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Future Watch 2014
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.
THE REGULARS
TIM ERIXON DIDN’T THINK HE’D GET A JOB ON THE CALGARY BLUELINE RIGHT AWAY, SO HE REQUESTED A TRADE from the team that made him a first-round draft pick. That was three years ago and he’s still trying. Erixon has been part of the Future Watch family five years now, fluctuating between the No. 15 and 61 spots. That still classifies him as an A-list prospect, very well regarded in the scouting community. It’s high time he left the nest, though. It’s different with goalies, who typically take longer to develop and win one of just 60 NHL jobs. Jake Allen is so close, he can taste it.…
No Risky Business
IF YOU WERE TO PICK ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THE TORONTO MAPLE Leafs’ philosophy at the draft, it would be “safe.” After years of trading away picks and prospects, the organization’s focus has been to restock the cupboards by taking low-risk, low-reward players instead of trying to swing for the fences. That was certainly the case with 2013 first-round pick Frederik Gauthier, who the Leafs project as a No. 3 center. “You have to rate the risk-reward factor versus a guy you know is going to be an asset,” said Dave Morrison, Toronto’s director of amateur scouting. “He might not be as flashy, but you know he’ll be an asset.” OVERALL 61 1 FREDERIK GAUTHIER, C, 18, Rimouski (QMJHL) 6-4, 215, 45-11-28-39-23 2013 draft, 21st overall Teams can overvalue their prospects. But the Leafs are realistic…
Ekblad Has The Tools
JUNIOR HOCKEY IS ALL ABOUT development and education, but sometimes the lessons learned are harsher than others. Midway through the World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden, Barrie Colts defenseman Aaron Ekblad was in a good place. Despite being the youngest blueliner on the team, he was also one of Canada’s best, demonstrating tremendous poise and rewarding the team’s brass for selecting him. “I’m happy to be here and happy to be playing with such great players,” he said at the time. “Getting the minutes I am, the trust the coaches have in me is great and that’s building my confidence.” But ultimately, Canada’s fortunes sank in the medal round and while Ekblad was still a great contributor, even he looked shaky in the semifinal loss to Finland. Canada would drop to…
Waiting For Kuznetsov
THE CAPITALS WERE BUILT THROUGH THE DRAFT. ALEX OVECHKIN, Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson, John Carlson, Mike Green, Karl Alzner and the organization’s top three goalies, Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth and Philipp Grubauer, all are homegrown. But trades and graduation have left a farm system in transition. What’s left is a pair of legitimate high-end talents, a few depth defensemen and players who project as third-liners. If Washington hits on Andre Burakovsky and can convince Evgeny Kuznetsov to sign after his KHL deal ends, it would infuse some added skill. OVERALL 6 1 EVGENY KUZNETSOV, C, 21, Chelyabinsk (KHL) 6-1, 198, 27-7-10-17-10 2010 draft, 26th overall Kuznetsov has long been considered one of the best in the world outside the NHL. But questions have lingered about when he will decamp for Washington. Kuznetsov’s main reason for signing…
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