nivek_wahs
09-20-2007, 09:11 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=c84ff138-d73c-41ce-a94e-bb15c6eeb701
Molleken closing in on Blades' coaching record
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, September 20, 2007
Lorne Molleken is poised to become the Saskatoon Blades' all-time leader in coaching victories.
If his players don't secure that milestone for him by Christmas, they'll be underachieving. Molleken enters the season with 342 WHL wins, 273 of them with the Blades. That leaves him 18 wins behind the legendary Jack McLeod.
Securing 18 wins in the first half is not only realistic, it's necessary if the Blades hope to reach their goal of opening playoffs on home ice. That will require somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 wins. No one expected a young Blade team to get there last season, but it's not unreasonable to expect a marked improvement from their 27 wins a year ago.
Saskatoon has depth at forward -- Justin McCrae, Colton Gillies, Derek Hulak et al -- and an enviable goaltending tandem in Braden Holtby and Garrett Zemlak. Although their defence is green, it's also talented. If Teigan Zahn, Jyri Niemi, Sam Klassen and other youngsters are to be cornerstones of a future contender, they must begin elevating their games now.
The Regina Pats -- with a rock-solid defence and some offensive prowess -- should be the class of the division. The Moose Jaw Warriors also appear dangerous, but their forward depth is already being tested. Winger Brady Calla suffered a groin injury at Florida Panthers' camp and might be slow out of the gate.
Furthermore, star centre Riley Holzapfel signed with the Atlanta Thrashers earlier this month and his return to Moose Jaw is not assured. If Holzapfel does return, he could challenge for the league scoring title. If he doesn't, the Warriors' fortunes dip significantly.
Conversely, Prince Albert has a veteran-laden defence thanks to Mike Gauthier, John Flatters and Jeff May. GM Donn Clark also solidified his goaltending with the acquisition of Dustin Butler from Kamloops. However, the Raiders' scoring depth is questionable once you get past Matt Robertson and Ryan McDonald.
The Swift Current Broncos might be the biggest enigma in the division. They haven't scored more than 200 goals in a season since 2003-04 and they'll again be offensively challenged.
The Brandon Wheat Kings are not likely to defend their division pennant. They lost six of their top-seven scorers, plus Mr. Dependable, goaltender Tyler Plante.
The East is Regina's division to lose, but the Blades must shed their cloak of mediocrity. Youth is no longer an excuse.
Wolfe's East Division prediction:
1. Regina Pats
2. Moose Jaw Warriors
3. Saskatoon Blades
4. Prince Albert Raiders
5. Swift Current Broncos
6. Brandon Wheat Kings
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007
Molleken closing in on Blades' coaching record
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, September 20, 2007
Lorne Molleken is poised to become the Saskatoon Blades' all-time leader in coaching victories.
If his players don't secure that milestone for him by Christmas, they'll be underachieving. Molleken enters the season with 342 WHL wins, 273 of them with the Blades. That leaves him 18 wins behind the legendary Jack McLeod.
Securing 18 wins in the first half is not only realistic, it's necessary if the Blades hope to reach their goal of opening playoffs on home ice. That will require somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 wins. No one expected a young Blade team to get there last season, but it's not unreasonable to expect a marked improvement from their 27 wins a year ago.
Saskatoon has depth at forward -- Justin McCrae, Colton Gillies, Derek Hulak et al -- and an enviable goaltending tandem in Braden Holtby and Garrett Zemlak. Although their defence is green, it's also talented. If Teigan Zahn, Jyri Niemi, Sam Klassen and other youngsters are to be cornerstones of a future contender, they must begin elevating their games now.
The Regina Pats -- with a rock-solid defence and some offensive prowess -- should be the class of the division. The Moose Jaw Warriors also appear dangerous, but their forward depth is already being tested. Winger Brady Calla suffered a groin injury at Florida Panthers' camp and might be slow out of the gate.
Furthermore, star centre Riley Holzapfel signed with the Atlanta Thrashers earlier this month and his return to Moose Jaw is not assured. If Holzapfel does return, he could challenge for the league scoring title. If he doesn't, the Warriors' fortunes dip significantly.
Conversely, Prince Albert has a veteran-laden defence thanks to Mike Gauthier, John Flatters and Jeff May. GM Donn Clark also solidified his goaltending with the acquisition of Dustin Butler from Kamloops. However, the Raiders' scoring depth is questionable once you get past Matt Robertson and Ryan McDonald.
The Swift Current Broncos might be the biggest enigma in the division. They haven't scored more than 200 goals in a season since 2003-04 and they'll again be offensively challenged.
The Brandon Wheat Kings are not likely to defend their division pennant. They lost six of their top-seven scorers, plus Mr. Dependable, goaltender Tyler Plante.
The East is Regina's division to lose, but the Blades must shed their cloak of mediocrity. Youth is no longer an excuse.
Wolfe's East Division prediction:
1. Regina Pats
2. Moose Jaw Warriors
3. Saskatoon Blades
4. Prince Albert Raiders
5. Swift Current Broncos
6. Brandon Wheat Kings
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007