This is Matt MacKenzie (in team Orr jersey for the prospects game). Redline Report
filed this report from that game:
- Matt McKenzie/RD- Calgary- Good sized blueliner showcased his physicality here. Never turned down a chance to make a hit and didn’t get out of position defensively looking for it. Busted his ass to get back and break up a short-handed scoring chance. A willing scrapper but had a couple questions about his lateral.
MacKenzie is playing this week at the Memorial Cup for the Calgary Hitmen. I think he might be a player Edmonton will look at after the first couple of rounds (I believe they'll take Hall first overall and then trade up to get McIlrath later in the first round). They've taken a Hitmen defender in the past (Alex Plante) and this young man has
improved this season. I think he's a player of interest for the Oilers.
I don't know if giving up the two 2nd round picks to move up to the 1st for McIlrath is worth it. If it's Nashville's 2nd and a 3rd then maybe but even then I'd rather they just keep the picks and draft BPA. Petrovic and Galiev will both have a good chance of being there at 31st overall.
ReplyDeleteHere's a question though, if Petrovic & Kabanov are available at 31st, who do you think the Oilers should go for? I was hoping for Galiev since I don't see Petrovic lasting till the 2nd, and would have been happy to have him there. But if Kabanov is there, would you risk taking him? I'm leaning towards yes.
Right on LT. Hopefully, this draft, is a "dub" draft.
ReplyDeleteMy seat isn't exactly the best for scouting (nor is my approach to the junior game -- I'm all about having fun), but I definitely feel like MacKenzie's made huge strides this year, having been forced to step up in the absence of three of the Big Four from last year (Plante, Postma, Seabrook the Younger). His decision-making and gap control are much better than they were last year, and he was able to show a bit more offensive flair, though it's not a massive upside to his game compared to those who came before (he makes most of his hay off outlet passes and power-play passes). Plus, when both Michael Stone and Ian Schultz missed a game with injury late in the year, it was MacKenzie, not one of the A's, who wore the C, which I think is a big hint as to what we'll see next year. He also was in the midst of the best stretch of play of his WHL career (I believe in February) when that happened.
ReplyDeleteWith the Memorial Cup boost, he might wind up being someone who goes in the 3rd round instead of the 4th. Do we have any other picks there besides 61?
I hope to see the oilers keep their 31st overall choice . . . but maybe add a 3rd or 4th rounder to move up with Nashville's pick.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if the Oilers' got Calgary's 3rd rounder (staios) this year or next? I thought it was conditional, but Calgary does have any picks in the first two rounds so I can see them giving it up this year.
Doogie we have #1, #31, #48, #61, #73*(?), #91, #121, #151, #162, and #166.
ReplyDelete* from the Staios pick, All the research I have done says the Calgary have the option to give the Oilers this years pick or next.
That is a lot of picks late in the draft (three in the sixth round). I think Tambo has been stock piling low draft picks, but can anyone guest the reason.
I think it would cost the 2 seconds in order to trade up and get McIlrath, so I guess the question is would the Oilers rather have McIlrath or Petrovic and a player like Brad Ross, I think I'd rather have the latter but its tough to say whether Brad Ross would be there with that pick.
ReplyDeleteI think those late picks were toss ins. Clearing cap space was the big return on the Staios trade, getting a 3rd round pick and a serviceable 7-8 defenceman in the deal was a pleasant surprise.
ReplyDeleteThe 6th round picks are likened to extra bullets. Mind, you're shooting with a handgun and by the 6th round the target is 100 plus yards out.
Still every now and again if you're a very very good shot, and you get very very lucky you might get a hit. Maybe they'll draft a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Eriksson?
Oilers draft picks for 2010
ReplyDeleteBased on uni's link, that means the Oil have 7 picks out of the first 121 choices. And more if all they get out of Souray is another bad contract and a draft pick. Considering the quality that MBS has found later in the draft the last couple of years, this is good news for the organisation.
ReplyDeleteAnd there might be some other unpolished quality D that can be had after the first 2 rounds.
I'd be pretty surprised if they trade up for McIlrath.
ReplyDeleteKuznetsov, on the other hand...
Keep in mind there are 2 conditionals in the mix. I doubt Calgary will give up this year's 3rd since they don't have much in the way of higher picks this draft, so it'll be a 2011 3rd.
ReplyDeleteJust for informational purposes here is the kid that Ottawa drafted with the Oiler's 7th last year for their 6th this year:
Michael Sdao
6'4"
220 lbs
left-hand shot
7/3/89 Niwot, Colo.
7th round (191)
And here is a blog blurb on him: A look at Senators prospect defenceman Michael Sdao
Other than he can shoot at 97MPH and is a big physical player that scouting report is pretty threadbare. Would have liked to see some points on his skating and defensive acumen. Still for a 7th rounder he looks like a gooder.
Backstrom locked up.
ReplyDelete10 years at 6.7M cap hit.
10 years at 6.7M cap hit.
ReplyDeleteSo where does set the bar for a Hemsky re-sign?
5.5 ish?
I'm thinking he'll want to be making more than Horcoff on his next contract.
ReplyDeleteI don't like giving up two pretty good picks (31 and 48) to move up to get a Mcllrath either.
ReplyDeleteFirst, they have a bunch of these guys in the system (Plante, Motin, Bigos, Hesketh, Peckham).
Second TMB has done well with mid and later round picks in the last two years and likely will come up with two players rather than just the one. Are two Landers for a Mcllrath worth it?
Third, stay at home D men in the 3-6 range are fairly easy to come by - I expect that the Oilers could pry Matt Pelech out of the Flames system pretty easy as he has nowhere to play. Wash seems to have soured on Karl Alzner...
Now if Mcllrath is a #1 or #2 NHL guy I might change my mind but I don't get the impression he is. Is he?
I'd guess Hemsky wants a minimum of 6+ considering his lackey is making 5.5
ReplyDeleteOn Kabanov, old news but anyway.....from TSN site April 9/10.....
ReplyDelete"I removed him from the team because we thought Kabanov would help us, but he brought only confusion to the team," Vasiliev told Sovietsky Sport. "Kabanov came and thought 'Here I am, a star from Canada, who will save all.' But it's the team that wins rather than an individual player."
Quote of U-18 team in Russia a month ago. Maybe he is being punished for bolting on KHL but one would have to wonder about his potential -ve influence if a team was considering drafting him.
I never got to see him play (injured wrist and then released in first round of playoffs back to Russia) but people here in Moncton I talk to who have seen him say he's got some defnite talent.
Will be interesting to see where he goes.
I don't like Q players (or Kabanov) Outside of Hall the only other OHL player that I know much about and like is Jeff Skinner.
ReplyDeleteWith the Pisscutter twins signing for 6.1 and Backstrom signing for 6.7, I think the Hemsky number will be closer to 6 than 6.5.
ReplyDeleteHemsky will be 29 at TC in the first year of his next contract.
If Hossa's contract gets NHL approval then I don't see why something like this couldn't get approved:
A 10 year 50 million deal, that looks something like:
7,7,6,6,6,5,5,4,2.5,1.5
Paying him 42M for the first 7 years get him his 6Myr, which is probably fair to both parties, then bleed it out a little.
I actually think this is a little too much in the later years, but still a palatable contract.
I've read reports that this year's draft is supposed to be 2003-deep. If that's truly the case, why would we be giving up multiple picks to acquire a single? There's still likely to be a lot of talent available by Nashville's second rounder, and possibly even into the 3rd round.
ReplyDeleteGood job LT on identifying some middle round talent we could look forward to on the second day of the draft. That's something I'm probably going to delve into later on in this week because I think that's where a strong drafting team is going to make out like bandits this year.
The only way you give up multiple picks is if you're pretty damn sure there's a Parise on the board.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, keep the picks and use them on BPA and trust in your scouts.
Also DG, I've read the exact opposite; the talent depth this draft is supposed to be pretty weak. No where near 2003 or 2008.
ReplyDeleteI think it would cost the 2 seconds in order to trade up and get McIlrath
ReplyDelete@ DangerMan
I have always been a big fan of big, hard hitting players who win fights. Especially defensemen who can skate & can clear the front of the net.
I'd have no problem trading a #21 overall (Riley Nash) & this year's #48 to pick up McIlrath.
