Who do you guys figure will be back next year as the three overages?
Pinelli - he will be AHL bound. No chance he returns.
Arcuri - I am guessing that he will be AHL bound only because of his 23 goals in 29 games for Kingston before getting traded to the Rangers. He is not much over a point per game forward so isn’t exactly dominating. Dallas drafted him.
Zhilkin - he falls in the Arcuri category where he was drafted by Winnipeg and is at around point per game. He could grow his offensive game one more year but his strength is his two way play.
Schmidt - he has been NHL drafted as well but I can’t see Tampa wanting him in the AHL yet. Other than his size he has no professional qualities. If you can’t dominate in the AHL then you are not AHL ready. He just needs a mean streak to get him to the next level.
Martin - has the size and is a point per game player. Not draft so I assume he is a front runner to be back.
Motew - I am guessing that he will be back next season. He has stepped up this year and could wear the C next year would be my guess.
Sop - he has been my best surprise this year. He has improved a lot since last year and if none of the drafted forwards return he may be back.
Hollett - no chance he is back.
I’ll throw a bonus and ask if you think Mesar will be back. He is eligible to play in the AHL being drafted out of Europe. He almost made the AHL out of training camp and I am guessing that the Canadiens will keep him in the AHL next year to play with more skilled players.
My guess is Schmidt, Motew and Martin are back.
If Schmidt is back, his ELC doesn't slide because of when he signed it so he'd actually burn the 1st year of his ELC if hes back. It's a stupid rule that the agreement needs to fix. So I think he's as good as gone. I do agree with the no professional qualities but tampa has used the ECHL nicely over the last decade. I am sure they don't hate him there.
Zhilkin, Arcuri, Pinelli all gone.
Martin should be back but I could see him getting an AHL offer. He's bulked up, his skating has improved, he could be ready to take a step but we've seen players with similar or better skill set pass up on the AHL deal to return to the OHL and earn the ELC as a dominant OverAge player.
Sop should return. He's a local. He's improved. Teams not making the playoffs next year or will be an 8th place team (weird how we could be in the same position this time next year with a roster who has nothing on it) no offence to the team but its going to be a rough season. Just let him finish his career at home if he desires. He's a prime USPORTS type of player 2 years from now.
Motew is a weird one. He's been great. Teams best defencemen potentially. I'd see what the market is for him in the summer this year. Theres always a team that adds a Motew type of OA in the summer to get ahead of the market. But my guess is he'd be back as well.
I like Hollett, guy works hard. Understands his role and he at least tries to adapt. He can have a bit of a mean side if the moment calls for it. Limited offense however. He seams like a guy who'll be here during the preseason but maybe he ends up in the Q. Gatineau which is near his home isn't looking good next year and they love to pluck from the OHL so maybe he ends up there to finish his career.
Ill be honest, I can't imagine Ottawa or Montreal will want Hamara or Mesar back here next year.
They both are AHL eligible. Mesar is more prime. Undersized yes but the speed is there and he can interject himself into Montreal systems right away.
Hamara might be back but again, I can't imagine the NHL teams are too happy with how they've turned out here and some of it is on the players but alot of it is on the systems that fail them game in and game out.
Pinelli, Arcuri, Zhilkin, Valade, Moore, Constantini, Schmidt, Hamara, Mesar, Hollet all could be gone. Very likely they are all gone.