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Post by streitshooter on Jun 17, 2007 11:26:51 GMT -5
1 Patrick Kane
2 Kyle Turris
3 Jakub Voracek
4 Karl Alzner
5 James van Riemsdyk
6 Alexei Cherepanov
7 Kevin Shattenkirk
8 Ryan McDonagh
9 Sam Gagner
10 Logan Couture
11 Bill Sweatt
12 Zach Hamill
13 Lars Eller
14 Keaton Ellerby
15 Logan MacMillan
16 Angelo Esposito
17 Nick Petrecki
18 Michal Repik
19 Mikael Backlund
20 Max Pacioretty
21 Patrick White
22 Brett MacLean
23 Simon Hjalmarsson
24 Brandon Sutter
25 Jonathon Blum
26 Ian Cole
27 Mark Katic
28 Dana Tyrell
29 Thomas Hickey
30 Teddy Ruth
Our draft guide is now available at McKeen's site.
If you have any question on the draft/prospects, fire away.
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Post by ropoflu on Jun 17, 2007 13:19:05 GMT -5
Just curious, what would Streitshooter/Turnbuckle do on Draft day if he was the Habs GM?
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 17, 2007 13:44:27 GMT -5
WEll - I'd see how things shake out.
I like Bill Sweatt, Max Pacciorety and Logan MacMillan quite a bit, and see any of them as solid additions.
If McDonagh or Couture are available at 12..i think you draft one of them, McDonagh first.
If not...try to deal the first pick for the 16th or 17th pick and a second rounder. At least two of the above players will likely be available at 17th.
if all three are still on the board when you pick 17th, take one of them and hope one of the other two are there at 22. If one is gone..try to trade up to the 18th pick by dealing the second you just got and the 22nd. Then you pick the remaining two players you covet.
If you end up with the two you covet and still have the extra first rounder, deal the two second picks for Ian Cole or Teddy Ruth if either is still available in the 20's.
If the Habs left this draft with Cole/Ruth, MacMillan and Sweatt I would be ecstatic. It woudl take some wheeling and dealing though.
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Post by Skilly on Jun 17, 2007 13:56:31 GMT -5
I like Ruth too!
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Post by mic on Jun 17, 2007 14:37:12 GMT -5
Never draft for needs of course, but a defensman would be sweet, wouldn't it? Nah... Anyway, it seems that if it would come to a d-man with the first pick, it probably would be either McDonagh or Ellerby. So I found this after a short google research. While the scouting reports are not that useful, the websites linked below have more information. McDonagh was named Mr. Hockey in Minnesota, like last year's David Fischer. (Speaking of Fischer: I have seldom seen a Habs 1st round pick that under-observed. Not even really hyped by the Habs themselves...) www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=314879fans.nhl.com/keaton_ellerby/home/ |
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Post by habmeister on Jun 17, 2007 15:20:46 GMT -5
Never draft for needs of course, but a defensman would be sweet, wouldn't it? Nah... Anyway, it seems that if it would come to a d-man with the first pick, it probably would be either McDonagh or Ellerby. So I found this after a short google research. While the scouting reports are not that useful, the websites linked below have more information. McDonagh was named Mr. Hockey in Minnesota, like last year's David Fischer. (Speaking of Fischer: I have seldom seen a Habs 1st round pick that under-observed. Not even really hyped by the Habs themselves...) www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=314879fans.nhl.com/keaton_ellerby/home/ i've been impressed by ellerby, but haven't seen this other kid play at all. i'm biased towards what i've seen of course but ellerby really looked good to me, raw kid with huge upside to be dominating. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 17, 2007 16:39:25 GMT -5
For whatever value is in it, Ellerby did not perform that well at the combine. Especially in the weights test. He did 2 reps on the 150 lb bench press. Of course, these tests man squat on the ice, but they're additional info to confuse GM's from their original leaning. www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=7287&hubname= |
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Post by Skilly on Jun 17, 2007 18:22:28 GMT -5
For whatever value is in it, Ellerby did not perform that well at the combine. Especially in the weights test. He did 2 reps on the 150 lb bench press. Of course, these tests man squat on the ice, but they're additional info to confuse GM's from their original leaning. www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=7287&hubname=2 reps!!!  Either he just didn't want to do them, or thats awful weak. |
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Post by halihab on Jun 17, 2007 20:30:00 GMT -5
WEll - I'd see how things shake out. I like Bill Sweatt, Max Pacciorety and Logan MacMillan quite a bit, and see any of them as solid additions. If McDonagh or Couture are available at 12..i think you draft one of them, McDonagh first. If not...try to deal the first pick for the 16th or 17th pick and a second rounder. At least two of the above players will likely be available at 17th. if all three are still on the board when you pick 17th, take one of them and hope one of the other two are there at 22. If one is gone..try to trade up to the 18th pick by dealing the second you just got and the 22nd. Then you pick the remaining two players you covet. If you end up with the two you covet and still have the extra first rounder, deal the two second picks for Ian Cole or Teddy Ruth if either is still available in the 20's. If the Habs left this draft with Cole/Ruth, MacMillan and Sweatt I would be ecstatic. It woudl take some wheeling and dealing though. I agree, I have been touting these two for months. Sweatt and MacMillan with our first two picks would be tremendous. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 17, 2007 21:51:05 GMT -5
I really like Sweatt's speed, but I keep wondering if he isn't the second coming of Rico Fata, who could skate like the wind, but had no hockey sense and hands to match. I didn't see him enough to judge the latter two parts, but the young man can indeed skate.
