[Champions of Nothing]

Question about the development of our D prospects. Obviously I can see how Edler and Bourdon are making out (nicely!), but what about the rest? Rahimi? Ellington? McIver?

Thanks for any info.

[timw33]

Gnickers87, on Nov 24 2007, 12:04 AM, said:

Is Bliznak on the 1st line? because he is on pace to more then double his point total from last year

Playing w/Repik and Machachek will do that to you.

[timw33]

Eternal Captain, on Nov 24 2007, 12:15 AM, said:

Question about the development of our D prospects. Obviously I can see how Edler and Bourdon are making out (nicely!), but what about the rest? Rahimi? Ellington? McIver?

Thanks for any info.

Ellington is having a pretty good year so far, is on pace to surpass his offensive totals from last year. Believe he is playing top pairing minutes for Everett, +/- is nicely above even. Potential, probably #4 Shutdown dman.

Rahimi needs to work on his skating and positioning, his physical play is great. Potential: 5/6 Dman.

McIver...I could care less about. Potential: Spare Dman.

[Champions of Nothing]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 12:35 AM, said:

Ellington is having a pretty good year so far, is on pace to surpass his offensive totals from last year. Believe he is playing top pairing minutes for Everett, +/- is nicely above even. Potential, probably #4 Shutdown dman.

Rahimi needs to work on his skating and positioning, his physical play is great. Potential: 5/6 Dman.

McIver...I could care less about. Potential: Spare Dman.

So are those the only two we have that have the potential to be solid NHLers? Is there anyone else in the farm?

Coulombe?


lol.

[timw33]

Eternal Captain, on Nov 24 2007, 12:45 AM, said:

So are those the only two we have that have the potential to be solid NHLers? Is there anyone else in the farm?

Coulombe?
lol.

Coloumbe is toiling in the ECHL where he belongs, you know how little I like him.

Heshka could be a long shot too.

[Champions of Nothing]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 12:47 AM, said:

Coloumbe is toiling in the ECHL where he belongs, you know how little I like him.

Heshka could be a long shot too.

Kris Fredheim?.... never even heard of him.

[timw33]

Eternal Captain, on Nov 24 2007, 12:49 AM, said:

Kris Fredheim?.... never even heard of him.

I know so little about Fredheim, no one to get terrible excited over though.

[timw33]

You guys should check out the Hockey Future archives, some really interesting stuff from the 99-04 drafts.

I'll recap when its not 3:45AM.

[nucks&bombers]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 02:35 AM, said:

Ellington is having a pretty good year so far, is on pace to surpass his offensive totals from last year. Believe he is playing top pairing minutes for Everett, +/- is nicely above even. Potential, probably #4 Shutdown dman.

Rahimi needs to work on his skating and positioning, his physical play is great. Potential: 5/6 Dman.

McIver...I could care less about. Potential: Spare Dman.

I'm not so sure that his skating is realy that bad. I whatched him play live at the MTS center here in winnipeg and it realy didn't seem like his skating was as much of an issue as everyone made it out to be. Granted he was no Pavel Bure but he didn't look that much slower than average.

[timw33]

nucks&bombers, on Nov 24 2007, 09:22 AM, said:

I'm not so sure that his skating is realy that bad. I whatched him play live at the MTS center here in winnipeg and it realy didn't seem like his skating was as much of an issue as everyone made it out to be. Granted he was no Pavel Bure but he didn't look that much slower than average.

Well thats re-assuring then.

But I'm pretty sure it was back-skating that was the biggest issue.

[timw33]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 03:42 AM, said:

You guys should check out the Hockey Future archives, some really interesting stuff from the 99-04 drafts.

I'll recap when its not 3:45AM.

So yeah I was digging up old articles on the drafts, found some interesting things.

Quote

The Thrashers draft 2nd and with this pick in any draft you are reactionary to the what the team picking first does. Atlanta's GM Don Waddell seems to be very interested in Sweden's 6'1" Left Wing Daniel Sedin. When asked if he thought the Sedin twins would not do as well if they were split apart, Waddell answered that they should both be stars on their own and keeping them together may not be realistic. Waddell also stated that his scouting staff have seen the Sedin twins about 20 times. Pavel Brendl would also be of interest to Atlanta but the feeling seems to be that Tampa will use the first selection to draft him. When asked about Patrick Stefan, Waddell without hesitation expressed doubt about Stefan's long term health due to multiple concussions. "The team that drafts Stefan must be satisfied through medical tests that Stefan is able to continue to play in the NHL at a high level".

