Paterson rounds out the top 25. A very solid deep group in my opinion. Charles Hudon is the add. Hope he can get it together this season, kid hits like a mack truck, but his off-ice adjustments to ADD were very hard on him last year. Needs to earn a contract now instead of going to the NCAA for a long period of time, I remain doubtful he will, but certainly a 200lbs plus guy that loves to hit has some things going for him. Has been decent in the QMJHL pre-season we shall see.
Voted Nicastro. Hoping he turns it around this year, liked what I read about him at the summer prospect camp. He will never be the offensive player we thought more than likely. But guy is very strong in the corners, interesting to see how physical he gets, skates well, solid first pass, big shot although inaccurate and can really level guys. Could be a solid mean stay at home type.
Add Willie Coetzee. The best South African hockey player ever??? Probably from what I can tell.
Voted Nicastro. But at this point these guys are a long shot to even see IT in the NHL. Raedeke is a solid defensive forward, Marshall seems to have impressed as a mobile defenseman. Parkes is a hardworking forward, who did well in the Q, but I can't seem him make the big team.
Pretty sad McCollum can't even buy a vote at this point.
I think he'll might to take 2nd behind Olaf Kolzig. He's sometimes listed as German and sometimes as South African. Not sure which one really counts.
He was born to German parents in Johannesburg, South Africa, but grew up in several cities across Canada. Kölzig never applied for Canadian citizenship, which combined with his German parentage and German passport allowed him to represent Germany internationally.
And voted for De Haas. I know virtually nothing about him but based on the scouting reports I've been able to read, he has the highest upside of the guys left on this list.
Really only one of Almqvist and Marshall can make it. Just cannot see the need for carrying two d-man that are that size with that similar of traits. Sure I guess if both develop we trade one. Almqvist has a big advantage at nailing that job with the Wings in my opinion as of today and even with him I am not so sure. I understand we are down to the point where we are picking long shots. But big physical stay at home d-man have a better shot in terms of down here in my opinion.
I do hope Marshall improved over the summer, a lot to like about his skating, but not a whole lot else. His shot needs to get much better for him to become that undersized PP specialist. His vision needs to pick up as well. His stick needs to be more active defensively and I think that is really where his NHL dreams have problems. If you aren't going to be physical, you need to be very good position wise and adept at taking the puck away with a good stick. He really to date lacks in both those when I have seen him play at the U.
At this point I cant vote for anyone besides a bruiser. If a skilled guy is rated this low, hes not making it on is skill. A tough guy rated this low could still make it as an enforcer/13th forward type.
