Projected lineup

[Arnold Slick]

He's 19 years old and last year with Kitchener he played in 12 games coming out with a 6-3-0 record, a GAA of 2.62, and a save percentage of 0.917.

[xcaper]

I think a line-up like:

Forwards: Cameron-Lincourt-Lessard, Eagles-Bezak-Marquardt, Sill-Brannon-Morehouse and Stephens-MacLellan-Brenton with MacAusland, Brown and Watson as spares.

Defence: Baca-Pianosi, Barberio-Gomes and Dimitruk(if he decides to stay)-Boyle with Goyens and Lamoureux as spares.

Goal: Riopel-Dupuis.

That would leave guys like Mangan, Sniderman and Lepage to trade.

[curtis]

xcaper said:

I think a line-up like:

Forwards: Cameron-Lincourt-Lessard, Eagles-Bezak-Marquardt, Sill-Brannon-Morehouse and Stephens-MacLellan-Breton with MacAusland, Brown and Watson as spares.

Defence: Baca-Pianosi, Barberio-Gomes and Dimitruk(if he decides to stay)-Boyle with Goyens and Lamoureux as spares.

Goal: Riopel-Dupuis.

That would leave guys like Mangan, Sniderman and Lepage to trade.

MacAusland and Brown won't be spares, they're here to play.

I doubt Watson would stick around if he wasn't playing...last year was a learning experience, but I'm sure he has other opportunities if there is no playing time for him here.

[Dman]

xcaper said:

I think a line-up like:

Forwards: Cameron-Lincourt-Lessard, Eagles-Bezak-Marquardt, Sill-Brannon-Morehouse and Stephens-MacLellan-Breton with MacAusland, Brown and Watson as spares.

Defence: Baca-Pianosi, Barberio-Gomes and Dimitruk(if he decides to stay)-Boyle with Goyens and Lamoureux as spares.

Goal: Riopel-Dupuis.

That would leave guys like Mangan, Sniderman and Lepage to trade.

For the money they paid to get them I doubt MacAusland and Brown will be spares.

[xcaper]

I used the word spare, but I think they will still play a lot of games being rotated in the line-up with guys like Stephens, Brenton and maybe Sill along with filling in when there are injuries and players attending NHL camps, etc...

[hockey1981]

MaCausland & Brown will be on team
Also Stephens beeing here meens few vets from last yr won't be
Another thing, Cameron, Lincourt, Marquardt will be attending pro camps so might need few extra guys until they're back,....Wish they'd get both 20's and get rid of Mangan, I think Lincourt would be more productive...
I bet few vets are getting lil nervous!!!!!!!!!

[bikerboy]

ya getting Lincourt and Mangan out on the trading block and going to get Picard Hooper would that be a better 20 year old

[jimmy]

There is no way, IMO, if they both are given the same opportunity that Lincourt outproduces Mangan this year ... Mangan could be a 100 point centre playing on a top line with Marquardt and another skilled player ... Lincourt has spent his entire career as an enigma, a guy who can produce in spurts, and then disappear for long stretches ... I am not prepared to cut ties with Mangan because Lincourt worked hard in the gym this summer - his problems were never physical anyway ...

[curtis]

I agree with jimmy....the only way you take Lincourt over Mangan is if you're blown away with an offer for Mangan (not likely), AND the coaching staff is convinced that they can get the most out of Lincourt.

On a young team that will have it's ups and downs, like last year, I'll take the consistency and playmaking of Mangan. I also think Mangan will be very productive on the PP with Flynn's coaching and systems.

[Captain Obvious]

Unless they get an incredible offer, I don't see them not having Mangan or Marquardt on the club, both are above average 20 year olds and could put up 80+ points in the right situation. Lincourt if he has a huge camp, could push out Morehouse. what Morehouse brings is also somethinng guys like Sill Brannon Lessard Brown Lamoureux Maclellan bring to the table. Sniderman, unless they are convinced Rio is not a legit Q #1 goalie, I don't really see him in the mix except for maybe 4-5 weeks until the #2 situation is reolved.

[Captain Obvious]

Here are the position battles at this point IMHO...

Goalies
Riopel is hurt but at this point he is a lock to be on the team and #1. The #2 job apperas pretty wide open, they have only cut one guy and brought Taylor in. Sniderman may be in the picture but not permanently IMHO. Bolduc appears to be the frontrunner as #2 with Cooling Dupuis and Taylor still getting a look.

Defensemen
Barberio Baca and Pianosi are locks. Dimitruk appears that he will end up staying. Gomes Wilson and Eastman look like good bets to stick. That leaves maybe 1 spot for one of Boyle Tolles Goyens Little or Herr(toughness).


Forwards
Marquardt and Mangan appear to be the locks as 20's and should play 1st line. Morehouse might get a challenge from Lincourt for the 3rd spot or maybe Sniderman if Rio is not healthy. Eagles should be a lock but he could possibly be traded. Cameron Brannon Lessard Bezak Labelle Sill Brown MacAusland MacLellan, that brings you up to 13 barring trades. Stephens was guarnteed a spot. Lamoureux is needed for physical play and toughness. That leaves Watson Lepage Brenton in a pickle as #16-18. Smith I can't see him sticking barring a miracle.

This is by far the deeperst position, players like Brenton Lepage Lincourt Watson could be cut or traded as young players, especially with the team trying to get bigger(Brenton and Lepage) like MacAusland

Edit...ideally your 4th line is 16-18 year olds...Brown MacAusland Watson Lamoureux Stephens plus maybe Brenton. The top 3 lines are crowded Mangan Marquardt Morehouse/Lincourt Eagles Labelle Lessard Brannon Cameron Sill Bezak MacLellan plus Brenton Lepage...11-13 guys for 9 spots, nice problem to have.

[Optimus Reim]

The biggest thing is that we have a few quality forwards that probably won't make the team and Flynn will hopefully get the best return possible. You don't really want to just give decent players away. But on the other hand we would be at a slight disadvantage as most teams know we need to trade them. I would be happy with trades that replensish the draft pick cupboard IMO.

[sec21critic]

Regarding Stephens... he's been reported as signed... but didn't we also "sign" Brandon Greenside last year? Just because a player is "signed" does that nessecarily mean he's going to be on the team the entire season. Could it be that this is a way to keep Stephens as an affiliate with the Beavers potentially? Or is there something about the Greenside case that I'm missing?

[lirette]

sec21critic said:

Regarding Stephens... he's been reported as signed... but didn't we also "sign" Brandon Greenside last year? Just because a player is "signed" does that nessecarily mean he's going to be on the team the entire season. Could it be that this is a way to keep Stephens as an affiliate with the Beavers potentially? Or is there something about the Greenside case that I'm missing?

I thought Greenside had concussion problems, he played the first 1 or 2 games of the season but eventually was sentback, maybe I'm thinking of Boyle though.

[Captain Obvious]

lirette said:

sec21critic said:

Regarding Stephens... he's been reported as signed... but didn't we also "sign" Brandon Greenside last year? Just because a player is "signed" does that nessecarily mean he's going to be on the team the entire season. Could it be that this is a way to keep Stephens as an affiliate with the Beavers potentially? Or is there something about the Greenside case that I'm missing?

I thought Greenside had concussion problems, he played the first 1 or 2 games of the season but eventually was sentback, maybe I'm thinking of Boyle though.

Greenside played 8-9 games then went home because he wasn't playing enough.

Boyle hurt his knee and needed surgery.