Below is
International Scouting Services’ February edition of their preliminary
identification list of the top prospects eligible for the NHL’s 2004 Entry
Draft, which will take place in
1.Alexandre
Ovechkin, LW
6-2/205
R
Dynamo
2. Evgeni Malkin, C
6-3/185
L
3. Robbie Schremp, C
6-0/ 200
L
4. Wojtek Wolski, LW
6-3/188
L
5. Rostislav Olesz, C
6-2/200
L
Vitkovice
6.
6-3/206
L
7. Drew
Stafford, RW
6-2/200
R
8. Lauri Tukonen, RW
6-2/ 198
R
9. Andrew
Ladd, LW
6-2/200
L
10. Enver Lisin, RW
6-1/183
L
Dynamo
RISING:
Robbie Schremp /
Position:
Center Height: 6’0” Weight: 200
On scouting’s center stage, Rob Schremp
sent a message to his critics by delivering an eye-popping performance in front
of hundreds of NHL scouts and general managers at the ninth annual CHL Top
Prospects Game.
Bruce
Graham /
Position:
Center Height: 6’6” Weight: 217
Moncton
Wildcats center Bruce Graham is reaching new heights — and not just because
he’s 6’6”. Graham, a lanky, smooth-skating center with soft hands, has rocketed
up the draft rankings and, this month, moves into International Scouting
Services’ first round. Graham is a late birthday and a late bloomer in scouting
parlance. He possesses an attractive combination of size and skill that is
gaining him serious first-round consideration.
Adam Berti /
Position:
Left Wing Height: 6’2” Weight: 182
Berti an interesting case, as he’s
learning what it takes to play in the OHL. Given the fact that he is a raw talent, the question
then is how long will his learning curve be before he plays in the NHL? He has
missed a number of games due to injuries from last season, but Berti appears to be making up for lost time this season.
Bryan Young
/
Position:
Defense Height: 6’1” Weight: 193
Young has
made huge strides since the beginning of the season. He’s a sturdy, all-around
solid blueliner who is just starting to come into his
own offensively. Very reliable in his own end, Young makes sure that he
contains his checks down low and he always makes the simple pass out of the
zone or clears the puck. He skates well and jumps up into the rush.
Kris Chucko / Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
Position:
Right Wing Height: 6’1” Weight: 190
Chucko
has seen his draft ranking on the rise since the start of the season. He was
recently named to the second All-Star team and was one of six players
representing the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on the winning Interior Conference team
at the recent BCHL prospects game. He has an excellent combination of skill,
speed and is a power winger type of player. He’s mature, and captain
of his Junior A team at 17. Chucko has huge upside
and only needs strength to compliment his attributes.
FALLING:
David Laliberte / P.E.I. (QMJHL)
Position: R.Wing Height: 6’1” Weight: 175
To say Laliberte is struggling to get on track offensively would
be an understatement. Last season he looked to be one of the top ’86 prospects
from the QMJHL. Less than a year later, however, it would appear we
overestimated his offensive abilities.
Jeff
Leavitt / Windsor (OHL)
Position:
Center Height: 6’1” Weight: 186
Leavitt is
a checker with decent size, but not much in terms of offensive upside. He makes
poor decisions. Leavitt has been a disappointment in several games this season,
although he possesses solid faceoff skills.
Scott
Lehman /
Position:
Defense Height: 6’1” Weight: 185
Lehman has
really struggled to find his offensive game. He tends to get lost in his own
end and has been mistake-prone all season, resulting in turnovers. Coming into
this season expectations were high, perhaps too high.
Brandon Dubinsky /
Position:
Center Height: 5’11” Weight: 180
Dubinsky’s
total lack of defensive play is painful to watch. Although gifted with
excellent puck skills, good on-ice vision and a competitive streak, he
struggles to skate. His knock-kneed style (kind of a combination wide-tracker and
high-stepper) looks extremely awkward. Size is also a concern.
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