Flahr on the top ten:
Gauthier:
I think that line, they played together for a long time (at the U.S. National Team Development Program). But Cutter at times, he showed what he can do physically as far as dominance, when he’s using his speed, size and strength, and obviously, he’s got the great shot. But when you’re just relying on waiting for the puck to come to you and then shooting it into the net, that’s great. But there’s a whole other level to his game too which he can get to, which he’s shown that he can do. He’s showing it this year at BC.
Brink:
But I think he’s in a good spot right now. He’s playing lots. But to throw him into the NHL right now wouldn’t be very wise. My guess is just the pace of (his) play just isn’t yet where it was at a year ago at this time. I think obviously getting stronger, quicker, faster is one thing, but for players like that, it’s more of the pace of the play. He’s obviously an extremely smart player with skill. But being able to execute at top speed and the pace of the NHL… he’s gotta be able to do that at this level.
Foerster:
He was trying to pick like the top two inches of the friggin’ net every time, and missing nine times out of 10. Eventually, we talked to him (and said), “With the way you shoot the puck, just hit the net.” There’s going to be rebounds, there’s going to be other things. Even if you have to take a little bit off it to just to get it net sometimes, it’s better than just wiring it off the glass and around.
But at the same time, during that slump, I thought he really improved his wall play, as far as defensive zone, even offensive zone possession time. He’s always probably going to be a bit of a streaky scorer. But the way he shoots the puck, and he’s got a swagger, he’s got that confidence. And he’s getting more and more confident at that level every game, and hopefully he has a big second half.
At some point, you may bring him up to get a look, but I don’t think putting him on a fourth line is better for him. I think it’s just healthy for him to find his game, and be a dominant player down there eventually, and then when he does get his call, he’s ready to go.
Andrae:
But I think both parties are in agreement — if things go well — we’ll look to bring him over as early as after their season’s finished up. Maybe to come over and see Lehigh, and maybe get in games (on an amateur tryout contract) and see where his game’s at. But I think he’s — unless something changes — ready to come over and start playing over here.
Ersson:
But at the same time, at some point here, he’s gonna get back up and get another look. But rather than playing once a week, I think playing three times a week for him right now is best for his development.
Zamula:
I think he was one of those guys that Torts just kind of gravitated towards as camp went on. I don’t think he knew who he was. I think he got a soft spot for him. He can see the hockey sense, he can see the stick detail defensively, he can see the ability with the puck.
I think the first couple of weeks down there, just mentally, he was just frustrated. He was hoping he would stick (in the NHL). Then a couple weeks after that, he started to play (better). Defensively, he’s got real good reads. He’s got the long, long reach. Guys think you have him beat, and he just has the stick to get in the way, (plus) his skating. Egor is a smart player. I think he knows he can play, and I think Torts and our coaching staff knows he’s going to be part of it going here forward. It’s just a matter of keeping him focused. It’s one of the good things about having Anisimov down there. He’s been really good with a lot of the other players, including Egor.
I think his poise is a major strength. But at times, especially when the pace of games pick up, or when you’re playing the
Colorado Avalanche, you have to make the plays quick (or) turnovers eventually cost you. Does he have to do things quicker? Yes. And I think he understands that. I was always worried about it, but I think he’s getting stronger. He can be hard enough to get body position or puck angles and move it in tight little areas.
Kaplan:
Part of his game is being aggressive, being physical, being hard to go against. But he’s big and strong, and every time he hit, he seemed to get a penalty, and every scrum he got in, he was getting a penalty. So part of it was finding his happy medium. And I think the coaches worked with him on that. Part of it is some adjustments to the pace of the game. He arrives at the net all the time, he’s always at the net when the whistle goes. He’s gonna get dirty goals, but he’s showing more and more confidence on the cycle and holding onto the puck. It’s been a real positive first half for him.
I don’t see any reason to rush him. You want him to have some offensive success. And we want him to be the heavy, big power forward, and play tough. You want him confident handling the puck and scoring goals and being a force before he turns pro. Realistically, it takes these bigger guys a little bit more time. He works hard off the ice. They have a good program there, especially off the ice. BU has been known for that.
Attard:
I think he’s been up and down. When he went down … he was trying to do too much. Still is, in some cases. His intentions are good. It’s just finding that balance. You don’t want to neuter the offense, you want him up ice doing things. Part of it is just managing the game a little bit — when to do it, and when not. And other times, it’s just managing the puck. His game’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride for him this year. I know Torts likes him, with his size and his shot and his ability. But he wants to make sure you do it right. The last thing a kid like that (needs) is to be on a yo-yo (up and down between the NHL and the minors).
Desnoyers:
He’s a smart player, confident. He’s got the great motor — never stops working whether it’s practice or (games). He wins coaches over. His details are very good. Just a highly competitive kid and a kid that’s really driven to play. He needs time. He’s not the biggest body, he’s gonna have to put in the time to get stronger, put a little bit of weight on. And obviously as that happens, he’ll gain a step as well. Production aside, he does all the little things well on the defensive side of things. His reads and battles — a very mature game for a young kid.
I think realistically he’s gonna be a utility type of guy. He can play wing, he can play center. I think he’s very responsible. I think that side of his game will probably get him to the NHL. How much he produces once he’s there tells you how high in the lineup he can get. But he’s put himself on the radar. Down the road, whenever he’s physically ready, he’s going to get that shot and make the most of it.
Lycksell
He’s not an 18-year-old kid coming out of junior. Physically he’s — if you’ve seen him two or three years ago at development camp, he was so tiny and light, but he really worked at his game, worked at his body off the ice, and he just had a steady progression upwards.
He’s a kid that’s kind of wired differently. He’s a really intense kid. A lot of Swedes are easygoing. But he is driven. He wants to play a possession game and turn back with the puck at times. It was a habit that he had to break. He has skill offensively. At the same time, he is competent on the defensive side of things. And I think he’s been noticed by Torts, right from one of the first days of camp, I think he caught Torts’ eye. He had a good camp.
But I think he’s got to get the opportunity and play in the right spot, and hopefully not just come up and try to survive, but come up and try to play his game and, and have some success and build on. A lot of these kids come up here and just try not to make a mistake. rather than trying to impact the game. But effort with him is never an issue.
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