Review of Seventieslord Top-100 Selections:
Before anything, I will acknowledge where acknowledgement is due: Seventieslord, it was pure pleasure reading your biographies. As I said earlier, it was the most fun I had in 2010 on this site, after the All-Time Draft. It's obvious you put a lot of effort and research into it, and the results is fantastic. Good job!
I will separate the players in multiples categories (ATD, MLD, AAA, AA, A, Unworthy selection), and write a couple of words beside each selection. Simple enough!
All-Time Draft Worthy:
Minor League Draft Worthy:
#13
Cesare Maniago, G: Big fan of Maniago. Just like Forbes, looking at stats only dosn't show the whole picture. If Vokoun, Fleury, Grahame, Mylnikov and Nicholson can be taking at this level, so is Maniago.
AAA Draft Worthy:
#1 -
Brandan Morrison, C: I'll disagree with your assesment: I think he was fine enough to be a (low) 2nd line at the AAA level. I don't think he was riding shotgun to Naslund and Bertuzzi as much as some made it out to be.
#3
Jakes Forbes, G: I had the urge to put him in the MLD category, but I restrain (and rightfully so). All and all, Forbes is a fantastic AAA starter, who was unfortunate enough to play with ridiculous bad teams over his entire career.
#6
Alexander Martyntuk, RW: I'm convince by his results in the early 70's that Martytuk would be good enough to warrant a spot in the AAA.
#12
Alexander Kozhevnikov, C: I could very well picture Kozkevnikov on an offensive 4th line at that level.
#15
Adam Brown, LW: Maybe just not enough talented to be a MLD 4th liner, but Brown is someone who could play on any AAA line, especially the bottom-2.
#42
Herbert Collins, G: If Tom Paton can be the #4selection in the MLD (and deservedly so), Collins is at the very least a middle of the pack AAA goaltender. Find some info on him, and he may skyrock into a MLD backup role. Very nice find.
#43
Ken Smith, LW: Definitely an elite 3rd line LW at the AA level. Would not look out of place in the AAA. (
EDIT: looking at the names in the AAA, he could slide in)
#52
Ted Nolan, Coach: Very big fan of Nolan. I watch him do his thing with the Islanders and afterwards with the Wildcats in the Q, and I believe is an amazing coach. Mind blowing he still hasn't got a 2nd chance in the NHL.
#99
Bert McCaffrey, D/RW: He's significant enough historically to be taken in the AAA. I think you're right and could of been an excellent NHL'er for many years.
AA Draft Worthy:
#2 -
Rockett Power, D: I would be hesitant to use him as a regular at the AAA level, because very few information is provided. His longevity and the quotes provided makes him a very serviciable, perhaps elite, two-way defender at this category.
#4 -
Parker MacDonald, LW: Due to historical scarcity of the position, MacDonald is definitely fine enough to warrant a position as an offensive player on a AA team. Too bad he was so non-descript outside his offense, because he could of slide nicely into a 4th line, PP specialist at the AAA level (although with all we know on him would be stretching it)
#5 -
Derek Morris, D: Non-descript, middle of the pack offensive defenseman at this level.
#7
Ron Sutter, coach: Rating coaches is definitely not my strong suit, but he would fill nicely alongside Wilson, Vigneault and Hartley in the AA draft.
#8
Joe Benoit, RW: I flip-flop between the AAA and AA for Benoit, but at the end his credential as a goalscorer are just short. However, as other WWII veteran, I think we can slightly cut him some slack for losing two prime years of hockey.
#10
Yevgeny Groshev, C: Looking at the list of centers at the AA level, Groshev would definitely be one of the best. Not good enough for the AAA though.
#11
Larry Cahan, D Just for the intimidating factor, he ought to be a regular in the AA draft. A very unspectacular player with a lengthly career: the definition of AA.
#14
Matti Hagman, C/LW: A definite 'what-if' player. He's perhaps the most talented player taken in the A draft.
#18
Ron Harris, D: A devastating hard-hitter.
#19
Rick Lapointe, D: A fine, middle of the pack, AA defenseman.
#20
Willie Huber, D: 3rd pairing, special team specialist
#24
Walt Poddubny, LW/C: I like enough his offensive prowess alongside his overall abilities to see him slide into a AA spot.
#27
Sid Abel, Coach: His lengthly career should be taken into consideration.
#30
John Chabot: Not an overly impressive career, but when I see Koivu, McDonald and Legwand slot into the 3rd line C position in the AA, Chabot was definitely good enough to overtake them.
#37
Hal Gill, D: I may (probably) be bias because of his playoff performance of last year with the Habs, but Gill impressive stature, PK ability and playoff experience (ans someone who elevate his play in the playoffs) Scream #6D, PK specialist at the AA level.
#38
Pekka Marjamaki, D: Another 'No-info Euro player', but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I have the filling a little digging on him could elevate his legacy.
#45
Greg Johnson, C: I really like the selection, definitely warrant a spot as a 3rd line C in the AA.
#46
Petri Skriko, RW/LW: A strong enough credential offensively, alongside versatility, to play in the AA. I see him as a 2nd line W with 2ndPK time.
#47
Mike Sillinger, C: Typical 4th liner at the AA level.
#49
Niklas Sundstrom, RW/LW: I don't know why I really liked him when he wore the Habs uniform: he definitely had his best years with the Sharks. I think he's a fine AA two-way player.
#50
Mike Buckna, Coach: Historically very significant.
#54
Vic Lynn, LW: A very good set of skills even at this level. He definitely a fine bottom-6 player in the AA draft.
#65
Gilles Villemure, G: I wouldn't rely on him as a starting job, but he's probably the best backup you could fine in the AA.
#75
Urpo Ylonen, G: Definitely has a good enough career to warrant a spot in the AA.
#79
Raimo Helminen, C: He could very easily center an offensive line in the 'AA'. Would not look out of place in the 'AAA'.
#80
Yanic Perreault, C: We talked about him earlier. A 4th line AA player should be his spot.
#82
Bill Hicke, RW: I really like the Hicke pick. He definitely would have a place on my AA top-2 RW spot.
#83
Jack Portland, D: When I'll have time, I'll try to dig a little more on him, because he seems to be an underrated player. As of right now, he remind me of an Hall Gill with better defensive abilities.
A Draft Worthy:
#9
Dan Hamhuis, D I could buy him as a #6D and PK specialist at the AA level. Not overly impress by his short career yet. I prefer having him in the A
#16
Frank McCool, G: One-season wonder in the most diluted season in the history of the NHL should only be taken because he's historically very significant and deserve mention.
#17
Richard Smehlik, D: As significant historically as where he got taken.
#21
Danny Lawson, RW: Just slightly not enough impressive to get a spot on a AA team, although he probably is elite at that level.
#22
Jim Conacher, LW: Probably strong enough talent-wise to be an AA player, but for him it's Top-6 or bust, and he dosn't cut it.
#23
Derek Roy, C: a worthy selection at this point.
#25
Bruce Boudreau, Coach: A non-descript coach in an All-Time Draft context until he bring his extremely talented team into playoff success. I'll give him enough credit on his pedigree outside the NHL to warrant a spot in here.
#26
Earl Robinson, RW: Been a fan of Robinson, overall a better selection than Jim Conacher. However, he's just a tiny-bit short out of a top-6 spot in the AA.
#28
Paul Gardner, C: An elite player at this point, but as you said, very unidimensional. Could see him as a 12thF, 1stPP guy in the AA. (Love the extra info on Gillies and Nystrom: why do I see these guys playing PK in the ATD! I'll remember that one ...)
#29
Mikhail Varnakov, RW Not enough info on him to put him in the Groshev, Hagman category, although he could very well deserve. (Thinking about it, we should really recruit the Russian equivalent of 70's, Nik Jr. or HO, let him dig Russian newspaper and book, it would be fantastic!)
#31
Bill Collins, RW: A specialist-only, even at this level.
#32
Dave Hannan, LW: See Collins.
#33
Ron Wilson, C: See Hannan (Although I like the concept of reuniting players together in the A)
#34
Tom Reid, D: Non-descript 'A level' defenseman.
#35
Vladimir Brezhnev, D: Probably a defenseman who deserve more recognition, but with no information available on him, I can't take him over players with full NHL-career with information on their play.
#36
J.P. Dumont, LW/RW: Where he deserve to be taken.
#39
Simon Nolet, RW See Dumont.
#40
Todd Gill, D: I won't put him in the unworthy list, but I'm very unimpress by Gill overall career. Borderline selection.
#41
Mark Hardy, D: I like the selection. Definitely a good pick for the A draft.
#44
Pat Price, D: Ok selection at this point
#48
Juha Widing, C: A good offensive player in the A.
#51
Bill Derlago, C: Decent selection at this point.
#53
Filip Kuba, D: A good 'A' defenseman, a workhorse a this level.
#55
Jason Woolley, D: A remember Woolley being horrendous defensively, but as you pointed out he definitely as a very strong offensive resume.
#56
Jean Potvin, D: Another middle-of-the-pack 'A' worthy selection.
#57
Archie Briden, LW: I looked a little bit into him, because I like those pre-1927 players I never heard of. And although is a very fine selection at this point, he's definitely nothing special.
#58
Keith McCreary, RW/LW: Kind of player that makes you win at this level. I really like the McCreary pick.
