Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Prospect Pulse
Max Pacioretty, the Montreal Canadiens 2nd 2007 First Rounder, is headed for the University of Michigan this fall ( I wonder if he can play football?). Last year's USHL rookie of the year, Pacioretty is projected as power forward, with good around the net instinct and a quick release. Also shows good aptitude on the power play, where he can run the offense from the half boards by making smart passes and distributing the puck with intelligence. Proficient in the face-off circle, he was a participant in USA Hockey's Junior evaluation camp and hopes to represent his country at the World Junior's this Christmas.
Capable of playing a two way game, Max lists Jed Ortemeyer as his favorite player but models his game after Keith Tkachuk. McKeen's projects that he will be NHL ready in a couple of years, but needs to work on consistency (like all young players), strength and defensive awareness. (Sidebar: I truly hope I live to see the day that an NHL coach will just come out and say, "Player X is an offensive talent and I intend to use him in that capacity". I am a little tired of stifled creativity.) Pacioretty himself acknowledges his need for more upper body strength, but wants to maintain his speed and agility. He also wants to improve his goal scoring efficiency. Max has actually improved his offensive totals in each of his last 3 years of hockey.
Of note, Pacioretty was born in California and moved to Connecticut as a child. He is the only member of his family to play hockey. His parents signed him up for skating and he kept pushing himself to get better, including moving away from home to attend Taft Prep School. Max credits his coaches at Taft for making him the player he is today, and further credits Dave Siciliano of the Sioux City Musketeers with teaching him about intensity and attention to detail.
The Montreal Canadiens feel that Pacioretty will address their need for a pure power forward. Noting the success that players such as Eric Cole have had against their club, the Habs sought out the 6-1, 200 lb. forward to fill this niche. Prospect Pulse feels that a couple of years in Michigan under Red Berenson will have Pacioretty in the bleu, blanc et rouge in no time.
News You Can Use in the Late Morning:
-Hawks fans have reason for optimism this year. Time for all two of you to get out the closet and embrace this team, they should be fun to watch under Denis Savard.
-Flames Prospect Brandon Prust will have to postpone his debut til he is 100%. (TSN Broadband)
-Clement Jodoin attempts to rebuild the Oceanic in the post-Crosby era.
-Blues optimistic about the future. JD has done a great job.
-Lyon Messier traded from the Oil Kings to the Rockets. No Moose Jr. for Oil fans this year.
-The Leafs unveil their new jerseys. Pretty nice all together.
-SI's Allan Muir notes 15 players to watch in training camps. I would not be shocked if Commie-seeking missile Brandon Sutter got a look this fall.
-The new Avs jerseys. Meh.
-Illegal Curve noted yesterday that FA Brent Sopel was in Red Wings camp. Babcock now sees his as a Top 4 d-man.
-Man bites dog. George W. and Hilary caught in romantic tryst. In other news, Refs play hockey.
-Rangers prospect Alex Bourret has something to prove.
-The Avs cut 11 players, most notably Peterborough's Trevor Cann, a highly touted goalie.
-A run down of Canucks prospects.
-Benjamin Rubin reaches compromise that will allow him to play this season. On that note, a pleasant Rosh Hosannah to our Chosen Readers.
-Former Moose Jaw Warrior Robin Big Snake arrives in Texas. This is a little off the NHL's radar, but I love that name.
-Former Prospect Pulse feature Marco Insam still in the mix at Regina Pats' camp.
-Top pick Erik Johnson ready to go.
-Transaction report from last night.
-Carol Alt not missing Yashin that much. I wonder if Alt is teaching Lundqvist about the 5-hole?
-Patrick Roy, Rbk and Zellers team up for a new line of footwear. Perfect for walking out on the Canadiens or kicking your wife.
For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.
Capable of playing a two way game, Max lists Jed Ortemeyer as his favorite player but models his game after Keith Tkachuk. McKeen's projects that he will be NHL ready in a couple of years, but needs to work on consistency (like all young players), strength and defensive awareness. (Sidebar: I truly hope I live to see the day that an NHL coach will just come out and say, "Player X is an offensive talent and I intend to use him in that capacity". I am a little tired of stifled creativity.) Pacioretty himself acknowledges his need for more upper body strength, but wants to maintain his speed and agility. He also wants to improve his goal scoring efficiency. Max has actually improved his offensive totals in each of his last 3 years of hockey.
Of note, Pacioretty was born in California and moved to Connecticut as a child. He is the only member of his family to play hockey. His parents signed him up for skating and he kept pushing himself to get better, including moving away from home to attend Taft Prep School. Max credits his coaches at Taft for making him the player he is today, and further credits Dave Siciliano of the Sioux City Musketeers with teaching him about intensity and attention to detail.
