I think it's obvious who my choice is, Jake brings a two-way dynamic that we haven't really seen in Columbus. His playmaking ability and nose for the net will be a much-needed boost to the lineup when his time comes to join the club full time.
My favourite prospect is Voracek too ...
I like this table - he is 13th in scoring with only 25GP this season
I hope CBJ will draft his twin from HC Kladno and Hallifax Tomas Knotek ...
I want Voracek to the czech team on ice hockey WCH in May ... but I know there is no chance - he is too young and there is no need to ruin him
Not too long ago I said the same thing about Knotek. Chances are Tomas will go on the 3rd or 4th round, maybe 2nd, and I'd like the Jackets to take him, if nothing more than to have the potential for line chemistry down the road. The two are absolutely money together.
There are some things about Brass that irk me, mostly since he got back from the injury. I want to see how things go, maybe he was having trouble getting back up to game speed. Since I'll get asked - too many penalties (all hookings), very little defense except for an admittedly very good poke check, and just a general aloofness. In case people haven't figured me out yet, I like players who play smart and hard. Right now, with all the talent in the world, he does neither.
And I haven't seen Jake yet other than a very little in the WJCs. I don't like to get excited about players until I see them.
Methot would be my second choice. Love the way he plays, and hard hitting defensemen are generally my favorite players. But they also aren't flashy.
Pineault has made a good jump this year. He'll overtake last years scoring totals with 2 more goals, he's already reached last years assist totals. He's incredible on the PK. I think he's still a year away, but as I've said before, I think he's an upgrade over someone like a Chimera. Fast, good defensively, good on the PK, but a better scorer.
There are some things about Brass that irk me, mostly since he got back from the injury. I want to see how things go, maybe he was having trouble getting back up to game speed. Since I'll get asked - too many penalties (all hookings), very little defense except for an admittedly very good poke check, and just a general aloofness. In case people haven't figured me out yet, I like players who play smart and hard. Right now, with all the talent in the world, he does neither.
And I haven't seen Jake yet other than a very little in the WJCs. I don't like to get excited about players until I see them.
Methot would be my second choice. Love the way he plays, and hard hitting defensemen are generally my favorite players. But they also aren't flashy.
Pineault has made a good jump this year. He'll overtake last years scoring totals with 2 more goals, he's already reached last years assist totals. He's incredible on the PK. I think he's still a year away, but as I've said before, I think he's an upgrade over someone like a Chimera. Fast, good defensively, good on the PK, but a better scorer.
I think the things you mention about Brass are exactly why he is down in Syracuse right now. I've watched him in the Q and I will admit, if they had a lead, Brass wasn't often back checking. To his credit though, he is a hard worker, and if the CBJ brass tell him to start playing better in the defensive zone, he'll do it.
Great assessment of Pineault. I have always thought (since watching him in Moncton) that he would be a great bottom six PKer. At this point, I'll take Adam's reliability and scoring over Chimmer's speed and sense of humour.
Where do I sign up for the Knotek bandwagon? I want to draft that guy as well... if he falls to us in the 3rd round that would be money.
Right now I'm liking all these prospects because they each have something great to bring to the table. Mason and Voracek are looking strong right now. Still not a fan of Picard. He's rubbish and I have no idea why we ever drafted a guy who skates like a hunchback.
In this poll I went with Stefan Legein. I just like the guy. I like the way he approaches the game and his attitude is great. When he makes the team he'll be a Hitchcock favorite and glue guy in the locker room. He's a hard worker with nothing but upside and played great in the WJC. You can tell he's the type of player that has skill but will do whatever it takes to make sure he's respected by the rest of his team. That wins games period.
In this poll I went with Stefan Legein. I just like the guy. I like the way he approaches the game and his attitude is great. When he makes the team he'll be a Hitchcock favorite and glue guy in the locker room. He's a hard worker with nothing but upside and played great in the WJC. You can tell he's the type of player that has skill but will do whatever it takes to make sure he's respected by the rest of his team. That wins games period.
