6/22 - 2003 NHL Entry Draft (day 2 starts @ 10 am)

[BadCompany]

mr said:

You're welcome.

One paragraph that stood out for me:

"Bernier was the ninth leading scorer in the QMJHL with 49 goals and 52 assists in 71 games, finishing fifth with a ranking of +33. His physical development is astonishing: at the beginning of the campaign, he measured 6'1 and weighed 214 pounds. At mid-season, he was 6'1 and a half and 228 pounds, and in March, he had grown to 6'2 and half, and with additional muscle, to 233 pounds."

He grew an inch and a half and put on 19lbs in seven months. And he just turned 18! Mmmm, a forward as big as, or bigger than, Komo. Too bad Ribeiro has the metabolism of a tree shrew.

Unfortunately, this line caught my eye as well:

"Power and La Rue analyzed their star player seriously and they concluded that he must improve his acceleration..."

Not a good sign for anybody hoping to be picked by Andre Savard in the first round...

[Cranky]

When guys over 230 pounds try to improve their acceleration, they have to strap small houses to their backs and run around the ice for a month or ten.....

Seriously, to move that much mass places a tremendous strain on the legs. Improving acceleration is not something that will happen in one year, but rather 2 or 3 years. Are the young NHL players willing to put that much work year round?

I know one guy who worked his butt off 3 times a week for over a years to improve his 60 yard dash (for football) by one lousy second. The muscle size gets bigger but then the kness take a huge beating and that is already a problem with a lot of NHL players.

One can improve but it gets harder and harder to get quicker.

[Habsolution]

Yup Mister B she's the one.

Cette photo la ne lui rend pas justice par exemple. Ses yeux étaient encore beaucoup plus incroyables dans le magazine.

Elle a beacoup changé avec le temps tu peux me croire. Mais les yeux c'est la seule chose qui change pas avec le temps. Quand je vais recouvrer mon scanner je vais scanner la version 20 ans plus tard.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Habsolution said:

Yup Mister B she's the one.

Cette photo la ne lui rend pas justice par exemple. Ses yeux étaient encore beaucoup plus incroyables dans le magazine.

Elle a beacoup changé avec le temps tu peux me croire. Mais les yeux c'est la seule chose qui change pas avec le temps. Quand je vais recouvrer mon scanner je vais scanner la version 20 ans plus tard.

She's had a very hard life, and doubtless that's aged her prematurely. 3.5 million Afghanis have been murdered or forced to flee their country in the last 25 years.

You are right about the quality of the image. In fact it isn't the exact one which appears on the original magazine cover. Still, a very haunting and soulful picture.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

BadCompany said:

Unfortunately, this line caught my eye as well:

"Power and La Rue analyzed their star player seriously and they concluded that he must improve his acceleration..."

Not a good sign for anybody hoping to be picked by Andre Savard in the first round..

Maybe. I would use the examples of Milroy and Ferland (both of whom I believe will have useful NHL careers), except that they weren't first round choices. Bernier just could be an exception - the ultimate 6'6 280lbs lineman, er, power forward many have been dreaming of.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

mr said:

Maybe. I would use the examples of Milroy and Ferland (both of whom I believe will have useful NHL careers), except that they weren't first round choices. Bernier just could be an exception - the ultimate 6'6 280lbs lineman, er, power forward many have been dreaming of.

Savard picked Linhart when Hudler was ranked ahead of him. (Best CZECH vs. 5th best Czech in the draft) so he would pick the guy he wants ahead of the guy who is ranked higher. When Bernier is 6'5" and 250 lbs. and scores in bunches I don't care where he was picked.

[seventeen]

When a kid has grown that much, that fast, it's amazing his brain can tell his hands from his feet. And he still got over 100 points? On a middling team? I'd sure have liked to see him to make up my mind, but the size, the work ethic, the hands and the age are all looking goooooood. Acceleration is tough....it's so important (ask Mikey R.) but Bernier sightings have reported the young man has some musculature. That would normally translate to "It is possible". If he hasn't moved up the rankings too much, it might be worth packaging our two 2nd rounders for a mid to late 1st to try and nab him there if we pass at #10. Or, as we wondered about last year, trading down to where we might still grab him, but pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder. That way we could boost our quantity while retaining decent quality.

[oldhabsfan]

seventeen said:

Bernier...If he hasn't moved up the rankings too much, it might be worth packaging our two 2nd rounders for a mid to late 1st to try and nab him there if we pass at #10...