The Montreal Canadiens feel that Pacioretty will address their need for a pure power forward. Noting the success that players such as Eric Cole have had against their club, the Habs sought out the 6-1, 200 lb. forward to fill this niche. Prospect Pulse feels that a couple of years in Michigan under Red Berenson will have Pacioretty in the bleu, blanc et rouge in no time.
News You Can Use in the Late Morning:
-Hawks fans have reason for optimism this year. Time for all two of you to get out the closet and embrace this team, they should be fun to watch under Denis Savard.
-Flames Prospect Brandon Prust will have to postpone his debut til he is 100%. (TSN Broadband)
-Clement Jodoin attempts to rebuild the Oceanic in the post-Crosby era.
-Blues optimistic about the future. JD has done a great job.
-Lyon Messier traded from the Oil Kings to the Rockets. No Moose Jr. for Oil fans this year.
-The Leafs unveil their new jerseys. Pretty nice all together.
-SI's Allan Muir notes 15 players to watch in training camps. I would not be shocked if Commie-seeking missile Brandon Sutter got a look this fall.
-The new Avs jerseys. Meh.
-Illegal Curve noted yesterday that FA Brent Sopel was in Red Wings camp. Babcock now sees his as a Top 4 d-man.
-Man bites dog. George W. and Hilary caught in romantic tryst. In other news, Refs play hockey.
-Rangers prospect Alex Bourret has something to prove.
-The Avs cut 11 players, most notably Peterborough's Trevor Cann, a highly touted goalie.
-A run down of Canucks prospects.
-Benjamin Rubin reaches compromise that will allow him to play this season. On that note, a pleasant Rosh Hosannah to our Chosen Readers.
-Former Moose Jaw Warrior Robin Big Snake arrives in Texas. This is a little off the NHL's radar, but I love that name.
-Former Prospect Pulse feature Marco Insam still in the mix at Regina Pats' camp.
-Top pick Erik Johnson ready to go.
-Transaction report from last night.
-Carol Alt not missing Yashin that much. I wonder if Alt is teaching Lundqvist about the 5-hole?
-Patrick Roy, Rbk and Zellers team up for a new line of footwear. Perfect for walking out on the Canadiens or kicking your wife.
For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Game 1 Recap and Thoughts on the Fans, etc.
Well, it wasnt the greatest game but we still won, so I will take it. The best part was Roli's hail Mary to Pecs. WOW, I was in disbelief even after he scored. I felt Anaheim would score right after that, and a deflected shot from MacDonald did the trick.
All is well though, as we gritted it out and won. The thing is, and other blogs like Lowetide and Blac Dog have suggested this also, is that I no longer feel nervous every game. It seems that my psyche knows the Oilers will win, and allows the rest of my body to remain relatively calm. Its a feeling I havent had as an Oiler fan since I was a little kid. The late 90's and early 00's were not kind to me and other Oiler fans, always hoping that by some miracle we could desperately cling to a victory or two.
This brings me to the other point I wanted to make. All the fellas, and ladies ;), over at the Hockey's Future boards seem to be very loathe to suggest that there is even an iota of a possibility that we might lose. I can understand their reluctance and respect the superstitions, I think its time to ditch the self depreciating fan behaviour.
Lets get a little cocky. Why not? The '80s Oilers were all about swagger. So why not these guys? The current edition doesnt boast the likes of Gretz, Mess, Kurri et al., but they believe in themselves and each other. They know they can win and dont seem to get flustered when things arent going well for them. They show no signs of panic and will fight back from anything. I mean, Hemsky is blocking shots and dishing out hits. He gets steamrolled by Beauchemin and gets up and scores. They arent scared of anyone and know FEEL they can win it all.
I think the fans are doing the bos a disservice by not buying in as well. No need to keep it secret, sing it loud and proud!
GO OILERS GO!
All is well though, as we gritted it out and won. The thing is, and other blogs like Lowetide and Blac Dog have suggested this also, is that I no longer feel nervous every game. It seems that my psyche knows the Oilers will win, and allows the rest of my body to remain relatively calm. Its a feeling I havent had as an Oiler fan since I was a little kid. The late 90's and early 00's were not kind to me and other Oiler fans, always hoping that by some miracle we could desperately cling to a victory or two.
This brings me to the other point I wanted to make. All the fellas, and ladies ;), over at the Hockey's Future boards seem to be very loathe to suggest that there is even an iota of a possibility that we might lose. I can understand their reluctance and respect the superstitions, I think its time to ditch the self depreciating fan behaviour.
