Monthly Archives: May 2016

2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup, Zach Laing

Memorial Cup: Tyler Parsons shines as Knights beat Huskies 5-2 to book birth in the Memorial Cup final

Rob Walltor / CHL Images
Rob Wallator / CHL Images

For the first time this tournament, we got to take a “break” from watching WHL teams play as the London Knights and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies took to the ice.

The games tempo was set early on, as nine seconds into the game the Huskies found themselves killing off a two-minute minor for roughing.

From there 16 more penalties were called by the end of the game, something Knights Head Coach Dale Hunter felt slowed down the game.

“The penalties were a lot tonight and everyone knows it,” said Hunter following the win.

“It just breaks the flow of the game.”

As they have all tournament, the London Knights made the most of their power play opportunities, going 3/7 in thanks to goals from JJ Piccinich, Matthew Tkachuk and Christian Dvorak.

Through the tournament’s first three games, the Knights have gone a whopping 9/20 on the power play.

Despite the fact that the Knights have scored goals like they are playing NHL 16 on easy mode, their goaltender Tyler Parsons has been an absolute star.

“Tyler Parsons is hands down the best goalie I’ve ever seen and I’m not just saying that because he is my goalie,” said Knights F Max Jones in his post-game availability. “That goalie should be the number one goalie – I’m not a scout or anything, but that kid is at the top of his game.

“Hopefully he doesn’t read it and get his head too big, but he is playing outstanding.”

Although Parsons is playing some of the best hockey of his career, he attributes it to the team playing in front of him.

“It’s not easy playing against teams like [the Huskies] in a tournament like this,” said Parsons following the win in his post-game availability.

“We know our gameplan and we know we have great offense that is going to score goals.”

Next up for the London Knights is a trip to Banff to get some rest and relaxation before they play for the Memorial Cup on Sunday.

I am credentialed and covering the 2016 Memorial Cup in Red Deer. You can follow me on twitter here for live updates from all this year’s games.

My work at this year’s Memorial Cup:
Knights surge past the Rebels 6-2 in the tournament’s opening game – Beer League Heroes, May 21.
Conner Bleackley shines in first game in over two months – Copper and Blue, May 21.
Should the Oilers be looking at drafting Kale Clague? – Beer League Heroes, May 22.
Top lines from the Knights and Rebels dominate at the Memorial Cup – Copper and Blue, May 23.
Rebels top line of Helewka, Philp and DeBrusk lead the host squad to a 5-2 victory over the Huskies – Beer League Heroes, May 23.
Wheat Kings dethroned in “disappointing” loss to the Knights – Copper and Blue, May 24.
Tyler Parsons shines as Knights beat Huskies 5-2 to book berth into Memorial Cup final – Beer League Heroes, May 25.
Rebels eliminate the Wheat Kings and book a berth in the semi-finals – Copper and Blue, May 26 

Beer League Hero, Breaking News, Edmonton Oilers, Kieron Vick, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Gord Downie, The Tragically Hip, and the Oilers 2016 Draft Options: 2nd Round and Beyond

 

EDMONTON, ALTA: AUGUST 5, 2010 — Gord Downie and the Country of Miracles at the Edmonton Folk Festival in Edmonton, August 5, 2010. (Ed Kaiser-Edmonton Journal)

Before we get into Kieron’s post and on behalf of everyone here at Beer League Heroes, I (BLH) just want to send our best wishes Gord Downie, his family, and The Tragically Hip. On their website, the band announced that Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The Tragically Hip weren’t my favourite band but they certainly hold a place in my heart. Songs like “Courage”, “Little Bones”, and “50 Mission Cap” were amongst only a few that I had blaring out my car speakers as a youth. I only recently came to know the song below, “The Lonely End of The Rink”, due to it being the theme song for the Marek vs. Wyshynski podcast but it’s my favourite by far.

Cheers and a hat tip to you Gord Downie.

 

If you look at the Oilers prospect depth, there isn’t much to brag about considering the amount of high picks we have had in these recent years. Although they have drafted a couple of gems in late rounds such as Brandon Davidson, a 6th round pick in the 2010 draft, and Greg Chase, who I personally find promising, in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. However, if you look at the our prospects, you don’t see anyone that we’ve drafted in the second, third, or fourth rounds stand out.

