Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Import Draft + Goaltending Situation

Tigers Trade For A Goalie
The Tigers traded for overage Goaltender Jared Rathjen from vancouver, for a 5th round conditional Pick.

Rathjen has 74 Games played over his whl career. 

What This Means

What this move means. It means that the Tigers are now unsure if Marek Langhamer is coming back....They traded away 18yr old goaltender Daniel  Wapple last season with reasons stating they had strong indications marek would be playing here in his 20 yr old season.....This trade would make it seem that this is insurance in case he doesn't come back

Arizona Signings

The Arizona coyotes just signed Devan Dubnyk to a 1 yr deal. Dubnyk should backup Mike Smith in the NHL. They also Signed Mike McKenna to a 1 yr 2 way deal.

So they have 4 other goalies in their system under contract for 1 year left.
Mark Visentin (AHL)
Mike Lee (Injured most of last season, probably ECHL)
Louis Domingue (AHL )
Mike McKenna (AHL )

4 Goalies who will be competing for jobs in the AHL.  One that was injured all of last season but should be back.

As Tiger fans we will have to keep an eye on if Phoenix makes any moves regarding their goaltenders, but Based on their recent signings and Marek's Contract is eligible to slide, I feel quite a bit more safer that he will return.   It doesn't make sense to stuff him in the ECHL as a 3rd string goaltender. If Arizona wants Marek to play in the ECHL/AHL it didn't make sense for Arizona to sign Mike McKenna unless they plan to make a trade with one of their other tenders, but we don't know what their plan is.

CHL Import Draft
Goes today.

Eisenschmid is eligible to be back next season. Marek is a bit up in the air as of yet (but I think he will return).....We could see the Tigers possibly make one pick

Tigers Select Michael Spacek with the 45th overall pick. Spcek is projected to be one of the top prospects coming from the Czech Republic for next years NHL Draft. 5'10 181 lbs.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=199564

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Tigers Making NHL Camps
Dylan Bredo - Edmonton
Curtis Valk - Vancouver
Jake Doty - St. Louis

Tyler Lewington - Washington
Tammy Vannelli - St. Louis
Marek Langhamer - Arizona
Miles Koules- Washington

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really hoping Langhammer comes back. I was not a huge supporter of his at the beginning of the season but something happened in Feb there that suddenly he became an outstanding goalie. I do not like when NHL teams move goalies along too quickly the ECHL/AHL. He really has only had a few good months, let him stay in the WHL and really build his confidence and skill. Taking a goalie too early seems to ruin them, like Bunz, who will likly not see another NHL contract at the end of this year - which I would have never have guessed 4 years ago!

Anonymous said...

Go Valky, hoping he nails a spot with Van. He deserves it more then anyone. He was a tremendous Tiger, the best we have had in a while and was a true captain. The Canucks will wonder why they did not draft him! Good luck Valk!

Anonymous said...

Good luck to the boyz invited to camp. Funny, I would take all 3 above the Tigers most recent "1st rounder'. Good luck guys! Valk, I wanna see you in a Nuks jersey!

Anonymous said...

Bredo is the player that Edmonton needs. A non selfish player who is responsible at both ends of the ice. Wonder if they are having him try out as a forward or defence? I always thought if he had played defence from the age of 16 he likely would have been drafted.

Anonymous said...

If Marek comes back and if this Czech kid plays like it sounds he can, the tigers might not be that bad. I hope Queninville and Hobbs step into playing defence - they both seem ready for WHL. Will be an interesting year. And with this 20 year old goaltender, it paints a pretty obvious picture that Becker will not be back - does not upset me at all.

Anonymous said...

Tigerturf, with all the guys Van has picked up it does not look like there is a whole lot of room on Van for Hunter. In addition, he played average at best prior to being hurt, do you see him in ECHL/AHL or do you think he will be returned to the Tigers? And if he is returned, do you think they will trade him as, from what I have heard, there is no love lost in that dressing room for him - the team very much feels he bailed on them.

Anonymous said...

My guess, he would be traded. He certainly would not be captain. He also lost the love of the fans.

Anonymous said...

Shinkaruk missed a whole year of junior. He has no East West game. He can not be a difference maker without other good guys on his line. He has talent but has never been pushed to develop beyond what he is comfortable with. I think he should be back in junior. I would prefer to see him traded to another team and pick up a good prospect and first rounder. I do not think he has much to add to the Tigers.

