Fan In Van

A Cruel Summer

I’m normally a pretty positive Vancouver Canuck fan, but these last three months have been extremely hard for me, and I’m sure it’s equally trying for every single fan in this town. In my own view, this is probably one of the most darkest summers this franchise has ever had.

First we lost promising defenceman Luc Bourdon to tragedy, and then we lost the greatest player this franchise has ever had to retirement. And in a span of three days, we’ve struck out on some big name free agents and signed plug hockey players. But possibly one of this team’s greatest losses came today when we lost captain Markus Naslund.

This offseason has been an absolute disaster with the exception of the NHL draft. GM Mike Gillis has not done enough to bring that “winning tradition” owner Francesco Aqualini hired him for. In fact, Gillis has done the exact opposite. By swinging for the fences in trying to lure Mats Sundin for an appalling $20M over two years, Gillis has missed the boat on Marian Hossa, Kristian Huselius, Sean Avery and a hell of a lot more. In the three days since free agency has opened, Gillis has spent only 2.5M of the estimated 21M he had in salary cap space, signing Ryan Johnson, Darcy Hordichuk, Nolan Baumgartner and Curtis Sanford.

Now it’s all well and good for him to address those depth issues and role player voids that will be left by Brad Isbister and Byron Ritchie, but this sounds an awful lot like something ex-GM Dave Nonis did. At least with Nonis, the Canucks seemed to be headed in a direction with a plan: Build through the draft and succeed with strong goaltending and defence with a mediocre offence. But Gillis has been making moves which has left me scratching my head: The unprecedented 10M-a-year offer to Mats Sundin left me shell shocked for days.

And Markus Naslund’s now certain departure has sent this franchise in a downward spiral. Up until yesterday things didn’t look so bleak with the Canucks still having the chance to reel in Sundin and possibly have Naslund play alongside him for a legitimate two-line threat. But with Sundin putting playing plans on indefinite hold and Naslund gone, this franchise faces even more uncertainty than they did before the offseason began.

What happened in the span of three months? This fanbase though having Naslund and Brendan Morrison off the books would bring in new blood and fresh talent. But now it appears this club is headed for something much, much worse than that.

Post Your UFA Predictions!

Alright folks, this is it: Christmas in July. The time for talk is over for teams who wanted to retain their players from last season, and now everyone is up for grabs. Who’s going where? It’s your time to call the shots. Post your free agent predictions. The person with the most correct predictions will be declared the winner. Good luck!

THE BIG NAMES (3 PTS per correct answer)

Joe Sakic - Colorado

Pavol Demitra - Vancouver

Kristian Huselius - Atlanta

Wade Redden - San Jose

Mats Sundin - Montreal

Ryan Malone - Tampa Bay

Brian Campbell - Ottawa

Marian Hossa - Vancouver

THE (EX?) CANUCKS (2 PTS per correct answer)

Brad Isbister - Los Angeles

Aaron Miller - Retired

Brendan Morrison - New York Islanders

Markus Naslund - Pittsburgh

Byron Ritchie - Europe

Curtis Sanford - Edmonton

THE REST (1 PT per correct answer)

Todd Bertuzzi - Atlanta

Teemu Selanne - Anaheim

Doug Weight - Retired

Alex Auld - Vancouver

Andrew Brunette - Colorado

John Michael Liles - Philadelphia

Jose Theodore - Tampa Bay

Brian Rolston - San Jose

Michael Ryder - Vancouver

Mark Streit - Montreal

Sean Avery - Florida

Jaromir Jagr - Russia OMSK

Michal Roszival - Ottawa

Brendan Shanahan - Retired

Ray Emery - Los Angeles

Cory Stillman - Minnesota

Ty Conklin - Pittsburgh

Georges Laraque - Columbus

Darcy Tucker - Philadelphia

I’ve got Vancouver making a serious splash, getting Marian Hossa, Pavol Demitra, Alex Auld and Michael Ryder.

