First look at Training Camp

[buckybuckbuck]

Yeah I don't know where your getting at trading Lessard. He's demonstrating upside and has size and speed. LePage might be replaced on that line but I never would trade him over others. I like the idea of moving Eagles, LePage, MacLelland, Morehouse, and Breton all over Lessard.

[wild1]

I think with the depth of young forwards we have that guys Like Eagles and Lepage will defintely be traded. I would also like to see guys like Dimitruk and Gomes stay and get rid of Goyens who seemed really slow last year, maybe they could package two of these guys for a decent return. As for the 20's Sniderman and Lincourt will be moved probably for picks.

[jimmy]

wild1 said:

I think with the depth of young forwards we have that guys Like Eagles and Lepage will defintely be traded. I would also like to see guys like Dimitruk and Gomes stay and get rid of Goyens who seemed really slow last year, maybe they could package two of these guys for a decent return. As for the 20's Sniderman and Lincourt will be moved probably for picks.

As for packaging multiple guys for a decent return, I doubt that will work - few GMs seem interested in trading quality for quantity ... I think realistically, if we can move two or three guys, we build up our bank of draft picks for next season.

[SteveUL]

hockeyfan99 said:

steveul said:

Eagles could be traded without missing him too much ... and he'd certainly draw some interest and probably get a decent return ... I don't like the idea of giving up on a 3rd year player but somebody has to go.

As I said above ... Lessard gives us size we lack in other places and he had a strong finish to his 17 yr old season ... I don't see him as expendable. If it means losing him ... I'd bail on Stephens.

Brenton is only 18 ... you show him as 19 ... and so I am worried that now that he is 18 he will start to put together the things he was unable to do last year as a rookie 17 yr old ... we've seen that many times before where a player starts to show some finish in his 2nd year. I'd hate to trade him away and miss out on that ... his speed is way above average and he is a good PK guy.

You also show Morehouse as not being part of the equation while most see him as being Captain ... including Flynn. But that creates a problem as I stated in my first post. If we add a 20 YO Dman he will likely be out anyway ... tough call.

There are no easy answers ... and the sting of losing a returning player can be tempered by getting a nice return in a trade.

Steve I am not sure if this was your intention but your post appears to point out a lot of "flaws" with my opinion but yet you offer no suggested solutions.

The challenge with the Eagles is that there is lots of depth but not as much top end offensive talent so someone has to be moved.

IMO Lessard, Sill and Brennon will not be content playing anything less than 3rd line this season. But at the same time
given their potential and Moncton's investment MacAusland, Brown and Watson should not be 4th liners all season. Someone has to be moved.


As well Steve in your lineup you had the following guys on the outside.

Brenton (18) - Morehouse (20) - MacLelland (19)

IMO I agree that Brenton should be kept (his age was a typo). And moving Eagle and Lessard would provide him an opportunity. MacLelland is a guestion mark. No sense keeping him if he isn't going to get dressed reguarly and as a 19 yr old it is questionable but I always liked his style and work ethic and thought he would be a great player to have to support the younger players anyway.

As for Morehouse I have never been a fan of at all which is why I also didn't include in my lineup, and especially as a 20 yr old he doesn't have the skill IMO. But if Moncton fans think he should be on the team then again someone has to move and so which player or 2 from the top 3 lines are you suggesting is moved?

I don't have the answers to these questions ... tough decision I'm glad I don't have to make.

I don't disagree with your idea on Eagles ... I just think its tough to do to a 3rd year guy ... but something has to be done.

On Lessard ... as said above ... I'd take Lessard before Brenton if there had to be a choice.

I pointed out the typo on Brenton's age because if he was 19 the decision would be easy ... as it is on Lepage who is 19.

Its like we are trying to fit a size 10 foot into a size 7 shoe.

[IslandersHKY]

Its just a difference of perspective really.

Lessard over Brenton may be an easy choice but I don't think that is the question.

What I was thinking is that if Lessard was moved it would give MacAusland, Brown and Waston more opportunity. As Steve pointed out right now all 3 are only sloted 4 line ice time and guys like Lessard, Sill and Brennon aren't going to drop down which means someone will need to be moved if you want to offer more developmental opportunity for those 3 rookies (Waston is basically one).