This is one of the reasons I disliked the Reinhart trade. As much as Griffin Reinhart still hasn’t fully developed, and could actually turn out to be decent for us, it’s the two draft picks we gave up for him. Yes, we did sign Drake Caggiula a few weeks ago which helps, but the 16th and 33th overall picks would’ve certainly boosted the Oilers depth chart for prospects.

What I think the Oilers need is skilled wingers that can eventually play alongside with McDavid, or centers with size that can actually play the style of game that Todd McLellan and Peter Chiarelli are attempting to implement. Meaning the players have to have high hockey IQ and high competitiveness. They have to be smart and they have to be ready to compete.

Lets look at some of the potential 2nd and 3rd round picks that we could see the Oilers targeting at the draft:

2nd Rounders

Alex DeBrincat RW Erie (OHL) 5′ 7″ 160lbs.

Former teammate of Connor McDavid, DeBrincat is a right handed shot that’s very skilled and could turn into something special given the right role, especially if paired with Connor. Although he could be likely to go in the first round, if he slides there is no question the Oilers should take a chance on him.

Nathan Bastien C Mississauga (OHL) 6′ 3″ 195lbs

A center who has obtained the eyes of NHL scouts with his improved play up the middle. Bastien developed a great game on both ends of the ice and could surely be a player that will go early in the second, possibly late first.

Mitch Mattson C Bloomington (USHL) 6′ 4″ 190lbs

Size up the middle as I mentioned, something that is needed in the Western Conference, especially playing in the Pacific Division. Size is what Peter Chiarelli likes, and Mattson could be someone he keeps his eye on.

Tyler Benson LW Vancouver (WHL) 5′ 11″ 185lbs

The captain for the Vancouver Giants has the ability to play both center and wing. Benson has struggled with several injuries in his junior career, but when he was healthy this season, the performances were consistent, he is very mobile on the ice and has a good hockey IQ.

Carl Grundström LW Modo Hockey (SHL) 6′ 0″ 187lbs

Currently playing professional hockey in Sweden at the age of 18, Grundström is a winger that has an offensive mindset. Good speed, generates shots and isn’t afraid to get in front of the net.

3rd Round

Jordy Stallard C Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 6′ 2″ 187lbs

Stallard is more offensive than defensive. Has a great shot and is a good skater, but needs to work on his defensive game.

Tim Gettinger LW Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 6′ 5″ 205lbs

The big winger who looks to continue developing his game, has played well this year. Skates well for his size, but Gettinger also needs to work on other aspects of his game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUBBlz7Hlpw

Brett Murray LW Carleton Place (CJHL) 6′ 4.25″ 216lbs

Much like Tim Gettinger, Murray is also a big winger who plays and moves well for his size. Doesn’t get much attention due to playing in the CJHL, but surely the scouts will keep an eye out for this player in the deeper rounds.

There is a ton of talent in this draft, as there usually is and now is a great time for the Oilers to draft well in the lower rounds, as they look to improve their rank on the standings. There is much interrogation towards the Oilers on what they’ll do once the draft comes around, as a big time Oilers fan myself, I will be paying attention to every single thing that happens. With one 2nd round pick and three 3rd round picks, lets hope to have a successful draft next month.

Who do you think the Oilers should draft in the lower rounds? Or if they trade down and acquire a couple of 1st rounders, who should they draft? Let me know what you believe would help the Edmonton Oilers in the comments below!

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2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Zach Laing

Memorial Cup: Rebels top line of Helewka, Philp and DeBrusk lead the Host squad to a 5-2 victory over the Huskies

Jake DeBrusk celebrates with fans after a goal against the Huskies in the Memorial Cup’s third game. Rob Wallator/CHL Images

Unlike their game Friday night against the London Knights, the Red Deer Rebels started the Memorial Cup game against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies nervously.

It didn’t help early on when Rebel got called for a very weak cross-checking penalty. Timo Meier made them pay, scoring his 3rd goal in just two games.

Following the second goal, Rebels Head Coach Brent Sutter called a timeout.

“I told them that I loved them,” said Sutter. “And I told them that if they went out and won the game I’d love ’em even moreWe killed the penalty right after the timeout then shortly after we made it two – one.

