The 10 game assessment. Hughes traded, McKay stays.

               The Blades started the year off slowly.  Unjustly placed in the CHL top 10, a ranking that was likely assumed with the Presence of Kirby Dach and Eric Florchuk.  Dach as we know wasn't going to be around anytime soon and Florchuk lasted 2 shifts before getting injured.  1 goal games were the theme to start the year, in fact the first 9 games of the year were decided by only 1 goal(that's gotta be a record)  And the Blades started the year 1-3.  But as each game went on you could see that Saskatoon was slowly starting to find their way.  After the 1-3 start, the Blades had points in every game since including a 3 game win streak heading into Calgary for a rare Monday and rare 2pm start against the 5th ranked CHL team.  This was the 1st big test for the Blades to see how they stack up against 1 of the Central division powerhouses.  Well The Blades thrashed the Hitmen 9-3 in their own barn.  Saskatoon is 6-3-0-1 to start the year and you'd have to wonder that maybe, just maybe the record would be 10-0 with Kirby Dach in the lineup, as not only can he be the game breaker offensively, but he looks after the defensive side of things as well.  In any event, the Blades will need to focus on getting things done with Kirby(which they have done a good job with thus far)


                Ryan Hughes being traded to Kamloops was a gutsy move by the GM.  Given the time of the trade and the Blades position, they were struggling to score goals and Hughes had come off a monster opening night in PA as the games 1st star.  While im sad to see him go, Riley McKay has really stepped up and continued from his strong pre season play.  He has become what the Blades have been lacking for many years, a top 6 power forward.  When it was announced that Mckay would be staying, many people were mocking the Blades, saying things like "why would they keep a liability as a 20 yr old"  Well, look at his play and you got your answer.  Mckay has been the best Blades forward and is leading the team in scoring(yes, you read that right) Through 10 games McKay has 10 points and has been most effective using his newfound speed to burn around D-men creating scoring chances around the net.  Away from the puck Mckay is making big hits and getting the crowd into it.  Now, I really liked Ryan Hughes but he will never get a Gordie Howe Hat-trick.  Mckay wants to get 60 points this year(he's on pace for 67 right now)

              So let's say Kirby Dach returns, where does he slot into the lineup?  With Saskatoon's top 2 lines gelling and playing well, i wouldn't mind putting Dach on line #3, to play with his brother.  I'm sure both would enjoy that and it would give the Blades an added depth weapon, they would also have Dach on the 1st line powerplay.

Crnkovic - Florchuk - Robins
McKay - Wouters - McNabb
C.Dach - K.Dach - Huber
Schmidt - Weins - Kjemhus/Orchard/Plaschewsky(one would have to be re-assigned)

If the top 2 lines could continue their strong play while Kirby makes a new weapon on that 3rd line, Saskatoon could be pretty dangerous moving forward.

I'd give Saskatoon an A grade for their work after 10 games.  Doing it without Kirby is all the more impressive.  Though expect them to really be tested tonight vs Medicine Hat.











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