Prospect Info: Prospect Talk PART X

[13th Floor]

If that is our defense next year I will be very very upset. Please for the love of god add a proven top-4 defenseman. Please tell me Garth learned his lessen when he expected Donavan to step in for Streit. Please tell me our season isn't going to depend on Visnovsky playing 70+ games.

I don't care how highly touted the rookie is, you cannot count on them playing a significant role.

I read this in Colonel Jessup's voice. Please tell me you have something more, Lieutenant.

If we are to assume (and this is a giant assumption) that Garth plans on spending the $$$ potentially earmarked for Vanek, would you rather it be for a Top 4 Dman or a Top 6 Fwd?

I think we spend for a goalie first and then a Forward. Unless Hickey or Strait are to be jettisoned, There needs to be a spot for Reinhart. And with Pokka and Pulock probably ready mid-season (or the start of the 2015 season), I just don't see them spending big money for a top 4 dman, which will likely cost >$5m. More likely, its one more year of the young guys getting thrown into the deepend.

Is this a serious question? Top 4 dman or Top 6 fwd? Top 4 dman every day of the week and twice on Sunday. We have plenty of players that can put the puck in the net. Not enough that can keep it out of our own. And you can never have enough. It's funny to me that the Isles are riddled with offensive talent but are bottom 5 yet NJD has pretty much ZERO offensive talent and they are consistently better than us and fighting for a playoff spot. I wonder why that is? I get they have a good goalie, but it's because they build from the net out and play that way. Their style works because they focus on keeping the other team's offense at bay. Because their offense sucks. Franz Nielsen has FOUR TIMES as many shootout goals than their ENTIRE TEAM.

You can win in this league with defense and little offense, but never the other way around. And between Tavares, Okposo, Nielsen, Bailey, Strome, Nelson, Lee, Grabner -- we don't have a crappy offense.

 

[boredmale]

Is this a serious question? Top 4 dman or Top 6 fwd? Top 4 dman every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I have to agree any money we have to spend to get over the cap min should be put into defense and goaltending. If they feel like they need an extra forward find some guy for 1M bucks who is in need of a contract

 

[islandermaniac]

I really hate button. He makes it so confusing as to whether he is reporting a rumor or a "thought"

Disagreed. It isn't confusing at all. In know way, shape, or form, did he even come close to insinuating that this was an actual rumour.

 

[Frankie41987]

Disagreed. It isn't confusing at all. In know way, shape, or form, did he even come close to insinuating that this was an actual rumour.

Well i don't use twitter nor really get how it works, but I saw someone else posted it and it said:

So @NHLonTSN talk to @EdmontonOilers GM about trading 1st pick. My to Islanders for Griffin Reinhart. 4 yrs @OilKingsHockey. Know him well

guess i was confused by all the symbols, but i read it that he was talking to the GM, he knows him well and thinks it may be for Reinhart. I don't think its too far off to say It was confusing as to it being a rumor or speculative or just completely made up. But whatever, the whole twitter thing is very confusing. I sound so old right now lol

 

[N Ireland Nets Fan]

Well i don't use twitter nor really get how it works, but I saw someone else posted it and it said:

So @NHLonTSN talk to @EdmontonOilers GM about trading 1st pick. My to Islanders for Griffin Reinhart. 4 yrs @OilKingsHockey. Know him well

guess i was confused by all the symbols, but i read it that he was talking to the GM, he knows him well and thinks it may be for Reinhart. I don't think its too far off to say It was confusing as to it being a rumor or speculative or just completely made up. But whatever, the whole twitter thing is very confusing. I sound so old right now lol

The cloud symbol is basically him saying, his thought would be to make a trade for Reinhart.

 

[Frankie41987]

The cloud symbol is basically him saying, his thought would be to make a trade for Reinhart.

Yea i didn't know what that was when i first looked at it. Thank you tho, that makes sense now

 

[N Ireland Nets Fan]

Yea i didn't know what that was when i first looked at it. Thank you tho, that makes sense now

No problem.

The tweets are just a reporter speculating on the type player Edmonton should be targeting if Ekblad is gone when they pick and they wish to find a defender to bring in by trading their high draft pick.

 

[Sneekypete]

No problem.

The tweets are just a reporter speculating on the type player Edmonton should be targeting if Ekblad is gone when they pick and they wish to find a defender to bring in by trading their high draft pick.

Griff is close to untouchable and Edmontons 1st in 2014 wont get it done, maybe toss in Eberle or Yakapov with the pick and we can talk.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

April 11
Rimouski 4,Blainville-Broisbriand 3 (OT)-Leduc, even. Rimouski leads series 3-2.
Edmonton 5, Brandon 1-Reinhart, 1 assist, + 2, Pulock, - 2. Edmonton wins series 4-1, advance to eastern conference final.

