Jordan Eberle is wise beyond his years. His ability to make a slight change in angle before shooting, or slow down the play until the forecheckers fade; his hockey IQ is exceptional. Eberle's creativity and offensive prowess rely heavily on his smarts, as Eberle is not big, not a speed demon and doesn't have a monster shot.
He's all about the grey matter and hard work.
JORDAN EBERLE 10-11
- 5x5 points per 60: 1.82 (4th among regular forwards)
- 5x4 points per 60: 3.94 (3rd among regular forwards)
- Qual Comp: 3rd toughest among regular forwards
- Qual Team: 8th best teammates among regular forwards
- Corsi Rel: 8.7 (2nd best among regular forwards)
- Zone Start: 49.3% (8th most difficult among regular forwards)
- Zone Finish: 51.6% (6th best among regular forwards)
- Shots on goal/percentage: 158/11.4% (5th among F's>100 shots)
- Boxcars: 68gp, 18-25-43 (led the team in points as a rookie)
- Plus Minus: -12 on a team that was -52.
- What do these numbers tell us? Eberle did not play in peaceful waters. Both he and Taylor Hall faced tougher competition than rookies on a normal club and both performed exceptionally well in that situation. I don't recall two rookies facing the toughest available competition and posting these kinds of numbers while playing on the same line (for the most part) but I'm sure it has happened. But not lately, and not here.
- Was Hall stirring the drink? It's the first thing I looked at with regard to Eberle. Before the injury to Hall on March 3, Eberle was 52gp, 15-20-35 (.673) -5. After that, he played 16 games and went 3-5-8 (.500) -7. The Oilers after the Hall/Hemsky/Penner crash were basically drifting, so I'm tempted to suggest 8 points in 16 games is an accomplishment.
- Is Hall the better offensive prospect? Yes.
- How could his numbers be better? Eberle had a fine rookie season considering the team he plays for and the number of shots going the wrong way with the game on the line.
- Should we be worried about injuries? I don't think so, his injury was a fluke play and Eberle has a history of healthy seasons. Shit happens.
- What is he good at? All kinds of things. He's really quick around the net, gets shots off in the blink of an eye. Some might call his goals flukey but they all count and he's usually making a play that is creative so credit where due. I'll say this about all of the gifted kids up front, but he strikes me as center material. Smart, savvy player who can pass the puck and think the game well. I think he'd make an excellent center for Taylor Hall.
- What are his top end skills? Great stickhandler and passer. He has a 6th sense around the net, that's a gift. He's often where the puck is going to be and stops in the offensive scoring zones all the time, that's another one. I think he's Steve Shutt to Hall's Lafleur (not comparing players, just styles) in that he may supply the defensive conscience to the future 1line while also contributing offensively.
- Is he the most complete player of the three gifted rookies? Tom Renney appears to think so, as Eberle played a lot at EVs and on the PP plus solid PK time for a rookie. We don't really know if Eberle would have been on the PP or PK as much if the coach enjoyed better depth, but it's true that given the options a veteran coach used Eberle at EV (14:27); PP (2:32) and PK (0:40) almost 18 minutes a night. Eberle played the 4th most minutes a night among all NHL rookies this season.
- Why did you go so low on your reasonable expectations? The idea is to set a line in the sand that factors in time on ice, quality of team and teammates and churns out a number that sets the bar at a level that we can consider fair. Eberle was a famous prospect, but had only one 50 goal season in junior and his draft year numbers were about as impressive as Marc Pouliot's in his draft year. He passed the expectations and credit to him.
- What can he be? Eberle has a chance to be a complete player-type, helping his team win and playing big minutes at evens, PK and PP. Cerebral player, adjusts well. He's a splendid young player. It's important to remember he displayed a wide range of skills as a rookie; Jordan Eberle may end up being that rare player who can help a team win in many situations.
- Prediction for 2010-11: 72gp, 12-17-29 (.403)
- Actual 2010: 68gp, 18-25-43 (.632)
- Eberle exceeded expectations and kept on going
"Is Hall the better offensive prospect? Yes."
ReplyDeleteWhy? Is this only because of their ages?
I'm not necessarily disputing, but where do you see Eberle's top end? I have trouble not seeing a guy who's going to get 40 goals. Being that he's not only a goal scorer, we're suddenly talking about an 80-90 point guy. I don't think that's even stretching where he might wind up.
Is Hall going to be better than that? How much better? I know there's an age and stat argument here, but everything Eberle's done has flown in the face of that. I don't see him stopping now.
What a home run this draft pick was.
