The post-mortem on Stan’s 2013 trade deadline has come in and some may see his performance as a premeditated attempt to an early exit in the playoffs. The reality was there were too many teams still in the race, creating a more stagnant deadline “frenzy”. After watching GMs overpay for role players and Bowman’s unwillingness to move younger prospects not named Beach, the outcome shouldn’t be surprising. This team is also better than past 2 years and appears to have good thing going.

Sure, adding some physicality into the lineup would have been nice but with addition comes subtraction so who do you remove from this 31-4-5 team? They just clinched the Central Division and have their sights on the Presidents’ Trophy. For the record, Victor Stalberg would have been my choice as he will command more money than Stan will want to pay this off-season.

There were a lot of rumours out there as the Hawks appeared to have the likes of Jagr and Streit on the radar. Michal Handzus was the only roster player that Bowman added. A player like “Zeus” is exactly what the doctor ordered and luckily it didn’t cost the Hawks Kyle Calder like it did in 2006 when the Hawks acquired the big Slovak the first time. Handzus has shown his worth so far with the Hawks, winning faceoffs and filling in nicely in a bottom 6/pk role. The question will be, is he enough?

Many players traded places leading up to and on deadline day and this blogger apparently traded places with Bill Cosby from Ghost Dad. You haven’t been able to see me but I’ve been here as I have been mentally preparing for this impending playoff run the Hawks embark on.

Speaking of trading places, not since the 2010 team have Hawks fans been this optimistic. Will this team be able to mentally trade places with successful the Stanley Cup team? That will be up to the core players who have been there to lead that charge. I know there’s no comparison as that was a special team and there’s no doubt that I’ve been vocal about the holes on this 2013 team, even during their impressive streak. Remember that streak the Hawks had once upon a time ago?

This Hawks team is shaping up for the playoffs however, and although there is room for an uneasy stomach envisioning playing a big, physical team like the Ducks, Kings or dare I say Bruins, there is still a lot to like:

-       Bryan Bickell – even if he is throwing himself into the boards with a missed hit, it’s great to see him amping up the physical play. It’s this type of play that will become infectious in the playoffs!

-       Nick Leddy – moved up into a top 4 role (while Oduya hides beside the hulking Czech Rozsival on the bottom pairing) and it’s evident young Nick has become a man in terms of strength.

-       Ray Emery – I still think he has major limitations in movement but he has to have etched himself into Coach Q’s mind as a legitimate option if Crawford falters in the playoffs

-       Powerplay – … oh wait… that’s still awful, BUT, keep in mind Kompon somehow won a Cup with LA running their PP. Plus the PK is looking sharp.

Quenneville will continue to search to find the best combos going into the post season however he should also be thinking of decreasing the playing time of some of his big guns.

Bowman threw another wrench (albeit a nice shiny gold one) into Q’s current roster by signing Hobey Baker Award winner Drew LeBlanc. It’s interesting when people say winning franchises lure top talent to town. I haven’t exactly witnessed this and feared it was due to the “Chili Cook-off” in the front office (that was my witty attempt to say there’s too many cooks in the kitchen). Therefore I was a little surprised hearing the news of LeBlanc landing with the Hawks. I would be lying to you if I said I knew anything about him, so I’ll just saying I’m excited to see how Q utilizing him this year but I’m more optimistic on how he plays into 2013-14 plans.

Ty’s Tidbits

~ Bowman also made a couple of minor deals sending Rockford and personal fave Rob Flick to Boston for former 2^nd rounder Max Sauve. He also sent Philippe Paradis for a player out of Cornell University, Kirill Gotovets (what a name!). Good thing I’m not a betting man because I figured Flick and Paradis to factor in as future 4^th liners with the Blackhawks

~ The most important tidbit today is the Hawks put the final touches on a Detroit Red Wings sweep. The first time in a season series for the first time since 1976-77. Oh how sweet it is! Will it be the end of an era or will these teams see each other in the playoffs one last time as Western Conference foes?

~ I knew Patrick Sharp would not see time at Centre anytime soon or it would have happened when the Hawks were riddled with injuries down the middle the last couple of years. What I do like is platooning Sharp and Kruger at the dot as Sharp has been a beast. Kruger can play the position very well on the defensive side so this strategy by Q is a great option.

~ Drew LeBlanc will wear #14, somewhere Sergei Samsonov is upset. The Minnesota native might have a tough time walking into the dressing room with only a handful of games remaining in the season. I’m confident this team has some great chemistry but will play nice in the sandbox with Drew whatever his role may be.

Ty Cam out!
@tycam

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Fast forward to the present.

Defenceman Brooks Orpik started the season as a scratch for the first eight games after off-season hernia surgery before making his 2011-12 debut last Thursday against Montreal.  Centre Evgeni Malkin played the first two games, missed the next two, came back for one, then sat out the next five before playing last night on Long Island as he continues to recover from season-ending knee ligament surgery performed in February.  Right wing Tyler Kennedy suffered a concussion during a loss against Buffalo two Saturdays ago and is out indefinitely. Defenceman Kris Letang was suspended for two games last week after a boarding penalty in Winnipeg.  His replacement, Brian Strait left the game in Minnesota early due to an upper body injury.  Last Saturday night, top shot-blocker Zbynek Michalek broke a finger, naturally, by diving to block a shot and will miss the next four to six weeks.

No matter what happens for the rest of 2011, history will record this as a year of terrible luck for the Penguins with respect to this unending parade of injuries.  From the inciting event on New Year’s Day to now, there has never been a time when Pittsburgh has played with its full roster intact.

Yet just like last season, the Penguins have persevered.  Pittsburgh has determinedly stuck to their game plan and have continued winning hockey games.  Consider also: the Penguins have played a densely-packed opening month schedule that has cut down on both rest, recovery and practice time.  The club enjoyed their first two-day break of the season this past Sunday and Monday having already played ten games – one-eighth of the schedule – while most teams had only played six or seven games.

