Rise of the Dark Horse: Why the Avs should draft Josh Shalla in 2011
by TheBrandyBarrelRescueTeam on Jan 12, 2011 1:50 PM MST
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...Size, grit, and scoring ability. All of these can describe Saginaw Spirit LWer Josh Shalla, who at age 19 remains undrafted by an NHL team. His size of 6'2 203lbs and scoring ability (which is featured in the OHL Network story below) would be an incredible asset for the Avalanche on left wing. Currently I do not see him even listed in the first round by various mock draft sites; but his stock could rise very soon with this story courtesy of the OHL Network:
Josh Shalla on historic Saginaw Spirit pace for goals scored (http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/article/josh-shalla-on-historic-saginaw-spirit-pace-for-goals-scored). After seeing film of Josh Shalla, his game is very similar to All-Star Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets; and his size is eerily similar too. If Josh Shalla's game could be anywhere near that of Rick Nash, he would certainly be a dark horse pick indeed.
Joey Hishon was the unexpected pick of the Colorado Avalanche at No. 17 in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; surprising pundit and fan alike. Hishon, who has been on a tear this year putting up points in bunches, is currently 4th in the OHL in scoring. It would appear that the gamble the Avalanche made with Hishon might actually pay off. It is possible that Hishon may very well have been the "dark horse" of the 2010 Draft, but this remains to be seen until he can make the jump to the NHL and can repeat the production of his junior career. With the Avs again looking at picking in the uncertain "middle-of-the-road" of the first round of the 2011 draft, should the Avs gamble the pick on another dark horse? My answer is: why not?
According to the mock draft site mynhldraft.com it currently has the Avs picking at #20 in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota, and has the strong puck moving center Victor Rask going to the Avs. While it would be a dream to have a 6'2 200lbs Swedish center described as having "amazing puck moving abilities" going to the Burgundy and Blue, it is highly unlikely that he will still be there by the time the Avs are picking. But it is still too early to tell where the Avs will be picking by the time summer rolls around, but it is always fun to look to the future.
Josh Shalla LW L 6.02 203 Sep. 25, 1991 Whitby, ON Saginaw Spirit
So what do you think after reading that story?
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Nice to meet you Mrs. Shalla’. I’m pleased to see you are so supportive of your relatively unknown son. Do you have any other scouting tips?
"I just had a chicken finger and it was terrific." Gary Bettman
Again, im not related to Shalla LOL. My name is Ryan, nice to meet you all!
by TheBrandyBarrelRescueTeam on Jan 12, 2011 2:25 PM MST up reply actions
This is a direct quote from the OHL Network story on him:
“Shalla is still getting used to scoring at a pace with the league’s best. A fourth-round OHL draft pick, he played only six games as a rookie and managed only 20 points in his sophomore season. Last year’s 32-goal performance served as his breakout year, but wasn’t enough to get him drafted by the NHL in his first eligible season.”
That is my guess as of why no one took him. It looks like he has overcome a lot to even get to the level he is at with Saginaw
by TheBrandyBarrelRescueTeam on Jan 12, 2011 2:20 PM MST reply actions
LOL No I am not related to Shalla!
My name is Ryan, im new here and its nice to meet you all! I should have introduced myself!
by TheBrandyBarrelRescueTeam on Jan 12, 2011 2:22 PM MST up reply actions
I haven’t seen him play but getting passed over last year could be due to one of many things. Perhaps his skating was not good enough (anyone remember Abid?), maybe his goals are less to do about his shot and more about…? If you look at his numbers his draft year… they were good… on a very good OHL team.
I could see someone using a 3rd or 4th round pick on him or possibly a late 2nd if a team really likes him but his playoff scoring and second year (first full) probably caused some hesitation.
2010-11 Colorado Avalanche: The Asskickers of the Amazing
that was a heck of a first post, Ryan.
welcome!
I am the most humble blogger of all time
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 12, 2011 9:22 PM MST reply actions
Thank you sir! I look forward to contributing to Mile High Hockey! I have been a LONG time reader of the site and first time poster. I felt like the time was right to jump into the fray. Sorry that I wasn’t there last night for the Live Thread of the Avs-Blackhawks game; but it didn’t look like the Avs were there either….
by TheBrandyBarrelRescueTeam on Jan 13, 2011 10:57 AM MST up reply actions
Zing!
Already fitting in…
The Avs defense is "air tight"....so tight it's gasping for air and turning purple.
by Americanario on Jan 13, 2011 6:45 PM MST up reply actions
this, nicely done
It's all about the A-nderson
by Cole D Hamilton on Jan 13, 2011 4:51 PM MST up reply actions
I think there should have been a 5th option – Best Player Available.
With very few exceptions, draft picks stay in Junior, or head to the minor leagues for a few years. Draft for talent, trade for need.
Detroit is peopled entirely by slovenly ill-informed troglodytes, excepting of course the few Avalanche fans who are victims of unfortunate circumstance.
In a way I totally agree with you, Joey Hishon would not have been my pick last year in the draft. Honestly I felt there were a lot better players available, but I am glad that he is at least showing that he has a drive to be great; we will see how that plays out in the NHL for him. In the future I will add that 5th option :)
by TheBrandyBarrelRescueTeam on Jan 13, 2011 10:59 AM MST up reply actions
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