ReplyDeleteLove this player. One thing that needs to be mentioned as well is his ability to win puck battles. Nifty hand eye, good balance, good compete, he wins the puck more often than not I think.
And while he makes mistakes his defensive game was far better than expected as well. That's those hockey smarts again.
Being that he's not only a goal scorer, we're suddenly talking about an 80-90 point guy. I don't think that's even stretching where he might wind up.
ReplyDeleteThere were 9 players in the league that scored 80+ points this year. Five that scored 90. I think you're stretching.
I didn't know which of Eberle or Ennis was better in that range, but Eberle looks to be the keeper at this point =).
ReplyDeleteLMHF, I think Hall is clearly the better offensive prospect at this point, although that may change. He's younger which is a big part, and he also seems to have more offensive tools to go along with his greater size. Eberle seems to have a larger toolbox to work with in general though. It'll be fun watching these two develop.
Also of all the game day threads to miss, looks like Sunday was a doozy. What exactly happened?
While I'm not the stats guru that others are, what impressed me was that his scoring was not inflated by a ridiculous shooting percentage. Tells me that not only are Eberle's number's sustainable but there's room for growth here.
ReplyDeleteA real gem, someone whom a much ridiculed management deserves credit for showing patience by not rushing him to the NHL (like they w/Gagner).
He's got the same little gap in his teeth that this girl I know has...they both drive me Crrrrr-a-zy!
ReplyDeleteThat and I bought his jersey with the bold prediction that he'd be the best of the lot. Some players have that certain quality we have chosen to label "smarts." I call it majik and he's full of that shit!
B...sorry, I may have eluded to your wife...I owe you a stoop beer in 2.5 months.
Schitzo - It seems quite apparent from what we've witnessed with Eberle that one day he will indeed be in that class. He's always risen to the top.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I think that people missed about Eberle, is that while he's not fast, he's actually an excellent skater. He uses turns, shifts, delays and other tactics so well that he always seems to gain an advantage on the other team. This is a skill that's harder to pick up on than most. Many people see the results, but not many the process.
Oh, oh, LT's talking to himself again. I'm looking forward to the thread when he stumps himself.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that amazes me about Eberle is that top shelf backhand from in close. I don't know that I have seen another player with those hands.
Question for all the rookies: sophomore slump?
The pie in the sky comparable I see for him is Zetterberg. Although I admit that might be generous and their draft pedigrees are different they strike me as the same type of player. Zetterberg does nothing exceptional except be an exceptional hockey player. Neither have speed to burn or a big shot, both are smallish but not miniscule and have off the charts hockey sense. Could be wishful thinking though.
ReplyDeleteSchitzo - It seems quite apparent from what we've witnessed with Eberle that one day he will indeed be in that class. He's always risen to the top.
ReplyDeleteI smell a wager coming on.
Remember when Cogs scored 18 goals and 45 points in his rookie year? Yeeeaaahhhh... I love Eberle as much as anyone but I dont see 80-90 points out of him.
ReplyDeleteYep, it's folly to say 'for sure' with these kids. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteThat's the fun thing about 'pie in the sky' wild predictions though. You can pull anything you want out of your posterior and toss it up on the interwebs.
If they pan out by some fluke of chance you can boast and lord it over others. If things fall as they usually do and nothing comes of it, then the odds are pretty good that no one will remember/care/notice.
Sure is going to be fun watching the kids come into their own. The last 3 seasons of Oilers hockey has been putrid enough.
Nothing but good things to say about Eberle.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I noted though - is that -52 for the team correct? Is that 5x5? If so, that means the team finished only -24 on special teams, which really isn't that bad somehow. Something is weird here. I would have figured closer to an even split: -30 or -40 at ES.
Central Scouting out with its final rankings and someone in the Oiler org is high on RNH:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=558863&navid=DL|NHL|home
uni said...
ReplyDelete...
If things fall as they usually do and nothing comes of it, then the odds are pretty good that no one will remember/care/notice.
...
Normally I would agree, but you seem to forget that Steve Smith posts on this blog. I think he's still holding a candlelight vigil in relation to that time someone said Horcoff was bad at shootouts.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete@boopronger: That's why I made the comment about Eberle's shooting %. When you look at Cogs, his shooting % in year's 1 & 2 was 18.37% and 15.52% - unsustainable numbers.
ReplyDeleteThe past two years he's come back to earth - 7.19% and 8.53%.
Two very different players.
suffe: What individual Oiler fans do, suffe a lot.
Uni - I hope people notice. I'm trying to claim I'm better at this (legit player identification)than other people. I've been right and I've been wrong, but it's a work in progress. If I ever want to prove it I'll have to attempt another career path later on in life.
