Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers Adidas Authentic Player Jersey Orange – $168.74
Retail Price: $224.99
You Save: $56.25
PHEW! The Oilers fanbase collectively let out a sigh of deep relief after the final buzzer sounded in New York Saturday afternoon. Connor McDavid scored the winning tally on the PP in the 3rd and the Rangers couldn’t claw back into it despite the Laurel and Hardy act between Cam Talbot and his defense with 10 minutes remaining.
The 3rd line of Jesse Puljujarvi, Ryan Strome, and Drake Caggiula dominated the shot share throughout the evening and gave us a glimpse of what they’re capable of doing when on top of their games. Too bad they couldn’t put one behind future hall-of-famer Henrik Lundqvist.
*Did you know that Henrik Lundqvist played at the Viking Cup in Camrose for Sweden back in the day?*
Speaking of great goaltending, apart from the brain fart, Cam Talbot was on his game Saturday afternoon. He looked like his old self and that has to shower the team in confidence knowing they don’t have to worry about the goaltender.
Another player that really impressed me was Kailer Yamamoto. I know I’ve been harping on McLellan for putting him in the top-6 without “earning it” but yesterday he had his “A” game. I loved his quick stick and his ability to draw penalties versus the Rangers. He drew two in the 3rd and the Oilers capitalized on one, the game-winner.
Does anybody else think that Yamo’s ability to draw infractions from the other team is a reason he’s drawing into the roster every game?
There was a shift near the end of the match where Oscar Klefbom had the puck in his own zone and was looking to carry it out but the forwards wanted a change and so he stopped and cut back into his zone keeping his chest and eyes forward to see what lanes opened up. If I recall correctly, he simply moved it to his D partner who I think was Adam Larsson (Who was looking about as good as he’s looked since joining Edmonton. Man was he wallpapering Rangers left and right!) and they then proceeded up the ice but it was such a mature and technical move. I was really impressed.
Not that there weren’t any poor shifts for the Oilers, the two posts from Zibanejad could’ve really put the team in a spot of bother, I saw a team that was moving the puck WAY faster and WAY better. Be that because they were playing a team that is expected to be a major player in the Jack Hughes sweepstakes or because this team, take a breath, actually has the ability and skill to play a “fast” game, it does not concern me.
The 2 points are in the bag! Bring on the Jets!
TPE HOCKEY’S TOP-31 2019 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS
1) Jack Hughes C (USNTDP, USHL) – 179cm, 73kg
Not much left to say about Jack Hughes. He’s the guy, the nearly undisputed number one for the 2019 NHL Draft. While some have said that Kaapo Kakko could challenge Hughes, I personally don’t buy it. Hughes has the ability to make any game he plays belong to him game. He can take over any game and nobody can stop him.
2) Kaapo Kakko RW (TPS Turku, Liiga) – 186cm, 82kg
Early this season Kakko shocked everyone with a point per game pace in the Liiga (FIN pro league). This would’ve outdone stars like Laine and Barkov. This lead to a lot saying that Kakko could go 1st overall. Since then Kakko has slowed down a bit but still looks amazing. With Kakko’s performance, we could see another Matthews and Laine situation with Hughes and him. When he is on the ice you know it because he’s such an impact player.
3) Anttoni Honka D (JYP Jyväskylä, Liiga) – 179cm, 77kg
Like Kakko, Honka came out flying early this season. In his early Liiga games, Honka was producing as a top pairing defenseman for JYP Jyväskylä. Although, he then slowed down quite a bit and now only has 4 points in 12 games. Still, Honka is a top pairing defenseman in Finland’s professional league. Rarely do we see this from such a young prospect. I would say that we won’t see something like this again for a long time, but 2020 eligible Kasper Simontaival became the first 2002 born player to play professional hockey for Tappara of the Liiga.
4) Alex Turcotte C (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 88kg
We haven’t had a large sample size to see Turcotte this season, so there isn’t much to say. He’s a point per game in 2 games for the USNTDP and we’ll just have to wait and see. Although the next two on this list are seriously threatening Turcotte’s hold on the #4 spot.
5) Dylan Cozens C (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL) – 191cm, 80kg
Cozens has exploded early in his 2nd WHL season. Cozens holds the #4 spot in WHL points per game with 5 goals and 7 assists in 6 games. He’s flashed his amazing goal scoring ability and playmaking skills too. If Cozens keeps up this pace he will move up.