From the 99' Draft

Quote

Milbury is like a finicky child who tires of his best toys after a short time. Since his arrival the departure of almost every first round pick has been assured. Included in the list of former first round picks Milbury has traded are: Todd Bertuzzi (23rd overall in '93), Wade Redden (2nd overall in '95), Bryan Berard (1st overall in '95), J.P. Dumont (3rd overall in '96), Roberto Luongo (4th overall in '97), Eric Brewer (5th overall in '97), Olli Jokinen (3rd overall in '97), and Kristian Kudroc (28th overall in '99). We can only hope that Milbury doesn't get bored of seeing the likes of Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt. Or who knows, maybe next year he'll like Pascal Leclaire or Dan Blackburn better than DiPietro.

From the 00' Draft.

I laughed my donkey off at the bolded part because as you know, BOTH Pyatt and Connolly were traded to Buffalo for Michael Peca very soon after.

Quote

Draft Day 2000 could be interesting as well, the Canucks have a young talent pool, and management wants a young goalie. Could it be us that lands DiPietro? Or Brent Krahn? Maybe even a young sniper such as Gaborik or Hartnell.


Vancouver's needs are pretty simple, goalies. It takes many years to become a solid backup. Dipietro has credentials, but likely not even Vancouver would have plans of him starting next year. Krahn has great potential.

From the 00' Draft Canucks Preview

Quote

There are a ton of very very solid defensemen in this upcoming draft. Probably the top two who come to mind are Mike Komisarek and Dan Hamhuis. Yet look for Lukas Krajicek to fly up draft boards in the next few weeks leading up to the draft. At 6'1 , 183 Krajicek might be the top offensive defenseman in the draft. Lukas moved up 10 spots to 6th overall on the CSB North American Skater Board. Remember what your getting here though folks, Krajicek is not a physical force. He will bang if necessary but don't look for him to go out and look for a fight. The Hockey News has him rated 21st overall which i believe is way too low. Look for Krajicek to be a possibility for Nashville with the 12th pick or Phoenix with the 14th selection. Krajicek was a standout as a OHL rookie this year on what is just a so-so team in Peterborough. Look for Krajicek to be one of the players you see flying up draft boards all around the NHL from now until draft day. He would make nice nice addition for any National Hockey League Defensive Core

From the 01' Draft Profile: Lukas Krajicek

And there is also an article on how excited fans are that they are going to draft Jason Spezza and how it is rumored that they are looking to trade for Yashin and Peca.

Quote

The Vancouver Canucks are selecting 16th in the 2001 NHL entry draft.
With this pick they don't have much of a chance at getting a goalie that will help them in the long run. Dan Blackburn and Pascal Leclaire are two goalies that are highly rated and have been highly scouted. They both have promising careers in the NHL. With the Canucks selecting 16th this year, the chances of either one of them getting drafted by Brian Burke and the Canucks very unlikely.

The only way that the Canucks would have a chance at getting either one of them was if a team like the New York Rangers made a deal. Since the Rangers are in need of a young goalie in their system, this is very unlikely. The Canucks need a team that does not need a goalie to make a deal with a team that needs a young goalie. Rumors are already swirling about the possibility of Jagr going to the Rangers, but there also is the possibility that Mike Peca or one of the Sabres many good young goalies to be dealt. Anything is possible. But the chances of the Canucks getting either Blackburn or Leclaire are very unlikely.

I also think that the possibility or the Canucks trading their pick if a goalie is not available a very likely situation. The Canucks obviously lack penalty killing strength, and a point man on the power play. With the pick they have this year it is possible that the Canucks could deal it for a power forward type right winger. Someone like a Brad Isbister.

