Penalty Kill: Евгений Артюхин

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

On Thursday, the Ducks traded Drew Miller (525K) and a 3rd Round selection in the 2010 Entry Draft for Tampa Bay's Evgeny Artyukhin (950K). The 6'5" 270 lb winger is 2 Draft classes and one birth year older than Miller and has 81 more NHL games played than his Ducks counterpart.

Murray had sought to acquire Artyukhin as early as the 2009 trade deadline, but could not get a deal done then or at the Draft. The Ducks GM credits Rick Paterson, Anaheim's Head of Pro Scouting, with the decision to acquire the Russian grinder. Paterson worked for the Lightning when the organization drafted Artyukhin, and he has confidence in the player's potential.

On paper, this acquisition brings back much of the grit and grind that Anaheim unloaded in the past six months with the successive trades of Kunitz, Moen and Pronger. Artyukhin notched 249 hits this season (8th in the NHL) along with a two game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit on the Panthers' Ville Peltonen, which came on the heels of two clean but injurious hits on Alex Tanguay and Drew Doughty. Although he'd played only two seasons in the NHL, the suspension was not the Russian's first, as he was tossed for two games in 2006 for a scrum altercation in which he removed the helmet of Senators center Antoine Vermette and hit him with it.

Artyukhin plays like a XXL Mike Brown, with the same noteworthy speed and punishing checks delivered at twice the dosage. And despite knocks on his hockey IQ, Artyukhin finished as one of only 3 plus players who played a majority of the season on the Lightning club (the others are Malone and St. Louis). That statistic is even more impressive when you consider the Russian played in five different line combinations, even one with Lecavalier and Prospal, but logged 525 shifts with Jussi Jokinen and Mark Recchi, who finished minus-8 and minus-15 respectively.

Packing speed valuable on the forecheck, size valuable on the boards and grit valuable all over the ice, Artyukhin has the potential to contribute as an integral role player, though he may never sharpen his toolkit to the hopes of Paterson and Murray.

Upside?
-Paterson Pick. Rick Paterson probably earned Bob Murray's respect as a teammate, but he's earned my respect as the Head of Pro Scouting. Burke and Murray made a number of moves within their network to varying success (Bertuzzi, Brown), but I credit most of the small but successful moves to Paterson (Brookbank, Montador). If Paterson thinks Artyukhin can fill a role on this team, I'm inclined to believe it.

-Speed and Smash. Speed on the forecheck is always valuable, even if its owner does nothing more than chase the puck. And Anaheim was in sore need of another checker, as no Duck made the Top 30 in hits this season (though former Duck Kunitz finished 16th).

-Turning a Corner. After only two years of NHL ice time in a system that didn't or couldn't use him to his full potential, there is a real chance that Artyukhin blossoms this season, even if only as an extremely effective third line player.

Downside?
-Repute Offender. The Russian winger is sometimes called for penalties on clean hits, and was arguably suspended for infractions for which other offenders enjoyed impunity. He may bring enough orange armband heat to fill the void left by Pronger.

-One and Done. Sour negotiations kept Artyukhin out of the NHL for two years, and the chances of a long stay with the Ducks are uncertain. While there was a definite ceiling to Drew Miller's development and the 3rd Round pick may not come to much, the loss of both assets will be felt if Artyukhin can't see eye to eye with his new management.

-Dead Weight. Knocks on his hockey sense and stickhandling are not unfounded. On a team built for offense, struggling to backcheck, Artyukhin (or Brown) could become a superfluous energy player.

Breakdown of his Pre-Ducks Career
Artyukhin was scouted as an intriguing mixture of skating and hands uncommon in a big man. Tampa Bay took him 94th in the 3rd Round of the 2001 Entry Draft. It was the team's fourth pick in a class that only produced two NHL players for the Lightning (Svitov and Artyukhin), both of which have spent more time in Russia than Tampa since being drafted (though Svitov was traded before returning to the motherland).

Artyukhin spent a season in the Q after the Draft, an experience that allowed him to make a seamless transition to the minor leagues. Following an impressive 04-05 campaign with the Springfield Falcons, Artyukhin attended Tampa's training camp, where he was one of the last players cut before the season. But after only 4 games back in Springfield, the Lightning called his number.

That season was a successful one; the rookie even scored a playoff goal against the Senators as the Lightning fought, unsuccessfully, to stave off First Round elimination. Unfortunately, the contract negotiations at season's end went sour. Offers and counter offers were not disclosed, but among the possibly relevant factors are these: Artyukhin changed agents during the offseason, his qualifying offer was 662K, rookie standout Ryan Craig signed for his qualifying offer of 495K (only a 45K raise) and Artyukhin was extremely unhappy bouncing around the various minor league clubs before Tampa managed to negotiate an affiliation with a single team. In the end, Artyukhin signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Superleague, and the Tampa Tribune famously quoted Lightning GM Jay Feaster as saying, "We have sunk a lot of investments in this player, both financial and personal, and as far as I'm concerned he has spit in our face."

Artyukhin played 44 games with Lokomotiv and had twice as many PIM as any of his teammates, but his point production continued to underwhelm. Having availed himself of the benefits of the Tampa Bay development system, Artyukhin was still Lightning property in the 2007 offseason, and the club extended a one year 475K offer to him. The Russian declined, and according to Erik Erlendsson of the Bolts Report, Jay Feaster immediately insisted that, "we are not going to offer him another deal." This time, Artyukhin took up with the Superleague's Avangard Omsk before moving on to CSKA Moscow. In 23 regular season games with CSKA, his stats were respectable, but he turned a few heads when he managed to tie the team leader in goals in the playoffs.

In July of 2008, the Bolts began an offseason makeover that led to, amongst other things, the resignation of Jay Feaster and the re-signing of Artyukhin to a two-year contract worth 1.9M (paying him 1M in the second year). The Russian played well on a struggling Lightning team: leading the club in PIM, providing the requisite big hits and logging only 15 minus efforts in his 73 games played.

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Penalty Kill: Vatanen, Illo and Valentine

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

This final profile concludes our coverage of the Ducks' 2009 Entry Draft Class.

The Ducks certainly journeyed out of North America this year, and for the first time in 8 years, refrained from selecting a player from The Q. They took a chance at virtually every stage of the Draft, and could just as likely end up with four to five NHLers as they could zero.


Round 4 - 106th Overall

Sami Vatanen D
According to The OC Register, Martin Madden called Vatanen a "home-run or a strike-out type of pick" due to the rearguard's diminutive stature. And at 5'9" 160 lbs, he isn't kidding.

