Wednesday, December 14, 2011

#20 Prospect: Ryan Martindale

Winter 2011: #20
Summer 2011: #20
Winter 2010: #13
Summer 2010: #14

Ryan Martindale enjoyed an impressive junior career, playing on one of junior hockey's most famous lines during his time in Ottawa. Size and skill and some major questions. So far this season, none of those questions have been answered.

Stu MacGregor: "He was their top line centerman, he played with Toffoli. He was a very solid, big guy. He has to improve his game in some areas, but he has size and skill. His overall commitment needs to be there every night. He's a big kid that has a lot of talent."

Redline: Big pivot has three OHL campaigns under his belt and still shows the same mind-numbing lack of effort and passion we saw in him playing minor hockey, when he was being touted as a can't miss prospect. Effective with the puck in open ice - uses long quick reach, quick hands, and slick puckhandling skills. Lackign strength and drive in his legs, and not quick off the mark. Does have a nice shot release and can be effective when he shows some interest. But is easily pushed off the puck by smaller d-men. Soft and doesn't compete. Loses all the little battles and in not wild about contact.

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After signing his pro contract (late, it was October) Ryan Martindale joined Curtis Hamilton and Tyler Pitlick as early pro's from the 2010 draft (Taylor Hall beat them all by making the NHL just months after being selected). Martindale's offense in junior hockey is well known and he projected well based on Desjardins' NHLE's. Here are the CHL  forwards from 10-11 and their numbers run through Gabe's equivalency:
    1. Curtis Hamilton (WHL) 10-23-33
    2. Ryan Martindale (OHL) 13-18-31 
    3. Tyler Pitlick (WHL) 12-15-27 
    4. Drew Czerwonka (WHL) 5-11-16 
    5. Kristians Pelss (WHL) 5-8-13 
    6. Cameron Abney (WHL) 3-5-8 
In training camp this fall, Martindale showed flashes of that offensive ability but also displayed the things that may keep him from making the NHL (he's not White Lightning on skates and seems to spend time on cruise control) but he did enough to convince the organization to sign him once the 50-Man situation shook loose.

Which brings us to the curious beginning of Martindale's career in pro hockey. Curtis Hamilton was signed in mid-April, Tyler Pitlick was signed a few days before Hamilton. Martindale was signed deep into the pre-season, in fact he signed just before OKC's season began.

Martindale ended up in Stockton (ECHL) and not much happened in October and November. He did get a taste of AHL action (2, 0-0-0 -1) but would appear to be an extra on the depth chart at this time. His Stockton performance (21, 1-7-8) didn't force the callup, but rather injuries and suspensions.

Martindale is similar to Pitlick and Hamilton in that their stories are starting slowly because of the organization's forward depth. All three will need to force their way into AHL jobs and that could take most of this year and some of next season. Ryan Martindale has not progressed as an NHL prospect, but it would be hard to argue that he's going the wrong way based on opportunity.
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousWednesday, December 14, 2011 at 5:44:00 PM MST

    thanks for this series LT-I think if we can 1 of Martindale,Hamilton or Pitlick to the NHL we'll have done OK with these picks.

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  2. dohfOsWednesday, December 14, 2011 at 7:48:00 PM MST

    Glad Martindale made your list. He's my dark horse of making the Oilers in 2 years or so.

    So, Martindale haven't really been top notch down in Stockton.. but seriously. I'm fearing Stockton really isn't for everyone, especially after that Motin interview I wrote about earlier in the season (or well, pre-season). Why on earth do the Oilers want their kids in a town like that? I know I wouldn't want my own kids there so why would they? Surely there has to be other options.

    Putting kids to live in a town they might not find that friendly (even tho I haven't heard Martindale or Roy complain yet) just doesn't make sense to me, cannot possibly be the best, neither for them or the Oilers organization as while.

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  3. LowetideWednesday, December 14, 2011 at 7:52:00 PM MST

    Well it's tough because we don't know how much he's playing either. I think we have to evaluate all of these kids (Pitlick, Hamilton and Martindale) a little differently.

    The Oilers have pushed back the timeline for these kids by hiring Keller and Tremblay and others.

    So whereas a kid like Hartikainen maybe had to work in a depth role until Xmas last sesaon and then found more playing time, that might not come this season.

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  4. DSFWednesday, December 14, 2011 at 8:03:00 PM MST

    From the the Thunder website on Saturday:

    STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announced the Oilers have recalled rookie right winger Cameron Abney (AB-nee) and rookie center Ryan Martindale from the Thunder to the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.

    Abney, 20, was selected by the Oilers in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and skated in two games for Edmonton at this year’s YoungStars Tournament, collecting an assist, a +1 rating and fighting major.

    The 6-foot-5 and 205 pound forward has suited up in 18 games for the Thunder, collecting four points (1g-3a) and 79 penalty minutes.

    Martindale, 20, was selected by Edmonton in the third round (61st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and suited up in two preseason games for the Oilers this year.

    The 6-foot-3 and 207 pound pivot has skated in 21 games for the Thunder this season, scoring eight points (1g-7a) and collecting six penalty minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SK Oiler FanWednesday, December 14, 2011 at 8:15:00 PM MST

    Great reads LT.. as usual. A diverse and interesting mix of prospects - surely a handful will become inpact players at some point.

    Now if only the pro scouting department could impress.

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  6. the 0 in 0rca is for 0 cupsThursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:04:00 AM MST

    9-5 tomorrow.

    ¡GOIL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. YetiThursday, December 15, 2011 at 6:54:00 AM MST

    Thanks, as always, for the top-20. Interesting - and deliciously controversial - stuff here. I hope Alex Plante doesn't start sending you hate mail!

    ReplyDelete