Alumni in the Pros -- Feb 2006

[David Harding]

It's a new month!

[David Harding]

27 January 2006
http://portlandpirates.mostvaluablenetwork.com/game-recaps/pirates-let-one-get-away-in-ot4-3/
[q]Shane Hynes is close to returning from a knee injury suffered during the November 18 game against the Lowell Lock Monsters in Lowell.[/q]

Earlier the site had said two to three more weeks.

[Chris \'03]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=153298&hubname=

Phoenix gets Steven Reinprecht and struggling goalie Phillipe Sauve in return from Calgary, which could open the door for Lenny to be back at the NHL level soon.

[RatushnyFan]

[quote Chris '03]http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=153298&hubname=

Phoenix gets Steven Reinprecht and struggling goalie Phillipe Sauve in return from Calgary, which could open the door for Lenny to be back at the NHL level soon.[/quote]
Canucks announcers Tuesday night said that Phoenix management raved about Lenny (the announcers butchered his name pretty badly!!).  I think you're right as Sauve doesn't look like a great NHL backup.  There have been a lot of rumors about Comrie and CuJo getting blown out soon if Phoenix decides to rebuild.  Maybe Lenny will get more of a chance than it might seem.

[calgARI '07]

[quote Chris '03]http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=153298&hubname=

Phoenix gets Steven Reinprecht and struggling goalie Phillipe Sauve in return from Calgary, which could open the door for Lenny to be back at the NHL level soon.[/quote]

He will be there very soon.  Sauve is utterly worthless and probably the worst goalie in the NHL and as a Flames fan am turning cartwheels that he's done.  When Phoenix is out of the playoff race at the deadline, I think Joseph will be moved to one of the teams looking for a goaltender (Edmonton, Vancouver, Colorado, Toronto).  Either way, LeNeveu is already ahead of Sauve on the depth chart and he'll be ahead of him in the lineup as late as next season.

[duffs4]

I watched a little of the AHL Allstar game last night.  I heard Vesce was going to be in the lineup, first time I spotted him on was when he made a beautiful cross ice pass that lead to the first Planet-USA goal.  Looks like he's making quite and impression.  GO Ves!

[RatushnyFan]

[quote calgARI '07]He will be there very soon.  Sauve is utterly worthless and probably the worst goalie in the NHL and as a Flames fan am turning cartwheels that he's done.  When Phoenix is out of the playoff race at the deadline, I think Joseph will be moved to one of the teams looking for a goaltender (Edmonton, Vancouver, Colorado, Toronto).  Either way, LeNeveu is already ahead of Sauve on the depth chart and he'll be ahead of him in the lineup as late as next season.[/quote]
Phoenix should dismantle soon like St. Louis.  They're in 11th place, 7 points out of the playoffs.............schedule isn't that tough but tough enough that they probably can't make that up.  CuJo hasn't played consistently well since early to mid December.  I think that St. Louis got pretty good value from Carolina for moving Doug Weight early (in the final year of his contract).  There are several teams that are very strong where a goaltending bandage could really help.

[RatushnyFan]

Doug Murray's icetime has headed further south.  Other SJ defensemen without tons of NHL experience are getting more icetime.  Not sure if this is due to his speed (Comrie got by him in the Phoenix game which led to a score) or perceived lack of offense (at least so far).  Here's the recent trends:

Feb 1st (SJ wins 6-4 vs. Anaheim)
Doug Murray 9:25 (26 NHL career games)
J. Gorges 19:22 (20 NHL career games)
R. Davison 14:36 (120 NHL career games)
S. Hannan 25:56 (~ 400 NHL career games)
K. McLaren 25:45 (>500 NHL career games)
T. Preissing 20:10 (111 NHL career games)

Jan 30th (SJ loses 3-2 in OT vs. Dallas)
Doug Murray 8:49
J. Gorges 25:41
R. Davison 18:19
S. Hannan 30:18
K. McLaren 25:01
T. Preissing 15:16

Jan 28th (SJ loses 6-2 vs. Phoenix)
Doug Murray 15:14 (Doug was -2)
J. Gorges 20:42
R. Davison 15:17
S. Hannan 25:48
K. McLaren 22:51
T. Preissing 14:40

Doug Murray 12:20
J. Gorges 15:55
R. Davison 7:51
S. Hannan 22:48
K. McLaren 22:48
T. Preissing 17:10

This is armchair analysis, no doubt.  But even if you look over a longer period of time you'll note that Doug's ice time has gone from 15-20 minutes down to 9-15 minutes.  If anyone's seen Doug in action I'd be interested in your views - there's certainly no negative press other than a play or two over the last few games. Good news is that I'm not sure that there's someone who ranks nearly as high on the depth chart down in the AHL that is a threat to take his spot.

[The Rancor]

we all knew that they would have to trade someone, i was kind of hoping it would be lenny. he needs a stronger team in front of him.

[Josh '99]

Tonight Doug Murray (again) scored his 1st NHL point!  Doug got the second assist on a goal by Scott Thornton.

(Hopefully it's not a false alarm again this time!)

[RatushnyFan]

Cool, he was also +2 and played 15 minutes.  He is now tied with Dan Ratushny with 1 NHL point (though Dan accomplished the feat in 1 game).  :-)

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Doug and Dan are the only Cornell players to suit up in the NHL?  Perhaps I'm missing someone from the 60's or 70's but I can't find it on hockeydb.com.

[Chris \'03]

[quote RatushnyFan]

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Doug and Dan are the only Cornell players to suit up in the NHL?  Perhaps I'm missing someone from the 60's or 70's but I can't find it on hockeydb.com.[/quote]

Huh?

[Rita]

[quote RatushnyFan]Cool, he was also +2 and played 15 minutes.  He is now tied with Dan Ratushny with 1 NHL point (though Dan accomplished the feat in 1 game).  :-)

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Doug and Dan are the only Cornell players to suit up in the NHL?  Perhaps I'm missing someone from the 60's or 70's but I can't find it on hockeydb.com.[/quote]

Do you mean Cornell defensemen?

Because, just off the top of my tired head, Cornellians in the NHL include:
Ken Dryden
Joey N (Age, I need spelling guide help here ;-))
Kent Manderville (The Pittsburgh Penguins, and I also believe the  Whalers/Carolina Carpetbaggers, excuse me, Carolina Hurricane organizations).
Brad Chartrand

[Roy 82]

At least a couple of alums have had steallar rookie seasons. In fact, this new article lists the top ten alltime best rookie seasons. Two are by Cornell alums (a pretty easy guess which two). Not a bad percentage.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/tom_layberger/02/02/top10.rookies/index.html

[RatushnyFan]

[quote Rita]Do you mean Cornell defensemen?
[/quote]
Sorry, yes, I meant the d-men only.  I've seen Joe play quite a bit.  To Rita's list we'd have to add Pelletier, Lenny, Ryan Hughes, etc.  Haven't had many d-men in the NHL though that I can see.