I think that the hot start was a little bit of a mirage. After loosing all that they did, and even more then expected (Smith-Pelly) no one could reasonably expect the Majors to be a top 5 team in the East.
The bigger question is, do the Majors sell of Jordan Mayer, JP Anderson and other players who wont be back next year in order to jump start the rebuild. I know what Id do, but what will James Boyd do.
I think that the hot start was a little bit of a mirage. After loosing all that they did, and even more then expected (Smith-Pelly) no one could reasonably expect the Majors to be a top 5 team in the East.
The bigger question is, do the Majors sell of Jordan Mayer, JP Anderson and other players who wont be back next year in order to jump start the rebuild. I know what Id do, but what will James Boyd do.
I read some wanna be reporters article. Laura barney or something like that, where when the majors were hot, she questioned if dsp would fit in if he were sent back. Pretty laughable!
The only people that expected dsp back, were the majors. The kid had no intentions of going back and good for him for proving all the so called experts wrong.
The problem with this team is two-fold. Vets who don't carry their weight, (insert names here) and rookies who think they are better than they really are.
As for a sale, who would want mayer as an o/a in this league?
mayer is playing way below what he can, if he played like he did last playoffs someone would take him. for me only assets that could get a whole lot are percy and jp. if we trade both we could turn it around quickly. i dont wanna see either gone though
No need to sell there are to many teams selling so just add some scoring and you can still win a round or two in the east.Mayer always plays better in the second half Cramarossa will be back and be a force and Brace is a top line guy. Don't sell the east is wide open and the goaltending is sub par.
I read some wanna be reporters article. Laura barney or something like that, where when the majors were hot, she questioned if dsp would fit in if he were sent back. Pretty laughable!
The only people that expected dsp back, were the majors. The kid had no intentions of going back and good for him for proving all the so called experts wrong.
The problem with this team is two-fold. Vets who don't carry their weight, (insert names here) and rookies who think they are better than they really are.
As for a sale, who would want mayer as an o/a in this league?
With the number of vets who left, there really was slim pickings, particularly with OA players. One would have hoped that Flick would have been available, and that perhaps Bureau might have been better than Wise, but beyond those two, there really weren't any others to return. Not having DSP back adds to the woes, but as said, good on him for doing what was needed to stick with Anaheim.
The East is still pretty wide open, so to launch a fire sale might be premature. There aren't many teams in need of a goaltender, so one wonders what Anderson would fetch... Moving others might bring back some picks, but beyond Percy and maybe Brace, there aren't many moveable pieces based on this year's performances.
As for the rooks...rumour has it quite a few were promised spots this year due to last year's loaded roster. There are some keepers, but just as many that you wonder about....
With the number of vets who left, there really was slim pickings, particularly with OA players. One would have hoped that Flick would have been available, and that perhaps Bureau might have been better than Wise, but beyond those two, there really weren't any others to return. Not having DSP back adds to the woes, but as said, good on him for doing what was needed to stick with Anaheim.
The East is still pretty wide open, so to launch a fire sale might be premature. There aren't many teams in need of a goaltender, so one wonders what Anderson would fetch... Moving others might bring back some picks, but beyond Percy and maybe Brace, there aren't many moveable pieces based on this year's performances.
As for the rooks...rumour has it quite a few were promised spots this year due to last year's loaded roster. There are some keepers, but just as many that you wonder about....
I would make the argument that with Niagara putting things together (7-3) and Ottawa staying consistant, its pretty much a two team race.
I would assume that Sarnia and Saginaw could use an upgrade in net, but I do agree, the market is soft.
Percy would fetch a kings random, but I think he would get the same next year as well. Brace is back next year, so in my opinion no reason to rush his trade.
The big debate for me, is if you allow an Anderson, Cramarossa and perhaps Cord to move on and the team loses in the first or second round, what was gained?
