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With the 2008 NHL Entry Draft just a few days away, we thought we’d gather some information on ten of the top prospects in the upcoming selection. We are assuming that Steven Stamkos, the most likely pick for the Tampa Bay Lightning who hold the top selection in the draft, will pull on a Lightning jersey but after the Sarnia Sting center, the field is wide open. The NHL Draft will take place on Friday in Ottawa starting at 7 p.m. The first round picks order is:

Team and their AHL Affiliate

1. Tampa Bay Lightning – Norfolk Admirals
2. Los Angeles Kings – Manchester Monarchs
3. Atlanta Thrashers – Chicago Wolves
4. St. Louis Blues – Peoria Rivermen
5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS – SOUND TIGERS
6. Columbus Blue Jackets – Syracuse Crunch
7. Toronto Maple Leafs – Toronto Marlies
8. Phoenix Coyotes – San Antonio Rampage
9. Nashville Predators (from FLA) – Milwaukee Admirals
10. Vancouver Canucks – Manitoba Moose
11. Chicago Blackhawks – Rockford Ice Hogs
12. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) - Iowa
13. Buffalo Sabres – Portland Pirates
14. Nashville Predators – Milwaukee Admirals
15. Carolina Hurricanes – Albany River Rats
16. Boston Bruins – Providence Bruins
17. Calgary Flames – Quad City Flames
18. Ottawa Senators – Binghamton Senators
19. Philadelphia Flyers – Philadelphia Phantoms
20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from COL) – Syracuse Crunch
21. New York Rangers – Hartford Wolf Pack
22. Los Angeles (from DAL) – Manchester Monarchs
23. New Jersey Devils – Lowell Devils
24. Edmonton Oilers (from ANA) – Springfield Falcons
25. Washington Capitals – Hershey Bears
26. Minnesota Wild – Houston Aeros
27. Atlanta (from PIT) – Chicago Wolves
28. Montreal Canadiens – Hamilton Bulldogs
29. Buffalo (from S.J.) – Portland Pirates
30. Detroit Red Wings – Grand Rapids Griffins

 

1. DREW DOUGHTY

BORN: Dec. 8, 1989, London, Ont.
2007-08: Guelph Pos: D
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 219 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 4

In a draft chock full of very good, NHL-ready talent, Doughty is the best, most NHL-ready defenseman of the bunch. He has been very good all season in Guelph, but the world juniors was something of a coming out party for him.
“That was where he showed how good he really is,” one scout said. “When he and (defense partner Karl) Alzner were on the ice, the other team never had the puck because it was always on their sticks.”
It’s not unusual for Doughty to log 30 minutes a game for the Storm and he is relied upon in all situations. At the junior level, he has the ability to change the complexion of the game with his speed, strength and creative puck skills.
“He can play it any way you want to play it,” a scout said. “If you want to play a finesse game, he can do that. If you want to play a physical game, he’s fine with that, too. And when he hits guys, it hurts.”

What they’re saying:

“He is the complete player for the new NHL: big, excellent skater, great first pass, low panic threshold, and great offensive instincts.”
- Tony Saxon / Guelph Mercury

“The enthusiasm that he brings every time he steps on the ice, whether it’s a practice or a game, is what makes him a special player, along with his high skill level.”
- Dave Barr/ Guelph Storm Head Coach/ GM

“The hockey gods gave him a great mind for the game. He relies on that and does a phenomenal job reading and reacting.”
- NHL Scout

“Doughty has very quick feet, coming from his background of playing soccer and it shows when contesting the puck with his skates.”
- Hockeyprospects.com

2. ZACH BOGOSIAN

BORN: July 15, 1990, Massena, N.Y.
2007-08: Peterborough Pos: D
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 197 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 3

Another right shot defenseman from the OHL, Bogosian is a close second behind Doughty in the minds of a number of scouts.
“This guy is a home run waiting to happen,” one scout said. “He could turn out to be a great player.”
Bogosian is described as a smooth-skating defenseman who makes very good decisions. He possesses a top-notch first pass and has displayed a penchant for finding open forwards in the offensive zone, plus an ability to get the puck to them through traffic.
“He’s an all-round defenseman,” another scout said. “He has good size and skill and he can play with an edge. He’s the total package.”
Bogosian has a lot of room to grow. Many scouts are telling their GMs not to let this kid get away.
“You always notice him on the ice for good reasons,” a scout said. “He seems to do something every time he’s out there.”

