A Deep Dive Into Saskatoon's Roster [1/2]

[SparrowLTD 14]

Coming off of a rather poor S64, the Saskatoon Wild are not looking like world-beaters as we close in on the start of the new season, at least not yet. As of writing this, the roster sits at sixteen players, with a total of two having more than 100 TPE, and one closing in on that number. Today, we will be looking at these sixteen individuals and how they will slot into the lineup for the start of S65, starting with a theoretical first line.

 

Forwards

 

First Line

 

Nethila Dissanayake (LW)
Although he is listed as a right winger, Dissanayake will more than likely fill the role of the first line’s left winger. Standing at a towering height of 6’8”, the Sri Lankan skates well, knows when to pass, and has been getting better at finding the back of the net since the offseason began. With a +/- of -15 in S64, any improvement is welcomed.

 

Raphael Nazarians (C)
Having only played in nine games in S64, Nazarian finds himself captaining the Wild squad for S65. He has shown the most improvement overall of the non-rookies this offseason, and going forward the Armenian will be looked to as Saskatoon’s primary goal scorer and the glue that holds the team together.

 

Shawnomir Jagr (RW)
With great skating and puck handling, lots of goal-scoring potential and the best defensive ability out of the crop of Saskatoon forwards, this Czech right winger is a no-brainer on the first line. On the roster of the champion Las Vegas Aces last season (though only playing in twenty-two games), perhaps the Wild are hoping Jagr can bring some of his luck to Saskatoon.

 

Second Line

 

John Perdue (LW)
The first rookie we’ll be looking at today, Perdue will most likely be a staple of the second line. Although he hasn’t been tested in the VHLM just yet, many on Saskatoon are hoping that this disciplined young American can bring some flair to the roster. Johnny Hockey has a lot of potential; here’s hoping he lives up to it.

 

Kip Baier (C)
While this Canadian has the most experience in the VHLM out of everyone on the roster with two full seasons played (Alexander Kachur follows close behind with five fewer games played), experience does not necessarily translate to skill in this case. Baier hasn’t shown a ton of improvement thus far; his only standout attributes are his skating and scoring, and even those are nothing to write home about. Maybe this year will be his year?

 

Emil Passerelli (RW)
Our second rookie hails from Utica, New York, having played college hockey up in Boston. Passerelli is a winger with a pass-first mentality, something that his coaches have done their best to take advantage of. The Italian-American can pick out passes with ease, putting his teammates in great scoring positions, though he himself isn’t the most able goal scorer. Saskatoon is certainly banking on the young New York native filling the role of playmaker well.

 

Third Line

 

Alexis Lafreniere (LW)
Most comfortable as a right winger, the Wild will be hoping that this rookie from Canada can adjust well to playing on the left. A strong skater, Lafreniere’s coaches will be hoping to brush up on his technical skills and mold him into a force to be reckoned with.

 

Matthew Tolsma (C)
This center from Canada has a little bit of experience in the VHLM, having played fourteen games for the Ottawa Lynx last season. With one assist in those fourteen games, Tolsma had a +/- of 4. While not a prolific scorer nor playmaker himself, perhaps his presence on the ice helps the team to find the net.

 

Alexander Traore (RW)
Another rookie winger from the United States, Alexander Traore will be rounding out Saskatoon’s third line on the right side. Unproven and untested, it will be interesting to see how the young man does in the VHLM.

 

Defensemen

 

First Pair

 

Alexander Kachur (D)
A seasoned veteran of the VHLM, this Canadian has solid defensive skills. The fact that he remains in the VHLM after two seasons is a red flag, however. Kachur has 73 points from 139 appearances, with a +/- of -32. He is not the most disciplined, racking up the penalty minutes rather easily. Let’s hope he can show some improvement in S65.

 

Anthony Amberback (D)
This undrafted American rookie is hard to judge just yet. He has a lot of potential, and I’m sure Saskatoon will do their best to make sure he lives up to it.

 

Second Pair

 

Yuri Kalerov (D)
The tall Swiss defenseman is a recent signing of Saskatoon, and though he hasn’t played any games yet, his coaches are encouraged by his progress and excited to see what he brings to the ice at the start of the season.

 

Rusty Shackleford (D)
This Texan D-man is a charming piece of the Saskatoon Wild puzzle, having played college hockey at Arizona State University. He fits in well with his teammates, and the rapport between them is sure to only grow in the coming weeks.

 

Third Pair

 

John Price (D)
Price hails from Sweden and stands at a height of 6’8”. While tall, the Swede only weighs 164 pounds, and his strength is a big question mark heading into the season. Hopefully he can prove all of the doubters wrong.

 

Colin Moore (D)
On the other end of the spectrum, this American is only 5’8”. Despite questions about his small stature, Saskatoon decided to sign him and see what he can put out on the ice. He raises a lot of questions; perhaps come the start of the season, he’ll be answering them.

 

Goaltender

 

Domenic Villella (G)
For quite a while this offseason, Saskatoon had gone without a goaltender. This changed with the signing of Domenic Villella, a small Canadian rookie. Another iffy addition to the roster, it will be interesting to see how Villella gets past his size disadvantage.

 

And with that, there is all sixteen players on Saskatoon’s roster going into S65. With a vast majority being rookies with no real experience in the M, it’s going to be a fascinating season to behold.

 

(1026 words, using for 2/25-3/3 and 3/4-3/10)

[Matt_O 896]

Review-

 

Great analysis of Saskatoon. While my days on the Wild are long gone, I do enjoy them having success. Unfortunately, as you had said, they have so many rookies. My biggest issue with Saskatoon is that they have 10 players with 30 TPE. With the inclusion of two VHLM teams, I anticipate a playoff birth isn't expected for them. All in all nice job with the analysis of every player, I could never have done that