He has a recognizable last name, but John Quenneville is trying to make a name for himself as he heads into the 2014 NHL Draft. He's improved a great deal during his last season in the WHL, but should the Devils use their first round draft pick on the smaller forward?
The New Jersey Devils have a first round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft. I point that out because it wasn't true a few months ago. With a shocking turn of events, the NHL decided to alter their punishment to the Devils over the Kovalchuk contract fiasco and returned their first round pick. There are a few stipulations, though - it cannot be traded, and regardless of how the season turned out, it was going to be a 30th overall pick. With all of that said, we get to speculate who the Devils will pick with their six picks on June 27th in Philadelphia.
Just like last year, we will be looking at various draft eligible players the Devils may draft leading up to the main event in June. Our first profile will be on a possible first round pick with a well known last name in the hockey world - John Quenneville.
John is a 6'1" 187 lbs. multi-talented forward. He played both center and left wing during his impressive season with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL in 2013-2014. He was also a member of the bronze medal winning U-18 Canada team.
While he isn't a huge guy, he has a physical edge to his game and uses his strong frame to his advantage. Not only is he not afraid to drop the gloves, but he also uses his shoulders and frame to protect the puck. He needs work to become the well-rounded player he wants to be in each zone, but his habits and playing tendencies show he can get there.
"I liked [Quenneville] a lot when I saw him. He has the pro makeup and is a hard-worker. He makes good plays very quickly and is good at moving the puck. I'd like to see more consistency from him, but I like the way he finds open spaces and his ability to make any kind of pass."
"He's an industrial forward that has the ability to create offense from below the goal line while displaying good open ice skills. He's a solid skater that uses his balance and wide shoulders to fend off opponents and he has a deceivingly hard shot on both the forehand and backhand."
"He will definitely need to work on his foot speed while continuing to develop his effectiveness as a 200-foot player."
Video:
First up is a goal Quenneville scored for Canada in the U-18 tournament in April. It's a nice goal after a turnover.
As noted above, Quenneville isn't afraid to get physical. He had five fighting majors last season, including this bout with Tyler Robertson from the Edmonton Oil Kings.
My opinion:
With his creativity on the ice and passing ability, I wouldn't mind taking John Quenneville with the 30th pick. While I'd prefer a bigger scoring threat, he is a talented forward who can play more than one position and has improved greatly as he's developed.
It's nice to see that he has improved each season. He has much more room to get better, but he shows the work ethic and drive to get there. He compares his game to Anze Kopitar and I would not mind having a player like that in the Devils lineup every night at all. Kopitar leads the LA Kings in scoring in the playoffs and was the leader during the regular season, as well. If Quenneville is going to play like Kopitar at the professional level, he has a lot of work to do, but his style is similar.
Your take:
What do you think of John Quenneville? Do you think he would be a good choice for the Devils' first round draft pick? Should go earlier than 30th or later? Please leave your thoughts and comments on the Devils taking Quenneville below. Thanks for reading!
The Evansville IceMen have fired their coach after another season without playoffs, leaving Columbus' ECHL affiliation temporarily in limbo.
In 2012 when the Evansville IceMen jumped off of the Central Hockey League's sinking ship and joined the ECHL, the transition to affiliated hockey carried a steep learning curve. Head Coach and General Manager Rich Kromm elected to sign a pair of one-year affiliation deals, inking contracts with both the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues. The IceMen dressed an incredible 59 different players and lost 425 man-games to injury in 2012-13, en route to a 25-40-7 finish and a home in the cellar of the ECHL's Eastern Conference.
Kromm's contract was not renewed, and longtime ECHL coach Jeff Pyle was hired as Evansville's new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. Pyle chose to scale back on the affiliation front, walking away from the Blues but retaining the Blue Jackets relationship. The IceMen roster stabilized a bit in 2013-14, with Evansville dressing "only" 46 players and losing "just" 264 man-games to injury. Still, the team finished on the outside looking in at the playoffs again, with a 31-30-11 record and a 10th-place ranking in the 13-team Eastern Conference.
It was just the second winning season in Evansville's brief six-year hockey history, but not enough to earn Pyle another season behind the IceMen bench. Coupled with the team's late-season meltdown (the IceMen started 21-9-8 but went just 10-21-3 after that), Pyle's off-ice differences of opinion with IceMen Owner Ron Geary sealed his fate. Geary announced Pyle's dismissal on April 18, citing a commitment to winning and admitting that Pyle simply wasn't "a good fit."
Last summer, Pyle's hiring was announced in conjunction with Kromm's firing, on April 11. This year, Pyle's departure did not coincide with his replacement's hiring. Geary has stated that the coaching search is well underway, numerous applicants are under consideration, and a decision should be made by June 1.
In the meantime, fans are left to wonder what will come of the agreement between Evansville and Columbus. Other ECHL teams are already locking up affiliations for 2014-15 and beyond - the expansion Indy Fuel have signed a 5-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Elmira Jackals have announced an affilation switch from the New Jersey Devils to the Buffalo Sabres.
Last summer, the IceMen did not announce the renewal of the Blue Jackets affiliation until July 16, more than 3 months after Pyle was hired. It stands to reason that no decision will be made this summer until the IceMen have found Pyle's successor and the new hire has time to settle in and assess the situation, so it will likely be a while until we find out if the IceMen and Blue Jackets will continue to work together.
When the 2013-14 affiliation renewal was announced, Pyle confirmed that the Blue Jackets had been interested in a multi-year agreement. Pyle elected to sign a one-year deal, however, preferring to take a "wait and see" approach to subsequent seasons. He wanted to make sure that the relationship was "mutually beneficial" before inking a long-term deal. Of course, what Pyle didn't foresee was that his tenure in Evansville would not outlast the affiliation agreement.
AFFILIATION RUNDOWN
So now, as the IceMen look for their third coach in as many ECHL seasons and the team's affiliation situation remains in limbo as a result, let's take a look at the Evansville/Columbus player development relationship from the IceMen perspective...
• A total of 8 different affiliate players wore the IceMen uniform in 2013-14, down from 9 Columbus/Springfield send-downs the previous season. Only 2 of the 8 were Jackets prospects, with the other half-dozen under AHL contract with the Falcons. (In 2012-13, 5 of the 9 were Columbus property.) But although the affiliate assignments were more of the AHL variety this time around, Evansville's affiliate player performance actually improved across the board - more total games played, increased offensive output, better plus/minus, and more reliable goaltending.
• Rookie defenseman Thomas Larkin started and ended the season with the IceMen, but in-between had 3 separate stints (totalling 19 games) in Springfield as well. Larkin finished with 20 points and a +2 rating (not to mention 4 fights) in 33 games with Evansville, always logging big minutes as part of the team's top defensive pairing at even-strength and on the penalty-kill. Second-year blueliner Austin Madaisky was the only other Blue Jackets prospect to spend time in Evansville, registering 2 assists in 8 games (all on the road) during 2 stints with the IceMen. Larkin and Madaisky, who are both signed with Columbus through the 2014-15 season, should be in the mix for significant playing time in Springfield going forward.
• Second-year Springfield-contracted goaltender Mike Clemente spent most of the season in Evansville, with a pair of call-ups mixed in. Clemente beat out former Jackets netminder Allen York for Evansville's starting gig in training camp, started the season with a shutout against Kalamazoo on opening night, and earned ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors during the following week. Over the course of the season, his performance mirrored that of the IceMen in general - excellent until late January, and then the proverbial wheels fell off. Clemente went 13-2-4 with a 2.33/.914 stat line in his first 19 appearances, but was just 7-16-1 in his last 25 games with a 3.24/.898 line. Though, to be fair, Evansville's overall team defense during Clemente's statistical swoon typically alternated between mediocre and putrid.
• Falcons-owned rookie forward Alex Aleardi started the season in Springfield, amassing 16 points in 41 games before the Falcons reassigned him to Evansville in February. He remained with the IceMen until season's end, overcoming a slow start (3 points in his first 8 games) to become Evansville's most potent offensive player down the stretch. Aleardi racked up 20 points in his last 15 games - including his first professional hat trick on March 26. Aleardi is small at just 5'9" and 167 pounds, but certainly has the skill to put together a lengthy pro career - especially if he can improve his defensive game.
• Rookie winger Peter Sakaris signed an ECHL contract with the IceMen last summer, then got an invite to Springfield's training camp. He impressed the Falcons brass enough to earn himself an AHL contract, but was sent back to Evansville when the regular season began. Sakaris was never able to get back to the AHL, battling injury and inconsistency in Evansville. He missed 18 games due to a groin strain, and sat out 8 more as a healthy scratch. When in the IceMen lineup, Sakaris tallied 24 points and a +5 rating in 46 games. His best stretch was the 12-game span immediately before sustaining the groin injury, in which he had a pair of 2-goal games and totalled 10 points. Sakaris, also small (5'9" and 172) but speedy, does not possess the same raw talent as Aleardi but does play with a physical edge well beyond that of most players his size.
