Why Mitchell Stephens will be a draft day steal

[The Black Panther]

Thoughts on this kid?

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/wh...aft-day-steal/

http://frozenfutures.com/2015/04/27/...hell-stephens/

[Shift Disturber]

I didn't read the articles, but Corey Pronman's take (below) seems to be a high energy guy who is an excellent skater but may lack high end offensive tools. Sounds like a good bet for a top nine type and hence why he may be more of a solid second-round pick.

"Stephens isn't the tallest guy, but he was a top player for Saginaw this season and played well at the Ivan Hlinka tournament and under-18 world championships. He really turned his season around in the past few months of the season. Speed and pace define Stephens' game, as he's a fantastic skater whose speed is high-end. Stephens' stride generates so much power, he looks like he's gliding over the ice at times.
He has great work ethic on the ice, battling through checks well, getting to the net, and coming back on defense with tenacity. Stephens kills off penalties pretty well and exhibits a lot of energy on the ice. He plays a fast yet smart game, as he makes fine decisions with the puck and can set up plays. He's not overly skilled, but he can certainly create some offense by himself."

[havanablast21]

Great nugget of info and analysis for the deeper drafts gents. Thanks.

[ultrawhiteness]

sounds like an Andrew Shaw type.

[jmouland]

Nice reads. Thanks for posting. I just drafted him in the 19th round of our league's inaugural prospect draft so aside from just genuinely wanting him to succeed, I have an extra reason too

[Shift Disturber]

sounds like an Andrew Shaw type.

I get the impression that Stephens does not play as much of the sandpaper-type game that Shaw plays. But, he may have to add that element to his game if he wants to stick in the NHL. Maybe someone who has watched him play can comment.

[Big Ev]

Sounds like Erik Condra

[yougo]

sounds like an Andrew Shaw type.

I thought of Brandon Saad when reading.

[First Round Pick]

He's been named to the Canadian WJC summer camp, so it appears people are starting to notice. Very exciting if his upside is like Saad, but he hasn't gone in the forum Mock Draft as of yet.

http://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada-name...oster-1.316556

[ultrawhiteness]

I thought of Brandon Saad when reading.

I was going to reply saying the size difference... but i'm looking them up now and Saad is only 6'1 on the books??? And Stephens is 6'0?? wtf.

For some reason Saad looks taller to me on the ice, and Stephens doesn't. Must be a trick of the eyes.

Getting off-topic but the guy who reminds me of Saad is Zacha, in terms of size, skill, pre-draft year hype and draft year production disappointment.

[First Round Pick]

I was going to reply saying the size difference... but i'm looking them up now and Saad is only 6'1 on the books??? And Stephens is 6'0?? wtf.

For some reason Saad looks taller to me on the ice, and Stephens doesn't. Must be a trick of the eyes.

Getting off-topic but the guy who reminds me of Saad is Zacha, in terms of size, skill, pre-draft year hype and draft year production disappointment.

Anyone you see that's below Zacha, someone who falls down into a 2nd round position? It looks like Stephens is ranked around Saad's actual draft spot, so it's an interesting spot.

[ultrawhiteness]

i'll echo what some others have said, which is that after the top 15-20, there are probably 30 guys who could go in any sort of order depending on how teams see them.

i imagine we'll see a lot of guys drop or get picked early this year.