Brandel*
Guest
He also was totally snake bitten once he started playing better hockey. I mean Blashill wasn't as down on him as you would expect once 2014 ticked over. Would say a lot of nice things about him in terms of him playing the way they expected and wanted him to he just needed to get rewarded.
It is a big year for him no doubt, but he still has some tools and has really been totally thrown away by everyone around here. I know it is what have you done for me lately but the idea he is about to lose to guys like Callahan in our poll is going to be head scratching for me. The upside is still there with Frk, I also wouldn't be opposed to dealing him if another team has shocking value for him or wants him as the added in B prospect.
I just feel like he is going to be a better player this year. Lots of guys have a rough year in the AHL, what did he learn from it is important.
He has to work out hard this summer. I have some doubts though, he used to party a good amount in Halifax and really didn't have to work hard in junior hockey to get points (junior hockey pts basically = success). He sat on the PP and was fed shot after shot, hardly had to move. I think playing with Mackinnon and Drouin wasn't the best thing for his development. He had half a year off from his concussion then a year of playing w/ Drouin and Mackinnon not having to win many puck battles and do the hard work on the ice himself. He says he's willing to put extra work in this summer so hopefully he'll have a comeback year in 15-16, really needs to work on his conditioning and needs to actually battle on the ice.