This afternoon Coach Arniel, GM Howson, and us regular fans will get our first chance to take a look at the Blue Jackets most recent crop of prospects. Here’s a brief look at all of this year’s draftees.
Ryan Johansen, Center, 6’2″, 192lbs, Shoots Right. Here’s Hockey’s Future and their take on his talent:
Scouts are keen on his puck skills and vision. Johansen is a skilled mover of the puck and possesses the size to become an effective power forward. He is versatile and his touch around the net will set him apart from the muckers and grinders.
The more I read about Johansen, the happier I am. Here’s something I wrote for UWeekly’s blog about the pick, I strongly believe that Howson didn’t reach when making this pick, and that given the proper time to impress and develop, this pick will only look better with time.
Dalton Smith, Left Wing, 6’2″, 203lbs, Shoots Left. Here are some facts and figures on his most recent season with the Ottawa 67′s:
In his second season with the 67′s, Smith scored 21 goals and added 23 assists for 44 points in 62 games. He gained a reputation as a fighter, picking up 129 penalty minutes to go along with a +20 rating. In 12 playoff games, Smith scored 3 goals and picked up 3 assists for 6 points.
Dalton also brings a feisty-side to things:
This guy looks to be a scorer and a fighter, I’m thinking a James Neal type, or what Jared Boll was supposed to be potentially.
Petr Straka, Right Wing, 6’1″, 185lbs, Shoots Left. Here’s Hockey’s Future and their take on Straka:
A speedy winger with great hands, Straka has learned plenty playing under Coach Clem Jodoin, especially how to round out his game and play effective hockey at both ends of the ice. Although he sometimes struggled with his consistency, the reigning QMJHL rookie of the year has a nose for the net and will only get better as he continues to develop and get stronger.
Of course player-agent Allan Walsh believes this was a steal:
As rookie of the year in “The Q” it sounds like Straka has some serious talent. I think it’s interesting to note that with the top 3 picks the Jackets may have drafted a complete line of their top 9 in the next 3-5 years. All 3 players look to have major scoring and play-making potential, but it will need to develop both for talent and for physical maturity.
Brandon Archibald, Defense, 6’4″, 2oolbs, Shoots Right. Archibald is a big boy with plenty of room to grow. He had a solid season with the Sault Saint Marie Greyhounds too:
In 68 games for the Greyhounds, Archibald scored 5 goals and added 28 assists for 33 points while posting 81 penalty minutes. In 5 playoff games, Archibald scored 1 goal and added 1 assist for 2 points. Archibald played for Team Cherry at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game, picking up an assist on the game winning goal.
Mike from The Cannon had this to say:
Archibald slipped a bit based on his Central Scouting ranking, but the Jackets were glad to scoop him up in the fourth round. He’s a two-way guy, with obvious size. He’s another great blueliner to add to the group of Moore, Goloubef, Weber, Savard and Ruth. He could be a bottom pairing guy in the NHL.
As the Blue Jackets only American drafted, it sounds like Archibald could make a major impact if he uses his size effectively.
Mathieu Corbeil, Goaltender, 6’6″, 186lbs, Catches Left. Here’s NHL.com’s scouting report:
“I was so impressed with Corbeil’s quickness for a big goalie. When you see him you won’t believe how quick he is for a big guy (6’6”, 186 lbs). Very controlled and soft pads, no big rebounds. Corbeil has an excellent feel for the game. He’s very good at controlling his rebounds.”
The Goalie Guild’s Justin had some similar things to say too:
What makes Corbeil-Theriault such an enticing choice is his combination of size and quickness. You will hear scouts rave about how agile he is for a goalie of his stature and how refined he already looks for a 1991 birth year. Not only does he have really long arms and legs, but his upper body is long and he’s proportionally wide as well.
Because of these solid proportions, Corbeil-Theriault is extremely well-balanced and mobile in the butterfly. Being able to move such a large frame isn’t easy, but he makes look effortless and controlled on a consistent basis.
I think there is a lot to be excited about with Corbeil. His size alone will make him an interesting prospect to keep an eye on, I would really like to see him develop into someone who can push Steve Mason in the future, or maybe valuable trade bait someday.
Austin Madaisky, Defense, 6’2″, 185lbs, Shoots Right. Here’s Hockey’s Future and their analysis:
Madaisky is a smooth-sakting defenseman with good defensive instincts and some offensive upside to his game. He became more confident with the puck during the second half of the season, crediting head coach Guy Charron for his mentoring skills. A very well-spoken individual, Madaisky is also very committed to fitness. He has room to add 15 to 20 pounds, weight and muscle that should make him more of a factor in front of his own goal.
Sounds like another good d-man to add to the corps of up-and-comers, smooth skating and good instincts plus smarts is a good combination!
Dalton Prout, Defense, 6’3″, 209lbs, Shoots Right. Very little information out there about Prout, he’s an older prospect, born in 1991, but maybe that will translate into getting to the Blue Jackets sooner rather than later.
Martin Ouellette, Goaltender, 6’1″, 160lbs, Catches Left. Another prospect without much information on him. It’s nice to see the Blue Jackets putting some depth in the pipeline with Mason and Garon with the big club, Wesslau and a soon to be signed free agent in the minors, and prospects like York, Corbeil and now Ouellette on the way up, there are more bullets in the chamber with a lot of potential.
Here’s the total roster from BlueJackets.com for the start of today’s development camp:
