Future Blackhawks: Prospect Rankings Update

Excerpt:

*Here then are our Top 20 Blackhawk Prospects:

- NOTE: Future articles will analyze, breakdown other rankings as well as provide our own reasoning for individual players; at least for the top 10 (since, for the most part, the rest of the rankings only looked at the top 10 prospects). Rankings will be updated after 2010 entry draft.

1. Dylan Olsen (D)
2. Kyle Beach (LW)
3. Shawn Lalonde (D)
4. Jack Skille (RW)
5. Nick Leddy (D)
6. Marcus Kruger (C)
7. Akim Aliu (LW)
8. Brandon Pirri (C)
9. Billy Sweatt (C/LW)
10. Bryan Bickell (LW)
11. Simon Danis-Pepin (D)
12. Brian Connelly (D)
13. Byron Froese (C)
14. David Gilbert (C)
15. David Pacan (C)
16. Ryan Stanton (D)
17. Joe Lavin (D)
18. Ben Smith (RW)
19. Brandon Bollig (F)
20. Dan Delisle (C)

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http://paintitblackhawks.com/2010/04/11/future-blackhawks-prospect-rankings-update/

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PIB’s Blackhawks Prospect Rankings #5 Nick Leddy

Nick Leddy

Nick Leddy {Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn - Flickr}

Age: 18
Date of birth: March 20, 1991
Place of birth: Eden Prairie, MN, USA
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 179
Shoots: L
NHL Seasons: 0-R
Drafted by Minnesota in 2009 (1/16).
Acquired in a trade with Minnesota in 2010.
The recently acquired (trade with Wild) Nicky Leddy comes in as the fifth ranked prospect, with the potential to easily move up in these rankings. The 16^th overall, 1^st round selection in 2009 by Minnesota was touted as one of the most explosive skaters in the draft.
As I noted in my monster 2009 Draft Preview, in the article featuring Nick Leddy, I summed the young blueliner up, stating:

“One-Timer: The recently crowned “Mr. Hockey”, as the best high-school player in Minnesota high school, is a tad on the small side, but boy is he fast! He is a very poised player and an uncanny ability to make plays at high speeds. He posses very good vision and thus makes intelligent decisions on both sides of the rink, to go with his exceptional skating ability.”

Current Season Update:

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http://paintitblackhawks.com/2010/02/24/prospect-rankings-nick-leddy/

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Paint It Blackhawks Season Progress: From $62.8 million to 20 cents – 10 Questions The Blackhawks Must Answer

My latest article at Paint It Blackhawks reflects back on my unique season preview with updates - the original article being featured on Yahoo Sports:

Back in September of last year PIB highlighted 10 questions to monitor as the season progresses. Given that we’re now slightly more than half way through the season I thought it appropriate to take a look back at these previously raised issues and see how the ‘Hawks are measuring up. Consider this my spin on the mid-term report.

1. Let’s get this one out of the way: Is Cristobel Huet a legitimate #1 NHL goalie and can he take the ‘Hawks to the next level?

My take back in September:

“Is he up for the task? Time will tell. The French netminder does have game, but I, like many analysts, question his ability to be anything but a solid backup at this level. According to THW’s Rafal Ladasz, Huet is the 15^th overall enigma in the NHL.”

Update: Undoubtedly a rough start to the season. Since then, he has been solid. His impressive stats are padded with the defense and team that takes to the ice in front of him. Am I sold on Huet? In a word – No. I guess I’m not easily impressed and may admittedly run the native of France a little hard. While the Wings have done wonders with the likes of Chris Osgood in previous Cup runs, relying on Huet deep in the playoffs could easily prove to be a weak link. But all is not lost…

Read on for questions 2-9:

http://paintitblackhawks.com/2010/01/08/blackhawks-progress-from-62-8-million-to-20-cents-10-questions-the-blackhawks-must-answer/

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PIB’s Blackhawks Prospect Rankings #3 Shawn Lalonde

My ranking of the Blackhawks prospects continues over at Paint It Blackhawks.

Shawn Lalonde comes in as the third ranked prospect. This position was the closest contested ranking to date for Paint It Blackhawks’ prospect ranking series. The 3rd round 2008 (68th overall) selection was a bit of a wildcard coming into the draft. The blueliner was regarded as one of the best skaters in the draft with offensive upside. I was admittedly keeping a close watch on where he would land and thrilled to see the Hawks snag him in the third. I’ve previously read or heard the Hawks actually had him pegged as a 1st rounder by their scouts’ rankings. While too soon to tell at this point, he sure looks like a crafty pick thus far along in his hockey journey. Lalonde had a breakout year last year after being drafted posting 53 points in 66 games, while registering an impressive plus 29 rating. This season, his evolution continues…

Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 8/10 Defensive = 8/10

NHL Player(s) Comparison: If you can imagine a morph or hybrid of Marek Zidlicky and Bret Hedican (admittedly a tough one to compare to a current NHLer).

http://paintitblackhawks.com/2009/12/17/pib%E2%80%99s-blackhawks-prospect-rankings-3-shawn-lalonde/

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Paint It Blackhawks Season Preview: From $62.8 million to 20 cents - 10 Questions The Blackhawks Must Answer

Blackhawks Season Preview - PIB (Paint It Blackhawk) Style!

Part 1:
http://paintitblackhawks.com/2009/09/29/blackhawks-season-preview-from-628-million-to-20-cents-10-questions-the-blackhawks-must-answer-1-5/

Part 2:
http://paintitblackhawks.com/2009/09/30/blackhawks-season-preview-from-628-million-to-20-cents-10-questions-the-blackhawks-must-answer-6-10/

This preview was linked at Yahoo Sports by Puck Daddy:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Pens-bling-captain-moves-for-S?urn=nhl,193147

Madison Musings: Season Opener Edition:
http://paintitblackhawks.com/2009/09/30/madison-musings-season-opener-edition/

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