2010 NHL Draft: Top 30 Prospects

1. TAYLOR HALL, WINDSOR OHL

| 14-Nov-1991 | 6′ 0.5″ 185 lbs | Pos: LW | Left |

Stats: 57GP-40G-66A-106 pts-56PIM

Latest Buzz: Projected to go No. 1 overall to the Edmonton Oilers

2. TYLER SEQUIN, PLYMOUTH OHL

| 31-Jan-1992 | 6′ 1.0″ 172 lbs | Pos: Center | Right|

Stats: 63GP-48G-58A-106pts-54 PIM

Latest Buzz: The consensus No. 2 player in the draft. Will go No. 2 overall to the Boston Bruins.

3. ERIK GUDBRANSON, KINGSTON OHL

| 07-Jan-1992 | 6′ 3.75″ 195 lbs | Pos: Defense | Right |

Stats: 41GP-2g-21A-23pts-68 PIM

Latest Buzz: Headlines a strong group of defensemen. Hard hitting defenseman who scouts project to be a star at the next level. Appears to be a lock to go No. 3 to the Florida Panthers.

4. CAM FOWLER, WINDSOR OHL

| 05-Dec-1991 | 6′ 1.25″ 190 lbs | Pos: Defense | Left |

Stats: 55GP-8G-47A-55pts-14PIM

Latest Buzz: A player that a number of teams are coveting in an opportunity to trade up. Great skating ability, excellent on the breakout. Arguably the best pure skater in the draft Appears to be a perfect fit with the Columbus Blue Jackets who own the No. 4 overall pick and are moving to a more up-tempo system. Has drawn comparisons to Mike Green.

5. BRANDON GORMLEY, MONCTON QMJHL

| 18-Feb-1992 | 6′ 2.0″ 185 lbs | Pos: Defense | Left |

Stats: 58GP-9G-34A-43PTS-54PIM

Latest Buzz: A two-way defenseman with offensive capabilities and whose also an excellent shot blocker and solid all around player in his own end. Teams have also raved about his maturity off the ice. Maybe the most complete defenseman in the draft. Look for him to go No. 6 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, or No. 5 to the New York Islanders if the Isles pass on Brett Connolly.

6. BRETT CONNOLLY, PRINCE GEORGE WHL

|02-May-1992 | 6′ 2.0″ 181 lbs | Pos: RW | Right |

Stats: 16GP-10G-9A-19pts-8PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 3 rated player by Central Scouting. One of the most gifted goal scorers in the draft but has seen his stock drop due to concerns of a hip injury… If Islanders pass at No. 5, Connolly could fall a few spots into the 6-10 range.

7. NINO NIEDERREITER, PORTLAND WHL

|08-Sep-1992 | 6′ 1.5″ 201 lbs | Pos: RW | Left

Stats: 65GP-36G-24A-60Pts-68PIM

Latest Buzz: High scoring forward, is gritty and also has great instincts in the defensive zone. The No. 12 rated by Central Scouting. Scouts tell me he’s unlikely to get past the Atlanta Thrashers with the No. 8 selection.

8. RYAN JOHANSEN, PORTLAND WHL

| 31-Jul-1992 | 6′ 2.0″ 192 lbs | Pos: Center | Right

Stats: 71GP-25G-44A-69Pts-53PIM

Latest Buzz: Playmaking center with good size. Projects to go in 7-10 range in the first round.

9. ALEXANDER BURMISTROV, BARRIE OHL

| 21-Oct-1991 | 5′ 11.25″ 157 lbs | Pos: Center: Left |

Stats: 62GP-22G-43A-65Pts-49PIM

Latest Buzz: Regarded as one of the most dynamic players in the draft. He’s a player one scout told me that fans will pay to come see. At times he is electrifying in the offensive zone. Needs to bulk up as he makes the transition to the National Hockey League. Projects to go in the 6-12 range.

10. EMERSON ETEM, MEDICINE HAT WHL

| 16-Jun-1992 | 6′ 0.25″ 190 lbs | Pos: Right Wing | Left

Stats: 72GP -37G-28A-65Pts-26PIM

Latest Buzz: A player with sensational speed who has great offensive skills. Very creative in the offensive zone, excellent one-on-one moves when coming off the boards. Scouts appear to be very high on his potential goal scoring ability at the next level. A representative for Emerson told me they expect Emerson to go in the 10-20 range. A player the Penguins are very high on.

