Development Players Part II

As we continue to cover more Edmonton Oilers players in the system, make sure to take the time to catch the video links if possible. It really gives you a better feel for who the players are and what possible capabilities they have. Even if you have had opportunities to see some of the guys at camps, it is really tough to follow so many players in so little time.

As a reminder, I am covering 5 players in each posting and give my personal take on what I am seeing.
My opinions are based off of three things...

1) NHL Organization's reports
2) Outside scouting reports
3) Personal observations.

Development Players #6-10:


Teemu Hartikainen 
6' 1"
215
3 May 1990


STATS:

2007-08 KalPa Kuopio SM-liiga          Games 1  G 0  A 0     PTS 0      
2008-09 KalPa Kuopio SM-liiga          Games 51 G 17 A 6   PTS 23
2009-10 KalPa Kuopio SM-liiga          Games 53 G 15 A 18 PTS 33
2010-11 Oklahoma City Barons AHL Games 66 G 17 A 25  PTS 42 
              Edmonton Oilers NHL          Games 12 G 3  A 2     PTS 5


Goal videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgwvP4eO3DM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmiS03mrDKg&feature=related

Hit videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka7CLXPrGsQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdtnhWz7akU&feature=related



revingevs TAKE:

Hartikainen is known for his leadership as well as gritty and physical play back in finland. Not sure as a rookie if he displayed the leadership in OKC but the gritty and physical play remained both in OKC as well in his end of the year call-up with the Oilers. Hartikainen has good size and willingness to get his hands dirty. Described by Oiler brass after the draft as a ‘Tomas Holmstrom’-type player” for the way he battles all over the ice, especially in the corners and in front of the net.

On the downside, Hartikainen’s skating has been described somewhere between ‘lacking’ and ‘atrocious’.  I myself thought when I saw him in his time with the Oilers last year, his speed has looked more developed from previous years camp. It has been noted that he likes to “chirp at the opposition and whine to the officials a lot”. Not sure about the whining but definately the chirping seems accurate. He plays a very physical game in his own end, in front of the net and on the forecheck. Teemu likes to play a very physical brand of hockey and has soft hands around the net, which is exactly why the Oilers are so high on him.

Before being drafted, his high end was thought to be that of a third or fourth-line checking forward. However, I would say there is some possibility from what was seen in his development last year, he could eventually in the future become a option to fill in on a second line from time to time.



Tanner House 
6' 1"
195
27 Apr 1986


STATS:

2004-05 Canmore Eagles AJHL         Games 58 G 11 A 18 PTS 29      
2005-06 Penticton Vees BCHL           Games 52 G 14 A 17 PTS 31
2006-07 Penticton Vees BCHL           Games 58 G 14 A 55 PTS 69 
2007-08 U. of Maine H-East               Games 29 G 1  A 10  PTS 11        
2008-09 U. of Maine H-East               Games 39 G 10 A 14 PTS 24        
2009-10 U. of Maine H-East               Games 35 G 18 A 21 PTS 39       
2010-11 U. of Maine H-East               Games 35 G 10 A 25 PTS 35
              Oklahoma City Barons AHL Games 6  G 1  A 4     PTS 5


Interview video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go3HCDRQcmA



revingevs TAKE:

a Flame fan? Dad is a Oiler fan? How do Oilersjambalaya fans feel about that? (ha!ha!)

His age and experience showed well at this past development camp. One of the best players in agility, positioning and skill  but,  is 7 years older then this year’s draft picks. House is a hard worker and very dedicated. He served the last two seasons as team captain for the University of Maine Black Bears and was named the 'Gladiator  Hockey Best Defensive Forward' in Hockey East for the 2010-11 season. His character and leadership abilities are said by many coach's and scouts to be his main attributes he brings to the table.

He Will be in tough to make the grade to NHL but does have the tools. This year and next will be his prime opportunity. Could possibly be a 4th line centerman call up this year depending on injuries. (ie: RNH plays in JR and how well Lander adapts to the North American game) This may mean he continues to grow and develop in the AHL. All arrows are pointing up at this time as each year he continues to develop and rise his game to another level.
 

