2002 NHL Draft

[dagies]

Matt Green and Matt Jones taken 44th and 80th overall respectively:

http://www.uscho.com/news/agate.php?item=draft02

Nice article from the Herald last week about Jones:

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/sports/3506569.htm

Found this link on Greene from Central Scouting that looks good:

http://proicehockey.about.com/gi.....com%2F

About Jones:

http://proicehockey.about.com/gi.....com%2F

[The Sicatoka]

Yo 'dagies,' you short-changed Mr. Greene an 'e' and he doesn't sound like a guy you should short-change.

[The Sicatoka]

I'm surprised that Greene went before Jones. Is it that NHL "we love size" thing at work or something more? (Greene is 3 inches taller.)

And how in the world did Blais and Company get a Michigan guy like Greene away from the Wolverines and Spartans? Sparty got Joe Markusen (Grafton, ND) a couple of years ago so we'll just consider this an equalizer.

[dagies]

Yo 'dagies,' you short-changed Mr. Greene an 'e' and he doesn't sound like a guy you should short-change.

I only averaged one-half an "e".

[The Sicatoka]

David Hale.

Andy Schneider.

Mike "239 PIM" Prpich.

And an "abrasive" defenseman.

I'm thinking they may already need to renovate that brand new arena. The penalty box is probably going to be too small.  

[The Sicatoka]

Just finished reading the CSB report on the Matts.

Jones:

"smooth, powerful skater with an effortless stride and good balance"

"can physically dominate the defensive zone"

"strong in one-on-one situations."

Greene:

"good skater with a strong stride and good speed"

"an abrasive player who can intimidate and dominate a physical game"

"very strong in one-on-one situations."

There's an echo in there. Is it the CSB or what the coaches are looking for in a defenseman?

And I really like that "strong in one-on-one" thing. If that's the defensive player Blais is recruiting, well, how do D get hung out on one-on-ones? Normally because his teammates were in open attack mode in the offensive zone. I like it! I like it!

[dagies]

Sooooo, out on the ice at one time you have, say:

Greene

[dagies]

Now from an article on Hockey's Future:

On Jones:

#80 (Round 4) Matt Jones - Defense - University of North Dakota, NCAA

Central Scouting Bureau Information: A very smooth, powerful skater with an effortless stride and good balance ... has good offensive ability and likes to join the offensive attack ... has strong passing skills and a good shot ... a smart player and a good decision maker ... an aggressive player who can physically dominate the defensive zone ... punishes opponents in the corners and in front of the net ... strong in one-on-one situations.

Jones will be able to make the NHL as long as he works hard and keeps his body in condition. His 6'0" 215-pound frame is able to handle the body in front of the net physically and able to handle the other teams best forwards.

Projected Like: Scott Stevens

Chance in the NHL: 6/10