de Haan: smart, smart, smart...had a gaff at the offensive blueline and won a foot race that saw Calvin steal the puck off Lindberg's stick about fifteen feet from the Canadian net, showing his smarts (he wasn't hacking away- he was skating and sneaking up on Lindberg) and doing what he does really well: getting the puck up to his forwards, and getting the puck on net. He doesn't have a hard shot, but should be okay on the PP, as his vision and puck placement is excellent. Willing to block shots too- think Andrew MacDonald +
Cizikas: one word- buzzsaw. This kid shows determination and huge character. Say what you want about the Islanders, but this was an excellent draft choice. He is not overly huge, but is solidly built and finishes his checks. Pierre compared him to Pat Verbeek tonight, though it wasn't about projected NHL numbers- though the comparison is still a flattering one. It also tells you what Pierre thinks about Casey's potential, IMO. This kid will be an NHLer, a penalty killing pest and fixture on the Islanders third/fourth line...see him in the AHL next year...
Courturier: not the answer IMO. Big, but slow. Disappeared under the heavy Swedish bodywork. Against the softer Swiss, you saw more...and that's telling. Got knocked down, but then again so did a lot of players tonight! Swedes played rough and tough, but it's not like Couturier's size neutralized things- and NHL players will be bigger and meaner.
Larsson: quite a few giveaways...wasn't impressed, and so if his truly is playing injured, and this is the reason for his sub-par season so far, he really needs to elevate his game at this tournament- Bob Mac not surprised that Larsson has dropped from the number one spot- so we wait. His accomplishments to date cannot be ignored however.
IMO, if the Islanders have the number one pick, this might be the year to trade it. Landeskog, Hopkins...if it meant moving down a spot or two, getting one of these players- plus a top-six forward playing in the NHL right now, they should do it.
The "generational" tag put on Larsson is showing it's wear...Couturier is not a very impressive first overall if Larsson has indeed fallen...I would tend to go with Landeskog or RNH if it meant adding another NHL body...and not additional picks, I should add.
Some have suggested the Islanders need elite talents at this point of the rebuild, and I agree. IMO, Larsson and Couturier are not in the same class as Hall, Tavares, etc.
A trade down for a top-six NHLer and still bring us a top five pick just might be the way to go...
de Haan: smart, smart, smart...had a gaff at the offensive blueline and won a foot race that saw Calvin steal the puck off Lindberg's stick about fifteen feet from the Canadian net, showing his smarts (he wasn't hacking away- he was skating and sneaking up on Lindberg) and doing what he does really well: getting the puck up to his forwards, and getting the puck on net. He doesn't have a hard shot, but should be okay on the PP, as his vision and puck placement is excellent. Willing to block shots too- think Andrew MacDonald +
Cizikas: one word- buzzsaw. This kid shows determination and huge character. Say what you want about the Islanders, but this was an excellent draft choice. He is not overly huge, but is solidly built and finishes his checks. Pierre compared him to Pat Verbeek tonight, though it wasn't about projected NHL numbers- though the comparison is still a flattering one. It also tells you what Pierre thinks about Casey's potential, IMO. This kid will be an NHLer, a penalty killing pest and fixture on the Islanders third/fourth line...see him in the AHL next year...
Courturier: not the answer IMO. Big, but slow. Disappeared under the heavy Swedish bodywork. Against the softer Swiss, you saw more...and that's telling. Got knocked down, but then again so did a lot of players tonight! Swedes played rough and tough, but it's not like Couturier's size neutralized things- and NHL players will be bigger and meaner.
Larsson: quite a few giveaways...wasn't impressed, and so if his truly is playing injured, and this is the reason for his sub-par season so far, he really needs to elevate his game at this tournament- Bob Mac not surprised that Larsson has dropped from the number one spot- so we wait. His accomplishments to date cannot be ignored however.
IMO, if the Islanders have the number one pick, this might be the year to trade it. Landeskog, Hopkins...if it meant moving down a spot or two, getting one of these players- plus a top-six forward playing in the NHL right now, they should do it.
