Eagles top 10 under 25

#1 Cam Ward

22 years old
The goalie of the future has risen in Edmonton, as Ward is probably the only RHL prospect in history to have a Conn Smythe trophy under his belt before going pro in the RHL. While not really impressing during the regular season, Ward shone in the playoffs and his play took a tiny bit of the sting away from the Oilers loosing the Cup final.

NHL playoffs: 23gp 15w 8l 2.14gaa .920 save %
NHL season: 28gp 14w 8l 2sol 3.68gaa .882 save %
arrival: RHL17
acquired: RHL13 trade with FUN
projection: allstar goaltender

#2 Jack Johnson

19 years old
The Eagles pulled off the coup of the RHL16 draft, as they acquired the 2nd overall pick so they could take this franchise defenseman. Johnson had a standout rookie campaign with the University of Michigan, finishing with 32 pts in 38 games and also played a huge role for Team USA at the WJC, which earned him a first team allstar selection.

NCAA season: 38gp 10-22-32
arrival: RHL19
acquired: RHL16 draft, 2nd overall
projection: allstar defenseman

#3 Jeff Carter

21 years old
This lanky pivot is well on his way to becoming an impact player. While most rookies tail off as the season progresses and the games become more intense, Carter kept getting better and was playing a crucial role for the Flyers at season’s end. He just needs to keep on doing what he’s doing and the blue and silver will have themselves a worthy centre for years to come.

NHL season: 81gp 23-19-42 12 min/g
Acquired: RHL13 trade with AVI
arrival: RHL17
projection: allstar centre

#4 Alex Radulov

20 years old
Radulov took a big step forward this year in his development, as he was named the CHL Player of Year and led the Quebec Remparts to the Memorial Cup. Hopefully for the Eagles, his career follows the path of former CHL MVP’s Lemieux, Sakic, Richards and Hawerchuk, and not that of Varlamov, Ling, Poulin and Fogarty.

QMJHL season: 62gp 61-91-152
arrival: RHL19
acquired: RHL15 draft, 14th overall
projection: 1st line scorer

#5 Andrew Ladd

20 years old
Ladd has the big-time skills that made him the Eagles third highest draft pick ever in the RHL at 6th overall (Jack Johnson-2nd overall in RHL16 and Ryan Smyth-4th overall in RHL3). He was in and out of the lineup most of the season for the Canes, but he dressed for every game of the Cup final when things really counted.

NHL season: 29gp 6-5-11, 11 min/g
acquired: RHL15 draft, 6th overall
arrival: RHL17
projection: 1st line power forward

#6 Mike Cammalleri

24 years old
The Toronto product had great years in 05-06, both in the NHL and the RHL. He jumped out of the gate in RHL15 as one of the top goal scorers and ended with decent numbers (53gp 20-13-33). He also proved that his 109-point season in the AHL during the lockout was no fluke.

NHL season: 80gp 26-29-54, 17 min/g
arrival: now
acquired: RHL13 trade with AVI
projection: 1st line centre, powerplay specialist


#7 Christian Ehrhoff

24 years old
The German national team defenseman struggled during the regular season, but in what is certainly a good sign, he upped his game in the playoffs and registered 8 points in 11 games while playing 20 minutes a night. His offensive touch will be invaluable to the Eagle’s powerplay in the future.

NHL season: 64gp 5-18-23, 18 min/g
arrival: now
acquired: RHL13 trade with ROV
projection: top 4 defenseman, powerplay quarterback

#8 Guillaume Latendresse

19 years old
After electrifying Canadiens faithful during the 05-06 pre-season with his goal scoring prowess, Latendresse ultimately was sent back to junior. He started slowly and had a terrible WJC tournament, but eventually his game came around as he ended with 40+ goals. It will not be long before the chants of GUY-GUY-GUY return to Montreal.

QMJHL season: 51gp 43-40-83
arrival: RHL19
acquired: RHL16 draft, 13th overall
projection: 2nd line forward, powerplay specialist

#9 Devin Setoguchi

19 years old
The Alberta product enjoyed another solid year in 05-06 with the Saskatoon Blades and Team Canada at the WJC after just failing to make the Sharks as an 18-year-old. San Jose has always been able to spot great talent playing the CHL, and Setoguchi looks to be no exception.

WHL season: 65gp 36-47-83
arrival: RHL20
acquired: RHL16 draft, 12th overall
projection: 2nd line forward

#10 Antoine Vermette

24 years old
Vermette proved he had an important role to play on the potent Senators last year. While getting the nod for the PK consistently, he also delivered his first 20-goal campaign. Should get even more responsibility in Ottawa with the departure of Havlat and Smolinski. Vermette absorbed it all in on the Eagles’ pro squad in his rookie year, seeing limited action (4GP 0-1-1).

NHL season: 82GP 21-12-33, 13 min/g
arrival: now
acquired: RHL13 trade with CAP
projection: 2nd line forward, penalty kill specialist


Just missing the cut:

#11 Petteri Nokelainen F, 20
#12 Matt Stajan F, 22
#13 Petr Budaj G, 23
#14 Ryan Potulny F, 21
#15 Timofei Shishkanov F, 23

Eagle captain leaves for richer pastures

With the league offices announcing today's signings, Shane Doan will officially suit up for a team other than the Edmonton Eagles next season.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is expected the former captain of the Eagles has signed a 4-year, $14M contract with the San Diego Aviators.

"Shane gave us an opportunity to match the offer because of his desire to stay in Edmonton, but to be honest, that sort of contract for the type of player Shane is doesn't fit within our team salary structure," explained GM Chris Bourdeau from the Eagles' new minor league team's practice facility in Henderson, Nevada. "It was great to have him here, and he was a solid captain. The organization wishes him the best."

