EHM-I: A New Era in USA Hockey - Year 1

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Doesn't seem like I've played very well at all this year ...

No you have; our team just isn't very good. We're two lines deep, and 4 D deep.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

No you have; our team just isn't very good. We're two lines deep, and 4 D deep.

Yeah, I made that comment after just looking at scores. Went back and read the game reports, I guess I'm doing pretty well - probably not as good as last year, though.

[st.cronin]

By the way, I've noticed that in EHM goalies are often drafted way far away from their ranking. I wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't picked in the first round.

[DeToxRox]

USA vs FINLAND

Semi-finals

1st Period

The first period of the United States/Finland game was just like the first period of the Canada/USA game, as the Fins absolutely dominated. This time though, Sean Treacy was on from the get go, turning away all 22 Fin shots. Meanwhile, the USA managed 9 shots, but one of them was from a streaking Dan Ertmann down the right wing who just put the puck on the ice, and it rolled past the Finnish goalie, Aalto, to give the USA a 1-0 lead. It was only the fourth goal the Fins had allowed all tournament, and the first time they hadn't had the lead. Still the USA were being badly outplayed, and were lucky to have a 1-0 lead.

2nd Period

The Fins once again came out smoking with 15 shots on net, but the USA only allowed one shot inside the Primary Shooting Zone (From the hashes in) and once again Sean Treacy was huge. But the 15th shot of the period was on a nice one timer from Markkanen that tied the game at 1-1. With the Fins having the momentum, America needed something; anything to get them started. Enter Brian Weber. Weber exploded out of the penalty box to get a perfect feed from Joe Mazeika. Weber in all alone on the next deked out Aalto and made the score 2-1 USA going into the third.

3rd Period

Sean Treacy is offically the best goale in the USA WJC history. In the third period with the USA being badly outplayed, and their tournament life on the lines, the US relied on Sean Treacy and he came up big. Treacy turned away all 13 Finnish shots, including THREE BREAKAWAYS en route to a massive upset, as the United States preserved their 2-1 lead to win it 2-1. Sean Treacy, in the two biggest games of the tournament, was named the unanimous first star, and is the only reason the USA will be going on to play Sweden for the Gold, in a rematch of last years finals.

FINAL SCORE

USA 2
FIN 1

3 STARS

1st star: Sean Treacy (USA) 49 saves, 10 rating
2nd star: Dan Ertmann (USA) 1 G, 0 A, 1 PT, 9 rating (GWG)
3rd star: Antti Markkanen (FIN) 1 G, 0 A, 1 PT, 8 rating

[ice4277]

We are good and stuff.

Well, Treacy is good, we are pretty mediocre.

[st.cronin]

Dear Fins,

pwned. again.

Yours,

Sean Treacy

[DeToxRox]

Sweden beat Russia 4-3 in OT.

Should be a great rematch from last years Gold Medal game.

[DeToxRox]

USA vs SWEDEN

GOLD MEDAL GAME

1st Period

The US needed to come out strong vs the Swedes to have a chance to repeat as Gold Medalist, and they got the hot start they needed. It started off early with Kevin Thomas blasting home a slap shot on a one timer feed from Rob Nielsen, that was also assisted on by Joe Mazeika. Vinny Saponari was next to act, this time jumping on the power play and getting a nice pass from Ivan Carrillo the lead to a slap shot goal. Mazeika earned his second assist on the play. The best news was Sean Treacy only needed 9 stops in the first and the US walked into the intermission up 2-0.

2nd Period

Paajarvi of Sweden was able to knock the lead down to 2-1 on his own one timer, and it looked like Sweden had some life. But Justin Brooks answered three minutes later on what was a trickler past Swedens goalie. A weak goal that seemed to take the sails out of the Swedish sails. With Brooks goal the USA was up 3-1 with 20 minutes to go.

3rd Period

The third period saw Sweden have both guns blazing. Unfortunatley it lead to a turnover in there own end. The puck was moved over to Brandon Allen who ripped a shot from the point to put the USA up 4-1. With five minutes left, Sandstrom on Sweden scored, but by then it was too little too late. Sean Treacy turned up his game and thats how the game ended, 4-2 with the USA repeating as Gold Medalist!

