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One D-Man Up, One Down
Posted November 12, 2008
I kept writing that the Blades would enjoying having d-man Jon Paiement while he was here, and I hope they did, because Paiement just got recalled to the Albany River Rats, where he's on a two-way contract.
This isn't going to be a two-way contract case like David Cornacchia or Brandon Roach last season, where they were on two-ways with Albany but played all season with Florida. Paiement's numbers and play were pretty hard to ignore: three goals and six assists in nine games for a point per game and a +4 plus/minus rating.
So it's not altogether surprising to see Paiement go up, but it is nice to see a guy get recognized for what he's doing down here in FLA.
The Blades will miss him -- but at the same time they've got last year's ECHL d-man of the year Peter Metcalf waiting in the wings to get on the ice this weekend, and Metcalf should be able to pick up the blueline scoring right where Paiement left off.
Yesterday at practice Yannick Tifu was talking about how much he looked up to Metcalf and how tough Metcalf was to get past and play against. Tifu is a very talented offensive player, especially one-on-one, so that speaks pretty highly of Metcalf's abilities. It'll be nice to see Metcalf on the ice this weekend.
It's getting pretty crazy to see all these former ECHL all-stars from all over the place all wearing green and blue this year ...
Speaking of fill-ins for Paiement, the Blades will get another one on the blueline in Doug O'Brien from the Rochester Amerks. Coach Malcolm Cameron said O'Brien would be at practice tomorrow.
I just said there's a lot of former ECHL all-stars on this team. Well, O'Brien only has three career ECHL games on his resume. In a lot of ways, that's a good thing, because it means O'Brien has been up in the AHL for the majority of his pro career.
He played 74 games in Springfield in '04-05 and '05-06, then split the '06-07 season between Springfield and Portland. I've never seen O'Brien play before, so what I'm about to say just goes on what others have said/reported and his stats. But in his pro career he's mostly been a stay-at-home defenseman.
He has two more years of pro experience than Paiement but has scored less as a pro (again, though, in the AHL, so he may have an easier time scoring down here). Also almost identical in size to Paiement (6-foot-1, 200 pounds).
O'Brien showed potential to be a scorer in junior -- 17 goals and 46 assists in 66 games his last season -- but like I said he's been more of a stay-at-home guy as a pro. He also earned a five-game NHL call-up to Tampa Bay in 2005-06.
The 24-year-old was supposed to be a big veteran-type pick-up for Rochester, but apparently it didn't work out that way. You've gotta take all stats from Rochester with a grain of salt because the team is just so bad there right now (2-11; 4.62 GA per game) but O'Brien had a -17 plus/minus rating.
He'll get a new start down here, and given the situation there I can't imagine he'd devastated about that. But we'll see what he says tomorrow at practice.
Blades have nine d-men on the roster right now (though Dunne is on the 30-day IR). Lots of fighting for PT, still, and I'd say the competition is producing some good results thus far.
OTHER ROCHESTER MOVES: The Panthers switched their goalies earlier this week, moving David Shantz up to Rochester and moving Tyler Plante down to Dayton.
Someone on here said that meant Cameron had burnt his bridge with Rochester/the Panthers.
That's not really accurate - at least in this situation. The Blades don't have a Panther prospect in goal. So Plante's not gonna come down here for a non-prospect to go up. Shantz, a prospect, would go up.
And as some pointed out, I think, the best thing for the Blades is that they are not in the midst of this carousel ride for goalies from Rochester up and down. All signs point to an extremely rocky season this year up there, and the less the Blades can be affected by that, the better.
Meanwhile, Anton Khudobin gets GK of the week in the ECHL. I'd say this was a deal that definitely went in the Blades' favor. And hey, Shantz gets another shot in the AHL -- in an extremely difficult position -- but a shot nonetheless.
Also Mathieu Melanson get ECHL player of the week for a game that some on here linked the stat sheet to. Pretty incredible performance. Melanson is still young -- turned 23 in August. He obviously has the tools. It's too bad under Fleming last season that he couldn't get his head together, but maybe there's still hope for him. For some reason, you kinda want to root for him, or at least I do ...