6) Kirby Dach C (Saskatoon Blades, WHL) – 192cm, 84kg
Dach has played similarly to Cozens early this season. While last season Dach was mostly a playmaker, he’s now shown more scoring ability. My criticism of him last year was that he had scoring ability, but favored passing too much. This year, Dach has started to take advantage of his scoring ability even scoring a hat-trick in his second game.
7) Alex Newhook C (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL) – 180cm, 83kg
Newhook has dominated his league much like Cozens and Dach. His 16 points in 12 games is impressive but not as impressive as what the two ahead of him are doing. Newhook is playing very well in the BCHL, but the BCHL is not as competitive as the WHL.
8) Raphaël Lavoie C/W (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL) – 193cm, 87kg
With 7 goals and 3 assists in 7 games, Lavoie has performed quite well. The big-bodied, versatile forward has played very well so far for Halifax. His size and power allows him to play a hard game around the net. This style of play lets him pot quite a bit of goals.
9) Peyton Krebs C/LW (Kootenay Ice, WHL) – 180cm, 78kg
Now wearing an “A” for Kootenay, Krebs has performed quite well so far. Krebs has shown his Gaudreau like abilities in the offensive zone. Few guys in the WHL can combine skill and playmaking ability like he can.
10) Bowen Byram D (Vancouver Giants, WHL) – 183cm, 81kg
So far Byram has flashed his ridiculous skill and vision on the ice. His puck skills and passing ability has gotten him in quite a few highlight reels. The problem is that Byram hasn’t produced. He’s got 5 points in 8 games, but has only gotten a point in 3 games. He hasn’t produced nearly to the point per game rate he was in last year’s playoffs.
11) Ryan Suzuki C (Barrie Colts, OHL) – 183cm, 78kg
The OHL’s leading scorer is one of the highest risers this month. Last season we saw Suzuki’s staggering playmaking abilities and slick wrister. Although, it didn’t translate to a lot of points until this year. Taking a bigger role with the Barrie Colts, Suzuki has been simply amazing. If he continues this pace he could end up in the top 5-10 as soon as next month.
12) Vasili Podkolzin RW (Vityaz Podolsk U17, Russia U17) – 181cm, 75kg
The powerful, skilled, all around winger has shown his ability to dominate at the Hlinka tournament. Since then, Podkolzin hasn’t produced at the rates we’d hope in the MHL (Russia 20). In other international U18 competition Podkolzin has looked good, but he has to produce in the MHL.
13) Cole Caufield RW/C (USNTDP, USHL) – 168cm, 70kg
The goal scoring machine has continued his dominance with the NTDP. In their game against the highly ranked Norte Dame team in their NCAA crossover competition he played a great game and potted a goal for the Americans. Despite his size, Caufield and his goal-scoring ability cannot be stopped.
14) Cam York D (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 75kg
York has been pivotal in the great performance of the USNTDP. This season York is off to a hot start and has contributed in every situation. So far he has been the best defenseman on the ice every time he steps out.
15) Mikko Kokkonen D (Jukurit, Liiga) – 180cm, 86kg
The finish defenseman has broken out early this season. Producing at almost half a point per game as a 17 year old in the Liiga for Jukurit is very impressive. What’s even more impressive is that he’s done it playing mostly third pairing minutes.
16) Jakob Pelletier C/W (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL) – 175cm, 72kg
The small, two-way forward has continued his great play into this season. Pelletier is one of the smartest players in this draft. My problem with Pelletier is that so far I haven’t seen to much improvement from this season to last. While last season was great in terms of performance, not showing much improvement is concerning.
17) Arthur Kaliyev LW (Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL) – 188cm, 86kg
After a weak showing at the Hlinka tournament early this season, Kaliyev has exploded. In his first 3 games he scored 9 points in an amazing showing. He’s slowed down a bit now, but has shown a lot of improvement since the Hlinka.
18) Philip Broberg D (AIK J20, SuperElit) – 190cm, 90kg
The slick defensemen is considered by many, including me, to be one of the most overrated players in the draft. Although this certainly doesn’t mean he isn’t a great player. He’s not the top 5 talent he was touted to be after the Hlinka, but he’s been impressive in the Allsvenskan (SWE 2nd league). He has all the skill and talent. He just needs to put up some points.
