tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post6331717479866138829..comments2023-11-03T05:08:58.618-07:00Comments on Let's Go Birds: Season Wrap, Finally.Thunnexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13789566664956835210noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-51026063802815497142014-05-16T15:52:32.158-07:002014-05-16T15:52:32.158-07:00What about 17's Holowko and Kreklewich? Both h...What about 17's Holowko and Kreklewich? Both had great camps last year - are they still on the list? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-50541486535368160592014-05-14T14:35:17.328-07:002014-05-14T14:35:17.328-07:00Thanks. I've been keeping tabs on this ever si...Thanks. I've been keeping tabs on this ever since the beginning of last season. I did it for my own benefit because (originally) I too was very nervous about what would happen after last season with the number of 19 year old's we had... But once I broke it down, almost all nervousness when away and was replace by excitement. I also took a look at both Portland's and Kelowna's situation compared to ours too... And although we are going to lose about 8 players as compared to 6 each for Por and Kel (this off season), we have a much stronger group of young kids looking to fill in the ranks this season. You can almost argue that the talent being brought in will offset the talent being lost (with two decent picks in the Euro draft as well as Honey being out almost all last season anyways), and add on top of that the fact that they are a much younger group. Plus the core that will remain (most notably Barzal, Gropp, Bear, Ensor, and Spencer) are going to be that much better and should all (or almost all) be on the team in two seasons as well. And to top it all off, the question of who we lose next offseason will be 100 times easier than this offseason (whereas POR and KEL might have more trouble).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15414294526773945314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-32838227084327437822014-05-13T16:01:45.213-07:002014-05-13T16:01:45.213-07:00Tyler... excellent work. +1Tyler... excellent work. +1Thunnexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789566664956835210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-67862656598859900662014-05-13T15:58:13.169-07:002014-05-13T15:58:13.169-07:00Here is a look at my current projection on next se...Here is a look at my current projection on next season... Of course (as been discussed), picking the 3 20's is a bit of a crap shoot and the rest is subject to potential trades, but I don't expect as many trades this off-season/regular season as we have seen in the past.<br /><br />FORWARDS:<br />1) Calvin Spencer (18)<br />2) Scott Ensor (18)<br />3) Justin Hickman (20)<br />4) Ryan Gropp (18)<br />5) Mathew Barzal (17)<br />6) Sam McKechnie (20)<br />7) Keegan Kolesar (17)<br />8) Kaden Elder (16)<br />9) Nolan Volcan (16)<br />10) Lane Pederson (17)<br />11) Donovan Neuls (17)<br />12) Euro One (17-19)<br />13) Euro Two (17-19)<br />14) New Player 1* (16-19)<br /><br />DEFENDERS: <br />15) Jarret Smith (19)<br />16) Kevin Wolf*** (18)<br />17) Shea Theodore (19)<br />18) Ethan Bear (17)<br />19) Jared Hauf (19)<br />20) Luke Osterman (17)<br />21) Dante Fabbro** (16)<br />22) Shavan Khaira** (16)<br /><br />GOALIES:<br />23) Taran Kozun (20)<br />24) Logan Flodell (17)<br /><br />ADDITIONAL:<br />25) Free Space if needed (16-19)<br /><br />*Possibility to pick someone up<br /><br />**If signed<br /><br />***Based on my list. "New Player 1" has the possibility to be a defender because I agree a lot with comments regarding Wolf<br /><br />Based on this list, while next season is going to be up in the air (although I am willing to go on record saying I believe the team will be better then last season), the real push will be in the 2015-2016 season (I know people don't like looking two years ahead, but hear me out)...<br /><br />With the possibility of no 19 year old forwards this season, our overage problem following next season will not be much of an issue. Chances are we will lose Theodore as a 20 year old, but that would leave Smith and Hauf as two of our three 20's, and pair that with 18 year old's Bear and Osterman, and (hopefully) 17 year old's Fabbro and Khaira (each with a full season under their belts). We should have a very strong Defensive core (and isn't the saying offence wins games but defense wins championships?). Then up front we will have an 18 year old Barzal and 19 year old Gropp (as chances are good that if Gropp is back next season as an 18 year old he will be back as a 19 year old as well because of the AHL rules). Even if we lose Barzal to the NHL (which depending on next season is a real possibility), we will still have 19 year old's Spencer and Ensor, 18 year old Kolesar, 18 year old's Pederson, Nuels (both with a full season under their belts like Khaira and Fabbro), and most likely the two Euro's picked up in this upcoming draft (who should be 18 or 19 each, both with a full season as well)... Oh and you will also have a 16 year old Tyszka on the back end who should be worth watching. Finally, with the final 20 year old spot (if Theo is in fact gone), I don't think there is any shame in picking up a 20 year old Goalie with the ability to rest when need be because of an 18 year old Flodell on the bench.