Regina Pats
The first deal saw goaltender Daniel Wapple(18), and Centre Logan McVeigh(19) headed to Regina for 16 year old goaltender Nick Schneider and a 3rd round NHL Pick in 2016.
Vancouver Giants
The Tigers then flipped a 3rd round pick to Vancouver for 18 yr old Anthony Ast. Ast is 5'9 185lb who has run into injury troubles in Vancouver. His agent had requested a move according to Vancouver's website.
Analysis
So the Tigers get a goalie for the future in 16 yr old Schneider. Schneider was a listed player from the pats who was sent down but recalled, but is fairly highly touted. Sean Clouston mentioned that it was likely Phoenix was going to sign Langhamer and send him back to the Tigers next year, so wapple became expendable in favor of a younger player with a lot of potential.
This meant that McVeigh was on the bottom of the totem pole in regards to next years overagers so the Tigers acquired a younger player for him.
So these deals were basically a way to stay status quo and reduce losses for next season. I guess it means they don't feel they have the tools to go onto an extended run, and feel comfortable only having 2 forwards over 5'11. Edit: 3 With Bredo playing forward
Eastern Conference
This is my opinion only but to me the eastern conference was a bit weak. Their was no elite team this season., and that's why we saw Kootenay, Prince Albert, Regina, Swift Current, Edmonton, all bolster their lineup. We saw the Tigers in front of the pack...and falling back to earth in late November.
I think after the moves Calgary made they pushed themselves up to the top.
Overall
I am disappointed that the Tigers had a lot of pieces to the puzzle, but IMO it hasn't quite fell into place, but that remains to be seen. I think that they had a lot of potential and were close to becoming a powerhouse team with a couple tweaks to their roster.
They made moves last season to clear out older guys for the younger ones. They kept an older lineup this instead of prospects like Hobbs, Bradley, schultz. They decided to stay status quo reducing their losses for next season.
Playoffs
As for right now I see Swift Current, Calgary, Edmonton as threats to the Tigers chances. I think by playoffs Brandon will be a hard team to beat. It remains to be seen how PA or Regina's moves will effect them. Its going to be a dog fight for the finish, and hopefully Ast can bring some spark to the Tigers lineup. I think the Tigers finish anywhere from 3rd to 7th, and with this lineup I think a 2nd round playoff appearance, with potential to go further if they can get more consistent scoring.
20 comments:
I think the Tigers have set up for a potential 2016 Mem Cup run. When you look at the prospects and the good young forwards getting a lot of ice, there is a lot of potential there.
I, for one, do not mind that they did not sell off a bunch of picks just to "hang in there" a bit more. Decisive planning is what is going to get the Tigers a Mem Cup.
I think people are looking at it wrong. It was not a goalie for a goalie. I think McVeigh was a throw in. I think we got the good end of the deal with a young, bigger and highly touted goalie. Wapple is going to be 19 and since Langhammer is likely to be here next year, Wapple was not needed.
Ast is suppose to be awesome. Had injuries this year preventing him from getting "into a groove" but injuries that should not be ongoing. He has the ability to score and from what I saw of him in bantam, has a good shot, nose for the net and will get into the dirty areas.
I like these trades. Did not cost a lot and the tigers are ahead in the end.
We already had 3 - 16 year old goalies on our list; Didur, Hamm and Morris all who played in the intra squad game this year. We now add a 4th one to this age group because our Management can't decide if we have 1 that is capable?
Our GM never learns, 2 years in a row Tigers get hit and banged out of the playoffs and the Tigers go smaller (Blades defeated themselves the Tigers had it easy) this coaching staff seems to just think making the playoffs is the best we can do and with how players seem to want a trade every year it's a joke that we keep the staff the same
I disagree, I like that we have picks in our pocket and good prospects coming up. I would rather build for a true team who can win rather then wasting picks each year to try to make it a little bit further but not all the way. This year was not our year so why trade like it is. Tigers have to opportunity to make in 2016-ish.
Didur is small, Hamm is just ok and not sure Morris is the guy. I don't mind having goalies to trade if that is the case.
Clearly the Tiger management did not think the 16 year old goalies they had were good enough. Or only 1 might be and they want a second. I thought that is obvious.
Doesn't the CHL import ban on goalies go into effect next fall or is that 2015?
The drafted goalies can play out their eligibility. It may be likely last langhamer will be the last of the bunch.
I like the moves. A shake up to send a message, mix in a new guy with upsides, a goalie for the future rather then two starters, offloading an under-performing guy giving him the fresh start he may need. This all for essentially no cost = LIKE
Hummm < Seems like Tigers are sold on there euro goalie. Gave up a lot for Wapple IMO. Even euro is unproven. And bumped out good goalies so he can improve his game cause of his agent. Something is wrong with that, but Tigers still need scoring, stopping pucks is always a problem for any team.
Gave up a lot for Wapple Anon 5:27? What, by getting a 16 year old who has played well so far. A guy who they can get 4.5 years out of? How is that a lot?? Wapple numbers were lower the Langhammers, number speak for themselves.
Gosh, all of the negativity on this blog is completely unnecessary. I like today's moves.
1. This is not a year were we are able to make a lengthy playoff push, so to expect any big moves would be ridiculous.
2. Essentially, we got younger with Ast (who I believe is a perfect fit for the Tigers) and removed an under performing 19 year old. Then, we made an immediate upgrade in net(Wapple is a poor goaltender, bottom line) and got younger with the addition of Schneider.
Tiger Turf your comment about the "Tigers having pieces in place and with a couple of tweaks they could have been a power house" al changed when they lost Shinkaruk. Whether the haters want to admit it they lost there top offensive threat with no return and as is the case with most junior teams those types of players don't grow on trees and was a huge loss. While the dressing room may be a better place because of it I believe that's why the team went the direction they did.
very true
Anon 6:16 and 9:06, I agree with you both! I think Ast is a Tiger type of player. I am hoping he is able to take this chance and use his speed to find some chemistry with guys. He is also a play who gets in the dirty areas more and so we might see better production out of him. Either way, McVeigh, although a very nice guy, was not pulling his weight as a 19 year old and a fresh start for him might benefit him as well!
Looking forward to seeing Ast tonight! Go Tigers Go!
So McVeigh wasn't pulling his weight as a 19 year old but Becker is? McVeigh played exactly like he was said to be. Go read the report on McVeigh when we got him it's exactly what he was like
No Hunter to pick on anymore, so it's back to picking on Becker.
So how did Hunters surgery go or was it a hoax? Will he make a miraculous recovery in time for playoffs or are the Tiger players still not good enough for him?
And your correct McVeigh did a lot more for our team than Becker ever has. Pats fans should be over joyed with that trade
A defenseman and a forward bring entirely different skill sets and contributions to a team. A straight up comparison is about as fair as comparing an apple to an orange. Both are fruit. Some folks favor apples over oranges.
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