SectionNDeserter
12-13-2013, 07:23 PM
Ok, so we aren't really halfway there, but since I don't think a lot of these players are going to still be here by Jan 1st, I thought I would post it a bit early.
I have to admit that I was pretty optimistic coming into the season, when the Kings reassigned Bartosak. I figured they were going to ice a pretty old, experienced team, and make a number of moves prior to the start of the season to take advantage of one last season of elite-level goaltending. When they started the season with twelve rookies on the roster, it became clear that their sights weren't set quite as high as mine, or most of the fans. Things haven't really played out a lot differently than I expected. Bartosak is getting shelled every night, and holding them in some of the games, any sort of forecheck is folding the lines of rookies like a tent, and their inability to clear their zone is creating some really lopsided puck possession numbers. Hopefully Sutter does what he should have done at the start of the season, and move some of the veterans for the future, and give the team an identity, something it hasn't had all season.
The Forwards:
Conner Bleackley (A+) - He has continued his fine form so far, and shows signs of being an elite player. On some nights he single-handedly makes things happen when his line is on the ice.
Evan Polei (B+) - Fantastic pick up so far. Looked a little out of shape when he got started, but seems to get better every game. Have seen guys as big, or bigger than him just bounce off of him when they go to hit him. Excited to see what he will do with a bigger role moving forward.
Dominik Volek (B+) - Something 'flipped the switch' on him after a poor start, and he has made some nice defensive plays, as well as beginning to pot more than just emtpy-net goals. His play even earned him an invite to the Czech world junior team.
Rhyse Dieno (B-) - Has some good games, and some bad games. Has worked a lot on passing more, and has made some nice plays. Not finding the net as much as last season, but he is clearly being asked to do a lot more, and I also don't think he has as much to work with this season.
Cole Chorney (C+) - Was honestly puzzled when they signed him, but he continues to improve and has become quite adept at clogging up the defensive zone and intercepting passes. It has become less scary when he is on the ice.
Grayson Pawlenchuk (?) - Still hasn't played since I last checked in. Hope he can get back on the ice soon and back on track, because he looked fantastic before his injury.
Vukie Mpofu (F) - His blinding speed in training camp has sort of faded into mediocrity against WHL competition. Gets worked on the boards constantly in the offensive zone, is ineffective at backchecking, and isn't really generating much offense. Really doesn't seem to be improving either. If he is a bonafide WHL player, he really needs to start setting himself apart from the other rookies pretty soon.
Meyer Nell (C+) - Basically a similar player to Chorney, but with a few more brilliant scoring chances. Continues to improve.
Brooks Maxwell (C+) - Hard working, versatile forward that is unfortunately having his season ruined by one of his regular linemates. Still an effective penalty killer, but not elite enough skill level to work through what he has had to work through this season.
Christian Stockl (F) - Not really bringing anything to the table that Chorney or Nell aren't doing already as younger players. Hasn't played for over a month due to injury. I don't think his future here looks very bright.
Wyatt Johnson (C+) - Another forward that would probably be having a better season if he were playing in the spot that is being wasted on one of the overage players... Fantastic enthusiasm and energy, and has even added a bit of an edge to his game of late.
Lukas Sutter (F-) - Wins a high number of faceoffs. That's all. Lazily coasts around the ice... Takes stupid offensive zone penalties all the time... Doesn't backcheck... Doesn't generate offense... He has clearly alienated the officials in the league, as the other team can do absolutely anything (especially to him) and not get a penalty when he is on the ice... Really tough situation for Brent to be in as well, as there is some obvious implications to releasing his nephew (can't imagine he could be traded at this point). Complete waste of an overage spot.
Adam Musil (B+) - He has built on his good play, and is seeing his role expanding with each game. Really plays with some sandpaper in his game, which is really promising from a bigger player.
Matt Bellerive (B-) - His scoring has cooled off a little, but he gives the team something that they really need--puck possession. Unfortunately though, he was injured a few games back.
I have to admit that I was pretty optimistic coming into the season, when the Kings reassigned Bartosak. I figured they were going to ice a pretty old, experienced team, and make a number of moves prior to the start of the season to take advantage of one last season of elite-level goaltending. When they started the season with twelve rookies on the roster, it became clear that their sights weren't set quite as high as mine, or most of the fans. Things haven't really played out a lot differently than I expected. Bartosak is getting shelled every night, and holding them in some of the games, any sort of forecheck is folding the lines of rookies like a tent, and their inability to clear their zone is creating some really lopsided puck possession numbers. Hopefully Sutter does what he should have done at the start of the season, and move some of the veterans for the future, and give the team an identity, something it hasn't had all season.
The Forwards:
Conner Bleackley (A+) - He has continued his fine form so far, and shows signs of being an elite player. On some nights he single-handedly makes things happen when his line is on the ice.
Evan Polei (B+) - Fantastic pick up so far. Looked a little out of shape when he got started, but seems to get better every game. Have seen guys as big, or bigger than him just bounce off of him when they go to hit him. Excited to see what he will do with a bigger role moving forward.
Dominik Volek (B+) - Something 'flipped the switch' on him after a poor start, and he has made some nice defensive plays, as well as beginning to pot more than just emtpy-net goals. His play even earned him an invite to the Czech world junior team.
Rhyse Dieno (B-) - Has some good games, and some bad games. Has worked a lot on passing more, and has made some nice plays. Not finding the net as much as last season, but he is clearly being asked to do a lot more, and I also don't think he has as much to work with this season.
Cole Chorney (C+) - Was honestly puzzled when they signed him, but he continues to improve and has become quite adept at clogging up the defensive zone and intercepting passes. It has become less scary when he is on the ice.
Grayson Pawlenchuk (?) - Still hasn't played since I last checked in. Hope he can get back on the ice soon and back on track, because he looked fantastic before his injury.
Vukie Mpofu (F) - His blinding speed in training camp has sort of faded into mediocrity against WHL competition. Gets worked on the boards constantly in the offensive zone, is ineffective at backchecking, and isn't really generating much offense. Really doesn't seem to be improving either. If he is a bonafide WHL player, he really needs to start setting himself apart from the other rookies pretty soon.
Meyer Nell (C+) - Basically a similar player to Chorney, but with a few more brilliant scoring chances. Continues to improve.
Brooks Maxwell (C+) - Hard working, versatile forward that is unfortunately having his season ruined by one of his regular linemates. Still an effective penalty killer, but not elite enough skill level to work through what he has had to work through this season.
Christian Stockl (F) - Not really bringing anything to the table that Chorney or Nell aren't doing already as younger players. Hasn't played for over a month due to injury. I don't think his future here looks very bright.
Wyatt Johnson (C+) - Another forward that would probably be having a better season if he were playing in the spot that is being wasted on one of the overage players... Fantastic enthusiasm and energy, and has even added a bit of an edge to his game of late.
Lukas Sutter (F-) - Wins a high number of faceoffs. That's all. Lazily coasts around the ice... Takes stupid offensive zone penalties all the time... Doesn't backcheck... Doesn't generate offense... He has clearly alienated the officials in the league, as the other team can do absolutely anything (especially to him) and not get a penalty when he is on the ice... Really tough situation for Brent to be in as well, as there is some obvious implications to releasing his nephew (can't imagine he could be traded at this point). Complete waste of an overage spot.
Adam Musil (B+) - He has built on his good play, and is seeing his role expanding with each game. Really plays with some sandpaper in his game, which is really promising from a bigger player.
Matt Bellerive (B-) - His scoring has cooled off a little, but he gives the team something that they really need--puck possession. Unfortunately though, he was injured a few games back.