19's and 20
Preseason I had Valk, Bredo, and Leier as next year overager locks......In my opinion that has changed a little.
Right now the only total lock I see is Curtis Valk. I would probably be giving a near 2nd lock to Dylan Bredo. Jake Doty has all of a sudden started to score with 5 goals in his last 8 games, and he is showing an offensive flair to his game. A tough guy that can score goals isn't something you wanna give away for cheap.
I don't think the Tigers will be looking to trade any of these guys specifically, but If another team comes calling it will take a good price to get one of them and I think those players maybe more valuable to the Tigers than what another team can offer. I don't expect a move to be made but if one happened It wouldn't shock me.
Forwards
I think their is a decent chance Valk and Shinkaruk are back next season which means another deadly top line. Their are still questions on how well the depth will perform. Will they be slightly above average, or will they tear the league up?
Can Koules, Cox, become scoring threats every game rather than Intermittently? Koules is showing an increased offensive flair to his game. I think by next season he will be scoring threat.
How will McVeigh perform? Does Bredo remain a defenceman? he has played exceptional back their so far.Sanford has been giving an increased role on the road and has looked good doing so.
Youngsters
Broadhead, Penner, Labelle, Sanford, Butcher, Owre That's 2 lines of players.
Next season Pearce and likely 1 of (Bredo Leier Doty) will be gone. That leaves 2 spots which are filled by the young guys on this years team. Next season with new faces their could be an abundance of younger guys
The Tigers may have some trade bait here purely based on too many players. They may get better value now being a year younger than waiting till next season. I think eventually a move or two will need to be made based on numbers, but their is no pressure to move any of them immediately.
The 16 year olds need to play in 40 games. The Tigers have 3 of them on the roster and will be cutting it close with 21, 24, and 26 games so far.
Defense The defense are more setup for a peak in 2 years but my gut likes the core group of Lewington, Jensen, Becker, Stanton, but they are still young. If Bredo was to be changed back their permanently they could possibly be a strong point next season, but that would leave 8 guys on the back-end this year. If Bredo does stay on defense the Tigers can dress 1 more forward and get them closer to the 40 game marks.
Goaltending
Goaltending is still questionable for next season. I like Langhamers instincts, his angles are getting better. I don't like his consistency. Still its a concern for next year. They could possibly make a move for next season but to me it feels like they are a little stuck with what they have.
Euro
The Tigers do have a euro spot. I think its unlikely they would trade for a 1 year rental player.
Overall
The Tigers do have some potential pieces to tinker with. What do you want to see happen?
25 comments:
Fire the GM/Coach!
Keep coach/GM!!!!
Trade someone for a goalie. 2 for 1 trade, maybe Leier and Bredo. I like what Doty has brought! And Broadhead will take over Leiers role easily.
I think Cox and Koules will up te production. I like our potential offense next year!
I disagree with firing the coach. I like that we are rebuilding, hopefully that brings a mem cup run!
How much for GM, coach ? 8 th rounder, maybe 10th . Or is this too much?
Heard hs9 is for offers.
Goalie are set, they are so happy with NHL drafted guy on roster and all the attention that brings. Hard to believe he was not on czeq JR natl team this year.
Agree, need coaching change
I dont know if anyone other than Valk or Bredo will atract enough in return to make it worth trading them. I would keep both of them as 20's. I agree Doty is moving into the mix for a 20.
I like Leir, but the points just aren't there.
BrooksCat
The yahoo Sports guy Kelly Friesen tweeted that he was told Saskatoon Made a big push for Hunter Shinkaruk but was told he is not going anywhere.
Hunter will be a Tiger for the long haul, no surprise there?
I wouldn't mind if the Tigers could aquire an 18 year old power forward who can score, but they would have to make room for him on the roster.
I think firing the coach would be stupid...you'd be in 100% rebuilding mode at that point. He is the one constant this season. There are so many new faces that losing Clouston would wipe out any chance of making the playoffs or being competitive.
Also, face it Tigers fans. We've been good for a decade. Are we due to suck a little bit. YES, OVERDUE. Think of who has gone top to bottom and back again in that time. The Hitmen and Rebels have missed playoffs, Kootenay is taking their licks now. The nature of the league is cyclical, and the fact that we are competing for a playoff spot and not the 1st overall pick next year in the Bantam Draft is a sign our coach is getting it done. We should have been brutal twice in the last 10 years, but first Willie and now Shaun have guided us through what should be bottom of the league type years and kept us competitive.
You don't have to like the head coach to cheer for the team. But get your heads out of your butts and realize that he is working with a very young group, molding players for the future, and still competing for a playoff spot!
And for all you people who think Clouston is so hard on the players: have you ever watched Rich Preston, Don Hay, or Lorne Molleken on the bench? Pay attention. Watch Clouston before and during the game. He reassures his players along the way. He might not be perfect, but he's doing a good job in my opinion getting us through what should be our basement stretch.
I think the Tigers are done for moves. Getting McVeigh for a disgruntled Hart was a good deal and there are enough offensive d-men to replace Bus's production. A bit more size up front anywhere in the lineup would be nice but I think Tigers hockey is based on speed and aggressive forechecking and that's not going to change anytime soon so these smallish players are good for the system the team plays.
I don't really expect any more moves to be made either, but their is room to Tinker with if they get an unexpected offer.
With all the prospects and young guys who are whl calibre players something will have to give eventually. We'll see if they wait till next year or make a move now.
Too all the people saying fire Clouston, let's see you guys step behind the bench and do a better job than him.
If they want to build for a cup run in a couple of year trade Hunter we could get so much for him and it would boost our prospects way up we aren't going anywhere this year or next but if Hunter is traded then all of the sudden we could build a power house team very quickly
I am suprized that Pearce has not been traded to Edmonton.
You can't trade a guy like Hunter. Guys like Hunter help the Tigers sign and recruit prospects or kids thinking of going the NCAA route. He is one of Medicine Hat's premier selling points at the moment, so he will not be going anywhere but the pros.
Tiger Turf, why do the 16 year olds need to play 40 games? What happens if they don't?
Hunter will go to the pros but he wont be successful i guarantee, his dive behind the boards was amazing he should get that "C" stripped from his jersey pathetic dive
Makes it fairer to the kids. The league doesnt want young guys to just ride the bench all season because its not fair to the kids that play.
I'm not sure what the penalties are if they don't play someone 40 games but their is leeway if someone gets injured.
Hunter will have a loooooong NHL career, Anon 10:16, don't be so critical of one move by a 17 year old kid! Good heavens! The shit that some young guys pull and you pick on Hunter for a dive, that does not occur often?!?!?! Shake your head!!
I agree no diving allowed!! They have been telling us that for years at every pool your at!! Close to the boards could be the same out come to yourself!!! No Diving!!! I also agree with the Firing of the GM/Coach!!!
Anon 10:16 watch the Saskatoon high lights and check out the kind of bs Hunter has to deal with all the time. The one Blades guy comes over and elbows him in the head then just starts beating on him in the scrum after the goal.
Tigers have one of the top ranked power plays in the league and have more penalties called on them because guys like hunter are so hard to handle and draw penalties.
Some of the fans on here i dont know how they can even call themselves fans!
Wow it's like he's playing a physical sport and actually the Tigers are middle of the pack for power play 10th out of 22 and I have a realistic look I don't blindly follow teams that's stupidity and it doesn't matter what league Midget Atom WHL NHL you don't dive period
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