Eagle RHL15 season review
The 15th campaign for the Eagles in the RHL was a solid one, as the team can finally say they have put the painful part of rebuilding behind them. Edmonton finished 14 games on the sunny side of .500 (38-24-4), good for fourth place in the conference. While this success came in the lower level, the Eagles are moving in the right direction and should be reasonably competitive when the league returns to a traditional format next year.
Playoffs
Rating C
As is what seems to be a theme in Edmonton, regular season success did not translate into post-season glory. The team earned a first round bye, which led to a 2nd round showdown with rivals YDP. The series started well for the Eagles, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. A tough lost in OT in game 3 seemed to break the team’s momentum, and they went on to lose four straight.
Offense
Rating B+
As expected, the team put forth a balanced attack. They scored over 200 goals, good for 7th in the entire league, yet their top scorer topped out at only 51 points. They did have six 20-goal men, and an additional three over 10.
Defense
Rating A-
The team’s commitment to defense was a bit of a surprise. Jose Theodore did his part and kept the goals against down, but the defensive corp gelled early and were solid all season long. The Eagles also finished 7th overall in goals against, letting in a stingy 163 goals all season.
Special Teams
Rating B-
Both the powerplay and penalty kill were mired near the bottom of the league for the first half of the season. It was costing the team games and likely took the Eagles out of the running for the conference title. The PP caught fire in the second half, vaulting up the rankings to finish 8th in the league at 15.4%. The PK also climbed, but only to 16th at 84.2%. The playoffs brought similar stats.
RHL16
Expect to see mostly the same faces on the Eagles next season, as the team has 18 players already under contract with an additional 9 as RFAs. The expansion draft and UFA will mean some departures, but only one of any real significance. Team captain Shane Doan needs a new contract, but his high demand will probably mean free agency for the gritty winger. Doan is rumoured to be left exposed in the expansion draft.
Player Reviews
McEachern 22.0 64 22 29 51 +29
Rating A
Shawn led the team in scoring (18th in the conference) and in +/- (5th in the conference). He was the most consistent forward all year, playing in every situation. He was selected to the Premier allstar team for his efforts.
Cammalleri 15.1 53 20 13 33 +7
Rating A
Penciled in as a depth player this year, Mike took the bull by the horns and raced out as one of the league’s top goal scorers early on. A leg injury slowed his production down, but he still notched his first 20-goal season (in only 53 games) while playing second line minutes.
Jackman 23.6 57 10 19 29 +12
Rating A
Rick proved this year that he can be a top-4 defenseman in the RHL. Not only did he lead the team’s defensemen in goals, but he showed he can take care of business in his own end with a +12 rating.
Mara 26.3 64 7 22 29 +27
Rating A
Paul took another step forward in his role as leader of the Eagle’s defensive corps with his best season ever in the RHL. He elevated the play of everyone around him and helped Edmonton to the 7th best defensive record in the league, and 3rd in the conference.
Arnott 16.8 61 20 19 39 +23
Rating A-
Jason provided exactly what the team was looking for when they acquired him partway through the season. In his 36 games with the Eagles, he notched 13 goals and 26 points and was a +15. He was the number one centre the team needed.
Boynton 24.5 62 3 29 32 +11
Rating B+
Nik proved to be a steadying influence on the backline again this season as he ate up minutes in every situation and even put a respectable 32 points on the board, best amoung defenders.
Theodore 62 2.42gaa 34w 23l 4t 5so 91.7%
Rating B+
A big contract brings big expectations and Jose delivered… mostly. While he had a huge role in bringing defensive success, his name is conspicuously absent when talking about the best tenders in the RHL.
Parrish 19.2 61 24 21 45 +18
Rating B+
After leading the team in scoring in RHL14, Mark’s production dropped off a bit, but he still led the team in goals and was a crucial part of the team’s offense. His +18 also impressed.
Stajan 11.3 64 12 9 21 +6
Rating B
The rookie had a solid campaign, proving he belongs at this level. Expect his role to increase in the future.
