Chris Drury’s Forever Impending Return?

It didn’t take long for Chris Drury to get hurt this year breaking his finger in training camp, before games even began.  He came back for all of one period 2 games into the season on October 15th, but then broke his finger again and was scheduled to miss 6 weeks.  Well 7 weeks have passed on Drury took a CT scan with some great results….

It’s believed the captain had targeted either this weekend or next week for his return, but that will have to be pushed back following the CT-scan that revealed the finger has not fully healed. – NY Post
So let’s do the math.  It will be a couple more days until he even touches a stick, then add on a couple more days to get back into the grove and start contact drills, and then another few days to get used to contract again so you can add another 1-2 weeks to his time and we are talking a total of about 3 months total being missed to start 2010 with his two broken fingers.

Wade Redden is just Old

“Nice play, old man.”

It was a jibe from an opposing player after the puck hopped over Redden’s stick during a recent game. He’s heard stuff like that and shots about how much money he makes (about $81,000 a game, or more than a typical AHLer makes in a season). – Edmonton Sun

“He’s what I call a ‘pacer,’” the scout said. “He’s used to playing a lot of minutes every night, so he paces himself each shift.” – Edmonton Sun

“I thought his play has been up and down. It’s been a bit of a struggle, he has to finish harder,” Gernander said. “I know he’s not a rock-’em, sock-’em defenceman, but he’s got to finish his checks with force. He has to be there 100%, with conviction.”
- Edmonton Sun

His career is done. He really needs to just retire already and go play over in Europe because he is just going to keep taking constant abuse if he does not. It is a little depressing that he hasn’t even had a little self respect for himself and actually perform well in Hartford. Oh well if I was raking in $6.5 mill a year I would probably do the same…..maybe…..not.

What Has Dylan McIlrath Been Up To?

With the 10th pick in the 2010 NHL draft the Rangers selected Moose Jaw Warrior’s defenseman, Dylan McIlrath, shocking mostly everyday.  At that time McIlrath was known as a bruiser, but also a BIG project s0 what has he done since then to justify the pick?

First we will look at what he was known for, toughness. He has only had 3 fights this year, but 2 of them just make you go wow.

Those are two very big very tough opponents he has there so these are no fights to laugh at. For someone who is so young he already has great ability with both hands and as seen in the video against Cody Beach he knows how to take a shot too. It will be entertaining to watch him fight in the NHL at the very least. And in listening to the announcers you get the sense he understands “when to fight”.

Now onto his offensive game. Last year he posted 7 goals, 17 assists, 24 points, +20, and 169 PIMS for Moose Jaw. This year he has 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, +1, and 33 PIM in 16 games. That puts him on pace for 8 goals, 20 assists, 28 points, and 134 PIM. Only a slight improvement over last year.

If you really look at his stats, however, you can break his year down into 2 separate seasons:

Before October 12th – 8 games -  0 goals, o assists, o points, -9, and 18 PIM
After October 12th – 8 games – 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, +10, and 15 PIM

The difference in results is just staggering. It was as if overnight something in his head clicked and he started realizing his potential.  While looking at the performance so far you have to be pretty pleased if this new trend continues.  It is very possible it took him sometime to settle down and get readjusted to the WHL after his time Traverse City.