Faceoff Factor

2008 Draft – Studs and Duds

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Jun 20, 12:47 PM | Hype this story!

For some last minute draft related discussion, here is a little bit of a fun prediction post. I’m listing four players I think will make themselves a threat in the NHL and five players you may never really hear from again. I’ve tried to exclude the obvious stars like #1 overall ranked Steven Stamkos.

Studs:

Aaron Ness – D – Roseau High (Minnesota) – 5’10 – 157lbs – Shoots L

Don’t let the size fool you, Aaron Ness is one of the most talented young defensemen in the country. Heading to play for the Golden Gophers this fall, Ness will have the chance to bulk up and add some size to his childish frame. Ness, despite his smaller stature, plays with the attitude of a grown man who is full size. Ness can step into players effectively and use his low center of gravity to create havoc. The only thing you need to remember about Aaron Ness is his talents with the puck and his natural ability to make everyone around him better. Ness is a fast player with great speed in every facet of his game. This is a long term project, but it will pay off. Ness will be a power-play quarterback in the NHL someday.

Adam Comrie – D – Saginaw Spirit (OHL) – 6’4 – 205lbs – Shoots R

If you want a nasty, imposing physical defenseman, look no further than Comrie. Comrie can not only put you on your wallet, but he possess a trait that is a must have for the “new” NHL, puck moving ability and skating ability. Comrie is a kid who lives and dies with the scrums of the game. When the tempo steps up and things get nasty, you’re sure to hear Comrie’s name. His game continues to even out as he matures in the OHL.

David Toews – C – Shattuck St. Marys – 5’10 – 175lbs – Shoots R

The younger brother of Jonathan Toews, David isn’t just making a living off of his last name. Toews is a creative player whose vision is fantastic. He’s extremely unselfish with the puck. He has the ability to beat a lot of guy’s one on one, but he also doesn’t kill plays by trying to carry the puck in himself. David plays the game at a very high rate of speed and is so dynamic offensively that he should project into a solid top six forward in the NHL.

Kruise Reddick – C – Tri-City Americans (WHL) – 5’8 – 165lbs – Shoots L

You can’t teach smarts, and Reddick has them. He plays the game with a sense of dignity and expertise. Despite his smallish stature, Reddick plays with no fear and takes punishment to make a play. He’s a fantastic combination of a lot of things. He’s apt defensively, he’s gifted with puckhandling, his smarts are second to none, and he has a fantastic work ethic. I think you’ll see Reddick make a decent NHL career for himself. He is a student of the game.

Duds

Patrice Cormier – C – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) – 6’2 – 201lbs – Shoots L

Cormier is a big kid that can take the puck to the net, but he lacks the natural aggressiveness that a player of his size needs at the center position. I think he’ll struggle to crack the league and if he does, it will probably be in a limited role on the third or fourth line.

Joel Champagne – C – Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) – 6’4 – 210lbs – Shoots L

Joel is big bodied kid that has a great work ethic and a decent shot, but his skating is just a huge eyesore. His size is only going to be able to take him so far. He really needs to work on his agility and his movement or, as the leagues he’s playing in get more competitive, he’ll be left out to dry.

Eric Mestery – D – Tri-City Americans (WHL) – 6’5 – 195lbs – Shoots L

Eric is a big boy defenseman from the WHL who actually can move around pretty good for someone of his stature. The problem, however, is that he doesn’t play like a 6’5 defenseman. He lacks the natural aggressive nature needed to be a successful NHL player. Mestery can skate the puck and move well, but he has a rougher time in his own zone and doesn’t seem to take the initiative enough.

Philippe Cornet – LW – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) – 6’0 – 173lbs – Shoots L

Cornet is a gifted skater, but he strays away from the work in the boards and the high traffic areas. Some of that might have to do with his size, but regardless, it’s a noticeable issue. He is all over the ice when he has the puck, it’s when he doesn’t have possession that the problems begin.