• Rookie forward Jeremy Langlois started the season in Springfield, first joined the IceMen in early November, got called back up to Springfield twice, and became Evansville's best all-around player before the Falcons dealt him to Bridgeport at the AHL trade deadline. Langlois led the IceMen with 52 points in 49 games, and spent 16 games as interim captain (a rarity for a first-year player) while Josh Beaulieu was on the shelf with a broken foot. He finished the season as the ECHL's top-scoring rookie, and wound up third in ECHL Rookie of the Year voting. Langlois was traded for defenseman Dallas Jackson, as the Falcons attempted to shore up their blueline. Jackson spent the season's final month in Springfield, appearing in only 4 games and never dressing during the team's first-round playoff exit.
• Langlois was not the only player who played for Evansville this season before being traded by Springfield. Veteran AHL forward Tim Miller played 3 games for the IceMen, and was dealt to San Antonio on February 7. On that same day, third-year defenseman Joe Lavin was traded to Providence after having spent the entire season in Evansville. Lavin had joined Larkin on the top defensive pairing for the IceMen, chipping in 10 points in 24 games when not dealing with injuries (a sports hernia that required surgery and later a broken thumb). In his first 2 pro seasons, Lavin had exclusively played in the AHL and had proven himself at that level - so now in retrospect, IceMen fans are understandably confused about Springfield's decision to trade Lavin for future considerations, only to deal a talented prospect like Langlois a mere month later in order to add depth on defense.
IS THE FEELING MUTUAL?
So was the Columbus/Springfield affiliation "mutually beneficial" during the 2013-14 season, from Evansville's perspective?
For the sake of argument, let's exclude Sakaris from this discussion. He would have been in Evansville even without having signed an AHL deal with the Falcons, so it's not prudent to count his contributions as having been the result of the affiliation agreement.
Langlois and Aleardi were perhaps Evansville's most dynamic offensive players, 2 of the team's 3 players who averaged at least a point per game.
Larkin and Lavin were the best defensive pair Pyle ever had at his disposal, and some IceMen fans are convinced that Larkin will eventually become the first player to make his NHL debut after cutting his teeth in Evansville.
Madaisky and Miller weren't really around long enough to make an impact, but IceMen fans know from Madaisky's time in Evansville during the 2012-13 season that he has tremendous potential as an offensive defenseman.
Clemente proved over the first half of the season that he can steal games and almost always make the saves he's supposed to make, as long as the team is playing relatively well in front of him.
The Lavin and Langlois trades, when considered in context together, were indeed quite a head-scratcher. Those moves certainly did not benefit Evansville - but it's not a big stretch to suggest that Springfield didn't really gain much either.
Those "mutually detrimental" deals aside, the IceMen did benefit quite a bit from the affiliation - two very good forwards, two very good defensemen, and a solid goaltender. None of those players spent the entire season in Evansville, but that's life at the bottom of the food chain. Enjoy assigned players while you can, because you never know when they'll be gone.
So yes, it's probably fair to say that the IceMen did, for the most part at least, enjoy a "mutually beneficial" relationship with Columbus and Springfield. But with Pyle gone in Evansville and his replacement yet to be determined, there's no telling how much that will mean with regard to the affiliation's potential future.
Much like players in the ECHL, this story is still developing!
A scoring phenom with a wealth of international experience and leadership credentials at the ripe old age of eighteen, Sam Reinhart is impressing as much with his character and intangibles as he is with his formidable ability on the ice.
Sam Reinhart
Current Team: Kootenay Ice, WHL Date of Birth: November 6, 1995 Position: C/RW Place of Birth: North Vancouver, British Columbia Height: 6'1" Weight: 183 lbs Shoots: Right
Sometimes numbers don't lie, and such is the case with Sam Reinhart. His 36-69-105 totals in just 60 games for the WHL's Kootenay Ice speak volumes. Despite a late birthday that theoretically places the 18 year-old at a disadvantage against his peers, he has had no trouble distinguishing himself. He wears the "C" for Kootenay, set the club record for assists this season, and earned MVP honors in the WHL this season, also a first for a Kootenay player.
While Reinhart was slotted at center for the Ice this season, he played right wing at the World Juniors, and appears to effortlessly adapt to either the center or winger role. Though not a speedster in the classic sense, he has quickness and agility, enabling him to find space and time, and use it to his advantage. He's deadly with either the shot or the pass, can play virtually any position on the power play, and possesses hockey sense and leadership well beyond his years. He was ranked fourth in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings for North American skaters, and first in the ISS final rankings.
Those who have watched the youngster develop are unanimous in their view of both his abilities and his future:
"First of all, he's a good kid . . .he comes from a hockey pedigree family. . . But, as good as he is in junior -- and he's a special, special player -- he'll be a better pro when he's playing with better players. . . His hockey sense is off the charts." - Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager, Kootenay Ice
He's a great offensive thinker with great skills and a natural nose for scoring goals. . . He's a very smart playmaker who can really control his time and space well around the puck. He's got a great release on his shot, a release that reminds me a lot of James Neal. He has a natural ability to adapt to his surroundings and seems to build chemistry quickly with whomever he lines up with. He's a quality individual with good character and leadership qualities as well, so not only is the skill there, but he brings some very valuable intangibles. -- ISS Head Scout Ross MacLean
. . he plays a consistent and steady style that I think will make him a productive NHL player for many years. Sam also showed that he can raise the pace of his play when he has to . . . Sam has the smarts and offensive tools to be a big-time producer in the offensive zone, and the maturity and character to play his coach asks of him. --- Zenon Herasymiuk, Head Western Scout for Future Considerations
A Good Fit in Columbus?
Scoring . . . maturity . . . character . . consistency. Are you serious? That blend of qualities has to be in the top five on the Blue Jackets' list of attributes for the draft. As impressive as the numbers and the skills are, it is the intangibles that make him stand out from the other youngsters. Chynoweth analogized his hockey sense to Gretzky's, and everyone pegs him as somebody who will make an immediate -- and continuing impact -- in the NHL.
Thought the Blue Jackets set a team record for scoring this season, consistency was a major issue, and the club frequently lacked enough of that innate "hockey sense" to move the puck quickly and play with the speed that Richards craves. Reinhart could go a long way toward filling that gap. He has some room to fill out his frame, but Chynoweth says flat-out that he does not expect to see Reinhart back in the WHL. Since he's too young for the AHL, that leave only the Big Dance.
As with the others covered so far, Jarmo Kekalainen would have to make a big move up from the #16 slot to bag Reinhart -- likely one of the top three slots. For my money, Reinhart would be worth exploring the possibilities.
He looked hurt after smashing his face into the glass, but kept taking his regular shifts.
The Montreal Canadiens received quite a scare early in the first period of Game 3 when leading goal-scorer Max Pacioretty was hit from behind by Boston's Jarome Iginla, driving his face into the glass.
Pacioretty remained on the ice for a few moments and had to be helped off by trainers.
However, he did not leave the bench area and remained in the game, taking his regular shifts. Given his contact with the glass and how long it took him to get off the ice, the fact he did not leave the bench or go to the "quiet room" is sure to create a bit of debate, especially after Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski said earlier this week that he lied to team trainers about a head injury so he didn't have to leave a game in the first round.
Pacioretty ended up taking nine shifts in the period, playing more than six minutes.
Up next is prospect Michael Dal Colle, former linemate of Boone Jenner with the Oshawa Generals.
Michael Dal Colle
Position: C/LW Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL) Date of Birth: June 20, 1996 Place of Birth: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada Height/Weight: 6'2" / 172 lbs Shoots: Left
Ranked fifth among North American skaters, Dal Colle had a good pair of role models in Oshawa prior to this season, as he told Hockey's Future, "My two linemates last year were Tyler Biggs and Boone Jenner and they were both pretty high draft picks in the NHL," Dal Colle said. "I just tried to emulate them all year last year, not just on the ice but off - they carried themselves so well and they're just great people, too.
"I just tried to learn from them and I think they really helped me out for this year and were great role models."
Dal Colle's praised for his hockey sense and possesses good size for his age. He projects to fall in the lap of the New York Islanders, who after a disappointing 2013-14 season, would love to find a young winger for John Tavares to replace the departed Matt Moulson.
Scouting Report:
Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr, via NHL.com: "Nobody would be surprised if we said five years down the road that Dal Colle would be the best player," Marr said. "As far as consistency goes he might be the most consistent player among the top five. He's a power forward in the making."
MyNHLDraft.com: "Dal Colle is a bull who uses his natural talents well. He's got an imposing frame and already shows great balance and strength on his skates. He plays a two-way game, battles hard and displays quick hands for his size."
This May on Raw Charge, as we did with coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, we'll bring you (daily?) recaps of the World Championship games featuring Tampa Bay Lightning players and prospects.
The IIHF World Championships began on Friday with the group stage/preliminary round in Minsk, Belarus.
Note: Unlike during the Winter Olympcis, only the Team USA games are aired on television in the United States; therefore, simple box-score updates will be provided for the other contests involving Tampa Bay Lightning players.
