The 2015 Single-A Draft (OPEN Ed.) has ended.

[chaosrevolver]

The Galt Professionals will also go goaltending with Cesaire Maniago

Allan Cup Champion (1960)
2 x Cyclone Taylor Award (team MVP) (1977, 1978)

- He had good staying power in the NHL, with more career GP than most available goalies despite coming of age during the O6 era (with the benefit of a 12-16 team league in his 20s, he would likely have a few hundred more to his credit)
- He was a workhorse goalie, finishing top-10 in minutes 5 times (2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th), and this doesn’t count his 8th and 10th pre-expansion – for obvious reasons those would be misleading to include.
- He was often among the sv% leaders (5th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th)
- Despite playing well into his declining years he maintained a weighted sv% averaging 1.3 points better than the league average in his career
- His 36 playoff games are a pretty decent sample for an AAA goalie
- He actually topped the playoff sv% average by a weighted 5.8 points over his career.
- While he was a “tweener” thanks to an O6 NHL numbers game, he was a pretty successful minor league goalie, going 146-121-13 between 1960 and 1966. Being that he was up-and-down, he often didn’t play enough games to get award consideration, but when he did, the EPHL called him the best goalie in 1962, and the CPHL called him the best goalie and MVP in 1965. He also won the 1960 Allan Cup.
- Maniago retired after playing 46 games in the 1977-78 season. At the time, only the ageless Eddie Johnston (42) was older among goalies in the NHL or WHA.​

Rest of Bio -> http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=55828439&postcount=34

 

[VanIslander]

New Glasgow Cubs select its starter 6'4 215 lbs. Gary Smith , the well-travelled netminder who began and ended his hockey career with championships. Three times he went to the Memorial Cup, the third time a charm, going 11-1 and winning it all in 1964 with the Toronto Marlboros as a 19 year old. He was the starter for the NHL's struggling Seals for three seasons, twice finishing 6th in NHL wins and leading the expansion club to the playoffs, and remains the defunct franchise's all-time leader in wins and shutouts. Then he went to a quality Chicago team for two seasons as a backup, registering an impressive five shutouts in just 28 games played the year he shared the Vezina trophy with Esposito. He then did his best to mind the net of a poor Canucks team for three seasons, playing in the 1975 NHL all-star game the year he was 3rd in NHL wins with 32 and he had 6 shutouts. After a year in each of Minnesota and Washington, "Suitcase" went to Winnipeg and shone in the WHA playoffs, winning the Avco Cup league championship in 1979 with the Winnipeg Jets with an 8-2 record as a 35 year old. He played for 14 pro teams in six leagues over a 16 year career, retiring in 1980 with 173 NHL wins, 26 NHL shutouts and 532 NHL games played.

Nothing phased this man. He had an attitude most goalies wish they had.

...happy-go-lucky and nutty. I know he drove me nuts. He played well for me and I enjoyed working with him.

He was the biggest character on the team. He kept people loose.

He was a real good goaltender. We just couldn't provide the offensive threat he would have liked. He was a great game player, although you figure he faced 50 shots in so many games.

 

[Sanf]

Haven´t been part of these, but if I understand correct everyone is free to select players and I already interrupted to the conversation about early mercenary goalies. I guess if Lindsay and Nicholson was good choices before I throw a guy who definitely was in the mix of best mercenary goalies of the time. He was purely a mercanary goalie and his career has some question marks, but still I believe that he is pretty much in the same ball park with Nicholson. Some quotes about him.

