Blackhawks 2010 Draft Picks: What The Scouts Are Saying

By the end of the 2010 Entry Draft, the Blackhawks had made 10 picks, including five in the first two rounds, looking to build the franchise for the future. Here’s what the scouts were saying about some of the Hawks’ top picks:

Hayes

Kevin Hayes, RW, Noble & Greenough (Mass.) H.S.

Central Scouting Service: “Kevin is a skilled power forward who plays with enthusiasm and drive. He has very good hands and is an excellent play maker. He is a strong skater with a long stride, and uses his long reach and puck protection to beat defenders. He has an excellent wrist shot with a sneaky quick release, and will shoot from any angle. He controls the puck very well in traffic, sees the ice very well, and finds the open man. He has a very good knack of playing the puck in his skates for a big player, often moving the puck from skates to stick without losing speed.”

Red Line Report: “Great overall package of physical tools. Has tremendous size/strength ratio combined with terrific skating ability. Long stride with balance, acceleration, and a fine top-end gear. First round skills/talent. Loves to handle the puck and can go end-to-end and make good moves at top speed. More playmaker than scorer – always looks to pass first. Has a very heavy slap shot and a good release on his wrister, but is not able to pick corners. At times falls in love with his own puckhandling ability and plays too much on the perimeter, often trying to beat the same defender twice in the same sequence with different moves instead of moving the puck at the right time to the right spot. Likes to drive wide with speed, but should use his strength to better advantage by driving at the net more.”

The Hockey News: “The Blackhawks can afford to wait for their next wave of prospects, so adding Hayes at this time is a good move. He has size and all-around upside, but will need significant time in the college and minor-pro ranks before embarking on his NHL career. He’ll go to Boston College, one of the top NCAA programs in the country, to start off.”

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Rensfeldt

Ludvig Rensfeldt, LW, Brynas Jr. (SWE-Jr.)

The Hockey News: “Saw his draft stock rise following a very strong performance for Team Sweden at the 2010 IIHF World U-18 Championship, producing six goals, 12 points and a plus-7 rating in six games… placed second on Brynas’ under-20 squad with 53 points in 44 games in 2009-10… is a big presence in front of the net with goal-scoring savvy who can line up at either wing or center… should eventually play at well over 200 pounds…”

Red Line Report: “Likes to cycle the puck down low and protects it well, drawing penalties. Lacks acceleration and top-end speed, but has good balance and a wide base. Dangerous from the circles in with a heavy snap shot and quick release, but not instinctive in the offensive end. He’s big and strong and when he hits, he’s effective on the forecheck. But is very inconsistent in his physical game. When he’s on his game he is very tough to stop – aggressive and works the corners well. Can drive out of corners with power moves and takes it straight to the net. Tough to project – his hunger to be a scorer and a top two line player isn’t always there, and he isn’t mean enough to crash and bump.”

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Holl

Justin Holl, D, Minnetonka (Minn.) H.S.

Red Line Report: “Athletic body with long legs and moves up quickly into the play. Outstanding four-way skater with balance and lateral movement. Controls gaps well and is a quick-strike artist in the transition game. Love to handle the puck and looks to join, even lead, the rush at every opportunity. Wild young colt is like a rover or 4th forward. Always looking to force the play aggressively at both ends. At times tries to carry puck through heavy traffic and loses control, making bad D-zone turnovers. But all of his mistakes are of aggression and exuberance as he tries to make things happen. Needs to learn to be more patient and allow plays to develop – to let the action come to him. Uses sharp cuts and body control to gain separation from forecheckers. Excellent vision and makes firm, decisive passes. Can pull the puck off the boards and get quick shots off.”

The Hockey News: “Owns a very projectable frame, but it’s his mobility and ability to provide offense from the back end that are his best attributes… his draft stock skyrocketed this past season as his offensive production grew at Minnetonka (17 goals, 31 points in 25 games)… is expected to attend the University of Minnesota in 2010-11… as is the case with most offensive defensemen, he needs more work without the puck and in defensive-zone coverage…”

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Simpson

Kent Simpson, G, Everett (WHL)

Central Scouting Service: “He’s a big, strong goalie who covers the net. He’s not a really flashy guy but he’s always in position. He improved over the course of the year. I think he’s going to be an excellent NHL goaltender because of the net coverage. You get up to the NHL level, you need to cover as many holes as you can. He already does it. His technical part of the game is exceptional. He’s very controlled. He’s got good rebound control. He’s a blocking-style goalie. He reads the play — and he’s not all over the place. He’s always in position to stop the shot. He gives himself a chance to stop the shot in most cases.”

Red Line Report: “Good sized netminder has some quickness and size, but still rough around the edges. Has good raw ingredients – big frame, long, quick legs and a fast glove. But technical part of his game is a bit hit-or-miss and will need some coaching. Fills the net well and plays big. Covers down low with his long legs and butterfly style. Has good feet and moves smoothly around the crease. Needs work on angles. Too often cheats toward near post or plays too deep, giving shooter a lot of net to look at. Rebound control somewhat erratic. Frustrating inconsistency – makes a string of spectacular saves, then lets in what should have been an easy one. We have our concerns, but the raw tools are there.”

The Hockey News: “Appeared in just two games for Canada at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championship, but was rated third among North American goaltenders in Central Scouting’s final rankings… in his second season as a backup with the ‘Tips, he posted a 2.26 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 34 games (22 wins) in 2009-10… has a great frame and puck-stopping upside… needs to prove capable of logging more playing time to maximize his NHL potential…”

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Johns

Stephen Johns, D, U.S. NTDP U-18

Central Scouting Service: “Stephen Johns played on a real strong defensive team. Big, strong, NHL sized defenseman, shoots right who can handle the puck and play the physical game.”

The Hockey News: “Was a member of the American entry that won gold at the 2010 IIHF World U-18 Championship. He produced three assists, a plus-2 rating and 10 penalty minutes in seven games… has great size and sound defensive instincts… skates well for a big man and has true shutdown potential… is tough and willing to dish out punishment, which adds to his overall value.”

Red Line Report: “Brawny physical specimen has great size and shows fine footwork for a big man with good pivots and lateral agility, but carries bust potential because of sloppy decision making. Athletic and aggressive. Physical and wins battles around the boards. But highly inconsistent and hockey sense is a question mark. Capable of making 100-foot stretch pass right on the tape with vision to spring teammates for breakaways, then will turn over the puck three times in the next shift. Will activate his feet to open lanes under forechecking pressure, but critical lapses in judgment periodically cripple his game. Often does not read developing plays well in his own end, but has a powerful recovery gear. Looks to step up for big open ice hits, but needs to pick his spots better.”

Tags: Justin Holl, Kent Simpson, Kevin Hayes, Ludvig Rensfeldt, Stephen Johns