GDT: 2018-19 Training Camp and Preseason Thread

[Anders Cain]

Can't even begin to describe how happy this makes me. No more doe-legged Rants! Dude's gonna PPG again <3

I don't remember the game but last season iIremember rants down in the opposition corner protecting the puck with his body and buddy couldnt out muscle him... I hope this means he'll do that more often

 

[Foppa2118]

Not everyone shines in these early camp drills. I never put much stock into performance there. The most I put into it is when vets who don't need to perform well early on, are outplaying the guys trying to make a name for themselves.

The pre-season games are a much better place to judge Kamenev. If he's not standing out there, and chipping in some goals and points, then it's time to start worrying.

Toninato is another guy but for another reason. These low skill utility guys that carve out reliable depth roles on NHL teams, don't do well in drills where skating and talent play such a big factor. I think he'll most likely start in the AHL, but I wouldn't put much stock into his performance in drills.

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

It’s drills. Don’t read too much into all of this. I remember Zanon looking great in drills. With the way the Bednar camps go, you’ll need to see game action.

 

[Foppa Frossa]

damn son

 

[BleedWell]

For Kaut... Does the rawness seem like they'll want him in the AHL for a year, or does he actually seem like he'll challenge for an NHL spot soon? I recall being unimpressed by him in the prospect tournament myself, so definitely wondering if he changed that impression up a bit.

He's nowhere near NHL ready. He will maybe get couple of NHL games this year at some point. He will not be in the opening night roster that's for sure.

 

[Anders Cain]

damn son

Lol his leg looks so skinny

 

[Makar to MacK]

damn son

I know right, he is looking swol!!

 

[Foppberg]

damn son

Really though, I thought that was Jost at first. Sammy has bulked up hard.

 

[Avs_19]

damn son

Just like that I will stop questioning whether he actually did put on the weight/muscle he claimed.

 

[JoeSakic13]

Girard bulking up? As long as it doesn't slow down his spinorama I'm all for it.

 

[Balthazar]

He looks less like a kid and more like a man. That had to be expected though.

 

[Foppa Frossa]

People at TC say that Sammy G is as fast as ever.

 

[Foppa2118]

Way too much is made of the idea of a young player bulking up and slowing down. A few years into a NHL career and they should hopefully get both to a level that gives them success, but it's a mistake to say in any given year that they shouldn't bulk up because it will slow them down.

Young players have to improve in both areas. It's a process, and they don't usually happen at the same time. You have to find the right balance and that involves some trial and error.

 

[Balthazar]

Way too much is made of the idea of a young player bulking up and slowing down.

I think people are just concerned because Mack wasn't as good as expected after bulking up before his sophomore season. That doesn't mean it's related but it's still fresh in our mind. Mack appeared leaner last year (and this year too).

 

[Foppberg]

I think people are just concerned because Mack wasn't as good as expected after bulking up before his sophomore season. That doesn't mean it's related but it's still fresh in our mind. Mack appeared leaner last year (and this year too).

Yup, I think a key difference though is that even when MacKinnon got drafted he was already pretty ripped. Whereas Sammy had a 10 years old body last season so putting on what he did isn't really overkill like it was for MacK.

 

[Avsboy]

Depends where the bulk was added; was it dark meat or white meat? If it's white meat he might be slower, send him down for seasoning. Then place on the grill for about an hour and enjoy with chile sauce. Man I'm hungry.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Depends where the bulk was added; was it dark meat or white meat? If it's white meat he might be slower, send him down for seasoning. Then place on the grill for about an hour and enjoy with chile sauce. Man I'm hungry.

I feel like Hannibal Lecter just tried to make a joke. Gross..

 

[Avsboy]

I feel like Hannibal Lecter just tried to make a joke. Gross..

In the world of sports you spend lots of time looking at muscle so it seemed like it fit. Really just excited for the season to start.

