[Toxic]

Prolly ECHL, the Moose roster will be too packed with upper-end players

But i think he can still play 1 more year in the WHL if he wants (which he prolly will)

[Syntax]

toxic rd, on Apr 20 2007, 09:25 PM, said:

Prolly ECHL, the Moose roster will be too packed with upper-end players

But i think he can still play 1 more year in the WHL if he wants (which he prolly will)

Yeah, he can play another year as an overager. But the Canucks have to sign him this June or we lose his rights and he becomes an unsigned prospect/free agent.

[ModoExpress]

i like bliznak, he is hardly an offensive threat, but he soo good in his own end.

[hlrsr]

Hm, I was there and didn't even notice. The Cougars first goal was scored by Evan Fuller, our 7th round pick from last year. It was a deflection

What's the status on this kid? Longshot?

[youneedhockey101]

ModoExpress, on Apr 20 2007, 11:44 PM, said:

i like bliznak, he is hardly an offensive threat, but he soo good in his own end.

so you think he is another ryan kesler?

[-mb]

The Moose are going with the same lineup tonight so just to refresh everyones memory that means Grabner and Raymond WILL be in the lineup.

Also... I believe Ellis is practicing with the Moose as a third string. Doubt he will even dress for the playoffs though.

[ModoExpress]

youneedhockey101, on Apr 21 2007, 01:42 PM, said:

so you think he is another ryan kesler?

i don't know how fast bliznak is, and by the looks of it in the whl playoffs, his hands don't appear to be made of stone

[Grabner]

youneedhockey101, on Apr 21 2007, 01:42 PM, said:

so you think he is another ryan kesler?

Kesler in just his second season, or a fully developed Kesler?

This post has been edited by Grabner: 21 April 2007 - 04:46 PM

[timw33]

Bliznak has his 4th goal of the playoffs.

[ModoExpress]

timw33, on Apr 21 2007, 07:40 PM, said:

Bliznak has his 4th goal of the playoffs.

hes a monster

[lfergs]

Bliznak scores for the Giants to make it 2-0. His fourth of the playoffs.

[Alexander Ovechkin]

Nice GO GIANTS

[Rinslet]

1 more goal for Bliznak on the PP. 6-2 Giants.

[itzabreeze]

Great Raymond article:

http://www.moosehock...7/20070421b.php
Moose rookie's star rising
Raymond's skills may lead to NHL


by Tim Campbell, Winnipeg Free Press


PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Moose's Mason Raymond has already impressed with his speed and passion.


THERE'S no denying it. Rookie pro Mason Raymond catches your eye when you watch the Manitoba Moose.

The 21-year-old Calgarian, who decided to turn pro in late March after two years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, played 11 late-season games for the Moose and brought energy and some chances to Game 1 of the AHL North Division playoff series against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday night.

If he's doing that much that quickly, can he play in the NHL next season?

"I do (think so), absolutely," Raymond said Friday at MTS Centre, the question putting a spark in his eye. "There's a long way to go and there are a lot of goals I want to reach before I get there and this summer's going to be huge for me as far as training, but absolutely."

The Vancouver Canucks' second-round pick of 2005 finished second in WCHA scoring this season before joining the Moose and admits he's thought of the fast track.

"It's in the back of your mind, but you focus on the now," he said. "It's a good question. It's ultimately my dream, a huge goal of mine. Hopefully it can come true someday soon." The real answer to the NHL question might have a lot to do with former Moose coach Alain Vigneault, who's now coaching the Canucks.

The flash and dash will be very pleasing to the average eye, but Vigneault is sure to demand more, and that's likely how Moose coach Scott Arniel and Canucks player development director Stan Smyl see it.

"He's still got some growth to do here, both physically and as a sound hockey player," Arniel began his answer. "He's shown lots of good things, his speed and his quickness. But everybody, there's always a bit more to learn.

"There's the experience of playing at this level, the day-in and day-out grind of an 80-game schedule. We've seen him in a very short (time frame) here. You know what sometimes happens, the grind of the road, travel, all the games, it wears on people and we've seen that with Yannik Hansen and Alex Edler in January and February, where we kind of lost those guys.

"It's something they have to get used to."

Arniel didn't want the answer to be all cold water, however.

"Mason, physically, he's going to have to put on a bit of weight, get stronger because he's pretty slight for the type of game he plays but you know what, he's got a lot of those tools that people in the NHL are looking for.

"He's a real, real good prospect. We've talked about Edler being a real good defender in the NHL, well, this guy's going to play as well." Smyl, the longtime NHLer and former Moose coach who's here to watch the series, speaks of Raymond in the same, bright terms.

"I believe he can" make the NHL, Smyl said. "I think he's taken a big step already. He's getting a jump on what he has to do to make the next step. That's being here, getting his confidence, seeing what level he's at.

"Each game, he seems to get more confidence in his game, that he can do it. To get to that next level, well, he has the speed, which you've seen, he's dangerous around the net with the puck and he's got a passion, so the one area, and he'll be the first to tell you, that's going to be his strength.

"As he grows and matures into his body a bit more, that will come naturally but it's one he'll have to work on."

Raymond said after Friday's optional Moose workout that he's being careful not to get the cart ahead of the horse.

"When I came in here, I wanted to keep it simple, not get frustrated, take what I get and make the best of my opportunities," he said.

The next is tonight's Game 2, a 7:30 p.m. start.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

[itzabreeze]

One more article:

http://slam.canoe.ca...091679-sun.html

Rookie jitters

Youngsters make quick adjustment
By KEN WIEBE, SUN MEDIA





Mason Raymond is well on his way to earning high marks in the only course left on his docket, introduction to the Calder Cup playoffs.

As has been the case in most of his previous 11 outings in a Manitoba Moose uniform, Raymond, who left the University of Minnesota-Duluth after two seasons to turn pro, didn't disappoint as the Moose opened up the North Division semifinal with a 1-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday.

PRO PLAYOFF DEBUTS

"The jitters were there in the first period, but they got out quickly and we were on our way," said Raymond, who was one of three Moose players (defenceman Alex Edler and forward Michael Grabner were the others) making their professional playoff debuts. "The playoffs have such a sense of urgency. Everybody is ready to play and if you're not, I guess there is something wrong with you."

During his pro playoff debut, Raymond had four shots on goal and was quite noticeable playing primarily on a line with captain Mike Keane and centre J.J. Hunter, who also managed four shots.

Raymond's skating ability will come in handy as the playoffs roll on.

"Speed kills and I'm thankful to be able to use that to my advantage," said Raymond, who was used on the second power play unit with Jesse Schultz and Colby Genoway and finished with 21 shifts and 13:49 of ice time. "That is one of my biggest assets."

Moose head coach Scott Arniel continues to be impressed with the way Raymond is handling the jump from college hockey to the pros.

"He's getting more and more comfortable every time that we play games," said Arniel. "Everything for him is new but he's making the most of his opportunities."

Arniel felt all his youngsters showed some nerves in the early going but got better as the game wore on.

"As a group, in the first 10 minutes we looked nervous," said Arniel. "We bobbled some pucks and threw some hand-gernade passes out there. We overpassed when it came to some 2-on-1s but that's just the jitters of that first playoff game.

"After the young guys got their first few shifts out of the way, they all settled in and played a real solid game."

Edler, who had 27 shifts for 20:59, enjoyed getting into his first AHL playoff game.

"It was fun. I like the playoffs," said Edler. "Everyone is giving everything they have and doing everything to win.

"My game was OK. I know I can play better (tonight). It feels different. It's more intense. There were a few more (nerves) than usual but I was more excited too. It makes you sharper."

Grabner, a first round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, was limited to four shifts and less than four minutes of action, but showed some glimpses of his offensive potential.

"He got his feet wet and got the experience of being in a playoff game," Arniel explained. "His biggest thing is about what it takes to battle away from the puck, battle along boards and getting his nose dirty and going into the traffic areas where you can score goals.

"If he continues to work hard, his ice time will go up."

This post has been edited by itzabreeze: 21 April 2007 - 11:07 PM

[timw33]

Great articles.

[-mb]

Lol, I was just about to post those articles breeze. Seems to me like Raymond feels he is ready for the NHL, and Arniel would like him to get some more time in the AHL. It's pretty obvious that as of right now, he isn't ready. He isn't strong enough to be effective in the NHL. However if he bulks up this summer it may be a possibility. He's done well so far for the Moose and it's great that he's already getting second line PP minutes.

Edler looks to be doing well. His only problem in the NHL next year will be confidence/consistency.

Grabner is to be expected, at 4 minutes a game he isn't expected to contribute, but its the mentality part that will be good for his development.

Two great articles, thanks for posting it breeze.

[timw33]

Raymond needs to gain 10 pounds, pretty much.

Edler would do good with another year of 20 minutes a night in the AHL, no need to rush him.

Grabner will need time.

[youneedhockey101]

Grabner, on Apr 21 2007, 04:46 PM, said:

Kesler in just his second season, or a fully developed Kesler?

o sorry for the late reply, i mean the kesler in his second season, is that even possible? Thanks for reading.

[King of Anarchy]

timw33, on Apr 21 2007, 11:31 PM, said:

Raymond needs to gain 10 pounds, pretty much.

Edler would do good with another year of 20 minutes a night in the AHL, no need to rush him.

Grabner will need time.

Forget that, we need GOALZ GOALZ GOALZ RITE NOW!?!?!