Red Wings Motoring On

  Though the game has yet to resume at the NHL level due to the lockout, the Detroit Red Wings’ players are hitting their stride early in great form through various other leagues, and look to be hot on the trot ahead of the hopeful 2012-13 NHL year.

  The name Pavel Datsyuk is synonymous with perfection, leadership, and consistency. It’s not surprise that he’s had a great start to his 2012-13 year of hockey currently playing in his native land of Russia. In the KHL, Datsyuk has netted 6 goals and 19 points for CSKA Moskva, and currently 8th in points-scored of all NHL players currently playing overseas. It isn’t Datsyuk that the Wings need to worry about, as his play at the NHL level has never waivered. Last year Datsyuk totaled 19 goals and 67 points, and has led his club to not only capture two Stanley Cups (2001-02, 2007-08), but his four Lady Byng Trophies and  three Frank J. Selke Trophies have spoken of his abilities year after year.

  Red Wings center Valtteri Filppula is playing in his native land of Finland currently in the SM- Liiga. After setting a career-best in point totals of 23 goals and 66 points last year with the Red Wings, he has started well with 6 goals and 15 points in 15 games with Jokerit Helsinki. Currently 17th in the league in points, he is also helping his brother Ilari take his game to the next level as his teammate. Ilari Filppula is currently 3rd best in the league, having a brief history with the Red Wings’ organization last year – a relationship that has since ended, but will hopefully resume one day.

  It’s a bit deeper down the charts that Detroit is really looking primed for a good season, if and when that season should happen. Despite losing Cory Emmerton, Darren Helm, Dan Cleary, Patrick Eaves, and Joey MacDonald to various injuries before the season has even begun, the depth charts of the Wings’ roster is flourishing around the world.

  Henrik Zetterberg is another big name on Detroit’s impressive roster. The Swede has done nothing but great things for the club, also paying his dues in the Cup run of 2007-08, where he was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and raised the Stanley Cup for the only time in his career – a year after claiming the Gold Medal for Team Sweden. Last season the Swede played all 82 games for the Red Wings, scoring 22 goals and 69 points. In 668 games with the Wings he has totaled 252 goals and 624 points. In 109 playoff games, he totals 51 goals and 102 points.

  Currently playing in Swizterland with the EV Zug Lions, Zetterberg is off to a flying start, but the story goes much deeper. In the off-season, the Red Wings signed free-agent Damien Brunner, the League MVP of the Swiss League last year. The signing of Brunner, though relatively unknown amongst the common NHL fan, was nothing short of brilliant. The Red Wings’ organization has proved time and again with their rich history of finding the right guys through free-agency and the draft, and they look to continued success with the experiment going quite well in Switzerland.

"In talking to Zetterberg, he likes him and thinks he should be able to play in the NHL," said Zug coach Doug Shedden.

  The Swiss-born winger was signed as a free-agent to a one-year entry-level deal at a bonus salary rate of just over $1.3 million on January 7th with the sole intention to play him on a line with Henrik Zetterberg to spur on the Swede’s point production or the coming season. On October 8th, Zetterberg resigned his immediate hopes of the lockout ending, and subsequently signed with EV Zug of the Swiss Extra League – the same club that Brunner himself has spent his last four seasons playing pro hockey. The story has a brilliant twist, as Zetterberg then contacted his future teammate and asked him to join in on the fun.

"Detroit said they were going to put Brunner on a line with Zetterberg, so I got to do it first," Shedden said in an interview. "I texted Red Wings GM Kenny Holland and said: `It works."

  “It works” may be an understatement, as the two have dominated from the start. While Zetterberg light up the scoring sheets early, he currently sits fourth on the team in points with eight 8 goals and 13 points in just 7 games. Brunner, his line-mate, has appeared in 17 contests and has netted 17 goals and 28 points, which leads the entire league. Furthermore, teammate Linus Omark is second in the league with 26 points, and Zetterberg, having played ten less games, is 38th overall.

"If you take a Zetterberg, Brunner and (Montreal Candiens defenseman) Diaz out of our lineup, we're in deep, deep, deep water," he said. "But 75 per cent of our games are played before Christmas. So if those guys ... can help us get into a playoff situation before they've got to leave, I'm certainly going to shake their hand and thank them very much."

  If the lockout ends is the key, but even while the Swiss League may not compare to the NHL, the pair are not the only high profile names currently playing in Switzerland as John Tavares, Jason Spezza, Rick Nash, Joe Thornton, Patrice Bergeron, Patrick Kane and Tyler Seguin are among the players to have come over during the lockout.

  182nd overall 2006 draft pick Jan Mursak isn’t doing too bad, either. Mursak currently is top-five among all NHL players to have gone overseas during the lockout as he is posting up big numbers for his club, Ljubljana Olimpija HK. He has totaled 7 goals and 22 points in just 13 games – second on his team. Mursak may not be guaranteed a roster-spot come the start of the NHL season, but it’s not for a lack of ability or compete level. Mursak was marred by injury in the pre-season last year, but managed to appear in 22 games where he scored a goal and 3 points. The power-forward native of Slovenia will most likely suit up for the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids when the lockout ends, which has proven to be a grow house of great talent for the organization, and is proving to be just that thus far in the AHL regular season.Speaking now of North American Hockey, the Grand Rapids Griffins' team is one to play for these days.

  Sitting in third place overall in the AHL points race is none other than the highly touted Gustav Nyquist. The 23 year-old Swede, who signed with the Red Wings to a two-year entry-level contract in March of 2011 is in his second year with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and looking ever so much better. He led the team in goals last year with 24, and tied three-ways for team lead in points as he totaled 58 points in a full 20 games less than teammates Tomas Tatar and Jamie Johnson did – 56 compared to 76. His performance was so great that he was called up for 18 games with the Red Wings last year, and scored 1 goal and 8 points. In pre-season, the prospect of Nyquist’s skating and puck-handling abilities next to the brilliance of one, Pavel Datsyuk, was enough to make a Red Wings fan blush with excitement. Nyquist has wasted no time as in 13 games with the Griffins this year, he has scored 6 goals and 15 points and a +9 rating, a rating that also leads his Griffins’ club.

  In fact, the Grand Rapids’ Griffins roster is proving to be full of future Red Wings. 21 year-old teammate Tomas Tatar hasn’t looked too bad, either. The 2009 60th overall draft pick of the Red Wings put up big numbers last year, and is 21st overall in the AHL in 2012-13 having scored 5 goals and 12 points with a +6 rating.

  Large-framed defenseman Brendan Smith, who is a likely lock for a spot on Detroit’s blue-line this coming season is off to a flying start as well. The slick puck-moving defenseman who was drafted 27th overall in 2007 by the Red Wings added two more goals on Friday night to help his team win – brining his totals to 3 goals and 8 points in 13 games with a +5 rating. At this rate, he is looking to eclipse his totals last year where he posted 10 goals and 34 points in 57 games. Smith also appeared in 14 NHL games with the Red Wings, scoring 1 goal and 7 points.

“I think I played well and showed them what I've got,'' Smith said. “The biggest thing for me is to hit the gym really hard this summer and get bigger and work my way into the lineup. I'm pretty excited to have played as many games as I did, and hopefully that will give me that much more of a chance to jump right into the lineup.''

  Though these are just some of the stand-out names on the Grand Rapids gleaming roster, the simple fact of the matter is that the Red Wings’ depth is shining brighter perhaps than it has in quite some time. The great start that the AHL club has had this year, currently 3rd place in the Western Conference, combined with the compete level that the Red Wings players overseas have begun with are nothing but positive signs looking forward to the start of the NHL season. Though the lockout has darkened the skies above the world of North American Hockey, the Red Wings are beaming with confidence.

- Kendall Grubbs

MacKinnon; Mooseheads’ Home Brew

  The Halifax Mooseheads are crushing the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with alarming pace to all of those concerned in the long, long list of superbly talented rivals. The club is currently best in class, with a 16-1-1 record. The loss against Rimouski in the shootout ended a 14-game winning streak, a game which five different goal scorers’ efforts wasn’t enough for the win. Having one of the most exciting teams in all of the QMJHL more than makes up for that little blip on the radar, though, as they have some of the most talented players the league has to offer.

  Though no team with such a record as the Mooseheads, who currently sit at the top of the league with 33 points, is led by one man, Nathan MacKinnon is standing out amongst the roster.

  Halifax-born MacKinnon, at 17 years of age, is on fire in his second season with the Mooseheads as he currently sits in sixth place among the league’s top point producers, having netted 18 goals and 30 points in 18 games. He is currently on pace to eclipse his rookie year points total of 31 goals and 78 points in 58 games.

