[Dirtbag59]

Caps, Blues enjoy strong showings
January, 7, 2011
JAN 7
2:37
By Gare Joyce

AP Photo/Frank Gunn
Fans of the Blues and Caps might someday match the joy of prospects Dmitri Orlov, Vladimir Tarasenko and Yevgeni Kuznetsov.

When scouts go to the IIHF World Junior Championship and follow up on their teams' top drafted prospects, the tournament could be in Siberia but it would still feel like a vacation. Those scouts know they have job security and are the envy of the fraternity. And, the fact is, if an organization has even one player who projects as a top-six forward or top-four D, the pipeline is in pretty good shape. (And that's especially true if tournament-eligible talent is already playing on the NHL roster.)

After watching the tournament from start to its thrilling finish and speaking with scouts all the while, here's our evaluation of the teams that should feel the best (and worst) coming away from Buffalo.

And for those who missed our in-tournament analysis, check our Twitter timeline: @NHLDraftBlog.

Big Winners
Scouts from these teams did backflips on the way to the airport Wednesday.

1. Washington Capitals: Yevgeni Kuznetsov was the single most spectacular talent for the champion Russian team. He, more than any other player in the tournament, showed the ability to take over a game, starting and finishing plays against the contenders in the elimination round. He took shifts at center -- it wasn't a position of depth for Russia and you'd have to suspect that he might be more comfortable on the wing at the next level.

Kuznetsov's teammate Dmitri Orlov might have been the best all-around defenseman in the tournament with a combination of high puck skills, hockey sense, size and bad attitude. The Caps were able to risk chasing Russian players because they're convinced the presence of Alexander Ovechkin will get them past signability issues. That's the only reason Kuznetsov fell to the late first round this past June and Orlov to the second round in 2009. (Getting the two in the fold might not be easy, though, so that's a big asterisk to attach.)

Center/winger Cody Eakin seems likely to be a great score at 85th overall in the 2009 draft. Eakin's size might hold him back from being near the top of the roster, but he has uncanny anticipation. Against a bigger Russian team in the final, the Canadians wilted in the late going but Eakin continued to win 50-50 pucks through hustle and industry.

American D Patrick Wey looks like a depth player.