Tag Archives: Toronto

Kris Hansen

BLH Edmonton Oilers Weekly Roundup Oct 25th-Nov 1st

Sigh. Oilers did not do well this week. I predicted them to go 1-3 this week, but losing all three games by one goal is a kick in the pants. Especially that heartbreaker against Calgary last night. That was unbelievable.

Oil Country is probably in a foul mood today and rightfully so.

Edmonton Oilers Three Stars

3. Connor McDavid

McDavid is still in the three stars because he’s been that great. Against Montreal, he was the straw that stirred the drink by pitching in two assists, including a great play to a wide open Benoit Pouliot. That said, there’s two others that out performed McDavid this week.His so far career high seven game point streak was snapped last night against Calgary, although he came awfully close twice to continue that streak.

2. Leon Draisaitl 

Draisaitl was recalled earlier this week and had to catch a flight for the game on Thursday against Montreal. Draisaitl, with a lack of sleep, only scored two goals including the game winner in that game where the Oilers were down 3-0 after one. Draisaitl kept up his “clutch” factor by scoring the game tying goal and two helpers against Calgary last night. Two games in and it will be a very difficult task to send him back to Bakersfield.

1. Taylor Hall

Has been on fire. He only had three points last night. Sure, he had some turnovers and the Hall Character Problem club will be all over that, but he was our strongest player this week. He has nine points in his last five games. He’s playing like one of the best Left Wingers in the NHL that we know he is. This season would be a lot worse without Taylor Hall on the left side.

Edmonton Oilers Rumors 

So, the Edmonton Oilers are completely decimated with injuries at the moment. Stop if you heard that one before. Out are: Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz, Griffin Reinhart, Matt Hendricks, Rob Klinkhammer. I’m biased but I think losing Reinhart hurts the most because we are forced to watch a god awful Ference and Gryba pairing without a capable puck mover in sight. Reinhart isn’t known for his puck movement abilities but sure is a helluva better bet than Ference and Gryba who handle the puck like a grenade.

There’ll be some tough questions: Who will get sent down? Who will get put where? Most importantly though, and one would hope Chiarelli is watching carefully: That defence is horrendous, even when healthy. Right now, the Oilers cannot move the puck out one bit out of their end. Who knows what is out there but one would have to think that it’ll get remedied quickly.

Also, the third and fourth lines scoring is non existent. Lander has vanished. If someone could find his game, please let the Oilers know.

Around the League

 

Highlights and Videos

Some saves of the week

 

Dylan Larkin scored a nifty goal

 

Mats Zuccarello scored his first career hat trick

 

Camera Man had his lens broken by a shot

 

The Week Ahead

The Oilers have three games this week and it’s a doozy:

Tuesday at home versus Philadelphia and Friday at home versus Pittsburgh.

Sunday they visit Chicago.

That’s your weekly recap for this week! Follow me on Twitter.

Beer League Hero, NHL

2016 World Cup of Hockey: Team North America

I love the idea of having a team comprised of U-23s to compete against the older players. Putting together the greatest emerging hockey players in North America is so appealing to me and I imagine to countless others because I’m a huge fan of the younger players in the NHL these days. They bring so much creativity and athleticism to the game that has been lacking for some time.

I seen that TSN’s Craig Button has taken a stab at Team North America’s roster for the upcoming World Cup in 2016. If you’d like to check that out it is here.

I’d like to throw my projections out there too! So here goes nothing!

Goaltending:

This was the hardest to pick and most likely will be the team’s achilles heel due to a lack of experience and the fact that there are no Carey Prices out there right now. The closest thing we have to a sure bet between the pipes is probably playing in Lethbridge right now for the Hurricanes. A guy named Stuart Skinner.

Anyways, I went with the following trio: John Gibson (ANH), Connor Hellebuyck (WPG), and Laurent Brossoit (EDM).

I tossed around the idea of adding Malcolm Subban (BOS), Matt Murray/Tristan Jarry (PIT), and there’s also Thatcher Demko (VAN) to consider but I felt in the end that what little performances I’ve witnessed at the NHL level were what I had to go on and reputation of course.

