Saturday, October 10, 2009

Thats more like it

Going into last Wednesdays tilt against the Kootenay Ice. The Blades havent scored for 100+ minutes. They snapped that streak just 15 seconds into the game and potted 8 goals that night. Then in Red Deer tonight, the offense was again potent as they scored 6 more. 14 goals in their last 2 games and their PP is 3/6 in those 2 games. The record is now 4-2-0-2, certianly much better than it was a week ago.

But now Lorne is faced with another problem. Wintoneak looked to be the odd man out. Kytnar was supposed to stay. When Kytnar went down with a nagging injury(which could affect him later in the season) Wintoneak took his spot for the time being. Since playing for the injrue Kytnar, Wintoneak has definately been the best Blades player. He has 9 points in 6 games including a 4 point night tonight in Red Deer! Wintoneak also has 2 powerplay goals - PP goals have been a struggle with the Blades this season. Lorne is also under pressure from Oilers management to keep him on the team. Here is what the stats of the players look like.

Wintoneak 6GP - 3 goals, 6 assists, +3.
M Kytnar 3 GP - 0 goals, 1 assist, -1.

Who would you keep? Wintoneak seems like the obvious choice. I hope Lorne can find a home for Kytnar.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Blades aquire goaltender Steven Stanford from the Raiders


In what was certainly an interesting an unexpected move. Lorne aquired Stanford from the Raiders. Stanford was on Campese's untouchable list last season. However a couple things changed that.
1 - The emergence of a very good 16 yr old goalie in Jacob Edwards
2 - Garret Zemlaks phenomenal play

Unfortunately this is likely the end for Sharkey. Things dont turn out the way you expect. Krahn will be 20 next season and obviously not part of the plan. Sharkey didnt get a chance this year and will probably get beat out by Oswald or Iwan next season. To the Raiders are Wall and Yaworsky, a couple players who will get a better chance in PA. Kozyra is likely gone as a result. Morrison and Stanford are the men between the pipes now. 2 good goalies, i dont know who the starter will be. But its good to have some experience and depth in that position.

Tyler Matheson has been traded to Kelowna for a 7th round pick.

Lorne NEEDS to find a home for Wintoneak. The 30+ goal scorer has decent value as its early on in the season. But that value decreases as the season wears on. Im sure Lorne has recieved all the interest he's gonna get, now its time to strike a deal. Also, once Wintoneak is gone, Lorne cam focus in picking lines and letting the players find chemestry with their linemates, and that should lead to some more wins. 2-2-0-2 is not a record a contender should have.