TheHoser Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Hey, I wrote up some new, up-to-date player bios (The ones on the main site seem to be out of date.) Let me know what you think: Saku Koivu - Finland - C Strengths: Tremendous leader. Plays with grit and determination on every shift, and never backs down from bigger players. Is a very good skater and his playmaking abilities are beyond reproch. Displays dazzleing moves from time-to-time, and has shown an increasing ability to score goals of late. Weaknesses: Lack of size makes him easy to handle in front of the net and can be dominated by larger players. Has a poor, poor shot. Injuries have devestated his career and he can no longer be counted on to play a full 82 games as a number 1 center. Current Potential: 1a Center Radek Bonk - Czech Republic - C Strengths: Is an incredible defensive forward a wonderful penalty killer. Uses his size to dominate the boards and is amongst the league leaders in puck possession and forcing turnovers. Occasionally displays unbelievable hands and is very strong on the puck. Doesn't turn the puck over often. Has shown a willingness to play through pain, despite his reputation. Weaknesses: Sub-average skater with poor overall speed. Has a habit of missing easy passes in the offensive zone and lacks confidence with the puck. When he makes a bad pass in the defensive zone, doesn't work hard enough to make up for it. Not a natural goal scorer by any means. Current Potential: 3rd Line Center + PK Specialist Tomas Plekanec - Czech Republic - C/LW Strengths: Fantastic speed and doesn't quit on plays. Has good vision and can make great moves at high speed. Can make great passes and does a good job using his speed to draw defenders. Is a very heady defensive player and plays with a lot of passion. Generates a lot of chances in the offensive zone. Is capable of generating offense on the PK. Weaknesses: Has virtually no physical presence and lacks strength and size. Can get knocked off the puck very easily by larger players. Not a natural goal scorer and has trouble finishing off simple plays around the net. Current Potential: 3rd Line Center Steve Begin - Canada - C/RW/LW Strengths: Is one of the most passionate players in the league. Throws a lot of hits and is a very effective agitator despite his size. Is a solid locker room presence and never hesitates to jump in to protect his teammates, even againts far bigger guys. Solid skater who never stops moving his feet. Is very good in defensive situations, especially on the PK. Weaknesses: Has virtually no offensive abilities. Doesn't have a lot of size for his role. Has a habit of looking for a big hit and getting himself trapped in the offensive zone. Current Potential: 4th Liner Michael Ryder - Canada - RW Stengths: Is a terrific garbage goal scorer. Has improved his passing abilities. Has a very good shot and knows where to go to use it best. Has improved his defensive play and has become a much better forechecker. Weaknesses: Is a terrible puckcarrier. Needs to have a very good offensive center to produce. Needs to end his love affair with the post. When he has the puck his skating is atrocious. His passing has improved but he still needs to work on using his linemates more effectivly. Current Potential: 2nd Line Winger Chris Higgins - USA - LW (Natural Center) Strengths: Is a terrific skater, both in terms of speed and technical abilities. Has a good shot and is very good in front of the net. Plays with boundless passion and enthusiasm. Is a lifelong Habs fan and respects the jersey he wears. Is a great penalty killer, and is amongst the league leaders in generating offense shorthanded. Ocasionally will display great hands and creativity in the offensive zone. Has a reputation as a good leader. Weaknesses: His overall potential may be limited. Has trouble with big defenders and he has a habit of shooting when a pass is a better option. Current Potential: 1st Line Left Winger Alex Kovalev - Russia - RW Strengths: Is one of the best stickhandlers in the game. Has an incredible wrist shot. Can slow the play down or speed it up at will, especially on the powerplay along the boards. Is a very good technical skater and has an incredible amount of upper body strength. Is equally good at scoring goals and setting up his teammates. Always gives his all in the playoffs. Weaknesses: Takes far too many shifts off. When he's not skating hard and his head isn't in game, he provides very little on the ice. Never puts heart into the defensive side of the game and lacks grit. Reacts very negativly to being singled out and has a reputation as a Prima Donna. Overstickhandles quite often and tries to make something from nothing when a far simpler play is available. His inconsistencies make him very difficult to play with. Current Potential: On-again-off-again 1st Line Winger Sergei Samsonov - Russia - LW Strengths: Intimidating skater and is very shifty, which makes him very difficult to pin down. Can quite literally stickhandle in a phonebooth. Very good shot and he skates hard every shift, generating lots of chances. While he's by no means a physical player, he is willing to take hits to make plays and is very good at rolling with checks. Can score spectacular goals. Weaknesses: Stickhandles endlessly and usually doesn't acomplish a lot with it. Very small and gets knocked off the puck easily. Doesn't play with a lot of passion. Has