Catching you up on prospects moved or being shopped at the NHL trade deadline...plus some highlights from the prospect world. Monday, March 1st, 2015 With Austin Wallace’s head buried in his textbooks preparing for his midterms (aka, watching “TradeCentre”) the two of us are swapping ramblings days so you’re stuck with me [...]
Prospects that could be in a Kessel trade, the best defensive prospect in hockey, and more from a new rambler...
One of DobberProspects' own top prospects, Zach Hopkins, has been tearing up the scout circuit and I thought I'd give him a shot at the ramblings. I think he rocked it and let us know in the comments if you agree. Austin Wallace
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Philadelphia Flyers fans are starting to get excited again as the team marches closer to a playoff berth. As of this morning, they sit four points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Flyers diehards have another reason to be excited as top defensive prospect Shayne Gostisbehere has resumed skating and is targeting a March return for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The speedy blueliner tore his ACL back in the fall. Sam Morin, another Flyers defensive prospect, was suspended two games by the QMJHL after a check from behind in a blowout game against Saint John’s. Morin is projecting to possibly break camp with the big club next season and will need to be more disciplined in a city whose hockey franchise has affectionately been tabbed the Broad Street Bullies.
A quick look at some targetable prospects as the NHL trade deadline nears. Friday, February 20th With the NHL trade deadline approaching, scouts are scouring junior and collegiate rinks checking in on targetable prospects. Look towards the teams with deep prospect cupboards who are considered “contenders/buyers” to draw the most attention. The [...]
A quick look at some targetable prospects as the NHL trade deadline nears. Friday, February 20th With the NHL trade deadline approaching, scouts are scouring junior and collegiate rinks checking in on targetable prospects. Look towards the teams with deep prospect cupboards who are considered “contenders/buyers” to draw the most attention. The [...]
The 1676 goal hockey game, Leipsic traded to the Leafs and more... Along with a first round pick Brendan Leipsic was the centerpiece of the Franson/Santorelli deal and I like it from his perspective. As a small, mid-round prospect, Leipsic should feel good that he will be given opportunities by an organization that went out [...]
Analysis of the Buffalo-Winnipeg swap, breaking down Craig Button's new draft rankings and a look at the Calder Trophy race.
Thursday, February 12th
Let’s get straight to the big news that shook down Wednesday afternoon with Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian headed to Buffalo in a trade. Kevin Cheveldayoff did a miraculous job in a trade where his hands were tied (Kane being a diva with a questionable character and then add in the fact that he was out for the remainder of the season). As I was reading the return for Kane, I kept getting more and more impressed.
College gems, prospect analytics and more...
Edit: Evander Kane has been traded to Buffalo, and part of the return are prospects Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux. Their profiles have already been updated to reflect the trade.
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Ryan Murphy will be out four weeks with a leg injury. He had been playing much better as of late, and looked to have secured a spot in the NHL with 7 points in 21 games and improving posession numbers. Hopefully this won't be a long-term injury for the former 11th overall pick. Especially if Sekera leaves, Murphy should be able to secure powerplay time and a consistent top-four role next season. While the Hurricanes aren't the greatest team, there is enough talent to support two fantasy relevent defensemen.
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Brendan Perlini has had a pretty great week with eight points in three OHL games for the streaking IceDogs. He is sixth in OHL points per game with 40 points in 26 games. Arizona's 12th overall pick this past June has really stepped into another gear recently, after a broken hand kept him out to start the year.
Crazy saves, streaks and Jevpalovs...
Life, school and an annoyingly good Butler have been occupying a ton of my time, but this will be the sixth week of consistent ramblings and the show will go on.
Nicolaj Ehlers is having a historic season, and currently has a 25 game point streak going on. 59 points in 25 games. That is pretty great, and the Jets are thanking the Canucks every night for taking Virtanen and leaving them such a special prospect. Don't get me wrong, it is way too early to predict those two players' NHL careers, but I don't think too many people would take Virtanen (who has 37 points in 29 games, but has been doing better lately) at #6 if we held a redraft tomorrow.
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Tell me who the top scoring defenseman was for last year's World Junior's. Didn't think you could.
Your resource to the 2015 NHL Draft and its midseason rankings - who's too high/low, Maple Leafs rant, Dylan Strome vs. Mitch Marner debate, Johnny Gaudreau and Max Domi post-WJC update...
Friday,January 30th
As a draft enthusiast and one that follows its eligible players religiously, January/February is an extremely busy time of the year. Some of the world’s best prospects have just wrapped up competing in the illustrious World Junior tournament, league play resumes shortly after for them and then the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (as well as USHL Top Prospects Game) unfolds. Following that busy stretch, it marks a time where new rankings are constructed based on first half play and those rankings are usually very close to the final lists that come out pre-draft. Of course, there’s always chance to elevate their stock down the final 20 game stretch in their schedules and a long standout playoff run can certainly help a draft stock but generally speaking, scouts have a good idea of where players will fall in the upcoming draft.
On Wednesday, I put out my updated 2015 NHL Draft rankings (Midseason version). It was the first time that I have included players outside of the OHL. I wanted to make sure that I’ve been able to catch most of the top prospects live (if possible) or through online viewing. The Top 30 ranked prospects have profiles attached to them.
The AHL All-Star Game, Jacob Markstrom's future and more...
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The NHL all star game was this weekend, and it features some of the best the NHL has to offer, including great performances by recent prospects Filip Forsberg and Aaron Ekblad. Despite the usual protests, I personally thought it did what it set out to do, provide some fun for the fans and the stars both while showcasing the league.