Here is the final installment of my WHL rankings ahead of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Previously I ranked my 16th-30th prospects, 31st-50th, plus honourable mentions and others. Today's final ranking covers my top 15 players from the WHL.
Included in my rankings is a description of the player, an NHL style comparison, top end NHL potential and a prediction of where they will be picked in the draft. The pick prediction isn't necessarily where I would rank them, merely a guess as to how NHL teams might value them. As for the NHL player comparisons, they are merely used to give the reader an understanding of how the player looks on the ice. They are in no way meant to say that I expect the WHL player to have an NHL career similar to their comparable. As mentioned in past blogs, I have seen each of these players atleast 2-3 times this season, with most of them having 5+ viewings. Some of these players I have seen as many as 150 times live over the past 2+ seasons.
Here's my top 15 and thanks for reading.
#1 - Ryan Murray - Everett Silvertips - LD -
Murray is a
smooth-skating, two way defenceman with leadership capabilities. He is a well above average defender, he blocks
shots, plays in all three zones and can also quarterback a powerplay. He's got
a strong work ethic, is an excellent passer and is also considered by many
(including myself) to be the most pro-ready defenceman in the draft. He has been my top ranked player since the
early stages of the 2010-2011 season and I see no reason for him to be dethroned
at this point. He got great experience
playing for Canada at this year's World Juniors as well as being a part of Team
Canada for the 2012 World Championships, despite limited ice time in both
events. I fully expect him to be in the NHL next season, regardless of what
team drafts him. The only way he doesn't end up there would be if the NHL
starts the year in a lockout.
NHL Style Comparable: Scott Niedermayer
Top End Potential: #1 Defenceman, PP Quarterback, 2nd Unit
PK
Pick Prediction: Top
3
#2 - Griffin Reinhart - Edmonton Oil Kings - LD -
Reinhart
is a big, two way defender, standing at 6'4. He has the ability to defend with size and reach. Physicality continues to
be an area to work on, but he made good strides in that area of his game late
this season, in the WHL playoffs and so far in the Memorial Cup. His offensive
skills and skating has improved all season. He moves the puck well, reads the play well, can
adapt against a forecheck and has an underrated slapshot. Had some questions
coming into this season after a serious wrist injury late last year, but has
eliminated those questions throughout the season, in my opinion. Biggest knock
for me right now is the lack of 'mean' in his game, but even that has improved. I think he'll get picked in the 8-10 range,
but I would slot him just a bit higher than that, personally.
NHL Style Comparable: Eric Brewer or Braydon Coburn
Top End Potential: #2 Defenceman, 2nd Unit PP, 1st Unit PK
Pick Prediction:
8-10th Overall
#3 - Morgan Rielly - Moose Jaw Warriors - LD -
Rielly is a
solid puck moving defenceman who was showing great growth defensively before
suffering a serious knee injury in early November. Came back from injury
without missing much of a step. Skates
very well, is a great passer and reads the play well above average compared to
his peers, excellent hockey sense. Likes
to join the rush and has shown a steady growth in defensive play, despite
missing almost all season with his serious injury. Doesn't have the hardest shot, but he knows
how to use it effectively. Will turn
heads at an NHL training camp and is a good candidate to make the jump to the
NHL after one more year of junior. Likely a top 12 choice, but I would rank him
higher than that, personally speaking.
NHL Style Comparable: Duncan Keith
Top End Potential: #2 Defenceman, PP Quarterback
Pick Prediction: 10-12th Overall
#4 - Mathew Dumba - Red Deer Rebels - RD -
Dumba is a raw
and explosive defenceman who is very dynamic with the puck. Likes to rush the
puck and even saw him on the wing briefly this season for Red Deer, without looking out
of place. Has an excellent shot, with
arguably the best release of any defender in the draft. Gambles on big hits from time to time and
isn't the greatest overall defender, but it's an area that has shown
significant growth in the last 18 months despite me having concerns on his
hockey sense. Has leadership abilities
and is a guy that might have the most overall potential of any WHL player in
the draft. Had an excellent Under-18
tournament for Canada, leading the event in scoring as a defenceman. He was also the captain for Canada at the
event. A very likely top 8 pick, but I would have him
rated in the 9-12 range overall.
