Posted by Les Lazaruk on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 07:57:00 AM.
I’m taking a break from playing catch-up around home and at the office to jot down a few thoughts on the just-completed 2008-2009 season for the Saskatoon Blades.
I had given thought to saying it sucks not to still be hanging around the hockey club and getting ready to hit the road again. The first two games of an Eastern Conference semi-final series with the Wheat Kings were to have been played over the weekend and the packing for a trip to Brandon would’ve been happening as I write this. Instead, I see where Lethbridge has dropped the first two games in Calgary and the Wheaties won twice in Medicine Hat.
If only the golf courses were open…my time would be occupied and the empty feeling that comes from a string of routine days wouldn’t be quite as great!
The biggest problem with the Blades being eliminated in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs by the Hurricanes is that I can’t go out anywhere without someone stopping me to say, “too bad about the season ending too soon…BUT…”
It’s the BUT that makes me cringe because the well-meaning people that stop me either have an opinion or will ask a question that might as well be an opinion that says, What if this happened or Why didn’t this happen or This should’ve been the case.
So, here, once and for all, is my opinion on the season…
It was a success…period, double exclamation point!!
Think back to September…did you see a 49-18-3-2 record after a 10-3 loss to Medicine Hat during the Ice-Breaker Tournament? Did you see a first place finish in the East Division after a 1-4 start to the regular season? No is the answer to both questions. When asked to predict how the Eastern Conference would shape up before the campaign began, none of the 12 radio broadcasters from the Conference picked the Blades to be the second seed. Only one picked them higher than where I had the Bridge City Bunch tabbed, for a 7th place finish…and Drew Wilson in Prince Albert figured the Blades to be 4th. The other 10 chose either 8th place or 9th and out of the playoffs for the Blades.
By the way, that poll had Lethbridge finishing first and Brandon second.
That last sentence starts the explanation to the most-asked question I’ve fielded since last Wednesday’s 4-3 ouster at the hands of the Hurricanes, “How could the Blades, with 49 wins and 103 points, winning a division, lose to a team that ended up 28 points behind them in the standings?”
Simply put, in the month of March, what most every expert felt would happen for the entire regular-season when they gazed into their collective crystal balls back in September, actually happened. Including the final six games of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs, Saskatoon finished 5-7-0-1 and showed the inconsistencies in all facets of their game that had been corrected, and all but eliminated, from October through February. Lethbridge, meanwhile, finally got their team together.
Luca Sbisa returned from half an N-H-L season with the Philadelphia Flyers to play the final 18 regular season game for the Hurricanes…and 35-40 minutes of each playoff game against the Blades…instantly improving the play of his partner, Hurricanes’ captain and Ottawa free agent signing Ben Wright. Finnish goaltender Juha Metsola overcame injuries and time at the World Junior Hockey Championship to play some stellar goal. Trade deadline acquisition Kyle Beach, a first round pick of Chicago, behaved long enough to play some games after suspensions…along with Dwight King, a 4th round L-A Kings’ draft choice in 2007, who, at 6’4”, 220 pounds plays a frustrating game of “keep-away” for opponents to deal with.
Most importantly, Zach Boychuk was finally healthy and in the Lethbridge line-up. He managed to play 43 regular season games in between two stints of injury time for a nagging high ankle sprain, plus helped Team Canada win a fifth straight World Junior gold medal. Put Boychuk, Sbisa, King, Metsola, Wright and Beach together with 2007 fourth round Dallas draft pick Colton Sceviour (an 80-point man and team leading scorer during the regular season and Brent Ashton’s son, 30-goal scorer Carter (a certain first-round N-H-L draft pick in June) and you have the Lethbridge team finally together that the experts expected back in September. You could’ve reversed the standings…in fact, if you did, the Blades taking the Hurricanes to seven games before succumbing would’ve been admirable…instead of disappointing as it is now!
Excuses and sour grapes you say…I prefer a healthy mix of fact and opinion. Strong facts make for valid opinions!
A second question I get a lot of is, What would’ve happened if Minnesota had let Colton Gillies come back? Ahhh, as former Winnipeg Jets’ head coach Tommy McVie said during the 1980-81 season, while watching his club go winless in 30 games, “If ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas!” The Wild had no intention of returning the 19-year-old left winger and the Blades knew it all along. Sure, he would’ve helped…but it wasn’t going to happen, end of story!
