I arrived in London, Ontario last night in time to take my lovely girlfriend out for our three year anniversary. We went to a small Italian place downtown and at the end of the dinner I was able to hand my entire wallet over to the server. The things we do for love, eh?
But that wasn't the highlight of London last night. I was appalled to hear a fan at the JLC had tossed a banana peel on the ice following a Wayne Simmonds goal. I really had thought we had gotten past all of that.
I'll be at the John Labatt Center tonight, to take in the London Knights home opener against the Saginaw Spirit. I hope we don't have to do deal with the same moron tonight.
Onto some questions.
sorpano asks: Do you expect big things out of Ekblad this season, or is it going to be more of a learning season?
Well, I've gotten a chance to see Ekblad in pre-season, and I've talked to a few people who take in Barrie far more often than I. So far, it looks like he's still trying to get his feet wet and learn how to be a fifteen year old in the Ontario Hockey League. He doesn't play a big man's game, but tries to attack the play defensively more than he should. On a few occasions I've seen him try to use his stick while defending on the rush, only to be turned inside out.
Offensively, he's come a long better than the other side of his game though. You can tell he can move the puck, although lacks some confidence in that ability at times. I think we'll see a tale of two Ekblads this season, as he slowly gets more and more comfortable with his own game.
Lahey asks: Huddle what are your thoughts on Martindale. You think he should go back to Junior or play in the AHL this year?
Junior never hurt a player to go back, but I do think Martindale is ready for the American Hockey League. He's been criticized as not taking control of a game by the throat in the OHL, and at times seems disengaged. It's almost as if he lacks that 'killer instinct' that many top flight players possess. You can either bring it out in a player, or not. A challenge from the coaches in Oklahoma might be able to coerce the beast in him out.
Thundercats 91 asks: IF the big 3 all come back, Toffoli, Martindale, and Prince, is that line able to carry the team deep into the playoffs? Especially with a supporting cast including Ceci, Monahan and a top goaltender in Mrazek.
I would certainly hope so. The disappointment last year being trounced by Sudbury was a shocker. The big three is likely the best the O has to offer, and the supporting cast is a year older and a year better. Expect a big year from Senators prospect, Shane Prince. He looks hungry.
Ryan Neill asks: I've got a quick question for your regarding a team I rarely write about. I want to know if the Sudbury Wolves have what it take to make some serious noise this season in the O, or what last years playoff performance just luck? What do you think of their team and chances of making in deep in the post season.
I do like the sleeper pick of Sudbury. But there is always questions about what the true Sudbury is. They'll be without their Captain this year, but with Sgarbossa back, he and Leivo could really be a threat in the OHL Scoring Race together.
A big question ask though-- will McFadden be back? (I haven't heard if he was re-assigned by Montreal-- correct me if I'm wrong)
@dominictiano asks: if Nick Ebert is the #1D from the OHL taken, who is your number two: Koekoek or Ceci?
As much as I love the game that Ceci brings, and I know 67's fans are gonna hate me for this... I think Koekkoek will go ahead of the Cody. Koekkoek is a tremendously athletic player who brings more of a dynamic offensive game to the table. Ceci is a kid that all teams love but is further down on the "needs" list than a potential top pairing dynamic two-way guy like Slater is.
That's all for now folks. Maybe some more questions for tomorrow? E-mail, tweet, or comment if you have some.
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