Rangers and Devils Rds 2-7

June 29, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Yesterday, we took a look at how the other Battle clubs fared on the Draft’s busier second day. Now, we’ll take a closer look at how the close Hudson rivals did Saturday in Rounds 2-7.First up, the Rangers.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Rd     Ov         Player                        Pos     DOB              Ht      Wt         Team         League

2        47         Ethan Werek           C          6/7/91       6-1     190       Kingston  OHL

3        80         Ryan Bourque        C          1/3/91        5-9    163       USA-U18  USDP

5         127      Roman Horak         C          5/21/91     6-0    189       C. Budejovice Jr.  CZREP-Jr.

5         140      Scott Stajcer           G          6/14/91     6-3    180       Owen Sound  OHL

6         170      Daniel Maggio        D          3/4/91       6-3    198       Sudbury    OHL

7         200     Mihail Pashnin       D          5/11/89     5-11  187      Mechel       Russia-2

Ethan Werek

My NHL Draft: Ethan Werek is a combination of offense and grit. He isn’t particularly quick by any means, but he has decent skating ability once he gets going. He scores most of his goals down low, utilizing his decent hands and reach to finish. As he still seems to be growing, he hasn’t quite learned to utilize his size yet. He does shoot the puck fairly well though, and his passing is above average. He goes strong to the net on the offensive rush, looking for goalmouth feeds or rebound opportunities. He’s not afraid to muck it up along the boards.

However, his defensive game could use some work, as he is occasionally caught out of position in his own zone. He also takes a fair amount of undisciplined penalties.

Werek has had a solid rookie campaign for the struggling Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, and could reach 30 goals this season. He could afford to fill out his frame a little bit more and improve his quickness in order to adjust to the bigger, faster NHL.

NHL Central Scouting via SNY NYR Blog: “Ethan battled hard and he’s not afraid to pay a price to make a play. That’s the kind of player he is. I don’t think he’s a guy that would make the opposition mad, but he’s still a tough guy to play against and still has a physical element to his game. He’s involved and aggressive on the forecheck, he’ll finish his checks and knock guys off the puck.”

Ryan Bourque

HF had a nice piece on Hall of Famer Ray Bourque’s younger son. Here are some excerpts:

After spending the last two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program, Ryan Bourque’s game has grown since his days playing youth hockey. As he suits up for the program during his last dozen or so games, he’ll continue to cherish each moment. But it won’t stop him from looking forward with a sense of empowerment and a desire to write his own history.

Granted, this is the son of Hall of Fame defensemen Ray Bourque, so it shouldn’t be hard. Or should it?

It’s easy to get attention as the son of one of the best defensemen to play in the NHL. And Ryan appreciates that people take interest in his lineage, but doesn’t want people to get too caught up with his father’s past.

“The name is always going to be there and I’ve dealt with it my whole life,” Ryan said. “But honestly, my dad was a Hall of Fame defenseman. If I can accomplish half the things he accomplished in his career, I would be happy.”

After putting up 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 68 games split between the Under-17 and Under-18 teams last season, Bourque is close to eclipsing that total this year with 41 points. While he definitely has a knack for creating offense, those chances wouldn’t come if he didn’t press and attack the opposition relentlessly.

“I like to be a little chippy and be a little pest to play against out there,” he admitted. “I know that my opponent will not like it that much if I’m making it tougher on them.”

And that, he does so well. If there is one thing you can count on — regardless of if he ends up on the scorer’s sheet — it’s that you’ll get every ounce out of Bourque every shift, every game, and at both ends of the ice.

The Red Skate: Chris Bourque’s 17 year-old kid brother Ryan will be one to watch in the 2009 NHL draft, and may even earn himself a spot on the team that will represent the United States at the 2009 World Junior Championship, to be held in Ottawa from December 26, 2008 to January 5, 2009.  Ryan’s ascension is featured on NHL.com today, on the heels of Chris’s NHL season debut last Saturday for the Caps.

A diminutive forward like Chris, listed at 5′8″ and 165, Ryan is projected by Central Scouting, in its preseason rankings, to go in the first two rounds of the ‘09 draft.

Said Ron Rolston of the other Bourque, who coaches the United States National Team Developmental Program (NTDP) and will coach Team USA at the World Junior Championship:

“He’s probably scored more than maybe we thought; so that might have been a little bit of a surprise. He’s finished a lot of plays off and gotten to those areas and made nice plays around the net against older players. That might be a surprise, but in terms of effectiveness of a player, no. He’s got the ability.”

