Post by IX2T311 on Feb 25, 2017 15:13:53 GMT
So it's at that point in the season again where I begin to speculate and wonder and imagine and numerous other synonyms, what will we be doing next year?
Personally this is actually quite a hard season for me to decide what I'd like to see, on one hand we have a lot of talent and passion in the team that finally seems to be coming together, but on the other hand we've under-performed so badly we can't afford to keep many players. I think almost every player would have a place on the team depending on how DS (if we have him next year) decides to build the squad. e.g. If he wants a super defensive team Cantin would probably be given the boot, but if he wants a very offensive-defence and good transitional play then he could be kept.
I don't know if I explained that well whatsoever so I'm just going to launch into it and hope you get my gist.
Netminders:
Brian Stewart- Unsure as to which way to cut this slate, in some ways his season has been the worst he's had with us, but within himself he's actually done very well and made some really excellent saves. Keep.
Renny Marr- As far as a backup goes I'd say he's as good as any other Brit out there, probably better than most actually. When he was put in the other night he did an exceptional job, he could do well for himself in a few years time if he develops right. Keep.
Defencemen:
Shawn Boutin- Makes a few too many blunders for me, could probably get better for the same cost, nothing special here, equally if there's no cheaper alternative then he's not too bad (though I'm certain there'll be plenty of alternatives out there. Release.
Marc Cantin- Don't think I can remember a single player who splits opinions quite like Cantin, I think I'd be more of a fan of him if he pushed up slightly less frequently, or if the forwards knew how to cover him slightly more effectively. Though I think he has more positives than negatives, would like to see a team more like him really. Keep.
David Clements- Well he's a Brit so obviously keep him, but generally I'd say he's come along well, quite solid, makes a few mistakes here and there and a few awry passes every so often, but quite happy with him. Keep.
Josh Godfrey- Wow. What a change from last year. Honestly could be an entirely new player, brilliant shot that's utilised so effectively this year, hard hitting yet he is rarely out of place, brilliant player in my eyes. Keep.
Jim Jorgensen- He's just a quality standard really, rarely ever has an exceptional game winning performance, but equally he rarely ever has a bad game, I'd probably want him promoted as Captain over Pietrus next year. Keep.
Kevin Noble- What's happened to him??? Disappeared off the face of the earth apparently, haven't heard a thing in weeks, though assuming he returns to the form he left off before he vanished then I'd keep him, draws plenty of penalties and agitates without even trying. Keep.
Matthew Selby and Jordan Stokes- Have they even played for us since the preseason? They're obviously Brits but I'd like to see more of them next year. Keep.
Forwards:
Robin Bergman- Pfff, outstanding, clearly tiers and tiers above the rest of his line and the only thing he's missing is a Ginand-like shot, shows buckets of talent, could do with someone with a better shot than Pietrus on the end of his passes in reality. Keep.
Russell Cowley- He must be getting on a bit now? Probably only has a season or two left in him. Keep.
Ben Davies- Ehhhh, he came to us much better than he seems to be right now, not sure if that's for any particular reason but I personally don't think he's being used right, would like to see this change next year, don't think I'd want him if he were an import. Keep.
Garrett Klotz- Don't think he's lost a fight all year? Levelheaded almost all the time, only seen him make one dumb play when he skated across the ice to start a fight that with someone that didn't want any of it when he really should've just let it go, aside from that I'm a fan, as good as any other enforcer I've seen, bit of a Cantin-esk problem with him mind, some people seem to dislike him. Also, whilst I'm on the subject, does anyone have any idea as to why he only seems to get about 5 minutes of ice time a game? He'll have bags of stamina and he's almost as good as any other forward we've got. Keep.
Matt Marquardt- Lucky to be on the same like as Almeida and Syner, I don't like him whatsoever, sooner he's gone the better in my eyes, recently he's started to impress a little more, follows through on his checks and now he's with a premade pair he can actually string a pass together. Release.
Jordan Pietrus- Don't know if the weight of captaincy has been a burden or if he's just had as bad as a season as the rest of our forwards, quite a disappointment after last year. Release.
Brett Robinson- Two years in a row he's become good near the end of the season after being useless for a good three quarters of the start, he may be one of our higher point scorers but honestly I think we'd be better without him. Release.
Liam Stewart- Love him, assuming he was a kind of one for one replacement with Tanaka I'd say we made an absolutely brilliant signing here, player of the season maybe? Keep.
Ashley Tait- 41 my arse, plays with the experience that comes with the age but in a body of someone who's 26, brilliant player, though I dare say he's looking at retiring soon. Keep (for as long as possible).
Ross Venus- Slightly disappointing compared to my expectations after last year, but oh well, if he can help generate a goal every 4/5 games it's a good deal, talented Brit, good penalty kill. Keep.
Barry Almeida AND T.J. Syner- What are these two doing in this league, absolutely amazing players, slightly lacking in size but genuinely a wonderful pair to watch, they work together so perfectly it's like they've been on the same line for years (haha). I put them together for the simple reason that I think they come and go as a pair. Keep them both.