So
G Jack Winchester

1899-1900 OHA-Int
1900-1901 OHA-SrA
1901-1902 OHA-SrA
1902-1903 OHA-Int
1903-1904 OHA-SrA
1904-1907 Pittsburgh Pros IHL GP 63 W 34 L 29 T 0
1907-1908 Winnipeg Strathconas MHL GP 15 W 5 L 10 T 0
1907-1908 Winnipeg Maple Leafs MHL GP 1 W 1 L 0 T 0
1907-1908 Winnipeg Maple Leafs St-Cup GP 2 W 0 L 2 T 0
1908-1909 Winnipeg Maple Leafs MHL GP 4 W 4 L 0 T 0
1908-1909 Winnipeg Maple Leafs MHL GP 5 W 1 L 4 T 0
1908-1909 Edmonton Pros Fit-Ref GP 3 W 3 L 0 T 0
1908-1909 Winnipeg Maple Leafs Fit-Ref GP 2 W 0 L 2 T 0
1909-1910 Montreal Shamrocks NHA GP 5 W 2 L 2 T 1
1909-1910 Edmonton Pros St-Cup GP 2 W 0 L 2 T 0
1909-1910 Edmonton Pros Fit-Ref GP 2 W 1 L 0 T 1
1910-1911 Edmonton Pros Fit-Ref GP 2 W 0 L 1 T 1

Daniel Scott Mason
The origins and development of the International Hockey League and its effects on the sport of professional ice hockey in North America

The final player to be recognized in this chapter is Jack Winchester, goalkeeper for the Pittsburgh team. He joined the club during the 1904-05 season, as a replacement for goalkeeper McKay, and played to the conclusion of 1906-1907. He tied for the league lead in shutout in both 1904-1905 and 1905-1906, and allowed the lowest average of goals-per-game during the 1906-1907 season. For his efforts, Winchester was named an all-star in 1904-1905 and 1906-1907, and finished his I.H.L. career as the League´s leader in shutouts through three seasons...

Pittsburgh Press Jan 1, 1905

Frank D. Woodworth sporting editor of the Toronto Mail and Empire, who is in Pittsburg with the Toronto University team, after learning that Winchester had signed to play with Pittsburg, said that he considered him the greatest goal keeper in the game today.

November 2, 1907 Vancouver Daily World

Jack Winchester, the famous goal tender, formerly of Pittsburg, and considered the best man in the business, arrived in the city yesterday to be on hand for the opening of the hockey season.

From game before Stanley Cup Challenge with Winnipeg Maple Leafs.

Montreal Gazette Mar 7, 1908

Winchester, in goal, however, really saved the game for them, and was the star on the ice. His work tonight fully bore the claims of his title of star goal tender and he is by long odds the best man that has ever guarded the nets on a western cup team.

Montreal Gazette Now 13, 1908

Winchester played last year with Winnipeg Maple Leafs and is considered quite up to the standard of Paddy Moran of Quebec. Winchester was reported signed by Wanderers, but Ottawa got there first.

Opinion of Lester Patrick when Ottawa was after him.

Ottawa Citizen - Dec 29, 1909

"Winchester is as good a goaler as there is in the business" Patrick recently remarked to a Citizen reporter.

Before Ottawa-Edmonton Stanley Cup Challenge.

The Winnipeg Tribune, 1910-01-18

Both Leseur and Winchester are stars between the nets, with little to choose between their respective ability.

Calgary Daily Herald Jan 11, 1911

There is Jack Winchester, nearly, if not the best goal-keeper in Canada, for the job as custodian of the nets...

Winnipeg Free Press May 8 1911

JACK WINCHESTER FORMER WINNIPEG HOCKEYIST DIES AT EDMONTON...

Can add something tomorrow...

 

[VanIslander]

Great find! Welcome Sanf.

The quotes are significant.

Now, how about some year-by-year info about where he played, how many games, wins, etc.

 

[Sanf]

Great find! Welcome Sanf.

The quotes are significant.

Now, how about some year-by-year info about where he played, how many games, wins, etc.

Yeah I think I have his SIHR data somewhere. Though I´m not member of SIHR.

Stats for goalies from that era aren´t the best measure stick.

But I will add those tomorrow.

 

[VanIslander]

Port Arthur selects the earliest era star rover Billy Barlow, "the most graceful skater of the party" who "gave a brilliant exhibition of skating backwards", "--Barlow was always a shadow that could not be shaken off, and turned the corners so cleverly and swiftly that he was always able to hold to his companion, and seemed able to pass him at any time if he chose to do so." Barlow is credited with scoring the first Stanley Cup-winning goal in history in the final playoff match of 1894, actually scoring twice in each of the two playoff games, heralded as the hero of the game. The year before, in 1893, he was instrumental in his team winning the Stanley Cup, which was decided based on best regular season record: "Billy Barlow was outstanding in the AAA's late season victory over Ottawa to secure first place and the Cup."

