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Post by chsb on Sept 6, 2007 11:22:49 GMT -4
Now that the dust has settled at training camp and that we have a very good idea of what will be the season starting lineup....without Bartos, it is time to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Titan team.
In goals:
Tardif in training camp: 120 min. 67 shots 8 goals 4.00 0.880
Legault in camp: 119 min. 56 shots 9 goals 4.50 0.839
These will be our 2 goaltenders up to Christmas at least.
I heard that Legault was excellent against Moncton and we all know what Tardif can do. It will not be our strength but it should not be a major weakness either.
Defense:
Labrie
Sigouin
Desnoyers
Chamberland(?)
Tesink
Renaud
Blanchard
Tannel
This will be Francoeur's main area of work as clearly we need Sigouin, Desnoyers,Labrie to step up in a big way.
Francoeur has been known as a coach who was implementing a tight defensive game while allowing for quick transition game.
While Labrie would be a #1 or 2 on many teams, we are still looking for a clear #2-3 D and let's just say that I was not overly impressed by Chamberland so far....he is a #4 at best.
Massé-Perreault-Svoboda
I see Massé on that line as he showed in some occasions last season to have a good one timer shot and a good accuracy.I would like him to step up his game in his own end and hustle some more....that way he would score 30 goals + with Svoboda scoring 40+ and Perreault 40-50
It has the potential to be one of the best lines in the Q.
Joly-Messier-Clendenning
Jordan played his first 2 years in Bathurst on the right wing and I believe that he would have better potential there.
Messier scored 27 goals centering a 3rd line last season and I see no reason why him centering two hustlers could not come up with the same numbers.
Jordan scored 7 goals in 13 games last playoffs and I hope that we see the same Clendenning, hustling and being physical and leading....he has potential for 25 goals.
Joly scored 15 goals playing 3rd line most of last season....he has the speed, the grit and a good shot to play 2nd line.
I was not impressed of Mailloux playing top line against Rimouski as he did not show the speed to follow the Perreault line.
IMPO he will not be able to follow Messier either as Messier is an excellent skater....
Mailloux/Jezegou-Faille-Grenache
I am undecided which of Mailloux or Jezegou would contribute better on that line and I am more enclined to have Mailloux simply because he scored 17 goals playing 3rd/4th lines last season for the Huskies.
Faille was excellent in the last playoffs at center and the Titan does need to groom him at center as Perreault and Clendenning should be gone next season....
Grenache could also play 2nd line and I believe he is a no brainer on the 3rd line.
I see a potential of 40-50 goals for that line.
Critchlow-Couture-Lambke/Smearer/Legros
I would like to see some of these rookies, specially Critchlow and Couture stick with the team for the season but it will depend of what happens with Robichaud, out with an injury, and the Christmas trades....
Needs:
I would say that the Titan should look for a #2-3 D for the PP point and some defensive improvement....a veteran.
This defense allows too many shots on goals....we could see the GAA drop significantly with that improvement.
I would be all for giving the chance to guys like Massé/Messier/Joly/Grenache to prove themselves before even shopping for a 2nd liner and I don't think that we are in dire needs of one.
In goals, we will see how Legault/Tardif do....but they are not a weakness nor a strength IMO....they are average so far.
To be a contender the Titan might have to see one of the two goaltenders step up in a big way or trade for one at Christmas.
This is a league wide weakness though.
This team has the potential to finish 2nd in the Eastern Division with 85-90 points, but it is going to be a tough Division this season with many teams much stronger than last.
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Post by SteveUL on Sept 6, 2007 13:40:07 GMT -4
That has to be one of your most realistic posts that I've ever seen from you. Other than bickering over a few goal totals I think you are pretty close to reality ... well done.
I especially like the fact that you readily admit that your D and goaltending is adequate but perhaps will need upgrading if you expect to contend.
If the Titan can score at a similar pace to last year (losing Beau AND Bartos is a big hit all of a sudden) ... and you see improvements on D and in goal (improvements would include natural progression of returning players) ... then your 85 to 90 pts is realistic. You'll have to do much better on the road than you did last year.
However ... as you said ... I think the division is alot tougher than it was last year and I don't think any team will be an easy 2 pts ... so the top team may not hit 100 pts... and the bottom team may be above 0.400. Last year for 3/4 of the season ... SJ's and SJ were aneasy 2 pts and halifax was not much better ... but all improved to tough teams to play against in the 2nd half.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Sept 6, 2007 14:38:02 GMT -4
I think your GA will improve with Tardif Desnoyers Sigouin Tesink all with one more year under their belt, though Tesink will not give you much the first 1/3 until he gets 6-10 games in. I don't see Tardif an an elite goalie at 17 but good enough to give you average to above average goaltending most nights.
