ITG Heroes and Prospects – Packs 7 and 8

Here are packs 7 and 8.  Unfortunately nothing to write home about.

Mike Santorelli – C – Nashville – 2004 – 6th round – Hanging on as a prospect, he joined the ranks of the AHL last season and put up a 21-21-42 line in 80 games.  This year, he has done even better grinding out a line of 22-40-62 in 63 games played.  He was on the Thrashers briefly this year, but only for 6 games and not scoring any points.  Could be a threat to make the lineup next season.

Justin Azevedo – C – Kings – 2008 – 6th round – He had a fantastic final season for the Kitchener Rangers when he went 43-81-124 in just 67 games.  He was then moved up to the Manchester Monarchs where he has gone 10-21-31 in 36 games.  An excellent pace and at only 20 he is still growing into the position.

Brian Lee – D – Senators – 2005 – 1st round – He was called up earlier this season and has done very well working the point for the Senators.  This season in the NHL he has gotten himself a 2-9-11 line in 44 games.  He’s only 21 so the best is yet to come, which is very exciting if you are a Senator fan.

Alexander Ovechkin – LW – I am not an Alexander O fan, simply because I’m a Hurricanes fan.  Still I can’t deny that he is a monster offensively.  His numbers in the NHL are 213-191-404 in 316 career games.  He is a great player and a sure fire Hall of Famer. One of my biggest mistake was missing out on a chance to meet him at a Durham Bulls game during the year he was drafted.  He along with everyone else that was a top 10 pick that year.  Oh well, maybe I’ll meet him at the All Star game down here in a few years.

Philippe Cornet – LW – Oilers – 2008 – 5th round – He had a nice year at Rimouski Oceanic last year when he went 23-26-49 in just 61 games.  This season he is also at Rimouski and really putting the petal to the metal.  In just 63 games he is 29-48-77 and definitely in line to get a crack at the Oilers lineup next season.

Landon Ferraro – C – Draft Eligible in 2009 – As a sophomore he put up a nice season when he went 13-11-24 in 54 games last year.  This year he did one better as he has gone 37-18-55 in 68 games.  He will probably play one more season in the juniors even after being drafted.

Brayden Schenn – C – Draft Eligible in 2009 – Last season was his first with the Brandon Wheat Kings and he went off to the tune of 28-43-71 in 66 games.  This year he has turned it up a notch as he has gone 32-56-88 in 70 games.  He should be a first round draft pick at the end of the season, but should spend one more year in the juniors.  He might very well be better than his brother Luke in the end.

Julian Talbot – C – Blues – Free Agent signing – Another one of the last leg prospects as he will be 25 years old this year.  Last season for Peoria he went 24-26-50 in 78 games.  This year has been more of the same as he put up 16-19-35 this season in 53 games.  Looks like more AHL time for him even next season.

Alexander Nikulin – C – Senators – 2004 – 4th round – He put up a solid season for the Binghampton Senators last season, when he put up 14-36-50.  This season he was traded to the Coyotes and played the season in San Antonio, but has only managed to put up a 6-16-22 this season.  He needs to put up better numbers if he wants a chance to crack any roster let alone the lowly Coyotes.

Greg Nemisz – RW – Flames – 2008 – 1st round – The 25th overall pick in last season’s draft put up nice numbers for Windsonr 34-33-67 in 68 games.  This season so far he has improved to 36-41-77.  While he might not get the nod in Calgary next season he should be in the AHL.

Pack Grade – 2.0/5.0 – A lot of prospects and one Ovechkin.