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.