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hockeytalk
09-05-2008, 06:53 PM
The Saskatoon Blades head into the 2008-2009 WHL season with perhaps the top defensive/goaltending in the conference. The club is led by 2nd year gems Stefan Elliott and Jyri Niemi. In Stefan, the Blades have perhaps one of the smoothest skaters in the dub and a very calming presence on the blueline. Reminds me a bit of a young Bryan Rafalski in some ways. In Jryi, the Blades have a blueliner who has the hardest shot in the WHL from the point likely as demonstrated at the CHL Top prospects game in which he registered a 97mph blast. With those two leading the core on the power play and making smart, crisp passes out of the zone 2/3rds of the game things should be looking up. In addition, the Blades can throw out 3 yr veteran and Chicago Blackhawks draftee Teigan Zahn, who wears his heart on his sleeve and plays a good honest rough style. Sam Klassen is perhaps the most underated of the group combining a good edge and decent offensive upside with a hard working style of play. The group is rounded out by 4 year veterans Ryan Funk and Colin Joe who give the Blades a very reliable 3rd pairing that not every team can boast.

In goal, Braden Holtby is about as good as it gets in goal as far as the conference is concerned atleast. Entering his 3rd season, he finally has a veteran defence in front of him and something to prove to the Washington capitals who selected him in the 3rd round.

Look for Saskatoon to be a very difficult team to play against this season and very competitive due to a defence first style of play and a good anchor in Braden Holtby.

CrazyGeorge
09-05-2008, 08:00 PM
Swift Current has a great combinations as well wth the likes of Jesse Dudas, Ryan Molle, Derek Claffey, Eric Doyle, and newly acquired Andrew Hewett. In those five dmen we have great elements of size, experience, and puck moving abilities. Our 6th and 7th dmen are unsure but our top 5 dmen will match up to anyone, even your Blades!!! We have Yonkman and Guggenberger between the pipes. That's solid as well. Swift Current, Saskatoon and Regina are all solid on the blue line as well as between the pipes it appears.

sbtatter
09-05-2008, 10:07 PM
Defence is our weak link. We lose Yeo, Boyle and McCue
Robak, Melnychuk, Aulie, Erb, Grille Donovan, Miller, Robidoux is likely our top 7 right now. With our abundance of scorers and young forward prospects I expect a trade at some point for a good 17 or 18 year old d-man moving to Brandon....