Providence Bruins General Discussion thread XVII

[BlackFrancis]

I was just looking over the final stats for the lads after the last two posts and noticed two things:

• 3 of the top 4 in scoring were Lettieri, Brazeau and Carrick
• Fred Brunet led the team in PPG, with one game played. Straight out of Seinfeld, "Okay, that's it for me!"

 

[rocketdan9]

I was just looking over the final stats for the lads after the last two posts and noticed two things:

• 3 of the top 4 in scoring were Lettieri, Brazeau and Carrick
• Fred Brunet led the team in PPG, with one game played. Straight out of Seinfeld, "Okay, that's it for me!"

I think this Brunet kid is going to be a good one. He just needs regular visits at the steakhouse and Golds gym.

 

[chizzler]

Toporowski - A
Merkulov - A-
Lysell - B-
Kuntar - B
Harrison - I didn't see him play enough
Steen - C+
Beecher - B-
McLaughlin - C
Wissman - C-
Bussi - A+
Keyser - A-
Callahan - C+
Mast - I didn't see him play enough
Lorhei - B (includes OSU games)
Renouf - B-

Like Toporowski and Merkulov.

 

[Dangleittus13]

Like Toporowski and Merkulov.

How did you rate Kuntar without playing a game? Or is your “B” based solely on his games at BC?

Agree though, Merkulov hands down their best F. Kid has serious offensive ability and wants to make plays/score goals. No frills about him, just get it done!

For the amount of ice time McLaughlin got I felt like he under-achieved at times throughout the season.

IMO I still think Beecher has the most pro potential to be a top 6 NHL F. He has every attribute needed to excel at the next level. Maybe needs another 1/2 year of seasoning, but I think he’s a mainstay with the B’s by Xmas.

Steen is solid, but I think there are other more exciting prospects that will replace him.

Going to be a very young team next season with Poitras, Harrison, Beecher, Toporowski, Kuntar, C. Hall…I think Abate will be the grizzled vet at 25!

 

[Saxon Eric]

How would you grade the prospects on their seasons?

Toporowski
Merkulov
Lysell
Kuntar
Harrison
Steen
Beecher
McLaughlin
Wissman
Bussi
Keyser
Callahan
Mast
Lorhei
Renouf

Toporowski B injuries hurts his grade

Merkulov A- excellent prospect, needs to play in the middle

Lysell C+ ,flashes now and again,I was disappointed from January on

Kuntar B- never played pro so grade is NCAA based
Good motor,jam,shot

Harrison B OHL grade only,can shoot,score and finds the soft spots ,let's see if it translates professionally

Steen B- terrible start,decent finish can't write him off

Beecher B elevated his game during the playoffs, another one that needs to be in the middle ,hands holds him back

McLaughlin B- was always counted on to kill off the game, board play needs work

Wissman D early Winter he put together a string of strong games and then faded into obscurity

Bussi A+ Rock Star,now what happens?

Keyser B+ Solid year, worth keeping around but those injuries again

Callahan B- play was hit or miss,terrible turnovers, advanced stats were pretty good,big year upcoming

Mast B another OHL only grade, was on his way to a fantastic year but then injuries hit,the kid is large and in charge but still stiff and robotic,he's hard to forecast

Lorhei NCAA A, AHL B-, Played 8 pro games, was terrible in 2 of them, puck management was an adventure but I love the swagger and upside

Renouf C+ average AHL player not sure what they saw to garner a 2 year 2 way deal in him,vanilla

BONUS GRADES!
Poitras A offensively, C everything else, so good with the puck,high end talent ,needs more consistency and work on the other stuff

Brunet A another high end offensive talent, had a nice cameo in Providence but we're still not sure where he's playing next year and point totals in the Q are always suspicious

anyone else?

 

[BlackFrancis]

How did you rate Kuntar without playing a game? Or is your “B” based solely on his games at BC?

Agree though, Merkulov hands down their best F. Kid has serious offensive ability and wants to make plays/score goals. No frills about him, just get it done!

For the amount of ice time McLaughlin got I felt like he under-achieved at times throughout the season.

IMO I still think Beecher has the most pro potential to be a top 6 NHL F. He has every attribute needed to excel at the next level. Maybe needs another 1/2 year of seasoning, but I think he’s a mainstay with the B’s by Xmas.

Steen is solid, but I think there are other more exciting prospects that will replace him.

Going to be a very young team next season with Poitras, Harrison, Beecher, Toporowski, Kuntar, C. Hall…I think Abate will be the grizzled vet at 25!

Poitras will be back in the OHL, as he's just a lad.

And Jesus, I missed the Abate extension. Probably selective blindness on my part.

 

[Patdud]

Merkulov A- excellent prospect, needs to play in the middle

IYO, is it a mistake to bring him on at LW3 next year? should he get another year at C in the AHL? or try his C game in the NHL?