ALL TIME GOAL SCORING LIST AT THE END OF THE 1899 SEASON:
1. Bob McDougall (VICS) 49
2. A. E. "Dolly" Swift (Que) 37
3. Clary MacKerrow (MAAA) 34
4. Billy Barlow (MAAA) 33
5. Haviland Routh (MAAA) 32
6. Graham Drinkwater (Vics) 28

 

[chaosrevolver]

The Cubs will draft a guy who could fit in on pretty much any line. Whether he is providing the defensive presence that goes to the net hard and hits as much as he can (while still potting a respectable amount of goals) or as the main energy guy on a lower line..he will give it all he has and not look out of place.

LW - Steve Konowalchuk

He was an impact player, knowing when to change the pace of a game with an energy shift or a big hit. Simply put, he was a coach's dream - great character, great work ethic and a complete team player. His offensive game was anything but fancy and his totals never grand, but there was not a coach in the league who would not take Steve Konowalchuk exactly as he was.

Finished with 171 goals and 225 assists (396 Points) in 790 games.

 

[BubbaBoot]

Galt needs a character guy to ride on the 1st line with Seguin and Hemsky....this guy did a lot of the gritty hard work that goes unheralded....fast, tough but clean, he embodied the role of "team first" back in the early days. 2 Cups and an All-Star appearance was all the fanfare he got:

Armand Mondou
LW

• Shoots: Left • Height: 5-10 • Weight: 175 lbs •
• Born: June 25, 1905 in Yamaska, Quebec •
• Played: 1928/29 - 1939/40 (NHL) \\\ 1925/26 (MCBHL) \\\ 1926/27 - 1928/29, 1932/33 - 1933/34 (CAN-AM) \\\ 1936/37 - 1939/40 (IAHL) •

• Championships •
1930 STANLEY CUP (NHL)
1931 STANLEY CUP (NHL)

• All-Star Games •
1939 NHL

• Points •
1927/28 CanAm 21 (4)

NHL: 386 games / 47 goals / 71 assists / 118 poinbts / 0.31 PpG / 99 PIMs
PLAYOFFS: 32 games / 3 goals / 5 assists / 8 points / 0.25 PpG / 12 PIMs
CanAm: 106 games / 29 goals / 20 assists / 49 points / 0.46 PpG / 109 PIMs

• Accolades •

Left-winger Armand Mondou was a fine checker and playmaker on the Montreal Canadiens in the 1920s and '30s. His speed and unselfish play was an integral part of two Stanley Cup championships.

Born in Yamaska, Quebec, Mondou spent a year with the senior St. Francis Xavier team in Montreal before spending three years in the Can-Am League with the Providence Reds. Beginning in 1928-29, the tricky forward spent parts of twelve seasons with the Habs. In 1930 and 1931 his tight checking helped the Canadiens win consecutive Stanley Cups. The first of these was a huge upset over a talent-laden Boston club in which Mondou's defence was a key factor.

Through the remainder of the decade, Mondou helped the Canadiens reach the post-season most years. He often formed a hard-working line with Leroy Goldsworthy and George Mantha. Mondou set a career high with 24 points in 1934-35 and helped the Canadiens reach the semi-finals two years later. Mondou retired in 1940 after splitting the year between the Habs and the AHL's New Haven Eagles.

Armand Mondou will always go down in NHL history as the answer to this popular trivia question: Who was awarded the NHL’s first penalty shot? He was stopped in Toronto on Nov. 10, 1934, by Maple Leafs goaler George Hainsworth.

Mondou played in 386 NHL games, all with Montreal, but he could never seem to settle on a jersey number. He wore 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 44, 64 and 66 in his career!

In addition, he was said to be one of the earliest users of the slap shot, many years before Boom Boom Geoffrion or Bobby Hull really popularized the tactic.

