The Cannon

Marc Methot Suspended 1 Game At IIHF World Championship

2012-05-16T19:29:29Z

(SB Nation) - Team Canada defenseman Marc Methot has been suspended for one game by the IIHF Disciplinary Panel for his dangerous boarding of Yevgeni Kovyrshin of Belarus on Tuesday. The hit occurred with just seven seconds remaining in regulation of Canada's last preliminary-round game at the World Championship.

Methot violently shoved Kovryshin's head into the boards as several players fought for the puck in the corner of Canada's end of the ice. The incident earned five-minute major plus penalty and an automatic game misconduct. Following video review of what took place and statements from involved parties, Methot will sit out Canada's quarterfinal matchup with Slovakia on Thursday.

Methot will be eligible return for a semifinal should Canada win to advance. As with the NHL, the IIHF has taken a beefed-up stance toward play that could endanger players. Methot played in just 46 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets this past season due to injury struggles.

Cannon One on One: Will Weber

2012-05-16T15:47:33Z

Over the past few seasons, the Jackets have steadily improved their skill and depth on defense through various means, whether by trade, free agent signing, or the draft. One of the players acquired via the entry draft was Will Weber, who just completed his collegiate career at Miami. He was good enough to do an interview with me, and without further ado, here's the transcript:

MM: Right off the bat, congratulations on completing an excellent career at Miami and signing your first pro contract. What was the highlight of your collegiate career with the Redhawks?

WW: There were a lot of great times during my four years at Miami. We won many games and had some great successes, which really made it fun. Participating in two Frozen Fours, including a national championship game, and winning Miami's first ever CCHA Playoff championship were some of the main highlights.

MM: You were co-captain of the Redhawks this past season, what kind of leader were you for your squad? Rah-rah? Lead by example?

WW: I think my teammates would say that I lead by example. I'm not a guy that's going to give a big speech before a game but if something needs to be said, I have no problem voicing my opinion. I always made an effort to be a leader both on and off the ice.

MM: What was going through your mind before your first professional game with the Falcons, and what were you able to take from your brief experience in Springfield?

WW: Overall, being in Springfield was a great experience. I was really happy that I was able to make it out there for the last two games of the season. I'll admit that I was a little nervous before my first professional game, but once I was able to calm my nerves I felt pretty good and learned a lot in the short time I was there. The guys on the team were great and the coaches helped me feel comfortable in my adjustment. It was an awesome time and it really motivated me even more to work hard and be successful at the pro level.

MM: You've told us before that Bobby Orr is your hockey idol. Is there a player currently in the NHL that you model your game after, or would compare your playing style to?

WW: I believe that I'll be successful at the next level being a defensive minded d-man. I like to play a physical in your face type game. I would compare my mindset to a guy like Chris Pronger because he likes to be tough in his own end, and be a real pain to play against.

MM: What do the Jackets expect from you leading up to training camp in the fall?

WW: They expect me to play how I've played in the past- to be a solid d-man that the other team doesn't want to play against. I know I can be that player and I hope to exceed all expectations going into next year.

MM: What are your plans for the offseason?

WW: I'm really excited about the upcoming months. I'm going back to school the first six weeks of summer to work out with the guys still on the team at Miami, and also take the last few credits required to officially get my degree. After that my plans aren't set in stone, but I hope to spend as much time in Columbus and train with some of the guys that will be there this summer. I think that will give me the best opportunity to be in great shape going into camp.

MM: Give us your pick for Stanley Cup Winner!

WW: It's a tough call. This year's playoffs have been really exciting. There are a few teams that have gotten pretty hot down the stretch but if I were to pick I would go with the Philadelphia Flyers, they are a real solid team. My underdog team would be the LA Kings, especially since they have a former Miami d-man Alex Martinez.

2012 Draft Prospect Profile #16: Tom Wilson

2012-05-16T13:00:13Z

Tom Wilson, Plymouth Whalers
Copyright: CHL Images, used with permission

Tom Wilson

Position: Right Wing
Team: Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Age: 18
Date of Birth: March 29, 1994
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario
Ht: 6'4" Wt: 203
Shoots: Right

2011-2012 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
49	9	18	27	+17	141

2011-2012 Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
13	7	6	13	+10	39

Wilson's exuberance did not go unnoticed this season. Not by his opponents in the OHL, and especially not by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau. Wilson's stock rose from a mid-term rank of 33rd and improved all the way to 15th among North American skaters by the end of the season.

