Leopold Stotch
10-04-2003, 11:57 AM
Wow these guys are surprising. 7 games into the season they've lost only twice, and are tied with Lethbridge and Prince Albert for 1st overall. Hey, 7 games isn't much, but you gotta admit, it's pretty impressive. Especially for a team predicted by their own hometown sports writer to be worst offensively in the CHL. Harding as been awesome so far, and they're pulling offense out of alot of places, with the emergence of guys like Jon Bubnick and Rick Rypien. Should they play like this for more of the season, it will boost their chances for not only a playoff spot, but possibly even allow them to win a playoff series and help guys like Bubnick and Rypien get drafted in this year's entry draft.
What do you think?
goteam
10-04-2003, 04:36 PM
Wow these guys are surprising. 7 games into the season they've lost only twice, and are tied with Lethbridge and Prince Albert for 1st overall. Hey, 7 games isn't much, but you gotta admit, it's pretty impressive. Especially for a team predicted by their own hometown sports writer to be worst offensively in the CHL. Harding as been awesome so far, and they're pulling offense out of alot of places, with the emergence of guys like Jon Bubnick and Rick Rypien. Should they play like this for more of the season, it will boost their chances for not only a playoff spot, but possibly even allow them to win a playoff series and help guys like Bubnick and Rypien get drafted in this year's entry draft.
What do you think?
First off as far as prospects being drafted from the Pats this year, it likely won't be Bubnick and especially not Rypien. Nothing against these guys but in the eyes of a scout they wouldn't seem all that appealing. Who knows though, maybe one scout will see something that they could possibly bring to an NHL organization eventually and take a flyer on one of them. For Rick, the biggest challenge he faces in reaching the pros is that he is already 19 and hasn't proved a heck of a lot at the junior level. He will be a very reliable 20 year old next year for the Pats and will likely be at or near the top of the scoring lead in the league. Bubnick is very similar to his brother and as far as reaching pros may have a better chance than his brother. However, he does not have Michael's size and may have to settle for CIS hockey like older bro.
Four players from the Pats who we may see in NHL uniforms one day, in my mind, are Euros Iva Kratena and Kamil Vavra, rookie defenseman Tanner Stockwell, and obviously, the heart and soul of the team, goaltender and Minnesota Wild prospect, Josh Harding. If these four can keep their level of play up all year and avoid injury, then the Pats may contend. Obviously, there are others who are key facets of this team (such as Chris Schlenker and Dan Waschuk) but the type of team the Pats have will not be about individual performances but about sticking as a team-----to a system.
The East Division will be very competitive this year. All 5 teams, I believe can win the division as has been shown. Initially, Brandon was the unanimous pick to take the division, yet they have stuggled in the early going. Especially being without captain Tim Konsarada for a extended period early on, the other teams in the division can close the gap between them early and force the Wheaties to have to make a late season charge. Moose Jaw is very, very good team (eek I'm saying this to a Pats fan) and should be near the top. However, one may ask----are they a one line team??? The Blades will be a tough team to call this year. Obviously as a season ticket holder I do hope they do well. Last year they proved that they could compete with anyone in this league. They should be near the top but after injuries to Joe Barnes, Sean Moir, and Derek Couture, they may struggle in the next little while. Basically, the talent is there, it is now all about the drive from within from guys like Ryan Keller (thanks again Brent Parker :lol: ), Wacey Rabbit, and Marcus Paulsson. And finally that brings us to the Pats and Raiders. Both have certainly overachieved in the early going (much like Lethbridge). If they can keep it going and we are still able to talk about the first place Pats and/or Raiders at Christmas time, then I expect trades to be made and on the backs of each team's star players to a run for the WHL championship.
In the end, my point is that it's very early to be jumping on too many bandwagons. The talent is certainly built up in the East Division this year and scouts will be flocking to arenas all along the prairies. And an early lead will definitely help the Pats and Raiders chances for a playoff spot, except they still have to beat three other very talented teams to move up in the standings.:D
Saprykin Fan
10-05-2003, 09:46 AM
how does reinhart look, played with him last year as my d partner, i heard hes playing midget AAA and some whl games. any info on him would be great