FINAL SCORE

USA 4
SWE 2

3 STARS

1st star: Joe Mazeika (USA) 0 G, 2 A, 2 PT, 9 rating
2nd star: Kevin Thomas (USA) 1 G, 0 A, 1 PT, 8 rating
3rd star: Sean Treacy (USA) 25 saves, 8 rating

USA WINS THE GOLD MEDAL

[Coffee Warlord]

Two golds for Rob Nielsen! WHOO!

[ice4277]

Good job again lads. Joe Mazeika looks forward to captaining all of you to glory again in the future.

[DeToxRox]

2010 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARDS

MVP: Sean Treacy (USA) 4-2-1, 2.13 GAA, .945 save %
Most Outstanding Forward: Dale Hunt (CAN) 3 G, 4 A, 7 PT, 8.20 rating
Most Outstanding Defensemen: Joe Mazeika (USA) 1 G, 5 A, 6 PT, 7.89 rating
Most Outstanding Goalie: Sean Treacy (USA) 4-2-1, 2.13 GAA, .945 save %

WJC ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

D: Joe Mazeika (USA)
D: Andrei Gromov (RUS)
F: Dale Hunt (CAN)
C: Rob Nielsen (USA)
F: Peter Granqvist (SWE)
G: Sean Treacy (USA)

[st.cronin]

How old is Treacy?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

How old is Treacy?

He just turned 18 in December of this season.

[st.cronin]

So, potentially, a shot at another gold medal.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

So, potentially, a shot at another gold medal.

My thoughts are yes. I don't see many goalies ever go straight from the draft to the NHL but you never know.

[The Phat Eskimo]

2 years ago in my EHM game the leafs vs ducks final...game 7 leafs up by two goals with 4 mins to go, the dunks manage a comeback, to only lose in double overtime by McCabe's imprssion of bobby orr, skating from one end to the other to bang home the winner.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by The Phat Eskimo

2 years ago in my EHM game the leafs vs ducks final...game 7 leafs up by two goals with 4 mins to go, the dunks manage a comeback, to only lose in double overtime by McCabe's imprssion of bobby orr, skating from one end to the other to bang home the winner.

Yeah it's intense when it happens. I got so into all these games it was sick.

[Karlifornia]

Congrats, guys. Even though I wasn't there I was pulling for you guys hard.

[DeToxRox]

I'm going to post Olympic Rosters tonight then update on the guys

[The Phat Eskimo]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

I'm going to post Olympic Rosters tonight then update on the guys

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....creams pants

[DeToxRox]

2010 OLYMPICS

GROUP A

Games played in: Greensboro, Cleveland, Chicago

Austria
Czech Replubic
Finland
Latvia
USA
Slovakia

GROUP B

Games played in Detroit, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia

Germany
Canada
Russia
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

[DeToxRox]

UNITED STATES ROSTER

GM/Coach: Jim Schoenfeld

GOALIES

Ryan Miller - Buffalo Sabres (29 y/o)
Robert Esche - Minnesota Wild (32 y/o)
Rick DiPietro - Florida Panthers (28 y/o)

DEFENSE

David Hale - Buffalo Sabres (28 y/o)
Jordan Leopold - Buffalo Sabres (29 y/o)
Paul Mara - Boston Bruins (30 y/o)
Ryan Suter - Nashville Predatoes (25 y/o)
Matt Greene - Buffalo Sabres (26 y/o)
Derian Hatcher - Philadelphia Flyers (37 y/o)
Paul Martin - Detroit Red Wings (28 y/o)
Brian Rafalski - New Jersey Devils (36 y/o)
Jack Johnson - Carolina Hurricanes (22 y/o)

