ESPN NHL

The top prospects of North American skaters for Saturday's NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa (listed alphabetically):

Justin Abdelkader, LW, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Vitals: 6-1, 195, Born 2/25/87
Stats: 60 GP, 27 G, 25 A, 52 PTS, 86 PIM
Breakdown: A strong skater with a good shot, Abdelkader is slated to attend Michigan State next season. Is a solid two-way player that also possesses a physical side to his game. Has plenty of character and is extremely coachable. Like most 18-year-olds, needs to fill out and mature. Ranked 25th by the Central Scouting Service.

Michael Blunden, RW, Erie (OHL)
Vitals: 6-3, 213, Born 12/15/86
Stats: 61 GP, 22 G, 19 A, 41 PTS, 75 PIM
Breakdown: A player who likes to work in the corners, Blunden has the ability to dominate with his size. Is a solid skater but does not have the hands to be a big scorer. Could develop into a top power forward but also could be just a grinder. The uncertainty has him being taken anywhere from the middle of the first round to late in the third. Ranked 20th by the CSS.

Luc Bourdon, D, Val d'Or (QMJHL)
Vitals: 6-2 1/2, 199, Born 2/16/87
Stats: 70 GP, 13 G, 19 A, 32 PTS, 117 PIM
Breakdown: A hard-hitting physical defenseman, Bourdon also can contribute offensively. Possesses a heavy shot from the point. Is a strong skater and adequate passer. Questioned for his hockey sense and ability to make good decisions. Can become too aggressive, as evidenced by his high penalty-minute total. Should go in the first half of the opening round. Ranked sixth by the CSS.

Alex Bourret, RW, Lewiston (QMJHL)
Vitals: 5-9 1/2, 209, Born 10/5/86
Stats: 65 GP, 31 G, 55 A, 86 PTS, 172 PIM
Breakdown: Despite his lack of height, Bourret plays the game with reckless abandon, hitting anything in his path. Throws hard bodychecks, at times with the intent to injure, but almost always cleanly. Does not mind dropping the gloves in defense of teammates. Also possesses good offensive ability and a hard shot. Is good on the forecheck. Ranked 17th by the CSS.

Gilbert Brule, C, Vancouver (WHL)
Vitals: 5-10, 175, Born 1/1/87
Stats: 70 GP, 39 G, 48 A, 87 PTS, 169 PIM
Breakdown: The Western League's Rookie of the Year in 2003-04, Brule is a gifted offensive talent. But given the choice, he would rather throw his body around than rack up the points. Considered by some to be a Michael Peca-type with more skill. Has possibly the best shot among this year's prospects. Compared early on to phenom Sidney Crosby but is thought to be a selfish player and is a bit inconsistent. Ranked fifth by the CSS.

Dan Collins, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
Vitals: 6-1, 185, Born 2/26/87
Stats: 68 GP, 25 G, 21 A, 46 PTS, 60 PIM
Breakdown: Collins is a typical "Jack of all trades but master of none." Is good on both the power play and penalty kill but does not dominate either. Needs to add strength and display more consistency. Has a powerful shot and plays a strong defensive game. Ranked 24th by the CSS.

Sidney Crosby, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
Vitals: 5-11, 193, Born 8/7/87
Stats: 62 GP, 66 G, 102 A, 168 PTS, 84 PIM
Breakdown: The most heralded prospect since Eric Lindros, Crosby will be wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey early Saturday afternoon. Is a two-time Canadian League Player of the Year that can do everything extremely well. Has fantastic playmaking ability and great vision on the ice. Can score from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. Does not shy away from physical play and is a solid defender. Has no known weaknesses and can make everyone around him better. Ranked first by the CSS.

Scott Jackson, D, Seattle (WHL)
Vitals: 6-3 1/2, 200 2/5/87
Stats: 72 GP, 6 G, 16 A, 22 PTS, 46 PIM
Breakdown: A good leader, Jackson excels in his own zone, using his body to his advantage. Is not a great skater but positions himself well. Has strong character and good hockey sense. Can always be found on the ice when the game is on the line. Projected to go late in the first round. Ranked 21st by the CSS.

