TSN hat einen Blick auf die 2013er Draft Class geworfen und eine Top 10 aufgestellt:
1. Nathan MacKinnon
2012-13 Team: Halifax League: QMJHL
Position: Centre Height: 5'11"
DOB: Sep. 1, 1995 Weight: 179 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Nathan has a burning desire to make a difference in the game and more times than not, he's successful. His skating is excellent with first step quickness that is exceptional. It allows him to beat defenders and create opportunities in a flash. He has great hands and is able to manoeuvre the puck in the tight areas. His shot is quick and accurate and he doesn't allow goalies to get a read on it. He is forceful and at times may be inclined to shoot first rather than consider passing options, but his playmaking is very good. He's a single-minded player in his approach and his determination, along with his skill, allows him to have an impact the game and to do so at the most important times. A clear cut No. 1 centre. Comparable Style: Peter Forsberg (In terms of determination)
2. Seth Jones
2012-13 Team: Portland League: WHL
Position: Defence Height: 6'4"
DOB: Oct. 3, 1994 Weight: 206 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Seth has the rare combination of skill, size and power which allows him to impact the game in multiple ways and in just about any conceivable situation. He is blessed with great athletic ability and he moves about the ice with ease and with the ability to use his skating to his advantage either defensively or offensively. He understands how to use his advantages to gain the upper hand and whether it is a skill situation or a physical situation, he's able to do it a forceful manner. He is an excellent passer who remains composed under pressure and he has a heavy and hard shot which poses considerable challenges for goalies. He takes charge on the ice in some way and the word that comes to mind when you watch him is 'unique.' A cornerstone defenceman. Comparable Style: Rob Blake
3. Sean Monahan
2012-13 Team: Ottawa League: OHL
Position: Centre Height: 6'2"
DOB: Oct. 12, 1994 Weight: 193 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Sean is a very well rounded player who has versatility in his game and can play multiple positions and situations and do it extremely well. His skills may not be flashy but they are very good with a mind that is exceptional. His skating is very good but what he does so well is change speeds and keep opponents off balance. He is quick and very difficult to knock away. He recognizes opportunities very quickly and is able to take full advantage of them. Call him 'opportunistic' if you will, but he finds a way to be productive. He has a very good touch around the net, his shot is accurate and he is deceptive in his approach. He can play on the wing and he can play a defensive role, but the beauty of Sean is that he understands what is required of the various positions and roles and doesn't necessarily need to score to contribute to winning. A very balanced player who performs when it counts. Comparable Style: Eric Staal
4. Elias Lindholm
2012-13 Team: Brynas League: SWE
Position: Centre Height: 6'0"
DOB: Dec. 2, 1994 Weight: 192 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Elias is that player who finds himself in the 'guts of the action' in all areas of the game. His game is founded on an intelligence and understanding that is exceptional. He's capable of adapting to any situation with the ability to make the right play regardless of the challenge. They call these types of players 'a coach's dream.' He is a very good skater who is quick and agile and combined with his IQ, it makes him a very difficult player to play against and try to get an advantage on. He may be more of a playmaker than a shooter, but he creates offensive chances. He is involved and he competes everywhere on the ice. He has the ability to make others better and ultimately is a player who helps teams win. Comparable Style: Guy Carbonneau
5. Rasmus Ristolainen
2012-13 Team: TPS League: SM-liiga
Position: Defence Height: 6'3"
DOB: Oct. 27, 1994 Weight: 207 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Rasmus is a bold player who takes the initiative. He plays with a confidence in his game and that allows him to make an impact. He has very good offensive skills with an excellent shot and he jumps into the attack and even initiates the attack if he feels it's necessary. He will play physical and is a big man who if he makes contact, you are fully aware as an opponent. He doesn't get rattled and his composure should not be mistaken for any type of 'laissez-faire' attitude because when the game becomes challenging and the moments important, he is ready, willing and capable of taking a leading role to make a positive difference. A player who is more than capable of being a top defenceman. Comparable Style: Brent Burns
6. Aleksander Barkov
2012-13 Team: Tappara League: SM-liiga
Position: Centre Height: 6'2"
