Of course Erik Karlsson was one of the leagues best shot blockers this year so what the hell do I know.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I'll bet you toss one hell of salad

That's what we really need is a good faceoff guy. We must be the worst in the league. It's going to come back and bite us during these playoffs.
- Oildrum

Ya Hendo doesn't know jack squat. It is a very important aspect of the game. We're constantly behind the 8ball trying to regain possession because we're so poor in that department.

Good blog Hendo!

On a side note, I really hope Chia doesn't resign Russell. If anything, these playoffs have showed that he is a mere facade of Fayne, just the Left hand version.

The Larsson-Klefbom pairing have really shown what they are capable during this playoff run.

Nurse has been great so far in this playoff run. Still makes silly mistakes, but man oh man, he makes a great first pass, loves to join on the rush, and if anything, is one tough sob.

Benning and Gryba have been struggling, especially Benning, but he has his moments of brilliance.

I'd be willing to bet that we might see Bear join Edmonton if Gryba and Russell are on their way out. One thing I'd like to see is a Nurse-Larsson pairing. Seems quite contrary to split up our best pairing, but I really want to see how the Nurse-Larsson pairing would work out.

Klefbom-Sekera
Nurse-Larsson
Russell-Gryba/Benning

Good blog Hendo!

On a side note, I really hope Chia doesn't resign Russell. If anything, these playoffs have showed that he is a mere facade of Fayne, just the Left hand version.

The Larsson-Klefbom pairing have really shown what they are capable during this playoff run.

Nurse has been great so far in this playoff run. Still makes silly mistakes, but man oh man, he makes a great first pass, loves to join on the rush, and if anything, is one tough sob.

Benning and Gryba have been struggling, especially Benning, but he has his moments of brilliance.

I'd be willing to bet that we might see Bear join Edmonton if Gryba and Russell are on their way out. One thing I'd like to see is a Nurse-Larsson pairing. Seems quite contrary to split up our best pairing, but I really want to see how the Nurse-Larsson pairing would work out.

Klefbom-Sekera
Nurse-Larsson
Russell-Gryba/Benning
- NoRussian

I personally hope Russell stays with the team. I think he led the league in blocked shots and he's a good not great defender.

I personally hope Russell stays with the team. I think he led the league in blocked shots and he's a good not great defender.
- Oildrum

His style of defending is too risky from what I see. He gives too much space away to the attacker. That is the reason as to why he has a high amount of blocked shots. His style of plays works great against snipers (hence the blocked shots numbers), but when a great playmaker like Backstrom or getzlaf enter the zone, you've pretty much asked to put the nail in the coffin. Seen it happen too many times.

He reminds me of Smid to be honest, a guardian on the ice, but that's all. It's admirable to sacrifice your body to protect the net, but not when a prancing Backstrom or Getzlaf is entering the zone.

Good blog Hendo!

On a side note, I really hope Chia doesn't resign Russell. If anything, these playoffs have showed that he is a mere facade of Fayne, just the Left hand version.

The Larsson-Klefbom pairing have really shown what they are capable during this playoff run.

Nurse has been great so far in this playoff run. Still makes silly mistakes, but man oh man, he makes a great first pass, loves to join on the rush, and if anything, is one tough sob.

Benning and Gryba have been struggling, especially Benning, but he has his moments of brilliance.

I'd be willing to bet that we might see Bear join Edmonton if Gryba and Russell are on their way out. One thing I'd like to see is a Nurse-Larsson pairing. Seems quite contrary to split up our best pairing, but I really want to see how the Nurse-Larsson pairing would work out.

Klefbom-Sekera
Nurse-Larsson
Russell-Gryba/Benning
- NoRussian

Bear needs to be in the AHL for next year at a minimum, probably a couple of years away. And Klefbom-Larsson work so well together that I have zero interest in breaking them up.