literally no pysical presence to speak of. Seems to have lost his touch around the net. Current Potential: 2nd Line Winger Alexander Perezhogin - Russia - LW/RW Strengths: Incredible skating abilities. Plays with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Has a very good shot and can display spectacular moves at high speed. Has developed a very strong defensive game to go along with a developing offensive acumen. Scores spectacular goals. Weaknesses: Lacks confidence. Very inconsistant in the offensive zone and in general. Doesn't do a good job scoring garbage goals. Lets the play get away from him at the worst possible times. Current Potential: 3rd Line Winger (Could move up to a 2nd Line role) Mike Johnson - Canada - RW/C Strengths: Good size and uses it well along the boards. Very smart passer and a smooth skater. Very good defensive player and he plays with a lot of heart. Has a lot of chemistry with his linemates and is a very good locker room guy. Is capable of putting up solid numbers for a 3rd line player. Is willing to play a physical game despite his reputation. Is very consistent in the defensive zone. Weaknesses: Not a natural in the offensive zone. Will never put up spectacular numbers and goes ridiculous stretches without so much as a point. Current Potential: 3rd Line Winger Gui Latendresse - Canada - RW Strengths: Very physical and difficult to knock off the puck. Very good shot and can make great passes. Is good in an offensive role and a crash-bang role. Plays with a lot of heart and loves to wear the sweater. Weaknesses: Still makes soft, QMJHL-style plays that rarley work against NHL defenders. His skating has come a long way since he was drafted but is still poor. Defensive zone coverage leaves a lot to be desired. Current Potential: 4th Line Banger/2nd Line Winger (Depends on how he's used) Garth Murray - Canada - LW/RW Strengths: Tireless worker, effetive crasher-banger, and plays with a lot of agressiveness and heart. Is an incredibly fast skater. Willing to sacrifice anything for the team. Weaknesses: Is an accident waiting to happen with the puck on his stick. No offensive game to speak of. Makes poor decisions when it comes to placing his hits. Usually ends up on the wrong side of fights. Current Potential: Role Player Will have Defensemen and Goalies up eventually... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habsfan88 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I agree with pretty much everything except the "poor, poor shot" comment on Koivu. I find that this is what most people think but really I think it's just a lack of confidence in his shot, so he hardly wants to use it. When Koivu wants to shoot, he can shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakiqc Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Thanks buddy we'll look at it. Great first post, welcome to HW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHoser Posted December 19, 2006 Author Share Posted December 19, 2006 Thanks for the warm welcoming words! Just out of curiosity though, why is Mike Ribeiro's bio still on the main site? Defenders: Sheldon Souray - Canada - RD Strengths: Possesses argueably the best shot in the NHL. Is virtually unstoppable on the power play. He's improved his passing and rushing abilities considerably. Has tightened up in the defensive zone and doesn't get caught out of position that much anymore. Brings a lot of leadership and class to the lockerroom. Plays a mean game and is a very punishing player physically. Stands up for his teammates. Is a very intimidating presence for goalies and shot-blockers. Weaknesses: Is not a great skater. While the hi-light reel makes him look worse then he is, his one-on-one coverage needs a lot of work. Needs work on puck clearing and general defensive zone coverage. Current Potential: Top 4 Defender + Special Teams God Mike Komisarek - USA - LD Strengths: While not especially quick, he is a very sound technical skater and very mobile for a big guy. Is a dominating physical presence along the boards and has learned to pick his spots. Very solid in the defensive zone for a player his age. Willing to mix it up and get rough, and plays a very mean, intimidating game. Is starting to take more chances offensivly. Weaknesses: Takes a lot of unnecessary penalties. Is not a very good passer and has trouble handeling the puck in general. Has a lot of trouble getting the puck out along the boards and his first pass needs work. Has trouble getting his shot through to the goalie. Current Potential: Physical Defensive Defenseman Andrei Markov - Russia - RD Strengths: Has an unbelievable first pass. Skates very smoothly and is sound technically. Has some very nifty, unexpeted moves, most notably his spin-o-rama move coming out of the defensive zone. Is very good in the defensive zone and uses his partner and forwards very well. Has one of the most active sticks in the league and uses it very effectivly. Great vision. Weaknesses: His reclusive nature means he has basically no locker room presence and he has difficulty communicating with his partner at times. His desire to stay in the NHL is questionable and sometimes his heart doesn't appear to be in it. Not a physical player by any means. Passes far more then he should and needs to use his very good shot more often. Has a lot of trouble with physical forwards. Current Potential: Top 2 Defender + Power