Employing a style reminiscent of Milan Lucic didn't hurt the 18 year old either. Despite his obvious ability to play a punishing, physical game, Tom showed a bit of a scoring touch this season, capping it with a point per game pace in the playoffs.

Despite the comparisons to Lucic, Tom is approaching a crossroads in his young career. While most are in agreement that he'll likely be drafted late in the first round or early in the second, the consensus isn't as cut and dried when it comes to the type of player he'll eventually become. Some say he's a certain top six forward, others feel he may be relegated to a third or fourth line enforcer. I tend to think that he can be somewhere in the middle, as he's shown an ability to put points up with regularity, something that ordinarily doesn't come along with an enforcer.

Scouting Report:

The Scouting Report:

Wilson is a very imposing winger who has thrived with the Plymouth Whalers this season as a forward who brings plenty of size, grit, and physicality to the team’s lineup. Wilson is versatile and has enough ability to play with skilled players while playing a physical role. His skating has steadily improved and his willingness to take the body with his size creates a lot of space for teammates. He’s good in the corners on the cycle and does a good job wearing down opposing teams as well. It is concerning that he only has 6 goals while playing with players like Stefan Noesen, Rickard Rakell, and JT Miller, but Wilson is a player who is likely going to take some time to grow into his frame and find out just how high his ceiling is.

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

Having Jared Boll and Derek Dorsett in the lineup, the likelihood of adding another similar style gets reduced greatly. That is, unless Columbus pro scouting sees a greater upside in Tom Wilson's offensive skills, than in his readiness to drop the mitts.

Kings pick aside, if there are no takers for Wilson in the first round, the Jackets might be faced with such a quandary. While I feel Wilson is entertaining to watch, as he matures, I keep returning to the Lucic comparison. And while I like Dorse, the imposing 6'4" and potential 215-220 pound frame says a lot more than Dorsett's 6'0" and 192 pounds which invariably make Dorse an underdog just about every time out.

Tom Wilson is at a point in his career development where he needs to work on his playmaking and scoring. The physicality has already taken care of itself and as his body matures, that too will continue to improve. Wilson would also do himself well to examine the career paths of two other ex-Plymouth Whalers - Jared Boll and Tom Sestito. Neither Boller nor Sestito have developed their scoring knack thus far, and at this point in their careers, have become primarily enforcer types. After that, the comparison to Lootch looks pretty good.

Finally, I like to add a video or two here at the end of these draft prospect profiles. Culling youtube produces endless Tom Wilson fight videos. Here is a goal he earned in the Ivan Hlinka U18 tournament. What I like about the play, is Wilson cycles and ends up in the high slot and having the presence of mind to still get stick to puck in time to redirect the point shot.

2012 NHL Draft Prospect Profile #15: Colton Sissons

2012-05-15T13:00:21Z

Colton Sissons

Position: Right Wing
Team: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Age: 18
Date of Birth: November 5th, 1993
Place of Birth: North Vancouver, BC
Ht: 6'1" Wt: 190
Shoots: Right

2011-2012 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
58	26	15	41	-13	62

2011-2012 WHL Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
4	1	1	2	-7	2

Colton Sissons is one of those guys who is listed as a winger, but may be able to transition to the center position given time. He finished the year as Central Scouting's 14th-ranked North American skater. He has shown the ability to score consistently, and has a good frame on which to add size. In addition, his leadership quotient is very high, as he was named Captain of his CHL top prospects game squad. That said, there are certainly some issues with his game, as well. The fact that he was a combined -20 in 62 games through the regular season and playoffs is definitely an eyebrow raiser. He will need to work on his defensive effort, as well as his ability/willingness to get teammates involved, especially if he were to move over to the center position.

Scouting Report:

With good size and a lethal shot, Sissons undoubtedly projects on the high end as a top-6 winger in the NHL. His game is not without question marks, though – as he currently has a team-worst -15 rating. Sissons could also benefit from using his teammates better as evidenced by his low assist totals, however has certainly shown a knack for being a hard worker on the ice. Sissons was recently named captain of his team for the upcoming CHL top prospects game, which proves his ability to lead by example on the ice.

