The first guy is Nathan McIver, we have seen him quite a bit. He is a very agressive defenseman who isn't afraid to drop the gloves, as we all have seen. We lost him on waivers to Anahiem earlier in the year. Then he scored the winner on the breakaway against Roberto in the preseason. Sorry to bring that up! We later traded Mike Brown to Anahiem for McIver.
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Talent Analysis
McIver is a solid stay-at-home defenseman who with excellent positioning and ability to communicate with his partner has very good defensive play. He also has good skating skills for his size as he is well balanced on his skates and has good footwork. McIver displays good character as he is a team leader and despite not being a heavyweight, he can hold his own in the fighting department.
There is very little offensive upside in McIver’s game as he has very little chance to be more than a defensive defenseman. McIver needs to improve his ability to move the puck, whether in the defensive or offensive zone. Despite his good size, McIver needs to add to bulk to his frame in order to get the opportunity to play in the NHL.
Future
McIver continues to develop at a slow, but steady pace and could see action as a No. 6-7 guy with further growth. He may, however, be destined to a career as a second-pairing guy at the AHL level.
McIver is a solid stay-at-home defenseman who with excellent positioning and ability to communicate with his partner has very good defensive play. He also has good skating skills for his size as he is well balanced on his skates and has good footwork. McIver displays good character as he is a team leader and despite not being a heavyweight, he can hold his own in the fighting department.
There is very little offensive upside in McIver’s game as he has very little chance to be more than a defensive defenseman. McIver needs to improve his ability to move the puck, whether in the defensive or offensive zone. Despite his good size, McIver needs to add to bulk to his frame in order to get the opportunity to play in the NHL.
Future
McIver continues to develop at a slow, but steady pace and could see action as a No. 6-7 guy with further growth. He may, however, be destined to a career as a second-pairing guy at the AHL level.
http://www.hockeysfu...s/nathan_mciver
As stated above they say McIver needs to add more bulk to his frame, standing 6'3" tall and weighing in at 205lbs. How much more does he need to add in the weight department? He doesn't get pushed around out there.
Selected by Vancouver Canucks round 8 #254 overall 2003 NHL Entry Draft
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2005-06 Manitoba Moose AHL 66 1 6 7 155 12 0 0 0 28
2006-07 Manitoba Moose AHL 63 1 2 3 139 2 0 0 0 0
2006-07 Vancouver Canucks NHL 1 0 0 0 7 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Manitoba Moose AHL 43 3 3 6 108 6 0 1 1 11
2007-08 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 0 0 0 52 -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Anaheim Ducks NHL 18 0 1 1 36
2008-09 Manitoba Moose AHL 28 0 2 2 59
2008-09p Manitoba Moose AHL 10 0 0 0 10
I say he has turned out well for a 8 round pick, obviously he isn't going to a Powerplay guy. But you never know.
Second guy is Daniel Rahimi who was selected by Vancouver Canucks round 3 #82 overall 2006 NHL Entry Draft, he stands at 6'3" feet tall at 213lbs. He also doesn't seem as a very big offensive threat, but supposedly has a mean side to his game.
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Talent Analysis
He has great size at 6’3, 200 lbs and plays a mean, on-the-edge defensively-focused game. At this point he lacks the offensive talents to be a contributor offensively, but the organization does not see that as a huge concern. He has decent skating and has been touted by Swedish scout Thomas Gradin as being extremely mature.
His offensive skills are extremely limited and his skating needs significant improvement before he can hope to make the transition to the NHL. His turning is poor and his top end speed is not NHL level.
Future
After a disappointing premier in North America, Rahimi must bounce back with a better year in 2008-09, hopefully with the Manitoba Moose. He definitely has some work cut out for him, but his raw physical attributes give the Canucks hope for his future. He uncertainly has the work ethic, maturity and style of play to be an effective third pairing defenseman in the NHL if he can only overcome his shortcomings, however significant they are at this time.
He has great size at 6’3, 200 lbs and plays a mean, on-the-edge defensively-focused game. At this point he lacks the offensive talents to be a contributor offensively, but the organization does not see that as a huge concern. He has decent skating and has been touted by Swedish scout Thomas Gradin as being extremely mature.