 

[Riseonfire]

Enough time to get Pulock 1 game of NHL experience?

 

[scott99]

Enough time to get Pulock 1 game of NHL experience?

That would be awesome to see, but I don't think that'll happen. His season ended to close to the Isle's season ending. Probably not enough time for him to get prepared to play one game. I hope I'm wrong, would love to see him play tomorrow.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

Bridgeport still has 2 games left next weekend, maybe Pulock gets a couple games in.Next Friday night Bridgeport is at Adirondack, since I live only about 40 minutes away, might go to the game if Pulock signs an ATO.

 

[boredmale]

Probably not enough time for him to get prepared to play one game. I hope I'm wrong, would love to see him play tomorrow.

Does it really matter if he is versed on the Islanders playbook. Just dress 11 forwards and 7 defensemen

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

Tonight, 7:30 PM, ESPN, NCAA Championship Game
Union vs Minnesota.

Other notes-
Karpat will play Tappara in the SM-Liiga Finals.
Erie will play Guelph in the OHL Western conference finals.
If Kootenay beats Medicine Hat tonight, the Reinhart brothers would meet in the WHL Eastern conference finals.

 

[blinkman360]

Tonight, 7:30 PM, ESPN, NCAA Championship Game
Union vs Minnesota.

Other notes-
Karpat will play Tappara in the SM-Liiga Finals.
Erie will play Guelph in the OHL Western conference finals.
If Kootenay beats Medicine Hat tonight, the Reinhart brothers would meet in the WHL Eastern conference finals.

This has been a great season as far as player development goes. A handful of important pieces of the future have gotten some significant NHL experience, and the rest of our key prospects are getting some big-game experience in the minors.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

This has been a great season as far as player development goes. A handful of important pieces of the future have gotten some significant NHL experience, and the rest of our key prospects are getting some big-game experience in the minors.

Overall a very strong season in player development, many prospects made excellent progress. This may be picky(it is a separate position), the one place were nothing was gained is goaltending,

 

[blinkman360]

Overall a very strong season in player development, many prospects made excellent progress. This may be picky(it is a separate position), the one place were nothing was gained is goaltending,

This is true, which is exactly why I'd be all over a Gibson trade or at least a trade up for Demko, but I'd rather not derail another thread with that topic.

 

[MattMartin]

that would be awesome to see, but i don't think that'll happen. His season ended to close to the isle's season ending. Probably not enough time for him to get prepared to play one game. I hope i'm wrong, would love to see him play tomorrow.

must.........attend..............meetings!

 

[SI90]

Overall a very strong season in player development, many prospects made excellent progress. This may be picky(it is a separate position), the one place were nothing was gained is goaltending,

Agreed. Reinhart Pulock Pelech Pokka Burroughs camaratta Bischoff all very good seasons and years in terms of development.


Goaltending as you mentioned Rex was not only nothing gained but a lost season Imo.

Our two NCAA net minders had horrible years
Our two pro goalies have not improved and taken that next step.
Koskinen had a good year but in reality the KHL is a low scoring league and many NHL and AHL washouts are putting up comparable numbers to Mikko so I don't know how to gauge his season.

It's funny that if we would have been able to draft Fucale or Suros we would be in a much better position prospect wise in the net. Suros was def available and we choose to go in a dif direction.

My love for Demko has been known for many months on here but it seems he has positioned himself out of our reach with our 2nd pick. There are still talented goalies available this draft McDonald Nedelojvic and others.

My concern is after taken 2 goalies in last years draft I do t see Garth drafting a goalie this year. I hope I'm wrong.

Of course signing a legit starting goalie as a FA will ease most of our conserns for the short term.

Back on topic though as far as prospect development I am very please with our youngins this year.

Don't forget de Haan. Calvin went from questionable prospect to legit top 4 NHL defenseman. With #2 upside Imo.
Strome ravaged the AHL in his first pro season and has looked very promising down the stretch in the NHL.

Lee is a beast and is looking like a real player with a solid NHL future as a top9 foward.

Mayfield by all accounts had a good season in BPORT.

Pedan was injured most of the year so we will have to wait.


I don't think our future is a concern as far as players/prospects.

It's getting the right peices/vets to surround them that is important.

 

[scott99]

Agreed. Reinhart Pulock Pelech Pokka Burroughs camaratta Bischoff all very good seasons and years in terms of development.