I love him he blocks everything

I love him he blocks everything
- Sambrown007

People that watch hockey generally have an understanding that shot blocking and faceoffs are an important part of the game. People that are worried about reading stat pages instead of the on ice product do not.

It looks to me like there will be a number of good dmen in the 1st round. I hope the Oilers can land one of Foote, Hague, or Timmins with their pick. Unfortunately we don't have another one until round 3 so we better make it count.
- Ihatebrianburke

I'd pass on the D in that range. If we've learned anything from the past few drafts, it's that our current scouting staff can find quality D prospects in the middle to lower rounds. There are countless Dmen available in later rounds that can represent similar value to what Bear and Jones have shown. Cale Fleury (ranked #74), overager Dylan Coghlan (ranked #77), Jonathan Smart (ranked #149), Cole Fraser (ranked #197), Leon Gawanke (ranked #200) and Hayden Davis (unranked) are guys I look at to make up the bulk of our D-focus.

I'm of the mind that we're still have too big a need for inexpensive forward talent. Guys like Suzuki, Robertson and Thomas are who I think Edmonton should be pursuing in the 20s.

Good blog Hendo!

On a side note, I really hope Chia doesn't resign Russell. If anything, these playoffs have showed that he is a mere facade of Fayne, just the Left hand version.

The Larsson-Klefbom pairing have really shown what they are capable during this playoff run.

Nurse has been great so far in this playoff run. Still makes silly mistakes, but man oh man, he makes a great first pass, loves to join on the rush, and if anything, is one tough sob.

Benning and Gryba have been struggling, especially Benning, but he has his moments of brilliance.

I'd be willing to bet that we might see Bear join Edmonton if Gryba and Russell are on their way out. One thing I'd like to see is a Nurse-Larsson pairing. Seems quite contrary to split up our best pairing, but I really want to see how the Nurse-Larsson pairing would work out.

Klefbom-Sekera
Nurse-Larsson
Russell-Gryba/Benning
- NoRussian

I sincerely hope that does not happen and guys like Bear and Jones get some good development time in the A. There's no need to rush up 20 year old dmen when they already have developed prospects that can fill third pairing roles.

I'd pass on the D in that range. If we've learned anything from the past few drafts, it's that our current scouting staff can find quality D prospects in the middle to lower rounds. There are countless Dmen available in later rounds that can represent similar value to what Bear and Jones have shown. Cale Fleury (ranked #74), overager Dylan Coghlan (ranked #77), Jonathan Smart (ranked #149), Cole Fraser (ranked #197), Leon Gawanke (ranked #200) and Hayden Davis (unranked) are guys I look at to make up the bulk of our D-focus.

I'm of the mind that we're still have too big a need for inexpensive forward talent. Guys like Suzuki, Robertson and Thomas are who I think Edmonton should be pursuing in the 20s.
- MaximumBone

100

We actually have pretty good depth on the blueline for prospects. Not so much at the forward position and at C in particular.

I'd pass on the D in that range. If we've learned anything from the past few drafts, it's that our current scouting staff can find quality D prospects in the middle to lower rounds. There are countless Dmen available in later rounds that can represent similar value to what Bear and Jones have shown. Cale Fleury (ranked #74), overager Dylan Coghlan (ranked #77), Jonathan Smart (ranked #149), Cole Fraser (ranked #197), Leon Gawanke (ranked #200) and Hayden Davis (unranked) are guys I look at to make up the bulk of our D-focus.

I'm of the mind that we're still have too big a need for inexpensive forward talent. Guys like Suzuki, Robertson and Thomas are who I think Edmonton should be pursuing in the 20s.
- MaximumBone

I'm more of the mindset that we can't have enough quality D prospects. As we've seen from our own pursuit of a top tier defender, and the Hall/Larsson trade, the price to get a Dman is astronomical these days. Teams resign their own guys and aren't trading them away. The only way to get them is to pay through the teeth, or grow them in house. Forwards are easier to acquire through trade or free agency every year. Sure we have a couple decent ones right now, but how many of them actually turn out, especially the ones past the 1st round?