<br /><br />All in all... As long as Farwall doesn't do anything drastic, I think we are in really good shape (a lot better than some people seem to think).<br /><br />Besides, this season should be Portland's last hurrah (and by the 2015-2016 season they should be average at best... unless they cheat again), Kelowna should be back down to Earth as well after this upcoming season, and I do not see Tri-Cities or Spokane having enough time to become anything more than good by the 15-16 season (though both should be better... although Spokane is in a world of hurt for this upcoming season). <br /><br />I hate to admit it, but the only wild card (in the US) is Everett as they are currently just as young with a (I hate to admit) great coaching staff. <br /><br />Kamloops is another wild card (for the conference) as they had some decent draft picks these last couple seasons, Victoria will probably be brought back down again as they have missed out on some high draft picks, and although Prince George is currently one of the youngest teams in the league, I'm afraid they are doomed to suck... No one wants to play there.<br /><br />While I can't be more excited for the upcoming 2014-2015 season, I'm not afraid to admit I already can't wait for the 2015-2016 season.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15414294526773945314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-20242958577450830722014-04-28T09:00:12.448-07:002014-04-28T09:00:12.448-07:00Keep in mind that Osterman isn't signed either...Keep in mind that Osterman isn't signed either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-58240013627592739962014-04-28T08:42:24.527-07:002014-04-28T08:42:24.527-07:00If Fabbro signs, I don't think you have to bri...If Fabbro signs, I don't think you have to bring back Wardley or Henry. Top six d men would be <br /><br />Theodore<br />Smith<br />Hauf<br />Bear<br />Fabbro<br />Osterman<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-11216187789588305342014-04-27T10:33:04.236-07:002014-04-27T10:33:04.236-07:00I would include 17 Donovan Neuls to that list. He...I would include 17 Donovan Neuls to that list. He was signed recently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-32279014864945795622014-04-26T14:51:16.246-07:002014-04-26T14:51:16.246-07:00I went ahead and sorted the roster by position and...I went ahead and sorted the roster by position and age. I also removed players that will not be back next year. Is there a remote possibility that one of those players could be back? Yes but it's not likely so I'm not even going to bother considering them. As for what will actually happen well it's really a crap shoot because I think Russ is more likely going to make trades for what he can get in return vs what's best for the team (for instance trading Forsberg instead of Elliot).<br /><br />Forwards<br />16 Kaden Elder<br />16 Nolan Volcan<br />17 Keegan Kolesar<br />17 Lane Pederson<br />17 Mathew Barzal<br />18 Calvin Spencer<br />18 Ryan Gropp<br />18 Scott Eansor<br />20 Connor Honey<br />20 Jaimen Yakubowski<br />20 Justin Hickman<br />20 Sam McKechnie<br /><br />Defencemen <br />17 Ethan Bear<br />18 Kevin Wolf<br />19 Jared Hauf<br />19 Jerret Smith<br />19 Shea Theodore<br />20 Adam Henry<br />20 Evan Wardley<br /><br />Goalies <br />17 Logan Flodell<br />18 Danny Mumaugh<br />20 Taran Kozun<br /><br />So looking at this list let's first look who we are likely to add this year.<br />Euro #1 Forward<br />Euro #2 Forward<br /><br />Now it wouldn't shock me at all to see Russ take a defencemen with one of these picks but I just think the Euro game is more of a speed based game which is what it seems this team is turning in to. I also agree that we should look at splitting the ages of our Euro picks as we are no longer able to trade Euro picks so to retain a higher chance of success we should look at taking a new Euro each year.<br /><br />All that being said I would look at dropping 2 20 year old forwards first and the two on my list are Honey and Yakubowski. I love both of those players but I don't want to risk a 20 year old slot for a player who could only stay healthy enough to play 7 games in Honey or a player in Yakubowski who in his stint with Seattle missed 10+ games with two "upper body injuries" including time in the playoffs.