NHL Trade Deadline: Ten Tempting Prospects | The Hockey Writers

NHL Trade Deadline: Ten Tempting Prospects | The Hockey Writers:

"Picks and prospects will prove to be valuable commodities leading up to the NHL trade deadline. GMs of teams that emerge as buyers (seemingly the vast majority of the league) might have to dangle key assets to land the perceived difference making players they desire in their quest to hoist hockey’s Holy Grail."

NHL Trade Deadline: Ten Tempting Prospects

(Click on players name for up-to-date stats and/or profiles)

• Sebastian Collberg, F (Montreal Canadiens)

As I reported in my The Next Ones profile and interview with Collberg leading up to the 2012 NHL draft:

“He is first and foremost, a goal-scorer. The Swedish sniper possesses high-end hockey instincts, able to create his own chances. Augmenting his pro-calibre shot is his speed and skating. Collberg is seemingly effortless out of the blocks and has very good top end speed. He is also quite agile on his skates.

The Collberg hockey story continues to build as to go along with the aforementioned shot and skating ability, Sebastian is a calm and collected competitor. He has good puck skills and when presented with a breakaway or shootout attempt, he has tremendous confidence in his ability to find twine. As well, Collberg has shown the ability to play at his best, the bigger the hockey stage.”

#Habs prospect Sebastian Collberg will finnish the season with Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL: http://t.co/PMNUdPKHRG1 day ago via web@UffeBodin
Uffe Bodin

• Martin Gernat, D (Edmonton Oilers)

The Oilers may have to part with one of their Twin Tower Martins on Defense, leaving Marincin in the fold, to strength the squad to truly contend for a playoff spot in the NHL’s wild, wild, Western Conference.

+5 - Last night's +/- winner was Martin Gernat, who was a +5 in the @EdmOilKings victory & is now at +8 for the playoffs6 days ago via Twitter for iPhone@WHLFacts
WHL Facts

• Alexander Khokhlachev, F (Boston Bruins)

Koko was almost a Calgary Flame. Almost.

Professional Spotlight: Alexander Khokhlachevhttp://t.co/bvZUsXfdIS1 day ago via Tweet Button@BR_BostonBruins
Only the Bruins

• Scott Kosmachuk, F (Winnipeg Jets)

As Jets All Out sums up the Winnipeg savvy 3^rd round pick in 2012:

“Known as a feisty power forward for the 39-23-2-4 Storm this season, Kosmachuk has led the team in scoring with 65 points in 68 games – including a team high 35 goals.

Not to mention his 105 penalty minutes and plus three rating, Kosmachuk continues to improve steadily and consistently.

In his third full season in Guelph, the nineteen year old Toronto native has seen his production rise from 21 points in 68 games in 2010-11 to 59 points in 67 points in 2011-12 to this year’s total of 65 points in 68 games.

At 6’0, 177 pounds, the gritty winger has potential to be a Dave Bolland type player with his power forward type play and his scoring touch as of the last two OHL seasons in Guelph.”

Unreal, after a lengthy delay due to a glass breakage. #Jets Scott Kosmachuk is able to bang one past Gibson, assist to Fabbri. 3-2 Storm1 weeks ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®@KThackerHP
Kevin Thacker HP

• Dylan Olsen, D (Chicago Blackhawks)

While his progress from some has been deemed slower than desired, the potential for a key cog of a NHL blueline remains. From our 2009 NHL Draft profile:

“He has good size and is equally adept at playing in the offensive or defensive zones. He also possesses a good level of toughness and has that “umph!” to his game. Add to those components a bullet-like shot!”

In an April Fool’s Day tweet, the New York Islanders optimistically obtained his rights:

The Islanders have traded Mark Streit to Chicago for Dylan Olsen and a 2nd-round draft pick. So long, captain.1 day ago via Facebook@IslesOptimism
Islanders Op-Timism

• Garret Sparks, G (Toronto Maple Leafs)

If the Leafs go after a netminder, Sparks may be part of the compensation going the other direction. The Leafs liked him enough to have recently signed him to an entry level contract. If it’s Mikka Kiprusoff the Leafs end up persuading to join them, then the Calgary Flames will likely ask for a different type of return given the abundance of goalies now in the system.

Garret Sparks' goalie mask. https://t.co/5AfD3Mxp RT @Sean_Leahy Who would you say is the greatest patriot on the US roster?12/26/2012 via web@chrismpeters
Chris Peters

Good luck to Tanner Richard, Garret Sparks and Andrey Pedan in the AHL These guys won't be easy to replace in Guelph1 day ago via web@stormradioguy
Larry Mellott

• Michael St. Croix, C (New York Rangers)

St. Croix (son of former NHL goalie Rick) was a potential 4^th round steal. For the record, I had the talented center rated as a 2^nd rounder his draft year. The knock on him is that he does all his best work on the perimeter, electing to rarely get in the greasy areas.

