2023/24 WHL Season Thread

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Going to be interesting following them in the 2nd half to see if these trades push them to be a top 4 team in the east or not.

Probably not, as the blades are a juggernaut, the tigers are young but loaded with talent and the warriors and Broncos also added big pieces. Brandon sold though and Red deer isn't particularly scary so they might take a run at passing those teams.

Meneghin is an x factor though, he could steal a playoff series if he's on. Kind of like skinner against the tigers back in 2017 I think when they upset med hat in game 7 OT, Wong with the winner.

I like that anholt was able to get a 2nd and 3rd for Zimmer along with langkow and a prospect. He should be able to snag a few more picks in the off season when he's trying to move some of these 19 year olds he's collected.

Langkow has been suspended after choosing not to report to Lethbridge. Of course there is no report as to why... That just makes me even more curious!

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Buff

Langkow has been suspended after choosing not to report to Lethbridge. Of course there is no report as to why... That just makes me even more curious!

Weird.

Maybe he's decided to pack it in?

A 19 year old with 6 points in 24 games is not exactly a big loss. Probably his last half year in the league anyways.

[getbak]

"Person reasons": https://chl.ca/whl-hurricanes/articl...olton-langkow/

[Roof-Daddy]

Tonight McKenna is playing his 7th game since the turn of the calendar.

He has 18 points and counting in those games so far. (2.57 points per game)

Kid's on fire, and the Tigers need it with Basha and Lindstrom out

[dash_pinched]

Gavin will be heavily relied upon with Lindstrom out likely until the beginning of March.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1746956358254219678

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1748711708577636606

[Roof-Daddy]

McKenna continues to tear it up, he has passed Basha, Lindstrom and Weisblatt and now leads the Tigers in points per game although he still trails Basha by one point and Weisblatt by 3 due to less games played).

He has also passed PG rookie Tarek Parascak in points per game to lead the rookie race (although once again he trails by 5 points due to less games played).

Ad again, 2-3 years younger than all these players. Going to be fun watching him continue to grow the next couple years if he's doing this now.

[Roof-Daddy]

...aaaaaand 4 more points tonight against the Warriors for McKenna

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

...aaaaaand 4 more points tonight against the Warriors for McKenna

Quite the home-and-home between Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat this weekend. Two really good teams trying to reel in Saskatoon.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Quite the home-and-home between Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat this weekend. Two really good teams trying to reel in Saskatoon.

No doubt. Fights, rough stuff, come from behind wins, lead changes, lots of goals...really good hockey.

[Roof-Daddy]

29 points in 12 games since the start of 2024 (2.41 ppg)

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

...aaaaaand 4 more points tonight against the Warriors for McKenna

Mrsic has been improving steadily and finding moments to use that high-end finishing ability of his. I also think Harsanyi is going to be a monster in this league.

Fun team to watch now and they're going continue to grow and develop in the next couple of seasons.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Drake

Mrsic has been improving steadily and finding moments to use that high-end finishing ability of his. I also think Harsanyi is going to be a monster in this league.

Fun team to watch now and they're going continue to grow and develop in the next couple of seasons.

Yeah the Tigers have some tough decisions next year. Mrsic, Harsanyi, St Martin have all shown huge growth, and depth guys like Spilka and McCann have taken strides as well.

They are in a position where they can bring back every forward next year if they want and keep Wesblatt, MacKenzie and Boehm as the three overagers but somehow they have to make room for the Ruck twins. Setting up to be a real juggernaut.

Losing three 20 year old D will sting, but they are being smart by getting all their young Dmen lots of games in this year on the bottom pairing and dressing 7 or evrn 8 Dmen regularly.

[dash_pinched]

...aaaaaand 4 more points tonight against the Pats for McKenna

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

...aaaaaand 4 more points tonight against the Pats for McKenna

I think he was about 20 points behind Parascak for the rookie scoring title back in December, he's now only 2 points back and has played 6 less games.

[dash_pinched]

Red Deer had a 4-1 lead on the Tigers going into period 3, Tigers tie it late in period 3 and score the OT winner to record a 5-4 win. McKenna with only two points tonight (1G, 1A), off night for him

[Roof-Daddy]

The Blades continue to establish themselves as the team to beat in the WHL IMO. However, Moose Jaw has been red hot since the turn of the calendar and are separating themselves from the rest of the pack.

The Tigers have a very deep offense, but have scuffled lately with the loss of Lindstrom. Luckily McKenna has picked up that slack somewhat, but they still miss that presence down the middle.

Red Deer is such a paper tiger IMO. They had been red hot but have cooled off, and it's not a surprise. They have an anemic offense and a +4 goal differential, it's a miracle they have a 0.598 point percentage. The Hurricanes for instance, have nearly an identical GF and GA yet are 10 points behind the Rebels in the standings.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

...aaaaaand 4 more points tonight against the Pats for McKenna

Yes, he did it again tonight including the GWG. 2 goals and 2 assists for Gavin in a 5-4 win.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Yes, he did it again tonight including the GWG. 2 goals and 2 assists for Gavin in a 5-4 win.

Since Jan. 1, he leads the entire CHL with 42 points (14G-28A), five more than the next skater (Calum Ritchie, 37 PTS).

[bdubbs]

So... can we be bad enough to draft McKenna when his time comes? Kid is a superstar in waiting.