In living on this planet, it must be understood that there are a few givens: Every generation thinks the world will end in its lifetime, people will always claim to have "seen" or "experienced" or "smelled" or "heard" things that, in fact, never happened, and people will always try to pass off complete nonsense as fact. And I'm not talking about nonsense like "there will be an NHL season this year," or, "Jack Johnson is a good hockey player." I mean stuff that actually sort of matters.
After the jump, I complain for 17 paragraphs or so. (I JUST figured out how to put a jump in my page. Shameful.)
Friday 14 December 2012
Thursday 12 July 2012
A Bust of Nelson Rockefeller: The Supreme Court Did What?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/07/12/pol-supreme-court-copyright-rulings.html
In a decision that falls under the "WTF???" category, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled today (in several seperate decisions, apparently) that music artists, composers, producers and such no longer receive royalties from music downloaded online. Say what?
Yes, indeed. So the next time someone downloads a song (or a freaking album!) from their favourite artist... that artist no longer receives a cut.
Imagine that you're a talented musician, and you just released a great single to the public. Millions of copies are sold in 5 minutes. And you don't see a dime of those sales. Not one measely, stinking cent. Oh yeah. That's a great idea.
That's akin to deciding that the writer of a book doesn't receive a royalty when someone buys their eBook. It's freaking crazy stupid nonsense is what it is! You want to talk about a slippery slope, this is a bowling lane inclined at 50 degrees and greased with vaselene. Next, artists aren't going to get cash when people buy the bloody physical CD! Authors won't get a fucking penny when someone buys the novel they worked on for 5 years! When a painter sells her masterpiece for 48 billion, she'll get... nothing. NOTHING!!! This is the stupidest ruling in the history of ever.
Why do we have a supreme court again?
Friday 29 June 2012
Calgary Flames Top 20 Prospects: Post Draft
1. Sven Baertschi, Portland Winterhawks, LW
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| Sven Baertschi after scoring a slick goal on a turnover caused by C Greg Nemisz |
pros: good speed and fantastic quickness. Baertschi is a highly skilled winger, equally adept at scoring goals and setting them up. He possesses an excellent mid-range shot, and fantastic vision, supplemented by his high-end hockey sense and decision making. He also brings a surprising amount of grit. Good defensive game, though there's room for improvement.
cons: a touch on the small side, and still a bit slender (though he's built rather solid--once he fills out, there won't be any problems with his size).
ETA: 1 year. Less.
Comparison: Martin Havlat.
2. Max Reinhart, Kootenay Ice, C
Reinhart is a smart, mobile, decently-sized 2way center with offensive tools that are average at worst. He doesn't excel in any one aspect of the game (except defense) but he can do it all. Had a good (but short) stint with the Abbotsford Heat at the end of the season.
ETA: 1 year. Less.
Comparison: Martin Havlat.
2. Max Reinhart, Kootenay Ice, C
pros: a good skater with a good shot and good vision. Has good hands and superb decision making. Blocks passes with aplomb, and is very good at keeping opposition forwards to the outside.
cons: doesn't have a standout offensive skill, which hurts his offensive ceiling. Has a bit of a temper, and can occasionally lose his head.
ETA: 2 years.
Comparison: Manny Malhotra.
3. Leland Irving, Abbotsford Heat, G
A positional goalie who doesn't cover a lot of net. Has good talent, and reads the play fairly well. Irving has put up only decent numbers in the AHL, in spite of a reputation as one of the top non-NHL goalies. This is mostly due to a complete lack of consistency, though last season it's at least partially due to constantly shuffling between the NHL and AHL.
pros: positionally sound. Controls rebounds. Uses the stick well. Has quick reflexes and good side-to-side movement. Reads the play well.
cons: tends to lose his head for long periods of time at random intervals. Is a tad on the small side, and doesn't cover much net.
ETA: 1 year.
Comparison: Carey Price.
4. Johnny Gaudreau, Boston College Eagles, LW
A tiny (5'6" 148lb) winger from New Jersey who relies on his elite skating (and, perhaps ironically, his size) to avoid getting plastered by every defenseman on every shift of every game. A purely offensive talent, he's arguably the most naturally talented player in the Flames' system. The only thing that will keep him out of the NHL is his size (and maybe his defensive game).
pros: Gaudreau has all the offensive tools. All of them. He's quick, agile, and possesses game-breaking speed. His stride is also stronger than one would suspect of such a tiny player. He has fantastic hands, strong wrist and snap shots, and sublime vision and playmaking skills.
cons: well, he's VERY small. Not strong, though perhaps for his size. Possesses just about 0 defensive ability, though his smarts enable him to break up plays and pick peoples' pockets. Can get handily roughed-up in close quarters and along the boards.
ETA: 3-5 years.
Comparison: Martin St. Louis.
5. Mark Jankowski, Stanstead College Spartans, C
This ranking is perhaps a bit surprising given my reaction to the selection, but there is plenty to like about him, too. This ranking might even turn out to be low. Or it could be extremely high. Jankowski arguably has the highest ceiling out of any player on this list, but he's also the biggest gamble. Will he make the NHL? Don't know.
cons: doesn't have a standout offensive skill, which hurts his offensive ceiling. Has a bit of a temper, and can occasionally lose his head.
ETA: 2 years.
Comparison: Manny Malhotra.
3. Leland Irving, Abbotsford Heat, G
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| Irving laughs it up with Miikka Kiprusoff after earning his 1st career win against the Canucks |
pros: positionally sound. Controls rebounds. Uses the stick well. Has quick reflexes and good side-to-side movement. Reads the play well.
cons: tends to lose his head for long periods of time at random intervals. Is a tad on the small side, and doesn't cover much net.
ETA: 1 year.
Comparison: Carey Price.
4. Johnny Gaudreau, Boston College Eagles, LW
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| Johnny "Pocket" Gaudreau celebrates a goal against Northeastern University |
pros: Gaudreau has all the offensive tools. All of them. He's quick, agile, and possesses game-breaking speed. His stride is also stronger than one would suspect of such a tiny player. He has fantastic hands, strong wrist and snap shots, and sublime vision and playmaking skills.
cons: well, he's VERY small. Not strong, though perhaps for his size. Possesses just about 0 defensive ability, though his smarts enable him to break up plays and pick peoples' pockets. Can get handily roughed-up in close quarters and along the boards.
ETA: 3-5 years.
Comparison: Martin St. Louis.
5. Mark Jankowski, Stanstead College Spartans, C
pros: Jankowski has a "projectable frame", as he is quite tall, and has a TON of room for muscle. Even if he doesn't grow any taller, which is actually unlikely. Jankowski has great hands, fast, fluid skating, a strong shot, and elite passing skills.
cons: Jankowski played in a really nothing league last season, so he could just have been beating up on a low level. He will need to acclimate himself to better, faster, more challenging levels of play. He won't play at a significant level until he reaches the NCAA in 2013 (though the USHL has improved notably over the last several seasons).