What’s Wrong With Contracts

The lack of NHL teams in Canada bothers me. The fact that the Detroit Red Wings seem to finish 1st in the Western Conference also ticks me off. The fact that Gary Bettman has such a little head and really big ears also irks me to a great degree. But you want to know what’s really pissing me off? The amount of no movement clauses that are given out in NHL contracts.

That’s right. No movement clauses. Just saying it to myself is making my blood boil. The amount of no movement clauses that have been handed out to players these days are getting ridiculous. I did some quick Googling and here are the players who have this special clause which guarantees that a player cannot be waived, traded, or assigned to the minors without his consent (Buyouts not included):

Jarome Iginla, CGY

Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY

Robyn Regehr, CGY

Scott Hannan, COL

Ryan Smyth, COL

Pavel Datsyuk, DET

Nick Lidstrom, DET

Sheldon Souray, EDM

Tomas Vokoun, FLA

Stephen Weiss, FLA

Michal Handzus, LA

Lubomir Visnovsky, LA

Jason Arnott, NSH

JP Dumont, NSH

Martin Erat, NSH

Patrik Elias, NJ

Chris Drury, NYR

Mike Fisher, OTT

Dany Heatley, OTT

Daniel Briere, PHI

Kimmo Timonen, PHI

Shane Doan, PHX

Paul Kariya, STL

Bryan McCabe, TOR

There are 24 players with no movement clauses, with the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators each carrying three apiece. And while it sounds great to have Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff and Robyn Regehr locked up long term, it also seemed okay for the Leafs when they had Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker and Bryan McCabe as well and look where it has got them.

The Maple Leafs are now facing the wrath of the dreaded no movement clause. At the trade deadline when the team was sagging like Britney Spears’ career, GM Cliff Fletcher should’ve made some moves to deal off his dead weight, overpaid players for young and raw NHL prospects and draft picks. However, the stubborn and country club atmosphere in Toronto stemming from Mats Sundin rubbed off on the other players with no movement and no trade clauses and all Fletcher had to show for at the trade deadline was a measly 2nd round pick (Which was used to select Jimmy Hayes).

Today, general managers are handing out no movement clauses like Bill Gates wipes his ass with one dollar bills. In the case of these clauses, they should be treated only on those special kind of players, and I’m talking the Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier and Roberto Luongo-types. When the head of a NHL team is offering it to Michal Handzus, though, that’s a real head scratcher.

This summer, I guarantee you there will be one idiot manager who wants to offer a seven-year, bonus-laden no movement clause to this year’s free agent cream of the crop, Marian Hossa. Whether it is rookie GM Mike Gillis or veteran GM Lou Lamoriello, NHL heads should exercise extreme caution when giving out a contract with a clause. As has been shown with the Leafs, it may appear like a great idea at first look, but one, two or three years down the line it may become the difference between making and breaking your club.

I’ll finish by saying that every general manager in this league is one or two no movement clauses away from becoming the next John Ferguson Jr.

Wellwood Else is There?

Sound it out. Go on, give it a try.

“Well what else is there?”

You know, I may not be a guy who can give a clever title to every post, but I’m pretty sure I can give the inside scoop on Kyle Wellwood, the Vancouver Canucks’ latest waiver wire pickup. And to sum it up in a nutshell, Wellwood is talented.

But in the NHL, players cannot succeed on talent alone. In this sport it takes a hell of a lot more than that to make it big. In the case of the Windsor, Ontario native, skill seems to be all he’s had in his six years of professional hockey; because for some reason, the kid just hasn’t been able to put his skills together.

At a paltry 5′10”, he doesn’t exactly carry the frame to throw his body around like bought out forward and ex-teammate Darcy Tucker can. The knock on Wellwood is that not only does he not hit, he tries to avoid physical contact altogether.

Look guy, we’re not asking you to blow the guy through the glass, we’re just asking for a little intensity.

