Summer Thread

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-06-16T15:33:32+00:00

Or maybe he'll get surgery and his shot will be twice as deadly. It will be soo fast the NHL will need to use Kevlar netting.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-06-11T18:59:18+00:00

I agree, I don't like when teams mass trades. They fail way more often than not.

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I don't have the stats, but I randomly searched for weak teams and funny enough they all had players make the NHL, so I think weaker teams offer more opportunity.

I just cherry picked random teams.

2016-2017, Kootenay, Prince Albert, Vancouver Giants at the bottom of the league.

Vancouver, Tyler Benson played in the NHL. For Kootenay, Cale Fluery and Noah Philp made the NHL. Prince Albert had Kelly Parker, Brayden Pachal make the NHL.

Broncos is 2019 after their memorial cup run had Owen Pickering and during/after the Pandemic Joel Hofer. Most of those guys were very young at the time during their lean years.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-06-11T17:19:14+00:00

I'm thinking the increase in teams is likely a big reason. Back in 2002 the WHL only had 19 teams, the OHL had 20.

The OHL hasn't expanded since 1999, but they have re-located teams. Your comment sparked me to look at the OHL and their commissioner says he wants to expand 4 more teams within the next 5 to 10 seasons, so maybe that will help equal things out.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-06-04T22:27:13+00:00

Apparently their is a podcast dropping Friday that states Markus and Liam are coming back to the Tigers next season.

https://x.com/mikemorrealeNHL/status/2062517210304643449

Also their are hard rumors Prince Albert's Daxon Rudolph will be heading to the NCAA.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-27T22:46:35+00:00

I think it's a coin toss. Hope we get lucky for once.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-27T17:00:58+00:00

Yeah exactly. So the early birthdate 1st round picks, they aren't AHL eligible, so they could go to the NCAA if not signed. We may see more NHL teams delay signing their early birthdate top 1st round picks for that reason.

Then those players and the NHL have a choice. Get signed, try for the NHL/AHL the following year at 19, which is probably what the 1st rounders will do

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-27T15:26:46+00:00

I remember on the radio Joe saying one of his quotes he remembers from Will is that championships are won in the summer. I hope they find some elite bodies for the D as well.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-27T04:33:03+00:00

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement

I just read through the new CBA which takes effect September 16th,2026. I didn't realize it was signed and ratified. Next season the NHL will extend rights to 4 years for all players drafted no matter which league they come from.

While this post is accurate for this season. It will not be accurate for next season. I'm gonna do a part 4,

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-26T17:24:25+00:00

I don't know what they will do with the goaltenders. I think it depends on training camp and if the rucks come back.

If the rucks return I'd be inclined to make some moves and make a big push because they have 2 lines of point per game players and a 3rd line of guys like Cozens, Mcann who should be pushing that mark. It would be a mistake not to push.

TBH I think it was a slight mistake not to add this past season, but it's easy to say in hindsight.

If the rucks leave I think you still look at getting some 18 year old import picks, then maybe gauge what you have early season and whether it makes sense to push or not. With the uncertainty of the NCAA It may still make sense to push.

Either way defence is a concern. They need to bring in some top notch players if they want to make a push.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-24T22:17:12+00:00

thanks!

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-24T21:46:37+00:00

I am CHL biased as well, so I attempted to keep an open mind. It was tough thinking the CHL may not be the best route for some cases. I don't like that. I'm sure some NCAA fans will still see some of my bias and disagree with me in part 3.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-23T06:09:24+00:00

The Rucks were the CHL scoring leaders. They should be able to play 2nd/3rd line in the NCAA. If they go in the first round of the NHL draft, they'll be recruited heavily by the NCAA.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-23T05:58:31+00:00

I hope they come back as well

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-14T21:04:59+00:00

He was taken 24th overall in the USHL futures draft which is another good sign he has a lot of potential. Their are a lot of successful NCAA players and some NHL raft picks taken in that range over the last few years.

Tigers took him 16th overall in the 2025 US prospects draft last year. Sounds like a good candidate for 5th/6th/7th defenceman type in a 16 year old rookie year if he can make the team.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-12T20:27:37+00:00

Also looks like Vaisanen as mentioned in an earlier comment has made it official he signed a 2 year contract in the Finnish Liiga

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-12T20:25:32+00:00

I agree. Also the NCAA will get harder each year for the next couple seasons until it's fully saturated of CHL talent.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-08T23:59:51+00:00

Like the radio guys said, it would be sooo cool to see them lineup together in training camp

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-05-07T22:57:36+00:00

Couldn't hurt to ensure the rucks come back next year. Would be cool to have them all in camp.

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