Tim Wallach
Registered User
So the deal most likely ends up being McDonnell for a 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Brown's Game Day piece has conditions listed:
- The 2nd round pick to Kitchener kicks in if the OHL plays one playoff game (presumably this season) or if McDonnell plays an OA year.
- The 3rd round pick kicks in if McDonnell plays an OA year.
- The picks sent to Barrie are conditional on Brzustewicz reporting to Kitchener.
OHLinsiders on twitter he says Hunters commitment to Michigan is very strong.
McTavish joining Xhekaj in the Hammer!
For me right now, the elephant in the room is the coaching and development. ... adding a couple promising pieces will just fizzle out yet again.
Best case scenario to start next season:
Odelius-Schmidt
J. LeBlanc-Brzustewicz
Andonovski-Motew
Hollett
Left Fegaras out because it seems far fetched at this point. Looks like a really good starting point. Odelius projected to be a top round pick, Schmidt obviously already signed by the Lightning, Brzustewicz going to be a high pick next year and still room to add an OA or 2.
And yet somehow we turned Xhekaj and Yantsis from coal into diamonds.
You’ll always have some breakthroughs. Don’t forget Xhekaj’s biggest step forward came when he was away from the team for a year.
I stand by that assessment though. On balance, we haven’t drafted particularly well or developed players beyond the narrow strengths they arrived with. And they have undervalued some of those elements.
For me right now, the elephant in the room is the coaching and development. You can keep throwing players at the problem but unless you teach them a cohesive system with a high compete level, you’ll always be subpar.
Kitchener doesn’t play with any pace or grit and struggles mightily with passing (both giving and receiving). They undervalue three key elements in speed, toughness and defined roles. Every player brings the same lacking dynamic.
I hate to be negative but contenders compete a lot harder and adapt to game style. KIT needs to figure it out or adding a couple promising pieces will just fizzle out yet again.
It almost seems like a culture thing. Time and time again we see players like Riley Damiani come in and they’re absolute workhorses in their 16/17 year old seasons. But when they get into their older seasons they show up when they want to, lose the heart and compete that made us fall in love with them and the cycle continues.
On balance, we haven’t drafted particularly well or developed players
It almost seems like a culture thing.
Valade will be a very good OA option. I don’t see the rush to trade him. If the offer is stupid crazy high then sure. If not I’d keep him and see how next season starts.
Valade, Serpa, Harper and Cajan are the only options for OA next year. Cajan I really like but it’s rare for a team to use an OA and import spot on a player. I would consider using it on Cajan though. We need to find 2 imports next year for Cajan to not be considered as an option. If you have no desire to bring back Cajan next season they I’d be trying to shop him to a contender needing goalie help with an import spot available or a weaker import they could flip us back.
I’d move Valade now. Even with the Fishman injury they have Misaljevic and Swick out of the lineup this afternoon against the Knights. Got A. LeBlanc on the 4th line too. Get the kids as much ice time as possible. Even if it doesn’t work out at least we know now and not in October of a season where we want them to go for it.