We've touched on plenty of names in this space before, but here are five European players who may make some noise come this year's draft.
Jyrki Jokipakka, D, Ilves, Finland
For whatever reason Jokipakka has been passed over in previous drafts. It might have been for the right reasons, but he has flourished in his first season playing with and against adults in the Finnish top league. After 41 league games Jokipakka is one of only six players on the team with a plus rating.
"Jokipakka needs to work on his stick handling but he sees the ice very well and positions himself in the right place. His size and mobility makes him a prospect with a solid future," says one scout.
Magnus Hellberg, G, Almtuna, Sweden
When this season started Hellberg was the No. 2 goalie behind Fredrik Pettersson-Wentzel, but Hellberg took over the starting role as the season progressed. (Pettersson-Wentzel moved on to Timra of the Elite league after the WJC.)
"After flying under the radar, Hellberg is now a well-known prospect gaining a lot of interest. He's big and covers the net very well. If he can finish the season on the same level he's performed at so far, his draft value can rise even more," says an experienced scout.
Teemu Rautiainen, F, HPK U-20, Finland
Rautianinen produced 37 points in 39 games last season, but he didn't impress scouts and club officials enough to get drafted in 2010. This season, Rautiainen has racked up the impressive record of 67 points (34 goals and 33 assists) over 40 games already. He's plus-40, leads the league in goals and is second overall in assists.
"There's one question mark regarding Rautiainen and that is his size. He's only 5-foot-7 and 154 pounds, but his game leaves no questions unanswered in terms of production. Although it's not a fair comparison, Brian Gionta and Martin St. Louis are around the same height as Rautiainen," says one scout.
Oleg Misyul, D, Loko Yaroslavl
Russian defensemen might not be the hottest commodity sought after by NHL teams. According to reports, though, young Misyul is a very promising act. The defenseman has already produced 10 points in 43 games in only his second year in the U-20 in Russia. At 6-1, 196, he has shown a mean streak racking up 93 penalty minutes.
Says one scout: "It's gonna take some time for this kid to grow into his body. He's not a grown man yet even though his height and weight might lead one to think so."
Pathrik Westerholm, F, Malmo, Sweden
Westerholm displays a game where split vision and creativity are main components. This average-sized forward has a good shot and is entertaining in his offensive attacks. Together with his twin brother Ponthus, they remind some of two famous Swedish twins who play for the Vancouver Canucks. Pathrik is the one who works better on his own out of the two.
"Good eye for the game, finds solutions in traffic and under pressure but he needs to become stronger. He seems to lose his stride during games because lack of strength and stamina. However his technique and offensive game is high quality," one scout says.