NOA
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2015
- 3,136
- 1,478
If this holds up...
Our offense is going to be crazy competitive for roster spots.
Yeti, Golod, Folwer, Swankler, Lockhart, Marat are all locks for top 6 barring injury.
Saganiuk coming means he is likely assured a top 9.
D'Amato, Sellan, Cohen, Hoffman, Ross, Bressette and company will really have to elevate their game. It opens up a bunch of trade possibilities, especially with the OA situation being far from done.
On Defense I have to say the top 4, barring trade are
Duff/Drysdale
Morton/Sova
And the 3rd pairing being 100% up for grabs.
Goalie
We have to assume Campbell/Kolosov...
However it could get really interesting should Kulakov decide to report.
I feel there is trade value to get the missing pieces this season in defense and in the net in any scenario. This season (if it happens, I am hearing January 2021 to start) could serve as a launching pad into a run the following season, ironically the last season for the coaching staff right now.
Players are going to have to step up, improve, and earn their ice. I think it’s safe to say the less competitive teams the last few years had guys getting complacent. Felt like nobody could really “replace” them and standards of talent were lower. Nobody really has their spot “locked” up now. Talent is much better
Golod / Yetman / Khusnutdinov would be the only 3 that you can say that about.
Everyone else must earn it. Then from there you have to factor in age and top level potential. But this should push everyone if/when a season starts.
Defensively it’s the same situation. Duff and Drysdale the only locks to get top minutes. Everyone else has to earn it. Same think in net with Campbell and Kolosov.
If we see some 2019 picks emerge, it should give Erie the flexibility to ship out some players which means stock piling mid round picks (which I’m good with as Erie actually knows how to draft).