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Post by habmeister on Jun 18, 2007 1:06:04 GMT -5
For whatever value is in it, Ellerby did not perform that well at the combine. Especially in the weights test. He did 2 reps on the 150 lb bench press. Of course, these tests man squat on the ice, but they're additional info to confuse GM's from their original leaning. www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=7287&hubname=i attibute that to growing six inches in less than a year and having larry robinson genetics, so he's a bean pole and will take at least another year to fill out that frame with muscle. the physical tools are there, the biggest question mark for me is what is between the ears. i have faith that bob and trevor got a good read on his head because the upside with his frame and skating is huge. hockeysfuture "In any event, the 6'4, 190-pound defenseman oozes talent and will get a serious look from any NHL team looking to stock the cupboard with back-end skill. Ellerby is a tough physical player who can be a willing and vicious pugilist. " hockeysfuture.com/articles/9379While he toiled for his bantam AAA team in Okotoks, Alberta, Keaton Ellerby wasn’t sure if he would ever get a chance to show his skills in the Western Hockey League. As it turned out he was very close. In fact, only about six inches away. “Keaton was never drafted,” explained Kamloops Blazers’ assistant coach Shane Zulyniak. “He was a listed player after the bantam draft. He was only about 5’7, and then during the summer he started to grow a bit, so we listed him and put him on our 50-man roster. “He put on about six inches in about six months. It turned out to be a bit of good fortune there for the Blazers.” The growth spurt occurred before the hockey powers-that-be implemented the new standard of rules enforcement. When Ellerby was playing bantam hockey, the opportunities for smaller defensemen seemed minimal at best, unless a player was an absolutely elite prospect. Although Ellerby was regarded a skilled player, there were no takers at the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft. “When I was younger, I was a pretty small guy and there weren’t too many teams looking at me,” Ellerby admitted in an interview with Hockey’s Future. “I had a huge growth spurt from my bantam to my midget year, from when I was 14 to 15.” |
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 18, 2007 9:39:59 GMT -5
Sweatt is no Fata - he's really great killing penalties, and has lots of smarts. The only similarity is the speed.
Sweatt's offence is underrated. Averaged close to a ppg as an underage freshman in NCAA, won the top forward at last spring's Under 18, where he had four goals, and was one of the youngest players on the US squad.
Trust me when I tell you that we aren't drafting Ellerby, not even if he's there at 22 (which he won't be). The Habs' scouting staff is not as fond of Ellerby as some teams.
That said I could see Florida grabbing him at tenth.
