Trending Upwards in 2012
 

Much in the same ilk of our 2012 draft sliders thread, FC's Dan Stewart has taken a look at those whose stock is trending upwards.

Players like OHL defensemen Cody Ceci, Slater Koekkoek and Matt Finn definitely fall into this category. According to our scouts, Finn in particular has exceeded expectations in this young season.

http://futureconsiderations.ca/eligi...raft-rankings/

Who did we leave out? Who has impressed you to the point they're a surprise this season?

Defenseman Esa Lindell hasn't done much internationally yet, but is showing improvement in his game and playing in a big role in a strong Jokerit Jr.A team. I heard two scouts talking about him in Swedish during his game and the words "han är intressant" (= he's interesting) were used a few times, so it seems that he's turning some heads. Personally I wasn't too high on him at the start of the season, but I'm starting to think that top-60 could be within a reach if he keeps improving at this pace.

Tom Wilson is a player I've been sliding up my rankings as each month passes.

Good to see Troock mentioned. He'd be a pick of mine too.

Might be why he made it in :P

Unfortunately he's also on my list of sliders, but only because of injury, again. :laugh:

Andrew Ryan for the Halifax Mooseheads has only played six games so far this year due to injury, but he's making a strong case for himself.

He was selected as one of the prospects to play in the NHL's research and development camp over the summer and his progress from last season to this year has really impressed me.

He's got good size and uses it well in addition to strong offensive skills and a powerful skating stride. Halifax has a number of talented forwards who lack in the size category and so Ryan's big body and power forward style is a welcome addition to their lineup.

Also worth noting is that he had chemistry coming into the season with Nathan MacKinnon after the duo were paired up on Team Atlantic during last year's Under-17s. He's been reunited with the wunderkind recently and hasn't looked out of place.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being selected in the top fifty picks in the draft.

I'm still not sure how he fell to the second round for the Moose to take him. Like you said, hes a big body already (6-3, 200) and is probably the best skater on the Moose next to Mackinnon. I said it a month or so ago, I cant see him lasting past the 3rd round, but the way he is playing now, late first, early second isn't out of the question, especially when playing with Mackinnon and possibly Frk

I've been able to watch Windsor the last few games and one riser to watch for is Brady Vail. His decision making and hockey IQ is just off the chart. His shot is also NHL caliber and always gets open and find his teammates well. If he plays like he did the last few weeks he could find himself as a low 1st, early 2nd rounder.

2013: Also Kerby Rychel was pretty impressive last night.

Aaron, what about a guy like Daniil Zharkov? I think most had him pegged for around late 2nd to early 3rd after his injury, but he has came back from it and has 11 goals and 4 assists in 11 games and is a +8. Do these numbers get noticed? Because he is just dominating at the moment.

To add, he is a two-way player and has great size as well.

I love Zharkov. I'm hoping he's still there for the Sens to grab in the 2nd round.

I think some team is going to fall in love with Zharkov and take him in the 1st.

I'm hoping the Oilers can get another 1st and grab Gaunce(mid 1st) and Zharkov(early 2nd), but I'd say that's probably wishful thinking.

Tanner Pearson comes to mind, most scouts do not even have him in the top two rounds. He may be older and has been passed in I believe two drafts but he is leading the OHL in scoring. He had a poor season last year but the colts were absolutely horrible.

I believe we could see him crack the top 30 by the end of the year. Would be one hell of a winger for the penguins to snag, also could see his speed being great for the oilers youth movement if he manages to go second or third round

With the chemistry they have...that would be brilliant drafting.

Kevin, how busy is Halifax's pressbox if I happen to go up for a weekday game. I contemplated going for the Quebec game last night but it must have been a jungle with MacKinnon vs Grigorenko.

In regards to the topic on hand, Ryan Culkin is going to be moving up on everyone's list. The guy is playing serious minutes for a very good Quebec team.

Shalimov also had a remarkable month of November. 12 points in 8 games getting 2nd line ice time and 2nd pair PP ice time.

Both are included in my article.

2nd 1st if Oilers can pull it off. Radek Faska, a center/winger (mid 1st) and Tomas Hertl (2nd round)

Faska- Hertl-Hemsky. Czech line.

It's a pretty big box, so there's always room. When you thinking?

The Gatineau game was a little more crowded upstairs, but it seems most of the scouts opted to grab a seat in the stands for the Quebec match.

Culkin looked real impressive here in Halifax too. Played a key role distributing the puck on the powerplay.