Julie Robenhymer: NCAA Free Agent Update

Julie, do you think Chris Brown (Michigan) will sign with Phoenix at the end of his season?

Julie, do you think Chris Brown (Michigan) will sign with Phoenix at the end of his season?
- hbk

It's a possibility....but he's witnessed a lot of guys leave Michigan too early and spend time in the A. I think he'd only do it if his name is penciled in on the roster for him to earn. If there's no room for him, why go to San Antonio when he's got a great situation in Ann Arbor?

It's a possibility....but he's witnessed a lot of guys leave Michigan too early and spend time in the A. I think he'd only do it if his name is penciled in on the roster for him to earn. If there's no room for him, why go to San Antonio when he's got a great situation in Ann Arbor?
- jules

I got the impression last summer that the Phoenix management weren't enthralled with his decision to play this year at Michigan. Anyway you slice it though Brown is likely going to need some AHL seasoning to get used to the pro game and the 82 game schedule. He needs to play at a better level of competition at some point. Does he want to be a pro hockey player or does he want to be big man on campus? That's one of the reasons we saw Jack Johnson get dealt by Carolina and I remember Lambardi being very critical at the state of Johnson's game because of the time he spent in the Michigan system. I believe the term he used to describe Johnson was "clueless" on his defensive zone responsibilities.

That being said, Phoenix's depth on forward is mediocre at best. Pyatt is a UFA at season's end and it's doubtful that he will be back. There's no shortage of opportunity for Brown to step in and steal a spot as early as next season. Of course if the franchise moves and Whitney and Doan are not retained than it becomes even easier for Brown to step into a immediate NHL role.

Julie Robenhymer: NCAA Free Agent Update
- jules

Have you had a chance to watch Kyle Bigos play this year?

I got the impression last summer that the Phoenix management weren't enthralled with his decision to play this year at Michigan. Anyway you slice it though Brown is likely going to need some AHL seasoning to get used to the pro game and the 82 game schedule. He needs to play at a better level of competition at some point. Does he want to be a pro hockey player or does he want to be big man on campus? That's one of the reasons we saw Jack Johnson get dealt by Carolina and I remember Lambardi being very critical at the state of Johnson's game because of the time he spent in the Michigan system. I believe the term he used to describe Johnson was "clueless" on his defensive zone responsibilities.

That being said, Phoenix's depth on forward is mediocre at best. Pyatt is a UFA at season's end and it's doubtful that he will be back. There's no shortage of opportunity for Brown to step in and steal a spot as early as next season. Of course if the franchise moves and Whitney and Doan are not retained than it becomes even easier for Brown to step into a immediate NHL role.
- hbk

I believe your assessment of Michigan's program is.....cloudy. And comparing the development of an offensive defenseman who was the third over all pick to a defensive forward with offensive capabilities selected in the second round is skewed.

Michigan is a fantastic program that regularly develops NHL talent and you only have to look at Carl Hagelin in New York to see how well they teach the importance of defense and positioning at both ends of the ice. To say spending an extra year there would be a waste of time is like saying Kate Upton needs to hit the gym....it's just not true. Phoenix wanted him to sign because he's cheap and is the type of player every team would like on their roster. You asked if he wants to be a professional hockey player and the answer is no. He wants to be an NHL player and when he - and many other guys...like Chris Kreider and Jeff Schultz - make the jump to the pro ranks, he wants to be sure that he's in the best position he possibly can to not only make the team, but to be an impact player. Whether that will happen or not is debatable, but each player is allowed to take the advice of others and make what they feel is the best decision for them as to how to be ready to make that jump.

Have you had a chance to watch Kyle Bigos play this year?
- LoveGun

Absolutely...actually just saw him again this past weekend against Lowell. The Oilers hold his rights and while it seemed like the two had parted ways, the powers that be in Edmonton have taken a renewed interest in the past 24 months. He's big and strong and plays sound positioning with a healthy dose of spit and vinegar. Will be curious to see how things go for him after the season.

Who do you think's the closer to the NHL as far as UFA goaltenders go?

I really like Rawlings.

Also I remember Dell had an invite to the Habs rookie camp last year, is he ready to make the jump to the pros?

Who do you think's the closer to the NHL as far as UFA goaltenders go?

I really like Rawlings.

Also I remember Dell had an invite to the Habs rookie camp last year, is he ready to make the jump to the pros?

I believe your assessment of Michigan's program is.....cloudy. And comparing the development of an offensive defenseman who was the third over all pick to a defensive forward with offensive capabilities selected in the second round is skewed.

Michigan is a fantastic program that regularly develops NHL talent and you only have to look at Carl Hagelin in New York to see how well they teach the importance of defense and positioning at both ends of the ice. To say spending an extra year there would be a waste of time is like saying Kate Upton needs to hit the gym....it's just not true. Phoenix wanted him to sign because he's cheap and is the type of player every team would like on their roster. You asked if he wants to be a professional hockey player and the answer is no. He wants to be an NHL player and when he - and many other guys...like Chris Kreider and Jeff Schultz - make the jump to the pro ranks, he wants to be sure that he's in the best position he possibly can to not only make the team, but to be an impact player. Whether that will happen or not is debatable, but each player is allowed to take the advice of others and make what they feel is the best decision for them as to how to be ready to make that jump.
- jules

Phoenix has done well with Chris Summers who spent his 4 years at Michigan. I'm not disputing the quality of the program I'm merely pointing out that by delaying the start of his career Brown may be costing himself in his development. I love NCAA hockey but at some point you need to move on to a higher level of competition to promote your development. In some players this is 2 years of NCAA. Others it is 3. I'm not sold in Brown's case that he needs the 4th year.

