The main benefit from the lockout is that skill guys that might find themselves stuck on a lower line in the NHL get the chance to polish their offensive games. Connolly and Niederreiter seems to have benefited from this.
If/when an NHL season happens, how much of an advantage do you guys think it is for teams that have had groups of players playing together on the farm team?
I think it could have a significant impact at the start of a shortened season. though other players have been playing elsewhere they will have to readjust their games to their teammates and linemates, while a few teams will be able to import blocs of players who have been working together for months.
In the end true talent will win out, the best players will emerge as the best players, but in a shortened season a handful of points at the beginning of the season, due to chemistry, could significantly alter the playoff picture.
If/when an NHL season happens, how much of an advantage do you guys think it is for teams that have had groups of players playing together on the farm team?
I think it could have a significant impact at the start of a shortened season. though other players have been playing elsewhere they will have to readjust their games to their teammates and linemates, while a few teams will be able to import blocs of players who have been working together for months.
In the end true talent will win out, the best players will emerge as the best players, but in a shortened season a handful of points at the beginning of the season, due to chemistry, could significantly alter the playoff picture.
Probably not much, the only team really that is going to have a mass exodus of players that are likely to play together is OKC/Edmonton. Most others will have one to three. Houston for example will have Granlund, Scandella and possibly one of Coyle or Zucker head up, even than they probably wouldn't be put on the same line in the NHL.
Wolves are 8-6-2 which is alright when you look at Vancouver's prospect pool. They have been quite bad in the defensive zone & aren't a very gifted offensive team. Kassian has looked good & I'm very intrigued by how well his shot is getting, his board play makes me want to see him play some time with the Sedins if there is a Season. The only knock seems to be consistency but 90% of PWF prospects have this issue.
I have really liked what I've seen from Jordan Schroeder in the limited times I've seen him play. As a player who was seen as a playmaker first & foremost its nice to see him shooting more & putting up goals (6). It is really evident that he would be putting up more assists if he was playing with higher skilled players, basically the same thing that happened to Hodgson when he was in our organization. However from reports the biggest difference between the 2 is willingness to play both ends of the rink, in his time in Van with their AHL team Hodgson looked disinterested in playing both ends where as Schroeder has grown leaps & bounds in this area of his game. I would hope to see him in Vancouver if there is a season.
Nowhere near as "good" as NHL 1st line lock Chris Kreider....
No, he's not. The 6 inches and 60 pounds do matter.
That's why the Rangers let him go. It's not like he's a breakout player. He was just as good last year.
He's not good enough for the Rangers top 6, and too small for the bottom six. He didn't have a chance in New York, but he does in Columbus
What about Wilkes-Barre Baby Pens? They aren´t mentioned a lot, but the fact is they have won 11 from their last 14 games. Looks like a very solid young team. That stacked young defense which Pens have in their organization gonna be very good.
Also, Jeff Zatkoff was a great pickup for them, that goalie is NHL ready.
I see Zatkoff as a back up in the NHL. Maybe a 1b goalie but not good enough to be the go to guy.
Think Marty Biron, Mathieu Garon, Johan Hedberg type goaltender.
Looks like Heat are still 1st overall, awwwwww yeah
It's a bit of a surprise given they don't have the marquee names some other clubs have.
Ward is a great coach though. If the Heat keep it up you have to think he'll get some consideration as an NHL head coach at the end of the season from a team that's looking for a new HC.
Looks like Heat are still 1st overall, awwwwww yeah
They have great goal tending, a good mix of talent and depth, youth and experience. They also do a great job of playing system hockey. More precisely, that system is also "Flames" hockey.
They do a very good job of preparing players to play on the parent club.
lot of good things about the way the Heat are (is?) run.
