Saskatoon Blades 2019-2020

Forwards

Ryan Hughes(20)(1.13)	Eric Florchuck(19)(.74)	Chase Wouters(19)(.57)
Kyle Crnkovic(17)(.6)	Tristen Robins(18)(.37)	Cyle McNabb(19)(.17)
Zach Huber(19)(.18)	Colton Dach(16)(NA)
Randen Schmidt(19)(.1)		XXX

Kirby Dach(18)(1.18)

Riley McKay(20)(.4)

Kirby Dach was drafted 3rd overall by Chicago. Chicago's GM Stan Bowman told the media he will be given the chance to make the NHL Team. There is room for him to make the lineup on the 3rd or 4th line. He will be given an extended look and If he comes back it won't be until late October after his 10 game NHL stint.

Without Kirby Dach in the lineup, I count 3 PPG players (Kyle Cmkovic, Eric Florchuck, and Ryan Hughes, with chase Wouters potentially flirting with the mark as well. They have Tristen Robins around the .5ppg mark, but after that scoring depth dries up.

They have a combination of some fillers and young guys. They expect some good things from Kirby Dachs brother Colton who was drafted 6th overall in 2018.

If their trying for 1st their offense is a little lean. They have a great topline, but it feels like they are relatively average without Dach in their lineup.

Defense

Scott Walford(20)(.76)	Nolan Kneen(20)(.82)
Libor Zabransky(19)(.26)	Radek Kucerik(18)(NA)
Majid Kaddoura(18)(.05)	Aidan De La Gorgendiere(17)(NA)
Alex Ozar(17)(NA)

Parker Malchuk(18)(.02)

 They acquired Walford from Victoria who was their captain last season. Kneen and Walford will be an impressive top pairing. Then comes a pair of imports. Libor Zabransky played with the Kelowna Rockets and was then cut to the USHL. Kucerik was the captain of his team last season in the under19 Czech league. Imports are always a bit volatile so we can't expect these Imports to be bonda fida 2nd line defenceman.

I feel this group is top heavy and a bit volatile. They could be anywhere from slightly below average to above average due to the unknown factor of the Imports.

Goaltending

Nolan Maier(18)(.910)

Koen MachInnes(17)(NA)

This will be Mair's 3rd season as a starter. As long as they remain healthy their goaltending will be above average.

Draft History

Year/DOB	Age	Notes	Pos
2018(2003)	16	No 3rd, Ex4th	6th
2017(2002)	17	Extra 1st, +2 2nds	5th
2016(2001)	18	No 4th	4th
2015(2000)	19	Ex 1st	12th
2014(1999)	20	No 1st, 3 2nds, 2 3rds	3rd

Suggests the Blades should have an above-average team with early picks in their 18+19 age group with an extra 1st rounder in 2015

Import & Overage

Import Libor Zabransky played with the Kelowna Rockets and was then cut to the USHL. 

Radek Kucerik is signed and expected to come over.

Blades just swapped OA with Victoria sending Gary Haden to Victoria for Scott Walford

Initial Thoughts

I think they have the potential for a Home Ice Playoff spot, but they will join teams such as PA, Winnipeg, and potentially Brandon that seem to have similar quality teams.  All 3 teams have decent cores but some holes regarding depth. 

They spent a lot of assets going for it last season. Their 2021 draft is already missing their top 2 picks. I feel in order to become a bona fida team they will still need to acquire more depth which would likely mean they are going to be in recovery mode as soon as next season again.

Impressive top lines, their meat on the second line is a bit lean and after that depth falls off. They will compete for a Home Ice Playoff spot, but I could easily see them in the 3rd spot as well, especially if the injury bug bites.  If Dach does come back they are looking a lot better and I would vault them as a favourite for 2nd and competing for first.