Jack Johnson, D, U.S. National Under-18
Vitals: 6-1, 201, Born 1/13/87
Stats: 38 GP, 12 G, 19 A, 31 PTS, 143 PIM
Breakdown: A former prep school teammate of Sidney Crosby, Johnson might well follow the phenom as the second pick in the draft. Has great mobility, leadership ability and strength. Possesses a chippy side and enjoys the physical aspect of the game. Has a powerful slap shot and an above-average wrist shot. Undoubtedly the best defenseman in the draft. Expected to attend the University of Michigan next season. Ranked fourth by the CSS.

Jakub Kindl, D, Kitchener (OHL)
Vitals: 6-2 1/2, 199, Born 2/10/87
Stats: 62 GP, 3 G, 11 A, 14 PTS, 92 PIM
Breakdown: Born in the Czech Republic, Kindl has all the tools to excel once he better adapts to the more physical North American style of play. Has good size and is a solid skater and puckhandler. Lacks consistency and occasionally is caught out of position away from the puck. Owns a good point shot and is capable of making the perfect pass. Ranked 18th by the CSS.

Matt Lashoff, D, Kitchener (OHL)
Vitals: 6-1 1/2, 201, Born 9/29/86
Stats: 44 GP, 4 G, 18 A, 22 PTS, 44 PIM
Breakdown: A teammate of Kindl, Lashoff missed a portion of the 2004-05 season with mononucleosis. Is a good skater with impressive offensive ability. Has a strong shot and good hands. Shows no visible weaknesses. Likely to be selected in the middle of the first round. Ranked 12th by the CSS.

Brian Lee, D, Moorhead (USHS)
Vitals: 6-2 1/2, 202, Born 3/26/87 Stats: 18 GP, 8 G, 17 A, 25 PTS, 48 PIM Breakdown: The offensive-minded Lee earned the title of "Mr. Hockey" from coaches and media in Minnesota. Finished the 2004-05 season with Lincoln of the United States League. Dominated in high school with his puckhandling ability and hockey instincts. Represented the U.S. at the 2005 World Junior Championship and is committed to play at the University of North Dakota next season. Ranked 15th by the CSS.

Kenndal McArdle, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Vitals: 5-11, 190, Born 1/4/87
Stats: 70 GP, 37 G, 37 A, 74 PTS, 122 PIM
Breakdown: A hard worker, McArdle is willing to make sacrifices in order to score or set up goals. Has great offensive skills and is a leader by example. Is a fast learner and is surprisingly tough for his size. Increased his goal total from eight to 37 in one year. Projected to be a solid second-line player. Ranked seventh by the CSS.

Brendan Mikkelson, D, Portland (WHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 180 6/22/87
Stats: 70 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS, 60 PIM
Breakdown: The son of former NHL defenseman Bill Mikkelson. A superb skater with great puckhandling ability. Has good hands and is capable of making excellent passes. Possesses plenty of potential but often sits back and fails to take advantage of his skills. Is not known to play an aggressive game. Ranked 16th by the CSS.

James Neal, LW, Plymouth (OHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 185, Born 9/3/87
Stats: 67 GP, 18 G, 26 A, 44 PTS, 32 PIM
Breakdown: A power forward, Neal is consistently good in all aspects of the game. Has good size, above-average hands and a great attitude. Does not skate particularly well. Enjoyed a better first half of the 2004-05 season than down the stretch. Ranked 19th by the CSS.

Ryan O'Marra, C, Erie (OHL)
Vitals: 6-1 1/2, 193, Born 6/9/87
Stats: 64 GP, 25 G, 38 A, 63 PTS, 60 PIM
Breakdown: With great character and leadership, O'Marra easily could become a team captain down the road. Has good size, a solid shot and great hockey sense. Excels on both the power play and penalty kill. Is a good puckhandler and can play well in traffic. Expected to have a long, successful NHL career. Ranked 14th by the CSS.