11. MIKAEL GRANLUND, HIFK FINLAND

| 26-Feb-1992 | 5′ 10.0″ 180 lbs | Pos: Center | Left |

Stats: 43GP-13G-27A-40Pts-2PIM

Latest Buzz: The top European prospect on the board. Projects to go in the 10-15 range. Tremendous playmaking ability, regarded by many as the best playmaker in the draft.

12. JACK CAMPBELL, USA U-18 USHL

| 09-Jan-1992 | 6′ 2.5″ 175 lbs | Pos: Goalie |

Stats: 11GP-6W-3L-1,2.21 GAA, .917 save %

Latest Buzz: The top goaltender on the board who projects to go in the top 20.

13. DEREK FORBORT, USA U-18 USHL

| 04-Mar-1992 | 6′ 4.5″ 198 lbs | Pos: Defense | Left |

Stats: 26GP-4G-10A-14Pts-26PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 4 rated defenseman on our list. Plays a strong two-way game. Very good positioning for a young player, uses his size well. A prospect with a high ceiling who is a lock to go in the top-20.

14. VLADIMIR TARASENKO, NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA

| 13-Dec-1991 | 5′ 11.0″ 202 lbs | Pos: RW | Left |

Stats: 42GP-13G-11A-24Pts-18PIM

Latest Buzz The No. 2 rated European skater. An elite talent but the “Russian factor” has his stock all over the board. A rare kind of prospect who brings a number of attributes in his game. Physical, regarded as relentless on the forecheck, tough, good skater and above average goal scoring and playmaking ability.

15 DYLAN MCILRATH, MOOSE JAW, WHL

| 20-Apr-1992 | 6′ 4.25″ 212 lbs | Pos: D | Right |

Stats: 65GP-7G-17A-24PTS-169PIM

Latest Buzz: Is a punishing hard hitting defenseman but knows where to pick his spots. Plays a nasty type of game that strikes fear in the opposition. Has drawn comparisons to Ulf Samuelsson and Ed Jovanovski. If he’s on the board at No. 20, it’s hard to envision the Penguins passing on him.

16. Jeff SKINNER, KITCHENER OHL

| 16-May-1992 | 5′ 10.0″ 187 lbs | Pos: RW | Left |

Stats: 64GP-50G-40A-90Pts-72PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 34 rated player by Central Scouting but scouts indicate he’s a lock to go in the first round, possibly as early as No. 9 to the Minnesota Wild. One of those players who just knows how to score goals and you can’t teach that

17. JONATHON MERRILL, USA U-18 USHL

| 03-Feb-1992 | 6′ 3.25″ 198 lbs |Pos: Defense | Left |

Stats: 22GP-1G-8A-9Pts-12PIM

Latest Buzz: Plays a responsible defensive game. A good skater and decision maker in the offensive zone. He should develop into a bigger points producer throughout his development. Defensively, he plays with an edge at times. Coming out of the Under-18 program, has received excellent coaching.

18. AUSTIN WATSON, PETERBOROUGH OHL

| 13-Jan-1992 | 6′ 3.25″ 185 lbs | Pos: LW | Right |

Stats: 52GP-20G-34A-54Pts-22PIM

Latest buzz: Not an elite offensive player by any means but among the most complete prospects in the draft at both ends of the ice. Brings a solid all around game to the table and has the size to develop into a prototypical power forward. Could be an option for Pittsburgh at No. 20

19. BEAU BENNETT, PENTICTON BCHL

| 27-Nov-1991 | 6′ 0.5″ 173 lbs | Pos: Right Wing | Right |

Stats: 56GP-41G-79A-120Pts-20PIM

Latest buzz: Stock is climbing and those in Bennet’s camp tell me he appears to be a lock to go in the top 25. Was the No. 32 ranked player by Central Scouting. A gifted offensive player.

