Prospect Info: Isles Prospect Talk PART X

[PK Cronin]

It's "something about his skating" alright, not sure anybody knows more than what was in the article(s). Maybe he had a bad game. Maybe Thompson's doing his best Capuano impression.

http://blog.ctnews.com/fornabaio/2016/11/10/unchanged-to-an-extent-thursday-notes/

said he was scratched due to "poor skating habits"

Just found the article above, so that seems to be the case. Looks like he doesn't start and stop much, but will float around the ice.

“Josh is working hard. He’s continuing to work on his game, work on his habits,†Brent Thompson said. “For me, eliminating the swinging, even in practice, little habits. … Maybe he’ll have to watch a game from up top, learning.â€

Edit, Friday noon: To clarify the jargony: “swinging†refers to skating, as opposed to a more straight-lines, “stops-and-starts†style. See also this Mike Stothers quote from Manchester (ah, ManchVegas) in 2015.

 

[SI90]

Does a player really get scratched for this? Maybe it's something internal and they don't want it to leak out?

 

[PK Cronin]

Does a player really get scratched for this? Maybe it's something internal and they don't want it to leak out?

If it's impacting the team's ability to succeed, then yes, I'd think it's worth scratching him. Some tough love, for sure though.

 

[seafoam]

That's ridiculous

 

[Riseonfire]

Josh is a player who will appreciate the directness of this 'benching'. I think we're all good here still.

Just like I am firmest with and demand the most out of my brightest students, the coach is demanding the very best from his most talented players. Nothing to see here but growth and progress.

 

[Caser]

Some textbook stretching here by Sorokin:

 

[SI90]

Some textbook stretching here by Sorokin:

Wow. And ouch

 

[Caser]

Btw, since Sorokin usually doesn't get a lot of shots against, which might be not perfect for development, his teammates decided to help him :

 

[PK Cronin]

Btw, since Sorokin usually doesn't get a lot of shots against, which might be not perfect for development, his teammates decided to help him :

That's a rough one, haha. I had a teammate do that to me once. A few saves in a row, a little tired, I breathed a sigh of relief because a teammate had the puck with nobody around in the slot...then he turned and ripped a shot into my chest. Thank goodness he wasn't very good.

 

[CupHolders]

Some textbook stretching here by Sorokin:

Terrific save. Even more impressed at how quickly he got up and back in net from a split leg slide.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Does a player really get scratched for this? Maybe it's something internal and they don't want it to leak out?

Seems to me this is a roundabout way of calling out effort. Even though the coach says he works hard, lazy skating is what it is. Guessing here and I know the game well but not so much the coaching lingo, but taking a roundabout cut to go back up the ice can sometimes maintain speed, but if you don't move your legs right away it looks like you are coasting using momentum (like a swing) rather than kicking those blades out and hustling. The stops and starts thing is probably him just taking longer angles rather than stopping and busting back a different route. Once again this is all head stuff and if he thinks he doesn't need to work on it because he's already good he won't improve on it. Hopefully benching will serve as a reminder for him.

 

[PK Cronin]

Seems to me this is a roundabout way of calling out effort. Even though the coach says he works hard, lazy skating is what it is. Guessing here and I know the game well but not so much the coaching lingo, but taking a roundabout cut to go back up the ice can sometimes maintain speed, but if you don't move your legs right away it looks like you are coasting using momentum (like a swing) rather than kicking those blades out and hustling. The stops and starts thing is probably him just taking longer angles rather than stopping and busting back a different route. Once again this is all head stuff and if he thinks he doesn't need to work on it because he's already good he won't improve on it. Hopefully benching will serve as a reminder for him.

Not stopping and starting can take you out of position and mess up a system. That'd be my guess as to why it's a big deal.

 

[bossy22]

1st year pro getting a look at the game from the press box does not equal conspiracy. Nothing to see here. Move along.

 

[kasper11]

1st year pro getting a look at the game from the press box does not equal conspiracy. Nothing to see here. Move along.

If we take Thompson at his word, seems like Ho Sang is working on his skating issues during practice, but reverting to bad habits during games, when everything is moving at full speed.

I don't have any problem with keeping him out for a game and letting him continue to work in practice.

 

[luki here]

Btw, since Sorokin usually doesn't get a lot of shots against, which might be not perfect for development, his teammates decided to help him :

Hey man!

First off: thanks for the stream of videos and updates on sorokin.

