Tagged: NHL draft pick

17Oct

Slava Voynov(76) Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings‘ newly minted $6 million dollar defenseman Drew Doughty goes down with an upper body injury and 2008 2nd round draft pick (#32 overall), the now named-shortened Russian defenseman Slava Voynov(76) finally gets the call for his first NHL action.

He’s played 200+ games in the AHL with their affiliate Manchester Monarchs amassing over 100 points (33 goals, 72 assists) over three seasons without a call up. Now that’s grooming.

After an outstanding training camp, he was pegged to make the opening night roster…and then Doughty signed. He’s got offensive skills and is accountable in his own zone. I feel like he put on a bit more bulk in the offseason, because that was the main knock on him, intensity. He looks ready to bring it.

10/27: Voynov scores his 1st two NHL goals (including the game-winner) and added an assist to boot.

16Oct

Andrei Loktionov(48) Manchester Monarchs

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 2008 5th round draft pick (#123 overall) Russian-born center Andrei Loktionov(48) is definitely an NHL caliber player but due to a shoulder injury in his rookie season has been knocked off track a bit.

He made the team out of training camp last season but had trouble staying in the lineup and was assigned to their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs for a couple of stretches, where he put up roughly a point per game.

In the 2011/2012 season, he starts the season with the Monarchs but is out of the gate quickly with 1 goal and 4 assists in 5 games played. What he lacks in size (5’10” 180 lbs.) he makes up for in deft skating and stick handling skills on the ice.  In 19 NHL games he has 3 goals, 4 assists.

He won the Memorial Cup and OHL title in 2009 with Windsor Spitfires.

14Oct

Chad Johnson(29) Connecticut Whale

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3rd year goaltender Chad Johnson(29) posted a 41 save shutout in his first game of the ’11/’12 season with Connecticut Whale in the opening weekend of action.

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins in the 5th round of the 2006 draft (#125 overall) and traded before he ever skated a game with the team. He has only tended net for New York Rangers and their AHL affiliate in his pro career.

He’s appeared in 6 NHL contests over the past couple of seasons and is obviously vying for an early season call-up.

 

14Oct

David Savard(6) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#94 overall) defenseman David Savard(6) has scored himself some NHL playing time while James Wisniewski serves an 8-game suspension for the head shot he delivered in preseason play.

He had himself a good training camp in only his 2nd year pro. The proof is in last year’s stats for the fairly large (6’2″ 219 lbs.) d-man, who he put up some points (11 goals, 32 assists) in his rookie season while playing for their AHL affiliate, Springfield Falcons.

Look for him to earn a permanent spot on the Jackets’ blue line sooner than later.

 

11Oct

Tommy Wingels(17) San Jose Sharks

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tommy-wingels2

San Jose Sharks‘ 2008 6th round pick (#177 overall) center Tommy Wingels(17) played in 5 games in his rookie season up with the big team but failed to connect for any points.

With Worcester in the AHL he put up 17 goals and 16 assists in 69 games.

After a strong showing in training camp, he found himself in in the lineup on opening night and got himself his first NHL point, an assist and looks to be on his way to solidifying a permanent spot.

He plays with a lot of grit and determination every shift out there and has no problem putting himself in the middle of any situation.

 

10Oct

Maksim Mayorov(16) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 2007 4th round pick (#94 overall) Maksim Mayorov(16) has consistently played a few games each of his four seasons in the organization but had only managed one goal in 12 games.

He found himself on the 2011/2012 opening night roster but was a healthy scratch in the team’s first loss of the season. For their second game he had a spot in the lineup and potted a goal. The quick scoring start may help win the argument to keep him playing in the NHL.

In 214 AHL games with Syracuse Crunch and Springfield Falcons he has 53 goals and 43 assists for 96 points.

10Oct

Marc-Andre Cliche(22) Manchester Monarchs

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Manchester Monarchs‘ team captain, center Marc-Andre Cliche(22) makes an argument for an early season call-up to Los Angeles with a hat-trick in the AHL season opener.  Going into his 5th year pro, he’s only managed one NHL game with no points registered.

Originally New York Rangers‘ 2005 2nd round pick (#56 overall), he has played in the Kings‘ system since 2007 and been a character guy for Manchester each season. The biggest knock on him would be size. He’s listed at 6’0″ 203 lbs. but that’s as they say being generous.

 

09Oct

Chris Bourque(17) Hershey Bears

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Entering his 7th season pro, 2004 Washington Capitals 2nd round pick (#34 overall) Chris Bourque(17), son of Ray, returns to the “team” after a year abroad to play in the KHL and Swiss-A leagues. He’ll likely spend the majority of his playing time in the AHL with Hershey, where he’s played 319 of his games.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get more looks in the NHL to add to his 33 games with the Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins (1 goal, 3 assists). He has good hands and maybe it’s just taken more to grow into his game.

08Oct

Jhonas Enroth(1) Buffalo Sabres

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Buffalo Sabres 2006 2nd round draft pick (#46 overall), goaltender Jhonas Enroth(1) was re-signed in the offseason as the back-up for started Ryan Miller after putting up impressive numbers last season when called-up from Portland Pirates of the AHL and put into the game (14 games, 9-2-2 record, 2.73 GAA, .907 SV%).

He’ll probably get the start in 20+ contest this season. He’s small for a goaltender at 5’10” 166 lbs. but very quick and his size doesn’t hinder his ability to stop the puck in any way.