Wellwood has a great set of hands and at his worst is an average skater, but it seems like he’d be better suited in a no-contact league. In fact, Wellwood doesn’t just refuse to play hard, he rarely takes penalties, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. In 189 NHL contests, he has accumulated just 14 penalty minutes. The former Leaf hasn’t been in the box since the 2005-06 season, to draw up the stats.

So let me get this straight: The Canucks, who at last season’s trade deadline swapped Matt Cooke for Matt Pettinger and might as well have asked for a heart transplant for their lack of passion down the road, picked up another diminutive forward who shies away from physical contact?

I know. Sounds ridiculous. But does it?

Look at the situation objectively. What do the Vancouver Canucks have to lose in this instance? Wellwood comes in having made less than $1M a season and can easily be retained with a qualifying offer. If, after the preseason games in September show that he is not a good fit, the Canucks can waive him and send him to the minors or let him sit in the stands at no real expense to their salary cap. In other words, we can easily consider this a tryout for Wellwood.

So to all you naysayers who think this guy will end up like Kris Beech Version 2, think again. It’s another one of those low-risk, high-reward type moves, and if it doesn’t work out, Wellwood’s stint will be over in a flash.

Another thing for Canuck fans to remember: Three weeks ago Mike Gillis stated that he wanted to not only work on draft development but player development. This means that management stops looking at players as products but as people. It’s professional development — Working closely with players to ensure they remain on the right track and not get distracted or sustain setbacks. Wellwood seems to be that guinea pig for Mike Gillis’ revolutionary NHL experiment.

But seriously, what else is there?

Hodgson vs. Beach

Let’s be perfectly honest, in every NHL draft there are going to be a handful of fans who think the Vancouver Canucks passed up on a better player for a lesser one. Last June it was David Perron and Patrick White; two years earlier it was Anze Kopitar and Luc Bourdon. Hell, ten years ago it was Alex Tanguay instead of Bryan Allen.

The fact is, how many of us can honestly say we’ve seen both in action? I know I can’t. Everyone, myself included, are only making conclusions based on what we’ve read and the few highlights of both players we have seen. As far as I’m concerned, the only conclusion the “experts” can make is that we cannot yet come to a conclusion.

So far though, I’d say that based on what has been said about Cody Hodgson gives Canuck fans a glimmer of hope for the future. Look folks, this is a guy who has character. Hodgson gives leadership. And to be perfectly clear, he’s a much safer pick then the wild card that is Kyle Beach. The Haliburton, Ontario native is a solid pick, and it was an act of God that he fell to us at ten.

Canuck fans, thank the Hockey Gods that Mike Gillis did not deal away the 10th overall pick for Mike Cammalleri, because Cody Hodgson is going to be a staple of this franchise for years. Think Trevor Linden’s leadership with Rod Brind’Amour’s two-way play. Hodgson could have that rookie ten-game stint in the fall if he has a good training camp and works on his skating.

As for Kyle Beach, I think he’s a phenomenal player. I’m not concerned about his attitude problems, because that can easily be cured with maturity in the NHL. However, his concussion problems scare me. A player’s development can be seriously stunted with head injuries and that throws up a red flag for me. Kyle Beach on the Chicago Blackhawks makes a hell of a lot more sense than if Kyle Beach was on the Vancouver Canucks. The Blackhawks can afford to take a risk on Beach, because they’ve already got an impressive array of young talent in their pool. The Canucks, however, can’t say the same, and had they struck out on Beach in the future, the franchise could be seriously troubled.

I think both Cody Hodgson and Kyle Beach could be great players in the NHL three or four years from now, but the fact is the Canucks could not allow themselves to take the huge risk of drafting Kyle Beach when they had a young, multi-faceted and character player like Cody Hodgson available.

What are your thoughts? Sound off in the comment section.

Draft Countdown: Post Your Mock!

The NHL Entry Draft will begin on Friday at 4PM on TSN. And it seems evident that the only sure thing is that the Tampa Bay Lightning will keep the first overall selection and use it to draft Steven Stamkos. But after that, it’s a complete mystery. Will Los Angeles select Drew Doughty or Zach Bogosian? How low will Kyle Beach go? Which goalie will be selected first? I’m handing out my mock draft. If you’re up to the challenge, post your top 30 in the comments section!

