Hockey Jr.

I'd like to see the Rangers showing an interest in Blake Wheeler. It's not my money, true, but, then again, neither is Bourret's, for instance. And, it's not like the system has too many large dudes who allegedly can skate. If the big team has minutes for Blair Betts and Ryan Hollweg, almost any long shot could actually make it. Just seems like a lot of raw material there.

Here's Hockeysfuture on Wheeler.

Over the last couple seasons, Wheeler has added a lot of size. He’s s filling out, and still growing into his frame. Wheeler is a good skater, has deceptive speed, and has great acceleration when needed, but needs to increase his stamina. He can stickhandle at top speed, but needs to develop more moves, especially power driven moves coming out of the corner. He needs to be a bit more creative on the forecheck, using his body and keeping his legs constantly moving. When he shows spurts of confidence driven play, he can be very effective on forecheck, most notably down low. He needs to continue to improve on creating space and or distance while he’s on the puck. He has the ability to play on special teams.

HF may not be suitable for skeptical readers, since the submissions are from amateurs. Then again, exactly where in the draft did Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Henrik Lundqvist come from?

Red Line Report for December 2004, including surrounding analyses, for perspective:

With the returns now in from the early signing period, Red Line has analysed all of the preliminary freshman recruiting classes (see pages 9-10 for full recruiting lists) for 2005 in U.S. college hockey, and here are our thoughts on which schools have given themselves a leg up on having the most productive classes.
1. University of Michigan — The Wolverines go to the head of the class by signing three potential NHL first rounders: super stud defenders Jack Johnson and Mark Mitera from the U.S. NTDP, and unquestionably the fastest and best skater in this year’s crop, highly skilled Andrew Cogliano out of Toronto’s Tier II ranks. Add in a trio of bruising power wingers in Jason Bailey, Tim Miller, and Zac MacVoy, and you’ve gone a long way towards re-loading all the chambers.
2. Boston College — Quality and quantity is the deciding factor in declaring the Eagles’ class the best in the east. This comes on the heels of Red Line awarding Jerry York’s crew top honours last May for their job on 2004 recruiting. As usual, they grabbed Red Line’s favourite little man in super pest Nathan Gerbe, who at 5-6 may be too tall for BC’s program. Two other small but superbly skilled forwards in Brock Bradford and Benn Ferriero, plus big bull Kyle Kucharski feather the Eagles’ nest up front. Add a fine mix of skilled puck-moving defenders (Brett Motherwell and Anthony Aiello) and physical blue-liners (Tim Kunes and Tim Filangieri) and you can see the depth of this crop.
3. University of Minnesota — Homegrown products Blake Wheeler and Ryan Stoa are two of the biggest and most skilled power forward prospects in the nation, and they added a quality netminder in Jeff Frazee. Throw in nice complementary pieces in defenceman R.J. Anderson and speedy pivot Justin Bostrom, and that’s a good day’s work.

Here is the class of 2005.

(Luc Bourdon was from this class. Peace be upon the mourners.)

In the same report by Kyle Woodlief:

1. Sidney Crosby/LC — Rimouski. 5-10/188. Sees every-thing developing quicker and moves the puck faster than anyone else can anticipate. Always delivers puck to proper spot and always tees it up in perfect shooting position for linemates. Has the speed/quickenss to gain separation and back defenders off. Instinctively understands where open ice is going to be. Amazingly quick, soft hands and hockey sense. Has improved defence; backchecks alertly to break up dangerous rushes and comes back deep in d-zone to help out d-men. Even plays it physical and throws some big hits. Outhustles and outworks much bigger opponents in battles for loose pucks down low at both ends.

By way of contrast, we offer:

The question of WHY Wheeler turned down the Coyos IMO is the most important one that needs to be answered as the CBA basically limits what first contracts are supposed to be.

By declaring for free agency Wheeler lost his 2004 rights and now has to accept a much lower first time entry level contract.

The Coyos made a bad pick to begin with as Wheeler was never worth the 5th slot.

Wheeler made an even dumber decision to leave school a year early

And whoever signs him might be making just as dumb a move because Wheeler and agent are not showing many bright ideas here.

Maloney should not be all that happy though going from his boss TGO wasting a top 5 pick to the 35th pick.

