Washington's top 10 Prospects
(2-06-09) Washington Post -
1. Erik Karlsson - Defenseman - Comparison: Kimmo Timonen/Tobias Enstrom
Analysis: Power play quarterback of the future. He plays a lot better then his numbers suggest this year and he was the best player on team Sweden in the WHJC so much so that Ottawa GM considered bringing him over as early as next year. He was the highest rising prospect in last years draft, going from out of the top 100 ISS to start to being all the way to the top 5 almost. McKeen's report for example had Karlsson in their top 10. Erik could become the power player QB that Ottawa needs.
2. Jonathan Ericsson - Defenseman - Comparison: Less physical Pronger
Analysis: Big bodied rugged defenseman is all that is needed here. He has a absolute Cannon from the point and at times he looks like a poor man's Chris Pronger. By Poor man I say he is not nearly as physical nore composed with the puck, but he's got a large reach, absolute power/accurate shot from the point and has a tremendous offensive game (he used to be a Forward). Babcock is in love with him and he has to clear waivers next year so its highly likely he will become a second PP player as early as next year.
3. Jimmy Howard - Goaltender - Comparison: Tim Thomas
Analysis: Everyone is a downer when it comes to him but the kid is bored in the AHL. He comes up and loses a 1-0 game to Dallas last season; what more could you want out of him? Then, he gets player of the month honours last year and several player of the week ones to boot. He has thrown him a load of highly saved games but gets no love because of Larsson (who is vastly overrated). Howard has to clear waivers next year as well so if he does not get a shot in Detroit he will get one elsewhere; mark my word he is an NHL Starting goalie. He's got phenominal mentality, just poor rebounds and does let in the weak goals from time to time (type of goalie who sometimes would save an 10 shot-in-2 minutes performance then let in a floater from the blueline).
4. Dick Axelsson - Forward - Comparison: Smarter and better Mikael Samuelsson
Analysis: Hakan Andersson found another Gem in the second round. Hakan himself has stated he is one of the most skilled players he has ever seen and that goes with saying he saw Zetterberg and Datsyuk. He needs to control the demons inside himself which got him into trouble with the Swedish national team this summer. If he comes over next season then he very well could become a top 6 player in Grand Rapids. He's got size, scoring ability and very, very, tenacious.
5. Louie Caporusso - Forward - Comparison: Mike Cammalleri
Analysis: I know he wont make any lists but he very well should. When Palushaj went to the WJ's he took over and was on a scoring frenzy. He is at 20 goals in 29 games. Very errey to former UofM player Mike Cammalleri (29 goals in 42 games was his bext at UofM). Louie is a very underrated player because of his size but he has finesse scoring winger, top 6 skills written all over himself. Another year in the NCAA he could very well lead the league in goals and potentially even points; fighting linemate/teammate Aaron Palushaj.
6. Marek Zagrapan - Forward - Comparison: Poor man's Daymond Langkow
Analysis: Drafted as a kid who displayed a lot of maturity to cross the pond to further his development. He has slick hands, very crafty but needs to work on consistancy. He's a very streaky player but plays a lot bigger then his body suggests. With more work, he could flourish as a top 6 centerman and be the playmaker that Connolly has failed to be.
7. Mike Weber - Defenseman - Comparison: Craig Rivet/Mark Eaton with more offense
Analysis: Weber is not afraid of dropping the gloves. Possesssing a lot of maturity for his age he has done a fabulous job in the Sabre's organization from the AHL to NHL. Last season he was over +12 in 16 games last season. He is a defensive player first and could be a valued asset on the PK as well as 5 on 5 during crunch time. He's got great size at 6'2, over 200 lbs and has very good puck moving skills for a defensive defenseman.
8. Evgeni Dadonov - Forward - Comparisons: Poor man's Pavel Datsyuk
Analysis: With having a pretty good WJC showing in 2008/2009, Dadonov is showing the Florida brass why they drafted him when they did. He posesses superb vision and hands and with those two assets he is turning into a excellent playmaking centerman. His only weakensses are his defensive game, but so was Datsyuk's when he arrived onto the NHL scene. He's also very undersized so he is going to have to bulk up and play smarter then the rest of the growd if he is going to be successful. Definitely top 6 ability.
9. Mathieu Perreault - Forward - Comparisons: Andy McDonald
Analysis: This pass first, ask questions later player is really having a phenominal season in the AHL as a rookie. With natural talent, he is quickly becoming one of the better playmakers in the AHL ranks. He is very undersized for his profession, but he makes up for it like Dadonov with smarts, creativity and vision. He has the making of a top 6 centerman and in an organization with guys like Semin and Ovechkin, he could very well be a calder nominee once his rookie year arrives. Just needs to bulk up more.
10. Maxime Sauve - Forward - Comparisons: Patrice Bergeron
Analysis: Playing a horrible team does not help but he is making the best of the situation. He was not nominated to go to the WJC which was a slap to the face, but at least he is using that to his advantage. He is slowly moving up the ranks in the Boston organization and the QMJHL scoring title. He started the year very slow but has turned it on since November. His face-off ability is very average and it could be the only real down fall for this kid. Throwing on some bulk, keeping focused and continue to develope his game; this kid could become a top 6 forward that any team would love to have.