After yesterday night’s 3-0 shutout win over the Islanders, Pittsburgh sits 5th overall in the NHL with a .727 points percentage in eleven games (7-2-2) despite missing their top two scorers for seven games and one or both halves of their top defence pair for the season’s first nine games.  The keys to winning have been solid special teams play, diversified scoring and continued strength in goaltending.

Pittsburgh’s 97.1% penalty kill percentage leads the NHL but due to Michalek’s injury, the Pens will once again have to adapt.  On the first Isles’ power play last night, Orpik was used in Michalek’s usual first unit spot alongside Paul Martin.  The Pittsburgh power play has shown a marked improvement relative to last season.  They have converted 20% of 45 man-advantage opportunities so far, bolstered by the play of James Neal, Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang and Jordan Staal.

On the strength of his explosive wrist shot, Neal has scored a team-high eight goals to lead a club that has fourteen different players with at least one goal, a distinction shared by only three other NHL teams.  Grinders such as Joe Vitale, Arron Asham and veteran Richard Park have all chipped in on the scoresheet.  Matt Cooke has been typically dependable on the penalty kill with one shorthanded goal already on his ledger.  Additionally, Vitale, Park, Mark Letestu and an improved Staal have guided the Penguins to sixth in the league in faceoff win percentage, a vital skill in Pittsburgh’s puck-possession system.

Finally, the glue that has held the Penguins together early in the season has been goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.  In eight games, he remains perfect in shorthanded situations and has allowed no more than two goals in his last four starts, recording a .966 SV% on 119 shots.  Fleury and Brent Johnson have limited opponents to 1.91 goals per game, fifth-best in the NHL.

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The draft is all about accumulating potential talent, never about selecting based on positional need at the NHL level.  In a time when fans often fall into the trap of letting the line between fantasy sports and real sports go blurry, it is important to remember that except for a few elite prospects, many of the players selected, even the high first-round picks, may not jump directly to the NHL this autumn.  It can take three, four or more years before a player hones his hockey sense to a level befitting a professional, fills out physically and refines his skills to the point where he can make a contribution on an NHL roster.

If and when defenceman Joe Morrow, the Pens’ first choice (23rd overall) last Friday, takes the ice at Consol Energy Center in October, 2014, the composition of the Pittsburgh defence corps may look markedly different than the stable group that will skate into the 2011-12 season.  Injuries and trades always lead to unexpected outcomes, thus Pittsburgh took players, irrespective of position that they simply liked for their potential at becoming a solid future NHL player and to resolidify their pool of blue line talent.

Minutes after drafting Morrow, Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero spoke briefly with NHL Network reiterating the importance of having defencemen in all situations.  ”We didn’t want to pass him up even though he’s a defenceman. A lot of people think the Penguins use their forwards, their wingers in particular but I think we’ve found out that in time, defencemen are great assets and you can move them if you have to because everybody can use good defencemen or like centre ice-men, you can never have enough of them.”

Morrow, 18, played his best hockey this season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs.  He suited up for all 21 Portland Winterhawks’ post-season contests helping his club reach the WHL Final where they bowed out to the Kootenay Ice.  Morrow topped all WHL defencemen with 6 goals and finished second with 20 points in the playoffs.  In each of his three major junior seasons, he has improved his point production and this year, led all Portland defencemen with 49 points.

“Joe is a really good skater; he’s got a great shot and can play a physical game.  He really gets up and down the ice and his skating and shooting and his impact strength are three real assets for him,” Shero continued.  “He’s going to go to the Canadian [World Junior] Selection Camp this summer and that’s a step in the right direction for his career.”

It is not surprising that Morrow scored well at the comprehensive fitness testing during the NHL Scouting Combine earlier in June.  He was the top-rated prospect at right-hand grip strength and the peak leg power output test while placing second in the vertical leap.

The next stop for Morrow will likely be the Penguins’ prospect camp next month where he and other Pittsburgh draftees from this and past years will begin or continue the challenging but exciting path on the road to becoming an NHL player.

Offense and game-breaking ability.

Of course, some fans get riled, thinking I am changing my tune. Tough. I always question myself. I feel it is important to face that fact we can be wrong and look at things at all possible angles. Otherwise, I’d just be another close minded idiot harping the same things over and over again. You need to be flexible, listening and willing to be wrong. Otherwise you will go nowhere, and never learn a thing.

It would be very easy for me to sit with Chris Botta who has picked Strome, and go against the rest of the Isles blogosphere thinking forward. We’ve done it before with Tavares, as the rest seemed to get suckered by the Duchene feint.

However, I re-did my look at the Isles history of picks since 2006 and brought up the following question…

What if the Isles did not have the 1st pick in the 2009 draft which was for Tavares. What if they picked 5 thru 8. What then?

All signs then point to de Haan even earlier or the Isles trading back to take him anyway.

So, there is some sort of caveat to the rule and habits I at first missed.

So, now I add it to this years draft, where only one dman would fit that bill in my mind…

Ryan Murphy

WHY? Fast, Agile, with high offensive skills. Aggressive. Kind of what the Isles looked for back a few years ago, but Murphy is far more superior, including on D which got better this season. Gets slagged on D, but has shown a substantial improvement as he develops. Will get better there.

Kirk Luedeke, who is the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and NHL Prospects writer for the New England and New York Hockey Journal, has some additional info.

Kirk: “Murphy is a tremendous skater with high-end skill who can rush the puck and make all the passes at will. His offensive ability is undeniable, though there are concerns about his lack of height/strength. His defense was questioned coming into season, but to his credit he made improvements to his overall game and positioning. Lots of upside with this kid.”

As I have said before, I do think the Isles will seek to move back a bit IF they can. If teams come a calling, willing to offer up while the Isles sit pretty with many choices. But, thanks to my revisit into the history of choices, I have to now add Ryan Murphy as my one singular defensive pick. Nobody quite fits the same, and has the same background, system and shown improvement on D that falls into this template.

So, my choices become Mika Zibanejad on offense, Ryan Murphy on defense

Subchoices remains: Ryan Strome, Sean Courturier while nothing else on D

I think Dougie Hamilton is much ado about absolutely nothing. People falls much too much in love with size. There are deficiencies there. Doesn’t match what the Isles have looked for, in my mind. I think it’s a lark to get some team to swap spots, so the Isles can sit pretty and scoop their guy.

I do not think, with the kids here, there is just ONE choice. I think that the Isles have a few and depends how things fall out. What does NJ do? Who wants to swap a spot? Then they will gauge from there,

However, this ends our series. The choices have been made. Book’em Dan-O and we will see if I am accurate again or full of some hot air blather. Either way, the Isles get better.

Cheers,

BD

Part 2

Well here we are at part 2, so let’s just cut to the chase. Here are the three that would, if I look correctly at NY Islanders Draft History, would be the likely targets at the #5 position, or if the Isles move back within the top 10.

I asked my pal, Kirk Luedeke who is the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and NHL Prospects writer for the New England and New York Hockey Journal, for some additional info. He has his own great site, http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot.com/

Sean Couturier

Why? Skill, Hockey Sense, Vision, 2 Way Play, Potential to be top player, top 2 line center, Clutch

Kirk’s Take: “It’s almost unbelievable that after being a guy who was talked about as a potential first overall pick that Couturier could fall out of the top-five, but it’s a possibility. He still has outstanding hands and hockey sense, with the big frame and work ethic to be an effective two-way center. The questions center more around his lack of explosiveness and ultimate offensive ceiling, but I think he’s going to be a very good NHL player, especially if he can pick up a step.”

Ryan Strome

Why? Skill, Offensive Awareness, High Level Playmaker/Scoring Ability, Top 6 forward potential.

Kirk’s Take: “One of the most skilled and creative forwards in the draft for sure. Strome can dangle with the best of them and is a dangerous scorer as well as a premier set-up man. He still has to work on being a more consistent presence from shift to shift, but there is a lot to like about this kid and he has a real good attitude. He erupted offensively in his second OHL season after not getting much of a chance as a rookie, so the sky seems to be the limit for him given his high-end skating, hands and sense.”

But who might be the REAL only target for these NY Islanders? Especially if they can swap spots in the top 8 with some that are high on Hamilton or the others in this trio????

None other than…

Mika Zibanejad

Why? Well-Rounded, Physical/Aggression, Work Ethic, Good On-Ice Awareness, Good situational ability, Power Forward

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mika owns Adam Larrson in this one…

Click here to view the embedded video.

CONCLUSION:

I also believe that the order I listed them is how the Isles view them in pecking order.

Outside the top 10, I do not think that any of these players will drop, despite some bizarre mock drafts that have Zibanejad past 10, including McGuire/Button’s from TSN.

If the ISLES do drop out of the top 10 themselves, it’s because they got an amazing slew of picks via trade or prospects/players making it worth their while. This is a rare possibility because not many players have really changed hands come draft day lately. Also, this is a very “loose” draft, as told to me from several in NHL, teams and scouts. Beyond perhaps the top 3, picks might be all over the place. There is a chance the Isles sit at #5 and take Mika anyway. But it seems more likely, they look to deal and then scoop him up later.

The Devil In The Details

The most interesting unpredictable aspect in this draft is the NJ Devils, who have not picked this early in many years. Neither pundits nor even teams are quite sure on what direction they will take simply because they have nothing to compare it to. They stand as the ultimate wild card, and if certain players drop, and the Isles pick behind them… then Garth will listen and flip back a few spots, gaining more pieces to then trade later to perhaps get back into the 1^st round.

OR, NJ will surprise many by taking someone unexpected and throw the entire draft off.

Lou holds the ultimate Wild Card here and can really determine the texture of the first round.

Friday night should be very interesting. And once the Isles do pick, I’d keep your attention on the latter half of the round to see if they come back in to sweep up someone else as a target, like a dman.

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We did a little research this morning and mined the archives of 1991.  In that Jurassic period before blogs were invented, diaries were apparently all the rage.  Below, an authentic page from a certain seventh-grader’s diary, celebrating the win.  Penmanship was obviously never this person’s strength.  Unencrypted, the entry reads:

Dear Diary,

WE WIN!  Hey!  The Pittsburgh Penguins have captured their first ever Stanley Cup.  We beat the North Stars 8-0 tonight.  We take the series 4-2.  Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Tired, of course.

A few observations: Notice the blatant usage of “We” when referring to the Penguins.  Talk about overestimating one’s membership in a hockey club.  Does anyone still write in cursive anymore?

Now that you’re done celebrating Hockey Day in America – which turned into three days this year – it’s time to catch up on things you may have missed.

To help out, below are ten stories you need to know coming out of the weekend…

* Andrei Loktionov was sent back to Manchester. It’s a numbers game. With Marco Sturm set to return the Kings needed a roster spot. They can’t send Davis Drewiske or Peter Harrold down without first going through waivers. Chances are they wouldn’t make it. Both are serviceable sixth defenseman in the NHL and have minimal salaries. At the very least, it wasn’t a chance worth taking. Odds are Loktionov will be back in LA before the season is out.  Kings coach Terry Murray explained things in detail here.

* Still not sure why people were so in awe of Carey Price’s mask during the Heritage Classic. The concept has been used by several goalies in the past, including Jonathan Quick’s tribute to Rogie Vachon this year. However, my favorite may have been Hannu Toivanen of the St. Louis Blues / Boston Bruins going with the Denis Lemieux (from Slap Shot) look.