<br /><br />Next knowing that we have a bunch of talent coming up in the system I would look at getting rid of one of our 2 20 year old defenders. I like Wardley because he is more of a stay at home defender with some grit where Henry is more of a scoring defencemen which is also needed. Now I like them both and to me this is a scenario where it would be fine trading the one we could get the most for but I will say I worry that Wardley is one bad boarding call away from a 7 game suspension and anything that risks us losing a player for an extended period of time is a bad thing (remember when we were thin after the holiday break and how that went).<br /><br />So that leaves us 1 player to look at getting rid of. Now if someone wants to give us a 1st round pick for Kozun right off that bat like maybe a Kelowna who is losing Cooke but look to make another run and want to strengthen the backend then that to me makes the solution easy. If we aren't that lucky though I think we have to go in to the beginning of the season with 4 and see how some of our young talent produce. If Flodell is all that and a bag of chips then can we look at going with him and Danny and getting rid of Kozun? Same goes with our young D and the forwards that are coming up.<br /><br />In any case it's going to be a LONG and BUSY off-season!Kodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12530094650260889519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-12831011480035416592014-04-26T00:36:59.736-07:002014-04-26T00:36:59.736-07:00Nice thoughts Tyler and the rest of the people off...Nice thoughts Tyler and the rest of the people offering comments.<br /><br />I am interested to see what the offseason brings. I'm guessing two import forwards (they seem to have plenty of defensemen in the pipeline and getting a goalie is out of the question because Canadian goalies aren't as good as Euro goalies or something like that :) I'm also thinking one of these forwards will be an NHL draft pick like Delnov was and then I'd like to see them get a younger import so they both aren't the same age. I'm also interested in seeing what combination of positions they end up with for their 20's. Do they go 1 G, 1 F, and 1 D? Do they go 1 G, and 2 F? Do they get a good offer for Kozun and go 2 F and 1 D or 3 F? I think with the age of their core defensemen (probably 3 returning 19 year olds) that they could afford to trade both Wardley and Henry. Especially since 20 year old defensemen seem to have a lot of value.<br /><br />I think if Hickman isn't signed and in the AHL next year I think he has to be one of your 20s. I'd love to see him back with Gropp and Barzal for another year. I'm thinking Kozun is kept as a 20 and Mumbaugh is traded. I think they keep a second forward and trade the defensemen. I'm guessing Honey is retiring since they removed him from the roster for the playoffs? If Honey is healthy and fit to play I think I'd have him over Yack and McKechnie (yes I know injury prone), I think the youth of the team would benefit from him especially on the PP. Can you imagine Theo QBing one unit and Honey on the halfwall for the one timer on the other unit? I think that leaves Yak or McKechnie. Neither blew me away last season, but maybe that is just because they were in the defensive role so much. I think I'd keep McKechnie of those two, since he is your best penalty killer and they will need solid contributions from all their 20s next year. So I guess you hope you get something for Yak, Henry and Wardley that can help next season and future seasons. The team next year can really use a 19yr old forward or two.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04143468354590711642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-18148458455002625172014-04-25T16:05:42.348-07:002014-04-25T16:05:42.348-07:00Anything is possible but I think without a signifi...Anything is possible but I think without a significant leap forward over the summer... I think he's going to find it hard to crack the lineup again.Thunnexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789566664956835210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-7552750791972890962014-04-25T15:10:29.976-07:002014-04-25T15:10:29.976-07:00Tyler, I've been wondering about Kevin Wolf, h...Tyler, I've been wondering about Kevin Wolf, he barely saw the ice this season and I think if Fabbro signs and Osterman has continued to develop there may not be a spot for him next season. What's your take?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-26638642169583125332014-04-25T11:57:49.463-07:002014-04-25T11:57:49.463-07:00Anon 10:25... loaded questions but great questions...Anon 10:25... loaded questions but great questions.<br /><br />Let me see if I can cover them.