No need to tell about
Aleksander Barkov Jr. After a 1g 2a performance against the USA, Barkov later
said on interview that he wasn’t satisfied with his playing and that he should
play better in the tournament. That says a lot about the kid’s willingness to
perform and win. The Finns are early favorites to win it this year. With a
great performance at this year’s WJC, he should cement his stock as a lottery
prospect.
Montreal Canadiens
picks Seth Jones with the 3rd overall pick
1. C Nathan MacKinnon (5'11" - 179 lbs) Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL Outside
of Baertschi, this franchise is aging and needs a new face once Iginla will be
gone. MacKinnon will attract crowds and will be the cornerstone of this
franchise. He is a combination of explosiveness and quick release; reminds a lot of a Marian Gaborik. 2. LW/C Jonathan Drouin (5'11" - 185 lbs) Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL
With
President John Davidson on board, Howson and company will have their elite
forward in Jonathan Drouin. Hands of a magician combined with a tireless work
ethic, Drouin is part of the rebuilding with Rick Nash departure. Resembles Claude Giroux and Patrick Kane a lot.
3. D Seth Jones (6'4" - 205 lbs) Portland Winterhawks - WHL
Jones
is the missing key of the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge’s franchise. The son of former NBA
player Popeye Jones brings the defensive pool of the Habs to a whole new level
and will be a deadly combo with PK Subban in the future. Trevor Timmins will finally have a joy drafting a premier product of the USNDTP. Unlike the comparison to Chris Pronger, Jones could become a player similar to Alex Pietrangelo or a meaner version of Dougie Hamilton.
At this
spot, many will consider Barkov as the steal of the draft, and with reason.
Since Teemue Selanne and Saku Koivu, nobody has seen a 17 years old dominating
this much in the SM-liiga till Barkov. Tavares-Barkov will be a very strong 1-2
punch centers. 5. C Sean Monahan (6'2" - 170 lbs) Ottawa 67's - OHL
Some
considered the best 2-way forward in the draft, Monahan is exactly what Brian
Burke will want in building his franchise. Monahan will be well complemented
one day in the NHL with Kessel and JVR.
There is a
huge debate going on about Grigorenko and his decline in the rankings and
criticism by everybody. But we have to see the big picture, one of a Russian
that was born in Khabarosvk, a city completely east of Russia, near the China
border where his dad was only a car dealer. He moved to Moscow with his mom and
big brother at the age of 7 so he could have a better development in the game
of hockey and a better future as a hockey player.
The kid came
to Canada at the age of 17 years old, not knowing a single word in English and having
his translator when he first walked into the Quebec airport. He was so overwhelmed
to see all the people from Quebec that was welcoming him as he makes his first
steps on our continent. What most people don’t know is that Patrick Roy, coach
and general manager of the Quebec Remparts, actually played Grigorenko in
defensive situations such as penalty kills most of the nights. He finished the
year with 40 goals and 45 assists for 85 points in only 59 games, grabbing
along the CHL rookie of the year award.
At the World
Junior Championships, Mikhail was playing very well for Russia along Gusev and
Kucherov, and never once on the same line as tournament leading scorer Yevgeni
Kuznetsov who played with Yakupov. Then came the turning point of his season,
the downfall. He was playing against Latvia in the 1st period when
the score was still tied at 0-0. Coming from an unbeaten record and Latvia with
crushing defeats of 4-9 and 1-3 against Sweden and Slovakia, the Russians knew
they would have an easy game. However, they were dominated in the 1st
period till 9:30 when Mikhail Grigorenko raised his game and create offense as
he scored the 1st of 14 Russian goals in a 14-0 devastating win over
Latvia. However, in early 2nd period, Grigorenko got hit really
badly by Latvian defenseman Arturs Salija, injuring his ankle and falling
painfully on the ice. At that moment, Grigorenko just had his 1st
injury in his young career, as he never had to fight through such injury.
It was also since that particular moment, that his draft ranking would fall. He
played the rest of the tournament with a high sprained ankle finishing with 5
points in 6 games. Instead of being called a hero, a catalyst for Russia for
playing with an injury, he was criticized for all the wrong reasons.
Coming back
from a Silver medal win with team Russia, Grigorenko has decided to rest and
heal his ankle. He came back and wasn’t as dominant as before he left the
Remparts for the WJCs. Scouts started to doubt his physical implication, his
thrive and his play away from the puck. He was starting to be criticized of
being lazy, lacking effort, being a KHL bound player, etc. Towards the end of a
season, a certain scout told TSN that he wouldn’t even take Grigorenko at 22nd
overall. Absurd as it may seem, as of today, Mikhail Grigorenko is being touted
as a mid to late 1st round pick. His decline wasn’t stopping there,
as the Remparts and him lost the QMJHL 2nd round playoff series against
Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin and the surprising Halifax Mooseheads
while having a 3-0 lead in the series. Guess what happened, the media and the
scouts were starting to have fun downgrading Grigorenko.
