A skilled forward with the ability to make a difference. Strong player with a physical presence. Plays tough in the corners and in traffic. Is good on the right wing and gets his wrist shot off with ease. Sometimes lacks urgency in his play.

Named Associated Press Player of the Year for Minnesota boys hockey in 2007. Named to the All-Tournament Team of the Class AA State Championships in 2007 after leading his team to the title game for the second consecutive year. Played 12 games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL totaling nine points (8-1-9) in 2007. Will attend the University of Minnesota in the fall. Selected to play in the 2007 Under-18 World Championships.

The inspiration for Taylor Ellington of Victoria to pursue his dream came at age 4.

"I played road hockey wearing my Pavel Bure jersey," beamed the Everett Silvertips defensive defenceman, selected 33rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL entry draft Saturday.

"I'm shocked right now. You never expect a team you idolized to select you."

A stay-at-home defenseman that finishes his checks well. Good coverage and gap control. Able to jump into the rush and is good one-on-one. Needs to have more patience with the puck under pressure and needs to improve his conditioning.

Completed his third season with the Silvertips, helping them to their best ever regular-season. Posted 13 points (5-8-13) and a plus-five rating this season. Participated in the 2007 CHL Top Prospects Game. Was a member of Team WHL in the two-game Canada-Russia Challenge in 2006. Named as the Silvertips Most Improved Player in 2004-05.

In assessing what the Canadian teams did, it’s impossible to tell at this point. I can tell you this, however, there wasn't one squad from this nation that didn't take at least two players that left me saying, “Do I ever like that pick!”

Let’s begin in Vancouver; Taylor Ellington is a defenceman with the Everett Silvertips who gets better every time I see him.

In Sharrow, the Canucks are getting a 22-year-old blue-liner who shoots right-handed and has two seasons of pro experience under his belt. Sharrow is expected to play in the American Hockey League.

"He's a big guy that has a good shot," said Tambellini. "Our guys see some long-term upside in him."

In Shannon, the Canucks are hoping a change of scenery may spark the speedster. Same goes for the Ducks. Randy Carlyle coached King in Manitoba.

"They [Ducks] were looking for a change for Ryan and we think he has a chance to be an NHL regular, but it's not a lock," said Nonis. "We think he has some upside and he definitely has a second gear -- he's one of the fastest in the league but his size may be a factor."

Assets: Skates extremely well and owns excellent shiftiness. Has defensive polish and offensive upside. Can play either center or wing.
Flaws: Is smallish even for the 'new' NHL. Must continue to work on his play without the puck in order to receive quality ice time at the highest level.
Career potential: Third line forward.

Labels: Ellington, NHL Draft 2007, Shannon, Sharrow, White

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren sparked a small, media firestorm here Thursday when he told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Nonis had called about acquiring the second pick in today's entry draft, which is expected to be New Westminster junior star Kyle Turris.

"Dave asked me: 'Would you consider moving down [in the draft order]?' " Holmgren said. "And we said we would. I had about five or six calls like that."

Nonis said he also talked to the Chicago Blackhawks about acquiring the first pick and the Phoenix Coyotes about the third. He said the Canucks, who hold the 25th pick, are exploring all possibilities of moving up in the order.

"I've had a few conversations, but we're not close to anything at this point," Nonis said Thursday. "We'd like to move up to No. 6, 7 or 8, but the price has to change and a lot of teams don't know what that price is.

"If we're subtracting from our depth, then we're not going to do that. We didn't win the Cup and there's nobody untouchable, but I haven't been presented with an opportunity that makes any sense."

So, if the price isn't right today?

"If not, we're pretty content to pick at 25 and 33," added Nonis. "I don't feel the need to do anything [at the draft]."

• 1st round, 25th overall
• 2nd round, 33rd overall
• 2nd round, 61st overall (from ANA)*
• 5th round, 145th overall (from ATL)
• 5th round, 146th overall
• 6th round, 177th overall
• 7th round, 206th overall

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

Cuthbert Says:The Canucks expected to go after grit, a third or fourth liner to match up against the Ducks. Instead, I will be the first one to say, ?I can't believe this guy is still available!? Mayorov is the choice, though I was also looking at Joakim Andersson of Sweden.

Brett MacLean got to play with John Tavares and the OHL's Oshawa Generals. But he proved that he has touch (47 goals) in addition to size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds).

One of the lacking areas in the Canucks' prospects pool is a skilled center. O'Brien can certainly shore up that deficiency. As an underage playing in the U.S. development program in 2004, there was talk of him becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 2007. While those forecasts won't be correct, he will most certainly become a first-round choice for Vancouver. Having always played up against older competition, O'Brien yearned for the opportunity to go to Minnesota early. His numbers might not reflect it, but he had a pretty solid freshman season. He was sometimes frustrated by his lack of productivity this past season, but his overall game improved.

The Canucks come into the draft looking for offense, and McLean is the best bet at this point. He racked up 47 goals and 100 points playing alongside center John Tavares, so he knows how to finish his opportunities. But everyone you talk to worries about his skating. It's something he can work on, but maybe not to the point that he earns first line/first PP unit opportunities ... and that means he won't be a big scorer in the NHL.

Although his point production does not show it, O'Brien has greater offensive potential and he had to earn his ice time as freshman on a deep Minnesota team. His puck skills are good but not elite and he has enough to stickhandling and passing abilities to play at a high level. He has an accurate wrist shot in close and a slap shot with power and has soft hands to bury chances in close under duress not is not considered a goal scorer. He has excellent speed especially for a big player and has shown to be effective on the forecheck with his quickness to be disruptive. His good hockey sense makes him responsible in all areas of the ice and he is developing into a solid defensive player that logs penalty killing time. He does a good job blocking shots and clogging up passing lanes with his wing span and his stick and he can shadow opponents. Needs to fill out his frame and play with a more consistent edge every game but he could develop into a second line two-way power center.

The Canucks look to swing for the fences with a home run pick who could freshen up a collection of forwards that's starting to get stale.

The Canucks have showed a willingness last year to take players who may be a bit older and they're willing to be risky in order to try to get a big payoff with a good offensive talent.

The Canucks are looking to add some prospect help down the middle and they've had success in Sweden before. Andersson is a big guy who plays well in all three zones.

If he's still available, picking Perron is a no-brainer for the Canucks. He has the potential of being a first-line winger. He's quick and has a great shot.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

Like fingernails scraping a blackboard, the stereotypical summation of Zach Hamill's size and speed is irritating to the slick Everett Silvertips star and highly rated NHL draft prospect.

"I've always heard the same kind of thing and now I've kind of proved them wrong," said Hamill. "You develop and adapt to the game -- whether it's tight checking or 5-on-5."

He is 6-0 and only 160 pounds, but Blum led the WHL in plus/minus this season at plus-37 and had 51 points on defence without missing any of the Giants' 72 games during his second year in the league. Blum is a solid skater, but it's his ability to pass the puck and the maturity of his game that impressed scouts enough for him to be a projected first-round pick.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

Karl Alzner acknowledges his safe and sound defensive game could use an injection of offence -- a little flash and dash to accelerate his transition from junior standout to future NHL stardom.

If the Burnaby native's passion for fashion is a barometer of his willingness to push the limits, then Alzner will be a hit on the ice and in front of the paparazzi.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007

• Turris could be the top dog.
• Good parents lay the foundation.

Labels: NHL Draft 2007