#Winnipeg native and @OilKingsHockey C Michael St. Croix named to #WHL Eastern Conference 1st All-Star team2 weeks ago via web@mitchrosset
Mitch Rosset

• Tomas Tatar, F (Detroit Red Wings)

The Red Wings would also like to add a superior puckmoving defenseman. They were unable or uninterested (or uninterested in the asking price and salary) in landing Jay Bouwmeester from the Calgary Flames. Mark Streit’s name keeps arising, but the New York Islanders find themselves in the rare fight for a playoff slot.

Bluechip blueline prospect Brendan Smith is reportedly and understandably unavailable. The emergence of forward prospects Tomas Jurco, Teemu Pulkkinen and Gustav Nyquist could very well make Tomas Tatar available. Tatar was a star back at the 2009 World Juniors, finishing tied for 4^th in scoring, for Slovakia and has continued to make progress in the AHL.

RT @petewallner: Tomas Tatar would rather be with Red Wings, but he liked the ice time - and the goal and win - with @griffinshockey ht ...3 weeks ago via HootSuite@GRPress
GRPress

• Sami Vatanen, D (Anaheim Ducks)

Sami Vatanen: undersized dynamic puckmoving defenseman (John Wright/Norfolk Admirals)

Vatanen has notched an impressive 43 points in 56 games for the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals.

Anaheim Calling offered up this scouting report this past fall:

“Vatanen is a small (5’10″, 176 lbs) offensive defensemen. All scouting reports speak glowingly of hisskating (speed and fluidity) puck handling, passing and shooting, but the few comments on the defensive side of his game range from “has not been any sort of liability” to “need to show notable improvement,” and all consider his size (or lack thereof) a negative.”

Sami Vatanen rips a slap shot from the blue line but it travels just past Helenius' glove side #Admirals3 days ago via TweetDeck@AdsGameUpdates
Norfolk Admirals

• Columbus Blue Jackets 1^st Rounder 2013 (via Los Angeles Kings)

I’ll end off with admittedly a bit of a cop out as we do not yet know what prospect this pick will end up being. What I can tell you is that this is a very good draft class and the team that supplies the Blue Jackets with some temporary offensive fire power will be getting an opportunity to draft a key future asset.

NHL Trade Deadline 2013: First Rounder in Play? #CBJ #NHLhttp://t.co/GuzVeHfyUH1 day ago via SB Nation@cbjcannon
The Cannon

As not to be a cop out, as a honourable mention:

• If Ben Bishop is not moved by the Ottawa Senators, maybe Robin Lehner is.

Ben Bishop looks excellent tonight. Embarrassment of goalie riches in Ottawa.3 days ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry@mirtle
James Mirtle

Robin Lehner great quote on shootouts. They are selling average and I bite like its awesome.3 weeks ago via web@dutchysc
Darren Dutchyshen

***

It remains to be seen if any of the above assets will get moved on or before the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, but even in a lockout shortened season there is no shortage of speculation and intrigue.

Feel free to add to the list in the comments section below or elaborate upon why you think the above prospects or pick will or will not be shipped off for a hopeful final piece to a team’s playoffs aspirations.

_________________________________________

Email: CRalph@TheHockeyWriters.com

Twitter: @ChrisRalphTHW

The full article was originally published at The Hockey Writers - read the full article here.

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Sebastian Collberg – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile And Interview | The Hockey Writers

Sebastian Collberg reminds some of   Ales Hemsky  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sebastian Collberg – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile And Interview | The Hockey Writers:

"Perhaps no 2012 NHL draft eligible prospect elevated his stock more with international tournament play than Sebastian Collberg. Next to Nail Yakupov, Collberg was the most effective first year eligible skater at the World Junior U20s in Calgary, outplaying his more highly touted countryman  – Filip Forsberg.

At this spring’s WJC 18s, he was equally up to the task, being named one of his country’s three best players and was tied for fourth for the tournament’s scoring league. There is no shortage of reports on Collberg’s top hockey skill – his lightning quick release and explosive shot. His release and shot might indeed be the best in this draft, although Yakupov might have something to say about that.

He is first and foremost, a goal-scorer. The Swedish sniper possesses high-end hockey instincts, able to create his own chances. Augmenting his pro-calibre shot is his speed and skating. Collberg is seemingly effortless out of the blocks and has very good top end speed. He is also quite agile on his skates."

