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Post by Cristobal Huet on Aug 10, 2005 12:57:56 GMT -5
If Yandle and Bourque don't come and Saunders doesn't return...here is what the lineup looks like... Forwards:
Goulet-Graham(20)-Karsums Pineault-Girard(20)-Marchand Samson-Gaudet-Chabot Donovan-Smith-Prosper-Lockyear-Eagles...Moore...FA's
-some of the solution up front is Marchand, he is up to 187lbs and made Team Canada U18, if he has a big year the he helps pick up some slack. Girard needs to be upgraded for sure to either an above average 20(Brine) or frontline guy(Mondou or ??). Also another 19 year old fronline guy(ideally Bourque) should be added moving Goulet or Marchand to the 3rd line and Chabot to the 4th...Graham is better suited centering Pineault and Marchand, than 1st line.
Bartulis-Belanger Adam-Welton Blanchette-Hepditch(20) Demers-Tanguay-Emanuele-Gardiner-FA's
-the defense is deep if Welton regains his Quebec form and Belanger keeps focused off the ice, but they lack another top pair guy. A big physical 20 year old is needed to replace Saunders(Fontaine or Joanisse).
Blanchard-Cote-Vallieres
-I think Blanchard will prove to be one of the best in the Q, at least he should get 35 games to prove himself either way. A back up is probably needed unless Cote-Vallieres has a huge camp.
In a perfect world, Saunders would be back and Bourque and Yandle would report. A top 20 year old forward would be added and a back up goalie. The shopping list appears to be growing.
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Post by hockeyfan99 on Aug 10, 2005 14:24:04 GMT -5
Good evaluation of the Wildcats Billy,
And to be fair even in your worst case scenario Moncton will still ice a Q competitive team, but unfortunately just not a Memorial Cup competitive team. Guys like Pineault, Bartulis, Blanchard & Marchand should all have career years and make significant contributions, although I question if a legitimate Memorial Cup team has a 17 yr old starting goalie & top 4/5 forward. In my opinion Bernier will prove to be unreplaceable and losing both Bourque & Saunders creates a some needs. Your defense is very deep so I don’t think that you will miss Yandle. But the other question that may need to be asked is the health of Karsums. Recent posts have indicated that he most likely won’t be ready for at least the first month or more of the season and I question what he will be like when he returns.
With that in mind here is the way I see your priority list:
1. Centre who can play on one of the top lines: This will be very difficult to address and most likely won’t be obtained until mid season but especially as a 20 yr old Girard wouldn’t cut it on any team so this role desperately needs to be upgraded. Unfortunately if you look around the league there are very few quality centres available on the weaker teams (Brine isn’t going anywhere) so you will most likely end up getting an average second line centre like Globe who can put up about 40pts. Definitely an improvement but probably still not quite what you guys need to compete.
2. Top Line Forward to replace Bernier: Almost impossible to address. This year it doesn’t look there will be many potential 30+ goal scorers available and unfortunately Moncton doesn’t have the player assets to trade.
3. Big Defensive Defenseman: I expect Moncton to address this need mid season whenever Saunders future is determined for sure. A type of player like Bolduc from Rimouski (although not as good) might adequately fill this role if he isn’t already traded before Christmas.
4. Experienced Backup Goalie: I think this need although not as high a priority should be brought in immediately to help ease the pressure off of Blanchard. I am not questioning Blanchard’s ability as he appears to have the potential to become an elite goalie in the Q and certainly looks like he could be a good goalie this year. But I think there will be a tremendous amount of pressure that will be exerted on Blanchard, especially given that this is right now a pretty weak Memorial Cup team, which is too much for a 17 yr old. Don’t get me wrong I believe that Blanchard has the skills but as of right now he still is an unproven starter and consistency is a battle for any goalie. An experienced quality backup would not only help ease the pressure on Blanchard but also provide some support in case he does struggle especially down the stretch.
You can probably get an experienced backup, a solid defensive defenseman and a mediocre second line centre but even that will probably cost you (among others) guys like Demers, Chabot/Tanguay and several 1st to 4th rounders over the next two years.
