X-SHARKIE
Registered User
La-La-Laprise said:I have Kessel going #2 for 2006. Here is my top 20.
1. Michael Frolik - LW - Kladno, CZE
2. Phil Kessel - C - US U18, USA
3. Jesse Joensuu - LW - Assat, FIN
4. Alexandre Vasyunov - LW - Yarslavl, RUS
5. Bryan Little - C - Barrie, CAN
6. Jonathan Toews - C - SSM, CAN
7. Peter Mueller - C - US U18, USA
8. Ben Maxwell - LW - Kootenay, CAN
9. James Sheppard - LW - Cape Breton, CAN
10. Tomas Marcinko - RW - Kosice, SVK
11. Ben Strait - D - US U17, USA
12. Vlad Zharkov - RW - CSKA, RUS
13. Jonathan Bernier - G - Lewiston, CAN
14. Matthew Corentto - D - Saginaw, CAN
15. Ivan Vishnevski - D - RUS 88, RUS
16. Tony Lagerstorm - LW - Sodertaljie, SWE
17. Jean-Christophe Blanchard - G - Moncton, CAN
18. David Ruzika - D - Kladno, CZE
19. Jordan Staal - D - Peterborough, CAN
20. Benjamin Breault - LW - Baie-Comeau, CAN
From the players i've seen I have to say that's a great list!
2006 well be one hell of a draft. The Fins top prospect in years is eligible, The best American born player since Mike Modano is eligible, and Michael Frolik might be the best Czech prospect since Jagr. Never has three countries produced three phenoms like this...it was close with Kovalchuk and Spezza but I can't remember when three seperate countries could say that there best prospect in years is eligible. Overall, aside from the 1st overall pick, you probally want a top 3 pick in 06 just as bad if not more then 05.
I haven't seen Jesse Joensuu or Michael Frolik, who have to be considered the top players there respect countries have produced in quite some time, although Michalek did play a regular shift in the extra league at the same time, so it well be interesting to see what is next for both players.
I also haven't seen The Russian Vasyunov.
Kessel is the #2 prospect for now, no question... The guy is a top six forward for USA at the U-20 at the age of 16, not to mention he is excelling at it. He put some great one on one moves vs the Swisse and showed his elite speed.
But don't overlook American Peter Mueller, the guy is going to top out at a very impressive size package, He's a physical player who plays with a lot of heart, his stickhandling, shot, playmaking ability, and oooo boy that shot are extremely good.
He'll be a top 5 pick likely in 06, mabey even one of the top 3 picks.
I would actually put James Sheppard over Ben Maxwell my self. Both are extremely mature but from the limited bit i've seen of Maxwell, compared to the more viewings i've seen of James, Sheppard just has the more overal raw skill package on top of his mature play that well have scouts ooozing.
I tried to catch Bernier but haven't been successful.... What can you tell me about him la-la-laprise?
Jordan Staal is the biggest and most physical of the Staals and is just a hinch below his brothers in skating ability. His hands and offensive skills are a bit raw.. So having him down at 19 is reasonable because he doesn't have the ellite offensive tools his brother did.