* Looking for information on the stable of Kings prospects?  Check out the Kings Prospect Report – it includes updates on Brayden Schenn, Tyler Toffoli and the others who are tearing up junior hockey this season.

* More on Schenn – if you would like a game used jersey, the Saskatoon Blades are auctioning off one of his jerseys here for charity.

* For the Schenn hat trick, here’s a third item of the day…more specifically, an update on the latest Brayden Schenn trade rumor – Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke continues to be hot on the trial of Schenn, including ‘accidently’ mentioning his name in a press conference this week. However, the reality is the Leafs don’t have the assets to acquire the young center. It’s highly doubtful Schenn gets traded this week by the Kings. And it certainly wouldn’t be to Toronto IF it happened.

* In the February 7th And Now You’re Caught Up article it was noted that doctors couldn’t determine what was wrong with Ducks’ goalie Jonas Hiller, so despite reports that he was just tired it was something worth watching. Sure enough, the dizziness he complained of wasn’t a minor thing and he’s been on IR. If it’s a concussion, who knows how long he’ll be out (see: Crosby, Sidney). In other Pacific Division injury news, Phoenix placed defenseman Ed Jovanovski on IR a few days ago with an orbital bone fracture (he’s expected to miss at least two weeks).

* Even more injury news out of the ultra-tight Western Conference – Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter left Saturday’s game with a lower body injury (he’s listed as day-to-day with no updates from the team yet) and Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu is probably going to need surgery on his hand, which will require him to miss significant time.

* Prior to the Heritage Classic Calgary and Montreal put on an alumni game featuring the ’86 Canadiens and ’89 Flames. Which should have been enough to get Kings fans salivating at the thought of next year. If the rumors (as reported here) turn out to be true – and the Kings face the Rangers in the 2012 Winter Classic, just think of the possibility – the ’93 Kings vs the ’94 Rangers.  In other words, Gretzky, Robitaille and Hrudey taking on Messier, Graves and Richter.  Oh yeah, and Leetch vs. Blake.

* Although the NHL’s two Classics are behind us now, there is still more hockey left to be played in the natural elements. Later this afternoon the WHL will stage an outdoor game between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen. If this game was played last year, there would have been three Kings prospects participating (Colten Teubert for the Pats, Brandon Kozun and Martin Jones for the Hitmen). With all three having moved on to Manchester (AHL) though, that leaves Jordan Weal – who was drafted last summer – as the Kings lone representative. Unfortunately, the game is not being shown in the U.S.

* The tweet of the week may have come from Anaheim’s Bobby ‘breadsticks’ Ryan – “Game day flat tire outside the Olive Garden. #comeonreally!!” (yes, that was a real tweet from Bobby Ryan)

And now you’re caught up.

The Mayor
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It’s obvious at this point which ended up being the better of the deals.

O’Sullivan has since played for three different teams – including two this year. Prior to tonight’s game vs. the Kings, I sat down with him for some exclusive comments about the Kings-Wild match-up…

MM: You’ve been with Minnesota now for seven games. How are you fitting in?

POS: I think it’s been pretty good. I feel pretty comfortable here and I’m starting to get used to how the team plays and the guys I’m playing with. It’s been a bit of a struggle for our team lately. But, we had a good game in our last game – got a win against a good team in their rink, so it’s something to build on (they beat the Coyotes 3-2 in Phoenix on Thursday). The Kings will be a tough test.

[note: after starting the year with the Carolina Hurricanes he was waived by them in late November]

MM: Going back to last month, did you see the end coming in Carolina or was it a bit of a surprise to you?

POS: I was happy about it. I was barely playing there. So, I was hoping that was going to happen a month before it did. I think I can play in this league and contribute. So, I was happy to come somewhere where I was going to have a better opportunity.

MM: In a quirk of the schedule and timing of things, you were already here earlier this year with Carolina. There were quite a few O’Sullivan jerseys in the crowd that night. Did you notice you still have some supporters here in LA?

POS: I’ve seen a couple of them when I come back to play here. I think the first organization you start your career with, you always have a special place for them (note: he was referring to the Kings…even though he was drafted by Minnesota in 2003, he made his NHL debut with Los Angeles in 2006-07). A lot of players on the Kings, we came into the league at the same time and kinda grew up together our first two or three years in the league. I have some good friends that still play here and I really enjoyed my time playing here. It’s a great place to live and the fan support is awesome. It’s just a good organization. I enjoy coming back and playing against them too.

MM: Speaking of that – some guys admit to putting pressure on themselves to produce in front of their former team. How do you keep your emotions in check in a situation like that and remain focused?

POS: You’d love to score against your old team and obviously you think about that. But, once the game starts, you have enough to worry about – trying to play the way you need to to be successful in this system. So, you probably think about it more before the game. Once it starts, you just play.

MM:  Back to your time with the Kings organization and growing up with some of their players, do you have any good stories from your days in Manchester (AHL)?

POS: Lots of good stories. I’m not sure they’re printable though. Going back there for the playoffs was great though (2006-07). It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had playing hockey. We had a good team there. We had a lot of fun and we had a good playoff run too. Lots of good times with those guys. That was the last time I played a playoff game too, so it’s been a while.

Later, I checked in with two other members of the Wild organization – coach Todd Richards and veteran forward Andrew Brunette - to see how they thought O’Sullivan was fitting in…

Richards: Patrick has come in and done a pretty good job for us. I’ve used him in a lot of different situations, a lot of different positions with a lot of different players. He has the skill. You can see that. The thing for him – because he can help us – he makes us a better team when he’s going and he’s playing. But, it’s getting that consistent effort every night. I would say in the last two games he’s played he’s done a pretty good job for us. So, that’s what we need each and every night, him being able to make those plays. He’s a creative player, he makes our power play better and he makes the players around him better. He’s a player we can use as long as he’s out there working.