<br /><br />Players who have been eligible for the draft and were not drafted (i.e. Hickman) are essentially free agents and can sign contracts with anyone. Hickman went to Bridgeport on what is called an ATO (amateur try out) which means they were basically giving him a "look" in a few games at the end of the season. This does not mean that he is not property of the Islanders, though he could, in theory, sign an Entry Level contract in which he would become their property.<br /><br />Entry Level deal... is what Troock signed. That doesn't mean Troock will NOT be back for certain but typically players who are 20 years old and eligible to play in the AHL and have signed Entry Level deals typically play at that level. Occasionally that player is returned to Juniors and such was the case with Greg Scott a few years back.<br /><br />Shea Theodore had already signed an Entry Level deal with the Ducks, hence him joining the likes of Troock going to play for AHL clubs after the Tbirds season ended.<br /><br />Theodore however will be only 19 years old next year and the NHL doesn't allow 19 year olds to play in the AHL* so they have to either play for the big club (Ducks) or be returned to their Junior team (Seattle). Such was the case with Mathew Dumba of the Winterhawks who had been playing sparingly with the Minnesota Wild but was returned to Portland after his rights were traded.<br /><br />Barzal and Gropp playing at U-18's is not connected to NHL teams and they were selected by Hockey Canada to represent their country at the tournament (because they're awesome).<br /><br />Unfortunately, I can't give you a definitive list on who will be back and who won't. That's one of the neat (and perhaps frustrating) things about Junior Hockey is that the rosters change a ton from year to year.<br /><br />Troock probably won't be back. Delnov and Lipsbergs will almost certainly not be back. Russell Maxwell will most likely not be back because he has said publicly that he's going on his mission. Theodore is probably back but might not be back. Hickman is probably back but also could sign a deal and as a 20 year old might not be back.<br /><br />Players who were 16, 17 and 18 this year are pretty safe bets to be back unless they are traded or decide to play somewhere else next year for the purpose of added playing time which could happen in the case of a player like Kevin Wolf.<br /><br />* - The NHL has some weird rules in regards to 19 year old's but the general rule of thumb is that if you're playing for a CHL team at the time you were drafted you cannot play in the AHL. I believe if you were playing overseas... get drafted and THEN come over to the WHL you could potentially play in the AHL. Someone can correct me if I don't have that part 100% correct.Thunnexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789566664956835210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-79354788994713412192014-04-25T11:37:31.142-07:002014-04-25T11:37:31.142-07:00Good post, and fun and positive comments to boost!...Good post, and fun and positive comments to boost!<br /><br />For Sea, the amount of 19y/o on the team this year was pretty high and I get that some people might have concerns. Not sure I share them, but I can see the point.<br />On the offense, the team was running a solid 3 lines for most games, meaning 9 players. If Hickman comes back (high probability), You already have your 3 centers (Barzal, Eansor and Pederson. Also one of your lines is intact (Gropp, Barzal and Hickman). Spencer and Kolesar are probably ready to get on a regular assignement on the 3rd line. So on the top 9 fwd line you really are missing only 2 wingers (and one of these spots could be filled by either Yakubowski or McKengny. <br />with the fourth line that could be filled by young prospect or bubble players, that does not sound too bad (to me).<br />BIG CAVEAT: That cheerful happy lookout on the season depends on what they pick at the Euro draft. If they pick 2 fwds looking more like Delnov or Lipsberg...all good. If they turn ou to be more on the Senturin side of things, UGH!<br />So we will see I guess.<br />To anon 6:50<br />You need to look at season 06-07 to 08-09. That said new ownership, flushed with money and a GREAT pitchman (and coach and gm) at the elm (Jonhston)you can compensate for a lot in bad drafting position and sanctions. So will they be a factor next year, sure. It will get harder I think. They had a pretty good rotation of talent in the past few years and it might drop a peg or two. I don't think that guys like Bitner, Turgeon and Iverson can perform to the level of the Brad Ross, Leipsic or Petan. But you can believe that they are looking everywhere to get that possible hidden gem and Johston will sell his program hard.