Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build

[The Real JT]

If you find one post of mine talking up Fasching or Maclean, feel free to trash it. I don't remember pushing them.

I was one of the few early on the Holmstrom bandwagon and he's certainly making great strides now.

Where I might well be wrong is on Dufour, but there's still a few years for him to prove himself.

We are truly not far off in our collective mindsets.

I didn’t specifically point out any direct praise on your part regarding MacLean and Fasching. Those two guys were overagers that had a good season and suddenly our expectations got way out of hand. George is 20 years old and certainly should have more upside but my main point was that we are so devoid of NHL ready prospects that everyone wants to jump on board regarding George’s potential.

As for Dufour, I’m not sure there was anyone on this board who was more excited about his final junior season and Memorial Cup run and what he might do as a prospect. The door hasn’t closed on him, but it’s safe to say his progress has stalled big-time.

 

[leeroggy]

We are truly not far off in our collective mindsets.

I didn’t specifically point out any direct praise on your part regarding MacLean and Fasching. Those two guys were overagers that had a good season and suddenly our expectations got way out of hand. George is 20 years old and certainly should have more upside but my main point was that we are so devoid of NHL ready prospects that everyone wants to jump on board regarding George’s potential.

As for Dufour, I’m not sure there was anyone on this board who was more excited about his final junior season and Memorial Cup run and what he might do as a prospect. The door hasn’t closed on him, but it’s safe to say his progress has stalled big-time.

I never really saw much about why Dufour left the team last year, I would guess it was a family emergency. His skating did look better in the exhibition season, so that was one step forward.

I do think our prospect pool has improved and I do see a few of them becoming solid NHL contributors since the numbers are there. Which ones eventually separate themselves . . . that's the interesting question. Some players just fir better with better players. Holmstrom's AHL stats weren't much, but some kids just fit better.

If I had to put a few dollars down, it would be on Jeffries and Odelius being next up. The college kids look promising too.

 

[impaaaaaact]

We are truly not far off in our collective mindsets.

I didn’t specifically point out any direct praise on your part regarding MacLean and Fasching. Those two guys were overagers that had a good season and suddenly our expectations got way out of hand. George is 20 years old and certainly should have more upside but my main point was that we are so devoid of NHL ready prospects that everyone wants to jump on board regarding George’s potential.

As for Dufour, I’m not sure there was anyone on this board who was more excited about his final junior season and Memorial Cup run and what he might do as a prospect. The door hasn’t closed on him, but it’s safe to say his progress has stalled big-time.

I don’t think anyone is expecting George to turn into Cale Makar, but he’s playing 20 minutes a game and hasn’t looked out of place one bit. He could get more pucks to the net, but he was playing with Dobson and now Pulock… for now his job is to get the puck to them and not make mistakes on D. He also hasn’t taken a penalty which is super important. I’m not really sure what more he would need to do to prove he belongs. I’m just as surprised as anyone else, but he seems clearly ready for a bottom pairing role already.

Gotta hand it to Roy for giving him the chance to shine. Never would have happened under Trotz or Lambert… they would have gone out and traded a 7th for Brayden Coburn or something.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

I don’t think anyone is expecting George to turn into Cale Makar, but he’s playing 20 minutes a game and hasn’t looked out of place one bit. He could get more pucks to the net, but he was playing with Dobson and now Pulock… for now his job is to get the puck to them and not make mistakes on D. He also hasn’t taken a penalty which is super important. I’m not really sure what more he would need to do to prove he belongs. I’m just as surprised as anyone else, but he seems clearly ready for a bottom pairing role already.

Gotta hand it to Roy for giving him the chance to shine. Never would have happened under Trotz or Lambert… they would have gone out and traded a 7th for Brayden Coburn or something.

George upside is probably Pelech, he isn’t real good offensively but can skate and defend. He will be a good complimentary defenseman for a long time in league. He is playing here way before he is ready and has eased blow of their injuries on D for sure. Isles have Warren who skates just as well but is more aggressive who I think is close if he can stay healthy. Odelius is really smooth, he will get points when he starts getting PP time in Ahl. He is at least a year or so away though. We have young D who can push out older expensive guys like Pelech so we can upgrade up front I think.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

We are truly not far off in our collective mindsets.

I didn’t specifically point out any direct praise on your part regarding MacLean and Fasching. Those two guys were overagers that had a good season and suddenly our expectations got way out of hand. George is 20 years old and certainly should have more upside but my main point was that we are so devoid of NHL ready prospects that everyone wants to jump on board regarding George’s potential.

As for Dufour, I’m not sure there was anyone on this board who was more excited about his final junior season and Memorial Cup run and what he might do as a prospect. The door hasn’t closed on him, but it’s safe to say his progress has stalled big-time.

Dufour has effort problem, he probably isn’t going to make it due to that. Maggio is opposite, plays really hard but has hard time scoring. I could see Maggio and Maclean sort of being fourth line combo soon in mold of Cizikas/clutterbuck. I think that’s Maggio upside, could even see it soon if iskes finally decide to end the Wahlstrom experiment.