Anonymous said...

Sure would like to see Valk and Bredo get the chance that they deserve. Koules is a guy who has one more year and likely will get something. He needs to step up this year and I think he will. Valk and Bredo have stepped up for years and I just want to see them get what they have worked so hard for.

TigerTurf said...

I agree with the anon commenter on July4th 1:39 PM

Anonymous said...

So with Spacek we must not be expecting Eisenschmeid back. It does not see like this Spacek kid is one we would not play.

TigerTurf said...

It could also possibly be for Insurance with Langhammer.....although I think he will be back with the way Arizona's roster is shaping up.

If Spacek proves he can play up here it will be interesting to see what happens.

I would not be surprised to see Eisenschmid with a 20 goal 50-60 point season, he will also probably be playing for germany again in the world juniors.

Spacek put up very good numbers in the Czech Junior league, and the under 18's.

It will be a welcomed battle.

TigerTurf said...

*all that is IF he does report here.

Anonymous said...

Arizona would be crazy to take Langhammer. Dont rush him. He is still not a proven elite junior goalie. He had 1/4 of a good season and a good playoff run. Send him back to junior, let him challenge for the best GAA and save %. Let him build his confidence. That will make him a better goalie in the long run. Look how Bunz collapsed at the next level. In a few years he has already been buried in depth and really has no hope of stepping on a NHL ice surface ever. I dont want to see the same thing happen to Langhammer. I do hope though that Schnieder gets a few more games in. He needs to be ready to take the reins the following season.

Anonymous said...

Throwing it out there, captain next season?? I am completely unsure. Valk was the obvious captain (and should have been for the last 2 years) but who next year? I have heard that Ast is a major player in the dressing room but new to the team, so not sure that will happen. Lew? Cox? Koules?

Anonymous said...

I like when we have character guys, like Wacey and Grbavac. Valk was an exception, had talent and character. I think guys like Labelle, Owre and Ast should get a consideration. Also, have to admit, last year I thought Penner was an unsung hero. Blocking shots and a physical guy. Not sure how vocal he is. But I kinda like when the captain is not necessarily the leading goal scorer.
In the future, Hobbs - met the kid, has such a team attitude and positive team first guy. Real class act and a true tiger

Anonymous said...

Koules? Cox? No one stands out. Labelle seems like a vocal guy and plays with heart. Would like to see him with the C.

TigerTurf said...

I'd say its probably like this

Lewington
Cox
Koules, Ast

Anonymous said...

Lew does not seem vocal enough. Not a leader in the room. I like him a lot, just more quiet guy. I see him as an important A. No real leader......unless someone grabs the reins. Likely to be determined in camp, see who steps up.

Anonymous said...

I like Ast best. He was a spark as soon as he came to the Tigers. Should have been a Tiger all the way along

Anonymous said...

C - Ast
A - Lewington, Cox, Koules

Anonymous said...

Everyone speaks of a great leader in the locker room gets the "C" but Hunter had it and he is no leader

Anonymous said...

When does training camp generally begin?

TigerTurf said...

I'm guessing August 21st this year.

Anonymous said...

It is Aug 15 this year

Anonymous said...

If Langhamer comes back he should wear the C!

Anonymous said...

Why? He is a goalie and not really a leadership sort of guy. Not much use to motivate guys on the bench if he is always in net.

Anonymous said...

I really thought we would hear about a new assistant coach by now. I know the tigers were interviewing after the season ended. So what happened?

Anonymous said...

Apparently there is no rookie camp this year, it is straight into main camp. Does that mean that the roster is basically known? Different from every other camp.

TigerTurf said...

If no rookie camp is true then its probably because Clouston coaching in the under 18's he probably doesn't have time to run a rookie camp.

Unfortunate as even though the chances of a free agent invite making it is low.....every once in a while their is a Tyler Lewington, or Tyler Ennis in the bunch.

I'm not 100% certain but I think The under 18's end the weekend rookie camp would usually start.
--------

They will likely invite all their Draft Picks, and a couple free agents then and have an extended main camp.

TigerTurf said...

I don't think a goalie is a good choice for Captain no matter how good or vocal he is.