  Success has always followed Nathan MacKinnon, as his numbers as an early teenager have always indicated. At an atom aged player, MacKinnon would score 200 points in 50 games. At twelve and thirteen years of age in Bantam AAA he would scored 110 and 145 points respectively. Having chosen the same patch as superstar Sidney Crosby (and quite wisely), MacKinnon left home to pursue hockey at Shattuck St. Mary’s boarding school. In Bantam Tier 1 he totaled 101 points in 58 games. In his second season with Shattuck, he finished with 93 points in forty games played, and was second on the team with 45 goals, and to top it off, he had 70 penalty minutes, underlining his aggressive nature of play. In 15 contests in U-17 and U-18 at the National level for his come country, he has totaled 11 goals and 23 points.

  MacKinnon has had a watchful eye on him all along. Widely praised and presumed as the eventual first overall draft pick in the coming NHL Entry Draft, MacKinnon nearly skipped out on the QMJHL all together. Just as he is expected to be number one looking forward to his future NHL career, he was also projected to be first overall in the 2011 QMJHL Draft. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL was awarded the first pick that year, and naturally, chose MacKinnon. Meanwhile, speculation flew rampant that he may opt for college hockey instead. But here he was, with the gates wide open in QMJHL – a teenager’s dream come true. The only problem; he doesn’t speak French. So, with a trade in mind, his new team was happy to oblige him. Why? Because the return was rather large, and the “Viking Ship” knew just how badly Halifax wanted their native son. MacKinnon's rights were traded to the Halifax Mooseheads for Carl Gélinas, Francis Turbide, the Mooseheads' first round draft picks in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and the Quebec Remparts' first round draft pick in 2013, previously acquired by Halifax. The Mooseheads had been attempting to acquire MacKinnon since Baie-Comeau was awarded the first overall pick, and now they had him.

  MacKinnon was also selected to represent the best the QMJHL had to offer as he will be paired up side-by-side with the best the league has to offer, up against the best Russia has to throw at them with the inclusion of last year’s first overall draft pick, Nail Yakupov in the Subway Super Series. MacKinnon will see plenty of looks from an increased presence of NHL scouts throughout the tournament, as he has
exposed himself as a truly gifted young forward.

  MacKinnon is the real deal, and when he becomes eligible for the NHL Entry Draft in June every General Manager will hold his breath until the name is called. Nathan MacKinnon will be great.

- Kendall Grubbs

Heat, Horak Best Marlies 4-2, Top AHL

  The Abbotsford Heat hosted the Toronto Marlies on Friday night in Abbotsford, B.C. for the second consecutive night. After embarrassing the Marlies last night in a 3-0 win which saw Abbotsford set a franchise record two goals in three seconds, the local heroes didn’t disappoint in the second of the back-to-back divisional rivals’ weekend series.

  Roman Horak continued his dominance in the early season with a natural hat-trick, claiming three of the four goals scored by his club. Horak accomplished this feat in front of 4,655 fans on a night in which the team set a franchise record with 1,202 tickets sold on game day. Abbotsford took the game with a final score of 4-2.

  With the win, The Heat have moved into the top spot in the American Hockey League, even in points with division rivals Lake Erie Monsters, and one point ahead of the Rochester Americans. The North Division has proven to be one of the toughest divisions in the league thus far. The Toronto Marlies have been on the back foot of this division, and claim last place in the division with the two straight losses in Abbotsford.

  The Marlies, who fall to last place in the North division with the loss, got off to a desperate start. Spencer Abbott got the Marlies going early as he netted his first of the season and first career AHL goal at 2:32. With just three seconds remaining in the first period, Roman Horak began his natural hat-trick on a clever tip-in redirected shot from defenseman Steve McCarthy.

  Ben Walter and Sven Baertschi each earned two assists in the game, assisting each of Horak’s next two goals. Horak buried a rebound as he was planted firmly in front of the net early in the second period at 1:03, and in a mad scramble rebound situation wristed the puck past Marlies goaltender Mark Owuya just over five minutes later to finish the trick.

 After assisting Horak's first goal and fighting Greg Scott at 10:46 of the 2nd period, Quinton Laing recorded a ‘Gordie Howe Hat-Trick” as he tallied the last goal of the game at 8:58 of the third period, solidifying the Abbotsford lead.

  Heat goaltender Leland Irving stopped 25 of 27 shots for his first victory of the season as he stood tall against the Marlies repeated attempts to take down the Heat, who were out-shot 27-19.

  Having scored his first AHL natural hat-trick in front of a packed house, 21 year-old Czech forward Roman Horak also takes the lead in goals scored in the American Hockey League with 10 in 9 games. Horak, drafted 127th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers leads his team in points with 11, and is 4th overall in the AHL in points – just two behind league leader Justin Schultz.

  Horak spent 14 games with the Heat last season where he tallied 2 goals and 4 points, but quickly made the jump to the Calgary Flames for his NHL debut where he contended in 61 games and finished the season with 3 goals and 11 points. Horak was destined for a spot on the Flames’ roster again this season, but has instead found himself back in Abbotsford due to the NHL lockout. Roman is currently on a seven-game points-scoring streak, and is looking more like a top tier prospect than originally intended.

  Horak was acquired from the New York Rangers after Tim Erixon, the Flames’ 2009 NHL Entry Draft Choice 104 picks before Horak was selected, failed to sign with the club. Calgary subsequently sent Erixon to the Rangers along with a 4th round pick and received two 2nd round picks and, of course, Roman Horak. Roman had spent two seasons with the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL, where he amassed 47 goals and 125 points in 130 games, but had lost some of his flair prior to the draft. Horak seemed to struggle somewhat off the ice having moved freshly from the Czech Republic, but is finally starting to hit his stride as a player in professional North American Hockey.

  Now that Horak has some North American professional experience under his belt, his natural goal scoring and offensive skill sets are starting to shine. He is now over a year’s experienced in a league of men.

“He’s definitely finding the net, and it’s great because there are very few people in the game of hockey that would ever find a streak like this,” Head Coach Troy Ward said. “We just sit back and enjoy it. And we’re really happy for Roman, because I think it’s really important to him to continue to try to establish himself where he wants to be looked at in the game - and that’s a top-six forward.”

  Roman Horak is a real threat to the scoring title chase in the American Hockey League, but the scoring title certainly plays second fiddle to the ability to regularly make the NHL roster of the Calgary Flames. Until then, Roman leads the way.

  With the league lead in hand, the Abbotsford Heat will begin to defend their position against the much talked about Oklahoma City Barons on Friday night, as Horak will most definitely be matched up against the current league leader in points, Justin Schultz.

- Kendall Grubbs

Burning Down the House

  The Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League lost to the Kelowna Rockets in last night’s match up in Kelowna as the Blazers were shut out 3-0 in regulation. It’s anything but down in the dumps for the Blazers, as it was the first regulation loss in 18 games – a loss that broke a franchise record of 14 straight victories. The winning streak breaks the previous record of 13, which was accomplished in both 1986-87 and 1989-90.

  The goal differential during their 16-1-1 record this season is equally impressive at 81 goals-for, and 41 goals-against.  As they head into their 19th game of the year tonight, this time back at home against the Prince George Cougars who sit 8th in the Eastern Conference, the Blazers are looking to get back to their winning ways.

  Heading this dynamic team are four particular forwards who are not only leading their team to unrivaled success, but they’re also leading the league with staggering numbers. The Blazers hold the top three positions in the 2012-13 scoring title chase, while the fourth member high in the rankings sits currently in 8th overall – in a three-way tie for sixth. Two of th Blazers, Colin Smith and JC Lipon, have been selected to represent Team WHL in the Subway Super Series on November 14th and 15th in Vancouver and Victoria against Team Russia.

  At this point, 19 year-old J.C. Lipon leads the WHL in points with 40, while 19 year-old Colin Smith sits 2nd with 39, 18 year-old Tim Bozon is 3rd with 31 points, and 20 year-old Brendan Ranford is 8th (tied for 6th) with 23 points.

  19 year-old J.C. Lipon, native of Regina, SK, is having the time of his life in his fourth year for the Blazers. In 18 games, Lipon has scored 16 goals and 24 assists for a league leading 40 points. In less than a quarter of the games he appeared in last season, he sits just 25 points behind his personal record-best year.

