Ryan Murphy – McKeen's Hockey

Super Crop of Prospects: Gauging Early Results

Carl Lemelin — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 13:31:33 +0000

Whether it’s due to the salary cap reduction this season or new age coaching and training methods, this young NHL season is a testament to the hypothesis that more and more kids are ready to compete at the highest level with less and less pro apprenticeship needed.

A quick peek at the leading scorers’ list reveals names we all know but never expected to see up there this quickly. As fantasy owners, we know that this list won’t look the same come April, but we also know that every season produces a fresh crop of young actors in the fantasy hockey drama.

Some of you may be involved in realistic keeper leagues with rules similar to the NHL’s, meaning that decisions to promote precocious producers can have adverse effects if the young players can’t keep up their early scoring pace. Others among you are simply trying to decide which young studs are worth picking up on the waiver wire.

There is no fool-proof method to help us make these decisions, but past experience has taught us that there are early signs that can point to a youngster’s continued success... or not. Here’s my take on a few of 2013-14’s early risers.

GRAB/PROMOTE THEM

Tomas Hertl (LW) – SJS: Highlight reel goals aside, this 19 y/o is the real deal. He has been competing against men in the top Czech league for the past two seasons and showed massive improvement last year over the previous. He has all the tools and, from all accounts coming out of San Jose’s locker room, all the self-confidence to keep this feel-good story alive. He is playing with Jumbo Joe on the first line and has generated almost 4 SOG/G in just under 15 minutes per game. The Sharks desperately needed an infusion of youth, speed and skill up front and have found it all in one single player. He will be given every opportunity to produce offense.

Jacob Trouba (D) – WIN: Last year’s WJC best defenseman has ridden a confidence boost stemming from his performance at that tournament and joined the Jets’ impressive 6-man unit at the ripe age of 19. Coach Claude Noel has had nothing but praise for the teen’s poise and competitive spirit. In fact, Trouba is logging an astounding 23:28 TOI and was Winnipeg’s top minute-muncher in last Thursday’s contest (25:27). He’s blocked out (for the moment) from a top PP role by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom, but the Jets have a very potent second unit. Trouba is drawing early comparisons to Shea Weber for his all around game. Expect 30-40 points, with plenty of upside and room for growth.

Ryan Murphy (D) – CAR: Always known as an 'all offense' kind of D-man, Murphy has held his own in even strength situations on a mediocre Carolina line-up (+1 through 5 games). With the loss of Joni Pitkanen for the rest of the season, the Canes will need Murphy’s puck-moving acumen. His PP quarterbacking skills are undeniable and have even helped him dislodge Justin Faulk as Eric Staal’s point partner on the first unit. Even if there is no guaranty this lineup situation won’t change, his 3:30 of PP TOI is a clear indication that pure talent won’t be denied this season in Carolina.

WAIT ON THEM

Alex Galchenyuk (LW) - MON: Part of the 'EGG' line in Montreal with fellow baby Habs Brendan Gallagher and Lars Eller, the 19 y/o has been the playmaker of the super hot trio. The Canadiens are getting very little production from their other lines early on, which will lead to either of these two scenarios: 1- Opposing checkers will key on the kids, making it impossible for them to keep up this scoring pace, or; 2- The team's other two scoring lines will wake up, pushing Galchenyuk to the second PP unit, resulting in less opportunities for him to pick up points. The fact that the young American has yet to play a full 82-game schedule also makes it probable he will hit a wall in the second half.

Alex Chiasson (RW) - DAL: He is putting together one of the most impressive offensive starts to a career that we have seen in decades (11-9-3-12 since being promoted at the end of last season). However, 12 games is a very small sample size. Chiasson was a great scorer in college, but had a rather pedestrian rookie season in the AHL last year (57-13-22-35). He is benefitting from first PP minutes, playing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. But when the inevitable slump hits the Dallas man-advantage, Ray Whitney should regain his regular spot, relegating Chiasson to a mediocre second PP unit. The 23 y/o will be in the Calder conversation all year long, but his current performance level is unsustainable.

