So, is Ovechkin a LW, a C or a RW? I never find the same info. He's apparently versatile. Great for us if the can play the RW, because... Semin-Zubrus-Ovechkin sounds like a good line (though Halpern's 27 assists make him our best passer... hmm, we may have to think about that).
Yes, fjc, those morons always rank too high offensive defensemen. I never forget Emmaroo's sentence, "Like we need another Gonchar!"
We need defensemen that defend and forwards that score. Because so far, we have no defense and no offense whatsoever.
EDIT: I had typed Simon instead of Semin, lol.
This message has been edited by Mehdi_Caps on Jun 9, 2004 7:07 AM This message has been edited by Mehdi_Caps on Jun 9, 2004 7:06 AM
Tell Columbus to pass over Andrew Ladd....then he can be on the same team as Shane Doan, and I'd watch Coyotes games even more with two Hitmen alumni there (Sjostrom and then Ladd if he went there).
Also tell New Jersey they want Jeff Schultz. I'd love to see him in a Devils uni!
Minnesota taking ANOTHER Goalie???? They already have Harding and Brust reasy to come up. Trust me, having seen Harding play, he's going to be DAMN good, and was also the back-up to MA Fleury this year at the WJC.
Brust isn't bad either, but Harding will be their #1 in years to come.
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Insert witty phrase of your own, I can't be bothered.
I disagree that offensive d-men are not worth it. There are few precious offensive d-men who are worth anything in this league and all the teams that don't have one would love to! Offense isn't just about forwards, it has a lot to do with transition play which a lot of the defensive defensmen in the league are quite poor at. An offensive d-man also makes your powerplay THAT much more of a threat.
I think with that particular breed, there is a match of talent to need. Meszaros, for example, is seen as going to Atlanta (geez, I've got him going there, too, in my cut). He could be a fine compliment to Heatley and Kovalchuk. I don't know that if the Caps were picking tenth, he'd be their guy. I'd be thinking more a guy like Thelen or Valabik (although 10th might be a tad high for either of these guys), because the Caps have a lack of defensemen with size and an edge to their game.
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Play hard, shake hands, drink beer.
"LA needs two hockey teams like Switzerland needs two navies" -- Norman Chad (from "My 10-Point Plan to Save Gary Bettman from Himself")
"Playoff hockey is the best two months in team sports . . . period."
Burgh, yes, but we already have Eminger and Boumedienne who can provide some offense... We need what we miss: good defensive defensemen, that are willing to clear the crease.
To win, you need to:
Not concede too many goals
Score many goals
An offensive defenseman helps to score, but is generally responsible for a lot of goals against. It doesn't matter if we score 200 or 300 goals (see the Devils). We only need to score more often that we get scored on.
We have forwards who can't score to save their life (Zubrus) - and to say everyone was complaining about Zednik!
We have defensemen who don't protect their goalie. Olie saved our butts from humiliation so many times. We give up too many shots. We don't clear the crease.
Like we need another Gonchar!
About the transition, it will always be done by guys like Morrisonn, Eminger and Boumedienne. We don't need another kid in our defense unless he's a hard hitter.
JMO.
This message has been edited by Mehdi_Caps on Jun 9, 2004 2:48 PM
Apparently, Brust signed with the Kings. I just got this from the Hitmen public relations department by e-mail. (The grumble, is my own addition, of course).
Hitmen Release
Hitmen Grad Barry Brust Signs Contract With Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year entry level contract with unrestricted free agent goaltender Barry Brust, Kings Senior Vice President/General Manager Dave Taylor announced today. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
Brust, 20, split this past season between the Calgary Hitmen and the Spokane Chiefs, both of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He appeared in 25 regular season games Hitmen and posted a 12-8-3 record, a 2.24 goals-against-average, two shutouts and a .917 save percentage. In addition, he played in seven playoff games for the Hitmen and had a 3-4 record, a 1.97 goals-against-average, two shutouts and a .928 save percentage.
He began the season with Spokane, where in 27 games he had a 10-13-2 record, a 2.99 goals-against-average and a .903 save percentage. The Hitmen acquired Brust from the Chiefs on January 8 in exchange for goalie Gerry Festa. (****GRUMBLE!!!!****)
“This is a great opportunity for Barry. He has proven to be a top goaltender in the WHL, and we wish him great success in his NHL career.” Noted Hitmen GM Kelly Kisio
Another Hitmen release - Mark Rooneem has signed with Minnesota.
I can't post the text because the public relations guy who is covering the position for Chandra while she's on maternity leave always messes up the messages. The header says Rooneem with Minnesota, but the article is about Barry Brust again. Derek sends corrections about 50% of the time he issues press releases.
You know....I could do a better job than that, and I'm available....
But there's no guarantees that Eminger and/or Boomer develop into anything at all. Well, I guess that goes along with the fact that there's just NO guarantees when it comes to prospects. So, as painful as it is to do sometimes... I'll stick with the 'pick the best player on the board when it's your turn' theory. Whether it's an offensive d-man, defensive d-man, LW, etc etc.
I just read that the new WHA will allow teams to draft 17 year olds. It wont effect this years draft but the they mentioned that sidney crosby will probably be drafted first in their inaugural draft. If this is true could the wha steal all the good young propects before they are eligable for the nhl draft. If the WHA had already formed before this years draft that mock draft would look entirely different. The first pick for the caps would be a current fifth round guy instead. Will the NHL allow this to happen or possibly lower the age eligabilty to 17 also?
Jeff Schultz Defence 6'6, 210. D.O.B. Feb 25, 1986 Hometown: Calgary, AB Draft Status: Eligible 2004 Previous Club: Calgary Hitmen, WHL
Other Information:
Understand that he's 18 years old, so he's got a bit of filling out to do. Seems a bit of a scrawny kid right now, but give him three years ands look out!
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``I'd love to have a pre-game skate tomorrow and be getting ready for Game 8,'' he said wistfully. ``It just makes me excited for training camp.''
- Shean Donovan, two days after losing Game 7 of the SCF
Most likely, the WHA draft will not affect the eligability of the NHL draft. They can draft Ovechkin - the Caps can draft Ovechkin. I have a feeling the top prospects will not turn down the future NHL contract for a smaller WHA contract. They probably remember those USFL contracts Hershal Walker and Steve Young signed.
