Logical Progression wrote:
Love Hutton.
McCann has a team leading 5 goals in 9 games as a rookie. Unreal. His quote after scoring in tonight's game: "it leaves no doubt." Haha. Love the confidence. They simply can't send him down now.
Monday would be Virtanen's 9th game - he would be ineligible for the AHL if they don't burn him through the 9 and would have to go back to Junior which would be a wasted year for all involved, especially when you can clearly see an legitimate 2 way checking role emerging for him.
There is an added caveat in play though. If they keep the kids up - they need to play them on a regular basis and Willy D needs to stop shortening the bench in the third.
If he doesn't intend on rolling 4 lines and playing McCann and Virtanen at least 10-12 minutes a game, there would be no point keeping either of them up. The irony is that he was a 4 line rolling machine last year, much to the teams peril in the the playoffs and he actually needs the kids in the lineup to fill vital roles (offence, physicality and puck moving D).
I nice mix of vets and youth is emerging this season.
Agree with everything you say, I still feel McCann should be left in junior to age a bit more, think he will not have the strength to endure past 40 games but they can't send the teams leading goal scorer down. And damn was that a sweet goal last night.
And great to see Guance get a greasy one for his first. It's interesting that the call up could have been Guance, Grenier or Kenins. I can't recall a time when the Nucks ever had 3 rookie forwards all realistically ready to step into a 4th line roll just waiting on the farm for a chance.
If Shinkaruk continues to play like he has, there are potentially 6 rookies that may play this year. And I mean deservedly play, not just the normal call ups pressed into action before being ready due to several coincidental injuries.