30 in 30: Toronto Maple Leafs
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World Junior, Junior based prospect ramblings
Mitch Marner dominating the OHL, Connor McDavid comes alive and Jets prospects impress
Saturday, January 3rd
Happy New Year to all of our dedicated DobberProspects readers! As we turn a new calendar year, I speak on behalf of the entire DobberProspects staff, including Associate Editor Austin Wallace, when I say that we hope to continue bringing you some of the best prospect coverage out there. As a new resolution, Austin and I are planning on ramping up the frequency of our ramblings so be sure to keep checking back.
Before I dive into the World Junior Hockey Championships, there are few non-WJC related prospect stories that need to be addressed…
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In an NHL draft class that features to projected superstars in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, it’s extremely difficult to top the daily news that surfaces daily on those two players. In saying that, how about London Knights’ draft eligible forward Mitch Marner’s surgence? The young right winger has been absolutely sensational since the end of October.
He started the season off on a slow note with just four points in his opening 10 games which required me to remind the hockey world that he would be alright and not to worry, sending people to re-read my article on him late last summer. On October 24th, Marner picked up three assists against an Ottawa 67’s squad which sparked a 16-game point streak tallying 21 goals and 44 points before he was held pointless on December 5th against the Soo Greyhounds, ending that impressive run. Since he was blanked, Marner has picked back up from his storybook month that witnessed him become the OHL’s November Player of the Month.
In his past 10 games, the slick playmaking forward has dominated the gamesheet posting 10 goals and 28 points, including 5-point and 6-point nights in back-to-back games against the Sarnia Sting. Do the math and you quickly find out that Mitch Marner has racked up 31 goals and an astonishing 72 points over his last 27 games, with only one pointless game.
In any other draft, Marner would be a lock for a top 5 selection but the likes of McDavid, Eichel, Hanifin, Crouse, Werenski, Strome and Zacha are still making it tough to crack. Outside of maybe McDavid, I haven’t seen many draft eligible skaters with Marner’s ability to create offense and it’s going to be arguably the best Top 10 in the drafts recent history. What a class of players! Marner sits with a seven point cushion in the OHL scoring race (77 points in 37 games) ahead of Dylan Strome (70).
Rossy’s 2015 World Junior Championship Ramblings
Updating the prospect action of the World Junior Championships with a close look on Leafs William Nylander, Predators Kevin Fiala, Canada's Connor McDavid and American Jack Eichel...
Sunday, December 28th
Two days in at the 2015 World Junior Championships and we’ve already witnessed some stellar performances. Lucky for me, I have tickets to every game taking place in Toronto featuring Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Denmark and thanks to PVR, I have been able to catch the Pool A action, including Canada, US, Slovakia, Germany and the defending 2014 gold medalists – Finland.
As good as it would be to watch Canada and USA through the round robin, I am thankful for the teams and their talents participating in Toronto. Having the chance to watch William Nylander (Sweden/Maple Leafs, 8th overall in 2014), Nikolaj Ehlers (Denmark/Jets, 9th overall in 2014), Kevin Fiala (Switzerland/Predators, 11th overall in 2014), Jakub Vrana (Czech Republic/Capitals, 13th overall in 2014) and AHL star David Pastrnak (Czech Republic/Bruins, 25th overall in 2014). With each of them possessing similar offensive skills featuring crafty puck skills and out-out-of-this-world creativity, all five of them have been a treat to watch. More on these players a little later.
Fortunately, the long list of exciting participants doesn’t end there as plenty of 1995s have proved (and will continue to prove) to be dangerous throughout this tournament. From Group B action in Toronto, here are a few drafted players (outside of the ones mentioned above) who have stood out for me … Nikolay Goldobin (Russia/Sharks), Pavel Buchnevich (Russia/Rangers), Sergey Tolchinsky (Russia/Hurricanes, signed), Vladislav Kamenev (Russia/Predators), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Denmark/Blue Jackets), Ondrej Kase (Czech Republic/Ducks), Mirco Mueller (Switzerland/Sharks), Noah Rod (Switzerland/Sharks), Jacob de la Rose (Sweden/Canadiens), Linus Soderstrom (Sweden/Islanders), Robert Hagg (Sweden/Flyers), Lucas Wallmark (Sweden/Hurricanes), Axel Holmstrom (Sweden/Red Wings), Adrian Kempe (Sweden/Sweden) and Oskar Lindblom (Sweden/Flyers).
Prospect Ramblings – Canadian and American WJC Camp Rosters
Wednesday, December 3rd
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – World Junior countdown is on! 23 days remaining until puck drop!
Hockey Canada released it’s 29-player list for the National Junior Team Roster on Monday and as always, there was a lot of upset people at their decisions. Canada’s decision to only invite two goaltenders to the final camp seemed to be one of the biggest stories and it appears Zach Fucale (Montreal Canadiens) and Eric Comrie (Winnipeg Jets) will be the only two goaltenders vying for the starters position. While it is Fucale’s spot to lose, there has been lots of criticism about his underwhelming save percentage with the Halifax Mooseheads this season. I’m not overly concerned with stats but save percentage is one of the more telling stats for goaltenders. In the end, I trust Fucale and he’s proven (most recently at the Subway Super Series) that he can win games on individual talent alone. The Habs pick is going to be there and should be there.
In saying that, I don’t agree with only bringing two netminders into final camp. In a short tournament, it’s all about riding the hot players and why not add a couple more goaltenders to challenge for spots. This is especially true in a year where Canada’s goaltending is particularly strong with veteran puck stoppers such as Philippe Desrosiers (Dallas Stars) and Tristan Jarry (Pittsburgh Penguins), both equally as deserving to be considered for spots. Ironically, Tristan Jarry was named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week one day after getting snubbed from the roster.
Rossy’s Prospect Ramblings
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 25th
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 6th 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 31st 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.
NHL Prospect Camp Ramblings
Monday, September 15th
Buckle up folks and get your bookmarks ready, today’s prospect camp and tournament updates/thoughts are coming in the form of a massive hockey avalanche.
NHL prospect tournaments are in full swing and it’s that time of the year where we start taking down names on players whose hard work in the summer is translating into great things on the ice. In fantasy hockey, any bit of progression (good or bad) news is a chip in your hand.
After attending several junior training camps and even more exhibition games, here are a few names of draftees who may be ready to step into stardom in their respective leagues.
Rossy’s NHL Draft Q & A and Prospect Ramblings
Monday, June 23rd
Austin Wallace here:
Today is Draft Day! It is basically another holiday here at DobberProspects, and we can't wait to keep you updated on what gifts await us today!
The Dobber Sports mock draft is finished, all four pages and 8000+ words of it! Give it a read and a comment, a lot of our dedicated scouts writers slaved over each and every pick.
Join Dobber, Brendan and I for a live chat tomorrow, as the draft unfolds.
Buy Dobber's eighth annual Prospects Report here. Includes Mock Draft and nearly 500 prospect profiles. Yep, 500. About 200 more than you'll ever consider for your league - but part of the information is telling you which guys 'not' to go after, right?
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We have gone from counting down months to weeks to days and now we are counting down the hours until the 2014 NHL Entry Draft – 105 hours or less.
In this edition of the ramblings, I address questions posted from the DobberHockey Prospect Forum and want to personally thank each and every person who submitted a question. Look for this to become a regular element of my posted ramblings.
Here we go!
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