Day Two Open Thread - Plenty of Talent Still Available
by Bob Wage on Jun 25, 2011 10:55 AM EDT
in 2011 NHL Entry Draft
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PrintAgain, I'm on the draft floor with the media and Cory is in the war room at the RBC. Feel free to ask questions and chat about the remaining rounds right here.
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Hey Bob!
Do you think it’s a certainty that the Canes will go with a forward for their next pick after picking a defenseman in the 1st, or will they go with BPA no matter the position?
Hello everyone … today’s where championship teams are truly made.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:02 AM EDT reply actions
Another question
Ryan Murphy comes as a highly touted prospect, but would you put him ahead of Justin Faulk? And whom do you think makes the Canes squad first?
Faulk is closer, I’d say … more of an NHL body. Hard to say who has a brighter future though. Can’t discount that Murphy went 12th overall.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
BPA for me: Grimaldi, Saad, Rattie, Jurco, Jenner
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions
Add Ritchie, Khokhlachev to top 5 … and now with Jurco gone, Rask is fifth best
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:19 AM EDT reply actions
Wow
This certainly moves a lot faster than the NFL draft, that’s for sure.
One more till Canes. Top five is: Saad, Ritchie, Rask, Lucia, Prince
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
ISS on Rask (they had him rated higher than anyone):
His defensive improvement over the course of the year has been monumental and Rask now looks to have gone from one of the most hyped players in the draft to perhaps the most underrated.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions
Rask is the highest drafted Euro by Carolina since they took Knyazev in the first in 2001. Highest ever Canes have taken a player in Europe other than Knyazev. Tselios was in the OHL.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions
EliteProspects.com’s scouting report on Rask: A forward with fine puck handling. A pretty good finisher who protects the puck well and is good at setting up plays thanks to his hockey sense. Nice size and pretty good strength. A very creative player with good work ethic. Plays well in all three zones. Decent skater, but could become faster. (Matias Strozyk)
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions
BDW2011 excerpt:
34. Victor Rask, C Leksands (SWE-2) 6-2, 194 03/01/1993
If this guy’s life had a soundtrack, it would be the old Power Station 80’s hit “Some Like It Hot” because he was definitely sweating when the heat was on! Crumbled under enormous expectations in his draft season, but if there is one legitimate draft value out there it is him. Tremendous upside, but has been a maddening player for scouts to watch this season and we’ve often heard the frustration. Looked like a first-round pick at times during the Under-18 tourney, but he played the center position and forced the better player (in our view) in Mika Zibanejad to the wing, where he was not as successful. We know that Rask has outstanding puck skills and hockey sense- his skating is average but could get better if he picks up a step and gets a little stronger. When on his game, he makes everyone around him better and slows things down or speeds them up at will. Whomever drafts him in the first round is doing so with the belief in what they saw from him a year ago when he was a dominate junior player with ideal size and some legitimate NHL tools. He didn’t get it done this season, but watching him in Germany- he showed the flashes of what made him one of the more talked-about prospects coming in. Now, he has to put it all together. If a club thinks he’ll relax and get back to the levels he showed as a 16-year-old, then he’s absolutely worth taking a shot at in the first. However, if he slips into the second, he’s legitimate value anywhere there.
Rask was second in scoring to Zibanejad on Sweden’s U18 team. Had 20 points (4-16-20) in 20 games last year.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
Rask also had five points (2-3-5) in five games at the WJC-U18 tournament.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
Welcome to Canes Rask!
I don’t know what to make of this guy right off the bat. I’m reading a report saying he has a poor work ethic and attitude problems while another says he has a great work ethic but just had bad draft year. Who knows. I’ll trust JR and I like that we got a forward with some size.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.
I wouldn’t say his English is bad. But not great, either.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Rask says he did not expect to go in the first round, but the second. So not disappointed. Says he is staying in Europe next year, but his dream is to play in the NHL.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
Does NHL Network really need to have 5 minute interviews with players as the Draft is going on? At least show the damn board every pick.
They get a little more loose with it on day 2. On day one they’ll cut the interviews short in order to show thew picks at the podium. Day 2 they say : F it, no one wants to see that drivel. We will instead interview a kid that barely speaks english for 20 minutes."
Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.
Still out there: Seth Ambroz, Adam Lowry, and one of my favorites Ryan Sproul…even a flyer on Sean Kuraly, a nice Center still avalable…
That would be 2 undersized blueliners for those keeping score.
Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.
Gleason
Gleason is listed at 6’. At what height do you become “not undersized”?
I think the 170 lbs is what makes him undersized. For example, Zach Yuen is 6’0" 203 lbs. That is one reason I wanted him.
So, we don’t expect him to fill out?
Both Staal and Sutter were safely under 200 when they were drafted. It’s not like whoever we picked was going to be playing here next season anyway right?
