nivek_wahs
01-15-2008, 06:47 AM
http://communities.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/blogs/slapshots/archive/2008/01/14/did-parker-mortgage-the-future.aspx
Did Parker mortgage the future?
Despite some uninformed suggestions to the contrary, Regina Pats GM Brent Parker did not cripple the future of the franchise with a splurge at the WHL trade deadline.
Not even close.
Parker knew better after it took four years to climb out from the hole created by a trading binge prior to the 2001 Memorial Cup. He's not likely to dig another one, unless he plans on burying himself in it as well.
Despite the addition of six veteran players for this year’s playoff drive, Regina is positioned to enjoy sustained prosperity for the next two seasons — and likely beyond.
Yes, Parker surrendered two potentially valuable draft picks — a third- and a fourth-rounder in 2008 — but those selections are recoverable in the offseason if he chooses to do so.
Consider this: Regina has six candidates for three 20-year-old spots next season: C Scott Doucet, LW Josh Elder, RW Ryan DePape, C Kirt Hill, LW Michael MacAngus and D Victor Bartley. A case could be made for several combinations within that group, although Bartley looks like a sure thing. The remaining pieces all have value on the open market — some more than others. They could net draft picks in return, or perhaps a larger package for an impact 18- or 19-year-old forward.
Captain Logan Pyett is expected to play pro next season, but if for some unforeseen reason he doesn’t sign with the Detroit Red Wings, he’d add another interesting dynamic to the 20-year-old situation. That would be a nice problem to have.
Parker surrendered just one young player at the deadline: 16-year-old RW Brett Miller. The former first-round bantam pick is a solid prospect who could end up biting the Pats down the road. That said, you have to give up something to get something (Do you think rebuilding teams are just going to hand over their top veteran talent and say ‘Here you go, we don’t need them anyway.’).
Miller’s departure allowed Regina to add two potentially key pieces for the playoff drive (Doucet and J.D. Watt). Further to the point, the Pats were dealing from a position of strength. Miller’s spot on the depth chart has already been filled by Kyle Mulder, an all-star in the Manitoba midget AAA ranks. The 16-year-old was a steal in the eighth round of the 2006 bantam draft.
The Pats’ roster actually sets up quite nicely for next season. Although it’s slated to be a younger team, there’s a good mix of veterans and prospects (not unlike the group that has Brandon fighting for first place this season, although probably not as far along in its development).
UP FRONT
As it stands, Regina’s top six forwards for next season shape up like this: Jordan Eberle, Hill or Doucet, DePape or MacAngus, Brett Leffler, Rudolf Cerveny and rookie phenom Jordan Weal (they say he’s the next Eberle, with better speed). That group isn’t likely to set the league on fire, but it’s pretty solid nonetheless. If the Pats get lucky and land another quality European in the import draft, so much the better.
Joining that group are current rookies Matt Strueby and Garrett Mitchell, both of whom get better every day and should be impact players down the road. Todd Kennedy, now 17, is in line for a promotion as well.
That leaves room for the Pats to potentially develop as many as three of their top prospects in a fourth-line role: Mulder, centre Dominick Favreau and winger Graham Hood. Favreau and Hood were the team’s first- and second-round picks, respectively, in last year’s bantam draft. And don’t forget RW Cody Hanson, a former first-round pick of Seattle. Despite his troubles cracking the lineup this season, he could be a contributor down the road if he regains some confidence. The Pats may also have a diamond in the rough with undrafted list player Clark Breitkreuz, 16, a top scorer with the midget AAA Beardy’s Blackhawks.
BACK END
The defence is already set for next season with a nice balance of youth and experience: Bartley, Colten Teubert, Matt Delahey, Curtis Kulchar, Dallas Jackson and Alex Pym. Prospects Koltyn Miller, 16, and Justin Slobozian, 15, will also be in the mix, joined by list pickup Aaron Enns, 16, and late draft picks Travis Sparrow, 16, and Byron Sorenson, 16. Having 11 players vying for eight spots is a luxury a lot of teams would envy.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Speaking of depth, a decision will have to be made between starter Linden Rowat and highly touted backup Jeff Bosch, who can’t be expected to co-exist for another season. A trade involving either player should net Regina a handsome return (another top six forward? Probably).
The backup goalie options are also impressive with Damien Ketlo, now 16 and a starter in the BCHL, looking to hold off Regina Pat Canadians standout Derek Tendler, 15. Those two youngsters, if their development remains on track, create another pleasant problem down the road.
CONCLUSION: The Pats’ young talent is deep, their veteran core is solid and their top-end talent is impressive. Thanks in large part to some stellar work at the draft table, the club is positioned to ice a competitive lineup again next season (very competitive if the right moves fall into place), with a chance for another meaningful run two years from now when Eberle and Teubert are 19. That’s what good teams do. They reload, not rebuild. After a seemingly interminable reclamation project, the Pats are finally at that point. If the team ends up falling flat in the playoffs, some serious questions will have to be asked. Until then, it might be time to give some credit where it's due.
