The Prius is idling (such as it does) in the driveway and Wiz is back with rounds 3 and 4 of his 2011 Mock Draft and prospects breakdown.


THIRD ROUND:

Edmonton Oilers
No. 62 – Keegan Lowe - 6-foot-1.5, 176, RLD, Edmonton WHL
Developing effective two way defender who goes unnoticed due to his solid error-free play. He has a quick stick and will stand up for teammates. It helps to have a Father who was an Edmonton great. He needs to get stronger in the legs but has shown he can handle defensive coverage and control gaps and sally outlet the puck. Another work in progress who may be a gem.

New York Islanders from Colorado
No. 63 – Joseph Labate - 6-foot-4., 181 C, Holy Angels H.S., Minn
Projects as a solid big forward when he adds size to his already wide-bodied frame. He has a real nice quick & heavy shot, and uses the size he already has to his advantage in front and in the battle areas.

Florida Panthers
No. 64 – Mike Paliotta - 6-foot-3, 187, RD, USA U-18 NTDP
Physical long-armed rearguard who is a really strong skater for his size. Great lateral ability besides North & South. If he could develop an edge it would be to his advantage as he seems to be balanced enough to stay in control when he does play aggressively. He does close but many times avoids the thump he could lay on attackers. Plays a safe game in his zone as he hasn't become an effective up-ice guy, but may when he become more effective in handling the puck.

Anaheim from New York Islanders
No. 65 – Vince Trocheck - 5-foot-10.25, 180, RCF, Saginaw OHL
Good puck abilities, and scoring prowess. Has some quickness and digs in. Big three zone winger who has some power game, is very active all over the ice. If his scoring production was better, it would help him on draft day. Presently teams will view him with limited offensive prowess, and maybe lacking in enough jam to compensate for it. A good balanced skater who will need to work on increasing his speed, but he gets there, plays good d, and will be worth a selection.

Ottawa Senators
No. 66 – Dillon Simpson - 6-foot-1, 195, LD, Spruce Grove AJHL / North Dakota U.
Limited minutes / exposure on the talent filled ND d makes evaluating him a bit tough, but he won't last much longer than

Winnipeg
No. 67 – Joel Edmundson - 6-foot-4, 198, LD, Moose Jaw, WHL
Big western league defender from Brandon, Manitoba who showed that in his first full year he would fight anybody and everybody. He is a good skater who is a work in progress defensively.

Columbus Blue Jackets
No. 68 – Reid Boucher - 5-foot-10, 181, LW, USA U-18 NTDP
Undersized wing with good speed and net drive, where he understands body position. and takes it. Has goal scoring ability and makes chances with his hands and can finish. If you asked the US developmental squad who their scorer is, I am pretty sure many who call out his name.

NOTE: New Jersey had to forfeit what would have been pick #69 after the league ruled they intentionally circumvented the Cap rules.

Chicago Blackhawks from Toronto
No. 69 – Marek Tyrdon - 6-foot-2, 211, RHLW, Vancouver WHL
Injured much of the season, but in his brief season he showed had a wicked wrister, good hands, and impressive strength to go with his size.

Minnesota Wild
No. 70 – Michael Mersch - 6-foot-2, 199, LW, Wisconsin University
From the Chicago Suburb of Park Ridge, he has showed improvement starting with the 2009 World U-17's and lead the Wisconsin team with a plus 23.

St. Louis Blues
No. 71 – Christopher Gibson - 6-foot-1, 199, G, Chicoutimi QMJHL
Top QMJHL goaler has a Brit and a Finn for parents who plays well, but needs improvement on his glove and feet.

Carolina Hurricanes
No. 72 (73) –Matej Machovsky - 6-foot-2, 182, G, Brampton OHL
Czech import was named the winner of the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy, which goes to the rookie goaltender with the best goals-against average.

Edmonton Oilers from Calgary
No. 73 – Travis Ewanyk - 6-foot-1, 183, LC, Edmonton WHL
Relentless banging centre who wins face-offs, finish checks and does all the gritty things you need to win. Has powerful stride, is well balanced and technically strong. Goes 100% all the time, and may have limited offensive upside, but can make a team based on his shut-down and PK abilities.

