10) Poor Man's Chris Neil
Cody Bass has some of the same skills as (too) highly paid Chris Neil, a little less heavyweight pedigree, less offensive flair (possibly the first time Chris Neil and flair have been used in the same sentence) and much better defensive play. Bass's skills project into a very good depth player, the type of bottom 6 player that exhibits heart, tough defense and sacrifice to energize his team and frustrate the opposition. The question is, do the Senators have any room for him? With 3 bottom six forwards making good money (Kelly, Neil, Ruutu) and as many as 7 other forwards who might play on the 3rd or 4th lines (Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno, Ryan Shannon, Shean Donovan, Peter Regin, Jesse Winchester, Zack Smith) there doesn't appear to be much opportunity for Bass this season. Bass might need to wait for trades, injuries or roster losses next off-season for a real shot at the role he looked so effective at during his late-season audition in 2007-08, during which he was one of the team's better players in their 4 game playoff sweep by the Penguins.
9) Power Forward?
Zack Smith was the final cut from the Senators in the fall of 2009 and is expected to push for a spot in the lineup again this year, but he faces the same bottom 6 congestion that Cody Bass does. The difference is that Smith has a modest chance of passing through the bottom 6 and eventually establishing himself as a 2nd line player, playing a power game. He's gritty enough, big enough, fast enough and talented enough to project as that 2nd line power guy, but to do so he needs to continue to improve most aspects of his game. The question is, which challenge will he earn the right to face? Will he be trying to dominate the AHL or earn minutes among a plethora of depth players on the big club? For his development, I hope he spends one more season in the AHL and forces the Sens to make room for him on the big club in the future.
8) Go East Young Man
Jim O'Brien is remarkably similar in some ways to Zack Smith. He's a year younger, and a bit faster and a bit more of a shooter, but perhaps a little less gritty, although that could just be age. O'Brien projects to the same role as Smith, and has the character attributes to justify the projection, but faces the same long-term challenges. In the short term, O'Brien will be attending his first camp as a professional and while he'll probably play the season in Binghampton, he needs to show more than his recent modest incremental improvement to continue to justify his first round selection in 2007. But taking a step back from the immediate challenge, sometimes slow and steady wins the race.
7) Russian Roulette
Ilya Zubov is at a critical juncture in his career. He has one more year under contract and should be pushing to establish himself as a bona fide NHLer. It's not that the organization would give up on his development in Binghampton after next season, but it would be hard to imagine him signing another 2-way contract when the KHL beckons. And the Senators have a policy against paying NHL contract dollars to players on the AHL roster. So if he hasn't established himself then he'll most likely leave. By the end of the season we should know with reasonable certainty in which league he'll play for the next few years. But we'll have strong indications ahead of time, including how well Zubov produces in training camp in September. If he's given little or no time playing with top 6 forwards, or performs poorly in general then the writing will be on the wall, in pencil.
6) Poor Man's Zetterberg
Peter Regin has a mature game at both ends and had an excellent debut in the AHL last season. He may push for a spot in the bottom six in Ottawa this year, or establish himself as the offensive leader in Binghampton. If he can establish himself as the first call-up from the farm team and get 20+ games in Ottawa then it will be a solid season, but depending on possible trade returns for Dany Heatley, and any associated trades dictated by salary cap considerations, Regin could conceivably establish himself as one of the bottom 6 forwards that slides into the top 6 as circumstances warrant.
5) Havlat Returns
Patrick Wiercioch is the last remaining return from the Martin Havlat trade, drafted with Chicago's second round pick in the 2008 draft. As such, he represents that last chance for Ottawa to regain some ground in a trade that returned 2 non-NHLers and one season of waiver-fodder Tom Preissing. Despite that heavy burden, Wiercioch has impressed the organization with his freshman season in college and received an invite to the Canadian 2009 WJC selection camp in late 2008. He's been invited back for the August training camp this year and has a more realistic shot of making the team than he did last year. The interesting story lines this season are the WJC selections and what role Wiercioch might earn on that team, and whether he experiences a sophomore slump in college, or continues to establish himself as one of the top college D-men.
4) Backup or Injury Replacement
Brian Elliott signed a very attractive two-year deal (cap hit $850K/yr.) as a backup for projected #1 Pascal Leclaire. Given Elliott's solid debut as a fill-in starter in 2008-09, and Leclaire's injury history, we may see more of Elliott than expected. Any even if Leclaire is healthy, he may find himself pushed for the starting job, more likely in 2010-11 than the season upcoming.
