Looking for detailed information on the NHL Entry Draft's top players? Well, unlike the myriad draft guides you can find for the NFL football draft every year, finding the hockey equivalents are a bit more of a challenge.
The annual Hockey News draft preview is already out, and for the cost-conscious or casual draft fan. it's more than adequate to cover the bases.
I've read THN's draft issues religiously since they first started publishing them in the early 80's and have kept just about every one going back to 1986 (which had a great cover of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty including a very youthful-looking Andy Moog).
The great hockey scribe Bob McKenzie started THN's draft bible, and he's the one that many of us draftnik wannabes aspire to. In my humble opinion, nobody can match him for his connections and inside dirt when it comes to the NHL and especially the entry draft.
But, there are other publications that will cost a little more but are pretty comprehensive that may be worth looking into if you need more information. In the interest of being fair and out of a desire to arm you with information you may not already have, I won't list one over the other because of conflict of interest and I don't want to be seen as endorsing or not endorsing any. If you have any questions about any of them, feel free to ask, but for now, I'll simply provide the links and let you make your own decision based on what works best for you.
In the interest of full disclosure, I've subscribed to Red Line Report for 11 years and have every draft guide of theirs since 1999.
International Scouting Services - Printed and Electronic Versions available. $50 CDN (Available May 25th, 2010)
McKeen's - Printed Version $30 CDN, $30 USD, $35 International (Available June 2nd, 2010)
Red Line Report - Printed Version $45.00 USD (Available June 3rd, 2010)
The Hockey News - Printed and Electronic Versions available. $5.99 (Mailed to subscribers May 5th...Available May 17th, 2010)
Future Considerations - Electronic Version $16.79 USD; Printed Version $27.81 USD (Available May 2010)
The Hockey Prospect- Printed Version $18.95 USD (Available mid-May on Amazon.com and via website)
http://www.isshockey.com/
http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/
http://www.redlinereport.com/
http://www.thehockeynews.com/
http://www.futureconsiderations.ca/
http://www.hockeyprospect.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26066:nhl-draft-guide-2010&catid=95:hp-originals&Itemid=100044
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I have one very general question on this draft and the 2011 draft. I've come across a lot of comments that the 2010 draft is a very good draft while the 2011 draft looks like a weak draft. Is that true, and what does it mean? Do people call a draft "weaker" because there are fewer top end players or because the draft is weaker across the board? Or both? If there is less top end talent in 2011, that wouldn't really affect the value of most draft picks all that much.
ReplyDeleteIt's too early to say for sure, but scouts attend the various international tournaments and respective junior league games and keep note of the the upcoming players. The '93 BDs- the 2011 draft class- by and large haven't had as many players jump out as in previous years to date, hence the declarations that it is a "weaker" class. But, as of right now, all of that should be taken with a grain of salt, as we're a year out and anything can happen. So far, Adam Larsson and Sean Couturier look like the cream of the crop, but there are some other players who are stepping up and generating buzz like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Shane McColgan, Seth Ambroz and Brandon Saad to name a few, it isn't like the '93s are a bunch of bums, either
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to thank you kirk.I just found out about this site and i find myself coming on here frequently reading your posts.Great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, danny.
ReplyDeleteTell your friends about the site. More traffic is good. (he he)
Also- there's a lot more to come, pre- and post-draft, so keep coming back.
And, keep the comments coming. I like the interaction.
One thing, though-- this blog is a KFZ, so if you want to discuss Kirill Kabanov, then HFBoards is
<--------------------------- that way
I kid, I kid.
But seriously-- I've said all I will on Kabanov. Don't see him as an option for Boston, but plenty of other prospects to talk about.
Welcome!
Million dollar body with a ten cent head?
ReplyDeleteYou bet.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mention HF boards Kirk. I'm always trying to direct people here, because honestly, some of them think out of their #@$ and this is a good easy source to learn about players one hasn't had the chance to see play. I feel bad always posting a link to here especially when it's already posted half dozen times in a thread.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost funny because i mentioned it on HF boards to Bruins fans, but if you go to Leafsspace on the Leafs website, a link to here is posted more than links to any other information source.
I for one am thankful as it's a reliable and easy source for me to find out about players outside the OHL, and especially the US U18.
Thanks !!