Ed. note – Fedor Fedin and Roman Piontkovsky of GlobalCapsFans live to dish out salacious gossip about those players orbiting just out side the Capitals’ exosphere. Here is your sorta bi-weekly edition about kids in the Caps system (CHL, USHL, NCAA, KHL, TL;DR). It’s Prospect Watch!
Prospect Watch’s Three Stars
- Evgeny Kuznetsov
- Dmitri Orlov
- Cody Eakin
Brandon Anderson, G, Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL
Stats: 9 GP, 223 Sv, 26 GA, 481:08 TOI
In the middle of the season, Anderson lost his starting job to Dylan Tait. Anderson got a few spot starts as a back-up, and after Tait could not take advantage of his new role, Anderson regained his starting job. Lately, Brandon has shown some improvement, including being named the game’s number one star January 12th against Calgary.
Highlights vs Calgary Hitmen (12 Jan)
Greg Burke, LW, New Hampshire University Wildcats, NCAA
Stats: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, -2, 4 PIM
Burke has finally recovered from his bout with mononucleosis, and has been promoted to New Hampshire’s second line.
Samuel Carrier, Lewiston MAINEiacs, QMJHL
Stats: 10 GP, 2 G, 7 A, +14, 9 PIM
Carrier and his MAINEacs had a very productive stretch, winning eight out of eleven. Carrier not only racked up a bunch of points (9pts in 10 games), he also unleashed the fury on Carl-Antoine Delisle of Victoriaville.
Samuel Carrier (#55 in white) fights Carl-Antoine Delisle (Victoriaville Tigres)
Phil DeSimone, C, New Hampshire Wildcats, NCAA
Stats: 4 GP, 1 G, 2 A, +1, 2 PIM
DeSimone continues to lead New Hampshire to NCAA glory. Right now UNH is ranked 7th nationally in the USCHO poll. DeSimone’s third on the team in points with 5 goals and 18 assists (1.15 PPG).
Dan Dunn, G, St. Cloud State Huskies, NCAA
Stats: DNP
All Huskies games including two to win the Florida College Classic, were won by Mike Lee. Dan Dunn was the backup and did not play.
Cody Eakin, C, Kootenay Ice, WHL
Stats: CHL: DNP.
WJC: 7 GP, 1 G, 2 A, +3, 2 PIM
Cody Eakin was very solid in the WJC (3pts in 7 games) and at one point was promoted to Canada’s first line alongside Marcus Foligno and Brayden Schenn. Upon his return to Swift Current, he was traded to the Cup-contending Kootenay Ice for eight assets, including five players and three draft picks. Eakin still hasn’t made his debut for the Ice because of a hand injury.
This past Friday, the Capitals did a feature on Eakin where he talked about his experience in the WJC. Check it out.
Brett Flemming, D, Mississauga Majors, OHL
Stats: 9 GP, 0 G, 4 A, +5, 8 PIM
The Majors have played well, as they’ve lost only two of their last nine games. Flemming has had 4 assists during that span, including one short-handed.
Stanislav Galiev, LW, St John Sea Dogs, QMJHL
Stats: 10 GP, 6 G, 4 A, +8, 4 PIM
At the end of 2010, Galiev slumped, recording just one point in four games. He was obviously very disappointed that he was sent home from the WJC camp. But after the Russian team won the championship, Galiev’s scoring touch returned. He’s recorded 7 points in his last 5 outings.
Hignlights vs Drummondville (14 Jan):
Hignlights vs Drummondville (15 Jan):
Andrew Glass, LW, Boston Terriers, NCAA
Stats: DNP
Andrew Glass is the first player on Prospect Watch to have hockey literally taken away from him. The Terrier was permanently dismissed from his team for being late and missing meetings.
Philipp Grubauer, G, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
Stats: CHL: 6 GP, 215 Sv, 15 GA, 356:34 TOI.
