Captain Creampuff
Registered User
- Sep 10, 2012
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Thomas should be a lock. He fills a need, plays a 200 foot game, and is NHL ready. No reason he needs to be in juniors, he already dominated last season.
If Hutton is gone, are there any really viable backup options that would be better than Husso? I mean if Husso comes up and completely screws the pooch, then you put him back down in San Antonio and see if you can get another backup off the scrap heap. I'm just not sold on any of the backup UFAs that are floating around out there and I'd hate to see them spend prospects on a backup that may be pointless by next year when Husso is ready.He’ll need to prove it in camp, but I think you can make the argument that Husso can be put in “nothing left to prove category”. He’s 23 and has completed 5 professional seasons including the last two in North America and has excelled in all 5 seasons. If we’re truly “stuck” with Allen, maybe Husso’s time is now.
It really depends on what FAs and trades we do or don't make. As is, we could be looking at this:
Schwartz Schenn Tarasenko
Steen Thomas Fabbri
Sobotka Berglund Kyrou
Jaskin Barbashev Soshnikov
Edmundson Pietrangelo
Dunn Parayko
Bouwmeester Schmaltz
Allen
Husso
I think that Thomas, Kyrou, and Husso are the most likely out of the prospects to make it out of camp. I'm not sure if Husso or Kyrou stick past the nine game trial, but I think it's hopeful.
Want to preface this by saying that everything depends on potential trades/UFA acquisitions. For example moving out one of Berglund/Sobotka would obviously make more room on the roster or signing a UFA like Bozak would leave less room. And there is a very real possibility some prospects are moved for immediate top 6 help. It's still way too early to accurately forecast any of this...but it's fun to discuss, so what the heck, why not?
Out of camp, I think Thomas and Thompson are very very likely to make the team. I think at least one of Sanford and Blais is likely too, but not a lock by any means.
Kyrou I think starts in the AHL. Would be awesome if he forced his way onto the roster out of camp, and certainly wouldn't rule it out (especially given the current roster's glaring weakness at RW). Just think he would be best served getting his feet wet in professional hockey at the AHL level first.
Kostin, Stevens, Foley, Walman, and Husso more than likely start in the AHl as well IMO. Mikkola is a total wild card, but I think it's possible he or Walman make the team depending on Gunnar/Bouwmeester's health.
I'm expecting a bit more than that, especially if he plays in 70+ games. I don't think 10-15 goals and 20-25 assists are out of the question, especially if he gets pretty regular PP2 time. A breakout of 50+ points would be a pleasant surprise, but certainly not an expectation.
3rd line center that ends with 12 goals and 25 assists assuming he plays 75+ games.It seems most of you have Thomas as a lock for making the club this year. What are your expectations for him?
I wouldn't be disappointed to see Thomas and Kyrou spend half a season in the AHL. Its a big step from junior hockey to the NHL, and a brief stay in the minors can be helpful.
Can Sanford make the team? When we saw him at the end of the 2016-2017 season, he was very slender. People wondered if he could bulk up in the offseason, but we never got much of a chance to find out because he was injured in the first training camp practice.
In case people have forgotten, Sanford is 6"4" tall, was a second round draft pick (61st overall), and is only 23 years old. He showed some good hands when he was up with us ( "sick hands" was how Berglund put it).
I wouldn't be disappointed to see Thomas and Kyrou spend half a season in the AHL. Its a big step from junior hockey to the NHL, and a brief stay in the minors can be helpful.
Can Sanford make the team? When we saw him at the end of the 2016-2017 season, he was very slender. People wondered if he could bulk up in the offseason, but we never got much of a chance to find out because he was injured in the first training camp practice.
In case people have forgotten, Sanford is 6"4" tall, was a second round draft pick (61st overall), and is only 23 years old. He showed some good hands when he was up with us ( "sick hands" was how Berglund put it).
I wouldn't be disappointed to see Thomas and Kyrou spend half a season in the AHL. Its a big step from junior hockey to the NHL, and a brief stay in the minors can be helpful.
I wouldn't be disappointed to see Thomas and Kyrou spend half a season in the AHL. Its a big step from junior hockey to the NHL, and a brief stay in the minors can be helpful.
Can Sanford make the team? When we saw him at the end of the 2016-2017 season, he was very slender. People wondered if he could bulk up in the offseason, but we never got much of a chance to find out because he was injured in the first training camp practice.
In case people have forgotten, Sanford is 6"4" tall, was a second round draft pick (61st overall), and is only 23 years old. He showed some good hands when he was up with us ( "sick hands" was how Berglund put it).
I would be very surprised if Thomas spent half the season in the AHL. He can't play in the AHL. Its NHL or OHL for him.
Sanford could make the team as depth, or if we totally strike out on bolstering the line-up. But saying he is only 23 years old is misleading, First, he'll be 24 a month into the season. 2nd, 23 is when many forwards hit their prime. 23-27 is about an average forward's prime. There are exceptions, but not making an NHL impact as a forward at 23 is concerning. He has one more year or 27 games of waiver exemption left. He makes it this year or he's worthless.
He’ll need to prove it in camp, but I think you can make the argument that Husso can be put in “nothing left to prove category”. He’s 23 and has completed 5 professional seasons including the last two in North America and has excelled in all 5 seasons. If we’re truly “stuck” with Allen, maybe Husso’s time is now.