Josh Biringer: Willman, Prospect Games, and the Theme Schedule

Nemec was outstanding. By far the best player on the ice, especially in the first game. There were many stretches of the games where it felt like the team had no chance of leaving the D zone unless Nemec was on the ice to facilitate a breakout, but that also just speaks to how poor the rest of the roster was. He's gonna have a great year in Utica, wouldn't be shocked if he's among the best D in the AHL this year.

Slim pickings here but some other standouts to me were Clarke, Filmon, and Misyul. Other than that it was a combination of a bunch of bad/uninspiring/mid play. Clarke should be the best forward on Utica, and i'm hoping he can become a PPG or better player down there this year. I'm hoping Filmon can continue tearing up the WHL and potentially lead that league in scoring, he's really taken a lot of great steps since being drafted.

Bring on the main camp! It's go time!

I'm completely with Josh as I didn't like the Nemec pick at the time. I saw him play last year in Springfield vs. the Thunderbirds and thought he looked outstanding. I'm not a good judge of prospects (particularly goalies) but Nemec has me excited to see how our defense develops over the next couple seasons.

I'm completely with Josh as I didn't like the Nemec pick at the time. I saw him play last year in Springfield vs. the Thunderbirds and thought he looked outstanding. I'm not a good judge of prospects (particularly goalies) but Nemec has me excited to see how our defense develops over the next couple seasons.
- Queenie_5_hole

Agreed, I wasnt happy with it either. Heck, i still believe the pick should've been Cooley, but Nemec has certainly rounded out his game quite a bit in the last year. A lot of people considered him to be a boom-or-bust prospect going into the draft while Jiricek was the much safer pick, but Nemec has really raised his floor. Seems like he's going to end up being a 2nd pair D at worse at the NHL level, and obviously still has the ceiling of being a star. Luke and Nemec are going to run our blueline for a long long time.

Speaking of the D...

How high can Hamilton go - 80+ pt season?

Luke Hughes I think will settle around 50 pts this yr.

With how good scouting has become, is it possible to still find gems like Greene, Rafalski or Oduya? Or have they all been picked and poached?

Speaking of the D...

How high can Hamilton go - 80+ pt season?

Luke Hughes I think will settle around 50 pts this yr.

With how good scouting has become, is it possible to still find gems like Greene, Rafalski or Oduya? Or have they all been picked and poached?
- Leniwm1

I think Hamilton had a career year last year and I have a feeling that Hughes will work his way on PP1 more and more which will reduce the time and points for Hamilton

Speaking of the D...

How high can Hamilton go - 80+ pt season?

Luke Hughes I think will settle around 50 pts this yr.

With how good scouting has become, is it possible to still find gems like Greene, Rafalski or Oduya? Or have they all been picked and poached?
- Leniwm1

I don't see Dougie having another season like he had last year, atleast not breaking 70 points again. I think he'll firmly be in the ~15-18 goal, 60-65 point range. My prediction for Luke is ~7-10 goals, ~40-45 points. Not being on PP1 will limit his upside in terms of production.

I'm completely with Josh as I didn't like the Nemec pick at the time. I saw him play last year in Springfield vs. the Thunderbirds and thought he looked outstanding. I'm not a good judge of prospects (particularly goalies) but Nemec has me excited to see how our defense develops over the next couple seasons.
- Queenie_5_hole

You're not good at anything, that's for sure!

How high can Hamilton go - 80+ pt season?

- Leniwm1

I highly doubt he gets above 60-65pts. And that’s only if he doesn’t get injured all year.

You're not good at anything, that's for sure!
- Mr._Devil

Go away

It's that time of year again. For the 14th year, it's that time.

Looking for some *active* managers to join my primarily hockeybuzz-based yahoo league. 20 teams and large rosters, so the draft is a 2.5 hour experience. No keepers, no money.
Stats include hits/blocks, among the usual.

Draft is Friday, Sep 29th, 8:00pm EDT

I only sent invites out to last year's managers 5 days ago, but there's currently 11 teams that haven't responded yet. We usually have a couple open spots, so I figured I'd throw this out there now, since the draft is in 9 days. Message me if you're interested.

It's that time of year again. For the 14th year, it's that time.

Looking for some *active* managers to join my primarily hockeybuzz-based yahoo league. 20 teams and large rosters, so the draft is a 2.5 hour experience. No keepers, no money.
Stats include hits/blocks, among the usual.

Draft is Friday, Sep 29th, 8:00pm EDT

I only sent invites out to last year's managers 5 days ago, but there's currently 11 teams that haven't responded yet. We usually have a couple open spots, so I figured I'd throw this out there now, since the draft is in 9 days. Message me if you're interested.
- MartysBetter88

Never got an invite

Players have been split into 3 groups in training camp today. Here are the lineups:

Group A:
Bratt-Jack-Toffoli
Nosek-McLeod-Lazar
Willman-Engaras-Thompson

Bahl-Miller
Smith-Foote
Vukojevic-Gambardella

Vanecek
Brennan

Group B:
Meier-Nico-Holtz
Filmon-Dowling-Halonen
Parent-Schmeltzer-Crisuolo
Squires

Luke-Marino
Wotherspoon-Nemec
Misyul-Felix

Schmid
Poulter

Group C:
Palat-Haula-Mercer
Foote-Tierny-Clarke
Willman-Engras-Thompson

Siegs-Dougie
Hatakka-Vilen
Russo

Kallgren
Kinkaid
Brodeur

*Bastian wasn't listed with anyone, as he's coming off a shoulder injury, per Ryan Novozynski.*

Players have been split into 3 groups in training camp today. Here are the lineups:

Group A:
Bratt-Jack-Toffoli
Nosek-McLeod-Lazar
Willman-Engaras-Thompson

Bahl-Miller
Smith-Foote
Vukojevic-Gambardella

Vanecek
Brennan

Group B:
Meier-Nico-Holtz
Filmon-Dowling-Halonen
Parent-Schmeltzer-Crisuolo
Squires

Luke-Marino
Wotherspoon-Nemec
Misyul-Felix

Schmid
Poulter

Group C:
Palat-Haula-Mercer
Foote-Tierny-Clarke
Willman-Engras-Thompson

Siegs-Dougie
Hatakka-Vilen
Russo

Kallgren
Kinkaid
Brodeur

*Bastian wasn't listed with anyone, as he's coming off a shoulder injury, per Ryan Novozynski.*
- vlongo4419

Some good looking lines to see how things go and if course there will be movement

And as we saw last season holtz played on the same line all preseason pretty much then game 1 was totally different

I like the bratt Hughes toffoli line
Has lot of skill and toffoli will help

The Meier nico holtz line could be good too

Then utility 3rd line of palat haula and Mercer

4th line will be interesting

Fitz says Luke is is dealing with some inflammation, but won't elaborate further on it. They anticipate he'll be able to play in the preseason.