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LemaireisGOD · May 11th, 2007, 07:02 AM

The State of Hockey News | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » 2007 NHL Entry Draft, who should the Wild draft? Part I: Defensemen

2007 NHL Entry Draft, who should the Wild draft? Part I: Defensemen

By Derek Felska | May 6th, 2007

When the hockey world’s eyes will be on Columbus June 22nd-23rd for the 2007 NHL Entry draft, for fans of the league’s 30 teams it is a time of excitement and nervous anticipation. In the coming weeks hard-core fans will debate almost endlessly this basic question, ‘Who will my team draft?’ As the drama unfolds and the team’s make their selections will they finally get their answer. Yet, perhaps a better question to ask is, ‘Who SHOULD we draft?”

Our answer? A physical, stay-at home defenseman. The Wild’s performance in the 2007 NHL playoffs demonstrated the Wild lacked enough physicality on its blueline to deal with the hard checking forwards of the Anaheim Ducks. Apart from a yeoman-like effort from Keith Carney and Brent Burns the Wild’s blueline was woefully unsuited to knocking Ducks’ forwards off the puck when it needed to. The Wild have had an image of being a bit of a ’soft’ team, where they seem to value finesse over physicality but even in the playoffs Wild Head Coach Jacques Lemaire demonstrated he wanted his team to try to match Anaheim’s physical intensity by sending out 6′7″ enforcer Derek Boogaard to throw his body around. While Boogaard did his best to provide an intimidating presence the team has needed a physical blueliner for some time to provide that consistant physical presence that a 4th line tough guy doesn’t really give you. When Jacques Lemaire coached the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup in 1995, it was his physically punishing tandem of Ken Daneyko and Scott Stevens that forced the oppositions forwards to think twice before making a dash for a puck along the boards unless they wished to be pounded into dust for doing so. The Wild need their own sort of Scott Stevens in their lineup. Looking at the Wild’s prospect pool; defense is probably the team’s greatest weakness. According to Hockey’s Future, a website which assesses the top prospects for all of the NHL’s 30 teams the Wild’s top defenseman prospect AJ Thelen, is the 7th best prospect overall and fellow blueliner Shawn Belle is 8th. While Thelen and Belle can be physical at times, that is not considered to be the strongest part of their respective games. Also, it has been reported by Minneapolis-Star Tribune’s Michael Russo that the Wild are not even talking to AJ Thelen’s agent anymore which would seem to indicate they are not going to sign the former 1st round pick (12th overall in 2004) and simply opt for a compensatory 2nd rounder (42nd Overall) instead.

With that in mind, the State of Hockey News is going to take a look at some of the top rated defenseman coming into this draft. We will look at what each of these top defenseman brings to the table, as well as considering whether it is likely they will be available by the time the Wild make their first pick (which will be around 19th Overall).

Karl Alzner - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Height: 6′2″ Weight: 206lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 63GP 8G 39A = 47pts 32 PIM’s +16

Talent Assessment: Alzner is noted for his excellent physical ability to match his decent-sized frame. He can play a two-way game who projects to being a 1st pair defenseman. The Burnaby, British Columbia-native’s penalty minutes may make someone believe he is not overly physical, but Alzner is said to throw his body around when he needs to and is smart how he uses his body to avoid taking foolish penalties. Central Scouting has Alzner rated 5th among North American skaters which is a slight improvement over his 8th overall Mid-term ranking. It is not all smooth sailing either after Ellerby’s coach benched him for shooting a puck into the crowd. One scout even said, “He is the type of big, strong defenseman we all look for.”

Availability: As far as the Wild being able to select Alzner does not seem real likely as he will likely be drafted by the time the team gets the chance to make its selection. If the Wild were to have a chance to draft Alzner they’d likely have to make a trade, but it might be worth it as the team could use a defenseman with his skillset.

Keaton Ellerby - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Height: 6′4″ Weight: 188lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 69GP 2G 23A = 25pts 120 PIM’s -2

Talent Analysis: The first item scouts rave about when talking about Ellerby’s game is his incredibly fluid skating stride. Despite being a great skater, Ellerby also is not afraid to use his big 6′4″ frame as his 120 penalty minutes attest to. While he may already be a big body, he definately will be asked to fill it out a bit more at the NHL level. Ellerby is a prototypical defenseman of the “new” NHL as he can skate plus add to a physical element to a team’s blueline. The Okotoks, Alberta-native is rated 4th among North American skaters in Central Scoutings Final rankings and is the top rated defenseman.

Availability: As is the case with Karl Alzner, Keaton Ellerby will most likely be drafted before the Wild have a chance to select him. If the Wild are to have a chance they’ll likely have to trade up to do so; the Wild do have some players (i.e. Manny Fernandez) who it may wish to move but to think it could happen is probably a bit too optimistic.