USA (6) vs. Belarus (1)
After a tightly contested first period of play, the Americans finally pressed their advantage on the overmatched Belarus squad late in the second period, as the young, quick, Peter Laviolette-coached USA squad victimized a slower and less disciplined Belarus defense that hadn't cracked up to that point.
Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson skated 16:26 on 24 shifts for Laviolette as an all-situations forward not unlike his role with the Lightning this year, especially in the second half of the season. He finished the game with a pair of assists, including on the game-opening tally by Brock Nelson, and on a power play tally by Jacob Trouba in the third. He also won over 58% of his faceoffs and generally was good at the hockey.
Defenseman Dmitry Korobov, who struggled this year in his first professional North American season with the Syracuse Crunch, was third on host Belarus in ice time with 20:03 and finished a team-worst minus-2. As he did in the AHL, Korobov had a hard time covering speed and skill both through neutral ice and in the defensive third.
Russia (5) vs. Switzerland (0)
Recently name-changed (again) Andrei Vasilevskiy dressed as the back-up to Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who stopped all 27 Swiss shots en route to a 5-0 shutout victory.
Slovakia (2) vs. Czech Republic (3)
16:56 and 21 shifts for Richard Panik, but he didn't hit the scoresheet as he was held without a shot on goal or a point.
Latvia (3) vs. Finland (2)
Kristers Gudlevskis dressed as the back-up to Edgars Masalskis, as he did in Sochi in February. Masalskis backstopped Ted Nolan's Latvian squad to a 3-2 upset victory over the Finns, stopping 22 of 24 shots along the way.
USA (3) vs. Switzerland (2)
Reto Berra held on early as Team USA attacked in transition with speed through the first half of the first period, but Switzerland surged back and took advantage of the youth and inexperience of the USA lineup in the back half of the opening frame, as the Americans struggled to clear their own end and needed Tim Thomas to be great to keep the game at a scoreless tie.
The second period featured decidedly more back-and-forth play, which eventful (if fruitless) power play opportunities for both sides. Denis Hollenstein opened the scoring for the Swiss on a partial breakaway following a bad neutral zone giveaway by Vincent Trochek.
After a couple of fantastic saves on a Swiss power play by Tim Thomas, Peter Mueller broke in on Reto Berra alone after jumping out of the penalty box and scored 5-hole to tie the game at 1-1.
Switzerland regained a one-goal lead after another misplay by the young American blue line; Jacob Trouba was turnstiled on a simple inside-out move on the right wing, and Damien Brunner wasn't tied up as he buried a centering feed behind Thomas to put the Swiss back ahead near the midway point of the second period.
The teams traded chances heading into the end of the second period, and Team USA was able to draw a penalty in the waning seconds. They'd head into the third still down a goal but with a chance to tie things up right away on the man advantage which had been deadly against Belarus.
In spite of some odd deployment on the power play, including one unit with four right shots and one unit with four left shots, the USA scored a power play goal started by a Tyler Johnson shot pass, scored by Craig Smith after a few odd caroms. That tied the game at 2-2.
Switzerland briefly appeared to take the lead on a breakaway goal after a long stretch pass, but the referees called it down offsides in what was a very close call, and on a second, slowed down look, probably should have been called onsides.
Minutes later, Tyler Johnson scored the go-ahead tally on a long, quick snap shot from behind the left circle through a screen to give USA the lead -- leading to even more controversy, as yet another apparent Switzerland goal was waived off due to a questionable at best offsides call.
Tyler Johnson was the go-to faceoff guy in the final minute with Team USA clinging to a 1-goal lead they probably didn't deserve, and Tim Thomas had to come up with one more brilliant save in the waning seconds to keep Switzerland off the board and steal the victory.
Canada (4) vs. Slovakia (1)
Slovakia scored the opening goal before surrendering four straight to fall 4-1. Richard Panik was minus-2 and helf off the scoresheet again in 17:07 of ice time.
A crafty forward with NHL bloodlines, Willie Nylander may be the most creative offensive player in the draft.
William Nylander
Position: C/RW Team: MODO (SHL) Date of Birth: May 1, 1996 Place of Birth: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Height/Weight: 5'11" / 181 lbs Shoots:Right
It's looking like from a European standpoint, the 2014 NHL Draft will be one of the weaker drafts- the number of quality prospects available is below what we've seen the past few years. There are two players who stand alone at the top of the European draft rankings, however- Kasperi Kapanen (look for his profile next week) and William Nylander.
Nylander is the son of former NHLer Michael Nylander, who is still plying his trade in his Swedish homeland. In fact, the father-son duo played together for a brief time in the Allsvenskan. The younger Nylander is a pure offensive threat, with off-the-charts creativity and a nose for the net.
Unsurprisingly for a player of his ilk, his defensive game needs work, but he's got the potential to be a top-two center in the NHL.
A highly skilled player offensively. Nylander skates very well, has impressive hands and is excellent at handling the puck at high speeds. Hockey sense is very impressive and he likes to shoot the puck a lot, but is also capable of delivering perfect passes. A very agile player that protects the puck well and skates hard in the offensive zone.
On the other hand, his defensive game needs some work. Not a selfish player, but at times he tends to hang onto the puck for too long, instead of making the easier play. Has the tools and skills to lead his team in all offensive aspects. - Elite Prospects
William Nylander is perhaps the most skilled dynamic forward available. The knock against Nylander is that he hasn’t shown the willingness to utilize his teammates leaving scouts to question his dedication to the team game. Without a doubt, Nylander possesses the puck skills and timely offensive instincts to become a game-breaker but it’s still fairly uncertain how high teams are willing to gamble on such a talent. - Brendan Ross, Dobber
Going back a few years, the thought of two star centers on the Blue Jackets was nothing more than a pipe dream. Now, with Ryan Johansen breaking out in a big way, and 2013 first rounder Alexander Wennberg on the horizon, looking very much like the number two compliment to Johansen up the middle, the Jackets can focus their efforts on getting wingers for these two to play with. Nylander would look terrific on either Johansen or Wennberg's wing, with the latter duo potentially making an impact internationally for their native Sweden.
We go back overseas once again to look at yet another young European skater with very good upside in the offensive zone in Kevin Fiala.
Kevin Fiala
Position: LW/RW Current Team: HV 71 (Swedish Hockey League) Date of Birth: July 22, 1996 Place of Birth: Uzwil, Switzerland Height: 5'11" Weight: 195 lbs Shoots: Left
Kevin Fiala grew up in Switzerland, but quickly outplayed the opportunities there and moved on to Sweden and its higher-quality leagues for his 16-year-old season. He got his first taste of the top-shelf SHL at age 17, and didn't look out of place. He's definitely not the biggest, not the fastest, not the best two-way guy, but is very good with the puck on his stick and does have some sneaky quickness in his legs. He's slippery, and he has the offensive tools to finish around the net. He finished the year as the third-ranked European skater in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings.
Kevin Fiala is an offensive forward with game-breaking potential. He is a respectable and shifty skater with quick legs and explosive acceleration. Fiala owns a slick skill-set with soft hands, good stickhandling and brilliant puck-control. Not known for his defensive play, as he still needs to learn what it means to stick to a game-plan or doing exactly what the coach has told him. Fiala is not very big or strong yet, but his quickness and agility lets him avoid getting hit or held back along the boards. Has a wealthy arsenal of shooting tools which, combined with his creativity and finishing abilities, makes him the player you turn to if you need a goal. - Rafik Soliman - Elite Prospects
Gritty player with great hands, doesn’t mind going into traffic for a scoring chance. Got into it with [Bo] Horvat early on. Saw decent power play time and made great effort early in second to get excellent wraparound chance on Fucale. Assisted on Swiss goal but also coughed up the puck 4-on-4 on Canada’s 3-1 goal. Currently plays for HV 71 in Sweden. - Ryan Kennedy, THN (World Juniors Recap)
Fiala is a high-end offensive talent who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Positionally he is inconsistent at this stage of his development in terms of defending. But his creativity combined with quick skating, shooting, stick handling and passing skills — and the ability to find open spaces — make him dangerous every time he's on the ice. - Hockeys's Future
A Good Fit in Columbus?
At the outset, you'd like to say yes. He can skate and elude contact, and his hands and offensive abilities are as good as almost anyone else in this draft. That said, he's far from a complete player, and isn't known to be a strong defender at this point in his career. He's still young, however, and if he plays with the grit and chip on his shoulder that some scouts say he has, he would be a decent fit for what the Blue Jackets are trying to do. You'd have to love his hands and his shot, for sure. You can always teach defense, eh?
With the conclusion of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL playoffs, we review the draft eligible prospects on the six teams that were in action and preview the upcoming Memorial Cup between the three champions and the host London Knights.
Here at LBC, we've been following the top prospects in the CHL throughout the playoff rounds. (Playoff Preview, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and IIHF U18 Worlds) With all of the top 10 prospects out of contention, we now shift our attention to those prospects who were, and still are, in play.
QMJHL
Series Review - The Val-D'Or Foreurs and Baie-Comeau Drakkar went the distance, as Val-D'Or topped Baie-Comeau in 7 games. Detroit Red Wings prospect Anthony Mantha scored the series-clinching goal in the final minute of the 3rd period of Game 7, after Val-D'Or forfeited a three-goal lead. This series was very momentum-based, as Baie-Comeau won Game 1, then lost games 2 and 3, then won games 4 and 5, before Val-D'Or took games 6 and 7 to capture the series.
Val-D'Or
RW Nicolas Aube-Kuebel (NHLCS - 40) - Aube-Kubel is a smaller forward who plays a smart, fast, gritty type of game. He is always moving his feet and uses his speed to keep himself in the right position and to contend for pucks. He's not overly flashy with the puck and usually makes good, quick decisions while in traffic. He's not afraid to go to the front of the net, and has an above-average shot he can use to his advantage. He plays smart in the defensive zone, but could use a little more work on his positioning.
Aube-Kubel had a solid regular season (GP 65 - G 22 - A 31 - P53 - PIM 61 (+/-)-1) where he showed some flashes of his offensive upside. In the playoffs, his two-way ability was more prominent (GP 24 - G 4 - A 9 - P -13 PIM20 (+/-) 10), but the drop in offensive production may be an indication that against tougher competition, Aube-Kubel might have trouble producing. Regardless, he played solid hockey in the QMJHL playoffs, and will most likely go early in the second round of the draft.
LW Louick Marcotte (NHLCS - 198) - Marcotte is an overage player and is essentially in his last year of eligibility for the NHL Draft, and for playing in the CHL. This year, he showed he could put up above-average offensive numbers, but he did so while playing with Anthony Mantha, a known sniper. Of course, while toiling in Prince Edward Island before joining the Foreurs, Marcotte was playing on a rebuilding team with little talent to help him, but his point production this year does seem to be more a result of playing on a talented team than as an indication of his skill level. He's a smaller forward who will usually play smarter than his opponents, and makes the right play the majority of the time. There isn't anything particularly spectacular about his skill set.
It's probably safe to say that Mantha and Marcotte led the Foreurs to the QMJHL championship. Throughout the regular season, Marcotte had solid numbers (GP 67 - G 42 - A 58 - P 100 - PIM 47 (+/-) 34), and carried his production over into the postseason (GP 24 - G 12 - A 25 - P 37 - PIM 12 (+/-) 16). A team may take a chance on Marcotte late in the draft, anywhere from the 5th to 7th rounds.
Baie-Comeau
D Alexis Vanier (NHLCS - 112) - Vanier is a big, intimidating defenseman who can punish opponents who get too close to him. He has a great hockey IQ, the ability to win battles along the boards and in front of the net, and a willingness to block shots and make the right plays. In the offensive zone, he has a cannon of a shot and has decent passing ability. His first passes out of the zone are usually effective in breaking the puck out. The only knock on Vanier, however, is big; he's nowhere near NHL-ready with his skating ability. On the rush, he is very susceptible to being beaten wide, and even in the zone has trouble keeping up with faster opponents. He's essentially a boom or bust prospect. If his skating pans out, he'll be a sturdy NHL defenseman , if it doesn't, he won't be able to keep up with the speed at the top level.
Unfortunately for Vanier, he played through most of the regular season with a shoulder injury, and when it required surgery, he ended up missing all of the playoffs. His production throughout the regular season was pretty good for a more defensively-oriented defenseman (GP 61 - G 15 - A21 - P 36 - PIM 52 (+/-)11), but it should be noted that he played on a talented team. Vanier will most likely see a club take a chance on him anywhere from the 3rd round to the 5th round.
OHL
Series Review - As expected, the Guelph Storm only needed five games to knock off the North Bay Battalion. What wasn't expected, however, was the dramatic fashion with which they would do it. After winning Game 1 in overtime, and losing Game 2 in overtime, the Storm "stormed" on to win three in a row, including a decisive 10-1 victory in Game 4. Most of the fireworks occurred in Game 5, where Kerby Rychel of the Columbus Blue Jackets scored twice in the final five minutes of the game, including the game-winner with 26 seconds left, to finish off the Battalion and bring the championship to Guelph.
Guelph
C Robby Fabbri (NHLCS - 21) - Fabbri is by far the most talented 2014 draft prospect who not only took action in the championship round, but will also be playing in the Memorial Cup. Fabbri is a smaller forward with tremendous offensive ability, shown best by his slick hands, quick shot, and explosive skating ability. He also is a player with a high hockey IQ, and is capable of covering his own zone to the necessary degree. His size truly is his only pitfall, if he was two inches taller, he would be considered a top-10 pick.
Fabbri's regular season production showed defensive responsibility coupled with offensive explosiveness (GP 58 - G 45 - A 42 - P 87 - PIM 55 (+/-) 45) and that type of production carried over into the playoffs (GP 16 - G 13 - A 15 - P 28 PIM 12 (+/-) 16). The further Guelph goes, the better things look for Fabbri. He is playing on a stacked, mostly overage team, but is showing that his size isn't going to hold him back when he gets to the pros. He will definitely go in the first round of the draft, possibly in the top 15.
D Phil Baltisberger (NHLCS - 197) -As a sturdy defenseman on the back end, Baltisberger has exceeded expectations this year. He isn't high-end offensively gifted, but will consistently make the right pass out of the zone and help his team dominate puck possession. He's adept at keeping opponents away from his own net, and has the good size and skating ability needed to do this. Playing on Guelph may have inflated his numbers, and there's still questions as to how his game may transition to the NHL level.
Baltisberger showed his defensive prowess much more than his offensive ability in both the regular season (GP 57 - G 1 - A 14 - P 15 - PIM 36 (+/-) 25) and in the postseason (GP 20 - G 2 - A 3 - P 5 - PIM 20 (+/-) 18). There might be more there offensively, but it's hard to say, as he doesn't need to be counted on in that role due to the loaded nature of the Storm's roster. Baltisberger may be a stretch to take earlier than the 5th round, but he could end up being a steal late in the draft's 6th or 7th round.
North Bay
C Michael Amadio (NHLCS - 69) - Amadio is a big player who isn't afraid to use his size to push the puck to the net. He plays more of a grinder/checking line forward role, and is quite effective at it. One thing that was very obvious in the way that North Bay plays is the strong focus on defensive responsibility, and Amadio bought into that system very well. The 18-year-old forward could become a productive third line player in the NHL.
North Bay plays a team style of game similar to that of the '96 Panthers, where everyone worked effectively as a unit and there were no real superstars on the team. Amadio statistics reflect this, as he had decent regular season production (GP 64 - G 12 - A 26 - P 38 - PIM 14 (+/-) 15), and was able to carry some of that over into the playoffs (GP 22 -G 4 - A 5 - P 9 - PIM 2 (+/-) -10). The biggest knock regarding his numbers would be the drop in plus/minus during the postseason, as he was strongly negative. North Bay scraped by teams in the playoffs, and there were games along the way where they got blown out. It will be interesting to see whether Amadio's draft stock dropped, or if he still goes somewhere from the 3rd round to the 5th round.
LW Zach Bratina (NHLCS - 186) - Bratina is a player who appears to be offensively gifted on the surface, but seems to have trouble producing numbers. Overall, he is a player that not a whole lot is known about, as he has coasted under the radar of scouts up until now.
His production during the regular season was slightly above average (GP 58 - G 12 - A 18 - P 30 - PIM 75 (+/-) 8). Unfortunately, these numbers didn't necessarily carry over into the playoffs (GP 14 - G 0 - A 6 - P -6 - PIM 4 (+/-) -3). Bratina may not be drafted this year, or may go very late in the 6th or 7th rounds.
D Kyle Wood (NHLCS - 191)- Wood is a big defenseman who has shown solid two-way potential. He has great size that he uses to his advantage, and an above average hockey IQ. The book on him is a little lacking because he missed the first half of the season due to injury, but Wood will most likely be a solid defender for North Bay in the future with a very solid chance to make it at the NHL level.
Wood's production during the regular season (GP 33 - G 2 - A 10 - P 12 - PIM 21 (+/-) 15) was decent, and he seemed to step it up slightly in the playoffs (GP 22 - G 2 - A 8 - P 10 - PIM 6 (+/-) 6). I think Wood is better than his Central Scouting ranking would indicate, and wouldn't be surprised to see him go in the 6th round, even though he is projected to be taken in the 7th.
WHL
Series Review - The Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winterhawks went seven games in a series that saw different sides of each team prominently displayed throughout each stage of the matchup Portland opened the series with two straight wins at home. Edmonton came back to even things 2-2 when they had the home ice advantage. The Oil Kings used that momentum to post a Game 5 road win before Portland managed to force a Game 7 with an overtime victory on Edmonton's home ice in Game 6. In the end, it was the Oil Kings who would prevail, beating the Winterhawks 4-2 in Game 7, without the late game heroics prominent in other series-clinching games.
