12'/13' Draft Thread: Offensive flash is a beauty but defensive presence rules.

[ULF_55]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=640469

"Skating may have been his only weakness during his junior career, but it was an obvious one.

"John had a very awkward, clunky, some might have said slow stride," Dawn Braid, a renowned skating instructor out of the greater Toronto area who has worked with Tavares since 2008, told NHL.com. "He was very off-balanced."

Tavares was what is commonly referred to as railroader -- someone who looks like they're skating with legs as far apart as railroad tracks, burdening themselves with short strides that require too much energy to get from point A to point B. Tavares knew that in order to be a great pro he would have to improve his skating in all aspects."

http://thehockeywriters.com/overtime/the-evolution-of-john-tavares/

"The player that was bumped off of the puck and criticized for his sub-par skating during his first two seasons with New York was nowhere to be found. Instead, Tavares’ opponents, fans, and scouts were playing against a stronger and more complete center, one that had refined his skating and increased his strength. "

"Tavares’ skating was much improved in his final season in the OHL, but there were many times where the young forward’s hockey sense and soft hands made up for his skating and lack of muscle."

http://blogs.bettor.com/New-York-Is...to-become-top-level-Skater-NHL-Update-a182966

Entering the league, the 21-year-old certainly was well known of struggling to achieve a perfect form of skating on the ice, which obviously than hindered his full potential. No one better than Dawn Braid, Tavares training instructor since 2008, knew how bad his form was, but overtime, the young player has been working hard to improve it.

"John had a very awkward, clunky, some might have said slow stride," Dawn Braid told NHL.com. "He was very off-balanced."

Tavares skating was his one weakness and yeah it was pretty bad. In fact many scouts were actually starting to question if he could be an effective player at the NHL level because of it. And he learned. And he had worse skating than barkov does now before he entered the league.

If you watched him play then you already knew this. Maybe it's just because some of us have watched NHL skating for over 50 years.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=640469

"Skating may have been his only weakness during his junior career, but it was an obvious one.

"John had a very awkward, clunky, some might have said slow stride," Dawn Braid, a renowned skating instructor out of the greater Toronto area who has worked with Tavares since 2008, told NHL.com. "He was very off-balanced."

Tavares was what is commonly referred to as railroader -- someone who looks like they're skating with legs as far apart as railroad tracks, burdening themselves with short strides that require too much energy to get from point A to point B. Tavares knew that in order to be a great pro he would have to improve his skating in all aspects."

http://thehockeywriters.com/overtime/the-evolution-of-john-tavares/

"The player that was bumped off of the puck and criticized for his sub-par skating during his first two seasons with New York was nowhere to be found. Instead, Tavares’ opponents, fans, and scouts were playing against a stronger and more complete center, one that had refined his skating and increased his strength. "

"Tavares’ skating was much improved in his final season in the OHL, but there were many times where the young forward’s hockey sense and soft hands made up for his skating and lack of muscle."

http://blogs.bettor.com/New-York-Is...to-become-top-level-Skater-NHL-Update-a182966

Entering the league, the 21-year-old certainly was well known of struggling to achieve a perfect form of skating on the ice, which obviously than hindered his full potential. No one better than Dawn Braid, Tavares training instructor since 2008, knew how bad his form was, but overtime, the young player has been working hard to improve it.

"John had a very awkward, clunky, some might have said slow stride," Dawn Braid told NHL.com. "He was very off-balanced."

Tavares skating was his one weakness and yeah it was pretty bad. In fact many scouts were actually starting to question if he could be an effective player at the NHL level because of it. And he learned. And he had worse skating than barkov does now before he entered the league.

What's wrong with Tavares skating here? Again nothing beats visual evidence.

 

[DD03]

What's wrong with Tavares skating here? Again nothing beats visual evidence.

That proves nothing. He wasn't going at a high speed or anything. He made a nice move. That was more his hands then his skating. Bad turnover by the Americans. Did you just grab any random footage?