ReplyDeleteThe part that frustrates me is not having the particular role required to attempt the best outcome according to your view of development(I'm speaking here of those who may or may not have been damaged by the player development process)
Really big brains tend to achieve their goals.
ReplyDeleteBet against them at your own peril.
;-D
Going off topic but toay is an interesting day.
ReplyDeleteHappy 30th to me.
I became officially an Oiler fan 30years ago today after "flirting" with the team for some of the 80-81season.
April 11, 1981, Edmonton 6 Montreal 2, 3 game playoff sweep. The dynasty team had announced their arrival. Moog was my hero. FU Montreal!
Those young Oilers were that girl in the bar throwing eyes, damn seductive and irresistable.
I was hooked....amicable "breakup" with Bobby Clark and the Flyers, and married ever since to the Oil, in sickness and in health...lol.
Just noticed that the Oilers' site is currently doing a poll on who the fans think is this year's MVP. Khabibulin is not one of the options.
ReplyDeleteI suspect someone is going to be fired for this.
Fell in love with the kid in the first game of the season. Deking out Kipper in such fashion for your first NHL game is a thing of beauty. Hopefully he'll be to the Flames what Joe Sakic was to us for even half as long.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right in the Eberle to C thinking LT. I think if he slots into the middle he'd remind a lot of people about Burnaby Joe, minus the whole "communicating solely in wrist shots" thing.
Do you think he's going to be playign for Canada? Will douchebag Phaneuf let him?
I still love the kid but he really wasn't all that noticeable to me at the tail end of the season.
ReplyDeletestill, a very bright future and the fact that him and 4 didn't completely drown playing tough opp gives us some cause for optimism.
now we just need to find five or six more fellows like that to play up front.
Eberle seemed to lose a little speed as the season wore down. I think it would go a long ways toward improving his potential as a player if he could improve his skating a little.
ReplyDeleteOther than, what else is there to say? 2008 is looking like a fantastic draft for the 1st round alone, and the Oilers weren't left out for once. He's a great player and we are lucky to have him.
If he plays with Hall for the bulk of his time here he could consistently be a 30-30 guy every year.
LT said...
ReplyDeleteI think he's Steve Shutt to Hall's Lafleur (not comparing players, just styles) in that he may supply the defensive conscience to the future 1line while also contributing offensively...
Wouldn't this make him Lemaire?
I agree that Eberle might be the best centre option.
As for his abilities, Eberle's skating is far better than I thought it would be, considering the reports out of junior. Maybe he doesn't have the top end speed, but his acceleration is quality and his edges are world class.
His hands ! His Hands !
ReplyDeleteStickhandling ability.
Interesting commments on Hall and Eberle. I can tell you this on Hall. I watched him MANY times play for the Windsor Spitfires, and every scout I spoke to pegged him as the Left Wing version of Mark Messier. Will he be that good? We will see, but as long as he stays healthy, I would expect Hall to put up some nice numbers and have an outstanding NHL career. I personally see him as a cross between Mark Messier and Pavel Bure.
ReplyDeleteEberle is another great draft pick. He should also put up some great numbers. The ONLY thing that MUST be addressed ASAP is the fact that they both need a great play-making #1 Centre to play with. I think Tyler Pitlick and Ryan Martindale both have wonderful talent, but I think they would max-out as a 2nd line Centre. The point is, we need to get that #1 Centre either at this draft or make a deal to get one. We need to start next season with that piece added to the team, because if we do we would have a very good chance at making the playoffs as early as next year. It all depends on what moves Tambellini makes.
Time will tell.
Gene twitted...
ReplyDeleteShawn Horcoff had nerve damage with fracture that's why he didn't play..says up to players who are here first and foremost to turn it around
Tencer...
Horcoff says it would be ideal to add a few veteran players in the off-season to have more of an established, experienced presence.
Schitzo - It seems quite apparent from what we've witnessed with Eberle that one day he will indeed be in that class. He's always risen to the top.
ReplyDeleteSince I've been following hockey moderately closely and not just believing as I was told by the dailies (late nineties sometime, I think) I can think of two players of whom it's been "quite apparent" that they'd be consistent 80-90 point scorers after their rookie seasons: Crosby and Ovechkin. I may be forgetting somebody, but it's not Jordan Eberle (who's just a terrific player about whose game no Oilers fan has the right to complain about any aspect).
Normally I would agree, but you seem to forget that Steve Smith posts on this blog. I think he's still holding a candlelight vigil in relation to that time someone said Horcoff was bad at shootouts.
