Top Prospects at the Combine | DRAFT

The NHL hosted their top prospects media availability on Friday ahead of the fitness testing, set to take place all day on Saturday. Check out some of the coverage and top notes below:

Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie

Savoie (left) is ranked 4th among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, while Geekie (right) is ranked 5th. Savoie is a 5-foot-9, 175-pound center from Winnipeg of the WHL, while Geekie is a 6-3, 196-pound center from the same club.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"The way he possesses the puck, his vision, his IQ. I think that's something I really try to incorporate (into my game)." - Geekie on comparing his game to Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers
"I definitely feel comfortable at both positions. The last two or three years I've flip flopped back and forth consistently. I leave it in the hands of my coaching staff and wherever they feel I best fit." - Savoie on whether he prefers wing or center

Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier

Cooley (left) is a 5-10, 174-pound center from the USNTDP ranked 2nd among North American Skaters, and his teammate Gauthier (right) is a 6-2, 189-pound left-wing and was ranked as the 3rd North American Skater.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"A guy I like to watch is Patrick Kane. We're similar in height, I think we're real skilled with the puck. A guy like him, watching him maneuver through bigger defenders, it's what I try to do and I try to model my game after him." - Cooley on his playing style
"Next year I'm set to play center. It's something I'm really looking forward to at Boston College. I felt pretty dominant the past few seasons when I was at the center position, controlling the pace of play defensively as well as offensively." - Gauthier on next season

Juraj Slafkovsky

Slafkovsky is the top-ranked European Skater by NHL Central Scouting, recently playing for TPS in Finland. He is a 6-4, 218-pound left wing.

WHAT HE SAID:

"Just work on everything, all-around. Get better with my shot and skating, get it to another level and I think I can be an impact player." - on his path to improvement
"I think it was a lot about confidence, at the end of the day. I knew I could play hockey, I just didn't show it. For example, at the Olympics my confidence was pretty high. I just needed to trust myself more." - on what changed in his game this past year

Shane Wright

Wright, a 6-0, 190-pound center from Kingston of the OHL, is the top-ranked North American Skater.

WHAT HE SAID:

"I think I still have got a lot of work to do. I think as someone who is always trying to be the best, there are ways you can be better, there are always things you can improve upon. I definitely want to get a little quicker. That's something I want to work on and just overall maybe being a little more consistent. The next level is the NHL and that's the best of the best players in the League. Every mistake or bad play you make is going to be exposed. I could be a little more consistent with my game but I'm also really happy with where it's at right now." - Wright on his game and where he can improve