Things to look for at camp

[dogbert]

Sharrow, you may want to review those credentials again. He's up to it.

-------------------

I'm being told that we'll be very very happy with Kirkpatrick. He's a gritty, smart two way player that can score.

[berner]

habh8er said:

I agree with you Dogbert "we're hurting in the checking department for sure". If you consider +/- to be an important aspect of a hockey player or club for that matter then if J.B. can't do something about this I agree we are in a world of hurt for sure. The top 3 scorers for the seadogs last year had a combined +/- of a whopping -66. The top 3 foggies had a combined number of - 25.And at the other end of the spectrum the presidents cup champ Maineacs top 3 had a +90 averaged out that is S.D. -22....F.D.-8.33...LEW.+30. I think that scoring is very important, however unless we are going to score ten goals a game defence is the answer.As they say offence wins games but defence wins championships.Not that we are going for a championship but you have to start working on good habits and work ethic now to have these things drilled into young heads when it does matter.

While I agree that the forwards in general need to show improvement on the defensive side, the plus-minus stat is among the less useful stats out there, and certainly not a stat to base any arguments on. What it CAN do is provide backup for an argument, but it can't BE the argument.

[berner]

sharrow said:

The big question is will JB last till Christmas, theres an urgency to make vast improvements this season and I don't know if the experience of being a third assistant from the OHL is up to the task.

Sharrow, either you're joking or you are just new to the team. This is not only not 'the big question', it's not EVEN a question. In a few short months JB has really turned this ship around, and there's no reason I've seen to start wondering about him.

[themagician]

berner said:

sharrow said:

The big question is will JB last till Christmas, theres an urgency to make vast improvements this season and I don't know if the experience of being a third assistant from the OHL is up to the task.

Sharrow, either you're joking or you are just new to the team. This is not only not 'the big question', it's not EVEN a question. In a few short months JB has really turned this ship around, and there's no reason I've seen to start wondering about him.

JB is safe with a new 3 year contract and 2 rookie assitant coaches, neither of which have ever coached at the major junior level. So, even if you think he won't perform well, he is going to get another full season. Jim Midgely is not ready to be a head guy in the Q, nor is Bob Kaine, nor is Jim Fleming, nor is Greg Leland. Besides, to my knowledge, none of them speak french.

[dogbert]

While I think everyone will admit this team has weaknesses in the grit department, I'm not sure there is much we should do about it even if we could. This team is gearing up for next season. I'd be open to trading any of the 19's, but that's it unless they're marginal, for example Pard . There's lots of time to fill the void and options avaialble.

- a kid like Richer shows promise, so keep and develop him.
- maybe keep a player like Finley. He's not high end, but he'll perform a 4th line role well. Lewis fits too.
- I'd seriously consider bringing Dan Dooley in. I think it was a mistake not keeping him last year. Not only would he add a few hundred fans a game, but he's got enough energy and leadership for a whole 4th line. HS would rock every night!
- Simply keep the best talent, work on their defensive and checking skills, and work on trades for next season.

Gonna be a good camp!

[chillywack]

dogbert said:

-I'd seriously consider bringing Dan Dooley in. I think it was a mistake not keeping him last year. Not only would he add a few hundred fans a game, but he's got enough energy and leadership for a whole 4th line. HS would rock every night!

You've got to big kidding, right? Wasting a 20 year old spot on a kid like Dan Dooley? Give your head a shake! You have to be one of the biggest homers towards local kids!

Not to mention it was Dooley's choice to leave camp last year to keep his NCAA eligibility.

But, if we're going to bring in Dan Dooley, what the hell, we might as well add Matt Kimber too.

[Judas In My Mind]

Also amusing in there is the suggestion to keep Dan Dooley while keeping the best talent available. Dan Dooley does not fit into that statement. Maybe he meant a player like Dan Dooley, but with more talent.

[LiskeIsMyHero]

chillywack said:

dogbert said:

-I'd seriously consider bringing Dan Dooley in. I think it was a mistake not keeping him last year. Not only would he add a few hundred fans a game, but he's got enough energy and leadership for a whole 4th line. HS would rock every night!

You've got to big kidding, right? Wasting a 20 year old spot on a kid like Dan Dooley? Give your head a shake! You have to be one of the biggest homers towards local kids!

Not to mention it was Dooley's choice to leave camp last year to keep his NCAA eligibility.

But, if we're going to bring in Dan Dooley, what the hell, we might as well add Matt Kimber too.

Bring back Jevin too i guess. Kimber,Jevin and Dooley= Unstoppable

[dogbert]

chillywack said:

You've got to big kidding, right? Wasting a 20 year old spot on a kid like Dan Dooley? Give your head a shake! You have to be one of the biggest homers towards local kids!

