Just from reading the recaps seems like Figren is picking it up? Anyone seen the games?
Any chance Reich gets a call-up to play over Gillies?
figren has picked it up since the first of the year and seems to be growing in confidence..i dunno about reich he has been on a tear the last couple of weeks so anything is possible,,,the sound tigers are playing some pretty good hockey right now scrapping out some wins
Notes:
- After having been at about a PPG pace for most of the season, Cizikas only had 2 points in his last 6 games, but his PM totals increased by 13.
- David Toews had two assists last week, ending his 17 game pointless streak. Teammate Jason Gregoire had 4-4-8 in 4 games, also seeing his +/- jump from +2 to +9.
- Jyri Niemi continues to be out due to injury.
- Despite having missed 18 games, Jared Spurgeon ended the season as his team's top-scoring defenseman, despite being on a team with highly-rated Dmen Jared Cowen and Stefan Ulmer.
Last edited by Chapin Landvogt: 03-15-2010 at 09:05 AM.
figren has picked it up since the first of the year and seems to be growing in confidence..i dunno about reich he has been on a tear the last couple of weeks so anything is possible,,,the sound tigers are playing some pretty good hockey right now scrapping out some wins
I actually think Figren is playing the same, but now that hes not stuck on the 4th line he's starting to get some results. Probably not gonna suprise anyone to know when he's out there w/ trevor gillies and pascal morency he doesnt get any points.
I actually think Figren is playing the same, but now that hes not stuck on the 4th line he's starting to get some results. Probably not gonna suprise anyone to know when he's out there w/ trevor gillies and pascal morency he doesnt get any points.
Respectfully disagree with this. At the beginning of the season he has given every opportunity to showcase his style of play on the first 2 lines, and he was brutal. It looked like he was playing hockey with stone hands, pass cradleing ability of a 3 year old and passing ability of a blind quarterback. He was demoted and being scratched and did nothing for a couple months to gain any respect or minutes what so ever but what it did do was allow him to play on the 4th line, playing the body a little and not worry about getting beat up playing with very tough linemates. In a scrum he was semi safe and that showed a little in his play.
Since about mid Jan. he started to embrace the role of grinder with speed and offensive upside. Slowly working his way off the 4th line to 3rd line minutes. He has since been using his body and speed to create some scoring opportunities.
I still think this season is a semi wash but next season will tell you a lot of what you need to know about him. Figren has the speed and tools but does he have the hockey sense and heart to put it all together.
Looks like UND won their last 4 with Gregoire's help...
Gregoire is already one of the best players in the WCHA. Why is everyone so sure he's staying there? If he goes back, he'll be absolutely expected to dominate.
I think they only way he gets a shot is if he signs a AHL/ECHL deal with Bport/Utah. He is very solid a the junior level but tiny and not many teeny tiny dmen get NHL contracts. I am sure he will have to prove himself at the minor league level before any team offers him a contract.
I also think that if he wants to really play hockey professionally he may have to move to forward.
I think they only way he gets a shot is if he signs a AHL/ECHL deal with Bport/Utah. He is very solid a the junior level but tiny and not many teeny tiny dmen get NHL contracts. I am sure he will have to prove himself at the minor league level before any team offers him a contract.
I also think that if he wants to really play hockey professionally he may have to move to forward.
I could be wrong but this is my opinion.
But if he signs an AHL/ECHL deal that would be his entry level contract right? As in he would still be technically in the "system." Or would that then be out of the Islanders domain.
But if he signs an AHL/ECHL deal that would be his entry level contract right? As in he would still be technically in the "system." Or would that then be out of the Islanders domain.
Looks like UND won their last 4 with Gregoire's help...
Gregoire is already one of the best players in the WCHA. Why is everyone so sure he's staying there? If he goes back, he'll be absolutely expected to dominate.
Cheers,
Dan-o
Because Jason said so. lol. I have heard him say that he does not think he's ready to make the jump. He's definitely highly critical of his game and if he doesn't think he's ready, he'll stay until he is.
Is he NHL ready? Probably not at this point. Not a lot of players out of UND leave early for the AHL. They leave for the NHL. Not a lot of players want to leave early for the AHL unless they really hate college because the AHL isn't going anywhere. Jason probably needs at least one more year at UND, if not 2. he needs a little more strength IMO.
Because Jason said so. lol. I have heard him say that he does not think he's ready to make the jump. He's definitely highly critical of his game and if he doesn't think he's ready, he'll stay until he is.
Because Jason said so. lol. I have heard him say that he does not think he's ready to make the jump. He's definitely highly critical of his game and if he doesn't think he's ready, he'll stay until he is.
Is he NHL ready? Probably not at this point. Not a lot of players out of UND leave early for the AHL. They leave for the NHL. Not a lot of players want to leave early for the AHL unless they really hate college because the AHL isn't going anywhere. Jason probably needs at least one more year at UND, if not 2. he needs a little more strength IMO.
