Rounding Out the Roster
The 2007-2008 season is drawing closer and closer the Isles roster can only be tweaked so much. Although the Isles have ample cap space to make a significant transaction, it does not appear that Garth Snow will be looking to add a prominent player where he would have to sacrifice an Okposo or a Gervais. Let's take a look at the Isles depth thus far and see how the roster will probably round out.
The Forwards:
As of now, the Isles have about 15 NHL caliber forwards currently signed for this season. While that sounds like a great thing, there's a slight dilemma. More than half of these forwards would not be more than 4th line players on a majority of NHL teams, even though a few might be able to handle an increased responsibility on the Isles. The NHL veterans and the unproven youngens who are probably as of now 4th tier forwards include Chris Simon, Richard Park, Jon Sim, Andy Hilbert, Shawn Bates, Jeff Tambellini, Sean Bergenheim, Franz Nielson & Nokie. There are arguments that Sim is better than a 4th liner after his 17 goal season and that Tambellini/Bergenheim could each have breakout seasons, so time will tell if these individuals can prove themselves as legit NHL forwards this season. Personally, I believe Bergenheim can be an effective 2nd line winger, and I still have hope that Tambellini can take a huge leap this season into a 1st line winger. It's risky to rely blindly on the kids, but that's a risk I think this organization needs to take this season.
As for the rest of the offense, I see Comrie as a shoe-in for first line center duty. While his point production has fluctuated over the recent seasons, it will be a breath of fresh air to see a center who has something to prove. Guerin should be able to handle first line wing duty after a solid 36 goal performance. Guerin has good wheels so he's not one of those aging lethargic forwards who will be gassed playing an up-tempo game. Fedotanko has never been a first line forward, but he has scored some clutch goals in the past. And for the first time, he will be out of the shadows of superstars Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Richards. He also has something to prove, so even though there is a lack of options to fill the other 1st line wing position along with Guerin (Tambellini would be my other choice), it's possible Tank can break out. Likely? I'm not sure, but definitely possible. First Line - Guerin-Comrie-Fedotenko.
Satan is a 2nd line winger, I'm not sure anyone can argue against that. Vasicek will be the 2nd line center, so there's no point arguing against that (that was why he was signed). The 3rd member of the 2nd line? My choice is Bergenheim. As I mentioned above, it's time to give these kids (Berg/Tamb) a real shot to contribute for an entire season. Is this line formidable? Maybe not, but if the line clicks then things will be looking good this season. Second Line - Satan-Vasicek-Bergenheim.
Speaking of lines that click, I think (again based on a lack of options) that Nolan must leave intact the 3rd line of Hunter-Silinger-?Hilbert?) Nolan will probably give Hilbert a roster spot, although I don't think he will earn one in training camp. Sim might be a better choice here, because at least he can score. If Hilbert is in the lineup over Berg/Tamb, I think I'll have a heart attack. 3rd Line - Hunter-Silinger-Sim.
That leaves the fourth line with Nolan choosing between Simon, Park, Bates, Hilbert, Nielson and Nokie. You know simon will be there, along with Park and Bates. You also know Bates will tear a hamstring at some point this season. I think Nolan will leave Nielson and Nokie in the Bridge this season, so the 4th line probably will be a mixture of Simon-Park-Bates-Hilbert.
This 4th line is very capable of jolting energy on a lackluster night, so I wouldn't be too concerned here. The question is whether the top 3 lines can hold up and compete against a very tough Eastern Conference, and an even tougher Atlantic Division.
Defense later...
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10 comments:
I pray that this season we actually see some youth on the top 2 lines or even just in lineup at the forward position. i think bergy can play on the second line if not the first. He's fast, plays hard, bangs bodies and digs pucks out. bergy, comrie, and guerin sounds nice. I also would like to see tambi play but i feel because we resigned hilbert and still have the horrendous bates, we may not see him until bates inevitably tears something. i think we can put together an energetic, hardworking team this year. I think teddy can do a great job with this team and especially the kids. We need to start building for the future not filling spots with veterans because they have a past. Lets start a new beginning.
"We need to start building for the future not filling spots with veterans because they have a past. Lets start a new beginning."
Please refer my post on the last thread as to why this won't happen...the ignorant fans (whom I do not associate with those of us who regularly contribute to this board) won't allow it.