Did you catch why both goalies played last game vs Avtomobilist? Sorokin faced 21 shots, Filonenko 2. CSKA won 2-0. Is sorokin injured?

Cheers!

 

[Skip To My Lou]

If we take Thompson at his word, seems like Ho Sang is working on his skating issues during practice, but reverting to bad habits during games, when everything is moving at full speed.

I don't have any problem with keeping him out for a game and letting him continue to work in practice.

I'm still blown away that he's scratched because he doesn't skate in straight lines. Ho-Sang's most valued asset is his skating. Why is this a problem?

There's a philosophy going around the organization that is flawed.

 

[enigmatic]

I'm still blown away that he's scratched because he doesn't skate in straight lines. Ho-Sang's most valued asset is his skating. Why is this a problem?

There's a philosophy going around the organization that is flawed.

they want ho-sang to start grinding it out more

 

[IslandersFan17]

To me, seems more like they want ho sang to play to a certain style... However, why draft a kid with a certain skill set, then ask him to change?

 

[Spybot]

To me, seems more like they want ho sang to play to a certain style... However, why draft a kid with a certain skill set, then ask him to change?

It's true. For a team with a grinder coach(es), Snow sure doesn't seem to mind drafting flawed small skilled players. Amazing.

 

[kasper11]

To me, seems more like they want ho sang to play to a certain style... However, why draft a kid with a certain skill set, then ask him to change?

One knock on Ho Sang has always been his play without the puck. He obviously needs to improve in that regard.

Yes, he is a great skater/puck handler. But if he is constantly out of position without the puck, how much does that help? It isn't just about defense...he needs to be in position to support players in the offensive zone as well.

I'm not sure exactly what the skating issue is, but it sounds like Ho Sang is leaving himself out of position. That isn't a "style" issue, it's a "good enough" issue.

 

[PK Cronin]

One knock on Ho Sang has always been his play without the puck. He obviously needs to improve in that regard.

Yes, he is a great skater/puck handler. But if he is constantly out of position without the puck, how much does that help? It isn't just about defense...he needs to be in position to support players in the offensive zone as well.

I'm not sure exactly what the skating issue is, but it sounds like Ho Sang is leaving himself out of position. That isn't a "style" issue, it's a "good enough" issue.

Very similar to what we saw from Barzal in his two games. He was so bad at what to do when the team didn't have the puck, that he didn't get the puck enough to showcase what he could do once he had it.

 

[rikker]

my guess is that JHS does a lot of looping.

let's say that he loses the puck in his feet, and it drops behind him a foot or so. he should stop, and go back for it. many players will just glide in a big loop, back toward the puck, which is lazy and the slowest way to the puck.

this is also true of players going to the net. instead of stopping at the crease and getting in a position for a rebound, they glide past it and circle around.

bad, lazy habits...

 

[redbull]

my guess is that JHS does a lot of looping.

let's say that he loses the puck in his feet, and it drops behind him a foot or so. he should stop, and go back for it. many players will just glide in a big loop, back toward the puck, which is lazy and the slowest way to the puck.

this is also true of players going to the net. instead of stopping at the crease and getting in a position for a rebound, they glide past it and circle around.

bad, lazy habits...

it's common in junior hockey, especially with talented offensive players. Marner used to play that way in London, was terrible last year in his first camp, is completely transformed this year. Barzal also loops, McDavid does as well. They're looking for that turnover then a quick transition and off-the-rush chances - elite offensive players feast on those in junior hockey. Terrible defensively though, especially against NHL players.

Coaches often talk about young players breaking the habits they learn in junior. Babcock always talks about "learning how to play in the NHL" and how much the AHL helps that.

Ho-Sang definitely plays that way but there's no doubting his skill, speed, hands, vision and offensive ability. Same for Barzal. They'll need a few seasons and hopefully don't turn into Ryan Strome - sad where that kid's game/confidence is these days.

 

[Poulin 0n My St1ck]

For those who have watched MDC in Bridgeport:

How has he looked?

I was excited when we drafted him, but he is now my least favorite of the "main" prospects we have.

 

[Sneekypete]

For those who have watched MDC in Bridgeport:

How has he looked?

I was excited when we drafted him, but he is now my least favorite of the "main" prospects we have.

He seems to go to the net well, and plays his position but its to soon to tell. My thoughts is it will take him a while to adjust overall. Many of his goals so far came from the garbage areas which is good. Ask this again at the 40 game mark