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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 25, 2008 16:28:42 GMT -4
A fan is someone who supports its team. So get on the bandwagon or get off the pot. I don't think it's a question of supporting or not supporting the team. It's wether they are a top contender or not. Right now it's pretty safe to say they are up there with the top 4-5 teams in the Q. Wether they are THE top team or not, we'll have to wait another couple of months. Quebec and Shawinigan also look really good so far, SJ and Drummondville are rounding into form also. The gooed thing for the Cats is they are young enough that they don't have to "load up" this year, they can stand pat and still have a strong core of 16-18 players back next year including everybody on defense except possibly Boyle.
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Post by Dalkiel on Oct 25, 2008 16:33:32 GMT -4
Best ga av. best D. or top 3 Goalie has best save % Only dropped 2pts on possible 30 Best pen kill in the league Med pack on Offence Rang #3 in canada And you don't want to jump on the bandwagon yet , you dont deserve to be a wildcats fan!!!!!! You realize he is right, don't you? The Wildcats have not played games against contending teams on a consistant basis. As far as I can see, they have played exactly three games against teams that are at or should be near the top... Shawinigan at home, Saint John at home, Cape Breton on the road... in one of those games, the Cats had to come from 0-2 down to win (Shawinigan... and I give them full marks... but that IS how the game played out)... the game against Saint John was an OT loss. I'm not counting the first game against Saint John as they were missing something like 9 or 10 regulars... we were missing four I believe. So no, the Cats have not had alot of experience playing other top teams this year... and as far as him "not being on the bandwagon"... that's his business. He's a fan... but just because he's willing to accept the record so far for what it is does not make him less of one. However, I'm a firm believer that people who like to consider him less of a fan for it are incredibly shortsighted and self absorbed... so congrats for that. As for me... I'm not 100% convinced the team is a top flight contender. However, they keep giving me more reasons to resist those thoughts. We all knew they would improve over last year... but my god, have they ever been impressive. Well said, I completly agree.... The Cats in my opinion continue to pass each test with flying colours, we haven't seen Que and Rim but they do deserve a ton of respect. Tomorrows game will be yet another important test. I think December, if they are still atop of the league then they have to be considered a favorite. I think most people (myself inclueded) put the Cats around 6-8th overall, I'd change my opinion to top 4 now, maybe 5th. This year has been a very pleasant surprise but if it were up to me I wiuldn't lose focus on next year. I think us Cats fans have been spoiled over the past 5 years with some great teams....the 04-05 we went to the finals, 05-06 mem cup year, 06-07 was a great hangover considering the team we had, 07-08 sure we were second last but for that to be our one bum year at least the well majority of games were very entertaining and we played with most teams just about every night and lastly this year has been 2 poins short of perfect so far (hope I don't jinx us). Another note is the future (with draft picks and an excellent coaching/GM staff) looks very bright. I think its safe to say we are among the elite CHL organizations.
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Post by Arnold Slick on Oct 25, 2008 17:02:45 GMT -4
You realize he is right, don't you? The Wildcats have not played games against contending teams on a consistant basis. As far as I can see, they have played exactly three games against teams that are at or should be near the top... Shawinigan at home, Saint John at home, Cape Breton on the road... in one of those games, the Cats had to come from 0-2 down to win (Shawinigan... and I give them full marks... but that IS how the game played out)... the game against Saint John was an OT loss. I'm not counting the first game against Saint John as they were missing something like 9 or 10 regulars... we were missing four I believe. So no, the Cats have not had alot of experience playing other top teams this year... and as far as him "not being on the bandwagon"... that's his business. He's a fan... but just because he's willing to accept the record so far for what it is does not make him less of one. However, I'm a firm believer that people who like to consider him less of a fan for it are incredibly shortsighted and self absorbed... so congrats for that. As for me... I'm not 100% convinced the team is a top flight contender. However, they keep giving me more reasons to resist those thoughts. We all knew they would improve over last year... but my god, have they ever been impressive. Well said, I completly agree.... The Cats in my opinion continue to pass each test with flying colours, we haven't seen Que and Rim but they do deserve a ton of respect. Tomorrows game will be yet another important test. I think December, if they are still atop of the league then they have to be considered a favorite. I think most people (myself inclueded) put the Cats around 6-8th overall, I'd change my opinion to top 4 now, maybe 5th. This year has been a very pleasant surprise but if it were up to me I wiuldn't lose focus on next year. I think us Cats fans have been spoiled over the past 5 years with some great teams....the 04-05 we went to the finals, 05-06 mem cup year, 06-07 was a great hangover considering the team we had, 07-08 sure we were second last but for that to be our one bum year at least the well majority of games were very entertaining and we played with most teams just about every night and lastly this year has been 2 poins short of perfect so far (hope I don't jinx us). Another note is the future (with draft picks and an excellent coaching/GM staff) looks very bright. I think its safe to say we are among the elite CHL organizations. Actually we lost in the 2nd round in 04/05 but made the Final in 03/04. Either way point taken on Cats fans being pretty spoiled over the last while. Can you imagine being a PEI fan? I can't
