Last Updated:  2010 Jan 18
Each player is projected on making it to
the NHA on a grading scale of 1-10.
PLAYER LEGEND - (HIGHLIGHT COLOUR DEFINES LEAGUE PLAYING IN)

Playing in the N.H.A.
Playing in the N.H.A. Farm League
Playing in N.A. Development League (Prospect)
Playing in the NCAA or other Amateur League (Prospect)
Playing in Europe (Prospect)
Boston Ravens

Organization Ranking  (5)
              Change  (+1)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
     Ryan Craig, LW/C
     Andrej Meszaros, D
     David Moss, RW
     Denis Wideman, D
Summary Strength Average Weakness
       
Goaltending     XX
Defense     X
Centers XX    
Wingers XX    
Drafting   X  
Draft Picks   X  
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) Justin Abdelkader  7.0 C 1)  Paul Stastny  7.5 A 1)  Phil Kessel  7.5 A
2)  Nick Tarnasky  6.0 B 2) Mikael Backlund  8.5 C 2)  Michael Frolik  8.0 C
3)  Jesse Joensuu  6.5 C 3) Dustin Boyd  7.0 A 3)  Kris Versteeg  7.5 C
4)  Gregory Stewart  5.0 A 4)  Andrew Cogliano  7.0 B 4)  Aaron Palushaj  7.5 C
5)  Antti Pihlstrom  7.0 F 5) Vladimir Sobotka  7.0 B 5)  Teddy Purcell  7.0 C
6)  Denis Tolpeko  6.0 D 6)  Jay McClement  6.0 B 6)  Cal Clutterbuck  6.0 B
  7)  Chris Vande Velde  6.5 C 7)  Martins Karsums  6.5 C
  8)  Felix Schutz  6.5 C 8)  Jared Boll  6.0 C
  9)  Julien Talbot  6.0 C  
  10)  Jay Beagle  6.0 D  
     
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Keaton Ellerby  7.5 C 1)  Carl Sneep  6.5 C 1)  Daniel LaCosta  7.0 C
2)  Brian Salcido  7.0 C 2)  Alex Biega  7.0 D 2)  Drew MacIntyre  6.0 C
3)  Kirill Lyamin  7.0 F    
4)  Paul Albers  6.0 D    
     
Palmetto
Ramblers
Draft Review  -  Portland Firebirds                                                                                                             by Robert Michaud

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     OUT:  3rd Round Selection (63rd OV)

     IN:      Kimmo Timonen (D)

The Firebirds were fairly quiet leading up to the draft, though they did make one significant deal whereby they obtained Kimmo Timonen from the Avangard and quickly locked him up with a 4 year contract extension; this single move gives Portland a very solid puck moving defense which is able to get the puck up to the young guns such as Kovalchuk.

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Goaltending prospects; Scoring wingers; Top 6 pivot

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     David Perron to FIREBIRDS at #7 overall
Actual Result:                                 FIREBIRDS select Mikael Backlund at #7 overall

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Mikael Backlund, C      (Swe-1)      [1st Round (7th Overall)]
     Keaton Ellerby, D        (WHL)      [1st Round (19th Overall)]
     Aaron Palushaj, RW     (USHL)     [2nd Round (35th Overall)]
     Joey MacDonald, G                        [5th Round (119th Overall)]

The Firebirds had two 1st round picks and used them to get two-way center Mikael Backlund and aggressive defenseman Keaton Ellerby. With their  other two selections the Firebirds picked up sound right winger Aaron Palushaj in the second and then used their 5th round choice to pick up a quality back-up goalie in Joey MacDonald. They will need to shore up the left wing side in the next few years, as this was not addressed at the draft this year. 

