Thanks but I'll pass, never eaten one, never will, serious dairy allergy.

Guess we will have to see with all the new acquisitions, Hutton and Stecher could use a little break from being counted on to carry the load, then they can learn how to be quality Dmen.
- Makita

OJ sounds like he is gunning to make the club too. Hope he looks okay for his 9 games and goes to Europe. I really don't want to see him rushed in the same way.

If Stecher isn't playing with Edler, I'm not sure I'd want him with Hutton or Del Zotto. But hey, TG might be more open minded and really mix things up.

Hutty & Stechy could use some time in Utica.
- Marwood

To learn what or help us tank?

Hutty & Stechy could use some time in Utica.
- Marwood

Hutton would likely be claimed, I'm not sure of Stecher's status.

OJ sounds like he is gunning to make the club too. Hope he looks okay for his 9 games and goes to Europe. I really don't want to see him rushed in the same way.

If Stecher isn't playing with Edler, I'm not sure I'd want him with Hutton or Del Zotto. But hey, TG might be more open minded and really mix things up.
- hillbillydeluxe

I'd rather he do well & stay if it meant trading another D
Is Stecher exempt from waivers?

would you like a bar too?

I'm wondering if Del Zotto will get to play with Tanev? I'm thinking he might be able to push the play more than Hutton.

Is Stecher still waiver exempt?
- hillbillydeluxe

No

IMO....IMO he is overrated by fans here, I really hope he can become a reliable defensive player, but I was not impressed with his defensive abilities.

I know 99.9% of you guys voted him as a fan favourite, but as Lefty would say you guys know poop...
- Makita

He helps with the tank, hopefully he'll be ready when everyone else is.

I'd rather he do well & stay if it meant trading another D
Is Stecher exempt from waivers?
- Nighthawk

I'm just a bit leery of another prospect going from jr or college to the nhl.

if he stayed and got wore down or looked like he wasn't ready after all, I'd be pissed if they didn't send him back. year burnt of whatever, wouldn't matter, send him back.

Stecher made the team last season because we had so little d depth and the same for Hutton before him. Both should have spent a good stretch in Utica.

IMO....IMO he is overrated by fans here, I really hope he can become a reliable defensive player, but I was not impressed with his defensive abilities.

I know 99.9% of you guys voted him as a fan favourite, but as Lefty would say you guys know poop...
- Makita

You are right in the fact that he is overrated...but, he is way more defensively sound than Hutton

Hutty & Stechy could use some time in Utica.
- Marwood

I have suggested that in the past, but Stecher seems to be the next great hope back there. Hutton almost sounds like people have given up on him but I'm hopeful that he could be good if brought along with less responsibility.

OJ sounds like he is gunning to make the club too. Hope he looks okay for his 9 games and goes to Europe. I really don't want to see him rushed in the same way.

If Stecher isn't playing with Edler, I'm not sure I'd want him with Hutton or Del Zotto. But hey, TG might be more open minded and really mix things up.
- hillbillydeluxe

I actually think Benning is starting to turn the clubs fortunes around, I'm looking forward to seeing Juolevi and what he brings.

I'm just a bit leery of another prospect going from jr or college to the nhl.

if he stayed and got wore down or looked like he wasn't ready after all, I'd be pissed if they didn't send him back. year burnt of whatever, wouldn't matter, send him back.

Stecher made the team last season because we had so little d depth and the same for Hutton before him. Both should have spent a good stretch in Utica.
- hillbillydeluxe

Maybe Stecher and Hutton could have spent some time in the AHL after college. But that lack of depth on D to shelter them in learning their roles is why they had rough spots. It's a reality that will occur on a talent deficient team until those players get better or more better ones come along.

Would add that junior has more raw players then NCAA. There are many top end players coming out of college and straight to the NHL. Just the fact that they are older and more experienced as 20 somethings then junior teens gives them a leg up. But also the level of competition and training has vastly risen with college hockey programs. You can see it in the way players like JG, Veasey, etc. are ready for playing in the NHL.

You are right in the fact that he is overrated...but, he is way more defensively sound than Hutton
- CanuckDon

well poop then the guy is the next Norris Trophy winner because he's better than Hutton.

Seriously though because he is better than Hutton doesn't mean he isn't being improperly being used.

