Beach Signs – Ramble – May 21, 2009
Dobber Sports
2009-05-21
Another confirmed guest for Dobber Nation: Jay Zawatski from 670 The Score in Chicago will talk some Hawks.
Phil Kessel underwent unsuccessful shoulder surgery. It was the first surgery to be reported a failure right afterwards in sports history. Oh no, wait – according to all the headlines it was actually a "successful surgery". Sorry for the miscommunication.
Confirmed guests on next week's Dobber Nation – Matt Bugg and myself will be on to talk up some prospects (Prospects Report coming out June 1). As well, Chris Mason of the St. Louis Blues will be on. More guests still pending…
The Hurricanes signed undrafted 20-year-old Matthew Pistilli to a three-year entry-level deal. Maybe they see something in him that the Sharks didn't. The Sharks had invited Pistilli to camp last year, but released him without a contract. He went on to post fewer points in the QMJHL (86) as an overager than he did as a 19-year-old (93) – though in his defense, he didn't have Claude Giroux with him this year. He is a player with big size (6-2, 220) who can finish (82 goals in his last two QMJHL seasons). Still, he's a long shot NHLer.
The Rangers continue to throw darts at the offensive-dmen dartboard, signing undrafted Finn Ilkka Heikkinen. He has been a top PP QB in the Finnish League for HIFK Helsinki. Between him and Matt Gilroy, I wonder if the Rangers will give Sanguinetti and/or Del Zotto a shot this year? It's looking as if they are buying those kids an extra year to develop. I can see Heikkinen in the AHL this season, unless something big happens like a Girardi buyout or a trade.
The Blackhawks signed Kyle Beach to an entry level deal. Beach is ranked 242 on my prospects list. While he moves up a little with this news, I'm not convinced that he will make – or get a chance to make – an impact fantasy-wise before 2013. There's just no room in the top six. He may make the team in a year or two, but you will be looking at rather disappointing offensive numbers for several years.