Ryan Parent, D, Guelph (OHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 183, Born 3/17/87
Stats: 66 GP, 2 G, 17 A, 19 PTS, 36 PIM
Breakdown: Anything but flashy, Parent is a defensive defenseman with no apparent weaknesses in his own zone. Is a good skater with fantastic leadership qualities that command respect. Has captained his team in a number of international tournaments. Has great poise and hockey sense. Will be a solid blue-liner in the NHL for many years. Ranked eighth by the CSS.

Benoit Pouliot, LW, Sudbury (OHL)
Vitals: 6-3, 179, Born 9/29/86
Stats: 67 GP, 29 G, 38 A, 67 PTS, 102 PIM
Breakdown: The 2005 Ontario League Rookie of the Year, Pouliot has progressed at a rapid pace. Has good size, great speed and fantastic instincts. Is a superb playmaker with great creativity and vision. Prefers the finesse game but can get physical with the best of them. Has been compared to Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ranked second by the CSS.

Bobby Ryan, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
Vitals: 6-1, 213, Born 3/17/87
Stats: 62 GP, 37 G, 52 A, 89 PTS, 51 PIM
Breakdown: Likened to Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ryan is a very creative offensive talent with excellent vision and great strength. A native of New Jersey whose family is close friends with Philadelphia Flyers general manager Bob Clarke. Not a great skater but rarely is knocked off the puck. Has good hands and a soft touch with the ability to make accurate passes. Ranked third by the CSS.

Michael Sauer, D, Portland (WHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 198, Born 8/7/87
Stats: 32 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 PTS, 10 PIM
Breakdown: The brother of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Kurt Sauer. Has a strong presence on the blue line with good skating ability. Suffered a hip injury last season that required surgery. Is poised and consistent with good athleticism but needs to mature. Ranked 22nd by the CSS.

Devin Setoguchi, RW, Saskatoon (WHL)
Vitals: 5-11 1/2, 186, Born 1/1/87
Stats: 69 GP, 33 G, 31 A, 64 PTS, 34 PIM
Breakdown: A streaky player, Setoguchi owns a 95 mile-per-hour slap shot and a keen ability to control the puck in traffic. Can dish out a big hit or score the big goal. Is a hard worker with good skill but is vastly inconsistent. Has tremendous potential with good touch around the net. Must bring his A game with more regularity. Ranked 10th by the CSS.

Jack Skille, RW, U.S. National Under-18
Vitals: 6-1, 198, Born 5/19/87
Stats: 42 GP, 15 G, 22 A, 37 PTS, 56 PIM
Breakdown: A power forward, Skille is a strong two-way player with good speed and an excellent work ethic. Is a top-notch forechecker with a big shot and tremendous strength in the corners. Is not flashy but gets the job done at any cost. Will attend the Unversity of Wisconsin next season. Ranked 11th by the CSS.

Marc Staal, D, Sudbury (OHL)
Vitals: 6-3 1/2, 196, Born 1/13/87
Stats: 65 GP, 6 G, 20 A, 26 PTS, 53 PIM
Breakdown: The brother of Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal, who was drafted second overall in 2003. Is steady and dependable in his own zone and almost always matched up against the opposition's top line. Has good mobility with a nasty edge to his game. Does not have great puckhandling ability but can play in any situation. Ranked ninth by the CSS.

Ryan Stoa, C, U.S. National Under-18
Vitals: 6-3, 200, Born 4/13/87
Stats: 38 GP, 14 G, 24 A, 38 PTS, 36 PIM
Breakdown: A promising power forward, Stoa has yet to realize his potential. Is a good skater with sneaky speed and the ability to protect the puck. Has displayed a scoring touch and is a strong forechecker. Needs to show more aggression and consistency. Is committed to playing at the University of Minnesota next season. Ranked 13th by the CSS.

Marek Zagrapan, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Vitals: 6-0 1/2, 195, Born 12/6/86
Stats: 59 GP, 32 G, 50 A, 82 PTS, 50 PIM
Breakdown: A native of the Czech Republic, Zagrapan had little trouble adapting to the North American style. Possesses good speed and tremendous balance. Has great hands and excellent vision. Is a creative playmaker who has improved defensively. No longer avoids the physical aspect of the game. Ranked 23rd by the CSS.