Like Bobkov, whom the Ducks picked before him, Vatanen made an impression at the IIHF U18 World Championships. As the captain of Team Finland, he registered 5 points (0 G) in a six-game march to a Bronze Medal. The pint-sized blueliner finished with a +6 rating, but that number is slightly skewed by a +5 nothced in a 7-0 rout of Slovakia during the Preliminary Round.

It was the young Finn's performance in the Bronze Medal game, however, that left most scouts gushing his praises. Down 4-3 to Canada in the 3rd, Vatanen showcased his playmaking and power play quarterbacking ability, as Finland went 2 for 3 with the man-advantage in the final frame. Vatanen assisted both goals.

Upside?
-Size is his ONLY issue. A skillful passer, skater and playmaker, if he were a few inches taller, he might have gone in the 2nd Round.

-Room to Grow. At the Combine Fitness Testing, Vatanen was the Top Performer on the Wingate. He also did the most curl-ups. Clearly gifted physically, Vatanen still has room to get beefier, if not taller.

Downside?
-The Ducks took a chance on a pint-sized power play quarterback with Marc-Andre Bergeron. Assuming Carlyle is still coach when Vatanen gets a shot at the NHL (which is no small assumption), it may be hard for him to play effectively in his own zone.


Round 5 - 136th Overall

Radoslav Illo C
A center for the USHL's Tri-City Storm, Illo was sidelined by a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season. He came back to score 33 points (21 G), including 8 power play goals and 3 power play assists. He finished the season 2nd in shooting percentage amongst his fellow Storm.

Martin Madden broke down the pick for J.P. Hoornstra, saying of Illo, "He's an outstanding skater with great shot. He's not a physical player, he's a skilled player who goes to the hard areas."

Upside?
-Potential Steal. He was injured early in the scouting cycle, and if his late performance is indicative of his abilities, the Ducks will have a steal on their hands.

Downside?
-Raw Talent. Illo played a short season on a bad team in a league that doesn't get much respect for its level of competition. He may bust at the next level.


Round 6 - 166th Overall

Scott Valentine D
Valentine was the defenseman involved in the multi-player deal that sent John Tavares to the Knights. For London, the 6'2" 195 lb blueliner battled for ice time, producing 0 points and 20 PIM in 17 games. He took on a bigger role with Oshawa, and managed a goal and 8 assists in 26 games for the Generals. He plays an aggressive game, and has the skating ability and physical presence to back it up.

Upside?
-Promotion to General. If this season is any indication, Valentine will flourish even further with the playing time he gets in Oshawa. He'll play in all situations, and get a chance to develop every part of his game.

Downside?
-None. Valentine is a great value in the 6th Round. He may not develop offense, but how many 6th Round defenseman will? He may not make the NHL, but how many 6th Round defenseman will?

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Penalty Kill: Matt Clark and Igor Bobkov

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

We continue our draft coverage of the Ducks' 2009 Draft Class with a profile of Round 2 selection Matt Clark and Round 3 selection Igor Bobkov.


Round 2 - 37th Overall

Matt Clark D
Utilizing the Columbus pick they obtained by trading down from 21, the Ducks selected Matt Clark of the Brampton Battalion, arguably the best defensive defenseman available in the 2nd Round.

The young rearguard battled his way up the Troops' depth chart this season. Not an easy task for a rookie playing for the best team in the OHL's Eastern Conference. The 6'3" 210 lb. blueliner is committed to refining his game by getting more mobile and more confident with his physical play. Unfortunately, his offensive skills are still largely a question mark.

Upside?
-Still gaining confidence, Clark may jump into more plays and find an offensive game next season.

-Glove Dropper. While not always successful, Clark has shown an affinity for scrapping. His 1.76 PIM/G in this year's playoffs was quite impressive, especially when you consider the OHL's reduced physicality.

-Battle Tested. Clark has faced some great forwards in the OHL and held his own.

Downside?
-His much touted +21 is a little deceiving. While he's put up an impressive plus/minus for a rookie, it should be noted that he finished the season with 3 G and 20 A. Fellow Brampton blueliner Brad Albert, who also posted a +21, finished the season with four fewer points.

-If he never finds his offensive game, and doesn't find the confidence to really dominate, he will plateau as a 2nd pairing stay-at-home player that may be overvalued at 37th overall.


Round 3 - 76th Overall

Igor Bobkov G
As the 3rd Round opened, only two goaltenders had been selected: Robin Lehner and Anders Nilsson. This left the Ducks with their pick of the litter, specifically Matthew Hackett (ranked 1st by Central Scouting amongst North American goaltenders). Anaheim opted for Igor Babkov (ranked 10th by CS amongst International netminders).

Bobkov turned in a lights-out performance at this year's IIHF World U18 Championship. His stats tell most of the tale, but he really turned heads when the Playoff Round began. In the Quarterfinal and Semifinal Rounds, against Sweden and Finland respectively, Bobkov allowed one goal on 96 shots. The 6'4" 190 lb netminder was a brick wall with eyes, but fell short in the Gold Medal game.

Bobkov plays a stand-up style, maximizing his absurdly large frame. He has a quick glove, but little to no mastery of the key elements of the butterfly technique.

Upside?
-Bobkov Big. Each of Bobkov's legs is the size of Darren Pang. While he doesn't go down often, he can potentially shut down the lower-third of the net with little, if any, lateral movement.

-Natural Ability. Bobkov is a raw talent with the potential to improve as his technique develops.

Downside?
-Stand-up Style. Bill Ranford was the league's last stand-up goaltender, and it's unlikely that a pure stand-up goaltender can still be dominant (or even effective) in today's game. Bobkov will have to learn a lot of basics.

-Big Project. Were Allaire still in Anaheim, he might have seen developing Bobkov as an unclimbable mountain, even 2-3 years down the line. The young Russian will have to find a hybrid style that can translate to the NHL, or he may never even get to the AHL.

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Penalty Kill: Kyle Palmieri

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

"The Anaheim Ducks are proud to select, from the US National Development Team, forward Kyle Palmieri"

I suppose it would have been awkward for Martin Madden to say, "formerly of the US National Development Team," though I'm sure at least a few people were thinking it. Palmieri's off-ice trouble has become quite the melodrama. Officially, he was dismissed for violating team rules. Unofficially, a variety of tales have emerged, though none overwhelmingly trustworthy. Some paint Palmieri as a participant in the rule-breaking, some as an implicated party who refused to name the actual violators. The only certainty is that Palmieri missed an opportunity with the National Development Team, and must make the most of his time at Notre Dame, where he is committed in the Fall or Guelph of the OHL, who drafted him last year.