ETA: no less than 4 years (1 year USHL, 2 years NCAA, 1 year AHL).
Comparison: Joe Thornton.
6. Bill Arnold, Boston College Eagles, C
One of my favourite prospects, Arnold is, ostensibly, a meat-and-potatoes type checking forward, though he does show some intriguing (and underrated) tools. Arnold isn't as big as one would expect from watching him, just 6'0", but he's built like a tank weighing 215 pounds. Arnold shows noteworthy grit all over the ice, and is TREMENDOUSLY strong.
pros: as mentioned above, Arnold is stronger than just about anyone. He has a long, powerful skating stride, with which he can, essentially, carry other players along on his back while he heads for the net. He protects the puck very well, especially along the boards, and has underrated hands. He is very adept at tipping shots in front of the net. He's also great on the cycle game, and fantastic defensively.
cons: in spite of his powerful stride, his top speed is only okay (if that). He isn't very quick, and his first few strides tend to be fairly laboured. Though he'll occasionally go for the big hit, he isn't as physical as he should be.
ETA: 3 years.
Comparison: Michal Handzus.
7. Markus Granlund, HIFK, C/RW
Another small(ish) forward with hockey sense coming out the ears. Granlund is a silky smooth playmaking centerman (he can also play wing) with a strong shot and, somewhat surprisingly, notable grit. He posted solid numbers in the SM-Liiga last season, though he did play alongside his older, better brother Mikael at times.
cons: Jankowski played in a really nothing league last season, so he could just have been beating up on a low level. He will need to acclimate himself to better, faster, more challenging levels of play. He won't play at a significant level until he reaches the NCAA in 2013 (though the USHL has improved notably over the last several seasons).
ETA: no less than 4 years (1 year USHL, 2 years NCAA, 1 year AHL).
Comparison: Joe Thornton.
6. Bill Arnold, Boston College Eagles, C
| Boston College C Bill Arnold (right) was one of the few players who impressed on a disappointing American team |
pros: as mentioned above, Arnold is stronger than just about anyone. He has a long, powerful skating stride, with which he can, essentially, carry other players along on his back while he heads for the net. He protects the puck very well, especially along the boards, and has underrated hands. He is very adept at tipping shots in front of the net. He's also great on the cycle game, and fantastic defensively.
cons: in spite of his powerful stride, his top speed is only okay (if that). He isn't very quick, and his first few strides tend to be fairly laboured. Though he'll occasionally go for the big hit, he isn't as physical as he should be.
ETA: 3 years.
Comparison: Michal Handzus.
7. Markus Granlund, HIFK, C/RW
pros: Granlund doesn't panic, and moves the puck very well about the offensive zone. He doesn't back down from battles along the boards, though he could certainly use some improvement in that area. Granlund has good hands, is very quick on his feet, and has an underrated shot. Has shown notable improvement in his defensive zone play.
cons: Granlund isn't particularly strong, and can lose battles for the puck. He'll often try to do too much himself with the puck, which can lead him into trouble. He's also fairly slow.
ETA: 3 years.
Comparison: Henrik Sedin.
8. Michael Ferland, Brandon Wheat Kings, LW
A versatile checking forward, Ferland has shown notable improvements in all aspects of his game since he was drafted. Ferland projects as a high-end checking forward in the NHL, though there are some who believe he could be a 2nd line power forward.
pros: Ferland has a strong, accurate shot, and good hands. He is big and strong, and throws his body (and fists) around with aplomb. He is an underrated passer, and thinks the game fairly well.8. Michael Ferland, Brandon Wheat Kings, LW
cons: though he has shown plenty of improvement, Ferland is still a below average skater. His offensive tools are very real, but he doesn't project as a scorer. Has a tendency to take boneheaded penalties late in games.
ETA: 3 years.
Comparison: Brian Boyle.
9. Brett Kulak, Vancouver Giants, D
Kulak was maybe my favourite selection in the 2012 draft, and he is now the best defensive prospect in the system. Kulak doesn't shine in any particular area (except perhaps his skating, which is quite good), but he is a very smart player who makes good decisions both with and without the puck, and shows good positioning in all 3 zones. Kulak's role with the Vancouver Giants increased dramatically last season when star shut-down defender David Musil went down to injury.
pros: high-end hockey sense and silky-smooth skating ability make for a very complete player. He's still growing, which is good news for his thin frame (though he's already 6'1", which is decent). He is far from flashy, which isn't a bad thing for a defenseman. In fact, it's often a very good thing, especially for one who's trusted against the other teams' best as Kulak is.
cons: there isn't much to report here. He isn't going to blow anyone away with his offensive skills, though, and he could probably stand to be more physical (adding muscle to his 175 pound frame would help). However, there is some upside offensively, as he scored 9 goals last season.
ETA: 3-4 years.
Comparison: Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
Horak is a solid, well-rounded player who brings ridiculous speed and good smarts to the game. His offensive tools aren't inconsiderable, but still developing. Horak surprised last season when he started the season with the Calgary Flames and played 61(!!) games. In spite of how much time he spent in the NHL last season, I still think he could use some refinement in the AHL.
pros: a good skater. He's a smart player who doesn't make many mistakes. Has good, if raw, offensive skills.9. Brett Kulak, Vancouver Giants, D
| Kulak was happy to take the extra icetime when D David Musil got hurt |
pros: high-end hockey sense and silky-smooth skating ability make for a very complete player. He's still growing, which is good news for his thin frame (though he's already 6'1", which is decent). He is far from flashy, which isn't a bad thing for a defenseman. In fact, it's often a very good thing, especially for one who's trusted against the other teams' best as Kulak is.
cons: there isn't much to report here. He isn't going to blow anyone away with his offensive skills, though, and he could probably stand to be more physical (adding muscle to his 175 pound frame would help). However, there is some upside offensively, as he scored 9 goals last season.
ETA: 3-4 years.
Comparison: Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
10. Pat Sieloff, USNTDP, D
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| D Pat Sieloff was a leader on the championship U-18 team |
Another super-physical shut-down defenseman taken from the 2nd round for the Flames (to go with Wotherspoon). Sieloff is a smart player with good leadership qualities, who loves to play the body. He has some puck-moving ability, but nothing high-end. Is also very mobile. He's headed for the Windsor Spitfires next season, which FINALLY gives the Flames another OHL prospect.
pros: good mobility. Can move the puck more than many shut-down defenders. Extremely smart, and leads by example. Apparently LOVES shutting down the other team's best. Gotta like the attitude.
cons: not a lot of offensive ability. Though he consistently lays people out (especially in open ice) he isn't big--only 6'0" 198lbs. Doesn't possess much offensive zone acumen, and certainly won't be a powerplay weapon.
ETA: 2 years.
Comparison: Kevin Bieksa.
11. Roman Horak, Calgary Flames, C/LW
cons: not particularly strong. Fast, but only in a straight line, and rarely uses his speed as he should. Needs to improve his shot A LOT.
