titanium2

I just want to congratulate Tazer on a fantastic tournament. I think he should get the MVP but that's just me. Give it up for Toews!

This one goes out to all the fighting/enforcer/'real' toughness groupies. Position: Right Wing Shoots: Right Vitals: 6'3'' / 210 lbs. Birthdate: November 15, 1987 Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota Acquired: Detroit's sixth choice (191st overall) in the 2006 draft CSS Ranking: 200th North American skater (2006) Contract: None (must sign by Aug. 15, 2011) RWC Says: Checking Forward SCOUT COMMENTS "He's got good size, he competes, he loves to hit, and he's a good skater for his size. He needs to work on his puck skills. He's one of those guys we're banking away for five years and we'll see how he develops." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2006). STRENGTHS Swift-skating physical player ... Punishes opponents with hard hits ... Forechecks tenaciously and plays intense, aggressive game ... Strong along boards ... Wins battles ... Hard slap shot. WEAKNESSES Limited puck skills and hands ... Doesn't project as a scorer and lacks offensive upside ... Needs his offensive game to evolve over the next several years. PROJECTION The Red Wings draft Oslund in the hopes he would evolve into a hard-hitting role player, but that hope is down to the wire now. He has yet to show any offensive upside whatsoever at the NCAA level and will look to improve his numbers as a junior at St. Cloud State in 2010-11.

From their first prospects tournament game 9/11 in which the Wings won 6 to 1. http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/a2y/comments/red_wings_prospect_tournament_win_lopsided_in_more_ways_than_one/

http://www.redwingscentral.com/prospects/pulkkinen.php Position: Left Wing Shoots: Right Vitals: 5'11'' / 183 lbs. Birthdate: January 2, 1991 Hometown: Vantaa, Finland Acquired: Detroit's fourth choice (111st overall) in the 2010 draft SCOUT COMMENTS "He loves to have the puck, he loves being on the power play,and he shoots the puck all the time. He's like Jari Kurri. It's a nice thing to say, but it's true, and Jari Kurri wasn't the fastest skater either ... He's a goal-scorer, which is really hard to find these days, but he can also make plays. He has a good shot and he's so smart at finding openings." — Red Wings scout Ari Vuori (June 2010). STRENGTHS Described to The Hockey News by one scout as a "pure sniper" with "a great shot" and a "great release" ... Loves to shoot ... Has that dynamic feel as a right shot on the left wing, which opens him up for plenty of one-time opportunities ... Absolutely lethal on the power play ... Hockey sense is outstanding ... Innate knack for finding the spots on the ice in a way not unlike Brett Hull or Jari Kurri ... Underrated as a playmaker, as he has dished out some sweet feeds at the junior level. WEAKNESSES Skating is either average or below average, depending on which scout you ask, but without a doubt he lacks the top gear required of smaller wingers ... Skating and lack of size are a concerning combination ... Criticized in his draft year for spending too much time on the perimeter.

http://www.redwingscentral.com/prospects/jarnkrok.php Position: Center Shoots: Right Vitals: 5'11'' / 156 lbs. Birthdate: September 25, 1991 Hometown: Gavle, Sweden Acquired: Detroit's second choice (51st overall) in the 2010 draft STRENGTHS Exciting player capable of pulling off highlight-reel moves ... A great skater who carries the puck in top flight ... Slick, nifty skills and a great "keepaway" player ... More of a set-up man than a scorer ... Naturally-gifted offensively with soft hands ... At his best on the power play, when he has the time and space to show off his vast arsenal of skills ... Thinks the game well offensively. WEAKNESSES Simply put, he's rail thin with a listed weight of 156 pounds and won't make it without a serious off-ice dedication to training ... Likes to be the playmaker, but could stand to put the puck on net ... Will need heavy defensive schooling and should get it in the Red Wings' system.