Trade those Chips in, allow for some players like Teskey, Graves and Martin to take more of an active role on the team, and recoup some of the draft picks that where spent last year. You should still make the playoffs, still loose in the first round, but will be significantly better off next year.
big 2 wins against Kingston and Sudbury heading into the break
if Crammer, Percy and Duhaime can get healthy over the break we can still battle for a playoff spot.
as for being buyers or sellers, unless we tank I cant see boyd selling too much
id honestly rather take my chances in the 1st round and potentially upset then blow it up and finish out of playoffs. even 7th or 8th in conference get a high draft pick
he has found himself bouncing around the lines playing with different guys but seems to play well no matter who he's with
for a small guy he likes throwing what weight he has around and creates a buzz and momentum most times he's out there. not afraid to mix things up either
So, an interesting weekend to say the least. Three points from a possible six...a nice come from behind win in Guelph; an inspired comeback that fell just short against a Niagara team playing without 4 of its best players; and an uninspired game against Brampton yesterday.
If you take the first two games, one could argue with a healthy Percy and a few pickups, this team could pull an upset in the first round and maybe go a few in the playoffs. Based on yesterday, this team will be lucky to hold off Oshawa for the last playoff spot.
A few thoughts...nice to see Crammarossa back...his speed is a great addition...would like to see him pass the puck a bit more though...seems to want to do it all himself.
Nice to see Edwards come in and play well in relief on Friday night. Too bad he noticed his pad was loose just before the fifth goal...I'm sure that's where his mind was...otherwise he showed he could play in this league should Anderson be a potential trade piece.
Finally, what a terrible call on Wise early in the Brampton game...he was clearly taken into Machovsky and that set the whole tone for the game as Brampton scored on the ensuing power play and never looked back.
So a thread on the Noof suggests the Majors and Generals are talking with Anderson, Brace and a d-man involved.
Anderson's name has also been linked to Sarnia...should make for an interesting week.
Am surprised they'd be talking about moving Brace...he's a potential OA for next year...I'd only move him if it was a substantial haul.
My guess is the d-man is Demelo...
Thoughts?
I see Sarnia more likely than Oshawa because they are more of a contender while Osahwa is below the Majors.
I like Oshawa just for the chance to bring Scott Laughton (oakville native) closer to home. he's a good player and I could see him being a part of a deal
I think that the hot start was a little bit of a mirage. After loosing all that they did, and even more then expected (Smith-Pelly) no one could reasonably expect the Majors to be a top 5 team in the East.
The bigger question is, do the Majors sell of Jordan Mayer, JP Anderson and other players who wont be back next year in order to jump start the rebuild. I know what Id do, but what will James Boyd do.
It was a mirage and they should be cashing in Anderson or anyone else. They spent big last winter and could really use picks back with prospects.
Their roster is stripped of the proper balance and some very lean years ahead unless Boyd replaces those missing years.
It was a mirage and they should be cashing in Anderson or anyone else. They spent big last winter and could really use picks back with prospects.
Their roster is stripped of the proper balance and some very lean years ahead unless Boyd replaces those missing years.
Definitely agree. I like the Cramarossa deal, as well as some of the other deals that have been rumored. Some fans might not like the 'rebuilding' process, but it's definitely needed after last years push.
Definitely agree. I like the Cramarossa deal, as well as some of the other deals that have been rumored. Some fans might not like the 'rebuilding' process, but it's definitely needed after last years push.
I like the Cramarossa deal as well. Two seconds for a guy who has loads of potential but hasn't really put it all together yet. The Anderson deal doesn't look like its happened yet...but the rumour is three more seconds there as well. Me thinks the picks acquired by Sarnia in the Ritchie trade are coming to the Majors. Recoups a lot of the picks sent to London last year for D'Orazio.
Some rumours on Ranger boards re: Schoenmakers, so it'll be interesting to see if anything happens there.
Is it possible Maxwell gets flipped (if he is part of the Anderson trade)? Otherwise an OA needs to be moved out.
Edit: Schoenmakers moved as I was typing...conditional 1st rd import could be interesting. Wondering what the conditions are?