The Scouting Report

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

Well, he has the potential to score goals, which is something the Columbus offense could certainly use right now. However, that addition might come at some cost, considering Sissons isn't known as the most responsible two-way guy. However, if the Jackets were pushing to go to a more risk-taking offensive style, Sissons could fit into the long-term top-six plans for such a system. As it is, he'll need some seasoning before being counted on to contribute at the NHL level.

Ceci in Action:

Todd Richards - More Than Mr. Right Now

2012-05-15T00:41:48Z

At 9am this morning, Aaron Portzline broke the news that the Blue Jackets would make Todd Richards their newest head coach, taking the "interim" off his title.

I think it's fair to say that the reactions have been decidedly mixed. Some people say that Scott Howson jumped the gun. Others argue it's a case of stability over everything else. I think the truth runs a little bit in between the two.

While Howson got calls from "8-10" coaches, we don't know who contacted him, and if they might have been a better fit. Guys like Paul Maurice and Ted Nolan might very well be interested in getting back into the NHL's coaching ranks, but it's hard to say they'd be a better fit. I have no doubt there are coaches in the AHL, Major Junior, and even the NCAA ranks who saw an opportunity, but after the lack of NHL coaching experience burned them so badly, I doubt the team was going to walk down that road again.

A candidate like Todd McClellan might become available after the Stanley Cup Final ends, but waiting for "Mr. Right" is a dicey proposition - especially when you have a candidate in house who delivered a performance worthy of consideration.

As others have pointed out, the team is going into some major upheaval. With the team looking at trading a major player, needing to plan for how to handle the upcoming draft, and looking at a major hole between the pipes by any means necessary. Oh, and did I mention the team is trying to encourage as many fans as possible to commit to their ticket renewals before the end of this month in order to guarantee All Star Game tickets?

This move isn't just about a foundation move with the current players. It's also providing the scouting staff a better idea of what systems will be in place for next season, and helps rank and target the right players to fit that style. It helps the franchise take another step towards forming an identity, and much like the signing of Vinny Prospal to an extension, it's a move that puts people who want to win in Columbus in positions of respect and authority.

Richards embraced the challenges of the team and the locker room after taking over, and delivered results - most strikingly his 14-0 record when leading after 40 minutes, compared to the problems Scott Arniel had getting this team to protect their leads.

Perhaps most importantly, it lets the team reach out to fans and say "We've listened to your voices, and we're taking action." If the team had allowed the coaching search to stretch into early June - or worse, late June - don't you think that fans would have been even more vocal? That Scott Howson was sitting on his hands instead of going with the guy he already had?

Of course, this is not to say that Todd Richards is perfect. A lot of questions came up around how Ryan Johansen was handled during the season, and the team's power play continues to be a challenge. That's an area the team may also be able to address when Richards fills out his coaching staff. With the fate of Brad Berry and Dan Hinote currently up in the air, I wouldn't be shocked if we see new faces behind the bench helping to shape the team.

Most importantly, though, Richards is going to need the right players. It's no coincidence that R.J. and Vinny were there at the press conference. It's no coincidence that he referenced leaders like Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski...and it's also no coincidence that Steve Mason wasn't.

If Todd Richards is going to succeed, he's going to need a solid goaltender. This team may or may not have Rick Nash, but even without #61 I think the latter half of this season helped to prove that the Blue Jackets can win when they don't have to score three goals just to get themselves back into the game.

Richards got solid contributions from all of the returning "core" players and was the architect of the defensive unit built around Jack Johnson that was so successful as the year wound down. There are worse things than encouraging the club to score by committee.

The future of the club is still uncertain. Many more changes are coming, and it will be difficult to truly judge what this team is going to look like next season until July at the earliest.

But we have a head coach, we have players who will play for him, and we have a new wave of interest running through the fanbase.

Things could be far worse.

Prospect Mike Reilly and the Penticton Vees are Canadian Jr.A Champions

2012-05-14T18:24:49Z

Prospect Mike Reilly and the Penticton Vees are Canadian Jr.A Champions

Columbus prospect Mike Reilly and his Penticton Vees of the BCHL just wrapped up an unbelievable season by defeating the Woodstock Slammers to win the RBC Cup, the holy grail of Jr. A hockey in Canada. Reilly was a go-to offensive defenseman for the Vees, and will make the jump to college hockey with Minnesota next season.

