looks like the cougars have once again really missed the mark. Dallas had a few really marketable players to be moved and did nothing. Could he have moved acoleste or maricinn or possibly others that wouldn't have been here next year for some assets for next year or the years to come? The cougs are barely clinging to a playoff spot and even if they make it they might get swept or at best going out in a few games. What good is it to barely get in if you'll be swept in the 1st round. Management countiually misses the mark

...and here is why:

1) "missed the mark" - on the contrary...couldn't have hit it on the head better considering the circumstances. The pieces were put in place, in one off-season, to take the worst team the CHL to a consistently competitive team that has a great chance of making the playoffs in the hardest Conference to play in, in the CHL...IMO. That, in itself, is amazing...and deserves a lot of credit.

2) "marketable players" - 20 year olds are not "really marketable" in this league unless they are Eakin's or Schenn calibre players. You are lucky, and thankful, to get mid range picks for them...and they did in this case. Acolatse has gone on to have his best season in his carreer here...good for him ... good for us...we needed it to allow the younger Gibb, Forsberg, and even Marincin to develop without the pressure of having to be "perfect" against the other teams best players.

Marincin is not trade bait...he's a rookie that will be back as a dominating 19 year old.

Connolly is not trade bait with the average year he had. His stock will raise incredibly when he returns as a dominating 19 year old. His stock will stay where it is otherwise...no loss in keeping him.

Inglis will be back as another dominating 19

Should an organization build up around a CHL rookie of the year for his (probable) last year? Why not? After making significant strides this year...next year should be incredible with the most valuable core of this team completely intact for next season. The great group of 16's and 17's that will be coming in will be on a competitive team that should have a lot of success next year...that should help them succeed for the next 3 and 4 seasons of their carreer here. A true re-building cycle has actually been followed here for the very first time and the peak years are next year and, quite possibly the year after (around Forsberg and Bourke and the new 17's and 18's)

Who are the other "really marketable players"? Buonassissi? Why would you get rid of another player that will probably dominate as a 19?...he will be worth far more next year if you trade him.

3) "What good is it to make the playoffs" at this stage? - It is at this stage that I am going to relly question your hockey knowledge. Look at EVERY "dynasty" in recent history in this league.
Kelowna got their core smacked around in the playoffs THEN went deep, THEN went to the Mem. Cup.
Then the Giants had very small playoff success, then more success, then the Memorial Cup. You HAVE to start somewhere getting experience in the REAL season and if the next two years are potential peaks...you MUST get SOME experience in the playoffs now.
The Blades were out in the first round last year...HUGE collapse right? Do you think that will happen again this year? (Well it is a Brodsky owned team...but that is another topic )
How bad was Portland and for how long before last and this year? Same question for Spokane and Tri-cities. They were bad teams for a long time. Then they had a brief appearance in the playoffs, THEN they started hitting "home runs".

Sorry but I think "the beav???" has really missed the mark on this one.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGS!!!!!!!!!!

Marincin wont be back next year.
connolly with an average year? If he had been healthy he would have scored 50 goals.
thats no average year

It's always a positive to make the playoffs, even if you get swept in the first round. The experience of even just those four games is very valuable, especially to the young players. I'm not saying they should or shouldn't have moved a few older players but making the playoffs is always a good thing, I think so anyway.

Cougarsfan on what basis do you think that Marincin won't be back next year? I am dying to know.

The only criticism I really have of Dallas this year is that I wish he would have brought up one of the 16 year old goalies and given them a fair shot at getting some expierince in 10 or 12 games.

As far as Connelly I don't think his performance this year has him cracking the NHL lineup next year, that however could all change depending on how his Pro camp go's next fall.

Good luck against the Rebel's tonight, and the rest of the way and here's hoping for a playoff spot

Dallas did what any gm had to do to make the team have a chance to make the playoffs. Cougs have all they need to make a decent showing in the playoffs with out giving up any of the future or assets. Simple answer is coach killed the team, end of story. CougSuperfan, your rose colored glasses are hilarious at the best of times, I admire your loyalty, makes me wonder why, to each his own.

Word on the skidoo path is Clark has lost the respect and the will to go to the wall from the majority of the team, young & old, vets & rooks...

Poor Dallas has hitched is wagen to a deanosaur for another 3 years, or should I say poor players and fans.

...of taking the worst team in the CHL to a potential playoff spot and a consistently competitive team (even against the league's best) in one season. Boy some people can make themselves look pretty dumb..then they open their mouths and totally prove it. Way to GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOOOGS!!!

your own material... you might as well use mine Must be tough going through life just being a "hater" all the time...I feel for you young man. But! It won't stop me from debating vigorously againts your post when I think you are off base. Keep on looking throught those dark, dark shades of yours...my "rosy" ones are just fine. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGS!!

I wonder what the word on the Skidoo path is now? congrats to Clarke and the boys for makeing the playoff's after a 12 win season last year.

Dallas made some great trades to bring some talent and expierance to this team that Clarke, I feel did an admiral job of melding together. A team that never really had a # 1 goaltender until they decided to go with Rimmer the last couple of weeks.

Still have a legitamate shoot at 7 place and a 1st round matchup with Kelowna, that has possibilities of going 6 or 7 games and goaltending being the difference.