Breaking down the 2015-16 Seattle Thunderbirds

On paper, this is the strongest team that the Thunderbirds have had during Steve Konowalchuk’s tenure as head coach. A talented and deep forward group should help overcome any question marks that have arisen with the departures of veteran blueliners Shea Theodore and Evan Wardley and goaltender Taran Kozun.

Seattle still has some moves to make, and it’s possible that one or two of the team’s lower-line veterans could be dealt if the team feels confident in their 16-year-olds. If the coaching staff would prefer those rookies receive more playing time in their respective midget leagues, as the team did with Lane Pederson when he was 16, they could be sent home and return next season when bigger roles would be available.

Below is a breakdown of every player currently listed on Seattle’s roster as of Thursday afternoon.

Forwards

• Scott Eansor, C: Eansor has been exceptional in a checking line role during his two seasons in Seattle, but expect bigger offensive contributions from the 19-year-old center in 2015-16. He more than tripled his regular season point total between his 17- and 18-year-old seasons, and with Nolan Volcan and Jamal Watson likely on his wings this year, he’ll have two complementary two-way players that can help accelerate Eansor’s offensive output. He’ll continue to see the opposition’s top offensive line as well, making him one of the most valuable players on Seattle’s roster.

• Kaden Elder, C: A former first round pick, Elder is listed as a center, but bounced around between the middle and wing last year and may do so again this season. Undersized at 5-foot-9, Elder is a good skater who will be looking to build on his rookie campaign where he had three points on one goal and two assists. With Seattle’s depth at forward, it looks like Elder will again find himself on the team’s fourth line.

• Ryan Gropp, LW: Gropp nearly averaged a point per game last season, and should be expected to surpass those numbers this season. His elite speed and shot look like they’ll be utilized fully this year with Mathew Barzal feeding him passes, and he’ll also be receiving top-line minutes as Seattle’s depth up front will allow head coach Steve Konowalchuk to keep his two most talented offensive players together. The Kamloops, BC native will see the ice in all situations, which should lead not only to a number of power play points, but also the occasional shorthanded goal.

• Mathew Barzal, C: After being picked in the first round this past June, expectations are on Mathew Barzal’s shoulders to lead this team offensively. The 18-year-old claims he “doesn’t really feel pressure,” and those claims, along with his vocalized desire to take this team deep into the playoffs and on to the Memorial Cup, make him the ideal candidate to lead a young but extremely talented and deep group of forwards. He’ll never admit to any personal goals, but after scoring 57 points in 44 games last season, registering more than 80 this season isn’t out of reach.

• Mackenzie Wight, F: It’s been tough to get a gauge on the type of player Wight is through the preseason, but as a 16-year-old, if Wight makes the final roster he’ll likely spend most of his time on the fourth line getting acclimated to the WHL pace. In limited preseason action, Wight wasn’t able to get his name on the scoresheet, but he was aggressive and willing to battle along the boards and in the corners.

• Alexander True, C: The smooth-skating Danish forward will center what should be an impressive third line for Seattle. During the preseason he was flanked by fellow import Gustav Olhaver and, at times, Keegan Kolesar. An arm injury last season limited True to just 38 regular season games, but it appeared he was on track to break out before that happened. If he’s able to stay healthy this year, Seattle’s depth at center will be tough to match for any team in the league.

• Jamal Watson, RW: After watching Watson in the preseason, it’s amazing that no NHL team has signed him to a contract already. Assuming he doesn’t earn a pro contract with the Montreal Canadiens – which is no guarantee – Watson will return to Seattle as one of the best skaters in the WHL. He’s big, strong, and fast and finished second in scoring with the Lethbridge Hurricanes last season. On a line with Eansor and Volcan, he should put up near point-per-game totals while matching up against the opposition’s top scorers.

• Wyatt Bear, RW: Bear was expected to come into camp out of shape due to his lack of access to an ice rink over the summer, but he didn’t appear to have too much of a learning curve at camp and in the preseason and is certainly in contention for one of the team’s final roster spots. The Hodgson, Man. native has a big frame with the skills to be a good player in this league, but won’t be thrust too quickly into an important role with Seattle’s depth at forward.

