Commandant

Hard to say, at this point, I think its likely that all 3 are sent down (2 to junior and Forsberg to Sweden), however I thought that about RNH at this time last year, I also thought that about Jeff Skinner the year before. You never really know. A kid can come in and knock socks off at training camp, earn the 9 game tryout, and then if he still plays well really take off from there. Handicapping it though... Most likely to be in the NHL to least likely: Grigorenko, Galchenyuk, Forsberg.

I agree it can be taught, and Dumba is ahead of Subban at the same age. Subban was really bad as a 17 year old. What I will say though is that Subban's progression is pretty rare, while its possible to improve, it shouldn't be expected that Dumba will have the same learning curve Subban did, because that kind of improvement from where he was at 17, to what he was just 2 years later a top defensive D in the OHL, to what he learned in Hamilton, to today, is pretty remarkable. Almost unprecedented the speed at which all aspects of his game developped. A testament to Subban's hard work IMO (and one of the reasons I want another crazy workout/practice guy in Galchenyuk). Dumba may improve, but I doubt its at the same rate. I still think he's a good prospect and a solid top 5, I just don't agree with the praise heaped on by Damphousse that he plays great defense. He doesn't play great defence right now. Maybe one day, but not right now. I think Dumbas is in the top 2 defence prospects, but I think Murray is better to be honest. I think the defence of Murray is much better, and there isn't as much difference in offence as the numbers might suggest. Murray has been a dominant player offensively for Team Canada too... he just can't put up the huge points in Everett cause Everett's forwards suck.

He doesn't want to go back, the Caps would take him in a heartbeat, but he'd rather have all the power in London.

The Habs are one of many teams who are persuing Damion Brunner, a forward on the Swiss World Championship team. He is a 26 year old UFA.

Scott Laughton http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/14/nhl-draft-prospect-profile-39-scott-laughton/

NJ in 6. LA in 6.

For all the hits he threw and the lack of penalty minutes he accumulated, Emelin was not a dirty player.

Or bad scouting. Every single one of the scouts from under the Houle regime have been replaced though, so it doesn't matter if it was luck or poor scouting or poor development.

DD at wing eventually. Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Eller as your top 3 centres. No problems.

Allen sure, Carkner no. We need a 20 minute per game defencemen. Between Kaberle, Emelin, Diaz, and St. Denis, we have more than enough 3rd pairing defencemen.

He had 70 pts under Martin. Lets also not forget that he also had a 39 pt season (the majority of which was under Carbo in 2008-2009) and was part of the team that absolutely quit on Carbo that year. As disappointing as Plekanec was this season, the 08-09 year was 13 points worse. Given that season, plus Carbo's last two jobs (U18 Team Canada that ended in the relegation round), and coaching Chicoutimi was a disaster. I really don't want Carbo back as a coach.

Simon Gagne was drafted 14 years ago when the Habs took Eric Chouinard instead. That was Reggie Houle's regime. How its relevant today, I don't know. We picked Pacioretty ahead of Perron, I'd call that a good pick.

I really don't know what Damphousse was watching to say Dumba plays excellent defense. He's great offensively, and he hits like a truck, I agree with those two, but his defensive game needs a ton of work. He really lacks defensive instincts, and he gets himself in trouble a lot over extending looking for the big hit or for a steal and to jump to offense.

Oscar Dansk http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/13/nhl-draft-prospect-profile-38-oscar-dansk/

Tanner Pearson http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/12/nhl-draft-prospect-profile-37-tanner-pearson/

I definetely agree with Don that Junior is a more exciting brand of hockey right now due to the more scoring. How you get that into the NHL without changing the game? I don't know. As for results tonight, Tinordi and the Knights win. We've got 4 prospects (on 3 teams) in the Mem Cup now. This is gonna be fun.

When you consider that in the last 9 years (since Timmins was hired) only 1 NHL team has drafted more Q players than us, I don't think we've been neglecting the Q at all. I agree with MOLG, this is good PR for Bergevin, but it doesn't actually mean anything other than appeasing a couple chest thumpers in the media. Its not like we've been ignoring the Q.

I think you need to sign 2 guys. 1) I'd go after Brandon Prust first. 2) Travis Moen 3) Aaron Asham 4) Gaustad Staubitz isn't a bad choice, but he's plan D or E.

Players don't have the maturity to play as disciplined a defensive game in junior, there is more opportunities to make mistakes, even in defensive systems.

The fans dictate who you take based on where they were born. For every Giroux and Gagne (Gagne was 14 years ago now BTW) there is a decision to take Ryan McDonagh over Angelo Esposito, Max Pacioretty over David Perron, and PK Subban over Antoine Lafleur.

From the D factory known as the Kelowna Rockets... Damon Severson http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/11/nhl-draft-prospect-profile-36-damon-severson/

Dogs win 8-0 and seal their spot in the Memorial Cup. For those who want to see if Jarred Tinordi and the London Knights can do the same, at home, in game 5 tomorrow night... its Friday Night Hockey on Sportsnet. Should be a good game for us to check out with no NHL action.

Pleks best year was under Jacques Martin.

Knights win 4-1 and take a 3-1 series lead. Sea Dogs take 3-0 lead with a 6-4 win.

Habs pick will be 32.... the Devils are almost guaranteed to forfeit their first rounder now. Thats what I meant by, if you want him, take him at 32. I don't think he'll be around for Nashville's pick. Tim Bozon, one of my personal favorites. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/10/nhl-draft-prospect-profile-35-tim-bozon/