Gaunce

Jordan Subban should be higher than Sauve.
- Juggie_Hundal

Sauve shouldn't be on the list.

and Hutton should be higher than Subban. Subban would be hard pressed to get into the top 15 for that matter.

My top 10

Horvat
Shinkaruk
Jensen
Gaunce
Corrado
Lack
Eriksson
Hutton
McNally
- Boinker

Evan Mceneny
And henrik tommeres should be on the list ahead of sauve I think also. I know Evan is going back to the CHL but he looked promising at the camp.

Evan Mceneny
And henrik tommeres should be on the list ahead of sauve I think also. I know Evan is going back to the CHL but he looked promising at the camp.
- manvanfan

All that may be true, but Sauve probably has a better chance of making the team as a 7th/8th dman this season than those other guys do based on his age and experience.

All that may be true, but Sauve probably has a better chance of making the team as a 7th/8th dman this season than those other guys do based on his age and experience.
- 1970vintage

Sauve was demoted to the ECHL his play was so bad in his own zone. He's regressed considerably.

Might not even make the Comets as a 7/8.

Tommernes (1st pairing in the SEL for over 2 years), Andersson (Wolves steadiest D before injury last season), and Polasek (Wolves steadiest D after call up) all have better chances of making the Canucks based on last season.

Sauve has a better chance than McEneny, sure, but that's only because it's in McE's best interest to finish his last season on the OHL for development purposes, since he's not eligible for the AHL.

But even based on ability alone, I would still rank McEneny higher.

Of course, Sauve could have an outstanding camp and win a spot next season, but based on his development to date (or lack thereof), I would doubt it.

All that may be true, but Sauve probably has a better chance of making the team as a 7th/8th dman this season than those other guys do based on his age and experience.
- 1970vintage

Yeah but the list was for prospects. I think just about any D we have drafted since sauve should be ahead of him.

All that may be true, but Sauve probably has a better chance of making the team as a 7th/8th dman this season than those other guys do based on his age and experience.
- 1970vintage

Too bad he was demoted to the ECHL last year. I was surprised he was even resigned. As the above poster mentioned, Tommernes, McEneny Andersson are all more promising than him. I'd say our defesnive prospects go like this.... (If Subban grows a couple of more inches than he'd skyrocket up the list)

Corrado
Hutton
McNally
Andersson
McEneny
Tommernes
Subban
Cederholm
Polasek
Sauve

Sauve was demoted to the ECHL his play was so bad in his own zone. He's regressed considerably.

Might not even make the Comets as a 7/8.

Tommernes (1st pairing in the SEL for over 2 years), Andersson (Wolves steadiest D before injury last season), and Polasek (Wolves steadiest D after call up) all have better chances of making the Canucks based on last season.

Sauve has a better chance than McEneny, sure, but that's only because it's in McE's best interest to finish his last season on the OHL for development purposes, since he's not eligible for the AHL.

But even based on ability alone, I would still rank McEneny higher.

Of course, Sauve could have an outstanding camp and win a spot next season, but based on his development to date (or lack thereof), I would doubt it.
- Fosco

I have been high on Polasek for years. I've never seen him play but at camps, so I don't know his game to well. Can Anyone compare him to someone? From reading scouting reports he seems almost a Bryan Allen or Willie Mitchell type of D.

Yeah but the list was for prospects. I think just about any D we have drafted since sauve should be ahead of him.
- manvanfan

What's even more of a shame is that Justin Schultz went right after our Sauve selection. Happy we stayed out of the Q this past draft. Gillis said they found some consistencies in the development of players and they've put a lot of more resources in the OHL and WHL.

What's even more of a shame is that Justin Schultz went right after our Sauve selection. Happy we stayed out of the Q this past draft. Gillis said they found some consistencies in the development of players and they've put a lot of more resources in the OHL and WHL.
- Boinker

Lol Yeah the Q is a true crap shoot in the draft. Players like macKinnon and drouin are gold of course but look at some others and you have to wonder.

