I'm wondering if the Oilers will sign college winger Colin McDonald. The deadline is August 15th, after which he'll be a UFA.He was selected high in the very good 2003 Entry Draft (51st overall) and ahead of several players who've had some time in the show (Patrick O'Sullivan, David Backes, JF Jacques, Lee Stempniak, Brad Richardson).
His draft day bio: Owns projectable size and a nice touch around the net. Needs to prove he can put up numbers against stiffer competitive (he was playing in the NEJHL and on the way to NCAA). He has an interesting offensive upside, but will need time to develop.
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McDonald didn't prove he could put up big numbers against college goalies. In 135 NCAA games he scored 43 goals. In 147 NCAA games, Fernando Pisani scored 56 goals and trumped McDonald big time in assists (97-34). In Pisani's senior year, he scored 14 goals on a team that managed 114 (12%). In McDonald's senior year, he scored 13 goals on a team that managed 76 (17%). The Providence hockey club does not resemble the 80s Oilers in any way. It's a terrible comp anyway since Pisani is way more than goals for and we don't have any indication that McDonald is a similar player without the puck.
I've discussed Colin McDonald with Kirk Leudeke of the NEHJ and he feels McDonald's game is better suited to pro than college. It'll be interesting to see if the Edmonton Oilers feel the same way.
It won't hurt to add another player in Springfield who's looking to prove himself to the Oilers organization. I say give him the entry level contract, and re-evaluate after the three years. He's big, and fits an organizational need for prospects on the wing.
ReplyDeleteEd Caron, where are you. Geoff Paukovich, where will you be.
ReplyDeleteSome fans of providence have apparently agreed that Colin McDonald's game will be better suited to the pro game and that the stats don't cover the whole story. Still, there's only some many players that have what it takes to play in the NHL and McDonald really does seem like a tough call for the scouts. Even an entry level contract in the A amounts to more than 100k in spent cash for the organization.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't he be our 4th RW in springfeild.
ReplyDeleteWe have:
1. Brodie
2. Goulet
3. Rohlfs
Listed in the system and on Hf board.
I seem to remember o'mara playing rw part time.
rickibear:
ReplyDeleteMcDonald is listed as the highest RW prospect at hockeysfutures outside of Zach Stortini.
Man, we're in huge trouble on the RW prospect-wise. Here's hoping some of our centre prospects can switch.
With the luck Lowe's been having with FAs, he might as well give the money to a former second round pick. Go for it.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the depth chart look like for Springfield?
ReplyDeleteI've got;
Jacques - Brodziak - Stortini
Trukhno - Schremp - Goulet
Reddox - Cogliano - Bodie
?????? - O'Marra - ??????
Gilbert - Roy
Rourke - Syvret
Young - Bisaillon
Peckham
With a number of these guys either still eligible for major junior or else moving up for coffee in the show.
Unless the Oilers are signing some veteran leadership for Springfield you'd have to think they'll sign MacDonald.
T
PS - If anyone would like to tweak my list, please do as I certianly don't know all when it comes to these guys.
Trukhno-Cogliano-Schremp
ReplyDeleteBodie-O'Marra-Mcdonald
Spurgeon-Brodziak-Goulet
Reddox-Almtorp-Stortini
Paukovich,Rohlfs
Rourke-Roy
Young-Bisaillon
Syvret-Peckham
Deslauriers
Dubnyk
This line-up assumes Jacques & Nillson on the "Big Club".
I'm not sure about all of thease guys; is Paukovich still in the mix?
I don't think Goulet should be pencilled in anywhere.
ReplyDeleteHe was okay in the ECHL, and really the best thing for the organization to do is make decisions on these guys early.
If you are 23 and are in the ECHL, you won't have a career. That's the one thing that has sort of bugged me about your own AHL team... too much fodder that you are paying for.
Goulet is 21
ReplyDeleteHe was a rookie pro last year
He's on a three-year contract
It's a little troubling to see a list of our NHL caliber prospects, and realize that Stortini has to be the MOST likely to start the season in Edm.
ReplyDeleteUntil Cogliano, Gagner, Schremp?), Trukhno(?), and O'Marra(?) develop into contributing regulars, it would appear goal scoring will continue to be a MAJOR problem. It's all on KLowe trades for the next two seasons (and these upcoming trades will determine his future in EDM).
IMO Dubnyk is the prospect most likely to become a REAL difference maker in the NHL.
I know most (all?) will likely disagree, but rarely do goaltending prospects put together a resume like Dubnyk. His size, character, and ability to not only handle, but thrive on a heavy workload make him the real gem in the system. If Price is can't miss, then it stands to reason Dubnyk is nearly there as well.
Plus, he played on shitty Blazers teams, and somehow made them competitive most nights.
He should fit right in.
One of Schremp or Cogs will be shifted to RW. Probably Cogs since he isnt much of a faceoff guy and his speed off the wing should be pretty effective for him. Might as well shift him now and get on with it.
ReplyDeleteSchremp - oh crap I don't know - wasn't a big fan last year and I'm probably less a fan now. Would not be sad at all to trade him and an extra young dman like Gilbert for a dman like Kubina
Brodziak is either in EDM or he's pretty much out of the org - too many guys coming up behind him and this is his 4th year in the org. he wont get any better in the AHL.
I know the McDonald family and Colin's game has been tuned around NHL type of play. Throw out the stats at Providence as he was hurt one year and the center on his line was 5' 6'' tall. This kid is a big strong savy player.
ReplyDeletesharkman