From the 01' Canucks Draft Preview

Quote

16. Vancouver- Tuomo Ruutu, C Once Vancouver acquired Alex Auld, they shored up their most glaring weakness; goaltending. Ruutu represents the best player available and Burke has a habit of truly picking the best overall. Ruutu will be a solid second line center, though Vancouver has players with that potential coming out the ying yang. It will be interesting to see what happens to this pick or Ruutu if they do select him

01' Mock Draft (Umberger went to the Flames)

This post has been edited by timw33: 24 November 2007 - 06:00 PM

[Champions of Nothing]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 04:50 PM, said:

So yeah I was digging up old articles on the drafts, found some interesting things.
From the 99' Draft
From the 00' Draft.

I laughed my donkey off at the bolded part because as you know, BOTH Pyatt and Connolly were traded to Buffalo for Michael Peca very soon after.
From the 00' Draft Canucks Preview
From the 01' Draft Profile: Lukas Krajicek

And there is also an article on how excited fans are that they are going to draft Jason Spezza and how it is rumored that they are looking to trade for Yashin and Peca.
From the 01' Canucks Draft Preview
01' Mock Draft (Umberger went to the Flames)

Very interesting. I wounder how this team would be different if they traded up for LecLaire in '01. Would we have been looking for a goalie prior to last season, thus not trading for Luongo?

[timw33]

Quote

Here are several players who are projected to be available in round two who the Canucks might be looking at.

Kirill Koltsov was eligible for the 2001 Entry Draft, but chose not to 'opt-in'. The Russian Defenseman probably would've gone in the top twenty in 2001, a strikingly more deep draft than this year's edition; but he's looked at as a mid-to-late first rounder, possibly a second-rounder in this year's draft.

Strengths: Koltsov is an excellent skater, with great speed and very good balance. His offensive skills are top-notch; especially when coupled with his skating ability. Koltsov makes a crisp first-pass out of the zone, which may fuel some 'offensive defenseman' expectations. As previously mentioned, Kirill has good hockey sense and rarely makes a poor offensive decision. His overall defensive game is solid; he's a decent checker despite his size, and he won't back down from many.

Weaknesses: He has been branded with the 'bad attitude' tag ever since last season. Koltsov was a no-show at this season's WJC because he was feuding with club management. Coincedentally, his icetime was a little bit lower in Omsk because of his attitude, as well; as Koltsov had some arguments with the coaching staff there.

Also, at age nineteen, scouts have had an extra season to pick Koltsov's game apart; and one of his biggest flaws is his lack of discipline. Koltsov often flies off the handle or takes silly penalties which could've been avoided, had he not been so high-strung.

Bottom Line: He'll be long-gone by the time the Canucks get to pick in the second round; unless the club decides to acquire a first on draft day, which, if Brian Burke took a risk, would be put to good use on a player like Kirill. He is what is described as a '(very) high-risk, high-reward' prospect.

From the 02' Draft Preview

Quote

Canucks: Draft History and Outcomes
Written by: Brendan Macgranachan on 06/17/2003


The Vancouver Canucks have had a history of picking high in the NHL Entry Draft. Since 1980, the Canucks have had 12 Top 10 picks. Even though the order is not determined yet, the Canucks will get a mid-20's pick. Players like Jeff Tambellini, Dan Fritsche, Jeff Carter and Richard Stehlik could be available at that slot.
This year is one of the deepest draft in years. Who ever they take would probably be in the Top 15 in last year's draft. Last year the Canucks took Kirill Kotslov with their first pick out of Avangard Omsk. Here is a look at the Canucks first picks since 1987.

From 03' Draft Preview.

[Champions of Nothing]

1999 Prospect report:

Quote

Brent Sopel D
Chance of making the NHL: 7/10
Impact once in the NHL: B-
Season Stats: AHL: 53 10 21 31 59...NHL: 5 1 0 1 -1 4
Projected Role: 3rd-4th Two-Way Defenseman
Projected Stats: 10g 25a 30pts
Comparable Player: Eric Wienrich
Notes: Although being an offensively gifted defenseman for most of his career, Brent needs elevate his game by becoming more defensive oriented. His offense is not enough to keep him in the NHL. He has a solid shot, along with good skating, and a good first pass out of the zone. Is capable of having a solid NHL career.