Summary (Imports):
Keep: Brian Stewart, Cantin, Godfrey, Jorgensen, Noble, Bergman, Klotz, Liam Stewart, Almeida and Syner
Release: Boutin, Marquardt, Pietrus, Robinson
Personally this is actually quite a hard season for me to decide what I'd like to see, on one hand we have a lot of talent and passion in the team that finally seems to be coming together, but on the other hand we've under-performed so badly we can't afford to keep many players. I think almost every player would have a place on the team depending on how DS (if we have him next year) decides to build the squad. e.g. If he wants a super defensive team Cantin would probably be given the boot, but if he wants a very offensive-defence and good transitional play then he could be kept.
I don't know if I explained that well whatsoever so I'm just going to launch into it and hope you get my gist.
Netminders:
Brian Stewart- Unsure as to which way to cut this slate, in some ways his season has been the worst he's had with us, but within himself he's actually done very well and made some really excellent saves. Keep.
Renny Marr- As far as a backup goes I'd say he's as good as any other Brit out there, probably better than most actually. When he was put in the other night he did an exceptional job, he could do well for himself in a few years time if he develops right. Keep.
Defencemen:
Shawn Boutin- Makes a few too many blunders for me, could probably get better for the same cost, nothing special here, equally if there's no cheaper alternative then he's not too bad (though I'm certain there'll be plenty of alternatives out there. Release.
Marc Cantin- Don't think I can remember a single player who splits opinions quite like Cantin, I think I'd be more of a fan of him if he pushed up slightly less frequently, or if the forwards knew how to cover him slightly more effectively. Though I think he has more positives than negatives, would like to see a team more like him really. Keep.
David Clements- Well he's a Brit so obviously keep him, but generally I'd say he's come along well, quite solid, makes a few mistakes here and there and a few awry passes every so often, but quite happy with him. Keep.
Josh Godfrey- Wow. What a change from last year. Honestly could be an entirely new player, brilliant shot that's utilised so effectively this year, hard hitting yet he is rarely out of place, brilliant player in my eyes. Keep.
Jim Jorgensen- He's just a quality standard really, rarely ever has an exceptional game winning performance, but equally he rarely ever has a bad game, I'd probably want him promoted as Captain over Pietrus next year. Keep.
Kevin Noble- What's happened to him??? Disappeared off the face of the earth apparently, haven't heard a thing in weeks, though assuming he returns to the form he left off before he vanished then I'd keep him, draws plenty of penalties and agitates without even trying. Keep.
Matthew Selby and Jordan Stokes- Have they even played for us since the preseason? They're obviously Brits but I'd like to see more of them next year. Keep.
Forwards:
Robin Bergman- Pfff, outstanding, clearly tiers and tiers above the rest of his line and the only thing he's missing is a Ginand-like shot, shows buckets of talent, could do with someone with a better shot than Pietrus on the end of his passes in reality. Keep.
Russell Cowley- He must be getting on a bit now? Probably only has a season or two left in him. Keep.
Ben Davies- Ehhhh, he came to us much better than he seems to be right now, not sure if that's for any particular reason but I personally don't think he's being used right, would like to see this change next year, don't think I'd want him if he were an import. Keep.
Garrett Klotz- Don't think he's lost a fight all year? Levelheaded almost all the time, only seen him make one dumb play when he skated across the ice to start a fight that with someone that didn't want any of it when he really should've just let it go, aside from that I'm a fan, as good as any other enforcer I've seen, bit of a Cantin-esk problem with him mind, some people seem to dislike him. Also, whilst I'm on the subject, does anyone have any idea as to why he only seems to get about 5 minutes of ice time a game? He'll have bags of stamina and he's almost as good as any other forward we've got. Keep.
Matt Marquardt- Lucky to be on the same like as Almeida and Syner, I don't like him whatsoever, sooner he's gone the better in my eyes, recently he's started to impress a little more, follows through on his checks and now he's with a premade pair he can actually string a pass together. Release.
Jordan Pietrus- Don't know if the weight of captaincy has been a burden or if he's just had as bad as a season as the rest of our forwards, quite a disappointment after last year. Release.
Brett Robinson- Two years in a row he's become good near the end of the season after being useless for a good three quarters of the start, he may be one of our higher point scorers but honestly I think we'd be better without him. Release.
Liam Stewart- Love him, assuming he was a kind of one for one replacement with Tanaka I'd say we made an absolutely brilliant signing here, player of the season maybe? Keep.
Ashley Tait- 41 my arse, plays with the experience that comes with the age but in a body of someone who's 26, brilliant player, though I dare say he's looking at retiring soon. Keep (for as long as possible).
Ross Venus- Slightly disappointing compared to my expectations after last year, but oh well, if he can help generate a goal every 4/5 games it's a good deal, talented Brit, good penalty kill. Keep.
Barry Almeida AND T.J. Syner- What are these two doing in this league, absolutely amazing players, slightly lacking in size but genuinely a wonderful pair to watch, they work together so perfectly it's like they've been on the same line for years (haha). I put them together for the simple reason that I think they come and go as a pair. Keep them both.
Summary (Imports):
Keep: Brian Stewart, Cantin, Godfrey, Jorgensen, Noble, Bergman, Klotz, Liam Stewart, Almeida and Syner
Release: Boutin, Marquardt, Pietrus, Robinson
