From THE HOCKEY NEWS (8 September 1995), with my
added comments:
Boston LW Cam Stewart
Make or break season for Cam's NHL future. He can be a
solid NHL 3rd or 4th liner, but hasn't shown it yet.
Buffalo G Steve Shields
Back to Rochester (AHL) with the likes of Hasek, Stauber
and Trefilov in Buffalo. Had a decent second half in the
AHL/ECHL following a terrible first half in Rochester last
season.
Detroit C Mark Ouimet
Happily Adirondack bound. It's good to see Mark get a
square AHL deal. I'd like to see him get a cup of coffee in
the NHL someday. (Hopefully I'll see him in pre-season
action with the big club this year.) He's not an everyday NHL
player, but he can have some fun and make a few dollars
at the AHL level before joining the "real" world.
Detroit RW Mike Knuble
Should split time between Adirondack and Detroit, unless
he impresses enough to stay in Motown permanently.
Definitely in the Red Wings future plans.
Detroit D Aaron Ward
The future is the present for Ward. Has the talent to play
regularly on many NHL clubs, but has only dressed for 6
games in two Red Wing seasons. Anything less than 20
NHL games this year will be a disappointment. Anything
greater than 40 NHL games will indicate positive career
development.
Edmonton RW David Oliver
The Oilers' leading goal scorer in 1994-95, should remain
on the first or second line.
Edmonton D Todd Copeland
A longtime, solid AHL/IHL blueliner, Copeland's best (and
last?) NHL chance may be with Edmonton. At the very least,
he deserves to play in a regular season NHL game before
hanging up his skates.
New York Rangers LW Rick Willis
Inked a multi-year deal with the Rangers and will likely
spend it getting plenty of ice time in Binghamton. NY may
groom him to be an NHL role player (penalty killer, thug).
Philadelphia LW Ryan Sittler
When was his last good season? A very likeable person
off the ice, a disappointment on the ice. He hasn't spent
enough time at one level to become a solid player.
Hopefully he can develop at the AHL level rather than in
the ECHL, where he fell to last season.
Pittsburgh D Chris Tamer
With the departure of both Samuelssons and Kevin Stevens,
Tamer is one of the few remaining studs on the Penguin roster.
He should be a Pitt regular, providing solid defense and a
heavyweight punch.
St Louis C David Roberts
Finished the regular season with a flourish, including a stint
centering a line with Brett Hull. Unfortunately, he disappeared
in the playoffs. Should remain with the parent club this season,
although his ice time will likely fluctuate.
St Louis D Jeff Norton
NHL veteran. High scoring (mostly assists) blueliner that plays
defense about as well as I do. The poor man's Paul Coffey.
Toronto D David Harlock
NHL talent (IMO), but hasn't been able to break through with
the Leafs. I still see Harlock as the poor man's Rod Langway.
A tremendous defender and intelligent player. Will hopefully
find a home in the NHL soon, otherwise he may opt for grad
school then enter the business world. (He'll be a success
wherever he goes, but I'd like to enjoy his on ice skills for a
few more years.)
Vancouver C Robb Gordon
Centering Bure and Mogilny? Only if the ex-Soviet snipers
end up in Kelowna (WHL) as well.
Vancouver LW Denny Felsner
Injury-free and Keenan-free, the former St Louis prospect
(and UM's all-time leading scorer) has a shot at sticking
with the Canucks. Unfortunately, his "prospect" days are
over, so if he doesn't play a full NHL season soon he'll
fall into the great collegian that never panned out as a pro
category.
Vancouver D Al Sinclair
BIG AL! The second coming of Brad Marsh. Scored exactly
0 goals in 90 career games at Michigan. A cult hero. Has
the size to bang bodies in the NHL, he just needs some of
Tamer's tenacity. Should stick with Syracuse (AHL).
Washington C Matthew Herr
THN lists him, but he's still at Michigan...I just checked. :-)
Apologies if I've overlooked anyone on THN's rosters.
John H
U Mich
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