Not at all. I couldn't care less about where a player is from. Last camp was the first time I saw him play. I do know that he had all of Woodstock rockin on more than one night. He's a hero to kids up there.

I've had the priviledge of watching him practice all summer. I have never ever seen a more motivated, intense, character-filled player. He would sell seats and more importantly get his team motivated. His size is a definate liability, but his heart more than makes up for it.

[chillywack]

dogbert said:

chillywack said:

You've got to big kidding, right? Wasting a 20 year old spot on a kid like Dan Dooley? Give your head a shake! You have to be one of the biggest homers towards local kids!

Not at all. I couldn't care less about where a player is from. Last camp was the first time I saw him play. I do know that he had all of Woodstock rockin on more than one night. He's a hero to kids up there.

I've had the priviledge of watching him practice all summer. I have never ever seen a more motivated, intense, character-filled player. He would sell seats and more importantly get his team motivated. His size is a definate liability, but his heart more than makes up for it.

Yes, you are a homer for local kids. That coming from a guy who said Langan could get 50 points this year .

Dooley doesn't have the skill to play in the QMJHL. That's why he's been in Junior A his entire Junior career.

And selling a few extra hundred seats? I don't think so. Go back to sleep and dream some more.

[berner]

I have to agree with everyone else on this one - Dan Dooley has no spot on the Sea Dogs, nor should he. He may be motivated and gritty, but to use a space for him would be a step backwards for the Dogs, not forward.

[dogbert]

rioux4c4season3 said:

Bring back Jevin too i guess. Kimber,Jevin and Dooley= Unstoppable

Ummm, lets not pull any punches. Lets bash some kids.

Kimber is way too small. Heart and talent can't make up for size in the net.

Jevin is too dumb. He's got decent physical skills, but he plays a step and a half behind everyone else and in the wrong direction. He creates more offensive chances for the other team than for his own.

Let's add Mike Neal, the first home town hero. He was a very good defensive center, mentally, but he had nowhere near the physique necessary to compete at this level.

McGinnis. I have no idea why he was ever invited to camp let alone protected. He's too small and can't skate. At least Dooley has some wheels.

Langan will be interesting. He's always had skating issues though. He should move much faster than he does given his great leg speed, but he's very very inefficient. Typically these deficiencies are genetically based, so I don't think he'll ever improve enough. I suspect the need to cover more ice will leave him behind. I hope I'm wrong.

[chillywack]

dogbert said:

chillywack said:

You've got to big kidding, right? Wasting a 20 year old spot on a kid like Dan Dooley? Give your head a shake! You have to be one of the biggest homers towards local kids!

Not at all. I couldn't care less about where a player is from. Last camp was the first time I saw him play. I do know that he had all of Woodstock rockin on more than one night. He's a hero to kids up there.

I've had the priviledge of watching him practice all summer. I have never ever seen a more motivated, intense, character-filled player. He would sell seats and more importantly get his team motivated. His size is a definate liability, but his heart more than makes up for it.

Would you actually waste a spot on a 20 year old Dan Dooley?

I don't think so.

His foot speed is too slow. He would have no chance in hell in keeping up with the play. He's got a hard time keeping up with the play in Junior A.

[habh8er]

berner said:

habh8er said:

I agree with you Dogbert "we're hurting in the checking department for sure". If you consider +/- to be an important aspect of a hockey player or club for that matter then if J.B. can't do something about this I agree we are in a world of hurt for sure. The top 3 scorers for the seadogs last year had a combined +/- of a whopping -66. The top 3 foggies had a combined number of - 25.And at the other end of the spectrum the presidents cup champ Maineacs top 3 had a +90 averaged out that is S.D. -22....F.D.-8.33...LEW.+30. I think that scoring is very important, however unless we are going to score ten goals a game defence is the answer.As they say offence wins games but defence wins championships.Not that we are going for a championship but you have to start working on good habits and work ethic now to have these things drilled into young heads when it does matter.

While I agree that the forwards in general need to show improvement on the defensive side, the plus-minus stat is among the less useful stats out there, and certainly not a stat to base any arguments on. What it CAN do is provide backup for an argument, but it can't BE the argument.

No arguments here just stating the facts..the numbers dont lie ..if were on the same team and our +/- is better than theirs we win..so if this stat is useless please explain how. I know that I always thought otherwise....but I don't know it all maybe i'll learn something

[themagician]

Once again, there will be no local kids on the team this year. And rightfully so, because none are capable or ready. Langan will need a year of Jr. A and should then be on the team. If you want to add Dooley, why not get Brad Gallant who is tougher, scarier and would have a chance to score 15-20 goals while creating tons of room for our younger guys who need to develop.