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Future Watch 2009
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.
WILD COURSE STILL STEADY
Following its philosophy since Day 1, the Wild continues to build from within. The biggest challenge moving forward is a lack of top-notch prospects. “Because we’ve done (what’s been best for the NHL team) and traded picks, we haven’t had the quantity,” said Wild assistant GM Tom Thompson. James Sheppard, 20, Colton Gillies, 19 and Cal Clutterbuck, 21, have already secured NHL jobs, while 22-year-old Benoit Pouliot, the fourth overall pick in 2005, continues to disappoint and was shipped to the minors after being handed a spot in training camp. 1 TYLER CUMA, D, 19, Ottawa (OHL) 6-1, 189, 20-1-8-9-27 OVERALL 24 The Wild was told at the World Junior Championship that Cuma would have made Team Canada if not for a sprained MCL during selection camp. His standing grew after last year’s world under-18 tournament, where…
BLOW LIFE INTO IT OR BLOW IT ALL UP?
Few things will end a job interview quicker than the candidate for employment declaring their intentions, upon being hired, to steer the company into the ground. The rules of life don’t always apply to sports, but in this case, there is overlap. Take, for instance, when Peter Chiarelli submitted his resume to be the next GM of Boston in May of 2006. The Bruins had just completed a season in which they finished last in the Northeast Division and 26th overall following former GM Mike O’Connell’s decision to trade Joe Thornton to San Jose earlier in the year. Given the tumultuous state of the team, you might have expected prospective GMs to show up to interviews with dynamite in hand. Not Chiarelli. He knew the way to get himself hired and it…
SCOUTING THROUGH THE EYE OF A LENS
The Sabres know the perception is still there. People think their scouting staff consists of DVD players and video cameras. The living, breathing scouts don’t mind. “We like to think we’re doing the right thing,” said Jon Christiano, director of pro scouting. The Sabres infamously integrated video as a primary means of scouting more than four years ago and many critics snickered. “We’ve got the best of both worlds,” Christiano said. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and the video bandwagon still has a lot of room. 1 TYLER MYERS, D, 19, Kelowna (WHL) 6-7, 215, 37-5-23-28-84 OVERALL 9 As soon as the tower gets more power, the Sabres’ blueline will receive a huge boost. Myers’ skill was showcased during the WJC, as the 6-foot-7 defenseman got better every game. The 19-year-old just needs to…
IN TAVARES TERRITORY
Islanders GM Garth Snow has been accumulating draft picks like a squirrel hordes nuts for the winter. This finally looks to be the right plan for the perpetually mediocre (and often, far worse) Isles, especially considering their dead-last standing at the all-star break had them in running for John Tavares or another top prize in the 2009 draft. Playmaking center Josh Bailey, the Isles first pick last June was rushed to the NHL this season to join 2006 first round pick Kyle Okposo as the early lynchpins of Snow’s rebuilding plan. 1 AARON NESS, D, 18, Minnesota (WCHA) 5-10, 170, 24-2-12-14-10 OVERALL 71 The Isles have big plans for this smallish defenseman who has drawn comparisons to another former collegian, Brian Rafalski. Ness slipped to the second round in the draft last summer due to concerns…
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