My OHL Player Rankings For December

When you look at rankings of players for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, you'll pretty much see the same players on every list, just not in the same order. And of course, my list is no different. Sure there will be the odd player that someone has on their list that no one else has on theirs. Again, no different here. It's not an exact science and never will be.

This year, with the number of injuries to key players, is more difficult to set in stone than any other year. About the only injuries that haven't affected a players ranking so far are Nail Yakupov, who remains at the top of just about every list you come across and Malcolm Subban who remains at the top of the goaltending ranks on those same lists.

Then of course there is Alex Galchenyuk's injury. He may make a comeback come playoff time but that remains to be seen. He had such a terrific rookie season that it's hard to drop him, yet on some lists he has and others he remains just behind Yakupov. Slater Koekkoek has dropped a spot or two to the benefit of the Matt Finn's and Olli Maatta's of the hockey world. Adam Pelech was on almost everyone's list at the beginning of the season and only just returning a couple of weeks ago since going down in the first week has dropped off most lists.

Matia Marcantuoni was projected by many to be a top 10 pick and has just returned from his second injury. Artur Gavrus was making a name for himself and attracting attention until he was sidelined with an injury. Daniil Zharkov came from Russia with loads of talent but didn't play until November. He has 15 goals in 19 games just 6 behind Yakupov and 5 behind Brendan Gaunce who have played 7 and 17 more games respectively.

Then you have players that have talent and have shown it in the past that are having bad seasons in terms of what was expected or what they should be capable of. Nick Ebert and Andreas Athanasiou come to mind right away. Add in the players that you knew had some talent and ability but have taken it even one step further like the above mentioned Matt Finn, Dylan Blujus or Gemel Smith.

So how do you take this all into consideration? Hard to do but that's why personally I try to rank them monthly on what has happened in that month. Some players move up at the expense of those that have missed time. But you can't just brush a player aside because he's injured or at the World Junior Championships. A lot of lists will change between now and June, and this one is no different.

Here's a look at the top 5 players in my rankings :

Nail Yakupov : Quite simply the most talented player available in this draft.

Cody Ceci : Has taken his offense to a higher level than expected while still improving his defensive game. In 5 years we could look at him and say he was the best two way defenseman available in the draft.

Olli Maatta : Keeps on getting better as he gains more experience in North America. Good at both ends but won't put up the offensive numbers as some of the others.

Alex Galchenyuk : If not for the injury that knocked him out for the season, he'd probably be right behind Yakupov. Based on last year, hard to drop him any lower.

Brendan Gaunce : Gaunce may come as a surprise to some here. Already possesses an NHL caliber shot and his defensive game is as close to NHL ready as it can come. Has very good size brings a physical aspect to his game. He has all the attributes scouts salivate over.

For the complete list of my top 20 skaters and top 5 goaltenders, click the "My Rankings" tab at the top of this page.

The Injury Bug Hits The WJC On Opening Day

Finnish defenseman Olli Maatta of the OHL's London Knights and possible first rounder in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft may have suffered a concussion at the hands of a tremendous Boone Jenner hit in Finland's 8-1 loss against Team Canada.

It couldn't have come at a worse time for Maatta as some see his stock dropping while others (myself included) see it rising and this was his opportunity to shine. Finnish coach Raimo Helminen said after the game that Maatta "may" have suffered a concussion.

Team Canada didn't go without an injury of it's own. They lost Devante Smith-Pelly for the tournament with a broken bone in his foot. Some think he may try skating later on and may attempt a return later in the tournament, but it looks highly unlikely.

Team USA lost Connor Brickley after receiving a cut to his leg by the skate blade of Denmark's Nicolai Meyer in the US 11-3 victory. Brickley's injury isn't as serious as first thought and should return to Team USA.


Sweden lost captain Johan Larsson in the first period of their 9-4 victory over Latvia with a contusion on his thigh. Larsson is expected to return to Sweden's lineup. 


Injuries have been like a plague for 2012 draft eligible's this season and through one day of the World Junior Championships, it looks like the trend continues.

