Matt Duchene - 1st round, 3rd overall
Position: Center
From: Ontario, Canada
Wears: #9
Playing with: Brampton Battalion (OHL) if he doesn't make the team.
A complete player, along the lines of a Steve Yzerman. Duchene has impressive speed and checking ability, and this year he showed that he has outstanding hands and can come through the clutch. Duchene has solid, but not outstanding, size at 5'11, but it's his ability to play positionally sound hockey complemented by excellent speed that makes him an all-around threat on the ice.
My take: Me likely.
Ryan O'Reily - 2nd round, 33rd overall
Position: Center
From: Ontario, Canada
Wears: #9
Playing with: Erie Otters (OHL)
O'Reilly is a thinking-man's player who has excellent anticipation and knowledge of the game, which enables him to be in the right place at the right time. O'Reilly's proven to be an excellent penalty killer and excels at the defensive aspects of the game. He's an excellent playmaker who has also shown an increasing aptitude for putting the puck in the net.
Criticisms of O'Reilly are a lack of scoring touch and perimeter play at times.
My take: I really like this pick. He is smart on and off the ice - Bassin Award Winner for Dedication, Scholastic Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player. He is good at both ends of the ice. And he is a leader. He captained both the Otters and Team Canada at the U18s.
Stefan Elliott - 2nd round, 49th overall
Position: Defense
From BC, Canada
Wears: #6
Playing with: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Elliott is an offensively gifted defenseman who has begun to flourish in a role that includes play on all special teams with the Blades. He is evolving into a leadership role as well, under the tutelage of head coach Lorne Molleken. A very good passer of the puck, Elliott creates scoring chances with his good vision and anticipation. He is mobile enough to force opponents wide as they approach the attacking zone. He should be able to increase his strength heading into next season, which will enable him to more effectively handle opposing forwards in front of the net.
Future: Another season or two in the WHL will enable Elliott to further build confidence and strength. A potential top-four NHL defenseman, look for Elliott to develop a Brian Rafalski-like skill set.
My take: Elliott, along with Ryan Wilson is what we got for Jordan Leopold, dumping him to Calgary at the trade deadline (who just moved him to Florida today... well, sort of - he is a UFA and can go anywhere on July 1) during a dead season. Hopefully at least one of them pans out.
Tyson Barrie - 3rd round, 64th overall
Position: Defense
From: BC, Canada
Wears: #4
Playing with: Canada Juniors -- Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
An offensive-minded defenseman, Barrie has turned an average second half of the season into a productive playoff performance. A confident puck carrier, he has been a mainstay on the power play ion both his 16- and 17-year-old seasons. He has had the tremendous good fortune to have been paired with Luke Schenn (TOR) and then Tyler Myers (BUF) in Kelowna during the past two seasons, a fact he has acknowledged when queried about his ability to commit to attacking zone play. Barrie does not possess an overpowering shot, but it is consistently accurate and he has the knack of sifting the puck through traffic. He does not necessarily have to get bigger, but he will have to be stronger to excel in professional hockey. While he reminds WHL onlookers of a right-handed shooting Kris Russell (CBJ), Barrie has yet to make a major impact on the international junior stage.
Barrie will unquestionably become a leader in Kelowna, a great opportunity to further establish his skills. Likely a third or fourth round selection at the NHL Entry Draft, Barrie will need some time to challenge for a top four position on an NHL team.
My take: Looks like Tyson has to prove he can do it on his own. Next year, both in the WHL and at the World Juniors are going to be big for him.
Kieran Millan, 5th round, 124th overall
Position: Goalie
From: Edmonton, Canada
Wears: #31
Playing with: Boston University (NCAA)
Notes: Millan backstopped the Terriers to one of their most successful seasons in the program’s history that included a national championship. The Hockey East and National Rookie of the Year posted a 29-2-3 record that included three shutouts in 35 appearances. Millan led the nation with a .897 winning percentage and ranked fifth in goals against average (1.94).
Millan is a good puck-handling goaltender that possesses very quick reflexes and economizes his movements quite well. This season, he also proved to be able to step up his game at crucial times as well. Millan is remarkably calm under pressure and is willing to aggressively challenge shooters. Though he has made strides in the crucial area of rebound control, Millan will need to continue improving that part of his game if he is to be successful at the next level.
Boston University associate head coach David Quinn on Millan: “Kieran is a kid that is very mentally strong. He’s fundamentally sound and really gives the team a calming effect with his style of play and with just how calm he is. Kieran is very coachable and likeable. I don’t think I’ve ever been around a goalie that his teammates like more than him. He stepped in and obviously did a great job too. Kieran was a major reason why we had the success that we had this year.”
My take: Wow, another BU connection... Goalies take a while and usually come out of nowhere. Maybe its Kieran, maybe its someone else...
Brandon Maxwell, 6th round, 154th overall
Position: Goalie
From: Florida, USA
Wears: #29
Playing with: Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Notes:
Ranked as the 8th North American goalie by Central Scouting. He's a long-shot to be drafted.
My take: Goalies take a while and usually come out of nowhere. Maybe its Brandon, maybe its someone else...
Gus Young - 7th Round, 148th overall
Position: Defense
From: Mass, USA
Wears: ??
Playing with: Yale (NCAA)
My take: yeah, I got nothing...
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