Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column looking at Hockey’s Stars. Over the next few days we will be previewing the 2014 NHL Draft by ranking our top 30 prospects and honourable mentions. As always, you can check out the previous Top Shelf Prospects articles here.
With the Junior seasons not just in Canada but throughout the world gearing up for the stretch drive and a number of international tournaments (Ivan Hlinka, 4 Nations, Subway Super Series, World Juniors) in the books, we have gotten a decent overview of what some of the biggest prospects for the draft are doing this year. This is an up to date look and ranking of these prospects. That said, there is still plenty of work to be done and many important games to be played including junior league playoffs, the U18 European five nations, and of course the Under 18 World Championships. While the rankings still have some fluidity, a pecking order is also starting to define itself. For now, this is what we have, we hope you enjoy the early preview and be sure to be ready in late March as we roll out our full player-by-player draft preview.
You can view Part 1 (1-5) by clicking here.
You can view Part 2 (6-10) by clicking here.
You can view Part 3 (11-15) by clicking here.
You can view Part 4 (16-20) by clicking here.
You can view Part 5 (21-25) by clicking here.
26) Robby Fabbri, C, Guelph Storm, 5’10” 166 lbs: Fabbri is the classic non-stop worker. He never seems to stop moving his face and is always right in the middle of the play. His skating is very good, with strong top end speed, but it is his quickness that is really off the charts. Has a great first few steps and outstanding acceleration. He is also good on his edges, with good agility and has decent balance. Fabbri has very good hands, and outstanding vision and passing ability. He isn’t just a one dimensional playmaker though, Fabbri can also score with soft hands in tight, and a good snap shot and quick release from further out. Don’t let his lack of size fool you, Fabbri is an aggressive and physical player, who just loves to hit on the forecheck. On some occassions he can even be a little bit over aggressive, such as when he earned a ten-game suspension this year for checking to the head. He has 34 goals and 66 points in 43 games this season. Needs to add muscle going forward.
27) Anthony DeAngelo, D, Sarnia Sting, 5’11” 175 lbs: DeAngelo is a star offensively from the blue line. He has good skating and stickhandling skills and can lead the rush or join as a trailer. Has a good assortment of shots, an excellent wrist shot and release, a hard slapshot and a booming one-timer. He is a natural power play quarterback who shows poise with the puck and excellent passing skills. DeAngelo has 13 goals and 60 points in 43 games this season. Defensively his game is very much a work in progress. He can be overpowered in front of the net and in the corners. He also needs work on his positioning and fundamentals. A high-risk, high reward type of player.
28) Brycen Martin, D, Swift Current Broncos, 6’2″ 180 lbs: At 6’2″ already this 17-year-old has ideal NHL size. He is a solid two-way player, who does good work in both ends of the ice. He is a very good skater with speed in both directions and has the pivots and edge work necessary to be extremely mobile at the back-end. He makes strong passes on the breakout and on the power play, and has a decent point shot. Defensively, he’s a smart player who is good positionally and works hard in battles along the boards and in front of the net. He shows a willingness to take a hit to make a good breakout pass in his own zone. Has 26 points in 45 games this year year in Swift Current, a big jump from his rookie season when he had 19 in 67 games. His 9 points in 5 games at last winter’s Under 17 World Hockey Challenge really opened eyes for his offensive potential and its an area of his game that continues to improve.
29) Anton Karlsson, RW, Modo, 6’1″, 190 lbs: The younger brother of Erik Karlsson, (not the Senators Superstar, the Canes 4th rounder in 2012), he’s been a star for Sweden at the International stage putting up 5 points in 4 games at the Ivan Hlinka, and 4 points in 5 games at last seasons Under 18 (and he’s eligible for that tournament again this year, so he was playing against the age group ahead of him). He also played at the World Junior but didn’t see a lot of ice time on a very experienced team. He has excellent skating ability, but what is most impressive is his ability to stickhandle and control the puck and make slick moves at top speed. Couple this with a decent shot, and excellent vision and passing skills and you have a winger who is deadly off the rush. He is also well-developed defensively for a player his age.
30) Jack Glover, D, US NTDP, 6’2″ 195 lbs: Glover is a solid two-way defence prospect. He has good size and plays the defensive game with a physical edge. He is willing to throw the body, and to battle in his own end of the ice. He’s extremely smart as he reads the play well anticipating passes and causing turnovers, and always making the smart play with the puck on his stick. There is offensive potential, as he is a very good passer, able to make a good outlet pass, and uses great vision and creativity to really quarterback the play from the blueline. He has a good wrist shot and good release, and uses it to make sure he gets his shot on net and create rebound and tip in opportunities for teammates. He doesn’t have a huge slapshot though, not at this point. He could stand to bulk up going forward and add more muscle. He certainly has the frame to put on some muscle.
Check back this weekend for a look at those who just missed the cut.
You can view Part 1 (1-5) by clicking here.
You can view Part 2 (6-10) by clicking here.
You can view Part 3 (11-15) by clicking here.
You can view Part 4 (16-20) by clicking here.
You can view Part 5 (21-25) by clicking here.
You can view Part 6 (26-30) by clicking here.
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