• Donovan Neuls, C: After a scary situation in the preseason, the Seattle faithful were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief when Neuls returned for the T-Birds’ final preseason game. Excelling in a checking role alongside Eansor and Volcan last season, Neuls is a great option to center the fourth line this year or jump up on any of the higher lines when necessary. His versatility allows him to play all three forward positions, and will give Konowalchuk the flexibility to use the Eansor-Volcan-Watson line in a more offensive role, as Neuls is very capable of centering a shutdown line of his own.

• Gustav Olhaver, LW: Olhaver was tough to miss during the preseason, and not just because of his 6-foot-7 height. The Swedish left wing – who was listed as a center on NHL.com – is a smooth skater and not afraid to mix it up in front, which has to be a pleasing sight for Konowalchuk. It’s not often you see import players take that approach, but Olhaver seems totally willing. That should help make his adjustment quicker, and his long stride and soft hands will make him an offensive contributor. If Olhaver and True can both capitalize on their potential, Seattle will have three deep offensive lines, a scary thought for opposing coaches.

• Matthew Wedman, LW: Wedman put on an impressive performance during training camp and the preseason as one of the team’s 16-year-old rookies with hopes of earning a roster spot. The Edmonton, Alta. native has a strong hockey pedigree, as his older brother Cole played for the Spokane Chiefs, while his other brother, Dan, went the NCAA route with Cornell University. Already listed at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, this season should act as a growing experience before Wedman develops into a capable power forward.

• Nolan Volcan, LW: Despite standing just 5-foot-9, Volcan is a wrecking ball. He’s fast, tough, and never afraid to go into the dirty areas. As a rookie, he had 23 points in 67 games, a number that should increase significantly as he plays with two gifted offensive players in Eansor and Watson. Now in his draft year, he should get some attention from NHL scouts. The Edmonton, Alta. native is one of a few players on the Seattle roster capable of energizing the team with a big hit or a goal, making him an incredibly valuable piece in just his second year in the league.

• Keegan Kolesar, RW: Picked in the third round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Kolesar is probably the player in line for the biggest jump on the scoresheet as an 18-year-old. After scoring 38 points on 19 goals and 19 assists in 64 games last year, Kolesar should come closer to 30 goals this season, especially if he plays on the top line with Barzal and Gropp, who would complement his bruising style extremely well. Solid as a rock in front of the net, the greasy goals should come in bunches both at even strength and on the power play.

• Luke Osterman, RW: Osterman isn’t going to put up a lot of points, but the defenseman-turned-forward is one player on the Seattle roster who is never afraid to drop the gloves. While that role is becoming less important as time wears on, Seattle’s bevy of skilled forwards may make someone like Osterman a necessity. Last year he went toe-to-toe with some of the league’s toughest enforcers, including Kelowna’s Tyrell Goulbourne and Vancouver’s Josh Thrower. It will be interesting to see how and when Konowalchuk chooses to utilize Osterman due to his very specialized skill set.

• Nick Holowko, LW: Holowko played a smaller role last season on the fourth line and occasionally moved around to fill in for absent forwards on higher lines when necessary. Based on a strong training camp where he looked stronger and faster, more will be expected out of Holowko after he scored nine points in 63 games as a rookie. If he and Donovan Neuls are able to combine with one other player to form a capable checking line, it would give Konowalchuk the freedom to use Eansor, Volcan, and Watson in more offensive roles. Holowko should also provide some ruggedness up front, which will help with guys like Evan Wardley and Justin Hickman no longer here.

Defense

• Jerret Smith: Now 20, Smith is in line for a breakout campaign on the blue line this year. Playing alongside Shea Theodore for the past couple of seasons, Smith usually wasn’t the one grabbing headlines, but he still managed to put up 38 points while playing in all 72 games last year. Smith was named captain of the team earlier today and will surely be tasked this year with facing the opponent’s best lines. He’s received his own share of attention from NHL scouts as he attended development camp with the New York Rangers, and will be on a mission this season to earn himself a pro contract.

• Turner Ottenbreit: Ottenbreit attended New York Rangers camp with Jerret Smith and was a huge steal for Seattle after they acquired him from the Saskatoon Blades for Adam Henry at the beginning of last season. Not much was known of Ottenbreit at the time, but he surprised everyone en route to receiving the invite from the Rangers. He’ll be counted on as one of Seattle’s top four defensemen and, after the departure of Evan Wardley, seems like a good candidate to pick up his physical play. He appears to have worked on his shot in the offseason, as it was much stronger and more accurate during the preseason. His offensive improvements may have him in line for a role on the power play.