 

[Ratty]

Toporowski B injuries hurts his grade

Merkulov A- excellent prospect, needs to play in the middle

Lysell C+ ,flashes now and again,I was disappointed from January on

Kuntar B- never played pro so grade is NCAA based
Good motor,jam,shot

Harrison B OHL grade only,can shoot,score and finds the soft spots ,let's see if it translates professionally

Steen B- terrible start,decent finish can't write him off

Beecher B elevated his game during the playoffs, another one that needs to be in the middle ,hands holds him back

McLaughlin B- was always counted on to kill off the game, board play needs work

Wissman D early Winter he put together a string of strong games and then faded into obscurity

Bussi A+ Rock Star,now what happens?

Keyser B+ Solid year, worth keeping around but those injuries again

Callahan B- play was hit or miss,terrible turnovers, advanced stats were pretty good,big year upcoming

Mast B another OHL only grade, was on his way to a fantastic year but then injuries hit,the kid is large and in charge but still stiff and robotic,he's hard to forecast

Lorhei NCAA A, AHL B-, Played 8 pro games, was terrible in 2 of them, puck management was an adventure but I love the swagger and upside

Renouf C+ average AHL player not sure what they saw to garner a 2 year 2 way deal in him,vanilla

BONUS GRADES!
Poitras A offensively, C everything else, so good with the puck,high end talent ,needs more consistency and work on the other stuff

Brunet A another high end offensive talent, had a nice cameo in Providence but we're still not sure where he's playing next year and point totals in the Q are always suspicious

anyone else?

Thanks for the report card, Eric. I especially agree with your points on Merkulov and Beecher. Center is a position of need now in Boston.

 

[BronxBruin]

How did you rate Kuntar without playing a game? Or is your “B” based solely on his games at BC?

Yeah, I saw BC on TV quite a bit this season so that's what I based Kuntar's grade on.

 

[Saxon Eric]

IYO, is it a mistake to bring him on at LW3 next year? should he get another year at C in the AHL? or try his C game in the NHL?

C in the NHL

 

[DominicT]

Toporowski B injuries hurts his grade

Merkulov A- excellent prospect, needs to play in the middle

Lysell C+ ,flashes now and again,I was disappointed from January on

Kuntar B- never played pro so grade is NCAA based
Good motor,jam,shot

Harrison B OHL grade only,can shoot,score and finds the soft spots ,let's see if it translates professionally

Steen B- terrible start,decent finish can't write him off

Beecher B elevated his game during the playoffs, another one that needs to be in the middle ,hands holds him back

McLaughlin B- was always counted on to kill off the game, board play needs work

Wissman D early Winter he put together a string of strong games and then faded into obscurity

Bussi A+ Rock Star,now what happens?

Keyser B+ Solid year, worth keeping around but those injuries again

Callahan B- play was hit or miss,terrible turnovers, advanced stats were pretty good,big year upcoming

Mast B another OHL only grade, was on his way to a fantastic year but then injuries hit,the kid is large and in charge but still stiff and robotic,he's hard to forecast

Lorhei NCAA A, AHL B-, Played 8 pro games, was terrible in 2 of them, puck management was an adventure but I love the swagger and upside

Renouf C+ average AHL player not sure what they saw to garner a 2 year 2 way deal in him,vanilla

BONUS GRADES!
Poitras A offensively, C everything else, so good with the puck,high end talent ,needs more consistency and work on the other stuff

Brunet A another high end offensive talent, had a nice cameo in Providence but we're still not sure where he's playing next year and point totals in the Q are always suspicious

anyone else?

I think with Mast it was the acquisition of Kyrou and Del Mastro. Absolutely took all his offensive time. Don't think a broken jaw affected his game. At least not defensively.

Still don't believe his offence translates at the next level.

 

[bruinmann77]

I wonder who going to take the next step

 

[Dangleittus13]

Speculation-time…any thoughts on where these players will be come Sep? Thoughts on retaining, trading, or

Asselin
Lauko
Brazeau
Filipe
McLaughlin
Tralmaks
C. Hall
Greenway
Koppanen
Bowers
Lettieri
Voyer

Wolff
Wissmann
Ahcan
Didier

Toporowski B injuries hurts his grade

Merkulov A- excellent prospect, needs to play in the middle

Lysell C+ ,flashes now and again,I was disappointed from January on

Kuntar B- never played pro so grade is NCAA based
Good motor,jam,shot

Harrison B OHL grade only,can shoot,score and finds the soft spots ,let's see if it translates professionally

Steen B- terrible start,decent finish can't write him off

Beecher B elevated his game during the playoffs, another one that needs to be in the middle ,hands holds him back

McLaughlin B- was always counted on to kill off the game, board play needs work

Wissman D early Winter he put together a string of strong games and then faded into obscurity

Bussi A+ Rock Star,now what happens?