Question three is picking up some steam…”Why didn’t Lorne Molleken make a bigger effort to acquire a goal-scorer or third 20-year-old before the trade deadline?” My question back to you is, ‘How do you know he didn’t?’ The answer is he did try hard, had offers out on the table for several top-end scorers or 20s that could’ve helped. Ask the Western Conference head coach, who vetoed a three-team deal, that his G-M was prepared to pull the trigger on, that would’ve brought the Blades a very useful 20-year-old forward, why he did so. Or, ask Moose Jaw G-M Chad Lang why he didn’t accept any of Saskatoon’s trade overtures with the Warriors…for any one of Joel Broda (who ended up in Calgary) or Riley Grantham or Ian Duval (both of whom ended up in Kelowna). I’d be willing to bet that he wasn’t anxious to trade within his division, although he may wish he had the player the Blades were willing to part with who ended up having a tremendous season. From a Saskatoon perspective, sometimes the best trades are the ones that aren’t made…although that’s a hard sell for some fans at this moment!
That leaves me to ponder the future…and I dare say the Blades are well-positioned with their list of players for a shot at the playoffs and a deeper post-season run in 2009-2010 than they have been for several seasons. Yes, I know, you’ve heard that before…even from me after a first round playoff loss in 2003 (only 7 wins the following season, yikes!!)…but this time the list shows 16 ultimate returnees and an excess of 20-year-olds that can be used to help fill holes on the roster for next season.
One of those areas might be in goal, although the players on the team tell me they have full confidence in Adam Morrison inheriting the starter’s role from Eastern Conference nominee for Top goaltender Braden Holtby. Morrison only played 13 games but got a fair amount of interest from N-H-L scouts heading into the draft.
On defence, Colin Joe departs after great 20-year-old service, coming over from Kelowna. Back for sure are Teigan Zahn, Stefan Elliott, Jyri Niemi and “Super Sub” Brendon Wall. Duncan Siemens and Dalton Thrower are cinches to be on the roster as rookie 16-year-olds in the fall while Sam Klassen and Ryan Funk are 20-year-old possibilities.
Up front, guaranteed to be back are Gaelan Patterson, Curtis Hamilton, Travis Toomey, Burke Gallimore, Darian Dziurzynski, Charles Inglis, Josh Nicholls and Jamie Crooks. Brent Benson is a certain 16-year-old rookie after registering 52 points, tied for eighth in Saskatchewan AAA Midget scoring with Notre Dame, and 10 points more so far in the playoffs as his Hounds’ team is off to the Telus Cup. The battle for other two or three other rookie spots will be very intense at training camp. The 20-year-old possibles are captain Derek Hulak, Walker Wintoneak, Chris Langkow and Milan Kytnar.
The latter came over from Kelowna and went from 9 goals, 13 assists and 22 points with the Rockets to 27-37-64 with the Blades and brought a compete level that would rival Martin Erat. The skill level and scoring touch are a bit shy of the Nashville Predator and former Blade, but his intensity and desire to play and will to win are Marty Erat all over again! He is the “X” factor in the off-season. If the Edmonton Oilers sign him and turn Kytnar pro, that’s the way the puck bounces. However, if the Oilers choose not to ink the Slovakian…and no other N-H-L team does, look for Molleken to try and convince him to come back for one more season, making life very interesting for all the 20s in the mix. Even if Kytnar isn’t back, there’ll be five players to choose three from to fill the “overage” roster spots. If you had asked me back in September who I thought would be the Blades’ trio of 20-year-olds for 2009-2010, I’d have said Hulak, Langkow and Klassen. Now, I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision!!
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, it’s time to wait for next season. Sure, that's another “next year” for a franchise going into Year 44 of its major junior existence without a championship. But, the quality of returnees creates legitimate hope for next season...and seasons to come...as opposed to falling into a two or three season downturn and missing the playoffs.
Certainly, lots can happen between now and the start of training camp in late August. However, that first banner in 15 years going up in the rafters of Credit Union Centre will be a good memory and something to build on!
from john on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 12:26:06 AM
Yes Les, "strong facts make for valid opinions." In my opinion the Blades didn't get it done (again). Supporting fact... first round loss. The rest is just so much fluff.
another fact
from not john on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 10:10:29 PM
the blades are east division champions. thats a good foundation, a good start.
first round loss is disappointing.
i'm hopeful for the first time in a long time. a new banner is going up, much of this years team will return, and there are talented rookies in the wings.
