Following is an early-season look at the Top 50 players available for the
1998 NHL Draft. The draft is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 1998 at
Buffalo’s Marine Midland Arena.
1. Vincent Lecavalier-C-Rimouski-6-3/177–With a blend of speed, quickness,
great puck skills and excellent on-ice vision, Lecavalier is a dynamic
offensive force. While earlier comparisons to Mario Lemieux may be
unwarranted, Lecavalier could be a superstar. He needs to get stronger,
improve his playa way from the puck and raise his intensity level.
2. Manny Malhotra-C-Guelph-6-2/205–A strong two-way pivot who knows how to
create offense. Malhotra is strong on his skates and a fine playmaker who is
willing to battle along the boards. He is also a team leader who thrives
under pressure.
3. Brad Stuart-D-Regina-6-1/200–A solid, steady blueliner, Stuart is a
prototypical defenseman. He has good size and strength, moves the puck out
of danger effectively, and is a smart one-on-one defender. He also has an
excellent shot and recovery speed.
4. Rico Fata-C-London-5-11/200–One of the most talented players in the
draft, Fata remains a bit of a mystery. With all his talent, why hasn’t he
put it all together yet? The physical tools are there, but it’s the
intangibles that has teams concerned. His status as a high-end pick could be
in danger.
5. Bryan Allen-D-Oshawa-6-3/200–Composure, confidence and hockey smarts have
helped Allen emerge as a can’t-miss prospect. Allen’s future lies ahead as a
stay-at-home defenseman, but he can still help out on offense. He still
tends to get caught out of position at times.
6. David Legwand-C-Plymouth-6-2/175–A pure finesse forward with blazing
speed, Legwand has game-breaking talent. He’s made a smooth adjustment to
the OHL, utilizing his skating ability, great passing touch and accurate
shot. He’s trying to toughen up and make a commitment to the defensive game.
7. Patrick Desrochers-G-Sarnia-6-3/200–A big, stand-up goalie who likes to
challenge shooters and play the angles. He is fundamentally sound, quick on
his feet and he can handle the puck behind the net. However he gets caught
overanticipating and leaning the wrong way.
8. Scott Gomez-C-Tri-City-5-11/175–Opting to go the major junior route
instead of the collegiate ranks, Gomez is a shifty center with terrific
acceleration and a fine passing touch. He is a bit undersized, but he rarely
takes a big hit. He is especially dangerous when given time to set up in the
offensive zone.
9. Mikko Jokela-D-Finland-6-1-207–The top rated European on most teams
scouting lists, Jokela is an all-around defenseman with fine puck skills and
a knowledge of how to play defense. He’s a smart player who doesn’t panic,
and he has a great shot from the point, while playing on Europe’s large ice
surfaces has helped him become a fine skater.
10.Robyn Regehr-D-Kamloops-6-3/215–Regehr possesses impressive size and
strength and decent puck skills. He is a solid defender and a good team
player, who only needs more experience and maturity.
11.Stephen Peat-D-Red Deer-6-3/195
12.Mike Van Ryn-D-U. of Michigan-6-2/185
13.Mathieu Biron-D-Shawinigan-6-6/216
14.Alex Tanguay-C-Halifax-6-0/175
15.Norm Milley-RW-Sudbury-6-0/190
16.Justin Papineau-C-Belleville-5-11/170
17.Mark Bell-LW-Ottawa-6-3/175
18.Jonathan Girard-D-Laval-5-11/183
19.Dmitri Kalinin-D-Russia-6-0/180
20.Michael Henrich-RW-Barrie-6-3/195
21.Kevin Holdridge-D-Plymouth-6-3/200
22.Jonathan Cheechoo-RW-Belleville-6-0/190
23.Jake McCracken-G-S.S. Marie-5-11-160
24.Jeff Jillson-D-Plymouth-6-2/205
25.Eric Laplante-LW-Halifax-6-0/190
26.Francois Beauchemin-D-Laval-6-0/180
27.Jeff Nielsen-C-Calgary-6-1-175
28.Philippe Sauve-G-Rimouski-6-0/175
29.Milan Kraft-C-Czech-6-3/185
30.Kip Brennan-D-Windsor-6-2/195
31.Mathieu Chouinard-G-Shawinigan-6-3/185
32.Geoff Koch-LW-U. of Michigan-6-1/180
33.Michael Rupp-LW-Windsor-6-5/215
34.Bobby Allen-D-Boston College-6-1/200
35.Ryan Van Buskirk-D-Sarnia-6-1/185
36.Maxim Kraev-RW-Russia-6-0/180
37.Brent Gauvreau-C-Oshawa-6-2/210
38.Garrett Prosofsky-C-Saskatoon-5-11/180
39.Nick Robinson-D-S.S. Marie-6-2/180
40.Shawn Horcoff-C-Michigan State-6-0/185
41.Brett Dececco-RW-Seattle-5-11/175
42.John Erskine-D-London-6-4/190
43.Abe Herbst-D-Sarnia-6-1/185
44.Josef Vasicek-C-Czech-6-4/180
45.Alex Ryazantseev-D-Russia-6-0/185
46.Jiri Fischer-D-Hull-6-5/190
47.Zoltan Batovsky-LW-Drummondville-6-0/180
48.Jason LaBarbara-G-Portland-6-1/200
49.Eric Chouinard-LW-Quebec-6-2/190
50.Petr Svoboda-D-Czech-6-1/170
Additional prospects worth noting:
Center:
Brett Allan-Swift Curent
Blair Betts-Prince George
David Cameron-Prince Albert
Johnathan Gagnon-Val d’or
Jaroslav Krtistek-Czech
Toby Peterson-Colorado
David Svee-Sweden
Mattias Trattnig-Maine
Jason Williams-Peterborough
Right Wing:
Scott Page-Sudbury
Simon Gagne-Quebec
Maxim Potapov-Sherbrooke
Daniel Rafner-Sweden
Left Wing:
Ramzi Abid-Chicoutimi
Alexandre Couture-Victoriaville
Evgeny Lazarev-Russia
Calle Steen-Sweden
Curtis Valentine-Bowling Green
Tomek Valtonen-Finland
Defense:
Christian Backman-Sweden
Joey Bartley-Guelph
Jason Beckett-Seattle
Joe Dipenta-Boston U.
Paul Elliot-Lethbridge
Jonan Forgren-Sweden
Herman Hultgren-Sweden
Pasi Kuusisto-Finland
Goalie:
Frederic Brindamour-Sherbrooke
Jomar Cruz-Brandon
Jonathan Pelletier-Drummondville
Jake McCracken
