The Official Prospects Thread

[glen a richter]

With Thomas signed and Vlad staying, I'd offer Scandella around the league for a pick and just give that roster spot to Perunovich. The kid is probably ready. I know he was injured all last year so he'd probably benefit from a full season in the AHL but he's replacing Scandella eventually so might as well get a jump on that.

[theohall]

I just don't see that happening - moving Scandella to make room for Perunovich. I could see them moving one of the less experienced guys, like Walman. Say a Sanford-Walman package to someone for a bag of pucks and whatever Walman is really worth. Having two under-sized LD? Seems super risky. Now, the fact they played Perunovich on RD darn near half of the time at Traverse City, the Blues may seriously be considering slotting him in there. The issue, again, size. Being a shorter player with shorter reach playing on your offside defensively is probably more of an issue at the NHL level than having a larger defenseman with greater reach do the same. That being said, if Perunovich slots in as the 7th defenseman, he will see time when Bortz inevitably gets hurt, if not sooner. We'll see.

[theohall]

Reading this Ryan's Ramblings about the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues are bringing the San Antonio staff to Springfield. Kevin McDonald will again be the Blues AHL GM with Drew Bannister as head coach, so there will finally be some continuity with a head coach knowing the players he will be working with ahead of time. Granted, there are some players who have been part of the Springfield roster already, but at least Bannister has a strong starting point.

While this guy thinks Lindgren will be the #1 G based on his AHL experience, things might start that way, but I suspect Hofer will take over that #1 role relatively quickly.

As an aside, you may read some fools writing Chiarelli will be the eventual replacement for Armstrong. IMO, they are full of beans. The more likely successor options (thank goodness it won't be for another 6 years) are Dave Taylor, Al Mac, or Tim Taylor. The most likely, IMO, based on age and their current position, is Tim Taylor since he is currently Director of Player Development - the same role Bill Armstrong held before his very short term as Assistant GM. Dave Taylor, the current Assistant GM, is probably going to retire from hockey completely before Doug's contract is done considering he's already 65.

[theohall]

Since the Blues don't have an ECHL affiliate, I'm wondering where Colton Ellis will wind up. He is about to turn 21 (Oct 5th) making him ineligible for juniors while Hofer and Lindgren are the clear duo for Springfield.

[glen a richter]

Maybe Ellis will follow the Binnington path, though I think Zherenko might end up jumping both Ellis and Hofer when it's all said and done. Lots of goalie potential in the pipeline though, which is a good problem to have I guess.

Looking ahead to who's (probably) coming off the roster next season, I think it might be a good idea to get Neighbours a full NHL season this year. With a number of guys up for UFA status next year... Perron, MacEachern, Bozak, Clifford, Bortz, there's a good chance to see a number of the kids fighting it out a year from now. I think we'll be hearing from guys like Bolduc, Robertsson, Alexandrov and Tucker all next year. That's a lot of kids to be penciling in all at once.

[theohall]

I suspect Perron will be back. If he keeps playing at his current level, he'd be worth re-signing.
Bortuzzo will likely be back simply due to the lack of RHD, unless the Blues address this via trade or UFA before next season.
Bozak - retires
Clifford - only if it's vet minimum, and I'd rather they promote a younger player.
MacEachern - needs to prove he belongs.

So I see 3 forward slots opening up for the likes of Neighbors, Bolduc, and Alexandrov/McGing.

[glen a richter]

I am curious to see what McGing does in Springfield. I never expected him to even be in the conversation.

[theohall]

I am curious to see what McGing does in Springfield. I never expected him to even be in the conversation.

Apparently, this is what always happens with McGing, because of his size. USHL - ppg player in second season. NCAA - became a PPG player by his senior season, while almost being a PPG guy in his sophomore and junior seasons. We just have to see if he shows the same progression in the AHL. He will definitely get more of an opportunity playing top 6 minutes with Springfield than he did with Utica, where he was relegated to a bottom 6 role due to Utica supporting 2 NHL teams and the Blues weren't primary. While he starts off slow, he winds up exceeding what most expected relatively quickly. I know in Traverse City he was the 2nd most noticeable Blues player - even moreso than Neighbors. He seems to have a Jaden Schwartz-like motor, but is just so much smaller.

[theohall]

With Neighbors not in the lineup tonight vs the Wild, I'm guessing he's made the team. Tonight is basically a who makes the team game for both teams - so it's prospect heavy.

[glen a richter]

I'm glad Neighbours will be with the club and I hope it works out to be more than just the 9 gamer. I think he'll be a very good NHL'er in time, not a star but definitely a guy who becomes a fan favorite.

[theohall]

Forgot where I heard this, but the comment applied to both Neighbors and Bolduc. Both of them already have size. Both of them have skill. What's unique - is they have both at the same time and are playing with skill at that size. When they make the jump, they won't have to "get bigger" and adjust accordingly. Kind of like Thomas has had to add weight. He had the skill, but not the size. Same deal with Kyrou.

[theohall]

Colten Ellis is playing for the Worcester Railers, Isles affiliate, in the ECHL. The other goalie, Justin Kapelmaster, was undrafted and hasn't done much at all, so Ellis should get an opportunity to be the #1. They split the first two games this weekend. Kapelmaster was awful surrendering 6 goals on 34 shots on Friday, while Ellis put up a .933 SV% saving 42 of 45 shots faced in a 4-3 win tonight (Saturday 10/23).

[glen a richter]

Two other prospects of interest, LaFerriere and Washkurak, are also down at the ECHL. Both played in one game thus far, no points, -1.

[theohall]

Looks like those two are somehow caught between things. Hockeydb, after that one game played, lists both of them as "no longer on active roster" while they are listed on the T-Birds roster with no games played.

[theohall]

I have no idea how the ECHL does their scheduling. Worcester plays the Florida Everblades ( Cape Coral/Ft Myers area), but doesn't play the Jacksonville Icemen. Meanwhile, Worcester does play teams from the Western conference several times. Only saying this, because it would've been nice to go see a Blues prospect in an ECHL game live.

[glen a richter]

I have no idea how the ECHL does their scheduling. Worcester plays the Florida Everblades ( Cape Coral/Ft Myers area), but doesn't play the Jacksonville Icemen. Meanwhile, Worcester does play teams from the Western conference several times. Only saying this, because it would've been nice to go see a Blues prospect in an ECHL game live.

That is some absurd scheduling. I'm going to the Springfield game against Bridgeport on the 6th, but like I pointed out in the other thread there's zero chance I see Hofer play in the middle game of the 3 day weekend and I also suspect there's a decent chance Perunovich is up with the big club by then, the way he's going.

[glen a richter]

Tanner Dickinson is putting together a very good season so far, over a PPG which is well above any pace he had previously. 19 year old left handed shot at center.

[glen a richter]

No surprise here, Neighbours sent back to juniors.

See you next September, kid.

[theohall]

Neighbours named Captain of the Edmonton Oil Kings. Neighbours with a power play assist. Oil Kings over Regina Pats 6-3

[theohall]

Jake Neighbours put up 1G and 1A earning #1 Star in a 6-3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders. Highlights in the score link.