HERAUF UPDATE: Has been skating all this week in a non-contract jersey. Cameron said they're just waiting out the 30-day until Herauf can play again.
Herauf certainly seems happier at least being able to skate again. He's one of those guys that just loves this game -- you can tell in the way he plays -- so happily for him it looks as if he's on his way back. Time will tell ...
DON'T FORGET: To send your best memories (stories, photos, video) of Germain Arena to sports@naplesnews.com. I need more than just MFH getting stitches -- wow pretty impressive that you remain a Blades fan after all that. I might've switched to watching swimming or something ... :)
Comments
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Don't know about O'brien, but his being an AHL'er full time speaks highly of him, not to mention 5 NHL Games.
A plus/minus of -17 is scary, but as you say Rochester is REALLY bad this season.
#1 Posted by hambling on November 12, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Philly you should go back and read that again, it said nothing about how this team is playing what it did say is how this team is being turned into texas.
as for the winning well they havent done it yet(won it all) and MC hasnt done it at all either so what does that say about him? he only took this same team one round more than the blades last year.
I guess you did not catch the fact that some of this stuff goes on off the ice.
nuff said you dont see it.
Kugar(sp)
Vet status does have meaning in this league also thats part of the tredition of hockey at any level, things like they dont have to load the bus or pick up pucks after practice there are other things also but whats the point you know it all.
#2 Posted by hockeyhound on November 12, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ANGIE:
First a few clarifications, MFH received 7 STAPLES to his head, very hard to put stitches into the cranium...
Sometimes need to take one for the team, MFH did not have a Helmet on when the Blade of a Hockey Stick came crashing down on the right side of his head busting it open like an axe hitting a melon....
Also, MFH listed some more memories on the last Blog, see below...
ANGIE,
MFH's Top 10 GERMAIN/TECO Memories...
MFH was at ALL of these "events"...
10) Firecats winning the af2 Championship
9) Last game that the Florida Sea Dragons/Basketball played at Germain, worst product to ever perform at Germain.
8) JOSH GROBAN concert
7) Blades losing to Trenton in Kelly Cup Finals, the TYLER McKAY collapse and HAYWARD after the series telling MFH he is #1 with a finger gesture....
6) AC/DC playing in a local radio station Hurricane fund raiser with local guitarist Cliff Williams
5) Former Lead Singer of Bad Company BRIAN HOWE getting married at half time of a Firecat game, MFH in wedding Party.
4) SARAH PALIN Rally
3) Blades OPENING night at TECO, HOCKEY finally hits SW Florida.
2) Elton John (1) Concert, First MAJOR Performer to appear at Germain.
1) Blades winning Game 5 against Reading in the playoffs, Germain NEVER had that much electricity, felt like a major hockey venue..
#21 Posted by MFH on November 11, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#3 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hhound,
Don't be surprised or frustrated with some of the responses from the YAHOO'S on this Blog...
They will buy into anything that suits their fancy for that day......
Lets get 115 pts and get swept in the 2nd round, What A Season....
Bottom line, CAMERON has a verified track record of not closing the deal, can't get his teams far in the playoffs......
#4 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mickie -- #1 Staples and soft tissue don't match!!
#2 Busting like a melon is true.
I'm sure the "comp" you received was huge ! !
Not to sure about the new D-man ? ? ?
#5 Posted by WYMAN on November 12, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wyman,
I knew YOU would understand the ramifications of an object, the toe of the blade, striking with great force into ones head. The indentation is still present. Head injuries are a serious matter, sight, memory, all types of senses can be affected.
#6 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HH: You still don't say how Florida is turning into Texas? I gave examples of how they aren't...you provide nothing but "insider inuendo"... Apparently you think your ticket price allows you to dictate the off ice stuff that happens with the team...I don't really care. The Blades still support young people and the community....