John
from Henny Penny on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 01:53:32 AM
Yes,John, "strong facts make for valid opinion". In my opinion John is a negative person(again). Supporting fact....duh??? Have a great day John and enjoy your half empty cup of "fluff".
To the hard working Blades, THANK YOU for the fantastic season. Have a great summer!
Blades Season
from Jessie on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 03:38:45 PM
Hats off to the blades players and coaching staff for a great season ! This teams goal at the start of the year was to make the playoffs. An East Division pennant was achieved which is much more than anyone believed possible. As for the playoff first round loss , a break here or there and the Blades move to round two , inspite of the fact that they had very little playoff experience on the roster compared to Lethbridge. This organization has turned the corner in my oppinion and with the coming crop of good young defensemen and offensive forwards as well as a lot of talented returnees I look for a strong team for the next few years. Great job by Lorne , Dave and everyone in the Blades orgaization. Do not underestimate the playoff experience these relatively young Blades gained this year , it will only make them hungrier. I look forward to next season ! Also keep up the good work Les , I enjoy your comments immensely and I appreciate the way you dont sugar coat the facts. The future looks bright !
the season
from Trevor on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 01:15:04 PM
There are hockey fans in the city, just look at the way the tickets for Game 7 were snapped up in no time at all!
As for the 20 year old situation, I think the defence should remain intact, as Funk and Klassen should come back as 20 year olds with Hulak. At least we have a couple of 20 year olds we can use as trade bait to upgrade our scoring!
(no subject)
from steve on Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 03:35:05 PM
I tend to disagree a bit if the oiler don't sign kytnar before june 1st he could be back as a blade so then i would like to see hulak kytnar and klassen as the 20 year olds we don't need 2 20 year old dmen as were pretty deep on defence with siemens comming in and thrower
Overagers...
from Trav on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 01:29:10 AM
I can't see the Blades keeping two overaged d-men, not with Hulak, Wintoneak and the possible return of Kytnar. If Kytnar comes back, I'd take him, Hulak and Klassen. Trading Wintoneak and Langkow could give the Blades a decent veteran d-man.
But
from Garth Graham on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 02:59:20 PM
But Les my wife and I had the most enjoyable season as long time Fans and it,s just sad more people couldn't have also thanks for your great calls out of town we listen all the time
Ryan Funk
from Ron on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 10:29:36 AM
Traded the other day to Vancouver. For what i don't know. Good luck Ryan!
Ron...
from Les on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 04:02:48 PM
Ryan Funk was traded to Vancouver for a 5th round draft pick in the Bantam Draft back on Thursday. Unfortunately for Ryan, he was one of seven players born in 1989 on the Blades' roster at the end of the just-completed season...of which only three are allowed to suit up for a game next season. Ryan's departure leaves Braden Holtby (not likely to come back after signing with Washington last fall), Sam Klassen, Derek Hulak, Walker Wintoneak, Chris Langkow and Milan Kytnar as the possible three 20s. Kytnar's status is up in the air...Edmonton has until June 1st to decide to sign him. Even if they do, they could still return him to the Blades if they feel he can't crack the line-up of their NHL or AHL clubs. So, start the debate...which three 20s do you think/would you like to see in a Blades' uniform come September?
Cheers,
Les
(no subject)
from Steve on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 09:24:41 AM
Hulak is a no brainer to come back as team captain and i think you need atleast 1 vetran dman like a sam Klassen who throws his body around Langkow i would trade then it's either Kytnar or Wintoneak thats up in the air for me If Kytnat does stay in the ahl then i would like to see a top line of Hulak Patterson Wintoneak i think they could do some real good things.
Three Twenty year olds
from james on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 08:15:29 PM
With the departure of Ryan I would have to say that I would like to see Hulak, Patterson and Kytnar as the top line with elliot and Klassen as the first pair of defense. I think five on five and power play situations that would be excellent line managment. As far as my personal thoughts I think the Blades had a great season and just like everyone else wished they could have made a deep run in the playoffs but I do believe that the Blades are well set for many years to come they finally have realized that the old system was not working and have gone to the new way of doing business in hockey.
My Blades roster(hopefully)
from Eric on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 05:14:25 PM
This is under the assumtion that the NHL signed players do NOT return.
Vs
