|
Post by statsman18 on Aug 29, 2023 20:04:22 GMT -4
Just be patient. There's no rush right now. That 20 spot will be filled before long, and we should have an offense that's at least 2 lines deep. We had a very, very similar start last year, the team is deep enough to compete in the first half. It's deju. The exact same conversation was had last season. They weren't good enough, they had to sell lol. Turned out ok after all! The team doesn't have to be a finished product right now. We don't have to have answers to every question, or every roster spot written in stone. As Citris said, patience. It’s different though. Last year we knew that L’Heureux would be coming back from his injury and it was like getting a free player at the trade deadline. Plus we had Boucher as a 20yo that is a potential 30 goal scorer. This team doesn’t have that.
|
|
|
Post by nsvees on Aug 29, 2023 20:35:29 GMT -4
The topic of discussion right now in terms of Top prospects is really really really low, lol, I have a feeling that Cam is tired and he's not getting us exciting as usual during an important pre-season year where we could be going for it. I will be patient, but right now I do not feel it at all....I still think that the plan of selling Furlong and Dumais or any other combination of our top guys might be the play this year, while keeping a chance to perform at the top 4 team. I really do not see us making some big moves, but I really hope that I am wrong. Just be patient. There's no rush right now. That 20 spot will be filled before long, and we should have an offense that's at least 2 lines deep. We had a very, very similar start last year, the team is deep enough to compete in the first half. I'm in this camp; be patient. To me, they could see how things go in the first half (until the holiday break), see where they are, then adjust accordingly. Are they a top contender now, no, but they have room to add. If things so sour in the first half, they could look to sell. I don't think this'll happen, I don't think things go sour, barring something unforeseen, just trying to envision scenarios. New owner likely wants to go big, but they aren't loaded with assets (they do have some, but some in the draft pick pool has been traded away; do they have any high end prospects who aren't ready yet, but will be in the next year or two? Some on here would know better than me), unless they use the current roster as futures, something they haven't done historically. The owner might want this, but will Cam Russell?
|
|
|
Post by canbeer on Aug 30, 2023 12:16:19 GMT -4
Roelens makes a ton of sense. There was a rumor going around that he had no intention of reporting to Bathurst. He's my number 1 target personally. He might be the best face-off man in the league this year, he'll probably perform at about a ppg pace and has size the Mooseheads lack. I’m not the biggest Rolens fan. Mind you most of what I’ve seen from him is from the series with Halifax last year. He seemed to struggle in the circle in that series. He did have his tough to handle moments, that size with some skill is unique but I also remember a young Martin having good battles with him as well. That said, he would certainly check some boxes… good size, can provide offence, centre (allows Cataford to the wing) and good in the circle (take your word for it, I hate the Q site right now). If the price was “reasonable”. It would be interesting to know who is on Cam’s list. He was patient in adding the right (and more costly) 20s last year but didn’t hesitate to roll the dice on a cheap Huard in the meantime. Maybe we’re just seeing the same this year just with a free Fournier vs. a cheap Huard. As interesting as some of these guys are to us, I wonder if maybe they’re just not Cam’s target.
|
|
|
Post by Citris on Aug 30, 2023 12:37:40 GMT -4
I’m not the biggest Rolens fan. Mind you most of what I’ve seen from him is from the series with Halifax last year. He seemed to struggle in the circle in that series. He did have his tough to handle moments, that size with some skill is unique but I also remember a young Martin having good battles with him as well. That said, he would certainly check some boxes… good size, can provide offence, centre (allows Cataford to the wing) and good in the circle (take your word for it, I hate the Q site right now). If the price was “reasonable”. It would be interesting to know who is on Cam’s list. He was patient in adding the right (and more costly) 20s last year but didn’t hesitate to roll the dice on a cheap Huard in the meantime. Maybe we’re just seeing the same this year just with a free Fournier vs. a cheap Huard. As interesting as some of these guys are to us, I wonder if maybe they’re just not Cam’s target. He's good, but Lawrence was dominant and ate him up. He only won about 37% of faceoffs against Halifax, and I think that was due to two factors, 1- he was always matched up against Lawrence and 2- he was over-played. His average usually hovers around 53%... which means I probably over-valued that skill but it's still a net-positive. (with the website being so janky sometimes it's hard to fact-check myself lol) Regardless, in terms of volume he took a lot... on a team with Vidicek he wouldn't be relied on to take every key face-off like he was in Sherbrooke. If not Roelens, I would like to see an OA center brought in. I guess it's just a wait-and-see game right now.