His offensive skills are extremely limited and his skating needs significant improvement before he can hope to make the transition to the NHL. His turning is poor and his top end speed is not NHL level.
Future
After a disappointing premier in North America, Rahimi must bounce back with a better year in 2008-09, hopefully with the Manitoba Moose. He definitely has some work cut out for him, but his raw physical attributes give the Canucks hope for his future. He uncertainly has the work ethic, maturity and style of play to be an effective third pairing defenseman in the NHL if he can only overcome his shortcomings, however significant they are at this time.
http://www.hockeysfu...s/daniel_rahimi
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2005-06 Bjorkloven IF Swe-1 6 0 0 0 4
2006-07 Bjorkloven IF Swe-1 33 0 2 2 104
2006-07 Manitoba Moose AHL 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 2
2007-08 Victoria Salmon KingECHL 19 0 5 5 14 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Manitoba Moose AHL 41 3 2 5 37 -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Manitoba Moose AHL 58 1 5 6 49
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The third guy is Shaun Heshka a more offensive type of defenseman. One of our more offensive defensive prospects with exception to Yann Sauve. Shaun also hasn't made his NHL debut yet. He is 6'1" and 195lbs, and he does have some defensive zone struggles.
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Talent Analysis
The 6'1, 195 lber plays a primarily offensive game. He has the ability to generate offense from the blueline and makes good, smart passes for the most part. His overall offensive game is generally under-rated and that he can be a real offensive catalyst at the professional level, albeit most like minor pro. He has a good understanding of when to pass the puck, when to carry it and when to join a rush in progress. Heshka is not strong defensively and could use some added size to help him deal with the big forwards he has to go against playing pro hockey. If he's able to improve his game in his own zone, Heshka may have a shot at making an NHL franchise one day. He competes hard though and is very noticeable when he's on his game.
Future
Heshka has proven over the course of the past season that there is more to him than expected. His offensive instincts and improved skating have made him a far more viable prospect although he still has significant hurdles to overcome with his defensive play
The 6'1, 195 lber plays a primarily offensive game. He has the ability to generate offense from the blueline and makes good, smart passes for the most part. His overall offensive game is generally under-rated and that he can be a real offensive catalyst at the professional level, albeit most like minor pro. He has a good understanding of when to pass the puck, when to carry it and when to join a rush in progress. Heshka is not strong defensively and could use some added size to help him deal with the big forwards he has to go against playing pro hockey. If he's able to improve his game in his own zone, Heshka may have a shot at making an NHL franchise one day. He competes hard though and is very noticeable when he's on his game.
Future
Heshka has proven over the course of the past season that there is more to him than expected. His offensive instincts and improved skating have made him a far more viable prospect although he still has significant hurdles to overcome with his defensive play
http://www.hockeysfu...ts/shaun_heshka
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2002-03 Melville Millionaires SJHL 53 6 14 20 53
2003-04 Everett Silvertips WHL 66 3 7 10 25 21 0 2 2 8
2004-05 Everett Silvertips WHL 72 12 26 38 21 11 2 0 2 6
2005-06 Everett Silvertips WHL 66 10 49 59 91 14 3 10 13 10
2006-07 Manitoba Moose AHL 57 2 4 6 14 7 0 0 0 8
2006-07 VSalmon Kings ECHL 3 0 1 1 4 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Manitoba Moose AHL 77 9 21 30 59 6 0 1 1 4
2008-09 Manitoba Moose AHL 77 3 23 26 25
2008-09p Manitoba Moose AHL 22 0 5 5 12
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Now our top defensive prospect Yann Sauve his point totals have consistently increased through his 3 years in the QMJHL, but from what I hear he is a few years away from making the jump.
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Talent Analysis
Originally expected to be a two-way defenseman with good size and skating, Sauve’s offensive game has not developed as fast as the rest of his skills. Sauve is a big, mean defender in his own zone who is physically strong and good positionally. However, he tends to get into trouble when he has the puck. His puck-handling skills could use some improvement and his decision making with the puck is generally poor. Right now he is on track to become a one-dimensional defensive d-man. The Canucks hope the other facets of his game can evolve over time.