Mondou, a checker primarily but he could make smart plays with the puck, scored only 47 career goals. But the gritty left-winger played a key role in the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup victory in 1930, a huge upset of the defending champion Boston Bruins, and again in 1931. His speed and unselfish team play were two keys of any good player on any championship team in any era of hockey.

Mondou's career took a major blow in the 1937-38 season when he broke he leg in a collision with Boston's freight-train of a defenseman, Eddie Shore. He returned to play the better parts of two more seasons before leaving the NHL.

Armand Mondou passed away in 1976, just before his grandson Pierre Mondou played his first NHL game.

If he had not died in 1976, Armand Mondou today be celebrating its 107 years. He was born June 27, 1905 in St. David in the Nicolet-Yamaska ​​region. His family moved farmer in the city of Montreal when he was young. After making his debut under the direction of Academy brothers St Francis Xavier, where he was a star in the center than playing as a defender, to be of particular stature. His prowess has been noted, Mondou also lined up during the 1925-26 season with the team of the National Bank in a league financed by various banks in the city of Montreal. Again, Armand Mondou became a player who performed admirably,

His performances with the National Bank earned him the attention of Léo Dandurand, Montreal Canadiens leader who offered him a contract with the Canadiens affiliate team Can-Am League, the Providence Reds. It is said that Mondou was so impressed by the attention of Canadians that he does not even bother to look at the contract and signed the contract. It was during his time with the Providence Reds as under the recommendations as coach Jimmy Gardner Mondou developed something he introduced somehow in professional hockey without being credited too often: the throw-hitting.

When the coach noticed Mondou had a tendency to let loose puck in front of him when he used his speed to cross the puck. He then advised him strongly hit the puck to the goalkeeper. When he tried the thing during practice, he frightened enough of his own keeper he tried successfully in a game.

When he passed the Montreal Canadiens in December 1928, he impressed with his formidable start innovator who helped him score some goals to his arrival. But it is especially in a line called the "single line" along with Wildor Larochelle and Pit Lepine trio used mainly defensively, as Mondou became known. All three singles and prim, this support trio was very popular with fans and ensured a formidable support for the famous main line of the Canadian formed of Howie Morenz, Aurègle Joliat and Johnny Gagnon. They took an active part, playing this role to Stanley Cup 1930 e 1931.

Armand Mondou is mainly known these days as having been the first player to have made a penalty shot, introduce something 1934-1935. In the first game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was awarded a barrage against the goalkeeper Goerge Hainsworth, his former teammate. By cons, this new thing introduced to lift the crowds were not what we know now, the player having to engage in a circle of 10 feet to 38 feet located guardian or with a moose or remaining stationary ( as in Blades Of Steel) ... Mondou won perhaps the first shot but missed it. He had the chance to succeed against a few days later against the Rangers at the Forum.

Armand Mondou evolved with the Montreal Canadiens until 1940. He spent his last years, forming a formidable defensive trio with Leroy Goldsworthy and George Mantha.

After retiring from hockey following the 1939-40 season he spent between the Canadian and the New Haven Nighthawks, Mondou became very active in the world of baseball in Montreal, being the owner of Rosemont Bombers and president of the League National Junior. He was also a judge for races at Blue Bonnets in the 50s.

He was the grandfather of another player the Canadiens, Pierre Mondou. He died of leukemia in against a few months after he was drafted by his former team in 1976 ... Pierre Mondou, like his grandfather, only played for the Canadiens in the NHL and put his name on the Cup Stanley with this team ...

And in terms of practicing slap shot in the 30s, including the practice was marginal due to its lack of precision, it will take the Boom-Boom Geoffrion, Andy Bathgate and Bobby Hull thirty years later to improve its use ...

 

[BubbaBoot]

The Cubs will draft a guy who could fit in on pretty much any line. Whether he is providing the defensive presence that goes to the net hard and hits as much as he can (while still potting a respectable amount of goals) or as the main energy guy on a lower line..he will give it all he has and not look out of place.

LW - Steve Konowalchuk

Finished with 171 goals and 225 assists (396 Points) in 790 games.

