I attended from about 10:00AM to the end. I caught a 5x5 scrimmage with Letourneau's group against another squad and then all of the 3X3. I could not watch everyone, especially in the 3X3, but I tried to get a good look at the main guys. Thoughts below:
Letourneau - Okay, okay. I arrived ready to be underwhelmed and came away highly impressed. He is a giant. Has a very similar build and posture to Malkin. His St. Andrew's coach was raving about how athletic he is for a big man, and that is 100% accurate. I saw quick feet, quick hands and a quick mind. He is miles ahead of where Joe Colborne was at this age. Showed more natural skill with the puck than any other player on the ice. Beyond the skill, which you expect for a 1st round pick, there were moments that stood out that were very encouraging for a player drafted for frame and athleticism. First, he makes very quick decisions and moves the puck instantly to teammates. In one play in the 5x5, he got the puck in full stride just outside the offensive blue line and instantly slipped it over to another forward for possession coming into the zone. In the 3x3, he had what looked to be a break to the net and he slid a pass to a teammate and got it back and then buried it for a classic 3x3 goal. So, he sees the ice and looks to use his teammates, which is huge. The other thing is he has a great defensive stick. At least twice on the forecheck I saw him strip an oncoming opposing player clean and turn to the attack. This skill shows hockey IQ and can often translate to the defensive zone, especially on the PK. Finally, he does have a pretty hard shot. Saw him get a cross-ice pass on the strong side and he ripped a catch and release shot that grazed the bar and when screaming into the netting. You could see he got a lot of power on it, even standing still. The negative is that there is absolutely nothing "hard" about his game. This is not a player who is going to put his shoulder into an opponent to separate them from the puck, but he can be a player that beats defenders to the puck with this stride and reach and holds on to it. He is also much more an open ice player than a guy who plays the corners and the wall. The best comparison I can think of at the moment is Blake Wheeler. I am hoping he becomes like Wheeler, but more of a shooter/goal scorer. There is perhaps a bit of Rick Nash in there, but, again, that is stylistic, as Nash was a special player. Finally, I saw a lot of compete in his game. He clearly wanted to be a difference maker every time he was on the ice, and often he was. I predict 30+ points for BC this year.
Jellvik - Most pro ready player on the ice. Quick, strong, gets to dirty areas and now showing finish around the net. I am not sure really what he is at the NHL level. Could potentially be something, but we just won't know until he turns pro. Often these guys just become good AHL players, sometimes they become Arvidsson or even Marchand. I don't see quite that skill, but there is a ton of compete and engine there.
Gasseau - Looks faster and stronger. No longer looks lanky. Plays a physical game. Has a pretty wicked shot and scored from distance a couple times, once on a blistering one-timer. Reminds me of Brazeau. Clearly one of the more advanced players on the ice.
Pelosi/Hendrickson - They look like twins. I love the jam and compete in their games. They also show enough skill to separate themselves from the pack against his group of competition. They were playing together in 3X3 and both scored. I am not sure if the skill level gets them all the way to the NHL, but if it does, they play like ideal 4th liners.
Duran - I am not buying it. He looks absolutely perfect in drills, but it does not come together in games. All tools, no toolbox guy.
Harrison - I'm buying it a bit more than Duran, but I think he lacks the skill for the NHL and he is not a player with exceptional motor and courage that could otherwise get him a 4th line job.
Groenewold - I like him, but I'm not sure I would have noticed him if I was not specifically looking for him. I can see the Ryan Lindgren comparisons. Has a read strong build and low center of gravity, but also the mobility to stay between forwards and the net. Scored a goal on a pretty nice shot. I like his chances better than the thin, puck moving defensemen.
Myrenberg/Gallagher/Brunet - Lumping them all together because they all looked the same to me. Skate beautifully and move the puck very well, but I don't see any of them coming near the NHL. Not nearly enough strength and power for NHL battles.