Edmonton
C Brett Pollock (NHLCS - 34) - Pollock has shown that he is capable of generating offense, and has seen his draft stock rise immensely because of it. A hard worker, the young pivot has become a genuine top-6 threat for the Oil Kings, and looks capable of being a solid player in that role at the NHL level.
Pollock put up very respectable numbers during the regular season (GP 71 - G 25 - A 30 - P 55 - PIM 36 (+/-) 18), and saw his production carry over into the playoffs (GP 21 - G 11- A 8 - P 19 - PIM 10 (+/-) 11). Pollock is a very solid player who works hard and produces results admirably. He should go either late in the 1st round or early in the 2nd round.
D Dysin Mayo (NHLCS - 82) - Mayo is offensively-gifted and brings tons of skill and plenty of speed from the back end. He can be very similar to Kris Letang (not in matters of potential, but in matters of playing style) in the way that he can be a game-changer with explosive offensive rushes which will occasionally lead to defensive lapses. He has gotten better at picking and choosing his points of attack, something that will continue to improve with maturity.
Mayo's numbers in the regular season were solid (GP 63 - G 7 - A 28 - P 35 - PIM 50 (+/-) 17), but in the playoffs he really excelled (GP 21 - G 3 - A 12 - P 15 - PIM 10 (+/-) 12). Mayo has shown he can be a dangerous player in big games, and it wouldn't be surprising if he goes in the 2nd round, though he may slide as far as the 4th round.
D Aaron Irving (NHLCS - 90) - Irving is a big, intimidating force on the blue line who may still need work on his foot speed and decision-making. He generally makes the right pass coming out of the zone, and has an above-average shot.
Irving was good in the regular season (GP 63 - G 9 - A 21 - P 30 - PIM 88 (+/-) 21), but seems to have lost his way offensively in the playoffs (GP 21 - G 0 - A 2 - P 2 - PIM 10 (+/-) 1). The offensive drop off is the likely reason for for the barely positive plus/minus rating, and may be a bit of a concern heading into the draft. Irving will most likely go in the 3rd round, but could drop down to the 5th.
LW Edgars Kulda (NHLCS - 145) - Kulda is an overage player making a huge splash with Edmonton this year. He has shown that he can be a very strong top line player, and that he has the offensive tools to contribute consistently. Kulda plays on Edmonton's first line with Curtis Lazar and Brett Pollock. Because of this, his numbers are probably slightly inflated, but he still has shown a good hockey IQ and nice hands in traffic, as well as an above average shot and strong play-making ability.
Kulda had good regular season production (GP 66 - G 30 - A 30 - P 60 - PIM 57 (+/-) 34) but really stepped it up in the playoffs (GP 21 G 10 A 12 P 21 PIM 12 (+/-) 14). His age is a concern, as he is a year older than most of the other prospects in the draft, but a team may take a risk on him late in the 4th round, though it's possible he falls back to the 6th round.
Portland
C Chase De Leo (NHLCS - 36) - De Leo is a small forward who plays with a lot of speed and intensity, similar to Robby Fabbri, though he lacks the hands and finesse that Fabbri has. He plays a very solid two-way game. The concerns about De Leo would be his size and the translation of his game to the NHL.
De Leo was highly productive in the regular season (GP 72 - G 39 - A 42 - P 82 - PIM 36 (+/-) 49) but saw his production drop ever so slightly during the postseason (GP 21 - G 10 - 9 - P 19 - PIM 6 (+/-) 17). As an undersized player, taking him is a bit of a risk, but an NHL team may feel that he is worth grabbing as high as the 1st round. If not, he should slip to somewhere in the 2nd round.
RW Alex Schoenborn (NHLCS - 78) - Schoenborn is a solid prospect, with good size and strength, solid two-way play, and decent offensive upside. He plays mostly 3rd-4th line minutes in Portland, but makes the most of them, displaying toughness and grit whenever he's on the ice.
Schoenborn had an average regular season, considering the ice time he got (GP 72 - G 18 - A 18- P 36 - PIM 121 (+/-) 19), but fizzled out in the playoffs (GP 21 - G 3 - A 2 - P 5 - PIM 41 (+/-) -1), which most likely hurt his draft stock. He still has shown the ability to be a third line grinder, and will probably go somewhere in the 3rd round, though he could fall to the 4th.
C Keegan Iverson (NHLCS -85) - Iverson is a big power forward with a bit of an intimidation factor to his game. He has an above-average shot, and moves into high-traffic areas often. He's not afraid to go to the dirty areas, and will often be the one coming out of the boards with the puck.
Iverson had good regular season production on Portland's third line with Alex Schoenborn (GP 67 - G 22 - A 20 - P 42 - PIM 70 (+/-) 16), but experienced the same drop in production that Schoenborn did in the playoffs (GP 21 - G 4 - A 4 - P 8 - PIM 12 (+/-) -1). Iverson could go late in the 3rd round, but will most likely be selected in the 4th or 5th rounds.
C Dominic Turgeon (NHLCS - 97) - The son of former NHLer Pierre Turgeon, Dominic exhibits some of his father's offensive capabilities while playing a solid two-way game. Turgeon is a bigger forward, and usually finds ways to use his size to his advantage in both ends of the ice. Playing for Portland may not have allowed Turgeon to fully show his skill set, as so far, he has been limited to 3rd and 4th line minutes on the team.
Turgeon's production in the regular season (GP 65 - G 10 - A 21 - P 31 - PIM 31 (+/-) 18) was good, considering the minutes he played, and he managed to carry it over to the postseason for the most part (GP 21 - G 2 - A 6 - P 8 - PIM 18 (+/-) 0). Turgeon could be a bit of a sleeper in the draft and is certainly a high risk, high reward type of prospect due to the lack of playing time he got this year. If a team that wants to take a flyer on him, he could go in the 3rd round, or drop to as late as the 5th round.
MEMORIAL CUP
Preview - The champions of the three leagues (Guelph Storm, Edmonton Oil Kings, and Val-D'Or Foreurs) will play each other and the host London Knights of the OHL in a round robin tournament to determine seeding, with the top team advancing to the final, the middle teams advancing to the semifinal, and the last place team being eliminated. London hasn't been a strong team this year, and are only in the tournament because they are hosting it, definitely not on merit. Look for them to be last after the conclusion of round robin play. As for the semifinal and final matchups? I predict Guelph over Val-D'Or in the semifinal, and Guelph over the Edmonton Oil Kings in the final to win the Memorial Cup.
Our next prospect is Niagara's Brendan Perlini, a personal favorite of mine that could be there when the Jackets pick.
Brendan Perlini
Position: LW Current Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL) Date of Birth: April 27, 1996 Place of Birth: Guildford, Great Britain Height: 6'3" Weight: 205 lbs Shoots: Left
After jumping from Barrie to Niagara, Brendan Perlini took a major step forward this season by putting up 71 points in 58 games, though he tailed off in the playoffs for the Ice Dogs. He finished the year as the eighth-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings.
A big kid who can get bigger and stronger, Perlini still possesses some above-average skating ability to go with a decent handle, strength on the puck, and good vision and passing. He also possesses a sneaky-good shot as well. He also has a bit of a unique perspective, having a father who had a quick eight-game stint in the NHL while also playing in Europe. So, as a youngster, Brendan played some European style hockey while then also getting a taste for the North American game as he matured in Canada as well.
He found a home in Niagara, and had his breakout year this season, just in time for the draft.
Perlini has a lethal combination of speed, puck skills, and hockey sense which allow him to make dynamic plays in all three zones. He plays a high puck possession game and thrives when the puck in on his stick. - Elite Prospects
Like many 16-year-old players in Major Junior, Perlini's career was slow to develop in its initial stages as he struggled to get icetime with a loaded Barrie Colts squad. However, in the footsteps of Ryan Strome only a few years ago, a mid-season blockbuster trade to the Niagara IceDogs is just what the doctor ordered for Perlini who has been one of the top offensive players in the OHL this season. The 6-foot-3, 195 pound winger is an excellent possession player who plays the game with great pace and determination. Perlini's skill level is high-end and his ability to take what the defense gives him allows him to create offense naturally rather than forcing plays. If he can add an extra gear to his stride this season there might not be much holding Perlini back from the top ten. - The Scouting Report
A Good Fit in Columbus?
Absolutely. He's a big kid who is already strong but maintains some speed, and can get stronger. His offensive game is very solid, and he's able to use his size and speed to his advantage. He has great puck-handling and a good shot, and with his ability to move, set up teammates, and also finish, he could be the perfect addition to the Blue Jackets' system in need of some offensive wingers. He'd need to polish his skating a bit, and of course commit to playing a two-way game to go with the skills he has, but you have to love the size, agility, and offensive skill that you see right now.
After struggling to be a one-man offensive show, Marian Gaborik has found a much better situation with the Kings.
It was 2012, and Marian Gaborik and the New York Rangers were where most expected them to be. Having finished first in the East during the regular season, the Rangers were staring down the Devils in the Conference Finals. Gaborik was the marquee name on Broadway, tearing up the regular season to the tune of 41 goals.
