Matthews, Fiala, Roslovic and 2015 Draft updates

Some of my posted articles at The Hockey Writers:

Auston Matthews breaking new ground:

http://thehockeywriters.com/auston-matthews-breaking-new-ground/


Kevin Fiala looking to take next step:

http://thehockeywriters.com/kevin-fiala-looking-to-take-next-step/


A look at potential 2015 NHL Draft steals:

http://thehockeywriters.com/a-look-at-potential-2015-draft-steals/


Introducing: Jack Roslovic:

http://thehockeywriters.com/introducing-jack-roslovic/

Jeremy Bracco

Team: U.S. National U18 Team

photo by Tom Sorensen/usantdp.com

League: USHL/USDP

Position: Center/Right Wing

Born: 17th March 1997

Height: 5.9       

Weight: 172
Draft eligible for NHL Draft 2015

Size/Strength	Below Average
Skating	Good
Shot/Scoring	Good
Puckhandling	Excellent
Physical Play	Average
Offensive Play	Good
Defensive Play	Good
Hockey Sense	Good
Competitiveness	Good

 Report Card – Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor

Strengths

1. Vision

2. Skating Agility/Speed

3. Passing

Area’s For Improvement

1. Size/Strength

2. Board Battles

3. Needs to use his shot more

Scouting Report:

An undersized forward listed at only 5'9". Uses his excellent skating abilities to get rid of defenders and to make room for himself. Very quick acceleration, good speed, and great agility. Possesses tremendous vision and uses it together with his good pass for nice setups and creation of scoring chances. Has silk soft hands and is hard to defend because of his puckhandling speed in connection with his skating skills. Plays an aggressive defensive game and is very present with his stick. Given his small size, he lacks strength to win corner battles and needs to add some extra muscle. However, he is a very intelligent player with good hockey sense and his playmaking skills are above average.                   

NHL Potential: Playmaker, who has an excellent vision, smooth hands and a great pass.  

Style compares to: Johnny Gaudreau

Mathew Barzal

Team: Seattle Thunderbirds

photo by mynorthwest.com

League: WHL

Position: Center

Born: 30th January 1997

Height: 6.0       

Weight: 181
Draft eligible for NHL Draft 2015

Size/Strength	Average
Skating	Good
Shot/Scoring	Good
Puckhandling	Excellent
Physical Play	Average
Offensive Play	Good
Defensive Play	Good
Hockey Sense	Good
Competitiveness	Good

 Report Card – Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor

Strengths

1. Vision

2. Two-Way Game

3. Puckhandling

Area’s For Improvement

1. Size/Strength

2. Needs to shoot more

3. Tries to do too much

Scouting Report:

A rather smallish center with tremendous vision and excellent playmaking skills. Is a very smooth puckhandler and possesses an accurate pass. He is very dominant in the offensive zone and likes to circle with the puck on his stick. Sometimes is trying to do too much and is missing the moment to fire the puck. Not only is he an offensive dominant player, he also takes his defensive responsibilities serious. Backchecks good and uses his stick very well to take away the puck and leads the break away. All in all, Barzal is a very competitive center who works good in all three zones and is dominant in most of his shifts. Has the ability to make players around him better.                    

NHL Potential: Playmaker, who has excellent vision, good puckhandling skills and good defensive mind.  

Style compares to: Claude Giroux

Julius Nättinen

Team: JYP-Akatemia

photo by jatkoaika.com

League: Mestis

Position: Winger

Born: 14th January 1997

Height: 6.2       

Weight: 194
Draft eligible for NHL Draft 2015

Size/Strength	Good
Skating	Average
Shot/Scoring	Good
Puckhandling	Good
Physical Play	Good
Offensive Play	Good
Defensive Play	Good
Hockey Sense	Good
Competitiveness	Good

 Report Card – Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor

Strengths

1. Shot

2. Size/Strength

3. Defensive Mind

Area’s For Improvement

1. Acceleration

2. Skating

3. Use his body better

Scouting Report:

A forward with good size and strength who has a very good shot. Uses his full shot arsenal and is an effective weapon on the powerplay. Tries to bring himself in good position to use his strong accurate slapshot from a good spot. Has good vision and is therefore more a playmaker than a shooter. Is an average skater in terms of agility and acceleration but has good top speed. Backchecks well and takes his defensive responsibility serious. Could use his big body more to win corner battles and to play with a more physical edge. Nättinen has the potential to create scoring chances with his great shot and decent vision and to play a good two-way game, but isn't a player who leaves you breathless and rather is a quiet worker.                     

