jk

I've got nothing against Gretzky, but aren't you reaching a bit? 1. Ambassador - Not measurable, not an accomplishment, and if the health of the sport is the best measure, then how successful has he been? 2. Opened new markets - A function of his trade during his playing career. 3. Stabilized a shaky PHX franchise - Hardly a unique accomplishment, as it could be done by anyone with money. 4. 11th hour lockout avoidance - Failed miserably. 5. Olympic gold medal architect - OK, that's an accomplishment. But really, shouldn't Canada be the favorite in every World Cup and Olympic hockey competition? 6. World Cup architect - See 5. 7. Selected to be the architect for the next Olympics - How exactly is this an accomplishment? The event has yet to occur, and if it does, see 5. above.

I'll have to read it again, but it looks to me like it's effective February 1, 2006.

On Watkins, from the Dallas Stars website: Tim Bernhardt, Dallas Stars Director of Amateur Scouting: "He's heading off to a real good program at the University of North Dakota for four years. He's got real flat-out top-end speed." Brad Robson, Dallas Stars Scout: "He is a very smart and skilled player with good vision. He sees the ice very well and he's very good and very calm with the puck. He runs a power play well and is good with the puck down low." http://www.dallasstars.com/homeNewsDetail.jsp?id=2971

http://www.stlouisblues.com/columnists/lw_home.html A little more press from St. Louis. "He scored a goal in every game I saw him play and created scoring opportunities on almost every shift," Kekalainen said. "But what stands out most is he gets involved. Despite his size, he really competes and likes to hit and loves to score or set up a teammate.

First he said, "Oh ... sh*t" Then he said, "Kellen, lookout" Then he said, "Guentzel, help me get my gear back on"

NHL draft - Check. Generated plenty of excitement and discussion. Canada's U18 Camp - Check. Canada announced its Under 18 team this morning, and Jon Toews was named to the team, which will play later this month. Here are the roster and link: # Player S/C Ht. Wt. Birthdate Hometown 2004-05 Team No. Joueur L/C T. P. Naissance Ville d'origine

The Penguins signed Andy Schneider as well, according to my inside source. OK, actually according to the Herald. Congrats to Andy, and don't injure Sidney in practice.

RW, For me it's a two-fold question: Who have they played against, and in front of whom? Kessel played against the best Under-20s in the world, drafted players. He was, in effect, weighed and measured, and not found wanting. And this was done in front of millions. Toews played against "midgets." And though he was seen by important people like scouts, he wasn't seen by millions, or the press. Hence the absence of hype. My point isn't that Toews isn't as good, it's that we don't know. To your question of SSM's obscurity, I meant it in a relative sense, in comparison to playing on international television. The hype that was attached to all of the prospects you named does not in the aggregate approach Mr. Kessel's hype, IMO.

So, you're just trying to take the pressure off MN? Denver has four with MN and four with CC, plus the regular tough WCHA schedule. (I would mention that they also have four with UND, but that doesn't exactly appear to be a problem for Denver.) Despite the terrific players they return, I can't imagine them winning 40 games.

The Oilers' GM on the Pronger deal: "We've got Matt Greene hopefully coming out of North Dakota, we traded Tommy Salo last year for Tom Gilbert, who's at Wisconsin, and we drafted Taylor Chorney and Danny Syvret this year," said Lowe. Syvret,the London Knights captain, is ready to play in the NHL now, so this opens a spot for him. http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjou...154ede33&page=2

You forgot "ugly."

Your point is well-taken. Parise was part of a great class of forwards, and he has been (or soon will be) outscored over his career by some of them. Parise 116 Vanek 113 ---------------- Sertich 132 Sterling 129 Gauthier 116 and even ... Hirsch 93 The curious thing to me about comparing Toews and Kessel is that we do not know if they are even in the same league. We have a pretty good idea what Kessel is about: he dominated the US development program as none have, he showed flashes at the WJC that reveal him to be the most dynamic American forward under age 20, and he's the early choice for the top pick overall in the next NHL draft. Toews, on the other hand, is a relative unknown. We know that a few years ago he was considered among the top handful of Canadian forwards his age, and that he was the top pick in the WHL draft then. Since then, he's toiled in relative obscurity in Faribault, MN. (I know Shattuck is scouted, but it's nothing like the US program and the US WJC team for exposure.) The big question is, when he reappears, in a big-time hockey sense, this Fall in Grand Forks: Is he still one of the elite hockey players his age in North America? If so, then this might end up being a worthy discussion.

This just isn't fair right now, but I'd have to guess Kessel. He's not going to be on anything other than MN's first line, and first PP unit. On the big frozen ocean, he'll be flying around many a defenseman. Toews won't be UND's first-line center, as Zajac owns that spot. I'm not sure how PP time will work out. Plus Kessel's six months older. I hope this doesn't become a regular comparison. Let's just enjoy watching Toews come of age as a hockey player.

