TSN.com’s draft stuff is out. They have Karl Alzner ranked as the fourth-best prospect but they have the Kings selecing Alexei Cherepanov in their mock draft.
Also, I got a hard copy of McKeen’s Draft Guide. Good stuff. They have the Kings picking Alzner and they also have him as the fourth-ranked prospect.
They also had an interesting breakdown of draft-eligible players, based on their leagues they’re coming out of. The categories are: smartest player, best skater, fastest skater, best shot, hardest shot, best body checker, hardest worker, best defensive forward and best hands.
In the WHL, Alzner ranked as the smartest player but wasn’t in the top three in any other category. In the QMJHL, Voracek ranked as the No. 2 smartest player, the No. 2 hardest worker and was No. 2 in best hands. In the “best of the rest” category, Cherepanov ranked No. 3 in fastest skater, No. 1 in best shot and No. 1 in best hands.
I mention those three since they’re the presumed top choices for the Kings if they keep the pick. I’m hoping to get Lombardi on the phone tomorrow for my Daily News draft preview story.