But something changed in the postseason. Gaborik's goal-scoring output was cut in half (from 0.5 goals per game to 0.25), and the Rangers' top offensive weapon on an offensively deficient team couldn't shoulder the load.
That of course wasn't the entire story, as Gaborik underwent shoulder surgery soon after the playoffs ended. But we learned something about the forward that season, something that seems truer by the game, as Gaborik leads all players in postseason goals this season for the Kings: he can't do it alone.
Photo credit: Elsa
Flashback to that 2012 Rangers team, and you'll see just how top-heavy it was. Only two other players -- Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards -- reached the 20-goal plateau outside of Gaborik. His most common linemates that season were Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov, according to Hockey Analysis. Put plainly, the Rangers' offensive output laid on Gaborik's shoulders, and while playing with a torn labrum in the playoffs complicated that task, it was never an easy one to begin with.
So what's different now? Well let's start with what's similar, as it's deja vu for the Kings.
In that same year Gaborik and the Rangers bowed out to the Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals, it was the Kings who took down New Jersey in the Stanley Cup Final with the help of deadline acquisition Jeff Carter. Put on an already talented depth chart that featured the likes of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Justin Williams and former Flyers teammate Mike Richards, and the task wasn't as arduous for Carter compared to his previous role in Columbus.
Carter showed just how much more comfortable he felt. After scoring 21 goals in a combined 55 games between Columbus and Los Angeles during the regular season, Carter exploded in the playoffs for eight goals in 20. Richards recorded 15 points in those same 20 games. It was clear: The Kings were putting these players in a position to succeed.
Los Angeles' latest subject is Gaborik, who has been called soft, unmotivated, and incapable of stepping up under pressure. Now on a line with Kopitar and Brown, with Carter and Richards each centering their own separate units, there's plenty of teammates around to share the scoring wealth. Along with Gaborik, six other Kings have scored three or more goals this postseason. He's leading the way, but there's plenty of other jewels on the crown.
Gaborik might be creating new expectations from his performance, but the pressure wasn't there from the beginning, unlike in New York.
Which leads us to ask the question: How should we think about Marian Gaborik? It's not revelatory to say that if you put a player on a more talented roster that there's a better chance he'll succeed. But it takes a certain kind of player with a certain kind of attitude to be that singular, dependable goal scorer on his own. Gaborik has 347 career goals—15th among active players—with three 40-goal seasons, and four 30-goal seasons.
But with Gaborik's testy medical history, and Columbus looking to create cap space at the deadline, the Kings were able to pouch Gaborik from the Blue Jackets for Matt Frattin, a second round pick, and a conditional third. Not quite the typical asking price for a 32-year-old forward who will score his 350th goal next season.
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Then again, Gaborik isn't the typical high-volume scorer. Maybe in the scheme of a Stanley Cup contender, he needs the likes of a Kopitar or a Brown on his line to reach hockey's pinnacle. Maybe he was destined for a letdown in New York when he was pegged as the Rangers' sole offensive savior.
Whatever the case may be, as Gaborik continues his attempt to lead the Kings to their second Cup in three years, one thing is for certain: The oft-maligned winger has found a strong fit in Los Angeles, and an environment he can thrive in.
The Blue Jackets had their best season ever in 2013/2014, with a boatload of future talent on the way in the near future.
It was announced earlier today that the Jackets had come to terms on an entry-level contract (ELC) with 2013 first round pick Alexander Wennberg.
Wennberg was the last of the three Columbus first round picks from last year's draft to sign his ELC. He joins Kerby Rychel and Marko Dano in a trifecta of immensely talented and versatile forwards. After a run of disastrous drafting (more on that later) it would seem that the hiring of Jarmo Kekalainen and restructuring of the scouting staff has led to the Jackets finally hitting home runs with their draft picks.
The Big Four from 2013
Wennberg played the past season in the Swedish Hockey League (formerly the Swedish Elite League, still the top league in Sweden) and added goal scoring to his existing curriculum vitae as a playmaker. Wennberg has all of the tools to be an excellent complement to Ryan Johansen. There's a real temptation to compare Wennberg to fellow Swede Nicklas Backstrom of the Capitals, but that could lead to unfair expectations. The fact remains however, that both Wennberg and Backstrom are noted playmakers with excellent vision and hockey sense. If the Jackets can get anything close to Backstrom, the combination of Johansen and Wennberg up the middle would be among the best in the NHL.
Rychel is an interesting- and ongoing-story. He was drafted with the first round pick acquired from the Rangers in the Nash trade, so he'll always have added expectations from Columbus fans. He started the season with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL- a team owned and managed by his father, former NHLer Warren Rychel. With the Spits about to embark on a retooling, Warren traded his son to the Guelph Storm- a team with grand visions of an OHL championship and berth in the Memorial Cup. Fast forward to today- Rychel the younger put up an impressive 51 points in 31 regular season games for the Storm, adding an additional 32 points in 20 playoff games en route to the OHL championship they had envisioned when adding the gritty winger. The Storm take to the ice for their first Memorial Cup round-robin game Saturday afternoon. He'll likely be back in the OHL next season.
Dano was drafted out of the KHL, where he spent a bulk of this past season. It's a damn tough league for young players, and Dano's offensive numbers reflected that. One major takeaway from his time in the KHL however, was the fact he was playing against men. After signing his ELC, he made the move to North America, where he was signed to a special player contract by the Jackets' afiiliate in Springfield. Though the Falcons were bounced from the AHL playoffs earlier than expected, Dano was a contributor and did not look out of place. He'll need more AHL seasoning, but his two-way play with a willingness to muck it up is something to look forward to.
These three players represent just the first round haul from last June's draft. The Jackets look like they may have struck solid gold in the third round with Danish winger Oliver Bjorkstrand of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. With my hometown Halifax Mooseheads in last year's Memorial Cup, I was able to see a lot of Portland, and Bjorkstrand was one of the most noticeable players on the ice. He is so gifted offensively, and though he is slight of frame, he is elusive and an absolute threat to put up points. Seeing him drafted by the Jackets so "late" in the draft made me think immediate steal, which is of course ridiculous, but he's done nothing but impress since draft day. Portland was again a powerhouse WHL squad, with Bjorkstrand finishing third in league scoring with 50-59-109 in 69 games played. En route to the WHL final, he led the WHL in playoff scoring with 16-17-33 in 21 games. The Winterhawks were eliminated in game seven of the WHL final, but Bjorkstrand's season was incredible. Also of note is the fact that Bjorkstrand helped his Danish homeland win the B pool of the World Juniors, meaning they move up to the big tournament next season. He was helped by Halifax's Nikolaj Ehlers, a sure-fire first rounder in June, and my personal (read:homer) pick for the Jackets, if he's still available.
Looking Back (and Forward)
The 2012 entry draft has already bore serious fruit, thanks to Ryan Murray, taken second overall. To think, I was in the Yakupov camp. Murray was the Jackets' steadiest defenseman, at 19 years old, and was one of the main reasons James Wisniewski was able to have such a terrific regular season. In the second round, the Jackets took Oscar Dansk, who just completed an up-and-down year for the OHL's Erie Otters. His numbers would suggest that he had an elite season, which is true-mostly. The last few weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs were difficult for him, but next year the Otters-led by Connor McDavid- should be among the OHL elite. Dansk was terrific at the World Juniors, and has the makings of a home-grown backup for Sergei Bobrovsky in a few seasons. Also taken were goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who is looking to finally stick with a club for more than a few games but still has serious potential; Josh Anderson, a two-way forward who's back in the Mem Cup with London, after a solid season where he played with Team Canada at the World Juniors; and two prospects needing contracts- Daniel Zaar and Gianluca Curcuruto. Zaar's got an NHL shot, and I'd love to see him signed, but he and Curcuruto's future with the Jackets seems up in the air.
Even 2011 has potential to be impactful as well.The Jackets' first pick was in the second round, where they took Boone Jenner. Boone was of course, a stud pick. Next up was T.J. Tynan in the third round, who was only just recently signed after completing his collegiate career with Notre Dame. The jury is still out, but he could be a player. Mike Reilly in the fourth round looks like a potential steal (I see another Torey Krug, myself), while Seth Ambroz and Lukas Sedlak still need more time to develop. Goaltender Anton Forsberg, taken in the final round of the draft, has already been signed and is in the AHL. I'm very excited about this kid.
Prior to 2011 however, it's ugly.
The Dark Draft Years
The 2010 draft saw the Jackets take Ryan Johansen fourth overall. That's the good news. The bad news is that the next four picks are either no longer in the organization or out of hockey all together. Austin Madaisky bounced between the AHL and ECHL this past season, and though Martin Ouellette seemed to finally figure it out in Maine, he's no sure thing to get a contract. Dalton Prout in the sixth round has proven to be a shrewd pick.
The only signed players from the 2009 draft are David Savard (fourth round- great pick) and Thomas Larkin (AHL-ECHL train).
Going back one more year, the 2008 is known for unearthing Matt Calvert and Cam Atkinson in the later rounds, while Nikita Filatov in the first round was a complete disaster. Cody Goloubef has spent some time in the NHL, but the rest of the picks are horrendous.