<br /> <br />Mr Tell13https://www.blogger.com/profile/13706265045018584883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-75808773780246714142014-04-25T10:25:00.853-07:002014-04-25T10:25:00.853-07:00Can someone explain for those of us who are new to...Can someone explain for those of us who are new to the WHL offseason how "free agency" works in this league? I see on the T-Birds website that a number of players have gone to play for other teams, which I expected (a lot like "winter ball" for Major League players) but I don't know with some of these guys whether it means that they will not be back. I see that Trook went to play for Norfolk, Barzal is playing for a U-18 club and Theodore got drafted by the Ducks. So how do we know which players will be back and which will not be? Do these players have a date that they have to declare by?<br /><br />Finally, I know I'm asking a lot, but can someone give a list of the players that they know will be back, that they know won't be back, and those that are on the fence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-28661917953304291042014-04-24T10:30:52.651-07:002014-04-24T10:30:52.651-07:00In regards to Portland the lack of draft picks esp...In regards to Portland the lack of draft picks especially high picks should cost them sometime in the future. However over the past few seasons the organization has been very successful picking up players from other sources. The team has several players from the state of Minnesota. Seem to pick up 19 year old from somewhere to contribute. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-90439121746526488302014-04-24T09:30:11.705-07:002014-04-24T09:30:11.705-07:00I'm loving that the comments are actually more...I'm loving that the comments are actually more positive than the original post! I'd say that's a positive for this team, too. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-29885365967554049452014-04-24T06:50:05.988-07:002014-04-24T06:50:05.988-07:00Do you guys ever see Portland going through the WH...Do you guys ever see Portland going through the WHL cycle of having a few bad seasons? Seems as though they have the cupboards stocked and they keep restocking them, that with their sanctions that have been placed on them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-33709156858455950512014-04-23T12:20:39.721-07:002014-04-23T12:20:39.721-07:00Yeah, I'd agree with that as well.
I'm no...Yeah, I'd agree with that as well.<br /><br />I'm not saying that the sky is falling at all.<br /><br />I just expect to see fans say that they think this team should win the U.S. Division and I don't know that that is a fair expectation level.Thunnexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789566664956835210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-66068055206951981882014-04-23T12:16:59.021-07:002014-04-23T12:16:59.021-07:00I do not think the sky is falling next season. The...I do not think the sky is falling next season. They will be younger at forward for sure, but will have a great deal of experience on the back end. <br /><br />Also, Tri and PG's young players, I would argue, are not the calibre that Gropp, Barzal,Bear, etc are so I'm not sure that those comparisons are fair to Seattle.<br /><br />It's also not totally unprecedented to have your best players be guys in their 17 year old seasons. Halifax won a Memorial Cup last year with seven 17-year-olds, three of which, Mackinnon, Druin and Fucale, were their best players. I'm not saying that Gropp, Barzal, etc are as good as Mackinnon and Druin but I think Seattle will be better off than most people think.<br /><br />The rest of the division is losing some high end older players as well. How will Everett replace Winquist, Khaira and Pufahl? Spokane with Holmberg, Aviani and Williams? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-86008424120446683562014-04-23T12:02:44.098-07:002014-04-23T12:02:44.098-07:00I agree with you on that.
I'm not so much wor...I agree with you on that.<br /><br />I'm not so much worried about what they gave up to get those players. More worried about the vacuum effect of those players moving on.Thunnexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789566664956835210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5761720971433980858.post-4020778552591949752014-04-23T11:59:51.852-07:002014-04-23T11:59:51.852-07:00I would only say that most teams that "load u...I would only say that most teams that "load up with 19 yr olds" for a Cup run, do so by trading away high draft picks (1st and 2nd rounders)and/or top prospects in the system. Seattle did none of that. they kept their high picks and their top prospects, so I don't think they loaded up for a Cup run as much as they added solid older role players, but not superstars, to get home ice in Round 1.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com