He's AHL bound. That's just the way it works with Trotz.
I know Trotz has said that the road to nashville is though Milwaukee but other than maybe Radulov I dont think we've ever had a prospect who could have or should have been in the lineup straight out of junior. We just havent had the 18 or 19 year old phenoms.
Adam Hall came straight from Michigan State to the preds IIRC
If Geoffrion can use his size/skill set to provide some presence in front of the net on the PP and play a 3rd or 4th line role without hurting us defensively, he has an outside shot of making the club out of camp. I think he starts in Milwaukee but could be one of the first call ups when the injury bug hits.
If Geoffrion can use his size/skill set to provide some presence in front of the net on the PP and play a 3rd or 4th line role without hurting us defensively, he has an outside shot of making the club out of camp. I think he starts in Milwaukee but could be one of the first call ups when the injury bug hits.
Agreed, it would have to be pretty much a perfect storm for Geoffrion to start the year in Nashville, but I expect that provided he plays well in Milwaukee that we will see him make his NHL debut by the end of the season and foresee him as a full-time Predator to start the 2011-12 season...
I know Trotz has said that the road to nashville is though Milwaukee but other than maybe Radulov I dont think we've ever had a prospect who could have or should have been in the lineup straight out of junior. We just havent had the 18 or 19 year old phenoms.
Adam Hall came straight from Michigan State to the preds IIRC
Hartnell stayed with the Preds and didn't go back to Juniors.
I think Geoffrion can make it out of camp. (maybe)
Could anyone see it as a straight battle between Geoffrion and Spaling for a roster spot to open the season? We know both excel on the defensive side of the puck and are ace penalty killers, but Blake has the added advantage of being a net presence on the PP and also very strong on faceoffs.
If Spaling doesn't work hard to improve his puck skills and offensive instincts this summer...Blake could theoretically set up a good battle for September's training camp with a solid performance next month at the prospect camp...
Could anyone see it as a straight battle between Geoffrion and Spaling for a roster spot to open the season? We know both excel on the defensive side of the puck and are ace penalty killers, but Blake has the added advantage of being a net presence on the PP and also very strong on faceoffs.
If Spaling doesn't work hard to improve his puck skills and offensive instincts this summer...Blake could theoretically set up a good battle for September's training camp with a solid performance next month at the prospect camp...
Truth, it might be better for team balance if Geoffrion can make the team with Spaling as a result of a Dumont and O'Reilly trade. Spaling and Geoffrion make better 3rd and 4th liners than O'Reilly and Dumont. You can use both of them to get picks and solidify the team. Geoffrion can start early in Milwaukee but he HAS already played for the Ads so he's already been on the highway that connect Milwaukee and Nashville.
Could anyone see it as a straight battle between Geoffrion and Spaling for a roster spot to open the season? We know both excel on the defensive side of the puck and are ace penalty killers, but Blake has the added advantage of being a net presence on the PP and also very strong on faceoffs.
If Spaling doesn't work hard to improve his puck skills and offensive instincts this summer...Blake could theoretically set up a good battle for September's training camp with a solid performance next month at the prospect camp...
He'd have to do a heck of a lot to supplant Spaling at this point. The staff is very high on him and although he was sent down earlier than a few other prospects at the end of camp last year, they thought about keeping him around once the season started. I'd have to say Spaling's spot is relatively safe at this point. He's a smart, intelligent, good two way forward. Remember, he didn't light it up much last season but his plus minus was pretty solid even though he wasn't putting up points. Personally, I'd like to see guys like Thuresson, Geoffrion and Spaling as opposed to a guy like Smithson in the lineup. Smitty has done well here in his time but he's not gonna bring anything offensively to the table whereas these younger guys have a little bit of offense and we need every little bit we can get.
On the forecheck has posted a blog on Does Blake Geoffrion have the greatest pedigree in sports? I counter with this question: which is more important, the genes of the experience of his family in the NHL? First off, you look at the fact he's from the GNASH system and that's great and all for the local fan base and team but let's look at his bullet points:
* Great-Grandfather is Howie Morentz quite possibly the greatest Montreal Canadian in their history
* Grandfather Bernie Geoffrion who pioneered the slap shot
* Father played in the NHL for multiple teams
* Played in Wisconsin one of the stronger NCAA hockey prospect producing machines.
* Hobey Baker award.
Is it the genes or the experience? Nature vs. Nurture?
When SLake and I were doing the mock draft for the Moderators the biggest keys for me were this: Where were they going to or coming from. (Going to juniors, strong HS back ground, are they committed to a strong NCAA program). and family athletic ability.
The first part was because I wanted a player who would have the solid hockey educational background this saves the coaching staff time in teaching the prospect the upward slope to the NHL.
The second part is simply the fact you are drafting kids and trying to project them to adulthood. If the family shows athletic talent that should transfer to the child.
A third factor is something you don't see in prospect catalogs is the will to succeed. Blake's father TRIED to dissuade Blake into playing hockey in Nashville. He gave him improperly sized equipment to make it hard on Blake. But Blake kept playing. He kept trying. There is a mental aspect which pushes players with marginal talent past the players with exceptional talent but zero drive.
What comes next for Blake is the adversity test of Milwaukee. You have to have the worst before you can have the best. Buses before charters. Meal per diems before room service. Roommates who snore like a 777 before a private room.
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2010 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner and Brentwood, Tenn., native Blake Geoffrion to an entry-level contract. Geoffrion is the first Tennessee native drafted by an NHL team (56th overall by the Predators in the 2006 Entry Draft) and first to sign an NHL contract.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to be signing with the Predators," he said. "I've been a Predators fan since they started here in 1998 and we had season tickets. I always followed them when I was away. I rooted for them when they played the Detroit Red Wings, unlike everybody else up there (in Wisconsin).
"To sign an NHL contract with Nashville is a great feeling. I want to thank everyone who helped me get here, from my family to all the coaches that I've had and the players around me. I've had some great mentors and I can't thank those people enough. It's just the first step, and hopefully I can proceed beyond this."
The game is totally different. The guys in the AHL are much smarter. They don't run around as much as in college. I think the college game is faster in that aspect. They're positioned well, offensively and defensively and the guys are bigger and stronger. My big experience was checking Chris Chelios behind the net and he said, 'Hey kid, who do you think you're dealing with?'
"And, I said, 'Oh, sorry, Mr. Chelios,' so that was my little moment in the AHL."
boy needs to be taught quickly.... Chelios is a SISSY!!
boy needs to be taught quickly.... Chelios is a SISSY!!
I picked up and finished Phil Esposito's biography Thunder and Lightning last week and there's a story in there about his first experience playing against Gordie Howe.
As a rookie, Esposito lined up on the wing for a faceoff and as soon as the puck dropped...Howe planted one of his famous elbows squarely onto Espo's jaw...the two start pushing and shoving and are broken up by the officials and when the two get to the box, Espo unleashes a fury of words towards Howe. Howe snaps up from his seat and says, "what did you say?" and Espo apologizes to "Mr. Howe" and explains that he meant no disrespect. Espo claims that moment saved him from years more of elbows from "Mr. Howe" because he showed him that respect then...Howe played him tough, but he played him cleanly from that point forward...
Just one of those "welcome to the big leagues" moments. I'm sure every rookie has a few...