Play Specialist Craig Rivet - Canada - LD Strengths: A consummate team player, will do absolutely anything for his team. Is a very reliable and consistent player who plays through all kinds of pain and can always be counted on in pressure situations. Always, always stands up for his teammate and he is usually a very good defensive defender. Weaknesses: When he breaks down, he breaks down BAD. His mobility is very limited and he has a limited offensive arsenal. Doesn't play as physical as he should. Often gets beaten to pucks in dump-and-chase situations. Current Potential: Top 4 Defensive Defender Mathieu Dandenault - Canada - RD/RW Strengths: Is one of the best skaters in the league; is smooth, fast, and technically brilliant. Has beefed up and is now a solid physical presence on the back end. Uses his speed to pinch in and make up for any defensive mistakes he or his partner makes. Is reliable without the puck. Can be used as a forward in a pinch in emergy situations. Weaknesses: Turns the puck over far too much. Isn't consistantly physical and has trouble with big forwards. Not much of an offensive game to speak of. Current Potential: Top 6 Defensive Defender Francis Boullion - Canada - LD Strengths: Quick skater. Is pound-for-pound one of the strongest guys in the league. Uses his lower center of gravity to his advantage and throws a lot of big hits despite his size. Very hard worker and has tremendous conditioning. Is a good PKer. Weaknesses: Has trouble with the puck and gets outmuscled by bigger forwards because of his miniscule frame. Is a generally unremarkable defender outside of his physical game and is a very limited offensive contributer. Current Potential: Energy Defender Mark Streit - Switzerland - RD/LW Strengths: Very good skater and has solid offensive potential, especially on the PP. Has a reputation as a good leader. Has shown that he can be a very effetive 4th line forward if need be. Weaknesses: Defensive zone coverage is a problem. Is very soft and can get muscled off the puck easily, especially in the defensive zone. Still hasn't adapted to smaller rink surface and takes to long making decisions with the puck. Current Potential: Power Play Specialist/4th Line Forward Janne Niinimaa - Finland - LD Strengths: Is an effective defender when he keeps it simple. Still has an offensive radar somewhere in his brain. Has a lot of heart and wants to contribute. Weaknesses: Injuries - especially ankle injuries - have ravaged his career. Is no longer the smooth skater he once was. His offensive abilities are basically gone and he makes poor decisions in the defensive zone. Will have to adapt to his new role of defensive defender if he is ever going to become an NHL regular again. Current Potential: Spare Defender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycing Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Great stuff! I've been updating the prospect profiles (they were VERY out-dated), but I'll definitely take a look at these and work on the main profiles as well. I know that fellow collaborator, Hannes, had updated the profiles before the season started. I haven't looked through them, but I suppose things have changed over the past 3 months since the season started. Thanks again for all this info! It will certainly be taken into consideration when I or another collaborator updates the pages. Also, if you can send me a PM (Personal Message) through the forums with a way to contact you through e-mail or MSN (or something of that nature), I can make sure you can get your name on the pages updated with the info you have provided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoZed Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 (edited) I disagree on too many things to list. Basically evert strenght and weakness I' d have something to interject. Just think that in general its a little too exagerated. Koivu's shot isnt that bad. Plex isnt scared of taking the body, Begin has offensive abilities (as many pts as Peca last season), Markov can be physical player but often dont have to, Bouillon doesn't have troubles with the puck, etc. I may be nit picking, but rather say less than say something incorrect. But this all very hard work. I command you for that. Edited December 19, 2006 by KoZed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I disagree on too many things to list. Basically evert strenght and weakness I' d have something to interject. Just think that in general its a little too exagerated. Koivu's shot isnt that bad. Plex isnt scared of taking the body, Begin has offensive abilities (as many pts as Peca last season), Markov can be physical player but often dont have to, Bouillon doesn't have troubles with the puck, etc. I may be nit picking, but rather say less than say something incorrect. But this all very hard work. I command you for that. That being said, at least you have a base to work with and the ball is already rolling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShortHanded Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Thanks. This is pretty good and a lot of hard work / time consuming, even if I don't agree with all of it. Again, Koivu's shot is great. Even when he used to barely shoot, he'd often score. If anything, the weakness for him used to be that he didn't shoot enough, but he seems to have fixed that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycing Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 