MFH: we saw the Josh Groban and Elton John posting before. Stop embarrassing yourself.... Your self promoting isn't getting anymore clients from the blog....unlike you, I've been consistent with my praise of the team so far. You on the other hand, change your mind daily. Hate Cameron, love Cameron....yahoo city.
Man the blog was actually interesting last week for some reason....back to the same silliness...
#7 Posted by Philly on November 12, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MUST BE A FULL MOON TONIGHT, some just don't get it........:
ANGIE,
btw here is
MFH's Top 10 GERMAIN/TECO Memories...
MFH was at ALL of these "events"...
10) Firecats winning the af2 Championship
9) Last game that the Florida Sea Dragons/Basketball played at Germain, worst product to ever perform at Germain.
8) JOSH GROBAN concert
7) Blades losing to Trenton in Kelly Cup Finals, the TYLER McKAY collapse and HAYWARD after the series telling MFH he is #1 with a finger gesture....
6) AC/DC playing in a local radio station Hurricane fund raiser with local guitarist Cliff Williams
5) Former Lead Singer of Bad Company BRIAN HOWE getting married at half time of a Firecat game, MFH in wedding Party.
4) SARAH PALIN Rally
3) Blades OPENING night at TECO, HOCKEY finally hits SW Florida.
2) Elton John (1) Concert, First MAJOR Performer to appear at Germain.
1) Blades winning Game 5 against Reading in the playoffs, Germain NEVER had that much electricity, felt like a major hockey venue..
#21 Posted by MFH on November 11, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#3 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#8 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blogger Breaking News
Someone has died and made Philly the head blog master and only his opinion matters
#9 Posted by BHF on November 12, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw where Brent Henley got sent down to Augusta today.
Get the power play cranked up. LOL
You folks have anybody right now who might throw with him? To B2 or not B2?
#10 Posted by RaysRsharp on November 12, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BHF: no not really... I'm just trying to understand why HH thinks we are now Texas. It's a blog..people share opinions. I was curious as to why he felt that way.... I didn't criticize him. We all can't have the inside scoop ....
Besides, MFH has the blog master duties....
#11 Posted by Philly on November 12, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brent Henley, a 28-year old piece of hockey work, dropping into Augusta. Now here is a player with an illustrious hockey career. Since entering the semi-professional hockey ranks in 2001-02, Henley has played 336 games for 13 teams in 5 leagues, not to mention his discipline track record. Odds of him reporting to Augusta, let alone doing anything productive while there, are slim to nill. Time for the ultimate hockey challenge for Brent, off to the LNAH. See ya! Go Blades!
#12 Posted by KUGAR27 on November 12, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MARKS Does NOT care for CAMERON....
This should be an interesting two games...
#13 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blogger Breaking News
Someone has died and made Philly the head blog master and only his opinion matters
#9 Posted by BHF on
November 12, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
-------------------------------------
Too easy....
#14 Posted by CSA on November 12, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CSA Another brute by the name of Steve Mcentyre (sp)? got into a fight in the NHL a week or so ago. I dont know who he fought. I caught the end of the highlight and he got put down hard. LOL 6' 6'' 265. lbs makes me wonder who he fought.
Is youtube working tonight?? :)
Brent Henley, been there done that. He played for the now defunk Asspilots.
#15 Posted by BUSSYFAN on November 12, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MFH is your 3 week vacation over yet?
Time to rack out...
#16 Posted by BUSSYFAN on November 12, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bussyfan,
Just got in from Sunrise where I Watched Your Bolts get thumped by the Panthers. Time for Barry Melrose to go back to Versus?
Had great seats. 3rd row. directly behind the net. Close enough to see that nasty scar on Zednik's throat.
#17 Posted by hambling on November 13, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sometimes need to take one for the team, MFH did not have a Helmet on when the Blade of a Hockey Stick came crashing down on the right side of his head busting it open like an axe hitting a melon....