Did Parker mortgage the future?
Despite some uninformed suggestions to the contrary, Regina Pats GM Brent Parker did not cripple the future of the franchise with a splurge at the WHL trade deadline.
Not even close.
Parker knew better after it took four years to climb out from the hole created by a trading binge prior to the 2001 Memorial Cup. He's not likely to dig another one, unless he plans on burying himself in it as well.
Despite the addition of six veteran players for this year’s playoff drive, Regina is positioned to enjoy sustained prosperity for the next two seasons — and likely beyond.
Yes, Parker surrendered two potentially valuable draft picks — a third- and a fourth-rounder in 2008 — but those selections are recoverable in the offseason if he chooses to do so.
Consider this: Regina has six candidates for three 20-year-old spots next season: C Scott Doucet, LW Josh Elder, RW Ryan DePape, C Kirt Hill, LW Michael MacAngus and D Victor Bartley. A case could be made for several combinations within that group, although Bartley looks like a sure thing. The remaining pieces all have value on the open market — some more than others. They could net draft picks in return, or perhaps a larger package for an impact 18- or 19-year-old forward.
Captain Logan Pyett is expected to play pro next season, but if for some unforeseen reason he doesn’t sign with the Detroit Red Wings, he’d add another interesting dynamic to the 20-year-old situation. That would be a nice problem to have.
Parker surrendered just one young player at the deadline: 16-year-old RW Brett Miller. The former first-round bantam pick is a solid prospect who could end up biting the Pats down the road. That said, you have to give up something to get something (Do you think rebuilding teams are just going to hand over their top veteran talent and say ‘Here you go, we don’t need them anyway.’).
Miller’s departure allowed Regina to add two potentially key pieces for the playoff drive (Doucet and J.D. Watt). Further to the point, the Pats were dealing from a position of strength. Miller’s spot on the depth chart has already been filled by Kyle Mulder, an all-star in the Manitoba midget AAA ranks. The 16-year-old was a steal in the eighth round of the 2006 bantam draft.
The Pats’ roster actually sets up quite nicely for next season. Although it’s slated to be a younger team, there’s a good mix of veterans and prospects (not unlike the group that has Brandon fighting for first place this season, although probably not as far along in its development).
UP FRONT
As it stands, Regina’s top six forwards for next season shape up like this: Jordan Eberle, Hill or Doucet, DePape or MacAngus, Brett Leffler, Rudolf Cerveny and rookie phenom Jordan Weal (they say he’s the next Eberle, with better speed). That group isn’t likely to set the league on fire, but it’s pretty solid nonetheless. If the Pats get lucky and land another quality European in the import draft, so much the better.
Joining that group are current rookies Matt Strueby and Garrett Mitchell, both of whom get better every day and should be impact players down the road. Todd Kennedy, now 17, is in line for a promotion as well.
That leaves room for the Pats to potentially develop as many as three of their top prospects in a fourth-line role: Mulder, centre Dominick Favreau and winger Graham Hood. Favreau and Hood were the team’s first- and second-round picks, respectively, in last year’s bantam draft. And don’t forget RW Cody Hanson, a former first-round pick of Seattle. Despite his troubles cracking the lineup this season, he could be a contributor down the road if he regains some confidence. The Pats may also have a diamond in the rough with undrafted list player Clark Breitkreuz, 16, a top scorer with the midget AAA Beardy’s Blackhawks.
BACK END
The defence is already set for next season with a nice balance of youth and experience: Bartley, Colten Teubert, Matt Delahey, Curtis Kulchar, Dallas Jackson and Alex Pym. Prospects Koltyn Miller, 16, and Justin Slobozian, 15, will also be in the mix, joined by list pickup Aaron Enns, 16, and late draft picks Travis Sparrow, 16, and Byron Sorenson, 16. Having 11 players vying for eight spots is a luxury a lot of teams would envy.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Speaking of depth, a decision will have to be made between starter Linden Rowat and highly touted backup Jeff Bosch, who can’t be expected to co-exist for another season. A trade involving either player should net Regina a handsome return (another top six forward? Probably).
The backup goalie options are also impressive with Damien Ketlo, now 16 and a starter in the BCHL, looking to hold off Regina Pat Canadians standout Derek Tendler, 15. Those two youngsters, if their development remains on track, create another pleasant problem down the road.
CONCLUSION: The Pats’ young talent is deep, their veteran core is solid and their top-end talent is impressive. Thanks in large part to some stellar work at the draft table, the club is positioned to ice a competitive lineup again next season (very competitive if the right moves fall into place), with a chance for another meaningful run two years from now when Eberle and Teubert are 19. That’s what good teams do. They reload, not rebuild. After a seemingly interminable reclamation project, the Pats are finally at that point. If the team ends up falling flat in the playoffs, some serious questions will have to be asked. Until then, it might be time to give some credit where it's due.