#59
Floyd Smith, RW: Another very fine two-way player for this level.
#60
John Brophy, Coach: The number of game he coached his quite astonishing, that alone deserve recognition.
#61
Ric Seiling, RW/C: Decent selection for the 'A'.
#62
Gerry Meehan, C: See McCreary.
#66
Danny Markov, D: Very few words comes to mind when it comes to Markov. Bottom-D in the 'A' I can accept that.
#67
Tom Poti, D: I would of hate that selection, until he came to Washington. I'm impress by his performances in the last few years.
#69
Murray Armstrong, C: Could see him play on an offensive oriented 4th line.
#70
Jochen Hecht, LW/C: Hecht definitely deserve recognition. I like this selection.
#71
Sibby Nichol, LW: See Briden.
#72
Scott Hartnell, LW: I see him as a strong 4th liner in the 'A'
#73
John Mariucci, D: I remember Mariucci as one of the toughest SOB of his time, while being a competent player.
#74
Tracy Pratt, D: Nothing spectacular IMO. A time-muncher in the 'A'.
#76
Curt Bennett, LW: A very fine bottom-6 forward.
#77
Chris Clark, LW/RW: I can buy him as a 4th liner who bring some intangible, but I'm not in awe of him. definitely a notch under Hartnell.
#78
Mel Hill, RW: ''Sudden Death'' Hill! A well-worthy selection in the 'A'. A magnificiant playoff performer, but after his playoff exploit, there's very few to say about him.
#81
Scott Walker, RW: Typical 4th liner.
#84
Bob Froese, G: A little bit more than a one-year wonder, but not enough to get a call up with the AA.
#85
Willy Lindstrom, RW: A fine selection at this point.
#86
Alf Smith, Coach: The only reason hes not higher on the list, it's because we have absolutely no info on his coaching career, other than stats.
#87
Dennis Herron, G: A fine backup in the 'A'.
#88
John Tortorella, Coach: Never been a fan of his, so it might be the only reason he's not in the AA category. Definitely has some good credential.
#89
John McKinnon, D: A potable selection at this point, although we have no clue on how he played the game.
#90
Marty Howe, D/RW: ''While no Gordie or Mark, Marty Howe was a very good player.'' I think that's one of my favourite hyperbole!
#91
Doug Halward, D: A fair spare.
#92
Valeri Nikitin, D/RW: Perhaps the best utility player in the 'A'.
#93
Jim Lorentz, F: Ok spare ... Nothing else to add.
#94
Jason Blake, LW: Think Islanders, not Toronto ... Islanders ... Ok, a fair selection at this point.
#95
Lucien DeBlois, F: I like Deblois, good pick.
#96
Matt Cullen, C: A fine-spare with a lengthly career.
#97
Benny Woit, D/RW: He actually was on my shortlist on my AAA team a couple of draft ago, but never was able to find a place for him. Definitely an excellent pick at this point.
#98
Bob Wall, D/LW: He's allright, but nothing earthshattering.
#100
Steve Konroyd, D: #100!
Unworthy Selection:
#63
Ethan Moreau, LW: I've seen enough of Moreau to think we are really scrapping the bottom of the barrel if he deserve all-time recognition. He's VERY non-descript. Leadership or not, his overall skillset is below everyone taken so far. I would call him the worst selection so far.
#64
Jason Pominville, RW: Very short career, although he's shown some great offensive flair. Considering he played so few years of decent hockey, I ought to believe theres a couple of players with more career credential than Pominville.
#68
Dan McGillis, D: You may be right, but my memory tells me: Dan McGillis, really?
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I'm probably overrating some selection. However, I'm looking at the players in the AAA and AA and thinking: was this player better than him for the role he's asked for? Individually, he might deserve it, but if 3-4 players also deserve it, some of them would be pushed down into the lower category. Just look at my list as 100 individual selection, as the other 99 didn't existed when I decided their rank.
(Hope this make sense, I'm bloody tired!)
All Star Team:
Coach: Ted Nolan
Ass. Coach: Sid Abel
Ass. Coach: Ron Sutter
Adam Brown - Brandan Morrison - Joe Benoit
Parker MacDonald - Alexander Kozhevnikov - Alexander Martyntuk
Ken Smith - John Chabot - Vic Lynn
Matti Hagman - Yevgeny Groshev - Bert McCaffrey
Walt Poddubny
Bill Hicke
Rockett Power - Pekka Marjamaki
Derek Morris - Jack Portland
Larry Cahan - Ron Harris
Rick Lapointe
Cesare Maniago
Jake Forbes
Herbert Collins
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At last, special thanks to Zambomania and VanIslander for contributing in this thread.