FORWARDS

Erik Cole - St. Louis Blues (31 y/o)
Danny Fritsche - Columbus Blue Jackets (24 y/o)
Ryan Malone - Pittsburgh Penguins (30 y/o)
Keith Tkachuck - Nashville Predators (37 y/o)
Mike York - Detroit Red Wings (32 y/o)
Phil Kessel - San Jose Sharks (22 y/o)
David Legwand - Pheonix Coyotes (29 y/o)
Peter Mueller - Chicago Blackhawks (21 y/o)
Patrick O'Sullivan - Minnesota Wild (25 y/o)
Zach Parise - Los Angeles Kings (25 y/o)
Dustin Brown - Boston Bruins (25 y/o)
Bill Guerin - Florida Panthers (39 y/o)
Mark Parrish - St. Louis Blues (33 y/o)
Bobby Ryan - Anaheim Mighty Ducks (22 y/o)

OVERVIEW

The US team that won silver is long gone, but this team is just here to get the young guns like Johnson, Kessel, Ryan, Fritsche, Parise and O'Sullivan some exposure. Add that to some young blood to replace the old guard like Hatcher, Guerin and Tkachuck and the USA will be a potential powerhouse in the 2014 Olympics. Unfortunatley, this team will be lucky to contend for Bronze. They're just too green.

[DeToxRox]

CANADIEN ROSTER

Coach/GM: John Ferguson Jr.

GOALIES

Roberto Luongo: Ottawa Senators (30 y/o)
Martin Brodeur: New Jersey Devils (37 y/o)
Marty Turco: Dallas Stars (34 y/o)

DEFENSE

Jay Bouwmeester: Florida Panthers (26 y/o)
Scott Niedermayer: Anaheim Mighty Ducks (36 y/o)
Chris Pronger: Edmonton Oilers (35 y/o)
Wade Redden: Detroit Red Wings (32 y/o)
Robyn Regher: New York Rangers (29 y/o)
Dan Boyle: New Jersey Devils (33 y/o)
Ed Jovanovski: New Jersey Devils (33 y/o)
Bryan McCabe: St. Louis Blues (34 y/o)
Derek Morris: Carolina Hurricanes (31 y/o)

FORWARDS

Dany Heatley: Tampa Bay Lightning (29 y/o)
Pal Kariya: Calgary Flames (35 y/o)
Rick Nash: Columbus Blue Jackets (25 y/o)
Alex Tanguay: Pheonix Coyotes (30 y/o)
Daniel Briere: New York Rangers (32 y/o)
Sidney Crosby: Pittsburgh Penguins (22 y/o)
Brad Richards: Carolina Hurricanes (29 y/o)
Jason Spezza: Edmonton Oilers (26 y/o)
Joe Thorton: Ottawa Senators (30 y/o)
Todd Bertuzzi: Ottawa Senators (35 y/o)
Shane Doan: Phoenix Coyotes (33 y/o)
Jarome Iginla: Calgary Flames (32 y/o)
Martin St. Louis: Tampa Bay Lightning (34 y/o)
Steve Sullivan: New York Islanders (35 y/o)

SUMMARY

Canada is primed for a repeat at Gold. Lot's of veterans from last Olympics team, plus some new guys who could've played on last years team. They're still going to be competitve in four years too, with Nash, Crosby, Bouwmeester and others ready to carry the torch. One problem down the line could be goal, but chances are Lulongo, who will only be 34 at that time, will still be manning the pipes. Even with playing the Russians and the Swedes, the Canadiens are still the odds on favorites to take Gold back to Canada.

[duff88]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

Jack Johnson - Carolina Panthers (22 y/o)

Jack Johnson now plays in the NFL?

[The Phat Eskimo]

Originally Posted by duff88

Jack Johnson now plays in the NFL?

Yeah you didn't here about that??

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by duff88

Jack Johnson now plays in the NFL?

lol nice catch. you can see where my minds been.

