Prospect Pulse: Ben Blood

In addition to having a very hockey name, Ben Blood also possesses a strong hockey acumen. A strong defensive prospect, this Senators prospect is currently playing in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers. Drafted 120th overall in 2007, Blood will play the current season in Des Moines before moving on the University of North Dakota.

Strong on his skates and sound positionally, Blood is a calm presence on the blue line. As such, he is used extensively on specialty teams. Offensively, Blood has a cannon of a shot that he is able to unload quickly. He distributes the puck well and can be used as a shooter. In his own zone, Blood is able to clear the front of the net effectively and uses his strong positional play to angle off opponents. Though Blood could use his 6'3, 215 lb frame a little more, but this is a minor flaw in his game.

Scouts also note that while Blood lacks a little quickness and lateral movement, he more than makes up for it with his overall game. In watching him last weekend, I did not notice any deficiencies in the speed department. The game was very up tempo and he was right in the thick of it at all times. In addition to his hockey skill, Blood is said to be an excellent communicator and projects to be a future captain.

News You Can Use Late in the Day:

-The Blues have signed free agent Mike Johnson.

-Deliberations in the Rob Ramage trial have been delayed.

-Ron Francis has been named Assistant GM in Carolina.

-James Sheppard his waiting on immigration paperwork in St.Paul.

-Check out Craig MacTavish's comments about Brian Burke at TSN Broadband.

-The Sharks open the season on the road at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

-A preview of the CCHA, featuring national champion Michigan State.

-Jeff Gordon profiles 10 High Profile Free Agents in the NHL.

-Alan Ryder with some unsolicited advice for NHL coaches.

-86 Players in the NHL will make more than $4 million this year.

-Kristian Huselius feels he can have another stellar year offensively.

-Montreal's power-play moves along despite Sheldon Souray's absence.

-The Boston Globe highlights their three picks for who is most likely to be traded.

-Taking Note with a look at the WHL's Western Teams.

-Evan Grossman writes that there is no end in sight to the career of Niklas Lidstrom.

-DJ Gallo provides a crash course in the NHL for the uneducated.

-Victor Chi weighs in on the developing Oilers-Ducks feud.

-Sidney Crosby tells Reebok to fix the jerseys.

-Alan Muir of SI with 19 predictions.

-Brad Ziemer wonders how Alain Vigneault will improve upon last season.

-Martin Havlat learning to dive by playing soccer.

-Radulov to start the season on the 3rd line in Nashville. This should help draw fans.

-Sabremetrics comes to hockey.

-Tim Cronin notes that the Blackhawks can silence critics with a quick start.

-Dwayne Roloson says having a competent backup won't change his gameplan. Maybe not, but it could change his address. If the Oiler falter, look for Roloson to go to a contender at the deadline.

-Daniel Briere says he is ready to earn his keep in Philadelphia.

-Tom Gilbert knows he has to play consistently to stay in the NHL.

-Paul Maurice is keeping his goalie moves a secret.

-The Leafs assign Kronwall to the Marlies.

-Interesting article on Phil Esposito.

-Kevin Paul Dupont looks at the evolution of hockey coaches.

-Scotia Bank becomes the official Canadian bank of the NHL. I guess RBC couldn't afford it.

-A Rangers cheerleader files a sex harassment suit against MSG.

-An injury will keep Toews out of the lineup for the Hawks tonight.

-The Penguins name a trio of alternate captains.

-Is a goaltending controversy brewing in LA?

-Stephen Weiss and Bryan Allen get "A"'s in Florida.

-Three things that the Bruins can do to make the playoffs. This article ignores the fact that the Bruins need to be in the top 8 in the east, point-wise, to make the playoffs.

-Is the Lightning's window to win closing?

-Black Dog Hates Skunks is not impressed with recent Kevin Lowe quotes.

-A look at the top young guys from around the NHL.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse

Coyotes prospect Daniel Carcillo caught my eye last night when watching portions of the Leafs-Coyotes game on the internet. I have to admit that I had absolutely no idea who he was until I researched him a little further. Acquired by the Coyotes in the deal that sent Georges Laraque to Pittsburgh, Carcillo does not even appear on the Coyotes Top 20 list of prospects. A Left Winger by trade, Carcillo is best known for his toughness, racking up 311 penalty minutes for Wilkes-Barre in his first professional season of 2005-2006.

A Sean Avery tough guy with talent type, Carcillo had an OHL career plagued by on and off ice troubles. That being said, he possesses a multitude of skills that may translate into an NHL career. He has a booming shot, is ultra physical, not afraid to fight and has good hands in close. On the downside, he is prone to taking bad penalties and can cost his time with ill-timed decisions.

