Post by gmdetroit on Aug 2, 2008 14:45:58 GMT -5
The off season is not over yet but the Cougars are extremely satisfied about the last couples moves.
First, the amazing draft we had, some top end talent, some top-6 forward talent and decent defenseman and overall depth was added.
After that, I recently acquire the Centre/Left Winger Shawn Horcoff rated 80OV in exchange we didn't trade any roster player, prospect Joshua Bailey and Pavel Valentenko are going to continue their career in Moscow's system.
And then, Ray Whitney was shipped in Bratislava in return we acquire the centre Todd White and a late pick for the 2009 draft.
Not long after that trade with James Kirkpatrick, we traded ME Vlasic, Josh Gorges and prospect Mitch Wahl for the 25 years old star centre in Tomas Plekanec 80OV and a late pick in 2009.
Then, the UFA period started, we landed two of the best defensive player of the IHL, Mike Grier and Jay Pandolfo, one rated 79DF and the other one 78DF.
The last thing we need is a backup goalie...
1st Line:
Erik Cole 80 - Eric Staal 83 - Marian Gaborik 83
Extremely gifted line with the 23 years old superstar centre Eric Staal surrounded by an elite right winger who is one of the best one on one player in the game of hockey at this moment. Erik Cole will provides grit, goal scoring ability, intensity and hard working around the net to get the garbage goal. This should be a very good line. What more else can I say? This is an ELITE line.
2nd line:
Shawn Horcoff 80 - Jason Arnott 81 - Alexander Semin 77
Another very good offensive line with another big centre down the middle in Jason Arnott. Everyone knows that Arnott can score goal, use his body, can set up his teammate, very hard to move him out of the front of the net. On the right wing, the best stickhandling and puck control guys out of our team, Alex Semin, he can make nifty move, got a sick release, he should be the trigger man on the line. On the left, Shawn Horcoff, a speedy player with excellent skating skills, he and Semin should make the others D looks silly by their speed and smooth skating, Horcoff, Arnott and Semin are all equally good scorer (78SC-77SC-76SC), Horcoff and Arnott should try the find Semin more often since they are by far better passers.
3rd line:
Jay Pandolfo 72 - Tomas Plekanec 80 - Mike Grier 72
How many team can claim that they have a 25 years old 80OV centre on their third line ? The Cougars was looking at last season of a team without any depth, another story for next year! Plekanec is an awesome skater, fast, good defensively, equally good at scoring goal or setting up teammates and controlling the puck. (78PA-77SC-78PC). On his right side, one of the best defensive forward of the game in Mike Grier, Mike is an excellent positioning player and a good forechecker. On the Left wing, another stellar defensive forward in Jay Pandolfo, this line should be pretty good at shutting down their opponent.
4th line:
Maxim Talbot 71 - Todd White 77 - Steve Ott 72
Todd White, a good player defensively and offensively, he is a decent skater and above average speed, with some average puck controlling skills and intensity. Steve Ott is a intense and strong player, can delivers good hit and being very responsible in his own end. Talbot is all about intensity and desire to perform, he is good defensively like many of our forwards.
First, the amazing draft we had, some top end talent, some top-6 forward talent and decent defenseman and overall depth was added.
After that, I recently acquire the Centre/Left Winger Shawn Horcoff rated 80OV in exchange we didn't trade any roster player, prospect Joshua Bailey and Pavel Valentenko are going to continue their career in Moscow's system.
And then, Ray Whitney was shipped in Bratislava in return we acquire the centre Todd White and a late pick for the 2009 draft.
Not long after that trade with James Kirkpatrick, we traded ME Vlasic, Josh Gorges and prospect Mitch Wahl for the 25 years old star centre in Tomas Plekanec 80OV and a late pick in 2009.
Then, the UFA period started, we landed two of the best defensive player of the IHL, Mike Grier and Jay Pandolfo, one rated 79DF and the other one 78DF.
The last thing we need is a backup goalie...
1st Line:
Erik Cole 80 - Eric Staal 83 - Marian Gaborik 83
Extremely gifted line with the 23 years old superstar centre Eric Staal surrounded by an elite right winger who is one of the best one on one player in the game of hockey at this moment. Erik Cole will provides grit, goal scoring ability, intensity and hard working around the net to get the garbage goal. This should be a very good line. What more else can I say? This is an ELITE line.
2nd line:
Shawn Horcoff 80 - Jason Arnott 81 - Alexander Semin 77
Another very good offensive line with another big centre down the middle in Jason Arnott. Everyone knows that Arnott can score goal, use his body, can set up his teammate, very hard to move him out of the front of the net. On the right wing, the best stickhandling and puck control guys out of our team, Alex Semin, he can make nifty move, got a sick release, he should be the trigger man on the line. On the left, Shawn Horcoff, a speedy player with excellent skating skills, he and Semin should make the others D looks silly by their speed and smooth skating, Horcoff, Arnott and Semin are all equally good scorer (78SC-77SC-76SC), Horcoff and Arnott should try the find Semin more often since they are by far better passers.
3rd line:
Jay Pandolfo 72 - Tomas Plekanec 80 - Mike Grier 72
How many team can claim that they have a 25 years old 80OV centre on their third line ? The Cougars was looking at last season of a team without any depth, another story for next year! Plekanec is an awesome skater, fast, good defensively, equally good at scoring goal or setting up teammates and controlling the puck. (78PA-77SC-78PC). On his right side, one of the best defensive forward of the game in Mike Grier, Mike is an excellent positioning player and a good forechecker. On the Left wing, another stellar defensive forward in Jay Pandolfo, this line should be pretty good at shutting down their opponent.
4th line:
Maxim Talbot 71 - Todd White 77 - Steve Ott 72
Todd White, a good player defensively and offensively, he is a decent skater and above average speed, with some average puck controlling skills and intensity. Steve Ott is a intense and strong player, can delivers good hit and being very responsible in his own end. Talbot is all about intensity and desire to perform, he is good defensively like many of our forwards.