Luke SchennThursday, 31 January 2008A brute force from the backend. Schenn plays the physical game that coaches love. He is listed at 6'2 -210 but can... + Read More...
Inside the numbers game of NHL Central Scoutings final list
NHL Central Scouting released their final list of the top North American prospects for the upcoming 2008 NHL Draft, as ranked by them. It is a pretty influential list as far as getting media fanfare and generates a multitude of story angles for various media circles, whether it be the rise of a talented young prospect up the rankings list, or the huge drop of a once promising prospect who somehow has not lived up to the expectations of the NHL C.S. crew.
We at HockeyProspect.com will release our NHL Draft list and Mock Draft list after the completion of the Memorial Cup, to give each player still participating a full chance to be analyzed for their entire body of work this season. A player who successfully performs well on the big stage of the Memorial Cup, could for instance warrant moving up in the draft rankings given the right level of performance.
Having said that, the NHL C.S. draft list is interesting in showing encouraging or disturbing trends in the play of a player. For that reason, we have included three lists below of the top 10 gains made in moving up the rankings and the top 10 biggest drops moving down the rankings, as well as a list of players who werent on the draft list at all and have emerged into the top 150 ranked. Many of these we agree with.
C Luke Adam of the St. Johns Fog Devils of the QMJHL is a highly skilled young player showing great gains in improving his overall game. Currently ranked 66th by NHL Central Scouting, we like this player a lot and think he's under-valued at that number. Luke discusses his season and his thoughts on the upcoming NHL Draft.
No one has been a more captivating story than this guy. Playing with the Cumberland Grads in the CJHL, his rights were traded to Sudbury by the Oshawa Generals as part of the Kevin Baker trade. He promptly signed and absolutely destroyed opposing defences the second he arrived.
He had 14 goals and 32 points in 26 games and a very impressive +10. His points ranked 6th in team scoring despite only playing 26 games and his +10 was tops on the club. The next best on the team was 9.
He showed himself to be a great skater, with a very deceptive stride. He has tremendous vision and is very smart with the puck and makes good decisions. He works very hard on the defensive side of his game and it showed with his +/-. He is seldom out of position. He has excellent puck skills and can dangle with the best players in the OHL. Has a quick hard shot isnt afraid of going into any area on the ice. His speed makes him hard to hit and hes just a shifty type player to begin with.
Soo Greyhounds right winger James Livingston has burst onto the draft radar with a huge break-out season. After registering only 7 points in 60 games in his rookie year last season, he garnered 21 goals and 44 points in 68 games and was a physical force. Currently ranked 42nd by NHL Central Scouting among North American prospects, Livingston discusses how he has improved so much, playing for Coach Hartsburg and his thoughts on being among the top rated players for the NHL Draft.
Goalie Chet Pickard of the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League is the number one ranked goalies among North American prospects, as judged by NHL C.S. for the 2008 NHL Draft. Pickard discusses his season, backing up Montreal Canadiens super rookie Carey Price the previous two years and his thoughts on his season and some other star players in the WHL.
Zach Bogosian of the Peterborough Petes has had a huge breakout season, jumping up the rankings more than anyone, now ranked 3rd by NHL C.S. among north american prospects for the 2008 NHL Draft. A character kid with great offensive instincts and a crushing body check, we like him a lot and think he's going very high in the draft. Zach discusses his season, the draft experience and having both Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr in his life.
Owen Sound Attack goalie Tyler Beskorowany has come a long way in even making it to the OHL, but once here has shone on the big stage for NHL Scouts. Ranked 8th among North American Goalies, Tyler discusses his season and being a top rated prospect.
Paul Lee 6-foot-2, 200 C, shoots R
Good in all 3 zones, smart hockey player who does not forget about defense. Strong player who plays physical and is one of those guys who seems to really enjoy the...
No one has been a more captivating story than this guy. Playing with the Cumberland Grads in the CJHL, his rights were traded to Sudbury by the Oshawa Generals as part of the Kevi...
Mikhail Stefanovich, RW, Quebec Remparts -This Belerussian player was selected 54th overall in the CHL Import draft and that has paid off in spades.At 62, 200 lbs, he has power forward written all over him.
The kid can flat out play. He is not as flashy as some of the D prospects but this kid just does everything right. He almost never makes mental mistakes and seems to be in complete