Analysis: Arniel is a gritty,
two-way player, who is one of the top faceoff men available in
this year's draft. He is a sniper who boasts the ability to move
the puck in close spaces. Arniel, who patterns his game after
Ottawa's Mike Fisher, is equally effective forechecking or
backchecking.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Joshua Bailey
Windsor (OHL)
6-0
188
Oct. 2, 1989
67
29
67
96
32
Analysis: Bailey is a
playmaker with outstanding puck control. He is effective down
low on the power play with his ability to find teammates through
traffic. Bailey has a good work ethic, but needs to work on his
grit and competitiveness.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Kyle Beach
Everett (WHL)
6-3
203
Jan. 13, 1990
60
27
33
60
222
Analysis: A feisty and
competitive player, Beach is the prototypical power
forward. He's a dominant player in the opponent's zone with his
physical play and accurate shot. Beach still needs to work on
his defensive play and transitional game.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Zach Boychuk
Lethbridge (WHL)
5-10
175
Oct. 4, 1989
61
33
39
72
80
Analysis: Boychuck has very
quick feet and reaches his top speed effortlessly. He is solid
offensive skills and has the ability to quarterback a power
play. Although he does not have the size, scouts feel he could
still be effective the way Chicago's Patrick Kane is.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Nicolas Deschamps
Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
6-0
173
Jan. 6, 1990
70
24
43
67
63
Analysis: A very good skater
with soft hands, Deschamps led all rookies in the QMJHL with 67
points. He is a hard-working player who scouts project will be a
solid all-around player. Although he is a natural center,
Deschamps occasionally lines up as a winger, too.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Anton Gustafsson
Frolunda Jr. (Sweden)
6-2
194
Feb. 25, 1990
33
15
17
32
55
Analysis: Gustafsson boasts
impressive playmaking skills. He is a smooth puckhandler who can
make passes through traffic and has a range of shots. The son of
former NHLer Bengt-Ake, Gustafsson is a strong, two-way
player.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Evgeny Grachev
Yaroslavl (Russia)
6-3
202
Feb 21, 1990
1
0
0
0
0
Analysis: Grachev has the
skill, size and physical presence to be a power forward. He
boasts the ability to evade traffic while puckhandling and is
adept at making plays at both ends of the ice. The Russian still
needs to work on his speed and acceleration, though.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Cody Hodgson
Brampton (OHL)
6-0
185
Feb. 18, 1990
68
40
45
85
36
Analysis: Projected to be a
first- or second-line player, Hodgson is a two-way player with a
very strong hockey sense. In addition to his offensive talents,
Hodgson is also good in the faceoff circle.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Steven Stamkos
Sarnia (OHL)
6-0
176
Feb. 7, 1990
61
58
47
105
88
Analysis: Arguably the best
player available for the taking in 2008, Stamkos is an
extremely fast skater who can execute at top speed. He's as
responsible in his own end as he is aggressive on the
forecheck. Stamkos is projected to be a top-line center and
future star.
Player
Team (League)
Height
Weight
Birthdate
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
Colin Wilson
Boston Univ. (HEast)
6-1
215
Oct. 20, 1989
34
12
22
34
20
Analysis: Scouts suggest
Wilson is the perfect combination of a skilled and power
forward. He has soft hands and playmaking ability, but also is
tough to knock off the puck. Wilson is a smart player who
anticipates the play well and is also reliable in his own
end.
Profiles are based on information provided by NHL Central Scouting.
