Let’s take a look at next year. We have so many eligible ‘07s now that are either full card players or affiliates. Obviously there won’t be enough room for all of them, especially with so many left shots but I will try to anchor to 100% on roster guys and debate the potential on roster guys.
Ekberg - Foster(OA) -
Barlas(OA) - Dever(OA) - Kelly
Amidovski - Whitehead -
This is what I have as the mostly guaranteed forwards. In addition to those forwards, they also have:
‘06
Souliere
‘07s
Bowes
Kingwell
Yanni
Houben
‘08s
Perrier - NOTE: I believe he’s been injured since around late October. Not sure of his status.
Krawczyk(unsigned)
Vandenberg(unsigned and committed to Providence for 2027-28)
Marrelli -
Jackson - Eshkawkogan
Dietsch - Brady
I’m not sure how that depth chart on the right slide will shape up so I am leaving it as is being lined up right now.
‘07s
Avila
White
‘08s
Bonomo
Conor Dervin(unsigned)
Barnett(unsigned - USNTDP) **NOTE: we also drafted his older brother Asher Barnett (D - ‘07 - Committed to Michigan for 2026-27). They both play USNTDP
Nelson
We have some other goalies but I really don’t think any of them factor in right now.
1> As is typical for the past few seasons, we are short down the middle. I think we are somewhat forced to maintain Dever and Foster at centre but having two OA’s doesn’t help if next year is another development season. I think we need to find another centre somehow (maybe Ekberg shifts there) and roll Dever over to the right side on line one.
2> That first D-Pairing is light on the right side. Theoretically, Eshkawkogan can play 1st pair but I am not sure Brady ont he 2nd pair makes a lot of sense.
3> We do have an Import slot available. I think maybe looking at that RD slot makes a lot of sense. Either that or centre. But, going after a 17 year old likely won’t solve either of those needs. The player will likely be underdeveloped as a 17 year old to play those types of minutes.
4> We should get a high pick. I’m obviously advocating for missing the playoffs and hopefully we get a higher impact player in the top 3. But, I think if I am dropping $$$, I’d say they likely finish 8th. It will be close but that’s the way I am leaning. That gives us the 5th or 6th pick the way things are shaping up now. Doesn’t look like there will be expansion for next season.
5> We are short a backup but maybe we can nail one down in the 1st round of the U-18 draft? Or, maybe we get a nice surprise coming out of camp?
6> The OA situation is interesting. I am hoping Dever ends up on RW. I’m not sure I keep Barlas. Not because I don’t like the player. More so that we have a lot of younger LW and maybe Barlas is redundant. Handing his spot to a younger player like Amidovski, Souliere or Yanni may make more sense.
7> I really don’t know where Houben fits in. He may be the big wild card next season. His sating is improving but he is not a centre. HE needs to patrol the boards with more authority. That is the element that he and his size are missing. He needs a mean streak and I fear he doesn’t have that in him. He mostly plays like he is 5’10”.