NCAA is far below the CHL don't kid yourself.
They hardly have more experience in fact its less.
They r older & more mature is the only plus & at that they still r unlikely to make the jump. Very few in NCAA ever make the jump.

Maybe Stecher and Hutton could have spent some time in the AHL after college. But that lack of depth on D to shelter them in learning their roles is why they had rough spots. It's a reality that will occur on a talent deficient team until those players get better or more better ones come along.

Would add that junior is below NCAA. There are many top end players coming out of college and straight to the NHL. Just the fact that they are older and more experienced as 20 somethings then junior teens gives them a leg up. But also the level of competition and training has vastly risen with college hockey programs. You can see it in the way players like JG, Veasey, etc. are ready for playing in the NHL.
- Nuck4U

I happen to disagree with your statement, there are very few "top end players" players that go from college to the NHL, I think quite a few struggle with the transition, number of games, level of competition. And it also brings up the question or more the definition of "top end player".

NCAA is far below the CHL don't kid yourself.
They hardly have more experience in fact its less.
They r older & more mature is the only plus & at that they still r unlikely to make the jump. Very few in NCAA ever make the jump.
- Nighthawk

The NCAA route is different today than it was twenty years ago as the number of players that have gone on to have professional careers has skyrocketed. The old adage that the CHL is for Pro’s and NCAA is for Joe’s is no longer the case; today NCAA alumni make up nearly a third of the NHL.

But for a balanced approach read this:

https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/2017/05/12/23680/

I happen to disagree with your statement, there are very few "top end players" players that go from college to the NHL, I think quite a few struggle with the transition, number of games, level of competition. And it also brings up the question or more the definition of "top end player".
- Makita

The ones that struggle are not the top end players or not ready (some leave early before getting more seasoning) and wind up needing adjustments in the AHL.

Here is something that shows it's not a few players from NCAA

http://collegehockeyinc.c...entage-of-ncaa-alumni.php

I actually think Benning is starting to turn the clubs fortunes around, I'm looking forward to seeing Juolevi and what he brings.
- Makita

I've been thinking that since he arrived.
I unlike some others didn't expect miracles overnight.
The impatient ppl say one thing but hardly give it the time.
Going off on tirades or witch hunts ignores the problems took many years to get us to this low point & takes 3-5yrs to dig out from under.

I actually think Benning is starting to turn the clubs fortunes around, I'm looking forward to seeing Juolevi and what he brings.
- Makita

well poop then the guy is the next Norris Trophy winner because he's better than Hutton.

Seriously though because he is better than Hutton doesn't mean he isn't being improperly being used.
- Makita

I didn't infer that Makita

I didn't infer that Makita
- CanuckDon

No worries Don, I was just trying to say that Stecher could use time and less responsibilities to become a better defender.

No worries Don, I was just trying to say that Stecher could use time and less responsibilities to become a better defender.
- Makita

Agreed

OJ sounds like he is gunning to make the club too. Hope he looks okay for his 9 games and goes to Europe. I really don't want to see him rushed in the same way.

If Stecher isn't playing with Edler, I'm not sure I'd want him with Hutton or Del Zotto. But hey, TG might be more open minded and really mix things up.
- hillbillydeluxe

now that we have a better D coach, certainly with a better plan than the previous fool we should see better from certain players.
Otherwise Id agree, play the rookie with an experienced NHLer

Hutton would likely be claimed, I'm not sure of Stecher's status.
- hillbillydeluxe

can you imagine the complaining here if hutton was claimed?

I'm just a bit leery of another prospect going from jr or college to the nhl.

if he stayed and got wore down or looked like he wasn't ready after all, I'd be pissed if they didn't send him back. year burnt of whatever, wouldn't matter, send him back.

Stecher made the team last season because we had so little d depth and the same for Hutton before him. Both should have spent a good stretch in Utica.
- hillbillydeluxe

remember that baumgartner and green whom those guys would have been under in utica are here now...maybe staying with the big club isnt such a bad option for some now

I have suggested that in the past, but Stecher seems to be the next great hope back there. Hutton almost sounds like people have given up on him but I'm hopeful that he could be good if brought along with less responsibility.
- Makita

and thats why stay at home defensively strong D are needed, to be paired with high risk offensive D and clean up their messes