Fogelhund
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- Sep 15, 2007
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..and really, it's not like our other guys in the bottom six are doing anything anyway...
Prospect Info: Marlies & Prospect Discussion
- Thread starter BertCorbeau
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TheDoldrums
Registered User
Makes sense to call up Steeves. Grebenkin or Minten would be more exciting but best to not have them bouncing back between the Leafs and Marlies.
1specter
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- Sep 27, 2016
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Keefe was never really great at getting something out of the guys on the cusp, McMann kinda forced his hand last year but otherwise guys like Marchment, Amadio, Barabanov etc were moved on from fairly quickly. Not saying Berube will automatically turn him into a solid NHLer or anything, but perhaps his north-south system will work better for him.
It also reflects poorly on our organizational development if a guy is working his ass off year in and year out, pretty much doing everything in his power to force a shot and not being given one. We should have a well oiled machine of a farm system with a next man up mentality like Tampa did for so many years.
ULF_55
Moderator
You probably wouldn't miss Robertson if you replaced him with a Marlies player.
DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
- Jan 17, 2017
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See this is why I'm critical of Steeves. He hasn't worked his ass off, at least not at camps and call ups. I watched him intently the last two training camps and he wasn't playing with any desperation or belief to turn some heads. Sure he's doing it in the minors on a thin roster, but when has he actually worked his ass off at camp to make people stand and up take notice? he doesn't even put himself in the conversation. He will look good his first game, but generally he falls off the map quickly and looks more warm body than true player. It's a pet peeve of mine, blaming the organization when you routinely underwhelm when the GM and staff are watching intently. There's a million guys who look NHL capable and never make it, desire is part of the equation. Anyways, let's see if it's clicked now, be great if he could contribute.
1specter
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By all accounts he's a very hard working player not unlike a Hyman or McMann rather than some finesse guy. There is a lot of pressure in camp, sometimes it affects guys differently and perhaps it got to him and he couldn't keep up, who knows. The thing is camp is also very short and coaches usually have their minds made up about what they envision on paper (and presumably have these talks with the GM as well) and it can be hard to change that unless you go god mode and really stand out or score in literally every game like Robertson did. But beyond looking good in camp, I would say three going on four AHL seasons of progressively better play should count for something, especially when the guy is only still 24.
Fogelhund
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I appreciate blowing opportunities in pre-season, but every game is a tryout when you are prospect in the AHL. Every game is an opportunity to showcase what you've got. Nine goals, 12 points in 10 games, while being a positive 5v5 player is pretty impressive. His 5v5 game defensively wasn't that good a couple of years ago, and has come a long way, so his game has certainly grown. I've never really thought he would be good enough for the NHL, due to his defensive deficiencies, but he's cleaned that up a lot.
I think starting to look at our AHL options, also sends a message to the rest of the bottom six... you haven't been good enough, and we are looking at our options... even if it's an emergency injury call up.
I think starting to look at our AHL options, also sends a message to the rest of the bottom six... you haven't been good enough, and we are looking at our options... even if it's an emergency injury call up.
weems
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- Jul 3, 2008
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I wasn't paying enough attention to Steeves work ethic during camp or the previous games to really make a call.
But we're talking about someone that has 36 goals in his last 75 games played. Yes it was in the AHL but this shows that this is a player that can shoot the puck and finish plays.
If you call a player like this up and play him on a 4th line with players with very little offensive ability and certainly not players that will consistently create offense, the trigger man will usually struggle.
Even this callup, if you took out Reaves and Made a line of Lorentz - Kampf - Steeves, I don't think you should be expecting him to contribute much offensively.
This should be a player a team like CHI or some other basement team can afford to play in the top 9 with healthy playing time.
But we're talking about someone that has 36 goals in his last 75 games played. Yes it was in the AHL but this shows that this is a player that can shoot the puck and finish plays.
If you call a player like this up and play him on a 4th line with players with very little offensive ability and certainly not players that will consistently create offense, the trigger man will usually struggle.
Even this callup, if you took out Reaves and Made a line of Lorentz - Kampf - Steeves, I don't think you should be expecting him to contribute much offensively.
This should be a player a team like CHI or some other basement team can afford to play in the top 9 with healthy playing time.
SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
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He's not the biggest guy and he isn't the fastest. But he works hard and he's very good around the net. He plays in traffic a lot and has a very good shot. He reminds me of Hyman with the way he plays. Not sure if he'll be an everyday NHLer but I think he carve out a role -- he just needs to find another level of consistency and maybe find a little more jam to his game. I was disappointed with how he played in this previous training camp.
I think he can copy Bunting's style of play. I see the Hyman similarities too.
His skillset is similar at this point that he has worked out the defensive side of his game.
Good around the net and now no longer a defensive liability.