New Jersey
No. 74 – Scott Harrington- 6-foot-0.5, 195, LD, London OHL
One of the top stay-at-home defenders in the draft. There is upside, but teams will be delighted with the toolbox that he already possesses. He is content being a reliable player who sticks to the phases he knows he can do with above average results and makes his team (and defensive partner) better. A big hitter, with really good skating ability, balance and agility. Has a nice shot and even in the attack sticks to what he knows are within his ability level, and not trying to play beyond his present level. He has upside and is a truly good hockey player with potential.

Florida Panthers from New York Rangers
No. 75 – Troy Vance - 6-foot-4.5, 203, RD, Victoriaville, QMJHL
Big punishing defender who loves to hit the attackers whether they are in open ice or on the wall. A New York state native raised 40 miles out of NYC, who played in the Philly area until he brought it the few games he played this season. Skates well for a big man and doesn't embarrass himself when he carries.

Buffalo Sabres
No. 76 – Marcel Noebeis - 6-foot-3, 210, LHRW, Seattle WHL
2010 eligible German import who doesn't display a lot of jump, but certainly gets there and does work the offensive zone well. He sees the ice well, and has a lot of skill and smarts. His wide body makes him dangerous as he goes to the net. He sees the ice well and is an effective jam player in deep. Huge forward with a good dangle and the potential to be an NHL forward. Shows agility but is raw due and needs time to get stronger, fill-in and get a bit more coordinated, balanced and hungrier.

Montreal Canadiens
No. 77 – Eddie Wittchow - 6-foot-3, 185, LD, Burnsville H.S.,
Physical high school d-man who can score as well as a forward. He has come out of relative absurdity to capture a spot in the draft's top three rounds. He has excellent mobility and a whole lot of nasty. A Minnesota All-Stater, he scored 13 goals displaying a shot, speed, smarts and snarl. May decide to attend Wisconsin, his parent's alma mater. A long-term project that could be real sleeper.

Chicago Blackhawks
No. 78 - Ryan Sproul - 6-foot-4, 185, RD, Sault Ste Marie OHL
Has size and skating ability. Can play both sides on defense. Lines up off-hand on many a power play. Has a powerful low shot from outside and easily jumps in on the rush. Another rising prospect, who with time can be a weapon at the major league level.

Los Angeles Kings
No. 79 - Miikka Salomaki - 5-foot-11, 185, LW, Karpat Finland
An effective supplementary defensive player who reads the entire ice and situation very well, but is a short strider with little speed and limited offensive abilities as his hands and stick have not caught up with high tempo game speed. Is a determined PK guy, and really good forechecker, always willing to go to the wall take punishment and unearth pucks. He is smart with the puck in transition, when the turnover happens, but where he gets handcuffed when he is involved in a high speed penetration that might require snap decision and follow through.

Boston Bruins from Phoenix
No. 80 – Logan Shaw - 6-foot-2.5, 187, RW, Cape Breton QMJHL
Tall wing who after three seasons can on a showed some offensive on a weaker squad. He skates well and has showed he can score and create.

Nashville
No. 81 – Myles Bell - 5-foot-11.25, 204, RD, Regina WHL
A promising offensiveman at this juncture, as his defensive game needs much work. In no way a one trick pony though. Has some gumption to throw the big check, and is working on being a better positionally strong defender. If you’re buying, it is because of his abilities going up-ice and his long passing skills. Makes stickhandling and passing look easy. Huge point shot.

Anaheim Ducks
No. 82 – Rob O'Gara - 6-foot-3, 185, LD, Milton Academy
Rising prep school prospect who competes at a high level and is improving all aspects of his game. He is this long drink of water now, but as he fills in and gets better coordinated there is certainly hopes he can become and NHLer.

Philadelphia Flyers from Pittsburgh Penguins
No. 83 – Philippe Hudon - 6-foot-2, 182, RW, Choate Rosemary Hall NEDI
Another Czech Import with size, speed, and hands. At his present level, he displays snap shot, and if he wanted, could be a difficult load to handle if some snarl appeared. Needs to learn the attack zone better and employ his body, fast feet, quick stick and passing abilities in unison with the work of his teammates.

