I still don't really see any good reason for Ross not to make the team.
Sure, while the NHL is locked out he may have to battle to stay in the lineup every game but he still should make the team and battle it out for the 4th line spots with some of the other guys. Once the NHL starts and frees up another spot or two he should have no problem staying in the lineup full time.
The way I see it there are only 9 forwards who were close to locks coming in - Kadri, Colborne, Aucoin, Ziggy, D'Amigo, Hamilton, Ashton, Scott, Deschamps - with both McKegg and Ross very likely to make the team. And IMO guys like Ashton, Scott, and Deschamps better be looking over their shoulders because McKegg and Ross (and even a guy like Abbott) are going to be gunning hard for their top-9 forward spots.
If Ross isn't playing as we'll as some of the other prospects, that would be sufficient reason for him to be sent down. I have no information on that but Siegel seems to think it might be the case.
Eakins doesn't care if they're a prospect or not. I can guarantee hell keep Acton around because he earned a spot last year and is one of his poster boys.
Also, I'd argue that Sam Carrick still a prospect with lots of promise.
No, he's not. If you expect him to be a top 6 player, you're going to be sadly mistaken. At most in the NHL hes a scoring 3rd line player of the ilk of Bozak.
If Mckegg can become as good as Bozak has become, then he will have exceeded my expectations.
As for forward lines, Eakins says he likes to go with pairs of players who have good chemistry and then slot in different guys with them to complete the line. Kadri and Aucoin were idenitfied as one such pair, as well as Colborne and Ashton.
Also said he expected to use 3 balanced lines that can play in any situation and then the 4th line as a checking line.
Kadri - Aucoin - Scott
Deschamps - Zigomanis - Hamilton
Ashton - Colborne - D'Amigo
Ross - McKegg - Komarov
(Abbott - Devane)
Would be the guys who "should" be on the team, IMO....though I could see why they'd want to keep Acton to fill that 4th line center spot.
Considering what everyone accomplished in the AHL last year, I wouldn't be surprised to see D'Amigo getting more ice time this year. Ashton, Blacker and D'Amigo were the the legit youngsters on the team who turned 21 in 2012.
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Woodlief
using his big frame to create space and his skating ability to find open lanes to drive the net. He stands 6-3 and is a natural goal scorer with plenty of confidence.
He's a scout's dream in the way he prepares himself and plays an unselfish game, making smart decisions with the puck. With his bloodlines, he certainly understands what it will take to make it at the next level.
Considering what everyone accomplished in the AHL last year, I wouldn't be surprised to see D'Amigo getting more ice time this year. Ashton, Blacker and D'Amigo were the the legit youngsters on the team who turned 21 in 2012.
I wont lie I fully expect that the Deschampes - Zigo - Hamilton line is used more as the third line, and that Ashton - Colborne - Damigo line is used as a scoring line.
Even though the marlies use there lines very evenly (the top 3 mainly)... I do expect that much of the offensive opportunities will be distributed evenly, including giving the young guns their due opportunities.
This team might be quite laden with veterans but everyone in TML management is quite vocal that it is a key developmental league.
Fraser-Holzer as the shutdown 3rd pairing makes sense.
I would hope that Abbott doesn't get a spot handed to him ahead of McKegg and D'Amigo, though.
I was mostly going by how they'd lined up in camp. I don't worry about the 4th line spot for D'Amigo. I think they're going to roll the lines pretty much.
I want to see more of Abbott. He's a very skilled player and I don't think he should be dismissed, but I agree that regular time for McKegg on a scoring line would be ideal.
I'm not one who thinks this lockout is going to last more than another month or so. Then, you're likely to see Komarov and Kadri move up to the Leafs. That's not to mention injuries. I think these depth "problems" will work themselves out.
Eakins doesn't care if they're a prospect or not. I can guarantee hell keep Acton around because he earned a spot last year and is one of his poster boys.
Also, I'd argue that Sam Carrick still a prospect with lots of promise.
I'm sure JE will speak up for Ryan, too haha
He better start. It's more important for him to develop players than it is to play veterans.
Fraser-Holzer as the shutdown 3rd pairing makes sense.
I would hope that Abbott doesn't get a spot handed to him ahead of McKegg and D'Amigo, though.
Fraser-Holzer will be the defense pairing that plays the most minutes, like last year. Holzer will likely see slightly reduced duties, but Eakins loves him and knows that he's the most steady, reliable defenseman on the team. He was playing upwards of 25 minutes a game last season, though we should see a reduction with all of the depth. Gardiner, Holzer, Ranger and Kostka will almost certainly see lots of PP time at the point with Holzer, Fraser, Ranger and Gardiner seeing tons of PK time as well.
Fraser-Holzer will be the defense pairing that plays the most minutes, like last year. Holzer will likely see slightly reduced duties, but Eakins loves him and knows that he's the most steady, reliable defenseman on the team. He was playing upwards of 25 minutes a game last season, though we should see a reduction with all of the depth. Gardiner, Holzer, Ranger and Kostka will almost certainly see lots of PP time at the point with Holzer, Fraser, Ranger and Gardiner seeing tons of PK time as well.
Gardiner is going to eat up all of those minutes from Holzer except on the PK. Gardiner will like be on the second pairing with Holzer & Fraser on the first.
TorontoMarlies The #Marlies announced today that Tyler Brenner, Sam Carrick & Andrew Crescenzi have been assigned to the ECHL.
Unfortunate, but somebody had to go. Would have liked to see Carrick as an extra body, but I guess getting consistent minutes is the best thing for all three of these guys.