  As tribute to the outstanding start for the young winger, the WHL has recognized and dubbed him as the ‘Player of the Month.” While all of his points were through the first 17 games, he had at the time been on the second longest points scoring streak, behind only his teammate Colin Smith who finished at 14 straight games having scored points. Lipon, prior to last night’s loss, had also maintained a +17 rating, but has dropped one in this category heading into tonight’s game. Four times has Lipon been named the first star of the game out of a total eight ‘three star’ appearances. For the week ending on October 7th and 14th, he was named the WHL and CHL Player of the Week, while this is Lipon’s first WHL Player of the Month Award.

"He's now taking his game to another level. JC is a hard-working and dedicated individual. I don't think he ever expected this to happen…to be the face of junior hockey at this point, but it's a credit to him." Kamloops Blazers Head Coach Guy Charron said, having nothing but praise for his winger.

  Lipon’s style of play is not just that of a scoring forward, but a forward determined to play hard along the boards and fight for every inch to make scoring chances happen.

“I have lots of little things to touch up on,” Lipon noted. “A big thing is consistency, playing good hockey in the defensive zone and just to keep getting better at everything.”

“Playing good in the defensive zone allows offensive chances to come.”

  Incredibly, Lipon has gone undrafted since his debut with the Blazers in the 2009-10 season. In fact, Lipon was even passed up in the WHL Bantam Draft. That, most assuredly will change if he continues to display such offensive excellence. Lipon has led his team to the top, and along with his teammates seems unstoppable at this point.

“Everything is just coming together,” Lipon said when asked of his team’s success. “We have a lot of experience, lots of character in the room, [and the] young guys, especially on the back-end, are really buying in.”

  Lipon’s failure to be drafted by this juncture is never the less going to be a thing of the past. Having admittedly based his game around that of T.J. Oshie, he has shown the ability to dig tirelessly to retrieve the puck from his opponent in the offensive zone, and has distributed and placed it with flying colors game after game. It is quite obvious that Lipon has found his niche.

“I just wasn’t ready at the right times I guess. There are always some late bloomers out there,” Lipon told Hockey’s Future. “I never really had any doubts, but there were some things I couldn’t control. When coaches did give me opportunities, I just went for it.”

  Lipon may have already had a contract at this point, as he was invited to fellow teammate Collin Smith’s NHL affiliate’s training camp, the Colorado Avalanche, but his chance was stymied by the NHL lockout.

  His dominance is only rivaled by one other thus far, his teammate Colin Smith.

  Smith, who was drafted 192nd overall in the 7th round by the Colorado Avalance in the 2012NHL Entry Draft sits just one single point behind the WHL’s league leading Lipon. The Blazers selected Smith in the 1st round – 7th overall in the 2008 WHL Draft, and in 218 games with the club he has recorded 74 goals and 128 assists.

  In the week ending on October 22nd, Smith earned his fair praise from the WHL as well, as he earned the WHL ‘Player of the Week’ recognition. The 2010-11 WHL  Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy (Scholastic Player of the Year) Award winner is also in his fourth (complete) season with the Blazers, and has tallied 13 goals and 26 assists through 18 games of play.

  Smith, though at a relatively small frame of 5’11 and 175lbs. may just be a diamond in the rough type of find for the ever improving and extremely young Colorado Avalanche group in the future. Smith finished second to teammate Brendan Ranford on the team in points last season where he posted an impressive 35 goals and 85 points, and is proving that he only intends to move up.

  The third man on the dynamic top line that is offensively blowing the WHL away is 18 year-old Tim Bozon. Bozon finished third on the Blazers’ scoring list last season with 36 goals and 71 points, and is currently third in the WHL with 14 goals and 31 points. He was selected by Kamloops 27th overall  in the first round of the 2011 CHL Import Draft.

  Bozon was selected 64th overall in the 3rd round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the highest pick of the four Blazers’ stars, and has carried with him from his play in homeland Switzerland the offensive skill sets to carry him to the top. His quick release and ability to elude defenders has put him in the position of the top line, and will continue to grow in only his second season with the Blazers.

  Brendan Ranford, who led his team last season with 40 goals and 92 points, may be behind this top line of point-producing mayhem, but is poised to keep on track having gotten off to a great start himself. So far this season Ranford has netted 7 goals and 23 points, and is helping to round out the Blazers’ complete offensive package.

  Ranford heads into his fifth full year with Kamloops, and is itching to make the jump to the next level. Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 7th round (209th overall) in 2010, Ranford was returned to the Blazers where ever since he has totaled 294 regular season games, notching 122 goals and 293 points.

  The Blazers are the most exciting team in the WHL at this point, and with this offensive power house rounded out by the four aforementioned forwards, the Blazers are in a prime position to clinch the CHL Memorial Cup Championship title since the back-to-back championships of 1994 and 1995. The Blazers are the team to watch, and the duel amongst its’ young offensive core through the rest of the year will be a delight. Lipon will be signed, and the question on everyone’s mind throughout the CHL and NHL respectively is where he will in fact play one day.

- Kendall Grubbs

Aeros' Rookies Shining Bright

  Having missed the playoffs for four consecutive years, the Minnesota Wild are starting to pick their heads up. Off-season mega acquisitions took the headlines with the signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, but it’s the little things that count, such as the talent pool of first round picks buried in the American Hockey League that are really the shining star in the near future of the Minnesota Wild.

  Mikael Granlund's two assists and plus/minus +3 rating in last Saturday's 4-0 blowout of the Milwaukee Admirals helped push him to the top of the charts in the hearts and minds of the American Hockey League's much wider following through its' first full month of play in the 2012-13 season.

  Granlud, labeled  'Rookie of the Month' by the AHL, is in a seven-way tie for fifth most points through the season thus far, having notched 3 goals and 10 points through 7 games of play with a very impressive plus/minus +6 rating. The 20 year-old Finn leads his Houston Aeros team in points, shots on goal, and plus/minus. Though being held scoreless in his debut on October 13th, he would proceed to string together a six game points scoring streak.

  Drafted in the first round, 9th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in 2010, Granlund is showing his ability as quick as the club had predicted in a much stronger league than it normally would have been due to the NHL lockout. The Wild would have been poised to break out their Finnish stud at the beginning of the NHL season which has yet to come to fruition. Though the deal took a bit longer than the Minnesota Wild would have preferred, Granlund was signed to a three-year entry-level contract on May 25t with a baseline salary on $900,000 per-year. The deal, however, has bonuses with plenty of performance bonuses, leaving him the potential for $2.1 million per season. Not bad, but with a reputation like Granlund’s in Finland, there had to be some incentive to persuade him to finally come to North America.

  Granlund presents a superlative playmaking and puck-handling upside, which has been shown previously in his play in Finland.

  His last three seasons have been spent with HIFK of the Finnish Elite League and has represented his country numerous times in World Junior Championships. In 2010-11 Granlund missed the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship due to a concussion, but played for Finland's men’s national team scoring 2 goals and 9 points giving Finland its’ first world title since 1995.In 2011-12 as a 19 year-old, he led Helsinki of the SM-Liiga in points with 20 goals and 51 points in 45 games, helping his club attain the Championship. In 129 games in Finland’s top league, Granlund totaled 41 goals and 127 points.

  Though the season is very young, Granlund presents a real threat for the AHL’s top rookie honors this year, provided the lockout sees no end, as he trails only league leader Justin Schultz for points scored by rookies. The Minnesota staff is ever wishful that the NHL season gets under way, as Granlund’s offensive play will inevitably see him in the same race at the top level. The off-season addition of players such as Ryan Suter and Zach Parise will do nothing but bolster the Finn’s scoring chances on the ice.

  Just as strong in the light of rookies for the Houston Aeros club and the whole of the American Hockey League, has been forward Charlie Coyle. Coyle may not have quite the same level of hype that the aforementioned Granlund has, but he is none the less very intriguing looking into the future of the Minnesota Wild.

  With a much larger frame of 6’2 and 205lbs. Coyle is the leading goal scorer for the Aeros, having notched 5 goals and 6 points with a plus/minus +6 rating, and is currently in an eight-way tie for 5th best in AHL goals scored this season.

  Coyle, a product of Massachusetts, is on his way in quick order of living the American dream for a hockey player. Coyle cut short his college career after two seasons with Boston University where he appeared 53 times, scoring 10 goals and 40 points, to make a splash in the Quebec Major Junior League last season, where in his only season with Saint John, he tallied 15 goals and 38 points in 23 games with a stellar plus/minus +23 rating to help lead the team to the Championship. In the playoffs, Coyle stepped up his game to tie for best in points, where in 17 games he racked up 15 goals and 34 points with a +27 rating.

"He's a world-class player in his age group," Wild Assistant GM Flahr said of Coyle. "Everything he could have hoped for has fallen into place."

