|
Post by cb67 on Oct 18, 2014 23:11:58 GMT -4
Second thread I've started since I joined the board but I was just curious as to hear everyone's opinion on how things have been going so far.
Obviously it's still only early, however, the team is below 500 and a far piece right now from the teams that were also predicted to do well from the get-go.
Goal tending? - Chemistry? - Defense? -Age? - Coaching? - Early Season Blips?
Just curious to hear what everyone thinks of the season thus far.
Not in anyway raising a white flag and calling for heads, just making for a little discussion.
IMO It seems even tho some D are experienced we still have to remember that some of those guys are still only 17 years old probably skating backwards wondering what color tux they're going to wear to prom. Still young guys that another season on the blue line will pay dividends for.
On another note I think goal tending has to be better. I'm not saying Brassard has to steal us games but I think he has to be a lot better If we plan to win more than we lose...
Brunelle was a brute last night and it would be nice to see the team rally behind his performance and strike the spark that sends this team into the direction that I think they're built to go.
|
|
|
Post by jamesnorris on Oct 18, 2014 23:50:53 GMT -4
I don't have a problem watching the current defense because I'm still thinking next year is more important than this year. They make some young guy mistakes but that's how you have to learn. Nosella is the only D older than 18 and he's not even overage quality.
The goaltending is exactly what it's been since 2010, uninspired.
I don't fully understand what's going on with the current forward group. Like the defense, it's still extremely young. Brunelle, Farrell, and Darcy are the only regulars over 18 giving the eagles a total of 5 players that are probably in their last year as Eagles (unless Brunelle does what he did last night consistently I guess). Lines have been juggled so much and I don't understand some of the calls (like splitting up Farrell & Svechnikov when they were so good together early).
This team is still one of the youngest teams in the QMJHL so I'm content being patient.
|
|
|
Post by emerz on Oct 19, 2014 0:01:02 GMT -4
I still think next year is our big year, getting Darcy back made my expectations for the current season higher.
Our defense is still very young, and our forward group still has another whole year of developing to go before our big run.
Goaltending is just below average, can't beat that dead horse anymore.
We're undoubtedly going to be a better team after Christmas, we need 20's for next year anyway so Dumont should spend some of our picks on the best 19 year old available in my opinion.
Right now our record is definitely not reflecting the skill on our roster though, I was expecting a record of slightly above .600 this year, not below .500.
|
|
|
Post by mooseinfo on Oct 19, 2014 0:11:32 GMT -4
I still think next year is our big year, getting Darcy back made my expectations for the current season higher. Our defense is still very young, and our forward group still has another whole year of developing to go before our big run. Goaltending is just below average, can't beat that dead horse anymore. We're undoubtedly going to be a better team after Christmas, we need 20's for next year anyway so Dumont should spend some of our picks on the best 19 year old available in my opinion. Right now our record is definitely not reflecting the skill on our roster though, I was expecting a record of slightly above .600 this year, not below .500. I think you mean the best avail 19yr old that returns. Often not the best player and not exactly an easy thing to predict. But ya that would be best as a longer run this year usually is a way to get experience for a championship season. A couple extra skilled players likely kick starts the team too since chemistry likely cant be upset as it is.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2014 9:40:47 GMT -4
A lot of people think that next year is our year, so with that being said at the deadline this season to we trade Darcy to a better contender? Why hold on to him if he can get us the assets needed for next years supposed run?
I think our record at Christmas time will be the deciding factor to if we go all in this season or not. As previously discussed in other topics, our shelves are stockpiled at this moment and we do have some wiggle room to acquire players at the deadline who will benefit our club for this seasons run.
Our 19 year old depth chart is slim and with Brunelle being the best player on our club the other night, with a little more time and some work he could be back as a versatile 20 year old (IN MY OPINION). He's got more points this season then he has last year, some of the penalties against him are borderline but at least he's playing his hardest every shift, I never once seen him take a shift off although he can make mistakes (doesn't everyone though).
As for our goaltending .. when we went out and got Brassard I was a little iffy at first. Up to this point in the season I have watched 90% of games online and all home games, I have not seen anything in Brassard that warrants him a starter other than his 20 year old status. Sullivan is not a starter either.
So where I think we lay on paper is we have an extremely strong forward core who are currently lacking heart (not everyone of course). Hard work is what won the Mooseheads the game the other night. Taking the puck wide, driving the net, dirty gritty goals all resulted in attributing to their win against us the other night along with a goaltender who stood on his head which some nights you'll need.
Our defence .. personally and this is my own opinion once again, I have never thought much of Nosella. He makes safe plays, but I just don't think he has the calibre to be in the QMJHL. I'd rather Gareth Nicholson over him. Some of our defence is young, but that's when we need guys like Loik, Deschamps and MacIntyre to step up and lead the way for us. We seem to be getting beat wide quite often by quicker teams and there needs to be some sort of plan in place by Dumont when facing these clubs.
All in all, I think IF we plan on contending we need a goaltender, a top 4 defencemen and another player who adds grit but can also put the puck in the net.
IF we decide to go all in for NEXT year, we need to acquire a 19 year old goaltender who is PROVEN to win and add some 19 yo's as our depth chart on them is slim.
Once again, all of this is just MY opinion.
|
|
|
Post by jamesnorris on Oct 19, 2014 10:21:58 GMT -4
A lot of people think that next year is our year, so with that being said at the deadline this season to we trade Darcy to a better contender? Why hold on to him if he can get us the assets needed for next years supposed run? I think our record at Christmas time will be the deciding factor to if we go all in this season or not. As previously discussed in other topics, our shelves are stockpiled at this moment and we do have some wiggle room to acquire players at the deadline who will benefit our club for this seasons run. I agree that the record at Christmas will be extremely important but I think even if CB isn't going all in, keeping Darcy isn't a bad idea. It's not like CB needs more assets, like you said the cupboard is stockpiled with assets. He could help this young team be competitive in the playoffs and still try making a run. The longer CB is in the playoffs, the more experience these young guys get for next year. Unless Darcy is traded for a 19 year old that plays at the same level (which would make no sense for the team getting Darcy) there's no need for even more assets (picks). I agree with a lot of the rest of YOUR OPINION
|
|
|
Post by Jack Bauer on Oct 19, 2014 17:40:51 GMT -4
I think experience and chemistry are the biggest things holding the team back.
The makeup of the team having so many strong 18yr olds and 2 dynamite 20s is that you need to buy this year but not players like Fucale but more of a Murphy type who should return as a 20.
I think Murphy is a good case study to use to show our creative buying potential. He cost Halifax a strong 19 who was an impact 20 plus 2 1sts with a 2nd going to Halifax.
If we look at our higher end youth like Bell or Dubois and look at the picks we have we can theoretically make 2 trades like that and add 2 strong 20s for next year while hoping to add to the experience and chemistry for this year as well and we still keep a pile of good young assets.
Realistically we make 1 deal like that and bring in 2 or 3 other 19s and hope we have at least 2 strong 20s for next year from that group.
|
|
|
Post by jamesnorris on Oct 19, 2014 17:46:26 GMT -4
I think Murphy is a good case study to use to show our creative buying potential. He cost Halifax a strong 19 who was an impact 20 plus 2 1sts with a 2nd going to Halifax. I'd check myself if I wasn't on my phone but how old was Murphy when that trade happened? 16 or 17?
|
|
|
Post by Y Ddraig Goch on Oct 19, 2014 18:09:27 GMT -4
I think Murphy is a good case study to use to show our creative buying potential. He cost Halifax a strong 19 who was an impact 20 plus 2 1sts with a 2nd going to Halifax. I'd check myself if I wasn't on my phone but how old was Murphy when that trade happened? 16 or 17? 17
|
|
|
Post by looneytunes on Oct 19, 2014 20:23:06 GMT -4
That is Norris' point. Half the reason he cost so much was his age at the time.
|
|
|
Post by EagleFan2009 on Oct 19, 2014 20:27:00 GMT -4
These are the type of threads that need to happen more often. Great posts by everyone.
I don't think Darcy goes anywhere. As said, the cupboards are filled enough. I don't think the all in will happen.
I do hope as JB said we do acquire 2 year players.
Will Halifax even be selling this year? I don't follow other boards so I didn't even know elhers was back until Friday night. If they do, Murphy would be a great addition.
I do agree with the nosella part of your post, I never liked him last year but he has improved since then.
Farrell and Darcy looked a lot better together today ( takes time to adjust back to junior ). As pat said on the broadcast, the chemistry is growing every game.
Like someone posted, win or lose, I want a team that plays with heart, every shift, every game.
|
|
|
Post by Jack Bauer on Oct 19, 2014 21:44:56 GMT -4
That is Norris' point. Half the reason he cost so much was his age at the time. Thats actually my point. In that trade we are like Val d'Or moving the youth and picks for experience.
|
|
|
Post by jamesnorris on Oct 19, 2014 22:56:20 GMT -4
and I didn't have a point lol was just asking his age at the time of the trade.
In the JB example it would essentially be Bell or Lalonde & a 2nd for a 19 year old that will also be an overage & 2 1sts.
I still don't really like the idea of moving one of those young guys even though its a huge haul. It would have to be a pretty significant 19 year old D.
|
|
|
Post by Porkchop on Oct 20, 2014 9:23:38 GMT -4
CB could win the league this year with an upgrade in goal....they have scored 60 goals which is the most in the league right now.....but they have allowed only 2 less goals against than the worst teams in the league. Spend one of those 1st rounders on a top goalie and this team could surprise a lot of people. Swap Brassard to Saint John with a 1st rounder for Auger and you would be set.
|
|
|
Post by mooseinfo on Oct 20, 2014 9:39:07 GMT -4
CB could win the league this year with an upgrade in goal....they have scored 60 goals which is the most in the league right now.....but they have allowed only 2 less goals against than the worst teams in the league. Spend one of those 1st rounders on a top goalie and this team could surprise a lot of people. Swap Brassard to Saint John with a 1st rounder for Auger and you would be set. Good luck getting that trade done with SJ in 1st or 2nd come Xmas.
|
|