"Win now, win!" they say. They just don't realize that Milbury's regime damaged the engine (the prospect pool) so much that the only choice is to scrap and rebuild.
Just plugging in UFA's for one year is not going to get the job done. We'll never better thna 8th seed at this rate.
-Frank
Nolan has to get past he anti- rookie posture in order for this team to be competitive every night.
Just because he made the playoffs by the skin of his teeth last year, does not make him "Coach of the Year" in my book. In fact, it was due to his idiotic insistance on playing Dunham that almost cost us a playoff spot.
The team made the playoffs in spite of him, not because of him. He needs to look ahead to the younger players and get over this fascination with carrer fourth line has beens.
If not, it will be me yelling "Nolan must go.".....Bill
Frank, you don't have to change over the entire roster to blend in some of the young players. You can work in three or four this year and add a few more as injuries mount.
As to people buying tickets, if you win they will come. I think you are overestimating the fact that people even know who is on the team.
The hardcores know every player. They will come no matter what. The casual fan will come when the team does well. He does not know every player, but wants to be part of a winner.
Winning cures everything. And building a team from within is the way to a winner.
What ticks me off the most, is seeing a Neilssen or Tambellini get to play 3 shifts a game. Nolan does a horrible job of feeding them into the flow of the game.
Teddy got his pass for the first year. He needs to improve or move along.......Bill
Bill,
Agreed, winning cures everything.
However, let's say we went with Tmabellini as 1st line LW, Bergie as 2nd line LW and Nielsen as 2nd line C and played them all year long to let them develop.
They would certainly improve towards the end of the year, but none of them, I feel, is ready to put up consistent numbers. Following this course would produce a lot of losses this season, but ultimately would be great for the franchise as they would come back as better players the next season.
Yes, the hardcore fans would endure this. But the casual fans would stay away, resulting in even fewer tickets sold. I can't see Wang tolerating that as his investment is already bleeding money.
It's the right way to go, but I don't see it happening.
-Frank
Frank, Sorry, but I disagree. Playing young players does not have to translate into losses. I don't really see the connection.
Did working Parise, Martin and Zajac into the lineup hurt the Devils?
Did Prucha, Hossa, Tutin or Callahan kill the Rangers last season?
The logic that 3 or 4 new players automatically means a team will have a losing season is faulty. In fact, an infusion of youth usually invigorates a team and inspires the veterans to play for their jobs.
Check the rosters of Buffalo, Ottawa and Anaheim and see how many of thier draft choices have been fed into the team......Bill
Are Campoli, Guerin, and DP the only ones signed beyond this season? Did Witt sign a three year deal last year?
Bill,
I wasn't disagreeing with you. Tamby, Bergie and Nielsen must get significant ice time in order to develop.
Having said that, though, I still don't see them being ready for first line duty. I do feel that, right now, the changes I described would amount to many losses as these kids are not ready yet to skate with Jagr, Crosby, Briere and the rest of the East.
However, if they do get to play at least the 3rd line this season with some time on the 2nd and the PP, they will gain the requistite experience to refine their games and be at least 2nd line regulars next year, compensating for the blow of the likely departure of our one year contract signees.
"Let all the children boogie!"- David Bowie, "Starman":)
-Frank
I think what it comes down to is that Nolan will probably go with the veterans, with the exception of perhaps Bergenheim. This will severely damage Tambellini's chance to finally become an everyday NHL player. Everytime Tamb was inserted in the lineup he was given minimal playing time, and was rarely rewarded for a solid effort. You remember when they called Tamb up and he had 3 points in his first game back? I guess Nolan thought that was a fluke.
River,
Don't forget Jon Sim was signed for 3 years.
I sure hope Bergie and Tambellini get a lot of ice time this season. But I just don't see the rest of the talent pool as a bunch of NHL caliber players, yet. I hope Snolan will attack this season with a balanced approach with Bergie and Tambs as 2nd and/or 3rd line players who will get a lot of ice time.
Nielsen and Nokie should get more ice time, but let's face it: None of them are future 1st liners.
The young players who really deserves more ice time are Gervais and Campoli. Add more responsibility and expect more from them. If they don't deliver, trade them. I don't feel the Isles have a lot of talent up front, besides Bergie and Tambs, but at the rear end they might have something to build on.
The Isles already have young players on the blue line. Let's not put in a lot of young players with limited potential up front and face a losing season. That will upset both fans and owner.
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