This is Mark McNeill. He's gaining momentum as a first round option at this year's Entry Draft. The nature of following the draft these years is that there's a tremendous amount of movement AFTER the season ends. Back in the olden days of The Hockey News and nothing else, everything froze from the end of the regular season to the draft. HN did their rankings of eligible players by league during the playoffs and you pretty much knew in April what would be happening in June (and mostly that was Sam Pollok robbing from the poor to help the Nova Scotia Voyageurs).
I've been thinking about the beginning of the Central Scouting Bureau this week. I remember buying that issue (seriously) of the Hockey News and reading about Jack Button being named as the first director of the newly formed Bureau. Back then, the original 6 teams were exceptional judges of talent and had been joined by some of their expansion brothers (Flyers, Sabres, Canucks). However, many other expansion teams had limited budgets and scouting available to them, which meant that the California Golden Seals and the Pittsburgh Penguins weren't very good at the draft table.
Central Scouting changed all of that. So, with the final CSB list out recently and the draft lottery fresh in our minds, I guess it's fitting that these memories come flooding back. I don't know how much the Bureau had to do with parity, but it sure as hell helped some of those old timey expansion teams.
--
I'll be talking to Craig Button about his Dad and the CSB today; we'll also discuss his MOCK draft and the NHL playoffs. Among other guests:
- Kirk Luedeke from Bruins draft watch.
- Matt Bugg from dobber hockey and McKeen's.
- Gregg Drinnan from Taking Note!
- Guy Flaming from the Pipeline Show.
The OKC Barons radio broadcast of their game today will go on Team 1260 right after the show. Make sure to tune in.
I understand you want to interview him as a son, but as a scout he's pretty terrible.
ReplyDeleteAlmost no players came out of his picks.
Pretty much like talking to Milbury about trading.
(On the flames side)*
ReplyDeleteLT interviewed Doug MacLean so young Button's no stretch.
ReplyDeletewhen did the team decided to pick up the Barons games? are they gonna do the rest of the series?
great news if so.
Hmmm. Button was scouting director of the Dallas Stars from 1992-98. During that time they selected: Jere Lehtinen, Jamie Langenbrunner, Marty Turco, Jarome Iginla, Brendan Morrow among others.
ReplyDeleteThank Christ he wasn't picking for the Oilers.
LT please no Craig Button
ReplyDeleteHis list was a joke....seriously. That was just a pathetic attempt at some publicity of his list and he succeeded. damn oh well
I'd like to know how Craig Button ranks Larssen at #6?
ReplyDeleteCould he not afford the ticket to Sweden?
and Oleksiak at 9 before Hamilton
ReplyDeletesorry its Larsson at 7, oleksiak at 10 and hamilton at 14
ReplyDeleteDamnit L.T. stop trying to confuse us with the facts about Button! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure its on your agenda but I'd like to hear his thoughts on the top prospects and why he has them where he does. Basic stuff to be sure but would be interesting to see why he has Larsson where he does.
Btw thanks for the kind words a few weeks back on the show. Appreciate it.
Corshi - what Bryan Murray calls that new fangled stat, as in:
"We really liked hish corshi numbers " (sprays reporters with spittle)
Beat this drum every year but read Gare Joyce's book Future Greats and Heartbreaks if you're a draftnik. Each team has a list and they are all different. Button's list may be off the mark (time will tell) but I think if we could see every team's list we would be surprised. Look at how Fowler fell last year.
ReplyDeleteLT: ''Others'' What are they? Todd Harvery and the other non-NHL guys?
ReplyDeleteIn his tenure with the flames:
All 3 top 15 picks busted (Krahn, Nystrom, Kobasew)
The best guy he drafted was Matthew Lombardi (0,5PPG)
In all his 10 years of governance of both Dallas and Calgary the best defenseman he drafted was Kurtis Foster.
It's damn safe to assure he doesn't have a clue on drafting d-men.
I think Buttons list was realistic. Sure, Larsson is all the rage amongst Edmontonians, but realistically he could fall in the draft given his position.
ReplyDelete---
So did you ever find someone to mod your comments LT?
I wonder if you could ask these guys whether they would put anyone in this draft ahead of any of Ryan Johanssen, Seguin, or Braden Schenn at the same age?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that if Tambo is going to trade the #1 pick, he might aim for one of these guys.
LT: After a quick research, it ain't too brighter then what the Oil did.
ReplyDeleteSmyth, Arnott, Vyborny, Satan, Poti, Chimera, Horcoff.
I agree with BD. It's funny that many think there should be sort of consensus to the draft order. That the order is obvious.
ReplyDeleteOleksiak could turn out to be a tremendous player. Has smarts and an amazing quantity of that uncoachable quality... size. He might be the most dominant defenseman to come out of this draft 5-6 years down the road.
Is he my pick that early? Dunno yet. But for someone to call his list a joke and pathetic says more about that person and their world view than Button's.
Spoiler: No. But looking at Button's 10 years old list of draftees, and finding out theb est defenseman is Kurtis Foster, gives reasonable doubt he doesn't really know anything about drafting defenseman.
ReplyDeleteThinking about this yesterday...Would anybody do 1, 19, and 31 to Colorado for 2 and 11?
ReplyDeleteIs the cost to get from 2 to 1 more than the cost to get from 19 to 11?
If the pick really is in play as Dreger suggests, it seems like we something we would consider based on the assumptions that we don't want to fall out of the top 3, and, we've reportedly been interested in moving up with the Kings pick.
Moose: Absolutely. Especially if we can make a clause that guarantees us the pick we want.
ReplyDeleteFPV: Right? Seems like a logical/obvious deal for both teams if they covet different players.
ReplyDeleteMoose: I would not count on Tambo to do such thing tough.
ReplyDeleteThen again. Stu might say two guys are stalemate and it's good to pick whoever anyway.
Given his resumé, there is no reasonable doubt that he knows more about hockey than you, FPB.
ReplyDeleteMoose - I would make that deal in a second which leads me to believe the Avs would not.
ReplyDeleteThe problem for the Oilers is to jump from 19 to the top ten is going to require some kids they probably do not want to part with. I can't see anyone taking Hemsky or Gagner because of injury concerns and Cogs hasn't the value imo
They may be able to jump a few places throwing Cogs or a third rounder in but getting to the top ten is going to be tough.
Should be able to get a good prospect with that second pick though.
