Memorial Cup Thread

[asq2]

For those experiencing hockey withdrawal during the break between SC playoff rounds, the Memorial Cup is here to help by offering a potential doozy of a game between the Drummondville Voltigeurs (led by high-scoring Yannick Riendeau) and the Windsor Spitfires (led by OHL playoff MVP and potential 2010 first over-all pick Taylor Hall).

Game is on Sportsnet starting at 4:30 Eastern Time.

For Sens fans interested in potential picks at the upcoming 2009 draft, the game will also feature defencemen Ryan Ellis (not that I'm really interested in taking him) and Dmitry Kulikov (who I am).

Team Previews for Drummondville and Windsor:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2009/05/13/2009_memorial_cup_voltigeurs/
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2009/05/13/2009_memorial_cup_spitfires/

[Guest]

Taylor Hall is amazing. Can we suck next year please?

[marakh]

Anybody saw yesterday's game? The Backlund pass

[marakh]

Everybody should look at Kullikov this afternoon. I think some would change their mind about drafting a forward

[Guest]

Drum. captain has 54 points in 19 playoff games.... how is that possible, haha. That is just insane.

Looking forward to seeing Kulikov too.

[marakh]

Couldn't see the game. Read on HFBoards Kullikov and Loktionov were the best players on the ice.. This definitely help the Sens. If Kullikov wins the cup, he gets drafted 2nd Defenseman after Hedman IMO. Somewhere around 7-8.

[asq2]

Couldn't see the game. Read on HFBoards Kullikov and Loktionov were the best players on the ice.. This definitely help the Sens. If Kullikov wins the cup, he gets drafted 2nd Defenseman after Hedman IMO. Somewhere around 7-8.

There were some moments where you could see Taylor Hall's talent though.

I'll admit: I turned off after Windsor scored their second goal. I thought that was it for Drummondville for sure. Shows what I know.

[Guest]

Kulikov was just awesome, dominate, and you can just tell that kid is special. I dont even think the Sens will have a shot at him.

[Guest]

Kulikov was just awesome, dominate, and you can just tell that kid is special. I dont even think the Sens will have a shot at him.

There are quite a few quality d-men though. I can't see OEL, Hedman, Kulikov and Cowen all going in the top 9 with the amount of quality forwards there are as well. Let's assume that Hedman out of the question. That leaves 3 guys who would have to go between picks 4 to 8 in order for us to miss any of them(assuming the top 3 are Hedman, Tavares and Duchene). If that happens, there's bound to be a guy like MPS or Kane still in play. Either way, we are in great shape.

[asq2]

Kulikov was just awesome, dominate, and you can just tell that kid is special. I dont even think the Sens will have a shot at him.

There are quite a few quality d-men though. I can't see OEL, Hedman, Kulikov and Cowen all going in the top 9 with the amount of quality forwards there are as well. Let's assume that Hedman out of the question. That leaves 3 guys who would have to go between picks 4 to 8 in order for us to miss any of them(assuming the top 3 are Hedman, Tavares and Duchene). If that happens, there's bound to be a guy like MPS or Kane still in play. Either way, we are in great shape.

We are guaranteed one of Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, MPS, Kane, Schenn, OEL, Cowen or Kulikov if we should so choose.

[marakh]

Spitfires lose again. Rimouski looked pretty good.. I want that Caron kid.
Rimouski's defensive corps is impressing me, and I only know COrmier (Damn those Devils.)

[asq2]

Spitfires lose again. Rimouski looked pretty good.. I want that Caron kid.
Rimouski's defensive corps is impressing me, and I only know COrmier (Damn those Devils.)

Unfortunately, in all likelyhood, Caron is more the San Jose Sharks' first round pick range than either of our seconds.

I would gladly trade to move up. We're pretty weak on the wing prospect-wise.

[marakh]

Your previous post was pretty encouraging, so Im not too worried.

[asq2]

For those wishing to see some of Kulikov, he and the Voltigeurs have a game today against the Kelowna Rockets, who are looking to become the third straight WHL team to win the Memorial Cup.

Kelowna looked excellent in their opener against host Rimouski (who shocked Windsor).

Game is at 4:30 on Sportsnet.

[asq2]

Your previous [pst was [retty encouraging, so Im not too worried.

Yeah, we should have a pretty good draft. cool)

[Dash]

I'm rooting for Kelowna now. Myers is playing like a (young) man possessed. Good pick for Buffalo.

[asq2]

I'm rooting for Kelowna now. Myers is playing like a (young) man possessed. Good pick for Buffalo.

A lot of upside.

The first round in 2008 in general was pretty spectacular for defencemen: Doughty, Bogosian, Pietrangelo, Schenn, Myers, Teubert, Karlsson, Gardiner, Sbisa, Del Zotto, Cuma, Carlson.

:drooling:

[marakh]

For those wishing to see some of Kulikov, he and the Voltigeurs have a game today against the Kelowna Rockets, who are looking to become the third straight WHL team to win the Memorial Cup.

Kelowna looked excellent in their opener against host Rimouski (who shocked Windsor).

Game is at 4:30 on Sportsnet.

I think it is at 7:00.

[asq2]

For those wishing to see some of Kulikov, he and the Voltigeurs have a game today against the Kelowna Rockets, who are looking to become the third straight WHL team to win the Memorial Cup.

Kelowna looked excellent in their opener against host Rimouski (who shocked Windsor).

Game is at 4:30 on Sportsnet.

I think it is at 7:00.

Yeah, turns out I can't read a TV schedule.

[marakh]

Damn this game is too good. Im not even wathcing the Pens-Canes game lol.
Kulikov is amazing, runs the pp, makes awesome first passes, more than good defensively and more importantly, battles like a warrior.
He made one big turnover though, but those kind of things don't matter to me.

[asq2]

Damn this game is too good. Im not even wathcing the Pens-Canes game lol.
Kulikov is amazing, runs the pp, makes awesome first passes, more than good defensively and more importantly, battles like a warrior.
He made one big turnover though, but those kind of things don't matter to me.

He's had a bit of a rough night defensively. If I'm not mistaken, he got burned in the second goal as well.

He's still my 9th choice, though. But I still rank OEL above him.

[marakh]

Yeah, he was on the ice the 2d goal as well, but the play Benn made was just too good. But he saved some pretty good chances too, and blocked a few shots.

And he's got a bomb too.
I don;t know, just imagining a PP with Karlsson, Wiercoch and Kulikov, I'm

[asq2]

Yeah, he was on the ice the 2d goal as well, but the play Benn made was just too good. But he saved some pretty good chances too, and blocked a few shots.

And he's got a bomb too.
I don;t know, just imagining a PP with Karlsson, Wiercoch and Kulikov, I'm

Do you make one of them play a forward position?

Yeah, it would be nice. Granted, I'm less concerned about the powerplay and more concerned about five-on-five play and the PK. I mean, is that PP any better than one with Ellis on it instead of Kulikov?

Don't get me wrong, though, Kulikov would be a great choice (and should be a much better option 5-on-5 and maybe even 4-on-5. But between the three post-Hedman defencemen, I'd probably take Cowen and OEL first.

Anyway, it's nice to be guaranteed one of them (should we want one).

[marakh]

well, you put Philips with Karlssn and Volchie with Kulikov .

On another note, Jamie Benn a 5th rounder, seriously?
He has 4 goals and 1 assist tonight

[asq2]

well, you put Philips with Karlssn and Volchie with Kulikov .

They're too old to include in my vision of the future.

[marakh]

C'mon, Volchie is 27, and Philips will play Chelios-style :^^^^:

[Dash]

Yup, Benn is a beast and he sure is quite a gem to have been drafted in the 5th round. Making a lot of teams regret passing him up I think.

[pgood]

And the Spits stave off elimination with a HUGE 2-1 win over Kelowa...

[marakh]

Windsor vs Kelowna for the Final game tomorrow.
COngrats to Rimouski and especially Drummondvilel for battling until the end, even in atrocious health conditions and without one of their best forward.

[Cap'n Clutch]

Talk about an incredible story for Windsor's first Memorial Cup!! The only team to ever go down 0 and 2 to start the tournament and then rattle off 4 straight to win the whole thing.

Wow! I tip my hat to the Spitfires.

[wprager]

Let's not forget, this one was for Mickey Renaud, their former captain who passed away 16 months ago.

[Cap'n Clutch]

Let's not forget, this one was for Mickey Renaud, their former captain who passed away 16 months ago.

They could make a movie me thinks.

[Dash]

Yeah no kidding... Team Captain passes away, the team finishes top of the OHL with amazing record, then looks to tank in the Memorial Cup going down 2 games early, only to rally back and win 3 straight to win their first championship and dedicating their winning season to their fallen friend and teammate.

[wprager]

Well, Renaud passed away the previous year. They didn't do nearly as well that year.

[Guest]

Well, Renaud passed away the previous year. They didn't do nearly as well that year.

Not nothing a little movie magic can't fix

[asq2]

You also have to think Hall is helping himself out by winning championships.

OHL champ, CHL champ, probably World Junior champ next season and the Spits, with the introduction of Panik and Fowler, may be even better next season.