McClelland hopes Thunder roster comes into focus

Previous promises by Thunder coach Kevin McClelland to disrupt the roster have led to conspicuous periods of inactivity.

Hamstrung by another team’s unwillingness to deal, poor fits on the waiver wire or even renewed confidence in his own players, McClelland hasn’t always been able to match action with words.

The Thunder has five wins in its first 14 games, so McClelland has exhausted many avenues for an upgrade. The Thunder has made 10 transactions in a little more than a month, including the acquisition of two defensemen this week.

“It’s for the (improvement) of the whole team, to make our team better,” McClelland said. “It’s not just a kneejerk reaction, I’m not like that. If we can improve the hockey club and improve our performance on the ice, that’s what will happen. But in no way am I a kneejerk reaction (coach), and I never will be.”

Most of the moves have given the Thunder a younger roster. The first appearance by 23-year-old Daniel Johnston, acquired in a trade with Idaho this week, will mark the 13th player 25 or younger used by the team this season.

That accounts for a little more than half of all players used by the Thunder, and most have been productive. Five of Wichita’s top seven scorers fall within that age range.

“You always want to try and get younger,” McClelland said. “You’ve got your older guys that are going to be key character guys that will be good guys around the (dressing room). But your younger guys are the future of the organization years down the road, obviously.”

McClelland has also tinkered with the personnel he doesn’t trade or waive. Last weekend against Missouri he moved forward Andy Huff, who leads the Thunder in assists, to a line including Kenton Miller and Danick Gauthier.

Huff’s presence was designed to help spur production — Miller and Gauthier have totaled six points in 20 combined games.

Ian Lowe was moved to a line with fellow high-energy players Peter Sakaris and Mason Baptista, with Logan Nelson also mixed in, and the Thunder lost on Saturday in a shootout after falling to Missouri 7-2 the night before.

“I think that was the answer,” Lowe said. “You do a few different things and tell guys that nothing is solid, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got. (Saturday), it worked. Who knows what will happen, but we’ve just got to come to work and have that attitude.”

McClelland is never shy about forecasting roster upheaval, and this year the promises are coming true.

“You always bring guys in and you don’t know what you’re going to get or how they mix and match,” McClelland said. “You’re always getting someone else’s book on them, so you have to form your own opinion on them. When guys come that you think are going to improve your hockey team, you’ll make the move 10 out of 10 times.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 6:48 PM with the headline "McClelland hopes Thunder roster comes into focus."