Lol Yeah the Q is a true crap shoot in the draft. Players like macKinnon and drouin are gold of course but look at some others and you have to wonder.
- manvanfan

The WHL is good for drafting defensemen, the OHL is good for offensive forwards and the Q is good for drafting goalies.

I have been high on Polasek for years. I've never seen him play but at camps, so I don't know his game to well. Can Anyone compare him to someone? From reading scouting reports he seems almost a Bryan Allen or Willie Mitchell type of D.
- manvanfan

Polasek is a very steady and simple D. Pretty good mobility for a bigger guy, almost always makes a solid/safe play in his own zone, decent first pass, uses his size to his advantage.

Not sure if he'll ever be as good as Allen or Mitchell, but the potential is there, and the style comparison is close.

I tend to think Mitchell is a more intelligent player. He's constantly talking to and organizing his teammates on the ice.

I don't see that same type of leadership from Polasek, but that could just be because he's been a younger newcomer on both the Wolves and K-Wings, and also because english is a second language for him.

He does have very good composure in his own zone, which is something that Mitchell possesses.

I doubt he tops out as good as a Mitchell or Allen. My guess is a reliable but unspectacular, physical 5-7 D.

Sauve was demoted to the ECHL his play was so bad in his own zone. He's regressed considerably.

Might not even make the Comets as a 7/8.

Tommernes (1st pairing in the SEL for over 2 years), Andersson (Wolves steadiest D before injury last season), and Polasek (Wolves steadiest D after call up) all have better chances of making the Canucks based on last season.

Sauve has a better chance than McEneny, sure, but that's only because it's in McE's best interest to finish his last season on the OHL for development purposes, since he's not eligible for the AHL.

But even based on ability alone, I would still rank McEneny higher.

Of course, Sauve could have an outstanding camp and win a spot next season, but based on his development to date (or lack thereof), I would doubt it.
- Fosco

If Cam Barker can "win" a spot as the 7/8/9/10th dman than Sauve has a shot, and I think its more likely he makes the team than a kid playing College or CHL eligible. If the d troubles in Vancouver were all because Bowness was a franktard with his pairings and player usage isn't it possible that Sauve experienced some of the same on the farm(s)? I didn't watch him play, and I'm not suggesting that he's some super prospect, I'm only suggesting that he is more likely to win a spot based on his age/experience than a guy who still has years of junior or university hockey to play. Does that deserve a higher ranking in the prospects pool? I guess it depends on how you rank the prospects. Is it a ranking of the most likely to play in the NHL this season, or the most likely to have a long NHL career?

EDIT - Sauve reminds me a little of Aucoin as he made the transition to the NHL, maybe I'm way off.

If Cam Barker can "win" a spot as the 7/8/9/10th dman than Sauve has a shot, and I think its more likely he makes the team than a kid playing College or CHL eligible. If the d troubles in Vancouver were all because Bowness was a franktard with his pairings and player usage isn't it possible that Sauve experienced some of the same on the farm(s)? I didn't watch him play, and I'm not suggesting that he's some super prospect, I'm only suggesting that he is more likely to win a spot based on his age/experience than a guy who still has years of junior or university hockey to play. Does that deserve a higher ranking in the prospects pool? I guess it depends on how you rank the prospects. Is it a ranking of the most likely to play in the NHL this season, or the most likely to have a long NHL career?

EDIT - Sauve reminds me a little of Aucoin as he made the transition to the NHL, maybe I'm way off.
- 1970vintage

Ah yes. Cam "we've had our eye on him for a while" Barker. A fine testament to our scouting abilities.

If Cam Barker can "win" a spot as the 7/8/9/10th dman than Sauve has a shot, and I think its more likely he makes the team than a kid playing College or CHL eligible. If the d troubles in Vancouver were all because Bowness was a franktard with his pairings and player usage isn't it possible that Sauve experienced some of the same on the farm(s)? I didn't watch him play, and I'm not suggesting that he's some super prospect, I'm only suggesting that he is more likely to win a spot based on his age/experience than a guy who still has years of junior or university hockey to play. Does that deserve a higher ranking in the prospects pool? I guess it depends on how you rank the prospects. Is it a ranking of the most likely to play in the NHL this season, or the most likely to have a long NHL career?