Clarken-STEIN!
(I tried to find a video of Spacely Sprocket shouting "Jet-SON!" to which to hyperlink the above, but no dice.)
We need to start next season with [a first line centre] added to the team, because if we do we would have a very good chance at making the playoffs as early as next year. It all depends on what moves Tambellini makes.
ReplyDeleteEspecially if we improve our defense beyond AHL championship calibre.
(who's just a terrific player about whose game no Oilers fan has the right to complain about any aspect).
ReplyDeleteBah: of whose game no Oilers fan has the right to complain about any aspect.
Thanks DSF...
ReplyDeleteFinal Rankings, N. American Skaters:
1 NUGENT-HOPKINS, RYAN 04/12/93 6' 0.5" 164 C
2 LANDESKOG, GABRIEL 11/23/92 6' 0.5" 207 LW
3 HUBERDEAU, JONATHAN 06/04/93 6' 1.25" 170 C
4 HAMILTON, DOUGIE 06/17/93 6' 4.25" 187 D
5 BEAULIEU, NATHAN 12/05/92 6' 1.75" 174 D
6 COUTURIER, SEAN 12/07/92 6' 4" 197 C
7 BAERTSCHI, SVEN 10/05/92 5' 10" 181 LW
8 STROME, RYAN 07/11/93 6' 0" 175 C
9 MURPHY, RYAN 03/31/93 5' 10.5" 166 D
10 SIEMENS, DUNCAN 09/07/93 6' 2.5" 192 D
Quite a plummet Mr. Couturier is experiencing, or at least that's my dencence.
1 LARSSON, ADAM SWEDEN 11/12/92 6' 3" 200 D
ReplyDelete2 ZIBANEJAD, MIKA SWEDEN 04/18/93 6' 1.5" 191 C
3 BRODIN, JONAS SWEDEN 07/12/93 6' 1" 169 D
4 ARMIA, JOEL FINLAND 05/31/93 6' 3" 191 RW
5 JASKIN, DMITRI CZREP 03/23/93 6' 1" 196 RW
6 KLEFBOM, OSCAR SWEDEN 07/20/93 6' 3.5" 200 D
7 SALOMAKI, MIIKKA FINLAND 03/09/93 5' 11" 198 RW
8 NERMARK, JOACHIM SWE-JR. 05/12/93 6' 1" 187 C
9 GRANLUND, MARKUS FIN-JR. 04/16/93 5' 10" 169 C
10 BENGTSSON, RASMUS SWE-2 05/14/93 6' 2.5" 189 D
Sorry, second post was international skaters.
ReplyDeleteRe: Poll on Oilers website.
ReplyDeleteHere are the current scores: (It did not give a vote total)
Devan Dubnyk 21.09 %
Jordan Eberle 27.12 %
Taylor Hall 28.47 %
Ales Hemsky 9.87 %
Ryan Whitney 13.45 %
Noodles,
You are correct that v3.0 would hit the roof if he sees 35 isn't an option. I am not sure he has internet access in his office though.
I think Gilbert would have been my MVP (which seems like a silly award after a season like that), but the Oil webmaster probably read the internet winds correctly on excluding that particular choice.
ReplyDeleteSchitzo: That's it, now Horcoff will get buried in the minors.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that v3.0 would hit the roof if he sees 35 isn't an option. I am not sure he has internet access in his office though.
ReplyDeleteSure he does. The only problem is that the parental control settings Lowe put in place prevent him from accessing anything other than the Treehouse TV site.
5 BEAULIEU, NATHAN 12/05/92 6' 1.75" 174 D
ReplyDeleteWow, I had this guy as sleeper and was hoping the Oilers might take him with the LA pick. No hope of that now.
Ducey...
ReplyDeleteI'm still a little stunned he's ahead of Couturier.
Victor Rask came in at 12th International, for those wondering.
ReplyDeleteI think Gilbert would have been my MVP
ReplyDeleteMine too
The guy had a terrific season, all things considered.
Gilbert needs Horcoff's PDO to go back in the toilet to keep the fanboys off his keester.
On OileeLunch, Stauffer was talking to the sportsnet play-by-play guy and asked him about
Khabibulin vs Dubnyk.
The TV guy gave the Oiler-approved answer "The battle is on for Numba 1!"
I got of the car so didn't hear the whole discussion,
its just as well.
If the Oilers move up by packaging the LAK pick - preferably through more draft picks rather than real NHL players - I'd love for them to target Couturier. Even if they take RNH 1st (or second).
ReplyDeleteThat said, it won't happen.