ETA: 1 year.
Comparison: Tomas Plekanec.
12. Greg Nemisz, Abbotsford Heat, RW/C
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| Nemisz still has only the 1 assist in the NHL, and no goals. |
A big, surprisingly skilled forward with a strong right-handed shot. He can move the puck, but is better shooting. He can play all 3 forward positions, but is probably best as a RW (though his best NHL stint was as a center...).
pros: he's big. He has hands, to some extent. He plays defense very well, and is adept at breaking up plays with his stick, especially along the boards.
cons: he doesn't use his size as he should. His offensive acumen is limited in spite of decent tools, and his upside pretty much stops at 3rd line center (more likely winger).
ETA: 1 year, maybe less (though the signing of Blake Comeau kind of puts a hitch in this..).
Comparison: David Moss.
13. Ryan Culkin, Quebec Remparts, D
A francophone with an obviously anglophone name (the exact opposite of Rene Bourque), Culkin is an all-around defenseman with a decent amount of upside. Like all Flames draft picks under Feaster, he's a smart player, and he's a good skater. The Flames considered him equivalent to Kulak, but I don't agree (yet).
pros: smooth-skating and intelligent. Possesses some offensive tools, and a willingness to use them. Can eat important minutes at even strength.
cons: tends to try to do too much offensively at times, trying to go beyond his means (especially with his hands). Doesn't contribute offense at even strength.
ETA: 3-4 years.
Comparison: Josh Gorges.
14. John Ramage, Wisconsin Badgers, D
An average-sized, physical defenseman who has been playing in the NCAA for the past 3 seasons. He had a forgettable season last year, but will look to rebound. For anyone wondering why he hasn't been signed yet, he'll probably dither until training camp, then decide that there's more he wants to do in College. Like he did last year.
13. Ryan Culkin, Quebec Remparts, D
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| D Ryan Culkin is a vital cog in the Quebec Remparts' machine |
pros: smooth-skating and intelligent. Possesses some offensive tools, and a willingness to use them. Can eat important minutes at even strength.
cons: tends to try to do too much offensively at times, trying to go beyond his means (especially with his hands). Doesn't contribute offense at even strength.
ETA: 3-4 years.
Comparison: Josh Gorges.
14. John Ramage, Wisconsin Badgers, D
pros: Ramage is, largely, similar to Sieloff. He isn't big, but he can absolutely DESTROY players caught with their head down. He has a right-handed shot, and some underrated (but limited) puck moving ability. A great leader.
cons: doesn't think offensively, and is, thus, almost a liablity on the powerplay. Can sometimes try to do too much, and is at his best when playing a simple game (that involves destroying people).
ETA: 1, maybe 2 years.
Comparison: Rob Scuderi.
15. Coda Gordon, Swift Current Broncos, LW
A smart, physical winger from the WHL who might remind (a little) of Greg Nemisz. He's a poor skater, but still scored 30 goals last season (almost all from the low slot at even strength). A great shooter and good passer.
pros: good offensive skills, among them a great shot. Can hit with the best of them, and has roughly average hands (maybe slightly above). Extremely intelligent, and makes good decisions with the puck.ETA: 1, maybe 2 years.
Comparison: Rob Scuderi.
15. Coda Gordon, Swift Current Broncos, LW
cons: a terrible skater. He's slow, and brings a choppy, weak stride. The good news, though, is that his issues are, largely, coachable. He could maybe become as good a skater as Nemisz.
ETA: 4-5 years.
Comparison: Matt Moulson.
16. Tyler Wotherspoon, Portland Winterhawks, D
A rugged stay-at-home defenseman who loves to drop both the mitts and opposing players with hits. Wotherspoon lacks the high-end hockey sense of most other Feaster picks, though he's no slouch in that category, certainly. He also has a certain amount of offensive ability.
pros: big and strong, fairly smart, and decently mobile. Wotherspoon is adept at shutting down opposing forwards, and keeping them honest with his rugged game.
cons: doesn't have much ability at moving the puck, and his hands are poor. His shot is only decent, as well, though he can get it to the net.
ETA: 3-4 years.
Comparison: Jim Vandermeer.
17. Laurent Brossoit, Edmonton Oil Kings, G
A big, athletic goalie. He had a great season--especially in the playoffs--playing for a powerhouse Edmonton Oil Kings team. He even managed to do a decent job of shutting down Sven Baertschi in the WHL final. For whatever reason, though, he forgot how to play in the Memorial Cup, and his team seemed to collapse as a result. To be fair, he wasn't the only player in the tournament who did.
pros: big, with solid reflexes. Moves reasonably well in the nets, and his positional play has come a long way over the course of the season.
cons: though it's improved (as mentioned) his positioning could still use a lot of work. If it's improved enough, he could be quite good, with his size and reflexes.
ETA: 5 years.
Comparision: Roberto Luongo.
18. Joni Ortio, TPS Turku, G
A skilled goalie in the mold of Miikka Kiprusoff, Ortio has plenty of talent, but suffers from consistency issues similar to those of Leland Irving. He spent most of last season warming the bench (a stupid organizational decision), but played every minute for TPS once he was sent back to Finland, which speaks well of his skill.
17. Laurent Brossoit, Edmonton Oil Kings, G
| G Laurent Brossoit almost single-handedly sank the powerful Portland Winterhawks |
pros: big, with solid reflexes. Moves reasonably well in the nets, and his positional play has come a long way over the course of the season.
cons: though it's improved (as mentioned) his positioning could still use a lot of work. If it's improved enough, he could be quite good, with his size and reflexes.
ETA: 5 years.
Comparision: Roberto Luongo.
18. Joni Ortio, TPS Turku, G
pros: positions himself well, and generally makes the first save. His reflexes are superb, and his style is impeccable.
cons: has a tendency to lose his net if he's not "in the zone" which results in bad goals and blow-out losses.
ETA: 5 years.
Comparison: Miikka Kiprusoff.
19. Paul Byron, Abbotsford Heat, C/W
a speedy, physical forward who is quite small. He has good hands an vision, but for whatever reason hasn't been able to translate his offensive game to the bigs with any consistency.
pros: speed. Skill. Physical game. Effort level. He's got some tools.ETA: 5 years.
Comparison: Miikka Kiprusoff.
19. Paul Byron, Abbotsford Heat, C/W
cons: his size. He is quite easy for defenders and strong forwards to overpower. Sometimes he can make boneheaded decisions with the puck.
ETA: 2 years.
Comparison: Blake Comeau.
20. Brady Lamb, Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, D
A large, mobile, Calgarian defender with a right-handed shot and some upside. The Flames signed him out of the NCAA, and that league has a tendency to produce very pro-ready players. Lamb is a bit older, but being undrafted, he might be a late bloomer.
20. Brady Lamb, Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, D
pros: he's got some skill. He isn't particularly tall, but he's built like a tank, and can lay out hits when he has to. He can lay a decent point shot on net.
cons: he's a bit older than most players one would expect to have an NHL future, and was never drafted. Oddly, he alternated very good and very poor seasons in the NCAA.