Lets get a little cocky. Why not? The '80s Oilers were all about swagger. So why not these guys? The current edition doesnt boast the likes of Gretz, Mess, Kurri et al., but they believe in themselves and each other. They know they can win and dont seem to get flustered when things arent going well for them. They show no signs of panic and will fight back from anything. I mean, Hemsky is blocking shots and dishing out hits. He gets steamrolled by Beauchemin and gets up and scores. They arent scared of anyone and know FEEL they can win it all.
I think the fans are doing the bos a disservice by not buying in as well. No need to keep it secret, sing it loud and proud!
GO OILERS GO!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
OILERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS WIN
That was so sweet. Words cannot express the pure elation that Game 6 brought to me. I havent had this experience since I was 16 and we lost to the Blackhawks (Can you believe anyone used to lose to them?) in 1992.
What a game! Did anyone see the assload of breakaways? I dont even care that we tried 5-hole 6 times and didnt score, even though we have been beating Toskala like a rented mule up high. Whatever, the point is that we won, and didnt have to scramble and hold on for dear life like we usually do.
This team, in my opinion, is special. They went through that terrible losing streak in the early going, never went on a prolonged win streak, and fought goalie demons all year. Yet, they perservered and are now in the Conference finals. There isnt really anything else that can happen to these guys that will rattle them, I mean they block shots with their faces, how much do you think they care if "experts" dont pick them to win?
I cannot wait for the series to start. For the first time since I was a little kid, I do not watch Oiler games thinking about the lucky bounces they will need to win. They get pretty balanced scoring, and are monsters defensively. Roloson has becoming the steady presence between the pipes that they have needed for so long. I am feeling so good about this!
Kyle out!
What a game! Did anyone see the assload of breakaways? I dont even care that we tried 5-hole 6 times and didnt score, even though we have been beating Toskala like a rented mule up high. Whatever, the point is that we won, and didnt have to scramble and hold on for dear life like we usually do.
This team, in my opinion, is special. They went through that terrible losing streak in the early going, never went on a prolonged win streak, and fought goalie demons all year. Yet, they perservered and are now in the Conference finals. There isnt really anything else that can happen to these guys that will rattle them, I mean they block shots with their faces, how much do you think they care if "experts" dont pick them to win?
I cannot wait for the series to start. For the first time since I was a little kid, I do not watch Oiler games thinking about the lucky bounces they will need to win. They get pretty balanced scoring, and are monsters defensively. Roloson has becoming the steady presence between the pipes that they have needed for so long. I am feeling so good about this!
Kyle out!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Change of Format...
Hello All,
I have recently become very disallusioned with politics. In America, it seems Conservatives are imploding due to infighting and their basic failure to actually act Conservative. If the MSM actually wins this debtate and puts a Democrat in the Whitehouse, I will face 4 to 8 years of merciless hazing at the lands of the radical left. And by radical left I mean friends, professors and in-laws. W has abandoned his base and is flirting with becoming a prettier Hilary. The only brightspot on the political landscape is Stephen Harper. Wow, this guy is so impressive. From his talking down to the media, to one liners in Question period to his increasingly stiff backbone, this dude has it all.
Alas, his unleashing of a conservative tide on Canada is not enough to bolster my flagging spirits. So for the next few weeks, Two Conservative Canadians will become yet another Oiler blog.
I am officially Cup Crazy and enraptured with my team's performance thus far in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They have shown an immense sense of pride, grit and have exhibited a deepness unseen in Northern Alberta since about 1992.
They play hurt, they play tough and they play to win. They are even exhibiting a killer instinct, something I did not know they possessed.
Game 6 against the Sharks goes tonight, in about 3.75 hours. I am giddy like a school girl to get home, lose the tie and throw on the retro 80s jersey. It is going to be a crazy game, and I imagine they Oiler faithful will blow the roof right off of Rexall.
Todd Harvey checks into the lineup tonight in place of Brad Winchester. I am not 100% sold on changing a winning formula, but Harvey is a veteran presence and likely wouldnt mind sticking it to his old team. I think he will be a valuable commodity should the game be a long and drawn out or nasty affair. Winchester is big and fast, but Harvey has grit written all over him.
The X-factor to this game, in my opinion, will be how the Sharks respond after folding like a cheap tent in Game 5. As has been suggested on other blogs, the feeling is that one or two quick goals will cause the Sharks to wash up on shore, so to speak.
I am predicting a 4-2 Oilers win, as that has been my prediction from Game 3 onward. I see the Oiler goals coming from Pronger, Smyth, Pisani and Stoll. I think we get 2 on the PP. I couldnt care less who scores the Sharks goals, though I would take a Thornton-Cheechoo combo to solidify my lead in my work draft.
