Skilled forwards top NHL draft prospects

The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau is meeting this weekend to determine its final rankings before May's prospect combine and the June 24-25 draft. The Islanders will likely be in the top six for the fourth straight year. Unlike the last few drafts, when there was a consensus top two or three players, this year's draft will have a range of players, mostly forwards, at the top end.

Here's a scouting report on seven of the top prospects from CSB's

David Gregory:

Gabriel Landeskog, left wing, Kitchener (OHL). 53 GP, 36G, 30A, 61 PIM. 6-1, 207 lbs. "He's 6-1, but he plays a big man's game. He can play in all situations, he's very responsible defensively but he's also highly skilled. He's a player who can take over a game. It's not unrealistic to say this type of player is NHL ready right away."

Sean Couturier, center, Drummondville (QMJHL). 58 GP, 36G, 60A, 36 PIM. 6-4, 195. "He's been touted for a couple of years in the junior league and has been very, very sought-after after his underage year. I'd say he's delivered this season. He's a very skilled player offensively, great hands in tight spots, good release, great vision. The better the players around him, the better he can play."

Jonathan Huberdeau, center, Saint John (QMJHL). 67 GP, 43G, 62A, 88 PIM. 6-1, 168. "Through the course of the year, he's just gotten better and better. His upside seems to be limitless. He's got great on-ice vision -- some of the decisions he makes, his teammates can't keep up with him. He's not that big now, but he's a power-forward type and doesn't shy away from the physical part of the game."

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, center, Red Deer (WHL). 69 GP, 31G, 75A, 51 PIM. 6-1, 170. "He could be the most dynamic player in the draft this year from North America. When he picks up the puck, you can see the other team start to back up. He moves laterally as well as he does north-south. He's certain to be a high-end scorer in the NHL."

Tyler Biggs, right wing, U.S. Under-18 team (USHL). 48 GP, 17G 11A, 112 PIM. 6-2, 210. "He's the quintessential power forward -- a big body and he uses it. He's a leader for the Under-18 team and that is a big plus as well. He's got the skill to go around you, but he'd rather make you pay in the corners. His scoring numbers are deceptive, given the number of tournaments the team plays, but he's got ability on offense."

Sven Baertschi, left wing, Portland (WHL). 66 GP, 34G, 51A, 74 PIM. 5-11, 175. "He's a high-end scorer and skilled player. He doesn't shy away from the hard work in the corners and he gets to open space on the ice quickly. You always notice No. 27 for Portland, even on a team with so much talent. With his size he might need another year in juniors, but you could compare him to a guy like Jeff Skinner, who showed he could play in the NHL right away."

Adam Larsson, defenseman, Skelleftea (Swedish Elite League). 37 GP, 1G, 8A, 41 PIM. 6-3, 200. "He has the kind of ability to be picked No. 1 overall. He's a big guy that moves like a little guy; just a beautiful skater for someone his size. If he doesn't go first, he won't last very long in the draft."

Canucks lock up Presidents Trophy

Vancouver secured its first regular-season points crown with a win on Thursday, with four games left in the Canucks' season. There's still plenty to play for though -- the Canucks could wrap up the most statistically dominant regular-season in the post-expansion era.

The Canucks currently lead the league in goals for, fewest goals allowed, goal differential and have the top-ranked power play and penalty kill. No team has swept all those markers in one season. And what does it all mean?

"Nothing," Daniel Sedin told the Vancouver Sun on Thursday. A year after his twin brother, Henrik, won the Hart Trophy for MVP, Daniel is poised to do the same. "Ninety-five per cent of this team has been through playoff failure and we don't want to be part of that anymore. I don't think it's about learning anymore; we've learned enough."

Statlines

Winning the Presidents' Trophy doesn't necessarily translate into playoff success. Here are the last five teams with the most regular-season points, and their playoff results:

Yr Team Pts Playoff finish

2009-10 Capitals 121 Lost in first round

2008-09 Sharks 117 Lost in first round

2007-08 Red Wings 115 Won Stanley Cup

2006-07 Sabres 113 Lost conference final

2005-06 Red Wings 124 Lost in first round