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8.09.2012

Vacation Over

Summer vacation (from writing) is over and it's time to talk some hockey. If you're a hockey fan, you have to love this time of the year. No matter how bad your team was in the previous season... come August, we all have some level of belief that they will be better in the upcoming season. A ton of things have happened since I was able to opine on the state of the team so let's get right to the bullet holes.

  • ESPN 710 fired ex-beat writer Mike Caccioppoli and hired two new writers.  Andrew Eide (@AndyEide) and Tim Pigulski (@tpigulski) will now cover the Tbirds for the radio affiliate. Caccioppoli, in my opinion, was a poor writer and had a poor knowledge of hockey and the inner workings of the WHL. I'm well aware that a small set of fans passionately agreed with his opinions (and that's great) but his interviews with Russ were borderline offensive and most of his blog posts were either simple game recaps (that could be found on the Thunderbirds website) or combative interviews with the accommodating General Manager. Andrew will serve more as the "reporter" for the blog while Tim will handle the "analysis". From what I have seen and read so far the coverage will be vastly improved from what it was in the past year.  I have read several of Andrew's posts and I think they are have been largely excellent. I wasn't a particularly big fan of one of Tim's first articles but I'm not going to take him to task this early in the job. I think some things Tim has written since, have been excellent.  Since I believe the new blog/coverage is worthy of reading (I didn't before) I will be adding it to the links at the side of the page. Check out Andy and Tim.
  • Seattle picked up a 20 year old goaltender from Calgary named Brandon Glover. By most accounts Glover is a solid addition to the team and should help solidify the defensive zone for a defensive unit that is still very young. I think you could make an argument that the team will be better off without Calvin Pickard in goal. Losing Pickard in goal is an obvious loss in skill... but often I have seen teams play passively around a goaltender with an excellent reputation and I think there were times where the Tbirds wound up standing around watching Pickard make saves (or not).
  • Seattle selected two players in the Import draft and the reports I have seen have been very good. Alexander Delnov is a Russian winger who was considered by some to be a sleeper with excellent upside after being selected by the Florida Panthers in the 4th round. His compete level is excellent and he should be a solid contributor immediately. I caution Thunderbird fans with their expectations. I would fully expect Delnov to score some points and be a solid player but I think it would be unfair to expect him to be an immediate superstar and 95 point scorer. Give him some time to adjust to the American game and he should be just fine.  Seattle's other selection was Center Roberts Lipsbergs from Latvia. Lipsbergs should also be a solid player but will likely be more of a depth Center in his first season. He also wore the "A" for the Latvian team which would indicate some level of leadership qualities. Delnov  has plenty of size at 6'0" and 187 lbs and Lipsbergs is a tad on the small side at 5'10" and 176 lbs but he should be just fine.
  • Ah yes... the "big" trade. I may have waited until the end to get to this. Last week the Tbirds traded disgruntled (he had asked for a trade) forward Colin Jacobs to the Prince George Cougars in exchange for 19 year old defensemen Jesse Forsberg. This is a fantastic trade for the Thunderbirds. Jacobs, in my opinion, has been one of the most overrated and disappointing players in the last 10 seasons. A player with a pretty solid set of hands, Jacobs' skating speed and ability just never seemed to improve. He had trouble creating space and when you can't create space with your feet you have a hard time using your hand skills to create opportunities. There is a reason why Jacobs' had so much success on the Power Play during his 17 and 18 year old seasons.  In exchange for Jacobs, Seattle picks up a veteran defensemen in Jesse Forsberg (requested a trade) who was also the Captain of the Cougars last season.  The addition of Forsberg gives Seattle a pretty solid pairing of Deagle (should they keep him) and Forsberg... which would allow Shea Theodore to focus on doing what he does best... quarterback the power play and help put the puck in the net. The more defensive minutes that can get covered by Deagle, Forsberg and the other defensemen... the less pressure there will be on Theodore to play more than 20-25 minutes a night. Theodore is a blossoming talent but you have to be careful about putting too much pressure on a 17 year old to play like a 19 or 20 year old in this league.
  • The Training Camp schedule was released today and I have to admit that I don't really like it. Scrimmages on Thursday and Friday will be at 9am and 4:30pm making it pretty tough for working folk like myself to attend training camp. I'll adjust my schedule and find a way to attend a couple of the sessions.  Saturday will have a scrimmage at 3pm while Sunday will feature scrimmages at 9am and 4:30pm again.  Monday will be a full jersey wearing scrimmage at 5:30pm.
  • EDIT: Ah yes the Doty trade. How quickly I forget things. The Doty trade was another productive one by Russ even if Riley Sheen never plays (and I have a hunch he will). Doty was a fantastic kid and I have met his mother and they are wonderful people... but I think it was clear that Doty was having trouble developing enough foot speed to ever have an impact in this league beyond his tremendous fighting prowess (a skill that a poor/developing team doesn't have the luxury to carry). If he thinks he should be getting more of an opportunity... good for Russ for getting him out of here and giving him that chance while getting player who was a year younger and may develop into an offensive player.
This is going to be a pretty important season in the RE-development of this franchise. At some point they have to be able to turn the corner and win some games and I have a pretty good feeling that this is the season. Does that mean they are going to win the US Division... no... I don't think it will be. I think they still trail teams like Portland in overall talent. But they should be improved over last season and I think they have a pretty solid shot at getting back into the playoffs in the back end of the bracket. We should all get a clearer picture after training camp and some preseason games.

