FC’s Draft Countdown – 30-26 Overall

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!

30. Eric Cornel – C – Peterborough Petes

A strong, two-way center with built in offense capability, Cornel finished up his season with the OHL’s Peterborough Petes with a tidy 25 goals and 62 points in 65 games this season. When analyzing Cornel’s strengths, one will find they lie in his fundamentals: excellent skating and puck handling.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder’s smarts allow him to make quick, shrewd decisions at both ends of the ice, but is most evident in the offensive end where his vision collaborates with his excellent puck distributing abilities to keep defenders on their heels. Having said that, he doesn’t have an awful lot of offensive potential, and that could be a deterrent when it comes to Cornel being selected at the end of the month.

29. Anthony DeAngelo – D – Sarnia Sting

In a draft where quality defenseman seem to be few and could come at a premium Philadelphia, Anthony DeAngelo, owner of 71 points in 51 games this OHL season, could be in high demand. The Sarnia Sting rearguard is considered one of the most offensively gifted blueliners in the draft and could see his name get called a lot earlier than his ranking may suggest. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound speedster uses his elite skating ability to wheel around the ice surface at will, creating offensive opportunity after offensive opportunity for his team and posses great ability in both the shooting and passing departments to go along with an extraordinary hockey IQ.

The issue with DeAngelo however, arises from his maturity and mental aspects. He is easily rattled and still struggles with accountability. He was suspended earlier this season for a slur directed at his own teammate. If a team has confidence in their ability to whip this kid into shape off the ice, they’d have themselves quite the hockey player on it.

28. Roland McKeown – D – Kingston Frontenacs

Staying on the blueline, Kingston Frontenacs defender Roland McKeown entered the year ranked a lot higher by Future Considerations than he sits now, but that hasn’t necessarily been because of bad play on McKeown’s part, rather his peers have just stepped ahead of him. The steady defender posted very respectable numbers this season in the form of 11 goals and 43 points in 62 games all while keeping his own end in check.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound defender is competent in just about every area of his game, with his real strengths coming in the form of skating and puck-movement. Sometimes, however, McKeown jumps the gun on the rush and makes ill-advised pinches that leave his team vulnerable and despite possessing great size, he doesn’t always use it to his full advantage. Like most young players, McKeown also lacks consistency, which will likely come as he matures.

27. Adrian Kempe – C – MODO

At 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, Kempe draws in at 27 on Future Considerations’ Top 30. A two-way forward by trade, he posses great tools and uses them all at both ends of the ice. He’s a strong skater, and in combination with his size, he becomes a handful to contain for defenders when he comes barreling down the wing. Kempe’s offensive arsenal isn’t overly complex, but is solid nonetheless equipped with a solid shot and reliable passing ability. His five goals and 11 points in 45 SHL games aren’t mind blowing, but just the fact he’s playing in Sweden’s top men’s league at 17 years of age is extremely impressive.

Kempe adopts the role of a heat seeking missile when away from the puck and wishes to hit anything and everything. Kempe lacks high-end offensive creativity and that will limit his production once he reaches the higher echelons of hockey. He projects as a meat-and-potatoes complimentary player who will chip in occasionally, but fills more of an defensive/energy role.

26. Kasperi Kapanen – RW – KalPa

There will be a lot of proud former NHLers come the draft at the end of this month, with a number of their sons expected to be drafted. One of which is Kasperi Kapanen, son of Sami. The junior Kapanen however isn’t exactly a chip off the old block. He’s fast, he’s skilled and he’s dynamic. Kapanen can create offense from seemingly anywhere in the offensive zone and has dizzying puck skills.

Like most offensively inclined individuals in today’s game, Kapanen also skates like the wind. He posted seven goals and 14 points in 47 SM-Liiga games this season, a respectable number for a player of his age. The issue with the 5-foot-11, 170-pound winger is the latter part of that stature reading. His 170 pound frame makes him easy to knock off the puck and push around. He also forgets to bring his full compete level to the ice every night.