3) Towering, But No Pillar (or Pilar)
Jared Cowen, a large and (once and future) mobile defenseman, could be the first round steal of 2009 draft. Players who fall due to short-term injury issues have a chance to demonstrate that injury doesn't eliminate potential. Cowen was originally projected to go in the top 5, and has the size, speed, talent, and makeup to be a very good player for a long time. But for him, this season will be about re-establishing himself and validating the Senators faith in picking him at #9. He should be very close to 100% by the end of summer and faces two big challenges. First he'll participate in the Canadian WJC training camp in August, and is expected to be receive plenty of consideration as an integral part of the 2010 WJC team. Cowen will also attend the Senators training camp in September, which will provide an excellent opportunity to measure him against NHL players, and for him to truly grasp the scope of the challenge in front of him. In all likelihood, he'll play this season back in the WHL and press for a spot on the Senators blueline in 2010-11.
2) Third Time's The Charm?
Each of Brian Lee's last three seasons has been one step back, two steps forward. His first training camp with the Senators in 2007 resulted in being sent down to Bingo, and a brief but impressive call-up at the end of the season. In 2008, new coach Craig Hartsburg demonstrated no confidence in the young blueliner and Lee was sent down to Bingo early in the season, where he underperformed. Slowly but surely, Lee clawed his way back up the depth chart and demonstrated that when playing with competent partners, he was a positive addition to the NHL roster. The challenge he faces this year is to impress in training camp and solidify a spot in the top 4, at least the even-strength top 4. Each of the last three season's Lee has gained strength and weight in the summer. Perhaps his slow starts have reflected adjustments to his new body, and the new playing styles he is now capable of. Regardless, if Lee can continue to take notes from the Jason Smith school of gritty hockey then he'll be well on his way to earning an everyday role with decent minutes.
1) How Swede It Is
Erik Karlsson is the most offensively skilled defense prospect this team has ever had. He had a solid but unspectacular season in the SEL last season. This year he'll be pushing for a role on the Senators blueline. While it's not likely he'll establish himself there this season, he'll get the opportunity and if he impresses in camp he'll jump ahead of more established D-men. With Karlsson there are two big questions, will he make the team, and where will he play if he doesn't? A season in the AHL would be valuable, but so would another season in the SEL, playing in a skill-focused league, and with more responsibility than he had last season.
Showing posts with label Brian Lee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Lee. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Scouting Report: Brian Lee
by Evan Rawal.
From the second Brian Lee was drafted, people have questioned his selection. Taken 9th overall in 2005, with the Sens earliest draft pick in 4 years, Lee was an unknown to many in Ottawa at the time. Not only did he have the pressure of being selected before Canadian junior stars Marc Staal and Luc Bourdon, but he had to watch then GM John Muckler declare that he better be ready for the NHL in two years. Anyone that looked at Lee when he was drafted probably considered him crazy.
Lee's draft year put him on the map. While he was a high school hockey star in Minnesota, very few knew about him. That was, until Team USA surprised everyone and selected the tall and lanky Lee to their World Junior team, ahead of the highly touted Jack Johnson. Although Lee rarely saw ice time during the tournament, it put him on the map, and afterwards, went back to the Minnesota high school league and was named Mr. Hockey as the top senior high school hockey player in the state. Over the course of his draft year, he also played 12 games in the USHL, putting up just 3 assists, but adding 5 points in 4 playoff games.
Lee's post-draft development has not been ideal for a top 10 selection, but the strides are there. The most noticeable flaw from just looking at Lee when he was drafted was his lack of strength. While listed at 6'2"/6'3", Lee weighed in the 170's when he was drafted, and looked even smaller. 4 years after being selected, he now sits at 203 pounds, and while he is getting stronger, it will be a few more years before we see the finished product with Lee.
The University of North Dakota was Brian Lee's destination after being drafted. While Lee was labeled as an offensive defenseman from the moment he was drafted, his all-around game developed probably a bit faster than people expected, and remains the underrated part in his game. Even as a freshman, Lee was playing big time minutes in all situations, including 1st unit penalty kill time. While his offensive numbers his first year weren't staggering, for a freshman campaign, it was considered a great success. It was his sophomore year of college that put some doubt in the minds of many Sens fans, who were skeptical to begin with. His offensive numbers didn't progress as much as many had hoped, and his all-around game appeared to have taken a hit. Both of these years, he played for Team USA in the World Junior Championships, but while his role was bigger than the first time, he was still stuck behind the far more hyped Erik Johnson and Jack Johnson and didn't get a ton of ice time.
