I often wonder if there has ever been hockey players who learned to skate better as they got older, and were they a better skater at 22 then they were at 17?
- vabeachbear

Oh yea, Vbear, I feel safe saying kids out of the NTDP get the very best on and off ice coaching/instruction of any prospects in the world. But, it's not NHL level...... For sure, kids can and do improve their skating once hockey becomes their job and nothing takes time away from improving.

Just saw Demidov walking from the show at the Fontainebleau. He is bigger than I thought. Wide shoulders. I saw Levshunov and said, "Blackhawks are picking you tomorrow night." He said, "We will see tomorrow." Ran into Frank Seravelli. He asked me where we were from and when I said Chicago, he said, "I can't understand why everyone is so down on the young defensemen. It takes a while to get good in the NHL and they will be good."

Oh yea, Vbear, I feel safe saying kids out of the NTDP get the very best on and off ice coaching/instruction of any prospects in the world. But, it's not NHL level...... For sure, kids can and do improve their skating once hockey becomes their job and nothing takes time away from improving.
- Mr Ricochet

Look at where the best skaters are coming from, it’s pretty equal from Europe, Canada and the U.S. Ever hear of the PEP Centre of Excellence? All the OHL teams utilize them for top tier skating coaching. I’m sure the QMJHL and WHL and USHL and all European junior teams have the equivalent. Not sure how you can make such a broad all encompassing statement unless you’ve seen every training center? I know I wouldn’t make such a definitive statement.

Guess I want to get in on the Mikheyev add.... First time I became aware of him was with the Leafs and I zeroed in for fantasy purposes. I saw a really high motor, lotta compete, very good forechecker. A hungry disruptive player.

That was yrs ago now. Seems he gave enough glimpses he'd get top 6 looks on two very talented teams but never stuck and was moved down and spent 80% of his 270 NHL games in a bottom 6 role. ... That said he accumulated .49 pts per game, in a bottom 6 role.

That's good, especially on a team like Hawks. His .49 pts per comes out to 40 pts a season over his 270 NHL games. Last yr only Bedard and Kurashev had more than 40 pts!

6ft 2in, plus speed, 40 pts a yr, good motor, fancies say a 3 zone player. .... I like the add especially if Lafferty gets inked. .........

Just saw Demidov walking from the show at the Fontainebleau. He is bigger than I thought. Wide shoulders. I saw Levshunov and said, "Blackhawks are picking you tomorrow night." He said, "We will see tomorrow." Ran into Frank Seravelli. He asked me where we were from and when I said Chicago, he said, "I can't understand why everyone is so down on the young defensemen. It takes a while to get good in the NHL and they will be good."
- stevefrmglencoe

If Levshunov or any other defenseman is projected as a top pairing guy, the Hawks have no choice but to select him. But Levshunov has been dropping in some draft rankings Buium seems to be the odds on favorite as best defenseman in this draft on some final lists. If Levshunov or Buium isn’t projected as a top pairing guy then there are three or four guys to choose at number 2.

Look at where the best skaters are coming from, it’s pretty equal from Europe, Canada and the U.S. Ever hear of the PEP Centre of Excellence? All the OHL teams utilize them for top tier skating coaching. I’m sure the QMJHL and WHL and USHL and all European junior teams have the equivalent. Not sure how you can make such a broad all encompassing statement unless you’ve seen every training center? I know I wouldn’t make such a definitive statement.
- paulr

Hockey USA pours millions into the NTDP. Is Oshawa, Medicine Hat, Erie blessed with near unlimited resources? ........ The NTDP is unique world wide in that it has 2 teams where the very top of the hockey population is recruited to play. That doesn't happen anywhere else, for any team/organIzation, in the world.

I do feel comfortable saying the NTDP is the most resourced jr organIzation in the world and yes, that means 10 months of every single day of each yr the very best coaching and science in the world that money can buy.