Thats all for now!!! Lets Go Oilers, Lets Go! Win. Do it.
I have recently become very disallusioned with politics. In America, it seems Conservatives are imploding due to infighting and their basic failure to actually act Conservative. If the MSM actually wins this debtate and puts a Democrat in the Whitehouse, I will face 4 to 8 years of merciless hazing at the lands of the radical left. And by radical left I mean friends, professors and in-laws. W has abandoned his base and is flirting with becoming a prettier Hilary. The only brightspot on the political landscape is Stephen Harper. Wow, this guy is so impressive. From his talking down to the media, to one liners in Question period to his increasingly stiff backbone, this dude has it all.
Alas, his unleashing of a conservative tide on Canada is not enough to bolster my flagging spirits. So for the next few weeks, Two Conservative Canadians will become yet another Oiler blog.
I am officially Cup Crazy and enraptured with my team's performance thus far in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They have shown an immense sense of pride, grit and have exhibited a deepness unseen in Northern Alberta since about 1992.
They play hurt, they play tough and they play to win. They are even exhibiting a killer instinct, something I did not know they possessed.
Game 6 against the Sharks goes tonight, in about 3.75 hours. I am giddy like a school girl to get home, lose the tie and throw on the retro 80s jersey. It is going to be a crazy game, and I imagine they Oiler faithful will blow the roof right off of Rexall.
Todd Harvey checks into the lineup tonight in place of Brad Winchester. I am not 100% sold on changing a winning formula, but Harvey is a veteran presence and likely wouldnt mind sticking it to his old team. I think he will be a valuable commodity should the game be a long and drawn out or nasty affair. Winchester is big and fast, but Harvey has grit written all over him.
The X-factor to this game, in my opinion, will be how the Sharks respond after folding like a cheap tent in Game 5. As has been suggested on other blogs, the feeling is that one or two quick goals will cause the Sharks to wash up on shore, so to speak.
I am predicting a 4-2 Oilers win, as that has been my prediction from Game 3 onward. I see the Oiler goals coming from Pronger, Smyth, Pisani and Stoll. I think we get 2 on the PP. I couldnt care less who scores the Sharks goals, though I would take a Thornton-Cheechoo combo to solidify my lead in my work draft.
Thats all for now!!! Lets Go Oilers, Lets Go! Win. Do it.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Welcoming Myself Back
Hello All, or perhaps, Hello No one.
It has been an unusually long hiatus from my blogging duties. To recap the missing 13 months, I got engaged, started two new jobs, finished my 2nd year of law school, had back surgery, planned most of the wedding, took a bunch of trips, did rehab for my back, started playing hockey again, organized a major fundraiser and voted in the Canadian election.
For those of you who don't know, Canada has freed itself from the shackles of the corrupt Libranos and are basking in the Conservative limelight. PM Stephen Harper is doing a bang up job, and has already visited the troops overseas, a first since WLM King. The world has not ended and Canada continues to function, despite the protestations of the CBC and Toronto Star.
I am very proud to have voted for him (or his part at least) and am ecstatic at how things are going.
In the next few days and weeks (I am sooooo Cup Crazy right now) I will be blogging more. My cause du jour is the villification of Wal-Mart and why that is so gay.
Also congrats to my co-poster, Jason, on his recent nuptuals.
Kyle Out.
It has been an unusually long hiatus from my blogging duties. To recap the missing 13 months, I got engaged, started two new jobs, finished my 2nd year of law school, had back surgery, planned most of the wedding, took a bunch of trips, did rehab for my back, started playing hockey again, organized a major fundraiser and voted in the Canadian election.
For those of you who don't know, Canada has freed itself from the shackles of the corrupt Libranos and are basking in the Conservative limelight. PM Stephen Harper is doing a bang up job, and has already visited the troops overseas, a first since WLM King. The world has not ended and Canada continues to function, despite the protestations of the CBC and Toronto Star.
I am very proud to have voted for him (or his part at least) and am ecstatic at how things are going.
In the next few days and weeks (I am sooooo Cup Crazy right now) I will be blogging more. My cause du jour is the villification of Wal-Mart and why that is so gay.
Also congrats to my co-poster, Jason, on his recent nuptuals.
Kyle Out.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Canada: Biggest Pussy in NATO
I have just been thinking recently about Canada and our place in the world. Mostly in regards to foreign affairs.
The Liberals have tried to placate the sheep in Canada by opting out of missile defense but injecting some money into our rag tag army. What no one notices, or mentions, is that the bulk of the money is end loaded and is subject to the Liberals being re-elected and to them have budgetary surpluses.