He is basically a complimentary player that can put up points with good linemates.
I hope he gets a decent shot, but I don't think that happens until Robertson is traded.
AlienWorkShop
No, Ben! No!
- Oct 30, 2004
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Ehh, think this is more of a case of needing a body to fill a roster spot for a game or two (if that!) than giving Steeves a 'shot'. Certainly doesn't hurt that he's had an excellent start.
Probably too soon to give Grebenkin a shot and Minten's only just back from injury. Otherwise, among those with NHL contracts, Steeves is clearly outplaying Abruzzese and Pare, Hirvonen had a strong start but has faded a bit and it's relatively early for him too given last year was a bit of a mulligan, Quillan or Kressler are way off. Maybe Tverberg...
I've also been generally unimpressed with Steeves. At least from the few AHL games I've seen, he'll be pretty anonymous for most of the game, or at least playing north-south 'mistake free' hockey (not necessarily something wrong with that!), but he can pull off sudden offensive bursts here and there leading to good AHL production. I think he just doesn't quite have the skill/speed to pull off those bursts in the NHL, so he becomes entirely anonymous in his call ups. Obviously hope he proves me wrong!
---
ECHL side note: partly a function of playing on an awful team (the Cyclones are 0-6-3 so far), but disappointing start for Voit with only 3 points in 9 games and a -5. Had 1 assist and a -2 last night. Would hope/expect he can at least tear up the ECHL, especially after managing 8 points in 5 games last year...
Peksa making 30 saves on 33 shots in the 3-2 loss. He's now at 0-2-1 with a 3.81 GAA and .865 SV%. Given how bad the team is, I wouldn't be too hard on those poor looking numbers just yet..
Probably too soon to give Grebenkin a shot and Minten's only just back from injury. Otherwise, among those with NHL contracts, Steeves is clearly outplaying Abruzzese and Pare, Hirvonen had a strong start but has faded a bit and it's relatively early for him too given last year was a bit of a mulligan, Quillan or Kressler are way off. Maybe Tverberg...
I've also been generally unimpressed with Steeves. At least from the few AHL games I've seen, he'll be pretty anonymous for most of the game, or at least playing north-south 'mistake free' hockey (not necessarily something wrong with that!), but he can pull off sudden offensive bursts here and there leading to good AHL production. I think he just doesn't quite have the skill/speed to pull off those bursts in the NHL, so he becomes entirely anonymous in his call ups. Obviously hope he proves me wrong!
---
ECHL side note: partly a function of playing on an awful team (the Cyclones are 0-6-3 so far), but disappointing start for Voit with only 3 points in 9 games and a -5. Had 1 assist and a -2 last night. Would hope/expect he can at least tear up the ECHL, especially after managing 8 points in 5 games last year...
Peksa making 30 saves on 33 shots in the 3-2 loss. He's now at 0-2-1 with a 3.81 GAA and .865 SV%. Given how bad the team is, I wouldn't be too hard on those poor looking numbers just yet..
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Tonight may be his opportunity to show what he has.
Gilmour1996
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- Oct 16, 2022
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Maybe we can just get back the real Bunting from the Pens fire sale. Dump Jarnkrok, Kampf in a "Deal with the Devil".
Raging Bull
Present
I'd take him back in a heartbeat if they can make the cap work.
Fogelhund
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I don't believe Bunting is who we need, and I don't think it's the top six that needs a change. Bunting isn't a guy who I think would contribute enough in the bottom six, especially at his cap hit.
Our need is at C, which Bunting doesn't address, and moving Kampf for Bunting actually makes our problems at C worse.
We need the marlie call ups to force their way into this lineup
Fogelhund
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Exactly... if we need upgrades on the Wing, it has to come from the Marlies.
Might need to get Minten up with the big club sooner than expected. Holmberg has been a complete disaster in the 3C spot.
weems
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He's off to a pretty good start.
He has 14 shots on goal and three points through three games.
hockeynorth
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Not sure if Mints is much of an upgrade at this current moment. he's 20 years old and has played 7 games as a pro.
I really do see him as a long term fit for that 3C role, I just think it would be a really tough spot to put the kid in at this current moment or even near future
Playing the middle of the ice in the NHL is a huge learning curve. The kid would more than likely get spit roasted at the dot and the overall pace and skill of the NHL is something that takes even the most seasoned of pros to adjust to. Just look at Alex Steeves, who routinely looks like a fish out of water at the NHL level and a world beater in the A. Although a side note, I did think Alex looked good last night
I would prefer to look externally for a 3C personally, because I do agree I think Holmberg just is not moving the needle enough. Honestly, I know its a complete pipe dream, and I honestly have no clue how the money would work, but I'd love a return of Naz. Emotional leader that we've sorely missed, and he still has game
WTFMAN99
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- Jun 17, 2009
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