Didn't quite see all of the game but I'd say...
Glimpses of Chytil being the guy we want him to be. Harder on the puck, better control, made some excellent plays and showing better application of his talents and size. But not there yet...not enough to drive a line by himself. I liked that he was there and in position and tried to tie up Hayes's stick on that goal but the excution obviously needs to be better.
Andersson continues to show some good battle and ability to disrupt and make some things happen. Might not ever be that guy we all go yeah this was a great pick but I think he's showing he can be a NHLer and the ceiling will be up to him
Fox looks good. Worst I saw out of him was when the Rangers were really down and seemed like they started pressing and guys were getting caught out of position more, but he reads the play really really well and defensively he seems like he's getting gaps and tracking players and pucks better and better. We'll see how he does when things ramp up but Hajek/Fox is looking like a good pairing to start the year with. Give them the soft minutes and see if they can out perform them, etc. Hajek seems to compliment him well as a smooth skating guy who moves the puck effectively but isn't out there taking a lot of risks
Skjei and Trouba looked better.
I dunno if they'll start Kravtsov in Hartford, seems like he could go either way...he could really find his stride at the NHL level with some patience or maybe an AHL trip would be best, but either way...with him it's just finding a way to consistently apply his skill. I also think he'll have to learn a bit of what Buchnevich did in that at the NHL level the coaches expect you to keep working on pretty much every play and no "playing soft" because you think you can't beat that guy to a puck, etc. Really just "staying engaged" rather than slowing down to watch a play develop.
Shesty looked good I think. Has been better and better each game. Maybe he wins the job...maybe he starts in Hartford, either way it's promising.
Time to start cutting the roster down and working with the real team I think. Sure you want to see what the depth guys can do but you don't need to waste too much time on it. Kreider-Chytil-Kakko are supposed to be a line and 3 preseason games in they haven't skated together
e: maybe what Edge was saying yesterday I see more with this game...in that, I see glimpses out of a guy like Chytil or Andersson and Fox and Hajek but this year there will likely be growing pains even if those guys really are what we hope they are. There will be more mistakes and breakdowns than a playoff contender can generally get away with. The hope is that by the end of the year players have really started gelling as a team and as legit NHLers
Glimpses of Chytil being the guy we want him to be. Harder on the puck, better control, made some excellent plays and showing better application of his talents and size. But not there yet...not enough to drive a line by himself. I liked that he was there and in position and tried to tie up Hayes's stick on that goal but the excution obviously needs to be better.
Andersson continues to show some good battle and ability to disrupt and make some things happen. Might not ever be that guy we all go yeah this was a great pick but I think he's showing he can be a NHLer and the ceiling will be up to him
Fox looks good. Worst I saw out of him was when the Rangers were really down and seemed like they started pressing and guys were getting caught out of position more, but he reads the play really really well and defensively he seems like he's getting gaps and tracking players and pucks better and better. We'll see how he does when things ramp up but Hajek/Fox is looking like a good pairing to start the year with. Give them the soft minutes and see if they can out perform them, etc. Hajek seems to compliment him well as a smooth skating guy who moves the puck effectively but isn't out there taking a lot of risks
Skjei and Trouba looked better.
I dunno if they'll start Kravtsov in Hartford, seems like he could go either way...he could really find his stride at the NHL level with some patience or maybe an AHL trip would be best, but either way...with him it's just finding a way to consistently apply his skill. I also think he'll have to learn a bit of what Buchnevich did in that at the NHL level the coaches expect you to keep working on pretty much every play and no "playing soft" because you think you can't beat that guy to a puck, etc. Really just "staying engaged" rather than slowing down to watch a play develop.
Shesty looked good I think. Has been better and better each game. Maybe he wins the job...maybe he starts in Hartford, either way it's promising.
Time to start cutting the roster down and working with the real team I think. Sure you want to see what the depth guys can do but you don't need to waste too much time on it. Kreider-Chytil-Kakko are supposed to be a line and 3 preseason games in they haven't skated together
e: maybe what Edge was saying yesterday I see more with this game...in that, I see glimpses out of a guy like Chytil or Andersson and Fox and Hajek but this year there will likely be growing pains even if those guys really are what we hope they are. There will be more mistakes and breakdowns than a playoff contender can generally get away with. The hope is that by the end of the year players have really started gelling as a team and as legit NHLers