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Post by habmeister on Jun 18, 2007 10:57:59 GMT -5
Sweatt is no Fata - he's really great killing penalties, and has lots of smarts. The only similarity is the speed. Sweatt's offence is underrated. Averaged close to a ppg as an underage freshman in NCAA, won the top forward at last spring's Under 18, where he had four goals, and was one of the youngest players on the US squad. Trust me when I tell you that we aren't drafting Ellerby, not even if he's there at 22 (which he won't be). The Habs' scouting staff is not as fond of Ellerby as some teams. That said I could see Florida grabbing him at tenth. you're probably right, we're not known for drafting big tall defencemen with a bit of a mean streak. better to draft another ben maxwell type when they could have had milan lucic. |
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 18, 2007 11:11:16 GMT -5
Was that a shot at our drafting, because I really don't think you can complain about the job Timmins has done. Or was it a shot at me?  I would be willing to bet the farm that they won't draft Ellerby simply because they don't like him. If you don't believe me wait until after the draft - there will be no Ellerby wearing a Habs uniform the reason they don't like Ellerby is because he doesn't process the game quickly. They really question his hockey sense. Timmins will NEVER pick a player in the top 12 with that knock - I don't care if he's 6-8 and makes Link Gaetz look like a choir boy. Ellerby had two bench presses of 150 pounds BTW. I can't seen him creaming too many Guillaume Latendresses for a few years. FWIW I like Ellerby a lot more than Timmins. I sent him out final draft list (with Ellerby in the 14th spot), and Ellerby was the only guy he thought was out of place (too high). All he said to me was "You know what I think of Ellerby." |
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Post by montreal on Jun 18, 2007 14:13:39 GMT -5
Sweatt is no Fata - he's really great killing penalties, and has lots of smarts. The only similarity is the speed. Sweatt's offence is underrated. Averaged close to a ppg as an underage freshman in NCAA, won the top forward at last spring's Under 18, where he had four goals, and was one of the youngest players on the US squad. Trust me when I tell you that we aren't drafting Ellerby, not even if he's there at 22 (which he won't be). The Habs' scouting staff is not as fond of Ellerby as some teams. That said I could see Florida grabbing him at tenth. I like Sweatt as well, he's got some sandpaper to his game, plus he put up decent numbers despite missing a chunk of time due to mono I believe. Another factor to consider is his team. CC is lacking in talent and as a freshman, Sweatt was already a go to guy, so he should get a lot of ice time in all situations in the top conference in the NCAA, so he'll have some time to work on his offensive game. What I like about him, is how hard he works, he always keeps him feet moving and if he offensive upside doesn't translate well at the nhl level, I think he can still make it on the bottom lines. He was impressive at the U-18's 2 years back, got the games on tape. |
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Post by duster on Jun 18, 2007 14:29:10 GMT -5
I had the opportunity to watch a replay of the gold medal game Canada vs Russia last night on TSN. I paid particular attention to Alzner and Valentenko. Although Valentenko outplayed him in that particular game imo, I like Alzner's style and would love to see BG move up to get him.
A question for either Streitshooter or Dan. Do you think TT likes him enough that Gainey tries to move up if the opportunity presents itself or is he just happy going with the flow?
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Post by habmeister on Jun 18, 2007 14:48:19 GMT -5
Was that a shot at our drafting, because I really don't think you can complain about the job Timmins has done. Or was it a shot at me? I would be willing to bet the farm that they won't draft Ellerby simply because they don't like him. If you don't believe me wait until after the draft - there will be no Ellerby wearing a Habs uniform the reason they don't like Ellerby is because he doesn't process the game quickly. They really question his hockey sense. Timmins will NEVER pick a player in the top 12 with that knock - I don't care if he's 6-8 and makes Link Gaetz look like a choir boy. Ellerby had two bench presses of 150 pounds BTW. I can't seen him creaming too many Guillaume Latendresses for a few years. FWIW I like Ellerby a lot more than Timmins. I sent him out final draft list (with Ellerby in the 14th spot), and Ellerby was the only guy he thought was out of place (too high). All he said to me was "You know what I think of Ellerby." heck no, not a shot at you, i was a little ticked when they passed on lucic and took maxwell as much as maxwell could turn out to be a good player i like what lucic brings, which is something we really lack. i know that timmins is a smart drafter and that getting ryan white and maxwell last year where they did were good pickups. i'm a whl guy through and through and think some of the best leaders, grinders and guys that can fight and score and lead in the playoffs come from this league, and i'd like to see us drafting some of those types. i guess we'll have to wait and see, i'll put my money on him if he's available at #12 and compare him to what timmins takes at #12. the biggest reason why i like him is his upside is tremendous, i think we need to take shots at guys that could turn out to be star players, rather than safer picks. i think part of the reason for his play is that he's a bit like a giraffe right now, he hasn't grown into his own body, i don't know many people that if they had that kind of freakish growth spurt would come out of it and be able to posess tremendous bench strength. bench press competitions are made for people with short arms, long skinny arms and gangly guys will never excel at it. looking forward to seeing him 4-5 times live this season to see if he takes another big step. |
