READING, PA – Taylor Hall and the Windsor Spitfires might have swept Tyler Seguin and the Plymouth Whalers out of the OHL playoffs but Seguin has one thing over Hall, and that is the number one ranking overall for the 2010 Entry Draft rankings released by NHL Central Scouting. Seguin was number two on Central Scouting’s midterm list but the powers that be decided they had seen enough to overtake Hall in the rankings. The 2010 Entry Draft is scheduled for June 25-26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Right winger Brett Connelly is ranked third on the list followed by a slew of defenseman. The first defenseman in the ranking is Erik Gudbranson of the Kingston Frontenacs. He is followed in the rankings by three other defensemen: Cam Fowler of Windsor, Brandon Gormley of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats and Mark Pysyk of the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings. There was no change at the top of Central Scouting’s final goaltender rankings. Calvin Pickard (Seattle Thunderbirds) and Jack Campbell (USNTDP) top the list and both could end up being drafted in the first round. Rounding out the top five goaltenders are Kent Simpson, Mark Visentin and Louis Domingue. Mikael Granlund, who plays for HIFK in Finland’s elite league, is Central Scouting’s top-rated international skater. Sami Aittokallio, who plays for Ilves Jr. in Finland, is the top-rated international goaltender.
Here is Central Scouting’s comparison list for their top 30 North American skaters (NHL.com/ Mike G. Morreale) 1. Tyler Seguin, C — Steve Yzerman (retired) 2. Taylor Hall, LW — Zach Parise, Devils 3. Brett Connolly, RW — Peter Forsberg (Sweden) 4. Erik Gudbranson, D — Dion Phaneuf, Maple Leafs 5. Cam Fowler, D — Mike Green, Capitals 6. Brandon Gormley, D — Chris Phillips, Senators 7. Mark Pysyk, D — Duncan Keith, Blackhawks 8. Emerson Etem, RW — Glenn Anderson (retired) 9. Derek Forbort, D — Erik Johnson, Blues 10. Ryan Johansen, C — Jason Spezza, Senators 11. Alexander Burmistrov, C — Maxim Afinogenov, Thrashers 12. Nino Niederreiter, RW — Erik Cole, Hurricanes 13. Nick Bjugstad, C — Andrew Brunette, Wild 14. Austin Watson, F — Kris Draper, Red Wings 15. John McFarland, C — Brenden Morrow, Stars 16. Tyler Toffoli, C — Tim Connolly, Sabres 17. Dylan McIlrath, D — Ed Jovanovski, Coyotes 18. Tyler Pitlick, C — Mark Parrish, Lightning 19. Quinton Howden, C– Todd Bertuzzi, Red Wings 20. Stanislav Galiev, RW — Alexander Frolov, Kings 21. Jonathon Merrill, D — Jordan Leopold, Penguins 22. Riley Sheahan, C — Jordan Staal, Penguins 23. Petr Straka, RW — Pavol Demitra, Canucks 24. Charlie Coyle, F — Bob Sweeney, Bruins 25. Brock Nelson, C — David Backes, Blues 26. Kevin Hayes, RW — Eric Staal, Hurricanes 27. Ryan Martindale, C — Steve Bernier, Canucks 28. Jaden Schwartz, C — Derek Roy, Sabres 29. Alexander Petrovic, D — Brent Seabrook, Blackhawks 30. Jordan Weal, C — Jason Blake, Ducks Contact the author at brian.jennings@prohockeynews.com
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