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Biega should have scored. Either way, whether it was the one-timer or settling it and going high glove, that puck's gotta be going in the back of the net. If he went high glove and missed the net, that's just as bad as a rebound off the pad as it is surely to rim around the boards for an odd man rush the other way. Pass from Acton was a little late, kind of handcuffed Baertschi a bit.

Thought I'd revive this thread a bit. I know everyone considers him a roster player now, but it still is his rookie season so I like to write in here. Since his GWG against florida, Horvat's has: 23GP 9G 4A = 13PTS that's a 0.57 PPG clip.. I think im psychic. All jokes aside, this was wishful thinking and im surprised he's now on pace to reach 30 pts (He needed to produce at a 0.6PPG rate to get 30 but 0.57 is close enough). Excited because he keeps getting better every game.

If we weren't going to resign matthias, we should have traded him at the deadline

Well he won't get traded to any of the California teams; no change in LA, same for anaheim and San Jose will be going through a mini rebuild getting younger. Are you a high level executive in Hockey management? You have as much experience in the field as me so saying there are "NO" consequences is just as stupid. There are consequences to any move, and trading players right after you sign them to contracts doesn't look good on a UFA who is looking for security. Players, more and more, and coming out and saying that being traded is very hard because it is not just about hockey but its about their lives away from the rink. They have families they need to uproute, children they need to put in new schools/leave old friends, it does takes a toll. No player who is not seeking a trade will want a trade to happen because of those types of reasons.

No Matthias? I think Beartschi is alot faster than Horvat but that seems to actually bring up Horvat's skating when he's playing with faster players (Hansen, Kenins). I'd be OK with this lineup except i really do belive right now that Virtanen will be back in junior. Matthias surely should be signed

I'd rather his save percentage be .910+ than a 2.0 GAA. Goals against is more of a team oriented stat. I don't think Miller will be traded. Doesn't shine a great light on Van; Miller moves to Van, probably took a pay cut, to live on the west coast and closer to his wife. I'm drawing from NHL 15 but you shouldn't trade away your UFA's too soon or it looks really bad. I understand the Garrison one, because it was a new regime but trading Miller 1 year in wouldn't be a great solution.

agreed. Maybe he learns something from the Baer

He wants to regain his confidence back, he's just starting to get accustomed to the new systems in Utica. Green is just getting started with Bartschi and if these first 3 games are any indication on Green's influence on Sven's play, then I think he should stay down for a little while longer.

He's got his first goal as a Comet. From the radio play-by-play, sounds like a good play by Grenier on the PP

Fair enough, I guess you're right. He had 4 goals in 6 games with the Wolves after the 11-12' season in the OHL. Then went to the SEL and played 50 games and scored 17 goals with AIK. He came back later that season and played 2 games with the Canucks and played 20 games with Chicago only putting up 2 goals and 4 points. Back to Virtanen, I'm also going to reserve my judgement for where he plays in till training camp of 15-16. There's really no point in debating what happens to him next season right now. Last year at this time, I would have said Horvat was 20%/80% to stay/go back. Pre-season I was a little less weary, and then I was surprised he made it past 9 games. The rest is history and he looks to have come into his own. In the end, he's going to play where is best suited for his development in JB eyes and that we don't know and can't determine because we're not him.

I mean it's not like he put up fantastic offensive numbers in the CHL either. I think the issue of him competing and producing at a consistent level on NA ice was always there.

Playing for AIK definitely helped him on the offensive instincts side of things. He scored 17 goals in his first year pro. But like above, it's bringing those instincts to the game every day on a smaller ice surface that has definitely got him at a cross roads.

He din't get the primary AND secondary assist on that PPG? B u s t thought, i'd join in on the fun

That is probably the worst comparison I think i've ever heard. Markstrom's been given basically the best chance for him to succeed this year with his all-star year in the AHL, Rollie the Goalie and Clooter going down to work with him and then this short stint to prove himself. I don't think it could have gone worse. I don't think it reverses the progress he's made but boy does it ever leave a sour taste in your mouth. After all the talk and hype about him turning it around, only to lay an egg out there. I agree with above that he needs a start, soon, and it better be good.

lol

Yes... Just yes

In my attempt to perfect the art of procrastination, I decided to dig into Sven's current season to see where he's at right now; the past is the past. He started the year without a 0 points and a -9 in 7 GP. That in itself is an alarm bell but since he's put up 25 points in 29 games, which are very good numbers. You take out the those first 7 games and you have yourself very respectable production. I went and looked at his game-by-game spread and watched the highlights of his best games (2 pts nights, hattrick against Syracuse, etc.) and noticed a few things: 1. All the characteristics that describe him are bang on. He's agile, shifty and makes plays. He's a smart player but also is a somewhat of a perimeter player who still lacks that drive and nose for the net (Burkey is probably nodding his head). 2. He played alot with Emile Poirier and they had amazing chemistry. I feel like this could be great for a guy like Hunter Shinkaruk who's has seemed to struggle to find his offensive game this year. He hasn't played with a great playmaker and Baertschi is definetely that. While they play the same position, maybe they get time together on the PP or one plays the off wing. 3. He scores in bunches. If you look at his game-by-game statline, he looks to struggle with consistency. Something we see in Jensen alot is definitely something that Sven battles with as well. Im intrigued as to where he slots into the Comets lineup and who he plays with. The next 15-20 games in the AHL will be interesting to say the least.

While giving up a 2nd hurts, I really hope Green can turn this kid around. I think we can recoup the picks in the summer with our surplus of roster players so the cost of grabbing a prospect really isn't much at all. I was really hoping richardson would be moved today, as Horvat, Vey, and Matthias have played well enough (mostly horvat) that we don't have room for richy in the center spot. He's a UFA at the end of the year and his value will surely be less at the draft. While I was abit shocked at the trade before and a little disappointed we didn't move out vets, I think he could really turn things around in Utica and maybe help Jensen and Shinkaruk too as they strive for a long Calder Cup run.

He also touched on how he told WD that Bo was good a the little things and that he would like his game as a teenage rookie. I don't think JB can say the same things about Jake to Willie next season. Jake is going to have to play a gritty and soundly defensive game to make the big club next year, which in that case, I hope he stays in Junior to work on his overall game and dominate offensively and at the WJC.

Considering the price boston paid for Connolly, I don't mind the trade value wise. But as some have mentioned before, it is very much like the Linden Vey deal and another player like Vey. We are getting more skilled, which is great, but he is on the smaller side and has shown very lacklustre numbers for a top 15 pick. His point production in the AHL has regressed ever since his rookie season. 2012-13: 0.82 PPG 2013-14: 0.71 PPG 2014-15: 0.69 PPG

So much for not trading draft picks, but I guess again, Benning is fast forwarding these picks into more ready players. He seems to be trending in the wrong direction though.

Traded From Calgary to Vancouver for a 2nd round pick in 2015. Calgary given up on a once promising offensive prospect.

I think DeNiro said that because he went the College route, that Calgary could not control his development as much/it would take longer for him to arrive to the NHL, etc.

They weren't saying there was a lack of talent. They said it lacked top tier elite prospects. While all are "good" prospects, no one thought there was a franchise player in the draft.

I don't think anyone would have guessed at the beginning of the season that Gaunce would be our most productive prospect out of Utica. That might be partly attributed to how poorly Jensen and Shinkaruk have been point wise but producing at around 0.5ppg for a guy who barely scored over 1ppg in junior is very encouraging for a 1st year pro. His game translate so well.