Ontario Reign 20-21

[funky]

I was high in Amadio last spring and thought that Clague was to small and JAD to enept offensively to be anything more than a 4th line center or to good for AAA player. I also worried if Stutzle had an NHL caliber shot and if Lizotte could withstand a big hit.

at the time they were legitimate concerns and in Amadio’s case the guy just seemed to do well at every level against all odds. Time, patience and a little bit of right place at the right time (Strand} has a way of making things work out.

I am in for belief as of this moment that Byfield, Turcotte and Kaliyev are all a good year away from being everyday NHL players and at least two years away from contributing anything substantial on the offensive end. We have absolutely no reason to rush these guys. Let them gel.

hoping Kupari and Fagemo get brief call ups this year as well to give them a taste and show them NHL speed and pace

 

[PumperNichol]

I was high in Amadio last spring and thought that Clague was to small and JAD to enept offensively to be anything more than a 4th line center or to good for AAA player. I also worried if Stutzle had an NHL caliber shot and if Lizotte could withstand a big hit.

at the time they were legitimate concerns and in Amadio’s case the guy just seemed to do well at every level against all odds. Time, patience and a little bit of right place at the right time (Strand} has a way of making things work out.

I am in for belief as of this moment that Byfield, Turcotte and Kaliyev are all a good year away from being everyday NHL players and at least two years away from contributing anything substantial on the offensive end. We have absolutely no reason to rush these guys. Let them gel.

hoping Kupari and Fagemo get brief call ups this year as well to give them a taste and show them NHL speed and pace

Don't sleep on Madden..

I didn't think Clague would make the NHL based on his horrible defense in the World Juniors a few years ago....

 

[tbrown33]

 

[kilowatt]

I'm guessing that, especially in a purely developmental year, if a guy has a minor injury that he might normally play through, he'll just rest instead.

 

[Eagle Fang]

I'm guessing that, especially in a purely developmental year, if a guy has a minor injury that he might normally play through, he'll just rest instead.

Good point. Also, if its just a reaggrevation of his earlier WJC injury it's probably not a huge deal. I have no idea for certain but based on his comments prior to the regular season it seemed like he was anxious to play and maybe wasn't 100% ready.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Don't sleep on Madden..

I didn't think Clague would make the NHL based on his horrible defense in the World Juniors a few years ago....

I learned my lesson. Based on the WJCs, I thought Byfield was sketch as a 2nd overall, and it wasn't based on points.

 

[PumperNichol]

I learned my lesson. Based on the WJCs, I thought Byfield was sketch as a 2nd overall, and it wasn't based on points.

I was at the Kings rookie camp with my friends and I turned to them and said, that kid will never make the NHL. It was Wayne Simmonds. In my defense he was horrible lol..he couldn't make a pass, fell down on his own a few times and was constantly out of position. But, he was 18 and I should have known better. What he did have that day was an endless amount of energy and passion for the game. If you have those two qualities you can most definitely get better.

 

[King'sPawn]

I was at the Kings rookie camp with my friends and I turned to them and said, that kid will never make the NHL. It was Wayne Simmonds. In my defense he was horrible lol..he couldn't make a pass, fell down on his own a few times and was constantly out of position. But, he was 18 and I should have known better. What he did have that day was an endless amount of energy and passion for the game. If you have those two qualities you can most definitely get better.

Marc Crawford approached a buddy and myself during camp. Very nice guy with us. He asked what we thought of the camp. After we gave our feedback, he said "keep an eye out for that one (gesturing to Simmonds)." The next time Simmonds had the puck, he had a flawless breakout of the zone in which he chipped the puck around the defender and skated around him to have a clean breakaway.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Marc Crawford approached a buddy and myself during camp. Very nice guy with us. He asked what we thought of the camp. After we gave our feedback, he said "keep an eye out for that one (gesturing to Simmonds)." The next time Simmonds had the puck, he had a flawless breakout of the zone in which he chipped the puck around the defender and skated around him to have a clean breakaway.

I got trolled for this earlier by someone, but speaking 100% truth, I had a feeling Simmonds would make the NHL when LA drafted him. I didn't think he'd be a 30 goal scorer though.