The "generational" tag put on Larsson is showing it's wear...Couturier is not a very impressive first overall if Larsson has indeed fallen...I would tend to go with Landeskog or RNH if it meant adding another NHL body...and not additional picks, I should add.
Some have suggested the Islanders need elite talents at this point of the rebuild, and I agree. IMO, Larsson and Couturier are not in the same class as Hall, Tavares, etc.
A trade down for a top-six NHLer and still bring us a top five pick just might be the way to go...
I didn't think I would be paying so close attention to the WJC's this year... it's been a brutal season for the Isles.
I watched the stream of the Canada-Sweden game tonight as well and I don't disagree with your evaluations. I do think it's premature to make any conclusions though.
I did like what I saw of De Haan and of Cizikas. CDH is not going to wow you, but he looks like he plays an efficient and poised game. Makes smart plays and has very little panic in his movements. The play where he caught the Swedish player on the SH breakaway was clear evidence of this. Didn't panic, wasn't slashing away or anything at the puck, he just busted his butt to catch up, calmly lifted the stick and took the puck away.
Cizikas though, the kid has a serious motor. Always skated hard, initiated a lot of contact, and showed he can be dangerous on the forecheck. He's a blue collar player and I was most pleased by his compete level.
As for Couturier and Larsson, it was a PRE-tournament game. I'm not so sure you can really take too much out of their performances from this one. When the tourney really starts... then let's see how they do. You have to remember that Couturier is the only draft eligible player on Canada, but looks like he's going to get a good deal of ice time. Larsson is also draft eligible and should play a major role for Sweden.
I will say this though, Landeskog really impressed me. He was flying on the ice and you could tell he was trying to make an impact every shift. Very nice to see that.
Anyway, let's try to enjoy the WJC and not jump the gun on critiques on these prospects based on one PRE-tournament game.
It deeply saddens me though that the whole 2011 draft talk is already in full swing.
de Haan: smart, smart, smart...had a gaff at the offensive blueline and won a foot race that saw Calvin steal the puck off Lindberg's stick about fifteen feet from the Canadian net, showing his smarts (he wasn't hacking away- he was skating and sneaking up on Lindberg) and doing what he does really well: getting the puck up to his forwards, and getting the puck on net. He doesn't have a hard shot, but should be okay on the PP, as his vision and puck placement is excellent. Willing to block shots too- think Andrew MacDonald +
Cizikas: one word- buzzsaw. This kid shows determination and huge character. Say what you want about the Islanders, but this was an excellent draft choice. He is not overly huge, but is solidly built and finishes his checks. Pierre compared him to Pat Verbeek tonight, though it wasn't about projected NHL numbers- though the comparison is still a flattering one. It also tells you what Pierre thinks about Casey's potential, IMO. This kid will be an NHLer, a penalty killing pest and fixture on the Islanders third/fourth line...see him in the AHL next year...
Courturier: not the answer IMO. Big, but slow. Disappeared under the heavy Swedish bodywork. Against the softer Swiss, you saw more...and that's telling. Got knocked down, but then again so did a lot of players tonight! Swedes played rough and tough, but it's not like Couturier's size neutralized things- and NHL players will be bigger and meaner.
Larsson: quite a few giveaways...wasn't impressed, and so if his truly is playing injured, and this is the reason for his sub-par season so far, he really needs to elevate his game at this tournament- Bob Mac not surprised that Larsson has dropped from the number one spot- so we wait. His accomplishments to date cannot be ignored however.
IMO, if the Islanders have the number one pick, this might be the year to trade it. Landeskog, Hopkins...if it meant moving down a spot or two, getting one of these players- plus a top-six forward playing in the NHL right now, they should do it.
The "generational" tag put on Larsson is showing it's wear...Couturier is not a very impressive first overall if Larsson has indeed fallen...I would tend to go with Landeskog or RNH if it meant adding another NHL body...and not additional picks, I should add.
Some have suggested the Islanders need elite talents at this point of the rebuild, and I agree. IMO, Larsson and Couturier are not in the same class as Hall, Tavares, etc.
A trade down for a top-six NHLer and still bring us a top five pick just might be the way to go...
