Especially if Tanguay gets an invite too.
- 93Joe

hell...why not brendan morrison

[quote=pdx2ord]

Did I see Nick Leddy ranked as a Top 20 Defenseman by men paid to assess NHL Hockey Players? So, I guess it isn't just Savvy and I who love his game....

hell...why not brendan morrison
- bogiedoc

Heard reto von arx plays some LW

Did I see Nick Leddy ranked as a Top 20 Defenseman by men paid to assess NHL Hockey Players? So, I guess it isn't just Savvy and I who love his game....

- EnzoD

Nah.
But you know Enzo, over here, we're just 2 know-nothing-about-hockey morons.

[quote=pdx2ord]

Did I see Nick Leddy ranked as a Top 20 Defenseman by men paid to assess NHL Hockey Players? So, I guess it isn't just Savvy and I who love his game....

- EnzoD

While I like Leddy, and agree that he is a solid first-pairing Dman, and also that he deserves to be on the list, these same people didn't think that Panarin was a top 20 LW.

Did I see Nick Leddy ranked as a Top 20 Defenseman by men paid to assess NHL Hockey Players? So, I guess it isn't just Savvy and I who love his game....

- EnzoD

The bigger question might be he is he in the defensiev pair you want on the ice for your team in a final series at crucial moments?

In a team game, there are many varaibles that make or break a player in stats/assessments.
The situations they play and who else is there with them.

...and even how well they respond to the pressure in those moments.



Yesterday the NHL channel played that final Bruins hawks game, and when you look at the hawk lines in that contest, the players who came up big, you simply start to wonder about luck on one end and the entire group mix in on the other end as why teams do win the Silver Cup.

Handus with Hossa on the wing,
Stalberg in the top three lines.

It got done.

I wish Leddy all the success in the world as a NHL defenseman, but cannot reconcile my thoughts there are so many better.

For years, my manthra when giving my hokey opinion in discussions was "I may know squat about hockey, but..."
So it it alright to have a differing opinion and eyeball review than others.

While I like Leddy, and agree that he is a solid first-pairing Dman, and also that he deserves to be on the list, these same people didn't think that Panarin was a top 20 LW.
- tvetter

Somehow Leddy's name was skipped over by the great Coach John Tortorella when Team USA was selecting their defenceman for the World Cup. Apparently Jack Johnson is better.

The bigger question might be he is he in the defensiev pair you want on the ice for your team in a final series at crucial moments?

In a team game, there are many varaibles that make or break a player in stats/assessments.
The situations they play and who else is there with them.

...and even how well they respond to the pressure in those moments.



Yesterday the NHL channel played that final Bruins hawks game, and when you look at the hawk lines in that contest, the players who came up big, you simply start to wonder about luck on one end and the entire group mix in on the other end as why teams do win the Silver Cup.

Handus with Hossa on the wing,
Stalberg in the top three lines.

It got done.

I wish Leddy all the success in the world as a NHL defenseman, but cannot reconcile my thoughts there are so many better.

For years, my manthra when giving my hokey opinion in discussions was "I may know squat about hockey, but..."
So it it alright to have a differing opinion and eyeball review than others.
- wiz1901

Keep in mind, if you are like me and everything depended on the win-There are closer to 6 dmen I would pick rather than 20....But really that is a much different question.

Somehow Leddy's name was skipped over by the great Coach John Tortorella when Team USA was selecting their defenceman for the World Cup. Apparently Jack Johnson is better.
- RickJ

If there was no salary cap Buff and Leddy could be our bottom pairing. Think about that for a minute (if Q put Buff back on D).

ESPN put out there top 120 prospects and the hawks all in all did OK. they were rated 20 out of 30 overall. with Pokka as ready as he could be for the NHL, I think I would move him or TVR for a LW that is either on a ELC or on a bridge deal if a guy can be found that they think is NHL ready. I'm not sure he is out there.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/i...ton-matthews-patrik-laine

47. Alex DeBrincat, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-7 | Wt: 163 | 2015-16 team: Erie (OHL)
Previous ranking: Not eligible

The diminutive Alex DeBrincat has been one of the top scorers in the CHL the past two seasons. He's a highly skilled winger who shows above-average to high-end speed, puck skills, vision and finishing skill. DeBrincat is constantly buzzing around the ice making all sorts of offensive plays. His elite hockey sense allows him to be in the right place and control the puck with confidence. In terms of the negatives, DeBrincat is very small, but he has a real tenacity to his game.


66. Gustav Forsling, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 183 | 2015-16 team: Linkoping (SHL)
Previous ranking: Not ranked

Forsling was one of the best teenagers in the SHL this past season and was very good at the WJC as well. He isn't incredibly fast, but his mobility is above average, with quick footwork. Forsling is a very skilled and intelligent puck mover who quarterbacks a power play with the best of them. His body is lean, and he isn't the best when it comes to winning battles on defense. That's the area that needs the most improvement at this point.