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Post by mikeb on Oct 25, 2008 20:47:12 GMT -4
A fan is someone who supports its team. So get on the bandwagon or get off the pot. I don't think it's a question of supporting or not supporting the team. It's wether they are a top contender or not. Right now it's pretty safe to say they are up there with the top 4-5 teams in the Q. Wether they are THE top team or not, we'll have to wait another couple of months. Quebec and Shawinigan also look really good so far, SJ and Drummondville are rounding into form also. The gooed thing for the Cats is they are young enough that they don't have to "load up" this year, they can stand pat and still have a strong core of 16-18 players back next year including everybody on defense except possibly Boyle. You could make some trades to make a decent effort to go for it this year and still have a solid core coming back. Gatineau won 2 President's Cup back to back and Moncton could do it easily if they make the committment to this year as well. The team has an abundance of young players the team drafted who were sent down to MAAA and the large number of draft picks in 2009, it's not a stretch that the team could pick up some key elements to make the run this year
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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 25, 2008 21:07:05 GMT -4
I don't think it's a question of supporting or not supporting the team. It's wether they are a top contender or not. Right now it's pretty safe to say they are up there with the top 4-5 teams in the Q. Wether they are THE top team or not, we'll have to wait another couple of months. Quebec and Shawinigan also look really good so far, SJ and Drummondville are rounding into form also. The gooed thing for the Cats is they are young enough that they don't have to "load up" this year, they can stand pat and still have a strong core of 16-18 players back next year including everybody on defense except possibly Boyle. You could make some trades to make a decent effort to go for it this year and still have a solid core coming back. Gatineau won 2 President's Cup back to back and Moncton could do it easily if they make the committment to this year as well. The team has an abundance of young players the team drafted who were sent down to MAAA and the large number of draft picks in 2009, it's not a stretch that the team could pick up some key elements to make the run this year The only thing about making moves is that sometimes you mess with chemistry and put more pressure on your team than is needed. I'm sure if they can add another skilled 20 year old d-man for a 2nd or 3rd, that would be a positive move, unless Leahy really steps up and becomes a key player. Once roski is healthy you can put him in for Leahy and you don't lose much. Of couse that depends on how Dimitruk and Jodoin look by midseason.
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Post by CrazyJoeDavola on Oct 25, 2008 23:04:54 GMT -4
Without a big trade or two, I dont think Moncton are league champs, likely not even finalists. Great start to the season, but as its pointed out, not a lot of tough games, tough trips etc, teams have missed players to camp etc. Right now, if they were to win the league, they would have to follow the Lewy model of a couple years ago... very well coached, play as a team, keep the games low scoring. Problem is, Riopel is no Bernier IMO, and Randy Cameron is no Cliche Even with the strongest "team" Lewy still had some big talent...Perron, Denny, Giliati, Marshall (who was great in playoffs) etc. Moncton dont have a "go to" guy or guys. Who is the big offensive threat? Who is the deadly guy on the PP? Is Barberio a championship team calibre #1/PP QB? Come playoff time, the other top teams with some higher end talent already, WILL be making trades like the contenders of last year did. Can you go into a long playoff run needing Ted Stephens and Scott Brannon to produce? I'm not downgrading Moncton's success so far... they are doing it again with great coaching and a team all pulling in the same direction. But I dont see how that roster, if left alone for the most part, could end up in the finals let alone win the league title. I think you will need some big trades (mainly skilled offensive players) to have a legitimate shot.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 25, 2008 23:48:45 GMT -4