The Ducks are clearly unfazed by Palmieri's past. It seems the 5'10" 190 lb. center was their man late in the 1st round. When Anaheim was set to pick at 21, the best players that had slipped to 15 (Moore and Schroeder) were still available, but the Ducks again opted to pass on the pair, trading down to select Palmieri (at 26th) and Matt Clark (at 37th). Palmieri is only two inches taller than Schroeder (whose height sent him into draft board free fall) and Matt Clark, while highly regarded, lacks much (if not all) of John Moore's upside. The Ducks passed on a "bird in the hand" at 21 to go for "two in the bush." The odds are against a late 1st Rounder and a 2nd Rounder equaling the potential of a player projected 11-14th overall, but only time will tell.

Anaheim gets an interesting gamble in Palmieri. The young forward was arguably the most physically developed participant in the Fitness Testing at this year's Combine, and the scouts remain high on his quick skating, his banging play and his great hands in tight. Palmieri's toolbox, playing style and stature have garnered comparisons to Zach Parise, and that is certainly the potential plateau for his development. To get there, he needs to develop his hockey sense, and learn to use his quick moves and size to his advantage, rather than getting knocked down from play to play by the larger competition.

If his offense can't mature with the NCAA and then AHL competition, Palmieri could quickly become a third or fourth line grinder with the ability to make the ordinary plays extraordinarily well. That's still valuable, though perhaps a bit expensive at the end of the 1st Round.

Upside?
-Depending on which rumor you choose, Palmieri may have sacrificed his spot on the Development Team to protect his teammates. That would make him a strong character player. The alternative rumor, perhaps, just makes him appropriately mature for his age.

-Hard-working competitor. He may not have the skill set that Holland has, but he displays determination on the ice, which may make him the safer bet of the Ducks two 1st Round picks.

-Strength and quickness. Parise has shown how dangerous this particular combination can be. Despite his size, Palmieri has one of the more desirable upsides of any player in the Ducks' prospect pool.

Downside?
-Again, depending on which rumor you choose to believe, Palmieri may be prone to immature behavior.

-If he ends up a third line grinder, Palmieri and Clark may be a poorly conceived alternative to Moore or Schroeder.

-Size. Despite his strength, Palmieri's size can become an issue, especially joining a prospect pool where he can look very few players in the eye. He may have an uphill climb getting out of the minors.

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Penalty Kill: Peter Holland

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

Two surprise picks in the Top 15: The Islanders traded UP (?) to be certain they could pick Calvin De Haan (a playmate familiar to Tavares) and the Ducks picked Peter Holland at 15th. Were the Draft held in March, both picks would have been timely, but after months of shifting Draft boards, the picks drew the appropriate gasps.

I should say that calling this pick a "mistake" ignores the scouting and interview work that Murray, Madden and their staffs have done over the past few months. However, with Moore and Schroeder still available, this was NOT the prudent "best player available" pick from the perspective of outside observers.

As a gauge of Holland's stock going into the draft, consider that he was a 2nd Round player on The Hockey News Mock Draft, and was picked 27th in the Hockey's Future Mock Draft.

So, who is Peter Holland?



In his rookie season with the Guelph Storm, Holland turned in a quiet effort of 8 G and 15 A, but he took on a larger role this year, and with it, a larger share of the scouting spotlight. His 28 G and 39 A were second only to Matt Kennedy in terms of point production for the Storm. But a slowed pace after a quick start led to the emergence of an oft misquoted characterization of Holland having a "lackadaisical attitude." The actual quote, from a THN article, compared the perception of his passive play as "lackadaisical" to an equally valid perception that his play was "analytical" and thought-out. Regardless of how you might choose to perceive these lapses in intensity, Holland has now been branded with the criticism of "inconsistent," as evidenced by this evaluation from Chris Edwards of NHL Central Scouting:

"When he is competing, he is very noticeable and effective. He is used both on the power-play and penalty-kill units, and at times he has been used at the point on the power-play. He skates very well, smooth, and he generates good speed. He has a very good shot." [emphasis added]

Holland seems aware of the perception. When describing his performance of late, the 18-year old was quick to point to the pressures of being a young leader on his team and the nervousness of knowing the scouts were watching him, factors that could certainly contribute to his inconsistency. Ultimately, whether you choose to paint his style of play as "thinking-man's-hockey" or "taking-shifts-off," the young center may lack the competitive drive to battle at the potential of his 6'2" 185 lb. size.

Upside?
- Good skater. Agile and nimble for his size.
- Incredible hockey sense that makes him a valuable player on the Kill AND Man-advantage.

Downside?
- Inconsistency. It's a question mark that has hung over everyone from Stanislav Chistov to Ryan Getzlaf.
- He may be a perimeter player faking a Power Forward style.
- "Bust" risk is high when you consider that the best players available were both consistent producers, and smart on both sides of the puck.

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Penalty Kill: Final Draft Preview

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

I had hoped that a trade would squeeze through, and give Daniel and I something to talk about tonight. No dice. All we can do is sit and wait for tomorrow.

We will have a number of draft related posts in the coming days, including a breakdown of each Ducks pick. Until then, I thought I should put up a summary of the many mock selections out there: who they are and how the Ducks might end up with them.

Please remember that the Ducks are not above playing a hunch, even if they don't trade down to do it. Some of these are "best player available" picks (Kulikov) based on who falls out of the Top 14 and some are projections based on who the Ducks have drafted of late (Ashton), but none of them can anticipate the thinking of Bob Murray, Martin Madden and their respective staffs.



Nazem Kadri
Picked by: Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated, Mock GM's on HF Boards



Kadri has risen to the Top 10 on most boards, and with good reason. He's creative with excellent offensive hockey sense and vision. I have no idea what would scare teams off of him to the point that he would fall to 15.



Dmitry Kulikov
Picked by: Shane Malloy for TSN, Earl Sleek of Battle of California (SBN Mock Draft), Daniel of Anaheim Calling's "If He's Still There" Pick.

Kulikov is a naturally offensive player, but has shown serious defensive prowess when asked to shut things down. He is projected in the Top 12 on most reputable boards, and yet he's fallen to the Ducks in a number of Mock Drafts. To give you an example of the shenanigans necessary to make such a thing possible: according to the SBN Mock Draft, the Wild would have to pick torn-ligament recovery patient (but through-and-through 'soter boy) Zach Budish at 12th.



Scott Glennie
Picked by: Scott Cullen for TSN, Arthur of Anaheim Calling's "If He's Still There" Pick.



I've said my piece on Glennie, and I really think he'll go 11-14, maybe even 10th. If spreading the propaganda that he is "nothing more than Brayden Schenn's linemate" gets him in a Ducks uniform, then sign me up! And even if the propaganda were true, he'd be a steal at 15th.



