Horcoff Article

Good to see an article on this guy as I think he simply gets lost in the shuffle most of the time. If you look at his career, Horcoff was a slow starter even at Michigan State where it took him a few years to really get adjusted to the game. He's a ruthlessly hard-worker and a great leader on the team as well.

As for him being a possible 40 goal scorer, I think that's quite ambitious. His shooting percentage was at an almost career high last year and if Cole ends up on the top line I could see him taking away from of Horcoff's potential goals on the year.

I do think that 70 points is pretty much guaranteed for him if he stays healthy this year though - and people forget that. Just as the season ended last year I was able to snag Horcoff AND a 2nd round draft pick for Brad Boyes in a straight up points only keeper league. I think I made out rather well.

One other comment on the topic of guys working out hard in the offseason - I used to put a lot of stock in it as a possible indicator of how a player 'might' turn out the following year. After last year I've completely thrown it out as any kind of indicator. With the Oilers in particular some of the guys who worked out the hardest (Torres for one) ended up not impressing at all.

good point on the working out... i think part of the problem comes from the news source that is reporting that.

did the journalist visit the gym, get an honest opinion from the trainer, compare the player to others? probably not. most likely he got a quote from someone (maybe the player, maybe the coach, maybe an eklund source ) and then hustled it into the article thats due by 7 PM tonight, post haste! haha... you get what i mean?

some sources i trust. i trust the columbus guys when they say that voracek is training hard, because he's training with Blue Jackets trainer, Barry Brennen, and that guy had a big hand in Columbus' improved start and steadier finish last season... roster-wide.

i also trust any report that says a player is working out with Chris Chelios... that guy is a beast.

there are youtube videos with Bernier training at Gagner's facility in Ontario.

angus wrote:
there are youtube videos with Bernier training at Gagner's facility in Ontario.
that sounds pretty good to me.

nice, training on the accelerator, eh? that thing almost made me puke once. coupled with a good trainer (which i'm sure they have), it's one of the best ways to get better at skating.

horcoff plays on an explosive offensive oilers team..
i peg him for 30-40 goals this year...
i believe he may even outscore boyes in points for sure but probaly goals too..

doulos you made out like a bandit !!!!!!!

Most of the reports I had read/heard were from multiple sources as well, though some of what you say could very well be true.

Either way I've pretty much ruled out the whole hardworking thing as much of an indicator. At this level I assume everyone works hard and if I hear someone 'didn't' then that's a red flag!

well yea - everyone works hard, but you have to look for changes in work habits. Bernier has been dogged with lazy and out of shape comments since he was in the Q. Now it appears that he is going to take the next step physically (mentally as well one would think), and he is walking into a potential gold mine of a situation with the Sedin twins.

angus, you've sold me on bernier, i think. i've been watching vids of him from the past year and i see the potential you're talking about. a bunch of hustle combined with his size and hands could be dangerous.

i would be surprised if horcoff scored more goals than boyes. more points, yes.

Bernier may become by Brent Burns of 07-08, and my Zach Parise of 06-07. He's definitely up there.