"Horcoff says it would be ideal to add a few veteran players in the off-season to have more of an established, experienced presence."
ReplyDeleteSounds like Horcoff wants a 3rd line center.
Problem is Horcoff should be the 3rd line center and Edmonton needs to upgrade the top 6.
Sounds like Horcoff wants a 3rd line center.
ReplyDeleteEspecially if that's the version that's most convenient to your narrative!
NEWSFLASH....Sean Couturier CAN'T SKATE! If you can't skate, I don't want you on my team!
ReplyDeleteSteve:
ReplyDeleteI guess I was wrong then.
Horcoff doesn't want to add depth players..he wants to add top 6 players.
Can't say I disagree with him.
Or maybe he wants to address the team's most glaring weakness, on defense. Neither of us knows for sure. But the important thing is that we find some way of using that message to bash Shawn Horcoff.
ReplyDeleteSteve:
ReplyDeleteEdmonton had Studs, Vandy, Gilbert, Whitney, Foster and Smid on D.
Looks like a fair deal of experience to me.
Counter that with Edmonton bottom 6 forwards and its pretty obvious where the "experience" is missing.
For most.
Ryan Whitney 389 games
ReplyDeleteTom Gilbert 337 games
Curtis Foster 331 games
Ladislav Smid 331 games
That's a fairly experienced top 4 under contract for next season.
Peckham is a lock for the bottom 6, plus he isn't waiver eligible so basically Edmonton has 1 spot left and Jeff Petry isn't counted for.
Perhaps Horcoff isn't a fan of Petry.
Rob.van.dam: Well i'l go tell Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull and Doug Gilmour they're not good enough for your club.
ReplyDeleteDisapointed they will be.
That's a fairly experienced top 4 under contract for next season.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a hell of a generous definition of "top 4".
"You've got a hell of a generous definition of "top 4"."
ReplyDeleteSo are you arguing that we need better vets rather than more experience?
If so, I agree. Horcoff should start with looking in the mirror.
The contract situation on D will probably limit the amount of movement we'll see there in the offseason. Unless the Oilers can find some sap to take on Foster, I can't see Katz swallowing that contract especially given that next year isn't supposed to be a playoff year under "the plan". Anyone hoping for defensive improvement will probably have to pray for one decent acquisition of a 3-6 guy which would bump either Petry or Peckham down to the number 7 slot.
ReplyDeleteThe same goes for goaltending. It will be DD and Khabby in some combination next year based solely on the contract situation.
So are you arguing that we need better vets rather than more experience?
ReplyDeleteI said that Foster and Smid didn't belong in the top four, not that they didn't belong on the team. Their presence, along with Peckham's, in the bottom three still leaves room for two more veterans in the top four.
Anyway, you're now confusing what I said with what Shawn Horcoff said. The important thing is that in the world that the rest of us inhabit, neither has anything to do with your Shawn Horcoff fixation.
Traktor
ReplyDeleteMaybe you didn't get the memo. Horcoff bashing is so 2010. We are blaming the Oilers problems on Tom Gilbert now.
As of today, I've started an illustration exercise based on LT's end-of-season reasonable expectations posts. I'll be drawing portraits of each Oiler as he posts and putting them up on twitter (lgwgreen), with hi-res scans to follow on my blog at some point.
ReplyDeleteFirst up: Jordan Eberle
http://plixi.com/p/91602305
Enjoy :)
NEWSFLASH: Nugent-Hopkins is 164 pounds! If you are 164 pounds, I don't want you on my team.
ReplyDeleteNEWSFLASH: Larssson is a defenseman! If you are a defenseman, I don't want you on my team.
ReplyDelete(My team is not very good.)
NEWSFLASH: Nugent-Hopkins is 164 pounds! If you are 164 pounds, I don't want you on my team.
ReplyDeleteFoster, JFJ, Struds and Smac will be glad to hear that.
Maybe the Oilers can send the Nudge to that donair shack Penner used to frequent.
Traktor,
ReplyDeleteAs SS said, you put 2 players in the top 4 who really shouldn't be there. Especially Foster. He might not even be NHL caliber, let alone top 4.
This is what experienced D look like:
Hamhuis 547 games
Ballard 462 games
Bieksa 347 games
Salo 692 games
Erhoff 500 games
Edler 304 games
or
Pronger 1154 games
Timmonen 894 games
Mezaros 460 games
Carle 389 games
O'Donnell 1173 games
Robbie, Couturier has never been rated at as a horrible skater. He's certainly no Jason Allison. He has the same knock that Eberle used to have in regard to top end speed.
