I stopped by today. Wanted to see the kids in action, but didn't have time this week to take in more than one skate, so take my notes with a grain of salt...
When I first walked in, they were playing cross ice 3on3 and the guy who really jumped out at me was Greenway. Man is that guy a specimen. Big, but really light and quick on his feet. Really athletic. He was smiling and having fun. In 3on3 he could roam and attack and just play pond hockey, and he stood out to me, but he played much quieter in the full ice scrimmage IMO.
Lohrei was as advertised. Big, smart, poised, confident, creative, hands, vision, mobility... wanted to make his mark on every game. Impressive. I'm excited to see what he will become with 25 pounds. Lohrei had a sweet play in the 4on4 where he got behind the D, took a pass for the far post and it looked like he was just going to try to tip it on net on his backhand, but instead he pulled it forehand and tried to draw the puck across the crease and tuck it in far side. Crafty.
The Kuntar/Vatrano comps are pretty also pretty good. Kuntar plays a simple game, he's not a puck carrier and he's not a dangler, but he has a great shot and he loves to use it. He knows how to get open, off the rush and in the offensive zone. I don't think he has the strength or speed of Vatrano, but maybe that's an age/development thing.
Voyer had some good hands. He scored in the cross ice shootout with a great move. He also knifed thru two D in the full ice scrimmage.
Harrison looked big and strong and I thought he'd be all power but he had some dangle in his game in the cross ice. I didn't notice him much in the full ice.
Meyers was clearly the best forward on the ice. First shift of the full ice game he and Kuntar had two 2on1's. Every time he stepped on the ice he generated offense, off the rush, in the zone. I think his best asset is his mind. He's not that big, or that fast, so maybe he's not a bluest of blue chips because he doesn't have that dominant physical element, but he does have good hands, high compete level and terrific smarts.
Ford was also really effective. Again, he's not big, or strong, but he's really determined around the net, kind of like a Parise-type, he just has a knack for scoring goals around the net.
Malstrom looked like a pro, a littler thicker, a little stronger, good reads, good mobility. He had a nice breakaway goal off an obvious trip by Voyer.
I liked Stejskal and Keyser in net. But limited viewing on goalies obviously. Though it looked like Danny McBride was filling in for comic relief as the 4th.
Lyle looked like the most NHL ready player there. He's a strong two way guy, who just had a presence on the ice today. The puck followed him around. 5 tool player, he can rush the puck (had a nice slip under move going end to end), he can defend, he has size, he can hit (lined up Greenway off he rush but Greenway saw it coming and pulled up). I hope he sticks with the club.
Langenbrunber has more offense than I thought but needs to shoot more. He passed up a couple chances to shoot in the high slot and chose to force passes off 2on1's. He did score one nice tip in goal off a great pass from Hall. He's another big, mobile defenseman to add to the group.
Olson looked good too. He has good speed and tenacity, he flew in on the forecheck in the scrimmage a couple times and won pucks against much bigger D. He has really good hands and creativity and slipped through the D a couple times. He had a highlight reel goal, sweep dragging the D and then slipped backhand past goalie.When the full ice scrimmage was reduced to a 3on3 he dominated and he and Kuntar kept the puck in the offensive zone for what felt like the last two minutes of the game. I don't understand how his numbers are so low at Minnesota.
I thought Hall was quiet. He had one really nice dish to Langenbrunber where he was on his off wing and he pulled it to his backhand like he was going to shoot and instead slid it behind the D to Langenbrunner for the tap in. Otherwise I didn't notice him much in the 3on3 or the full ice scrimmage.
Mast moves well and had some nice spins and turns to shake a fire checker
Scmaltz was around the puck a lot, so was Duran. Duran has nice size and speed. He started a lot of plays, but I didn't think he had great finish. Duran did have a nice assist. He picked up a pass as the trailer in a 3on2 and showed shot but instead zipped a hard pass back door to Voyer for the tap in.
Gallagher stood out for his high energy. Lebster showed some speed, catching Mitchell on breakaway bid, when Mitchell had about 15 feet on him. McLaughlin made some nice plays. Gasseau went end to end but denied by McBride. Gasseau can be crafty too. McFaul looks big and steady.
