Wow, that's a big vote of approval for the kid. Sweden has no reason to put him there except that they think he's the best option they have.
Or is that wrong? Could this be a sort of: "we know you're not the best guy right now, but we think your part of team Sweden's future, so we're giving you a spot now, so that you'll be more inclined to play for us in the future."
it's always easy to bug the Leaf fans, but they are especially sensitive since they found out they gave up the 2nd overall pick. (forgetting that they got a legit goal scorer in Kessel in return, these guys don't grow on trees these days!)
You know, if you re-drafted '08 and '09, you probably have Eberle in the top 10 and MPS in the top 5 (to be fair, a lot of people had MPS in the top 5 before that draft).
That's certainly going to help accelerate the rebuild.
MPS stats: 1 goal, 2 assists +3 on the night. TOI: 11:01. Only one forward played fewer minutes for Sweden. His 2:31 in the third period was extremely effective.
The lowly Oilers thank you for your folly at last years draft :).
I'm not convinced Phoenix drafting OEL at 6 was a wise move, especially with Kadri and MPS being there.
As for Toronto, Kadri actually managed to put up a very decent year at 18. 93 points in 57 games in the regular season, followed up with 27 points in 12 playoff games. I'm not saying I'd take him over MPS, but he could very well end up being a number 1 center.
Cowen still apparently is bothered by his knee injury, so definitely have to thank Ottawa for that.
Nice news. But i'd wait until they face someone tougher than Norway.
Regardless, an 18 year old playing and putting up strong numbers in this tournament should not be overlooked.
PDO - I think right now you can make a strong case for MPS to be the #5 pick on merit one year down the line. I like all of #1-#4 better - but MPS and the top 4 picks are the only draftees in top 10 who played against men last year. So this along with the WC invite gives MPS clearance from Schenn (wasn't that impressed with him at the WJC), OEL (a modest reach and still playing junior), Kadri (zero hockey sense), Glennie (who) and Cowen (injuries).
If we had taken Voracek as a big RW 3 years ago instead of Gagner it would make selecting Seguin a complete no brainer - but we are still OK.
Didn't see the wee bit of Oiler news from Matty's Sundat column in either of today's threads. For those that missed it (and most will have already guessed at these conclusions):
The Oilers might have to decide whether to keep either Colin McDonald or Ryan O’Marra, but not both farmhands, who could be fourth-line NHL possibilities. O’Marra is a Group 2 free-agent; McDonald is unrestricted. They’ll likely cut ties with Vlad Trukhno and Geoff Paukovich, two former drafts, while Liam Reddox (Group 2) is up in the air as to whether he’ll get a qualifying offer to keep his rights.
Also interesting to hear that the Pens likely won't sign Gonchar, but I'll believe that one when it actually happens.
This Swedish coach is something of a mystery. He appears to play the Weinhandl line only when the team needs a goal.
MPS now has 2 assists (the second a shot from the point that was deflected) but is well down the TOI totals.
Weird.
Actually not strange at all LT. The Swedes are notorious for resting their big guns/offensive players during 'warm up' games. So Weinhandl + MPS riding the pine for most of the game versus Norway is completely within their established pattern.
As for OEL, he was a 'late-breaker' as LT mentioned in a subsequent post. He still projects to be a good top pair NHL defencemen.
Glennie was a reach, and I'm still not sure what Dallas was thinking, but the kid's young I suppose and could still become what they thought he would be. Definitely the biggest reach in the top 10 IMO.
The other questionable pick was Cowen, which I can see Ottawa doing, only MPS was still on the board. More damning is that Kulikov was also on the board, and he's a guy I would have been very happy with the Oilers getting at 10, and I'm sure Florida is still thrilled they lucked out into nabbing him at 14. I was absolutely giddy when I realized MPS was there for the taking at 10.
If there was any way of trading a 2nd (if only they had kept L.A.'s high 2nd) and Nilsson, O'Sullivan, Chorney, or even maybe Grebeshkov for the 14 pick once Kulikov had dropped that far I would have been grinning like a hatter for weeks.
This year I'm hoping Petrovic and Kabanov drop down to the 2nd and the Oilers can grab them in that order. If they can also some how pry a 10th from Atlanta without giving away the cow, and they're sure Connelly is fine, a line of Seguin-Kabanov-Connelly would be a prospect potential wet dream.
What does it say to Robert Nilson when MPS and Omark make the team and he doesn't?
ReplyDeleteI think it says 'oh oh, its a contract year, better get on my horse, same as last time!'
ReplyDeletegood for MPS.
Wow, that's a big vote of approval for the kid. Sweden has no reason to put him there except that they think he's the best option they have.
ReplyDeleteOr is that wrong? Could this be a sort of: "we know you're not the best guy right now, but we think your part of team Sweden's future, so we're giving you a spot now, so that you'll be more inclined to play for us in the future."
MPS is on the lineup card for today's game against Norway, so he's in. Man, this is a pretty good day.
ReplyDeleteThrilling. Absolutely thrilling!
ReplyDeleteWas that photo immediately taken after MPS was told he had made the team?
ReplyDeleteMPS with an assist on the first goal (Weinhandl). 1-0 SWE
ReplyDeleteMPS with an assist on SWE first goal
ReplyDelete@Lowetide you beat me to it!
ReplyDeletesschulte1: I'm watching golf so have plenty of time to surf the Al Gore. :-)
ReplyDeleteIs anyone broadcasting or streaming the game?
ReplyDeletehttp://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/634882
ReplyDeleteIt's in Norweign.
41 for Norway looks pretty sharp
Most fun I've had on a hockey forum this year is trolling Leaf fans that MPS >>>>> Eberle>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kadri
ReplyDeleteThey just go ape shit.
it's always easy to bug the Leaf fans, but they are especially sensitive since they found out they gave up the 2nd overall pick. (forgetting that they got a legit goal scorer in Kessel in return, these guys don't grow on trees these days!)
