The Lethbridge Hurricanes have three players ranked in Central Scouting’s Mid-term rankings that were released Tuesday morning.
Jamal Watson who was not on the preliminary watch list is ranked 182nd overall. The 18-year old from Calgary, AB has played in all 47 games this season and is ninth in team scoring with 22 points (9G, 13A) he’s also a +4 plus/minus rating and he has 22 PIM’s.
Ranked 185th is Axel Blomqvist, who was on the preliminary watch list. The native of Osby, Sweden is 6th in team scoring with 27 points (4G, 23A) and those 27 points also have him ranked 7th overall in scoring by all WHL rookies.
Adam Henry was also listed on the preliminary watch list, but spent the first half of the season on the injured list as he recovered from a heart condition. The Winnipeg, MB native returned to action on December 28thth overall and in 7 games this season, he has 1 goal and 2 assists. and despite his limited viewing he ranks 213.
The Hurricanes also have Defenceman Willie Raskob on the list, ranked 173rd overall. The Hurricanes listed him December 27th, 2011 and he currently plays for Shattuck-St. Mary’s. The full list of rankings can be found at www.nhl.com.
(From Lethbridge Hurricanes.com)
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Can we call this the first test (measurable results) of Prestons ability to draft and develop? If that is the case looks like a failing grade considering how high we have picked.
ReplyDeletePat. Do you know if this is Merkley's draft year? I thought it was next year, but I don't know the cut off for birthdays.
ReplyDeleteCan you help?
Thanks,
Darren
Yes it is. He's ranked 111th.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat, appreciate it. For some reason I thought his draft year was next year, but I also don't know the cut off date.
ReplyDeleteDarren
I'm surprised Erkamps isn't on the list... he is short for what NHL teams prefer for D-men, but I thought he had enough attributes to be in the top 150 at least.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind the average WHL team only has 2 players drafted each year... for Preston's first test of his own chosen players, this isn't too bad of a year.
Darren, it's always the year in which a player turns 18... unless you're born between Sept 15 and Dec 31.
ReplyDeleteSo for this upcoming NHL draft, it's the 1995's and late 1994's.
Specifically, the guys born in those 365 days from Sept 15, 1994 to Sept 14, 1995
K, thanks Anon......tough to keep track!
ReplyDeleteDarren
Worth noting, Anon 9:42 p.m. that none of those players will get drafted, they are simply ranked. Once you add in the Euros, they won't be picked. So after a "youth movement" that resulted in three of the franchise's worst seasons ever, they will not see a single player drafted.
ReplyDeleteWhy won't any of them get picked? There were 136 North American skaters chosen in the 2012 NHL Draft. And this Central Scouting ranking is the opinion of only one organization. Each of the 30 NHL teams have totally different rankings, especially in the later rounds.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, disappointing rankings. With a BETTER TEAM, these 3 and other Canes would be playing and showing much much better. In 4 seasons, NO DRAFTS, NO SELECTIONS TO ELITE TOURNAMENTS, NO CANES TO PROSPECTS GAMES,etc14. Must be disheartening for the players and their families.
ReplyDeleteIn the last 5 years the average number of WHL players drafted per year is 35 or 1.6 players per team. Never say never, but I don't like the odds for the 95's on this team.
ReplyDeleteI can see a player like Erkamps or even Watson getting a free agent tryout, but the chances of them being drafted are not in their favour.
ReplyDeleteMerkley is ranked #111, but since RP gave up on him, Watson is his highest ranking player to date: #182 (I expect Merkley to move up since he's now getting a chance to play with skilled players in Swift).
Can't give RP much more than a C grade for his bantam drafts to this point of his GM career.
Darren
I would argue that by practically giving away his highest Bantam pick ever and number 3 overall, at age 17, for a 3rd round pick and (argueably) just an average enforcer (Derko) in return, Preston earns an F-grade for his drafting and development role with the Canes.
ReplyDeleteI am expecting the Canes to receive a good ole fashion drubbing in Portland this Friday. Going to get the webcast anyway with hopes that I am proven wrong. Richie.
I think it's time to move forward and get over the merely trade. It is done and there are a lot of other players who have a lot of potential on the team. The focus should be on developing the skills of the players we have, something I'm not sure is a strength of RP. The board needs to recognize that it has a responsibility to develop the players and needs to provide the team with someone who can accomplish that. If players continually improve and develop other things will fall into place.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the frustration with the coach the team needs continued fan support!
Richie.......I guess I was giving RP the benefit of the doubt for drafting Pilon, who I think is a young, nice looking defenceman.
ReplyDeletePat.
ReplyDeleteAre we going into the game with a full squad? Ramsay, Derko, Russ, Henry? HLR
Nope. Maxwell is still questionable and I don't think Derko is gonna play this weekend. Henry should return and Ramsay is back for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnon Jan.17 10pm (this is getting ridiculous....put a handle on it for crying out loud!)
ReplyDeleteHow do you "get passed" the concept of a GM who doesn't know how to GM? The whole thing is connected. The trade isn't coming off Preston's resume. It will be used as a reference as to Preston's ability to manage from this point forward, so stop telling people to get passed it.
I'm still keeping an eye on Merkley's progress because I want to see how he develops when he gets quality minutes as opposed to what he was getting here.
Another question: How else do you think the fans should show/voice their displeasure with the current coach/GM if we continue to pay money for a product we are not happy with??
Darren
Darren:
ReplyDelete"Another question: How else do you think the fans should show/voice their displeasure with the current coach/GM if we continue to pay money for a product we are not happy with??"
Does this mean that is you discontinue paying money for a product you are not happy with you will quite filling the comment section on every one of Pat's blogs about your displeasure with Preston's performance? Because if that's the case we would be all for you not renewing your season tickets. Like the man said the Merkley deal is done. Move on until you have something different to complain about. Please. We beg you.
Question is, does Darren have season tickets? I have supported this team for 25 seasons, I will not dump my season tickets. The main reason is that it supports the players. I am there for them.
ReplyDeleteDarren could really show his metal if he attended the Hurricanes next "Town Hall" meeting in March. It is an open session with some of the board and Preston. He could confront RP with all his questions and comments he posts on here. I was at the first one and the questions/comments were welcomed.
JBL
I think an NHL team drafting Erkamps will get a real steal. Why he isn't on the CSS list is a real shocker as from what I have seen last year and this year he should be. Maybe not a first or second rounder but he should be looked at. Pilon will be a great player in this league but Erkamps is showing him how it is done and with the injury to Johnston it has been Erkamps who has picked up the slack. Tons of game minutes on the PP and PK plus on the ice at crucial times.
ReplyDelete