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Post by SteveUL on Nov 10, 2008 8:53:17 GMT -4
I think it's difficult right now to predict a potential package for MacMillan. A lot of mediocre teams are on the bubble. Unsure if at Christmas time they will want to stand pat, buy or sell. Once Christmas nears and team's figure out their stance moving forward we'll get a better picture of the market constraints. What I mean by that is, supply and demand. Last year there wasn't many options for an offensive addition, so the Moose and others paid DEARLY. If the conditions are similar this year (not a lot of teams are sellers), we COULD get a fortune. If there is a fire sale (which I highly doubt) than we might not get a lot of comfortable offers. What we, as Moose fans have working for us is the Q hosting the Memorial cup. With two spots available for the Memorial cup this season, you'll see lots of teams feeling close to putting themselves into that top echolon to grab one of two births. Where any other year, just having the one opportunity. Regardless of what happens, it should be an interesting trading period nonetheless. Its hard to say what affect this being a Mem Cup year in the Q will have. Rimouski hasn't impressed anybody as a contender ... but we all know that they have no choice but to go for it. But by the time the trading period is over ... Rimouski's true strength won't be known. So ... at this point ... having two seats at the Mem Cup doesn't look different than any other year ... because you will probably have to win the Prez Cup to get there .... with it being doubtful that Rimouski makes it to the Prez Cup final. With 4 or 5 teams having a shot at this point in the season ... I think you'll see some teams hang back during the trading period and just tinker a bit.
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Post by qmaniac on Nov 10, 2008 11:11:07 GMT -4
I think it's difficult right now to predict a potential package for MacMillan. A lot of mediocre teams are on the bubble. Unsure if at Christmas time they will want to stand pat, buy or sell. Once Christmas nears and team's figure out their stance moving forward we'll get a better picture of the market constraints. What I mean by that is, supply and demand. Last year there wasn't many options for an offensive addition, so the Moose and others paid DEARLY. If the conditions are similar this year (not a lot of teams are sellers), we COULD get a fortune. If there is a fire sale (which I highly doubt) than we might not get a lot of comfortable offers. What we, as Moose fans have working for us is the Q hosting the Memorial cup. With two spots available for the Memorial cup this season, you'll see lots of teams feeling close to putting themselves into that top echolon to grab one of two births. Where any other year, just having the one opportunity. Regardless of what happens, it should be an interesting trading period nonetheless. Its hard to say what affect this being a Mem Cup year in the Q will have. Rimouski hasn't impressed anybody as a contender ... but we all know that they have no choice but to go for it. But by the time the trading period is over ... Rimouski's true strength won't be known. So ... at this point ... having two seats at the Mem Cup doesn't look different than any other year ... because you will probably have to win the Prez Cup to get there .... with it being doubtful that Rimouski makes it to the Prez Cup final. With 4 or 5 teams having a shot at this point in the season ... I think you'll see some teams hang back during the trading period and just tinker a bit. As you mention, Rimouski will HAVE to load up, and they will. As you also know, they hold one of two spots. If you were on the fence what situation would you rather to go for a Q title if you want Memorial Cup exposure. When you absolutely need to win the President's Cup, or when you know you maybe be able to get away with be a President's Cup finalist? Rimouski WILL be legitimate contenders in January, they can't afford not to be.
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Post by bjindaho on Nov 10, 2008 11:42:02 GMT -4
The only teams that should be paying dearly to go for it are Rimouski, Saint John, Quebec, and Shawinigan...Saint John has Grant, Dido, Stich, and Mayer all likely gone after the year so they pretty much have to go for it...Quebec loses Marshall (who they paid quite a bit to get before this year) and Stefanovich...and Shawinigan loses Lalonde-McNicoll, Pistilli and Pielmeier after this year...