  Coyle, too, was selected in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but instead was chosen by the San Jose Sharks late with the 28th pick overall. The Wild, in a blockbuster deal, acquired him on his draft day which brought himself, Devin Setoguchi, and a 1st round selection in 2011 for  defenseman Brent Burns and a 2nd round selection in 2012.

  With the Minnesota Wild’s roster relatively short on space for rookies, Coyle is less likely to start for the Wild should there be a season this year, but is truly one to watch for in the future. Coyle has great size and strength, playing much larger than his frame actually is. To top off his stature, he is an extremely powerful skater and is very successful at guarding and containing the puck – something that a player of Mikael Granlund’s ability can make great gains from on the wing.

  In 2011, the successive draft, the Wild were also able to make a draft-day impression when they made, for the second year straight, two first-round selections.

  The latter of the two, 28th overall pick Zack Phillips, is competing at 19 years of age for the first time in professional ice hockey with the Aeros. Thus far, he has tallied a goal and an assist in six games, and has shown some promise.

  As a teammate to Coyle, Phillips tallied an impressive 30 goals for 80 points and a +47 rating through 60 games, finishing third on his team in points and helping his Saint John Sea Dogs’ club win the Memorial Cup. Having gone 16-1 in the playoffs, Phillips tallied 9 goals and 23 assists.

  In a total 192 regular season games for the Sea Dogs, Phillips recorded 84 goals and 219 assists. His post season numbers were equally impressive, totaling 20 goals and 62 points in 55 playoff appearances.

  Zack Phillips is a gifted play-maker and goal scorer at the Junior level, but will need time to develop in the American Hockey League before making it to the big show. Fortunately enough for him, the AHL is at a higher level due to the NHL lockout than it has been in the past – something that will only increase his rate of growth.

  Drafted 10th overall by the Wild in 2011, Swedish born defenseman Jonas Brodin is developing quickly in his first season of professional North American hockey.

  Never having been a major point producer, Brodin’s exceptional defensive attributes saw him play top four minutes for Farjestads of the Swedish Elite League last season where he tallied 8 assists and a +6 rating in 49 games. In his first seven games in the American Hockey League, Brodin has already shown signs of all-around improvement having tallied 2 goals and 4 points with a +4 rating.

  The very mobile and strong skating Swede has played against the best the NHL has to offer in the past, as he was paired up against some of the NHL’s elite in the 2011-12 World Championships as he was paired against the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin of the eventual Gold Medal Winning Team Russia.

  Brodin, along with most recent first round draft choice Matt Dumba, are likely to take a bit longer in development before making the jump to the NHL as defensemen commonly do.

"I'm old school; I'd go five years with them," Aero’s Head Coach John Torchetti said. "It's more demanding what they're doing (than what forwards do). You're the last line before the goalie. It's just a tougher position to teach. There's a lot to it. You put a defenseman in the NHL at 18, he's not going to be ready until he's 22 or 23, and that's early."

Torchetti believes Brodin’s skating level is currently on par with NHL level skating, but he has played a more stay-at-home style in Sweden compared to what he'll be expected to do in the NHL, and has spent time working on his offensive side to the game.

"It's probably the most talented development camp I've been a part of," Torchetti said during the club’s training camp. "It's a great future."

  Meanwhile, the Wild’s most recent first-round draft choice (7th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Matt Dumba, is lighting up the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels, and without question is bound for the NHL once his Junior career is up. There is no doubt that these excellent draft choices of the Wild over the past few years was a big part of the sales pitch in urging Suter and Parise to sign with the club on long-term deals. It’s the long term that General Manager Chuck Fletcher has in mind, and the future looks very, very bright.

- Kendall Grubbs

Schultz Electrifying AHL, Oilers Drooling

  Though the National Hockey League has yet to get a glimpse of the highly touted Justin Schultz on NHL ice, the 22 year old native of Kelowna, B.C. is doing nothing short of electrifying the American Hockey League with a brilliant start for the Oklahoma City Barons.

  The offensive defenseman has shown by his level of play yet another reason why it is so unfortunate to be missing out on NHL hockey these days. In 7 games with the Oklahoma City Barons, who are currently eighth in the west, Schultz has a more than impressive 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points. His goal tally is tied for second best in the league, and his points total is the highest of any other player in the American Hockey League early on in his first year of professional hockey. For a 22 year old rookie defenseman in a league of men, Schultz has done plenty to boost the Edmonton Oilers’ anticipation for NHL action to resume.

  Unsurprisingly, Schultz was the second player of the year thus far to receive the AHL’s “Player of the Week” recognition, but accolades and high praise are something that Schultz is used to receiving. Shortly after receiving his player of the weeks status on October 21, Schultz netted two shorthanded goals (one on the empty net) against San Antonio on Friday October 23rd and had a plus/minus 5 rating on the evening and continued with a highlight reel goal against Lake Erie on Saturday after undressing defenseman Cameron Gaunce and beating the goaltender one on one.

“I kind of blacked out there. I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Schultz. ”I usually don’t get many one-on-ones with a goalie.”

  Among Schultz’s accomplishments prior to stepping foot on professional ice he is best known for his tenure at the University of Wisconsin. There, as a Badger, he totaled 40 goals and 73 assists for 113 points in 121 games with a plus/minus 27 rating.  He was voted the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year two consecutive seasons, made the WCHA All Rookie Team, and twice appeared in the WCHA First All Star Team as well as the NCAA West All American Team. Last season with Wisconsin he was named the Spike Carlson Most Valuable Player by his Wisconsin teammates after finishing second on the team in points, and is currently eighth all time for Wisconsin in points from defensemen. Prior to his collegiate appearance he played two full seasons of Junior A with the Westside Warriors of the BCHL where he was named Interior Conference Top Defensemen in each season. He totaled 24 goals and 90 points in 106 games for the Westside Warriors.

“That was pretty cool.” Schultz said of his experience at Wisconsin. “There were a lot of talented players, especially defensemen,”

“They’re all congratulating me on a good start and my friends and family are able to see too. But, this is only a start. There’s a lot more games in this league than in school. We would only play 41 or 42 a year, max.”

  The beauty of Schultz’s offensive game is not that of a prototypical scoring defenseman. Schultz has an uncanny ability to skate the puck through the neutral zone and through top defensive pairings, capable of creating offensive plays or a pin-point accurate shot. Unlike most defensemen whom often blast the puck from the point, Schultz’s strength is his wrist shot. Having won the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year award for the last two consecutive seasons, he’s proven to be no slouch on the defensive side of the game either.

  Schultz proved his worth long ago playing next to current Toronto Maple Leafs rising star on defense, Jake Gardiner, at the University of Wisconsin as a fellow blue liner. Accordingly, Schultz is said to be the one Toronto were after in the deal that sent Francois Beauchemin to Anaheim in early 2011, with Gardiner being playing the expendable role in available depth players. None of this has gone well for the Ducks given the fact that Gardiner has excelled tremendously fast, while Schultz never did dress for the club that drafted him.

  Schultz, who was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks 43rd overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, signed as a free agent in the offseason with the Edmonton Oilers. The list of NHL teams eager to sign the then 21 year old was quite a lengthy one, with Anaheim begrudging the deal that was eventually made by the Oilers. The initial entry-level contract of three years, as per CBA stipulations prior to the lockout, was let run dry by the defenseman as he opted to stay in college and rack up a plethora of points and experience, all the while never intending the play with the Ducks. Anaheim would in fact see no compensation for this, as in section 8.3 (b) of the NHL’s former collective bargaining agreement, a team would only receive a compensatory draft pick if a team failed to sign a player that was drafted in the first round.

  This, among many clauses in the various outlines of a new collective bargaining agreement, has been a worth-while talking point going forward. While the NHL had originally proposed a five year entry-level contract minimum to avoid such happenings, the league uncharacteristically softened to the NHLPA’s requests, and reduced the minimum or standard to just two years. While a player determined is bound to end up leaving if he wishes, the league and players association must try to remedy these situations - the type that limit teams growth through the draft.

  The CBA talking points seemingly have no end, but for players such as the caliber of Justin Schultz, it is a shame that there may not be an opportunity for him to display his talents at the NHL level and almost assuredly challenge for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. Though there is a vast amount of challengers, he has displayed a top level ability early in his pro experience. For the Edmonton Oilers, the fans and organization alike are drooling over the amount of talent they are set to have going into the next hockey season – whenever that may be. Another top challenger for the Calder would be none other than the Oilers’ own 2012first overall draft pick Nail Yakupov, who is a story within his own right.