Goaltending as you mentioned Rex was not only nothing gained but a lost season Imo.

Our two NCAA net minders had horrible years
Our two pro goalies have not improved and taken that next step.
Koskinen had a good year but in reality the KHL is a low scoring league and many NHL and AHL washouts are putting up comparable numbers to Mikko so I don't know how to gauge his season.

It's funny that if we would have been able to draft Fucale or Suros we would be in a much better position prospect wise in the net. Suros was def available and we choose to go in a dif direction.

My love for Demko has been known for many months on here but it seems he has positioned himself out of our reach with our 2nd pick. There are still talented goalies available this draft McDonald Nedelojvic and others.

My concern is after taken 2 goalies in last years draft I do t see Garth drafting a goalie this year. I hope I'm wrong.

Of course signing a legit starting goalie as a FA will ease most of our conserns for the short term.

Back on topic though as far as prospect development I am very please with our youngins this year.

Don't forget de Haan. Calvin went from questionable prospect to legit top 4 NHL defenseman. With #2 upside Imo.
Strome ravaged the AHL in his first pro season and has looked very promising down the stretch in the NHL.

Lee is a beast and is looking like a real player with a solid NHL future as a top9 foward.

Mayfield by all accounts had a good season in BPORT.

Pedan was injured most of the year so we will have to wait.


I don't think our future is a concern as far as players/prospects.

It's getting the right peices/vets to surround them that is important.

Very well said Strong ! You have to be pumped with the way our prospects have played this year. Lee, Nelson and Strome have shown me a lot of glimpses of what they will become, and I think all 3 will be on the Island for good. Mayfield has looked good in the NHL in the small sample size we've seen and Czuczman looks really solid, both big and can skate (love Mayfield's nastiness). I'm hoping de Haan's injury is minor and they held him out as a precaution. The Isles are 8-2-2 in their last 12, and have played noticeably better defense, I think it's not a coincidence that it started with Amac being traded and Czuczman being added. A couple of shutouts have happened since Mayfield has come up. Not saying Czuczman and Mayfield are the end all and be all, but sure have helped a shotty defense. Love the future of this team. An above average goalie will help this team get to the next level.

 

[blinkman360]

Very well said Strong ! You have to be pumped with the way our prospects have played this year. Lee, Nelson and Strome have shown me a lot of glimpses of what they will become, and I think all 3 will be on the Island for good. Mayfield has looked good in the NHL in the small sample size we've seen and Czuczman looks really solid, both big and can skate (love Mayfield's nastiness). I'm hoping de Haan's injury is minor and they held him out as a precaution. The Isles are 8-2-2 in their last 12, and have played noticeably better defense, I think it's not a coincidence that it started with Amac being traded and Czuczman being added. A couple of shutouts have happened since Mayfield has come up. Not saying Czuczman and Mayfield are the end all and be all, but sure have helped a shotty defense. Love the future of this team. An above average goalie will help this team get to the next level.

Mad depth next year. Church, Mayfield, Pulock, Pokka, Pelech, Pedan all in Bridgeport. Add a veteran top-4 plus Reinhart and things should look pretty good from here on out.

 

[Macch]

This Union - UMinn game is nuts!!!! Cammarata has some sick hands and vision, but def needs to improve his skating. Nothing we don't already know, but it's obvious the guys has skills!

 

[scott99]

Mad depth next year. Church, Mayfield, Pulock, Pokka, Pelech, Pedan all in Bridgeport. Add a veteran top-4 plus Reinhart and things should look pretty good from here on out.

I think training camp is gonna be intense. Hell, rookie camp may be intense as well as the rookie scrimmage game. IF a Dman other than Reinhart shines in training camp, I wouldn't be shocked if they make the team. If Czuczman plays as well in training camp as he has so far in the NHL, he's gonna make the team. He's 23 or 24, more mature than most of our D prospects. Personally, I may take a trip to Bridgeport next season to watch Pedan, Pelech, Pokka and whoever else is on our D next season.

 

[scott99]

This Union - UMinn game is nuts!!!! Cammarata has some sick hands and vision, but def needs to improve his skating. Nothing we don't already know, but it's obvious the guys has skills!

Great hands and vision, but slow as molasses and light as a feather. Willing to compete, not worried about his heart, he will fight hard, but if you're tiny, you better have wheels (St Louis, Fleury, etc). That's why I hated the pick. Cammarata can get away with it at Shattuck, USHL, but college and above will expose the slow skating, and lack of size.

 

[SI90]

Scott you are right On The money. Camaratta has great hand and offensive mind for the game but as you said when your that small you better be fast as lighting.
Damn Union is no joke.