Remember back when McIlrath was picked... the majority thought he went higher in the draft than he should have. It reminded me of an auction... you had several buyers fixated on an item (McIlrath) and they drove the price (draft position) up beyond expectations.
Now when it's time to actually evaluate the players in a "calmer" environment... more realistic appraisals can be made of those prospects. McIlrath may still turn out to be a top defenseman but his size and toughness certainly were the main factors in him being chosen where he was... without as much emphasis on his overall defensive abilities.
The Oil should take a look at his D partner in Medicine Hat, Sena Acolatse. I seen the tigers play earlier this year and he really stood out. He scored and fought a much bigger guy. He is undrafted and is from Edmonton.
Marincin will be up with the big club sooner than people think, they should put him in the AHL next season and then bring him up after the Barons win the Calder cup next season.
This list confirms for me, that one of the best scouting departments in the NHL over the last several years belongs to Colorado. They consistiently find quality players that can filll out top rolls on their team.
This list confirms for me, that one of the best scouting departments in the NHL over the last several years belongs to Colorado. They consistiently find quality players that can filll out top rolls on their team.
in 2009, they got Duchene, O'Reilly, Stefan Elliott and Tyson Barrie. not bad, huh?
in 2007, they got Kevin Shattenkirk and T. J. Galiardi...again not bad!
in 2006, they got Chris Stewart
in 2005, they got Paul Stastny....
i thought they drafted very well again in 2010...time will tell, but they've managed to get some very good players from the draft the last 5 years. i hope the Oilers can have similar success.
Marc Andre Bergeron and Patrick Thoresen were the two most recent to see continual NHL action.
Bryan Lerg was signed out of college a few years back, but he was playing in the AHL last time I checked.
There's always 1-2 that we sign in the off-season, but none that really pan out into anything significant NHL-wise.
You know I was thinking about this very thing yesterday and not to go to far off topic, but with all these signings the last few years in the NHL, how many turn out?
I don't think this would be the case because it's tough to give Slats the benefit of the doubt these days...but it is possible that he tried to trade back a few spots and everyone was comfortable with where they picked with Fowler, Gormley and Campbell all still there. In that case you have to pick your guy. They have solid goaltending and they have ZERO toughness on there blueline. Sometimes you have to reach a little bit, but if Slats was smart he would have went BPA and worried about making a trade at another time.
I agree somewhat but you look at what Mcilrath brings to the table compared to the others. McIlrath has a rare combo of toughness and skill, and his toughness isnt average toughness its the ability to be one of the top fighters in the league. Sure skill level he may only be a 3-4 pairing but he is an impact player. He is Adam Foote with better fighting skills than Matt Carkner. Honestly he is perfect fit for the NYR and a guy i would have loved to have on the oilers.
I am a firm believer in BPA as well but to me you look at his rare combination and I could make the case that he was BPA over the other guys. Fowler is the exception but I dont think anyyone saw him being this good this fast with supposed huge concerns about his physical play.
McIlrath isnt a guy thats going to rank high on a list like this that obviously isnt projecting them for futures and is more concentrated on current play. I think when the dust settles on the career I think McIlrath will have a career ahead of most on that list.
The Oil should take a look at his D partner in Medicine Hat, Sena Acolatse. I seen the tigers play earlier this year and he really stood out. He scored and fought a much bigger guy. He is undrafted and is from Edmonton.
umm, i think you mean PG, dont you? They both play for the Cougars, and i've also been impressed with Acolatse this year too.
