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Post by pcostanzo on Apr 29, 2009 13:46:04 GMT -5
Hey everyone, I enjoy the banter over my column in the other thread (even though most of you disagree with me, which I understand), it's always good to hear what you fans have to say, which is why I enjoy doing the live blogs so much.
It's also why I'm asking for a little help. I wanted to use my Saturday column to talk about who should be back next season from this year's team. While I know the management and the fans don't always agree, I thought that since you're the ones buying the tickets, I'd put it to you to give me your thoughts.
So if you don't mind, list your top five in order and I'll take an unofficial poll over the next few days. Also, if you can offer some insight as to why you picked certain players, I will likely be including user comments.
And please, if you ever have anything for me, whether it be a tip or criticism or (fingers crossed) kudos, feel free to send me an e-mail at pcostanzo@gannett.com. I'm always open to discussing things with readers.
Thanks in advance, Paul Costanzo.
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Post by FlagsFan on Apr 29, 2009 14:59:57 GMT -5
My Top 5 To Get Back:
1) Tab Lardner, defensive forward of the year but is gifted offensively too, great guy to build a team around because he excels at both aspects of the game.
2) Daniel Tetrault, can never go wrong having a franchise defenseman to build with, he has a great shot from the point and is responsible in his own zone.
3) Kris Vernarsky, Great player at both ends of the ice like Lardner, good on faceoffs and has great size, i think he enjoys playing here as well.
4) Derek Merlini, has shown a great deal of improvement over the past year, i would think he can only get better.
5) Ryan Mior, very good young goalie who had a rough go like Sterling in the playoffs, but he should, like Merlini, have plenty of upside.
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Post by FlagsFan on Apr 29, 2009 15:03:51 GMT -5
This list i made is excluding guys i don't think will be interested in coming back (Rymsha, Smolinski)
Some other's worth mentioning:
Ian Turner, was steady defensively and is looking to stay in the area.
Kevin O'Connor, i was impressed with him in his short time here, i hope we can get him on board for next season.
Nick Lindberg, a crafty player but does lack size.
Jamie Lovell, definently missed him in the playoffs.
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Post by fanmaster on Apr 29, 2009 15:29:06 GMT -5
Lindberg is a must. Derek Merlini will move up to the AHL next year.
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Post by topshelf on Apr 29, 2009 15:32:31 GMT -5
1) Lardner
2) Tetrault
3) Vernarsky
4) Rymsha
5) Merlini
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Post by 1icehawkfan on Apr 29, 2009 16:39:40 GMT -5
LARDNER- BEST CAPTIN THIS TOWN HAS SEEN IN YEARS. MIOR-GOOD GOALIE WITH A TON OF POTENIAL TO BE EVEN BETTER TETRAULT-GREAT D-MAN IN THE LEAGUE TURNER-GREAT D MAN..WORKS WELL WITH TETRAULT SMOLINSKI-GREAT LEADERSHIP ON AND OFF THE ICE
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Post by 1icehawkfan on Apr 29, 2009 16:40:39 GMT -5
MERLINI WILL GO TO THE AHL
RYMSHA WILL GO TO EUROPE
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Post by 1icehawkfan on Apr 29, 2009 16:42:00 GMT -5
I REALY CANT JUST GIVE YOU 5 EVEN AFTER PUTTING 5 DOWN. THIS TEAM SEES APPROX. ABOUT 11 GUYS COMING BACK NEXT SEASON
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Post by pcostanzo on Apr 29, 2009 17:30:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the help everyone. I'll be checking in until Friday to see what you have to say.
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Post by The_DirtyBird on Apr 29, 2009 17:41:27 GMT -5
Here are my top 5 and why. Obviously I'd put Rymsha and Smolinski but I doubt both will return. So I'd go with bigger needs.
1.) Tab Lardner- Plays both ends of the ice well. He still ranked 4th in scoring on a team with guys like Rymsha and Smolinski. Also he is the captain.