  It’s very difficult to see a positive to a full-season lock out, but for Schultz, he is now amongst professional players on a nightly basis and, as he did with his college career, will only continue to develop and improve his game ahead of the official start to the next season of NHL play.

- Kendall Grubbs

Scheifele Sent Back

  In the wake of the poorly start the Winnipeg Jets have had this season, the decision has been made to return first round draft pick of 2011, 7th overall, Mark Scheifele to the Barrie Colts of the OHL where he will continue to develop with the club.

"I think he took it great. He's a humble person. He worked hard and he took nothing for granted. That's his mentality." GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said.

  The 18 year-old broke into the NHL after a mesmerizing pre-season in which he led the club through five games posting four goals and four assists. Scheifele impressed the Winnipeg brass, but his regular season debut was not enough to earn him a permanent spot on the roster – yet.

  The Winnipeg Jets had just nine regular season games to make the call before the first year of his three-year entry-level deal kicked in as per National Hockey League rules and regulations regarding entry-level deals. Scheifele was given seven games to prove he should stick, and despite just scoring one goal and no assists, he truly did impress, and very well could have stayed on for the rest of the year.

"The way he played in Penticton (rookie camp) and the exhibition season, the way he handled himself at the National Hockey League level, we"re ecstatic," GM Cheveldayoff told TSN1290 in Winnipeg.

"He's going to be an impact player in junior. I think with that comes the pressure of leading a team and the expectations of producing all the time. I think those are the type of things, that when he comes to be an NHL player, will be his responsibility all the time. It's a development process. 18-years-old, that a big feather in his cap to have earned the right to play seven games here."

  The good thing for Scheifele and Winnipeg is actually in the fact that he did not stay. Scheifele obviously presents the current roster with a viable option on the ice, contributing in ways that Winnipeg needs contributions, but the fact is that there is a problem in the city of Winnipeg in the early stages of the season, and keeping Scheifele around for it would not have benefited anyone involved.

  Chalk it up to the excitement factor of the move from Atlanta to Winnipeg, the crazy schedule having placed the team in the Southeast Division while the team resides in Western Canada, or perhaps the new coach and new general management situation. Possibly the team still suffers from lack of chemistry, or overall experience. At the end of the day; none of it matters when you’re dealing with an 18 year-old that still has to learn and develop.

  And develop he will. Last year Sheifele played 66 games and tallied 22 goals and 53 assists for 75 points. His return should do nothing but bolster the confidence that the club has in the player, as not many 18 year-old get the chance to stick around off the hop. He will continue to grow in Juniors, especially in terms of overall strength and defensive responsibility – something that could really bring Scheifele full-circle into a complete hockey player.

  Scheifele brings size and strength at 6’3 184lbs to the center position. His play is smooth and awareness is primed for the NHL at only 18 years of age. As he proved in Juniors last year, and at the NHL level in pre-season this year, he has great skill in puck moving and a knack for scoring.

  When in fact Winnipeg comes to rely on Scheifele’s talents, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL – as will the entire club that was built by former GM Don Waddell (who did a fine job by the way) in the city of Atlanta. Young talents in Evander Kane, Ondrej Pavelec, Alexander Burmistrov, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, and the rest of the promising youth will come into their own as top notch players in the league. That combined with the proven veteran leadership already established may just in fact return the city of Winnipeg to glory, something that was taken from the club before it could ever come to fruition.

- Kendall Grubbs

Scheifele Nets First As Lupul's Hot Stick Denies Jets Victory

  It wasn’t hard for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets game to take honors for “game of the night” seeing how theirs’ was the only game to be played Wednesday evening. To no one’s surprise, neither team disappointed in a thrilling down to the wire hockey game.

  The Leafs hosted the Jets in each respective team’s fifth game of the season. The game would have many talking points, as the two Canadian clubs played hard and heavy from start to finish. The two teams matched in total hits with 27 a piece in the physical bout, tie in penalty minutes in a rather low eight minutes each, and match on powerplay goals as well on an equally amount of chances going 2-4 on the powerplay.

The goaltending was also quite evenly matched, as both Toronto’s James Reimer and Winnipeg’s Ondrej Pavelec stood on their heads to make game saving stops again and again – especially through the third period.

  James Reimer is 4-0-1 to start the year, with a .913 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average with one shutout. Reimer impressed the Maple Leafs’ brass heavily in his 37 games last season. He went 20-10-5 with a .921 save percentage and 2.60 GAA and three shutouts. The 23 year-old has picked up the reigns in Toronto, and looks to be headed for another fantastic year in the crease. Reimer stopped 26 of 29 shots in regulation, followed by two stops for the win in the shootout.

The impending showdown between the young netminders resulted in a shootout, where each one made precision stops. Toronto forward Joffery Lupul, however, would play the hero for the home team as he got the better of Pavelec for the third time on the night. Young forward Matt Frattin buried his shot in turn, which clinched the victory for the Maple Leafs 4-3 in the shootout.

  Although Frattin’s game-winning shootout goal didn’t count, he did put the puck in the net to win the game. Mark Scheifele, however, did officially score his first goal in the National Hockey League.

Scheifele, who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets 7th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has been ever closer to his club’s decision that must be made within the next week or so. Scheifele, like Jake Gardiner and Matt Frattin, has nine games to show what he’s got to the organization, and try to stick with the club for the rest of the year - or be sent back to Juniors for further development. He has four of those games remaining.

"I don't want to think about that too much," Scheifele said Tuesday morning in regards to the looming decision. "I think I'm able to take that pressure and kind of turn it into motivation and turn it into that determination to work even harder."

 The 18 year-old has one goal in his first five NHL games after an impressive pre-season in which he posted four goals and four assists through five games. He netted his first NHL goal at 7:53 of the second period on the powerplay to give the Jets a 3-1 lead. As defenseman Dustin Byufiglien powered his way to the net and put a shot on goal, Scheifele picked up the rebound far-side as he skated in and buried it past James Reimer.

"It was definitely special to get it here in front of a bunch of people that came to the game," Scheifele said. "But it would've been nicer to get the win."

  Scheifele’s immediate future is unknown generally, as his pre-season and regular season stats haven’t matched. The 18 year-old is in fact a huge addition to the Winnipeg Jets in what he can provide for the here and now, but head coach Claude Noel isn’t giving any feelers out just yet for a decision.

"We've got some time to make assessments on him," Noel said Tuesday. "We'll do what's best for him in the long run. Where we're at, management's got to kind of sort through that stuff there. He's playing, he's been in all the games."

"So we'll see how he goes."

Scheifele wasn’t the only youngster trying to prove he should stick last night, as two of Toronto’s own young talents also impressed greatly on the game and all who enjoyed it. Jake Gardiner and Matt Frattin are also signed on entry-level contracts, and are working hard to stick with the Leafs.

    Jake Gardiner was a beast in the game. He started just his third game of the year and wound up leading all Maple Leafs players in time on ice with 22:58. He had one shot on net in the contest and finished a +1. He also increased his totals on defense as he now has seven blocked shots on the season. The 17th overall draft pick of the Maple Leafs in 2007 made it clear that he is ready to compete at the NHL level.

  Matt Frattin also chipped in. His numbers thus far don’t match his ethic. Frattin has played a part in the Maple Leafs’ start this season, and his shootout goal, although not an official ‘first goal’, did put the game away in front of the home team.

  The goaltenders and the youngsters were splendid tonight, but Joffery Lupul sneaks in as the arguable player of the game. Lupul first got the Maple Leafs on the board late in the first period. He made the game 2-1 on a perfect pass by the streaking-in Phil Kessel, for Lupul’s third goal of the year. His fourth goal came at 7:28 of the third period as he shot far-side, somehow beating Pavelec. Once again, Kessel assisted on the goal.

"Things are really going our way right now -- we are getting some bounces, and we are playing well too," Lupul said. "But some of the goals we are getting now I don't expect to be getting throughout the entire season. It's nice when things are rolling like this but there are still some things we can do better." "Things are really going our way right now -- we are getting some bounces, and we are playing well too," Lupul said. "But some of the goals we are getting now I don't expect to be getting throughout the entire season. It's nice when things are rolling like this but there are still some things we can do better."

  Phil Kessel registered his fourth and fifth assists in the game – on both of Lupul’s goals, and tallied his league leading seventh goal to tie the game at 7:55 of the third period on the powerplay, less than a minute behind Lupul’s second tally. Captain Dion Phaneuf’s one-time pass to Kessel was labeled for the back of the net and found it quicker than Pavelec could have dreamed it up. Kessel would be denied in the shootout, but was just as much of the Leafs’ victory as anyone else. He entered and exited the ice leading the NHL in goals (7) and points (12). Kessel is and has been for some time the glue that has kept the Maple Leafs together.