ReplyDeleteMPS just scored, or got an assist if it was tipped.
ReplyDeleteThis Swedish coach is something of a mystery. He appears to play the Weinhandl line only when the team needs a goal.
ReplyDeleteMPS now has 2 assists (the second a shot from the point that was deflected) but is well down the TOI totals.
Weird.
Smarmy: Don't forget to tell them that Kaberle is just a 1 year rental at this point.
ReplyDeleteWells with another HR today. What's the chances 10 and 10 bounce back in the same year? Crazy odds on that parlay.
Is that the same coach who didn't play MPS on the PP last year when Sweden needed a goal in the WJC?
ReplyDeleteTratkor: I don't know. It is really weird though, MPS with a wicked shot on the last shift.
ReplyDeleteThere he is again.
ReplyDeleteMPS with an actual goal this time.
ReplyDeleteLooked like a good goal to me.
ReplyDeleteOmark really does protect the puck well, even if it is against the Noway defence.
ReplyDeleteTOR-DAL-OTT
ReplyDeleteThe lowly Oilers thank you for your folly at last years draft :)
You know, if you re-drafted '08 and '09, you probably have Eberle in the top 10 and MPS in the top 5 (to be fair, a lot of people had MPS in the top 5 before that draft).
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly going to help accelerate the rebuild.
MPS is a beauty. Sign the man.
MPS stats: 1 goal, 2 assists +3 on the night. TOI: 11:01. Only one forward played fewer minutes for Sweden. His 2:31 in the third period was extremely effective.
ReplyDeleteNice news. But i'd wait until they face someone tougher than Norway.
ReplyDeleteKadri looks like Sugartits with broader skills and a worse attitude to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, Wooo! Hooo! for MPS!
ReplyDeleteFred fricken Lewis 3 run homer to put the Jays up 8-7 in bottom of the 9th, this 2010 Jays team is a lot of fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteTOR-DAL-OTT
ReplyDeleteThe lowly Oilers thank you for your folly at last years draft :).
I'm not convinced Phoenix drafting OEL at 6 was a wise move, especially with Kadri and MPS being there.
As for Toronto, Kadri actually managed to put up a very decent year at 18. 93 points in 57 games in the regular season, followed up with 27 points in 12 playoff games. I'm not saying I'd take him over MPS, but he could very well end up being a number 1 center.
Cowen still apparently is bothered by his knee injury, so definitely have to thank Ottawa for that.
Nice news. But i'd wait until they face someone tougher than Norway.
Regardless, an 18 year old playing and putting up strong numbers in this tournament should not be overlooked.
It might not be the NHL but I think we should be pleased to see MPS "hitting the ball hard" to use one of Lowetide's baseball analogies.
ReplyDeletePDO - I think right now you can make a strong case for MPS to be the #5 pick on merit one year down the line. I like all of #1-#4 better - but MPS and the top 4 picks are the only draftees in top 10 who played against men last year. So this along with the WC invite gives MPS clearance from Schenn (wasn't that impressed with him at the WJC), OEL (a modest reach and still playing junior), Kadri (zero hockey sense), Glennie (who) and Cowen (injuries).
ReplyDeleteIf we had taken Voracek as a big RW 3 years ago instead of Gagner it would make selecting Seguin a complete no brainer - but we are still OK.
Didn't see the wee bit of Oiler news from Matty's Sundat column in either of today's threads. For those that missed it (and most will have already guessed at these conclusions):
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers might have to decide whether to keep either Colin McDonald or Ryan O’Marra, but not both farmhands, who could be fourth-line NHL possibilities. O’Marra is a Group 2 free-agent; McDonald is unrestricted. They’ll likely cut ties with Vlad Trukhno and Geoff Paukovich, two former drafts, while Liam Reddox (Group 2) is up in the air as to whether he’ll get a qualifying offer to keep his rights.
Also interesting to hear that the Pens likely won't sign Gonchar, but I'll believe that one when it actually happens.
And nice to hear Magnum PS had a great day.
This Swedish coach is something of a mystery. He appears to play the Weinhandl line only when the team needs a goal.
ReplyDeleteMPS now has 2 assists (the second a shot from the point that was deflected) but is well down the TOI totals.
Weird.
Actually not strange at all LT. The Swedes are notorious for resting their big guns/offensive players during 'warm up' games. So Weinhandl + MPS riding the pine for most of the game versus Norway is completely within their established pattern.
As for OEL, he was a 'late-breaker' as LT mentioned in a subsequent post. He still projects to be a good top pair NHL defencemen.
Glennie was a reach, and I'm still not sure what Dallas was thinking, but the kid's young I suppose and could still become what they thought he would be. Definitely the biggest reach in the top 10 IMO.
The other questionable pick was Cowen, which I can see Ottawa doing, only MPS was still on the board. More damning is that Kulikov was also on the board, and he's a guy I would have been very happy with the Oilers getting at 10, and I'm sure Florida is still thrilled they lucked out into nabbing him at 14. I was absolutely giddy when I realized MPS was there for the taking at 10.
If there was any way of trading a 2nd (if only they had kept L.A.'s high 2nd) and Nilsson, O'Sullivan, Chorney, or even maybe Grebeshkov for the 14 pick once Kulikov had dropped that far I would have been grinning like a hatter for weeks.
This year I'm hoping Petrovic and Kabanov drop down to the 2nd and the Oilers can grab them in that order. If they can also some how pry a 10th from Atlanta without giving away the cow, and they're sure Connelly is fine, a line of Seguin-Kabanov-Connelly would be a prospect potential wet dream.