Spoiler: Not really.
ReplyDeleteSee. It's easy to do.
BD - I agree it's probably something that the Av's would balk at. But, if we assume that moving spots in the top 5 requires a higher return than moving up in the middle of the first round, it seems plausible that moving 2 to 1 is about equal to 19 to 11.
ReplyDeleteI guess it really comes down to whether they believe "their guy" wouldn't be there at #2.
Are we seriously going to bitch and whine about guest selection on a two month old radio show while in the midst of the first round of playoffs?
ReplyDeleteFlaming Bure is the guy that said he would take Weal over Nino because Nino wasn't PPG in the Dub. lol
ReplyDeleteAre we seriously going to bitch and whine about guest selection on a two month old radio show while in the midst of the first round of playoffs?
ReplyDeleteEvidently
I know I'm not a shining example of chivalry but if someone from this board put out a mock list they would likely be treated with respect no matter how bad the list.
ReplyDeleteAnd its fairly likely Button's list is superior to those on this board.
I just give Lowetide props for getting names like Button on his radio show.
Haha, if LT can find airtime for that poseur from Cult of Hockey I guess he can make room for the dude who drafted Jarome Iginla in real life.
ReplyDeleteCraig Button was the Stu MacGregor of the '90s. He's also proof positive that a great scout doesn't necessarily translate into a great GM.
Traktor:
ReplyDeleteFor the sake of argument, Niederreiter was 5th in team scoring (probably would have been 3rd but he played less games than all the players ahead of him), and was 4th on his team in plus minus at +28.
Weal scored 96 points in 72 games, lead his team in scoring by 44 points and was a big team leader in plus minus, at +13 on a terrible Pats team that was -96 in goal differential on the season.
Of course, that doesn't mean Weal will be a better pro.
@BDHS: Shay it ain't sho.
ReplyDelete(Commenters living up to title of LT's post)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteoops, forget to post Niederreiter's numbers.
ReplyDelete55 games, 70 points, +28 on a team that was + 76 in goal diferential on the season.
One of the concerns with Weal seemed to be that he got a bunch of free points because he played with Eberle, and he wasn't really that good. He may or may not have gotten some free points playing with Eberle last year, but I think you can safely throw the idea that he can't produce without Eberle.
I know I'm not a shining example of chivalry but if someone from this board put out a mock list they would likely be treated with respect no matter how bad the list.
ReplyDeleteAnd its fairly likely Button's list is superior to those on this board.
I just give Lowetide props for getting names like Button on his radio show.
Agreed.
The show is awesome LT. I never seem to be able to catch it live, but have gone through all the archives.
Its the smartest sports show I've ever listened to.
If LT only interviewed hockey people with near perfect records he wouldn't have any guests.
I for one, enjoy LT's show. The show's guest list consists of legitimate NHL-related personnel, and this type of sports radio is difficult to find.
ReplyDeleteBruce: the trick is not to shit on all of his gameday threads:)
ReplyDeleteSorry, LT, but I will get a little bit of mileage out of that one and I'll stop using it once you buy me that beer:)
Trading away the 1st overall pick takes Lowe's 2003 first round decision making to the level of 1971 Sam Pollock, for the pure idiocy of it.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, you fanboys don't impact the Oilers management(I hope).
I wonder who was Central Scouting's official pick when Oilers took Alex Plante.
BTW, I like LT's show as well. I'm not interested in listening to all his interviews but the ones I check out via the podcast are usually very well done.
ReplyDeleteso no one here would trade the 1st overall for Seguin?
ReplyDeleteso no one here would trade the 1st overall for Seguin?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't. I suspect RNH's ceiling is higher.
That is, of course, only based on my 3 viewings of RNH - saw him good.
I would in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteDennis, I think I would prefer Schenn (I like his physicality), but I would do that trade too. I like the idea of speeding up the rebuild by obtaining slightly older players.
ReplyDeleteI would be asking too what we could put with the 1st & 18th to get Seguin and TO 1st.
McNeil would be a good choice will LA's pick, but I don't see him getting past Dallas for some reason. Of course, there's also a good chance he doesn't make it to their pick either.
ReplyDeleteWhat Medicine Hat is doing to RNH has to call into Q the quality at the top of this draft.
ReplyDeleteI would trade #1 for Sequin, Johannsen et al.
Love Lt's radio show. Also like perspective from outside Edm!
I should declare that I am not a fan of RNH and rank Seguin and Schenn higher than RNH & SC.
ReplyDeleteHuberdeau has me interested though. He seems to want to mix it up more. More willingness. And I haven't seen any Strome at all.
@ Dennis
ReplyDeleteI would do it
I see no reason Chiarelli would trade Seguin.
ReplyDeleteNo player this years rates as high as him.
If BOS gets bounced before the ECF again, he'll want Actual NHL players, not to get younger.
Same goes for any team you are looking to trade a 1OV for a slightly older player. There is no incentive for them to make that move, unless they can deal with getting younger.
Not sure who can do that. FLA maybe, ATL maybe.
BOS and CLB want to get better now, not later.
I posted on ON that Ottawa may be the team to watch before the draft. They want to move up:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/04/12/17973431.html
They have Nashville's first round pick and three second rounders, plus a bunch of good young D in the system.
I would do that trade in a heart beat. Seguin has the full skill set (plus decent size), something all of this years draft eligibles are lacking.
ReplyDeleteSeguin has showed nothing much as a Bruin this season. He's tentative, and actually regressed as the season wore on. Blame, put forward any argument you like, but this is the fact of the matter.
ReplyDeleteSeguin fanboys just don't want to give up, lol.
I haven't got a clue re who is the best player to pick, other than the Swede defenceman sounds like a solid choice, but I'd sooner take a chance with fate picking first overall than trading it away for what's tantamount to a Boston reject.
Or anyone else's reject for that matter.
Loser teams trade away their right to draft, is something I've learned as an NHL fan.
What Medicine Hat is doing to RNH has to call into Q the quality at the top of this draft.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fair point - that said, what distincts RNH from his peers is his ceiling/projection. Numbers wise, Couturier, Strome, Huberdeau are right there with RNH. Yet, 6 out of 10 scouts on Bob McKenzie have RNH at 1st overall. Stu Magnificent Bastard has seem him over 50 times, and is glowing every time he describes him. He even (foolishly) compared him to Sakic.
