Just a quick question.
Next season how many players on the NYR roster will be on ELCs?
Just wanted to get people opinion on this.
It's hard to say at this point. Do we draft someone in the 1st round who is ready to play immediately? Which free agents do we sign? What trades do we make? Will both Spooner and Namestnikov still be here? What about Zucc? What players are we getting back in trade? Does Smith earn his spot back?
Right now, we've got the following players on ELCs:
Buchnevich
Vesey
O'Gara
Skjei
Pionk
DeAngelo
Gilmour
Georgiev
Of those 8, only 4 will still be on ELCs next year: Buch, Pionk, DeAngelo and Georgiev. Buch is a given to be on the team next year. Pionk and Georgiev are both making good cases for themselves and ADA certainly has a shot. Gorton may opt to bring in a more experienced backup and let Georgiev get a lot more games in the AHL. It may come down to Pionk or ADA and Pionk has the edge right now.
I think Lettieri has a decent chance of making the team next year. Chytil and Andersson both have more than a decent chance. Beyond them, who knows. None of Hajek, Lindgren, Howden or Ronning have much experience, if any, at at the pro level. They may all need time in Hartford.
My guess is that we are going to obtain at least 1 ELC player (either via trade or by drafting him) that will be able to play immediately. I think Zucc and one of Spooner/Namestnikov will be gone. I think Chytil, Andersson and Pionk will all make the team. So I'd say the ELCs for next year will look something like this:
Buch
Chytil
Andersson
Pionk
One of ADA, Lettieri, Howden, Lindgren, Hajek
Player obtained in offseason