This past week, the Vancouver Canucks signed Alexandre Mallet - the 57th overall pick in June's draft - to a three-year entry level contract. Interestingly enough, Jeff Marek didn't break the news on Twitter. Or maybe it's yet to come. Nobody really knows.
Nearly everyone was surprised that he was taken that high, given the fact that he had been passed over in the draft the previous two years. As is my theory with any sort of draft, if you like a certain player, take him. Clearly Mike Gillis wanted him. And so, he got him.
And it's not tough to see why. Mallet brings an interesting package of skills to the table, as is described in further detail by the scouting report 'Hockey's Future' has for him:
"Passed over two years in a row for the draft, Mallet never gave up and was rewarded with a second round selection by the Canucks. The same perseverance makes an appearance on the ice, where his no-quit attitude and hard-nosed play has drawn rave reviews from everyone but his on-ice competition. Furthermore, he made the most of a larger role last season and showcased some offensive abilities previously unseen. A hardhat and lunch pail type of player who leaves it all on the ice, his compete level and dedication alone could take him far."
I don't mean to be the guy that makes lazy comparisons solely based on a player's nationality, but you could pass that entire passage off as a description of Alex Burrows. Players that rely on their motor, and heart, but have the skill level to produce when given the opportunity. Players that were routinely overlooked on their way up the ranks, and played with a massive chip on their shoulder. Sounds about right.
Let's play a little game. The following numbers were all accumulated in the QMJHL, by three different players. Can you guess who's who?
Player A: 20 years old, 64 games, 35 goals, 70 points, 184 penalty minutes.
Player B: 19 years old, 68 games, 34 goals, 81 points, 132 penalty minutes.
Player C: 19 years old, 68 games, 35 goals, 71 points, 114 penalty minutes.
Player A is none other than Alex Burrows, playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes. Player B is Alexandre Mallet, this past season. The only question remaining is the identity of Player C. Honestly, I threw that one in there just to rile up Canucks fans, and make sure they were awake. It's Steve Bernier.
People that became Canucks fans in the summer of 2011 may not be aware of this, but the stigma that Alex Burrows carries around these days of having more bark than bite wasn't always there. He actually dropped the gloves 32 times from '01 to '08. Ideally you use that aspect of your game to establish your spot in the league, you develop more as a player, and then you don't have to needlessly put yourself in harm's way.
As a quick aside, I'm personally still clinging onto the small glimmer of hope that a year or two from now, we'll be treated to a return from 'La Resistance' - this time in the form of hockey players. If you're not up for fine wine, beautiful women, and general class, then prepare to put 'em up.
Keep in mind that I easily could have settled for a joke about their shared love for poutine, or smoked meats, but you deserve better than that. The next time someone tries to throw me under the bus by questioning my effort level, remember this moment.
Before that fantasy can be fulfilled though, Mallet will head to Chicago to get some seasoning with the Wolves. While the fact that he has shown a penchant for fighting is nice, it has been made abundantly clear that the league is moving away from the days when that was a big part of the game.
The keys for him are to fill out his frame, and prove that last year's scoring touch wasn't a fluke. Anytime a player jumps from 19 points to 81 points over the span of one season, a raise of the eyebrow is warranted. Did he finally receive an opportunity to flourish, and simply took advantage? Is he a late bloomer? Or was he just a guy playing in his fourth season in the 'Q', taking advantage of younger players with less experience? Probably a combination of all three.
Whatever the explanation for the spike in scoring is, it gives a reason for optimism and adds a dynamic to his game which previously wasn't present. As he works his way through the AHL, Canucks fans should keep tabs on him, because he'll continue to do what he does best - kick ass, and take names.
There's no doubt that fighting is a huge part of this current incarnation of Alexandre Mallet's game. He accumulated a whopping 30 fights over the past three seasons. It's hard to blame him for that - if I could kick ass the way he does, I'd be partaking in fisticuffs far more frequently. I whipped through all of the video on 'Hockey Fights', and it became clear that he has taken classes in the 'Rick Rypien School of Fighting'. The use of the quick jabs to soften up his opponents, and keep them at bay, is tremendous. If you're into this sort of things, enjoy:
Player B: 19 years old, 68 games, 34 goals, 81 points, 132 penalty minutes.
Player C: 19 years old, 68 games, 35 goals, 71 points, 114 penalty minutes.
Player A is none other than Alex Burrows, playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes. Player B is Alexandre Mallet, this past season. The only question remaining is the identity of Player C. Honestly, I threw that one in there just to rile up Canucks fans, and make sure they were awake. It's Steve Bernier.
People that became Canucks fans in the summer of 2011 may not be aware of this, but the stigma that Alex Burrows carries around these days of having more bark than bite wasn't always there. He actually dropped the gloves 32 times from '01 to '08. Ideally you use that aspect of your game to establish your spot in the league, you develop more as a player, and then you don't have to needlessly put yourself in harm's way.
As a quick aside, I'm personally still clinging onto the small glimmer of hope that a year or two from now, we'll be treated to a return from 'La Resistance' - this time in the form of hockey players. If you're not up for fine wine, beautiful women, and general class, then prepare to put 'em up.
Thanks to the O.G. of photoshop, Wyatt - @TheStanchion - for this gem.
Keep in mind that I easily could have settled for a joke about their shared love for poutine, or smoked meats, but you deserve better than that. The next time someone tries to throw me under the bus by questioning my effort level, remember this moment.
Before that fantasy can be fulfilled though, Mallet will head to Chicago to get some seasoning with the Wolves. While the fact that he has shown a penchant for fighting is nice, it has been made abundantly clear that the league is moving away from the days when that was a big part of the game.
The keys for him are to fill out his frame, and prove that last year's scoring touch wasn't a fluke. Anytime a player jumps from 19 points to 81 points over the span of one season, a raise of the eyebrow is warranted. Did he finally receive an opportunity to flourish, and simply took advantage? Is he a late bloomer? Or was he just a guy playing in his fourth season in the 'Q', taking advantage of younger players with less experience? Probably a combination of all three.
Whatever the explanation for the spike in scoring is, it gives a reason for optimism and adds a dynamic to his game which previously wasn't present. As he works his way through the AHL, Canucks fans should keep tabs on him, because he'll continue to do what he does best - kick ass, and take names.
There's no doubt that fighting is a huge part of this current incarnation of Alexandre Mallet's game. He accumulated a whopping 30 fights over the past three seasons. It's hard to blame him for that - if I could kick ass the way he does, I'd be partaking in fisticuffs far more frequently. I whipped through all of the video on 'Hockey Fights', and it became clear that he has taken classes in the 'Rick Rypien School of Fighting'. The use of the quick jabs to soften up his opponents, and keep them at bay, is tremendous. If you're into this sort of things, enjoy:
.
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment