David Pastrnak makes NHL debut, William Nylander injured, Nick Baptiste traded to play with potential future NHL linemate in Erie's Connor McDavid and much, much more.

Tuesday, November 25^th

I sat in the Windsor Spitfires scouts’ room last week prepping my notes for the Sarnia Sting game and just happened to hear a couple of Anaheim Ducks’ scouts talking about an outstanding game #42 had play. “Yup, he’s ready to play in the NHL” said the one scout. After quick research, I came to realize they were speaking about Josh Manson, Anaheim’s 6^th round selection from the 2011 draft. Manson is the son of former NHLer Dave Mason and began his season with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL), where he was expected to spend the season. However, on October 31^st the Ducks quickly changed their plans and he’s been up with the big club ever since. The former Captain of Northwestern University, Josh isn’t quite as nasty as his father was but he is a 6-foot-3 physical defenseman who won’t be easy to win battles against. From a fantasy hockey standpoint, his value lies in the peripheral categories for now but with him earning over 20 minutes per night, he’s bound to add a few points here and there.

Mason is way ahead of schedule for the Ducks

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Sticking with the Ducks, William Karlsson and Emerson Etem have been reassigned to Norfolk. The duo just wasn’t finding their way onto the gamesheet as Etem posted two goals and four points in 21 games while Karlsson notched a pair of goals and three points in 16 games. It won’t be the last time we see either of these kids this season but Norfolk might provide an opportunity for them to regain their scoring touch.

Subway Super Series player updates, a look at Team Canada's potential World Junior squad and a look at a few of Rossy's underrated prospects who are heating up...

Wednesday, November 19^th

It’s an active time of the year for prospect news as injuries on NHL clubs result in minor league call-ups giving prospects a time to shine. Preparation for the highly anticipated 2015 IIHF World U20 Junior Hockey Championships is in full force as countries are identifying potential roster players. Specifically, we are in the middle of the SUBWAY® Super Series which is a six game series between the Russian All-Star squad and three CHL teams carrying top players from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL.

Let’s start with the Super Series. In a tournament that is traditionally dominated by the CHL (47-14-5 record coming into 2014), Russia took a 3-0 series lead after sweeping the WHL and owning the first OHL game 4-0. The OHL responded well on Monday night cruising to a 5-1 victory in Kingston and the QMJHL held off the Russians Tuesday night to make game six worth watching. Russia leads the series but the CHL can tie it with a win Thursday in Rimouski. With only one game remaining, let’s take a quick look at some prospects, drafted and undrafted, that have impressed.

Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings, 2015 NHL Draft) – The WHL leader in defenseman goals (8), Ivan Provorov had a great showing in both Subway Super Series (SSS) games out west recording an assist in both games. An exception skater, Brandon Wheat Kings import blueliner owns some exciting offensive instincts and projects to be an intelligent and poised puck-moving defenseman. Provorov projects as a Top 30 pick.

Pavel Kraskovsky (Russia, Winnipeg Jets) – With a two goal, three point effort in the Brandon game, Jets’ 2014 6^th round selection, Pavel Kraskovsky, was very good. He was buzzing all night and did an excellent job using his rangy 6-foot-4 frame to outmuscle opponents and fight to get into scoring lanes.

Rushan Rafikov (Russia, Calgary Flames) – Not particularly known for his offensive skills, Rafikov has done well to find his way onto the scoresheet posting one goal and three assists. The Flames’ 2013 7^th rounder has maintained his low-maintenance smart hockey throughout the exhibition series and remains a defender Russia has leaned on for big shutdown minutes. Calgary appears to have got good value on Rafikov.

Vyacheslav Leshchenko (Russia) – An undrafted 1995-born forward, Leshchenko was a player who stood out for me. He’s terrific on the attack flashing quick feet and elusive agility, making him extremely difficult to check. He had a beautiful assist during last night’s QMJHL setting up defenseman Dmitry Yudin.

