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Behind-the-Scenes: at the Combine
RAW: Dan Marr, Director of Central Scouting
RAW: Shane Wright
RAW: Cooley and Cutter
RAW: Savoie and Geekie
RAW: Juraj Slafkovsky
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Feature: Behind the Combine Process
What the Top Prospects are Saying
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This year's top-ranked European Skater, Juraj Slafkovsky, is expected to go in the top-three with Wright and Cooley. The winger had a noticeable year playing for Slovakia's National team at the Winter Olympics and World Championships.
"Slafkovsky in his own right, he's the most physically mature," Marr said. "He's a player that he figures the game out. He played against older players, he's been doing that for a couple years now, but you could see that at the Olympics more so and then at the World Championships again. He quickly adapts to the game, finds out the way he can play his game, and play it well to get things done out there."
No matter how the order of Wright, Slafkovsky, and Cooley goes down, Marr told media on Friday that the first-round of this year's draft has a lot of depth and when it comes to those players, all are strong picks for the three clubs drafting in those top positions.
"The first three teams that pick in the draft, could all get their number one player on their list. It's that tight and that close. It depends on the club's drafting philosophy, what they're looking for, if they want a player in their lineup sooner or they can wait a little longer. But all three of these players bring something different to the table."
Something all three prospects discussed in their media availabilities on Friday was how ready they are to compete on the NHL stage. However, the process is not as easy as having the talent or size to play at that advanced level.
"I think most of these players have been trained by their advisors to say that they're NHL ready. The NHL is a difficult league to play in. Most 18 and 19-year-olds have to earn a spot in the lineup and then they have to contribute when they're in the lineup."
Who could make the jump out of the draft to an NHL lineup?
"Wright has earned that opportunity to get a chance to make that club and whoever drafts him will give him that opportunity. So he very well could be playing in the National Hockey League next year. Slafkovsky is another player you can easily put into that category. Other than that, I just think the physical maturity and experience that's required to handle the adversity and handle the pressure that it takes to play in the NHL. And keep that job in the lineup, it's very difficult."