Konowalchuk with McCourt and Audette....damn, that's a pretty good first line.

 

[Sanf]

Well I added some details to Winchester. Where he played and when. Its a complite mess. I tried to make a table, but it was the first and last time that I ever try to create one

More seriously. Biggest question marks in his career are that he did not won lot of championship during his career. Both his Stanley Cup challenges were on losing side. Though I have read those game reports and Winchester did get lot of praise. He did won the Western challenge cup called Fit-Reform Cup few times, but personally I don´t see that as such a great achievment. Other question mark is that despite many offers he played only few games in the big leagues of east.

Montreal Gazette Nov 20, 1908

Winchester is mentioned for both Wanderers and Maple Leafs of Winnipeg. Winchester is anxious to come East, but he is making it conditional on his coming that Keene be taken with him. That is a club might be compelled to pay big price for two players in order to get one, and when only one is needed.

Ottawa Citizen - Nov 19, 1909

As the result of the cancellation of Hugh Lehman´s agreament to come here, the Ottawa Hockey club is again in search of goalkeeper. After getting Lehman´s refusal yesterday manager Bate of the Ottawas set about search for a new one. It is said that Jack Winchester and Eddie Giroux are both in communication with the Ottawas and either may come. Again it is said that Bouse Hutton will be the man.

Winnipeg Free Press Jan 11, 1910

Jack has already made his mark in the hockey world and has turned turned down repeated offers from eastern team this season.

 

[Sanf]

Matti Hagman
CTR

Nice bio.

The player in last picture is actually Hexi Riihiranta with Winnipeg Jets.

 

[BubbaBoot]

nice bio.

The player in last picture is actually hexi riihiranta with winnipeg jets.

doh!!!

------------------

Fixed

 

[seventieslord]

Ken Daneyko, D

Daneyko deserved to fall from his lofty top-600 ATD staple spot, but how did he fall right out of the ATD, MLD, AAA and AA draft? I am forgiving of his career 19 minute per game average considering how long he maintained that average over, how strong his teams were, and especially who he played behind for a decade.

- Averaged 18.32 minutes per game for 1286 games for teams 14% better than average (with no PP time)
- Averaged 18.9 minutes over his best 936 games (1987-1999)
- Killed 43% of penalties for teams 7% better than average over his career
- 193 NHL Fights, record of 51-27-46

 

[Ben Grimm]

Ken Daneyko, D. Daneyko deserved to fall from his lofty top-600 ATD staple spot, but how did he fall right out of the ATD, MLD, AAA and AA draft? I am forgiving of his career 19 minute per game average considering how long he maintained that average over, how strong his teams were, and especially who he played behind for a decade.

Awards
1999-00 NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Championships
(Minimum 1 playoff game)
1995 New Jersey Devils (NHL)
2000 New Jersey Devils (NHL)
2003 New Jersey Devils (NHL)

Games Played
1987-88 NHL 80 (1)
1988-89 NHL 80 (1)
1990-91 NHL 80 (3)
1991-92 NHL 80 (3)
1992-93 NHL 84 (2)
1998-99 NHL 82 (2)
Career NHL 1283 (63)

Plus/Minus
1998-99 NHL 27 (10)

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/d/daneyke01.html

Agreed. He was going to be my #2 dman in the AA.

 

[BubbaBoot]

Ken Daneyko, D

Daneyko deserved to fall from his lofty top-600 ATD staple spot, but how did he fall right out of the ATD, MLD, AAA and AA draft? I am forgiving of his career 19 minute per game average considering how long he maintained that average over, how strong his teams were, and especially who he played behind for a decade.

I like the guy, defended him a couple of years ago when he was picked in a draft and some folks thought it was too high for him. Tough S.O.B.

 

[seventieslord]

I like the guy, defended him a couple of years ago when he was picked in a draft and some folks thought it was too high for him. Tough S.O.B.

that would've been the ATD.... and yeah, that's too high for him.

 

[BubbaBoot]

that would've been the ATD.... and yeah, that's too high for him.

....and his proper placement in your opinion?