From what I've seen, RNH has tremendous vision. His shot is also evidently good - he will over time, learn to use it more. Definitely a fair comment to suggest he's more of a play-maker.
He's got an April 12, 1993 birthdate - so definitely on the right side of the ledger for the 2011 draft. Lots of growth and development to come in the future, and I think that's what excites the scouts so much.
This is coming from someone who was a Couturier backer all year.
PJO...
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have seen Huberdeau and RNH are identical except Huberdeau goes to the tough areas more, battles more along the walls, and has more finish. But he also has far better linemates.
WG
I doubt Bo-town does the trade either. However if they covet Larsson (or even RNH or SC) they might do it. I don't think its likely they would deal Seguin, but there is a slim chance.
The thing that has to worry you about RNH is the % of PP points and the lack (comparatively) of EV production.
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteIs that exactly what you would expect to see from a player with poorer linemates? It worries me too, but I don't know how much emphasis to put on it.
WG: I'm not saying if I would do it - though I probably would - but I'm just wondering where everyone's head is at regarding the possibility of the puppet putting the pick in play;)
ReplyDeleteMore and more I've been thinking about what rickibear - he should really change that name unless it has familial meaning;) said about goal-scoring.
and that brings me to Landeskog because that's the guy I would like to draft.
I get excited reading about RNH's vision and the fact he wants to play for such a shitty team in such an undesirable city but the PP/EV numbers are bit worrisome. I know we don't have a lot of high ceiling guys on D so that puts Larsson in the wheelhouse but then I wonder how long we'll have to wait before he's ready.
I've been around longer then most so I've seen all the times when the Oilers tried to move a winger to the middle and how it's turned out. But I would like to move 4 to the middle and take Landeskog the goal scoring.
Why would Boston want to deal Seguin? because he's everything they want him to be, and having him close at hand proves their theory that he's untouchable correct?
ReplyDeleteOr...would it be because they know better than anyone else, that Seguin might well bust in the next few years? That all he's had is a single standout season sandwiched between mediocre ones?
Not that any of this matters to fanatics, but just saying.
And I literally have zero idea who the Oilers should pick, preferring to leave it entirely in the hands of the scouts.
Last year was obvious: Hall - 2 x Memorial Cup MVP ffs.
Landeskog will be the best player in the short run and the long run of this year's draft class. He does have injury concerns but it's hockey. Injuries didn't care Yzerman from Brett Connolly, because he was picking the BPA. Landeskog is all heart and I think people are exaggerating his problems on offense. He will be a Mike Richards type.
ReplyDeleteAnd all those people saying that Huberdeau and Strome will be this year's Skinners, I'm not doubting it, though I don't think they'll be NHL ready the way Skinner was.
Larsson may have played against men in the SEL at a young age - but so did Johan Motin. I don't mean that Larsson will be a Motin because of his way superior offense but I do think that this plus the fact that D-men are harder to develop, I think it means Larsson could be a long-term project like Smid was (or is, depending on what you think).
I also like Hamilton and I hope we can move up and take him.
My son is going to the Barons game today.
ReplyDeleteHe has 3rd row tickets so my question is
Is there a link for the game?
From what I have seen Huberdeau and RNH are identical except Huberdeau goes to the tough areas more, battles more along the walls, and has more finish. But he also has far better linemates.
ReplyDeleteHuberdeau is an interesting case. He's really climbed up the charts lately, and has had a solid playoffs thus far. That said, he plays on a powerhouse team, and as you mentioned far better linemates.
I'm not as high on the size issue as some. We've had our share of busts over the years drafted primarily for size (Pouliot Plante, Abney, Hesketh). Guys like Parise, St. Louis, Sullivan, Kane have demonstrated their is room in the NHL for smaller guys. That said, RNH isn't overly small and in a year or two will be pushing Stamkos territory with regards to height/weight.
RNH, as a 17 year old (just turned 18 four days ago) is driving the bus on a team that doesn't (relatively) score that many goals):
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0010032011.html
I would imagine any team that drafts Huberdeau or Strome will be delighted. At the same time, I believe MacGregor is firmly in the RNH camp and his competitors have not shown enough to bump him off the throne.
On a related note, pretty disappointed in Larsson. He was showing signs of amazing as a 16 year old, and at least offensively speaking, took a step back in development. That said, never been big on drafting defencemen in the first round - especially those whom are ranked that high more so based on projection, than evidence to date. Tampa trades Hedman for Duchene in a NY minute.
IMO, Huberdeau is this years' Taylor Hall while Strome is Tyler Seguin.
ReplyDeleteYou can't underestimate playoff performance, especially when so many of the top prospects have similar strengths and weaknesses.
Keep an eye on Martin Gernat who could be another Martin Marincin.
@Spoiler:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCN34D02V24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5ZScxbzDE
I'd say Huberdeau is more of a power forward whereas Nugent-Hopkins is (obviously) primarily a playmaker.
Hopkins does have extreme vision though, very Patrick Kane-like. Who would Huberdeau be a good comp for?
I get excited reading about RNH's vision and the fact he wants to play for such a shitty team in such an undesirable city but the PP/EV numbers are bit worrisome.
ReplyDeleteThree things:
1. I suspect RNH would have loved to play in the tropical paradise that is Newfoundland - tragic that province doesn't have an NHL team anywhere near vicinity. ;)
2. Lottery teams, in most cases, are shitty teams. Of the bottom 5, the Oilers, at least on surface, appear to have the most blinding future.
3. Lowetide did a breakdown of this at ON. I believe the numbers were better than Gagner, and worse than Hall. In the last few months, RNH really took the next step and was producing more 5 on 5.
While it's certainly something to consider - but it definitely is no where near Robbie Schremp level.
I'm totally going to trust the Oilers decision as to which is the best player to pick at number 1.
ReplyDeleteThe more I see of Huberdeau the more I like.
ReplyDeleteIf we could somehow draft Landeskog and Huberdeau...
Hall - Hartikainen - Huberdeau - Landeskog
all crashing and banging and scoring goals.
Landeskog will be the best player in the short run and the long run of this year's draft class. He does have injury concerns but it's hockey. Injuries didn't care Yzerman from Brett Connolly, because he was picking the BPA. Landeskog is all heart and I think people are exaggerating his problems on offense. He will be a Mike Richards type.
