SectionNDeserter
12-20-2012, 08:20 AM
#2 Devan Fafard (B-) - Prior to the additions of Underwood and Gaudet, he played some big minutes early on in the season and didn't look out of place at all. He is very aggressive, and battles really hard, especially in front of the net, and actually quite possibly led the team in shots on goal in the first ten or so games. He also is more than happy to drop the mitts, which is rare in hockey these days. He has since been bumped down the roster, in an attempt to add more offense/experience to the blueline, but continues to maintain the best +/- on the team. I see him as replacing the element the team will lose with the departure of Underwood at the end of the season.
#4 Haydn Fleury (A-) – This guy is going to be a star! He has well above average skating skill, and at 6'3 and 205lbs, above average size for a sixteen year old. He continues to get better and better, and the rookie mistakes are getting fewer and fewer. Should easily be on the top pairing next season.
#6 Kevin Pochuk (C+) – Great puck-moving defenseman, with a decent shot and great hockey sense. Like most rookies, he has a tendancy to cough the puck up in his zone under a big forecheck, and he loses some board battles in his end as well. If he can shore up the defensive part of his game a bit, he could be a decent powerplay quarterback one day.
#7 Brandon Underwood (C+) - Big, tough defenseman that seems to have had a good influence on his young defensive partner Fleury. I had hoped that more of his penalties minutes would be comprised of fighting majors than undisciplined minor penalties, but his addition has really solidified the blueline. He will play out his junior eligibility this season.
#8 Kayle Doetzel (C+) – Another season marred by injury (so far) for the sophomore blueliner. I am not totally sold on him yet, as he struggled between injuries last season, and didn't really get going this season before he got injured again. He does however, have all the tools to be a top player in this league, and barring any more injuries he should eventually get there.
#23 Brady Gaudet (C+) – Would have given him a higher grade if he were putting up top pairing offensive numbers, but he has fewer offensive numbers in twice as many games as he played in Kamloops this season, on a team where he is getting exponentially more ice time. That being said, he is doing all the right things, and does look like he is best suited for the top line, the offensive numbers just aren't coming yet. While I don't think his skillset really compliments Dumba's (the defensive zone coverage is scary sometimes when they are both on the ice), he could quite possibly be the #1 defenseman in Red Deer next season, if Dumba goes pro.
#24 Matt Dumba (C+) – If you told me at the start of the year, that Matt Dumba would be 5th in scoring on the team, and minus-3, I would be skeptical. But here we are, and that is where he is. He looks lost in the defensive end of the ice on a lot of nights, and isn't even remotely as explosive offensively as he was last season. I am not sure what the root cause of his step back this season is, whether having everyone constantly pumping his tires is starting to get to him mentally, or a distinct change in his game after getting suspended for one of his trademark open-ice hits on opening night (he has had exactly one more since then). He is still the best defenseman on the team, from a skill standpoint, he is just underachieving at the moment. I have heard a lot of rumors about him getting moved at the deadline, however I don't think he will, as at this point, as I think he stands a good chance of returning to the WHL next season (to work on his defensive game)
#26 Riley Boomgaarden (C-) – like the size and toughness that he brings to the roster, but his skating needs a lot of work, and he takes a pile of unnecessary penalties. I was actually more impressed with him when they used him on the wing the other night, and it might be a better fit moving forward, as I don't see where he fits into the blueline next season.
#35 Patrik Bartosak (A+) – Hands-down the MVP on the team this season, as he has made the defense look a lot better than they really are on most nights, and stolen a pile of games this season. And unlike a lot of import players, he is extremely up-front about how happy he is to be in Red Deer. Would love to see him back as a two-spotter next season, but I have a feeling that he will be playing pro hockey.
#31 Bolton Pouliot (B-) – Continues to improve with every game, and seems to have a lot more confidence. Still struggles to put more than one or two good performances in a row together, but looks like he could be ready to assume the starter job next season, barring a return by Bartosak.
#4 Haydn Fleury (A-) – This guy is going to be a star! He has well above average skating skill, and at 6'3 and 205lbs, above average size for a sixteen year old. He continues to get better and better, and the rookie mistakes are getting fewer and fewer. Should easily be on the top pairing next season.
#6 Kevin Pochuk (C+) – Great puck-moving defenseman, with a decent shot and great hockey sense. Like most rookies, he has a tendancy to cough the puck up in his zone under a big forecheck, and he loses some board battles in his end as well. If he can shore up the defensive part of his game a bit, he could be a decent powerplay quarterback one day.
#7 Brandon Underwood (C+) - Big, tough defenseman that seems to have had a good influence on his young defensive partner Fleury. I had hoped that more of his penalties minutes would be comprised of fighting majors than undisciplined minor penalties, but his addition has really solidified the blueline. He will play out his junior eligibility this season.
#8 Kayle Doetzel (C+) – Another season marred by injury (so far) for the sophomore blueliner. I am not totally sold on him yet, as he struggled between injuries last season, and didn't really get going this season before he got injured again. He does however, have all the tools to be a top player in this league, and barring any more injuries he should eventually get there.
#23 Brady Gaudet (C+) – Would have given him a higher grade if he were putting up top pairing offensive numbers, but he has fewer offensive numbers in twice as many games as he played in Kamloops this season, on a team where he is getting exponentially more ice time. That being said, he is doing all the right things, and does look like he is best suited for the top line, the offensive numbers just aren't coming yet. While I don't think his skillset really compliments Dumba's (the defensive zone coverage is scary sometimes when they are both on the ice), he could quite possibly be the #1 defenseman in Red Deer next season, if Dumba goes pro.
#24 Matt Dumba (C+) – If you told me at the start of the year, that Matt Dumba would be 5th in scoring on the team, and minus-3, I would be skeptical. But here we are, and that is where he is. He looks lost in the defensive end of the ice on a lot of nights, and isn't even remotely as explosive offensively as he was last season. I am not sure what the root cause of his step back this season is, whether having everyone constantly pumping his tires is starting to get to him mentally, or a distinct change in his game after getting suspended for one of his trademark open-ice hits on opening night (he has had exactly one more since then). He is still the best defenseman on the team, from a skill standpoint, he is just underachieving at the moment. I have heard a lot of rumors about him getting moved at the deadline, however I don't think he will, as at this point, as I think he stands a good chance of returning to the WHL next season (to work on his defensive game)
#26 Riley Boomgaarden (C-) – like the size and toughness that he brings to the roster, but his skating needs a lot of work, and he takes a pile of unnecessary penalties. I was actually more impressed with him when they used him on the wing the other night, and it might be a better fit moving forward, as I don't see where he fits into the blueline next season.
#35 Patrik Bartosak (A+) – Hands-down the MVP on the team this season, as he has made the defense look a lot better than they really are on most nights, and stolen a pile of games this season. And unlike a lot of import players, he is extremely up-front about how happy he is to be in Red Deer. Would love to see him back as a two-spotter next season, but I have a feeling that he will be playing pro hockey.
#31 Bolton Pouliot (B-) – Continues to improve with every game, and seems to have a lot more confidence. Still struggles to put more than one or two good performances in a row together, but looks like he could be ready to assume the starter job next season, barring a return by Bartosak.