Roman Horak

Not much luck here but the Rangers did well to get a 30th ranked European skater in Round 5. Here’s a small blurb from HF:

HF Staff History 2007-08: Horak played the majority of the season with HC Cesk Budejovice in the U20 Czech league . In 34 games he registered 17 goals and 11 assists. 2008-09: Scored 33 points in 31 games for HC Cesk Budejovice …

Scott Stajcer

HF: 2007-08: In his initial OHL season, Stajcer appeared in just 6 regular season games for the Owen Sound Attack. He compiled a 1-3-0-1 record in those games, posting a 4.32 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage.

2008-09: The 6′2 netminder from Cambridge played behind a woeful Owen Sound squad, but was able to maintain an even record thanks to his improving play. Stajcer took over the starting role from Tyler Beskorowany (DAL), who began the season as the Attack’s starting goaltender. Stajcer posted a 15-15-3-2 record for the Attack, ending the season with a 3.56 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.  He played in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game.

Talent Analysis

Stajcer has the desired size for the NHL, but needs to work on his positioning to take the next step.

Daniel Maggio

Couldn’t find much on this kid, who plays for the same Junior team (Sudbury) as Marc Staal. From the HF Ranger board:

Scouting Report: Dan Maggio, six-foot-two, 198-pound defenceman, Sudbury Wolves (Final Central Bureau Ranking North America 189th)”He plays hard and has good size. He needs to play more and keep developing himself.”He had some tough luck with injuries this season, but I think he’ll get drafted. He’s a late mid-round pick.”

Here’s a video of Maggio catching someone during an OHL game:

Mihail Pashnin

Blue Seat Blogs: The name Mihail Pashnin should sound familiar, as he was the #1 overall pick in the 2009 KHL draft. He is just 5′9, and put up 16 points in 32 games with his Russian (not KHL) team last season. He put up two assists and a +6 in 7 games at the U20 Worlds this year.

This was probably the best value pick the Rangers made. If he comes over to North America after finishing up his two years in the KHL, he should make the roster and be an effective player.

It’s well documented that Pashnin was tabbed No.1 in the KHL Draft. So, who knows if he’ll ever donn Ranger blue. However, a calculated risk which maybe worth it. Guess only time shall tell.

That concludes the Ranger portion. Let’s get to the Devils.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Rd     Ov         Player                        Pos     DOB              Ht      Wt         Team         League

2        54         Eric Gelinas             D          5/8/91       6-4    185        Lewiston  QMJHL

3        73         Alexander Urbom  D       12/20/90   6-3   196        Djurgarden  Sweden

4         114       Seth Helgeson         D        10/8/90     6-5    220       Sioux City    USHL

5         144       Derek Rodwell        LW     7/8/90       6-1    190       Okotoks         AJHL

6         174      Ashton Bernard     LW      2/5/90       6-4    197       Shawinigan   QMJHL

7         204      Curtis Gedig             D         9/14/91     6-3    190       Cowichan Valley  BCHL

Eric Gelinas

As Hasan noted in his entry, Gelinas has good genes. Will it translate? The Devils sure hope so as they really filled a void going for plenty of size on the blueline. Here’s The Hockey Writer’s view on the Devils’ second round pick:

One-Timer: Gelinas had 39 points in 67 games for Lewiston of the QMJHL this past season.  He is a dependable two-way blueliner who has yet to fill out his lanky frame, and thus at present time is not much of a physical presence. He does possess good hockey smarts, however, and plays an intelligent game at both ends of the rink. Coaches rave about his willingness to learn and consistency of play. He states himself he patterns his game after Pronger, but will have to develop a more physical style of play.

Fire & Ice has more on this kid:

The Devils selected Lewiston defenseman Eric Gelinas this morning with their second-round pick, 54th overall, in the NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.

In 67 games witht the Maineiacs in 2008-09. Gelinas (6-4, 185) lead the team’s defensemen in points with 39 (10 goals, 29 assists) and added 80 penalty minutes.

“It’s been my dream since I’ve been two years old, so it finally came true,” Gelinas said of being drafted. “I have to keep working hard until I get to the NHL.”

Gelinas’ size is the most intriguing thing about him. He began the junior season at 6-2 and measured 6-4 at the NHL Entry Draft combine in the last week of May, so he’s still growing.

He says he gets his height from his father, Marc — former minor league pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates system whose career was cut short by injury. “My father is 6-8, so that’s probably why I keep growing,” Gelinas said.

What does he need to work on?

“Right now, I’m working on my defensive zone play, positioning and stuff,” he said. “I’m also working on getting more consistent and I want to be smarter also in my physical play, like how to use it.”

