Thinking back on the first two games there is a lot of reason for optimism!
Goaltending - top notch, legit pro level unlike last year. Undoubtedly as the year goes on there will be off nights, but Dell and Mecha-Niemi are a massive upgrade over what we had. Watching Dell as a NHL backup with experience start that first game, you can see the talent level shine at the AHL level. He was very much in control of that game and faced a ton of shots. Looked very strong in the shootout as well. Game should not have gotten to OT as the Cuda were solid and in total control for like 50+ minutes of regulation. I’m sure they learned not to take their foot off the gas and to stay within the system as evidenced by game two. MechaNiemi looked very quick, and easily moved around the crease. Watching him I just think fast but smooth and no panic. One game sample size but he impressed. Smart GM’ing to ice solid goaltending to give the kids on this club a good foundation of winning - hence Dell being there and MechaNiemi having a good run last year pre-injury. Curious to see Mann as well when he gets his chance. If Mann doesn’t disappoint, I’d expect we see Reimer traded for a 2nd at the TDL and Dell moves up to backup the big club. My strong guess would be the goaltending situation on the Cuda was well thought out to build culture and give these guys the best chance for success and to win every night.
Forwards - tons of skills in here. Mentioned this is in a different post but roughly speaking our 4th line this year would have been last years 2nd line. Speed, quickness, effort on the backcheck, excellent puck handling and movement - crisp tape to tape passing. The sweet spot to me is going to be playing in the system comfortably and unleashing the skill. Game two was a good example of playing hard, getting a lead, then playing solid hockey to lock it down. Eklund has been great in both games as a two way forward. I think Bords had an excellent game one and an “ok” game two but was somewhat invisible. Maybe a system thing though as I didn’t see any glaring mistakes from him. Reedy, Weatherby, Viel, Raska, and Agozzino all have played well and played their role really well.
Defense - I tend to watch the D a bit more closely as I really like the transition aspect of hockey in terms of getting out of your own end. The D has looked great! Merks and Kniazev both flash NHL talent in terms of speed, handles, shot selection, and decision making. Both shut down a number of attacks and made the right read playing D. Defensive stick work and an active stick seems to have improved on both. Merks looked more engaged in playing D so maybe he has gotten the memo on what he needs to stay with the big club. Onyebuchi was a pleasant surprise. I have a soft spot for classic Dmen hence my fanboy-ness about Cicek. Onyebuchi looked really solid on D, had some good passing, his skating looks much improved, and he has a grittiness / won’t back down aspect that I really admire. I feel like he went from 2nd pairing ECHL to AHL 2nd pairing since last year. Yeah - only two games in, so we need to continue to monitor him. Pouliot has been my only disappointment in that he seems to over handle the puck - think someone trying to handle like Merks without that level of puck skill. He certainly isn’t bad, I just felt like a more simple clean game and he’d be even better.
Goaltending - top notch, legit pro level unlike last year. Undoubtedly as the year goes on there will be off nights, but Dell and Mecha-Niemi are a massive upgrade over what we had. Watching Dell as a NHL backup with experience start that first game, you can see the talent level shine at the AHL level. He was very much in control of that game and faced a ton of shots. Looked very strong in the shootout as well. Game should not have gotten to OT as the Cuda were solid and in total control for like 50+ minutes of regulation. I’m sure they learned not to take their foot off the gas and to stay within the system as evidenced by game two. MechaNiemi looked very quick, and easily moved around the crease. Watching him I just think fast but smooth and no panic. One game sample size but he impressed. Smart GM’ing to ice solid goaltending to give the kids on this club a good foundation of winning - hence Dell being there and MechaNiemi having a good run last year pre-injury. Curious to see Mann as well when he gets his chance. If Mann doesn’t disappoint, I’d expect we see Reimer traded for a 2nd at the TDL and Dell moves up to backup the big club. My strong guess would be the goaltending situation on the Cuda was well thought out to build culture and give these guys the best chance for success and to win every night.
Forwards - tons of skills in here. Mentioned this is in a different post but roughly speaking our 4th line this year would have been last years 2nd line. Speed, quickness, effort on the backcheck, excellent puck handling and movement - crisp tape to tape passing. The sweet spot to me is going to be playing in the system comfortably and unleashing the skill. Game two was a good example of playing hard, getting a lead, then playing solid hockey to lock it down. Eklund has been great in both games as a two way forward. I think Bords had an excellent game one and an “ok” game two but was somewhat invisible. Maybe a system thing though as I didn’t see any glaring mistakes from him. Reedy, Weatherby, Viel, Raska, and Agozzino all have played well and played their role really well.
Defense - I tend to watch the D a bit more closely as I really like the transition aspect of hockey in terms of getting out of your own end. The D has looked great! Merks and Kniazev both flash NHL talent in terms of speed, handles, shot selection, and decision making. Both shut down a number of attacks and made the right read playing D. Defensive stick work and an active stick seems to have improved on both. Merks looked more engaged in playing D so maybe he has gotten the memo on what he needs to stay with the big club. Onyebuchi was a pleasant surprise. I have a soft spot for classic Dmen hence my fanboy-ness about Cicek. Onyebuchi looked really solid on D, had some good passing, his skating looks much improved, and he has a grittiness / won’t back down aspect that I really admire. I feel like he went from 2nd pairing ECHL to AHL 2nd pairing since last year. Yeah - only two games in, so we need to continue to monitor him. Pouliot has been my only disappointment in that he seems to over handle the puck - think someone trying to handle like Merks without that level of puck skill. He certainly isn’t bad, I just felt like a more simple clean game and he’d be even better.
