Posted 27 January 2009 - 07:08 PM
THN hot list 09 write ups
jan 6
1. Jaroslav Janus, G – Erie Otters (OHL): How could he not be No. 1? Janus stole the hearts of hockey fans everywhere – except in Finland and America, where he broke them – and catapulted himself into the draft picture at least for a little while. The Slovakian keeper faced a ton of shots and proved he can win when it counts, even holding off the Swedes for two periods in the semifinal. Draft eligible in 2009 (undrafted in 2008).
5. Jan Kana, RW – Vitkovice Steel Jr. (Cze.): Kana led the Czechs in scoring with six goals and nine points in six games, but more importantly, he showed a willingness to play hard, physical hockey and score against elite competition. Being just 5-foot-8, those are good skills to possess. Kana played with P.E.I. in the Quebec League last year before heading home, where he has lit up the Czech junior ranks with 31 points in 17 games. Draft eligible in 2009 (undrafted in 2008).
9. Juraj Valach, D – HKm Zvolen (Svk.): You’d think being a 6-foot-7, 230-pound Slovak defenseman would open some doors, but Valach had to wait for the quarterfinals against Team USA to get his name on the radar. As you’d guess from his size, Valach is a tower of power on the back end and even chipped in three assists in six games. Very much a late bloomer, there must be an NHL team willing to take a chance on him now. Draft eligible in 2009 (undrafted in 2007 and 2008).
10. Evander Kane, C – Vancouver Giants (WHL): Along with Ryan Ellis, Kane did the most for his draft stock in Ottawa; Tavares, Hedman and Svensson-Paajarvi are all locked in the top-five, but Kane made the most of his time on Canada’s energy line. He played perhaps his best game in the final, showing speed and poise. Six points in six games isn’t bad, either. Draft eligible in 2009.
jan 13
1. Brandon Pirri, C – Georgetown Raiders (OPJHL): While most of the cameras were focused on Ottawa over the Christmas break, Pirri and his Jr. A mates were defending the Canadian flag on another front, at the World Jr. A Challenge in British Columbia. Though Pirri’s Canada East squad would settle for bronze, the pivot led the team in scoring with seven points in four games.
“It’s a whole different game when you’re playing for your country,” Pirri said. “Everyone played with their hearts on the line.”
This season, Pirri has put everything on the line, tallying 72 points in 34 games split between Georgetown and the team that traded him, the Streetsville Derbys.
“It’s a more structured program here,” Pirri said of the Raiders. “It’s a little older of a group and hopefully we can take a run at the RBC Cup.”
With a commitment to R.P.I., Pirri will be bound for upstate New York next season and though he will be drafted this year, he is in no hurry to get to the NHL.
“For me to be successful, I need to get bigger,” he said. “I think I haven’t fully developed. By playing consistently well, scouts will see that I’m a player, that I’m a leader and that I can take a team far. My work ethic defines me as a player.”
With his offense, Pirri can make it happen and is equally adept at playmaking as he is with scoring.
“I like to have the puck on my stick,” he noted. So far, the Raiders have enjoyed it too.
Draft eligible in 2009.
2. Nazem Kadri, C – London Knights (OHL): He’s the one wearing No. 91 in London, but the addition of Tavares will give Kadri some needed exposure as broken jaw hindered his world junior aspirations. With 47 points in 30 games, the slick center can do it all himself and gaudy stats never hurt in your draft year. Draft eligible in 2009.
5. Dmitry Kulikov, D – Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL): After a successful WJC appearance, Kulikov and the Volts will be looking for more than a bronze medal in the second half. Still more than a point-per-game player from the blueline, the young Russian is also a solid plus-20. Draft eligible in 2009.
7. John Moore, D – Chicago Steel (USHL): Ranked highly by Central Scouting right now, Moore is rounding into a real nice prospect this season. He leads all United States League defensemen in scoring with 27 points in 29 games, with just more than half that production coming on the power play and a couple shorthanded points to boot. Moore has an NHL frame to work with, so the draft combine could be huge for him. Draft eligible in 2009.
8. Simon Despres, D – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL): As the top-ranked player in the ‘Q’ according to Central Scouting, Despres will be one to watch down the stretch, especially since he has vaulted past big names such as Kadri and Jared Cowen in the North American rankings. At 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, the defenseman is an imposing figure. Draft eligible in 2009.
9. Edward Pasquale, G – Saginaw Spirit (OHL): Pasquale’s .913 save percentage isn’t bad, but it’s the fact he has seen a league-high 1,257 shots and maintained decent stats that make this workhorse one to watch. The burly Pasquale (6-foot-2, 216 pounds) is the top-rated North American goalie according to Central Scouting. Draft eligible in 2009.
10. Jordan Caron, RW – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL): A solidly built winger, Caron will get a chance to shine on the national stage in the Memorial Cup thanks to his Oceanic hosting the event. He currently sits at 30 points in 32 games. Draft eligible in 2009.
jan 20
2. Landon Ferraro, C – Red Deer Rebels (WHL): Ferraro, son of former NHLer Ray, won the fastest skater competition at the Canadian League Top Prospects Game and his buzz has been growing all season long. With 43 points in 45 games, Ferraro will easily double his offensive output from last year, likely in a week or two. Draft eligible in 2009.