Brunette: I think he’s fit in real well. He has some real good offensive instincts.  That’s an area we can always use more of, just like every other team. He knows where he’s going in the offensive zone. He gets himself in the right place in the right time. So, he’s fit in nice so far.

The Mayor
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When Brendan Shanahan was first hired as the NHL’s new VP of Hockey and Business Development last December, many wondered exactly what his role would be. Sure, he was a three-time Stanley Cup champion and an Olympic Gold Medal winner. But, just how did the league plan on utilizing him in this new capacity?

If last week’s Research, Development and Orientation camp was an early indication of what Shanny has been up to, the league is headed in the right direction. He organized an on-ice think tank, if you will. While most of the changes will not be implemented anytime soon, maybe even never, taking a proactive approach towards exploring ideas is what keeps many businesses successful over the long run.

Shanahan acknowledged such in his opening remarks to kick things off, “We’re happy with the way the NHL game is. But you shouldn’t wait until something is broken to examine it.”

So, the NHL invited 33 top prospects (listed here) from the 2011 draft pool to an R&D camp in Toronto.  The group was divided into two teams, headed by former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock and current Phoenix Coyotes assistant Dave King.

Nearly every NHL team sent at least one representative to observe and comment on what they saw.  A full list of the rule changes tested and comments from General Managers like Brian Burke, Joe Nieuwendyk and Dale Tallon can be found on the NHL.com blog located here.

We decided to go a different route and hear from two of the players that were actually on the ice, experiencing the proposed ideas.  If you’re a regular reader of MayorsManor, you’re already familiar with Seth Ambroz from a feature piece we did on him last month.  He’s currently projected as a top-five pick in the draft.  The 6’3″ forward plays for the Omaha Lancers (USHL), a team partially owned by the Kings Luc Robitaille.

Our other guest is Matt Nieto, a southern California native who grew up as a die-hard Kings fan.  He’s headed to Boston University this fall, one of the top college hockey programs in the country. 

Both also have ties to Team USA - Ambroz just returned from the Ivan Hlinka tournament in the Czech Republic, where the U.S. picked up the silver medal…Nieto is a two-time gold medal winner at the U-18 World Championships and he recently participated at the evaluation camp for the World Jr. team. 

MM:  There wasn’t a lot of prep time at this camp, you guys hit the ice to start the testing soon after arriving.  Before we talk about the actual rule changes, which team were you on and who were some of the guys with you?

Ambroz – I was on the black squad with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer/WHL), Nick Shore (U. of Denver/WCHA), Zack Phillips (Saint John/QMJHL) and Daniel Catenacci (Sault Ste. Marie/OHL). We were coached by Dave King.

Nieto – I was on Ken Hitchcock’s team (the white team) with Shane McColgan (Kelowna/WHL) and Robbie Russo (U.S. National program).  To be honest, I didn’t know many of the guys though.

Each day there was a morning and an afternoon session.  Among the first batch of rules tested were things like hybrid icing and some face-off variations.  Did anything stand out that you liked, disliked and/or was there anything that was confusing to you?

Ambroz – Nothing was really too confusing.  I was used to the hybrid icing from the USHL.  On the faceoffs, they would set the puck down and blow a whistle.  Actually, that was a little confusing at times.  Most of the rules were pretty straight forward though and you didn’t think about it once the play started.

Nieto – I think the faceoff rule was the most awkward thing they tested, where the ref would put the puck down and blow a whistle to start the draw.

Was it confusing at all to have the play start that way?  Usually a whistle in hockey means to stop play, here it was used to start play…

Ambroz – It was a little bit confusing.  It was interesting to try and get used to it.  Once you got it though, it was right back to hockey as usual.  I didn’t really mind it at all.

Nieto – That was a big part of it.  Some guys heard the whistle and they sorta froze up.  It was definitly kinda weird.  Personally, I wasn’t a big fan of it.

They also tested some new overtime rules, starting with 4-on-4, then going to 3-on-3 and eventually 2-on-2.  What did you think about that format?

Ambroz – Once you get down to 2-on-2, there’s a lot of ice. There would definitly be some scoring if they try that in the NHL. I dont see it really happening, but…you know, the five minute OT and the shootout seems to be working well. I could see them change it a little bit, but 2-on-2 is a bit much.

Nieto – I though it was pretty fun actually.  You’re never really put in a situation where you’re out there 2-on-2, so I’m not sure if they’ll use that rule.  It was different.  But, I think most of us had fun with that one.

Would you want to see NHL games decided by a 2-on-2 contest?

Nieto – I think it would be pretty fun to watch.  But, I don’t think it’s a rule they would pass because 2-on-2 is pretty tough to play on full ice.  There would be a lot of chances, that’s for sure.

How about things like adding the goal verification line (an additional line added behind the goal line), using wider blue lines and the crease rule.  Same question – like, dislike, confusing?

Ambroz – I actually liked when they added the extra goal line.  I think it’s pretty smart.  If the puck touches it, it’s a goal.  That makes a lot of sense.  The crease rule has been played over in Europe and in some international tournaments, where you can’t really be in the crease.  Being a big, power forward, standing in front of the net, that can be a little frustrating at times.  The wider blue lines were nice.  That gives the d-men a little extra room to work with.

There was a also a face-off variation where if a guy gets thrown out, the remaining player gets to pick who he wants to take the draw against.  What did you think of that idea?

Ambroz – I actually thought that one made sense.  It should give the center a big advantage, with a good chance to win it.  If the other guy is going to cheat, it makes sense.  It’s pretty funny when you get a big, 6’5″, 6’6″ defenseman in there to take the faceoff.  And it seemed like they always won the draw too.

