Hiishawk
Registered User
I don’t post here much, but just so you don’t think I’m just some yahoo copying one of the major scouting services, let me say who I am. I am involved in hockey and travel professionally so I get to see a lot of players and tournaments. I’ve probably seen two-thirds of the top draft picks for 2004 live, about 90% if you include videos. And, yeah, I go to Europe for those purposes. On the other hand, I’ll admit that my weak points are NCAA, USHS, and USHL.
This ranking is not a mock draft but a top 60 based on my own observations, scuttlebutt from scouts and other insiders (always to be taken with a grain of salt), people connected with teams and players, and of course, the major scouting services.
Two factors will affect this ranking. One is the World Under-18 championships, which always produces a few surprises. Second is the status of the opt-in players from the NCAA.
Enjoy.
1. Alex Ovechkin- ‘Nuff said.
2. Evgeny Malkin- Like that late birthdate. Great upside.
3. Rostislav Olesz- Already has a ‘man amongst boys’ aura.
4. A.J. Thelen- Rising with a bullet. Improves hand over fist every week.
5. Cam Barker- Potential home-run hitter on the D.
6. Marek Schwarz- The real thing; can perform magic with regularity.
7. Wojtek Wolski- Silky smooth- might apply himself more
8. Rob Schremp- Can’t ignore all-world skill package.
9. Andrew Ladd- Every scout has seen him now; has passed the tests.
10. Drew Stafford- Another late, fast riser; appears to have no weaknesses.
11. Alex Radulov- The Schremp of Europe?
12. Wes O’Neill- Has been up and down but few will pass on potential stud DF.
13. Laurie Tukonen- Already plays a pro-style game. Just needs finish.
14. Ladislav Smid- Extremely poised for his age. Should dominate world U-18s.
15. Andrej Meszaros- Few talk about him but he’s done everything Smid has.
16. Dave Bolland- Great mix of character, improving skill and desire.
17. Alvaro Montoya- Been up and down but proves himself under pressure.
18. Alex Picard- Sniper from the Q has skill and moxy.
IMO there is a drop around #18-19. Anyway, let’s continue:
19. Mike Green- Dan Hamhuis part two.
20. Kyle Chipchura- Character guy with big upside, pro-style player.
21. Devan Dubnyk- Has been inconsistent but size, raw skill are undeniable.
22. Enver Lisin- Speedster needs finishing skills.
23. Boris Valabik- Nasty, giant Slovak will take time but has big upside.
24. Alexei Yemelin- Best U-18 Russian DF rising with a bullet.
25. Bruce Graham- Eric Daze #2?
26. Lukas Kaspar- Complete player; lacks flash but few weaknesses.
27. Roman Voloshenko- Excellent offensive instincts
28. Corey Schneider- Big mystery could surprise.
29. Paul Stastny- Not just great bloodlines; He has risen steadily all year.
30. Blake Wheeler- Another late riser who has big-time ‘project’ appeal.
2nd round:
31. Oscar Hedman- Best Swedish DF prospect in years.
32. David Booth- Looks like a pro; needs first step.
33. Mikhail Yunkov- Typical Russian skilled forward.
34. Kiril Lyamin- Hasn’t been as steady as hoped but oozes potential.
35. Johan Fransson- Right behind Hedman (see above)
36. Adam Pineault- Has he stalled or is he being held back? Big upside!
37. Johannes Salomansson- Without injury 1st round would be likely.
38. Sami Lepisto- Came out of nowhere at WJCs. Is he for real?
39. Jesse Schultz- Great size and sense, skating needs work; worthy project.
40. Carl Soderburg- Some think he is the best of the 2004 Swedes.
41. Jakub Sindel- Great skills but soft; hasn’t delivered on promise so far.
42. Juraj Gracik- Another Slovak forgotten by Joe Draftfan.
43. Ryan Garlock- Steady, complete 3rd liner in the NHL. Safe pick here.
44. David Shantz- For those who need a GK, outside shot at 1st round.
45. Petteri Nokalainen- Hard-nosed character guy. Could surprise.
46. Grant Lewis- VERY high on some lists. Also could surprise.
47. Andy Rogers- Mr. Defence. Good size, skating- due for breakout in 2005.
48. Bryan Bickell- Lost his touch but could refind it.
49. Vaclav Meidl- Similar to Bickell above.
50. Travis Zajac- Going purely on others’ rankings here.
51. Adam Berti- Seems to have overcome big injury. Good toolbox. Tools?
52. Karel Hromas- Shows flashes of brilliance but is inconsistent.
53. Roman Tesliuk- Mature player who rarely flashes but is quietly consistent.
54. Mark Fistric- Big, tough D could have breakout season next year.
55. Justin Peters- Inconistent but has shown enough for 2nd round.
56. Evan McGrath- Has he stalled? Big disappointment but skills are there.
57. Laurie Korpikoski- Must show that recent 5-nations play was no fluke.
58. Sergei Ogorodnikov- Great skill package- must fill out and round off game.
59. Julien Ellis- The best Q goalie this year. ‘Nuff said.
60. Brett Carson- Trio of giant Calgary DF all potential home run picks.
Others who should be close (and could be 2nd round picks given compensatory picks ):
Lukas Vomela- 2 way player has subtle strengths.
John Lammers- Poised for breakout
Boris Alexandrov- Hasn’t developed as expected but still high skill level.
Martin Karsums- Lots of moxy and hockey sense up the wazoo.
Victor Oreskovich- Dark horse with upside. Generating a lot of talk.
