[QUOTE=htsportplaya;46931647]It's tough for some people to get super excited over a defensive prospect who doesn't really have any part of his game that stands out.
Yea, he has great wheels, but he doesn't have JGL's offensive prowess or McNabb's physical presence.
That said, it's a pretty good bet that he becomes Good Sekera 2.0, a defensive defenseman whose game is built around speed and positioning.[/QUOTE]
This.
Although I expect a quicker transition and less negative discussion over the years.
For Nathan Lieuwen, the 20-year-old Ice goaltender, graduation likely means a trip up into the AHL with the Rochester Americans, as the Buffalo Sabres drafted him in the sixth round last year.
"That is part of it," confirmed Lieuwen, in an interview last Friday. "We'll see what happens here in the next few months, but I'm excited to see what happens and excited to see how things pan out."
As for leaving Cranbrook and the Ice, Lieuwen said he'll always remember the winning the WHL championship in 2011, but adds that the friendships he's built are what he'll miss the most.
"I mean, the whole organization, from Jeff [Chynoweth] to the coaches, to all the teammates that I've played with over the years, this is a classy organization and I'm very lucky to have played here," Lieuwen said.
"I grew up a lot as a person; I spent five years here and that's a big chunk of my life and I'm very grateful to the city of Cranbrook for taking me in and for all that they've done.
"Walking away from this, I'm definitely a lot more mature and grown up and I'm excited to see where things go."
Over his five years with the club, Lieuwen has built up a record of 85 wins, which is a franchise record, beating out Taylor Dakers, the previous record holder, who accumulated 82.
"It's a great accomplishment, not just for myself, but also for the whole team," Lieuwen said. "For the years that I was here, we were a very winning team. We made the playoffs every year and obviously, last year was our big playoff run so I'm very happy to be a part of that record."
Goalie Connor Knapp of York (University of Miami-Ohio) will again be David Leggio’s backup tonight, as he was for both games in Abbotsford. He signed a tryout contract Tuesday.
Drew MacIntyre is tending to duties as a father and will rejoin the Amerks for Tuesday’s home game against Grand Rapids, Rolston said. MacIntyre’s wife, Karen, had the couple’s second child before the team went on the road trip.
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Center Dan Catenacci has not played yet. He joined the Amerks after signing his contract with the Sabres but he isn’t healthy. He was struck in the ankle by a shot in his season finale with Owen Sound of the OHL.
For most of his Western Hockey League career with the Chilliwack Bruins/Victoria Royals franchise, the 2010 Buffalo Sabres third-round pick was able to fly under the radar somewhat, while putting up impressive offensive numbers.
But when you’re the biggest name to move at this year’s trade deadline — the pressure gets magnified.
Especially when you’re expected to take some of the offensive pressure off of Mark Stone, who finished second in WHL scoring with 123 points in 66 games and starred for Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior.
His time with the Brandon Wheat Kings has been a roller-coaster ride after being acqured Jan. 9 for defenceman Jordan Fransoo, forward Dakota Conroy and a 2012 first-round bantam pick.
After averaging over a point a game the past two years, Sundher registered just 11 points in 18 games with the Wheat Kings and he missed 13 of the final 14 regular-season games, battling concussion symptoms.
In the Wheat Kings five-game series victory over the Calgary Hitmen in round one, Sundher posted just three points, as Brandon did a good job spreading the offence around.
“I came here with a pretty hefty price tag, and there’s a lot of expectations,” said Sundher.
“I haven’t produced the way I’ve wanted to ... it’s been up and down and a real battle for me, but I feel like I’m starting to get back to form.”
In the Edmonton Oil Kings 2-1 win over Brandon in Game 1, Sundher provided a perfect screen on Brandon’s only goal.
Wheat Kings GM Kelly McCrimmon believes the 20-year-old is turning the corner.
“It’s all about the playoffs now ... about the next game and he really started to see his confidence grow in that series against Calgary,” said McCrimmon.
“He was the most excited guy in the dressing room last week when we beat Calgary. It was the first time he had the opportunity to advance to the second round. Kevin’s in a positive frame of mind, and it’s showing on the ice.”
Just got a chance to watch the replay of the D-I game, and Taylor Nelson impressed me. I couldn't find out if he's got any interest, but is there any chance (extreme longshot withstanding) that the organization could look at him, maybe via invite for the Development camp in July?