There are three key things to keep in mind when creating a mock draft. Smart experts do the following:

1. Analyze the top 60 prospects available. Check TSN.ca and Bob McKenzie’s rankings for this source.
2. Analyzing team needs. For example, the Vancouver Canucks are in no business to select a goaltender with Corey Schneider in the fold, but desperately need help at centre.
3. Analyze player statistics. I’m not saying strictly the numbers alone, but where a player is from and where he has played can be factors. Example: Kyle Beach was born in Kelowna and would like to play in Vancouver, Minnesota-born defenceman Aaron Ness has been linked to the Wild, and Joe Colborne played in the Alberta league and could head to Calgary.

Good luck! The person with the most correct predictions will place first!

1. Tampa Bay Lightning - Steven Stamkos (C)
2. Los Angeles Kings - Drew Doughty (D)
3. Atlanta Thrashers - Zach Bogosian (D)
4. St Louis Blues - Luke Schenn (D)
5. NY Islanders - Alex Pietrangelo (D)
6. Columbus Blue Jackets - Tyler Myers (D)
7. Toronto Maple Leafs - Nikita Filatov (LW)
8. Phoenix Coyotes - Colin Wilson (C)
9. Nashville Predators - Mikkel Boedker (LW)
10. Vancouver Canucks - Kyle Beach (C)
11. Chicago Blackhawks - Michael Del Zotto (D)
12. Anaheim Ducks (Edmonton) - Cody Hodgson (C)
13. Buffalo Sabres - Colten Teubert (D)
14. Carolina Hurricanes - Zach Boychuk (C)
15. Nashville Predators - Tyler Cuma (D)
16. Boston Bruins - Joshua Bailey (C)
17. Calgary Flames - Joe Colborne (C)
18. Ottawa Senators - Jordan Eberle (C)
19. Columbus Blue Jackets (Colorado) - Mattias Tedenby (LW)
20. NY Rangers - Luca Sbisa (D)
21. New Jersey Devils - Colby Robak (D)
22. Edmonton Oilers (Anaheim) - Daultan Leveille (C)
23. Washington Capitals - Zac Dalpe (RW)
24. Minnesota Wild - Aaron Ness (D)
25. Montreal Canadiens - Mikhail Stefanovich (C)
26. Buffalo Sabres (SJ) - Chet Pickard (G)
27. Philadelphia Flyers - John Carlson (D)
28. Los Angeles Kings (Dallas) - Erik Karlsson (D)
29. Atlanta Thrashers (Pittsburgh) - Jake Gardiner (D)
30. Detroit Red Wings - Anton Gustafsson (C)

Draft Interview: Zach Boychuk

Zach Boychuk is the lightning-quick speedster from Airdrie, Alberta and most recently, is one of the top prospects up for grabs at the upcoming 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He has represented Canada at the World U-18 Championships, the Summit Series and the World Junior Championships while leading his WHL team Lethbridge Hurricanes to the finals, where they lost to the eventual Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs.

Before he set off for Ottawa for this weekend’s draft, Zach was kind enough to grant FanInVan.Com an exclusive interview, where he talks about the possibilities of being a Canuck, his year with the Hurricanes, and what he’s looking forward to in the future. Boychuk headlines this year’s Draft Countdown.

F: The first question Vancouver Canuck fans want to know: Did the Canuck organization contact you or interview you at the Draft Combine?

ZB: Yes, they were my last interview after meeting with 23 teams in total.

F: If the Vancouver Canucks were to draft you on June 20th, which Canuck player would you be looking forward to playing with the most?

ZB: Markus Naslund.

F: How excited are you for the draft, and can you describe what you’re feeling as it gets closer?

ZB: I am getting more and more excited the closer it gets. [However,] I’m really looking forward to relaxing with my family prior to the draft and touring some parts of Ontario.

