Some Draft news to discuss... YAY!
Central Scouting released it's mid-term rankings earlier today, split into NA Skaters, NA Goalies, European Skaters and European Goalies, as always. For the most part, CSS is great tool as a database for general takes on player rankings.
The list can be found
here.
For some thoughts, let's dive in:
-
Nail Yakupov at one isn't much of a surprise, even with the injury. That being said, the race between him and
Mikhail Grigorenko has really tightened up, and the injury issues plaguing the Sarnia forward this year aren't helping.
- The "surprise" of off the bat is
Radek Faksa at four. I've mentioned him on HockeyBuzz here before, and have had multiple viewings of the Czech forward, being so close to the Kitchener Rangers. He's a player who's slowly adjusting to North America in his first OHL Season, but has shown game breaking abilities. I have him closer to 15-20, but he's rising, and should likely finish the year as a Top 10 player.
- Some Scouting Services have been dropping
Olli Maatta in their rankings over the past month or so, and I'm not sure I agree with him. CSS has him at 6 on their NA list, which would put him in Top 15 consideration, right around where I have him as well.
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Nicolas Kerdiles seems very very low to me, at 27 on the NA list. I'll keep this one brief, but he has the 'it' factor and should be considered a Top 20 in my books.
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Miles Koules is at 151 on the list, and I couldn't disagree more. The American forward has been greatly mis-used by the NTDP, and should receive consideration as a 2nd or 3rd round pick. The offensive abilities he has are too much to ignore.
-Moving onto NA Goalies,
Malcolm Subban comes in at 1, but I can't help but feel they're missing the ball with
Daniel Altshuller and
Collin Olson.
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Tomas Hertl is getting some respect at 3 in the European Skater rankings. The large center shows great hockey sense to go with his frame. The hurdle
(pun intended?) for this Czech will be his skating.
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Andrei Vasilevski really earned praise and recognition at the World Juniors and sits at 1 on the European Goalies list. But let's not forget
Oscar Dansk, who is likely the best Swedish goalie prospect since King Henrik.
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