Abbotsford post-mortem

[icarus]

Dhiren Mahiban article for Canadian Press

The rookie-laden Heat scored a league-low 186 goals, and its power play ranked 27th out of 30 teams...

According to Playfair, it was the team's play against the North Division, and particularly the Manitoba Moose, which prevented it from reaching the post-season. Abbotsford was 2-4-2 against the Vancouver Canucks affiliate, including a pair of winless games in Manitoba during a crucial road trip in late March...

Goaltender Leland Irving was arguably the team's MVP, setting career highs in wins (30), shutouts (eight) and games played (61). Irving's 30 wins were second among all goaltenders and his eight shutouts was a league-best...

I think it's a shame that Witch Mall missed so much of the season due to injury, but I think this year's pro experience for he and Brodie will go a long way towards being better next season, even more so if Bouma and Nemisz don't make the full-time Flames lineup. The slightly easier schedule will probably benefit the Heat more than any other team as well. This was probably Kris Chucko's last kick at the can for the Flames organisation and he played only 2 games due to injury.

[Freeway]

The team's lack of scoring was their downfall, and that was more a result of [a] not having any sure-fire NHL snipers in their line-up and [b] losing some key players at tough times to injury and call-ups.

That said, Ryan Stone emerged as a strong leader on the team (along with Quintin Laing) and Leland Irving stepped up.

[REDVAN]

Their roster should be bolstered next year by a bunch of new kids (ie/ one or two...)

Oh and the addition of Kotalik and Hagman.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Let's look at it this way, even though it's been said 100 times on this forum:

The top 10 scorers on the team included four rookies (Brodie, Nemisz, Patterson, Bouma) and Bancks was not far behind.

If this trend continues, I'll be happy with Sutter's picks for the next few years.

[bubbsy]

a year of experience for some kids, plus more skilled guys entering the team next year, and then having stajan as a second line pivot should help the offense next year.

[Nuckleduster]

Yep. Certainly from a Flames perspective, better to have a farm team full of plucky kids than a retirement home for failed vets, though a few more vets who are capable of providing mentorship would be good too.

[Freeway]

Howse and Bennett are more or less locks to be in Abbotsford (although Bennett needs to be signed). I'd imagine Ortio starts in Abbotsford and MAYBE Tim Erixon. That also means a decent shot for C.J. Severyn and/or Aaron Marvin to get a contract, if only to fill out the bottom six a little bit.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Anyone think that Dowling will get an ELC.

I was quite impressed watching him in the few games he played. In fact, he did quite well in his AHL debut with 4 points in 8 games.

However, if signing Dowling means that Bancks won't get a contract then I'd rather have Bancks.