As Steve said the challenge is to replace the offense of pure skill guys like Beau and Bartos(at least early on if he returns at all). Guys like Clendenning Masse Joly can give you more but they are not elite skilled guys. Messier and Svoboda will help though.
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Post by chsb on Sept 6, 2007 14:58:44 GMT -4
I think your GA will improve with Tardif Desnoyers Sigouin Tesink all with one more year under their belt, though Tesink will not give you much the first 1/3 until he gets 6-10 games in. I don't see Tardif an an elite goalie at 17 but good enough to give you average to above average goaltending most nights. As Steve said the challenge is to replace the offense of pure skill guys like Beau and Bartos(at least early on if he returns at all). Guys like Clendenning Masse Joly can give you more but they are not elite skilled guys. Messier and Svoboda will help though. If you talk about replacing Beauregard as an elite player, I concur with you.... For Bartos, I will differ: He scored 23 goals last season aside Perreault compared to Massé's 26 on the 2nd line. Bartos was more of a setup player than a pure sniper. On the first line, the setup man is Perreault and for him to be surrounded by good scorers is essential. Clendenning has proven in 05-06 that he can score...... Therefore my worries are not on the offensive side of the game. In view of your opinion that we can improve substantially the GAA with the present team, I can see a major improvement in the team. However the Division as a whole will be much tougher this season. |
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Post by CrazyJoeDavola on Sept 6, 2007 15:05:30 GMT -4
I think your GA will improve with Tardif Desnoyers Sigouin Tesink all with one more year under their belt, though Tesink will not give you much the first 1/3 until he gets 6-10 games in. I don't see Tardif an an elite goalie at 17 but good enough to give you average to above average goaltending most nights. As Steve said the challenge is to replace the offense of pure skill guys like Beau and Bartos(at least early on if he returns at all). Guys like Clendenning Masse Joly can give you more but they are not elite skilled guys. Messier and Svoboda will help though. If you talk about replacing Beauregard as an elite player, I concur with you.... For Bartos, I will differ: He scored 23 goals last season aside Perreault compared to Massé's 26 on the 2nd line. Bartos was more of a setup player than a pure sniper. On the first line, the setup man is Perreault and for him to be surrounded by good scorers is essential. Clendenning has proven in 05-06 that he can score...... Therefore my worries are not on the offensive side of the game. In view of your opinion that we can improve substantially the GAA with the present team, I can see a major improvement in the team. However the Division as a whole will be much tougher this season. But people arent specifically talking about replacing the offense on THAT line... its in the entire team's offense as a whole. Anytime someone leaves a spot (Beau, Bartos) you fill them in with next in line, and talk about how they can score nearly as much. But you dont consider the depth you are losing on line 2+3 each time this is done... therefore dropping you from contender status... Most had you near the top of the contender lists based on a scary, deep offense. Each disappearance weakens your team strength. |
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Post by jimmy on Sept 6, 2007 15:23:21 GMT -4
However the Division as a whole will be much tougher this season. That is the key statement which makes projecting this division so hard this year ... you can make a rational argument that Bathurst will have a better team than last year ... same for PEI, Halifax, SJs, SJ ... you can make a rational argument that Lewiston and Moncton should be good teams again this year ... and C-B may not be a pushover either .... clearly someone is going to perform below expectations because not every team in our division can win ... the question is who will be the team to disappoint their fans? |
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Post by chsb on Sept 6, 2007 15:32:48 GMT -4
If you talk about replacing Beauregard as an elite player, I concur with you.... For Bartos, I will differ: He scored 23 goals last season aside Perreault compared to Massé's 26 on the 2nd line. Bartos was more of a setup player than a pure sniper. On the first line, the setup man is Perreault and for him to be surrounded by good scorers is essential. Clendenning has proven in 05-06 that he can score...... Therefore my worries are not on the offensive side of the game. In view of your opinion that we can improve substantially the GAA with the present team, I can see a major improvement in the team. However the Division as a whole will be much tougher this season. But people arent specifically talking about replacing the offense on THAT line... its in the entire team's offense as a whole. Anytime someone leaves a spot (Beau, Bartos) you fill them in with next in line, and talk about how they can score nearly as much. But you dont consider the depth you are losing on line 2+3 each time this is done... therefore dropping you from contender status... Most had you near the top of the contender lists based on a scary, deep offense. Each disappearance weakens your team strength. Even losing Bartos, the Titan do have a lot of depth. It only allowed to play Jezegou on 3rd line rather than 4th line. We are talking here about a team which said good bye already to Labelle,Gadoury and Basque to make room for some younger prospects and the newcomers Svoboda,Messier and Mailloux.... This is not exactly a team which is picking in the bottom of its barrel to replace Bartos. |