Full article link: http://thehockeywriters.com/sebastian-collberg-the-next-ones-nhl-2012-draft-prospect-profile-and-interview/

Battle: #NHLdraft Swedish IceBERGs: Sebastian ColBERG profile&interview buff.ly/KGqoIN & Filip ForsBERG profile: buff.ly/KGqq3f
— Christopher Ralph (@ChrisRalphTHW) June 2, 2012

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World Juniors: Top 10 2012 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Performances | The Hockey Writers

World Juniors: Top 10 2012 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Performances | The Hockey Writers

World Juniors: Top 10 2012 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Performances

Added by Christopher Ralph on January 13, 2012.

Part 1: First Year NHL 2012 Entry Draft Eligible Prospects

It is no secret the World Junior Hockey Championships provides an outstanding opportunity for scouts to evaluate prospects – both drafted and undrafted. One does, however, have to keep in mind that it is not easy for a prospect in his first year of eligibility to make a tremendous impact in this tournament.
The WJCs are typically dominated by 19 year olds. It stands to reason then if a 17 or 18 year old first year draft eligible player has a solid tournament they can raise their stock immensely or cement their stranglehold as a high end prospect.
A less than stellar performance may not necessarily result in a subsequent dip in a players stock as scouts have realistic expectations. However, glaring weaknesses could potentially be exposed that may not have been previously apparent. It is also an opportunity to see how a player responds to playing at this high level amongst his peers.
Part 1 will highlight the top 10 performances by first-year 2012 draft eligible prospects, with Part 2 soon to follow looking at the top 10 over-agers that have been previously passed over in the draft at least one year.
*Please note that this is not a ranking of the prospects for the 2012 NHL draft, but simply rating their performance at the World Juniors.

The Top 10 2012 NHL Entry Draft Eligible Prospect Performances - 1st Year of Eligibility:

Nail Yakupov: explosive for Russia at 2012 World Juniors {Alyonka Larionov Photography}

1. Nail Yakupov: Forward - Russia (Sarnia Sting, OHL)
Yakupov had a slightly perplexing tournament. He somehow transformed from a sniper to a playmaker. He was definitely snake-bitten on a multitude of opportunities throughout the World Juniors. He registered 9 assists in 7 games with surprisingly no goals. What was on fine display, however, was his explosiveness and creativity.
Draft Stock: Unchanged
Projected Round Drafted: 1st round (likely 1st or 2nd overall)
2. Sebastian Collberg: Forward, Sweden (Frolunda, SEL)

2012 Draft Eligible Sebastian Collberg of Team Sweden sports his Gold Medal (Chris Ralph/THW)

While Collberg’s potential was never in doubt, his ability to have such a positive impact on this tournament was surprising to most. The speedy sniper notched 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points in 6 games. Add in two super-slick shootout goals to round out his impressive performance. Although he will be likely be drafted behind countryman Filip Forsberg come June, he definitely outplayed Forsberg on this stage.
Draft Stock: Elevated
Projected Round Drafted: First round (first half)
3. Mikhail Grigorenko: forward, Russia (Quebec Ramparts, QMJHL)
Grigorenko had a curious tournament. In what was Evgeny Kuznetsov’s near record breaking performance against Latvia, Grigorenko was actually easily the best player on the ice for the 1st period. Early in the third he left with an ankle injury that was feared would keep him out of the rest of the tournament. However, it wasn’t as bad as initially expected and he was able to return to play in what appeared to be a somewhat limited capacity. His talent level is immense, however.
Draft Stock: Unchanged
Projected Round Drafted: 1st round (likely top 3 pick)
4. Andrei Vasilevski: Goalie, Russia
Coach Bragin didn’t start him for the gold medal game, but that was not because of Vasilevski’s ability. The big netminder with a lightning fast glove hand was on the radar for many scouts, but his play undoubtedly left many stunned. His combination of technique and athletic ability leaves one to think he has ridiculous upside.
Draft Stock: Skyrocketed
Projected Round Drafted: 2nd round (He might be a candidate for a late 1st round selection)
5. Ryan Murray: Defense, Canada (Everett Silvertips, WHL)
Besides the nightmare semifinal game against Russia, Murray actually had a good overall tournament. He was a plus 6 and had 3 assists in 6 games. He is an efficient defender with a beautiful skating stride and projects to be a high end blueliner at the next level. He may, however, not be the best 2012 eligible blueliner from Canada when it is all said and done. Mathew Dumba was not selected by Hockey Canada, but may just have a higher upside than Murray. He would have been very interesting to watch at the World Juniors.
Draft Stock: Likely unchanged, but may have slightly dipped
Projected Round Drafted: 1st round (likely top 3-5 pick)
***
Read full article at THW:
http://thehockeywriters.com/world-juniors-top-10-2012-nhl-draft-eligible-prospect-performances/

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