NHL Draft / Sasha # 14 overall

[2tkCornell]

I'm guessing the reason why the Caps want to sign Pokulok is that they only have 2 players under contract so far:  Olaf Kolzig and Alexander Semin.

In that sense, Washington is starting their team from scratch and would want a player to jump into the lineup in a couple of years.

It will put a huge strain on Cornell's defense if he actually signs.  We would only have one offensive defenseman in Doug Krantz compared to three last year in Pokulok, Krantz and Cook.

It would be interesting to see what the powerplay defensive lineups would look like.  I'm guessing Krantz and O'Byrne would definitely get the majority of PP minutes.

[2tkCornell]

Here is an article on the 2 D-men that McPhee and the Caps selected in the first round (Pokulok and incoming UND recruit, Jeff Finley).

http://washingtoncaps.com/news/index.cfm?cont_id=286116

Some good stuff on Pokulok.  Washington seems to be extremely high on him.

[Brian]

More on Pokie!

http://www.ecachockeyleague.com/news/men/cornell_07-31

[Brian]

Hey, hey, hey!  The missed one from the ECAC on this table!!!!!!!!!!!:-(

http://www.ecachockeyleague.com/news/men/draft_07-31

[Brian]

Sounds like Sasha is leaning towards another year:

http://www.ithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050801/SPORTS/508010327/1006

[KeithK]

Wouldn't it make sense that a GM who played college hockey and likes drafting college players would understand that college is a reasonable development path and therefore be willing to let players stay in school for a while?  If there's an expectation that Pokoluk would make the NHL squad this year then it makes sense to go ahead and sign him.  But if not let him stay in school where it doesn't cost the team any money.

Just my uninformed thoughts.

[ursusminor]

[Q]Brian Wrote:

 Hey, hey, hey!  The missed one from the ECAC on this table!!!!!!!!!!!

[/q]

Maybe since Greening is a 2006 recruit, he isn't official yet.

[Steve M]

Stay at least one more year Sasha.  We want a National Championship and this is the year!

[Brian Deerr '04]

I would think the Caps would want Pokulok to spend at least another year with us for a couple of reasons.  First, he's still young enough that he hasn't filled out his frame to be as much of an asset as he should be in the future, so there's no reason to rush him to that level.  Second, I'm sure the Caps have respect for a team with the reputation for defense that Schafer puts together year after year, which would lead me to believe that they wouldn't mind if he had a little more time training under a coach like Schafer.

[ninian '72]

[Q]KeithK Wrote:

 Wouldn't it make sense that a GM who played college hockey and likes drafting college players would understand that college is a reasonable development path and therefore be willing to let players stay in school for a while?  If there's an expectation that Pokoluk would make the NHL squad this year then it makes sense to go ahead and sign him.  But if not let him stay in school where it doesn't cost the team any money.

Just my uninformed thoughts.[/q]

A few George McPhee quotes:

 â€œWe’re trying to build the defense,” says McPhee. “If your defense is good you are in every game. And if you can keep the puck out of your net you will win more than you lose. It is a very difficult position to trade for and to fill. We’ve often said that a good defenseman is worth two good forwards.”

Except for the trading part, this could be Mike talking.

On Sasha:

“He thinks the game well, he's very poised with the puck, and now he just needs more experience playing at a higher level at a better pace,” McPhee said. “We just think he can be a big man who moves the puck well and distributes the puck well to the forwards. He's going to have to learn to train like a pro and those things, but most young guys do.”

[Trotsky]

Damn, this is one of those "very happy, very disappointed" things.  Oh well -- whichever way he goes, STAY!, I wish him luck, STAY!

[KeithK]

From the IJ article:
[q]“We discussed it (Saturday) and (Sunday) and the next step is to discuss it with Sasha and see what his thoughts are,” McPhee said. “If he's willing to turn pro now, we would certainly consider it.”[/q]If the Caps would only "consider it" than it doesn't sound like they would push him to leave.  The quotes from the article make it sound like Pokoluk would want to stay at Cornell next year, so I'm not really worried at the moment.

That said, the quotes make it seem like leaving after his sophomore season is a real possibility.

[redGrinch]

It still looks weird to me; Lynah Rink and a Cornell sweater on the Caps web page (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/)

wow, Finley is big.....

Let's compare if we will who is projected to be on the Caps blue line in a few years:
Sasha 6'5" 220
Joe Finley 6'7" 229
Jeff Schultz 6'6" 220 (1st rounder from last year)
Nolan Yonkman 6'6" 236 (99 draft pick and rotton injury luck)

It makes Witt at 6'2 look tiny.

[ninian '72]

I think this is where the smart money is.  Before the lockout, the Caps jettisoned most of their big money players and have committed to rebuilding around a talented young core that they hope will gell in a few years.  Their coach Glen Hanlon was brought up from their AHL Portland ME affiliate, where he did an outstanding job developing young talent.  Sasha would fit into this rebuilding program nicely.  Hanlon and McPhee are smart enough to know whether Sasha's ready and will sign him when they feel the time is right.  With Cornell's defensive emphasis, they might be content to leave him in Ithaca for awhile, knowing he's getting outstanding training but will try to move him along when they feel he's ready for a higher level of competition.

[The Rancor]

he will stay one more year at the most. just a guess.