French Collection

U18 tournament starts tomorrow in Texas. Lots of potential high draft picks are playing. Some guys have not played in over a year so it will be difficult for them and this may be their only opportunity for scouts to see them before the draft. It’s tough to put a lot of weight on a short tournament but some will standout and rise because of it. Here is a link to the Hockey News story on 15 players to watch. Nearly half of them are 2022 or 2023 eligible but there is some information on 2021 guys. https://www.si.com/hockey/news/top-15-players-to-watch-at-the-under-18-world-championship Number 15 is the kid I’ve mentioned before, goalie Ben Gaudreau, who has not played a game this year. I’ve watched him play minor hockey and in the OHL, I think he may go in the second or third round.

Sabres 2nd rounder will be interesting, a “first rounder” that slips, like JJP in ‘20 perhaps. Arizona losing their pick takes the 32 team draft back to 31.

Dahlin with another multi point game, Sabres 4-3.

I used to admire Peter Forsberg’s skill at doing this. Yeah, Wheeler messed up. Some people even say it could be called interference as Wheeler never touched the puck.

He also wore an A at Western Michigan.

I’m in for Goodrow, not a big producer but he plays all three forward positions and is good on the PK. He is physical and will drop the gloves if required. Cheap addition with a good resume.

As I’m scrolling down the thread, Orpik comes to mind. Lo and behold, you beat me to it.

I’m not sold on him being more than a 4-5 stay at home guy. He may fill that role very capably. He plays a simple game and needs to make better and quicker decisions with the puck. That will come with experience. He is the one that keeps Irwin in the press box so I am happy with that. He is young and developing, he may become a Mike Ramsey. I would take Kjell with some Ulf sprinkled in.

Curious to see UPL perform. My expectations are low but I hope he can play well and keep the team in it.

OHL cancels its season, Memorial Cup cancelled and the WHL playoffs as well. Lots of prospects not getting scouted, this will be an interesting draft to analyze in 3-4 years. Lots of diamonds in the rough.

I like Goodrow, played his last year of OHL in North Bay. He captained the team on a deep playoff run. He can play any forward position, big and fast with some grit. Perfect 4th liner who can move up the lineup. Cup winner.

Caggiula over Eakin has gotta be worth +1? Spoil the Bruins hopes, Hall to miss the playoffs, again.

Pens were better yesterday but the Sabres hung around and could have tied it up. I don’t think the Pens have another gear, the Sabres could adjust and come out better. Goaltending may be the difference and we will get stellar play from ?

Defensively solid and provides some scoring.

Offensive zone man, stay out of the Bjox.

Is Irwin playing F again?

Yeah, Leafs with their deep pockets and cap issues were buying bad contracts on LTIR. Clarkson and Horton come to mind.

Leafs doctors have done it a few times recently. Robidas and Lupul come to mind. Lupul seemed in great shape skiing in the Alps while on LTIR.

Cool stat. I’d like him more if he hadn’t played with the Leafs.

I am not a fan of Hughes, puny waterbugs are not my favourites. He will get stronger and approach the expectations. Kakko hasn’t shown much yet, I much prefer Cozens so far. Dach reminds me of Getzlaf, he may end up as the best of this class. Byram may become Duncan Keith. I like this kind of Dman. I loved Turcotte pre draft but I think Cozens and Zegras are better now. Seider is supposed to be developing well. I have not kept tabs on him but I trust Stevie Y still likes him. Cozens is a Sabre and I hope he has a long career in Buffalo. Love his game and the hustle. I think he could be top three. I don’t know anything about Broberg. Zegras was very impressive at the World Juniors and will have a great mentor in Getzlaf. He could end up with the best stats in this class. Podkolzin looks good and has size for the pro game. There is less defensive responsibility for a winger so he may make the jump next year. My two cents.

Thanks for bringing back the “painful” Gold medal game memories. Lol. I forgot he was the youngest guy on that team.

C’mon boys, win it for Jason K. Keep the momentum going and put your best effort out there. Dahlin with his best game of the year and the PP gets 2. Sabres win 5-4.

Jack is not my favourite Sabre but his ability is great. I hope he is watching this run and getting motivated to be 100% and assume the role of leadership of this young group. With Hall and Stall gone, Eakin, Irwin and Rieder on the fringes as well as Okposo and McCabe’s statuses unknown, he is “the” veteran. I go back and forth on whether he should be traded but I think it boils down to how badly he wants to win in Buffalo. If he is in then so am I. The youth has taken the next step and now he needs to do it too. His maturation as a leader is very important.

Correct, it was Montreal inquiring about him.

I am French and can help with this. It quotes Bowman in saying that Irving Grundman of the Habs offered Guy Lafleur for Gilbert Perreault in the summer of 1982. The offer was made to the Knox brothers without Bowman knowing about it until months later. He goes on to say how much he loves Lafleur and would have tried to get him to play with Perreault.