Where do I sign up for the Knotek bandwagon? I want to draft that guy as well... if he falls to us in the 3rd round that would be money.
Right now I'm liking all these prospects because they each have something great to bring to the table. Mason and Voracek are looking strong right now. Still not a fan of Picard. He's rubbish and I have no idea why we ever drafted a guy who skates like a hunchback.
In this poll I went with Stefan Legein. I just like the guy. I like the way he approaches the game and his attitude is great. When he makes the team he'll be a Hitchcock favorite and glue guy in the locker room. He's a hard worker with nothing but upside and played great in the WJC. You can tell he's the type of player that has skill but will do whatever it takes to make sure he's respected by the rest of his team. That wins games period.
Hard not to go with Voracek for me. High-end offensive talent would get my attention even if it weren't so desperately needed on the big club.
However, I can't vote, because, for various reasons, I'm high on Mason, Legein and Methot as well. Methot, in particular, I think has a chance to be a half-level or level above the kind of player many project him to be, the kind of player we all hoped Klesla would be.
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"Every game, every point is a necessity." -- Ty Conklin, January 2007
"I'll have a chance to compete for the post of first issue. This is the most important thing." -- Sergei Bobrovsky, June 2012
Very interesting spread so far. These guys, which comprise the next generation of Blue Jackets, seem like a well-balanced group that all have fan-friendly attributes.
A hell of a lot of character in there, not to mention skill. I'm glad that Lindstrom got a vote, because I think if he can maintain this level of play, he's here for good. We need his creativity.
I think it's obvious who my choice is, Jake brings a two-way dynamic that we haven't really seen in Columbus. His playmaking ability and nose for the net will be a much-needed boost to the lineup when his time comes to join the club full time.
I wish I could see him play, but its hard after the WJC to not like Mason. I haven't seen but a handul of games from any of these guys. Training camp was fun, but there is no substitute for game time.
Very interesting spread so far. These guys, which comprise the next generation of Blue Jackets, seem like a well-balanced group that all have fan-friendly attributes.
A hell of a lot of character in there, not to mention skill. I'm glad that Lindstrom got a vote, because I think if he can maintain this level of play, he's here for good. We need his creativity.
who was it on this boad that used to say, "We need more Swedes." ? Lindstrom-Fedorov is the most threatening tandem we've put on the ice the over the last 5 games. I thought Vyborny-Murray looked good in the first period last night, and Zherdev Novotny certainly had some magic back in Decemeber.
Voted for Lindström, largely because he's one of the few we've actually seen in NHL action. This guy should be Vyborny's replacement.
For this season, I agree. He seems hungrier than Vybes. Which makes sense because he is trying to bust into the league, but he seems more willing to do what Hitch preaches.
Do you guys think that having Lindstrom (we still need to think of a nickname for him) and Z on a line together would lead to too much dangling, or do you think it would work with Z as the playmaker, and Lindstrom as the trigger man? Novo would cover their butts physically and defensively?
I remember Hitch saying earlier this season that Z's best attribute was playmaking ability. His stickhandling magic a close second.
If those three could form a second line, and either Nasher or Modin would move to right wing, maybe that's 5/6 of our top two lines for next season.
That would leave my chubb line of Chimera-Brassard-Voracek to play the third, and Fritsche, Manny and Boller to check.
The only question mark would be the famous number one centre between the twin towers.
Legein. I'm excited by the skill that Voracek and Brassard are bringing to us, but something about Legein just makes me smile when I see him on the ice. I think he's got a lot of potential.
I hadn't really thought of him, but if Hitch liked him in Philly there is a good chance he could be an option. I've heard that Holmgren might have a hard time re-signing him and Umberger, so maybe we could get him if the Flyers don't tender him an offer.
He would look great between Nash and Modin. Wow what a line that would be.
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