It's 7 am and I'm only half awake. I must have been totally asleep when I decided a crab cake on an E-Muffin was a suitable breakfast. One tea down, one more should poke my brain into a semi-alert state.
There were a few things I was kicking around yesterday, but couldn't find the inspiration to generate thoughtful, researched posts. I still can't so here are this morning's Cliff Notes.
1) Cam Fowler: The draft prospect that fell to 12th overall after being tauted as going in the top three has signed his first 3-year entry contract with the Anaheim Ducks. (or is it the Ducks of Anaheim? I always mix that up.) Fowler is already 18 years old. Nino Niederreiter will not be 18 until September 8th. I was wondering if he would get the same treatment because of his talent level. But as noted, Nino was actually one of the youngest draftees because of how his birthday falls. My hopes of seeing him on the Coliseum ice this season are dim.
2) Kirill Kabanov: I found it interesting that the highly talented Russian bad boy that fell to 65th overall, where the Islanders took a chance on him, is STILL here. Yes, Kirill has NOT returned to Mother Russia but is enjoying some time here on Long Island. Okay, that makes me wonder why. Perhaps it's harder to get in and out of Russia right now with that whole "spy" thing going on and they want to just keep him around for training camp in September. Perhaps they have high hopes for him come training camp and he's working towards his goal of getting to the NHL fairly quickly. Whatever the reason, he was right when he said he needs to gain weight. Seeing him in shorts and a tank, you can see how immature his lean muscles are. You can also see that his arms aren't the only place he has decided to "decorate."
3) The Coliseum has received high marks for food safety when compared with the other sports venues in North America. Savor: I applaud you. Especially considering that my first year at the blog box I went around the coliseum taking pictures of violations myself. Having owned a restaurant years ago, I knew what it was like to have to pass food-safety inspections. There were many in 2006. But I see all that has changed and that makes me very, VERY happy. Now -- could they just bring back the Chicken & Broccoli with Brown Rice at the Sushi stand? Please?? That was my favorite! And I miss the pizza ovens downstairs on the lower concourse. You can still get pizza, but when you watched it come right out of the pizza oven -- it was different. More -- Brooklyn-like.
4) AOL's Patch.com websites are cropping up all over the place and at first I didn't think I would like them. But I must say they are very informative and well done. Here's an article on Bobby Nystrom's son, Eric, written in the Plainview Patch.com website by Brendan Manley. Give it a read.
5) Yesterday was Zach Parise's birthday. It was also General Manager Garth Snow's and my friend @IceCreepsMike from the website IceCreeps.com. I hope they all had a great day. I also hope that the Devils can't find a way to keep Zach Parise under the salary cap because they spend so much on Ilya Kovalchuk that the Islanders can make him an offer he can't refuse and Lou can't match and that one day I will see the name Parise on the back of an Isles jersey once again....
Okay, maybe I should switch to coffee. It's obvious the Tea isn't cutting it because I'm still dreaming.
Showing posts with label Cam Fowler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cam Fowler. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Prospect Possibilities Without Science
The NY Islanders are guaranteed to stick to their plan of building through the draft and developing their young players. It’s been a mantra now for a long time and it’s not going to change. We’ve already begun to reap the rewards of this plan and there should be more benefits in the foreseeable future. (Maybe a play-off berth next season? Maybe.) While remaining at the bottom of the standings is disappointing, it has once again given the NY Islanders a top five draft ranking. Actually, the fifth draft ranking with the Oilers, Bruins (Thanks so much Burkie), Panthers and Blue Jackets ahead of them heading to the podium on June 25th in LA.
The Draft Class of 2010 holds some impressive talent, even though the concept of the draft itself is certainly nothing more than a crap shoot. According to the latest rankings, there are five defensemen, one center, one RW and one LW in the top 9 possible draft picks.
Certainly the battle will be for that number one spot and whether it will go to Tyler or Taylor, Taylor or Tyler. Wouldn’t it be really funny if the Oilers head to the podium and make a mistake with the name of the first over all pick? “With the first over all draft pick, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select Tyl- NO! TAYlor Hall.” Okay, funny to me with a sick sense of humor.
But whether it’s the Center or Left Winger going first overall, my concern is the choice of Garth Snow and the NY Islanders. In my last interview with Mr. Snow, he seemed pretty confident that they would keep that fifth pick and not attempt to trade up or down. (Sorry Brian. Go talk to Tampa.) Also in that interview, we discussed the need for improved defense, so why not go with a defenseman?
Luckily for the Islanders, there are four excellent prospects all clustered together at the 4 - 7 ranking. So I took a little time this Sunday morning and did a little research. Here is my totally non-technical assessment of these prospects.
Cam Fowler: 6’1” (or 6’2” depending on what site you look at) 190 lbs born 12/5/1991. Cam’s profile says he was born in Windsor, ON, Canada but lives in Michigan and has won a Gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 WJC Championship. I can’t tell if that means he has dual citizenship or not. I can tell you that according to a Fanhouse article, Cam said “NO” to playing for Notre Dame after a two year commitment and opted to play in the Canadian juniors instead. He has outstanding puck handling talent and has won accolades everywhere. But my feeling is whether he is available at five or not, I’d prefer the Isles take a pass.
Brandon Gormley: 6’ 2” 185 lbs born: 2/18/1992 Small town PEI kid who is VERY independent and left home at the tender age of 14 to go play Bantam for Notre Dame. His friend and mentor is Brad Richards and Richard’s sister was his babysitter. (I said it was a small town.) In a very recent prospect report, Gormley was classified as a “safe” pick who “lacks flair and flash, but he does all the important stuff well.” Not exactly a glowing review, but one that at least indicates consistency. He’s a pretty good interview too for an 18-year-old.
