2009 - 2010 - Time to Start

This past off season has gone by very quickly, and now that we have a taste of the 2009 - 2010 Winter Hawks, I for one am ready for the season to begin. At this point the Hawks still have several guys away at NHL Camps, and it looks like one is for sure not coming back to Portland. That being said, the coaches have some very tough choices to make.

As of today, the WHL site still lists Portland with five overage players and three Euros. It is a good thing for Portland to have this issue and now the coaches need to decide who do we go with on this roster. Here are a couple of thoughts...

Radim Valchar has had not only a good stint in Portland, but also a quality camp and pre-season. But, on a building team, how can you use both a overage slot and a Euro slot for him? Nino Niederreiter and Jacob Berglund are both younger and both have looked impressive too. Nino is only 17 and Portland may get three seasons out of his play. Hopefully if Portland does go with the two younger players, Radim will find a place to play.

On the overage front, Portland has 1 goalie and 4 forwards to think about. With the goalies, I do not see Portland going with three again this year. They may start the year with three, but Portland has to keep an eye on the future and get someone ready to be the number 1 goalie of the future. I almost feel that Ian Curtis will either be the number 1 goalie in Portland, or may not be on the team. If Kurtis Mucha sticks with Edmonton, and I hope he does because he is a quality player and an even better person. Then Ian Curtis has his shot at being the number 1 and Portland can develop a young net minder, maybe Keith Hamilton. What Portland can't do in my opinion is keep both Kurtis and Ian and hope to have a goalie for the future.

On the forward line, this is going to be tough, and I believe will hinge on whether Mucha sticks with the Oilers in some capacity. If Mucha comes back, that leaves two slots, with one most likely going to Chris Francis. So does Portland have one remaining overage slot available or two? We should find out soon...

Time to head up to Kent and drop the puck... only 4 days... Portland should have a fun team to watch this season.