ETA: 2 years.
Comparison: Matt Gilroy.
ETA: 2 years.
Comparison: Matt Gilroy.
Monday 25 June 2012
Wacky Predictor of Futureness: 2012 UEC Semifinal
Portugal VS Spain 1 - 2
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| Ronaldo sad.. |
Germany VS Italy 2 - 0
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| Though he didn't score a goal, Mesut Ozil is happy with his 2 assists. |
Saturday 23 June 2012
Calgary Flames 2012 Draft Report Card
Day 1
Things couldn't have been going better for the Flames. In a sharp departure from normal draft tendencies, defenseman after defenseman was drafted in the top 10. Only 2--TWO--forwards. Just 2. Granted, they were Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk (related, the Habs had a GREAT draft). But Filip Forsberg, who was a consensus top 5 pick, went ELEVENTH!!
Anyway, with 10 selections finished, things were looking pretty good. Forsberg, Faksa, Teravainen, and Grigorenko were ALL still available. "Great!" we thought. "This is fantastic!"
Pick 11 came. Forsberg went.
Pick 12 arrived. Grigorenko's plummet ends at Buffalo.
Pick 13 passes. Faksa is gone.
And now, the Flames will take Teravainen.
Oh, wait... what's Feaster doing on the phone?
He traded the pick. To Buffalo, for the 21st and 42nd picks. There have been grumbles that they could have gotten more for the pick, and that's likely true... if only it hadn't been the Flames who placed the call. If you initiate contact, you're dealing from a position of weakness.
But, done is done. And now Buffalo takes Teravainen.
Oh, wait, Girgensons. Okay, we're still alive.
The next 3 picks pass without a hitch. Ceci? Didn't want a dman anyway. Wilson? Ha! Hertl? Good, but Teravainen's better. Apparently, Chicago liked him too. Teravainen goes 18th.
Okay, well, there's still Sebastian Collberg. And Olli Maatta. We can still come out okay.
A couple picks later, and they're still on the board. (Laughton. Ha!).
Feaster approaches the podium. And my head explodes.
Mark Jankowski C, Stanstead College; 21st overall
Now that I've had a chance to cool down (Could've had Teravainen.... *sniffle*) this isn't a terrible pick. Jankowski isn't a player I'm particularly familiar with, but he was on my radar... in the 2nd round, in case the Flames managed to acquire a 2nd round pick. But, Feaster, Weisbrod, Button, and Goulet apparently really REALLY liked him. I get the sense that, if they had stayed at 14th, they'd have taken him anyway. So, good thing they traded down, I guess. Imagine if they had gone up with Teravainen and Girgensons still on the board and taken this guy. Jankowski is bound for Providence College (NCAA) which is a good sign for a project. There have been mentions of him going to the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) first, though, which allows him to ease in to the great level of play that is NCAA hockey.
Pros: For such a universally panned pick, there is a lot to say in the pros section. The most obvious is that he's the youngest player in the draft (almost a full year younger than one Pontus Aberg). Very advanced for his age. He's big (well, tall--he carries less muscle than I do, having grown ~6.5 inches in the last year). He's got above-average hockey sense according to many scouts. He's got great hands and playmaking ability, a good shot, and excellent compete level. And he's also got a great personality. Seems like a great kid. He also scored 53 goals and 94 points in just 57 games. Granted in a weak league, but that's damn impressive.
Cons: Did you know there was a team called Stanstead College? In short, the guy was a man among boys. A wolf among chihuahuas. A tiger among squirrels. You get the idea. The level of competition he played against was... extremely low. Of course, that means his team mates were (relatively) lousy too (I don't mean to insult highschool players, but really--how many NHL players were drafted from this league? I think 0). I once described Zemgus Girgensons as "thin as a pencil" (granted, I was operating on dated listings and pictures/videos etc.). At least that guy was ripped like a UFC fighter. Jankowski looks like if someone stretched me out 8 inches taller without adding any (okay, much) muscle. And if I had shoulder-length helmet-hair. So yeah--he needs to "grow into" his frame. Better start eating, kid.
Comparisons: Weisbrod says Joe Nieuwendyk. I laugh, but what do I know? I'd have taken Collberg. And Nieuwendyk was drafted 27th overall (which, at the time, was the early 2nd round).
Random: His name makes me think of Trevor Letowski, which, in turn, makes me think of the Coyotes. I hope he becomes a better player than that. And with the Flames.
Grade: C. I didn't feel comfortable giving it an F, considering the upside he possesses. But at the same time, the bust factor is so significant that it makes me think that "C" is even a bit high. I might change that later.
Day 2
Day 2 was pretty disappointing. They took a goalie in the 3rd round (inexcusable) and took 3 dmen--none of whom have a RHS. Missed out on Nick Ebert (last overall) Dalton Thrower (taken in the late 2nd) Anton Slepyshev (not drafted!!!) and others (including Seth Griffith, 5th round)
Patrick Sieloff D, USNTDP; 42nd overall
Physical defenseman, similar to (but smaller than) 2011 2nd rounder Tyler Wotherspoon. Apparently hits everything that moves, and has okay mobility, but that's about all that can be said for him. Didn't put up many points, and had a ton of penalty minutes.
Grade: C+. Not really a fan, especially since Dalton Thrower went 9 spots down. Sieloff does have a may birthday though.
Jonathan Gillies G, Indiana; 75th overall
Big goalie. 3rd round. Scouting report reads like a description of Henrik Karlsson. Bound for the same NCAA team as Jankowski.
Grade: F. There's no excuse for taking a goalie this high.
Brett Kulak D, Vancouver; 105th overall
I actually like this pick. Kulak is a silky smooth defenseman with untapped offensive potential, and good all-around skill. He's a bit on the small side, though. His scouting report on The Hockey Writers is absolutely glowing, saying things like "Duncan Keith" and "ridiculous upside". I'm not sure I'd go that far, but he's alright, especially in the 4th round for a team that really has nothing at all on D. My comparison is Marc-Edouard Vlasic of the San Jose Sharks, though he has a long way to go to reach that lofty comparison.
Grade: A.
Ryan Culkin D, Quebec; 124th overall
Another OKAY pick. Culkin is a smart, no-frills defenseman. He's described as being fairly mobile, with good offensive instincts... on the powerplay. He doesn't contribute much offensively at even strength, though. Definitely a project. He's also, paradoxically, the biggest defender the Flames got in this draft.
Grade: C.
Coda Gordon LW, Swift Current; 165th overall
Many expected Gordon to go higher than this. He was ranked 2nd on the Broncos in points (with 53) and goals (with 30). He also boasted a +2 rating, which, on a poor team, isn't bad. He has a great shot, and a great physical game, but dreadful skating. Still, not bad for a 6th rounder.
Grade: B+.
