The best European players eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft.
Leon Draistail – NHL Draft Prospect
1. Leon Draisitail – Germany – F – 6’1-209 – Prince Albert (WHL) – 64-36-67-105.
2. Willie Nylander – Sweden – F – 5’11-169 – MODO (Sweden) – 22-1-6-7.
3. Nikolaj Ehlers – Denmark – F – 5’11-162 – Halifax (QMJHL) – 63-49-55-104.
4. Kasperi Kapanen – Finland – F – 6’0-180 – Kalpa (Finland) – 47-7-7-14.
5. Kevin Fiala – Switzerland – F – 5’10-180 – HV71 (Sweden) – 17-3-8-11.
6. Julius Honka – Finland – D – 5’10-180 – Swift Current (WHL) – 62-16-40-56.
7. Ivan Barbashev – Russia – F – 6’0-180 – Moncton (QMJHL) – 48-25-43-68.
8. Nikita Scherbak – Russia – F – 6’1-175 – Saskatoon (WHL) – 54-26-45-69.
9. Jakub Vrana – Czech – F – 5’11-185 – Linkoping (Sweden) – 24-2-1-3.
10. David Pastrnak – Czech – F – 6’0-167 – Sodertalje (Sweden) – 36-8-16-24.
Noteworthy : Nikolai Goldobin (Russia – Sarnia (OHL) – Dominik Masin (Czech) – Vaclav Karabacek (Slovakia – Gatineau (QMJHL).
It isn’t new for European players to leave their countries to come play in North America if they aim to be NHLers, but 3 of these players (Pastrnak, Vrana and Fiala) played in Sweden, rather than their native countries (Czech (2) and Switzerland). That says a lot about the high level of player development in Sweden. It also says a lot about the Czech system. Not a good sign when your top players are leaving for other countries.
Carl De Lucia Hockey Blog – 2014