“He's backchecking, forechecking, making good decisions with the puck and staying on top of things.” Head coach Ron Wilson said of Kessel."

"He wants the puck all the time, he's demanding it and he's getting it. That's the big thing."

"The fact of the matter is that line got the job done with different centremen at different times," he added. "Those two guys (Kessel and Lupul) are hot. We've got to find a way to get the Grabovski line going a little bit more here."

  The Toronto Maple Leafs move to an impressive 4-0-1 start with the victory, and are set to take on the (Stanley Cup) hung-over Boston Bruins, followed by the Montreal Candiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Rangers all within the next week on their four-game road trip.

  The Jets came up short-handed against their first Canadian opponent of the year, falling to a 1-3-1 overall record – a sluggish start for the excited city of Winnipeg. The Jets finish up the short road trip tonight against the equally struggling Ottawa Senators before going home for their third and fourth home games of the year as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers inside of the next week.

- Kendall Grubbs

Blackhawks Return Saad To Juniors

  The Chicago Blackhawks have returned their second round draft selection of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Brandon Saad, to Juniors.

  The 43rd overall draft pick of 2011 became the first player drafted outside of the first round to start in the NHL in his draft year sin Ryan O’Reilly of Colorado in 2003-2004.

  Saad really impressed the Chicago brass in the rookie camp and tournament, and NHL preseason. In six preseason games Saad scored one goal and two assists. He began the year on Chicago’s top line next to Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, and spent time on the second line with captain Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

"He's done some impressive things so far," Patrick Kane said prior to the announcement. "He had a great preseason and played well in the intrasquad games. I think that as time goes a long in the regular season, things get a bit tougher and I'm sure he'll realize that, but so far he hasn't made any mistakes."

  Saad, who will return to his Junior club of Saginaw in the OHL, cannot be recalled this season barring an emergency situation. The Hawks had nine games to make the decision, but reached a conclusion early.

  Saad will spend at least one more year with the Saginaw Spirit, where he tallied 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points in 59 regular season games last season. In the post-season he collected 3 goals and 12 points in as many games. For a full review on Saad’s experience, refer to my previous article; “Brandon Saad One Happy Camper.”

- Kendall Grubbs

Panthers Sign Huberdeau

  Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon announced Monday that the Florida Panthers have signed 3rd overall draft pick of the NHL Entry Draft, Jonathan Huberdeau to a three-year entry-level contract. Huberdeau was one of the highest sought after forwards in the draft, and will surely be a star at the NHL level. The Panthers have since returned the 18 year-old to St. John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for further development.

“We are pleased to have signed Jonathan,” said Tallon. “He is a proven winner who leads by example both on and off the ice. He is a great two-way player who shows passion for the game and makes players around him better. Jonathan had an excellent pre-season and we look forward to his progress this season with Saint John.”

  Huberdeau wasted no time as he broke into the NHL preseason with flying colors. In five games, he netted three goals and added one assist. He led the Panthers in goals through the preseason, and tied Tomas Fleischmann and Dimitry Kulikov in points with four.

  The St. Jerome, Quebec native has a knack for putting points up. In 128 games through two seasons with St. John he has scored a whopping 58 goals and 82 assists for 140 points and a +87 rating. His overall post season performance is no different, as in 40 total games he has registered 27 goals and 21 assists for 48 points and a +24 rating.

  His 2010-2011 performance saw the 18 year-old rocket up the charts in draft-class status as he had his best year yet with the St. John Sea Dogs. In 67 regular season games he tallied 43 goals and 62 assists for 105 points and a +59 rating. He helped lead the Sea Dogs to the championship as he tallied another 16 goals and 30 points with a +13 rating in just 19 games.

  In his first two games with the Sea Dogs of 2011-2012, he has picked up right where he left off as he has one goal and four assists already.

"He's still not the fastest, but I'd certainly label him the craftiest on our team," Saint John coach Gerard Gallant told NHL.com. "He's a quality, character kid. He competes both ways, battles for those goals around the net and competes hard in every situation.

"His vision is outstanding, he has great puck skills and I think he's the complete package."

  Panthers fans may be beating their heads against the wall to not have the youngster’s services on the team for this season, but the move by Dale Tallon was a wise one. Huberdea, who stands at 6’1 171lbs., will only benefit from another year of strengthening and development – pushing himself physically and mentally to make the cut at the conclusion of next year’s training camp. Besides his need to develop a bit more, the Panthers themselves need to develop. The team has been going through re-tooling for years now, as GM Tallon – still new to the scene – tries to right the sinking ship in Florida.

  Huberdeau’s God-given ability leaves him with blessed hands. He can handle the puck like not many 18 year-olds can, find open skaters for tape-to-tape passes, or run the puck to the net and score himself with ease. He is a truly dynamic talent, and the Panthers have done nothing but add to their wealth of young talent waiting in the shadows.

  There isn’t much doubt Huberdeau will make the roster next year and be inserted into the lineup in the top six forwards. As he did in the preseason, I’m equally positive he will contend for the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year.

  Huberdeau finds himself at the top of a very impressive list of young talents within the Panthers organization, an organization that could have a historic turnaround in very short order. The team has a very smart manager in Dale Tallon, the honest builder of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup winning team. With his smarts and his staff’s picks, the panthers could go from zero to hero quicker than anyone thought.

- Kendall Grubbs

Stars Sign First Rounder Oleksiak

  The Dallas Stars came to terms with 18 year-old Jamie Oleksiak yesterday on a three-year entry-level deal. Oleksiak went 14th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft this summer, and is headed back to Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League for further development.

  Oleksiak, a product of Northeastern University, has played five games to date with the Saginaw Spirit, registering one goal and eight penalty minutes. Prior to his OHL debut, Oleksiak appeared 38 times with Northeastern where he scored 4 goals and 13 assists with a +13 rating. He has played for Chicago and Sioux Falls of the USHL, totaling 2 goals and 18 points in 82 games through two years.

“Jamie is a very promising player for the future of our organization,” said Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. “He has a strong work ethic and we are looking forward to watching him develop as his career progresses.”



  Standing at a towering 6’7 220lbs., Oleksiak possesses a good mixture of size and skill. His defensive play and ability to use his large frame increased greatly with Northeastern last year compared to his outings in the USHL. For such a large defenseman, Oleksiak is very sound on his feet. He could become a better skater, but still skates quite fluidly and effectively taking large and long strides while breaking out of his zone. His puck skills are on par as well, as his first pass and puck handling ability is superb at such a young age.

  It may be some time before Oleksiak plays in the NHL, but with the changes going about within the organization and the kind of potential this kid has, chances are he will be there and he will certainly raise some eyebrows.

- Kendall Grubbs

Brandon Saad One Happy Camper

  The Chicago Blackhawks announced the anticipated signing of 18 year old Brandon Saad to an entry-level contract on Tuesday. The deal is for three years at an annual cap hit of $795,000 with bonuses according to CapGeek.com.

  Saad was selected in the 2nd round, 43rd overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Saad has impressed heavily through preseason, and his work ethic has apparently proved well as he is set to start the season with the Hawks on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Saad will become the second player since Ryan O’Reilly of the Colorado Avalanche (2009) to start the NHL regular season in his draft year after being drafted outside of the first round.


  Saad impressed the Chicago brass in the summer prospects camp, followed by a standout performance at a prospect tournament in Oshawa, Ont., and kept rolling through preseason where he tallied one goal and two assists with a -1 rating through six games. Saad spent much of his time on the top line with captain Jonathan Toews and veteran winger Patrick Sharp. He is fully expected to debut in the NHL on that powerful line.

"It's pretty unbelievable," Saad said. "They're both great players and getting Sharp back in the lineup obviously helps. Just being able to work up and compete with them in practice helps a lot."

  Saad, at 6’1 203lbs., is a solid power forward who possesses great strength and a good scoring touch. Though Saad may still need a bit more consistency in his game, he has the ability to open ice for his linemates, all the while having a good sense of scoring ability to chip in. In a top-six position, Saad stands a great chance at becoming a solidified NHL caliber power forward.


  The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native broke into the hockey world in the USHL with Team USA where he quickly gained recognition. In 24 Saad netted 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points and a solid +15 rating. His single season with Saginaw of the OHL was much better in terms of production. In 59 games Saad collected 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points and a +8 rating.



