I liked…
Lohrei‘s poise and passing
Mitchell in attack mode
Beecher looking like a pro
McLaughlin’s tenacity
Lauko’s speed
Boqvist’s playmaking
Heinen’s 3rd period
Steen’s determination
I don’t think these guys did themselves any favors…
Merkulov couldn’t really get it going offensively
Toporowski & Kuntar seemed to be chasing the game
Brunet struggled with the pace
OT: Buffalo is going to be this year’s NJ.
Wow. Just watched the game and... All of this.
Most surprised by how good Beecher looks. I didn't really consider him a possibility to crack the roster (wanted to see him take his game to another level in the AHL first), but damn if he doesn't look like a fit. I'm a believer.
Mitchell can be exciting (really liked him as a prospect in the Hawks' system) but he also scares the hell out of me. I adore the gusto and his ability to really drive the offensive zone. He really pops there in a special way. But I imagine he could be very frustrating in other areas of the ice and I'm not sure if he'll look that confident when playing against full NHL lineups. Will be interesting to watch.
Again McLaughlin just appears to be an NHL player to me. I think he gets it at this level and does a lot of good things. So disappointed that he was unable to show that with Providence last season. I think he would simply excel in a third line role in Boston. I hope he earns that opportunity at some point this season. If I had the choice, with the small perspective I have, I'd start him there. I understand how unrealistic that actually is however and I expect he'll start the year in Providence again.
Boqvist is quietly good - would like to see less subtlety and more wow.
Lohrei needs some time and I don't know if he'll be a (I don't know) Matt Lashoff (?) or a really good second-pair guy. But he's got it all physically and all he needs is a flipped switch. I hope he finds that during the year in Providence.
I can't say enough about how much I love Steener and Lauko. Speed, tenacity, courage. They can play on my team any day.
Shocked at how sluggish Merkulov looked. Not as much as a skater, but with decision-making and how fluffy the puck seemed coming off his stick. Almost like he wasn't feeling well.
Lastly, I don't want Heinen to make this team. I think we have too many other players with srand-out aspects to their games that won't get a chance if we bury them. This season can be fun win or lose if we get to see guys like Steen and Lauko and Beecher and McLaughlin and Ian Mitchell... Hell, Richard maybe? Upside, trick or treat, will frustrate and at times excite - I think it's just more interesting to follow.
So when I say I thought Heinen looked very good, it's not an endorsement. He's a good NHL player and he deserves to be in the NHL and he's probably better than most of the options I listed. So he'll probably make the team. But I don't want that as I know his ceiling and his skillset and personally I can take it/leave it. As roster spackle on a contending team, sure. But we're going to be erratic and I want to enjoy the roller coaster.