ReplyDeleteI do not subscribe to your theory.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0008122011.html
Landeskog 3rd on his team in scoring, well behind 1 and 2. He's not driving the bus. You don't draft a forward with a 1.24 PPG that high.
You just don't.
I suspect he's, at this point, closer to Benoit Pouliot (4th overall) as opposed to Mike Richards. Several agencies have indicated his NHL comparable to be Brenden Morrow. Good player, but not top 3 material.
Intangibles. While they should never be ignored, reliance on them should only be used in combination with the underlying numbers. History suggests teams never learn. See McIlrath, Dylan drafted 10th overall ahead of Fowler, Cam.
PJO: you can slag NF all you want and I will agree with you:)
ReplyDeleteNow, tell me again how Edm is such a desirable city in which to live?:)
What NF is or isn't has nothing to do with Edmonton.
Hunter: just for argument's sake, the B's trade Seguin because they're so deep down the middle that they'd like a do over in terms of loading up at another position like the big swede on the wing or the big swede on the backend.
does anyone here have access to break the season into 2 parts for RNH? Seems to me in the second half he went from just over a point per game to two points per game, and from maybe 9 goals in the first half to 22 in the second. Can anyone verify? If so, also how were his ES points in the second half? maybe there was substantial improvement there
ReplyDeletethanks
ON another note, I wonder what people here would think of trading Oil #1 and Cogliano to Ottawa for their pick and Nashville's first pick. Murray said there was someone he wanted at the top, and if Strome and/or SC are available at number 6 would that make sense for both teams?
You can't underestimate playoff performance
ReplyDeleteActually, you can.
Prendergast and his clowns in 2007 mentioned how they loved Plante's work in the playoffs.
11 points in 13 games. He was drafted 15th overall. If he produces say, 4 points - does he go that high?
Makes you think.
Should have let Plante walk in and taken the 45th overall compensation in 2009. Then used that pick to select Stefan Elliot or Jeremy Morin.
RNH goals scoring by month (GP-G):
ReplyDeleteSept 3-3
Oct 0-13
Nov 4-12
Dec 3-7
Jan 4-14
Feb 6-14
Mar 11-8
Honestly aside from that little binge at the end of the season - does that look like a #1 pick. You can easily make the point that the larger record points to a guy who cannot score. He also had a 10 game stretch in Jan Feb with 1 goal in 10 games - then there is the ES-PP ratio. No making the WJC team and being blanked in the 2nd round of the playoffs causes more concern. Honestly he's a very risky pick at #1 and I hope MBS is blowing smoke here - because compared to other years he does not look at all worthy of being selected that high - nice little run of 10 games at the end of the year or not.
More and more I've been thinking about what rickibear - he should really change that name unless it has familial meaning;) said about goal-scoring.
ReplyDeleteHe's got me half convinced as well. Those were some damning stats he was posting.
I liked last years draft better where it was easy to decide. Taylor or Tyler. Done. This year the choice seems a lot more difficult. In Stu we trust.
Landeskog looks like the guy that would step into the NHL the quickest/easiest. How important is that to the rebuild? I don't know.
Dennis: With respect, you don't let a blue chip prospect walk. You just don't. Not when your team hasn't won since 197 bloody 2.
ReplyDeleteThe only way Seguin leaves Boston is when they realise he's going to bust, pure and simple. Phil Esposito/John Bucyk/Derek Sanderson they don't have anymore.
PJB: His PPG is significantly over Pouliot's. Pouliot had family problems (Dad died) and had a tough time dealing with it (got arrested for DUI). Not the same man. I think Landeskog has enough points to sustain in the NHL at a 70 points clip, just no overdrive. So Morrow's a pretty good comp.
ReplyDeleteAs for Button I overeacted a bit. He's not great but he's not tremendously bad either. He pumped an NHL top 6 player every 2-3 year, but that was about it.
PJO: If you account playoff performance and add it to season peformance I don't think it's a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's very silly to take it alone tough.
Traktor: Yeah. I guess you never saw the little search I did on guys like Niederreiter. Mind you the best guy with 5 points under his GP in the decade is Michael Grabner. Think about it.
Kytnar a scratch today...Curious. Stortini in!
ReplyDeleteJust for Fun:
ReplyDeleteOilers trade 1st, 19th(?), 31st
Colorado trade 2nd, 11th
Then the Oilers trade 2nd overall to
Ottawa for 6th and 21st(?), 35th
Oilers offer to the bottom 7 teams a package of
11th, 21st, 35th to move into top 5-7
In a perfect world NYI bites and we are drafting 5th and 6th and we end up with our center and D-man
Pipedream? Probably.
dicone- what the rookies referred to Ethan Moreau, as in, you know, the dick-one.
AsiaOil: I agree there is risk - that said, the analysis would be more meaningful if it includes points. I suspect his assist totals went up significantly over the last 3 months of the season.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind his strong suit is a playmaker, not a goal scorer. And even with your analysis, it shows 21 of his 31 goals came in the last 3 months of the year. Suggestive of development and growth.
Ribs: I would only draft him if 4 moves to centre.
ReplyDelete4-10-89 down the middle and hopes for Lander and maybe Pitlick and Martindale.
91-Landeskog-hamilton-Harski on the left side.
83-14-23 down the right side.
that's not to say for this year but it's still a look at a possible depth chart.
Hunter: you're probably right but I was just trying to make a plausible argument:)
ReplyDeletePlante scratched for Teubert.
ReplyDeletePlante scratched for Teubert.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least they're playing the better bust.
Dennis: It really is too bad we didn't get to see Hall at center more this season.
ReplyDeleteDennis: Right or wrong, I'm drinking fine whisky as I write, which tends to blur the distinction between such silly notions as right v wrong.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is whoever the Oilers pick, I'll do my best not to whine for as long as possible. The way they're headed(lottery next year also), hell...they might even decide to go for that McKinnon kid in 2013.
what a day for sports watching. You've got NHL and NBA playoffs and then some MLB as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't have Extra Innings but there's a lot on to watch even without that option.
as an aside, I just clicked on the team's audio and fuck radio commericals are funny; just not in a good way most times.
the message still has to get to the consumer somehow but I'm surprised that radio still exists pretty much like it always did; or at least that's the way it appears to me.
Look at the way the newspaper industry has been parsed and radio by comparison is living large.
and I imagine that's the way things will continue to go until satellite radio becomes more affordable.
