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Post by curtis on Aug 14, 2007 20:10:55 GMT -4
I think we'll see the same situation as last season with Welton and MacDonald. If we can get a piece of the 08/09 puzzle in return for a veteran, that's great....if everyone is lowballing, you stick to your guns and play out the season.
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Post by Dalkiel on Aug 14, 2007 20:16:21 GMT -4
I'm sure he'll be here till xmas, then gets traded. There is no sense in having him on a rebuilding team for the whole year. Unless he worked with a figure skater the whole summer then he will NOT be in the AHL, he's simply not ready. I don't see why you see the cats as a rebuilding team. I see them as much better than last year although their record probably won't be as good due to a tougher division. Unless Marquardt can get a great return, I'd keep him cause he could help the cats go an extra playoff round and give that much more experience to the 17 and 18 yr olds for the "big season" in 08-09. I guess we'll have to wait and see where we are at christmas. If were not rebuilding this year and we have a record worse than last year than I'd say something is missing. I don't think we're rebuilding a la Rimouski but more of a reloading kinda thing-see Gatineau. Just speculation here but I say we'll be about mid pack. |
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Post by digitalman on Aug 14, 2007 20:40:33 GMT -4
I don't see why you see the cats as a rebuilding team. I see them as much better than last year although their record probably won't be as good due to a tougher division. Unless Marquardt can get a great return, I'd keep him cause he could help the cats go an extra playoff round and give that much more experience to the 17 and 18 yr olds for the "big season" in 08-09. I guess we'll have to wait and see where we are at christmas. If were not rebuilding this year and we have a record worse than last year than I'd say something is missing. I don't think we're rebuilding a la Rimouski but more of a reloading kinda thing-see Gatineau. Just speculation here but I say we'll be about mid pack. The question of if the cats are better this year than last basically comes down to do the additions of Sill, Baca, Bezak, Brannon, MaCausland, Dimitruk and Brown plus the progression of Cameron, Labelle, Lessard, Pianosi, Barberio, McLellan, Watson, etc compensate for the loss of Gaudet, MacDonald and Welton? I think that's an easy yes. The thing is the division is much tougher. In the paper today, Flynn said that four teams in the division are saying they could have their best team ever this year (easily the sea dogs and fog devils and maybe the mooseheads and rocket) so the games will be a lot tougher. I don't think the cats record was indicative of their play last season, I won't say they didn't deserve to finish 4th overall in the league but they got to play the Sea Dogs, Fog Devils, Rocket, Titan and Moosehead 8 times each. Those games will be a lot tougher this year, plus Lewiston is still a force. So their record will probably fall, although the team will be much better than last years. As for the rebuilding, I see this year as similar to 04-05.They were preparing for the memorial cup the next year but they still had a good team. The difference is the memorial cup isn't a sure thing next year like it was in 04-05, so they should try to contend as much as they can this season without necessarily compromising next season. |
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Post by SteveUL on Aug 15, 2007 7:50:47 GMT -4
If were not rebuilding this year and we have a record worse than last year than I'd say something is missing. I don't think we're rebuilding a la Rimouski but more of a reloading kinda thing-see Gatineau. Just speculation here but I say we'll be about mid pack. The question of if the cats are better this year than last basically comes down to do the additions of Sill, Baca, Bezak, Brannon, MaCausland, Dimitruk and Brown plus the progression of Cameron, Labelle, Lessard, Pianosi, Barberio, McLellan, Watson, etc compensate for the loss of Gaudet, MacDonald and Welton? I think that's an easy yes. The thing is the division is much tougher. In the paper today, Flynn said that four teams in the division are saying they could have their best team ever this year (easily the sea dogs and fog devils and maybe the mooseheads and rocket) so the games will be a lot tougher. I don't think the cats record was indicative of their play last season, I won't say they didn't deserve to finish 4th overall in the league but they got to play the Sea Dogs, Fog Devils, Rocket, Titan and Moosehead 8 times each. Those games will be a lot tougher this year, plus Lewiston is still a force. So their record will probably fall, although the team will be much better than last years. As for the rebuilding, I see this year as similar to 04-05.They were preparing for the memorial cup the next year but they still had a good team. The difference is the memorial cup isn't a sure thing next year like it was in 04-05, so they should try to contend as much as they can this season without necessarily compromising next season. We only play Bathurst, Lewiston, SJ and PEI 8 times ... we play Halifax, CB and SJ's only 6 times ... 50 divisional games ... 20 games against Telus teams |
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Post by Captain Obvious on Aug 15, 2007 7:56:20 GMT -4
If Marquardt was a lock fopr the AHL or even close, they would have signed him already. Unless he goes to there and has a huge camp, he'll be back.
