NHL Draft: ISS Scouts Break Down the Blueliners

ISS2010 NHL Draft Guide is the most comprehensive yet. The scouting experts at ISS provide an exhaustive profile on the top 60 draft prospects, detailed thumbnails on next 90 prospects and need-to-know information on another 50 draft eligible players for a total of 200 prospects. The information in the ISS draft guide comes directly from the source, the team of scouts who watch hundreds of games each season to provide this thorough package. Diehard hockey fans will want a copy of the ISS draft guide to find out the type of players their team picked in the June 25-26 draft.

ISS produces a full service 96 page draft guide that can be purchased by fans and media on-line at this link

Note - all orders will be filled same day.

ISS will be providing analysis of the top prospects leading up to the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 25-26. We've already covered the Centers and Wings, so now we'll finish with the defensemen. ISS Scouts will also provide a mock draft a week before the entry draft.

ISS Top 30 - Final NHL Rankings

Top 5 Defensemen

ISS # 3 -- Gormley, Brandon
Blue-chip defensemen like Brandon Gormley are a highly sought after commodity in any draft year, this one being no exception. He has elite playmaking skills; the ability to find open man and move the puck to him with crisp passes. He does not have the flashy skating of Fowler or the hulking frame of Gudbranson, but he is the defenseman with the highest hockey IQ. With great poise and sound defensive play, Gormley would play over 25 minutes most nights for the Wildcats, often times going up against the oppositions top offensive units. In addition to his solid defensive play, he was also capable of generating offense from the backend by either rushing the puck or by finding the open man. He displays great leadership qualities and work ethic.
Style compares to:Nicklas Lidstrom

ISS # 5 -- Fowler, Cam
Fowler from Farmington Hills, Mich. has the ability to control games, and although the stats don't always reflect it, he has outstanding offensive upside. A powerful skater that moves around the ice with a presence. When he is on his game, he can explode up the ice and do it all. He has shown that he can make the crucial first pass out of the zone. He usually makes hard, accurate and crisp tape to tape passes. Fowler became just the 21st player in history to win both a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship as well as a Memorial Cup title in the same year. He's the type of defenseman that teams will build around.
Style compares to:Duncan Keith

ISS # 7 -- Gudbranson, Erik
A big skilled d-man, known for his leadership skills and was Captain for Canada at recent World U18 Championship. Won't be a flashy high scoring d-man but will be a franchise cornerstone because of his intensity and character. He loves to play and he has several tools that are going to make him a future all star- he skates well and has great patience with the puck. Gundbranson is a defensemen that possesses
imposing size and displays better good skating, mobility and puck skills. Overall, he is a pretty attractive package and has to be considered one of the best defensemen in this year's draft. Gundbranson really takes advantage of his physical tools. Opponents are always aware when he is on the ice as he is mean and plays with an edge.
Style compares to:Chris Pronger

ISS # 10 -- Forbort, Derek
A big mobile two-way defender with a ton of room to build on his huge 6'5" frame, Forbort moves very well for a big man and can also jump into the offensive play very well. Although his offensive upside is not as big as some of the other defenders in the draft, Forbort really excels at rushing the puck up the boards and jumping in off the point from the weak side. He is a difficult player to contain when he jumps into the rush. Forbort is also very intelligent around his own net and rarely takes too many questionable risks. Needs some more time to develop but could become a top pairing defender in the not too distant future. 
Style compares to:Erik Johnson

ISS # 11 -- Merrill, Jonathan
Merrill has been an ISS favorite since day one. His potential is off the charts and he continues to impress every time he steps on the ice. Merrill is as dynamic and versatile as they come, a very patient and calculating defender who never hesitates to explode after the puck when he notices an opportunity. Merrill has tremendous poise and confidence with the puck and makes a great first pass, rushes it into open ice well and creates lanes exceptionally well on the power play. Merrill has Norris trophy potential and with minor development will be ready to play very shortly.
Style compares to:Rob Blake

Top 2 Sleepers

ISS # 67 – Faulk, Justin
There is a lot of interest in Faulk, a puck-moving defenseman with excellent offensive instincts. Don't be surprised if a club steps up early 2nd round, he can quarterback the PP and isn't afraid to jump into the high slot or go back door on the PP. Doesn't take any shifts off and plays consistent at all times. Has great deal of patience with the puck, where he doesn't rush plays. Faulk is tough to beat 1 on 1 and along the walls. Has excellent core strength. He has a very strong shot from the point with a quick release.
Style compares to:Bryan Berard

ISS # 71 – Holl, Justin
Holl is a puck-moving d-man with good offensive instincts who joined the USHL Omaha Lancers at the end of last year. He can QB the PP and isn't afraid to jump up. Not really a physical D-man. He makes good decisions with the puck. His skating ability is one of his best traits, very good quickness and acceleration. He has a big time slap shot. He was a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award.
Style compares to: Cody Fransson

Top Wildcard

ISS # 119 -- Gunnarsson, Daniel
Gunnarsson is a tall and rangy defender similar in mold to Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson who has gained some pro experience this season with Leksands. He has legitimate size with a solid frame and also skates quite well when you consider his physical stature, displaying good mobility and the ability to take away time and space effectively. Gunnarsson has flown under the radar for most of the season and is very well kept secret it seems to everyone outside of Sweden.
Style compares to:Jonathan Ericsson

ISS produces a full service 96 page draft guide that can be purchased by fans and media online here.