TORONTO -- Les Jackson, director of scouting and player development for the Dallas Stars, has been doing his job for a long time, and is one of the more respected talent evaluators.
What he's learned over the years has shaped his approach to the Scouting Combine, which is different than many others.
Jackson said in the grand scheme of what he does, he doesn't gain a lot from the Combine, either in the interviews or the fitness testing.
"We take the season to evaluate the players and watch them," he told NHL.com. "Individual scouts in the areas meet with the players, find out about their backgrounds. We don't even really interview players at the Combine itself."
Jackson said he believes the interview set-up at the Combine doesn't do justice to the player are the teams.
NHL Scouting Combine
Posted On Friday, 06.01.2012 / 2:16 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Different approach to Combine
Posted On Friday, 06.01.2012 / 1:07 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Coyotes could be looking for trade partner
TORONTO -- Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney told NHL.com that he's happy with the 27th pick of the first round, but said there's a good chance he will move the pick.
"We're probably more inclined to move the pick one way or the other," he said. "A lot of this stuff gets talked about and dealt with on the draft floor. You look at what might be there. What's the value of dropping some to get an extra pick or two? Does that make sense? Or is there a guy that's sitting there that you might have in your top 12 sitting there at 19 or 20, you say maybe we throw something together to get up. For me, it's really exploring where we can go with it."
Maloney said he's willing to move the pick because the 2012 NHL Draft is considered deep in defensemen, and he feels that's a position of strength in his organization.
"We're probably more inclined to move the pick one way or the other," he said. "A lot of this stuff gets talked about and dealt with on the draft floor. You look at what might be there. What's the value of dropping some to get an extra pick or two? Does that make sense? Or is there a guy that's sitting there that you might have in your top 12 sitting there at 19 or 20, you say maybe we throw something together to get up. For me, it's really exploring where we can go with it."
Maloney said he's willing to move the pick because the 2012 NHL Draft is considered deep in defensemen, and he feels that's a position of strength in his organization.
Posted On Friday, 06.01.2012 / 12:08 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Cheveldayoff looks back on first year
TORONTO -- When Kevin Cheveldayoff arrived at the NHL Scouting Combine, it was in an entirely different role than his time here in years past.
It was at last year's Combine that the first seeds were planted that landed Cheveldayoff, then an assistant GM with the Chicago Blackhawks, as GM of the Winnipeg Jets.
Hired by the Jets on June 8, 2011, he had to hit the ground running heading into last year's draft. This year, he says, it's a bit different of an experience for him.
It was at last year's Combine that the first seeds were planted that landed Cheveldayoff, then an assistant GM with the Chicago Blackhawks, as GM of the Winnipeg Jets.
Hired by the Jets on June 8, 2011, he had to hit the ground running heading into last year's draft. This year, he says, it's a bit different of an experience for him.
Posted On Friday, 06.01.2012 / 12:24 AM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Wilson: Sharks could be active again at draft
TORONTO -- The San Jose Sharks were one of the most active teams at last year's draft, making a pair of moves that landed them defenseman Brent Burns and forward Martin Havlat. It might not be at the same level this year, but Sharks GM Doug Wilson could see his team being just as active this year.
"We have six picks, hopefully we'll have more picks by the time the draft comes around," Wilson told NHL.com. "We think it's a good draft, we really do. Lot of people do tend to just look at the top five or seven or 10 picks and value the draft on that basis. There's quality guys in those spots, but I think there's some really good players deeper in the draft that are going to play and have very successful careers."
The Sharks currently have the 17th pick in the first round, and Wilson said they'll stick to their philosophy of taking the best player available, regardless of position. However, if there's a player they like, Wilson said he won't be afraid to move up to get him.
"We have six picks, hopefully we'll have more picks by the time the draft comes around," Wilson told NHL.com. "We think it's a good draft, we really do. Lot of people do tend to just look at the top five or seven or 10 picks and value the draft on that basis. There's quality guys in those spots, but I think there's some really good players deeper in the draft that are going to play and have very successful careers."
The Sharks currently have the 17th pick in the first round, and Wilson said they'll stick to their philosophy of taking the best player available, regardless of position. However, if there's a player they like, Wilson said he won't be afraid to move up to get him.
Posted On Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 11:59 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Bergevin putting his trust in Timmins
TORONTO -- Marc Bergevin wasn't able to spend much time at the NHL Scouting Combine, but the new Montreal Canadiens general manager knows he has real good people in place that will help the team get the most out of the third pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Leading the way is Trevor Timmins, the club's highly respected director of procurement and player development.
"I didn't know Trevor other than who Trevor was," Bergevin, hired May 2, told NHL.com. "He's an outstanding person. The way he conducts his meeting, the way he runs his staff, is very impressive."
Bergevin, who left the Combine to return to Montreal late Thursday afternoon after arriving Wednesday night following the GM meetings in New York, said he'll have the final say on what the Canadiens do at the draft. However, he said Timmins and his scouting staff will play a major role in what happens June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.
Leading the way is Trevor Timmins, the club's highly respected director of procurement and player development.
"I didn't know Trevor other than who Trevor was," Bergevin, hired May 2, told NHL.com. "He's an outstanding person. The way he conducts his meeting, the way he runs his staff, is very impressive."
