Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelino
Maybe I have a lower opinion on Shinkaruk, but if he is the 1st line RW next season, I think Calgary will have a long tough season ahead. Hoping they can fill that spot in UFA. Shinkaruk could use more time developing in the AHL.
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See, I'm not that worried. I don't see a long term option in the system and I just don't think we'll have the cap space or the pull to bring in a decent UFA. I want one more year of evaluation. I want to see what the likes of Colborne, Bouma, Kevin, Ferland and Shinkaruk can do. I want to see prospects come up and get an extended look to see if they can find a place in the team.
I think our improvement will come from hopefully a new coach who is bit more of a possession based guy. We have a pretty malleable group who would take to the transition well I think. If we improve our advanced numbers, plus bring in a goalie tandem who can give us the league average, I think with Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Backlund, Frolik, Colborne and the defence, we'll have enough offence to keep us out of the bottom 7-8 and maybe keep us in play off contention into mid March. Where we need to improve next season for me is having the puck more and being better when we don't have it.
12 months time is when I'm really expecting big changes amongst the forwards. This years 1st rounder should be ready to have an impact, Bennett will be going into his 3rd year fresh off a breakout 16-17 season(hopefully), we'll have cleared Engellend, Smid, Raymond and Wideman off the books, so should be able to get some help in free agency. Backlund, Bouma and Stajan will be into the last year of their deals, so they might be a bit more moveable if that's the direction you want to take. Next season imo will be another tough season. Maybe not as a bad as this one, but still not great. 17-18 is our take off season I think.