On the PP
ReplyDeleteRNH's scored 11 of 31 (35%)
Strome scored 9 of 33 (27%)
Huberdeau scored 13 of 43 (30%)
Couturier scored 9 of 36 (25%)
Landeskog had 11 of 36 (30%)
For some reason the CHL decided they wouldn't poss PP assists?
Hunter: that's the kid from Nova Scotia, right?
ReplyDeleteBTW, imbibing or not, I think you're probably right about the B's. Dealing Seguin away right now would probably throw up a red flag about the kid.
Ribs: lots of talk that I think makes sense about how 4's explosiveness might be breached or impeded by having to play wing. But, there's a bit of Sakic talk here with regards to RNH and speaking of that I think that like Sakic 4's shot is so good he'd find a way to score goals no matter what.
For a year with no clear consensus #1, how many of LT's guests today agreed on RNH as the best prospect? All of them?
ReplyDeletere: PP points, Red Deer has exactly one pure sniper on their squad, Byron Froese, and he is also a centre. He and RNH played on separate lines all year, and together on the powerplay (where Froese scored 24 of his 43 goals).
I know EVP v. PPP is the pop stat of the month, but sometimes there are actual reasons things break the way they do.
Dennis:
ReplyDeleteIt's a weird MLB year for this Royals fan. I don't expect the ride to continue forever, but it's fun while it lasts.
Coupled with the strongest prospect list going, it's not all that dissimilar from being an Oilers fan.
I'd actually like to see Eberle at C first. But I would hate to draft on the assumption that one of 4 or 14 can play C without actually having some track record of success.
ReplyDeleteForkshu... you don't wan chopstick? Well then...
Hunter/Dennis: Right you are. The second Boston dealt Seguin people would be going, "geez, if Boston got rid of him he can't be that good. WTF is Tambi doing?"
ReplyDeleteSpeeds: Alex Gordon finally panning out.
ReplyDeleteOr will it last?
OT.... watching TSN... I've decided that Carey Price is Sidney Crosby's long lost brother. Damn they look similar.
ReplyDeleteFBV:
ReplyDeleteIf you're asking if I think he'll continue to hit .360+, I'll go with "no" ;)
But, hopefully he's turned a bit of a corner.
They could have a pretty decent lineup in a year or two if a couple of position prospects work out, and they've got some good prospects.
Mike: Yeah, I've bet on them a little - I got Chen at +150 last saturday - so I've followed them a little.
ReplyDeletebetemit finished strong last year and has picked it up again.
lots of good young kids to follow and that diminutive reliever is a good story so I hope they do well.
I just had a thought about mlb prospects as opposed to NHL prospects and I think a lot more baseball players die at the big leagues than hockey players.
Speeds: Yep their is obviously a lot of things rolling for them right now, but it's enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIf guys like Moustakas continue to hit AAA ball, it's better some guys come into theyr own.
Hopefully Gordon and Hochevar can fullfill some expectations, and Francoeur can re become an elite outfielder.
Bobrovsky is going to cost Philly this series.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who was Central Scouting's official pick when Oilers took Alex Plante.
ReplyDeleteCherepanov - they had him ranked fourth, and he went 17th. A hard drop to evaluate, for obvious reasons.
@ Bruce:
ReplyDeleteHardly a pop stat. It's pretty clear that EV production is more important than PP production. All kinds of posts up on the subject, that I am sure you have read.
I am not a scout and don't claim to know everything about the prospects, but they all seem to have warts this year and this is the Nuges big ugly one on his nose.
Bobrovsky is going to cost Philly this series.
ReplyDeleteWhy-Oh-Why did I take him as my goalie in the office pool? Nevermind him though, where the heck are Carter and Richards? Briere? Zero shots for all three of them. Ugh.
I wonder if Oilers would take an 18 year old Alexander Yakuchev.
ReplyDeleteJulien's a lousy coach for Seguin - bumps him in and out of the lineup, places max pressure on him, then damns him with faint praise to journalists.
ReplyDeleteRenney's no genius, but he doesn't fuck up anyone's head when he coaches them.
Matt N. Sure I've read a bunch of those posts. So why are all the ratings converging on this guy anyway? Is it because PP points mean less to scouts than they do to us? I'm sure I don't know, would love to be a fly on the wall if/when the subject came up.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I know for sure is that the Oil sure could use somebody who scores more than 11 stinkin' points on the PP. It's a major weakness.
One thing I know for sure is that the Oil sure could use somebody who scores more than 11 stinkin' points on the PP. It's a major weakness.
ReplyDeleteWell, true enough. But before we pick RNH, we'd better have a pretty clear idea of why he'll be that guy at the NHL level when Rob Schremp wasn't.
My view is that if you get guys who can score at ES, and you get a well-coached powerplay, you're going to be fine on the PP.
Bobrovsky is going to cost Philly this series.
ReplyDeleteOr perhaps Miller might cost BUF the series.
He's running a .792 today.
and you get a well-coached powerplay
ReplyDeleteAy, there's the rub.
That's my instinct too, Steve. And we have enough play-making on this team anyway. Play-making is more easily obtained. As LT says, scoring goals is the most difficult thing to do in this league. I put a premium on it. I think most intuitively do and now ricki has shown it with stats. I want the best goal-scorer or goal-preventer from the top spot in the draft. I am not convinced RNH is that guy.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I had to bet on a Skinner next year, it would be Murphy.
I was at Barons/Bulldogs game. Barons outshot Bulldogs big time. I was hoping to see a Baron impress me. None did.
ReplyDeleteOmark held on to puck too long (appears like he doesn't want to be there; in a rush to play for Sweden?). Petiot frustrated the crap out of me. Teubert a big guy, but didn't play much. Stortini rarely plays (HS in game 1). Petry has small frame, even for AHL.
Bulldogs goalie robbed Barons on several point blank shots.
Arcobello has a howitzer for a slap shot. Played the point on a few PP.
Hartikainen may have been best Baron, but not by much, followed by Vandevelde.
Disappointed in Barons, but Bulldogs a very good team.
No Chara!!??
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Marc.
ReplyDeleteHopefully there's a G6 and you'll get to check out that one as well.
Spoiler: I've got him in the pool so we'll likely not see him again.
ReplyDeleteOh bloody Jesus Humperdinck Christ.
ReplyDeleteBaby Orr is crying. Claude Julien is the devil, he must goooooo.
ReplyDeleteBruins D looking fragile.
