QUEBEC CITY -- With the Stanley Cup finals set up, many are focused on the immediate glory that comes with hoisting the Cup. However, the 2015 Memorial Cup is now in the books, and the 10-day event offered a unique look at players that could contribute to the future success of their respective team. Examining both team prospects and draft-eligible players, these scouting reports are based on my viewings of the standouts at this year's tournament, as well as notes I've collected on the players in the past.
Anthony Cirelli, C, Oshawa Generals | 2015 draft-eligible
Cirelli's play was strong all tournament, not to mention his two-goal performance in the final, including the overtime winner. He's not exceptionally skilled, but he's certainly above-average with the puck. He won't blow you away with talent, but he's smart and works hard to win battles even though he's not the biggest guy. Coming into the event, he wasn't a top-100 guy for me on my draft board, but now I'd say you could argue him into the latter portion of it.
Cole Cassels, C, Oshawa General | Vancouver Canucks
Cassels is a player I've progressively warmed to. I don't know if his offensive upside is ever going to be dynamic enough, in terms of speed and hands, to play in an NHL top six, but he's definitely a very smart hockey player whose vision, reads, and patience allow him to create chances. Cassels showed these qualities, as well as his excellent defensive play, at the tournament. I think it's possible the 85th overall pick in 2013 could progress to a third-line NHL player.
Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa Generals | New York Islanders
I don't think Dal Colle blew away the junior level like he does on some nights, but he was certainly quite productive and dangerous offensively. He's such a skilled puck handler especially for a big man. He's not overly physical, but he uses his frame well to make the skill plays a lot of small players can't. Often you'll see him protect the puck and hold onto it an extra second for a lane to open up. His skating isn't bad, but it concerns me in terms of lacking an explosive element given he's not a top-end penalty killer. His strength will be on the power play, and while he has work to do before he's a good NHL player, the upside is really significant.
Adam Erne, LW, Quebec Remparts | Tampa Bay Lightning
I came into the tournament not knowing what to make of Erne. I expected he'd be in the debate to be in my summer top 100 drafted, but every time I've seen him live the past two years I was never "wowed" by him. At this event, though, I thought he played at that high level and reaffirmed in my mind why he's a top prospect. Erne can play a speed game, a skill game, win puck battles, and defend effectively. He was an all-situations, critical player for Quebec and one of the top prospects in Tampa Bay's system currently.
Leon Draisaitl, C, Kelowna Rockets | Edmonton Oilers
Not surprising to see a former third-overall pick and a player who was in the NHL this season mentioned in this group, but Draisaitl showed why the Oilers are optimistic about him. His hockey sense is really unique. His passing and creativity combination work to make plays you don't often see players try to execute. He'll even make simple short passes to get defensemen moving that other forwards simply either hold onto or chuck at the net. Leon's skating is not ideal still -- although improved -- but his skill, vision and frame allow him to be very dangerous.
Tobias Lindberg, LW, Oshawa Generals | Ottawa Senators
I never saw much of Lindberg prior to this season. During the OHL season and at the Memorial Cup he has shown a lot. He's a skilled, coordinated puck handler with above-average if not better vision who can make some difficult offensive plays. Lindberg is a big forward, too, and that size-skill combination makes him very interesting as a prospect. He has some warts though. He's not slow, but he's certainly not a fast skater, and his defense plus his physicality in the pros will be a question mark. He definitely has upside though.
Michael McCarron, C, Oshawa General | Montreal Canadiens
Of all the prospects in the hockey universe, former first-round pick Michael McCarron has been among the top 20 prospects I've been asked about in terms of quantity of questions this season. Part of that is because the Montreal fan base on a good day can at times act like an angry mob, but mostly it is due to the progression he's made since last season. McCarron's strong play carried over to the Memorial Cup. He's a recent convert to center, but showed defensive and face-off skills that signaled he's capable of playing it as a pro. He's a very large forward with some skill. He's not the fastest, or the most gifted puck handler, but he showed at the tournament he can make plays.
There's always a bit of hedging I do when I see a player make a giant "leap" as a 19 year old in Major Junior, so I am not fully ready to elevate McCarron to a top-end prospect; rather, I maintain my constant evaluation in that he's a good-not-great prospect. He's definitely trending in the right direction, though, and it will be interesting to see how he fares as a pro next season.
Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna Rockets | 2015 draft-eligible
Merkley was not just showing his skating, skill and vision, he was outworking a ton of defensemen who were bigger than him. His penalty killing wasn't too shabby either. He needs to bulk up to win more battles, and his frame certainly has room to improve, but he shows the intangibles you want in a smaller player. I've had some readers ask me if Merkley is the Mitch Marner of the WHL due to their small frames and dynamic natures, but in terms of degrees of skill, Merkley is not at that high level. Still, in my mind, he affirmed that he should be a top-20 prospect in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Ryan Graves, D, Quebec Remparts | New York Rangers
Graves was one of the top scoring defensemen at the tournament, even though his game is built more around defense. "He's a 6-4 defenseman who is solid in his own, simple as that," said one NHL scout. He skates fine for a big man, and while he's not the fastest, and a bit of a clumsy puck handler, he was really effective due to his hockey sense. Graves closes his gaps well, knows where to be to get in lanes as well as joining the attack. You could see him looking to make offensive plays, and making good decisions, even if he doesn't have the raw skill to always execute them.
Vladimir Tkachev, LW, Quebec Remparts | 2015 draft-eligible
Tkachev wasn't one of the very best players in the tournament, but he showed the positive elements that should get him drafted this year. There's a love-hate relationship in the industry about him: Some NHL scouts won't touch him, while others are willing to roll the dice on a small, one-dimensional but immensely talented forward. Tkachev showed when he has the puck he can create in bunches. His skill and offensive IQ are high-end. On entries and offensive zone plays he made a lot happen. However, he also showed his tendency to try and do too much, including a ghastly turnover in the tiebreaker goal that cost his team.
Honorable Mentions
Madison Bowey, D, Kelowna Rockets | Washington Capitals
Anthony Duclair, LW, Quebec Remparts | Arizona Coyotes
Chris Clapperton, LW, Rimouski Oceanic | Florida Panthers