Discussions

Now that we're a full halfway through the season, we've seen more than enough of this year's Wheat Kings to get a feel for what this team can do.  
 
Here are my thoughts... hoping others will chip in with theirs.  
 
Forward  
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For a team that's been getting knocked for lacking secondary scoring, this still could be one of the deepest forward groups in the league if its firing on all cyllinders. A couple weeks ago talk seemed to be centering around Topilko, Dittmer and Kauk needing to step up to take the pressure off of Burki, Simek and Derlago. Topilko has the monkey off his back since joining the top line (6G 6A last 11 games) and even if he isn't a scoring superstar he's still valuable because of his speed and hard work. Dittmer and Kauk have been given a lot of chances but Topilko is a testament to what a little patience and a little confidence boost can do for a junior hockey player. Clark has fallen off a bit after a hot start. No reason to think he won't get back on track.  
Derlago has been steady. The scary thing about Burki and Simek is I think they both have an extra gear still. Fehr I really like for a guy that could step up. Green is starting to figure out what he can do.  
 
Defense  
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Robak has been so steady for a 16 year old defenceman. Boyle to me has really rounded out his game recently. Kohn is so good at moving the play. Lockerby is really on the radar for how surprisingly well he's played since moving back.  
 
Goal  
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On the average, Plante has been pretty solid but like some of the other vets you get a feeling he has an extra gear yet.  
 
That said, I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade or two after the holidays before the deadline to try to jolt the team out of the small funk they're in. They've lost to PA, Moose Jaw, Regina and Swift Current this month. These are all teams that should be quite beatable. A bit of a shakeup around this time of year is something that has happened a few times in the past.