ReplyDeleteHarry Sinden voodoo doll still has the mojo.
Tencer on his blog re: Hemsky
ReplyDelete_____________
ITEM 4 - Ales Hemsky
Steve Tambellini told me this week that they'll wait until Ales Hemsky's arm is out of a sling before they start talking contract. Hemsky has warmed to the situation here over the course of the last year, remarking to the Oilers in a recent conversation that this is as positive an environment as he's ever seen here. When healthy, Hemsky's good for nearly a point per game and certainly adds another weapon to an increasingly lethal forward corps. Problem is, his health is a question and it's a gamble to tie a bunch of money up in a player with injury history, especially when you'll need that cap space to sign a slew of young players in 2 years. Add to that the fact that they added 3 top 6 forwards to the mix this year (Hall, Eberle and Paajarvi), maybe even a fourth (Omark) and will probably add another one in the upcoming draft, and you have to answer the question of where Hemsky fits, too. In any case, the decision needs to be made this spring. Hammer out an extension, or start looking for a trade.
Is it his signing arm that's in a sling, or something?
ReplyDeleteI don't know why boston even bothers.
ReplyDeletethey see that jersey and it's over
How is THAT a penalty?
ReplyDeleteIs it 1977? Did I miss the time warp?
ReplyDeleteC'mon, guys. You have to wait until Hemsky can pass a medical before you ink him to a new contract.
ReplyDeleteIt would be foolish not to wait until you are sure that his shoulder has recovered.
At last.
ReplyDeleteOrr with a perfect pass to Hodge there.
ReplyDeleteHow can you give up a goal on a 2 on 4?
ReplyDeletegodot10 said...
ReplyDelete"C'mon, guys. You have to wait until Hemsky can pass a medical before you ink him to a new contract.
It would be foolish not to wait until you are sure that his shoulder has recovered."
Otherwise you might revisit the Horcoff contract.
Drink!
ReplyDeleteBoth Chara and the Bruins on IV.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe the level of nemesis.
and Francoeur can re become an elite outfielder.
ReplyDeleteAh, you just like him because his nickname is Frenchy. The only way he gets any good is if he learns how to take pitches and work the count. Stupid and stubborn is a bad mix.
I don't get interested in prospects for the most part (which makes the Oilers, pretty hard to follow) but RNH seems really risky to me. If his numbers were well clear of the competition, I think you could overlook many of these warts, but he has not really distanced himself IMO. I'd prefer to see the Oilers draft someone suited to EV battling. Sounds like Landeskog or Couturier to me. But again, I have no idea.
So according to Freidman, MacT will have his choice of spots next year to coach.
ReplyDeleteWonder if he picks BOS?
Some bad juju and tragic history there.
Might be good for him.
One other thing, can anyone tell me why I haven't read anything about RNH vs. Patrick Kane? Seems like similar body type and playing style, but probably not the distance from the pack? Are there any other similarities?
ReplyDeleteSmytty in his office.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago it seemed like injuries would finish off Justin Williams' career, but he's still a very solid player.
I was shocked at how effective Williams was in G1 after coming back from that injury.
ReplyDeleteI can't invest in the Kings because Kopitar isn't there but I was all ready to follow them in the playoffs a couple of weeks ago.
This Smyth guy can play too.
ReplyDeleteAnd looks like someone woke Penner up.
Check out the depth charts at C for SJ v LA. Crazy.
From Matty's Hockey World (mobile link):
ReplyDeleteEdmonton Oilers heavyweight Steve MacIntyre could bench press Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 20 times without breathing hard, but Canadian world championship coach Ken Hitchcock, who’s watched the Red Deer Rebels prospect seven times this winter, says scouts are making way too much about the kid’s 164-pound chassis. “I wouldn’t pay two seconds attention to that if I was a coach,” said Hitchcock, who’s still employed by the Columbus Blue Jackets in an advisory capacity but had a busman’s holiday this winter, watching junior games in Western Canada. “Remember what they said about (Wayne) Gretzky? He was the toughest player in the league because he always had the puck. Weight in a player isn’t relevant to me. Look at Pat Kane in Chicago. He plays at 165 pounds and nobody gets a piece of him and he’s always got the puck.” The possible first overall pick —the Oilers are deciding between Nugent-Hopkins and Swedish defenceman Adam Larsson —could probably put on another 20 pounds because he’s six-foot-one but, if teams are leery because he’s only 164 pounds now, they shouldn’t be. Skill trumps size in Hitchcock’s mind. Anybody seen Martin St. Louis lately? Tyler Ennis? Nathan Gerbe? Or Brian Gionta? “My opinion on Nugent-Hopkins has changed ... last summer I thought he reminded me of Joe Sakic, but it’s Pavel Datsyuk now,” said Hitchcock. “He strips people of the puck, he’s crafty in high-traffic areas, he dishes well, he’s got great patience with the puck. But, if you’re close to either one of those two guys (in ability), that’s a pretty good thing.”
Also mentions Brent Burns will likely be available at the draft in Minny. Richards likely to go to NY (which I think everyone expects) and thus Drury's last year might be sold.
Speculation on McNeill and Siemens.
Lander cut from Sweden despite having a stellar WHC camp. Did he make the OKC list? I can't remember.
I wonder if Hitch remembers Kane scoring 145 points in his draft year.
ReplyDeleteI remember there being a lot of doubt about Kane his draft year as well.
ReplyDeleteNow its Toews and Hossa who drive the bus on Chicago but I'd take that little 'bag of dicks' as Dennis called him ;) any day.
I'm like Cam on this. What the hell can I say? Other than the WJC I've seen none of these kids play. There are red flags but most likely it will be a typical year, out of the top five three or four will be stars and maybe one ends up meh.
And they're kids. It takes time for Christssakes. Its like folks who write off Seguin already. Kid is going to be fine. We've all been spoiled by Crosby.
Doughty having a helluva game. Again.
ReplyDeleteSeems sad not getting a Crosby, OV, Malkin, Doughty after finishing last twice.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to be spoiled. ;op
RNH with 2 points today, both of them on the powerplay
ReplyDeleteLoved this comment from Jim Matheson
ReplyDeleteThe Colorado Avalanche seem like the best bet to go after Vokoun. Should he get a cent more than Nikolai Khabibulin’s $3.75 million a year? No. Khabby won a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay. Vokoun never has.
In fact, Vokoun has played only 11 career playoff games.
