2018-2019 Saskatoon Blades

Saskatoon 

Offence

Eric Florchuck(18)(.7)	Kirby Dach(17)(.88)	Max Gerlach(20)(1.08)
Bradly Goethals(20)(.46)	Chase Wouters(18)(.71)	Josh Patterson(19)(.74)
Kristian Roykas Marth(18)(N/A)	Logan Christensen(19)(0.24)	Michael Farren(18) (.35)
Kyle Crnkovic(16)(N/A)	Brandon Machado(18)(.07)	Alec Zawatsky(19)(.19)

Ethan Mack(17)
Arjun Atwal(19) - Not sure if still listed
Tristen Robins(17)
Gage Ramsay(20)(.3)
Tyler lees(18)(09)

Notes
Pretty dangerous top 2 lines with the potential for 3 dangerous scoring lines.

The development of Wouters and Florchuck, Patterson, Dach, along with veteran Max Gerlach is a very impressive Top 5.  I have all 5 of those guys reaching PPG status.

Brady Goethals is a late bloomer. Last season was basically his first full season where he put up almost .5 PPG game. I expect an increase from him if he plays in the Top 6.

The blades also have 2 more players to keep an eye on. Michael Farren had better numbers in his 16yr old year than his 17yr old year. He put up near .5 ppg as a 16 but that dropped to .35 last season.

The blades are expecting 7th Round NHL Pick and Import selection Kristian Roykas Marthinsen to cross the pond. Kristian saw time in both of Sweden's Junior and Men's league's last season. Seeing an import playing a few games in a men's league is usually a good sign that they can put up some numbers in the WHL.

They may have a few "older fillers" that will get pushed out of the lineup in favor of some younger talent. The blades will be able to score goals and offence shouldn't be a problem.

Defence

Dawson Davidson(20)(.62)	Jackson Caller(19)(.37)
Jake Kustra(19)(.25)	Seth Bafaro(18)(.17)
Aiden De La Gorgendiere(16)	Randen Schmidt(18)(.19)

Ashton Zachary(17)
Payton McIsaac(18)
Emil Malysjev(17) I

Notes:

I'm a bit unfamiliar with this group. Davidson is more of a puck moving/offensive defenceman. Jackson Caller had a big breakout year last season. I'm really unsure as to the calibre of the blades defence. They were 4th worst in the whl last season. They also lost 2 important Dmen in Evan Fiala and Mark Rubinshik.

IF there is a weakness defense may be it. I don't know enough about them to get a solid grasp of their group. 


Goalies
Nolan Meier(17)(.895)
Koen MacInnes(16)
Joel Gryzbowski(19)

Their starter Meier while young impressed last year as a 16yr old and beat out overager Tyler Brown for icetime late in the season. He is one of the top Rookies in the 17yr old class. Goaltending while young should be solid. 

Imports

Kristian Roykas Marthinsen

LW

19

Emil Malysjev

D

17

The blades have announced that they expect both of them to report.

Other OA & Player Notes
Gage Ramsay(20)(.3) Likely an odd man out.


Drafting Outlook

Draft Positioning	Age	Picks	Position
2013	20	2,2,4	Late
2014	19	2,2,2,3,3,4	Early
2015	18	1,1,2,3,5,5	Middle
2016	17	1,2,3,5	2nd
2017	16	1,1,2,2,2,5,5	5th
2018	15	1,2,4,4,5	6th

Notes
The Blades have been in the basement for a while recovering from their past Memorial Cup Run. With a proper recovery, as shown above, the Blades should be a dominant team this season, as well as having strong teams for the next 4 years.  They have the makings to be the beasts of the Easts the next few seasons.


Last Season
.514 Winning Percentage

Offensive Raw Strength
277-234



Prognosis
The blades will be back in business this season. They have a lot of good young talent in their roster that is well ahead of the curve.  Right now I'm unsure of their defence because I don't know enough about them.

Looking at Brandon and Prince Albert, Saskatoon could have the more explosive forward core. I expect all 3 teams to compete for the top of the East.

We may see the blades in the market for a defenceman (but that might just be me not knowing enough of their D-core.). Anyway, I think they are in contention anywhere from 1-3rd.

Next Up

Swift Current Broncos Releasing Tuesday August 21st.