This third year eligible player has made himself relevant as a possible first round choice by adding at least 50 more points than he produced the season before. Point totals don't dictate draft hierarchy, but his World Junior Under-20 performance cannot be ignored. Sure, he needs to get faster and add a quicker burst in the first step. This will help him to loose pucks, but he has super-soft hands, really excellent vision and a big strong shot. He is a big physical specimen that plays with physicality down low. Has the agility to shake loose, pivot and get shots off with defenders cemented to him. He has East-west elusiveness, and when he gets moving, he is difficult to derail. Display excellent vision and a hard heavy shot that he delivers in stride. Has gone from a long shot to a name that will be called in June.
--Bill Placzek
