Drafted: Los Angeles Kings first-round selection (18th overall) in 2002.

Player No. 10 Profile: Name: Denis Grebeshkov [GRUH-besh-koff] Team: Manchester Monarchs League: AHL Position: Defenseman Shoots: Left Hometown: Yaroslavl, Russia Height: 6'1" Weight: 195 lbs. Birth Date: 10/11/83

Insider's Edge:

Denis Grebeshkov is a fearless competitor, with a sound defensive game and great offensive potential.

Our sources describe Grebeshkov as, “pretty slick on the ice and an excellent skater with a pretty good shot.”

“He sees passes and tries to make plays like a veteran. His game is really steady for a young player.”

Like most young players, he will occasionally make mistakes, but we are told he usually recovers from them quickly.

Grebeshkov needs experience, but has made great strides and is adjusting well to the North American game.

Insiders feel that Grebeshkov could be a valuable contributor to the Kings sometime soon and love his work ethic.

“He really comes to play.”

 

Drafted: Ottawa Senators, 4th-round selection (99th overall) in 2001

Player No. 11 Profile: Name: Ray Emery Team: Binghamton Senators League: AHL Position: Goaltender Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario Height: 6'3" Weight: 197 lbs. Birth Date: 09/28/82

Insiders Edge:

Ray Emery is “definitely one of the top goaltenders in the minors,” one source states.

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.

Emery is coming off a stellar AHL rookie campaign, and is again off to a strong start in Binghamton this year.

“He might be ready to make the next jump, but he has Lalime in front of him in Ottawa.”

To make the Senators’ roster, Ray has to contend with not just veteran Patrick Lalime, but also the 2002 AHL goalie of year, Martin Prusek.

With those two taking up most of the ice time in Ottawa, Emery will most likely be spending the bulk of this year in Binghamton, barring an injury or trade.

 

Drafted: Phoenix Coyotes, 1st-round selection (11th overall) in 2001.

Player No. 12 Profile: Name: Fredrik Sjostrom [Shoe-strum] Team: Springfield Falcons League: AHL Position: Goaltender Hometown: Fargelanda, Sweden Height: 6'1" Weight: 214 lbs. Birth Date: 05/06/83

Insider's Edge:

Though Fredrik Sjostrom has only 2 regular season professional games under his belt, he entered this season with some high expectations.

He has demonstrated that he could score consistently in junior hockey, registering 127 points (53g, 74a) in 121 games over two seasons.

Sjostrom shows plenty of “raw skill” and according to one source, “his speed and shot are already NHL caliber.”

 

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