Saskatoon Blades blog

        I get that Saskatoon can be an easy target for shade, a team that traded literally everything to make a run for the Memorial Cup.  While the run fell short, it also left wonderful memories of some of the best Junior hockey iv'e ever seen and possibly the best Blades game iv'e seen live(Blades vs Mooseheads)  Fast forward to the aftermath and there was a BIG mess to clean up.  The Priestner family came in to clean that mess up, it all started the summer of 2013, immediately following the Memorial Cup.         The Priestners come in and say they want a competitive team in 5 years.  That seemed like a tough task at the time, given the fact that their first, 1st round pick was just finishing his 12 year old hockey season at the time.  It was a tall task but i think they did better than expected.  Here is a timeline of what the Priestners did when they arrived. 2013-2014 season:  1st year of the new era. ...

To start with a 5-3, then a 4-2, and lastly a 3-1 win.  The pattern?:  Each game the Blades score 1 less, but also allow 1 less.  Almost like they're trading a goal to prevent 1.  Whatever the strange system is, its working.  Saskatoon, despite having 1 of the shortest training camps appears to be one of the most "battle-ready teams"  Their Power-play throughout the 3 games has been a very respectable 5/16, while their PK is also a solid 16/19. While dressing similar lineups against PA and MJ, Saskatoon had a much better lineup on paper VS SC but only won that game 3-1, however they did out-shoot Swift 37-21 while carrying the play and only allowing 2 shots in the 3rd period(a game in which they were protecting the lead)  Koen MacInnes has a solid 2.00 GAA and a .933 save% in the 2 outings.  Other Net minder Luding has a decent .923 save% as well as a 2.00 GAA but has only had 1 start.  I would guess he gets the nod for the next game against ...

Another training camp in the books.  While i think the team looks great there was a very unfortunate moment when 1st round pick Kyle Crnkovic went into the corner board awkwardly, left the game and didnt return.  The Blades have not issued a statement on Crnkovic yet but it looked like a shoulder injury(which can be very time consuming)  Crnkovic was on fire before the injury scoring 6 goals in 2 games.  The young sniper has his name pegged in the lineup as soon as he returns. Kristian Roykas Marthinsen (19, Norway, NHL 7th round Washington)  Is still getting his feet wet and used to the North American quick style of play(smaller rink)  So far he has shown that he can play physical, decent skater(gotta work on the edges) and an absolute bomb of a 1 timer.  I think he will take a few games to get comfortable with the pace but could make his living as a left handed weapon on the powerplay(giving the Blades another option from RW Paterson)  De La G...

I don't mind this decision.  He has been an assistant for quite some time and is still young enough to connect with the team.  I heard he is a players coach and every one who's worked with him holds him in the highest regard(including Hockey Canada brass)  He will inherit a strong team so lets see what he can do.  It's known that there were many applicants for the job, apparently some guys with past NHL experience too.  Priestner made a great point going with Love, he made a comment along the lines of  "We had some NHL guys applying for this job, but we don't want a coach who has experience that is on his way out(winding down his career)  We wanted to go for a younger coach who is on his way up in the coaching world and get him signed to a multi year deal"  I couldn't agree more, especially considering the Blades already tried the NHL-type coach once  with Bob Woods, who did a great job but got called back to the pros earlier than expected ...

If the euros report, the Blades lineup is actually looking quite dangerous... Marthinsen(19) - Wouters(18) - Paterson(19) Florchuck(18) - K Dach(17) - Gerlach(20) Crnkovic(16) - Robins(17) - Farren(18) Zawatsky(19) - Christensen(19) - Nicholas/Lees/Doust/mack/Machado Notes:  That final roster spot is a tough one to decide.  Personally i would give it to Brady Nicholas as he is the most physical of the 4 and the Blades do need more physicality throughout their lineup.  Not mentioned is Joey Moffatt, a natural left winger(2001 born) who the Blades have not signed.  He had a good year in the MJHL and put up ungodly numbers in M-AAA and Bantam.  If he signs, we may see him on the 3rd line with Crnkovic on the 4th and Zawatsky on the outside looking in.  I also haven't included Nakoden Greyeyes, a Left winger(2001) who put up great numbers with Rink Hockey Academy, i do not believe he's committed to the WHL yet, but he played on a line with Robins for ...

After hearing that Mark Rubinchik signed a KHL deal, there was another void to fill on the Blades blue-line.  They needed a big stay at home D-man and looking at their forward core, they need a top line left winger, fast forward to the CHL Import draft... The Saskatoon Blades select Emil Malysjev 18th overall, a 6'3, 2001 born stay at home D-man. The Blades 2nd pick was Kristian Marthinsen 59th overall, a 6'0, 1999 born forward, selected by the Washington Capatials in the 2017 NHL draft. Malysjev seems to be what the Blades need on defense with the departures of Rubinchik and Fiala.  At 17 it's tough to say if he will be ready to be a top line shutdown guy.  He will have to earn that right at camp(if he shows)  Likely battling with Kustra for the right to be on the top line with Davidson.  Marthinsen as it stands, seems like the picture perfect selection to become the Blades top line left winger(centered by Wouters and Paterson on the right wing)  Marthin...

                                                                      Colton Dach                                                                    Kirby Dach With the 6th overall pick in the WHL bantam draft.  The Saskatoon Blades select Colton Dach.  This initially was a questionable pick for me as the Blades passed on some very elite company in Zack Stringer, and 46 goal guy Cole Sillinger(speaking of bloodlines) At age 14 Zack Stringer is already playing M-AAA(Just like Kirby Dach did) Which is usually a sign that he does not have much issues playing against older and bigger kids(ie, the jump to WHL)  Perhaps the most ...