As an Islander fan, I sure as heck hope he goes the same route as Rakhshani. We have enough prospects and possible prospect UFAs to sign the next couple of summers. He (and other college guys) should just take their time, learn and improve, and be all that much more prepared for pro life when they graduate. This is my "hockey" perspective as it relates to most of our college prospects.
The Islanders have a lot of decisions to make about guys the next two summers anyways.
In the highlights I've seen, Gregoire has given me the impression that he could very well be a Hagman type. I'd be mighty happy with that!
Spurgeon:
He's got me curious. I'd like to know what he can do as a pro. At the same time, just don't see that size allowing him to get anything more contractwise than what Nikiforov got.
Day:
36 points in 34 games and only a junior. Next season should be mighty interesting!
I will predict Ridderwall replaces Biron. He's still got his game moving strongly. 2.30 GAA,.916 Sv%
Ridderwall is making great strides, certainly, but him signing with the Islanders for next season doesn't really seem to be in the cards. First of all, earlier in the season when he was commenting upon the NHL option, it didn't seem like he was really in touch with the Isles. I guess (or hope?), if the Isles thought of him as an immediate option, they'd let him know well in advance. Secondly, it would probably be beneficial for Ridderwall's development to have a (SEL) season as the clear cut no. 1 goaltender - this season he played less than his teammate. Becoming the Isles back up/third wheel wouldn't help much in this regard.
It is important to notice here as well that the Isles keep his rights indefinitely/until a new transfer agreement is in place.
For those few interested, Djurgården btw surprised and did not pick Frölunda as their playoff opponent (as I suspected in another post). Instead they go up against Brynäs, pitting their SEL #2 and #3 goalies against the #1 (and Brynäs' undisputed star player) Jacob Markström. HV71 takes on Timrå, as expeced.
Rhett Rahkshani was named to the All-WCHA First Team today and of course as you know he is the WCHA scoring champ this year.
Matt Donovan was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team.
__________________ Colorado Avalanche Prospects-- News and updates on the future of the Colorado Avalanche! Colorado's Future -- Team * Manning * Landeskog * Tulowitzki
I really hope we go out there and sign a college free agent...namely Bobby Butler. I was disappointed that we didn't land Casey Wellman, so I hope we can snag Butler.
Another undrafted free agent I like is Brayden Irwin, a 6'5" senior from the University of VT.
I really hope we go out there and sign a college free agent...namely Bobby Butler. I was disappointed that we didn't land Casey Wellman, so I hope we can snag Butler.
Another undrafted free agent I like is Brayden Irwin, a 6'5" senior from the University of VT.
FYI, Woodlief has his list of top college UFAs on USA Today:
He is a bit young yet. We all know Snow isn't the biggest fan of Minnesota hockey in terms of development. I think he would love to have the kid under his control so to speak.
I certainly wouldn't hate this.
I do think he would have a hard time making the Bridgeport roster. I wonder if he is willing to go to Utah.
I'll disagree here for two reasons. First, having seen him play, he's really good. Don't go by the numbers or the program. He has the skills to make the team now.
Second, Bridgeport's likely D for next season if Witt will be bought out:
I'll disagree here for two reasons. First, having seen him play, he's really good. Don't go by the numbers or the program. He has the skills to make the team now.
Second, Bridgeport's likely D for next season if Witt will be bought out:
Although I think both Gervais and Kohn, for better or for worse, start with the big club. Ness could probably crack that.
If he skates as well as people have written then the AHL would be a great test for him at this age. The players in the AHL are very similar in size and physical play to the NHL, the pace of the game is slower though, so his skating should help him.
I really don't care about his stats or his size. Some really good defensemen can have long NHL careers simply by being able to skate the puck out of trouble and make smart passes out of the zone.
Scott Niedermayer is one the best dmen I've seen and he rarely had impressive stats. Those who have seen him play, coached him and against him, see his value and he's respected in hockey despite have less impressive stats than Mike Green. (disclaimer: not comparing Ness/Niedermayer/Green at all in terms of skill and/or upside - merely used to illustrate my point!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by CIsle
Can Ness go to the WHL for a season and remain Islander property?
he's a 1990 bday so I believe he'd be too old for junior hockey.
I'll disagree here for two reasons. First, having seen him play, he's really good. Don't go by the numbers or the program. He has the skills to make the team now.
Second, Bridgeport's likely D for next season if Witt will be bought out:
From the host city of the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four Tournament, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Thursday announced the top ten candidates for the 2010 Hobey Baker Award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: Bobby Butler, New Hampshire, Marc Cheverie, Denver, Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin, Gustav Nyquist, Maine, Mark Olver, Northern Michigan, Chase Polacek, Rensselear, Rhett Rakhshani, Denver, Cody Reichard, Miami of Ohio, Ben Scrivens, Cornell, and Brendan Smith, Wisconsin.
* Landeskog * Tulowitzki