Justin Schultz, not Jeff Schultz of the Capitals. Also any thoughts on Mark Zengerle of WI, have you heard any scouts interest in him?

Justin Schultz, not Jeff Schultz of the Capitals. Also any thoughts on Mark Zengerle of WI, have you heard any scouts interest in him?
- WISCOBadger

You are so right that his name is Justin.....this is what happens when you write a blog while watching a game on your DVR at the same time!!! LOL

Mark is a tricky one. He's had great numbers on a lackluster team which is causing a lot of heads to turn, but I'm not sold that he's ready for the NHL...teams are interested though. The question is, to what extent?

You are so right that his name is Justin.....this is what happens when you write a blog while watching a game on your DVR at the same time!!! LOL

Mark is a tricky one. He's had great numbers on a lackluster team which is causing a lot of heads to turn, but I'm not sold that he's ready for the NHL...teams are interested though. The question is, to what extent?
- jules

I hope he doesn't leave, first as a Badger fan, and secondly since I've seen other players leave before they were ready...Skille, Turris, Golabef...but then again players I wasn't expecting to leave have left and done well right away, Stepan, McDonagh, C. Smith, Gardiner (I think Schultz was the best player on the team last year and both Smith and Gardiner are regulars in the NHL this year.) I feel like Mark needs another year to add strength and improve his defensive game. His vision is good and he's taking more shots that he did as a freshman and is playing some pk but he still has room to grow in the college game.

Absolutely...actually just saw him again this past weekend against Lowell. The Oilers hold his rights and while it seemed like the two had parted ways, the powers that be in Edmonton have taken a renewed interest in the past 24 months. He's big and strong and plays sound positioning with a healthy dose of spit and vinegar. Will be curious to see how things go for him after the season.
- jules

I remember reading about the Oilers looking to get Bigos into the AHL for next season. I just don't remember hearing a how he was progressing.

Anything you can tell canuck fans about our prospects? I don't follow the NCAA at all, but there seems to be some putting up numbers there, like Patrick Mcnally, Joseph Labate, Jeremy Price, and Joe Cannata

Apparently the habs are in on JT Brown and DeKeyser

Anything you can tell canuck fans about our prospects? I don't follow the NCAA at all, but there seems to be some putting up numbers there, like Patrick Mcnally, Joseph Labate, Jeremy Price, and Joe Cannata
- nuck

I've seen LaBate play in all the home games this year, and he's really picked up his game nicely. Big guy, played some center and recently spent some time on the wing on the top line. He's gotta get stronger and use his big frame more to punish opponents, but I think he's come on strong the second half and is turning into a real good player

I hope the Wings sign Danny DeKeyser and take a huge run at JT Brown. Dekeyser also played with Jim Nill's son and Nill is good friends with his parents which i hope along with everything else, gets him to sign with the Wings.

The only disadvantage for the Wings when it comes to signing free agent kids like that is they can't promise them roster spots right away like other teams can...that has to be earned with the Wings and they like them to prove themselves in the AHL first which some of these kids think they don't need.

Apparently the habs are in on JT Brown and DeKeyser
- QuebecPride

To be clear, EVERY team is in on these two players....they are all trying to convince them that their club will provide them the best opportunity to play in the NHL. Just depends on what that player wants to accomplish and how big of an impact they want to have right away.

As mentioned above, some teams like their prospects to prove themselves in the A - although in Detroit's defense, when was the last time they had a Top Ten draft pick, heck, maybe even Top 20, that wouldn't need some more time to develop? - where as others are more willing to throw them off the deep end and see if they can swim. These players are in a very unique situation where they have a lot more control on their development path than guys who have been drafted. I wouldn't call it a perk, but it definitely could be an advantage if used properly.

To be clear, EVERY team is in on these two players....they are all trying to convince them that their club will provide them the best opportunity to play in the NHL. Just depends on what that player wants to accomplish and how big of an impact they want to have right away.

As mentioned above, some teams like their prospects to prove themselves in the A - although in Detroit's defense, when was the last time they had a Top Ten draft pick, heck, maybe even Top 20, that wouldn't need some more time to develop? - where as others are more willing to throw them off the deep end and see if they can swim. These players are in a very unique situation where they have a lot more control on their development path than guys who have been drafted. I wouldn't call it a perk, but it definitely could be an advantage if used properly.
- jules

True the Wings prospects always need more time because of where they are picked but even when they are ready, the Wings still like to keep them in the AHL for a bit longer...Helm, Abdelkader, Ericsson all played in the playoffs and played in the AHL for a full season after that even if they showed they were ready for the NHL. Smith and Nyquist this year could have been on the roster full time but the Wings kept them in Grand Rapids. Wings do this so the kids can play a lot in all situations in the AHL (they wouldn't get that in Detroit) but also this gives them NHL ready youngsters to call up incase of injuries instead of throwing kids that are not ready and risk shaking their confidence.

There is also the fact that college players don't play a lot of games compared to the AHL, NHL or even CHL which have longer and harder seasons. Sometimes college players (some coming from Euro leagues too) tend to drop off in the 2nd half of an AHL or NHL season because they are not use to playing that many games. Some are able to handle it like Nyquist this year who is still a little over a point per game in the AHL but the Wings don't want to find that out in the NHL and risk having to send that player down mid season and screw with his confidence. Better to let them prove it in the AHL and then bring them up if they show they can handle it.

I think that works against the Wings when it comes to these young UFA's because they just want to play in the NHL as fast as possible and the Wings like to bring them along slowly and know they are more than ready after they have proven themselves in the AHL. What those kids should look at is once they have proven themselves in the AHL for the Wings, the Wings could show lots of patience with them at the NHL level and give them the best chance to stick and learn from some of the best players in the world which could be worth it for them for a long career.