Riley Nash commits to Cornell

calgARI '07 · April 03, 2007, 02:42:43 PM

[quote redhair34]

I was told that although the CSB midterm rankings are released sometime around the first of the year, they are pretty much put together in November. Riley's stock has risen significantly since then. So, I expect when the final rankings come out he will be better than 99th.[/quote]

Even though Turris is ranked very high, highly-regarded players from Junior A don't usually get high rankings because it is tougher for scouts to forecast where they will end up when they are playing at such a low level.

Recently, some players have gotten drafted high out of Junior A with Okposo last season and Zajac/Chucko in 04 and Turris will be a top five pick this year. Again, it's just harder for scouts to pinpoint where Junior A guys will end up because they playing at such a low level. Chucko for example put up a ton of points in the BCHL and Calgary took him first round but he looks to be a bust. At the same time, Zajac, who played on the same team and also put up monster points is already in the NHL and producing pretty nicely.

That all being said, I expect Nash to go in the first 60 and is a good candidate to go in the first round. NHL teams love players who improve dramatically in their draft year regardless of what league they are in. This year is a particuarly weak draft which could boost his stock even more.

evilnaturedrobot · April 03, 2007, 03:55:26 PM

Quote from: ithacatI bet Ari's working on line combinations...

you meen you're not? I couldn't resist the temptation to do so as I walked to class this morning. Right now I've got Nash taking Bitz's place between Sawada and Greening, though I think it might be a good idea to put someone more skilled on his left wing. Milo? Gallagher? It would be tempting to put Romano there, but I think Tony would be best suited on a line where he is the focal point of the offense...but I digress. ::burnout::

Quote from: calgARI '07Recently, some players have gotten drafted high out of Junior A with Okposo last season and Zajac/Chucko in 04 and Turris will be a top five pick this year. Again, it's just harder for scouts to pinpoint where Junior A guys will end up because they playing at such a low level. Chucko for example put up a ton of points in the BCHL and Calgary took him first round but he looks to be a bust. At the same time, Zajac, who played on the same team and also put up monster points is already in the NHL and producing pretty nicely.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Salmon Arm's coach compare Nash to Zajac at the same age? (Zajac also played for Salmon Arm) That's pretty lofty company to be in, if the comparison is apt.

I believe the word on this year's draft is that it's deep but lacking in in the top tier. Picks 10 through 60 are suposed to have a pretty negligiable differance in talent. This probably meens that we'll see some wildly differant draft boards, and it only takes one team to have a high rating on a player and pick him higher than expected (see: Wheeler, Blake, Jessiman, Hugh::bang:: and,a bit closer to home, Pokulok, Sasha.)
Personally, I'm holding out hope that my Rangers will finally pick a Cornellian and snag him in the second, but with my luck Lou will take him in the late 20's and I'll get to see Riley and and Romano skating circles around Marek Malik for the next 10 years.

Trotsky · April 03, 2007, 03:59:56 PM

[quote evilnaturedrobot][I'm holding out hope that my Rangers will finally pick a Cornellian and snag him in the second, but with my luck Lou will take him in the late 20's and I'll get to see Riley and and Romano skating circles around Marek Malik for the next 10 years.[/quote]Hey, at least the Rangers have drafted a Cornellian in their history. Still waiting on the first Islander.

calgARI '07 · April 03, 2007, 04:13:37 PM

[quote evilnaturedrobot]

you meen you're not? I couldn't resist the temptation to do so as I walked to class this morning. Right now I've got Nash taking Bitz's place between Sawada and Greening, though I think it might be a good idea to put someone more skilled on his left wing. Milo? Gallagher? It would be tempting to put Romano there, but I think Tony would be best suited on a line where he is the focal point of the offense...but I digress. ::burnout::

[/quote]

Nash plays some center but more on the right wing which where I expect him to play next season. There will be a couple openings there with both Carefoot and McCutcheon graduating.

evilnaturedrobot · April 03, 2007, 04:16:55 PM

really? I'd heard that he was primarily a center, I guess that's not true. Shame really, this team is awash in wingers, But with the exception of Topher, I don't see much in the way of skilled centermen.

mtmack25 · April 03, 2007, 04:23:57 PM

Yeah, and it sucks that Blake Gallagher only wins about 80% of his faceoffs.

billhoward · April 03, 2007, 04:26:22 PM

[quote ugarte]If his flame doesn't last it is only because he shone brightly while he was here.[/quote]

Nice turn of phrase in a sport whose big tent also embraces Don Cherry. You were an English major with a minor in Haiku? Or was somebody humming Elton John and Candle in the Wind in a public place and try as hard as you could to dislodge Sir Elton, "Your candle's burned out long before your legend ever will" was wedged in too tight?

calgARI '07 · April 03, 2007, 04:28:25 PM

[quote evilnaturedrobot]really? I'd heard that he was primarily a center, I guess that's not true. Shame really, this team is awash in wingers, But with the exception of Topher, I don't see much in the way of skilled centermen.[/quote]

I would say Gallagher has exceptional upside and in some ways is more dynamic than Scott. The last month of the season, Gallagher was the team's best offensive player after Greening. Kennedy is underrated offensively as well. I think they are in pretty good shape down the middle with Fontas coming in at the fourth spot. Nash could very well play center but I think he's a better fit on the wing and I like the four centers they are set to have.

evilnaturedrobot · April 03, 2007, 04:36:26 PM

[quote mtmack25]Yeah, and it sucks that Blake Gallagher only wins about 80% of his faceoffs.[/quote]

The ability to win faceoffs has absolutely nothing to do with playing the Center position. Anyone on a line can take a faceoff, it doesn't matter if they're on the wing or in the middle.

I agree on Galagher's upside, but with his speed and shot (I see him as much more of a shooter than a playmaker) I like him better on the wing, prefferably the left side to giv him a better shotting angle.

I love what Kennedy has done centering the checking line, but I'm going to have to see more offense from him before I start considering him a canidate for a scoring line role.

In the end, they've got alot of skill upfront and that's what mattermost, but I think the skillsets of most of this teams forwards work better on the wings than they do in the middle, but I could easily be wrong.

jtwcornell91 · April 03, 2007, 04:59:43 PM

[quote French Rage]And it's a tree syllable name: RI-LEY NASH! RI-LEY NASH![/quote]

Is that accent Irish or Newfie?

French Rage · April 03, 2007, 05:44:15 PM

[quote jtwcornell91][quote French Rage]And it's a tree syllable name: RI-LEY NASH! RI-LEY NASH![/quote]

Is that accent Irish or Newfie?[/quote]

Jerk ::rolleyes::

Doug '08 · April 03, 2007, 07:22:23 PM

I saw him on campus the other week so was cautiously optimistic he would commit here. What a great recruiting victory... can't wait to see him on the ice.

Liz '05 · April 03, 2007, 08:08:19 PM

Fantastic news!

Roy 82 · April 03, 2007, 10:03:51 PM

This is riley good news. We are truly living the life of Riley.

I'll bet that he gets drafted by Nashville.:-D

(Sorry. I can hear the sound of teeth nashing.)

ryeguy · April 03, 2007, 10:57:46 PM

Good news, can't wait to see him in a Cornell uniform.