I've been back and forth between a few of the top guys in this year's draft for a long time, but I think I definitely want them to take RNH (or Couturier) if only so we can stop talking about Hall at center.
ReplyDeleteI think if we add a toothpick to our current lineup of smurfs it would keep the guys in the training room very busy all winter - at least they'll have a different kind of injury to work on.
ReplyDeleteThe Oil may very well draft RNH for all we know. He may have more skating ability then Schremp did, but that lack of ES production is not something anyone has an answer for except the "saw him good" crowd.
Not saying he doesn't have talent but this is a big red flag that they'll need to have a better answer than "reminds me of Gretzky" because the fanbase is not going to just drink the kool-aid and believe after the last two winters.
spOILer - true except Sakic, Toews, Datsyuk etc, none of those guys were who they were when they were picked, know what I mean? 15 years from now we might say wow I hope this new pick becomes a Hall or a RHN.
ReplyDeleteEarly early days.
In that Joyce book he follows the Kane draft year - Kane, JVR, Backstrom, Gagner, Voracek, Kessel. At the WJC he talks about Toews, picked the year previous and how he looked like a bust so far. He had only scored a couple of times that year. Then of course he had the great WJC.
My point? Again its early. We won't know for years.
Pat: Yeah, I don't know a whole lot about the prospects either though I must most of the first round by the time it happens just because of the guys here taking about.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler: that's the thing, right? it's When you finish last overall. 4's our best bet to be the guy we all long but but as good as 14 and 91 are, are they gonna be PPG guys?
He strips people of the puck, he’s crafty in high-traffic areas, he dishes well, he’s got great patience with the puck.
ReplyDeleteBingo.
Wow, Matheson is an idiot. He's one of these guys that believes every single myth in the game.
ReplyDeleteWhy not show Hall some tape and ask him which C's game he thinks he'd mesh with the best?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't have to be the decision-maker, but I would be curious to know before I made my pick.
LA kickin.
Medicine Hat comes back from 4-1 down in third, sends game to OT.
ReplyDeleteDamn forecast scared me off or I'd be there, dammit.
The Colorado Avalanche seem like the best bet to go after Vokoun. Should he get a cent more than Nikolai Khabibulin’s $3.75 million a year? No. Khabby won a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay. Vokoun never has.
ReplyDeleteYou know who'd be a really good signing right about now? Billy Smith.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love Ferraro.
ReplyDelete"Wow, Patrick Marleau's been awful tonight."
When you finish last overall. 4's our best bet to be the guy we all long but but as good as 14 and 91 are, are they gonna be PPG guys?
ReplyDeleteI can see Eberle flirting with a PPG. Underlying math loves him. MPS is a bit more questionable - will he top out as a 40-60 point guy?
Impressive rookie seasons, that's for sure. When he adds even more size and takes it to the net more, he could be a scary player.
Add in Hemsky (if he's still here), Nugent-Hopkins, and maybe even Gagner - offense won't be a concern on this team.
Tambellini will have to fix that shitty defence though.
Just does.
The weather? Jesus what a country we live in. Supposed to snow here tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWell Bruce what's the story? You've seen RHN a number of times including the playoffs. Is he the real deal do you think?
Sharks look like the same old Sharks tonight.
Mitsh - what Bryan Murray puts on when he goes out to shovel his driveway
Medicine Hat wins, 5-4 in OT. What a comeback. Tigers now host Kootenay in Eastern conference final after division champs Saskatoon and Red Deer both crash out in semis.
ReplyDeleteBDHS: I saw Nugent-Hopkins play eleven games this year and he impressed me in all of them and impressed the shit out of me in several of them. All those things Hitchcock said are bang on the mark, he's a puck hound with outstanding anticipation, instincts, vision, and hands. He doesn't cheat for offence and has a good head on his shoulders in all three zones. He played in an ultra-defensive system in Red Deer (led the Dub by 34 GA) and thrived in it.
ReplyDeleteI did a few scouting reports on him over the course of the season. To refer you to just one, how about this one where I let the camera do the work.
"Wow, Patrick Marleau's been awful tonight."
ReplyDeleteYup. In the pool. Oy.
The best news from that series for Oiler fans is the performance of Tigers goalie Tyler Bunz, who allowed just 7 goals on 166 shots in the series (.958 Sv%, 1.36 GAA). Bunz has had Red Deer's number his whole career, posting a 12-3-0 record against the Rebels with a .944 Sv% (28 GA on 500 shots).
ReplyDeleteBunz was Oilers' fifth rounder in 2010 and is tracking real well based on this year's numbers against the whole league, not just Red Deer (35-13-8, 2.47, .919 in the regular season, better than that in the playoffs). I can add a seen-him-good vote to that, having seen Bunz play and win four games this season, including three outstanding performances.
The Magnificent Bastard strikes again.
I've been happy with Bunz in the three games I've seen him. Stats love him. Not great size but not bad. Great place in the draft to take a goalie.
ReplyDeleteBored, speculating on Matheson's article...
ReplyDeleteI'd trade Hemsky for Burns, if he really is available for a top F. That would go a long way to re-balancing offense to defense. And solves some development wait, speeds the re-build. Hemsky+Foster+CGY 3rd for the Minny draft splash, if Hemsky's injury history demands sweeteners.
My only qualm is that Hemsky's likelier to re-sign here, but I don't think Burns is impossible if he gets offered the right deal.
Same if Matheson is right about Drury... If NYR are willing to flip their pick for LA's to take Drury's salary off their hands, do it. It buys us time to put our new C in Jr.s for a year. Throw in Brule to get her done and they can easily take on Richards.
Matty also says Hejda will go to UFA. Give him a smart overpay. Sign Vandy for cheap. Add a Higgins 1st PK energy type who can also take face offs...
HALL HORC EBER
HART DRUR GAGN
PAAJ LAND OMAR
HIGG COGL JONE
REDD
WHIT BURN
PECK GILB
HEJD PETR
SMID
VAND
Flip Khabby and Gerber's roster spots and I'd be happy to take a run at 8th. It will depend on the PP and goaltending, but hopefully Burns helps out both and Whitney can stay healthy.
Of course under the present Braintrust's plan it would be ludicrous to suggest any one of these moves. So I won't.
Instead we will finish near the bottom and take a Dman first overall in a deep D draft. Thus using the last pick of the real low ones (hopefully) for the player that takes the longest to develop--SMRT.
