Habs picks
Jun 23, 2007 6:58:02 GMT -5
Post by buzz on Jun 23, 2007 6:58:02 GMT -5
Size does matter
4. D Ryan McDonagh, 6-1 205, 6-13-1989, Cretin- Durham Minnesota High School, 26 gp – 14 g – 26 a – 40 points.
++ Huge upside, soft hands, good skater, creative
+ Physical, smart
- Needs to prove himself at higher levels.
The best defenseman eligible this year, Ryan McDonagh possesses special ability both with or without the puck. A University of Wisconsin recruit, Ryan was named Mr. Hockey for the top player in Minnesota this season. He is the most complete defenseman in this draft and has terrific upside at both ends of the rink. McDonagh is a swift skater with nimble feet and a quick stride with a very impressive burst of power behind it. His acceleration is especially impressive and he also possesses a great top gear. His agility is superb for a big man as he can twist and turn at top speeds all the while maintaining possession of the puck. Ryan is blessed with exceptional hands and is creative with the puck as he’ll stick handle around the opposition with dangles that look they are coming from a first line forward. He’s composed with the puck, he sees the ice well, and makes a heads up first pass. Ryan is an instinctive passer and also displays impressive creativity while quarterbacking the power play. His hockey sense is superb and he seems to read the play one step quicker than his peers. He has the size and strength a long with an adequate physical edge to be a physical one on one defender. Ryan maintains a healthy gap with his man at all times and because of his swift mobility he can stay with anyone one on one. McDonagh also has exceptional stick work and defensive positioning to make him a formidable defender. He competes hard every night and while he’s already a complete defenseman, there is also tons of upside here and several years from now he will turn out to be the best defenseman taken in the 2007 draft.
16. RW Max Pacioretty, 6-2 205 11-20-1988, Sioux City USHL, 52 gp – 19 g – 36 a – 55 points.
++ Vision and play making
+ Size, top gear, work ethic, hands
- questionable finishing ability.
The best forward available for the 2007 draft out of the USHL and deserves a selection in the first round for his intriguing blend of size, speed, and play making ability . He owns a power forwards body at 6-2 205 with long limbs and strong lower and upper body strength. He’s sturdy on his feet and shows good footwork to fend off checks as well as impressive leg strength. Displays decent agility with good stops and starts. His first step is a bit awkward but once he gains momentum he has a commanding stride as he can really fly with a superb top gear. Pacioretty’s hands are soft with some impressive quick moves. He’s strong on his stick and covers the puck well with his big frame. He’s blessed with exceptional vision and impressive creativity as he emerges as a gifted play maker. Max can thread the needle with a crisp pass through a small lane and displays good touch as he can execute a nifty saucer pass in limited space. He owns a quick shot with good velocity and a quick release, although accuracy still needs to be upgraded as he gets his shots on net but doesn’t pick corners. He does a good job stopping at the net for rebounds and is a useful big body in front to create traffic in front of the goaltender. He began to use his size more away from the puck late in the season. He tracks the puck well as he anticipates the play well and maintains good positioning at both ends of the ice. Pacioretty back checks adequately and marks his man well as he’s a decent two way player. Can get feisty at times but isn’t a power forward. Will attend the University of Michigan next fall.
4. D Ryan McDonagh, 6-1 205, 6-13-1989, Cretin- Durham Minnesota High School, 26 gp – 14 g – 26 a – 40 points.
++ Huge upside, soft hands, good skater, creative
+ Physical, smart
- Needs to prove himself at higher levels.
The best defenseman eligible this year, Ryan McDonagh possesses special ability both with or without the puck. A University of Wisconsin recruit, Ryan was named Mr. Hockey for the top player in Minnesota this season. He is the most complete defenseman in this draft and has terrific upside at both ends of the rink. McDonagh is a swift skater with nimble feet and a quick stride with a very impressive burst of power behind it. His acceleration is especially impressive and he also possesses a great top gear. His agility is superb for a big man as he can twist and turn at top speeds all the while maintaining possession of the puck. Ryan is blessed with exceptional hands and is creative with the puck as he’ll stick handle around the opposition with dangles that look they are coming from a first line forward. He’s composed with the puck, he sees the ice well, and makes a heads up first pass. Ryan is an instinctive passer and also displays impressive creativity while quarterbacking the power play. His hockey sense is superb and he seems to read the play one step quicker than his peers. He has the size and strength a long with an adequate physical edge to be a physical one on one defender. Ryan maintains a healthy gap with his man at all times and because of his swift mobility he can stay with anyone one on one. McDonagh also has exceptional stick work and defensive positioning to make him a formidable defender. He competes hard every night and while he’s already a complete defenseman, there is also tons of upside here and several years from now he will turn out to be the best defenseman taken in the 2007 draft.
16. RW Max Pacioretty, 6-2 205 11-20-1988, Sioux City USHL, 52 gp – 19 g – 36 a – 55 points.
++ Vision and play making
+ Size, top gear, work ethic, hands
- questionable finishing ability.
The best forward available for the 2007 draft out of the USHL and deserves a selection in the first round for his intriguing blend of size, speed, and play making ability . He owns a power forwards body at 6-2 205 with long limbs and strong lower and upper body strength. He’s sturdy on his feet and shows good footwork to fend off checks as well as impressive leg strength. Displays decent agility with good stops and starts. His first step is a bit awkward but once he gains momentum he has a commanding stride as he can really fly with a superb top gear. Pacioretty’s hands are soft with some impressive quick moves. He’s strong on his stick and covers the puck well with his big frame. He’s blessed with exceptional vision and impressive creativity as he emerges as a gifted play maker. Max can thread the needle with a crisp pass through a small lane and displays good touch as he can execute a nifty saucer pass in limited space. He owns a quick shot with good velocity and a quick release, although accuracy still needs to be upgraded as he gets his shots on net but doesn’t pick corners. He does a good job stopping at the net for rebounds and is a useful big body in front to create traffic in front of the goaltender. He began to use his size more away from the puck late in the season. He tracks the puck well as he anticipates the play well and maintains good positioning at both ends of the ice. Pacioretty back checks adequately and marks his man well as he’s a decent two way player. Can get feisty at times but isn’t a power forward. Will attend the University of Michigan next fall.