On Koivu's shot bit. It's not horrible, but he isn't the league's best sniper. Of the 14 goals he's scored this season, a lot of them were with him parked right in front of the net. Not garbage goals, but not pretty ones like Alexander Ovenchkin can score. He's just a strong guy scoring some strong goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHoser Posted December 19, 2006 Author Share Posted December 19, 2006 Thanks for the comments and criticisms. I knew I was going to get some flack for the Koivu comment (He's still my favourite player) but I still think he doesn't have a great shot. It's fairly accurate (Especially on that shortie vs Tampa) but it lacks power and his release is average. Most of the goals he scores come about 5 feet from the goal with tap ins or tips. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it just doesn't really require a fantastic shot. Now for the Goalies: Cristobal Huet - France - G Strengths: Has near-perfect positional skills, amongst the best in the league. Is terrific at making the first save and usually keeps his rebounds under control. Very cool and calm and rarley lets himself be bothered by outside pressure. Has a nack for making tough saves look easy. Generally he doesn't let soft goals bother him and he's fairly consistent. Weaknesses: Is only average laterally. His puck handling abilities are not very good and he has a habit of turning the puck over when he plays it. When the puck changes direction rapidly, he has trouble adjusting himself. Has difficulty fighting through traffic. While he's improved, he still goes down to early and doesn't spring back up as quickly as most butterfly goaltenders do. As a late bloomer, it's unknown if he'll be able to keep up his level of play for many more years in the NHL. Unproven with a heavy workload. Current Potential: 55-60 Game Starter David Aebischer - Switzerland - G Strengths: Very quick feet. Can make spectacular saves and is rarley out of the play completely. Great lateral mobility. When he's on and playing confidently, can go stretches of unreal hockey where it seems like nothing can beat him. Can make himself look big in goal. Weaknesses: Can lose his confidence after one bad game and it takes him a long time to get back into his groove. When he's not playing confidently, he flops around his crease on his belly and gives his defenders heart attacks. Is an average puckhandler. Has trouble with what should be easy saves. Current Potential: 30-35 Game Backup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze53 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Wow lol i love you Hoser, all this helps alot and I sort of agree with you on Koivu's shot but however he's been effective with his shots so that's all that matters for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcat1 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hey, I wrote up some new, up-to-date player bios (The ones on the main site seem to be out of date.) Let me know what you think: Saku Koivu - Finland - C Strengths: Tremendous leader. Plays with grit and determination on every shift, and never backs down from bigger players. Is a very good skater and his playmaking abilities are beyond reproch. Displays dazzleing moves from time-to-time, and has shown an increasing ability to score goals of late. Weaknesses: Lack of size makes him easy to handle in front of the net and can be dominated by larger players. Has a poor, poor shot. Injuries have devestated his career and he can no longer be counted on to play a full 82 games as a number 1 center. Current Potential: 1a Center Radek Bonk - Czech Republic - C Strengths: Is an incredible defensive forward a wonderful penalty killer. Uses his size to dominate the boards and is amongst the league leaders in puck possession and forcing turnovers. Occasionally displays unbelievable hands and is very strong on the puck. Doesn't turn the puck over often. Has shown a willingness to play through pain, despite his reputation. Weaknesses: Sub-average skater with poor overall speed. Has a habit of missing easy passes in the offensive zone and lacks confidence with the puck. When he makes a bad pass in the defensive zone, doesn't work hard enough to make up for it. Not a natural goal scorer by any means. Current Potential: 3rd Line Center + PK Specialist Tomas Plekanec - Czech Republic - C/LW Strengths: Fantastic speed and doesn't quit on plays. Has good vision and can make great moves at high speed. Can make great passes and does a good job using his speed to draw defenders. Is a very heady defensive player and plays with a lot of passion. Generates a lot of chances in the offensive zone. Is capable of generating offense on the PK. Weaknesses: Has virtually no physical presence and lacks strength and size. Can get knocked off the puck very easily by larger players. Not a natural goal scorer and has trouble finishing off simple plays around the net. Current Potential: 3rd Line Center Steve Begin - Canada - C/RW/LW Strengths: Is one of the most passionate players in the league. Throws a lot of hits and is a very effective agitator despite his size. Is a solid locker room presence and never hesitates to jump in to protect his teammates, even againts far bigger guys. Solid skater who never stops moving his feet. Is very good in defensive situations, especially on the PK. Weaknesses: Has virtually