Robb Gordon LW
Chance of making the NHL: 6/10
Impact once in the NHL: C+
Season Stats: AHL: 68 16 22 38 98...NHL: 4 0 0 0 2
Projected Role: 3rd line winger
Projected Stats: 15g 15a 30pts
Comparable Player: Pat Falloon
Notes: Was a prolific scorer in college hockey, but struggled along with everyone in Syracuse. Is solid in many aspects but doesn't posses a "special" skill. Thus, not skilled enough to be on top two lines and is too much of liability on defense to be a checker. Needs to create his niche in the NHL like Pat Falloon.

Zenith Komarniski D
Chance of making the NHL: 5/10
Impact once in the NHL: C
Season Stats: AHL: 57 9 19 28 81
Projected Role: 6th-7th defenseman
Projected Stats: 10g 20a 30pts
Comparable Player: Trent Yawney
Notes: Another skilled defenceman who must add more to his arsenal if he wishes to make the jump to the pros. Has had a history of being a head case but that seems to be behind him. Like all young defencemen, he will need time to adjust and learn the pro game. Was a tremendous offensive force in Major Junior, and if he finds his game in the pros, he'll move quickly up the Canucks prospect charts.

Larry Courville RW
Chance of making the NHL: 5/10
Impact once in the NHL: C
Season Stats: AHL: 71 13 28 41 155
Projected Role: 4th line checker
Projected Stats: 10g 10a 20pts
Comparable Player: Dave Reid
Notes: Has made strides but it may be too little too late. Has bulked up considerably and is very capable defensively. Lacks the scoring touch he needs in the NHL. With expansion, he could find a spot on another team. Time is quickly passing him by however.

Mike Valley G
Chance of making the NHL: 4/10
Impact once in the NHL: D
Season Stats: 2W, 17L, 1T. GAA: 4.10 SV%: .860
Projected Role: 3rd Goalie
Projected Stats: 3.50 GAA, .860 SV%
Comparable Player: Corey Hirsch
Notes: 1st year pro goalie, who was a victim of playing behind a very poor defensive team. Mainly a reflex goalie. Still very early in his career and goalies tend to develop later. Will get his chance with expansion taking away goalies in other organizations. Needs a lot of playing time. Losing a coach like Glen Hanlon (to Portland of the AHL) may hurt his development.

Kyle Freadrich LW
Chance of making the NHL: 3/10
Impact once in the NHL: F
Season Stats: AHL: 5 0 0 0 20
Projected Role: 4th line enforcer
Projected Stats: 5g 5a 10pts 300pim
Comparable Player: Rob Ray
Notes: Pure enforcer, who has a low talent level. Can get under opposing player's skins. Skating ability (or lack thereof) will keep him in the minors.

Clint Cabana D
Chance of making the NHL: 3/10
Impact once in the NHL: F
Season Stats: AHL: 20 0 1 1 94
Projected Role: 7th-8th defenseman
Projected Stats: 0g 5a 5pts 250pim
Comparable Player: Enrico Ciccone
Notes: Physical stay-at-home defenceman. Likes to fight. Lacks lateral movement for the NHL.

Stewart Bodtker RW*
Chance of making the NHL: 3/10
Impact once in the NHL: F
Season Stats: AHL: 31 5 5 10 12
Projected Role: 4th line checker
Projected Stats: 5g 10a 15pts
Comparable Player: Shjon Podein
Notes: Can be an offensive force in the minors, but needs to make transition to defensive game. If he doesn't, he will be a career minor leaguer.

Lubomir Vaic C
Chance of making the NHL: 5/10
Impact once in the NHL: C-
Season Stats: Not found yet
Projected Role: 3rd line center
Projected Stats: 10g 20a 30pts
Comparable Player: Sergei Brylin
Notes: Very skilled offensive player on the smallish side. Taking the wear and tear of eighty games is the main concern. With expansion around the corner, Lubomir may get his chance with another team. Needs to take advantage of every available opportunity he receives or he may have to stay in Europe.

Steve Washburn C
Chance of making the NHL: 6/10
Impact once in the NHL: C+
Season Stats: AHL: 13 1 6 7 6...NHL: 12 0 0 0 -1 6
Projected Role: 3rd line center
Projected Stats: 20g 20a 40pts
Comparable Player: Jeff Shantz
Notes: A real enigma of a prospect. Is a an excellent skater, passes and handles the puck well. Does lack scoring touch but has enough tools to make contribution. However, he has had difficulty sticking in the pros because of his lack of consistency. Needs to make his presence felt everynight with hustle. Can have a bright future if he chooses to, but he is getting up in age, and might see his chance frittered away by that moron Brian Burke.

David Ytfeldt D
Chance of making the NHL: 8
Impact once in the NHL: B
Season Stats:
Projected Role: 2nd-3rd agitating defenseman
Projected Stats: 5g 20a 25pts 100pim
Comparable Player: Darius Kasparitis
Notes: Drafted as David Jonsson...changed his name, hoping the Canucks would forget about him... Was voted Rookie of the Year in the Swedish Elite League...was excellent in the World Junior Championships...known for borderline illegal physical play...progressed more than any other Canucks draft from 1998.

Bryan Allen D
Chance of making the NHL: 10
Impact once in the NHL: A- or above
Season Stats: OHL: 37 7 15 22 +14 77
Projected Role: 1st-2nd stay-at-home anchor of a defenseman
Projected Stats: 10g 25a 35pts 150pim
Comparable Player: Chris Pronger, Derian Hatcher
Notes: Has had some problems with his knees, which kept him out of a lot of hockey this year... would have started on the Canucks defense this season if he had been signed in time...could become a dominating defensive player...clears the net well, very mobile for his size, aggressive and with good leadership qualities...makes a nice breakout pass, and a has hard slap shot...his offensive upside isn't amazing, but it will become more developed with a little more experience...if his knees hold up, he could anchor the Canucks defense for 10 or more years.

Josh Holden C
Chance of making the NHL: 9
Impact once in the NHL: B+
Season Stats: AHL: 37 14 15 29 48...NHL: 30 2 4 6 -10 10
Projected Role: 1st line skill center
Projected Stats: 30g 40a 70pts
Comparable Player: Jeremy Roenick, Doug Weight, Patrick Marleau
Notes: Has seen his stock drop since a major hand injury last year...disappointing in his 30 game stint with the Canucks...had little or no presence in most of those 30 games...didn't show what was supposed to be a trademark: fiesty play...perhaps he was intimidated by the size/skill/speed of the NHL...played fairly well in the AHL...almost a lock on the center-starved Canucks, but cannot take his roster spot for granted. Josh better pray that Stefan doesn't slide down to the 3rd pick, or he may be playing some quality AHL hockey for a few years to come...

Steve Kariya LW
Chance of making the NHL: 9
Impact once in the NHL: B-
Season Stats: US College: 41 27 38 65
Projected Role: 2nd line skill LW
Projected Stats: 20g 30a 50pts
Comparable Player: Steve Sullivan, Hnat Dominichelli
Notes: Big-time college free-agent...has great speed...lacking size, strength and the vision his brother has...however, he has the same Kariya work-ethic...should constantly improve...basically a lock to be on the starting roster, because of his name and hometown (Canuck fans know Burke needs some decent PR for once)...should probably spend some time in the AHL, but if his speed and number of pre-pubescent female fans impresses enough, he may stick.

Artem Chubarov C
Chance of making the NHL: 8
Impact once in the NHL: B
Season Stats:
Projected Role: 3rd line checking center
Projected Stats: 15g 20a 35pts
Comparable Player: Andrei Nikolishin, Sergei Nemchinov
Notes: Could be an excellent NHL player...has good size and mobility...sees the ice well, plays good defense...is able to find holes...was one of Gold Medal winner Team Russia's best players at the WJC...scored two goals, including the OT marker, to defeat Canada in the final game. Could become a 2nd line center if Druken or Holden don't pan out.

Harold Druken C
Chance of making the NHL: 7
Impact once in the NHL: B
Season Stats: OHL: 60 58 45 103 +53 34
Projected Role: 2nd line skill center
Projected Stats: 35g 30a 65pts
Comparable Player: Jeff O'Neill, Rob Neidermayer
Notes: Druken is threatening to go back into the 1999 Entry Draft if he doesn't get "Lecavalier" type money...apparantly wants the money of a Lecavalier while negotiating contracts with the brain of a Petr Nedved (holding teams for ransom rarely works)...despite great stats, he WILL NOT be a 1st round pick this draft either...his agent is fooling him, and Druken needs to develop some character. Druken has to learn the defensive side of the game...he has good speed and size...decent set of skills...his inflated stats are due mainly to playing with 2 great linemates in Plymouth...if he gets his head right, he could be a major sleeper pick for the Canucks. Was benched in all crucial situations for Team Canada in the World Juniors...but then again, it WAS Tom Renney coaching...

Kevin Weekes G
Chance of making the NHL: 10
Impact once in the NHL: C+
Season Stats: IHL: GP: 33 W:19 L: 5 T: 7 GAA: 2.07 SV%: .919
NHL: GP: 11 W: 0 L: 8 T: 1 GAA: 3.83 SV%: .868
Projected Role: Starting goalie (pains me to say it)
Projected Stats: 2.99 GAA, .899 SV%
Comparable Player: Bill Ranford (bad reflex goalie)
Notes: Proclaimed "Goalie of the Future" by Burke...performed like "Goalie of the Past", ala Troy Gamble or Kay Whitmore...has tremendous athletic ability...has a tremendous LACK of positional smarts...his idea of "cutting down the angles" is to get in the position in which he can make the most gratuitous glove save...classic butterfly goalie, except he forgot that a butterfly goalie IS allowed to stand occasionally...needs a goalie coach -- and fast...he's 24, with all the athletic tools, but no idea how the play the position. Could become the personification of Brian Burke's pomposity and ineptness regarding the Bure Deal. Though Dave Gagner is filling that spot admirably already. If the much-vaunted "Young Defense" turns out as good as we Canuck fans hope and expect, then Weekes will see his stats improve greatly...he will be another "Chris Osgood", except without the "clutch play"...

Peter Schaefer LW
Chance of making the NHL: 7
Impact once in the NHL: C+
Season Stats: AHL: 41 10 19 29 66...NHL: 25 4 4 8 +1 8
Projected Role: 2nd line skill LW
Projected Stats: 25g 20a 45pts
Comparable Player: Brian Savage, Martin Rucinsky
Notes: Soft, skilled, good skating offensive minded player...this former WHL Player of the Year was up and down between the Canucks and Crunch last season...played some games at the beginning of the season, made no impact and was sent down...after returning from the AHL, he was MUCH improved, and actually went out of his way for 3 games to make physical contact with other players...after a strong first 3 return games, his play slipped, but not to the depths of his early season play...could be affected the most by the signing of Steve Kariya...unless Peter totally changes his game into a more defensive one, he might be redundant. If the Canucks do what they should (open up the play), he could be a very valuable player...I fear he will always remain an enigma however...Canuck fans will say things like "he COULD get 30-40 goals, on another team", etc...sounds like Brian Savage...

Matt Cooke C
Chance of making the NHL: 6
Impact once in the NHL: C+
Season Stats: AHL: 37 15 18 33 119...NHL: 30 0 2 2 -12 27
Projected Role: 3rd/4th line checking center
Projected Stats: 10g 15a 25pts 150pim
Comparable Player: Scott Walker, Darcy Tucker
Notes: Matt Cooke could be a very valuable player in a few years (like Walker is for Nashville and Tucker is for Tampa)...fiesty, quick, with a surprisingly good skill level, Matt lacks the big league shot and size to move up from a 3rd/4th line player...will be a team leader and will score the occasional clutch goal however...if given a chance with some real ice-time (once again, like Walker and Tucker got this year), Cooke's projected stats could rise to around 15/20/35, if not higher. His low projected stats are due mainly to what is expected to be a limited role in the NHL. Played very well in the AHL while he was there...in fact, going by statistics, you could say that Cooke outplayed both Holden and Schaefer while down there...and yet it was Holden and Schaefer who were called up at the end of the year...could possibly be the perception that Cooke is too much of a "Keenan-Style" player for Burke/Crawford's liking.