http://www.redwingscentral.com/prospects/mrazek.php Position: Goaltender Catches: Left Vitals: 6'0'' / 162 lbs. Birthdate: February 14, 1992 Hometown: Ostrava, Czech Republic Acquired: Detroit's fifth choice (141st overall) in the 2010 draft CSS Ranking: 25th North American Goaltender (2010) SCOUT COMMENTS "He's not huge in the net but by the way he competes, he plays bigger than what he is. He's got real good athleticism, he moves well post-to-post and he never gives up on any shots. If you're not that big and you move quick and can read the play well as he does, it makes up for size." — Red Wings scout Joe McDonnell (June 2010). STRENGTHS No. 1 asset in the Red Wings' eyes is his competitiveness ... Never gives up on a play, either battling for a sight line or diving with a last-ditch effort to stop a puck ... Acrobatic and athletic ... Quick lateral mobility ... Tremendous focus and confidence, key assets for a goalie. WEAKNESSES The days of Chris Osgood-sized goaltenders are fading, and while Mrazek isn't that small, he's definitely below-average in that department ... Was only a late-round pick because scouts have had limited viewing: Mrazek has never carried the starting load. Can he?

http://www.redwingscentral.com/prospects/nestrasil.php As of 11/2/09 SCOUT COMMENTS "He's willing to pay the price every shift and he's ready to battle every shift. He's a big body, he throws his body around, he never refuses physical contact and he's always engaged ... He's not a guy you look at and say, 'He's going to be a third- or fourth-line guy in the NHL.' He's got more skill than that. If he keeps improving his skating, he could be a good offensive player in the NHL." — Victoriaville Tigres head coach Yanick Jean (June 2009) ... "He likes to take the puck to the net. He protects the puck well in the corners and he's got the hands to do it. He's got good size and he's just a good hockey player." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2009). STRENGTHS Has the offensive game of a new-age power forward ... Superb puck control, taking advantage of his ample size and strength ... Great down low and along the boards ... Capable hitter ... Willing to go into traffic and battle ... Terrific 1-on-1 moves and deadly on shootouts ... More of a playmaker with impressive vision ... Continues to take big steps forward in his development. WEAKNESSES Needs to pick up his skating speed and one-step quickness a few strides to be an NHLer, but will be a high-end prospect if he does ... Better speed would put more power behind his hits. PROJECTION The Red Wings have a highly-skilled top-six forward with size in the making if Nestrasil improves his skating, although his lack of speed was a big reason why he was still available in the third round of the 2009 draft. Nestrasil will be expected get a little bit faster, but should put up 80 to 90 points as a second-year QMJHLer with Victoriaville in 2009-10.

Position: Center Shoots: Left Vitals: 6'2'' / 202 lbs. Birthdate: December 7, 1991 Hometown: St. Catharines, Ontario Acquired: Detroit's first choice (21st overall) in the 2010 draft http://www.redwingscentral.com/prospects/sheahan.php SCOUT COMMENTS "We think he could be a point-producer for us, for sure. He's got a great feel of when to go into holes in the offensive zone below the tops of the circles. He finds places to go and get the puck. He has the ability to really beat guys down low with his size and he's a really strong kid. He can score and set up plays and he's pretty solid all-around offensively." — Red Wings scout Mark Leach (June 2010) ... "He's so mature for a kid his age ... He's equally good in all three zones and goes to the front of the net. He's very conscious in the defensive zone and down behind the net in the defensive corner — he makes certain his team isn't outnumbered. In the neutral zone, he makes all kinds of things happen but will get back and turn a transition if needed." — NHL Central Scouting scout Jack Barzee (2010) ... "I don't like to make comparisons with young players. It's not really fair to them. But he does remind me of Johan Franzen. He's got a big, thick body. He's been a big scorer. That's what we project him to be." — Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill (June 2010, MLive.com). STRENGTHS Went to college with a reputation for being a highly-skilled offensive player ... Showed he could play in any situation and thrive ... Described in The Hockey News by one scout as the "most complete player in the 2010 draft" ... Mature two-way game already ... Outstanding hockey sense in all three zones ... Solid size and strength ... Good stick skills and soft hands ... Capable of beating defenders 1-on-1 ... May have only scratched the surface of his scoring potential ... Has the raw tools to become an impact player at the NCAA level and perhaps beyond ... Drives through traffic and uses his impressive size to protect the puck ... Slightly more of a playmaker than a scorer. WEAKNESSES Described as a character player by his coaches, but he'll need to prove to doubters that an under-age drinking incident in April 2010 was just a hiccup ... Needs to produce more and should be given an opportunity to do so ... Will benefit from continued work on his foot-speed.