Bergevin, who left the Combine to return to Montreal late Thursday afternoon after arriving Wednesday night following the GM meetings in New York, said he'll have the final say on what the Canadiens do at the draft. However, he said Timmins and his scouting staff will play a major role in what happens June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.
Posted On Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 7:51 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
A different kind of Subban
TORONTO -- Belleville goalie Malcolm Subban loves his older brother, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban, but you should know that the two are different people. And it goes beyond the positions they play on the ice.
"If you know P.K., you know he likes to be the center of attention," Malcolm told reporters. "I feel like I'm a bit more of a quiet guy, a more humble guy. We share some similar attributes, but I'd say for the most part we're two different people."
Malcolm said if the opportunity to play with P.K. arrived -- the two are four years apart so they never have played together -- he'd relish it. However, he doubts it's going to happen with the Canadiens.
"If you know P.K., you know he likes to be the center of attention," Malcolm told reporters. "I feel like I'm a bit more of a quiet guy, a more humble guy. We share some similar attributes, but I'd say for the most part we're two different people."
Malcolm said if the opportunity to play with P.K. arrived -- the two are four years apart so they never have played together -- he'd relish it. However, he doubts it's going to happen with the Canadiens.
Posted On Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 7:35 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Is Forsberg NHL-ready?
TORONTO -- Filip Forsberg is only 17, but he already has two seasons of experience playing against men with Leksand in Sweden's Allsvenskan, the nation's top minor league.
He had a solid season in 2011-12 with eight goals and nine assists in 43 games. He excelled, however, against players his own age, totaling five goals in six games at the 2012 World Under-18 Championship. He also was the youngest player for Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Championship, contributing one assist in six games as the team won the gold medal. It all earned him the No. 1 spot among European skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking.
At 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds, he also has good size. So is Forsberg ready to make the jump to the NHL?
He had a solid season in 2011-12 with eight goals and nine assists in 43 games. He excelled, however, against players his own age, totaling five goals in six games at the 2012 World Under-18 Championship. He also was the youngest player for Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Championship, contributing one assist in six games as the team won the gold medal. It all earned him the No. 1 spot among European skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking.
At 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds, he also has good size. So is Forsberg ready to make the jump to the NHL?
Posted On Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 7:19 PM
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Why should you go No. 1?
TORONTO -- Which player will be picked first at the 2012 NHL Draft? Right now, the only team that can answer that question is the Edmonton Oilers, and they're not quite ready to make that announcement yet.
There's a pretty wide field to select from, and NHL.com took the time to ask a few of the candidates -- Sarnia's Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk, Everett's Ryan Murray, Quebec's Mikhail Grigorenko and Leksand's Filip Forsberg -- why they should be the first player to walk on the stage at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on June 22.
We also asked Belleville's Malcolm Subban why he should be the first goaltender drafted.
There's a pretty wide field to select from, and NHL.com took the time to ask a few of the candidates -- Sarnia's Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk, Everett's Ryan Murray, Quebec's Mikhail Grigorenko and Leksand's Filip Forsberg -- why they should be the first player to walk on the stage at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on June 22.
We also asked Belleville's Malcolm Subban why he should be the first goaltender drafted.
Posted On Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 3:10 PM
By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Kelowna's Sissons is ready for testing
Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Sissons appears fully recovered from a concussion he suffered in February and is looking forward to joining the initial group through the fitness tests at Toronto International Centre on Friday.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound forward, who is NHL Central Scouting's No. 14-ranked skater in North America, finished second on the team with 26 goals, including a team-leading 13 power play markers, in 58 games as the Rockets finished in sixth place in the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League.
Sissons was injured in the team's 3-2 loss to the Kamloops Blazers on Feb. 11 at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound forward, who is NHL Central Scouting's No. 14-ranked skater in North America, finished second on the team with 26 goals, including a team-leading 13 power play markers, in 58 games as the Rockets finished in sixth place in the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League.
Sissons was injured in the team's 3-2 loss to the Kamloops Blazers on Feb. 11 at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
Posted On Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 1:21 PM
By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Combing the 2012 NHL Combine
Top prospect Jacob Trouba admired Lidstrom
As a native of Michigan, draft-eligible defenseman and top prospect Jacob Trouba of the U.S. National Team Development Program rarely missed an opportunity to watch Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom at work.
When Trouba got word that Lidstrom was calling it a career after 20 seasons in the League on Thursday, he expressed much respect and admiration for one of the greatest defensemen to ever lace on the skates.
When Trouba got word that Lidstrom was calling it a career after 20 seasons in the League on Thursday, he expressed much respect and admiration for one of the greatest defensemen to ever lace on the skates.
- Draft results by Round: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 ››
- Pens: Hosts with the most | '13 look ahead ››
- Caps stock up at draft with 10 selections ››
- Twenty high-schoolers drafted | Numbers ››
- Oilers select Yakupov with top overall pick |
- Host Pens steal show | Teams beef up on 'D' ››
- Galchenyuk eyes MTL lineup | Russian first ››
- Bruins pick Subban, add spice to great rivalry ››
- Isles nab Visnovsky | | Completed trades ››
- New Jersey, Philly to host next two NHL Drafts ››
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