100

We actually have pretty good depth on the blueline for prospects. Not so much at the forward position and at C in particular.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Signing Benning was huge for our defensive depth chart. Between him and Cagguila we did extremely well with the college free agents last year. Hopefully Mantha and Starrett can come in and have great camps like they did. I don't see either being on the team next year though.

I sincerely hope that does not happen and guys like Bear and Jones get some good development time in the A. There's no need to rush up 20 year old dmen when they already have developed prospects that can fill third pairing roles.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I would generally say that for other prospects, but bear has had not one, but TWO recently phenomenal breakout seasons, along with great performances in the playoffs. This is his second straight season in the WHL going 1.00 points per game or near that. To put that perspective and for the sake of comparison, that is on par/even better than the numbers that Brent Seabrook put up during his time in the WHL.
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=55395

The next season (after the lockout (he did play in the AHL, but for only 3 games), Seabrook went on to the NHL and has be a presence since. Might be early, but Bear's style of play is quite similar to that of Seabrook's or at least correlative in a sense. Strong on the puck, great passer, good skating abilities, good shot, great vision, and gritty, all coupled with good positional play which strongly benefits his defensive deployment.

Conservatively, I would see him in the AHL next year, only to have another breakout year in the AHL, but if he has a strong training camp combined with Gryba and Russell on their way out, I don't see any reason as to why we should hold him back.

Signing Benning was huge for our defensive depth chart. Between him and Cagguila we did extremely well with the college free agents last year. Hopefully Mantha and Starrett can come in and have great camps like they did. I don't see either being on the team next year though.
- Ihatebrianburke

and that's ok. Mantha, Starrett, Bear, Jones. I'm perfectly ok with all of them spending a season or two in the A with maybe occasional call-up duty and fighting for roster spots. That competition creates harder workers, and having a surplus of quality developed blueliners is great for trade scenarios.

I would generally say that for other prospects, but bear has had not one, but TWO recently phenomenal breakout seasons, along with great performances in the playoffs. This is his second straight season in the WHL going 1.00 points per game or near that. To put that perspective and for the sake of comparison, that is on par/even better than the numbers that Brent Seabrook put up during his time in the WHL.
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=55395

The next season (after the lockout (he did play in the AHL, but for only 3 games), Seabrook went on to the NHL and has be a presence since. Might be early, but Bear's style of play is quite similar to that of Seabrook's or at least correlative in a sense. Strong on the puck, great passer, good skating abilities, good shot, great vision, and gritty, all coupled with good positional play which strongly benefits his defensive deployment.

Conservatively, I would see him in the AHL next year, only to have another breakout year in the AHL, but if he has a strong training camp combined with Gryba and Russell on their way out, I don't see any reason as to why we should hold him back.
- NoRussian

If he earns it, but the transition to the show from juniors is massive, especially for defencemen. On day youre defending against Cletus Mcsomebody from Farmville, MB to suddenly having guys like Kane, Crosby and Getzlaf coming at you. Adjusting to NHL speed takes time, and an unprepared guy can get rocked. Sometimes permanently. Sheltered 3rd line minutes at most.

and that's ok. Mantha, Starrett, Bear, Jones. I'm perfectly ok with all of them spending a season or two in the A with maybe occasional call-up duty and fighting for roster spots. That competition creates harder workers, and having a surplus of quality developed blueliners is great for trade scenarios.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

It all depends on what Chia does with Gryba and Russell in my opinion.
If both of them stay, I highly doubt any of the players you just mentioned will see any NHL time. If they are gone, well, things are more open for discussion.

However, I see Bear having a better chance at cracking the roster for several reasons. Firstly, we have a logjam at the LHD position, which leads to the second reason, he faces the least competitive for a spot on the roster if McLellan is persistent with the LHD-RHD method. With this in mind, you might say, well some of the other guys are RHD too, but then again, have any of the other RHD done what Bear has done as of late? I think not.

I would generally say that for other prospects, but bear has had not one, but TWO recently phenomenal breakout seasons, along with great performances in the playoffs. This is his second straight season in the WHL going 1.00 points per game or near that. To put that perspective and for the sake of comparison, that is on par/even better than the numbers that Brent Seabrook put up during his time in the WHL.
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=55395

The next season (after the lockout (he did play in the AHL, but for only 3 games), Seabrook went on to the NHL and has be a presence since. Might be early, but Bear's style of play is quite similar to that of Seabrook's or at least correlative in a sense. Strong on the puck, great passer, good skating abilities, good shot, great vision, and gritty, all coupled with good positional play which strongly benefits his defensive deployment.

Conservatively, I would see him in the AHL next year, only to have another breakout year in the AHL, but if he has a strong training camp combined with Gryba and Russell on their way out, I don't see any reason as to why we should hold him back.
- NoRussian

Seabrook also had NHL size at that age though. Bear doesn't. Big difference going to get the puck out of the corner against a 16-20 year old kid vs a full grown man

If he earns it, but the transition to the show from juniors is massive, especially for defencemen. On day you're defending against Cletus Mcsomebody from Farmville, MB to suddenly having guys like Kane, Crosby and Getzlaf coming at you. Adjusting to NHL speed takes time, and an unprepared guy can get rocked. Sometimes permanently. Sheltered 3rd line minutes at most.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

That's what I like the most due to how Chia has changed thing around. There is actual competition for spots now, not freebies. I hope he keeps that in mind when going into next season.

Also, the transition for sure is huge, however, if a player is excelling at a phenomenal rate that is comparable to successful NHL'rs such as Seabrook, coupled with him possibly having a phenomenal training camp, I would rather let the kid get his feet wet and get a feeling of what it means to be in the NHL. Even if he gets sent back to the minors, he will have that mental understanding of what it's like to face Crosby, Kane, et al. We all saw how the Blitzkrieg from Germany responded after some time in the AHL after being in the NHL for a short period of time. With that being said, it all depends on how he excels in training camp next season.

How about that draft lottery Coga? That's a tough pill to swallow.
- McSavioursPupil

Avs swallowed more than a pill with that one. HEYO!

Seabrook also had NHL size at that age though. Bear doesn't. Big difference going to get the puck out of the corner against a 16-20 year old kid vs a full grown man
- Ihatebrianburke

Got me there.
I think that is probably the biggest difference between the two though. Their positional play is almost identical though. If you watch either or side by side, you will notice the similarities.

Avs swallowed more than a pill with that one. HEYO!
- Only_A_Ladd

put some respek on the Avs name

It all depends on what Chia does with Gryba and Russell in my opinion.
If both of them stay, I highly doubt any of the players you just mentioned will see any NHL time. If they are gone, well, things are more open for discussion.

However, I see Bear having a better chance at cracking the roster for several reasons. Firstly, we have a logjam at the LHD position, which leads to the second reason, he faces the least competitive for a spot on the roster if McLellan is persistent with the LHD-RHD method. With this in mind, you might say, well some of the other guys are RHD too, but then again, have any of the other RHD done what Bear has done as of late? I think not.
- NoRussian

I would even put Mantha ahead of Bear on the depth chart currently because of his size. But I don't want us rushing either of them in. In a perfect world, I would've had Benning and Cagguila in the minors this year, but because of lack of depth they were both in the NHL. Putting a rookie pro in the minors isn't going to hurt their development.

just bc we lost the lottery doesnt mean I won't continue to tell JERO TO SUCK IT
- DDM-Coga

I blame Jero for the Flyers getting #2 TBH

put some respek on the Avs name
- DDM-Coga

You should tell Sakic to do the same. Roy wouldn't have been picking top 5