|
|
|
Post by tarkus on Aug 30, 2023 13:04:10 GMT -4
The quality of 20s this year doesn’t have a lot of star power. Sure there’s some good 20s but none that come with the star power of Lawrence or Doucet. Maybe someone will come out the gates flying and really impress but right now there might not be a 20 out year that Cam really wants 🤷🏼♂️
|
|
|
Post by Briwhel on Aug 30, 2023 13:19:16 GMT -4
The quality of 20s this year doesn’t have a lot of star power. Sure there’s some good 20s but none that come with the star power of Lawrence or Doucet. Maybe someone will come out the gates flying and really impress but right now there might not be a 20 out year that Cam really wants 🤷🏼♂️ Justin Gill says hi
|
|
|
Post by canbeer on Aug 30, 2023 13:55:54 GMT -4
The quality of 20s this year doesn’t have a lot of star power. Sure there’s some good 20s but none that come with the star power of Lawrence or Doucet. Maybe someone will come out the gates flying and really impress but right now there might not be a 20 out year that Cam really wants 🤷🏼♂️ Justin Gill says hi That’s kind of my thinking, not that Gill is the target (though he could be) but in the thinking that top guys are not out there and Cam’s plan. There wasn’t exactly an abundance of Lawrence and Doucet 20 year olds last year… those guys were both 50(+) goal scorers and ended 2nd and 3rd in scoring. Cam took his time and literally got the two best guys. We’re discussing guys that are top 30 maybe some only top 50ish… maybe that’s not the target.
|
|
|
Post by howitzer on Aug 30, 2023 14:25:14 GMT -4
That’s kind of my thinking, not that Gill is the target (though he could be) but in the thinking that top guys are not out there and Cam’s plan. There wasn’t exactly an abundance of Lawrence and Doucet 20 year olds last year… those guys were both 50(+) goal scorers and ended 2nd and 3rd in scoring. Cam took his time and literally got the two best guys. We’re discussing guys that are top 30 maybe some only top 50ish… maybe that’s not the target. Agree. Some of the names mentioned fill a void, but do they really improve the team that much? Maybe Cam likes the cost of a Huckins or Roelens, but isn't crazy over the player.
|
|
|
Post by tarkus on Aug 30, 2023 14:25:46 GMT -4
That’s kind of my thinking, not that Gill is the target (though he could be) but in the thinking that top guys are not out there and Cam’s plan. There wasn’t exactly an abundance of Lawrence and Doucet 20 year olds last year… those guys were both 50(+) goal scorers and ended 2nd and 3rd in scoring. Cam took his time and literally got the two best guys. We’re discussing guys that are top 30 maybe some only top 50ish… maybe that’s not the target. Gill has already been traded. Not to say he couldn’t be traded again but doubt he’s available at the moment unless you overpay. Victo got two really good 20s but they seem poised to be a contender so doubt they will be available. After that the 20 pool is pretty shallow compared to years past.
|
|
|
Post by Citris on Aug 30, 2023 14:31:56 GMT -4
The other thing about Gill is the Drakkar got him for a reason. They want to be good this year, and they have the roster to be a top-8 team in this league.
You need to win to bring guys like Poirier along. Gill isn't a spare there, he's a very good piece.
If the Drakkar do decide to sell at Christmas, I imagine they'd be looking for a competent 20 back in the deal, plus draft picks.
|
|
|
Post by hfxfan2002 on Aug 30, 2023 15:09:39 GMT -4
I haven’t checked the other boards, has there been any word on where Peter Reynolds is playing next season?
|
|
|
Post by prospectsfinest on Aug 30, 2023 15:14:37 GMT -4
Or Cameron Whynot any word on where he's playing this year?
|
|
|
Post by Citris on Aug 30, 2023 15:21:13 GMT -4
I haven’t checked the other boards, has there been any word on where Peter Reynolds is playing next season? Reynolds is listed as a Sea Dog still. Reynolds, Gauthier, and Leaver will be the 3 20's there.
|
|
|
Post by Briwhel on Aug 30, 2023 15:24:22 GMT -4
I haven’t checked the other boards, has there been any word on where Peter Reynolds is playing next season? Reynolds is listed as a Sea Dog still. Reynolds, Gauthier, and Leaver will be the 3 20's there. Reynolds has been in camp since it began, but SJ didn't have him playing scrimmages/preseason so far.
|
|
|
Post by Citris on Aug 30, 2023 15:25:24 GMT -4
That's not overly unusual, I mean none of Halifax Vets have played yet.
|
|