 

[Johny Drama]

It's a good way to totally get the wrong idea on a prospect. One poster made a very good point about it (epictus I believe was the poster). It's a place where top prospects generally don't fall or rise as they have already solidified their status as top 5 picks, but some other guys can really improve there position (like Drouin/Dano this year).

This entire WJC wasn't exactly stellar for the 2013 draft class. Which isn't really surprising. We've all been told this is a 19 year olds tourney countless times. It's almost a little much we expect 17/18 year olds to dominant. I've been critical of Jones but really are a few games going to have me drop him from the top 3? Not a chance. It's such a small sample size it doesn't make any sense. Not to mention he's still very young.

We've already heard a GM (our own) admit that he completely ignored the WJC when drafting the Sedins, after he came away less than impressed with them at the tourney prior to their draft season.

Completely agree. The one thing I have noticed about the WJC tournament, its usually dominated by players who have played in the tournament previously. Of all the 2012 draft picks, Trouba looked the best and I'm sure Ryan Murray would have been real good had he played. I'm sure there maybe some players (Crosby or Lindros) who jumped into their first tournament and made a huge impact, but those are the exception and not the norm.

 

[Johny Drama]

Thanks.

In truth, this franchise and it's fanbase could be considered blessed to get ANY of the top-5 in this draft, regardless of position. All have the potential to make a significant impact on the future of this franchise. Barkov is my kind of player, and a player that I think fits what we've been missingsince Sundin.

He's my hopeful pick, that's all.

I was going to respond with the same comment.
Looking at the top 5 or 6 players in this draft, the Leafs would be lucky to get any of them. The top 6 players all have the makings of becoming elite level players in the NHL and would be a great way for us to fill a long term need at centre.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

That proves nothing. He wasn't going at a high speed or anything. He made a nice move. That was more his hands then his skating. Bad turnover by the Americans. Did you just grab any random footage?

It dispells the notion he was an awful skater as a junior, and he picked off the pass at center ice, he wasn't going full speed as you claim. Watch the video again.

 

[Johny Drama]

It dispells the notion he was an awful skater as a junior, and he picked off the pass at center ice, he wasn't going full speed as you claim. Watch the video again.

He wasnt an awful skater in junior, I dont think anyone suggested that.
Coming into his draft year, some folk were questioning if he had the explosiveness in his skating (ie. Stamkos, Crosby) to be become an NHL star player. I dont think the question on JT was, is he going to be a very good NHLer, but whether he could become an NHL elite star.

 

[DD03]

It dispells the notion he was an awful skater as a junior, and he picked off the pass at center ice, he wasn't going full speed as you claim. Watch the video again.

Lol you just change the wording of everything? He was an awkward skater, not as strong as he could be on his skates. No one ever questioned his speed, he was always just awkward and had a weird stride, and in terms of skating, is a red flag. Again, his hands stood out more then his skating there.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Completely agree. The one thing I have noticed about the WJC tournament, its usually dominated by players who have played in the tournament previously. Of all the 2012 draft picks, Trouba looked the best and I'm sure Ryan Murray would have been real good had he played. I'm sure there maybe some players (Crosby or Lindros) who jumped into their first tournament and made a huge impact, but those are the exception and not the norm.

Yeah I'm with you guys .. If Rielly is on Team Canada next year he has the high expectations to perform at a top level, we'll really see something then

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Lol you just change the wording of everything? He was an awkward skater, not as strong as he could be on his skates. No one ever questioned his speed, he was always just awkward and had a weird stride, and in terms of skating, is a red flag. Again, his hands stood out more then his skating there.

Joe Sakic was an awkward skater, why does it matter when it's effective. Are we just nitpicking a fast enough skater that isn't pretty. Though I don't see anything unpretty about Tavares skating.

 

[DD03]

Joe Sakic was an awkward skater, why does it matter when it's effective. Are we just nitpicking a fast enough skater that isn't pretty. Though I don't see anything unpretty about Tavares skating.

Lol you just pay attention to what you want to pay attention to, huh? I said in junior it throws up red flags in terms of his skating. Not sure if you know this, but something like improper skating can lead to hip, knee, or other various injuries.. That's all. There's question marks about his skating. There's no question the kind of player Tavares is. There's always something to work on for every player..

