NHL Draft: ISS Scouts Break Down the Left Wings

ISS2010 NHL Draft Guide is the most comprehensive yet. The scouting experts at ISS provide an exhaustive profile on the top 60 draft prospects, detailed thumbnails on next 90 prospects and need-to-know information on another 50 draft eligible players for a total of 200 prospects. The information in the ISS draft guide comes directly from the source, the team of scouts who watch hundreds of games each season to provide this thorough package. Diehard hockey fans will want a copy of the ISS draft guide to find out the type of players their team picked in the June 25-26 draft.

ISS produces a full service 96 page draft guide that can be purchased by fans and media on-line at this link

Note - all orders will be filled same day.

ISS will be providing analysis of the top prospects leading up to the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 25-26. First week we will cover the Centers (see below), next week we'll take a look at the RW followed by LW, and then will finish up with the defensmen. ISS Scouts will also provide a mock draft a week before the entry draft.

ISS TOP 15 – FINAL NHL RANKINGS

Top 5 Left Wings

ISS # 1 -- Hall, Taylor

Hall finished his CHL career becoming the first player to ever win the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy twice, after being selected as the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup MVP. A dynamic, intense and exciting offensive talent, Hall's ability to push his team to win can't be ignored. He is a dynamic offensive player that has the potential to produce and create offensively, and is a threat to score whenever he is on the ice. He possesses great feet and is an excellent skater, possessing game breaking speed and quickness. He has a very natural and smooth stride, and his acceleration and ability to get right up to top speed in almost
second to none. Most importantly, he can make plays while at full stride, and he generally plays the game at a very, very high pace.

Style compares to:Pavel Bure

ISS # 6 -- Niederreiter, Nino

Swiss hockey finally has a marquee talent they can show off to the world. That player is Nino Niederreiter. Niederreiter works hard and competes in every situation to give his team a chance to win. An All-Star during the 2010 WJC, he also joined the Swiss National men's team during the 2010 World Championships. Niederreiter boasts good size, and all ready knows how to use it to protect the puck etc. His balance is impeccable leaving him dominant against the wall. A natural shooter with a quick trigger and the soft hands to put the puck anywhere he wants. Niederreiter has the makings of a strong two-way top 6 NHL Power forward.

Style compares to: Brendan Shanahan

ISS # 13 -- Connolly, Brett

Connolly is the type of player that has the potential to develop into a very dynamic offensive forward. He possesses all the physical tools, has size, can skate and has a very good stick. Regarded as one of the elite offensive talents of this draft, and with good reason, Connolly can flat out dominate the puck at times. He struggled with injuries this year and has created some doubts in his ability to play at the next level because of this, but Connolly's upside is certainly worth taking that risk. A masterful puck handler with good speed, Connolly can flat out score if given the chance. Connolly scored 10 goals and 19 points in the games he played this past season, following up on a year in which he was the first 16-year-old in the Western League to score 30 goals since Patrick Marleau did it in 1995-96.

Style compares to:Patrick Marleau

ISS # 16 -- Howden, Quinton

Well coached. Howden showed a strong ability to adapt to different roles at recent World U18 Championship. Quinton's upside is as a two-way top 6 forward with tremendous skating and offensive upside. Howden is the kind of player you want on your team. A player that will do whatever it takes to get his team in the win column. Howden has great size with plenty of room to bulk up and has shown that he already knows how to use that size. He's excellent on the penalty kill, always a threat out there. If he gets a step on anybody he's gone. When he went down to injury, the Warriors struggled, not just because of his ability to neutralize and challenge top offensive players, but also because of his own ability to score.

Style compares to:Jamie Langenbrunner

ISS # 27 -- Rensfeldt, Ludvig

Rensfeldt brings everything you could possibly want in a forward. He is hard working and competitive player who is responsible in his own end and can really produce offense, as part of a system or on his own. Rensfeldt's ability to shoot off the rush may be his biggest weapon, a natural shooter. Can fend off defenders and get shots off under duress but can also crash the net well for rebounds. To go with that, he has a great physical frame (6'3", 192 lbs) with which to build on. The budding 2-way power forward out of Sweden has seen his stock rocket as this season went on. The physical forward doesn't shy away from the rough stuff and established himself as a goal scorer this year. He also skates well and has smooth "hockey hands".

Style compares to:Johan Franzen

Top 2 Sleepers:

ISS # 128 -- Olden, Sondre

A hard working two-way player, Olden is a big body that moves well on his skates and has good hand eye coordination. He first drew ISS scout's attention playing with the Norweigan national team two years ago and again during last year's U18 World Championships in Fargo, North Dakota. Olden has been explosive, to say the least, on the national stage and has shown well against top tier times while dominating the lower teams. He put up 22 points in just 5 games in Norways U18 Div-1 World Championship. Several CHL clubs have inquired about his services for next season, and he appears to be heading to North America.

Style compares to:Stefan Ruzicka

ISS # 98 -- Brickley, Connor

He plays a power forward style of game; gets involved, aggressive, strong on skates and puck, works hard, keeps feet moving, decent hands and offensive instincts. Brickley impressed ISS scouts at the Six Nations Tournament in Minsk. Scouts like his big player type game and aggressiveness. He shows an awareness of his responsibilities, stays on his wing and generally supports the play in all three zones effectively. Brickley is a player that you really have to key on to fully appreciate his game. As soon as he sees an opportunity, he will use his quickness to jump on it. Was moved from center to the wing this season, will benefit from future development at the University of Vermont.

Style compares to:Dustin Brown

Top Wildcard:

ISS # 45 -- Kabanov, Kirill

The biggest draft Wildcard in this years NHL draft. Kabanov is an offensive minded forward who possesses a ton of individual skill. At one time, Kabanov was regarded as one of the most elite players available for this year's draft, a prospect following in line with the growing list of top flight Russian offensive players. But falling in line has proven to be something very difficult for Kabanov. Has more "Red flags" then Daytona 500.

Style compares to:Alexander Radulov

"Pro Hockey Weekly" fantasy draft prospect of the week:

Alex Forsberg – WHL – 1995 Birthdate

Was Prince George's 1st Rnd. Pick, 1st Overall in 2010 Bantam Draft. The Cougars have reportedly already asked the WHL for "Special Exemption Status" for the highly skilled center from Waldheim Sask. The fact Alex's older brother Jordan already plays for the Cougars may actually help his chances of getting approval. Forsberg is considered one of the most gifted and skilled offensive players in his age group, and that's world wide!!. He put up points in almost every game and is the type of player that just seems to make something happen every shift. He has a great stick and he is at his best when he has possession of the puck.

ISS produces a full service 96 page draft guide that can be purchased by fans and media on-line at this link.