It was only
later after the CHL season ended, it was made public that Mikhail had
mononucleosis that he started to feel symptoms before Game 6 of that same
series against the Mooseheads. With that being said, he was called of not
showing when it matters most, but finished with 10 pts in 11 playoffs games.
He decided to
attend the NHL Combine in Toronto while not participating in any physical test.
He went there to prove the 30 NHL teams that he is a person who persevered in
his life and not a person that will not face an obstacle in his way. He was
present to show his personality, his desire to play in the NHL, and most
importantly, his dedication to this sport that he practiced since 6-7 years
old. Funny story, he had around 26 interviews and during which he wore a
Lacoste red and white polo shirt with the Canadian Maple Leaf on it. We can see
throughout his interviews, Grigorenko is a person with education and head on
his shoulders. He speaks fluently English in only a year. He loves being in
Canada and was even getting thoughts of taking University classes in physical education
at distance. It shows that he knows where to put his priorites and wants to
become a better hockey player, a better person.
All in all,
instead of being called a perseverant and hard working person and hockey
player, Mikhail Grigorenko was criticized by all the wrong means. There has
never been that much hate on a top end prospect that has done nothing to
deserved this situation. He is an 18 years old Russian born player that
deserves much more praise than hate and criticism. Head on his shoulders,
Grigorenko understanding of the game and ability to control the pace of the
game is unrivaled in this draft class. To
conclude, Mikhail Grigorenko has the complete package: the skillset, the
attitude, and the desire to become a star in the NHL and a game changer for the
NHL team that will pick him, whether it’s 3rd overall or 200th
overall. We are proud to talk to you about … the Curious Case of Mikhail
Grigorenko.
Griffin Reinhart (D) of the Edmonton Oil Kings going 5th overall to Toronto Maple Leafs.
1. RW NailYAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL Consensus #1 prospect of this year’s draft, Yakupov’s thrive and cocky attitude will well complete the Oil Change in Edmonton. 2. C Alex GALCHENYUK(6’1 – 185 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL Young Alex showed great promises in his OHL rookie year. A good showing at the Combine seems to tell the teams that his knee is fully recovered. 3. C/RW MikhailGRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL Despite having a really good rookie year in his 1st year in North America, Patrick Roy’s star player received enough criticism but his cerebral game along with his skill set is just too much to pass up. He is the prospect with the highest upside of this draft class. 4. LWFilip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL Head on his shoulders, comes from great family, Forsberg gives it 100% on every shift. He will complement very well John Tavares for years to come on a young Islanders team. 5. D Griffin REINHART(6’3 – 190 lbs) Edmonton Oil Kings - WHL With Murray still on the boards, Burke will go for a big and mean defenseman that is comparable to Shea Weber. Comes from a good hockey family, Griffin surprisingly plays a very well rounded game at both ends, along with very good lateral step.
With Grigorenko at the top spot throughout most of
the season, Yakupov takes over and will be ready next year to help this young Edmonton team. Fits the mold of the Eberles, Halls and Nugent-Hopkins. 2. LWFilip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL Top European prospect, Forsberg is a tireless
worker on the ice but with an extremely offensive toolset. With their bad past
with Russians, Columbus will be thrilled to have Forsberg as their franchise
winger... leaving Nash open for trade?
3. C Alex GALCHENYUK(6’1 – 185 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL Trevor Timmins won’t be afraid of picking
Alex Galchenyuk even though he was recovering all season long. Gally fits
perfectly well in Montreal and will surely become an All Star. A mix of high
skillset and explosive quick release along with insane dangling moves.
Galchenyuk will become the franchise centerman that Montreal has been waiting
for… for far so long.
4. D Ryan MURRAY(6’0 – 185 lbs) Everett Silvetips - WHL
John Tavares, El Nino, Ryan Strome… what’s missing? A franchise
defenceman, Ryan Murray. Possibly the best 2-way defenceman of the draft, will
assure NY’s future for a long time.
Although being so criticized since his return from the WJCs, Grigorenko
remains an incredible prospect with a hockey sense above the average. A miracle
pick at this spot.
4. Carolina: With Jeff Skinner as the new franchise forward, Murray will fit
perfectly in the near future alongside with Ryan Murphy as the franchise
defensemen.