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Lol you just pay attention to what you want to pay attention to, huh? I said in junior it throws up red flags in terms of his skating. Not sure if you know this, but something like improper skating can lead to hip, knee, or other various injuries.. That's all. There's question marks about his skating. There's no question the kind of player Tavares is. There's always something to work on for every player..

It's not about me really, as I said Sakic was criticized for being a bad skater, something that made him be overlooked in the draft. He was very good infact, a lot of breakaways I recall, Gretzky was not a pretty skater. But both had long HOF careers. Really I think some of you go out the way to be on the wrong side of an argument just for the sake of arguing.

 

[DD03]

It's not about me really, as I said Sakic was criticized for being a bad skater, something that made him be overlooked in the draft. He was very good infact, a lot of breakaways I recall, Gretzky was not a pretty skater. But both had long HOF careers. Really I think some of you go out the way to be on the wrong side of an argument just for the sake of arguing.

What are you talking about? Tavares wasn't overlooked in the draft. He went #1 overall. He was still one of the junior players of all time. Again, stop going off and ranting about nothing. No one is taking away from Tavares, Sakic or Gretzky..

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Lol you just pay attention to what you want to pay attention to, huh? I said in junior it throws up red flags in terms of his skating. Not sure if you know this, but something like improper skating can lead to hip, knee, or other various injuries.. That's all. There's question marks about his skating. There's no question the kind of player Tavares is. There's always something to work on for every player..

Exactly, and one solid off-season with a skating coach, and a lot of hard work, can get a kid on the right track.

Although he didn't stick here in T.O., playing with Kyle Wellwood in minor/AAA was great, because although he wasn't as fast as a lot of other kids, there wasn't a better skater ANYWHERE. He danced circles around guys, and made it look easy. His old man, Rick, sent him up to Toronto every year for Russian hockey camps, and the majority of their work centered around skating technique.

This was....16 years ago now.... Makes me feel old ... Hahah

 

[The Winter Soldier]

What are you talking about? Tavares wasn't overlooked in the draft. He went #1 overall. He was still one of the junior players of all time. Again, stop going off and ranting about nothing. No one is taking away from Tavares, Sakic or Gretzky..

It's not about me really, as I said Sakic was criticized for being a bad skater, something that made him be overlooked in the draft.

Reading Comp 101.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Exactly, and one solid off-season with a skating coach, and a lot of hard work, can get a kid on the right track.

Although he didn't stick here in T.O., playing with Kyle Wellwood in minor/AAA was great, because although he wasn't as fast as a lot of other kids, there wasn't a better skater ANYWHERE. He danced circles around guys, and made it look easy. His old man, Rick, sent him up to Toronto every year for Russian hockey camps, and the majority of their work centered around skating technique.

This was....16 years ago now.... Makes me feel old ... Hahah

Is that how much older Wellwood is now?

**** I feel old too now...

 

[Leafs87]

Leafs draft 2013.

Anyone who has caught your attention so far?


Unless we have a top pick, I am really hoping the leafs draft Hunter Shinkaruk.

 

[Leafs For Life*]

See: Prospects Thread or Draft Thread

 

[BertCorbeau]

OT

Is that how much older Wellwood is now?

**** I feel old too now...

Some of us can actually recall 1980.

Reading Comp 101.

You're making a comparison between Tavares and Sakic, in terms of them being considered awkward, or not great skaters in their draft year.

His comprehension is just fine.

You're making a comparison between Tavares and Sakic, in terms of them being considered awkward, or not great skaters in their draft year.

His comprehension is just fine.

Correction, I brought up Sakic as a comparison and due to his awkward skating slipped to #15, I remember I was around back then, abeit younger but I followed the draft that year. Did you?

Correction, I brought up Sakic as a comparison and due to his awkward skating slipped to #15, I remember I was around back then, abeit younger but I followed the draft that year. Did you?

LOL.

