Rounder8
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2018
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Great day for 3 young Bulldog players. Hope that we get to watch them in person this year.
Projected lineup for the season?
The toughest part of figuring out the lineup is predicting the OAs since Hamilton has 6. So they can keep 4 (for a little while and then cut 1 around end of November I believe) and only play 3 OAs each game. Forwards: Bertuzzi, Mutter, Van Loon. Defence: Kammerer and Staios. Goaltender: Roy. Every single OA have something to offer and it will suck to lose any, let alone 3.Projected lineup for the season?
The toughest part of figuring out the lineup is predicting the OAs since Hamilton has 6. So they can keep 4 (for a little while and then cut 1 around end of November I believe) and only play 3 OAs each game. Forwards: Bertuzzi, Mutter, Van Loon. Defence: Kammerer and Staios. Goaltender: Roy. Every single OA have something to offer and it will suck to lose any, let alone 3.
So far in two exhibition games Van Loon as not played, he useful in many ways in including PK. I believe he will be a lock for an OA spot.
Bertuzzi (OA) - Mysak - Van Loon (OA)
Hayes - Morrison - Winterton
Diaco - Sherk - Duarte
Humphrey - Pharand - Melee
Brown
Staios (OA) - Grushnikov
Romeo - Kammerer (OA)
Donovan - White
Moore
Roy (OA)/Constantini/Drobac
Lots to unpack here...
Mutter (OA): unfortunately I think other OAs have more to offer, although Mutter does bring a pile of energy and grit to the team, and can produce a bit. Romeo has already shown that he can help fill part of the grit role.
Hayes: should be a RW but I didn’t know how to fit him in, and it’s been far too long without hockey to remember who is interchangeable between wings and C.
Bertuzzi: with the forward depth, and actually seeing what lines could look like, I wonder if he doesn’t make the team although he has had good chemistry with Morrison. We will see.
Staios: Hamilton traded a lot to get him, has been the main puck moving D, although I wonder if Grushnikov, Romeo, and Donovan can fill his role (minus the veteran experience). I’m still learning about the rookies and their games, so I’m not sure. If Staios stays, I’d like to see less penalties taken.
Kammerer: a new addition to Hamilton during the pandemic. Sarnia fans would know more about him and his play style but I have troubles seeing Hamilton part ways with him right away. I think he stays as part of the 4 OAs before they’re trimmed to 3 in November.
Roy: I have troubles seeing Roy being let go with a deep team. He’s calm, reliable, and loves handling the puck. I prefer the goalie depth with Roy and Constantini but the Bulldogs will likely want to see more of Costantini in exhibition play to decide if he can be relied upon.
With the OA situation, by guess is Mutter and Bertuzzi end up being traded. From there Hamilton decides which D to trade by the end of November as well.
Based on our OAs, I wouldn’t automatically consider him a lock. If he’s kept and helps Hamilton win, great. But he’s still worth evaluating, and I trust Steve Staios with whatever decision he makes.I don't think there's any percent chance that Staois isn't one of the 3 OAs based on who the Hamilton decision maker is... You can't trade that many picks for a guy and then cut him, especially when that guy is your son lol
I don't disagree with your reasoning as to why he would be on the outside looking in. I'm just saying the fact it's the GMs son and they paid a lot to get him definitely factors in, even though it shouldn'tBased on our OAs, I wouldn’t automatically consider him a lock. If he’s kept and helps Hamilton win, great. But he’s still worth evaluating, and I trust Steve Staios with whatever decision he makes.
Strange that 2 forwards (Van Loon and Duarte) played defence last night, especially considering the defence available on the roster. Oh well. It’s only preseason. I think the odds are in Mutter’s favour that he dresses on Friday after that game.
Based on our OAs, I wouldn’t automatically consider him a lock. If he’s kept and helps Hamilton win, great. But he’s still worth evaluating, and I trust Steve Staios with whatever decision he makes.
I think that Staios got hurt at the end of the Windsor game when he hit somebody. Looked like a shoulder, but I'm only guessing.
Watching Bertuzzi, I don't think there is any chance that he makes the team. It will be interesting to see who makes it among the rest.
For me, it's very noticeable when Staios isn't in the lineup. I think they'll keep Roy as one of the 4. Probably dress Drobac when Costantini starts. That might leave Kramerer as the odd man out?
It looks like White has really made significant strides. I'm very impressed with Donovan and Romeo as well.
Duarte and Diaco have looked good this preseason.
London should be an interesting game...
Bulldogs are going to be fun to watch!
Ha! Guess management felt the same way you did with Bert. Really thought he was a lock for this roster.
Morrison for captain has to be a no Brainer now.