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Thursday, 29 July 2010 20:40 - Nikita Filatov: Prospect Report

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:40:37 +0100

Nikita Filatov

Class 2008 – 1st round (6th overall)

Born: May 25, 1990 in Moscow, Russia

Height: 5-11

Weight:171 lb

Nikita Filatov finds himself on the list of offensively gifted forwards imported from Mother Russia, one that is not bolting for the KHL but possibly joining his NHL team.

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:35 - Alex Plante: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:35:55 +0100

Alex Plante

Class of 2007 - 1st round (15th overall)

Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers

NHL Translation: Defensive Defenseman with Offensive Upside

NHL Comparible: Rob Blake

"Plante, agility wise has to get better. He might be a little more gifted on the offensive side compared to (Karl) Alzner."

Bob Brown, Scout, Edmonton Oilers

"We just liked the potential. He's 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. We feel he's probably gonna be 230, 235 when he's ready to play in the NHL, but his hockey sense is great."

Kevin Prendergast, Head Scout, Edmonton Oilers

“As far as a comparison, he reminds me an awful lot of where Rob Blake was when he played college. Rob was probably a little bit more physical but they both move the puck well, they both had to improve their skating a little bit, and they both had to improve their physical play. Alex has done that this year. We’re really looking forward to seeing what he can do in training camp.”

Kevin Prendergast, Head Scout, Edmonton Oilers

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:33 - Scott Glennie: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:33:54 +0100

Scott Glennie

Class of 2009 - 1st round (8th overall)

Drafted by the Dallas Stars

NHL Translation: First Line Winger or Center

NHL Comparible:

“Scott is a gifted offensive player. He is a tremendous skater, an excellent puck handler, and scores many different ways. He has huge upside.”

Kelly McCrimmon, Head Coach/GM, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

"Glennie might remind the fan of NHL players with power forward abilities coming off the wall like Jonathan Cheechoo and Jonathan Toews -- that kind of offensive ability.”

E.J. McGuire, Director of NHL Central Scouting

"Lately actually a few of the guys on my team told me I play like Ales Hemsky. I think I do play a little like him, just the way he skates around out there, sees the ice. He's got a great shot and makes plays."

Scott Glennie

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:30 - Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:30:38 +0100

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Class of 2009 - 1st round (6th overall)

Drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes

NHL Translation: #1 Defenseman

NHL Comparible: Scott Niedermeyer

"Oliver likes to play offensively, often carrying the puck into the neutral zone. He has the frame, speed and skill to dominate. He is a smooth skater and can handle the puck at top speed, but needs to use his size to his advantage more. He often quarterbacks the power-play and has a hard shot from the blue line.”

NHL European Scouting Service

“His skating and his puck game are just a step above everybody on the ice.”

Don Maloney, GM, Phoenix Coyotes

"Ekman-Larsson is a very confident skater with excellent offensive skills. His shot can be compared to that of pro level players, however it takes time to get off at times. He has great transitionally offensive ability and can start the rush effectively and quickly. Has a strong ability to throw some crushing hits and is a very steady performer. He is very difficult to get around as he in impressively mobile and angles out very well."

International Scouting Services

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:28 - Michal Repik: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:28:08 +0100

Michal Repik

Class of 2007 - 2nd round (40th overall)

Drafted by the Florida Panthers

NHL Translation: Enigmatic Winger

NHL Comparible:

"A skilled forward with good hands. Is a quick and shifty skater. Has good on-ice awareness and is opportunistic in the offensive zone. Needs to get better at fighting through checks. Needs to improve his effectiveness in traffic."

NHL Central Scouting

"He has good skills. His hands and vision are real good.”

Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

“Michal had a great playoffs. He’s a smart two-way player who was highly rated on our lists. We couldn’t pass up on him. Jacques (Martin) saw him play in the Memorial Cup and was impressed with his good hockey sense.”

Scott Luce, Director of Scouting, Florida Panthers

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:25 - Ondrej Pavelec: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:25:24 +0100

Ondrej Pavelec

Class of 2005 - 2nd round (41st overall)

Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers

NHL Translation: #1 or #1a Goalie

NHL Comparible:

"Has an ultracompetitive nature and anticipates developing plays very well. He's positionally sound and has a great temperament. Though Pavelec doesn't handle the puck well and needs work on his rebound control, he can steal games by himself and is a take-charge guy who gives teammates confidence."

Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

"A classic stand-up goalkeeper with a huge frame; possesses an outstanding glove and is rarely caught out of position."

International Scouting Services

"He's a great guy to teach. If I tell him something, he does it right away. If I tell him to play 50 games in 50 days, he'll be 'OK.'"

