Hey, since I live out East, are there any draft eligible "tough guys" or "agitators" type players in the Dubya?
I really think the Oilers need to draft that type of player with a big mouth, and some swagger. Preferablly a 4th line winger and make Stortini look like an angel.
That one swiss guy Barteschi(sp?) is suppose to have an edge, but he's a first rounder.
There is always agitator's around, but drafting a 4th liner seems kinda pointless. How often do we see 1st line players turn out to be 4th liners? So where does that leave a 4th liner that doesn't fully develop?
That one swiss guy Barteschi(sp?) is suppose to have an edge, but he's a first rounder.
There is always agitator's around, but drafting a 4th liner seems kinda pointless. How often do we see 1st line players turn out to be 4th liners? So where does that leave a 4th liner that doesn't fully develop?
Absolutely. Draft guys with an upside of being a potential power forward that have an edge to there game and if they dont develop you turn them into gritty agitators. It's pretty much a waste of a draft pick taking a guy because he can agitate and or is a fighter.
AFAIRC some of the better toughguys and agitators develop that role more once they are in pro hockey.
However someone who enjoys getting under someones skin and can also be physical can be detected in the Jr's but are you really getting the best potential with that or the guy that decided earlier he wasn't really that much of a hockey player and needed to do more earlier to stick in the game.
I'd rather have the guy that could play the game well and is prepared to adapt and learn an agitator role later when he's in the pro's. A guy that is already exhibitng this in Jr. hockey is an anchor like Stortini.
Trade or sign them once they've already proven themselves in the NHL. I've been begging for a Cooke/Carcillo/Avery on this team for years. And they've been available.
Czerwonka was drafted last year and fits that role
Abney is all kinds of tough and is good skater
Bigios is a really tough defenseman
Bendfield is slowly coming along but is a long shot
Some guys from the WHL in this years draft
Kale Kessy Medicine Hat - Really tough and big winger who can play. Slots in on any of the top lines easily for the Tigers or can play a real grinding role on the 3rd line. Legit heavy in the WHL
Colin Jacobs Seattle - Tough hard nosed center. Will go in the 2nd round. Has some skill as well and not afraid to hit or fight
Jacob Doty Seattle - Big and mean. Loves to hit and fight. Limited upside but I think someone will like what he has done this year to nab him late.
Mitch Elliot Seattle - A huge kid at 6'5 already. Bit of an enigma. Sort of a sleeping giant that you don't want to awake. I think I am a bit disappointed with his season so far. But you can't teach size.
Jessy Astles Kelowna - Turning some heads lately. Really tough kid who can skate and hit. Not alot of offense so far but I think it will come.
Jesse Forsberg Prince George - Was thought of a sure fire 1st rounder but his stock has dropped. Still is a big time hitter with great skating ability. Will fight anyone anytime.
Darren Kramer Spokane - Fighting major leader in the WHL. Spokane needed a tough guy and they found him and he has answered the bell. Decent playing abilities. You can't help notice him when he plays
Tyler Yaworski Prince Albert - Big Mean old school D man. Passed over last year but has really picked up his play this year. Legit tough.
Joel Edmundson Moose Jaw - "Little McIlrath" isn't as scary as McIlrath but is another old school D man who plays it tough.
Travis Ewanyk Edmonton - Really stepped up his physical play this year. I like his style and determination could get a look late.
Peter Kosterman Calgary - Big Pete has stepped up his physical game this year. Not sure if the rest of his game has gone up yet or not. Project D man who is huge and tough not bad for a late flyer I am thinking
Trade or sign them once they've already proven themselves in the NHL. I've been begging for a Cooke/Carcillo/Avery on this team for years. And they've been available.
Yeah this is an even better point. So many times fans and teams turn their noses at players like this but then occasionally realize the value. Slats never underestimated the value of players like this. Because he was familiar with that game. Clarke another one. Not a lot of GM's have a real on ice perspective of the game.
instead of just looking for an agitator its better to find a good hockey player thats also an a-hole. Avery, burrows, cooke are all good hockey players who also happen to be a-holes with big mouths. one of the most undervalued traits of an agitator is to turn off the mouth and just play hockey, the other teams gets extra rattled when you goad them for 2 period then come out in the 3rd and score a goal.
Trade or sign them once they've already proven themselves in the NHL. I've been begging for a Cooke/Carcillo/Avery on this team for years. And they've been available.
While I agree a better tactic is to sign or trade for these types of guys, Avery and Cooke I hate and want no part of. Carcillo (and Downie) would be almost untouchable(given their spots on playoff teams).
The guy I want is Stefan Della Rovere. No idea what the Blues would want for him though.
This was my thinking as well. But read my answer to the next point and you'll see where I stand on him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arpeggio
Trade or sign them once they've already proven themselves in the NHL. I've been begging for a Cooke/Carcillo/Avery on this team for years. And they've been available.
The best part about a good agitator is being able to play him against good hockey players. You need a player who is decent defensively and can skate with the good players. Stortini is a fine forth liner but he can't play against other teams second lines because he'll be exposed for his lack of foot speed and general coordination. Thats why Avery/Cooke/Tucker types are good in those roles, as you could imagine a guy like Jacques would be ideal if he could learn how to play in the NHL.
I like Abney and he may be able to take Stortini's spot but the direction of his career will depend on his ability to play against higher end talent, play baby-sitter for the kids or something like that.
I like that kid even better now. Anyone thinks he reminds you of Messier??
You can do that with a few of these top 2-3 players. I haven't seen Larsson fight but SC probably has more scraps then Landeskog. I do like them both though.
I too think the best option to go out and grab an Upshall, Tootoo, Carcillo type. Clutterbuck, Downie or Burrows would be godsends. This team needs that type of player that will make other teams not like playing us. I really think the only thing players dread about coming to Edmonton to play the Oilers is the fact that they have to come to Edmonton.
You can do that with a few of these top 2-3 players. I haven't seen Larsson fight but SC probably has more scraps then Landeskog. I do like them both though.
You don't have to draft agitators. Having said that once Omark gets a bit better at English he can be a guy. He's done things in other leagues no one would ever do.
You can do that with a few of these top 2-3 players. I haven't seen Larsson fight but SC probably has more scraps then Landeskog. I do like them both though.
Zack Kassian last draft, but we didn't have a midround pick. I like the Carcillo option. Hopefully he isn't one of the 20% that doesn't want to play in Edmonton.