People will be looking for Oshie and Kozek to justify their draft positions, which is unfair for true freshmen just starting their college careers. However, the freshmen forwards will be under no real pressure, as some returning stars will be counted on to lead the way, in terms of scoring, early in the season. It's a different story for the freshmen defensemen. Lee, Chorney, Finley and Jones will be relied upon to keep the pressure off the goaltenders. That's a huge request to make of freshmen defensemen, but that's the way it is. edit: NDFAN, you beat me to it.

In thinking about Oshie's draft position, I think the single moment that moved him up into the first round came late in regulation in the State Class A Championship game. As glorious as the OT face-off win and pass were, it was a simple open-ice shoulder check that probably opened eyes. With neither player seeming to have much momentum, Oshie delivered a clean hit, and the opponent crumpled to the ice. It was sufficiently violent that a penalty was called (two minutes for checking hard), and it served as Exhibit A to scouts that he plays big, regardless of his listed size. Smallish guys with good hands and vision are a dime-a-dozen, but a player needs the strength and attitude to play with some grit to make it professionally.

http://www.stlblues.com/news/0405/050730I.html From the Blues website: --------------------------- When informed that the Blues took some heat on Canadian television for their first-round pick center T.J. Oshie from Warroad (Minn.) High School, Kekalainen thought there was a short in his cell phone connection. "Really," he said. "I can

A little buzz from the Tampa paper: MORE ROOKIE SIGNINGS? With the prospect of still having to sign a majority of Tampa Bay's free agents, GM Jay Feaster is looking to add more prospects to the system. That means some of the college players from the 2003 draft picks might be on Feaster's radar. Expect negotiations with defenseman Matt Smaby, Tampa Bay's second second-round pick in the 2003 draft who is set to enter his junior season at North Dakota. Feaster also might look at enticing Brady Greco and Jay Rosehill to begin their pro careers. ----------------------- http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBGE7D5UBE.html

tnt, Thanks for the reality check. First, I would rather have the draft go well for UND's prospects than poorly, so in that regard I'm of course thrilled with Saturday's results. It looks like there are some really nice players coming in. That said, you are absolutely right that production on the ice is what matters, and things like draft position don't matter when you're scrapping in the corner with a 23-year old. Most of these kids are true freshmen, and they are alternately going to have their hands full and show flashes of brilliance. The new-REA era is a new world for UND, as the program is adjusting from assembling teams of slightly older, second-tier, undrafted players (UND's 1997 title team had zero NHL draftees) to building teams of high NHL draft picks, who often start at age 18, or even 17, and sign professional contracts after two or three years. This is Michigan's strategy, and it's instructive to note that Michigan's title drought is now at seven years. I'm definitely in favor of pursuing the best players, and it's exciting to think of the possibilities for UND over the next few years, but it's not certain that success follows immediately after a promising group such as this one arrives. I hope Sioux fans can be patient as these kids develop over the next few years.

Why St. Louis took Oshie where they did, from the Edmonton paper: The Oilers had hoped to deal with the New York Islanders to move up to the 15th overall pick, so they could take Toronto Marlies centre Ryan O'Marra. After that failed to materialize, they bided their time, feeling they would land Warroad, Minn., centre T. J. Oshie, another speedster, with the 25th pick. But the Blues took Oshie with the 24th pick.

What a disappointment. No Sioux taken in the third round. I wish the recruiting was a little better.

Berenson happens to be right, because of course everyone could use another year of seasoning. But he seems to have forgotten that college hockey is just another step on the developmental ladder for the blue-chip players Michigan recruits. I agree, sdd, he should just shut up about it and wish his guys well.

Erik Fabian is very clever. Signed, Judd Stevens

I'm expecting Stafford, Smaby and Zajac to all have good years this year, and then begin their professional careers in the Fall of 2006 (assuming they don't leave yet this Summer). Stafford and Smaby both have NHL size, and first and second round draft choices who continue to progress don't often play four years of college hockey. I think the Devils are really high on Zajac and I think they'll bring him in next year, especially if he has the kind of year I think he might have. All conjecture on my part, and of course I'd love to be wrong. One wildcard is that we don't know yet what the normal course of business will be for the NHL under the new CBA. I would think UND might recruit a few kids that will be in the "arrival date TBD" category; they'll be 2006 recruits if the roster opens up, or 2007 if there is no room.

UND fans desperate for information have a few things to follow in the next few weeks: July 30 -- NHL draft July 30 - August 5 -- Canada's National Under-18 Summer Development Camp (Kitchener, ON), which will be attended by Jon Toews. August 5-14 -- US National Junior Evaluation Camp (Lake Placid, NY). Competing will be Oshie, Lee, Chorney and Jones. August 9-14 -- Under-18 Junior World Cup, in Czechoslovakia (I know there isn't such a place, but the tournament is held in two cities, one in the Czech Republic and one in Slovakia). Hopefully Toews will be there, and it's possible there will be future Sioux on the US team, although they haven't committed yet. ?? -- Dryland training starts. ?? -- Practice officially starts. October 2 -- Exhibition with Manitoba.

The first thing I'd teach Finley is to not take advice from message board coaches. But your point is well taken.