Every other team should either be selling off the assets of value (and hope for the best in terms of return) or only make minor improvements using expendable assets (though one could argue that Moncton has enough to make a pretty nice move without really touching their future with all those picks stockpiled)
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Post by canbeer on Nov 10, 2008 12:23:14 GMT -4
The only teams that should be paying dearly to go for it are Rimouski, Saint John, Quebec, and Shawinigan...Saint John has Grant, Dido, Stich, and Mayer all likely gone after the year so they pretty much have to go for it...Quebec loses Marshall (who they paid quite a bit to get before this year) and Stefanovich...and Shawinigan loses Lalonde-McNicoll, Pistilli and Pielmeier after this year... Every other team should either be selling off the assets of value (and hope for the best in terms of return) or only make minor improvements using expendable assets (though one could argue that Moncton has enough to make a pretty nice move without really touching their future with all those picks stockpiled) CB would stand to lose a lot in Haddad, Culligan and Slaney who will be a huge chunk on their scoring this year. They would hold on to MacNiel and Stinziani as 20 year olds and lose two of Chouinard, Piskacek and Lavigueur. They seem like they would need a top Dman and probably a 2nd liner this year. Moncton would take the high risk of losing Riopel next year if they decide to hold off this year. They have lots of young assets and picks and will be solid next year as well so why wouldn't they take advantage of a great start and plan on staying a contender. Drummondville is a constant failure and they're finally looking like a very good team that's actually performing. They have a number of 18 year olds but their top 5 scorers are 19 or 20 and they just added Prokop. If I was a fan of theirs I'd be pissed if they decided to step back from contending this year.
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Post by bjindaho on Nov 10, 2008 12:28:55 GMT -4
Yes, but C-B revolves around tight checking and Roy...with good management of their assets, they can be good next year as well.
Moncton's core is kinda young to be selling the farm...that being said, they could still buy (just not to the levels I expect from the others)...
Drummondville buying wouldn't be good for the future...you don't give up the future just to be swept by Quebec or Shawinigan...
Those assets you mention they might lose are reasons to buy and sell...but if you don't have the rest of the package (or if you do, but they are too young), you have to sell or moderately improve...(especially in the cases of Moncton or C-B, where a slight improvement could help them quite a bit in the playoffs depending on where they fall and who they face)
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Post by Captain Obvious on Nov 10, 2008 12:31:54 GMT -4
Its hard to say what affect this being a Mem Cup year in the Q will have. Rimouski hasn't impressed anybody as a contender ... but we all know that they have no choice but to go for it. But by the time the trading period is over ... Rimouski's true strength won't be known. So ... at this point ... having two seats at the Mem Cup doesn't look different than any other year ... because you will probably have to win the Prez Cup to get there .... with it being doubtful that Rimouski makes it to the Prez Cup final. With 4 or 5 teams having a shot at this point in the season ... I think you'll see some teams hang back during the trading period and just tinker a bit. As you mention, Rimouski will HAVE to load up, and they will. As you also know, they hold one of two spots. If you were on the fence what situation would you rather to go for a Q title if you want Memorial Cup exposure. When you absolutely need to win the President's Cup, or when you know you maybe be able to get away with be a President's Cup finalist? Rimouski WILL be legitimate contenders in January, they can't afford not to be. Rimouski is already a legitimate contender, they have a 14-7 record, not exactly league dormats. One problem they have is a lot of their players seem tobe injury prone like Caron and Cormier, when those guys are out they are not as good a team. Rimouski definitely need a strong stay at home d-man in the Bolduc mold, plus possibly a 40 goal winger. They'll also have to make a call on Piche in goal, he's playing ok but is that good enough?
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Post by bois on Nov 10, 2008 12:46:09 GMT -4
Piche in goal?
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Post by canbeer on Nov 10, 2008 12:53:03 GMT -4
Yes, but C-B revolves around tight checking and Roy...with good management of their assets, they can be good next year as well. Moncton's core is kinda young to be selling the farm...that being said, they could still buy (just not to the levels I expect from the others)... Drummondville buying wouldn't be good for the future...you don't give up the future just to be swept by Quebec or Shawinigan... Those assets you mention they might lose are reasons to buy and sell...but if you don't have the rest of the package (or if you do, but they are too young), you have to sell or moderately improve...(especially in the cases of Moncton or C-B, where a slight improvement could help them quite a bit in the playoffs depending on where they fall and who they face) CB revolving around D and Roy is somewhat true as they are very strong there but could probably use a top Dman. But look at the stats and you'll see that while they're good at keeping the puck out, this year they are even better at scoring and their three 20 year olds are a big, big part of that. They may be good next year as well but they would need to find some scoring I would think. Moncton's core is young but I see they buying or standing pat vs. selling. Like I said the risk of losing Riopel for next year is very real. Drummondville is one of the best team in scoring and keeping the puck out. They only need to tweak this year but I would have a lot of trouble seeing the pack it up this year. When I say a team is going to be a contender I don't necessarily mean they're going to make a bunch of expensive additions.
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Post by bjindaho on Nov 10, 2008 12:55:16 GMT -4
I highly doubt any of the three sell...I just don't see them as big buyers...they'll likely be scavaging over the 2nd tier of available players (which could be to their advantage if one of the big four misses out and they get to face them)
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Post by Michael Phelps on Nov 10, 2008 12:58:39 GMT -4
As you mention, Rimouski will HAVE to load up, and they will. As you also know, they hold one of two spots. If you were on the fence what situation would you rather to go for a Q title if you want Memorial Cup exposure. When you absolutely need to win the President's Cup, or when you know you maybe be able to get away with be a President's Cup finalist? Rimouski WILL be legitimate contenders in January, they can't afford not to be. Rimouski is already a legitimate contender, they have a 14-7 record, not exactly league dormats. One problem they have is a lot of their players seem tobe injury prone like Caron and Cormier, when those guys are out they are not as good a team. Rimouski definitely need a strong stay at home d-man in the Bolduc mold, plus possibly a 40 goal winger. They'll also have to make a call on Piche in goal, he's playing ok but is that good enough? Heard from a very good source that Yetman to Rimouski deal is almost done.
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Post by bjindaho on Nov 10, 2008 13:01:30 GMT -4
Why? He's 20...so unless it is an unbelievable deal (which wouldn't benefit Halifax), why would they get him as opposed to someone who is slightly worse but not 20, so they could grab another good 20...
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Post by qmaniac on Nov 10, 2008 13:30:01 GMT -4
As you mention, Rimouski will HAVE to load up, and they will. As you also know, they hold one of two spots. If you were on the fence what situation would you rather to go for a Q title if you want Memorial Cup exposure. When you absolutely need to win the President's Cup, or when you know you maybe be able to get away with be a President's Cup finalist? Rimouski WILL be legitimate contenders in January, they can't afford not to be. Rimouski is already a legitimate contender, they have a 14-7 record, not exactly league dormats. One problem they have is a lot of their players seem tobe injury prone like Caron and Cormier, when those guys are out they are not as good a team. Rimouski definitely need a strong stay at home d-man in the Bolduc mold, plus possibly a 40 goal winger. They'll also have to make a call on Piche in goal, he's playing ok but is that good enough? I agree. Steveul was implying that Rimouski probably wouldn't win the title saying that the other Q rep. would have to win the President's Cup to win the Memorial Cup birth. I believe that Rimouski is capable of winnig the title and believe that they will foolishly stock up further.
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Post by bjindaho on Nov 10, 2008 13:33:24 GMT -4
you think in a playoff series against Quebec or Shawinigan, they look good? It's nice to say that they are doing well, but how you do against the best will be the only measuring stick in the end...
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Post by Captain Obvious on Nov 10, 2008 13:34:56 GMT -4
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Post by SteveUL on Nov 11, 2008 9:16:44 GMT -4
Rimouski is already a legitimate contender, they have a 14-7 record, not exactly league dormats. One problem they have is a lot of their players seem tobe injury prone like Caron and Cormier, when those guys are out they are not as good a team. Rimouski definitely need a strong stay at home d-man in the Bolduc mold, plus possibly a 40 goal winger. They'll also have to make a call on Piche in goal, he's playing ok but is that good enough? Heard from a very good source that Yetman to Rimouski deal is almost done. That would be foolish on the part of Rimouski. Gougeon is already better than Yetman ... both are 20 ... both are mediocre. I don't think Rimouski is targetting a mediocre 20 YO golatender when they already have one that is better. If Rimouski want to upgrade on Gougeon with a 20 YO goaltender they will go after Nadeau. I see no market for Yetman ... none whatsoever ... he doesn't finish enough games ... doesn't steal many ... and doesn't give you a chance to win everynight.
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