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Post by Score on Apr 3, 2024 10:02:09 GMT -4
Never to early to start an off-season thread..
Hulton will have to address areas next season as there will be some noticeable holes.
I had very high hopes for Maruna.....but he had an extremely disappointing season.
I also feel that Ozols time has come and gone. Niko Boudreau had a good year playing JrA as a 17yr old and you have to think that he will be on the roster next season.
Bickle
Boudreau
Saying that, i have to think that Hulton will be looking to draft two new Imports.
On the blueline, Conrad had a slower 2nd half....as a lot of 16yr olds do, but he still put up 29pts in 59gp from the blueline. Pretty impressive.
Kearsey had a strong 17yr old season finishing 2nd in team scoring with 49pts and playing in every single game of the season for the Isles.
It's hard not to see Plamondon on this team next season. He finished a very successful 2nd year in U18 picking up 37pts in 41gp.
Kearsey
Conrad
Plamondon
Topilnyckyj
Vos
Duguay
?
There are a lot more holes to fill up front.
Unless I'm missing someone, IMO, these are the forwards that I see returning next season.
Butler
Michaud
Shields
Flanagan
Campbell
Hughes
Allen
Powers
With the Euro draft, QMJHL draft, team prospects, FA invites and potential trades.....Hulton will have his work cut out for him to fill up the forward holes.
Isles drafted players of interest of mine:
Zack Plamondon-D (Should be on roster.)
Nathan Weber-F
Kenzie Wagner-D
Jérémy Dumas-F
Édouard Vincent-D
Evan Nicholson-F
--I hoped that Nicholson would have played JrA this season. He only suited up for 2 games with Amherst.
He had a decent year once again with the Charlottetown Knights, but at 17, he was supposed to.
Saying so, I'm on the fence on whether or not he has the skill level to play a role in Major Junior next season as an 18yr old.
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Post by kyle52 on Apr 3, 2024 14:45:33 GMT -4
Ideally, next season the Conrad and Vos pairing will stick. It's worked well so far, but Kearsey would need a guy with him. I could see Jim moving on from Topo, maybe package him and another player for another defenceman. Plamondon should make the jump so that's a possible partner for Kearsey. I think Jardine's defence is solid, but he still needs to adjust to the speed of the Q coming from Jr. A mid season, but he should get a crack next year.
The tandem next season I think will be some combination of Bickle, Niko Boudreau and Donald Hickey. Hickey has been a star for Cornwall in Ontario Jr A and I can't see him not being on the roster next season.
In terms of forwards, there is a lot of work to do. I can't see Maruna returning, (or Ozols, unfortunately he's one of my favourite players) but that opens up spots for more Euros, hopefully a more consistent scorer for the top six. Kevin Walker is in a tough spot as well. Great two-way presence but the offence just isn't there. The core is so young though that making a ton of moves at the top may not be necessary. Butler, Michaud, Campbell and Shields all only played their 17yr season while Flanagan still 16. Dumas and Nicholson will definitely get their shot at the bottom six, plus I wouldn't be shocked if Jim brings in another guy from Ontario. Plus, Hughes is poised for a breakout season next year and Allen has shown he has tons of skill.
These are the guys I see leaving: Michel, Swan, Maruna, Walker*, 20s from this year, and Ozols. Could be forgetting someone.
The boys have a bright future. Jim has done well despite not having many draft picks to work with.
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Post by Naomi on Apr 3, 2024 14:52:23 GMT -4
We should have an earlyish pick in the Import Draft, hopefully they have their eyes on a decent player. It sucks that Maruna and Ozols just haven't really worked out, but we have a good opportunity to upgrade on them. (Are Russians still banned going into next year?)
I think we'll see a significant jump in quality next season. It's been easy to overlook that we have a very young team.
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Post by Score on Apr 3, 2024 14:56:38 GMT -4
The tandem next season I think will be some combination of Bickle, Niko Boudreau and Donald Hickey. Hickey has been a star for Cornwall in Ontario Jr A and I can't see him not being on the roster next season. As you said, Hickey had a great 16yr old season in the CCHL. I could be wrong, but I thought I read/heard somewhere that he was focusing towards school and at the present time, not interested in Major Junior hockey. As I said, i could be wrong....and I hope that I am, as he would be a nice prospect for this team. |
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Post by bois on Apr 3, 2024 15:07:50 GMT -4
I am hopeful that the team maybe finds a small market interested in either Maruna or Ozols to take a chance on as opposed to picking two imports... any draft capital we can acquire is needed
I honestly think someone needs to be moved from the supposed core of youth we are building around to also add draft picks..... I'll wait til the offseason officially to name anyone out of respect for the friends and family that very well may be reading these forums
Of course we should take a jump in the standings next year....... we have been bottom 5 for 2 years now that is pretty much impossible to not happen
the decision must be made whether we are content moving to say a 11-14 overall spot and then maybe peaking at second or third in our division and 6-9 overall at the end of the current groups cycle (ie the 17's being 19) or do we push that back a year to build around the Conrad, Flanagan group by adding some serious draft capital this year and next
I know what my choice would be but maybe we wait til next Christmas to see where things stand and go from there
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Post by scotiahockey on Apr 3, 2024 16:26:45 GMT -4
I’d say Ozols is easy to move on from.. he’ll be 19 next year and unless you think he’s the starter you need to probably put a younger guy in the role to see if they can progress and be a starter at 18/19.
