2013-14 Prospect Thread

[Triumph]

Yeah I think it'll be quiet on the UDFA front for NJ.  Unfortunately - I love UDFAs.  I see that list includes Oleg Yevenko, who I could see the Devils signing, although the blueline looks awful crowded still in Albany next year. 

 

A heads up, Curtis Gedig and Ohio State are taking on Minnesota on the Big Ten Network.  I didn't see much of the game but I did hear one of the announcers say that Gedig would be used in a very substantial role.  

Edited March 22, 2014 by Triumph

[MadDog2020]

Can someone bring me up to speed on what makes a college player eligible to be a UDFA? I've never been totally clear on the rules there.

[Triumph]

Can someone bring me up to speed on what makes a college player eligible to be a UDFA? I've never been totally clear on the rules there.

 

Well the rules used to be different I think but now it's pretty basic - once you turn 21, you're no longer eligible for the draft, so if you haven't yet been drafted, you're a free agent once you decide to leave college.  There's also players who are eligible to be free agents if they leave college and don't sign with the team that drafted them - that'll happen on August 15th, or in rare instances, on the 4th July 1 after being drafted.  

Edited March 22, 2014 by Triumph

[thefiestygoat]

Thursday 3/20
Big Ten Quarterfinals
Ohio State defeated Michigan State 2-1 (OT)
Curtis Gedig D: Assist, +1, 2 PIM (High Sticking), 6 Shots, 1 Block

Friday 3/21
QMJHL 1st Round
#8 Gatineau defeated #9 Cape Breton 7-2 (Lead Series 1-0)
Anthony Brodeur G: DNP

OHL Western Quarterfinals
#5 Windsor lost to #4 London 6-1 (Trail Series 1-0)
Ben Johnson LW: Goal (SH), +1

OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay defeated #7 Niagara 4-0 (Lead Series 1-0)
Ben Thomson LW: E

#3 Kingston defeated #6 Peterborough 4-1 (Lead Series 1-0)
Ryan Kujawinski C: +1

WHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#5 Swift Current lost to #4 Medicine Hat 2-1 (Trail Series 1-0)
Graham Black C: -1, 2 PIM (Tripping)

Big Ten Semifinals
Wisconsin defeated Penn State 2-1
Joe Faust D: -1, 2 PIM (Tripping)

Ohio State defeated Minnesota 3-1
Curtis Gedig D: +1, 4 Shots, 1 Block

-- Wisconsin will face Ohio State in the Big Ten Final. Ohio State has to win in order to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin is ranked high in the PairWise and will be in the NCAA Tournament regardless.

NCHC Semifinals
North Dakota lost to Miami 3-0
Derek Rodwell RW: -1
Blake Coleman C: Goal (PP), Assist, +1, 5 Shots, 4/10 Faceoffs* 3rd Star

-- Miami will play Denver in the NCHC Final. Miami has to win in order to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. North Dakota is a bubble team and will need to win the 3rd place game and get help from other games to qualify.

[thefiestygoat]

Saturday 3/22
QMJHL 1st Round
#8 Gatineau defeated #9 Cape Breton 8-2 (Lead Series 2-0)
Anthony Brodeur G: DNP

OHL Western Quarterfinals
#5 Windsor lost to #4 London 6-3 (Trail Series 2-0)
Ben Johnson LW: Goal (PP), Assist (SH), E* 2nd Star

WHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#5 Swift Current lost to #4 Medicine Hat 4-2 (Trail Series 2-0)
Graham Black C: -1

WHL Western Quarterfinals
#1 Kelowna defeated #8 Tri-City 3-1 (Lead Series 1-0)
Damon Severson D: Assist (PP), +1, 2 PIM (Interference)
Myles Bell RW: Goal (PP), E, 2 PIM (Roughing)

Big Ten Final
Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 5-4 (OT)
Joe Faust D: E, 3 Shots, 2 Blocks
Curtis Gedig D: E, 2 Shots, 3 Blocks

-- Ohio State's season is over. Gedig finishes his senior season with 2 goals and 8 assists in 33 games.

