NHL draft pick | CollegeHockeyPlayers

17Aug

Maxime Legualt(29) Rochester Americans

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Buffalo Sabres‘ 7th round pick in the 2009 draft (#194 overall) right wing Maxime Legault(29) is still without an NHL contract but has stuck around in their prospect system and re-signs his third AHL deal returning to Rochester Americans for 2012/2013.

The 6’2″ 195 lbs. forwards numbers went down from his rookie year to his second but he’s the type of player that never stops digging when he’s on the ice.

He started his pro career in the Sabres‘ 2010 training camp before getting reassigned to Portland Pirates without a contract but was eventually inked to an spc in December.

The 23-year old could pester his way into a 2-way NHL deal if he can become a necessary fourth line energy player and effective penalty kill specialist.

14Aug

David Meckler(55) Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings‘ soon-to-be 6th year left wing David Meckler(55) originally signed an AHL only contract with Manchester Monarchs in 2007, his rookie season to stay in the system of the team he was drafted by in the 5th round of 2006 (#134 overall).

From there he scored an NHL 3-year, two-way entry level contract that still kept him fighting for a recall from the triple A minor league team.

The 25-year old signed a one-year, two-way deal last season after putting up a good season, which followed a couple years of deteriorating numbers. He had a weird hand injury that kept him from more than 44 regular season games and 4 postseason contests in 2011/2012 but did alright with 10 goals, 7 assists and a +10 plus/minus.

The 6′ 213 lbs. forward will see if he can rebound in 2012/2013 and earn his first recall to the show. In 342 AHL games, he has 74 goals and 61 assists. He should be 20/20 on the scoring sheet.

13Aug

Jake Muzzin(3) Los Angeles Kings

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3rd year defenseman Jake Muzzin(3) was originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 5th round pick in the 2007 draft (#141 overall) but never signed with them and instead inked a 3-year entry level deal with Los Angeles Kings that saw him on the team’s opening night roster in his rookie season, 2010.

He was ultimately reassigned and recalled a few times that year but managed to skate in 11 games notching a single assist, while averaging some 12-13 minutes of ice per contest.

That has basically been it though as he enters his third season, having accepted the Kings‘ qualifying offer to stick around.

In 116 regular season AHL games with their affiliate Manchester Monarchs he netted 10 goals and assisted on 39 more.

The 6’2″ 216 lbs. 23-year old blue liner put up career bests: goals (7), assists (24), points (31) and penalty minutes (40) in also a high, 71 games.

He’ll probably need an outstanding training camp to get another look in the show. “I get knocked down…”

12Aug

Ryan Craig(22) Springfield Falcons

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Heading into his 10th season, center Ryan Craig(22) is back with Springfield Falcons under an AHL contract. He was originally reassigned to the team in his second pro year by Tampa Bay Lightning. He was their 8th round pick in the 2002 draft (#255 overall).

The 6’2″ 202 lbs. forward was team captain from 2004 until mid-way through 2005 before being recalled to the NHL, where he stayed for the next four seasons although was unable to shake the injury bug limiting his effectiveness and games to 61 games in 2007-2009.

By the start of 2009 – 2010, he was basically relegated to their AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals.

He was an unrestricted free agent as the start of 2010 and signed a one-year, two-way deal with Pittsburgh Penguins. He played 6 games with them without hitting the scoresheet, spending most of his time in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Re-signing for 2011/2012, he skated the full year in the AHL.

The now 30-year forward is a welcome asset and proven leader for a young Falcons‘ squad, and may just lift them back into the playoff picture.

In 190 career NHL games he’s scored 32 goals and 31 assists.

09Aug

Eric Gryba(2) Ottawa Senators

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The big man that has been guarding the blue line for Binghamton Senators for the last couple of seasons, Eric Gryba(2) re-signed with the parent club, Ottawa Senators through 2014 on another two-way contract.

He was originally a 3rd round pick in the 2006 draft (#58 overall) but has yet to see any NHL action.

The 6’4″ 222 lbs. defenseman had AHL career highs in 2011/2012 with 73 games played, 5 goals, 15 assists and 20 points. His unfortunate -13 plus/minus was on the worst regular season team in the league.