Foligno number switch is indeed a strong possibility:
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Rob Sanderson @DropThePuckWHTK
#Sabres Foligno says he may switch to jersey #17 (though Whitmore said he'd offer up #71). Hear more from Marcus: dropthepuckradio.com
Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any idea if Armia still looks like he'll be a good bet to push for a roster spot once he leaves Finland in a year?
Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any idea if Armia still looks like he'll be a good bet to push for a roster spot once he leaves Finland in a year?
Give him at least 3 months in the A first. I'm thinking he's on the Ruff/Regier plan, ie, at least 2 more seasons.
In Sundher's case, I've just never been as high on him as others have been on this board (if my memory serves me right, he was ranked our fourth-best prospect in Zip's polls earlier this year). He's a fast skater, but other than that I've never been wowed by his game (most of my analysis spawns from seeing him in six-to-seven prospect camps and five games or so online - barely elaborate enough for my opinion to be taken too seriously ).
I just don't think his NHL future is as bright as many believe.
Jacobs, in my opinion, will barely, if at all, crack an NHL roster. He may not even end up signing with Buffalo. It's possible that he could become a bottom-six player, I just don't see it. There are some Gaustad-esque qualities to his game and the way he approaches it, however, so I suppose he could eventually land a role.
Nobody here is particularly high on him; I shouldn't have lumped him in with Sundher in my initial claim.
In Sundher's case, I've just never been as high on him as others have been on this board (if my memory serves me right, he was ranked our fourth-best prospect in Zip's polls earlier this year). He's a fast skater, but other than that I've never been wowed by his game (most of my analysis spawns from seeing him in six-to-seven prospect camps and five games or so online - barely elaborate enough for my opinion to be taken too seriously ).
I just don't think his NHL future is as bright as many believe.
Jacobs, in my opinion, will barely, if at all, crack an NHL roster. He may not even end up signing with Buffalo. It's possible that he could become a bottom-six player, I just don't see it. There are some Gaustad-esque qualities to his game and the way he approaches it, however, so I suppose he could eventually land a role.
Nobody here is particularly high on him; I shouldn't have lumped him in with Sundher in my initial claim.
Jacobs isn't even playing center -- third line LW now, not a position of importance.
Sundher has gotten far too much pimping from some. He was voted way too high on that pool IMO.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle
I actually liked Jacobs quite a bit last year, but then he regressed terribly this season.
He's just not becoming the go-to player people expected and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he didn't get a contract.
Jacobs isn't even playing center -- third line LW now, not a position of importance.
Sundher has gotten far too much pimping from some. He was voted way too high on that pool IMO.
Yeah. I think he was taken that high because the polls came a month or so after he signed. People view him as closer to NHL-ready than others and are jumping the gun in determining the type of player he'll be.
Yeah. I think he was taken that high because the polls came a month or so after he signed. People view him as closer to NHL-ready than others and are jumping the gun in determining the type of player he'll be.
Sometimes it is easy to get starry-eyed about point totals too.
Didn't Colin Jacobs get hurt at the Development Camp and carry that injury into the season? I know that he looked like he could turn into a halfway-decent prospect if he built on his draft year, but yet I can't recall the last T-Bird to become a regular NHLer? Is it Brooks Laich and that's what, almost ten years ago? There's an awful track record of developing players out there in Seattle (IIRC).
Didn't Colin Jacobs get hurt at the Development Camp and carry that injury into the season? I know that he looked like he could turn into a halfway-decent prospect if he built on his draft year, but yet I can't recall the last T-Bird to become a regular NHLer? Is it Brooks Laich and that's what, almost ten years ago? There's an awful track record of developing players out there in Seattle (IIRC).
Nate Thompson maybe? I mean he's nothing to write home about, but he has played a couple full NHL seasons now.
Didn't Colin Jacobs get hurt at the Development Camp and carry that injury into the season? I know that he looked like he could turn into a halfway-decent prospect if he built on his draft year, but yet I can't recall the last T-Bird to become a regular NHLer? Is it Brooks Laich and that's what, almost ten years ago? There's an awful track record of developing players out there in Seattle (IIRC).
He was hurt before Dev Camp and didn't hit the ice up there from what I recall. Perhaps they should Catennaci him the hell out of there?
Great point, some junior organizations have a bad track record in developing players and its no secret who they are. Maybe it's time for Jacobs to move to a better developmental situation just like Cat did leaving the Soo which proved to be a great move.
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