Rampage Game Thread: Condors + More Pervasive Trade Talk

The beloved Rampage finish off their longest roadie of the season tonight against the Bakersfield Condors. They’re 3-2 on the trip so far but to call it any kind of success this is a must win.

Roster/Injury Report

- Nathan Lieuwen was called up to San Antonio over the weekend. I think this has more to do with the Eagles not having the space or motivation to keep him on the roster. He hasn’t played down there in a month. Remains to be seen what happens here.

- AFAIK same injury list. Elson and Vogelhuber out with LBI

Fast Facts: San Diego

SAR 5 - SD 4

Shots: 23-39 (37.1%) O’Brien had 6, a couple others had 3
Special Teams: PP 1/4, PK 2/3
Spencer Martin stopped 35/39 (.897)
Goals: Greer (11), Henley (2), O’Brien (6), Petryk (1), Whitney (8)

The shot totals look horrifying but the scorer had some serious home cookin’. In real life it was around 27-33. First win ever for the Rampage over the Gulls.

SD 3 - SAR 2

Shots: 28-29 (49.1%) Belzile had 5, Sislo 4
Special Teams: PP 2/2, PK 4/5
Jeremy Smith stopped 26/29 (.897)
Goals: Grimaldi (11), Bourque (5)

Clearing Space

With the Avs on league-mandated shore leave the talk has turned to trades and deals. Let’s examine a few Rampage players that are presumedly close to NHL callups and some examples of who on the parent club would have to disappear to give them a shot. Not just trades, could be injury, benching or actually disappearing.

AJ Greer - He’s ready right now if you ask me. Can play LW on any line, just say the word.
Who must go: McLeod, Rene Bourque, Iginla, Landeskog

JT Compher - Probably still needs a few weeks to really hone his craft, but he’s close.
Who must go: Mitchell/Colborne, Grigorenko, Soderberg, Duchene

Duncan Siemens: 8th D out of camp and been solid all season.
Who must go: Beauchemin, Tyutin

Gabriel Bourque: Unfortunately for Gabe, Matt Nieto has his spot right now but if more were created...
Who must go: McLeod, Comeau, Martinsen

Chris Bigras: Playing well after a long UBI, he’s also a few weeks away but close.
Who must go: Beauchemin, Tyutin, Gelinas, Barrie

Rocco Grimaldi: Like Greer and Bourque, he’s ready and just a phone call away. Doesn’t seem to be the coach’s fave but if enough dead weight gets jacked...
Who must go: Rene Bourque, Iginla, Comeau, Martinsen

Troy Bourke/Sam Henley - Good depth if after all these wonderful callups happen, the Avs still need more or just want a courtesy look. Later in the year Boikov or Lindholm may be worthy of a look as well.

Obviously the Avs aren’t going to fire sale half the roster but there are a few possibilities and some vets like Iginla and McLeod that have expressed an openness to being moved. John Mitchell and Eric Gelinas cleared waivers earlier in the year but found no takers. That could change as the season winds down and the total cap dollars for each contract shrinks. If trades are made then there should be some collateral talent that makes it’s way to the AHL so this list is fluid.

All I can say is that I expect some movement over the next seven weeks that will affect the Rampage roster. The word on the street as of a few weeks ago was that the Avs were interested in calling up AJ Greer, JT Compher, Chris Bigras and Duncan Siemens in the near future. That can’t happen without clearing out some space so now we wait.

Preview: Bakersfield

The Rampage are in last, the Condors one spot above. That will reverse with a San Antonio win. Oilers 4th overall pick Jesse Puljujärvi was optioned to Bako yesterday and will presumably be available for the game. The Condors played an outdoor game that was almost rained out on Sat against Ontario, always fun playing in puddles.

Lines/Pairs from Saturday:

Whitney - O’Brien - Sislo
Greer - Compher - Grimaldi
Bourque - Belzile - Petryk
Henley - Bourke - Nantel

Bigras - Lindholm
Siemens - Boikov
Young - Clark

Smith
Martin

Safe bet that Marty starts this one. Looks like Corbett and Young are rotating in the 6th spot on D so that might change. Sam Jardine is still with the team so that’s a possibility I guess, although hopefully a remote one. I can’t see Garry Nunn and his 6 goals sitting in the press box for a 3rd straight game.

Schedule

Rampage at Condors, 10pmET. Radio on Ticket 760

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