Future
Sauve is a long-term project who will spend the next couple of years in the QMJHL before most likely needing further seasoning in the minor pro ranks. The next season will be a big indicator of if last season was simply a lull in his development or showing a significant weakness in his all-around game. Sauve was once more highly touted than he is today and considered to have greater offensive potential. If he can recapture those skills, Sauve could potentially be a sleeper pick. More realistically, Sauve is on track to be a steady and reliable second pairing defender in about four years for the Canucks.
Originally expected to be a two-way defenseman with good size and skating, Sauve’s offensive game has not developed as fast as the rest of his skills. Sauve is a big, mean defender in his own zone who is physically strong and good positionally. However, he tends to get into trouble when he has the puck. His puck-handling skills could use some improvement and his decision making with the puck is generally poor. Right now he is on track to become a one-dimensional defensive d-man. The Canucks hope the other facets of his game can evolve over time.
Future
Sauve is a long-term project who will spend the next couple of years in the QMJHL before most likely needing further seasoning in the minor pro ranks. The next season will be a big indicator of if last season was simply a lull in his development or showing a significant weakness in his all-around game. Sauve was once more highly touted than he is today and considered to have greater offensive potential. If he can recapture those skills, Sauve could potentially be a sleeper pick. More realistically, Sauve is on track to be a steady and reliable second pairing defender in about four years for the Canucks.
http://www.hockeysfu...ects/yann_sauve
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2006-07 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 60 2 13 15 75 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 69 6 15 21 92 14 1 2 3 23
2008-09 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 61 5 25 30 64
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Like I said earlier his point total has increased consistently, more in assists then goals, but he still has a few years before he is eligible for the AHL.
He was signed in April out of college Evan Oberg, he also seems like an offensive defenseman. I'm going to do a little more research into him
Evan Oberg
Defense
Born Feb 16 1988 -- Forestburg, ALTA
Height 6.00 -- Weight 165 -- Shoots L
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2005-06 Camrose Kodiaks AJHL 44 4 9 13 56
2006-07 Camrose Kodiaks AJHL 52 9 14 23 86
2007-08 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCAA 24 1 2 3 10
2008-09 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCAA 43 7 20 27 50
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I will be looking forward to Camp to see how he does.
We also have Patty Coloumbe but it seems like his problem is to get out of the ECHL, and Kris Fredheim will probably play out his college years. Also there is Zack Fitzgerald who is with the moose at the moment.
Taylor Ellington who signed an entry level deal this year with the Canucks who played for the Everett Silvertips. From what I hear he loves to hit lots. He is 6'2" and 208lbs.
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Talent Analysis
A reliable defender, Ellington has tremendous reach and begun to develop a mean streak in the defensive end of the rink. Ellington cites his strengths as: his first pass on breakouts and his decision-making in the defending zone. His puck skills have improved but still need some work, as does his skating.
Future
Ellington is a steady and reliable defender who will rarely stick out to observers, a great trait for a defensive defenseman. Ellington is still a few years of development away from the NHL where he should be a top-six blue liner.
A reliable defender, Ellington has tremendous reach and begun to develop a mean streak in the defensive end of the rink. Ellington cites his strengths as: his first pass on breakouts and his decision-making in the defending zone. His puck skills have improved but still need some work, as does his skating.
Future
Ellington is a steady and reliable defender who will rarely stick out to observers, a great trait for a defensive defenseman. Ellington is still a few years of development away from the NHL where he should be a top-six blue liner.
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2004-05 Everett Silvertips WHL 47 0 0 0 48 8 0 1 1 4
2005-06 Everett Silvertips WHL 63 0 7 7 62 15 1 2 3 16
2006-07 Everett Silvertips WHL 60 5 8 13 65 6 1 0 1 2
2007-08 Everett Silvertips WHL 48 3 11 14 66 4 0 0 0 0
2008-09 Everett Silvertips WHL 69 6 26 32 130 5 0 5 5 6
2008-09 Manitoba Moose AHL 1 1 0 1 0
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He got to play one game with the Manitoba Moose this year, and he scored a goal in that game. Future Offensive defenseman star? Maybe a left handed Mike Green? We will have to see. I tried to find his hit total for this year but couldn't find anything. Well people say he is our best defensive prospect. But like I said we will have to see.
This post has been edited by bieksa3-: 18 June 2009 - 05:32 PM
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6'11"? holy crap he must be the tallest hockey player and we have him yay!!! 
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