Thoughts, ranked in order of good to bad:
Once again, I hate these games with half scrubs. Also, it's pretty clear that the vets who played were not pushing 100%.
On to the analysis:
Impressed me:
NIEVES - looked like last year's Boo. Was either noticeable for his speed and aggressiveness or was not noticeable (in a good way). Helped his cause.
NASH - classic excellent Nash. Dictated play, held the puck, screened the goalie. Demonstrated why he continues to be valuable.
HALVERSON - I was impressed. Faced more difficult shots than Lundqvist and held his own, including on a couple that I thought were for sure going in. Not his fault on the one he gave up.
Okay/up-and-down:
CRAWLEY - wow, talk about ups and downs. It was the best of games, it was the worst of games. A couple of plays where he simply was overrun, to the point of falling down, and a couple where he looked like a legit NHLer (including the goal).
FONTAINE - similar to Nieves, but not quite as noticeable.
GRABNER - a good Grabner game.
SMITH - like Grabner, played his game well.
LUNDQVIST - solid, not spectacular. Looks to be warming up just fine.
ANDERSSON - continues to make really solid, subtle plays, including the pass to set up the goal. Not as obvious this game as previously, however.
MCDONAGH - this is going to start a string of similar comments: not bad, but not nearly the level of play he can bring in a regular season game. Felt like he was a vet playing it safe.
SHATTENKIRK - a couple of nice passes, but otherwise, see above.
KREIDER - a couple of good drives to the net, but otherwise, see above.
ZUCCARELLO - a couple of heady passes, but otherwise, see above.
SCHEINDER - a better showing, but clearly an AHLer.
ZIBANEJAD - looked like a guy who's a week-plus behind everyone else. Super rusty. Not much to judge really.
Expected to be cut:
HOLDEN - like some of the above, played his game -- but in his case that game, if appropriately slotted, should be the extra D-man on a contending team.
CATENACCI - one or two nice plays where he got into the mix, but the vast majority was chasing the play.
KOSMACHUK - honestly didn't notice him outside of serving the penalty.
DESJARDINS - a very mixed 3 minutes (or whatever it was) to put it mildly. Can't take a penalty like that when trying to make a team.
STAAL - it pains me to say this, because he was a big part of the rebuild from the dark ages, and before the injuries was lining up to be a top pair guy, but... whoof. He's toast.