Detroit Red Wings
No. 84 – Petr Placek - Petr Placek - 6-foot-4, 175, LCF, Hotchkiss H.S. NEDI
Czech import who is a high schooler here with big time size and shot. Scouts expected him to blossom against the smaller high schoolers and dominate in not only puck battles, but with advanced impact scoring. His year saw injuries and a strong offensive game has not reached a level where the opposition views him as dominant force. Would be going higher if his injury hadn't cut down the views of his soft hands and stick, and if his deadly shot had made the back of the net a bit more. Needs to add a first step to his accretion. Teams will be patient to watch if his development can take the next step at the college level.

Toronto Maple Leafs from Philadelphia Flyers
No. 85 – Nick Cousins - 5-foot-10.5, 170, LC, Sault Ste. Marie
Undersized centre-wing who was a solid performer on a struggling OHL team. Another player who showed at the World U-18s that he was smart and opportunistic, and could play on any line in any role. Good checker and penalty-killer. A guy you select and then "wait and see."

Florida Panthers from Washington Capitals
No. 86 – Daniel Pribyl - 6-foot-3, 210, RHLW, Seattle WHL
Rising prospect with good puck abilities, and scoring prowess who needs to continue to work on his skating. He continues to develop defensively with the hopes he is that big two-way up and down winger every club looks for.

St. Louis Blues from Tampa Bay
No. 87 – Shane McCoigan - 5-foot-8.25, 193, RW, Kelowna WHL
This California-born skilled smaller wing plays fearlessly as a Kelowna Rocket with a great speed/skill ratio puck and does so at top end speed, maybe faster than anyone in this draft class. Has a nice snap shot, and passes well, but what sets him apart is the quick first step and the gears. Not big, and needs heaps of weight-room strength. Never the less, he brings all he does have in the attack zone.

San Jose Sharks
No. 88 – Andrei Pedan -- 6-foot-4, 194, LD, Guelph OHL
Strong skating big man who is very well coordinated at a younger age. He seems naturally balanced and smooth in his stride, and able to control the gaps due to his lateral skating prowess, and has a long reach, and smarts. Wins collisions against most opposing players. Good skill package and a huge upside, if we can use his showing in the OHL as a starting point in the long road to the NHL. So far he keeps it simple, being more of a decent outlet pass guy, but has puck skills enough to carry the mail.

Vancouver
No. 89– Tyler Wotherspoon - 6-foot-3, 204, LD, Portland
Playing with a strong Winterhawks team that needs little help up-ice, he concentrates on being tough and active in the smaller area, where at present he doesn't get into any trouble. He has little foot speed, and average agility at the junior level. Long term project.

Florida Panthers from Boston
No. 90 – Alain Quine - 5-foot-10.25, 170, LCF, Drummondville
Smart skilled playmaker with excellent skill package. All-around good skating abilities soft hands and touch. Not just a passer, as he stays involved in all three zones, using his quick feet and head push the game in his team's favor. Already committed to all three zones-it is just a matter of him getting functionally stronger as he climbs the ladder.


4th Round

Edmonton Oilers
No. 91 – Colin Sullivan - 6-foot-3, 190, RD, Avon Old Farms
Solid defensive game and great speed and balance. Has a nice point shot and will jump in to the rush, but presently his abilities in his own end are his strength.

Colorado Avalanche
No. 92 – Zac Larazza - 6-foot-3, 178, LW, USA U-18 NTDP / Denver U.
Arizona born long term forward project. He enough skill to finish and has size. An effective fore-checker. His time with the Pioneers will be spent honing his positioning, hockey IQ, and offensive decision-making.

Florida Panthers
No. 93 – Sami Salminen - 6-foot-4., 198, RW, HIFK Helsinki
Huge Swedish goal scorer with soft hands but needs his feet to catch up. It might be just a matter of hard work and time and he rounds into guy with a quicker jump.

New York Islanders
No. 94 – Ramus Bengtsson- 6-foot-1.5, 189, LD, Rogle
More of a stay at home defender who does have a nice shot from the point. A bit heavy booted, and time will tell if he can improve enough to make a mark in the NHL.