NHL Style Comparable:
PK Subban
Top End Potential: #2 Defenceman, PP Quarterback
Pick Prediction: 6-8th
Overall
#5 - Colton Sissons - Kelowna Rockets - RW -
Sissons is the
captain of the Rockets and plays in the mold of a power forward. He works as hard as anyone on the ice and is
often the first guy in on the forecheck and the first guy on the backcheck. Has
good hands around the net, being able to finish or find teammates. Footspeed will be the thing he needs to work
on most to become a player at the next level.
Is underrated in terms of how NHL ready he actually is.
Could make a big name for himself at a pro camp and stick around longer
than expected, if there is no NHL lockout.
Is ranked ahead of Pouliot because I think he's a much safer bet to one
day be an NHL pro. Compares very
similarly to a guy like Andrew Ladd, the captain in Winnipeg.
NHL Style Comparable:
A right handed Andrew Ladd
Top End Potential: 2nd Line
Forward
Pick Prediction:
25-30th Overall
#6 - Derrick Pouliot - Portland Winterhawks - LD -
Pouliot
is a very good skating offensive defenceman. He is an elite passer with great
hands and the ability to finish on the rush. Had a good postseason for the
Winterhawks, but his ability to defend is still a concern going forward. I
think that he has arguably the highest offensive potential of any WHL blueliner
in the draft, but is also a bigger risk to make it as a full-time NHL player
because of his size, strength and play away from the puck. With that being
said, he's not afraid to play physical in the corners and in front of the net,
so that's a good sign in regards to his defensive growth. He could be considered a boom or bust player
by some people.
NHL Style Comparable: Brian Campbell
Top End Potential: #3 Defenceman, PP Quarterback
Pick Prediction: 18-25th
Overall
#7 - Dalton Thrower - Saskatoon Blades - RD -
Thrower is a
hard-nosed, hard-hitting blueliner. Owns
a rocket of a slapshot and grew leaps and bounds defensively this year, showing
huge growth in his decision making with and without the puck. Was forced to play
a ton of minutes late in the season and proved that he can be a #1 defenceman
when the Blades lost key defenceman to injury. He leads by example and will
fight any challenger, also excelling as an agitator. A likely top 45 selection
in the draft, but could go as high as the late 20's.
NHL Style Comparable:
Kevin Bieksa/Kris Letang hybrid
Top End Potential: #3 Defenceman,
2nd Unit PK, 2nd Unit PP
Pick Prediction: 25-40th Overall
#8 - Coda Gordon - Swift Current Broncos - LW -
Gordon is a
goal scorer, through and through, scoring 30 goals as a rookie for a bad
Broncos club. Owns a good frame, but is
not nearly as physical as he could be. Still goes to the dirty areas of the ice
and has very good finishing ability. Footspeed needs to improve as his stride
is somewhat awkward and clunky, but with work it won't hold him back at the
next level. Oozes hockey sense and is
very good positionally. Can still use
development in regards to playing in his own zone, but that's a common knock on
someone coming off his first year in the CHL.
I like him as a top 45 pick, but I doubt he goes that high.
NHL Style Comparable:
Matt Moulson
Top End Potential: Top 6 Winger
Pick Prediction: Late
2nd, early 3rd round
#9 - Damon Severson - Kelowna Rockets - RD -
Severson is a
big, fairly mobile two-way defenceman for the Rockets. Owns a hard slapshot and can play on the
powerplay and the penalty kill. He
looked very good for Canada at the recent Under-18 tournament, playing in a
number of different situations. He's a right handed shot, which is another
asset that is sought after in the draft. He has solid physical tools and projects
well as a top 4 defender. Could come off
the board higher than some people expect.