And after that, in no particular order:
Aki Seitsonen, Michael Sersen, Casey Borer, Raymond Sawada, Dan Lacosta, Dave Brown, Kyle Wharton, Mitch Maunu, Clayton Barthel, Thomas Greiss, Roman Wick, Peter Guggisberg, Peter Pohl, Alex Plyuschev, Rickard Demen-Willaume, Dmitri Vorobiev, Magnus Akerlund.
This ranking is not a mock draft but a top 60 based on my own observations, scuttlebutt from scouts and other insiders (always to be taken with a grain of salt), people connected with teams and players, and of course, the major scouting services.
Two factors will affect this ranking. One is the World Under-18 championships, which always produces a few surprises. Second is the status of the opt-in players from the NCAA.
Enjoy.
1. Alex Ovechkin- ‘Nuff said.
2. Evgeny Malkin- Like that late birthdate. Great upside.
3. Rostislav Olesz- Already has a ‘man amongst boys’ aura.
4. A.J. Thelen- Rising with a bullet. Improves hand over fist every week.
5. Cam Barker- Potential home-run hitter on the D.
6. Marek Schwarz- The real thing; can perform magic with regularity.
7. Wojtek Wolski- Silky smooth- might apply himself more
8. Rob Schremp- Can’t ignore all-world skill package.
9. Andrew Ladd- Every scout has seen him now; has passed the tests.
10. Drew Stafford- Another late, fast riser; appears to have no weaknesses.
11. Alex Radulov- The Schremp of Europe?
12. Wes O’Neill- Has been up and down but few will pass on potential stud DF.
13. Laurie Tukonen- Already plays a pro-style game. Just needs finish.
14. Ladislav Smid- Extremely poised for his age. Should dominate world U-18s.
15. Andrej Meszaros- Few talk about him but he’s done everything Smid has.
16. Dave Bolland- Great mix of character, improving skill and desire.
17. Alvaro Montoya- Been up and down but proves himself under pressure.
18. Alex Picard- Sniper from the Q has skill and moxy.
IMO there is a drop around #18-19. Anyway, let’s continue:
19. Mike Green- Dan Hamhuis part two.
20. Kyle Chipchura- Character guy with big upside, pro-style player.
21. Devan Dubnyk- Has been inconsistent but size, raw skill are undeniable.
22. Enver Lisin- Speedster needs finishing skills.
23. Boris Valabik- Nasty, giant Slovak will take time but has big upside.
24. Alexei Yemelin- Best U-18 Russian DF rising with a bullet.
25. Bruce Graham- Eric Daze #2?
26. Lukas Kaspar- Complete player; lacks flash but few weaknesses.
27. Roman Voloshenko- Excellent offensive instincts
28. Corey Schneider- Big mystery could surprise.
29. Paul Stastny- Not just great bloodlines; He has risen steadily all year.
30. Blake Wheeler- Another late riser who has big-time ‘project’ appeal.
2nd round:
31. Oscar Hedman- Best Swedish DF prospect in years.
32. David Booth- Looks like a pro; needs first step.
33. Mikhail Yunkov- Typical Russian skilled forward.
34. Kiril Lyamin- Hasn’t been as steady as hoped but oozes potential.
35. Johan Fransson- Right behind Hedman (see above)
36. Adam Pineault- Has he stalled or is he being held back? Big upside!
37. Johannes Salomansson- Without injury 1st round would be likely.
38. Sami Lepisto- Came out of nowhere at WJCs. Is he for real?
39. Jesse Schultz- Great size and sense, skating needs work; worthy project.
40. Carl Soderburg- Some think he is the best of the 2004 Swedes.
41. Jakub Sindel- Great skills but soft; hasn’t delivered on promise so far.
42. Juraj Gracik- Another Slovak forgotten by Joe Draftfan.
43. Ryan Garlock- Steady, complete 3rd liner in the NHL. Safe pick here.
44. David Shantz- For those who need a GK, outside shot at 1st round.
45. Petteri Nokalainen- Hard-nosed character guy. Could surprise.
46. Grant Lewis- VERY high on some lists. Also could surprise.
47. Andy Rogers- Mr. Defence. Good size, skating- due for breakout in 2005.
48. Bryan Bickell- Lost his touch but could refind it.
49. Vaclav Meidl- Similar to Bickell above.
50. Travis Zajac- Going purely on others’ rankings here.
51. Adam Berti- Seems to have overcome big injury. Good toolbox. Tools?
52. Karel Hromas- Shows flashes of brilliance but is inconsistent.
53. Roman Tesliuk- Mature player who rarely flashes but is quietly consistent.
54. Mark Fistric- Big, tough D could have breakout season next year.
55. Justin Peters- Inconistent but has shown enough for 2nd round.
56. Evan McGrath- Has he stalled? Big disappointment but skills are there.
57. Laurie Korpikoski- Must show that recent 5-nations play was no fluke.
58. Sergei Ogorodnikov- Great skill package- must fill out and round off game.
59. Julien Ellis- The best Q goalie this year. ‘Nuff said.
60. Brett Carson- Trio of giant Calgary DF all potential home run picks.
Others who should be close (and could be 2nd round picks given compensatory picks ):
Lukas Vomela- 2 way player has subtle strengths.
John Lammers- Poised for breakout
Boris Alexandrov- Hasn’t developed as expected but still high skill level.
Martin Karsums- Lots of moxy and hockey sense up the wazoo.
Victor Oreskovich- Dark horse with upside. Generating a lot of talk.
And after that, in no particular order:
Aki Seitsonen, Michael Sersen, Casey Borer, Raymond Sawada, Dan Lacosta, Dave Brown, Kyle Wharton, Mitch Maunu, Clayton Barthel, Thomas Greiss, Roman Wick, Peter Guggisberg, Peter Pohl, Alex Plyuschev, Rickard Demen-Willaume, Dmitri Vorobiev, Magnus Akerlund.