2024-25 WHL Playoffs Game Thread

[hockeykid87]

I said it before, not that I think Med Hat wasn't the favourite out of the East and wouldn't win the series regardless, but I think they got lucky not having to face Edmonton in the second round.

I don't think anyone is stopping Med Hat. They are built to win this season, and they don't even have two of their best players available.

Spokane will be an interesting matchup. Med Hat's depth is miles ahead of Spokane's, but Spokane's top line is so absurdly good.

 

[Bocephus]

RIP the Hurricanes. What a disappointment it must feel like because of the endless injuries they dealt with. It feels bad to see players age out while injured.
Braillard (unlikely to return)
Gustafson (aged out)
Doyle (should return and be a top pairing)

Yager (moving on)
Price (moving on)
Chadwick (moving on likely)
McCutcheon (aged out)
Edwards (aged out)
Wormald ( possibly returning?)
Marques (returning but trade bait surely?)
Smith and Gizowski (return as 20s?)
Unger (return as a 20?)

Then usher in the next crop of players…
The Canes cupboards aren’t as bare as many think but I am sure they will still be forced into a roster turnover as they don’t have that high end talent to compete for a championship now.

 

[hockeykid87]

It was never a good idea for Lethbridge to go all in this season when the best team in the country was two hours East. Made no sense. Hurricanes don't pick until the fourth round this year and 6th round in 2025. They'll make some moves, but it could be some lean years for the Hurricanes.

 

[2Mototik2]

I don't think anyone is stopping Med Hat. They are built to win this season, and they don't even have two of their best players available.

Spokane will be an interesting matchup. Med Hat's depth is miles ahead of Spokane's, but Spokane's top line is so absurdly good.

Yeah, I definitely don't think Med Hat would have lost to Edmonton but Edmonton would have gone down swinging (and slashing and punching et al.) so I don't think the Tigers would have escaped that series as cleanly as they did PA.

I think any Med Hat-Spokane series may actually come down to the goaltending and defence because now neither team will be able to just outscore their opponent as they both have been throughout these playoffs.

 

[Bocephus]

It was never a good idea for Lethbridge to go all in this season when the best team in the country was two hours East. Made no sense. Hurricanes don't pick until the fourth round this year and 6th round in 2025. They'll make some moves, but it could be some lean years for the Hurricanes.

What players do the Hurricanes have in their prospect pool or have just played their 16 or 17 year old season?

 

[hockeykid87]

What players do the Hurricanes have in their prospect pool or have just played their 16 or 17 year old season?

Kash Andresen is their top 07 since they traded Sharpe away. He and Cleaver. Then they have Carsen Adair on the backend who will be asked to step up in a major way with Chadwick, Price and likely Port moving on.

Their top 08 pick was Chase Peterson. I doubt Dayne Beuker is going to sign with them. They could trade his rights (Kelowna?) and get something back. Easton Deneault had a strong season in the AJHL as a 16-year-old, so I'm sure they have big expectations for him.

 

[2Mototik2]

It was never a good idea for Lethbridge to go all in this season when the best team in the country was two hours East. Made no sense. Hurricanes don't pick until the fourth round this year and 6th round in 2025. They'll make some moves, but it could be some lean years for the Hurricanes.

Yeah, Lethbridge going for it this year also struck me as odd.

Their inflection point for making moves this year was once they didn't get the Mem Cup, but the Tigers are/were the Tigers and the Hitmen were already loading up by that time. Plus because next season's Mem Cup host in Kelowna is in the Western Conference, the East essentially has two shots at getting there. Lethbridge sold a lot of the farm just to get swept in the Eastern Conference finals and losing the chance at better odds next year.

 

[hockeykid87]

Yeah, Lethbridge going for it this year also struck me as odd.

Their inflection point for making moves this year was once they didn't get the Mem Cup, but the Tigers are/were the Tigers and the Hitmen were already loading up by that time. Plus because next season's Mem Cup host in Kelowna is in the Western Conference, the East essentially has two shots at getting there. Lethbridge sold a lot of the farm just to get swept in the Eastern Conference finals and losing the chance at better odds next year.

Would have made infinitely more sense for Lethbridge to wait until next season to go for it. Medicine Hat and Calgary would be reeling from this season. Would likely be a cake walk to win the Central.

 

[BrettM]

Would have made infinitely more sense for Lethbridge to wait until next season to go for it. Medicine Hat and Calgary would be reeling from this season. Would likely be a cake walk to win the Central.

really? Some speculation that McKenna is headed to Michigan(doubtful) and Basha will return next year. The Tigers will unequivocally pose the best 1-2 punch in the western hockey league next season

 

[SpeedyCerviche]

really? Some speculation that McKenna is headed to Michigan(doubtful) and Basha will return next year. The Tigers will unequivocally pose the best 1-2 punch in the western hockey league next season

Basha being a signed OA means Calgary send him back vs playing in the AHL? I don't think they are that deep to not want him in the organization next season.