Ottawa Senators
No. 95 – Jesse Forsberg - 5-foot-11.75, 195, LD, Prince George WHL
Gritty wall player with good hockey IQ. A bit undersized, but will stand up to anyone. Good in all zones, and is pretty good carrying up-ice. Skating needs work, and has the skating style similar to Bogosian's where he is hunched over.

Winnipeg
No. 96 – Adam Reid - 6-foot-3, 202, LW, USA U-18 NTDP
Big wing with great strength and some abilities to generate and also score. Long term project.

Columbus Blue Jackets
No. 97 – Magnus Hellberg - 6-foot-4, 187, G, Almtuna / Frölunda
Large calm presence who shows good flexibility and has excellent technique. He squares up, covers the bottom and his shoulders cover the top. Quick feet and really good long term project.

New Jersey Devils
No. 98 – Jeremy Boyce-Rotevall - 6-foot-0.25, 172, LhRW, Timrä jr. Sweden
Has a top gear that helps plays develops but needs to become an all around better player in many phases. You can't teach speed and he has a nifty shot. That is why they are called "prospects."

Toronto Maple Leafs
No. 99 – Viktor Arvidsson - 5-foot-8.5, 165, LW, Skellefteä
Undersized skilled attacker who uses his quick feet and motor to attack the net with reckless abandon. A scorer who lives to take the shot. His game is far from rounded and at this point is dependent upon linemates feeding him.

Minnesota Wild
No. 100 – Max Everson - 6-foot-0.5, 180, LD, Edina H.S., Minn
Smooth skating defenseman project who can general the to play going up ice. He has to learn the subtleties of positioning in his own zone, and must get stronger, but all in all already displays advanced puck control and makes the kinds of passes and plays NHL defenseman are now asked to make with regularity.

St. Louis Blues
No. 101 – Steven Fogarty - 6-foot-0.5, 192, RC, Edina H.S.
Long term project who needs to work to get his feet to move faster. Understands the game and the attack and is a good offense generator who also needs to get more involved in the attack zone. He is solid defensively and strong on the puck once moving.

Carolina Hurricanes
No. 102 – Joachim Nermark- 6-foot-0.5, 178, LCF, Leksand Sweden
Hard working two way center with good touch. Not a burner but makes up for it with leg drive and creativity with the puck. Solid in all phases, he is a threat whether he shoots or passes, because he always seems to be moving towards the net of offense. One of the better players at the 8 Nations Tourney

Calgary Flames
No. 103 – Maxime Lagace - 6-foot-2, 178, G, PEI QMJHL
He has prototypical size, a good glove and plenty of agility. Since he saw little action behind Evan Mosher, teams will have to take await to see attitude if there is a solid package to turn into a pro.

Dallas Stars
No. 104 – Seth Griffith - 5-foot-10.5, 186, C, London OHL
Skinny offensive playmaking player who needs to get bigger and more confident. His move to Boston College will help built him into bigger force. He has the head to be a really nice scorer when stronger.

New York Rangers
No. 105 – Maxim Shalunov - 6-foot-3, 185, LCF, Chelyabinsk
Boom or Bust Russian giant who clearly exhibits strong attacking abilities with superb acceleration, strong on the puck, a quick release, soft hands, and a big frame that easily could win pucks in the battle areas…if he had the game in/game out willingness to do so. He has a shot, and all the tools. It will either come together for him with on-ice hard work or he will never see the North American shores.

Buffalo Sabres
No. 106 – Dave Broll - 6-foot-3, 202, LW, Sault Ste. Marie
Tough wing who was part of Canada Ivan Hlinka tourney team. Stands up for teammates. He is good balanced skater who will need to work on increasing his speed and production.

Winnipeg from Montreal
No. 107 – Matt Peca - 5-foot-9.5, 166, LW, Penbroke CJHL
Bloodlines have produced a high energy wing who is a fearless skilled small wing on a Tier two team. Can play on any line in any role. He handles a point on the PP and an excellent penalty killer. Did he inherit the hands of daddy Mike?

