What's the word on Moulson?

[Harrier]

He likely would have made the Pens...he has an outside shot at the Kings by the end of the year.  All it takes is one interview and Avery could be cut, and an injury and Matt could be knocking on the NHL door.

[redhair34]

http://anaheimducks.com/press/release/topstory.php?dir=200604&id=1413

[Jacob '06]

[quote redhair34]http://anaheimducks.com/press/release/topstory.php?dir=200604&id=1413[/quote]

I'm going to see the games there today. I will give a report when I get back.

[Trotsky]

[quote calgARI '07]I would be shocked if Moulson made the Kings this year.[/quote]

It would of course be GREAT if Matt made the N, this year, or any year, but does he strike anybody else as a classic long career AHL player -- the kind of guy who wins scoring titles in the minors but never gets promoted?

[calgARI '07]

[quote Trotsky][quote calgARI '07]I would be shocked if Moulson made the Kings this year.[/quote]

It would of course be GREAT if Matt made the N, this year, or any year, but does he strike anybody else as a classic long career AHL player -- the kind of guy who wins scoring titles in the minors but never gets promoted?[/quote]

No doubt about it.  Doesn't have the skating or the ability in physical play in my opinion to ever stick in the NHL.  The thing is, with 30 teams in the league, you never know.  If he were in the Pittsburgh organization for example, there are a lot more spots available on the wings.  He'll be a pro for a long time because you can't teach his scoring ability.  But to me, his weaknesses are too significant for him to ever stick in the NHL.

[David Harding]

Moulson scores twice on McKee.  26 minor penalties, but no list of perpetrators.
http://anaheimducks.com/press/feature/article.php?dir=200609&id=1414

[The Rancor]

[quote calgARI '07][quote Trotsky][quote calgARI '07]I would be shocked if Moulson made the Kings this year.[/quote]

It would of course be GREAT if Matt made the N, this year, or any year, but does he strike anybody else as a classic long career AHL player -- the kind of guy who wins scoring titles in the minors but never gets promoted?[/quote]

No doubt about it.  Doesn't have the skating or the ability in physical play in my opinion to ever stick in the NHL.  The thing is, with 30 teams in the league, you never know.  If he were in the Pittsburgh organization for example, there are a lot more spots available on the wings.  He'll be a pro for a long time because you can't teach his scoring ability.  But to me, his weaknesses are too significant for him to ever stick in the NHL.[/quote]


calgari- i'm suprised you are so down on moulson.

[Jacob '06]

So here is my recap of the Pacific Division shootout that I saw today in LA:

I saw about half of the Kings practice, and all of the sharks practice. In terms of Cornell alums, the thing that stood out most was how much slower Moulson was than his teammates in a fast-paced practice. He definitely needs to work on his speed. He also botched a decent opportunity on a shot up close to the net, but these things happen in practices. During the Sharks practice, Iggulden seemed to be stuck working on a drill controlling the puck along the boards with people who couldn't control the puck along the boards. He looked pretty relaxed and more comfortable than Moulson did during his practice.

The first game played was between the Coyotes and the Ducks. Unfortunately Cornell had no alums on the Coyotes, and McKee and Hynes didn't dress for the Ducks. I ran in to McKee between periods and he said he wasn't playing because he played in last nights game. The Coyotes won the game I think 3-1. The first period was pretty sloppy and it was quite evident that these guys hadn't played together very much. It pains me to say it, but as the game went on the Coyotes defense actually looked pretty good, and they got enough done in the offensive end to win the game. The Ducks looked a lot sloppier than I would have expected.

The second game was the Kings vs. the Sharks. This pitted Matt Moulson up against Mike Iggulden. Moulson played on the first line for the Kings. There were a ton of penalties in this game, mostly on the Sharks so he got a lot of time playing on the first power play unit. On powerplays he was getting put in front of the net and down along the goal line on the boards, so he wasn't in the high slot that he was used to at Cornell. He had a few golden opportunities in close, but couldn't put one in the back of the net. His speed did not seem to be as much of an issue in the actual game as it did in practice. Iggulden played on the 4th line for the sharks, and didn't see an incredible amount of playing time. I think this was mostly because they had seen him play for them for a year in the AHL, and so it was less important to see him play. He played on the pp and the pk at some points in the game. He had one great steal on the penalty kill that reminded me of that OT short handed goal against Union. However, the defense got back before the got a good scoring opportunity. In the last minute of the game he was playing with the goalie pulled to try and tie up the game, and he had a couple of good opportunities but no goals. The Kings won 3-2, and I think Moulson got an assist on the second goal. It was a fun day and a good value seeing both games for 10 bucks.

[jtwcornell91]

I was hoping you'd say Iggy played on a checking line that got matched against Moulson's line.  That would have been entertaining. :-P

[Jacob '06]

[quote jtwcornell91]I was hoping you'd say Iggy played on a checking line that got matched against Moulson's line.  That would have been entertaining. :-P[/quote]

I actually don't think they were ever on the ice at the same time unfortunately. Moulson did actually check a few people, but it tended to be pretty awkward looking.

[AnneDVM]

If you check out the discussions on the message board at www.letsgokings.com, most of the game attendees have good things to say about Moulson.

[Harrier]

Moulson had another 2 goals Tuesday night in a 4-3 win.  Ari are you convinced for some reason that he can't continue his development??  Are you planning on knowing everything you are ever going to know when you leave school-or are you going to continue development- much like Moulson will.  He can be an AHL star right now and will continue to get better.  So casting him as a never make the NHL prospect is retarded.

[billhoward]

[quote Harrier]Moulson had another 2 goals Tuesday night in a 4-3 win.  Ari are you convinced for some reason that he can't continue his development??  Are you planning on knowing everything you are ever going to know when you leave school-or are you going to continue development- much like Moulson will.  He can be an AHL star right now and will continue to get better.  So casting him as a never make the NHL prospect is retarded.[/quote]

We're all Cornell fans. We hope every Cornell grad will have a career as long and honorable as Joe Nieuwendyk. Ari's entitled to his considerable judgment that Moulson may have trouble catching on in the pros, and he gave reasons why.

[KeithK]

[quote billhoward][quote Harrier]Moulson had another 2 goals Tuesday night in a 4-3 win.  Ari are you convinced for some reason that he can't continue his development??  Are you planning on knowing everything you are ever going to know when you leave school-or are you going to continue development- much like Moulson will.  He can be an AHL star right now and will continue to get better.  So casting him as a never make the NHL prospect is retarded.[/quote]

We're all Cornell fans. We hope every Cornell grad will have a career as long and honorable as Joe Nieuwendyk. Ari's entitled to his considerable judgment that Moulson may have trouble catching on in the pros, and he gave reasons why.[/quote]And further, I bet Ari would be happy to see Moulson become an NHL star.  He just doesn't think it's likely.  Considering how hard it is for a college player to succeed in the big show that's not too unreasonable.

[Harrier]

By the same Logic, I guess McCutcheon of 2 years ago will never crack the Cornell lineup.