Question is will Moncton be able to acquire enough to even be competitive ?
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Post by SteveUL on Aug 11, 2005 8:11:36 GMT -5
If Blanchard was 18 ... would that change your opinion of him ?
I agree Bolduc would be a good fit ... although he played poorly and undisciplined in the Mem Cup ... and I felt he was a weak link for Rimouski in that tourny.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Caron land here in a deal with SJ once Saunders full season status is known.
I'm not sure who that top line center is ... but whomever it is we will pay dearly for it. I expect you'll see a deal that is structured in such a way that a Cat player or two head to another team at the draft ... so that we can use our assets now and give them up next year ... guys like Marchand and Blanchard come to mind in that regard.
You keep harping on how much it will cost us. We fully expect to be a bottom feeder next year and probably the year after ... so the price we pay is not too much. You don't hold your cards this year ... no standing pat ... we are going to the mem Cup and so there is no harm in loading up ... its our only shot before we rebuild anyway.
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Post by Fyrdog76 on Aug 11, 2005 8:32:46 GMT -5
I beleive there is enough talent already to have a solid team, thats if the players buy into Nolans hard working style. I dont think we have enough talent to win the Memorial Cup as is though, but if Cats management is willing to take it on the nose for a couple of years after this year, we should be able to make some trades and ice a strong team at the Memorial Cup.
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Post by hockeyfan99 on Aug 11, 2005 9:19:47 GMT -5
If Blanchard was 18 ... would that change your opinion of him ? I agree Bolduc would be a good fit ... although he played poorly and undisciplined in the Mem Cup ... and I felt he was a weak link for Rimouski in that tourny. I wouldn't be surprised to see Caron land here in a deal with SJ once Saunders full season status is known. I'm not sure who that top line center is ... but whomever it is we will pay dearly for it. I expect you'll see a deal that is structured in such a way that a Cat player or two head to another team at the draft ... so that we can use our assets now and give them up next year ... guys like Marchand and Blanchard come to mind in that regard. You keep harping on how much it will cost us. We fully expect to be a bottom feeder next year and probably the year after ... so the price we pay is not too much. You don't hold your cards this year ... no standing pat ... we are going to the mem Cup and so there is no harm in loading up ... its our only shot before we rebuild anyway. I am not fixated on Blanchard being 17 as opposed to 18. But this will only be his second year in the league and as of right now he is still an unproven starter. And the expectations of hosting the Memorial Cup is a tremendous amount of pressure especially for a rookie starter. If he was in the exact same situation but a year older I would have the same questions. Again I think Blanchard is a great goalie but this might be too much too soon for him to handle (IMO). Also I wouldn't place to much stock in Caron until you actually see him play. He is certainly a guy who will most likely be available at Christmas but his numbers were generated on a team that lost almost every game last year. So we will have to wait and see if he ends up being a top 4 defensemen in the Q who might be able to help your team. But regardless I think your greater need is for a rugged defensive Dman as opposed to a softer more offensive one. Besides offensive D-men like Columbe & Caron generally cost more then defensive specialists and with your limited assets and such a deep defensive unit I would be more focussed on adding some forwards anyways. And I wasn't harping on the cost I was merely trying to guess at what assets you might have to trade and if we were in your situation I would recommend the Rocket do the same thing. Hopefully your Management will have the foresight to at least keep Marchand if he truely is the player you guys allege him to be. But I could certainly seeing Blanchard potentially being involved in some sort of dated trade since you guys have Riopel and a potential future elite goalie like Blanchard would certainly generate a lot of interest. I honestly hope that you guys are able to make the necessary moves and proudly represent the Q like Rimouski did last year. Although to be honest currently things aren't looking good and right now I have a little more faith in a teams like Chicoutimi, Drummondville or Quebec. BUT THERE IS STILL TIME
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Post by Cristobal Huet on Aug 11, 2005 9:26:04 GMT -5