There's no point in looking back any further than this. Outside of Rick Nash, the drafting has been horrific, and the number one reason the Jackets have taken so long to be competitive.
What's Next?
It's not lost on me that any of the players I've promoted in this post can fizzle and earn the "bust" tag. I get it. The guys I've highlighed seem different. They aren't as risky, they have already achieved major success in their brief careers, and they fit the Blue Jackets mold.
The team is well-stocked for the future. If you were to point out a deficient area, it could be the blueline. Outside of Reilly and 2013 second rounder Dillon Heatherington, the defense prospect pool could use a boost. The Jackets are armed with the 16th overall pick next month, but in a year light on defense prospects, I'm of the opinion that the team should take the best avaiable player, and in this draft, it's likely going to be an impact winger.
With the team ready to take the next step, these are the young guys who will be part of the core of the future squads that earn even more success. Led by Ryan Johansen, Nathan Horton, Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, a bevy of versatile two-way forwards, along with a defense that's greater than the sum of its parts, the 2013/2014 squad gave the league a taste of what the Jackets could be. Add players like Wennberg, Rychel, Dano, Bjorkstrand, Dansk, Anderson and players taken next month, and you've got the making of a contender.
Haydn Fleury provides an intriguing option for any club looking for help on the blue line in a year or two. Will the Jackets be among those looking?
Haydn Fleury
Position:D Current Team: Red Deer Rebels, WHL Date of Birth: July 8, 1996 Place of Birth: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Height: 6'3" Weight: 201 lbs Shoots: Left
Yet another top prospect from the WHL this year, Haydn Fleury is regarded by most to be the #2 blue-liner available, following only Aaron Eckblad. While no relation to either Theo or Marc-Andre, Haydn had Brenden Morrow as an early mentor, and clearly intends to establish his own NHL identity. Based upon his numbers and the views of those around him, he should have little trouble making his mark.
In his second season with Red Deer, Fleury saw a significant jump in his numbers, notching 46 point, versus 18 a year earlier. The 38 assists tells you that he prefers to be a playmaker at this point in his career. Most of the commentary on Fleury's game suggests that he has solid offensive upside, but that part of his game has simply not yet matured.
Fleury shines brightest when he is defending his zone and engineering transition to the offensive end. At 6'3" and 200 pounds, he has the size to impose his will at this level, and he is not hesitant to play the physical game. Another 10 pounds on that frame, and he'll be ready for the big time. However, he is equally adroit at using his stick and skating to gain position and make plays. His passing prowess is well-documented, and he has the ability to keep cool under pressure. At only 17 years of age, he wears an "A" for Red Deer, which is some indication of the maturity and poise he brings to the table.
Fleury is ranked 9th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and 12th by the ISS, with both services having him pegged as the #2 blue liner. That lofty a ranking at this age speaks volumes about both his current ability and his potential. Most analysts agree that Fleury just needs some time to let his game mature, up his offensive production, refine his angles on defense and put the finishing touches on his game necessary to be a top defenseman in the NHL. For most, it is not a question of if it will happen, merely when it will happen.
"I compare him to a Jay Bouwmeester type, since he makes it look so easy in your own end. He can carry it out, or with one pass you're on the transition, and that's what makes him so effective. His points might not be as high as some of the other defensemen on the board, but he just does so many other things well." -- Peter Sullivan, NHL Central Scouting
A Good Fit in Columbus?
This question gets an unqualified "It depends" as an answer. Certainly, this kid has the skills and the potential to be a productive defenseman for a long time. But is there room in Columbus stables for another young defensive thoroughbred?
James Wisniewski is 30, and has three years left on his deal. Fedor Tyutin, who will be 31 when the season starts, and Jack Johnson, 27, each have four years left on their contracts. Nikita Nikitin, 28, and Nick Schultz, 32, are both unrestricted free agents. Nikitin gave the club problems last time, settling on a short term deal as arbitration was about to begin. It would not be shocking to see him bolt to the KHL for the money, but the club's intentions with these two are question marks at the moment.
David Savard,23, and Dalton Prout,24, are both restricted free agents, coming off of their entry level deals. Ditto for a host of defensive prospects, including Cody Goloubef, 24, Tim Erixon, 23, Ilari Melart, 25, and Will Weber, also 25. Of course, Ryan Murray, who will finally be legally allowed to drink in September, is going nowhere.
So, on the one hand, the Blue Jackets look set at defense. But dig a little deeper, and questions arise. What if Nikitin bolts? What does the organization really think about Goloubef, Erixon, et al.? It may all be a moot point, as it will just take two clubs in the top 15 to decide to go defense, and make Fleury unavailable. If he falls to 16, Columbus just might make this pick, all other things being equal. This is one to watch as the first round proceeds.
The Columbus Dispatch reported this morning that R.J. Umberger has asked the Blue Jackets to explore a trade this offseason.
In a bit of an offseason bombshell, Aaron Portzline reported in this morning's Dispatch that veteran winger R.J. Umberger has asked the club to explore a trade this offseason, and will provide them with a list of teams he does not wish to be moved to as part of his no-trade clause when it changes to a limited NTC on June 15th. (One more reason to celebrate Flag Day?)
On Umby's side, this appears to stem from the decision by head coach Todd Richards to sit him for several games during the final stretch run, when Richards said he was looking for more speed and physical play in certain matchups. Given Umberger's long standing with the club and the load he's shouldered over the years, you can easily see why he felt hurt by that decision, though points to him for not making it a source of distraction during the season or through the Blue Jackets' playoff series against Pittsburgh.
That being said, coach Richards had a point - and I think most observers of the team will agree that Umberger's had difficulty living up to his contract of late, which runs through the 2016-17 season with a $4.6 million per year cap hit. That puts him in the territory of a Max Pacioretty, Bryan Little, or Brad Marchand - or if we wanted to look at guys closer to his age, a Ryan Clowe or Scott Hartnell. Umby hasn't been a 50-60 point guy in the last several years, and while he's great at setting up in the crease on the PP, he's had increasing problems with finishing his chances off the rush or in even strength situations.
The Blue Jackets still play a very intense, physical, North-South game, but Umberger's a little slower than, say, a Ryan Johansen or a Brandon Dubinsky, who he was paired with several times this year, and Boone Jenner or Mark Letestu could easily fill a lot of the same roles.
That said, while Porty is right that Umberger's cap hit may make finding a trade partner tricky, it's certainly not impossible. More than a few clubs are opening up a lot of salary going into the offseason - and while I don't see Jarmo looking to move him to another Eastern Conference team, you have to wonder if teams like Anaheim, Dallas, or perhaps even San Jose might be interested in a veteran forward with some solid postseason experience. Other teams might also see him as a mentor who has been through a "rebuilding" phase, and knows how to help shape the room as their youth develop.
Looking at potential destinations, the Blues currently have a fair bit of cap space open, and some holes to fill in their forward corps depending on what they decide to do with UFAs Derek Roy, Steve Ott, and Brenden Morrow. Hitch loved Umby while in Columbus, and he might be a good fit with their style. It certainly wouldn't shock me, though I suppose they'd have to discuss the soccer incident.
Now, with all that said, agreeing to explore a trade and actually making one are two different things - just ask Roberto Luongo. If the team doesn't find a solution in the offseason, I have no doubt that Umby will be a pro and do his best to keep things off the ice, but it will be interesting to see how the rest of the club - and for that matter, the fan base, handle things.
On a personal level, I'm a bit sad, but I'm also realistic. You could see Umberger's role reducing over the course of the last two seasons - he's gone from a top six fixture to a player who was rotated down to the third and fourth lines more and more often as the younger core has come up. He's been a big part of this franchise turning around, a hometown favorite, and he will be missed. He believed in this team and this city through some very dark patches, and he's also been part of some incredible moments.
But part of demanding higher expectations is that changes must be made to meet them, and that generally doesn't take "fan favorite" status into account. He may not bring the bounty of a Rick Nash deal, but I have a feeling that Umberger's return, assuming a trade comes off, will involve a least some draft picks and prospects, perhaps even an NHL ready player, and there are certainly areas of need this could help to address.
I understand both sides of this situation, and don't blame either of them. Sometimes things stop working, and you have to step away.
Perhaps the best thing we can do, aside from waiting to see what happens, is to just say this:
Fans on both sides will remember this series for a long time to come. The Kings showed up to play in Games Six and Seven, and that was the difference.
Anze Kopitar was by far the best player in this series, and his dominance went way beyond his point totals. He went head-to-head with Ryan Getzlaf and came out on top in all three zones of the ice. Marian Gaborik deserves a lot of credit for his clutch goal scoring — he actually finished with more points than Kopitar in those seven games — but most of his goals had a lot to do with what Kopitar was doing with and without the puck in the shift leading up to the goal.
Drew Doughty did not play his best hockey in the first half of this series, but by the time Game Seven rolled around he was firing on all proverbial cylinders. Along with Jake Muzzin, Slava Voynov, and Alec Martinez, he maintained LA's reputation as the best defensive team in the league. He also said something nice to Teemu Selanne in the handshake line, as did most of the Kings from what I could tell from NHL.com's Mic'd Up video.
Justin Williams now has 12 points in 6 Game Sevens, if I remember correctly. Makes you wonder what would happen if Bruce Boudreau ever coached him in a Game Seven.
Jonathan Quick outplayed three goalies in this series. He didn't have to, because his team was better, but he did anyway.
Dean Lombardi looks like one of the best general managers in the NHL right now. Need some scoring? Just do what you did two years ago and steal a sniper from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
A talented, multi-faceted forward who will likely be grooming his skills in the State Which Shall Not Be Named, Dylan Larkin's game is sufficiently balanced to be intriguing.
Dylan Larkin
Position:C/LW Current Team: University of Michigan, NCAA Date of Birth: July 30, 1996 Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, USA Height: 6'0" Weight: 192 lbs Shoots: Left
Dylan Larkin is not the first name that comes up when talking about the 2014 NHL Draft, but it's fair to say that he likely deserves higher mention than the #17 ranking in the NHL Central Scouting rankings or the #15 slot in the ISS listings. Maybe there's a discount because of his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines, which could make him unavailable to the NHL for an indeterminate number of years. (The Erie Otters hold his OHL rights, but that is an unlikely route for the Michigan native).
When you review what has been written and said about Larkin, the one word that keeps coming up is "complete". He does it all -- skates well, scores at virtually a point per game pace (48-34-82 in 86 games between the USHL and the USDP this year), plays responsibly in all zones, and knows how to use his 6 foot, 190 pound frame to physical advantage. Don't believe me? Here's what Michigan's coaching staff had to say about the guy they are calling the "centerpiece" of their incoming class:
He's a world class skater. . . He'll be a high draft pick. He has a good head for the game, great offensive instincts. High IQ. --- Michigan Assistant Coach Brian Wiseman
He's a throwback -- he gets the puck and goes with it . . .but the thing I like is he competes hard . . .you notice him every shift. He has the offensive skills to be a great player, the speed, and he's continuing to grow his game. ---Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
Believe me now?
A Good Fit in Columbus?
Larkin is only 17 years old, and the graveyards are filled with the bones of scouts who staked their careers on some 17-year old stud, only to find out that he had peaked, or that the time-honored diversions of college life prevailed over hockey discipline. Still, by all accounts he has a maturity and a well-rounded game that belies his youth. He's going to a solid college program, where he should see plenty of ice time. So, the ingredients are there.
With his rankings and college plans, Larkin could well be available when the Blue Jackets pick in the #16 slot. Figure a minimum of two years of college and a year in the AHL, and you'll have a kid about to turn 21, likely with 10 more pounds of muscle on his frame, and a wealth of experience under his belt. A well rounded, fast forward with size is always welcome on NHL ice, and Columbus is just a short drive from his home turf. It could happen.
Teammate of top 5 prospect William Nylander in the Allsvenskan, David Pastrnak is a big bodied winger from the Czech Republic with excellent hands and exceptional speed who may just end up on the Blue Jackets' radar in the first round.
Name: David Pastrnak Position: RW Team: Södertälje Date of Birth: May 25, 1996 Place of Birth: Havirov, Czech Height/Weight 6' 0" / 168 lbs. Shoots: R
It's never a bad sign to see an NHL prospect who has been playing in a men's league, in this case the Allsvenskan. Pastrnak has been blooming at the right time, raising his draft status with excellent performances as part of Sodertalje and the Czech junior team in international competition.
His speed and offensive talent remind me a lot of Jake Voracek, but Pastrnak needs to add more muscle if he wants to play a power forward role in the NHL. The biggest concern I see isn't his relatively weak defensive game - that can be taught - it's the season ending concussion he suffered earlier this year. He seems to have recovered from it, but how will that impact his game? Will he shy away from physical situations? Will he be a bit more hesitant after taking a hit? It bears watching.
Scouting Reports:
Using quick agile cuts and dazzling puck skills, Pastrnak attacks quickly often making defenders look foolish along the way. He hounds pucks in an unrelenting way and doesn't steer away from traffic but his underdeveloped frame can hold him back occasionally in puck battles. - MyNHLDraft.com
He can dish the puck and he can finish as well. He has been doing very well at both in the Tier 2 Swedish pro league, the Allsvenskan (24 points in 36 games thus far, but an injury has prematurely ended his season). His defense needs a lot of work and he is of a slight build. A team needing offense may take him quite high thinking they will get an Ales Hemsky like player. Other teams, looking at his build and defense may back off until the end of the first round if he is still there. - The Hockey Writers
Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus
I suspect Jarmo and his scouts have gotten a fairly good look at Pastrnak, since he spent most of this season playing along fellow draft prospect William Nylander. The Blue Jackets have a lot of depth at forward, but if you look at the system, it's very center heavy, and a lot of the wingers are relatively smaller guys. Having a big bodied guy with the speed to keep up with a Ryan Johansen or (perhaps) Alexander Wennberg would be a strong addition to the pool, especially if he adds a few pounds and can be coached up on the defensive side of his game.
It has taken me a week to write this. I've been dreading it. I've been grieving. [Ed. Note: and it took me a couple of days to get to editing it. Grieving as well, what's the rush? -CK]
I was one of the skeptics who didn't think that the Ducks would make it past Dallas. But they did. On the eve of Game 6 against Los Angeles, I was genuinely excited about the prospect of making the Western Conference Finals. When we failed to seal the deal, I was concerned but optimistic about our Game 7 prospects. But we all know how Game 7 went.
I've come to realize that the Ducks overachieved significantly this season, but that still doesn't dull the pain. But this isn't about my pain, or the Ducks' pain, it's about giving the Kings credit. The handshakes are as follows:
- Drew Doughty. You are emerging as the greatest star on a team full of stars. You are fifth in playoff ice time with 27:21, fifth in playoff scoring among defensemen (10 goals and 16 points), and you're plus-7. But you are so much more than your stats. Like all great players, you set an example on the ice, and raise other players to your level.
- Jonathan Quick. The semifinal was supposed to be about John Gibson's dominant playoff debut. There have been questions about your readiness at various points in the playoffs, but when the chips were down, you out-dueled Gibson and came through for your team.
- Marian Gaborik. Just recently, the Columbus Blue Jackets wrote off the "Gaborik experiment" as a failure. Didn't matter. You've found fresh legs with the Kings, and your overtime goal in Game 1 set the tone for the entire series.
- Jeff Carter. They may have called you "High and Wide" in Philadelphia, but things have clearly come together for you in LA. I was secretly (very secretly) happy for you - and your dear friend Mike Richards - when you both finally won a Cup in 2012. You, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson are a nuisance. Please don't win another Cup this year. Please?
Head Coach Todd Richards is now under contract to be the head coach through the 2016-2017 season.
We'd heard rumors that this was coming, and of course at the press conference right after the season's end both Todd Richards and GM Jarmo Kekalainen were tight-lipped. I speculated then that that usually means something is close. Well, it may have taken another month, but the two sides got a deal done that adds two extra seasons onto Richards' existing contract, making him the contracted head coach for the next three seasons.
It's hard to argue against what Richards has done in his two-plus seasons as the head coach, including finishing the 2011-2012 season with the interim tag after the firing of Scott Arniel. Overall, Richards' clubs have piled up an 85-70-16 record, including the club's second playoff appearance in franchise history and first ever post-season wins. After righting the ship a bit during the disastrous 2011-2012 season that saw the club finish in last place in the league, just two seasons later (including a lockout-shortened campaign with stunning roster turn-over and no training camp) Richards guided the franchise back to the playoffs.
That, right there, probably merited an extension.
Since the post-lockout 5-12-2 start, the Blue Jackets have an amazing 62-37-12 record, good for 136 points in 111 games. Over an 82-game season, that would amount to a shade over 100 points.
With the full context of the past three seasons in mind, let that sink in.
"Todd has done an outstanding job for the Columbus Blue Jackets and we’re pleased that he will continue to lead our team," said Kekalainen. "We believe he is one of the top young coaches in the NHL because of his knowledge of the game, work ethic and ability to communicate well and bring out the best in our players. He’s played a significant role in our recent success and we look forward to having him continue to be a big part of our franchise moving forward."
"I’m very excited to be a part of this club and I appreciate the support I’ve received from the McConnell family, Mike Priest, John Davidson, Jarmo Kekalainen and everyone at the Blue Jackets organization," said Richards. "Our management group has done a fantastic job assembling a competitive team and we’ve definitely taken some very positive steps over the past two seasons. I’m looking forward to continuing to help this club grow and achieve its ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup championship."
Clearly, the club has done a good job finding players to fit what Richards' system does well. Finding a Vezina winning goaltender in a trade certainly doesn't hurt, either.
That said, Richards deserves his due for figuring out how to keep this club on an even keel as they learn to win in the NHL, even when some of us fans might not be able to stay so grounded.
Photo credit: Elsa