So basically, if the money ever gets where its going, I will be shocked. They claim to be "committed to Norad" but yet our CF-18s are old and getting older and there is no replacement jet on the horizon.
Finally, Martin had the stones to suggest that he expects Canada to be consulted if the US would ever have to invade our airspace to shoot down a rogue missile. What a joke, this old fool doesnt have a clue. He almost makes me miss Chretien. At least he had nuts, too bad he used it only for corruption. Martin sold the country down the river just to gain the anti-American vote.
Too bad its the beginning of the end for the Maple Leaf. I will save my gloating when the people of the GTA are trying to decide who to send to Washington to represent them. Its either that or move to their beloved Europe or China!!
The Liberals have tried to placate the sheep in Canada by opting out of missile defense but injecting some money into our rag tag army. What no one notices, or mentions, is that the bulk of the money is end loaded and is subject to the Liberals being re-elected and to them have budgetary surpluses.
So basically, if the money ever gets where its going, I will be shocked. They claim to be "committed to Norad" but yet our CF-18s are old and getting older and there is no replacement jet on the horizon.
Finally, Martin had the stones to suggest that he expects Canada to be consulted if the US would ever have to invade our airspace to shoot down a rogue missile. What a joke, this old fool doesnt have a clue. He almost makes me miss Chretien. At least he had nuts, too bad he used it only for corruption. Martin sold the country down the river just to gain the anti-American vote.
Too bad its the beginning of the end for the Maple Leaf. I will save my gloating when the people of the GTA are trying to decide who to send to Washington to represent them. Its either that or move to their beloved Europe or China!!
Monday, February 28, 2005
Yeah, What Jason Said
Kudos to Jason on a fine post. I could not agree more. Canada has officially become Puerto Rico North and few realize it. The Liberal government keeps dishing up shit to the masses and they line up for seconds. What happened to Canada?? Its a friggin disgrace if you ask me. I would like to add some points to Jason's fabulous Top Ten list, if I might be so bold. So here I go, a bunch more reasons why Canada licks balls.
1. Canada will soon surpass Western Europe in terms of rampant socialism.
2. The CBC
3. The collective blinders Canadians wear when it comes to hatred of W. and Americans in general. Canadians and the aforementioned CBC love to sew putrid venom on Republicans for their ties to Haliburton, but completely ignore Paul Martin's shipping conglomerate, the AdScam scandal, and Chretien's ties to Paul Desmarais and TotalFinaElf, which as you may or may not know, stood to make billions on oil contracts IF Saddam stayed in power. No wonder Canada opted out of Iraq. Principled stand my ass!
4.Socialized health care. Really, who wants to go to the Doctor when it resembles going to the DMV?
5. 14% sales tax.
6. The refusal of Canadian intellectuals to believe that socialism does not work. The nanny state is not what Canada needs.
7. A military that scares no one except the men and women that are forced to use our equipment.
8. The NDP, nothing like having Commies in charge of a few provincial governments.
9. The Liberals shameless lack of a backbone. If the people are for it, they are against it. Unless it means a chance to thumb their nose at America.
10. French
Of course this list is by no means exhaustive, just a random sampling of why I hate Canada on February 28th, 2005.
***Disclaimer***
Please note that until Canada falls apart, I reserve the right to cheer for Canadian hockey at all international hockey events.
1. Canada will soon surpass Western Europe in terms of rampant socialism.
2. The CBC
3. The collective blinders Canadians wear when it comes to hatred of W. and Americans in general. Canadians and the aforementioned CBC love to sew putrid venom on Republicans for their ties to Haliburton, but completely ignore Paul Martin's shipping conglomerate, the AdScam scandal, and Chretien's ties to Paul Desmarais and TotalFinaElf, which as you may or may not know, stood to make billions on oil contracts IF Saddam stayed in power. No wonder Canada opted out of Iraq. Principled stand my ass!
4.Socialized health care. Really, who wants to go to the Doctor when it resembles going to the DMV?
5. 14% sales tax.
6. The refusal of Canadian intellectuals to believe that socialism does not work. The nanny state is not what Canada needs.
7. A military that scares no one except the men and women that are forced to use our equipment.
8. The NDP, nothing like having Commies in charge of a few provincial governments.
9. The Liberals shameless lack of a backbone. If the people are for it, they are against it. Unless it means a chance to thumb their nose at America.
10. French
Of course this list is by no means exhaustive, just a random sampling of why I hate Canada on February 28th, 2005.
***Disclaimer***
Please note that until Canada falls apart, I reserve the right to cheer for Canadian hockey at all international hockey events.
Shoes