[DeToxRox]

RUSSIAN ROSTER

Coach/GM: Vladimir Krikunov

GOALIES

Evgeni Nabakov: Boston Bruins (34 y/o)
Nikolai Khabibulan: New York Rangers (37 y/o)
Semen Varlanov: Buffalo Sabres (21 y/o)

DEFENSE

Sergei Gonchar: Pittsburgh Penguins (35 y/o)
Denis Grebeshkov: Los Angeles Kings (26 y/o)
Demitri Kalinin: Nashville Predators (29 y/o)
Danil Markov: Chicago Blackhawks (33 y/o)
Oleg Tverdovsky: Atlanta Thrahsers (33 y/o)
Fedor Tyutin: Buffalo Sabres (26 y/o)
Maxim Kondratiev: Buffalo Sabres (27 y/o)
Alexi Zhitnik: Minnesota Wild (37 y/o)
Segei Zubov: Dallas Stars (39 y/o)

FORWARDS

Stanislav Chistov: Edmonton Oilers (26 y/o)
Alexander Frolov: Phoenix Coyotes (27 y/o)
Ilya Kovalchuck: Atlanta Thrashers (26 y/o)
Slava Kozlov: San Jose Sharks (37 y/o)
Alexander Ovechkin: Washington Capitals (24 y/o)
Sergei Samsonov: Minnesota Wild (31 y/o)
Alexander Semin: Washington Capitals (25 y/o)
Alexi Karigordov: Chicago Blackhawks (26 y/o)
Oleg Kvasha: Buffalo Sabres (31 y/o)
Evgeni Malkin: Pittsburgh Penguins (23 y/o)
Alexi Yashin: New York Islanders (36 y/o)
Maxim Afinogenov: Buffalo Sabres (30 y/o)
Alexi Kovalev: Carolina Hurricanes (36 y/o)
Nikoali Zherdev: Columbus Blue Jackets (25 y/o)

SUMMARY

The Russians offense is dynamic. Their defense is solid but slow. Still, they'll be able to head man the puck and let Kovalchuck and Ovechkin wow the Olympic fans. Expect lots of high scoring games from the Russians, who might be the only team with the firepower to stop the ridiculously potent Canadien assault.

[DeToxRox]

SWEDISH ROSTER

Coach/GM: Ken Holland

GOALIES

Henrik Lundvqist: Anaheim Mighty Ducks (27 y/o)
Stefan Ridderwall: Dallas Stars (21 y/o)
Mikael Tellqvist: Toronto Maple Leafs (30 y/o)

DEFENSE

Christian Backman: New York Rangers (29 y/o)
Nicklas Grossman: Detroit Red Wings (25 y/o)
Kim Johnsson: Colorado Avalanche (33 y/o)
Nick Lidstrom: Dallas Stars (39 y/o)
Andreas Lilja: Vancouver Canucks (34 y/o)
Mattias Ohlund: Vancouver Canucks (33 y/o)
Dick Tarnstrom: Florida Panthers (35 y/o)
Daniel Tjarnvqist: Montreal Canadiens (33 y/o)
Mattias Norstrom: Minnesota Wild (38 y/o)

FORWARDS

Nils Ekman: Vancouver Canucks (33 y/o)
Kristian Huslieus: Florida Panthers (31 y/o)
Markus Naslund: Vancouver Canucks (36 y/o)
Marcus Nilson: Atlanta Thrashers (31 y/o)
Niklas Nordgren: Tampa Bay Lightning (30 y/o)
Michael Nylander: Colorado Avalanche (37 y/o)
Daniel Sedin: Atlanta Thrashers (29 y/o)
Henrik Zetterbeg: Dallas Stars (29 y/o)
Peter Forsberg: Washington Capitals (36 y/o)
Samuel Pahlsson: San Jose Sharks (33 y/o)
Mats Sundin: Toronto Maple Leafs (39 y/o)
Daniel Alfredsson: Ottawa Senators (36 y/o)
Nicklas Bergfors: Edmonton Oilers (23 y/o)
Anton Lander: Montreal Canadiens (18 y/o)

SUMMARY

The Swedes have an all around team. They can do it all, and while the Russians could hold their own against Canada in a shoot out, the Swedes can beat Canada straight up if they play an amazing game. The wildcard is 18 year old stud Anton Lander, who many Americans are familiar with during his time in the WJC's. Lander can straight up play and is the favorite to win the NHL's Calder Trophy. If Lander can mature overnight into another go to guy for the Swedes, they can have a legit shot at the gold.