The thought of getting Phaneuf and Bernier both is one I find very attractive. It might be worth giving up everything else in this draft.

Not only from the player value point of view, but also as a bonus, marketing.

[jrs]

PTH said:

(or older European players who could step in right away)...

Players like that can be interesting, and sometimes smart to take in the later rounds. I know that this is an exciting draft year, and we have a great pick, but whoever we draft is not going to answer any of our immediate problems(and we have a lot of them). Is there any worthwile older European players that anyone has heard of? If so maybe we should use one of our picks on an immediate solution, and try to fill one of our glaring holes.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

seventeen said:

When a kid has grown that much, that fast, it's amazing his brain can tell his hands from his feet. And he still got over 100 points? On a middling team? I'd sure have liked to see him to make up my mind, but the size, the work ethic, the hands and the age are all looking goooooood. Acceleration is tough....it's so important (ask Mikey R.) but Bernier sightings have reported the young man has some musculature. That would normally translate to "It is possible". If he hasn't moved up the rankings too much, it might be worth packaging our two 2nd rounders for a mid to late 1st to try and nab him there if we pass at #10. Or, as we wondered about last year, trading down to where we might still grab him, but pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder. That way we could boost our quantity while retaining decent quality.

The other stat of his I really liked was the +33 ranking (fifth best in a league reknowned for its emphasis on defensive play ).

[montreal]

How about taking a gamble at 10th and going for Kostitsyn. He's starting to light it up at the U-18's right now. He had 4 pts against a weak Finnish team (2-2-4) and he had 1 or 2 pts against Team USA sending the game into OT. From what I hear he has sick talent on offence, and could be the game breaker we need.


Also with Pouliot having some concussion problems, I wonder if he could fall to us at the 40th pick? Even at 40th and 54th, we should get 2 more very good prospects. Can't wait for the draft to get here.

[MPLABBE]

Kostytsin's profile:

www.russianprospects.com/profiles/profile_kostytsin.htm

Height: 6'0
Weight: 190lb
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Born: Feb. 3rd 1985
Birthplace: Novopolsk, Russia

Talent Analysis:

Size and Physical Play: Not a big guy at just above 6’0 and 190 pounds, and plays the open ice style of hockey without much hitting. Does not hesitate to split the defense though or try to get around next to the boards. Can take a hit. Skating: Above average skater and fast acceleration. Good lateral movement. Shot: Strong slap and wrist shots, with a good release. Hockey Sense: Sees the ice well and can sense plays developing. Can give a very nice pass and set up a one timer. Technical Skills: Solid technically – good stick and puck handling. Good precise pass. Defense: Andrei has defensive lapses and tends to wait for the opportunity to take off with the puck – a la Philadelphia Flyers prospect Alexander Drozdetsky. Overall: Talented winger with good skills and shot, who needs to mature his overall game, improve his strength and shore up his defensive lapses.



Back In Russia:

Born in Novopolotsk, Belarus, Andrei spent his career playing in Polimir Novopolotsk hockey school. In the summer of 2002 he signed with CSKA Moscow and moved to Russia. 02-03: Representede Belarus for the second year in a row at the U20 WJC. Spent the beginning of the season with with CSKA (dressed for 6 games) and CSKA 2. Showed maturity when moved from CSKA 2 to the professional Upper League, though faied to stick with the team towards the playoffs run.



NHL:

Andrei is eligible for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. His showcasing of skills at the U20 WJC went a long way to make him a solid prospect. He stands a chance to be picked early, but probably not in the first round. His international exposure resembled that of Nikolai Antropov and Alexei Mikhnov, two first round picks from Russia’s other former Soviet neighbor – Kazakhstan. However, what he lacks and these two players have is towering size that sets them apart, which, despite all the skills, puts Kostytsin into the second round, unless some NHL club is really intrigued.

[boonda]

I live in Red Deer and I have seen Dion Phaneauf play. If you want a mean steady defenseman who stands up for his teammates and doesn't back down from anyone, then he is your player. He has a mean streak not unlike Odelein or Marchment without the brain spasms of Marchment and way more skill that Odelein or Marchment. I guarantee that with Dion Phaneauf the bulls’ eye on our goalie would disappear and the corners in our end would no longer be soft. The opposing team would be more tentative to go into the our end with Dion Phaneauf on the ice. I would love to see him play for Montreal.

