The third part of our protected players analysis closes out week one with the rest of the Privateers players and the beginning of Akwesasne. Let's get the Privateers wrapped up first before we overview the Warriors.
Josselin St Pierre
Stats: 24 y/o Netminder; 23 GP, 15-4-2, .911 pct, 2.78 GAA
Thoughts: As a starting goaltender, put up very respectable numbers for a team that often left him on his own defensively. Even still, finished the season with the second best GAA in the league, only sitting behind Kevin Druce's 2.51. 3rd in wins, behind Druce and Niedert. Easily one of the top four netminders in the league.
Verdict: Coupled with a rebuilt defensive corps for the new season he'd be lethal. Definitely staying.
Clay McFadden
Stats: 25 y/o Center; 20 GP, 10G, 13A, 23 pts, +11
Thoughts: A solid center, able to throw up respectable numbers with minimal penalty minutes. A short career with little playoff experience necessitates the need for a veteran center to round out the middle. He's got experience in numerous different leagues, so it's very possible he has a breakout season with the Privateers this year. Even still, may not be able to fill up the middle on the first line.
Verdict: Solid depth player. Staying.
Akwesasne Warriors
For the most part, it seemed like the Warriors had a new line-up every time we saw them. For a roster that featured an absolutely staggering 49 players, the Warriors found their rhythm with a consistent line-up that lead them to the league's inaugural Cup. Defense was perhaps the weakest point for every team in the league, and Akwesasne was no exception. To their credit, they overcame a merely mild defensive weakness with colossal point production. The Warriors were also the only team to protect less than the maximum of 12 players, though their focus here was obviously to lock down their scorers for this season. The rest of the supporting cast, as proved time and time again throughout the season, was expendable, and will very likely remain that way.
Kyle Lagace
Stats: 24 y/o Center; 44 GP, 15 G, 13 A, 28 pts, -14
Thoughts: Lagace produced a decent number of points on the season, including quite a few penalty minutes as well. Spent almost all of his ice time at even strength, and was one of the Warriors' more defensively liable players, though that doesn't say much for a team so anemic defensively even if it could be arguably considered the most well-rounded in the league. After as many games as they had producing almost circus-like amounts of goals, we understand they can score. It's up to the star players now to elevate their defensive game to the level of their offensive game.
Verdict: Another talented center to feed their superstar wingers; not going anywhere.
Darick St Marie
Stats: 21 y/o Center; 27 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 pts, +6
Thoughts: For how young he is, St Marie filled the center role very well for his short time with the Warriors. Seemed to provide a spark regardless of what line he was playing with, including a respectable amount of powerplay time. He's a hard working player across the board and can only benefit from playing the entire season with the Warriors.
Verdict: Stays. Has the capability, easily, to center the 1st or 2nd line.
Chad Bazin
Stats: 23 y/o Defenseman; 15 GP, 1 G, 8 A, 9 pts, -6
Thoughts: A late season defensive acquisition, Bazin was very reliable for feeding the puck to offensive players from the point, but disappointed defensively during the regular season. He found his own in the playoffs, finishing with 2 points and a +14 rating. If he can continue the responsible play he demonstrated against the Privateers and Aviators, he'll certainly have a lot more ice time to prove himself come this Fall.
Verdict: Needs to play how he played in the playoffs, not in the regular season. If he can't repeat that magic, look for him to get familiar with Akwesasne's regularly revolving door of players.
Stay tuned next week for the next 5 Warriors players.
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