NCHC Final
Miami lost to Denver 4-3
Blake Coleman C: Assist, E, 2 Shots, 8/15 Faceoffs

-- Miami's season has come to an end. Coleman finishes with 19 goals and 9 assists in 27 games.
-- D Nolan Zajac (Denver) had a goal and an assist. He has 5 goals and 18 assists in 41 games.

NCHC 3rd Place Game
North Dakota defeated Western Michigan 5-0
Derek Rodwell RW: +1, 2 PIM (Tripping), 1 Shot, 1 Block

-- North Dakota will sneak into the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid.

[thefiestygoat]

Sunday 3/23
OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay lost to #7 Niagara 3-2 (Series Tied 1-1)
Ben Thomson LW: -1, 4 PIM (Roughing, Slashing)

#3 Kingston defeated #6 Peterborough 5-4 (OT) (Lead Series 2-0)
Ryan Kujawinski C: Goal, -1

WHL Western Quarterfinals
#1 Kelowna defeated #8 Tri-City 3-1 (Lead Series 2-0)
Damon Severson D: +1
Myles Bell RW: Goal (PP), -1

NCAA Tournament
Here is the bracket.

Devils prospects:
Wisconsin (Faust) vs. North Dakota (Rodwell) on March 28 at 8 PM (ESPNU).
Boston College (Santini) vs. Denver on March 29 at 4 PM (ESPNU).

Also, I haven't seen anything official, but a Michigan Tech fan claims that Blake Pietila needs wrist surgery in this thread. Later in that thread another fan claims that Pietila was playing banged up all year. Not official at all but something to keep an eye on.

[vadvlfan]

Boston/Denver will be interesting, knowing that 2 future D men playing against each other. Santini and Zajac (you know Lou will sign to complete the family tree)  He might be a ECHL regular, but it'll be a good story. 

[thefiestygoat]

Tuesday 3/25
QMJHL 1st Round
#8 Gatineau defeated #9 Cape Breton 7-2 (Lead Series 3-0)
Anthony Brodeur G: DNP

OHL Western Quarterfinals
#5 Windsor lost to #4 London 10-2 (Trail Series 3-0)
Ben Johnson LW: Goal (PP), -4

OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay lost to #7 Niagara 2-0 (Trail Series 2-1)
Ben Thomson LW: E

#3 Kingston defeated #6 Peterborough 4-2 (Lead Series 3-0)
Ryan Kujawinski C: Assist, +2

WHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#5 Swift Current defeated #4 Medicine Hat 3-1 (Trail Series 2-1)
Graham Black C: E

WHL Western Quarterfinals
#1 Kelowna lost to #8 Tri-City 4-3 (Lead Series 2-1)
Damon Severson D: Assist (PP), -1
Myles Bell RW: Goal, Assist (PP), +1* 3rd Star

[thefiestygoat]

Wednesday 3/26
WHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#5 Swift Current defeated #4 Medicine Hat 3-2 (OT) (Series Tied 2-2)
Graham Black C: 2 Goals, +2, 2 PIM (Goalie Interference)* 1st Star

WHL Western Quarterfinals
#1 Kelowna defeated #8 Tri-City 5-3 (Lead Series 3-1)
Damon Severson D: -1, 2 PIM (Hooking)
Myles Bell RW: E

[thefiestygoat]

Thursday 3/27
QMJHL 1st Round
#8 Gatineau defeated #9 Cape Breton 7-1 (Win Series 4-0)
Anthony Brodeur G: DNP

OHL Western Quarterfinals
#5 Windsor lost to #4 London 4-3 (Lose Series 4-0)
Ben Johnson LW: Goal, Assist, -1, 2 PIM (Holding)* 2nd Star
Season: 59 GP 28-25-53, +18, 30 PIM
Playoffs: 4 GP 4-2-6, -4, 2 PIM

-- Ben Johnson had 15 goals and 16 assists in his last 26 games (season + playoffs). Really turned it on in the 2nd half of the year and I have the feeling most of his points were even strength, though I still have to check into that. I guess we should find out soon enough if they are going to sign him.

OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay lost to #7 Niagara 5-3 (Trail Series 3-1)
Ben Thomson LW: -2, 6 PIM (Roughing, Boarding, Slashing)
Playoffs: 4 GP 0-0-0, -3, 10 PIM

#3 Kingston lost to #6 Peterborough 3-1 (Lead Series 3-1)
Ryan Kujawinski C: -2
Playoffs: 4 GP 1-1-2, E, 0 PIM

Edited March 28, 2014 by thefiestygoat

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Damn, Gatineau really put up video-game numbers in their series sweep:  29 GF, 7 GA.  Won each game by 5 or 6 goals. 

[Triumph]

Geez, winning by that much they could even give A. Brodeur a shot at the net.

 

Ben Johnson - I'll be disappointed if they don't sign him.  I'm not sure he's anything, but if he's got any hockey sense he could be an effective penalty killer/bottom lines winger.  Of course they've got Thomson Black and possibly Pietila possibly filling that role in Albany next year - here's where I complain that they drafted too many lefty shooting guys over the last 3 years.

[thefiestygoat]

Friday 3/28
OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay defeated #7 Niagara 4-3 (Trail Series 3-2)
Ben Thomson LW: E

-- No points in the playoffs yet.

#3 Kingston lost to #6 Peterborough 6-5 (OT) (Lead Series 3-2)
Ryan Kujawinski C: -2

WHL Western Quarterfinals
#1 Kelowna defeated #8 Tri-City 4-1 (Win Series 4-1)
Damon Severson D: +2
Myles Bell RW: DNP (Lower Body Injury)

-- Bell was seen walking with crutches. (via @EricStansfield)

-- Kelowna will play either #4 Seattle or #5 Everett in the next round.

NCAA Tournament
Midwest Semifinal
Wisconsin lost to North Dakota 5-2
Joe Faust D: -1
Derek Rodwell RW: -1

-- Faust ends his senior season: 37 GP 2-12-14, +9, 8 PIM, 32 Shots. I can't imagine the Devils sign him given that it took him until this year to get off Wisconsin's 3rd pair and Albany has a roster crunch.

-- North Dakota takes on Ferris State on Saturday for the Midwest Final at 6:30 on ESPNU.

[thefiestygoat]

Saturday 3/29
WHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#5 Swift Current lost to #4 Medicine Hat 4-1 (Trail Series 3-2)
Graham Black C: Assist (PP), -2

NCAA Tournament
Midwest Final
North Dakota defeated Ferris State 2-1 (2 OT)
Derek Rodwell RW: +1

-- Advance to Frozen Four.

Northeast Semifinal
Boston College defeated Denver 6-2
Steve Santini D: +1, 2 PIM (Interference), 3 Blocks

-- Boston College will face UMass Lowell in the Northeast Final, Sunday at 5 PM on ESPNU.

[Triumph]

Is it wrong that I want some of these guys to lose in the playoffs so they sign contracts with NJ and come to Albany?  Probably

[Daniel]

Is it wrong that I want some of these guys to lose in the playoffs so they sign contracts with NJ and come to Albany? Probably

Am I correct that college players (like Santini) can play a few games in the AHL despite not being under contract, or is that just juniors?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Triumph]

Am I correct that college players (like Santini) can play a few games in the AHL despite not being under contract, or is that just juniors?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

No, players who play 1 professional game are obviously ineligible for NCAA participation in the future.  

 

That reminds me, i watched some of the Boston College game - Santini is really what people think Brooks Orpik is or was, at least against that level of competition.  Teriffic penalty killer - he's on their top PK unit as a true freshman.

[Marshall]

Is it wrong that I want some of these guys to lose in the playoffs so they sign contracts with NJ and come to Albany?  Probably

 

No, we deserve an exciting playoff run for at least one team.

[Triumph]

No, we deserve an exciting playoff run for at least one team.

 

I don't really think the ATOs would play a ton during the playoffs.  I guess Severson would, but I expect Kelowna to compete for the Memorial Cup.  But someone like Graham Black I'm not sure he's drawing in there every game.  I just want them signed.

