Crowders to Wheeling for David Marshall (and what we think this means for the big picture)

So, the Crowder boys have been shipped off to Wheeling in exchange for David Marshall. In our opinion, we're not happy about this one but we're also not in charge. The Grizzlies' plan here is to prepare for the post season and they're looking to put together a team that can make a run against the likes of Stockton and Alaska - two rivals that Utah has had trouble with this year.


On the numbers end, we can see Utah's point. After ramping up at the end of 2009-10, Tim has had an inconsistent season this year without his catalyst of a brother Paul, who was injured between November and February. Tim led the Grizzlies' with overall points for a while, but currently comes in with 33 points (13g, 20a) in 55 games. And a recovering Paul is still adjusting back to game shape from his injury.

That being said, the boys seemed to spark in both games this weekend in their hometown of Victoria, as we expected. We were hoping to see the return of the Crowders and Carpentier in the same firepower line that began the Grizzlies' season, but sadly that was not to be.


So, let's look at the big picture - we're talkin' playoffs, baby.

Grizzlies made the trade for David Marshall who is currently playing with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL. With the Baby Pens, Marshall has picked up only 2 points in 8 games so not the heaviest hitter in that league. (His stats in the ECHL are pretty nice, though. You can check them out here.) Which means there's a good possibility that he'll be in Utah come playoff time.


That being said, it's necessary to take into account the upper leagues. Marshall's currently hanging out in WB/S, who has maintained the top spot in their division despite massive injuries and callups from the Pens, who have seen their own share of injuries and relied heavily on their farm teams this season. And even if the Pens don't make the playoffs this season, the Baby Pens are slated to make their run in the AHL. But with the injuries and callups to Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton needs bodies . . . and this is where it gets tricky for us as Grizzlies' fans.

Marshall has played in recent games for WB/S, so we know he's not riding the bench and will be in game shape when he joins Utah - or should we say, IF he joins Utah. Just today, the Baby Pens found out that three of their top scorers will not be cleared for the AHL playoffs due to NHL injuries. This could mean a spot on the playoff roster for Marshall who has AHL experience not only with WB/S but with two other teams this season.

Of course, it's not uncommon in the ECHL for a trade made in preparation for the playoffs to fall apart due to an AHL callup; this is what we saw with the Simon Ferguson trade last year after all. And honestly, more power to David Marshall if he can make the callup stick even though we want him here in Utah to help out our boys.

So, as for the Crowders? We're going to miss them terribly on a personal note. But we know that the boys will be guaranteed ice time as shorthanded Wheeling fights to hold onto their #2 position in the Eastern Conference's North Division. Tim was drafted by the Penguins in 2005, so it's somewhat fitting that he's joining their organization and playing with ECHL affiliate for the last push to the post season. And if this last weekend was any indicator of what the Crowders will take going into the Nailers, we may have to look out for them in the playoffs.

Aw, draft day!
Best of luck to the Crowders!