DOB: Sep. 2, 1995 Weight: 205 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Alexander is mature beyond his years and one has to be when you play in the Finnish Elite League at the age of 16. That maturity is on full display when he is playing and he's a player who has a quiet confidence in his game. He has uncanny awareness and is a player who is capable of sizing up the play two and three steps ahead and can do things at a very high pace and tempo. He possesses great hands and with his size and use of his body, it is very difficult for opponents to negate his hands. A very good skater who can create time and space for himself in the offensive zone and he can make every kind of pass to create scoring opportunities. He is a dangerous offensive player who plays with determination and has a 'go about his business' approach. Has the potential to be a top No. 1 centre. Comparable Style: Dale Hawerchuk
7. Andre Burakovsky
2012-13 Team: Malmo J20 League: SuperElit
Position: Right Wing Height: 6'1"
DOB: Feb. 9, 1995 Weight: 176 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Andre is explosive and powerful. His skating is excellent and he has the ability to challenge defenders, put them on their heels and make them vulnerable very quickly. He is the type of player who makes defencemen nervous because he is not only fast, but determined as and he will not back down from the competitive areas and is very difficult to deter. He can come at you from anywhere on the ice and combined with excellent sense, he knows how to use it to gain those advantages. Good puck skills and can make plays at high speed and he is capable of beating you with a drive to the net or with a pass given the opportunity. He is a game-breaking type of player who plays when it matters and makes teams better. Comparable Style: Glenn Anderson
8. Jacob de la Rose
2012-13 Team: Leksand J20 League: SuperElit
Position: Centre Height: 6'2"
DOB: May 20, 1995 Weight: 183 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Jacob is a powerful player who asserts with his size and physical ability but also with his skill. He is a strong skater with speed and balance and when he gains an advantage on the opponent, he's not giving it up. He plays in all situations and he has excellent feel for how to excel in the various tasks of those situations. Can play any forward position and gives a coach a lot of flexibility to allow him to lend support to different players and combinations. He gets offensive opportunities but may not be a natural scorer but is a determined who will create chances with his effort and approach to playing. Defensively, he can really disrupt the patterns of the opponent and he is dangerous in the counter attack. A player that winning teams have. Comparable Style: Tomas Sandstrom/Jan Erixon
9. Curtis Lazar
2012-13 Team: Edmonton League: WHL
Position: Centre Height: 6'0"
DOB: Feb. 2, 1995 Weight: 198 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Curtis has the puck skills of top scorers. He can beat you with a shot from 35 feet out or by skating past a defender given the opportunity. He has excellent offensive instincts and a great release on his shot. He is very good in traffic and he is a player who bears down in the scoring areas to get his opportunities. His skating is very good and his quickness may be better than his speed, but he's a guy who can play at a high pace and tempo. He gets involved and will assert physically to win the puck and gain advantages. He is good all around player who finds a way to impact the game in many ways, even physically. He has excellent playing sense and reads and anticipates the play very well, which combined with his skill, makes him very hard to keep in check. Comparable Style: Patrick Sharp
10. Kerby Rychel
2012-13 Team: Windsor League: OHL
Position: Left Wing Height: 6'1"
DOB: Oct. 7, 1994 Weight: 200 lbs.
TSN Scout Craig Button:
Kerby plays with a passion and purpose that is undeniable. He may not be the most fluid skater, but he's a very effective skater. He gets to where he wants to go like a bowling ball - knocking down anything that may be in his path. He will play nasty and physical and it makes it very uncomfortable for opponents because he simply doesn't allow himself to be denied. He has very good hands and can score in multiple ways. He has very good offensive instincts around the net and he will pay the price to score. He plays a rugged style and his linemates will get room and space because he's constantly taking opponents out of the play. Watching him, you would never know the score of the game because he plays with a single-minded focus on helping the team win. He's a protypical power forward who continues to progress. Comparable Style: Gary Roberts
Honourable Mentions
Max Domi London (OHL) C Mar. 2, 1995 5'10" 194
Jonathan Drouin Halifax (QMJHL) LW Mar. 27, 1995 5'11" 176
Adam Erne Quebec (QMJHL) G Apr. 20, 1995 6'1" 198
Zach Fucale Halifax (QMJHL) G May 28, 1995 6'0" 166
Robert Hagg Modo Jr (Sweden) D Feb. 8, 1995 6'2" 201
Josh Morrissey Prince Albert (WHL) D Mar. 28, 1995 6'0" 183
Darnell Nurse Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) D Feb. 4, 1995 6'5" 184
Ryan Pulock Brandon (WHL) D Oct. 6, 1994 6'1" 211
Hunter Shinkaruk Medicine Hat (WHL) LW Oct. 13, 1994 5'10" 175
Nikita Zadorov London (OHL) D Apr. 16, 1995 6'5" 229