[DeToxRox]

I am going to post the Fins and Czechs rosters tonight.

Then the question is: Should I just summarize the Olympics or what?

Your guys call.

[st.cronin]

I would prefer just a quick summary.

[ice4277]

I would prefer any update whatsoever at this point. Chop chop!

[Coffee Warlord]

Since Rob Nielsen is not in the Olympics, nor is any of Rob Nielsen's supporting cast...summarize it.

[ice4277]

Still waiting

[Sublime 2]

Summary sounds great for the Owen-meister also.

[DeToxRox]

Summary it'll be. I figure you don't need the Czech or Finnish rosters. I'll have it done today hopefully.

[DeToxRox]

2010 OLYMPIC SUMMARY

GOLD MEDAL: Canada (Undefeated; Beat USA in quarter finals 3-2. Closest game of the tourney for them. Iginla and Crosby shined, with 20 points apiece)
SILVER MEDAL: Russia (Lost twice all tournament, both to Canada. Both times gave up 6 goals.)
BRONZE MEDAL: Sweden (Beat Finland in a shootout. Played well. All B group teams medaled, showing the obvious disparity between the brackets.)

Canada dominated. This team is favored for sure going in 2014.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by DeToxRoxDVHStyle

2010 OLYMPIC SUMMARY
SILVER MEDAL: Russia (Lost twice all tournament, both to Russia. Both times gave up 6 goals.)

We wait days for an update and this is the kind of quality we get.

[DeToxRox]

2010 MID YEAR REVIEW

NHL

Mike Ritschel: Ritschel has 12 assists thus far into the season, but has struggled to gain consistency on a bad team. Andy Murray keeps shuffling lines trying to find some continuity, which now has Ritschel on the third unit with Lydman, but it hasn't worked well yet. Ritschel is their future so he'll be the one who gets the benefit of the doubt.

Karl Bernal: Bernal only has 9 goals and 5 assists as a rookie, but again, Colorado isn't much in the way of a team. Bernal is on the third line still, but none of the Avs lines are scoring as the Avs rank last in the NHL in Goals For. Bernal won't be in the running for the Calder, but this is a good learning experience.

MAJOR JUNIOR

Kevin Thomas: Kevin Thomas has been playing as advertisied with Sarnia, notching 74 points halfway through the season. Sarnia currently sits 8th in their conference, which is dissappointing but as of now it'd land them in the playoffs which is all they want. If they can land that, then the records erase and anything can happen.

Rob Nielsen: Wow is all that comes to mind when looking at Nielsens accolades this year. He has 121 points through 59 games, and has Lethbridge already clinched for a playoff birth. He has carried the team on his back, considering their defense is non-existant, but their offense packs a punch. Nielsen is in a battle for Grimard of Regina for league MVP.

NCAA

Owen Hunter: Dartmouth has struggled, but Hunter has been solid, with 12 goals and 13 assists through 35 games. People won't remember him for his NCAA play however, what they will remember is his two years of clutch play at the World Juniors.

Dan Ertmann: MSU-Manatako is another team struggling to win games, but Ertmann is playing solid with 20 points thus far. The numbers don't sound like much but Hunter has the same problem; being a top guy on a bad team, he's getting keyed in on every shift he's out.

Daniel Turner: Turner has been excellent at Wisconsin, tallying 19 points and being a + 8. He's also laid the wood with 134 hits, which matches his 134 PIM. Turner is also a perfect 10 for 10 in fights, which slowly is becoming the most intriguing part of his game for sure.

Ivan Carrillo: Carrillo has been awesome. 35 points, + 43, 8.21 rating per game. Perhaps no one has improved more so far then Carrillo, who along with Treacy have lead Maine to the #1 ranking in America and perrenial favorites to win the Frozen Four.

Sean Treacy: Sean Treacy is maybe the most clutch USA born player people have seen in ages, and his ranking from the CSB proves that. But more then that, his play proves that. Treacy is 24-7-4 for Maine with a 1.94 GAA and a .925 save %. Treacy is expected to be a first round pick in the draft for a reason.

Joe Mazeika: Mazeika at Harvard has been dynamite for a 17 year old freshman, as he has 17 points so far, and has been delievering lots of hits, with 103 to date. Mazeika continually impresses NHL scouts and is going to be a first round pick, more then likely in the top 15 come draft time.

Colton Mayes: Mayes has 50 points in 30 games for Lawerence in the D-III, and he's showed off skills people didn't realize he had. Will anything come of it? This no one knows, but he has shown he has the ability to be a difference maker no matter where he plays so you have to think someone is taking notice.

[General Mike]

LA is F'ing me over.

[Icy]

We have an awesome team with Treacy and me in Maine, let's go for the Frozen four!

[DeToxRox]

2010 Year End Review

NHL

Mike Ritschel: Mike played decently for the Kings to a point, but then he suffered a dislocated shoulder that kept him out for the last 30 games of the year, which was a shame, but a fitting way for the Kings seasons to end. Ritschel will be back, all healed up and ready to make a bigger impact next season.

2009-10 stats: 53 GP, 0 G, 12 A, - 12

Karl Bernal: Bernal played in 77 games but the Avs had one of the worst records in the NHL because .. well they couldn't do anything right. They couldn't score and they couldn't stop people from scoring, which lead Bernal, and just about everyone else, to low point totals and horrendous +/-.

2009-10 stats: 77 GP, 10 G, 7 A, 17 PT, - 36


MAJOR JUNIOR

Kevin Thomas: Thomas was solid for the Sarnia Sting, cooling down near the end of the season but still putting up some solid #'s in what was a down year in the O for offense.

2009-10: 62 GP, 40 G, 46 A, 88 PT, + 48 [Regular Season]
2009-10: 7 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PT, + 4 [Playoffs]

Rob Nielsen: Nielsen had another stupendous year, rivaling his totals from last year. Nielsen lead Lethbridge to the Conference Semis, but he couldn't quite get them over the hump.

2009-10: 64 GP, 66 G, 67 A, 133 PT, + 73 [Regular Season]
2009-10: 13 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 PT, + 20

NCAA

Owen Hunter: Hunter finished with another solid year for Dartmouth. Nothing spectacular but still solid. Hunter is nearing the end of his college run, with the AHL looming.

2009-10 stats: 46 GP, 18 G, 17 A, 35 PT, - 9

Dan Ertmann: Ertmann with a solid year, albeit not too spectacular. He played his game well and showed a good flare on the ice at times. Still was lost out there whenhe took a shift off, but improved over last year.

2009-10 stats: 45 GP, 16 G, 10 A, 26 PT

Daniel Turner: Turners offense cooled but Wisoncsin didn't as they rolled into the Frozen Four where they were dumped by Sean Treacy and the Maine Black Bears 5-1 in the finals. Still, Turner looked good and is making the Panthers happy.

2009-10 stats: 46 GP, 10 G, 31 A, 41 PT, + 9

Ivan Carrillo: Carrillo was awesome for the Black Bears, definelty becoming their best defensemen as the season wore on. Carrillo's offense was a nice addition to a physical game that left numerous opponents wondering what mack truck they ran into.

2009-10 stats: 46 GP, 4 G, 41 A, 45 PT, + 48

Sean Treacy: Add Frozen Four MVP to his list of accomplishments, as Treacy lead the Black Bears to the NCAA Title. Treacy was just awesome, you can't say anything else about it, and he's solidified himself in the top 15 of Junes draft.

2009-10 stats: 41 GP, 30-7-4, 1.98 GAA, .932 save %

Joe Mazeika: Mazeika got Harvard into the final eight, and was named team MVP, but he alone couldn't get Harvard past Wisconsin, who they fell to 2-0. Mazeika was great for a freshman though and he too anchored himself in the top half of the first round of the draft.