22 comments :

Anonymous said...

Glad you are back Tyler - no comment on the Dotbtrade?

Anonymous said...

Tyler, welcome back! One thing that I've always appreciated about you and this blog over the years is your enthusiasm at the start of a new season. Personally, I'm trying to temper my expectations for this year. The Forsberg deal is huge. It certainly shores us up on D in front of a new goalie who quite frankly, hasn't put up the best numbers. His interview on the T-Birds site has me fired up that he's joining the team.

How do you feel on the whole deal with both Barzai and Gropp? Should the birds cut their losses and trade their rights away now in the hopes they get at least some sort of return? Why the heck don't these kids wanna come play in Seattle?

You're more optimistic on the goal tending situation then I am. Untested rookies or a relatively untested 20 year old gives me pause.

I'm going to leave the whole Mike C thing along, other then to echo your sentiments. You have that one dead on.

Same with Theodore. I think the kid has huge potential. He's certainly tearing it up in the U 18s.

What's your take on the overage/forward situation? Who goes?

Anonymous said...

Why would they trade Barzal? And Gropp has not eliminated the T-Birds from his future. In fact, once Barzal is here, he may have more reason to become a T-Bird. Barzal is gonna be a stud at this level and Gropp would be wise to come here and ride those coattails.

Thunnex said...

Anon 2... a lot to respond to there.

Cliff Notes Style:

-Forsberg deal is huge. Totally agree.
-I believe Barzal will be here, I'm not too worried. Gropp is a solid no for now. I personally think they should trade his rights and cut bait. If I'm Russ I give a big tall F-U to players who don't want to play for me. Seattle hasn't been winning, that's all. Nobody wanted to go to Portland 5 years ago.
-Glover is better than you think, bank on it.
-Good riddance.
-Theo is a big time talent. I really want to see new and improved shot and he must improve in his own end.
-O/A... I'd go with Deagle, Glover and whoever plays his ass off in training camp between Lockhart, Rouse and Lund. I tend to lean towards trading Lockhart because of value and keeping Rouse.

Anonymous said...

Tyler, I agree completely regarding the over age situation. I've always felt Rouse was a very under rated player. He, Honey, and Troock were one of our best lines last season.

Anonymous said...

Good to have you back, Tyler! I'm excited for some hockey!!!!!

