Preseason Thoughts - Forwards on the Cusp

Slava Trukhno!
Can this guy play or what! Good skill set, a bit suspect on the skating, great shot, backchecks... I really like this guy. I think he would greatly benefit from big minutes in the A, and looks like a good injury callup. Plus the guys are calling him Trucker!




Gilbert Brule:
Love this guy. Smart hockey player, good skill set, not afraid of the corners, fast. Has shown decent faceoff skills in the past, and looks like a good fit for a 3rd or 4th line role. Would love to see him on a line with Brodziak... could maybe fill the Glencross shoes? He seemed a bit selfish with the puck in the last preseason game... trying to do too much and impress probably... but I'm sure MacT could settle him down. With a defined role, I think he will be a big upgrade on Torres.

MA Pouliot:
I've been a fan of this dude for a while... and it feels like I've been waiting for him to break out in the bigs for years now. He'll show a flash or two of excellence... generally makes the right play, and looks good in a bottom 6 role. Then he'll stall out, have a bad period, make junior-level mistakes - the guy is fustrating me to no end! Three years ago I would have told you that he would be centering a stellar checking line that could put the puck in the net. If you ask me, this will be Poo's last 'Cup-o-coffee' for the Oil if he doesn't pull it together.

Ryan Potulny:
Who? Doesn't ring a bell... Seriously, has anyone noticed this guy in preseason yet? Invisible! Apparently a solid 2-way player, but haven't seen him do much of anything. Not ready for the show.


Rob Schremp:
Whooo boy, where do I start? Ok. This guy has an amazing set of hands. Fantastic skills with the puck. HOWEVER, he lacks at two-way play, is afraid of the tough areas on the ice, and doesn't have the footspeed to keep up with Gagner or Hemmer. IMO, he would be wasted on a 4th line, PP specialist role. Plus, we already have at least three skilled forwards who can set up on the half boards on the PP (Gagner, Hemsky, Nilsson, etc). Don't get me wrong, I like 'Sugartits', but there isn't a spot on the roster for him. I say we keep him up, give him some playtime, and ship him outta dodge for a 3C faceoff defensive specialist (see Nichol post below).