Quote:
Originally Posted by djsFlames
Tanguay - Stajan - Cammalleri
Baertschi - Backlund - Hudler
Stempniak - Knight - Horak
Jackman - Bouma - Mcgrattan
Is what we're currently looking at. Definitely need to offload 1-2 more aging vets. Making room for Reinhart will be tough.. Even more so if we draft a centerman at #6 that they feel can slot in next season as well.
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Being that Bouma is coming off a lost year he is not guaranteed anything. He and Reinhart will have to battle for the last couple of spots, along with several other guys like Hanowski, Byron etc. Not to mention that Jackman and McGrattan will be in and out of the lineup several times this year.
PLUS, it wouldn't hurt Reinhart to spend the bulk of the year in the AHL to work on his offensive game at the pro level. He was just a little off from scoring quite a few goals during his NHL call up and needs to work on that goal scoring touch.
Whoever we draft will challenge for a roster spot, but more than likely will start the year in Abbotsford...unless somehow we pull off a miracle and draft Jones, MacKinnon, or Drouin.
Next year we have lots of expiring contracts: Cammalleri, Stajan, Stempniak, Jones, Jackman, Sarich, Smith. At that point, just about every available prospect will be called on to play for the big club, with a sprinkling of veteran signings to balance out the lineup (wouldn't mind keeping Stempniak for example).
All I'm saying is there isn't any point to rushing prospects. They are in the plans long term and development means perfecting your game at the lower level before being called on to play in the NHL regularly. Look at Brodie for the most recent example of how to give a guy that was seemingly NHL ready the proper development to become the best possible player he can.