Red Wings Central prospects

MAX NICASTRO

Position:	Defence
Shoots:	Right
Vitals:	6'2'' / 189 lbs.
Birthdate:	March 2, 1990
Hometown:	Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Acquired:	Detroit's second choice (91st overall) in the 2008 draft
CSS Ranking:	90th North American skater (2008)
Contract:	None (must sign by Aug. 15, 2013)
RWC Says:	Top-Four Defenseman

STORIES
June 24, 2008: Mighty Max 'good at everything'

AWARDS
None Listed

HISTORY
2006-07: Committed to Boston University for 2009-10 while playing midget hockey in Los Angeles. Competed for U.S. in 2007 World Junior A Challenge in Nelson, B.C. (4-0-1-1).
2007-08: Logged big minutes as USHL rookie with Chicago on top pairing with hard-nosed Will Weber. Finished second on team in defense scoring (58-6-14-20) and was a plus-7 with 79 shots. Did not make roster for USHL Top Prospects/All-Star Game in January. Climbed from 117 at mid-season to 90th at season's end in Central Scouting's rankings. Selected in the third round (91st overall) by the Red Wings on NHL draft day.

HISTORY

2006-07:

Committed to Boston University for 2009-10 while playing midget hockey in Los Angeles.
Competed for U.S. in 2007 World Junior A Challenge in Nelson, B.C. (4-0-1-1).

2007-08:

Logged big minutes as USHL rookie with Chicago on top pairing with hard-nosed Will Weber.
Finished second on team in defense scoring (58-6-14-20) and was a plus-7 with 79 shots.
Did not make roster for USHL Top Prospects/All-Star Game in January.
Climbed from 117 at mid-season to 90th at season's end in Central Scouting's rankings.
Selected in the third round (91st overall) by the Red Wings on NHL draft day.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"He's a No. 4 or 5 type of guy. He won't be a big offensive guy, but he moves the puck smart and safe, he can play the power play but he's not a big point producer. He's got good size and he competes hard defensively. He's a well-rounded defenseman." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2008) ... "We feel optimistic that he has the tools to become more of a factor with the puck down the road. If everything falls into place, the hope is that he could some day be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level." — Red Wings amateur scout David Kolb (June 2008).

SCOUT COMMENTS

"He's a No. 4 or 5 type of guy. He won't be a big offensive guy, but he moves the puck smart and safe, he can play the power play but he's not a big point producer. He's got good size and he competes hard defensively. He's a well-rounded defenseman." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2008) ... "We feel optimistic that he has the tools to become more of a factor with the puck down the road. If everything falls into place, the hope is that he could some day be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level." — Red Wings amateur scout David Kolb (June 2008).

STRENGTHS
Mobile ... Smooth finesse player with good all-around smarts ... Poised first passer who can lead the breakout ... Defends with his stick more than his size and physical play, but willing to stand up and play the man ... Heavy shot ... Competes ... Good leadership qualities ... Potentially a good-sized defenseman as he becomes more physically mature, which will help his solid defensive game ... Describes himself as a finesse defenseman and models his game after Nicklas Lidstrom.

STRENGTHS

Mobile ... Smooth finesse player with good all-around smarts ... Poised first passer who can lead the breakout ... Defends with his stick more than his size and physical play, but willing to stand up and play the man ... Heavy shot ... Competes ... Good leadership qualities ... Potentially a good-sized defenseman as he becomes more physically mature, which will help his solid defensive game ... Describes himself as a finesse defenseman and models his game after Nicklas Lidstrom.

WEAKNESSES
Extremely lean and needs to add strength ... Lacks a mean streak ... Still a bit raw carrying the puck ... Still learning the offensive game ... Doesn't put his point shot to good enough use ... Doesn't really wow you on a given night, but neither does Nicklas Lidstrom.

PROJECTION
Don't expect to see Nicastro in Detroit overnight — it's going to be a long wait. The Red Wings hope he'll be a top-four NHL defenseman in about seven years, so they'll let him develop at his own pace at Boston University. Nicastro has good upside if he can put it all together.

STATISTICS
			REGULAR SEASON					PLAYOFFS
SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2007-08	Chicago	USHL	58	6	14	20	78	7	1	2	3	12

The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (end-of-season)

01	D	Jonathan Ericsson »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
02	F	Darren Helm »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
03	G	Jimmy Howard »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
04	D	Jakub Kindl »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
05	F	Justin Abdelkader »	Michigan St. (NCAA)
06	D	Brendan Smith »	Wisconsin (NCAA)
07	F	Jan Mursak »	Belleville (OHL)
08	F	Cory Emmerton »	Brampton (OHL)
09	F	Dick Axelsson »	Djurgardens (SWE)
10	D	Kyle Quincey »	Grand Rapids (AHL)

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (end-of-season)

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