Hockey's Future NCAA Top 20 Prospects

[dagies]

NCAA Top 20 Prospects - Hockey's Future

3. Drew Stafford, RW (Sophomore, University of North Dakota)

Drafted in 2004 by the Buffalo Sabres. First Round, 13th Overall

Prior to the 2004 Draft, Drew Stafford had many scouts taking serious notice of him and for good reason. His size coupled with his reliability and hard-nosed style of play made him an attractive player to many teams NHL teams on draft day. After enjoying a stellar rookie season at the University of North Dakota last year, Stafford has continued to make significant progress this season. With the loss of Zach Parise and Brandon Bochenski coupled with Brady Murray

[yepdude]

They've got Chucko rated a few spots higher than Zajac.  Chucko appears to me to be a more physical player, and plays with more of an edge than Zajac.  I think Zajac is a more skilled player.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, Zajac is a better NHL prospect if the new rules of open ice actually pass, and Chucko is better if the league remains enamored in clutching and grabbing?

[dagies]

Not saying that.

Regardless of how they are enforcing rules in college, I'll take Zajac over Chucko.

I think Zajac is a more skilled, better player, but maybe Chucko fits into the more physical pro style of play.

Just my opinion.

[redwing77]

Greene rated as 9th best collegiate prospect? That can't sit well with some of those posters here.

And as for Chucko, I can understand why for the reasons yepdude stated. In the current NHL, physical play is emphasized as much as offensive skill, with only defense possibly taking more emphasis (hence the trap rearing its head in the NHL again). Even before getting drafted, I read somewhere that Chucko was the more physical of the two (Zajac/Chucko) but Zajac had better offensive skills. THat was restated during the draft coverage, if I am not mistaken.

Every team wants an enforcer who can score, and Chucko seems to be of that mold. Zajac is more of a two way forward like Federov is. I do not recall Federov getting into many fights in his career thus far (not saying that he hasn't), but his scoring ability and his defensive prowess has earned him much accolades.

So the compariosn, as I see it would be:

Travis Zajac -> Sergei Federov

Kris Chucko -> Kris Draper or perhaps Martin Lapointe? Possibly Keith Primeau type player.

I'm sure there is a better NHL player to define what I'm talking about regarding Chucko. For some reason, I'm unable to think of the right player.