#3 Posted by MFH on November 12, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
----------------------------
Explained in MFH's own words...Thus, henceforth, MFH will be known as "Melon Head"
#18 Posted by hambling on November 13, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Philly to answer some of our questions, its not just the on ice stuff that makes a team who they are but the off ice things and i think that some od the guys are trying really hard to leave texas behind.
the team now has to use the texas 3yr. old bus & driver instead of the new bus that was the blades bus. the driver I kinda get perhaps there is a level of comfort there for MC. the boys are also using the same hotels that texas did instead of the ones that the blades used for the laast few years, this was a class orginazition which treated the players like the Pro's that they are. it is said that MC thinks that the boys need to be mad and perhaps he feels like if they are treated to 2nd best that will make them so but in my opinion that hasnt won him a cup yet so perhaps it is flawed thinking. if this is a development league then shouldnt you develope the whole player by having them develope as pros off the ice also. just wondering.
there are other things going on within the adminestration of the team that has been changed to be just like texas, and that CB you will need to find out on your own, perhaps a meeting with the entire staff is in order. funny what you pick up if you just hand around the concourse and listen on game nights.
#19 Posted by hockeyhound on November 13, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HH....understand now. I knew nothing of that so I see what you are saying now. Being that is the case, then I agree. There was absolutely no reason to change the way the team was run previously. Coaching and recruiting....yes. The administrative stuff...no way. Thanks for clarifying...
#20 Posted by Philly on November 13, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hhound,
Don't forget that the "goodie guy" has now been banned from stocking the bus....
CAMERON was able to get away with his "BUSH LEAGUE" tactics in LONG BEACH and BEAUMONT because those organizations were Bush League...
The BLADES have always had the "motto", "We are the NY Yankees of the ECHL".
FLEMING expected his Team to act like professionals on the road and learn to eat with their silverware...
Guess CAMERON is okay with these MERCENARIES eating out of His Army Rations.......
#21 Posted by MFH on November 13, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is ridiculous ... boohoo we're on a bus that's 3 yrs old ... not a newer bus!? It's a BUS people - we're not talking the difference between a gulfstream jet and schlepping it in coach. It's not like Cameron has them riding around in some old Sunday School bus w/ the Blades' logo stenciled in the sides. Hotels??? What are we talking ... this diff between the Holiday Inn or the Comfort Inn??? ... not The Savoy. What else can we possibly find to complain about ... Did MC make the team switch from Coke products to the generic Publix brand as well??
The guys are ECHL hockey players - young and tough ... I certainly hope none would be such momma's boys ... come on or worse act like an overindulged picky girl...
And they still have great housing in a great area. To put this into perspective - I have a very close friend who was interning at Hughes Aircraft in LA - he was working on his aero / astronautical degree .... The housed him a few blocks from WATTS ... and he HAD to RIDE the BUS too!! Reality Check!!
The team is getting along great and it shows on the ice. The team is happy and it shows on the ice and on the bench. The team is performing very well at the moment ... and I TRULY hope it stays that way. Some dislike MC w/ such a passion it makes one ponder which is the preferred outcome - Everblades' WINS or MC's demise???
#22 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LYNX Sign IHNACAK....
Not only will the LYNX bring HENLEY into Germain but they have just signed Center Brian IHNACAK...
#23 Posted by MFH on November 13, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We had this discussion last year as far as the bus goes and where do you get that the Blades have a brand new bus? It was verified that the Blades lease their bus and share with the other teams. So if they are now using a bus that is 3 years old and was for Texas only and is now for Blades only, is that not an improvement from a leased bus??? See CSA I can be logical from all points of view.
Now I am beginning to see that MC is not a happy fan person and in Bladesville that is going to be a big problem for him and I am not talking lets be buddies, I am talking just general politness and respect for the people that put butts in the seats.
#24 Posted by BHF on November 13, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
APF....well put. Some yahoos on this site just moan and groan just to hear themselves. Children stuff....