Also if we could get Rory Rawlyk late in the draft that would also be good. He is going to be a dark horse a good steady defenseman who isn't a liability.

[Habsolution]

BoonDa said:

I live in Red Deer and I have seen Dion Phaneauf play. If you want a mean steady defenseman who stands up for his teammates and doesn't back down from anyone, then he is your player. He has a mean streak not unlike Odelein or Marchment without the brain spasms of Marchment and way more skill that Odelein or Marchment. I guarantee that with Dion Phaneauf the bulls’ eye on our goalie would disappear and the corners in our end would no longer be soft. The opposing team would be more tentative to go into the our end with Dion Phaneauf on the ice. I would love to see him play for Montreal.

Also if we could get Rory Rawlyk late in the draft that would also be good. He is going to be a dark horse a good steady defenseman who isn't a liability.

Drooling over the idea of getting Phaneauf and Bernier ...

What would you give to get the extra pick ? I'd surrender hainsey+Hossa+2nd (maybe two 2nd)

[MPLABBE]

Habsolution said:

What would you give to get the extra pick ? I'd surrender hainsey+Hossa+2nd (maybe two 2nd)

you are kidding..right you have to be ?


you'd give up those 3, maybe 4 assets to get a mid first rounder ?


Phaneuf and Bernier are likely to be in the 10-20 class from what I have heard...that is a package I would only give to get a 1st overall pick!

[jl.roberts]

If we take Phaneuf at 10, I would trade Hossa for Bernier in a heartbeat.

[Habsolution]

doughman said:

If we take Phaneuf at 10, I would trade Hossa for Bernier in a heartbeat.

I don't think Hossa for Bernier is a fair deal ... The team that will draft him won't trade him for Hossa alone ...

[Habsolution]

Marc said:

you are kidding..right you have to be ?


you'd give up those 3, maybe 4 assets to get a mid first rounder ?


Phaneuf and Bernier are likely to be in the 10-20 class from what I have heard...that is a package I would only give to get a 1st overall pick!

A first rounder is worth a lot Marc. I'll admit that's overpaying for a mid first rounder though but I was blinded by the thought of having both Phaneuf and Bernier in the org ...

[FormerLurker]

Habsolution said:

A first rounder is worth a lot Marc. I'll admit that's overpaying for a mid first rounder though but I was blinded by the thought of having both Phaneuf and Bernier in the org ...

I believe that Atlanta would think long and hard if we offered them Hainsey for the 8th straight up. Coburn would almost certainly be gone by then, and 8th is a couple of picks early to grab Suter or Phaneuf. From what I've read, Hainsey and Suter are similar players with similar upside, but Hainsey is four years more developed and could step in right away.

Would the 8th and 10th picks be enough to trade up to the top three to land Horton or Staal? Or we could hang on to the picks and grab Brown or Bernier, and Phaneuf. Or, having invested the time in Hainsey, just hang onto him and be happy with the 10th pick.

Hmm, I think I'll start a poll...

[MPLABBE]

The 8th pick is not enticing enough for me to trade Hainsey...if you are talking about a top 5 pick...yes I would do it.

IMO, the quality between 8th and 10th is the same in this draft...

[stoags]

doughman said:

I've seen Perry play many times. He's good with the puck, excellent finisher and playmaker. And, as you said having a great playoff with the Knights. He is 6'2, maybe could even make it to 6'3. He would, however, need to pack on 20 pounds or so.

I'll say one thing for sure; I like Corey Perry alot more than I like Marcel Hossa.

I have season tickets in London and have seen Perry play alot the past 2 seasons in London.
I believe going into the year he was ranked to go late 1st or somewhere early in the 2nd. I never liked him much last season, but he was a rookie and was a bean pole, who shyed away from the rough stuff. This season he was expected to carry the Knights, with Rick Nash making Columbus, and I think he had way too much pressure put on him. Overager Mike Stathopulos got hurt for a good chunk of time, Perry struggled as teams really took advantage of the fact London did not really have anyone to protect Perry. After the midseason rankings come out I believe he dropped to the 3rd to 4th round area, and I think it might have been the best thing for him. He had one heck of a second half, and was a totally different player in the playoffs , which had him battling Corey Locke for the scoring lead. One thing he does have NHL talent, he definately needs to put on some muscle, but think he matured alot and showed a bit of a nasty streak in the playoffs. I would say he has first round talent, but as it stands now, his tougness I believe will hold him back. I will have to look, there was a article in the London Free Press quoting a NHL scout saying that if a team had 2 first round picks that he could see them using a later one on Perry as his stock has definately risen the 2nd half and playoffs. I have never really liked him, but started to like him a bit with the way he played in the 2nd half. It all depends on which Perry you get. I would have no problem with the Habs snagging him in the 2nd round, as he definately is very talented.


Here is the link to the article

www.fyilondon.com/cgi-bin/niveau2.cgi?s=sport&p=73178.html&a=1

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Perry Ribeiro?

[sebi]

Sounds like Jim Campbell...

[sebi]

Looks like Andrei Kostsitsyn could be jumping into the top 10 with the performance he's having at the U-18's in Russia... Unfortunate, I was hoping we could snag him at 10, but as of now he's tied for the points lead in that tournament with 5+5-10 (-3, 14 PIM) in 4 games with the sad-sack Belarus team. Tied with 2004-eligible but fellow 1985-birthdate Alexander Ovechkin. Twice the point totals of Bernier, only (-2) behind him. Obvioulsy, hard to judge these guys on 4 games, but it looks like this kid should be shooting up the rankings come June.

Should AK be picked up early, it's a definite possibility that a guy like Michalek, a year ago considered a sure-fire top 5 pick, falls into our lap. He isn't the game-breaker type though, should we grab him if available?

[MPLABBE]

I wouldn't be thrilled

Michalek has little offensive skill from what I have read. He could turn into Chad Kilger...

[BadCompany]

For what its worth, Red Line Report has had Kastsitsyn ranked 6th or 7th all year long. They really like him.

They also really like Phaneuf, and I wouldn't mind snaring this guy one bit. I think he would be a great choice, even as high as #10...

Dion Phaneuf

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Thanks for the Phaneuf link, BC. A good read. I wouldn't mind seeing us pick this guy if he's available when our turn comes up.

***

Gleaned this from another of Woodlief's recent columns:

"Next (and for this one you'd better strap into your seats real tight, 'cause we're about to get a little heated under the collar) is the case of talented Russian winger Konstantin Glazachev. As they used to say about Reggie Jackson, "There ain't enough mustard in the world to cover this hot dog."

We will say right up front that Glazachev, without question, was the most pure offensive talent in the entire tournament. Hands down. We will also say that if we owned a franchise at any level, this pathetic, lame excuse of an athlete would not be allowed into the building — not even to sell peanuts in the stands — for fear that his freakish sideshow of diving at the mere thought of being touched would cause our fans to believe they were at a soccer game. Each team played only four games in the tournament, yet Glazachev was down writhing on the ice more often than a hooker at a free diamond store. It got so bad at one point that when a man in the stands took an accidental pratfall down the stairs near a cluster of NHL scouts, one of the scouts turned and, without missing a beat, said: "I see Glazachev's dad is in the audience."

In short, to sum up our report on Glazachev: think Ilya Kovalchuk/Pavel Bure lite — he has all the bad attitude, immaturity, petulance, ego, and cancerous side affects, but only a fraction of the talent."

- www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/woodlief/2003-02-26-woodlief_x.htm

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Marc said:

I wouldn't be thrilled

Michalek has little offensive skill from what I have read. He could turn into Chad Kilger...

Well, I don't know if lack of offensive skill quite describes him; application of his offensive ability, which he is granted as having, seems to be the issue. At least according to Bob McKenzie's scouting sources.

"Big and strong, the knock on Michalek is limited offensive upside as he should become more aggressive in the offensive zone and work more in traffic. He's still a very attractive package as a hard working player with exceptional hockey sense and creativity with the puck."

- www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=6306

It may just be a matter of proper coaching to develop his natural instincts. The last sentence of the excerpt is quite complimentary, and highlights qualities you definitely like to see in a young player.

[MPLABBE]

but here is the deal..how can one be ''creative'' with the puck and not have ''good offensive upside''

his finishing must be real bad..

[Bones]

Marc said:

but here is the deal..how can one be ''creative'' with the puck and not have ''good offensive upside''

his finishing must be real bad..

Sounds familiar, seems like a bad case of Oleg Petrovitis... As for who I hope they pick, i've always thought Phaneuf would be the best choice.