Double Dion
Jets fan 28/06/2014
- Feb 9, 2011
- 11,097
- 3,976
I only saw Grushnikov play once this season with the Wranglers. He's got a long way to go. His puck skills are not NHL level. He's a pretty decent defender, but if you can't handle the puck and make a breakout pass you can't play in the NHL. Okhotiuk looked out of place in the league in his few games with the Flames. New team, new system, but it was not a good run here for him.It's funny, because I think the world of both Grushnikov and Okhotyuk from watching OHL and AHL games and think they both can be really solid 4/5's to help with defending while letting more mobile guys get up the ice. I have spent much time watching Okhotyuk in Calgary though, has it been that rough? He has both the mobility and throwback nature that seems like it should pair well in a breakout/takeout tandem as the takeout guy. I may be overly fond of him from his time in Utica.
Love Catton almost as much as I loved Benson even if it may be that he's a wing option. But yeah, two 34 year olds holding down 1C and 2C is certainly a point of concern. Maybe if Lindstrom falls (and his back checks out at the combine)? As a team that has struggled now for years to identify, develop and then retain centers as the key part of the start of their troubles almost 15 years ago... I hear what you say about the issues of finding centers.
The best of the replacement level guys was undoubtably Joel Hanley, but he's 32. I don't see a 32 year old replacement level D being a need here. Miromanov showed some flashes. I think there might be something there, but he needs reps. We have the rope to give him if he can make use of it.