TSN's Top Mid-Season prospects
On June 26, the best young amateur players in the world will be made available when the 2009 NHL Entry Draft takes place in Montreal. Follow TSN's mid-season latest rankings - a compilation based on input from various scouts around the National Hockey League. (Photos: Getty Images)
McKenzie: I must have had a senior moment even before I've become a senior citizen. How else do I explain the omission of Saskatoon Blade defenceman Stefan Elliott in TSN's mid-season Top 30 prospects for the 2009 NHL entry draft. He belongs there. In fact, he should have been No. 23, but as I was putting together the final list Elliott somehow ended up on the cutting room floor. Oops. So our Top 30 just became a Top 31. For the sake of expediency, we're slotting Elliott at No. 22B, right behind Louis Leblanc and just ahead of Landon Ferarro. That's where Elliott currently merits being based on our survey of NHL team scouts. Sorry for the confusion. I will now go to the penalty box and feel shame.
Prospects No. 1 - 15 | Prospects No. 16 - 30
The Top 30
1. JOHN TAVARES
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: London |
League: OHL |
| Position: Centre |
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 198 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 43 GP, 41 G, 78 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Tavares made a very strong case as to why he is the top 2009 NHL draft prospect with one of the most dominant WJC performances in recent memory. Named the MVP of the tournament, Tavares has now shifted the debate as to who should be taken second in this year's draft. - From International Scouting Services |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 1
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 1 (North America) |
2. VICTOR HEDMAN
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: MoDo |
League: SweJE |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 6-6, 220 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 35 GP, 5 G, 18 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| An incredible skater for his size, Hedman has extremely explosive acceleration and jumps into the play in an instant. A very smart player, he anticipates well at both
ends of the ice. - From International Scouting Services |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 2
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 1 (Europe) |
3. MATT DUCHENE
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Brampton |
League: OHL |
| Position: Centre |
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 198 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 44 GP, 27 G, 64 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Duchene is ranked second to John Tavares among North American skaters rated by Central Scouting for the draft. His ended his rookie season last April by leading Canada's gold medal-winning team in goals at the 2008 IIHF under-18 championship. |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 5
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 2 (North America) |
4. EVANDER KANE
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Vancouver |
League: WHL |
| Position: Centre |
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 160 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 44 GP, 35 G, 73 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| A late addition to Team Canada, Kane replaced Dana Tyrell
who was injured during the World Juniors. Kane's presence and role on the team adapted as the tournament
went on and he provided energy and good strong physical play. A great combination of grit and
skill, look for his already high draft stock to rise. - From International Scouting Services |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 6
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 3 (North America) |
5. BRAYDEN SCHENN
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Brandon |
League: WHL |
| Position: Centre |
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 196 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 55 GP, 26 G, 71 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| The younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn played with Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships in Russia and tallied three goals and eight points in the tournament. He also competed in the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, earning another gold medal.
|
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 7
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 5 (North America) |
6. JARED COWEN
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Spokane |
League: WHL |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 218 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 48 GP, 7 G, 21 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Cowen is in his second full season of play with the Chiefs after capturing the WHL Championship and Memorial Cup during his rookie campaign in 2007-08. |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 4
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 7 (North America) |
7. MAGNUS SVENSSON-PAAJARVI
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Timra |
League: SweJE |
| Position: Left Wing |
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 200 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 42 GP, 5 G, 14 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Already ranked as the second best European skater by CSS, he is a tremendous puck handler with great outside rush ability and an unmatched capability of freezing defenders. - From International Scouting Services |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 3
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 2 (Europe) |
8. NAZEM KADRI
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: London |
League: OHL |
| Position: Centre |
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 177 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 43 GP, 21 G, 63 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| He was a member of the 2008 OHL Champion Kitchener Rangers and participated in the 2008 Memorial Cup. He was acquired by the London Knights last summer and is on pace to eclipse last year's totals of 25 goals and 65 points. |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 9
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 11 (North America) |
9. SCOTT GLENNIE
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Brandon |
League: WHL |
| Position: Centre |
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 180 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 52 GP, 27 G, 66 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Glennie was tied for sixth in the WHL scoring race with twenty-seven goals and 66 points before suffering a broken left elbow.
|
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 19
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 12 (North America) |
10. OLIVER EKMAN-LARSSON
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Leksands |
League: SweAI |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 176 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 36 GP, 3 G, 17 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Ekman-Larsson is playing in Sweden's second-tier league with Lekands, and represented his country at the World Juniors and Under-18's. |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: 43
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 8 (Europe) |
11. DMITRI KULIKOV
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Drummondville |
League: QMJHL |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 195 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 46 GP, 8 G, 52 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Kulikov is an offensive minded defender with good puck skills
and quick hands. His skill level is very high and he could mature into a very strong offensive option from the back end at the next level. - From International Scouting Services |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 18
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 17 (North America) |
12. JORDAN SCHROEDER
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: U of MN |
League: WCHA |
| Position: Right Wing |
Ht/Wt: 5-8, 165 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 24 GP, 10 G, 30 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| An agile and speedy playmaker, Schroeder's perimeter quickness gets
opponents defences into a panic. His best offensive attribute is his precision passing, Schroeder consistently finds open teammates in dangerous areas. - From International Scouting Services. |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 8
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 4 (North America) |
13. RYAN ELLIS
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Windsor |
League: OHL |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 173 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 46 GP, 17 G, 69 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| His ability to create time and space and be aware of all of his options is exceptional. At the World Juniors, Ellis provided undeniable proof that he is an extremely desirable offensive weapon from the back end. - From International Scouting Services |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 12
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 15 (North America) |
14. SIMON DESPRES
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Saint John |
League: QMJHL |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 214 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 54 GP, 2 G, 25 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Despres, the first pick overall at the 2007 QMJHL Entry Draft, has represented the league twice at the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. |
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 14
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 6 (North America) |
15. JOHN MOORE
| Profile |
|---|
| 2008-09 Team: Chicago |
League: USHL |
| Position: Defence |
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 189 lbs. |
| Stats through 2/11: 38 GP, 11 G, 29 PTS |
|
| Notes |
| Moore, who plays for the Chicago Steel, is the highest ranked player among the 27 USHL skaters listed by NHL Central Scouting.
|
| Scouting Ranking |
International Scouting Services: No. 21
Central Scouting Bureau: No. 8 (North America) |
