A Weekly Look at the 2018-19 Sudbury Miners: Volume 18

A Weekly Look at the 2018-19 Sudbury Miners:  Volume 18

CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON):

Miners Weekly Record:  1 wins, 0 losses, 3 OT loss.

Miners League Standing:  33 wins, 24 losses, 10 OT Loss = 76 points total.  Currently sit in 4th place in the Canosa Conference, 9th overall in the CCHL.

Miners Special Teams:  Power Play – 21.0% (13th); Penalty Kill – 80.0% (8th)

Miners Scoring Leader:  Center Vincent Trocheck (23G – 52A = 75 pts; 11th Overall in the CCHL)

It was a busy week for the Miners, as they landed a 5 out of a possible 8 points in their four games to remain in 4th place in the Canosa Conference.  The bad news, they lost 3 of the 4 games played, but the good news was that all of their losses came via overtime or shootout.  With a little luck, the Miners could have secured a couple more points, and increased their hold on a playoff position for this season.

With the trade deadline last week, the Miners did make one minor move to address their depth on defence, sending Gustav Forsling and prospect Spencer Martin to Springfield in exchange for veteran Jason Demers.  Demers is a significant step up defensively over Forsling and will immediately slot into a top 4 role with the Miners.   He is a pending UFA after the season.

MINERS PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK:  Adrian Kempe

Kempe is a tall, solidly built forward, with the ability to play both center and wing.  He has a shoot-first tendency but is not a true goal scorer.  He is a powerful and explosive skater but is not smooth in his technique.  He has adequate stick-handling abilities, yet there’s still some room for growth when it comes to his playmaking skills and overall vision.  His defensive zone positioning is structured and composed and compliments that with an active stick.  He would benefit from playing the body a bit more in the defensive zone.  He has the potential to be a solid player but there are concerns about his true finishing touch and that will lower his status as a top CCHL scorer.

MINERS PROSPECT NEED TO KNOW:  Grigori Denisenko

Denisenko is further away from contributing in the CCHL, than some of the players in his draft class.  His high-speed puck handling, full of silky dangles and accurate passing ability, suggest that the style of game will translate over time to higher levels of competition.  He is also a fine skater, owning an explosive first few steps, a smooth stride, and agility.  The questions about Denisenko’s game, involve his seeming lack of interest away from the puck, and his ability to play physical while staying on the good side of the disciplinary line.  Expected CCHL arrival:  2021-22.