F: You played almost 200 games in a Lethbridge Hurricanes uniform and got them past the first round in the postseason for the first time in 11 years. How important was it for your development to play in the WHL?

ZB: Playing in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes has been so important for my development not only as a player, but as a person. They really helped me improve my game in all areas, as well as school and other things away from the rink.

F: Sticking with your development, did you ever entertain any offers to possibly play in the NCAA, and if yes, why did you choose the WHL?

ZB: No; when I was drafted to the Hurricanes, I was committed on playing in the WHL.

F: Given the success of smaller players like Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner, do you think NHL teams no longer believe size is an issue when drafting players?

ZB: Players like Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner are helping change the game and opening more and more people’s eyes that smaller players can be great even at the NHL level. I love watching those guys play and obviously they deserve to be where they are. A lot of small players get stereotyped as strictly skilled guys that shy away from the tough parts of the game but they are always right in the middle of everything and I hope to be like them when I play in the NHL.

F: There are a lot of scouts and armchair GMs who want to steer clear of you simply because of your size. In your opinion, what sorts of strengths separate you from the rest of the top ten picks?

ZB: I think there are lots of good things that separate me from the other players in the draft but my main strengths are my will to win, competitiveness, and determination… As well as a few dangles once in while.

F: You’re from Airdrie, Alberta. Who did you cheer for growing up, the Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers?

ZB: The Flames.

F: As an Alberta boy, was Calgary’s 5’6” Theoren Fleury (one of the NHL’s smallest players in history) an inspiration to you growing up?

ZB: Yeah, he was an amazing player in the NHL and getting to watch him while I was growing up was definitely inspiring and also helped me realize my goals were achievable.

F: Which NHL arena are you looking forward to playing in the most? Why?

ZB: I’m looking forward to playing in the arena where my home team plays. I guess you would have to ask me after the draft, and then I’ll tell you. I’ve always dreamed of playing in front of 20,000 fans that are cheering for you.

F: Which current NHL goalie would you least like to face in the shootout? Why?

ZB: Mathieu Garon, because he is a lefty.

F: Last question. Are you looking at playing in the NHL next season or returning with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, or are you simply going to go wherever your prospective NHL team wants to place you?

ZB: Right now, my main focus is to work as hard as I can so I can create an opportunity to play in the NHL next season with the team I am drafted by. Just like any other training camp I’ve been to, I’ll try to take someone else’s spot on the roster and if the team feels I am not ready, then I will go back to Lethbridge and have another great year.

Draft Countdown: Cody Hodgson

A player that oozes both exceptional two-way play and leadership, Cody Hodgson should be a coveted option by any of the teams drafting from seven to twelve. Although he is not physically imposing by any means, Hodgson represents a blend of skill, determination and character. To Vancouver Canuck fans, he can be seen as a player similar to Trevor Linden.

The Skinny: Hodgson captained the Canadian World Under-18 team to a gold medal finish this past year and had a very good year with his OHL Brampton Battalions. He has an incredible work ethic which allows him to play in all situations and that makes him capable of being a very good second line player or even a first line centre. There are a handful of teams drafting in the top ten who don’t want to take a chance on risky picks and would like the “safe pick” and go with Hodgson.

The Statistics: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

Ranked in the top 20 in OHL scoring with 40 goals and 85 points, leading the Battalion in goals with 40 in 68 contests. Also scored five goals in five playoff games before Brampton was eliminated in the first round.

Led all players at the IIHF U-18 World Championships with two goals and ten assists, helping Team Canada win the Gold.

Was voted as the OHL Eastern Conference’s smartest player in 2008 according to the OHL Head Coach’s Poll.

They Said It: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

Strengths: “Cody is a treat to watch. He is a very skilled centerman who’s hockey sense has him quarterbacking the power-play from down at the half boards. He knows when to shoot and when to pass – his point total reflects that. He’s also a good face-off guy; he can take face-offs with the best of them and win them at the OHL level. Quite an all-around asset to any team that draft’s him.”