3. Jared Cowen, D – Spokane Chiefs (WHL): Cowen was the No. 3 rated pick coming into the season and due to some high-profile performances by his peers, has been a little slept on lately. But you can’t teach size and the 6-foot-5, 218-pound blueliner was solid in the Top Prospects Game and already has a Memorial Cup run under his belt, so he knows how to win. Draft eligible in 2009.
4. Zack Kassian, RW – Peterborough Petes (OHL): I’ve been waiting to jump on the Kassian bandwagon, and now I firmly can. Sure, he’ll likely be known as the guy who nailed John Tavares at the Top Prospects Game, but Kassian is so much more. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder can throw his weight around, but he’s looked real dangerous offensively for the Petes lately and has 43 points in 39 games to prove it. Draft eligible in 2009.
7. Brayden Schenn, C – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): Another high draft candidate with family ties (older brother Luke plays for the Leafs), Schenn is the reigning Dub player of the week thanks to some sublime playmaking skills. He posted six assists and seven points in his past two games and the Wheat Kings haven’t lost in regulation for 13 straight games. Draft eligible in 2009.
8. Jacob Josefson, C – Djurgardens (Swe.): Josefson clearly has his fans and his detractors in Sweden, because he didn’t get much play at the world juniors, but definitely has potential. Playing in the Elite League, he has seven points in 37 games, but his draft stock is still quite high. Draft eligible in 2009.
9. Olivier Roy, G – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL): Roy may or may not be the top goalie available in the draft right now, depending on who you talk to, but around here there’s no question. The Screaming Eagles netminder was killer in the Top Prospects Game and stats aren’t everything in the ‘Q.’ Draft eligible in 2009.
10. Calvin de Haan, D – Oshawa Generals (OHL): The Gens lost a lot of firepower with the trading of John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto, so the rest of the season will act as a showcase for de Haan, who has been consistently effective from the blueline. His 43 points in 44 games ranks fourth among all Ontario League defensemen. Draft eligible in 2009.
jan 27
1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D – Leksands Stars (Swe): A third-generation player, Ekman-Larsson is showing off a range of good traits in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-highest circuit. A blueliner with great offensive upside, the youngster has 16 points in 35 games and is a staggering plus-39; in fact, he's only been on the ice for seven opposing goals all season. Draft eligible in 2009.
2. Brayden Schenn, C – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): After the first couple picks in this year’s draft, who gets selected in what order becomes a mystery. There’s a coven of strong forwards available and a couple of stud defensemen; almost the inverse of last year. For Brandon’s Schenn, he knows how he will distinguish himself.
“One thing that separates me is the physical aspect and my two-way game,” he said, dropping Mike Richards and Jarome Iginla as career models.
And while the draft is always a nerve-wracking experience for a young man, at least Schenn won’t be there alone. His linemate, Scott Glennie, is also a potential first-rounder.
“We’re going through the same things at the same time,” Schenn noted.
This season, the trend was an early graduation to the NHL for many high-ranking draft picks, but don’t look for Schenn or Glennie to make the jump right away. It’s not that the drive or talent isn’t there, but Brandon will be hosting the Memorial Cup next season, meaning an automatic berth for the Wheat Kings and a raucous home crowd supporting them.
“Not many guys get a chance to play in the Memorial Cup,” Schenn said. “There’s always a buzz around town and they treat us well.”
When Brayden does make it to the show, he can also get pointers from older brother Luke, Toronto’s prized rookie blueliner. And depending on how high the Leafs pick in this year’s draft, they might have to add an “L.” to the back of the defenseman’s jersey.
Draft eligible in 2009.
3. Alexander Fallstrom, RW – Shattuck St. Mary's Sabres (Minn. HS): Tied for the team lead in scoring with fellow Euro Erik Haula at 49 points, Fallstrom is part of yet another impressive Shattuck's team. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, he's got a nice frame to work with as well. Draft eligible in 2009.
4. Mikko Koskinen, G – Espoo Blues (Fin): A mature choice for this year's draft at age 20, Koskinen is nonetheless justifying his No. 2 rank among Central Scouting's Euro goaltenders. In 20 games for the Blues this year, the netminder has a .923 save percentage and ranks in the top five of all goalies with a 2.08 goals-against average. Draft eligible in 2009.
8. Brandon Hynes, RW – Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL): A whippet at 5-foot-8, 170 pounds, the 16-year-old Hynes is already carving a nice niche for himself as a prolific sniper on the power play; 10 of his 18 goals have come on the man advantage and he has three game-winners as well. The future looks bright for the kid luckily born one day before the draft eligibility deadline. Draft eligible in 2010.
10. Dylan Olsen, D – Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL): Leaning towards playing NCAA next year, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound blueliner is a popular kid right now thanks to his frame and his upside. Olsen is the top-ranked Jr. A player for this year’s draft, according to Central Scouting. Draft eligible in 2009.
thanks canuckforever00
luongo win tracker- 3 down 47 to go imo lu will be the 1st goalie to 50 wins
chickenman92 
chickenman92, on Jan 20 2009, 02:46 PM, said:
Champions of Nothing 
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