Wendell Young, Assistant Coach, Chicago Wolves

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:22 - Eric Tangradi: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:22:45 +0100

Eric Tangradi

Class of 2007 - 2nd round (42nd overall)

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks

NHL Translation: Power Forward

NHL Comparible: Ryan Malone

Eric is a very proud young man, one of the elite offensive players in our league last year. Simply put, he wants to be in there when the game's on the line."

George Burnett, GM/Head Coach, Belleville Bulls

"We had him as a potential first-round pick. I saw him play after his draft year and said, 'Oh, geez, I wish we would have gotten that player.'"

Jay Heinbuck, Head of Amateur Scouting, Pittsburgh Penguins

"I'm a gritty, tough left winger. I mean, I'm not going to score those highlight-reel goals. I think (the Penguins) pay a lot of guys to score the really nice ones. I'm going to score a lot in the blue paint."

Eric Tangradi

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:20 - Artem Anisimov: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:20:07 +0100

Artem Anisimov

Class of 2006 - 2nd round (54th overall)

Drafted by the New York Rangers

NHL Translation: 1st or 2nd Line Centre

NHL Comparible: Sergei Fedorov

"Solid skater with with deceptive moves...moves well for a player of his size...has good skills but needs to improve his overall skill...very good playmaker and passer with good vision...a solid two-way player who understands his defensive responsibilities."

NHL Central Scouting

"He possesses all the tools to be a dominant power centre: size, strength, skating ability, vision, soft hands, and a great feel for the game."

International Scouting Services

"I'm also looking forward to seeing what [Artem] Anisimov can do, though it's probably too much to ask of a [21-year-old] rookie to play in that role. But I'm not ruling it out, either. That first-line center spot is wide open."

John Tortorella, Head Coach, New York Rangers

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:17 - Jesse Joensuu: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:17:32 +0100

Jesse Joensuu

Class of 2006 - 2nd round (60th overall)

Drafted by the New York Islanders

NHL Translation: Power Forward

NHL Comparible: Olli Jokinen

"I have good size, but can still skate with speed. I like to go one-on-one with the defense. I try to play like Eric Staal and my countryman Olli Jokinen because they are both good power forwards and they also have leadership qualities."

Jesse Joensuu

"Jesse is a very good two-way player. He is mature for his age after playing for a number of years in the Finnish Elite League. Joensuu is a great addition because of his size, but also because of his skills."

Vellu Kautonen, Finnish Scout, NY Islanders

"Huge winger is a horse who battles and has good hands with the creativity of a much smaller man. Handles the puck well-has some dangle and can make moves off the rush. Biggest weapon in his arsenal is a dynamic, major league shot with a quick release--mayhave the heaviest shot in the entire draft."

Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

Monday, 03 August 2009 14:14 - Nicklas Bergfors: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:14:58 +0100

Nicklas Bergfors

Class of 2005 - 1st round (23rd overall)

Drafted by the New Jersey Devils

NHL Translation:

NHL Comparible:

"We have to give Nicklas Bergfors a chance to play."

Lou Lamoriello, GM, New Jersey Devils

"He is a hard working forward with a lot of offensive skills. He likes to drive to the net, and is very dangerous around the net. Bergfors protects the puck very well and showed good stick handling skills. He doesn’t need many chances to score."

International Scouting Service

"Dominating at the junior level and playing stong in limited ice time at the senior level. Plays a very mature two-way game."

Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:58 - Simeon Varlamov: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:58:44 +0100

Simeon Varlamov

Class of 2006 - 1st round (23rd overall)

Drafted by the Washington Capitals

NHL Translation: Starting Goalie

NHL Comparible:

"He was drafted because we thought he was going to be a good one."

George McPhee, GM, Washington Capitals

"He reacts hard. His reflexes are excellent, so he almost can't help himself. But I've been real pleased with his discipline and control. He's done a better job of controlling at this level than he did in the minors. Maybe that's because there's uniformity with his teammates here and maybe down there at times things got scrambly. The luxury with him is that when he does screw up that way, he has the physical ability to bail himself out. It takes a lot to recover and make that extra save, but he's capable of it."

Dave Prior, Goalie Coach, Washington Capitals

"In practice, shooting on him, he's tremendous. He's so quick and so calm. It's tough to find a hole on him. Even when the puck comes through two or three players, he still seems to see it and react to it. He's been incredible for us."

Mike Green, Defenseman, Washington Capitals

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:55 - Al Montoya: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:55:47 +0100

Al Montoya

Class of 2004 - 1st round (6th overall)

Drafted by the New York Rangers

NHL Translation: #1 or #1a Goalie

NHL Comparible:

"He's a natural athlete turned goalkeeper."

Kyle Woodlief, Red Line Report

"He handles the puck extremely well, is very mobile and relishes big games. There's nothing not to like."

Don Maloney, GM, Phoenix Coyotes

"He's special. He's got an outstanding temperament. He's extremely athletic. He's a leader. His game rises to the expectations of whatever he needs to do. He's a player that can carry a team on his back."

