Monday, January 5, 2015

Tigers Make BlockBuster Deal with Regina

Well It's Official. Their have been some strong rumors about a deal involving Connor Hobbs last week.

reginapats.com/article/pats-and-tigers-complete-blockbuster

Regina Pats Head Coach and Senior VP of Hockey Operations John Paddock announced today the team has acquired defenceman Connor Hobbs (’97), a 2nd Round pick in 2016 and a 3rd Round pick in 2015 in exchange for defenceman Kyle Burroughs and forward Dryden Hunt.

http://www.tigershockey.com/article/tigers-acquire-hunt-burroughs-from-regina

“We are very excited about adding Dryden and Kyle to our roster,” stated GM and Head Coach Shaun Clouston. “We look forward to welcoming them to the Tige


My Thoughts
My Initial thoughts are: "I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS DEAL". Burroughs was Regina's Captain. Hunt was an assistant Captain and a  1st line player. Hunt is very strong on the puck and can muscle bigger opponents off the puck.   He is another point per game player to add to the mix. That gives the Tigers 6 PPG forwards in their lineup.

Burroughs is a top pairing Defenceman. A smart, mobile 2 way Defenseman. He will likely go pro next season.  Hunt is possibly likely to be back next season.

The Tigers get 2 very good quality 19's. From the Tigers standpoint this could be considered an exceptional deal as Hobbs isn't going to play as a Tiger again,  they didn't give up a 1st round pick, and they had an extra 2nd rounder from Regina in a previous deal, so it didn't dent the cupboards.

 I think their must have been some competition for Hobbs, as Hunt, Burroughs for Hobbs and a 2nd, 3rd seems like highway robbery.

With this deal the Tigers were already the oldest lineup in the WHL and they just added more experience. Regina and the Tigers have developed a pretty good trading relationship the past couple years.


Depth Charts

Defense
Lewington(20) Burroughs(19)
Vannelli(19) Becker(20)
Stanton(18) Schultz(17)
Quenneville(16)

Forwards
Sanford(19) Owre(18) Cox(19)
Eisenschmid(19) Hunt(19) Butcher(18)
Bradley(17) Ast(19) Penner(18)
Staples(19) Labelle(19) Mowbray(18)

Fischer(17), Rassall(17)

That is one heck of a defense. They have close to 5 1st line defenceman, and one of the best goaltenders in the league.


Next Season's 20's
Eisenschmid
Ast
Labelle
Sanford**
Cox**
Vannelli - Will Play Pro
Stanton**
Staples
Hunt**

As you can see Clouston will have a busy Summer with all these guys eligible to be back. Are they done?  Well If your going for it, it doesn't hurt to pad players, but  I don't forsee them making another move now.

39 comments:

Unknown said...

The picks I believe are what we got in the Leir and McVeigh trades, so we are just giving them back to Regina

Anonymous said...

Do you think the tigers are now done? What if other upgrades are possible?

TigerTurf said...

While It's possible they make another deal to put themselves over the top I think they are done.

It's hard to see them upgrading an Ast or Penner, which is possible but unlikely.

longtimefan said...

Wouldn't be surprised if they tried to upgrade the center ice position. they are a bit weak there especially with Owre out for a while.

Anonymous said...

I wish one of them was 18. Do not love that they are basically rental players. 20s are not worth a lot especially when you have a ton of them to get rid of on the team.

Unknown said...

Why are the pats sellers?

Anonymous said...

It would be ideal if they could get Stanton or Becker moved for an 18 year old Dman, their defense is going to be awful next year with all the guys they lose after this season

Anonymous said...

Good trade Ive got goosebumps I am so excited! We got imo The Pats 2 best players, Bring in Hickman or Ully and we are going to the cup!!! Go Tigers Go!!

TigerTurf said...

From Regina's Standpoint - It was either buy or sell and they didn't have many assets to buy without completely sacrificing their future for the next 3 years for a shot at it this year when they were the underdogs

I think it was very smart of them to sell even though they have a decent team

Anonymous said...

Iverson, Gropp or Lazar!!!!!

TigerTurf said...

In interviews with both players it sounded like those 2 were pretty loyal to the Pats, and it was kind of a shock to them even though they knew it might happen.

Hopefully they can gel in the room and become impact key players.

Unknown said...

I am intrigued by is how the additions will affect the PP. Something that has been lacking for a while is a large presence in front of the net. Becker has been adequate in that capacity since Clouston parked him there, but I am curious to see how someone with more net presence (Hunt) might improve things.

Anonymous said...

I really really really like this move. I think the tigers got great players, good team guys, leaders and all they traded was a guy who did not want to play and gave back picks. This makes us better now without giving up the future.
I know there are a few too many 19s but I think there are a few that we could shed without concern. Ast never really caught stride so the tigers will not feel a hit losing. Labelle, although a good penalty killer and energy guy never put up a lot of points, and a guy like Penner could fill his shoes. Staples has not found a solid spot on the team and thus will be less of a hit to lose next year.
Next year we have the ability to have 3 really high quality 20s leading a young team. I want to see our young talent get a chance next year - Schultz, Quen, Bradley, Shaw, Fischer and add in Jevne, Skapski - etc have talent coming up the pipe, they gotta play some time. So given all that, this move was excellent in my books!

Anonymous said...

The 20s looks like a long list at first:
Eisenschmid
Ast
Labelle
Sanford**
Cox**
Vannelli - Will Play Pro
Stanton**
Staples
Hunt**
BUT it really should look like:
Sanford
Cox
Hunt
Stanton
As I agree with some points from Anon 5:21, Staples, Ast and Labelle are not in the running. Great players, love them all, dont get me wrong, but for the 20 spots, they are not in the race.
Marcus will not be returning as an import and overager - so cross him out.
Where I am happy with the smaller list is that because we have been so short handed, Schultz and Quennivillie have played large minutes for first year guys, this will really help ease their transition into top pairing defencemen. And I think they will handle it just fine.
Not sure who out of those 4 will be traded but I only see it as a nice problem to have. All are valuable and we will get someone good in return.

Anonymous said...

Need to add Burroughs to the list, he is a 19yo and not signed by NYI. That could change but as of now he could be in the mix.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I like our line up. Watched the interviews on the Pats website of all traded players in this deal. Was really impressed how professional with the guys the tigers are getting. They were professional and well spoken. They seem like team guys and that is what tigers need. Listening to Hobbs interview I do not think he was team first, worried about stepping up for big minutes. Good trade. All the best to our new Tigers!

Anonymous said...

Will Burroughs and Hunt play on the road trip? Hope so

longtimefan said...

Yes they will, not until Thursday now though. Due to the snow the team will be unable to get to Victoria for tomorrow's game.

Anonymous said...

Will be interesting to see them fit into the team. I expect some hiccups but I have always really liked Hunt so happy to see him in the orange and black!

Anonymous said...

totally agree with u.

Anonymous said...

Have to admit. Dont see moving Cox, Sanford or Hunt. Might see summer trades for some experience on defence.

TigerTurf said...

Next year the Tigers could be #1,#2,#3 in whl scoring....

Mind you if the Tigers have a down year...that's 3-4 possible 1st round picks they have on their roster... but we will will leave next years overager discussion for the summer.

This road trip should be a good bonding opportunity with the new players. Owre is out for a while and penner is day to day. and they didn't list anybody else on the IR on the weekly update posted monday so they are getting healthier.

Lets see what this team can do, its like a new season.

Anonymous said...

sad the game is not tonight, have to wait another day. Go tigers go! Love this trade

Anonymous said...

Hobbs starts career with Pats with a -1. Making tiger fans feel good he left. Looking forward to what Hunt and Burroughs bring!

Anonymous said...

Loved the trade before the Vic game but really really love it after the game. The two new guys fit in so well! Go tigers go!

Anonymous said...

Hunt got 1st star at royal game and winning goal.burroughs got assist.
go tiger go

TigerTurf said...

I thought both players looked good for their first game. Hunt and Burroughs clicked on the powerplay. They provided a lot of movement and good shots on net on the powerplay including a powerplay goal from Hunt.

Burroughs won a lot of battles. Hunt was strong on the puck down low. Good first impressions..

On the trade front Clouston basically said that another move may or may not happen. They are still entertaining offers, and if something good comes along they will consider it. The key to the burroughs/Hunt deal was that they didn't have to give up any roster players.






Anonymous said...

Tigers are on Sportsnet tonight

longtimefan said...

Very poor goaltending so far. Two of the three very questionable.

Anonymous said...

very poor power play

longtimefan said...

Still believe they need to add a top line center to the lineup. Preferably someone with decent size. Guess we'll see what today brings.

Anonymous said...

After watching the game on Sportsnet last night I would have liked to have seen Butcher, who is one of the top points getter, getting more time on the ice. He can make goals happen!

04Forever said...

Wow if the Tigers really didn't make any moves that is a head scratcher, they are way too small of a team to deal with 6-7 games series with Edmonton/Red Deer/Calgary/Brandon

04Forever said...

Mills left the oil kings and all the fans are wishing him the best going forward. Tigers fans could learn some class from that I.e. All the fans ripping kids (Hart, Jensen, Hobbs) for wanting a better oppurtunity else where

longtimefan said...

Actually 04 the Team did make a rather significant move earlier in the week. Thought they needed to add someone down the middle but it didn't happen, asking price was probably to high.

I would hope that people don't boo Connor Hobbs when Regina plays here on Wednesday. As I've said previously he's a young man that I think he got some bad advice.

04Forever said...

2 rental players for half a season and didn't fix the size issue at all although I do think the trade was a great trade because they are two great players I don't agree with just kind of stacking up for a run It should be either go for it or don't not

CatFan said...

Go for it like Saskatoon did a couple of seasons ago? They traded away everything, disrupted the chemistry of a good team and went 4 straight in the first round. We already had a great team, added 2 great pieces, one of which could well return next season. We always play highly entertaining hockey. Yet here we are bitching about size again, why do you guys always obsess about size?? Oh right, because you are guys. Just sit back and enjoy the ride already!!

Anonymous said...

Great trade, the two are such hard workers. Very strong game considering they were on the road for 55 hours.

04Forever said...

Example last memorial cup teams for the Tigers all had size