It was the summer after his sophomore campaign when he surprised many and signed a professional contract with Ottawa. Would John Muckler's forecast of Lee being ready in two years actually come true?
Well, it didn't, but it did come as a pleasant surprise to Sens fans that Lee was eager to accelerate his development. While he went into training camp with very slim chances of actually making the team, he did impress and show the skills, and was sent to AHL affiliate Binghamton to start the year. Perhaps benefitting Lee the most in the AHL was playing with veteran Lawrence Nycholat, and Lee flourished his first year down there, being named to the AHL All-Star team and registering 25 points in 55 games and playing in every situation.
When an ankle injury sidelined Lee for over a month in February, many figured his chance to make a jump to Ottawa very small. However, after playing only 1 AHL game after missing a month plus of hockey, Lee got the call when Wade Redden was injured. Lee didn't waste any time impressing the brass. His first game was stellar, displaying perfect one on one defensive ability, an ability to jump into the rush, and even playing a little goalie by saving a sure goal. The next day, Murray declared Lee an NHL'er, and he finished the year off in Ottawa, playing 6 regular season games and 4 playoff games while racking up 1 assist.
Lee came into this season with high expectations, but with new coach Craig Hartsburg unwilling to give him a lot of chances, or let him play with the partner he excelled with at the end of the previous year (Chris Phillips), Lee struggled, and was sent down abruptly after only 5 games. He went to Binghamton, and if you listen to their fans, didn't exactly look good. Many wondered if he would get another chance this season, but when injuries to Filip Kuba and Anton Volchenkov hit the Sens, Lee was recalled, and given a bigger role. He excelled. Playing 20+ minutes a night, often leading the team in ice time, Lee looked far more confident and was initiating instead of reacting. Because of this, he looks to have carved himself a full-time NHL gig. While he's currently in the AHL, it doesn't appear to be long-term, as it was done to clear roster space and Lee was just a casualty because of his two-way contract. Expect to see Lee called up post-trade deadline and play big minutes for the Sens, with perhaps a playoff run with Binghamton at the end of the year for experience.
Following his selection in 2005, John Muckler claimed that the Sens had Lee rated as the 5th best player in the draft. He doesn't have skills that jump out at you, but you can see why he was so highly thought of by the Sens. His hockey sense is through the roof, and is perhaps his greatest attribute. He reads the play well, he understands what to do with and without the puck, and is just an incredibly intelligent player in general. For a big guy at 6'3", Lee is a terrific skater, perhaps the best skating defenseman the Sens currently have (although he doesn't have much competition). He's a real good puck mover, and is starting to skate more with the puck, which will only help make him more dangerous. On the other hand, he still has his flaws, the most obvious being his lack of strength. He still gets outmuscled in the corners, which isn't surprising at his age, but it will continue to improve. His lack of strength also limits his offensive game, as his shot is below average, at best. He'll need to continue to fill out in order to reach his full potential.
The future looks bright for Lee. At only 21, he's already shown he can play 20+ minutes a night in the NHL, and he will only continue to get better. He looks like a sure bet to be a top 4 blueliner in this league, but the question is, what is his top end potential? I personally believe he can be a top pairing guy. Probably not a #1 defenseman, but he has all the makings of a good #2. He's got the size, he's got the skating ability, he can move the puck, he can jump into the play, and he can play in any situation. If he fills out even more, you've added yet another element to his game.
Nearly 4 years after his draft, Sens fans have good reason to be excited about the 9th pick in the 2005 draft.
From the second Brian Lee was drafted, people have questioned his selection. Taken 9th overall in 2005, with the Sens earliest draft pick in 4 years, Lee was an unknown to many in Ottawa at the time. Not only did he have the pressure of being selected before Canadian junior stars Marc Staal and Luc Bourdon, but he had to watch then GM John Muckler declare that he better be ready for the NHL in two years. Anyone that looked at Lee when he was drafted probably considered him crazy.
Lee's draft year put him on the map. While he was a high school hockey star in Minnesota, very few knew about him. That was, until Team USA surprised everyone and selected the tall and lanky Lee to their World Junior team, ahead of the highly touted Jack Johnson. Although Lee rarely saw ice time during the tournament, it put him on the map, and afterwards, went back to the Minnesota high school league and was named Mr. Hockey as the top senior high school hockey player in the state. Over the course of his draft year, he also played 12 games in the USHL, putting up just 3 assists, but adding 5 points in 4 playoff games.
