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Post by jimmy on Feb 28, 2017 9:40:32 GMT -4
Trying to get a feel for next year's roster, and where we may stand going forward.
Goal: Waite, Tmej, MacDonald ... this is probably the deepest position on the team. While neither Waite nor Tmej have great stats this season, considering the team in front of them, I feel they have done well as rookies, and both deserve to be back next year. That said, MacDonald is a good prospect also. I can't see either Waite or Tmej having a lot of trade value at the draft, as teams are likely a bit wait and see. I would be inclined to start next year with them, and send MacDonald to Junior A to hopefully get lots of ice time in the first half ... then at Xmas make a decision on Tmej vs. Waite and trade one or the other (in a best case scenario both have built up decent trade value by then with solid first halves) to bring up MacDonald for the second half.
Defense: We could have up to six returning d-men ... that said, I am not sure that Baillargeon has shown enough to deserve to be in the league as a 20 y/o, and Massie is likely on thin ice at camp as well if a draft pick or FA outplays him ... Thibault is somewhat in the same boat, but given our overall lack of depth I expect he should be safe to start the season - but probably less than a lock. Senken has probably shown enough improvement this year to get another look as an 18 y/o. I presume they will prefer Le Coultre to Simic as a euro option, and if so, he will be a lock. Ditto for Fortin. Not really any prospects on our current protected list that seem to be in the mix ... so it will be FAs, trades (I have heard rumours of 2 OA d-men coming), and 2017 draft picks to round out the group.
Forwards: I would say Tessier, Cyr, McKenna and Capannelli are locks. Hopefully the trio of 17 y/o's can take a big step forward next year and put up 40-50 points each, setting the stage for them to PPG players as 19 y/o's - their 17 y/o production compares well with that of many of the current league scoring leaders (who are now 19 and 20). Murphy seems to have stagnated - I can see him being trade bait for a change of scenery. Wojcik has been playing well lately and could be a solid 19 y/o, might be a physical guy we can flip at Xmas to a contender similar to Lane Cormier this past year. Taillon seems to be a bit of an enigma - a recent article mentioned skating and conditioning being a factor - so I would say the ball is in his court - show up in great shape or else ... Dicaire and Aspirot have probably shown enough as 17 y/o's to have the inside track on a spot as 18 y/o's, especially Aspirot who seems to bring some toughness and leadership. Simic, I figure will be on the outside looking in as an extra euro. I think Meisenheimer and Johnston will need big camps to earn spots as 19 y/o's. Current prospects who would seem to have a decent shot are Hudson (probably close to a lock) and Blackmore who has looked good in limited action.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Feb 28, 2017 10:09:56 GMT -4
I'm not a fan of going into next year with all 3 goalies unless MacDonald is not ready for the Q. He looked raw but ready to move up at 17. No point leaving him in Jr.A.
In terms of the forwards, I think Cyr can do a lot more than 40-50 points, currently on a 43 point pace.
I see a lot of guys needing to come to camp in shape and have big camps to stick...as you stated. I think they will add 7-8 young players by draft(2016 2017 plus Euro) plus 3-4 players by trade as well as 7-8 FA's with a legit chance at a roster spot. That means 20-21 guys fitting into 8-9 spots.
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Post by jimmy on Feb 28, 2017 11:04:58 GMT -4
I'm not a fan of going into next year with all 3 goalies unless MacDonald is not ready for the Q. He looked raw but ready to move up at 17. No point leaving him in Jr.A. In terms of the forwards, I think Cyr can do a lot more than 40-50 points, currently on a 43 point pace. I see a lot of guys needing to come to camp in shape and have big camps to stick...as you stated. I think they will add 7-8 young players by draft(2016 2017 plus Euro) plus 3-4 players by trade as well as 7-8 FA's with a legit chance at a roster spot. That means 20-21 guys fitting into 8-9 spots. On the goalies, I am thinking asset maximization ... I am speculating that Tmej or Waite would have more trade value at Xmas than they do at the draft if they can have a decent first half. I don't think MacDonald's development would be hurt that much by having him play 15-20 games in Jr A before Xmas rather than 5-10 in the Q as a backup. Obviously depending on what he shows in camp, he could force the team's hand ...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 12:26:29 GMT -4
My guess is we will see 2 new veterans defencemen on next year's team. Both 20's. Haven't heard of confirmed names, but one from Bathurst and one from Shawinigan is what I know.
