Games only 2 periods done but I have been watching intently and some observations:
Yak is the real deal. What I've been most impressed is his IQ and first pass. Just tremendous weight and timing on his passes. Whoever will flank him on the PP will score a lot of goals because he fakes the shot and drops off a perfect pass sublimly. Hasn't looked out of place defensively at all.
Kleven is going to be a difference for us--in the sense that he will be a key in our identity. Looks like a veteran out there.
JBD has impressed. A step below Yak, though, no doubt.
You can see the potential in Halliday. Needs another season in AHL and I feel this time next year he'll be raising some eyebrows.
I think Jenik's has that last roster spot locked up. His line is contiously a threat with Reinhardt and Gregor. Rein is also impressing and will definitely get games. He has impressed consistently in his showings in pre-season. Jenik provides a bit of everything and has that pesty attitude that will fit very well with Gregor and Cousins. It'll be a great and dependable line for us. I see Cole possibly pushing Jenik out if his skating doesn't keep him up.
I don't see the issue with Boucher.. at all. He hasn't stood out, if you expect a top 6, but he's been very, very solid in the fundementals. His passes have been crisp, his decision making solid, and he has been as fluid as any player out there. If he continues to play like that and progresses a bit, he'll have a bottom 6 NHL career.
Not impressed with my boy Crookshank. Don't think he'll have a shot here with Janik and Ostap ahead of him and now Cole Reinhardt as well.
Defense has been the story for us this game, though, with Kleven, Yak, JBD and--towards latter half--Addison being the most notable players for us.
We are shot for depth offensively. We need to replish the cupboards.