Michael Stuart: Mike's Mailbag

I think the Drouin situation could play out something like Seguins rookie year. Seguin was not going to benefit from heading back to Juniors so the Bruins kept him on the big club. They sheltered his minutes and spent some much needed time in the press box. Can the Lightning do that with Drouin this season?

I think the Drouin situation could play out something like Seguins rookie year. Seguin was not going to benefit from heading back to Juniors so the Bruins kept him on the big club. They sheltered his minutes and spent some much needed time in the press box. Can the Lightning do that with Drouin this season?
- fudd1689

Possibly, but your team back then was so much stronger than ours is now. I think that if Drouin makes the club, they'll play him consistently. I would expect them to shelter his minutes though.

I think the Drouin situation could play out something like Seguins rookie year. Seguin was not going to benefit from heading back to Juniors so the Bruins kept him on the big club. They sheltered his minutes and spent some much needed time in the press box. Can the Lightning do that with Drouin this season?
- fudd1689

I hope they handle Drouin better than Stamkos' rookie year. Junior hockey is not enough of a challenge for Drouin but NHL might be too big of a jump. A common issue for high draft picks since they are only 18. I have suits and ties older that still fit. Yipes

Possibly, but your team back then was so much stronger than ours is now. I think that if Drouin makes the club, they'll play him consistently. I would expect them to shelter his minutes though.
- Michael_Stuart

Agreed, I was going to mention that the depth on that Bruins team was out of this world. If Drouin is ready there is no need to send him back to the minors to dominate, wont learn much there.

I hope they handle Drouin better than Stamkos' rookie year. Junior hockey is not enough of a challenge for Drouin but NHL might be too big of a jump. A common issue for high draft picks since they are only 18. I have suits and ties older that still fit. Yipes
- Leafsandbolts

There really should be an exceptional player status, similar to what the CHL has done for young players, that allows for 'exceptional' 18-year-olds to play in the AHL.

Agreed, I was going to mention that the depth on that Bruins team was out of this world. If Drouin is ready there is no need to send him back to the minors to dominate, wont learn much there.
- fudd1689

Agreed

I hope they handle Drouin better than Stamkos' rookie year. Junior hockey is not enough of a challenge for Drouin but NHL might be too big of a jump. A common issue for high draft picks since they are only 18. I have suits and ties older that still fit. Yipes
- Leafsandbolts

That is exactly why I think the league has to review the age restrictions for the AHL. If you can play in the NHL at 18, than you should be able to play in the AHL. I know they are trying to keep the CHL competitive but in certain instances players and teams should be able to make that decision.

That is exactly why I think the league has to review the age restrictions for the AHL. If you can play in the NHL at 18, than you should be able to play in the AHL. I know they are trying to keep the CHL competitive but in certain instances players and teams should be able to make that decision.
- fudd1689

Some sort of exceptional player status.

Q – Riley asks: If Marty has 3-5 years left, do you think he will be named “C”? We all know he deserves it the most, but let’s be honest about the age here.

A – Yes.

yes this is what i wanted to hear, my favorite player of all time getting what he deserves!!!

i love the mailbag :D i wasnt here for it last off-season, but i am now WOOT

IMO, drouin will for sure crack the top 6, no problem. unless cooper puts malone with filpulla and purcell and puts drouin with johnson &panik/palat/connoly?

Q – Riley asks: If Marty has 3-5 years left, do you think he will be named “C”? We all know he deserves it the most, but let’s be honest about the age here.

A – Yes.

yes this is what i wanted to hear, my favorite player of all time getting what he deserves!!!

i love the mailbag :D i wasnt here for it last off-season, but i am now WOOT

IMO, drouin will for sure crack the top 6, no problem. unless cooper puts malone with filpulla and purcell and puts drouin with johnson &panik/palat/connoly?
- RileyB77

I can't see them going with an all-rookie third line. Arty and I have disagreed on this for a long time. Drouin, in my opinion, is top-six or Junior.

EDIT - Glad to hear you enjoy the mailbag! I'll be interested to see who gets the C, but I do think it'll be Marty.

Some sort of exceptional player status.
- Michael_Stuart

The only problem I see with that is what defines an exceptional player. Leaves a grey area for teams to find fault in the rule.

The only problem I see with that is what defines an exceptional player. Leaves a grey area for teams to find fault in the rule.
- fudd1689

Hockey Canada deals with it for 15-year-olds, so I suppose that NHL teams could make the same argument.