Sorry but I would pass on someone who is not making smart decisions OFF the ice. Makes me suspect his on ice decisions.

Yes that report seems like a troll's, but the author is actually a professional scout and reporter. I point this out despite knowing how grim the future of culture may seem when somebody this ign'ant and illiterate actually files taxes because of the quantum commerce he and his handler conduct for the troll's take. Absurdly, some people buy his craptasmogoria on hockey.

Allegedly in Hartford are some future NHL contributors. Only two are 6'4" or up. Anisimov is in the pole position overall down there, while Hugh Jessiman is on the outside.

I think if the Rangers had a system that prioritized by size these guys could easily make it as NHL-ers. The Red Wings prove that, imo. Players don't develop in a vacuum. Talent properly tinkered with always develops into production. They say you can't coach size as a rationale for drafting big. That combined with skating, as in the case with Wheeler, or willingness to learn, as Jessiman shows, shouldn't be a mysterious sign but a definitive marker for a prospect's room to grow potential.

Hockey Gods

Kris Draper in the second period of game 3 had Sidney Crosby's future lined up in open ice, and let him go. Crossing the red line with the puck and speed, Sidney was defenseless. But, instead of launching left shoulder into golden boy's sternum Draper dipped and merely caught him with a slight hip check. Somewhere, Scott Stevens frowned.

No way anybody in the NHL plays well soon after being hit like Crosby easily might have been. Stevens delivering it and the kid may have never played again at a high level. Guess I'm glad Draper didn't hit him. Must be deep down Draper's a good man. (Not dinging Stevens, btw.)

NBC crew still called it a good hit so that they could tout Crosby's physical toughness. Then Mcguire commended Crosby for not "whining to the refs" about it. Somewhere, Bettman frowned. Classic. Made it easier missing the hit.

The Red Wings must be the least Canadian hockey team in the history of the NHL. Fit, fast and tough. Deeply skilled. How good is Franzen?

Chris Chelios can't crack the lineup. Even "overall disappointment" Brad Stuart despite a couple of turnovers, showed a lot last night, too. Would have been the fastest rear guard on this Rangers team just past.

Best unit ever?

They can all attack deep and still get back. Stuart skated down and stopped Crosby in the neutral zone. More cool, Lidstrom in the next period starting in front of Fleury overtook Malkin just below the circle to Osgood's right.

No Ranger d man in deep could ever catch either of them. Also, Detroit's forwards when they have trouble in the neutral zone have no fear of flipping it back in the d zone because of the way these guys handle the puck.

Wings back 7 reveals how weak is the New York Rangers defense corps. We all knew they blew to a degree but, this would be shocking if it didn't sting so much. Marc Staal and Fedor Tyutin could pretty quickly become reliable regulars for them. Daniel Girardi could not. imho, of course. What do I know?

Of the UFAs perhaps Campbell and Redden only could make the Wings. Neither figures to be a blueshirt. As it should be, imo, say no to Stuart, too.

Comparing Datsyuk and Zetterberg to Gomez and Drury should not encourage a Rangers fan. All that salary space tied up in 2 grade B+ players means there may not be wiggle room for a truly dominant young scorer. We'll know more after Jaromir Jagr signs his next contract.

In retrospect, and I know this is way late but, maybe Sather shouldn't have got both Drury and Gomez. Maybe Ryan Smyth not Gomez, put him with Drury and Shanny (not my first choice, would be the Rangers). Cullen with Callahan and Avery. Jagr and Dubinsky and Straka. The horrible HBO line. Signing Smyth, a proven scoring winger for less than Gomez and fewer years: now that's a role model for guys like Callahan and hopefully down the road Cherepanov, Anisimov and maybe, if the planets align just right, Hugh Jessiman.

From Blueshirt Bulletin

Did anybody else hear the joke about Sundin winning the Messier Leadership Award for leadership on and off the ice?...The guy who hamstrung any chance of his club improving for the future by waiving his no trade clause is the best definition of a "Leader" the NHL could find...What a joke!!!

Posted by: Dennis | May 28, 2008 at 09:47 PM

More hockey (for now)

Maybe soon I post something different

Johan Franzen out with concussion like symptoms. Been having headaches since the early part of the second round. Hmm, wonder how that happened? Is it another case of the grand old hockey tradition of maiming guys you (Colorado, this time) can't stop honourably?