no offensive abilities. Doesn't have a lot of size for his role. Has a habit of looking for a big hit and getting himself trapped in the offensive zone. Current Potential: 4th Liner Michael Ryder - Canada - RW Stengths: Is a terrific garbage goal scorer. Has improved his passing abilities. Has a very good shot and knows where to go to use it best. Has improved his defensive play and has become a much better forechecker. Weaknesses: Is a terrible puckcarrier. Needs to have a very good offensive center to produce. Needs to end his love affair with the post. When he has the puck his skating is atrocious. His passing has improved but he still needs to work on using his linemates more effectivly. Current Potential: 2nd Line Winger Chris Higgins - USA - LW (Natural Center) Strengths: Is a terrific skater, both in terms of speed and technical abilities. Has a good shot and is very good in front of the net. Plays with boundless passion and enthusiasm. Is a lifelong Habs fan and respects the jersey he wears. Is a great penalty killer, and is amongst the league leaders in generating offense shorthanded. Ocasionally will display great hands and creativity in the offensive zone. Has a reputation as a good leader. Weaknesses: His overall potential may be limited. Has trouble with big defenders and he has a habit of shooting when a pass is a better option. Current Potential: 1st Line Left Winger Alex Kovalev - Russia - RW Strengths: Is one of the best stickhandlers in the game. Has an incredible wrist shot. Can slow the play down or speed it up at will, especially on the powerplay along the boards. Is a very good technical skater and has an incredible amount of upper body strength. Is equally good at scoring goals and setting up his teammates. Always gives his all in the playoffs. Weaknesses: Takes far too many shifts off. When he's not skating hard and his head isn't in game, he provides very little on the ice. Never puts heart into the defensive side of the game and lacks grit. Reacts very negativly to being singled out and has a reputation as a Prima Donna. Overstickhandles quite often and tries to make something from nothing when a far simpler play is available. His inconsistencies make him very difficult to play with. Current Potential: On-again-off-again 1st Line Winger Sergei Samsonov - Russia - LW Strengths: Intimidating skater and is very shifty, which makes him very difficult to pin down. Can quite literally stickhandle in a phonebooth. Very good shot and he skates hard every shift, generating lots of chances. While he's by no means a physical player, he is willing to take hits to make plays and is very good at rolling with checks. Can score spectacular goals. Weaknesses: Stickhandles endlessly and usually doesn't acomplish a lot with it. Very small and gets knocked off the puck easily. Doesn't play with a lot of passion. Has literally no pysical presence to speak of. Seems to have lost his touch around the net. Current Potential: 2nd Line Winger Alexander Perezhogin - Russia - LW/RW Strengths: Incredible skating abilities. Plays with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Has a very good shot and can display spectacular moves at high speed. Has developed a very strong defensive game to go along with a developing offensive acumen. Scores spectacular goals. Weaknesses: Lacks confidence. Very inconsistant in the offensive zone and in general. Doesn't do a good job scoring garbage goals. Lets the play get away from him at the worst possible times. Current Potential: 3rd Line Winger (Could move up to a 2nd Line role) Mike Johnson - Canada - RW/C Strengths: Good size and uses it well along the boards. Very smart passer and a smooth skater. Very good defensive player and he plays with a lot of heart. Has a lot of chemistry with his linemates and is a very good locker room guy. Is capable of putting up solid numbers for a 3rd line player. Is willing to play a physical game despite his reputation. Is very consistent in the defensive zone. Weaknesses: Not a natural in the offensive zone. Will never put up spectacular numbers and goes ridiculous stretches without so much as a point. Current Potential: 3rd Line Winger Gui Latendresse - Canada - RW Strengths: Very physical and difficult to knock off the puck. Very good shot and can make great passes. Is good in an offensive role and a crash-bang role. Plays with a lot of heart and loves to wear the sweater. Weaknesses: Still makes soft, QMJHL-style plays that rarley work against NHL defenders. His skating has come a long way since he was drafted but is still poor. Defensive zone coverage leaves a lot to be desired. Current Potential: 4th Line Banger/2nd Line Winger (Depends on how he's used) Garth Murray - Canada - LW/RW Strengths: Tireless worker, effetive crasher-banger, and plays with a lot of agressiveness and heart. Is an incredibly fast skater. Willing to sacrifice anything for the team. Weaknesses: Is an accident waiting to happen with the puck on his stick. No offensive game to speak of. Makes poor decisions when it comes to placing his hits. Usually ends up on the wrong side of fights. Current Potential: Role Player Will have Defensemen and Goalies up eventually... wow... what a work that is... must have taken you quite a while to get all of that together... thanks loads GO :hlogo: GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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