Expansion Draft Thoughts

     It's been a couple of days since the conclusion of the Expansion Draft, although the Cannons did lose Goalie Adam Ghitleman, Defensemen Brodie Merrill, and Midfielder Ryan Tucker, I was really not that surprised with these departures. Although it always is sad to see players leave this may have been the best case scenario.
   

     With the first pick in the Expansion Draft former Cannons Coach John Tucker ended the Cannons goalie controversy with the debate of Ghitleman and Jordan Burke, and with the first pick Tucker took Ghitleman. Although Ghitleman is a loss I love that Burke is staying in Boston he was the net minder who really lead the Cannons to a title just a couple of years ago, and I think we could see Burke get back to that kind of Goalie, this year.
     With the second pick the new Atlanta Blaze selected veteran Defensemen Brodie Merrill as I said in the past I love Merrill and think he is an outstanding Defensemen but he is getting up their in age but the Cannons still have a solid core of D-Poles still on their roster who are very talented and I think really help boast their successful defense last year. But I do feel the loss of Merrill will hurt the defense a little bit, I think the Cannons will definitely find players to fill in the shoes of Merrill, wouldn't surprise me if they look at a D-Pole in the Collegiate Draft.
     Finally with the third pick the Blaze selected Ryan Tucker (yes the son of the Blaze's Coach/GM) absolutely no surprise here Ryan's dad is running this new team so no surprise at all. It is sad to lose Ryan who had a great year with the Cannons in his rookie season. I think the loss hurts the Cannons a little bit Ryan was not a big time do it all guy but he definitely helped in big situations. But these things happen and the Cannons will most certainly have the next man-up mentality to replace Tucker.
     After losing three players with the first three picks in the draft the Cannons decided to protect defensemen Mitch Belisle which I think was a smart idea, you already loss one part to your defense in Merrill you couldn't afford to possibly lose another.
     Look for an another article later tonight or early tomorrow looking at the Cannons schedule for this season which will be announced today at 2 P.M.!