I think Rouse finally started hitting his stride with Honey and Troock. They always put him with the really physical players (Elliot, Doty) and he's not that type of player.

Anonymous said...

My mind says Rouse.

My heart says Lockhart.

You have to think there would be a team or two interested in Lund based just off of his hustle on the PK last year.

Dean said...

Welcome back Tyler...I thought you would be a perfect reporter for the lack of KIRO reporting. Someone that could actually make the on-air personalities take this team seriously but understand the 'no-pay' label may have been an obstacle. Regardless, the dirt bags, a term that I use for sports personalities in this area that don't take hockey seriously or even know what a off sides is. Kiro lacks personalities that take hockey serious due to their employment, with pay, to former basketball and football has beens. Geez, I'm tired of KIRO and their talking heads..

Pickard was a great goalie but I don't have the love a fare as some might have. Sure he was a kid with a piss pore defense but he allowed a lot of soft goals in while making outstanding saves.

Again, welcome back to the "Premier Thunderbird blogger", Tyler! I'm looking forward to another season with game recaps when and if I can attend.

Tyler...you should have applied for the free games alone.

Dean said...

BTW...if this becomes ANOTHER rebuilding year then Russ must go as a GM, stay as a owner but stop making this as a hobby. I had to say it and I included my name.

Anonymous said...

Ahh.. I was waiting for it, and there it is. The first commenter to use the term 'rebuilding' and the 'hobby/doesn't care about winning' angle when referring to Russ. The truth is that these terms no longer apply to a defeated group like Russ and the T-Birds. When the organization misses the playoffs in 3 consecutive seasons, fails to trade the crown jewel of the trade deadline market, and drafts the most likely college-bound kid in his class, Russ does not deserve the courtesy of the 'rebuilding' umbrella. And even if it is a 'hobby' to him, these defeats would bruise the ego of anyone with a pulse and an ounce of pride and competitive spirit. Russ is not rebuilding, as rebuilding is a term for progress. He is only filling in gaps and trying to salvage a bruised reputation. The interesting part of this off season is watching what he can do to dig us out of hole.

Anonymous said...

Do we have a list of whom will be at the Rookie camp?

Anonymous said...

All this negativity before the season is even close to starting. I actually think on paper, Russ did great to improve this team over the off season.

Anonymous said...

Or a list of Seattle's protected players?

Kodi said...

T-Birds never post it but they have rosters at camp.

You can also select the link on Tylers main page to Alan's blog who on his main page has a prospect list for each team on the right (only accurate once a year when he creates them but they are fairly new).

Anonymous said...

There is no "rookie camp" per se this season. Everyone will be together at "main camp"

Anonymous said...

As a possible update to Alan's blog, Brayden Low has stated on his twitter that he is now a T-bird. He was a 2009 7th round pick by Portland. He is an 18 yo center and appears happy about reuniting with Seth Swenson.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for the season to start. Saw Wardley,Swenson & Rouse at the kids hockey school They are looking pretty focused.

Anonymous said...

Re-newed my season tickets the next day after Jacobs was traded. Good luck PG with the "diver" and "head bobber".

Anonymous said...

Hmmm.

Ryan Hanes anyone? Far fetched I know given our already muddied 20 year old situation but.....

Hmmm.


Anonymous said...

Sorry, I'm not seeing enough in Hanes to think he's worth bringing in. He's undersized and puts up Sanvido-like numbers, I'd rather have our current overage group.

Anonymous said...

Should be a interesting year, man if they do not make the playofs 4 years in a row it will be intersting to see how the fan base reacts. On the 54 board, one comments was that the fan base is growing, I really do not see that other than there is more fans on Tuesdays and that is because they sell $2.00 dollar beers. There was maybe 2 sell outs last year.They need to get Gropp and Barzal signed for the future of this team to go in the right direction.Hopefully coach K gets everyone on the same page, he is the right man for the job, no question in my mind.

Anonymous said...

no rookie camp! why?

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