Prospect Pulse: Nico Sachetti

Nico Sacchetti, the 50th overall pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, is a native of Virginia, Minnesota. While playing in the Iron Range, Sacchetti scored an astounding 90 points in 25 high school games his senior year. After also representing the United States at the World Under-18 championships (4 gp, 1-1-2), he graduated to the USHL. Sacchetti, who will suit up for the Omaha Lancers, is a good skater who plays bigger than his 5'11, 189 lb frame.

In the games I witnessed, it was clear that he possesses an abundance of skill and hockey sense. He also seems to be blessed with a number of intangible qualities that should make him a prized prospect. He will play in traffic, he competes hard and he sees the ice very well. I saw him dominate down low on a powerplay for nearly the full two minutes, and the puck seems to follow him around.

There is precious little information about Sacchetti on the internet, but it looks like the future Minnesota Golden Gopher will be a good one. Watch for him in the WCHA next year.

News You Can Use Late in the Day:

-Andrew Raycroft will get the start tonight for the Buds.

-A 16 year old hockey player from St.Louis has collapsed and died during a practice.

-A season preview for the Binghamton Senators.

-Craig Leopold will have to search for another buyer, as the Preds' deal is expected to collapse.

-The Vancouver Canucks claim defenseman Mike Weaver off the waiver wire.

-The wife of former NHL'er Emile Francis is found alive.

-Eric Duhatschek answers some pressing questions.

-The Bruins have made it official by signing veteran forward Glen Metropolit.

-Stephen Brunt reports on the haves and the have-nots of the hockey world.

-The Regina Pats pick up talented forward Tim Kraus from the Vancouver Giants.

-The St. Louis Blues have demoted Petr Cajanek to Peoria and are expected to sign Mike Johnson.

-The Columbus Blue Jackets placed Kris Beech on waivers.

-Hockey Rants has some interesting discussion on the impending collapse of the Predators' sale.

-On Frozen Blog with a point form season preview.

-Damien Cox wonders whether the Hawks or the Leafs will have a longer streak of futility.

-In news only my wife cares about, Kelli Pickler has dumped Jordin Tootoo. Apparently he was tootoo timing her.

-nhl.com gets a new look.

-Michael Farber with a look around the league.

-Season opening rosters for all 30 NHL teams.

-The National Post with 15 Questions about the NHL Season. This is a huge improvement over the usual 10.

-Mike Zeisberger compares the Leafs to a soap opera.

-Burke still angry with the Oilers. I realize this has been posted and discussed already, but I feel Burke really needs to let this one go. Its over, you have your draft picks and you have made your point already. Letting this get in the way of your job is doing a disservice to your team.

-The BlueJackets feel they are a playoff team. Yeah, and I feel that my wife should make me cookies every day. Doesn't mean its going to happen.

-Leaf's broadcaster Joe Bowen to be honoured for 25 years of service.

-11 Stories to watch in the NHL this year. Note that there are apparently attendance problems in Detroit this year.

-The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Jesse Boulerice and Jim Dowd.

-The Minnesota Wild get no respect.

-David Branch discusses the OHL's new penalty designed to limit shots to the head.

-One lawyer accuses another of lying in the Canucks saga.

-A preview of the Montreal Canadiens.

-A good mix of youth and experience on Canada's Women's hockey roster.

-Rob Rossi notes that the Penguins are built for long term success.

-Tom Powers hopes that the Wild bring relief for suffering Minnesota sports fans.

-Chuck Kobasew is hoping to stick on the 2nd line with Sturm and Bergeron.

-Chris Gratton hopes a contact lens will allow him to play in the season opener.

-The Boston Herald notes that no fan fare accompanied the decision to keep Milan Lucic.

-Wes Walz looks to get time on the top line. Only on Jacques Lemaire's team...

-The season preview from the New York Times.

-Craig Custance wonders which rookie will make the biggest impact in Atlanta.

-BREAKING NEWS: The Senators have signed Dany Heatley to a 6 year, $45 million extension.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse: Prediction Time

Due to the fact that I am from Saskatchewan, the Manitoba contingent of Illegal Curve saw fit to exclude me from the morning predictions. Basically, they are the UN and I am Israel. In the face of their demagoguery and elitist policies, I will nevertheless summon the courage to post my predictions.

Stanley Cup Champion- The Ottawa Senators. Cue the suicide watch on Bay Street.
Eastern Conference Champion - The Ottawa Senators of Kanata. I don't foresee a major hangover here. They are still a deep and talented team, now with bonus experience. I think the Penguins finish first in the East, but Ottawa takes them out in the playoffs.
Western Conference Champion- The Detroit Red Wings. They play in a weak division and I feel they will have the benefit of coasting through the regular season and remaining fresh for a long run. I see the Sharks as the Senators of a few years ago, all hype no finish.
Art Ross - Vincent Lecavalier - plays in a weak division and I feel he has something to prove.
Calder Trophy- Sam Gagner. I really like Toews and Kane, but they are going to have to do it all in Chicago. MacTavish has turned a corner philosophically, and will put Gagner in a position to succeed.
MVP- Sidney.
Most Surprising - Martin Gerber has a big rebound (no pun intended) year and bounces Sugar Ray from the starting position.
Disappointing - Flip a coin between Gomez and Drury. Actually, take Gomez. Too much money for this guy. It will weigh him down.
Most Surprising Team - Edmonton Oilers. Already written off for dead, they will not be the pushover/Phoenix clone everyone is expecting.
Most Disappointing Team - The New York Rangers. Jaromir is not going to like sharing the puck or the spotlight. Watch for a step backwards in Manhattan, despite the near constant fellating of this team by a few media types. I think Calgary will blow too, but I am never disappointed when that happens.


