In the interest of fostering a more interactive relationship between myself and my readers, every so often I’ll call for your questions and include them in a mailbag post.
Here is the first installment:
Do you know when Everett might fill their OA spot?
— Justus Crowder (@JustusCrowder) October 23, 2018
JH: Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson has been vocal about adding an overage player as soon as he possibly can, even from the start of the preseason, and Everett has been scouring the trade market. The only issue is, according to a few people I’ve spoken with, the 20-year-old market is rather weak this season. And Davidson has said he doesn’t want to add an overage player just because he can. He wants them to make an impact.
The strongest fit based on Everett’s roster construction would be a 20-year-old center, considering Riley Sutter and Reece Vitelli are the only true centermen currently with the Silvertips. But I’m guessing Davidson wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on any forward that he think can make an impact in the Silvertips’ top-six group.
Q: I was at the game when Bronson Sharp got crushed down for awhile, blood (on) the ice. I was disappointed no Tips came to his defense. Later in the game we got run again (and)Fairbrother stepped up. Recently Dewar gets suspended because he’s protecting himself, we lose a top player. I was concerned last year when (Montana Onyebuchi) was traded, that our players would be run without an enforcer. So, my question, is the team thinking about acquiring some protection? (From Marko Peers Coady, Facebook)
No, I have a hard time envisioning Everett targeting someone on the trade market who is out there solely for protection. Head coach Dennis Williams isn’t interested in playing goons, from what I can discern. He wants skill.
The game you’re referring to was against Kamloops at home on Oct. 13, and it was an ugly, ugly hockey game that got way out of hand. During postgame, Williams expressed he wasn’t thrilled with some of the head-hunting that took place. However, he did appreciate, as you alluded to, with how Fairbrother came to Jackson Berezowski’s defense when he was whacked down to the ice. The game story I linked to above from that Kamloops tilt expands on Dawson Butt’s evolving skill and how crucial that was for him to get on the ice.
What I could see is Everett adding a bigger, physical player with some skill to help the Silvertips get a little heavier in its forward group. Until then, it will be players like Butt, Gianni Fairbrother, Sahvan Khaira and any others in that “protection” role.
Q: Given our depth on defense and our lack of scoring, are they considering trading a d-man for a scoring forward? (From Marko Peers Coady, Facebook)
It’s certainly possible. Everett does possess great depth in its backend and could part with a couple of defenseman in the interest in adding depth scoring. In particular, I could really see Everett target a 2000-born forward, because Everett’s current 18-year-old group is thin, with just Martin Fasko-Rudas and Butt constituting that group.
I have a hard time seeing Everett part with any of Wyatte Wylie, Jake Christiansen, Ronan Seeley, Khaira or Gianni Fairbrother, but it’s not unreasonable to think Davidson would part with some of Everett’s depth on defense to add more secondary scoring.
Q: Will the Tips trade this year or actually just let it ride on our current players? Maybe be sellers and get draft picks? (From Clinton)
I am of belief Everett will add at least a center to its roster through the trade market this season. With how competitive the U.S. Division is, Everett will need as much help as it can get, especially in the scoring department, to keep up with the likes of Spokane, Portland, etc.
It’s possible Everett trades off a piece to a contender, like Prince Albert or Vancouver, to gain more draft capital. The Silvertips’ 1999-born group is really strong and Davidson could use the trade deadline to help alleviate a future tough decision by trading one of those players to a team that would be willing to overpay to beef up for a Memorial Cup run. But I have an easier time envisioning the opposite happening, where Davidson looks to add pieces to bolster his team’s playoff chances. He hasn’t shied away from being aggressive in the past.
If you would like to ask a question for a future Silvertips mailbag, please reach out to beat writer Josh Horton on twitter (@joshhortonEDH) on through email (jhorton@heraldnet.com)
Josh Horton covers the Everett Silvertips and AquaSox for The Everett Daily Herald. Follow him on Twitter (@joshhortonEDH) or reach out to him over email (jhorton@heraldnet.com)
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