The Draft Board: Evander Kane

by PPP on Jun 5, 2009 5:07 PM EDT in Question of the Day

In preparation for the NHL Draft, we're going to run down the top 15 players as ranked by the ISS and have our users vote for how good they think each player will become to help us prepare our draft board. We're starting to get some good momentum so up next is the ISS #5, Evander Kane.

Evander Kane is a pretty exciting player. Anyone that saw him at the WJHC knows that the kid has wheels. He's also put up some good numbers with the Vancouver (spits) Giants of the WHL:

WHL	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
Vancouver Giants	134	73	65	138	166

He has also represented Canada at both the U18 and U20 levels including a 6 point performance in Ottawa which helped Canada to a fifth straight gold medal. At 6' 1", 178 lbs he is halfway to the physical frame that he needs in the NHL. Getting up to 200 lbs shouldn't affect his skating and suddenly that speed becomes that much more imposing. Apparently, the NHL agrees with what I wrote before reading their own scouting report. Somebody give me a job:

"He has power forward qualities from the blue line in. He's the type of player who doesn't like being denied access to the net. You can almost see when he's got the puck he's going to the net and defying people to stop him. He'll be a 200-pound forward in the National Hockey League. He plays like he's 6-2, 6-3, bigger than his size. He's surprised a lot of people with his strength going to the net."

Yesterday, in making the case for MSP, bkblades noted that his numbers put up against grown men were discounted while the numbers of players facing teenagers were held in high regard. I just bring it up because Kane is not the first Giant to put eye-popping numbers up in the WHL before getting drafted in the top 10:

In that way, he's like former Giants star centre Gilbert Brule. In their seven previous seasons of existence, Vancouver has had three first-round NHL picks. Brule, who went sixth overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005, is the only one to have gone in the top 10.

Yikes. That article also has a good story about how Kane wouldn't back down from some overaged bum and popped him in the mouth when he was 15. That probably explains the 166 penalty minutes which is definitely the kind of thing we like in a scorer. He is clearly held in high regard by Vancouver Giants fans since one made him his own tribute video. It's no Bacon Yada but it highlights the skills that have made him a possible top 5 pick:

In the 'totally random bits of information' bin I came across the fact that he was named after Evander Holyfield and is not related to Patrick Kane. I did not know that. That last name will make for some great photoshops though.

So PPPers how will good will Evander Kane become? Defend your vote in the comments.

Poll

Rate Evander Kane on a scale of 1-5. Highest average rating will be our #1 player and so on.

5 - Franchise Player

12 votes

4 - 1st Line Player

81 votes

3 - 2nd Line Player

40 votes

2 - 3rd/4th Line Player

8 votes

1 - Toronto Legacy's Chances of Success

11 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 36 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I think he will blossom into a first liner, but it will not be right away. It might take 2-3 years of maturing at the NHL level for him to be truly defined as a top liner. All in all, the kid looks like a good top ten choice, and unlike the diminutive Brule, I think Kane’s game translates better for the NHL.

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 5, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Woo! Giants!

Yeah I’ve seen Kane at a few games I’ve gone to. He’s definitely a good crash n banger. I’d love to see him as a Leaf currently more than Schenn 2.0 just because 1) I’m all bout the anti-hype and 2) never seen Schenn 2.0 play.

by LeafFanInVan on Jun 5, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

I’d rather have Schenn. I’ve bought in to the hype. Also I think it’ll be easier to get L.A.‘s pick than Atlanta’s

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by furcifer on Jun 5, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve seen Kane play with the Giants and been quite impressed. One huge advantage he has in my mind is he’s already pretty responsible defensively; the WHL as a whole is big on backchecking and physical play, incredibly so when compared with the OHL or the QMJHL. That, combined with the excellent goaltending and defence out west, tends to be why most of their stars don’t put up offensive numbers that are quite as spectacular as some of the top OHL/QMJHL players, so Kane’s numbers are more impressive to me than they would be in one of the other junior leagues. Kane’s done well in Don Hay’s system and seems pretty NHL-ready to me. He might not have the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft, but I could certainly see him as a very good top-six forward and one who will be able to make an impact in the next couple of years.

Editor of www.sportingmadness.blogspot.com.
Whitecaps correspondent for 24thminute.com.

by Andrew Bucholtz on Jun 5, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t believe no one has mentioned the sesame street-themed photo caption.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jun 5, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

Because I didn’t like it?

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 5, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

ditto

by LeafFanInVan on Jun 5, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

there was also the corner gas reference….

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jun 5, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

This is PPP

Do you think Hedman doesn’t know he’s the only defenceman in the picture?*

*Had to borrow my buddy’s log-in. Not sure why I can’t log-in. This could be a problem.

by David Danforth on Jun 6, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

This is PPP again...

Do you think Schenn doesn’t know that he’s the only one with a black shirt in the picture?

by David Danforth on Jun 6, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

One last time

I hope that for the sake of a sport that is far too often dismissed among the unfamiliar as a whites-only sport that Evander Kane, who is in fact black (it’s okay to notice!), can take a spot alongside Jarome Iginla, Scott Gomez, and any other hockey player with a minority background and help extend the reach of the NHL.

p.s. as a Latino it’s okay if I write a joke about it. Chemmy would have been in trouble.

by David Danforth on Jun 6, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

My problem with Kane is he needs a bit better attitude. He’s been creeping into Beachian territory, which is worrisome.

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 5, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Luke will

Straighten him out. He seems to be the poster child for an excellent attitude towards the game, and life in general.

"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 5, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

My thing is they should go in with a good attitude. They shouldn’t need work and ironing out.