EDIT - Sauve reminds me a little of Aucoin as he made the transition to the NHL, maybe I'm way off.
- 1970vintage

So everyone should duck when he takes a shot from the point?

So everyone should duck when he takes a shot from the point?
- KB3Point0

Pretty much,

Jiri Slegresque

What's even more of a shame is that Justin Schultz went right after our Sauve selection. Happy we stayed out of the Q this past draft. Gillis said they found some consistencies in the development of players and they've put a lot of more resources in the OHL and WHL.
- Boinker

Didn't Schultz end up being a free agent? (Anaheim couldn't/wouldn't sign him?). Subsequently he was snapped up by Edmonton (which was apparently his first choice out of the various suitors)

Anybody else read that Shawn Burr died today?

Pretty much,

Jiri Slegresque
- 1970vintage

Jiri Slegr. The defense an who wouldn't back check further then his own blue line. The Jake Gardiner/Justin Schultz of the 90's

If Cam Barker can "win" a spot as the 7/8/9/10th dman than Sauve has a shot, and I think its more likely he makes the team than a kid playing College or CHL eligible. If the d troubles in Vancouver were all because Bowness was a franktard with his pairings and player usage isn't it possible that Sauve experienced some of the same on the farm(s)? I didn't watch him play, and I'm not suggesting that he's some super prospect, I'm only suggesting that he is more likely to win a spot based on his age/experience than a guy who still has years of junior or university hockey to play. Does that deserve a higher ranking in the prospects pool? I guess it depends on how you rank the prospects. Is it a ranking of the most likely to play in the NHL this season, or the most likely to have a long NHL career?

EDIT - Sauve reminds me a little of Aucoin as he made the transition to the NHL, maybe I'm way off.
- 1970vintage

I've been a huge supporter of Sauve throughout his career, and was even a proponent of giving him a shot as a 7/8 D a few years ago rather than going with a UFA, but for whatever reason he's shown considerable regression the last two seasons.

All of the guys I mentioned (Andersson, Tommernes, and Polasek) are "pro prospects", not college or jr, and have out performed Sauve considerably at the pro level, which is why I put their chances ahead of Sauve's.

There is some merit to your McNally and McEneny argument, who are the players I think you are referring to when you say college and jr players, sure.

But I would say they have an equal chance as Sauve to win a 7/8 spot with the Canucks this season, which is pretty much zero.

I wouldn't even be surprised to see McEneny outplay Sauve at camp.

As prospects they likely rank higher than Sauve in terms of potential. Both still have top4 potential, and Sauve would need a miraculous comeback to even make the Comets' top4.

Sauve was ranked so high prior to his draft year because he had extremely good physical tools that allowed him to dominate every level he played at.

It was always hoped the skill and hockey sense would catch up, but it never did, and this became apparent when his size advantage became less of a factor against men.

To be honest, I've never seen the offensive ability to compare Sauve to Aucoin. Polasek is basically what I had hoped Sauve would develop into at this stage of his career.

The difference is that Sauve doesn't show any composure in his own zone, and doesn't use his size to the same degree. These are both things that he did show to some degree early in his pro career that appear to have disappeared.

And he's had chances under three coaches (Noel, Mac-T, and Arniel), which is why I don't believe coaching is an issue.

He doesn't seem to think the game at a high enough level. A good example of this is how he and Polasek looked in the ECHL and the AHL. Sauve and Polasek both looked like good ECHL defenceman—Sauve even outproduced Polasek offensively—but in the AHL the difference was night and day.

Polasek still looked like a good defenceman in the AHL, and even produced at a higher rate than he did at the ECHL. His composure and decision making didn't seem to suffer either, and he looked more than capable physically.

Sauve looked out of his league in the AHL. The game was too fast, and he looked physically outmatched more than he should have.