2.) Ryan Mior- It starts with good goaltending and he is a good one. Even though he may find his way up to the AHL a few times it would be nice not to have to worry about goalies
3.) Derek Patrosso- This kid was starting to come into his own near the end. He put up some good numbers 17 goals 26 assists and a +20. I'd give him another season to see what he can do.
4.) Daniel Tetrault- One of the best Defeseman we have had here in years. He made this whole defense better just from being on the team. Its a must we get him back to insure we have a solid defense next season.
5.) Rob Cowan- Kind of a different pick here, but this team needs to be tougher next season and Cowan is pretty tough. He was also starting to pick his game up as the season went on.
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Post by tigerdan on Apr 29, 2009 18:49:55 GMT -5
I think we all have a consensus on the #1 player needed back. Here are my 5 and why:
1. Tab Lardner - great leader, brings a positive attitude on and off the ice, one of the best wrist shots I have seen, plays as well defensively as he does offensively and can put the puck in the net with the best of them at this level.
2. Kris Vernarsky - great playmaker and knows how to bring that extra effort when it counts. He can put up a few points and makes for an excellent 2nd line Center. One of the best faceoff guys in the IHL.
3. Daniel Tetrault - great leader among our defense. One of the best defensemen at both ends of the ice (plays responsibly in his own zone and can bring it offensively). Has a great shot and does a good job at setting up our breakout.
4. Derek Patrosso - rookie that got better throughout the year. Has the potential to be a 25 to 30 goal scorer and a point per game player.
5. Jamie Lovell - Provided he can come back healthy. Has a great shot from the point. Plays responsibly in our own zone. I think his injury is partly the reason for our early exit. Defensively, this team just wasn't the same after he got hurt, for whatever reason (maybe he just rounded everything out nicely among our defense).
There are several others that should stay if we can keep them (I really struggled between Lovell, Merlini and Mior, given Mior is still a rookie). These are just the 5 I'd start with.
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Post by jayhawktalker on Apr 30, 2009 12:03:23 GMT -5
Steve Rymsha- Although a soft player, is the type of goal scorer the Icehawks need. Lives close so it should be easy to bring him back, plus heard he absolutely loved it here.
Robert Snowball- Why people would want Cowan over Snowball is crazy. He is the type of toughness this team NEEDS. Not really sure why he didnt play in the latter part of the past series.
Daniel Tetrault- Was probably the best D-Man they had, Merlini had a good +/- but was still a liability.
Ian Turner- Again a good solid stay at home guy that was what the back end needed. Not sure what happened in the playoffs, but you need guys like this to make the playoffs.
Larry Sterling- Trust me, I was not happy with his playoff performance, but it really wasnt all his fault. I mentioned earlier that if he comes back, he should have a fire and passion to make up for this season's playoff debacle.
Yeah Lardner and Vernarsky are good players and I would like to see both of them back, but I just felt the needs of the team are more important. Guys like Lardner and Vernarsky are a dime a dozen in Minor Pro Hockey. I just wish they would reach the agreement with McMorran and announce 100% they are returning.
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Post by 1icehawkfan on Apr 30, 2009 15:32:16 GMT -5
SNOWBALL is going to play for LAKE ERIE NEXT YEAR
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Post by xcheck28 on Apr 30, 2009 15:39:56 GMT -5
1. Daniel Tetrault - Best d-man we've seen in Port Huron in quite some time.
2. Jamie Lovell - Missing him the playoffs was huge. I know he started slowly this season, but I don't think people realize how valuable he was to the offense.
3. Nick Lindberg - Solid, versatile and consistent.
4. Tab Lardner - Good skills and a solid leader.
5. Rob Cowan - Made huge strides this year. Hope he comes back and asserts himself even more.
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Post by The_DirtyBird on Apr 30, 2009 15:59:18 GMT -5
SNOWBALL is going to play for LAKE ERIE NEXT YEAR on top of that he gets hurt way too much.
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