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Post by montreal on Jun 18, 2007 15:26:10 GMT -5
Was that a shot at our drafting, because I really don't think you can complain about the job Timmins has done. Or was it a shot at me? I would be willing to bet the farm that they won't draft Ellerby simply because they don't like him. If you don't believe me wait until after the draft - there will be no Ellerby wearing a Habs uniform the reason they don't like Ellerby is because he doesn't process the game quickly. They really question his hockey sense. Timmins will NEVER pick a player in the top 12 with that knock - I don't care if he's 6-8 and makes Link Gaetz look like a choir boy. Ellerby had two bench presses of 150 pounds BTW. I can't seen him creaming too many Guillaume Latendresses for a few years. FWIW I like Ellerby a lot more than Timmins. I sent him out final draft list (with Ellerby in the 14th spot), and Ellerby was the only guy he thought was out of place (too high). All he said to me was "You know what I think of Ellerby." heck no, not a shot at you, i was a little ticked when they passed on lucic and took maxwell as much as maxwell could turn out to be a good player i like what lucic brings, which is something we really lack. i know that timmins is a smart drafter and that getting ryan white and maxwell last year where they did were good pickups. i'm a whl guy through and through and think some of the best leaders, grinders and guys that can fight and score and lead in the playoffs come from this league, and i'd like to see us drafting some of those types. i guess we'll have to wait and see, i'll put my money on him if he's available at #12 and compare him to what timmins takes at #12. the biggest reason why i like him is his upside is tremendous, i think we need to take shots at guys that could turn out to be star players, rather than safer picks. i think part of the reason for his play is that he's a bit like a giraffe right now, he hasn't grown into his own body, i don't know many people that if they had that kind of freakish growth spurt would come out of it and be able to posess tremendous bench strength. bench press competitions are made for people with short arms, long skinny arms and gangly guys will never excel at it. looking forward to seeing him 4-5 times live this season to see if he takes another big step. Clearly we have some good scouts in the dub, since Price, Chipchura, White and Maxwell are all looking good. I only saw Cepek once and thought he looked good, would like to see him add some weight to his frame. Add Ryan Russell too, I know he's got a reall small frame but I like his skill set and speed. As for Alzner, I can't even guess if Gainey would move up to get him. I would be all for it, I really like Alzner, although I wouldn't do it if the price to do so was high cause I think highly of McDonagh who has a good frame and plays well at both ends of the rink. |
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 18, 2007 15:37:11 GMT -5
I had the opportunity to watch a replay of the gold medal game Canada vs Russia last night on TSN. I paid particular attention to Alzner and Valentenko. Although Valentenko outplayed him in that particular game imo, I like Alzner's style and would love to see BG move up to get him. A question for either Streitshooter or Dan. Do you think TT likes him enough that Gainey tries to move up if the opportunity presents itself or is he just happy going with the flow? i don't see Timmins moving up to draft alzner. He likes him, but wasn't impressed by his interview at all. He said Alzner told him "I'm thinking about getting a tattoo...what do you think?" To him that showed a clear lack of leadership. Just to give you an idea how much stock they put into character, especially at the top of the draft. When I interviewed alzner, he said his favourite activity is "shopping." He comes across as a momma's boy, and he's certainly far from physical. Also told me he dislikes fighting. I agree that Ellerby has some untapped potential; he grew like six inches in one year, and taller guys have more of a problem with the bench press. But lack of hockey sense is a lack of hockey sense (hello Shawn Belle...)...to be honest I saw it on occasion myself, although not to the extent that Trevor did. He sure can skate though.  |
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Post by habmeister on Jun 18, 2007 16:25:17 GMT -5
I had the opportunity to watch a replay of the gold medal game Canada vs Russia last night on TSN. I paid particular attention to Alzner and Valentenko. Although Valentenko outplayed him in that particular game imo, I like Alzner's style and would love to see BG move up to get him. A question for either Streitshooter or Dan. Do you think TT likes him enough that Gainey tries to move up if the opportunity presents itself or is he just happy going with the flow? i don't see Timmins moving up to draft alzner. He likes him, but wasn't impressed by his interview at all. He said Alzner told him "I'm thinking about getting a tattoo...what do you think?" To him that showed a clear lack of leadership. Just to give you an idea how much stock they put into character, especially at the top of the draft. When I interviewed alzner, he said his favourite activity is "shopping." He comes across as a momma's boy, and he's certainly far from physical. Also told me he dislikes fighting. I agree that Ellerby has some untapped potential; he grew like six inches in one year, and taller guys have more of a problem with the bench press. But lack of hockey sense is a lack of hockey sense (hello Shawn Belle...)...to be honest I saw it on occasion myself, although not to the extent that Trevor did. He sure can skate though. it is, but how much "sense" do you need to be a quality stay at home defenceman with size? i understand the puck sense with forwards or scorers, but defensive type d-men with good skills, can't they be taught the little things? alzner asking about a tattoo is what turns him off, i can see that its a dumb question, but they're kids and he was probably nervous a bit. but i'll trust timmins, he's done well mining the dub.
who are the whl scouts? i've met charlie hodge but didn't get a chance to ask him many questions, my buddy sits up there with the agents and scouts and i used to sit up there, but its hard to leave my dead center ice seats to sit in the nosebleeds. but i think i might once in awhile this season when he's there to see who he likes. although they usually sit by themselves and don't like to talk too much while the game is on. nothing worse than a "fan" bothering them, but i think my buddy would tell him i've got a good eye, or thats what he tells me so maybe i can help the habs out a bit. lol |
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Post by Kareem on Jun 18, 2007 16:33:54 GMT -5
Thanks streitshooter, I'm really hoping to see you post here more often, you're insight is very appreciated.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jun 18, 2007 17:26:03 GMT -5
Streitshooter, in your ranking you've put Esposito pretty low. From your perspective do you think he's a big no-no in Timmins book (like Ellerby) or just a probably-not ?
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Post by habmeister on Jun 18, 2007 17:56:29 GMT -5
Streitshooter, in your ranking you've put Esposito pretty low. From your perspective do you think he's a big no-no in Timmins book (like Ellerby) or just a probably-not ? i'm kinda shocked to see repik only 2 spots behind esposito. repik had a good mem cup and playoffs, but didn't take much of a step from last year. i'll find it hard to believe that he goes top 20 or that espo isn't taken in the top 12. |
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Post by rick1042 on Jun 18, 2007 21:58:06 GMT -5
Hi streitshooter,
Thank you very much for your imput on draft eligible players.
I would like to have your view on two players in particular if I may. As a Habs fan, I have been really interested in two players in particular for our first pick: Eller mostly and Sutter also. The reason I am high on Eller is that I believe he has enough upside in him, from what I have read to be a really good NHL player, or, at the very least, a very servicable NHL player. Do you see anything in his game that may turn-off some teams or does he come as advertised? As for Sutter, he seems like the type of player that is better than the sum of his parts, A little bit like Corey Stillman. Is that assesment way off?
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Post by SchoonerGuy on Jun 19, 2007 1:01:47 GMT -5
streitshooter,
Thanks a lot for the info. I am anxiously awaiting my McKeen's draft guide to arrive in the mail.
I know the Habs had several local prospects (or close to local) in Montreal to be interviewed after the combine and in a more informal setting than the combine. I believe I heard Esposito and Couture were a couple of them. Have you heard at all how any of these informal interview/meetings went?
For the #12 pick, my realistic hopes are that we land one of McDonagh, Couture, or Eller. You rank Shattenkirk (#7) quite a bit higher than most other reports who don't doubt his offensive abilities but seem to question Shattenkirk's ability to handle the physical aspect of the NHL and his ability to play in his own end. Can you comment on this?
Thanks and again I'm looking really forward to receiving your draft guide.
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 19, 2007 10:45:10 GMT -5
Streitshooter, in your ranking you've put Esposito pretty low. From your perspective do you think he's a big no-no in Timmins book (like Ellerby) or just a probably-not ? Hey Doc - I'd say Trevor is pondering the Espo question quite a bit. I've received mixed signals from him...but that's not a shock as I have changed my mi d on Espo about ten times this season myself. There is talent there, but there are so many holes in his game, and I really question his sense. Timmins was as disappointed as the rest of us in Espo's second half. He likes his personality and hears he's fine off the ice - Trevor thinks he's a good kid, so it's not like he's worried about a Ribeiro type character even if he does spend a little too much time on his hair LOL. I asked Trevor a while back if he thought Espo would be gone when the Habs pick, he replied "I hope so." Yet a few weeks later when I asked him if the Habs would take him if he's there, he said "I would be pretty hard to pass on him." The rumbling in the scouting community is that the Habs want Espo, and would even consider moving up to draft him, which Timmins says is just fine..."let them think that" he told me. So to be honest I'm not sure what he'll do - I think there's a possibility Espo is in his top 12, and if the other 11 are gone, there's a chance he takes him. If McDonagh or Shattenkirk are there at 12th, I think he'll take one of those two over Espo. |
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 19, 2007 11:00:53 GMT -5
Streitshooter, in your ranking you've put Esposito pretty low. From your perspective do you think he's a big no-no in Timmins book (like Ellerby) or just a probably-not ? i'm kinda shocked to see repik only 2 spots behind esposito. repik had a good mem cup and playoffs, but didn't take much of a step from last year. i'll find it hard to believe that he goes top 20 or that espo isn't taken in the top 12. We didn't do our ranking based on where we think the NHL will take players - perhaps someone takes Espo top 12, and all the power to them. I personally wouldn't take the risk, and that's why he's below the likes of Eller, who is just as good a skater, and a much better playmaker IMO with more grit and tenacity. Head to head Espo versus MacMillan was no contest in the games I saw - I see MacMillan as a surefire all-around 3rd liner with a good chance to get second line duty, and Espo as an inconsistent, defensively questionable second/fourth liner that will get most of his points on the second power play unit. I'm not even sure he'll be a regular second liner on a strong team, which I expect the Habs to be in the next decade. Repik was a consensus top 20 pick going into this season, and in his last 30 games of this season there weren't many players better than him, let alone draft eligible prospects. Do you put more emphasis on what he did during crunch time or what he did during a relatively meaningless regular season on a team that was going to the Memorial Cuip regardless of what they did? We chose the former. That's two straight playoffs and Memorial Cups that Repik was outstanding...and again, my personal opinion.....I want to select players that are someday going to step up for my team in the playoffs - Repik has shown he has that capability in spades. The only real knock on him this season was his competitiveness, particularly on the road, and he answered the critics more than sufficiently during crunch time, and not just for a few games. All that said - I thought we ended up having Repik a little high (I like him in the early to mid 20's), but I wasn't the only one with a say in it, and since I'm not out west I couldn't be too vociferous. |
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 19, 2007 11:46:05 GMT -5
i don't see Timmins moving up to draft alzner. He likes him, but wasn't impressed by his interview at all. He said Alzner told him "I'm thinking about getting a tattoo...what do you think?" To him that showed a clear lack of leadership. Just to give you an idea how much stock they put into character, especially at the top of the draft. When I interviewed alzner, he said his favourite activity is "shopping." He comes across as a momma's boy, and he's certainly far from physical. Also told me he dislikes fighting. I agree that Ellerby has some untapped potential; he grew like six inches in one year, and taller guys have more of a problem with the bench press. But lack of hockey sense is a lack of hockey sense (hello Shawn Belle...)...to be honest I saw it on occasion myself, although not to the extent that Trevor did. He sure can skate though. it is, but how much "sense" do you need to be a quality stay at home defenceman with size? i understand the puck sense with forwards or scorers, but defensive type d-men with good skills, can't they be taught the little things? alzner asking about a tattoo is what turns him off, i can see that its a dumb question, but they're kids and he was probably nervous a bit. but i'll trust timmins, he's done well mining the dub.
