Forwards that are bubble guys or trade bait: Durocher, Morgan, Staples, Jambrosich, Kirkup
Losing Findlay hurts the offense a bit, can't expect McCann will match his numbers in his rookie season but depending on his ice time 40 points shouldn't be out of the question. I would like to see them get an upgrade on Alderson for the 2nd line LW, whether in a deal or with their open import slot. I expect Durocher to be traded to Sarnia to complete the draft day trade that allowed Dubas to move up and pick Spinozzi.
Sproul - Miller
Nurse - Gudbranson
Spinozzi -
Defenseman that are bubble guys or trade bait: Curcuruto, Fuller, Ganly, Turner, Mintz, Clutsam
I don't see where Curcuruto fits in the defense anymore with the addition of Gudbranson. Nurse needs more minutes and you don't bring in Gudbranson to play the bottom pairing. Sproul and Miller played well last year as a pairing. Curcuruto has potential and he may just need a fresh start somewhere else to achieve his potential.
You may be right, Dubas has said that they may only go with 1 or 2 OA's this year.
I'd like to see Alderson back, he quietly had a decent season and played well in the 3rd line role but can move up if injuries occur. Quesnele is coming off shoulder surgery but he could be a decent shut down 3rd line C however I wouldn't be sad if they gave Halagian that opportunity.
I think that Hounds are rather deep on the blueline but are still in need of a skilled OFFENSIVE forward. Hopefully GM Dubas can acquire one for this year's edition of the Hounds.
I think dubas has something up his sleeve this season
I would imagine Curcuruto being dealt for some help up front, the numbers suggest he doesn't have a spot in the top 4 anymore. In my opinion he has been surpassed by Nurse, but maybe a change of scenery will do him good and he'll turn his OHL career around.
Still expecting another trade with Sarnia to go through to complete the draft day deal that allowed Dubas to move up and pick Spinozzi. Someone on twitter said an OA would be going to Sarnia so that would be one of Alderson, Quesnele, Durocher or Miller. Durocher is my guess.
I would imagine Curcuruto being dealt for some help up front, the numbers suggest he doesn't have a spot in the top 4 anymore. In my opinion he has been surpassed by Nurse, but maybe a change of scenery will do him good and he'll turn his OHL career around.
Still expecting another trade with Sarnia to go through to complete the draft day deal that allowed Dubas to move up and pick Spinozzi. Someone on twitter said an OA would be going to Sarnia so that would be one of Alderson, Quesnele, Durocher or Miller. Durocher is my guess.
Curcuruto is too solid on the back end. They need him
Let's be honest, Curcuruto regressed last year. Was it an off year? Maybe, but he's worth more in a trade than on their blueline playing 3rd pairing minutes. Spinozzi should make the team and then they have a bunch of guys competing for those last two spots (Ganly, Turner, Fuller, Mintz, Clutsam) that unfortunately make dealing Curcuruto more likely than not in my opinion.
Personally, I think there may come a time sooner than later when a Canadian decides the money in the KHL is attractive if he can't play in the NHL and the CHL is the only current alternative.
Dubas did an interview with Yahoo and there is no guarantee Tolchinsky is reporting. Sounds like he took the BPA and will try and recruit him.
Last resort will be to trade his rights to another team if he's willing to come over just not to the Hounds (i.e. Landeskog).
Quote:
"The next step will be talk with Igor, get an idea for where they are," Dubas said. "We had heard that [Nikita] Zadorov [whom London took at No. 9] and Tolchinsky had interest in coming over. Of course they always have the option of signing back home with the club that owns their rights. We'll have those conversations and will probably have to do some recruiting."
OA's haven't been decided yet. The only one that was told he definitely had a spot if he wasn't playing professionally was Colin Miller.
That leaves David Quesnele, Brandon Alderson and Cory Durocher battling for the other 2 spots. At this point I'd keep Alderson and either go with 2 OA's or grab another one in a trade.
The D should be improved over last year. You know what you have in Sproul and Miller. Nurse progressed well last year and hopefully he can take the next step. Gudbranson has to be an improvement over Schwindt and Rogalski. I assume Spinozzi makes the team as a 3rd pairing/7th dman, then they have guys like Ganly, Clutsam, Fuller, Turner and Mintz all battling to make the team.
Question is will be what do they do with Curcuruto?
OA's haven't been decided yet. The only one that was told he definitely had a spot if he wasn't playing professionally was Colin Miller.
That leaves David Quesnele, Brandon Alderson and Cory Durocher battling for the other 2 spots. At this point I'd keep Alderson and either go with 2 OA's or grab another one in a trade.
The D should be improved over last year. You know what you have in Sproul and Miller. Nurse progressed well last year and hopefully he can take the next step. Gudbranson has to be an improvement over Schwindt and Rogalski. I assume Spinozzi makes the team as a 3rd pairing/7th dman, then they have guys like Ganly, Clutsam, Fuller, Turner and Mintz all battling to make the team.
Question is will be what do they do with Curcuruto?
I think they'll hold on to Curcuruto until they know for sure that Miller will be back (he is eligible to play in Manchester), and see what they have in the other guys like Ganly, Clutsam, Fuller, Turner and Mintz,
I just don't see how Curcuruto would want to come back and end up playing in the bottom pairing in his 3rd year. The Hounds need to give Nurse top 4 minutes and they didn't bring in Gudbranson to play bottom pairing.
What would the Petes have to offer? Hounds biggest need is forward scoring. As far as I'm concerned outside of Cousins everyone else is a question mark. Hasn't been much information on Tolchinsky so we could have an open Import spot if Dubas deals his rights to whomever he's willing to go to.
great to know as i will be watching very closely this year, maybe they could pick up a good scoring overager or a good 95 with some upside to help up front, is broll going to put up enough points to be on the first line?
There was an article in the Sault Star today that said Alderson has also been invited back to be an OA next year, while Dubas was non-committal on the other two (Quesnele and Durocher).
As for Broll, it depends on which one shows up to camp. He started off well, scoring 9 points in 12 games but then disappeared through most of November, December and January. Then he finished strong with 14 points in 19 games. I do believe he will play along side Cousins but for how long will depend on him.
