I will post an Eastern Conference review based on my Pre-season predictions once the Eastern Conference Finals have played out.
Here is a brief synopsis of next years team and some questions/decisions that come along with that. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments
Potential Over-agers
*Logan Christensen - F
**Tyler Prezusio - F
*****James Hamblin - F
**Hayden Ostir - F
Jordan Hollett - G
Notes
I think there are 2 guarantees. Hamblin is a lock and Hollett is likely to be moved unless Sogaard for some reason doesn't come back.
In a potential year where you're gunning for first place, you want your OA's to be Impact players.
In a potential year where you're gunning for first place, you want your OA's to be Impact players.
Preziuso, Ostir, Christensen
If you're looking for a championship team, everyone besides Hamblin makes me unsure.
There were times in the season I thought Prezusio was on the verge of becoming an impact player, but he pretty much disappeared down the stretch and into the playoffs.
I thought Ostir was poised for a big breakout year but had an exceptionally slow start. For the 2nd year in a row had a big injury and I felt like this season was stagnant because of that.
Christensen has improved quite a bit, but I don't feel he is the ideal fit for a team gunning for first.
OA Direction
The Tigers will likely wait until Training Camp to see who stands out for the rest of their OA group.
As it stands today, in any given year their crop of OA's is fine, but in a year they are gunning for first I only like one of them. I think a better direction would is to keep 2 OA Forwards instead of 3 and then swap/acquire a Defenceman with the 3rd OA slot
This would solidify a very impressive Top 4 back-end and let the Tigers use a forward with their Import Selection. This will also let Prezusui and Ostir fight for the last spot which should motivate them to have strong off-seasons. The only caveat is finding that OA Dman
Forwards
Brown Hamblin Kemp
Sillinger Chyzowski (Prezusio/Ostir)
Lockner Hopwo Import Spot
McCarry Steele Anderson
Sillinger Chyzowski (Prezusio/Ostir)
Lockner Hopwo Import Spot
McCarry Steele Anderson
xxx
xxx
*only for depth purposes
xxx
*only for depth purposes
**If the Tigers keep both Preziuso/Ostir it generates another forward slot.
Thoughts
They should have an above average core with some decent depth. I am largely unsure about their top end depth. Everyone not named Hamblin was inconsistent points-wise during the season. Spurts where they looked good and spurts where they went through quiet stretches.
If they are gunning for a first place/championship type season, the inconsistencies make me unsure of what to expect. This makes me feel unsure that their top end depth may not be good enough for a first-place team.
They do have some players that have potential, but that inconsistency is not necessarily a breakout sign. It is not out of the realm of possibility to see big seasons from players such as Chyzowksi, Brown, Sillinger, Kemp and look back on this and laugh. Yet I see the same potential for a flat season that turns into disappointment.
Thoughts
They should have an above average core with some decent depth. I am largely unsure about their top end depth. Everyone not named Hamblin was inconsistent points-wise during the season. Spurts where they looked good and spurts where they went through quiet stretches.
If they are gunning for a first place/championship type season, the inconsistencies make me unsure of what to expect. This makes me feel unsure that their top end depth may not be good enough for a first-place team.
They do have some players that have potential, but that inconsistency is not necessarily a breakout sign. It is not out of the realm of possibility to see big seasons from players such as Chyzowksi, Brown, Sillinger, Kemp and look back on this and laugh. Yet I see the same potential for a flat season that turns into disappointment.
Defenceman
Cole Clayton Dan Baker
Trevor Longo XXX(3rd OA slot)
Eric Van Impe Damon Agyeman
Aidan Brook
Ryan Watson
Eric Van Impe Damon Agyeman
Aidan Brook
Ryan Watson
XXX
Thoughts
Tigers should have a very strong Top 3. Van Impe as an 18 would be a good option on the 2nd line, but for depth purposes in an up season, I'd like to see him play 3rd line minutes and be a call-up to the 2nd line in case injuries happen.
If they can solidify their top 4, along with stellar goaltending this group could be exceptional
If they don't use a 3rd OA slot or Import selection, I'd say they would be slightly above average, but depthwise a little slender.
Tigers should have a very strong Top 3. Van Impe as an 18 would be a good option on the 2nd line, but for depth purposes in an up season, I'd like to see him play 3rd line minutes and be a call-up to the 2nd line in case injuries happen.
If they can solidify their top 4, along with stellar goaltending this group could be exceptional
If they don't use a 3rd OA slot or Import selection, I'd say they would be slightly above average, but depthwise a little slender.
Goaltenders
Mads Sogaard
Garin Bjorklund
Kaeden Freer-Lane
Thoughts
As long as Mads comes back this group is championship calibre.
Thoughts
As long as Mads comes back this group is championship calibre.
Extra Additions
Returns for Jordan Hollett
1 Euro Pick in the first round
(Vasily Podkolzin was a previous import pick, but will likely move up to the AHL/Pro's.) His presence would be a greatly welcomed gift that could bring a huge offensive boost.
In the Import Draft, I could see the Tigers go either way with either a defenceman or forward. In the scenario I laid out above, the choice would be a forward. However, I could easily see them draft a defenceman for more depth on the back-end and go a different route with their OA's because that works too.
Draft picks
The Tigers also have quite a few extra drafts picks in their cupboard. They have 3 2nd round picks this off-season and an extra 4th round pick. In 2020 they have an extra 1st and 3rd rounder. In 2021 they have an extra 2nd rounder.
Returns for Jordan Hollett
1 Euro Pick in the first round
(Vasily Podkolzin was a previous import pick, but will likely move up to the AHL/Pro's.) His presence would be a greatly welcomed gift that could bring a huge offensive boost.
In the Import Draft, I could see the Tigers go either way with either a defenceman or forward. In the scenario I laid out above, the choice would be a forward. However, I could easily see them draft a defenceman for more depth on the back-end and go a different route with their OA's because that works too.
Draft picks
The Tigers also have quite a few extra drafts picks in their cupboard. They have 3 2nd round picks this off-season and an extra 4th round pick. In 2020 they have an extra 1st and 3rd rounder. In 2021 they have an extra 2nd rounder.
Overall Thoughts
I feel like coming into next season I'll be holding my breath. My opinion on whether they should rebalance or "go for it" is walking along a fence line and it largely depends on what they do in the off-season.
Crossing my fingers for a strong return on Hollett, a good Import Pick, and to solidify the backend to make it rock solid. Crossing my fingers that some of these veterans can come out with big breakout seasons next year. If they don't have a good first part of the season, it would be wise to rebalance an ageing roster and build on the extra draft picks.
I feel like coming into next season I'll be holding my breath. My opinion on whether they should rebalance or "go for it" is walking along a fence line and it largely depends on what they do in the off-season.
Crossing my fingers for a strong return on Hollett, a good Import Pick, and to solidify the backend to make it rock solid. Crossing my fingers that some of these veterans can come out with big breakout seasons next year. If they don't have a good first part of the season, it would be wise to rebalance an ageing roster and build on the extra draft picks.
There have been some big changes to look of the roster. Haden, Williams, Rybinksi are no longer here. Haden's replacement is likely not here as a 20, Rybinski's replacement is a young kid too young to make a big impact. They have acquired Brett Kemp, but still, that's 1 spot down from 3.
A very solid defence can often be a catalyst for breakout seasons offensively. There is a great deal of potential in the Tigers lineup for that. Do they have enough "oomf" in their lineup is the big question?
I'll do a more in-depth look in the off-season when I do an eastern Conference Review.
What are your thoughts for next season?
I'll do a more in-depth look in the off-season when I do an eastern Conference Review.
What are your thoughts for next season?
15 comments:
I agree with Hamblin and an OA Dman.
If it came down to preziuso and Ostir, I would take Ostir even though the numbers don’t support it.
Ostir is grittier and has shown that he can score goals from time to time. (Example was his two goals in playoffs). I think with a chance in the top 6 next year he could surprise some people.
Preziuso in my opinion was 100 percent reliant on Hamblin and without him he struggles to get anything done. Look at the chances he gets and he can never convert on them. He doesn’t have that touch around the net that a OA should have.
I believe Steele will be a 19 who could hardly get in the lineup..spot better used for a younger player perhaps.
They cannot keep Ostir next year. Six even strength goals in 50 games for a player in his 3rd year is not worthwhile bringing back as an overage. Jagear White had better stats as a 19 year old.
Obviously keeping Ostir is far from ideal, I was just saying if it came down to him or preziuso I’d keep Ostir. We are each entitled to our opinion.
Sean Montgomery on PA went from 12 goals to 29. Not saying Ostir does that but it’s junior hockey so you never know.
We have some strong prospects coming up this year as well that you didn't include in the lines which I think will be strong for the Tigers. One of them is forward Noah Danielson. He played a couple games with the Tigers near the end of the season when we had all of our injuries. I thought he looked really good. Another one I am curious to see is Dru Krebs. With that Krebs bloodline I am hoping he will be a good addition to our defence.
Ashton Ferster is another player in the mix next year as well. Had a good year as a 15 year old with 31 pots and has good size, 6’4. He and Sillinger worked well together at last years training camp.
I see Agyemen and Watson taking spots on next years D. With Krebs, he will only be 16 so he may get sent back to midget.
Another great defensive prospect is Aidan Brook, he has a good pedigree with his two older brothers in the WHL and he is already 6'3. He also had a good season this year. Hope the Tigers sign him!
For OA's, I don't think that Presuzio made a strong case to stay next year. He did not have a strong season and I didn't think he made an impact I the playoffs. I don't think Christianson was great but he played a bit more physical and I would keep him over Presuzio. BUT we REALLY need some strong gritty D men and bigger forwards....we really don't scare the opposing team going into the corners....that needs to change in my opinion. There are big, fast, skilled players out there and why, when every other team seems to find them, don't the Tigers land a few?
Willie D is coming back to MH. Earth calling Maser's get rid of Clouston bring back Willie!
Oh how we all wish that would happen! But it won't clouston has them brain washed that he is the best coach/gm in the whl and has the most wins as a tigers coach. Even though he has never been to the whl final or division final. He may have the most wins without winning anything.
He has been to a division final twice, but only has 1 victory in the 2 series.
The first year after Willie Left in 2010-2011 losing to Kootenay Ice in 4 straight in Round 3. 2013-2014 losing to the eventual memorial cup champions Edmonton 4-1 in round 3.
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In regards to OA, Prezusio does project to be a PPG player. I do think the Tigers will likely prioritize him over the others. Players do have a way of putting up big improvements as 19's and '20s, so ruling him out isn't a good idea, yet I don't like how his game goes through disappearing acts occasionally.
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I think the Tigers would probably keep 3 OA forwards to start with, but there are a few ways they can go.
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There was a play in the playoffs against the Oil Kings that rubbed me the wrong way. A player pushed Longo on top of Sogaard and no-one did anything or reacted. Longo was obviously a bit embarrassed, but there should have been a team response. They let their goaltender get run into and did nothing about it.
I feel that they need to be tougher in protecting the goaltender. When you let him get bumped and don't do anything about it repeatedly, the goaltenders start keeping track on players that may run into them, playing back in their net slightly because they are afraid of getting smoked again.
I feel that when the play is in their end, the closest 4 guys should encircle him and just stand their ground. Make the goaltender feel valued and the king of the crease, rather than getting pushed into and doing nothing about it. Make it difficult for the opposition.
I totally agree that they need to be way more aggressive in front of own net protecting goaltender and owning that space....I have commented before on how passive they are relative to other teams around own goal.
So the first two years after Willie left they would still be players Willie drafted.
I can't remember if Willie left before or after the whl draft. If he left after the draft it could be up to 6 years until everyone cycles through 100%. Realistically it's more like 5 years.
If he left before the draft subtract a year from those totals
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