If Blanchard was 18 ... would that change your opinion of him ? I agree Bolduc would be a good fit ... although he played poorly and undisciplined in the Mem Cup ... and I felt he was a weak link for Rimouski in that tourny. I wouldn't be surprised to see Caron land here in a deal with SJ once Saunders full season status is known. I'm not sure who that top line center is ... but whomever it is we will pay dearly for it. I expect you'll see a deal that is structured in such a way that a Cat player or two head to another team at the draft ... so that we can use our assets now and give them up next year ... guys like Marchand and Blanchard come to mind in that regard. You keep harping on how much it will cost us. We fully expect to be a bottom feeder next year and probably the year after ... so the price we pay is not too much. You don't hold your cards this year ... no standing pat ... we are going to the mem Cup and so there is no harm in loading up ... its our only shot before we rebuild anyway. I am not fixated on Blanchard being 17 as opposed to 18. But this will only be his second year in the league and as of right now he is still an unproven starter. And the expectations of hosting the Memorial Cup is a tremendous amount of pressure especially for a rookie starter. If he was in the exact same situation but a year older I would have the same questions. Again I think Blanchard is a great goalie but this might be too much too soon for him to handle (IMO). Also I wouldn't place to much stock in Caron until you actually see him play. He is certainly a guy who will most likely be available at Christmas but his numbers were generated on a team that lost almost every game last year. So we will have to wait and see if he ends up being a top 4 defensemen in the Q who might be able to help your team. But regardless I think your greater need is for a rugged defensive Dman as opposed to a softer more offensive one. Besides offensive D-men like Columbe & Caron generally cost more then defensive specialists and with your limited assets and such a deep defensive unit I would be more focussed on adding some forwards anyways. And I wasn't harping on the cost I was merely trying to guess at what assets you might have to trade and if we were in your situation I would recommend the Rocket do the same thing. Hopefully your Management will have the foresight to at least keep Marchand if he truely is the player you guys allege him to be. But I could certainly seeing Blanchard potentially being involved in some sort of dated trade since you guys have Riopel and a potential future elite goalie like Blanchard would certainly generate a lot of interest. I honestly hope that you guys are able to make the necessary moves and proudly represent the Q like Rimouski did last year. Although to be honest currently things aren't looking good and right now I have a little more faith in a teams like Chicoutimi, Drummondville or Quebec. BUT THERE IS STILL TIME This is junior hockey...I don't see where a player needs 3-4 years experience...every year guys in their 1st year(Euros and domestic) have a big playoff and help their teams win. I think the Cats need a guy like Fontaine or Joanisse more than a QB type, Bartulis and Welton can both play the #1 PP. I would hate to see it, but Blanchard and Marchand in trades where they report in June should bring in a top player in his last year. If you add in Chabot Demers and some draft picks, 2-3 frontline players should not be a big problem to add.
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MikeC
Full Member
Posts: 454
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Post by MikeC on Aug 11, 2005 12:33:17 GMT -5
I completely forgot about JM Bolduc. If he can regain his 03-04 form, (not that he was horrible last year, but he had some injury problems) he would be a great pick up. Decent size, and put up 50 points 2 seasons ago.
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Post by mikeb on Aug 11, 2005 13:58:35 GMT -5
He blocked a ton of shots in the Memorial Cup. He does that for the Cats and Blanchard's job is a heck of a lot easier.
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Post by chootoi on Aug 11, 2005 13:59:22 GMT -5
maybe rimouski will be big sellers, looking to tank the year again so they have a shot to grab cormier at the draft.
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MikeC
Full Member
Posts: 454
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Post by MikeC on Aug 11, 2005 14:08:15 GMT -5
maybe rimouski will be big sellers, looking to tank the year again so they have a shot to grab cormier at the draft. Nah, I see this as being more likely: "...And Rimouski's 1st round pick, 8th overall selection, Kelsey Tessier (who was the consensus #2 pick), has suddenly changed his mind about playing NCAA and will be reporting to Rimouski..." We all know Patrice is going to Halifax to play with his brother.
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