Mark Pysyk: 6’ 1” 174 lbs born 1/11/1992 Another Canadian kid with exceptional skating abilities who is quick and mobile and works well on the PP or PK. This kid has the right character the Isles look for having played a handful of games for the Edmonton Oil Kings on a broken foot. He finished his season as the team’s highest scoring blue liner with 7 goals and 17 assists in only 48 games. Without the injury, who knows what he would have done. On the personal side -- the kid reminds me of Josh Bailey. Same quiet mannerism. Same conversational tones.
Erik Gudbranson: 6’4” 195 lbs born 1/7/1992 I saved the best for last. THIS -- This is the kid I want to hear Garth Snow announce at the podium on June 25th. (Okay, like that means anything to them, but I had to say it.) To me, Erik seems like a perfect fit for the Isles. He was the Captain of his Canadian junior team at only 16-years-old. He is a strong skater with good speed for a big kid and can quarterback the PP “to perfection.” (So I’ve read.) But as a kid, his is still a little inconsistent and occasionally out of position. He‘ll learn! He‘ll grow -- just like the rest of the young NY Islanders. But it‘s the kid‘s character that has me convinced he’s the best fit.
Erik‘s younger brother Denis has overcome blood born cancer twice in his young life and has made a huge impact on Erik‘s outlook on life. This is a young player who realizes what is important and what is valuable. Besides, he looks like he could be Rick DiPietro‘s little brother. He is strong and confident with good skills. If he’s available at five, he would be my choice to join the young Islanders and the wonderful crop of players we are watching develop.
Well, that’s my $2 worth on this year’s entry draft. But just remember -- I’m the one that wanted Victor Hedman LAST year. See how far THAT got me.
The Draft Class of 2010 holds some impressive talent, even though the concept of the draft itself is certainly nothing more than a crap shoot. According to the latest rankings, there are five defensemen, one center, one RW and one LW in the top 9 possible draft picks.
Certainly the battle will be for that number one spot and whether it will go to Tyler or Taylor, Taylor or Tyler. Wouldn’t it be really funny if the Oilers head to the podium and make a mistake with the name of the first over all pick? “With the first over all draft pick, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select Tyl- NO! TAYlor Hall.” Okay, funny to me with a sick sense of humor.
But whether it’s the Center or Left Winger going first overall, my concern is the choice of Garth Snow and the NY Islanders. In my last interview with Mr. Snow, he seemed pretty confident that they would keep that fifth pick and not attempt to trade up or down. (Sorry Brian. Go talk to Tampa.) Also in that interview, we discussed the need for improved defense, so why not go with a defenseman?
Luckily for the Islanders, there are four excellent prospects all clustered together at the 4 - 7 ranking. So I took a little time this Sunday morning and did a little research. Here is my totally non-technical assessment of these prospects.
Cam Fowler: 6’1” (or 6’2” depending on what site you look at) 190 lbs born 12/5/1991. Cam’s profile says he was born in Windsor, ON, Canada but lives in Michigan and has won a Gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 WJC Championship. I can’t tell if that means he has dual citizenship or not. I can tell you that according to a Fanhouse article, Cam said “NO” to playing for Notre Dame after a two year commitment and opted to play in the Canadian juniors instead. He has outstanding puck handling talent and has won accolades everywhere. But my feeling is whether he is available at five or not, I’d prefer the Isles take a pass.
Brandon Gormley: 6’ 2” 185 lbs born: 2/18/1992 Small town PEI kid who is VERY independent and left home at the tender age of 14 to go play Bantam for Notre Dame. His friend and mentor is Brad Richards and Richard’s sister was his babysitter. (I said it was a small town.) In a very recent prospect report, Gormley was classified as a “safe” pick who “lacks flair and flash, but he does all the important stuff well.” Not exactly a glowing review, but one that at least indicates consistency. He’s a pretty good interview too for an 18-year-old.
Mark Pysyk: 6’ 1” 174 lbs born 1/11/1992 Another Canadian kid with exceptional skating abilities who is quick and mobile and works well on the PP or PK. This kid has the right character the Isles look for having played a handful of games for the Edmonton Oil Kings on a broken foot. He finished his season as the team’s highest scoring blue liner with 7 goals and 17 assists in only 48 games. Without the injury, who knows what he would have done. On the personal side -- the kid reminds me of Josh Bailey. Same quiet mannerism. Same conversational tones.
Erik Gudbranson: 6’4” 195 lbs born 1/7/1992 I saved the best for last. THIS -- This is the kid I want to hear Garth Snow announce at the podium on June 25th. (Okay, like that means anything to them, but I had to say it.) To me, Erik seems like a perfect fit for the Isles. He was the Captain of his Canadian junior team at only 16-years-old. He is a strong skater with good speed for a big kid and can quarterback the PP “to perfection.” (So I’ve read.) But as a kid, his is still a little inconsistent and occasionally out of position. He‘ll learn! He‘ll grow -- just like the rest of the young NY Islanders. But it‘s the kid‘s character that has me convinced he’s the best fit.
Erik‘s younger brother Denis has overcome blood born cancer twice in his young life and has made a huge impact on Erik‘s outlook on life. This is a young player who realizes what is important and what is valuable. Besides, he looks like he could be Rick DiPietro‘s little brother. He is strong and confident with good skills. If he’s available at five, he would be my choice to join the young Islanders and the wonderful crop of players we are watching develop.
Well, that’s my $2 worth on this year’s entry draft. But just remember -- I’m the one that wanted Victor Hedman LAST year. See how far THAT got me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
