2006-2007 Roster thoughts

[T-Bone]

Forwards:
(LW-C-RW)
Niko Snellman (88)-Kyle Ross (86)-Garrett Festerling (86)
Ryan McDonald (88)-Ian Duval (88)-Justin Bernhardt (88)
Justin Scott (87)-Levi Lind (88)-Brett Leffler (89)
Scott Brownlee (87)-Jason MacDonald (89)-Michael Senseman (87)

Possibilites to crack the lineup:
Forwards- Derek Hulak (89), Brayden Metz (90), Michael Juola (88), Kyle St. Denis (90), Brent Raedeke (90).

There is no way the Pats (or any team) will have three 19 year olds sucking up minutes on the bottom two lines. If Scott, Senseman or Brownlee can't show that any one of them deserve to be a top 6 forward, they will be skating around in a Jr A rink by Christmas and someone like Jordan Eberle will get there icetime.

Bernhardt is Line 1 material. Snellman, at best, is going to be on the second line. Juola is going to have a better shot at being a pro surfer than a WHL player.

[agent]

This guy knows what he is talking about

[nivek_wahs]

There is no way the Pats (or any team) will have three 19 year olds sucking up minutes on the bottom two lines. If Scott, Senseman or Brownlee can't show that any one of them deserve to be a top 6 forward, they will be skating around in a Jr A rink by Christmas and someone like Jordan Eberle will get there icetime.

I agree... As I am unaware of actually who is listed or not (rookies); I made the lines as to who was already "part of the team"... Last year the Pats used 2 19 year olds on the "3rd/4th" line in Fuder and Sievert... O well... As I am unsure of what Hunt/Perkins/Parker is looking for in their 3 and 4 lines (or any of their lines) I put the 19 year olds there.

Bernhardt is Line 1 material.

I also agree... I was basing my "1st" line with who would fit with Festerling and K. Ross... and Bernhardt seemed to perform well whe playing along side of Duval.

Snellman, at best, is going to be on the second line. Juola is going to have a better shot at being a pro surfer than a WHL player.

Seeing that no one seems to know too much about these two guys I pencilled in Snellman as a sure fire bet to make the team and be a top line guy (1st or 2nd line)... for how long who knows? Look at Ivo Kratena and Kamil Vavra a few years back... they were starters and ended up being "spare parts" (Vavra was cut). Juola I have no info about... but I put him on the list as a who knows if he will make the team or not (or even show up).

But what do I know...

[Some_Arrogant_Jerk]

I also agree... I was basing my "1st" line with who would fit with Festerling and K. Ross... and Bernhardt seemed to perform well whe playing along side of Duval.

Seeing that no one seems to know too much about these two guys I pencilled in Snellman as a sure fire bet to make the team and be a top line guy (1st or 2nd line)... for how long who knows? Look at Ivo Kratena and Kamil Vavra a few years back... they were starters and ended up being "spare parts" (Vavra was cut). Juola I have no info about... but I put him on the list as a who knows if he will make the team or not (or even show up).

But what do I know...

Im thinking the 1st and 2nd lines could be more balanced. If Bernhardt plays well with speedy players like Duval, put them both with with a guy like Festerling, who can feed them a pass from just about anywhere. Ross could center the second line with Mcdonald and a physical player like Snellman, making 2 balanced scoring lines. Scouts have said Snellman is supposed to be a very physical player, or quoted as "a wrecking ball", but he can also make good passes and can help out offensivly too. Besides, he has gotta be good if he got drafted 105th overall in 4th round.

If Kalus comes back, Duval could easily move down into second line, bumping Snellman to 3rd line, making 2nd line a very fast paced, quick passing line, and putting together last years 2nd (maybe most productive) line as the starting lineup.

As for the 3rd line, Lind could center Senseman, who I think should do alot better this year, and Leffler, who will add a physical presense to the line. We have all seen what this kid can do, despite him being only 16 at the time. (just turned 17). He also has good hands for a guy this size, and i could see him scoring goals along with huge hits. For the 4th line, Brownlee, our goon, could go with the newcomer scott, and maybe a prospect like metz or hulak. I have not really seen much of any of the guys from the 4th line. Im also not sure where Juola fits in here though, he is a small speedy playermaker with good hockey sense, though I cant see him getting 1st line. I could see him possibly take ryan mcdonalds place as the best possible situation for him.

