The way I see it now:
1-Halifax is the team to beat in the Maritimes no doubt, but they still have defensive issues they will have to address.
2- Acadie-Bathurst got the most offensive output in this Division by at least 20 to 30goals except for Halifax.
They got 4 solid lines and plenty of help in case of injury.
3-Moncton: have a solid top-6 but very little in 3rd and 4th lines backup.
Their defense is very good.
4-PEI: with the addition of Micalef and Oligny on the backend, they improved quite a bit their balance.
5-Cape-Breton: Young team with alot of potential upside, but they will be stronger in 13-14
6- Saint-John will have a long season ahead of them....not much to chew for the fans.
If the Gallant you have listed is Alex from PEI for Titan line up I believe he has been sent home. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
This is the position with the most depth on our team. I think we will see Flynn stick with 9 guys to start the season like last year. These 9 are all capable at this level and you can always play it safe in case of injuries. The top 5 are straight forward. Sweeney is going to be there. Some people have McGurty on the bubble but he was one of our best defenceman at the end of last season. He dosn't stand out but that cause of the style he plays. I think Brayden also deserves a spot , he too was very solid in his brief time here last season. He was one of our better +/- players and on a weaker second half team. Primeau came to camp ready and looks very good as well. Can't see him being sent home. Overall this is a pretty solid D core, we could use a top pairing offensize quarterback. We will probably see a trade at Christmas.
Top line is almost a 100% guarantee. Top 6 looks good, I think we'll see players like Deruelle , Penny and Johnston getting a chance to play alongside Barbashev and Jaskin. Whoever gels the best with them will stick until at least Christmas where a trade for a top6 forward may happen. I think Deruelle and Penny have the best chances of sticking on the second line. We have alot of depth/ bottom 6 forwards. Hodge is a lock as is Johnston. That leaves Stephens , Whitlock , Lalonde , Tremaine , Robichaud , Malone and Lund rounding out the rest of the bottom 6. From what I hear Whitlock is a Flynn type player. He's a grinding , two-way forward. So I can see him being used. From what I've seen Lalonde , Tremaine and Robichaud havn't impressed me much in training camp but because it's a " go for it" year I think they'll have a step on the others because they already have a season of adjusting under their belts.
Needs:
1. Top pairing offensize Defenceman who can quarterback the PP
2. A top 6 winger to play on the left side of Barbashev on the second line
3. Could use a proven back up goaltender , things could get scary if Dubeau goes down
Thats a bit of a surprise.. Moncton's D is loaded, and he wouldn't get much ice. Does being signed mean you are obligated to play or can you be sent back?
Where did you hear this? I' pretty sure the plan is to keep him in camp till the end but send him back like they did with Downe.If it were last season yes, but not with this depth and it makes it harder to keep a 16 year old when you're contending. Usually if 2 players are at the same skill you take the youngest but when contending the older players get the jump in most cases. Plus another year of seasoning won't hurt him. He can work on his foot speed a bit and get stronger. MaCabe is a spitting image of Downe. He came to camp as a 16 and was ready but they opted to send him back cause they were "going for it" so they sent him back which helped his developments tons. Heck , they even play very similar games.
very excited for this years Mooseheads team. I expect our D to once again over achieve in the eyes of many, but watching them all last year wont come as a shocker.
Anyone want to make any line up predictions now that most teams are down to 25/players. Points? Games played etc?
Has anyone's thoughts changed on standings?
Surprises in camp, underachievers / overachievers (ex. Mark Simpson wildcats)
Nothing in the Maritimes for me, HFX then Moncton than Barhurst. Bottom 3 will fight it out. Things may change in the West though, not sure what Gatineau has in store.
Nothing in the Maritimes for me, HFX then Moncton than Barhurst. Bottom 3 will fight it out. Things may change in the West though, not sure what Gatineau has in store.
Especially Gatineau considering Steeves may be out for the season with a knee injury.
Anyone want to make any line up predictions now that most teams are down to 25/players. Points? Games played etc?
Has anyone's thoughts changed on standings?
Surprises in camp, underachievers / overachievers (ex. Mark Simpson wildcats)
As far as Moncton's camp went , Centis-Jorge , Pitre and Robichaud were definately under achievers. For overachievers; Simpson ,Beaudoin, Gagne and Bradley all had great camps and surpassed expectations. Although Beaudoin , Gagne and Bradley didn't make it this season, I'm sure they have a good shot next year.
