Originally Posted by
rednex50
So....a new coach and GM, no Habby Jr, Stahl goes undrafted again, pretty sure Crooks went undrafted again, in serious need of a change between the pipes, a lack of depth on the Blue line (scarey when Stahl and Habby are slated as the 2 most experienced D - one of which isn't coming back and the other coming off a very serious concussion).
Let the silly season begin...
G - Hamilton and Rathjen didn't cut it...plain and simple. Vollrath is waiting in the wings, but I don't see the new gm/coach going with Rathjen and Vollrath. I would expect Hamilton to be dealt/waived for OA-Cutdown.
D - Franzoo, Stahl and thats it for veteran experience. Pilton, Kanzig, Zgrag and Cote all have a solid year under their belts now...I expect Stahl to wear the "C". Not sure who they have wading in the weeds looking to jump up...but with that depth (or lack there of), whoever is in net had to expect a tuck load of rubber again this season...they need another solid D (experienced 18-19 yr old via trade or an O/A via Cutdown release?) Besides between the pipes, this is were they'll need a lot of depth. I like Kangiz/Pilton/Zgrag's...but are they ready for that next step up to be #2 or #3 D? If they are...then all bets are off.
F - Crooks, and possibly Forsyth will wear letters - Forsyth only if he returns as the 3rd O/A. If not, Magee will for sure. Bringing back Hodges, Nelson, Walker and Conroy will really help stablize the forwards...finally. We may need to see a few fan favorites leave in order to add the 16/17 yr old prospects up front. I love how Traber plays, but he can't be just a 4th line player to remain. As a 19 yr old, you need more. Can he play on the 2nd/3rd line? He needs to prove that he can do more than just scrap, because the WHL is going away from fighting and you can't have a roster spot for an older guy for only 3-5 minutes a game (I think that concussion/broken leg/ankle really stunted his progress...I hope he can get fully back on track).
The Royals (my ex-Bruins) are really no longer looking like my old Bruins team. There are only like 5 or 6 guys who played any significant role as a Bruin left...so slowly but surely it will because Victoria's true team in a year or 2 from now after kazig, Zgrag's and Magee move on. I can actually see something positive happening here...if it all comes together without being chomped by the injury bug yet again.