20. JARRED TINORDI, USA U-18 USHL

| 20-Feb-1992 | 6′ 5.5″ 205 lbs | Pos: Defense | Left |

Stats: 26GP-4G-5A-9Pts-68PIM

Latest Buzz: Like Bennett, stock is climbing. A player very much on the Penguins radar, sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports. A defensive shutdown defenseman with great size that teams in the 15-25 range will absolutely covet.

| 11-Jan-1992 | 6′ 1.25″ 174 lbs | Pos: Defense | Right |

Stats: 48G-7G-17A-24pts-47PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 7 rated North American Skater according to the Central Scouting Service. Has drawn comparisons to Duncan Keith (according to Central Scouting) and is excellent in transition. However, scouts I’ve spoken too don’t appear very high on Pysyk. Two of three I spoke with projected him to fall out of the top-20.

22. NICK BJUGSTAD, BLAINE HIGH-MN

|17-Jul-1992 | 6′ 4.75″ 188 lbs | Pos: Center | Right |

Stats: 25GP-29G-31A-60Pts-24PIM

Latest Buzz: A bit raw and will need 2-3 seasons to develop in college. However, regarded as having a high ceiling. Size and skill set is intriguing

23. JOHN MCFARLAND, SUDBURY OHL

| 02-Apr-1992 | 6′ 0.25″ 192 lbs | Pos: Left Wing | Right |

Stats: 64GP – 20G-30A-50Pts-70PIM

Latest buzz: Once considered a lock to be a top-5 pick, McFarland has seen his stock fall to the 20’s. Underachieved last season and there has been some attitude issues. Still, if he can put it together, he’s a great value for any team in the mid-to-late first round. One of the major wildcards.

24. Quinton HOWDEN, MOOSE JAW WHL

21-Jan-1992 | 6′ 2.0″ 182 lbs | Pos: Center | Left |

Stats: 65GP-28G-37A-65Pts-44PIM

Latest Buzz: One of the top two-way prospects in the draft. Tremendous speed and separation. Has the speed, skill set and hockey smarts that teams covet. A good value in the 20-30 range.

25. EVGENY KUZNETSOV, CHELYABINSK RUSSIA

| 19-May-1992 | 6′ 0.0″ 172 lbs | Pos: Center | Left |

Stats: 35GP-2G-7A-9Pts-10PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 3 rated European on the board. A first round talent but to no surprise, the Russian factor has his stock all over the place. Will get a strong look from teams in the 20-30 range like the Detroit Red Wings who aren’t afraid to take Russian’s.

26. TYLER TOFFOLI, OTTAWA OHL

| 24-Apr-1992 | 6′ 0.0″ 178 lbs | Pos: Center | Right |

Stats: 65GP-37G-42A-79Pts-54PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 16 ranked player according to Central Scouting. High skilled player with offensive upside.

27. TYLER PITLICK, MINNESOTA STATE WCHA

| 01-Nov-1991 | 6′ 1.5″ 194 lbs | Pos: Center | Right |

Stats: 35GP-10G-8A-18Pts-27PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 18th ranked player by Central Scouting. Projects as a third line type of player — provides energy, grit, and responsible play at both ends. Will move quickly through the system.

28. ALEXANDER PETROVIC,RED DEER WHL

| 03-Mar-1992 | 6′ 4.0″ 193 lbs | Pos: Defense | Right |

Stats: 57GP-8G-19A-27Pts-87PIM

Latest Buzz: Big defenseman whose defensive game is still developing but is an asset in the transition game. Good skating ability, and handles the puck well.

29. STANISLAV GALIEV, SAINT JOHN QMJHL

17-Jan-1992 | 6′ 0.75″ 178 lbs | Pos: Right Wing | Right |

Stats: 67GP-15G-45A-60Pts-38PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 20 ranked player according to Central Scouting. “Highly skilled, skates extremely well and has a great shot, ” Marc Hussey assistant coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs told Inside Pittsburgh Sports during an exclusive Interview last month.

30. KEVIN HAYES, NOBLES HIGH-MA

| 08-May-1992 | 6′ 2.25″ 201 lbs | Pos: Right Wing | Left |

Stats: 28GP-25G-42A-67Pts-8PIM

Latest Buzz: The No. 26 ranked player by Central Scouting. A fringe first rounder in the eyes of many and those I talk too believe he’ll slide to the early second round. However, projects to be a prototypical power forward at the NHL level and a very intriguing player.