Majesky 16.3 60 1 11 12 +11
Rating B
Expected to be nothing more than a spare part, Ivan grabbed a spot on the 3rd pairing and wouldn’t let go all season long.
Doan 21.8 63 20 26 46 +11
Rating B-
While 20 goals and 46 points isn’t chump change, Shane left fans and management wanting more from their captain who was poised for a breakout year.
Bell 14.6 64 22 11 33 +10
Rating B-
Streaky at the best of times, Mark ended up with a solid 22 goals, 7 of which were GWGs (tied for 1st in conference). But he still found himself bouncing between lines and couldn’t earn himself more ice time.
Conroy 15.9 59 5 23 28 +11
Rating C
Returning to the Eagles as a free agent in RHL15, Craig didn’t live up to expectations. His 28 points was his worst total since RHL11. While he never hurt the team, more than 5 goals are needed from a $2 million centre.
Cullimore 16.4 62 2 9 11 +0
Rating C-
Another of the team’s off-season signings, Jassen often looked lost trying to fit into the Eagle system. Earmarked to settle down the penalty kill, the team ended up with a worst PK than the year before.
Comrie 12.6 52 10 13 23 +5
Rating D
The local product never found a groove this season, even when healthy, and was often shuffled between the third and fourth lines. His well documented feud with team management didn’t help matters.
Kvasha 12.7 64 7 14 21 -7
Rating D
Pundits thought this could be a breakthrough year for the enigmatic Russian. It wasn’t. In fact, he had the worst +/- on the squad and never found his game.
Others
M.Bergeron 20.2 37 5 8 13 +5
Tjarnqvist 13.1 35 4 7 11 +4
Rucinsky 10.9 58 7 10 17 +3
Primeau 12.2 56 2 4 6 -4
Playoffs
Rating C
As is what seems to be a theme in Edmonton, regular season success did not translate into post-season glory. The team earned a first round bye, which led to a 2nd round showdown with rivals YDP. The series started well for the Eagles, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. A tough lost in OT in game 3 seemed to break the team’s momentum, and they went on to lose four straight.
Offense
Rating B+
As expected, the team put forth a balanced attack. They scored over 200 goals, good for 7th in the entire league, yet their top scorer topped out at only 51 points. They did have six 20-goal men, and an additional three over 10.
Defense
Rating A-
The team’s commitment to defense was a bit of a surprise. Jose Theodore did his part and kept the goals against down, but the defensive corp gelled early and were solid all season long. The Eagles also finished 7th overall in goals against, letting in a stingy 163 goals all season.
Special Teams
Rating B-
Both the powerplay and penalty kill were mired near the bottom of the league for the first half of the season. It was costing the team games and likely took the Eagles out of the running for the conference title. The PP caught fire in the second half, vaulting up the rankings to finish 8th in the league at 15.4%. The PK also climbed, but only to 16th at 84.2%. The playoffs brought similar stats.
RHL16
Expect to see mostly the same faces on the Eagles next season, as the team has 18 players already under contract with an additional 9 as RFAs. The expansion draft and UFA will mean some departures, but only one of any real significance. Team captain Shane Doan needs a new contract, but his high demand will probably mean free agency for the gritty winger. Doan is rumoured to be left exposed in the expansion draft.
Player Reviews
McEachern 22.0 64 22 29 51 +29
Rating A
Shawn led the team in scoring (18th in the conference) and in +/- (5th in the conference). He was the most consistent forward all year, playing in every situation. He was selected to the Premier allstar team for his efforts.
Cammalleri 15.1 53 20 13 33 +7
Rating A
Penciled in as a depth player this year, Mike took the bull by the horns and raced out as one of the league’s top goal scorers early on. A leg injury slowed his production down, but he still notched his first 20-goal season (in only 53 games) while playing second line minutes.
Jackman 23.6 57 10 19 29 +12
Rating A
Rick proved this year that he can be a top-4 defenseman in the RHL. Not only did he lead the team’s defensemen in goals, but he showed he can take care of business in his own end with a +12 rating.
