Tyler Cameron: Central Preview: Winnipeg Jets + Blackhawks Announce Traverse City Roster

Happy happy

Assuming the Wild will be one of the two teams we need to finish with fewer points than the Hawks, I think Winnipeg could be the other. If they get Laine and Connor signed, and they should, they still have an outstanding forward group but their d-corps took a big hit and I'm not sold their goaltending can make up the difference. Here's hoping.

The jets will miss Trouba, no doubt. But Myers, Chairot and Tanev were all over rated and won’t be missed. Guys like Niku, Poolman, Vesalainen and Appleton can all easily replace those departed. I think a lot people forget the Jets were still at times last year the youngest team in the league. They have more players on the up swing than down. Like with many teams their eventual success or lack thereof will be determined by goaltending.

I bet they fall to #6 in the division.

Assuming the Wild will be one of the two teams we need to finish with fewer points than the Hawks, I think Winnipeg could be the other. If they get Laine and Connor signed, and they should, they still have an outstanding forward group but their d-corps took a big hit and I'm not sold their goaltending can make up the difference. Here's hoping.
- EbonyRaptor

It’s two teams to beat only if there are no surprise teams out west - AZ, maybe, Vancouver....

Perhaps doubtful, but (a) not being in the Central, they do have slightly easier schedules, maybe; and (2) there are always surprise teams going in both directions.

Tyler, good call on Soderlund perhaps thriving more on smaller North American ice. He’s freaky fast, plays relentlessly on the forecheck, and loves crashing the dirty, tough areas.

Excited to see the forgotten guy, Chad Krys as well. It's a great stage for him to show off his skills and maybe replace Jokiharju as the 4th horseman along with Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin.


I love that you mentioned Kyrs Tyler!!!!

That Shaw to Habs, and back move...which is a super win by the hawks anyway....will be a BONANZA if Krys also becomes a viable NHLer.

When all the dust settles: We end up having Shaw back. gaining DeBrincat, gaining Krys...and Habs get just a 2nd and 6th rounder. (or something along those lines)

Watta great outcome!!!!

Excited to see the forgotten guy, Chad Krys as well. It's a great stage for him to show off his skills and maybe replace Jokiharju as the 4th horseman along with Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin.


I love that you mentioned Kyrs Tyler!!!!

That Shaw to Habs, and back move...which is a super win by the hawks anyway....will be a BONANZA if Krys also becomes a viable NHLer.

When all the dust settles: We end up having Shaw back. gaining DeBrincat, gaining Krys...and Habs get just a 2nd and 6th rounder. (or something along those lines)

Watta great outcome!!!!
- hawk35

Like Tyler’s take on Krys. IMO, this tourney and also first full season one Rockford can help cement himself as not only a blueline leader but also for the whole team as well.

Krys was the elder skatesman at prospect camp and a few reports say the younger prospects look up to him. He’s vocal on the bench and ice as well as trusted by coaches who he likes to talk up.

Not sure if captains will be selected for the tourney but can see Krys being named captain. I recall Motte was captain when he was still in the system and made the Hawks that fall.

Tyler Cameron: Central Preview: Winnipeg Jets + Blackhawks Announce Traverse City Roster
- Tyler Cameron

Great piece, TC. I appreciate all your work in these dog days of no hockey. Idk about goal scoring, the guys you named specifically, I think will pick up the load. I do see the d jumping in. Anyway, I'm excited & look forward to any surprises, dark horses, & the new draftees.

The Jets will always give us trouble, just because of the division rivals, but I think we took the series last season. (???) I'm not entirely sure, so don't quote me. I think they fall out of contention, hard.

>>>Cam Ward retires – I know he was only a Chicago Blackhawk for a year, but he played hard and did all he could when called upon. Most importantly, he was a stand-up veteran and have heard he left an impact on some of the younger players on the team last year with his leadership – especially Collin Delia.<<<

a real credit to the league. Standup and classy guy. Congrats to him on his career. He probably still see pucks flying at him in his sleep with all the rubber he saw and felt last year. I remember the bolt game where the hawks looked like a HS team. Ward had a .910 save % whole giving up 7 goals.

