the bulldogs have been quite terrible as of late. its too bad.
my list
Danis
Chips
Ferland
Locke
cote/Biron
i have a hard time thinking we need to call up anymore D, they already have breezer sitting for so long...
but i definitly have a soft spot for cote, as he was supposed to make the team last season or whatever it was when he got injured and O'Byrne passed him on the depth chart..
chips for sure, i thnk that is a given, and danis also for the 3rd goalie.
i think ferland would be good to have, he is a good sandpaper guy, with some scoring skills in the AHL.
D'ago valentenko and carle can all wait for their chance in training camp
I'd be tempted to just bring a whole lot of them up for the experience. I don't think it could hurt anyone currently on or hoping to one day make the team and it could be a good learning experience. Given the teams track record:
- They might bring a bunch of the soon to be UFAs up by way of saying thanks and give them a chance at maybe getting a playoff game in here or there. Not to mention they could fill a limited role for us.
- It could be a great chance to give the younger players a look at what happens in the big league. The team is on a youth movement so it's a good chance to give our future a look at what will be expected of them. A bunch of them sat with the Dogs last year without playing, same thing could be done here.
- Also, one of our teams biggest strengths is its depth throughout the organisation. It may be unlikely we suffer so many injuries our depth is relied upon, but it could happen. A couple of years back, didn't the Sabres lose 4 or 5 of their starting Dmen in the conference finals against the Canes? It would be a shame if we lost because that happened to us. It would be a bigger shame if the organisation has the depth to cover a given problem but we simply don't have the players on hand with the team.
In goal, Danis. Easy one there, a bit of extra cover is important, especially in this position.
On D, Biron, Cote, Valentenko and Carle. The first two have more experience, which could be useful if needed. But the last two guys, Tank in particular have some good skills. Pavel is a big, strong guy, he skates well, shoots well, can pass well, and can almost certainly keep pace physically speaking, with NHLers. It's fine and well being able to plug holes in the lineup with bit part guys. But sometimes you need a guy with skill. It's arguable how close Tank or Carle are to the NHL, but if forced to play, you never know if they might just raise their game when you need it most. Certainly better than not having anyone back there to cover.
Up front, Chipchura is a certainty. Guys like Locke, Ferland and Milroy might be able to pitch in with a limited role or if surrounded by the right guys. Stewart could be useful if we need another physical guy who isn't afraid to protect any teammate. D'Agostini should be a must as well though IMO. Of the previous 4 guys mentioned, only Locke has impressive technical skills although we don't know how they would translate to the NHL. D'Agostini brings speed and skills. Put him with some decent players and he can probably score us some goals which might just come in handy.
I might even be tempted to add a couple of other guys into the mix too.
There are obvious weaknesses or questions about each of those players' games, possible exception being Chipchura. But we have depth in the organisation and a bit of skill in there too. I'd make the most of it while it's here. I'd rather have all those guys around and not need them, than need them and not have them around. Especially if it could mean the difference between conference finals and Stanley Cup finals.
Gainey brought in Price for the AHL playoffs to jump start his growth. It would logical that he would do the same for prospects that the organization feels will make the leap to the NHL soon.
If multiple injuries to key players becomes an issue... I see more vertern players getting the call. That is a real outside possibility.
Bottomline, none of these guys will see much ice time, so doing what is right for the team's future is the key here.
I'd be tempted to just bring a whole lot of them up for the experience. I don't think it could hurt anyone currently on or hoping to one day make the team and it could be a good learning experience.
I may be over thinking this but who covers expenses for these players who are called up? Technically, they receive their last paycheck at the end of the regular season. I'm sure that is why there is no question whether their salary counts against the salary cap or not, because there is no salary left.
Would putting them up in a hotel and paying per diem be counted against a salary cap? This would probably be a trivial amount in the grand scheme but just wondering as this could be construed as a player bonus (much similar to how Bettman ruled bringing wives and gfs to Florida would have been after the all-star break).
I may be over thinking this but who covers expenses for these players who are called up? Technically, they receive their last paycheck at the end of the regular season. I'm sure that is why there is no question whether their salary counts against the salary cap or not, because there is no salary left.
Would putting them up in a hotel and paying per diem be counted against a salary cap? This would probably be a trivial amount in the grand scheme but just wondering as this could be construed as a player bonus (much similar to how Bettman ruled bringing wives and gfs to Florida would have been after the all-star break).
It's a good question and I'm not entirely sure of the answer.
It was mentioned on the first page that there are no cap rules during the playoffs. With that in mind, I would assume that we could therefore cover costs on behalf of the players. But maybe there is some other rule(s) against that? If it isn't an issue though, I'd bring a bunch of them along for the ride for depth and future experience. But it is a good question you ask. Hopefully someone has an exact answer.
I don't know who they would call up, but the Dogs still have 10 games left and they dont finish their season until the 13th, so perhaps they won't call up anyone until the Dogs complete their season. Chipchura should be one guy, but I hope they bring up D'Agostini and Valenteko as it would be good for them to work out with the team, as they could get some games in with the Habs next year.
..and these guys will only go around in taxis, is that it?
No, unlike football which has a taxi squad [extra players], in hockey, they are called the Black Aces - small group of players on any team who take part in practices but rarely play. From The Complete Hockey Dictionary edited by Andrew Podnieks.
Kyle must be in it. He was part of the team for 30 games. With 9 D i dont see the need to bring in some AHL D. Its a lot less riskier to play an AHL forward in the playoff then a D. A third goalie is a must so Danis must be on the team. The taxi squad will only be danis and chip.
If I remember well, Mathieu Carle make the run with Hamilton last year without playing a game. Why not make the same thing with a couple of our prospect? Chipchura and Danis are surefirer for me. We need a 3rd goalie and Chipchura was a part of our good season beginning. After that, I see Carle and Valentenko on D, Locke and D'Agostini upfront. All this guy will battle(if resign for Locke and Danis) for a spot in Montreal next year.
