Rick Sadowski: Bigras returned to OHL; MacKinnon to play Thursday in Dallas

I find that interesting, the 13th forward for Marc-Andre Cliche, after the top 9 and who is left at camp, we have Mitchell, McLeod, Bordy, Cliche, Desbiens, and Malone.

Do you think that means Malone and Desbiens will be sent down as well? I can see this being the end for McLeod soon as well, could be priced out as a forward, seems like roster spots are a premium right now for the forwards

I find that interesting, the 13th forward for Marc-Andre Cliche, after the top 9 and who is left at camp, we have Mitchell, McLeod, Bordy, Cliche, Desbiens, and Malone.

Do you think that means Malone and Desbiens will be sent down as well? I can see this being the end for McLeod soon as well, could be priced out as a forward, seems like roster spots are a premium right now for the forwards
- DDM-Coga

i see M-M-M being the 4th line. There will be nights when suiting up Bordy is not necessary. Desbiens probably will be sent down, with 2 of these guys rotating eating popcorn each night, with the 7th dman

they will probably go with 7dmen,14forwards and of course 2 goalies to make the 23man roster for opening night. or of course 8dman and 13 forwards, naturally meaning one more of the forwards you mentioned also get sent down.

but i dont like have 2 dmen sitting each night, considering the guys sitting will probably be the young guys who should be sent down rather than watching from the press box....cant learn anything from eating popcorn

I find that interesting, the 13th forward for Marc-Andre Cliche, after the top 9 and who is left at camp, we have Mitchell, McLeod, Bordy, Cliche, Desbiens, and Malone.

Do you think that means Malone and Desbiens will be sent down as well? I can see this being the end for McLeod soon as well, could be priced out as a forward, seems like roster spots are a premium right now for the forwards
- DDM-Coga

Nah, I think Mitchell is the one in trouble to be honest. Maybe not right away, but either through trade or at the end of the season.

Mitchell isn't very good on the PK, so he has limited use as a 4th line center. Cliche & Malone are cheaper and more defensive minded. As well as the fact that Mitchell is in the final year of his contract and too one dimensional to have a long term future on the team in the bottom six.

Malone has for sure shown that he can play a bottom six role effectively for almost half the price of Mitchell.

Cliche can play center or RW, and is known for his defensive game. He adds a backup at center or wing. As long as he can play well defensively in the NHL, hes the perfect 12th or 13th forward for Roy's system.

It also seems like we're getting away from having midgets in our bottom six as well, ala Olver being waived.

i see M-M-M being the 4th line. There will be nights when suiting up Bordy is not necessary. Desbiens probably will be sent down, with 2 of these guys rotating eating popcorn each night, with the 7th dman

they will probably go with 7dmen,14forwards and of course 2 goalies to make the 23man roster for opening night. or of course 8dman and 13 forwards, naturally meaning one more of the forwards you mentioned also get sent down.

but i dont like have 2 dmen sitting each night, considering the guys sitting will probably be the young guys who should be sent down rather than watching from the press box....cant learn anything from eating popcorn
- 10baci

I'm pretty sure Bordy has a regular roster spot, he is not just a fighter, which is why he got his contract. Hes a very good skater for his size, and had much better hands and instincts in the cycle than hes given credit for. Hes also a much more disciplined and smarter hitter than McLeod is.

Where I can see McLeod being in trouble is if he does not reign in his stupid charging/boarding penalties, some of which hes displayed in the pre-season already.

Nah, I think Mitchell is the one in trouble to be honest. Maybe not right away, but either through trade or at the end of the season.

Mitchell isn't very good on the PK, so he has limited use as a 4th line center. Cliche & Malone are cheaper and more defensive minded. As well as the fact that Mitchell is in the final year of his contract and too one dimensional to have a long term future on the team in the bottom six.

Malone has for sure shown that he can play a bottom six role effectively for almost half the price of Mitchell.

Cliche can play center or RW, and is known for his defensive game. He adds a backup at center or wing. As long as he can play well defensively in the NHL, hes the perfect 12th or 13th forward for Roy's system.

It also seems like we're getting away from having midgets in our bottom six as well, ala Olver being waived.
- Steve-B

I'd rather keep Mitchell, he has a better skill set then the others you mentioned. Mitchell has enough offensive upside to play top 6 (if and when injuries occur and/or Stastny gets traded) So he could move up when needed, then Cliche or the others can step in and play bottom 6 when needed. Its never a bad thing to have depth ;-)

I'd rather keep Mitchell, he has a better skill set then the others you mentioned. Mitchell has enough offensive upside to play top 6 (if and when injuries occur and/or Stastny gets traded) So he could move up when needed, then Cliche or the others can step in and play bottom 6 when needed. Its never a bad thing to have depth ;-)
- 10baci

The only thing Mitchell does well is shoot the puck, his skill set does not match his brain.

He holds onto the puck far too long, and makes stupid mistakes that result in the puck being turned over. It's been more of the same in the pre-season as well.

Mitchell does not have offensive upside, hes a fn offensive black hole and hurts any line he plays on with more skilled players.

Hes fine having two grinders feed him the puck, but he was fn horrible in a top 6 role last season because once the puck touched his stick, the next player to have it was more often than not the opposing team.

He can't kill penalties and he does more bad then good on a top 6 line. Like I said... One dimensional.

too early to tell from the preseason games, but I think Roy will reward the players who implement on the ice what he's been preaching in practice, so yeah, to your point, McLeod may find himself in the press box if he continues with his brain farts. Guys who work hard game in and game out will get praised by Roy and rewarded with ice time. Floaters will be banished, at least thats the impression I get so far from Sir Patrick

The only thing Mitchell does well is shoot the puck, his skill set does not match his brain.

He holds onto the puck far too long, and makes stupid mistakes that result in the puck being turned over. It's been more of the same in the pre-season as well.

Mitchell does not have offensive upside, hes a fn offensive black hole and hurts any line he plays on with more skilled players.

Hes fine having two grinders feed him the puck, but he was fn horrible in a top 6 role last season because once the puck touched his stick, the next player to have it was more often than not the opposing team.

He can't kill penalties and he does more bad then good on a top 6 line. Like I said... One dimensional.
- Steve-B

really? I never thought of Mitch that way...I havent looked at his stats, but I also thought he was a good faceoff guy which is another reason why I would want him in as opposed to the others on this list. I also didnt think he hurt us when he was on. I will look up his stats when im done with this and see how they relate to what you're saying

I'd rather keep Mitchell, he has a better skill set then the others you mentioned. Mitchell has enough offensive upside to play top 6 (if and when injuries occur and/or Stastny gets traded) So he could move up when needed, then Cliche or the others can step in and play bottom 6 when needed. Its never a bad thing to have depth ;-)
- 10baci

I would rather keep mitchell too right now, he won me over after scoring that goal with a broken face. Mitchell can show he can play on the 3rd line, and play LW.
McLeod I dont know anymore,

I do like a 4th line of Malone, Mitchell, McLeod to start the season with Bordy and Cliche sitting, having Hunwick sit and Elliott being sent down to the minors so he can work with Seimens again, recapture some of that Junoirs magic together

too early to tell from the preseason games, but I think Roy will reward the players who implement on the ice what he's been preaching in practice, so yeah, to your point, McLeod may find himself in the press box if he continues with his brain farts. Guys who work hard game in and game out will get praised by Roy and rewarded with ice time. Floaters will be banished, at least thats the impression I get so far from Sir Patrick
- 10baci

Working hard is what got Cody Mack his contract, but he goes through long spurts where he takes dumb penalties. I do believe he has the ability to correct it, because hes done it in the past.

He just needs to be reigned in on a regular basis, however when McLeod is on his game he can actually play in a 3rd line role with limited top 6 time. Because he does know his role and how to keep things simple and get the puck to his line mates in the cycle.

Which I can't emphasize enough is Mitchell's biggest fault when hes on the wing with better line-mates. I'll stop harping on that now... lol

.

Mitchell does not have offensive upside, hes a fn offensive black hole and hurts any line he plays on with more skilled players.
- Steve-B

Thats how I felt about Kobasew last year and Porter the year before, maybe its Mitchells year to wear that crown

Mitchell played all but 1 game last season and was +5, only Kobi was better at plus 6 but played 10fewer games and less ice time. Mitch also scored 10 goals in 47games, so thats pretty good for a 4th liner.

i looked at his face offs this preseason, and I was pretty sure before I looked that he was a good draw man, and i was correct. In the first preseason game this year he was 17/22 and the other night he was 7/11. That comes in handy in the defensive zone late in the game, no?

Mitchell played all but 1 game last season and was +5, only Kobi was better at plus 6 but played 10fewer games and less ice time. Mitch also scored 10 goals in 47games, so thats pretty good for a 4th liner.

i looked at his face offs this preseason, and I was pretty sure before I looked that he was a good draw man, and i was correct. In the first preseason game this year he was 17/22 and the other night he was 7/11. That comes in handy in the defensive zone late in the game, no?
- 10baci

Thanks for checking, tahts what I thought about him too, but was too lazy to check. I do like that about our current situation, Duchene is money on the draws right now, Stastny is usually over 50%, MacKinnon is goign to struggle for sure this year, so to have a realible 4th line guy to win draws, tahts huge...example Boston.

odds are Mitchell scores the game winner tonight, or coughs one up in our zone, in OT to let the other team win ! LOL

really? I never thought of Mitch that way...I havent looked at his stats, but I also thought he was a good faceoff guy which is another reason why I would want him in as opposed to the others on this list. I also didnt think he hurt us when he was on. I will look up his stats when im done with this and see how they relate to what you're saying
- 10baci

Once he was moved up with Duchene and PA their point per game dropped off. It's pretty much an accepted fact by this point. If you watched the games, you should remember how many times he would carry it into the offensive zone, skate around and around with the puck only to dump it off the the opposing team or get the puck taken away from him.

The more time he spends with the puck the less time Duchene and PA had it, and he tried far to much to be the focal point of the offense, and carry the puck up ice instead of playing a complimentary role and being physical.

Most of his points came early in the season when he was centering the second line, not when he was on the wing in a top 6 role. Hes not skilled enough to be a top 6 center, and hes not good at special teams. He also has an issue with playing inside the position of LW when hes on that side as well.

You're going to be hard pressed to find those evaluations in 'stats'.

Mitchell played all but 1 game last season and was +5, only Kobi was better at plus 6 but played 10fewer games and less ice time. Mitch also scored 10 goals in 47games, so thats pretty good for a 4th liner.

i looked at his face offs this preseason, and I was pretty sure before I looked that he was a good draw man, and i was correct. In the first preseason game this year he was 17/22 and the other night he was 7/11. That comes in handy in the defensive zone late in the game, no?
- 10baci

Have I not said enough times that the problem is when hes on the wing in a top 6 role? And there would have to be a disgusting level of injuries for him to ever be needed in a top 6 center position.

Just because he can take face-offs does not mean he can play on the PK. I never said he was a bad 4th line center, but if the he does not have the ability to contribute in special teams, and I want him no where near being on the wing in the top 6.

I did say that Malone can play that role, and fit into Roy's ideal of having the bottom six play on the PK, and for much cheaper than Mitchell would cost.

How much offense is Mitchell going to give us playing 5 minutes a night? Because he sure as hell isn't going to be getting 15-18 like he did at times early last season.

Once he was moved up with Duchene and PA their point per game dropped off. It's pretty much an accepted fact by this point. If you watched the games, you should remember how many times he would carry it into the offensive zone, skate around and around with the puck only to dump it off the the opposing team or get the puck taken away from him.

The more time he spends with the puck the less time Duchene and PA had it, and he tried far to much to be the focal point of the offense, and carry the puck up ice instead of playing a complimentary role and being physical.

Most of his points came early in the season when he was centering the second line, not when he was on the wing in a top 6 role. Hes not skilled enough to be a top 6 center, and hes not good at special teams. He also has an issue with playing inside the position of LW when hes on that side as well.

You're going to be hard pressed to find those evaluations in 'stats'.
- Steve-B

In all fairness this are disecting a bottom 6s guy role/play in Saccos system, I think Roy will be runnign them a bit different. Sacco only could relate with bottom guys and wanted them to take bigger roles, reaching outside of their comfort levels.

Once he was moved up with Duchene and PA their point per game dropped off. It's pretty much an accepted fact by this point. If you watched the games, you should remember how many times he would carry it into the offensive zone, skate around and around with the puck only to dump it off the the opposing team or get the puck taken away from him.

The more time he spends with the puck the less time Duchene and PA had it, and he tried far to much to be the focal point of the offense, and carry the puck up ice instead of playing a complimentary role and being physical.

Most of his points came early in the season when he was centering the second line, not when he was on the wing in a top 6 role. Hes not skilled enough to be a top 6 center, and hes not good at special teams. He also has an issue with playing inside the position of LW when hes on that side as well.

You're going to be hard pressed to find those evaluations in 'stats'.




Have I not said enough times that the problem is when hes on the wing in a top 6 role? And there would have to be a disgusting level of injuries for him to ever be needed in a top 6 center position.

Just because he can take face-offs does not mean he can play on the PK. I never said he was a bad 4th line center, but if the he does not have the ability to contribute in special teams, and I want him no where near being on the wing in the top 6.
- Steve-B

i hear what you're saying, and I agree he should not be considered or relied upon to be a top 6 guy...if he is, then we have another lottery pick coming. But what I am saying, is that he is a good depth guy to have just in case... over some of the "others" that are still in camp. When the 4th line is on the ice and the faceoff is in our end and we cant change cause we just took an icing, its good to know that the odds are in our favour that he may win the draw and clear the zone...thats gotta be worth something, no?

In all fairness this are disecting a bottom 6s guy role/play in Saccos system, I think Roy will be runnign them a bit different. Sacco only could relate with bottom guys and wanted them to take bigger roles, reaching outside of their comfort levels.
- DDM-Coga

So back to my point, Mitchell does not belong in the top 6 in any capacity, and he won't get the ice time to be effective offensively, AND he can't kill penalties. Which does not fit Roy's idea of what a bottom six center should be able to do.

Malone is cheaper, and just as if not more effective in what Roy expects of a 4th line role player.

i hear what you're saying, and I agree he should not be considered or relied upon to be a top 6 guy...if he is, then we have another lottery pick coming. But what I am saying, is that he is a good depth guy to have just in case... over some of the "others" that are still in camp. When the 4th line is on the ice and the faceoff is in our end and we cant change cause we just took an icing, its good to know that the odds are in our favour that he may win the draw and clear the zone...thats gotta be worth something, no?
- 10baci

Not enough to justify the fact that he isn't effective in other needed areas, and Malone isn't exactly bad at face-offs either.

Olver was the one who was so bad at face-offs that it was a liability.

so then you feel that McLeod and Bordy are "Set" as the wingers to start the 4th line and Malone, Mitchell and Cliche will battle for the final spot at centre...or atleast rotate in and out of the line up till one guy "earns the job".

does talking about the 4th line so much mean the AVS are gold in their top 9

so then you feel that McLeod and Bordy are "Set" as the wingers to start the 4th line and Malone, Mitchell and Cliche will battle for the final spot at centre...or atleast rotate in and out of the line up till one guy "earns the job".

does talking about the 4th line so much mean the AVS are gold in their top 9
- 10baci

Yeah that's the upside haha, last season we would have been arguing about the second or third line.

I just don't think Mitchell will be around either past the trade deadline or next season. Unless he significantly improves in certain areas.

So back to my point, Mitchell does not belong in the top 6 in any capacity, and he won't get the ice time to be effective offensively, AND he can't kill penalties. Which does not fit Roy's idea of what a bottom six center should be able to do.

Malone is cheaper, and just as if not more effective in what Roy expects of a 4th line role player.
- Steve-B

I just think we can Package McLeod and Hunwick together to upgrade our D position slightly vs Mitchell and Hunwick.

Wonder if teams like philly who want some cap relief by taking those sort of packages for a guy liek Meszaros

so then you feel that McLeod and Bordy are "Set" as the wingers to start the 4th line and Malone, Mitchell and Cliche will battle for the final spot at centre...or atleast rotate in and out of the line up till one guy "earns the job".

does talking about the 4th line so much mean the AVS are gold in their top 9
- 10baci

One of the most balanced Top 9s in the league right now to start the season, on paper anyways. No reaches of players trying to be top 9 players or 2nd line players. Only question mark was O'Reilly on the wing and he has shown he is comfortable doing it.

I do like a 4th line of Malone, Mitchell, McLeod to start the season with Bordy and Cliche sitting, having Hunwick sit and Elliott being sent down to the minors so he can work with Seimens again, recapture some of that Junoirs magic together
- DDM-Coga

That's exactly what I've been hoping for all off season. Hunwick sits, and Elliott is given an opportunty to refund his game.

That's exactly what I've been hoping for all off season. Hunwick sits, and Elliott is given an opportunty to refund his game.
- donavin

I think that is more than likely to happen based on who is remaining at camp.
EJ/Wilson/Hejda/Barrie/Benoit/Sarich are going to be the top 6 for sure, Hunwick will sit and there is no point in sitting Elliott as well, send him back down to gain some confidence, play himself back into the mix by being the top guy down there with Seimens.