Ontario Reign 21-22 Thread 2: Reigndrops keep falling on my head

[Raccoon Jesus]

That’s good to hear. The shoulder surgeries really seem to have held him back, unsurprisingly, and it’s going to take time for him to get back to where he was even last season. I can only imagine the amount of muscle mass he would’ve lost.

I think they hold high hopes for him still and I fully expect that if he gets close to his ceiling he will be a King. I’ve also noticed that he’s not been on his regular podcast for what seems like months. He’s obviously focusing on his hockey and not letting distractions get in the way. That shows his priorities lie in the right place as I know it was a minor concern for some people. Outside of our blue-chip prospects he is the one I’m really rooting for.

It's sort of like with Tyler Madden, sure the shoudler/collarbone are a long way from the legs but coming back from surgery can be no joke for some people. Like Madden, I expect him to just kind of play out this year and 'get back' but really be in form after the start of next season .

 

[Statto]

Akil Thomas has always seemed like a Trevor Lewis swiss army knife to me. He can fit anywhere, but if he’s on your fourth line, you’ve got a great team. Unsung hero, locker room type.

It’s a good comparison but I think he has a slightly higher offensive upside as he has decent hands. I really hope he makes it because he’s another one of those culture defining guys good sides need.

 

[De Montreal]

8 points last 7 games for Vilardi, do you think he finish the year in the AHL or get called up at some point? It seems like he's playing centre in the AHL. Not sure it would be a good idea to call him up and play him on the wing on the 3rd line or something like that.

 

[regulate]

8 points last 7 games for Vilardi, do you think he finish the year in the AHL or get called up at some point? It seems like he's playing centre in the AHL. Not sure it would be a good idea to call him up and play him on the wing on the 3rd line or something like that.

I think they keep him in the AHL unless injuries force a recall. He's been playing RW.

 

[Fishhead]

8 points last 7 games for Vilardi, do you think he finish the year in the AHL or get called up at some point? It seems like he's playing centre in the AHL. Not sure it would be a good idea to call him up and play him on the wing on the 3rd line or something like that.

Vilardi has been playing on the wing in the AHL, that's one of the reasons he was sent down in the first place. It's not just the last 7 games, he's been a ppg since he was sent down there. He struggled at first with positioning but he has been comfortable for some time now. He was like a -4 in his first 7 games, but now he's been a +10 over his last 28. He's not losing his man and is more aware of where everyone is. He's always had a good shot but his vision and playmaking have been stellar, especially the last 2 weeks or so.

He should be on the roster right now, over both Brown and Athanasiou. Brown is at the end of the road and his body can't do what his brain wants, and AA is kryptonite to whoever he plays with. Yeah, he had 2 goals today, one was an EN an another was a nice 1v1 play. But it doesn't fix the fact that he centered the puck to the Sabres multiple times leading to dangerous breakouts.

 

[De Montreal]

Interesting to note they are growing him to become a winger. Could he become a player similar to Jason Robertson for you? Both are identical size wise, and with a good skillset.

 

[Fishhead]

Interesting to note they are growing him to become a winger. Could he become a player similar to Jason Robertson for you? Both are identical size wise, and with a good skillset.

That would be great, but that's a pretty high bar. I think if Vilardi absolutely peaks he will be more like a Dubois, and more of a distributor than a goal scorer. Even if he reaches his ceiling I don't see 30g out of him. He gets compared to Jason Allison a lot around here and while a ppg out of GV is unlikely, that's a pretty good comparison of what we expect.

 

[kilowatt]

It’s a good comparison but I think he has a slightly higher offensive upside as he has decent hands. I really hope he makes it because he’s another one of those culture defining guys good sides need.

Yeah, I agree, but don't forget that Lewis was a former first round pick and scored 20 goals and 51 points with the Monarchs before working his way onto the Kings. Lewis' best year with LA was 14 goals and 26 points, and I'm not sure I see Thomas ever scoring more than 30 points in a season, be it opportunity or skill. It doesn't sound like much, but low end top six wingers barely score 30 points in LA. Hell, excluding one 58-point season, Toffoli usually hovered in the 35-45 point range. Do we think Thomas reaches that? I really doubt it!

Bottom six minutes, 30 points, and lots of intangibles would be huge from Thomas.

Even this year, on one of the highest-scoring Kings teams in recent memory, it's likely at this point that only 6 forwards score over 30 points. Iafallo is one point away, Brown is technically on pace, and Kaliyev is a long shot. I dunno. Just trying to be realistic.

 

[Lt Dan]

Interesting to note they are growing him to become a winger. Could he become a player similar to Jason Robertson for you? Both are identical size wise, and with a good skillset.

I am thinking more like Murdoch from the A-team

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Interesting to note they are growing him to become a winger. Could he become a player similar to Jason Robertson for you? Both are identical size wise, and with a good skillset.

Funny enough, they played together at Kingston.

Jason Robertson was kinda slow and Gabe the star of the team. There was talk he was on the Kings list before Dallas grabbed him.

Not so funny now Gabe is in the AHL and Jason is tearing up the league.

 

[bmr]

I'm going to be at the game tonight. Hopefully have some nice reports for you guys when I get back. Excited to see who the standouts are.

 

[LAKings88]

TODD it is!!!!!!

 

[Eagle Fang]

Fun day for LA hockey. Good win earlier and nice win by ONT over BAK. Andersson with another between-the-legs goal and Fagemo with the GWG. Spence doing Spence things with 2 apples. At the end of the game it was nothing major, but kind of funny as there was a mad scramble in front of Villalta and Austin Strand doing God's work and just hacking and tossing guys out of the way.

To be honest, at this point watching ONT is getting kind of boring. They're just too good. In a way it's a blessing Villalta sucks else the games would be REALLY boring... though he did play pretty well today.

 

[ru4reals]

Reign wins 3-2 after going down 2-0. This team just keeps winning even when they're down. They just don't quit. Not sure what the Kings are going to do with Tynan and Frk next season but they've been absolute money for the Reign. Frk with his 30th and Fagemo scores the game winner.

Edit: Fagemo's game winner was an absolute beauty.

 

[ru4reals]

Delete

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Lias went between the legs again, maybe even slicker, on a nasty little pass from tynan. gotta find that one too

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Fagemo GWG



It's why I like the Arvidsson comp, he's certainly not as crafty, but he's got the "I'm going forward whether you like it or not" mentality, and the drive/motor

 

[bmr]

Just got back from the game.

Thoughts:

Vilardi- He needs to be back up with the big club. You can see the skill and the compete level in this game was good. I don't think he has too much more to prove at the AHL level.

Tynan- This guy is so much fun to watch. He's always bringing the intensity and making quick decisions with the puck. Without this guy, Ontario would not be having nearly the success they have had.

Andersson- His goal scoring touch is great right now. I think he works really well with Vilardi and I hope they can figure out how to get that line another look w/ the big club.

Spence- Easily the best D in Ontario. He is so smart, excellent passer/playmaker and always seems to make the right play. He has a very underrated shot as well.

Frk- Had a really nice goal on the PP. Gave up a couple of odd-man rushes. I still like the idea of him on the PP for the Kings, but not sure he ever gets another look because of where he's at in his career.

Fagemo- I've always liked this guy. He just plays the game the right way and has a really nice scoring touch. I think he can blossom into something pretty big on the Kings if given the chance (a la Kempe).

Tkachev- I was really high on him in the beginning of the season but I don't think he gets another look with the Kings. He's not Kaprizov. Smart player, but can appear disinterested for stretches and had a couple of dumb penalties.

There weren't really any other standouts for me. Grans still needs more time. Kupari was physical but i'm not seeing him get in front of some other players right now. Thomas looked okay, but I still think he's a longshot to make the Kings even if given enough time to recover from his shoulder surgery. I didn't notice Madden that much.

I wish I could have had a look at Turcotte, but he's not playing yet. IMHO, Vilardi and Andersson should be up with the big club. I'm not sure Spence would benefit from another season in the minors. Yes, he is missing in size but makes up for it in spades with his skillset. The dude could play for the Kings right now.

 

[kinghock]

Reign wins 3-2 after going down 2-0. This team just keeps winning even when they're down. They just don't quit. Not sure what the Kings are going to do with Tynan and Frk next season but they've been absolute money for the Reign. Frk with his 30th and Fagemo scores the game winner.

Edit: Fagemo's game winner was an absolute beauty.

I believe Tynan and Frk are good for AHL only.
Tynan is good at driving between players and Frk has great shooting ability.
The rest of their games is very limited.
They do not belong in NHL…

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I believe Tynan and Frk are good for AHL only.
Tynan is good at driving between players and Frk has great shooting ability.
The rest of their games is very limited.
They do not belong in NHL…

Shooting ability seems kinda important to me. His 7 goals with little ice time in his last 20 NHL games, say he does belong there until proven otherwise.

 

[kings11]

Not sure what the future holds for Ontario but they need Tynan and Grk to return. They’re the perfect AAAA players and bring leadership and tenacity to the club, they also help buffer the scoring expectation for the youngsters..
next season we’ll see a much more physical Reign, with Helenius, Lee and scorers like Simontaival and Chromiak… plus a seasoned Spence and Grans annnnnd Faber…

 

[regulate]

 

[ru4reals]

I believe Tynan and Frk are good for AHL only.
Tynan is good at driving between players and Frk has great shooting ability.
The rest of their games is very limited.
They do not belong in NHL…

Yes I was referring to the AHL. I like Frk I think he may get a chance with another team in the big leagues. But as mentioned by Kings11 they are perfect minor leaguers and hope they do bring them back to the Reign.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Not sure what the future holds for Ontario but they need Tynan and Grk to return. They’re the perfect AAAA players and bring leadership and tenacity to the club, they also help buffer the scoring expectation for the youngsters..
next season we’ll see a much more physical Reign, with Helenius, Lee and scorers like Simontaival and Chromiak… plus a seasoned Spence and Grans annnnnd Faber…

This, plus does Sutter return? Dude has played a million AHL games and is 68 years old. I say they bring back Tynan, Frk and possibly one of their vet dmen (Gaunce ?). Maybe let Strand and Phillips move along.
It'll be interesting if they sign Lee or let him play his senior season. They're still going to have a lot of bodies in Ontario.

 

[funky]

This, plus does Sutter return? Dude has played a million AHL games and is 68 years old. I say they bring back Tynan, Frk and possibly one of their vet dmen (Gaunce ?). Maybe let Strand and Phillips move along.
It'll be interesting if they sign Lee or let him play his senior season. They're still going to have a lot of bodies in Ontario.

not sure so would let Strand go. Not many Dman with size in the org and he has proven he can handle time in the NHL