I’m at the Gens game tonight. There’s a kid on the Ottawa 67s a right handed defenseman named Henry Mews, not a big guy but really good wheels and great on ice awareness. He’s slated to go in the first round.

Two Generals players right wing Beckett Sennecke is expected to go late in first round and Ben Danford probably in the second or third. Sennecke is getting more and more physical. He’s pretty tall, about 6’3”, but skinny. Really nice skater, great shot and he’s always involved on the ice. Danford is alway involved in the play but he doesn’t do anything exceptionally well but he doesn’t make mistakes.

Sanford in for Katchouk, and Phillips replaces Crevier. Also, Soda in goal.
- Angotti

Soderblom was absolutely lit up last time they played from memory. Hopefully he can show something tonight

Lots of talk here in Toronto that the Canucks are pursuing Jake Guentzel and are trying to move Elias Lindholm to the Bruins. No talk about who the Canucks would trade to Pittsburgh or who they would get back from Boston.
- paulr

Podkolzin speculated. And I'm sure Tocchet would drive Mikheyev to the airport himself.

My adventure at Gila River Resort and casino

It is the summer of 1995, and my wife and I are drivng out to Los Angeles from Chicago, but seeing all the family along the way, so we leave her brother’s in Moab and we get ion the road, with the idea we will just stop “somewhere” along the road. As we get into Arizona, we see the sign for this The Gila River Resort and Casino. We have little or no interest in game ling casinos but have been with $20 limits. (I do love the Super Bowl squares). We stop, as there is a big swimming pool,(always our requirement…I was in mine today.)a movie theater and several newly built motel additions along with the casino. It was fairly new and fairly cheap because there wasn’t a Clientele yet.
We go swimming. It is so hot, that we were dry before we got back to the room! The room carpeting with a strong scent of new .
We decide it is very easy to go to the casino’s restaurant and then see the movie at the theater, American Pie: The Wedding, not knowing while we watched that Kevin would marry our daughter in real life. Any way on the way tom the restaurant, I see the odds to win the Stanley Cup, and I notice the new Colorado Avalanche team was either 30 to 1 or 60 to 1, so I tell. My wife I want to place a bet because these odds are ignorant to how good Quebec was last year. (Well the difference maker WAS them acquiring Patrick Roy because Montreal’s coach Mario Tremblay was a complete poop to Roy.)
Anyway, we went top the movie, and I walked right by w/o placing the bet.
My only time ever thin king I knew enough that odds were in my favor.
I will live.

I will never understand why they let Tinordi play. Just no use.

I’m at the Gens game tonight. There’s a kid on the Ottawa 67s a right handed defenseman named Henry Mews, not a big guy but really good wheels and great on ice awareness. He’s slated to go in the first round.

Two Generals players right wing Beckett Sennecke is expected to go late in first round and Ben Danford probably in the second or third. Sennecke is getting more and more physical. He’s pretty tall, about 6’3”, but skinny. Really nice skater, great shot and he’s always involved on the ice. Danford is alway involved in the play but he doesn’t do anything exceptionally well but he doesn’t make mistakes.
- paulr

Let's go through all three:

Henry Mews RD. 6' 0 175. in my mock in slot #28 1st Rd.
You have all heard the hockey draft adage, "if he was two inches taller, he be a top pick..." It probably could be applied to Mews, who has a solid hockey IQ for the defensive end, but just sometime falls short being shorter. The other way, he is a highly mobile attacker and carrier. Displays four-way mobility with straight line speed and lateral agility. When he opens up his long loping stride, he accelerates through the neutral zone in three strides, backing defenders with his great speed at the attacking blue line. Has the ability to run the power play, distributing the puck with crisp passes. Has a long lean frame that he can grow into and grow as a pro.

Beckett Sennecke RW 6' 2" 189. in my mock #33 to Chicago Blackhawks 2nd Rd.
Tall wing with lots of room on his frame to fill out is already a physical problem in the attack zone. When he does, he will be a beast. Has excellent hands in around the net and shows ability to undress defenders down low. Has excellent vision and playmaking skills he finds the open man after drawing defenders closer to him. Protects the puck well and his puck skills stand out for a player his size. Displays a good release and a hard accurate shot and works hard in puck battles and wins lots of one on one pucks. Lacks top end speed and will not beat defenders on the rush, but can beat them with is high-end puck skills. He started out as a defenseman so he is better laterally and using his edging in short spurts.If he If he improves his speed, he looks like a first rounder.

Ben Danford RD 6'0". 175. in my mock in slot#111, 4th Rd.
Yet another throwback rearguard prospect who takes care of business in his end and plays a steady game with as his priority. Displays good foot speed, gap control, and is able to angle opposing puck carriers to the wall as they approach zone entry, and makes smart decisions in his end. Is a good read and react defender, and if sees an opening, he will attack puck carriers. Has the strength and understanding to position himself net side and pin and seal attackers along the boards. Shows a good poise and patience and stick to attempt lateral passes in his end, and is aware and controlled in his response to attackers in the crease area. Needs to add more aggression to his overall game, since he doesn't stand out as terrific transitional passer, or offensively gifted one. That is not to say he can't walk his offensive blue line and places them in open areas, but you would like to see him to start be aware of the other options. Without trying to gain the ire of Oshawa Paul, I see his play as very nondescript with not much impact, and doesn't have a standout trait to hang his hat on. He is a much better stationary passer than when he is moving. Doesn't handle pucks cleanly and tends to look down at it in his handles. He will continue to grow in size and development and will be a player on team's draft boards.