Nieto – I actually preferred the other faceoff variation, where if a guy gets caught cheating, rather than being thrown out they just move him back a little.  You don’t have as much leg power to win the draw that way.  You can’t really lean on your stick.  Overall, I thought that was the best face off rule they tested the whole camp.

They also tried a configuration where there were three faceoff dots down the center of the ice…

Ambroz – It was pretty fun to try.  It seemed like a lot of the centers just wanted to shoot it on net off the face-off.  It gave you a different look on things.  However, I’m more in favor of the five face off dots.

Nieto – That was pretty tough because in the defensive zone I usually use the dots on the sides to position myself.  Without those there, I felt sort of lost out there.  It was definitely kinda awkward. I think it works in your favor if you’re in the offensive zone.  But, in the defensive zone, it’s tough to defend that draw.

In one of the many variations on how to end a game there was a shootout format where the same guy can shoot multiple times in the shootout, similar to what’s used at the Olympics.  Are you in favor of that change?

Ambroz – I dont mind it at all.  If you have a good player that can bury it like that – heck, take advantage of it if you can.  How often is it really going to happen that way?  Well, I know it happened at the World Juniors awhile ago, in the US-Canada game with Jonahtan Towes.  I like both ways I guess.  I have nothing against either way.

Nieto - I like it. I think it’s a great rule. I think it’s very effective and makes the shootout more interesting and fun.

One of the more radical ideas tested was when they took the second referee off the ice and placed him on a platform, sort of above the glass (near the blue line, on the opposite side of the benches).  What did you think about having the second ref off the ice?

Ambroz – I thought it was a good idea.  There is a lot of stuff that happens behind the play that maybe he’d be able to catch.  It was pretty interesting to watch.  It can get a little confusing at times though.  The off ice ref did end up calling a few penalties and they were good calls, so it definitly helped to have him up there.

Nieto – I actually thought that was a pretty good rule.  From my understanding he wasn’t just calling penalties up there.  He was also communicating with the other ref, telling him what was going on in front of the play.  So, that was good because most of the time the refs can’t see the whole ice.

Was it distracting to see a guy up there, out of the normal line of sight?

Ambroz – No, not at all.  You only really noticed him when you were sitting on the bench.  When you’re on the ice, you don’t even think about it or focus on it at all.  It’s like he’s not even there.

Nieto – I didn’t really notice him that much.  The fans might not be able to see though, that might be a factor.

Finally, there were 32 other top prospects there in camp with you.  Aside from the few players you may have already known, who impressed you the most?

Ambroz – Nugent-Hopkins was a great player. He had some great hands, great vision and a good shot. It was amazing to see all the different types of players and abilities - some were playmakers, goal scorers, power forwards, all different types.

Nieto – I’d have to say Ryan Murphy, a defenseman (Kitchener/OHL). Just the way he skates so nicely and joins the play offensively, but never gets caught back on defense. He really impressed me.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The camp also featured some off ice “orientation” sessions for the future NHL Draft picks, focusing on things such as the importance of being a person who displays strong character and how to best utilize new media, like facebook and twitter.

Strong character and new ideas.  Sounds like something right up Shanahan’s alley.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
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The Mayor appears courtesy of www.MayorsManor.com – where you’ll find tons of news, views and interviews from around the world of hockey.  Some of the RELATED ARTICLES you can read there include:

Interview with Seth Ambroz - an in-depth conversation w/ San Jose Sharks 1st round draft pick

Kings 2010 Draft Recap - looking at Derek Forbort, Jordan Weal, Tyler Toffoli and more

Interview with Matt Nieto – coming later this week, stay tuned

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Oshie was the state scoring champion his senior year and was selected to the AP All-State first team.

Born Timothy Oshie Jr., TJ Oshie is developing into a big time playmaker for the Saint Louis Blues.

Drafted 24^th overall by the Blues in 2005, Oshie played his high school hockey in Warroad, Minnesota. During his senior season at Warroad High School, the 23-year-old forward lead his team to an undefeated season and a Class A state title. That season Oshie put up 37 goals and 62 assists, en route to earning the title of state scoring champion and a spot on the AP All-State first team.

After high school, Oshie spent a short time in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede before enrolling in the University of North Dakota.

Prior to his first year of college, Oshie was selected in the 1^st round, 24^th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Blues. That ’05 draft was loaded with big name NHL players including Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, and Jonathan Quick.

Despite being drafted into the NHL, Oshie decided to stay in school and went on to score 24 goals, the most of any first year player in the entire NCAA. That same year he was also selected to Team USA for the World Junior Championships (that team lost to Finland in the Bronze medal game).

The then-Blues prospect went on to play two more seasons at North Dakota putting up 52 points his second season and a team-high 45 points in his third and final season. During his final year with the Fighting Sioux, Oshie was a Top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist and earned all-tournament honors at the WCHA Final Five and NCAA Midwest Region Championship. He was also selected to the American Hockey Coaches Association first team West All-American and the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association first team.

Oshie played a pivotal role in the Blues’ 2008-09 playoff run putting up 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists). His goal against the Vancouver Canucks on March 25 earned him the NHL’s 2008-09 Goal of the Year honors and his hits against Rick Nash late in the season energized both his teammates and fans and earned him a spot in Urban Dictionary.

Last season, the young Blues forward showed improvement from his rookie year putting up more goals, assists, and points.

While he may not become a big-time scorer, Oshie does posses the ability to create plays and score goals in the clutch.

“Is he ever going to be a 35 goal scorer? He hasn’t shown any signs to make you think that he will be, but it’s going to be real interesting,” said HockeyBuzz writer Andy Strickland. “He’s a hard player to figure out. There’s so much value to his game outside of his offensive production. He kills penalties, relentless worker, responsible in all 3 zones, creative offensively, he can score, he’s an all-around player.”