Should be an exciting season this year either way you look at it. We might actually pass the first round this year

[nivek_wahs]

Im thinking the 1st and 2nd lines could be more balanced.

Seriously, I ain't gonna argue or anything with anyone but how do we balance the first 2 lines with only 4 forwards in double-digit goals returning from last year (assuming Kalus is not back)?

Ross with 25 is our leading returning goal scorer. Festerling and Bernhardt had 22 each and Duval had 11. Assuming these guys step up and score as many or more (hopefully way more) the top 2 lines could be mixed and matched with a rookie or 2 or one of the younger vets. It seemed as tho Hunt liked to juggle parts of lines at varying points in games and would stick to his guns for a while and then go and change them up yet again.

Thinking it over... With that being said the "3rd and 4th" lines could be really mixed up... depending on which direction the Pats go. I like the combo of Lind and Leffler as a 3rd line contingent with a left winger (R. McDonald, Scott, Brownlee or a rookie Eberle, Hulak or whomever). They are decent checkers and are not afraid to toss 'em.

The "4th" line is to me is really up in the air. I would agree that if the Pats were to use three 19 year-olds as checkers that wouldn't last very long. So I think there will be a 19 year-old battle amongst Senseman, Brownlee and Scott with only 2 making it. But back to the "4th" line thoughts... I like having Jason MacDonald playing there and working his way up the depth chart and maybe busting out over time. But the remaining contingent could be made up of rookies. Also with that... Maybe MacDonald could be the 3rd line centre with Lind and Leffler as his wingmen? That would leave Scott as 4th line centre (his position is a C) where he can help the younger guys (rookies) out and make them into decent WHLers, maybe.

Hopefully Kalus returns and then the lines can yet again be juggled and... Yay life can be happy no matter what the lines look like .
But what do I know...

[Number_4]

The last two posters have made some pretty good points... but until I see people during training camp, Im gonna hold back from coming up with possible line combinations... its fun, I will admit... but Im often so far off base, it just isnt worth it.

Some observations tho...
1. training camp tells all. Players can show up overweight, out of shape, etc... and rookies can shine, and make an impact on the coaches
2. Coaches have final say, and often, I may question them, but they do know what they are doing...most of the time
3. Pats have a very good core returning group, but like Nivek said, there isnt much returning scoring. Look for a rookie or 2nd year to really step up- or we're done for
4. While I dont see many rookies cracking the line-up full time, look for them lots in pre-season games, the tourny in S'toon and perhaps rotating in/out of the lineup
5.Anyone know the date that rookie camp starts this year???????????
6. Line-juggling... I hate to say it, but while we need Klaus, his coming back could hurt us... and before you jump on me for saying this, let me finish. If we get the top 2 or 3 lines producing well... why change things when he returns? Put him on the line that needs help... but dont mess up a good thing!!
7. Anyone know the dates camp starts???? PLEASE????????
8. Camp? I'll be there... look for the chick wearing whlfans gear.... if its in Lumsden, chances are I'll be inside the rink...

I think im done... open to debates now... lol....

[patsdude114]

a few weeks ago i was reading in the Boston Bruins website on a artcile when they signed Kalus to that deal.... in there they had said under the new collective agreement with the NHL/NHLPA he will either be in the NHL or be sent back to junior to Regina..... from reading in the regina newspaper i had to question what i just read on the Bruins website...lone be hold the LeaderPost was dead wrong i got a email back from the Bruins the nexted day reguarding my question and the Bruins said Kalus will either be with the Bruins or on the Pats since he isnt elgible to play in the AHL nexted season until the Pats are knocked out for the season/playoffs...

[nivek_wahs]

The last two posters have made some pretty good points... but until I see people during training camp, Im gonna hold back from coming up with possible line combinations... its fun, I will admit... but Im often so far off base, it just isnt worth it.

It's fun trying to play GM/Coach . I guess thats why they are our "roster thoughts." My line combo's were "critiqued" as I was expecting them to be. I guess that's why we are fans. You should give the line's thing a shot and later in the year you can look back to see how accurate your thoughts were/are (I plan on doing just that) .

[patsfan33]

5.Anyone know the date that rookie camp starts this year???????????

August 28th...

[nivek_wahs]

August 28th...

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything but I have been in contact with a member of the Pats staff and have been told that Rookie Camp starts Wednesday August 30th. The times have not been set as they are still waiting confirmations from some players. Main Camp will follow (Most likely Friday Sept. 1).