C Thomas Bordeleau - Barracuda, AHL(2020, 38th, SJS)

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

Michigan not winning the title is pretty insane. What a shame... lol

I think it makes a lot of sense in context.

Take NCAA basketball for example, where teams have been front-loading talented freshmen/sophomores for a while now. Those teams (Duke, Kentucky, etc.) generally do well, but it's far from a blueprint to a national title. Like when Duke had three of the five highest rated freshmen (Williamson, Barrett, and Reddish) they got bounced by a well-rounded MSU team in the Elite 8. And that's basketball, where talent takes you a lot farther than it does in hockey.

Single game elimination hockey is a free for all. It doesn't take much to swing a game - hot goalie, bad bounce, quick defensive miscommunication, etc. So while Michigan was the most talented team, and understandably the title favorite, I really don't see it as that bizarre that we lost in Frozen Four overtime to the eventual champions, and a team with plenty of potential NHL talent in their own right.

Disappointing? For sure, from Michigan's perspective at least. Insane? Eh, not in my opinion, when you take into context how tough it is to win the NCAA title.

 

[Kcoyote3]

He's looked great for a 20 year old so far. Let's play him with Meier or Hertl instead of Balcers/Gregor now.

I dunno, I kind of like that line. Once they figure each other out a bit more it could finally be a serviceable third line for the first time in like 3 years. Lets Bordeleau get some easier matchups too

 

[hohosaregood]

I think what's gonna work out in his favor for his floor at the NHL level is that he has shown that he can be an effective forecheckers. It's only 4 pro games so far for him but every game, he's created a chance off of a turnover while forechecking. The hockey IQ and the offensive creativity are also looking like plus attributes as well. It's a strong base for him to work off of.

He needs to be more decisive defensively and just simplify things and be more direct about it.

 

[Juxtaposer]

He's looked great for a 20 year old so far. Let's play him with Meier or Hertl instead of Balcers/Gregor now.

I actually think that his usage is good right now. Let other defenses focus on Hertl/Meier and Couture while Bordeleau faces easier competition. Gregor and Balcers are solid third liners who he’s shown chemistry with so far, and he gets his reps at center, where he hopefully sticks long-term. I have no problem with him finishing out the year as is, continuing to show his skills offensively and gradually improving his defensive game.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Really glad to see he's having early success in the NHL. He's not gotten the due he deserves this season because he's played with rotating line-mates, and wasn't on the stacked Michigan first line, but there wasn't anything wrong with his play this season. Just didn't get the situations that some others were given. Thats going to happen to someone on a stacked team where not everyone can be PP1 and 1st line. I'm still hoping he gets to play in the WJC. Was a travesty what initially happened once again.

 

[themelkman]

Really glad to see he's having early success in the NHL. He's not gotten the due he deserves this season because he's played with rotating line-mates, and wasn't on the stacked Michigan first line, but there wasn't anything wrong with his play this season. Just didn't get the situations that some others were given. Thats going to happen to someone on a stacked team where not everyone can be PP1 and 1st line. I'm still hoping he gets to play in the WJC. Was a travesty what initially happened once again.

Yup, guy didnt get the stability he deserved on that Michigan team. I get not giving him the best wingers, but he should have got the second best with his play.

 

[hohosaregood]

Oh my this kid has the skill and creativity to be a star in this league if things go right

 

[Bowie22]

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Excited to watch both him and Eklund on the same team next year. We got some nice playmakers coming up.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Great 2nd round find by SJ. Think they got a gamer here.

Also has got some great centers to learn from in Hertl and Couture. I can see him being on and off for several years before he really finds his footing in the NHL.

 

[Kcoyote3]

 

[Stewie Griffin]

hattrick from sunday

 

[King In The North]

Baby Sharks 1st line/1st PP looked good from the highlights.