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Post by chsb on Sept 6, 2007 15:35:37 GMT -4
However the Division as a whole will be much tougher this season. That is the key statement which makes projecting this division so hard this year ... you can make a rational argument that Bathurst will have a better team than last year ... same for PEI, Halifax, SJs, SJ ... you can make a rational argument that Lewiston and Moncton should be good teams again this year ... and C-B may not be a pushover either .... clearly someone is going to perform below expectations because not every team in our division can win ... the question is who will be the team to disappoint their fans? IMPO I can make a rational argument about Bartos being at least as good offensively as last year which was a 291 goals scored team. It is defensively that I expressed reservations...we all know that they probably will be better than last year, but at waht extent is the question.... If they are able to bring down the GAA around 3.25 they are going to be scary. |
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Post by Gman on Sept 6, 2007 15:59:28 GMT -4
chsb you should have stopped after your first post. Now you are doing the same thing you did when you were projecting points after losing Beauregard. You lost a 70 goal scorer and said it would not be missed because of Bartos and Perreault getting better and Svboda coming. Now you lose Bartos (whom you projected as possible 100 pt guy) and you are again saying no big deal- Masse will take his spot. Do you REALLY believe that? And if so, that means you had a 100 point guy on the 3rd line. Who will replace him?  |
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Post by chsb on Sept 6, 2007 16:02:39 GMT -4
chsb you should have stopped after your first post. Now you are doing the same thing you did when you were projecting points after losing Beauregard. You lost a 70 goal scorer and said it would not be missed because of Bartos and Perreault getting better and Svboda coming. Now you lose Bartos (whom you projected as possible 100 pt guy) and you are again saying no big deal- Masse will take his spot. Do you REALLY believe that? And if so, that means you had a 100 point guy on the 3rd line. Who will replace him? Massé will adequately replace Bartos goal scoring... Bartos was also a setup man.... I explained why we did not need that on the first line with Perreault on it....he is the setup man..... Massé is a better snoper than bartos but not as good a playmaker. WHo do you see was on the 3rd line scoring 100 points? I always had Massé on our 2nd line..... |
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Post by Porkchop on Sept 6, 2007 16:42:57 GMT -4
If you talk about replacing Beauregard as an elite player, I concur with you.... For Bartos, I will differ: He scored 23 goals last season aside Perreault compared to Massé's 26 on the 2nd line. Bartos was more of a setup player than a pure sniper. On the first line, the setup man is Perreault and for him to be surrounded by good scorers is essential. Clendenning has proven in 05-06 that he can score...... Therefore my worries are not on the offensive side of the game. In view of your opinion that we can improve substantially the GAA with the present team, I can see a major improvement in the team. However the Division as a whole will be much tougher this season. But people arent specifically talking about replacing the offense on THAT line... its in the entire team's offense as a whole. Anytime someone leaves a spot (Beau, Bartos) you fill them in with next in line, and talk about how they can score nearly as much. But you dont consider the depth you are losing on line 2+3 each time this is done... therefore dropping you from contender status... Most had you near the top of the contender lists based on a scary, deep offense. Each disappearance weakens your team strength. While I agree that losing Bartos is huge, by moving someone else up, it is giving someone a chance to play where they belong, instead of actually making a line like 3 worse.........on the 3rd line right now we have Joly, Mailloux, Jezegou, Grenache, Faille, and Critchlow who all look good there........that's enough for 2 lines right there......we have to choose who out of them 6 to put on the 3rd line......Bartos not being here, IMO, makes his line weaker, but doesn't really effect the quality of a 3rd line at all......swapping out Joly for Jezegou, or Grenache for Faille, etc., isn't gonna make that line any weaker. ........if Bartos does show up, that puts a guy like Joly back on the 3rd line for sure........I don't remember having a team with so much depth at the forward position before...... |
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Post by Gman on Sept 6, 2007 17:01:51 GMT -4
I don't remember having a team with so much depth at the forward position before...... We in Halifax feel your pain ;D |
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Post by Porkchop on Sept 6, 2007 17:05:14 GMT -4
I don't remember having a team with so much depth at the forward position before...... We in Halifax feel your pain ;D I'll take your word for it.......I really haven't looked at what Halifax has this year......... |
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Post by sharrow on Sept 6, 2007 19:01:08 GMT -4
You forgot one thing, the parade route.
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Post by Porkchop on Sept 6, 2007 20:03:02 GMT -4
You forgot one thing, the parade route. That's the stupidest post in this thread. |
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