NHL Potential: Two-way player with a great shot and ability to play effective in his own zone.  

Style compares to: Jeff Carter

European Prospects 2015 NHL Draft

Comparison of some top European based prospects for the coming draft such as Oliver Kylington, Mikko Rantanen, Julius Nättinen and others:

http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/schellenberg-euro-prospect-notes-rantanen-nattinen-kylington-and-more/

A detailed look at the skills of some European based prospects for the coming draft, including Denis Malgin, Ilya Samsonov and many more: 

http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/a-look-at-2015-draft-eligible-european-prospects/

Oliver Kylington

photo by dn.se

Team: Färjestads

League: SHL

Position: Defender

Born: 19th May 1997

Height: 6.0       

Weight: 181
Draft eligible for NHL Draft 2015

Size/Strength	Average
Skating	Excellent
Shot/Scoring	Good
Puckhandling	Good
Physical Play	Average
Offensive Play	Good
Defensive Play	Good
Hockey Sense	Good
Competitiveness	Good

 Report Card – Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor

Strengths

1. Skating

2. Shot

3. Maturity

Area’s For Improvement

1. Physical Play

2. Strength

3. Defensive Positioning

Scouting Report:

An excellent skater who has good topspeed and is agile on his skates. Has tremendous understanding of the game and doesn't panic on plays. Is a good puckhandler and possesses good vision. Can be a good Powerplay weapon with his good shot from the blueline and matured play. Needs to work on his physical game as well as on his defensive positioning. Has the potential to be a good two-way defender with his matured play, good puckhandling skills and smooth skating.                 

NHL Potential: Two-Way Defender with a good understanding of the game and smooth skater.  

Style compares to: Tobias Enström

Ilya Samsonov

Team: Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk

photo by tumblr.com

League: MHL

Position: Goaltender

Born: 22nd February 1997

Height: 6.3       

Weight: 201
Draft eligible for NHL Draft 2015

Athleticism	Good
Quickness/Speed	Good
Vision/Play reading	Good
Puckhandling	Good
Compete	Good
Technique/Style	Good
Rebound Control	Average
Size	Excellent
Competitiveness	Good

 Report Card – Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor

Strengths

1. Athleticism

2. Size

3. Able to make big saves

Area’s For Improvement

1. Rebound Control

2. High Shots

3. Proactive Puckhandling

Scouting Report:

A big goalie who is challenging shooters pretty well and covers the whole net. Has great athleticism and quick movement. Shows good agility and flexibility. Is very calm and tracks the puck well but he impresses the most with his ability to make acrobatic saves. Needs to improve his rebound control, especially on high shots and could use his stickhandling in a more proactive way. But clearly one of the best Russian goalie prospects since Andrei Vasilevsky, who has potential to be an NHL starter if teams aren't afraid of the Russian factor.                        

NHL Potential: Starting goalie, who has good size and great athleticism.  

Style compares to: Sergei Bobrovski

Colin White

Team: U.S. National U18 Team

photo by usantdp.com

League: USHL/USDP

Position: Center/RW

Born: 30th January 1997

Height: 6.0       

Weight: 183
Draft eligible for NHL Draft 2015

Size/Strength	Good
Skating	Good
Shot/Scoring	Good
Puckhandling	Average
Physical Play	Good
Offensive Play	Good
Defensive Play	Excellent
Hockey Sense	Good
Competitiveness	Good

 Report Card – Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor

Strengths

1. Shot

2. Two-Way Game

3. Strength/Balance

Area’s For Improvement

1. No High End Skills

2. Too many scoring chances not executed

3. Puckhandling

Scouting Report:

A good two-way forward with good work ethic who plays a smart game in all three zones. Possesses a powerful, accurate shot and shows good defensive mind. Is a good skater with decent speed and strong on his knees. Isn't afraid to play with a physical edge and is hard to knock off the puck. Is good around the net and often utilizes rebounds. He has no high end skills and leaves too many chances unutulized. Isn't the biggest guy on the ice but this is not going to stop him to work hard, play physical and go in front of the net. Has the full package and can be a very competitive two-way forward.                   

NHL Potential: Two-Way Forward, who works good in all three zones and possesses a good shot.  

Style compares to: Ryan Callahan