Guy told me Kunitz can skate faster then any no penguin can shoot.
- Bieksa#3

I've heard tell of these legendary Kunitz love-ins...

On the subject of Dane Fox,

He's on pace to be only the 3rd player in 25 years to break the 70-goal mark in the OHL.

The overage aspect puts a bit of a damper on expectations based on those numbers, but the kid has a great gritty two-way game, as well.

Utica could be pretty interesting next season, with the possible additions of Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Fox, McEneny, and Kenins, as well as the possible college guys who've been rumoured to be going pro, Labate and Hutton.

Unless a couple of those guys make the Canucks...

Should be a young team.
- Fosco

It would be nice to actually have a good young AHL team for once, we'll see if it happens.

I'd take Buff. Or Ladd if he and Kesler can kiss and makeup(I need video proof).
- Nucker101

I'd be happy with Wheeler as well.

It would be nice to actually have a good young AHL team for once, we'll see if it happens.
- Nucker101

Also don't want to go too young.

They didn't have enough established AHL forwards or D to start the season.

The additions of O'Reilly and Huskins have been huge, but they'd already dug themselves a huge whole before they added those guys.

Still a lot of inconsistent play from game to game at all positions.

Hopefully they can find the right balance, but it will be great to have the younger players on the team actually be drafted and developed players.

I'd be happy with Wheeler as well.
- Chest Rockwell

I wouldn't be against that either, I'd like to see what his numbers are in games vs teams like the Kings, Blues during the last 2-3 seasons.

On the subject of Dane Fox,

He's on pace to be only the 3rd player in 25 years to break the 70-goal mark in the OHL.

The overage aspect puts a bit of a damper on expectations based on those numbers, but the kid has a great gritty two-way game, as well.

Utica could be pretty interesting next season, with the possible additions of Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Fox, McEneny, and Kenins, as well as the possible college guys who've been rumoured to be going pro, Labate and Hutton.

Unless a couple of those guys make the Canucks...

Should be a young team.
- Fosco

Can Fox and Horvat join the Comets this season after their juniors teams are done with their season? I know Jensen did it a couple of years ago, but I don't know if the rules changed under the new CBA.

I'd be happy with Wheeler as well.
- Chest Rockwell

Archibald as the 2nd fastest skater, eh? Seriously, this guy need an extended look on the 4th line. Weise has gotten a lot of games to show what he can do and I'm still not convinced that he's good enough to play in the playoffs.
- Nucker101

Wasn't Wiese the fastest skater last year? Perhaps that should be enough of an indication that results from a skills competition don't necessarily translate to on-ice production.

Can Fox and Horvat join the Comets this season after their juniors teams are done with their season? I know Jensen did it a couple of years ago, but I don't know if the rules changed under the new CBA.
- Chest Rockwell

Yup, they can. Hit at will have to go back to the OHL next season, though, unless he makes the Canucks.

Fox would have been in the AHL this season if he'd been signed.

EDIT: Horvat, not Hit...

Can't stand the autocorrect on the 5S

Also don't want to go too young.

They didn't have enough established AHL forwards or D to start the season.

The additions of O'Reilly and Huskins have been huge, but they'd already dug themselves a huge whole before they added those guys.

Still a lot of inconsistent play from game to game at all positions.
- Fosco

For sure, you gotta find the right balance between icing a good team and still giving your young players enough ice time. Especially since our AHL guys aren't producing as well as other young players from teams like the Kings, Sens, Wings, Ducks, etc and need some good veterans to build a good AHL team.

On the subject of Dane Fox,

He's on pace to be only the 3rd player in 25 years to break the 70-goal mark in the OHL.

The overage aspect puts a bit of a damper on expectations based on those numbers, but the kid has a great gritty two-way game, as well.

Utica could be pretty interesting next season, with the possible additions of Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Fox, McEneny, and Kenins, as well as the possible college guys who've been rumoured to be going pro, Labate and Hutton.

Unless a couple of those guys make the Canucks...

Should be a young team.
- Fosco

Isn't Shink to young for ahl duty?

Wasn't Wiese the fastest skater last year? Perhaps that should be enough of an indication that results from a skills competition don't necessarily translate to on-ice production.
- YeOldTimer

Yeah, but we've seen what Weise(2 time fastest-skater now ) can do at this point. I'd rather give someone else a shot to see if there's a better option within the organization.