Matt DeBlouw C, Muskegon; 186th overall
It's hard to get incensed about a 7th rounder, but this was the time to go far a home run! er, another home run. Nick Ebert and Anton Slepyshev were still on the board, and the Flames go for this guy for some reason. DeBlouw scored 33 points in 58 games, good for 3rd on his team (USHL). He was also a -18, though Muskegon appears to have been a terrible team.
Grade: F. Mostly because they should have taken Nick Ebert. Upside. RHS. Yeah. Didn't.
OVERALL GRADE: C
Things couldn't have been going better for the Flames. In a sharp departure from normal draft tendencies, defenseman after defenseman was drafted in the top 10. Only 2--TWO--forwards. Just 2. Granted, they were Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk (related, the Habs had a GREAT draft). But Filip Forsberg, who was a consensus top 5 pick, went ELEVENTH!!
Anyway, with 10 selections finished, things were looking pretty good. Forsberg, Faksa, Teravainen, and Grigorenko were ALL still available. "Great!" we thought. "This is fantastic!"
Pick 11 came. Forsberg went.
Pick 12 arrived. Grigorenko's plummet ends at Buffalo.
Pick 13 passes. Faksa is gone.
And now, the Flames will take Teravainen.
Oh, wait... what's Feaster doing on the phone?
He traded the pick. To Buffalo, for the 21st and 42nd picks. There have been grumbles that they could have gotten more for the pick, and that's likely true... if only it hadn't been the Flames who placed the call. If you initiate contact, you're dealing from a position of weakness.
But, done is done. And now Buffalo takes Teravainen.
Oh, wait, Girgensons. Okay, we're still alive.
The next 3 picks pass without a hitch. Ceci? Didn't want a dman anyway. Wilson? Ha! Hertl? Good, but Teravainen's better. Apparently, Chicago liked him too. Teravainen goes 18th.
Okay, well, there's still Sebastian Collberg. And Olli Maatta. We can still come out okay.
A couple picks later, and they're still on the board. (Laughton. Ha!).
Feaster approaches the podium. And my head explodes.
Mark Jankowski C, Stanstead College; 21st overall
Now that I've had a chance to cool down (Could've had Teravainen.... *sniffle*) this isn't a terrible pick. Jankowski isn't a player I'm particularly familiar with, but he was on my radar... in the 2nd round, in case the Flames managed to acquire a 2nd round pick. But, Feaster, Weisbrod, Button, and Goulet apparently really REALLY liked him. I get the sense that, if they had stayed at 14th, they'd have taken him anyway. So, good thing they traded down, I guess. Imagine if they had gone up with Teravainen and Girgensons still on the board and taken this guy. Jankowski is bound for Providence College (NCAA) which is a good sign for a project. There have been mentions of him going to the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) first, though, which allows him to ease in to the great level of play that is NCAA hockey.
Pros: For such a universally panned pick, there is a lot to say in the pros section. The most obvious is that he's the youngest player in the draft (almost a full year younger than one Pontus Aberg). Very advanced for his age. He's big (well, tall--he carries less muscle than I do, having grown ~6.5 inches in the last year). He's got above-average hockey sense according to many scouts. He's got great hands and playmaking ability, a good shot, and excellent compete level. And he's also got a great personality. Seems like a great kid. He also scored 53 goals and 94 points in just 57 games. Granted in a weak league, but that's damn impressive.
Cons: Did you know there was a team called Stanstead College? In short, the guy was a man among boys. A wolf among chihuahuas. A tiger among squirrels. You get the idea. The level of competition he played against was... extremely low. Of course, that means his team mates were (relatively) lousy too (I don't mean to insult highschool players, but really--how many NHL players were drafted from this league? I think 0). I once described Zemgus Girgensons as "thin as a pencil" (granted, I was operating on dated listings and pictures/videos etc.). At least that guy was ripped like a UFC fighter. Jankowski looks like if someone stretched me out 8 inches taller without adding any (okay, much) muscle. And if I had shoulder-length helmet-hair. So yeah--he needs to "grow into" his frame. Better start eating, kid.
Comparisons: Weisbrod says Joe Nieuwendyk. I laugh, but what do I know? I'd have taken Collberg. And Nieuwendyk was drafted 27th overall (which, at the time, was the early 2nd round).
Random: His name makes me think of Trevor Letowski, which, in turn, makes me think of the Coyotes. I hope he becomes a better player than that. And with the Flames.
Grade: C. I didn't feel comfortable giving it an F, considering the upside he possesses. But at the same time, the bust factor is so significant that it makes me think that "C" is even a bit high. I might change that later.
Day 2
Day 2 was pretty disappointing. They took a goalie in the 3rd round (inexcusable) and took 3 dmen--none of whom have a RHS. Missed out on Nick Ebert (last overall) Dalton Thrower (taken in the late 2nd) Anton Slepyshev (not drafted!!!) and others (including Seth Griffith, 5th round)
Patrick Sieloff D, USNTDP; 42nd overall
Physical defenseman, similar to (but smaller than) 2011 2nd rounder Tyler Wotherspoon. Apparently hits everything that moves, and has okay mobility, but that's about all that can be said for him. Didn't put up many points, and had a ton of penalty minutes.
Grade: C+. Not really a fan, especially since Dalton Thrower went 9 spots down. Sieloff does have a may birthday though.
Jonathan Gillies G, Indiana; 75th overall
Big goalie. 3rd round. Scouting report reads like a description of Henrik Karlsson. Bound for the same NCAA team as Jankowski.
Grade: F. There's no excuse for taking a goalie this high.
Brett Kulak D, Vancouver; 105th overall
I actually like this pick. Kulak is a silky smooth defenseman with untapped offensive potential, and good all-around skill. He's a bit on the small side, though. His scouting report on The Hockey Writers is absolutely glowing, saying things like "Duncan Keith" and "ridiculous upside". I'm not sure I'd go that far, but he's alright, especially in the 4th round for a team that really has nothing at all on D. My comparison is Marc-Edouard Vlasic of the San Jose Sharks, though he has a long way to go to reach that lofty comparison.
Grade: A.
Ryan Culkin D, Quebec; 124th overall
Another OKAY pick. Culkin is a smart, no-frills defenseman. He's described as being fairly mobile, with good offensive instincts... on the powerplay. He doesn't contribute much offensively at even strength, though. Definitely a project. He's also, paradoxically, the biggest defender the Flames got in this draft.
Grade: C.
Coda Gordon LW, Swift Current; 165th overall
Many expected Gordon to go higher than this. He was ranked 2nd on the Broncos in points (with 53) and goals (with 30). He also boasted a +2 rating, which, on a poor team, isn't bad. He has a great shot, and a great physical game, but dreadful skating. Still, not bad for a 6th rounder.
Grade: B+.
Matt DeBlouw C, Muskegon; 186th overall
It's hard to get incensed about a 7th rounder, but this was the time to go far a home run! er, another home run. Nick Ebert and Anton Slepyshev were still on the board, and the Flames go for this guy for some reason. DeBlouw scored 33 points in 58 games, good for 3rd on his team (USHL). He was also a -18, though Muskegon appears to have been a terrible team.
