Monday, February 21, 2011

70 Jordan Weal

Jordan has been absolulely sensational as WHL player. He has some great career numbers putting up 172 points in his first two seasons, but that was while playing with Jordan Eberle. This year Jordan has proven himself with 75 points in 60 games and doing so without playing with another top player. The major knock on Jordan is his size, at a generous 5'9" and 165lbs, he is not the prototypical NHLer but the league has seen players with his stature do well in the league. He is a tough forechecker and with his scoring touch, this can create nightmares for the oppositions defensemen. Jordan will likely spend another season in the WHL and he will most likely play in the AHL after that. If he was to debut in the NHL, which he has a very good chance of doing so, he is likely to get his cup of coffee in he second year in the AHL.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

43 P.K. Subban


Pernell Karl Subban was a very good OHLer, he has great skating ability and he put up great scoring numbers in the OHL. He was able to win a Gold Medal at the world juniors and can be remembered as hyping teammate John Tavares as the number 1 draft pick. After spending a year in the AHL he has been a mainstay in the NHL and has been one of the most productive defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens. He has been able to somewhat fill the void of the oft-injured Andrei Markov and he will likely take over that job on the team in the future. The only knock on P.K. is that he likes to run his mouth a lot for a young player and that angers some veterans who put their time in and earned their place to do what they do. This is not entirely his fault as the Montreal and Canadian media outlets often blow his actions out of proportions. I feel that he will learn what goes and what doesn`t go with NHL players as he matures and I see him becoming one of the leagues top offensive defenseman.

1 Taylor Hall

When Taylor was taken 1st overall, he truly deserved it. After proving to be an absolute nightmare for the opposing teams goalie, defensemen, forwards and coachs, because of his amazing scoring ability. After having the pleasure to see Taylor play for 3 seasons for my hometown Windsor Spitfires, there was many times where he left me saying wow. He was one of the OHL best players as a 16 year old and continued to dominate at every level of competition, winning two Memorial Cups in the process. He has enjoyed success in Edmonton after a difficult start in the NHL where I thought he was just trying to do too much. He settled down and 38 points in 59 games. He should continue to grow and develop into an amazing player who will be a treat to watch for many years to come.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

14 Kevin Shattenkirk


First of all Kevin has one of the greatest hockey names coming up as a rookie this year for the Colorado Avalanche. Kevin has already compiled a very impressive resume before ever playing an NHL game. He has a silver medal in the World Under 18 Championships and was named defenseman of the tournament along with a NCAA hockey championship while playing for Boston University. Kevin has had an amazing season so far and has pretty much tied his college point pace with 26 points in 46 games before being traded to the St. Louis Blues. Kevin should fit in very nicely with the young St. Louis blueline in the future with the likes of Alex Pietrangelo, Ian Cole, and newly acquired prospect Brock Beukeboom.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

117 Edward Pasquale


Edward Pasquale was one of the best goalies the OHL had to offer during the 2009-10 season and he collected 32 wins while appearing in all but 7 games for the Saginaw Spirit. He is a workhorse who can relied upon night in and night out. I feel that Atlanta got a steal when they drafted him in the 4th round since he has all the making of a future NHL starter. His 6'2'' frame fits the new trend in teams choosing larger goaltenders perfectly and his glove-hand and rebound control are excellent. He has had a rough time adjusting to the AHL and is currently spending time in the ECHL, but I wouldn't be too worried about that as goalies are know to take a little longer to develop than position players. Don't be surprised if you see Edward in the NHL by the 2012-13 season.

35 Kyle Clifford


Kyle Clifford has been an absolute surprise this season not only making the Los Angeles Kings, but playing 52 games so far this season. Kyle's play in the OHL was good and he has a nice season collecting 57 points in 58 games with the Barrie Colts, thought he did play on a very good club that helps with this point total. He only has 9 points this season, but scoring is not the reason the Kings brought him in, his 88 PIM leads the team and he has fit into his role nicely. When the Kings drafted him I felt that he was taken way too high for what I thought he was capable at the pro level, but he as proven me wrong, and the Kings are looking like they made a very smart pick with Kyle.

