Faceoff Factor

2007/08 Draft - November Prospect Ranking

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Nov 1, 08:31 AM | Hype this story!

2008 NHL Entry Draft Preliminary Top 10

1. Steven Stamkos – C- Sarnia Sting (OHL) – 6’0 – 170lbs – Shoots Left – Feb. 7 1990

Stamkos did amazing things last year as a 16 year old OHL rookie and he hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down. Stamkos has offensive instincts that are simply second to none in this draft class. His maturity level is above and beyond that of a 17 year old. After accepting the huge role of being the leader of the Sarnia Sting, Stamkos helped lead the franchise to a playoff berth last season in which he dominated the competition. He owns the #1 spot now, but he has some healthy competition coming from the guys in the following two spots.

2007/08 OHL Statistics: 16GP – 13G- 11A – 24PTS – 18PIM

2. Drew Doughty – D – Guelph Storm (OHL) – 6’0 – 185lbs – Shoots R – Dec. 8 1989

Time has been kind to Drew Doughty, he came into the league with a ton of hype about his offensive style of play, but playing alongside Ryan Parent seemed to have done him a lot of good for his defensive play. Doughty is still an offensive machine, but he’s adjusted well in his third year of OHL play. Doughty has a ton of experience, a good head on his shoulders and a great game that is rounding out nicely.

2007/08 OHL Statistics: 12GP – 4G – 17A – 21PTS – 24PIM

3. Alex Pietrangelo – D – Niagra IceDogs (OHL) – 6’3 – 192lbs – Shoots R – Jan. 18 1990

Pietrangelo is a force on both sides of the ice. He has a strong offensive sense of the game but can punish the opposition and get rid of forecheckers in the defensive end. Pietrangelo plays an intense game and typically does so without taking a lot of penalties. His vision is great and his offensive game is complemented by his heads up style of play. His size allows him to establish himself as a force in front of his own net and his long reach enables him to get the puck out of trouble.

2007/07 OHL Statistics: 16GP – 6G – 11A – 17PTS – 29PIM

4. Kyle Beach – C – Everett Silvertips (WHL) – 6’3 – 180lbd – Shoots R – Jan. 13 1990

Beach is a downright nasty individual. He is built in the mold of the old-school power forward. He’ll crash the net, finesse a pass to open forwards, and drop the gloves. He is a heart and soul kinda guy that teammates will find inspiration from. For an idea of his playoff performances, Penguins fans need to look no farther than Gary Roberts. Beach turns it up in the post-season and hits everything that moves. He is an uncanny combination of offensive talent with the personality of a roughneck fourth liner. Beach is a work in progress, but his heart cannot be denied.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 14GP – 9G – 13A – 22PTS – 66PIM

5. Luke Schenn – D – Kelowna Rockets (WHL) – 6’3 – 209 – Shoots R – Nov. 2 1989

Schenn is a big boy that has great wheels and great vision. He isn’t an offensive dynamo like the defensemen above him, but he’s good in each zone and plays a smart style of hockey. Schenn is a guy that can really do it all. He can play the point on the power-play, kill penalties and he’ll drop the gloves if the time arises. He’s a smart kid with a great attitude that pays attention to detail in his own end. Perhaps the most surprising attribute of the Schenn’s game is his mobility for such a big player.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 13GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS – 36PIM

6. Zach Boychuk – C – Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) – 5’9 – 176lbs – Shoots L – Oct. 4 1989

Boychuk brings a ton of experience with him into this year and that’s a partial reason for his high ranking. One of the most surprising aspects of Boychuk’s game is his physicality for his frame. His offensive game is well rounded and he really exploded this year in the Canada/Russia SuperSeries. His vision is excellent and he has fantastic hands. He is truly a treat to watch when he has the puck. Boychuk plays a solid north/south game and works the boards extremely well.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 18GP – 8G –11A – 19PTS – 20PIM

7. Colten Teubert – D – Regina Pats (WHL) – 6’4 – 180lbs – Shoots R – Mar. 8 1990

Teubert is just a big guy that can skate well and change the game with his size and physical play. Teubert runs the show in his own end and will stop at nothing to clear out the front of his net. He’s spent some time at forward so his passing and shooting game is pretty good. He is a passion guy that wants to do it all. Teubert is sound positionally and shows a good bit of smarts on the ice.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 15GP – 2G – 3A – 5PTS – 49PIM

8. Cody Hodgson – C – Brampton Battalion (OHL) – 5’11 – 182lbs – Shoots R – Feb. 18 1990

Hodgson is a hard working center that shows up to play every night. He carries the puck well and always seems to have his head on a swivel. In fact, in watching him, it’s easy to note that attentiveness to the game allows him to jump on plays early and predict where the puck will be. His hockey IQ is very high but he struggles with some of the more physical aspects of the game. His offensive ability is solid so he has a good future ahead of him. I like the simplicity and smarts he brings to the table.

2007/08 OHL Statistics: 15GP – 8G – 13A – 21PTS – 10PIM

9. Michael Del Zotto – Oshawa Generals (OHL) – 6’0 – 190lbs – Shoots L – Jun. 24 1990

Del Zotto is an offensive mastermind. The skills he’s learned on the offensive side of the puck are downright impressive. His passing is accurate and crisp, his hands are soft, his slapshot is a howitzer, and his skating ability is second to none. The things that Michael Del Zotto displays when he has the puck simply cannot be taught to most defenseman. However, there are still some lingering bad habits that come with all that. His decision making is sometimes suspect and he can have a tendency to force the puck into traffic, but these things are natural for a young defenseman and they should work themselves out in time. If Del Zotto can improve upon his game defensively, he’ll be an absolute force come draft day.

2007/08 OHL Statistics: 14GP – 1G – 6A – 7PTS – 20PIM

10. Mikhail Stefanovich – RW – Quebec Remparts – 6’2 – 202lbs – Shoots R – Nov. 27 1989

This QMJHL rookie made himself right at home with the Remparts. Stefanovich plays a very smart game and might be the best assist man in the draft this season. His offensive instincts are strong and his vision is very keen. He has the ability to target holes in the defense and exploit them with or without the puck. His passing ability has reaped many rewards playing alongside Espositio and Lacroix in Quebec. I’d like to see him use his big frame more but he’s still adjusting to the North American game.

2007/08 QMJHL Statistics: 15GP – 5G – 10A – 15PTS – 2PIM

On the brink…

Zach Bogosian – D- Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Kelsey Tessier – C – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Mikkel Boedker – RW – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Check back on December 1 for the next installment.