I'll have the back-end look something like: 20 (from Bathurst), 20 (from Shawinigan), Fortin, LeCoultre, Aspirot, Senken and 1st rounder from Rouyn. In the past, Moncton has gone with 8 defencemen. If that's the same for next year, I expect the final spot to be between Jacob Arsenault, Clark Webster and Massie.
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Post by bois on Feb 28, 2017 12:28:46 GMT -4
well considering there is only one 97 born dman on Shawinigan it's pretty easy to put a name to it if true
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Post by WildcatMapleLeafs on Feb 28, 2017 12:57:04 GMT -4
I'd start the season with Waite and Tmej and let them battle it out until Christmas time.
Welsh , Fortin and Taillon for Askew is pretty bad if true. I'm sure Welsh will be a premiere defenceman next season but it dosn't seem like we got enough for Askew.
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Post by WildcatMapleLeafs on Feb 28, 2017 12:58:52 GMT -4
My guess is we will see 2 new veterans defencemen on next year's team. Both 20's. Haven't heard of confirmed names, but one from Bathurst and one from Shawinigan is what I know. I'll have the back-end look something like: 20 (from Bathurst), 20 (from Shawinigan), Fortin, LeCoultre, Aspirot, Senken and 1st rounder from Rouyn. In the past, Moncton has gone with 8 defencemen. If that's the same for next year, I expect the final spot to be between Jacob Arsenault, Clark Webster and Massie. I can't say I've watched Arsenault play at all this season but statistically speaking he hasn't overly progressed from last season in Jr.A. Anyone watch him play this season ? Any insight ?
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Post by Captain Obvious on Feb 28, 2017 13:25:29 GMT -4
My guess is we will see 2 new veterans defencemen on next year's team. Both 20's. Haven't heard of confirmed names, but one from Bathurst and one from Shawinigan is what I know. I'll have the back-end look something like: 20 (from Bathurst), 20 (from Shawinigan), Fortin, LeCoultre, Aspirot, Senken and 1st rounder from Rouyn. In the past, Moncton has gone with 8 defencemen. If that's the same for next year, I expect the final spot to be between Jacob Arsenault, Clark Webster and Massie. Massie is not even playing with the crew of misfits they have right now, don't think he cracks the roster. I expect at least one FA on defense and 1-2 up front to crack the roster, they'll sell those guys on having lots of openings and get good ones to show up.
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Post by jimmy on Feb 28, 2017 13:33:58 GMT -4
My guess is we will see 2 new veterans defencemen on next year's team. Both 20's. Haven't heard of confirmed names, but one from Bathurst and one from Shawinigan is what I know. I'll have the back-end look something like: 20 (from Bathurst), 20 (from Shawinigan), Fortin, LeCoultre, Aspirot, Senken and 1st rounder from Rouyn. In the past, Moncton has gone with 8 defencemen. If that's the same for next year, I expect the final spot to be between Jacob Arsenault, Clark Webster and Massie. Didn't Aspirot switch to forward this year? Do you see him going back to defense next year? I don't necessarily see any of the last three guys you mention cracking the team, IMO it is more likely to be a combo of 2017 picks and FAs ... 20/20/Fortin/Le Coultre/Senken/ 3 spots for draft picks or FAs ...
