Is the plan to have Tvrdon, Pulkkinen, Jarnkrok, Sproul, Oulette, Marchenko, etc, all in Grand Rapids next year? Team could be sick to watch.
agreed, I think we are finally going to see what the this generation of prospects really have to offer. The last one has a touch of top bottom 6 talent, and a touch of top 6 talent. (Helm, Abby,Mursak, Nyquist) but has really helped with the move from consistent contender to fringe playoff team. So far this generation looks to be one that improves the team and could bring it back to that Contender status, with more top 6 talent than bottom 6 and the bottom 6 being good fringe 2nd line as well (Sheahan). but with Tatar, Pulks, Jarnkrok, Ouellet, Marchenko, Sproul, Backman, ummm... Mrazek, you see my point. There is a lot of high ceilings in this group of prospects.
Its kind of crazy to think that Grand rapids could win the Calder cup this year then be better next year, keep in mind Jurco will also be more accustomed to the A, Mrazek will be another year better, barring Howie not getting resigned. The team is only going to lose Nyquist, Tatar, Lashoff, and maybe possibly Sheahan, plus random AHL vets.
Hoggan - Jarnkrok - Jurco
Ferraro -Sheahan - Pulkkinen
Tvrdon - Aubry - Frk
Callahan -Quine - Glendening
Grant
Almquist- Marchenko
Ouellet- Sproul
Skinner- Billins
Mrazek
McCollum
Now tell me that after 20 games or so that all those defensive parings aren't great, and that the top two lines could both be number ones, (ie. like Z or D's lines are like 1A, 1B) and that the 3rd line would be a competent 2nd line on some AHL teams each forward line has people who have spent good time in the AHL and a talented rookie who hopefully doesn't Jurco out and really underplay themselves.