19) Trevor Zegras C (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 72kg
The Boston University commit has been a reliable center for the U18s. He’s a constant offensive threat and not bad in the defensive zone. Zegras has been stuck behind Jack Hughes throughout all his time with the USNTDP. We haven’t seen Zegras get all the opportunities he’s earned and deserved, so he’s often overlooked.
20) Pavel Dorofeyev W (Stalnye Lisy/Metallurg Magnitogorsk, MHL/KHL) – 184cm, 74kg
The skilled Russian sniper just recently earned a promotion to the KHL. He’s one of the youngest player competing in the 2nd best league in the world. Dorofeyev has definitely earned the spot, but he has to compete hard to keep it.
21) Matthew Boldy C/W (USNTDP, USHL) – 183cm, 79kg
Boldy has risen for a lot of people as of late. At the All American Prospects Game he was given player of the game and looks fantastic. The big forward has learned to use his size and strength to his advantage over the summer. Boldy is definitely a guy to keep an eye on.
22) Nils Höglander LW (Rögle BK, SHL) – 174cm, 84kg
After a solid season in the Allsvenskan (SWE 2nd league), Höglander is now playing in the SHL. Despite being pointless in 7 games he can still hold his own against men. Höglander needs to improve his offensive production to hold a 1st round spot this season.
23) Albin Grewe C/RW (Djurgårdens IF J20, SuperElit) – 182cm, 80kg
After outdoing expectations in the SuperElit, Grewe got a promotion up to the Djurgårdens SHL squad. The team out of Stockholm, Sweden is one of the better in the SHL. It’s a tough team to make, and doing it as a 17 year old says a lot of about Grewe.
24) Moritz Seider D (Alder Mannheim, DEL) – 192cm, 83kg
The youngest player in the German professional league has played well in a sheltered role for Alder Mannheim. He’s only got 1 goal in his 8 games, but that’s in one of the better professional leagues outside North America. Seider has held his own pretty well, but he has to start putting up points.
25) Dustin Wolf G (Everett Silvertips, WHL) – 183cm, 68kg
The Everett Silvertips have leaned hard on then 17 year old goaltender. Wolf has played every single game for the Silvertips. So far he has played quite well, he had one rough game, but otherwise he’s been very good. With a .922 Sv% he’s been one of the better starting goaltenders in the WHL. He is a top candidate for the 2019 WHL Goaltender of the Year Award.
26) Nathan Légaré F (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL) – 182cm, 89kg
Légaré is the biggest riser this month. He’s gone from unranked to the first round in only a few weeks. Légaré was at one point 1st in QMJHL scoring and not sits at 4th. Légaré plays center or either wing. He’s physical, tenacious, and a power forward that can score and distribute the puck.
27) Maxim Cajkovic W (Saint John Sea Dogs) – 180cm, 85kg
Cajkovic and the Saint John Sea Dogs came out flying early this season. With 4 points including 1 great goal in his first 2 games it looked like Cajkovic was going to be a big riser this season. Since then, he’s scored 2 points in 8 games. He still has the talent to be a first rounder, but he has to produce.
28) Tobias Björnfot D (Djurgårdens IF J20, SuperElit) – 183cm, 85kg
After a weak the Hlinka performance, Björnfot hasn’t performed up to expectations. His defensive play has still been good, although his offensive production isn’t up to par. It was hoped that Björnfot would get a shot at playing in the SHL this season, but it seems unlikely now.
29) Alex Vlasic D (USNTDP, USHL) – 196cm, 86kg
Vlasic is one of the safest picks late in the first round. He’s a towering, smart defender that plays a very good two-way game. He’s been used as the USNTDP’s shutdown defender, but also has shown offensive capabilities.
30) Simon Holmström RW (HV71 J20, SuperElit) – 181cm, 78kg
Right now we aren’t completely sure who Holmström is. Last season he looked very good in his appearances in the SuperElit (SWE U20). Although we didn’t get to see him at the Hlinka tournament, nor this season at all. Injuries have taken Simon Holmström out long-term and there is no concrete information on his return.
31) Marshall Warren D (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 73kg
Warren has performed well in his appearances in the USNTDP collegiate series where the U18s take in college squads. He’s shown off his offensive ability by scoring in two consecutive games against the highly ranked Notre Dame and Michigan teams. Warren continues to also display his stellar two- way game.
Thanks to Max over at @TPEHockey once again!