2009-10 stats: 46 GP, 4 G, 23 A, 27 PT, + 10

Colton Mayes: Mayes was great for Lawernece in the 55 games he played, showcasing a talent for hitting the open man wherever he was. The question is who else is taking notice?

2009-10 stats: 55 GP, 28 G, 49 A, 77 PT, + 21

[DeToxRox]

Columbus repeats as Stanley Cup Champions beating Ottawa 4-2.

Heatley wins the Art Ross with 155 points.

John Tavares wins the Calder with 60 points.

[DeToxRox]

WITH THE EIGHT PICK IN THE 2010 NHL DRAFT ...

The Los Angeles Kings select LW/C Rob Nielsen

Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL
6'2", 176 lbs
Palm Springs, CA

OVERVIEW

What an ideal draft pick for the Kings. They needed offense. Check. They needed someone to put butts in the seat. Check. They needed someone to teach them confidence. Check. Nielsen, the Hollywood kid, comes to LA to play alongside former WJC Teammate Mike Ritschel with hopes of putting the Kings back on track.

The USA was hoping Nielsen would land in a big market because many compare him to Jeremy Roenick 2.0, both in talent and his brash, cocky attitude. Nielsen will be all over the news in LA you better believe, and for once, the Kings are slowly having a positive outlook on the future with Nielsen and Ritschel making their presences known in due time.

[DeToxRox]

WITH THE ELEVENTH PICK IN THE 2010 NHL DRAFT ...

The Minnesota Wild select G Sean Treacy

Maine Black Bears of the NCAA
6'3", 213 lbs
Santa Fe, NM

OVERVIEW

Sean Treacy, barring any injuries, might just be on par to becoming the best US born Goaltender ever. He has that kind of ability, size, potential and mental make up to be the best. The Wild haven't changed much as a team either. Still a defense first club, they beat you with solid D and mistake free offense. Treacy has a better then average chance of being Minnesotas #1 goalie next year as an 18 year old, which is almost unreal to think about.

On the off chance Treacy doesn't make the Wild, it's a lock Treacy will make Maine the pre-season #1, as well as being the backstop to the USA's World Junior team that looks to three peat Gold. In the end though, Treacy will be doing something prolific when next season rolls around.

[DeToxRox]

WITH THE THIRTENTH PICK THE 2010 NHL DRAFT ...

The Carolina Hurricanes select D Joe Mazeika

Harvard of the NCAA
6'0", 183 lbs
Berkley, MI

OVERVIEW

Mazeika going to Carolina is going to unite some Dartmouth and Harvard blood with Mazeika and Owen Hunter getting a chance to play together. They worked well at the WJC's and are expected to both have outside shots at making the Canes this year, who are looking at a younger team with their own outside hopes of contending for the playoffs.

The Canes are a mix of young and old on the point making Mazeika cracking the line up entirely possible, if not this year, then next. Jack Johnson is the one constant on there, but Mazeika will be right alongside with him, not only anchoring the Canes for years to come, but quite possibly the US Olympic Teams too.

It'll make for interesting times.

[st.cronin]

Minne soh te, eh

What's the competition at goal look like?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Minne soh te, eh

What's the competition at goal look like?

Esche is the #1 right now, contracted at 4.5 mil a year through 2012.
Todd Ennis is the #2 at 29 years old, but he's pretty garbage.
Kyle Gajelwski is the #3, but he's looking like an ECHL goalie then an NHL goalie.

Their three AHL goalies are also medicorce, so basically Treacy is second best, but even then he's almost on par with Esche.

They have one unsigned goalie from Russia who won't ever see the NHL more then likely.

[Coffee Warlord]

Me and Ritschel?

LA takes the Stanley next year, baby.

[Chief Rum]

Hey, first time seeing this thread. Looks like a good read. Way to go.

So are you still taking submissions for new players?

[Coffee Warlord]

Rob Nielsen further notes he is a hometown boy, with LA being so close to both Palm Springs AND Las Vegas, his posse will have no problem coming up to watch him dominate.