In 53 games, Josh Shalla has 40 goals + 36 assists for 76 points. Almost 1.5 pts/game. Gotta love that from a 4th rounder
Poile is just pure money in the 4th round... and if Lombardi finishes the season without missing more than one game, we will get another 4th from Toronto
Word comes this morning from Eurosport that Nashville Predators prospect Mattias Ekholm, a 4th-round draft pick by Nashville in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, has won the Borje Salming Award as the top defenseman in the Swedish Elite League.
Quote:
Ekholm, whose play back in October with the Predators was described as "horrible, absolutely horrible" by Barry Trotz, has rebounded with another strong campaign in Sweden, even though his assist totals took a dip. The story we're going to watch, of course, is whether his defensive game has solidified enough to make a better impression on Trotz this fall.
His team the Saginaw Spirit is currently in the first round of the playoffs tied 2-2 (best of 7) with the Sarnia Sting (the team that has the potential 1st round pick this year, Nail Yakupov).
Tonight he potted 2 goals, one of which was the OT winner in a back and forth game.
In 4 playoff games this year he's tallied 3 goals, 4 assists while maintaining a +3.
Preds sign 2010 draft pick Anthony Bitetto to an ELC.
A little surprised they only kept him at Northeastern for two years.
I'm very surprised, normally they let those guys finish their degrees. I suspect it's either A.) he's very close to being NHL-ready, or B.) there's an off-ice issue (read: academics) that would keep him from playing any further at Northeastern. I guess there's no real way of knowing for sure.
I'm very surprised, normally they let those guys finish their degrees. I suspect it's either A.) he's very close to being NHL-ready, or B.) there's an off-ice issue (read: academics) that would keep him from playing any further at Northeastern. I guess there's no real way of knowing for sure.
Having watched a ton of Northeastern this season, I can definitely say that option "A" isn't it. As good as Bitetto was with the Huskies this season, IMO, he just isn't NHL-ready yet - not even close.
Another option could also be playing for first year head coach Jim Madigan. When Greg Cronin left NU (he's Madigan's predecessor whose now with the Maple Leafs), some players were "uncomfortable" (for a lack of a better term) with the coaching change, especially the ones who really loved playing for Cronin. Mind you, this may or may not have been the case with Bitetto, but it might/could have been.
When are we going to see budish in Nashville/Milwaukee?
I think he returns for another year of college hockey next season before considering turning pro. He has had a good NCAA tournament thus far, but his regular season was a bit inconsistent and there's still room to grow.
I think he returns for another year of college hockey next season before considering turning pro. He has had a good NCAA tournament thus far, but his regular season was a bit inconsistent and there's still room to grow.
Thank you slake! Any chance he is our next Scott hartnell?
