The above picture is of Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Nathan Beaulieu hoisting the Memorial Cup this year. Beaulieu is listed at 6’3, 191lbs. and is said to be an offensive defenseman with a mean streak. I think that is right up the alley of what we would be looking for… well, really what any team should be looking for. I don’t think he’s been really garnering as much attention as I’d expect for a player possessing those kinds of talents though.

Beaulieu is currently ranked 5th for North American skaters by CSS, and 14th overall (includes all Euro and North American skaters) by ISS. So that said, I have a tough time believing that Beaulieu will be available at pick #19. He shouldn’t be. The Oilers are going to have to move that pick up if they have hopes of drafting him. I’m not sure if he’s really on our radar or not.

Beaulieu ended the season in the Q with 12 goals Continue reading 'Oilers draft target: Nathan Beaulieu'»

OK, not exactly something we haven’t brought up from time to time, but I can’t help but think about it more.

Would you trade the 1st overall and 19th overall pick to Colorado for 2nd and 11th overall?

I think I would. Last year, that gets you any one of these players:
Jack Campbell, Cam Fowler, Brandon Gormley, Jaden Schwartz, Derek Forbort, Vladimir Taresenko, etc…

As well, it also gets you one other player not named Taylor Hall.

Would you do it? I’m stealing a conversation between “spOILer” and “cabbiesmacker” on Lowetide. spOiler asked the question I phrased above, and cabbiesmacker replied with: Continue reading 'Question of the day…'»

Racki’s note: This is a great article by Zackman35 which helps us understand the physical testing that goes on at the NHL Combine. This has been added to our Resources section.

The NHL Combine gives us fans, but more importantly, the NHL organizations an indicator of physiological development and physical fitness of a young hockey player. These young potential prospects take part in various testing over a fairly short time frame (a week). During this week they are not only psychologically tested but physically tested as well, which helps give us and scouting staff a better perspective whether or not these young men will be able to compete at an elite level, and helps pin-point how far away they may be from competing. The purpose of this post/thread is to help give a fan a better understanding of how to interpret the draft combine.

Physical Fitness

Energy Systems

Your body uses three energy systems on continuum. It’s not a question Continue reading 'NHL Entry Draft: Draft Combine (Physical Testing) – Separating the Men from the Boys'»

Wow, I have been asleep at the switch. I missed that this was even going on right now. It started on May 30, 2011 and ends tomorrow, June 3rd.

There are some interviews up on the oilers website, including interviews with players Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, Adam Larsson, Sean Couturier, Jonathan Huberdeau and Dougie Hamilton, as well as Oilers staff Steve Tambellini and Stu MacGregor.

First quick observation. Holy eff… what is with Landeskog?? This guy speaks better english than most North Americans. No accent at all on him (kind of like Nick Lidstrom). He’s a very modest and well spoken player too. Adam Larsson spoke briefly on his familiarity with Paajarvi and Lander, mentioning that he’s played in world competition with them for about four years now. I wouldn’t say there was anything else particularly stand out in the player interviews though. I’d say the best interview to listen to (as expected) is Stu MacGregor’s interview. He provides some good insight in the whole process.

Tomorrow is the big day of the combine, which TSN will actually be airing… that’s the day that the players go through their physical testing. This might help give a good look at what growth RNH might be capable of, or perhaps how far ahead of the curve some of the other bigger guys are. Should be interesting.

Edit: June 4th, 9:00AM:
Here are the combine results: Continue reading '2011 NHL Combine'»

Just a few quick notes on some articles I saw today on the Edmonton Journal website.

Adam Larsson

First, Adam Larsson. I like that he’s done his research. He of course knows his fellow Swede countrymen are here (Paajarvi and Omark, plus likely Lander soon). But he knows the history, our 5 cups, and the new players like Taylor Hall. He sounds like he would be genuinely happy to be here, and I like the kids attitude.

Sean Couturier

On to Sean Couturier, in which Jim Matheson addresses a question about Couturier dropping in draft rank. There wasn’t a lot here, but I just thought it interesting that Matheson mentioned that the Oilers likely wouldn’t draft Couturier because they are more interested in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Adam Larsson. I can’t say that the Oilers would Continue reading 'Quick hits – 2011/04/21'»