Since the Preds aren't exactly must-watch TV these days, I've been watching some of our prospects.
Stiga- Going back to his draft year, he reminded me of Jaden Schwartz. Jaden during his prime was a guy that while not supremely skilled, made any line he played on better. Stiga is like that. His numbers have picked up over the season. BC had him fill in on D even when they were shorthanded. I don't know whether hee is going to be a 40 pt guy or 60 pt guy, but I am confident he is going to be a good NHL player.
Fink- I haven't been impressed. Has some skill, but as an undersized guy without elite skating, I'd like to see more tenaciousness. Rather than coming away with pucks, he seems more interested in flying the zone and looking for easy points. I don't know that what he does translates at higher levels and not sure that he has enough more to overcome that.
Wood- He played with much more pace than in previous viewings. His skating looked improved. He seems to still be physically immature. He likely will never be a great skater, but if he can get to just being below average I think he processes game at high level and with his size that can make him effective top 6 forward. I feel better about his chances of becoming that than I did a couple months ago.
Gojsic- his Kelowna team is terrible- they had lost 15 in a row until winning Saturday- but I like his game. I haven't seen high-end skill from him, but he has nice shot, good size, skates well and likes to physically engage. I think he can be a quality 4th liner, maybe even 3rd.
I saw a bit of Molendyk and Gibson too, and they both remain on NHL track.
Stiga- Going back to his draft year, he reminded me of Jaden Schwartz. Jaden during his prime was a guy that while not supremely skilled, made any line he played on better. Stiga is like that. His numbers have picked up over the season. BC had him fill in on D even when they were shorthanded. I don't know whether hee is going to be a 40 pt guy or 60 pt guy, but I am confident he is going to be a good NHL player.
Fink- I haven't been impressed. Has some skill, but as an undersized guy without elite skating, I'd like to see more tenaciousness. Rather than coming away with pucks, he seems more interested in flying the zone and looking for easy points. I don't know that what he does translates at higher levels and not sure that he has enough more to overcome that.
Wood- He played with much more pace than in previous viewings. His skating looked improved. He seems to still be physically immature. He likely will never be a great skater, but if he can get to just being below average I think he processes game at high level and with his size that can make him effective top 6 forward. I feel better about his chances of becoming that than I did a couple months ago.
Gojsic- his Kelowna team is terrible- they had lost 15 in a row until winning Saturday- but I like his game. I haven't seen high-end skill from him, but he has nice shot, good size, skates well and likes to physically engage. I think he can be a quality 4th liner, maybe even 3rd.
I saw a bit of Molendyk and Gibson too, and they both remain on NHL track.
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