Sean Monahan (C) – CAL: Launching an NHL career at 18 with a 5-game point streak: impressive. Maintaining the momentum throughout a full rookie season, playing on an offensively challenged squad: next to impossible. Monahan is showing off what many scouts already knew: his hockey sense is off the charts. But the projected worst team in the league is currently overachieving. Their PP likely won’t end up anywhere near the 22.2% success rate it is posting through 5 games, nor will the team score 3.6 GF/G over the full schedule. Add on the fact that the kid will no longer fly under the radar, as opposing checkers will start to key in on him. No doubting Monahan’s point-per-game potential here... It just won’t materialize this season.

WJHC: Team Canada Player Points By Period

Gus Katsaros — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:09:23 +0000

Here's a special little treat for all World Junior Championships enthusiasts.

Congratulations to all players named by Hockey Canada to represent the colors in the upcoming IIHF World Junior Hockey Champinships in Ufa.

To celebrate their appointments, here is a breakdown of all Team Canada players (except for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) points breakdown by period. Skaters only, goalies are excluded.

			Goals				Assist1				Assist2
#	No. Name	TEAM	1st	2nd	3rd	OT	1st	2nd	3rd	OT	1st	2nd	3rd	OT
	DEFENSEMEN
27	Hamilton, Dougie	Niagara IceDogs	2	3	2	1	4	3	8	0	5	3	10	0
6	Harrington, Scott	London Knights	0	0	1	0	1	2	1	0	1	1	3	0
24	Murphy , Ryan	Kitchener Rangers	0	2	1	1	1	2	7	0	3	3	2	0
16	Ouellet, Xavier	Blainville-Boisbriand Armada	3	1	1	0	3	4	3	0	2	3	5	0
8	Reinhart, Griffin	Edmonton Oil Kings	1	2	1	0	2	1	1	0	0	3	3	0
4	Morgan Rielly	Moose Jaw Warriors	0	5	2	0	2	8	5	0	0	2	4	0
26	Wotherspoon, Tyler	Portland Winterhawks	1	1	1	0	1	5	2	0	3	6	3	0

	FORWARDS
15	Camara, Anthony	Barrie Colts	7	6	9	0	6	2	3	1	2	1	3	0
21	Danault, Phillip	Victoriaville Tigres	4	4	6	0	1	7	5	0	7	7	2	1
27	Drouin, Jonathan	Halifax Mooseheads	4	9	6	0	3	4	3	0	8	7	4	0
11	Huberdeau, Jonathan	Saint John Sea Dogs	5	6	5	0	5	9	5	1	4	3	2	0
10	Hudon, Charles	Chicoutimi Sagueneens	3	7	8	0	1	8	4	0	2	1	2	0
22	Jenner, Boone	Oshawa Generals	9	12	6	0	0	7	5	0	1	2	5	0
34	Lipon, JC	Kamloops Blazers	5	9	8	0	6	6	6	0	6	4	7	0
22	MacKinnon, Nathan	Halifax Mooseheads	9	6	6	1	8	9	8	0	1	3	1	0
8	Rattie, Ty	Portland Winterhawks	5	4	10	0	6	7	6	0	1	2	6	0
20	Ritchie, Brett	Niagara IceDogs	9	8	10	0	2	3	7	0	4	3	4	0
19	Scheifele, Mark	Barrie Colts	7	3	9	2	5	5	4	0	5	2	5	1
18	Strome, Ryan	Niagara IceDogs	4	8	10	0	11	11	11	0	3	2	2	0
	Ryan Nugent-Hopkins	Oklahoma City Barons

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OHL: NHL Drafted Prospects Reports

Saeed Atcha — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:52:39 +0000

Along with watching minor midgets, McKeen’s correspondent Saeed Atcha has been taking in some drafted players throughout the OHL. Chiming in on drafted players from various NHL clubs, he takes a drafted prospects tour across the Ontario Hockey League.

To follow Saeed on Twitter.

Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets), C, Barrie Colts

6’3, 187 lbs,

DOB: March 15, 1993

Mark Scheifele continues to be one of the OHL’s most dynamic and effective forwards. The engine behind Barrie’s offence, but a sold two-way player at the same time, Scheifele is off to a hot start this season. Engaged in all aspects of play, the crafty centre clearly makes those around him better. Scheifele has honed his skills to the point of exacting precision with every touch of the puck. Scheifele sees plays before they unfold and combines speed with execution. Despite being ready to play at the next level, Scheifele brings a high compete level and consistency to every shift, using his vision and playmaking to leadBarrie’s offence.

Dylan Blujus (Tampa Bay Lightning), D, Brampton Battalion

6’3, 198 lbs,

DOB: January 22, 1994

In his second full season with the Battalion, Blujus is starting to play a greater role with his junior club. With many of his earlier skating woes behind him, mobility and range is no longer a critical issue. Aware of his deficiency in foot speed, Blujus compensates by anticipating plays and gaining puck possession. The conservative Battalion style is well suited for Blujus who will safely clear the puck from the defensive zone rather than rush the puck. Blujus is still lacking a physical dimension to his game giving preference to stick checks over a punishing style. His greatest contribution to the Battalion is likely his shot from the point which, more times than not, ends up on net

Boone Jenner (Columbus Blue Jackets), F, Oshawa Generals

6’2, 204 lbs,

DOB: June 15, 1993

Not only is Boone Jenner a work-horse for the Oshawa Generals, he is also their offensive engine. His skating, once an area that required work, now makes him a threat on the ice as he creates scoring chances by pairing his mobility with his puck distribution skills in the offensive zone. Jenner has shown the ability to dominate the boards in the offensive zone, using his size and strength to protect the puck givingOshawaa very dangerous puck cycling operation. Jenner’s speed provides the Generals with successful offensive zone entries, often times drawing in a defender in the process. Strong stick handling skills allows Jenner to create time and space in order to architect the Generals puck possession game.

Tyler Biggs (Toronto Maple Leafs), F, Oshawa Generals

6’3, 224 lbs,

DOB: April 30, 1993

Tyler Biggs has added the dimension of size to the Generals top line this year. Whether cycling the puck from down low or providing net front presence, Biggs is a difficult to player to separate from the puck. On the other hand, Biggs will deliver punishing hits while forechecking, jarring the puck loose to create scoring chances. A speedy north-south skater who will gain zone entries for the Generals, Biggs needs to be more efficient with his shot selection as he tends to shoot the puck as soon as possible from low percentage areas. On the powerplay, Biggs is most useful battling for loose pucks at the goal line, using his strength and body positioning to pounce on the rebound or at the very least to provide a formidable screen for the opposing goaltender.

Matt Puempel (Ottawa Senators), F, Kitchener Rangers

6’0, 190 lbs, DOB: January 24, 1993

An opportunistic forward, Matt Puempel constantly provides the Rangers with a strong finishing touch. While Puempel thrives in the offensive zone, he tends to blend into the background in the neutral zone, and even more so in his own. Stealthy in his approach, Puempel excels at finding open ice. Puempel is a pure sniper armed with a quick release and an accurate shot.

Ryan Murphy (Carolina Hurricanes), D, Kitchener Rangers

5’11, 176 lbs, DOB: March 31, 1993

The Kitchener Rangers’ speed of attack can be at least partly attributed to the skating ability of Ryan Murphy. Murphy combines fluid multi-directional skating and vision to rush the puck rapidly from the defensive zone to the attacking zone. The Rangers are able to maximize offensive pressure on their power plays due to the quickness with which Murphy can re-enter the attacking zone after a clearing. Sometimes guilty of trying to do too much on his own - a function of teammates unable to keep up with his tempo – Murphy often skates into trouble, leading to turnovers. Decision making when passing is a work in progress as is his ability to cover a larger forward with the puck in one-on-one situations.

Olli Maatta (Pittsburgh Penguins), D, London Knights

6’2, 198 lbs, DOB: August 22, 1994

Olli Maatta is a mobile defender whose range allows the London Knights defensive zone recoveries and more offensive intrusions. Maatta threatens with an ever-present shot from the point increasing the array of scoring chances available to the Knights. His puck distribution from the offensive blueline is an asset as is good decision making between shooting and passing. Not one to panic at the point, Maatta will seek best option and executes it with efficiency. Maatta augments the Knights’ defense by having the ability to stand up even the most talented OHL forwards by managing gap control and strong one-on-one coverage. Providing a composed game from the back end, Maatta provides reliability and makes smart plays under pressure to clear the zone while being aware of his options. His durability has been proven on numerous occasions by the large amounts of logged ice-time, adding to his value.

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