We've looked at the goalies (and added one). We've glanced at the defensive corps. Tonight, I will attempt to break down the forwards. A couple of words/phrases are going to be recurring themes in this post. This team has a new attitude, and that attitude is about "grit" and "hard work". The Rampage will be hard pressed to get outworked very often this season. They may not have the talent up front that a number of their opponents will, but, by God, they will make those opponents works for every inch of the ice. I am seeing a lot of 2-1 grinding and tough games this season. Doesn't excite the casual hockey fan much, but in this bloggers opinion, it's the best hockey there is. So, without further ado...
Alex Picard 17g-18a-35pts in 42 games with SYR and 9g-6a-15pts in 16 games with SA
Alex is a very physical player that will crash the net with reckless abandon and will often be the first to stick up for his teammates. To go along with the his physicality, he also has terrific hands and scoring touch. He knows where to be and has the ability to finish. He's not fast by any means and displays an awkward "hunched over" skating style. He can also sometimes forget to play defense. His lack of speed is probably the one thing keeping him from performing at the next level. Alex seemed to rekindle his passion after the trade deadline deal that brought him to San Antonio for Chad Kolarik. Phoenix GM Don Maloney has stated that Alex will get a good long look at camp. I see him in San Antonio with an occasional call up to fill in for injurues.
Brett MacLean 30g-35a-65 pts in 76 games w/ SA
The 21 year old 2nd round draft pick in 2007 has quickly developed into one of the most dangerous pure goal scorers in the AHL. As a 20 year old rookie, Brett scored 21 goals and made the AHL All Star game. He then followed up a great rookie season with a 30 goal season, leading the Rampage in goals, points, and power play goals (14). He's a strong and sturdy kid who battles hard. Brett showed tremendous strides in his defensive game last season. He's not a fast skater, but he's very effective. He knows where to be and is rarely out of position. Brett will also get every chance to make the Coyotes this season and it wouldn't surprise me if he spent a good deal of time in the desert. He's ready.
Mikkel Boedker 11g-27a-38pts in 64 games w/ SA
Mikkel is as enigmatic a player as they come. He would flat out amaze me some nights, then make me want to pull my hair out the next night. Probably one of the top 5 skaters in the league, Mikkel is fast, shifty, and super creative with the puck. He's a tremendous passer and playmaker but often passes up perfect shot opportunities to try and make that one extra pass. To say he was defensively challenged last year, might be an understatement. He was often well out of position and would routinely abandon his assignment leading to wide open scoring chances for the opposition. The skill is there. It's just a matter of teaching with Mikkel. There has been speculation that his attitude may not have been...right, and I understand the kid wants to play in the NHL, but he's got some learning, and growing up to do.
Colin Long 2g-2a-4pts in 29 games w/ SA
In his first pro season, Colin had a rough go of it. He only played in 29 games due to a severe concussion and managed just 4 points playing on the 4th line. He's a hard worker with decent puck skills. Colin just needs to work on his 2 way play and his consistency. He was a huge scorer in the WHL and should be able to put up 15 goals in the AHL with regular playing time and consistent line mates.
Bracken Kearns 15g-36a-51pts in 80 games w/ Rockford
We have reached our first gritty, hard worker. Bracken is a team first, high character guy that can make some plays. He's a tremendous penalty killer and will stand up to just about anyone in the league. This was a good pickup for the Rampage.
Matt Watkins 12g-10a-22pts in 51 games w/ SA 4g-7a-11pts in 14 games with Las Vegas (ECHL)
Our second hard worker. Matt is a solid skater with top notch speed. He works hard in the corners, will go into traffic, and won't shy away from the net. This leads to a lot of "garbage" goals for Matt. He's a great player to have on your 3rd line and PK. Also a good passer and defensive player. Just not a pure offensive threat.
Ryan Hollweg 4g-6a-10pts in 53 games w/ SA
Ryan is a 4th liner and PK specialist. Hollweg has 225 NHL games under his belt. He has an incredible ability to block shots and isn't afraid to put his body on the line, as evidenced by the broken jaw he suffered blocking a shot vs. Texas. He is a true "locker room" guy and a terrific leader on and off the ice. Not really an offensive threat, but the guy plays his butt off the entire time he's on the ice. Is prone to taking stupid penalties though.
Matt Beaudoin 19g-25a-44pts in 72 games w/ Texas
Matt really broke out last year in Cedar Park. Before the 2009-2010 season, Matt had bounced around to several ECHL and AHL teams, including a one game stint with the Rampage early in the 2008 season. Unfortunatley, I know very little about Matt. I think he fits on the Rampage's second line and should have a solid season. If anyone has a scouting report on him, please let me know.
Josh Lunden 8g-9a-17pts in 25 games w/ UofA-Anchorage and 0g-2a-2pts in 8 games w/ SA
Josh signed with the Rampage as un undrafted FA at the tail end of the 2010 season after finishing his career with the University of Alaska-Anchorage club. He immediately showed off his big hitting abilities and hard work ethic. He's a big kid with a strong stride. He's not fast and won't score a lot but he will work hard and play in fron of the net and play solid defense. Probably a 4th liner/extra type this season.
Justin Bernhardt 5g-6a-11pts in 29 games w/ Las Vegas and 1g-2a-3pts in 14 games w/ SA
Another undrafted player signing for the Rampage, Justin showed some ability to score in the WHL and ECHL. Another guy that doesn't really have a ton of AHL caliber skill, but a useful player that could elevate to 3rd line duties.
The last 2 players are, in all likelihood, going to be competing for a spot in Phoenix.
Kyle Turris 24g-39a-63 pts in 76 games w/ SA
With the second half Turris put up last year in San Antonio, it is my opinion that he needs to be and will be in Phoenix this season. He was easily the best player on the team after the new year and doesn't have much to prove at this level. He is remarkable with the puck and has a wicked shot. He's a hard worker with a great attitude and improved defensively over the course of the season ten fold. He still needs to add some bulk, but all indications are he is doing that and should be ready to contribute in Phoenix opening night.
Andrew Ebbett 9g-6a-15pts in 61 games between Anaheim/Chicago/Minnesota
Ebbett, another UM product, has historically been a point/game producer at the AHL level. He's fast and skilled and is a good playmaker. It is speculated he could be insurance in case Turris isn't ready to step up. Ebbett had some minor injury issues last season and is signed to a 2 way deal. Since I see Turris going to Phoenix, I see Ebbett as the Rampage's #1 center to start the season. But anything can happen.
So, as of today, that's where we are. Some skill, a lot of heart, and your role players sprinkled in. My opening night lineup:
Picard/Ebbett/MacLean
Boedker/Kearns/Beaudoin
Bernhardt/Long/Watkins
Lunden/Hollweg/????
Obviously, the team needs to fill out the bottom of their roster with some more 4th liner/extra types. Or they could possibly make a trade as they are deep in defensemen. I wouldn't mind seeing them trade for a top 6 AHL forward pushing Beaudoin down to the 3rd line and Bernhardt to the 4th line.
There ya have it Rampage fans. The 2010 Rampage as we know them today. Stay tuned for transaction news and a training camp preview.
All contract info courtesy http://www.capgeek.com/
All stats courtesy http://www.hockeydb.com/
All scouting courtesy http://www.hockeysfuture.com/
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