If he continues to contribute timely goals and create plays, Oshie has the potential to be the driving force behind the Blues young offensive attack. His creativity on the ice and ability to put the puck in the back of the net forces opposing players to pay more attention to him, opening up space for his teammates.

tsn.ca reports that Guillaume Latendresse has been traded to the Minnesota Wild for Benoit Pouliot.

http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/story/?id=299611

Anaheim Ducks- For a team that was so hot in the playoffs last year, the Quackers have really cooled down heading into 2009. They’re currently 4-6-2 and last in the Pacific Division. How much did the loss of Chris Pronger hurt Anaheim?

Atlanta Thrashers- Netminder Pavelec has been stellar so far. Very impressive 50-save effort to beat the Senators in their last game. Kovulchuk is also doing well so far, and Atlanta is simply just chugging along. 5-4-1, 3rd in the Southeast Division.

Boston Bruins- Some are worried that the Bruins aren’t doing as well as last year, but one has to remember that the Bruins are also injury-stricken right now. Right now they’re hurting, but they’ll be stronger once Savard and Lucic come back. They are also getting stiff competition within their division from both Ottawa and Buffalo. 6-6-1, 3rd in the Northeast Division.

Buffalo Sabres- Currently the owners of the best record in the NHL (in terms of W/L/T, not points or GP), the Sabres have stunned some critics and pleased others, with an 8-2-1 record. Goalie Ryan Miller holds a Top-5 spot in all stat-aspects of goaltending, and rookie Tyler Myers has just been locked up for 3 years. Currently 1st in the Northeast Division, and 3rd in the Eastern Conference. It should be noted that they have only played 11 games.

Calgary Flames- Have already been labeled as Canada’s best bet for winning a Stanley Cup. Currently with a 7-4-1 record and 2nd in the Northwest.

Carolina Hurricanes- No team has been as big a disappointment as the Hurricanes, save for maybe the Maple Leafs. I’m hurting for these fans in Raleigh. What happened? How can the team that challenged the Penguins in the 2009 ECF fall so far? Carolina currently has a 2-8-3 record, a whopping 7 points, and are 1 point away from being the worst in the league. Some say that Paul Maurice’s days behind the Hurricanes bench are numbered. I might agree.

Chicago Blackhawks- Starting off the season as win a few, lose one or two, the Blackhawks are still looking to hit their stride and really take charge of their division and conference. I’ve seen several blogs and articles that have predicted Chicago to make a deep run to the Stanley Cup. They’re currently 8-4-1 and on top of the Central Division.

Colorado Avalanche- Currently the most surprising team in the league…I mean, honestly- who expected them to have a 10-2-2 record? I’ll be honest, I sure didn’t. Hockey fans in Denver are loving it, and at the same time hoping that this is the status quo and that the roof won’t cave in. Memories of last year’s cellar-dweller finish still remain. Currently first in their Northwest Division and the Western Conference.

Columbus Blue Jackets- Heading into this season following their first-ever postseason appearance, the Jackets are looking to keep Ohio on the hockey map. Mason needs a repeat performance of last year to help this squad along. They’re 7-5-1, good for 2nd place in the Central Division and 2 points behind Chicago.

Dallas Stars- Okay, this is where this blog starts to get boring. I don’t know much about the Stars. All I can say is that they are 6-3-5, and are tied with NYI for the most games pushed to OT. Those 5 points are the reason they’re 6th in the Western Conference. The team is looking at Marty Turco to lead them, but they’re currently 4th in the Pacific Division.

Detroit Red Wings- On the bubble, either on their way to another Stanley Cup postseason or ready to fall from prominence. The loss of Marian Hossa is hurting them, along with several other key injuries, like Flippula. 5-4-3,  3rd in the Central Division and 11th in the Conference. Fans in the Motor City are hoping they turn it around, pronto.

Edmonton Oilers- Another team that I haven’t been following that much…but from what I can surmise by looking at the stats, it seems like the Oil are another team that is just chugging along and doing just fine, thank you very much. A 7-6-1 record is good for 3rd in the Northwest Division, and 9th in the Western Conference.

Florida Panthers- I still believe that there is a huge gap in their roster following the departure of Jay Bouwmeester. After threatening to make the postseason last year, the squad from Sunrise is sitting low with a 4-7-1 record, and 4th in the Southeast Division.

Los Angeles Kings- Another surprise team, although I cannot say that I am shocked to see them where they are. The management has been investing in young talent for years, and now they’re reaping the rewards. Veterans like Smyth and Scuderi have helped steer the youngsters, and it seems that successful hockey is back in the City and Angels. They are 8-4-2, 3rd in the (all of a sudden) competitive Pacific Division and 5th in the Western Conference.

Minnesota Wild- They failed to make the playoffs last year, and are hoping to change that this year. However, they are currently last in the Western Conference and have a 5-9-0 record, their most recent win a 2-1 victory at Pittsburgh (I was in attendance, it was a great game). It’s another team that I don’t know much about, but it doesn’t take an expert to see that something is awry in St. Paul.

Montreal Canadiens- The big chemistry experiment is still underway in Montreal, and so far has yielded so-so results. The Habs just came off a 5-4 SO win over rival Toronto, and have not lost in an OT/SO yet. They’re playing .500 hockey with a 7-7-0 record, and every fan is waiting for the day the team comes together. 3rd in the Northeast,  and 7th in the Conference. They have the talent, so what’s keeping them behind?

Nashville Predators- I only watched one game of the Preds’ this year, against Buffalo. It was a 1-0 game, in Buffalo’s favor, but it also was a goalie duel. The two teams seemed very evenly matched, but aside from that I am inexperienced with Nashville hockey. They’re 6-6-1, and 4th in the Central Division.