Would still leave us #1, #31 / MPS & Eberle in the pipeline. And Hemsky / Penner / Gagner / Cogliano up front. With Whitney / Gilbert / Smid on defense (Souray as trade bait).
I like that core moving forward...
Traktor, any chance you'd consider using a separate account for commenting on Horcoff? Its profile picture could be a big red octagon with the words "SKIP THIS POST" in it. It would actually help you, since it's only very recently that I stopped skipping all of your posts, after noticing that the non-Horcoff ones were interesting and informative.
ReplyDeleteThe Sedin's and Backstrom had incentive to sign with their respective clubs. I don't see the same with Hemsky.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, Hemsky doesn't strike me as the type of guy that will chase the money. I think he goes to the team that can give him an actual 1st line center to play with.
Hemsky on a line with Stamkos in the SE would be something else.
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ReplyDeleteJust want to register my philosophical disagreement with taking a defensive D early, never mind trading up for one.
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, I don't want a D in the first two rounds:
(a) Unless he's CLEARLY the BPA. I'd prefer to draft nothing but forwards in the first two rounds if possible, but wouldn't pass on a clearly superior defenseman to do so.
(b) if you don't see very good two way potential in the case that he is clearly the BPA.
I'd, ideally, like to see Edmonton draft 3 forwards this year with 1, 31, and 48.
And, if EDM finishes in the bottom three next year, and has a D and F rated equally when they pick, would like to see them pick a F again.
Steve:
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I don't even like talking about Horcoff. I only bring him up because if I didn't nobody else would.
I removed an earlier comment, where I had used McIlrath as an example, because I'm not sure he fits my general point well. He might have been a poor example, because there seems to be more to him than "tough stay-at-home-D that can fight".
ReplyDeleteHate to see Backstrom re-signing without anyone getting a crack at him.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure everyone will call me a whale-hunting moron for this, but I absolutely would have taken a run at him if I was Tambo.
An offer sheet that pays him $1 more than Ovie would have for sure gotten it done, and would have been worth every penny and pick.
Guy is crazy-good.
Still every now and again if you're a very very good shot, and you get very very lucky you might get a hit. Maybe they'll draft a Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Eriksson?
ReplyDeleteOr a Hartikainen.
Anybody know if any of the 2008 first rounders might be going back into the draft? That would result in a compenatory pick that will mess up the draft numbers in the second round.
speeds: I agree with regard to defensemen, in fact unless it is a complete talent (offense and defense) even the second rounders have more value in terms of F.
ReplyDeleteBut the buzz on McIlrath is very strong.
LT, is that buzz with respect to Oiler interest, or buzz with respect to quality of McIlrath?
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't look like he will ever have offence at the NHL level, so I too would be concerned about using 2 picks to draft this type of player.
If he's still around at #31, that's a different story.
Agree w Spoiler, you all remember how we traded up to get Eberle and MPS, right? I think we've done alright when we've kept our powder dry and seen what filters down.
ReplyDeleteLT:
ReplyDeleteMcGregor has mentioned Kuznetsov a couple of times as well, that's why I threw his name out earlier in the thread. You think that's a smokescreen, or they like him? What's your read on his name being brought up by the head scout?
Trading up for McIlraith is not what I would look at. There seems to be a decent number of tough big blueliners in that area (20-40)
ReplyDeleteMcIlraith
Petrovic
Beukeboom
Tinordi
I don't know if I see enough between them to trade to 20 to take the best one of the bunch.
Alice, except for maybe that Schremp pick eh ? lol
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I don't even like talking about Horcoff. I only bring him up because if I didn't nobody else would.
ReplyDeleteGod forbid.
The names Beukeboom and Tinordi just jump out at you. Lordie, I don't know if it's nurture, nature, or both.
ReplyDeleteDale Tallon has a job again. Announced as the new Panthers GM today. Hope they gave him a calendar as a signing bonus.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33647-Florida-Panthers-name-Dale-Tallon-general-manager-replacing-Randy-Sexton.html
Since we all don't know the full details, I've always suspected that the qualifying offer fiasco, and part of the Huet and Campbell signings had more to do with McDonough and Bowman.
