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Future Watch 2013
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.
BEGIN ON THE BLUELINE
Any keen observer of the Toronto Maple Leafs will tell you the team’s most glaring needs are down the middle and in goal. But at last year’s draft, the Leafs continued their objective of building a blue-chip blueline by selecting defenseman Morgan Rielly and Matthew Finn with their first two picks. “The thing about defenseman is that the good ones are really hard to find,” said Dave Morrison, Leafs director of amateur scouting. “And if you can build a really good defense, I think that’s always a good thing. So far, we’re happy with the way things have gone in that regard.” 1| MORGAN RIELLY D, 18, Moose Jaw (WHL) 6-0, 205, 45-9-32-41-13 2012 draft, 5th overall OVERALL 19 Rielly was one of the final cuts at the Leafs’ training camp, but it wasn’t an indication…
BIGGER IS BETTER
Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has been all over the map in trying to put his NHL product together, but he’s been consistent in one area since taking the job in 2009: he wants to accumulate draft picks and target big players with skill. Nieuwendyk hopes that pays off this season, as three of Dallas’ top prospects already have played in the NHL and the next wave will step up as soon as next season. “We’re clearly trending young and the transition is coming probably faster than even we expected,” Nieuwendyk said. “But if you look around the league, this is happening with a lot of players. It’s a young, fast league and we’re in a place where we can compete with those teams.” 1| BRETT RITCHIE RW, 19, Niagara (OHL) 6-4, 215, 41-31-28-59-36…
THE BUST MYTH
The sooner an elite young player hears his name spoken in the NHL draft, the better he’s likely to feel. Yet most top prospects and their agents are smart enough to know (a) the draft is but a pit stop on the road to the real validation that only happens when you a play in hockey’s top league; and (b) the possibility of being labelled a “bust” after they leave the draft podium area is also considerable – and rises drastically if they’re a first or second round selection. That said, some people’s idea of what it is to be a bust is far different than that of veteran NHL management and development experts. Sure, there are clear-cut cases: Alexandre Daigle (the first pick in 1993) and Patrik Stefan (No. 1…
LOOKING BACKWARD
The New York Rangers are like a jigsaw puzzle. They have some pieces firmly in place and are waiting to see if and how the others fit into the frame. Americans Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller are the crown jewels of a forward-heavy top 10, which could extend to include fast-rising center Oscar Lindberg and Notre Dame freshman Steven Fogarty. Beyond Dylan McIlrath, Brady Skjei and, perhaps, 2012 fourth-rounder Swede Calle Andersson, the blueline hopefuls are thin, with no immediate help coming. Also, without a blue-chip prospect in net, the Rangers will surely draft one this summer. 1| CHRIS KREIDER LW, 21, New York (NHL) 6-3, 226, 6-1-1-2-4 2009 draft, 19th overall OVERALL 20 After a record-setting splash in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the gifted Boston College product has had some issues adjusting to the next level.…
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