As the draft comes near one name that keeps being talked about is Brampton Battalion center, and teammate of Rangers prospect Evgeny Grachev, Matt Duchene.

While most of the attention has fallen on the consensus top two picks forward John Tavares and defenseman Victor Hedman, people are now saying that Duchene, ranked second by the International Scouting Service, ahead of Hedman, may be the most complete forward in this years draft.

“He’s an explosive skater, and he can just blow by people, which not a lot of people can,” said Stan Butler, Director of Hockey Operations and head coach of the Battalion. “I think his lower body strength…he has a similar build from the waist down to someone like Sidney Crosby.”

Duchene had 79 points in 80 games for the Battalion last season. Duchene was voted best playmaker and stickhandler in the Eatern Conference of the OHL by coaches.

With the reports of Tavares being a one-dimensional goal scorer who is not very strong defensively, it looks like Duchene will get billing as the most complete forward in the draft.

Rotter: Unless a tremendous blockbuster trade happens the Rangers probably won’t get anywhere near Duchene. From the reports on him he seems like a Steven Stamkos, last year’s number one pick, type player and scorer. It would be a shocker if Duchene went ahead of Tavares in the draft but not if Duchene ended up the better player in the long run.

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