An early look at the 2003 draft
Jan 6, 2003 21:42:33 GMT -5
Post by MPLABBE on Jan 6, 2003 21:42:33 GMT -5
Well, here we are...at the midway point and with the Habs 17th overall in the NHL...that means we are looking at a potential top 15 pick...
It's a great draft...and there is alot of skill players with size available
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/ncaastats.htm
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/ohlstats.htm
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/qmjhlstats.htm
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/whlstats.htm
Here is HF's top 30 list of prospects:
www.hockeysfuture.com/Decrankings.php
1. Nikolai Zherdev --C--Russia
The early favorite for the top spot, Nikolai is the most explosive player in the draft. A pure offensive forward, Zherdev is an expert stickhandler with an impressive arsenal of shots. Lack of passing game is his only flaw.
2. Nathan Horton --C--Oshawa
Has power forward's makeup - good size and toughness. Horton is an excellent skater with a hard shot. Has good understanding of the game - due for a breakout year.
3. Milan Michalek --LW--Czech Republic
Arguably the top two-way forward in the draft, Michalek is a playmaking center with excellent puck skills and effortless skating ability. Will give Zherdev a run for #1 spot, but faces a challenging year in the Extraleague.
4. Eric Staal --C--Peterborough
A versatile centerman with exemplary hockey sense, excellent puck skills and playmaking ability. Has good size and is defensively aware - but is not physically punishing.
5. Braydon Coburn --D--Portland
A big, hulking blueliner with an edge. Coburn has excellent strength for his age and is a dominant specimen along the boards. Excellent puckhandler - number will increase with more special teams duty.
6. Marc-Andre Fleury --G--Cape Breton
The QMJHL delivers yet again. A pure butterfly goalie, Fleury is already the cream of the crop in the league. He possesses an excellent glove-hand and thrives playing the angles.
7. Dustin Brown --RW--Guelph
A pure offensive talent, Brown is coming off a 41-goal sophomore season with Guelph. Dustin's puck skills are top-notch, but his all-around game still requires work.
8. Patrick O'Sullivan --C--Mississauga
A pure sniper with excellent playmaking and stickhandling abilities. Could pass the century mark in points this season in the OHL. His situation after being sent home by coach Ludzik will have to be monitored.
9. Robert Nilsson --LW--Sweden
His game has been compared to Peter Forsberg's - Nilsson is a playmaker with good hockey sense and willingness to play the body. Had a disappointing showing at the U-18 tournament in April.
10. Danny Fritsche --C--Sarnia
Coming off an injury-riddled year, Fritsche has a history of shoulder problems. A crafty playmaker with a physical element to his game, Danny needs a healthy year to fully establish himself.
11. Ryan Suter --D--US Development
The son of Bob Suter - the member of US 1980 'Miracle on Ice" squad. Ryan is a promising offensive defenseman who excells as a puck distributor. Member of the gold-medal winning US U-18 squad last spring.
12. Konstantin Glazachev --LW--Russia
Skilled forward has recently made his Russian Superleague debut. A speedy winger with a booming shot, Konstantin can mix it up physically as well. Good confidence and goes to the net aggressively.
13. Zach Parise --C--North Dakota
All he seems to lack is size. Extremely gifted offensive player who can create and finish. Thrives in the open ice but will also get involved along the boards. Very strong on special teams and has very good hockey sense.
It's a great draft...and there is alot of skill players with size available
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/ncaastats.htm
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/ohlstats.htm
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/qmjhlstats.htm
www.hockeysfuture.com/Stats/whlstats.htm
Here is HF's top 30 list of prospects:
www.hockeysfuture.com/Decrankings.php
1. Nikolai Zherdev --C--Russia
The early favorite for the top spot, Nikolai is the most explosive player in the draft. A pure offensive forward, Zherdev is an expert stickhandler with an impressive arsenal of shots. Lack of passing game is his only flaw.
2. Nathan Horton --C--Oshawa
Has power forward's makeup - good size and toughness. Horton is an excellent skater with a hard shot. Has good understanding of the game - due for a breakout year.
3. Milan Michalek --LW--Czech Republic
Arguably the top two-way forward in the draft, Michalek is a playmaking center with excellent puck skills and effortless skating ability. Will give Zherdev a run for #1 spot, but faces a challenging year in the Extraleague.
4. Eric Staal --C--Peterborough
A versatile centerman with exemplary hockey sense, excellent puck skills and playmaking ability. Has good size and is defensively aware - but is not physically punishing.
5. Braydon Coburn --D--Portland
A big, hulking blueliner with an edge. Coburn has excellent strength for his age and is a dominant specimen along the boards. Excellent puckhandler - number will increase with more special teams duty.
6. Marc-Andre Fleury --G--Cape Breton
The QMJHL delivers yet again. A pure butterfly goalie, Fleury is already the cream of the crop in the league. He possesses an excellent glove-hand and thrives playing the angles.
7. Dustin Brown --RW--Guelph
A pure offensive talent, Brown is coming off a 41-goal sophomore season with Guelph. Dustin's puck skills are top-notch, but his all-around game still requires work.
8. Patrick O'Sullivan --C--Mississauga
A pure sniper with excellent playmaking and stickhandling abilities. Could pass the century mark in points this season in the OHL. His situation after being sent home by coach Ludzik will have to be monitored.
9. Robert Nilsson --LW--Sweden
His game has been compared to Peter Forsberg's - Nilsson is a playmaker with good hockey sense and willingness to play the body. Had a disappointing showing at the U-18 tournament in April.
10. Danny Fritsche --C--Sarnia
Coming off an injury-riddled year, Fritsche has a history of shoulder problems. A crafty playmaker with a physical element to his game, Danny needs a healthy year to fully establish himself.
11. Ryan Suter --D--US Development
The son of Bob Suter - the member of US 1980 'Miracle on Ice" squad. Ryan is a promising offensive defenseman who excells as a puck distributor. Member of the gold-medal winning US U-18 squad last spring.
12. Konstantin Glazachev --LW--Russia
Skilled forward has recently made his Russian Superleague debut. A speedy winger with a booming shot, Konstantin can mix it up physically as well. Good confidence and goes to the net aggressively.
13. Zach Parise --C--North Dakota
All he seems to lack is size. Extremely gifted offensive player who can create and finish. Thrives in the open ice but will also get involved along the boards. Very strong on special teams and has very good hockey sense.