Possible draft-day steals:     Too early to predict
   1)  Paul Stastny, C
        Acquired:  5th OV, '05 Draft
   2)  Phil Kessel, RW
        Acquired:  7th OV, '06 Draft
   3)  Mikael Backlund, C/LW
        Acquired:  7th OV, '07 Draft
   4)  Dustin Boyd, W/C
        Acquired:  31st OV, '04 Draft
   5)  Michael Frolik, RW/C
        Acquired:  from Norsemen
   6)  Andrew Cogliano, C/W
        Acquired:  18th OV, '05 Draft
   7)  Vladimir Sobotka, C/LW
        Acquired:  from Bulldogs
   8)  Kris Versteeg, RW/LW
        Acquired:  87th OV, '04 Draft
   9)  Keaton Ellerby, D
        Acquired:  19th OV, '07 Draft
10)  Aaron Palushaj, RW
        Acquired:  35th OV, '07 Draft
11)  Justin Abdelkader, LW/C
        Acquired:  66th OV, '05 Draft
12)  Teddy Purcell, RW
        Acquired:  35th OV, '05 Draft
13)  Brian Salcido, D
        Acquired:  59th OV, '05 Draft
14)  Daniel LaCosta, G
        Acquired:  from Warriors
15)  Cal Clutterbuck, RW
        Acquired:  63rd OV, '06 Draft
16)  Nick Tarnasky, LW/RW
        Acquired:  174th OV, '04 Draft
17)  Jay McClement, C
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
18)  Jesse Joensu, LW/RW
        Acquired:  104th OV, 2006
19)  Carl Sneep, D
        Acquired:  35th OV, '06 Draft
20)  Martins Karsums, RW
        Acquired:  59th OV, '04 Draft
     Paul Albers, D
     Jay Beagle, C
     Alex Biega, D
     Jared Boll, RW
     Kirill Lyamin, D
     Drew MacIntyre, G
     Antti Pihlstrom, LW/RW
     Felix Schutz, C
     Gregory Stewart, RW
     Julien Talbot, C
     Denis Tolpeko, LW/RW
     Chris Vande Velde, C
2009/06/01  Portland Firebirds - Facing the Future
The Portland Firebirds are beginning to see their core expand, from the situation of the past few seasons where Ilya Kovalchuk had to shoulder the load by himself, to developing other talents that complement their franchise player through the additions of Paul Stastny and Phil Kessel; most teams would love to have any 1 of these players, let alone all 3.  The offensive potential here is an enormous strength, as the team has a perfect mix of goal-scoring wingers and set-up centermen, plus great complimentary role-players; this is a team that is only a few pieces away from their first playoff berth.  This team does not really have any glaring weaknesses, other then relying on the youngsters to lead the team.

Left Wing - Ilya Kovalchuk is a generational talent and has established himself as one of the top players in the NHA over the past few seasons, unfortunately it has been shown that this organization needs more then just Kovalchuk to win.

Center - Paul Stastny, Michael Frolik and Andrew Cogliano look to be key offensive players for the Firebirds in the future. They all bring great speed and playmaking abilities that should mesh with the build of the team.

Right Wing - Phil Kessel has all the potential to be a top-scoring winger in the NHA; he combines blistering speed with an already pro-caliber shot selection and offensive instincts.  Between himself and Kovalchuk, Kessel should provide a great 1-2 scoring punch for the Firebirds.  Kris Versteeg and Pierre-Marc Bouchard are more the 'pass-first' variety of player that should compliment the goal-scorers nicely, though both have underrated scoring skills and great hands in traffic.  Colby Armstrong adds some heart, toughness and talent on the wing as well.

Defense - The Firebirds have a great mix of offensive and defensive-minded defenseman as part of their core.  Andrej Meszaros and Kevin Bieksa are a good example of the balanced Portland blueline.  Meszaros plays with the poise of a veteran and has a great offensive game, while Bieksa is a strong shutdown rearguard who can drop the gloves but still contribute offensively; to have these youngsters learning from vets such as Campbell, Markov, McLaren and Witt is a luxury not afforded to many teams.

Goaltending - The future in goal for the Wildcats had always been Josh Harding, and there is no doubt that he will eventually become a good goaltender in the NHA, it's just now he will be doing it for another organization. Portland tired of waiting for Harding to blossom and decided to move him to the Norsemen.  Now the question becomes, 'Who will be the future between the pipes for the Firebirds?'
Firebirds 2006 Draft Review

Knights 2005 Draft Review

Knights 2004 Draft Review