Areas to improve: “With a little bit of continued maturity he will add a bit of size and strength to his frame and he won’t lose any of that hockey acumen or any of that ability to see the ice.”

Outlook: “In the NHL he is going to be a skilled centerman and he’s going to be on one of your top two lines. If you’re a really good team you are fortunate to have him as your second centerman because he is capable of being your first centerman.” — E.J. McGuire, NHL Central Scouting

“Cody’s a great two-way player for our team. He’s kind of one of those guys who goes under the radar. But when you see what he does for our hockey team as a 17-year-old, you gain a greater appreciation for him … he’s a game breaker. He’s made a difference everywhere he’s played, and those types of players are hard to get.” — Stan Butler, Brampton Battalion Head Coach

The Knock: Since Hodgson plays a mature game which involves strong two-way play, a lot of scouts wonder whether or not he can develop into a scoring forward or if he has reached the potential of his game. Hodgson can also take physical hits, but many believe if he could get a little meaner and aggressive he would become a more complete player. Hodgson also isn’t overly big compared to some of the other players available.

The Video: A look at one of Hodgson’s best plays from this past season.

The Verdict: To me, I don’t see a whole lot of difference between Hodgson’s game and Colin Wilson’s. Both are very good forwards who have promising two-way skills that could put them anywhere between second and third line duty for their future NHL teams. In the case of Hodgson, he has better leadership but is smaller than Wilson. However, there is still time for him to fill out into an NHL body.

Draft Countdown: Mikkel Boedker

Danish-born forward Mikkel Boedker can be described in one word: Explosive. Boedker’s skating and speed are among the best in this year’s crop of NHL prospects and that will surely garner him a top ten selection by the time June 21st rolls around. Most recently he led his OHL Kitchener Rangers to the Memorial Cup final, compiling impressive numbers in the process. And while countryman Lars Eller holds the best draft position by a Danish player at 13 last year, he won’t hold that honour for long.

The Skinny: Since Boedker is the first European to be considered for the Vancouver Canucks selection, the first question you’re probably thinking is if he can play physical. And beyond a shadow of a doubt, Boedker demonstrated this season that he can handle the physical intensity of the North American game when he finished second in points in OHL playoff scoring and had nine game winners during the regular season. But Boedker’s ability to get from Point A to B in a flash is what makes him an elusive and coveted option. And given the success of today’s speed and skill players, Boedker could find himself in NHL superstar status.

The Statistics: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

Ranked third overall among rookies in points with 73 (29-44-73) and tied for second overall in the league with nine game-winning goals in 2007-08.

Participated in the 2008 World Junior Championships for Denmark alongside his older brother, Mads. He finished second in team scoring with six points (2-4-6) in six games.

Finished tied for second with 26 assists and second overall with 35 points in 20 playoff games helping Kitchener win the OHL championship in 2008.

They Said It: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

“Mikkel, although he is 5′11″, plays low to the ice and as a result is a real solid player. This Team Denmark product is currently a versatile player for the Kitchener Rangers and I think that is what he is going to be for his NHL team. Right now, he quarterbacks the power-play as a forward from the point for the Rangers and does an effective job.

I think he has adjusted well to the North American game and needs to continue to drive to the net and use his shot at effective times. There are times when he passes the puck when he should shoot and shoots when he should pass, but that’s the type of second-guessing that comes from me being a scout. — NHL Director of Central Scouting, E.J. McGuire

Mikkel has world class speed and skill. He has adjusted to the North American game very well and will be an impact player at the NHL level one day.” — Peter DeBoer, Kitchener Rangers Head Coach

He always uses great body position to protect the puck, he is very strong on the wall, has a rocket for a shot and is also a great penalty killer.” — Mike Torchia, Rangers colour analyst

The Knock: Boedker is a phenomenal player who has a great shot, but he tends to think pass first and shoot second. He has the uncanny ability to drive to the net with disregard but the fact is if he fired the puck on net a handful more times his numbers would greatly improve. At 5′11”, Boedker could stand to fill out a little bit more to better himself for the NHL game.

