Asselin, Berard set to lead team

[aj0512]

Good article on MLive/Saginaw News today, which talks about how Asselin and Berard are looking forward to leading this year's squad. My prediction, based on this article, is that Berard will be wearing the "C" this year.

The article also mentions that Tommy Mannino and Marc-Andre Perron have been invited to camp and will compete for the final OA spot, along with Garrett Sinfield.

www.mlive.com/spirit/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1188397278216390.xml&coll=9

[Guesswho]

correct me if im wrong and im also not sure on the rules but isnt zaborsky an OA this year he wasnt mentioned in the article could there possibly be a trade coming? who knows

[sailordog]

One thing that bothers me about the article is the quote from CG.

"Players mature at different ages and we're confident Tommy can come in here and contribute or we wouldn't have invited him to camp," said Saginaw managing partner Craig Goslin

Shouldn't this be coming from the coach or GM?? Is this more "meddling" in on ice operations??

OR am I making too much of this

[sailordog]

Guesswho

Yes Zaborsky is definitely an OA (1987).
You can have 5 OA's on the roster until the trade deadline. Only 3 can play in any particular game.
What this means I'm still not sure. Asselin is still rumored to want to play for his hometown Petes?? Does this mean a trade

Personally I cant really think that either Maninno or Perron would help the team that much!!!

[IGive1]

Goslin was out playing golf with a bunch of NHL GMs. I guess that makes him qualified to make such player judgements.

[teamspirit08]

OK, its official - Constantine is really out for lunch.

How can you have an article on the team's overage situation and completely forget Tomas Zaborsky - the ONLY DRAFTED OVERAGE on the team?

Wasn't Zaborsky assigned back by the Rangers for an overage year for "extra seasoning"?

You would think he's part of the equation?

Someone needs to clarify this quickly at the Snews!

[bpfox]

Asselin was also drafted by the Spirit and has the most time with the team.

[donjohnson]

Mark my words...Asselin will not be traded until the trading deadline (if at all).

Question: What type of leverage do the Spirit have when a player wants to be traded to a certain team

Answer: NONE!!!

My guess is that he plays his ass off until the deadline as the "C" or "A" and is then traded to somewhere closer to his hometown whether that's the Petes or someone else. This will be similar to the Thorburn deal but hopefully this time we get a better prospect than Raszka. If Asselin is traded now, we would most likely get a marginal player packaged with some draft picks.

[acin]

I think that Asselin has done a ton more for the team than Berard. I was surprised when I saw Berard an A last year. I want someone who is in favor of him being captain to make me a list validating why he should be C. Or even an A in that matter. I haven't seen him do anything spectacular except some easy goals on the ice. I haven't seen much leadership from him whatsoever.

[Sparky]

sailordog said:

One thing that bothers me about the article is the quote from CG.

"Players mature at different ages and we're confident Tommy can come in here and contribute or we wouldn't have invited him to camp," said Saginaw managing partner Craig Goslin

Shouldn't this be coming from the coach or GM?? Is this more "meddling" in on ice operations??

OR am I making too much of this

I agree maybe this is meddling. Have you also noticed that CG has something to say in every spirit article? I have never seen an OWNER (managing partner) this involved PUBLICLY with a team other than Sherry Bassin.

[Sparky]

Also, something to think about, Mancini was the one who let Tommy go (and for good reason I think) maybe that was part of the 'philosophical differences' that led to not renewing Mancini's contract.

[Sparky]

"Last year my role was more pure defensive, right, and a leader, but this year hopefully it will be more than that and I'll contribute to the team offensively, too," Beard said. "That's another reason I'm looking forward to this year; everybody is going to get their opportunity (to lead the way offensively), and whoever takes it and runs with it will get that chance throughout the whole year."

- Saginaw News, Wed. August 9, 2007 www.mlive.com/spirit/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1188397278216390.xml&coll=9

Ok back to "philosophical differences" by reading the quote above, do yo think that Mancini's philosophy was defense first, offense second and managements was offense, offense, offense? It just sounds that way to me. and while offense is good and exciting, building a team around a strong defense is better.

[Guesswho]

I found this quote true so no matter the outcome of who wears what letter or a letter I feel we will have a good group of kids on this years team that can lead them in one way or another on or off the ice.


"You dont need a letter on your jersey to lead a team"

Mike Richards former Kitchner Ranger and current Philadelphia Flyer

[MidlandSpiritFan]

So much for Berard leading the team this year.........