Beast, if Elbert is a puck disher, he needs someone to dish it to which is most likely Pinelli or Foster. We don’t have a bonafide #1 centre so it looks more like we may have three light #2’s. If Ekberg were more of a shooter, I think he’d want a digger to play with so more of a Gerrior. I think this lineup is more realistic:
Pinelli - Gardiner - Korbler
Gerrior - Ekberg - Foster
Amidovski - Dever - Kelly
Yanni - Whitehead - Horner
I sense Barlas is going to be moved out, more for his own good because the depth on the wings is really not conducive for him or the team. I think they need some size on the wings so I think Amidovski will get a bigger role on the wing as opposed to centre on line #4.
Dever proved himself last season. Dumping him to a 4th line winger role sharing time with Kelly is an insult to be honest. He deserves an opportunity to lose at minimum the 3rd line centre role.
There are a few caveats. First, Whitehead could come in and bowl over the competition and force Cameron to place him in a more prominent role. They could look more at Amidovski as a centre from start to finish so they square peg that round hole and shove him to 4th centre for the season in an effort to force him to develop as a centre. Horner wasn’t a great D-Man but he has shown capable at protecting his linemates as a winger. Sliding him beside a smaller Whitehead would really help protect him and Horner is a net crusher so he could be productive as a winger with Whitehead. Kelly needs one last REAL opportunity. HE is starting to fall into the same hole as Barlas. IF he doesn’t get an opportunity now, there is no sense keeping him on the roster as a 4th liner. If he can’t play ahead of Horner, it is a real problem.
I think a lot of the 67’s players are at a crossroads. You are for sure accurate when you suggest there will be trades. But, I also don’t think they will get it all right. I think they may place trust in some of the wrong players even if it is only to give them a chance (like Kelly).
OMG You know my thoughts on Whitehead. Asking him to play 5 minutes at best a game is a slap in the face and kills his ability to grow. He might as well go play in the CCHL or the OJHL.
It's the same with Horner. As you said, he proved himself last year, and now he is going to sit and play 5 minutes a game at most. Could you put him on defense at least? Then, even if he is on the third pair, he will get more minutes.
Amidovski and Yanni, Man, are you giving Yanni the shaft? Here is a kid who played well when called up and did everything he was asked of, and you reward him again with 5 minutes at most a period and take an unproven rookie and say he is better.
Boyd has to dump a lot of players. If Ekberg is a center, then fine, but I still think you have to look at this team development.
Next year
Gardiner
Horner
dever
Barlas
Pinieli
Foster
There are too many players. Personally, I think that if you are rebuilding, you should trade at least three of these guys, and if Kelly does not improve early, trade him also.
Boyd has to make the decision early if this is going to be a team that he tries to win the league or if he finally admits it is time to hit pause on championships and retool.