The whole game was kinda underwhelming lol, the blazers just kept scoring and the Pete’s just kept looking lame, they didn’t do a single thing outside of hospitalizing Masters. At first it was fun watching Kamloops get the early lead but it kinda killed the tension of the game 5 mins into the second.Despite his stat line he wasn't particularly impressive today.
Roy was not big on starting Gaucher in the offensive zone! I can’t remember a single offensive zone start for Gaucher this game. Outside of the PP. he took a ton of Dzone draws and was very effective at killing plays. So many players go for stick checks just for their stick to bounce off the attacking players stick, and the attacking player continues on, but when Gaucher goes for a stick check it blows out the opponents control of the puck and more often than not the puck ends up for grabs. he created a number of turnovers, and one or two that almost became dangerous, and had a decent rush play as well. A game that was mostly unremarkable but he very much played his role in this win. Seattle fans seemed quite frustrated with Quebec shutting down their top guys the whole game. Quebec now looks like favorites to win it all IMO. With a win against Peterborough they will clinch a ticket to the finals. And frankly Peterborough is reeling rn and on their heels, they’ve looked like the odd ones out.
Also Rousseau played a brilliant game, as did Milic.
they have already clinched... its a mean nothing game for Quebec coming up... but a HUGE game for Kamloops and Seattle to watch cause a Peterborough loss makes for a Kamloops Vs Seattle semi finals forsure on fridayRoy was not big on starting Gaucher in the offensive zone! I can’t remember a single offensive zone start for Gaucher this game. Outside of the PP. he took a ton of Dzone draws and was very effective at killing plays. So many players go for stick checks just for their stick to bounce off the attacking players stick, and the attacking player continues on, but when Gaucher goes for a stick check it blows out the opponents control of the puck and more often than not the puck ends up for grabs. he created a number of turnovers, and one or two that almost became dangerous, and had a decent rush play as well. A game that was mostly unremarkable but he very much played his role in this win. Seattle fans seemed quite frustrated with Quebec shutting down their top guys the whole game. Quebec now looks like favorites to win it all IMO. With a win against Peterborough they will clinch a ticket to the finals. And frankly Peterborough is reeling rn and on their heels, they’ve looked like the odd ones out.
Also Rousseau played a brilliant game, as did Milic.
I don't think they "need" an extra contract slot, they probably just don't see him as worth signing. 57 points in 60 games is decent production but nothing outstanding for the WHL, Grubbe who NY traded to Edmonton because they weren't going to sign had 67 points in 64 games in the WYeah they need to sign Tschigerl, it's not like he's Badini tier. If they need an extra contract slot then kick leason or white to the curb lol.
I suspect that when the Ducks drafted him last year they were expecting that his mediocre offensive numbers in 21-22 were an aberration and that he would improve on them significantly in 22-23. If he had been able to make those improvements then I'm sure the Ducks saw him as a middle six center (perhaps even 2nd line) with very valuable physical and defensive capabilities. A year later, I suspect that privately they are disappointed that his offense did not develop and realistically now see him as a bottom six (probable 4th line) center/winger. Still valuable but not what they were hoping for as a 1st rounder.Regardless of any differences of opinion around draft position, i think we can all agree the Ducks need a Gaucher on the roster. His compete, defensive play and physicality is exactly what you build a shutdown line around. I don't even care about the points if he's shutting down top lines like this in the NHL someday.
I was trying to avoid yet another conversation about his draft position in my last comment. We get it, you don't like the pick. I doubt the scouting staff sees him as a 4th line C, that seems more like you projecting your opinion. The kid just won the Q equivalent of the Selke trophy and is shutting down top lines in one of the most prestigious tournaments in junior hockey. He just won a gold at the WJC. Give him a break.I suspect that when the Ducks drafted him last year they were expecting that his mediocre offensive numbers in 21-22 were an aberration and that he would improve on them significantly in 22-23. If he had been able to make those improvements then I'm sure the Ducks saw him as a middle six center (perhaps even 2nd line) with very valuable physical and defensive capabilities. A year later, I suspect that privately they are disappointed that his offense did not develop and realistically now see him as a bottom six (probable 4th line) center/winger. Still valuable but not what they were hoping for as a 1st rounder.
Yes, 4th line is what I see him as now given his lack of offensive development during his last 3 seasons of junior hockey. I think that is fair to point out and based on historical precedent it is the most likely outcome. It is virtually impossible to find a comparable player who fits his junior scoring profile who didn't top out as a 4th liner. At this point, if we are going to discuss the player, let's do so with realistic expectations and not blind hope.I was trying to avoid yet another conversation about his draft position in my last comment. We get it, you don't like the pick. I doubt the scouting staff sees him as a 4th line C, that seems more like you projecting your opinion. The kid just won the Q equivalent of the Selke trophy and is shutting down top lines in one of the most prestigious tournaments in junior hockey. He just won a gold at the WJC. Give him a break.
First tiebreaker in several years but I agree that Kamloops should get the nod based upon beating Peterborough earlier. Blazers looked pretty bad tonight. They've been Jekyll and Hyde so far. Zellweger with perhaps the worst game of his junior career.Looks like Zellweger will have to play in a tiebreaker game tomorrow against Peterborough. I don't really understand why there needs to be a tiebreaker game considering Kamloops just beat Peterborough a few days ago. More ticket sales, I guess.
Ricard rakell comes to mindYes, 4th line is what I see him as now given his lack of offensive development during his last 3 seasons of junior hockey. I think that is fair to point out and based on historical precedent it is the most likely outcome. It is virtually impossible to find a comparable player who fits his junior scoring profile who didn't top out as a 4th liner. At this point, if we are going to discuss the player, let's do so with realistic expectations and not blind hope.
Ricard rakell comes to mind