-chris

for a guy that loves to see younf talent tested, I thought your list was exceptional, I just hope these players get a good shot at it.

Look at Toronto and Pat Quinn, he would call up a player from the farm team, who is getting first line action and lots of PP time then throw them on the fourth line in a checking role, and expect them to turn Travis Green and Tie Domi into superstars with their 6 mins of game time.

Unfortunately this league has missed out on a Gretzky and Lemieux over the last two decades because the kids aren’t given the confidence or the ice time to succeed. Then these dinosaurs proclaim how that these players aren’t to be found. There is too few exceptions to these rules around the league, the teams the have given players a chance have some young talented players on their rosters.

Being a Leaf fan I currently am very attracted to the play of Ian White, for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure to watch this kid play, I’ll briefly promote his skills.

Although he is a very small player for a defencemen, he overcame this hurdle and starred for the World Canadian Jr team. This kid has the most amazing shot I’ve ever seen. Not as hard as MacInnis but much more acurate and what a quick release. He scored 4 goals for the Jr’s and added a few assists, this all from only limited ice time on the power plays.

If the Leaf management was wise and they are not.

They should usher in a new era of the specialty teams, just like in football, players solely responsible for certain aspects of special teams.

If they dressed this kid just to play on the powerplay he would shatter any rookie records as it pertained to defenceman scoring.

Yet you wouldn’t have to hurt his confidence by taking a regular shift alongside professional players who have years of experience on the lad.

This kid to me is the true word of a phenom, his other Canadian Jr teammate Fleury would also classify in that categorie I just hope Pittsburgh doesn’t destroy that kid.

Sorry for ramblin….

but GIVE THE KIDS A CHANCE… or else we will miss out on another few decades of superstars, and I mean partner them with some quality players on the top two lines in a limited role.

Maybe the salary cap will help in getting rid of all the dinosaurs still employed in the league to only bore us all to sleep.

dark horse not black sheep

however here is a black sheep to watch out for.

Brandon reid

The guy can score but his defensive game needs abit of work, every one says he is to small but hey he took the beating in the play offs, if he plays perhaps 40-50 pts if given the chance. (perhaps wishfull thinking but we will see)

Its funny how Rita has been shuffled to the side somewhat. Whenever they talk of players likely to make the team, they are talking about Stoll, Torres, Conklin, even Bergeron, but like you say, aren’t as high on Rita anymore. Maybe they’ll give him another season to see if he improves, but he could also end up as possible trade bait this year.