Post by brentdog on Dec 7, 2016 23:26:35 GMT -5
1. Leevi Aaltonen (LW) – Kalpa Kuopio - Liiga
Having dominated at the junior level, Aaltonen has made the step up to the seniors this season and leads all Finnish rookies in Liiga scoring with 39 points in 60 games. A shifty winger who is hard to check when he is flying down the wing cutting to one direction then another. Always seems to be moving his feet, making it nearly impossible for defensemen to stay with him. Good set of hands around the net and can stickhandle his way around tight places. Has a real snipers instinct and can bury chances with his quick release.
2. Xavier Parent (C) – Victoriaville Tigres – QMJHL
Selected 1st overall in the 2017 QMJHL entry draft, Parent is an electrifying talent with the ability to break a game open in an instant. Very skilled and can beat virtually anyone one-on-one; possesses great agility and can turn on a dime and leave defenders in the dust. Like all good players the puck just seems to follow him around. Not great defensively, but nothing that isn't coachable - just needs to show a little more commitment to playing a 200-foot game.
3. Case McCarthy (RD) – Boston University Terriers – NCAA
The 6’3”, 207 lbs McCarthy is a smooth-skating blueliner who seems to do everything well. Very poised with the puck on his stick; can make long stretch passes right on the tape and makes it look effortless in the process. Displays good gap control and has the skating ability to win puck races and get back into position after a pinch. Not afraid to put his body on the line, either when dishing out a hit or blocking shots.
4. Artemi Knyazev (LD) – Irbis Kazan – MHL
Logging over 19 minutes a game in the KHL this season, Knyazev is an outstanding two-way defenceman and one of the most natural skaters in the entire draft. Possesses fantastic acceleration out of his own zone and can confidently lead the transition on the rush. Aggressive on the forecheck and can skate backwards almost as well as he can forward. Not an overly physical D man, instead using his speed, stick and smarts to position himself well and take away lanes from opponents.
5. Robert Mastrosimone (C) – USNTDP – USHL
USNTDP-standout Mastrosimone has an impressive 36 points in 39 games so far this season in the USHL. He’s a highly-skilled playermaker with a very good set of hands and even better vision – if given time and space he can set up a teammate from anywhere in the offensive zone. Character forward who competes hard on every shift, not a big kid but loves to use his speed on the forecheck to chase down loose pucks and harass the opposition into making a mistake.
6. Jack Hughes (C) – Kirkland Lake Gold Miners – NOJHL
Arguably the most skilled player in the entire draft, Hughes at times seems to have the puck on a string as he weaves his way up ice. His hockey sense and creativity in the offensive zone are as good as anyone we’ve seen in this age group. Possesses an arsenal of moves and ways to create space; extremely difficult for defensemen to anticipate as he can make plays on the fly whilst moving at top speed. Although not a physical player, he competes hard most shifts and relishes the big-game occasion. Whilst some scouts have voiced concerns about Hughes remaining at Junior B level, his offensive upside is considerable and worthy of a Top-10 ranking in our opinion.
7. Peyton Krebs (LW) - Everett Silvertips – WHL
Silvertips speedster Krebs is an explosive highlight reel of dekes, moves and jukes who is flat out fun to watch with his elite speed and puckhandling ability. 74 points in 64 WHL show he has an end product to go with all the sizzle, both in terms of finishing his own chances and creating opportunities for his linemates. Determined character and the type of player who, despite being immensely talented in his own right, makes the players around him better by never taking a shift off.
8. Marshall Warren (RD) – Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL
Arguably the best black prospect since PK Subban, right-shot defenseman Warren was selected 2nd overall in the 2016 OHL draft. Has superb skating ability paired with a high hockey IQ and a terrific set of hands. Likes to control the game from the back end, slowing down the play on the breakout by eluding forecheckers and making solid passes to his forwards. Features a heavy shot from the point, which he doesn’t use indiscriminately – only when the situation calls for it.
9. Rizvan Mansurov (RW) – Toronto Jr. Candiens – OJHL
A two-way forward who contributes at both ends of the ice, Mansurov is a very intense forechecker and highly motivated puck chaser who always seems to be in and around the play. Has good acceleration and is difficult to knock off the puck due to his balance and low centre of gravity. Loves to shoot from in close and can pick the top corners almost every time; has scored for fun at Junior B level with 60 points in 38 games for the Junior Canadiens. Likes to show emotion and gets on the nerves of opposing players often.
10. Samuel Poulin (LW) – Drummondville Voltiguers – QMJHL
The 3rd overall pick in the ’17 QMJHL draft, Poulin (6’3”, 217 lbs) is a budding power-forward who excels at protecting the puck and winning battles along the boards. For a big guy, Poulin is pretty nimble and has shown really good balance and agility when moving the puck around defenders. Has an excellent wrist shot and can shoot it hard on net from the poorest of angles, often forcing the goaltender into making a tough save and losing rebound control, as shown by 82 points (39 goals, 43 assists) in just 63 games in the Q.