Gibson and Hellebucyk are locks leaving Brossoit as the third man in. Its probably a bit of a homer pick because I’m exposed to him more than the other players and I’m well aware of what Matt Murray did in Wilkes-Barre this past season and it was hard not to pick him but where’s the fun in copying Button’s team player for player? Brossoit is a stellar netminder and we seen a flash of that last season when he stonewalled the San Jose Sharks stopping 52 shots in a loss. That’s a hell of a lot better than Subban’s introduction to the pros…

Defense:

On defence I’ve got Aaron Ekblad (FLA), Darnell Nurse (EDM), Seth Jones (NSH), Doug Hamilton (CGY), Morgan Reilly (TOR), and Jacob Trouba (WPG) as the starting 6 with Noah Hanifin (CAR) and Cody Ceci (OTT) on the taxi squad.

Pairing these guys up was a bit of a chore but I like them as such:

Reilly/Ekblad
Jones/Hamilton
Nurse/Trouba

With these pairings we’ve got skill, we’ve got meat and potatoes, and we’ve got down guys who’ll lay the smack down on some candy asses. These are the new era of defencemen. The blueliner that can skate and think the game like a forward but are big and strong enough to handle to toughest assignments. They move the puck well and are or will be top pairing defenders on their respective NHL clubs.

I struggled with Darnell Nurse being on this squad. He hasn’t played even a half season of professional hockey to date but he’s teeming with talent and in my opinion has a ceiling that would match the other 4 players above him. Remember the WWF tag team “Demolition” or “The Road Warriors”? That’s what I think about when I think about a Nurse/Trouba pairing… They’ve got an… Appetite for Destruction.

The Forwards:

As it always is with these teams, there are far too many talented forwards and some notable names will be left off. Here are my forwards for Team North America:

Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett, Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), Brandon Saad, Boone Jenner (CLB), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Nathan MacKinnon (COL), Jack Eichel (BUF), Curtis Lazar (OTT), and Auston Matthews (USA).

On the taxi squad I’ve got Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Sean Couturier (PHI), and Alex Galchenyuk (MTL).

I like the bigger forwards to go on the smaller ice surface and the NHL officiating. Also a number of the players are actually natural centers giving the team more options on the faceoff dot when going up against some of the best in the game.

I really couldn’t see Sam Reinhart on the team. I think he’ll play in the NHL this year but he’s a couple years from becoming what everyone is expecting of him. The Strome brothers were on my mind as well and surprisingly it was Dylan who I was considering more than Ryan. I rate the younger Strome’s size and faceoff ability over the elder. Mitch Marner was also bugging me a bit. I think he’s going to be an amazing hockey player for Canada/North America someday but not at this World Cup. There was Jonathan Drouin but he’s got a ways to go before any GMs give him a look at an international roster spot. Bo Horvat and Warren Rychel were also on my short list. Did I miss anyone?

Oh and you’re probably wondering about Auston Matthews. Look, this guy was only a few days from being drafted this year and the pundits had him giving Eichel and McDavid a run for no.1. That tells us something. It tells us he’s ready to go now and by the time next summer roles round and he’s got a year of professional hockey under his belt, that he’ll fit right in with the rest of these guys.

I’ve re-written the lines over and over and it’s been hard to come to a conclusion but I’ll let you in on my final lineup.

Saad – Nugent-Hopkins – MacKinnon
Gaudreau – Monahan – Matthews
Bennett – McDavid – Scheifele
Jenner – Eichel – Lazar

I reckon the offense is pretty spread out here and as I said earlier there are multiple centers on each line. I tried to include a two-way player and a bigger body on each line. Slotting Matthews above McDavid and Eichel is probably something I’d consider changing. Perhaps swapping him with Bennett or Jenner. I don’t want to take him out because I think he’s that good. A pure sniper in every sense of the word. Maybe the American Stamkos would be a good way to describe him.

I don’t know if this squad could come out of the group stages but I can see them giving the other teams in Group B (Finland, Sweden, and Russia) a helluva time and if there’s one team that could surprise anyone, it’d be this band of rowdies.

I found some jersey mock-ups online courtesy of HockeyJerseyConcepts.com and Icethetics.com. Check ’em out below.


I’m thinking the ones that are actually used will be better and possibly influenced by a major sponsor of the tournament. Think back to the All-Star game last year which was sponsored by Draft Kings… The color scheme of the sponsor’s website and the jerseys looked awfully similar…

If you’re heading out to the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto next summer you should do it in style. The Beer League Heroes Merch Shop has all your favorite players in 16-bit and on a t-shirt. But not only that, they come in a plethora of color and sizes! Men’s, women’s, and kid’s styles are all available!

Get yours now for 30% off!