Prospect Pulse will return tomorrow with a look at another standout from the USHL's Fall Classic Tournament.

News You Can Use Late in the Day:

-The Edmonton Oilers send Zach Stortini and Ladislav Smid to the minors. The Oilers also name Ethan Moreau captain.

-The sale of the Predators is in trouble.

-A preview of the #1 ranked University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

-Good turnout for Bill Wirtz's funeral.

-A preview of the Southeast Conference. Note to the NHL, could you please rename these divisions? There are many deserving hockey luminaries who could lend their name to the divisions. Orr Division, Gretzky Division, Richard Division, Howe Division, Harvey Division and the Morenz Division. Discuss amongst yourselves.

-Denis Gauthier is a victim of the salary cap in Philadelphia. Mike Rathje is also placed Expect this to become commonplace.

-Mirtle with a list of youngsters who have made their respective clubs.

-Patrice Brisebois is back skating.

-The AHL suspends Steve Downie for one month.

-Mark Bell has been reinstated by the NHL.

-Former Leaf is Borje Salming is now art. Who says Illegal Curve offers no culture?

-The New Jersey Devils claim Sheldon Brookbank off the waiver wire.

-The Dallas Stars are still unsure where their goals will come from.

-Senators prospect Jim O'Brien has joined the Seattle Thunderbirds.

-An in-depth look at the Penguins from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

-Illegal Curve favorite Toby Petersen was cut by the Dallas Stars. He will report to Iowa.

-Jeremy Roenick says he is ready to be a cheerleader for the team. I wonder if they will be able to hear him from the restaurant he is eating at?

-The Red Wings are prepared to go with youth. Watch for Chris Chelios to tell the youngsters to stay the hell off his lawn.

-Bobby Holik is the new captain of the Atlanta Thrashers.

-Not to be outdone, Pavol Demitra is the new captain of the Minnesota Wild.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Prospect Pulse

Oliver Setzinger, originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 3rd Round (76th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, has finally made the jump to North America. After bouncing around various European leagues, the Austrian national team member returned to the Austrian League and began to put up big numbers. The 6'0, 200 lb. center is said to possess good skating and puck skills, in addition to being a hard and motivated worker. More of a set-up man than a scorer, Setzinger uses his size well to create room for teammates.

A posting on the European hockey forums cited an interview with Setzinger saying that he felt Nashville was not serious about bringing him to North America, and that he was very willing to make the jump. A late bloomer as prospects go, he was contacted by the Predators during his strong 2006-2007 campaign and has made his way to Tennessee looking for work in North America. He signed a contract with Nashville in February of last year and to the Preds' relief, reported to camp.

Currently playing LW in Predators training camp, Setzinger was skating on a line with Scott Nichol and JP Dumont. In the opening pre-season game, he was bumped out of the lineup but is expected to play in the next contest. Notes from Nashville fans say that he plays a pretty strong positional and defensive game, but seemed to have some initial trouble with the pace. Once he settled down, he made some good passes, but was otherwise not noteworthy. Look for Setzinger to start the year in the AHL.

News You Can Use in the Late Morning:

-Mirtle with a calender of important NHL dates. Also note his link about Nashville raising ticket prices.

-Hemsky pleased with his performance in the Joey Moss Cup. The first real test comes tonight, against the visiting Florida Panthers.

-Oiler blogger Lowetide with a player by player assessment from the aforementioned Joey Moss Cup.

-Radim Vrbata strong in his Coyotes debut.

-London Knights start the year ranked at #1

-Jiri Fischer up, around and in Gatineau.

-One armed player Scott Stafford signs with the Sarnia Blast of the WOHL. (Video)

-Sens interested in Jeff O'Neill? The Toronto Sun also notes that the Sens may have an interest in Cujo.

-Ten Camps worth watching.

-Is Naslund done in the NHL?

-Is a big season by Mike Fisher good or bad for the Sens?

-In breaking news, Sens sign Fisher to an extension. This basically makes my last news item moot, but I will leave it in anyways, for historical perspective. I am sure readers will reminisce about the 5 seconds ago when they were worried Mike Fisher might be on his way out of Ottawa. Scary days my friends, scary days.

-The Regina Pats' Logan Pyett looks to build upon his Super Series experience.

-The best WHL roundup around is found at Taking Note.

-Allan Maki reports on the NHL implications of a rising Canadian dollar.

-Aaron Ward not happy with the pre-season predictions. (Hat Tip, Kukla)

-The Hockey News' Adam Proteau responds to Ward.

-The NHLPA recorded phone calls. Dick Cheney for NHLPA President.

-A profile of Canucks prospect Alex Burrows.

-A Devils preview.

-Alan Muir of SI with a suggestion that Lowe is looking to move Pitkanen. This isn't going to happen. Muir fails to note that Pitkanen recently signed this one year deal with Edmonton and figures to be their #1 defenseman in the near future, if not now.

-Isbister hits Luongo in the throat with a slapper. Are the Canucks trying to hurt their #1 Goalie. Do they realize they can't score and need this guy to win them games?

-An interesting Blues blog.

-As noted last week, former QMJHL sniper Simon Gamache is in camp with the Leafs. Michael Traikos reports that things are looking good.

-Former Prospect Pulse feature Max Pacioretty looks to liven up U of Michigan's lineup.

-More Kings' season previews at Battle of California.

-Wild goalie Josh Harding with a mask memorializing the I-35 bridge collapse.

-Players on the Hotseat for this year.

-Line combination news and notes from the Score.

-Marc Denis looks good in Bolts' camp.

-Razor with an interesting take on cheaters in sport.

-Oilers unable to get Karamnov signed.

-Kasparitis wants back on the Rangers.

-A goaltending controversy in Denver?

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior