Tigers Start Season 1-1

WHL & More Statistics
I was pleasantly surprised that the whl is now publicly keeping track of more statistics. Shots on goal are now tracked. Also faceoff wins/losses are now tracked on the game box-scores.

Through the first 2 games the Tigers dominated the faceoff circle. Canes Giorgio Estephan took almost half of the Lethbridge faceoffs, but the Canes other centremen Jadon Joseph and Dylan Cozens were a combined 6/29 Saturday night.

Scratches
Tigers were without Jordan Hollett, Zach Fischer, Mason Shaw, Kristians Rubins.  David Quenneville returned in time for the 2nd game in Medicine Hat. The Tigers only dressed 2 OA's for the opening games due to their injury situation.


Thoughts
I felt like the Tigers were pretty rusty in their first game in Lethbridge. They played ok, but ran into some penalty troubles which really hurt them. They looked a bit uncoordinated at times, but that is to be expected with so many new faces in the lineup.

New Faces Playing Their First WHL Games
Linus Nassen, Daniel Baker,Trevor Longo, Mick Kohler, Henry Rybinksi  all played their first WHL Games.

Newcomers Cole Clayton, Baxter Anderson, Dawson Heathcote, Josh Williams all saw some action last season filling in for injuries.

Roster Players Who didn't Dress
Joel Craven(17), Nick McCary(16), Jaxon Steele(17)
The Tigers dressed 7 Defenceman for the 2nd game.

Linus Nassen
What a boost getting him into the lineup. He logged a ton of ice-time through both games.  The scouting report says he needs to improve his defensive game but he looks to have a pretty active stick and skates pretty well. Reminds me of former Tiger Import Tomas Kundratek. He was used as their #1 Dman through the first couple games

Josh Williams
We are going to love this guy. He looks like an 18 year vet ready for a breakout season. Extremely quick for a 16 yr old. 16 yr olds don't usually contribute a whole lot in their first season, but Williams took a place on the top line for both weekend games and did not look out of place scoring his first WHL regular season goal

Cameron MacPhee
He was very physical throughout the opening games. He will probably become a fan favorite.

James Hamblin
Continued his strong play from last season. He only had 1 assist, but looked dangerous and was a catalyst for a lot of chances.

Dalton Gally
I think he knows coming into the season with a lot of new faces that he has to push his game to another level. Their is a lot of good young talent on the back-end that want his ice-time and Gally played well and needs to keep pushing his game.

Import Debate
I really liked what I saw from both Imports. Kohler is a big body that protects the puck. Nassen was the #1 dman on the ice.

The Tigers have 2 different options here:
1)  Release Rubins and either keep Bullion or get another overage player.
2) Release or trade Kohler and keep Rubins & Nassen.

Kohler is the type of forward the Tigers need as a bigger body on the ice, but the Tigers won't be able to replace the minutes that Rubins and Nassen will eat on the back-end.

I think in this case it makes more sense to keep both Rubins & Nassen because of the reason above as well as they give up assets to gain an overage, and they will gain assets to trade Kohler.

Tricky Situation
That leads to a tricky temporary situation when Rubins&Fischer return, and Hollett isn't quite ready to go. It means either McGovern may be relied on for a weekend or two, or they will want Rubins+Fischer to take their time recovering until Hollett is ready to go.


Players in Danger
Tyler Prezusio - I feel like he is in danger of falling behind the new talent on the roster. I didn't really like his opening games. If his production dips between now and November his ice-time may fall. He will have to take his game to another level to ensure the rookies don't take his ice-time away.

Michael Bullion - It's because of his OA status.  Unless something unexpected happens his stay may only be for a few more weeks.

Baker(16), Longo(17), Craven(17) - these 3 are fighting for the 8th defensive spot. I could easily see the Tigers keeping 8dmen this year due to the talent in the lineup. Also Nassen might play for Sweden at the world juniors.

Overage Deadline
I'm not sure when this is, but it is usually the 2nd week in October, which means it is a couple weeks away.

