If you can, Watch the World Juniors!
by Daniel AC on Dec 26, 2011 11:09 AM PST
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The Ducks have been struggling and if things don't turn around they'll be picking in the top 5. It's even possible they'll be making the first overall selection. The World Juniors tournament is a great chance to see some of the top draft eligible talent or to get a better look at guys who have already been drafted and are developing. In case you need an idea of who to keep an eye on for the up coming draft, Puck Daddy put together this handy list. Yakupov is probably the top guy, but anything can happen at this tournament. So, if you have the NHL network, try to watch as many games as you can and start fantasizing about who we can get if we're picking in the top 10. If this list is any indication of what's out there, we'll be getting a very good player if we're picking anywhere in the top 10.
[Ed Note: NHL Network will be airing Team Canada and Team USA's games tonight.]
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Rakell was a beast last night, Devo was quiet but he had two goals against the Swiss the game before.
The biggest concern for me is that there really isn’t an elite Defensive Dman prospect on that top ten list. I’m sure if we go first, we’d pick Nail and then move other pieces on the team in order to acquire more defense. But the only guy that really looks appealing is Maatta (who of course is Finish). Maybe it would be better to get a few more wins as the season goes along.
Defensive prospects
Yeah I saw this too.. With the money coming off the books and not having a legitimate 2nd line next season.. You go for the Russian forwards and sign a free agent d-man.. Trade for weber rights.. But I’m definitely watching juniors this year to see the russians and rakell
by ShamuSalami on Dec 25, 2011 11:55 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
So like, besides Etem and Gibson, we gots any kids in this thing?
If you imagine a salt shaker in your hand, tilt your head back
and act like you're shaking salt into your mouth; you will taste salt if you concentrate hard enough.
Rakell and DSP. I imagine the oc register will do a list soon.
by Daniel AC on Dec 25, 2011 1:38 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
A few actually
USA
Etem
Gibson
Canada
DSP
Sweden
Rakell
Karlsson
Friburg
There's a few prospects worth keeping an eye on
Latvia
Zemgus Girgensons
Russia
Nail Yakupov
Mikhail Grigorenko
Canada
Ryan Murray
Sweden
Filip Forsberg
All considered to be top 10 picks. You might be watching a future Duck.
also
interesting note on Yakupov: He’s a Muslim, and is the first potential breakout star from the Republic of Tatarstan, 500 miles east of Moscow. So go Nail! (i guess)
Now if we can somehow get the team to let us have that first overall pick.
I’ll be watching Sweden closely this year. Forberg+Colleburg, + our 3 Swedish 2011 draft picks.
Also Forsberg has the least video availability out of any of the 2012 draft prospects. This will be the only way to properly judge his talents.
He also sounds great though. That little blip from Puck Daddy on him had me wondering if we’d do better picking somewhere around 5 instead. I wonder if Yakupov is a little too small, but I’m sure he’ll fill out. It’s certainly not a reason to avoid him if he really ends up being everything he’s supposed to be, but if Forsberg is competing with him, that size bonus could be nice. He sounds more like a Duck style player, although, I suppose that archetype will start changing soon.
I think the sioze thing is over rated. Look at Nugget-Hopkins, they said he was to small and look at what hes doing.
by Hockey Phreak on Dec 26, 2011 3:36 PM PST up reply actions
being small has sort of worked out for St Louis as well.
If nothing else, maybe picking up yakupov would be the trade chip that gets you a Weber…a handy asset to have
by BennyLightning on Dec 26, 2011 4:16 PM PST up reply actions
And Patrick Kane
lol. But RNH, St. Louis, and Kane all have unique offensive gifts that make up for their size. If Yakupov can translate his skill set to the NHL, he should be right up there with them.
by light_the_lamp on Dec 26, 2011 4:24 PM PST up reply actions
well i can categorically assure you that if we pick him up, then i will be preaching he will possibly be better….if we dont pick him… well….not so much
by BennyLightning on Dec 26, 2011 4:38 PM PST up reply actions
St. Louis plays in the Eastern Conference where the Flyers and Bruins seem to be the only teams that play a physical game. Nugent-Hopkins has half of his points on the PP and is still in his first year. We have to wait and see how he holds up. Kane is a very unique player, granted.
Having said all that, It’s possible that I simply love and miss the physical Ducks teams I fell in love with. I’d rather have some players with a little size who can at least play physical. If he they have they skill to be considered a top 5 pick, all the more reason to give that guy another look.
I personally like a mix of physical players and small guys with speed. I read somewhere not to long ago that smaller and speedy guys are making a come back. They said they wouldnt be surprised if you see alot of 5’7-5’10 guys getting drafted high in the near future with there speed and stick handling skills.
by Hockey Phreak on Dec 26, 2011 5:49 PM PST up reply actions
Yep and last I checked, Rakell had 2 assists and Friburg had 2 goals
by Hockey Phreak on Dec 26, 2011 4:59 PM PST up reply actions
Friberg finished with 4 goals in there 9-4 win
by Hockey Phreak on Dec 26, 2011 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
He blocked a shot and has a fracture.. Left leg, I dont know what part of the leg though.
by Hockey Phreak on Dec 26, 2011 5:49 PM PST up reply actions
I was watching the broadcast of the Sweden game online. I was convinced the commentators were from Northern Ireland. Took me 3 full minutes to realize they were, in fact, Swedish.
If you imagine a salt shaker in your hand, tilt your head back
and act like you're shaking salt into your mouth; you will taste salt if you concentrate hard enough.
USA is dominating Denmark, 9-2 after 2 periods. Demark changed goalies after 7 goals. Backup let in 2 goals on roughly 5-6 shots
How is Etem playing? I had to leave and I’m missing hockey tonight.
by Daniel AC on Dec 26, 2011 7:01 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
10-3 now. All 3 of Denmarks goals where on the PP, USA is using a 1-2-1 for the PK and arent being agressive at all. So Denmarks 3 for 3 on the PP, I think the USA is 3 for 4
by Hockey Phreak on Dec 26, 2011 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
Puck Worlds
I was just browsing blogs on SB Nation and there is an International Hockey Blog that goes into some of the players we don’t hear about too often… Here is a the site
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