  Saad has climbed up the latter and arrived in the National Hockey League and will have at least nine games to show what he’s got. His impression left on head coach Joel Quenneville and GM Stan Bowman has been a positive one, something that could very well keep Saad on the Hawks for the entire season.

"I think for Brandon, it's been a journey here for him," Blackhawks Vice President and General Manager Stan Bowman said. "I know it was chronicled that he was disappointed not to be a first-round pick and to his credit he kind of took that as a challenge. You have to credit him for his hard work and determination. He's earned a spot. That's a good story for us. We put him in a position to succeed and he seized it."

  Saad begins his journey Friday as he makes his official NHL debut. Only time will tell if he is to stick with the team or head back to Saginaw for development but it is certainly clear that this kid can play hockey at the top level.

"It's sinking in a little bit, but it's still that I'm just loving being here and I'm looking forward to Friday," Saad said. "I've always wanted to work to make the NHL and come in here with the right attitude and work hard. I didn't expect to make the team, but it's definitely something nice to have."

- Kendall Grubbs

Isles Ink Strome To Entry Level Deal, Sign Pandolfo

The New York Islanders have added to their growing leadership core by signing forward Jay Pandolfo to a one year deal. The areas in which this young Islanders team has lacked is experience and defensive prowess, have gown exponentially by inking the veteran to lead the charge on the defensive side of the puck. Pandolfo is a two time Stanley Cup winner that knows what it takes to get the job done. He will join a revamped leadership group that includes Brian Rolston, Mark Streit, Marty Reasoner, and Steve Staios. Look for Pandolfo to split time between the third and fourth line mentoring up and coming players into the pro ranks.

The Isles have spent the past two seasons icing rosters of promising youngsters to only fall completely short of playoff contention. While the future looks infinitely better, they have signed another young player in fifth overall pick Ryan Strome. Strome possesses the adequate size, speed and puck handling ability to bolster the young core along with Nino Neidrieter who is expected to see NHL minutes upon the nursing of his own injuries.  While Nino is expected to keep a spot, the organization will be evaluating Strome's performance in his absence. If Strome fails to impress, he will be sent back to Niagara of the junior ranks to refine his game in hopes that he will become a important piece of the clubs future. If he sticks as a top six forward, look for the Islanders to develop invaluable chemistry amongst its promising young core of castoffs and high draft picks.

-Dustin Lundberg

Carkner; Out Rookies In

  The rugged and tough defender of the Ottawa Senators, Matt Carkner, had surgery Monday on his knee after sustaining an injury during last season that has been lingering. According to Senators general manager Bryan Murray, Carkner is expected to miss up to a month.

  The 30 year old defenseman accounts for the large majority of Ottawa’s toughness and strength on the blue-line, something that will be greatly missed in the early stages of the regular season battle in the nation’s capital. Carkner finished 3rd amongst defensemen on his team in hits with 71, 6th amongst defensemen in blocked shots with 59, and 2nd on the team in penalty minutes with 136.

  He missed the last 20 games of the season including some time earlier in the year with various lower body injuries. He finished up with 50 games played, scoring just one goal and 6 assists with 136 PIMS and a +0 rating. Carkner will be heading into his third full year as a Senator once he is cleared to play.

  In his absence, the Sens will be looking to youth to fill the void. Rookies Jared Cowen and David Rundblad are expected to start the season on the Senators roster as the Sens look to start with seven defensemen on the roster.

  The big bodied 9th overall pick of the Senators in 2009, Jared Cowen, has looked great at the NHL level through his six pre-season games, notching one goal and picking up two assists with a +3 rating. Cowen, at 6’5 228lbs. has the size and skill to be an NHL defenseman on a regular basis without a doubt. The Senators organization has been impressed by his work ethic and maturity off of the ice, and his decisions on the ice don’t differ by much. Even with such a large frame, Cowen has the ability to join the rush and get involved in the offense. After being returned to his Junior club of Spokane in the WHL, the 20 year old dominated his opponents as he recorded 18 goals and 30 assists in 48 games with a massively impressive +44 rating in 58 games.

"He's been one of the best defensemen — if not the best defenseman — in training camp. But it's a good two weeks for him and time is what makes you a National Hockey League player. His two weeks that he's been here have been very good and the expectation for him is to remain the same, knowing at the same time that young players tend to go up and down.” Said head coach Paul McLean of Cowen.

"What we have to make sure we impress upon him is the need to be here every day and do it right every day. So far he has, so great for him."

  Also at the age of 20, David Rundblad enters North America after three full years with Skelleftea of the Swedish League. In 153 games with Skelleftea he has totaled 12 goals and 61 assists for 73 points. The 6’2 189lbs. Swede was acquired from the St. Louis Blues in June of 2010. The Blues drafted Rundblad in 2009, 17th overall. The deal sent the Blues Ottawa’s 1st round selection, turning out to be Vladimir Tarasenko. Through six preseason games Rundblad has scored one goal and three assists, but opposite of Cowen, he is a -3.

  Rundblad’s key trait is his ability to move and play the puck. He possesses a great amount of on-ice vision, and is capable of moving the puck out of his zone with tape-to-tape passes while being able to make very accurate shots on net. His current outlook is a highly skilled offensive defenseman that could wind up quarterbacking the powerplay. If Rundblad can tidy up his defensive game a bit through NHL experience, he could very well turn out to be one of the better two-way defensemen in the Senators’ arsenal.

"The opportunity is there for both Rundblad and Cowen to be on the team and possibly play, depending on how we see fit to play it for the first game," head coach Paul MacLean said. "We'll take it day by day and see how everything irons out,”

"You go on the road in the National Hockey League and it's a hard league to learn in. Sometimes having two young defensemen out there might be a bit of a hazard as well. We're going to study it and we'll make the decision that gives us the best chance to win."

- Kendall Grubbs

Nugent-Hopkins; From First Overall To First Game

Edmonton Oilers head coach Tom Renney confirmed after Monday’s practice that 1st overall draft pick of the   011 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, will in fact start the season with the team for the season opener.

"I definitely am excited," Nugent-Hopkins said. "It's going to be my first regular season NHL game, so I couldn't be more excited. I'm just really happy for the opportunity."

  The 18 year old Burnaby, B.C. native signed a mega three year entry level deal over the summer. According the CapGeek.com, with bonuses, he is set to collect up to $3.775 million per year. Nugent-Hopkins becomes the second consecutive 1st overall draft selection to start the regular season with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers’ approach of youth and skill being put to the test early is well documented, and they’ve just put the stamp of approval to take it to the next step.

"Ryan will start the season with us," Renney told reporters. "We all understand the parameters there, that he can operate (here) before we have to make a real concrete decision on the season. Again, we'll do it a game at a time, but he's had a very good camp."

  Nugent-Hopkins earned his start through the NHL preseason as he collected one goal and five assists through five games played. He lined up with last year’s 1st overall pick, Taylor Hall, and veteran scoring winger Ales Hemsky in Monday’s practice. Expectations are great of the youngster, but starting him off at the top level is something the Oilers have believed in through their rebuild and youth movement over the past few years.

"I'm going to play him. This is about two points now. The guys that can help us do that, will play, and I fully expect that Ryan will be a contributor to our needs every night," Renney said. "I believe I've got more weapons in front of me from the forward group this year. With that, you might see minutes diminish across the board a little bit. At the same time, if we need to double up a line because they're going that well and he happens to be on it, all good."

  The creative playmaker and above average skater really impressed prior to his selection in the entry draft, and led the charts in terms of draft placement for the majority of last year. In 2010-2011 for Red Deer of the WHL he tallied an impressive 31 goals and 75 assists for 106 points and a +30 rating in just 69 games. He carried on his form in the post season as he appeared in 9 games and scored 4 goals and 11 points. He was also honored with a selection to the WHL’s East First All-Star Team, and also dubbed the Canadian Major Junior Top Draft Prospect.

  In 2009-2010, he won the rookie of the year award in the WHL as he collected 24 goals and 65 points in 67 games. His first year in the NHL holds the same type of promise, as if he sticks; he will surely be vying for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

  Nugent-Hopkins begins his journey into the regular season NHL against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night. He does so with a cast of very young, and very talented players.

"It's really important for me to handle my emotions. I can't get too high. I know it's my first NHL game, so I'm going to be very excited but I think I've got to just channel that into a really good thing," Nugent-Hopkins said. "The team's taken some strides the last couple of years. I know it's just exhibition but it shows a lot. We've definitely shown some character. I think we've put some good points on the board. So I think things are looking pretty good right now."

