Good signing for depth in the AHL. A good AHL team is something we have rarely had under Wang/Snow. A good AHL team creates a winning environment and playoff expierence for prospects
I hope this is true but I'm not sure. I never liked the Isles AHL team. Seems like they don't have enough good young talent (i.e. promising prospects) NOR good enough AHL vets - this year seems the same.
Hopefully Bernier helps them.
Not that he's proven to be a hockey maven or anything, but Staple thinks otherwise regarding Beauvillier.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/hocke...822?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Beauvilier's looked good, for his age, and if he stays he'll likely get better, fast. But I've been conditioned as a long-suffering fan (like most of you) that younger players aren't typically as good, as early, as we want and that vet-cast-off-fill-in types (no offense Steve Bernier) end up playing in the NHL, sometimes in the top six
I believe this is Beauvillier's job to lose at this point, but I find Jack has less patience for young players (as most coaches do)
Barzal reminds me of Marner in so many ways. At last year's camp, I'd say Barzal outplayed Marner (I know they don't compete against one another but I'm speaking of how they performed at camp vs expectations) and Marner was sent to junior early. This year, Marner's a completely new player, full of confidence and is as exciting to watch as any player in the NHL. And earning minutes.
Barzal is the same type of player, maybe with a bit less speed than Mitch. But I don't think Capuano sees the need for Barzal on this team right now, and I expect him back in junior soon. I think he may be just a year away -- but I thought the same of Strome of few years ago.
So hard to tell with our young players.
In reality, we've been kinda lucky with Nelson, Lee, Strome, Beauvillier, Quine -- but haven't hit that home-run like a Gaudreau, Monahan, H.Lindholm, F.Forsberg, JBenn type of player who dramatically overachieves.