BHF: The Blades don't care about the less than 10 people you are talking about. They would be happy for those 10 people or so to go away completely and let the "real" fans enjoy their product. The negative stuff people write in the blog does them no favors. In my opinion, most of the stuff is petty and most don't care. Fans should cheer when doing well, boo when not. Instead, some people just criticize to criticize. The team is playing great and people are moaning.... Just my opinion....don't want people to think they all have to believe... :-)
#25 Posted by Philly on November 13, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Philly you have no idea what I am talking about so why don't you just shut up. I could care less if the man talks to me or not and I could care less who the players associate with after games. Obviously you are not at the games enough to know what I am talking about so stay away from the topic at hand.
And again, I think hockey hound is just trying to make a point about something that you are just too thick headed to get so instead of taking it somewhere else, just stay away from the topic.
#26 Posted by BHF on November 13, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
act like an overindulged picky girl...
#22 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
----------------------------
And who better to know this, than APF?
#27 Posted by hambling on November 13, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Blades are still using the same leasing company. The bus they used for their last road trip was the bus they had before Jimmy got his new one at the end of the 2006-07 season.
There are teams out there riding buses a lot older than the one the Blades rode (and last year's bus was 3 years old too BTW) and they aren't whining. As APF said, it's a BUS. The fact that they get where they are going safely without incident should be the biggest concern.
When they were in Charleston, they stayed at our host hotel which is the Courtyard Marriott. Trust me when I tell you it is definitely a "step up" from from last year's host hotel. Are there nicer onces in our city? Of course. Are these teams willing to pay for them? Not likely.
#28 Posted by WW on November 13, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CSA - I believe the answer to that would be MFH lol
#29 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry MFH had to throw ya' under the "bus" on that one
#30 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Top Goalies in The ECHL
#2 Mr. Khudobin
#16 Mr. Leggio
Go Blades!!
#31 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
APFOY,
Your "intern" buddy is just that an INTERN, the Blades are a PROFESSIONAL Hockey Organization...
Maybe when the INTERN can get a gig, he will have some leverage in an employment package...
btw, to be put up near WATTS they were either sending him a message or he is a UCLA fan...
#32 Posted by MFH on November 13, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MFH:
NICE TRY ... (notice the helping verb WAS in my post) and since you've shown interest in my "buddy" getting a "gig" and his "leverage package" While at Hughes his design was put into affect on the F-18 flight simulator... by the time he was 25 he had his own design published and used by the AF on the (I believe) F-15 ... He ended up getting his PhD from MIT full scholarship and research grant ... now he runs a fortune 300 company (well # 4 guy actually - he's not quite 40 yrs old - give him time) ... hmmmm do wanna try to be a bit more condescending and it know-it-all ish?
BTW
Intern IS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT .... ECHL .... DEVELOPMENT TEAM and INTERNS are paid ...
#33 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hmmm after that little verbal beat down ... Miss. Alora is going to hit the beach and enjoy this awesome weather ;o) tah tah mi amigos
love, el diablo fuego
#34 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
APFOY,
Lets "drop" his name for a little research on this dude...
What next he ran ENRON and AIG.....
#35 Posted by MFH on November 13, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
APFOY,
Looks like the heat got to hot in the kitchen for ya.......
#36 Posted by MFH on November 13, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HaHa!!! Mr. MFH/NUBBY You are INCAPABLE of bringing/ packing that kind of heat ... LOL
out the door...
#37 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
APFOY,
Guess your next post will be that you forgot your SP40 and you don't want your silky soft skin to burn.......
Please share the name of your "buddy" Mr. TOP GUN...
#38 Posted by MFH on November 13, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
New blog posted ...
#39 Posted by ABusch on November 13, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BHF.....yaawwnnnnnnn.
#40 Posted by Philly on November 13, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
uh uh - no way ... not gonna happen. You're just gonna have to sit in the dark as usual and stew ... or yell out FRAUD whenever your "ego" can't take it anymore.... but more info on him - Mr. Top Gun's uncle played football for the Cleveland Browns ... yep impressive size runs in the family as well as brains! (seethe and fester)
I use SPF 70 for my "silky smooth skin" ... and I would NEVER forget to bring it w/ me ...
#41 Posted by AloraPurefoy on November 13, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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