John Moore
Picked by: Arthur of Anaheim Calling's "He'll Probably Still Be There" Pick



I never thought I would be the only one left in the John Moore fan club. *Tear*



Louis Leblanc
Picked by: The Hockey News Staff, Hockey's Future Staff

A relatively ho-hum pick, but the combined wisdom of Hockey's Future and The Hockey News declare him the least risky pick of the 15-20 forwards (though that's not saying much).



Jacob Josefson
Picked By: Shawn P. Roarke (Mock Draft Version II) for NHL.com



Josefson is a great two-way center. Some mock drafts have him in the 11-14 range, and some in the 15-20. If the Ducks prefer a scorer, they would prefer Leblanc to Josefson, though the offensive ability of the latter can certainly be developed. But I think the Ducks are currently rolling the dice on enough Josefson-type forwards.



Zack Kassian
Picked by: Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun, Daniel of Anaheim Calling's "He'll Probably Still Be There" Pick, Arthur of Anaheim Calling's "The Ducks Will Take Him Against Their Better Judgment" Pick



In my first Draft post in April, I said the Ducks would ignore a "smart" choice in favor of Kassian. His stock has risen, somewhat, but you can't get around the fact that he's risky. Yes, he's a belligerent bull, and the ice is his china shop. Yes, he showed quite the scoring touch this season. But if he can't balance the two, or if this season was a fluke, the Ducks would be drafting George Parros 15th overall.



Carter Ashton
Picked By: Brad Holland (Mock Draft Version III) for NHL.com



I won't deny that Ashton is a quality power forward, but he would definitely be a hunch at 15. And on Holland's board, he somehow goes ahead of Kadri. There are better options out there, even if they come in the form of a trade down.



David Rundblad
Picked by: Pierre McGuire for TSN, Craig Button for TSN, Adam Kimelman (Mock Draft Version III) for NHL.com

This seems like a hunch. In each of the three mock drafts, he's picked ahead of a defenseman projected to be better than him: Ekman-Larsson (Kimelman's), Moore (Button's) and Kulikov (McGuire's). There is certainly something to be said for a guy who plays in the SEL, and moves the puck well against grown-men. BUT the Ducks are 1 for 10 (Havelid) historically on their SEL picks. The 'competing against grown-men' argument has never really worked out for them.



I've omitted Peter Holland, as his stock has been dropping rather steadily since May. In TSN's final prospect rankings, Jordan Schroeder was ranked 15th. Schroeder would be a great pick, but I don't see him falling past Minnesota.

Alright, that's pretty much everybody. Daniel and I will cover Anaheim trades/Scotty news if it comes down tomorrow morning, and we'll have something on the Draft pick tomorrow evening with continuing coverage over the weekend.

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Penalty Kill: Louis Leblanc

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

I've been patiently awaiting Hockey's Future's Ducks draft preview. I was tempted to comment on Malloy's draft for TSN, but I felt his board went screwy right around the 14th pick. While I am willing to believe that Edmonton would take Ellis instead of Kulikov, I refuse to believe that the Panthers would choose Moore over Kulikov. I know that I said I'd personally choose Moore over Kulikov, but the young Russian from The Q has had a steady and overwhelming hype that makes Moore the lesser of the two in the quest to replace Bouwmeester. The Ducks would be fortunate to take either player, of course, but if Malloy's mock board plays out 1-13 on Draft day, I'd assume the Ducks would end up with Moore, not Kulikov.

Who does Hockey's Future say we get? Louis Leblanc. HF's Chris Shafer has a notably grim, but all too realistic take on the Ducks' situation. The website has yet to roll out its entire mock board, but they are clearly of the opinion that certain players will NOT fall into the Ducks hands. Specifically, they forecast Nazem Kadri going 13th to the Sabres and John Moore going 14th to the Panthers. Shafer hints, as I have before, that in such a situation, the Ducks would be tempted to trade down to add a 2nd Round pick, which they currently lack and may need if they want to draft a quality netminder. Trading down would force Anaheim to cast its lot with a riskier boom-or-bust forward, but that may be preferrable to taking a "safe" player like Leblanc.

So, let's talk Louis. The 5'11" centerman played well in the Quebec midgets, but turned down the QMJHL to go the NCAA route with the United States Hockey League. Leblanc knotted 28 G and 31 A in 60 games for the Omaha Lancers this season, earning him the USHL's Rookie of the Year honor, and stamping his ticket to the ECAC, where he is committed to play for Harvard in the Fall.

I haven't seen him play, as my armchair scouting career has yet to reach the point where I find a way to watch USHL games, but there's a nice Meet The Prospects feature on the Islanders website with three quotes that echo the consensus of the scouting buzz surrounding Leblanc: Strong skater, competitive, knack for team play and a nose for goals in front of the net. At the combine, he was a Top Performer in Body Fat, Skinfolds, Standing Long Jump, Push Strength and Pull Strength. For the specific numbers, feel free to search his name in our chart of the Central Scouting Top Performers list.

Upside?
-Draft Upside: Shafer points to Leblanc as a relatively low-risk player, meaning you pretty much know what you're getting.

-While he isn't touted as a game breaking forward, Leblanc is noted for courage and grit around the net that can provide timely, though not abundant, secondary scoring.

Downside?
-Draft Downside: There are some teams that are high on Leblanc, and the Ducks may get more value in a swap and 2nd Round pick trade with a team as close in the drafting order as, say, The Canadiens.

-Harvard may not be the best program to develop Leblanc, and while some feel he'll fast track to the NHL in a couple of years, I think his devotion to his education will keep him in the Ivy League a bit longer.

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Penalty Kill: NHL Draft Combine - Fitness Testing

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

The NHL Combine. If you haven't checked out the new NHL Central Scouting website, please do. In addition to its Final Rankings, the site now hosts an entire section on the Combine. There, you'll find a list of the invitees and an explanation of the various physical fitness exams, as well as a list of Top Performers in each test. I have reproduced the Top Performers lists here, but check out Central Scouting when you have the time. It's sure to be a valuable resource for years to come.

This year's Combine seems to have lacked a clear standout, leaving the spotlight on the Hedman/Tavares drama, where Victor Hedman held an edge over John Tavares and Matt Duchene. The Combine's subplots are all confirmed by the testing stats: Jordan Schroeder and Kyle Palmieri proved that height and might aren't always proportional, the high school kids made a splash and the meteoric continued to rise, while the injured may have done enough to halt their fall.

So, did anyone jump into 15th and thus into the crosshairs of the Ducks? If they did, it happened in the interview room. The Fitness Stats tell the story of only a few consistently impressive invitees: alleged off-ice troublemaker, Kyle Palmieri (23rd ISS), and high schoolers Mac Bennett and Chris Kreider (24th ISS), who all needed strong interviews to back up their physical performances. If they managed to make an impression on both sides of the Combine, Kreider and Palmieri will probably push themselves up a few spots, though Bennett may remain the steal of the 2nd Round. I've highlighted those players below, along with Nick Leddy (21st ISS) and John Moore (T-15th on TSN's recent draft board and 15th on my insignificant draft board).