Hockey Canada deals with it for 15-year-olds, so I suppose that NHL teams could make the same argument.
- Michael_Stuart

Very true, and I am all for it

I can't see them going with an all-rookie third line. Arty and I have disagreed on this for a long time. Drouin, in my opinion, is top-six or Junior.

EDIT - Glad to hear you enjoy the mailbag! I'll be interested to see who gets the C, but I do think it'll be Marty.
- Michael_Stuart

this is why on past blog ive suggested purcell, filpulla and drouin but have gotten poop on for mentioning it, to avoid the rookie line

this is why on past blog ive suggested purcell, filpulla and drouin but have gotten poop on for mentioning it, to avoid the rookie line
- RileyB77

Then you get the three-playmaker-line.

I hope they handle Drouin better than Stamkos' rookie year. Junior hockey is not enough of a challenge for Drouin but NHL might be too big of a jump. A common issue for high draft picks since they are only 18. I have suits and ties older that still fit. Yipes
- Leafsandbolts

once Tocchet identified Stamkos' issue he fixed it. as much as you wanna hate Rick, he did do that. as a coach he was in over his head, but as a guy that helps develop players he's pretty good.

Then you get the three-playmaker-line.
- Michael_Stuart

so tell purcell to shoot the puck or get his contract cut the (frank) up

as a player (i know im not in the NHL folks) i think if cooper sat down with purcell and told him what he wanted, it would be a lot easier for purcell to figure it out and perform it well.. i mean the guy has a god damn blistering shot ...

Its really is to bad drouin can't start the year in the AHL I think it would make him so much more ready and make him an all star right out the gate. Wish the cats could've done it with Huberdeau.

Its really is to bad drouin can't start the year in the AHL I think it would make him so much more ready and make him an all star right out the gate. Wish the cats could've done it with Huberdeau.
- Crazycaboose

Absolutely. This might not be the right wording, but leaving guys like this in Junior almost wastes a year. Are they truly developing in Junior when they've already proven everything there is to prove?

once Tocchet identified Stamkos' issue he fixed it. as much as you wanna hate Rick, he did do that. as a coach he was in over his head, but as a guy that helps develop players he's pretty good.
- Artyukhin76

Yes, sir.

so tell purcell to shoot the puck or get his contract cut the (frank) up

as a player (i know im not in the NHL folks) i think if cooper sat down with purcell and told him what he wanted, it would be a lot easier for purcell to figure it out and perform it well.. i mean the guy has a god damn blistering shot ...
- RileyB77

Purcell can shoot. There's no doubt about that. Drouin can as well. It's just a matter of finding the right chemistry. Until camp rolls around, we won't know where there's chemistry with the new guys.

Yea right Devils will finish with 39 pts tops next season

Q – Riley asks: If Marty has 3-5 years left, do you think he will be named “C”? We all know he deserves it the most, but let’s be honest about the age here.

A – Yes.

yes this is what i wanted to hear, my favorite player of all time getting what he deserves!!!

i love the mailbag :D i wasnt here for it last off-season, but i am now WOOT

IMO, drouin will for sure crack the top 6, no problem. unless cooper puts malone with filpulla and purcell and puts drouin with johnson &panik/palat/connoly?
- RileyB77

this is what I see for next season, take it with 20 lbs of salt because I'm a (frank)ing nobody.

1st line:
LW Drouin-he'll force his way onto this line
C Stamkos-who else?
RW St. Louis? duh!!!!

2nd line:
LW Malone-if he can stay healthy he's awesome and they need a scorer
C Filppula-great two way guy that plays all three zones
RW Purcell-great playmaker that needs to shoot more

3rd line:
LW Killorn-future Malone, but healthy
C Johnson-a little small, but he got talent all over
RW Connolly-has the skills, has the drive. just needs the chance

4th line:
LW Labrie- nothing going on between his ears, but he's fun
C Thompson- best defensive forward on our team
RW Crombeen-solid penalty killer and a decent punching bag

the devils will do better next season than this season...

has everyone forgot about henrique? am i the only guy who thinks that guy is a monster ??? so talented..

look at their goalies...possibly the best goalie duo in the league (schneiders claim to fame, keeps going to teams with 2 starting goalies)

look at their young guys, i mean theres just so much to see from the devils they are going to be good and have a very well knowledged coach