Joe Tolles

[Captain Obvious]

steveul said:

ace said:

I don't have any issues keeping Eastman as he has been one of the pleasant surprises this year. So on a year that we are probably going to have to fight for a playoff spot we decide we need 3 19 yo D men? Boyle has been decent for the most part. Got caught a couple of times flat footed but that should get better as he missed all of last years developement. Tolles played ok in trainning camp but obviously not well enough to earn a spot. So why bring him back now. I liked him from what I saw last season but he didn't seem to do much in trainning camp IMO. Gomes has his moments out there. Starting to play the body but still likes to shoot for shin pads from the point . Wilson, Boyle and Baca are all 18. I would rather give them the icetime as they could still be here next season as well.
I would like to see
Barberio
Eastman
Tolles (not sure what to think, but as Bobo said he isn't being brought back to ride the pine.)
Pianosi
Baca
Wilson
Boyle

I am sure we are going to keep 7 D men so that leaves Herr and Gomes out.

I don't see Gomes going anywhere ,,, he gets regular icetime ... and he clearly outplayed Tolles in training camp so I'm not sure why they think Tolles would be better now. Gomes isn't perfect but he also is getting better as he adapts to the speed of the Q and as he gets in better shape.

Personally I don't think this move makes us better in any way ... especially if we are deleting Gomes for Tolles.

It may be that Herr and Wilson have experessed displeasure in not playing and will go home at Xmas if it doesn't change ... I don't blame them. And Tolles will be brought in as an extra body ... but as has been said ... I can't see him being interested in returning unless he has a guarantee that he is a regular.

I have a feeling you are going to see Baca traded at Xmas ... to Bathurst who have Euro space and need a capable Dman or two ... just a hunch not based on any rumours.

I'd rather see them bring up a kid like Firlotte ... 17 YO. He looked just as good as Wilson and Boyle in training camp and he is only 17 ... and I liked the fact that he was the only one with balls enough to stand up to Herr. He has very good size and I think he could be developed into a serviceable Dman given time. He should have been added when 17 YO Demitruk pulled out.

We have too many Dmen that will not be here next year. I know they are a stop gap solution only ... but we are going to face a similar problem next year when Gomes, Eastman, Tolles, Herr, and probably Baca are gone and we have 4 or 5 new openings on D. Wilson and Boyle need to play regularly to ready to take on a fulltime role with bigger responsibility next year ... but that doesn't excite me either.

I can't really see any of our 19 YO Dman being kept as a 20 ... none of them are better than Emanuele and he didn't make the cut. I'd almost consider trying to get him back this year and move away from Morehouse.

20 YO options next year would be .... Eastman, Gomes, Herr, Tolles, Lavigne, MacLelland, Eagles, Sill ... with the last 3 names being the obvious choices. Trades could change that ... but as it stands now this is what I see.

The only d-men on the roster with a long term future here are Barberio and Pianosi(even though he's had an up and down year) plus maybe Wilson depending on where he is at in 10 or 12 months. Eastman has an outside shot at sticking as a 20 depending on his development and what deals the WC make. Right now Eagles is the only lock as a 20.

They definitely need to add young d-men, that's where the Pridham/O'connor rumor makes sense. If they could get Dimitruk back that would be another step in the right direction. Getting a high end 18 year old Euro in June would fill a big hole.

[buckybuckbuck]

Tuff decision but I would say the Boyles out, Baca and Gomes co-ride the bench and Herr is gone. If I were Herr I would have raised a stink long ago as well. Having said that my gut tells me that Baca is either being traded or released which pisses me off. I havent been too happy with most of the cuts, trades,... so far and releasing Baca would be in line with the rest. I guess we will all get news shortly.

[Optimus Reim]

I think that you guys are right that Baca will be traded but it depends on who or what (pick) we get for him. he has been getting better but he isn't getting nearly enough time to adjust and show what he can do. Even when the guys have a good game they still sit the next. It must be tough on them trying to figure out what the hell they need to do out there. I still think this move (bringing tolles back) makes no sense unless there is something in the works.

[SteveUL]

billy said:

steveul said:

I don't see Gomes going anywhere ,,, he gets regular icetime ... and he clearly outplayed Tolles in training camp so I'm not sure why they think Tolles would be better now. Gomes isn't perfect but he also is getting better as he adapts to the speed of the Q and as he gets in better shape.

Personally I don't think this move makes us better in any way ... especially if we are deleting Gomes for Tolles.

