Mikhail Grigorenko: The Next Great Russian Centre?

     When scouts throw around the name Evgeni Malkin when comparing a prospect to a current NHL player you know expectations are high and the bar has been set. Mikhail Grigorenko a prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft is currently playing in the QMJHL for the Quebec Remparts. Grigorenko a natural centre has been playing right wing for most of the season being coached under former NHL goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Roy.

     Grigorenko was originally expected to play in the KHL this season for CSKA Moscow. However plans changed quickly when Grigorenko was swayed to come play in Canada and was selected Second Overall in the CHL Import Draft by Quebec.

     Grigorenko is flourishing thus far in his first season in North America. He currently boasts 15 goals, 16 assists, for 31 points in just 21 games. Just the start he needed to build on speculation that he is to be a top five pick in this upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Grigorenko projects as a big rangy playmaking centre who has tremendous vision and hockey sense. To go along with a supreme pair of hands. Top line centres with Grigorenko’s ability don’t exactly grow on trees, and NHL scouts fully realize this. Scouts that are likely to have high picks in this upcoming Draft are likely licking their chops to get a shot at a talent like this.

     The Draft is still a world away, and there is still much to prove before then. 2012 looks to be a strong crop of prospects, but don’t be surprised if two Russians rise to the top of the hockey world that day. Nail Yakupov who is all but a lock to be the first pick, could be followed or even challenged by his Russian counterpart Mikhail Grigorenko.

Phil Kessel: Can this Amazing Pace Continue?

     If Phil Kessel is to maintain his current pace for the remaining games left this season he will see himself eclipse the 100 point barrier by quite a margin. However you won’t find many sane people expecting that to happen.

     Kessel’s hot start has not only been a testament to how skilled a player he is, but his maturity and evolution as an NHL player. These days it’s not unusual to see Kessel skate back to break up scoring chances for the other team, or fill in for a pinching defenceman. Brian Burke will tell you “Phil Kessel is a 200 foot player now”. I’m sure there are people that will tell you they never thought they’d see the day when Phil Kessel is a complete player. Now they’ve seen it.

     Along with improving his defensive game Kessel has also became more of an offensive juggernaut. His 21 points in 13 games is leading the NHL. Kessel looks dangerous every shift. A threat to score every time his skates touch the ice. Kessel’s pace is sure to slow, but by how much? Kessel doesn’t appear to be the same player that he was even as little as a year ago. His evolution has been apparent. Kessel will surpass his previous career high of 64 points this season by a fair margin barring injury.

     As Kessel is evolving so are the Toronto Maple Leafs as a team. The Leafs who now sit 1st in the entire NHL are off to their best start in years. The Leafs best players have stepped up to propel the Leafs to the upper echelon of NHL teams. I’m sure the Leafs brass are hoping the evolution is on-going because right now the future looks very bright for not only Kessel, but the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jonas Gustavsson: Regaining Confidence

     

     You know that feeling, that feeling deep in your gut when you feel something has or is going to go wrong. That sums up the feeling I have when Jonas Gustavsson or “The Monster” gets in the blue paint for the Maple Leafs.

     Truth be told Gustavsson has been through a laundry list of setbacks thus far in his tenure with the Leafs. At time looking like a starter, and others looking like a minor leaguer. Consistency has not been one of Gustavsson’s strong points. You wonder where all the promise has gone since he came across the pond from Sweden to guard the net for the Leafs. Was it all just hype? That is now becoming a fair question.

     His most recent stint in the Leafs crease has come at the expense of starter James Reimer. Who is missing time with whiplash/concussion symptoms from a collision in game against the Canadiens. In this time the Monster has been both great and below average sometimes in the span of a few minutes. His stats are more of an eye sore than complimenting, but he finds a way to make big saves, and most importantly is winning the majority of games. Who never know what Gustavsson you’re going to get even from period to period. Could it be a lack of confidence? Too much pressure? Or is “The Monster” just not as good as he was projected to be? At this point it is anyone’s guess.

Phil Kessel: Player of the Month for October!

    

     Phil Kessel's rip roaring start has earned him October's highest honor. Kessel was named Player of the Month Monday after scoring 10 goals with 8 assists for 18 points in 11 games this month.

Joe Colborne: Learning to Fly

     Joe Colborne has had a far from modest start to his season with the Toronto Marlies. Colborne currently playing with Joey Crabb and Jerry D’Amigo has produced 8 goals and 16 points in just 8 games this season thus far. Putting him on a 2 point per game pace. Also putting him at the top of the AHL in league scoring.

     Colborne would tell you this start has a lot to do with the improvements he’s made this past off-season. Colborne skated and trained extensively with skating coaches to improve his prowess on the blades. It’s showing as his stride looks smoother and longer this season, along with him looking more agile for having such a big frame. Described as a pass first center, Colborne is showing he has no problem putting the puck in the net when the opportunity presents itself. That opportunity is going to come more often than ever as Colborne has been creating chances for not only his teammates, but for himself so far this season.

     Fans aren’t the only ones impressed with the big native of Calgary Alberta. Marlies Coach Dallas Eakins is impressed with not only his play with the puck, but also away from it. Chiming that he’s much more defensively sound this season. Overall a great start for Big Joe, but a test lies ahead as the Marlies have a 9 game road trip which has already begun with a loss to Lake Erie tonight 2 to 1. However Colborne notched the lone goal for the Marlies with a nice dangle on a breakaway. It will be interesting to see if Colborne can keep his production in the vicinity it is now over the next 8 games of the road trip.

     Who knows what the future holds for Joe Colborne, but Joe knows what he wants to be. “I want to be a first-line centre” says Colborne. That’s all that  Leaf fans need to hear for now, as he’s shown if he wants something he’s willing to work hard to get it.

Kyle Turris Asks for Trade

     Kyle Turris a current RFA currently owned by the Phoenix Coyotes, after lots of speculation finally has made his trade demands public.

     "This has never been about money, we've been upfront with the club from Day 1. We've respectfully requested that the player had the opportunity to move forward in his career by having a fresh start." Uttered the agent of Turris, Kurt Overhardt.

     
     It now appears as much as Coyotes GM Don Maloney has been denying it, that a trade is inevitable. It could be interesting to see the former third overall picks trade value.

Brad Ross: The Next Great Agitator in the NHL?

     Steve Ott, Sean Avery, these are the two names that will keep coming up if you ask NHL scouts to compare Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Brad Ross to a pro. Ross much like Ott and Avery plays a gritty two way game, he’s also just as annoying for other players in the WHL to play against as Ott and Avery are for NHL players.

     However Ross has a distinct offensive awareness to his game that has allowed him to put up very respectable number thus far in his WHL tenure for his Portland Winterhawks.  Notching 137 points threw his past two seasons. However outside of his offensive game, he has a fearless and sometimes reckless demeanor. As with those gaudy offensive numbers he’s also acquired 374 penalty minutes threw the past two seasons as well. Ross is simply not afraid to run his mouth, make a big hit, or drop the gloves with anyone. In fact when asked just last season what his “wow” moment was in the WHL thus far, Ross never uttered any of the goals he’d scored or assists he’d piled up. Ross instantly said getting two fighting majors in one game. Spoken like a true Brian Burke draft pick.

     Enough backstory, Ross is off to a rip roaring start in the WHL this year. Having his line mates Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter advance to the pro game this season leaves Ross as the go to guy offensively for the Winterhawks, and safe to say he hasn’t disappointed. Ross has notched 8 goals, 12 assists for 20 points in 14 games thus far. If he can keep a similar pace for the whole season he will be amongst the top of the WHL in scoring. However after this season Ross has to be looking ahead to starting his pro career. With a strong off season and a good training camp we could see Ross in the blue and white as early as next year with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Toronto Marlies. He could be well on his way to becoming the next great agitator in the NHL.