The information listed below was compiled from the Top Performers lists available at NHL Central Scouting.



The information listed above was compiled from the Top Performers lists available at NHL Central Scouting.

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Penalty Kill: Scott Glennie

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

So, we're still picking 15th.

If the Ducks had advanced to the Western Conference Finals, they would have automatically forfeited the 15th pick (earned by virtue of having the worse of the two 8th seed records), and drawn no better than 27th. It's not "good" news if you thought this Ducks team had a chance at the Cup, but as a Ducks fan, you have to chuckle that you were able to watch two series of bonus hockey, but you still get to pick immediately after the lottery teams on Draft Day.

In my last Penalty Kill, I said that based on Anaheim's prospect pool, the smart money is on a solid blueliner or a pure scoring Top Sixer. I chose John Moore as the best defenseman available at 15th, and I'd like to point out now that he's also a superior pick to any Top Sixer that will be available at 15th. After the lottery picks, most of the remaining forwards in the First Round are two-way players. Generally, that's a good thing, but the Ducks have so many two-way forwards in their prospect pool that they should be willing to sacrifice a little defensive sense in the name of pure scoring talent. That's not easy to find in the this year's First Round class.

If the Ducks are hell-bent on getting a Top Sixer, I personally feel that leaves them with three options (only one of which guarantees them the pure scorer they're looking for):


1) Trade Up. If the Ducks trade into the Top 14 picks, they can pick up Scott Glennie, a pure scorer who is the subject of this Penalty Kill.

2) Stay at 15th. If the Ducks stay at 15th, but still want to draft a forward, the best pick for them is probably Zack Kassian. He's a more appropriate pick at around 17th, but he's a Big Bad player who's shown enough scoring ability this year that Anaheim might be able to develop him into a power forward.

3) Trade down. The Ducks showed they were willing to trade down last year to get the player they wanted. Gardiner was overvalued at 17th, but that was as far down as Burke could trade. This year, the Ducks can trade into the last ten picks and pick up Drew Shore. Shore's got the recent Ducks pedigree: North American-born, committed to an American college (University of Denver) and a hard worker with competitive grit. Murray may find his slow development preferrable to bringing along the offensive skills of players available at 15th, like Kassian, Peter Holland or Landon Ferraro.




So, how far up does Anaheim have to trade to get Scott Glennie? I'd say they need to get at least as high as 12th (MIN), but more likely 11th (NSH) to nab him. He's ranked 19th overall by ISS, 7th (North America) by Central Scouting and projected to be drafted around 11th by TSN. More importantly, though, why should they draft Scott Glennie?

There are "hot words" when reading through scouting reports because there are things that scouts are willing to say and there are things that scouts are hesitant to say. The rare words that always catch my eye are: "NHL level speed." That's usually enough for me to go find out more about a kid, and in this case, to watch his WHL games online.

This kid is FAST. And he can score in 5th gear, or downshift and finish in another gear if the play calls for it. If you were putting any stock in Landon Ferraro winning the CHL's Fastest Skater competition at this year's Top Prospects game (tweaking his groin to post a 14.009 lap time), SELL IT. For whatever extra torque Ferraro has in the engine, Glennie has a faster top speed, not to mention 2 more inches in height with the prospect of filling out his 182 lbs. frame.

Glennie plays with the much-lauded Brayden Schenn for the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings. Brayden and Scott were the Wheat Kings' first and second picks, respectively, in the 2006 WHL bantam draft, and they combined with fellow rookie Matt Calvert to form one of the most productive first-year lines in WHL history, knotting 193 points. Glennie's share of that was 26G and 32A at a plus/minus of 10. He was quick to drop the gloves that year, and he played a physical and gritty game similar to Schenn's, despite the disparity in size between the players.

This year, Glennie cut his PIM in half (to 25), and he notched 70 points in only 55 games with a plus/minus of 22, before he broke his left elbow, slamming into a goalpost at the end of the Wheat Kings' 7-6 overtime win in Calgary on January 31st. He was out for the remainder of the season, but returned for the Playoffs to turn in an impressive performance and 18 points (as many as Schenn).

Glennie's not a defensive savant, though the Wheat Kings trust him as a penalty killer. However, between him and the projected Top 10 Brayden Schenn, most agree that Glennie is the superior offensive talent. And Central Scouting places a heavy emphasis on his ability to play a physical game in his rookie season in the WHL. For that, they welcome comparisons to Jonathan Cheechoo and Jonathan Toews-- a natural offensive ability coupled with power moves and confidence with the puck.

Upside?
Glennie is an NHL level speedster, who can finish at top speed. He has a powerful and accurate shot, and he knows where on the ice to take it. He's played some time at center (which should warm Randy Carlyle's heart) and some time on the penalty kill, and while he hasn't shown defensive prowess, per se, he's been physical in the WHL, which is usually a strong indicator of a player's courage at the NHL level.

Downside?
The kid needs to fill out his 6'1" frame, but remain effective. Getting dumped at high speeds has been a problem for Glennie. He needs to build some size and durability to make sure that NHL level hits don't combine with his NHL level speed to equal NHL career ending injuries. Also, Glennie is undoubtedly overvalued due to playing with a complete player like Brayden Schenn. There is some question as to whether he will ever look like an 11th overall pick, though that is the cachet in which he will be traded if any team moves picks to get him.

Read more...

Penalty Kill: John Moore

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

Last week, Central Scouting released their final rankings for this year's Entry Draft. This is an important draft for the Ducks, who have amassed an Iowa team stocked with two-way forwards and frequently called-up defensemen. And while that is exactly the kind of team that Brian Burke intended to build, many are putting the smart money on the Ducks picking a Top Six scorer or a solid blueliner to balance out their prospect pool.

I secretly believe the Ducks will ignore those smart money decisions and pick someone like Zack Kassian, but I feel it important to profile some of these "smart" picks. If Anaheim is indeed picking a defenseman this year, they have no shot at Victor Hedman and Jared Cowen's size (despite his shiny new ACL) will get him picked in the top 10. For my money, the third best defenseman in the draft is John Moore, and he may just fall into the Ducks' wheelhouse.


[UPDATED VIDEO: NHL.com feature to replace that camcorder vid.]

Moore may be higher in your mock draft (or lower-- we'll talk about that later), but as he blossomed late in the scouting cycle, I think he will be there right around 15th.* Central Scouting places him as the 6th best skater in North America and the 2nd best College or College-committed player available on draft day, while the ISS Rankings from March place him as the 17th best overall.