Matheson has said a few times he thinks the Oilers may trade Hemsky t Columbus for their pick. IF that happens it would be interesting to see if the Oilers take Murphy.
ReplyDeleteBack to the 80's:
Gretzky comp: RNH
Messier comp: Messier
Coffey comp: Ryan Murphy
Kurri comp: Eberle
Anderson comp: Paajarvi
Lowe comp: Keegan Lowe (?!)
Fuhr comp: Dubnyk
Moog comp: Bunz
Kent Nilson: Omark
it is sort of funny how some of these are falling into place.
Linseman could be Brule if Brule could get his health and his head together. OR Cogliano could if he was dirtier.
The only comp for Gagner is Damphouse but that was a different Oilers team.
This team really needs a Randy Gregg, Huddy, McClelland !!, Mactavish! (maybe that is Lander)
oops Messier comp Taylor Hall
ReplyDeleteoh and of course Hartikainen is Tikkanen.
ReplyDeleteSort of funny how it is coming together
spOILer: 6'2, 199 is decent size, but you're right in this day and age it's just so-so for a stopper.
ReplyDeleteGoaltending has grown a great deal since the Gumper.
Actually, Bruce I was basing the size comment on 6'1" from The Hockey News so you've just made me happier.
ReplyDeleteBruce, I wish you had seen the other guys competing for 1st overall that many times too.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the talent level isn't that different among the top possibilities. If so, then I want the guy with the most goals... Huberdeau.
Which means I can probably afford to drop a draft pick and take a run at COL's 11th.
Which either gives a shot at Murphy or guarantees McNeill.
http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/hockey/archive/2011/02/16/ryan-nugent-hopkins-a-bird-dog-s-eye-view.aspx
ReplyDeleteI was reading Bruce's post over on the other blog and I looked up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins linemates.
Those two kids Andrej Kudrna and John Persson both have good size and offense and have chemistry with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They are also undrafted as of right now. I wonder if they will last into the third and fourth rounds? Could be worth a flyer to see them together at training camp.
82 and 61 points respectively are pretty good for the dub, though one must wonder how much of it is due to playing on the same line as RNH. Either way, could be worth a third or fourth round pick, if they're still available.
@Spoiler:
ReplyDeleteYeah I also get that vibe that Eberle would be good at center, since all of the glory that is Hall's speed and shot would be wasted if he wasn't on the wing. Whereas I think Eberle's skill set automatically lends itself to being good defnesively. But I don't think that leaves anywhere for Gagner to play. And mind you, Gagner is still very young because he played in the NHL at 18.
The only way I see this working with the forwards:
Paajarvi-Horcoff-Gagner
Hall-Eberle-Jones
Reddox-(Veteran C)-Cogliano
Hartikainen-Vandevelde-Giroux
O'Marra
MacIntyre (yes, I would pick him over Jacques)
This is assuming Hemsky gets dealt for a first round pick and Eberle can win a faceoff to save his life (since Cogliano evidently can't).
Gagner can play both C and W so I'm not worried about him on the wing.
I forgot Omark and Brule, but you get the picture. Brule is probably trade bait this summer along with Cogs.
ReplyDeleteBut who knows.
Bruce, I wish you had seen the other guys competing for 1st overall that many times too.
ReplyDeletespOILer: So do I. Unfortunately my travel budget of $0, while not quite ruling out Red Deer, leaves Skelleftea is a little out of range.
You're right in a perfect world we would be able to cover all the top guys equally, but I figured unbalanced coverage would be better than no coverage at all - hey, it's me we're talking about here so "unbalanced" comes with the territory. I also figured that quite apart from the Oiler angle it would be interesting to follow the top prospect this province has produced in a number of years, no matter where he goes in the long run. If it winds up being Edmonton, so much the better in terms of story angle, but I'm happy to let Stu MacGregor be the judge of that.
That said, when I read folks who've never seen the kid play write him off on the basis of his weight as a 17-year-old or his ratio of powerplay points, I'm apt to clear my throat cuz I've seen him good. Repeatedly.
Lol... Too bad Bruce, I hear Skelleftea is beautiful in the wintertime.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking more the Centers, but then again it is probably cheaper to fly to Sweden than the Maritimes.
But I don't think anyone is writing off RNH, that's a bit strong. There's no doubt he is in the conversation. People are just trying it find the right hair to split between equal prospects. But given his track record thus far, seems everyone but Steve trusts MBS on this pick.
RT, I'd rather trade Hemsky for Burns: More of a sure thing. Great size and skating. Dmen should be ahead of the F age cluster.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But I don't think we need to trade for D-man just yet since we will not be competing next year still.
ReplyDeleteI would rather sign UFA stopgaps for another year or two, then fill all the pieces at once through trade and UFA long term.
Though guys like Burns are tempting indeed.
6-2 199 is actually decent size for goalies and i will not be surprised if he is around or just above the league average
ReplyDeleteRT, I'd rather trade Hemsky for Burns: More of a sure thing. Great size and skating. Dmen should be ahead of the F age cluster.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't do much good to trade Hemsky for a guy who is just going to go UFA after next season.
Ducey,
ReplyDeleteYa it only works if its a trade and sign deal.
Ducey,
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind Hemsky is in the same situation and that I already noted the re-signing issue in the first post.
All the RNH boys are acting like the Girl who dates the bad guy.
ReplyDeleteHe can change!
Your not being fair!
RNH comparables are Daigle, Bonsignore, Kelly, Stefan, Niinimaki. These guys have slightly superior points from goals totals than RNH,
Best case results RNH becomes Ales Hemsky, Not likely based on Math, with a lower yearly goal(120th ranked) total.
However were you are drafted counts. Huberdeau, couturier are potential 35-40 goal scorers. Taking RNH #1 would be like taking Hemsky #1 before, Kovalchuk, and Spezza.
Crazy just crazy!
@rickibear: I am very familiar with your goals to assists ratio stat and it is worrisome but man have you seen the kid play? RNH is really, really talented.
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound like "saw him good" but man, the kid is talented.
That being said, I'm still a Landeskog guy.
@Rickibear: haha that's a good line. I'd say a guy who scored 10 goals in the first half & 21 in the second not only can change, he Has changed.
ReplyDeleteOne might suggest that any of these 17-18 year old kids who are going to succeed will have to change & grow their games.