So I went today, and it was really packed. Much more so than in previous years. As I mentioned in these posts, many of these drills are not game-like situations so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
- MacKinnon is just absurdly more talented than the rest of the group. Makar seemed to take it easy today, but not saying he was bad.
- Drouin was awesome, looked like he was mentally ready and had fun out there.
- I did not like the Colton line overall, even though there were some good spots, notably Wood. That line does not have much puck skills whatsoever.
- The rookie line was bloody awesome, every single one of them read off each other and it wasn't just Richtie, Olausson was making all these really nice detailed passes. Ritchie was a force, but there are two things I am still concerned with; one is his skating as he played catch-up in many long skate drills. The other aspect is that he was overpassing the puck AF today. Almost got into Tanguay-level bad territory lol.
- There were good moments from Megna, but that line had many moments where they were talked to by Bednar (Megna, Felhaber, and Kelly).
- That Wagner line was brutal, omfg, but got better as the session went along.
- Girard was very good, but Behrens oh my he was a bright spot. Everything he did turned into gold I thought in both defensive and offensive situations, but I was more impressed by him defensively.
- The Kylington and Brannstrom pairing was one thing I hated today. I love me Oliver, but he looked rusty and Brannstrom can't play at the NHL speed. If you give Erik time, he will make the correct decision with the puck, but this is too far between. I am still holding on to hope, but they were soft and turnover machines, especially Kylington.
- I liked what I saw from Devante, I know he's probably going to be one of the first cuts, but he was solid.
- Mittelstadt was probably the best player today overall IMHO, especially considering his linemates. He tends to overpass at times, but his IQ is unteachable and positively helps everyone. Kovalenko had some brilliant moments as well.
- Bellemare skating isn't there anymore, but he makes up for it by experience. He was one of the better Group II players.
- Manson was very good, but he tends to feast on the younger and smaller players in camps like these.
- Weinstein was bad and omg Scheel got abused today. For the record, every single goaler got effin' lit up. Many of these drills are not made for goalers, but Scheel was a next-level bad. Not sure what he did to get an AHL contract, because I don't think he is even an ECHL back up quality based on the rookie tournament and today.
- Considering goalers, I thought Mandolese was the best of the bunch...which doesn't mean much. Georgiev and Annunen both got destroyed and Georgiev got beat on many of the same shots as last season, but he did make some high-calibre saves. The problem I noticed is that it seems like he wasn't ever gifted a good/lengthy wing span. He keeps reaching for pucks on both sides and keeps getting beat on the outside.
- I don't think there is much to say about anybody else. Maybe Polin, Aamodt, and Matthew Phillips had some good moments, but not enough to comment about. One player who is growing on me more is Chad Hillebrand. In no way am I comparing Hillebrand to Rempe, but he reminds me of him a tad.
- If I was going to make an educated guess, we are still a potent offensive club that will have defensive issues, while goaltending is a wildcard. I don't think many of the defencemen we brought in will fix an issue like how Georgiev faced some of the highest slot shots last season. Calvin de Haan isn't the answer, Avs need another defenceman, somebody like Esa Lindell would be perfect.