Ryan McDonagh - Cretin Durham-Hall High School (USHS-MN)

Height: 6′1″ Weight: 200lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 26GP 14G 26A = 40pts

Talent Analysis: Ryan McDonagh capped off a strong high school career at St. Paul’s Cretin Durham-Hall High School by earning the coveted 2007 ‘Mr. Hockey’ Award for Minnesota’s top high school hockey player. McDonagh has an impressive array of offensive skills that he used to help lead his Raiders to a State Championship in 2006. While McDonagh’s offensive skills are well known, he’s a capable defender who can play physically as well. The defenseman is ranked 11th among North American skaters (3rd amongst defenseman) according to Central Scoutings Final rankings. The Arden Hills, Minnesota-native has already announced he will be playing for the Wisconsin Badgers next season.

Availability: The State of Hockey’s best choice at bringing in local talent could very well be picked by the time the Wild get their chance to make a selection. Some mock drafts project McDonagh to be a Top 10 pick which would definately put Minnesota out of the running. A trade would likely be required for the Wild to pick McDonagh.

Nick Petrecki - Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Height: 6′3″ Weight: 213lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 54GP 11G 14A = 25pts 177 PIM’s

Talent Analysis: Nick Petrecki is a big defender with a mean streak. Apart from the NHL type size he has, he also loves to hit which can be seen by his 177 penalty minutes. Petrecki also has demonstrated some offensive skills as well, which really comes as a bonus when considering his physical capabilities. The Clifton Park, NY-native is a player who has really rose up the Central Scouting charts earning him a 21st overall ranking amongst North American skaters up from being rated 31st in the Mid-term assessment.

Availability: Nick Petrecki is one player who would likely be available when the Wild are able to make a selection. The team would most likely not have to make any deals to move up to select the strong defenseman who has announced he’ll be playing for Boston College next season. Petrecki would be a great addition to the Wild as he would join Boston College teamate / Wild prospect Anthony Aiello as players in the teams’ talent pool.

Nick Ross - Regina Pats (WHL)

Height: 6′.05″ Weight: 188lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 71GP 7G 24A = 31pts 87 PIM’s +11

Talent Analysis: Ross is a tenacious competitor on an improving Regina Pats squad. He may not be as gifted physically as Alzner, Ellerby, or Petrecki but he makes up for it with a firery attitude that makes him a pain to play against. One red flag against Ross is that he makes alot of turnovers, having some scouts question how much he’s improved this season. The Lethbridge, Alberta-native was rated 18th in Central Scouting’s Final rankings.

Availability: Nick Ross could very well be available when the Wild are ready to make its first selection. While there is no doubt that Ross likes to hit, the Wild may wish to pass as they’d like to get a bigger player to be that physical force for its blueline.