“* Riley McKay – looks like the Hawks have brought along Kirby Dach's teammate and bodyguard from the Saskatoon Blades. McKay played on Dach's Blades last year racking up 149 PIMs.“

Interesting read on him:

https://thestarphoenix.co...hero-for-saskatoon-blades

Yeah he can fight:
https://youtu.be/cDJrpM5iIHA

I'm interested to see what Soderlund can do. I don't expect to see him jump to the NHL this season but he's been touted as Shaw 2.0 and I've read that some scouts feel his game is better suited for North America.

Also, interesting to see that Ramsay has switched from forward to defense, I wonder what prompted that change.

with the jets RFAs they have the cap space..i suspects its term...jets don't want to give 6 plus years to either of them...

I agree with Ross77 and would like to see Poolman and Niku play ahead of Kulikov. The biggest question is will Maurice change their nonexistent defensive system and address their horribly predictable zone breakout? Or will he stubbornly stick to something that doesn't work like having Little as a #2 center between Laine and Ehlers?

Going into this series of blogs, I had the Central broken down into 4 groups:
1-2: STL and DAL
3: NAS
4-6: CHI, COL and WIN
7 MIN

I think CHI, COL and WIN will be fighting for the 2 wild card positions.

It will be interesting to see if Tyler changes my mind.

The Traverse City forwards lack some offense. But I expect the defense to contribute to the offense. The question is can this thrown together team play defense (or will they even make the effort to play defense). A 200' game should be a focus on the big club and no better time to instill that idea in the prospects than in this tournament.

The Traverse City forwards lack some offense. But I expect the defense to contribute to the offense. The question is can this thrown together team play defense (or will they even make the effort to play defense). A 200' game should be a focus on the big club and no better time to instill that idea in the prospects than in this tournament.
- -Doh-

When he s the tournament?

What are the TV watching opportunities?

I'm interested to see what Soderlund can do. I don't expect to see him jump to the NHL this season but he's been touted as Shaw 2.0 and I've read that some scouts feel his game is better suited for North America.

Also, interesting to see that Ramsay has switched from forward to defense, I wonder what prompted that change.
- DarthKane

Nice catch, DK.

I'm not sure why they made the move. It's not like RFD or Indy needs more D.

When he s the tournament?

What are the TV watching opportunities?
- StLBravesFan

September 6th to 10th.

Not sure where to watch, I will be looking on-line.

Like Tyler’s take on Krys. IMO, this tourney and also first full season one Rockford can help cement himself as not only a blueline leader but also for the whole team as well.

Krys was the elder skatesman at prospect camp and a few reports say the younger prospects look up to him. He’s vocal on the bench and ice as well as trusted by coaches who he likes to talk up.

Not sure if captains will be selected for the tourney but can see Krys being named captain. I recall Motte was captain when he was still in the system and made the Hawks that fall.
- AEL_Fox

Yep! This is his chance to shine.

Good call on Krys potentially being the Captain. I had him, Gilbert or Reese Johnson pegged as potentials to wear the "C".

When he s the tournament?

What are the TV watching opportunities?
- StLBravesFan

I believe most games will be streamed online.

Once I see though, I will post. I will have more on the tournament as we get closer to the date.

Don't see it with Dallas. They are going to have trouble scoring with that forward group. Polak and Sekera being in their top 6 on D is good. For other teams.

I'm interested to see what Soderlund can do. I don't expect to see him jump to the NHL this season but he's been touted as Shaw 2.0 and I've read that some scouts feel his game is better suited for North America.

Also, interesting to see that Ramsay has switched from forward to defense, I wonder what prompted that change.
- DarthKane

Never will see a moment at the NHL level.

I agree with Ross77 and would like to see Poolman and Niku play ahead of Kulikov. The biggest question is will Maurice change their nonexistent defensive system and address their horribly predictable zone breakout? Or will he stubbornly stick to something that doesn't work like having Little as a #2 center between Laine and Ehlers?
- islansjet

The Jets didn't play all that well from Dec to the end of the season. Buff is the same age as Seabrook and time is starting to catch up with him.

As long as Maurice is there, they aren't going anywhere and probably are going to fall.
If they launch Maurice, that will help them.