In the days leading up to the draft, Future Considerations will count down its top-ranked prospects for the 2014 NHL Draft in prospect profile segments.
Draft Countdown 30-26
Draft Countdown 25-21
Draft Countdown 20-16
Draft Countdown 15-11
Draft Countdown 10-6
Draft Countdown 5-1
To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!
20. Josh Ho-Sang – RW – Windsor Spitfires
As pure an offensive talent as you can find, Ho-Sang thrives in the offensive zone where he’s been gifted with extraordinary tools in each sector. Skating, shooting, passing, all exceptional. The winger rifled home 32 goals and 85 points in 67 games this season as a result and, although inconsistent at times, impressed immensely with his aforementioned offensive weaponry.
Although one zone is a strength, the other two still need work as Ho-Sang finds himself missing defensive assignments. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder still has some considerable rounding out to do before he makes the next jump, but in terms of raw tools, Ho-Sang’s got them in spades.
19. Alex Tuch – RW – NTDP U18
The USHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year is as big a star on the ice as he is in the classroom. The towering 6-foot-3, 215-pound Tuch had as a successful a year in all facets of his development as one could have. Besides the aforementioned Scholastic Award – an honor bestowed upon the League’s most studious skater – Tuch racked up a sizeable 61 points in 55 league games, 29 of those being goals.
Tuch’s immense frame doesn’t take away from his skating ability and a hardworking style combined with some skill makes him effective in the opposition’s third of the ice. Tuch also comes back and assists on defense without complaint. Unfortunately, his hardworking style of play doesn’t show up every night and can find himself gliding around aimlessly, looking disinterested.
18. David Pastrnak – RW – Sodertalje J20
A player who is in possession of tools such as skating, shooting and dekeing at elite levels will generally be very flashy, and very fun to watch — that would be Pastrnak. The Czech forward has a knack for the flamboyant and lets it all out on the ice. Pastrnak has all the offensive tools and does well to implement them. He registered eight goals and 24 points in 36 Allsvenskan games, a strong number for a player his age. His passing ability is also excellent, allowing him to string together passes with pinpoint perfection. He can go around you, but not through you, as he stands just 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 170 pounds.
Also, if Pastrnak’s own zone was a certain magnetic pole, then he carries the same signature because it’s as if the two repel each other. He especially likes to bolt the zone early in hopes of an odd-man opportunity and thus leaves his fellow defenders shorthanded. His defensive game has improved as the season wore on however, and looks to do much of the same moving forward.
17. Sonny Milano – LW – NTDP U18
A player of similar ilk, Milano, like Pastrnak, thrives in the dispy-doodle environment. He’s quick, agile and skilled, giving him the upper hand on most in a one-on-one confrontation. Milano tore it up this season, posting 26 goals and 75 points in 52 games. Having said that, he did skate with Future Considerations’ 2nd ranked player for the 2015 Draft, Jack Eichel, which may have considerably aided Milano’s stat line.
Nonetheless, the raw tools are undeniable and the 5-foot-11, 185-pound winger will attract attention from NHL teams on draft day. Drawing more similarities to Pastrnak, the same magnetic theory can be applied to Milano, a fellow enthusiast of early zone departures. Defensive consistency remains the biggest issue with the otherwise very attractive winger.
16. Ivan Barbashev – LW – Moncton Wildcats
Barbashev is not a blazing fast skater, and rather than out-dangle his opponents, he prefers to out-think them, analyzing situations as they develop and making shrewd decisions. He also posses all the tools to make his schemes reality, as depicted by his 25 goals and 68 points in 48 QMJHL games with the Moncton Wildcats this past season. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder is also very responsible defensively.
Barbashev is a very well rounded player who just lacks the creativity often associated with high scoring forwards of his nationality. He projects in a two-way forward capacity and will likely be treasured by a team already abundant with offense.
To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!