GM: Chuck Massaro
Coach: Lindy Ruff
Last season: 14th overall. In playoffs, lost to Bern
Ins and Outs
(Season 18 to Season 19)
In: Colton Parayko (trade), Vadim Shipachyov (free agent), Nick Hague (free agent), Tim Washe (free agent),
Out: Rhett Gardner (free agent), Ondrej Palat (trade), Will Butcher (free agent), Niclas Almari (trade), Kristaps Zile (trade)
Potential Lineup
Travis Konecny/Josh Norris/Colin White
Zemgus Girgensons/Troy Loggins/Vadim Shipachyov
Kailer Yamamoto/Leo Carlsson/Jimmy Snuggerud
Jeremi Gerber/Connor Korte/Gabe Perreault
Colton Parayko/Viktor Antpin
Lucas Hughes/Dante Fabbro
Ryan McCleary/John Fusco
Tanner Jaillet/Spencer Knight
A Question
Where is this team going? Down; that’s where they have been heading recently, at any rate. The Eagles dropped from 6th overall in Season 17 to 14th last year. They exhibited a lot of problems last year. Bratislava’s offense struggled (compared to the year before) and their shots per game rank went from 5th to 17th. That’s a real concern. But the talk of the city is how poorly their goalies have played. In a word, both Tanner Jaillet and Spencer Knight were pretty bad. Fans felt pretty good when General Manager Chuck Massaro locked both net-minders into multi-year deals, and they thought their team would have a chance to win any game, but it has not worked out that way. Both goalies had save percentages under .880. If Bratislava has a bright new hope of making the playoffs again this season, it’s trade acquisition Colton Parayko, 34, who was in Paris the previous three years. Now, he is now cemented on a $17 million defense pair with Viktor Antipin, who came to the team last season in a trade with Oslo. Bratislava is trying to make a youth movement, but it’s been a slow one. Defenseman John Fusco got 44 games of experience last season that he probably didn’t deserve and young Ryan McCleary looks like he will get a similar promotion to the big club as Fusco’s partner. Other rookies expected to make the lineup this season are right wingers Jimmy Snuggerud and Gabe Perreault. But an old-timer was also added to the mix in free agency. Vadim Shipachyov, 36, is the league’s all-time leader in playoff points (275 in 272 games) but his role will be more of a defensive one on a line with Zemgus Girgensons and Troy Loggins.
Rose’s Focus
“Bratislava is the most entertaining team in the league. What? I know you must be thinking, ‘what has this beautiful woman been smoking?’ But I’m not talking about how they perform on the ice, where they play a conservative, boring style. I’m referring to their roster moves. I love to see what changes the self-proclaimed genius Chuck Massaro makes to improve his team and I laugh every time one of his plans disintegrates. This season has more laughs in store, for sure. But I do feel sorry for Colton Parayko, who goes from a Paris locker room of mature, serious men to one filled with teeny-boppers. And for Vadim Shipachyov, who goes from the wild, party land in Berlin to having to listen to Chuck’s sleepy talks. This team is confused and rudderless at the moment. I could help Mr. Massaro fix it, but he has yet to ask for my help. Plus, it’s so humorous watching this team flail away. I’m not going to find entertainment like this just anywhere. I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