77. Ville Pokka, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 22 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 214 | 2015-16 team: Rockford (AHL)
Previous ranking: 64

One of the top defensemen in the AHL this past season, Pokka got an invite to the world championship for Finland (and subsequently the World Cup) where he was solid. He's not the biggest or fastest player, but his great two-way hockey sense makes him a legit prospect. He moves the puck efficiently, he doesn't hurt his team, and he's capable defensively.


85. Nick Schmaltz, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 181 | 2015-16 team: U. of North Dakota (NCHC)
Previous ranking: Not ranked

I still don't know exactly what to make of Nick Schmaltz. There are times where I love watching him. He's an elite passer who can make really difficult plays seem easy and dominate the puck. While he has improved his play away from the puck during his time at North Dakota, even showing the ability during under-20 international play to be an OK penalty killer, he sometimes shows the same old bad tendencies, such as not engaging his checks. He has played well, but you know that he could get to that higher level and simply hasn't done it yet.

Off topic but if reference to a JJ communication last week. I am not hearing anything in terms of Hawks inviting vets in for a PTO. They are still preaching, the "we are going to give our kids the chance ".

If there was no salary cap Buff and Leddy could be our bottom pairing. Think about that for a minute (if Q put Buff back on D).
- bhawks2241

There is and they are not. 10 and 20 would also be patrolling our left flank, highly unbeatable team - however, not worth the time to dream about it....

ESPN put out there top 120 prospects and the hawks all in all did OK. they were rated 20 out of 30 overall. with Pokka as ready as he could be for the NHL, I think I would move him or TVR for a LW that is either on a ELC or on a bridge deal if a guy can be found that they think is NHL ready. I'm not sure he is out there.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/i...ton-matthews-patrik-laine
- kmw4631

Thanks for sharing the link and cutting and pasting the Hawks prospects. Don't have much to say about DeBrincat, but the analyses of Forsling and Pokka both seem overly positive in that it's acknowledged that they have shortcomings in terms of speed and defensive play but they make up for them in other ways by being overall mobile and having good hockey sense. Those analyses are good if true, but I do wonder if that is the case. The analysis of Pokka said he was one of the best AHL defenseman last year. Was he really? (that's not meant to be a sarcastic comment but a genuine question)

And the Schmaltz analysis seems on point with an analysis of someone on these boards who posted a prospects camp evaluation of him and how they observed Schmaltz as disengaged and gassed between his turn during drills. Not good if true, but just another analysis that aligns with what others have observed. To be fair, others have observed the same footage or camps and don't see that of Schmaltz. Eye of the beholder, I guess.

Thanks for sharing the link and cutting and pasting the Hawks prospects. Don't have much to say about DeBrincat, but the analyses of Forsling and Pokka both seem overly positive in that it's acknowledged that they have shortcomings in terms of speed and defensive play but they make up for them in other ways by being overall mobile and having good hockey sense. Those analyses are good if true, but I do wonder if that is the case. The analysis of Pokka said he was one of the best AHL defenseman last year. Was he really? (that's not meant to be a sarcastic comment but a genuine question)

And the Schmaltz analysis seems on point with an analysis of someone on these boards who posted a prospects camp evaluation of him and how they observed Schmaltz as disengaged and gassed between his turn during drills. Not good if true, but just another analysis that aligns with what others have observed. To be fair, others have observed the same footage or camps and don't see that of Schmaltz. Eye of the beholder, I guess.
- AEL_Fox

The first thing to be done with anything ESPN writes about hockey is placing it in the nearest garbage can. Their ranking of hockey players means squat to anybody who knows anything about the game.

Pokka had 45 PTS in 76 games so he was far and away our best D on OFF. and he was our top pairing d man. In regard to ESPN rankings Corey Proman seems more then fair. the fact that he pretty much nailed all of our prospects. Leads me to believe the ranking are pretty relevant. pretty accurate and pretty fair. All Corey p does is prospect ranking so its not like a commentator that has never seen these guys play.

The way I read it is Pokka and Forsling are Middle guys at the high side and schmaltz is the only one that has elite skill, and the size and speed to go with it which makes him the only guy that really could be Top line type of player if he elevates his work ethic and effort.

Pokka had 45 PTS in 76 games so he was far and away our best D on OFF. and he was our top pairing d man. In regard to ESPN rankings Corey Proman seems more then fair. the fact that he pretty much nailed all of our prospects. Leads me to believe the ranking are pretty relevant. pretty accurate and pretty fair. All Corey p does is prospect ranking so its not like a commentator that has never seen these guys play.

The way I read it is Pokka and Forsling are Middle guys at the high side and schmaltz is the only one that has elite skill, and the size and speed to go with it which makes him the only guy that really could be Top line type of player if he elevates his work ethic and effort.
- kmw4631

Pokka has been put in a position to succeed since he first got there....Maybe for good reason and maybe not so much-At this point I can't say.

He won the best rookie "award" a couple years ago there-Maybe they called it something different but it seemed to be a stretch on him winning a best of anything award at the time.

Johns was the elite prospect-It remains to be seen how he will be at the NHL level.
After that not sure at all where the young dmen fit in-I do know there won't be room for many if any this season....And maybe in the long run that is a good thing.

For those who care to listen I will be on with Boomer at 4:05 CST.

NHL teams are always looking for late blooming defenseman, whether the be college players who grew and progressed, sharpened their recognition, positioning, feet.

You look at new hawk signee Dmitry Osipov as one of those guys.
It costs little ot eventually bring him to your Ahl team, and groom him, and see if he has enough to eventually be an NHLer.

There are a million of these stories in the Naked City, ah, NHL, over the course of the last decade…

You can’t put much more into the signing than that

He does have a decent wall presence.

ESPN put out there top 120 prospects and the hawks all in all did OK. they were rated 20 out of 30 overall.
- kmw4631

ESPN did. or Corey Pronman did?"
The same Corey Pronman who whined and winced all over the place that no one should conside Sasha Barkov in the same elite tier status as MacKinnon, Drouin and Jones...and right now is a better player than all of them...

So grain of salt it, ok?

http://www.espn.com/nhl/i...6/top-120-nhl-prospects-?

ESPN did. or Corey Pronman did?"
The same Corey Pronman who whined and winced all over the place that no one should conside Sasha Barkov in the same elite tier status as MacKinnon, Drouin and Jones...and right now is a better player than all of them...

So grain of salt it, ok?

http://www.espn.com/nhl/i...6/top-120-nhl-prospects-?


- wiz1901

ranking 18-19 year olds is not a exact science in any sport. You are going to be to high or to low on some players. a 100 scouts missed on SAAD and Colton Parayko. that does not mean they should all be disregarded. I was curious to see where a unbiased person would rank our prospects compared to 29 other teams.

The Flames have signed Chris Higgins to a PTO.

The Flames have signed Chris Higgins to a PTO.
- DarthKane

I wonder when they are going to get Gaudreau signed. I continue to believe that his deal will be the bellwether for Panarin (assuming 72 puts up numbers similar to last year).

NHL teams are always looking for late blooming defenseman, whether the be college players who grew and progressed, sharpened their recognition, positioning, feet.

You look at new hawk signee Dmitry Osipov as one of those guys.
It costs little ot eventually bring him to your Ahl team, and groom him, and see if he has enough to eventually be an NHLer.

There are a million of these stories in the Naked City, ah, NHL, over the course of the last decade…

You can’t put much more into the signing than that

He does have a decent wall presence.
- wiz1901

Selecting a defenceman in the 18 year old draft who is going to turn out to be a really good NHL'er has to be the toughest thing to forecast.

2008 Draft
Roman Josi (38), TJ Brodie (114), Jared Spurgeon (156), Jason Demers (186) - same draft Luke Schenn (5th overall), Colton Teubert (13).

2007 Draft - PK Subban (47), Alec Martinez (95), Jake Muzzin (141), Justin Baun (201) - same draft Thomas Hickey (4), Alzner (5), Keaton Ellerby (10), Jonathan Blum (23).

So when I see guys like Ville Pokka, Svedburg, Fournier and young Dmen from other teams playing in the AHL I just figure you have to wait until they are 23 or 24 to see what the team really has.

Selecting a defenceman in the 18 year old draft who is going to turn out to be a really good NHL'er has to be the toughest thing to forecast.

2008 Draft
Roman Josi (38), TJ Brodie (114), Jared Spurgeon (156), Jason Demers (186) - same draft Luke Schenn (5th overall), Colton Teubert (13).

2007 Draft - PK Subban (47), Alec Martinez (95), Jake Muzzin (141), Justin Baun (201) - same draft Thomas Hickey (4), Alzner (5), Keaton Ellerby (10), Jonathan Blum (23).

So when I see guys like Ville Pokka, Svedburg, Fournier and young Dmen from other teams playing in the AHL I just figure you have to wait until they are 23 or 24 to see what the team really has.
- RickJ

Hopefully Pokka gets a few games this season. I realize that without a trade there are a lot of d-men ahead of Pokka in depth chart but at some point the team will need to see what he can do at the NHL level.

The Flames have signed Chris Higgins to a PTO.
- DarthKane

I know a knock on Bowman is that he can take too long to make decisions then ultimately shoot himself in the foot by missing out on certain players because other GMs act faster. We've seen this with free agents. If he waits too long, he may also miss out on PTOs worth pursuing. Since they're low risk with variable reward, hand out PTOs now and worry later if they'll actually pan out.

Hopefully Pokka gets a few games this season. I realize that without a trade there are a lot of d-men ahead of Pokka in depth chart but at some point the team will need to see what he can do at the NHL level.
- DarthKane

He's only 22 but its close to the time for him to come into camp and play well enough to make Stanbo & Co. think he is better than Gustaffson, Svedburg, Forsling and maybe even Kempny or TVR. And if he does that, a trade could happen to make room for him. If he doesn't its another year in the Rock learning the craft.