Happy New Year Colts Country.
I haven't been out to as many games as I would have liked to this season as many seem to conflict with kids hockey schedule. Here are some comments/observations as we move towards the trade deadline.
1. They really miss Akey, Frasca and Thornton. All three would have been difference makers in the W column this season.
2. Overall, I love the compete of our youngsters. I think this team is going to be solid next season
3. We need to get what we can for Punnett & give him an opportunity to win. He has been a great colt the past three and a half seasons, he deserves a chance to win before his career comes to an end.
4. Sale is a great player but he needs scorers to be successful. Hopefully he can be moved for some futures at the deadline.
5. Goals have been hard to come by but the team is playing great team D keeping our goals against down (other than a few really bad outings).
I say get what you can for Punnett, Sale & Thornton & keep the team lower in the standings. I would like to see the squeak into a playoff round and get some playoff experience under their belt for some of the young guys who haven't played in the playoffs before. If not, I guess a lottery spot will not be the end of the world, the kids will have a lot of time to train in the off season for what looks to be a great core of players coming back next season.
Projected lines for 2024-2025
Jelsma-Beaudoin-Jodoin
York-Patterson-Moses
Grisolia-Wigle-N. Newton/Lowe
Stewart-J. Newton-2008#1/Lowe
Aitcheson-Akey
Brauti-Savard
Handsor/Tiller-Passmore/2008#2
Hillebrandt/Hrebik/walkon/trade
I like the looks of our D. I still think the team will need some more scorers but they can add that through trades if they pick up some assets this season at the deadline. Will also be good to see how Moses/Patterson/the Newtons progress and to see Beaudoin just own the ice next season.
ANyway, those are just some thoughts! Hope the colts continue to grow this season and i hope Marty does a good job at the deadline building on what is already shaping up to be a great core of 06/07 born players.