Carlo and Zboril - Both came as advertised, the natural talent is clearly evident on both. Different type of players. Zboril looks like he can be a high-end puck-mover in time, maybe a poor-man's Kronwall. Now the bad if you want to call it that...both made the kind of mistakes in their own end in terms of coverage that well you'd expect 19-year olds to make. Zboril made more than Carlo, but even a couple months at the AHL level will help Carlo adjust to the speed of the pro game and work on coachable things like defensive coverage. I know many here are high on the kid but I didn't see anything tonight that screams to me he needs to be rushed to the NHL and start this season in Boston. There's simply no need. But Top 4 D upside is there for both, neither did anything tonight to think otherwise.
O'Gara - the best of the young D from start to finish. Made the least amount of mistakes in his own end coverage wise. Made smart simple plays all night long. He's has the lowest upside of the 3 young D, but he's also the closest to playing in the NHL. He's 23 and it was clear he was the most polished defensively of the 3, as he should be. Claude would of loved his game tonight. I said before he's the most likely of the young D to push Morrow or C.Miller for a spot on this team right now. The fact he looked comfortable playing his off-side can only help his chances. But is he redundant on this team with Kevan and McQuaid still here? Probably starts in Providence.
Debrusk - For the first time I can say I'm happy with this pick. Kid showed poise, defensive acumen, guts, etc. Blown tire in OT aside, you could see he's a smart player, sound positionally and always processing the play. His burst of speed when he drove down his off-wing were actually surprising. If anything safe to say sending him back to the WHL for his overage season makes no sense. He might not break camp in Boston, but he's ready to compete against men in the AHL.
Heinen - I thought got better as the game went on. Was forcing things early. Pace looked to be a bit of an issue early on. That being said, tip-in goal aside, I don't see a guy ready for a Top 9 spot right this minute. Yes it's one game but he looks like he needs a bit of AHL time to get adjusted to the pace of the pro game.
Peter Mueller - Wasn't terrible, wasn't great. Didn't see anything to warrant offering him a contract based on one game.
Czarnik - Was impressed with his speed, and loved his backcheck on the PP when caught the CBJ player and muscled him away from a good scoring chance. You have never seen Spooner make that defensive play, and I don't see the Spooner comparisons to be honest, Czarnik already looks like a more accomplished defensive player, just better awareness defensively, probably stronger too despite his height and weight. Now I don't see where he plays at C on the Bruins right now, but perhaps he can push for a spot on RW. Was pleased with his game tonight, hounds the puck.
Kuraly, Hargrove, and Cave - All had good solid showings tonight. I wouldn't write any of them off long term. Hargrove was probably the biggest surprise for me, I thought he was solid and physical.
Jimmy Hayes - Looks like he's improved his skating, even just a hair. Any little bit helps. But Hayes looked like an All-star up until the 2nd week of November last year, and had one good game the rest of the way, so I've been fooled by Hayes before. He was pretty decent tonight overall.
Riley Nash - Played like a guy with a spot already locked up, and not in a good way. Was slow, ineffective. He's not an NHL center, yes he can take a draw on his strong-side from time to time, but he'll end up playing more wing than C this season. He keeps playing like he did tonight and he'll be the 13th F. Not impressed.
Griffith - Lived up to his tweener label. Good with the puck on his stick, useless without it. He's getting passed by other guys, his time is running out.
Cehlarik - Looked pretty good. Patient, cerebral player. Like Heinen probably needs some AHL time but he has potential.
Randell - Doesn't look like his skating has improved at all. Wasn't impressed tonight, didn't accomplish much of anything.
Morrow - Was just OK, expected him to be more assertive given the level of talent on the ice he was competing against. That being said he didn't make a lot of mistakes. Still on pace to be the 7th D.
Liles - Made some uncharacteristic errors with the puck. He'll need to be better even on the 3rd pair.
Kevan - Looked leaner, played as expected. Nothing to complain about here.
Khudobin - Decent, nothing remarkable.
McIntyre - Looked a bit shaky/unorthodox at first, but at the end of the day didn't allow a goal until the filthy deke by Gagner in the shoot-out.
