NHL Weekend Preview

Good Ole Drinking Game

The Battle of Alberta has long invited ingenuity from the legions of Flames and OIlers fans…The boys over at Battle of Alberta have devised what appears to be a drinking game based on the rivalry.

Gaborik Out

Minnesota right wing Marian Gaborik missed the Wild’s game Thursday night against Florida because of what the team called a lower-body injury. A “lower-body injury”…is it playoff time already???

Savard Fired

Canes Country has some thoughts on the first firing of the season:

And there’s the first firing of the season. A very curious move by the Blackhawks, though Joel Quenneville is a very, very good coach — and his moustache will go over well with these guys.

St. Louis Is Winning!

Keith Tkachuk and Brad Boyes each scored for the fourth straight game, and the St. Louis Blues had their best offensive output since January in beating the Dallas Stars 6-1 Thursday night.

Pittsburgh Blows It!

Boyd Gordon scored a delayed goal in the third period to complete Washington’s four-goal comeback and the Capitals shook off three Pittsburgh power play goals and another big night against them by Evgeni Malkin to rally for a 4-3 victory on Thursday night.

Stamkos Benched

James Mirtle notes that the Calder trophy race is far from over as the man with the mullet, Barry Melrose, put Stamkos on the bench for most of the game versus the Islanders.

2008 NHL Entry Draft Deep On Defence

This season’s young crop of 18 year old hockey hopefuls have been put to the test by all 30 teams, combed over by the Central Scouting staff and now all they can do is wait for their name to be called.

The first round of the 2008 NHL entry draft begins Friday night at Scotiabank place where all eyes will be on young Steve Stamkos of the Ontario Hockey league’s Sarnia Sting.

While Stamkos and his NHL caliber speed are on the top of everyone’s list, it’s the NHL clubs in need of blue liners that are licking their chops as we edge closer to draft day.

Top Defensive Prospects

The 2008 NHL entry draft appears to be top heavy on the blueline according to the Central Scouting Bureau as 5 of the top 6 North American skaters are blue liners. The top five defenseman available in this year’s draft are as follows:

1.) Zach Bogosian – Peterborough Petes

Bogosian lead the Petes in scoring this season, making him the only defenseman in the Ontario Hockey League to do so. While his favorite player, Detroit’s Chris Chelios, is on his way out of the National Hockey League, many scouts think Bogosian is ready to make the jump right now. While already being praised for his skating ability and puck movement, he certainly has the size to play in the NHL at 6’2″ and 200 pounds.

2.) Drew Doughty – Guelph Storm

With excellent speed and world-class confidence, Doughty is one of the most prepared players available in this year’s draft. With a host of international experience with Canada’s junior teams, Doughty plays a very solid defensive game and approaches the game with poise and confidence. His accolades include being named the top defenseman at the 2008 World Junior Hockey Championship – not a bad thing to have one your resume heading into your draft year!

3.) Tyler Myers – Kelowna Rockets

Although he is a fluid skater, being a massive 6’7″ tall, entices concern about his ability to shut down the quickness of NHL caliber forwards. However, with a tremendous shot and scoring potential, he has an upside of Zdeno Chara potential which may allow a team to gamble on his development.

4.) Luke Schenn – Kelowna Rockets

Schenn is known throughout the Western Hockey League for his tenacity and physical play. With a reputation as a tenacious defender with exceptional size and strength (6’2″ and 216 pounds) he may very well see action in the National hockey league sooner than later.

5.) Alex Pietrangelo – Niagara IceDogs

The 6’3″ 209 pound blue liner notched an impressive 53 points this past season with a +29 rating and 94 penalty minutes. Some scouts have questioned his indecisiveness, but his upside as an offensive defenseman and potential power-play quarterback is undeniable.

NHL Returns To Canada

In last year’s NHL entry draft, no fewer than 11 United States college players were taken in the opening round. In a complete flip-flop, we could be looking at as few as one first round selection with United States College hockey on their resume, making it one of the worst years in draft history for US College Hockey.

After a wave of American players making their way into the draft’s opening round for the past half-decade or more, we can expect 2008 to return to the year of the Canadian. When Friday’s opening round launches from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, you can bet it will be the players from north of the border making their way to the podium with much more regularity than their American counterparts.

Is this season simply an anomaly or have significant changes made by grassroots hockey in Canada over the past decade now starting to show the fruits of their labor?