Chris Wagner. Led all underclassmen in scoring, sixth in the NCAA, currently the top rookie forward in Norfolk, and he was trusted with minutes on the PK virtually the moment he arrived in the AHL.
He plays a game that will translate tremendously well to the NHL. He's big, has has an awsome set of hands and can make passes in tight that few others his age can. His skating still needs A LOT of work, but he's got such a high hockey I.Q that I think he could succeed in the NHL if it started up right now.
I can't see how Stone is underrated after last year's WJC. Everyone knows who he is now.
He is going to have to figure out how to play a little better in his own zone. I am hoping some of that is the teams he has been on. He is a good playmaker with NHL speed though, certainly worth a contract at the end of this year. Stinks he missed the start of it with Mono.
For me in Detroit's pool with Tvrdon going down for the year it is really up to three guys. Landon Ferraro who is playing dynamite in Grand Rapids and restoring a lot of what people thought in his draft year but have since come to think he would never reach and wrote him off. Then two D-man that not a lot of people know a ton about. Marchenko over in Russia, probably would have been the captain for team Russia at the WJC last year if he wasn't hurt but injuries are his big problem. Right now he runs the point for CSKA and is earning a lot more ice-time. Then probably my favorite for this Nick Jensen. I see no way his skating doesn't get him in the league. He is decent sized kid and has improved in all zones. Clever with the puck and an occasional lights out hit because of his ability to close and accelerate. An awful lot like an alumni from St. Cloud State University, Bret Hedican.
Last edited by The Zetterberg Era: 12-11-2012 at 11:51 PM.
Good call. Great prospect. Hopefully he comes over.
He is in the ECHL with Reading after a rough star in Hershey, so he is already over. In fact he came over to play for the Indianopolis Ice and then Saint John Seadogs, he has been over here for five years running now.
Chris Wagner. Led all underclassmen in scoring, sixth in the NCAA, currently the top rookie forward in Norfolk, and he was trusted with minutes on the PK virtually the moment he arrived in the AHL.
Yeah actually I'm gonna change mine to Wagner too.
Hard to say for Minnesota; Mario Lucia is having a great rookie season, Erik Haula is outproducing Kyle Rau and Nick Bjugstad (a 1st rounder) or Johan Gustafsson who has been a stellar goaltender in the SEL.
Gotta go with Gustafsson. On a team loaded in depth, Gustafsson doesn't play in NA and isn't really 'known' around here. But he could be a better goaltender than Hackett or Kuemper.
Chris Wagner. Led all underclassmen in scoring, sixth in the NCAA, currently the top rookie forward in Norfolk, and he was trusted with minutes on the PK virtually the moment he arrived in the AHL.
Think Wagner can be a top 6 player or does he top out as a 3rd line PK forward?
Hard to say for the Hawks.. I'd say Kevin Hayes, as he seems to be the forgotten 1st round pick. He's still a project, but he has outstanding size, above-average hockey sense and playmaking ability and is (from what I've seen), a good skater for his size.
.... or not 
