WHAT SCOUTS ARE SAYING ABOUT MAC BENNETT

Gary Eggleston, New England scout for NHL Central Scouting:

“Mac is a very strong skater with good acceleration and overall speed. He has very good lateral mobility and moves his feet quickly. He can lead the rush and moves the puck quickly from his own end. He has a very strong shot from the point. He is a very good passer who makes good decisions with the puck. He runs the power play and distributes the puck very well. His defensive zone play is very good. He can play a physical game to give himself room and gain control of the puck. He is quick to gain and maintain control of the puck and he moves it out of his end quickly. I see Mac as having a very successful career in college as a smart, skilled, puck-moving defenseman. Beyond his college years, I feel that in the future he has a very good chance to be a top NHL defenseman.’’

Bob Crocker, Los Angeles Kings scout:

 “He’s strong, but naturally still being a kid he has to mature and develop more physically, but that will come. He’s got enough size to be able to play in today’s game, he’s going to Michigan, which is a premier college program and will play for a good coach. Mac’s strength is his skating ability. He’s able to almost at will carry the puck out of own end of the ice and carry it all the way to the opponent’s goal. He’s got real nice hands, passing, puck-handling ability, has a big shot, is an offensive catalyst, contributes to the flow, knows the game, is a solid competitor.’’

 The Red Line Report, an independent scouting newsletter:

The Red Line Report ranks Bennett at number 73 on its draft list.

However, Kyle Woodlief, the former Nashville Predators scout who is the chief scout and publisher of RLR, said, “Someone’s going to like him enough to step up and take him in the second round,'' probably from 45 to 50.

Woodlief said that he does not like Bennett’s “lack of discipline in the defensive end. He’s more like a forward playing defense.’’

Bennett is a strong skater –– he has “jets,’’ Woodlief said

“He’s able to create odd-man rushes with his wheels,’’ he said, and “he can handle the puck at high speed.’’

Before the NHL lockout, when teams focused on bigger players, Bennett probably would have been a late-round pick, Woodlief said. Now, Bennett’s size –– 5’11’’, 170 pounds –– “will not be a difference-maker for a team that likes him.’’

Of Bennett’s family history in hockey, Woodlief said, “It does count for something, but it’s not a huge factor’’ in his draft position.

Woodlief suggested that the quickest way for Bennett to get to the NHL would be to scrap his college plans and play this season for Hull, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team that holds his rights.

 A scout who covers New England for an NHL team. He asked that his name not be used so that other NHL teams would not know what his team thinks of Bennett:

“He’s a gifted skater. He’s able to skate himself out of trouble.’’

The scout said that in a best-case scenario, Bennett could turn out to be comparable to Brian Leetch. “He’s a 5’11 defenseman who skates well and has special instincts.’’

If Bennett were 6’2’’ –– and his family history suggests that he could get there eventually –– he could be a high draft pick, the scout said, adding, “You can fill Yankee Stadium with 5’11’’ defensemen who can skate well.’’

Judging a prep school player can be difficult, he said. “Prep school is the most intriguing league to scout because there are a lot of questions. Will he fight? Can he stand up to the physical play, the grind?’’

WHAT SCOUTS ARE SAYING ABOUT DEREK DEBLOIS

Gary Eggleston, New England scout for NHL Central Scouting:

“Derek is a very good skater with very good acceleration and top-end speed. He plays a high-tempo game and works hard game in and game out. He plays with a lot of drive and grit and plays with an edge. He’s a tenacious forechecker who works hard in the corners and wins the battles. He’s a very good passer and playmaker who makes smart plays. He also protects the puck very well. To me, Derek plays the style of game and has the accompanying mental makeup to be successful not only in his college career, but he has the drive and determination to be able to play beyond college, as well.

Bob Crocker, Los Angeles Kings scout:

“Derek DeBlois did not score as was expected this season, but he also is going to Michigan and will play in a first-class national hockey program. Like all young kids he must get physically stronger. He is a very good skater, carries the puck with much jump and deception. Works the boards, corners, goes hard to the net, has real nice hands, puck carrying, puck handling and passing skills, creative offensively, distributes the puck very well. Has to be a little bit more consistent game to game. Bottom line, he is a prospect that should get drafted in the upcoming NHL draft.’’

The Red Line Report, an independent scouting newsletter:

Chief scout and publisher Kyle Woodlief ranks Deblois as a seventh-round pick. “He really has soft hands. He knows where the back of the net is. Doesn’t really like to play in traffic, from what I’ve seen. His skating is slightly above average.’’

A scout who covers New England for an NHL team. He asked that his name not be used so that other NHL teams would not know what his team thinks of Deblois:

“He’s a hard-working kid. He’s going to give you everything he’s got. He works in the tough areas.’’ Projects to be a six- or seventh-round pick.