Grade: F. Mostly because they should have taken Nick Ebert. Upside. RHS. Yeah. Didn't.
OVERALL GRADE: C
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Wacky Predictor of Futureness: The UEFA Euro 2012 Final 8
Given how awesomely well my Stanley Cup prediction went (I'd have had to work hard to do worse ;P) and how much fun I had doing it (the detail was RIDICULOUS!) I thought it would be fun to do it again. Hooray. This time for the Euro Cup. Hooray. And for 4 games.
Czech Republic VS Portugal 1-4
The Czechs, after winning their dubious group, were, no doubt, hoping Denmark would find a way to qualify in the "Group of Death". Well... they didn't. And Portugal (particularly chief striker/Captain Christiano Ronaldo, pictured giving his personal thumbs up) has found their game. As a result... the result isn't pretty. After a 1-1 first half (goals by defender Michal Kadlec in the 29th minute, and by forward Helder Postiga in the 33rd), Ronaldo comes alive in the second, scoring goals at the 50th, 61st, and 73rd minutes to seal the relatively easy 4-1 win for Portugal. The Portuguese enjoy 63% of the possession in their win.
Germany VS Greece 2-0
The beleaguered Greeks, without Captain Giorgos Karagounis due to a stupid yellow card in the game against Russia, do what they always do: work for a win. Unfortunately (and not for lack of trying, with several great scoring chances by Giorgos Samaras and Fanis Gekas, all foiled by Manuel Neuer) the Greeks don't get that win. After some tight(ish) play, with the Germans getting the majority of the shots and chances (though not to a dominating extent) the ice is finally broken when, at the 33rd minute, Thomas Muller makes up for a largely lackadaisical group stage by potting his 1st goal of the tournament on a feed from star defender Jerome Boateng. The 1-0 advantage continues into the 2nd half, until Mario Gomez pots his 4th goal in the 55th minute off a feed from Bastian Schweinsteiger off a Mesut Ozil free kick, which pretty much ends any excitement in the game, as the Germans go into shell mode for the rest of the contest.
Spain VS France 1-0
Both teams bounce back from dismal performances in their respective final group matches with a tightly contested game. Spain enjoys the majority of the shots and chances, though not to the extent maybe expected. A few lapses by Spain's young defensive line lead to prime scoring chances for French forwards, though 'keeper Iker Casillas is up to the task. Most of Spain's chances are created by Andres Iniesta passes to Fernando Torres, who invariably fires either 10 feet wide or 10 feet high. Eventually, in the 73rd minute, Torres is substituted for Cesc Fabregas, and 2 minutes later, Fabregas heads home a goal from a Xavi Hernandez corner to get the win for the Spaniards.
England VS Italy 2-1
After a strangely lethargic group stage, Italy was looking to take the bull by the horns against the English. A very small bull, they thought. The Italians drill the English for almost 70% of the ball possession, with multiple scoring chances, shots, posts, blocked shots, and near misses. They finally score at the 40th minute on a mid-range shot by Antonio Cassano that eludes goalkeeper Joe Hart, giving the Italians their well-deserved lead. However, in the 56th minute, a cross by Theo Walcott bends its way to striker Wayne Rooney, who slams home a header for the tying goal. The rest of the half is played much like the first, with Italy tossing chance after chance at the English goal, all of which fail for one reason or another. Then, in the dying seconds of stoppage time, Theo Walcott slides into the open with a burst of speed to take a Steven Gerrard pass and roofs an absolute laser to give the plucky Britts the improbable 2-1 lead... and the win.
heh. That was fun.
and now, this.
Tuesday 12 June 2012
2012 NHL Mock Draft: Post SC
1. Edmonton Oilers - Nail Yakupov RW
First pick. Best player in draft. Moving on.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ryan Murray D
The Jackets are in serious need of defenders. I was tempted to give them Forsberg, but Murray can play right away.
3. Montreal Canadiens - Mikhail Grigorenko C
Like him or not, he's too skilled to pass up. Also, the Habs have enough legendaryness on their side that he'll probably stay.
4. New York Islanders - Filip Forsberg RW
The big, mobile winger has unreal hands and a great shot.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs - Alex Galchenyuk C
The Leafs, after years of dreadful choices and ill-advised pick trading, finally get it right. Galchenyuk could end up the best player in the draft.
6. Anaheim Ducks - Mathew Dumba D
Mobile, physical, and competitive. What's not to like? His defence is a work-in-progress, but his ceiling is arguably higher than Murray's. He also has an absolute canon of a shot.
7. Minnesota Wild - Griffin Reinhart D
Big, all-around defenseman. The Wild have practically nothing left on the blueline after trading away most of their top4 and bringing in only Tom Gilbert. Jonas Brodin is a great prospect, but he can't do it all alone.
8. Carolina Hurricanes - Teuvo Teravainen RW
The Hurricanes supposedly don't like taking defensemen in round 1, though they did it last year. This year, they get an ultra-talented Finnish winger who can already play with men.
9. Winnipeg Jets - Jacob Trouba D
The Jets get possibly the most underrated of the top dmen in the class. No big deal.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning - Morgan Rielly D
Bolts have an aging corps and an antique goalie. Rielly gives them an exiting talent on the blueline, and another playmaker to feed Stamkos' one-timers. You know, like if St. Louis doesn't last forever or something.
11. Washington Capitals - Radek Faksa C
The Caps take the do-it-all Czech power forward from the OHL off the table.
12. Buffalo Sabres - Cody Ceci D
Ceci sort of came out of nowhere last season. On the other hand, he almost made team Canada.
13. Dallas Stars - Sebastian Collberg RW
Lightning-quick Swedish sniper gives the Stars someone to compliment Jamie Benn or Louie Eriksson.
14. Calgary Flames - Zemgus Girgensons C
Big, strong, physical, skilled, mobile, defensively responsible, Latvian... there's nothing to dislike about him. Except the inconsistency part. He also has the third best name in the draft (behind Roberts Lipsbergs and Teodors Blugers, also Latvian).
15. Ottawa Senators - Pontus Aberg LW
Swedish sniper/speed demon is a perfect fit for the Sens. He even plays for the same team as top prospect Mika Zibanejad, Djurgarden of the Elitserien (now Allsvenskan).
16. Washington Capitals - Olli Maatta D
Super-smart all-around defensemen with good size don't grow on trees. Possibly the only downside to Maatta is he has to return to Finland for no less than one season after the draft.
17. San Jose Sharks - Hampus Lindholm D
Big, physical, fast offensive defenseman rocketed up draft rankings over the course of the season, and the Sharks can't afford to shy away from his potential downside in the defensive zone.
18. Chicago Blackhawks - Brendan Gaunce C
The 'Hawks add to their stable of big, strong forwards. Gaunce is the least skilled of the bunch, but also the best shooter and thinker.
