08-09 Tough Guy

[donjohnson]

The addition of David Jarram at the trading deadline definitely improved the team's performance. I would argue that he played well above expectations but I think that playing with speedy young players may have helped that compared with other teams he played with. Here are the stats to back that up:

Pre-Jarram:

18-16-4 for 40 pts in 38 games (0.53)

Post Trade:

15-9-6 for 36 pts in 30 games (0.60)

yes there are many other variables such as schedule, home/away, etc. but i'll leave those detailed stats to DiscoStu who always has some sort of great breakdown on the noob. I would venture to guess that the schedule was actually harder after the trade deadline however many of those games were at home...you be the judge.

What does all this mean??? Yes, we need a new tough guy. There is one potential candidate already on the roster in Kain Allicock, however, i have 3 questions about him:

1) First, is he going to make the team?? I would argue that he can skate well but skillwise, i'm not sure if he adds anything when he's out there.

2) Is he "legitimate?" What I mean by that is, does he strike fear into opposing players like the night that Greenop would not fight Jarram (for whatever reason).

3) Can he become a better fighter? If you watched the way Jarram/Harrison fought when they were here, they have a significant amount of defense and strength with their grab/clench hand. Allicock is a rockem-sockem robot and that is fun to watch but we need someone who can take on the "legitimate" heavies from the other teams...not just the rooks who are looking for a go.

What is my advice??? If I was GM Edwards, I would be looking at the Q, the W and the USHL for a guy looking for a change from his current situation and a chance to make a name for himself for a full season.

Bottom line...if we're going to put up some scoring numbers next year with our potential speedy youngsters...we need a legit heavyweight!

[IGive1]

If the league banishes fighting (after the Roy incident in the Q), it will change the careers of guys like Greenup, Alicock greatly and have GMs across the league very busy making changes. I hope Branch decides not to, but I saw an interview with him and his quote was they will have to make a decision in the very near future about it.

For what it's worth, I thought Jaram was a disappointment. I don't think he wanted to play the role he was brought here to play and only fought when greatly prodded by the opponent.

[donjohnson]

they'd be stupid to ban fighting...what they need to do is ban idiots like the Roy kid so as to discourage the rest of people from doing it. Will it happen every so often...yes, it's inevitable...but with all players carrying weapons on the ice (sticks), they will need to make up for the lack of fighting with stiffer (in-game) penalties for stick-work.

Here's what will happen...Player "A" slashes Player "B", "B" retailiates and slashes "A" harder and "A" goes down. Rather than "B" having to answer to a fight from a tough guy...smaller, pest player "C" whacks "B" with a two hander to the head. Guess the problem was solved.

[IGive1]

It will be like college hockey where every whistle begins a 5 minute pushing, shoving and face wash session.

[sensspiritfan]

DJ I agree that they should not take fighting out of the league. What Roy did was not being tough it was being stupid.

As for Cain he was never given much of a chance and when he was dressed for a game he got maybe 1-2 shifts. In my opinion he could be a valuable player. He is not afraid of going in front of the net (somewhere not many wanted to go this year especially on the PP including Jaraam).

I don't think it will be a question of will Cain make the team but will Cain want to come back and be treated the same as he was this year.

Jaraam scored a couple of timely goals but he should never have been on the PP. He did not look like he wanted to compete for the puck on most nights.

I hope that Cain does come back and gets a chance to show that he can be more than a fighter.

I do agree that the Spirit need a player that every other team respects ( are afraid of ) when he is on the ice.

I see that Baldwin is not playing in Oshawa that he has left the team and gone home just before playoffs started. He would be a great pickup if Edwards could swing a deal for a draft choice before the draft if they can make trades before the draft.

[teamspirit08]

With the severity of the concussion problems Baldwin has, his days as a hockey player may soon be over.

[eaglei12]

I would have to agree that he was never given a chance here to show what he can do. He did however look pretty good (skating and skills) in the last playoff game against the Soo when actually given a chance to play. I would hope he returns but this would probably depend on where the team places him next season ... I would probably think twice too after the season he had and being so far from home.

[SaginawGensFan]

I seem to recall that Kain was one of the standouts in the pre-season, wasn't he? Or is my mind going? I could have sworn that his name was on the scoresheet quite regularly in the pre-season... maybe with some more time on the ice he could develope into a good power forward. Or maybe not... what do I know?

[spiritfan8]

You are correct, SGF. I commented on him also. Sometimes 16 year olds get lost in the switches--it's the name of the game. Unless there is something else going on I have not heard about, I would assume Allicock figures into the Spirit plans next season, and I'm not sure why he wouldn't come back.........

[eric8199]

I think the fact that he was used in our last playoff game shows that he is in the Spirit's plans for next year. Otherwise, why dress him?

[sensspiritfan]

If the reason you would dress Kain is he was in the plans of the Spirit for next year then why dress Jaraam and not Neilly?

Neilly may have been hurt but it would have been some valuable experience for next year.

[donjohnson]

sensspiritfan said:

Neilly may have been hurt but it would have been some valuable experience for next year.

yes, play a marginal (at best) player who's hurt over someone else. Sometimes i wonder what some of you think about when forming your opinions

note to posters...use the "preview" button. For all the dumb crap I post, you wouldn't believe the amount of even worse stuff i've deleted because i went back and re-read the post in the preview.