2024-25: Phantoms (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL), NCAA, Jrs., Int'l, etc.

[FLYguy3911]

A plus at ES like Canada doesn't shit on teams in the group stage every year.

 

[deadhead]

So far Buium and Jett are tied with one goal each. Just sayin'

 

[deadhead]

Phantoms had a strange game, meh first period, started strong second period, then refs got religious and called everything, but Flyers shut down best PP team in the AHL for the most part despite two 5 on 3s, scored one goal on their 5 on 3s. Just crazy.

Things settled down in third period but Flyers win on SH by Furry.

Gaucher line was still best line with Avon replacing Lycksell.
Gaucher is still making things happen. Won't be surprised if he's a call up late in the season just to gauge his progress against NHL players for a couple games.
Wisdom also continuing his strong play.
If Abols was a few years younger, he might get some consideration, but there's no upside at this point.

Avon is raw, went undrafted b/c at 16 he was 4th liner, missed the next season due to COVID. So behind his peers, improved his last two seasons in the CHL, finishing with a strong PO showing.
Second year in the AHL, but he's still only 21 (July B-day). Very fast, full sized, has a great shootout record this season, so the skills to score are there, but still learning how to play at 5x5. May need another season to marinate in the AHL. Uses that speed to make things happen but struggles to finish plays.

Rizzo isn't all the way back yet, but given October surgery, I figure he's a month or two away.
McDonald is being more aggressive on offense.
Andrae off to a slow start, but he and Grans have a taste, now need to show sending them down was a mistake.
Gendron can shoot, quick release, just has to develop the rest of his game and get stronger. Long-term project.
Tuomaala is less than the sum of his parts, just seems to disappear for long stretches.

 

[deadhead]

Meanwhile, Barkey responded to being left off Canada's squad.
Last five games as the top offensive threat on London:
5-8 13 +8
five games before that
2-7 9 +5

I think he'll have the same issues as Brink, he'll need a couple years to fill out and learn to play with men, the skill is obvious, but the size will present issues in the pro game.

One player well under the radar, Tomek who has struggled with injuries, 14g .933.
Flyers still have his rights, so something to keep an eye on.

 

[Fight4yourRight]

completely forgot about Tomek.

How likely is it that 1) his stats in the Czech league are indicative of him having found his game 2) he’s confident enough to come back over to North America and make a go of it?

 

[deadhead]

completely forgot about Tomek.

How likely is it that 1) his stats in the Czech league are indicative of him having found his game 2) he’s confident enough to come back over to North America and make a go of it?

It's a solid league, but I'd wait until he has 30+ games under his belt.
I think he'd take a shot of making it in NA, the money is so good and the pride factor as well.
At worst, he can always go home in a few years.

 

[MacDonald4MVP]

completely forgot about Tomek.

How likely is it that 1) his stats in the Czech league are indicative of him having found his game 2) he’s confident enough to come back over to North America and make a go of it?

Good to see him get back on track career wise since he dealt with lot of injuries early on.

 

[mr4tno]

It's a solid league, but I'd wait until he has 30+ games under his belt.
I think he'd take a shot of making it in NA, the money is so good and the pride factor as well.
At worst, he can always go home in a few years.

Anything is better than the duo currently in LHV

 

[renberg]

Currently the sad state of affairs at LHV is flying under the radar. Probably Andrae is a player; maybe Lycksell and Tuomaala. After that only a few guys who are reaches. If there is talent there, it’s not progressing. That grease fire of a development program needs to be put out. When one sees what is going on there, it’s obvious that the FO has no idea what an organizational rebuild requires.

 

[deadhead]

Currently the sad state of affairs at LHV is flying under the radar. Probably Andrae is a player; maybe Lycksell and Tuomaala. After that only a few guys who are reaches. If there is talent there, it’s not progressing. That grease fire of a development program needs to be put out. When one sees what is going on there, it’s obvious that the FO has no idea what an organizational rebuild requires.

Abols, Wisdom and Avon are all coming on the last few weeks, as has Gaucher.
Rizzo is just rounding into game shape after a major operation in October.

Remember, there are few high picks on that team.

Andrae, Grans and Ginning are 2nd rd picks, and Ginning has little upside at this point.
Wisdom 4th, Desnoyers 5th, McDonald 6th, Samson 6th, Rizzo 7th, Gendron 7th, Gaucher, Avon, UDFAs, Abols 28 year old SHL veteran, Richard, Belpedio AHL plus types.

 

[Larry44]

Currently the sad state of affairs at LHV is flying under the radar. Probably Andrae is a player; maybe Lycksell and Tuomaala. After that only a few guys who are reaches. If there is talent there, it’s not progressing. That grease fire of a development program needs to be put out. When one sees what is going on there, it’s obvious that the FO has no idea what an organizational rebuild requires.

None of the 3 players mentioned will ever get a real chance to prove they belong. They will go back to Europe frustrated, as will Grans and Ginning. Only McDonald will get a shot, maybe.