Ryan McDonagh

Courtesy of Cory Kornelsen, editor of McKeen's Hockey, a scouting report on Ryan McDonagh:

Robust two-way defenseman .. commanding all-access skater that is strong on his edges with sharp acceleration .. has become more productive this season because he's anticipating the play incisively and is asserting himself more offensively with the puck .. has underrated hand skill and a quick shot that he is beginning to get on net with more frequency, as he's already surpassed his career high with four goals on the year .. his on-ice vision and creativity with the puck are mediocre, although he makes calculated decisions and doesn't rush into many mistakes .. suffocating one-on-one defender that is a pillar of strength on the backend and is one of the most physically imposing defenders in college hockey .. lacks prototypical height but it doesn't matter because he boasts tremendous strength and has a mean streak .. his influential backwards and lateral mobility allows him to maintain tight gaps before angling off his man to the wall .. fiercely covers his net and clears his crease area with conviction .. a safe bet to play in the NHL sooner rather than later.  

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Writing in La Presse, Mathias Brunet reports Ryan McDonagh is having a rough sophomore season at the University of Wisconsin.

Mark Osiecki, who coaches Badger defencemen, told Brunet that McDonagh is inconsistent. He is having trouble reading plays, and his reaction time needs improvement. 

McDonagh is minus-6 on a weak Wisconsin team that is 1-7 to start the season.

Osiecki credits McDonagh with intelligence and natural ability. The coach would like to see him play more like Mike Komisarek: making good first passes, working on zone clearances and becoming a physical  defenceman whom opponents dislike playing against. 

The Canadiens' most recent first-round draft choices looked impressive on the ice at development camp and sounded impressive when today's opening session concluded.

They're all at midwestern universities: Ryan McDonagh and Max Pacioretty were freshmen last season at Wisconsin and Michgan, respectively. Fisher is heading into his junior season at Minnesota.

Like Mike Komisarek and Christopher Higgins,  the young Americans are bright and well-spoken.