NHL Style Comparable:
Brent Seabrook
Top End Potential: Top 4 Defenceman
Pick Prediction:
40-60th Overall
#10 - Tim Bozon - Kamloops Blazers - LW -
Bozon is a slick,
offensive forward for the Blazers. He registered a point per game in his first
WHL season, including scoring 36 goals, a number that led all first year WHLers.
He's a very good skater with good
acceleration and the ability to beat defenders 1 on 1. Might have the most offensive potential of
any WHL player in the draft, but he also plays with some grit to his game and
has the ability to play the agitator's role.
Speaks 4 different languages and is the son of longtime French NHL and Olympic
hockey player Phillipe Bozon.
NHL Style Comparable:
Marian Gaborik
Top End Potential: Top 9 Winger
Pick Prediction: 45-70th
Overall
#11 - Brett Kulak - Vancouver Giants - LD -
Kulak is a
solid, but somewhat unspectacular defender for the Giants. He's got good size and is a solid skater, but
he isn't overly physical. He moves the puck well, plays with his head up and
has great poise with the puck. He
defends by using his body positioning and stick very effectively, but could
definitely bring more mean into his game.
He won't jump off the page at you in anything he does, but he rarely is
caught out of position or makes mistakes with the puck. Projects to be a 4th round selection,
although I would have him rated slightly higher than that.
NHL Style Comparable:
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Top End Potential: Top 4
Defenceman
Pick Prediction: 4th Round
#12 - Mike Winther - Prince Albert Raiders - LC -
Winther is
a speedy forward for the Raiders, who also has a great release and plays with
some grit. Isn't afraid to hit, battle
in the corners and even drop the mitts if needed. Shows flashes of inconsistency and needs to
work on his strength, but when he's on he's a heck of a player who can do many
things well. Might transition better as
a winger going forward into the pro game.
Along with his skating, his shot might be his next best attribute, being
able to score off the rush with it. Came
on very strong in the second half of the WHL season and might even be picked in
the late 1st round.
NHL Style Comparable:
Antoine Vermette
Top End Potential: Top 9 Forward
Pick Prediction: 50-80th Overall
#13 - Troy Bourke - Prince George Cougars - LW -
Bourke is a
slightly undersized, offensive forward for the Cougars. Possesses good hockey sense, a good shot, above-average
skating ability and a solid amount of grit in his game. Had a strong showing for Canada at the recent
Under-18's, ultimately moving him a couple spots up in my rankings because of
his increased versatility at the event. Can play the powerplay and the penalty kill
and has a good motor. Might not have the highest potential, but he's well
suited to one day make an NHL roster.
NHL Style Comparable:
Zach Parise
Top End Potential: Top 9 Winger
Pick Prediction: 75-100th Overall
#14 - Lukas Sutter - Saskatoon Blades - LC -
Sutter grew his
game this year, showing he has more offence than originally thought. Played the
role as shutdown center, while still putting up 59 points. On offence, he
showed improved footspeed and overall quickness, while also looking much more
comfortable handling the puck this season.
Scored many of his goals by using a quick release from within 12 feet of
the net. He's physical and can play an
agitators role, although he could be more consistent in that area of his
game. Might not have the highest upside,
but is one of the safer bets to one day be an NHL player. Son of longtime NHL player Rich Sutter.
NHL Style Comparable:
Steve Ott
Top End Potential: Top 9 C
Pick Prediction: 3rd Round
#15 - Henrik Samuelsson - Edmonton Oil Kings - RC -
Samuelsson is a big-bodied forward who joined the Oil Kings in the last half of
the season. An impressive size and skill combination as he showed the ability
to produce offensively throughout the year. Plays angry and often crosses the
line in regards to dangerous hits, filling the role of a true agitator. Skating needs to improve in order for him to
be counted on as an offensive player at the next level, but it doesn't hold him
back in junior. He protects the puck
well and has good vision and could be a legit point per game player before his
junior career is over. Could go much
higher than I have him rated. I like him as a 3rd round pick, but could go as
high as top 45. Son of former NHL player
Ulf Samuelsson.
NHL Style Comparable:
David Clarkson
Top End Potential: Top 9 Forward
Pick Prediction: 40-60th Overall
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