The Video:

The Verdict: To me, this is a no-brainer. If the Vancouver Canucks have the chance to take Mikkel Boedker at number ten, it will be a heist. Although he is a left winger and the Canucks could use more depth down the middle, Boedker is too much of a skilled player to pass up. His unparalleled speed has drawn several comparisons to Marian Gaborik, another player who poses a wonderful blend of speed and skill. Put this Danish forward with the Canucks’ other Dane Jannik Hansen and chemistry could be made.

Draft Countdown: Colin Wilson

He’s drawn comparisons to Rod Brind’Amour for his leadership qualities and has said he tries to pattern his game after Peter Forsberg. He’s the son of former Calgary Flame Carey Wilson, who played over 500 NHL games. In addition, he led the United States WJC team in points with six goals and seven points. He plays for Boston University. He is Colin Wilson.

The Skinny: The greatest thing about Wilson’s game is his vision. He reads the ice very well for a player of his age and that has paid tremendous benefits over his young career. His hockey sense is probably top three in this year’s draft crop and a lot of teams may be tempted to take him simply for his smarts. But at 6′1” and 215 pounds, Wilson also has an NHL frame and could even crack the pros this oncoming fall. Wilson also wowed scouts and teams at the NHL Combine two weeks ago, doing 21 reps on the bench press, shattering the day’s record previously recorded by prospect John Carlson with 16.

The Statistics: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

Became the fifth player in Boston University history to be named Hockey East Rookie of the Year after posting 35 points (13-22–35) in 37 games with the Terriers in 2007-08. Wilson finished second in scoring among Hockey East rookies and third in scoring on the BU Terriers.

Participated in the 2008 World Junior Championships, tying for the goal scoring lead with six (6-1–7) for Team USA.

Won gold with Team USA at the 2006 IIHF Under-18 World Championship in Sweden and tied for the tournament lead in scoring with 12 points (5-7–12) at the 2007 Under-18 World Championship in helping Team USA to a silver medal.

Had 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points in 34 games with Boston University this season.

They Said It: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

“Colin is a combination of a skilled and power forward. He is very strong, has excellent hands and is a very good passer and playmaker. He makes and takes a difficult pass extremely well. He is tough and strong on the puck and is a very smart player who is aware of where teammates are at all times. He anticipates the play at both ends of the ice very well. When he gets the puck he responds instantly and knows where to put the puck. He is very reliable defensively, has incredibly quick feet and he can turn quickly while maintaining puck control.” — NHL Central Scouting’s Gary Eggleston

“Colin is a really smart player who sees the ice really well. He can really move the puck because he has what I refer to as ‘Larry Bird court-sense’. He knows where everybody is and can see plays develop in front of him. He knows where to go when he has the puck and when he doesn’t have the puck. An asset that never seems to surprise me is that he always collects the pass near him, so that the puck stays with him.” — Jack Parker, Boston University Head Coach

The Knock: The one main knock on Wilson is that his skating is not strong; he has a lack of speed and his first stride is not at an NHL level yet. Perhaps you can chalk up his lack of speed to the outstanding size he has, but Wilson’s speed will not deter many teams from drafting him. In addition, Wilson has neither the game-breaking talent of Steven Stamkos or the upside of Kyle Beach, but instead can be regarded as that prototypical “safe pick”.

The Video:

Colin Wilson is #33 in white. Skip ahead halfway and you will see a few shifts before he helps put away the Maine Black Bears in overtime.

The Verdict: Colin Wilson could possibly be a tremendous player in the NHL with his combination of size and skill, but his lack of speed leaves something to be desired. However, he brings intangibles like leadership and a team-first attitude to the table which will help offset his flaws. His NHL-sized body gives teams more reason to want to draft him if the club is looking to shore up their depth at centre. From a Canuck perspective, Wilson can be likened to a better skilled Ryan Kesler with a little more offensive upside. And for a club which has little depth down the middle, Wilson will be a coveted option for the team at draft day.