|
scored 42 goals in his second season with the Regina Pats and added two goals and four assists in five playoff games. , whom they nabbed at No. 22.-We zeroed in on a certain type of player,- Edmonton Assistant General Manager Kevin Prendergast told NHL.com. -We felt we got lucky. Eberle was a kid that when he left our draft meetings, we sort of kept our fingers crossed that we'd be able to get bcs football standings him. We were lucky to get him. We got players that we had a lot of interest in, which is always good.-Eberle joins a group that includes three first-round choices from 2007 -- which included jewel Sam Gagner Here is a look at Edmonton's top prospects heading into the 2008-09 season. FORWARDS Jordan Eberle -- The 5-foot-10 center scored 42 goals in his second season with his hometown Regina Pats o bcs football standings f the Western Hockey League and added two goals and four assists in five playoff games. Eberle also represented Team Canada at the 2007 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament and played on a line with Sarnia's Steven Stamkos, who went No. 1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.-We have a lot of skilled players on the team, but not a lot of pure goal scorers,- Prendergast said. -He sort of fits that bill. bcs football standings We think down the road, he's going to be a very good player for us.- Riley NashThe only question now is, will this be Nash's final season at Cornell? If he continues to make strides at the college level, it sounds as if there's a chance he'll sign an entry-level contract with the Oilers sooner rather than later. 2008 Draft Capsule: Quality over quantity Due to some previous moves, the Oilers bcs football standings didn't have a very busy weekend at the 2008 Draft. The Oilers are confident that their first-round selection - Regina's Jordan Eberle...more ...more Team-by-team inside look (Prospects, offseason moves, plus more) Team prospect feature calendar Summer can't end fast enough Jordan Eberle interview More NHL.com features -- A first-round selection from 2004 (No. 25), Schremp enjoye bcs football standings d plenty of success in his second season in the American Hockey League. In 78 games with the Springfield Falcons, the 5-foot-11 center scored 23 goals while adding 53 assists -- a strong indication of his playmaking ability. Schremp went 17-36-53 for the Wilkes-Barre> Alex Plante -- Edmonton's top defensive prospect had an extremely rough year with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), as a charley horse, a b bcs football standings ack injury and a concussion limited him to just 36 games.Nonetheless, the Oilers believe the No. 14 overall selection in 2007 will be a major contributor down the road. Plante, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 225 pounds, is expected to return to juniors for another season due to the setbacks suffered in 2007-08. He could also represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.-Alex had a nigh bcs football standings tmare for a year last year,- Prendergast said. -It was like nothing could go right for the kid. But he came back at the end of the year and played very well. We've kept a close eye on him this summer, and he's training very hard. There's no after-effects from his injury. He knows as well as we do that this is a big year for him. He's got a lot of making up to do this year. He understands more so t bcs football standings han anybody else what he has to do this year. We're expecting a good year out of him.- Taylor Chorney Taylor Chorney -- The smooth skater and puck handler recently signed an entry-level deal with the Oilers after being the franchise's second-round selection (No. 36 overall) in 2005. ,- Prendergast said. -He has that pro mentality. He skates so well and does everything almost effortlessly. We th bcs football standings ink it was time for him to come out of school, and he'll probably need a little time at Springfield to adjust to the pro game. But I don't think it's going to be long before he's in the NHL.- Jeff Petry -- The Ann Arbor, Mich., native opted to play college hockey -- at Michigan State. So far, it's turned to be the right choice as Petry posted 24 points in 48 games for the Spartans as a freshman. A bcs football standings second-round choice (No. 45) in 2006, the 6-foot-3 blueliner prides himself on his ability to play in all situations.-He's another one we're going to keep a close eye on this year,- Prendergast said. -He's got to get a little bit bigger, but at our recent camp he was up around 190 pounds. For a kid to step into Michigan State and play on their first power play and first penalty kill is a tribute bcs football standings to the type of player this kid's going to be.- Johan Motin -- The Swedish defenseman was Edmonton's second selection (fourth round, No. 103), in 2008, three rounds after Eberle was taken. At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, the 18-year-old is viewed to be a goaltender's best friend.-He's an old-school type of defenseman in that he's a stay-at-home player,- Prendergast said. -He doesn't carry the puck a wh bcs football standings ole lot, but he moves it quickly. Defensively, he's more than adequate. He's very strong for his age.- Theo Peckham -- At 6-2 and 216 pounds, Peckham is an enforcer type who loves to be in the middle of everything. Edmonton's third-round choice (No.75) in 2006 racked up 174 penalty minutes in 59 games for Springfield. He also had six goals and seven assists. Peckham, who turns 21 in November, appe bcs football standings ared in one game for the Oilers in 2007-08, but could be spending a lot more time in Edmonton next season.-Theo came a long way last year for us,- Prendergast said. -We had a lot of injuries down there, and he had to assume a lot of extra ice time. I think it really helped him. He's been out in Edmonton now for over a month, training out here. With Matt Greene being traded to Los Angeles, he's goi bcs football standings ng to have an opportunity to fight for that job with the big team.- GOALTENDERSClick for larger photo bcs football standings
|