D Ryan MURRAY (6’0 – 185 lbs) Everett Silvetips - WHL
5. Buffalo: Buffalo lacks of a defensive juggernaut. Dumba will bring size, offense
and defense.
Was a surprising factor in the
Czechs amazing run till they’ve met Andrei Vasilevski and the Russians. Big, poise and has great hands to go
along with a very intriguing skillset. Knows how to protect the puck with his
big frame and seems to always find a way to get to the opposing net. Finished
the tournament on top of his team in scoring with 3g – 2a for 5 pts in 6 games.
Latvia
Zemgus Girgensons:
Although
he finished the tournament with only 2 goals in 6 games with a -6 differential,
Girgensons stood out of this Latvian team that finished 9th, just
ahead of last placed Denmark. Similarly to Hertl, Girgensons knows how to get
his nose to the net. His powerforward reputation in the USHL as captain of the
Dubuque Fighting Saints was proven on international stage. Many times he was
the team’s top player of the game and even during that 14-0 loss against
Kuznetsov and the Russians.
Finland
Ville Pokka:
Maatta
out? No problem, Ville Pokka was able to step up his game and make a name for
himself after the tournament. Very mobile, but more of a punishing defenseman
then Maatta, Pokka played really great throughout the tournament. He finished
the tournament with a very good production of 1g-3a for 4 pts in 7 games with
a positive 3 differential.
Aleksander Barkov Jr:
We couldn’t
have make this review without mentioning the stellar performance of Barkov.
Very hyped as the youngest player of the tournament and already being labelled
as a top 10 for the 2013 draft, he did managed to write his name in the history
of the tournament as the youngest player to score a goal, beating out Sidney
Crosby. He has great poise with the puck and even if he was given more of a
defensive role, he was not shy to
get into the corners and win his battles. Finished the tournament with a
1g-3a-4pts production in 7 games.
Sweden
Sebastian Collberg – Filip Forsberg – Pontus Åberg:
Collberg or
Forsberg...that is the question. Before the start of the tournament, Sweden had
3 potential 1st rounders. After the tournament, they still have 3
potential 1st rounders: Filip Forsberg, Sebastian Collberg and
Pontus Åberg. Out of the three, the only one whose draft stock might drop a
little bit is Åberg since he was force to leave the tournament due to an injury
occurring during the last exhibition game. Although Forsberg is the highest
ranked of the three, it did not stop Collberg to have an excellent tourney,
topping with 4 g-3a for 7 pts in 6 games. On the other hand, Forsberg only
managed to put up 1 assist in those 6 games. Don’t let that number fool you. Forsberg was given more of a
defensive role than he’s used to. He did show flashes of great puck protection
and great skillset. Collberg however, played on a stronger line with Zibanejad
and managed to put up more points. After the tournament, we feel that even
though Forsberg did not lit up with huge numbers, his upside seems very high
and will be more of a complete player than Collberg, who’s offensive flair is
undeniable. As for Åberg, of all those exhibition games he played, he showed
that he is not to leave out in the debate of the best Swedish forward. All
three will certainly hear their names call up on the 1st day of the
draft, in Pittsburgh.
USA
Jacob Trouba:
If there
is one thing positive about team USA’s horrible run at the WJC, is that
defenseman Jacob Trouba has risen in the draft rankings due to his strong play
at both ends of the ice, even when his team played poorly throughout all the
tournament. His strongest asset is that he always seem to be calm and poise
with the puck. Little mistakes did he made, Trouba is a hard nose player and
likes to get physical too. Expect him to be amongst the first defenceman to be
drafted on June 22nd.
Canada
Ryan Murray:
Being the
youngest player on the Canadian roster, Ryan Murray played an overall good
tournament, except for his team loss in the semi finals against the Russians. Unfortunately,
Murray was not only on the ice for Russia’s first 3-4 goals, but the puck
actually did touch him or his skates on all of these goals. Talk about a bad
luck. However, we can’t judge what Ryan Murray has brought for team Canada
throughout not only this tournament, but for all the other ones also: Ivan
Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Under-18, etc. His performance during the
semi finals shouldn’t make him a sliding prospect, but it shows that other
players are starting to catch up on him. He’s being scouted for a while now,
and is suffering the same faith as Tavares and Couturier.
1. C Nathan MacKinnon (5'11" - 179 lbs) Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL
2. LW/C Jonathan Drouin (5'11" - 185 lbs) Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL
3. D Seth Jones (6'4" - 205 lbs) Portland Winterhawks - WHL
4. C Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov Jr (6'2" - 205 lbs) Tappara - SM-liiga
5. C Sean Monahan (6'2" - 170 lbs) Ottawa 67's - OHL
1. RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL
