Tyler Seguin Plymouth Whalers Top 3 Ranked Prospect for 2010 NHL Draft

As a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, I've recently endured watching all of the past fifteen games out of which, they've won just once... and it was against the Leafs.  Watching your team lose night in and night out is about as entertaining and painful as banging your head against the wall until it bleeds.  On that note, my attention has shifted to the upcoming 2010 NHL Entry draft.

NHL Central Scouting recently released their mid-term rankings for this upcoming draft.  Tyler Seguin is the 2nd ranked North American skater on that list with Cam Fowler ranked 3rd.  With the Oilers in contention for a top-3 draft pick, I started my 2010 Draft watch series with an article on Taylor Hall.  Various phrases to summarize the rest of the Oilers season have popped up everywhere.  There's the "fall 4 hall" or the "tank 4 taylor."  Low On Oil has presumably just coined a new phrase along those lines:  Beggin' for Seguin. Follow the jump for a player profile on Tyler Seguin.

Are the Oilers Beggin' for Seguin?

To start off with, let's take a look at the 'tale of the tape.'  Tyler Seguin is listed by NHL's Central Scouting at 6'1" tall and 180 lbs.  As such, he's already too tall to fit the profile for an Oilers scoring midget in the mold of Cogliano, Gagner, O'Sullivan, or others.  In terms of his age, Tyler is 17 years old with his birthday upcoming on January 31st (1992).  He's played 2 seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) along with one appearance at the WJC-U17 for Team Canada.

By the Numbers:

In comparison to Taylor Hall who's in his third season in the OHL, Hall has ranged from 1.33 to 1.76 points per game (PPG).  Currently, Tyler is ranked 2nd in OHL scoring behind Hall who has one more point in two fewer games. For another comparison, we can also compare Tyler's OHL numbers to those of John Tavares.  Tavares averaged a full 2 points per game during all three of the seasons that he played in the OHL.  As well, John Tavares averaged close to a goal per game during his stint in the OHL.

Hockey's Future Analysis:

Seguin is considered by most to be this draft’s top playmaker. His vision on the ice is top-notch. Despite being a little undersized at 6’0, he possesses very good puck protection skills and it’s difficult for even the biggest defensemen to separate him from the puck. He doesn’t shy away from physical play either, as is the standard when playing in Mike Vellucci’s system. Seguin is considered to be more of an all-around player at this point of the season, although he lacks the same natural goal-scoring touch of Hall.

Hockey's Future also noted that Tyler was not considered to be a top-five pick prior to this season.  Apparently, he was undersized in midget as well.  However, he has added both height and weight in his OHL draft and rookie season.  He was chosen 9th overall by the Plymouth Whalers in the 2008 OHL draft.

Comments (8)

...
written by FlyingFridge, January 18, 2010

Hey, I am having doubts about this upcoming draft. For whichever team wins the lottery, I'm not sure who I would pick first. Taylor Hall is probably the safe choice. Cam Fowler looked great at the WJC. Some have suggested that Tyler Seguin's numbers are inflated by playing on the top line for the Plymouth Whalers.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Jay, January 19, 2010

I get what you're saying, but I think that the top-3 in this years draft is pretty solid from what I've read. Granted, none in this draft year look like they'll be the next Crosby, Ovechkin, or Malkin, but those players are exceedingly rare.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Racki, January 20, 2010

It's funny how "some would say Seguin's numbers are inflated by playing on the top line"... some are also saying that he IS that top line.

I think this draft group (Top 3) is going to be pretty good. And I've heard good things about some of the other prospects too. I think we'll be happy with whomever we take. I actually would say though that Hall is the bigger risk right now. Hard to deny that a guy with that speed and those hands will translate to the NHL though... he should be a damn good player.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Jay, January 21, 2010

Hey Racki,

Yeah, the consensus seems to be that this draft group is pretty solid this year. I remember hearing back in the summer that this was supposed to be a weaker draft year.

Neither Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin have OHL numbers remotely close to John Tavares, so I doubt either one will turn into something on the Crosby, Ovechkin, or Malkin level. However, those types of generational players are quite rare.

I like all three as well. My preference would be for the Oilers to get a forward skater though. Fowler's been very impressive, but I just think that the Oilers have a greater need for talent up front.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Joecoolio, January 22, 2010

I personally hope the oilers get Hall... imagine Hall, Eberle, and Pajarvi-Svennson all on the team next year!

Canada Card World - Hockey Hobby Boxes

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Jay, January 22, 2010

Hey, thanks for your thoughts. I'm still leaning towards Hall though Lowetide and Red line report seem to rank Tyler Seguin ahead of him. Taylor Hall's played at the WJC and was named player of the game for his team at the top prospects game. I do like both and it would be quite a shakeup to see Hall, Eberle, and Paajari-Svensson on the Oilers next season.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by nillhouse., January 29, 2010

The Oilers could use a legit number one center which they haven't had since Doug Weight was traded. For this reason, it might make sense for the Oilers to pick Tyler Seguin over Taylor Hall.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by DraftTylerSeguin, January 30, 2010

The Oilers do need a natural center which is why they should draft Tyler Seguin.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment