Season Preview & Predictions

A new Gulls season is upon us and a near brand-new roster after a busy off-season of tearful departures from some long tenured players. But although some are writing off this team as not being near the strength of their Conference Finalist predecessor, I believe their depth could surprise with some talented players slipping in under the radar.

As the Gulls take to the ice in Bakersfield tonight I have attempted to predict at what the opening lines might look like and all I have to go by are what coach Dineen used in preseason and what my best educated guess based on skill level as well as style similarity.

First Line

Comtois – Lundestrom – Sprong

This is kind of a no-brainer. The late cuts of Comtois and Lundestrom joining the controversially assigned Sprong. Through his recent interview Sprong seemed motivated to prove himself but also curiously spoke in a disassociated way about the team. I had predicted before the season started that Lundestrom would be the first line center and that Comtois would likely start in San Diego.

Second Line

Dostie – Kloos – Pietila

This line has been kept together through both pre-season games and had a hand in four of the seven goals scored by San Diego. Early chemistry would suggest sticking with them. Pietila had a hat-trick in the first pre-season game with Dostie driving play and setting him up on more than one occassion. This reminds me of the De Leo-Kloos-Kossila line from last season with Pietila playing the role of Kossila and Dostie swapping in for De Leo.

Third Line

Kopacka – Morand/De Leo – Poturalksi

This line was a fixture in the second pre-season game and although there are several alternative options that could be used I like the mix of speed, skill and size presented with these players. If they can stay together and develop some chemistry they could prove to be the most dangerous line as the season goes on. It was too hard for me to make the call as to whether De Leo or Morand would sit but the embarrassment of skilled depth the Gulls have to start this season is clearly a good problem to have as opposed to the depleted line-up of grizzled veterans and ECHL PTOs to start last year.

Fourth Line

Tropp – Carrick – Sherwood

Much like the Ducks “Fourth Line” in their home opener against the Coyotes last night. I wouldn’t call this the traditional fourth line but more the “NHL” line that Gulls fans have known from seasons past. All three of these guys have top-level experience and the ability to score in critical situations or slow things down and settle the team into a defensive rhythm if required.

First Pairing

Benoit – Drew

It may seem risky to put a rookie and second year player together but these two looked great together at the Rookie Face-Off in Irvine and their styles compliment each other inherently. Hunter Drew is my player to watch this season, the 2018 sixth round pick could be another late-round steal.

Second Pairing

Mahura – Hakanpaa

In his second pro season Mahura is ready to take the next step and having a steady veteran hand alongside him would be beneficial. Whether or not Hakanpaa can adequately fill that role is something we will have to see for ourselves but on paper this pairing makes sense from a “rover” + “stay at home” kind of old school tandem that should work.

Third Pairing

Sieloff – Wideman

Much like the “Fourth Line” mentioned above this third pairing isn’t your traditional “inexperienced depth players filling a hole” after thought. Wideman has over 150 games of NHL experience and Sieloff is entering his seventh AHL season.

Starting Netminder

Kevin Boyle

This is Kevin’s net. Anthony Stolarz may have the pedigree and NHL experience but until Boyle has a bad night, I believe Dineen shows favor to the returning San Diego number one goaltender.

Backup Netminder

Anthony Stolarz

As previously mentioned, Stolarz comes in with more NHL experience and a reputable past having been drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012. But as I wrote about on Anaheim Calling; he also has a disastrous history with injuries. If he cannot stay healthy again this season I think the Ducks start to regret giving him a two year deal.

Extras

Alex Broadhurst – C

It speaks to the previously mentioned stupid amounts of depth at forward that the veteran Broadhurst is a bit part to start the season. I can see him entering the line-up should perhaps one of the younger forwards start to struggle with consistency.

Brent Gates Jr. – C

The same could be said for the hard working Gates Jr. I loved his hustle and fearlessness when he joined the Gulls as an early black-ace last season after his Golden Gophers were eliminated. He looked good in the Rookie Face-Off too but an unfortunate combination of inexperience and lack of game-breaking skill means he probably only gets into the line-up if one of the penalty killing forwards are out hurt.

Andreas Martinsen – LW

I could be wrong on this one. Based on Martinsen scoring a goal for the Ducks during pre-season and given his size, experience and willingness to throw the body I can see Dineen keeping in the line-up over one of the other wingers but the major question would be who?

Luke Gazdic – LW

Gazdic knows his role and he plays it well, he provides injury cover for hard-hitting forwards like Corey Tropp while also being that deterant to would be pests on opposing teams who may target some of the Gulls smaller forwards. He will likely see spot-duty whenever San Diego faces a heavier team or one featuring a said pest.

Zach Hayes – D

Hayes is on a PTO and has done well to stick around. From what I saw of him at the Rookie Face-Off he plays a no-thrills physical shutdown game with little to no room for error. He doesn’t stand out but I didnt see him make too many mistakes either. I’m not sure if he stays as an extra defender or gets released but if he can be assigned to the ECHL and recalled at a later time he would be a good player to have in the back pocket if injuries hit the back-end.

Scott Moldenhauer – D

I was surprised that Steven Ruggiero was assigned to Tulsa this week and not Moldenhauer. The Oak Ridge, North Carolina native has the age and experience on Ruggiero but I haven’t really thought much of his game. It remains to be seen if he sticks around or is assigned to Tulsa also.

Game one is tonight at Bakersfield 7pm, dont miss it!