It may be that Herr and Wilson have experessed displeasure in not playing and will go home at Xmas if it doesn't change ... I don't blame them. And Tolles will be brought in as an extra body ... but as has been said ... I can't see him being interested in returning unless he has a guarantee that he is a regular.

I have a feeling you are going to see Baca traded at Xmas ... to Bathurst who have Euro space and need a capable Dman or two ... just a hunch not based on any rumours.

I'd rather see them bring up a kid like Firlotte ... 17 YO. He looked just as good as Wilson and Boyle in training camp and he is only 17 ... and I liked the fact that he was the only one with balls enough to stand up to Herr. He has very good size and I think he could be developed into a serviceable Dman given time. He should have been added when 17 YO Demitruk pulled out.

We have too many Dmen that will not be here next year. I know they are a stop gap solution only ... but we are going to face a similar problem next year when Gomes, Eastman, Tolles, Herr, and probably Baca are gone and we have 4 or 5 new openings on D. Wilson and Boyle need to play regularly to ready to take on a fulltime role with bigger responsibility next year ... but that doesn't excite me either.

I can't really see any of our 19 YO Dman being kept as a 20 ... none of them are better than Emanuele and he didn't make the cut. I'd almost consider trying to get him back this year and move away from Morehouse.

20 YO options next year would be .... Eastman, Gomes, Herr, Tolles, Lavigne, MacLelland, Eagles, Sill ... with the last 3 names being the obvious choices. Trades could change that ... but as it stands now this is what I see.

The only d-men on the roster with a long term future here are Barberio and Pianosi(even though he's had an up and down year) plus maybe Wilson depending on where he is at in 10 or 12 months. Eastman has an outside shot at sticking as a 20 depending on his development and what deals the WC make. Right now Eagles is the only lock as a 20.

They definitely need to add young d-men, that's where the Pridham/O'connor rumor makes sense. If they could get Dimitruk back that would be another step in the right direction. Getting a high end 18 year old Euro in June would fill a big hole.

I would say Sill is also a lock.

[buckybuckbuck]

I would say that some of the 20s that seem like locks are excellent trades for 2'nd and 3'rd maybe 4ths. So who we get for next year is dependant on who isn't tradable through the summer. MacLelland for sure has the heart and ability to assist CB in a rebuilding year... Eagles might be usefull to SJ who should be going for it. Lavigne isn't going anywhere if Riopel gets traded..... Mind you I haven't looked at any of those team to see their returning 20s.

[Sébastien]

I agree about Sill. I would probably take him as a 20 year old on the team before McLelland (sp?). Same defensive talent, more of an offensive threat IMO. That being said, we will be better able to judge when they will both be playing.

That being said, as far as defence goes, like I have said, I can't picture Tolles coming back and playing on the bench. And I can't possibly imagine Flynn being stupid enough to play all three of Tolles, Eastman and Gomes on our top 6 and having to plug holes again next year.

Having three 19 year olds getting regular icetime, when two of them are sub-par for the Q, at the expense of 18 year olds (Wilson, Baca, Boyle) and 17 (Furlotte) simply does not make sense. I have been against many of the decisions Flynn has taken so far this year. But if this move happens, I will be speechless.

[Captain Obvious]

buckybuckbuck said:

I would say that some of the 20s that seem like locks are excellent trades for 2'nd and 3'rd maybe 4ths. So who we get for next year is dependant on who isn't tradable through the summer. MacLelland for sure has the heart and ability to assist CB in a rebuilding year... Eagles might be usefull to SJ who should be going for it. Lavigne isn't going anywhere if Riopel gets traded..... Mind you I haven't looked at any of those team to see their returning 20s.

MacLellan is a guy that's somewhat expendable if you want to make more room for Brown MacAusland and Stevens, he's a good foot soldier and can contribute on PK and a checking line. Probably worth a 5th to 7th.

[SteveUL]

billy said:

buckybuckbuck said:

I would say that some of the 20s that seem like locks are excellent trades for 2'nd and 3'rd maybe 4ths. So who we get for next year is dependant on who isn't tradable through the summer. MacLelland for sure has the heart and ability to assist CB in a rebuilding year... Eagles might be usefull to SJ who should be going for it. Lavigne isn't going anywhere if Riopel gets traded..... Mind you I haven't looked at any of those team to see their returning 20s.

MacLellan is a guy that's somewhat expendable if you want to make more room for Brown MacAusland and Stevens, he's a good foot soldier and can contribute on PK and a checking line. Probably worth a 5th to 7th.

