Edmonton Oilers Prospects #12: Dillon SimpsonI don’t think that anyone who watched Dillon Simpson play on a regular basis over the past two year would agree with everything that is written in this article. I also wonder how many games the author actually watched Simpson play. Lets not forget, Dillon came to UND at the ripe old age of 17 playing against older adult players that are in their 20’s.
There was some reflexive complaining about nepotism in Edmonton after they drafted Simpson in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft, but it was largely muted and for good reason: Simpson looks like he’s going to be a player on merit, not just because he happens to share a last name with a former 50-goal scorer.
Simpson played 30 college games in his draft year, scoring twice and adding eight assists, and he built on those totals this year: 42 games played, two goals, and 16 assists for 18 total points. There’s other good news – his role expanded to the point where he was on the ice for both special teams (something that had not happened the year before), he doubled his shot totals over the course of the season, and despite taking on more responsibility he went from plus-11 to plus-10 despite the fact that the team as a whole went from plus-56 to plus-19.
Unfortunately, the news isn’t all good.
The jump in offense, for example, isn’t as spectacular as it sounds. At even-strength over 30 games in 2010-11, Simpson had one goal and six assists. At even-strength over 42 games in 2011-12, he had one goal and six assists. Fully 11 of his 18 points last season came on the power play. How much offense will he bring to the professional level – particularly if he doesn’t end up on the man advantage? It’s unclear but his college numbers to date don’t suggest he’s going to be a dominant force; his point totals are in the same range as recent Oilers college picks Jeff Petry, Cody Wild and Taylor Chorney.
Expectations for 2012-13: Another year at the University of North Dakota could be revealing. With top defender Ben Blood slated to turn pro, there’s room for Simpson to move up the depth chart. It’s reasonable to expect more work at both even-strength and on special teams, and the challenge will be for Simpson to remain a plus player against tougher opposition, and hopefully to deliver something more offensively. [Read the Whole Articled]
| Miami Herald photo |
I'm not sure so I asked Brian Skrudland the question to see if the Panthers organization shared the same concern.It would appear that the Florida Panther don’t have the same concerns about Minnesota like Garth Snow of the New York Islanders had. That being said, it would appear that the Panthers wanted Nick Bjudstad to sign a professional contract.
"Well... that is a concern," Skrudland admitted, "But when you've got such a quality organization as [the University of] Minnesota has provided there... the off ice strength and conditioning coach, Cal Dietz, has done a fabulous job with Nick. There are a lot of positive things about him going back. The only negative is that he won't be wearing a Panthers jersey and helping us score some goals next year."
"It's an opportunity for him to finish something that he started and we love that as far as the character of the person," continued Skrudland, "And it's an opportunity to go back and maybe win the Hobey Baker and hopefully a national championship as well."
Flaming posed this question Bjugstad… “Could his progress stagnate, or even regress, playing at a level that in many ways, he is already a dominant player?”I think that is a good question and only time will tell – I think the Gophers will definitely benefit from another season of having Nick Bjugstad on their roster and his presence will make them one of the top teams to beat in the WCHA this season if the Gophers can figure out who is going to be the man between the pipes for the Gophers.
Chris Johnston, Edmonton Journal --- Justin Schultz was able to pass the baton off to Zach Parise.
After being courted by NHL teams at the Newport Sports offices in suburban Toronto for much of the week, Schultz agreed to terms with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon. The first big free-agent decision of the summer came several hours before the floodgates were set to officially open at noon ET Sunday and left Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini in a celebratory mood.
"What a way to start the free-agent period," Tambellini told reporters in Edmonton.
It gave Schultz plenty of time to clear out of Don Meehan's high-powered agency before Parise's expected arrival on Sunday. The former University of Wisconsin defenceman took advantage of a loophole in the collective bargaining agreement to become a free agent and garnered plenty of interest.
Jesse Rogers ESPN CHICAGO -- News that Blackhawks forward Dan Carcillo is suspended indefinitely for his boarding of Edmonton defenseman Tom Gilbert can't be a shock to anyone who follows the Hawks or Carcillo. He will be able to state his case to the league at some point and then he'll finish serving his third suspension of the season. And this all happens after he recovers from his injuries.
That's one costly hit.
After talking with hockey people around the league on Tuesday, the consensus is Carcillo will get 4-6 games for the blow. No more.
Coming Down the Pipe --- Our 2012 draft prospect will be Stefan Matteau of the U.S. National development program. The budding power forward is another in the growing list of sons of NHLers. His dad Stephane is a Stanley Cup Champion.
