Defenseman, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Pysyk, 18, had 24 points in 48 games in an injury-riddled season for Edmonton. He has the tools to make it in the NHL, but at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, he needs to bulk up some more. He prides his game on playing the body, positioning and closing the gap, but also being an offensive player. He has raw talent but is a work in progress.
Here's what Matt Ebbs, president of Charron Langlois LLP and Ebbs Sports Management Ltd. and former director of the International Scouting Service, had to say about Pysyk:
"He's a smooth skater with a great first pass. But the issue right now is that sometimes he tries to do too much offensively. The problem is that the NHL guys are looking for a solid player — somebody that's got that good first pass but not necessarily overly dynamic. So the issue here is that he's got it. Like I said, lots of poise and a real smooth skater. But at times maybe he's trying to play like a forward too much or maybe like a Duncan Keith.
"He just needs to be himself and it will come. Size for him is maybe a concern, too, but if he gets bigger, his natural skill will be more of a factor. I like the kid a lot, but that size issue and maybe overdoing it a bit offensively could hurt his stock."
Screen grab from Yahoo.com