  Though it is possible Nugent-Hopkins is sent back to Red Deer before or after his first nine games are completed at the NHL for further development in the minors, it isn’t overly likely. Nugent-Hopkins has an uncanny ability to find open ice, possesses a tremendous amount of anticipation, and has the puck and skating skills to get points on the board. He is surrounded by skillful forwards that can benefit him largely in the present and future. Nugent-Hopkins was a great choice by the Oilers, and he is set out to prove it beginning Sunday night.

- Kendall Grubbs

Scheifele Sky High As Jets Put Promise On Paper

  The Winnipeg Jets fans have a plethora of things to be excited about ahead of next season, but the signing of the organization’s 2011 first round pick is something to really be pumped about.

"He's showing great potential," said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. "Certainly we're very excited about his training camp and very happy to have him signed to a contract."

  Mark Scheifele, 7th overall pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft agreed to terms with the Winnipeg Jets on a three year entry-level contract on Monday. Though the terms of the deal were not disclosed in the conference, CapGeek.com reports that Scheifele will earn $575,000 in each of his three years at the bottom, and is eligible (with bonuses) to make $1.625 million per-year.

  The 18 year old had a massively impressive preseason in which he led the team in points. In his five games at the NHL level in preseason he notched 4 goals and 4 assists, something that has undeniably earned him the right the start the season with the club in the regular season. Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed with the media the Scheifele will in fact start the season with the main team, but admitted that nothing is guaranteed beyond that.

"There really are no expectations. He'll be in the lineup opening night and we'll take it day-by-day in those regards. There are no guarantees of anything. I met with him this morning and we're all on the same page in that we know it's an accomplishment of where he's gotten to at this point and we're just going to evaluate on a daily basis, on a game by game basis."

  Scheifele surprising slipped to 7th by the time he was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, the first draft choice since the team returned to Winnipeg this year. Scheifele brings size and strength at 6’3 184lbs to the center position. His play is smooth and awareness is primed for the NHL at only 18 years of age. As he proved in Juniors last year, and at the NHL level in preseason this year, he has great skill in puck moving and a knack for scoring. If he can keep up the offensive ability, he will most definitely stick with the club after his nine game NHL debut. The club will have only nine games to decide whether he will stick with the Jets for the remainder of the 2011-2012 season, or if they will instead return the young talent to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

"It was unreal, "said Scheifele."I don't think I've had that big of a smile on my face for signing anything in my life. It was an unbelievable moment, definitely a big difference from junior.”

"To play hockey for a living is an unbelievable feeling and that's what drives me and what motivates me to always have a smile on my face. I'm always happy to be at the rink. I get to do what I love everyday and get paid for it, I'd do it for free."

  Scheifele is an NHL player, and has NHL caliber talent and potential. He is probably at the top of the list of things for the city of Winnipeg to get excited about.

  For the Barrie Colts last season Scheifele put on a show, raising his draft-class status game by game. In 66 games he tallied 22 goals and 53 assists for 75 points. During the year he recorded 35 penalty minutes, and had a slightly disappointing -22 rating. Scheifle made his way to the top of the charts in Winnipeg’s prospect rankings in HockeysFuture.com’s rakings as he fell short of only Dallas’ Mike Ribeiro in terms of total preseason points, and finished in a six-way tie for the lead in goals scored.

  With such stats in his very early pro-level experience, the new focus league-wide on Scheifele will be his ability to handle the pressure at the NHL level. Though he is getting the shot he wants and deserves so badly, with it comes a great deal of pressure in those first nine games.

"I think the microscope is always going to be on him," said Captain Andrew Ladd. "I think especially for that first nine games, everybody is going to be watching and judging, obviously knowing that there is a big decision on that tenth game. He does a great job of staying away from that and just playing hockey. He has a great head on his shoulders, that's one of the things that's pretty impressive about him, he's smart and just plays hockey."

  Scheifele is a true talent that will help the Winnipeg Jets for many years to come. He could certainly afford to bulk up a bit, but with the cast assembled around him in a mixture of youth, talent, size, and maturity Scheifele is sure to come out an elite scoring forward in the National Hockey League.

- Kendall Grubbs

Nino No Mas; Isles Return Rookie to Juniors

  The New York Islanders have announced rookie forward Nino Niederreiter, who was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been returned to his junior club of Portland.

“I think he looked at it as (the decision) could go either way,” said Islanders head coach Scott Gordon. “And really, that’s how we felt the entire time; it could go either way.”

  The 18-year old appeared in 9 games, the maximum amount of games played before a team must make a decision on an entry-level player, impressing greatly with one goal, one assist, and 8 Penalty minutes. *NHL teams essentially have nine games to evaluate a recent draft pick before making a decision about his future. Once a player appears in his 10th game, it burns the first year of his entry-level contract. While he can still be sent back to junior after that, it rarely happens.

“I had a great experience up here, and I was really happy to be here,” Niederreiter said. “I think it’s better to go back to juniors, get a little bit more experience of being a big leader up there. In the end, I think it’s the right decision.”

  The Swiss born future star was rightfully disappointed to not stick with his new NHL club, but took the news maturely, professionally and soundly. Combined with his ethic at the NHL level was his positive outlook on the situation, GM and head coach Mike Johnston of the Portland Winterhawks happily slotted him into Friday night’s game against Kelowna just the day after he was returned to the club.

"I talked to him (Thursday) when he was at the airport in New York and I thought he sounded a little bit down, a little bit discouraged," Johnston said Friday from Portland. "When I met with him this morning, he had already been with his teammates for a half hour and he had a big smile on his face. We talked about what he learned, what were the best parts of being in the NHL."

"He's excited about being back here, he knows he's got some things to work on and he's also pretty excited he had nine games in the NHL as an 18-year-old."

  Last season, his first in the WHL, Niederreiter tallied 36 goals and 24 assists for 60 points, with a +11 rating and 68 PIMs in 65 games for Portland. In 13 post-season games, Nino scored 8 goals and 8 assists with a +1 rating and 16 PIMs. Despite not scoring in 4 World Championship games for Switzerland last year, his World Junior Championship numbers are solid through 7 games, notching 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points.

"It is not an exact science," said Johnston, a former assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. "We've all witnessed both sides of it. It's a matter of the organization making the right decision for the right reasons. ... Obviously, guys like (Kings defenceman) Drew Doughty, they're ready to play.

"There's certain players that can step in and they're going to play good minutes, they're going to handle the puck, they're going to maintain their confidence."

  While Niedereitter may not possess the requirements as of yet to stick in the NHL, but he did average 13:35 minutes per-game in the best league in the world quite respectably. He tallied his lone NHL goal, making him the fourth youngest player since 1967, and youngest in franchise history to light the lamp, matching the early starts of 2010 Draftees Jordan Eberle and Jeff Skinner.

“I think he could have success not being on the power play and being in a third line situation,” said Islanders head coach Scott Gordon. “He could work his way into that role, but we already have guys that are playing on the power play that have been successful. It’s not like we’re in a situation where you have a struggling power play and you need someone with some offensive abilities to add to the power play.”

  Nino will in fact be in the NHL at some point, but the truth is that the Islanders are not competing for a Cup at the moment, and have plenty of youth on the ice currently. Nino’s demotion is not of disappointment from the organization or himself, but a move of building, strengthening, and bettering the young Swiss forward through the league he played in last year.


  Head coach Mike Johnston is aware of the transition ahead of Nino.

"He's going from playing (at the Bell Centre) in Montreal to coming back to playing in Portland," said Johnston. "There is a bit of an adjustment period and there's a mental letdown. He's a very driven kid, very focused player and he wanted to play on the Island. He has a lot of confidence and since Aug. 20 when he went there, he was focused on making that team."

"Now he hasn't made it, he's got to switch gears and jump back into junior."

  While the transition may be tough, Portland is thrilled to have him back.

"To be honest, we weren't really sure what was going to happen until early yesterday morning," said Johnston.
"It was pretty exciting for us. It's great for our team, our organization."

"But in the end, from my perspective, we still wanted what was best for Nino."

  Nino’s experience has been great, having received praise from management, coaching staff, and teammates, but is eager to get better – particularly offensively.

“I mean in the end, definitely the offensive skills,” Niederreiter said. “It’s hard to get scoring opportunities in the NHL. And if you get the puck, you just have to score, and I think that’s the biggest thing you have to learn here.”

  With Gordon’s assessments, and the fact that injured players such as Kyle Okposo and Trent Hunter set to return soon, Niederreiter has been sent packing for now – but keep a watchful eye for this kid next season, as he is set to be a key piece to returning Long Island to glory.

- Kendall Grubbs