Scout
09-11-2007, 07:11 PM
Saskatoon Star Phoenix
No matter how you do the math, 29 does not go into 23.
And if 23 is the number the Saskatoon Blades will carry on this year's roster, that means at least six players are not going to stick.
With the Blades looking for their first win of the pre-season tonight against the Moose Jaw Warriors, head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken goes to Plan B . . . bringing in the Big Boys.
Plan A, to give all of the rookies a chance to strut their stuff, now gives way to putting together a lineup during the remaining three exhibition games that he Molleken hopes will be a "Top 4" in the 12-team Eastern Conference. And it calls for a mix of the youngsters to see whether they can step it up when teamed with the veterans.
The plan starts with the introduction of forwards Chris Durand and Michael Kaye and defenceman Curtis Patterson -- all acquired as 20-year-olds to give the team both leadership and depth -- along with 17-year-old defenceman Jyri Niemi of Finland, the team's first pick in this year's European draft, and 19-year-old F Robert Brandis of Slovakia.
"Most of our veterans will play," Milleken says.
The team is going to keep either two or three 16-year-olds, with defenceman Stefan Elliott of North Vancouver, B.C., and forward Curtis Hamilton of Kelowna, B.C., solid bets to make the lineup. Defenceman Mitch Berg is fighting to stick around and not go back to the Saskatoon Blazers for another year of AAA midget. He enhanced his chances Saturday not only by scoring once in Saskatoon's 4-2 loss to the Regina Pats, but also playing significantly better than he did Friday in the 4-3 overtime loss to Prince Albert.
Brendon Wall, 17, another Saskatoon native who played last season with the AAA midget Beardy's Blackhawks, has played well on the blue-line through two games and has earned further looks. Two 18-year-old forwards, Kirk Belyk and Jordan Braid, both of Saskatoon, remain around because of what they've shown through training camp and pre-season. Belyk had two goals in Prince Albert and Braid had another.
Goaltending has already been decided with returnees Braden Holtby and Garrett Zemlak destined to share time between the pipes. That puts the spotlight on some of the returning spots to show they deserve to stick around.
The Blades went with five veteran skaters in their opening two games -- all forwards: Craig Cuthbert, 19, Dustin Cameron and Derek Hulak, both 18, and Gaelan Patterson and Walker Wintoneak, 17.
For a couple of them, the writing is on the wall.
"I wasn't pleased with their play (Friday)," Molleken said. "I expected more."
On Saturday, a couple of players earned some redemption, but there has to be some noticeable improvement if they're to stick around.
The team still has 10 defencemen in camp, which means two are gone for sure -- possibly three with veteran Ryan Funk's ability to contribute still a question mark. Funk missed two-thirds of last year with shoulder and groin injuries. If he's healthy, he will be expected to play a major role in the team's defence.
No matter how you do the math, 29 does not go into 23.
And if 23 is the number the Saskatoon Blades will carry on this year's roster, that means at least six players are not going to stick.
With the Blades looking for their first win of the pre-season tonight against the Moose Jaw Warriors, head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken goes to Plan B . . . bringing in the Big Boys.
Plan A, to give all of the rookies a chance to strut their stuff, now gives way to putting together a lineup during the remaining three exhibition games that he Molleken hopes will be a "Top 4" in the 12-team Eastern Conference. And it calls for a mix of the youngsters to see whether they can step it up when teamed with the veterans.
The plan starts with the introduction of forwards Chris Durand and Michael Kaye and defenceman Curtis Patterson -- all acquired as 20-year-olds to give the team both leadership and depth -- along with 17-year-old defenceman Jyri Niemi of Finland, the team's first pick in this year's European draft, and 19-year-old F Robert Brandis of Slovakia.
"Most of our veterans will play," Milleken says.
The team is going to keep either two or three 16-year-olds, with defenceman Stefan Elliott of North Vancouver, B.C., and forward Curtis Hamilton of Kelowna, B.C., solid bets to make the lineup. Defenceman Mitch Berg is fighting to stick around and not go back to the Saskatoon Blazers for another year of AAA midget. He enhanced his chances Saturday not only by scoring once in Saskatoon's 4-2 loss to the Regina Pats, but also playing significantly better than he did Friday in the 4-3 overtime loss to Prince Albert.
Brendon Wall, 17, another Saskatoon native who played last season with the AAA midget Beardy's Blackhawks, has played well on the blue-line through two games and has earned further looks. Two 18-year-old forwards, Kirk Belyk and Jordan Braid, both of Saskatoon, remain around because of what they've shown through training camp and pre-season. Belyk had two goals in Prince Albert and Braid had another.
Goaltending has already been decided with returnees Braden Holtby and Garrett Zemlak destined to share time between the pipes. That puts the spotlight on some of the returning spots to show they deserve to stick around.
The Blades went with five veteran skaters in their opening two games -- all forwards: Craig Cuthbert, 19, Dustin Cameron and Derek Hulak, both 18, and Gaelan Patterson and Walker Wintoneak, 17.
For a couple of them, the writing is on the wall.
"I wasn't pleased with their play (Friday)," Molleken said. "I expected more."
On Saturday, a couple of players earned some redemption, but there has to be some noticeable improvement if they're to stick around.
The team still has 10 defencemen in camp, which means two are gone for sure -- possibly three with veteran Ryan Funk's ability to contribute still a question mark. Funk missed two-thirds of last year with shoulder and groin injuries. If he's healthy, he will be expected to play a major role in the team's defence.