“It was huge and it gave the boys some life and some momentum.”

The timeout and the subsequent successful penalty kill that the Rebels were tasked with seemed to give the squad some jump that lasted the rest of the game.

All it took was 40 seconds into the second period for the Rebels to score again, when Adam Helewka found the twine on a feed from Boston Bruins First rounder Jake DeBrusk.

“The two players I was playing with are both great players,” said Helewka in his post-game availability. “They both see the ice real well, they work hard and we just tried to get some chemistry going.

“They made it easy for me.”

Rebels Head Coach Brent Sutter chimed in on the Adam Helewka, Luke Philp and Jake DeBrusk line that combined for seven points tonight in his post-game press conference.

Sutter said that “they’re offensive type guys that need to have the puck on their stick to make plays” and that “they were really intelligent with the puck and their puck possession ratio was really good.”

The host team Red Deer Rebels fans played a huge part in tonight’s game making deafening noise all night. Rob Wallator/CHL Images

After scoring two unanswered goals to even up the game at 2-2, the fans in the Enmax Centrium got on the backs of their beloved Rebels. Three more unanswered goals later, and it was apparent that the Huskies couldn’t keep up with the host squad.

No matter what they did, the Huskies couldn’t seem to stay out of the penalty box and it cost them.

Huskies F AJ Greer found himself in hot water with the referees more than once tonight. After taking an embellishment call that he clearly didn’t agree with, Greer went to the penalty box and began to throw water bottles around.

“I overreacted, that was about it,” said Greer when asked about the call. “I saw it a different way than the refs did.

“I shouldn’t have acted that way and that’s all that happened – I will learn from my mistakes.”

Playing in their second game in two nights, the Huskies didn’t seem to be able to keep pace with the  Rebels once they scored their first goal. Huskies Head Coach Gilles Bouchard denied it having any effect on the team in his post-game press conference, which is what you would expect him to say.

What’s next for both teams?

Well both teams will have time to dwell on what happened tonight, as the London Knights and Brandon Wheat Kings square off Monday night at 6:00 PM MT.

The Rebels next game comes Wednesday when they take on the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Huskies next game comes Tuesday against the London Knights.

I am credentialed and covering the 2016 Memorial Cup in Red Deer. You can follow me on twitter here for live updates from all this year’s games.


My work at this year’s Memorial Cup:
Knights surge past the Rebels 6-2 in the tournament’s opening game – Beer League Heroes, May 21.
Conner Bleackley shines in first game in over two months – Copper and Blue, May 21.
Should the Oilers be looking at drafting Kale Clague? – Beer League Heroes, May 22.

 

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Rumors, Trades

Yakupov and the Habs: Here We Go Again

6 Comments

OK, before you burn me at the stake. The Yakupov to the Habs rumours have been swirling around for some time now. Today, Eklund had it up on his site but there are multiple publications that have been reporting on this rumor since the new year. Here are a few for example:

The returns for Yakupov from those respected sites range from Greg Pateryn, Lars Eller, Alexei Emelin, Mike McCarron, Nikita Scherbak, etc…

I’m not so interested in those players and I don’t reckon the Habs have much, apart from the obvious players, that would interest the Oilers. Their first round pick would be of interest though and it sits at 9th overall at the moment.

Is there a scenario where Yakupov is moved for that 9th overall pick? If what Eklund says is true (and we all take what he says with many grains of salt) and the Habs are way out in front on this one, would that pick be the game breaker? I mean it’s really hard to say what Yak’s value is after reading the comments coming out of Russia. You’d think that logic would dictate Yak’s value to be sitting at a 2nd rounder at best but it only takes one man to set the price.

THE FLIP

For arguments sake, let’s say it is. Let’s say the Oilers make a deal that included Yakupov plus for the 9th overall pick. They’d have two picks inside the top ten. Now we know that the Columbus Blue Jackets are in dire DIRE need of some skill at centre. After Auston Matthews there is another American who some are comparing to Johnny Gaudreau, Clayton Keller. What about P.L. Dubois or even Logan Brown?

