The old geezer
Registered User
- Feb 10, 2007
- 715
- 0
With a lower quality than usual on-ice product expected for the HFNHL Red Wings their fans need something to look forward to and so we take a quick look at some prospects having made their NHL debuts this season as well as a couple progressing in their sophomore seasons.
Brandon McMillan (ANA rookie) – Coming off a strong WJC last year Brandon found himself called up early this year by Anaheim. Having started on the 4th line McMillan has seen his ice time increasing due to his versatile two way play and accordingly is starting to contribute offensively. He currently has 5 points in 18 games and could be a guy to watch in the 2nd half.
Luca Sbisa (ANA rookie) – While this is his 3rd taste of the NHL at only 20 years of age this year he has stuck with the team and still qualifies as a rookie. After two years of constant movement where he played for 4 different teams and represented Switzerland internationally 3 times he really needed to settle in with one team and get back on track. Despite some small nagging injuries to start the year these are not hopefully behind him and his game has been improving. Sbisa just recently recorded his first NHL goal.
Mike Weber (BUF rookie) – The log jam on the blueline in Buffalo has resulted in there being a rotation of guys in and out of the lineup thereby limiting him to only 17 games so far. Despite the limited playing time, Weber’s physical defensive play has again been excellent as he currently leads the team in +/- and hits per game. He is also 2nd in blocked shots per game on the team. Weber has also managed to chip in 4 pts (2 goals).
Could it be that a 2nd round draft pick by GM Niece isn’t going to be a complete bust?
Ryan Wilson (COL sophomore) – Proving he wasn’t a one year wonder and that you can’t always trust those scouting reports. Undrafted in the NHL or HFNHL the book on Wilson coming out of Junior was he was an offense only dman with skating issues and a defensive liability. Well Wilson’s offense has been moderate at the NHL level (on pace for 2nd 20 point season) but is currently 2nd in hits per game, 3rd in blocked shots, and is again among Colorado’s best +/- players.
Mike Santorelli (FLA sophomore) – Just when it looked like Santorelli may forever be an AHL star that couldn’t take his game to the next level he gets moved to Florida and finds a home. Originally coach Deboer reportedly kept him on the team primarily for his face-off ability and he saw limited ice time. As the season progressed his ice time improved and he is now playing top 6 minutes and the offense is coming. Santorelli is currently tied for the team lead in goals with 10 markers and leads the team in shooting percentage.
Jacob Jossefson (NJ rookie) – Not the start he was looking for. Joseffson was injured in training camp missing most of it. He still made the opening night roster and then hurt his hand in the first or second game. After trying to play with the injury for a half dozen games he was moved to IR.
Speculation is that he will finally return in the next week or two so let’s hope he’s healthy and can get things on track.
Brett MacLean (PHX rookie) – Hopefully MacLean is on his way but it’s too early to know. He was called up this week and scored in his debut.
Cedrick Desjardins (TB rookie) – Like MacLean he just played his first NHL last night and against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens at that. Having gotten the win and only giving up a single goal lets hope he gets a few more auditions.
Jay Beagle (WSH rookie) – Yes he still qualifies as a rookie. Beagle has already equaled his most number of NHL games played (7) and has produced 2 goals from the 4th line.
Ok so there’s nobody threatening to run away with the Calder Trophy here but there’s a few pieces shaping up as potential HFNHL Red Wings and heaven knows we need all the help we can get at every position and role
Have a happy New Years guys.
Brandon McMillan (ANA rookie) – Coming off a strong WJC last year Brandon found himself called up early this year by Anaheim. Having started on the 4th line McMillan has seen his ice time increasing due to his versatile two way play and accordingly is starting to contribute offensively. He currently has 5 points in 18 games and could be a guy to watch in the 2nd half.
Luca Sbisa (ANA rookie) – While this is his 3rd taste of the NHL at only 20 years of age this year he has stuck with the team and still qualifies as a rookie. After two years of constant movement where he played for 4 different teams and represented Switzerland internationally 3 times he really needed to settle in with one team and get back on track. Despite some small nagging injuries to start the year these are not hopefully behind him and his game has been improving. Sbisa just recently recorded his first NHL goal.
Mike Weber (BUF rookie) – The log jam on the blueline in Buffalo has resulted in there being a rotation of guys in and out of the lineup thereby limiting him to only 17 games so far. Despite the limited playing time, Weber’s physical defensive play has again been excellent as he currently leads the team in +/- and hits per game. He is also 2nd in blocked shots per game on the team. Weber has also managed to chip in 4 pts (2 goals).
Could it be that a 2nd round draft pick by GM Niece isn’t going to be a complete bust?
Ryan Wilson (COL sophomore) – Proving he wasn’t a one year wonder and that you can’t always trust those scouting reports. Undrafted in the NHL or HFNHL the book on Wilson coming out of Junior was he was an offense only dman with skating issues and a defensive liability. Well Wilson’s offense has been moderate at the NHL level (on pace for 2nd 20 point season) but is currently 2nd in hits per game, 3rd in blocked shots, and is again among Colorado’s best +/- players.
Mike Santorelli (FLA sophomore) – Just when it looked like Santorelli may forever be an AHL star that couldn’t take his game to the next level he gets moved to Florida and finds a home. Originally coach Deboer reportedly kept him on the team primarily for his face-off ability and he saw limited ice time. As the season progressed his ice time improved and he is now playing top 6 minutes and the offense is coming. Santorelli is currently tied for the team lead in goals with 10 markers and leads the team in shooting percentage.
Jacob Jossefson (NJ rookie) – Not the start he was looking for. Joseffson was injured in training camp missing most of it. He still made the opening night roster and then hurt his hand in the first or second game. After trying to play with the injury for a half dozen games he was moved to IR.
Speculation is that he will finally return in the next week or two so let’s hope he’s healthy and can get things on track.
Brett MacLean (PHX rookie) – Hopefully MacLean is on his way but it’s too early to know. He was called up this week and scored in his debut.
Cedrick Desjardins (TB rookie) – Like MacLean he just played his first NHL last night and against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens at that. Having gotten the win and only giving up a single goal lets hope he gets a few more auditions.
Jay Beagle (WSH rookie) – Yes he still qualifies as a rookie. Beagle has already equaled his most number of NHL games played (7) and has produced 2 goals from the 4th line.
Ok so there’s nobody threatening to run away with the Calder Trophy here but there’s a few pieces shaping up as potential HFNHL Red Wings and heaven knows we need all the help we can get at every position and role
Have a happy New Years guys.