John Moore is a native of Winnetka, the suburb 10 miles north of Chicago that passed for the fictitious Shermer in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In 2007, after a growth spurt that carried him to the 6-ft. mark, he tried out for the USHL's Chicago Steel. Although he missed the cut, a member of the Steel roster moved on to the OHL, which opened a spot for Moore at 7th defenseman. He made the most of the opportunity, posting 4G and 11A with 2A in the playoffs and ending the season as a Top Four in the depth chart.

Moore added some juice to his scouting buzz when he helped the USA win the Gold at the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose. Among the skills he displayed on the international stage were a big shot, natural offensive talent and dynamite skating ability, which he honed under the tutelage of power skating coach Rafe Aybar.

Going into his second year with the Steel, Moore worked to improve his strength, conditioning and nutrition, bringing the 6'2" blueliner to the 190 lbs+ mark. The improved regimen showed in his puck-handling, skating and scoring touch, prompting Steel coach Steve Poapst to declare him "head and shoulders above anyone at [the USHL] level." For proof of that, you need only look to the rearguard's 2008-09 USHL Defenseman of the Year award, an honor he won with a 14G 25A campaign that featured a natural hat trick, 18P on the power play and 3P on the PK.

Moore describes himself as a puck-moving defenseman, a strong skater and a good passer. When modeling his game, he looks to players like Duncan Keith and Scott Niedermayer, who use skating ability to position themselves and be effective on both sides of the puck. As far as the improvements required to bring his game to the next level, Moore cites gap control, positioning, down low 1-on-1 and better work along the boards.**

The main concern when scouting Moore was his offensive decision making; his coach and teammates often razzed him for trying to be the fourth forward on every shift. However, halfway through this season, Moore made the conscious effort to pass on entry and to survey his options from the blue line, rather than bring the puck in and attack on his own. He's also worked hard to find consistency in his mental approach to the game. The increased discipline has shown on the ice and on the scoreboard. And his ability to make these minor adjustments shows he has a strong work ethic and a coachable personality.

Moore went undrafted by the Canadian leagues, and has committed to play at Colorado College next year. If I were Murray, I pick Moore for these three reasons:

1) Skating. No one is the 'next' Scott Niedermayer, but strong skating defensemen play well in the Anaheim system. And not only is Moore maybe the best skating d-man in the draft, but he consciously works to make skating the cornerstone of his game.

2) Still improving. The kid has a smiling and hard-working approach to hockey, and he's eager to address any shortcomings in his game. Not to mention the fact that he's still hitting growth spurts and may end up 6'4" 210lbs+ when all is said and done.

3) WCHA scouting reports. Anaheim has always had faith in the US College programs and the structured year-to-year progress reports that they offer an NHL team. If Moore indeed attends Colorado, he will be brought along properly and methodically, while being consistently tested by WCHA teams that are heavy in NHL drafted forwards.

Now, remember when I said we'd talk about YOUR mock draft, which so clearly disagrees with mine? Let's do that now. First, if you have Cowen falling out of the top ten and into the Ducks' system-- awesome, you're an optimist. I just don't think that the teams ahead of the Ducks will let a blown ACL scare them off of the second best defenseman in the draft (though he will miss the draft combine). If you agree with me there, you probably have Ryan Ellis, Dmitri Kulikov or Simon Despres as better options than Moore.

I'm going to dismiss Ellis as a good fit for Anaheim. They tried bringing a small defenseman into Carlyle's system as recently as Bergeron, and it didn't work. Ellis is good, but at 5'9" he's not a Carlyle blueliner. Kulikov is a good choice (especially if he's still available around 15th): naturally offensive but able to play purely defensive hockey when asked. He's been great in the QMJHL, but he's not quite the skater that Moore is, and he lacks the physical presence that Despres can bring. Also, the Ducks have managed to get rid of almost every Russian/E.European player and prospect in their system-- that's right, Daniel, I went there --so I don't see him as a likely pick. I like Simon Despres, and I think he offers tremendous shut down skill at the expense of offensive production. I will try to cover options like Kulikov, Despres and others if I have time in future PK posts.

*An estimation based on the end of the season standings, not a forecast of actual draft position (if you know what I mean).

**Comments culled from his interview with The Pipeline Show.

A follow up to this post is available here. Read more...

Penalty Kill: Dan Sexton

10/31/09 Update available here.

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

You may have missed this acquisition, but the Ducks signed Bowling Green RW Dan Sexton to a two-year entry-level contract at $500K (NHL salary) per season with a $150K signing bonus. His fee at the AHL level will be $50K and $55K for the two years, respectively.* I've been following this kid since November, and I must say that I'm EXTREMELY surprised he's ended up with the Ducks. Let's take a look at Dan Sexton.

Every blogger and their mother (sorry, Adam Brady) will give you the stat line - 38 games with 17G 22A, and there's no doubt that Sexton had a breakout season this year-- he's a gifted attacker, but that's not the line that worries me. It's this one - 5'9" 166lbs. The Ducks have been down this road before with Ryan Shannon. Out of Boston College, Shannon was a smooth passer with 20/20 hockey vision. He was brought along slowly, allowed to play out his time in Hockey East then dominate the AHL. He was even welcomed onto the Stanley Cup team. But his size sealed his fate. Frequently separated from the puck and taken out of plays, Shannon could not use his diminutive height to draw sympathy from the refs, as he was playing for the most physical team in hockey. He couldn't find his game while being bounced around the ice, and he was bounced around the league until Bryan Murray could maneuver a second chance for him in Ottawa. McNab has yet to convince me that Sexton's future in Anaheim is much brighter.

In 2007, the trio of Dan Sexton, Patrick Tiesling and David Soloway led the Sioux Falls Stampede to the USHL's Tier I Championship, the Clark Cup. Tiesling and Soloway committed to Bowling Green, while Sexton continued to weigh his options, which included Denver, St. Cloud State and Alaska. He eventually committed to an East Coast school, but Tiesling convinced him to de-commit and join his old teammates with the Falcons.

That 07-08 team finished 18-21, but the rookie lines were impressive. And with players like 5'7" Jacob Cepis, Bowling Green seemed to be the right fit for Sexton, as the team was committed to growing small forwards with skill, speed and courage to match up against the CCHA's physically dominant teams. Sexton showed great two-way sense in his freshman season as a mainstay on both the power play and penalty kill, potting 3 shorthanded goals.