19. Tampa Bay Lightning - Tomas Hertl C
Czech forward had a great season in the Czech Extraliiga. His skills may be enough to offset his poor skating when he comes to North America.
20. Philadelphia Flyers - Matt Finn D
The 2-way defenseman is not flashy--almost boring, really--but he can do it all. The Flyers are, apparently, under the influence of a goaltending curse of some kind, so defensemen make sense.
21. Buffalo Sabres - Tom Wilson RW
The Sabres figure there is more Milan Lucic than Tim Jackman in Wilson, and also figure that he could be a good compliment to some of their smaller scoring forwards like Tyler Ennis or Nathan Gerbe; or, failing that, a bigger one like Joel Armia.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins - Derrick Pouliot D
One of the more naturally talented offensive defensemen in the draft, Pouliot could end up being a steal this low... if he learns how to play defense.
23. Florida Panthers - Slater Koekkoek D
A 2-way defenseman with good size, Koekkoek might have reached the top 10 if he hadn't been injured so often.
24. Boston Bruins - Andrei Vasilevski G
The Bruins figure, with Tim Thomas taking a year off and a year closer to turning 40, they should have another goalie in the system other than Tuukka Rask. Vasilevski is as good as they get.
25. St. Louis Blues - Brady Skjei D
Underrated 2-way defender plays a complete game and has good size and skating. There are questions about his physical game and offense, but the Blues have plenty of talented forwards.
26. Vancouver Canucks - Henrik Samuelsson RW
The Canucks like Samuelsson's combination of size, strength, and skill. His skating needs a lot of work, though.
27. Phoenix Coyotes - Martin Frk RW
The Coyotes want a forward, and Frk is actually one of the more talented players in the draft--he's a potential gamebreaker. Unfortunately, he's also a dreadful skater, though it's nothing a few hundred power-skating lessons won't fix.
28. New York Rangers - Nicolas Kerdiles C/LW
A good, physical, 2-way forward for a good, physical, 2-way team.
29. New Jersey Devils - Malcolm Subban G
Martin Brodeur can't play forever--though it certainly seems like he's been around forever already--and the Devils don't have an heir apparent, though their system is suitably deep at the position. Subban would make a good eventual starter.
30. Los Angeles Kings - Dalton Thrower D
I'm not completely derisive of the Blue Jackets, and I can't think they're dumb enough to take the Kings' pick for this season when they have the choice of next season--and the Kings are unlikely to repeat as champions. Thus, a robust, physical defenseman makes sense. He would fit nicely in the Kings' system, an eventual replacement for either Rob Scuderi or Willie Mitchell and, possibly, a partner for Slava Voynov.
Thursday 7 June 2012
1000 Words: That's Not Ur Couch, Bro
So, on the C-train coming home from work. This asshole gets on, and starts motioning for people to give him space (I, with my headphones in, don't understand what's going on. Kind of assume he's just talking to somebody.) Luckily (up 'till this point) I am across the train from him. After everyone has (presumably) moved far enough away, Mr. Moron unzips--his pants!!--and lies down. Across no less than 5 (FIVE!!!!!!!!!!) seats. He puts his baseball cap on over his face, and proceeds to fall asleep. And snore loudly enough for me to hear him through Smoke on the Water.
In honour of this dubious occurrence and truly astounding display of casual 14A rated napping, we shall now pay homage to other Morons who share this blatant disregard for... you know, the generally accepted belief that there are OTHER PEOPLE!
In honour of this dubious occurrence and truly astounding display of casual 14A rated napping, we shall now pay homage to other Morons who share this blatant disregard for... you know, the generally accepted belief that there are OTHER PEOPLE!
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| This guy looks like the bloody pope compared to the one I encountered. |
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| What is "National Sleep in Public Day"? |
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| I'm glad to say I've never seen this. |
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| Poor whino. |
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| Narcoleptic X-ing |
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| Oops.. |
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| That looks comfy.. Not. |
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| If only... |
Tuesday 22 May 2012
2012 Calgary Flames Draft Targets
The Unlikelies:
Alex Galchenyuk
Hey, stranger things have happened. Galchenyuk is a highly-skilled, well-rounded American center with great hands, skating, hockey sense, shooting ability, vision, and even some grit. The only reason he could possibly fall to the Flames would be either: the Flames trade up (which they've pretty much never, ever done) or if too many teams are concerned about Galchenyuk's injury. Honestly, I don't see that happening.
Teuvo Teravainen
a super-skilled, super-sneaky Finn, Teravainen wouldn't have been an Unlikely as recent as 2 months ago. Things do change, however; mostly people just abruptly caught on to the fact that he's one of the best forwards in a draft thin on forwards. That, in itself, isn't really an encouraging thing to say, but Teravainen is probably a top 10 selection in just about any draft ever. He's small, but proved he could put up points in a men's league last season.
The Realistic(ish)s:
Sebastian Collberg
Fast and skilled, Collberg is pretty much a pure sniper. He has great hands and is a quick, explosive skater, but the biggest thing about him is his elite, elite shot and lightning-quick release. In spite of his size (or, rather, lack thereof) he is adept at going to the dirty areas to score goals (though he'll need to gain a ton of strength to be even marginally effective as a pro). Scored well in international play, but laid an egg in 41 Elitserien games this season.
Pontus Aberg
Aberg was a complementary piece on a Djurgarden team that got relegated to the Allsvenskan at the end of the season. Pontus is a nearly identical player to Collberg, except for being faster with a not-as-good shot. Otherwise, they're very similar. Aberg is also a late(ish) 1993 birthdate--in fact, he is only 14 days younger than Alex Khokhlachev, who was drafted in 2011. The extra development time has to be counted against him to some extent when comparing him to Collberg. Oddly though, I like him better.
Olli Maatta
A smart, all-around defenseman from Finland playing in the OHL. His skillset is mostly oriented to defense, though he does show some offensive ability, especially in the back-door play and on the rush. He's fairly mobile in all 4 directions, though oddly his skating stride could use some work. His physical game is very good. Though he's an early August birthdate (making him one of the youngest players in the draft) he is a very advanced prospect. This has led to some speculation about how much more development he has and, thus, to questions about his ultimate upside. Still, a good building-block prospect for a system that needs them.
Zemgus Girgensons
A former linemate of current Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the Latvian forward playing in the USHL. Some scouts are convinced he has the skill to be a top 10 pick. Others doubt he'll even be a 3rd line forward in the NHL. He is very skilled, though his offensive game tends to take short vacations. His work ethic is always at 100% however, and he's always throwing his wire-thin body around. With some added muscle (seriously, he's thin as a pencil) he could be even more dominant. Or much, much slower. Time to toss the dice.
