On Thursday, NHL Central Scouting released its Preliminary Players to Watch list. This list represents what was the preliminary rankings. For a more detailed explanation of why the format has changed, consult this former posting of mine.
Big props to Nathan Ogilvie-Harris who not only scouts but does everything from administration, to logistics, to the NHL Combine and everything in between. He was the point man in getting the list out Thursday.
As expected, all three of Kingston’s young studs (Sam Bennett, Roland McKeown and Spencer Watson) are graded as A players, or first round potential picks.
In the QMJHL, no surprises the top two prospects are Ivan Barbashev and Nikolaj Ehlers. It was a banner year for the QMJHL last year, as six first rounders and a total of 31 players were taken from the Q. That’s the highest number of players taken out of the QMJHL since Mark Andre-Fleury went first overall in 2003. That year, 38 Q players were selected, but the draft also featured nine rounds and not seven.
In the WHL, Swift Current’s Julius Honka and Brycen Martin are projected first round picks, along with six others including Portland’s chase De Leo who was dynamite for the Winterhawks in the 2013 Mastercard Memorial Cup.
NHL Central Scouting will release numerical rankings at the mid-term, or just before the BMO Top Prospects game. A big welcome to BMO the new sponsor of the event.
Other scouting services, such as ISS and Hockey Prospect released their top 30 for 2014.
Hockey Canada
More so than any year in recent memory, the Subway Super Series will play an important role as Hockey Canada prepares for the World Juniors. Because the series is later on the schedule than normal, the series’ games may be the final viewing opportunity for the Hockey Canada brass.
Hockey Canada has not made a determination as to whether or not it will hold a traditional selection camp. Scrimmages may be an option, games against the CIS are in-play, but to this point, there’s been no decision as to what will happen when players meet in Toronto from December 13-15.
There are several things Hockey Canada has to take into consideration. First, who, if anyone, gets sent back from the NHL? Second, how does Hockey Canada deal with Griffin Reinhart and the three games remaining on his IIHF suspension? How many players are invited to Toronto?
One thing is certain with this new management group and that is there will be no template or restrictions as to who will make the team. Agents, player’s coaches, managers, draft status, and age will all be thrown out the window and only the best players will be selected to represent Canada when play opens in Sweden on Dec. 26.
Of note, for the first time in 10 years, the World Junior tournament format will change. A bye will no longer be given to the top team in each group. Instead, the top 4 teams in each group will engage in a crossover quarterfinal system. The last team in each group will play a best-of-three series to determine the lone relegation team.
By the way, the Russian roster has been released.
FNH
Friday Night Hockey is in full swing. Here’s our schedule up until Christmas:
Nov. 15: London @ Kingston
Nov. 22: Windsor @ Guelph
Nov. 29: Edmonton @ Lethbridge
Dec. 6: Erie @ Ottawa
Dec. 13: Medicine Hat @ Calgary
Dec. 20: Charlottetown @ Blainville-Boisbriand
Check our broadcast schedule for times in your area.