I see the red font, I remember you are not a fan of Comesso.
- LAHawk

I never understood the pick when StanBo's draft guy Kelley made it.
I agree he is decent just not more than good in every area.
I have seen him live, and I am not ready to quit on his upside, but when that stupid Pat Boyle last year started talking about him as our future starter I knew I had to stand opposite the hype machine.

How about the CO announcer love fest for Caleb jones
- glennjpawlak22

I just want C Chris Vosters to say BLUE:LINE as the rest of us ALL do.

Not Blue moon, blue sky, BLUE line.

It is BLoooline not Blew " lime"

I just want C Chris Vosters to say BLUE:LINE as the rest of us ALL do.

Not Blue moon, blue sky, BLUE line.

It is BLoooline not Blew " lime"
- wiz1901

What’s worse is when a wrist shot is “he flicks the wrists”.

What a pass by Korch! Nice PPG

I just want C Chris Vosters to say BLUE:LINE as the rest of us ALL do.

Not Blue moon, blue sky, BLUE line.

It is BLoooline not Blew " lime"
- wiz1901

See I'm still trying to figure out what on Earth he means when he says 'halfwall' ... I mean for me it would be near boards/far boards- and relative to whatever side of the ice the broadcast booth is on... I think maybe he's trying to be Mike Emerick too much of something ... like he talks about 'cycling' -and I've played it a little bit - I mean those terms just feel made up by some announcer guy somewhere --- but what the hell do I know - I never wanted them to lose the ties.

PP on tonight ... I don't think that has been said all season long yet..

See I'm still trying to figure out what on Earth he means when he says 'halfwall' ... I mean for me it would be near boards/far boards- and relative to whatever side of the ice the broadcast booth is on... I think maybe he's trying to be Mike Emerick too much of something ... like he talks about 'cycling' -and I've played it a little bit - I mean those terms just feel made up by some announcer guy somewhere --- but what the hell do I know - I never wanted them to lose the ties.

PP on tonight ... I don't think that has been said all season long yet..
- SC116

PP is cooking with gas.

Nice effort here, Fatty. But, as far as I am concerned I wasn't comparing Moore to Nazar. I originally commented on Nazar needing another yr of NCAA and the next day Wheeler came out with his top 75 drafted prospect list and mentioned he thinks Nazar needs another yr in college.

And he ranked Moore ahead of Nazar. My original point was Nazar needs another yr of NCAA BUT, he'll tell you with next camp and preseason where he belongs.

If you wanna compare the two as it relates to the Bigs, Nazar's game depends on nuance. Feel for pace, attack angles, using mates, finding a balance between offense and defense, adjusting to how he's being defended. Unless you are a Bedard this takes time and reps. . Less nuance in Moore's full steam ahead game so he'd be ahead of a Nazar in development BUT, a Nazar would have a higher ceiling and it would take longer to get there.

And remember, Moore is a yr younger than Nazar. ....... A good PBP guy calls who has the puck, picked a pass, stole a puck, filled a lane, lifts a stick, gets back on D. A lazy way to rate a players impact is to recall how often his name is mentioned.

I watch a U of MI game with priority 1 being track Nazar with me eyes. I've watched a few games where as the game went on I wander and fall into the game, other players, the goalies cuz Nazar hasn't done much, if anything.

Other games Nazar is making an impact. Saw him live with the NTDP so I'm not surprised by his skill/skating, nothing new there. But, like any prospect developing, he's looking for consistency and isn't there yet.

And as far as mates U of MI is a powerhouse program. No, they don't have 4-5-6 1st rounders like they've had the last 3-4 yrs but still, they ain't, and never will, be short of talent.

I'm a Nazar fan, Moore too, but think another yr of NCAA would be preferable. I'm conservative that way but most importantly I believe the organIzation will do what's best for a prospect not slot a kid on what they hope.
- Mr Ricochet

Cool thanks.

Admittedly haven't watched any NCAA games so thanks for the feedback and extra detail. Should be interesting to see what happens.

I was happy to see K2 in the NHL this year but if he was a NCAA player rather than a WHL player I think there is more value spending an extra year there vs the Canadian leagues.

So is the parity in the NCAA (and big 10 I guess) just so even that really good teams are just over .500?

If you wanna talk Hawk prospects this yr I'm most excited about Rinzel. He's come farther faster than I thought he could. In a sentence, he's showing poise and I never ever saw him play with poise and I've seen 10-15 of his USHL games.

One thing I'm right on was thinking how important making that WJC roster was going to be for him. Posted he has never played in games with the overall speed, skill and pressure a WJC would provide and indeed his game has improved from that experience.

