MISSISSAUGA, Ont.
Mikhail Grabovski Jersey . -- Sam Bennett isnt accustomed to being last in anything. First among North American skaters in
NHL Central Scoutings final 2014 draft rankings, the Kingston Frontenacs centre
finished dead-last in one category during Saturdays fitness testing at the
annual combine. Bennett couldnt do a single pull-up. "I was definitely
disappointed with myself," Bennett said. "I was wanting to do the best I can in
every test. But, I guess, ultimately games arent won or lost if you can do a
pull-up in the gym." Bennett likely wont take much of a hit from being 12
pull-ups behind the leaders. If anything, his showing could help whichever team
takes him early in the first round June 27 in Philadelphia. "The fact that he
can play the game the way he plays the game, I think the teams feel that hes a
pretty complete package," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "This is
what the whole combines about: The team thats going to get Sam Bennett knows
what work lies ahead and theyll be able to put him on the proper path for
development." Bennett finished ahead of Barrie defenceman Aaron Ekblad, Kootenay
centre Sam Reinhart and two other potential top picks, Prince Albert winger Leon
Draisaitl and Oshawa winger Michael Dal Colle because of what he developed into
on the ice. With his fathers favourite player, Doug Gilmour, overseeing his
progress as Kingstons general manager, the Holland Landing, Ont., native had 36
goals and 55 assists in 57 OHL games this past season. But just like with
pull-ups, Bennett doesnt want to be defined by numbers alone. "I think (what
sets me apart) really just a combination of my hockey sense along with my
compete level," he said. "I think I compete as hard, if not harder, than anyone
else." Bennett isnt the only one trying to compete to go first overall, or in
the top five, the first round or in the draft, period. Over a hundred fellow
prospects joined him at this weeks combine with the aim of impressing NHL teams.
Well before the physical grind that was Saturdays fitness testing, players
gathered outside of Toronto to meet with NHL teams. Marr likened the entire
process to a giant conveyor belt as these teenagers went through the mental
trials of often answering the same questions over and over. Most dont mind it.
Top European skater Kasperi Kapanen -- son of former NHL forward Sami -- called
it "natural" to sit around and talk to people, and Draisaitl didnt want to
downplay the week, either. "I think its really important for them to know what
kind of a guy I am and how I work off the ice," said Draisaitl, the only
German-born player at the combine. "Thats a really important part of it. Its not
only everything about the ice." Teams have spent countless hours watching these
players on the ice, and thats not what the combine is about. Despite talk among
general managers about adding on-ice testing, there is nothing of the sort, and
individual teams arent allowed to invite prospects to their cities to skate. At
the annual GM meeting in March, commissioner Gary Bettman said there was some
discussion to see "what needs to be done to make the combine as effective as
possible." After consultation with strength coaches, Marr said that new, more
"dynamic" tests were put in this year to better gauge players physical
abilities. One change was pull-ups replacing push-ups because it meant players
had to lift their own body weight. While Bennett couldnt do one, Brandon centre
Jayce Hawryluk and Czech winger David Pastrnak each did 12. Of course that
doesnt necessarily mean theyll be better players, or that theyre closer to being
NHL-ready. "This isnt a pass or fail type of test," Marr said. "It just allows
the NHL teams to see where these players are in their current state of
development." Bennett, who turns 18 in June, conceded that hell need to work on
his upper-body strength in the gym this summer. As Marr knows, thats not unusual
for junior-aged players. "(At age) 17, 18, 19, if you go back in history with
some of the players in the game, theyll find that there was one summer that
really made a difference in their physical development," he said. "So maybe at
this stage he just hasnt had that summer of development, and itll come." By
then, Bennett will more than likely be a top-five pick. If he goes first to the
Florida Panthers -- or whoever makes that selection -- itll be clear that on-ice
potential is worth tons more than a lack of pull-ups. "It would be pretty
special," Bennett said. "At the end of the day it is just a number, and
everyones going to be in the same spot come training camp, trying to make the
team. Obviously it is every kids dream to go as high as they can get into the
NHL."
Bryan Trottier Jersey . Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper
before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart,
Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this
season.
Mathew Barzal Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Habs at 7:30pm et/8:30pm at.PHOENIX
-- The Arizona Diamondbacks have reinstated third baseman Eric Chavez from the
15-day disabled list and designated infielder Eric Hinske for assignment. Chavez
had been on the DL since suffering a right oblique strain on May 30 against the
Texas Rangers. Before the injury, he was hitting .325 with seven homers and 25
RBIs in 38 games after signing with the Diamondbacks during the off-season. The
35-year-old hit .394 after April 28 and had one error iin 67 chances at third
this season.
Dennis Seidenberg Jersey. The 35-year-old Hinske hit .173 with a homer and six RBIs in 52 games after signing with Arizona
as a free agent in December. The 12-year veteran has 137 homers and 522 RBIs in
nearly 1,400 games. Manager Kirk Gibson said Friday that closer J.J. Putz is
scheduled to arrive from Triple-A Reno on Saturday. In four rehab appearances,
Putz allowed one run, two hits, three walks and struck out four.
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