By this deadline the Tigers need to decide on their Overagers, Imports and be under the 25 player limit.  IF a player is injured past this date the Tigers then have just over a week to release a player.

Once the Injured players returns the dominoes should fall as expected, unless of course something unexpected happens like a blockbuster trade or injury.

Linus Nassen Reportedly Headed to the Hat

Edit: Linus Nassen is now listed on the Tigers Roster page

Really excited to join @tigershockey this season! See u all guys soon 🇨🇦

— Linus Nässén (@Linusnaessen) September 19, 2017

I also found this Swedish news article that confirms his home club in Sweden confirming the move.
http://www.luleahockey.se/artikel/1ofraj7rm-30c4d/linus-nassen-lanas-ut


It appears that despite the bad luck and rash of injuries, some good luck is finally happening;, however this now makes the overage/Euro Situation a little tricky and may prompt some moves to be made.

Fischer & Rassell Return
The Medicine Hat News & Calgary Flames are reporting that Zach Fischer & Mark Rassell have been sent back to the Tigers

http://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2017/09/19/flames-send-tigers-fischer-rassell-back-to-medicine-hat/

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-reduce-roster-by-21/c-291172766?tid=282300716


Overager Situation
It appears(not confirmed) that Brad Forrest had been released as he is no longer listed on the Tigers roster sheet. Someone also commented last post that he was released.

The Tigers have 3 Imports
Kristian Rubins
Linus Nassen
Mick Kohler

With 4 Overagers
Kristians Rubins
Mark Rassell
Zach Fischer
Michael Bullion

This begs the question on if Kristians Rubins would be the odd guy out or will they drop/trade Mick Kohler?


Edited: 5:00PM

Schultz Not Returning Confirmed

Medicine Hat News
The Medicine Hat News has answered our questions about the unconfirmed rumors of Ty Schultz not returning to the Tigers and potentially going to china.  You can read the full article on their website.
http://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2017/09/07/schultz-wont-be-returning-to-tigers/


Rumors
Rumors started cropping up after he wasn't listed on the Tigers pre-season roster.
One poster brought forward an article from NBC. It shed light that shultz was potentially looking to play for Team China as well as being injured. Another commentor mentioned that he was going to go over and play in the KHL.


Ty Schultz Injury
The article goes on to mention that despite recovering from a broken leg, he was battling a nagging groin issue the rest of the season and well into the off-season. He estimated it will take a few more months for his injuries to heal.

-----------

The Overage Situation 

Remaining OA
Kristians Rubins
Zach Fischer
Mark Rassell
---
Michael Bullion
Brad Forrest

Couple Questions Remain
Their are still a few questions. Uncertainty remains in their goal-tending situation with Michael Bullion's overage status and whether the Tigers will use Hollett as the starter to keep an extra OA at forward/defence

Their is also uncertainty on  the availability of Zach Fischer should the flames decide to keep him in the AHL.  Linus Nassen looks doubtful he will come to camp, since the Tigers haven't heard anything from him at the start of camp. That means that Rubins would be a lock to stay. He played already in a pre-season game so it appears he has fully recovered from his off-season recuperation. If Nassen suddenly decided to show up that could make things  interesting.
---

Tigers At Camp
Lots of NHL Rookie Camps are set to get underway this weekend
NHL  is live-streaming a lot of prospect games
https://www.nhl.com/video/live-san-jose-vs-colorado/t-281013894/c-52155910

Young Stars Classic Sept 8th - 11th
Flames Facebook Page is live streaming their games: https://www.facebook.com/NHLFlames
Zach Fischer - Calgary Flames
Mark Rassell - Calgary Flames


Traverse City Prospects Tournament Sept 8-12th
Mason Shaw - Minnesota Wild

Buffalo Prospect Challenge Sept 7th -11th
James Hamblin - Boston Bruins

Toronto Rookie Tournament Sept 8-10th
Jordan Hollett - Ottawa

Arizona Coyotes
Max Gerlach

Ottawa Senators
Jordan Hollett - Not attending due to sickness.