 

[hockeykid87]

really? Some speculation that McKenna is headed to Michigan(doubtful) and Basha will return next year. The Tigers will unequivocally pose the best 1-2 punch in the western hockey league next season

I think the McKenna noise is real, and he will be gone. I didn't believe it when it first started, but I believe it now.

Next season I believe Medicine Hat will lose:

Meneghin, Molendyk, Basha, Lindstrom, McKenna, Ritche (NCAA rumours with McKenna), St. Martin, Ward and Wiestblatt.

Can't recover from that in one season. They are taking a massive step back next year.

 

[Bocephus]

I think the McKenna noise is real, and he will be gone. I didn't believe it when it first started, but I believe it now.

Next season I believe Medicine Hat will lose:

Meneghin, Molendyk, Basha, Lindstrom, McKenna, Ritche (NCAA rumours with McKenna), St. Martin, Ward and Wiestblatt.

Can't recover from that in one season. They are taking a massive step back next year.

The problem with McKenna is that he is too good. He gains no development with another year of dominating inferior players. He should go play NCAA just for his development. Sad but true. Players like him are unicorns and we should be happy that we got to enjoy his brilliance for the time we have. He reminds me of McDavid in so many ways. Especially his drive and competitiveness. Watching him blow by Wornald for the clinching empty netter was like watching McDavid. Of course he isn’t McDavid yet but he definitely has similar qualities.
As far as Basha goes it is similar to Zimmer in PG this year. I would thing coming back as a a signed OA would be beneficial for his development after nearly missing the entire season.
Lindstrom most likely plays NCAA is my guess. It’s sad that us WHL fans missed out on his talent because of his injury. I did watch him live a couple times and thought he was a dominant force. I wish him luck.
Watching MH dominate Lethbridge was something else. To see a team so good that they easily impose their will on the opposition is impressive.
To me McKenna is far and away better than Bedard in intensity and will. Who ever drafts him in the NHL are some lucky bastards.
Could 72 end up in Chicago. That would be amazing for fans.

 

[BrettM]

I think the McKenna noise is real, and he will be gone. I didn't believe it when it first started, but I believe it now.

Next season I believe Medicine Hat will lose:

Meneghin, Molendyk, Basha, Lindstrom, McKenna, Ritche (NCAA rumours with McKenna), St. Martin, Ward and Wiestblatt.

Can't recover from that in one season. They are taking a massive step back next year.

In your estimation, who projects as the Eastern conference favourite next year then? Is it Prince Albert, Edmonton?? Am I missing someone obvious?

 

[2Mototik2]

After this playoff performance, I'm also leaning towards McKenna leaving. Especially if they win the league, he'll ride off into the sunset. He's just too good and the NCAA can offer him older competition and more off-ice training opportunities.

But even if McKenna were to be on the team next season, I was never as bullish as a lot of people were about the future Tigers.

• Their 05's are not a super strong group to begin with and anyone of note shouldn't be there next year - though I could see Basha back if the Flames don't want to rush him after playing very little this year
• Presumed subtraction of Lindstrom aside, they have three 06's I like in Woo, Ritchie and Pickford but Cunningham isn't much and despite being NHL draft picks, are the two Finns needle movers?
• Of the three non-McKenna 07's on the roster, Switzer had some pretty good stats but the other two are also not much to write home about
• I think everyone is fairly high on their three 08's in the Ruck twins and Gordon-Carroll, but they will have to keep improving to keep the Tigers high

All that is just based on stat watching and player's can obviously make jumps in the offseason, but I think they would be even more of the McKenna show next season, if he does return.

 

[2Mototik2]

In your estimation, who projects as the Eastern conference favourite next year then? Is it Prince Albert, Edmonton?? Am I missing someone obvious?

Not the person you quoted, but I've was high this season, and still am, on Edmonton's chances for next year. PA should also be good.

Other than that, I'm not sure what to expect from the other 9 teams.

 

[chaser17]

If Cayden Lindstorm feels like he's healthy and wants to go for the memorial cup do the Tigers need permission from Columbus or can they do whatever they want with the player? I know it's a big investment for Columbus but it almost kinda seems unfair that they are dictating where (possibly NCAA?) and when he plays.

 

[Bocephus]

If Cayden Lindstorm feels like he's healthy and wants to go for the memorial cup do the Tigers need permission from Columbus or can they do whatever they want with the player? I know it's a big investment for Columbus but it almost kinda seems unfair that they are dictating where (possibly NCAA?) and when he plays.

I read a recent article that Lindstrom has the choice to make his own decision although Columbus could advice him on that choice.
The article stated that since Lindstrom is unsigned he has the opportunity to choose the NCAA. That also means that Columbus doesn't have the ability to make him choose anything and the article stated that Columbus isn't leveraging any decision by Lindstrom.
It's always interesting to hear fans have an opinion on whether a player should choose NCAA when they have no idea if the player even likes school. Insert "student athlete' opinion here.
The article also stated that because he isn't signed he hasn't been permitted to participate in anything official with Columbus a far as rehab and training goes thus the choice was made to go to MH and get ice time that way with very little actual intention of him suiting up for the Tigers.
It's a fascinating situation considering he is a 4th overall pick.