The Hockey News quoted one scout as saying, “He’s a great skater with strong offensive instincts, but to me he has too many brain farts in his game. He doesn’t seem to think the game very well.”

Another scout said: “Huge kid. He’s got a bowlegged style something like Chris Pronger. Somebody told me his father is 6-foot-9, so maybe he’s going to be as big as Pronger when he’s done growing.”

NHL’s Central Scouting had him ranked 38th among North American skaters. International Scouting Service ranked him 72nd among all prospects.

Alexander Urbom

HF on the Swedish teammate of the Devs’ top selection Jacob Josefson:

Talent Analysis

A big and strong player. Urbom is more of a stay-at-home defenseman that likes to play physical and usually has good timing in his hits. Positioning is good. Leads the team with his solid play in the defensive zone. Contributed offensively to some extent in the Swedish juniors, but is likely to become more of a shut-down guy. Offensive smarts and technical skills are fairly average.

Fire & Ice: With the 73rd pick in the NHL Entry Draft today (acquired from Minnesota last year), the Devils selected defenseman Alexander Urbom from Djurgarden of the Swedish Elite League.

Urbom was teammates on Djurgarden with the Devils’ 2009 first-round pick Jacob Josefson.

He is another big defenseman at 6-3, 196 pounds.

He finished ranked 21st among European skaters by NHL’s Central Scouting.

Urbom is a stay-at-home defenseman who likes to play physical. His stats (0 points in 28 games with Djurgarden) indicate he isn’t much of an offensive player, but he is projected as a shutdown-type defenseman. With second-rounder Eric Gelinas (6-4, 185), the Devils have potentially added some good size to their blue line.

In case any NJ fan is interested, this looks to be Urbom’s facebook. Knock yourselves out.

Seth Helgeson

HF has a nice piece on the kid from Sioux City who is Minnesota bound this Fall. Here are some highlights:

Listed at 6’5 and 220 lbs, Helgeson is a late 1990-born player so will be one of the oldest players available for NHL teams in June. Often times that will give teams pause, but other teams see that as simply the chance at getting a slightly more developed player than a comparable player born 11 months later.

In any case it will be his size and physical play that scouts notice first because there is abundance of both where Helgeson is concerned.

The native of Fairbault, Minnesota came into the season ready to take on the pressure and attention that comes with a player’s draft year by trying not to lose focus on the business at hand.

“You can’t think about that too much,” he said. “I think that when kids have their draft year coming up they can get caught thinking about it too much and maybe they don’t play as well so coming into this season I was trying to put that out of my mind. I’m just trying to get better every day with the coaching staff in Sioux City and everything’s been going really well this year. I’m excited for the season and the draft is a long ways away so you can’t think about that.”

Asked if there was someone who he patterned his game after or that he tried to emulate growing up, Helgeson kept to his roots.

“Being from Minnesota I like Brent Burns; he’s a very good player and when I make it back home I try and get to at least one Wild game,” Helgeson said. “Burns has been one of the guys I watch and also the big man, Chris Pronger. I watch a lot of YouTube videos on him. Those are the two main guys that I like to watch and try to play like.”

Some might suggest that there is some physical similarity to Erik Johnson, another big stay at home defenseman from Minnesota who went on to play for the Golden Gophers, the same NCAA program that Helgeson will move to in 2009-10. For Helgeson, becoming a Gopher has been a life-long plan.

“I’m excited and very happy and can’t wait for next season,” he said. “Growing up in Fairbault, every [University of Minnesota] game was on TV so I grew up watching them every Friday and Saturday night. Knowing that I might have a chance to play for the Gophers was a dream and I think growing up in Minnesota it’s everyone’s dream.”

Western College Hockey:

Team: Sioux City Musketeers(USHL)

Height: 6′4 1/2″

Weight: 220 lbs.

2008-2009 Stats: 58 games, 4 goals, 12 assists, 16 points

Prospect Info:

Though Seth Helgeson comes from the hockey-rich state of Minnesota, he grew up in the southern part of the state, not known for producing much hockey talent. Helgeson grew up in Faribault, Minnesota, the hometown of the famed Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School. He played for Faribault HS through his sophomore year, where he earned a scholarship to the University of Minnesota, but soon opted for a greater challenge by playing in the USHL for his final two years of high school.

Helgeson is a big physical defensive defenseman, but has also impressed scouts with his speed. Though he’s not much of an offensive threat, he does possess a booming slap shot.