Chicago Blackhawks
No. 108 – Todd Fiddler - 5-foot-11.75, 200, LW, Prince Albert WHL
Physical Western League winger who came in after being the leading scorer in Saskatchewan Midget AAA. He skates with tremendous balance and power and it gives him distinct crushing power along the wall. Plays with a chip on his shoulder and truly can rile the party-goers. If his touch and pop from midget returns, some team hits the jackpot. He needs to work on increasing his foot speed.

Los Angeles Kings
No. 109 – Jim Vesey - 6-foot-2, 185, LW, Belmont Hill
Displays a high hockey intelligence, great stickhandling abilities and is a very good passer. Still developing.

Phoenix Coyotes
No. 110 – Anton Zlobin - 5-foot-11.5, 186, RCF, Russian 93/Shawinigan
Made the transition to the North American game this last season. Still more of a perimeter sniper. A player with an extra gear who can leave the enemy flat-footed when he breaks up ice. Great hands and is already a goal scorer. Can be strong on the puck in tight quarters but seems at this point to be happy just getting open and shies away from many battle zone encounters.

Nashville
No. 111 – Dirk Jagger - 6-foot-0.5, 180, LD, Kootenay WHL
Undersized defender whose father played defense for Blues, Canucks, Hawks, and Ducks.
His dad was bigger and it remains to be seen if he can reach his father's size. Smart defender who understands the defensive zone and is able to make smart decisions time and again. Plays with quick stick to win pucks and battles. Quickly makes a decision with the puck and it is usually the right one. If he gets a bit more physical and grows, some team gets a player.

Montreal Canadiens from Anaheim Ducks
No. 112 – Max Le Sieur - 6-foot-1.75, 202, RW, Shawinigan QMJHL
A flash and grit prospect who made the Under-17's.

Edmonton Oilers from Pittsburgh Penguins
No. 113 - Andy Welinski- 6-foot-1.25, 186, RD, Montreal QMJHL
Rugged balanced skating defenseman who learning to improve his decisions in both ends. Long term project that could develop into a tough defender.

Detroit Red Wings
No. 114 – Pontus Netterberg - 6-foot-1.5, 195, RW, HV--71, Sweden
Established myself as a big-time scorer in Swedish junior. Can play with snarl. Has good understanding of the offensive zone and is a good passer besides having a heavy shot he lets go pretty darn fast. Once moving, he is more of a threat. He needs quicker feet and keep them moving. This is his second year of eligibility…will he get selected?

Philadelphia Flyers
No. 115 – Adam Pettersson - 6-foot-1, 192, LF, Skellefteä Sweden
Creative passing centre who uses his shiftiness and stick to create offensive chances on even strength and the PP. (Also plays on the PK.) High traffic area c who compliments his speed with his gift as a high IQed passer and puck mover. As so many youngsters he needs more strength, and get a bit quicker.

Washington Capitals
No. 116 - Max Friberg - 5-foot-11, 183, LW, Skode Sweden-3
If you draft him here what you see if what you get. Don't expect any more than a guy who can be a fireplug of a disruptor who has good hands, good stick and good speed. He is pretty much developed and will bring an aggressive forecheck and finish checks.

Philadelphia from Tampa Bay
No. 117 - Xavier Ouellet - 6-foot-1, 176, D, Montreal QMJHL
A player who does plays consistently average but has room for growth and improvement.

Anaheim Ducks from San Jose
No. 118 - Evgeny Palenga - 6-foot-4, 195, LD, Spartek Russia
Big solid thinking, mobile crease-clearer, who has good feet and agility. He is confident up ice but stays at home and takes acre of his area when team doesn't have the lead.

Vancouver Canucks
No. 119 - Destry Straight - 6-foot-1, 180, LC, Coquitiam BCHL
Skinny offensive playmaking player who needs to get bigger and more confident. His move to Boston College will help build him into bigger force. He has the head to be a really nice scorer when stronger

Boston Bruins
No. 120 - Austen Brassard - 6-foot-1.75, 193, RW, Belleview OHA
Big three zone winger who has some power game, is very active all over the ice. If his scoring production was better, it would help him on draft day. Presently teams will view him with limited offensive prowess, and maybe lacking in enough jam to compensate for it. A good balanced skater who will need to work on increasing his speed, but he gets there, plays good d, and will be worth a selection.

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