Seguin & Hall: How they compare to the past and future

*
Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall? Ask that question to an even number of scouts and you'll likely end up with a split, they're that even right now.

So I asked a number of scouts three questions about the top two picks for this year's draft. Some answered all of them while some are too close to picking one of them and didn't want to take part for fear of tipping their hand, and some chose to answer only one or 2 of my questions.

Here now, as the top two prospects get set to face each other in a 7 game series, are the questions and answers. All scouts involved requested anonymity and I will provide that.

Top 5 Tuesday: Calder Watch

Only once in the last 9 years has a player won the Calder trophy as NHL rookie of the year, in the first season after being drafted. That was Patrick Kane who went first overall in 2007 and won the award for the 2008 season. In fact only 2 first overall picks have won the award in the last 9 years, Kane is one and Alexander Ovechkin in 2006 is the other. This year both of those streaks will likely continue. Here now is a look at the top 5 candidates for the Calder trophy and a few honourable mentions.

Top 5 Tuesday: Canadians In 2014

Last week I threw out 5 guys that might be helping Team USA go for gold in the 2014 games. That was during the countries summer orientation camp. With everybody dissecting and predicting the 2010 team at Canada's 4 day event this week in Calgary, TPS will gaze down the road to the next Olympic games with 5 players who could be wearing the Maple Leaf in Russia.

5. Steve Mason-Columbus Blue Jackets
Most think Steve Mason is at Canada's summer skate to be groomed for the 2014 games, but you can bet he's not ruling out grabbing the 3rd spot for the 2010 event in Vancouver. It wouldn't be the first time Mason has exceeded expectations. In 2008 he started the WJC as Jonathan Bernier's back up before outshining the LA King prospect and leading Canada to a thrilling Gold Medal win over Sweden. He was named the tournament's top pipeman and it's MVP with a sparkling 1.19 goals against average in 5 games. This past year Mason saved the Columbus Blue Jackets playoff hopes by standing on his head when Pascal Leclaire went down with an injury. He won the Calder trophy this year and his 10 shuts outs made him a Vezina finalist.

4. Cody Hodgson-Vancouver Canucks
Hodgson was widely considered the best all around player in junior hockey last season. Before and after a terrific world junior tournament - where he led everyone in scoring - the 10th overall pick from 2008 scored 43 goals and set up 49 others in 59 games with Brampton. Whe his season was over, the CHL's Player of the Year lit the lamp twice and added 4 assists in 11 games with the Manitoba Moose as they reached the Calder Cup final in the AHL. Hodgson came close to making the Canucks last year and many think he'll do it this year, as well as challenge to get his name engraved on the Calder trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

3. Drew Doughty-L.A. Kings
There were some that thought Doughty could have went first overall in 2008. They weren't far off as the Kings snapped him up with the second pick, and he made an immediate impact in Hollywood. He tied for the rookie scoring lead among defenceman and his 6 goals and 27 points were second best among rearguards with the Kings. Doughty showed poise and skill in his 81 games with a Kings team that is on the rise but struggled last season.


2. Steven Stamkos-Tampa Bay Lightning
He was close to getting in invite from Hockey Canada, and could get a phone call in December if he comes flying out of the gate. Canada left of players like Sidney Crosby in 2006 because of his age, despite a terrific start to the season, and it won't happen again. After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Stamkos heated up down the stretch. He notched his first career hattrick on February 17th, and never looked back, putting up 16 goals and 8 assists in his final 26 games. The run was enough to get him on Canada's World Championship team where he produced 11 points in 9 games. He was also plus 9 in the tournament where Canada came up short in the Gold Medal game against Russia.

1. John Tavares-New York Islanders
Like fellow first overall pick Steven Stamkos, John Tavares should be ready to don the Team Canada jersey for the 2014 games in Russia. If Tavares lives up to the lofty expectations set before him, he should be scoring between 40-50 goals by the tim his 4th NHL season rolls around. A player I've compared Tavares to, Dale Hawerchuk had 53 in his 4th season, although it was a more free flowing offensive time. Still Tavares is a goal scorer and with 215 lamp lighters in junior he'll be counted on for some big time offence. Until the Olympics Tavares should get a couple of chances to suit up in the World Championship as the Islanders aren't expected to go deep in or even make the playoffs in the next few years.

A few honourable mentions go to Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche, Evander Kane of the Atlanta Thrashers, Alex Pietrangelo of the St. Louis Blues, Tyler Ennis of the Buffalo Sabres, Karl Alzner of the Washington Capitals and David Perron of the St. Louis Blues. Have I missed someone on your list? Do I have someone that you don't? Pipe up with a comment below.

2009 Draft Performers of the Week - Apr 13/09

Each week, International Scouting Services (ISS), Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW), Hockey Now, and The Pipeline Show recognize the Top Draft Eligible player from each of the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, & USHL leagues for the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft based on their play over the course of the week. Players are nominated and the selected by graduates of the SMWW Hockey GM & Scouting program and some appear each week on TPS.