Don’t forget to follow us on all the major social media platforms!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the piece. Let me know in the comments section who you’d put on your U23 Team North America!

Take Care!

BLH

Brennen York, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

First Round Mock Draft

With less than 24 hours, here’s a look at what I think may happen on draft day!

1. Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid – C – Erie Otters (OHL)
GP: 47 G: 44 A: 76 PTS: 120

Not much to be said. He changes absolutely everything. Will make an impact next season, and for years to come.

2. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel – C – Boston University (NCAA)
GP: 40 G: 26 A: 45 PTS: 71

Will be a huge piece for the Sabres moving forward. The rebuild is looking good with ayers like Ristolainen, Kane, and Reinhart already in place.

3. Arizona Coyotes: Dylan Strome – C – Erie Otters (OHL)
GP: 68 G: 45 A: 84 PTS: 129

Strome deepens the already strong group of young forwards in Arizona. Next to Domi and Duclair, Strome could be a 90 point guy in the NHL.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs: Mitchell Marner – C/RW – London Knights (OHL)
GP: 63 G: 44 A: 82 PTS: 126

Marner is electrifying, and Leaf fans could use a little excitement. He’s undersized, so jumping to the next level may take time, but he has all the tools to be dominant in the NHL.

5. Carolina Hurricanes: Noah Hanifin – LD – Boston College (NCAA)
GP: 37 G: 5 A: 18 PTS: 23

Hanifin solidifies the defence core in Carolina. He’s a stud, and I believe when we look back at this draft he’s the guy everyone says should have gone second or third. Watching him next to Faulk will be thrilling.

6. New Jersey Devils: Pavel Zacha – C/LW – Sarnia Sting (OHL)
GP: 37 G: 16 A: 18 PTS: 34

Zacha brings both the offence and grittiness to be a New Jersey Devil. Scouts have been somewhat split on Pavel, but he will be a difference maker in the Devils retool. Could see him being a consistent 60 point player.

7. Philadelphia Flyers: Ivan Provorov – LD – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
GP: 60 G: 15 A: 46 PTS: 61

The Flyers would be ecstatic to grab their future number one defenceman at seven. Though stacked with left handed defenders on the depth chart, Provorov brings that “elite” aspect you look for in the draft.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Zach Werenski – LD – University of Michigan (NCAA)
GP: 35 G: 9 A: 16 PTS: 25

The Jackets are loaded up front with players like Wennberg, Johanssen, and Dano, so Werenski is a natural fit. He will be able to fill the role that Ryan Murray seemingly can not.

9. San Jose Sharks: Mikko Rantanen – C/W – TPS (Liiga)
GP: 56 G: 9 A: 19 PTS: 28

Mikko Rantanen is a stud. He brings both size and offensive ability, something every team salivates over. He’s not overly creative, but his hands and shot make him a constant threat in the offensive zone.

10. Colorado Avalanche: Timo Meier – RW – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
GP: 61 G: 44 A: 46 PTS: 90

It’s Timo Time in Denver. With Nate Mackinnon set to break out, he could use a player on his right side to bang a few home. He’s fiery player who doesn’t quit on pucks. Could be a 30-35 goal player in the NHL.

11. Florida Panthers: Lawson Crouse – LW – Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
GP:56 G: 29 A: 22 PTS: 51

With a strong group of young forwards like Barkov, Huburdeau, and Bjugstad, the Panthers could use a player like Lawson Crouse. There’s mixed feelings on Crouse, but I’m optimistic he will succeed.

12: Dallas Stars: Mathew Barzal – C – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
GP: 44 G: 12 A: 45 PTS: 57

Dallas may be shocked the Barzal is there at 12, but they will surely not turn him down. There’s not a ton of center prospects with a high ceiling, but Barzal could be the second line center in Dallas for a very long time.

13. Los Angeles Kings: Kyle Connor – C – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
GP: 56 G: 34 A: 46 PTS: 80

Connor is an interesting case. He has the size and stat line to suggest he could be a top 10 pick, but he does have a few areas he needs to work on. If everything pans out, the Kings land themselves a good top 6 playmaker.

14. Boston Bruins: Nick Merkley – C/RW – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
GP: 72 G: 20 A: 70 PTS: 90

The Bruins are shallow in the prospect department. They are still a competitive squad, however they are in dire need of future B’s. Merkley brings that never quit attitude that will allow him to be a successful NHL’er.