ReplyDeleteHe's got average at best speed is all, lacks that top gear and being a big man doesn't help as I'm sure he looks like he's cruising even at his best. I'm pretty sure he can get a few power skating lessons to get up to average.
I'd be thrilled if the Oilers could grab Larsson and then move up somehow to snag Couturier. Won't happen though.
NEWSFLASH: JFJ is 6'3" 230lbs. If you are JFJ I don't want you on my team.
ReplyDeleteWoodguy: I just instinctively started identifying the ways in which your news flash was not parallel to the others that have been posted. The things the LSAT does to one's brain...
ReplyDeleteAnother example of a good defensive core with capable veterans in the top 3-4 positions:
ReplyDeleteChris Pronger
Jason Smith
Steve Staios
Jaroslav Spacek
Dick Tarnstrom
Marc-Andre Bergeron
Matt Greene
And Igor Ulanov waiting in the wings, no less.
ReplyDeleteLast time I checked, a gentleman by the name of Wayne Gretzky wasn't that big:
ReplyDeleteWayne Gretzky
Center
Born Jan 26 1961 -- Brantford, ONT
Height 6.00 -- Weight 185
When "The Nuge" hits 20 years old, he will be the same weight.
Next, let's have a look at what was recently said about him.
NHL Central Scouting’s B.J. MacDonald
“(Nugent-Hopkins) has very good puck-handling capabilities. His on-ice awareness is very good. He's one of those guys that knows where everyone is and where they should be and where the puck should go . . . He can dish both right or left, either on his backhand or forehand with that kind of vision. But not just the vision, but the fact he can lay that puck between the skate boot and the skate blade -- that's hard to find.”
NHL Central Scouting’s Peter Sullivan
“A couple of people high up -- and not naming names -- said Hopkins has the best vision since No. 99 (Wayne Gretzky). That's the highest compliment you can get. But the other thing is the way he competes. He never takes a night off and he works as hard in his own end as he does in the offensive zone and that takes a special player with a special set of skills to do that.”
Enjoy!
Rob: I'm pretty sure Gogliano was making fun of you, rather than making a substantive point.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's a special version of Godwin's Law for hockey-related discussions that substitutes Wayne Gretzky and the dynasty Oilers for Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
And Igor Ulanov bleeding in the wings, no less.
ReplyDeleteFYP
The RNH quotes sound suspiciously like smoke and mirrors considering they most likely will be picking 2nd overall.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRob: We know how to use NHL.com thank you. You're not goint to surprise anyone here.
ReplyDeleteLast kid who got those props was Jakub Voracek.
If RNH had Gretzky's vision, he would have at least finished 1st pointer of his draft class. That ain't really the case. (PPG wise)
Find me a giant guy with near 100 Points clip who bust out. (Outside of Gratton)
Eberle's stats when drafted:
ReplyDelete* Name: Jordan Eberle
* Position: RW
* Shoots: Right
* Height: 5-10
* Weight: 174 lbs
* Birthdate: 1990-05-15
Now he's listed as 6'0 185lbs.
If RNH is listed at 6.05 and 165, he'll probably fill out to at least 6'1" 180-185. A little skinny, but skills can compensate.
Sakic played his whole career at 5'11 185.
NEWSFLASH: If you are Joe Sakic, I do not want you to put your hand in the snow blower.
If Hitler had Gretzky's vision, then the Germans would have taken good care of the Russian prisoners in 1941-42.
ReplyDeleteHall on TSN:
ReplyDelete"We know getting that pick is a lot better than finishing 9th"
Suck it Flames.
BTW, when did everyone start owning teams?
ReplyDeleteCan one of you just finance the arena yourself and get it over with?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf you insist in playing in an arena, I don't want you on my team.
ReplyDeleteIf Hitler had Gretzky's vision he'd be awesome against the Finnish and Swedish teams. Unfortunately it wouldn't have made him any better at running a war effort =).
ReplyDeleteIf he really had foresight he wouldn't have messed with the reds till after he was done on that 'other' front; or at the very least would have listened to his commanders and left Stalingrad alone.
Hey now - he was allied with the Finns. Which really only increases the parallels.
ReplyDeleteCan one of you just finance the arena yourself and get it over with?
ReplyDeleteKeep up this that kinda talk and I'm moving my team to.... ummmm... ahhh...Quebec City?