May 11th, 2007, 07:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
LemaireisGOD Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 504	The State of Hockey News \| MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » 2007 NHL Entry Draft, who should the Wild draft? Part I: Defensemen 2007 NHL Entry Draft, who should the Wild draft? Part I: Defensemen By Derek Felska \| May 6th, 2007 When the hockey world’s eyes will be on Columbus June 22nd-23rd for the 2007 NHL Entry draft, for fans of the league’s 30 teams it is a time of excitement and nervous anticipation. In the coming weeks hard-core fans will debate almost endlessly this basic question, ‘Who will my team draft?’ As the drama unfolds and the team’s make their selections will they finally get their answer. Yet, perhaps a better question to ask is, ‘Who SHOULD we draft?” Our answer? A physical, stay-at home defenseman. The Wild’s performance in the 2007 NHL playoffs demonstrated the Wild lacked enough physicality on its blueline to deal with the hard checking forwards of the Anaheim Ducks. Apart from a yeoman-like effort from Keith Carney and Brent Burns the Wild’s blueline was woefully unsuited to knocking Ducks’ forwards off the puck when it needed to. The Wild have had an image of being a bit of a ’soft’ team, where they seem to value finesse over physicality but even in the playoffs Wild Head Coach Jacques Lemaire demonstrated he wanted his team to try to match Anaheim’s physical intensity by sending out 6′7″ enforcer Derek Boogaard to throw his body around. While Boogaard did his best to provide an intimidating presence the team has needed a physical blueliner for some time to provide that consistant physical presence that a 4th line tough guy doesn’t really give you. When Jacques Lemaire coached the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup in 1995, it was his physically punishing tandem of Ken Daneyko and Scott Stevens that forced the oppositions forwards to think twice before making a dash for a puck along the boards unless they wished to be pounded into dust for doing so. The Wild need their own sort of Scott Stevens in their lineup. Looking at the Wild’s prospect pool; defense is probably the team’s greatest weakness. According to Hockey’s Future, a website which assesses the top prospects for all of the NHL’s 30 teams the Wild’s top defenseman prospect AJ Thelen, is the 7th best prospect overall and fellow blueliner Shawn Belle is 8th. While Thelen and Belle can be physical at times, that is not considered to be the strongest part of their respective games. Also, it has been reported by Minneapolis-Star Tribune’s Michael Russo that the Wild are not even talking to AJ Thelen’s agent anymore which would seem to indicate they are not going to sign the former 1st round pick (12th overall in 2004) and simply opt for a compensatory 2nd rounder (42nd Overall) instead. With that in mind, the State of Hockey News is going to take a look at some of the top rated defenseman coming into this draft. We will look at what each of these top defenseman brings to the table, as well as considering whether it is likely they will be available by the time the Wild make their first pick (which will be around 19th Overall). Karl Alzner - Calgary Hitmen (WHL) Height: 6′2″ Weight: 206lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 63GP 8G 39A = 47pts 32 PIM’s +16 Talent Assessment: Alzner is noted for his excellent physical ability to match his decent-sized frame. He can play a two-way game who projects to being a 1st pair defenseman. The Burnaby, British Columbia-native’s penalty minutes may make someone believe he is not overly physical, but Alzner is said to throw his body around when he needs to and is smart how he uses his body to avoid taking foolish penalties. Central Scouting has Alzner rated 5th among North American skaters which is a slight improvement over his 8th overall Mid-term ranking. It is not all smooth sailing either after Ellerby’s coach benched him for shooting a puck into the crowd. One scout even said, “He is the type of big, strong defenseman we all look for.” Availability: As far as the Wild being able to select Alzner does not seem real likely as he will likely be drafted by the time the team gets the chance to make its selection. If the Wild were to have a chance to draft Alzner they’d likely have to make a trade, but it might be worth it as the team could use a defenseman with his skillset. Keaton Ellerby - Kamloops Blazers (WHL) Height: 6′4″ Weight: 188lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 69GP 2G 23A = 25pts 120 PIM’s -2 Talent Analysis: The first item scouts rave about when talking about Ellerby’s game is his incredibly fluid skating stride. Despite being a great skater, Ellerby also is not afraid to use his big 6′4″ frame as his 120 penalty minutes attest to. While he may already be a big body, he definately will be asked to fill it out a bit more at the NHL level. Ellerby is a prototypical defenseman of the “new” NHL as he can skate plus add to a physical element to a team’s blueline. The Okotoks, Alberta-native is rated 4th among North American skaters in Central Scoutings Final rankings and is the top rated defenseman. Availability: As is the case with Karl Alzner, Keaton Ellerby will most likely be drafted before the Wild have a chance to select him. If the Wild are to have a chance they’ll likely have to trade up to do so; the Wild do have some players (i.e. Manny Fernandez) who it may wish to move but to think it could happen is probably a bit too optimistic. Ryan McDonagh - Cretin Durham-Hall High School (USHS-MN) Height: 6′1″ Weight: 200lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 26GP 14G 26A = 40pts Talent Analysis: Ryan McDonagh capped off a strong high school career at St. Paul’s Cretin Durham-Hall High School by earning the coveted 2007 ‘Mr. Hockey’ Award for Minnesota’s top high school hockey player. McDonagh has an impressive array of offensive skills that he used to help lead his Raiders to a State Championship in 2006. While McDonagh’s offensive skills are well known, he’s a capable defender who can play physically as well. The defenseman is ranked 11th among North American skaters (3rd amongst defenseman) according to Central Scoutings Final rankings. The Arden Hills, Minnesota-native has already announced he will be playing for the Wisconsin Badgers next season. Availability: The State of Hockey’s best choice at bringing in local talent could very well be picked by the time the Wild get their chance to make a selection. Some mock drafts project McDonagh to be a Top 10 pick which would definately put Minnesota out of the running. A trade would likely be required for the Wild to pick McDonagh. Nick Petrecki - Omaha Lancers (USHL) Height: 6′3″ Weight: 213lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 54GP 11G 14A = 25pts 177 PIM’s Talent Analysis: Nick Petrecki is a big defender with a mean streak. Apart from the NHL type size he has, he also loves to hit which can be seen by his 177 penalty minutes. Petrecki also has demonstrated some offensive skills as well, which really comes as a bonus when considering his physical capabilities. The Clifton Park, NY-native is a player who has really rose up the Central Scouting charts earning him a 21st overall ranking amongst North American skaters up from being rated 31st in the Mid-term assessment. Availability: Nick Petrecki is one player who would likely be available when the Wild are able to make a selection. The team would most likely not have to make any deals to move up to select the strong defenseman who has announced he’ll be playing for Boston College next season. Petrecki would be a great addition to the Wild as he would join Boston College teamate / Wild prospect Anthony Aiello as players in the teams’ talent pool. Nick Ross - Regina Pats (WHL) Height: 6′.05″ Weight: 188lbs Shoots: Left Stats: 71GP 7G 24A = 31pts 87 PIM’s +11 Talent Analysis: Ross is a tenacious competitor on an improving Regina Pats squad. He may not be as gifted physically as Alzner, Ellerby, or Petrecki but he makes up for it with a firery attitude that makes him a pain to play against. One red flag against Ross is that he makes alot of turnovers, having some scouts question how much he’s improved this season. The Lethbridge, Alberta-native was rated 18th in Central Scouting’s Final rankings. Availability: Nick Ross could very well be available when the Wild are ready to make its first selection. While there is no doubt that Ross likes to hit, the Wild may wish to pass as they’d like to get a bigger player to be that physical force for its blueline. __________________ "Why mess around with PT Boats when you can have a Destroyer?" ~ Al Strachan (Hockey Night in Canada)