|
|
Post by countsheep on Jan 3, 2008 11:08:27 GMT -4
...so if the Rocket trade for a D-Man, it would have to be for an 18-year-old D-Man, wouldn't it?
My worry about next season isn't with a specific position, but rather with the fact that McKinley and Gélinas could be the only 19-year-olds on the roster.
|
|
|
|
Post by IslandersHKY on Jan 3, 2008 11:19:38 GMT -4
With the departure of Clow to the Caps, that leaves this team with 6 dman. Look for the Rocket to try to land one via trade, or perhaps call up Owens from the MJAHL. Clow just left/was sent down because he was never getting any playing time so if I were Owens I wouldn't accept an invite to join the team. I mean he is an 18 yr old who won't get any time next year with 5 defensemen returning. So I think it would be best for him to stay in Jr A and continue his successful season. Instead I think the Rocket should stick with our current 6 if we don't add one by trade and should we need it call back Clow or call up Owens on a temporary basis for a few games. So far we have been very very lucky with injuries and hopefully it won't come to that. |
|
|
|
Post by bois on Jan 3, 2008 11:29:45 GMT -4
We pretty much only play 4 D now (Gervais, Main, Lessard and Southorn)
I think adding one via trade would be a welcome addition
|
|
|
|
Post by IslandersHKY on Jan 3, 2008 11:57:14 GMT -4
We pretty much only play 4 D now (Gervais, Main, Lessard and Southorn) I think adding one via trade would be a welcome addition I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. IMO Malouin & Deighan are good enough to get regular 5th/6th defensemen mins on our team. And if you are thinking about next season the playing time would really help their development. On the other hand if you're main focus is winning the first round and taking a good shot at the second obviously adding another defenseman would help but that will cost you. We don't have room for a 20, we already have 3 19's so if your adding the most logical addition is an 18 yr old defenseman. Few teams are willing to give up solid 18 yr olds unless you pay a huge price and since we aren't willing to pay a huge price you are going to get a 6th/7th defenseman who likely isn't any better now than Malouin and/or Deighan are. So to me adding a depth defenseman to this team is usless since we aren't really going to make some big additions for a run. I would have fully supported selling off Morrison/Lessard for a huge return but since we didn't I would prefer to leave our defense and only make a minor move at forward if a good option becomes available. Because IMO Malouin & Deighan can handle more mins they just need the opportunity. And I sincerely hope neither of them get moved as I think both have a bright future in this league. |
|
|
|
Post by bois on Jan 3, 2008 12:14:06 GMT -4
The team is not selling... they obviously want to win a round or two.. then the only option to ensure the best chance of this is adding... they obviously don't feel Deighan and Malouin can eat many minutes right now as neither plays much..
It's not the strategy I endorse but it seems to be the one they are heading towards.. therefore add a depth guy to the bottom pairing.. I don't care what age he is.... and rotate Malouin and Deighan in as the 6th guy depending on who plays best
As for your comment on next year..... there is no way we return all the d eligible to return... that would be silly.. at least one of Gervais, Lessard or Main won't be on the blueline next year.. in all likelihood two of them won't be
|
|
|
|
Post by IslandersHKY on Jan 3, 2008 12:19:39 GMT -4
As for your comment on next year..... there is no way we return all the d eligible to return... that would be silly.. at least one of Gervais, Lessard or Main won't be on the blueline next year.. in all likelihood two of them won't be That is what I said. See Owens is an 18 yr old who won't get any time next year with [glow=red,2,300]5 defensemen returning.[/glow] Those five would be: Lessard/Gervais/Main (2 of them) Southorn Malouin Deighan Not sure where you got that I implied all 6 were returning. |
|
|
|
Post by bois on Jan 3, 2008 12:24:11 GMT -4
As for your comment on next year..... there is no way we return all the d eligible to return... that would be silly.. at least one of Gervais, Lessard or Main won't be on the blueline next year.. in all likelihood two of them won't be That is what I said. See Owens is an 18 yr old who won't get any time next year with [glow=red,2,300]5 defensemen returning.[/glow] Those five would be: Lessard/Gervais/Main (2 of them) Southorn Malouin Deighan Not sure where you got that I implied all 6 were returning. I don't see why owens wouldn't have a chance to stay next year if he was brought in and excelled I think 4 D will return next year.. not 5 but that isn't the point really.... if we are trying to go to round two (yawn) give us the best chance to do so.. add an experienced 18-19 year old d to play as a #4-5-6 guy what would be wrong with moving Main back up front under that scenario? options are available.... don't be so resistant to change |
|
|
|
Post by IslandersHKY on Jan 3, 2008 13:24:41 GMT -4
.... if we are trying to go to round two (yawn) give us the best chance to do so.. add an experienced 18-19 year old d to play as a #4-5-6 guy what would be wrong with moving Main back up front under that scenario? options are available.... don't be so resistant to change I'm not resistent to change I am just looking at the team we have. Right now it is some combination of: Walker-Morrison-Lachaine Kana-Doyle-Latal McKinley-Locke-Gallant MacLean-Desroches-Paynter CoonCome Lessard-Southorn Gervais-Main Malouin-Deighan Lafleur-Gelinas Firstly what benefit is there to moving Main up to forward. Doing that just removes a very effective defenseman from our backend (which is our weakness) and then who do you bump off that checking line? Besides our issue isn't 3rd line talent as I think DesRoches/Paynter and to a lesser extent DesRoches/CoonCome are all capable. Having said that I agree with you that IF the main focus is to make the second round then adding a 4th/5th defenseman help this team the most. But I really don't think that is worth the cost neither assets or at the expense of Malouin's/Deighan's development. I mean IMO if we aren't going to make any big moves then I would be all for a minor tweak like bringing in a 17 or 18 yr old forward with the hope he can play on our second line next season or moving a player like Locke to give a little more playing time to DesRoches/CoonCome/MacLean. But unless this team is willing to pay a big cost I can't see how they can add a good enough defenseman to warrant the cost. We have apparently already decided we aren't a seller and we aren't loading up for a run. And this team should also be good next season so why not let Malouin & Deighan get some solid playing time this season to see if they can prove themselves for next season. |
|
|
|
Post by bois on Jan 3, 2008 13:59:43 GMT -4
How do you figure this team will be good next season?
Our 17 year old rookies have never shown an ability to step up into a top 6 role at 18
Why do you think they will be able to next year?
The team should have handled their assets better before the year began... they should be addressing the logjam of mediocrity at all positions now
We stand to lose most of our team right now
Opening up spots for Desroches, CoonCome, Malouin, Deighan, Maclean isn't going to help us win a playoff round................ in fact it might ensure us a first round ticket with Halifax or Saint John.... not a favorable matchup at all
I think we should sell.. apparently we are saying that is not an option... if not then I think we have to add something.. anything.. to take pressure off so many rookies in key roles
Next year doesn't look pretty.. two years time might
moving Main up front is only a suggestion if we add a depth experienced dman... Main can provide as much up front as he does on the backend.. most people wanted him there at the start of the year.... and if we add that experienced dman our d is not a weakness any longer
I would not mind something like
Walker-Morrison-Lachaine
Latal-Doyle-Kana
Main-Locke-Gallant
MacKinley-CoonCome- Paynter
Southorn-Lessard
Gervais- new guy
Malouin-Owens
Nor would I mind keeping Main on D if we added a depth dman
I am just sick of never doing anything
|
|