Being a goalie is extremely mentally fatiguing....and he is on the ice and not the bench to rally troops when needed.

Longtimefan said...

They ran a rookie camp a couple of weeks after the bantam draft was held. Probably why they aren't holding another one pre training camp.

Anonymous said...

There have been a number of comments about David Queninville at the team Canada practices, apparently a stand out on the ice and a notable leader! Glad he will be wearing a tiger uniform next year! Sure look forward to seeing him play. Seems like him and Hobbs will step into defence roles pretty easily!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the season! Come on! 14 days to camp!

Anonymous said...

I thought we may hear of a trade of a 20 year old by now. We have too many and thought we would hear of the trade prior to the season starting. Becker? Seems like odd man out. But has value so will play in the dub next year. Hobbs and David Quen will easily fill those shoes.

Anonymous said...

The roster for the 2014 pre-season is up and a couple interesting inclusions/deletions:
1. Hunter is not listed - did not think he was a lock to move on
2. Bradley is listed as a forward even though he was only pulled up at the end of the year
3. Hobbs is not listed, which is strange as he was in the same situation being pulled up at the end of the year. And I am sure he should be a lock given that he played like a vet in the regular season games last year.

Anonymous said...

I thought we would see Broadhead traded. His point production is so low and he barely played. Thought he could use a fresh start. There is so much talent in the pipeline that would be better to bring a young kid in.

TigerTurf said...

Don't take any stock into those rosters..It's just players who played in the playoffs last season who are eligible to come back plus offseason trades.

Anonymous said...

So are the tigers rolling this year with 2 coaches? Seems like a bad idea. One guy who is suppose to be GM as well and the other who is a pretty junior coach - great coach just not much for experience. Would really like to see them add another, preferably someone who runs PP's well.

Anonymous said...

Hobbs made U18 Team Canada! Congrats! So that should make him a lock for the team. Thought he should have been on the team last year. Interesting Hobbs makes the team and a 3rd rounder and our 1st rouder from that year, Schultz, did not. Hobbs is going to be a key guy on the Tigers!

TigerTurf said...

I agree..I watched Hobbs specifically a lot last year in his few games he played...and at 16 he looked like a Vet.

When he had control of the puck he made extremely good decisions...and his body positioning and smarts had him stepping up into the play hitting a guy cleanly and disrupting the oppositions rush up the ice.

Its not just a defenseman going out of his way at a chance for a big hit, but proper positioning smarts and instincts that put him in the path of an opposition attacker and taking him out. At 16 with hardly any whl experience that is a trait few defenseman posses at that age.

When the play starts to slow down after he has had more experience I think he will be a great shutdown 2 way defenseman.



Anonymous said...

I always thought Hobbs should have been on the team from the beginning. Such a talented guy and also a good team guy. I hope he sees a lot of playing time this year! And all the best to him with team Canada!

TigerTurf said...

The only reason he wasn't on the team IMO was because he wouldn't have reached the required 40 games. (Scott Allan had 34) So they kept a 17 yr old instead which was smart of them.

Anonymous said...

I thought they should have pulled Hobbs up when Jensen quit. I think Allen has potential but I honestly think that Hobbs has more upside. I would expect that Hobbs will skip over Allen in the line up.
Allen is a difficult one to place. I think they were disappointment with his development as he sure did not see much ice time. He is a very big guy but skates like it. In addition, he does not really use his size. I wonder if they were hoping he would be a bit like Benfeld who could step into someone hard to break up a rush. Be a punishing defenceman because of his size. But he does not seem to do that. Combine that with his average skating skills and average passing skills, I really wonder where he will fit on the team. Especially with Hobbs, Schultz and Queninville knocking at the door.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone ever figured out what the Tigers got for that Haar guy? It seems they were suppose to get a draft pick this year but there was no pick. So wonder what happened to it?

Anonymous said...

I agree on Allen. But pressure from the young guys is good. Obviously Allen has some upside. Hopefully he felt the pressure towards the end of the year seeing the young guys being pulled up and playing. Hopefully he put in a good off season with training and comes into camp to be a solid defensive defenceman who can make some solid hits and safe plays. He does not need to be fancy, he just needs to be able to use his size and make a good first pass.

Anonymous said...

It seems like Haar was a free-be to Portland. Kidding, I am sure there is a draft pick coming to the Tigers, maybe this year.

