Sharks prospects playoff update #1
April 3rd, 2010, 12:58 pm
The Sharks are entering another, to quote Paris Hilton, “Huge” game vs. Colorado on Easter Sunday. The Avs will be desperate, their Cinderella season fading before their eyes. As a potential first round matchup, the Sharks would be wise to be on their A game and not give Colorado any sort of confidence heading into mid-April.
Since I’m in the playoff spirit, let’s take a look at how some of our Sharks draft picks are faring in the NCAA and Canadian Hockey League playoffs.
Thomas Heemskerk (WHL/Everett Silvertips)
Heemskerk, who signed a three year entry level deal earlier in the season, didn’t see much time in net after getting lit up for five goals in an 2OT loss in Game 4 vs. Kelowna (2009 WHL champions). Everett battled but lost a seven game series, with Heemskerk posting an unimpressive 3.70 GAA and .870%. These numbers are way off from his solid regular season stats (2.34 GAA and .927%) but his inability to outbattle fellow goalie Kent Simpson leads me to believe the Sharks will leave the undrafted Heemskerk in Everett for another year. He was a find at Sharks rookie camp but at 19, it appears he needs a little more time.
Marek Viedensky (WHL/Saskatoon Blades)
Saskatoon swept Red Deer 4-0 in the first round and Viedensky played a major role, with five points (4 goals/1 assist) in four games and notching a +3. The 6’3 center Viedensky is having a great year and is proving to be a player to watch after his appearance for Slovakia at the World Juniors. Keep an eye on this kid and Saskatoon. He already has two goals in the first game of Round Two vs. Brandon.
Julien Demers (OHL/Ottawa 67's)
No relation to current Shark Jason Demers (insert joke here) this kid is still playing in Round Two of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. So far, pretty impressive stats – 6 assists in 7 games and a +9 puts him among the OHL’s elite in d-man playoff scoring with names like Alex Pietrangelo and Ryan Ellis. Another guy to keep an eye on as they battle in the 2nd round with Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. From what I understand about junior age rules, this is Demers last year of eligibility – so we’ll be seeing him around next year in camp atleast. A lock to get an entry level deal.
Taylor Doherty (OHL/Kingston Frontenacs)
Kingston folded in seven games vs. Brampton, but it certainly wasn’t Doherty’s fault – he pulled five points in five games with a +4 and a remarkable zero penalty minutes for a guy with 372 career junior PIM’s. At rookie camp this year, Doherty looked lost and fell fall short of his 2009 2nd round draft pick billing, but his numbers suggest he’s starting to figure it out and how to use his 6’8 size effectively and responsibly. He missed two games due to injury in this playoff series and his team lost them both. Interesting.
Tommy Wingels (NCAA/Miami Ohio RedHawks)
The RedHawks survived a 2OT thriller vs. University of Michigan and are the top seed remaining. They have a date with Boston College on Thurs, April 8th on ESPN2 and the winner plays for it all on April 10th. Wingels has no points in the Frozen Four after being the third leading scorer during the season. I would expect after the tourney ends, Wingels will be appearing in Worcester for their Calder Cup run – especially with Couture now entrenched in the Sharks top nine.
Samuel Groulx (QMJHL/Victoriaville Tigers)
The Tigers won their 1st round matchup vs. Shawningan with Groulx chipping in three points. He is now matched up with the team that traded him midseason, the Quebec Ramparts, in Round Two. Groulx had by far his best season as a junior, with 43 points – and he could be a candidate to be signed to an entry level deal in the offseason. Remember, this is the kid who said his favorite player is Vlasic at the draft. Some guys idolize Owen Nolan or Steve Yzerman – not this kid. He loves him some Pickles.
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“Not this kid. He loves some Pickles” haha to good.
Yah, that line cracked me up…
Thornton has risen!
Damn. That Kesler shortie decided both matchups didn’t it…! Close match fellas… Doug are you still alive in the first league?
Bring on the finals snotsicles!!
Excuse me. This comment is completely irrelevant to the article. Please try to keep these things to yourself. Thanks.
I guess I missed the sarcasm. :)…
“DON’T COMPLAIN”
fyi, you just got Wallined.
As to the poll question of the week…
I ‘d rather have the Sharks play Calgary in the first round… Even though I realize they aren’t going to make it, they couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag right now… of the teams I think will make it, I’d choose Colorado. But, I still think the Sharks will END UP playing the Kings… I think the Sharks will fall to the 2nd seed and LA will finish seventh…
I, like any smart person, picked the Kings (see what i did there? now you feel stupid) who are 4 – 4 – 2 in their last 10 as of right now, though that record is clearly not part of my decision, seeing as how the Avs have struggled so much as of late.
If the Sharks and sharks fans are afraid of the Kings, then they got another thing coming when it comes to round 2 and 3. I’d be excited for the CA battle, the reduced travel, and the non-work conflicting game times.
I also hate Los Angeles because it is a city that was near the city where Pronger once played. yup.
Kings fans will tell you that they have doubts about Quick too, so maybe we have an opportunity there….?
I think every round is gonna be emotional hell for Sharks fans either way though.
I totally agree with the last line, Anything that isn’t the conference finals is going to be a complete failure in the minds of a lot of sharks fans. In previous years I have been totally pumped for the playoffs despite short comings I strongly believed it was all going to work out and we were the team to beat but this year I’m not going to lie when I say that I am settling for hope that its all going to end well finally.
You could make a good case for either the Avs or the Kings. For my money it depends on Peter Mueller. The team website lists him as out indefinitely with a concussion. Without him on the ice, I’d much rather play Colorado.
Pretty dirty hit by Blake, in my opinion.
Yeah without Mueller I’d much rather see the Avs from a sharks getting the easiest road angle. Although it would be hard not to get excited about a match up with LA which would be if nothing else an exciting series between heated rivals.
Let’s compromise, and play them both! LA can knock off Chicago in the first round and we’ll face them in round two.
Love this video, Dudes….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5ybRd9rbeE