• Jarret Tyszka: Defensemen generally take longer than forwards to develop in the WHL, but Tyszka looks like he’ll make the team as a 16-year-old. He’s loaded with skill and offensive potential and the team is incredibly excited about his future. This year, however, he’ll look to add strength and adjust to the speed of the game as he’ll likely spend the majority of his time on the third pairing. You may not hear a ton about Tyszka this year, but he’s a name to keep an eye on for the next few seasons.

• Sahvan Khaira: Khaira looked overmatched at times last season, but based on his training camp and preseason, may be in line for the T-Birds’ “Most Improved Player” award when the 2015-16 season comes to a close. Khaira is big and strong and it looks like his skating and confidence are starting to catch up to his natural abilities. With four veteran defensemen in front of him, Khaira will also likely spend much of his time on the third defensive pairing as he prepares for a bigger role next season when both Jerret Smith and Jared Hauf will have graduated.

• Brandon Schuldhaus: Schuldhaus nearly made the team last year as a 16-year-old, but looks like he’ll fit in on the third defensive pairing this season. Schuldhaus, Tyszka, and Khaira will likely rotate through the third pairing when the entire defensive unit is intact, and all three are sure to receive adequate minutes as other d-men miss time due to injury or other circumstances. Schuldhaus also possesses great size, but his ability to handle the puck and get his shot through traffic and on net were what impressed most during the preseason. The three young defensemen on this year’s team indicate a bright future on the backend in Seattle.

• Ethan Bear: With Theodore now gone to the AHL, some of the offensive responsibilities will fall onto the 18-year-old Bear’s shoulders. The two are very different players – don’t expect to see Bear taking the puck on a coast-to-coast rush – but Bear has an offensive game of his own. He possesses a booming slapshot that will likely be utilized on the first power play unit and quite possibly the number one defensive pairing. Bear was a fifth round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers in June and will likely be counted on to be more of a leader in his third year with Seattle. Bear is very good at keeping his emotions in check – he has only 41 combined penalty minutes over two years – and the coaching staff raves about his ability to forget mistakes.

• Jared Hauf: With his defensive partner and bash brother Evan Wardley now under contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Hauf will be counted on to be the team’s biggest enforcer this season. Now 20, Hauf is big and strong and is expected to protect many of the team’s younger skilled players. Last season Hauf finished with a minus-4, his best plus/minus rating in his career, and should build on that in his final WHL season. It’s unknown how the top four defensemen will be paired, but the Calgary, Alta. native is sure to fit in somewhere. Once the No. 4 overall pick in the Bantam Draft, Hauf will be playing for a professional tryout and contract this season.

Goalies

• Taz Burman: Burman’s acquisition was a bit of a surprise when it happened, as the T-Birds seemed very high on Lane Pederson, who they traded for him, and Burman, 18, wasn’t the veteran goalie many expected Seattle to try and pick up. With 38 WHL games under his belt, Burman does come with more experience than Logan Flodell, whom he likely will be in a year-long competition with for playing time. A highly-regarded goalie prospect during his bantam years, Burman hasn’t received the playing time to warrant being drafted by an NHL club, even though he was listed by NHL Central Scouting as a player to watch prior to last season. He’ll need to improve his rebound control, but the potential is there for Burman to play his way into the plans of NHL scouts.

• Logan Flodell: Flodell and Burman were neck-and-neck for most of training camp, and as of Thursday, no announcement has been made as to who will stand between the pipes on opening night in Vancouver. If Konowalchuk goes with the hottest hand from the end of the preseason, it would seem likely that Flodell would get the nod in game one. No matter the case, he and Burman should receive almost equal playing time over the course of the season unless one goalie makes a significant impact – good or bad – early on. Flodell appeared to have some trouble handling the puck during the preseason, but that’s more likely a result of fans being spoiled by Taran Kozun’s elite puck skills over the past couple seasons. Flodell, like Burman, has the skill to earn attention from NHL scouts.