[thefiestygoat]

I don't really think the ATOs would play a ton during the playoffs.  I guess Severson would, but I expect Kelowna to compete for the Memorial Cup.  But someone like Graham Black I'm not sure he's drawing in there every game.  I just want them signed.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the following are the players the Devils either have to sign or relinquish the rights to:

 

Players drafted out of CHL (6/1 deadline): Ben Johnson, Ben Thomson, Graham Black, Artur Gavrus, Myles Bell

Players drafted out of the NCAA (8/15 deadline): Joe Faust, Derek Rodwell, Curtis Gedig

 

I'm not 100% certain on those deadlines. If I had to guess, I think Johnson, Thomson, Black, Bell, and Gedig get signed.

[thefiestygoat]

Sunday 3/30
OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay defeated #7 Niagara 5-1 (Series Tied 3-3)
Ben Thomson LW: Assist, +1, 4 PIM (High Sticking, Goalie Interference)

#3 Kingston lost to #6 Peterborough 5-4 (Series Tied 3-3)
Ryan Kujawinski C: -2

WHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#5 Swift Current lost to #4 Medicine Hat 2-1 (Lose Series 4-2)
Graham Black C: -1, 2 PIM (Hooking)

-- Expect to see Black in Albany soon. He finishes his WHL career with 76 goals and 123 assists in 214 regular season games. 3 goals and 5 assists in 11 playoff games. For his final season he had 34 goals and 63 assists in 69 games.

Northeast Final
Boston College defeated UMass Lowell 4-3
Steve Santini D: +2, 3 Blocks

-- Advance to Frozen Four to take on Union on 4/10 at 8 PM on ESPN2. North Dakota (Rodwell) will take on Minnesota on 4/10 at 5:30 PM on ESPN2.

QMJHL
#8 Gatineau will face #2 Halifax in the QMJHL Quarterfinals.

Edited March 31, 2014 by thefiestygoat

[thefiestygoat]

Tuesday 4/1
OHL Eastern Quarterfinals
#2 North Bay defeated #7 Niagara 2-1 (Win Series 4-3)
Ben Thomson LW: Assist, +1* 3rd Star
Playoffs: 7 GP 0-2-2, -1, 14 PIM

#3 Kingston lost to #6 Peterborough 2-1 (OT) (Lose Series 4-3)
Ryan Kujawinski C: -1, 2 PIM (Interference)
Playoffs: 7 GP 1-1-2, -5, 2 PIM

-- Kingston blew a 3-0 series lead. Kujawinski should be back in Kingston next season.
-- Kujawinski Regular Season Stats: 45 GP 23-18-41, +3, 39 PIM

Devils Prospects CHL Playoff Matchups
QMJHL Quarterfinals: #8 Gatineau (Brodeur) vs. #2 Halifax
OHL East Semifinals: #2 North Bay (Thomson) vs. #4 Barrie
WHL West Semifinals: #1 Kelowna (Severson, Bell) vs. #4 Seattle

[vadvlfan]

Thanks Fiesty for keeping us updated on all this. 

[Devils Pride 26]

Coleman headed back to school. I'd post the link but on my phone. John buccigross rt'ed him personally

[thefiestygoat]

Thanks Fiesty for keeping us updated on all this. 

Any time, glad to do it!

 

Coleman headed back to school. I'd post the link but on my phone. John buccigross rt'ed him personally

I actually like this. He really took a step forward this past season but missed some time due to injury. Albany has a logjam of forwards next year so I think this is a good move for him to get an extra year of development. A side note to that story is that one of the best undrafted free agents, Austin Czarnik, is also returning to Miami for his senior season.

 

In other prospect news, LW Ben Johnson has signed an ATO with Albany. Wonder if we'll here on him getting an ELC soon?

 

Swift Current PBP announcer, Shawn Mullin, interviewed C Graham Black the other day. When asked about his future with the Devils, Black was a bit guarded with his answer. I think they'll sign him and his answer was just him not trying to say too much. His answer was, "Not really, there's nothing worth mentioning. I don't have any concrete facts or anything, so I would probably not rather talk on that."