Roster Discussion

[aj0512]

MLive had an article today which summed up how the roster is shaping up, including the status on OA's, and while it doesn't sound like we have a whole lot of veteran leadership, it does appear we have some good young talent who will be fun to watch over the next few years. To summarize the article...

Garrett Sinfield is still considering staying home to attend college this year, while Patrick Asselin is still rumored to want to play his final OHL season in his hometown of Peterborough. Ryan Berard is slated to return.

Adam Comrie, taken in the 9th round of the draft, looks like he could be a "steal"...we shall see.

TJ Brodie has also put on 20 pounds this offseason and a few inches taller.

Saginaw is also expected to fill the assistant coaching spot and the trainer position soon.

[spiritfan8]

Good article--actually gave me a bit of optimism! I spotted Nick Crawford's growth, but now I am wondering how in the world I missed that TJ Brodie put on 20 lbs and grew a few inches.
Anyone else think Ryan Berard will be looking at the C if he comes back? Leaving the interesting question--how about the As?? If Asselin happens to come back, he is my vote for the C, with Berard an A and hmm--maybe Crawford? Don't know anything about his off-ice style, but he certainly got a lot of experience in um, differing settings last year!

[acin]

I'm really trying to figure out where everyone (fans, GM, and the news) are coming up with Sinfield going to University. It's interesting, I do believe that he's coming back for a try out at the next camp and is going to be better than ever. Shows how much heresay can do.

[SaginawGensFan]

What about a player like Jack Combs with a 'C' or 'A' on his chest? Older player who's work ethic is excellent & could mentor some younger players.

[spiritfan8]

Good thought--Combs actually came into my mind last night beofre I went to sleep, when I was mulling over this topic. (IT IS REALLY TIME FOR THE SEASON TO START!!!) He has stayed positive, worked hard, and as far as I know I kept his mouth shut over not getting as much ice time as he probably deserves. He got off to that great start last season, then got hurt, and all he did was bust his butt rehabbing.
acin--I have to believe that the GM saying that Sinfield is considering university is a credible source--I really doubt he'd say this without hearing it from Sinfield.

[acin]

"acin--I have to believe that the GM saying that Sinfield is considering university is a credible source--I really doubt he'd say this without hearing it from Sinfield."

The GM has never spoken to Sinfield other than to say who he is. Edwards said himself that the comment in the newspaper was a misprint by Constantine.

[spiritfan8]

Never saw that--I only saw the quote I cited from Edwards. If you are correct, then my bad and I defer.

[darrenpangfan]

As much as it pains me to write this, I don't think this team will be the bottom feeders that so many of the so called OHL "experts" believe. I think this team could be a middle of the pack squad but there are many ifs.

First and for most, Saginaw must get strong goaltending from Ryan Daniels. Daniels has to play like the OHL goaltender of the month that we saw during last season. Not the Ryan Daniels of the playoffs. Daniels must take his game to another level because the defenseman in front of him will be very young because of the limited playing time they had last season.

Nick Crawford and T.J. Brodie will be fixtures with this franchise for years to come. Both will have to take their respective games several steps forward this coming season and become leaders on defense. If Garrett Sinfield comes back that could take some pressure off these guys. But Saginaw may need to pull the trigger on a trade to get a better overage defenseman on the blueline. Christopher Breen will also have to play a bigger role.

Offensively I think Ryan McDonough is going to have to become a bigtime player. I'm talking about 50 goals and 100 points this season. Unfortunately, besides Jack Combs and Patrick Asselin, Saginaw doesn't really have a bigtime point scorer on the squad. Ryan Berard will be a solid forward and I believe the team captain if Asselin doesn't return. I think the wingers will be alright. What makes me nervous is having lost so many center ice men. Tom Pyatt, Ryan O'Marra, and Cody Bass provided a lot of depth down the middle last season. Those three will be tough to replace.

I think Todd Watson is going to have to grind out and win a lot of 2-1, 3-2 games for this team to succeed this coming season. Where I believe Watson will succeed is because he comes from an organization in Plymouth where it seemed every year everyone believed Plymouth would not win. Yet somehow when the season ends, Plymouth has got a top 4 playoff seed or a division title. Watson has seen this numerous times and maybe he can bring that magic to Saginaw.

[IGive1]

Zaborski and Murzak will provide offense. I doubt McDonough will be on the team. I really don't think they would miss Sinfield. He plays a little to timid for my liking. I think you would want your O/As to have more of a presence.

[sagspiritsfan]

darrenpangfan -

Ryan McDonough could have gotten 50 goals and 100 points last year if he was used properly. His powerplay time was greatly reduced because of acquisitions and in my mind that was a big mistake. 2 years ago McDonough scored 42 goals paired with Birner, he didnt get the same opportunity to do the same last year even with players such as Mursak and Pyatt because McDonough wasnt used properly to make him more effective. For example, how many powerplay back door tap in goals did we see from McDonough last year ... not nearly as many as the year before because he didnt get the same ice. His 50 goals and 100 points your relying on are if he chooses to return as he has asked for a trade and didnt report to development camp.

I also think we will be asking alot from TJ Brodie and Nick Crawford. You have to remember one is still a rookie and the other is a sophomore defenceman. Although they probably are going to see "Patrick McNeill" like minutes on the blueline for Saginaw this year. Chris Breen can be an effective defenceman. He wont be relied on to put the puck in the net but to just be a big bodied defenceman who just needs to do his job and make the first pass. I think the recent signing of Adam Comrie is a good thing for this hockey club because he is built like Breen, has good size and seems to move the puck rather well. However the biggest part of this defence core will be Nigel Williams. He can skate and shoot. Although with the young defence core next year, I think the coaching staff is going to need Nigel to be alot more defensively responsible and lead the younger players. The one thing everybody does have to realize is that this Defence Core is going to be young, but they can also be effective under the tutelage of Todd Watson who came from a very defensively responsible team in Plymouth.

As for Daniels, everybody on this forum knows he is a capable goaltender. He was fairly consistent for us last year come during the regular season. Although he is getting knocked for his performance in the playoffs, you cant entirely fault him there was many contributing factors to why we lost. The recent article in the Saginaw News has Ryan Daniels sounding very positive about his new coaching staff and management, the new season and his new physique. He will be no doubt a workhorse this year for the Spirit and will be relied upon heavily. Enough said, Daniels has the capability to help this team contend but he has to be on the top of his game night in and night out and that is very hard to do, everybody can have an off night.

IGive1 - Mursak and Zaborsky I agree will provide offence but you have to remember they dont have the horses they had last year to get them the puck. There is no more Tom Pyatt, Cody Bass, Ryan OMarra or Tyler Haskins. They have to start making plays on there own now or guys like Chappell and Combs really have to step up there game.

acin - Do you talk to Sinfield directly because you seem to know alot about his status for next season and he could be a good leader for this team on the blueline next season. Do you think you could shed some light on the situation?

[darrenpangfan]

Jan Mursak is someone I completely forgot to factor in. Hopefully Mursak will be able to maintain the offensive level he had last season without Tom Pyatt.

Nigel Williams will need to reduce his penalty minutes this season. I agree that Williams is the person this defense will be built around.

I have not heard that Ryan McDonough requested to be traded. I have read about Patrick Asselin's desire to play for his hometown Peterborough Petes, which I can't blame him for.

Whether a player wants to be traded or won't return to Saginaw, is a great example of where this area needs a sports talk radio station. That way people would have an outlet where they may actually be able to talk to or listen to an interview with the GM or Coach and know what is fact and what is mere speculation.

[acin]

sagspiritsfan said:

darrenpangfan -

acin - Do you talk to Sinfield directly because you seem to know alot about his status for next season and he could be a good leader for this team on the blueline next season. Do you think you could shed some light on the situation?

I'm not too sure if it is my place if I talk to him directly or not, but be assured that I do know what I am talking about. I know that he plans to come back for the camp on the 28th and wants to be an OA for Saginaw. I also believe that he is a contender for being a good leader on this team. However, I believe others do as well. I think that Sinfield personally gets overlooked because he does stick to the defense instead of always trying to shoot the puck. However, he makes smart choices so it works. IMO, overagers should be Zaborsky, Sinfield, and perhaps Berard. I don't know about Asselin since he wants to be traded.

[teamspirit08]

Here's my take on how the roster will look to start the year based on what I saw at camp and last year's returnees:

Overagers-
Sinfield, Berard, Zabrosky

19-year olds
Mursak, Chappell, Daniels, Williams, McDonough (tent.), Combs

18-year olds
Craig, Breen, Zelenbaba

17-year olds
Crawford, Clouthier, Brodie, Comrie, Allicock, Paton, Colizza

16-year olds
Pachis, Szwarz

90's and 91's on the "bubble" - Roy, Sol, Pierce, Smee, Walch

Two questions though,

1. Where the local kid Walch going to play this year?

2. Do you think a younger goalie will be picked up?

[donjohnson]

aj0512 said:

Adam Comrie, taken in the 9th round of the draft, looks like he could be a "steal"...we shall see.

Is he a brother/cousin of Mike Comrie?

[IGive1]

I think Walch will be at DesMoines of USHL or playing midget someplace in Detroit.