Doan was the third captain in Eagles' history, wearing the C since RHL14. He followed the tenures of Chris Pronger (RHL10-13) and Trevor Linden (RHL1-9). While there has been no announcement on who will replace Doan as captain, it is expected newly re-acquired Ryan Smyth will slide into Doan's role on the top line.

Doan has registered 144 goals and 356 points in his 13-year, 683-game career. His best seasons were 56 points (RHL11) and 23 goals (RHL11 and 12). Doan made $2.3M in RHL15.

Eagles roll the dice on new minor league team

-Edmonton (CP) The Edmonton Eagles announced they have signed an affiliation agreement with the Henderson, Nevada franchise of the newly formed Realistic Minor Hockey League.

The agreement will give the Eagles complete control over the development of their prospects, which will ideally translate into a smoother transition to the RHL. The Eagles will share the franchise with the Waterloo Roadkill, but Edmonton will retain day-to-day management of the squad.

The franchise is currently running a 'name-the-team' contest within the community. A panel of local celebrities, including new Eagle star Ryan Smyth, chose the four finalists. The final four are currently being voted on through the team's website. The 'Dammers' has a slight lead over second place 'Bushtit', with 'Verdin' and 'Magne' trailing well behind.

The team will play out of the 8,100 seat Hoover Arena on the shores of Lake Mead in the Las Vegas suburb. The newly-built arena features eight different casinos, including the Eagle Nest which overlooks the playing surface. Prize payouts double in all casinos for 5 minutes after the home team scores.

"The desert is a cool place," said Eagle GM Bourdeau. "And being so close to Vegas will make the scouting trips so much more enjoyable... but expensive."

The projected lineup to start the RMHL1 season is:

Forwards
Andrew Ladd - Jeff Carter - Alex Radulov
Blake Wheeler - Peterri Nokelainen - Devin Setoguchi
Jeff Tambellini - Ryan Potulny - Guillaume Latendresse
Timofei Shishkanov - Vern Fiddler - Petr Kanko

Extras: David Backes, Jared Aulin, Clarke MacArthur, Franz Neilsen, Martin Samuelsson, Paul Healey, Jeff Farkas, Derek Bekar

Defence
Jack Johnson - Chris Campoli
Danny Richmond - Kevin Bieksa
Jeff Woywitka - Shawn Belle
Scott Jackson - Roman Polak

Extras: Jim Sharrow, Darrel Scoville, Julien Vauclair

Goaltenders
Cam Ward
Petr Budaj

Extras: Jeff Glass, Corey Crawford, Dan Blackburn

My take on the Eagles' two big trades

Since this level of trade action doesn't happen very often in Edmonton (Oilers not included), I thought I'd share some insight into the two major deals struck within hours of eachother for my loyal readers. To warn you, it's a bias approach... as it should be since I made the damn trades!

Arriving: Jack Johnson (CRY1), Ryan Smyth, Guillaume Latendresse (GAR1)
Departing: Sjostrom, Fleischmann, Wellwood, Kelser, Nolan, MacLean, EAG2, cash.

The decision point for both these trades is quality over quantity. Not to seem like a braggart, because I am not, but one of the pleasant results of my hard work over the past few seasons to rebuild a prospect base is I now have many more players becoming rated then I have roster spots to accomodate them.

Yes, it is a nice situation to be in. But it still requires decisions to be made. I already have 23 players under contract for the upcoming season, and before the trades I had an additional 13 becoming rated for RHL17. Sure, the new prospect rules will certainly help to spread out when I can bring a guy up to the full roster, but there was no getting around that the Eagles were going to hit a choke point with sheer numbers--and soon.

I had two choices. Move prospects for older, rated players who can contribute now, but at a price. Or roll them over for younger prospects further away from the NHL. So I chose to go in both directions. Ryan Smyth is option A, everything else was option B.

For option B, consider it clearing the underbrush to allow other seedlings to grow, although I wouldn't call Kesler, Wellwood, Sjostrom and Fliecshmann underbrush. It's never easy to trade a solid group of young players who have already arrived inthe NHL, but I consider it growing pains to ultimately get stronger. Just like a forest ultimately gets stronger from clearing out the brush... ok, enough of the analogy.

Plus, the opportunity to trade for a #2 overall pick does not come around every day, so I took it. In 15 drafts, I have never drafted so high. It feels good.

Like I said, Smyth is a bit of an anomaly. I love the player, and to see who was probably one of my best picks ever back in an Eagle uniform is very satisfying. While it could only be for one year, it will be a great year. Ok--one more analogy. I liken it to a person who has been saving money for years, building up a nice little nest egg. They stay true to a plan for so long then they splurge and by a Corvette. Is it practical...no. Was it needed... no. Is it OK to indulge every once in a while and celebrate years of hard work... absolutely.

So I indulged with Smyth, but I made sure I did something for team's future as well--getting the #13 pick. I learnt my lesson... I will always keep a core group of prospects in the system.

So let me evaluate the trade like every other is analyzed by the so-called pundits.

Out of the entire group that exchanged hands today:

Best rated player: Ryan Smyth - EAG
Prospect with the most potential: Jack Johnson - EAG
Highest picks exchanging hands: CRY1 - EAG, GAR1 - EAG
Salary savings: $1.5M - GAR
Does it make the EAG better now? Yes
Does it ensure the future is protected? Yes (#2 and #13 pick)

The only thing I can say was a knock in the trades is the addition of $1.5M in salary to my roster. This is easily absorbed and I consider it an insurance policy should the auction go sideways and I can't resign Doan, or bring in anyone else I'm looking at.

So there. Consider the trade justified. ;)