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Post by WHEELsnipePARTY on Feb 28, 2017 13:49:37 GMT -4
My guess is we will see 2 new veterans defencemen on next year's team. Both 20's. Haven't heard of confirmed names, but one from Bathurst and one from Shawinigan is what I know. I'll have the back-end look something like: 20 (from Bathurst), 20 (from Shawinigan), Fortin, LeCoultre, Aspirot, Senken and 1st rounder from Rouyn. In the past, Moncton has gone with 8 defencemen. If that's the same for next year, I expect the final spot to be between Jacob Arsenault, Clark Webster and Massie. Didn't Aspirot switch to forward this year? Do you see him going back to defense next year? I don't necessarily see any of the last three guys you mention cracking the team, IMO it is more likely to be a combo of 2017 picks and FAs ... 20/20/Fortin/Le Coultre/Senken/ 3 spots for draft picks or FAs ... he's been playing d lately but i'm not sure if that's because there looking at him being there next season or to keep massie out of the line up lol
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Post by SteveUL on Feb 28, 2017 14:21:34 GMT -4
I'd start the season with Waite and Tmej and let them battle it out until Christmas time. Welsh , Fortin and Taillon for Askew is pretty bad if true. I'm sure Welsh will be a premiere defenceman next season but it dosn't seem like we got enough for Askew. Based on Tmej's games played since January 1, and how many of those ended up as "complete games" ... vs how many Waite has ... I think the decision has been made. Waite has proven to be Rumble's go to guy and has done very well on a weak team. I think they'll shop Tmej around and move him. He is a FA so anything decent you get for him is bonus. He can play in the League so somebody will show interest in him in a backup role. You don't want to move forward with goaltenders the same age. This 2nd half should have been used to decide which one to keep. I think it became clear at some point that Waite was the guy. Tmej was very good when he arrived and for most of December ... but January and February have not been good for him. He seems to have only two games that he played the full game in the 2nd half.
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Post by Shannon's burner account on Feb 28, 2017 14:55:34 GMT -4
Didn't Aspirot switch to forward this year? Do you see him going back to defense next year? I don't necessarily see any of the last three guys you mention cracking the team, IMO it is more likely to be a combo of 2017 picks and FAs ... 20/20/Fortin/Le Coultre/Senken/ 3 spots for draft picks or FAs ... he's been playing d lately but i'm not sure if that's because there looking at him being there next season or to keep massie out of the line up lol In today's T&T article online, Rumble is quoted as saying that he's not going back to forward again and he's doing such a good job as a D that he's there to stay
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Post by Captain Obvious on Feb 28, 2017 14:59:06 GMT -4
I'd start the season with Waite and Tmej and let them battle it out until Christmas time. Welsh , Fortin and Taillon for Askew is pretty bad if true. I'm sure Welsh will be a premiere defenceman next season but it dosn't seem like we got enough for Askew. Based on Tmej's games played since January 1, and how many of those ended up as "complete games" ... vs how many Waite has ... I think the decision has been made. Waite has proven to be Rumble's go to guy and has done very well on a weak team. I think they'll shop Tmej around and move him. He is a FA so anything decent you get for him is bonus. He can play in the League so somebody will show interest in him in a backup role. You don't want to move forward with goaltenders the same age. This 2nd half should have been used to decide which one to keep. I think it became clear at some point that Waite was the guy. Tmej was very good when he arrived and for most of December ... but January and February have not been good for him. He seems to have only two games that he played the full game in the 2nd half. Tmej is a guy that goes down early and teams seem to have caught on the last 4-6 weeks.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Feb 28, 2017 15:00:12 GMT -4
he's been playing d lately but i'm not sure if that's because there looking at him being there next season or to keep massie out of the line up lol In today's T&T article online, Rumble is quoted as saying that he's not going back to forward again and he's doing such a good job as a D that he's there to stay He doesn't bring much up front expect a guy that finishes his checks and bangs in a few pucks...I think on the blueline he is likely a top 6 next year.
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Post by Arnold Slick on Feb 28, 2017 15:45:16 GMT -4
I'd start the season with Waite and Tmej and let them battle it out until Christmas time. Welsh , Fortin and Taillon for Askew is pretty bad if true. I'm sure Welsh will be a premiere defenceman next season but it dosn't seem like we got enough for Askew. I believe the Cats are still keeping the 2nd round pick from 2018 in the Askew deal. Someone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
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