Of course he will fill out… But he is also a full grown kid. I don’t expect him to put on 50 lbs. 20 lbs, maybe 30 lbs, sounds more likely.
He definitely won’t be here next year. 3rd Round picks are generally pretty lucky if they ever make the NHL for a decent period of time.
My point was if a kid is 6’0", 200lbs right now… I think he tops out at 215-220 lbs like Gleason.
If is a kid is 6’1", 170 lbs right now… I think he tops out at 195-200 lbs. Even then putting on 30 lbs of muscle takes years of hard work and dedication (which I’m sure Lowe knows all about with his bloodlines).
Yea, he will need time to fill out for sure. Putting in an NHL lineup at his size would be downright despicable. weight isn’t usually a requirement for most forwards ( see Jeffrey Skinner). For context, McBain ( who I think is the most undersized D-man we have right now ) is listed at 6’2" 200 Lbs.
Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.
Keegan Lowe it is.
ISS ranks him the fifth best stay-at-home d-man in the draft. Here’s their scouting report:
A fairly safe and reliable defender, Lowe plays a rough and tumble style that is very competitive and combative at times. He is well rounded and doesn’t try to do too much with the puck, often just batting it up ice or out of the dangerous areas of the ice. He is aggressive with his physical pinches in the offensive zone and can throw some very good hits on unsuspecting forwards trying to breakout.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:09 PM EDT reply actions
The Hockey News had Lowe 68th … says, "he gets the job done in a low-key, effective manner.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:11 PM EDT reply actions
google Keegan Lowe
and a lot of references to HockeyFights.com come up.
whl.ca lists him at 6’1" http://www.whl.ca/roster/show/id/796
Lowe considers himself to be tough to play against. His favorite player is Shea Weber but would like to pattern his game after Dennis Seidenberg and Kevin Bieksa
Editing Manager of Canes Country.com
Some Lowe tdbits:
“I need to become stronger overall, my first-step quickness.”
He was here for Game 7 vs. Carolina. Disappointed the Oilers lost, but now he’s in the pro-Canes camp.
He talked to one of Carolina’s scout, he thought he might have a chance to come to Carolina.
He mentioned how impressed he was with the Canes’ fans standing for all of Game 7.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
Cory,
I am hoping that any FAs on the fence recognize what the Canes mean to this area – things like the awesome All-Star game this winter, and the fans standing for game 7 (even Bettman mentioned it during his speech announcing the game coming to Raleigh). If only the organization can figure out how to get sellouts on Tuesdays against Florida when the Heels/Devils/Pack are playing…
Don’t forget trading for JStaal, Krueger, Biega brothers…
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
ISS ranks Hofmann the most underrated player in the draft. Here’s ISS’ scouting report:
Scouting Report:
Hofmann has outplayed some of the other more known Swiss prospects in international play. He is very intelligent and always finds the right place to be away from the puck to be a dangerous scoring option. When given the chance to score he often connects, be it with his shot, off the rush on his own or by barreling his way to loose pucks in the net front area. Tenacious with a good quick release on shot. His skating stride still has a ways to go but he is always able to build good speed and be effective.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions
BDW 2011 Excerpt:
Gregory Hofmann, C Ambri-Piotta (SUI) 6-0, 170 11/13/1992
On pure talent and potential alone, Hofmann is closer to 50 than many. However, his body type is an issue- rail thin, and even more concerning for NHL teams is the lack of a desire to show a commitment by playing junior hockey. Creative, skilled player is your high-end finesse pivot who plays with a lot of determination and poise. But teams want to know that if they’re going to draft a player he brings that same kind of determination when it comes to committing to the organization and showing a willingness to ride the buses. The NHL is so much more physical than anything Hofmann is used to, so he’s going to slide.
Hofman played on Switzerland’s U20 WJC team last year. 1-3-4 in six games, tying him with Niederreiter for second on the team in points.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
On Lowe: Saying he’s probably up to 6’2, 195 … physical and he has the bloodlines.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:51 PM EDT reply actions
On Rask: It was less about attitude and more about a lack of consistency. Rask asked to be sent down from playing with men so he could get more ice time.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions
More on Rask: Good on both sides of the puck, very good faceoffs.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions
More Rask: We had him ranked, at times, in the first round. But he dropped back b/c of inconsistency, going back to junior team.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions
On Hofman: Good forechecker, quick feet and forces the play. Good speed. Good shot. Plays on the point on the PP, can play C or W. Will probably come to our conditioning camp. Unsure on training camp/Traverse City. Under contract for another year, and they don’t have a problem with that.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
On Rask: He could be taken in the CHL import draft, but it doesn’t necessarily benefit a player playing in the men’s league in Europe.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:56 PM EDT reply actions
On Murphy: He’s one of the most dynamic, exciting defensemen in the game today, certainly in junior hockey, When you think there’s nothing there, he creates something.