Cody Ceci
An all-around defenseman who surprised with a nearly point-per-game season with the Ottawa 67's. There are questions about his mobility and the projectability of his offensive game, but he's a big, well-rounded defenseman who manages to be fairly mobile and effective at moving the puck. There have been complaints that he doesn't use his size as much as one would expect as well. He's not likely to fall to 14th, but then again, few would have thought Nathan Beaulieu, Ryan Murphy (2011), Cam Fowler, and Brandon Gormley (2010) would fall out of the top 10 (in some cases top 5) in their respective drafts, but they ALL did. Defensemen routinely slip through the cracks, and Ceci is one the Flames have to keep an eye out for.
Griffin Reinhart
Younger brother of Flames prospect Max and older brother to top 2014 eligible Sam, Griffin is a big stay-at-home defenseman who also possesses some puck possession skill. His first pass is pretty good, and his hands are better than one would expect from a big defenseman. He's not the best skater--far from it--but he's at least decent for a player his size. He isn't as physical as most defenseman his size, but he isn't gentle either. He has some ability at clearing the front of the net due to his size. Like Ceci, he's unlikely to fall to 14th, but defenseman do fall.
Matt Finn
An average-sized all-around defenseman who's known for being almost completely without flash. He is never going to wow anyone in any of the three zones--with or without the puck--but he can do just about anything. In spite of a bit of a lack of size and strength, he plays a decent enough physical game, and even fights on occasion. There are some issues with his skating, but he has made notable improvements in that area. He's unlikely to be the most intriguing prospect available at 14th, but he's definitely one to keep an eye on, especially if the Flames decide to trade down (like they did almost every season under Darryl Sutter).
Radek Faksa
In a draft thin on forwards, Faksa is almost certainly going to be overdrafted. However, there is a chance, at least, that he'll be available when it comes time for the Flames to make their pick. Faksa is a mobile, skilled power forward who sometimes plays downright nasty. He plays both center and the wing, and seems equally adept at both (at least in Junior). There have been comparisons to Eric Staal, but that might imply more offensive potential than Faksa actually has. Still Faksa is an intriguing prospect, and if he manages to still be on the board at 14th, it's unlikely the Flames take anyone else.
Derrick Pouliot
The offensive defenseman from Portland Winterhawks has plummeted in draft rankings, but mostly due to other players like Cody Ceci, Radek Faksa, Teuvo Teravainen, and Matt Finn surpassing expectations. Pouliot remains a smart, mobile defenseman who moves the puck with crisp, tape to tape passes and labels an accurate shot on net. the jury is still out on his defensive game, where some scouts think he's quite good (underrated would be a better word) while others think he's so bad he needs to be converted to forward.
Hampus Lindholm
The Swede has shot up draft rankings in north america with a strong season with Rogle of the Allsvenskan (Elitserien as of next season, since Djurgarden got relegated and Rogle advanced). Lindholm is what's known as a "toolsy" defenseman, as he possesses many desireable qualities--speed, smarts, puck moving, shooting, vision, even grit--but has yet to truly put it all together. His defensive game, in particular, is a work in progress, as he needs to learn to read the play better. His hands, in contrast to the rest of his tools, are only average as well.
The Darkhorses:
Nick Ebert
Once upon a time, Ebert was considered a top 10 prospect in this draft. However, once the season started, he was so universally underwhelming that he's absolutely plummeted, appearing in the 3rd round in most rankings. Reportedly he still has all the potential he once did (he was believed to be a potential top pair defenseman), but questions about his desire and decision making have caused scouts to question whether he will ever come close to reaching his lofty potential. Personally, I think scouts have been a little overly harsh on him, but I guess they know better than me.
Andreas Athanasiou
Athanasiou is another faller. His decision making and overall hockey sense has been questioned ever since he was ranked as high as 15th previously. He remains a speedy (eye-poppingly so) and flashy goal scoring winger who can play either side. He also shows good vision and above-average shooting, but only some of the time. He has a lot of potential, but whether he reaches it or not is no better than a crap-shoot. Athanasiou is also one of the younger players in the draft with an early August birthdate.
Dalton Thrower
Thrower is a small-ish (the largest I've ever seen him listed is 6'0") but extremely physical defenseman who put up flabbergasting numbers last season (scored almost as many points as Derrick Pouliot). In spite of that production, his projections remain as a physical second-pair defenseman, but scouts are beginning to consider that there might be a fair bit more upside here than they originally thought.
Seth Griffith
Griffith is an odd case, a 2011 eligible who somehow fell through the cracks in spite of a nearly point-per-game season (he was only 6 points back of 1st round pick Vladislav Namestnikov). Even more mystifying, he was somehow left off CSS's final North American rankings for this draft. Griffith is a sneaky, opportunistic winger who can put up points as a complementary piece to more skilled players. Certainly not 1st round material--or even 2nd round--but he's a player who should be on the Flames' radar in the mid and late rounds (the Flames aren't shy about drafting players passed up in their first year of eligibility, such as John Ramage and Gaelan Patterson, though they were both Sutter picks).
Alex Galchenyuk
Teuvo Teravainen
The Realistic(ish)s:
Sebastian Collberg
Pontus Aberg
Olli Maatta
Zemgus Girgensons
Cody Ceci
Griffin Reinhart
Matt Finn
Radek Faksa
Derrick Pouliot
Hampus Lindholm
The Darkhorses:
Nick Ebert
Once upon a time, Ebert was considered a top 10 prospect in this draft. However, once the season started, he was so universally underwhelming that he's absolutely plummeted, appearing in the 3rd round in most rankings. Reportedly he still has all the potential he once did (he was believed to be a potential top pair defenseman), but questions about his desire and decision making have caused scouts to question whether he will ever come close to reaching his lofty potential. Personally, I think scouts have been a little overly harsh on him, but I guess they know better than me.
Andreas Athanasiou
Athanasiou is another faller. His decision making and overall hockey sense has been questioned ever since he was ranked as high as 15th previously. He remains a speedy (eye-poppingly so) and flashy goal scoring winger who can play either side. He also shows good vision and above-average shooting, but only some of the time. He has a lot of potential, but whether he reaches it or not is no better than a crap-shoot. Athanasiou is also one of the younger players in the draft with an early August birthdate.
Dalton Thrower
Thrower is a small-ish (the largest I've ever seen him listed is 6'0") but extremely physical defenseman who put up flabbergasting numbers last season (scored almost as many points as Derrick Pouliot). In spite of that production, his projections remain as a physical second-pair defenseman, but scouts are beginning to consider that there might be a fair bit more upside here than they originally thought.
Seth Griffith
Griffith is an odd case, a 2011 eligible who somehow fell through the cracks in spite of a nearly point-per-game season (he was only 6 points back of 1st round pick Vladislav Namestnikov). Even more mystifying, he was somehow left off CSS's final North American rankings for this draft. Griffith is a sneaky, opportunistic winger who can put up points as a complementary piece to more skilled players. Certainly not 1st round material--or even 2nd round--but he's a player who should be on the Flames' radar in the mid and late rounds (the Flames aren't shy about drafting players passed up in their first year of eligibility, such as John Ramage and Gaelan Patterson, though they were both Sutter picks).
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