Was at the Development camp today and here are my thoughts.
McGroarty - He is just a pure leader. He was all smiles and laughing and talking on the ice. He was a joy to watch. He seemed to have an extra step in his skating this year. His turns with the puck are fast and he accelerates through them. His straight line speed is just average but downlow is where is going to succeed. Really nice shot and release as well. I would sign him this year if I could, I think he could step into our lineup that soon.
Barlow - He was paired with McGroarty in a lot of drills. Incredible release by far the best shot there. Does everything at a high pace. More low key then Mcgroarty but he seems more like a lead by example type. He does remind me of a heavier Connor and they have a similar game. His straight line speed was average as well. But again another guy who will score in and around the net.
Lambert - The speed merchant. Everything he does is fast. He might be the fastest and most skilled guy on the ice. Still looks so skinny out there but of all the guys at the camp that are signed he might have a shot at sticking with the team with that speed. His shot is his weakest part of his game though.
Chibrikov - Wow this guy was so good. Was likely the most skilled guy out there. He does everything so silky smooth and makes it look like its the easiest thing in the world. Great shot release and velocity on his shots. Elite skill level and dare I say "russian arrogance". For me he will be the most interesting prospect form a development view. A bit of Kucherov/Kaprizov in him for sure, I hope he transitions well to the NA game.
Zhilkin - Zhilkin always impresses me. He does everything very well on the ice. He was paired with Chibrikov in the drills and didn't look out of place. Hopefully they develop a connection with the Moose this season. Not sure what we will get out of him as finished product but surely he plays in the NHL some day, too much speed and skill not too. I asked him if he spoke Russian and he replied "Da".
Wagner - An impressive skater. Really puts in an effort and has a good skill level. I think he probably excels during games rather then practices but he has tools. I am assuming he goes back to Sweden this year and features on the World Junior team.
Nehring - I can see why they drafted him. Big and toolsy. I found it hard to believe he didn't make his Junior team but this is probably the case of guy who developed fast over the year. His skating was impressive for a big man. His puck handling wasn't as sharp as the top end guys but the Jets may have something here. I yelled at him to join Brandon this year and he smiled back at me
Julien - Big kid too. Again a toolsy kind of player. He doesn't do anything flashy but he wasn't out of place either. I liked him better then any of the college invites and he still has a lot of time to develop.
Levis - Lots of skill and size. His first step needs to improve. Still shocked we got him in the 7th round looks more like a 2nd/3rd round pick type. Like to see him in a game situation with his peers to see what he can do and if he can think the game as quick.
Out of the invites only 2 guys really caught my eye. One was Louis Jamernik, I thought he showed well and skated with skill out there. The other guy was Carson Golder more so for how vocal he was out there and how much he talked to everyone.
Only caught about 15 mintues of the D side of things but some thoughts
Salomonsson - Clearly a step up then every other D out there. Silky smooth during the drills. Just such a good skater and he his skill with the puck was very much evident out there. Again I guess he goes back to Sweden and we see him on that World Junior team. Just stay healthy but I think we got something here
Kuzmin - Lots of skill. Built like a fire hydrant. Another really good skater. They need to make some room on the moose for him but I hope he gets a good shot at playing on the PP next season.
Bauer - He has come a long way. His skating with and without the puck have improved. I don't know if he will ever be in the NHL but having a big mean dude in the AHL like that is kind of nice. He was very vocal and supportive on the ice as well.
Johannesson - Not sure what I was expecting but he was very small but skilled defender. He skates well and does things at a high pace. I am not sure where he is going to play next year or if they ever look at him to come over. But at his age now I think he likely needs to play at a higher level if ever wants a shot
None of the other D really stood out for me. I was interested in seeing Tourigny, a guy I thought might get drafted. His skating too me was just average but being a right shot and the numbers he had I guess they will keep on eye on this year in the Q.
The Goalies
I know nothing about goalies despite having 2 in my household now but here are my thoughts and my Son's thoughts(he was and still is a goalie)
DiVincentis - Looked bigger then I thought he was. He just screams high end. We stole one here guys and you should be excited about him. My son thought he looked amazing. Technically very good and his glove hand is very quick. He handled the "unsavable" shots(my sons term about those bar down shots) the best out of the 3.
Milic - He is a technical genius. Technically during there drills at the start he was just perfect doing them. I guess he has to since he is small for a modern day goalie. Very quick though and very sound positionally. They haven't signed him yet so I wonder if he goes back to Junior for an overage season
Neaton - Not much to say here he has size but his Technical ability compared to the other 2 wasn't as good. I think he might be done college as well so he might be looking to get signed by the Moose and land in the ECHL.
Thats it for me. Off to the Lake tomorrow so I won't be at the rest
Develop everybody at C - unless we can convert 1 of them into a 1RD.
