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November 7, 2016

November 7, 2016

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.

NHL

DEVILS ARE HIGH ON McLEOD NINE

THERE ARE DEFINITE benefits to playing with Michael McLeod. Easy assists come to mind, for example. “There’s not a lot of stress if I can put it on Mikey’s stick,” said Steelheads defenseman Nic Hague. “He wheels with the puck and it’s pretty special to watch. Last year, I remember getting an assist where I picked up the puck behind our net, stopped there, he came, picked it up and went end-to-end. I thought, ‘Right on.’ He’s just a special skater.” Speed is McLeod’s calling card, which is a big reason why the Devils took him 12th overall in 2016. But he also prides himself on playing a competitive, two-way game. This will be a big season for him, as he also takes on the captaincy for Mississauga, a team with…

NHL

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

WELL, WE KNOW Cam Morrison is a big man. Weighing in at almost 212 pounds, he was the ninth-heaviest prospect at the NHL’s draft combine last spring. But what the combine also revealed is that, for a big body, Morrison is pretty adept. He finished fourth in one of the agility tests and recorded nine feet in the standing long jump. Successful careers aren’t made at the combine, but it is an encouraging sign. “Growing up, I was pretty athletic and did a lot of track and field in school,” Morrison said. “I’ve always tried to focus on what I need to improve on, and power has always been a big part of that.” The Colorado Avalanche recognized his athleticism when they drafted him in the second round (40th overall) in 2016.…

NHL

THIS CAT IS READY TO POUNCE

IF HENRIK BORGSTROM brings even a fraction of the energy he had at the draft to the ice, Florida will have an excellent player on its hands. One of the biggest surprises of the first round this summer, Borgstrom was tabbed 23rd overall by the Panthers, even though he was ranked much lower by scouting outlets. “I was hoping someone would pick me in the first round,” Borgstrom said. “I really got the feeling they liked me, but there were so many guys sitting in the stands, and it’s hard to say which teams really like you.” As he held court at his podium in Buffalo, wearing his new Florida jersey, Borgstrom did his impression of himself slumping in the stands. “I was so tired,” he said. “I hadn’t eaten since…

NHL

KEEPING AN OPEN MIND

LAST SEASON, JOEL Eriksson-Ek was a bit player on Sweden’s world junior team. This season, he could be a huge difference-maker. Eriksson-Ek was a commanding force for Sweden when many of the nation’s WJC hopefuls played against Canada, Finland and the U.S. at tournament in Michigan this summer. He has developed a tenacious two-way game up front: battling for the puck, hounding the opposition when he doesn’t have it and demonstrating quick hands when he does. While last year’s world juniors ended in a fourthplace thud, Eriksson-Ek was glad to have the experience. “You know how everything works now,” he said. “You know how hard the games are going to be and how well prepared you have to be.” Sweden will likely be a veteran squad at the WJC, but Eriksson-Ek will…