What they’re saying:

“Bogosian uses his team’s success for a barometer for how he is performing. He thrives on the pressure of shutting down the opposition’s top forwards.”
- Aaron Bell / NHL.com

“He’s solid defensively, and at the same time he can skate with the puck. He doesn’t lose any speed when he’s handling the puck. He’s good offensively and knows when to jump into the play. He got a complete game.”
- Vince Malette / Peterborough Head Coach

“The difference between (Drew) Doughty and (Zach) Bogosian is the difference between what is today and what might be down the line. Bogosian is bigger and probably a better athlete who has made improvements in the second half of the season.”
- Gare Joyce / ESPN.com

“The Peterborough Petes have a long history of producing great players for the NHL. Names like Pronger, Yzerman, Stillman, Murphy, Ricci, and even Tie Domi all played their junior hockey for the franchise. Another name that may be added in due course to this list is Zach Bogosian.”
- Steve Fitzsimmons / Ontario Hockey Now


3. NIKITA FILATOV

BORN: May 25, 1990, Moscow, Rus.
2007-08 Central Army Pos: LW
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 165 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 2

Russian teenager Alexei Cherepanov tumbled on draft day last year more because of his effort and character then the NHL’s problems with the Russian federation. If Filatov tumbles, it won’t have anything to do with his skill or desire.
“He probably has as much skill as anyone in this draft and he’s a very competitive player,” one scout said.
But the left winger for Central Army’s second division team will surely slide between teams don’t know what hoops will have to be cleared to get him to the NHL. And teams that are choosing high are looking for secure picks.
“The lack of an agreement with Russia might help, though,” said one scout. It means that if he doesn’t sign, he’ll remain a defected player in perpetuity instead of going back into the draft in two years.
Filatov has been a consistent terror for opposing goalies at international tournaments.

What they’re saying:

“He is a young, talented hockey player with good technique and good speed too. He has definitely an NHL upside because he can score, he is a well- rounded player and he is responsible in the defensive zone.”
- Sergei Nemchinov / U-20 Russian Team Coach and two-time Stanley Cup Champion

“Filatov may have the purest skill set of anyone in his draft. Stamkos receives the nod over Filatov for his overall game, but Filatov takes a back seat to no one in this draft in skill.”
- Ken McKenna/ The Sporting News

“Alexei Cherepanov was skilled, but everybody was worried about his work ethic. This guy’s more talented and he plays real hard, too.”
- NHL Scout

“The young, English speaking, CSKA Moscow wingers looks almost like a cross between Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Afinogenov in terms of playing style.”
- Jante Abrahamsson / McKeen’s Hockey Prospects


4. ALEX PIETRANGELO

BORN: Feb. 18, 1990, King City, Ont.
2007-08: Niagara Pos. D
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 206 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 5

Pietrangelo struggled the first part of the season, but has come on since and vaulted himself among the elite prospects. Pietrangelo may not go in the top five, but might cause some sleepless nights because of it.
“If he falls to five, six or seven, a couple of years from now people might be saying, “How the hell did we miss this guy?” a scout said. “He’s a guy with some real upside. He’s a 6-foot-3 guy who can skate well and handle the puck.”
There is little doubt Pietrangelo has room to grow – not physically, but in terms of his development. He is not far behind Doughty, though most scouts think there is a definitive gap between the two players.
“Pietrangelo is a really smooth, poised, puck-moving defenseman, but Alex is more laid-back then Doughty,” another scout said. “He doesn’t really have the zip that Doughty has.”

What they’re saying:

“Alex is a towering, smooth-skating mobile defenseman, with great offensive skills. Pietrangelo plays with great maturity and smarts at both ends of the ice. His calmness and confidence while handling the puck, makes him a tremendous offensive threat from the back end. He has slick hands, great vision, and the skating ability to rush the puck at will. He quarterbacks the power play, makes hard crisp passes, and has a hard shot from the point. Not a physically dominating defenseman, but uses his great foot speed, positioning and long reach to fend off the opposition very well. Reacts very well under pressure, reads the ice well, and makes quick, smart decisions.”
- C. MacNamara / ISS Scout

“This kid will eventually one day be like Chris Pronger. Guys say he is not as tough as Pronger, but he is still a young man and when he becomes 21, look at the potential in the kid.”
- Mario Cicchilo / Niagara Head Coach

“Pietrangelo boasts more untapped upside than any of the top defensemen.”
- Matthew Wuest / The Hockey News


5. LUKE SCHENN

BORN: Nov. 2, 1989, Saskatoon, Sask.
2007-08: Kelowna Pos: D
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 216 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 6

Schenn wasn’t at his best in the World Junior Championship, but there were two reasons for that. First, he barely turned 18 and was playing in a tournament dominated by 19-year-olds. Second, the international game isn’t his style. When some scouts project Schenn, they see the second coming of Adam Foote: a tough, physical defenseman with a modicum of skill and a ton of leadership qualities.
“I don’t think this is a guy who is ever going to put up big numbers,” one scout said. “But he’s a meat and potatoes, in-your-face kind of guy.”
Schenn is a stay-at-home type who will make opposing forwards pay a physical price for going into the scoring areas. Like Doughty and Pietrangelo, he’s a right-shot, something harder to find on defense.
“He’s not as good as those other guys, but he plays with more of an edge,” a scout said. “To me, he’s Brendan Witt- plus.”