Igor Shestyorkin (Russia, New York Rangers) – Stood on his head in three of Russia’s first four games turning away 91 of the 93 shots fired at him. For a while there, it didn’t appear that any CHL skater would figure out how to get pucks past the Russian netminder. Shestyorkin allowed four goals in Tuesday’s game but it still appears Shestyorkin will serve as one of Russia’s WJC goaltenders. He plays an exciting style of goaltending and one that uses desperation saves. Now, who doesn’t love that?

Alexander Dergachev (Russia) – Scouts are enamored with this massive power forward who can flat out dominate possession, especially when he’s engaged along the boards or in the cycle. Listed at 6-foot-4 and a smidge over 200-pounds, Dergachev certainly appears to play much bigger than those impressive physical attributes. He shows solid possession skills and uses his size well making him a sure-fire prospect to watch for the upcoming 2015 draft.

Super Series ramblings, games one    Welcome to the latest edition of the ramblings, and my first in quite some time. I’ve been busy with my full-time job, video/stats coaching job, sports and everything else that we all have to deal with. My list has a new entry that I’ll reveal in tomorrow's; feel free [...]

Some prospect notes, thanks to my research for the recent Fantasy Prospects Rankings that went up... *** Derrick Pouliot is toying with the AHL. Eight games, returning from a serious shoulder injury mind you, he has eight points and is already just two shy of the team lead. When he finally does make the Penguins, [...]

Today's ramblings look at the Connor McDavid show, recaps the progress of 2014 1st rounders and applauds the Leafs' Mark Hunter addition...

Thursday, October 23^rd

Continuing from Tuesday’s ramblings, let’s get back to reviewing the progress of the prospects drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft.

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Previously, John Quenneville (30^th) to Robby Fabbri (21^st) were covered and now it’s time to examine the start prospects Nick Schmaltz (20^th) to Kevin Fiala (11^th) have gotten off to.

20^th – Nick Schmaltz (Chicago Blackhawks) – An aggressive move to trade up to acquire Schmaltz on draft day, it will be interesting to see how this dazzling playmaker progresses in the Blackhawks system. North Dakota’s freshman is showing no problems transitioning to the collegiate game with one goal and four points through four games.

19^th – Anthony DeAngelo (Tampa Bay Lightning) – It’s an odd sight to look at the OHL’s defensive scoring leaders and not see Sarnia’s Anthony DeAngelo leading the pack but with one goal and eight points through his first half-dozen games, we’re not panicking. After impressing the Lightning during training camp, DeAngelo has returned to Sarnia rejuvenated. There has been a minor blip on his young season as the New Jersey defender has already served a two-game suspension for his altercation with an official.

Jonathan Drouin makes his NHL debut, Brendan Ross breaks down the early Calder standouts and looks at the progression of 2014 1st round selections...

Tuesday, October 21^st

Hockey is in the full swing of things with prospects stepping up their games, others disappointed and the unlucky experiencing some unfortunate injuries. Here are the latest rumblings around the hockey prospect world.

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Before I dive into these ramblings, let’s just talk about Jonathan Drouin’s NHL debut after sneaking into his first game after Alex Killorn couldn’t go after the pre-game skate. While Drouin didn’t post any points and went minus-1 in 16:10 minutes of ice time, we certainly witnessed his special talent. Once Drouin gets some time to practice with the powerplay unit and then earns time with the man advantage, we are going to see the points trickle in…and trickle in very quickly. One of the best tweets of the night went to THN’s Adam Proteau…

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Drouin on the same line is going to be illegal one day. The NHL may have no other choice.</p>&mdash; Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) <a href="https://twitter.com/Proteautype/status/524405682414419968">October 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Over the next few days, each rambling will be kickstarted by quickly firing through some updates on the play of 2014 NHL Draft 1^st rounders starting with those prospects selected 21^st (Robby Fabbri) through 30^th (John Quenneville) this past June.

