Friday, May 29, 2009

Tavares Passes On Upper Body Stations


Well it was the big news of the day and you can basically look at it from several different angles. The most likely of which is JT is still experiencing issues with the shoulder that was hurt in the prospects game and he nursed through the end of the season, it also is possible that his agent recommended passing on these as to portray to those questioning Tavares' sub-par playoffs was due to his shoulder issues, or there is the chance the Islanders could have told him that he is going to be the pick and to rest the sore shoulder.


Anyway you cut it, Tavares is likely going to take it easy on that shoulder so that he can start his summer preparations for his first NHL training camp.


We had a ton of news today. Along with the combine also came the news that Tavares will not be attending the Canadian junior camp which isn't a huge suprise, he more than likely will be a key component of an NHL team this winter and will not be released for a tournament that he has already been named MVP of.




















Monday, May 25, 2009

Mock 1

Here’s a top 10 mock draft for your holiday, if your below the Canadian border…Enjoy your Memorial Day!

Since it’s early in the game I am only going to do a projection of the first ten picks. Also, I am not going to factor in any trades, I do not believe any of the teams on the top 3 will be trading out. It’s clearly a three horse race at the top and in this NHL I don’t see teams passing on this top end talent.

Lets go.

1.Islanders: Despite the Garth Snow poker face it’s Tavares all the way. Arena rumblings aside, the Isles haven’t had a homegrown scorer since Zigmund Palffy. No brainer here.

2.Lightning:Hedman. They need D and here they will get a potential cornerstone.

3.Avalanche:Matt Duchene is a nice pivot to go down the middle with Paul Statsny.

4.Thrashers:Evander Kane here. They need offense whether Kovalchuk stays or not.

5.Kings:Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson. Kings add another piece to great crop of kids.

6.Coyotes:Jared Cowen. Phoenix or wherever they’ll be playing adds a big D coming off injury who could anchor their blueline for years to come.

7.Maple Leafs:Brayden Schenn. Another slam dunk here. Burke adds to his brother tandems. Leafs will make some noise on draft night by trading Toskala but there big move(s) will come July first when they add the Sedins.

8.Stars:Ryan Ellis. They are going to need someone to take over for Zubov and while their might be more physically gifted D men here Ellis jumps up.

9.Senators:Zack Kassian. Ottawa has always lacked a winger who can score and bring the nasty and this is a player they need.

10.Oilers:Jordan Schroeder. The Minnesota kid could fly on that Edmonton sheet. Oil will get great value at this spot. Here is one team I could see moving down and grabbing an extra pick while taking Carter Ashton.

Will re-visit after the combines.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Leafs to 2?

If Burke can get to two without dealing Luke Schenn I will bow to him at the bell centre on June 26. What else is he offering?

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/05/12/leafs_lightning_trade_talks/

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/05/12/9433781.html

http://www.fan590.com/more.jsp?content=20090512_091739_6088

I highly recommend picking up The Hockey News Draft Preview. There are tremendous features on both Tavares and Hedman.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

5/6/09 Draft Bits

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/05/06/9366746-sun.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/629701

I'm Back! Tavares A Hamilton Coyote?

Good to be motivated to do some blogging after my birthday weekend. One that involved partying and thus rehabbing. Also had the opportunity to check out the NHL store in NYC for the first time. Great selection of merchandise and knowledgeable employees. I recommend.

Back to to Johnny T, as we get closer the coverage and landscape of the draft will become more targeted. I plan on also blogging on other draft eligible prospects that intrigue me (John Moore to the Isles please). We'll have more analysis as soon as I obtain The Hockey News, Redline Report, and the ISS draft previews...I love mock drafts.

I have not forgotten about my promised blog of potential linemates for JT next season, but I am going to holdout a little longer as we wait and see who will run the Avs and if the Coyotes are sold to Balsillie and moved to Hamilton.Let me tell you that could be an interesting one, that team has enough talent to intrigue teams to trade down for their wealth of talent.

In the meantime, the Isles want to send YOU to the NHL draft.
http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=420956

Saturday, May 2, 2009

JT Selling Tickets Already?

That blog I promised...I will hopefully have up for you tomorrow night. Busy. Busy. Busy weekend.

News from an Isles press release till then:

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/2009/05/isles_say_no_1_pick_sells.html