as15

I really don't think any of the guys are ready for that, Kristo being the only one that is close but I am willing to bet that if he signs this offseason, it won't be with Montreal, he will become a free agent.

After his Gothberg's year in the USHL, he has very little to prove at that level. I think it is best case scenario for him to come in next year, learn under an All-American senior goaltender, play in a handful of games and be ready to take over as the starter as a sophomore. I like that idea much more than having him try to start right away as a freshman.

They will have a very good group of defenseman, their scoring depth will be lacking though.

We could also split up the second line, making the 2nd and 3rd lines a little more equal, how about: O'Donnell-Grimaldi-Parks MacMillan-Rowney-Koules I also think Chyzyk will have a very similar season to Parks this year, looking at the stats from Chyzyk's current year to Parks' last year in the USHL, they are very similar. More goals than assists and the point totals are pretty close as well. Keep in mind that this is Chyzyk's first year in the USHL and Parks played two.

I only want him to come in if he will play a top 6 role. I think he will be a solid contributor for this team, if he is only going to play in 20 games his freshman year, I say go back to the USHL and possibly win the Top Defenseman Award.

I don't see how LaDue comes in next year either, unless MacWilliam or Forbort decide to leave early. If no one leaves early we will have Forbort, MacWilliam, Simpson, Mattson, Gleason, and Panzarella with at least one full year under their belts. Schmaltz will take either Gleason's or Panzarella's spot on D. I see Gleason playing alot of forward once again next year. If Jones commits I really don't know who would sit.

It's hard to say right now, we have alot of forwards that have experience playing center. The big line of Nelson, Knight, Kristo could be split up and have Brock or Corban centering the 2nd line as well.

Danny DeKeyser

So who were you referring to in your previous comment?

Like it, I would have O'Donnell as the center instead of MacMillan.

Are you referring to Drew Shore? He is a better prospect than Corban Knight in almost every aspect of the game. I would be very surprised if Drew doesn't spend time in the AHL before making it to the NHL full time.

Reason for leaving out O'Donnell? He will be a Top-9 forward next year.

If Kristo leaves early, that leaves a big spot open in the first line RW slot, most people think we put Grimaldi there and call it good. I would totally agree with this but earlier this year Hakstol said he really likes Grimaldi at center. I would be very surprised if Rocco played wing next year, I think we will really like his tenacity in the defensive zone as a center.

I really don't see Chyzyk sitting next year, or Koules. Here is my lineup for next year, disregarding any potential early departures: Nelson-Knight-Kristo MacMillan-Grimaldi-Parks O'Donnell-Rowney-Chyzyk Rodwell-St.Clair/Pattyn-Koules Mattson-MacWilliam Schmaltz-Forbort Gleason-Simpson

We know how good he is, our saving grace is that he is drafted by Florida, the team with arguably the best prospect pool in the NHL. He has 4 or 5 center prospects ahead of him right now. As good as he is, he probably wouldn't play more than a 3rd role on their AHL team next year, you really shouldn't leave early for that.

Maine up 2-0 on a very weird goal. Puck was in Maine's end and a Duluth player knocked the net off, play continued but the Duluth player's stopped skating because they anticipated a whistle, Maine goes on a breakaway and scores.

I have seen many goals, even some Sioux goals this year that counted even though the goal was moved a slight bit.

No idea why that one was waved off. The net was lifted off the ice about half an inch, but never came off its moorings. The goal should have counted, Buccigross and Melrose thought so as well.

From things I have read, they have one of the top d-corps in the country led by Matt Tennyson and Danny DeKeyser, who is the top free agent defenseman in the NCAA. They are very good defensively, leading the country in fewest shots on goal allowed.

Mostly listed on the 3rd line, but in some of the games he played he was moved up as the game went on. In all of the games he was on the first PP unit with Kristo, Nelson, Knight, and Mattson.

Jordan Schmaltz anywhere from late 1st to 3rd round, how he does in the USHL playoffs will probably go a long way in determining where he is drafted. Miles Koules, at the start of the year, he was projected to go as high as the 2nd round, now he will be a late round guy, 5th to 7th round but might go undrafted. Drake Caggiula could be another late round guy, but I expect him not to be drafted. St. Clair and Chyzyk are two overagers that have a chance, I would not be that surprised if someone took a chance on Chyzyk after his year in the USHL.

I never said anything about "physical skills", I said "hockey playing ability", which is a whole lot different. Look at a guy like Jaden Schwartz, he is small, not very fast, has very few "physical skills" but he is extremely good at hockey. How is it comparing apples to oranges in any way? Pattyn is essentially the same type of player Mario is. A hard-working, gritty leader. It has been said multiple times on this board and by others that Pattyn will wear a letter later on in his career.

I agree, he can play in the NHL right now, but probably not as a Top-6 forward, which is where they ultimately want him to play, and would want him to further develop those Top-6 skills elsewhere, whether it be the AHL or NCAA.

Nelson more so than Bjugstad, Bjugstad already seems pretty strong. His stride is much better than Brock's right now, but I think that will be improved with added leg strength, look how much it improved from last year to this year.

I really think he is ready for the NHL right now, but I don't mind seeing top end talent staying an extra year. It was fun watching Justin Schultz, even though he had no business playing in the NCAA this year, Bjugstad could be in the same boat if he stays. 4 years is a little overboard though, there is absolutely no reason for him to stay that long. Even if his family was big into education, if he had 3 years of credits already, its pretty easy to finish your degree in 2-3 summers afterwards if it works out.