To me, especially in the AHL, I don't care a whole lot about plus/minus, especially considering our NHL team has a significantly better defense and goaltending situation. Just looking at the points, 7 points in 16 games isn't all that terrible. In an 82 game season, that puts him right at 36 points for the season, which is just 2 points behind where Berglund finished last year in an 82 game season. He hit a bit of a slump(along with the rest of the team) because I believe he had 4 points in his first 6 games. Now that is a very good pace for a young kid. The sample size is so small, I wouldn't really worry about it.
EDIT: That pace also puts him at 20 goals for an 82 game season. That's pretty solid. Obviously I'd like him to tear the league apart, but that's not realistic with the team he's on compared to some of the other teams out there.
Plus, the Rivermen aren't very good. There are plenty of players who look better at the NHL level than they do in the AHL simply because of their teams and roles. Schwartz looked fine with the Blues - hell, dude could have easily been a point per game player with the Blues if legit NHL-level players were prepared to finish some of his passes that put them in great position to score.
It's cool that Tarasenko is dominating the KHL and it would be cooler if Schwartz were dominating the AHL, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to how much I care about how they perform with the Blues when the NHL is in session. That's what matters. Otherwise, Hensick would be a permanent fixture in the NHL.
With the assist last night Jaskin stretches his point streak to 12 games. Rattie's goal and assist also extended his point streak to a league leading 16 games. Speaking of streaks, Binnington earns yet another shutout for his 3rd in a row once again taking hold of the OHL's GAA(2.07) and SV%(.936) leads. In those 3 games he saved a total 100 shots and has not given up a goal now in 186 minutes and 26 seconds.
He got another goal last night to give him 5+3 in 17 games. I haven't seen the games, so I really couldn't give you much more than that. Surprisingly, Ian Cole has 9 points in 17 games. That's pretty solid.
EDIT: Thought he was talking about Schwartz. Damn these prospects with similar names.
Schmaltz has bee quiet offensively. Wonder if he is getting any PP time? Anyone have an update on his play?
I haven't seen Schmaltz play yet and I'm a big proponent of judging players on their play, not their stats, but I'd say his offensive stats are just fine. Especially considering that 1, he's a defenseman and 2, he's a freshman.
Not sure how much PP time he's getting but I think I read a while ago that he was on the 2nd PP unit.
I haven't seen Schmaltz play yet and I'm a big proponent of judging players on their play, not their stats, but I'd say his offensive stats are just fine. Especially considering that 1, he's a defenseman and 2, he's a freshman.
Not sure how much PP time he's getting but I think I read a while ago that he was on the 2nd PP unit.
Schmaltz is the only frosh on North Dakota's defense this year. There are two sophomores, two juniors, and two seniors ahead of him, and all but one of the sophomores was drafted by an NHL club.
That's why the Blues (and other value-minded NHL organizations) draft college-bound players... because they will go to respected programs with solid coaching and training staffs, and will have four years to develop without the Blues having to worry about offering them a contract. Some players - T.J. Oshie, David Backes -- develop and pan out, and some -- Max Tardy, Andrew Sackrison -- do not.
Still lots of time to see what Schmaltz will become. Sam Kurker, too.
He got another goal last night to give him 5+3 in 17 games. I haven't seen the games, so I really couldn't give you much more than that. Surprisingly, Ian Cole has 9 points in 17 games. That's pretty solid.
Schwartz has been playing often on a line with Phil McRae at center and Sebastian Wännström at RW... both McRae and Wännström also have poor plus/minus figures, but they are also starting to pick things up offensively.
This has been more or less Peoria's second line on many nights, so they're facing Top Six players on opposing teams who, in most cases, have a good deal more experience (NHL and AHL) than they do as a unit.
I think patience is warranted here... a line of Schwartz, McRae and Wännström has the potential to be very good offensively. None of these players are well-known for their defensive skills, so that's a concern, but if they can continue to develop into an offensive threat, and play with the puck in the attacking zone when they are on the ice, the defensive and plus-minus concerns will work themselves out over the course of a 76-game season.
Schwartz has been playing often on a line with Phil McRae at center and Sebastian Wännström at RW... both McRae and Wännström also have poor plus/minus figures, but they are also starting to pick things up offensively.
This has been more or less Peoria's second line on many nights, so they're facing Top Six players on opposing teams who, in most cases, have a good deal more experience (NHL and AHL) than they do as a unit.
I think patience is warranted here... a line of Schwartz, McRae and Wännström has the potential to be very good offensively. None of these players are well-known for their defensive skills, so that's a concern, but if they can continue to develop into an offensive threat, and play with the puck in the attacking zone when they are on the ice, the defensive and plus-minus concerns will work themselves out over the course of a 76-game season.
We need to give them a little time. Those 3 never played together before. It takes time to get to know how your linemates react in different situations, and to get used to where they will be. That affects a line's play on both ends of the ice. they should be getting better and better with each couple games. But, let's hope they don't stay together long, because The NHL season starts, and Schwartz starts up there.
Kurker with his first goal. Rattie with three assists after 2 periods.
Good to hear, but it seems that it may be a while before we get a return on our 2012 draft. MacEachern, Kurker, Parayko and Schmaltz seem like they each will take 3-4 years of college hockey. All have talent, but all are coming from lesser leagues and Kurker and Schmaltz are playing on deep teams right now.
Good to hear, but it seems that it may be a while before we get a return on our 2012 draft. MacEachern, Kurker, Parayko and Schmaltz seem like they each will take 3-4 years of college hockey. All have talent, but all are coming from lesser leagues and Kurker and Schmaltz are playing on deep teams right now.
No doubt. I can understand why the Blues staff went that route. We have a very young team and are not in immediate need of assistance. Get the boom/bust guys that need some time to develop and see what happens. If even 1 or 2 of the guys reach their potential, it will be a great draft. There's also the chance that none of them do. Just one of the risks you can afford to take when you have such a young, successful team.
No doubt. I can understand why the Blues staff went that route. We have a very young team and are not in immediate need of assistance. Get the boom/bust guys that need some time to develop and see what happens. If even 1 or 2 of the guys reach their potential, it will be a great draft. There's also the chance that none of them do. Just one of the risks you can afford to take when you have such a young, successful team.
I really doubt that ALL 4 will be busts. Schmaltz has really super offensive instincts and great offensive skills. I'm sure he'll be able to be, at least, a power play specialist on The NHL level, even if he doesn't develop well on the defensive side. His boom potential is IF he gains a good amount of strength and bulk, and he learns how to use that weight to his advantage in defending, AND he learns defensive positioning well, he'll become a Top 3 NHL defenceman, and sometimes all star.
Sergey Andronov has quietly impressed me in Peoria this year. 6 points in 14 games is nothing to write home about, but I see him as a legitimate NHL prospect.
He is really started to adjust to the NA game and you can see it.
His hands are there. He has very solid puck control. He is FAST. Probably top five speed on Peoria's roster. Plus he is BIG and he uses his size to his advantage. Knocking opponents off the puck and off their feet.
We'll wait and see how his offense comes together in a full season, but he could potentially be a good third line player in the league.
I don't know about you guys, but that was not what I was expecting. In addition to his lack of production, he has one of the worst +/- on the team (edit: make that the league, apparently). I read he had come in in terrific shape too.
