howd helgeson look out there tonight to new jersey ? i missed the game. was surprised to see him get the call up over harrold
He was fine. Probably called up instead of Harrold because they'll be able to send him back down more easily without having to waive him.
He barely played (~8 minutes) though. Has a huge frame, didn't realize from the AHL highlights I've seen. He uses it too which is nice. Seemed a little bit 'programmed' in the sense that whenever he got lost on the ice, he immediately went straight to the crease to protect it from a forward (even if the closest guy out was several feet away).
Took a bad penalty. Picked up an assist when his shot was deflected by Ruutu.
Overall, pretty good debut. I'd like to see him utilize his mobility a little more (he has some despite his frame) and not sure I really saw him attempt any breakout passes tonight.
Thanks for the update, saw that he only played 6 minutes wasnt sure if he got benched or not. They should almost call up harrold and then waive him and hope someone picks him up get 800k off the books haha
Ha! At this point, that does seem like a reasonable choice. Though, I guess they could also just trade him for a bag of pucks.
More seriously, it seems useful to bring up Helgeson. They need to see what they have with him and with the rest of the D. If Larsson can absorb the PK time and Helgeson can be a physical bottom pair defenseman, that could allow the Devils to not sign a Sal replacement. Not saying the Devis won't go after a veteran D this off-season, just that it might be a different type of d-man.
Bell has 7g in 7gp in the echl. Fair to say he's earned a call up?
Bell has 7g in 7gp in the echl. Fair to say he's earned a call up?
Dag, is the level of play in the echl, even being a pro league with grown men and the whole bit, considered a lower level of hockey then canadian junior leagues?
I suspect the best ECHL team would beat the best WHL team pretty easily simply due to being bigger and stronger.
But Bell is a big guy who was an overager int he WHL, so he probably translates well to the pros.
What's it going to take for Bell to get to Albany? I'd like to see what he can do there and get the chance to compete for a roster spot next year.
Realistically, there has to be an extended open spot. Albany already has 16 forwards on the roster, and that's no longer including Bernier. They're not necessarily good players (Wohlberg, Johnson, Janssen and the like), but they do have seniority over a newbie like Bell.
It makes more sense for Bell to be the best player on a god-awful team and play a bunch than it does for him to come up to the AHL and be part of a forward rotation that sees him playing once every 4 or 5 games.
Makes sense, thanks.
If he plays pro but not much at Albany, do you think he hurts his chances of getting a look for the NHL next year. Obviously he could always play himself onto the squad but it seems some players have to prove more than others.
Looks like I was someone mistaken, according to ILWT, Kelly Zajac has been sidelined until very recently and Janssen is out with a shoulder injury. That still means Bell would have to fight for a spot, though.
Realistically, I think his chances of making the NHL next season are low enough that a full year in the ECHL won't hurt his chances in the long run. There'll be a spot for him in Albany sooner rather than later, and with a lot of forwards ahead of him, he'll get his chance there to prove he deserves a shot.
Okay. I was thinking that with a number of forwards coming off the books and Bell's tough play and nose for the net he might compete for a bottom6 role.
It's definitely not impossible, I just think all of Boucher, Matteau, probably Graham Black, and maybe even Quenneville will be ahead of him on the depth chart next camp.