Prospect Info: CHL Playoffs (Road to the Memorial Cup)

[MarkovsKnee]

Meanwhile, in the WHL, there's only 2 series left. Red Deer vs Brandon series is being played tonight. RD has a 3-2 series lead.

Game is tied 4-4 and is going into a 3rd OT.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I think you are underestimating Fairbrother. He's a pretty good D when healthy.

I also think it's too early to give up on Brook who was trending well before his big injury.

My prediction is Xhekaj starts in the ECHL in a key role until Norlinder/Barron/Guhle/Brook get promoted after some NHL Ds are traded away.

Getting 1st pair D+PK+PP at the ECHL level might be better than being 6th D at the AHL level for him.

Also, vets like Belpedio and Ouellet, will not play 3rd pair/spare in the AHL.

Xhekaj is way too good for ECHL, so don't sign Belpedio or Ouellet. Keep Bisson.

Brook, unfortunately, I don't see it. We're adding Mailloux the following year and maybe Struble. He's not playing for Laval now.

Would be ideal to trade Brook for a similar forward, like Shane Bowers.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

PP for Brandon in triple OT.

Edit: killed

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Red Deer scores in Triple OT and wins their series vs Brandon.

That leaves one WHL series, Everett vs Vancouver, which Vancouver is leading 3-2. That plays Monday.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Just an absolutely horrible no goal call against Sarnia in Windsor-Sarnia game. Puck was clear, ref was on correct side to see that, puck gets stuffed in then back of net comes up, ref calls no goal. 2-0 Windsor.

Sarnia gets a PP with an EN goal to make it 2-1. 90 seconds left.

The play was reviewed. How do they screw it up?

 

[MarkovsKnee]

The play was reviewed. How do they screw it up?

I have no idea. Ref had no business blowing the whistle on the play, but the only thing I could think of is "the intended to blow the whistle" call. But, why? All round bad calls by that ref.

It should have been a goal.

 

[Treb]

Xhekaj is way too good for ECHL, so don't sign Belpedio or Ouellet. Keep Bisson.

Brook, unfortunately, I don't see it. We're adding Mailloux the following year and maybe Struble. He's not playing for Laval now.

Would be ideal to trade Brook for a similar forward, like Shane Bowers.

I think starting Xhekaj in a top ECHL role is better than starting him in a spare AHL role.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I think starting Xhekaj in a top ECHL role is better than starting him in a spare AHL role.

He will be a regular in the AHL....he outplayed many of our AHL dmen in the last training camp and will be better next time

 

[Adam Michaels]

Red Deer scores in Triple OT and wins their series vs Brandon.

That leaves one WHL series, Everett vs Vancouver, which Vancouver is leading 3-2. That plays Monday.

I updated the OP as Edmonton is set to play Red Deer in the 2nd round.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I updated the OP as Edmonton is set to play Red Deer in the 2nd round.

Yes, series starts Thursday. I expect Oil Kings to take that series too.

Windsor beat Sarnia too.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Not sure Brook gets a Q.O.

Harris is in the NHL unless he blows it in training camp.

Fairbrother is more than likely to be in ECHL than Xhekaj.

Guhle - Barron
Xhekaj - Norlinder
Bisson - Belpedio or Ouellet

D at NHL level is really up in the air, so we'll see.

Guhle will probably start in the nhl. The management said they want to give young players a chance to make the team. I can definitely see Guhle having a strong camp and making the team.

Romanov - Letang
Guhle - Edmundson
Harris - Savard
Schuneman

In the nhl

Fairbrother - Barron
Norlinder - Ouelett
Xhekaj - Brook

In the ahl

 

[domiwroze]

Good problem to have too many kids pushing for a spot in the Nhl and Ahl.

Guhle, Xhekaj, Barron, Harris, Norlinder; 2 of them with the big club and the other 3 to the AHL. Then, the instruction are clears for them: play with the same will as Drouin? Good, there's 3 other kid waiting for you to stop performing to take your spot.

This ain't gonna be the Nate the Great era. Intern competition is great for development.

Xhekaj is my dark horse, i'd take a bet that he actually start the year with MTL.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Could have a big rotation of guys from echl to ahl and NHL.

 

[schwang26]

I mean, it's hard to say.

Harris is almost a lock for the NHL squad.

Then you have Norlinder, Guhle, Barron, Fairbrother and Brook at the AHL level and you need some vets. Wouldn't be surprised if Belpedio, Ouellet (C) and Bisson are back, which would take Xhekaj to the ECHL 1st pair for TOI.

If Norlinder, Barron or Guhle makes it to the NHL, it leaves more space, but it's not a guarantee.