15. Calgary Flames: Jeremy Roy – RD – Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
GP: 46 G: 5 A: 38 PTS: 43

The Flames have built a nice group of young forwards up front, but the back end is still lacking. Roy will be a very good defender for the Flames as he possesses both the raw instincts and puck moving ability to be a difference maker on any given night.

16. Edmonton Oilers: Joel Eriksson Ek – C/LW – Farjestad (SHL)
GP: 34 G: 4 A: 2 PTS: 6

Soured by the fact that Roy is off the board, the Oilers go with a player who’s not far off from being an NHL’er. Eriksson Ek’s stock has risen a lot over the past 4 months, and I think if you’re willing to call Chabot the Sanheim of this year, then Eriksson Ek is the Vrana of 2015.

17. Winnipeg Jets: Travis Konecny – C – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
GP: 60 G: 29 A: 39 PTS: 68

Not a surprise to see the Jets walk away with another stellar prospect as Konecny falls right into their hands at 17. He’s ranked higher than 17, but both size and inconsistency has been a problem for him. If he pans out, he could be the next Tyler Johnson.

18: Ottawa Senators: Jakub Zboril – LD – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) – GP: 44 G: 13 A: 20 PTS: 33

Zboril is a mean two way defender who will be a great fit next to Erik Karlsson. He has the offensive ability to put up good numbers and he can be trusted in a shut down role. If there’s one word to be used when describing Zboril it would be “intriguing”.

19. Detroit Red Wings: Jansen Harkins – C – Prince George Cougars (WHL)
GP: 70 G: 20 A: 59 PTS: 79

Harkins is a favourite of mine and soon to be a favourite of all Wings fans. He brings a good combination of skill and two way ability that allows him to play in all situations. At the NHL level, he’s a good second line center. The name Nick Bonino pops into my head when I watch him.

20. Minnesota Wild: Evgeni Svechnikov – C/RW – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
GP: 55 G: 32 A: 46 PTS: 78

Svechnikov is a great pick at 20. He’s a fun player to watch, however some nights he doesn’t necessarily show up. He’s got a great set of hands, and the skating ability to make him a threat around the opposing teams net. That’s a lot of value twenty picks deep.

21. Buffalo Sabres: Denis Guryanov – LW – Ladia Togliatti (MHL)
GP: 23 G: 15 A: 10 PTS: 25

Guryanov is one of the most interesting player in the entire draft. He has size, skill, and speed, and I do believe a few GM’s have mentioned all three of those things as important factors. I want to see him go in the top 10, but that’s unlikely as he arrived onto the scene so late. Buffalo gets a steal at 21.

22. Washington Capitals: Colin White – C/RW – U.S U-18 Team (USDP)
GP: 47 G: 17 A: 28 PTS: 45

It will be interesting to see how White develops over the next few years, but I believe it will be in a good direction. He’s a player you can rely upon to play smart in all three zones and in key situations. Washington needs a guy with versatility and White brings that.

23. Vancouver Canucks: Paul Bittner – LW – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
GP: 66 G: 34 A: 37 PTS: 71

Bittner will be a key piece of the Canucks moving forward. He needs some work when it comes to putting all his tools together, but when he does you better look out.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs: Jacob Larsson – LD – Frolunda (SHL) – GP: 20 G: 1 A: 2 PTS: 3

I’m very high on Jacob Larsson, and it appears the Leafs are as well. He’s a strong defender who gives his opponent little room. Though he didn’t have great offensive numbers in the SHL, he has a good offensive side to his game.

25. Winnipeg Jets: Thomas Chabot – LD – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
GP: 66 G: 12 A: 29 PTS: 41

Another great addition for the Jets… Chabot is a good offensive/two way defender who has learned how to be strong in the defensive zone. He may not be a guy you have on the ice in the last minute of a game, but he’ll surely be a guy you can rely on when you’re down a goal.

26. Montreal Canadiens: Jake Debrusk – C/LW – Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
GP: 72 G: 42 A: 39 PTS: 81

If you peg Debrusk as a soft playmaker, you have it all wrong. He’s a strong offensive forward who plays with a little bite in his game. Never afraid to throw a hit or mix things up with an opponent, Debrusk will be a fan favourite in Montreal.

27. Anaheim Ducks: Jeremy Bracco – RW – U.S U-18 Team (USDP)
GP: 58 G: 27 A: 54 PTS: 81

Though the Ducks love their 6’3, 200 pound players, they can afford to swing for a home run this year given their success in recent drafts. Bracco is, well, great. Everything he does is great. His skating, his hands, his shot, it’s all very, very good. The only question mark is his size.