Maruna is a little tougher though for me. I know he may not have delivered on expectations but there was also only 18 euros that came into the league through the draft last year. 3 of them were goalies and 4 of those imports had more points then Maruna did on the season with only one of them topping 30 (he had 31).
So while I think he could probably be upgraded, it’s hard to find quality euros with the ban on certain countries and more young guys getting shots in European leagues. Will the team be able to find 2 Euro’s better than Maruna? It seems like it could be tough. With his age, size and draft position I’d be inclined to keep him and see what his 18 year old season brings before committing to moving on.
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Post by bd on Apr 3, 2024 21:07:42 GMT -4
I think they have to make an "unpopular" move to gain back some assets. I don't know if they build around the 17's or the 16's but either way something needs to be done.
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Post by dutchinc on Apr 3, 2024 21:45:42 GMT -4
I think they have to make an "unpopular" move to gain back some assets. I don't know if they build around the 17's or the 16's but either way something needs to be done. Like what? |
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Post by jangle on Apr 3, 2024 21:50:12 GMT -4
All I know is I am the most excited to see Butler again next year. He’s so much fun to watch!!!
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Post by puckmouth on Apr 3, 2024 22:01:45 GMT -4
I think they have to make an "unpopular" move to gain back some assets. I don't know if they build around the 17's or the 16's but either way something needs to be done. Like what? I agree, I think you have to build around the 17s, with the only exception is keeping Conrad with that core, and playing big minutes with Kearsey. Dangle some trade bait at the draft and Xmas. See what you can get. A lot of questions on what they have in terms of goalies coming up. Can Boudreau be an upper tier goalie in 2 years and back bone that group? I have my doubts. If rumours are true about Hickey maybe going ncaa. Where do the isles sit in terms of goaltending. They need something to start gaining some valuable picks to move and buy. This year was a big learning curve for that group. Most of them their first full year in the league and asked to play top minutes. The mental and physical grind of a long season is nothing but valuable to a young team. The last 2 years playing the best team in the Q first round is tough. I think Jim has done an amazing job year in and year out. I have no doubts that will continue in the next couple months. |
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Post by bois on Apr 4, 2024 6:03:17 GMT -4
Need a balance in age groupings
One thing im not concerned about is goaltending for when the team competes … jim has emphasized goaltending and defense when building competitive clubs he will find a goalie if one is not in the system within.
The real issue for next year is overage options are weaker than normal and the 19s are with all due respect just not on this roster and we do not have draft picks to address those without further weakening things going forward
The current crop of 17s who will be 18 is pretty good but is it good enough? Im not sure but i do know one way to get a couple of picks this draft in early rounds would be to dangle a proven commodity with a couple years left in the league…. Or you punt this draft and hope you find a player or two with the limited picks you have and evaluate further at christmas next year
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Post by Score on Apr 4, 2024 9:44:28 GMT -4
I personally admire Michaud's talent and believe he has the potential to become a high point producer in the upcoming three seasons.
He achieved an impressive 23 points at the age of 16 and 40 points at the age of 17.
Considering the skills of Conrad and Plamondon, I can see Hulton looking at offers on Kearsey.
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Post by davo1997 on Apr 4, 2024 9:52:16 GMT -4
I personally admire Michaud's talent and believe he has the potential to become a high point producer in the upcoming three seasons. He achieved an impressive 23 points at the age of 16 and 40 points at the age of 17. Considering the skills of Conrad and Plamondon, I can see Hulton looking at offers on Kearsey. Sheilds will be good next year aswell i feel him and and michaud will be ppg players |
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Post by Score on Apr 4, 2024 10:08:31 GMT -4
I personally admire Michaud's talent and believe he has the potential to become a high point producer in the upcoming three seasons. He achieved an impressive 23 points at the age of 16 and 40 points at the age of 17. Considering the skills of Conrad and Plamondon, I can see Hulton looking at offers on Kearsey. Sheilds will be good next year aswell i feel him and and michaud will be ppg players Agreed |
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Post by bois on Apr 4, 2024 11:42:53 GMT -4
my biggest concern with Michaud is the ability to stay healthy
aside from that I agree he looks to be a kid who can be a PPG sniper at 19.... not sure he takes that big a step next year just yet
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