Kellen Jones 
5' 9"
164
16 Aug 1990


STATS:

2007-08 Vernon Vipers BCHL            Games 60 G 12 A 55 PTS 67
2008-09 Vernon Vipers BCHL            Games 51 G 15 A 37 PTS 52
2009-10 Vernon Vipers BCHL            Games 41 G 12 A 41 PTS 53
2010-11 Quinnipiac University ECAC Games 38 G 8  A 14  PTS 22


Highlight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpPdiEs8ESI




revingevs TAKE:Has some hockey pedigree in family. His brother (who is a twin and been at our camps as an invite) plays much the same game, in addition his father played for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL as well of CIS hockey with the Calgary Dinos. Kellen has played and won 2 championships with the Vernon Vipers. Plays alot , like his brother and like him, his size will make it difficult to cut a oilers lineup with so many smaller forwards.

He Works hard, but not much difference in his game through the last development camp that I saw. Very friendly player on the ice, does not seem to make many mistakes but hard to stand out with so many big guys who don’t only have size but also speed. Very good agility in his game though. The 'Magnificant Bastard' and Oilers Director of Scouting commented in a interview that Kellen has a big heart and good work ethic, that should go a long way.
Hopefully the development in his game will take some new strides as he heads back to University this year.




Anton Lander
6' 0"
194
24 Apr 1991


STATS:

2007-08 Timra IK SEL Games 32 G 1  A 2    PTS 3 
2008-09 Timra IK SEL Games 47 G 4  A 6    PTS 10 
2009-10 Timra IK SEL Games 49 G 7  A 9    PTS 16
2010-11 Timra IK SEL Games 49 G 11 A 15 PTS 26


Highlight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPibZJ9srE



revingevs TAKE:

A smart two-way player who has excellent hockey sense. Lander reads the game well and can make mature decisions with or without the puck. Upon being drafted, his skating was needing some improvement. After seeing his improvement over two development camps, I can say for sure first hand, his skating has improved in leaps and bounds. Lander really has in every aspect each year and arrows are pointing upward still. First step is much quicker
(noted by coach’s and other oiler brass), really good in the face-off circle. He is one who protects the puck very well and usually comes out with the puck from the corners and along the boards. Very defensively aware.

A bonus is, he also played tough minutes in SEL  Lander shows leadership out there on the ice with the other guys. He communicates and talks with guys after the plays and you can tell he is always thinking the game. You have to love his execution of drills. Lander is as much of a jokester as any Swedes out there. Anton Will have a honest shot at the centerman position in training camp with the Oilers, but most likely will be assigned to OKC to develop and learn the North American game. Likely to be the first center called up due to injury or trade. While each year Lander has improved and becomes more of a complete player, I do not believe he stands to be better then a third or fourth line centerman. That of course, is exactly what this team is needing, but some, see even greater upside in his offensive game. Boxcars are not saying that to me.

Ryan Martindale  6' 3"
183
27 Oct 1991


STATS:

2007-08 Ottawa 67's OHL Games 64 G 9   A 8    PTS 17
2008-09 Ottawa 67's OHL Games 53 G 23  A 24 PTS 47
2009-10 Ottawa 67's OHL Games 61 G 19  A 41 PTS 60
2010-11 Ottawa 67's OHL Games 65 G 34  A 49 PTS 83


Goal videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mN1QLXp9Pshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhm4HjSOijI&feature=related



revingevs TAKE:

Ryan , with his size, strength and talent, will be amongst the tops again this season in the OHL. Trouble is, it can be completely offset by his lack of perceived desire and competitiveness.  At his size Ryan has great mobility and can be an offensive threat passing or shooting the puck. When Ryan is using his size, he protects the puck extremely well.  That bodes well for him to be a very effective player on the cycle. The downside is when he isn’t competing well, he is no different then any other player on the ice. In scouting reports before his draft year, it was being said he needed to improve his skating to have a chance at the pro level. Not sure if that area has improved much since. In any case, it looks like drive and foot speed will be what has to show improvement , if he is going to continue to show development.