ShelbyZ
Registered User
- Apr 8, 2015
- 3,821
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I'm kind of whatever on Hicketts. Rooting for him for sure, since guys his size making it in the NHL are kind of underdog stories, but I don't see him being more than a third pairing PP guy.
I'd love to see Hronek make it after his really good rookie year and the fact that he's my #2 prospect in the system right now. But if the power play is gonna feature the likes of Green, Kronwall, and maybe Hicketts, then Hronek should go back to the A and work on being the top offensive blueliner there.
Cholowski needs to get some pro experience and I don't expect him on the team unless he really crushes it in training camp. Fortunately he's bulked up since draft day and is 6'1, 195 according to reports from development camp. I think he might actually have a higher ceiling than Hronek, but he needs to prove himself in a pro league first.
Sulak is a wild card given his age and lack of NA experience. Maybe he'd be an okay option as a 7th D, since he's done growing and isn't likely to develop too much more, so not playing everyday would't stunt his development too much. I fully expect him to start the year in GR though.
All in all I expect it to come down to Hronek v. Hicketts in training camp with the loser of that battle being the first injury call up. Sulak probably gets a look later in the year and depending on how he does maybe they look to give Jensen the XO treatment.
This is pretty much my thinking as well. IMO, it's either going to be Hronek earning a regular spot and Jensen/Kronwall relegate to a more part time role, or if Hronek looks like he needs more work, Sulak starts at #7 in the NHL given his age/size/etc.
Based on Khan's article, it seems like the spot opened up by Ouellet leaving is Hronek's to lose.
Hicketts will probably get a lot of looks in camp, and is probably a lock to start in the NHL if there are injuries to start, but I think his full time promotion will be either later in the season after someone is dealt, or at the start of 19-20 as the #7 when his waiver exemption runs out.
Cholowski probably gets one year in GR like Hronek did.
I don't think Jensen will get the Ouellet treatment however. Given that he can skate at an above average level and has a very easy to absorb cap hit, Jensen can likely fetch a decent pick at the deadline as a rental.
Kronwall is done after the year and big E in 2. I actually see it the opposite of jewels, how can people not see the opportunity opening up for our young defenders in the next couple years?
This. The team has tons of flexibility at the D position. DeKeyser is the only one that's in the picture long term. Jensen and Kronwall are likely gone after this next season, Green either after this next one or after two, and Daley and Ericsson are gone after 2 more seasons. Plenty of flexibility to start rotating in young D as those guys exit.