 

[BubbaBoot]

Paul Stastny
CTR

• Shoots: Left • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 205 lbs •
• Born: December 27, 1985 (Age 30.001) in Quebec City, Quebec •
• Draft: Colorado, 2nd round (44th overall), 2005 NHL Entry • From: University of Denver (WCHA / NCAA) •
• Played: 2006/07 - current (NHL) \\\ 2002/03 - 2003/04 (USHL) \\\ 2004/05 - 2005/06 (WCHA / NCAA) \\\ 2012/13 (DEL) •

• Championships •
2005 NCAA
2005 WCHA

• International Medals •
2004 SILVER Viking Cup
2010 SILVER Olympics
2013 BRONZE World Championships

• All-Star Teams •
2005 NCAA (WCHA) All-Rookie Team
2005 NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team
2006 NCAA (WCHA) First All-Star Team
2006 NCAA (West) Second All-American Team
2007 NHL All-Rookie Team
2012 World Championship / Top 3 Player on Team
2013 World Championship All-Star Team
2013 World Championship / Top 3 Player on Team

• All-Star Games •
2008 NHL (Injured, did not play)
2011 NHL

• Calder Trophy Voting •
2007 Runner-up

• Lady Byng Trophy Voting •
2007/08 (15th)
2009/10 (33rd)

• Selke Trophy Voting •
2007/08 (26th)
2013/14 (13th)

• Hart Trophy Voting •
2009/10 (23rd)

• Goals •
2013 World Championships 7 (T2)

• Assists •
2009-10 NHL 59 (6)
2013 World Championships 8 (T2)

• Points •
2012 World Championships 9 (T12)
2013 World Championships 15 (2)

NHL: 634 games / 179 goals / 338 assists / 517 points / 0.82 PpG / 310 PIMs / +8
PLAYOFFS: 28 games / 9 goals / 10 assists / 19 points / 0.68 PpG / 18 PIMs / -7

NCAA: 81 games / 36 goals / 62 assists / 98 points / 1.21 PpG / 109 PIMs / +9
WC: 25 games / 14 goals / 18 assists / 32 points / 1.28 PpG / 8 PIMs / +13
OLY: 12 games / 3 goals / 2 assists / 5 points / 0.42 PpG / 0 PIMs / +2

• 2008 - 2014 / assistant captain Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
• 2013 / captain World Championships USANT

• Accolades •

Stastny is a skilled center who plays a two-way game. Owns terrific playmaking/passing skills and sees the ice very well. Could stand to shoot the puck more. Is a hard worker with leadership qualities.

Assets: Like his father, Peter, he owns tremendous playmaking acumen and two-way skills. An excellent passer with good vision, he's especially good in traffic. Solidly built, he usually plays bigger than his 6-0 frame and displays a mature attitude.
Flaws: Has the burden of constant comparisons with his father, which can be difficult to deal with. Needs to stay focused and gritty on a consistent basis to be at his best. Must become a more reliable producer and better game in, game out.
Career Potential: Excellent playmaking center.

Stastny is a left-handed center and was one of the few NHL players known to use a wood stick since 2005, preferring it through his first four seasons in the NHL. However, he made the switch to a graphite stick to begin his 2010–11 NHL season. He considers himself a playmaker, a characteristic he says he inherited from his father. Former Avalanche captain Joe Sakic, who played with Paul and Peter Stastny, sees similarities between the two, namely their strong skating and ability to see the game.Former Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville, who faced Peter during his playing career, has said Paul plays in a similar way and complimented his hockey sense.George Gwozdecky, Stastny's coach at the University of Denver, has complimented his intelligence, ability to pass and see the ice. Although it has been said that Stastny is a slow skater, Gwozdecky too feels he is a strong skater. Terry Frei of ESPN has said that "... his game isn't flashy and eye-popping as much as it is heady, intuitive and efficient".

Paul reminds me a lot of his dad. [...] His play-making ability, his vision on the ice, the ability to come up with loose pucks – the puck just seems to follow him around. But his play without the puck is the part that we enjoy. For a young kid, to have that hockey sense, is unusual.

 

[seventieslord]

....and his proper placement in your opinion?

