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Post by Jack Bauer on Jun 7, 2009 22:26:35 GMT -4
Well the draft weekend is over. We'll know in a few weeks what European's we'll gamble on but other then that we now have a good idea on what we'll see next year.
Roy/Holden
Probably the #1 goaltending duo in the league.
Ward/Brodeur Meilleur/Ellis
There will be many players in the mix for the bottom 3 spots but 19yr old defenceman Jim Campbell from Ontario and 4th round pick Ian Saab probably have an inside track on 2 of those spots. JS Fournier, Mathieu Boudreau, and Wes Herrett are also in the mix.
Adam/MacDougall/MacNeil Stinziani/Horyl/Bourgeois LeSieur/Shaw/Bernard
Those are the 9 returning forwards. I expect a European to be added here which would push Bernard to the 4th line leaving 4 roster spots. Justin Chaisson, 16yr olds Jodoin and Parker, plus our other draft picks which include a couple locals in Cuzner and MacIntosh will all be given shots at the last few spots.
I can't see returnees like Micallef, Deveaux or Maccarron making it without one hell of a camp and even then all 3 are in tough.
There's a few different options as team captain. I think my pick would be Meilleur.
Compared to the other teams in the division we stack up well but once the Euro draft is over with we'll probably be a bit behind Moncton and Saint John on paper but ahead of teams like PEI and Bathurst who should still be improved from last year. Halifax will also be a hard working team with a lot of potential.
A lot of how things play out will be determined by who returns as overagers as is usually the case. Saint John has Hoffman and Peterson who had monster 19yr old seasons who could have pro options. In Moncton Riopel is almost a guarantee to be drafted and signed and there is talk of opportunities for Brannon as well. We have a huge hole of our own if Ward is not back.
Any other thoughts/comments on what we've seen the last few days or may see in the next couple months?
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Post by senatorz2 on Jun 8, 2009 17:48:20 GMT -4
I cant see Stinziani being back as an overager.. people around the team that i talk to say that he is kind of a cancer on the team.. and in the dressing room.. and some what of a trouble maker.. i think that Desveaux will make that team and should be one of the top penalty killers if only given a chance.. as for captain i am guessing that it will be Nick MacNeil.. with Meilleur Horyl and Adam wearing the A's..
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Post by sittler on Jun 8, 2009 18:36:50 GMT -4
Boudreau will impress if he comes to camp. I predict cuzner will make the team on heart and workethic alone. Plus he was an effective player on a National Championship Team. You would have to think they will keep Jodion. Haven't seen Parker. Chaisson has all the tools and can score. It will depend on how timid he is with the bigger stronger players. Macintosh has good skill and decent size and will have an outside chance. Macarron is in tough because of his age. Same for deveaux although he has a more dynamic game and adds energy and toughness which Mario may want to have around.
Should be a fun year to be a fan, I think the team will be competitive and the strong CB contigent should add a few more fans.
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Post by brec7 on Jun 8, 2009 19:04:46 GMT -4
Great breakdown JB, nothing really to add because you pretty much covered it!
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Post by Art Vandelay on Jun 8, 2009 19:44:27 GMT -4
I dont know where people are getting the info that Stinz is a cancer. From the the people ive talked to and the players themselves . Stinz seems to keep everyone loose and in a good move , he loves joking around and having a good time. I dont know where people are getting cancer.
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Post by cbwestc on Jun 8, 2009 20:02:38 GMT -4
stinziani will be back for sure, thats why piskacek wont
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Post by cbwestc on Jun 8, 2009 20:23:52 GMT -4
C Meilleur, A Macneil, A Adam, A Stinziani
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Post by cbwestc on Jun 8, 2009 20:30:16 GMT -4
My Team Right Now Could Change Big Time At Try-Outs
Macneil, Macdougall, Adam Stinziani, Horyl, Bourgeois Chiasson, Shaw, Lesieur Desveaux, Bernard, Cuzner Jodoin, Lapostolle
Meilleur, Brodeur Ward, Ellis Boudreau, Fournier Saab
Roy, Holden
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Post by mrgordon on Jun 8, 2009 21:04:29 GMT -4
I'll break my 'vow of silence' and throw out a few of my own thoughts here I suppose.
I think the team's captain is going to be Taylor MacDougall with Meilleur, MacNeil, and Brodeur wearing A's.