What they’re saying:

“Schenn can play a mean game and plays a tough NHL style defense that is guaranteed to get him a long hard look and career in the National Hockey League.”
- E.J. McGuire / Director, Central Scouting

“Showed a display of complete calm and poise amid the cauldron of pressure playing for Canada at the world juniors was really impressive. We were never on the bandwagon before, but we’re starting to come around.”
- Kyle Woodlief / USA Today

“He’s a warhorse. He stands up, forces the play and blocks shots.”
- Matthew Wuest / The Hockey News

“ He is often compared to Dion Phaneuf for his no-holds-barred physical game. Mature beyond his years in every aspect. A treat to watch as he uses both his body and stick to effectively remove opponents from the puck. Offensive ability rapidly rounding into form.”
- Matt Bugg / Fantasyplayers.com


6. COLIN WILSON

BORN: Oct. 20, 1989, Greenwich, Conn.
2007-08: Boston Univ. Pos: C
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 215 Shoots: L
International Scouting Service: No. 8

The son of former Calgary Flame Carey Wilson is a one of a plethora of prospects in this draft who comes from very solid bloodiness. Skating is a concern for Wilson, but his hockey sense makes up for a lack of speed and choppy stride.
“Its not going to hold him back,” one scout said, “but I think it’s one thing that keeps him from being mentioned with Steven Stamkos.”
Like Stamkos, Wilson played in the WJC, but for the U.S. team. There were times when he was the best American player on the ice.
“It seems to me that how he goes, that’s how the team goes,” one scout said. “In the world juniors, when he was playing well, the team was really going, but in games he missed or struggled, it seemed to me the team really struggled, too.”
One scout said Wilson might not have the upside of players in the top five, but any team looking for a safe, solid pick could do a lot worse.
What they’re saying:

“ Colin has a tremendous skill set. The thing about Colin is that he can play a number of roles. He can setup a line-mate because he sees the ice really well and can find passing lanes, even if they sometimes don’t exist. But recently, he’s also been finding the net more himself.”

What they're saying:

“ He’s a solid two-way player, he fulfills his defensive responsibilities, and he can get the job done.”
- NHL Scout

“ He’s a tremendous competitor and he has a nice blend of offensive smarts.”
- John Haynes / Head Coach, Team USA

“ He combines power and skill. He can play any type of game you want.”
- Matthew Wuest / The Hockey News

“ He is above average at every facet of the game. He is fast and is extremely skilled with and without the puck. He can play in all situations and has enormous hockey sense.”
- Thayne Hallyburton / Bleacher Report


7. CODY HODGSON

BORN: Feb. 18, 1990, Markham, Ont.
2007-08: Brampton Pos: C
Ht: 5-11 Wt. 185 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 9

There was a time not long ago when Hodgon’s father Chris was being touted as a future premier of Ontario. The younger Hodgson will likely never enter politics, but his future in hockey looks very bright. Hodgson is near the top of a dominant OHL crop of draftees. More of a playmaker than a scorer, Hodgson has drawn comparisons to everyone from Adam Oates to Cory Stillman to Chris Drury.
“He has very good hockey sense and I think that’s the strongest part of his game,” one NHL scout said. “It seems every time he’s on the ice, he has the puck on his stick.”
Although he is not a liability defensively, Hodgson’s reputation going into the draft has been his ability to create offensive opportunities for both himself and his line-mates.
“He just seems to have a great nose for the net and a nose for the puck,” another scout said. “His offensive ability is his calling card.”

What they’re saying:

“He’s a game breaker. He’s made a difference everywhere he’s played, and those types of players are hard to get.”
- Stan Butler / Brampton Battalion Head Coach/GM
“When Brampton Battalion forward Cody Hodgson is on the ice, his opponents look like pawns ripe for the taking.”
- Sunaya Supurji / Toronto Sun

“Those who like him would project him as Chris Drury type, a solid second-liner who can play against other teams’ top line and offer clutch scoring and character.”
- Gare Joyce / ESPN.com

“ He had a lot to do with our success. I’ve had a lot of guys older than him who don’t conduct themselves like he does.”
- Patt Quinn / Team Canada U-18 Head Coach/ Former Maple Leafs Head Coach


8. MIKKEL BOEDKER

BORN: Dec. 16, 1989, Brondby, Denmark
2007-08: Kitchener Pos: LW
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 195 Shoots: L
International Scouting Service: No.7

Lars Eller became the highest drafted Danish-born player ever when St. Louis took him 13th last year, but his reign will not last long. Boedker has made enormous strides in Kitchener this season, to the point where one scout had him second on his list behind only Steven Stamkos.
“This guy is frighteningly good,” the scout said. “He’s really good right now and going to get better.”
Boedker came to the Rangers after playing in Sweden last season and was a solid contributor on the second line of one of the best teams in the CHL. He also represented Denmark at the WJC and has played in all situations for the Rangers. Although his puck skills are good, his calling card is his skating ability. He possesses both quickness and breakaway speed. “He’s just a beautiful skater,” one scout said. Boedker is seen more as a playmaker than a finisher.

What they’re saying:

“ Mikkel has world class speed and skill. He has adjusted to the North American game very well and will be an impact player at the NHL level one day.”
- Peter DeBoer / Kitchener Rangers Head Coach

“Boedker has displayed outstanding offensive talents since arriving (to the OHL). He has explosive speed, a great shot, and has a good feel for the game.”
- Aaron Bell / NHL.com

“He always uses great body position to protect the puck. He is very strong on the wall, has a rocket for a shot and is also a great penalty killer. For a player with his type of shot, he probably thinks pass more than shoot. He is a guy who could probably score 30-40 goals very easily if he would shoot a little more.”
- Mike Torchia / Kitchener Rangers Color Analyst


9. KYLE BEACH

BORN: Jan. 13, 1990, Kelowna, B.C.
2007-08: Everett Pos: C
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 203 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 13

Discipline both on and off the ice is the key issue involving Beach, but if he can learn to control his anger and pick his spots, he could be a dominant NHL player.
“This guy could be the best player in the draft” one scout said. “He’s Owen Nolan. Yeah, discipline is an issue for him. But was discipline an issue for Claude Lemieux?”
Another scout described Beach as a 6-foot-3 Sean Avery.
“He has as much skill as anybody and he’s tough as nails,” the scout said. “He can snap sometimes…and that can be a good and bad thing.”
The key for Beach is whether or not he can grow out of his hotheadedness, but maintain an edge as he matures as a hockey player. He is very dangerous from the blue-line in and has meshed well in Everett with Boston first – rounder Zach Hamill.
“He’s not a great skater,” a scout said, “but he has a big shot and good hands.”

What they’re saying:

“ Kyle Beach is one of the top forwards in this year’s draft and is probably the most competitive – from the blue line in there is no one that competes like him. He’s feisty, he’s got a reputation for being physical and agitating a little bit, but he definitely ranks in there as a power forward and is the power forward in this year’s draft. He has good scoring skills and a very accurate shot, and from the blue line in, once he gets the puck, he almost owns it.”
- Blair MacDonald / NHL’s Central Scouting

“Kyle is a really unique player, probably the most unique player in the draft this year in the fact that he plays a difficult game and is a difficult player to play against. He’s physical, he’s strong, he has skill, and he has every dimension needed to be a power forward in the National Hockey League.”
- John Becanic / Everett Silvertips Head Coach

“ Size, strength, scoring ability and agitation. What more do you need?”
- Tri-city Herald


10. TYLER MYERS

BORN: Feb. 1, 1990, DeWinton, Alta.
2007-08: Kelowna Pos: D
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 204 Shoots: R
International Scouting Service: No. 15

Myers is a mountain of a man. We’re talking Zdeno Chara-type size here. And that might be the best thing for him. In fact, it might send him on a downward spiral on draft day.
“This is going to be a high-risk, high-return guy for a team that wants to hit a home run, but also isn’t afraid to strike out,” one scout said. “Somebody will roll the dice on this guy, but will it be in the top 10 or will it be from 10 to 20? The fact is, he’s 6-foot-7. Sometimes I wonder if the game is even suited for guys that big.”
Another scout sees Myers differently, saying he’s a “beautiful skater,” for such a big man and has an unlimited upside. Until three years ago, he was a forward.
“There’s a lot of projection in this guy,” a scout said. “He doesn’t show it right now, but there is room for a lot of development in his game. He has pretty decent talent.”

What they’re saying:

“It goes without saying the 6-foot-7 Myers owned the vertical jump at the combine, but it was his all-round effort that showed he belongs in the top 10 this year.”
- Ryan Kennedy / The Hockey News

“For a younger guy, he’s got a lot of composure with the puck. I think that’s one of the reason’s why a lot of NHL scouts are fairly high on him right now.”
- Ryan Huska / Kelowna Rockets Head Coach

“There may be a night where the large feet of Myers get in his way a little bit, but to hear scouts talk, they won’t get in his way for very many more years.”
- E.J. McGuire / NHL Director of Central Scouting

Information gathered from The Hockey News