
From time to time I like to make a list of recent signings that NHL teams have made. With that in mind, if you hadn't heard yet there were a trio of significant contracts announced over the last week or so including a big one just today.

Swedish blueliner Erik Karlsson was signed by the Ottawa Senators last week. He was taken 15th overall in the 2008 draft, just three picks after Myers went to Buffalo. Being European, he can play in the AHL as a 19-year-old but there are people who believe he'll be able to step right into the NHL next season after his 45-game year in the SEL with Frolunda.
Another recent signing was that of Casey Pierro-Zabotel, the WHL's leading scorer this season. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 3rd round of the 2007 draft while playing in the BCHL with the Merrit Centennials. His grades were not good enough to allow him to persue his NCAA abitions though so he was wooed by and signed on with the Vancouver Giants. Pierro-Zabotel had 115 points this year, the most the WHL has seen since 2000-01.
Had Pierro-Zabotel not signed on with the Penguins before June 1st they would have lost their exclusive rights to him and he would have re-entered the NHL draft. It's how Jarret Stoll went from being drafted by the Calgary Flames yet ended up being re-drafted by Edmonton two years later.
And that's where I'm going with the Top 5 list this week. Here are, in my opinion, the most interesting 2007 draftees who are still yet unsigned and will re-enter the 2009 Draft if they do not reach a deal with their NHL owners by June 1st. There are a few notable players who didn't make the top 5 but I'll mention them afterwards.
5. Simon Lacroix - New York Islanders

As a 7th round pick Lacroix has zero negotiating strength when it comes to a contract so it might be better for him if he does go back into the draft. He'll either get taken a little higher (more money) or he'll become a UFA and have his pick of contract offers.
4. Ondrej Roman - Dallas Stars
3. Mitch Fadden - Tampa Bay

Fadden was taken by Tampa Bay in the 4th round after a strong year in the WHL, a 84 point campaign in Lethbridge. He scored 36 goals that season and followed it up with 34 the next year when he bumped up his total to 89. His numbers took a bit of a hit with the Americans, 71 points this year but in only 54 games, but he was great in the post season collecting 16 points in just 2 rounds of action. He's of average size (6'0 and 180 lbs) but he was named Player of the Week Mar 23-29th (playoffs), March 1st as well plus was chosen as the Player of the Month for February.
HF lists Fadden as Tampa Bay's 9th best prospect.
2. Alex Plante - Edmonton

The Calgary Hitmen defender had a good year and an impressive post season helping his club get to the WHL final round. He's big and tough, has a booming shot and again, is a right handed shot. As a pro I wonder if he'll become more of a shutdown guy, stay at home type simply because his skating isn't a strength and might get exposed at the next level. If he concentrates on his own end more, that will play to his strong points and help him be successful. I recently made a Derian Hatcher comparison and I still think that one makes sense.
He's unsigned but I don't expect that will be the case for much longer.
1. P.K. Subban - Montreal

HF ranks 4th on the Montreal prospects list and that's a team with an abundance of prospect depth. He's fast, strong, can read offensive plays, has a big booming shot and seems to be just a first class individual as well. He has defensive shortcomings but his pros far outweigh his cons, in my opinion.
We keep hearing his name being thrown around as a toss in from Montreal as they put together a packgage to wow someone like Vincent Lecavalier to town. I don't know if that's a reason he isn't signed yet.
OTHERS
Edmonton has another prospect worth watching for in Milan Kytnar. The Slovak had a 64-point breakout year in Saskatoon showing he might have more than just a defensive upside. He could be a pretty decent 2-way player.

Jung was outstanding for the Edmonton Oil Kings all year but is buried behind some terrific goalie prospects in Tampa. He sort of came out of nowhere this year but there is no question he was his team's MVP and he had great stats in comparison to the rest of the league's top netminders who all played on far superior teams.
Lethbridge Hurricane forward Dwight King was a 4th round pick by Los Angeles and although he doesn't have jump-off-the-page-at-you stats, he is a big strong power forward that finished second on his team in regular season scoring. He had 60 points in 64 games which was on pace with Kyle Beach's 63 points and it was 10 points more than Carter Ashton.
Others who still need a contract include Brett Leffler (Regina) and Justin Taylor (London), both property of the Washington Capitals. 6'4 Netminder Antoine LaFleur was a 2nd round pick by the New York Rangers but he's flundered since then. Ryan Molle (Swift Current) is a New Jersey pick still looking for a deal, he was a 7th rounder. Corey Syvret belongs to Florida. Linden Rowat (LA) was a top goalie in 2007-08 for Regina. Max Tanguay was a 3rd rounder for Chicago. Carolina has a pair in Chris Terry and Justin McCrae.
1 comment:
Well since I wrote this, both Mitch Fadden and P.K. Subban have been signed by Tampa and Montreal respectively.
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