Without a big trade or two, I dont think Moncton are league champs, likely not even finalists. Great start to the season, but as its pointed out, not a lot of tough games, tough trips etc, teams have missed players to camp etc. Right now, if they were to win the league, they would have to follow the Lewy model of a couple years ago... very well coached, play as a team, keep the games low scoring. Problem is, Riopel is no Bernier IMO, and Randy Cameron is no Cliche Even with the strongest "team" Lewy still had some big talent...Perron, Denny, Giliati, Marshall (who was great in playoffs) etc. Moncton dont have a "go to" guy or guys. Who is the big offensive threat? Who is the deadly guy on the PP? Is Barberio a championship team calibre #1/PP QB? Come playoff time, the other top teams with some higher end talent already, WILL be making trades like the contenders of last year did. Can you go into a long playoff run needing Ted Stephens and Scott Brannon to produce? I'm not downgrading Moncton's success so far... they are doing it again with great coaching and a team all pulling in the same direction. But I dont see how that roster, if left alone for the most part, could end up in the finals let alone win the league title. I think you will need some big trades (mainly skilled offensive players) to have a legitimate shot. Perron was not exactly a household name before Lewy had their big year. Rio is playing as well as Bernier did at any time during that season. The Cats play a different style than Lewy did also, they play a more up tempo forechecking style with 4 lines. Lewy played with 3 and they were a team that tried to score early then put you to sleep with the 1-2-2 trap. In terms of "go to" guys, so far, Eagles has been one of the best players in the Q, as has Barberio at both ends. I think Famin is a guy that can take more room as he gets used to the league/culture/language. He is Karsums minus the physical game. As I said, I don't know that they will win the Q but they can compete with anybody with the team they ahve now.
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Post by CrazyJoeDavola on Oct 26, 2008 8:52:09 GMT -4
Without a big trade or two, I dont think Moncton are league champs, likely not even finalists. Great start to the season, but as its pointed out, not a lot of tough games, tough trips etc, teams have missed players to camp etc. Right now, if they were to win the league, they would have to follow the Lewy model of a couple years ago... very well coached, play as a team, keep the games low scoring. Problem is, Riopel is no Bernier IMO, and Randy Cameron is no Cliche Even with the strongest "team" Lewy still had some big talent...Perron, Denny, Giliati, Marshall (who was great in playoffs) etc. Moncton dont have a "go to" guy or guys. Who is the big offensive threat? Who is the deadly guy on the PP? Is Barberio a championship team calibre #1/PP QB? Come playoff time, the other top teams with some higher end talent already, WILL be making trades like the contenders of last year did. Can you go into a long playoff run needing Ted Stephens and Scott Brannon to produce? I'm not downgrading Moncton's success so far... they are doing it again with great coaching and a team all pulling in the same direction. But I dont see how that roster, if left alone for the most part, could end up in the finals let alone win the league title. I think you will need some big trades (mainly skilled offensive players) to have a legitimate shot. Perron was not exactly a household name before Lewy had their big year. Rio is playing as well as Bernier did at any time during that season. The Cats play a different style than Lewy did also, they play a more up tempo forechecking style with 4 lines. Lewy played with 3 and they were a team that tried to score early then put you to sleep with the 1-2-2 trap. In terms of "go to" guys, so far, Eagles has been one of the best players in the Q, as has Barberio at both ends. I think Famin is a guy that can take more room as he gets used to the league/culture/language. He is Karsums minus the physical game. As I said, I don't know that they will win the Q but they can compete with anybody with the team they ahve now. Maybe you have a "Perron" emerging... but Perron had NHL calibre skill. And with the game on the line, I'd take Bernier in a heartbeat, especially considering Riopel hasnt really proven he's a big game goaltender yet (not saying he isnt, just saying he hasnt). You may feel you can win the league title with this roster, or be a finalist. I don't. Obviously rosters will change as the year goes on, and if you guys stick with what you have and beat out the Shawinigan/Quebec/SJ's in the playoffs I will admit I was wrong. But right now, like 2 years ago, you guys are a very strong "team" that will have good regular season success but when playoff crunchtime rolls around, you need those "elite" players to decide a game. My point is I dont think you can stand pat on adding a big piece or two and expect to win the league, which is what was being discussed in this thread. I'm not bashing them, I just think that you still need a few pieces to beat out the other teams in a best of 7, especially when you know they will be adding a couple more stars.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 26, 2008 10:22:02 GMT -4
Perron was not exactly a household name before Lewy had their big year. Rio is playing as well as Bernier did at any time during that season. The Cats play a different style than Lewy did also, they play a more up tempo forechecking style with 4 lines. Lewy played with 3 and they were a team that tried to score early then put you to sleep with the 1-2-2 trap. In terms of "go to" guys, so far, Eagles has been one of the best players in the Q, as has Barberio at both ends. I think Famin is a guy that can take more room as he gets used to the league/culture/language. He is Karsums minus the physical game. As I said, I don't know that they will win the Q but they can compete with anybody with the team they ahve now. Maybe you have a "Perron" emerging... but Perron had NHL calibre skill. And with the game on the line, I'd take Bernier in a heartbeat, especially considering Riopel hasnt really proven he's a big game goaltender yet (not saying he isnt, just saying he hasnt). You may feel you can win the league title with this roster, or be a finalist. I don't. Obviously rosters will change as the year goes on, and if you guys stick with what you have and beat out the Shawinigan/Quebec/SJ's in the playoffs I will admit I was wrong. But right now, like 2 years ago, you guys are a very strong "team" that will have good regular season success but when playoff crunchtime rolls around, you need those "elite" players to decide a game. My point is I dont think you can stand pat on adding a big piece or two and expect to win the league, which is what was being discussed in this thread. I'm not bashing them, I just think that you still need a few pieces to beat out the other teams in a best of 7, especially when you know they will be adding a couple more stars. Perron was a rookie that year. You can't say the Cats have proven nothing but a rookie in Perron had not either for Lewy. That's my point. The last 2 years the team that's won the Q has not been the one who added or had star players and was considered favorites. Look at Halifax BC and RN last year and Gatineau just cruised to the Q title. Yeah they had Giroux but they didn't have a top goalie. Halifax had 2 "elite" players and it got them nowhere.
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Post by CrazyJoeDavola on Oct 26, 2008 10:59:47 GMT -4
Maybe you have a "Perron" emerging... but Perron had NHL calibre skill. And with the game on the line, I'd take Bernier in a heartbeat, especially considering Riopel hasnt really proven he's a big game goaltender yet (not saying he isnt, just saying he hasnt). You may feel you can win the league title with this roster, or be a finalist. I don't. Obviously rosters will change as the year goes on, and if you guys stick with what you have and beat out the Shawinigan/Quebec/SJ's in the playoffs I will admit I was wrong. But right now, like 2 years ago, you guys are a very strong "team" that will have good regular season success but when playoff crunchtime rolls around, you need those "elite" players to decide a game. My point is I dont think you can stand pat on adding a big piece or two and expect to win the league, which is what was being discussed in this thread. I'm not bashing them, I just think that you still need a few pieces to beat out the other teams in a best of 7, especially when you know they will be adding a couple more stars. Perron was a rookie that year. You can't say the Cats have proven nothing but a rookie in Perron had not either for Lewy. That's my point. The last 2 years the team that's won the Q has not been the one who added or had star players and was considered favorites. Look at Halifax BC and RN last year and Gatineau just cruised to the Q title. Yeah they had Giroux but they didn't have a top goalie. Halifax had 2 "elite" players and it got them nowhere. Who do you see as being your Perron? Again, maybe you do have one. He was a rookie at the start, but in the end he was the leading scorer. Gatineau werent the "favorite" but they had 2 elite players carrying them, gamebreakers... as part of what was probably the best line in the league. Thats my point, you dont have those elite scorers up front to score the big goals. IMO you need 1 or 2 big acquisitions. What was the last team to have won the Q with a roster similar to yours? I cant think of any. What are your lines? Just going on your top 3 scorers, after Eagles, Stephens and Brannon (good start, but limited offensive skill/finish), who are your guys that could be 2nd/3rd line scorers on a championship team? I would be SHOCKED if the current roster of the wildcats could win the Q title against a likely to be improved Rimouski/SJ/Que/Shaw.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 26, 2008 12:21:29 GMT -4
Perron was a rookie that year. You can't say the Cats have proven nothing but a rookie in Perron had not either for Lewy. That's my point. The last 2 years the team that's won the Q has not been the one who added or had star players and was considered favorites. Look at Halifax BC and RN last year and Gatineau just cruised to the Q title. Yeah they had Giroux but they didn't have a top goalie. Halifax had 2 "elite" players and it got them nowhere. Who do you see as being your Perron? Again, maybe you do have one. He was a rookie at the start, but in the end he was the leading scorer. Gatineau werent the "favorite" but they had 2 elite players carrying them, gamebreakers... as part of what was probably the best line in the league. Thats my point, you dont have those elite scorers up front to score the big goals. IMO you need 1 or 2 big acquisitions. What was the last team to have won the Q with a roster similar to yours? I cant think of any. What are your lines? Just going on your top 3 scorers, after Eagles, Stephens and Brannon (good start, but limited offensive skill/finish), who are your guys that could be 2nd/3rd line scorers on a championship team? I would be SHOCKED if the current roster of the wildcats could win the Q title against a likely to be improved Rimouski/SJ/Que/Shaw. Perron had 83 points, Eagles is on pace to get 95-100. I would say Eagles Rio and Barberio are elite players. The Cats are more a deep team than a star-led team though. When you have Sill Brannon and Lessard/Brown as your 3rd line and MacAusland/Petterson and Bissonnette on your 4th, that's pretty deep. We have been shocked the last 2 years with Lewy and Gatineau winning.