http://www.redwingscentral.com/prospects/aubry.php Position: Center Shoots: Left Vitals: 6'3'' / 186 lbs. Birthdate: November 11, 1991 Hometown: Arthabaska, Quebec Acquired: Detroit's third choice (81st overall) in the 2010 draft SCOUT COMMENTS "We project him as a third-line center. He's a good player, a good solid two-way player, good skater, very smart, smart on the puck, and he can dish the puck pretty well ... He plays pretty aggressive. I'm not going to say he's going to bowl you over but he's a guy who competes really hard for loose pucks in front and plays in the hard areas." — Red Wings scout Mark Leach (June 2010). STRENGTHS Two-way center ... Hockey sense is excellent at both ends of the ice ... Excels at the finer points of the game that are missed by other prospects his age: faceoffs, blocking shots and playing without the puck ... Hard-working competitor who doesn't shy away from traffic or puck battles ... Solid set-up man with good vision ... Good bloodlines: His father, Pierre, was a former NHLer with the Red Wings. WEAKNESSES Extremely lean after growing a whopping eight inches in a four-year stretch ... Needs to fill out in a serious way and get significantly stronger to make a bigger impact ... More lower-body strength will help his skating and make him more effective in high-traffic areas ... Capable offensively, but probably isn't skilled enough to progress beyond a third-line role.

Position: Defense Shoots: Left Vitals: 6'0'' / 184 lbs. Birthdate: September 8, 1991 Hometown: St-Fabien, Quebec Acquired: Detroit's fourth choice (90th overall) in the 2009 draft CSS Ranking: 62nd North American skater (2009) Contract: None (must sign by June 1, 2011) RWC Says: Offensive Defenseman SCOUT COMMENTS "He's a high-end skater. Like all kids, he's got to get stronger, but we like his skating ability. He can take the puck and go end-to-end anytime he wants." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2009) ... "His skating is so good — forward, backward, left, right. He can do anything with his feet ... He's a good offensive defenseman. He just needs to get some muscle on him, but he has all the assets to be a good hockey player." — Oceanic GM Yannick Dumais (June 2009). STRENGTHS World-class skater who glides around the ice with smooth strides and breathtaking acceleration ... Great puck-carrier ... Good vision and offensive instincts ... Has the skill-set of a future power-play quarterback ... Makes an honest defensive effort. WEAKNESSES Drastically slender for a hockey player and needs more muscle ... Often overmatched defensively, despite good intentions ... Doesn't do well in the corners or in front because he's not strong enough to win battles ... Not physical ... Struggles when he isn't playing with confidence. PROJECTION The Red Wings took a gamble on Fournier because he's a world-class skater. The rest of his game needs to catch up, but he could evolve into an offensive defenseman. He still needs plenty of work, but after a great season in 2009-10, he's on the right track to earn a contract with the Red Wings. He should be able to elevate himself into QMJHL all-star territory in 2010-11.

Last night he was +1 with 21 shifts, 2 Penalty Minutes, 4 hits, 2 blocked shots and 2 giveaways in a total of 14:18 TOI. I figured why not start a thread to talk about his game by game progress like the Eaves thread; maybe "help" get him going. How come he's struggled so much this year? You can never really point to one reason. There's the high expectations, Lebda, the injury, umm... Lebda. Wait I already said that. Oh well. Lastly, I can't believe I beat Drake to this thread idea.

As well as the best third line center in the league.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN01o13vtw8

Classy.

http://video.redwings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-6&id=97304

Can't wait to read the press quotes from both teams.

Jeez.

Glad to hear that he looks decent enough for now.

I thought Kesler was the favorite.

Me too. He and Aubry both even though Aubry's been injured. I'm surprised how incongruous his ranking is with the fact that he already has a contract while the Wings didn't have to sign him for a couple years. If Parkes makes it, what do you hope/imagine he'll be like? Obviously he'll have to fill out in a big way. RWC mentioned a comparison to Patrick Eaves but I'm thinking/hoping for a McCarty-type perhaps. EDIT: Forgot one thing.

I always forget about his hit on Jason Williams. Every times I see the hit I think, "WHAT?! HE DID THAT TO A RED WING-Oh... Right... ... Cooke sucks!"

This is a good read.

Well it was supposed to be a day off. Aren't their practices usually one hour anyways? I mean, we talkin' bout practice, man.