If that’s a plan I think it’s a dumb one with no logical reasoning behind it. Benson is doing great without him right nowI have a feeling that we will plan to keep Savoie and Benson together, Kulich and Ostlund aren't going anywhere and Rosen will be the odd man out dangled for immediate roster improvement.
I doubt their plan is to just randomly insert friends together long term. If they both earn a spot, both as third line wingers sure. Rosen is the logical trade; Kulich scoring is too good to let go for now.I have a feeling that we will plan to keep Savoie and Benson together, Kulich and Ostlund aren't going anywhere and Rosen will be the odd man out dangled for immediate roster improvement.
It's not just that they're friends, it's that they have a lot of proven chemistry on a line together. Four minutes of one game that Benson wasn't even available to play in isn't remotely close to enough time to start thinking about trading Savoie away by any means. Not when he played excellent AHL hockey at 19 for us, and not when he's scoring buckets of points in the WHL and about to win a Memorial Cup now that he's been traded.I doubt their plan is to just randomly insert friends together long term. If they both earn a spot, both as third line wingers sure. Rosen is the logical trade; Kulich scoring is too good to let go for now.
I don't think the Savoie/Benson history is a convincing rationale for keeping the former. Benson has a lot of proven chemistry with just about everyone. That's part of what's so special about his game. I've always been skeptical about the Savoie pick (for a variety of reasons), but I'm also not in a he-must-be-traded camp either. That said, Ostlund and Kulich are definitively my top two forward prospects with Savoie/ Rosen being a coin flip as to where they slot.It's not just that they're friends, it's that they have a lot of proven chemistry on a line together. Four minutes of one game that Benson wasn't even available to play in isn't remotely close to enough time to start thinking about trading Savoie away by any means. Not when he played excellent AHL hockey at 19 for us, and not when he's scoring buckets of points in the WHL and about to win a Memorial Cup now that he's been traded.
That return is insane. Still very high on Savoie.It's not just that they're friends, it's that they have a lot of proven chemistry on a line together. Four minutes of one game that Benson wasn't even available to play in isn't remotely close to enough time to start thinking about trading Savoie away by any means. Not when he played excellent AHL hockey at 19 for us, and not when he's scoring buckets of points in the WHL and about to win a Memorial Cup now that he's been traded.
What about Savoie are you not high on? Injuries seem to be an issue.I don't think the Savoie/Benson history is a convincing rationale for keeping the former. Benson has a lot of proven chemistry with just about everyone. That's part of what's so special about his game. I've always been skeptical about the Savoie pick (for a variety of reasons), but I'm also not in a he-must-be-traded camp either. That said, Ostlund and Kulich are definitively my top two forward prospects with Savoie/ Rosen being a coin flip as to where they slot.
He's redundant in our lineup would be my issue, especially with Benson. I don't think I have a problem with him per se, just he seems the most expendable vs value at this time. He is also definitely not going to be a center in the NHL.What about Savoie are you not high on? Injuries seem to be an issue.
Not optimistic about any being centers outside of OstlundHe's redundant in our lineup would be my issue, especially with Benson. I don't think I have a problem with him per se, just he seems the most expendable vs value at this time. He is also definitely not going to be a center in the NHL.
I'd like to understand the rationale, would you please elaborate (not snark).I've always been skeptical about the Savoie pick (for a variety of reasons)
I'm not at all saying that Savoie is in the "don't ever trade him under any circumstances ever" category by any means...we have a glut of high quality forward prospects and some of them will be moved to address other areas for sure. I'm definitely saying we haven't begun to see what Savoie can do at the NHL level since he hasn't had any realistic opportunity to show anything yet, and he's shown ample ability to score at every level prior to reaching the NHL (to be very fair...so did Krebs who is slightly more NHL sized).I don't think the Savoie/Benson history is a convincing rationale for keeping the former. Benson has a lot of proven chemistry with just about everyone. That's part of what's so special about his game. I've always been skeptical about the Savoie pick (for a variety of reasons), but I'm also not in a he-must-be-traded camp either. That said, Ostlund and Kulich are definitively my top two forward prospects with Savoie/ Rosen being a coin flip as to where they slot.
Yeah, which again is kinda why I lean towards Savoie being the odd man out. Along with Rosén, personally I imagine 2 will be gone.Not optimistic about any being centers outside of Ostlund
No problem. I'll preface my response with this: I'm not a professional scout and I realize my concerns could be wrong. It's not a position I'm willing to die on so those who have a problem with it, that's perfectly fine.I'd like to understand the rationale, would you please elaborate (not snark).
Seems like a guy Team Canada could have used in the WJC
Team Canada always makes dumb decisions
Hopefully he does would be a decent boost for him, and would be nice if he turns into a decent goalie for us and we are able to start a pipeline of goaliesThis year particularly. They went Big Brain with several decisions - roster composition, PP, and goaltending all. Goalie was not a position they had any internal competition to judge who might be best, they just pushed Rousseau out in front of absolutely everything. One upside for Ratzlaff though is he has another year of eligibility and is playing well, so maybe he actually gets some minutes in the next U20, circumstances allowing.
I'd put him on trending up category.Was thinking over coffee this morning: for all our picks in the last four years and the prospects we have in our stable, have we truly had a "breakout" performer this year?
I guess I was hoping that one of our guys would have looked like a couple round higher pick/grade A, just due to odds and the sheer numbers of guys in our ranks. It happens for other teams all the time.
Since we don't have a mid-season poll, would anyone care to throw out some arrow up/arrow down ratings for prospects they've been following? How would you rate this season for our prospects to this point? I think it's been good but not outstanding. I'm curious if maybe I'm missing someone who is trending towards a breakout season.
Arrow up
Benson (rare to make the show like he has)
Ostlund (is he top 25 in the league now?)
Komarov (he might be my answer)
Neuchev (emerging in 2024?)
Savoie (tied for WHL lead, 2 PPG)
Wahlberg (on his WJC role alone)
Ratzlaff (seeing tons of rubber)
Neutral
Kulich and Rosen (strong starts, slumps in 2024)
Lindgren (better D?)
Richard and Miedema (solid but no breakouts)
Poltapov (KHL is tough, want him here asap)
Novikov (solid, on track)
Costantini (signs of life?)
Marjala
Arrow down
Leinonen (injury and a dud for now)
Kozak (injury and no production)
Weissbach (end of the road in this org?)
Kisakov (long road still)
Nadeau (tough numbers game)
Huglen (plateaued? contract odds?)
The late round Swedes other than WvB (dream seems dead)