NHL Draft / Sasha # 14 overall

[Jacob '06]

[Q]Avash '05 Wrote:


Almost sounds like the author of that article read this thread    

[/q]

Exactly what I thought when I read it

[jkahn]

[Q]Jacob '06 Wrote:

 [Q2]Avash '05 Wrote:


Almost sounds like the author of that article read this thread    

[/Q]
Exactly what I thought when I read it



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 07/30/05 06:37PM by Jacob '06.[/q]
Actually, it wouldn't be that impossible that there is a Cornell grad or student summer intern working in the Caps office who is familiar with this site.  

[RichH]

From USCHO's write-up:

[Q]The pick of Pokulok was the first major surprise of the draft, but Capitals general manager George McPhee â€" the Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner in 1982 with Bowling Green â€" was confident that he got the player he wanted.

"We see someone that has the opportunity to be a top-four defenseman," said McPhee to Canadian television network TSN. "He's a big kid, he thinks the game real well and he reminds me of [longtime Rangers blueliner] Ron Greshner.

"We know there's some risk in it, and we considered moving back, but we said, 'Let's get what we want and be aggressive on our other picks.'"[/Q]

[RichH]

Other ECAC draft impact news:  Clarkson alumnus Todd White gets traded to Minnesota for a 4th round pick:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=131966

[jy3]

is it unusual that connors didnt get drafted?
he was ranked high enough according to the thought of predraft rankings but wasnt drafted right?

[2tkCornell]

Connors wasn't drafted because of his subpar season after being hyped to be a really good college recruit.  Part of that was injuries, and he was slow to recover and pick his game back up.

That said, I think Connors will be great for Cornell.  Schafer will be able to mold him into a consistent player.

I have had the chance last year to watch incoming recruit Mike Kennedy play, and although he dropped from NHL Central Scouting Bureau's Final Rankings, I believe that he will be a solid player for Cornell.

Schafer compared him to Mike Iggulden, a great two way player.  I don't think he has the speed of Iggulden and he is a little more aggressive.  I compare him more to a Knoepfli type of player, capable of playing in the offensive and defensive zones.

[Amato]

Wait, wait, Sasha was the first surprise of the draft?!?

What the fuck do you call Montreal taking ANOTHER goalie?!?

[redGrinch]

Below also from the Caps web site.  As a caps fan, I'm still trying to decide if I like the pick at that spot (i.e. did they get the best value for that spot in the draft).  I wanted Sasha to goto Washington, but figured it'd be in the 2nd round, and was a little worried that Washington's picks were a bit too low in the 2nd to get him.  But McPhee really wanted him, and didn't want to take any chances.  That makes 4 1st round D-men taken in the last 2 years (and 5 over the last 3 drafts, 6 if you count the acquisition of Morrison).  I think Washington will be content to let Schafer work his magic for a couple more years before putting some pressure to get him to Hershey or MCI.


 14-Defenseman Sasha Pokuluk â€" 6-foot-5, 220 pounds â€" shoots left â€" born 5/25/86, Vaudreuil, QUE.

Central Scouting Bureau (ranked 39th among North American skaters) â€" Skates well for a big player … a good backward skater with mobility and quickness … moves the puck quickly and passes it with authority … makes safe and sane decisions with the puck … is consistent in his decisions as to whether to pass or carry the puck … depending upon the situation at hand, he will carry it up ice … a good playmaking defenseman on the power play; played on the first power play unit … logs a lot of ice time in all game situations … played with poise and confidence despite being a first-year college player … smart player who anticipates the play very well … possesses a good low and hard shot from the point … competes well for the puck and is aggressive in the corners and in front of the net … quick to lock up an opponent in front and does not hesitate to jab and work opponent over with stick … zone coverage is good, but he has a tendency not to attack the puck carrier, waiting instead for the play to come to him. Is very adept at picking up trailing forwards coming down the middle … has taken on a lot of responsibility as a freshman … his season was interrupted by a broken collarbone in early February.

Hockey News (ranked 31st)â€" A towering defenseman with good mobility, Pokuluk missed four weeks with a broken collarbone and wasn’t at his best in the playoffs. He brings a physical game to the rink and competes well. He trained for a year at the Notre Dame hockey factory in Wilcox, Sask.