In their sophomore season, Sexton and Soloway were joined by senior Brandon Svendson to form the Falcons' "Axe Line." Soloway and Svendson already played on the same PK unit, but Coach Paluch was reluctant to put Sexton and Svendson on the same even strength line as neither had ever played Left Wing. However, in practice, Svendson found he enjoyed the left side, and the trio went on to post 93 points. The line was known for its passing, creativity and the talent level requisite of three players who were dangerous on the penalty kill. Sexton improved his speed and offensive vision during the course of the season, finishing as the seventh best forward in the conference, just one spot out of the First and Second All-CCHA teams.

The Axe Line made noise amongst the NHL scouts, though they were unable to save Bowling Green's win/loss record. The Falcons would play another losing season, intensifying the rumors of the impending demise of the BG hockey program and making it likely that Sexton would be poached at the end of the year.

In January, David McNab made the trip to see Bowling Green play Ohio State, and was immediately impressed by Sexton, who had 2G and 2A in the series. The Ducks' Senior VP maintained regular phone contact with the prospect, attended another Falcons series and followed four televised games before making the decision to sign him. McNab noted Sexton's tremendous offensive talent, but was quick to point out how hard he battled, something vital to succeeding as a small forward at the professional level. He placed the right wing's NHL transition as still a couple of years away, and the kid agrees that he needs to improve his size and strength, starting this summer.

It's not that I'm fond of the Ducks' unofficial rookie height/weight restriction. I don't think every kid should have to be a Ryan Getzlaf Sasquatchewan of a human being to survive in Anaheim, but Sexton has an uphill climb ahead of him. Even if he comes in at the right size and speed, we will still expect him to protect himself and stay cool headed if he gets targeted by another team, which troubled McDonald (and now Ebbett). Of course, unlike Shannon, Sexton has undeniable defensive value, and may be capable of replicating Todd Marchant's recent game-- sound defensive small forward hockey with the ability to cash-in on transition and turnovers on the forecheck. But whatever avenue he finds into Anaheim, it will be tough to stay there. I sincerely hope, both that he proves me wrong and that his talent is not wasted by trying to run with the Pampalona bulls that are the Ducks.

*UPDATED citation: figures taken from an article in Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune by Andrew Weber, dated April 7th, 2009.

Read more...

Penalty Kill: MacGregor Sharp

10/31/09 Update available here.

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

Some of you may have guessed from my previous posts that I keep my Slingbox in the Midwest to stream FSN North goodness into my home during the college hockey season. As such, I never miss a televised WCHA game.

When I heard that the Ducks signed Minnesota-Duluth center Macgregor Sharp, my response was a growling, "YEEEEEEESSSS!" instead of the recent Ducks fan standard, courtesy of Brian Hayward: "...*shrug* must be another McNab signing..." So, what is it about watching Sharp play over the past few years that has me so excited? Let's take a look at the story of MacGregor Sharp.

In many ways, the story of MacGregor Sharp is the story of Mason Raymond. The Alberta natives played together for four years, two years on the same junior hockey team and two years at Minnesota-Duluth. At both programs, the same pattern played out: Sharp and Raymond would post similar numbers in their first year together, only to have Raymond pull away as the superstar in the second year. Though identical in size and age, their styles were different: Mason, the speedster with great hands and MacGregor, the relentless grinding puckhound.

In 2005, Raymond won the AJHL MVP, which got him drafted by Vancouver in the second round. Sharp went unselected. In 2007, Raymond would win the UMD team MVP, which got him called up to the AHL. Sharp remained in the WCHA for his Junior and Senior years.

On March 19, in Vancouver, Mason Raymond scored his 19th major league goal, the 10th in his second season with the Canucks. He was living his NHL dream. Two-thousand miles away, in St. Paul, MacGregor Sharp was finally realizing his.

The WCHA plays a Final Five format where two teams play a wild card game, called the "Play-In," in order to qualify for the semi-finals. This year's Play-In pitted the Minnesota Golden Gophers against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Sharp was red-hot going into the tournament, having points in 10 of his last 11 games. But, if the purpose of finishing your college career is to develop your game, play on the national stage and show the scouts you can win, then Sharp appeared out of luck. The Bulldogs were on the bubble in the Pairwise Rankings, making a selection to the NCAA tournament doubtful. And while four Play-In winners had reached the WCHA title game since the advent of the Final Five format, none had ever won the tournament. But then...

Sharp followed up a shot on Gophers goaltender Alex Kangas, potting the rebound and knocking the flu-ridden Kangas out of the game. MacGregor opened scoring again the next night when he chased down a misplay by Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness, depositing the shorthanded puck in the net before the tender could return to his crease. Then, in the championship game, Sharp made a sweet pass on a 2-on-2 break on the power play, only to slide the return feed under Pioneers backstop Marc Cheverie. It was the first of Sharp's three goals that night, and the Bulldogs became the first Play-In winner to ever take the WCHA championship.

I'm sure, or I hope, many of you saw the first rounds of the NCAA tournament. A pass by Sharp set up the Miracle at Mariucci. And the center would score the only goal (and a couple of near goals) in the Bulldogs bid for the Frozen Four. I'm here to tell you that those are good indicators of his talent level.

His performance in both the WCHA and NCAA tournaments shows he's developed poise. He has great two-way hockey sense: a grinding backcheck, but equally skilled at sniffing out rebounds and anticipating bad plays. He can create relentless first man pressure, but he's also played a lot of time as the second forechecker. He plays a solid penalty kill, but his impressive passing and his ability to dangle on the halfboards made him an indispensible center on the best power play in the WCHA. If I had to pinpoint the part of his game that caught McNab's attention, I'd say it was his play in the NHL sized rink. The Final Five was played at Xcel Energy in St. Paul, and the smaller but longer zones seemed to benefit Sharp on both sides of the puck.

He's played four games in Iowa (currently at -4), where they are likely working on his faceoff game. He's much better at tying up his man than winning a clean draw, but his game in the circle should drastically improve with the minor adjustments of the Chops coaching staff. Expect to see him in the preseason.

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Penalty Kill: NCAA Tourney

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

The NCAA tournament opened this weekend. If you haven't been glued to ESPN2, ESPNU and even the Notre Dame game on ESPNC then I'm sorry, but I just don't know what you're doing with your life. Anaheim had four prospects in the tournament. I thought we'd take a brief look .

JUSTIN VAIVE
Vaive isn't a featured forward for the Redhawks, but his size (6'6") could prove valuable in DC, so tune into the Frozen Four if you can.

Vaive took an undisciplined holding penalty against the Bulldogs that Mercier converted into a shorthanded goal. As good as Stalock was playing, I'm going to give Vaive an honorary assist on that one.

MARK MITERA and STEVEN KAMPFER
Kampfer has become more famous for his off ice injury and a vicious on ice hit than for his playing ability. Hopefully, he will stay for a senior year in Michigan to show he can still play hockey.