1. Erik Karlsson - Defenseman - Comparison: Kimmo Timonen/Tobias Enstrom
Analysis: Power play quarterback of the future. He plays a lot better then his numbers suggest this year and he was the best player on team Sweden in the WHJC so much so that Ottawa GM considered bringing him over as early as next year. He was the highest rising prospect in last years draft, going from out of the top 100 ISS to start to being all the way to the top 5 almost. McKeen's report for example had Karlsson in their top 10. Erik could become the power player QB that Ottawa needs.
2. Jonathan Ericsson - Defenseman - Comparison: Less physical Pronger
Analysis: Big bodied rugged defenseman is all that is needed here. He has a absolute Cannon from the point and at times he looks like a poor man's Chris Pronger. By Poor man I say he is not nearly as physical nore composed with the puck, but he's got a large reach, absolute power/accurate shot from the point and has a tremendous offensive game (he used to be a Forward). Babcock is in love with him and he has to clear waivers next year so its highly likely he will become a second PP player as early as next year.
3. Jimmy Howard - Goaltender - Comparison: Tim Thomas
Analysis: Everyone is a downer when it comes to him but the kid is bored in the AHL. He comes up and loses a 1-0 game to Dallas last season; what more could you want out of him? Then, he gets player of the month honours last year and several player of the week ones to boot. He has thrown him a load of highly saved games but gets no love because of Larsson (who is vastly overrated). Howard has to clear waivers next year as well so if he does not get a shot in Detroit he will get one elsewhere; mark my word he is an NHL Starting goalie. He's got phenominal mentality, just poor rebounds and does let in the weak goals from time to time (type of goalie who sometimes would save an 10 shot-in-2 minutes performance then let in a floater from the blueline).
4. Dick Axelsson - Forward - Comparison: Smarter and better Mikael Samuelsson
Analysis: Hakan Andersson found another Gem in the second round. Hakan himself has stated he is one of the most skilled players he has ever seen and that goes with saying he saw Zetterberg and Datsyuk. He needs to control the demons inside himself which got him into trouble with the Swedish national team this summer. If he comes over next season then he very well could become a top 6 player in Grand Rapids. He's got size, scoring ability and very, very, tenacious.
5. Louie Caporusso - Forward - Comparison: Mike Cammalleri
Analysis: I know he wont make any lists but he very well should. When Palushaj went to the WJ's he took over and was on a scoring frenzy. He is at 20 goals in 29 games. Very errey to former UofM player Mike Cammalleri (29 goals in 42 games was his bext at UofM). Louie is a very underrated player because of his size but he has finesse scoring winger, top 6 skills written all over himself. Another year in the NCAA he could very well lead the league in goals and potentially even points; fighting linemate/teammate Aaron Palushaj.
6. Marek Zagrapan - Forward - Comparison: Poor man's Daymond Langkow
Analysis: Drafted as a kid who displayed a lot of maturity to cross the pond to further his development. He has slick hands, very crafty but needs to work on consistancy. He's a very streaky player but plays a lot bigger then his body suggests. With more work, he could flourish as a top 6 centerman and be the playmaker that Connolly has failed to be.
7. Mike Weber - Defenseman - Comparison: Craig Rivet/Mark Eaton with more offense
Analysis: Weber is not afraid of dropping the gloves. Possesssing a lot of maturity for his age he has done a fabulous job in the Sabre's organization from the AHL to NHL. Last season he was over +12 in 16 games last season. He is a defensive player first and could be a valued asset on the PK as well as 5 on 5 during crunch time. He's got great size at 6'2, over 200 lbs and has very good puck moving skills for a defensive defenseman.
8. Evgeni Dadonov - Forward - Comparisons: Poor man's Pavel Datsyuk
Analysis: With having a pretty good WJC showing in 2008/2009, Dadonov is showing the Florida brass why they drafted him when they did. He posesses superb vision and hands and with those two assets he is turning into a excellent playmaking centerman. His only weakensses are his defensive game, but so was Datsyuk's when he arrived onto the NHL scene. He's also very undersized so he is going to have to bulk up and play smarter then the rest of the growd if he is going to be successful. Definitely top 6 ability.
9. Mathieu Perreault - Forward - Comparisons: Andy McDonald
Analysis: This pass first, ask questions later player is really having a phenominal season in the AHL as a rookie. With natural talent, he is quickly becoming one of the better playmakers in the AHL ranks. He is very undersized for his profession, but he makes up for it like Dadonov with smarts, creativity and vision. He has the making of a top 6 centerman and in an organization with guys like Semin and Ovechkin, he could very well be a calder nominee once his rookie year arrives. Just needs to bulk up more.
10. Maxime Sauve - Forward - Comparisons: Patrice Bergeron
Analysis: Playing a horrible team does not help but he is making the best of the situation. He was not nominated to go to the WJC which was a slap to the face, but at least he is using that to his advantage. He is slowly moving up the ranks in the Boston organization and the QMJHL scoring title. He started the year very slow but has turned it on since November. His face-off ability is very average and it could be the only real down fall for this kid. Throwing on some bulk, keeping focused and continue to develope his game; this kid could become a top 6 forward that any team would love to have.
posted by Washington Post at 8:51 AM
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