Keyser B+ Solid year, worth keeping around but those injuries again

Callahan B- play was hit or miss,terrible turnovers, advanced stats were pretty good,big year upcoming

Mast B another OHL only grade, was on his way to a fantastic year but then injuries hit,the kid is large and in charge but still stiff and robotic,he's hard to forecast

Lorhei NCAA A, AHL B-, Played 8 pro games, was terrible in 2 of them, puck management was an adventure but I love the swagger and upside

Renouf C+ average AHL player not sure what they saw to garner a 2 year 2 way deal in him,vanilla

BONUS GRADES!
Poitras A offensively, C everything else, so good with the puck,high end talent ,needs more consistency and work on the other stuff

Brunet A another high end offensive talent, had a nice cameo in Providence but we're still not sure where he's playing next year and point totals in the Q are always suspicious

anyone else?

Eric - assuming players not included on your list are because they’re either not on a Boston deal (Tralmaks, Brazeau) or are not considered a prospect (C Hall, Filipe, Asselin)?

 

[Malt]

A few random thoughts on some Providence players:

Abate--Likeable player, hits everything that he can but he was in WAY over his head for most of his fights. Limited offensively. He's fine in the bottom six on an AHL team but he can't be your go-to tough guy. Suffered a nasty cut midway thru the year. He's signed for 2 more years, AHL only contract.

Asselin--I thought he would improve on the scoresheet in his 3rd year, but he seems to have topped out as a pest who can play up and down an AHL lineup. I'd offer him an AHL contract but not much more at this point. He's an RFA.

Beecher--A lot to like about him--size, speed, tenacity. 9g+14g=23 in 61 games. Needs more AHL time but is close.

Brazeau--I saw some posters complaining that he was getting top line minutes during the playoffs, but let's face it, he puts up points. Huge dude but physicality is non-existent. I'm sure he's looking for a 2 way-deal from another team.

Koppanen--Offensive numbers improved and is clearly a smart player. Skating is what is is, he's big and is not a speedster. Not the type of player that Boston should be looking at for their bottom six, IMO. UFA (Group 6).

Lettieri--An elite AHL player who can play C or RW. Obviously, you'd like to keep around but he's going to have good offers out there. Missed a good chunk of games after being injured at practice in Boston. UFA.

More to come....

 

[Saxon Eric]

Speculation-time…any thoughts on where these players will be come Sep? Thoughts on retaining, trading, or

Asselin
Lauko
Brazeau
Filipe
McLaughlin
Tralmaks
C. Hall
Greenway
Koppanen
Bowers
Lettieri
Voyer

Wolff
Wissmann
Ahcan
Didier

Eric - assuming players not included on your list are because they’re either not on a Boston deal (Tralmaks, Brazeau) or are not considered a prospect (C Hall, Filipe, Asselin)?

The Rankings or the Free Agents?

 

[Dangleittus13]

The Rankings or the Free Agents?

Just in general on the entire line up…prospects, RFA/UFA…is it likely we see Lettieri, McLaughlin, Brazeau, Tralmaks, Koppanen back?
Poitras in PBs or back to Jr.?

 

[Mainehockey33]

IYO, is it a mistake to bring him on at LW3 next year? should he get another year at C in the AHL? or try his C game in the NHL?

Man I hope not. How many centers have they turned into wingers in the last decade? Let’s see if he can play 3C next year. Time to get younger down the middle.

 

[Saxon Eric]

Just in general on the entire line up…prospects, RFA/UFA…is it likely we see Lettieri, McLaughlin, Brazeau, Tralmaks, Koppanen back?
Poitras in PBs or back to Jr.?

Poitras back to Junior
All UFA's gone
All RFA's back except Asselin
All AHL only players gone except Toporowski who has 1 more year
Time to get a bit younger

 

[PlayMakers]

Poitras back to Junior
All UFA's gone
All RFA's back except Asselin
All AHL only players gone except Toporowski who has 1 more year
Time to get a bit younger

Can they sign Topo to an NHL contract even if he's got a year left on his AHL deal? He seems like a player who could push for a job next year if he was on an NHL deal.

 

[Saxon Eric]

Can they sign Topo to an NHL contract even if he's got a year left on his AHL deal? He seems like a player who could push for a job next year if he was on an NHL deal.

They can sign him at anytime

 

[Saxon Eric]

 

[Saxon Eric]

 

[08SeaBass08]

I will always love Anton Blidh. Glad he's ok.

 

[CDJ]

wtf could have possibly happened to him? So glad he’s ok

 

[BruinsJoe]

Does Beecher can be a kind of Lawson Crouse? Big fast physical 2 way winger