Anyways, Anybody know who's playing the friday night game this week on RSN/NHLN?

What

Some of us can actually recall 1980.

And others can recall seasons prior to the Cup.

Great chatting today, only one post deleted, wonder why because I was buddies with Herb Brooks, that man knew his Collegiate hockey, and he had a talented group of US Collegians, however the relevant info I wanted to parlay here is only a few made an NHL impact, Morrow and Ramsey the most famous of that 80 team. Jim Craig was nowhere the goalie he was in the Olympics.

Good chat?

You must be exhausted from all the dodging.... Lol

Good chat?

You must be exhausted from all the dodging.... Lol

What did I dodge, that I wasn't old enough or born yet to recall US hockey and how heavily scouted it was after the 80 Olympics?

And others can recall seasons prior to the Cup.

70 is as far as I can remember, I'm old but not that old. And I can still outrun kids half my age at the U of T Field house gym.

What did I dodge, that I wasn't old enough or born yet to recall US hockey and how heavily scouted it was after the 80 Olympics?

You dodged/ignored multiple & comprehensive posts about how Barkov is at this point of time viewed as better prospect than Monahan by the overwhelming majority of hockey professionals.

You dodged/ignored multiple & comprehensive posts about how Barkov is at this point of time viewed as better prospect than Monahan by the overwhelming majority of hockey professionals.

I work for a livng in the day, sue me. I don't care what they say, I prefer Monahan over Barkov for the Leafs. If you read the thread its hardly outrageous. Unless you are a fanboy. What are we talking about here, 2-3 places difference in rankings?

So much friction and hostility in this draft thread.

We could really use that in the Lungo thread guys...just sayin!

I work for a livng in the day, sue me. I don't care what they say, I prefer Monahan over Barkov for the Leafs. If you read the thread its hardly outrageous. Unless you are a fanboy like Ernie. What are we talking about here, 2-3 places difference in rankings?

Fanboy.... Lol

I guess the post a few pages back about clearing a kid from your smear campaign went right over your head.... Rading and Comp. 101, eh?

I don't blame you though, you get conveniently forgetful with old age.

Some of us can actually recall 1980.

I can remember people weren't big ****'s back then

Too bad we have to disregard Craig Button's ranking of Barkov, I was told he creates his list for conversational pieces, or he was a joke.

 

[Dreakmur]

Never seen him play but I'm going to go with max domi. Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Max Domi = lesser version of Nazem Kadri

 

[Bomber0104]

Max Domi = lesser version of Nazem Kadri

Agreed.

Not a fan.

Too small.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Anyone who has caught your attention so far?


Unless we have a top pick, I am really hoping the leafs draft Hunter Shinkaruk.

Guys I'm following and the list is still growing.

Our 1st(predicting between 13-17)
Darnell Nurse
Ryan Kujawinski
Bo Horvat
Adam Erne
Jason Dickinson
Robert Hägg
Tyler Hill


Our 2nd
Madison Bowey
Spencer Martin
Mirco Müller
Linus Arnesson


3rd and beyond
Marcus Högberg
Connor Rankin
Axel Blomqvist


Bergman boys
Mikael Johansson
Robin Press
Carl Dahlström

 

[Amadeus]

Toronto needs Elias Lindholm. The guy will be a stud I tell you.

 

[ULF_55]

S'okay I'm intrigued by Nichushkin.

Impressed by Jones, but he doesn't intrigue me. But I'm not impressed by Phaneuf either, even when I watched him live in Calgary.

 

[ULF_55]

Guys I'm following and the list is still growing.

Our 1st(predicting between 13-17)
Darnell Nurse
Ryan Kujawinski
Bo Horvat
Adam Erne
Jason Dickinson
Robert Hägg
Tyler Hill


Our 2nd
Madison Bowey
Spencer Martin
Mirco Müller
Linus Arnesson


3rd and beyond
Marcus Högberg
Connor Rankin
Axel Blomqvist


Bergman boys
Mikael Johansson
Robin Press
Carl Dahlström

Who is that Oliver Bjorkstrand kid?