Monday's news: Judging the kids

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 19, 2010 8:04 AM EDT in Nashville Predators News Comment 8 comments

This morning's hockey news seems to have a decided bent towards prospects - we have one Preds prospect unexpectedly changing his college plans, an alcohol-related scandal among Notre Dame's hockey team, and some musing over the entire notion that teams can make better draft choices by focusing on an individual's character.

All this and more after the jump, including some more fear-mongering from the Canadian media about our Preds...

First, apropos of nothing, I wanted to share something goofy I found on Amazon over the weekend when searching for Nashville Predators items. How about we get one of these and stick him in the corner of the visitor's bench at Bridgestone Arena?

Predators News

Cam Reid ready to head back to school - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond brings us the story of a 2009 7th-round pick who suddenly found out that he couldn't attend the college he'd planned to, and how he had to readjust his amateur career on the fly.

30 Goals In 30 Days: #2 vs. Colorado, Oct. 8 " PredsBlog
"The point of this retrospective is to better determine how many of Hornqvist’s 30 goals demonstrated a repeatable skill, so that we can better project his next season" I'm not sure exactly what the criteria is here, but I think you can bet that if anyone could score 30 goals like Hornqvist did last season, they would.

The Klein/Franson Dilemma " PredsBlog
Sam highlights the dilemma of comparing two young defensemen taking on different roles last season.

The View from 111: We Have Nothing to Fear but Fehr Himself
Are the players set to get themselves a real pit bull for the upcoming negotiations with NHL owners on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement? If so, it would be the first competent act on behalf of the NHLPA in a looooooong time.

Future of Preds, Stars still up in the air - The Globe and Mail
David Shoalts just can't resist spinning the resolution of the "Boots" Del Biaggio business as potential peril for the Predators.

Around the NHL

Kovalchuk's endgame, draft divers and 30 thoughts - Elliotte Friedman
At least Elliotte leaves us with a lot to chew on as he signs off for the summer...

Five Hole Fanatics: On Scouting and Weighting Personal Factors
Kent reacts to the whole notion of weighing "character" with regard to draft choices, which is something the Nashville Predators openly espouse.

mc79hockey.com - Going off the board in the draft
Very interesting read from Tyler - are the scouting efforts of NHL teams nothing more than "modern day phrenology" when they venture beyond the Central Scouting rankings?

Coming Down the Pipe!: More Legal Trouble at Notre Dame
Uh oh, Pete Weber's not gonna be happy about this - a senior on the Notre Dame hockey team is alleged to have supplied 8 incoming freshman with a bunch of booze. As a Michigan grad, this is the part where I cackle. The real question is, how will this incident (and its aftermath) influence the perception of these players' character, and fitness for NHL duty? In the long run, does it really matter?

A look at the best 21-and-under NHL talent - NHL.com
What? No Colin Wilson? #FAIL

Blue Jackets president: Casinos could solve team's financial problems | The Columbus Dispatch
The BJ's and the city of Columbus are exploring options to plug their financial leak.

Encore: Reservoir Of Faith (Puck-Rakers Blog)
"GM Scott Howson told The Dispatch on Sunday that his focus in free agency will be signing a fourth-line center." Terrifying words for any Columbus fan. Why aren't they pursuing Denis Grebeshkov?

Who should be the next Sharks Captain? | Hockey Independent
Last summer they shook up the leadership in San Jose by appointing Rob Blake captain, but now he's retired. Who gets it next?

Mikko Koivu's Extension Will Impact New Jersey Devils Zach Parise's & Travis Zajac's Future - In Lou We Trust
That big contract for Minnesota's captain could result in a pinch in New Jersey.

Disappointment: No Public Day at New Jersey Devils Prospects Camp - In Lou We Trust
The Devils really blew it on the Fan Relations front here, teasing that they'd have an open public scrimmage during their prospect camp, but not following through.

Summer Trade Idea: Sergei Samsonov for Kevin Bieksa - Canes Country
Interesting thoughts from Carolina, if entirely unrealistic...

All Habs: Markov, Carriere, Desjardins in All Habs news
Montreal's best player, Andrei Markov, took the oath and became a Canadian citizen on Friday. That's one way to endear yourself to the fan base!

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Comments

I’m not sure exactly what the criteria is here, but I think you can bet that if anyone could score 30 goals like Hornqvist did last season, they would.

Yet people say all the time Hornqvist scored all his goals by standing in front of the net, which anyone can do. The point is to prove your statement, not the other way around.

by Sam Page on Jul 19, 2010 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

I think we’re on the same track, and the myth that needs to be busted is that “anyone can stand in front of the net.” It takes a number of things, obviously starting with courage, but also timing, awareness of where defensive personnel are, how to follow the flow of the play, and the hand-eye coordination involved in tipping pucks is very much a skill that has to be developed.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 19, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

And to your point about Joel Ward being able to do something similar, I’d love to see him get more PP time next season, performing a Hornqvist-like job on the 2nd unit.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Jul 19, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I acutally edited out the part about Ward

when a commenter pointed out that Hornqvist deflected it with his stick, not his foot, as the broadcast had said. but yea, he would be a nice PP piece.

by Sam Page on Jul 19, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

So you’re the author of that blog. Aha! Good to know.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

uh oh

italics

by Sam Page on Jul 19, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha. For one, I’ve greatly enjoyed your work thus far. Keep it up.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.

by Chris Burton on Jul 19, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Shoalts

Here’s another No Names Please Story. All information comes from “sources” who contribute to “a lot of speculation in Nashville circles.” Once, just once, I’d like to see this guy quote someone willing to take responsibility for his/her statement, now that his old pal Rusty Lawrence is out of the picture.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Jul 19, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions