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There is a growing school of thought that offensive puck movers are better at preventing goals than stay at home defensemen. Its essentially a continuation of the belief that players with a ton of hits are actually hurting the team because they never have the puck. I'm not 100% sold on the theory, but this season is going to be a case study.
Definitely helps to have highly mobile defense that can move the puck out of the zone and chip in offensively in ozone. Even if to chip it deep to work the cycle. And typically if a guy has good skating he is more laterally agile which allows them to tighten the gap, which is less time and space for forwards bringing puck in the zone. I guess the only time we see the con side of it is if teams play a heavy puck cycle game on us. The smaller nimble guys tend to not be as strong on puck battles against the bigger forwards and clearing the net front. For example, when Lachance helped tie that game up with goalie pulled with 20 seconds left at Alfond. Plays like that I suppose. BC coach Brown said the key to beating Maine is to get their defensemen facing the wrong way. Which is as much to say get pucks behind them and work cycle down low. That more or less plays into our D’s weaker side.
McMahon mentioned multiple teams holding a roster spot open for drafted CHL players once they get marching orders from their new clubs. Maine may be in that camp.
to quote Hall of Famer Sergei Makarov, “best defense offense yours”.
College Puck NXT had a few teams listed as potential suitors on their most recent QMJHL update. Harvard, Michigan and Maine were all listed.
It’s not even clear to me how Tri-City got his rights to begin with. I do see where they signed Dylan Lebret for next season. I am happy to see Malachi McKinnon land on a WHL squad. Also happy to see Poul Anderson playing in WHL as well for Oil Kings.
I'm guessing he was listed by Tri-City at some point. Basically WHL teams can put a claim on a player who wasn't drafted, usually with the intent of inviting them to training camps and ultimately signing them. It's called the WHL Protected Players List. Teams can only have 50 players on it, including the current roster. Other teams cannot sign them and they can only go to that team's camps.
I would be surprised if he ends up here. While I think most of the high end picks will play NCAA, almost all of them will end up at UND, BU, BC, or Big 10
Yes, 28 would be ideal. That way you have two more forwards to give three reserves forwards total. Also can have a back up or tandem goalie that is the future in net after Boija leaves.
Yes I am. This is a great rumor. I hope it becomes true.
Poirier would be one of the best all-around players to come through Orono in a long time. He was ranked #44 overall in the 2024 draft class according to EP, but a lot of that is because he's a smaller statured guy. Can't argue with the production tho (first 17 year old to have a 50 goal season in the QMJHL since Sid The Kid). Pair that volume offense with his off-puck skills and he'd be an immediate impact guy for Barr. Fingers crossed he is making his way here!