ReplyDeleteHavlat pretty much confirmed that it wasn't Tallon who wanted him gone, and that Hossa wasn't Tallon's signing.
All speculation though. I guess we'll see how good he really is on his own in Florida.
Doogie we have #1, #31, #48, #61, #73*(?), #91, #121, #151, #162, and #166.
ReplyDeleteSo it seems like MacKenzie would be available at that 73 position for sure, and maybe even 91, depending on how his playoff run affected his standing (and how people feel on various other nationalities -- I don't know what the status of transfer agreements is, and how that'll affect the draft).
That is a lot of picks late in the draft (three in the sixth round). I think Tambo has been stock piling low draft picks, but can anyone guest the reason.
I've stated my feelings many, many times that if you've got low picks, and especially a pile of them, spend them on flawed guys with talent, guys who are too small or cheat too much on the side of offence and get burned a lot, or something like that. They may not work out, but if they do, you look like a genius. Which means we'll get more Bendfelds and Abneys, of course.
Wash seems to have soured on Karl Alzner...
Where are you hearing this? From Boudreau's comments (and those of Caps bloggers) during the Montreal series, it sounds like he and Carlson are both strongly in the mix to be on the NHL club next year.
Here we are.
ReplyDeleteBunch of small-sample stuff, but the comments from management are encouraging. Unless something's gone seriously tits-up in the last month that Japers' Rink hasn't caught wind of (which seems unlikely), the Caps have in no way soured on Alzner.
Anyone have thoughts on where Semin will be headed now that Backstrom's contract doesn't really leave enough room for him?
ReplyDeleteWe know a proven 40-goal scorer has to be worth a couple first rounders from the Leafs right?
Please?
Man, did anyone watch HNIC's replay of the Oilers' 1984 Cup win against the Islanders last night? Such fun. I missed most of the game because I was working that night at a supermarket job, but now, 26 years later, I get to watch the whole game. Better late than never.
ReplyDeleteAnd further to that game, what about that dude who dumped his drink on Duane Sutter in the penalty box? He was punted from the rink and missed most of the game. And Gary Doernhoffer as a colour guy? Well, I'm sure he's a fine gentleman but yikes, HNIC has way better colour commentators now. The whole package is better now. One last thing. Refs back then called almost no penalties. Players were clutching, grabbing and tackling other players and no penalties were called. Amazing. Oh, and I had always thought that Semenko was just a fighter, but now, 26 years later, watching him again, he added other value, too. He could skate, pass and shoot, and worked hard against the boards. Great memories. Fun to watch this as a 45-year-old instead of as a 19-year-old.
ReplyDeleteFun trivia that Bruce, LT, and I'm sure some others here already know: "Cementhead" has the honour of scoring the last-ever goal in WHA history, in a losing cause as the Oilers fell 7-3 to the Jets in Game 6 of the 1979 Avco Cup Final. (If memory serves, didn't the Oilers also score the first goal in WHA history?)
ReplyDeleteD2K: Better WHA related trivia for ya...
ReplyDeleteQ: Against which team did Wayne Gretzky score his first professional goal?
A: The Edmonton Oilers.
And for the record, my latest jersey collection addition is a white Indianapolis Racers with "99" on the back. Retro awesomeness.
Doogie2K,
ReplyDeleteRe: Alzner
I think you are right. I thought I had read some negative things about his play - probably in relation to one of his trips down. Checking now, it doesn't look like they have soured on him.
HBomb: Someday, God willing, I'll actually have some disposable income. That's a fantastic addition.
ReplyDelete(And yes, I did know that about 99. =) )
I thought MacKenzie looked quite good last night. It was really only my second viewing of him, but he kind of reminds me of Doug Lynch a little bit.
ReplyDelete3rd viewing if you count the prospects game, but I wasn't really paying any attention to him.
Speaking of last night's game, poor Giffen Nyren. Of all the guys to intercept his dumbass pass, it had to be Taylor F. Hall. Poor bastard.
ReplyDeleteI know he's playing for a camp invite from someone next year; I fear that people will remember that and not the fact that his previous half-dozen games, going back to the WHL Final, were fantastic.