Lew Mongelluzzo, Scout, Ottawa Senators

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:53 - Jake Gardiner: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:53:44 +0100

Jake Gardiner

Class of 2008 - 1st round (17th overall)

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks

NHL Translation: Dynamic #1 Defenseman

NHL Comparible: Scott Niedermeyer

"Jake's biggest attribute is that he might be one of the best skaters in the draft -- he is just a pure skater. He used to be a forward and they made him a defensemen a few years ago -- and he loves being a defenseman. He is smart with the puck, unselfish and he's careful. He is another one that has grown all year, I had him measured at 6-foot (and) he might be almost 6-foot-2 and that's been not even a year. He's a greyhound right now, wiry, but he'll fill out. He is dynamic when he grabs the puck and goes. He has a very quick, dangerous wrist shot -- he gets it away like Joe Sakic does. The dimension of his quickness fools goalies. I liken him to Bret Hedican when he was in high school, but maybe a little more polished. He's an easy player to like."

Jack Barzee, NHL Central Scouting

"Jake is one of the best skaters in the draft, if not the best. He is good on the power play and brings an offensive dynamic that you don't often find in a defenseman."

Alain Chainey, Director of Amateur Scouting, Anaheim Ducks

“If you asked all 30 teams on the floor to describe Jake Gardiner in one word, they would say – speed. He can fly. He’s a great skater. We think he’s going to develop and fill out and learn the game. We think his upside is terrific.”

Brian Burke, ex-GM, Anaheim Ducks

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:50 - Chet Pickard: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:50:41 +0100

Chet Pickard

Class of 2008 - 1st round (18th overall)

Drafted by the Nashville Predators

NHL Translation: Starting Goalie

NHL Comparible: Olaf Kolzig

“He is very strong in his crease and he isn't predictable. His net coverage is very good and he reads the play well. I think he presents himself very well in the net and he has very good goalie instincts. He is very consistent, which is a big positive."

Al Jensen, NHL Central Scouting

"Chet has done a really good job of being Chet Pickard ... he's a much calmer goalie than he was say, a year and a half ago. He doesn't waste a lot of movement and he's learned to use his size and I think he emulates a lot of what Carey (Price) did in net."

Don Nauchbaur, Head Coach, Tri-City Americans

"I think he is very athletic and strong. His athletic ability is better than those his age and he's mentally a physically stronger than other players."

Corey Hirsch, Goalie Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:48 - Matt Gilroy: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:48:02 +0100

Matt Gilroy

Undrafted

Signed as UFA by the New York Rangers

NHL Translation: Top-4 Defenseman

NHL Comparible:

"There's your poster boy for all the generalizations that scouts make. Sure, his dad played basketball. But nobody at a draft table is going to say, `This kid from Bellmore, Long Island, who's 5-foot-6. What are we doing here? Don't tell me about his dad." (Gilroy is now 6-2, 205)

E.J. McGuire, NHL Central Scouting

"I think those kids are more physically mature than me, to be honest with you. The reason why I was such a late bloomer is because I didn't hit puberty until I was 18 years old. I still don't even shave, and I'm 24. It's embarrassing, but it happened. My dad told me, "Don't worry. One day you'll thank me for your genetics,' and I'm thanking him now."

Matt Gilroy

"I've been here 36 years, and he's been as good a captain as I've ever seen, day in and day out, in a bunch of different areas."

Jack Parker, Head Coach, Boston University

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:45 - Ryan Ellis: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:45:23 +0100

Ryan Ellis

Class of 2009 - 1st round (11th overall)

Drafted by the Nashville Predators

NHL Translation: Powerplay Quarterback

NHL Comparible:

"This is probably the most dynamic player in the draft, and by far the best offensive defenseman in the draft. This will be the guy that could be a big offensive defenseman in the National Hockey League. He will be running the power play and he can help us be the offensive team we are striving to be."

David Poile, GM, Nashville Predators

"I've only been in the OHL three years and other coaches I talk to, they've never seen a defenseman have an impact in a junior game like Ryan Ellis. He seems to be in on every play defensively and offensively. If you come away from the game and you look at who was your favorite player, who played the best, his name always seems to come to mind."

Bob Boughner, Head Coach, Windsor Spitfires

“He's a really smart, heady defenseman. His puck movement is excellent and the way he moves the puck around the zone is excellent. He's a real high-end offensive guy. He's got a great shot and he gets it through to the net. A lot of guys have their shots blocked, but he's got a real knack for getting it through, and that leads to a lot of tip-in and rebound goals. He's a smaller guy, but he's not afraid of taking the body. He shows no fear of getting involved in scrums, he's not intimidated.”

