The only ones that are surprising to me are Lajoie and Veronneau. They looked to be in the mix but they'll almost certainly be back at some point in the year. Both showed well imo.
Formenton was really disappointing. I expected him to have a shot coming into camp. Belleville is the right spot for him though. He's got a lot of areas to work on and that's really the best place for him now.
Scott Sabourin is gonna make the team, baby!
SABUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Yeah, judging by the pregame talking heads it sounds like Abramov is in the mix. He also has a concussion though so I don't know if they can actually send him down while injured. Won't be too butthurt if he's sent down. Can definitely use some time to refine his touch around the net. That seems like where he's gonna score from as a pro.Those were the only two that surprised me as well. Formenton to me really needs to handle the puck at a high volume. Granted I think people need to measure their offensive expectations with him. He’s not a natural finisher. I’m happy Abramov is still up. DJ’s high on him apparently. Chlapik hasn’t had enough game time as of yet, and neither has Brown. Doubt they stick around though. Not wild about Balcers on the 4th line so maybe he’ll get sent down initially too.
Yeah, judging by the pregame talking heads it sounds like Abramov is in the mix. He also has a concussion though so I don't know if they can actually send him down while injured. Won't be too ******** if he's sent down. Can definitely use some time to refine his touch around the net. That seems like where he's gonna score from as a pro.
I think Brown is worth looking at given how few guys on the club right now can handle the puck and distribute. You could move White to his wing and have him deal on the top line with the other guys doing the dirty work. We were at our best when Alfie did the C defensive duties along Spezza. Could do something like that. Sounds like Smith wants the center on each line to handle the bulk of the down low defensive duties. Still lots of options.
100% agreeThey should at least try the Paul-L.Brown-Batherson line in pre-season. They already have the chemistry. They could also try Tkachuk-L.Brown-Batherson or put Duclair on the wing of L.Brown. It would be nice to see some offensive players put together instead of being offset by more defensive depth players. So far I am not liking C.Brown on the top line or Pageau in a top six role. DJ Smith should be trying to create some offensive lines.
1. Swartz?? Why?Here's who's left...
G: Anderson/Nilsson/Hogberg
D: Boro/Brannstrom/Chabot/DeMelo/Goloubef/Hainsey/Jaros/Zaitsev
F: Anisimov/Balcers/Batherson/Boedker/C.Brown/L.Brown/Chlapik/Duclair/Ennis/Kelly/Pageau/Paul/Ryan/Sabourin/Szwarz/Tierney/Tkachuk/White
Injured: Wolanin and Abramov
1. Swartz?? Why?
2. Kelly!! Deserves it. Let's get him in games!
They should at least try the Paul-L.Brown-Batherson line in pre-season. They already have the chemistry. They could also try Tkachuk-L.Brown-Batherson or put Duclair on the wing of L.Brown. It would be nice to see some offensive players put together instead of being offset by more defensive depth players. So far I am not liking C.Brown on the top line or Pageau in a top six role. DJ Smith should be trying to create some offensive lines.
I'm kind of surprised DJ hasn't tinkered with the lines a bit. You'd think this is the time to try some things out.
Bellevilles Captain this year. Giving him extra time with big club.1. Swartz?? Why?
Gotta clear out the rest of those Chris Kelly jerseys sitting in the clearance bin.2. Kelly!! Deserves it. Let's get him in games!
They should at least try the Paul-L.Brown-Batherson line in pre-season. They already have the chemistry. They could also try Tkachuk-L.Brown-Batherson or put Duclair on the wing of L.Brown. It would be nice to see some offensive players put together instead of being offset by more defensive depth players. So far I am not liking C.Brown on the top line or Pageau in a top six role. DJ Smith should be trying to create some offensive lines.
These cuts seem 0% surprising to me.
I mean... I guess maybe I thought Davidsson would make it to the next round of cuts before being sent to Belleville, but I didn't really think any of these kids were going to start the season as NHL players.
I thought Davidsson had a decent chance too, but solely based on the reports that he was the last cut of his previous team. Based on his performance I do not see an NHL level player at this time.