Seven to watch: Top OHL prospects for 2012 Draft

The top Ontario Hockey League prospect for the 2012 NHL Draft is an offensive dynamo from the Sarnia Sting, with a string of solid defensemen next on the list.

It's a story reminiscent of the 2008 Draft, when Sarnia center Steven Stamkos was the league's best prospect, ahead of a list of blueliners that included Guelph's Drew Doughty, Peterborough's Zach Bogosian and Niagara's Alex Pietrangelo.

This year, the top player available is Nail Yakupov, who spent last season breaking Stamkos' Sarnia records.

In his first season in the OHL, the 5-foot-10 1/2, 189-pound right wing led all first-year players with 49 goals and 101 points, topping Stamkos' franchise rookie record of 92 points, set in 2006-07.


Full list and story on nhl.com
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2012 Draft Could Be About Defense

Every year, a player jumps out of nowhere to climb up NHL draft charts, or at least higher than expected. Think Mark Scheifele in 2011. Or Jeff Skinner in 2010.

In 2012, you could be looking at a defenseman to make that jump. Or Quite possibly a goaltender. The OHL hasn't produced a high profile goaltender in the last few years, at least in his draft year. Malcolm Subban (Belleville) and Daniel Altshuller (Oshawa) were the early favorites coming into the season but Matt Murray (Soo Greyhounds) has opened a lot of eyes through the first few weeks of the season.

While Subban has struggled and even given up starts, Altshuller has come as advertised and then some. But Murray has exceeded even his highest expectations.

But the biggest surprise could come from the defense. It is quite possible that we will see half a dozen defensemen taken in the first round, and that is from the OHL alone. Early favorites Nick Ebert (Windsor), Cody Ceci (Ottawa) and Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough) should be there.

It's the next tier where it gets interesting. Olli Maatta is starting to find his groove in London. Jesse Graham is struggling right now in Niagara but should rebound. Alex Gudbranson is in a tough situation in Kingston, where many expect them to finish last.

On the rise is Dylan Blujus who currently leads all defensemen in goals with 4 in 6 games. Matt Finn who is as pleasant a surprise as his Brampton Battalion, is tied for points with Ceci among first time draft eligible defensemen with 8 in 7 games.

One thing is for certain, NHL scouts will have their eyes full with these kids.

Olli Maatta

Olli Maatta - London Knights

6'1" - 198 LBS
D.O.B. August 22, 1994

It was somewhat of a surprise when the London Knights selected the Finnish defenseman first overall in the CHL Import Draft. When you consider that there are many doubts number two pick Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Ramparts - QMJHL) would come to North America to play junior and number 3 pick Victor Rask (Calgary Hitmen - WHL) is already drafted into the NHL and may not want to come play junior in Canada, Maatta became the logical choice. Not to mention, the Knights traded up to make this choice, and given the price they paid (three picks and a player), they needed someone that would play in London with the pick.

Maatta plays a physical game, and when he gets even bigger we could see an improvement in that department. His skating is average. He lacks in both acceleration and overall speed, but isn't something that can't be corrected through power skating. His skating technique is just fine.

Maatta is an all around defenseman. He has very good vision. He makes an excellent first pass and does very well with the stretch pass. He is an excellent stick handler and protects the puck well, but his lack of speed prevents him from taking it to the next level. Maatta will also make the safe play before attempting one that is not in his forte.

His international experience speaks volumes. He was the youngest player ever to play for Finland in the World Junior Championships in Buffalo - prior to playing in the IIHF World Under 18 in Germany. It's not that he got plenty of playing time in the WJC, but the experience - and the chance to play for Finland again in Calgary in 2012 should bode well.

So will Maatta come over to North America to play Junior? Knights' GM Mark Hunter spoke following the draft. "I just got off the phone with his agent and his mother so everything sounds great." Hunter added: "we figure this young guy is going to come in and play 20 minutes a game."

So where will Maatta end up going in the NHL Entry Draft? Hunter said, " I think he's a young man that's going to be a high pick next year and it's going to be something the fans will enjoy watching."

I'll certainly be seeing a lot of Maatta in the upcoming season.