Sunday, August 18, 2019

Lethbridge Hurricanes 2019-2020


Forwards
Depth purposes only, not line combos

Oliver Okuliar(19)(.64)
Dylan Cozens(18)(1.24)
Logan Barlage(18)(.57)
Zack Stringer(16)(NA)
D-Jay Jerome(20)(.62)
Dino Kambeitz(19)(.37)
Alex Thacker(17)(NA)
Adam Hall(18)(.15)
Justin Hall(18)(.22)
XXX
Tyson Phare(17)(0)

Jake Leschyshyn(20)(1.22)
Jordy Bellerive(20)(1.22)
Nick Henry(20)(1.4)
Zachary Cox(20)(.23)
Scott Mahovlich(20)(.24)

I think their only big name that will return is Dylan Cozens. Buffalo drafted Cozens and the GM stated he will likely need 1 more year of junior. Cozens also broke his thumb in the off-season and will likely be out until early October.

Coming into this season it appeared that they would be in rebuild mode, but they've added some veteran talent into their roster.

 They've made 6 deals including acquiring Dino Kambeitz(19), D-Jay Jerome(19) and adding 19yr old Import Oliver Okuliar with their lone Import Draft Selection.

Right now they've upgraded their offence from a 1 line team with significant depth issues into potentially an above-average team with minor depth issues.

I see One PPG player, Two  0.75+ players, Two .5ppg players.  Their offence looks to be about average.

Defence
Calen Addison(19)(.97)
Ty Prefontaine(20)(.4)
Danila Palivko(18)(.25)
Koletrane Wilson(20)(.28)
Alex Cotton(18)(.2)
Rylan Thiessen(18)(NA)


Their defence isn't that bad.  Addison is a puck-moving forward, Prefontaine a defenceman with a mean streak who takes care of his own end. This combo is a premier #1 pairing.  Pavliko progressed well through the season as a 17 and is a big strong kid at 6'5 182. Koletrane Wilson is a big stay at home defenceman who can skate

If they do keep 2 20yr olds I see this group as being above average.

Goaltending
Bryan Thompson(17)(.898)
Carl Tetachuk(18)(.909)

Their goaltending looks ok. Normally I'd say they are a bit young and in the average category but Carl Tetachuk held himself up very well as he was forced to be Lethbridge's starter down the road last season as a 17. 

Draft History

Year/DOB
Age
Notes
Pos
2018(2003)
16
No 3rd
8th
2017(2002)
17
Extra 2nd, No 3rd, Extra 4th
16th
2016(2001)
18
19th
2015(2000)
19
No 4th,5th
2nd
2014(1999)
20
2 Extra 2nds, No 3rd, 2 Extra 4ths
2nd

Suggests they might be average. Early picks in 2015, but late picks in 2016.

Import & Overage
It is largely expected that Leschyshyn and Bellerive are for sure goners to the AHL. Leschyshyn was drafted and signed.. Bellerive was signed 2 seasons ago. Both are 99.9% not returning.

 Nick Henry was a later signing last May. Colorado has 12 signed AHL forwards next season, so it's tough to say whether he will come back or not. Right now there is room to move up.

I feel Cozens will be back but may miss a couple weeks to start the season.
Their newest Import has signed (played qmjhl last year), and Pavliko should return for the 2nd season.

Initial Thoughts
Lethbridge always seems to be heavy-handed in the trade department. I'm not exactly sure what direction they are going in. They've made numerous moves to get older with more experience.

I feel they are slightly lean on depth and injury problems would take a big toll on them. 
I almost expect them to continue to add pieces otherwise it doesn't make sense to pull off some veteran talent just to get into wildcard position.

Right now I feel their roster is extremely volatile. If they were to get an unexpected OA to return and add more meat in the 3rd lines, they are likely in the mix competing for a Home Ice Playoff spot. If they run into injury issues they could very easily slip into wildcard positioning due to the strength of the central. It may be poor foresight to bolster their team for this season, due to the strength of the division.

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