HockeyHockeyHockey1, the signing doesn't necessarily mean the player will play in the OHL next season. However in the Generals case all three of their 16 year old signees should be with the club next season. Studnicka is their 1st rounder he's there for sure. McLean is an American born player who was headed to the NCAA, but chose Oshawa instead, so its unlikely they'd woo him into signing then not play him. An in Sparkes case he's talented enough to play a depth role and develop, and should contribute next season.
Here's my projected line up as we sit today,
Dal Colle - Cirelli - Studnicka
Lofquist - Harding - Pedersen
Manchurek - Commisso - Huether
McLean - ?? - Sparkes
Vande Sompel - Graves
Desrocher - Moor
Templeton - Stillman
Robertson
Appleby
Broduer
*I know I'll get flack for a few things.. 1) Studnicka on the #1 line, 2) Graves as a top pairing defenseman and 3) Who my OA's are.
1. Studnicka has the ability to come in an be impactful right from the get go. I would argue if Studnicka played in the GTHL or OMHA last season an had more exposure he would have been a Top 10 pick. Also keep in mind Michael Dal Colle was given top 6 minutes as a rookie an thrived in the role, its not out of the realm of possibility that Studnicka is afforded the same opportunity.
2. In having Graves as a top pairing defender, I see the pairing more of a need to off-set Vande Sompel's lacking defensive play. Not knocking Vande Sompel, he is what he is defensively and he improved their significantly last season. However pairing him with a reliable, stay at home defender like Graves, allows him to make those calculated risks. It also allows Desrocher to play in a more offensive role on the 2nd pairing/1B pairing, rather then either play a stay home roll alongside Vande Sompel and it spreads out the talent more.
3. I've gone with Appleby, Pedersen and Graves as my OA's because well.. I still don't understand why most people think Mistele will be back.. he's a 20 year old NHL draft pick of a team with not a lot of prospect forward depth. Yes Manchester won the AHL title, but their forward core was mainly older journeymen AHL players or players who project to be third/fourth line grinders with the exception of Adrian Kempe and Jordan Weal (whom is expected to make the Kings next season or need to clear waivers). The knock on Mistele is his skating, but simply put his skating won't improve to the level it needs to be if he's playing in the OHL again, his skating will improve as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game. On Pedersen, fans may be disappointed with his offensive production last season, but none the less Pedersen was a keep cog in the Gens Memorial Cup run playing in a third line checking role, rather then the top six role he was playing in Kitchener. With consistent power play, penalty kill and 5 on 5 ice, expect Pedersen to have a big offensive year this season.
Here's my projected line up as we sit today,
Dal Colle - Cirelli - Studnicka
Lofquist - Harding - Pedersen
Manchurek - Commisso - Huether
McLean - ?? - Sparkes
Vande Sompel - Graves
Desrocher - Moor
Templeton - Stillman
Robertson
Appleby
Broduer
*I know I'll get flack for a few things.. 1) Studnicka on the #1 line, 2) Graves as a top pairing defenseman and 3) Who my OA's are.
1. Studnicka has the ability to come in an be impactful right from the get go. I would argue if Studnicka played in the GTHL or OMHA last season an had more exposure he would have been a Top 10 pick. Also keep in mind Michael Dal Colle was given top 6 minutes as a rookie an thrived in the role, its not out of the realm of possibility that Studnicka is afforded the same opportunity.
2. In having Graves as a top pairing defender, I see the pairing more of a need to off-set Vande Sompel's lacking defensive play. Not knocking Vande Sompel, he is what he is defensively and he improved their significantly last season. However pairing him with a reliable, stay at home defender like Graves, allows him to make those calculated risks. It also allows Desrocher to play in a more offensive role on the 2nd pairing/1B pairing, rather then either play a stay home roll alongside Vande Sompel and it spreads out the talent more.
3. I've gone with Appleby, Pedersen and Graves as my OA's because well.. I still don't understand why most people think Mistele will be back.. he's a 20 year old NHL draft pick of a team with not a lot of prospect forward depth. Yes Manchester won the AHL title, but their forward core was mainly older journeymen AHL players or players who project to be third/fourth line grinders with the exception of Adrian Kempe and Jordan Weal (whom is expected to make the Kings next season or need to clear waivers). The knock on Mistele is his skating, but simply put his skating won't improve to the level it needs to be if he's playing in the OHL again, his skating will improve as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game. On Pedersen, fans may be disappointed with his offensive production last season, but none the less Pedersen was a keep cog in the Gens Memorial Cup run playing in a third line checking role, rather then the top six role he was playing in Kitchener. With consistent power play, penalty kill and 5 on 5 ice, expect Pedersen to have a big offensive year this season.
