VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Scouts aren't concerned about Jonathan Toews' size, and that's understandable. He's about 6 foot 1, 195 pounds and still growing.

They have no problem with his skating, either. Which they shouldn't, considering that his agility and acceleration are excellent.

And Toews' intangibles certainly aren't an issue. People who have watched him are impressed by his poise and patience, his intelligence and instincts.

The sum of those qualities explains why Toews projects as one of the earliest selections in the NHL entry draft tomorrow at 6 p.m. at GM Place.

But Toews' shot, well, that does trouble some of the scouts who have studied him. Not because it lacks velocity or accuracy, or because he's too slow getting it off -- wrong on all counts -- but because Toews doesn't use it enough.

Toews, a versatile forward from the University of North Dakota, has heard that criticism, and doesn't dispute it. He pretty much agrees with it.

"I've definitely thought about that," said Toews (pronounced, Tayvz). "I have a good shot. I might as well use it. I won't say it's [an issue with] my confidence, but, if I think someone has a better opportunity, I dish it off.

"An assist is just as good as a goal. As long as someone puts it in, it helps [your team] win the game. Whether it's me or my linemate scoring, I have no problem with that."

So there, the great flaw in Toews' game has been exposed: The guy simply isn't selfish enough.

Who would want a guy like that in their locker room?

It probably is fitting that Toews' game would have a "flaw" like that, because he is the least flashy of the high-end forwards in this draft. He's quite versatile, effective on the wing or in the middle, but does not have a flair for the spectacular.

"He doesn't score goals like [top prospect Phil] Kessel does, where it's an individual move and it's like, 'Wow,' " said Greg Malone, the Penguins' head scout. "He doesn't do that type of thing. He's very effective at scoring goals, but he's not flashy doing it.

"If he gets the puck in the slot area, he may not try to beat the defenseman, but all of a sudden it's in the net. Where Kessel would probably beat the defenseman and put it in the net, and you'd go, 'Whoa.' [Kessel] will make that extra move that brings notice, that brings people out of their seats."

Not Toews. He's far more likely to make a move that prompts scouts to nod their heads in recognition of an intelligent decision that made a goal possible.

He has done things like that often enough that Chicago apparently is leaning toward claiming him with the No. 3 choice in the first round, provided he lasts that long. Toews' ability to contribute in a variety of roles is part of the reason many teams, including the Blackhawks, are so impressed by him.

"If they need a versatile forward who I predict will play a variety of roles competently, if not star-quality, it's Jonathan Toews," said E.J. McGuire, director of NHL Central Scouting. "I think he will be an all-around, outstanding hockey player.

"Penalty-killer, power play, if the coach asks him to be on a checking line for part of a season due to injuries, Jonathan can fulfill that role."

Toews believes he is at his best in the middle -- "I think I'm a more natural centerman," he said -- but he got extensive work on the wing during his freshman season at North Dakota, and said, "I didn't mind that at all."

Colorado center Joe Sakic is a role model of sorts for Toews because "I love the way he plays," and Toews acknowledged that he's patterned his game somewhat after that of Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier, too.

"He's strong on the puck, he can score, he can set up plays," Toews said. "I like the way he plays."

Toews' plan, at least for the moment, is to return to North Dakota for his sophomore season, although he won't rule out turning pro right away.

"It's a long summer," he said. "When teams ask, I tell them I feel ready, that I feel I can help the team. But the truth is, it's a long summer, and I'll be getting a lot stronger, this summer especially.

"And it depends on who drafts me, and what they think they should do with me next year, so we'll see."