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 5, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Mini Schenn and Cow Cow already have that winning tude

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jun 5, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Burke probably has a pretty strict requirement about attitude, and having loads of talent won’t excuse that side of things.

At least I hope so.

"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 5, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

He’ll learn all about positive attitude when he has to give birth to octuplets.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Jun 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Ive seen both play once…. and Kane was the guy I was impressed with. But thats just the problem… when we only see a guy play once, we never know if thats representative of his quality of play. The game that I saw, Kane was all over the ice. He had a few nice rushes through the neutral zone, but he could really lay the wood.

I hear that Schenn plays the same way, but in the game that I saw…. I just didnt see it. Take it for what its worth— but Kane was affecting the game even he wasnt scoring. Thats a huge thing to me because not everyone is going to score every night. If I can have a guy that will make a difference every night, I’ll take it everyday of the week…..

Cheers,
Matt

www.viewfrommyseats.com

by Matt Reitz on Jun 5, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the input, and thanks for joining!

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Jun 5, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Cheers

Thanks for joining and sharing your thoughts.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jun 7, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

That picture is evoking a certain “Fifth Beatle” reference…

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by Donny Rivette on Jun 5, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

I dunno...

Kane kinda annoys me. He seemed awesome at the world Jrs… but he just doesn’t seem to be able to create his own momentum. I won’t be upset if we get him, but he seems to be lacking something.
I say Atlanta takes him.

"Life is just a place where we spend time between games. Hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death." - Fred Shero

by Karina on Jun 6, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions

That’s where the mock drafts have him going.

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 6, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions

it makes sense and for some reason after attending the Giants games and being very disappointed by his performance, I have intense dislike for him and wish him to Atlanta as some form of punishment.

"Life is just a place where we spend time between games. Hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death." - Fred Shero

by Karina on Jun 6, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

He has talent sure, but I don’t what is so dynamic about him. And his relentless complaining about penalties isn’t cute.

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 6, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know that he is dynamic. He’s a great scorer and penalty killer which are good talents to have, but you’re right, he has an attitude thing.

"Life is just a place where we spend time between games. Hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death." - Fred Shero

by Karina on Jun 6, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s what I meant, I just left words out. I mean, I don’t get what people find so wonderful about him?

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 6, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey…his complaining about penalties,will give people someone else to trash other than Crosby,who by the way,has stopped that for the most part in the playoffs.

by wayne scarlett on Jun 6, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

just remember the fact that every night,the Giants were playing a team that focused squarely on stopping Kane.I know that didn’t work every time,but it does have a lot to do with hi9m not having a three or four point game everytime out.I did see one game on Shaw Cable,not long after the WJC,where Kane and Schenn played each other.Neither recorded a point.Both were heavily focused upon and both were plus 2 in the game.

by wayne scarlett on Jun 6, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m a little drunk but I love you guys.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Jun 6, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions

I’m playing the OC drinking game.

It’s amazing.

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 6, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

The rumor I keep hearing out here{Calgary),is that the Leafs will make the deal with LA and won’t talk to anyone else.La gives up the #5 pick this year for Kaberle and the 2011 !st rounder.The Leafs don’t give up their #7 this year.

Again only a rumor,and considering the sources,not likely to happen…just thought I would mention hearing it out here,more than once.

by wayne scarlett on Jun 6, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

Would you do the deal? If this rumour is true, I would be in favour of this one. I would assume 2011 won’t be a top 10 pick and in two years, surely Burke can recoup another first rounder, right?

The #5 pick sounds like a Brayden Schenn type move, while the 7th sounds like a defenseman. I wonder, assuming this pie in the sky deal goes through, would you deal both first rounders to move up and get a guy like Hedman/Tavares depending on who drops or stick with two first rounders?

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Jun 6, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a deal I can see happening. LA has a tonne of great kids but they already had to give up on Cammelleri because he wanted too much money and they just saw Chicago make it to the conference finals with the addition of a couple of vets.

2011 won’t be a lottery pick.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jun 7, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I have been a Leaf fan since I was 3. I just turned 50 this past Monday.I didn’t know what was going on at that age,but it meant quality time with my Grampa,whose favorite player was King Clancy.I remember most of the stories Grampa shared with my sister and I,and later had the honor of being on a first name basis with King.

The point of that,is that as die hard a fan as I continue to be after all these years,and as much as it bugs me to not see them in the playoffs…it would be much better in the long run,for the Leafs to NOT sign all these FA’s this summer,and find out what the kids can do with plenty of ice time and maybe two FA signings to plug holes(Paulsson and Beauchemin).Rick Nash will be a Leaf,if he is allowed to hit the open market.But if BB spends all the Cap room this summer,he will have an even larger housecleaning to do in order to be able to afford Nash.

So if it takes one more year without playoff hockey,that is what should be done.

by wayne scarlett on Jun 6, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

I agree wholeheartedly. I think Burke realizes that spending to the cap on free agents by overpaying for them, ie. Bouwmeester, Sedin twins, etc. will not be ideal. He’ll definitely look to get a “heavyweight” and depending on the draft, Beauchemin would be a great signing to replace any of the team’s traded d-men (though I think the Ducks make a big push to re-sign him).

I miss the playoffs a great deal, just like the rest of the fans, but I’m having fun watching a rebuild done right without cutting corners. The Leafs were built upon the foundations of Conn Smythe of unearthing gems and building a team with winners. If the Leafs are truly intent on rebuilding patiently to ensure years and years of Stanley Cup contention, I’m behind them 100%.

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Jun 6, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions