Winter 2011: #15
Summer 2011: #16
Winter 2010: #18
Summer 2010: NR
Brandon Davidson is a 20-year old playing junior hockey. It's actually quite rare for a future NHL player to be sent back to junior but the Oilers had 50-man issues. Either way, Davidson did get a late start in organized hockey so the extra year may not be an issue. If he does make the grade, he'll be able to tell people he's one of the "Orest Kindrachuk" All-Stars.
STU MACGREGOR: "We were looking for a puck mover, and Davidson certain is that. We were surprised he was there, he's a talented kid. He did have an injury problem with a knee just after Christmas; we feel he has a legitimate chance to be a solid guy for us in our organization."
The Scouting Report: One of the most intriguing prospect stories in the draft is that of Brandon Davidson. After being unable to afford AAA hockey, Davidson flew under the radar playing AA, and only started getting some legitimate exposure last season. Fast forward to today, and Davidson has established himself as a strong defenseman for the Regina Pats who has not only played tremendous defense, but also chipped in on offense as well. Given his unheralded path, it’s tough to forecast how much more potential is left in the tank, but he’s certainly deserving of a Top 60 pick at this point.
Mike Remmerde: I usually like late bloomers who come out of nowhere, but this guy's skating bothers me too much. Has big trouble with pivots. But he's got really good hockey sense and is a very good puck mover. Probably goes way higher than I like, but if somehow he lasted until the 5th round, I might be interested.
ISS: Height: 6.01 Weight: 190 Davidson was listed by the Pats after last seasons Mac's Midget Tournament. He has not missed a beat and has added some offensive flair to the Pat d-core. He moves the puck very well and is a key contributor to the PP. He has great mobility and vision with the puck. He has made an easy and smooth transition from Midget AAA to the WHL. Not often is there an 18 yr old rookie who has the impact that Davidson has had this season.
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Davidson has improved year over year offensively, and this is during a time of great turnover in Regina. However, I think he's clearly below a player like Blain offensively, but we'll find out more about this pair next season when they turn pro.
Davidson ranks in a tie for 5th among WHL defensemen in points. That's a fine number, but we have to take into account that he's a 20-year old playing junior hockey.
Defensively, Davidson plays a steady game and is a good hitter without going D gone wild. Good positionally and a smart player, smart enough to earn the right to play in an OKC post-season game in the spring.
Maybe the answer for this prospect is 2 years of hard training from Steve Serdachny will be the difference to his skating such he can become an NHL player.
ReplyDeleteStranger things have happened.
"We were surprised he was still there" Probably a good reason for that.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble wishing anything but good luck and unrealistic expectations for any of the guys from 10-15 on this list. They all seem like quality characters (racial epithets notwithstanding) and it is such a ball-buster making your way up the ranks in professional hockey that I can't but hope the arrows all point the right direction.
ReplyDeleteDavidson, like Blain, Hamilton and Pitlick are all personal favorites for these reasons. (I think Rieder is a lock to have a career, unless some bad luck kicks in)
Clarkenstein: that comment reeks of negativity! Anyone that gets drafted late and shows improvement year to year and might squeeze out an NHL career is a solid draft pick and in many ways a great success.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I just like routing for the underdog. Either way include me in the optimistic side of the ledger when it comes to Brandon.
@ Bendelson... of course it's negative. It's my middle name!! Seriously, I think he's a long shot at best and Lordy knows the Oil have enough of those in the Organization. LT made a good point about him being sent back to Junior because of the 50 contract thing. I think they've picked many players for the sake of drafting them when perhaps they could have packaged up a few picks for somebody that could have helped them this year.
ReplyDeleteYeah a warm body for a longshot or two can definitely make sense in the right situation... Davidson is one of the good guys on my estimation and I'd like to see him in the org next year. That's is all.
ReplyDeleteStay positive Clarkenstein!!
Or perhaps go positive is more appropriate. :)
ReplyDeleteJust don't test positive. Thats a negative.
ReplyDeletere: overage, worth bearing in mind that this guy's birthday is August 21. Meaning he was one of the youngest avilable to be drafted in 2009, when he was passed over as a complete unknown playing for Taber. But he's still on the young side of guys playing as 20-year-olds. As a late bloomer who's tracking a year behind most prospects, it's really only a fraction of a year.
ReplyDeleteHis other issue was that there were so many other '91 birthdays picked ahead of him in the 2010 draft - Hall, Pitlick, Hamilton, Martindale - that there were more graduating juniors eligible to turn pro this year.
I had an interview with Davidson when the Pats came through town in October. Very impressive kid, I'm rooting for him.
Btw, Regina makes their second and final visit to Edmonton this Sunday afternoon, Dec 18.
Mike Remmerde: if somehow he lasted until the 5th round, I might be interested.
ReplyDeleteWell, he was picked in the 6th round #162 overall by the Oilers, so a value pick for sure.
So I count 10 defencemen on the minor league side of things (not yet fully graduated):
ReplyDelete1.Petry
2.Teubert
3.Klefbom
4.Musil
5.Marincin
6.Gernat
7.Blain
8.Davidson
9.Simpson
10. Bigos
With Fedun and Plante (I have given up on Chorney) still hanging around.
If they can add another top 10 pick this June to this group, the Oilers could be very deep in quality defencemen in 2- 3 years.
When you are picking that late, you probably want to swing for the fence, rather than pick a likely minor leaguer. I have no problem with the pick. I expect that some of the prospects will not make it to the big show.
ReplyDeleteWhat the ???
ReplyDeleteEsks trade Ricky Ray.
Ducey: File Ray trade next to the trades of Gretzky, Messier and Pronger.
ReplyDeleteAs in, Edmonton team trades franchise cornerstone in their prime, gets completely ripped off. Jyles, a kicker and a pick sounds a lot like Lupul, Smid and some magic beans.
Pardon the language...but Eric Tillman can go f*ck himself.
@Hbomb,
ReplyDeleteIt's not like Ricky Ray is important part of the team or anything like that ... He's just a star QB ... ~sarcasm~
Oh damn, he is friggin' important. I am waiting to see/hear the plan Tillman spins for the MSM. And their soft questions about getting ripped off in the trade for a 2nd string QB in a league that needs a QB to survive.
Tillman and SERIOUSLY questionable decision making? Not exactly shocking news....
ReplyDeleteYep. They pretty much gave him away for nothing. It makes me ill. I'm also interested in what kind of spin Tillman gives this. They can grab Burris but he's no Ricky Ray.
ReplyDeleteTillman has been on a good roll with his roster moves since he arrived but I don't know if he can fix this. Maybe he has his own Travis Lulay that he can pick out of the air. I sure hope so.
The last three years for Ricky:
ReplyDelete2009 96.4 rating 22 TD 12 Int
2010 82.3 11 16
2011 99.3 24 11
Jyles
2010 100.9 19 7 in 16 games (11 starts)
If the Esks can get the 2010 version of Jyles that played for WPG they get a guy who is more mobile, has stronger arm, and is 3 years younger. Big "if".
I have been concerned about the fact Ricky puts up massive yards but seems to get shut down in some chunks of games.
I guess if you are not happy with the offence you need to plow it under and try something different.
Re: Ray
ReplyDeleteNot a huge shock. Tillman from his Regina days is not known as a stand "Pat" guy. The lack of a running threat at the QB position really limits the Eskies' playbook and makes them susceptible to the blitz.
Re: FYI
Unconfirmed reports US and Allied troops have been massing at the Syrian-Jordan border. Further unconfirmed reports this will not receive coverage in the MSM. My source is blogger Sibel Edmonds, former FBI translator, at the blog Boiling Frogs Post.
It's an election year, right?
Re: Brandon
Hard for LT to choose who to slot ahead, Blain or Davidson, especially with Davidson's unusual hockey career to date. I'd like to see some side-by-side video comparing his draft year to this one, to see if his pivots have improved.
Personally, I think the dark horse most likely to have the longest NHL career is Bigos.
Oh, and Oh Joy...
ReplyDeleteWe're one year away from the end of the world: 12/12/12.
;o)
Eric Tillman: "When Jim (Barker) first contacted us, we told him it was going to take at least a 3-for-1 deal for this to get done".
ReplyDeleteMy immediate thought:
Pronger for five assets.
Fire Tillman.
Maybe the Eskimos plan to pick up Vince Young for next season ;)
ReplyDeleteMy recollection from the Oiler Prospect camp was that Davidson was the better all around d-man when comparing him to Blain. Better decisions, better defensive ability, etc. Personally, I thought Blain played terribly, not a defensive instinct in his head, but we'll see...
ReplyDeleteAlso, Davidson may not have had training/development options that Blain had due to his financial issues, he has had to work hard to get to where he is today and I believe he will persevere.
Pronger for five assets.
ReplyDeleteThere have been some dark years to be sure, but Smid, Marincin and Eberle are looking better and better in comparison to Pronger's decomposing body.
Ducey: Fair enough, but the way I see it is that the team had draft picks anyways and could have still picked Eberle or Marincin based on their scouting staff's advice even without the Pronger trade. Just because those picks panned out (or, in Marincin's case, show promise) doesn't excuse the fact Lowe got taken to the cleaners by getting Lupul instead of Getzlaf or Perry as part of the return for a top-three in the league (at the time) 30-minute a night blueliner.
ReplyDeleteGet fucking rid of him!!
ReplyDeleteOh this isn't a Hemsky thread?
Sorry!
Get fucking rid of him!!
ReplyDeleteDean Lombardi thought you were talking about his coach. He gased Terry Murray.