Ontario Hockey League – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion

Matt Duchene is this week’s OHL recipient after scoring twice and adding 3 assists in 3 games this week for Brampton who won their second round series vs. Mississauga in six games and will face Belleville in the OHL Eastern Conference final. Duchene is a gifted offensive player and sure fire first round pick in the June draft.

Matt Duchene
Center
Born Jan 16 1991 -- Haliburton, ONT
Height 5.11 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L

Western Hockey League – Brayden Schenn, Brandon Wheat Kings

Brayden Schenn takes the WHL award after scoring 2 goals and adding 4 assists in 3 games for the Wheat Kings. Schenn is amongst the top WHL playoff scorers with 6 goals and 9 assists despite playing only the minimum 8 games thus far in Brandon’s two series wins over Kootenay and Medicine Hat. Schenn is a game breaking player with offensive talent and a physical edge.

Brayden Schenn
Center
Born Aug 22 1991 -- Saskatoon, SASK
Height 6.00 -- Weight 196 -- Shoots L


Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – Jordan Caron, Rimouski Oceanic

Jordan Caron gets the QMJHL nomination after scoring 2 goals and adding 2 assists in 3 games this week versus Moncton. Caron has 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 games in this year’s postseason. The Sayabec, PQ native is a reliable player who is effective at both ends of the ice.

Jordan Caron
Center
Born Nov 2 1990 -- Sayabec, PQ
Height 6.02 -- Weight 196 -- Shoots L


United States Hockey League – Mike Lee, Fargo Force

Mike Lee is the USHL’s award winner after defeating Omaha in 3 straight games this past week and helping the Force move on to the second round of the playoffs. Lee is a multiple nominee as draft performer of the week this season and it is his athleticism and ability to make big saves that gives him the edge over his opposition.

Mike Lee
Goalie
Born Oct 5 1990 -- Roseau, MN
Height 6.00 -- Weight 190

2009 Draft Prospect Performers Of The Week

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) / International Scouting Services (ISS) 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week presented by the Pipeline Show & Hockey Now ending Sunday, February 15, 2009.

Each week, International Scouting Services (ISS), Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW), Hockey Now, and The Pipeline Show recognize the Top Draft Eligible player from each of the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, & USHL leagues for the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft based on their play over the course of the week. Players are nominated and the selected by graduates of the SMWW Hockey GM & Scouting with each of the winners receiving a gift acknowledging their selection.


OHL – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion
Center
Born Jan 16 1991 -- Haliburton, ONT
Height 5.11 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L
Matt Duchene earns this week’s award after scoring 2 goals and adding 4 assists in 4 games for the Battalion. On the season, Duchene has 29 goals and 41 assists to lead his team and sit 7th in league scoring with 70 points. Duchene is a strong player with good speed who is willing to battle for pucks in the offensive zone.


WHL – Levko Koper, Spokane Chiefs
Left Wing
Born Oct 5 1990 -- Edmonton, ALTA
Height 6.00 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L
Levko Koper earns his first nomination as draft performer of the week after registering 2 goals and 8 points in 5 games for Spokane. Koper currently sits second in team scoring with 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points, a career high, in this his third season in the WHL.


QMJHL – Dmitry Kulikov, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Defense
Born Oct 29 1990
Height 6.01 -- Weight 195 -- Shoots L
Dmitry Kulikov joins the list of multiple award winners after recording 2 goals and 4 assists in 3 games this week. Kulikov, in his first year in the CHL, is amongst the leading defenseman in scoring with 9 goals and 45 assists for 54 points in 47 games. Kulikov is a skilled defenseman who likes to join the rush and plays in all situations.

USHL – Alex Chiasson, Des Moines Buccaneers
Right Wing
Born Oct 1 1990 -- St. Augustin, PQ
Height 6.03 -- Weight 175 -- Shoots R
Alex Chiasson wins his second award after registering 4 assists and a plus-2 rating in 3 games this week. Chiasson, a native of St. Augustin, PQ is in his first season with Des Moines and is currently leading the team in scoring with 14 goals and 23 assists, placing him inside the top 20 in league scoring as well. Chiasson is a playmaker with good size.

When Commitments Don't Mean Squat

Last week we made mention of the press release announcing the NCAA hockey coverage that is about to start on Rogers Sportsnet. In the release there are comments attributed to Boston University head coach Jack Parker (pictured) which are clearly shots across the bow of the CHL.

TPS pal DJ Powers of Hockey's Future made an interesting contribution to the comments of that blog post, let me take a few sections of that to show what I'm talking about.

"I lost a lot of respect for Unice when he reneged on his NLI to Bowling Green so that he could go play in the OHL. Frankly, I don't care where Unice decides to play, but if he wasn't absolutely sure that he wants to go the NCAA route or had some reservations about honoring the NLI, then he shouldn't have signed and submitted one in the first place. I'd have more respect for him, if he merely gave BGSU a verbal agreement. Verbals are non-binding and are broken (or changed) all the time. I would love to see the NCAA close this NLI loophole because it puts teams in a bind when players reneg on them, especially when it happens near the start of the year, as was the case with Unice."