Strengths: Size, physicality, speed

Needs to Improve: Offensive abilities

Derek Rodwell

Looks like the Devs went off the board for this kid. Apparently, he’s headed to Lou Lamoriello favorite North Dakota. Grand Forks Herald had a blurb about the unlikely Rodwell going over top recruit Danny Matson:

Rodwell was unranked by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, but popped up on the radar of a couple of teams because of the style he plays and his work ethic.

“I knew there were a couple of teams interested, but I wasn’t sure how great of a chance I had at going,” said Rodwell, who was golfing when he got picked. “I got a call from my advisors and New Jersey called right after that. At first, I didn’t know what to say. I was thrilled. It’s quite an honor to get drafted. It’s definitely been quite the day.”

New Jersey also mentioned to Rodwell that it has had success drafting UND players, like David Hale, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac.

Strangely enough, the highest-rated Sioux recruit by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau heading into the draft — Academy of Holy Angels forward Danny Mattson — did not get picked.

Here’s a little more on Derek via Alberta Junior Hockey League:

Derek is from Taber, Alberta, where he played his minor hockey before joining the Lethbridge Midget AAA Titans of the AMHL for the 2006/07 season. He enjoyed a successful rookie season with the Okotoks Oilers in 2007/08, and early this season Derek was chosen to represent Canada at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, as a member of Team Canada West.

Oilers GM/Head Coach Dan MacDonald states, “Derek is a quiet, sincere, dedicated team player, who has matured into one of the best power forwards in Canadian Junior ‘A’ hockey. His continued development will most assuredly see him playing at the highest level of hockey. The Okotoks Oilers are extremely proud of Derek’s accomplishments and wish him every success with his future scholastic and hockey plans.”

Ashton Bernard

The Devs tabbed Ashton with their sixth round pick. Fire & Ice has more:

With their sixth-round pick, 174th overall, the Devils selected left wing Ashton Bernard of the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Bernard is 6-foot-4, 197 pounds and a native of Eskasoni, Nova Scotia. His junior rights were traded last month to Cape Breton, so he’ll be closer to home now.

Bernjard had three goals and one assist in 53 games this season. He’s a big, tough kid. He had 111 penalty minutes in 2008-09 after piling up 209 in 52 games in 2007-08.

He was ranked 206th among North American skaters by NHL’s Central Scouting.

A quote from Bernard in the Cape Breton Post about his trade: “I promise I won’t be scoring 50 goals like Chris Culligan did. But I could bring something that I don’t think the Eagles had even last year, I could bring toughness. I don’t think nobody will be pushing us around this season.
“I still have to earn my spot, it won’t be given to me.”

Bernard adds some toughness. Here’s a video of him dropping ‘em:

Curtis Gedig

Fire & Ice:

With their seventh-round, 204th overall, and final pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Devils selected  defenseman Curtis Gedig of Cowichan Valley of the British Columbia Hockey League.

Gedig, a native of Penticton, British Columbia, is 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, so he’s another big defenseman.

He had four goals and 14 assists in 46 games in 2008-09 with the Merritt Cententials and the Cowichan Valley Capitals. He was traded to Cowichan Valley 30 games into last season.

He was 115th in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.

That concludes the Devil side.

Final Thoughts: The Rangers went with a mixed bag going for more potential in the diminutive Bourque, who was rated 60th. That’s the guy I’m excited about. I’m not sure about Werek as he sounds like he needs work. Guess we’ll have to wait and see. Maggio though sounds like he just needs to stay healthy. Plus he plays for a good junior club. Given our blueline depth, there certainly is no rush. I also like the gamble on Pashnin. I’ll have another entry on the team’s two trades in which they acquired Brian Boyle from LA for a 2010 third rounder and picked up unsigned goalie Chad Johnson from the Pens for a fifth round pick yesterday. As for Kreider, he sounds very skilled and is BC bound. Though I preferred Jordan Schroeder, who fell to the ‘Nucks at 22, the kid sounds like a high character, skilled player and he also can shift to the left side.

As for the Devils, it seems like the filled holes trading up for Josefson with John Madden probably bolting. And they went big which was badly needed on D with Gelinas and Urbom leading the charge. Plus two of their picks are going to good schools. It seems like they added team toughness which is smart.

Unlike the Islanders, we won’t get a good idea for a few years. I saw some classic overreactions this weekend to our first pick, who was taken the same spot (19th) as bust Hugh Jessiman. A word of advice to the nervous nellies. How about not having selective amnesia as our draft last year stacks up to be one of the best. And the drafts have gotten significantly better since that point. When it comes to prospects, we must have patience and not be so quick to judge.

Draft Weekend was fun even if the first round took forever. Now, it’s onto free agency with lots of activity later this week. We’ll have you covered. Looking forward to the chaos!