I actually think that Deveaux will fit nicely into our lineup regardless of his age and the logic behind having him play elsewhere and developing the kids. Sure, we've got Bernard but Deveaux will serve as an excellent energy guy and maybe the guy who gets the majority of our fights while Bernard exists more so as a presence.
I really like our top 4 D-Men playing in front of Roy. Ward should be a stellar 20 YO D and I expect that Meilleur and Brodeur will only further develop into top tier defencemen in this league. I expect Ellis to continue taking huge strides in his draft year and hopefully play the point on the PP and use his efficient low accurate blast shot often. Of course having these four playing in front of Roy and Holden should be very frustrating for our opposition.
My worries from the back-end are mainly offensive concerns. And whether Myles Micallef and Jim Campbell crack the lineup or they develop Boudreau, Fournier, or Saab or 2 of these is pretty inconsequential as evaluations will be made again before Christmas.
Up front, on paper our forward group looks to be a little bit of a letdown. But when you estimate just how much scoring we'll need I tend to think that we seem to have the kind of group that can support the D and goalies well enough and finish off timely chances.
The acquisition of Marc Bourgeois looks to me to be a real steal and I think his complete package on the ice and extra motivation playing at home will be essential to the teams energy; i expect a lot of timely goals from Bourgeois. His fitness regiment in Ontario this offseason should only further boost his value.
I am not overly optimistic that Shaw is going to take big strides this year offensively but I do feel that his overall game and skating should take the next step and that he and Max LaSieur will benefit playing together on the third line and learning to chip in and ideally earn power play time and eventually more and more minutes as the season progresses.
There's not too much of a point in providing a full out lineup breakdown with he Import Draft yet to commence. Ideally, Mario can find one or two gems that can make an immediate impact in our lineup. 1 forward and 1 defenseman seems logical...(although I'm not even sure what picks we have for Euros...)
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Post by lalalaprise on Jun 8, 2009 21:17:38 GMT -4
My Team Right Now Could Change Big Time At Try-Outs Macneil, Macdougall, Adam Stinziani, Horyl, Bourgeois Chiasson, Shaw, Lesieur Desveaux, Bernard, Cuzner Jodoin, Lapostolle Meilleur, Brodeur Ward, Ellis Boudreau, Fournier Saab Roy, Holden I think you have too many of those hometown (area) kids making the team... Boudreau is too weak physically to play defense in this league, Chiasson likewise...great skill-set, but too soft/weak/slow.
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Post by cbwestc on Jun 8, 2009 21:28:34 GMT -4
i agree those could be their weaknesses but i still think they are capable of playing in the league.
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Post by mrgordon on Jun 8, 2009 21:55:50 GMT -4
Lala, I'm assuming that you haven't heard much on 19 YO Free Agent Jim Campbell have you? I'm just curious about this guy and why Mario's seeking a 19 Ontario FA when Micallef is already property of Cape Breton's...Is Micallef staying home?
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Post by lalalaprise on Jun 8, 2009 22:05:49 GMT -4
Lala, I'm assuming that you haven't heard much on 19 YO Free Agent Jim Campbell have you? I'm just curious about this guy and why Mario's seeking a 19 Ontario FA when Micallef is already property of Cape Breton's...Is Micallef staying home? No idea. If youre bringing in a 19 year old FA, than you have to assume he can play in your top 4 on D or top 6 up front, otherwise hes useless.
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Post by caperguy on Jun 9, 2009 7:45:17 GMT -4
My Team Right Now Could Change Big Time At Try-Outs Macneil, Macdougall, Adam Stinziani, Horyl, Bourgeois Chiasson, Shaw, Lesieur Desveaux, Bernard, Cuzner Jodoin, Lapostolle Meilleur, Brodeur Ward, Ellis Boudreau, Fournier Saab Roy, Holden I think you have too many of those hometown (area) kids making the team... Boudreau is too weak physically to play defense in this league, Chiasson likewise...great skill-set, but too soft/weak/slow. plus there should be a couple Euros in there, too
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Post by bois on Jun 9, 2009 10:36:35 GMT -4
Lala, I'm assuming that you haven't heard much on 19 YO Free Agent Jim Campbell have you? I'm just curious about this guy and why Mario's seeking a 19 Ontario FA when Micallef is already property of Cape Breton's...Is Micallef staying home? You guys always bring in 18 or 19 year old dmen from Ontario Micallef wasn't very good.... this guy doesn't have to be real good to at least equal what you're losing in dropping Myles oh and I agree with mr gordon MacDougall will be your captain
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