I've read several different scouting reports.I only posted a couple,but one that stands out was the one where a scout was quoted saying, he would put Larrson ahead of Hall.
I really do hope Larsson is as good as so many say he is. Tonight it was clear why he has dropped- bad decisions with the puck.
I hope it's his nagging injuries (shoulder issues?) this season, because the Isles sure could use a number one defenseman to compliment de Haan and Hamonic.
The draft talk is pretty sad here, especially after the hot start- but with all the injuries, the season was lost anyways (this is the sentence some will want to put in bold and point out that Snow/Wang didn't bring enough FA's in...the offers were made, and really, that's all you can do...any additional vet that was brought in couldn't possibly have mitigated the damage done when Okposo and Streit went down...sorry to say...anyways), and so a lottery pick is better than the 9-12 slot.
In the new NHL, the rebuilds do just that- they build and build and build until POP, you have a playoff team. This team adds another piece next summer, the kids mature, and a few more faces are brought in, and, well...presto, there you have it, playoff team
Just one game, wasn't overtly impressed by Cout./Larsson. Cout. looked slow and weak on the puck, didn't create much, wasn't dangerous, a few crisp passes. Again, one game, but didn't get the feeling I got with JT, watching him 2 years ago.
Too bad RNH wasn't selected, as he's the player I'm most interested in based on scouting reports (assuming those reports are accurate).
I like CDH's wrister, it's low, hard, and his placement is always deflectable. Does a lot of those little things in both zones.
As mentioned, like Cizikas' tenacity and anticipation on the forecheck; I see offensive upside and hope he's not relegated as merely a bottom-6 plumber.
Looking forward to drawing a better assessment after 3 weeks.
I really do hope Larsson is as good as so many say he is. Tonight it was clear why he has dropped- bad decisions with the puck.
I hope it's his nagging injuries (shoulder issues?) this season, because the Isles sure could use a number one defenseman to compliment de Haan and Hamonic.
The draft talk is pretty sad here, especially after the hot start- but with all the injuries, the season was lost anyways (this is the sentence some will want to put in bold and point out that Snow/Wang didn't bring enough FA's in...the offers were made, and really, that's all you can do...any additional vet that was brought in couldn't possibly have mitigated the damage done when Okposo and Streit went down...sorry to say...anyways), and so a lottery pick is better than the 9-12 slot.
In the new NHL, the rebuilds do just that- they build and build and build until POP, you have a playoff team. This team adds another piece next summer, the kids mature, and a few more faces are brought in, and, well...presto, there you have it, playoff team
The isles surprising start kind of fooled me,had me thinking that even with their injuries,they'd be competitive
hopefully the Islanders have a scout at these games. you never know with this club. they may not have wanted to pay for the scouts ticket & airfare.
Wang is spending big dollars on internet service. IM has scouting threads and links to Redline Report. Lt's not go bashing the Committee for lack of due diligence.
And seriously, let's take a bigger sampling of Larsson & Co. before we trade either for the picks Snow will target.
BTW the TSN website has the 2 pre-competition games on demand.
Also Nino looked pretty bad. I barely noticed him.
Nino certailny didn't play in the game Canada vs. Sweden as he is Swiss.
Actually, in THAT game I did notice him as he had the most dangerous scoring opportunity for the Swiss, but the hold team was invisble against Canada, that's true.
Wang is spending big dollars on internet service. IM has scouting threads and links to Redline Report. Lt's not go bashing the Committee for lack of due diligence.
And seriously, let's take a bigger sampling of Larsson & Co. before we trade either for the picks Snow will target.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO That was my joke a few months ago when we found out about Jankowski. I said "not to worry, Charles just got high speed internet, so he can watch all the youtube videos in HD."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO That was my joke a few months ago when we found out about Jankowski. I said "not to worry, Charles just got high speed internet, so he can watch all the youtube videos in HD."
Yes, but now it has a life of its own, unlike our defense.
Nino certailny didn't play in the game Canada vs. Sweden as he is Swiss.
Actually, in THAT game I did notice him as he had the most dangerous scoring opportunity for the Swiss, but the hold team was invisble against Canada, that's true.
You know what I meant. The title says "Isles at the WJC".