[curtis]

The Cats generally roll four lines, I know the 4th isn't going to play quite as much as the top 3, but I don't see anything wrong with Brown and MacAusland starting out on the 4th. They will still get their share of ice time...and with progress, can earn more.

[jimmy]

curtis said:

The Cats generally roll four lines, I know the 4th isn't going to play quite as much as the top 3, but I don't see anything wrong with Brown and MacAusland starting out on the 4th. They will still get their share of ice time...and with progress, can earn more.

I agree - personally, I expect we will see them start the year on the fourth line - they may move up as the season progresses and injuries, trades occur, or their own progression merits the promotion.

[SteveUL]

hockeyfan99 said:

Its just a difference of perspective really.

Lessard over Brenton may be an easy choice but I don't think that is the question.

What I was thinking is that if Lessard was moved it would give MacAusland, Brown and Waston more opportunity. As Steve pointed out right now all 3 are only sloted 4 line ice time and guys like Lessard, Sill and Brennon aren't going to drop down which means someone will need to be moved if you want to offer more developmental opportunity for those 3 rookies (Waston is basically one).

The last two years we have played all 4 lines almost equally in 5 on 5 situations ... Flynn is high on rolling all 4 lines. If MacAusland and Brown are in the lineup they will get plenty of icetime ... more than most 16 yr olds.

[hockey1981]

On Tonight's game...

Goalies...
Best Goalie again was Tyler Bolduc, had a solid game....Cooling was also very good, seem the 2 best behind Riopel n Sniderman till he's gone...

D's
Barberio- Best D by a landslide, He should be a great D for us in yrs to come...
Tolles- Ummm he's improved alot but he's trying to show off too much n pretend he's Keith Yandle
Dimitruk-Thought he had a solid game again
Herr-Don't let the door hit you on your way out...

F's

Macausland- Gifted player, shows alot of skill n hockey sense n vision, but only knock too small, we'll see how things go...
Sill- Without a doubt, BEST player on ice...
Pettitt-had some good jump
Vets (Brenton,Maclellan) decent, i can see breton beeing odd man out..

[Captain Obvious]

curtis said:

jimmy, I wouldn't lump Lessard in with Brenton/Eagles/McLellan. We saw serious improvement in his game over the course of the year, I'm expecting big things from him as an 18 year old. To me he is in the same class as Labelle and Cameron.

I think Brown makes it for sure. This is another re-building year, we can afford to invest a roster spot on a player of his potential. I'd go as far as to say I'd rather see Brown make the team than Eagles. Eagles doesn't really distinguish himself from the other forwards on the bubble, other than he's played for Flynn before.

We never know if we're seeing Eagles play at 100% healthy. At the same time, another team might see a lot of upside there.

I agree, the problem with Lepage MacLellan Brenton Eagles is that they are all small and not very physical, part of the problem last year was too many of that type of player.

[CatsFan]

My thoughts.

Tyler Bolduc - Best goalie I have seen thus far. ( Mind you I haven't seen the morning sessions .. ) I would really like to see this guy be the 'Cats backup this year to Riopel. He moves well.

Mark Barberio - Like this kid. Stands out with his size. Sometimes when I'm watching him, I gotta remember he's only 17 .. this kid's gonna be a heckava D when he's 19-20.

Matt Brown - A little disappointed with his play thus far. I guess I was expecting a little more out of him. Oh well, it's still early.

Devon MacAusland - This kid's got so much talent. That goal he scored was a beauty. I still think he's too small though, but I suppose if Brenton survived, then he can too. Look forward to watching him play.

Murdock MacLellan / Matthew Brenton - I thought watching them play tonight that they would stick out, being veterans. I didn't notice them at all.

Paul Dimitruk - Ok, so the visor is honky. But he's a great hockey player. He's really gonna help us out on D this year.

Joe Tolles - He has improved the summer. But I find he's trying to do too much out there.

Zach Sill - Best forward in camp thus far. A lot like Gaudet, but soooo much more offensive power.

[mbastarache]

Morehouse isn't going anywheres. Every team needs a leader that everyone respects, trusts and follows. The guy has all the qualitys. If there is ever an issue on a team, this is a guy the can fix it in a heart beat before it grows into a cancer like we've scene in a lot of skilled teams over the years.

He may not be the mosted skilled at campl, but he makes up with that with heart. Gives it his on on and off the ice. Everyone see it and respects it.

[mik]

Guys, your opinions might change when the rookies play with the vets.

[Dalkiel]

After seeing the second game, here is a couple of thoughts.

Mclelland-Quite rusty out there, not impressive
Brenton-Same guy as last year, fast, fast and fast but still cannot finish play.
McAusland-I'll be very interested in seeing how he does against the vets cause he looks awesome, especially his goal tonight
Bolduc-its either him or Babiak if it were up to me
Babiak-see Bolduc
Barbario-ever since the end of last year I've been thinking he may end up better than Bourdon (that may cause a stir)
Dimitruk-again, please stay
Sill-Awesome
Gomes-solid, nothin special but worth keeping in the situation we're in
Herr-I think they may keep him around for an exhibition game or 2 to see him drop 'em. Don't confuse this with him making the team though
Brown-still not impressive, I can't see him making it at 16

I agree with Mik as once some of them are up against the vets, things may change.

[sec21critic]

Saw roughly 60% of the 5pm game... a few more thoughts...

Bolduc was very solid in nets. Michael Babiak surprised. Alex Dupuis did not impress... let in a weak goal during the post-game shootout thing they have and started sooking.I know it's competitive and all, but I'm of the opinion having a case of the "poor me's" does nothing to help one's case.

On D, Barberio was standout. Dimitruk had a solid game. I was also fairly impressed with Furlotte. He was solid positionally most of the night.

Tolles was hot and cold. He can turn the wheels on from time to time but also seemed to be playing panicky with the puck at other times.

I tried to notice Gomes but didn't that much. I did notice Cody Wilson a couple times. When he's sound positionally, he's a decent defenseman who has some strength.

I don't like singaling players out in these very early stages of camp... but Kelan Herr truly was the least impressive player on the ice tonight. Even Brousseau looked better all around out there (when he was out).


Zach Sill was the best player out there. No question. Can do some pretty decent things with the puck at higher speeds and showed strong latteral movement. You can just tell he's a very smart kid out there on the ice.

Brown looked great in the first half of the game but seemed to wane as the game progressed. I believe it was Andrew Pettitt that burned him pretty badly in the third that led to a quality chance.

MacAusland was pretty invisible for stretches of the first two periods... but scored one of the nicer goals I've seen in any pre-season situation in the third. Right off the faceoff he grabbed a loose puck, cut out in front of the net, waited ever do patiently and then cooly backhanded the puck into the top corner while he seemingly almost had his back turned to the net. Definately an attention grabbing goal. Other than that.... he looked better in the corners, which is nothign to be ashamed of.

Trevor Peltak - You know... whoever decided to put two players of similar build and similar height with the same uniform number was not using great judgement. Peltak and MacAusland both were wearing #11, both are listed at 5'8" (I think Peltak's smaller) and both have the same build... it took me a good ten minutes before I could truly tell which was which. Peltak had a goal in this game and otherwise didn't stand out much, though he's definately trying to gain a nose for the net (what else can he do??)

Smith looked all right I guess... as good as a 19 year old playing in a rookie game with players of equal or better skill yet 2 and 3 years younger would look.

MacLellan was his usual self... bang and crash and make it happen. Brenton was the same... including missing three glorious scoring opportunities (scored in the shootout, though).

The Yukon kids... Stephens and Pettitt... both played for team red. Stephens kind of reminds me of an Olivier Dubuc-type guy. Very low risk... good enough size... and I'm sure he'll be in the main camp... but I don't see where he would fit in on this team. Pettitt was fairly impressive, I thought. He has a decent set of hands and seems to have decent dexterity and latteral movement. He looked good going in on Bolduc in the shootout... did everythign the way they tell you... Bolduc just happened to make a nice glove stop on him.

Of all the forwards, one that I didn't really come out to see yet I kept noticing was Karl Blain. He seems pretty comfortable out there and unlike alot of the rookies I don't recall him being out of position once. Made a number of decent low risk plays and has good skating abilities. Just looked very smooth out there. In this game, he was probably one of the best - of not THE best - defensive forward.

That's about all I got.