I'll go on the record as well saying that barring any major roster moves for Ontario, I think Hults will be their best defender by season's end. I also think he will make the NHL in a few seasons.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I didn't think SImmods would make it because when I saw him out of gear I saw a 160 lb kid

How deceptive

 

[funky]

Man if Byfield gains his man size and strength and can keep that speed he is gonna be a beast to stop. With the hands he has I can’t wait to see him bull his way to the net.

 

[ru4reals]

Man if Byfield gains his man size and strength and can keep that speed he is gonna be a beast to stop. With the hands he has I can’t wait to see him bull his way to the net.

I still can't believe the kid just turned 18 this past August. I thought he was 19 already for some odd reason. He's going to be just fine. Can't wait till he fills out, mature etc... my goodness. Yes he's already one of our best forwards on the Reign and he's all of 18. Best thing for him was playing for the Reign for however long he's going to be there. Not rushing him is the key and I'm glad Blake and company feels the same.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

• I still can't believe the kid just turned 18 this past August. I thought he was 19 already for some odd reason. He's going to be just fine. Can't wait till he fills out, mature etc... my goodness. Yes he's already one of our best forwards on the Reign and he's all of 18. Best thing for him was playing for the Reign for however long he's going to be there. Not rushing him is the key and I'm glad Blake and company feels the same.

"Just turned 18 this last August? "

Can we say that?

 

[King'sPawn]

"Just turned 18 this last August? "

Can we say that?

We can. He was one of the youngest draft eligibles.

He turns 19 on August 19.

Crazy right?

 

[Mats26]

I love to see Strand and JAD producing and playing well in the NHL. Just goes to show you that patience and AHL experiance is extremely valuable. And in some cases, they end in surprises.

The group we got on the farm needs this year to gel and work on their game. No rush, but come next year we are going to have to make some roster moves to fit a few of them in.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I love to see Strand and JAD producing and playing well in the NHL. Just goes to show you that patience and AHL experiance is extremely valuable. And in some cases, they end in surprises.

The group we got on the farm needs this year to gel and work on their game. No rush, but come next year we are going to have to make some roster moves to fit a few of them in.

It drives people mad but that's why I was posting that stat for a while, i'd have to update it--but basically it showed that the VAST MAJORITY of nhlers really break in and play a full meaningful season at age 21...the rare mcDavid exception applies but even lottery tickets that play an 18 year old season are mostly mediocre until 19-20.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

We can. He was one of the youngest draft eligibles.

He turns 19 on August 19.

Crazy right?

Wouldn't it be more realistic to say that we cannot believe he's 18? I mean, he is 18 years 6 months.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

I'm snowed in. Nothing to do but watch the Reign. Give me a Byfield goal.

 

[Mats26]

Did I read right...Clague in for the Reign tonight?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Did I read right...Clague in for the Reign tonight?

Seriously? All the more reason to be watching tonight!

 

[Eagle Fang]

Did I read right...Clague in for the Reign tonight?

That's too bad in the sense that he was really starting to come into his own at the NHL level. I get that it's crowded up there now especially with Walker coming back soon and Strand being older and also playing really well.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Wouldn't it be more realistic to say that we cannot believe he's 18? I mean, he is 18 years 6 months.

And Byfield would look awesome on Kopi's left Wing...to learn from the Master

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

That's too bad in the sense that he was really starting to come into his own at the NHL level. I get that it's crowded up there now especially with Walker coming back soon and Strand being older and also playing really well.

Everyone that is deserving will get a look I believe...don't think the Kings are sour on Clague,defensively he played pretty well and rushed with the puck often...Strand was brought up because of the RD-LD thing that TM likes...And Strand has looked shakey at times but solid at other times

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I got trolled for this earlier by someone, but speaking 100% truth, I had a feeling Simmonds would make the NHL when LA drafted him. I didn't think he'd be a 30 goal scorer though.

I'll go on the record as well saying that barring any major roster moves for Ontario, I think Hults will be their best defender by season's end. I also think he will make the NHL in a few seasons.

And your basing this off 1 game...well I'd like to think Hults will be their best from Ontario too...I'd like a season or two or three to be played to determine that though and by the time Hults is ready LA has Bjornfot,M Anderson and K Clague on LD-Fence!You never know right

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

That's too bad in the sense that he was really starting to come into his own at the NHL level. I get that it's crowded up there now especially with Walker coming back soon and Strand being older and also playing really well.

Good for the Reign, at least.