Here's the 6''3 players with 90+ points on draft year since 1980 with theyr NHL high next to them (1st round):
ReplyDeleteDave Andreychuck (99 Points)
Adam Creighton (70 Points)
Mario Lemieux (199 Points)
Mike Modano (93 Points)
Trevor Linden (80 Points)
Petr Nedved (99 Points)
Keith Primeau (73 Points)
Eric Lindros (115 Points)
Chris Gratton (62 Points)
Jason Allison (95 Points)
Jason Arnott (76 Points)
Chad Kilger (25 Points)
Joe Thornton (115 Points)
Vincent Lecavalier (108 Points)
Jason Spezza (117 Points)
Rick Nash (79 Points)
Eric Staal (100 Points)
Counting Gratton and Kilger as busts, this makes for 2/17.
Considering the other's best season lowest is 70 points (Creighton)
Drafting a 6''3 with 90 + points out of the CHL is granting a success ratio of 89%
NEWSFLASH: Sean, Ryan, Adam, and Gabriel are being picked in the NHL entry draft. If Sean is picked first, Ryan can't be picked second. Ryan and Adam are picked one after another. Gabriel must be picked third. Which of the following must be true?
ReplyDeleteA) Ryan is picked fourth.
B) Adam is picked fourth.
C) Ryan is picked second.
D) Ryan is picked after Adam.
E) Ryan is 164 pounds and isn't Wayne Gretzky.
The best part of this thread is how various news sources are flashing the general blog public.
ReplyDeleteWell, assuming that those are the top four picks, the order has to be
ReplyDelete1. Ryan/Adam
2. Adam/Ryan
3. Gabriel
4. Sean
Which makes the only correct answer E. Am I right?
(I realize I'm ruining the joke. But that's one of the things the LSAT does to a guy.)
Steve: 180
ReplyDeleteEberle may only top out at the level of a Joey Mullen. Good skater, great hands and good vision. 500 goals (albeit different era) Eberle never played with Pisani but I think he thinks the game at that level. Not offensive skillset, but if the puck is here, here is where I should be. Last guy Oilers had that did it and possessed an offensive skillset was Kurri.
ReplyDeleteKhabby would not be the MVP in the ECHL!
Lots of posting here.... Oilers trade Hemsky++ for Columbus #1 pick, LA's #1 and our #2 for a top ten pick. Anybody see that happen frequently? Remember every year going to draft and Slats saying he tried to trade up, Lowe saying it and Tambellini saying it.
Maybe we actually pick #1, #18 and #31
Everyone's excited because tomorrow it's our cup final = lottery day.
ReplyDeleteEberle really does have an impressive arsenal of skills. His touch and decision making is top notch. And this was apparent even a few years ago while watching him play at the WJC. He was clearly a guy who knows how to keep the play alive in the o-zone by excuting give-and-gos with his teammates using a variety of passes and by skating with and holding onto the puck for just the righ amount of time. Back then, his goal scoring exploits drew much of the praise. I've always thought that his playmaking was equally as good, if not better. He would have been an ideal linemate with the Sedins.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster who said that we need to find a playmaker for Hall and Eberle... For Hall, yes. For Eberle, no. I think Eberle just needs to be matched with good players (for their mutual benefits), and he will adapt to whatever role is needed. Hall will always need to be the shooter, just like Hemsky will always need to be the passer. Eberle has the versatility that neither of them possesses.
The one thing that really surprised me, as LMHF#1 alluded to multiple times, is how well he skates. Right now, I would rate him tied with Paajarvi as the best skaters on the team. While I find his rink length speed to be surprisingly good, what I find really outstanding is his agility. The kid really knows how to maximize the use of the edges on his blades. And he can execute all his cuts and turns with ease while dangling the puck on his stick. IMHO, Eberle's skating agility is not just good, but it's already at the elite level within the NHL. And that's a great thing b/c as anyone who watches hockey knows that while you don't necessarily need end-to-end speed to be an elite offensive player, you can almost never become one without agility.
I always get a kick out of watching his signature move - that evasive maneuver where he's close to and skating along the boards and drags the puck along on his forehand, executing multiple starts/stops to evade the defender who's breathing down his neck. In the back of my mind, I always wondered: "is this the time when he's gonna get squashed?". But more often than not, the NHL defenceman has no answer to this maneuver. And that to me, is quite impressive for a 20 year old in his first year of NHL hockey.
TOJ - it may have been our host who so compared Eberle to Mullen, good comp in terms of style I think
ReplyDeleteJoey Mullen was tremendous. If Eberle is close to Mullen we're in business.
Fpb - you don't want to use Adam Creighton to make your point fyi, size and skill and always left you wanting more, not much of a player
Maybe we actually pick #1, #18 and #31
ReplyDeleteI would not mind that actually. In a draft like this, the three picks may be better than #1 and #13.
I guess we shouldn't count our #1 before we get it.
Trading down might be an idea. If there is not much of a drop off between Larssen and Dougie Hamilton, we might be able to trade #1 or #2 for #5 and a high second.
Any chance that Hall, Eberle or even MPS make a permanent move to center next year?
ReplyDeleteCould impact who we draft with those first two picks.
I have to be one of the bigger Gilbert bashers, but he had a decent last few months. I still believe if the guy can get an experienced stay-at-home guy on his pairing next season, the sky is the limit for him offensively.
My hope is that Someone else wins the lottery slotting EDM at #2. Then that team will make the decision for the Oilers.
ReplyDeleteThe less decisions this management has to make, the better.
BD: The point is he was an NHL player.
ReplyDeleteJW made an article earlier and top 10 picks ain't exactly locks. I think coming from the CHL it was 60% success rate.
So 89% is definitly trough the roof even with Creighton.
Doesn't the Eberle-Mullen comparison go back to Pierre Awkward McGuire?
ReplyDelete"I said that Foster and Smid didn't belong in the top four, not that they didn't belong on the team."
ReplyDeleteMaybe you said that in a different thread or on a different day, or perhaps you said it in this thread towards someone else but you never said that in the conversations we had. Surely you don't expect me to read every post of yours from every thread and then "sub-in" comments wherever it would be suit your argument.
"Anyway, you're now confusing what I said with what Shawn Horcoff said."
You mean that made-up conversation that supposedly happened but never did. OK then.
"The important thing is that in the world that the rest of us inhabit, neither has anything to do with your Shawn Horcoff fixation."
I don;t have a Horcoff fixation but rather a fixation with improving a poor hockey club
Shawn Horcoff is just a bystander in the way of 15th and respectability.
Maybe you said that in a different thread or on a different day, or perhaps you said it in this thread towards someone else but you never said that in the conversations we had.
ReplyDeleteUm, you listed Whitney, Gilbert, Smid, and Foster as our top four defensemen. I responded with the following:
You've got a hell of a generous definition of "top 4".
Now, there are certainly interpretations of that other than "Smid and Foster do not belong in the top 4" (which was what I meant by it). I could, for example, have been saying "None of those guys belong in the top 4", or "Tom Gilbert doesn't belong in the top 4", or any other available combination.
But there is no support at all in my statement for the sentiment that Foster and Smid do not belong on the hockey team, which is how you subsequently elected to interpret it.
Go away.
"This is what experienced D look like(Vancouver, Philadelphia)"
ReplyDeleteYou missed the point.
I was pointing out to Steve that Edmonton actually has much more experience on D than they do up front. If you understand this then it shouldn't surprise you if Horcoff "experience" comments where geared towards the forwards.
Vancouver has great depth on D.. they also have a 100 point center as well as Ryan Kesler.
Adding Vancouver's defensive depth without addresses Edmonton's lack of top 6 centers just bumps us from being bad to being mediocre.
I don't give a rat's ass what the point is, this thing has been beaten to death.
ReplyDeleteVase, vase.
Fin-
I said that Foster might not be a NHL Dman.
ReplyDeleteI am Spartacus.
Hey, yo.
ReplyDelete/razor ramon.
threads aren't supposed to get bogged down unless I'm "helping" matters:)
Danny: we'll see how long it takes before 4 breaks from all the losing as well.
It's great that him and 14 and 91 look like real players but we'll need a lot more of them.
The refrain after a top 10 pick in 2012: we're building something here.
after missing the playoffs in 2013? who knows
Let me tell you a story Traktor, I think it will help you.
ReplyDeleteI come home one particular friday and had to tell the landlady I'd lost my job. She told me that don't confront me as long as I get my rent next Friday. Now, the next Friday, I didn't have the rent. And she kicked me out. So I stopped at the local bar, and I checked my coat and called the bartender. I said, "Look man, come down here." He got down there and said "What do you want?"
Wait, I forgot where this was going.
Johnny Eberle is a hell of a player. He's outplayed my expectations. I thought he'd start a little slower. Then again, without Hall, he might've looked a little less stirling, though gold nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI also think 90's names like "Jordan" and "Taylor" are substantially less cool than old 50's names like "Johnny" and "Freddy." I don't think a kid has been named "Freddy" in 35 years and it's a crying shame.
Long term, I think 80-90 points is asking too much, except if he's running wild with the percentages and PP points some year.
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ReplyDeleteFor a second I thought Kris was the Woody Harrelson character from Kingpin:)
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers have a tonne of D that can play in the NHL but a lot of them are either bottom pairing D and/or kids still shitting yellow.