If Carcillo can build upon his already strong showing at Coyotes camp, he may find himself a place on the roster given his blend of offensive talent and sandpaper personality. A listing of Daniel Carcillo's fights can be found here. Note that while he doesn't fight many heavyweights, he isn't shy about dropping the gloves.

News You Can Use in the Late Morning:

-An interview with Springfield Falcons' head coach Kelly Buchberger.

-Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post predicts the Pats will capture the WHL's Eastern Division in his WHL preview article.

-We noted a couple weeks back that Adam Huxley wrote the Oilers asking for a camp invite. News today indicates that he has earned himself an AHL contract.

-Taking Note with news and notes from the WHL. Note that Team Canada defender Logan Pyett has been named captain of the Regina Pats.

-Eric Duhatschcek notes that the Kings fortunes will rise and fall with Cloutier.

-Jordan Staal embarrassed about bachelor party arrest. This story needs to go away. Who cares? If this is all the trouble NHL'ers get into in the off-season, the league should rest easy. I got into more trouble than this in Grade 9.

-Jeff Gordon looks at 10 players ready to break out.

-Jacques Demers reports for RDS that Cristobal Huet has a leg up on the starting job in Montreal, which may mean that Carey Price starts the year in Hamilton.

-Nick Foligno steps up his game after getting called out by John Paddock.

-WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, the pride of Indian Head, eyes some new rivalries for the start of the 2007-2008 season.

-The OHL will implement new rules this season.

-Capitals hope that their new additions at forward will translate into shootout success.

-One more Lamoureux headed to the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

-In sports business news, Nike will sell off its hockey subsidiary.

-A Coyotes preview from Fanhouse.

-In hockey law news, an Illinois court is set to decide on liability for players and coaches involved in a hit from behind.

-The Sharks are sending personnel to Asia to help develop hockey overseas. This can only bring positive returns. There are thriving hockey markets in places you would not expect and sooner or later they will produce NHL talent. Please take a quick look at the website for the Australian Ice Hockey League, run in part by an ex-pat from Saskatchewan.

-In a related note, check out this story from the Ottawa Sun.

-The Devils hope that Zubrus can offset the loss of Scott Gomez. Hopefully 13 goals isn't too taxing for Mr. Zubrus.

-A Rangers preview.

-The New York Times reports that Jagr and Gomez have buried the hatchet. Since its the Times, reader may want to fact check. Also note that George W. Bush was in fact NOT blamed for anything in the article.

-Eric Brewer looks to anchor the blue-line for St. Louis.

-A San Jose Sharks preview.

-The annual draft seen as a road-block to any European expansion. I say don't bother with Europe. Demographics suggest there will be few people left in Europe in a generation or two.

-Tampa Bay Lightning preview.

-Mike Milbury joins the TSN Broadcast Crew. Watch for him to swing a deal involving Dutchy, Bob McKenzie and Jennifer Hedger to Sportsnet for Martine Gaillard and Jim Lang.

-Scott Feschuk wonders why Gretzky won't talk about Tocchet. Leave Gretz alone and let him worry about the Coyotes.

-Cam Ward needed no introduction to Michael Leighton. They had already talked to each other by hand.

-News from the Kings' camp about the #1 goalie battle and on Prospect Pulse feature Brian Boyle.

-The Bruins look for Jeremy Reich to add a physical edge to their game. Note the picture of Baby Bourque below the main story. Does he look like Raymond or what?

-The mailbag from The Hockey News.

-Terry Frei at ESPN notes Eric Lindros not worth the risk for a team to sign him.

-Battle of California with a look at Michal Handzus.

-Martin Brodeur tells USA Today he still feels durable.

-A look at the Flames goaltending from Battle of Alberta.

-Stan Fischler profiles Justin Bourne at the Islanders' camp.

-Penguins look to continue their ascent to the top of the NHL.

-Penguins meet the fans in a town hall meeting.

-News from Kings' camp about the # goalie battle and on Prospect Pulse feature Brian Boyle.

-The Bruins want Jeremy Reich to add a physical element to the team. Note the picture of Baby Bourque below the main story. Does he look like Raymond or what?

-The Miami Herald notes that Cory Murphy is settling into his role nicely.

-The Score notes that Montreal lacks toughness.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.

Cory Murphy is the new Tom Preissing

In the world of fantasy sports, expert knowledge is everything. How many times have you found yourself in a hockey pool where someone decides to draft an unknown Finnish Elite Leaguer or NCAA late-bloomer like Brian Rafalski of the New Jersey Devils in 1999'2000 or Chris Kunitz of the Anaheim Ducks in 2005'06. These picks, although suspect at the time, can often win drafts for keen puckheads.