Well, I passed on him 7 times in the MLD, although I always considered him on my radar the entire time. It's not entirely fair for me to say he doesn't belong in the MLD just because I never had room for him. After all, i was fortunate enough to have consummate defensive defenders Jack Evans, Rick Ley, Marty Burke and Doug Jarrett, all easily better than Daneyko, but really no single MLD team should have been allowed to end up with all four of those guys, and any team that is unfortunate enough to end up with none of them should be looking at guys like Daneyko as a plan B, probably.

I also passed on him 7 times in the AAA, and I clearly preferred two "pure" defensive guys over him - Brad Marsh and Scott Hannan - and there were a few others with the same skill set in that draft I'd take over him, like Chris Phillips. But again, just because those guys are better doesn't mean he couldn't have played in the AAA. Heck, those three should have been in the MLD anyway, leaving Daneyko as perhaps the preeminent AAA pure defense guy.

If I had participated in the AA, I'd have definitely taken him early, so that's where he'd have bottomed out for sure.

Short answer - I think he should have gone to someone in the AAA for sure, even if I couldn't fit him in myself. In a normal year with a good sized MLD, he should be drafted there, even if he wasn't in this year's smaller draft. Approximately pick #1000.

 

[seventieslord]

Eddie Olczyk has easily the best 7-year offensive prime of any available NHL forward available. He's pretty one-dimensional but he topped 60 points six times, and 49 points 11 times.

- Best VsX: 82, 69, 65, 62, 62, 61, 56
- Also a viable RW option (1986-1987, 1998-2000)

 

[VanIslander]

New Glasgow Cubs select 6'4, 224 lbs. Ryan Malone, the left winger who began his career on the 2004 NHL all-rookie team after finishing third in Pens scoring with 20+ goals, a yearly average he holds over the 8+ years of his NHL career despite suffering several injuries over time. In the 2004 world championships he scored six points to help Team USA win a medal and in 2006 he was second in team scoring with four points. In 2008 "Bugsy" led the Pens in game-winning goals with six and in their Stanley Cup Finals run that postseason he was third in goals (6), fourth in points (16) and ice time among forwards (18:43). In 2010 he won silver at the Olympics with five points in six games.

Has impressive size and strength, which he uses effectively in front of the net and along the wall. Is accomplished in the defensive zone, kills penalties and provides plenty of leadership. A solid skater for a man his size, he has a good shot and can play any forward position.

Malone was a key cog in Team U.S.A.'s drive to the gold medal game, putting up five points in the six games, including three goals. He factored in U.S.A.'s first win of the tournament, getting a power play goal that put the Americans up 3-0 on Switzerland. They would go on to win 3-1. Malone assisted on Phil Kessel's opening goal and added one of his own against Norway in game two, one the U.S. won going away, 6-1. He factored again in the semi-final matchup against Finland, scoring the game opening goal and adding a power play assist as Team U.S.A. blitzed the Fins in a six-goal first period and went on to advance to the goal medal match, 6-1.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...an-malone-brings-home-the-silver-to-tampa-bay

In 2003-04, the Pittsburgh, PA native made his NHL debut and was the teams most impressive and consistent player throughout the year. Named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team, Malone finished the season with 43 points (22-21-43), good enough for third on the Penguins and fourth among league freshmen. Following the Penguins season, Malone was named to the United States 2004 World Championship team, and was instrumental in leading the U.S. to a bronze medal. Malone didn't appear with the Pens again until the 2005-06 season, spending his time during the 2004-05 lockout competing in Finland, Italy and Switzerland. In the 2006-07 season, Malone combined with Sidney Crosby and Mark Recci and saw action in 64 games with the Penguins. A season later, the upstart Penguins battled through the regular season and the first three rounds of the NHL playoffs to earn a spot in the 2008 Stanley Cup Final. However, Malone's grit and determination wasn't enough to grant his hometown Pens their third Stanley Cup. On June 28, 2008 Malone and Gary Robers were acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning. With Tampa Bay Malone continued to combine offensive production and physical presence. In his first year in Florida he scored 26 times and racked up almost 100 penalty minutes. In February of 2010, Malone was part of the US Olympic team that brought home the silver medal in a thrilling overtime final at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

 

[VanIslander]

Konowalchuk with McCourt and Audette....damn, that's a pretty good first line.