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Post by mikeb on Oct 26, 2008 19:22:27 GMT -4
You could make some trades to make a decent effort to go for it this year and still have a solid core coming back. Gatineau won 2 President's Cup back to back and Moncton could do it easily if they make the committment to this year as well. The team has an abundance of young players the team drafted who were sent down to MAAA and the large number of draft picks in 2009, it's not a stretch that the team could pick up some key elements to make the run this year The only thing about making moves is that sometimes you mess with chemistry and put more pressure on your team than is needed. I'm sure if they can add another skilled 20 year old d-man for a 2nd or 3rd, that would be a positive move, unless Leahy really steps up and becomes a key player. Once roski is healthy you can put him in for Leahy and you don't lose much. Of couse that depends on how Dimitruk and Jodoin look by midseason. If you want to win you don't wimp out using the chemistry excuse. You get the players you need and you manage the team. That's what Flynn is for.
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Post by mikeb on Oct 26, 2008 19:28:07 GMT -4
Maybe you have a "Perron" emerging... but Perron had NHL calibre skill. And with the game on the line, I'd take Bernier in a heartbeat, especially considering Riopel hasnt really proven he's a big game goaltender yet (not saying he isnt, just saying he hasnt). You may feel you can win the league title with this roster, or be a finalist. I don't. Obviously rosters will change as the year goes on, and if you guys stick with what you have and beat out the Shawinigan/Quebec/SJ's in the playoffs I will admit I was wrong. But right now, like 2 years ago, you guys are a very strong "team" that will have good regular season success but when playoff crunchtime rolls around, you need those "elite" players to decide a game. My point is I dont think you can stand pat on adding a big piece or two and expect to win the league, which is what was being discussed in this thread. I'm not bashing them, I just think that you still need a few pieces to beat out the other teams in a best of 7, especially when you know they will be adding a couple more stars. Perron was a rookie that year. You can't say the Cats have proven nothing but a rookie in Perron had not either for Lewy. That's my point. The last 2 years the team that's won the Q has not been the one who added or had star players and was considered favorites. Look at Halifax BC and RN last year and Gatineau just cruised to the Q title. Yeah they had Giroux but they didn't have a top goalie. Halifax had 2 "elite" players and it got them nowhere. Gatineau picked up Prokop and Ryan at Christmas. So yeah, they made some key trades.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 26, 2008 19:40:01 GMT -4
The only thing about making moves is that sometimes you mess with chemistry and put more pressure on your team than is needed. I'm sure if they can add another skilled 20 year old d-man for a 2nd or 3rd, that would be a positive move, unless Leahy really steps up and becomes a key player. Once roski is healthy you can put him in for Leahy and you don't lose much. Of couse that depends on how Dimitruk and Jodoin look by midseason. If you want to win you don't wimp out using the chemistry excuse. You get the players you need and you manage the team. That's what Flynn is for. Look at the last 10 Q champs, not many of them have made major changes during the year. Gatineau and Lewiston barely changed anybody so obviously there is some merit to it.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Oct 26, 2008 19:41:28 GMT -4
Perron was a rookie that year. You can't say the Cats have proven nothing but a rookie in Perron had not either for Lewy. That's my point. The last 2 years the team that's won the Q has not been the one who added or had star players and was considered favorites. Look at Halifax BC and RN last year and Gatineau just cruised to the Q title. Yeah they had Giroux but they didn't have a top goalie. Halifax had 2 "elite" players and it got them nowhere. Gatineau picked up Prokop and Ryan at Christmas. So yeah, they made some key trades. Those were minor "tinkering" moves. That's all I see the Cats doing. Maybe moving Leahy and adding a skill d-man.
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