RussianGuyovich
Hella Ennui
- Jan 2, 2007
- 9,825
- 8,226
I hope he becomes like marchessault but who knowsWelp, ABB just secured a spot.
Merela is on an ELC and doesn’t require waivers. So you can “send him down” before for the first day, put Vasy on injury reserve after day 1, and then “call up” Merela again to go from 24 to 23 players.Vasi has to be on the opening roster, essentially forcing us to start with three goalies, isn’t that complicating things even more?
I dont know if that's true anymore. Vegas had no problem giving up on him. Depends on how much we value the Crunch winning, I guess, because he can help with that. But as a player I dont think we are overly worried about damaging his development anymore.I don't see ABB sitting in a press box all year(or a majority of it) as a 13th F. Imo he's going to get a regular line up spot and playing time this season, if not with Tampa than with someone else.
He had 2 games with Seattle, and I don't remember him with Vegas. He's done with the AHL imo, and if he continues with a good preseason, he should have a full time roster spot and regular playing time, either with Tampa or another team after he's claimed.I dont know if that's true anymore. Vegas had no problem giving up on him. Depends on how much we value the Crunch winning, I guess, because he can help with that. But as a player I dont think we are overly worried about damaging his development anymore.
Could not agree more. He has nothing left to prove at the AHL level. If he cannot make it with Tampa Bay or another NHL organization, it is time for him to look at overseas options as his North American options are seemingly closed.He had 2 games with Seattle, and I don't remember him with Vegas. He's done with the AHL imo, and if he continues with a good preseason, he should have a full time roster spot and regular playing time, either with Tampa or another team after he's claimed.
My mistake, it was Seattle. I just mean, I don't think we care if he's riding the pressbox rather than getting minutes. Honestly I think the jury came in on him last season. It would be pretty surprising if he now finally turned into the diamond in the rough we'd been hoping for. I think it's far more likely he becomes the 13th forward.He had 2 games with Seattle, and I don't remember him with Vegas. He's done with the AHL imo, and if he continues with a good preseason, he should have a full time roster spot and regular playing time, either with Tampa or another team after he's claimed.
32 total NHL games over 4 seasons, no more than maybe 16 at any time, had a better than ppg and plenty of comments from the Crunch staff indicating he may ha e found his game/turned a corner, but he's a lock for 13th F because Merela had 1 decent game.....My mistake, it was Seattle. I just mean, I don't think we care if he's riding the pressbox rather than getting minutes. Honestly I think the jury came in on him last season. It would be pretty surprising if he now finally turned into the diamond in the rough we'd been hoping for. I think it's far more likely he becomes the 13th forward.
Might be he can still show some flashes. I feel like JAM and Verhaeghe both did that -- JAM more than Verhaeghe. ABB has had a similar AHL career but nothing about his game has stood out in his NHL looks. It appears he will get one more chance to do something, but he seems more like one of those guys who will always put up numbers at a lower tier, but never quite make it as an NHL regular. Basically, he seems more Corey Conacher than JAM.
I'm all for giving Merela and ABB equal opportunity early in the season and seeing who clicks or runs with it. My money is on Merela though as I think he's more useful on the lower lines if neither of them takes off offensively.32 total NHL games over 4 seasons, no more than maybe 16 at any time, had a better than ppg and plenty of comments from the Crunch staff indicating he may ha e found his game/turned a corner, but he's a lock for 13th F because Merela had 1 decent game.....
Agreed, if Merela proves, over a reasonable sample size, that he is the better play, so be it. ABB has looked considerably better than last camp/preseason though, so I think if he can keep that level up then he could be with Paul-Stamkos on a line(if that's the way they choose to go). ABB seems a bit faster and showing better on ice vision/decision making than before as well, and his shot is of course still a plus imo.I'm all for giving Merela and ABB equal opportunity early in the season and seeing who clicks or runs with it. My money is on Merela though as I think he's more useful on the lower lines if neither of them takes off offensively.
The problem with ABB is the same as it was with Conacher, he's a scoring role or bust kind of player. If he isn't good enough to force him into the top 6, he won't be useful in a lower line either. If he can prove to be good enough for the NHL, Merelä will be a more versatile player that you can put anywhere in the lineup.32 total NHL games over 4 seasons, no more than maybe 16 at any time, had a better than ppg and plenty of comments from the Crunch staff indicating he may ha e found his game/turned a corner, but he's a lock for 13th F because Merela had 1 decent game.....
My mistake, it was Seattle. I just mean, I don't think we care if he's riding the pressbox rather than getting minutes. Honestly I think the jury came in on him last season. It would be pretty surprising if he now finally turned into the diamond in the rough we'd been hoping for. I think it's far more likely he becomes the 13th forward.
Might be he can still show some flashes. I feel like JAM and Verhaeghe both did that -- JAM more than Verhaeghe. ABB has had a similar AHL career but nothing about his game has stood out in his NHL looks. It appears he will get one more chance to do something, but he seems more like one of those guys who will always put up numbers at a lower tier, but never quite make it as an NHL regular. Basically, he seems more Corey Conacher than JAM.
Both JAM and Verhaeghe showed a lot more at the NHL level than ABB has. When we lost those two guys I was disappointed and felt like we were missing out on something; I don’t have the same feeling about ABB and was hoping somebody could step up and force him off the roster.Might be he can still show some flashes. I feel like JAM and Verhaeghe both did that -- JAM more than Verhaeghe. ABB has had a similar AHL career but nothing about his game has stood out in his NHL looks. It appears he will get one more chance to do something, but he seems more like one of those guys who will always put up numbers at a lower tier, but never quite make it as an NHL regular. Basically, he seems more Corey Conacher than JAM.