Could be as simple as confidence.

Polasek started in the ECHL and moved up to the AHL (although he was good in his stint in the AHL the previous year), which may have prepared him better for the jump in competition.

Sauve might not have been prepared for the AHL, and definitely looked better after being sent down. Maybe the ECHL will boost his confidence enough to make some mental strides.

A realistic goal for Sauve at this point would be to win a permanent bottom pairing job with the Comets.

and Hutton should be higher than Subban. Subban would be hard pressed to get into the top 15 for that matter.

My top 10

Horvat
Shinkaruk
Jensen
Gaunce
Corrado
Lack
Eriksson
Hutton
McNally
- Boinker

Lack is no longer a prospect. And right noe I'd rank Gaunce #1 and Jensen #4

Anybody else read that Shawn Burr died today?
- Bieksa#3

Read about it yesterday.

I guess he fell while at his home, but there were complications due to cancer...?

Regardless, it's really sad. He was pretty young...

I've been a huge supporter of Sauve throughout his career, and was even a proponent of giving him a shot as a 7/8 D a few years ago rather than going with a UFA, but for whatever reason he's shown considerable regression the last two seasons.

All of the guys I mentioned (Andersson, Tommernes, and Polasek) are "pro prospects", not college or jr, and have out performed Sauve considerably at the pro level, which is why I put their chances ahead of Sauve's.

There is some merit to your McNally and McEneny argument, who are the players I think you are referring to when you say college and jr players, sure.

But I would say they have an equal chance as Sauve to win a 7/8 spot with the Canucks this season, which is pretty much zero.

I wouldn't even be surprised to see McEneny outplay Sauve at camp.

As prospects they likely rank higher than Sauve in terms of potential. Both still have top4 potential, and Sauve would need a miraculous comeback to even make the Comets' top4.

Sauve was ranked so high prior to his draft year because he had extremely good physical tools that allowed him to dominate every level he played at.

It was always hoped the skill and hockey sense would catch up, but it never did, and this became apparent when his size advantage became less of a factor against men.

To be honest, I've never seen the offensive ability to compare Sauve to Aucoin. Polasek is basically what I had hoped Sauve would develop into at this stage of his career.

The difference is that Sauve doesn't show any composure in his own zone, and doesn't use his size to the same degree. These are both things that he did show to some degree early in his pro career that appear to have disappeared.

And he's had chances under three coaches (Noel, Mac-T, and Arniel), which is why I don't believe coaching is an issue.

He doesn't seem to think the game at a high enough level. A good example of this is how he and Polasek looked in the ECHL and the AHL. Sauve and Polasek both looked like good ECHL defenceman—Sauve even outproduced Polasek offensively—but in the AHL the difference was night and day.

Polasek still looked like a good defenceman in the AHL, and even produced at a higher rate than he did at the ECHL. His composure and decision making didn't seem to suffer either, and he looked more than capable physically.

Sauve looked out of his league in the AHL. The game was too fast, and he looked physically outmatched more than he should have.

Could be as simple as confidence.

Polasek started in the ECHL and moved up to the AHL (although he was good in his stint in the AHL the previous year), which may have prepared him better for the jump in competition.

Sauve might not have been prepared for the AHL, and definitely looked better after being sent down. Maybe the ECHL will boost his confidence enough to make some mental strides.

A realistic goal for Sauve at this point would be to win a permanent bottom pairing job with the Comets.
- Fosco

Thanks, like I said, I haven't watched him since he played a short stint with the Salmon Kings (btw, the coach there really liked him and was pissed when he got the call up to Manitoba). The management group obviously feels there is enough there to warrant a contract, which is why I was suggesting that he has a shot at the press box roster spot. I think the organization would rather have a guy that can play 15-20 games and work hard at practice than derail the development of a "higher quality" prospect by bringing them up too soon. Maybe he never makes it beyond the ECHL, I guess we'll see in a month or so.

Bo Hunter would make a badass name.
- _nay_

I don't believe so
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=425996
- Yeti1181

Shut it troll....