176 Tyler Randell


Tyler Randell is not a player who will wow you with great speed or a blistering shot, but he is a player that you love to have one your side. He has accepted his role as a checking forward for the Kitchener Rangers and is having a career year with the Kitchener Rangers. He has 17 goals in 53 games this season but his toughness is what is making him stand out this season with 139 PIM. He is playing for a contract this season and though he is having a somewhat productive season, I just don't see it happening for him, since he lacks any upside as a checking line winger. It wouldn't surprise me to see him in the OHL next season as an overager.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

17 Trevor Lewis


Trevor is a good sized center who has all the tools to be a solid NHL player. The problem is that these tools have not translated well to the NHL and has this had led to lack luster play. He is spending time in Manchester (AHL) and hopefully will be on the Kings roster full time next season.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

13 Zack Kassian


Zack is a physical specimen who dominates the OHL physically and with his scoring touch. After serving a 20 game suspension for a hit that wasn't anything bad, Zack is playing with vengence. He can win that battles in the corners and has that hands to finish around the net. He should spend another season in Windsor (OHL) and then split time between Buffalo and Portland. He should become a Steve Downie type player and has the potential to be a star in the NHL for many years.

Monday, March 8, 2010

10 Michael Frolik

Michael was the first player taken by the Florida Panthers in the 2006 NHL Draft. He was dubbed "Baby Jagr" while playing for Kladno. After being drafted he came over to North America to play in the QMJHL for the Rimouski Oceanic where he had over 130 points in two seasons. He is no longer considered a prospect in the Florida system playing in his second career pro season for the Panthers. After putting up 45 points his rookie year, he is on pace to match that this season with 35 points in 64 games so far. He should continue to develop and has the potential to be a star in a few years.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

41 Cory Emmerton

Cory was the first player taken by the Red Wings in the 2006 draft and one of three 2nd round picks that the team held. Cory enjoyed a very nice OHL career with the Kingston Frontenacs and the Brampton Battalion. He is a great playmaker and at the same time can do it himself and put the puck in the net. He is playing in his second full season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL and is on pace to match last seasons numbers. He will probably be a 3rd line player in the NHL and maybe spend some time on the 2nd. Expect to see him in the Wings lineup next season and maybe a full time role the year after that.

60 Tomas Tatar

Tomas was the 2nd player taken by the Red Wings in the 2009 Draft. Tomas' draft stock rose greatly after the 2008-09 World Juniors. He has great hand and a very good shot. He has a good hockey IQ and is already proving he can play at a high level by being one of the AHL's breakout players as a 19 year old putting up 21 points in 32 games. Tomas is on the fast track to the NHL and he should make his debut either next year or the year after that.

50 Kenny Ryan


Kenny was the second player taken by the Leafs in 2009. After committing to Boston College, Kenny left the program to play for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He brings with him a good set of hands and a gritty style. Kenny is a player who stands out because he is always skating hard and I one of those guys you hate to play against. Kenny has made a nice transition to the OHL with 24 points in 36 games. He is a great two way player and could be a very nice fit on the 2nd or 3rd line. He compares well to a Jere Lehtinen or a Kris Draper.

32 Landon Ferraro

This card was converted from a blank piece of photo paper that I got Landon to sign last year TTM (through the mail) along with some other cards.

Landon is the son of former NHLer Ray Ferraro who enjoyed a very nice NHL Career playing over 1200 games and scoring over 400 goals. He was the Red Wings first pick of the 2009 draft after they traded out of the 1st round to aquire an extra 3rd pick. Landon is not going to be the biggest guy on the ice, but he may very well be the fastest. He won fastest skater at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects skills competition. He was rated the 18th best North American Skater by NHL Central Scouting. He could become a solid 2nd line producer for years to come in the NHL. Landon is currently playing for the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL where he has 32 points in 32 games.


About the Draft Set

This is a collection I have been working on for the last 3 years. My goal is to have every player drafted from 2006-2009 sign them and I will be adding the 2010 set when that draft occurs. If you have any questions about the set feel free to ask.
Here are links of each set and their progress

2006 47/213
http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn310/robcosta77/Draft%20Card%20Sets/2006%20Draft%20Picks/

2007 67/211
http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn310/robcosta77/Draft%20Card%20Sets/2007%20Draft%20Picks/

2008 88/211
http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn310/robcosta77/Draft%20Card%20Sets/2008%20Draft%20Picks/

2009 20/210
http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn310/robcosta77/Draft%20Card%20Sets/2009%20Draft%20Picks/