Category Archives: Prospects

2012-13 Sleeper of the Year: Brendan Smith

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NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings

Let’s face it – people enjoy being right a lot more than they enjoy being wrong. It is why we like to make predictions and projections – if the end up coming true, we are able to brag about our foresight and intuition. And if they don’t, well, there is something to be said for turning a blind eye from time to time, right?

With regards to hockey projections, even the best predictions are merely that – predictions. When I am making my own projections or giving advice to others, I take all of the information and tools available to me (including opinions from the DobberHockey forums, general news sources, the Fantasy Hockey Geek tools, and the Frozen Pool tools) to make an informed decision.

Read on to find out why Detroit prospect Brendan Smith is destined for big things in the near future.

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10 Reasons to Look Forward to the World Juniors

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The World Junior Hockey Championship is alway fantastic hockey, but this year’s tournament will be even more special. NHL caliber talent will litter the rosters, and since hockey fans have been shut out of enjoying the NHL thanks to the most ridiculous lockout in modern professional sports, they’ll presumably be extra excited.

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WHL: Cain Franson’s Breakout Continues with the Giants

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With three goals in the first three games of the season, Vancouver Giants forward Cain Franson is already reaping the rewards of another summer of hard work. The third-year forward has gone from a frequent healthy scratch to a vital part of the Giants roster in less than two years.

What makes Franson relevant to the Canucks? Well, for one, he is undrafted. And secondly, he spent this past summer with the Canucks at their annual prospect development camp. He didn’t stand out, but he didn’t look out of place, either. For Franson to earn an NHL contract in the future he has to continue to add size and strength to his lanky 6-0, 170 pound frame (and he has had to work his butt off to get to 170 pounds).

Would he be someone the Canucks look at next summer?

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Alex Chiasson & the NCAA – The Road Less Travelled

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Chiasson

I am taking a one week hiatus from my WHL focus with today’s piece on Alex Chiasson.

Chiasson’s rise to the top of the Dallas prospect list (he may not be the clear cut top prospect, but the argument could be made) is not the typical story of a young hockey talent from the province of Quebec. The majority of Quebec-born players choose to spend their developmental years in the QMJHL (the Quebec and Maritime branch of the Canadian Hockey League).

Chiasson, however, decided to play college hockey, spending three years at Boston University. Has the move paid off for the young winger?

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The Dallas Stars and the WHL – Matej Stransky Profile

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Stransky

For the next few weeks, I am going to take a closer look at several current and future Dallas Stars who have spent time developing in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

I came to Defending Big D hoping to bring a different perspective on the team, and being located in Canada, I get to see more WHL hockey than most typical Stars fans.

Last week, I explained why the Stars and the WHL have such strong ties, from ownership on down. There has been a rich tradition of WHL alumni playing for Dallas, and that tradition has been strengthened in recent years. These profiles will tie in nicely with the prospect rankings coming soon from Brandon and several of the other writers, as well.

Today’s piece will hopefully give you a better idea of current Saskatoon Blade and future Dallas Star, winger Matej Stransky.

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2012 Prospect Profiles: Zack Kassian

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Although Zack Kassian has appeared in only 21 games as a Canuck, he is one of the most important players on the roster as we look to the future. He is the top prospect on the club (according to the Canucks Army writers). He is one of the best prospects in hockey according to a number of scouts, and he brings many attributes to the ice that the Canucks have lacked in recent years – physicality, size, and intimidation.

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