Do you think that the Blue Jackets would forgo the insatiable temptation to draft Jesse Puljujarvi so that they could possibly add two high-end prospects? Any of the following would surely do the organization good:

  • Jakob Chychrun – Best skater in the draft. Already possesses NHL frame.
  • Matthew Tkachuk – Reminds me of the velociraptors in Jurassic Park… Clever girl…
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois – A tank who can change the game with a flick of the wrist.
  • Olli Juolevi – Uber-intellect who could do wonders for the BJ’s PP.
  • Mikhail Sergachev – Big, calm, and cool defender with a cannon of a clapper.
  • Clayton Keller – A wizard with the puck.
  • Logan Brown – Fast riser with major size and NHL bloodlines.
  • Mike McLeod – Might be the fastest skater in the draft. Big time work ethic.
  • Alex Nylander – Right-handed skiller who can play all three forward positions.

Columbus is f*cked right now. They’re in cap hell and they have to re-sign Seth Jones and possibly their first rounder with no cap room to do it AND with the expansion draft coming… YIKES!! Their GM won’t be there long unless he can find a way to mop up this mess he’s put the team in. I don’t subscribe to the idea that he’ll draft Puljujarvi because he’s Finnish. The BJ’s are stocked on the wing. Long term, they’d be better off taking the two top ten picks in my opinion and also it fits the narrative of my post.

I mean the same could be said for the Oilers as well. Perhaps it would be better for them to add two high-end prospects in this scenario but what I was actually thinking is Jesse Puljujarvi, who has to be the guy that is available at no.3, would be the man the Oilers would benefit from the most. He’d be able to start the year with the team, if need be or he showed he was capable, and be an impact player from the get go. He’d replace Yakupov with ease and we wouldn’t have to worry about his two-way game. He’s a right-handed shooter who’s place on the PP is off the left-wing wall and he can actually one-time the puck as illustrated in the following Youtube clip.

A rumour is a rumour is a rumour though. Whether it comes from Elliotte Friedman (who denied the Habs had interest in Yak back in March…), Bob McKenzie, or Betty at the water cooler whose cousin works at the ticket office of your favorite team. Rarely do they come to fruition but we love to chat about them.

What do you think? Would you trade Yak, or a package including yak, to the Habs for that for their 1st rounder and then flip that pick with the 4th overall to the Blue Jackets for a chance at Patrik Laine or Jesse Puljujarvi? Let me know in the comments below!

If your’e a fan of Lowetide, you need this shirt! Click the pic and get yours today!
2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Zach Laing

Should the Oilers be looking at drafting Kale Clague?

Action from Game 2 of the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup between the Brandon Wheat Kings and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in Red Deer, AB on Saturday May 21, 2016. Photo by Rob Wallator/CHL Images

Kale Clague was a player who quickly caught my eye during Saturday’s matchup against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

The 6’0, 178 lb Lloydminster native put up 43 points in 71 games this season, and looked like a major part of this Wheat Kings team. His 43 points ranked 21st amongst WHL defensemen.

His inaugural season in the WHL was shortened to only 21 games due to injury, however this season was a big breakout year for the 17-year old.


What does Clague bring to the table? 

Clague has the ability to process the game at a quick pace and has the skating ability to be a very mobile defenceman at the next level. Offensively, he put up some impressive numbers and was the second highest scoring defenseman in this year’s WHL playoffs, scoring 14 points in 21 games.

His production was great for a 17-year old, and another year or two would do him very well.

The beginning of his season started off slow, as during the first 27 games of the season, he only put up 13 points. However, he really turned it on as soon as the new year hit.

In the final 34 games of the season, Clague put up 30 points.

Clague is just as solid in his own zone as he is in the offensive zone. Against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday night, he did a fantastic job of creating offensive chances and negated many Rouyn-Noranda chances.

I spoke with scouts at the game that feel although he needs more seasoning in the WHL, he is a player who will certainly be able to be a difference maker.

Should the Oilers be looking at Kale Clague?

I think so.

 

Despite the fact that Clague is a left shot he plays on the right side for the Wheat Kings in all situations. He projects as an offensive defenceman likely to play on the second pairing, with the ability to be a powerplay quarterback.

This is an area that’s certainly lacking for the Oilers, so using an early second rounder on him wouldn’t be the worst thing the team does.

https://youtu.be/eKzLSfMOBO0