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Post by gongshow on Aug 15, 2007 8:49:35 GMT -4
The question of if the cats are better this year than last basically comes down to do the additions of Sill, Baca, Bezak, Brannon, MaCausland, Dimitruk and Brown plus the progression of Cameron, Labelle, Lessard, Pianosi, Barberio, McLellan, Watson, etc compensate for the loss of Gaudet, MacDonald and Welton? I think that's an easy yes. The thing is the division is much tougher. In the paper today, Flynn said that four teams in the division are saying they could have their best team ever this year (easily the sea dogs and fog devils and maybe the mooseheads and rocket) so the games will be a lot tougher. I don't think the cats record was indicative of their play last season, I won't say they didn't deserve to finish 4th overall in the league but they got to play the Sea Dogs, Fog Devils, Rocket, Titan and Moosehead 8 times each. Those games will be a lot tougher this year, plus Lewiston is still a force. So their record will probably fall, although the team will be much better than last years. As for the rebuilding, I see this year as similar to 04-05.They were preparing for the memorial cup the next year but they still had a good team. The difference is the memorial cup isn't a sure thing next year like it was in 04-05, so they should try to contend as much as they can this season without necessarily compromising next season. We only play Bathurst, Lewiston, SJ and PEI 8 times ... we play Halifax, CB and SJ's only 6 times ... 50 divisional games ... 20 games against Telus teams I'm pretty sad we only see St'J's 3 times....I was scared we'd get a chance to see teams like R-N and Que more than once this year. Oh well hopefully our division will be alot stronger than last year. |
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Post by dogbert on Aug 15, 2007 10:32:03 GMT -4
If were not rebuilding this year and we have a record worse than last year than I'd say something is missing. I don't think we're rebuilding a la Rimouski but more of a reloading kinda thing-see Gatineau. Just speculation here but I say we'll be about mid pack. The question of if the cats are better this year than last basically comes down to do the additions of Sill, Baca, Bezak, Brannon, MaCausland, Dimitruk and Brown plus the progression of Cameron, Labelle, Lessard, Pianosi, Barberio, McLellan, Watson, etc compensate for the loss of Gaudet, MacDonald and Welton? I think that's an easy yes. The thing is the division is much tougher. In the paper today, Flynn said that four teams in the division are saying they could have their best team ever this year (easily the sea dogs and fog devils and maybe the mooseheads and rocket) so the games will be a lot tougher. I don't think the cats record was indicative of their play last season, I won't say they didn't deserve to finish 4th overall in the league but they got to play the Sea Dogs, Fog Devils, Rocket, Titan and Moosehead 8 times each. Those games will be a lot tougher this year, plus Lewiston is still a force. So their record will probably fall, although the team will be much better than last years. As for the rebuilding, I see this year as similar to 04-05.They were preparing for the memorial cup the next year but they still had a good team. The difference is the memorial cup isn't a sure thing next year like it was in 04-05, so they should try to contend as much as they can this season without necessarily compromising next season. I see a competetive program for several years, but I don't see the elite talent to get you to the top. You'll have to land some ringers in the next couple of years to get over the hump. Somehow I can see Flynn doing it though. |
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Post by Arnold Slick on Aug 15, 2007 18:52:23 GMT -4
We only play Bathurst, Lewiston, SJ and PEI 8 times ... we play Halifax, CB and SJ's only 6 times ... 50 divisional games ... 20 games against Telus teams I'm pretty sad we only see St'J's 3 times....I was scared we'd get a chance to see teams like R-N and Que more than once this year. Oh well hopefully our division will be alot stronger than last year. Well there's no need to be sad because the Fog Devils make 4 visits to the Coliseum this season  |
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Post by Porkchop on Aug 18, 2007 22:37:53 GMT -4
I'm sure he'll be here till xmas, then gets traded. There is no sense in having him on a rebuilding team for the whole year. Unless he worked with a figure skater the whole summer then he will NOT be in the AHL, he's simply not ready. I don't see why you see the cats as a rebuilding team. I see them as much better than last year although their record probably won't be as good due to a tougher division. Unless Marquardt can get a great return, I'd keep him cause he could help the cats go an extra playoff round and give that much more experience to the 17 and 18 yr olds for the "big season" in 08-09. I guess we'll have to wait and see where we are at christmas. You will have a better than average group of forwards, but you defense will suck.....also your goalie seems to be having problems staying healthy......you will be worse than last year. |
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Post by chsb on Aug 18, 2007 23:43:02 GMT -4
Last year, a tremendous chunk of Moncton's offense was based on Welton and MacDonald rushing the puck and playing the point efficiently....it is not 17 YOs Barberio and Pianosi who will accomplish that.
Add to it the departures of Samson (who was instrumental up to Christmas) and Gaudet and you have a bunch of forwards without any impact one if it is not for the OAs Mangan and Marquardt(if he comes back)...
If Moncton ever trades Mangan, they are left with Eagles...a 3rd line centerman.
If you add Euros and Brannon, you still have a very young forward core not backed anymore by two top defensemen.
I ranked them #5 in the Eastern Division because of their overall past success drawing good FAs and of the coach.
Without Marquardt they will take a dive...if they trade their best assets at Christmas, which I think they should do, they will sink....but....they will be excellent in the following years.
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