My original take the day he was drafted was good size, plus skating, below average IQ,
But as a 19 yr old freshman, great move to have him play 1 more yr of USHL after he was drafted, the kid is starting to show some poise and I don't care if he has 50 points or 5 this yr.
- Mr Ricochet

And a heck of a tool kit on that right side.

S Jones analogy

He was an overpriced investment not worth his price
But I understand why Bowman wanted a large size defender. Our defense at the time was not good so Jones can carry the torch as Keith snd Seabrook gone and we have some kids come along later

So Jones is like a stock you are going to ride with it. Kind of a bad stock not really mercurial. But tonight this stock performed well.

Just watched the highlights from last night's W.

Bedard and Foligno with their version of McDavid to Hyman

If my math is correct Levi was drafted in his draft +1 yr. He lasted that long cuz he's 6ft tall, at least listed as that. But one could not ignore his freakishly good NCAA record so BUF took a flyer. https://www.eliteprospect.../player/276555/devon-levi (did not realize FLA drafted him)

So GM Adams goes into this yr with a twenty ONE yr old kid with zero AHL games, nothing over the NCAA level and folks scratch their heads cuz the kid is overmatched???

The kid struggles, 24 yr old Pekkalukanin gets more starts, and they send Levi down where he does just fine......... Kid has some skills for sure but expecting an undersized 21 yr old, drafted in rd 7 with no pro experience to get BUF into the playoffs for the first time in decades will be one of the reasons Adams will be, should be, fired.
- Mr Ricochet

Sounds like the last 3 years of Stan's regime

Gajan in at 9.
Commesso at 10.
Both in tier 3.

Can someone explain the deal with Devon Levi(Wheeler has him in at #5)?
I read a few articles at the beginning of the season that he is the next big thing,but I haven't seen it.
I know he is young, and still developing but he was a 7th rd pick and he has been hit or miss this season.
Did the expectations about him explode after his 1st ncaa season where he had real good stats?
- captainserious

Ut oh, KD is in trouble, don't think Wheeler has ever mis-projecteed a player yet

Cool thanks.

Admittedly haven't watched any NCAA games so thanks for the feedback and extra detail. Should be interesting to see what happens.

I was happy to see K2 in the NHL this year but if he was a NCAA player rather than a WHL player I think there is more value spending an extra year there vs the Canadian leagues.

So is the parity in the NCAA (and big 10 I guess) just so even that really good teams are just over .500?
- fattybeef

I'm not an expert on NCAA hockey but U of MN and U of MI have been top programs for decades. But of course it's cyclical. U of WI was a top program for a long long time, hit the skids bad for a decade and this yr top 5.

And for sure, if you have a KK, any of the prospects in the CHL, the hockey is better in the NCAA with a good bit of the reason being a bunch of 22-23-24 yr olds play NCAA. .... Much more mature league both physically and mentally.

Missed the game last night so I went over to Dobber for a look see. KK, AGAIN, turned his back to play and tied up his man giving him no chance to make a play or present his stick. He's doing this consistently now. ..... Kid is coming along when it's getting time for the rookies to hit the rookie wall but he's improving in all 3 zones.

Hawks got killed in the fancies, got outshot 39-32 and without the 4 PP goals probably lose....... But really good to see poor Soderblom get a win. It's his 5th win in 42 NHL games played!!!

Funny to see LR still repulsed by Katchouk. ... Bamford points out Phillips had 6 hits. Doubt it helps him in LR's eyes but you never know. .... Also liked seeing Foligno back up with Bedard and Kurashev. It's the best line LR can put together from this roster.

Mantha traded to LVG for a 2nd, 4th and WSH eats 1/2 his salary. Big dude at 6ft 5in 235 lbs.

Just watched the highlights from last night's W.

Bedard and Foligno with their version of McDavid to Hyman
- captainserious

Foligno seems to know Bedard pretty well. He was as hard on his stick as could be in the paint expecting Bedard to hit him on the tape and he did. ...... Very nice goal.

That line was each a -2, the only forwards that took a minus.

First win in a few weeks and I wasn't able to watch it. Good for them, but you have to go by the competition. They may go on a bit of a streak here with upcoming games against ARI again and two each versus San Jose and Anaheim. I'm looking for them to wind up with the #2 spot.

Effing Sharks blow a 3 goal lead with 7 minutes left in the game and lose in OT, so they only get a point.

For BIG10 hockey fans, found the TV/streaming schedule for the 1st round of their hockey tournament beginning this Friday night.

https://btn.com/2024/03/0...ens-hockey-tournament/1st rou

Just for poops and giggles, I looked at the bottom of the NHL standings five years ago. The bottom seven teams included LA, NJ, Detroit, Rangers and Edmonton (Buffalo and Ottawa were the other two).

Sure tough to build a playoff team with high picks, eh?

Just for poops and giggles, I looked at the bottom of the NHL standings five years ago. The bottom seven teams included LA, NJ, Detroit, Rangers and Edmonton (Buffalo and Ottawa were the other two).

Sure tough to build a playoff team with high picks, eh?
- mohel

But I have read that all 5 GM's are stupid because in order to take the next step they traded draft picks for established players.