I guess there is also a possibility they cut loose Brook due to injuries, but I wouldn't count on it.

Brook can't even do anything in the echl. He's been passed by others already.

 

[Treb]

Brook can't even do anything in the echl. He's been passed by others already.

He was fine in the AHL before the injuries. We'll see how he does after the summer (if they keep him).

 

[MarkovsKnee]

North Bay vs Kingston 2nd round. Wright vs Vrbetic.

Still 3 series left to play in OHL, so no start dates yet.

Q series all start Thursday.

Edmonton-Red Deer starts Thursday.

I expect Winnipeg-Moose Jaw series to be a lot of fun. 2022s Geekie & Savoie plus Benson 2023 for Winnipeg. 2022s Mateychuk & Firkus, plus Jager 2023. All players are expected to be 1st round picks in their respective drafts.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

There's still 2 series left in OHL, but Mississauga won last night, so it's Hamilton-Mississauga 2nd round.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Guhle will probably start in the nhl. The management said they want to give young players a chance to make the team. I can definitely see Guhle having a strong camp and making the team.

Romanov - Letang
Guhle - Edmundson
Harris - Savard
Schuneman

In the nhl

Fairbrother - Barron
Norlinder - Ouelett
Xhekaj - Brook

In the ahl

Problem is, Laval has some very important AHL vets giving great services: Bisson, Belpedio and Dello have all been great.

In the same way that Hughes doesn't want 3 rookie D in the NHL, it wouldn't make sense to have 0 vet at the AHL level. I think they all earned a contract, but possibly only 2 will get them. Looks like Belpedio and Bisson have the inside track, although I think it's too bad because Dello was amazing when i saw him live.

If Brook is resigned, could he go to the ECHL? I doubt he would resign in these conditions, but who knows .. he could be defenseman #7 for the AHL for planning purposes. I am not convinced they will bring Ouellet back though. Of course he is the captain so there is a possibility, but i could see Ouellet moving on. It would open a spot. For now i will keep him on the squad, even though there is a question mark for me.



Norlinder - Belpedio
Fairbrother - Barron
Bisson - Ouellet
Xhekaj/Brook

One of the two would start in the ECHL unless injuries (which are a real possibility).

It's not a bad thing to start ECHL though.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Vrbetic and North Bay will take on Wright and Kingston in the 2nd round.

Mysak/Xhekaj and Hamilton will take on Mississauga in the 2nd round.


Sobolev and Windsor are still waiting on who they will face in the 2nd round. The London/Kitchener & Flint/Owen Sound series are still not finished. Both of them are playing Game 6 tonight. If either series will need a Game 7, they will be played tomorrow night.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Problem is, Laval has some very important AHL vets giving great services: Bisson, Belpedio and Dello have all been great.

In the same way that Hughes doesn't want 3 rookie D in the NHL, it wouldn't make sense to have 0 vet at the AHL level. I think they all earned a contract, but possibly only 2 will get them. Looks like Belpedio and Bisson have the inside track, although I think it's too bad because Dello was amazing when i saw him live.

If Brook is resigned, could he go to the ECHL? I doubt he would resign in these conditions, but who knows .. he could be defenseman #7 for the AHL for planning purposes. I am not convinced they will bring Ouellet back though. Of course he is the captain so there is a possibility, but i could see Ouellet moving on. It would open a spot. For now i will keep him on the squad, even though there is a question mark for me.



Norlinder - Belpedio
Fairbrother - Barron
Bisson - Ouellet
Xhekaj/Brook

One of the two would start in the ECHL unless injuries (which are a real possibility).

It's not a bad thing to start ECHL though.

Neither of Bisson and Dello signed nhl contracts and neither is likely to become an nhl player. They also aren't ahl vets. So I highly doubt the management would prioritize them over a good prospect. They could still be signed but would start as extras.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Still not decided. London-Kitchener will play Game 7 tomorrow, as will Flint & Owen Sound. London lost 5-2.

It's really too bad Mailloux got injured.

 

[HuGort]

I updated the OP as Edmonton is set to play Red Deer in the 2nd round.

So, Guhle still playing?

 

[Adam Michaels]

So, Guhle still playing?

Yup. His team is off to the 2nd round and will take on the Red Deer Rebels.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

OMG! Kitchener just upset London in OT of Game 7! 7 vs 2 upset. Knights finished 18 pts ahead of Kitchener. What a game!

Rangers rookie Czechia goalie was incredible. Knights outshoot Rangers 54-28. They had so many great chances I couldn't believe they weren't scoring. Unbelievable game. So fast.

Kitchener-Windsor in 2nd Round.

Flint beats Owen Sound and will meet Soo.