With Maclelland's anticipated return in January ... I'd move him onto that 3rd line with Sill and Brannon and cut Morehouse loose ... and perhaps go after Emanuele. I think we'd be a stronger team with those moves at zero cost. Emanuele is better than all of our Dmen excluding Barberio.

I'd also be all for releasing Herr and Wilson (since he isn't playing) and bring in Firlotte to be a spare and take over Wilson's limited icetime.

Is Emanuele playing regularly in Acadia ?

[Captain Obvious]

bobosinclair said:

I agree about Sill. I would probably take him as a 20 year old on the team before McLelland (sp?). Same defensive talent, more of an offensive threat IMO. That being said, we will be better able to judge when they will both be playing.

That being said, as far as defence goes, like I have said, I can't picture Tolles coming back and playing on the bench. And I can't possibly imagine Flynn being stupid enough to play all three of Tolles, Eastman and Gomes on our top 6 and having to plug holes again next year.

Having three 19 year olds getting regular icetime, when two of them are sub-par for the Q, at the expense of 18 year olds (Wilson, Baca, Boyle) and 17 (Furlotte) simply does not make sense. I have been against many of the decisions Flynn has taken so far this year. But if this move happens, I will be speechless.

I don't see a problem playing 3 19 year olds, it's not like all of the younger guys are coming back anyways. The way I understand it, Baca will be gone. Boyle may not stick at 18 and Wilson's future is dependant on how much he develops this season.

I think next year's defense will look something like this.


Barberio-Euro
Pianosi-Eastman or 20 via trade
Wilson(??) or FA/2008 early pick

1 or 2 FA or picks will be 7 or 8.

I can see them moving Marquardt to a contender for a pick and young d-man.


Goaltending will be Riopel barring a trade(I seriously doubt it) plus either a FA or young goalie

Up front, most of the 1989(Bezak Lessard Cameron Brannon Brenton) 's are back plus Stevens Brown MacAusland and Eagles. Sill appears to be a safe bet as a 3rd 20.

[Captain Obvious]

steveul said:

billy said:

MacLellan is a guy that's somewhat expendable if you want to make more room for Brown MacAusland and Stevens, he's a good foot soldier and can contribute on PK and a checking line. Probably worth a 5th to 7th.

With Maclelland's anticipated return in January ... I'd move him onto that 3rd line with Sill and Brannon and cut Morehouse loose ... and perhaps go after Emanuele. I think we'd be a stronger team with those moves at zero cost. Emanuele is better than all of our Dmen excluding Barberio.

I'd also be all for releasing Herr and Wilson (since he isn't playing) and bring in Firlotte to be a spare and take over Wilson's limited icetime.

Is Emanuele playing regularly in Acadia ?

Firlotte is not doing that great in Jr.A. I don't think he has quick enough feet to play defense in the Q.

[1fan]

steveul said:

billy said:

With Maclelland's anticipated return in January ... I'd move him onto that 3rd line with Sill and Brannon and cut Morehouse loose ... and perhaps go after Emanuele. I think we'd be a stronger team with those moves at zero cost. Emanuele is better than all of our Dmen excluding Barberio.


Is Emanuele playing regularly in Acadia ?

Emanuele has played in all of Acadia's games so far and is near the top in plus minus ( on a team with a lot of minuses) Getting PK and PP time as well. He's also on scholarship, no way you see him back in Moncton.

[SteveUL]

1fan said:

steveul said:

billy said:

With Maclelland's anticipated return in January ... I'd move him onto that 3rd line with Sill and Brannon and cut Morehouse loose ... and perhaps go after Emanuele. I think we'd be a stronger team with those moves at zero cost. Emanuele is better than all of our Dmen excluding Barberio.


Is Emanuele playing regularly in Acadia ?

Emanuele has played in all of Acadia's games so far and is near the top in plus minus ( on a team with a lot of minuses) Getting PK and PP time as well. He's also on scholarship, no way you see him back in Moncton.

Well he can get another Scholarship from Midland Transport if he comes back to Moncton ... plus about $500 a week ... so those aren't issues. But If he is very involved in Acadia's game plan then he is probably better off staying there.

[curtis]

Aren't his parents both dentists? I doubt they'd encourage a trip back to the Q when he's established himself at university.

(Although he would be a solid, steady presence and definitely an upgrade over what we already have.)

[fireball]

The pussycats will not be losing anybody to the World Juniors !!!! Get out of your dream world.

[CatsFan]

fireball said:

The pussycats will not be losing anybody to the World Juniors !!!! Get out of your dream world.

I don't think so either.. although I could see Barberio being on the team next year or the year after.