There's no question that over the past couple seasons I have been a Rita supporter; a guy who thinks he should have been given a better opportunity to stick in Edmonton. I can say that from what I've heard it sounds like he's done enough to not be farmed out, especially being on a one-way deal for the league min.
But if they have to clear a roster spot (and they will if they decide to keep Schremp, unless someone gets injured in the last 3 pre-season games) he seems like the likely guy given that they can ship him to Europe, but also because he might still have a bit of trade value. On a team like WSH one would have to think he'd easily make the lineup as a regular, he's still somewhat young, and makes the league minimum. Perfect for a rebuilding team, or maybe even a team tight against the cap who wants a cheap 13th forward that they think has some upside.
My vote is that he stays, and starts the year on the 4th line LW with Stoll and Laraque. I don't think that's in the cards, both because it sounds like they have been playing him mostly at RW to start the year, and also because I think the EDM coaching staff likes Winchester and Harvey a bit more. But supposedly he'll be on a line with Smyth and Horcoff tonight, so no time like the present to impress the coaching staff.
Speaking of, were I coach, I think I wouldn't mind seeing lines something like:
Smyth Peca Dvorak
Moreau Horcoff Pisani
Torres Reasoner Hemsky
Rita Stoll Laraque
Pronger Semenov
Smith Staios
Ulanov Bergeron
to start the season.
With a PP unit something like:
Smyth Horcoff Hemsky Bergeron Pronger
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I think Rita's performance against the Flames last game may have sealed the deal for him to start the season in Edmonoton, and I'm happy about it. I think he deserves the shot and he has certainly earned it.
The really crappy part about all of this is that once Schremp gets sent down, he can't be called up again later like, say, Stastny can from the AHL This makes any decision to send him back to London even more difficult.
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