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Draft Preview 2010
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
NORTH AMERICA STILL RULES
THE SUBJECT was the 2010 NHL draft when the conversation quickly turned to the Winter Olympic hockey tournament. “It’s going to be Canada and the United States in the final for the next couple of Olympics,” said Jim Nill, the astute assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings, who just happens to know a thing or two about the worldwide talent pool. “Russia might be there if they ever get their act together. Swedes, maybe. Finland, well… the Czech Republic and Slovakia, they’re in for hard times.” It’s not hard to link the NHL draft to the elite Olympic competition because in both cases it is all about players and the depth on the bench. Canada and the United States have dominated the NHL draft for years and that trend is not about to…
2012 draft preview
Speed has become a coveted asset in the pro game, so it’s not surprising to see that many of the kids catching the eyes of scouts are burners, pure and simple. Matia Marcantuoni, a center with the Toronto Marlboros, is one of those hot prospects. Playing in the same program that produced NHL stars Jason Spezza and Rick Nash, the young pivot was named MVP of the Greater Toronto League All-Star Game and even played up a level with the Jr. A St. Michael’s Buzzers, where he had two goals and a shootout winner in two games. “In terms of skating, he’s one of the best in his age group,” said Marlboros coach Dan Brown. Nick Ebert, D All-tools blueliner with the mobility and size to control a game. Jarrod Maidens, C Big kid with a…
TAKING A GANDER AT SOME GRIT
THE TOP-TO-BOTTOM tightness of the NHL standings presented two-fold advantages for the Islanders’ rebuilding process this season. GM Garth Snow’s long-term plan has been advancing on multiple levels. The Isles remained mathematically alive in the playoff race until the final weeks of the regular season, giving John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and the other assembled youth some meaningful games to play following the Olympic break. But falling short still left them in a position to draft fifth overall this summer. The more blue-chippers, the better. And there are still enough needs at all positions (scoring winger, hulking defenseman, etc.) to go around. Salary cap space has only been an issue for the Isles in terms of the cap floor, which they barely have surpassed the past few seasons and only leading goalscorer Matt Moulson is in…
QUESTION MARKS ON THE BLUELINE
THE IMMEDIATE QUESTION for the Predators are on the blueline, as the team must decide which defensemen are returning and which are moving on. Dan Hamhuis has been a major piece of the Preds for six seasons now, but Nashville hasn’t been able to agree with him on a new deal coming down the stretch, so he may be headed elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent. Denis Grebeshkov, a pending RFA, was a nice depth acquisition at the trade deadline before he was hurt, but like Hamhuis, Grebeshkov may be too pricey for the Preds to keep. Nashville likes what UFA Francis Bouillon has brought to the table in a supplementary role and would like to bring him back. The Predators do have defensemen in the system. Jonathon Blum, a first-rounder in 2007,…
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