Thunderbirds 2024-25

[PerryTurnbullfan]

How's kessel looked? Does he look like he's taking the next step? could be an effective NHLer in the future? Looks like he is starting to put up more offense in the ahl.

The last game I can say he was the best player on the ice other than the goalie. Other than that, I would say it’s been hot and cold. There isn’t consistency shift to shift one moment his decision-making is questionable, then the next moment he makes a pass that very few people on the ice would probably see. I hope he finds a level of consistency. I really think that’s all it is.

 

[LGB]

Kessel called up

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Putting it to Iowa. Dvo with a goal and an assist. Really playing well and faster tonight. Kaski also scored. Johannesson continued his point streak and has been impressive. Loof has really had a good game taking some bold moves to the net. Strong game as the T birds are on. Hunter Haight is an interesting player for the Wild. He really plays with pace and seems in the middle of everything. Jiricek has been fairly unimpressive.

 

[LGB]

If Dean is playing good hockey I’m ready to call him up and plug him in at 3C

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

If Dean is playing good hockey I’m ready to call him up and plug him in at 3C

He's played 1 game in last 3+ months before tonight. He needs to play string of games in Springfield first.

 

[BlueDream]

If Dean is playing good hockey I’m ready to call him up and plug him in at 3C

Is he though? He’s only played 5 games this season, he just came back from a long injury.

I’m as annoyed with our 3C situation as anyone but until Dean shows that he can even score at the AHL level, which he hasn’t yet, I think throwing him into the NHL top 9 sounds like a bad idea for his development.

I’d keep him down there the rest of the season and then see how he looks in camp as he battles for a bottom 6 spot then.

 

[LGB]

Is he though? He’s only played 5 games this season, he just came back from a long injury.

I’m as annoyed with our 3C situation as anyone but until Dean shows that he can even score at the AHL level, which he hasn’t yet, I think throwing him into the NHL top 9 sounds like a bad idea for his development.

We saw him in the NHL last year. He can play at an NHL pace. If we give him good line mates in a low stakes environment I think it would be good for his development.

 

[BlueDream]

We saw him in the NHL last year. He can play at an NHL pace. If we give him good line mates in a low stakes environment I think it would be good for his development.

Yeah he played here, but didn’t really do anything. Just seems like rushing a guy for no reason. I’m not even sure this is a good environment to bring him into with the team throwing in the towel now. I maintain that he’s not ready.

 

[LGB]

Yeah he played here, but didn’t really do anything. Just seems like rushing a guy for no reason. I’m not even sure this is a good environment to bring him into with the team throwing in the towel now. I maintain that he’s not ready.

He played on the 4th line. Low TOI, poor linemates. I’ll admit it would be nice just to make the team more interesting. He just turned 22 though, and has already played an entire season in the AHL. I think whether or not he busts won’t have much to do with what happens in the last 1/3 of this season. I think with quality line mates he could have some success here.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

He played on the 4th line. Low TOI, poor linemates. I’ll admit it would be nice just to make the team more interesting. He just turned 22 though, and has already played an entire season in the AHL. I think whether or not he busts won’t have much to do with what happens in the last 1/3 of this season. I think with quality line mates he could have some success here.

Well if he was creating chances and noticeably one of the top 5 players on the ice, then why not? It would make more sense to do that with Hugh McGing, but I don’t think he is an nhl player either. There isn’t a solution at the AHL level…yet.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Look, I’m pulling for Dean as much as the next guy. I hope he makes it.

But let’s be honest here, if Vegas hadn’t drafted him in the first round, I don’t think there would be many reasons to have high hopes there. He’s already 22, which is very old for a guy who needs to take multiple big steps forward. He gets some leeway because he’s missed so much time this year, which was supposed to be his opportunity to take one of those big steps.

But it’s not like he has ever been a world-beater, and this is all just his pro adjustment window. His statistical profile for pretty much his whole junior and young pro career suggest he isn’t more than an AHL tweener. Maybe there’s more there, but it would be a very unusual outcome. This is not a player you want to pin your hopes to.

We should have traded Barby for Dorofyev, not Dean.

 

[stl76]

Look, I’m pulling for Dean as much as the next guy. I hope he makes it.

But let’s be honest here, if Vegas hadn’t drafted him in the first round, I don’t think there would be many reasons to have high hopes there. He’s already 22, which is very old for a guy who needs to take multiple big steps forward. He gets some leeway because he’s missed so much time this year, which was supposed to be his opportunity to take one of those big steps.

But it’s not like he has ever been a world-beater, and this is all just his pro adjustment window. His statistical profile for pretty much his whole junior and young pro career suggest he isn’t more than an AHL tweener. Maybe there’s more there, but it would be a very unusual outcome. This is not a player you want to pin your hopes to.

We should have traded Barby for Dorofyev, not Dean.

Agreed, personally I’m not holding out a lot of hope for Dean at this point. But you never know, I thought the same about Ellis and he’s turned it around

 

[LGB]

Look, I’m pulling for Dean as much as the next guy. I hope he makes it.

But let’s be honest here, if Vegas hadn’t drafted him in the first round, I don’t think there would be many reasons to have high hopes there. He’s already 22, which is very old for a guy who needs to take multiple big steps forward. He gets some leeway because he’s missed so much time this year, which was supposed to be his opportunity to take one of those big steps.

But it’s not like he has ever been a world-beater, and this is all just his pro adjustment window. His statistical profile for pretty much his whole junior and young pro career suggest he isn’t more than an AHL tweener. Maybe there’s more there, but it would be a very unusual outcome. This is not a player you want to pin your hopes to.

We should have traded Barby for Dorofyev, not Dean.

The statistical profile is definitely not exciting. The AHL rookie year last season was very discouraging. He does have NHL tools though including above average skating and handling. He had a dominant run in the QMJHL playoffs in his D+2 and was better than Bolduc IMO. Best case scenario at this point is 3C and probably more likely he’s a 4th liner. Either way I don’t see huge benefits to more AHL time.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

The statistical profile is definitely not exciting. The AHL rookie year last season was very discouraging. He does have NHL tools though including above average skating and handling. He had a dominant run in the QMJHL playoffs in his D+2 and was better than Bolduc IMO. Best case scenario at this point is 3C and probably more likely he’s a 4th liner. Either way I don’t see huge benefits to more AHL time.

He needs to get up to speed after missing much of season, but I suspect he will be up in next month or so.