Isn't Shink to young for ahl duty?
- Bieksa#3

Nope, next year he can return as an overage junior or 1st AHL player. He's a year older than Bo.

Wasn't Wiese the fastest skater last year? Perhaps that should be enough of an indication that results from a skills competition don't necessarily translate to on-ice production.
- YeOldTimer

Definitely not an indication for production, but it bodes well for Archibald considering he's a bigger guy, and skating/mobility usually hinders those players in the NHL.

Skating was always the biggest knock on Archibald that he'd have to overcome to make the NHL.

Can Fox and Horvat join the Comets this season after their juniors teams are done with their season? I know Jensen did it a couple of years ago, but I don't know if the rules changed under the new CBA.
- Chest Rockwell

Since fox, Gaunce and Horvat all play for probably the 2 best teams in the OHL I don't think they'll be out to early

I wouldn't be against that either, I'd like to see what his numbers are in games vs teams like the Kings, Blues during the last 2-3 seasons.
- Nucker101

Holy Crap, Wheeler's cap hit is $5.6m until 2018-19.

That's pretty expensive for a "20 goal scorer", although I'm sure that production would increase if he managed to generate chemistry with two playmaking Sedins.

Holy Crap, Wheeler's cap hit is $5.6m until 2018-19.

That's pretty expensive for a "20 goal scorer", although I'm sure that production would increase if he managed to generate chemistry with two playmaking Sedins.
- Chest Rockwell

I don't see him as a fit with the Twins. He's a pass-first player from looking at his stats, that's the last thing that line needs. He'd definitely be a fit with Kesler. But yes, 5.6 million for him is pricey. He turns 28 this year and uses speed to be effective. He's not on top of my list, for sure.

Since fox, Gaunce and Horvat all play for probably the 2 best teams in the OHL I don't think they'll be out to early
- Bieksa#3

Exactly.
Isn't London hosting the memorial cup? Horvat isn't gonna join the Comets this year. Gaunce and Fox have a good shot of being apart of a deep playoff run as well.

Canucks are so irrelevant to TSN that they haven't even bothered to list their Monday game against the Kings on their web site's NHL game schedule.

Was checking there to see if they played today or tomorrow and couldn't find it.

For sure, you gotta find the right balance between icing a good team and still giving your young players enough ice time. Especially since our AHL guys aren't producing as well as other young players from teams like the Kings, Sens, Wings, Ducks, etc and need some good veterans to build a good AHL team.
- Nucker101

Yup. Those teams have more quality young prospects than the Canucks in the AHL this season.

Green being a rookie coach with only a few months of head coaching experience in the WHL has also been a factor. Not to mention having inexperienced D and goalie coaches in Baumgartner and Cloutier...

Although, Cloutier's only listed as a goaltending consultant.

I'm not the biggest fan of their personnel choices, but am willing to give them a bit more time.

Exactly.
Isn't London hosting the memorial cup? Horvat isn't gonna join the Comets this year. Gaunce and Fox have a good shot of being apart of a deep playoff run as well.
- Nucker101

London is the favorite amung most pundits to win the men cup as well. Just got Zadorov back a few weeks ago.
And Erie with McDavid, Fox, Gaunce, and Brown are gonna be a handful

Since fox, Gaunce and Horvat all play for probably the 2 best teams in the OHL I don't think they'll be out to early
- Bieksa#3

Good point.

Especially since the Comets season likely won't extend into the playoffs...

Good point.

Especially since the Comets season likely won't extend into the playoffs...
- Fosco

Perhaps a look for cassels though. Maybe Subban I'd signed

Yup. Those teams have more quality young prospects than the Canucks in the AHL this season.

Green being a rookie coach with only a few months of head coaching experience in the WHL has also been a factor. Not to mention having inexperienced D and goalie coaches in Baumgartner and Cloutier...

Although, Cloutier's only listed as a goaltending consultant.

I'm not the biggest fan of their personnel choices, but am willing to give them a bit more time.
- Fosco

Yeah, I would have liked more a of an experienced coach like a Mac T, a guy who knows what it takes for young players to stick in the NHL and impress NHL head coaches.

London is the favorite amung most pundits to win the men cup as well. Just got Zadorov back a few weeks ago.
And Erie with McDavid, Fox, Gaunce, and Brown are gonna be a handful
- Bieksa#3

For sure. Sudbury also added Faksa so the OHL has some stacked teams.