|
Post by Dirty Afanasenkov on Aug 15, 2006 7:56:55 GMT -5
Can't believe training camp is ready to open, seems like just yesterday we were all enjoying the Memorial Cup tournament (damn Remparts!) and the Fan Fest, good times. As Beav would say, 3 more sleeps till training camp.
But I'm also very excited about the upcoming years, not because I expect the Cats to contend this year or the next but we'll be able to watch the players develop and any wins we pull out will be sweeter. Don't get me wrong, last year winning most games was damn sweet, but when you're expected to win then a loss just hits that much harder. Coming into this year, no pressure is placed onto the team, and hopefully this results in the magnifying glasses being put away for a year or two.
Can't wait!
|
|
|
Post by CrazyJoeDevola on Aug 15, 2006 9:24:19 GMT -5
Yeah sometimes being a rebuild/mid pack team is more emotionally enjoyable than having a top team. Having a top team is great for the hockey-watching side of things, seeing pure talent every night put on a show. But like you said, you EXPECT to win every game... and not just win, but win easily. Even a 4-2 win over a lower ranked team sometimes feels like a loss when you have a top 3 team. However, the rebuilding/down years start wearing on you by playoff time. The first half its great seeing unknowns and rookies getting prime icetime and emerging into good players... by the second half, you would kill to have a slick passer or a second scoring line But it is great when your rebuilding team can put in a great effort and beat a top team on occasion, you leave the rink feeling much more excited than after a 5-1 expected win. Everyone wants to watch their team dominate teams and finish high, but the occasional rebuilding year is good for the system too.
|
|
|
Post by Cristobal Huet on Aug 15, 2006 9:29:00 GMT -5
The big positive this time around in the rebuilding process...versus 2000-2001 is that the cupboards were not traded bare. Guys like Riopel Labelle Lessard Eagles from the 2005 draft are still around. I think if they make the smart moves and trade a guy like Bourdon, assuming he returns, for a couple of blue chip kids plus maybe a guy like Welton for a high pick or top young player, the rebuilding process will be well ahead of where it was 6 years ago.
The crop of 1989 born players looks very good...Labelle Pianosi Cameron Lessard Martikanen Riopel Voroshilov plus some guys that have a chance at being solid players or good role players...Lamoureux Brenton Archambault Boyle Rousseau. If they can add 2-3 more blue chip guys via trades, this could be the core of an improving club in 2007-2008 and a contender in 2008-2009.
Older guys like Eagles(18) Marquardt(19) Emmanuele(19) Sniderman(19) Morehouse(19) Samson(19,1st half anyways) plus "prospects" Smith(18) Ouskun(18) Lepage(18) Limoges(18) will all get a good shot at bigger roles this season.
I'm sure Torchetti is counting on some FA's and NCAA guys coming in the next 12-14 months, his pro and New England contacts will surely help in that area.
|
|