 

[JohnLennon]

hattrick from sunday

Have you been watching the Cuda much this year? Even with the hat trick he's got 9 pts in 15 games, which is OK but not as good as you'd expect for a top prospect in the AHL at 20 years old. I guess the team is really bad, but still, was hoping he would be able to play above the rest.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Have you been watching the Cuda much this year? Even with the hat trick he's got 9 pts in 15 games, which is OK but not as good as you'd expect for a top prospect in the AHL at 20 years old. I guess the team is really bad, but still, was hoping he would be able to play above the rest.

No I personally haven't watched much. From what I do know, the new coach shuffles the lines quite a bit, and on top of that they are pretty undisciplined. He and Eklund have definitely been playing better than they did to start the year though, so hopefully the whole team gets some chemistry going.

 

[De Montreal]

He is on a three games point streak so maybe it was just a bit of a slump for him, good to see him pick up points.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

15 goals in the AHL already, 7 assists though but nevertheless.
1st in rookie goals, 3rd in rookie points

 

[CaptainShark]

After watching some Cuda games lately I have to say his numbers are quite a bit missleading. You look at the stats and think „great rookie season“ but his play leaves a lot to be desired. He is knocked of the puck very easily and looks lost afterwards a lot of times. While he has great vision and passing skills, he doesn’t use those all too often. His line doesn’t take control of shifts at 5 on 5 at all (at least in the handful of games I have see). Overall, I have been more impressed by Eklund and Gushchin.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

After watching some Cuda games lately I have to say his numbers are quite a bit missleading. You look at the stats and think „great rookie season“ but his play leaves a lot to be desired. He is knocked of the puck very easily and looks lost afterwards a lot of times. While he has great vision and passing skills, he doesn’t use those all too often. His line doesn’t take control of shifts at 5 on 5 at all (at least in the handful of games I have see). Overall, I have been more impressed by Eklund and Gushchin.

Could he be a player who'd play 3rd line + PP specialist?
In the NHL that is.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Could he be a player who'd play 3rd line + PP specialist?
In the NHL that is.

That’s my suspicion. Third line scoring RW in soft minutes and PP specialist.

 

[De Montreal]

After watching some Cuda games lately I have to say his numbers are quite a bit missleading. You look at the stats and think „great rookie season“ but his play leaves a lot to be desired. He is knocked of the puck very easily and looks lost afterwards a lot of times. While he has great vision and passing skills, he doesn’t use those all too often. His line doesn’t take control of shifts at 5 on 5 at all (at least in the handful of games I have see). Overall, I have been more impressed by Eklund and Gushchin.

I'll admit I'm mostly stats-watching and havent been able to watch him play but should we really expect a 20 year old rookie to dominate or take over shift? AHL is quite a good league, to be able to produce already at this age is impressive I believe...

 

[Juxtaposer]

I'll admit I'm mostly stats-watching and havent been able to watch him play but should we really expect a 20 year old rookie to dominate or take over shift? AHL is quite a good league, to be able to produce already at this age is impressive I believe...

Any player who is expected to be a significant scoring threat at the NHL level should be expected to be an impact player in the AHL as a 20 year old.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season.

 

[CaptainShark]

Agozzino got injured so Bordeleau was put between Gushchin and Eklund midway through the third period of yesterdays game against the Reign. He stayed there today.

Small sample size, but he has looked much much better in that spot, this line was easily the most notable line, while they didn’t score against the firebirds, they created a ton of chances.

So maybe Bordeleaus underwhelming performance 5 on 5 was just a problem of having unskilled linemates?!

 

[De Montreal]

Agozzino got injured so Bordeleau was put between Gushchin and Eklund midway through the third period of yesterdays game against the Reign. He stayed there today.

Small sample size, but he has looked much much better in that spot, this line was easily the most notable line, while they didn’t score against the firebirds, they created a ton of chances.

So maybe Bordeleaus underwhelming performance 5 on 5 was just a problem of having unskilled linemates?!

Interesting thanks for the update. And with who was he playing beforehand?

Does it mean the Sharks are more likely to develop Bordeleau into a centre than Eklund?