Chris Edwards, NHL Central Scouting

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:42 - John Carlson: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:42:49 +0100

John Carlson

Class of 2008 - 1st round (27th overall)

Drafted by the Washington Capitals

NHL Translation: #1 Defenseman

NHL Comparible:

"John Carlson is a big burly defensemen, he is a real good skater and a strong skater. He runs the power-play from the top of the umbrella and he has a very heavy shot. He's a very self-assured kid and rightfully so – he's a boy, yet in a man's body and very physically strong ... I knew when I first saw him that he was a first-round pick. He was a guy I had seen before as an under-ager. He had all the tools – size, skill, physical presence and charisma."

Jack Barzee, NHL Central Scouting

"When I look at John Carlson, I just see pro written all over him. He's big, strong, can absolutely rip it. He's good on his feet and agile for a big kid. He's poised at all times and just has the mind for the game. He never gets rattled ... as a coach, you know what you are going to get every time John goes out on the ice."

Charlie Skodt, Head Coach, Indiana Ice

"He's very smart, so he developed very quickly. He has the will to play, he wants to play in the National Hockey League and he does it with a smile. He's a guy like Alex Ovechkin; he's always got a smile on his face when he's playing. When you enjoy the game, you develop quicker. He played very well for me. In the playoffs there, I was playing him 35, 40 minutes a game and he just ate it up. He's a great skater, has a good mind for the game and he's going to take a very, very good run at playing in the National Hockey League next year because of his skill level. There's no fear to his game. He's going have a great career as a 'D' in the National Hockey League."

Dale Hunter, Head Coach, London Knights

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:40 - Tyler Ennis: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:40:36 +0100

Tyler Ennis

Class of 2008 - 1st round (26th overall)

Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres

NHL Translation: Top 6 Forward

NHL Comparible: Cliff Ronning

"Tyler is a quick, 'water-bug'-type player. He scoots up and down the ice and can turn on a dime. He can drive wide on a defenseman who is unaware or a little slow. Tyler may be one of the best pure offensive players in the entire draft."

E.J. McGuire, NHL Central Scouting

"He's so, so fast. I think he's one of the toughest guys in the league to handle. He wants to score so bad on every shift and Tyler's quickness down low in the corner is why he's so hard to handle."

Willie Desjardins, Head Coach, Medicine Hat Tigers

"It was a pretty special night. He has so much talent one-on-one. He is just a really high-end guy." (After Ennis scored all 6 goals in a 6-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders).

Willie Desjardins, Head Coach, Medicine Hat Tigers

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:31 - Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:31:50 +0100

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson

Class of 2009 - 1st round (10th overall)

Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers

NHL Translation: Slick Scoring 1st Line Winger

NHL Comparible: Mats Naslund

"The sky is the limit for Magnus. He's a very skilled and creative player. Magnus is a player who has a good attitude and does his best every game and practice. He wants to improve and he likes the challenge."

Stephan Lundh, Head Coach, Timra (SEL)

"Magnus perhaps is the stereotype of the skilled Swede coming over here in recent years – outside speed extraordinaire, ability to freeze defenders and make all his good moves work even more effectively. He was a good contributor to his team at the World Junior tournament and I think will be an essential member of any NHL team in years to come. He showed, at the World Junior championships, why the 1980 comparisons to Mats Naslund, Kent Nilsson and more recently a Peter Forsberg will follow him over to his NHL team. He’ll be a high draft pick and I’m sure he’s going to be a combination of the kind of offensive flare and skills that have made those other three predecessors great NHL players."

E.J. McGuire, NHL Central Scouting

"He is absolutely fearless on the ice. He is a great skater. With his moves, he's creating scoring chances both for himself and for his teammates. He is a guy that can go straight for the net and make things happen -- just with his speed and his energy."

Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting

Monday, 03 August 2009 13:29 - Nazem Kadri: Prospect Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:29:47 +0100

Nazem Kadri

Class of 2009 - 1st round (7th overall)

Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL Translation: Playmaking Center

NHL Comparible: Vincent Lecavalier

“He's big, lanky and skilled. He uses his size to accentuate his puck skills. Size, reach, stick handling ability, those long kinds of stick movements that Mario (Lemieux) used to make, like (Vincent) Lecavalier makes.”

E.J. McGuire, NHC Central Scouting

"Naz is a guy who brings a lot of skill. He's a guy who handles the puck really well and sees the ice really well, as well. He's able to find the open guys when it seems like everyone is covered and there's not much area to put the puck in. If he's got to put it through a few skates or a few sticks, he always seems to get it there. He's a solid two-way guy who's got the experience and what it takes to be a winner."

John Tavares, New York Islanders

"He's got some of the best hands in the Ontario Hockey League, if not the CHL. He's always a threat on the ice to score. He's really a man you have to look out for whenever you're on against him."

Peter Holland, Forward, Guelph Storm