As of July 1st, the International Scouting Service listed top five prospects for the 2011 NHL Entry draft as follows:
- Sean Couturier (Canada)
- Adam Larsson (Sweden)
- Victor Rask (Sweden)
- David Musil (Czech Republic)
- Seth Ambroz (USA)
Couturier
It is no surprise to see Couturier leading the pack. He dominated the QMJHL, even against older and more experienced players. He lead the league in scoring with 41 goals and 55 assists through 68 games. He then put up 10 goals and 8 assists in the playoffs, in just 14 games, showing his ability to be a clutch player under pressure.
He has smooth feet and explosive speed. He handles the puck "as if he's got it on a string." His vision of the game and his hard, accurate shot go with his 6'4" 192 lb. frame to make him a complete package (though he does have some filling out to do).
What may be surprising is that he hails from Phoenix, AZ - born there while his father played a stint with the Phoenix Roadrunners. Then again, a former 2008 NHL Entry Draft prospect who hailed from Houston due to a similar situation just won the NHL's Calder trophy for rookie of the year - Tyler Myers.
NHL Comparison: Evgeni Malkin
Larsson
Adam Larsson could practically be NHL ready at just 17 years of age. At 6-foot-3, 210-pounds, he skates well, never panics while defending, and has a huge shot. Heck, he played in the Swedish Elite League at just 16 years of age with Skellefteå AIK.
The '09-'10 season was Larsson's breakout campaign. By season's end, Larsson had tied the record for scoring in Elitserien among defencemen under the age of 18. The original record was set by Tomas Johnsson way back in '77–78.
Many scouts believe he may be the best NHL prospect to ever come out of hockey-rich Sweden.
NHL Comparison: Ray Bourque
Rask
Victor Rask is a center who sands at 6'1", 195 lbs. Like Couturier, he has some filling out to do, but he already uses his size to his advantage and is a master upon the faceoff dot. At the 2010 World Under-18’s, Rask won 60.8% of his draws which helped Sweden earn a silver medal.
Fast, tenacious, and smart, Rask put up 22 goals and 19 helpers in 39 games in the J20 Swedish SuperElit League.
NHL Comparison: Mikko Koivu
Musil
The son of former NHLer Frantisek Musil, he comes with that priceless NHL pedigree. Still, as a defender at 6'5" and 200 lbs. - at the tender age of 16 - he has easily risen from his father's shadow to turn scouts' heads.
To keep scouts urgently texting their GM's, Musil had 7 goals and 32 points in 71 games in the past season, and was tied for 12th overall in the WHL with a plus/minus of +33. He is mobile for his size, and uses his size, strength and smarts as often as possible to generate points.
And he still has a lot of growing to do.
NHL Comparison: Pavol Kubina
Ambroz
Ambroz is the power forward that every team in the NHL wants on their first line - not only to score, but also to provide the muscle needed to protect star players at the same time. At 6'3" and 205 lbs., this NHL prospect has literally dropped out of the power forward mold.
This past season, as a rookie in the USHL, he put up 14 goals and 17 assists in 60 games. He ranked 4th on his Omaha Lancers team in scoring in, while also being second in penalty minutes. Perhaps more important were his stats with the U.S. Under-17 Team at this season's Four Nations Cup. He led Team USA with 5 goals - 2 of them coming in the 8-2 victory over Switzerland in the final game. Like Couturier, he is proving himself to be a clutch performer in the pressure cooker.
NHL Comparison: Keith Tkachuk
From the deserts of Phoenix, to Sweden and the Czech Republic and back to North America again, the top 5 NHL prospects are already mapped out on every NHL team's scouting list for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. They will be fine consolation prizes to those teams whose 2010-'11 campaigns are woeful enough to land them in the top 5 pick draft lottery.
See Also:
"The 2011 NHL Draft; The Top Ten Prospects; NHL Comparisons"
In the meantime, there is plenty of time to look at some arcane and wonderful draft history.
See Also:
"How the Sabres Scouting Staff Handed the Islanders a Dynasty"
Scott Michalak - Scott Michalak was born in Buffalo, New York, and has since traveled and lived in places such as England, Belgium, Australia, and around ...