New Jersey Devils- Currently 8-4-0, and picking up where they left off last year. After being eliminated by Carolina in Game 7 last year, New Jersey is playing hockey with a vengeance, and were the 2nd team to beat division-foe Pittsburgh this season. I am still unsure about Marty Brodeur- some say he’s at his best, some say he’s past his prime. In either case, goaltending is clearly the Devils’ strong point with Brodeur and Clemmensen. They’re 3rd in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division.

New York Islanders- Financial struggles, a bleak future, a crumbling arena…and a #1 draft pick that is tearing it up. Sometimes I feel as if the league is watching the Isles, and secretly hoping they rebound. Me? I absolutely do. They have one of the best histories in the league, loyal fans, and it would be a shame for them to move…but aside from that, they’re currently on the rebound and climbing out of the cellar with 4-4-5 record and a current 3-game winning streak. They’re still last in the Atlantic Division, but 10th in the Conference.

New York Rangers- After one of the hottest starts in the league, the Blueshirts have cooled down recently. Fans are enjoying Tortorella behind the bench and it seems as if the Rangers have things back in order. Lundqvist can steal games, and he just did by blanking the Bruins 1-0 in their lastest game. They’re 9-5-1 and 2nd in the Atlantic Division, 4th in the Eastern.

Ottawa Senators- Another team that I do not follow…at all…despite the fact that they’re in the same division as my Sabres. I do know that some people still believe that they’re hurting without Dany Heatley, but Alex Kovalev has added some spark to the Sens. They are currently sitting 2nd in the Northeast, 6th in the Eastern Conference, and have a 6-4-2 record thus far.

Philadelphia Flyers- Have the Broad Street Bullies returned? Philly fans like to think so. Adding Chris Pronger from Anaheim seemed to be a blockbuster move for the Flyers, but their current 6-4-1 record is disproportionate to what fans were expecting. Personally, I don’t think Philadelphia has anything to worry about, and I have seen several predictions that place the Stanley Cup in the City of Brotherly Love. They’re 4th in the Atlantic, 8th in the East.

Phoenix Coyotes- This is a team that I am so glad is doing well. If any team needs to win and in a hurry, it’s the Coyotes. Shane Doan continues to be the heart and soul of the team, and the ‘Yotes boasts one of the best netminders currently in the league- Ilya Bryzgalov. I sincerely hope the Coyotes keep their winnings ways alive- they are 9-4-0, 2nd in the Pacific and 4th in the West.

Pittsburgh Penguins- The reigning Stanley Cup Champions completed one of the hottest starts in NHL history, and currently sit on top of their division, conference, and the league with an 11-3-0 record. The Penguins’ Goligoski has the best +/- rating in the league with a +12. The Penguins are looking to return to the Stanley Cup Final, and are on pace to do just that.

San Jose Sharks- After a winning the President’s Cup in 2009 and being eliminated in the first round by the rival Ducks, San Jose is another team that is playing hockey with a vendetta. After a slow start, they have won 5 in a row and currently boast a 10-4-1 record, good for 2nd in the Western Conference and the top spot in the Pacific Division. Was acquiring Dany Heatley the final piece in the puzzle?

St. Louis Blues- Off to a rough start in October, they’re sitting 5-6-1 and last in the Central Division. They’re hoping to make it back to the playoffs, but won’t do so if they continue the un-inspired play that’s been plaguing the Blues bench. Another team that I have to watch more of.

Tampa Bay Lightning- A painful season last year has made some Bolts faithful weary, but Tampa Bay is banking on rookie Hedman to inspire the team and fanbase. Tampa Bay is a confusing team, because they have top-notch talent in St. Louis and Lecavalier, but nothing to show for it.  They have a very mediocre 4-3-4 record, and sit 2nd in the Southeast Division, 8 pts behind leader Washington. So the big question is, what is wrong in Hockey Bay, USA?

Toronto Maple Leafs- Now, this is where it gets embarrassing. I predicted that the Leafs would be the team to watch in 2009-2010, and while there is still a chance that might happen, right now things are not looking good. I thought the additions of Komisarek and Gustavsson would have sparked this team. Off to one of the worst starts in team history (and let’s not forget, they’re original 6 so that’s a crap-ton of history), the fans are finally getting sick and tired of sky-high prices and cellar-dweller performance. GM Brian Burke better think on his toes, because the Leafs’ 1-7-4 record is downright embarrassing, and ticket sales are starting to show it. They’re currently last in their division, conference, and the league.

Vancouver Canucks- Also believed to be Canada’s second chance at winning the Stanley Cup. They’re in a tight spot right know with Luongo injured, but their offensive prowess makes up for the loss. Right now they are playing .500 hockey, a 7-7-0 record- the same as the Canadiens. I personally believe that the Canucks will eventually hit their stride at start winning at GM Place- the only question is, when?

Washington Capitals- Looking at another return to the postseason, and their October has proved to be successful. They are banking on Ovechkin to be the rally point for this team and currently are 8-2-4, good for first place in the weak Southeast division and 2nd in the Eastern Conference.

The current standings for the Conferences, and if the Playoffs started today, who would go:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Pittsburgh, 2. Washington, 3. Buffalo, 4. New York Rangers, 5. New Jersey, 6. Ottawa, 7. Montreal, 8. Philadelphia

9.Boston, 10. New York Islanders, 11. Tampa Bay, 12. Atlanta, 13. Florida, 14. Carolina, 15. Toronto

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Colorado, 2. San Jose, 3. Chicago, 4. Phoenix, 5. Los Angeles, 6. Dallas, 7. Calgary, 8. Columbus

9. Edmonton, 10. Vancouver, 11. Detroit, 12. Nashville, 13. St. Louis, 14. Anaheim, 15. Minnesota

That’s October in a nutshell. I tried to not insult any team (although in some cases, it cannot be helped), in an effort to avoid any anger towards me. If anyone has comments or questions, please leave them. Here’s to another exciting month of NHL hockey!