Just saw Demidov walking from the show at the Fontainebleau. He is bigger than I thought. Wide shoulders. I saw Levshunov and said, "Blackhawks are picking you tomorrow night." He said, "We will see tomorrow." Ran into Frank Seravelli. He asked me where we were from and when I said Chicago, he said, "I can't understand why everyone is so down on the young defensemen. It takes a while to get good in the NHL and they will be good."
- stevefrmglencoe

Great you made it safe, Steve. Enjoy!!....... Thanks for any scoop you post. Very much appreciated.

Hockey USA pours millions into the NTDP. Is Oshawa, Medicine Hat, Erie blessed with near unlimited resources? ........ The NTDP is unique world wide in that it has 2 teams where the very top of the hockey population is recruited to play. That doesn't happen anywhere else, for any team/organIzation, in the world.

I do feel comfortable saying the NTDP is the most resourced jr organIzation in the world and yes, that means 10 months of every single day of each yr the very best coaching and science in the world that money can buy.
- Mr Ricochet

In your original post you said the best coaching now you’re saying best resourced. And no Oshawa, North Bay, Medicine Hat, Quebec don’t have near unlimited resources …. But Hockey Canada does as I’m sure hockey Sweden, Hockey Finland, Hockey Russia ….

Nashville re-signed Juros to an 8 year deal with a $7.5 million AAV. I wonder if this makes Askarov available?

Nashville re-signed Juros to an 8 year deal with a $7.5 million AAV. I wonder if this makes Askarov available?
- DarthKane

Sign and trade with Toronto for Marner

In your original post you said the best coaching now you’re saying best resourced. And no Oshawa, North Bay, Medicine Hat, Quebec don’t have near unlimited resources …. But Hockey Canada does as I’m sure hockey Sweden, Hockey Finland, Hockey Russia ….
- paulr

Does SWE, FIN, RUS or CAN have ONE national team that plays together ALL yr? No, the USA does (the USNTDP) and it's flooded with money and resources which allows them to BUY the best coaching and science available.

In my original post I said unlimited resources allows the NTDP to purchase the best that money can buy. It was reasonably assumed the reader would connect "most resourced" and "best money can buy" meant the best coaching/science on and off the ice...

My second post is in no way any kind of a walk back of the NTDP having the best coaching/instruction/science of any jrs organIzation on earth. My 3rd, 4th and 17th comment would be the same and I feel comfortable making that statement each time.

Nashville re-signed Juros to an 8 year deal with a $7.5 million AAV. I wonder if this makes Askarov available?
- DarthKane

Sign and trade?....... Juros is one helluv an asset and Askarov is one helluva prospect.

Nashville re-signed Juros to an 8 year deal with a $7.5 million AAV. I wonder if this makes Askarov available?
- DarthKane

Correction: the cap hit is $7.74 (Juros wears #74)

Does SWE, FIN, RUS or CAN have ONE national team that plays together ALL yr? No, the USA does (the USNTDP) and it's flooded with money and resources which allows them to BUY the best coaching and science available.

In my original post I said unlimited resources allows the NTDP to purchase the best that money can buy. It was reasonably assumed the reader would connect "most resourced" and "best money can buy" meant the best coaching/science on and off the ice...

My second post is in no way any kind of a walk back of the NTDP having the best coaching/instruction/science of any jrs organIzation on earth. My 3rd, 4th and 17th comment would be the same and I feel comfortable making that statement each time.
- Mr Ricochet

Geez Rico you’re beginning to sound like an American Don Cherry, you don’t happen to have a dog named Blue?

Correction: the cap hit is $7.74 (Juros wears #74)
- DarthKane

Saros is an anomaly in today’s NHL, a goalie who is under 6’0

Andrew Mangiapane To the Caps for a second. KD sleeping once again.

