London let the bigger Spitfires play their game tonight until they ran out of gas in the third period. The Rangers could do the same thing. In the playoffs it’s a marathon not a sprint and you have a talented team.
I’d get LaBrash and Headrick spots on local JrB teams where they get regular play and get into the odd game with the Rangers. Practice with the big team etc etc. Both being on A cards. They come up as often as you want - especially if we run into injury problems. Unless we lure a couple of late signings before Feb 15, sign Xu to an A card as well so he’s not limited to 10 games, but have him play games at the lower level as well to get minutes.
The stats of that bottom 6 are as follows. Labrash 26 GP - 5 Points. Hlacar 26 GP- 2 points. Arquette 24 GP - 4 points. Mercer 36 GP - 11 points. Vermeulen 32 GP -19 points. Grisolia 39 GP- 12 points.
Problem is, that’s not our bottom six. It’s more likely our 10th to 16th forwards. My third line above would likely put up more points than any three of those players. Also, most of those aren’t on the team primarily for their offence.
Rangers top players are decent skilled guys. There will be games where they struggle with the opposing checking lines or trying to compete with top lines of opponents. The bottom six has to come through in these games. Hopefully Humphrey's game gets better and we truly have a line that impacts every game. I understand the need for grinders and checkers plus physicality. Hlachar is really the only honest scrapper. Rangers for some reason are not putting up the offense they were earlier in the year. The power play is stagnant. I agree with Jives here on Headrick. The Ranger brass loved the kids game and made him their number one pick. He hasn't played a handful of games and some wanted him traded and now sent down to a B team. Can't see the Rangers doing this unless they lose faith in his game. If they do make that decision maybe they made the wrong choice at the draft. The Rangers must have some sort of plan to sort out who will be on the final roster going forward into the second half. Maybe they are waiting to see who steps up. A stint in JR. B is great for developing prospects as long as the coaching is solid and the players aren't advised to change what got them drafted into the OHL.
I don’t see a big rush to get Headrick to JrB either. But who’s he bumping off the roster really? Of the five players you listed, that one spot will be between Headrick and Ellis. Under no circumstance do I send Ellis, to junior B. That would be a message to all of the flyers that may want to report here next year that there’s no guarantee you’ll play in Kitchener for the season. Ellis is good enough to be here and he deserves a spot. Headrick does too. But with him I feel we have options.