He gets his shot thru to the net. He was outstanding at U18 tournament.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions
On Murphy: He has to get stronger … he knows what he has to do.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions
Murphy skates well enough to play know, but physically he might not be there.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
He’s a much better defender than he’s given credit for.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
“He has to get stronger. That’s the main thing.”
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
Murphy has a deceptive shot that yields a lot of rebounds. He can create a shot from a lot of different angles.
Cory and Bob – I’ve been wondering if Kris Letang is a decent current comparable for Murphy? Smallish, but wicked fast, great shot, etc. Letang is 6-0, 200 at age 24 now
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Jun 25, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
his favorite NHL player is Mike Green, but Letang sounds comparable.
Editing Manager of Canes Country.com
THat’s fair, I bet. ISS compared him to Subban, tho.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The more I read on Murphy the more I think we got the steal of the draft once again. Reading a lot of reports that if he was bigger and tad stronger that he could easily have the first defenseman taken in this draft, perhaps even number 1 overall. Seems his lack of size is the only real knock on him.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.
Bob, Cory….any rumblings on player moves from the Canes? Any late round trades in the offing? Also, any more news on the UFA signing we heard rumblings about the other day?
No rumblings here on a trade … def. had some movement last year when Sanguinetti move was in the works. That being said, not so much for Nash trade
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Shane McColgan still out there. Undersized at 5’11", 170 lbs but scored a ppg in the OHL (leading a pretty poorly stocked Kelwona Rockets) and 19 points in 10 games during the Playoffs.
KHL D Zakhar Arzamastsev was slated to go 2nd-3rd Round… Wonder what happened. Still hasn’t been picked from what I’ve seen.
Still out there….Miles Bell – Defenseman, Michael Mersch – winger, Destry Straight – center, and some others, but I might take a flyer on Daniel Pribyl, a big Czech centerman
since Whitney was a stick boy with the Oilers if his and Lowe’s paths ever passed. Might be too much of an age difference.
I vote for playing the whole season in Helsinki!
Yeah, that was nearly a decade before Keegan was born. When Keegan was born, Ray was playing in San Jose.
by Colossal Caniac on Jun 25, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. We have depth at the goalie position.
by Colossal Caniac on Jun 25, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Especially after drafting Frederik Andersen last year
by Colossal Caniac on Jun 25, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
ISS on Mahalak:
Mahalak has all the tools that make a top goaltender Mahalek is a very technically sound, butterfly goaltender that plays a very quiet game. He plays outside of the paint, challenging shooters quite effectively. He possesses very good size, and when he is challenging he can take up a lot of the net, forcing shooters to beat him. He stays very focused during a game, always prepared for pucks to the net and he communicates quite well with his defensemen.
I’ve liked all our picks so far until the token Whaler pick. Ward, Murphy, Pogge, Peters and Andersen…
I think we were good on goalies.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.
Yeah, I think you’re right. Everything I’ve read and heard though has Murphy developing well and looking real good. Undersized but athletic and gets the job done. Maybe he’ll be ready to step in to back up Ward after another season or two in Charlotte.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.
Pogge isn’t coming back, but we’re signing free-agent backup for Cam, so effectively you’re right.
by Colossal Caniac on Jun 25, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Per Chris Johnson of the Canadian Press:
Jim Rutherford says Eric Staal has been sent to Gary Roberts’ summer conditioning program.
Between that and hearing Jussi and Joni could be resigned by Tuesday…
by Patrick Clarke on Jun 25, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Well then…
We can’t re-sign all of LaRose, Cole, Jussi, and Pitkanen. Unless we are completely abandoning giving the young guns a chance at the Roster again.
Not to mention bring in a proper 4th line center.
by Patrick Clarke on Jun 25, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Those numbers are ideal. I’ve played around on CapGeek a bit lately and I struggle to see how we’re going to hit the cap floor without either making a splash or give returning guys more front-loaded contracts.
by Patrick Clarke on Jun 25, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m surprised he is still going for Pitkanen. I love Pitkanen, but I think we need to move on
by hurricane9 on Jun 25, 2011 2:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Crazy… Is there a distinction between “being sent” there and opting to go by himself? Maybe the Canes haven’t been happy with his offseason conditioning lately?
Definitely
Eric’s conditioning has been fine. he’s a hard body who played lots of minutes for us all year….
Yep, look like he just retracted/corrected his statement. We’ve known for a bit that Jared would be there.
by Patrick Clarke on Jun 25, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Is there a requirement in the Sutter family that your first name must start with “B” and you must play hockey?
by hurricane9 on Jun 25, 2011 2:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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