Meanwhile, do I sense the specter of Eric Lindros in the mysterious switch to 'concussion like symptoms'? Along with the lawyers, of course.

Franzen video here , his two hat tricks against Colorado. One from game 2; the other 4. After his last goal on the reel, somebody smacks him on top his helmet. That's gotta hurt...if he was like, concussed by then.

What I claim I believe I saw in that video is a difference in his celebration face, check that, face like area, after the 3rd goal in each trick. Game 2 he's beaming. 4, he could be concussed. (My head certainly hurt when his teammate smacked down on his dome.) Even though Detroit is well on their way to closing out the sweep, this is not evidence that for days now his head had ached constantly, I have to believe. The contrasting teammates-mobbing-you faces, though not irrefutably revealing Franzen is getting nauseous now, is too small a sample to make any guesses, I suspect.

Plus, more significantly at stake is a guy's career and overall health. Concussions and lasting struggle go together like herpes and Hollywood. Is it worth it? (In hockey we mean. We know what it is in Hollywood, we think.)

Missing at least 2 games is too large a sample of rare playoff hockey, however. Traditional-dirty makes it more irritating. Stupid effing tradition of anything short of murder is cool with us, caused it's the way we had to come up so why should it be any easier for the next generation.

So, taking out the highly skilled guys neutral fans want to see is cool, even if they are newcomers, even if Sidnerella Crosby could be the next kid to experience lobotomy like symptoms. Why get up the hopes of new fans to the game that would expect to be investing in an industry that always wants the most talented guys controlling how the game is played out. Once the know nothing fans got uppity they might start demanding that referees look, maybe not competent, but not like they blatantly throw games regularly. Basketball fans, and soccer (int'l.) too, are keenly interested in the abilities of refs. But, the NHL must think with the way they let refs get away with all sorts of crazy ass shit, who needs those fans?

otoh

In the first shift of game 2, Dallas Drake crushed Stephane Robidas. 50+ minutes later, Robidas paid him back. Drake immediately back to the bench, bedazzled. Now that is honour in hockey.

Acton Gets a Job

What Would Acton do? aka, at least we're not Toronto Maple Leafs fans:

Paul Maurice was fired as coach of the Maple Leafs on Wednesday after Toronto failed to make the playoffs during his two years. The dismissal was the first big move in what is expected to be an active offseason for the team.

"This is a start of a new era for the Maple Leafs," interim general manager Cliff Fletcher said at a news conference at Air Canada Centre. "This is all part and parcel of that."

The Maple Leafs finished 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 36-35-11 record and missed a playoff spot by 11 points.

They are looking for a full-time GM after firing John Ferguson in January. In other moves Wednesday, assistant coach Randy Ladouceur was dismissed while assistant Dallas Eakins was offered a position elsewhere in the organization. Keith Acton will remain an assistant.

Fletcher said the ouster will pave the way for the new management team to bring in its own staff.

Yup, that's how I see it.

Acton has spent eight seasons as an assistant coach with the Leafs. He was appointed to the Toronto staff in August 2000 after two seasons as an assistant with the New York Rangers. Prior to that, he was an assistant/associate coach with the Philadelphia Flyers for four years.

Served as N.Y. Islanders assistant coach while Al Arbour was suspended from Jan. 7 to Jan. 15, 1994. ... Named Philadelphia assistant coach on July 12, 1994, had title upgraded to associate coach on July 7, 1997, shifted back to assistant coach on March 9, 1998, and remained in that position until June 16, 1998. ... Named N.Y. Rangers assistant coach on June 18, 1998, and remained in that position through 1999-00 season. ... Named Toronto assistant coach on Aug. 4, 2000.

Keith Acton went to the playoffs the first four years he AC'ed in Toronto. 3 years starting after the lockout, nil. Just before Tor he ac'ed for my team, the New York Rangers. In neither of these years did the Rangers make the playoffs. And what is the difference between assistant and associate coach?

Now he's on a new run. During that time and presuming he remains on the Leafs bench he'll have worked for three GMs and 3 HCs in 9 years. And the Leafs apparently think he's indispensable behind the bench. Why?