Lee's post-draft development has not been ideal for a top 10 selection, but the strides are there. The most noticeable flaw from just looking at Lee when he was drafted was his lack of strength. While listed at 6'2"/6'3", Lee weighed in the 170's when he was drafted, and looked even smaller. 4 years after being selected, he now sits at 203 pounds, and while he is getting stronger, it will be a few more years before we see the finished product with Lee.
The University of North Dakota was Brian Lee's destination after being drafted. While Lee was labeled as an offensive defenseman from the moment he was drafted, his all-around game developed probably a bit faster than people expected, and remains the underrated part in his game. Even as a freshman, Lee was playing big time minutes in all situations, including 1st unit penalty kill time. While his offensive numbers his first year weren't staggering, for a freshman campaign, it was considered a great success. It was his sophomore year of college that put some doubt in the minds of many Sens fans, who were skeptical to begin with. His offensive numbers didn't progress as much as many had hoped, and his all-around game appeared to have taken a hit. Both of these years, he played for Team USA in the World Junior Championships, but while his role was bigger than the first time, he was still stuck behind the far more hyped Erik Johnson and Jack Johnson and didn't get a ton of ice time.
It was the summer after his sophomore campaign when he surprised many and signed a professional contract with Ottawa. Would John Muckler's forecast of Lee being ready in two years actually come true?
Well, it didn't, but it did come as a pleasant surprise to Sens fans that Lee was eager to accelerate his development. While he went into training camp with very slim chances of actually making the team, he did impress and show the skills, and was sent to AHL affiliate Binghamton to start the year. Perhaps benefitting Lee the most in the AHL was playing with veteran Lawrence Nycholat, and Lee flourished his first year down there, being named to the AHL All-Star team and registering 25 points in 55 games and playing in every situation.
When an ankle injury sidelined Lee for over a month in February, many figured his chance to make a jump to Ottawa very small. However, after playing only 1 AHL game after missing a month plus of hockey, Lee got the call when Wade Redden was injured. Lee didn't waste any time impressing the brass. His first game was stellar, displaying perfect one on one defensive ability, an ability to jump into the rush, and even playing a little goalie by saving a sure goal. The next day, Murray declared Lee an NHL'er, and he finished the year off in Ottawa, playing 6 regular season games and 4 playoff games while racking up 1 assist.
Lee came into this season with high expectations, but with new coach Craig Hartsburg unwilling to give him a lot of chances, or let him play with the partner he excelled with at the end of the previous year (Chris Phillips), Lee struggled, and was sent down abruptly after only 5 games. He went to Binghamton, and if you listen to their fans, didn't exactly look good. Many wondered if he would get another chance this season, but when injuries to Filip Kuba and Anton Volchenkov hit the Sens, Lee was recalled, and given a bigger role. He excelled. Playing 20+ minutes a night, often leading the team in ice time, Lee looked far more confident and was initiating instead of reacting. Because of this, he looks to have carved himself a full-time NHL gig. While he's currently in the AHL, it doesn't appear to be long-term, as it was done to clear roster space and Lee was just a casualty because of his two-way contract. Expect to see Lee called up post-trade deadline and play big minutes for the Sens, with perhaps a playoff run with Binghamton at the end of the year for experience.
Following his selection in 2005, John Muckler claimed that the Sens had Lee rated as the 5th best player in the draft. He doesn't have skills that jump out at you, but you can see why he was so highly thought of by the Sens. His hockey sense is through the roof, and is perhaps his greatest attribute. He reads the play well, he understands what to do with and without the puck, and is just an incredibly intelligent player in general. For a big guy at 6'3", Lee is a terrific skater, perhaps the best skating defenseman the Sens currently have (although he doesn't have much competition). He's a real good puck mover, and is starting to skate more with the puck, which will only help make him more dangerous. On the other hand, he still has his flaws, the most obvious being his lack of strength. He still gets outmuscled in the corners, which isn't surprising at his age, but it will continue to improve. His lack of strength also limits his offensive game, as his shot is below average, at best. He'll need to continue to fill out in order to reach his full potential.
The future looks bright for Lee. At only 21, he's already shown he can play 20+ minutes a night in the NHL, and he will only continue to get better. He looks like a sure bet to be a top 4 blueliner in this league, but the question is, what is his top end potential? I personally believe he can be a top pairing guy. Probably not a #1 defenseman, but he has all the makings of a good #2. He's got the size, he's got the skating ability, he can move the puck, he can jump into the play, and he can play in any situation. If he fills out even more, you've added yet another element to his game.
Nearly 4 years after his draft, Sens fans have good reason to be excited about the 9th pick in the 2005 draft.
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