game.
42. Paul Stastny- Smart, skilled and who can argue with the name?
43. Mikhail Yunkov- Classic skilled, fast Russian forward.
44. Kyle Wharton- Really came on in 2nd half to show dominating potential.
45. Sergei Ogorodnikov- Poor man?s Radulov. Could surprise.
46. John Lammers- Fun to watch. Very nice skill package- due for scoring breakout next season.
47. Adam Berti- Can blow hot or cold. A poor man?s Wolski?
48. Justin Peters- Clearly best goalie pick for mid 2nd round.
49. Alexei Emelin- Talented and smart with nice upside. Needs muscle.
50. Bryan Bickell- Power forward? Skilled bug guy? Space filler? Still don?t know.
51. Roman Tomanek- Showed great offensive instincts at recent world U18s.
52. Ryan Garlock- Just keeps up steady, decent play. Safe bet.
53. Vaclav Meidl- The Euro version of Bickell. Must find game-type and develop consistency.
54. T.J. Hensick- You can?t ignore this level of skill for too long.
55. Sami Lepisto- Was his WJC performance an anomaly? Will size be a problem? Big upside and downside.
56. Andy Rogers- Still love that size/skating ratio. Due for offensive breakout next year.
57. Martins Karsums- Reminds me of Hensick. Fun to watch- great energy guy.
58. Juraj Gracik- Shows power forward potential.
59. Alex Pluschyev- Real up and down player who sleepwalks through some shifts but oozes talent.
60. Evan McGrath- Only here because of the hidden talent in there SOMEWHERE. Really did not impress me (or many people) this year. Be very wary.
If you want to ask where I rate other players please feel free to do so. I must admit to being less knowledgeable (1st hand) about USHS and USHL players though.
LemonDrop_27 said:Steblick,
I was wondering where you have the kids from the USNTDP-18 team. I heard Paukovich and Porter were close to the top 60 but for sure first day guys. Paukovich really didn't do much in Minsk but I heard that Porter really helped his stock with his play in Belarus. What about Kolarik? maybe early on the second day. Obviously Corey Schneider played out of his mind.
How about Canadians that improved there stock in Belarus? I really can't see McGrath going in the second round, there maybe something there but he struggled all season and played sparingly in Belarus. I heard Lammers, Redox and Cabanna all played well. I really can't see Lammers going in the mid-second round, I like him but that seems early.
steblick said:It was my first viewing for some of the US guys. Porter was a dynamo, creative, positive, always a threat. Kolarik had moments of inspiration (good physical play) but seemed more intent on winning by playing a solid two-way game (no problem with that). Paukovich looked a bit lost with speed and space. Auffrey was also hyped but seemed to be a bit behind the play although he was getting on the scoresheet consistently- the fact that these guys play together all year can make them look better than their individual talents warrant so they are difficult reads. I wish I had seen them more in order to get a better projection for the draft. Having said that though, I'd take Porter between 60 and 70, Kolarik and Auffrey early third based on the 4 games I saw (I got there late after thinking I wouldn't be able to go at all).
The U.S's best guys are the 87s- Johnson, Skille and, of course, Kessel- an early choice for top 3 in 2006 I'd say.
I commented on Reddox above. Cabana is a mid-round type, he's not particularly creative but he drives to the net well, seems to win loose pucks-a possibility for 4th round. I like the fact that he picked it up in the Q in the 2nd half- always a good sign. He was one of Halifax's better forwards towards the end.
I'm a Lammers fan. He's just so smooth, skilled and smart. I think he's the type who plays better at higher levels because his head and hands are thinking ahead of both teammates and opposition. His offensive hockey sense is top 15- but he could stand to use a little more finishing. Watch him breakout offensively next year.
5HOLE said:I am surprised to hear that Kolarik played a solid two way game. I have watched him play over the past couple of years, and his defensive game was always lacking. He is regarded by many to have the most offensive talents of any 1986-born American not named Schremp. Good to see that his defensive game has picked up since arriving in Ann Arbor. Add that to his pure offensive ability and I think that he may be a good 3rd to 4th round sleeper.
MrKnowNothing said:Have you seen Korpikoski and Stastny at all steblick? Any thoughts on those guys?