Looking into the crystal ball
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, April 18, 2007
With the 2006-07 season officially over, it’s time to ponder the possibilities for the 2007-08 season. Everett could have another strong team next season, but much of it depends on who plays pro and who comes back — center Peter Mueller, defenseman Dane Crowley and goaltender Leland Irving being the candidates. Get those three players back and Everett will again contend for the U.S. Division title. Lose all three and the Tips have issues. Let’s take a closer look by position.
FORWARD
Candidates (will keep about 14): Damir Alic (87), Brandon Campos (87), Dan Gendur (87), Jesse Smyke (87), Brennan Sonne (87), Zach Hamill (88), Peter Mueller (88), Carter Smith (88), Jesse Burt (89), Zack Dailey (89), Chad Filteau (89), Shane Harper (89), Lukas Vartovnik (89), Kyle Beach (90), Tyler Eskesen (90), Matt Ius (90), Jordan Mistelbacher (90), Ty Skauge (90), Kellan Tochkin (91).
Analysis: I have no hard evidence on this, but I suspect the new Phoenix Coyotes management team will decide to go young and Mueller will be in the NHL. Gendur is sure to be one of Everett’s overagers, with the Hamill-Gendur-Beach line returning intact. One of the other 87-born forwards could fill another overage slot, but don’t rule out a trade as the others are mostly grinders and Tips could use another scoring forward, even if Mueller returns. Vartovnik improved by leaps and bounds during the regular season and should have more impact next season, and Mistelbacher showed during the playoffs he should be ready to contribute as a rookie. I woudn’t be surprised if Tochkin, the team’s first-round pick in the 2006 bantam draft, is given another year of seasoning in order to gain strength. Don’t expect Smith, who was acquired in the Brady Calla deal, to be here, either. The Tips probably will try for a forward in the import draft, though picking 60th overall may make finding an impact player difficult. Ultimately, Everett will have less depth and experience up front next season and will need the younger guys to grow up fast.
DEFENSE
Candidates (will keep about eight): Dane Crowley (87), Taylor Ellington (88), Jonathan Harty (88), Graham Potuer (88), Mike Alexander (89), Chris de la Lande (90), Tyler Hlookoff (90), Matt Strong (90), Jeff Regier (91).
Analysis: I suspect there’s a better chance Crowley will be back than Mueller. The Tampa Bay Lightning have another year to sign him, and unlike Mueller, Crowley is not considered a sure-fire, can’t-miss prospect, although as a 20-year-old he will be eligible to play minor pro. If Crowley’s back this unit is set. Ellington, Harty and Potuer will be fourth-year veterans who can be depended on to carry heavy loads. Alexander is ready to step in as a regular, and Regier has a chance to be a star in this league. Even with the loss of overagers Jason Fransoo and Jesse Zetariuk, there shouldn’t be much of a drop off here, particularly if Crowley’s back.
GOALTENDING
Candidates (will keep two): David Reekie (87), Leland Irving (88), Shayne Barrie (89), Brett Gagnon (91).
Analysis: I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Reekie backstopping the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings next season. There’s no way the Tips keep Reekie as an overager to back up Irving. However, do the Tips need to hang on to Reekie to insure against Irving making the NHL? It’s highly unlikely the Calgary Flames would keep Irving around as a backup, and there’s no way he’s taking the job away from Miikka Kiprusoff. But you never know. That being said, I’m confident Irving will be back next season, giving the Tips excellent goaltending. Barrie will get the first crack as Irving’s backup, but he’s not a lock.
Anyway, that provides a general glimpse of how things stand now. I don’t think it will be the same come training camp as I suspect there will be some deals made to either ease the overager logjam or upgrade the offense. But altogether not a bad outlook for next season for the Tips.
Well, that’s a wrap on the 2006-07 season. But keep checking in. I’ll have the occasional musings on the rest of the playoffs, thoughts about the Memorial Cup and, of course, updates whenever Tips news happens. Enjoy the offseason.