 

[Ceremony]

It’s drills. Don’t read too much into all of this. I remember Zanon looking great in drills. With the way the Bednar camps go, you’ll need to see game action.

tbf Zanon was at his best when not near anyone else.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Obviously happy to hear about Varly, Martin, and Francouz having strong starts to training camp. Not worried about Grubauer. There's a long history of NHL goalies moving from one team to the next and having a bit of an adjustment period. Raanta went through one last before getting injured. Talbot went through one with Edmonton (and maybe adjusted too well resulting in the coaching staff playing him in +70 games like idiots). Bernier went through one here last year. Learning the new system in front of him, learning the tendencies of the players in front of him, adjusting to how Parkkila does things compared to Korn and Co. in Washington, etc.

There's a good reason why Sakic wanted to keep Varly around rather than ship him off because he knew there was a chance that Grubauer would need the time to adjust and having Varly keeps the pressure off of Grubauer at the start of the season. Now all this being said it's training camp. Let's see how Grubauer does in games before ending up on the worried scale one way or another.

 

[Freudian]

Sadowski

"* Samuel Girard was asked to add some weight in the offseason and the 5-foot-10 defenseman said he’s gone from 164 pounds to about 178. He still looks as quick and fast as ever.

“Last year at the exit meetings they asked me to be between 175 and 180, so that’s what I did,” he said. “I worked pretty hard and I think I’m faster as well on the ice. I started at 10 percent of (body) fat and I finished the summer at seven percent. That’s pretty good for me and I’m pretty excited to start the season.”"

Not going to give more quotes. Click and read. Sadowski deserves views for his hard work.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Sadowski

"* Samuel Girard was asked to add some weight in the offseason and the 5-foot-10 defenseman said he’s gone from 164 pounds to about 178. He still looks as quick and fast as ever.

“Last year at the exit meetings they asked me to be between 175 and 180, so that’s what I did,” he said. “I worked pretty hard and I think I’m faster as well on the ice. I started at 10 percent of (body) fat and I finished the summer at seven percent. That’s pretty good for me and I’m pretty excited to start the season.”"

Not going to give more quotes. Click and read. Sadowski deserves views for his hard work.

Yeah that was reassuring to read. Hes the reason I still check HB daily.

 

[Foppberg]

I love Sadowski. No drama, no Twitter feuds, no spam, just does his business and provides consistent quality work.

 

[Foppa2118]

I think people are just concerned because Mack wasn't as good as expected after bulking up before his sophomore season. That doesn't mean it's related but it's still fresh in our mind. Mack appeared leaner last year (and this year too).

Yeah I don't think that had much of an affect on MacKinnon's breakout. He was always faster than everyone. Almost too fast.

He got better mentally. Both in learning an even keel approach, and also finally learning how to change gears properly instead of going 100% all the time. Also learned how to find the holes for the outlet pass more consistently. That was a bit of a team effort too with the coaches drilling the hell out of this, and guys like Landy or Barrie and Girard hitting him with nice outlets. He was burying his shots a lot more too.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Yeah I don't think that had much of an affect on MacKinnon's breakout. He was always faster than everyone. Almost too fast.

He got better mentally. Both in learning an even keel approach, and also finally learning how to change gears properly instead of going 100% all the time. Also learned how to find the holes for the outlet pass more consistently. That was a bit of a team effort too with the coaches drilling the hell out of this, and guys like Landy or Barrie and Girard hitting him with nice outlets. He was burying his shots a lot more too.

Yeah but Girard isn't Mack.. Hearing he bulked up while actually getting faster is just GREAT f***ing news. Most of us who paid attention know that Girard actually has a mean streak in his game, but he may actually be able to use it more effectively now. It was very smart for him to train in way that made him bigger but also improved his power skating. We'll see if it worked, but it sounds like G was smart enough to do it in a way that didn't sacrifice his advantage and maybe even improved on it.

I love that Girard has a mentality to enjoy rubbing guys out on the boards. For his stature it just proves hes well aware of his capabilities and what he needs to prioritize. Holy shit that kid is going to be fun to watch if he is even more confident in his strength and physical impact on the game. He made some great cut off/hip check moves on players last season driving them where he wants. I can't wait to see the result of a stronger faster version of that.

Rick's report helps with that assessment obviously.