30^th – John Quenneville (New Jersey Devils) – Named to the WHL’s Subway® Super Series WHL Roster, Johnny Q used a strong Devils camp showing to turn that into six points in his first four games back with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. Playing alongside Panthers prospect Jayce Hawryluk, Quenneville should finish among the top league scorers.

29^th – Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings) – Playing on the same Modo squad as Leafs’ 2014 1^st rounder William Nylander, Adrian Kempe has posted one goal and four points in his first dozen games which is well on his way to eclipsing his 11 points from last season. The recently turned 18-year-old continues to show a strong power game while focusing on improving his defensive focus.

28^th – Josh Ho-Sang (New York Islanders) – With a six-game suspension carrying over from the 2013-14 season, Josh Ho-Sang has just recently took the ice with the Windsor Spitfires. Fortunately, Ho-Sang opened his season with a three-point effort followed by back-to-back two assist games for seven points in his first three games. Despite his delayed start, Ho-Sang should finish among the OHL’s top scorers and be a legitimate option for Canada’s World Junior team after finally getting an invite to a “try-out” type of an event as a member of the OHL’s Subway Super Series team.

27^th – Nikolay Goldobin (San Jose Sharks) – He almost forced his way onto the Sharks opening day roster but eventually the slick puck handler, Goldobin, was loaned to HIFK of Finland’s Liiga. In a league known for strict defensive play, Goldobin may benefit from rounding out his game inside his own zone. Playing on the larger ice surface, Goldobin has put up a pair of goals and assists in his first three contests.

26^th – Nikita Scherbak (Montreal Canadiens) – Russian born playmaker could’ve arguably started with the Canadiens as the entire organization was thrilled about his camp performances. With Scherbak returned to Everett (a team who traded for his services in the summer), he has four goals and eight points in four games. Here’s a player who should be among the CHL’s most productive players.

Tuesday, September 30th

As the NHL regular season draws nearer, bigger names are on the chopping blocks and here are some of the latest:

Anaheim Ducks reassigned top 2014 pick Nick Ritchie back to the Peterborough Petes. Anaheim’s depth kept him from having any real shot at the NHL this season.

The Coyotes have assigned Henrik Samuelsson and Tyler Gaudet (two players who are very close to NHL action because they are above-average two-way players) to Portland of the AHL. Joining them is goaltender Mark Visentin, among others.

With Rielly Smith and Torey Krug under contract, not surprised to see Seth Griffith (who was being tested in Smith's spot) reassigned to Providence. Defenseman Joe Morrow and forward Jared Knight will follow Griffith. Beyond Ryan Spooner and Alexander Khokhlachev, Griffith and Morrow are two fantasy worthy players in deeper keeper leagues.

Buffalo assigns Joel Armia and goaltender Andrey Makarov to the AHL

There are no huge Calgary Flames’ cuts (see Bennett snippet below) but here were the recent reassignments.

Tuesday, September 23^rd

Hockey is almost into full swing and exciting is building, especially in the hockey prospect world where everyone is rooting for their favourite youngsters to crack NHL lineups. The direct result of such an accomplishment is huge in the fantasy hockey world giving those successful prospects an immediate boost in value. It’s the ole’, “What have you done for me lately?” situation. Prospects close to reaching the big leagues hold more value than their equals years away. So pay attention to DobberProspects and we will attempt to keep you in the loop on who to target.

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Jonathan Drouin will miss the next 3-4 weeks with a slight fracture in his right thumb….Damn, that’ll hurt his Calder Trophy chances.

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Coyotes first rounder Brendan Perlini will miss some OHL time with a broken hand. He was a long shot to make Arizona’s roster. Man, this kid can absolutely skate. If you’re able to see a Niagara game this year (once he’s back of course), check him out. One of the most natural gifted skaters I have seen. My beer-league skating can’t shake a stick at it.

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