I asked Dean Lombardi to give some quick thoughts, almost like a word-association test, about some of the top prospects in the draft…

JOHN TAVARES: “Certainly the first thing that jumps out is that he’s talented. Great hands. Sees the ice. Makes plays. Strong. Potential No. 1 center.”

VICTOR HEDMAN: “A horse. Potential top-two defenseman. Size. Can really skate. Sees the ice. One of those guys with the potential to be a 25-to-30-minute guy.”

MATT DUCHENE: “Smart. Clever. Makes a lot of plays. High character.”

EVANDER KANE: “Scores goals; his No. 1 asset. Finds ways to get open and has that sixth sense around the net. Great release. Good skater. His No. 1 attribute is finding those areas where goal scorers seem to know where to go.”

BRAYDEN SCHENN: “Smart. Competitive. Does all the little things. Rises to the occasion in big games.”

MAGNUS PAAJARVI SVENSSON: “Speed. Elite skater. Certainly has some talent, but the thing that jumps out at you is that he might be as good a skater as you can find. Explosive, fast, quick, and he does have some talent. He’s not just a skater.”