well, this next group just doesn't look as strong as this year offensively IMO. There is not that 1 guy to carry the load in years past, and even though Mittelstadt stepped up, we kind of see how things go for us without that Eichel, Matthews, or Keller.
I think Jack Hughes has the chance to be special here,but a lot to ask of the kid this early on, but if there is anyone that can step up and be that star player, he is it.
A lot of depth here just like this year, plenty of names competing for spots, plus some we haven't even really seen much of...this group has talent, but this will have to be a workman like group and MUST have Brady Tkachuk here...if he goes to the NHL, we are screwed. A lot of centers on my team as well which after this year seeing how shallow we were down the middle is a good thing...
I went with Blade Jenkins as my final forward as I have always been a fan, but I obviously know that his chance of making this team is next to zero since he left the USNDP program to head to the CHL..He was in a log jam of a group and wasnt getting the ice time or performing to his talent, so he left...BUT USA Hockey usually has issues with this and even though he is having a great CHL rookie season, hard to go with him if they already have to look at other CHLers like Robertson, Lodnia, Chmelevski, with very little USA Hockey experience outside of the Hlinka..
Defensively is a different story - this group has the chance to be dominating. Unreal size and skill here, most players clocking in over 6'1/6'2 with talent. This group could be the most dominating group in the tournament especially if Wilde and Miller as the young ones who have every chance to make immediate impacts here. I really see both Miller and Wilde here...see very little doubt that they won't be here...both big mobile studs, and both could be very high picks..
Here is my early list without goalies...so far..
Defense
Dylan Samberg - A
Quinn Hughes
Max Gildon
Bode Wilde
Mikey Anderson
K'Andre Miller
Ben Mirageas
Forwards
Evan Barratt
Sasha Chmelevski
Joel Farabee
Jack Hughes
Ivan Lodnia
Josh Norris
Ryan Poehling - A
Brady Tkachuk - C
Jason Robertson
Oliver Wahlstrom
Grant Mismash
Jake Pivonka
Blade Jenkins
Lines
Brady Tkachuk - Ryan Poehling - Ivan Lodnia
Joel Farabee - Jack Hughes - Oliver Wahlstrom
Grant Mismash - Josh Norris - Jason Robertson
Jake Pivonka- Evan Barratt - Sasha Chmelevski
Blade Jenkins
Dylan Samberg - Bode Wilde
Quinn Hughes - Mikey Anderson
Ben Mirageas - Max Gildon
K'Andre Miller
Wildcards for the forward group:
T.J Walsh - do not forget about him - out indefinitely with the shoulder injury, but if he comes back and starts off hot for BC, look out.
Jake Wise- once compared to Eichel at every step, back on the ice and healthy lets see what the kid can do the second half of the year- if this kid steps up, this team really needs that highend firepower
Curtis Hall - just love this kid- he has a ton of skill, has great size - could be a real find and player next year and could earn a spot on this team...
NOTE - I am not sold on Ryan Poehling as our #1 center - and that is the difficulty with this group - Poehling was near invisible this year playing a ton, so he needs to really step up or Jack Hughes or Jake Wise has to be the guys that gets that chance to be stars here..