Ilya Mikheyev

Great video, thanks Johan! He pulls a lot of nice power moves and I can't wait to see how well it translates to pro in North America.

Anton on fire.

Rodin has more potential than Tatar, if Tatar has more success than Anton, it's only because of Detroit's insanely good development of players. Rodin can hit, play a good two-way game, make nice passes, score goals (albeit struggling this season) and he never lets up on a chance.

16 points in 30 games is pretty good for his age. He's being outperformed by his two linemates and a few more goals would be nice, but his style is also more geared towards North American ice (as you saw in the WJC). Next year his contract ends with Brynas (his SEL team) and it's assumed he'll make the jump the Moose. If all goes well, he'll get a few call-ups next year and the year after at the very earliest will be on the Canucks, but the year after is more realistic for him to be a full-timer. The good thing about Rodin is that he can develop on the 3rd and maybe even a little on the 4th line, because he's decent defensively and does not shy away from being a physical presence.

Haha. I would hate to think Gillis' list didn't include a bunch players that were taken before the 25th pick, that is all.

I don't really think Botchford knows every single thing.

Okay, but to say Bennet and Tinordi were the only ones on the list would be pretty stupid of Mike Gillis. What if Sheahan or even Gormley had dropped to us? The chances of course were slim, but Schroeder fell to us from the top 10 the year before. I highly doubt the list consisted of two players.

Yes, his contract with Brynas ends this year, so it's the perfect time.

How do you know that?

Well, if that's true, I'm surprised none of the players I mentioned above were on the list. But like I said before, I trust Gillis and I am sure he will make me change my opinion next year.

We're in win now mode, though. Ballard is really starting to look great, and I'd say he's still 3, maybe 4 games away from being completely up to speed. Plus, he's on a long term contract. Plus they took Bernier, who was cap dump, otherwise our depth would be seriously depleted. Saying that, with Etem/Coyle/Howden still available, Howden being the guy I wanted at the time, I was kind of surprised MG didn't chose the 2011 draft 1st round pick. We'll see what happens this year though, most of MG's decisions when it comes to draft picks (other than Hannay) have impressed me so far and he 'likes' this draft.

Yeah, it's even more bare after Polasek, Illahati, Cannata, Parent and Stefan Schneider.

But if you think about it, it is pretty bare after: Hodgson, Shirokov, Sweatt, Schroeder, Oreskovich, Connauton, Sauve, Rodin, Lack, Bliznak, Andersson and Price.

Hopefully that will get him going goal-wise. Bumped the slump!

Rodin is going to be great. I am absolutely stoked to see him in North America in 2011-2012.

Not to mention Jannik Hansen in the NINTH. Between Rodin, Ohlund, solidifying Burke's belief in the Sedins, Hansen, Peter Andersson and more, Gradin deserves some serious credit.

He will, he has earned it. 25-27 points is my prediction. In regards to the latest article: he isn't quite as big as Mason, but he's much stronger on the puck.

I disagree. I think staying in Brynas is a good decision. Developing one more year in a league against men, with more icetime this time around will be great for him. Plus, we already have a logjam of forwards over here. Next year, he'll come play for the Moose and be a primary call-up.

Well, we have no idea about what the top-6 will look like. But, it will most likely be the year after the Sedins leave. Rodin - Hodgson - Big Guy Raymond/some other guy - Kesler - Schroeder Rodin could be putting up around 35 goals, 80-90 points.

Anton Rodin is going to be amazing. 35 goal, 90 point player isn't out of the question.

Rodin would be our main man.

Raymond - Kesler - Schroeder would be a crazy fast line.