Michigan senior captain, Mitera spent most of the year holding a clipboard and a crutch after ACL reconstruction. He looked good coming back in late February, making only the occasional mistake. He didn't look great against Air Force, but none of the Wolverines really did. Expect to see Mitera in the upcoming preseason.

NICK BONINO
Against Ohio State, Bonino had a goal and two assists in a one-sided blowout, and in my opinion, Bonino and Yip have provided more energy and scoring chances for the Terriers this postseason than Wilson and the other forwards.

Today, this kid completely blew me away. A tenacious UNH team traded chances with BU for three periods, locked in a 1-1 tie. With under a minute to go, the Terriers established play in the UNH end. Bonino came streaking into the zone calling for the puck in the slot. He got it, and skated it forward into a gauntlet of blue jerseys. After two dekes, he was hauled down with 45 seconds to play, drawing the penalty that sent Boston to the Frozen Four. What more can I say about a kid, playing for the best team in college hockey, who wants the puck when the game is on the line...

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Penalty Kill: Eric Tangradi

ARTHUR:
Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

Back on the Penalty Kill today after digesting 9 straight hours of WCHA tourney goodness (Slingbox owns my soul during these Selection Sunday countdowns).

I said before that my Penalty Kill posts would focus on players who are (or who I think SHOULD BE) in the Ducks organization. Well, file this one under 'should be' because we're taking a look at LW Eric Tangradi, the plus-one that went to Pittsburgh on the arm of Chris Kunitz.

When Brian Burke left for Toronto, the company line was that nothing would change. Players marveled to the media that Bob and Brian were not just a team, but practically the same individual. Bob saying something was as good as Brian saying it. They were two voices speaking for the same body, two entities sharing one managerial destiny. Then came the trade deadline. Bob went rogue. Bob went solo-- and I mean Bobby Brown singing a 15-minute rendition of "Mr. Telephone Man" kind of 'Solo.'

Burke was an Entry Draft artist, doing some of his best work in the second round (Anaheim picked there thrice in 2008). Murray moved Burke's 2008 43rd overall pick, Eric O'Dell, in a straight-up deal with the Thrashers for Erik Christensen. And days before that, Bob moved Burke's 2007 42nd overall pick, Eric Tangradi, to Pittsburgh as the bow that gift wrapped Chris Kunitz.

I'm sure Ducks fans would like to continue to debate the Kunitz trade, but the truth is that Ryan-Ebbett-Selanne established themselves as the second line and Kunitz's size prevented him from ever clicking with Getzlaf and Perry's cycle game on the first line. He had become a superfluous Top Sixer. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh was desperate to find a linemate for Crosby, and they were locked into a long-term deal for Whitney when they had plenty of cheap, young defensemen, hungry for on-the-job training. The meat of the deal made sense for both teams. However, Tangradi tipped the scales far in Pittsburgh's favor.

"Why?" you ask. Let's start with size. Tangradi is 6'4" 220 lbs., and he's posted 32, 41 and 61 PIM during his three seasons with the OHL's Belleville Bulls. That's not all fight time. Don't forget that Tangradi is the same guy who took a stick blade to Chris DiDomenico's face when the Canadian forward took a victory lap by the US bench in the World Junior Hockey Championships.

When he wasn't riding the pine, the Bulls' captain matched his penalty numbers with the directly proportional 20, 60 and 88 points, proving himself to be a dynamic and dominant scorer. As to his abilities as a leader, Coach George Burnett welcomes a comparison to Tangradi's former teammate and still Ducks' property, Matt Beleskey. Both players display the poise to deliver the fight, the block, the big hit or the goal when the team needs it. But don't forget that Tangradi is bigger than, and also a stronger skater than Beleskey.

Add to this the consensus that Tangradi is still getting better and still gaining confidence in the physical and finesse parts of his game and you have to wonder what Murray was thinking. Tangradi should be a Duck, not just because he WAS a Ducks propect, but because he's ALREADY a Duck. He's the sort of gritty, skilled power forward who has no business playing anywhere else. Read more...

Penalty Kill: Jake Gardiner

Updated look at Gardiner (11/6/09) available here.

ARTHUR:
I'm shorthanded today, as Daniel is handling some offline business. That's bound to happen from time to time here at Anaheim Calling, life being what it is, but we've planned ahead for these scheduling emergencies with these solo "Penalty Kill" posts. For my part, I will try to use my PK posts to highlight players that are (or that I feel should be) in the Ducks organization.

With the Conference tourneys warming up in college hockey, I thought we should take a look at Jake Gardiner.


[Gardiner assists the first two goals in the video and pretty much scores the last one]

The Ducks traded down in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and picked 17th overall. They claimed 6'2" 175 lb. offensive-defenseman Jake Gardiner, who played all four years at Minnetonka High School in Minnesota, though only the last year on the blueline.

Gardiner now plays for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in college hockey's WCHA. In 35 games for the Badgers, Jake's posted 2G (both on the Power Play) and 16A on 58 shots. He's a breathtaking skater, who can lead a rush or make the smooth quarterback moves on the man-advantage, but his incredible on-ice awareness makes him much more valuable as a blueliner than he ever was as a forward.

The one 'knock' I can place on him, from the televised games this season, is that he needs to fill out physically. He's strong on his skates and he's a smart checker, but he'll need to show that he can physically dominate at the 200 lb. mark without sacrificing any of the quickness in his feet and hands.

Luckily, Gardiner has seen plenty of ice time with Junior defenseman and Hurricanes' property, Jamie McBain. The Badgers' Assistant Captain has a better pedigree than Gardiner, having played high school hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's, and that shows in his conditioning. Jamie plays textbook offensive defense at 197lbs., and he was imposing his visage on the Hobey Baker picture until the last few games of the season. A testament to his leadership, he went scoreless in six games and the Badgers lost four of them. McBain has given Gardiner a look at an NHL-ready offensive defenseman, where Gardiner hopes to be in two years.

Wisconsin swept the Mankato Mavericks over the weekend to advance to the WCHA Final Five. The Badgers were, as usual, unstoppable at the Kohl Center, opening up a 2G 2nd period and a 5G 3rd period in the first game on Friday. Mankato pulled Zacharias in the 3rd, and Gardiner immediately found the net with a wicked wrister from the blueline that got behind relief goaltender Dan Tomey. Gardiner would tack on 2A (1EV, 1PP) during superfluous scoring on the way to a 7-1 victory.

The Ducks' prospect failed to show up on the scoreboard in the second game on Saturday, but he got a few clean shots on goal and made some timely defensive plays in a tight 4-2 victory. Read more...