Jarkko Ruutu RW
Chance of making the NHL: 8
Impact once in the NHL: B-
Season Stats:
Projected Role: 3rd line agitating RW
Projected Stats: 15g 15a 30pts 150pim
Comparable Player: Matthew Barnaby
Notes: Known as the "Finnish Matthew Barnaby" for good reason...except he does something Barnaby doesn't usually do...hurt people, and hurt them bad...as a mostly "mature" player, he should be a lock to join the Canucks next year...has good size and mobility...and, like Barnaby, he has a decent enough skill level...expect to see LOTS of scrums with Ruutu in the middle, if he's in the NHL next season...now, here are some descriptions of Jarkko's play from a recent Euro tournament:

Mike Brown LW
Chance of making the NHL: 8
Impact once in the NHL: B-
Season Stats: WHL: 69 28 16 44 +20 285
Projected Role: 3rd line enforcer RW
Projected Stats: 15g 10a 25pts 200pim
Comparable Player: Bob Probert, Scott Parker
Notes: The "prospect" component of the infamous Bure Deal...could be a great asset to the Canucks in the future...Mike is big, strong, straight-away fast (won the goal-line to goal-line skating competition in the CHL Prospects weekend in his draft year), tough and with a decent skill level. Could become a legitimate heavyweight enforcer, with the actual ability to play hockey... hopefully Brown can replace Donald Brashear as quickly as possible ...after Jovanovski, Brown is looking like the next best player in the Bure Deal to come over to the Canucks. Basically a lock to make it within 2 years, due to the fact he was in the Bure Deal ...he will get a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th chance, if that's what it takes, to make Burke look as good as possible.

Ryan Bonni D
Chance of making the NHL: 6
Impact once in the NHL: C+
Season Stats: WHL: 71 9 36 45 -13 252
Projected Role: 4th-5th tough defenseman
Projected Stats: 5g 10a 15pts 150pim
Comparable Player: Brenden Witt, Brad Brown, Jason Strudwick
Notes: His strong play of late gave the Canucks the green-light to trade disappointing defense prospect Brad Ference...can be a VERY mean player in the NHL, once he adds some weight...adding some muscle, particularly to his upperbody, is a must...will probably play in the AHL next season ...tries to enforce, but doesn't do it particularly well...still, he shows leadership ability and the willingness to stick up for teammates.

8/22 prospects became regular NHLers with the Canucks.

[timw33]

Eternal Captain, on Nov 24 2007, 05:20 PM, said:

1999 Prospect report:
8/22 prospects became regular NHLers with the Canucks.

Wow.

Allen projected as a Pronger type dman.

Holden as a 1st line centre, Drunken as a 2nd line centre.

[timw33]

Matson with an assist.

Raymond 2 assists

Grabner 2 assists

Hansen 1 goal.

Gendur still out.

Ellington just scored a PP goal.

White was a +1 with 3 shots playing 2nd line RW in a 5-1 loss.

This post has been edited by timw33: 25 November 2007 - 01:40 AM

[Rinslet]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 07:48 PM, said:

Matson with an assist.

Raymond 2 assists

Grabner 2 assists

Hansen 2 goal.

Gendur still out.

Ellington just scored a PP goal.

I believe Hansen only had one goal tonight... [edit] Though in retrospect, it's probably a typo

o_O Is Gendur a healthy scratch or something? Last I heard he was doing pretty okay in his line, but now he's... out for the past 2 weeks now?

This post has been edited by Rinslet: 24 November 2007 - 10:23 PM

[Bweigelt]

timw33, on Nov 24 2007, 05:51 PM, said:

Wow.

Allen projected as a Pronger type dman.

Holden as a 1st line centre, Drunken as a 2nd line centre.

Holden probably would have become that first line center if not for the injuries he suffered in his last two years of Junior. I was at the game where he had his hand stepped on and it looked brutal. There was blood all over the ice, and after that he just never seemed to be the same player. He was hesitant to go to the dirty area's after that (the injury happened right in front of the net after he had been crosschecked to the ice.) and seemed to lose what had been an explosive scoring touch.

[Gnickers87]

Josh Holden falls into the category of "Canucks Draft Busts", but at the time, he was very blue chip. It's unfortunate that his injury may have been the prime factor in what ruined his NHL career. Plus, it's also not like there was anybody after Holden that did a whole lot. Sturm, Zubrus and Briere are probably the best three that went after Holden. But at that time Briere was too small for the NHL and Sturm was...German I guess. Zubrus has never lived up to his 1st round status either.

The best pick of the draft was arguably in the 8th round, with Thomas Kaberle. Salo went in the 9th. The 1996 NHL draft is one of the weakest ever.

This post has been edited by Gnickers87: 25 November 2007 - 01:18 AM

[Victorious Secret]

Can anyone tell me more about Dan Gendur?