Geez Rico you’re beginning to sound like an American Don Cherry, you don’t happen to have a dog named Blue?
- paulr

There are quite a few times over the yrs as I watch the NTDP and am trying to evaluate and see a kid with some flaws while he's in his 2nd yr with The Program I think the kid has the best coaching and still has problems.

Not that I write it down but I do file away a question mark on a kid who's development is slowish despite the resources allowed the NTDP.

Just saw Demidov walking from the show at the Fontainebleau. He is bigger than I thought. Wide shoulders. I saw Levshunov and said, "Blackhawks are picking you tomorrow night." He said, "We will see tomorrow." Ran into Frank Seravelli. He asked me where we were from and when I said Chicago, he said, "I can't understand why everyone is so down on the young defensemen. It takes a while to get good in the NHL and they will be good."
- stevefrmglencoe

Thanks for the comments. Keep them coming.

Assuming the Hawks keep picks 2 and 18, who does everyone think the Hawks will draft tomorrow? Not who you want, but who you think KD will pick.

My guess:

2 - Levshunov
18 - Hage

Assuming the Hawks keep picks 2 and 18, who does everyone think the Hawks will draft tomorrow? Not who you want, but who you think KD will pick.

My guess:

2 - Levshunov
18 - Hage
- DarthKane

2- Demidov
18 - Eiserman

Assuming the Hawks keep picks 2 and 18, who does everyone think the Hawks will draft tomorrow? Not who you want, but who you think KD will pick.

My guess:

2 - Levshunov
18 - Hage
- DarthKane

Demidov at 2
Hage at 18

Decent trade for a guy who at least knows what defense is. Lafferty is a meh for me. Like the guy but he should never be signed for anything more than a vet min deal at 1 year. He was scratched by Toronto and Vancouver in the playoffs. Any more than a year is insane. yeah yeah cap blah blah. He only has value, if any, on an expiring contract.


I don't know who is going to draft Eiserman but someone is going to get one pissed off hombre. This is a kid who will still be 17 until two months after the draft.

Demidov and Chernyshov are my picks/guesses at 2 and 18.

Assuming the Hawks keep picks 2 and 18, who does everyone think the Hawks will draft tomorrow? Not who you want, but who you think KD will pick.

My guess:

2 - Levshunov
18 - Hage
- DarthKane

My guess

2- Levshunov

18 - Michael Brandsegg Nygard

Decent trade for a guy who at least knows what defense is. Lafferty is a meh for me. Like the guy but he should never be signed for anything more than a vet min deal at 1 year. He was scratched by Toronto and Vancouver in the playoffs. Any more than a year is insane. yeah yeah cap blah blah. He only has value, if any, on an expiring contract.


I don't know who is going to draft Eiserman but someone is going to get one pissed off hombre. This is a kid who will still be 17 until two months after the draft.

Demidov and Chernyshov are my picks/guesses at 2 and 18.
- Elbows15

Eiserman sure took a nosedive. You’d think that offensive upside would have kept him in the top five.

One guy who intrigues me is Stian Solberg, a similar guy as Moritz Seider, good skater, some skill, defensive defenseman who is meaner than (frank). Get him to rein in the hit everything that moves and play a more responsible game where he hits when there’s an opportunity and you have a guy who can fit in as the second pairing shutdown guy.

Eiserman sure took a nosedive. You’d think that offensive upside would have kept him in the top five.

One guy who intrigues me is Stian Solberg, a similar guy as Moritz Seider, good skater, some skill, defensive defenseman who is meaner than (frank). Get him to rein in the hit everything that moves and play a more responsible game where he hits when there’s an opportunity and you have a guy who can fit in as the second pairing shutdown guy.
- paulr

Eiserman is 9 days from being in next year's draft. Of course he game has immaturity. Falling in the draft will humble him and he is going to a program that will help him work on his flaws.

I hope he is there at 18 and the Hawks take him. I want the kid who is pissed off.

The guy I hope they land is Skahan in the 2nd rd. He is big, mobile and mean. Plus RH.