Yeah, though I'm particularly fond of Brandon's Tanti - Hagman - Klima line.

As well, Galt's starting d of Holden - Hedican in front of Maniago I expect to be formidible.

As for Daneyko... I scoffed at him as an ATD pick, thinking him nowhere close to it, having watched so much of him. Yeah, he has some chops as a defensive defenseman, but guess what? Hockey history is deep in quality defensively-minded defensemen. I wouldn't draft him over Keith Brown or Rick Smith, both of whom I picked over Daneyko in the Double-A draft. Of course, I think both of the dmen I just mentioned ought to have gone in the AAA or higher, so Daneyko as a Double-A pick is solid in my books, at least as an impact player. There are so many defensemen who could make a case for the AAA or MLD, especially looking at some of the guys who consistently go late in the ATD and in the MLD. Defensive defensemen (especially third pairing guys) and fourth line role players (especially penalty killers, checkers and bangers) are positions deep in potential ATD/MLD/AAA selection with not so much dividing them, in many cases.

 

[seventieslord]

Konowalchuk is par excellence at this point as far as all-around LWs go, and McCourt as a short career do-it-all center too, but Audette is far from anything special among these other guys and many who are also available.

Tanti looks very good, though.

 

[seventieslord]

Arturs Irbe's personal numbers like W/L (18 games under .500 for his career) and even sv% (2 points below league average for his career) don't look all that great, but when you look at how he outperformed his backups and 1As in his career, he looks outstanding.

From 1992-1996 in San Jose, he posted an .889 sv% while the rest of the team posted .872 against the same opponents, with the same coach and defense corps. His .402 winning percentage greatly exceeded their cumulative 230. (Yes! .230!) This was usually a poor team, yes, but they had some "names" in net. Irbe's numbers aren't being compared to the usual bargain basement expansion backups here. This is Jeff Hackett, Brian Hayward, Chris Terreri and Wade Flaherty.

From 1999-2002 in Carolina, Irbe posted a .910 sv% while Tom Barrasso, Trevor Kidd and others combined for a paltry .897. Irbe picked up a win% of .543 to their combined .438. Again, in this case this was not your standard revolving door of "cup of coffee" backup goalies. This was an ex-superstar on the way down and a guy who managed to be a reasonable bottom-tier starter for multiple seasons himself.

Irbe also got into 55 major international games (excluding B-pool), mainly because he was Latvia's only NHL-caliber netminder, but also starred twice for the USSR before its breakup. All told, he sports a stellar 2.33 GAA, earned mostly in games played for an underdog Latvia team in world championships from 1997-2005.

- Stanley Cup Finalist (2002)
- 2 sv% points below league average over 568 NHL games
- 7 sv% points below league average over 51 playoff games
- 21-12-8 internationally, 6-6-1 in Super Series/Fr.Tour games
- 5th in voting for 1999 All-star team (1-2-9)
- 4th in sv% (1999)
- a workhorse who was three times top-2 in minutes (1st in 1994 and 2001, 2nd in 2000)

 

[VanIslander]

Backup goalie already? Well, maybe Winchester needs it.

Port Arthur also goes with its third line center Greg Malone, who averaged 50+ points per season over the first nine years of his NHL career while playing a well-respected checking game.

...he enjoys body contact and loves to hit... he's a competent two-way player with good defensive ability... "

"... an excellent two-way player who toils with constant ambition... strong forechecker, good playmaker and solid defensively... Pens have turned down several offers on him."

"... a nice reliable player... you don't realize how much he helps until he's not around... strong forechecker."

"... every GM in the league covets this hard-nosed centreman... supposed to be a defensive specialist but still managed to lead the Pens in scoring... took advantage of size and strength to score from slot and ended up on the PP... a solid, aggressive, two-way player ... only weakness is as a faceoff man."

"... voted Hartford's unsung hero... good playmaker and checker."