Red Line Report (ranked 41st) â€" Huge and extremely mobile. Has an exceptionally long stick/reach and likes to handle the puck. Makes crisp, accurate passes, always leads breaking forwards right on the tape. Loves to lead the break and join the rush. Can make moves like a 5-10 forward and sees the ice very well. Terrifically aggressive pointman on the PP who cuts off the slot and causes all sorts of problems. Perpetually in motion, never stands still â€" but wanders and roams all over the place. Gets himself out of position and has no concept of defensive awareness or discipline. Exceptional footwork, turns, and agility for a huge man, but is not at all physical. Does not like to hit or be hit. With his outstanding size and skills, has as much upside as any d-man in this draft, but is very raw and far from polished. Last two months of season were wiped out by knee/ankle injury.

International Scouting Services (ranked 63rd) â€" The number one attraction for this player is his combination of outstanding size and skill. He is blessed with a genetic gift and a relatively high level of skating and puck skill for a player this big. His decisions with the puck are constructive. The knock on him is that he prefers to use steering and contain checking tactics as opposed to body checks â€" he will need to improve this area of his game and learn to use his size to his advantage particularly in loose puck battles. He missed nearly the entire month of February and the conference quarterfinals due to injury. Selected to the ECACHL All-Rookie Team.

[Al DeFlorio]

[Q]redGrinch Wrote:

Below also from the Caps web site.

Red Line Report (ranked 41st) â€" Huge and extremely mobile. Has an exceptionally long stick/reach and likes to handle the puck. Makes crisp, accurate passes, always leads breaking forwards right on the tape. Loves to lead the break and join the rush. Can make moves like a 5-10 forward and sees the ice very well. Terrifically aggressive pointman on the PP who cuts off the slot and causes all sorts of problems. Perpetually in motion, never stands still â€" but wanders and roams all over the place. Gets himself out of position and has no concept of defensive awareness or discipline. Exceptional footwork, turns, and agility for a huge man, but is not at all physical. Does not like to hit or be hit. With his outstanding size and skills, has as much upside as any d-man in this draft, but is very raw and far from polished. Last two months of season were wiped out by knee/ankle injury.[/b]
[/q]
What is this bit about knee/ankle injury?  How does he survive under Schafer if he "has no concept of defensive awareness or discipline?"

[ithacat]

7th Round:
10 (204)    Ottawa   Colin Greening   C/LW   Upper Canada Coll.

[scoop85]

Both the Washington Post and Washington Times report that the Caps may be trying to get Pokoluk signed immediately

[2tkCornell]

From The Washington Times.  This would be a huge blow to Cornell's defense corps if the Capitals convinced Pokulok to turn pro.  There are many scouts that seem to feel Pokulok is NHL ready in two years.  I don't think he has fully proven himself at Cornell and hopefully he sticks around for at least another year, so Schafer can possibly recruit another diamond in the rough d-man.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20050731-121540-5050r.htm

[The K-Gun]

Yikes, courtesy of the Washington Post:


Good skater given his size, but a surprise at 14th. The rising sophomore at Cornell was considered among the best passing defensemen available. May be signed to a professional contract immediately.

[redGrinch]

It would surprise me, unless Pokuluk wants out of Ithaca.  Granted we had the lockout last season, but Washington signed neither Green or Schultz, their 2 1st round D-men, and they continued to play in juniors.  Recently, they haven't been pulling players early to put them in the AHL; if they think he's ready for the big club, then they'll try to get him.  2 years ago, they signed Eminger immediately, then he played a handful of games with Washington before befing sent back to juniors.  Because of the timing of the draft and lockout, Sasha also missed the developmental camp in mid-July which is when rookies sometimes wow the staff and they can see how ready (or not) he is for the jump.  I'm more curious to see what they do with Borque who was their 2nd round draft pick last year..... if they'll sign him and put him in Hershey or have him go back to the QMJHL.

[adamw]

[Q]Al DeFlorio Wrote:
What is this bit about knee/ankle injury?  How does he survive under Schafer if he "has no concept of defensive awareness or discipline?"[/q]

See the source.  "Red Line Report" ...  That's the guy who ripped Shane Hynes because he said the amount of time he carries the puck per game is barely in double digits.  As if Keith Tkachuk carries it more than that.  He has a history of trashing college hockey and making generally uninformed opinions.