who are the whl scouts? i've met charlie hodge but didn't get a chance to ask him many questions, my buddy sits up there with the agents and scouts and i used to sit up there, but its hard to leave my dead center ice seats to sit in the nosebleeds. but i think i might once in awhile this season when he's there to see who he likes. although they usually sit by themselves and don't like to talk too much while the game is on. nothing worse than a "fan" bothering them, but i think my buddy would tell him i've got a good eye, or thats what he tells me so maybe i can help the habs out a bit. lol It's pretty tough to teach hockey sense...that's not a "little thing" IMO that can be tweaked. As for Timmins being turned off by the tattoo thing....I'm sure he wou;ldn't pass on alzner based solely on that comment, but it's not going to make him want to trade up to number 4 to draft him either. If you're looking at a guy as a top five pick you don't want questions with his character, however minute they may appear to others. I wasn't at the interview, so I don't know the exact words that were said, or the tone, etc. I do know that following it Trevor had some major questions about Alzner's leadership qualities, which tells mr he's not looking at trading up to get him. |
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Post by Skilly on Jun 19, 2007 12:05:57 GMT -5
He said Alzner told him "I'm thinking about getting a tattoo...what do you think?" To him that showed a clear lack of leadership. I guess there are alot of hockey players with a "lack of leadership" ... about 70-80% of hockey players sport a tattoo ... and higher in the other professional leagues. For most sports teams, getting a tattoo together develops a bond. Tue, February 20, 2007 Part 3: On their marks: NHLers discuss their first brush with the body inkBy DON BRENNAN, SUN MEDIA
Big, strong Sheldon Souray glances toward his little friend that won't go away.
He shakes his head and laughs.
"A bunny rabbit with boxing gloves," the 6-foot-4, 225-lb. Montreal Canadiens defenceman says in describing the first of his five tattoos, a work of body art he got when he was 15.
"Buster Bunny. That's probably the one I wish they came out with the removable ink, or erasable ink, before I got it.
"A lot of guys have the tattoos and more often than not, they're cartoon characters, which are kind of funny when you're 16, 17, 18 ... but once you start getting 25, 30 years old, you wish you might have got something else."
Since Buster entered his life, Souray has complemented him with meaningful markings. An Indian chief on one arm, a steer's head with feathers hanging off the horns on the other, a design of a star on his chest, a little Mohican sun on his back ... all representing the pride he has in the native part of his ancestry.
He just wishes he could shake the damn bunny.
Joe Corvo knows how he feels.
When he was 16, the Senators defenceman had a tattoo of the Tasmanian Devil etched into the back of his right leg. It's the only one of his 10 he'd probably give back if he could.
"Most guys got like Disney characters playing hockey for some reason," says Corvo, who thinks between 70-80% of hockey players have a tattoo. "It was cool then. I never look at that one.
"There's no turning back. I knew that going in."
Boston Bruins defenceman Andrew Ference got his first tattoo when he was 16 as well.
The Canadian flag was done before he left home to play junior hockey in the U.S. and after parents did some investigating.
"I had to make a deal with them," says Ference. "They had to come and see the tattoo place to make sure it was clean before they'd give me permission to get one."
He's added nine more since then, including tigers on his chest and dragons on his back.
Ray Emery took some heat from Senators management last season when a photo of him getting his arm done appeared on the front of the Sun. Now, he's reluctant to discuss his tattoos, other than to estimate he has "about" eight.
"I've covered some up," says Emery. "I've kinda shut 'er down for a little while."
Even Brian McGrattan's parents didn't complain when got his first tattoo. Of course, they didn't know about it for a few years, either.
"When they did, my dad was a little pissed but my mom was okay," says the Senators tough guy, who has his nickname, the sun, and a tribal piece etched into his upper torso. "I'm not getting any more. I'm not really into them."
Wade Belak was 16 years old when he had his first tattoo done. He didn't get another until his junior days were over and he was playing pro hockey in Hershey.
"Too much time on my hands, I guess," says the rugged Leafs defenceman/forward, who now has seven or eight tattoos.
"Other people had them and I had always been fascinated. I had one on my arm, so I had to get another for the other arm, because I thought not (getting matching tattoos) would look funny."
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Post by streitshooter on Jun 19, 2007 13:37:21 GMT -5
It's a shame oyu put so much effort into that skilly when I believe you totally missed the point.
I don't think Trevor cares too much about a kid getting a tattoo...what bothered him was Alzner seemingly asking him for his permission or advice, which didn't show leadership qualities to him. Can he not make that decision on his own?
Again - let's not blow this out of proportion please - If Alzner falls to 12th he'll probably take him leadership questions or not. I just highly doubt a move up to get him.
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I would be willing to bet the farm that they won't draft Ellerby simply because they don't like him. If you don't believe me wait until after the draft - there will be no Ellerby wearing a Habs uniform