Having dominated at the junior level, Aaltonen has made the step up to the seniors this season and leads all Finnish rookies in Liiga scoring with 39 points in 60 games. A shifty winger who is hard to check when he is flying down the wing cutting to one direction then another. Always seems to be moving his feet, making it nearly impossible for defensemen to stay with him. Good set of hands around the net and can stickhandle his way around tight places. Has a real snipers instinct and can bury chances with his quick release.
2. Xavier Parent (C) – Victoriaville Tigres – QMJHL
Selected 1st overall in the 2017 QMJHL entry draft, Parent is an electrifying talent with the ability to break a game open in an instant. Very skilled and can beat virtually anyone one-on-one; possesses great agility and can turn on a dime and leave defenders in the dust. Like all good players the puck just seems to follow him around. Not great defensively, but nothing that isn't coachable - just needs to show a little more commitment to playing a 200-foot game.
3. Case McCarthy (RD) – Boston University Terriers – NCAA
The 6’3”, 207 lbs McCarthy is a smooth-skating blueliner who seems to do everything well. Very poised with the puck on his stick; can make long stretch passes right on the tape and makes it look effortless in the process. Displays good gap control and has the skating ability to win puck races and get back into position after a pinch. Not afraid to put his body on the line, either when dishing out a hit or blocking shots.
4. Artemi Knyazev (LD) – Irbis Kazan – MHL
Logging over 19 minutes a game in the KHL this season, Knyazev is an outstanding two-way defenceman and one of the most natural skaters in the entire draft. Possesses fantastic acceleration out of his own zone and can confidently lead the transition on the rush. Aggressive on the forecheck and can skate backwards almost as well as he can forward. Not an overly physical D man, instead using his speed, stick and smarts to position himself well and take away lanes from opponents.
5. Robert Mastrosimone (C) – USNTDP – USHL
USNTDP-standout Mastrosimone has an impressive 36 points in 39 games so far this season in the USHL. He’s a highly-skilled playermaker with a very good set of hands and even better vision – if given time and space he can set up a teammate from anywhere in the offensive zone. Character forward who competes hard on every shift, not a big kid but loves to use his speed on the forecheck to chase down loose pucks and harass the opposition into making a mistake.
6. Jack Hughes (C) – Kirkland Lake Gold Miners – NOJHL
Arguably the most skilled player in the entire draft, Hughes at times seems to have the puck on a string as he weaves his way up ice. His hockey sense and creativity in the offensive zone are as good as anyone we’ve seen in this age group. Possesses an arsenal of moves and ways to create space; extremely difficult for defensemen to anticipate as he can make plays on the fly whilst moving at top speed. Although not a physical player, he competes hard most shifts and relishes the big-game occasion. Whilst some scouts have voiced concerns about Hughes remaining at Junior B level, his offensive upside is considerable and worthy of a Top-10 ranking in our opinion.
7. Peyton Krebs (LW) - Everett Silvertips – WHL
Silvertips speedster Krebs is an explosive highlight reel of dekes, moves and jukes who is flat out fun to watch with his elite speed and puckhandling ability. 74 points in 64 WHL show he has an end product to go with all the sizzle, both in terms of finishing his own chances and creating opportunities for his linemates. Determined character and the type of player who, despite being immensely talented in his own right, makes the players around him better by never taking a shift off.
8. Marshall Warren (RD) – Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL
Arguably the best black prospect since PK Subban, right-shot defenseman Warren was selected 2nd overall in the 2016 OHL draft. Has superb skating ability paired with a high hockey IQ and a terrific set of hands. Likes to control the game from the back end, slowing down the play on the breakout by eluding forecheckers and making solid passes to his forwards. Features a heavy shot from the point, which he doesn’t use indiscriminately – only when the situation calls for it.
9. Rizvan Mansurov (RW) – Toronto Jr. Candiens – OJHL
A two-way forward who contributes at both ends of the ice, Mansurov is a very intense forechecker and highly motivated puck chaser who always seems to be in and around the play. Has good acceleration and is difficult to knock off the puck due to his balance and low centre of gravity. Loves to shoot from in close and can pick the top corners almost every time; has scored for fun at Junior B level with 60 points in 38 games for the Junior Canadiens. Likes to show emotion and gets on the nerves of opposing players often.
10. Samuel Poulin (LW) – Drummondville Voltiguers – QMJHL
The 3rd overall pick in the ’17 QMJHL draft, Poulin (6’3”, 217 lbs) is a budding power-forward who excels at protecting the puck and winning battles along the boards. For a big guy, Poulin is pretty nimble and has shown really good balance and agility when moving the puck around defenders. Has an excellent wrist shot and can shoot it hard on net from the poorest of angles, often forcing the goaltender into making a tough save and losing rebound control, as shown by 82 points (39 goals, 43 assists) in just 63 games in the Q.