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2012 NHL Draft: Risers and Fallers, December 2011 |
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Happy New Year to all of you lovely readers, I hope everyone enjoyed some time away from work with friends and family.
We're halfway through the CHL season, and starting to get really good looks at the 2012 crop of talent. The World Juniors are a great tool for gauging some of the best against their peers, and can really help some prospects stand out.
RISING
Brandon Devlin, Windsor Spitfires (Defense)
While in Barrie, Devlin rarely saw the ice, and even was forced to play forward at times in a pinch. Since the trade, Devlin looks revitalized and showing the upside to his offensive game. A very smooth defenseman with good offensive instincts, a bullet of a shot, and a calm disposition, Devlin also brings a very rough and tough game.
Andrei Vasilevski, Tolpar Ufa (Goalie)
So far he's posted a .970 save percentage at the World Juniors, and looks unbeatable. He's big in the net, moves well and has been one of the best in the MHL for some time now. Adam French really tipped me off to him prior to the World Juniors, and he's now playing some outstanding hockey on a large stage.
Nicholas Kerdiles, USNTDP U-18 (Forward)
When I first saw Kerdiles, I saw a good two-way player who really respected the game and played hard all 60 minutes. Kerdiles has really begun to impress with a deadly shot from the outside, and the ability to continue to put pucks in the net at alarming rates. Watch for this kid creeping into a Top 20 candidate.
FALLING
Justin Kea, Saginaw Spirit (Center)
When Saginaw took him 13th in the OHL draft, much was expected of the hulking six-foot-center. With only four points thus far, the offense has just never quite come to Kea, playing on a struggling Saginaw club. That being said, Kea is miles ahead of most his age defensively and has shown very good abilities as a checking center.
Matia Marcantuoni, Kitchener Rangers (Forward)
When will Matia get healthy? He's played 20 games thus far with only 10 points, but seems to consistently find himself in the trainer's room, whether a concussion or a separated shoulder. He owns high end puck skills and is one of the best skaters in the class, but hasn't been able to put enough of the tools together consistently to be much of a force thus far.
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