What DJ's thoughts here made me think of is the growing trend of players who express a desire to play NCAA hockey possibly to alter the outcome of their CHL draft - basically telling teams "hey don't draft me, I'm going to college" and then waiting for the CHL team they're actually wanting to play for to swoop in and select them later than they are rated.

Here's a link to Nathan Fournier's World of Junior Hockey blog that recently had an interesting tidbit on the subject. Some of the stuff that is quoted there is second, third and perhaps even fourth hand information so keep that in mind but if the London knights actually are doing what it says there... that's some dirty pool isn't it?

Speculation is that's basically what happened in the case of Brampton Battalions forward Matt Duchene who had verbally pledged his allegiance to Michigan State. Four players were chosen ahead of Duchene in the 2007 OHL draft including Ryan O'Reilly (Erie), Taylor Hall (Windsor), Casey Cizikas (St. Mike's) and Zack Kassian (Peterborough).

If it's true that Duchene's grand plan was to announce a verbal commitment to the Spartans simply to help ensure that St. Mike's (for example) didn't draft him, well then his plan worked. A month after the OHL draft he informed Michigan State that he was going to renege on his commitment to play for them.

Interesting that in the same draft, Ethan Werek was chosen 9th overall by Kingston and like Duchene, had also committed to the NCAA. What's very interesting to note in this case though is that even after the OHL draft, Werek and his parents were quoted in print saying things like:

“We had a lot of calls,” he said. “Ottawa, Owen Sound, Oshawa and others. We told them all the same thing; that Ethan was going to the NCAA. We’re 100-per-cent committed to Boston University.”

That damning story can be found here.

Did you note which NCAA program Werek had committed to? That would be coach Jack Parker's BU Terriers.

I've been looking but so far haven't been able to determine whether or not Werek had signed anything with BU or if his commitment was still of the verbal variety. If someone knows, perhaps DJ has that info handy, please leave a comment to tell me.

I personally still think the NCAA's opinion that the CHL is a professional league is ridiculous especially when Jr. A leagues like the BCHL and AJHL are not held to those same standards. Players get paid in either Major Junior or Jr. A... they just do. Some get paid beyond their weekly stipend, some get educational kickbacks beyond the schoalrship packages provided by the leagues, and some might just get bonuses or gifts on top of the rest. But it happens in both levels and the NCAA's blind eye policy to Jr. A is ludicrous because of it.

The NCAA could help itself by allowing players who have CHL experience to still retain their NCAA eligibility. MOst collegians don't hit the NCAA until they're 19 anyway... so a 16 or 17-year-old OHL player should be able to try his luck in the CHL and if he finds it's not right for him then he could pursue a NCAA career.

What would be so wrong with that?

(photos courtesy: Boston University and the Ontario Hockey League)

2009 Draft Performers of the Week - Nov. 16/08

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) / International Scouting Services (ISS) 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week presented by the Pipeline Show & Hockey Now ending Sunday, November 16, 2008.

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE – OHL

Ontario Hockey League – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion

Matt Duchene is this week’s OHL draft performer of the week after notching 2 goals and adding 5 assists in 3 games while also posting a plus-3 rating. Duchene, a 5’11” centre currently sits fifth in OHL scoring with 12 goals and 31 points in 22 games. The Haliburton, ON native is an offensively gifted player with good mobility.


WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE – WHL

Western Hockey League – Nathan Lieuwen, Kootenay Ice

Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen makes his debut as WHL draft performer of the week after two wins including a shutout versus Edmonton Saturday. The 6’ 4” Lieuwen is in his first full season with Kootenay and currently ranks amongst the top goaltenders in Shutouts (2) and Goals Against Average (2.62). The Abbotsford, BC native has a quick glove and has improved his positional play since last year’s World U-17 Challenge.

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE – QMJHL

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – Dmitry Kulikov, Drummondville Voltigeurs

For the second consecutive week Dmitry Kulikov has been named QMJHL draft performer of the week. Kulikov recorded a goal and 4 assists in three games to give himself 10 points in his last 6 games. The 6’ 1” 195 lb Russian defenseman has 4 goals and 22 points in 20 games this season, his first in the Canadian Junior system. Kulikov is known for his overall offensive prowess and big shot from the blueline.

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE – USHL

United States Hockey League – Josh Birkholz, Fargo Force

Josh Birkholz represents the USHL as the draft performer of the week after notching 2 goals and 2 assists in games versus Waterloo and Sioux City. Birkholz, a native of Maple Grove, MN has 4 goals and 4 assists in 11 games this season, placing him third in Fargo team scoring. The 6’ 1” forward is a good skater with a decent shot who plays with a physical edge.