Second round of cuts...

[Trav]

The second set of cuts are as follows:

Joel Lakusta - 1998 - RD - 6'0 - 151

Jakob LaPointe - 1998 - LD - 6'0 - 177

Ryan Pouliot - 1998 - RD - 5'10 - 143

Dean Stewart - 1998 - RD - 6'0 - 152

Chasetan Braid - 1997 - LW - 6'1 - 154

Ezra Hall - LW - 1996 - 6'5 - 197

Marcus Mitchell - 1998 - RW - 6'0 - 161

Mitch Newsome - 1997 - RW - 5'11 - 175

Connor Odelein - 1997 - CR - 6'0 - 185

Owen Sillinger - 1997 - CL - 5'7 - 145

Peter Thomaras - 1998 - RW - 5'10 - 165

Brett Evans - 1998 - G - 6'1 - 206

Brandon Kruger - 1998 - G - 5'11 - 187

Carter Brown - 1998 - RD - 6'2 - 160

Schael Higson - 1998 - LD - 5'11 - 196

Shaye Seefried - 1998 - RD - 6'1 - 167

Quinn Sobus - 1997 - LD - 6'0 - 155

Damian Bentz - 1998 - RW - 5'7 - 137

Brett Clayton - 1998 - CL - 6'1 - 179

Brayden Gelsinger - 1995 - CL - 5'9 - 164

Zachary Gladu - 1998 - RW - 6'1 - 189

Landyn Hickmott - 1996 - CL - 5'10 - 170

Dexter Kuczek - 1997 - LW - 6'0 - 197

Coy Prevost - 1997 - CL - 6'1 - 186

Cody Young - 1996 - LW - 5'10 - 182

Zachary Klassen - 1997 - G - 5'10 - 158

Wyatt Monear - 1998 - G - 5'11 - 164

[Bladesguy]

How many players are left for the pre-season? Who do you think will make the team for opening night?

[Trav]

Here's whose left...

Saskatoon Blades (35):
Goaltenders (4): Nathan Alalouf (96), Brandon Keglar (97), Alex Moodie (95), Spencer Tremblay (94)
Defencemen (11): Ryan Coghlan (95), Graeme Craig (93), Mackenzie Dwyer (97), Ross Hnidy (96), Clayton Kirichenko (96), David Nemecek (95), Ayrton Nikkel (95), Nelson Nogier (96), Turner Ottenbreit (97), Kevin Pochuk (95), Nolan Reid (98)

Forwards (20): Austin Adamson (96), Erik Benoit (93), Nathan Burns (93), Luke Gingras (98),Nick Gomerich (96), Ryan Graham (96), Logan Harland (95), Cameron Hebig (97), Haydn Hopkins (97), Graham Millar (96), Evan Polei (96), Ryan Pruden (96), Greyson Reitmeier (96), Matt Revel (96), Nikita Sherbak (95), Parker Smyth (98), Brett Stovin (94), Collin Valcourt (93), Daniel Wray (95), Nick Zajac (95)


My projected roster would probably look like this...

Defencemen (8): Ryan Coghlan (95), Graeme Craig (93), Ross Hnidy (96), Clayton Kirichenko (96), David Nemecek (95), Ayrton Nikkel (95), Nelson Nogier (96), Kevin Pochuk (95)

Maybe start the season with 8 d-men and go down to 7 by the OA deadline. 7th spot battle between Hnidy and Kirchenko would be my guess.


Forwards (13)

Austin Adamson (96), Nathan Burns (93), Nick Gomerich (96), Ryan Graham (96), Logan Harland (95), Cameron Hebig (97), Graham Millar (96), Evan Polei (96), Ryan Pruden (96), Matt Revel (96), Nikita Sherbak (95), Brett Stovin (94), Nick Zajac (95)

Plus 1 of of Erik Benoit (93) or Erik Benoit (93) That would bring the forwards to 14.


Goaltenders (2)

Nathan Alalouf (96), Spencer Tremblay (94)

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Tremblay will be the starter and Moodie will be gone. I don't think the Blades bring in Tremblay if they didn't have full confidence in Moodie. Kegler has been good in camp and may be better then Alalouf but I think sending him back to midget for the year would the best thing for him and really for any 16 yr old goaltender unless your Eric Comrie.

The Blades will be young that's for damn sure.

[twentyone]

Wow, I hope they have good programs. First year in a long time I will actually take a program to look at.

Should be an exciting year non the less. For once a Blades team with no pressure and no expectations. every win will be a bonus. Fun to watch these kids develop.

Things I am looking forward to:
1) Ryan Graham in an increased role. I can see 25-30goals from this kid.
2) I think Nogier will be a stud, He impressed me so much last year. For a big kid he is a phenomonal skater. Once he can make that first pass with confidence he will be fun to watch.
3) I hope Matt Revel got a little stronger over the off season. Kid has talent but ran out of gas mid season.
4) Logan Harland will surprise alot of people. He will be a spark plug for this team.
5) I am looking forward in having some young guys get big minutes. Its been far too long were the Blades have had some talented young forwards only to have them sit on the bench and play 4th line minutes. I have never been a believer in putting a skilled forward in a checking role only because they are young.

As for 20 yr olds. I think they gotta keep Graeme Craig. That is a young core of Dmen and could use a veteran pressence. I think Valcourt might be the odd man out. I would like to see a young team with speed. Benoit and Burns can provide that speed.

[AlanC]

I was a little surprised that Landon Hickmott was cut so early. After being the team's first pick in 2011 draft and getting cups of coffee in the WHL the last two years, I thought he would get a longer look this year as a 17 year old?

[Trav]

Hickmott seems to me is one of those players where when their drafted their ranked higher then others but then a year later those players have caught up to him and passed him.

[Trav]

According to Les, Tremblay and Wray may have been taken off the roster now to.

[Nook]

What are the chances that the Blades get a surprise return to the WHL from Siemens/Stransky?

My guess would be slim. And if they got sent back, I think they'd be traded.

[twentyone]

No way they are back. Even if they were I am sure their nhl clubs would be asking for them to be traded ala wacey rabbit a few years back. Different if the blades are contenders but neither of those guys would benefit from playing on a young rebuilding team. Siemens is definitely pro ready (AHL). Stransky doesn't really have pro calibre speed but has the skill.

[Trav]

What are the chances that the Blades get a surprise return to the WHL from Siemens/Stransky?

My guess would be slim. And if they got sent back, I think they'd be traded.

The Blades would get a nice return if they were sent back.