Just one season prior and he was playing in his rookie campaign for the Cinderella B-Sens‘ squad that won the 2011 Calder Cup Championship.

At only 24 years old he could get a look in the show with continued good play and some injuries, but he’s going to need to elevate his overall game.

08Aug

Drew Schiestel (44)

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Buffalo Sabres said “I do” for a one-year, two-way contract with their 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft (#57 overall) defenseman Drew Schiestel(44) despite there being a can of worms still on the table throughout his first three seasons in the system.

In a low total of 156 AHL games with their Portland Pirates and Rochester Americans‘ affiliates, plus a weird 16 games with Texas Stars late last season in a shuffle him out of the conference Sabres‘ reassignment.

He was good for 8 goals and 39 assists in that stretch.

Not terrible, although there should be more upside.

And there is: he’s an effective +17 plus/minus over his first three years since turning pro playing in the minors. 2011/2012 was his first season in the minus column on the ice.

He did get hampered by a season ending knee injury a couple of years ago but he was also a healthy scratch from the Amerks at times last year.

Step up.

07Aug

Andrew Campbell(2) Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#74 overall) defenseman Andrew Campbell(2) is rewarded with a two-year, two-way contract after posting career high assists, points and plus/minus last season with their top minor league affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

In 76 2011/2012 regular season games he scored a pair of goals and added 17 assists with a +14 rating, good enough for 2nd on the team.

He has yet to make his NHL debut but with his consistent play over the last two years, the 24-year old has to be close to a recall.

The xl-sized 6’4″ 207 lbs. prospect has already skated in a hefty 298 AHL games. Although he plays a physical game defending the zone, the big blue liner could continue to add more muscle and a little extra weight for greater impact.

05Aug

Garrett Roe(13) Adirondack Phantoms

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2nd year left wing Garrett Roe(13) re-signed an AHL contract to skate with Adirondack Phantoms for 2012/2013. As a rookie he was fifth on the team in overall scoring with 8 goals and 32 assists in 70 games. He also ranked second in helpers.

Originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 7th round pick in the 2008 draft (#183 overall), he never signed with them, although participated in a few of their development camps.

He’s not overly blessed with size standing only 5’9″ 180 lbs, but obviously has a knack for controlling the puck and dishing it to teammates that can put it in the back of the net.

He should get another look from the parent Philadelphia Flyers at their upcoming training camp and who knows the 24-year old may just impress enough to score himself a two-way contract.

04Aug

Alex Biega(4) Buffalo Sabres

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Buffalo Sabres‘ 3rd year, 24-year old defenseman, Alex Biega(4) signed a one-year, two-way contract keeping him in their system for another season. He had restricted free agent status and was qualified an offer by the team but seemingly took a little bit to put his name above the line.

In his first two seasons, he put up admirable numbers with AHL career highs in goals, assists and points (5 – 18 -23) for 2011/2012. He’s also played on a pair of affiliates (Portland Pirates / Rochester Americans) that made it to the postseason; and is more than accountable in his zone with a combined +18 plus/minus.

He plays hard and definitely shows some skills but listed at 5’10” 191 lbs. it seems like they’re stretching it a bit. Maybe it’s just time for him to start living at the gym. He could be doing that as he heads into another season having set career highs in the previous one.

01Aug

Nathan McIver(8) New York Islanders

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Long-shot 8th round pick by Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 draft (#254 overall) defenseman Nathan McIver(8) has made the most of his pro career playing 4.5 years in their system on a couple of different occasions, appearing in his first 18 NHL games with the team as well.

He’s played 36 overall, registering only a single assist but scoring isn’t exactly 6’3″ 195 lbs. blue liner’s strong point.

A couple of seasons ago with the Providence Bruins he was assessed a team and career high 178 penalty minutes. Injuries last season hampered his willingness to drop the gloves.

Free to sign with any team of his choosing for 2012/2013, his eighth year pro, the 27-year old inked a one-year, two-way deal with New York Islanders that will probably see him handing out punishment with their affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

He is a veteran of 345 AHL regular season games.