Anonymous said...

Legit Koules for captain. Have heard nothing but good thins about the guy. Good guy on and off the ice. Ast with a letter for sure and Lewington too.

TigerTurf said...

TigerTurf is on Holidays! Back at the end of the Month! Cheers

Anonymous said...

Heard from a reliable source that Bredo has committed to the U of A. Probably the best route for him to go. Good luck to the ironman himself.

Anonymous said...

It would be good to see the tigers play in a 3rd jersey this season! White or orange or even the striped jerseys!!They used to always play in orange around thanksgiving not as of lately though.

Anonymous said...

There is so much talent at this camp that unless guys like Broadhead and Mobrey come to camp in unreal condition and a whole new level of talent, not sure there is room for them on the team.
Next year Hamblin will make the team and will contribute regularly. He reminds me of an Ennis but a bit bigger. So fast, so smooth, scoring is so easy for him.

Anonymous said...

anyone know if broadhead is injured?

Anonymous said...

Future looks bright for goaltending for the Tigers. Austin MacGrath is lights out. Not sure about the kid we picked up from Vancouver. Seemed to be fighting the puck a lot in the few games I saw him in. Schneider also looking really strong.
Hamblin will be in a Tiger jersey next year, no question. Unreal skill, kind of like Shinkaruk but without the huge ego. Also is a much better 200 ft player then Shinkaruk ever was.
A lot of the young guys can score and move real fast. Very creative. Not sure what that might mean for some of the older guys like Broadhead and Labelle. I really wonder if there will not be a few trades. Best looking group of young guys that I have seen in a long long time.

Anonymous said...

Shinkaruk is not projected to make the Canucks by TSN or NHL or a couple independent reports. Not that this means anything for sure. But I do wonder if he will be back. And I really wonder what the Tigers would do with him. I would love to see him traded.

MHTFan said...

Interesting things I've heard around the arena:
apparently Kruger left because he couldn't handle Clouston anymore and Ive told that a few vets do not like Clouston at all and would be asking for a trade around christmas break if Clouston was still coaching the team. Scary situation considering it would be 3 years in a row players would ask for trades and if these rumours are true we aren't far behind having a train wreck like Lethbridge did with key players wanting out and causing leverage problems with trades. I should also mention my source is very credible he told me weeks before Jensen left the team that he was looking for a way out.

Anonymous said...

I certainly hope that is not the case!!! I would hate to see kids leaving because of the coach. I think Vlouston can coach, that is obvious, but he does not seem like the most personable guy. Maybe a bit of an attitude change on his part would go a long way. Any idea as to what it is about Clouston that the guys do not like? We can not see that from the stands, guys play hard for him, buy into his system. Interesting and scary at the same time. Maybe bringing in Sauer will help with relations on the bench.

Anonymous said...

Oddly I have heard that the addition of Sauer has really brought a positive vibe and a bit lighter more approachable vibe to the bench. Clouston is intense but he is a winner. Whatever his deal was with Kruger is done and over, hopefully the new coaching staff can bring a good dressing room environment.

Anonymous said...

Why is ownership not stepping in if he is this much of a problem? I have noticed that the kids these days feel a sense of entitlement and are not always wanting to put in the hard work to earn it. I heard that was an issue with Jensen. He was a first rounder for the tigers and was mad that Vanelli came in and took "his spot" with top minutes. I don't blame Clouston, Vanelli is so much better, he earned the top minutes. And that is how it should be.

Anonymous said...

I remember Tyler Ennis and Brennan Bosch interviews years ago and they said when they were rookies they didn't get shit but when they became top players they took more shit because they were held more responsible and more was expected of them people need to have a fire lit under there asses...lesson is put out and no more tears!!its our year!!

Anonymous said...

They players should talk to guys from other teams. I know that Sutter is not a friendly guy on the bench, neither is Don Hay. And if they can not take Shawn then wonder how they will make it in the NHL under a Tortarella or a guy like Burke. The head coach is not there to be a best friend and give them hugs when times are tough. The assistant coaches are there for player relations and I think they have the right guys there. The head coach needs to be tough, hard and make them win. Shawn was runner up for coach of the year and brought on board by hockey Canada. The complaints combined with these 2 promotions do not add up.