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Keeping with yesterday's theme of drafting for need, here are some of the later round players that would fit Vancouver's needs (LW, Physical D, Skilled Forward, Size, and D)
Alexei Filippov,RW, 6"4 175, Cheljabinsk
45GP 16G 8A 32PIM
Filippov is a big Russian winger, who uses his size well to protect the puck. He is a good skater for his size and is fairly decent at both ends of the rink. Right now, Filippov's main problem is consistency and using his size to play a physical game. Once he fills out and figures out his role he could be a force as a 2nd/3rd line player in the NHL. Make no mistake though, he is a project and he is Russian so that makes him a risky pick.
NHL Comparison- Martin Hanzal (if things work out)
Need- Size
Justin Hache, D, 6"2 200, Shawinigan
60GP 2G 16G 46PIM
If this was any other draft year Hache may not be flying as under the radar as he is right now. Because of the depth in this year's draft, Hache gets a bit over shadowed, but he is a very talented defenceman. Hache moves the puck out of the zone well and is calm when defending. While he doesn't hit as much as he could, his frame projects that he should be able to play a physical game. He was a little over shadowed down the stretch in Shawinigan, but he does have the skill to play on the power-play. Overall, Hache may be one of the steals of this year's draft. He is a very complete player.
NHL Comparison- Paul Martin
Need- D
Mathew Campagna, C, 5"11 180, Sudbury
58GP 7G 18A 36PIM
Campagna is a player who has yet to really find his way in the OHL. He is an excellent skater and sees the ice very well. He has a great pair of hands and can pass the puck very well. The knock on Campagna right now is that he doesn't bring it all the time and he doesn't really know where his own end of the rink is. If he can round out his game and play at a more consistent level he could be a steal for someone because the talent is there.
NHL Comparison- Mike Ribeiro
Need- Skilled Forward
Gianluca Curcuruto, D, 6"1 200, Sault Ste. Marie
56GP 1G 25A 26PIM
Another player that I'm not sure why he isn't ranked higher, Curcuruto is a player that I wouldn't be shocked if he is gone by the third round. He is a very mobile skater, who can make tape-to-tape passes look fairly easy. Curcuruto is also not afraid of the rough stuff, and while he isn't much of a fighter, he will go into the corners and play tough. My only real knock on Curcuruto is he always leaves you wanting more. I get the feeling there is a 40-60 point D in there, now I'm just waiting to see him come out. Ultimately I think Curcuruto projects to be a top 4 D who can shut guys down and pass the puck well.
NHL Comparison- Dan Hamhuis
Need- D
Miles Koules, RW, 5"10 187, USDP
28GP 6G 9A 32PIM
One of the better skaters in the draft, Koules is close to putting everything together. He has good vision, passing and is the kind of player that makes his teammates better. Koules competes hard all over the ice and can play in all three zones. He has a great shot and projects to be a 2/3 line player at the NHL level. I feel Koules has the skill to be an impact player at the Jr level, but I am a bit concerned that he hasn't put everything together yet. If Koules is sitting there late he would be a solid pick up for any club.
NHL Comparison- Justin Williams (smaller)
Need- Skilled Forward
Marcus Bohman, D, 5"11 195, MODO Jr
40GP 10G 20A 47PIM
The captain of MODO's jr team has flown under the radar a bit this year. Bohman had a great year in Jr and worked his way into 12 games with the big club. Bohman is a solid skater who just knows how to play in his own end. He never looks rattled out there and is often in the right position to make the play. He has the skill to run a power-play and has a good shot. Overall, Bohman is a very complete hockey player that will bring skill, character, and work ethic to any team.
NHL Comparison- Kimmo Timonen
Need- D (right-handed)
Schedule the rest of the week
T- Goalies to draft
W- My perfect draft
TH- Mock Draft
F- Offers/News Blog and a live Blog as the draft goes on.
Five Hole For Food
Five Hole For Food is coming to a town near you this summer. For those of you that don't know, the concept was brought forward by some friends in Vancouver, who decided they would travel the country setting up street hockey games. The price to play in the game is a can of food or donation to the local food bank.
To date Five Hole for Food has raised over 70,000 pounds of food for food banks and is continuing the fight against hunger all over North America!
2012 Tour Dates
St. John’s – July 3rd
Halifax – July 5th
Charlottetown – July 6th
Saint John – July 7th
Montreal – July 9th
Ottawa – July 10th
Toronto – July 12th
Winnipeg – July 14th
Regina – July 15th
Calgary – July 17th
Edmonton – July 18th
Victoria – July 20th
Vancouver – July 21st
So get out and support this great cause this summer. For more information on Five Hole For Food
CLICK HERE
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