Blue Jackets Name Todd Richards as Full Time Coach

2012-05-14T13:29:23Z

One of the biggest moves of this off-season may be a move that's not actually being made. After 41 games as the club's interim head coach, The Dispatch's Aaron Portzline is reporting that Todd Richards will have his "interim" tag lifted later today, and that he has signed a two-year contract. He will become the club's sixth "full-time" coach. This is Richards' second NHL head coaching gig, as he coached the Minnesota Wild from 2009-2011.

Richards certainly deserves credit for stabilizing the flaming shipwreck quite a bit after the departure of Scott Arniel after 41 games. Richards also should get some credit for keeping the team pushing through the end of the season, as they won 11 of their final 19 games and dealt some teams a blow in their pushes to the playoffs. As Porty also notes, Richards should get credit for something else, as well:

One of the biggest struggles under Arniel was holding onto leads in the third period, but the Jackets went 14-0 under Richards when they led after 40 minutes.

Richards still has some work to do, as the club's special teams were pretty abysmal, and it's not like an 18-21-2 record over 41 games is setting the world on fire. However, considering the club won just 11 times in their first 41, it was a big step in the right direction.

If I might editorialize a bit, I like the move on its face. However, I don't think it can be made in a vacuum. I would advocate that Richards needs to have the freedom to--and probably should--clean house on his bench and bring in his own assistants, perhaps with some more experience. I like Dan Hinote, and Ian Clark is obviously a keeper. However, Brad Berry leaves something to be desired, and it would be nice to see some more experience behind the bench in his assistants.

In addition, Richards' success will of course hinge on the success of the club's next two off-seasons. If the Jackets aren't able to shore up their goal-tending, it's not going to matter who the coach is.

All in all, though, I think the move is a good one; the club responded to Richards' leadership, and whatever he managed to do with the team's leadership group to prompt the finish they had to the season seems to have helped to create a good foundation to push into next season.

2012 NHL Draft Prospect Profile #14: Derrick Pouliot

2012-05-14T12:55:12Z

Derrick Pouliot

Position: Defense
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Age: 18
Date of Birth: January 16th, 1994
Place of Birth: Estevan, Saskatchewan
Ht: 5'11" Wt: 186
Shoots: Left

2011-2012 Regular Season Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
72	11	48	59	+15	79

2011-2012 WHL Playoff Stats:

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
22	3	14	17	+4	18

Pouliot, a former first overall pick in the WHL Bantam draft, is an offensive blueliner with the ability to quarterback a powerplay. He's a tad undersized, but his skating and ability to create offensively more than makes up for that. He needs some polishing in the defensive zone, but things like positioning can be improved with coaching.

Just last night, his Portland team was eliminated in the WHL final by the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Winterhawks were a solid group, with a good mix of veteran and young players. Pouliot was a leader on defense, finishing tied on his team in points in the playoffs. In the regular season, Pouliot had six powerplay goals.

He'd be a great addition for any NHL squad looking to add an offensive weapon to their back end. If they are willing to work with him on his play without the puck, he could be a solid NHL defenseman.

Scouting Report:

The former first overall bantam pick had an impressive 16 year old season with one of the most talented teams in the entire CHL. Pouliot is an effortless skater, able to effectively transition from either offense to defense, or defense to offense, in a hurry. He has strong offensive instincts, and can join the rush effectively using his skating ability to keep pace with attacking forwards. Pouliot has a good shot that he is able to get to the net frequently, though his shot velocity could use some work. Defensively, Pouliot has to be considered a bit of a project at this point, as the undersized defenseman found himself out-matched by larger WHL forwards, and also occasionally out of position. Pouliot returns to the Hawks this year in a bigger role, and should be primed for a big year offensively.

- The Scouting Report

Why he'd be a good fit in Columbus:

Columbus has been steadily improving their defense throughout their organization, but they currently don't have a prospect like Pouliot in the system- a blueliner with high-end offensive ability. In terms of a comparison, I think current Jackets defender James Wisniewski is a good match. They are both similarly sized, and known for their play with the puck. Wiz is more physical, but Pouliot is the better skater. He likely won't be taken in the top ten picks of this draft, but he would be a good candidate in a trade-down scenario.

Pouliot in Action: