Tortorella's Rant

That's the problem with over agers... they can show such tantalizing qualities but then you remember that he was playing with and against kids up to 4 years younger then he was and it puts things into perspective.

Really was hoping he'd pan out but I doubt he gets re-signed after this ELC. Best case for him would be to sign elsewhere or Europe to try and salvage his hockey career. Shame. I thought the injury/mono were the only things hurting him but there aren't many excuses for what's going on with him this season.

Of the 2013 draft class, it's looking like only Bo Horvat and Jordan Subban will be NHLers with Horvat being the only impact NHLer of the bunch. With Shinkaruk staying one dimensional in Calgary, Mike Williamson quitting hockey because of injury, Miles Liberati not being signed and struggling to stay in the ECHL, and Anton Cederholm already back in Europe (and likely never coming back)... it goes to show how bad Gillis was at drafting (especially with how well Benning's 2014 draft class is doing) and how lucky the Canucks got with Hutton, Gaunce, Corrado (RIP in Leafs Purgatory), and likely Labate (likely sticks with the big club next year as a 4th liner/13th forward -- especially if another Skille or Megna doesn't pop up) and Tommernes (with another team once he signs back in NA after his standout SHL season).

It's too bad, I was hoping Cassels would turn into something... at least we have Adam Gaudette, William Lockwood, Brett Mackenzie, and Jakub Stukel to look forward to now. In particular, I'm really excited for Gaudette. Kid has bonafide NHLer with 2nd line upside written all over him.