Mara 26.3 64 7 22 29 +27
Rating A
Paul took another step forward in his role as leader of the Eagle’s defensive corps with his best season ever in the RHL. He elevated the play of everyone around him and helped Edmonton to the 7th best defensive record in the league, and 3rd in the conference.
Arnott 16.8 61 20 19 39 +23
Rating A-
Jason provided exactly what the team was looking for when they acquired him partway through the season. In his 36 games with the Eagles, he notched 13 goals and 26 points and was a +15. He was the number one centre the team needed.
Boynton 24.5 62 3 29 32 +11
Rating B+
Nik proved to be a steadying influence on the backline again this season as he ate up minutes in every situation and even put a respectable 32 points on the board, best amoung defenders.
Theodore 62 2.42gaa 34w 23l 4t 5so 91.7%
Rating B+
A big contract brings big expectations and Jose delivered… mostly. While he had a huge role in bringing defensive success, his name is conspicuously absent when talking about the best tenders in the RHL.
Parrish 19.2 61 24 21 45 +18
Rating B+
After leading the team in scoring in RHL14, Mark’s production dropped off a bit, but he still led the team in goals and was a crucial part of the team’s offense. His +18 also impressed.
Stajan 11.3 64 12 9 21 +6
Rating B
The rookie had a solid campaign, proving he belongs at this level. Expect his role to increase in the future.
Majesky 16.3 60 1 11 12 +11
Rating B
Expected to be nothing more than a spare part, Ivan grabbed a spot on the 3rd pairing and wouldn’t let go all season long.
Doan 21.8 63 20 26 46 +11
Rating B-
While 20 goals and 46 points isn’t chump change, Shane left fans and management wanting more from their captain who was poised for a breakout year.
Bell 14.6 64 22 11 33 +10
Rating B-
Streaky at the best of times, Mark ended up with a solid 22 goals, 7 of which were GWGs (tied for 1st in conference). But he still found himself bouncing between lines and couldn’t earn himself more ice time.
Conroy 15.9 59 5 23 28 +11
Rating C
Returning to the Eagles as a free agent in RHL15, Craig didn’t live up to expectations. His 28 points was his worst total since RHL11. While he never hurt the team, more than 5 goals are needed from a $2 million centre.
Cullimore 16.4 62 2 9 11 +0
Rating C-
Another of the team’s off-season signings, Jassen often looked lost trying to fit into the Eagle system. Earmarked to settle down the penalty kill, the team ended up with a worst PK than the year before.
Comrie 12.6 52 10 13 23 +5
Rating D
The local product never found a groove this season, even when healthy, and was often shuffled between the third and fourth lines. His well documented feud with team management didn’t help matters.
Kvasha 12.7 64 7 14 21 -7
Rating D
Pundits thought this could be a breakthrough year for the enigmatic Russian. It wasn’t. In fact, he had the worst +/- on the squad and never found his game.
Others
M.Bergeron 20.2 37 5 8 13 +5
Tjarnqvist 13.1 35 4 7 11 +4
Rucinsky 10.9 58 7 10 17 +3
Primeau 12.2 56 2 4 6 -4
posted by Chris - Eagles at
12:48 p.m.
2 Comments:
Ya I thought you'd have a longer playoff run too :). Arnott was key, I think I went 0-4 against you after he arrived. That costed me a first round bye (stupid Brind'Amour). Squad looks good for next year, I say you give the dude with the crystal ball you call 'director of player personnel' a raise :).
By
Howard, at 11:04 p.m.
Thanks gents. There's still a lot of holes to plug for next year when we all get back to playing the ROV, SOC, CAP and others.
I'll say that having the younger guys as RFAs takes away a lot of headaches and uncertainty come the offseason.
Here's hoping for some actual playoff success at some point.
By
Chris - Eagles, at 2:29 p.m.
Post a Comment
<< Home