As far as Moncton's camp went , Centis-Jorge , Pitre and Robichaud were definately under achievers. For overachievers; Simpson ,Beaudoin, Gagne and Bradley all had great camps and surpassed expectations. Although Beaudoin , Gagne and Bradley didn't make it this season, I'm sure they have a good shot next year.
A jump from 190 goals last season to 291 this season?
Pretty close to jumping at the moon, don't you think so?
Instead of ridicule and goal totals, I suggest maybe saying where he went wrong don't you?
The Euros are high profile and I certainly believe Jaskin will put up over a PPG, but I'll wait and see on Barbeshev even if he is the #1 euro.
The defense looks pretty reasonable. 5 guys at 20+ on D may not happen, and I'm wondering if the Saulniers have room to grow, but not too far off with them.
Even if the Cats don't score 285 (I don't think they will) they will still keep the puck out of the net a helluva lot more than most other teams.
If Russian Ice Hockey Federation Politics doesn't rear it's ugly head, Jaskin should be a lock for the Russian World Jr team, and Barbashev should get serious consideration. That would subtract anywhere from 6-12 games off of their year, depending on when they go over for camp, and how many games Moncton plays in that stretch. Just something to consider.
If Russian Ice Hockey Federation Politics doesn't rear it's ugly head, Jaskin should be a lock for the Russian World Jr team, and Barbashev should get serious consideration. That would subtract anywhere from 6-12 games off of their year, depending on when they go over for camp, and how many games Moncton plays in that stretch. Just something to consider.
A jump from 190 goals last season to 291 this season?
Pretty close to jumping at the moon, don't you think so?
I touched on it above (actually I'm almost contradicting myself here) but when people make predictions, they assume folks will play 68 games. When you say Moncton scored 190 goals last year, that's with Alex Saulnier missing 10 games, Hrivik missing 14 games, MacAusland missing 17 games and so on. More than likely if last year's Moncton team is 100% healthy (And no team ever is), they score 220+ goals. And the 291 prediction is assuming everyone will stay healthy, or assuming no one leaves for the World Jrs etc.
That goes for Titan and Moosehead predictions as well. We're assuming everyone will play all 68 games, which some won't. So the jump in production for the team won't be as much as we say. It's just easier to predict 68 games rather than guessing who will play 68 games and who won't.
I touched on it above (actually I'm almost contradicting myself here) but when people make predictions, they assume folks will play 68 games. When you say Moncton scored 190 goals last year, that's with Alex Saulnier missing 10 games, Hrivik missing 14 games, MacAusland missing 17 games and so on. More than likely if last year's Moncton team is 100% healthy (And no team ever is), they score 220+ goals. And the 291 prediction is assuming everyone will stay healthy, or assuming no one leaves for the World Jrs etc.
That goes for Titan and Moosehead predictions as well. We're assuming everyone will play all 68 games, which some won't. So the jump in production for the team won't be as much as we say. It's just easier to predict 68 games rather than guessing who will play 68 games and who won't.
Instead of ridicule and goal totals, I suggest maybe saying where he went wrong don't you?
The Euros are high profile and I certainly believe Jaskin will put up over a PPG, but I'll wait and see on Barbeshev even if he is the #1 euro.
The defense looks pretty reasonable. 5 guys at 20+ on D may not happen, and I'm wondering if the Saulniers have room to grow, but not too far off with them.
Even if the Cats don't score 285 (I don't think they will) they will still keep the puck out of the net a helluva lot more than most other teams.
With the way Flynn coaches and chokes any offensive aspirations, you can substract easily 30-40 goals from that total.
So which players on my list goals totals would you change?
I think you're a little high on both Barveshev and Jaskin as you see him as productive immediately as Hrivik at his peak.
Your total D including Gormley with 10 scored 28 goals last season and you are predicting 48 this season....quite the jump.
A lot of Moncton fans on different boards did not even predict Penny playing on the 2nd line and yet you predict him 23 goals....quite a stretch from 11 last season.
Wasn't Stephens cut?
Johnston scored 2 goals in 38 games last season....11 really?
And will Saulnier jump from 30 to 40 goals?
A lot of criticism has been put on my predictions about the Titan but some predictions in here are much more frivolous.
