Monday, July 9, 2012

Last Man Standing (Goalies) Quick Clip - NHL 13

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 20:  Claude Giroux of the...
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 20: Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers poses after being named the EA SPORTS NHL13 cover athlete during the 2012 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas on June 20, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
"Software Engineer James Banting gives you a behind the scenes look at goalies in NHL 13. Goalies are powered by the all-new EA SPORTS Hockey IQ and feature goalie anticipation, complete limb movement and enhanced user goalie control. The result is the most realistic goalies ever in a hockey game." - EA Sports


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Thursday, June 21, 2012

2012 NHL Draft: The Next Ones Final Rankings | The Hockey Writers

ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 24:  First overall pick Rya...
ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 24: First overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers poses for a photo portrait during day one of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center on June 24, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
2012 NHL Draft: The Next Ones Final Rankings | The Hockey Writers


Because every prospect has a story behind the talent...


"Chris’s List:  A common query is how these particular rankings are formulated. There is now an abundance of sources of hockey prospect information. You can check out my blog The Next Ones for your online eNewspaper, linking to the best of the best of these resources. TSN has Craig Button’s Craig’s List, which is a “monthly rankings represent his individual assessment of where players are slotted in the NHL draft. They will be posted in addition to Bob McKenzie’s consensus NHL rankings, which is compiled four times a year. Bob’s rankings represent the consensus NHL team view of where players are slotted in the NHL draft.”


In contrast, The Next Ones rankings take into account many influences. While I obviously cannot reveal all my trade secrets, the following are some of the considerations contemplated when compiling the rankings. First of all, my personal prospect analysis and scouting reports from live player viewings (due to geography restraints mainly limited to WHL and this year’s World Juniors) and video analysis.  Admittedly, there is nothing comparable to live viewings. Secondly, my personal ranking system with influences from contacts whom I consider respected, knowledgeable, passionate hockey people with unique insight from all over this great hockey universe of ours. Many thanks to those who passionately offer up their unequivocal outstanding scouting analysis to me – you know who you are.  Thirdly, I utilize some unique statistical analysis for guidance purposes only. Compiling and merging all of data along with copious amounts of research results in Chris’s List coming to fruition."


Full article of The Next Ones Top 150 Final Rankings at The Hockey Writers:
http://thehockeywriters.com/2012-nhl-draft-the-next-ones-final-rankings/





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2012 NHL Mock Draft: The Next Ones – 2 Rounds | The Hockey Writers

Toronto Maple Leafs player scoring goal agains...
Toronto Maple Leafs player scoring goal against Detroit Red Wings, Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1942 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
2012 NHL Mock Draft: The Next Ones – 2 Rounds | The Hockey Writers:

Because every prospect has a dream...

"Of course, temptation got the best of me again yet again this season as today’s article embarks on my fourth and final mock draft of the season. Here are my first three best guesstimates based on the timing of the respective mock: 2012 NHL Mock Draft: Memorial Cup Edition – 2 Rounds March Madness Edition – detailed two round mock draft with rationale The January edition of my mock draft was titled: Fail For Nail or Mikhail For alternative perspectives from THW colleagues: 2012 NHL Mock Draft Madness (B. Ross) A June 2012 NHL Mock Draft (D. O’Connor)" 

Full article at: http://thehockeywriters.com/2012-nhl-mock-draft-the-next-ones-2-rounds/
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Saturday, June 16, 2012

Dalton Thrower – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers

Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dalton Thrower – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers:


Dalton Thrower THW Close-Up:
Date of birth: 12/20/1993
Place of birth: North Vancouver, BC, CAN
Ht:  6’0″ Wt: 190
Shoots: Right
Position: Defenseman
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2012 1st year eligible


"He is a silky smooth and efficient skater. His game does go well beyond the numbers, but he did finish 8th in defensemen scoring in the WHL. He can man the left or right point, delivers crisp and accurate passes, and has a blistering shot. He is also adept at rushing the puck. Dalton is effective at both ends of the rink, improving his defensive play as the season wore on. He is sound in his positional play, but has noted himself that he still needs to continue to work on gap control. Thrower’s really elevated his game throughout this season. He was relied upon heavily by the Saskatoon Blades when the blueline was decimated with injuries; Thrower excelled when called upon to log a ton of ice time."

Full article at THW: http://thehockeywriters.com/dalton-thrower-the-next-ones-nhl-2012-draft-prospect-profile/
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Troy Bourke - The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers

Third jersey Logo.
Third jersey Logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Troy Bourke - The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers:


Troy Bourke THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 03/30/1994
Place of birth: Onoway, AB, CAN
Ht:  5’10″ Wt: 180
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2012 1st year eligible

Other Rankings:
  • NHL Central Scouting: 123rd (NA skaters)
  • Hockey Prospects: #43 overall


"It’s never a good idea to base an opinion on a prospect solely on statistics. This is definitely the case with Prince George Cougars forward, Troy Bourke. First off, many sites report his dimensions as 5’10” and weighing somewhere between 150 to 160 lbs. Troy has concentrated his training on adding weight to his frame. While he’s certainly not going to project as a behemoth forward, he currently tips the scales at about 180 lbs. 

Secondly, if you take a glance at his stat line for the past two seasons, one might ponder if he’s actually regressed as a player. You couldn’t be more wrong if you jumped to that conclusion."

'via Blog this'
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Ville Pokka – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers

LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 09:  Olli Määttä #59 ...
LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 09: Olli Määttä #59 of Team Finland trips up Erik Thorell #26 of Team Sweden at the Lake Placid Olympic Center on August 9, 2011 in Lake Placid, New York. Team Sweden defeated Team Finland 7-1. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Ville Pokka – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers:

Excerpt:

"Sisu. From none other than Wikipedia, Sisu “is a Finnish term loosely translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.” If you take the literal translation, it is equivalent in English to “having guts”. 
While maybe not yet a master of sisu, the Finnish blueliner prospect definitely has some degree of sisu now; an excellent foundation upon which to build as he grows as a player and a person. With a big blow to the blueline when Olli Määttä was injured in Finland’s first game of the WJC U20s in Calgary, Pokka’s role increased substantially. The young defenseman did not disappoint exhibiting his solid 2-way play which leans towards the offensive side. Pokka finished the championships tied for 6th in scoring amongst defenseman scoring with 4 points in 7 games."

'Full article: http://thehockeywriters.com/ville-pokka-the-next-ones-nhl-2012-draft-prospect-profile/
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Brett Kulak - The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers

Draft stage
Draft stage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Brett Kulak - The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile | The Hockey Writers: "Brett Kulak THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 01/06/1994
Place of birth: Stony Plain, AB, CAN
Ht:  6’1″ Wt: 175
Shoots: Left Position: Defence
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2012 1st year eligible
THW Ranking (May): 36th

Other Rankings: CSS (N.A. skaters): 55 (Mid-term 67th )" 'via Blog this'

Excerpt:

"The first thing you may notice about Brett Kulak while watching him man the blueline for the Vancouver Giants is that unless you were specifically paying him attention, he likely would likely be unnoticeable. In Kulak’s case, and in the case of efficient defensemen in general, this is often a very desirable trait.


Looking for an NHL comparable than look no further than Duncan Keith, who Kulak himself patterns his game after.  Kulak is a smooth, effortless skater with tremendous puck poise and always seems to make the simplest and often correct decision. It may take some time, but he also has untapped offensive upside as well given his hockey IQ and the rapid development track he is on. At this point in time, Keith is in another stratosphere in terms of offensive ability, but given time Kulak has the potential to be on the same echelon. Kulak currently keeps his game simply rather than flashy."
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