Faceoff Factor

2007/08 January Draft Prospect Ranking

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Jan 9, 01:24 PM | Hype this story!

With the WJC behind us, let’s review the performance of those who participated while keeping a keen eye on those playing back in North America. The year is half-way over and every game counts for these kids from here on out. You can reference this month’s ranking with last months ranking to see who moved up or down.

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

Stamkos was tied for second with 2 other players in scoring for Team Canada, trailing only Kyle Turris in points with 6 tallies on the scoresheet. Getting mentioned with names like Tavares and Giroux is never a bad thing. Stamkos is above and beyond all others in this draft class.

2007 WJC Team Canada Statistics: 7GP – 1G- 5A – 6PTS – 4PIM – +1

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

Doughty showcased his puck movement at the WJC and put up an impressive 13 shots on goal for Team Canada during the tournament, second in defensemen only to Josh Godfrey’s 18. A little inconsistent from shift to shift, but that’s to be expected from a younger defenseman.

2007 WJC Team Canada Statistics: 7GP – 0G – 4A – 4PTS – -0PIM – Even

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

A couple of goals and some assists in December move Alex back up to #3 for January.

2007/07 OHL Statistics: 34GP – 9G – 23A – 32PTS – 49PIM

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

Schenn moves up a spot after an extremely consistent WJC where he competed shift to shift and did a great job of getting the puck off to his forwards. They seem to have really had the reigns on him as I would have liked to have seen a bit more offense. Lead all skaters on Team Canada with a +5 rating.

2007/08 WJC Team Canada Statistics: 7GP – -0G – 0A – 0PTS – 6PIM – +6

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

Beach didn’t participate in the WJC, but he continues to play a very Sean Avery-like game and terrorize opposing players and goaltenders. Still needs a bit of work on his pivoting and turning. A lot of people criticize his hands but he’s shown me he’s got enough flash to get the job done.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 40GP – 23G – 27A – 50PTS – 144PIM

6. Zach Bogosian – D – Peterborough Petes (OHL) – 6’2 – 190lbs – Shoots R – Jul. 15 1990

Bogosian had a great month. He is now sneaking ever-so-close to the “big three” in Schenn, Pietrangelo and Doughty. He’s standing up for his teammates and getting on the sheet offensively. His skating is great and he’s proving he can get it done in all facets of the game.

2006/07 OHL Statistics: 34GP – 8G – 28A – 36PTS – 55PIM

7. Colin Wilson – F – Boston University – 6’1 – 215lbs – Shoots L – Oct. 20 1989

Credit goes to site commentor “Robert Ethan” for this one. He warned us last ranking that Wilson would come up to bite me in the rear, and he did just that, on the world stage nonetheless. I hadn’t watched Wilson much at all prior to this, but he’s gained the attention of pretty much everyone that does this for a hobby. I’ll say this much about Wilson, he’s got great size, and great offensive instincts, but his wheels need serious work. His speed and lack of agility with the puck is the only thing holding him back from cracking the top 6 right now. However, when someone puts on this kind of show at the WJC, you jump them up as high as you can. Stats don’t tell the whole story, but the bottom line is Wilson did a standout job in the WJC.

2007 WJC Statistics: 6GP – 6G – 1A – 7PTS – 4PIM – +2

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

Boychuk didn’t do much in the WJC, but he’s still bringing a ton of experience to the table and has played more CHL games than anyone in this ranking.

2007/08 Statistics: 33GP – 16G –18A – 34PTS – 36PIM

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

Hodgson takes another jump up in the standings after a 10 goal month. Named the “OHL Draft Prospect of the Month”, Hodgson does nothing flashy but is extremely effective in every facet of the game. His sense for finding open areas is keen and he’s great at slipping under the radar.

2007/08 OHL Statistics: 40GP –27G – 28A – 55PTS – 18PIM

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

Teubert plays a simple yet effective game. His imposing size allows him to physically manhandle the opponents.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 41GP – 5G – 4A – 9PTS – 89PIM

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

It is so hard for me to put Del Zotto this low, but the top of this ranking is so clogged that I don’t have a choice. He’s probably the best skating defenseman in this class and his offensive prowess is amazing. Del Zotto will pay a huge dividend to the team that is lucky enough to draft him. He’s also done a great job working to improve in his own zone this season.

2007/08 OHL Statistics: 37GP – 7G – 27A – 34PTS – 44PIM

12. Nikita Filatov – F – CSKA Moscow (RSL) – 5’11 – 159lbs – Shoots L – May 25, 1990

Filatov showcased some great skills in Russia. It was the first time I had the chance to watch him in a live game and while he did a lot of fancy things, it wasn’t enough for me enough to launch him up with some of the top players in this class. With the way things have gone with Russians in the draft recently, you have to be weary of the flight risk.

2007 WJC Statistics: 7GP- 4G – 5A – 9PTS – 10PIM – +7

13. Mikkel Boedker – RW – Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – 5’11 – 201lbs –Shoots L – Dec 16, 1989

Faceoff Factor is big on Boedker. He did a solid job at the WJC and his presence with the puck is great for such a young player. He’s got the brains to score and distribute and he’s doing both rather well. He showcased how strong he can be on his skates at the WJC.

2007 WJC Team Denmark Statistics: 6GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS – 2PIM – -7

14. Tyler Myers – D – Kelowna Rockets (WHL) – 6’6 – 194lbs – Shoots R – Feb. 1, 1990

Just a solid defenseman that can really play the body well. He’s an amazing skater for someone of his stature. His lateral mobility and balance are great for his height. Myers is a kid that can really fall under the radar with the hype of some of these big time guys ahead of him.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 37GP – 4G – 4A – 8PTS – 59PIM

15. Jordan Eberle – C – Regina Pats (WHL) – 5’10 – 162lbs – Shoots R – May 15, 1990

Jordan Eberle has a fantastic shot and a great set of wheels. He needs to step-up in the physical department as far as activity in the boards is concerned. He plays a bit too scared for my liking at times. However, his offensive prowess is impressive and the rest of it should come with time.

2007/08 WHL Statistics: 42GP – 25G – 18A – 43PTS – 12PIM

16. Mikhail Stefanovich – RW – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) – 6’2 – 202lbs – Shoots R – Nov. 27 1989

Defecting back to Belarus wasn’t the best idea he ever had, but he’s back and he picked up right where he left off.

2007/08 QMJHL Statistics: 36GP – 20G – 28A – 38PTS – 14PIM

17. Mitch Wahl – C – Spokane Cheifs (WHL) – 6’0 – 175lbs – Shoots R – Jan. 22, 1990

Wahl is a fast guy, but he seems to wear down as the game goes forward. He’s good on faceoffs and is a strictly pass-first type player. His vision is great, but he doesn’t hit open space quick enough. He needs more pounce in his game. Overall he is turning out to be a great puck distributor and should develop more into goal-scoring as his career goes on. He really needs to work on his strength and conditioning.

39GP – 13G – 34A – 47PTS – 34PIM

On the brink:
Johan Motin –Farjestad
Kelsey Tessier – Quebec Remparts