April 6, 2000

I just KNOW this is going to be a highly criticized article and elicit many responses from our loyal GNR readers. When grading players and their performances at the end of the year, comments are sure to follow. So let me preface this article by stating these are my opinions based on what I’ve seen of these players in training camps and satellite, gauging from what I’ve gathered from coaches comments, articles I’ve read in newspapers, magazines, and on the Internet, statistics (on the accompanying page), and (depending on the source) word of mouth.

The grading scale used here is based on the probability the player will wear a Blue Note one-day on a full-time basis. Obviously some already have in abbreviated stints at one time or another, but are included here anyway. Those prospects given an ‘A’ are sure to be in a Blues sweater in the next couple of years. Grade ‘B’ prospects are somewhat likely and those receiving a ‘C’ are not probable and could be considered suspects instead of prospects. Although things change and players get better (or worse), this is the way I see it today.

All that being said, here are the grades with comments on each player, in alphabetical order, worth noting:

Backman, Christian, D: He hasn’t played much in the Swedish Elite League this year and I would be very surprised if he made the trek here next September for training camp. Had a very good World Junior tourney. Still unsigned. Grade: B

Bekar, Derek, LW: He had a great start to his season in Worcester despite a lackluster training camp. The winger scored 21 goals before going down for the rest of the year with a possible broken hand. Speed is his game. Grade: B

Blouin, Sylvain, LW: Nothing but a thug to protect the kids on the farm. Over 300 penalty minutes in 65 games tells the story, even though he does have 15 goals this year. Grade: C

Corso, Daniel, C: One of Worcester’s leading shooters with great speed, Corso is probably Worcester's most-improved player over last season. Only knocks on him are he is smallish and doesn’t shoot enough. Grade: B

Desmarais, James, C: Peoria’s third leading scorer. Scored 62 goals last year in junior and can flat out put the puck in the net. Still developing. Grade: B

Horacek, Jan, D: Hardest hitting defenseman in Worcester who really impressed the Blues brass in camp two years ago. Has good size and strength. Grade: A

Jackman, Barret, D: Will be in Worcester as soon as his junior season ends; he is a tough kid who plays with an edge and can move the puck. No. 1 pick had a stellar training camp with the Blues. Grade: A

Johnson, Brent, G: Streaky this year at Worcester after starting slow because of injury. His biggest assets are his size and the fact he’s a decent puck handler. Worcester’s MVP for the second straight season. Grade: A

Low, Reed, RW: Compared to Blouin, he’s a saint. If the Blues ever need a tough guy who fights with some skills, Low is in Worcester waiting for a call. Not likely though. Grade: C

Nagy, Ladislav, C: Pure goal scorer who has 76 goals last year in junior. Hasn’t disappointed in his first year pro. Another Slovak Peter Stastny recommended. Grade: A

Obsut, Jaroslav, D: Nearly made the team out of camp and would probably be with the Blues if not for season-ending knee surgery. The Slovakian defenseman is just a steady, heady competitor. Grade: A

Podkonicky, Andrei, C: The Slovakian center is Worcester’s best two-way player and most durable. In the Blues system there is no room for players who don't go both ways, so Podkonicky has got the right idea already. Grade: A

Pollock, Jame, D: Has an absolute laser for a shot. That alone is not enough though. Grade: B

Prochazka, Libor, D: A decent open-ice hitter who has been bothered by knee injuries most of the year at Worcester. Grade: B

Rennette. Tyler, C: One of the leading prospects at last summer’s Rookie Camp still has time to develop into a decent goal scorer after getting only 8 thus far this year. Grade: B

Rudkowsky, Cody, G: Rudkowsky has had a strong second-half of the season at Worcester. His best assets are his quickness and reflexes. Credit goes to goaltending coach Keith Allain for the turnaround. Grade: B

Salvador, Bryce, D: Not a good skater and has been injured often this year, but was recently named Worcester’s best defensive player by their Booster Club. Take it with a grain of salt. Grade: C

Smith, Matt, D: Good size, but a poor skater. His time may have passed him since he’s been in the system for over 3 years. Grade: C

Smrek, Peter, D: Yet another Slovak who is a great skater with good situational awareness. His time will come. Grade: A

Tremblay, Didier, D: Has been back-and-forth between Peoria and Worcester most of the year and hasn’t really established himself as a legit prospect yet. He’s just there. Grade: C

Willis, Tyler, RW: A checking pest in the mold of Tyson Nash. Knee and groin injuries limited his playing time this year though. Grade: B