2013/14 Prospect Stats & Updates Thread

[DOOM]

Kulak will go down to Abbotsford for sure if the Heat are still playing when the Giants are eliminated, imo, he went down last year and played for the Heat.

I could see the Flames giving Gordan a try-out contract, like the did with Spencer Bennett, who they never signed.

I agree with devo22 that Klimchuk should go down, even if it is just to practice.

[moon]

Fair enough on Klimchuk practicing with the team. Just figured he has already played a ton of hockey this year and being only 19 and not a huge guy playing with pro's this year not the best thing for him.

[getbak]

Every junior player should go to Abbotsford once his season ends. There's no reason not to send them.

For Klimchuk, because of his age, he will be back in junior next year, so giving him exposure to the pro game will be valuable to him to know what he needs to work on next season when he's mostly out-of-contact with the Flames.

For Gordon, if they're on the fence about signing him (I think he'll get signed), it can be a final chance for him to prove that he's worth the commitment from the team. Leach and Bennett are two recent examples of drafted players who were given late-season ATOs in Abbotsford who didn't get signed.


I think Gordon will get signed. He has had injury problems, but I don't believe any of them have been of the type that you worry about causing lasting problems, like concussions or injuries to joints like shoulders, hips, or knees. He was over a point per game this season. Obviously it was different management, but we've seen both Patterson and Grantham given contracts, and neither of them ever put up a point per game in junior.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by devo22

Klimchuk has a goal in today's game, but Regina is getting killed by Brandon ... it's 7-2 after two periods and with another road win the Wheat Kings will take a 2-0 series lead. No Eric Roy tonight for Brandon though.

Kanzig was scoreless and a +1 in a 4-3 OT win over Spokane. The Royals take a 2-0 lead in the series.

So two of our WHL prospects are up 2-0 (Roy and Kanzig) while three are down 2-0 (Klimchuk, Kulak and Gordon). Seems like there's some help underway for the Abbotsford Heat.

No QMJHL games tonight. Poirier and his Olympiques are up 2-0 in their series while Culkin and his Voltigeurs are tied 1-1.

I was at the Saturday night game, Regina's defence, I am sure, my dearly departed grandmother could get around in her wheelchair! I mean it looked as though they were standing still, so many rushes where it ended up being one D man trying to stop the rush because the other D man got burnt bad. Also the D couldn't stop Brandon from driving to the net from the corners.

Other than that, I thought Klimchuk played a really good game, by far the best Pats player out there, too bad the rest of the team took the night off!

I can tell you this, that Ryan Pulack kid is something else, he has speed, agility, and did some end to end rushes that would put a smiles on anyone's face that drafted him. He will be a fine NHLer, and soon I think. 4 Points +5 in two playoff games, pretty decent for a Dman.

Didn't go to the Sunday game but it looked like more of the same.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by moon

Fair enough on Klimchuk practicing with the team. Just figured he has already played a ton of hockey this year and being only 19 and not a huge guy playing with pro's this year not the best thing for him.

He has only played 57 games plus playoffs (2 so far probably only 4). Played 77 games last year, I would play him.

[moon]

He also played in the Ivan Hlinka tournament and played more united in those games as the top guy. Haven't seen the Pats much but some of those junior guys play tons of minutes.

[devo22]

HF has started their top 50 prospects spring list. Sven Baertschi is number 42.

42. Sven Baertschi, LW, Calgary Flames
Height: 5-11, Weight: 190, Fall ranking – 18

Baertschi has had a tumultuous season with plenty of growing pains. He struggled to adjust to Bob Hartley's system with the Flames and the toll it took on his confidence was notable. His assignment to the AHL was disappointing, but at the same time a necessary step in his development. The Swiss forward is still a creative and offensively gifted player, but he needs to learn when to make the safe play and when to take risks with an environment of less pressure. The two-way skill set he has is still one that is NHL-ready and of great value to the young Flames. Now it falls to Baertschi to wrap his head around the mental portion of the game, and adjust to the heightened pressure and speed of the NHL.

www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/105431/top-50-oilers-marincin-tops-the-first-group-of-nhl-prospects-in-spring-update/

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by moon

He also played in the Ivan Hlinka tournament and played more united in those games as the top guy. Haven't seen the Pats much but some of those junior guys play tons of minutes.

He couldn't have played the last Ivan Hlinka tournament he was too old.

[DOOM]

Klimchuk played in the Ivan Hlinka tournament in 2012.

He played in the IIHF World U18's in 2013.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by DOOM

Klimchuk played in the Ivan Hlinka tournament in 2012.

He played in the IIHF World U18's in 2013.

Yeah, in the IIHF World U18's he played on a line with Sam Reinhart and Conner McDavid. 3 goals and 5 assists in 7 games.

[Street Pharmacist]

Kulak with an assist and a +2 in a 6-3 loss to Portland. They're down 3-1 now so we could see him sooner than later

Edit: Culkin with an identical stat line in a 6-3 win. That series is 2-1 good guys with another game tonight

[getbak]

The Giants face elimination tonight in Vancouver. Kulak could be on a plane to Utica (where the Heat are playing this weekend, not to join the Comets) tomorrow.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by getbak

The Giants face elimination tonight in Vancouver. Kulak could be on a plane to Utica (where the Heat are playing this weekend, not to join the Comets) tomorrow.

Not Calgary?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Not Calgary?

No, his contract kicks in next year. He can go to Abbotsford on an ATO, but can't play in Calgary this season.


This was confirmed by Freeway when Kulak signed (post 30): http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=135776

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by getbak

No, his contract kicks in next year. He can go to Abbotsford on an ATO, but can't play in Calgary this season.


This was confirmed by Freeway when Kulak signed (post 30): http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=135776

Dammit. I knew that, couldn't remember

[Lanny_McDonald]

What is the story on Culkin's contract status?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by New Era

What is the story on Culkin's contract status?

He is currently unsigned.

He has to be signed by June 1 or he'll re-enter the draft. At this point, I don't believe there's any reason to believe it won't get done.

[devo22]

Seems like Morgan Klimchuk is done really soon. His Regina Pats lost 5-4 vs the Brandon Wheat Kings and are now down 3-0 in the series. Klimchuk had two assists in the defeat while Eric Roy had one assist for Brandon. Scary: the Wheat Kings were led by 2014 draft eligible forward Jayce Hawryluk (3 goals and 1 assist), who apparently collapsed after the game and complained about chest pain and numbness in his hands. He's awake and alert in hospital according to the team twitter.

Coda Gordon was scoreless in a 3-2 win, as the Swift Current Broncos have tied their series 2-2 vs Medicine Hat.

Brett Kulak's season has come to an end, as the Giants were swept vs Portland. They lost game 4 by a score of 6-1. Kulak was scoreless, but registered a fight.

Keegan Kanzig had an assist in a 6-1 win vs Spokane. His Royals lead the series 3-0.

Ryan Culkin had two assists in a 3-2 win vs Victoriaville. His Voltigeurs now have a 3-1 lead in the series.

Gatineaus game has been postponed until tomorrow due to bad weather. Emile Poirier and the Olympiques can clinch a berth in the next round tomorrow, as they are up 3-0 in the series.

[FlameZilla]

Think we'll see Klimchuk with the Flames? It would be nice to see him in action now, since he missed the pre-season (IIRC?)

[Freeway]

Nope. Contract doesn't start for (at least) another season.