Tom Preissing is one such defenseman who surprised many fantasy experts by registering 43 points with the San Jose Sharks in 2005'06. Preissing emerged as one of the top offensive defensemen on a stacked Sharks team after starting the year as a 26-year-old unknown depth defenseman out of Colorado College. Preissing impressed so many hockey insiders that he was a hot commodity in last summers player market, and was eventually traded to the Ottawa Senators in a 3 way deal which also included the Chicago Blackhawks ( Preissing had a solid 38 point campaign in 2006'07, including 7 points in 20 playoff games).

You don't have to look any further than Illegal Curve for this years Tom Preissing because his name is Cory Murphy and he will play for the Florida Panthers this season. Some readers may know Murphy as the "guy you didn't know" on Team Canada during the 2007 World Hockey Championships (yours truly), some may have read his name on hockey blog sites or in The Hockey News Pool Guide. Murphy, from Kanata, Ontario, has spent 5 of the last 6 seasons in the Finnish Elite League, registering 50 points for HIFK Helsinki in 2006'07. Murphy went undrafted after a solid collegiate career with Colgate ('97-'01). He signed with the Panthers in 2007 after catching the eye of a Panthers pro scout ( it is rumoured that many teams were interested in Cory Murphy, the New Jersey Devils included among them). The 29-year-old Murphy should have much success on a young Florida team in desperate need of a puck moving defenseman who can also also chip in on the power play. Murphy will thrive playing with the likes of Jay Bouwmeester, Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss and it is because he will be given every opportunity to thrive in a solid hockey system just like Brian Rafalski, Chris Kunitz and Tom Preissing did before him.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg

Morning Musings: Canada/Russia Super Series leaves much to be desired

After Canada destroyed Russia 8-1 on Tuesday night in Winnipeg, one has to wonder why this tournament was put together in the first place. Now, I understand the long standing relationship between Canada/Russia dating back to the storied 1972 Summit Series, but that was 35 years ago, in a fierce political climate that no longer exists between the two countries. Since September 28, 1972, Canada has played Russia in a number of hockey championships, but it is not as if any of those games were more heated than say games against the United States. In fact, with Canada's close battles with the United States over the past couple of years, maybe they would have been better off staying on this continent and playing an eight game series throughout North America. I can guarantee you one thing, that series would not be this one-sided.

On to the morning papers:

• Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses the negotiations that lie ahead for Don Waddell. Both Kari Lehtonen and Marian Hossa will be free agents in the summer of 2008.
• Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun provides an honest opinion for why the league has come out with new uniforms across the board.
• While Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun has the story behind Andrei Taratukhin heading back to Russia before his entry-level contract has been completed. Let's just say it is not like Darryl Sutter is going to lose too much sleep.
• A sense of excitement is percolating throughout the Columbus Blue Jackets dressing room, prompting one player to say the "dark ages are over." Maybe this is the year the Blue Jackets finally make the playoffs...
• Once a top prospect of the Detroit Red Wings, it appears Igor Grigorenko has made it all the way back from a serious car accident in 2003 writes George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press.
• Devastating news out of Edmonton last night, and as Terry Jones explains, Fernando Pisani's health is far more important than any on-ice results.
• Almost under the radar, Panthers' defenseman Jay Bouwmeester pleaded guilty of DWI on Tuesday in Edmonton. Let's hope that is the last time we hear about an NHL player and the law for the rest of the season.
• Excitement is abound for the newest Montreal Canadiens, says Pat Hickey in this morning's Montreal Gazette.
• The Predators have already sold 9,000 season tickets around 1,000 more than they had at the same time last year. Was everyone too quick to write off Nashville as a viable hockey market?
• Apparently Sens' goalie Ray Emery will be ready for the beginning of the regular season, but maybe not before that.
• The San Jose Mercury News previews the Jeremy Roenick era in the Bay Area and one has to wonder whether the Sharks would have been better off standing pat for the rest of the off-season.
• I'm sure it won't take Vesa Toskala long to realize that he isn't playing in San Jose anymore. Both Paul Hunter of the Star and Mike Zeisberger of the Sun have interesting pieces about the Finnish netminder and the challenges that await him in the pressure cooker that is Toronto.
• With all the troubles Mark Bell has gone through recently, according to the Toronto Sun he may yet be in the line-up to start the season.
• While Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province wonders if maybe this is the year Brad Isbister finally reaches his potential? Yours truly wonders, maybe not....