28. Tampa Bay Lightning: Oliver Kylington – LD – Farjestad (SHL)
GP: 18 G: 2 A: 3 PTS: 5

The Bolts are stacked up front, and Oliver Kylington may be the gem of this draft. He fell a ton this year, but going to Tampa Bay may I still some confidence into this offensive defenceman, and it would be scary to think of a future where Kylington and DeAngelo are running the power play.

29. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Roslovic – C/RW – U.S National U-18 Team (USDP) GP: 65 G: 27 A: 52 PTS: 79

I love Jack Roslovic and the game he brings on a consistent basis. At 6’1, Jack has a good frame for an NHL team to work with. He has so many underrated tools, like his passing ability and offensive IQ. I can not wait to see what he becomes.

30. Arizona Coyotes: Ilya Samsonov – G – Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL) GP: 18 GAA: 2.66 SV%: .918

The Yotes will have to apologize to the Sabres after this one, as once again, a great player has been ripped from their grasps. Samsonov is a great goalie, and unlike Visentin, I’d put money on it that Ilya pans out and becomes a great NHL goalie.

Brennen York, NHL, Prospects

4 – Toronto Maple Leafs

No team has more eyes on them heading into the draft than the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are a lot of difficult decisions to be made, and none more intriguing than what will come of the fourth overall pick. Granted, there is a lot of curiosity around which players will be traded, but the only guarantee is that the Leafs will be walking away with a blue chip prospect. There will be elite level skill on the board when the Leafs are on the clock, and Shanahan, Dubas, and Hunter will have an extremely difficult decision to make. McDavid and Eichel will be off the board, Arizona is heavily interested in Dylan Strome and many have him penciled in as the third selection already. That leaves Noah Hanifin, Mitchell Marner, and Ivan Provorov. Some have included Mikko Rantanen and Mathew Barzal into the equation, but I find it highly unlikely given the sure fire prospects that will remain on the board. So circling back to the big three (big four if you include Strome), you have to look at how you’re going to build this Maple Leafs squad. If you take Mitchell Marner, you’re getting an elite playmaker who may be an 80 point guy in the NHL, but you’re also accepting that your team will struggle on the blue line for at least a few years. Drafting Strome brings something similar to Marner in the fact that you leave the blue line rather bare, though you do get a 6’3 center, a size and position combo that is highly coveted around the league. Now if the Leafs go with one of Hanifin or Provorov, which in my opinion is the best route, you attain a franchise defenceman, something every recent Stanley Cup winner has relied heavily upon. Without Doughty or Keith does LA or Chicago win more than one cup? It’s doubtful. I get the hype around Marner, and I’m a huge fan, but if you’re looking at starting a team from scratch, you can’t pass up on a future top 10 defenceman in the NHL. Throughout the draft, the Leafs could use help at almost all positions. At 24, they’re going to get a good prospect, likely someone who fell. Keep an eye on Bittner, Debrusk, and Boeser. It’ll be a tough call for the Leafs brass come June 26th, and will certainly be surrounded with skepticism, but whichever way they go they’re going to get a great prospect.

Draft Day Gameplan

– Attain as many top 60 picks as possible. With the lack of depth throughout the organization, you need as many prospects as you can get.

– I don’t believe you necessarily have to trade Kessel for picks alone, in fact if look at moving him for two or three younger forwards who you can add to your core moving forward.

– Trade Dion. Some may disagree, but I wouldn’t want him leading my young group into the future. Add a 1st round pick and other pieces.

– Make a decision on a goalie. Move out one of Reimer or Bernier and add pieces.

Leafs Big Board (Without McEichel)

1. Dylan Strome
2. Noah Hanifin
3. Mitchell Marner
4. Ivan Provorov
5. Mikko Rantanen
6. Mathew Barzal
7. Pavel Zacha
8. Kyle Connor
9. Zach Werenski
10. Travis Konecny

Who do they take?

In my mind there’s a lot of ways it could go. If Hanifin or Marner go 3, Strome goes 4. If Strome goes 3, Hanifin goes 4. I think Hanifin is the guy you build around, so that’s who I’d go with.

Darkhorse?

Ivan Provorov. Yes, he’s top 5 on my list, but he’s still a dark horse this early. He’s going to be a great defenceman just not sure I’d take him ahead of Marner or Hanifin.