WJC: 4 GP, 103 Sv, 13 GA, 175:49 TOI
At the WJC, Grubauer didn’t justify the hopes of coaches and fans, and played below average. He was the starting goalie in only 4 of Germany’s 6 games, and was yanked twice as the starter. Since returning to the OHL, he’s won four of his past five games and has been named the game’s second star twice.
Highlights vs Windsor Spitfires
Anton Gustafsson, C, SCL Tigers, Swiss NLA
Stats: 4 GP, 0 G, 1 A, -1, 0 PIM
Baby Gus returns to Prospect Watch as he signed a deal in Switzerland with the SCL Tigers. The Tigers have a good chance to make the playoffs. Anton has tallied one point, an assist, in his last four games.
Caleb Herbert, С, Sioux City Musketeers, USHL
Stats: 7 GP, 4 G, 5 A, E, 8 PIM
The Musketeers struggled while Herbert was shelved four games due to an injury. Herbert reclaimed the team lead in points though playing eight games less than Ryan Carpenter. He’s also second on the team in shots and shooting percentage.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, RW, Traktor Chelyabinsk, KHL
Stats: KHL: 6 GP, 1 G, 1 A, +1, 4 PIM.
WJC: 7 GP, 4 G, 7 A, +3, 4 PIM
Kuznetsov was named the best RW of the WJC and would have been named the best forward if not for Canada’s Brayden Schenn. Overall, Kuz showed his magic against the mega-talented defensemen of Sweden, Finland, and Canada. Kuznetsov scored some crucial goals in the tournament and was surely Russia’s best player. Before the Gold Medal Game I read one fan’s comment: “Only a miracle can help Russia win this one. The miracle’s name is Evgeny Kuznetsov.” Kuz did just what was needed, helping the Russians complete their third straight comeback in the WJC by recording three points in the third period of the Gold Medal Game against Canada. Evgeny was named Traktor’s best player in December and was also rumored to get traded to the KHL’s powerhouse, SKA St. Petersbourg. However, Traktor’s coach Belousov said that they’re not going to trade him even if they are almost out of the playoffs race.
Nick Larson, C, Minnesota Golden Gophers, NCAA
Stats: 5 GP, 0 G, 2 A, +2, 4 PIM
Well, Larson is likely the most improving player of the last two weeks, getting promoted to the first line (from the fourth just a month ago).
Garrett Mitchell, RW, Regina Pats, WHL
Stats: 11 GP, 2 G, 5 A, -6, 46 PIM
It’s a tough life for the Pats as they lose almost all of their games and their rare wins usually come via the shootout. Captain Mitchell does everything he can, picking up a lot of PIM’s for fighting and instigating, and putting as many points as he can on the board. Over Regina’s last eleven games, Mitchell picked up two goals and five assists.
Highlights vs Red Deer Rebels, Highlightnss vs Calgary Hitmen
Dmitri Orlov, D, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, KHL
Stats: KHL: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, -1, 2 PIM.
WJC: 7 GP, 1 G, 8 A, +10, 2 PIM
Orlov was named to the WJC all-star team over many first-round defensemen, such as Calvin de Haan and Erik Gudbranson. Being the Russians’ best D, Orlov showed great attacking skills and defensive responsibility. Even though his positional play had some blunders (such as Brayden Schenn’s goal in the gold-medal game) he really looked like he cared and worked hard at both ends of the rink. Despite new management at Metallurg, the team is going to get good money to acquire good players for the next season, and Orlov will likely cross the pond this summer. Metallurg might trade him before the KHL playoffs start, as their GM Leonid Weissfeld said: “A lot of teams were interested in Orlov. Almost the whole League”.
Patrick Wey, D, Boston College Eagles, NCAA
Stats: NCAA: 3 GP, 0 G, 1 A, +1, 4 PIM.
WJC: 6 GP, 0 G, 0 A, -2, 2 PIM
Patrick returned from the WJC and found his place on Boston College’s first defensive pairing. On the bronze-winning USA team, he didn’t have a lot of TOI, but was a stable PKer.
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